Save lives, UN agencies appeal, after yet another tragedy in the Mediterranean

Save lives, UN agencies appeal, after yet another tragedy in the Mediterranean

The International Organization for Migration (IOM); the UN refugee agency, UNCHR; and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) also called for coordinated search and rescue mechanisms. The tragedy occurred between Thursday 3 August and Friday 4 August, and to date, only four survivors have been rescued – all by a merchant vessel.   The survivors, brought…

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China: 'Vocational training' programmes for Tibetans carry risk of forced labour

China: UN experts demand information on nine imprisoned human rights defenders

The experts sounded the alarm on the lack of information provided by Chinese authorities – deeming it a deliberate attempt to “make the world forget” about the individuals who are spending year after year in isolation.  Between 2010 and 2019, nine environmental human rights defenders were arrested and imprisoned after they protested against allegedly illegal mining activities and hunting of…

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Niger: Guterres concerned about health and safety of detained President

Niger: Guterres concerned about health and safety of detained President

President Mohamed Bazoum and his family are believed to be living without electricity, water, food or medicine, according to media reports. Release detained leader The democratically elected leader has been detained since soldiers seized power on 26 July. “The Secretary-General reiterates his concern for the health and safety of the President and his family and…

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

Ukraine: Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant initiates reactor shutdown following water leak, reports IAEA

The purpose of placing reactor unit 4 in cold shutdown is to investigate the exact cause of the leak and carry out necessary maintenance to repair the affected steam generator, according to a statement by Rafael Mariano Grossi, IAEA Director General. There was no radiological release to the environment, the statement noted, adding that over…

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UNEP oceans advocate Lewis Pugh on epic Hudson swim to highlight importance of river health

UNEP oceans advocate Lewis Pugh on epic Hudson swim to highlight importance of river health

The 315-mile swim, roughly 507 kilometres, will take him from the river’s source in the Adirondack Mountains to where it meets the Atlantic Ocean in New York City, home to UN Headquarters. Mr. Pugh headed for the Hudson on Wednesday and expects to complete the journey shortly before 20 September, when nations will begin ratifying…

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Negotiated solution only way to end Sudan war: senior UN official

Negotiated solution only way to end Sudan war: senior UN official

“There needs to be a negotiated solution to end this war as soon as possible.  There is no other alternative,” said Martha Pobee, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Africa, whose portfolio covers both political and peacebuilding affairs. “The longer this war continues, the greater the risk of fragmentation, and foreign interference and erosion of sovereignty,…

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