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As hopes flicker for an extension of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Gaza City appears as a haunting "ghost town," according to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA). Humanitarian aid has finally reached shelters in northern Gaza, marking a crucial development since the eruption of war last month. Thomas White, Director of UNRWA Affairs in Gaza, described the city as deserted, with visible impacts of heavy airstrikes and shelling creating challenges for aid deliveries.

In a speech on Monday, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar drew parallels between Mahatma Gandhi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, hailing them as "mahapurush" of the last century and "yugpurush" of this century, respectively. The statement, made at an event celebrating the birth anniversary of Jain mystic Shrimad Rajchandra, has sparked controversy, with Congress leader Manickam Tagore deeming it "shameful" to compare PM Modi to Mahatma Gandhi.

"Fight Like a Girl," directed by Matthew Leutwyler, takes audiences on a poignant journey through the life of a young Congolese woman who discovers a new purpose in the boxing ring after escaping the clutches of an illegal mineral mine. This compelling film is currently featured in the prestigious 'Cinema of the World' category at the 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa.

Nearly 89,000 women and girls were intentionally killed (femicide) in 2022, marking the highest yearly number in the past two decades. This alarming figure comes despite an overall drop in homicides, said a new research brief from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and UN Women.

Ten compelling films from diverse corners of the globe vie for the prestigious ICFT–UNESCO Gandhi Medal at the 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI). These cinematic masterpieces, carefully selected, transcend geographical boundaries to embody the timeless ideals of Mahatma Gandhi.

Extreme weather events, damaged school infrastructure threatens girls' access to quality education with repercussions extending beyond immediate schooling challenges, said a new report from Plan International. The latest report, “Climate Change and Girls’ Education: Barriers, Gender Norms and Pathways to Resilience,” shows the dire consequences of the climate crisis on girls’ education in West Africa, South and Central America, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia.

The UN aid coordination office OCHA, has presented a 10-point plan aimed at curbing the devastation in Gaza. The initiative, unveiled more than five weeks after the tragic events initiated by Hamas, focuses on a substantial increase in aid delivery to the war-torn enclave. Key elements include calls for humanitarian ceasefires, the release of hostages from the October 7 terror attacks, and the expansion of aid convoys into Gaza.

Discover how the participation of LGBTI+ persons in political and electoral processes can enhance human rights and build stronger democracies, as detailed in a new UNDP publication.

The bedrocks of democracy are under threat worldwide, as a recent report from the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) reveals. This comprehensive study highlights alarming trends of declining democracy in many nations. From compromised elections to infringements on fundamental rights like freedom of expression and assembly, democracy is facing serious challenges, said the report--The Global State of Democracy 2023: The New Checks and Balances.

A 25% increase in food insecurity elevates the risk of conflict by 36%, while a 25% rise in the number of people without access to clean drinking water raises the likelihood of conflict by 18%. Food insecurity and water stress are tightly interlinked, with regions having a history of conflict and weak governance being the most susceptible, said the Ecological Threat Report, produced by the Institute for Economics & Peace.