Read the full story, “As Forests Felled Wood Shortage Hits Villagers in Zimbabwe”, on globalissues.org →

Opium cultivation in Afghanistan spiked by 19 per cent in 2024, covering an estimated 12,800 hectares despite a ban imposed by the Taliban, a report released on Wednesday by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has revealed.

Read the full story, “Rise in Afghan opium cultivation reflects economic hardship, despite Taliban ban”, on globalissues.org →

RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov 05 (IPS) - Holding this year's presidency of the Group of 20 (G20) large industrial and emerging economies is allowing Brazil to push forward the dream of creating a global biofuels market without the current trade barriers.

Read the full story, “Brazil Promotes a Freer Global Biofuels Market”, on globalissues.org →

UNITED NATIONS, Nov 05 (IPS) - The decision of Israel's parliament, the Knesset, to adopt two laws that would severely limit or outright ban UNRWA has the potential to set a dangerous precedent, where countries can simply implement their own justification to ban the activity of the United Nations, even if it violates their obligations under international humanitarian law. Even with the rest of the world condemning this course of action, for Israel, this has been a long time coming and they are unlikely to back down.

Read the full story, “Israel’s Moves to Ban UNRWA—Signals Uncertainty for Affected Palestinians”, on globalissues.org →

MEXICO CITY, Nov 05 (IPS) - What started as a broad attempt to allow women to live a more dignified life, an indigenous women's organization, Masehual Siuamej Mosenyolchicauani, now aims to solve environmental and climate problems that others have created.What began as a search for fair prices for indigenous handicrafts in 1985 has evolved into a women's organisation in Mexico that promotes climate justice while advocating for land and environmental rights.

Read the full story, “Mexican Cooperative Promotes Energy Transition on Indigenous Lands”, on globalissues.org →

CALI, Columbia & DELHI, Nov 05 (IPS) - Small-scale fishers play a fundamental role in feeding people—they use sustainable methods of catching and processing fish products and are a significant force in the employment and livelihoods of millions of people internationally—yet, until now, they have been excluded from climate and biodiversity conferences.

Read the full story, “Voices from the Margins: Small-Scale Fishers Demand Rights, Recognition at COP16”, on globalissues.org →

CALI, Colombia, Nov 05 (IPS) - It's often said that we are what we eat. However, our diets are also a reflection on the health of our food systems, the environment and agricultural biodiversity.

Read the full story, “Diverse Diets Are Essential for Nourishing a Healthy Planet as Well as Healthy People”, on globalissues.org →