United Nations

Explained: The WHO’s New Global Pandemic Treaty

After more than three years of fierce negotiations, an international agreement on the prevention and control of pandemics was adopted on Tuesday at the World Health Organization (WHO). Here are the main points of the agreement, which has 35 articles. Objective  The objective of the WHO Pandemic Agreement is "strengthening pandemic prevention, ...

Libya Government says Pursuing Permanent Truce After Clashes

Libya's UN-recognized government said Monday it was pressing efforts to reach a permanent ceasefire after days of deadly clashes in the capital and protests demanding the prime minister's resignation. The fighting last week pitted an armed group aligned with the Tripoli-based government against factions it has sought to dismantle, resulting in at ...

UN Rights Chief: Israel’s Gaza Offensive "Tantamount to Ethnic Cleansing"

The UN's rights chief on Friday denounced Israel's sharp escalation of attacks in Gaza – and an apparent push to permanently displace the population – as amounting to "ethnic cleansing." "This latest barrage of bombs... and the denial of humanitarian assistance underline that there appears to be a push for a permanent demographic shift in ...

Two-State Solution Back on Diplomatic Agenda with UN Conference in June

A French- and Saudi-backed conference on a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will take place from June 17 to 20 at UN headquarters in New York, a French diplomatic source told AFP. The conference will be organized by the UN General Assembly under a shared French and Saudi presidency, the diplomat told AFP on condition of ...

Clash Erupts Between UNIFIL and Residents in Southern Lebanon

Tensions escalated on Friday in the southern Lebanese village of Jmaijmeh (Bint Jbeil) when a patrol from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was stopped by residents while attempting to enter private property without being accompanied by the Lebanese Army. According to local sources, villagers and landowners confronted the UN ...

UN Rules Out Role in US-Backed Foundation's Gaza Aid Operation

The United Nations on Thursday ruled out involvement with a new US-backed foundation for aid to Gaza, as Israel's months-long blockade brings severe shortages to the war-battered territory. "I made it clear that we participate in aid operations if they are in accordance with our basic principles," said UN spokesman Farhan ...

UN Relief Chief Urges Action ‘To Prevent Genocide’ in Gaza

United Nations relief chief Tom Fletcher on Tuesday called on the UN Security Council to take action "to prevent genocide" in Gaza, delivering a scathing account of Israel's actions in the Palestinian territory. Fletcher, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, demanded that Israel lift its aid blockade on Gaza, where its ...

Libya Armed group Leader Among dead in Tripoli Clashes

Overnight clashes in Libya's capital killed at least six people, an emergency medical service said Tuesday, with local media reporting that an armed group leader was among the dead. Heavy arms fire and explosions were heard in several areas of Tripoli from 9:00 pm (1900 GMT) on Monday as violent clashes between rival armed groups rocked the ...

No Truce in India-Pakistan Disinformation War

India and Pakistan have announced a ceasefire after coming close to all-out conflict, but on social media citizens on both sides are vying to control public perceptions by peddling disinformation. Platforms such as Facebook and X are still awash with misrepresented footage of the attacks that killed at least 60 people and sent thousands fleeing. ...

UN Aviation Agency finds Russia Responsible for 2014 Downing of Airliner over Ukraine

The UN aviation agency blamed Russia Monday for the downing of a Malaysian jetliner over Ukraine in 2014, leading to the deaths of 298 people. Australia and the Netherlands, the countries with most fatalities in the tragedy, quickly called for Russia to assume responsiblity for the downing and pay damages. The International Civil Aviation ...

US, China Agree to Slash Tariffs in Trade War De-Escalation

The United States and China announced Monday an agreement to drastically reduce tit-for-tat tariffs for 90 days, an outcome President Donald Trump dubbed a "total reset," as he said that talks with counterpart Xi Jinping could soon follow. After the first meetings between Washington and Beijing since Trump ratcheted up his trade war, ...