UN chief demands president’s immediate and unconditional release — Global Issues

UN chief demands president’s immediate and unconditional release — Global Issues

A group of officers from all branches of the military made the television announcement late on Wednesday, after members of the president’s own guard detained him inside his offices in the capital Niamey. According to news reports, the attempted coup does not have the backing of the entire military, but…

On 70th anniversary of Korean armistice, Guterres calls for renewed dialogue — Global Issues

On 70th anniversary of Korean armistice, Guterres calls for renewed dialogue — Global Issues

His message marked the 70th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice Agreement that ended the hostilities and established a demilitarized zone, about 240 kilometres long and 4 kilometres wide, as a buffer. The conflict however never officially ended because the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Republic of Korea…

Sudan health crisis reaches ‘gravely serious levels’: WHO — Global Issues

Sudan health crisis reaches ‘gravely serious levels’: WHO — Global Issues

Cases of infectious diseases and other illness have been reported among displaced populations who have sought shelter in hard-to-reach locations, where health services are limited. “The scale of the health crisis is enormous. We are working hard to step up our response, delivering critical medical and other emergency health supplies,”…

‘Urgent steps’ needed to end surge in violence across West Bank — Global Issues

‘Urgent steps’ needed to end surge in violence across West Bank — Global Issues

“This deterioration is taking place alongside ongoing unilateral steps that undermine a two-State solution, the absence of a peace process and the continuing economic challenges facing Palestinians and the Palestinian Authority (PA),” said Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for Middle East, briefing ambassadors. “It is critical that all parties take urgent…

‘Latest attacks signal a calamitous turn’, Security Council hears — Global Issues

‘Latest attacks signal a calamitous turn’, Security Council hears — Global Issues

The Council meeting was convened following the missile strikes on Sunday which damaged the centuries-old Transfiguration Cathedral, the first and foremost Orthodox church in the historic city. Other landmarks in the city centre, a protected World Heritage Site, were also damaged in the attack, which killed one person and injured…

High stakes UN operation underway to avert catastrophic oil spill — Global Issues

High stakes UN operation underway to avert catastrophic oil spill — Global Issues

The 19-day operation will pump more than one million barrels out of the rusting vessel, the Safer, which was abandoned over eight years ago, to a nearby replacement vessel. Secretary-General António Guterres said the UN has taken on the delicate operation as a spill would spell environmental catastrophe for the…

‘Real challenges’ must be addressed beyond polling day, urges UN West Africa envoy — Global Issues

‘Real challenges’ must be addressed beyond polling day, urges UN West Africa envoy — Global Issues

In his first briefing to the Security Council since being appointed to the position, Leonardo Santos Simaõ recalled elections in Benin, the Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. He said they had “marked important steps towards democratic consolidation, offering opportunities for citizens to choose their leaders and representatives at…

Syria still mired in division, top UN envoy tells Security Council — Global Issues

Syria still mired in division, top UN envoy tells Security Council — Global Issues

“I hope they will soon, because if not, it will be another missed opportunity to help the Syrian conflict to come to a negotiated end, at a time when the impact of the crisis is deepening,” Geir Pedersen said, briefing the Security Council. While there had been positive humanitarian gestures…

UN strongly condemns Russian strikes in Odesa, Ukraine — Global Issues

UN strongly condemns Russian strikes in Odesa, Ukraine — Global Issues

Over the past week, Russia has carried out aerial attacks on Odesa and two other port cities, Chornomorsk and Mykolaiv, since terminating the landmark Black Sea Initiative on grain and fertilizer exports. International media reported that at least one person was killed and more than 20 wounded in Sunday’s attack,…

Killing of veteran WFP staff member ‘an unacceptable tragedy’ — Global Issues

Killing of veteran WFP staff member ‘an unacceptable tragedy’ — Global Issues

In a statement, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator David Gressly said he was “shocked and deeply saddened by the appalling attack”, which occurred on Friday when unknown gunmen fired on the aid workers in the town of Turbah, located in Taiz governorate in southwestern Yemen. Never a target Mr. Gressley…