World News in Brief: Dignity and justice key to end evil of racial discrimination, methane emissions update, Mpox latest, peacebuilding boost

PNP DeskMarch 20, 2024September 19, 2024010 mins

The international day on Thursday highlights that theme, as well as the importance of recognition, justice and development opportunities for those of African descent, said Secretary-General António Guterres. He said the results of entrenched racism continue to be devasting: “opportunities stolen; dignity denied; rights violated; lives taken and lives destroyed.” The African diaspora faces a…

Indonesia leads the way in taming forest fires

PNP DeskMarch 20, 2024September 19, 202409 mins

When volunteer firefighter Marlizar noticed smoke billowing over a quarter-hectare of peatland while on a routine patrol in 2019, he dispatched his colleague to their base in Riau province’s Teluk Maranti village, seven kilometres away, and faced the fire alone. As Marlizar’s colleague sped off to retrieve a clunky hose unit, the 42-year-old attempted to beat back…

Gaza: Less than 1 in 2 UN aid convoys allowed into northern zones this month

PNP DeskMarch 20, 2024September 19, 202405 mins

In its latest update, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said that the first two weeks of March saw just 11 out of 24 missions “facilitated” by Israeli authorities. “The rest were either denied or postponed,” OCHA continued, noting that five convoys were refused entry and eight were postponed. “Facilitated missions primarily…

UN report details ‘climate of fear’ in Russian occupied areas of Ukraine

PNP DeskMarch 20, 2024September 19, 202406 mins

Based on over 2,300 testimonies from victims and witnesses, the report details measures taken by Russia to impose Russian language, citizenship, laws, court system and education curricula in the occupied areas, while at the same time suppressing expressions of Ukrainian culture and identity, and dismantling its governance and administrative systems. “The actions of the Russian…

UN rights chief urges Belarus to promptly release political detainees

‘Currently unsafe to return’ to Belarus, Human Rights Council hears

PNP DeskMarch 20, 2024September 19, 202405 mins

Focusing on developments in 2023, the report builds on previous findings in the aftermath of large public protests which erupted in 2020 following a disputed presidential poll. Despite a lack of cooperation from Belarusian authorities, the UN human rights office (OHCHR) said evidence gathered shows that the scale and pattern of violations has continued. “The…

Independent review group on UNRWA may request Gaza visit

UNRWA review panel presents interim findings to Secretary-General

PNP DeskMarch 20, 2024September 19, 202402 mins

The review follows serious allegations regarding the alleged involvement of UNRWA staff in the 7 October attack on Israel by Hamas, which are being investigated by the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS). The independent review group presented the interim report findings and recommendations to the Secretary-General on Tuesday. “It has found that UNRWA…

Gaza: Increasing numbers of newborns on brink of death, agencies warn

PNP DeskMarch 19, 2024September 19, 202409 mins

“What doctors and medical staff are telling us is more and more they are seeing the effects of starvation; they’re seeing newborn babies simply dying because they (are) too low birth weight,” said Dr Margaret Harris from the UN World Health Organization (WHO). “Increasingly, we’re seeing children that are at the point, brink of death…

Records smashed – new WMO climate report confirms 2023 hottest year on record

PNP DeskMarch 19, 2024September 19, 202407 mins

Heatwaves, floods, droughts, wildfires and rapidly intensifying tropical cyclones caused misery and mayhem, upending everyday life for millions and inflicting many billions of dollars in economic losses, according to the WMO State of the Global Climate 2023 report. “Sirens are blaring across all major indicators… Some records aren’t just chart-topping, they’re chart-busting. And changes are…

Hong Kong: Rushed adoption of new security law a ‘regressive step’ – UN rights chief

PNP DeskMarch 19, 2024September 19, 202403 mins

“It is alarming that such consequential legislation was rushed through the legislature through an accelerated process, in spite of serious concerns raised about the incompatibility of many of its provisions with international human rights law,” Volker Türk said in a statement deploring the move in the former British colony which has been a Special Administrative…

Haiti: Aid efforts continue amid violence and volatility

PNP DeskMarch 19, 2024September 19, 202402 mins

The UN said on Tuesday that its children’s agency UNICEF and partners have delivered over 242,000 gallons of water since early March, while the World Food Programme (WFP) and partners have provided over 146,000 hot meals. People traumatized by the recent violence are also receiving psychosocial support.  Infrastructure attacked The UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA,…