ItalyOwnership & classification
Founded: 1964
Ownership
Inter Press Service (IPS) is a non-profit global news agency headquartered in Rome, founded in 1964 by Italian journalist Roberto Savio and Argentine political scientist Pablo Piacentini. Originally a journalist cooperative, it became a public-benefit development-cooperation organisation in 1994 and re-established a cooperative consortium structure (IPS International News Agency) in 2005; it is owned by its own regional centres and journalists rather than by any company, state or newspaper group.
Funding
Funded through subscribers and clients, multilateral and national development-cooperation programmes, and project grants from foundations; donor governments have at various times included Belgium, Brazil, Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Norway. It is notably not financed by any single country or media group.
Affiliation & stance
Focuses on the Global South, development, civil society and globalisation, with a centre-left/development-NGO editorial outlook. Despite reliance on development donors, it is a journalist-owned non-profit cooperative free of party, state or corporate ownership, so INDEPENDENT (centre-left) is the correct classification.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Progressive
- Measured from coverage
- Lean Progressivebased on 72
81/100
Factual
73/100
Objective
76
Articles
76
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
Lailuma Built Opportunities for Afghan Women – Then She Was Killed
In August 2026, Lailuma, a 35-year-old Afghan woman and community activist, was murdered in the town of Ishkashim, Badakhshan province, while returning to her restaurant. Unidentified assailants shot her in a market area near provincial government buildings, leaving her critically injured and later deceased. Locals report multiple witnesses and immediate flight by the attackers, though the motive remains unknown. Lailuma had established a women-only restaurant and tailoring workshop after the Taliban restricted educational access for girls, providing jobs to seven women and 11 girls while offering protection against forced marriage. Her killing has instilled fear among women, leading some to stop working. Rawa News documented several recent murders, including that of tribal leader Hajiullah Nazar, and Rawadar reported over 611 deaths or injuries from targeted attacks in Afghanistan in 2025, marking a significant increase compared to the prior year. These incidents highlight ongoing violence against women and activists in regions with weak governance.
New Emergency Care Skills Help Tanzania’s Frontline Doctors Save Lives
An article from IPS News reports on Tanzania's efforts to improve emergency care through the Basic Emergency Care (BEC) program. The piece describes a case where a 14-year-old girl survived after being treated by doctors who applied BEC techniques learned from the World Health Organization. It highlights the challenges faced by Tanzanian hospitals, including shortages of trained staff, equipment, and supplies, particularly in rural areas. The government, in collaboration with the Emergency Medicine Association of Tanzania and WHO, has launched the ACTxBEC initiative to train health workers in managing medical emergencies with limited resources. Officials emphasize that this training can prevent avoidable deaths and disabilities related to trauma, childbirth complications, and severe infections.
Cockroach Insult Unleashes Biggest Challenge yet to Modi’s Repressive Rule
A nationwide protest movement known as the 'Cockroach Janta Party' emerged in India after Chief Justice Surya Kant likened unemployed youth to cockroaches, sparking outrage. The movement, which began as a satirical online campaign, gained momentum through social media and evolved into a significant challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration. It demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who eventually resigned. The protests were fueled by widespread frustration over educational inequality, job scarcity, and systemic corruption, particularly highlighted by the leaking of a major medical college entrance exam. The movement attracted participants across age groups and included elements such as hunger strikes and peaceful demonstrations, reflecting broader concerns about youth disenfranchisement and governmental accountability.
UNAIDS Framework Pushes for the Protection and Integration of HIV Care
The article discusses a new UNAIDS framework titled 'Operationalizing HIV Integration,' which emphasizes the need for a country-specific approach to integrating HIV care based on national readiness. The framework introduces the concept of 'protective verticality,' advocating for the preservation of dedicated HIV infrastructure in conflict zones and fragile states where national health systems are under strain. It outlines a three-phase strategy, stabilization, connection, and embedding, to ensure safe and effective integration of HIV services. The report highlights a significant decline in international HIV funding, down 18% in 2025, raising concerns about sustaining progress against HIV/AIDS. The framework aims to address these challenges by prioritizing stability and gradual integration rather than rapid merging into weakened health systems.
World Humanitarian Day — Protect Aid Workers Against Drones
The article discusses World Humanitarian Day 2026, highlighting the dangers faced by aid workers in conflict zones and the need for protection. It references the 2008 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad, which led to the establishment of World Humanitarian Day. UN Secretary-General António Guterres commemorated the event, emphasizing the violation of international humanitarian laws. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports a significant increase in violence against aid workers, with over 700 incidents recorded in 2025. Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, warns about the rising threat posed by drones, noting their increased use against civilians and infrastructure.
How Mexico’s Search Collectives Claimed a Place at the World Cup
In July 2026, during the FIFA World Cup hosted in Mexico, civilian search collectives organized informal football matches along Paseo de la Reforma in Mexico City as a form of remembrance for missing family members. The initiative aimed to address the emotional challenge of participating in a national celebration while grieving over disappearances. These games occurred alongside the World Cup matches and served as spaces for reflection and community engagement. The collectives, which operate despite limited government support and significant personal risk, used football as a medium to express the pain of absence. The event highlighted the ongoing issue of thousands of missing persons in Mexico and brought attention to the efforts of families seeking justice.
UN Reiterates its 18-Year-Old Ban on Smoking
In 2026, the United Nations reiterated its 18-year-old ban on smoking within its headquarters buildings, emphasizing that smoking and vaping are restricted to designated outdoor areas. The ban was first implemented in 2008 through Resolution 63/8 and later reinforced by an information circular in 2016. Despite this, reports suggest some violations occurred. A recent update from the UN's Division of Healthcare Management and Occupational Safety and Health (DHMOSH) under the Department of Operational Support (DOS) reaffirmed the policy ahead of the upcoming General Assembly sessions. The WHO supports the ban, highlighting the health risks of second-hand smoke, especially for vulnerable individuals.
GAZA: ‘There Are No Standards to Tell You What to Do in Conditions like Gaza’
An interview with Ibrahim Arandas, a Palestinian activist and project manager at SPARK Gaza, highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza following Israel's 2023 offensive. The situation remains dire despite a ceasefire announced in October 2025, with residents still facing extreme shortages of clean water, healthcare, shelter, and mental health support. Arandas describes the Israeli blockade as a systematic effort to erode human dignity over time, creating conditions akin to a 'concentration camp.' He emphasizes the challenges of delivering aid due to restricted movement and frequent closures, making it difficult for organizations to reach those in need. SPARK Gaza, funded by the European Union, has adapted its operations to respond to daily changes in the conflict zone.
Remembering Fidel Castro, a Hero of the World’s Oppressed People
On August 13, 2026, Cuba commemorated the 100th birthday of Fidel Castro, highlighting his leadership during the country's 60-year-long US economic blockade and its resistance to multiple CIA-backed attacks. The article notes that despite the sanctions, Cuba maintained high standards of healthcare and education, with a doctor-to-patient ratio of 9.8 per 1,000 people and low infant mortality rates. It references historical events such as the Bay of Pigs invasion and Castro's survival through numerous assassination attempts. Former US diplomats and international figures like Ken Livingstone praised Castro's resilience and achievements, emphasizing Cuba's success in maintaining social welfare under external pressure.
Indigenous Peoples Call for Meaningful Influence in Climate Discussions — Nia Tero
Indigenous peoples' organizations are advocating for stronger inclusion and influence in global climate discussions, particularly at the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) under the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). A new report by Nia Tero highlights challenges in ensuring Indigenous voices shape environmental policies. The report was launched at COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, emphasizing the need for coherence among the three Rio Conventions, UNCCD, Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which address climate change, biodiversity loss, and desertification. Indigenous leaders stress that these issues are deeply connected to land rights and cultural practices, and they call for greater recognition and support from governments and funding bodies.
Nairobi Biodiversity Talks Set the Stage for Key COP17 Decisions
At the Nairobi Biodiversity Talks, delegates discussed the state of global efforts to achieve the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) by 2030. Two key meetings under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), SBSTTA-28 and SBI-7, concluded with findings indicating that despite increased participation and national planning, countries are still off track to meet biodiversity goals. The assessments highlighted progress in some areas like conservation but noted significant gaps in finance, business accountability, and monitoring. These conclusions will inform the upcoming COP17 conference in Yerevan, Armenia, where nations will formally evaluate their collective progress toward the KMGBF.
Impending UNIFIL Exit Pushes Lebanon Toward Uncertainty
Since the collapse of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon in June 2026, the humanitarian situation in Lebanon has worsened significantly. High casualty rates, extensive destruction of civilian infrastructure, and widespread displacement have strained access to essential services. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), set to conclude its operations by the end of the year, has documented frequent Israeli military activity, including aerial violations and projectile attacks. Recent incidents include the firing of over 455 projectiles into southern Lebanon, causing severe damage to water systems and agricultural land. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported thousands of casualties, while UN officials expressed concerns about the violation of international humanitarian law.
As Mongolia Hosts COP17, Pastoralists Demand Space to Move, Survive and Restore
At the COP17 of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, participants in a Silk Road Caravan shared stories of pastoralists facing challenges such as drought, land degradation, and loss of grazing areas. The caravan, which traveled over 6,000 km across Eurasia, highlighted the need for integrating local knowledge into global land restoration efforts. Indigenous advocates like Neema Seki emphasized the importance of land tenure security for pastoral communities, stressing its impact on livestock health, mobility, and food security. The event brought together governments, scientists, and civil society to address the growing crisis affecting 40% of the world’s land and 3.2 billion people.