500 still missing following Afghanistan earthquake, say UN aid teams

World News in Brief: 500 million heading into extreme poverty, Afghanistan quake latest, Darfur deaths mount

Marking the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, Mr. Guterres pointed out that nearly 700 million people are living on less than $2.15 per day and over a billion don’t have access to basic needs like food, water, health care and education. Billions more lack sanitation and access to energy, jobs, housing and social safety…

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UN agencies condemn deadly strike on Gaza hospital

UN agencies condemn deadly strike on Gaza hospital

An Israeli airstrike struck al-Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza City, international media reported, citing the Health Ministry in the Hamas-controlled enclave. The details have yet to be verified, but the Israeli Defense Forces tweeted that according to its intelligence information, rockets fired by Islamic Jihad militants towards Israel were to blame, having deviated off course….

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Israel-Gaza crisis: Competing Security Council resolutions reveal diplomatic fault lines

Israel-Gaza crisis: Competing Security Council resolutions reveal diplomatic fault lines

The 15-member body that oversees peace and security issues, is expected to decide on a second draft resolution later on Tuesday, led by Brazil. While it does not officially represent the position of the Council until adopted, this proposal aims to mitigate ongoing humanitarian suffering on the ground, establish corridors for safe aid delivery, as…

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Human rights experts urge Pakistan to stop planned mass deportation of Afghans

Human rights experts urge Pakistan to stop planned mass deportation of Afghans

The Government of Pakistan, which has hosted millions of Afghans for decades, recently announced that all “undocumented” foreign nationals must leave the country by 1 November or face deportation to their countries of origin. These plans would impact many Afghans who fled to Pakistan seeking safety and protection due to serious human rights concerns and…

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Africa: Great Lakes envoy urges international support amid rising hostilities

Africa: Great Lakes envoy urges international support amid rising hostilities

Speaking before the Security Council, Huang Xia expressed deep concern over the worsening security situation and potential for a direct conflict between the DRC and Rwanda, who have accused each other of supporting armed groups within each other’s territory. Mr. Xia highlighted the resurgence of large-scale hostilities in the restive eastern DRC alongside the worsening…

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Guterres: Turn ‘infrastructure emergency’ into opportunity, but also protect nature

Guterres: Turn ‘infrastructure emergency’ into opportunity, but also protect nature

António Guterres was speaking at the third international forum on China’s Belt and Road initiative, which has funded and built roads, power plants, bridges, ports and other facilities across developing countries over the past decade.  Although infrastructure “is the foundation of everyday life for people and economies”, Mr. Guterres recalled that billions in the developing…

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