Tuesday, December 24

Author: Ramsha Zubairi

Ramsha Zubairi is a freelance writer based in India. Her work focuses on international politics, human rights, and the environment.
Hundreds Of NGOs Pressure Olympics Sponsors For Action
8Feb By Ramsha ZubairiNo Comments
Diplomacy, Domestic Politics, Human rights, Organizations, IMF, WTO, G7, Types of News: Brief

Hundreds Of NGOs Pressure Olympics Sponsors For Action

Photo by Chinese-Australian Artist Badiucao for the Human Rights Watch February 8, 2022—As Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 commenced on February 4 in China, more than 240 non-governmental organizations from around the world joined hands to demand answers from the corporate sponsors of the games. "It’s not possible for the Olympic Games to be a ‘force for good,’ as the International Olympic Committee claims, while the host government is committing grave crimes in violation of international law," said Sophie Richardson, a director at Human Rights Watch, in a news release. According to the HRW, human rights advocates have documented scores of abuses by China since the Olympic committee selected Beijing for the 2022 Winter Games. These include: Arbitrary detention, torture, and forced...
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The Impact Of Conflict Still Reverberates Throughout The Middle East
29Dec By Ramsha ZubairiNo Comments
Foreign Aid, International Development, Types of News: Brief, Types of News: Videos

The Impact Of Conflict Still Reverberates Throughout The Middle East

Editor's Note: This year we saw international diplomats try to work out political solutions for many of the Arab Spring countries. Meanwhile, humanitarians worked directly with the people impacted by conflict and natural disasters. Fabrizio Carboni is one of them. He is regional director for the Near and Middle East for the International Committee of the Red Cross. The news is difficult to take in. But solutions cannot come unless we understand the issues impacting people. December 29, 2021--Fabrizio Carboni, regional director for the Near and Middle East for the International Committee of the Red Cross, discussed the major challenges faced by the Middle Eastern countries of Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and Iraq in 2021.  "What we see ...
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Time Is Running Thin On Iran Deal, Negotiators Say
23Dec By Ramsha ZubairiNo Comments
Diplomacy, Middle East, Sanctions, Types of News: Analysis

Time Is Running Thin On Iran Deal, Negotiators Say

Nuclear Inspectors Are To Partially Resume Monitoring Of Sites Editor's Note: Diplomats representing Germany and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council are working with Iranian representatives to restore the Iranian nuclear deal (JCPOA). The talks first started in 2019. They continued this year. Now diplomats involved say the next few weeks are critical make-it-or-break-it time. Iran is getting closer to building a nuclear weapon. Iran, meanwhile, is asking the United States to waive nuclear-related sanctions and add oil to the list of products that the country can trade. Journalist Ramsha Zubairi reports on recent developments. December 23, 2021--Talks to restore Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers in Vienna came to a halt on Friday. Today, they are officia...
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High Food Prices Fueling Humanitarian Crises Worldwide
21Nov By Ramsha ZubairiNo Comments
Foreign Aid, International Development, Types of News: Brief

High Food Prices Fueling Humanitarian Crises Worldwide

WFP Director David Beasley makes plea for funds.Photo: WFP As Inflation Impacts The World, Aid Organizations Are Struggling To Meet The Needs Of The Hungry November 21, 2021—Aid agencies like the UN World Food Programme are making a desperate plea for funds this year to feed the hungry amid rising fuel and food prices and drought-related shortages. Almost 283 million people face acute food shortages or are at high risk in 80 countries in 2021, according to the UN World Food Programme. The agency warned that 45 million people across 43 countries are at risk of famine. The number of people at risk increased from 42 million earlier this year and 27 million in 2019. “Tens of millions of people are staring into an abyss. We’ve got conflict, climate change and COVID-19 driving up th...
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India Aims for 2070 Net-Zero, Asks For $1 Trillion
12Nov By Ramsha ZubairiNo Comments
Climate Action, ESG, Sustainable Finance, Foreign Aid, International Development, Types of News: Analysis, UN Security Council

India Aims for 2070 Net-Zero, Asks For $1 Trillion

COP26 event Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeting UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson Editor's Note: One of the outcomes of the COP26 conference in Glasgow, Scotland was a pledge by India to reach "net-zero" within 50 years time. Net-zero means that a country or company would compensate for greenhouse gases it emits, bringing the total to zero. India has long been a holdout of promising net-zero. The announcement by Prime Minister Modi to set a target breathed life into the conference. Moreover, it's significant because India is one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases, after China and the United States. It is also noteworthy because as the world's sixth-largest economy, a shift to a green economy would impact financing. By Ramsha Zubairi November 12, 2021 — When Indian ...
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A Closer Look: Causes & Effects of Global Coal Shortage
4Nov By Ramsha ZubairiNo Comments
Energy Policy, Oil & Gas, Global Economics, Types of News: Analysis

A Closer Look: Causes & Effects of Global Coal Shortage

AP photo of Northwest China Coal Shortages Caused Power Outages in India, China And Tajiskistan By Ramsha Zubairi November 4, 2021—Coal prices surged this Fall, producing electric outages in multiple countries. As the global economy continues to get back on track after the pandemic, coal industries struggle to meet the rising demand for the commodity. Graph by Trading Economics. In recent weeks and months, many communities in India, China and Tajiskistan faced some of the worst power outages that they have in years. In China, the population got by with streetlights and elevators turned off and limited heating of offices. Some factories and schools were also forced shut to manage the electricity crisis. Overall, China underwent what has been its worst power shortage in de...
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Middle East Faces ‘Increasingly Desperate Reality’
2Nov By Ramsha ZubairiNo Comments
Diplomacy, Middle East, Types of News: Analysis

Middle East Faces ‘Increasingly Desperate Reality’

UN Envoy Says Israeli Evictions Of Palestinians And Property Seizures Spurs Violence November 2, 2021—In recent weeks, a Middle East envoy to the United Nations expressed warnings about Israel-Palestinian relations. Demolition of homes by the Israeli military, construction of illegal housing by settlers, and evictions and displacement of Palestinians from their homes are causing a desperate and dangerous situation in both Israel and the Palestinian territories. For the Palestinians and the Bedouin community, these actions meant homelessness and loss of property. For Israeli citizens, the provocative actions by their government and illegal settlers put them at a greater risk of violence. In the following article, contributing writer Ramsha Zubairi reports. In his testimony to the Secu...
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Coal, China And Climate Change
1Nov By Ramsha ZubairiNo Comments
Climate Action, ESG, Sustainable Finance, Domestic Politics, Energy Policy, Oil & Gas, Types of News: Analysis

Coal, China And Climate Change

Editor's Note: As the COP26 takes place this week, many leaders on climate action are pointing to China and calling on the world's largest emitter of carbon dioxide gas to do more. This is the first of a series of reports on coal production and consumption by contributing writer Ramsha Zubairi. China's Climate Goals Are 'Unimpressive,' Observers Say November 1, 2021—China is the biggest producer, consumer and importer of coal, and as the country’s economy continues to grow post-pandemic, its demand for the commodity moves in the upward direction. That makes China's absence from this year's COP26 especially worrisome for climate activists. With global climate change happening now, it is increasingly necessary to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions. More than 70 percent of e...
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Afghan Women, Children and Journalism Struggle Under the Taliban Rule
15Oct By Ramsha ZubairiNo Comments
Domestic Politics, Human rights, Types of News: Analysis, UN Security Council

Afghan Women, Children and Journalism Struggle Under the Taliban Rule

October 15, 2021—Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan, women in the country are showing bravery against a backdrop of severe restrictions against normal life. "Women are not giving up, they are protesting for their rights which are in line with our religion and international human rights." - Samira Hamidi Broken Promises Early on, the Taliban declared amnesty for all citizens and promised to reform their old ways. The government reassured its citizens and international human rights groups it would give "equal rights to women as per the laws of Islam." Furthermore, Taliban officials promised freedom of media and protection of former government employees. But in the few months under the new leadership, the world has witnessed numerous reports from the United Nations and other...
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