Bottom Line Up Front: There are indications that the Taliban have no intention of reaching a compromise and believe they can take over Afghanistan shortly after the US withdrawal. Comparisons with the survival of the Najibullah government may be misleading. An eventual evacuation of the …
On 25 September 2017, the board of UK-based Imagination Technologies, founded in 1985 (and listed on the LSE in 1994), agreed to a take-over by a Palo Alto-based, Cayman Island-registered private equity firm named Canyon Bridge. The UK’s Guardian newspaper described Imagination as a glo…
“Quitters are the real winners in the case of tobacco”, says the World Health Organization as part of a campaign to help smokers that have decided to quit during the COVID-19 pandemic, but lack the support to do so. A new chatbot and even an AI assistant are ready to aid them in their qui…
In Haiti, the number of severely malnourished under-fives could more than double this year, UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, said on Monday. Some could die if they do not receive timely treatment. Read the full story, “Haiti: funding gap threatens the lives of nearly 86,000 children”, on glo…
DHAKA, May 31 (IPS) - Kajol Miah is a rice farmer from the Bangladesh side of the Meghna River Basin. And in towns on the Indian side of the river basin, Bangladeshi rice is in great demand. Read the full story, “Is Sharing More than Water the Key to Transboundary Governance in the Megh…
UN health agency chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged all countries on Monday to support a pandemic preparedness treaty, warning that it would be a “monumental error” to think the danger of COVID-19 has passed. Read the full story, “COVID danger has not passed, States must support pan…
MEXICO CITY, May 31 (IPS) - Hit by the pandemic's socioeconomic and health impacts, Latin America is facing the challenge of financing an economic recovery based on a sustainable energy sector and a transition to clean sources of energy. Read the full story, “Latin Americas Challeng…
NEW YORK, May 31 (IPS) - Results from the 2020 population censuses in the United States and China recently made headlines. But rather than recognizing the social, economic and environmental benefits of slower rates of population growth for the U.S., China and the planet, much of the me…
STOCKHOLM / ROME, May 31 (IPS) - In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. Friedrich NietzscheI hear about casualties and numbers, but cannot perceive the faces, the h…
AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands, May 31 (IPS) - The writer is Global Campaign Lead, Food and Forests, Greenpeace International  : The following Oped is part of a series of articles to commemorate World Environment Day June 5Our natural earth is dying. It is on the brink of collapse. …
When Nigerian Blessing Ojukwu became pregnant after she was raped, her family disowned her. She was forced to live with her abuser, who continued to attack her. Now, a UN-backed initiative is giving her, and others in similar situations, a chance to become financially independent, and st…
“Ghost fishing” occurs when abandoned fishing gear dumped in the ocean traps and kills fish or other underwater life, and it is causing devastation to marine environments, warns the UN food agency, FAO. Read the full story, “FROM THE FIELD: Ghost in the seashell”, on globalissues.org → …
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet voiced her “deep concern” at recent events in the Colombian city of Cali that include reports of several deaths and violence. Read the full story, “Colombia: UN rights chief calls for an end to all forms of violence in Cali”, o…
Drones are providing life-saving care to women in remote parts of the southern African country, Botswana, who otherwise may die in childbirth, thanks to support from the United Nations. Read the full story, “Drones deliver blood to prevent maternal death in Botswana”, on globalissues…
Speaking in a key international partnerships summit, António Guterres said that if governments embrace together the goals of phasing out coal, enhancing climate commitments, and investing in the Global Goals, there is an opportunity to rise to 'the biggest challenge of our lives'…
Ukrainian private defense firm Ramzay is developing an unmanned combat helicopter that will be able to carry a range of surveillance, communications and weapons to fulfil different mission requirements. The first photos of the unmanned attack helicopter prototype have been captured by Ole…
The Croatian government has cleared the way for its Air Force to acquire 12 second-hand Rafale F3-R fighter jets from France, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said. Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic pointed out that the purchase of a multi-role fighter aircraft Rafale F3-R will sign…
Australian biologist Sacha Dench has been nicknamed “the Human Swan”, in recognition of her record-breaking, 7,000 kilometre, paramotor (motorized paraglider) flight, tracking Bewick swans across 11 countries, from Arctic Russian to the UK. Ahead of International Day for Biological Divers…
The Security Council welcomed the agreement reached on Thursday by the Somali federal government and the federal member states leaders on the implementation of the 17 September Electoral Model. Read the full story, “UN Security Council welcomes Somali agreement on prompt and peaceful ele…
A renewed focus on boosting the production of millets and highlighting their benefits, is critical to reducing over-reliance on more commonly grown crops, boosting diverse diets, and food security. That’s especially true during periods of natural disaster when food becomes scarce, accordi…
Russian defense industry source has revealed plans to add new missiles with a range of 100 km to the Mi-28NM attack helicopter’s arsenal. In the interview with the RIA Novosti news agency, the source said that an upgraded Mi-28NM attack helicopter will be fitted with a new guided missile …
The U.S. Army has began outfitted its M1A1 Abrams tanks with Mounted Assured Precision Navigation & Timing System (MAPS) anti-jam GPS devices that allow U.S. combat vehicles to operate in an environment when GPS signals are degraded or denied. MAPS is a military technology designed to…
The U.S. Army is seeking proposals for new, innovative solutions to address the Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 (IFPC Inc 2) requirements to develop a new air defense system, the U.S. government’s main contracting website announced May 28. The U.S. Army Contracting Command…
According to the Army Recognition, Russian state arms export agency Rosoboronexport was awarded a contract from an undisclosed customer for modernized compact SR.3M assault rifles. The Belgium-based military news agency reported that Rosoboronexport will supply modernized compact 9 mm SR.…
Panel discussions exclusively made up of men, or ‘manels’ need to stop, says Valerie Julliand, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Indonesia. Ms. Julliand has taken steps to promote gender parity by pledging that the UN will only participate in panels which include women’s voices.…
Dramatically increasing global manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccines, tests and treatments, and ensuring equitable access, is the fastest way to end the pandemic, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday. Read the full story, “COVID-19: Pharmaceutical comp…
The threat of new volcanic eruptions from Mount Nyiragongo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have triggered thousands of residents to flee from the eastern city of Goma, the UN humanitarian office said on Friday. Read the full story, “Thousands in Goma evacuated amid fears…
The world is far from achieving equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, a tragedy that must be avoided at all costs, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Friday during an online conversation on fair access to these lifesaving treatments. Read the full story, “UN chief und…
UN humanitarians expressed deep concern on Friday about serious and ongoing abuses carried out against displaced civilians who are also facing dire food insecurity in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, after months of conflict. Read the full story, “Grave concerns over 'dire' and deterio…
UNITED NATIONS, May 28 (IPS) - Major Steplyne Buyaki Nyaboga of Kenya singles out the establishment of gender-responsive military patrols in farming communities in Central Darfur, Sudan as one of the proudest moments of her two-year mission with the African Union–United Nations Hybrid Op…
RIO DE JANEIRO, May 28 (IPS) - Deforestation in Latin America and the Caribbean accounts for 44 per cent of the global loss of tropical forests, with most of the conversion to agricultural land being carried out illegally, concludes a study by the non-profit organisation Forest Trends. …
Independent UN human rights experts called on Friday for a European body of intergovernmental experts to stop legislation supporting coercive mental health measures. Read the full story, “Halt legislation on coercive mental health measures in Europe – UN experts”, on globalissues.org →…
UNITED NATIONS, Apr 28 2021 (IPS) - A new global report on forests says that while the COVID-19 pandemic is the latest threat to achieving ambitious forest protection goals, it has brought the importance of forests to global well-being into sharp focus, and that this recognition must now…
NEW JERSEY, USA, May 28 (IPS) - Despite claims by the industry and some politicians, there are no clinically meaningful differences among the variety of vaccines approved under emergency use authorisation (EUA) . Read the full story, “Are There Clinically Meaningful Differences Between …
Ukraine is conducting field tests of the new 2S22 Bogdana 155mm truck-mounted artillery, according to Armyinform. The news agency has announced that the Kramatorsk Heavy Duty Machine Tool Building Plant (KZTS) and Ukrainian military are beginning testing of new 155mm artillery system. “To…
Just last week, Airbus Helicopters reported that the French Armament General Directorate (DGA) has confirmed an option for two more H160s for the French Navy. As noted by the company, these aircraft will join the fleet of four H160s already contracted in 2020, the first of which is curren…
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought “a tsunami of suffering”, taken over 3.4 million lives and 500 million jobs, while wiping trillions of dollars from global balance sheets, Secretary-General António Guterres told business leaders on Thursday, appealing for equitable vaccine distribution w…
With fears that one of the world’s most active volcanoes could erupt again in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is warning that up to 400,000 – nearly 280,000 children – could be displaced and in need of protection or support, if the current exod…
Annual investments in nature-based solutions will have to triple by 2030, and increase four-fold by 2050, if the world is to successfully tackle the triple threat of climate, biodiversity and land degradation crises, according to a new UN-backed study published on Thursday. Read the ful…
Only a political solution will end the “senseless and costly cycles of violence” between Israelis and Palestinians, UN Middle East envoy Tor Wennesland said in a briefing to the Security Council on Thursday. Read the full story, “Israel-Palestine: Political solution only way to end ‘sen…
UNITED NATIONS, Apr 23 2021 (IPS) - Following almost two weeks of talks on issues such as climate change, innovation, marine conservation and social justice, thousands of young people from across the globe concluded the first-ever International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) …
ACCRA, May 27 (IPS) - Seventeen-year-old Muniratu Adams, a form two student of the Jeyiri D/A Junior High School at Funsi in the Wa East District of the Upper West Region of Ghana, is fortunate to have returned to school this January after the long COVID-19 shutdown. Read the full story…
With a focus for this year’s International Day of UN Peacekeepers on youth, peace and security, the UN chief told a commemorative ceremony on Thursday that “peace cannot be achieved without the active participation of young people”. Read the full story, “UN salutes ‘dedication and brav…
UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet called on Thursday for a “genuine and inclusive peace process” to end the Israeli occupation of Palestine and a repeat of recent deadly clashes that have been marked by possible war crimes by Israeli security forces. Read the full story, “UN rights chief…
NEW YORK, May 27 (IPS) - The past few weeks brought a burst of optimism on the climate front. It began on April 18 with the US-China announcement on climate cooperation. This was followed in quick succession by the EU Parliament’s vote to cut emissions 55% by 2030, the UK’s promise of a …
MUMBAI, May 27 (IPS) - “There’s no other option but to return,” said Chitrasen in January 2021, when asked if he would migrate back to the city. The previous year’s pandemic-induced lockdown had left migrant workers stranded in cities and stripped of all their savings. An entire year lat…
A U.S. Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopter had to make an emergency landing in a field near Pecineaga commune in Constanța, Romania on Tuesday. According to local media, the Apache was forced to make an emergency landing during one of the phases of the annual large-scale U.S. Army-led, mu…
The 36th Wing Public Affairs reported that The Republic of Singapore Air Force deployed airmen, F-16 fighters, F-15SG fighters and a G550 Airborne Early Warning aircraft to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, May 24, 2021. This deployment provides bilateral training for aircrew and maintenance…
GENEVA, May 27 (IPS) - The writer is Executive Director of UNAIDS and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations.In this time of intersecting crises – the Covid crisis, the HIV crisis, the inequality crisis, and more – progress on all these crises is being blocked by another crisis: f…
Odds are increasing that the annual average global temperature will rise beyond 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, in at least one of the next five years, the UN weather agency warns in a new report issued on Thursday. Read the full story, “World now likely to hit watershed 1.5 °C rise i…
The U.S. Department of Defense said on Wednesday that Raytheon Missiles and Defense has received $16,7 million modification to a previously awarded contract to procure production Airborne Mine Neutralization Systems. The contract modification, from Naval Sea Systems Command, incorporates…
Pentagon’s No.1 weapons supplier Lockheed Martin Corp has received a $30,6 million U.S. Missile Defense Agency contract modification under the Poland Aegis Ashore Engineering Agent (AAEA) contract. This modification increases the total cumulative contract value by $30,6 million from $99 …
The defense arm of U.S. truckmaker Oshkosh Corp. was awarded a contract from the U.S. Army Contracting Command for new heavy support vehicles. The contract, announced Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Defense, is worth more than $26 million. The contract was awarded as part of the U.S. …
On Wednesday, the U.S. Army has confirmed that it has taken delivery of eight Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) prototypes that will be used in a series of Soldier Touchpoints to further the Army’s Campaign of Learning. According to a recent service news release, the fourth and final RCV (Medi…
The U.S. Department of Defense said Wednesday that General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, part of General Dynamics, won a $49,3 million for a contract for procurement of 105mm tank ammunition. The contract, award from U.S. Army Contracting Command, covers the supply of 105 mm M72…
The COVID-19 pandemic is worsening the already difficult situation of older refugees across Latin America, according to a joint assessment published on Wednesday by the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, and the NGO HelpAge International. Read the full story, “Pandemic making life harder for old…
A call to use Africa’s rich cultural and natural heritage as a catalyst for growth and transformation is “the right appeal at the right time”, the UN chief told a three-day forum on the continent’s future held online on Wednesday. Read the full story, “Use Africa’s rich heritage as ‘cat…
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Wednesday urged Libya’s unity government and European Union (EU) countries to act to protect migrants making the dangerous crossing in the central Mediterranean Sea. Read the full story, “UN rights chief urges Libya, EU, to prot…
The UN Security Council met behind closed doors on Wednesday to discuss the derailing of Mali’s transitional government following the apparent forced departure of both the President and Prime Minister on Tuesday, by the leader of last August’s military coup. Read the full story, “UN chie…
BRATISLAVA, May 26 (IPS) - China is one of the worst places in the world for media freedom, according to the global media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) which ranked the country 177 out of 180 in its latest World Press Freedom Index. In the report, the group warned that Beijing…
In response to the apparent forced landing of a commercial passenger plane in the Belarusian capital, Minsk, the International Civil Aviation Organization, ICAO, convened an urgent diplomatic meeting on Thursday. What is ICAO saying about the incident, and what powers does the agency hav…
JAKARTA, Apr 07 (IPS) - Residents of Ngadirejo village in Sukaharjo regency, Central Java province, had often found themselves helpless when their wells dried up or water flooded through their homes. But thanks to a national campaign called Program Kampung Iklim , known by its acronym Pr…
Violent conflict, terrorism and human rights abuses continue in Syria as its besieged population suffers economic destitution, displacement, detention and abduction, the UN’s Special Envoy for the country told the Security Council on Wednesday. Read the full story, “During relative cal…
Russian plane maker Sukhoi is developing a next-generation single-engine fighter, an industry source has told TASS news agency. According to TASS, Russian state aerospace company Sukhoi is now developing new light tactical fighter aircraft. “The Sukhoi company is developing a single-engin…
NEW YORK, May 26 (IPS) - It has been one year since the police murder of George Floyd, an outrage that resonated around the world. The killing forced people to the streets, in the USA and on every inhabited continent, to demand respect for Black lives and Black rights, proving that prote…
MONTREAL/VICTORIA, Canada, May 26 (IPS) - Over the past 75 years, there have been many UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions acknowledging Israel’s violations of international law, including a Resolution under Chapter VI of the UN Charter, that could have addressed, if implemented, the p…
American aerospace and defense giant Textron Systems shared an impressive video on its Twitter account showing the next generation of squad automatic weapon systems. Just last week, Textron sent out the Tweet with the short video showing the Next Generation Squad Weapons in action. “When …
The U.S. Navy announced it has reached an agreement with America’s largest military shipbuilding company Huntington Ingalls for two REMUS 300 unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). “REMUS UUVs have been used by the U.S. Navy for their defense operations for more than 20 years,” said Duane F…
The Minister of National Defense of the Philippines, Dolphin Lorenzana, on May 24, 2021, confirmed the existence of an intergovernmental firm contract with Turkey for the purchase of six T129B ATAK combat helicopters manufactured by the Turkish state aircraft company Turkish Aerospace Ind…
The U.S. Air Force has reported that its B-52H bombers complete target training over the Black Sea. According to a recent service news release, U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress aircraft from the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, integrated with five NATO allies in and…
The Ukrainian Armed Forces have held an industry demonstration of a variety of possible robotic combat vehicles to help Ukraine’s military evaluate unmanned vehicle integration into their ground formations. As Armyinform reported, at one of the military training grounds, Ukrainian private…
U.S. Army researchers are looking to add legs patterned to robot platforms, giving them new capabilities to support soldiers on battlefields. In a recent peer-reviewed PLOSE One paper, the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, known as DEVCOM, Army Research Laboratory’s Drs. …
The U.S. Army has opened a new Patriot missile storage facility in Japan to react faster than ever before to threats in the region. According to a recent service news release, Army opened the world’s most state-of-the-art, rapid reaction Patriot Missile Facility to the Soldiers of 1-1 Air…
Leidos Inc. secured $34.3 million for research, development, test and evaluation support to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) weapon systems, according to a May. 25 announcement. The contract modification reportedly provides for the manufacturing and delivery of a new mu…
Next month’s planned meeting between US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to include conversations on Ukraine, COVID-19 and the recent diversion of a flight by officials in Belarus, but as tensions between the two countries remain tense, there are bigger…
