With the Paris climate targets looking increasingly difficult to achieve, technologies are being proposed to reduce warming by reflecting sunlight away from the Earth. Known as “solar radiation modification”, these technologies are gaining traction in some circles, and modelling suggests that some of them may have the potential to prevent further global warming and reduce some of its effects, such as extreme weather events and rising sea levels. But these technologies are not ready, and in any case, they are no substitute for emissions reductions, according to experts from the Scientific Advice Mechanism (SAM) and European Group on Ethics (EGE). Both…
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The theme for Human Rights Day 2024, “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now”, highlights the continued relevance of human rights in addressing global challenges. This year, the UN human rights office (OHCHR) aims to inform and change perceptions on human rights while mobilising action. Here are five essential facts about human rights everyone should know: 1. Human Rights are universal and inalienable Human rights are not granted by states – they belong to everyone, everywhere, simply by virtue of being human. They transcend race, gender, nationality, or beliefs, ensuring inherent equality and dignity for all. These rights include fundamental ones, like the…
As the world prepares to mark Human Rights Day 2024, Mr. Türk reflected on “a time when human rights are not only violated, but also increasingly instrumentalised.” He highlighted three critical issues to the international community: the proliferation of armed conflict, the rise of disinformation, and the neglect of long-term security. Proliferation of armed conflicts Mr. Türk noted an erosion of respect for international law in the conduct of hostilities, and “the apparent indifference of powerful actors to immense numbers of casualties and suffering.” He pointed to ongoing crises in Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Lebanon, Ukraine, Sudan, Myanmar, and…
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, hello, everyone, and I’m so pleased to be able to spend time with colleagues from civil society from Ukraine, from Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Russia. We’re here at the OSCE, and a foundational premise, principle of the OSCE is that we can’t separate our military, physical, and economic security from fundamental freedoms, that these go hand in hand. And in all of our countries, civil society is absolutely essential to helping us preserve, defend, and protect basic human freedoms that matter the most: to be able to speak freely, to associate freely, to practice religion freely, to vote.…
Mitchell Industrial Tire Co. cited for 1 willful, 11 serious violations, faces $288K in fines FORT WORTH, TX – A U.S. Department of Labor investigation revealed that proper workplace safety training and correct storage of pallets taller than 16 feet could have prevented the fatal injuries suffered by a forklift operator at a tire distribution center in Elm Mott.Responding to the June 2024 incident at Mitchell Industrial Tire Co. Inc.’s distribution center, inspectors with the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration found widespread safety failures that exposed dozens of employees to potentially serious and deadly injuries. OSHA inspectors learned the forklift operator was…
Across the world young and old are responding to this threat by adopting new approaches to working on the land that may not only prevent more degradation but may also provide new livelihood opportunities. The issue of desertification, drought and land restoration are being discussed at a global meeting of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), which continues in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, until 13 December. Communities in southern Madagascar are planting sisal to protect the land from erosion and degradation. Drawing a line in the sand in Madagascar In the south of the island of Madagascar off the east…
The Governments of the United States of America and Spain released the following statement on the occasion of the Central America Working Group. At the fourth U.S.-Spain Working Group on Central America, held in Washington, D.C., on December 5, the United States and Spain shared their priorities and concerns with regards to the region. The main issues discussed were the efforts to strengthen democracy and the rule of law, address gender-based violence, protect human rights, advance regional security, promote inclusive development and economic opportunity, combat transnational crime, and coordinate regional responses to migration and displacement. Both parties underscored the importance…
“Core states” will receive federal support to increase competitive integrated employmentWASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that 13 states and the District of Columbia will participate as “core states” in fiscal year 2025 in its National Expansion of Employment Opportunities Network initiative, enabling government agencies in these states to receive capacity-building support, policy development assistance and ongoing mentoring to increase competitive integrated employment for people with disabilities.The recently selected states are Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon and Tennessee, in addition to the District of Columbia.The selections will complement existing partnerships between the department’s Office…
As reports continued to emerge from the Syrian capital, Damascus, where opposition forces declared victory overnight on State television, the UN chief said in a statement: The future of Syria is a matter for the Syrians to determine. There is much work to be done to ensure an orderly political transition to renewed institutions, Mr. Guterres, and noted that his Special Envoy, Geir Pedersen, will be working with all Syrians to this end. Mr. Pedersen, who has been attending a high-level meeting of Arab States in Doha this weekend, has called for “urgent political talks” in Geneva to secure a peaceful future…
U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan Tom Perriello will travel to Doha, Nairobi, London, and Nouakchott starting December 6 to continue diplomatic efforts to scale up humanitarian assistance to the people of Sudan, deter atrocities and weapon flows, and coordinate efforts to end the conflict in Sudan. Building on recent progress that expanded humanitarian access into and within Sudan, the Special Envoy will meet with key government officials and representatives of the African Union, the Arab League, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the United Nations, non-governmental organizations, and Sudanese civil society. In his engagements, the Special Envoy will emphasize the urgent…