Earth on the brink of a key warming threshold after chart-busting year

A wind change increased flames during a planned ignition on the Ross Moore Lake wildfire in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada, on July 28, 2023. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images A series of climate records last year gave new meaning to the phrase “off the charts,” the U.N.’s weather agency said on Tuesday, warning that … Read more

UN says ‘reasonable grounds’ exist of Hamas Oct. 7 sexual violence – National

The United Nations envoy focusing on sexual violence in conflict said in a new report Monday that there are “reasonable grounds” to believe Hamas committed rape, “sexualized torture,” and other cruel and inhumane treatment of women during its surprise attack in southern Israel on Oct. 7. There are also “reasonable grounds to believe that such … Read more

Climate Change Triggering Locust ‘Megaswarms’, Warns Study

The scale of megaswarms is astounding: A single one can contain tens of millions of locusts. Locusts have been described as the “most destructive migratory pest in the world” by the United Nations. And now, a new study has claimed that climate change will soon trigger giant ‘megaswarms’ of desert locusts. The research has been … Read more

Terrified Palestinians Prepare For Invasion Of Rafah

Panic has gripped Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost city where more than a million Palestinians have taken refuge, after Israel walked back its commitment to keep the area safe and announced forces are preparing for a ground invasion there. Despite condemnations from the U.S., the United Nations and the International Criminal Court, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu … Read more

Senate Border Bill Targets Humanitarian Aid For Palestinians

New Senate legislation supported by President Joe Biden and many Democratic and Republican senators includes a significant blow to humanitarian aid for Palestinians — fulfilling a long-standing GOP goal while making it harder to address the deepening crisis in Gaza. The bipartisan legislation unveiled Sunday night and promptly endorsed by Biden is primarily focused on … Read more

Terrorism threat high in Africa and Afghanistan, rising in Europe: UN experts – National

The terrorist threat from al-Qaida, the Islamic State group and their affiliates remains high in conflict zones in Africa and in Afghanistan – and threat levels have risen in some regions including Europe, U.N. experts said in a new report. The panel of experts said in the 23-page report that the relationship between Afghanistan’s Taliban … Read more

UN’s Usher highlights financing challenge for companies in green transition

Greenwash activists take part in the final day of four days of The Big One climate protest activities organised by Extinction Rebellion (XR) on 24 April 2023 in London, United Kingdom. Mark Kerrison | In Pictures | Getty Images The head of the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative believes there is still a “real … Read more

Republicans Equate Aid Workers With Terrorists In Hearing On U.N. Funding

Republican lawmakers repeatedly equated aid workers with Hamas terrorists during a heated hearing Tuesday as they called for the U.S. government to permanently stop funding the United Nations agency responsible for helping Palestinian refugees in Gaza. Last week, the U.S. and more than a dozen other countries paused aid to the United Nations Relief and … Read more

Restoring U.S. funding for UNRWA depends on investigation: spokesperson – National

The United States will wait for the results of the United Nations’ investigation into the allegations staff were involved in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel before it resumes delivering aid, a spokesperson said. “We have suspended our contributions to UNRWA pending the results of this investigation,” U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said … Read more