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The United States, Britain and France may be complicit in war crimes in Yemen by arming and providing intelligence and logistics support to a Saudi-led coalition that starves civilians as a war tactic, the United Nations said on Tuesday.

UN&nbsp;investigators recommended that all states impose a ban on arms transfers to the warring parties to prevent them from being used to commit serious violations.

"It is clear that the continued supply of weapons to parties to the conflict is perpetuating the conflict and prolonging the suffering of the Yememi people," Melissa Parke, an expert on the independent UN&nbsp;panel, told a news conference.

"That is why we are urging member states to no longer supply weapons to parties to the conflict," she said.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the main parties in the coalition fighting against the Iran-aligned Houthi movement that controls Yemen's capital, are two of the biggest buyers of US, British and French weapons.

The experts compiled a secret list of suspected war criminals. Investigators found potential crimes on both sides, while highlighting the role Western countries play as backers of the Arab states and Iran plays in support of the Houthis.

"There are no clean hands in this combat, in this contest," panelist Charles Garraway said.

The report accused the anti-Houthi coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE of killing civilians in air strikes and deliberately denying them food in a country facing famine. The Houthis, for their part, have shelled cities, deployed child soldiers and used "siege-like warfare", it said.

Neither the Saudi government communications office nor UAE officials responded immediately to Reuters requests for comment.

The Houthis drove Yemen's government out of the capital Sanaa in 2014. The Saudi-led coalition of Sunni Muslim states intervened the following year to restore the ousted government, a conflict that has since killed tens of thousands of people.

The prospect of famine has created what the United Nations describes as the world's biggest humanitarian crisis, where 24 million people rely on aid.

Secret List

The UN&nbsp;report said its independent panel had sent a secret list to UN&nbsp;human rights chief Michelle Bachelet, identifying "individuals who may be responsible for international crimes".

Its appendix lists more than 160 "main actors" among Saudi, Emirati and Yemeni government and Houthi officials, although it said this was separate from the suspects list.

The report said, "The legality of arms transfers by France, the United Kingdom, the United States and other States remains questionable, and is the subject of various domestic court proceedings."

It found that a Joint Incidents Assessment Team set up by Saudi Arabia to review alleged coalition violations had failed to hold anyone accountable for any strike killing civilians, raising "concerns as to the impartiality of its investigations".

"Of one thing we are pretty sure - things are going wrong in the (coalition) targeting process," Garraway said.

The UN&nbsp;panel said it had received allegations that Emirati and affiliated forces have tortured, raped and killed suspected political opponents detained in secret facilities, while Houthi forces had planted land mines that killed hundreds.

The United States, Britain and France may be complicit in war crimes in Yemen by arming and providing intelligence and logistics support to a Saudi-led coalition that starves civilians as a war tactic, the United Nations said on Tuesday.

The United States, Britain and France may be complicit in war crimes in Yemen by arming and providing intelligence and logistics support to a Saudi-led coalition that starves civilians as a war tactic, the United Nations said on Tuesday. UN investigators recommended that all states impose a ban on arms transfers to the warring parties to prevent them from being used to commit serious violations. "It is clear that the continued supply of weapons to parties to the conflict is perpetuating the conflict and prolonging the suffering of the Yememi people," Melissa Parke, an expert on the independent UN panel, told a news conference. "That is why we are urging member states to no longer supply weapons to parties to the conflict," she said. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the main parties in the coalition fighting against the Iran-aligned Houthi movement that controls Yemen's capital, are two of the biggest buyers of US, British and French weapons. The experts compiled a secret list of suspected war criminals. Investigators found potential crimes on both sides, while highlighting the role Western countries play as backers of the Arab states and Iran plays in support of the Houthis. "There are no clean hands in this combat, in this contest," panelist Charles Garraway said. The report accused the anti-Houthi coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE of killing civilians in air strikes and deliberately denying them food in a country facing famine. The Houthis, for their part, have shelled cities, deployed child soldiers and used "siege-like warfare", it said. Neither the Saudi government communications office nor UAE officials responded immediately to Reuters requests for comment. The Houthis drove Yemen's government out of the capital Sanaa in 2014. The Saudi-led coalition of Sunni Muslim states intervened the following year to restore the ousted government, a conflict that has since killed tens of thousands of people. The prospect of famine has created what the United Nations describes as the world's biggest humanitarian crisis, where 24 million people rely on aid. Secret List The UN report said its independent panel had sent a secret list to UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet, identifying "individuals who may be responsible for international crimes". Its appendix lists more than 160 "main actors" among Saudi, Emirati and Yemeni government and Houthi officials, although it said this was separate from the suspects list. The report said, "The legality of arms transfers by France, the United Kingdom, the United States and other States remains questionable, and is the subject of various domestic court proceedings." It found that a Joint Incidents Assessment Team set up by Saudi Arabia to review alleged coalition violations had failed to hold anyone accountable for any strike killing civilians, raising "concerns as to the impartiality of its investigations". "Of one thing we are pretty sure - things are going wrong in the (coalition) targeting process," Garraway said. The UN panel said it had received allegations that Emirati and affiliated forces have tortured, raped and killed suspected political opponents detained in secret facilities, while Houthi forces had planted land mines that killed hundreds.

US, France, Britain may be complicit in Yemen war crimes: UN report

Takeways From The UN Report On Climate Change. Human food system accounts for 25-30% of greenhouse gases, says a report from the UN on climate change. So would turning vegan help in limiting the emission of greenhouse gases? Find out from this report

WION Gravitas: Want to save environment? Veganism is the way forward

According to the UN, Greenland has lost 160 BN tonnes of Ice in July.

UN worried by Greenland heatwave

According to UN, Greenland has lost 160 BN tonnes of Ice in July.

Your Story: UN worried by Greenland heatwave

India rejects UN's 'Prejudiced' report on J&K. India said UN report showing 'continuation of false narratives.' UN criticises India but won't slam Pak on terror. UN report undermines socio-economic projects in J&K. Watch this video to know more.

India slams UN report on Jammu And Kashmir

There are some major revelation of the Libyan crisis in the UN report. The crisis itself is not self-inflicted. But no global power wants to address it. Former U.S. President Barack Obama even admitted that Libya was the biggest mistake of his career. Palki says that the Libyan crisis and the international reaction resembles a famous nursery theme - Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall!

Gravitas: Migrants attacked in Libya: Major revelations in UN report

India has said that a UN report on the situation in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jammu-and-kashmir-one-civilian-injured-as-pakistan-violates-ceasefire-along-loc-in-nowshera-233962">Jammu and Kashmir</a> is a mere continuation of the earlier "false and motivated narrative".

"The report of the OHCHR is merely a continuation of the earlier false and motivated narrative on the situation in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Its assertions are in violation of India's sovereignty and territorial integrity and ignore the core issue of cross-border terrorism," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said on Monday.

The report by Office of the High Commission for Human Rights (OHCHR) slammed both<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-occupied-kashmir-govt-employees-stage-protest-againtst-pakistan-discriminatory-financial-policies-232643"> India and Pakistan</a> for failing to improve situation in the state, and called for an international probe into violations.

Noting that four major armed groups in J&amp;K are believed to be based on the Pakistan side of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jk-army-soldier-killed-in-sniper-fire-along-line-of-control-176587">Line of Control</a>, the OHCHR report said, "No steps have been taken to resolve the main issues, including a number of highly problematic legal restrictions." This is a follow-up report by OHCHR on its first-ever report on Kashmir released last year.

"A situation created by years of cross-border terrorist attacks emanating from Pakistan has been 'analysed' without any reference to its causality. The update seems to be a contrived effort to create an artificial parity between the world's largest and the most vibrant democracy and a country that openly practices state-sponsored terrorism," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in his statement today.

It is a matter of deep concern that this update seems to accord legitimacy to terrorism that is in complete variance with the UN Security Council (UNSC) positions, he added.

Watch: New terror monitoring group for Jammu and Kashmir

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"The entire state of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. Pakistan is in the illegal and forcible occupation of a part of the Indian state, including the so-called 'Azad Jammu and Kashmir' and 'Gilgit-Baltistan' through aggression. We have repeatedly called on Pakistan to vacate these occupied territories," said Kumar.

The update, by distorting India's policies, practices, and values, has undermined its own credibility, he added.

The UN rights office shared the report with both countries last month.

The state of Jammu and Kashmir has suffered decades of unrest in bloodshed that has left tens of thousands dead, mostly civilians.

(With inputs from agencies)

India has said that a UN report on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir is a mere continuation of the earlier "false and motivated narrative". "The report of the OHCHR is merely a continuation of the earlier false and motivated narrative on the situation in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

India has said that a UN report on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir is a mere continuation of the earlier "false and motivated narrative". "The report of the OHCHR is merely a continuation of the earlier false and motivated narrative on the situation in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Its assertions are in violation of India's sovereignty and territorial integrity and ignore the core issue of cross-border terrorism," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said on Monday. The report by Office of the High Commission for Human Rights (OHCHR) slammed both India and Pakistan for failing to improve situation in the state, and called for an international probe into violations. Noting that four major armed groups in J&K are believed to be based on the Pakistan side of the Line of Control, the OHCHR report said, "No steps have been taken to resolve the main issues, including a number of highly problematic legal restrictions." This is a follow-up report by OHCHR on its first-ever report on Kashmir released last year. "A situation created by years of cross-border terrorist attacks emanating from Pakistan has been 'analysed' without any reference to its causality. The update seems to be a contrived effort to create an artificial parity between the world's largest and the most vibrant democracy and a country that openly practices state-sponsored terrorism," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in his statement today. It is a matter of deep concern that this update seems to accord legitimacy to terrorism that is in complete variance with the UN Security Council (UNSC) positions, he added. Watch: New terror monitoring group for Jammu and Kashmir × "The entire state of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. Pakistan is in the illegal and forcible occupation of a part of the Indian state, including the so-called 'Azad Jammu and Kashmir' and 'Gilgit-Baltistan' through aggression. We have repeatedly called on Pakistan to vacate these occupied territories," said Kumar. The update, by distorting India's policies, practices, and values, has undermined its own credibility, he added. The UN rights office shared the report with both countries last month. The state of Jammu and Kashmir has suffered decades of unrest in bloodshed that has left tens of thousands dead, mostly civilians. (With inputs from agencies)

False, motivated narrative: India rejects UN report on Jammu and Kashmir

Donald Trump has dismissed a United Nations request for the FBI to investigate the murder of the dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, suggesting it would jeopardise American weapons sales to Saudi Arabia.

Trump refuses to pay heed to UN report

Developing countries, not rich Western nations, are bearing the brunt of the world's refugee crisis and are hosting most of the record 70.8 million displaced people who have fled war and persecution, the United Nations and Norwegian Refugee Council said on Wednesday.

Developing countries host majority of refugees: UN report

Onur Erim, Political Analyst speaks on UN Report for Khashoggi's murder. To know more watch the video

Wion Fineprint: Onur Erim, Political Analyst speaks on UN Report for Khashoggi's murder

The crown prince of Saudi Arabia should be investigated over the murder of the dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi because there is “credible evidence” that he and other senior officials are liable for the killing, according to a damning and forensic UN report.

'Credible evidence' Saudi crown prince liable for Khashoggi killing – UN report

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-population-grew-at-12-average-annual-rate-between-2010-and-2019-un-209434">India</a>, projected to surpass China as the world's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-population-would-be-65-pc-of-indias-by-2050-due-to-low-fertility-trap-expert-150527">most populous country</a> around 2027, is expected to add nearly 273 million people between now and 2050 and will remain the most populated country through the end of the current century, a UN report said on Monday.

''The World Population Prospects 2019: Highlights'', published by the Population Division of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, said the world's population is expected to increase by two billion people in the next 30 years, from 7.7 billion currently to 9.7 billion in 2050.

The world's population could reach its peak around the end of the current century, at a level of nearly 11 billion, according to the study, which presents the main results of the 26th round of the UN's global population estimates, projections and global demographic patterns.

The new report said that more than half of the projected increase in the global population up to 2050 will be concentrated in just nine countries, led by India and followed by Nigeria, Pakistan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Indonesia, Egypt and the US.

The report highlighted that "disparate population growth rates" among the world's largest countries will re-order their ranking by size.

India is projected to surpass China as the world's most populous country around 2027, according to current projections made in the report.

"India is expected to add nearly 273 million people between 2019 and 2050, while the population of Nigeria is projected to grow by 200 million. Together, these two countries could account for 23 per cent of the global population increase to 2050," the report said.

Previous UN projections had estimated that India will surpass China as the world's most populous country as early as 2022. The 2017 world population report, released by the UN two years ago, had estimated that the population of India will surpass that of China's by around 2024. In its 24th round of estimates released in 2015, the UN had projected that India will become more populous than China by 2022.

China, with 1.43 billion people in 2019, and India, with 1.37 billion, have long been the two most populous countries of the world, comprising 19 and 18 per cent, respectively, of the global total in 2019. They are followed by the United States of America, with 329 million in 2019, and Indonesia, with 271 million, the 2019 report said.

The report said that after this re-ordering between 2019 and 2050, the ranking of the five largest countries is projected to be preserved through the end of the century, when India could remain the world's most populous country with nearly 1.5 billion inhabitants, followed by China with just under 1.1 billion, Nigeria with 733 million, the US with 434 million, and Pakistan with 403 million inhabitants.

It further said that in 2019, around 40 per cent of the world's population lives in intermediate-fertility countries, where women have on average between 2.1 and four births over a lifetime.

Average lifetime fertility of 2.1 live births per woman is roughly the level required for populations with low mortality to have a growth rate of zero in the long run. Intermediate-fertility countries are found in many regions, with the largest being India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Mexico, the Philippines and Egypt.

The report also confirmed that the world's population is growing older due to increasing life expectancy and falling fertility levels and that the number of countries experiencing a reduction in population size is growing.

By 2050, one in six people in the world will be over age 65 (16 per cent), up from one in 11 in 2019 (9 per cent). The number of persons aged 80 years or over is projected to triple, from 143 million in 2019 to 426 million in 2050.

Global fertility rate, which fell from 3.2 births per woman in 1990 to 2.5 in 2019, is projected to decline further to 2.2 in 2050. A fertility level of 2.1 births per woman is needed to ensure the replacement of generations and avoid population decline over the long run in the absence of immigration.

UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Liu Zhenmin said the report offers a roadmap indicating where to target action and interventions.

"Many of the fastest growing populations are in the poorest countries, where population growth brings additional challenges in the effort to eradicate poverty, achieve greater equality, combat hunger and malnutrition and strengthen the coverage and quality of health and education systems to ensure that no one is left behind."

A growing number of countries are experiencing a reduction in population size. Since 2010, 27 countries or areas have experienced a reduction of one per cent or more in the size of their populations, caused by sustained low levels of fertility.

In China, the population is projected to decrease by 31.4 million, or around 2.2 per cent, between 2019 and 2050.

Further, life expectancy at birth for the world, which increased from 64.2 years in 1990 to 72.6 years in 2019, is expected to increase further to 77.1 years in 2050.

The report added that migration has become a major component of population change in some countries. Between 2010 and 2020, 14 countries or areas will see a net inflow of more than one million migrants, while 10 countries will see a net outflow of similar magnitude.

India, projected to surpass China as the world's most populous country around 2027, is expected to add nearly 273 million people between now and 2050 and will remain the most populated country through the end of the current century, a UN report said on Monday.

India, projected to surpass China as the world's most populous country around 2027, is expected to add nearly 273 million people between now and 2050 and will remain the most populated country through the end of the current century, a UN report said on Monday. ''The World Population Prospects 2019: Highlights'', published by the Population Division of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, said the world's population is expected to increase by two billion people in the next 30 years, from 7.7 billion currently to 9.7 billion in 2050. The world's population could reach its peak around the end of the current century, at a level of nearly 11 billion, according to the study, which presents the main results of the 26th round of the UN's global population estimates, projections and global demographic patterns. The new report said that more than half of the projected increase in the global population up to 2050 will be concentrated in just nine countries, led by India and followed by Nigeria, Pakistan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Indonesia, Egypt and the US. The report highlighted that "disparate population growth rates" among the world's largest countries will re-order their ranking by size. India is projected to surpass China as the world's most populous country around 2027, according to current projections made in the report. "India is expected to add nearly 273 million people between 2019 and 2050, while the population of Nigeria is projected to grow by 200 million. Together, these two countries could account for 23 per cent of the global population increase to 2050," the report said. Previous UN projections had estimated that India will surpass China as the world's most populous country as early as 2022. The 2017 world population report, released by the UN two years ago, had estimated that the population of India will surpass that of China's by around 2024. In its 24th round of estimates released in 2015, the UN had projected that India will become more populous than China by 2022. China, with 1.43 billion people in 2019, and India, with 1.37 billion, have long been the two most populous countries of the world, comprising 19 and 18 per cent, respectively, of the global total in 2019. They are followed by the United States of America, with 329 million in 2019, and Indonesia, with 271 million, the 2019 report said. The report said that after this re-ordering between 2019 and 2050, the ranking of the five largest countries is projected to be preserved through the end of the century, when India could remain the world's most populous country with nearly 1.5 billion inhabitants, followed by China with just under 1.1 billion, Nigeria with 733 million, the US with 434 million, and Pakistan with 403 million inhabitants. It further said that in 2019, around 40 per cent of the world's population lives in intermediate-fertility countries, where women have on average between 2.1 and four births over a lifetime. Average lifetime fertility of 2.1 live births per woman is roughly the level required for populations with low mortality to have a growth rate of zero in the long run. Intermediate-fertility countries are found in many regions, with the largest being India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Mexico, the Philippines and Egypt. The report also confirmed that the world's population is growing older due to increasing life expectancy and falling fertility levels and that the number of countries experiencing a reduction in population size is growing. By 2050, one in six people in the world will be over age 65 (16 per cent), up from one in 11 in 2019 (9 per cent). The number of persons aged 80 years or over is projected to triple, from 143 million in 2019 to 426 million in 2050. Global fertility rate, which fell from 3.2 births per woman in 1990 to 2.5 in 2019, is projected to decline further to 2.2 in 2050. A fertility level of 2.1 births per woman is needed to ensure the replacement of generations and avoid population decline over the long run in the absence of immigration. UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Liu Zhenmin said the report offers a roadmap indicating where to target action and interventions. "Many of the fastest growing populations are in the poorest countries, where population growth brings additional challenges in the effort to eradicate poverty, achieve greater equality, combat hunger and malnutrition and strengthen the coverage and quality of health and education systems to ensure that no one is left behind." A growing number of countries are experiencing a reduction in population size. Since 2010, 27 countries or areas have experienced a reduction of one per cent or more in the size of their populations, caused by sustained low levels of fertility. In China, the population is projected to decrease by 31.4 million, or around 2.2 per cent, between 2019 and 2050. Further, life expectancy at birth for the world, which increased from 64.2 years in 1990 to 72.6 years in 2019, is expected to increase further to 77.1 years in 2050. The report added that migration has become a major component of population change in some countries. Between 2010 and 2020, 14 countries or areas will see a net inflow of more than one million migrants, while 10 countries will see a net outflow of similar magnitude.

India's population to cross China’s in next 8 years: UN report

UN Report says population to grow by 2 billion in 20 years. Population getting older & growing at a slower pace. Half opf the total population to be concentrated in 9 countries. Growth to provide opportunities in developing countries. Watch this video to know more.

UN Report: India To Surpass China By 2027 In Population

The United Nations issued its first comprehensive global scientific report on biodiversity, which explored the threat of extinction for Earth's plants and animals.Watch full video to know more.

Nature is in its worst shape in human history: UN report

The 1984<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/videos/bhopal-gas-tragedy-survivor-recalls-deadly-night-of-1984-181233&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwj6yajfnN7hAhWD7XMBHd9QDaYQFggEMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw0etMfj4aUZqsuMiHCVal_B"> Bhopal gas tragedy which killed thousands of people</a> is among the world's "major industrial accidents" of the 20th century, a UN report has said, warning that 2.78 million workers die from occupational accidents and work-related diseases each year.

The report released by the UN labour agency International Labour Organization (ILO) said in 1984, at least 30 tons of methyl isocyanate gas, which was released from the Union Carbide pesticide plant in the Madhya Pradesh capital, <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bhopal-gas-tragedy-34-years-after-incident-survivors-continue-to-fight-for-proper-rehabilitation-181022&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwj6yajfnN7hAhWD7XMBHd9QDaYQFggHMAE&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw1Ih3TY4m_vvtElvGptMXUT">affected more than 600,000 workers and nearby inhabitants</a>.

"The Government figures estimate that there have been 15,000 deaths as a result of the disaster over the years. Toxic material remains and thousands of survivors and their descendants have suffered from respiratory diseases and from damage to internal organs and immune systems," it said.

The report titled 'The Safety and Health at the Heart of the Future of Work - Building on 100 years of experience' said the Bhopal disaster was among the world's "major industrial accidents after 1919".

Among the other nine major industrial disasters after 1919 listed in the report are the Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear disasters as well as the Rana Plaza building collapse.

In the Chernobyl disaster in April 1986, one of four nuclear reactors at the Chernobyl power station in Ukraine exploded, releasing at least 100 times more radiation than the atom bombs dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima.

The explosion killed 31 people immediately and thousands of people in the aftermath.

"The number of casualties in the region increases every year due to long term effects including a sharp increase in thyroid cancer," the report said.

Following a major 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami which struck north-eastern Japan in March 2011, the Fukushima nuclear power plants experienced equipment failures which caused a series of explosions, fires and radiation releases, causing injuries to plant workers and emergency responders, it said.

In one of the worst industrial disasters in Bangladesh, the Rana Plaza building in Dhaka collapsed in April 2013. The building, which housed five garment factories, killed at least 1,132 people and injured more than 2,500.

According to recent estimates released by the ILO, each year 2.78 million workers die from occupational accidents and work-related diseases (of which 2.4 million are disease-related).

An additional 374 million workers suffer from non-fatal occupational accidents. It is estimated that lost work days globally represent almost four per cent of the world's GDP, and in some countries, this rises to six per cent or more.

The report attributes stress, excessively-long working hours and disease to worker casualty every year, underlining ILO's message that no paid work should threaten a worker's wellbeing, safety or life.

The agency also identified several new or existing occupational risks of growing concern, that affect women more than men.

These include modern working practices overall, world population growth, increased digital connectivity and climate change, which are believed to account for losses of almost four per cent of the global economy.

"The world of work has changed, we're working differently, we're working longer hours, we're using more technology," ILO's Manal Azzi told UN News.

"The report says 36 per cent of workers are working excessive long hours, meaning more than 48 hours per week," she said.

Noting that "people are increasingly asked to produce more and more, they have no time to rest," Azzi highlighted that women are particularly at risk because they tend to be the primary carer for children or parents and lack the time to exercise.

"Not only do you work when you're at your office but then you're working at home as well," Azzi said, adding that "so it's a lot of sedentary work and that affects cardiovascular diseases as well".

The greatest proportion of work-related deaths&nbsp;86 per cent&nbsp;come from disease, according to the ILO, with some 6,500 people a day dying from occupational diseases, compared to 1,000 from fatal occupational accidents.

The greatest causes of mortality are circulatory diseases (31 per cent), work-related cancers (26 per cent) and respiratory diseases (17 per cent).

"As well as the economic cost we must recognise the immeasurable human suffering such illnesses and accidents cause. These are all-the-more tragic because they are largely preventable," Azzi said.

Launched during the ILO's centenary year&nbsp;and ahead of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work on April 28, the report underlines the life-saving value of promoting prevention, to save lives and encourage healthy working environments.

"Serious consideration should also be given to the recommendation of the ILO's Global Commission on the Future of Work, that occupational safety and health be recognised as a fundamental principle and right at work," Azzi said.

The report said that new risks may emerge whereas other risks may be on the rise.

"While the road ahead presents many new challenges to safety and health at work, it is important for governments, employers and workers, and other stakeholders to seize the opportunities to create a safe and healthy future of work for all," it said.

Since 1919, the ILO has adopted more than 40 international labour standards promoting occupational health and safety.

The 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy which killed thousands of people is among the world's "major industrial accidents" of the 20th century, a UN report has said, warning that 2.

The 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy which killed thousands of people is among the world's "major industrial accidents" of the 20th century, a UN report has said, warning that 2.78 million workers die from occupational accidents and work-related diseases each year. The report released by the UN labour agency International Labour Organization (ILO) said in 1984, at least 30 tons of methyl isocyanate gas, which was released from the Union Carbide pesticide plant in the Madhya Pradesh capital, affected more than 600,000 workers and nearby inhabitants. "The Government figures estimate that there have been 15,000 deaths as a result of the disaster over the years. Toxic material remains and thousands of survivors and their descendants have suffered from respiratory diseases and from damage to internal organs and immune systems," it said. The report titled 'The Safety and Health at the Heart of the Future of Work - Building on 100 years of experience' said the Bhopal disaster was among the world's "major industrial accidents after 1919". Among the other nine major industrial disasters after 1919 listed in the report are the Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear disasters as well as the Rana Plaza building collapse. In the Chernobyl disaster in April 1986, one of four nuclear reactors at the Chernobyl power station in Ukraine exploded, releasing at least 100 times more radiation than the atom bombs dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima. The explosion killed 31 people immediately and thousands of people in the aftermath. "The number of casualties in the region increases every year due to long term effects including a sharp increase in thyroid cancer," the report said. Following a major 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami which struck north-eastern Japan in March 2011, the Fukushima nuclear power plants experienced equipment failures which caused a series of explosions, fires and radiation releases, causing injuries to plant workers and emergency responders, it said. In one of the worst industrial disasters in Bangladesh, the Rana Plaza building in Dhaka collapsed in April 2013. The building, which housed five garment factories, killed at least 1,132 people and injured more than 2,500. According to recent estimates released by the ILO, each year 2.78 million workers die from occupational accidents and work-related diseases (of which 2.4 million are disease-related). An additional 374 million workers suffer from non-fatal occupational accidents. It is estimated that lost work days globally represent almost four per cent of the world's GDP, and in some countries, this rises to six per cent or more. The report attributes stress, excessively-long working hours and disease to worker casualty every year, underlining ILO's message that no paid work should threaten a worker's wellbeing, safety or life. The agency also identified several new or existing occupational risks of growing concern, that affect women more than men. These include modern working practices overall, world population growth, increased digital connectivity and climate change, which are believed to account for losses of almost four per cent of the global economy. "The world of work has changed, we're working differently, we're working longer hours, we're using more technology," ILO's Manal Azzi told UN News. "The report says 36 per cent of workers are working excessive long hours, meaning more than 48 hours per week," she said. Noting that "people are increasingly asked to produce more and more, they have no time to rest," Azzi highlighted that women are particularly at risk because they tend to be the primary carer for children or parents and lack the time to exercise. "Not only do you work when you're at your office but then you're working at home as well," Azzi said, adding that "so it's a lot of sedentary work and that affects cardiovascular diseases as well". The greatest proportion of work-related deaths 86 per cent come from disease, according to the ILO, with some 6,500 people a day dying from occupational diseases, compared to 1,000 from fatal occupational accidents. The greatest causes of mortality are circulatory diseases (31 per cent), work-related cancers (26 per cent) and respiratory diseases (17 per cent). "As well as the economic cost we must recognise the immeasurable human suffering such illnesses and accidents cause. These are all-the-more tragic because they are largely preventable," Azzi said. Launched during the ILO's centenary year and ahead of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work on April 28, the report underlines the life-saving value of promoting prevention, to save lives and encourage healthy working environments. "Serious consideration should also be given to the recommendation of the ILO's Global Commission on the Future of Work, that occupational safety and health be recognised as a fundamental principle and right at work," Azzi said. The report said that new risks may emerge whereas other risks may be on the rise. "While the road ahead presents many new challenges to safety and health at work, it is important for governments, employers and workers, and other stakeholders to seize the opportunities to create a safe and healthy future of work for all," it said. Since 1919, the ILO has adopted more than 40 international labour standards promoting occupational health and safety.

Bhopal gas tragedy among world's 'major industrial accidents' of 20th century: UN report

North Korea's nuclear programmes remain intact: UN Report

India will continue to remain the world’s fastest-growing <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/once-fragile-indian-economy-now-worlds-fastest-growing-pm-modi-191614">large economy in 2019</a> as well as in 2020, much ahead of China, a UN report said Wednesday.

According to the UN’s World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2019, India’s GDP growth is expected to accelerate to 7.6 per cent in 2019-20 from an estimated 7.4 per cent in the current fiscal ending March 2019. The growth rate may come down to 7.4 per cent a year later.

In the case of China, the growth is estimated to decelerate to 6.3 per cent in 2019 from 6.6 per cent in 2018. It may further go down to 6.2 per cent in 2020.

Growth (in India) continues to be underpinned by robust private consumption, a more expansionary fiscal stance and benefits from previous reforms.

“Yet, more robust and sustained recovery of private investment remains crucial to lifting the medium-term growth,” WESP report said.

Referring to China, it said the growth is expected to moderate from 6.6 per cent in 2018 to 6.3 per cent in 2019, with policy support partly offsetting the negative impact of trade tensions.

The report further said the global economy would continue to grow at a steady pace of around 3 per cent in 2019 and 2020 amid signs that global growth has peaked.

However, a worrisome combination of development challenges could further undermine growth, it added.

The report also highlighted that global trade tensions pose a threat to the economic outlook.

Amid the rise in global trade tensions, world trade growth moderated over the course of 2018 to 3.8 per cent from the growth of 5.3 per cent in 2017.

While tensions have materially impacted some specific sectors, stimulus measures and direct subsidies have so far offset much of the direct economic impacts on China and the US, it said.

“But a prolonged escalation of trade tensions could severely disrupt the global economy,” WESP report said.

Directly impacted sectors have already witnessed rising input prices and delayed investment decisions.

These impacts, it said, can be expected to spread through global value chains, particularly in East Asia. Slower growth in China and the United States could also reduce the demand for commodities, affecting commodity exporters from Africa and Latin America.

India will continue to remain the world’s fastest-growing large economy in 2019 as well as in 2020, much ahead of China, a UN report said Wednesday. According to the UN’s World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2019, India’s GDP growth is expected to accelerate to 7.

India will continue to remain the world’s fastest-growing large economy in 2019 as well as in 2020, much ahead of China, a UN report said Wednesday. According to the UN’s World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2019, India’s GDP growth is expected to accelerate to 7.6 per cent in 2019-20 from an estimated 7.4 per cent in the current fiscal ending March 2019. The growth rate may come down to 7.4 per cent a year later. In the case of China, the growth is estimated to decelerate to 6.3 per cent in 2019 from 6.6 per cent in 2018. It may further go down to 6.2 per cent in 2020. Growth (in India) continues to be underpinned by robust private consumption, a more expansionary fiscal stance and benefits from previous reforms. “Yet, more robust and sustained recovery of private investment remains crucial to lifting the medium-term growth,” WESP report said. Referring to China, it said the growth is expected to moderate from 6.6 per cent in 2018 to 6.3 per cent in 2019, with policy support partly offsetting the negative impact of trade tensions. The report further said the global economy would continue to grow at a steady pace of around 3 per cent in 2019 and 2020 amid signs that global growth has peaked. However, a worrisome combination of development challenges could further undermine growth, it added. The report also highlighted that global trade tensions pose a threat to the economic outlook. Amid the rise in global trade tensions, world trade growth moderated over the course of 2018 to 3.8 per cent from the growth of 5.3 per cent in 2017. While tensions have materially impacted some specific sectors, stimulus measures and direct subsidies have so far offset much of the direct economic impacts on China and the US, it said. “But a prolonged escalation of trade tensions could severely disrupt the global economy,” WESP report said. Directly impacted sectors have already witnessed rising input prices and delayed investment decisions. These impacts, it said, can be expected to spread through global value chains, particularly in East Asia. Slower growth in China and the United States could also reduce the demand for commodities, affecting commodity exporters from Africa and Latin America.

India to remain fastest-growing economy in 2019-2020: UN report

Global temperatures in 2018 are <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-records-hottest-average-summer-temperature-in-57-years-161967">set to be the fourth highest on record</a>, the UN said on Thursday, stressing the urgent need for action to rein in runaway warming of the planet.

In a report released ahead of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/heatwaves-from-the-arctic-to-japan-a-sign-of-things-to-come-155026">COP 24 climate summit in Poland</a>, the World Meteorological Organization pointed out that the 20 warmest years on record have been in the past 22 years, and that "2018 is on course to be the 4th warmest year on record."

"This would mean that the past four years – 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 – are also the four warmest years in the series," the UN agency said in its provisional report on the state of the climate this year.

The "warming trend is obvious and continuing," WMO chief Petteri Taalas told reporters in Geneva.

The report shows that the global average temperature for the first 10 months of the year was nearly 1.0-degree Celsius above the pre-industrial era (1850-1900).

"It is worth repeating once again that we are the first generation to fully understand climate change and the last generation to be able to do something about it," Taalas warned.

With levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the main driver of climate change, at a record high, "we may see temperature increase of 3-5C by the end of the century," Taalas said.

"If we exploit all known fossil fuel resources, the temperature rise will be considerably higher."

Delegations from nearly 200 countries are due in Poland next week for the latest COP24 climate summit, aimed at renewing and building on the Paris deal and limiting global warming.

World leaders have been trying to breathe new life into the 195-nation agreement amid backsliding from several nations - most notably the United States - over commitments made when it was signed in December 2015.

It is to take effect in 2020 and calls for limiting global warming to less than 1.5C above pre-industrial levels.

But experts warn that global warming is on track to surpass three degrees by 2100 and urge governments to do more than first planned to rein it in.

"Every fraction of a degree of warming makes a difference to human health and access to food and fresh water, to the extinction of animals and plants, to the survival of coral reefs and marine life," WMO deputy chief Elena Manaenkova stressed in a statement.

"It makes a difference to economic productivity, food security, and to the resilience of our infrastructure and cities," she said.

"It makes a difference to the speed of glacier melt and water supplies, and the future of low-lying islands and coastal communities."

Global temperatures in 2018 are set to be the fourth highest on record, the UN said on Thursday, stressing the urgent need for action to rein in runaway warming of the planet.

Global temperatures in 2018 are set to be the fourth highest on record, the UN said on Thursday, stressing the urgent need for action to rein in runaway warming of the planet. In a report released ahead of the COP 24 climate summit in Poland, the World Meteorological Organization pointed out that the 20 warmest years on record have been in the past 22 years, and that "2018 is on course to be the 4th warmest year on record." "This would mean that the past four years – 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 – are also the four warmest years in the series," the UN agency said in its provisional report on the state of the climate this year. The "warming trend is obvious and continuing," WMO chief Petteri Taalas told reporters in Geneva. The report shows that the global average temperature for the first 10 months of the year was nearly 1.0-degree Celsius above the pre-industrial era (1850-1900). "It is worth repeating once again that we are the first generation to fully understand climate change and the last generation to be able to do something about it," Taalas warned. With levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the main driver of climate change, at a record high, "we may see temperature increase of 3-5C by the end of the century," Taalas said. "If we exploit all known fossil fuel resources, the temperature rise will be considerably higher." Delegations from nearly 200 countries are due in Poland next week for the latest COP24 climate summit, aimed at renewing and building on the Paris deal and limiting global warming. World leaders have been trying to breathe new life into the 195-nation agreement amid backsliding from several nations - most notably the United States - over commitments made when it was signed in December 2015. It is to take effect in 2020 and calls for limiting global warming to less than 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. But experts warn that global warming is on track to surpass three degrees by 2100 and urge governments to do more than first planned to rein it in. "Every fraction of a degree of warming makes a difference to human health and access to food and fresh water, to the extinction of animals and plants, to the survival of coral reefs and marine life," WMO deputy chief Elena Manaenkova stressed in a statement. "It makes a difference to economic productivity, food security, and to the resilience of our infrastructure and cities," she said. "It makes a difference to the speed of glacier melt and water supplies, and the future of low-lying islands and coastal communities."

Global temperatures in 2018 set to be among hottest on record: UN

By Mark Howden and Rebecca Colvin&nbsp;

A landmark report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, commissioned at the breakthrough 2015 summit that brokered the Paris climate agreement, outlines what’s at stake in the world’s bid to limit global temperature rise to 1.5℃.

The report, released today, sets out the key practical differences between the Paris agreement’s two contrasting goals: to limit the increase of human-induced global warming to well below 2℃ and to “pursue efforts” to limit warming to 1.5℃.

Two and a half years in the making, the report provides vital information about whether the Paris Agreement’s more ambitious goal is indeed achievable, what the future may look like under it, and the risks and rewards of hitting the target.

Here are five key questions to which the report provides answers.

Can we limit warming to 1.5℃?

There is no clear yes or no answer to this question.

Put simply, it is not impossible that global warming could be limited to 1.5℃. But achieving this will be profoundly challenging.

If we are to limit warming to 1.5℃, we must reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 45% by 2030, reaching near-zero by around 2050.

Whether we are successful primarily depends on the rate at which government and non-state bodies take action to reduce emissions. Yet despite the urgency, current national pledges under the Paris Agreement are not enough to remain within a 3℃ temperature limit, let alone 1.5℃.

Global warming is not just a problem for the future. The impacts are already being felt around the world, with declines in crop yields, biodiversity, coral reefs, and Arctic sea ice, and increases in heatwaves and heavy rainfall. Sea levels have risen by 40.5mm in the past decade and are predicted to continue rising for decades, even if all greenhouse emissions were reduced to zero immediately. Climate adaptation is already needed and will be increasingly so at 1.5℃ and 2℃ of warming.

Rapid action is essential and the next ten years will be crucial. In 2017, global warming breached 1℃. If the planet continues to warm at the current rate of 0.2℃ per decade, we will reach 1.5℃ of warming around 2040. At current emissions rates, within the next 10 to 14 years there is a 2/3 chance we will have used up our entire carbon budget for keeping to 1.5.

How can we limit warming to 1.5℃?

The report says “transformational” change will be needed to limit warming to 1.5℃. Business, as usual, will not get us there.

Global emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases need to reach net zero globally by around 2050. Most economists say putting a price on emissions is the most efficient way to do this.

By 2050, 70-85% of electricity globally will need to be supplied by renewables. Investment in low-carbon and energy-efficient technologies will need to double, whereas investment in fossil-fuel extraction will need to decrease by around a quarter.

Carbon dioxide removal technology will also be needed to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. But the IPCC’s report warns that relying too heavily on this technology would be a major risk as it has not been used on such a large scale before. Carbon dioxide removal is an extra step that may be needed to keep warming to 1.5℃, not an excuse to keep emitting greenhouse gases.

Production, consumption and lifestyle choices also play a role. Reducing energy demand and food waste, improving the efficiency of food production, and choosing foods and goods with lower emissions and land use requirements will contribute significantly.

Taking such action as soon as possible will be hugely beneficial. The earlier we start, the more time we have to reach net zero emissions. Acting early will mean a smoother transition and less net cost overall. Delay will lead to more haste, higher costs, and a harder landing.

Reducing emissions quickly will also ensure warming is capped as soon as possible, reducing the number and severity of impacts.

Yet severe impacts will still be experienced even if warming is successfully capped at 1.5℃.

What is the cost of 1.5℃ of warming?

Although the Paris Agreement aims to hold global warming as close to 1.5℃ as possible, that doesn’t mean it is a “safe” level. Communities and ecosystems around the world have already suffered significant impacts from the 1℃ of warming so far, and the effects at 1.5℃ will be harsher still.

Poverty and disadvantages will increase as temperatures rise to 1.5℃. Small island states, deltas and low-lying coasts are particularly vulnerable, with an increased risk of flooding, and threats to freshwater supplies, infrastructure, and livelihoods.

Warming to 1.5℃ also poses a risk to global economic growth, with the tropics and southern subtropics potentially being hit hardest. Extreme weather events such as floods, heatwaves, and droughts will become more frequent, severe, and widespread, with attendant costs in terms of health care, infrastructure, and disaster response.

The oceans will also suffer in a 1.5℃ warmer world. Ocean warming and acidification are expected to impact fisheries and aquaculture, as well as many marine species and ecosystems.

Up to 90% of warm water coral reefs are predicted to disappear when global warming reaches 1.5℃. That would be a dire situation, but far less serious than at 2℃, when the destruction of coral reefs would be almost total (greater than 99% destruction).

How do 1.5℃ and 2℃ compare? 
 
Impacts on both human and natural systems would be very different at 1.5℃ rather than 2℃ of warming. For example, limiting warming to 1.5℃ would roughly halve the number of people globally who are expected to suffer from water scarcity.

Seas would rise by an extra 10cm this century at 2℃ compared with 1.5℃. This means limiting global warming to 1.5℃ would save up to 10.4 million people from the impacts of rising seas. 
 
At 1.5℃ rather than 2℃:

*Up to 427 million fewer people will suffer food and water insecurity, climate risks, and adverse health impacts

*Extreme weather events, heat-related death and disease, desertification, and wildlife extinctions will all be reduced

*It will be significantly easier to achieve many of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, including those linked to hunger, poverty, water and sanitation, health, and cities and ecosystems.

How does the 1.5℃ target fit with the Sustainable Development Goals?

The Sustainable Development Goals aim for a world in which people can be healthy, financially stable, well fed, have clean air and water, and live in a secure and pleasant environment. Much of this is consistent with the goal of capping global warming at 1.5℃, which is why the IPCC notes there are synergies if the SDG initiatives and climate action should be explicitly linked.

But some climate strategies may make it harder to achieve particular SDGs. Countries that are highly dependent on fossil fuels for employment and revenue may suffer economically in the transition towards low-carbon energy.

Carefully managing this transition by simultaneously focusing on reducing poverty and promoting equity in decision-making may help avoid the worst effects of such trade-offs. What works in one place may not work in another, so strategies should always be locally appropriate.

Where next?

Limiting global warming to 1.5℃ will require a social transformation, as the world takes rapid action to reduce greenhouse gases. The effects of climate change will continue to shape the world we live in, but there is no doubt we will be far better off under 1.5℃ than 2℃ of global warming.

The choices we make today are shaping the future for coming generations. As the new report makes clear, if we are serious about the 1.5℃ target, we need to act now. 
 
(Mark Howden is Director, Climate Change Institute, Australian National University; &nbsp;Rebecca Colvin is Knowledge Exchange Specialist, Climate Change Institute, Australian National University)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/new-un-report-outlines-urgent-transformational-change-needed-to-hold-global-warming-to-1-5-c-103237">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

By Mark Howden and Rebecca Colvin A landmark report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, commissioned at the breakthrough 2015 summit that brokered the Paris climate agreement, outlines what’s at stake in the world’s bid to limit global temperature rise to 1.

By Mark Howden and Rebecca Colvin A landmark report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, commissioned at the breakthrough 2015 summit that brokered the Paris climate agreement, outlines what’s at stake in the world’s bid to limit global temperature rise to 1.5℃. The report, released today, sets out the key practical differences between the Paris agreement’s two contrasting goals: to limit the increase of human-induced global warming to well below 2℃ and to “pursue efforts” to limit warming to 1.5℃. Two and a half years in the making, the report provides vital information about whether the Paris Agreement’s more ambitious goal is indeed achievable, what the future may look like under it, and the risks and rewards of hitting the target. Here are five key questions to which the report provides answers. Can we limit warming to 1.5℃? There is no clear yes or no answer to this question. Put simply, it is not impossible that global warming could be limited to 1.5℃. But achieving this will be profoundly challenging. If we are to limit warming to 1.5℃, we must reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 45% by 2030, reaching near-zero by around 2050. Whether we are successful primarily depends on the rate at which government and non-state bodies take action to reduce emissions. Yet despite the urgency, current national pledges under the Paris Agreement are not enough to remain within a 3℃ temperature limit, let alone 1.5℃. Global warming is not just a problem for the future. The impacts are already being felt around the world, with declines in crop yields, biodiversity, coral reefs, and Arctic sea ice, and increases in heatwaves and heavy rainfall. Sea levels have risen by 40.5mm in the past decade and are predicted to continue rising for decades, even if all greenhouse emissions were reduced to zero immediately. Climate adaptation is already needed and will be increasingly so at 1.5℃ and 2℃ of warming. Rapid action is essential and the next ten years will be crucial. In 2017, global warming breached 1℃. If the planet continues to warm at the current rate of 0.2℃ per decade, we will reach 1.5℃ of warming around 2040. At current emissions rates, within the next 10 to 14 years there is a 2/3 chance we will have used up our entire carbon budget for keeping to 1.5. How can we limit warming to 1.5℃? The report says “transformational” change will be needed to limit warming to 1.5℃. Business, as usual, will not get us there. Global emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases need to reach net zero globally by around 2050. Most economists say putting a price on emissions is the most efficient way to do this. By 2050, 70-85% of electricity globally will need to be supplied by renewables. Investment in low-carbon and energy-efficient technologies will need to double, whereas investment in fossil-fuel extraction will need to decrease by around a quarter. Carbon dioxide removal technology will also be needed to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. But the IPCC’s report warns that relying too heavily on this technology would be a major risk as it has not been used on such a large scale before. Carbon dioxide removal is an extra step that may be needed to keep warming to 1.5℃, not an excuse to keep emitting greenhouse gases. Production, consumption and lifestyle choices also play a role. Reducing energy demand and food waste, improving the efficiency of food production, and choosing foods and goods with lower emissions and land use requirements will contribute significantly. Taking such action as soon as possible will be hugely beneficial. The earlier we start, the more time we have to reach net zero emissions. Acting early will mean a smoother transition and less net cost overall. Delay will lead to more haste, higher costs, and a harder landing. Reducing emissions quickly will also ensure warming is capped as soon as possible, reducing the number and severity of impacts. Yet severe impacts will still be experienced even if warming is successfully capped at 1.5℃. What is the cost of 1.5℃ of warming? Although the Paris Agreement aims to hold global warming as close to 1.5℃ as possible, that doesn’t mean it is a “safe” level. Communities and ecosystems around the world have already suffered significant impacts from the 1℃ of warming so far, and the effects at 1.5℃ will be harsher still. Poverty and disadvantages will increase as temperatures rise to 1.5℃. Small island states, deltas and low-lying coasts are particularly vulnerable, with an increased risk of flooding, and threats to freshwater supplies, infrastructure, and livelihoods. Warming to 1.5℃ also poses a risk to global economic growth, with the tropics and southern subtropics potentially being hit hardest. Extreme weather events such as floods, heatwaves, and droughts will become more frequent, severe, and widespread, with attendant costs in terms of health care, infrastructure, and disaster response. The oceans will also suffer in a 1.5℃ warmer world. Ocean warming and acidification are expected to impact fisheries and aquaculture, as well as many marine species and ecosystems. Up to 90% of warm water coral reefs are predicted to disappear when global warming reaches 1.5℃. That would be a dire situation, but far less serious than at 2℃, when the destruction of coral reefs would be almost total (greater than 99% destruction). How do 1.5℃ and 2℃ compare? Impacts on both human and natural systems would be very different at 1.5℃ rather than 2℃ of warming. For example, limiting warming to 1.5℃ would roughly halve the number of people globally who are expected to suffer from water scarcity. Seas would rise by an extra 10cm this century at 2℃ compared with 1.5℃. This means limiting global warming to 1.5℃ would save up to 10.4 million people from the impacts of rising seas. At 1.5℃ rather than 2℃: *Up to 427 million fewer people will suffer food and water insecurity, climate risks, and adverse health impacts *Extreme weather events, heat-related death and disease, desertification, and wildlife extinctions will all be reduced *It will be significantly easier to achieve many of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, including those linked to hunger, poverty, water and sanitation, health, and cities and ecosystems. How does the 1.5℃ target fit with the Sustainable Development Goals? The Sustainable Development Goals aim for a world in which people can be healthy, financially stable, well fed, have clean air and water, and live in a secure and pleasant environment. Much of this is consistent with the goal of capping global warming at 1.5℃, which is why the IPCC notes there are synergies if the SDG initiatives and climate action should be explicitly linked. But some climate strategies may make it harder to achieve particular SDGs. Countries that are highly dependent on fossil fuels for employment and revenue may suffer economically in the transition towards low-carbon energy. Carefully managing this transition by simultaneously focusing on reducing poverty and promoting equity in decision-making may help avoid the worst effects of such trade-offs. What works in one place may not work in another, so strategies should always be locally appropriate. Where next? Limiting global warming to 1.5℃ will require a social transformation, as the world takes rapid action to reduce greenhouse gases. The effects of climate change will continue to shape the world we live in, but there is no doubt we will be far better off under 1.5℃ than 2℃ of global warming. The choices we make today are shaping the future for coming generations. As the new report makes clear, if we are serious about the 1.5℃ target, we need to act now. (Mark Howden is Director, Climate Change Institute, Australian National University; Rebecca Colvin is Knowledge Exchange Specialist, Climate Change Institute, Australian National University) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Limiting global warming to 1.5℃ will require a social transformation

Syrian government forces and allied militias have raped and sexually assaulted women, girls and men in a campaign to punish opposition communities - acts that constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity, U.N. investigators said on Thursday.

In a gruesome report, they found that rebel groups in Syria&#39;s protracted civil war had also committed crimes of sexual violence and torture although these were &quot;considerably less common&quot;.

The report also said Islamic State (IS) militants had executed women and girls by stoning for alleged adultery, forced girls into marriage, and persecuted homosexual men.

&quot;It is utterly repugnant that brutal acts of sexual and gender-based violence continued to be perpetrated throughout Syria for seven years by most warring parties,&quot; Paulo Pinheiro, chairman of the U.N. Commission of Inquiry, told a panel event.

The report, issued as Syria enters its eighth year of war, is based on 454 interviews with survivors, relatives, witnesses, defectors, and medical staff. It recommended that the U.N. Security Council refer the findings to the International Criminal Court for possible prosecutions.

Karen AbuZayd, an American commissioner on the panel, said the documented cases represented the &quot;tip of the iceberg&quot;.

Government forces raped civilians during house searches and ground operations in the early stages of the conflict, and later at checkpoints and detention facilities, the report said. The youngest known victim was a nine-year-old girl.

&quot;Rape of women and girls was documented in 20 government political and military intelligence branches, and rape of men and boys was documented in 15 branches,&quot; the U.N. war crimes investigators said.

The independent experts - who have compiled confidential lists of suspects since 2011 - did not name individual perpetrators but said they had documented &quot;numerous&quot; cases of rapes by high-level officers.

&quot;Sexual violence against females and males is used to force confessions, to extract information, as punishment as well as to terrorise opposition communities,&quot; the report said.

Victims suffered shame, depression, incontinence, impotence and miscarriages, and rejection by their families, it said.

&quot;Some interviewees have indicated it is worse for a girl to be raped than to be killed,&quot; AbuZayd said. &quot;A number of women and girls sometimes commit suicide due to the verbal abuse they suffered in their homes or communities.&quot;

AbuZayd said that rape of men and boys was often overlooked but also devastating. &quot;It&#39;s an exceedingly ugly crime. We know it&#39;s awful for women, but it&#39;s pretty bad for men as well.

&quot;They were forced to have intercourse with one another and with other relatives. They tell you about losing their masculinity, becoming impotent. They were gang-raped or with objects and things, having some really serious consequences of illness and incontinence,&quot; AbuZayd said.

The investigators found &quot;no evidence of a systematic practice&quot; by armed groups to use sexual violence, but some incidents had occurred in sectarian or revenge attacks.

They received allegations of extremist and&nbsp;terrorist&nbsp;groups imposing &quot;mediaeval punishments on men accused of homosexuality&quot;, including throwing them off tall buildings.

&quot;On Islamic State, we recorded women being stoned for adultery, frequently for violations of the dress code, detention and beatings of women including pregnant women for minor violations, and forced physical examination to determine virginity,&quot; said Hanny Megally, a U.N. commissioner.

Karen AbuZayd, an American commissioner on the panel, said the documented cases represented the "tip of the iceberg".

Syrian government forces and allied militias have raped and sexually assaulted women, girls and men in a campaign to punish opposition communities - acts that constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity, U.N. investigators said on Thursday. In a gruesome report, they found that rebel groups in Syria's protracted civil war had also committed crimes of sexual violence and torture although these were "considerably less common". The report also said Islamic State (IS) militants had executed women and girls by stoning for alleged adultery, forced girls into marriage, and persecuted homosexual men. "It is utterly repugnant that brutal acts of sexual and gender-based violence continued to be perpetrated throughout Syria for seven years by most warring parties," Paulo Pinheiro, chairman of the U.N. Commission of Inquiry, told a panel event. The report, issued as Syria enters its eighth year of war, is based on 454 interviews with survivors, relatives, witnesses, defectors, and medical staff. It recommended that the U.N. Security Council refer the findings to the International Criminal Court for possible prosecutions. Karen AbuZayd, an American commissioner on the panel, said the documented cases represented the "tip of the iceberg". Government forces raped civilians during house searches and ground operations in the early stages of the conflict, and later at checkpoints and detention facilities, the report said. The youngest known victim was a nine-year-old girl. "Rape of women and girls was documented in 20 government political and military intelligence branches, and rape of men and boys was documented in 15 branches," the U.N. war crimes investigators said. The independent experts - who have compiled confidential lists of suspects since 2011 - did not name individual perpetrators but said they had documented "numerous" cases of rapes by high-level officers. "Sexual violence against females and males is used to force confessions, to extract information, as punishment as well as to terrorise opposition communities," the report said. Victims suffered shame, depression, incontinence, impotence and miscarriages, and rejection by their families, it said. "Some interviewees have indicated it is worse for a girl to be raped than to be killed," AbuZayd said. "A number of women and girls sometimes commit suicide due to the verbal abuse they suffered in their homes or communities." AbuZayd said that rape of men and boys was often overlooked but also devastating. "It's an exceedingly ugly crime. We know it's awful for women, but it's pretty bad for men as well. "They were forced to have intercourse with one another and with other relatives. They tell you about losing their masculinity, becoming impotent. They were gang-raped or with objects and things, having some really serious consequences of illness and incontinence," AbuZayd said. The investigators found "no evidence of a systematic practice" by armed groups to use sexual violence, but some incidents had occurred in sectarian or revenge attacks. They received allegations of extremist and terrorist groups imposing "mediaeval punishments on men accused of homosexuality", including throwing them off tall buildings. "On Islamic State, we recorded women being stoned for adultery, frequently for violations of the dress code, detention and beatings of women including pregnant women for minor violations, and forced physical examination to determine virginity," said Hanny Megally, a U.N. commissioner.

Thousands of women, men and children raped in Syrian war: UN report

Finland is the world&#39;s happiest country, according to an annual survey issued on Wednesday that put Burundi at the bottom of the happiness index and found Americans were getting less happy even as their country became richer.

The U.N. Sustainable Development Solutions Network&#39;s (SDSN) 2018 World Happiness Report ranked 156 countries according to their scores for things such as GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, social freedom, generosity and absence of corruption.

Finland, rose from fifth place last year to oust Norway from the top spot. The 2018 top-10, as ever dominated by the Nordics, is: Finland, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Switzerland, Netherlands Canada, New Zealand, Sweden and Australia.

The United States came in at 18th, down from 14th place last year. Britain was 19th and the United Arab Emirates 20th.

One chapter of the 170-page report is dedicated to emerging health problems such as obesity, depression and the opioid crisis, particularly in the United States where the prevalence of all three has grown faster than in most other countries.

While income per capita has increased markedly in the United States over the last half century, the happiness index has been hit by weakened social support networks, a rise in perception of corruption in government and business and declining confidence in public institutions.

&quot;We obviously have a social crisis in the United States: more inequality, less trust, less confidence in government,&quot; the head of the SDSN, Professor Jeffrey Sachs of New York&#39;s Columbia University, told Reuters as the report was launched at the Vatican&#39;s Pontifical Academy of Sciences.

&quot;It&#39;s pretty stark right now. The signs are not good for the U.S. It is getting richer and richer but not getting happier.&quot;

Asked how the current political situation in the United States could affect future happiness reports, Sachs said:

&quot;Time will tell, but I would say that in general that when confidence in government is low, when perceptions of corruption are high, inequality is high and health conditions are worsening ... that is not conducive to good feelings.&quot;

For the first time since it was started in 2012, the report, which uses a variety of polling organisations, official figures and research methods, ranked the happiness of foreign-born immigrants in 117 countries.

Finland took top honours in that category too, giving the country a statistical double-gold status.

The foreign-born were least happy in Syria, which has been mired in civil war for seven years.

&quot;The most striking finding of the report is the remarkable consistency between the happiness of immigrants and the locally born,&quot; said Professor John Helliwell of Canada&#39;s University of British Columbia.

&quot;Although immigrants come from countries with very different levels of happiness, their reported life evaluations converge towards those of other residents in their new countries,&quot; he said.

&quot;Those who move to happier countries gain, while those who move to less happy countries lose.&quot;

Finland is the world's happiest country. Burundi is the unhappiest. And Americans are getting less happy even as their country becomes richer

Finland is the world's happiest country, according to an annual survey issued on Wednesday that put Burundi at the bottom of the happiness index and found Americans were getting less happy even as their country became richer. The U.N. Sustainable Development Solutions Network's (SDSN) 2018 World Happiness Report ranked 156 countries according to their scores for things such as GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, social freedom, generosity and absence of corruption. Finland, rose from fifth place last year to oust Norway from the top spot. The 2018 top-10, as ever dominated by the Nordics, is: Finland, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Switzerland, Netherlands Canada, New Zealand, Sweden and Australia. The United States came in at 18th, down from 14th place last year. Britain was 19th and the United Arab Emirates 20th. One chapter of the 170-page report is dedicated to emerging health problems such as obesity, depression and the opioid crisis, particularly in the United States where the prevalence of all three has grown faster than in most other countries. While income per capita has increased markedly in the United States over the last half century, the happiness index has been hit by weakened social support networks, a rise in perception of corruption in government and business and declining confidence in public institutions. "We obviously have a social crisis in the United States: more inequality, less trust, less confidence in government," the head of the SDSN, Professor Jeffrey Sachs of New York's Columbia University, told Reuters as the report was launched at the Vatican's Pontifical Academy of Sciences. "It's pretty stark right now. The signs are not good for the U.S. It is getting richer and richer but not getting happier." Asked how the current political situation in the United States could affect future happiness reports, Sachs said: "Time will tell, but I would say that in general that when confidence in government is low, when perceptions of corruption are high, inequality is high and health conditions are worsening ... that is not conducive to good feelings." For the first time since it was started in 2012, the report, which uses a variety of polling organisations, official figures and research methods, ranked the happiness of foreign-born immigrants in 117 countries. Finland took top honours in that category too, giving the country a statistical double-gold status. The foreign-born were least happy in Syria, which has been mired in civil war for seven years. "The most striking finding of the report is the remarkable consistency between the happiness of immigrants and the locally born," said Professor John Helliwell of Canada's University of British Columbia. "Although immigrants come from countries with very different levels of happiness, their reported life evaluations converge towards those of other residents in their new countries," he said. "Those who move to happier countries gain, while those who move to less happy countries lose."

This the world's happiest country, the UN says

India can achieve an 8 per cent growth rate for the next two decades if it unleashes the next set of reforms that could help it in realising its full potential, according to a senior UN official.

The UN, in its latest report, projected India&#39;s growth rate to be 7.2 per cent in 2018 and 7.4 per cent in 2019.

Describing India&#39;s economic condition as largely positive and &quot;favourable to growth&quot;, Sebastian Vergara, an Economic Affairs Officer at the UN, said the country needs to unleash the next set of reforms to achieve its potential.

&quot;It needs to think as to how to maintain and consolidate its growth for a very long period of time. India in our assessment has the potential to grow at eight per cent, not for a few years, but 20 years,&quot; Vergara said.

&quot;For that, India needs to come out with the next series of reforms, for example, promote investment and improve the living condition of its population,&quot; he said.

The annual &#39;World Economic Situation Prospects&#39; report, released last week, said the GDP growth for India in 2017 is projected to be 6.7 per cent.

Despite the positive economic condition, Vergara said, India&#39;s economic growth could be a little lower in comparison to some of the earlier forecasts.

One of this is the growth of private consumption and sound macroeconomic policies. The monetary policy, which has been able to control inflation, also has a role to play, he said.

&quot;Also fiscal policy in India, in our assessment has been prudent. At the same time, it has provided another quite support for the economic activity,&quot; Vergara said.

The UN officer praised the Indian government&#39;s emphasis on public investment and infrastructure projects.

&quot;This has been very important to promote growth in the short term and to encourage economic activity in the medium term,&quot; he said.

The series of regulatory reforms that has happened in the previous year and the current one has also helped India&#39;s cause, said the UN official who keeps a tab on India&#39;s economic health and development.

&quot;Demonetisation clearly had an impact in early 2017. This resulted in a significant liquidity crunch, but was temporary,&quot; he said.

&quot;As the year went on, measures were implemented, financial relief were introduced, steps like credit support for small enterprise to help contain the shock that this demonetisation policy created,&quot; he said, adding that demonetisation has benefited the banking sector and increased the tax base - which will help the fiscal accounts.

&quot;So, in the medium term, we think that this policy will help the Indian economy,&quot; Vergara said.

According to the top UN economic official, 2017 has been a year of major economic reforms in India, particularly in the banking sector.

&quot;There has been deregulation and further liberalisation of the policies regarding foreign direct investment,&quot; he said.

Vergara said these reforms are helping the Indian economy to improve its efficiency and increase the medium-term prospects of its economy.

&quot;In that sense these policy reforms are positive. Of course, we will see how these policies are implemented,&quot; he said.

The UN, in its latest report, projected India's growth rate to be 7.2 per cent in 2018 and 7.4 per cent in 2019.

India can achieve an 8 per cent growth rate for the next two decades if it unleashes the next set of reforms that could help it in realising its full potential, according to a senior UN official. The UN, in its latest report, projected India's growth rate to be 7.2 per cent in 2018 and 7.4 per cent in 2019. Describing India's economic condition as largely positive and "favourable to growth", Sebastian Vergara, an Economic Affairs Officer at the UN, said the country needs to unleash the next set of reforms to achieve its potential. "It needs to think as to how to maintain and consolidate its growth for a very long period of time. India in our assessment has the potential to grow at eight per cent, not for a few years, but 20 years," Vergara said. "For that, India needs to come out with the next series of reforms, for example, promote investment and improve the living condition of its population," he said. The annual 'World Economic Situation Prospects' report, released last week, said the GDP growth for India in 2017 is projected to be 6.7 per cent. Despite the positive economic condition, Vergara said, India's economic growth could be a little lower in comparison to some of the earlier forecasts. One of this is the growth of private consumption and sound macroeconomic policies. The monetary policy, which has been able to control inflation, also has a role to play, he said. "Also fiscal policy in India, in our assessment has been prudent. At the same time, it has provided another quite support for the economic activity," Vergara said. The UN officer praised the Indian government's emphasis on public investment and infrastructure projects. "This has been very important to promote growth in the short term and to encourage economic activity in the medium term," he said. The series of regulatory reforms that has happened in the previous year and the current one has also helped India's cause, said the UN official who keeps a tab on India's economic health and development. "Demonetisation clearly had an impact in early 2017. This resulted in a significant liquidity crunch, but was temporary," he said. "As the year went on, measures were implemented, financial relief were introduced, steps like credit support for small enterprise to help contain the shock that this demonetisation policy created," he said, adding that demonetisation has benefited the banking sector and increased the tax base - which will help the fiscal accounts. "So, in the medium term, we think that this policy will help the Indian economy," Vergara said. According to the top UN economic official, 2017 has been a year of major economic reforms in India, particularly in the banking sector. "There has been deregulation and further liberalisation of the policies regarding foreign direct investment," he said. Vergara said these reforms are helping the Indian economy to improve its efficiency and increase the medium-term prospects of its economy. "In that sense these policy reforms are positive. Of course, we will see how these policies are implemented," he said.

India can grow at 8 per cent for next 20 years: UN expert

An inquiry by the United Nations and a global chemical weapons watchdog has said&nbsp;Syrian government forces were responsible for a third toxic gas attack -- Syria has&nbsp;already been held responsible for two earlier attacks --&nbsp;in the country.&nbsp;

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) presented the report to the UN Security Council on Friday; the report&nbsp;said the Syrian army had attacked the village of Qmenas with chemical weapons in March 2015.&nbsp;

Syrian forces had used helicopters to drop barrel bombs&nbsp;which released chlorine gas, the report said. The report added the helicopters were from the 63rd brigade but&nbsp;it &quot;could not confirm the names of the individuals who took command&quot; of the operation.&nbsp;

A&nbsp;previous report had blamed President Bashar al-Assad&#39;s government for two earlier chlorine gas attacks, one in Hama province on April 21, 2014 and the other in Idlib province on March 16, 2015.&nbsp;

Chlorine gas, a highly deadly hydrochloric acid, is prohibited under the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention, which Syria joined in 2013. Syria had agreed to destroy its chemical weapons under the deal brokered by Moscow and Washington. The UN Security Council had backed the deal.&nbsp;

With the report&#39;s investigators demanding those &quot;with effective control in the military...&nbsp;be held accountable&quot;, the latest report has set the stage for a showdown between the five UNSC powers.

Syria&#39;s major ally, Russia, has&nbsp;said the conclusions cannot be used to impose UN sanctions.&nbsp;

The 13-month long inquiry focused on nine chemical weapons attacks in seven areas of Syria, but the inquiry was unable to reach a conclusion in five cases. &nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

President Bashar al-Assad's forces have already been held responsible for two earlier chemical weapons attacks

An inquiry by the United Nations and a global chemical weapons watchdog has said Syrian government forces were responsible for a third toxic gas attack -- Syria has already been held responsible for two earlier attacks -- in the country. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) presented the report to the UN Security Council on Friday; the report said the Syrian army had attacked the village of Qmenas with chemical weapons in March 2015. Syrian forces had used helicopters to drop barrel bombs which released chlorine gas, the report said. The report added the helicopters were from the 63rd brigade but it "could not confirm the names of the individuals who took command" of the operation. A previous report had blamed President Bashar al-Assad's government for two earlier chlorine gas attacks, one in Hama province on April 21, 2014 and the other in Idlib province on March 16, 2015. Chlorine gas, a highly deadly hydrochloric acid, is prohibited under the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention, which Syria joined in 2013. Syria had agreed to destroy its chemical weapons under the deal brokered by Moscow and Washington. The UN Security Council had backed the deal. With the report's investigators demanding those "with effective control in the military... be held accountable", the latest report has set the stage for a showdown between the five UNSC powers. Syria's major ally, Russia, has said the conclusions cannot be used to impose UN sanctions. The 13-month long inquiry focused on nine chemical weapons attacks in seven areas of Syria, but the inquiry was unable to reach a conclusion in five cases. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Syrian government forces blamed for third chlorine gas attack on civilians

Iran&#39;s ballistic missile tests in March were &quot;not consistent&quot; with the spirit of the nuclear agreement signed with world powers, UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon said in a report to the security council. 
 
However Ban, in a confidential report that AFP saw on Friday, leaves it up to the security council to determine what, if anything, should be done in response. 
 
The report does not clearly state whether the Iranian tests violated the provisions of the landmark nuclear deal signed in July 2015 in Vienna. 
 
Under the agreement, Tehran agreed to curb its atomic program. Western powers accused Iran of using the program to develop a nuclear bomb, but Tehran always denied the allegation. 
 
The deal led to the lifting of sanctions in January. However, Iran&#39;s ballistic missile program was not covered by the agreement. 
 
&quot;While it is for the security council to interpret its own resolutions, I am concerned that those ballistic missile launches are not consistent with the constructive spirit demonstrated by the signing&quot; of the nuclear deal, reads part of Ban&#39;s 16-page report, dated July 1. 
 
&quot;I am concerned by the ballistic missile launches conducted by Iran in March 2016. I&nbsp;call upon Iran to refrain from conducting such ballistic missile launches since they have the potential to increase tensions in the region,&quot; Ban wrote. 
 
&#39;It&#39;s up to us&#39; 
 
This is the first report regarding the application of UN security council resolution 2231, which includes the terms of the July 2015 nuclear accord. 
 
The resolution states that Iran &quot;is called upon not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using such ballistic missile technology&quot;. 
 
The security council is set to examine the report on July 18, but diplomatic sources are not expecting a decision to be taken, or even for the 15 nations on the council to take a joint position. 
 
&quot;The report makes no recommendations to the security council,&quot; a council diplomat said. 
 
&quot;Having a report by the secretary general is very useful but it is up to us to decide what we are going to do about it,&quot; the diplomat said. 
 
The United States, France, Britain and Germany in late March said they believed that Iran&#39;s ballistic missile launches violated UN resolutions, and asked the security council to address the issue. 
 
The Western powers believe that some of the missiles could carry nuclear payloads, something that Tehran denied. 
 
(AFP)

In the secret report, the Secretary-General leaves it up to the Security Council to determine what, if anything, should be the response

Iran's ballistic missile tests in March were "not consistent" with the spirit of the nuclear agreement signed with world powers, UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon said in a report to the security council. However Ban, in a confidential report that AFP saw on Friday, leaves it up to the security council to determine what, if anything, should be done in response. The report does not clearly state whether the Iranian tests violated the provisions of the landmark nuclear deal signed in July 2015 in Vienna. Under the agreement, Tehran agreed to curb its atomic program. Western powers accused Iran of using the program to develop a nuclear bomb, but Tehran always denied the allegation. The deal led to the lifting of sanctions in January. However, Iran's ballistic missile program was not covered by the agreement. "While it is for the security council to interpret its own resolutions, I am concerned that those ballistic missile launches are not consistent with the constructive spirit demonstrated by the signing" of the nuclear deal, reads part of Ban's 16-page report, dated July 1. "I am concerned by the ballistic missile launches conducted by Iran in March 2016. I call upon Iran to refrain from conducting such ballistic missile launches since they have the potential to increase tensions in the region," Ban wrote. 'It's up to us' This is the first report regarding the application of UN security council resolution 2231, which includes the terms of the July 2015 nuclear accord. The resolution states that Iran "is called upon not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using such ballistic missile technology". The security council is set to examine the report on July 18, but diplomatic sources are not expecting a decision to be taken, or even for the 15 nations on the council to take a joint position. "The report makes no recommendations to the security council," a council diplomat said. "Having a report by the secretary general is very useful but it is up to us to decide what we are going to do about it," the diplomat said. The United States, France, Britain and Germany in late March said they believed that Iran's ballistic missile launches violated UN resolutions, and asked the security council to address the issue. The Western powers believe that some of the missiles could carry nuclear payloads, something that Tehran denied. (AFP)

Iran missile tests 'not consistent' with 2015 nuclear agreement, says UN report

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This the world's happiest country, the UN says