Rise in antisemitism during pandemic shows we can never let down our guard: UN chief

25 January 2021
Peace and Security
Unsplash/Albert Laurence

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to rising antisemitism which shows the world must remain vigilant against this persistent form of racism and religious persecution, the UN Secretary-General told an online event on Monday to commemorate the 76th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. 

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© UNICEF/Noorani

Shining a light on sexually exploited women and girls forced into crime

Human Rights

Trafficked and sexually exploited woman and girls can find themselves facing prosecution and conviction for those very same crimes, in some countries, a new UN report shows. The study aims to help prosecutors to better handle these complex cases, and protect the genuine victims.

UN News\Vibhu Mishra

COVID’s led to ‘massive’ income and productivity losses, UN labour estimates show

Economic Development

Job losses or reduced working hours due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic cost the world the equivalent of 255 million jobs in 2020, the UN International Labour Organization (ILO) said on Monday, noting that the “massive impact” was nearly four times the number lost during the 2009 global financial crisis. 

UNICEF/Ali Haj Suleiman

Syria: 18 children killed since the start of the year, UNICEF reports

Humanitarian Aid

The brutal fighting in Syria continues to exact a terrible toll on children, with at least 18, including a one-year-old killed in incidents involving explosive weapons and unexploded ordnance, since 1 January, UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Sunday. At least 15 others were wounded. 

© UNICEF/Seng

Pandemic disruption to learning is an opportunity to reimagine, revitalize education

Culture and Education

To mark the third International Day of Education on Sunday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres paid tribute to the resilience of students, teachers and families in the face of the global COVID-19 pandemic that, at its peak, forced almost every school, institute and university to close its doors.

© FAO/Gideon Vink

FROM THE FIELD: The microscopic creatures helping build Africa’s Great Green Wall

Climate Change

A young woman scientist in Burkina Faso is researching the role of micro-organisms in fighting desertification in the Sahel Region, as part of a UN programme to restore degraded land in Africa.

Headlines at a glance

Economic and Social Council turns 75; President reaffirms mandate to tackle pandemic, development challenges

Healthier world means ‘safer America’ Tedros stresses, as UN-led vaccine initiative announces deal for 40 million doses 

Sudan: 250 killed, over 100,000 displaced as violence surges in Darfur

Mali in transition: UN peacekeeping chief takes stock of political and security developments

Guterres hails entry into force of treaty banning nuclear weapons

Pandemic will not end for anyone, ‘until it ends for everyone’ 

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