United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk expressed alarm on Thursday over the unrest and destruction in Northern Ireland as a result of the attack that went viral on social media, and over the release of police body camera footage linked to the murder of a student in Southampton by a British-born Sikh.
Offering solidarity to the victims and their families, he welcomed the ongoing investigations and stressed that accountability is essential.
Public rhetoric
At the same time, Mr. Türk warned that some had exploited the incidents to spread divisive narratives targeting communities based on race and ethnicity, contributing to the spread of racial hatred and violence.
“Scapegoating and dehumanization are totally unacceptable,” he said, condemning violence against people, burning of homes, damage to property and intimidation directed at affected communities.
He also emphasized the responsibility of political leaders to avoid language that stokes tensions or stigmatizes groups, warning that public rhetoric can further deepen divisions during periods of unrest.
Social media platforms were urged to take their human rights responsibilities seriously by addressing hate speech and content that incites violence.
The UN called for restraint, accountability and efforts to prevent further escalation while protecting affected communities.
FAO urges stronger global action as animal diseases spread across borders
Risks from animal diseases, including avian influenza (or bird flu), African swine fever, foot-and-mouth disease and New World screwworm, continue to rise, as outbreaks increasingly threaten food security, trade and livelihoods around the world, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
Livestock sectors support more than one billion livelihoods and contribute trillions of dollars in economic value each year.
Therefore, protecting animal health is essential not only for farmers and ranchers, but also for food security, trade, economic stability and rural prosperity.
Increased movement of animals and people, environmental pressures and unequal access to veterinary services are accelerating the spread of diseases across regions.
New shoots
Recent outbreaks underscore the urgency: The New World screwworm has reemerged in the United States after decades of containment, while foot-and-mouth disease has spread beyond its traditional range in Africa to parts of Asia and the Middle East.
“The impacts of these outbreaks go far beyond animal health. They disrupt agricultural production, trade and tourism, threaten livelihoods, increase risks to food security and, in some cases, pose direct risks to human health,” said Dr Tiensin Thanawat, FAO Chief Veterinarian.
Tackling these threats requires stricter surveillance, earlier detection, greater information sharing and closer international cooperation.
FAO highlighted that prevention and preparedness remains the most effective and least costly response and is working with partners to strengthen early warning systems, surveillance and rapid response efforts around the world.
The heat has killed 200,000 people in Europe in just four years
Extreme heat has claimed more than 200,000 lives across Europe in the past four years, according to the United Nations’ World Health Organization (WHO), which warned that heat waves are becoming an increasingly frequent and deadly public health emergency driven by climate change.
“We need a coordinated, powerful and institutional response,” WHO Regional Director Dr. Hans Kluge said at the launch of the updated Heat and Health Action Plan Guidance in Berlin on Thursday.
The new guidance outlines evidence-based measures governments can take to reduce heat-related illnesses and deaths, including early warning systems, cooling centers, urban greening initiatives, and targeted support for vulnerable populations.
Preparing for rising temperatures
The WHO highlighted that individual actions such as staying hydrated and avoiding direct exposure to heat remain important, but are not enough to address what it described as a growing systemic challenge.
Heat action plans are designed to help cities and countries anticipate, prepare for and respond to periods of extreme heat in a coordinated and effective manner.
Europe is warming faster than any other continent, putting older people, those with pre-existing health problems and other vulnerable groups at greater risk.
“Our goal is clear and our ambition is bold: zero heat-related deaths,” said Dr. Kluge.
