Raising the roof: Building resilience through conserving historic homes in the Philippines
In July 2022, a magnitude-7.0 earthquake shook the northwestern Philippines, killing 11 people and injuring nearly 600 others. The quake and its aftershocks caused an estimated 1.6 billion pesos ($27.3 million) in damage to infrastructure and agriculture. Among the hardest hit…
Public execution in Afghanistan condemned as ‘clear human rights violation’
The latest incident comes amid growing international concern over the use of capital punishment in the country since 2021, when the Taliban swept back into power 20 years on from the allied invasion that ended their rule, in the wake…
The Philippines brace for more storms amid devastating typhoon season
Typhoons Kristine and Leon caused widespread damage in the Philippines, leaving thousands of families and children without access to safe water and sanitation facilities. The 11th and 12th tropical cyclones to hit the country this year affected at least 4.2…
Looming famine in Rakhine signals wider crisis in Myanmar
In a report released on Thursday, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) described the situation in the poverty-struck province as an “unprecedented disaster”. “A perfect storm is brewing,” it said, citing a combination of interlinked issues – restrictions on domestic and…
Rise in Afghan opium cultivation reflects economic hardship, despite Taliban ban
The rebound follows a massive 95 per cent decrease in 2023, when the ban nearly eliminated poppy production nationwide, leading to a severe decline in Afghanistan’s opium output. However, while cultivation has increased, the current levels remain substantially lower than…
DPR Korea’s latest missile launch a ‘grave threat’ to regional stability
The missile, launched on 31 October at approximately 7:11am local time, reportedly flew for 1 hour and 26 minutes, covered approximately 1,000 kilometres, reaching an altitude of over 7,000 kilometres before landing in the sea. “The DPRK described this latest…
‘Historic development’ in Thailand as it moves to end statelessness for nearly 500,000 people
The decision announced on Friday will benefit 335,000 longtime residents and members of officially recognized minority ethnic groups, along with approximately 142,000 of their children born in Thailand. ‘Historic development’ “This is a historic development,” said Ms. Hai Kyung Jun,…
UN expert calls for action as Marshall Islands faces dual displacement crisis
The appeal from Paula Gaviria Betancur, UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, comes as the Pacific nation grapples with generational displacement and the threat posed by rising sea levels and unprecedented global heating. The Marshall…
UN rights chief urges Bangladesh to sustain ‘unprecedented’ momentum for change
The protests, which highlighted demands for human rights, accountability and social justice, must be met with meaningful reforms, High Commissioner Volker Türk urged. “This unique, unprecedented moment in the history of Bangladesh is the result of young men and women…
Twenty years on: Indonesia ‘better prepared’ following tsunami
The lyrics include references to an earthquake, a massive wave, land submerged under water and locating to higher ground. “When there is an earthquake and a tsunami, you are in panic, you cannot be expected to think. This is why…