Former Catalan Parliament leaders’ political rights violated, say UN experts — Global Issues

Former Catalan Parliament leaders’ political rights violated, say UN experts — Global Issues

The findings by the group of independent human rights experts were published after revision of a complaint filed by Oriol Junqueras i Vies, former Vice-President of Catalonia, and three former ministers, Raül Romeva i Rueda, Josep Rull i Andreu and Jordi Turull i Negre.  The four former Catalan separatist leaders…

A Tale of the Spanish Neckties and Other Made-in-Europe Things — Global Issues

A Tale of the Spanish Neckties and Other Made-in-Europe Things — Global Issues

“Wildfires – well known for their disastrous consequences in southern Europe – are now occurring as far north as Scandinavia”. Credit: Unsplash/Fabian Jones. by Baher Kamal (madrid) Tuesday, August 30, 2022 Inter Press Service MADRID, Aug 30 (IPS) – Shortly before the 25 August approval by the Spanish Parliament of the…

UN atomic energy experts head to stricken nuclear power station — Global Issues

UN atomic energy experts head to stricken nuclear power station — Global Issues

A team of UN atomic energy experts set out on Monday for Zaporizhzya nuclear power station in Ukraine, after months of rising tensions between Ukrainian and Russian forces, who have accused each other of shelling the plant.  In a tweet, Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA…

Renewed shelling at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant underlines accident risk — Global Issues

Renewed shelling at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant underlines accident risk — Global Issues

Rafael Mariano Grossi said Ukrainian authorities had informed the nuclear watchdog of renewed shelling at the site over the past three days, but they stated that all safety systems remained operational and there had been no increase in radiation levels. “The latest shelling once again underlined the risk of a…

More than one million tonnes of grain and food items exported under Black Sea deal — Global Issues

More than one million tonnes of grain and food items exported under Black Sea deal — Global Issues

This “remarkable achievement” was made possible through the collective efforts and hard work of the Joint Coordination Centre (JCC), he said, referring to the Istanbul-based mechanism that monitors ships’ movements to ensure their compliance with the Initiative. The JCC brings together representatives from Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye and the UN –…

Top UN aid official appeals for access across contact line — Global Issues

Top UN aid official appeals for access across contact line — Global Issues

“Winter is coming,…[and] all we want to do [is] provide insulin to the hospitals, provide blankets, provide mattresses…it’s not complicated”, said Denise Brown, the Resident Coordinator for the UN in Ukraine.  Humanitarian Coordinator Denise Brown is starting today a three-day mission to eastern & central Ukraine to see first-hand the…

Cluster munitions pose long-term risk to civilian safety — Global Issues

Cluster munitions pose long-term risk to civilian safety — Global Issues

Cluster bombs are weapons designed to be scattered over large areas, containing several hundred “mini-bombs” called sub-munitions. As they make no distinction between civilians, civilian property and military targets, cluster bombs violate the rules of international humanitarian law.  Cluster munitions are not only dangerous in the short-term, but pose severe…

UN agencies deliver food, health and other support amid fighting — Global Issues

UN agencies deliver food, health and other support amid fighting — Global Issues

Matilda Bogner, head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, called for greater efforts to spare and protect civilians.  The Mission has been in the country since 2014, when it began work documenting violations in the east stemming from the fighting between Government forces and pro-Russian separatists. Ms….

Guterres underlines need for peace as Ukraine marks six months of ‘senseless war’ — Global Issues

Guterres underlines need for peace as Ukraine marks six months of ‘senseless war’ — Global Issues

The “sad and tragic milestone” coincided with Ukraine’s 31st anniversary of independence, and Mr. Guterres congratulated the country’s people. Today marks a sad and tragic milestone – six months since Russia’s 24 February invasion of Ukraine. Thousands of civilians have been killed. Millions have been displaced. The people of Ukraine…

Braving mines and missiles to bring aid to Ukraine’s displaced population — Global Issues

Braving mines and missiles to bring aid to Ukraine’s displaced population — Global Issues

Before dawn on 24 February, Kharkiv took a fierce hit. Within 24 hours, Russian troops had reached the northern suburbs, just 30 kilometres from the Ukraine-Russia border. Despite outnumbering the Ukrainian forces, the invading army was unable to enter the city. “I am from Kharkiv, from the largest residential area…