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UN chief eyes reforms to peacekeeping operations
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calls for broad reflection on reforming peacekeeping, acknowledging persistent limitations and the need for realistic mandates and adaptable models.
He highlights Africa’s need for new-generation peace enforcement missions and counter-terrorism operations.
Signs of the human era, from nuclear fallout to microplastics
Humans have left their mark on the planet, with signs of their influence found everywhere. The Anthropocene Working Group is set to announce a representative site, but the official designation as a geological time unit is pending.
The weight of humanity is evident in the surge of greenhouse gases, dominance of land mammals and birds, proliferation of technofossils, and presence of microplastics and forever chemicals. As the Anthropocene era unfolds, humanity’s response and the potential for a mass extinction are yet to be seen. Antarctica may be the only place untouched, but without change, even its ice sheets will melt.
Paris summit to push for global debt and climate reform
World leaders will convene in Paris for the Summit for a New Global Financial Pact, aiming to address climate change, debt burdens, and poverty. Ideas include innovative taxation, restructuring international financial systems, and increasing climate financing. Developing nations seek tangible progress and timelines.
UN chief slams ‘pitiful’ world response to climate change
UN Secretary-General Guterres warns of a climate disaster due to inadequate global response. Urgent action is needed to meet climate goals and transform the fossil fuel industry toward clean energy.
The lack of ambition, trust, and cooperation hinders progress. The fight against climate change must be immediate and global.
Record 110 million people now forcibly displaced: UN
A record 110 million people have been forcibly displaced worldwide due to conflict, persecution, discrimination, and climate change, according to the UN. The increase of 19.1 million from the previous year is the largest ever recorded. The UNHCR chief called it an “indictment” of the world.
No progress on biases against women in a decade: UN report
Despite global campaigns for women’s rights, biases against women in data tracking have remained unchanged over the past decade, according to a UN report. The report highlights that biased gender social norms are deeply entrenched in society, with nearly 90% of people having at least one bias.
The prejudices persist among both men and women, hindering progress towards gender equality and impacting women’s rights worldwide. The report emphasizes the need to address these biases to achieve gender equality and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Coming years ‘critical’ to slash plastic pollution: UN
A UN report warns that the world must reduce single-use plastics and disposable consumption by half to combat environmental pollution. Microplastic fragments have been found in various ecosystems and even in humans, raising concerns about their impact on health and the climate.
The report calls for a three-pronged approach focused on reuse, recycling, and diversifying materials to achieve an 80% reduction in plastic pollution by 2040.
Without action, plastic waste is expected to increase significantly, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and endangering ecosystems.
Simple measures can prevent a million baby deaths a year: study
Implementing simple and affordable healthcare measures, such as providing aspirin, could prevent over a million stillbirths and neonatal deaths in developing countries annually, according to new research.
The study highlights the need for improved care during pregnancy and childbirth in low- and middle-income countries.
Eight measures, including nutrition supplements and education on smoking, could prevent hundreds of thousands of stillbirths, while additional interventions like steroid use and delayed umbilical cord clamping could save the lives of newborns.
The researchers estimate that implementing these changes would cost US$1.1 billion, a fraction of other health programs’ budgets.
