Displaying items by tag: Global

A recent UNESCO report shows that the number of journalists killed worldwide surged in 2022-23, with a significant increase in fatalities. On average, one journalist was killed every four days, highlighting the growing danger faced by media workers. The total number of journalists killed during this period reached 162 - a 38% rise. Latin America and the Caribbean accounted for the most deaths (61). In 2023 the majority of journalist killings took place in conflict zones, a reversal of a long-term decline in such deaths. The report also highlighted the alarming issue of impunity; 85 percent of journalist killings remain unsolved. 14 women journalists were killed, and the Palestinian territories saw the highest number of fatalities, with 24 journalists killed in the line of duty. UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres has called on governments to take ‘urgent steps’ to protect journalists and investigate and prosecute all crimes against media workers.

The UN has warned that global climate action is ‘falling miles short’ of what is required to avert economic and environmental catastrophe. According to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), current national plans would cut emissions by just 2.6% by 2030, whereas scientists assert emissions must decline by 43% by then to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. With the likelihood of keeping global warming within 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels said to be ‘virtually zero’, there are calls for ambitious commitments before the upcoming COP29 summit in Baku. UNFCCC chief Simon Stiell notes that robust climate plans could generate economic growth, better health, and clean energy solutions. Poorer nations say they need increased financial aid from wealthier nations to transition from fossil fuels and manage climate impacts, while Greenpeace has called for urgent action to confront this huge challenge. See also Europe article about flash floods in Spain.

A new report by Oxfam reveals that hunger caused by global conflicts has reached unprecedented levels, with an estimated 7,000 to 21,000 people dying every day. The report, Food Wars, shows that nearly all of the 281.6 million people facing acute hunger live in countries experiencing conflict. Oxfam accuses warring parties of weaponising food, targeting vital infrastructure, and blocking aid deliveries. Conflict also drives record-high displacement, with 117 million people forcibly displaced. In areas like Sudan and Gaza, food aid is critically limited, exacerbating starvation. Oxfam points to the economic liberalisation model (focused on foreign investment and exports) as a key factor worsening inequality and instability in these regions. In particular, extractive industries, like mining in Sudan, have displaced people and degraded environments, creating unlivable conditions. The report calls on global leaders to address the root causes of this problem, and to hold perpetrators of ‘starvation crimes’ accountable under international law.

The UN General Assembly has adopted a ‘Pact for the Future’, a 42-page blueprint aimed at uniting the world’s 193 nations to tackle pressing global challenges like climate change, artificial intelligence, escalating conflicts, inequality, and poverty. The pact was introduced at a two-day summit convened by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who said his purpose was to ‘bring multilateralism back from the brink’. The pact outlines 56 actions; one would be to reform the Security Council so that Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America are more fairly represented. It also includes ‘the first agreed multilateral support for nuclear disarmament in more than a decade’, and commits the UN to initiate a global dialogue on AI governance. Other key issues include responses to pandemics, empowering youth, and advancing gender equality. Guterres called on world leaders to turn promises into real actions which make a difference to the lives of the world’s more than eight billion people.

Thy Kingdom Come 2024 has ignited global excitement, engaging diverse communities worldwide in its ecumenical wave of prayer. The initiative's inclusive reach is demonstrated through activities from Australia to the Solomon Islands, embracing participants of various religious backgrounds. This year's Novena, translated into many languages including Portuguese, Hindi, and Korean, reflects the event’s international appeal. The ecumenical Prayer Journal, now available in Dutch and a special Scottish version with tartan, showcases voices from across Scotland. Globally, beacon events in countries like South Korea and Bangladesh are being planned, along with local activities across the UK, involving continuous prayer gatherings and prayer walks. A highlight for youth on Pentecost Sunday includes regional gatherings and contributions from notable figures like the archbishops of Canterbury and York. An accompanying app offers resources for children and young people, including videos and discussion plans, ensuring broad access to spiritual content.

2024 will see the most extensive year of elections ever, with 4.2 billion people in 76 countries set to vote. However, the state of democracy appears precarious; global reports show it contracting, accompanied by widespread disillusionment, especially among the youth. Elections often fail to rekindle faith in democracy, and authoritarian leaders often exploit them to their own ends. Moreover, elections can expose democracies to external threats, exemplified by Taiwan (13 January), under great pressure from its neighbour China. The one in Bangladesh (8 January) merely solidifies existing rule, with the main opposition party abstaining. In February Pakistan's election may escalate the conflict between Imran Khan and the military, while in Indonesia the outgoing president is backing a candidate who has a record of human rights abuses. 17 March will demonstrate a stark contrast: Russia's vote will proceed while Ukraine's may be postponed to protect its voters from being killed by Russian bombs. In South Africa, maybe as early as May, an opposition coalition could take power - but would that make any significant difference? The month-long election in India carries concerns over prime minister Narendra Modi’s growing authoritarianism. In June the EU assembly elections, the world's second-largest, may see far-right, anti-democratic parties making significant gains, further complicating the global democratic landscape.

Roast turkey and Christmas pudding? Not if you live in Finland, where the traditional dish is porridge made with rice and milk, topped with cinnamon or butter. In Barbados no Christmas is complete without a baked ham decorated with pineapple and sorrel glazes, a rum cake, and a dish which combines pigeon peas, guinea corn flour, herbs, and salt meat. On Christmas Eve in Poland, many families share an oplatek (an unleavened religious wafer), each person breaking off a piece. Marinated steaks and boerewors sausages serve as the main course in South Africa, and gingerbread features in countries such as Norway and the Netherlands. Perhaps most unexpectedly, families in Japan head out for Kentucky Fried Chicken, either ordering their boxes months in advance or standing in two-hour-long queues – a tradition which resulted from a wildly successful marketing campaign in 1974.

At the end of COP28, nations have made a historic move by explicitly targeting the use of fossil fuels for the first time. The talks in Dubai came close to collapse, but in a dramatic turn-around, nations agreed to ‘transition away’ from coal, oil, and gas, although some small island nations felt the deal was rushed. The agreement departed from earlier, stronger language advocating for a ‘phase-out’ of fossil fuels, probably because of pressure from oil-producing nations. The deal recognises the need to transition away from fossil fuels ‘in a just, orderly and equitable manner.’ It also acknowledges that global emissions could peak before 2025. Despite criticisms and challenges for a variety of reasons, the deal (which is seen as a victory for Sultan al-Jaber, the conference’s president) was accepted by all participating nations.

During COP28, a panel discussed the urgent need to address the vast and damaging illegal wildlife trade. The panel highlighted the severe consequences of this trade, which ranks as the fourth-largest illicit trade globally, valued at over $23 billion annually, mainly controlled by criminal networks. It poses a significant threat to biodiversity, ecosystems, and climate. It disrupts natural balance, impacting global sustainability. This illegal trade is transnational and organised, generating enormous profits; it was pointed out that banks have regulatory obligations to combat financial system abuse by such criminals. DP World, a major global supply chain solutions provider, revealed that a high portion of illegal wildlife trade products is transported by the maritime sector. The panel called for greater cooperation among stakeholders, including the financial sector, transport industry, and law enforcement, to combat this critical issue.

The UN climate change conference in Dubai, hosted by the United Arab Emirates, is on the verge of a significant breakthrough in addressing climate change. The UAE negotiating team expresses 'cautious optimism' that COP28 will commit to gradually reducing and possibly eliminating fossil fuels over the coming decades. This is a remarkable shift, as fossil fuels were rarely discussed at previous climate conferences until COP26 in Glasgow in 2021, where the focus was on phasing down coal. While the commitment in Dubai may not set a specific expiry date for fossil fuel use and will probably allow for ‘abated’ fossil fuels with carbon capture, it represents a historic acknowledgment of the need to address the primary source of climate change. Sultan al-Jaber, COP28 president and head of UAE state oil company Adnoc, has been advocating for a fossil fuel phase-out; this underscores the significance of addressing climate change even in such a major oil-producing country. Interestingly, the number of delegates representing fossil fuel interests has quadrupled compared to COP27: see