News headlines in January 2024, page 9

ROME, Jan 22 (IPS) - The parliamentary elections held in Bangladesh on 7 January, 2024, has created much controversy in the country, terming it an “election of the Awami League (AL) government, for the AL government and by the AL government", by many. Internationally, China and India have congratulated the government for victory and organization of a fair election. But, several western countries have termed it as unsatisfactory. However, irrespective of the diverse views, everyone agrees that it was not participatory elections. Voter turn out was significantly low and it was boycotted by the main opposition Bangladesh National Party (BNP).

SEOUL, Jan 22 (IPS) - If the fear of sharps makes a visit to the doctor dreadful, you need not dread it anymore.

PORTLAND, USA, Jan 22 (IPS) - Increasing numbers of countries are experiencing a spreading demographic condition, below replacement fertilitywith many governments bemoaning the birthrate blues.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 22 (IPS) - Among East Africa’s dozens of pastoral tribes, major conflicts have erupted repeatedly, largely over land and water disputes.

Generational trauma and anger have built to create tensions and grievances that carry emotional weight even hundreds of years later.

UNITED NATIONS, Jan 22 (IPS) - In a bygone era, public executions of condemned prisoners were common in certain parts of the United States where the death penalty, mostly with lethal injections, is still in force now.

The hangings, at the turn of the century, apparently were open to the public and the media.

The UN and its global partners will grapple with the massive loss of animal and plant species, and how to avoid further extinction, at a major conference beginning 23 January. Here’s a primer on what, exactly, biodiversity is, and how the UN can help support efforts to enable nature to survive and thrive.

The human rights expert appointed by the UN High Commissioner to monitor Sudan, Radhoune Nouciertold UN News on Monday that everything from basic human rights to the economy and the legal system, have been decimated by the on-going war between rival militaries.

Hundreds of Afghan women were forced to quit their jobs or have been arrested and denied access to essential services in the last quarter of 2023, a UN report revealed on Monday, as Taliban officials continue undermining their basic human rights.

A group of independent UN human rights experts on Monday called on the authorities in Hong Kong to drop all charges against pro-democracy media entrepreneur Jimmy Lai and release him immediately.

The UN human rights office (OHCHR) on Monday strongly condemned a weekend attack on the Russian-occupied city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine which left scores dead and injured.