India voted in favour of the New York Declaration, a United Nations resolution that supports the creation of an independent Palestinian state. India joined 142 countries in backing the motion at the UN General Assembly on Friday, while 10 voted against and 12 abstained. The declaration, officially titled The New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, calls for urgent action to end the war in Gaza and push forward the long-stalled two-state solution.

India has supported Palestinian statehood for long and was the first non-Arab country to officially recognise Palestine in 1988.The resolution also condemned the terror group Hamas for its attacks on Israeli civilians on 7 October 2023 and urged it to release all hostages and hand over weapons. It stated that Hamas must end its control over Gaza and allow the Palestinian Authority to take over governance, with the support of the international community.&nbsp;WATCH: NATO Eastern Flank Under Pressure As Russia Begins Zapad Drills<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nato-eastern-flank-under-pressure-as-russia-begins-zapad-drills-1757701262751/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/nato-eastern-flank-under-pressure-as-russia-begins-zapad-drills-1757701262751/embed</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;The declaration also suggested the deployment of a temporary international stabilisation mission in Gaza, under UN Security Council authority, to protect civilians and help transfer responsibilities to the Palestinian Authority.The document was introduced by France and Saudi Arabia and had already been endorsed by the Arab League and 17 UN member states earlier this year.The vote comes ahead of a key UN summit in New York on September 22, co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia. French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to use the occasion to formally recognise the Palestinian state. Other world leaders may follow suit.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said that there will be no Palestinian state under his leadership.&nbsp;<h2>US joins UNSC condemnation of Israeli strikes on Qatar</h2>&nbsp;The United Nations Security Council has condemned Israel’s strikes on a residential compound in the Qatari capital, Doha, which targeted senior members of Hamas.The statement, which did not directly name Israel, was backed by all 15 Security Council members, including the US, which traditionally blocks actions against its close ally.&nbsp;Qatar has played a key role in brokering diplomatic efforts to end the Israel-Gaza war, serving as a mediator of indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel. Qatar has hosted the Hamas political bureau since 2012 and is a close US ally.

The resolution also condemned terror group Hamas for its attacks on Israeli civilians on 7 October 2023 and urged it to release all hostages and hand over weapons. It stated that Hamas must end its control over Gaza and allow the Palestinian Authority to take over governance.

India voted in favour of the New York Declaration, a United Nations resolution that supports the creation of an independent Palestinian state. India joined 142 countries in backing the motion at the UN General Assembly on Friday, while 10 voted against and 12 abstained. The declaration, officially titled The New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, calls for urgent action to end the war in Gaza and push forward the long-stalled two-state solution.

The resolution also condemned terror group Hamas for its attacks on Israeli civilians on 7 October 2023 and urged it to release all hostages and hand over weapons. It stated that Hamas must end its control over Gaza and allow the Palestinian Authority to take over governance.

India joins 142 nations in backing UN declaration, votes for Palestinian state

US President Donald Trump on Saturday (Aug 9) nominated State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce as the next US deputy representative to the United Nations. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said that Bruce has done a “fantastic job” since the beginning of his second term in the White House.&nbsp;“I am pleased to announce that I am nominating Tammy Bruce, a Great Patriot, Television Personality, and Bestselling Author, as our next Deputy Representative of the United States to the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador. Since the beginning of my Second Term, Tammy has been serving with distinction as Spokesperson of the State Department, where she did a fantastic job. Tammy Bruce will represent our Country brilliantly at the United Nations. Congratulations Tammy!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.&nbsp;<h2>Who is Tammy Bruce?</h2>&nbsp;Born in August 1962 in Los Angeles, Bruce only attended high school for two weeks before passing the state proficiency exam. She later completed a degree in political science from the University of Southern California in 2002.&nbsp;In the 1990s, Bruce was a liberal activist and served as the president of the Los Angeles chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) from 1990 to 1996. Following controversies, including a censure by NOW for comments deemed racially insensitive during the OJ Simpson trial, she resigned from her position.&nbsp;Before being appointed as the spokesperson for the US Department of State since January this year, Tammy Bruce had been hosting ‘Get Tammy Bruce’ on Fox Nation for the last 20 years. She has authored several books, including The New Thought Police (2001), The Death of Right and Wrong (2003), and The New American Revolution (2005). She critiqued left-wing ideologies and reflected her advocacy for personal liberty in her works.&nbsp;Later, she moved to conservative politics, becoming an independent conservative and a vocal critic of progressive feminism.&nbsp;As the spokeswoman of the State Department, Bruce has defended several controversial policies of the Trump administration, including the immigration crackdown and sending private military contractors to Gaza for aid distribution.

As the spokeswoman of the State Department, Bruce has defended several controversial policies of the Trump administration.

US President Donald Trump on Saturday (Aug 9) nominated State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce as the next US deputy representative to the United Nations. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said that Bruce has done a “fantastic job” since the beginning of his second term in the White House. “I am pleased to announce that I am nominating Tammy Bruce, a Great Patriot, Television Personality, and Bestselling Author, as our next Deputy Representative of the United States to the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador. Since the beginning of my Second Term, Tammy has been serving with distinction as Spokesperson of the State Department, where she did a fantastic job. Tammy Bruce will represent our Country brilliantly at the United Nations. Congratulations Tammy!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. Who is Tammy Bruce? Born in August 1962 in Los Angeles, Bruce only attended high school for two weeks before passing the state proficiency exam. She later completed a degree in political science from the University of Southern California in 2002. In the 1990s, Bruce was a liberal activist and served as the president of the Los Angeles chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) from 1990 to 1996. Following controversies, including a censure by NOW for comments deemed racially insensitive during the OJ Simpson trial, she resigned from her position. Before being appointed as the spokesperson for the US Department of State since January this year, Tammy Bruce had been hosting ‘Get Tammy Bruce’ on Fox Nation for the last 20 years. She has authored several books, including The New Thought Police (2001), The Death of Right and Wrong (2003), and The New American Revolution (2005). She critiqued left-wing ideologies and reflected her advocacy for personal liberty in her works. Later, she moved to conservative politics, becoming an independent conservative and a vocal critic of progressive feminism. As the spokeswoman of the State Department, Bruce has defended several controversial policies of the Trump administration, including the immigration crackdown and sending private military contractors to Gaza for aid distribution.

As the spokeswoman of the State Department, Bruce has defended several controversial policies of the Trump administration.

Who is Tammy Bruce? Trump’s pick for next US deputy representative to UN

The United States blocked a planned visit by Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to Pakistan by refusing to approve a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) travel ban exemption, according to a report by Dawn.According to Dawn, Muttaqi was scheduled to visit Pakistan on August 4 as part of a recent push to improve relations between Kabul and Islamabad. The engagement followed Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar's earlier visit to Kabul, which had been facilitated by China.Citing diplomatic sources, Dawn said that as the Afghan foreign minister is under international sanctions, he is barred from foreign travel without a special waiver from the UN sanctions committee. The committee, set up under UNSC Resolution 1988 (2011), oversees travel bans, asset freezes, and arms embargoes on Taliban-linked figures.The Dawn report stated that Washington delayed its decision until the last moment before ultimately refusing to grant the waiver, effectively scuttling the trip.Dawn noted that the US decision is believed to have been influenced by concerns over the Taliban government's growing closeness with China.When asked at a recent briefing whether the US had blocked Muttaqi's travel, the State Department said, "We do not comment on rumours," Dawn reported.Pakistan's Foreign Office, however, did not directly confirm the US role. At a weekly media briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan told reporters there were "certain procedural issues" being worked out and maintained that no official dates had been confirmed for Muttaqi's visit. As quoted by Dawn, he added, "Once these procedural matters are resolved, we look forward to welcoming the Afghan foreign minister to Pakistan."The Dawn report also highlighted that the US has often clashed with China and Russia in the UNSC sanctions committee, with Beijing and Moscow supporting more lenient travel exemptions for Taliban officials.Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION&nbsp;audience.

Washington delayed its decision until the last moment before ultimately refusing to grant the waiver, effectively scuttling the trip, according to reports. 

The United States blocked a planned visit by Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to Pakistan by refusing to approve a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) travel ban exemption, according to a report by Dawn. According to Dawn, Muttaqi was scheduled to visit Pakistan on August 4 as part of a recent push to improve relations between Kabul and Islamabad. The engagement followed Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar's earlier visit to Kabul, which had been facilitated by China. Citing diplomatic sources, Dawn said that as the Afghan foreign minister is under international sanctions, he is barred from foreign travel without a special waiver from the UN sanctions committee. The committee, set up under UNSC Resolution 1988 (2011), oversees travel bans, asset freezes, and arms embargoes on Taliban-linked figures. The Dawn report stated that Washington delayed its decision until the last moment before ultimately refusing to grant the waiver, effectively scuttling the trip. Dawn noted that the US decision is believed to have been influenced by concerns over the Taliban government's growing closeness with China. When asked at a recent briefing whether the US had blocked Muttaqi's travel, the State Department said, "We do not comment on rumours," Dawn reported. Pakistan's Foreign Office, however, did not directly confirm the US role. At a weekly media briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan told reporters there were "certain procedural issues" being worked out and maintained that no official dates had been confirmed for Muttaqi's visit. As quoted by Dawn, he added, "Once these procedural matters are resolved, we look forward to welcoming the Afghan foreign minister to Pakistan." The Dawn report also highlighted that the US has often clashed with China and Russia in the UNSC sanctions committee, with Beijing and Moscow supporting more lenient travel exemptions for Taliban officials. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.

Washington delayed its decision until the last moment before ultimately refusing to grant the waiver, effectively scuttling the trip, according to reports.&nbsp;

US allegedly blocks Afghan's foreign minister Pakistan visit over UN travel ban waiver

Data from the United Nations has revealed that the majority of the humanitarian aid sent to Gaza is being intercepted before reaching the starving civilians. According to the UN Office for Project Services, out of more than 29,885 pallets of aid supplies sent by multiple agencies to Gaza, only about 4,182 have reached their destination, which is roughly 14 per cent. The rest of the 86 per cent of the aid is being looted by “either peacefully by hungry people or forcefully by armed actors during transit,” according to the data.&nbsp;The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, earlier accused armed militias of stealing the aid convoys at gunpoint. The recent revelation comes as Israel has consistently complained that most of the aid is being stolen by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.&nbsp;Although the UN is unable to determine exactly how much of the missing aid, about 23,353 tons in the last two and a half months, has been looted by Hamas militants or taken by some of the civilians in the war-torn region that is gripped with famine conditions. However, the data highlights the seriousness of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as Hamas and Israel continue the blame game.&nbsp;<h2>Situation in Gaza ‘beyond catastrophic’</h2>&nbsp;UN Secretary-General spokesperson Farhan Haq on Wednesday (Aug 6) told reporters that the situation in Gaza is “beyond catastrophic”. He added that the hospitals in the region are “overstretched” with medical supplies and are “severely lacking” equipment. He said that emergency medical teams were refused entry into Gaza on Tuesday (Aug 5).&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>At least 20 killed after truck overturns</h2>&nbsp;Meanwhile, Gaza’s civil defence agency said on Wednesday that at least 20 people died after an aid truck overturned near the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. “Twenty people were killed and dozens injured around midnight last night in a truck carrying aid [that] overturned … while hundreds of civilians were waiting for aid,” the agency’s spokesperson Mahmud Bassal told AFP.&nbsp;

The data highlights the seriousness of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as Hamas and Israel continue the blame game.

Data from the United Nations has revealed that the majority of the humanitarian aid sent to Gaza is being intercepted before reaching the starving civilians. According to the UN Office for Project Services, out of more than 29,885 pallets of aid supplies sent by multiple agencies to Gaza, only about 4,182 have reached their destination, which is roughly 14 per cent. The rest of the 86 per cent of the aid is being looted by “either peacefully by hungry people or forcefully by armed actors during transit,” according to the data. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, earlier accused armed militias of stealing the aid convoys at gunpoint. The recent revelation comes as Israel has consistently complained that most of the aid is being stolen by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Although the UN is unable to determine exactly how much of the missing aid, about 23,353 tons in the last two and a half months, has been looted by Hamas militants or taken by some of the civilians in the war-torn region that is gripped with famine conditions. However, the data highlights the seriousness of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as Hamas and Israel continue the blame game. Situation in Gaza ‘beyond catastrophic’ UN Secretary-General spokesperson Farhan Haq on Wednesday (Aug 6) told reporters that the situation in Gaza is “beyond catastrophic”. He added that the hospitals in the region are “overstretched” with medical supplies and are “severely lacking” equipment. He said that emergency medical teams were refused entry into Gaza on Tuesday (Aug 5). At least 20 killed after truck overturns Meanwhile, Gaza’s civil defence agency said on Wednesday that at least 20 people died after an aid truck overturned near the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. “Twenty people were killed and dozens injured around midnight last night in a truck carrying aid [that] overturned … while hundreds of civilians were waiting for aid,” the agency’s spokesperson Mahmud Bassal told AFP.

The data highlights the seriousness of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as Hamas and Israel continue the blame game.

Gaza situation ‘beyond catastrophic’: UN reveals 86% of aid does not reach starving Palestinians

France is planning to drop emergency aid from the air into Gaza in the next few days, according to a diplomatic source and as reported by The Times of Israel. Experts backed by the United Nations have been warning that Gaza is close to a famine, and major steps and aid are required to overcome it. The source said that France’s goal is to help and meet the urgent needs of the people living there. France also called on Israel to immediately reopen land border crossings for humanitarian access. &nbsp;‘France will carry out airdrops in the coming days to meet the most essential and urgent needs of the civilian population in Gaza,’ the source stated, also demanding ‘the immediate opening by Israel of the land crossing points.’&nbsp;This news comes on the third day after Israel begins its new aid policy, which includes 'humanitarian pauses' in fighting, resumption of airstrikes by Arab nations and Israeli airstrikes as well.&nbsp;&nbsp;Other countries like Spain and the United Kingdom (UK) have also said that they will send aid by air to Gaza.&nbsp;Also Read - 'We will recognise a Palestinian state': After France, UK to recognise Palestinian state; Starmer sets deadline for Israel&nbsp;Earlier on Tuesday (July 29), British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said after a cabinet meeting that the United Kingdom (UK) may support in recognising a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September, unless Israel takes immediate steps to ease the crisis in Gaza and commit to peace efforts.&nbsp;According to the Gaza health ministry, at least 60,034 Palestinians have died and 145,870 have been injured in Israeli attacks since 7 October, 2023. In the last 24 hours, 113 people were killed and 637 were injured, despite the so-called ceasefire in parts of Gaza.&nbsp;&nbsp;

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer after a cabinet meeting on Tuesday (July 29) said that the United Kingdom may support in recognizing Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September.

France is planning to drop emergency aid from the air into Gaza in the next few days, according to a diplomatic source and as reported by The Times of Israel. Experts backed by the United Nations have been warning that Gaza is close to a famine, and major steps and aid are required to overcome it. The source said that France’s goal is to help and meet the urgent needs of the people living there. France also called on Israel to immediately reopen land border crossings for humanitarian access. ‘France will carry out airdrops in the coming days to meet the most essential and urgent needs of the civilian population in Gaza,’ the source stated, also demanding ‘the immediate opening by Israel of the land crossing points.’ This news comes on the third day after Israel begins its new aid policy, which includes 'humanitarian pauses' in fighting, resumption of airstrikes by Arab nations and Israeli airstrikes as well. Other countries like Spain and the United Kingdom (UK) have also said that they will send aid by air to Gaza. Also Read - 'We will recognise a Palestinian state': After France, UK to recognise Palestinian state; Starmer sets deadline for Israel Earlier on Tuesday (July 29), British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said after a cabinet meeting that the United Kingdom (UK) may support in recognising a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September, unless Israel takes immediate steps to ease the crisis in Gaza and commit to peace efforts. According to the Gaza health ministry, at least 60,034 Palestinians have died and 145,870 have been injured in Israeli attacks since 7 October, 2023. In the last 24 hours, 113 people were killed and 637 were injured, despite the so-called ceasefire in parts of Gaza.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer after a cabinet meeting on Tuesday (July 29) said that the United Kingdom may support in recognizing Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September.

'Most essential, urgent needs': France to air-drop emergency aid to Gaza - All you need to know

What is the connection between a cricket Test between India and England at Leeds and a disturbing military conflict between Iran and the US involving Israel? On the face of it, there is none, but then cricket is a great metaphor to understand the game involving geopolitics and diplomacy. It was great to see a huge crowd of well-dressed English folk at the Headingly ground applauding Indian cricketers in a Test match that seems evenly poised as this is being written.&nbsp;&nbsp;There was a time when the crowds for an India-England game were thin and often full of ethnic Indians. Things have changed so much that you could say the English now view India as closer to, if not better than, their old rivals, Australia. Some of the old assumptions that go back to Britain's colonial domination of India are gone -- from both sides.&nbsp;Time changes everything, and it is time to keep that in mind as we look at the options before India following the Israel-Iran faceoff in which the military might of President Donald Trump-led Washington is more than apparent as Iran's nuclear facilities have been pounded by US stealth bombers. The broad perception is that India is on the side of Israel and, therefore, the US. It gets tricky when you notice that diplomatic relations are more than messy in the merry-go-round of geopolitics. The US sees Iran as a terror-sponsoring state, but conveniently supports Pakistan that India sees as a terror sponsor because it is a useful ally in containing both Iran and China, not to speak of Afghanistan.&nbsp;Operation Sindoor showed that India is pretty much alone in its battle to contain state-supported terror attacks on India nurtured on the Pakistani soil by the very groups that the US has declared as terrorists. Don't look for logical consistency here. It is all about expediency and usefulness. Only the other day, General-turned Field Marshal Asim Munir was recommending Trump for the Nobel peace prize after an honourable luncheon at the White House but Pakistan is now officially not with the US on Iran bombings.&nbsp;What should India do now? The attitude of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government in general and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in particular has been pro-Israel and anti-Islamist terror, but for all practical purposes that translates as anti-Iran. This requires a course correction following last weekend's Operation Midnight Hammer.&nbsp;We need to stand back a little to get some context. While it is true that the US equated India and Pakistan in an undesirable false equivalence after Operation Sindoor, it is equally true that India decided to go ahead and buy Russian oil despite American sanctions against Vladimir Putin's war on Ukraine. If the "usefulness" or "sovereignty" criterion are applied equally, it is apparent that both India and the US have acted in self-interest, and not concerned about principled diplomacy on issues such as terror or the UN charter against unprovoked intervention or invasion of a sovereign country.&nbsp;&nbsp;There are backstories for all this that could fill several books but the real question for India is: what to do now? The answer could be simple: stay clear of taking sides, and do some purposeful diplomacy at the UN with details in mind on everything, from the Palestine problem to the Iran war, economic growth and bilateral trade.&nbsp;In plain language: Stay smart, stay neutral. There are already unconfirmed reports of US or Western military aircraft having refuelled in India as part of the attacks on Iran. That brings back memories of 1991 when the then short-lived government led by Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar allowed American military jets to refuel at Mumbai, sparking controversy at home and elsewhere.&nbsp;Regional security is of importance to India, and that concerns Pakistan, China, and Iran. There is no need to go out of the way to support the US, which is widely seen as losing credibility already lowered by Trump's trigger-happy trade tariffs on Europe, India, and China alike. India has solid trade relations with both China and the US. Iran is not a big trading partner as there is a total bilateral turnover of less than $2 billion, but the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz controlled by Iran shows that oil prices can zoom, hurting India's economic growth precisely at a bounce-back stage. Anything that causes an oil price spike is not good for India.&nbsp;It also does not help India if it spites a host of Muslim countries or their societies across the world when Israel is being widely criticised on its Gaza attacks on innocent Palestinians. In the considered interest of India's economy and regional security, it is best for India to be part of a broad coalition of nations at the United Nations to demand a cessation of hostilities and if possible, join efforts to facilitate negotiations.&nbsp;There are simplistic critics who equate Operation Sindoor with Operation Midnight Hammer. That is simply not on. An act of limited reactive defence on a terrorist attack with back-up evidence cannot be equated with a proactive, preemptive military pounding on Iran's nuclear programme, for which there is no evidence in international diplomacy. If India were to do with Pakistan what the US is doing with Iran, sometime in the 1980s or 1990s, India would have had an all-out war to bomb nuclear facilities at Kahua or Islamabad.&nbsp;My mind goes back to 1992, when in the month of January, India under Prime Minister Narasimha Rao established full diplomatic relations with Israel -- something that seemed impossible just a year earlier. But then, later that year in November, I was with Rao on board a jet to Senegal in Africa for a G-15 summit of emerging economies of the developed world -- and on the way, we stopped at the airport in Tunis, where Rao met Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and held cordial talks. I watched from a distance as they smiled at each other.&nbsp;That meeting reminded one that if one is a friend of Israel, it does not mean one has to be a foe of the Palestinians. That spirit has to be brought back as India walks a diplomatic tightrope on a number of fronts. &nbsp;An elegant neutrality is a long-term asset.&nbsp;The wheels of fortune keep changing in both politics and international diplomacy. In times of confusion, it might be wise to remember how things can change -- be it in American politics or global diplomacy. In cricket, there was a time when Indian players were considered lucky when they played in the English county championships. We now have English players jostling for space in the Indian Premier League tournament.&nbsp;In a new atmosphere, we carry pride and competence, but not colonial baggage -- of adversity or subordination.&nbsp;The Leeds Test is a good example of how things can be brought back to an even keel by a mix of diligent work and patience. In diplomacy as in cricket, every ball has to be played with a sense of purpose and fair play. Taking blind swipes will just not be cricket.

Stay smart, stay neutral: Why India should avoid risky strokes in Iran-US crisis

What is the connection between a cricket Test between India and England at Leeds and a disturbing military conflict between Iran and the US involving Israel? On the face of it, there is none, but then cricket is a great metaphor to understand the game involving geopolitics and diplomacy. It was great to see a huge crowd of well-dressed English folk at the Headingly ground applauding Indian cricketers in a Test match that seems evenly poised as this is being written. There was a time when the crowds for an India-England game were thin and often full of ethnic Indians. Things have changed so much that you could say the English now view India as closer to, if not better than, their old rivals, Australia. Some of the old assumptions that go back to Britain's colonial domination of India are gone -- from both sides. Time changes everything, and it is time to keep that in mind as we look at the options before India following the Israel-Iran faceoff in which the military might of President Donald Trump-led Washington is more than apparent as Iran's nuclear facilities have been pounded by US stealth bombers. The broad perception is that India is on the side of Israel and, therefore, the US. It gets tricky when you notice that diplomatic relations are more than messy in the merry-go-round of geopolitics. The US sees Iran as a terror-sponsoring state, but conveniently supports Pakistan that India sees as a terror sponsor because it is a useful ally in containing both Iran and China, not to speak of Afghanistan. Operation Sindoor showed that India is pretty much alone in its battle to contain state-supported terror attacks on India nurtured on the Pakistani soil by the very groups that the US has declared as terrorists. Don't look for logical consistency here. It is all about expediency and usefulness. Only the other day, General-turned Field Marshal Asim Munir was recommending Trump for the Nobel peace prize after an honourable luncheon at the White House but Pakistan is now officially not with the US on Iran bombings. What should India do now? The attitude of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government in general and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in particular has been pro-Israel and anti-Islamist terror, but for all practical purposes that translates as anti-Iran. This requires a course correction following last weekend's Operation Midnight Hammer. We need to stand back a little to get some context. While it is true that the US equated India and Pakistan in an undesirable false equivalence after Operation Sindoor, it is equally true that India decided to go ahead and buy Russian oil despite American sanctions against Vladimir Putin's war on Ukraine. If the "usefulness" or "sovereignty" criterion are applied equally, it is apparent that both India and the US have acted in self-interest, and not concerned about principled diplomacy on issues such as terror or the UN charter against unprovoked intervention or invasion of a sovereign country. There are backstories for all this that could fill several books but the real question for India is: what to do now? The answer could be simple: stay clear of taking sides, and do some purposeful diplomacy at the UN with details in mind on everything, from the Palestine problem to the Iran war, economic growth and bilateral trade. In plain language: Stay smart, stay neutral. There are already unconfirmed reports of US or Western military aircraft having refuelled in India as part of the attacks on Iran. That brings back memories of 1991 when the then short-lived government led by Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar allowed American military jets to refuel at Mumbai, sparking controversy at home and elsewhere. Regional security is of importance to India, and that concerns Pakistan, China, and Iran. There is no need to go out of the way to support the US, which is widely seen as losing credibility already lowered by Trump's trigger-happy trade tariffs on Europe, India, and China alike. India has solid trade relations with both China and the US. Iran is not a big trading partner as there is a total bilateral turnover of less than $2 billion, but the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz controlled by Iran shows that oil prices can zoom, hurting India's economic growth precisely at a bounce-back stage. Anything that causes an oil price spike is not good for India. It also does not help India if it spites a host of Muslim countries or their societies across the world when Israel is being widely criticised on its Gaza attacks on innocent Palestinians. In the considered interest of India's economy and regional security, it is best for India to be part of a broad coalition of nations at the United Nations to demand a cessation of hostilities and if possible, join efforts to facilitate negotiations. There are simplistic critics who equate Operation Sindoor with Operation Midnight Hammer. That is simply not on. An act of limited reactive defence on a terrorist attack with back-up evidence cannot be equated with a proactive, preemptive military pounding on Iran's nuclear programme, for which there is no evidence in international diplomacy. If India were to do with Pakistan what the US is doing with Iran, sometime in the 1980s or 1990s, India would have had an all-out war to bomb nuclear facilities at Kahua or Islamabad. My mind goes back to 1992, when in the month of January, India under Prime Minister Narasimha Rao established full diplomatic relations with Israel -- something that seemed impossible just a year earlier. But then, later that year in November, I was with Rao on board a jet to Senegal in Africa for a G-15 summit of emerging economies of the developed world -- and on the way, we stopped at the airport in Tunis, where Rao met Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and held cordial talks. I watched from a distance as they smiled at each other. That meeting reminded one that if one is a friend of Israel, it does not mean one has to be a foe of the Palestinians. That spirit has to be brought back as India walks a diplomatic tightrope on a number of fronts. An elegant neutrality is a long-term asset. The wheels of fortune keep changing in both politics and international diplomacy. In times of confusion, it might be wise to remember how things can change -- be it in American politics or global diplomacy. In cricket, there was a time when Indian players were considered lucky when they played in the English county championships. We now have English players jostling for space in the Indian Premier League tournament. In a new atmosphere, we carry pride and competence, but not colonial baggage -- of adversity or subordination. The Leeds Test is a good example of how things can be brought back to an even keel by a mix of diligent work and patience. In diplomacy as in cricket, every ball has to be played with a sense of purpose and fair play. Taking blind swipes will just not be cricket.

The broad perception is that India is on the side of Israel and, therefore, the US

Amid the rising tensions between Israel and Iran, a US envoy at a UN Security Council meeting on Friday stumbled and accidentally blamed Jerusalem for spreading "chaos, terror and suffering" in the Middle East before realising her mistake.&nbsp;The US Chargé d'Affaires ad interim to the UN, Dorothy Shea, was giving a speech during the UNSC, condemning Iran's activities against Israel.&nbsp;"Israel's government has also spread chaos, terror and suffering throughout the region," Shea reads out. She then takes an awkward pause, shakes her head as she quickly corrects herself and repeats the sentence, “Iran's government has also spread chaos, terror and suffering throughout the region.” She continues with her speech, “Let us not forget that the Iranian government was an enabling and ideological material force behind Hamas's deadly assault on Israel.” &nbsp;This slip-up by the senior US diplomat on a stage as large as the United Nations Security Council went viral on social media.&nbsp;In her speech, Shea also emphasised that it is not too late for the Iranian government "to do the right thing". She reiterated US President Donald Trump's statements and said that Iran "must completely abandon its nuclear enrichment program and all aspirations of acquiring a nuclear weapon". Dorothy Shea stated that Israel has repeatedly called for Israel's destruction as well as for "death to America".&nbsp;As much as she confirmed the US was not involved in Israeli raids on Iran, the American diplomat said, “Let there be no doubt that the United States continues to stand with Israel and supports its actions against Iran's nuclear ambitions.” The American diplomat explained that Iran's leaders could have avoided the current war if they had accepted an agreement that would have prevented them from ever having a nuclear weapon.&nbsp;By rejecting the deal, Shea explained, Iran has everything it requires to have a nuclear weapon, adding that the only thing left for it to have now is a decision by its top leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">🚨 BREAKING: US ambassador Dorothy Shea accidentally says something honest at the UN Security Council “Israel’s government has also spread chaos, terror, and suffering throughout the region...” A Freudian slip for the ages: <a href="https://t.co/lnwPsDkHov">pic.twitter.com/lnwPsDkHov</a>&mdash; Decensored News (@decensorednews) <a href="https://twitter.com/decensorednews/status/1936100492045640063?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump will be making a decision on joining Israel in attacking Iran or not, in two weeks as the war between Israel and Iran continues for a week now with Israel attacking Tehran's nuclear facilities and military officials. During White House briefing, spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said that trump will “make a decision on whether to attack Iran within two weeks.”&nbsp;"Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks," Trump said in a statement read out by his press secretary, Karoline Leavitt.&nbsp;The White House added that “correspondence has continued with Iran.” An Israeli official on Thursday told The Times of Israel that it expects that US President Donald Trump will join the strikes against Iran’s nuclear program. “The expectation is that they join, but no one is pushing them,” says the official. “They have to make their own decision.”“We’ll know in the next 24-48 hours,” the official estimated, before the White House said that the US president will decide in the next two weeks.

Oops! US envoy accidentally blames Israel for ‘chaos and terror’ at UN- WATCH

Amid the rising tensions between Israel and Iran, a US envoy at a UN Security Council meeting on Friday stumbled and accidentally blamed Jerusalem for spreading "chaos, terror and suffering" in the Middle East before realising her mistake. The US Chargé d'Affaires ad interim to the UN, Dorothy Shea, was giving a speech during the UNSC, condemning Iran's activities against Israel. "Israel's government has also spread chaos, terror and suffering throughout the region," Shea reads out. She then takes an awkward pause, shakes her head as she quickly corrects herself and repeats the sentence, “Iran's government has also spread chaos, terror and suffering throughout the region.” She continues with her speech, “Let us not forget that the Iranian government was an enabling and ideological material force behind Hamas's deadly assault on Israel.” This slip-up by the senior US diplomat on a stage as large as the United Nations Security Council went viral on social media. In her speech, Shea also emphasised that it is not too late for the Iranian government "to do the right thing". She reiterated US President Donald Trump's statements and said that Iran "must completely abandon its nuclear enrichment program and all aspirations of acquiring a nuclear weapon". Dorothy Shea stated that Israel has repeatedly called for Israel's destruction as well as for "death to America". As much as she confirmed the US was not involved in Israeli raids on Iran, the American diplomat said, “Let there be no doubt that the United States continues to stand with Israel and supports its actions against Iran's nuclear ambitions.” The American diplomat explained that Iran's leaders could have avoided the current war if they had accepted an agreement that would have prevented them from ever having a nuclear weapon. By rejecting the deal, Shea explained, Iran has everything it requires to have a nuclear weapon, adding that the only thing left for it to have now is a decision by its top leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The US Chargé d’Affaires ad interim to the UN, Dorothy Shea, was delivering a speech at the UNSC, condemning Iran's actions against Israel

From Gaza to the Democratic Republic of Congo, from Ukraine to Haiti, children have never been more brutalised by war, claims a United Nations report. In a devastating annual report released Thursday (Jun 19), the UN revealed that grave violations against children in armed conflicts surged by a whopping 25 per cent in 2024 — the highest level in nearly three decades. The report has detailed thousands of grave violations against children in the year 2024 – the highest since the monitoring tool was put into place 30 years ago.<h2>A record of horrors: Shocking figures revealed</h2>As per the report from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, "In 2024, violence against children in armed conflict reached unprecedented levels, with a staggering 25 per cent surge in the number of grave violations in comparison with 2023."The report — the UN's annual barometer for violence against children in conflict — as per AFP has verified 41,370 grave violations in 2024 alone - 5,149 of these were committed earlier but confirmed in 2024. This includes more than 4,500 children killed and nearly 7,000 injured, many in indiscriminate airstrikes, ground battles and drone attacks.2024's numbers beat the earlier record, set by 2023, another record high. It must be noted that 2023 itself was 21 per cent higher than the year before.Children continue to bear "the brunt of relentless hostilities and indiscriminate attacks," the report said. It also includes, in its appendix, a "list of shame" which calls out those responsible for these violations.<h2>Which countries recorded the highest violence against children?</h2>Topping the UN's list is the Palestinian territories, where 8,500 violations were recorded — more than half of them in Gaza and the vast majority committed by Israeli forces, according to the UN.At least 1,259 Palestinian children were confirmed killed in Gaza in 2024, with the UN still verifying claims related to another 4,470 dead children. The numbers exploded after Israel's brutal response to Hamas's October 7 attack.Beyond Gaza, several other countries saw massive child suffering in 2024:- Democratic Republic of Congo: Over 4,000 grave violations - Somalia: 2,500+ cases - Nigeria: Nearly 2,500 violations - Haiti: 2,200+ cases&nbsp;"We are at the point of no return," said Virginia Gamba, the UN Secretary-General's special representative for children in armed conflict."The cries of 22,495 innocent children who should be learning to read or play ball -- but instead have been forced to learn how to survive gunfire and bombings -- should keep all of us awake at night," she said, adding, "This must serve as a wake-up call". &nbsp;

The report has detailed thousands of grave violations against children in the year 2024 – the highest since the monitoring tool was put into place 30 years ago.

From Gaza to the Democratic Republic of Congo, from Ukraine to Haiti, children have never been more brutalised by war, claims a United Nations report. In a devastating annual report released Thursday (Jun 19), the UN revealed that grave violations against children in armed conflicts surged by a whopping 25 per cent in 2024 — the highest level in nearly three decades. The report has detailed thousands of grave violations against children in the year 2024 – the highest since the monitoring tool was put into place 30 years ago. A record of horrors: Shocking figures revealed As per the report from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, "In 2024, violence against children in armed conflict reached unprecedented levels, with a staggering 25 per cent surge in the number of grave violations in comparison with 2023." The report — the UN's annual barometer for violence against children in conflict — as per AFP has verified 41,370 grave violations in 2024 alone - 5,149 of these were committed earlier but confirmed in 2024. This includes more than 4,500 children killed and nearly 7,000 injured, many in indiscriminate airstrikes, ground battles and drone attacks. 2024's numbers beat the earlier record, set by 2023, another record high. It must be noted that 2023 itself was 21 per cent higher than the year before. Children continue to bear "the brunt of relentless hostilities and indiscriminate attacks," the report said. It also includes, in its appendix, a "list of shame" which calls out those responsible for these violations. Which countries recorded the highest violence against children? Topping the UN's list is the Palestinian territories, where 8,500 violations were recorded — more than half of them in Gaza and the vast majority committed by Israeli forces, according to the UN. At least 1,259 Palestinian children were confirmed killed in Gaza in 2024, with the UN still verifying claims related to another 4,470 dead children. The numbers exploded after Israel's brutal response to Hamas's October 7 attack. Beyond Gaza, several other countries saw massive child suffering in 2024: - Democratic Republic of Congo: Over 4,000 grave violations - Somalia: 2,500+ cases - Nigeria: Nearly 2,500 violations - Haiti: 2,200+ cases "We are at the point of no return," said Virginia Gamba, the UN Secretary-General's special representative for children in armed conflict. "The cries of 22,495 innocent children who should be learning to read or play ball -- but instead have been forced to learn how to survive gunfire and bombings -- should keep all of us awake at night," she said, adding, "This must serve as a wake-up call".

The report has detailed thousands of grave violations against children in the year 2024 – the highest since the monitoring tool was put into place 30 years ago.

'List of shame': Violence against children in conflict zones hit 'unprecedented levels' in 2024, reveals UN report

<div dir="auto" data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">The terror attack in Pahalgam, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/jammu-and-kashmir">Jammu and Kashmir</a>, on April 22, 2025, which killed 26 innocent people and injured multiple, has once again resurrected tensions in South Asia. While India has taken numerous major actions against the neighbouring country, Pakistan has responded with an invitation to seek a &lsquo;neutral international probe&rsquo;, with an open invitation for the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/united-nations">United Nations</a> to intervene.</div>
<div dir="auto"></div>
<div dir="auto">On its face, Islamabad's action is a positive, even pacifying, step. But looked closely &mdash; in the context of history, timing, diplomatic calculation and regional politics &mdash; it looks more a tactical move than a genuine move for justice.</div>
<div dir="auto"></div>
<div dir="auto">According to several media reports, Pakistan has demanded&nbsp; an &lsquo;independent&rsquo; and &lsquo;neutral&rsquo; investigation overseen by international observers. Pakistan has stressed that only a third-party-led inquiry could &lsquo;credibly establish the truth&rsquo; of the Pahalgam terror attack.</div>
<div dir="auto"></div>
<div dir="auto">Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/what-is-sachet-the-national-disaster-alert-app-pm-modi-mentioned-in-mann-ki-baat-9006715">What is 'Sachet,' the national disaster alert app PM Modi mentioned in Mann Ki Baat?</a>
<div class="publive-dynamic-container dynamic-container">
<div class="story-highlightshead"></div>
</div>
</div>
<div dir="auto"> This is essential framing. By insisting on external intervention, Pakistan acts as a helpful player while implying that India is incapable of independently investigating terror attacks in a fair manner. It's a familiar diplomatic script &mdash; one that we have been seeing for quite a while now.</div>
<h2 dir="auto">What history tells</h2>
<div dir="auto">Pakistan&rsquo;s previous record puts to question the credibility of its recent offer. From the 26/11 Mumbai attacks to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/pulwama">Pulwama</a> bombing, Islamabad has either denied any Pakistani-based terror groups' involvement or insisted on irrefutable evidence, all while hindering or derailing investigations internally.</div>
<div dir="auto"></div>
<div dir="auto">In the Pulwama case, for example, even after Jaish-e-Mohammed took responsibility and India brought dossiers of evidence, Pakistan stalled under the pretext of &lsquo;examining&rsquo; the evidence &mdash; a tactic now infamous in diplomatic circles.</div>
<div dir="auto"></div>
<div dir="auto">Likewise, after the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/uri-attack">Uri attack</a> (2016) and Pathankot (2016), even so-called &lsquo;joint investigation efforts&rsquo; fell through when Pakistani investigators tried to deflect blame on India.</div>
<div dir="auto"></div>
<div dir="auto">With this history, Pakistan's present proposal seems to be more aimed at displaying diplomatic maturity in front of the international community than to achieve actual accountability.&nbsp;By talking about an international investigation, Pakistan is trying to shift the script &mdash; from that of a would-be perpetrator (or an accomplice) to that of a stakeholder in the war against terror. It's a classic ploy: Be in a corner, internationalise the crisis so that&nbsp; blame gets watered down.</div>
<div dir="auto"></div>
<div dir="auto">Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-give-befitting-reply-to-perpetrators-of-pahalgam-terror-attack-says-pm-modi-9006610">PM Modi sends stern warning after Pahalgam terror attack; 'conspirators and perpetrators will face the harshest response'</a>
<div class="publive-dynamic-container dynamic-container">
<div class="story-highlightshead"></div>
</div>
</div>
<div dir="auto"> The New York Times pointed out that Pakistan&rsquo;s appeal appears to be partly designed for an American and European audience, where demands for &lsquo;dialogue&rsquo; and &lsquo;neutral probes&rsquo; tend to receive a sympathetic hearing. By presenting itself as reasonable and cooperative, Pakistan attempts to muddy the distinction between victim and perpetrator in the minds of global policymakers.</div>
<div dir="auto"></div>
<div dir="auto">Yet, there is a potential risk for Pakistan as well: If ever there is an actually independent international investigation (one cannot be sure), it might reveal painful realities regarding terror havens running within its borders.</div>
<div dir="auto"></div>
<div dir="auto">India, in turn, has to walk a tight rope. Blunt rejection of the offer might be seen as reactive; blind acceptance might enable Pakistan to hijack the process.</div>
<div dir="auto">While Pakistan's proposal for an international investigation into the Pahalgam terror attack is framed as a high-minded gesture, history, timing, and strategic calculations lead to a different conclusion: It is much about diplomatic survival.</div>
<div dir="auto"></div>
<div dir="auto">Without measurable actions &mdash; such as destroying known terror networks, surrendering terrorists, and prosecuting facilitators &mdash; Pakistan's newest proposal will be perceived as yet another eyewash rather than a genuine step.</div>
<div dir="auto"></div>
<div dir="auto">More than empty words and diplomatic drama, victims of Pahalgam deserve justice. They deserve real change.</div>

Opinions & Blogs, India News, World, South Asia, Pakistan: More than empty words and diplomatic drama, victims of Pahalgam deserve justice. They deserve real change

The terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which killed 26 innocent people and injured multiple, has once again resurrected tensions in South Asia. While India has taken numerous major actions against the neighbouring country, Pakistan has responded with an invitation to seek a ‘neutral international probe’, with an open invitation for the United Nations to intervene. On its face, Islamabad's action is a positive, even pacifying, step. But looked closely — in the context of history, timing, diplomatic calculation and regional politics — it looks more a tactical move than a genuine move for justice. According to several media reports, Pakistan has demanded an ‘independent’ and ‘neutral’ investigation overseen by international observers. Pakistan has stressed that only a third-party-led inquiry could ‘credibly establish the truth’ of the Pahalgam terror attack. Also Read: What is 'Sachet,' the national disaster alert app PM Modi mentioned in Mann Ki Baat? This is essential framing. By insisting on external intervention, Pakistan acts as a helpful player while implying that India is incapable of independently investigating terror attacks in a fair manner. It's a familiar diplomatic script — one that we have been seeing for quite a while now. What history tells Pakistan’s previous record puts to question the credibility of its recent offer. From the 26/11 Mumbai attacks to the Pulwama bombing, Islamabad has either denied any Pakistani-based terror groups' involvement or insisted on irrefutable evidence, all while hindering or derailing investigations internally. In the Pulwama case, for example, even after Jaish-e-Mohammed took responsibility and India brought dossiers of evidence, Pakistan stalled under the pretext of ‘examining’ the evidence — a tactic now infamous in diplomatic circles. Likewise, after the Uri attack (2016) and Pathankot (2016), even so-called ‘joint investigation efforts’ fell through when Pakistani investigators tried to deflect blame on India. With this history, Pakistan's present proposal seems to be more aimed at displaying diplomatic maturity in front of the international community than to achieve actual accountability. By talking about an international investigation, Pakistan is trying to shift the script — from that of a would-be perpetrator (or an accomplice) to that of a stakeholder in the war against terror. It's a classic ploy: Be in a corner, internationalise the crisis so that blame gets watered down. Also Read: PM Modi sends stern warning after Pahalgam terror attack; 'conspirators and perpetrators will face the harshest response' The New York Times pointed out that Pakistan’s appeal appears to be partly designed for an American and European audience, where demands for ‘dialogue’ and ‘neutral probes’ tend to receive a sympathetic hearing. By presenting itself as reasonable and cooperative, Pakistan attempts to muddy the distinction between victim and perpetrator in the minds of global policymakers. Yet, there is a potential risk for Pakistan as well: If ever there is an actually independent international investigation (one cannot be sure), it might reveal painful realities regarding terror havens running within its borders. India, in turn, has to walk a tight rope. Blunt rejection of the offer might be seen as reactive; blind acceptance might enable Pakistan to hijack the process. While Pakistan's proposal for an international investigation into the Pahalgam terror attack is framed as a high-minded gesture, history, timing, and strategic calculations lead to a different conclusion: It is much about diplomatic survival. Without measurable actions — such as destroying known terror networks, surrendering terrorists, and prosecuting facilitators — Pakistan's newest proposal will be perceived as yet another eyewash rather than a genuine step. More than empty words and diplomatic drama, victims of Pahalgam deserve justice. They deserve real change.

Pahalgam terror attack: Pakistan's 'neutral' probe demand is a page from playbook of terror sponsor state, and it's not new

The UN has released its “Trends in Maternal Mortality 2000–2023” report, revealing deeply concerning data on maternal deaths worldwide. Nigeria tops the list, while India recorded an average of 52 maternal deaths daily. Countries like DR Congo and Pakistan also reported high figures. The report sheds light on urgent gaps in healthcare access and highlights the need for stronger maternal care systems globally.

UN reports: Nigeria has highest number of maternal deaths

Climate change &ndash; a term we are acquainted with, but are our actions complying? Earthlings are no strangers to the changes in weather and other environmental hazards we've witnessed and heard of in recent years. These were not as rampant before, and we have some blame to take here. The United Nations, in its recent report, highlighted that the 'glaciers in many regions will not survive the 21st century'.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nature-new-species-showcase-amazon-rainforests-rich-biodiversity-785895">Nature: New Species Showcase Amazon Rainforest's Rich Biodiversity</a>
Glaciers are melting, we know! But the impact is something we have only heard of. "55&ndash;60% of global annual freshwater flow supply comes from mountains," as cited in the UN World Water Development Report.
"Glaciers in many regions will not survive the 21st century if they keep melting at the current rate, potentially jeopardising hundreds of millions of people living downstream," UN climate experts said.
Which brings us to the point that are we doing enough to save the planet? Will the future generation even have clean drinking water, if nothing else. "It is really high time that we create awareness, and we change our policies, and...we mobilise resources to make sure that we have good policy frameworks in place, and we have good research in place that can help us to mitigate and also adapt to these new changes,&rdquo; said Sulagna Mishra, a scientific officer at the World Meteorological Organisation.
She further emphasised, "When you ask me how many people are actually impacted, it&rsquo;s really everyone."
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/chain-of-underwater-active-volcanic-hotspot-discovered-hiding-near-the-cook-islands-8895121">Chain of underwater active volcanic hotspot discovered hiding near the Cook Islands</a>
Glaciers make up about 70% of the world&rsquo;s freshwater reserves, and as they melt, they meet the sea. The latest data suggests 25 to 30% of the rise in sea levels comes from glacial melt. The sea level is rising by about one millimetre higher every year due to melting snow.
&nbsp;

Glaciers are melting, and the impact is serious. "55–60% of global annual freshwater flow supply comes from mountains," as cited in the UN Report. World

Climate change – a term we are acquainted with, but are our actions complying? Earthlings are no strangers to the changes in weather and other environmental hazards we've witnessed and heard of in recent years. These were not as rampant before, and we have some blame to take here. The United Nations, in its recent report, highlighted that the 'glaciers in many regions will not survive the 21st century'. Also read: Nature: New Species Showcase Amazon Rainforest's Rich Biodiversity Glaciers are melting, we know! But the impact is something we have only heard of. "55–60% of global annual freshwater flow supply comes from mountains," as cited in the UN World Water Development Report. "Glaciers in many regions will not survive the 21st century if they keep melting at the current rate, potentially jeopardising hundreds of millions of people living downstream," UN climate experts said. Which brings us to the point that are we doing enough to save the planet? Will the future generation even have clean drinking water, if nothing else. "It is really high time that we create awareness, and we change our policies, and...we mobilise resources to make sure that we have good policy frameworks in place, and we have good research in place that can help us to mitigate and also adapt to these new changes,” said Sulagna Mishra, a scientific officer at the World Meteorological Organisation. She further emphasised, "When you ask me how many people are actually impacted, it’s really everyone." Also read: Chain of underwater active volcanic hotspot discovered hiding near the Cook Islands Glaciers make up about 70% of the world’s freshwater reserves, and as they melt, they meet the sea. The latest data suggests 25 to 30% of the rise in sea levels comes from glacial melt. The sea level is rising by about one millimetre higher every year due to melting snow.

'Glaciers will not survive 21st century', 2 billion people will be impacted

A new UN report highlights how oceans could play a crucial role in fighting global warming by absorbing CO2 and heat. With nearly 50 field trials in the past four years, scientists are exploring ways to regulate climate through ocean-based solutions. However, critics warn that these efforts are moving too fast with limited safeguards.

UN Report: How oceans could help fight global warming

Iran has turned to tech to increase its surveillance of women's dress code in the country. UN is probing these forms of digital surveillance.

Iranian women under Iran's watch: UN

The United States got its lowest ranking ever in the World Happiness Report 2025. According to the United Nations-sponsored report published on Thursday (March 20), the US is ranked 24th in the list due to one main reason: the growth in the number of Americans eating their meals alone.&nbsp; Finland ranked first as the world&rsquo;s happiest country for the eighth straight year in the World Happiness Report due to its big lakes and smooth welfare system, which lift people's mood.&nbsp;
For the first time, Mexico ranked 6th, and Costa Rica ranked 10th in the list, coming within the top 10. Afghanistan is ranked as the unhappiest country of the world due to its humanitarian catastrophe since the Taliban's takeover in 2020.
Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-appoints-13-year-old-dj-daniel-as-united-states-secret-service-agent-8795358">Who is DJ Daniel? Trump appoints 13-year-old cancer survivor as United States Secret Service agent.</a>
The United States is positioned in 24th place, its lowest rank since the first report was launched in 2012 when it had recorded its highest showing at number 11.&ldquo;The number of people dining alone in the United States has increased 53 per cent over the past two decades,&rdquo; the report said.
It highlighted that shared meal time is connected with well-being. Another reason contributing to America's fall in the rankings was &ldquo;the growth in political polarisation and votes against 'the system'.&rdquo;&nbsp;
<h2>Details of the report</h2>
The report said, &ldquo;The increasing number of people who eat alone is one reason for declining well-being in the United States.&rdquo;
In the year 2023, around one in four Americans surveyed said they ate all their meals alone.
It also observed that the United States was one of few developed countries to see a growth in suicide or substance abuse at a time when those deaths are less in other countries.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-as-trump-pulls-a-chair-for-netanyahu-netizens-ask-whos-president-of-united-states-8693346">Watch: As Trump pulls a chair for Netanyahu, netizens ask 'Who's president of United States?'</a>
The report surveyed people worldwide in 2022-2024, before US President Donald Trump&rsquo;s return to the White House. Among the 10 happiest, Nordic countries shone bright, with Denmark, Iceland and Sweden following Finland in the list.
The happiness positions are derived on a three-year average of individuals&rsquo; self-assessed evaluations of life satisfaction, as well as social support, GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, generosity, freedom, and political corruption.
(With inputs from agencies)

World: Discover why the US ranks 24th in the World Happiness Report, with a focus on the rise of Americans eating alone and its impact on national well-being.

The United States got its lowest ranking ever in the World Happiness Report 2025. According to the United Nations-sponsored report published on Thursday (March 20), the US is ranked 24th in the list due to one main reason: the growth in the number of Americans eating their meals alone. Finland ranked first as the world’s happiest country for the eighth straight year in the World Happiness Report due to its big lakes and smooth welfare system, which lift people's mood. For the first time, Mexico ranked 6th, and Costa Rica ranked 10th in the list, coming within the top 10. Afghanistan is ranked as the unhappiest country of the world due to its humanitarian catastrophe since the Taliban's takeover in 2020. Also read |Who is DJ Daniel? Trump appoints 13-year-old cancer survivor as United States Secret Service agent. The United States is positioned in 24th place, its lowest rank since the first report was launched in 2012 when it had recorded its highest showing at number 11.“The number of people dining alone in the United States has increased 53 per cent over the past two decades,” the report said. It highlighted that shared meal time is connected with well-being. Another reason contributing to America's fall in the rankings was “the growth in political polarisation and votes against 'the system'.” Details of the report The report said, “The increasing number of people who eat alone is one reason for declining well-being in the United States.” In the year 2023, around one in four Americans surveyed said they ate all their meals alone. It also observed that the United States was one of few developed countries to see a growth in suicide or substance abuse at a time when those deaths are less in other countries. Also read | Watch: As Trump pulls a chair for Netanyahu, netizens ask 'Who's president of United States?' The report surveyed people worldwide in 2022-2024, before US President Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Among the 10 happiest, Nordic countries shone bright, with Denmark, Iceland and Sweden following Finland in the list. The happiness positions are derived on a three-year average of individuals’ self-assessed evaluations of life satisfaction, as well as social support, GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, generosity, freedom, and political corruption. (With inputs from agencies)

Why are Americans unhappy? THIS is the reason, according to World Happiness Report

According to a recent un report India and China saw significant trade growth in the final quarter of 2024, even as global risks continued to mount. While developing economies outpaced expectations, many developed nations struggled with trade contractions.

United Nations report on global trade in 2024

A UN report has exposed Iran’s growing use of electronic surveillance, including drones and facial recognition, to track hijab violations. Thousands of vehicles have been seized as authorities intensify enforcement. Mobile apps and public informants are also playing a role in the crackdown.

Iran uses drones & AI for hijab surveillance, thousands penalised

India strongly rebuked Pakistan at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) meeting in Geneva, rejecting its allegations of human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian envoy dismissed Pakistan’s claims as "baseless and malicious".

India rebukes Pakistan at UN over Kashmir remarks

"Pakistan is a failed state surviving on international handouts": Indian diplomat Kshitij Tyagi at UNHRC. Watch in for more details!

"Pakistan a failed state surviving on international handouts," Indian diplomat slams Pakistan at UNHRC

India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, reaffirmed on Tuesday that Jammu and Kashmir is and will always remain an integral part of India and strongly condemned Pakistan's misinformation campaigns. Watch this report for more details!

'Global epicentre of terrorism': India slams Pakistan at United Nations

India envoy to UN calls Pakistan global epicentre of terrorism

Trump, in a White House news conference on Tuesday alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stunningly proposed "long-term ownership" of Gaza by the United States, triggering an international uproar.
The remarks came after he has repeatedly called in recent days for the war-ravaged territory's residents to move to Jordan or Egypt.
"At its essence, the exercise of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people is about the right of Palestinians to simply live as human beings in their land," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a speech to a UN committee that deals with the rights of Palestinians.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-generous-move-donald-trump-administartion-backtracks-from-us-presidents-gaza-take-over-remark-8694608">Not 'hostile': Trump administartion backtracks from US President's Gaza 'take over' remark</a>
But, he added, "we have seen the realization of those rights steadily slip farther out of reach."
"We have seen a chilling, systematic dehumanisation and demonisation of an entire people," Guterres said.
Guterres said nothing justified the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel that sparked the war in Gaza but "the catalogue of destruction and unspeakable horrors" that came as Israel attacked Gaza relentlessly in reprisal could not be justified either.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, asked specifically about the Trump proposal, said "Any forced displacement of people is tantamount to ethnic cleansing."
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/argentina-follows-donald-trumps-lead-withdraws-from-world-health-organization-covid-19-covid-pandemic-us-covid-pandemic-handling-covid-lockdowns-8694529">Argentina follows Trump's lead, withdraws from World Health Organization</a>
"It is vital that we stay true to the bedrock of international law. It is essential to avoid any form of ethnic cleansing."
After an international outcry, Trump administration officials tried Wednesday to walk back the Trump proposal, saying any displacement of the Palestinians of Gaza would be temporary while the largely destroyed territory is rebuilt.
Trump had also not committed to deploying US troops to carry out his plan, they said.
Guterres insisted on the idea of a two-state solution with Israel and the Palestinians living side by side in peace.
"Any durable peace will require tangible, irreversible and permanent progress toward the two-state solution, an end to the occupation, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian State, with Gaza as an integral part,' he said.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-signs-order-banning-transgender-athletes-from-womens-sports-in-teh-us-to-push-for-similar-ban-in-olympics-next-8694512">'War on women sports'? Donald Trump signs order banning transgender athletes from women's sports</a>
To that end, the Palestinian envoy to the UN Riyad Mansour called for a "successful" international conference at the United Nations to discuss the issue, scheduled for June and co-chaired by Saudia Arabia and France.
Even with large parts of Gaza's north in ruins, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have returned since late January, under a fragile truce that has halted more than 15 months of war.
Gaza's north, which includes Gaza City, has been devastated by Israel's military offensive launched after Hamas's 2023 attack, with homes, hospitals, schools and almost all civil infrastructure flattened.
Mansour reiterated Palestinians' rejection of Trump's plan to take over Gaza.
WATCH: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trumps-gaza-remarks-muslim-leaders-denounce-takeover-plan-8694579">Trump's Gaza remarks: Muslim leaders denounce 'takeover' plan</a>
"We are not going to leave Gaza," he said. "It is part of our homeland, and we don't have a homeland other than the State of Palestine." He added that Palestinians would be "delighted" to return to their homes in present-day Israel from where they were "kicked from."
<div class="post-content">
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.
</div>

World | The remarks came after he has repeatedly called in recent days for the war-ravaged territory's residents to move to Jordan or Egypt.

Trump, in a White House news conference on Tuesday alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stunningly proposed "long-term ownership" of Gaza by the United States, triggering an international uproar. The remarks came after he has repeatedly called in recent days for the war-ravaged territory's residents to move to Jordan or Egypt. "At its essence, the exercise of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people is about the right of Palestinians to simply live as human beings in their land," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a speech to a UN committee that deals with the rights of Palestinians. Also read: Not 'hostile': Trump administartion backtracks from US President's Gaza 'take over' remark But, he added, "we have seen the realization of those rights steadily slip farther out of reach." "We have seen a chilling, systematic dehumanisation and demonisation of an entire people," Guterres said. Guterres said nothing justified the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel that sparked the war in Gaza but "the catalogue of destruction and unspeakable horrors" that came as Israel attacked Gaza relentlessly in reprisal could not be justified either. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, asked specifically about the Trump proposal, said "Any forced displacement of people is tantamount to ethnic cleansing." Also read: Argentina follows Trump's lead, withdraws from World Health Organization "It is vital that we stay true to the bedrock of international law. It is essential to avoid any form of ethnic cleansing." After an international outcry, Trump administration officials tried Wednesday to walk back the Trump proposal, saying any displacement of the Palestinians of Gaza would be temporary while the largely destroyed territory is rebuilt. Trump had also not committed to deploying US troops to carry out his plan, they said. Guterres insisted on the idea of a two-state solution with Israel and the Palestinians living side by side in peace. "Any durable peace will require tangible, irreversible and permanent progress toward the two-state solution, an end to the occupation, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian State, with Gaza as an integral part,' he said. Also read: 'War on women sports'? Donald Trump signs order banning transgender athletes from women's sports To that end, the Palestinian envoy to the UN Riyad Mansour called for a "successful" international conference at the United Nations to discuss the issue, scheduled for June and co-chaired by Saudia Arabia and France. Even with large parts of Gaza's north in ruins, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have returned since late January, under a fragile truce that has halted more than 15 months of war. Gaza's north, which includes Gaza City, has been devastated by Israel's military offensive launched after Hamas's 2023 attack, with homes, hospitals, schools and almost all civil infrastructure flattened. Mansour reiterated Palestinians' rejection of Trump's plan to take over Gaza. WATCH: Trump's Gaza remarks: Muslim leaders denounce 'takeover' plan "We are not going to leave Gaza," he said. "It is part of our homeland, and we don't have a homeland other than the State of Palestine." He added that Palestinians would be "delighted" to return to their homes in present-day Israel from where they were "kicked from." Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

'Systematic dehumanisation': UN chief warns against 'ethnic cleansing' of Gaza after Trump's remark

Year 2024 marked the hottest year in history. This extreme heat, sometimes dubbed the "silent killer," proved deadly in places like Thailand, India, and the United States. Now, a study has found that by the end of the century, dangerous temperatures could kill 50% more people in Europe.

Climate change to boost heat deaths in the South

The United States will officially withdraw from the Paris climate agreement on January 27, 2026, the United Nations confirmed on Tuesday (January 28). Watch this report for more details!

UN confirms US withdrawal from Paris climate agreement

The Israel-Hamas conflict has left Gaza in a state of catastrophic destruction, with an estimated 60 years of development lost. Nearly two-thirds of the region's buildings have been damaged or completely destroyed, amounting to an overwhelming 42 million tonnes of rubble.

Gaza's devastation: 60 years of development lost

The United Nations urged Thailand to immediately halt the deportation of 48 Uyghurs trapped in the country's detention centres to China, warning that the group could face torture or inhumane treatment if they are returned. Responding to the UN, Thai authorities have denied any claims of immediate deportation of the Uyghurs. Watch this video to find out more.

UN experts urge Thailand not to deport dozens of Uyghurs to China

Pakistan began its two-year tenure as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Wednesday, with Ambassador Munir Akram saying that the Pakistani delegation will play an "active and constructive" role in addressing key challenges facing the world.&nbsp;
"Our presence will be felt in the Security Council," Ambassador Akram, Pakistan's top diplomat at the UN, told the state-run APP (Associated Press of Pakistan) news agency.
Pakistan will sit in the Security Council for the 2025-26 term as a non-permanent member, the eighth time that the country has had a seat on the 15-member body's horseshoe table.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-sit-ins-continue-at-six-locations-of-karachi-8582914" rel="dofollow">Pakistan: Sit-ins continue at six locations in Karachi</a>
In June, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/search?title=+Pakistan+" rel="dofollow">Pakistan </a>was elected to the council with a massive majority as a non-permanent member, polling 182 votes in the 193-member General Assembly&mdash;far more than the required 124 votes, representing a two-thirds majority.
"We enter the council at a time of great geopolitical turbulence, intense competition between the two largest powers, raging wars in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere and a sharply escalating and multi-dimensional arms race," Akram said.
"As a responsible State - the fifth largest by population - Pakistan will play an active and constructive role, in accordance with the UN Charter, to halt wars, promote the pacific settlement of disputes and contain the negative impacts of great power rivalries, the arms race, new weapons and domains of conflict as well as the spreading scourge of terrorism," he said.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-suffers-deadliest-year-for-security-forces-amid-rise-in-violence-8581724" rel="dofollow">Pakistan witnesses 'deadliest year' for security forces amid violence surge</a>
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ishaq Dar, said that Pakistan begins its term as a non-permanent member of the UNSC with a rich legacy of experience and commitment to the principles and purposes of the UN Charter.
He was addressing a reception hosted at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Foreign Office said in a statement.
The event was attended by the heads of resident missions of the UN Security Council Member States in Islamabad and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Dar highlighted Pakistan's contributions to international peace and security, especially through its active role in UN peacekeeping and peacebuilding endeavours around the world.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/border-calm-as-taliban-pakistan-agree-to-cease-hostilities-after-fatal-clashes-8575826" rel="dofollow">Border calm as Taliban, Pakistan agree to cease hostilities after fatal clashes</a>
Dar said that Pakistan looked forward to "seeking just and peaceful resolution of situations on the agenda of the UN Security Council".
"As a member of the council, Pakistan will continue to oppose the unilateral and illegal use or threat of force; combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations; and support effective UN peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts," he said.
Pakistan replaced Japan, which currently occupies the Asian seat in the Security Council, a primary instrument for establishing and maintaining international peace.
Pakistan's earlier terms on the council were in 2012-13, 2003-04, 1993-94, 1983-84, 1976-77, 1968-69, and 1952-53.
In the June election in the General Assembly, Pakistan was elected along with Denmark, Greece, Panama, and Somalia to replace Japan, Ecuador, Malta, Mozambique, and Switzerland, whose terms end on December 31, 2024.
The new members join the five veto-wielding permanent members: the United States, Russia, China, United Kingdom, and France, and the five countries elected as non-permanent members last year, Algeria, Guyana, South Korea, Sierra Leone, and Slovenia.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

World, South Asia: Pakistan will sit in the Security Council for the 2025-26 term as a non-permanent member, the eighth time that the country has had a seat on the table.

Pakistan began its two-year tenure as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Wednesday, with Ambassador Munir Akram saying that the Pakistani delegation will play an "active and constructive" role in addressing key challenges facing the world. "Our presence will be felt in the Security Council," Ambassador Akram, Pakistan's top diplomat at the UN, told the state-run APP (Associated Press of Pakistan) news agency. Pakistan will sit in the Security Council for the 2025-26 term as a non-permanent member, the eighth time that the country has had a seat on the 15-member body's horseshoe table. Also read: Pakistan: Sit-ins continue at six locations in Karachi In June, Pakistan was elected to the council with a massive majority as a non-permanent member, polling 182 votes in the 193-member General Assembly—far more than the required 124 votes, representing a two-thirds majority. "We enter the council at a time of great geopolitical turbulence, intense competition between the two largest powers, raging wars in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere and a sharply escalating and multi-dimensional arms race," Akram said. "As a responsible State - the fifth largest by population - Pakistan will play an active and constructive role, in accordance with the UN Charter, to halt wars, promote the pacific settlement of disputes and contain the negative impacts of great power rivalries, the arms race, new weapons and domains of conflict as well as the spreading scourge of terrorism," he said. Also read: Pakistan witnesses 'deadliest year' for security forces amid violence surge Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ishaq Dar, said that Pakistan begins its term as a non-permanent member of the UNSC with a rich legacy of experience and commitment to the principles and purposes of the UN Charter. He was addressing a reception hosted at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Foreign Office said in a statement. The event was attended by the heads of resident missions of the UN Security Council Member States in Islamabad and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Dar highlighted Pakistan's contributions to international peace and security, especially through its active role in UN peacekeeping and peacebuilding endeavours around the world. Also read: Border calm as Taliban, Pakistan agree to cease hostilities after fatal clashes Dar said that Pakistan looked forward to "seeking just and peaceful resolution of situations on the agenda of the UN Security Council". "As a member of the council, Pakistan will continue to oppose the unilateral and illegal use or threat of force; combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations; and support effective UN peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts," he said. Pakistan replaced Japan, which currently occupies the Asian seat in the Security Council, a primary instrument for establishing and maintaining international peace. Pakistan's earlier terms on the council were in 2012-13, 2003-04, 1993-94, 1983-84, 1976-77, 1968-69, and 1952-53. In the June election in the General Assembly, Pakistan was elected along with Denmark, Greece, Panama, and Somalia to replace Japan, Ecuador, Malta, Mozambique, and Switzerland, whose terms end on December 31, 2024. The new members join the five veto-wielding permanent members: the United States, Russia, China, United Kingdom, and France, and the five countries elected as non-permanent members last year, Algeria, Guyana, South Korea, Sierra Leone, and Slovenia. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Pakistan begins its two-year tenure at UN Security Council as non-permanent member

As the year comes to an end, the United Nations has urged the world to pull back from the road to ruin, warning that climate change sparked a trail of extreme weather and record heat in 2024. The UN's weather and climate agency has said that the outgoing year is set to be the warmest ever recorded, capping a decade of unprecedented heat. Watch in for more details!

Top 10 Hottest Years On Record Have Happened In Last 10 Years: UN

A UN envoy called for a quick end to Western sanctions against Syria as the country's new leaders and regional and global powers begin to chart a path forward following the fall of President Bashar Assad.

After Assad's Ouster in Syria, UN Envoy Calls For End to Sanctions

The United Nations (UN) has adopted a resolution announcing December 21 as World Meditation Day, co-sponsored by India. The sponsor group also includes Sri Lanka, Liechtenstein, Nepal, Mexico, and Andorra.&nbsp;

India’s permanent representative to the UN, ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, said in a post on X, “A day for comprehensive well-being and inner transformation! Glad that India, along with other nations of the core group, guided the unanimous adoption of the resolution on the declaration of December 21 as World Meditation Day".&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
A day for comprehensive well being and inner transformation! 
 
Glad that India alongwith other nations of the core group guided the unanimous adoption of the resolution on declaration of 21 December as World Meditation Day <a href="https://twitter.com/UN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UN</a> General Assembly today. 
 
India’s leadership in… <a href="https://t.co/4ARgXw4yXm">pic.twitter.com/4ARgXw4yXm</a>
— Parvathaneni Harish (@AmbHarishP) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmbHarishP/status/1865096156931359085?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Harish highlighted that the date coincides with the beginning of 'Uttarayan' in Indian tradition. "December 21 is an auspicious time of the year, especially for inner reflection and meditation,” he said, adding that the date also falls exactly six months after the&nbsp;International Day of Yoga, which is celebrated on June 21.

Watch |&nbsp;UnitedHealthcare CEO Murder: Unanswered Questions About The Assasin

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/unitedhealthcare-ceo-murder-unanswered-questions-about-the-assasin-782248/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

India's permanent mission to the UN further highlighted the benefits of mediation saying it is "an effective tool to achieve inner transformation and peace in the modern day.”&nbsp;

“Modern science attests to the numerous benefits of meditation, including significant stress reduction and enhanced cognitive and physical functions, " the mission further added.&nbsp;

Harish also pointed out India's role in promoting global health by recalling the success of the international Yoga Day, declared in 2014.&nbsp;

“In a decade, it has become a global movement, leading to common people across the globe practising yoga and making it part of their daily lives,” he added.&nbsp;

The resolution is aimed at promoting meditation as a practice for fostering harmony between mind and body and improving overall well-being.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The United Nations (UN) has adopted a resolution announcing December 21 as World Meditation Day, co-sponsored by India. The sponsor group also includes Sri Lanka, Liechtenstein, Nepal, Mexico, and Andorra.

The United Nations (UN) has adopted a resolution announcing December 21 as World Meditation Day, co-sponsored by India. The sponsor group also includes Sri Lanka, Liechtenstein, Nepal, Mexico, and Andorra. India’s permanent representative to the UN, ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, said in a post on X, “A day for comprehensive well-being and inner transformation! Glad that India, along with other nations of the core group, guided the unanimous adoption of the resolution on the declaration of December 21 as World Meditation Day". A day for comprehensive well being and inner transformation! Glad that India alongwith other nations of the core group guided the unanimous adoption of the resolution on declaration of 21 December as World Meditation Day @UN General Assembly today. India’s leadership in… pic.twitter.com/4ARgXw4yXm — Parvathaneni Harish (@AmbHarishP) December 6, 2024 × Harish highlighted that the date coincides with the beginning of 'Uttarayan' in Indian tradition. "December 21 is an auspicious time of the year, especially for inner reflection and meditation,” he said, adding that the date also falls exactly six months after the International Day of Yoga, which is celebrated on June 21. Watch | UnitedHealthcare CEO Murder: Unanswered Questions About The Assasin × India's permanent mission to the UN further highlighted the benefits of mediation saying it is "an effective tool to achieve inner transformation and peace in the modern day.” “Modern science attests to the numerous benefits of meditation, including significant stress reduction and enhanced cognitive and physical functions, " the mission further added. Harish also pointed out India's role in promoting global health by recalling the success of the international Yoga Day, declared in 2014. “In a decade, it has become a global movement, leading to common people across the globe practising yoga and making it part of their daily lives,” he added. The resolution is aimed at promoting meditation as a practice for fostering harmony between mind and body and improving overall well-being. (With inputs from agencies)

UN declares December 21 as World Meditation Day, India is co-sponsor

The United States on Wednesday vetoed a UN Security Council push to call for a ceasefire in Gaza that Washington said would have emboldened Hamas.

The resolution demanded "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" in the war between Israel and the Palestinian group, along with "the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages."

But the wording angered Israel, with a senior US official warning ahead of the vote that the resolution had "the potential only to buoy Hamas, which will have no reason to come to the negotiating table."

Israel's UN ambassador Danny Danon said, "The resolution being considered by the Security Council today is nothing short of a betrayal."

"For us, it has to be a linkage between a ceasefire and the release of hostages," said Robert Wood, the deputy US ambassador to the United Nations. "It has been our principle position from the beginning and it still remains."

The war was triggered by the assault on Israel by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023, a stunning cross-border raid that resulted in the deaths of 1,206 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.

The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza claims&nbsp;the death toll from the resulting war had reached 43,985 people, the majority being civilians. The United Nations considers the figures reliable.

Of the 251 hostages seized during the October 7 attack, 97 remain in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead.

Almost all of Gaza's 2.4 million people have been displaced by the war, which has caused a humanitarian catastrophe.

<h2>Gaza 'will haunt'&nbsp;</h2>

Since the beginning of the conflict, the Security Council has struggled to speak with one voice, as the United States has used its veto power several times, although Russia and China have as well.

"China kept demanding 'stronger language'," said the US official, who also claimed that Russia had been "pulling strings" with the countries responsible for pushing the latest resolution.&nbsp;

The few resolutions that the United States did allow to pass by abstaining stopped short of calling for an unconditional and permanent ceasefire.

In March, the council called for a temporary ceasefire during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, but this appeal was ignored by the warring parties.

And in June, the 15-member body pledged support for a US resolution that laid out a multi-stage ceasefire and hostage release plan that ultimately went nowhere.

"We regret that the Council could have incorporated compromise language the UK put forward to bridge the existing gaps... With that language, this resolution should have been adopted," Wood, the US envoy, said following the vote.

Some diplomats have expressed optimism that following Donald Trump's election win on November 5, President Joe Biden might be more flexible in his few remaining weeks in power.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwj3k-WSreuJAxXGzTgGHflePSoQxfQBKAB6BAgOEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/future-un-climate-summits-should-only-be-held-in-nations-that-experts-776453" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/future-un-climate-summits-should-only-be-held-in-nations-that-experts-776453&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj3k-WSreuJAxXGzTgGHflePSoQxfQBKAB6BAgOEAE">Future UN climate summits should only be held in nations that...: Experts</a>

They hoped for a repeat of December 2016 when then-president Barack Obama's second term was finishing and the council passed a resolution calling for a halt to Israeli settlement building in the occupied territories, a first since 1979.

The United States refrained from using its veto then, a break from traditional US support for Israel on the sensitive issue of settlements.

The resolution vetoed on Wednesday calls for "safe and unhindered entry of humanitarian assistance at scale," including in besieged northern Gaza, and denounces any attempt to starve the Palestinians.

The Palestinian delegation at the United Nations has suggested the text did not go far enough.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwj3k-WSreuJAxXGzTgGHflePSoQxfQBKAB6BAgPEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/1000-days-of-russia-ukraine-war-un-says-war-in-ukraine-rages-on-undiminished-as-milestone-marked-777380" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/videos/1000-days-of-russia-ukraine-war-un-says-war-in-ukraine-rages-on-undiminished-as-milestone-marked-777380&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj3k-WSreuJAxXGzTgGHflePSoQxfQBKAB6BAgPEAE">1,000 Days of Russia-Ukraine War: UN Says War in Ukraine Rages on Undiminished as Milestone Marked</a>

"Gaza's fate will haunt the world for generations to come," ambassador Riyad Mansour warned.

He said the only course of action for the Security Council is to call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire under Chapter 7 of the UN charter.

That chapter allows the council to take steps to enforce its resolutions, such as sanctions, but the latest text made no reference to this option.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience. 
&nbsp;

The United States on Wednesday vetoed a UN Security Council push to call for a ceasefire in Gaza that Washington said would have emboldened Hamas. The resolution demanded "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" in the war between Israel and the Palestinian group, along with "the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

The United States on Wednesday vetoed a UN Security Council push to call for a ceasefire in Gaza that Washington said would have emboldened Hamas. The resolution demanded "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" in the war between Israel and the Palestinian group, along with "the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages." But the wording angered Israel, with a senior US official warning ahead of the vote that the resolution had "the potential only to buoy Hamas, which will have no reason to come to the negotiating table." Israel's UN ambassador Danny Danon said, "The resolution being considered by the Security Council today is nothing short of a betrayal." "For us, it has to be a linkage between a ceasefire and the release of hostages," said Robert Wood, the deputy US ambassador to the United Nations. "It has been our principle position from the beginning and it still remains." The war was triggered by the assault on Israel by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023, a stunning cross-border raid that resulted in the deaths of 1,206 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza claims the death toll from the resulting war had reached 43,985 people, the majority being civilians. The United Nations considers the figures reliable. Of the 251 hostages seized during the October 7 attack, 97 remain in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead. Almost all of Gaza's 2.4 million people have been displaced by the war, which has caused a humanitarian catastrophe. Gaza 'will haunt' Since the beginning of the conflict, the Security Council has struggled to speak with one voice, as the United States has used its veto power several times, although Russia and China have as well. "China kept demanding 'stronger language'," said the US official, who also claimed that Russia had been "pulling strings" with the countries responsible for pushing the latest resolution. The few resolutions that the United States did allow to pass by abstaining stopped short of calling for an unconditional and permanent ceasefire. In March, the council called for a temporary ceasefire during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, but this appeal was ignored by the warring parties. And in June, the 15-member body pledged support for a US resolution that laid out a multi-stage ceasefire and hostage release plan that ultimately went nowhere. "We regret that the Council could have incorporated compromise language the UK put forward to bridge the existing gaps... With that language, this resolution should have been adopted," Wood, the US envoy, said following the vote. Some diplomats have expressed optimism that following Donald Trump's election win on November 5, President Joe Biden might be more flexible in his few remaining weeks in power. Also read: Future UN climate summits should only be held in nations that...: Experts They hoped for a repeat of December 2016 when then-president Barack Obama's second term was finishing and the council passed a resolution calling for a halt to Israeli settlement building in the occupied territories, a first since 1979. The United States refrained from using its veto then, a break from traditional US support for Israel on the sensitive issue of settlements. The resolution vetoed on Wednesday calls for "safe and unhindered entry of humanitarian assistance at scale," including in besieged northern Gaza, and denounces any attempt to starve the Palestinians. The Palestinian delegation at the United Nations has suggested the text did not go far enough. Also read: 1,000 Days of Russia-Ukraine War: UN Says War in Ukraine Rages on Undiminished as Milestone Marked "Gaza's fate will haunt the world for generations to come," ambassador Riyad Mansour warned. He said the only course of action for the Security Council is to call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire under Chapter 7 of the UN charter. That chapter allows the council to take steps to enforce its resolutions, such as sanctions, but the latest text made no reference to this option. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Israel-Hamas war: US blocks UN push calling for ceasefire in Gaza

united-nations

United Nations, News on United Nations, stories on United Nations, articles on United Nations, United Nations stories at Wion, United Nations news, United Nations latest news

united nations