India has the world’s biggest population but no census
23/4/2023: India hasn’t conducted a proper census since 2011 and there is no sign of preparation for the scheduled update. The government hasn’t figured out the demographic makeup of its massive populace because it’s afraid of what the numbers might say.
Source: CNA
New mRNA vaccine hub launched in Cape Town
21/4/2023: The World Health Organization's new mRNA vaccine technology facility in Cape Town plans to offer equitable access to COVID-19, malaria and HIV/AIDs vaccines in low- and middle-income countries. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted major disparities in access to health care in different parts of the world.
Source: DW
EU takes major step for ‘deforestation-free’ trade
19/4/2023: The European Parliament has voted for the Deforestation-Free Products Regulation which requires companies importing commodities to trace their source back to the plot of land where they were produced. Deforestation is second only to fossil fuels as a global source of greenhouse gas emissions.
Source: Human Rights Watch
Sudan conflict marks failure of transition plan
21/4/2023: The 2021 civilian-military power-sharing deal was supposed to kickstart a two-year transition to democracy in Sudan and the international community urged all sides to get behind it. Those local pro-democracy groups and political parties that doubted the sincerity of the two forces’ willingness to hand over power have been proved right.
Source: Inter Press Service
Recommendations for the G7 summit on nuclear weapons
10/4/2023: The current war in Ukraine has shown that nuclear deterrence is deeply flawed. It relies on the assumption of “rational actors” in power - which we know is far from reality. This year’s G7 summit presents an opportunity to seriously rethink our understanding of security and international peace.
Source: Inter Press Service
Ukraine war triggers fall in aid for Africa
13/4/2023: Aid budgets spent by wealthy countries on hosting refugees at home and helping Ukraine has soared, while bilateral support to Africa and least-developed countries decreased. Led by Oxfam, NGOs have expressed alarm at preliminary data released by OECD.
Source: Devex
Putin ICC arrest warrant poses dilemma for South Africa
13/4/2023: Putin is due to attend a summit of the BRICS, a bloc which includes Russia, in South Africa in August. But the host nation is a member of the International Criminal Court and has an obligation to arrest Putin if he enters the country.
Source: The East African
Global arms sales decline despite surge in wars
12/4/2023: Arms sales have been booming for years, thanks to the many flashpoints all over the world. But this trend came to a halt in 2022 — albeit only temporarily. This is according to the latest report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
Source: DW
What’s on Cindy McCain’s plate as WFP’s new chief
5/4/2023: The incoming head of the World Food Programme faces unprecedented challenges. Global food insecurity and extreme hunger are at record levels, driven by a mix of conflict, COVID-19, the climate crisis, and economic turmoil. There’s not enough donor funding to cover what aid agencies say they need.
Source: The New Humanitarian
International Court of Justice to advise states on climate duties
29/3/2023: The UN General Assembly has approved a resolution calling on the International Court of Justice to advise how the legal obligations of states relating to climate change should reflect international law . An advisory opinion from the ICJ is highly influential.
Source: Climate Home News