11 Percent of the World’s Population Still Without Clean Water

Alexander Reed Kelly / Truthdig Aug 7, 2012 The United Nations' highest policymaking body declared access to water and sanitation to be a basic human right two years ago. But a coalition of “water justice activists” in late July said that goal remains little more than a good intention. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Syria on the Verge of Civil War

Staff / Truthdig Jan 15, 2012 The Arab League and the rest of the international community seem at a loss to prevent rising tension and violence in Syria from driving the country into full-blown civil war. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Pakistan’s Floods Could Take Its President Down

Staff / Truthdig Aug 17, 2010 The sheer suffering and human cost of Pakistan's devastating floods are mounting daily, and frustration with the nation's president, Asif Ali Zardari, is on the rise as well -- and Zardari's standing with the public was shaky enough before disaster struck. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

U.N. Leader Wants ‘Credible’ Investigation of Flotilla Raid

Staff / Truthdig Jun 9, 2010 U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon is calling for Israel to accept international participation in an investigation of the deadly flotilla assault that killed nine activists in international waters. Israeli authorities have rejected the idea of an international tribunal and maintained they will conduct an internal investigation. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Thousands of Haitians Flee Port-au-Prince

Staff / Truthdig Jan 19, 2010 Hoping to find help among friends or family members, or just hoping to get out of their country's devastated capital, thousands of Haitians fled Port-au-Prince on Monday by the busload and headed for the countryside. Meanwhile, the top-ranking American commander in Haiti called an estimated death toll of 150,000 to 200,000 a "start point," according to The New York Times. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Forecast Uncertain at Copenhagen Conference’s End

Staff / Truthdig Dec 19, 2009 The world leaders who showed up for the final stretch of the Copenhagen climate summit, perhaps assuming that their lesser representatives would have paved the way for a relatively easy finale, were in for some long hours and tough talks lasting into the night. Things didn't go as planned, it seems, and rifts between countries weren't being resolved in time Friday to strike the deals they sorely needed to make. Updated Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

U.N. Combats Violence Against Women, With Help From Men

Staff / Truthdig Nov 26, 2009 On Wednesday, the 10th anniversary of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced the creation of a network of men tapped to serve as male role models in the fight against gender-based violence. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

U.N. Denounces ‘Blood Bath’ in Sri Lanka

Staff / Truthdig May 12, 2009 U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon and British Foreign Secretary David Miliband declared themselves appalled by the “blood bath” that took place over the weekend in Sri Lanka. An estimated 430 civilians -- of whom at least 100 were children -- have been killed in fighting between Tamil Tiger rebels and government forces on the country’s northeastern coast. The question of whether Sri Lanka should receive a loan from the IMF is now on the table. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Sudan’s President Shows Up at Arab Summit

Staff / Truthdig Mar 30, 2009 Despite the arrest warrant recently issued for him by the International Criminal Court, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has made a defiant move by showing up in Qatar to attend the 21st Arab League summit meeting, at which United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was also slated to appear. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Ban Ki-Moon Calls for ‘Full Investigation’ of Gaza Bombing

Staff / Truthdig Jan 21, 2009 United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon toured several decimated sites in Gaza on Tuesday, including the remains of the U compound in Gaza City destroyed last Thursday in an attack The Israeli shelling of the compound has drawn strong international criticism -- not the least of which came from Ban himself both before and during Tuesday's visit. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Time for a War Crimes Tribunal?

Robert Fisk / Truthdig Jan 20, 2009 It's a wrap, a doddle, an Israeli cease-fire just in time for Barack Obama to have a squeaky-clean inauguration with all the world looking at the streets of Washington rather than the rubble of Gaza. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Hamas Official Killed, U.N. Compound Hit in Gaza

Staff / Truthdig Jan 16, 2009 Another high-ranking Hamas official, Interior Minister Said Siyam, was killed on Thursday near Gaza City, according to Israeli and Hamas sources. Israeli leaders faced international criticism after their forces also struck both the United Nations compound and a high-rise in Gaza City where several media organizations are based. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )