The United Nations human rights office voiced regret over Israel’s confirmation that it does not plan to take part in the so-called Durban Review Conference next year, which will examine the progress made worldwide since the 2001 global anti-racism summit was held in the South African city.

Israel reinstituted its blockade of the Gaza Strip after a brief respite to let humanitarian aid pass through on Tuesday, United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes said today, describing the situation as “desperate” and “unacceptable.”

The top United Nations human rights official called today for an immediate end to the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip, which she said contravened international law and had deprived those living there of their most basic human rights for months.

17 November 2008 – Academy Award-winning actress and activist Charlize Theron said today she was honoured to go to work for the United Nations on the Secretary-General's “UNite to End Violence against Women” campaign after being inducted as a UN Messenger of Peace.

17 November 2008 – The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Government of Qatar are blazing the trail towards paper-free or near paperless conferences.

17 November 2008 – A border crossing into the Gaza Strip opened on Monday, allowing a limited amount of humanitarian supplies to the 1.5 million residents forcibly confined to the area, the Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO) reported today.