United Nations Day 2026: Observed on October 24, marking the 81st anniversary of the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945 + Secretary-General’s Message – António Guterres called for “Dialogue over division. Cooperation over confrontation. Solidarity over fear” to address climate change, conflicts and rising inequalities + India Observance – UN in India hosted a special reception in New Delhi with Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh as chief guest; External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s commitment to the UN Charter.

Social Media Ban in Greece: Greece’s Parliament approved a law on October 23, 2026, banning children under 15 from accessing social media platforms, effective January 1, 2027 + Target Age Group – Children below 15 years; applies to both existing accounts and new users + Platforms Covered – Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and LinkedIn, with scope to include additional services + Internet Access – Does not prohibit general internet use; educational tools and digital communication services remain accessible + Age Verification – Platforms must verify users’ ages through a digital token system designed to confirm eligibility without revealing private identities.

Alberta’s Referendum, Canada: Alberta, Canada’s oil-rich western province, held a non-binding referendum amid rising separatist demands, with nearly 75% of counted votes supporting remaining within Canada + Voting Choice – Remain in Canada or initiate a legal process for a binding independence referendum + Results – Around 1.54 million of 2.06 million counted votes favoured Canadian unity + Legal Status – Non-binding vote with no immediate legal effect; primarily measured public sentiment+ Produces over 80% of Canada’s crude oil, making it crucial to national energy security, the economy and North American energy trade