Global Issues

Some of the poorest women in an underdeveloped region south of Madagascar are “too ashamed” to seek the maternal health services they need, according to a midwife working in a health centre supported by United Nations agencies, but that may be about to change.Read the full story, “First Person: Women in Madagascar too ashamed to seek help giving birth”, on globalissues.org →

Trinidad and Tobago is described as one of the “frontline States”, those nations that are most severely affected by the impact of the climate emergency, and youth activists are among the most prominent voices in the country calling for stronger action to combat the crisis, both at home and abroad.Read the full story, “‘Our voices need to be included’: Trinidadian youth make case for strong role in climate negotiations”, on globalissues.org →

A woman whose two children were kidnapped on the way to school in Haiti has said she feels a moral obligation to continue her work supporting displaced people despite the trauma the family has experiencedRead the full story, “‘Moral obligation’ of Haitian NGO worker to carry on despite kidnapping of two children”, on globalissues.org →

BRATISLAVA, May 03 (IPS) - A new report has warned media freedom in the EU is close to “breaking point” in many states amid rising authoritarianism across the continent.Read the full story, “Media Freedom Declining Across Europe, With Implications for Rule of Law”, on globalissues.org →

An Israeli military operation in Rafah “could lead to a slaughter” and cripple lifesaving humanitarian work throughout Gaza, the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, said on Friday.Read the full story, “Targeting Rafah could lead to slaughter, warns UN aid agency”, on globalissues.org →

The United Nations and partners continue to support authorities across East Africa as the region braces for more of the heavy rains and severe flooding that have reportedly killed upwards of 350 people since March.Read the full story, “East Africa: UN support continues amid heavy rains, severe floods and cyclone threat”, on globalissues.org →

UN agencies issued a joint warning on Friday that time is running out to prevent starvation in Sudan’s Darfur region due to intensifying clashes around the northern capital of El Fasher, which are hindering efforts to deliver lifesaving aid.Read the full story, “UN agencies warn of imminent starvation risk in Sudan’s Darfur region”, on globalissues.org →

Internally displaced people account for at least 12 of those killed and a further 31 injured when their camps were shelled by M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), according to the UN peacekeeping mission in the country, MONUSCO, on Friday.Read the full story, “World News in Brief: Attacks on civilians in DR Congo, concern over conviction of trade union leader in Cambodia, gang violence in Haiti”, on globalissues.org →

When tensions erupted in East Jerusalem in April 2021 at the beginning of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, daily clashes involving Palestinians, Israeli settlers and Israeli forces led to spiraling violence and death. In response, the Human Rights Council set up a top panel of independent rights experts to investigate reports of violations of international law.Read the full story, “Pillay: Israel is helped by ‘powerful States’ in violation of Palestinians’ rights”, on globalissues.org →

BERLIN, Germany, May 03 (IPS) - The year 2024 seems to be a year of big decisions. The European Parliament elections in June and the US presidential election in November… politics and the media are talking of a showdown between democracy and disinformation. Add the elections in Russia and India to that and almost half of the world’s population will be casting their vote this year.Read the full story, “Disinformation in the Super Election Year”, on globalissues.org →