News headlines in June 2023, page 19
Guess Who Is the Worst Enemy of the Oceans (And Everywhere Else)?
- Inter Press Service
MADRID, Jun 07 (IPS) - The good news: oceans cover three-quarters of the Earth’s surface, contain 97% of the world’s water, represent 99% of the living space on the Planet by volume, and are a major source of food and medicine. Much so that they are the main source of protein for more than a billion people around the world.
Kenya Moots Disbanding the Loss and Damage Fund, Seeks Fair Equitable Climate Action
- Inter Press Service
BONN, Jun 07 (IPS) - The Climate Change envoy to the President of Kenya has asked Kenya’s and, by extension Africa’s negotiators at the ongoing climate conference in Bonn, Germany, not to put much emphasis on financing the Loss and Damage kitty but instead calls for fairness and equity.
World Oceans Day underscores need to protect ‘the foundation of life’
- UN News
Over a third of global fish stocks are being harvested at unsustainable levels – just one example of how human activity is harming oceans, which cover more than 70 per cent of the Earth’s surface.
Admissible evidence, competent courts, critical to ensuring justice for ISIL victims in Iraq
- UN News
Competent courts, admissible and reliable evidence, and an appropriate legal framework are needed to ensure that ISIL extremist militants can be prosecuted for the atrocities they committed during their reign of terror in Iraq, the UN Security Council heard on Wednesday.
Ukraine dam disaster: Lack of clean water, spread of disease, major risks
- UN News
The magnitude of the humanitarian catastrophe following the destruction of the Kakhovka dam in southern Ukraine, is becoming clearer as UN humanitarians redoubled efforts to reach affected civilians with aid on Wednesday.
AI Genie is Out of the Bottle – UN Should Take the Challenge to Make it Work for the Good of Humanity
- Inter Press Service
NEW YORK, Jun 07 (IPS) - Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury is Former Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the United Nations and Founder of the Global Movement for The Culture of Peace.Recently when I was asked to offer my thoughts on the phenomenal advances of artificial intelligence (AI) and whether the United Nations play a role in its global governance, I was reminded of the Three Laws of Robotics which are a set of rules devised by science fiction author Isaac Asimov and introduced in his1942 short story.
The U.S. Assault on Mexico's Food Sovereignty
- Inter Press Service
CAMBRIDGE, MASS., Jun 06 (IPS) - On June 2, the U.S. government escalated its conflict with Mexico over that country’s restrictions on genetically modified corn, initiating the formal dispute-resolution process under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
Conflict & Hunger Deeply Embedded in War-Ravaged Yemen
- Inter Press Service
SANA’A, Yemen, Jun 06 (IPS) - During the week of May 21, the UN held its annual week dedicated to the Protection of Civilians. The themes of the week’s events, particularly the side events, I had the honor of participating in, mirrored many of the pressing issues in Yemen, as conflict continues.
Does Artificial Intelligence Need a Regulatory UN Watchdog?
- Inter Press Service
UNITED NATIONS, Jun 06 (IPS) - The frighteningly rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have triggered the question: is there a UN role for monitoring and regulating it?
Citing a report from the Center for AI Safety, the New York Times reported last week that a group of over 350 AI industry leaders warned that artificial intelligence poses a growing new danger to humanity –and should be considered a “societal risk on a par with pandemics and nuclear wars”.
Buckling up to save lives: UN celebrates five decades of seat belt laws
- UN News
Laws making seat belt use mandatory in cars have saved millions of lives, UN agencies announced on Tuesday, marking half a century of vehicular safety legislation around the world.