Alexandre Zouev, Acting Under-Secretary-General at the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), presented its latest report which highlights the group’s intensifying presence in Africa, the Middle East and beyond. He said the threat posed by ISIL, also known by its Arabic acronym, Da’esh, has “increased steadily” since the previous report issued in August, “remaining multipolar and increasingly complex.” Instability in West Africa ISIL and its affiliates have continued to recruit foreign fighters, enhance their use of new […]
“At a time of tensions both globally and regionally, it is in everyone’s interest to secure lasting peace and security in Colombia,” said Miroslav Jenča, delivering his quarterly briefing. He said the coming year “undoubtedly provides a window to advance peace as a strategic national objective, and for Colombia and its partners to engage constructively through […]
The UN is stressing that any peace effort or deal must be consistent with the principles of the UN Charter, including respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric welcomed “dialogue at the highest level” between the two permanent members of the Security Council. The meeting is […]
An estimated 476 million Indigenous Peoples live across 90 countries, representing 5,000 different cultures. Without proper safeguards, AI risks harming Indigenous rights through inequitable distribution of the groundbreaking technology, environmental damage and the reinforcement of damaging colonial legacies. The growing amount of electricity generation needed for AI data centres and other infrastructure is also intensifying […]
While the UN-backed International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that there had been no damage to Japan’s nuclear facilities after an 8.8 magnitude quake was recorded off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, coastal communities have been taking no chances and evacuating to higher ground or moving further inland. Alerts were sent out within a few minutes of the […]
Only around 6,000 tonnes of wheat flour have entered the war-torn enclave since Israel began to allow limited supplies back in last month. However, 10,000 tonnes are urgently needed in the face of rising malnutrition, according to the UN aid coordination office OCHA. “The only way to address the situation on the ground is by […]
The study by the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that they can be responsible for a dramatic reduction in life expectancy in both rich and poor countries alike. For example, people living in the country with the highest life expectancy will on average live 33 years longer than those born in the country with the […]
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi unfurled the National Flag from the ramparts of the Red Fort, to celebrate the 71st Independence Day, followed by his address to the nation, here are some sidelights to the national event: On arrival at Lahori Gate of Red Fort, the Prime Minister was received by the Defence Minister Mr […]
India’s Prime Minster Narendra Modi on 15 August, 2017 addressed the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 71th Independence Day. Following are the highlights from his speech: 1. Greetings to my fellow Indians on Independence Day. 2. For the freedom and glory of the country, those who have contributed, those who […]
Following Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, the White House issued a statement listing a huge array of opportunites explored together in trade, cultural and scientific areas. “The visit reinforced the close ties between the United States and India that have strengthened both great democracies,” said the statement. Here is the full text of the […]
Amid huge layoffs by IT companies, IT-centric companies are witnessing pressure on rentals of homes in cities such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, Gurgaon and Noida, which may decline to the extent of 10 to 20 percent over the next three quarters, said Assocham. The worst hit was Bengaluru where the fresh inflows of young […]
As part of his US visit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday interacted with the Indian community in Washington DC after his CEOs meeting where he pitched for more investments in view of GST roll out and ‘Ease of Doing Business’ in India. Addressing the Indian diaspora, he noted that they rejoiced whenever there […]
