Legalizing cannabis fails to address health risks: UN drugs control board

Legalizing cannabis fails to address health risks: UN drugs control board

Issuing the warning at the launch of its annual report, the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) cited data indicating that the trend caused “negative health effects and psychotic disorders” among some recreational cannabis users, while also contravening the UN 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. “In all jurisdictions where cannabis has been legalized, data show that cannabis-related…

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LDC5: World leaders back ‘blueprint for recovery, renewal, resilience’ in least developed countries

LDC5: World leaders back ‘blueprint for recovery, renewal, resilience’ in least developed countries

The Doha Political Declaration was adopted to a round of applause in the plenary hall of the Qatar National Convention Centre, where LDC5 has been under way since 5 March.  Ushering in new era of solidarity, and enormous socio-economic benefits for world’s 46 least developed countries, today’s action comes nearly one year after the DPoA…

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Arab countries protest at the United Nations over the incidents of burning the Holy Quran

Arab countries protest at the United Nations over the incidents of burning the Holy Quran

An extremist leader in Sweden desecrated the Koran and burned it in public; Photo: File Geneva: At the meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Arab countries described the global silence on the burning of the Holy Quran as disappointing. According to the international news agency, the Arab countries protested at the meeting…

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LDC5 spotlights contributions of women and girls in tech, despite tough odds and nagging barriers

LDC5 spotlights contributions of women and girls in tech, despite tough odds and nagging barriers

At noon on Wednesday, LDC5 held a moment of celebration near Maman, the iconic bronze and stainless-steel sculpture by the artist Louise Bourgeois that towers over the main atrium at the Qatar National Convention Centre in Qatar, where the Conference has been under way since last Sunday. A celebration of motherhood, the giant statue, Ms….

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'Mum does not cry or scream anymore': Breaking the silence of domestic abuse in Tajikistan

‘Mum does not cry or scream anymore’: Breaking the silence of domestic abuse in Tajikistan

Like many women in Tajikistan, Shermatova Marjona has experienced gender-based violence. Ms. Shermatova met her husband while she was working abroad as a cleaner in Moscow, Russia. It wasn’t long before they were married, and he persuaded her to send all the money she earned to her father-in-law in Tajikistan, who was to use the…

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‘Radical change of direction’ needed in women, peace and security agenda

‘Radical change of direction’ needed in women, peace and security agenda

Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women, was speaking during a Council meeting to reaffirm the importance of Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security,  adopted in October 2000, and to take stock of implementation since it turned 20 nearly three years ago.  “As we meet today at the mid-point between the 20th and 25th anniversaries, on…

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