World News in Brief: Rights chief appalled at Nigeria mass abductions, ‘pervasive’ hunger in streets of Sudan, Syria child crisis

World News in Brief: Rights chief appalled at Nigeria mass abductions, ‘pervasive’ hunger in streets of Sudan, Syria child crisis

“I am appalled by the recurrent mass abductions of men, women and children in northern Nigeria. Children have been abducted from schools and women taken while searching for firewood. Such horrors must not become normalised,” he said. News reports indicate at least 564 people have been abducted since 7 March. More than 280 pupils were…

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UN calls for united action to combat rising Islamophobia

UN calls for united action to combat rising Islamophobia

The new resolution, tabled by Pakistan, calls for, among other things, concerted action to fight ongoing violence against Muslims and requests the UN Secretary-General to appoint a special envoy to combat Islamophobia. The world body created the International Day through a resolution adopted following attacks on two mosques Christchurch, New Zealand, that left 51 people dead on…

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Security Council: ‘Risky military adventurism’ could push Yemen into new cycle of war

Security Council: ‘Risky military adventurism’ could push Yemen into new cycle of war

Briefing ambassadors at the UN Security Council, Hans Grundberg voiced his disappointment at the failure to achieve key milestones that ordinary Yemenis have been demanding, by Ramadan. “As I briefed last month, the mediation space has grown more complex. This continues to be the case,” he said. “Although we have tried to shield the peace…

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UN chief calls for people-centered approach to combat drug stigma

UN chief calls for people-centered approach to combat drug stigma

In his message to the opening of the 67th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, Secretary-General António Guterres said the proliferation of powerful street drugs and pharmaceutical misuse needs to be addressed through balanced responses and collective action. He called for countering drug trafficking, investing in drug use prevention, and ensuring equal access to…

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‘The patriarchy may be pushing back, but so are we’, UN chief tells CSW68

‘The patriarchy may be pushing back, but so are we’, UN chief tells CSW68

“After decades of progress, women’s rights are being undermined and reversed,” said Secretary-General António Guterres. Pointing to several ominous examples, he said women’s rights are severely restricted in Afghanistan, sexual violence is being reported during the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict and the patriarchy is pushing back against hard-won rights women have striven to achieve. “The women…

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With internal displacement at a record high, aid chief backs action call

With internal displacement at a record high, aid chief backs action call

Martin Griffiths was speaking at a review of humanitarian efforts to help people uprooted by conflict, climate change or other emergencies. He echoed concerns that help for the world’s internally displaced isn’t being delivered quickly enough by the United Nations and its partners, as escalating conflicts, large-scale disasters, water scarcity and food insecurity continue to…

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Diplomacy and national leadership crucial in preventing war, Security Council hears

Diplomacy and national leadership crucial in preventing war, Security Council hears

Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs told ambassadors at the Security Council that conflict prevention is a cornerstone of the UN’s mission. “Prevention saves lives and safeguards development gains. It is cost effective,” she said. Recalling the Secretary-General’s policy brief on A New Agenda for Peace, Ms. DiCarlo said prevention needed to be…

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World News in Brief: $850 million plan to support Rohingya refugees, child rights, Haiti aid update

World News in Brief: $850 million plan to support Rohingya refugees, child rights, Haiti aid update

The 2024 Joint Response Plan backed by the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, and migration agency, IOM, is led by the Government of Bangladesh. It seeks to alleviate the plight of around one million Rohingya refugees living in densely-populated camps in Cox’s Bazar and on the island of Bhasan Char after they fled ethnic violence in…

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