Tag Archives: LOW

#FertilityDay: Italian Govt. Tells Women To Have Babies Due To Low Birth Rate

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What is a woman, really, if not a vessel for making babies? According to a controversial new ad campaign in Italy, it seems the answer is “a failure to her country.”

In an attempt to combat falling birthrates, health minister Beatrice Lorenzin announced earlier this summer that Italy would hold its first ever Fertility Day on September 22nd. Through a series of state-sponsored events in major Italian cities, the “holiday” would focus on encouraging family-planning by helping those struggling to conceive, celebrating the beauty of parenthood, and discussing why a lower birthrate might be dangerous for Italy’s future.

Along with the announcement, the Ministry of Health launched a website, a computer game, and a series of promotional images in order to help encourage participation — but rather than get people excited, they instead sparked major backlash and global outrage.

The #FertilityDay images were quick to go viral for touting offensive messages like “Beauty has no age. But fertility does.” and “Young parents. The best way to be creative.” Many immediately pointed out that the tone of the ads is extremely pressuring, and the message ridiculously sexist.

Read More: cosmopolitan

Buhari Scores Low On Economy, Others, See Poll Rating

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President Muhammadu Buhari’s approval rating has slipped further from 32.8% in February to 31.2% in March, amid worsening economic crisis and crippling fuel scarcity, according to a new poll.

The monthly poll by Governance Advancement Initiative for Nigeria, GAIN, says more Nigerians again scored Mr. Buhari low on his administration’s handling of the economy, power and fuel shortage.

It is the second time the president’s rating dropped since GAIN in December started monthly tracking of performance of governments at all levels in Nigeria.

In earlier months, the poll found that majority of respondents did not blame President Buhari for Nigeria’s economic troubles. They blamed former President Goodluck Jonathan instead.

In January, the president’s approval rating stood at 63.4%.

The trend however shifted significantly in February as the nation’s economic crisis bit harder.

In March, which is the latest result, the poll said more Nigerians continued to blame Mr. Buhari— not Mr. Jonathan— for the nation’s economic woes.

The falling rating was primarily due to petroleum scarcity, bad economy, power outage, and broken campaign promises, said the poll.

“A crippling fuel scarcity continued to affect individuals and business across the country, and had a concomitant effect on transportation and business costs,” said Malcolm Fabiyi, one of the poll’s coordinators, who previously served as a visiting professor at the Lagos Business School.

The president scored low on economy, power, and rule of law.

Credit: PremiumTimes

Low: Germany Less Reliant On Schweinsteiger Now

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The 55-year-old boss believes he no longer needs to start the Manchester United midfielder in every game, while he is already laying plans to defend the World Cup in 2018

 

Germany boss Joachim Low has suggested he will use captain Bastian Schweinsteiger sparingly over the coming years amid concerns over the midfielder’s displays for new club Manchester United.

The 31-year-old completed 90 minutes for the first time this season as the Red Devils fell to a 2-1 defeat against Swansea City, with some critics highlighting his lack of mobility and fitness.

Low, though, remains convinced of Schweinsteiger’s importance to Die Mannschaft, but ackowledges that he must pick and choose when he fields his skipper to ensure he is always operating at 100 per cent.

“Maybe I no longer need Bastian in every match now,” Low told Suddeutsche Zeitung.

“I need him when it is important for us. Then I know that he performs and assumes responsibility and his will to win is like no other.”

Germany are in the midst of Euro 2016 qualifying and take on Poland on Friday before facing Scotland three days later, but Low says he is just as focused on plotting how he can defend his nation’s World Cup title.

“The European Championships in France is for us a great goal but our thoughts go already beyond in all plans,” he continued. “We have the 2018 World Cup in mind – Mission: Title Defence.”

On the subject of Germany’s upcoming games, he added: “The decisive factor for me is that we can be on our own as leaders.

“The goal is to win both games. I know many players of my team for many years and I know that, in games like against Poland, they are motivated to the tips of their hair.”

Poland lead Group D with 14 points heading into the match, with Germany (13) in second and Scotland (11) in third.