World Humanitarian Day — Protect Aid Workers Against Drones
UNITED NATIONS, August 20 (IPS) – World Humanitarian Day celebrates humanitarian workers and the life-saving services they provide under the most complex and often dangerous conditions.
Worldwide
How Mexico’s Search Collectives Claimed a Place at the World Cup
Weeks have gone by since the World Cup ended. Its aftermath has sparked a broader conversation about who football’s biggest tournament belongs to and how it should look in 2030. One postscript to that conversation comes from Mexico.
UN Reiterates its 18-Year-Old Ban on Smoking
UNITED NATIONS, August 19 (IPS) – When smoking was common in the corridors of the UN, in the delegate’s lounge and in committee rooms during the 1970s and 90s, the office of the Secretary-General sent a memo that read: “Smoking was Discouraged” in the UN building—sounding far short of a ban.
Read the full story, “UN Reiterates its 18-Year-Old Ban on Smoking”, on globalissues.org →
Remembering Fidel Castro, a Hero of the World’s Oppressed People
SYDNEY, August 19 (IPS) – The 13th of August marked the 100th birthday of Cuba’s revolutionary leader Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz – in short Fidel Castro. Amidst an intensified US siege and the threat of invasion, Cubans commemorated their dear leader’s centenary birth anniversary with events that included an International Book Fair, art exhibitions, concerts and gatherings of delegates from left-wing organisations across the continent.
Indigenous Peoples Call for Meaningful Influence in Climate Discussions — Nia Tero
UNITED NATIONS, August 18 (IPS) – Indigenous communities have long advocated for the environment through the lens of their traditional knowledge systems and cultures. But much more work needs to be done to translate their presence into influence.
Impending UNIFIL Exit Pushes Lebanon Toward Uncertainty
UNITED NATIONS, August 18 (IPS) – Since the collapse of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon announced in June, the humanitarian situation in Lebanon has deteriorated sharply. Marked by high casualties, immense destruction to civilian infrastructure, and widespread displacement, access to essential services has become increasingly strained as the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is scheduled to end its operations by the end of the year.
Read the full story, “Impending UNIFIL Exit Pushes Lebanon Toward Uncertainty”, on globalissues.org →
As Mongolia Hosts COP17, Pastoralists Demand Space to Move, Survive and Restore
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, August 17 (IPS) – After moving more than 6,000 km across Eurasia, the Silk Road Caravan has reached Mongolia with stories from pastoralists whose livelihoods are increasingly threatened by drought, degraded land and shrinking access to grazing areas.
International Criminal Court Under Attack
LONDON, August 17 (IPS) – In a recent Wall Street Journal piece, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledged to ‘dismantle’ the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Trump administration intends to pressure states into quitting the court, threatening sanctions, travel bans, visa restrictions and ‘increased scrutiny’ of states that receive its funding. At stake is the court’s ability to stand with victims of the gravest of human rights crimes.
Read the full story, “International Criminal Court Under Attack”, on globalissues.org →
The grass beneath our feet: Why rangelands matter
In northern Kenya, a herder scans the sky for rain that hasn’t come. The grass his animals need is thinning by the day.
Read the full story, “The grass beneath our feet: Why rangelands matter”, on globalissues.org →
Former rebel fighters join campaign against Ebola in the DR Congo
Demobilised former combatants are actively joining the fight against Ebola by participating in public information campaigns in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).