From deepfakes to grooming: UN warns of escalating AI threats to children

Cosmas Zavazava, Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau at the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) – one of the key agencies that drafted the statement, which includes guidelines and recommendations – catalogues a dizzying array of ways that children are targeted.  This extends from grooming to deepfakes, the embedding of harmful features, cyberbullying and inappropriate content: […]

Peacekeeping: Lacroix warns of rising threats to ‘blue helmets’ in Middle East

Briefing journalists by video link from Jeddah following an extensive visit to the region, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, said there has been an uptick in dangerous incidents involving peacekeepers and the fragile environment in which missions are operating. He added that UN missions are continuing to deliver on their mandates despite increasingly challenging conditions on the ground. […]

Torture, threats and arbitrary arrests: UN warns of ‘serious abuses’ against Afghans forced to return

Torture, threats and arbitrary arrests: UN warns of ‘serious abuses’ against Afghans forced to return

These abuses include threats, cases of torture, mistreatment and arbitrary arrest and detention, according to the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The report said these violations were committed against Afghans “based on their profile” and targeted women, media workers and civil society […]

In Berlin, broad backing for UN peacekeeping as global threats mount

In Berlin, broad backing for UN peacekeeping as global threats mount

UN Secretary-General António Guterres meanwhile warned that peace operations are under growing strain and must adapt to meet today’s rising threats. The two-day conference on peacekeeping, hosted by the Government of Germany, brought together over 1,000 participants – including defence and foreign ministers – to reaffirm commitment to the UN’s flagship tool for maintaining peace […]

Journalism facing new threats from AI and censorship

Journalism facing new threats from AI and censorship

“Amidst spiraling conflict, climate chaos, growing divisions, and a rapidly changing digital landscape, a free press is more vital than ever,” said Volker Türk. Furthermore, “the media help us understand the world around us and encourage critical thinking and dialogue.” Threats and deaths Free and independent media are the best antidote to disinformation but press freedom is under threat […]

Even Knife to My Throat Won’t Force Me Say ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai: Owaisi

The religious divide in India is getting worse with the Hindu nationalists, especially the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideology wing of Hindu Sanghis calling for imparting education to all Indians to say “Bharat Mata ki Jai’ from childhood to invoke nationalism getting an equally reverse rhetoric by AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi. Speaking to Muslim […]