UN | DD News

December 3, 2025 10:11 AM

Myanmar’s opium poppy cultivation hits highest level in a decade, UN says

Opium poppy cultivation in war-torn Myanmar has surged to its highest level in a decade, rising 17% in the past year as conflict and economic hardship push more farmers into the illicit trade, the United Nations said on Wednesday. Poppy cultivation climbed to 53,100 hectares (205.02 square miles) this year from 45,200 hectares in 2024, the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said in a report, underlining Myanmar's position as the world's main known source of illicit opium amid declining prod...

November 27, 2025 12:07 PM

PM Modi hails unveiling of B.R. Ambedkar’s bust at UNESCO headquarters on Constitution Day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday described the unveiling of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s bust at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris as “a matter of immense pride” and a fitting tribute to the chief architect of the Indian Constitution. In a post on X, the Prime Minister said, “It is a matter of immense pride that today, on Constitution Day, a bust of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar was unveiled at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. This is a fitting tribute to Dr Ambedkar and his role in the making ...

November 19, 2025 3:25 PM

Afghanistan needs $129 million for quake recovery, UN says, as donor support falls

A UN-led assessment says Afghanistan requires $128.8 million to restore housing, schools and key services in its quake-hit eastern provinces, warning that reconstruction faces "significant shortfalls" as donor support for the country falls sharply. The Joint Rapid Recovery Needs Assessment (JRRNA), conducted with the World Bank, EU and ADB, outlines a three-year plan to rebuild homes, health facilities, water systems and farmland in the eastern provinces of Kunar, Nangarhar and Laghman. It com...

November 16, 2025 3:23 PM

UN says Israeli wall crosses Lebanon border

Lebanon will file a complaint to the U.N. Security Council against Israel for constructing a concrete wall along Lebanon's southern border that extends beyond the "Blue Line", the Lebanese presidency said on Saturday. The Blue Line is a U.N.-mapped line separating Lebanon from Golan Heights. Israeli forces withdrew to the Blue Line when they left south Lebanon in 2000. A spokesperson for the U.N. secretary-general, Stephane Dujarric, said on Friday the wall has made more than 4,000 square mete...

November 12, 2025 10:43 AM

Trump appointee to UN labour agency ‘frozen’ over funding and influence concerns

The appointment of a Trump nominee as the deputy head of the International Labour Organisation has been "frozen" following concerns from staff and member states it would give Washington too much sway over the body, multiple sources told Reuters. By unwritten rules, the deputy director general role is held by the biggest donor, the U.S., which pays 22% of the budget Vacant since mid-September, the post was set to be filled by top Trump economic aide, Nels Nordquist. However, U.S. President Don...

November 11, 2025 3:34 PM

Latest U.N. analysis shows climate pledges cutting emissions by 12%

The yearly amount of planet-warming gases added to the atmosphere will decrease 12% by 2035 from 2019 levels, according to a new analysis published Monday by the U.N. climate change secretariat (UNFCCC). The revised figure represents progress from the expected 10% reduction announced on October 28, and takes into account pledges made since the cutoff for the previous analysis. Nevertheless, the projected 12% cut is far short of the 60% emissions drop needed by 2035 to limit global warming at 1...

November 7, 2025 10:45 AM

UN Security Council removes sanctions on Syria’s president, interior minister

The United Nations Security Council has removed sanctions on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who is due to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday. The U.S.-drafted resolution on Thursday also lifted sanctions on Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab. It received 14 votes in favor, while China abstained. Washington has been urging the 15-member Security Council for months to ease Syria sanctions. Trump announced a major U.S. policy shift in May when he said he would lif...

November 5, 2025 6:06 PM

IAEA says Iran must ‘seriously improve’ nuclear cooperation, FT reports

Iran must "seriously improve" cooperation with the United Nations inspectors to avoid heightening tensions with the West, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, citing International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi. Grossi told the FT that while the IAEA has carried out about a dozen inspections in Iran since hostilities with Israel in June, it had not been given access to nuclear facilities such as Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, which were bombed by the United States. Grossi said in ...

November 5, 2025 9:12 AM

US asks UN to lift sanctions on Syria’s president ahead of White House visit

The United States has proposed a draft United Nations Security Council resolution that would lift sanctions on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who is due to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday. The draft resolution, seen by Reuters on Tuesday, would also lift sanctions on Syria's Interior Minister Anas Khattab. It was not immediately clear when it could be put to a vote. A resolution needs at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes by Russia, China, the U.S., France ...

November 5, 2025 9:04 AM

US may ask UN to mandate international force in Gaza for two years, document shows

The United States has drafted a United Nations resolution that approves a two-year mandate for a Gaza transitional governance body and an international stabilization force in the Palestinian enclave, according to the text seen by Reuters on Tuesday. The draft - which is still being developed and could change - was shared with some countries this week, but has not yet been formally circulated to the 15-member Security Council for negotiations, diplomats said. It was not immediately clear when Wa...