Rejection of two-State solution by Israeli leadership 'unacceptable', says Guterres

Pakistan, Somalia, Panama, Denmark and Greece elected to UN Security Council

They will replace Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique and Switzerland, whose terms end on 31 December. In a secret ballot, the elected countries secured the required two-thirds majority of Member States present and voting in the 193-member General Assembly. The new members will join existing non-permanent members Algeria, Guyana, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone and…

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Guterres ‘personally devastated’ over inability of UN to safeguard staff in Gaza, despite best efforts

Guterres ‘personally devastated’ over inability of UN to safeguard staff in Gaza, despite best efforts

Among them were 135 women and men who worked for the UN agency assisting Palestine refugees (UNRWA), killed during Israeli military operations in Gaza since 7 October. Many were killed along with their families and within the communities they served. “That is by far the highest number of our personnel killed in a single conflict…

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Myanmar: UN rights office warns of growing crisis in Rakhine state

UN chief condemns escalating violence and civilian attacks in Myanmar

UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said the Secretary-General “strongly condemns” recent attacks by the Myanmar military in Rakhine State and Sagaing Region that have reportedly claimed the lives of many civilians. “The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the widening regional ramifications of the deteriorating situation in Myanmar and reiterates his appeal for a unified approach,” Mr….

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Philemon Yang of Cameroon elected President of upcoming General Assembly session

Philemon Yang of Cameroon elected President of upcoming General Assembly session

President-elect Yang also served as the Chairperson of the Panel of Eminent Africans of the African Union, demonstrating “unwavering dedication” to the principles of peace, sustainable development and human dignity, Dennis Francis, President of the General Assembly said. “His steadfast leadership has also been characterized by a consistent commitment to dialogue, cooperation, and inclusivity –…

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World News in Brief: World News in Brief: Warmest January on record, Sudan diplomacy push, catching childhood cancer early

World heading towards new temperature records, UN weather watchdog warns

Latest forecasts from the World Meteorological Organization indicated that there was an 80 per cent likelihood that the world will see the annual average global temperature temporarily exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for at least one of the next five years, a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warns.  “WMO is sounding the alarm that…

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Acute food insecurity to rise in 18 ‘hunger hotspots’, warn aid agencies

Acute food insecurity to rise in 18 ‘hunger hotspots’, warn aid agencies

Although many “hunger hotspots” are in Africa, fears of famine persist in Gaza and Sudan, where conflict continues to rage, fuelling the regional risk of new hunger emergencies, warned the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP). “Once a famine is declared, it is too late – many people will have already…

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