TAKE ACTION: Urge Governments to Invoke the Genocide Convention to Stop the War on Gaza

Several countries' governments have accused the Israeli government of genocide and asked the International Criminal Court to prosecute Israeli officials, but that court effectively answers to the U.S. government and has refused for years to prosecute crimes by Israel or anyone else outside of Africa. World Beyond War invites us to tell the governments of the world to Invoke the Genocide Convention to stop the war on Gaza.  TAKE ACTION

Just a Hobby or Reckless Marketing Gimmick? The World of Kid Gun Influencers.

Grant Davis has the perfect AR-15 for you. It has a muzzle brake for straighter shooting, an extended magazine release for faster reloads, and a tactical handguard. He shows it off on Instagram reels, strutting around the Florida shooting range, squeezing off rounds synced to music. Grant is about to turn 10. He’s part of the burgeoning group of kid gun influencers, “kidfluencers,” nationwide and one-half of the “2A Boys” – with his 14-year-old brother James. MORE

‘We’re Tired of Being Good Girls’: Russia’s Military Wives and Mothers Protest Against Putin

Female-led movements are challenging the official narrative that mobilized troops are required for war against Ukraine. They are the wives and mothers of some of the 300,000 Russian men who were conscripted by the Kremlin to shore up its troop numbers. More than a year later, with their loved ones still on the battlefield, many women are staging public protests and writing open letters in a country where public dissent is rare. MORE

TAKE ACTION: Global Appeal to Nine Nuclear Governments

Peace advocates across the globe have united in an appeal to nine nuclear governments to each commit to a nuclear policy of no first strike, not ever, not for any reason; and to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, and to collectively agree to immediately begin disarming on a schedule to completely eliminate all nuclear weapons from the earth no later than August 6, 2045. World Beyond War urges us to join in this important campaign. TAKE ACTION

North Korea's Kim Jong Un Orders Military to "Thoroughly Annihilate" U.S. If Provoked

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered his military to "thoroughly annihilate" the United States and South Korea if provoked, state media reported, after he vowed to boost national defense to cope with what he called an unprecedented U.S.-led confrontation. Kim is expected to ramp up weapons tests in 2024 ahead of the U.S. presidential election in November. MORE  

Biden Fast-Tracks Work Authorization for Migrants Who Cross Legally

As Senate Republicans push for hardline border measures in negotiations with the White House, the Biden administration is quietly working to improve its signature "legal pathway" to solve a problem that has confounded Democrat-led cities receiving tens of thousands of migrants: getting fast work permits for those who cross lawfully.   Immigration advocates call the move “a game changer.” MORE

‘We Are Not Equipped to Deal with This’: Migrant Surge Overwhelms U.S. Border

Officials are struggling to contend with the chaos at the U.S.-Mexico border as thousands of migrants arrive every day, trekking from the farthest reaches of the globe. Thousands of migrants are arriving at the border every day, trekking from the farthest reaches of the globe, from Africa to Asia to South America, driven by relentless violence, desperation, and poverty. “It’s a humanitarian disaster,” says Scott Carmon, a Border Patrol watch commander.  MORE

Hundreds of Migrants Dropped Off in New Jersey, Bypassing New York City Restrictions

Buses sent from southern states are transporting migrants to New Jersey transit ports to evade new New York City restrictions. Because of the high number of arriving migrants, the city now requires bus companies to provide passenger lists, expected arrival times, and locations at least 32 hours in advance. MORE

TAKE ACTION: Urge Congress to Pass a Clean 2024 Budget

With multiple continued resolutions and a long speaker of the House change mid-term, Congress has been greatly delayed in passing bills and funding important aspects of government that contribute to the care of God's creation. The U.S. needs a budget passed for 2024 that will invest in clean energy, conservation of ocean, lands, and endangered species, and continue essential programs. Creation Justice Ministries urges us to tell Congress to pass a clean budget before January 19th. TAKE ACTION

4 Ways AI Can Help with Climate Change, From Detecting Methane to Preventing Fires

Lots of industries have embraced artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool this past year, including climate solutions companies. AI can help translate vast amounts of climate-related data faster and more efficiently. Companies, researchers, and governments are using AI for climate solutions by detecting methane leaks, and early forest fires, preventing new forest fires, and in green tech mining. MORE

Iowa First Responders Fear the Dangers—and Costs—of CO2 Pipelines

From outdated equipment and evacuation plans to a lack of personnel and training, some Iowa first responders say they would be unable to safely carry out rescue operations in the case of a major carbon dioxide pipeline rupture. Many Iowans fear such a disaster is increasingly likely as developers, spurred by more than $12 billion in federal incentives, propose to build lengthy CO2 pipelines across the Midwest. MORE

It’s Human Trafficking Prevention Month. But… What Is Prevention, Anyhow?

January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Primary prevention strategies look at how we reduce risks and increase protective factors to buffer violence. Secondary prevention provides an immediate response to violence as it occurs. These services include first responses, such as basic services and emergency and medical care that address short-term consequences. Awareness is ensuring the public – including higher-risk groups – knows about the realities of trafficking. MORE

How Climate Change Increases Vulnerability to Human Trafficking in the Philippines

For eight years, the Philippines has been considered a Tier 1 country in the US Trafficking in Persons Report. Climate change is among the biggest challenges for the Philippines. Hazard-affected communities are driven into unemployment and poverty, displacement and migration, food insecurity, health insecurity, lack of education, and psychological distress. Under these circumstances, communities become exposed to the risk of exploitation by human traffickers. MORE

‘It Was a Hunting Ground’: Women and Sexual Assault in the U.K. Armed Forces

Two years on from the U.K. government's response to an inquiry into women’s lives in the forces, those who serve still face a culture of violent misogyny. Despite the promise of equality and camaraderie, women in the military have endured harassment, discrimination and rape.  MORE

Impacts of Witnessing Domestic Violence Can Be Long-Lasting in Kids

Experts say the trauma caused by a child seeing domestic violence could manifest itself in many different ways. Some signs a child may be witnessing domestic violence at home vary. Some kids may be anti-social, bully, or be highly explosive, while others act overly compliant or profusely apologize after acting out. MORE

They’re Paid Billions to Root Out Child Labor in the U.S. Why Do They Fail?

In the past two decades, private audits have become the solution to a host of public relations headaches for corporations. When a scandal erupts over labor practices companies point to these inspections as evidence that they have eliminated abuses in their supply chains. These social compliance audits have grown into an $80 billion global industry. However, a New York Times review of confidential audits conducted by several large firms shows that they have consistently missed child labor. MORE  

Voting Rights Act Faces New Wave of Dire Threats in 2024

As 2023 comes to a close, the Voting Rights Act is facing a series of dire threats that could significantly weaken the landmark civil rights law. A suite of three different pending cases could gut the ability of private plaintiffs to challenge the Voting Rights Act, make it harder to challenge discriminatory election systems and limit the Voting Rights Act’s protections in areas where a single racial minority doesn’t constitute a majority. MORE

What Changed After a California School District Banned Teaching Critical Race Theory?

It's been more than a year since the teaching of so-called critical race theory was banned in Temecula Valley Unified School District in Southern California. It was the first big action of a newly elected and deeply conservative majority on the school board. About 4% of the district's students are Black. Many have spent the last year reckoning with what it means to feel safe in a place that they say is trying to deny the existence of systemic racism. MORE

Kenneth Smith is scheduled to be executed on January 25, 2024, by the state of Alabama for the murder of Elizabeth Sennett. Please hold Kenneth, Elizabeth, their families, and the people of Alabama in prayer. TAKE ACTION