united nations

This is a photo of the very tall United Nations Building in New York next to a body of water.
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Tŝilhqot’in Nation calls for action around the toxic drug crisis on the global stage

Peak Web June 9, 2025

On April 24, at the United Nations headquarters in New York City, a delegation from the Tŝilhqot’in Nation presented a plan to combat the toxic drug crisis within their six member communities. This initiative follows the Nation’s declaration of a local state of emergency in April 2024, prompted by a surge in overdose-related deaths.  The First Nations Health Authority reported that in 2024, 427 First Nation members in BC died due to toxic drug overdoses. This figure represents an average death rate 6.7 times higher than that of other provincial residents, marking the largest disparity since the province declared a…

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This is a photo of a tall UN building in the city.
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Concerns arise surrounding UN cybercrime treaty “tying Canada’s hands”

Peak Web January 20, 2025

Content warning: brief mention of sexual abuse of children/minors. Canadian human rights organizations are urging the country to reject the UN convention against cybercrime treaty regarding access to online information. Despite its proposed capability as a “new tool to protect…

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This is a photo of a bright green farm in Canada in the middle of a dry landscape.
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SFU sets Global Institute for Agritech in motion

Peak Web December 3, 2024

In early November, SFU established its latest research institute, the Global Institute for Agritech (GIA), to “seek innovative solutions” for agricultural development and food security amid the climate crisis. The GIA aims to “conduct cutting-edge research on innovative agritech solutions”…

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This is a photo of a Lebanon flag in the distance.
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Over 2,000 people killed in Lebanon

Peak Web October 22, 2024

Since September 23, escalating Israeli airstrikes targeting the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah have killed nearly 2,000 people in Lebanon and displaced over one million at the time of writing this article. These attacks, which included the killing of Hezbollah’s former…

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This is a photo of Justin Trudeau speaking in front of two Canada flags in a medium shot
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Trudeau announces decision to limit temporary foreign workers and permanent residents

Peak Web September 26, 2024

On August 26, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he will “reduce the number of temporary foreign workers in Canada” by tightening the policy regarding temporary foreign workers (TFWs). This follows what some are calling a “historic surge” of temporary foreign…

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This is a photo of a bunch of young climate activists, with one activist laughing as she holds up a sign
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Vancouver Climate Strike coincides with UN Summit of the Future

Peak Web September 21, 2024

On September 20, thousands of people congregated in downtown Vancouver for the Vancouver Climate Strike. The strike coincided with the United Nations Summit of the Future, which took place September 22–23, where world leaders met to discuss future plans for…

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This is a photo of the International Criminal Court building in Geneva. The sign is clearly visible, in front of the building.
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International human rights lawyer discusses genocide and conflict

Peak Web November 22, 2023

Content warning: mentions of violence and genocide.  Payam Akhavan is an international human rights lawyer and special advisor to the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC). He’s best known for his work with the United Nations (UN) investigating conflicts…

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This is a photo of the outside of the United Nations headquarters. Outside the front door is a large row of numerous country flags, lining the grass.
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Indigenous leader discusses UN reconciliation policies in action

Peak Web November 16, 2023

Khelsilem is an Indigenous political leader, Chairperson of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), former SFU lecturer, and a leading voice for Sen̓áḵw’s affordable housing non-profit. The project is currently building 1,000 units of affordable homes and 6,000 apartments on Sen̓áḵw…

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Political Corner: Last minute efforts cost Canada its Security Council seat

Peak Web July 5, 2020

On June 17, the United Nations held a vote for five of the 10 non-permanent Council seats for the 2021–22 term. The countries that were elected to the Council for the next term are India, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico, and Norway.…

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UN IPCC report highlights effects of 1.5°C increase in average global temperatures

Peak Web October 24, 2018

  The United Nations (UN) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently released a special report titled Global Warming of 1.5°C, detailing what effects an average global warming of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels will have on the world. According to…

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