World

Geneva, Switzerland, January 21, 2020 – A global survey of public opinion published today by the World Economic Forum finds that the world overwhelmingly blames global warming on human activity, with some regions slightly less trusting of climate science in 2020. The survey also finds a majority of people in the world believe schools are […]

GENEVA, Jan. 20, 2020 –  Almost half a billion people are working fewer paid hours than they would like or lack adequate access to paid work, according to a new International Labour Organization (ILO) report. In addition, the World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2020  (WESO) shows that unemployment is projected to increase by around 2.5 million […]

GENEVA (21 January 2020) – In its first ruling on a complaint by an individual seeking asylum from the effects of climate change, the UN Human Rights Committee* has stated that countries may not deport individuals who face climate change-induced conditions that violate the right to life. In 2015, Ioane Teitiota’s asylum application in New […]

January 20, 2020 – Almost half of current food production is harmful to our planet – causing biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation and water stress. But as world population continues to grow, can that last? A study led by researchers from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) now suggests a comprehensive solution package for […]

January 20, 2020 – The 22 richest men in the world have more wealth than all 325 million women in Africa, Oxfam revealed today ahead of the World Economic Forum in Davos. A new report illustrates how inequality continues to be at crisis levels with wealth valued over work and the contribution of women under-rewarded. […]

Geneva, 17 January 2020 – Declining private investment and lack of innovation in the development of new antibiotics are undermining efforts to combat drug-resistant infections, says the World Health Organization (WHO). Two new reports reveal a weak pipeline for antibiotic agents. The 60 products in development (50 antibioticsand 10 biologics) bring little benefit over existing […]

GENEVA (17 January 2020) – The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet today condemned the continued killing and displacement of civilians in north-western Syria despite the announcement of a ceasefire nearly a week ago. Bachelet called for the immediate cessation of hostilities in and around the ‘de-escalation’ zone of Idlib, and the protection […]

January 16, 2020, Juba, South Sudan — After fighting broke out between two opposing groups in  Panyijar County, South Sudan, an IRC ambulance carrying civilians severely injured in the fighting was attacked. While all IRC staff are safe civilians were killed and injured in the fighting that broke out on Tuesday evening.  Martin Omukuba, South […]

LONDON, January 15, 2020 – Nuclear power is in terminal decline worldwide and will never make a serious contribution to tackling climate change, a group of energy experts argues. Meeting recently in London at Chatham House, the UK’s Royal Institution of International Affairs, they agreed that despite continued enthusiasm from the industry, and from some […]

January 14, 2020 – The online advertising industry is behind comprehensive illegal collection and indiscriminate use of personal data, research from the Norwegian Consumer Council shows. Based on the findings, more than 20 consumer and civil society organisations in Europe and from different parts of the world are urging their authorities to investigate the practices […]

Jan. 14, 2020 – A joint public statement from Amnesty International, CIVICUS and Transparency International The annual G20 summit often seems like a talking shop for the world’s most powerful governments. The leaders of 19 of the largest national economies plus the European Union get together, shake hands in front of the cameras, and make […]

London, UK (07 January 2020) — Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Mayor of New York City Bill de Blasio have today urged fellow mayors of the world’s leading cities to join them in divesting their city pension funds from fossil fuel assets, to help avert climate breakdown. The call to action from Mayors Khan […]

Jan. 6, 2020 – As schools in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa began their winter vacations this week, parents received orders saying their students cannot be involved in any religious activities during the break. In one such directive dated Dec. 31, 2019 and sent by Lhasa Chengguan Haicheng Elementary School, parents are told that it […]

January 6, 2020 – The Australia Institute has welcomed the Government’s $2 billion bushfire recovery fund announcement, but has questioned why regular Australian taxpayers are being asked to pay when a levy on fossil fuel producers would be a more appropriate way to raise the required funding. “Regular Australians should not be forced to pay […]

January 6, 2020 – In 2019, Israeli security forces killed 133 Palestinians, including 28 minors. Of the casualties, 104 were killed in the Gaza Strip, 26 in the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) and three within Israel. Most of these deaths were a direct outcome of Israel’s reckless open-fire policy, authorized by the government and […]

Washington, January 6, 2020 —  In response to the Maduro regime’s forcible interference with a vote for president of the National Assembly, Freedom House issued the following statement: “The use of force in a bid to seize control of the National Assembly, Venezuela’s last democratically elected institution, is a brazen new addition to the Maduro regime’s […]

January 6, 2020 – The UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on world leaders to de-escalate geopolitical tensions on Monday, which he described as being “at their highest level this century” as the new decade dawns. The New Year has begun with our world in turmoil. We are living in dangerous times”, said the UN chief, noting that turbulence is […]

January 3, 2020 – The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed deep concern over the latest escalation in tension across the Gulf region, following the killing of a top Iranian General in Iraq, in an airstrike carried out by the United States.  In a statement issued on Friday morning, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq, said that the UN chief […]