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Russia has announced that it will participate in the Black Sea grain initiative that was brokered in July by the UN and Ukraine to ease the global food shortages and the price hike. Russia had withdrawn from the deal after accusing Ukraine for attacking Black Sea Fleet in Crimea.  UN  Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warmly welcomed Russia decision to end suspension from Ukraine grain deal. He said, "he was grateful for the 'diplomatic efforts' of Türkiye, 'and thanks the UN Coordinator, Amir Abdulla, and his team for their work to keep this vital food supply line open.” Secretary-General @antonioguterres warmly welcomes the announcement from the Russian Federation on its resumed participation in the implementation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. 👇👇 https://t.co/G6Aq5p2zkU — UN Spokesperson (@UN_Spokesperson) November 2, 2022 The deal, brokered among the UN, Russia, Ukraine and Türkiye, was signed to allow grain, oil and other foodstuffs to leave the war-torn...

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has warned that the current global economic slowdown can threaten the world with the worse financial crisis than what was witnessed during 2008 and 2020 COVID-19 shock. UNCTAD in its report cautioned that monetary and fiscal policies in advanced economies together with rate hikes could culminate in the global recession and a prolonged stagnation. It blamed supply-side shocks, waning consumer and investor confidence and the war in Ukraine for the global slowdown and inflationary pressures. UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan said in a statement, “We still have time to step back from the edge of recession. Nothing is inevitable. We must change course.”    The report suggests that the whole world will feel the impact, but the developing countries will suffer the most as many of them are edging closer to debt default.  "UNCTAD projects that world economic growth will slow to 2.5% in 2022 and drop to 2.2% in...

The anti-hijab protests in Iran  caused by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, has now spread to over 80 cities in the country.  The protesters have been burning their hijabs and scarves in a bonfire and setting billboards with the image of supreme leaders on fire. There have been clashes between groups of protesters and security forces. An NGO claims that the security forces have already killed more than 50 people.  On the other hand, different groups in of support of the Iranian government have come out on streets with rallies. These rallies, as per reports, are not being sponsored by the government.     To curb the social media reach of these protests, the Iranian government has restricted the internet service to the common citizens. While the US is planning to expand range of internet service through tech companies. Elon Musk's Starlink is willing to extend its services to Iranian people.   Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson of United Nations h...

(Source of Images: Google Search from different reported news on Sri Lanka Crisis) Millions of families in Sri Lanka are struggling to meet their daily food requirements. Most of them are skipping meals, perhaps, surviving on just a meal a day. Even children have not been spared and are suffering due to the lack of basic resources including food and education. The United Nations reports (based on assessment by World Food Programme (WFP)), more than a quarter of the country's 22 million people (around 6.26 million) are grappling with food crisis, unable to procure basic nutritious food.  The country is witnessing a record 90% food inflation, turning basic food such as rice unaffordable for the common people of the nation. Staggering inflation and skyrocketing oil and commodity prices have crippled the whole nation.  WFP reports, about 61% of households is using coping strategies, i.e., reducing amount of food they eat and consuming increasingly less nutritious meals. Adults in ...