UN official urges South Sudan to lift taxes halting aid

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3 May 2024

UN official urges South Sudan to lift taxes halting aid

Since February, authorities have imposed a series of new taxes and charges at border crossings and within the country.

These measures have impacted over 60,000 people, particularly in remote areas where humanitarian operations are already limited. This number is expected to rise to 145,000 by the end of May if the measures remain in place.

Anita Kiki Gbeho, the Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan, underscored the urgent situation, stating that UN agencies have been forced to halt lifesaving airdrops of food assistance due to dwindling fuel supplies.

“We call on the Government of South Sudan to uphold all agreements with humanitarians, including our NGO [non-governmental organizations] partners, and immediately remove new taxes and fees so that we can continue to support people in need,” she said on Sunday.

Her office further noted that the new taxes contravene the Status of Forces Agreement signed by individual agencies with the South Sudanese Government as well as Section 7 of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the UN, which exempts the UN from all direct taxes and duties on imports of supplies for its official use.

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Funds for saving lives

According to the Humanitarian Coordinator’s office, the new measures would increase the cost of food assistance and the UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) operations by $339,000 per month.

This amount could otherwise be used to feed over 16,300 people for a month.

“It is vital that our limited funds are spent on saving lives and not bureaucratic impediments,” she stressed.

Government assurances

Ms. Gbeho acknowledged assurances by many members of the Government of South Sudan that humanitarians are exempt.

However, there have been no written commitments to date, her office added.

Humanitarian situation

The humanitarian situation in South Sudan remains dire, with approximately nine million people, including 1.6 million children, requiring assistance and protection due to ongoing insecurity and conflict.

Since the war in Sudan began in April 2023, coupled with violence and the cessation of food distribution in parts of Ethiopia, thousands of people have returned to South Sudan, often arriving in underdeveloped areas as highly vulnerable populations.

Despite increasing needs, funding for humanitarian efforts remains inadequate. The $1.8 billion Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for 2024, aimed at supporting six million of the most vulnerable, is currently only 18.5 per cent funded.

UN rights chief urges Georgia to scrap ‘foreign influence’ bill

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3 May 2024

UN rights chief urges Georgia to scrap ‘foreign influence’ bill

Thousands of people have taken to the streets for days to protest the draft Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence, which would require media and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) receiving more than 20 per cent of funding from abroad to register as “organizations acting in the interest of a foreign power”.

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Respect human rights

Mr. Türk voiced concern over reports of unnecessary and disproportionate use of force against demonstrators and media personnel in the capital, Tbilisi, this week.

He urged the authorities to fully respect and protect the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

“Any restrictions to these rights must abide by principles of legality, necessity and proportionality. The use of force during protests should always be exceptional and a measure of last resort when facing an imminent threat,” he said.

Investigate abuses, drop charges

Mr. Türk called on the authorities to conduct prompt and transparent investigations into all allegations of ill-treatment during or after protests or in detention.

“All those who were detained arbitrarily for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly must be released immediately. Charges against them must also be dropped,” he said.

At the same, he appealed for demonstrators and protest organizers to exercise their rights peacefully and not to resort to violence.

The UN rights chief called on the authorities to withdraw the draft law and engage in dialogue, including with civil society and media organizations.

“Labelling NGOs and media outlets receiving foreign funding as ‘organizations acting in the interest of a foreign power’ poses serious threats to the rights to freedom of expression and association,” he said.

Exploring the History of Consoles: From Nintendo to Sony

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Newsdesk

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2 May 2024

man holding corded game controller — Photo by Alexander Andrews on Unsplash

The gaming industry has witnessed the rise and fall of various consoles over the years. From Nintendo’s groundbreaking innovations to Sony’s dominance in the market, each era has brought its own set of challenges and triumphs. In this article, we’ll delve into the evolution of consoles, highlighting key moments and assessing their impact on gaming culture.

Gaming consoles. Illustrative photo. Image credit: cottonbro studio via pexels.com, free license

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Nintendo: pioneers of console gaming

Nintendo, originally a trading card and toy company, made its mark in the gaming industry with the release of the Color TV-Game series, followed by the iconic NES (Nintendo Entertainment System). Despite the limitations of first-generation consoles, Nintendo’s focus on historical importance and game quality laid the foundation for future success.

The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES): pushing boundaries

The SNES introduced advanced technology like Mode 7 graphics and refined gameplay, setting a new standard for 2D platforming. With classic titles like Super Mario World and innovative features, the SNES solidified Nintendo’s position as a leader in the industry.

Nintendo’s ups and downs

From N64 to Wii U Nintendo faced challenges with the N64 due to its proprietary cartridges and limited third-party support. Despite notable titles like Ocarina of Time and Mario 64, the system fell short in some areas. The GameCube marked a turnaround with improved developer relations, but the Wii U struggled to find its footing, overshadowed by competitors.

The Switch: Nintendo’s hybrid success

The Nintendo Switch revitalized the handheld gaming market with its innovative design and impressive game library. Offering versatility and portability, the Switch garnered widespread acclaim and became a top choice for gamers worldwide.

Sony’s entry: The PlayStation revolution

Sony’s foray into gaming began with the PlayStation, challenging industry norms and reshaping the landscape. Despite initial setbacks, the PlayStation’s extensive game library and technological advancements propelled it to unprecedented success.

PlayStation 2: a cultural phenomenon

The PS2 emerged as a cultural phenomenon, boasting backward compatibility and a diverse range of titles. With record-breaking sales and a vast library of games, the PS2 solidified its status as the best-selling console of all time.

Sony’s evolution: PS3 to PS5

The PS3 faced challenges initially but rebounded with standout exclusives and improved performance. The PS4 continued Sony’s winning streak, dominating the market with its gaming-focused approach. As the PS5 enters the scene, Sony aims to build on its legacy while adapting to changing trends.

Microsoft’s journey: from Xbox to Xbox Series X

Microsoft entered the gaming arena with the Xbox, leveraging its strengths in technology and online services. The Xbox 360 further solidified Microsoft’s presence, offering a robust gaming experience and expanding its reach. However, missteps with the Xbox One led to setbacks, paving the way for renewed focus with the Xbox Series X.

Other contenders: Atari, Sega, and beyond

Atari and Sega played pivotal roles in shaping gaming history, with consoles like the Atari 2600 and Sega Genesis leaving a lasting impact. While some systems achieved success, others faltered due to poor decisions and lackluster libraries.

Conclusion

As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, the legacies of Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft endure, shaping the future of interactive entertainment. With each new console generation, players embark on a journey filled with innovation, nostalgia, and endless possibilities.

Italy at war with overtourism: Milan bans the sale of ice cream and pizza after midnight

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Newsroom

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2 May 2024

After Venice introduced a visitation fee and the Cinque Terre made the area’s tourist routes one-way, now another Italian city is entering the battle against overtourism. Finding the best ice cream while walking through the small streets of Milan is part of the experience not only for tourists but also for the residents of Italy’s fashion capital. But soon that will change.

However, a new law could put an end to this long-standing tradition. Marco Granelli, the city’s deputy mayor for security, recently announced plans to ban the sale of takeaway food and drink after midnight to preserve “peace” in 12 of the city’s busiest neighborhoods, CNN reported.

“Our goal is to seek a balance between sociability and entertainment and the peace and health of residents,” Grenelli wrote on social media. He added: “We believe in the living city, where both young and old have spaces they can share together.”

The ban, which the city says is necessary to deal with excessive noise in residential areas, will also prevent establishments from serving food and drink outside between 12:30 a.m. and 6 a.m. on weekdays and between 1:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. on weekends.

Critics say the ban goes against Italian culture and are calling for the law to be changed. If approved, the ban would go into effect as early as next month and last until November, after the busy tourist season ends.

Milan’s gelaterias are known as some of the best in the world. According to Luca Finardi, general manager of the city’s Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Italians passionately debate which gelateria is the best in town.

“We all have at least one we prefer,” he says. Brera, the city’s arts district, and Garibaldi, known for its high-end shopping, are among the 12 areas in the city expected to be controlled by the new rules.

The other districts are: Nolo, Lazzareto, Melzo, Isola, Sarpi, Cesariano, Arco della Pace, Corso Como-Gae Aulenti, Tichinese and Darsena-Navigli.

Fine for buying pizza

For some, sanctions are too radical a step. Marco Barbieri, secretary general of the Milan branch of the Italian retail association Confcommercio, told CNN that the ban goes against “common sense”.

“If an Italian family goes out for pizza and then wants to go for a walk and eat ice cream, they will be fined under this ordinance,” he says. He accepts that some residents are disturbed by the noise, but adds that there is room for compromise, such as keeping parks and other spaces open for longer.

“In Milan, there are many areas that are perfect for ‘movida’ (parties) that will not disturb the residents, they should be open later, not close earlier,” he says.

Barbieri also thinks midnight is too early to stop sales. He says most young people in Milan don’t even think about going out for dinner before 10pm, especially on summer evenings.

The expert is adamant that the new proposal will be accepted, but he hopes it will be in a modified form. “We’re hoping they’ll take ice cream, water and pizza off the list. Leave the late-night alcohol ban,” he says.

However, a change in the law is not guaranteed. Similar plans to tighten the ban were proposed by local authorities back in 2013, but had to be abandoned after a significant public backlash and the formation of a protest movement called “Occupy Gelato”.

It is unclear whether there will be the same level of resistance this time around. Town residents have until next week to have their say on the new proposal before the fate of the late-night ice cream walk is finally decided.

Illustrative Photo by Muffin Creatives: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-photo-of-person-holding-pizza-1653877/

Children’s shoes left behind illustrate chaos of fleeing Khan Younis: UN humanitarians

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2 May 2024

Children’s shoes left behind illustrate chaos of fleeing Khan Younis: UN humanitarians — © UNRWA - A man and boy collect water at a shelter for people displaced by the conflict in Gaza. (file)

The UN agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, reached one of its now-abandoned schools in Khan Younis at the weekend, where thousands of people appeared to have left at a moment’s notice, fearing further intense Israeli bombardment.

“They used to shelter inside the school yard here, inside the classrooms, using all the external space. Now, there’s nothing left. Everybody evacuated very quickly,” said UNRWA communications officer Louise Wateridge.

Writing in a social media post on X that abandoned children’s shoes were “everywhere” at the school, the UNRWA officer also pointed to rubble and smashed concrete blocks that fell from the roof after a direct hit.

Lives upended

“There’s nobody here now, but you can see how quickly people left. There’s shoes on the floor, there’s hairbrushes, toothbrushes, even bits of food just left behind,” Ms. Wateridge said, her mobile phone footage indicating massive damage to buildings next to the UNRWA facility, including a block whose entire top floor had been upended and smashed wide open.

At a training centre in Khan Younis, where she said that at least 40,000 people sheltered when it came under direct fire and was subsequently besieged, she described “entire rooms burnt out, belongings scattered everywhere…Graves of children in the yard read “Your sister misses you’”.

Lasting impact

According to UNRWA, the war in Gaza has impacted 165 of its installations in the enclave since Israeli strikes began in response to Hamas-led attacks on 7 October that killed some 1,200 people in southern Israel and left more than 250 taken hostage.

The latest data from the Gazan health authorities indicate that at least 34,480 Palestinians have been killed in the ensuing violence and more than 77,640 wounded. As part of the continuing UN humanitarian response, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) – which said that over 13,000 youngsters have been reportedly killed – has distributed more than 203,000 items of clothing for newborns to 17-year-olds.

UNICEF has reported that at least 17,000 children in Gaza are now unaccompanied or separated from their family after nearly seven months of war, with at least seven in 10 houses believed damaged or destroyed.

UQ turns CO2 into sustainable power

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Newsdesk

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1 May 2024

time lapse photography of square containers at night — Photo by Federico Beccari on Unsplash

University of Queensland researchers have built a generator that absorbs carbon dioxide (CO2) to make electricity.

Dr Zhuyuan Wang from UQ’s Dow Centre for Sustainable Engineering Innovation says the small, proof-of-concept nanogenerator is carbon negative because it consumes the greenhouse gas.

The UQ-developed technology absorbs carbon dioxide and generates electricity. Image credit: University of Queensland“This nanogenerator is made of two components: a polyamine gel that is already used by industry to absorb CO2 and a skeleton a few atoms thick of boron nitrate that generates positive and negative ions,” Dr Wang said. Image credit: University of Queensland

“This nanogenerator is made of two components: a polyamine gel that is already used by industry to absorb CO2 and a skeleton a few atoms thick of boron nitrate that generates positive and negative ions,” Dr Wang said.

“We’ve worked out how to make the positive ions much larger than the negative ions and because the different sizes move at different speeds, they generate a diffusion current which can be amplified into electricity to power light bulbs or any electronic device.

“In nature and in the human body, ion transportation is the most efficient energy conversion – more efficient than electron transportation which is used in the power network.”

The two components were embedded in a hydrogel which is 90 per cent water, cut into 4-centimetre discs and small rectangles and then tested in a sealed box pumped full of CO2.

“When we saw electrical signals coming out, I was very excited but worried I’d made a mistake,” Dr Wang said.

“I double-checked everything, and it was working correctly so I started dreaming about changing the world using this technology.

“This technology goes further than being carbon neutral – it consumes CO2 as it generates energy.

“At present we can harvest around 1 per cent of the total energy carried intrinsically by gas CO2 but like other technologies, we will now work on improving efficiency and reducing cost.”

Director of the Dow Centre, Professor Xiwang Zhang, said following the success of the laboratory tests, there are two potential applications for the nanogenerator in the future.

“We could make a slightly bigger device that is portable to generate electricity to power a mobile phone or a laptop computer using CO2 from the atmosphere,” Professor Zhang said.

“A second application on a much larger scale, would integrate this technology with an industrial CO2 capture process to harvest electricity.”

The development of the nanogenerator will continue through GETCO2, the ARC Centre of Excellence for Green Electrochemical Transformation of Carbon Dioxide which is led by UQ’s School of Chemical Engineering with Professor Zhang as Director.

“We want to realise the value in a problematic greenhouse gas and to change the perception of CO2,” Professor Zhang said.

“Until now CO2 has been seen as a problem to be solved but it can be a resource for the future.”

The research has been published in Nature Communications.

Source: University of Queensland

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The watch of the richest man who traveled on the Titanic sold

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Newsroom

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1 May 2024

A gold pocket watch that belonged to the richest man who traveled on the Titanic is being sold at auction, DPA reported. It could be worth up to £150,000 ($187,743).

Businessman John Jacob Astor died at the age of 47 when the Titanic sank in 1912. His wife was rescued.

Instead of evacuating on one of the lifeboats, the prominent member of the wealthy Astor family was last seen smoking a cigarette and talking to another passenger.

His body was recovered from the Atlantic Ocean seven days later and a fine 14-carat gold Waltham pocket watch engraved with the initials JJA was found in his clothing.

The watch is expected to fetch between £100,000 and £150,000. It was sold at the auction house “Henry Aldridge & Son” on Saturday last week.

“Astor is known as the richest passenger on board the Titanic and is believed to be among the wealthiest people in the world at the time, with a net worth of approximately $87 million, which equates to several billion dollars today,” said auctioneer Andrew Aldridge.

“Shortly before midnight on April 14, 1912, the Titanic struck an iceberg and began to fill with water. At first Astor did not believe the ship was in serious danger, but later it became clear that it was sinking and the captain began an evacuation . John helps his wife into lifeboat number 4,” added the auctioneer.

Mrs. Astor survived, and her husband’s body was recovered on April 22, not far from the sinking site.

“The watch has been fully restored. It was returned to Mr. Astor’s family and was worn by his son. It is a unique piece of Titanic history,” Aldridge added.

Illustrative Photo by Fredrick Eankels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/stylish-gold-vintage-watch-with-chain-4082639/

France’s National Library has placed four books from the 19th century under “quarantine”

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Newsroom

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1 May 2024

The National Library of France has placed four books from the 19th century “under quarantine”, reported AFP.

The reason is that their covers contain arsenic.

The discovery was made about five years ago. University scientists have discovered the chemical element in the covers.

The German-American research program Poison Book Project deals with such publications. Most of the arsenic-containing books discovered so far are located in the United States.

The National Library of France has compared identified books in other countries with its catalog by title. After analysis, it turned out that only four volumes of the 28 originally selected contained a large enough amount of the poisonous element.

The editions have been quarantined and will undergo a comprehensive laboratory analysis to determine the amount of arsenic in each, the cultural institution said in a statement.

The four books whose covers contain arsenic were printed in Great Britain. These are two volumes of Irish ballads collected by Edward Hayes in 1855, a bilingual anthology of Romanian poetry published in 1856, as well as collected scientific works of the British Royal Society of Horticulture from 1862-1863. Arsenic is contained in the Schweinfurt green, used for covers in the period 1790-1880. The color was used in English-speaking countries and in Germany, rarely in France.

In theory, there is a possibility that readers of the books will get sick or vomit. The National Library announced to AFP that the risk is minimal. In recent years, no poisoning with such covers has been found anywhere in the world.

Libraries in Germany began a search of their holdings in March for the possible discovery of poisoned covers. Dozens of analyzes have been done. No results have been announced yet, AFP notes.

Illustrative Photo by Suzy Hazelwood: https://www.pexels.com/photo/four-pile-of-books-on-top-of-brown-wooden-surface-1290828/

UN expresses solidarity with Kenya following deadly floods

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1 May 2024

UN expresses solidarity with Kenya following deadly floods

Mr. Guterres was saddened by the loss of life and damage caused by flash flooding in the capital, Nairobi, and other parts of the country, his spokesperson said on Monday.

The Secretary-General extended his condolences and solidarity to the families of the victims and to the people and Government of Kenya.

On Monday, rescue teams were searching for survivors after a dam burst in Mai Mahiu in western Kenya, killing at least 35 people, according to international media reports.

The heavy rains began in March, killing more than 100 people across the country since then. This season’s flash flooding follows similarly heavy rains that began late last year, affecting almost 600,000 people.

Solidarity and support

The UN Resident Representative in Kenya, Dr. Stephen Jackson, also expressed solidarity with the people and government during an event to distribute emergency aid to flood survivors, which was led by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

More than 300 households received aid, provided through the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, that included food, mattresses, blankets, water tanks, mosquito nets and equipment to help them rebuild.

“Together, we are taking steps to meet urgent needs. What worries me is how Kenya is currently facing a climate emergency that it did not cause – drought and floods,” said Dr. Jackson.

The UN team on the ground has been working closely with national and international partners since the start of the flooding to help support nearly 25,000 people with food and non-food items directly.

Meanwhile, UNHCR in Kenya said the heavy rains are causing serious flooding and displacement at the Dadaab refugee camps, located in the north.

“Many refugees have been forced from their homes, seeking shelter in schools and on higher ground,” said UNHCR Representative to Kenya Caroline Van Buren, writing on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

The agency is coordinating with local government authorities, including to move people to safety.

Gaza protests: UN rights chief flags ‘disproportionate’ police action on US campuses

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30 April 2024

Gaza protests: UN rights chief flags ‘disproportionate’ police action on US campuses

In recent days, demonstrations unfolding through tented encampments on school grounds – sparked by students at New York’s prestigious Columbia University who are demanding authorities divest from Israel due to its occupation and military assault on Gaza – have spread nationwide.

University authorities from the west to east coast have taken different approaches, ranging from Columbia’s initial response to authorise police to clear protests by force to continuing negotiations and allowing the encampments to remain.

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Columbia protests intensify

Columbia’s protesters ignored an ultimatum from the university to leave the camp or risk suspension on Monday. Early on Tuesday morning, students took over historic Hamilton Hall on campus, barricading themselves inside.

The building was one of those occupied in civil rights and Viet Nam war protests by students in 1968.

The university president announced earlier on Monday that dialogue with protesters had failed, and the institution would not bow to demands to divest from Israel.

Universities should ‘properly manage’ protest response: Guterres

Speaking to reporters in New York on the Gaza crisis, UN Secretary-General António Guterres was asked about the US protests.

“First of all I think it is essential in all circumstances to guarantee the freedom of expression and the freedom of peaceful demonstration but at the same time it is obvious that hate speech is unacceptable”, he said.

It should be left up to university authorities themselves to “properly manage” the situation and decide on the appropriate response to the protests, he added.

Right to protest is ‘fundamental’

In his statement on Tuesday, UN rights chief Volker Türk said that freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly were “fundamental to society”, particularly when there is sharp disagreement on major issues as there is in relation to the conflict in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel.

He noted that in recent weeks, thousands of university students in the US have been protesting the war, and many demonstrations have taken place without incident.

But, there have also been hundreds of arrests following interventions on some campuses by security forces. Many have subsequently been released while others still face charges or academic sanctions.

Action taken by authorities and law enforcement officials to restrict such expression needs to be carefully scrutinised to ensure they do not go beyond what is demonstrably necessary to protect the rights and freedoms of others or for another legitimate aim, such as the maintenance of public health or order, Mr. Türk said.

Incitement to violence ‘must be strongly repudiated’

“I am concerned that some of law enforcement actions across a series of universities appear disproportionate in their impacts,” he stressed.

The rights chief emphasised that any clearly anti-Semitic conduct and speech was totally unacceptable and deeply disturbing. Anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian conduct and speech are equally reprehensible, he said.

“Incitement to violence or hatred on grounds of identity or viewpoints – whether real or assumed – must be strongly repudiated,” he continued. “We have already seen such dangerous rhetoric can quickly lead to real violence.”

He said any violent conduct should be addressed on a case-by-case basis rather than through sweeping measures “that impute to all members of a protest the unacceptable viewpoints of a few”.

A message of thanks to students around the world protesting events in Gaza is displayed on a tent in the south of the enclave.

Human rights law

“Here, as elsewhere, responses by universities and law enforcement need to be guided by human rights law, allowing vibrant debate and protecting safe spaces for all.”

The High Commissioner emphasised that any restrictions to fundamental freedoms of expression must be guided by “legality, necessity and proportionality” and applied without discrimination.

“US universities have a strong, historic tradition of student activism, strident debate and freedom of expression and peaceful assembly,” Mr. Türk said.

“It must be clear that legitimate exercises of the freedom of expression cannot be conflated with incitement to violence and hatred.”

Protesters demonstrate outside the Columbia University campus in New York City.