Increased Demand for Cobalt Fuels Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo By Juliana White Copyright © IPS - Inter Press Service --

https://www.ipsnews.net/2025/06/increased-demand-for-cobalt-fuels-ongoing-humanitarian-crisis-in-the-democratic-republic-of-the-congo/ UNITED NATIONS, Jun 26 2025 (IPS) - The demand for cobalt and other minerals is fueling a decades-long humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). In pursuit of money to support their families, Congolese laborers face abuse and life-threatening conditions working in unregulated mines Copyright © IPS - Inter Press Service --

Why Peacebuilding Needs a New Global Agenda By Sania Farooqui Copyright © IPS - Inter Press Service --

https://www.ipsnews.net/2025/06/peacebuilding-needs-new-global-agenda/ Sanam Naraghi Anderlini on UN Reform and Civilian Power BENGALURU, India, Jun 25 2025 (IPS) - It has been 33 years since peacebuilding was formally recognized within the United Nations system, by the then UN Secretary-General Boutros-Ghali, who defined it as a long-term structural work aimed at preventing the recurrence of violence, setting the stage for the UN’s ongoing efforts to address the root cause of conflict and not just its consequences. “Post-conflict peacebuilding is the action to identify and support structures which will tend to strengthen and solidify peace in order to avoid a relapse into conflict,” Boutros-Ghali said. Copyright © IPS - Inter Press Service --

Rising Temperatures, Rising Inequalities: How a New Insurance Protects India’s Poorest Women By Manipadma Jena Copyright © IPS - Inter Press Service --

For streetside sellers of artificial jewelry and for recyclers toiling under the increasingly torrid temperatures caused by climate change, innovative insurance means not all is lost when their wares are ruined or it is too hot to work. But is this a panacea or an opportunity for the authorities to ignore their responsibilities to the poorest workers of India? https://www.ipsnews.net/2025/06/rising-temperatures-rising-inequalities-how-a-new-insurance-protects-indias-poorest-women/ BHUBANESWAR/AHMEDABAD, India, Jun 26 2025 (IPS) - As Deviben Dhaundhaliya, 45, a streetside seller of artificial jewelry, waits for her husband Devabhai to arrive and help her shift their iron-frame mobile ‘shop’ to the Bhadra Fort open-air marketplace in Ahmedabad city, she tells of how “as heat increased, my wares started melting under the direct exposure to the sun, or they got discolored.” Copyright © IPS - Inter Press Service --

UN Drug Office Warns that Global Drug Crisis Will Intensify By Oritro Karim Copyright © IPS - Inter Press Service --

https://www.ipsnews.net/2025/06/un-drug-office-warns-global-drug-crisis-will-intensify/ UNITED NATIONS, Jun 27 2025 (IPS) - Since 1989, the United Nations (UN) has recognized June 26 as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in an effort to raise awareness around the global drug problem and foster a more compassionate world, free of drug abuse. Through this year’s campaign, “Break the Cycle. #StopOrganizedCrime”, the UN underscores the importance of addressing the root causes of global drug abuse and illegal drug trading, and investing in reliable systems that prioritize prevention, education, and health. Copyright © IPS - Inter Press Service --

What the Ceasefire Between Israel and Iran Means for Israel-Palestine Conflict By Naomi Myint Breuer Copyright © IPS - Inter Press Service --

https://www.ipsnews.net/2025/06/what-the-ceasefire-between-israel-and-iran-means-for-the-israel-palestine-conflict/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-the-ceasefire-between-israel-and-iran-means-for-the-israel-palestine-conflict UNITED NATIONS, Jun 26 2025 (IPS) - The Trump administration announced on June 23 that a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran had been reached following 10 days of conflict between the two nations and the United States’ bombardment of three nuclear sites in Iran. The establishment of the ceasefire will return focus back to the conflict between Israel and Palestine and the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Copyright © IPS - Inter Press Service --

A Crisis-Stricken UN’s Frantic Hunt for Low-Cost Locations—away from New York & Geneva By Thalif Deen Copyright © IPS - Inter Press Service --

https://www.ipsnews.net/2025/06/crisis-stricken-uns-frantic-hunt-low-cost-locations-away-new-york-geneva/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=crisis-stricken-uns-frantic-hunt-low-cost-locations-away-new-york-geneva UNITED NATIONS, Jun 27 2025 (IPS) - In the US, the success of a business enterprise or the value of real estate is reflected in a repetitive and alliterative phrase: “LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION”. Copyright © IPS - Inter Press Service --

UN80: Beyond Disposable Staff Distracting Reforms Restoring UN Effectiveness By Naïma Abdellaoui Copyright © IPS - Inter Press Service --

Naïma Abdellaoui, Concerned International Civil Servant and Staff Representative. Member of the Executive Bureau of UNOG Staff Union https://www.ipsnews.net/2025/06/un80-beyond-disposable-staff-distracting-reforms-restoring-un-effectiveness/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=un80-beyond-disposable-staff-distracting-reforms-restoring-un-effectiveness GENEVA, Jun 27 2025 (IPS) - In an era defined by the gig economy and pervasive job insecurity, advocating for permanent contracts within the United Nations might seem anachronistic, even counterintuitive. Copyright © IPS - Inter Press Service --