World News in Brief: School shooting in Canada, cholera outbreak in DR Congo, evacuations in Gaza

António Guterres was “saddened to learn of the tragic shooting in Tumble Ridge, British Columbia,” his spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said at the daily news briefing.

“[Mr. Guterres] extends his deepest condolences to those affected and his sympathies to the Government and people of Canada,” Mr. Dujarric added.

Two crime scenes

According to media reports, the dead included at least three female students, two male students and a teacher. Two additional people were found dead at a nearby home, who local police have reportedly identified as the suspect’s mother and stepbrother.

The suspect – who was born male but was transitioning and identified as female, according to police – was found at the school having died from an apparent self-inflicted wound.

Two of the several dozen injured were airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Tumbler Ridge, located in the Canadian Rockies more than 1,000 kilometres northeast of Vancouver, is a small community near the Alberta border. The secondary school serves around 175 students from Grades seven to 12.

DR Congo: UN urges urgent scale-up as cholera outbreak worsens

The UN relief coordination office, OCHA, has warned that the spiralling cholera outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo demands an immediate scale-up of the response.

It is reportedly the country’s worst outbreak in 25 years. Since the start of 2026, more than 1,300 suspected cases and 35 deaths have been recorded.

Last year, over 71,800 suspected cases were reported, with more than 2,000 deaths.

Humanitarian support

Humanitarian partners, alongside the Government and the UN, continue to provide support, but major gaps remain. Water, sanitation and hygiene services are critically underfunded, health workers are overstretched, supplies are running low and access to treatment facilities remains difficult.

On Monday, $750,000 was allocated from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to help health partners rapidly expand life-saving assistance and curb transmission.

OCHA stressed that more flexible funding is urgently needed to bolster health services and contain the outbreak.

Gaza: UN scales up evacuations and education support

In Gaza, UN teams supported the medical evacuation of 18 patients and 26 companions through the Rafah Crossing on Tuesday.

Teams also received 41 additional returnees at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, where a reception area is being operated to assist those arriving.

Since Rafah reopened in early February, just over 220 people in each direction have been facilitated through the crossing, according to UN Spokesperson Dujarric.

“I reiterate that we would like to see more people having the opportunity to move voluntarily and safely, in both directions, especially to access services that they need,” he said on Wednesday.

Hoping to expand aid operation

“We also hope to see the movement of cargo enabled through Rafah, to increase the volume of humanitarian supplies entering, and further expand the scale up of the humanitarian response.”

Humanitarian partners working to provide educational support have delivered stationery and toys in recent days to improve learning conditions for thousands of children.

Four new temporary learning spaces were established last week, bringing the total across Gaza to about 450, serving more than 5,500 students.

Between 29 January and 4 February, child protection partners provided winter assistance, psychosocial support and safe spaces to more than 6,500 children and caregivers, including warm clothing for nearly 3,800 children.

Source link

France Joins UK, Canada, Australia and Portugal in Recognising Palestinian Statehood

France joins UK, Canada, Australia and Portugal in recognising Palestinian statehood at UN-backed conference

United Nations/New York: UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday reiterated that nothing can justify the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel, nor the “collective punishment” inflicted on the Palestinian people in their aftermath. Calling for an “immediate” ceasefire in Gaza, he urged the release of all hostages and the opening of safe, unconditional and unhindered humanitarian corridors.

Speaking at the resumed international conference on Palestine, co-chaired with Saudi Arabia, Guterres warned that the viability of a two-state solution is being undermined by “relentless” settlement expansion, the “creeping threat of annexation” and a surge in settler violence in the West Bank.

“The time for peace has come because we are just a few moments away from no longer being able to seize peace,” he told delegates. “Let’s be clear: statehood for the Palestinians is a right, not a reward. Denying it would be a gift to extremists everywhere.”

France Backs Palestinian Statehood

The conference, held after the General Assembly overwhelmingly endorsed the first phase outcome declaration in July, saw fresh diplomatic momentum. The United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Portugal formally recognised the State of Palestine on Sunday. French President Emmanuel Macron announced that Paris would follow suit, a declaration that drew lengthy applause.

“The recognition of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people takes nothing away from the rights of the people of Israel, which France has supported from Day One,” Macron said. “This recognition is the only solution that will allow Israel to live in peace.”

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud praised the countries that had recognised Palestine and urged others to “take a similar historic step.” Such recognition, he said, would “support efforts towards the implementation of the two-State solution, achieve permanent and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, and create a new reality of stability and prosperity.”

ALSO READ: London’s Far-Right Rally Sends Shockwaves Through South Asian Communities

UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock acknowledged scepticism around the two-state formula, noting that the UN’s earliest resolutions on the issue date back to its founding years. But she stressed that pursuing the alternative would mean conceding to “evil” and risk “the end of this institution.”

“This is not a naïve wish,” Baerbock insisted. “The international community is committed not only to the principle of two states but to identifying tangible, timebound and irreversible steps for its realisation, backed by decisive measures and international guarantees.”

The conference underscored a growing shift among Western powers towards recognising Palestinian statehood, even as conditions on the ground remain volatile. For Guterres and other leaders, the message was clear: without urgent steps, the two-state solution risks slipping out of reach, with grave consequences for peace and security in the Middle East and beyond.

Canada, Australia and UK Recognise Palestine’s Statehood, Palestine Welcomes

Palestine has hailed the coordinated move by Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom to formally recognise it as an independent and sovereign state, calling the decision a step in line with international law and legitimacy resolutions.

In a statement shared on X, Palestine’s Mission to the United Nations said its Ministry of Foreign Affairs “welcomes and expresses gratitude” to the three countries for what it described as “courageous decisions” that affirm the Palestinian right to statehood.

The recognition was announced on Sunday in synchronised declarations from Ottawa, Canberra and London, marking a significant diplomatic shift aimed at reviving prospects for a two-state solution in the Middle East.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong, in a joint statement, said recognition was effective immediately and underscored Australia’s “longstanding commitment” to the two-state framework. “Australia recognises the legitimate and long-held aspirations of the people of Palestine to a state of their own,” they said, adding that the move was tied to international efforts to secure a Gaza ceasefire and the release of hostages taken during the October 7, 2023 attacks.

Palestine Authority pledges reforms

They stressed that the Palestinian Authority had renewed its recognition of Israel’s right to exist and pledged reforms in governance, elections, finance and education, while making clear that Hamas would have “no role in Palestine.”

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed that position in a video message, saying Britain’s recognition was intended to “revive the hope of peace for Palestinians and Israelis” and to lay the ground for renewed dialogue.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, in a statement, sharply criticised Israel’s current policies, accusing its government of systematically blocking Palestinian statehood through settlement expansion and a prolonged military campaign in Gaza. He said Canada’s recognition was rooted in “principles of self-determination and fundamental human rights” and aligned with Ottawa’s longstanding foreign policy traditions.

“This recognition is not a panacea,” Carney cautioned, “but it is a necessary step to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution and to help build the promise of a peaceful future for both Israel and Palestine.”

The joint move by three major Western powers is expected to intensify international pressure on Israel, which has consistently opposed recognition of Palestinian statehood outside a negotiated settlement.

Toronto police officer shot dead, suspect in custody

A Canadian police officer was killed and a suspect is in custody following two daylight shootings in Toronto, local media reported.

Police said on Twitter that a suspect has been located and is in police custody, reports Xinhua news agency.

One person has been pronounced deceased at the scene and two others have been transported to hospital, the police said.

Multiple sources have confirmed that the victim of the fatal shooting is a Toronto police officer, according to the media reports.

Police officers are seen at the scene investigating on the double shootings in Mississauga, the Greater Toronto Area, Canada, on Sept. 12, 2022.

The police issued a public alert about an active shooter on Monday afternoon and said that they were searching for a suspect who was “armed and dangerous”.

The police are investigating the shootings and there is no word yet as to what led to the shootings, said the media reports.

India to assume G20 Presidency for a year from Dec 1; Sets priorities

New Delhi, Sep 13 (IANS) India has listed its priorities ahead of assuming the G20 Presidency for a year from December 1, 2022 to November 30, 2023.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Ministry of External Affairs said: “Our G20 priorities are in the process of being firmed up, ongoing conversations inter alia revolve around:

  • Inclusive, equitable and sustainable growth;
  • LiFE (Lifestyle For Environment);
  • women’s empowerment;
  • digital public infrastructure and tech-enabled development in areas ranging from health, agriculture and education to commerce,
  • skill-mapping,
  • culture and tourism;
  • climate financing;
  • circular economy;
  • global food security;
  • energy security;
  • green hydrogen;
  • disaster risk reduction and resilience;
  • developmental cooperation;
  • fight against economic crime; and multilateral reforms”.

    Under the role, India is expected to host over 200 G20 meetings across the country, beginning from this December.

    The G20 Leaders’ Summit at the level of Heads of State Government is scheduled to be held on September 9-10, 2023 in New Delhi, said the Ministry statement.

    The G20 is an inter-governmental forum of the world’s major developed and developing economies.

    G20 comprises 20 countriesIndia, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US — and the European Union (EU).

    Collectively, the G20 accounts for 85 per cent of the global GDP, 75 per cent of international trade and two-thirds of the world population, making it the premier forum for international economic cooperation.

  • G20 flags

    India is part of the G20 Troika (current, previous and incoming G20 Presidencies), which includes Indonesia and Italy.

    “During our Presidency, India, Indonesia and Brazil would form the Troika. This would be the first time when the Troika would consist of three developing countries and emerging economies, providing them a greater voice,” the statement said.

    The G20 currently comprises Finance Track, with eight workstreams (Global Macroeconomic Policies, Infrastructure Financing, International Financial Architecture, Sustainable Finance, Financial Inclusion, Health Finance, International Taxation, Financial Sector Reforms)

    Sherpa Track, with 12 workstreams — Anti-corruption, Agriculture, Culture, Development, Digital Economy, Employment, Environment and Climate, Education, Energy Transition, Health, Trade and Investment, Tourism.

    Ten Engagement Groups of private sector/civil society/independent bodies (Business 20, Civil 20, Labour 20, Parliament 20, Science 20, Supreme Audit Institutions 20, Think 20, Urban 20, Women 20 and Youth 20).

    In addition to G20 members, there has been a tradition of the G20 Presidency inviting some guest countries and international organizations to its meetings and summit.

    Accordingly, in addition to regular international organizations (UN, IMF, World Bank, WHO, WTO, ILO, FSB and OECD) and Chairs of Regional Organizations (AU, AUDA-NEPAD and ASEAN).

    India, as G20 Presidency, will be inviting Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain and UAE as guest countries, as well as the International Solar Alliance, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and the Asian Development Bank as guest international organizations.