Addicted to war, power and greed, humanity is ‘killing itself’, warns Colombian President

Addicted to war, power and greed, humanity is ‘killing itself’, warns Colombian President

“It would seem as though the global leadership has made enemies with life,” he said in his address to the Assembly’s annual general debate, stressing that the past year of climate catastrophes and conflict had been a “terrifying indicator” that humanity is running headlong towards “extinction.”  President Petro proposed two UN-backed peace conferences to resolve…

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Afghanistan: Human rights ‘in a state of collapse’, warns Türk

Afghanistan: Human rights ‘in a state of collapse’, warns Türk

“Human rights in Afghanistan are in a state of collapse,” he told the Human Rights Council, before sounding the alarm over ongoing reports of extrajudicial killings, torture and ill-treatment and arbitrary arrests and detentions, as well as serious violations against former Government officials, as documented in a new human rights office (OHCHR) report. “Compounding all of this…

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Window to reach climate goals ‘rapidly closing’, UN report warns

Window to reach climate goals ‘rapidly closing’, UN report warns

Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which issued the report, called for “greater ambition and accelerating action”. “I urge governments to carefully study the findings of the report and ultimately understand what it means for them and the ambitious action they must take next. It is the same…

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Pakistan: Flood waters have gone but horror continues for children, UNICEF warns

Pakistan: Flood waters have gone but horror continues for children, UNICEF warns

Speaking one year on from the unprecedented disaster, Abdullah Fadil, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan, noted new challenges for about four million children living without safe water in flood-affected areas. “Vulnerable children living in flood-affected areas have endured a horrific year. They lost their loved ones, homes and schools. As the monsoon rains return, the fear…

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UNHCR warns of deteriorating health conditions in Sudan

UNHCR warns of deteriorating health conditions in Sudan

“As many families have been on the move for weeks, with very little food and medicine, rising malnutrition rates, disease outbreaks and related deaths continue to be observed,” the UN agency’s William Spindler told journalists in Geneva on Tuesday. Highlighting particular concern for conditions in refugee camps and transit centres, Mr. Spindler said that mental…

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Niger crisis could worsen insecurity throughout West Africa, UN envoy warns

Niger crisis could worsen insecurity throughout West Africa, UN envoy warns

Briefing journalists at UN Headquarters in New York, Léonardo Santos Simão reiterated condemnation of the attempted overthrow of Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum on 26 July. He also underscored support for efforts by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) aimed at restoring constitutional order and consolidating democratic gains in the country. People deserve peace “The…

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