Cyprus President to UN Assembly: ‘Do we have the resolve to make peace our top priority?’

Cyprus President to UN Assembly: ‘Do we have the resolve to make peace our top priority?’

Mr. Christodoulides issued renewed condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and urged member states to live up to the commitments outlined in the UN Charter.  “The horrors of the second world war, which began in Europe and consumed the world, brought nations together. We, assembled here today, must live up to the obligations prescribed in…

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Top UN aid official in Ukraine deplores latest wave of ‘massive Russian attacks’

Top UN aid official in Ukraine deplores latest wave of ‘massive Russian attacks’

Denise Brown issued a statement deploring this “new wave of massive Russian attacks”, and appealed for the violence to end. “Grain storage facilities, vital for the Ukrainian farmers and global food security, have been hit in the Danube area,” she said. “A school in the Sumy region was damaged, and teachers were killed and injured.”  International media…

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Top UN aid official in Ukraine condemns latest wave of indiscriminate attacks

Top UN aid official in Ukraine condemns latest wave of indiscriminate attacks

Denise Brown issued a statement deploring the “indiscriminate” attacks impacting civilians and civilian infrastructure.  She stressed that people in the south, including in the Kherson and Odesa regions, had endured “a particularly harsh weekend” after reports that strikes left many civilians, including children, killed and injured. An entire family, including an infant, were among the…

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Children forcibly separated from mothers at Syria’s Al Hol, warns top rights expert

Children forcibly separated from mothers at Syria’s Al Hol, warns top rights expert

Fionnuala Ni Aolain, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, is the first independent rights expert to gain access to the infamous facilities Al Hol and Al Raj, as well as other places of detention. After her six-day visit to northeast Syria, Ms. Ni Aolain said…

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Behind at halftime, but all still to play for in race to 2030 as top political forum closes

Behind at halftime, but all still to play for in race to 2030 as top political forum closes

Over the past ten days, world leaders, policymakers, and key stakeholders gathered to review progress, share experiences, and discuss strategies for advancing sustainable development. The HLPF serves as a central platform for monitoring and reviewing the implementation of the SDGs, which were adopted by all UN Member States in 2015. These goals encompass a wide…

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Chinese ambassador makes rare meeting with top Pentagon official

Chinese ambassador makes rare meeting with top Pentagon official

Chinese Ambassador to the US Shai Feng held an extraordinary meeting with the top official of the Asia Desk at the Pentagon, which lasted 90 minutes. A statement released by the Pentagon said that the Chinese ambassador discussed defense relations, international and regional security issues with US Assistant Secretary of Defense Eli Ratner. Pentagon spokesman…

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Syrians facing ‘ever worsening’ conditions, top UN officials warn

Syrians facing ‘ever worsening’ conditions, top UN officials warn

“The violence and suffering of the Syrian people remind us of what is at stake as diplomatic efforts continue on Syria,” said Najat Rochdi, UN Deputy Special Envoy for the country. “Ultimately, we need a nationwide ceasefire in line with Security Council resolution 2254.” Worsening crisis Briefing on current conditions, she said recent reports have tracked deadly…

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