WFP highlights Africa’s biggest hunger crisis — Global Issues

ByNews Polite

Millions of Congolese face severe food insecurity, particularly in the northeast, where fighting has uprooted millions of people. As part of his three-day DRC visit, the Pope is expected to meet families displaced by conflict in the east.  This staggering number includes more than half a million uprooted from their homes…

Rights experts call for probe into claim Catalan leaders were spied on — Global Issues

ByNews Polite

“Spanish authorities must conduct a full, fair, and effective investigation into these allegations, publish the findings and stop any unlawful interference into the fundamental rights of the Catalan minority activists in Spain,” they said in a statement.  Top leaders arrested  Following the October 2017 independence referendum, Spain arrested leaders of the…

Iraq must seize ‘brief window of opportunity’ to turn tide of instability — Global Issues

ByNews Polite

Highlighting recent achievements and challenges ahead following a year of tensions and political discord, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert said the hope is that the confirmation of the new Government will provide an opportunity to structurally address the many pressing issues. ‘Glass half full’  “Effecting meaningful change will take time, as this can…

Resolution of ‘racism’ complaint brought by Qatar against UAE and Saudi Arabia — Global Issues

ByNews Polite

The ad hoc Conciliation Commission was established by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) in the wake of a diplomatic crisis between the neighbouring Gulf nations, nearly eight years ago.   “I hope that the consensus found by Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia to discontinue…

WMO unveils plans for sustainable monitoring of greenhouse gases — Global Issues

ByNews Polite

The WMO initiative would create a network of ground-based measurement stations that can verify worrying air quality data that’s been flagged by satellites or airplanes, potentially in the next five years. “At present, there is no comprehensive, timely international exchange of surface and space-based greenhouse gas observations,” the UN agency said, as it…

African leaders commit to end AIDS among children by 2030 — Global Issues

ByNews Polite

The first ministerial meeting of the Global Alliance to end AIDS in children marked a step up in action to ensure all boys and girls with HIV can access life-saving treatment, and that HIV-positive mothers can have babies free from the virus.  Ministers and representatives laid out plans which include…

Revive and restore wetlands, home to 40 per cent of all biodiversity — Global Issues

ByNews Polite

On World Wetlands Day, observed this Thursday, the United Nations is calling for urgent action to revive and restore these ecosystems, which are disappearing three times faster than forests.  Wetlands cover roughly six per cent of the Earth’s land surface and are vital for human health, food supply, tourism and…

IOM steps up support as Rohingya refugee numbers rise in Southeast Asia — Global Issues

ByNews Polite

Almost 3,300 arrived in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand last year, the UN agency said, a roughly 290 per cent rise over the 850 people recorded in 2021.  IOM urged States in the region to work collectively to provide life-saving care and support to the refugees to prevent loss of life at…

Saudi Arabia a strategic partner in UN support for Palestine refugees, amid concern over escalating violence — Global Issues

ByNews Polite

In a first since 2020, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini visited Saudi Arabia on 28 and 29 January at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.   Longtime Saudi solidarity with Palestine refugees topped the agenda of his talks with the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Waleed ElKhereji, and the Supervisor-General…