Global Issues

UNITED NATIONS, March 27 (IPS) - In the month following the reopening of the Burundi-Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) border, the humanitarian crisis in the DRC has deteriorated considerably, recently marked by an influx of Congolese refugees returning home, where they face overcrowded conditions and a severe shortage of essential services. This comes in the midst of escalating clashes between rebel groups AFC and M23, and forces affiliated with the Kinshasa government, with drone strikes causing widespread destruction and pushing violence closer to Burundi’s borders, where conditions are most dire. Read the full story, “Escalating Violence and Influx of Returnees in DRC Fuel Regional Instability”, on globalissues.org →

GENEVA, March 27 (IPS) - More than three weeks after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, the conflict is spreading and intensifying in the region and beyond, with civilians bearing the brunt. Families across the region marked Eid and Nowruz under fire, in fear and uncertainty, and facing further hardship. Read the full story, “The “Extremely Dangerous and Unpredictable” situation in Middle East and Beyond”, on globalissues.org →

SAINT LUCIA, March 27 (IPS) - As the world edges closer to breaching key climate thresholds, Caribbean policymakers, scientists and civil society leaders gathered in Saint Lucia this month to coordinate the region’s position ahead of a landmark global meeting on transitioning away from fossil fuels. Read the full story, “Caribbean Leaders and Civil Society Prepare for Global Push on Fossil Fuel Phase-Out”, on globalissues.org →

UNITED NATIONS, March 27 (IPS) - The current conflict in Iran and the Middle East region threatens to disrupt the global energy and agri-food sectors, as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz affects oil and fertilizer exports for farmers during critical harvest seasons. Read the full story, “War in Iran, Middle East Threatens Global Agrifood Systems”, on globalissues.org →

CIVICUS discusses Portugal’s presidential runoff election and the rise of the far-right Chega (Enough) party with Jonni Lopes, Executive Director of Academia Cidadã (Citizen Academy) and a Steering Committee member of the European Civic Forum, an organisation working on civic engagement, democratic participation and the protection of civic space at national, regional and international levels. Read the full story, “PORTUGAL: ‘The Far Right’s Electoral Legitimacy Can Eventually Become Governmental Power’”, on globalissues.org →

The war in the Middle East continues, with attacks causing further terror and suffering, deepening the humanitarian crisis across the region. In Geneva, diplomats at the Human Rights Council have been discussing the school strike in Iran’s Minab that killed more than 100 children. Stay with us for live updates on this and from UN agencies providing relief. App users can follow coverage here.Read the full story, “MIDDLE EAST LIVE 27 March: Humanitarian crisis deepens across the region”, on globalissues.org →

Almost one month since Israeli and US airstrikes on Iran began, sparking a wider regional war, UN agencies and partners on Friday highlighted the terror among civilians fleeing bombardment, with “no safe space” to go.Read the full story, “Middle East war: Attacks on vital healthcare, evacuation strike fears”, on globalissues.org →

UNITED NATIONS, March 26 (IPS) - The ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which began October 2023, has claimed the lives of more than 73,600 Palestinians and about 1,195 Israelis. But there are widespread charges, accusing Israel of war crimes, genocide, torture and abuse of Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails. Read the full story, “Torture and Physical Abuse of Children in Gaza Declared War Crimes”, on globalissues.org →

NEW JERSEY, USA, March 26 (IPS) - Who benefits from a war of choice against Iran? The immediate political winners may include President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. But if the war continues for a longer period, the political consequences for both Trump and Netanyahu could be uncertain. However, the most consistent beneficiaries are defense contractors, defense manufacturers and military lobbyists, who profit regardless of the outcome. Read the full story, “Iran War: Winners and Losers”, on globalissues.org →

The intensifying conflict in the Persian Gulf “has triggered one of the most rapid and severe disruptions to global commodity flows in recent times,” the Chief Economist with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on Thursday. Read the full story, “Persian Gulf crisis impacting food security, FAO warns”, on globalissues.org →