Ukraine war: Political Affairs chief warns against rhetoric fuelling ‘already dangerous conflict’

Ukraine war: Political Affairs chief warns against rhetoric fuelling ‘already dangerous conflict’

“We understand both Russia and Ukraine are conducting separate investigations into the incident, and Kyiv has called for an international probe,” Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, told ambassadors in the Security Council. Russia said that there were no survivors from Monday’s crash in the Belgorod region close to the Ukrainian border and…

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Haiti crises have reached ‘a critical point’: UN envoy

Haiti crises have reached ‘a critical point’: UN envoy

“I cannot overstress the severity of the situation in Haiti, where multiple protracted crises have reached a critical point,” said Maria Isabel Salvador, presenting the latest report of the UN political office there, BINUH.  The Caribbean country remains plagued by mounting violence and insecurity at the hands of armed gangs, against a backdrop of political, humanitarian, and socioeconomic…

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Gaza: Top UN aid official calls for end to attacks on sites sheltering civilians

Gaza: Top UN aid official calls for end to attacks on sites sheltering civilians

The death toll from intensified fighting “in the area” of the training centre in the southern city of Khan Younis in recent days has risen to 12 confirmed fatalities and 75 injured – 15 critically – said Thomas White, Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory. “Persistent attacks on civilian sites in Khan Younis…

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Stories from the UN Archive: Shakira speaks up for children

Stories from the UN Archive: Shakira speaks up for children

The youngest ever Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in 2003, Shakira Mebarak has since been actively engaged in promoting early childhood education and development. In 2015, when the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted at the United Nations, Shakira took the floor and spoke about the critical early years of a child’s life. “It…

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World News in Brief: Houthis order US-UK staffers to leave, cholera response scales up in Somalia, teachers vital to fight against hate speech

World News in Brief: Houthis order US-UK staffers to leave, cholera response scales up in Somalia, teachers vital to fight against hate speech

Confirming the order from the de facto authorities, who control the capital Sana’a along with many other areas of the war-torn country, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told reporters that the demand ran counter to the legal conditions under which UN and other NGOs operate. Yemen descended into all out conflict in 2015 with Houthi rebels…

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Africa now ‘global epicentre’ of terrorism: UN chief

Africa now ‘global epicentre’ of terrorism: UN chief

Speaking at a meeting in New York on counter-terrorism initiatives across the continent, António Guterres said terror groups were “shredding the social fabric of entire countries with the blades of violence, mistrust and fear”. “Community by community, terrorist groups are extending their reach,” he said, adding that networks are widening, adding fighters and resources, and…

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Bangladesh: Citing ‘dangerous decline’ of human rights, experts urge key reforms

Bangladesh: Citing ‘dangerous decline’ of human rights, experts urge key reforms

The Human Rights Council-appointed experts’ call follows on from the election victory of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina earlier this month, who secured a controversial fourth term with the main opposition party deciding to boycott the poll. Ms. Hasina and her Awami League party won 223 of the 300 parliamentary seats being contested amid violent protests…

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