'Unseen' News and Views
Berlin, 14 June 2019 (IOM)* – A new briefing from IOM’s Global Migration Data Analysis Centre (GMDAC) shows that thousands of people lost in the Central Mediterranean crossing have not been identified.
.
Migrants on an inflatable raft in the Channel of Sicily. © Francesco Malavolta/IOM 2015
Together with Uganda, UN humanitarian agencies are racing to contain deadly Ebola virus disease (EVD) there, after the announcement that it has claimed a second victim.
.
The development, which is likely linked to the ongoing outbreak in neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), comes ahead of a key meeting on Friday [14 June 2019] at the World Health Organization (WHO), to decide whether to announce an international public health emergency.
13 June 2019 (UN Environment)* — The brick-clay industry employs around 10 million people in India. The industry also burns around 35–40million tonnes of coal per year, emitting carbon dioxide and sulfur, contributing to air pollution.
Photo by Qube
According to India’s Central Pollution Control Board, India produces over 25,000 tonnes of plastic waste daily, much of which ends up in landfills.
Ultimately, 40 per cent of this waste finds its way into river and drainage systems, oceans, the soil and fragile ecosystems. Some of it is ingested by animals, causing environmental harm.
As the world prepares to mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on 15 June 2019, the UN independent human rights expert mandated with defending the rights of older persons, Rosa Kornfeld-Matte, has stressed that they are often victims of sexual abuse and rape, although it remains rarely detected, reported or exposed.
11 June 2019 (openDemocracy)* — For too long, we have related to climate change mainly as consumers and voters. We have been responsibilised as meat eaters and airplane travellers, we have been urged to vote for the party with the most green agenda, but we have never been addressed as workers.
With the likes of John Bolton and Elliot Abrams directing US foreign policy, the US government has abandoned all pretense of “plausible denial” for its illegal regime-change initiatives. The “humanitarian” bombs may not be falling but, make no mistake, the US is waging a full-bore war against the Bolivarian Revolution in Venezuela.
Back in 1998, Venezuela had had nearly a half a century of two-party rule. A duopoly, not unlike the Republican and Democratic parties in the US, alternated in power imposing a neoliberal order. Poor and working people experienced deteriorating conditions of austerity regardless of which party was in power.
12 June 2019 — With thousands of people from around the world coming together at the Women Deliver conference (us included!) beginning on June 2nd in Vancouver, there was bound to be some major developments! Here’s your quick rundown on the most important stories to come out of the past two weeks.
Canada’s First Women, Peace and Security Ambassador
After much anticipation, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced today that Jacqueline O’Neill has been named Canada’s first-ever Ambassador for Women, Peace and Security! Sending a huge congratulations fo Jacqueline, whose decades of experience makes her the perfect candidate for this vital job.
HUMAN WRONGS WATCH 