While the World Cup of the Football Club starts in the United States, on the other side of the world, the Japanese club Gamba Osaka reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable development by becoming the first team of the country’s professional league to join the United Nations ” Football for goals initiative.
The initiative provides a platform to the world football community to engage with and promote the agreed international Sustainable development objectives (SDG).
The UN Maher Nasser (left) (on the left) and the Shinji of Gamba Osaka mark the membership of the Japanese club on the football initiative for goals.
Shinji Ito, director of external affairs of the football team, Gamba Osaka, said UN News at the United Nations Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka which supports the Sustainable development objectives (ODD) is important for his club.
“As a football club, we can work with supporters to change attitudes and behavior on issues such as the environment, climate, sustainability, health and disability, which are part of the SDGs.”
The multicolored ODD logo is in a good place displayed at the club stadium in Osaka, the second largest city in Japan, it appeared on the team kit and the players visited local schools to explain why the SDGs are important.
At the stage, efforts are made to encourage fans to separate recycling waste, a behavior which, according to Japan, must be highlighted and intensified. The paper cups have replaced plastic cups and the player’s team shirts are made from more sustainable and environmentally friendly materials.
“We see an increased awareness of the importance of the SDGs,” said Ito. “We recognize that this is a long -term commitment and that a significant change takes place over 10 years or more.”
Gamba Osaka is now listed on the Football initiative for the UN goals, making it a first for the professional game of Japan.
Taro Shinzato (left) visited the UN pavilion with Satoka Shinzato.
The initiative aims to inspire and guide all the people involved in sport who see the value of sustainability, confederations, national associations, leagues and clubs to players’ associations, groups of organized fans, as well as media and business partners.
This encourages them to rely on existing sustainability approaches and to implement strategies that lead to a change in behavior.
Launched in 2022, at a time when progress towards the SDGs was and continue to weaken, there are now some 370 entities registered.
“The world football industry is extremely influential and has the power to communicate with billions of people around the world,” said Maher Nasser, United Nations Commissioner at Expo 2025.
“Our members will inspire action by demonstrating how sustainable practices can be integrated into any business model, including sport,” he added.
Keep an eye on the ball
SDGs are part of the Japanese school program, so many young people are aware of their importance.
Taro Shinzato, who supports the Nagoya Grampus 8 rival team, visited the United Nations Pavilion at Expo 2025, saying: “When we think of the SDGs, we focus on the environment and lasting life in Japan. We may not think enough of SDGs in other countries, which is very important because we all share the same land. ”
Football for goals
Goal football was launched in July 2022.
The initiative has 370 members of more than 120 countries.
The six regional FIFA confederations are members.
Each member has committed to integrate sustainable practices into their operations and to promote the SDGs.
The UN human rights office (OHCHR) in the Occupied Palestinian Territory on Wednesday called on the Israeli military to cease the use of lethal force near aid convoys and food distribution sites.
It cited “repeated incidents” of Palestinians being shot or shelled while seeking food, warning that such attacks could constitute war crimes under international law.
“We are horrified at the repeated incidents, continuously reported in recent days across Gaza, and we call for an immediate end to these senseless killings,” the office said in a statement.
Since 27 May, when the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an initiative backed by Israel and the United States began food distribution in southern Gaza – bypassing the established UN-led system – hundreds have been killed and many more wounded near four distribution points or while waiting to pick up aid.
In one of the deadliest recent incidents, Israeli military reportedly shelled a crowd waiting for UN food trucks in southern Gaza on 17 June, killing at least 51 people and injuring some 200 others, according to Gazan health authorities.
A day earlier, three Palestinians were reportedly killed and several injured in a similar incident in western Beit Lahiya.
“There is no information to suggest that the people killed or injured were involved in hostilities or posed any threat to the Israeli military or to staff of GHF distribution points,” OHCHR said.
Protect civilians, aid workers
The UN World Food Programme (WFP), which has managed to dispatch only 9,000 metric tons of food within Gaza over the past month – a fraction of what is required for the 2.1 million people in need – echoed calls for immediate protection of civilians and aid workers.
“Far too many people have died while trying to access the trickle of food aid coming in,” the agency said in a separate statement.
“Any violence resulting in starving people being killed or injured while seeking life-saving assistance is completely unacceptable.”
Massive scale-up needed
The UN emergency food relief agency said the fear of starvation and desperate need for food is causing large crowds to gather along well-known transport routes, hoping to intercept and access humanitarian supplies while in transit.
“Only a massive scale-up in food distributions can stabilize the situation, calm anxieties and rebuild the trust within communities that more food is coming,” it said, calling urgently for safer convoy routes, faster permissions, restored communication channels and additional border openings.
“The time to act is now. Delays cost lives. We must be allowed to safely do our jobs,” the agency said.
KINGNEWSWIRE // PRESS RELEASE // In a time of growing ecological distress, the need for a values-based approach to environmental action has never been more urgent. Recognizing this, the United Nations Environment Programme launched the Faith for Earth Initiative — a global effort to engage religious and spiritual communities as essential partners in protecting the planet. At the heart of this initiative is a simple but profound idea: that moral guidance and inner transformation are just as critical to sustainability as science and technology. We find this vision to become more and more vividly brought to life in Hungary, where a movement inspired by The Way to Happiness, a common-sense moral code authored by L. Ron Hubbard, is mobilizing Scientologists and local citizens alike to take meaningful, practical steps toward environmental restoration — one clean-up, one conversation, one act of responsibility at a time.
On World Environment Day 2025, the Church of Scientology in Budapest hosted a roundtable titled “The Present and Future of Environmental Protection from the Perspective of Science and Religion.” Scientists and spiritual leaders from diverse traditions — Adventist, Catholic, Hindu, and Scientologist — came together in a rare and meaningful dialogue.
The discussions revealed a shared understanding: true environmental sustainability requires more than policy reforms or green technologies. It demands a transformation in how people think, live, and take responsibility. A Scientologist speaker emphasized that real change starts when individuals decide to live ethically — not out of fear, but out of care.
A concept from the principle “Safeguard and improve your environment,” from The Way to Happiness resonated throughout the event:
“The idea that one has a share in the planet and that one can and should help care for it may seem very large and, to some, quite beyond reality. But today what happens on the other side of the world, even so far away, can effect what happens in your own home.” L. Ron hubbard
In a world that often promotes convenience over conscience, this message struck a chord — reminding participants that caring for the environment is ultimately a personal choice, repeated day after day.
The Better World Movement: A Moral Code in Motion
This principle is lived out visibly in the work of the Jobb Világ Mozgalom (Better World Movement), founded by Attila Kis-Balázs, a Hungarian Scientologist whose commitment to environmental action is rooted deeply in The Way to Happiness.
What began as a solo effort — picking up litter as a child — grew into a vibrant national volunteer movement. Today, hundreds of people take part in clean-up events organized across Hungary. And while the work is practical, the spirit behind it is unmistakably ethical.
“The Way to Happiness gave me clarity. It showed me that doing good is not just idealistic — it’s essential. When people feel they can make a difference, they do.” — Attila Kis-Balázs
Each clean-up is guided by principles such as:
“Set a good example.”
“Safeguard and improve your environment.”
These ideas aren’t theoretical — they are put into practice through monthly events that are joyful, inclusive, and deeply fulfilling.
How It Works: Inspired Action for a Cleaner Hungary
In Hungary, The Way to Happiness has become much more than a book — it’s the ethical backbone of a growing environmental movement. At its heart is Attila Kis-Balázs, a lifelong Scientologist whose personal story is as compelling as the cause he champions.
Long before founding the Jobb Világ Mozgalom (Better World Movement), Attila was just a boy walking the streets of his town, quietly picking up litter. “It didn’t feel like a big act,” he recalls. “But it felt right.” That small gesture, repeated over the years, would later evolve into something far greater: a coordinated national effort to clean and care for Hungary’s public spaces — with kindness, joy, and purpose.
The turning point came when Attila read The Way to Happiness. Its simple but powerful principles — especially “Help take care of the planet” and “Try not to do things that others will have to clean up” — gave him the moral clarity he was seeking. “It connected the dots for me,” he says. “It wasn’t just about cleaning up trash. It was about being the kind of person who leaves the world better than they found it.”
Motivated by this ethical framework, he began organizing clean-up events, initially among friends and family. But word spread quickly, and the gatherings began to grow. Today, the Better World Movement mobilizes hundreds of volunteers across Hungary, creating a ripple effect that’s visible not only in cleaner parks and streets, but also in the renewed spirit of the communities involved.
The Moral Code That Guides the Movement
The impact of the Better World Movement can be felt most clearly during one of its weekend clean-ups. There’s no fanfare — just people of all ages showing up with gloves, bags, and a sense of purpose. The atmosphere is light-hearted, often accompanied by music, laughter, and impromptu conversations between strangers. The work is real — collecting waste, sorting recyclables, restoring green spaces — but what strikes first-time participants is the sense of unity.
Events usually last two to three hours and are followed by informal shared meals or discussions. The idea is not just to clean but to connect. “We’ve had people come for the first time just out of curiosity,” says one longtime volunteer. “But they leave with a sense that they’ve done something important. That feeling brings them back.”
Municipalities have taken notice too. Local governments often partner with the movement, suggesting locations in need of attention. A custom-developed app helps coordinate efforts and encourages citizens to propose new sites. But what really fuels the continuity is the emotional reward — the quiet pride of having made something better.
While the movement isn’t limited to Scientologists, many of its most consistent volunteers are inspired by The Way to Happiness. They speak of the book not as a set of rules, but as a guide for living with integrity. For them, picking up a piece of trash isn’t just an act of service — it’s a way of expressing respect for life and for others.
A Global Example for Faith-Driven Action
The Hungarian initiative is part of a wider awakening across faith communities worldwide. The UNEP’s Faith for Earth Initiative supports exactly this kind of values-driven action: efforts that bring spiritual conviction into practical, planet-saving work.
Iván Arjona, the Church of Scientology’s representative to the European Union and United Nations, sees the Better World Movement as a model for how individual ethics can ripple outward to societal change:
“What makes The Way to Happiness so effective is that it speaks to the person — not in abstract terms, but in real-life guidance. When people align their actions with their values, change becomes unstoppable.”
From the streets of Budapest to the halls of international dialogue, the message is gaining ground: lasting change begins with people — and people guided by a moral code can indeed change the world.
In a time when global challenges can feel overwhelming, the Better World Movement and The Way to Happiness offer something rare: a sense of control, meaning, and real, practical ways to make the world better — one action at a time.
“” I reiterate my call to an immediate de-escalation leading to a ceasefire“Said Mr. Guterres a declaration in which he strongly invited to any other internationalization of the conflict.
“All additional military interventions could have enormous consequences, not only for people involved but for the whole region and for international peace and security as a whole,” he warned.
He condemned “the tragic and unnecessary losses of lives and injuries to civilians and damage to critical civil houses and infrastructure”.
The crisis broke out on Friday when Israel began to target nuclear and military sites across Iran, which prompted Tehran to launch reprisals on Israeli cities.
Since then, more than 250 people have been killed in both countries, according to the media.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (Aiea), which has been monitoring Iran’s nuclear program for decades, said that it had received information that two centrifuge production facilities were struck on Wednesday.
The Tesa Karaj Workshop and the Tehran Research Tehran were previously under its follow -up and verification as part of an international agreement of 2015 known as The Complete Complete Action Plan (JCPOA).
“On the Tehran site, a building was affected where advanced centrifuge rotors were manufactured and tested,” said the agency A tweet. “In Karaj, two buildings were destroyed when various centrifuge components were manufactured.”
Last week, IAEA after a resolution declaring that Iran did not comply with its non-proliferation obligations.
The text noted Iran’s “many failures” to provide the agency with a complete and timely cooperation concerning nuclear materials and unconcluded activities in several unsuccessful places in the country.
Diplomacy reigns supreme
As the Middle East crisis deepens, the secretary general stressed that “Diplomacy remains the best and the only way to respond to concerns about Iran’s nuclear program and regional security problems. “”
He stressed that “THE Charter of the United Nations remains our shared frame to save people from the scourge of war», Undering all Member States to fully comply with the document and international law, including international humanitarian law.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this sort of large-scale life-saving is possible, if midwifery care is universally accessible and consistent with international standards.
“Expanding and investing in midwifery models of care is one of the most effective strategies to improve maternal and newborn health globally,” said Dr. Anshu Banerjee, director for maternal, child and adolescent health and ageing at WHO.
In a recently released report, WHO outlined how individual countries, with the support of the international community, can mobilise relevant stakeholders and institute policies which support midwives.
Midwives worldwide work diligently to provide a continuum of care to women, including care surrounding sexual and reproductive health, pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal care.
Emphasizing personalized and culturally conscious approaches, midwifery is especially helpful in reducing access barriers for women in rural or conflict-affected regions where hospitals may not be accessible.
“Skilled midwives help women trust in their bodies, their abilities and their care…ensuring women are consistently part of decision making and have access to the information they need,” said Ulrika Rehnstrom Loi, a midwifery expert at WHO.
The WHO report emphasised that midwifery models of care are especially important as concerns of over-medicalisation in childbirth become more pronounced.
“In a world where childbirth is increasingly medicalised, [midwives] offer a person-centered evidence-based approach that respects the physiological process of birth, restores dignity and autonomy to maternity care,” said Anna Ugglas, Chief Executive of the International Confederation of Midwives.
Implementing a global imperative
Currently, the world faces a global shortage of around one million midwives. Concentrated and cross-sectoral action is needed to reverse this shortage.
“Midwifery models of care are not just smart solutions — they are a necessity,” Ms. Ugglas said.
The WHO report outlined that increasing the number of midwives worldwide requires policy action across many sectors, including health and education, in addition to advocacy campaigns.
In Morocco, the Association of Midwives conducted an awareness campaign which distributed flyers and cultivated partnerships with women and civil society organizations.
This campaign ultimately led to legislation in 2016 which defined what midwifery was, the first of its kind in Morocco.
Like the Moroccan example indicates, the report said that policymaking, advocacy and implementation must all happen simultaneously and that each country must adopt an approach which is specific to their context.
“[Midwifery] approaches improve outcomes, maximize resources and can be adapted to all countries,” said Dr. Banerjee.
Case study in rural midwifery
A campaign in the West Bank led by the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, the Palestine Committee of Norway and the Palestinian Ministry of Health worked to address the challenges that women in rural areas face when accessing care.
Through coordinating with hospitals and community members, the campaign expanded midwifery services to six regional hospitals and 37 villages between 2013 and 2016. This led to a 20 per cent decrease in unplanned caesarean sections and a 21 per cent decline in preterm birth rates.
And these were just the short-term effects, but Mr. Banerjee said that expanded midwifery access can have longer-term effects too.
“[Midwifery models of care] also enhance women’s and families’ experiences of care – building trusted partnerships for health at this critical stage of life.”
At least 48,384 individuals – mostly civilians – were killed in 2024, based on casualties recorded by OHCHR.
“Behind every statistic is a story. Behind every data point, a person,” said UN rights chief Volker Türk.
This alarming rise in civilian deaths exposes major failures to protect some of the most vulnerable in both peacetime and conflict situations, “painting a picture of a global human rights landscape in need of urgent action,” he said.
Just over 500 of those killed in 2024 were human rights defenders, with the number of journalists killed also rising by 10 per cent, comparing 2023 to 2024.
The level of targeting of human rights defenders and journalists remained alarmingly high: at least one human rights defender, journalist, or trade unionist was killed or forcibly disappeared every 14 days.
Detentions of rights defenders was most widespread in northern Africa, central, southern and western Asia. Killings were most prevalent in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Alarming rise in deaths of women and children
Violence against children and women in armed conflicts has been devastating over the past two years.
Between 2023 and 2024, approximately four times more children and women were killed in armed conflicts than during 2021–2022.
Women reported experiencing gender-based discrimination at more than twice the rate of men, and the poorest households were hardest hit, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality.
“Discrimination does not exist in isolation,” said Mr Türk, as OHCHR’s findings revealed widespread and compounding discrimination, with nearly one in three persons with disabilities reporting having experienced discrimination, compared to fewer than one in five without disabilities.
The United Nations Human Rights Office (Ohchr) in the Palestinian territory occupied on Wednesday called on the Israeli army to cease the use of deadly force close to help convoys and food distribution sites.
He cited the “repeated incidents” of Palestinians who have hit or dissected themselves while looking for food, warning that such attacks could constitute war crimes under international law.
“We are horrified by repeated incidents, continuously reported in recent days through Gaza, and We call an immediate end to these insane killings“Said the office in a statement.
Since May 27, when the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an initiative supported by Israel and the United States began food distribution in southern Gaza-bypassing the system not directed by the non-Dirigés-hundreds have been killed and many others injured nearly four distribution points or while waiting to take help.
In one of the most deadly recent incidents, the Israeli army would have bombed a crowd while waiting for the United Nations restoration trucks in the south of Gaza on June 17, killing at least 51 people and injuring about 200 others, according to the Gazan health authorities.
One day earlier, three Palestinians were reportedly killed and several injured in a similar incident in the west of Beit Lahiya.
“” There is no information to suggest that people killed or injured were involved in hostilities or threatened to the Israeli army or the staff of the GHF distribution points, “said the OHCHR.
Protect civilians, humanitarian workers
The United Nations World Food Program (Wfp), which managed to send only 9,000 metric tonnes of food to Gaza in the last month – a fraction of what is necessary for 2.1 million people in need – echoes the appeal to immediate protection of civilians and humanitarian workers.
“Far too many people are dead while trying to access the food aid net to come,” said the agency statement.
“All violence leading to hungry people killed or injured while looking for vital aid is completely unacceptable.”
Massive scale required
The United Nations Agence on Emergency Food Help said that fear of famine and the desperate need for food caused large crowds to come together along the well -known transport routes, hoping to intercept and access humanitarian supplies during transport.
“” Only a massive increase in food distributions can stabilize the situationTo calm the anxieties and rebuild confidence in communities that more food arrives, “he said, calling urgently for safer convoy routes, faster authorizations, restored communication channels and additional border openings.
“The moment to act is now. Delays are expensive. We must be allowed to do our work safely, “said the agency.
Council and Parliament have agreed to ensure greater accountability in the rules governing EU political parties and foundations. The provisional new rules will improve parties’ transparency, funding, and compliance with EU values.
Council and Parliament have agreed to ensure greater accountability in the rules governing EU political parties and foundations. The provisional new rules will improve parties’ transparency, funding, and compliance with EU values. Source link
Parliament calls for political stability in Montenegro and substantial progress regarding electoral and judicial reforms as well as the fight against organised crime and corruption. In a report adopted by 470 votes in favour. 102 against and 77 abstentions, MEPs stress that Montenegro remains the leading candidate in the EU enlargement process and point to the overwhelming support of its citizens and the majority of political actors for joining the EU in 2028. Parliament welcomes the country’s full alignment with the EU’s common foreign and security policy, including EU sanctions against Russia, and commends Montenegro for its support for the international rules-based order at the United Nations.
Fight against foreign interference
Parliament is however seriously concerned by malign interference, cyber-attacks, hybrid threats, disinformation campaigns and efforts to destabilise Montenegro, including attempts to influence its political processes and public opinion. These discredit the EU and undermine the country’s progress towards EU membership.
The rapporteur on Montenegro Marjan Šarec (Renew Europe, Slovenia) said: “It is important to note that the adoption of necessary legislation involved cooperation between both coalition and opposition parties. This reflects a high level of awareness that the European path is the only right one for Montenegro, with no viable alternative. Montenegro’s achievements thus far provide a solid foundation for addressing future challenges, which are numerous and far from easy. The fight against organised crime and corruption, judicial reform, and the prevention of influence from third countries are of critical importance for meeting democratic standards.”
MEPs praise Moldova’s EU membership efforts
Commending Moldova’s exemplary commitment to advancing its progress towards EU membership, a report approved by MEPs by 456 votes in favour to 118 against with 51 abstentions recognises that EU-Moldova relations have entered into a new phase. Cooperation has intensified alongside sustained efforts by the government in Chișinău to align Moldova’s laws with those of the EU (the so-called “EU acquis”). Despite significant internal and external challenges, such as the effects of Russia’s continuing war against neighbouring Ukraine and Moscow’s interference in Moldova’s democratic processes, MEPs welcome the Moldovan government’s progress on meeting the EU’s enlargement requirements and the country’s ambition to open negotiations on more enlargement-related issues. MEPs call on the European Commission to enhance its support for Moldova to achieve these objectives.
Russian interference in Moldova’s democratic processes MEPs note that in both Moldova’s recent constitutional referendum on European integration and the 2024 presidential election Moldovans reaffirmed their support for EU membership and the government’s pro-European reform agenda. Despite being subject to a massive hybrid campaign by Russia and its proxies, MEPs say both the referendum and the election were held professionally and “with an extraordinary sense of duty and dedication”. They also note that the country’s parliamentary elections in autumn 2025 will be crucial for the continuation of Moldova’s pro-European trajectory and warn about the likely intensification of foreign, in particular Russian, malign interference and hybrid attacks.
The rapporteur on Moldova Sven Mikser (S&D, Estonia) said: “We commend Moldova’s strong commitment to EU integration and acknowledge the country’s strategic importance for Europe. The Moldovan authorities have demonstrated remarkable determination to pursue reforms and align with EU values despite facing major challenges and external pressure by the Kremlin and its proxies.”
