UN envoy tells Myanmar general: End violence, seek democracy
The U.N. special envoy for Myanmar, Noeleen Heyzer, has met with the head of its military-installed government and urged him to halt all violence and support a political path back to civilian rule and democracy, Heyzer also called on Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing to allow the country’s imprisoned former leader Aung San Suu Kyi to return home and to meet with her.
Falling global food and fuel costs offer poor countries little relief
Many of the global prices for food, fuel and fertilizer that spiked when Russia invaded Ukraine have returned to their pre-war levels, defying the most dire forecasts even as policymakers warn of the continued risk of famine and financial crisis in the developing world.
washingtonpost.comIndia criticizes China for blocking UN sanctions on militant
India on Friday criticized China's decision to block the imposition of U.N. sanctions sought by it and the United States against the deputy chief of Jaish-e-Mohammad, a Pakistan-based extremist group designated by the United Nations as a terrorist organization. "It is unfortunate that when it comes to our collective battle against terrorism the international community has been unable to speak in one common voice,” Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said. Abdul Rauf Azhar has been under U.S. sanctions since December 2010 for acting for or on behalf of the group, known as JEM.
news.yahoo.comChina blocks UN sanctions on Pakistani extremist leader
China has blocked the imposition of U.N. sanctions sought by the United States and India against the deputy chief of Jaish-e-Mohammad, a Pakistan-based extremist group designated by the United Nations as a terrorist organization
washingtonpost.comUN experts: Malian military and 'white' soldiers killed 33
U.N. experts say in a new report that Malian armed forces allegedly carried out an operation with “white-skinned soldiers” near the border with Mauritania in March, shooting and burning at least 33 civilians in one of several operations where the country’s ruling military appeared to work closely with likely Russian mercenaries
washingtonpost.comRwanda rejects UN report on support for rebels in Congo
Rwanda’s government is rejecting a report by United Nations experts saying they have “solid evidence” that members of Rwanda’s armed forces are conducting operations in eastern Congo in support of the M23 rebel group whose deadly resurgence has led to growing Congo-Rwanda tensions and talk of war
washingtonpost.comUS envoy: Africa trip isn't to compete with Russia, China
The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations is heading to Africa, saying she is going to focus on how the United State can help Uganda, Ghana and Cape Verde deal with the food crisis that has hit the continent particularly hard — not to compete with China and Russia.
Calif. climate migrant family settles in Vermont
Families factoring climate change into a move has become more prominent in the past several years, as temperatures soared and disaster tolls went through the roof. That includes The Holden family who left California and settled in Vermont. (Aug. 4)
news.yahoo.comUN Secretary General urges governments to tax 'immoral' oil and gas profits
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres speaks during the 2022 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons at the United Nations in New York City on August 1, 2022. WASHINGTON — United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged governments on Wednesday to tax excessive oil and gas profits as the world grapples with an energy crisis triggered in part, by Rusisa's war in Ukraine. "It is immoral for oil and gas companies to be making record profits from this energy crisis on the backs of the poorest people and communities," Guterres said in a speech before the international forum. "This grotesque greed is punishing the poorest and most vulnerable people while destroying our only home," Guterres said, calling for governments to also address the mounting climate crisis. "We are already seeing the warning signs of a wave of economic, social and political upheaval that would leave no country untouched," he added.
cnbc.comEast Africa bloc says 50 million face acute food insecurity
More than 50 million people in the wider East African region are expected to face acute food insecurity this year, a regional bloc said Friday, warning that some 300,000 in Somalia and South Sudan are projected to be under full-blown famine conditions.
Sri Lankan PM requests patience as UN calls for relief funds
Sri Lanka’s prime minister says the United Nations has arranged a worldwide appeal to help the island nation cope with critical shortages of food, fuel and medicines, but the projected funds barely scratch the surface of the $6 billion it needs to stay afloat over the next six months.
Africa needs better weather warning systems, urge experts
Better climate-related research and early warning systems are needed as extreme weather — from cyclones to drought — continues to inflict the African continent, said Sudanese billionaire and philanthropist Mo Ibrahim, who heads up his own foundation.
UN floats plan to boost renewables as climate worries mount
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is launching a five-point plan to jump-start broader use of renewable energies as the U.N. weather agency reported that greenhouse gas concentrations, ocean heat, sea-level rise, and ocean acidification reached record highs last year.
UN council backs UN chief's peace effort in its first action
The U.N. Security Council has unanimously adopted its first statement since Russia’s military action began on Feb. 24, expressing “strong support” for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ efforts to find a peaceful solution to the “dispute” in Ukraine.