UN expert sounds alarm over ‘contemporary forms of slavery’ in Canada

UN expert sounds alarm over ‘contemporary forms of slavery’ in Canada

Tomoya Obokata, the Human Rights Council-appointed Special Rapporteur on the global scourge of modern slavery issued his statement at the end of a 14-day visit. He called on the Canadian Government to intensify its efforts to safeguard workers’ rights and offer a clear pathway to permanent residency for all migrants. Migrant workers at risk “I am deeply…

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‘Act together’ for clean air, Guterres urges

‘Act together’ for clean air, Guterres urges

Airborne contaminants are one of the most significant environmental health risks. According to the UN World Health Organization (WHO), 99 per cent of the world’s population breathes polluted air, with the exposure significantly worse in low and middle-income countries.  The pervasive nature of air pollution requires global collaboration. This year’s theme, Together for Clean Air, addresses the urgent…

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'Climate breakdown' alert as air quality dips during heatwaves: UN chief

‘Climate breakdown’ alert as air quality dips during heatwaves: UN chief

The news came as the UN chief released a strongly worded statement on a record summer of global warming in the northern hemisphere, according to the European Union’s climate service Copernicus. Dog days bite back “Our planet has just endured a season of simmering – the hottest summer on record,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres,…

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UN provides funding boost for ‘neglected’ humanitarian crises

UN provides funding boost for ‘neglected’ humanitarian crises

The UN humanitarian affairs office which he leads (OCHA), reported that in 2023, global funding requirements have surpassed $55 billion to support 250 million people affected by conflict, climate change, disease outbreaks, and other crises. Faced with these record needs, less than 30 per cent of the target funding goal has been received.  ‘Cruel reality’…

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People of African descent facing ‘immense challenges’ in public square

People of African descent facing ‘immense challenges’ in public square

It details how systemic racism, marginalization and exclusion, rooted in the legacies of enslavement and colonialism, continue to have a negative effect on all aspects of life. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk urged States to “accelerate action towards meaningful, inclusive and safe participation for people of African descent in every aspect of…

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Coasts and sea life facing major threat due to massive sand removal

Coasts and sea life facing major threat due to massive sand removal

This is equivalent to over one million dump trucks every day – placing immense pressure on marine biodiversity and the well-being of coastal communities. Marine Sand Watch, a platform developed by UN Environment Programme (UNEP)’s analytical centre, GRID-Geneva, uses artificial intelligence and automatic signals from ships to track and monitor sand, clay, silt, gravel, and…

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Afghanistan: WFP forced to cut food aid for 2 million more

Afghanistan: WFP forced to cut food aid for 2 million more

Forced to take the drastic measures citing a “massive funding shortfall”, WFP will only be able to provide emergency assistance to three million people per month across the country from October. “Amid already worrying levels of hunger and malnutrition, we are obliged to choose between the hungry and the starving, leaving millions of families scrambling for their…

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