United Nations

April 1, 2025 9:32 AM

Bodies of 15 rescue workers recovered from grave in Gaza, UN officials say

Fifteen emergency and aid workers from the Red Crescent, Palestinian Civil Defense and the United Nations have been recovered from a grave in the sand in the south of the Gaza Strip, U.N. officials said on Monday. U.N. aid chief Tom Fletcher said in a post on X that the bodies were buried near "wrecked & well-marked vehicles," adding: "They were killed by Israeli forces while trying to save lives. We demand answers & justice." Israel's military did not comment directly on the deaths of...

March 20, 2025 4:13 PM

International Day of Happiness 2025: Finland tops World Happiness Report

The International Day of Happiness, celebrated on March 20, is a day to promote happiness as a key factor in leading a healthy and disease-free life. Recognized by the United Nations (UN), happiness is considered a fundamental objective of human life. The UN prioritizes the importance of happiness, advocating for governments and international organizations to nurture the conditions that foster happiness, protect human rights, and incorporate well-being and environmental sustainability into polic...

March 4, 2025 10:18 AM

India slams UN human rights for unfounded and baseless comment on Kashmir and Manipur

At the 58th regular session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Arindam Bagchi, delivered a pointed critique of the High Commissioner’s global update, calling for a “genuine update” on the situation in India. Bagchi’s statement was in response to unfounded remarks made about India, particularly in relation to Jammu and Kashmir. “Mr. Vice President, allow me today to share some reflections about the High Commissioner's global...

February 25, 2025 3:57 PM

Ukraine needs $524 billion to recover, rebuild after three years of war, World Bank says

The estimated cost to rebuild Ukraine's economy after Russia's invasion has risen to $524 billion, nearly three times its expected 2024 economic output, the World Bank, United Nations, European Commission and the Ukrainian government found. A new study by the institutions included data from Russia's invasion three years ago through December 31, including a 70% increase in damages to Ukraine's energy infrastructure from Russian attacks. It showed an increase of over 7% from the last estimate of...

February 24, 2025 11:37 AM

India to host first-ever conference on women peacekeepers

A two-day conference on women peacekeepers deployed in UN missions is set to begin in New Delhi on Monday. Titled "Women in Peacekeeping: A Global South Perspective," this first-of-its-kind event is being organized by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and the Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping. According to the MEA, women peacekeepers from 35 Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) across the Global South will participate. External Affairs Mi...

February 19, 2025 11:36 AM

Indian envoy slams Pakistan at UN, reaffirms J&K as integral part of India

India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, strongly condemned Pakistan’s misinformation campaign at the UN Security Council (UNSC) and reaffirmed that Jammu and Kashmir "has been, is, and will always be" an integral part of India. Harish made the remarks on Tuesday while delivering India's statement at the UNSC Open Debate on Practicing Multilateralism, Reforming, and Improving Global Governance. His comments came in response to Pakistan’s Deputy...

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 ...