ANTARCTICA, Feb 24 (IPS) - It was 7:30 a.m. I got ready the fastest I could, adrenaline kicking in, curiosity and excitement peaking. I rushed out of my cabin, opened the big exit door, and there in front of me was the first visual of the majestic white continent - Antarctica.

Read the full story, “Global Heating in The Coldest Place on Earth”, on globalissues.org →

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 24 (IPS) - The UN’s human rights agenda is in danger of faltering since the Geneva-based Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) is planning to “restructure” the office, under the moniker OHCHR 2.0.

But this proposal, if implemented, would result in the abolition of the Special Procedures Branch, established by the Human Rights Council (HRC), to report and advise on human rights from thematic and country-specific perspectives.

Read the full story, “Is the UN's Human Rights Agenda in Jeopardy?”, on globalissues.org →

24 February 2025 marks the third year of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the civilian population continues to face near daily-attacks. The UN staff living alongside them, enduring the same difficult conditions, have been a lifeline throughout the war.

Read the full story, “Ukraine three years on: Pain, loss, solidarity and hope for a better future”, on globalissues.org →

Monday marks three years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in clear violation of the UN Charter and international law, and the UN Secretary-General has renewed his call for de-escalation and an end to the conflict.

Read the full story, “Ukraine: Guterres says ‘Enough is Enough’ as war reaches the three-year mark”, on globalissues.org →