Break free from pollution, climate chaos and ‘biodiversity decimation’, UN chief urges

Break free from pollution, climate chaos and ‘biodiversity decimation’, UN chief urges

In a message marking Wednesday’s World Environment Day, António Guterres emphasized that countries “must deliver” on all their commitments to restore degraded ecosystems and land, and on Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework, the global agreement to protect biodiversity. “They must use their new national climate action plans to set out how they will halt and reverse deforestation…

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Ongoing war destroying social fabric in Gaza, UN aid official says

Ongoing war destroying social fabric in Gaza, UN aid official says

Andrea De Domenico, Head of OCHA‘s Office in the occupied Palestinian territory, recently spent three weeks in the enclave, where over one million people have fled the southern city of Rafah following the step-up in Israeli military operations, according to Palestine refugee agency UNRWA.  Briefing journalists in New York, Mr. De Domenico added that the…

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UN experts concerned about migrant labour exploitation in UK

UN experts concerned about migrant labour exploitation in UK

The experts said they have received allegations that migrants are being deceived about “working and living conditions and the nature of their agreements with employers in the agricultural or care sectors.”  “This is unlawful and highlights the need for urgent reform of the current system governing labour migration, to ensure effective protection of the rights…

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World News in Brief: Aid breakthrough for Haiti, police violence in Chicago, celebrating ‘pedal power’

World News in Brief: Aid breakthrough for Haiti, police violence in Chicago, celebrating ‘pedal power’

Jean-Martin Bauer, Country Director in Haiti for the UN World Food Programme (WFP), also said that the UN agency had managed to resume flights into Port-au-Prince international airport. ‘Exceptionally complex’ The security situation remains “exceptionally complex” but it has been possible to reach “the most difficult neighbourhoods” of the Haitian capital, Mr. Bauer said. According…

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Iran’s uranium stockpile grows following three years of denied access

Iran’s uranium stockpile grows following three years of denied access

Addressing the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Director General Rafael Grossi indicated no progress had been made in resolving outstanding issues. He mentioned that Iran is still not implementing provisions of the nuclear safeguards agreement, and that withdrawal of designations for several IAEA inspectors are yet to be reversed. “These…

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UNICEF extends aid to children in Afghanistan affected by flash floods

UNICEF extends aid to children in Afghanistan affected by flash floods

Afghanistan’s most recent floods killed about 350 people, including dozens of children, and damaged more than 7,800 homes leaving over 5,000 families displaced.  UNICEF has since provided safe water, hygiene kits with soap, toothbrushes and more to communities in Afghanistan. The children’s fund also organised hygiene sessions to teach civilians about handwashing and safe water storage…

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Health chief hails ‘historic milestone’ in race to avert next pandemic

At World Health Assembly, countries agree on efforts to boost pandemic preparedness

Member countries of the UN World Health Organization (WHO), on the final day of the seventy-seventh World Health Assembly, adopted important amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR), including defining a “pandemic emergency” as well as pledging improved access to medical products and financing. These steps will help ensure comprehensive, robust systems are in place…

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