Meet the robots who are making the world a better place

Meet the robots who are making the world a better place

As artificial intelligence (AI) sprouts new, powerful learning abilities, nations are working on strategies to govern it, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which is hosting the two-day summit to showcase a bevy of new technologies, including a range of robots who can handle everything from healthcare to rock music. Prospering from a machine-assisted…

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Haiti: ‘Take urgent action now’ urges ECOSOC President

Guterres appeals for humanitarian, security and political action to end Haiti’s ‘living nightmare’

He said citizens of the Caribbean nation are “trapped in a living nightmare” as armed gangs encircle the capital, Port-au-Prince, blocking roads, controlling access to food and healthcare, and undermining humanitarian support. Mr. Guterres was speaking at UN Headquarters fresh from a visit to the country and a summit of regional leaders, held in Trinidad…

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Israel-Palestine: UN chief strongly condemns mounting violence, acts of terror

Israel-Palestine: UN chief strongly condemns mounting violence, acts of terror

“Israel’s airstrikes and ground operations in a crowded refugee camp were the worst violence in the West Bank in many years,” said António Guterres, referring to the two day long military assault in Jenin which began on Monday morning, involving the use of airstrikes, and missiles fired from drones. According to the Palestinian health ministry…

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Iran nuclear deal: Despite differences, still ‘best available option’, Security Council hears

Iran nuclear deal: Despite differences, still ‘best available option’, Security Council hears

Briefing the Security Council on the state of the JCPOA, Ms. DiCarlo set the tone for the discussion by stating, “diplomacy is the only way to effectively address the Iranian nuclear issue.” The 2015 deal sets out rules for monitoring Iran’s nuclear programme and paves the way for the lifting of UN sanctions. It was agreed…

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New UN policy paper launched to counter and address online hate

New UN policy paper launched to counter and address online hate

The policy paper, Countering and Addressing Online Hate Speech: A Guide for Policy Makers and Practitioners, was developed jointly by the UN Office with the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Human Rights, Big Data and Technology Project, at the UK’s University of Essex.  ‘Unprecedented speed’  “We have seen across the world, and time, how social media has become a…

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Iran: Executions and detentions in spotlight at Human Rights Council

Iran: Executions and detentions in spotlight at Human Rights Council

“We have expressed concerns” over the investigation into her death, said Viviana Krsticevic, a member of the Fact-Finding Mission on Iran, speaking at a press conference in Geneva: “in particular over the fact that today her family’s right to truth and justice remains unfulfilled”.  She added that the investigations had “fallen short of international human…

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WFP funding crisis leaves millions stranded without aid in West Africa

WFP funding crisis leaves millions stranded without aid in West Africa

The agency’s emergency food and nutrition assistance operation in the Sahel began in June, focussing on refugees, newly displaced people, malnourished children under five, pregnant women and breastfeeding women and girls. © WFP/Cheick Omar Bandaogo A mother gives her 10-month-old daughter porridge in Burkina Faso in the Sahel region, where WFP is providing assistance to…

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UN voices ‘shock and condemnation’ as gender-based violence soars across Sudan

UN voices ‘shock and condemnation’ as gender-based violence soars across Sudan

The violations include conflict-related sexual violence against internally displaced and refugee women and girls forced to flee for their lives. Agency chiefs from humanitarian coordination office OCHA, the human rights office (OHCHR), the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the UN sexual and reproductive health agency (UNFPA), UN Women and the World…

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Developing countries face $4 trillion investment gap in SDGs

Developing countries face $4 trillion investment gap in SDGs

According to a new UNCTAD report, developing countries actually face a staggering $4 trillion gap in sustainable development investments. UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan said that a “significant increase” in material support for renewable energy in developing countries is “crucial” for the world to reach its climate goals by 2030. Poorer countries left behind in renewables boom…

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‘Bold and resolute’ action needed to protect children affected by war

‘Bold and resolute’ action needed to protect children affected by war

Presenting her latest annual report, Virginia Gamba, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, appealed for “bold and resolute action” to protect boys and girls at risk of death, recruitment, rape and other horrors.   The report covers 26 situations in five regions worldwide, representing another high.   Countries include Ethiopia, Mozambique and…

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