United Nations

February 18, 2025 11:14 AM

Humanitarian needs in Gaza remain overwhelming: UN

The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire despite the ongoing ceasefire, while Israeli operations in the West Bank continue to result in casualties, according to the United Nations. "The UN and its humanitarian partners continue to deliver life-saving assistance across the Gaza Strip, but the scale of needs remains overwhelming, requiring urgent and sustained support," the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated. OCHA reported that Gaza’s hospitals, includi...

February 14, 2025 11:41 AM

US targets diversity, equity, inclusion at United Nations

The United States has warned U.N. organizations UNICEF and UN Women against any focus on diversity, equity, inclusion and gender ideology as a U.N. food official sought to avoid Washington's ire by advising some staff to tone down language. Since returning to power on January 20, U.S. President Donald Trump as focused on eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices and any promotion of "gender ideology" in the federal government, and has encouraged the private sector to follow s...

December 20, 2024 3:14 PM

Global Unity through Inner Peace: UN has declared 21st December as World Meditation Day

The United Nations has declared 21st December as World Meditation Day. It is going to be an annual event observed to promote the importance of mental and emotional well-being through meditation. The meditational practice helps people connect with their inner selves, manage emotions, and develop greater awareness. It is a simple yet powerful tool, offering profound benefits for both individual and collective health. 2024 Theme: "Meditation for Global Peace and Harmony" This year's theme emphas...

December 13, 2024 10:23 PM

Could UN sanctions on Syrian rebels HTS be removed?

The rebel group that led the ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad - Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) - has long been under United Nations sanctions, which the U.N. special envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen has described as "a complicating factor for all of us." Formerly known as the Nusra Front, HTS was al Qaeda's official wing in Syria until breaking ties in 2016. Since May 2014 the group has been on the United Nations Security Council al Qaeda and Islamic State sanctions list, and subjected to a ...

November 22, 2024 3:47 PM

India’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors critical for its nutrition security: FAO

India’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors are critical for its nutrition security. Explaining the significance of the fisheries and aquaculture sector, Professor Manuel Barange, Assistant Director-General and Director, the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), also reckoned the opportunities and challenges in the process. An event on the World Fisheries Day was hosted by the Department of Fisheries, Government of India (GoI...

October 29, 2024 7:26 PM

Bangladesh: UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk arrives in Dhaka

The United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, arrived in Dhaka early this morning on a two-day official visit. During the visit, Turk will hold a number of meetings with top government officials and civil society representatives. The high commissioner is scheduled to meet with Prof. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh, said a press release disseminated by the UN Resident Coordinator office in Dhaka. The UN HR chief will also hold meet...

October 18, 2024 11:08 PM

Azores create largest marine protected area in North Atlantic

The regional assembly of Portugal's Azores Islands approved the creation of the largest protected marine area in the North Atlantic to reach international conservation goals well ahead of time. The approval late on Thursday places the archipelago at the forefront of global ocean conservation that aims to achieve the goals set by the United Nations of protecting 30% of the Earth's land and sea by 2030 under a global pact adopted last year. The network will encompass almost 300,000 square kilome...

October 14, 2024 6:57 PM

Nepal participates in the World Food Forum to showcase achievements in food safety

Nepal's Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Ramnath Adhikari, along with a Nepali delegation, has arrived in Rome, Italy, to attend the World Food Forum (WFF) meeting. Nepal will highlight its initiatives and progress in food safety and food purity at the global event. Organized by the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the forum will run from October 14 to 18. The theme of this year’s flagship WFF event is "Good Food for All, for Today and Tomorrow." The...

October 14, 2024 11:51 AM

UN says Israeli tanks burst into peacekeeper base, while Hezbollah drones kill four

The United Nations said Israeli tanks had burst into its base in southern Lebanon on Sunday, the latest accusation of Israeli violations against peacekeeping forces, as Hezbollah unleashed a deadly "swarm of drones" on an Israeli military camp. Israel disputed the U.N. account and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for the peacekeepers to withdraw, saying they were providing "human shields" for Iran-backed Hezbollah during an upsurge in hostilities. The UNIFIL peacekeeping force ...

October 7, 2024 1:43 PM

Criminal networks in Southeast Asia flourish in Telegram’s ‘underground markets’, UN says

Powerful criminal networks in Southeast Asia extensively use the messaging app Telegram which has enabled a fundamental change in the way organised crime can conduct large-scale illicit activity, the United Nations said in a report on Monday. The report represents the latest allegations to be levied against the controversial encrypted app since France, using a tough new law with no international equivalent, charged its boss Pavel Durov for allowing criminal activity on the platform. Hacked dat...