Ukraine: Civilians killed and injured as attacks on power and rail systems intensify

Ukraine: Civilians killed and injured as attacks on power and rail systems intensify

Since 22 March, Ukraine’s energy infrastructure sustained four waves of attacks that killed six people, injured at least 45, and struck at least 20 facilities.   Just this past Saturday alone,  missile attacks damaged four thermal power plants critical for electricity generation.  Two of the plants are located in western Ukraine, far from the frontline. Previous…

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UN updates on probe into allegations of staff collusion during 7 October attacks

UN updates on probe into allegations of staff collusion during 7 October attacks

“We are exploring corrective administrative action to be taken in that person’s case,” he said, speaking during the daily press briefing in New York.  Meanwhile, eight staff remain under investigation by the UN’s internal oversight body, OIOS, which also suspended three cases “as the information provided by Israel is not sufficient for OIOS to proceed…

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UNRWA report: UN chief stands with agency, backs findings of probe into 7 October attacks in Israel

UNRWA report: UN chief stands with agency, backs findings of probe into 7 October attacks in Israel

The Final Report, led by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna, was due to be released later on Monday; Ms. Colonna was also preparing to speak to journalists at a scheduled noon briefing in New York as Chair of the Independent Review Group on UNRWA.  “The Secretary-General accepts the recommendations contained in Ms. Colonna’s report,” Mr….

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World News in Brief: Green light for new cholera vaccine, Ukraine attacks condemned, action against racism call, Brazil rights defenders alert

World News in Brief: Green light for new cholera vaccine, Ukraine attacks condemned, action against racism call, Brazil rights defenders alert

The World Health Organization (WHO) decision means that Euvichol-S vaccine can be added to other cholera-busting drugs which are not being produced in sufficient quantities to help countries battling outbreaks of the preventable disease. WHO reported 473,000 cholera cases in 2022 – double the number in 2021. “The new vaccine is the third product of…

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World News in Brief: ‘Reckless attacks’ on Ukraine nuclear plant must cease, Chibok abductions 10 years on, action against plant pests

World News in Brief: ‘Reckless attacks’ on Ukraine nuclear plant must cease, Chibok abductions 10 years on, action against plant pests

Rafael Grossi told ambassadors that the first direct attacks since the Russian invasion began. earlier this month, on what is Europe’s largest nuclear facility, constituted a “step change increase in risk to nuclear safety and security”. Although the damage from drone strikes on the Russian-occupied power plant’s Unit 6 reactor building was superficial, it sets…

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Russian attacks ‘a daily destructive pattern’ in Ukraine, Security Council hears

Russian attacks ‘a daily destructive pattern’ in Ukraine, Security Council hears

Miroslav Jenča, an Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav in the UN Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, warned that the escalation threatens regional stability, international security and, above all, the people of Ukraine. Affected regions include Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Kharkiv, Odesa, Kherson, Dnipropetrovsk, and Donetsk. Deadly trend  “We are appalled by the increase in civilian…

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World News in Brief: Shipwreck tragedy off Djibouti coast, drone attacks continue at Ukraine nuclear plant, Madagascar cyclone update

World News in Brief: Shipwreck tragedy off Djibouti coast, drone attacks continue at Ukraine nuclear plant, Madagascar cyclone update

The incident took place at around 4 AM local time on Monday, about 200 meters offshore near the coastal town of Obock.  Twenty-two people were rescued by local fishermen and are being given treatment and support by IOM, agency spokesperson Yvonne Ndege told UN News in an exclusive interview. At least six others are missing…

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IAEA chief outlines five principles to avert nuclear ‘catastrophe’ in Ukraine

Attacks on Ukrainian nuclear facilities ‘must cease immediately’: UN atomic watchdog

Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said the targeting marked a “major escalation” in the level of danger facing the power plant. It was the first time since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 that the ZNPP – Europe’s largest nuclear power plant – has been directly targeted….

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World News in Brief: Security Council condemns DR Congo attacks, cholera testing breakthrough, ‘my health, my right’ campaign

World News in Brief: Security Council condemns DR Congo attacks, cholera testing breakthrough, ‘my health, my right’ campaign

In a statement following a briefing last week by Bintou Keita, the head of the UN mission, MONUSCO, ambassadors condemned all armed groups operating in the country and demanded the immediate cessation of hostilities and of any further advances by the M23. They expressed concern over ongoing displacement in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu…

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