SYDNEY, Jun 17 (IPS) - Registering the birth of a newborn, which is taken for granted in many countries, has profound lifelong repercussions for a child’s health, protection, and well-being. But after initially increasing this century, the global birth registration rate has declined in the past ten years, with some countries in the Pacific and Sub-Saharan Africa facing significant challenges. Embracing new registration technologies, increasing political will, and increasing parents’ understanding of its importance are paramount to reversing the trend.

Read the full story, “Regaining Progress on Birth Registration Is Critical to Child Protection”, on globalissues.org →

A senior UN official has warned against the impact of regional escalation on Syria as the country continues on the path to political transition following the overthrow of the Assad regime last December and nearly 14 years of devastating civil war.

Read the full story, “‘Syria simply cannot withstand another wave of instability,’ Security Council hears”, on globalissues.org →

At least 14 civilians were reportedly killed and more than 100 injured in Kyiv overnight into Tuesday, as Russian drone and missile strikes struck multiple Ukrainian cities in one of the heaviest nights of bombing in months.

Read the full story, “UN condemns deadly Russian strikes on Ukrainian capital as civilian toll mounts”, on globalissues.org →

The ongoing crises in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Sudan are in the spotlight this week at the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva.

Read the full story, “Israeli actions in Palestinian territories constitute war crimes, Human Rights Council hears”, on globalissues.org →

Hate speech is a warning sign and a driver of violence, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said ahead of Wednesday’s International Day for Countering Hate Speech.

Read the full story, “‘Hate speech is poison in the well of society,’ says Guterres”, on globalissues.org →