World News in Brief: Deadly strikes in Sudan, Guterres calls for unity ahead of Ramadan

World News in Brief: Deadly strikes in Sudan, Guterres calls for unity ahead of Ramadan

Fresh waves of violence in Sudan and neighbouring South Sudan are pushing fragile communities into deeper crisis, with attacks on towns, health facilities and aid infrastructure forcing thousands to flee and leaving humanitarian agencies scrambling to respond. Over the past week, conflict has intensified in Sudan’s North Kordofan state, where more than a dozen attacks […]

NSE Chief Offers Prayers At Tirupati Ahead of IPO

NSE Chief Offers Prayers At Tirupati Ahead of IPO

Ashishkumar Chauhan, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Stock Exchange, on Sunday visited Tirupati with his family and offered prayers at the Lord Venkateshwara temple, seeking blessings for the exchange, its members, shareholders and the country. Speaking after the visit, Chauhan said the darshan took place early in the morning and described […]

Amid escalating attacks in Gaza, UN rights chief calls on US to withdraw sanctions against Palestinian rights groups

Amid escalating attacks in Gaza, UN rights chief calls on US to withdraw sanctions against Palestinian rights groups

The measures announced on Thursday target Al-Haq group, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) and Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights, in relation to their support of the work of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, following other sanctions imposed by the US Government in June on renowned […]

Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit: Guterres calls for strengthening multilateralism

Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit: Guterres calls for strengthening multilateralism

The Eurasian bloc, comprising 10 member states, is the world’s largest regional organization by population and geography. Mr. Guterres told leaders that “we are moving towards a multipolar world”, which is both a reality and an opportunity. He said emerging economies are reshaping trade, diplomacy and development, but at the same time, injustices and divisions […]

UN chief calls for justice and ‘real change’ for people of African descent

UN chief calls for justice and ‘real change’ for people of African descent

In a message released ahead of the Day, Mr. Guterres honoured the “extraordinary” contributions of people of African descent across every sphere of human endeavour. The Secretary-General also recognised the “long shadows” of slavery and colonialism, which include systemic racism, unequal economies and societies, and the digital divide (between those who are able to benefit […]

Sudan: Guterres calls for ceasefire in El Fasher, deplores ‘relentless’ militia attacks

Sudan: Guterres calls for ceasefire in El Fasher, deplores ‘relentless’ militia attacks

António Guterres said he was “appalled by the relentless attacks” by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia on the North Darfur state capital, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said in a statement. The paramilitary group and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have been battling for control of devastated country since April 2023 and El Fasher has […]

UN calls for decisive steps to end conflict as Gaza and West Bank crises deepen

UN calls for decisive steps to end conflict as Gaza and West Bank crises deepen

“Today the world looks on in horror as the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory continues to deteriorate to levels not seen in recent history,” said Ramiz Alakbarov, UN Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, speaking from Jerusalem. He began by focusing on Gaza, which is “sinking deeper into disaster, marked by […]

Gaza: UN calls for probe following deadly strikes on Nasser Hospital

Gaza: UN calls for probe following deadly strikes on Nasser Hospital

At least 20 people were killed, including four health workers and five journalists, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Gebreyesus said in a tweet. Fifty other people were injured, including critically ill patients who were already receiving care. Healthcare under attack “While people in Gaza are being starved, their already limited access to healthcare is being further […]

Syria: UNICEF calls for safe access to children in Sweida as needs mount

Syria: UNICEF calls for safe access to children in Sweida as needs mount

Deadly sectarian clashes erupted in the southern governorate, also known as As-Sweida, in July and early August and children and families continue to feel the impact. At least 22 children reportedly were killed and another 21 injured in the violence, which caused significant damage to civilian infrastructure.  More than 190,000 people, mainly women and children, […]

SECURITY COUNCIL LIVE: Israel calls for focus on Gaza hostages’ plight

SECURITY COUNCIL LIVE: Israel calls for focus on Gaza hostages’ plight

The Security Council is meeting to discuss rising concern in Israel and elsewhere over the dire conditions facing the hostages who remain in Gaza. It follows the release of recent videos by Hamas and other Palestinian militants showing emaciated captives, which the UN Secretary-General called “an unacceptable violation of human dignity.” A senior UN political […]

In hard-hitting human rights address, Guterres calls for urgent action on Gaza, authoritarianism and climate justice

In hard-hitting human rights address, Guterres calls for urgent action on Gaza, authoritarianism and climate justice

Recalling his own experience living under dictatorship in Portugal, Mr. Guterres told participants at the Global Assembly of the international rights charity Amnesty International on Friday that the fight for human rights is “more important than ever”. He called on States to uphold international law and defend human rights “consistently and universally, even or especially […]

UN calls for reversal of US sanctions on Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese

UN calls for reversal of US sanctions on Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese

They’re calling for the decision to be reversed, warning it could undermine the wider international human rights system. The sanctions were announced by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday under a Presidential Executive Order. Mr. Rubio alleged that Ms. Albanese had “directly engaged with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in efforts to investigate, […]

UN calls on Taliban to end repressive policies

UN calls on Taliban to end repressive policies

Adopted with 116 votes in favour, 12 abstentions and 2 against (Israel and United States), the resolution highlighted the multifaceted crises confronting Afghanistan nearly four years after the Taliban’s return to power, calling for greater international support for the Afghan people and a renewed push for human rights, peace and stability. It emphasised the need […]

Guterres calls for immediate Gaza ceasefire as humanitarian crisis reaches ‘horrific proportions’

Guterres calls for immediate Gaza ceasefire as humanitarian crisis reaches ‘horrific proportions’

Speaking to reporters at UN Headquarters ahead of his departure to Spain for the International Conference on Financing for Development, the Secretary-General said that while the Israel-Iran conflict had dominated recent headlines, the plight of civilians in Gaza remained urgent and dire. “Families have been displaced again and again – and are now confined to […]

UN calls for restraint after deadly Kenya protests

UN calls for restraint after deadly Kenya protests

At least 400 people were injured, including police officers, according to media reports. The official death toll has not been confirmed, with estimates ranging from eight to 16.  The demonstrations marked the anniversary of last year’s anti-tax protests, when 60 people were reportedly killed and dozens abducted by police. This year, anger intensified following the […]

UN relief chief calls for solidarity, with humanitarians ‘literally under attack’

UN relief chief calls for solidarity, with humanitarians ‘literally under attack’

Tom Fletcher was speaking at the annual stock-take of his sector known as the ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment, which brings together UN Member States and organizations, humanitarian and development partners, as well as the private sector and affected communities. He said this year’s theme – renew global solidarity for humanity – “could not be more […]

Guterres calls for an end to ocean ‘plunder’ as UN summit opens in France

Guterres calls for an end to ocean ‘plunder’ as UN summit opens in France

“The ocean is the ultimate shared resource,” he told delegates gathered at the port of Nice. “But we are failing it.” Oceans, he warned, are absorbing 90 per cent of the excess heat from greenhouse gas emissions and buckling under the strain: overfishing, rising temperatures, plastic pollution, acidification. Coral reefs are dying. Fish stocks are […]

UN calls for ‘immediate and unconditional’ release of aid workers arbitrarily detained in Yemen

UN calls for ‘immediate and unconditional’ release of aid workers arbitrarily detained in Yemen

In a statement on Monday, António Guterres strongly condemned the death in detention of a World Food Programme (WFP) staff member earlier this year. The Houthis have yet to provide “an explanation for this deplorable tragedy,” António Guterres said, renewing his call for “an immediate, transparent and thorough investigation and accountability.” Profound injustice “The UN and its humanitarian […]