Latest news with #UnitedNations
Express Tribune
an hour ago
- Science
- Express Tribune
Global warming likely to stay at historic levels
Listen to article The United Nations warned on Wednesday there is a 70 percent chance that average warming from 2025 to 2029 will exceed the 1.5 degrees Celsius international benchmark. The planet is therefore expected to remain at historic levels of warming after the two hottest years ever recorded in 2023 and 2024, according to an annual climate report published by the World Meteorological Organization, the UN's weather and climate agency. "We have just experienced the 10 warmest years on record," said the WMO's deputy secretary-general Ko Barrett. "Unfortunately, this WMO report provides no sign of respite over the coming years, and this means that there will be a growing negative impact on our economies, our daily lives, our ecosystems and our planet." The 2015 Paris climate accords aimed to limit global warming to well below 2C above pre-industrial levels — and to 1.5C if possible. The targets are calculated relative to the 1850-1900 average, before humanity began industrially burning coal, oil, and gas, which emits carbon dioxide (CO2) — the greenhouse gas largely responsible for climate change. The more optimistic 1.5C target is one that growing numbers of climate scientists now consider impossible to achieve, as CO2 emissions are still increasing. The WMO's latest projections are compiled by Britain's Met Office national weather service, based on forecasts from multiple global centres. The agency forecasts that the global mean near-surface temperature for each year between 2025 and 2029 will be between 1.2C and 1.9C above the pre-industrial average. It says there is a 70 percent chance that average warming across the 2025-2029 period will exceed 1.5C. "This is entirely consistent with our proximity to passing 1.5C on a long-term basis in the late 2020s or early 2030s," said Peter Thorne, director of the Irish Climate Analysis and Research Units group at the University of Maynooth. "I would expect in two to three years this probability to be 100 percent" in the five-year outlook, he added. The WMO says there is an 80 percent chance that at least one year between 2025 and 2029 will be warmer than the warmest year on record (2024). To smooth out natural climate variations, several methods assess long-term warming, the WMO's climate services director Christopher Hewitt told a press conference. One approach combines observations from the past 10 years with projections for the next decade. This predicts that the 20-year average warming for 2015-2034 will be 1.44C. There is no consensus yet on how best to assess long-term warming.
NDTV
2 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Israel And UN Clash Over Aid To Gaza
United Nations: Israel accused the United Nations Wednesday of seeking to "block" Gaza aid distribution, as the global body said it was doing its utmost to gather the limited assistance greenlighted by Israel's authorities. The humanitarian situation in Gaza, where Israel has imposed a two-month aid blockade, is dire, with food security experts saying starvation is looming for one in five people. "While the UN spreads panic and makes declarations detached from reality, the state of Israel is steadily facilitating the entry of aid into Gaza," Israel's United Nations Ambassador Danny Danon told the Security Council. He said the assistance was entering by trucks -- under limited authorization by Israel at the Kerem Shalom crossing since last week following the blockade -- and via a "new distribution mechanism developed in coordination with the US and key international partners." Danon was referring to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a private, US-backed aid group that has established its own distribution system, one the United Nations considers contrary to its humanitarian principles. A chaotic distribution of aid at a GHF center Tuesday left 47 people wounded. Israel's ambassador blamed Hamas for the tumult, saying the Palestinian group set up roadblocks and checkpoints to block access to the distribution center. He accused the UN of "trying to block" the aid. The United Nations "is using threats, intimidation and retaliation against NGOs that choose to participate in the new humanitarian mechanism," Danon added. - 'Will not participate' - Danon specifically accused the United Nations of having removed these nongovernmental organizations from a database listing groups working in Gaza, an accusation rejected by the UN. "There are no differences between the current list and the one from before the launch of the GHF," Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, told AFP. But the UN reiterated its opposition to coordinating with GHF. "We will not participate in operations that do not meet our humanitarian principles," insisted Dujarric. He also said the UN was doing all it could to gather the aid arriving through Kerem Shalom. Since last week 800 truckloads were approved by Israel but fewer than 500 made it into Gaza, according to Dujarric. "We and our partners could collect just over 200 of them, limited by insecurity and restricted access," he said. "If we're not able to pick up those goods, I can tell you one thing, it is not for lack of trying." Danon had said "more than 400 trucks" full of aid were already on the Gaza side of the crossing and that Israel had provided "safe routes" for the distribution. "But the UN did not show up," the Israeli envoy said. "Put your ego aside, pick up the aid and do your job." Israeli military operations in Gaza have killed at least 54,804 people, mostly civilians, according to the health ministry there. The UN considers the figures reliable. The punishing offensive has reduced much of the Palestinian territory to rubble -- including hospitals, schools and other basic infrastructure -- and resulted in the displacement of almost all of its roughly two million people. Israel launched its operations in response to the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, which killed 1,218 people, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Israel and UN clash over aid to Gaza
ISRAEL accused the United Nations Wednesday of seeking to 'block' Gaza aid distribution, as the global body said it was doing its utmost to gather the limited assistance greenlighted by Israel's authorities. The humanitarian situation in Gaza, where Israel has imposed a two-month aid blockade, is dire, with food security experts saying starvation is looming for one in five people. 'While the UN spreads panic and makes declarations detached from reality, the state of Israel is steadily facilitating the entry of aid into Gaza,' Israel's United Nations Ambassador Danny Danon told the Security Council. He said the assistance was entering by trucks -- under limited authorization by Israel at the Kerem Shalom crossing since last week following the blockade -- and via a 'new distribution mechanism developed in coordination with the US and key international partners.' Danon was referring to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a private, US-backed aid group that has established its own distribution system, one the United Nations considers contrary to its humanitarian principles. A chaotic distribution of aid at a GHF center Tuesday left 47 people wounded. Israel's ambassador blamed Hamas for the tumult, saying the Palestinian group set up roadblocks and checkpoints to block access to the distribution center. He accused the UN of 'trying to block' the aid. The United Nations 'is using threats, intimidation and retaliation against NGOs that choose to participate in the new humanitarian mechanism,' Danon added. 'Will not participate' Danon specifically accused the United Nations of having removed these nongovernmental organizations from a database listing groups working in Gaza, an accusation rejected by the UN. 'There are no differences between the current list and the one from before the launch of the GHF,' Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, told AFP. But the UN reiterated its opposition to coordinating with GHF. 'We will not participate in operations that do not meet our humanitarian principles,' insisted Dujarric. He also said the UN was doing all it could to gather the aid arriving through Kerem Shalom. Since last week 800 truckloads were approved by Israel but fewer than 500 made it into Gaza, according to Dujarric. 'We and our partners could collect just over 200 of them, limited by insecurity and restricted access,' he said. 'If we're not able to pick up those goods, I can tell you one thing, it is not for lack of trying.' Danon had said 'more than 400 trucks' full of aid were already on the Gaza side of the crossing and that Israel had provided 'safe routes' for the distribution. 'But the UN did not show up,' the Israeli envoy said. 'Put your ego aside, pick up the aid and do your job.' Israeli military operations in Gaza have killed at least 54,804 people, mostly civilians, according to the health ministry there. The UN considers the figures reliable. The punishing offensive has reduced much of the Palestinian territory to rubble -- including hospitals, schools and other basic infrastructure -- and resulted in the displacement of almost all of its roughly two million people. Israel launched its operations in response to the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, which killed 1,218 people, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Israel blames UN for Gaza aid delays amid soaring death toll
ISRAEL accused the United Nations Wednesday of seeking to 'block' Gaza aid distribution, as the global body said it was doing its utmost to gather the limited assistance greenlighted by Israel's authorities. The humanitarian situation in Gaza, where Israel has imposed a two-month aid blockade, is dire, with food security experts saying starvation is looming for one in five people. 'While the UN spreads panic and makes declarations detached from reality, the state of Israel is steadily facilitating the entry of aid into Gaza,' Israel's United Nations Ambassador Danny Danon told the Security Council. He said the assistance was entering by trucks -- under limited authorization by Israel at the Kerem Shalom crossing since last week following the blockade -- and via a 'new distribution mechanism developed in coordination with the US and key international partners.' Danon was referring to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a private, US-backed aid group that has established its own distribution system, one the United Nations considers contrary to its humanitarian principles. A chaotic distribution of aid at a GHF center Tuesday left 47 people wounded. Israel's ambassador blamed Hamas for the tumult, saying the Palestinian group set up roadblocks and checkpoints to block access to the distribution center. He accused the UN of 'trying to block' the aid. The United Nations 'is using threats, intimidation and retaliation against NGOs that choose to participate in the new humanitarian mechanism,' Danon added. 'Will not participate' Danon specifically accused the United Nations of having removed these nongovernmental organizations from a database listing groups working in Gaza, an accusation rejected by the UN. 'There are no differences between the current list and the one from before the launch of the GHF,' Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, told AFP. But the UN reiterated its opposition to coordinating with GHF. 'We will not participate in operations that do not meet our humanitarian principles,' insisted Dujarric. He also said the UN was doing all it could to gather the aid arriving through Kerem Shalom. Since last week 800 truckloads were approved by Israel but fewer than 500 made it into Gaza, according to Dujarric. 'We and our partners could collect just over 200 of them, limited by insecurity and restricted access,' he said. 'If we're not able to pick up those goods, I can tell you one thing, it is not for lack of trying.' Danon had said 'more than 400 trucks' full of aid were already on the Gaza side of the crossing and that Israel had provided 'safe routes' for the distribution. 'But the UN did not show up,' the Israeli envoy said. 'Put your ego aside, pick up the aid and do your job.' Israeli military operations in Gaza have killed at least 54,804 people, mostly civilians, according to the health ministry there. The UN considers the figures reliable. The punishing offensive has reduced much of the Palestinian territory to rubble -- including hospitals, schools and other basic infrastructure -- and resulted in the displacement of almost all of its roughly two million people. Israel launched its operations in response to the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, which killed 1,218 people, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.
Daily Tribune
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain Renews Support for UN Peacekeepers on International Day of Peacekeeping
Foreign Minister Highlights Role of UN Forces in Global Stability and Urges Action on Gaza Crisis Bahrain's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, reaffirmed the Kingdom's strong support and deep appreciation for the efforts of United Nations peacekeeping forces in maintaining security, promoting peace, and enhancing regional and global stability — particularly in conflict and tension-stricken areas around the world. Honoring Eight Decades of Sacrifice Speaking on the occasion of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, observed this year under the theme 'Peace Begins with Us: A Future for Peacekeeping', Minister Al Zayani praised the vital contributions of UN peacekeeping missions. He recognized the dedication and sacrifices of military personnel, police, and civilians who, for nearly 80 years, have played a key role in humanitarian service and in helping communities recover from the devastations of war. He emphasized that their noble efforts have helped shape a world that aspires to be safer, more peaceful, just, and sustainable. Urging Immediate Action in Gaza Minister Al Zayani drew attention to the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, calling on the international community — especially the United Nations Security Council — to shoulder its responsibility by ensuring an immediate and lasting ceasefire, securing the release of hostages and detainees, and facilitating unhindered humanitarian aid delivery. He urged implementation of the decisions made at the Bahrain Summit and the extraordinary Cairo Summit on Palestine, including the deployment of international UN peacekeeping forces in the occupied Palestinian territories. Such measures, he said, would protect civilians and support efforts toward a two-state solution in line with international resolutions and humanitarian law. Bahrain's Vision for UN Partnership The Foreign Minister also announced Bahrain's aspiration to serve as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2026–2027 term, a move aimed at strengthening the Kingdom's contribution to global peace and security. He stated that Bahrain seeks to enhance its diplomatic engagement in support of the UN's goals, particularly in promoting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which form a cornerstone of the Kingdom's foreign policy.
