The unusually warm conditions in Europe that marked the festive season broke records – and likely skiers’ hearts - in several countries on the continent, on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has confirmed.

Read the full story, “Europe: Warm start to 2023 breaks records and skiers’ hearts, says WMO”, on globalissues.org →

Any use of chemical weapons anywhere is simply “unacceptable”, the deputy head of the UN Disarmament Affairs office (UNODA) told the Security Council on Thursday, briefing on efforts to eliminate the scourge from the battlefields and towns of Syria. 

Read the full story, “Syria: Chemical weapons pose unacceptable threat, and are a ‘danger to us all’”, on globalissues.org →

The United Nations remains ready to support efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East exacerbated this week by the visit of Israel’s new National Security Minister to a disputed holy site in Jerusalem, the Security Council heard during an emergency session on Thursday. 

Read the full story, “UN working to reduce tensions following Israel minister’s holy site visit”, on globalissues.org →

An additional nine million people risk being pushed into poverty on top of the 33 million affected by last summer’s devastating floods in Pakistan, the UN development agency, UNDP said on Thursday, ahead of next week’s International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan in Geneva.

Read the full story, “Pakistan floods: 9 million more risk being pushed into poverty, warns UNDP”, on globalissues.org →