Global Issues
News headlines
It’s Time to Unbury the IMF’s Hidden Gold
- Inter Press Service
WASHINGTON DC, October 15 (IPS) - Countries across the Global South face an accelerating climate crisis, tepid growth, and unsustainable levels of debt. Yet hopes of finding support at the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Annual Meetings in Washington are dim. The IMF is tightening its purse strings — even as it leaves untouched a vast treasure of more than 3,000 tons of gold that offers a prime opportunity to stabilize the global economy.
UN rights chief hails Bangladesh prosecutions over enforced disappearances
- UN News
Bangladesh has begun legal proceedings against security officials accused of sanctioning enforced disappearances and torture under the previous government – a move UN human rights chief Volker Türk called “an important step towards accountability.”
Afghan quake aftermath: Children facing heightened risk from disease
- UN News
Over 212,000 Afghan children are now at risk of acute watery diarrhoea and other deadly waterborne diseases, according to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
UN rights chief underlines need for a permanent ceasefire and accountability in Gaza
- UN News
Recovery in Gaza must also include accountability for violations, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said on Wednesday.
Guterres highlights ‘maximum impact’ reform agenda
- UN News
The Secretary-General on Wednesday outlined a set of proposals to strengthen the UN’s effectiveness and improve coordination across its three core pillars: peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights.
Humanitarian funding cuts pushing millions into hunger: WFP
- UN News
Nearly 14 million people could face severe hunger by the end of the year, the World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Wednesday, as slashed humanitarian funding threatens six of its most critical operations.
Gaza peace plan ‘at precarious moment’ as killings continue on both sides
- UN News
The UN relief chief on Wednesday urged Israel and Hamas to honour their agreement to return deceased hostages and allow aid at scale into Gaza, warning that it should not be used as “a bargaining chip” amid reports of new civilian killings and extrajudicial executions.
Record rise in carbon dioxide levels during 2024: UN weather agency
- UN News
Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels rose by a record amount in 2024, reaching new highs and locking in further long-term warming and extreme weather, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
Taliban’s New Internet Restrictions Keep Afghanistan Out of the Global Spotlight
- Inter Press Service
KABUL, October 14 (IPS) - At the end of September, the Taliban abruptly severed Wi-Fi and fiber-optic internet in Afghanistan for 48 hours without any explanation. The disruption caused consternation and suffering among millions of Afghans, especially those who depend on the internet for education and online commerce.
World Bank and Other MDBs Need to Tackle Rich Country GHG Emissions to Support Development
- Inter Press Service
WASHINGTON DC, October 14 (IPS) - The World Bank and other multilateral development banks recently have begun reconsidering their self-imposed restrictions on financing fossil fuel projects. This change is being prompted in part by the new U.S. administration and is also supported by developing country experts. Yet, the reality remains that greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from fossil fuels, and specifically the climate change they induce, can severely undermine multilateral development bank projects and overall developing country growth prospects.
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