CIVICUS speaks with Matthew Renshaw, a partner at a UK law firm that represents Nigerian communities taking legal action against Shell over environmental damage caused by its operations in the Niger Delta.

UNITED NATIONS, July 29 (IPS) - In Myanmar, airstrikes occur almost daily. The phenomenon has become common since civil war broke out following the 2021 military coup that replaced the democratically elected National League for Democracy (NLD) with the Tatmadaw, Myanmar’s military. Several human rights organizations report that these airstrikes are disproportionately targeting civilians and harming lives.

UNITED NATIONS, July 29 (IPS) - Dignitaries across the international community have convened in New York to promote the two-State Solution – the coexistence of Israel and Palestine as sovereign states – as the only path forward to shared sustainable peace in the Middle East. Former and current leaders from 145 countries and independent groups will speak at the United Nations to demonstrate their ‘near-universal support’ and discuss the steps that need to be taken to achieve it.

SRINAGAR, India & KINSHASA, DRC, July 29 (IPS) - The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) stands on the precipice of a profound environmental and social crisis, as the government prepares to auction 55 new oil blocks that cover more than half the country’s landmass.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, July 29 (IPS) - US President Trump has successfully used tariff threats to achieve economic, political and even personal goals. These threats, reminiscent of colonialism, have secured submission and concessions.

The promise seemed simple: a job, a fresh start, a way out. Instead, Maria* stepped off a boat onto a picture-perfect Trinidadian beach with hope in her heart and into a nightmare that would shadow her for years. On the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, observed on 30 July, follow the journey of a woman who escaped.

United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed on Tuesday called on countries to double down on efforts to transform food systems, describing them as “one of the greatest solutions” to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed sadness over the passing of Dr. David Nabarro, who played a leading role in the Organization’s efforts to respond to challenges such as hunger, Ebola and the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an era marked by geopolitical fragmentation and rising global tensions, United Nations peace operations face unprecedented challenges, but senior officials told the Security Council on Tuesday that with renewed political will and strategic adaptation, these missions remain indispensable tools for conflict resolution and protection of civilians worldwide.

Fariba, a young Afghan woman, had just begun a university degree in 2021 when the Taliban returned to power and banned women and girls from secondary and higher education.