UN : Internet use continues to grow, but stubborn digital divides persist (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Penang)
While an estimated 5.5 billion people, or 6 8 per cent of the world population, are online in 2024, an increase of 227 millio n individuals from 2023, universal connectivity remains a distant prospect, a s 2.6 billion people, one-third of the world population, are still offline, accor ding to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

Australia : Strengthen due diligence to address contemporary forms of slaver y (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Penang)
Despite the solid legal and institutional frameworks adopted by the Australian government, concerns have been express ed over the low rate of prosecution and conviction of acts amounting to contemporary forms of slavery, according to a United Nations human rights expert.

Haiti : Number of children recruited by armed groups soars by 70% (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Penang)
The number of children recruited by armed groups in Haiti has increased by 70 per cent in the last year, according to the latest estimates by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).