insert_link World Haiti’s humanitarian gang violence displaces children Escalating armed violence in Haiti has triggered a humanitarian crisis, the UN Children's Fund, UNICEF, warned on Wednesday. At least 170,000 children are now displaced - double the number from last year – amid an increase in gang-led killings and kidnappings, sexual violence, and a severe food crisis. todayFebruary 1, 2024 20
insert_link World Gaza’s GDP declined by $655 million in 2023 According to the UN Trade and Development Agency’s latest report, Gaza’s Gross Domestic Product declined by $655 million last year, roughly 25 percent, mainly due to the onset of war. Here’s Rami Al Azzeh, an economist with the Assistance to the Palestinian People Unit at UNCTAD. todayFebruary 1, 2024 24
insert_link World Zuckerberg apologises to families over social media impact on children Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg has apologised to families who say their children had been harmed by social media, during a fiery hearing in the US Senate. Zuckerberg - who runs Instagram and Facebook - turned to them and said "No one should go through" what they had. Lawmakers wanted to know what they are doing to protect children online. It was a rare opportunity for the US senators to question […] todayFebruary 1, 2024 8
insert_link World Indian court allows Hindus to offer prayers at contested mosque Muslim petitions say they will file a challenge in India's Supreme Court, after a local Indian court allowed Hindu rituals and prayers to be performed inside a contested mosque.The Gyanvapi mosque has become the latest flashpoint between Muslims and Hindus. Right wing groups claim the mosque was built on the site of a razed Hindu shrine. Neha Poonia has more. todayFebruary 1, 2024 42
insert_link World India orders halt to much of Paytm’s business India's central bank has ordered Paytm Payments Bank - one of the leaders in the country's digital payments space - to halt a large part of its business. Indian regulators cited persistent non-compliance. Rebecca Bundhun reports from Mumbai. todayFebruary 1, 2024 29
World International Community Must Not Waver in Its Commitment to Two-State Solution, Secretary-General Tells Palestinian Rights Committee Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the opening of the 2024 session of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, in New York today: Mr. Chair, Ambassador Cheikh Niang, congratulations on your election to the Bureau. The Committee’s mandate and advocacy are crucial amidst the unresolved Question of Palestine and the enormous violence and suffering, particularly since the horrific 7 October attack by […] todayFebruary 1, 2024 17
insert_link Opinion Pieces Houthi militant attacks in the Red Sea raise fears of Somali piracy resurgence By Samuel Oyewole, Federal University, Oye Ekiti Renewed attacks on ships by suspected Somali pirates since November 2023 have fuelled fear of a new threat of piracy off the east coast of Africa. The area at risk stretches from the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. At least four ships have been hijacked off the Somalia coast since November 2023. Concern has risen […] todayFebruary 1, 2024 5
insert_link World U.S. interest rates holding steady as central bank waits for consistent inflation The U.S. Federal Reserve decided to keep interest rates unchanged in their meetings this week– although the committee is hinting that they are likely to cut rates overall this year by 0.75%. Caroline Malone reports. todayFebruary 1, 2024 8
insert_link World Guyana, Leading the UN Security Council, Is Not Giving Up on a Ceasefire in Gaza Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, permanent representative of Guyana, photographed at the country’s mission to the UN, Jan 22, 2023. “We would very much like to see a ceasefire for the people to receive the necessary humanitarian aid,” she said about Gaza in an interview. “We are not at that point yet, and that is really regrettable.” JOHN PENNEY/PASSBLUE By Damilola Banjo via PassBlue The United Nations Security Council’s continuing failure to agree […] todayFebruary 1, 2024 5