US must uphold judges’ right to speak freely about race and gender bias: rights expert

PNP DeskFebruary 5, 2024September 18, 202406 mins

Special Rapporteur Margaret Satterthwaite voiced serious concerns that a Supreme Court Justice in the state of North Carolina, Anita Earls, was investigated for comments made regarding the potential role that implicit biases based on race, gender, and political affiliation can play in the Court’s decision-making. “Like other citizens, judges are entitled to freedom of expression, provided they conduct themselves…

Guterres appoints independent UNRWA review panel

PNP DeskFebruary 5, 2024September 18, 202404 mins

The independent Review Group – appointed in consultation with UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini – will examine whether the agency is doing everything it can to ensure neutrality and to respond to allegations of serious breaches when they arise. It will be led by former French Foreign Minister, Catherine Colonna, who will work with three research organizations: the Raoul Wallenberg Institute in…

UN force steps up patrols after weekend of bloodshed in Abyei

PNP DeskFebruary 5, 2024September 18, 202403 mins

Heavily armed assailants attacked civilians in the villages of Malual Aleu, Banton, Awolnhom, Abathok, Majbong, Awal, and east of Rumamier, using rocket-propelled grenades and mortars, reportedly over a land dispute. At least 37 people are reported to have been killed and several others injured, including women and children. Villages were also set on fire and…

World News in Brief: Artificial Intelligence pledge, child abuse online, Sudan crisis deepens

PNP DeskFebruary 5, 2024September 18, 202408 mins

Lenovo Group, LG AI Research, Mastercard, Microsoft, Salesforce, Telefonica, GSMA network of mobile phone operators, and INNIT have pledged to “integrate the values and principles” of UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of AI when designing and deploying AI systems. The announcement came at the UN education, science and culture agency’s Global Forum on AI, taking place…

UPDATING LIVE: Crisis in the Middle East

UPDATING LIVE: Security Council to meet on Middle East crisis over US strikes

PNP DeskFebruary 5, 2024September 18, 202405 mins

Video of the Security Council meeting. 4:05 PM More attacks across Middle East fuel chances of miscalculation The UN’s Political Affairs chief, Rosemary DiCarlo, is briefing ambassadors first. She said that as everyone in the diplomatic world is all too aware, “the tensions that have engulfed multiple countries in the Middle East continue to rise.”…

Guterres: End ‘abhorrent practice’ of female genital mutilation

PNP DeskFebruary 5, 2024September 18, 202407 mins

“Even one mutilation is one too many,” António Guterres said in his message to mark the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), observed annually on 6 February. The UN estimates that globally, more than 200 million women and girls have been subjected to some form of FGM, which involves the removal…

Youth-led ‘emergency rooms’ shine rays of hope in war-torn Sudan

PNP DeskFebruary 3, 2024September 18, 202409 mins

Emergency response rooms are finding innovative approaches to providing rapid assistance to millions facing war in Sudan. Teams of volunteer medical staff, engineers and other emergency experts across the country are addressing civilian needs amid the current bout of violence and insecurity stemming from clashes with rival military forces in April 2023. So far, ERRs have…

Unprecedented drought emergency demands urgent action

World News in Brief: Drought in Ethiopia, peacekeepers wounded in DR Congo, deadly strike on Ukraine aid workers

PNP DeskFebruary 2, 2024September 18, 202406 mins

Drought is ravaging communities in Afar, Amhara, Tigray and Oromia, as well as the Southern and South West Ethiopia Peoples’ Region. Severe water shortages, dried pastures and reduced harvests are impacting millions of people and livestock, with reports of food insecurity and rising malnutrition. Among those who are particularly vulnerable are people affected by the…

WFP pleads for aid access in Sudan, amid reports of starvation

PNP DeskFebruary 2, 2024September 18, 202407 mins

WFP described the situation as dire, noting that almost 18 million people across the country are currently facing acute hunger. An estimated five million are experiencing emergency levels of hunger due to conflict in areas such as Khartoum, Darfur, and Kordofan. Obstacles to aid delivery “The situation in Sudan today is nothing short of catastrophic,”…

Following in Pelé’s footsteps, Vinícius Junior appointed UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador

PNP DeskFebruary 2, 2024September 18, 202404 mins

During her visit, Director-General of the UN education, science and culture body, UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay presented the 23-year-old winger with a letter of appointment, acknowledging his exceptional achievements on the pitch and his unwavering commitment to promoting equal educational opportunities in Brazil. I want to be acknowledged not only as a great player, but also…