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Historian Manu Bhagavan to Discuss Democratic Renewal at Norman Cousins Lecture

Historian Manu Bhagavan to Discuss Democratic Renewal at Norman Cousins Lecture

Historian Manu Bhagavan, a Professor of History, Human Rights, and Public Policy at Hunter College and the Graduate Center, CUNY, is scheduled to deliver the annual Norman Cousins Lecture. The lecture, titled 'The Way Out: Rekindling Democracy in the 21st Century,' will take place on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, from 12:00 to 1:00 PM ET. Bhagavan will examine recent setbacks for authoritarian populism and analyze current affairs to identify patterns that could lead to democratic renewal. He is known for being one of the first to identify the rise of nationalist, authoritarian populism and the corresponding decline in faith in democracy over the past decade. The event is free to attend and will be held online via Zoom. Bhagavan is also a Senior Fellow at the Ralph Bunche Institute for International Studies and has authored or edited eight books on related topics.
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United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Outlines 2026-2029 Strategic Plan for Sustainable Development

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Outlines 2026-2029 Strategic Plan for Sustainable Development

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has unveiled its Strategic Plan for 2026-2029, reaffirming its role as the leading organization within the UN system for sustainable development. This plan is fundamentally driven by the goal of eradicating poverty, which the UNDP identifies as the most significant global challenge and a prerequisite for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The strategic direction is guided by four core objectives: fostering prosperity for all, ensuring effective governance, building crisis resilience, and protecting the planet. To accelerate progress towards these objectives, the UNDP will leverage three key enablers: digital and artificial intelligence (AI) transformation, gender equality, and sustainable finance. The organization emphasizes a commitment to human rights and the principle of leaving no one behind in all its efforts. The Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) within UNDP is crucial to this strategy, providing world-class...
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UN Secretary-General's Comments on Independent Rapporteurs Misinterpreted Regarding Francesca Albanese

UN Secretary-General's Comments on Independent Rapporteurs Misinterpreted Regarding Francesca Albanese

A pro-Israel lobby group, UN Watch, alleged that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres referred to Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on Palestine, as 'out of control' and previously called her a 'horrible woman.' However, Guterres did not name any individual in his remarks. He stated that 'many' independent rapporteurs were 'totally out of control' when addressing accusations of institutional bias against Israel within the UN. The UN has clarified that linking these comments specifically to Albanese is a misinterpretation of his statements. The allegation that Guterres privately called Albanese a 'horrible woman' comes from former US Special Envoy on Antisemitism Deborah Lipstadt, who claims Guterres made the remark twice during a private conversation at the 2024 Munich Security Conference. These alleged private comments cannot be independently verified, and the claim has been primarily reported by Israeli media. Albanese has responded online, asserting that Guterres's comments were not directe...
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France Convenes UN Security Council to Address Artificial Intelligence in Conflict Resolution

France Convenes UN Security Council to Address Artificial Intelligence in Conflict Resolution

France has gathered members of the United Nations Security Council, along with experts, to discuss the potential use of artificial intelligence (AI) in conflict resolution. This initiative, led by France's permanent representative to the UN, Jérôme Bonnafont, aims to explore how AI can contribute to the Council's primary responsibility of maintaining international peace and security. The closed informal session, held in New York City, focused specifically on AI's application in early-warning systems and conflict management. This discussion comes amidst deepening political divisions and distrust among Council members, which have frequently stalled decisive action on various global issues. While members acknowledge both the potential and risks of AI, there is disagreement on how to address these risks, with Russia questioning the Council's suitability for developing AI guidelines, suggesting universal UN forums like the General Assembly are more appropriate.
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Polisario Front Reaffirms Self-Determination as Sole Solution for Western Sahara Conflict

Polisario Front Reaffirms Self-Determination as Sole Solution for Western Sahara Conflict

The National Secretariat of the Polisario Front has concluded its 10th ordinary session, reiterating that the resolution to the Western Sahara conflict must be founded on the Sahrawi people's undeniable right to self-determination and independence. The Polisario Front explicitly rejects any proposed solutions that aim to legitimize Moroccan occupation or undermine the Sahrawi people's aspirations for freedom and sovereignty over their territory. The Secretariat has called upon the United Nations and its relevant bodies to fulfill their responsibilities in completing the decolonization process in Western Sahara, which remains the last colony in Africa and has been on the UN agenda since 1963. This reaffirmation comes amidst ongoing tensions in the region, where Morocco controls a significant portion of the former Spanish colony, a claim disputed by the Algerian-backed Polisario Front.
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Gloria Steinem lived to see a powerful backlash against her vision of feminism

Gloria Steinem lived to see a powerful backlash against her vision of feminism

It was the fight for abortion rights that launched Gloria Steinem into feminism
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UN Sanctions Regime on North Korea Remains in Force Despite Russian Veto

UN Sanctions Regime on North Korea Remains in Force Despite Russian Veto

The United Nations sanctions regime against North Korea continues to be in effect, despite Russia's veto in 2024 which blocked the renewal of the Panel of Experts' mandate. This panel, responsible for monitoring sanctions implementation, saw its mandate expire on April 30, 2024. However, the underlying sanctions, established by the Security Council, remain active and are overseen by the 1718 Committee. The situation highlights a growing division within the Security Council, with Western members emphasizing sanctions implementation and denuclearization, while China and Russia increasingly question this approach, advocating for updated and mitigated sanctions as part of a return to diplomacy. This divergence is further complicated by deepening Russia-North Korea military cooperation.
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UN approves resolution in support of map that shows Africa's true size

UN approves resolution in support of map that shows Africa's true size

By Aleksandra Michalska NEW YORK, Sept 4 (Reuters) - The United Nations on Friday voted for a shift away from the 16th-century Mercator global map towards one more accurately reflecting countries' true size, a resolution sponsored by African states to counter perceptions that the continent is
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UN General Assembly endorses a new world map that shows more accurately Africa's size

UN General Assembly endorses a new world map that shows more accurately Africa's size

The United Nations General Assembly has voted to endorse a new world map that shows Africa's large size more accurately
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U.S. and Allies Push UN Nuclear Watchdog to Report Iran to Security Council

U.S. and Allies Push UN Nuclear Watchdog to Report Iran to Security Council

The United States, along with Britain, France, and Germany, is advocating for a resolution by the UN nuclear watchdog's board to refer Iran to the UN Security Council. This would mark the first such referral in 20 years. The move stems from Iran's continued lack of cooperation with an investigation into uranium traces discovered at undeclared sites. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) board has previously passed two resolutions demanding Iran declare its enriched uranium stocks and grant full access for verification. Iran has not permitted IAEA inspectors to return to bombed sites or verify its enriched uranium stocks, some of which have been enriched to up to 60 percent purity, nearing weapons-grade. Diplomats indicate that while negotiations on the exact wording are ongoing, similar resolutions submitted by these four powers have historically passed. The draft resolution explicitly requests the IAEA Director General to transmit this and previous resolutions to all Agency Members, the Security C...
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Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey and others pay tribute to Gloria Steinem

Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey and others pay tribute to Gloria Steinem

Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton and Oprah Winfrey are among a slew of politicians, celebrities, writers and activists who are lauding Gloria Steinem as a revolutionary and inspiring figure