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World News in Brief: Terror-crime link alarm, child detention in Australia, judiciary in Maldives, Protection of Civilians Week

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In recent years, criminal and terrorist groups have seized “every” opportunity afforded by growing instability to “entrench, expand, and escalate,” said Ghada Waly, in her opening remarks to the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, in Vienna.

Challenges such as human and drug trafficking, smuggling of cultural and commercial goods, and environmental crimes are on the agenda during the four-day conference which focuses on “evolving and emerging” forms of organised crime.

Emerging threats

The world faces a “fundamental challenge to security, prosperity, and the rule of law,” the Executive Director said, with the link between criminal and terrorist groups becoming a growing concern.

While new technology serves as an enabler for criminal networks, justice systems around the world are being “starved” of the resources and conditions they need to provide equal access to justice.

She said, with criminal threats evolving, it was “certainly not the time to scale back global investment in crime prevention and criminal justice, both politically and financially,” emphasising the importance of multilateral cooperation.

Australia justice system in spotlight over child offenders’ reform

To Australia, where top independent rights experts have expressed concern at proposed legal reforms that could increase penalties for children.

In most Australian states, criminal responsibility begins at 10, allowing youngsters to be incarcerated for a wide range of crimes, if convicted.

Already, disproportionately large numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children continue to be jailed in Australia, according to rights experts Jill Edwards and Albert Barume.

The Special Rapporteurs – who are appointed by and report to the Human Rights Council – have insisted that “many new or proposed” laws across the country are incompatible with rights of the child.

Queensland crackdown

These include the so-called “Adult crime, Adult time” legal reform in the state of Queensland.

If adopted later this week, it could result in children serving longer jail time for dozens of criminal offences.

“The first goal should always be keeping children out of prison,” the rights experts said. They emphasised the excessive impact of the Queensland bill on indigenous children and the risk of creating “a future under-class of Australians”.

Aerial view of Malé, the capital of the Maldives.

Aerial view of Malé, the capital of the Maldives.

Maldives’ dismissal of Supreme Court judges raises concern, UN rights office warns

The UN human rights office warned Monday that the dismissal by the Maldives authorities of two Supreme Court justices could jeopardise the independence of the judiciary.

The South Asian island nation launched probes into both judges in February 2025.

At the same time, the Maldives’ parliament adopted a bill to reduce the size of the Supreme Court bench from seven to five judges.

A third Supreme Court justice also resigned, while a fourth judge – the Chief Justice – has since retired.

The investigation against the judges raises questions about how it was conducted, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, said in a statement.

Judicial independence

“We remind the authorities of their commitment to maintain and protect an independent judiciary, in line with the Maldives’ Constitution and international human rights obligations,” said OHCHR spokesperson Jeremy Laurence.

“Checks and balances between the different branches of the State, including a strong and independent judiciary, play a vital role in ensuring fidelity to the rule of law by all branches of Government and the effective protection of human rights,” Mr. Laurence added.

Previously, independent rights expert Margaret Satterthwaite expressed concern about reports that lawyers for the Maldives Supreme Court justices who were under investigation “were not given the opportunity to speak at the disciplinary proceedings and that these were not public”.

Ms. Satterthwaite reports to the Human Rights Council on the independence of judges and lawyers; she is not a UN staff member.

Protection of Civilians week will work to address ‘culture of impunity’

Over 50,000 civilians have been killed in Gaza since October 2023. In Sudan, the figure is around 18,000 in the past two years – and in Ukraine, the total is 12,000, since Russia’s full-scale invasion.

During Protection of Civilians Week, from 19 to 23 May, these preventable deaths and displacements will be the focus as the United Nations, its Member States and civil society affiliates gather to discuss ways of preventing future armed conflicts.

The eighth annual PoC Week – which is coordinated by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Switzerland, the Centre for Civilians in Conflict, and the International Committee of the Red Cross – will focus on the theme of “Tools to Further the Protection of Civilians.”

International guarantees, national violations

International humanitarian and human rights law establishes clear guidelines which protect civilians during armed conflicts.

However, OCHA noted that increasingly there is a “culture of impunity” surrounding the enforcement of these laws, with disregard for them spreading and the application of them increasingly politicised.

“Despite clear protections under international humanitarian and human rights law, civilians continue to suffer the brunt of conflict,” OCHA said, outlining the week ahead.

This is particularly concerning given that civilian deaths have been increasing. In the past decade, the world has experienced a surge in armed conflicts, disrupting what had previously been a 20-year decline.

Between 2022 and 2023, there was a 72 per cent increase in the number of civilian deaths according to UN estimates.

Throughout the week, individual member state missions are also hosting a variety of informal consultations. The calendar for the week is here.

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What are Forever Chemicals? Study Reveals They’re Linked to Sleep Disruptions

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A groundbreaking study led by the University of South California (USC) has unveiled a concerning link between high levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as ‘forever chemicals’, and sleep disruptions.

This research, published in the journal Environmental Advances, has shed light on the potential health risks associated with these pervasive chemicals. PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals that have been used in a variety of industries around the globe since the 1940s. They are found in a wide range of consumer products that people use daily such as cookware, pizza boxes, and stain repellants.

Due to their chemical structure, PFAS are resistant to heat, water, and oil, earning them the moniker forever chemicals. They do not break down easily and can persist in the environment and the human body for extended periods. The USC study examined the blood samples and sleep patterns of 144 participants aged between 19 and 24.

The researchers found that higher levels of four specific types of PFAS – PFDA, PFHxS, PFOA, and PFOS – were significantly associated with less sleep or worse quality of sleep.

The Impact of PFAS on Sleep and Health

Young adults with higher levels of these toxic chemicals in their blood had 80 fewer minutes of sleep at night. They also had trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, waking up, or feeling tired during waking hours. Sleep is a fundamental pillar of health.

A person must sleep 7-8 hours daily. Prolonged poor sleep may raise chronic health issues, including diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. The study’s findings are particularly concerning given the widespread presence of PFAS in our environment and daily lives.

Previous studies have shown that PFAS have contaminated water, food, and people through products such as Teflon pans, waterproof clothing, stain-resistant carpets and fabrics, and food packaging. They have also been linked to cancers of the breast, ovary, skin, and uterus in women, among other diseases.

The USC study also examined the overlap between genes affected by the four forever chemicals and genes related to sleep disorders. Out of 600-plus candidate genes, seven activated by PFAS seemed to influence sleep.

Historical Parallels and Reducing Exposure

This included HSD11B1, which helps produce the hormone cortisol that plays an important role in regulating the rhythm of sleep and wakefulness. Another gene was cathepsin B, related to cognitive function and memory. Disruption in this gene was linked to Alzheimer’s.

The study’s findings echo historical events where chemicals once deemed safe were later found to have harmful effects on human health. For instance, lead was widely used in paint, gasoline, and plumbing until research revealed its toxic effects, particularly in children. Similarly, asbestos was a popular building material until its fibers were found to cause lung diseases.

The USC study adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that PFAS could be the next major public health concern.

To reduce exposure to PFAS, individuals can avoid using products that are stain-resistant, waterproof, or nonstick, as these often contain PFAS. They can also choose natural fiber clothing, use glass, stainless steel, or ceramic cookware instead of Teflon or other nonstick pans, and be cautious with food packaging, especially for microwave meals.

Filtering drinking water with a system designed to remove PFAS, if necessary, and being mindful of personal care products, checking labels for PFAS ingredients, can also help. As we continue to learn more about these forever chemicals, it is crucial that we take steps to minimize our exposure and protect our health.

Snoring Linked to High Blood Pressure, Australian Study Finds

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A new Australian study has revealed that regular snoring may lead to higher blood pressure. Researchers from Flinders University in South Australia found that people who snore often are more likely to suffer from elevated blood pressure and uncontrolled hypertension.

The study monitored 12,287 participants over six months, using home-based sleep tracking technology. It showed that 15% of the participants snored for more than 20% of the night. Those who snored heavily had a 3.8 mmHg higher systolic blood pressure and 4.5 mmHg higher diastolic pressure compared to non-snorers.

Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, occurs when blood vessels have consistently high pressure. This condition can cause heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, and other serious heart diseases.

“For the first time, we can say there’s a strong link between frequent snoring at night and high blood pressure,” said Bastien Lechat, lead author of the research from the College of Medicine and Public Health at Flinders University in Australia. He stressed the importance of addressing snoring in managing hypertension.

The World Health Organization estimates that 1.28 billion adults globally have hypertension, with nearly half of them unaware of their condition.

How vitamin D affects COVID-19? Penn State researcher explores further

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A Penn State researcher is studying whether vitamin D supplementation could help people ward off or reduce symptoms caused by COVID-19. Margherita Cantorna, distinguished professor of molecular immunology and nutrition in the College of Agricultural Sciences, received nearly $241,000 as part of a competitive revision to the final year of an existing NIH grant that supports her research on how vitamin D regulates the immune system in the gastrointestinal tract.

Cantorna said the addition of two key collaborators in the college’s Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences make the new work possible: virologist Troy Sutton, assistant professor of veterinary and biomedical sciences, and Girish Kirimanjiswara, associate professor whose research focuses on immunology and infectious diseases.

“Patients with acute respiratory infections have been shown to be vitamin D deficient, and vitamin D supplements have been touted as being useful in high doses for preventing seasonal influenza,” Cantorna said. “Meanwhile, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 has generated interest in the potential of high-dose vitamin D supplements to prevent and treat severe disease associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Cantorna’s research group has shown that vitamin D plays an important role in maintaining health in the gastrointestinal tract. Higher levels of vitamin D reduce susceptibility to inflammatory bowel disease and Crohn’s disease, as well as gut and lung infections in animals and people. However, too much vitamin D can be harmful.

Cantorna noted that the local and systemic inflammation caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection is not well understood, and controlling such inflammation may improve outcomes for COVID-19 patients. Although low vitamin D status has been associated with acute respiratory diseases, research has not confirmed a causal relationship.

“We don’t yet fully understand the mechanisms underlying the effects of vitamin D in the lung or how vitamin D regulates host immunity to viral infection,” she said. “These significant knowledge gaps have hindered the development of interventions and accurate messaging that include vitamin D for the treatment and prevention of respiratory disease.”

Using mouse and hamster models, Cantorna’s team will test whether supplemental vitamin D treatments will limit viral replication and/or inflammation in the lung leading to protection against severe SARS-CoV-2 infection.

“We plan to determine the effects, dose and timing of possible vitamin D interventions in infected animals,” Cantorna said. “Because SARS-CoV-2 has been shown to infect the gastrointestinal tract, the benefits of vitamin D might include regulation of gastrointestinal immunity as well as lung immunity.”

She added that all work with SARS-CoV-2 viruses will be performed at the Eva J. Pell Laboratory for Enhanced Biological Research, which is Penn State’s state-of-the-art biosafety level 3 facility.

“In some cases, the most vulnerable people are being told they should take vitamin D supplements to protect against COVID-19, without proof of efficacy or safety,” Cantorna said. “We hope our findings can contribute to the development of responsible guidance on whether high amounts of vitamin D are safe and effective in alleviating this disease.