In a statement issued this week, UNESCO said governments are increasingly cutting internet access during protests, elections and times of crisis, despite the central role online connectivity plays in democratic participation and the exercise of basic rights. The agency noted that 2024 was the worst year on record for internet shutdowns since 2016, citing data […]
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January 23, 2026 — As the first month of 2026 unfolds, Africa is navigating a complex landscape of rapid industrial realignments, urgent health mandates, and deep-seated security challenges. From the headquarters of the EAC in Arusha to the conflict zones of North Darfur, this brief curates the most significant developments shaping the continent today. Business […]
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NEW YORK — The global landscape for press freedom remains under severe strain, according to the latest annual prison census released by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on January 21, 2026. While the total number of journalists behind bars saw a slight decline from the record-breaking high of 2024, the findings reveal a “stubbornly […]
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Backed by the UN trade and development agency, UNCTAD and other partners, the “Beyond GDP” initiative acknowledges a warning from Secretary-General António Guterres that global policymaking is over-reliant on Global Domestic Product data. “Every day, we witness the consequences of our failure to balance economic, social and environmental dimensions of development,” the Secretary-General has said. “Moving […]
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ATLANTA — The architect of what federal prosecutors describe as the largest Ponzi scheme in Georgia’s history has admitted to a multi-year fraud that bilked more than 2,000 investors out of approximately $380 million. Todd Burkhalter, 54, the founder and CEO of Alpharetta-based Drive Planning LLC, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud on […]
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GENEVA — In an emergency session of the UN Human Rights Council on Friday, High Commissioner Volker Türk delivered a searing indictment of the Iranian government’s response to nationwide unrest, warning that “brutal repression” has failed to resolve the country’s deep-seated grievances. His appeal comes as the Islamic Republic navigates its deadliest internal crisis in […]
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In a news release on Friday, High Commissioner Volker Türk said individuals suspected of being undocumented migrants are being surveilled, arrested and detained – sometimes violently – in locations ranging from hospitals and places of worship to courthouses, schools, markets and private homes. The UN rights chief said he was “astounded by the now-routine abuse […]
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“Where is Our Common Humanity?”: UN Rights Chief Condemns U.S. Immigration Raids GENEVA — In a stinging rebuke of American domestic policy, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk voiced “astonishment” on Friday at the “now-routine abuse” of migrants by U.S. authorities. In a formal statement issued on January 23, 2026, Türk called […]
Continue ReadingCarbon farming activities enhance carbon storage in forests and soils, and can reward farmers and foresters financially. The Commission has launched a four-week public feedback exercise to gather input on proposed certification methodologies for carbon farming activities. Land managers, such as farmers and foresters, play a crucial role in delivering these benefits through practices such […]
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LONDON — In a landmark move to bridge the global climate financing gap, Allianz Global Investors (AllianzGI) has announced the launch of the Allianz Credit Emerging Markets (ACE) fund, a $1 billion initiative designed to catalyze green investment across the Global South. Unveiled in London this week, the fund has already secured $690 million in […]
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