United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has arrived in Pakistan for a three-day visit.&nbsp;

Guterres was received by Munir Akram who is Pakistan's permanent representative to the United Nations at the Nur Khan airbase in Rawalpindi.

This is the first visit by a UN chief to Pakistan since 2014 though Guterres had earlier visited the country when he was the UN high commissioner for refugees.

During his visit, Guterres will call on President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan. The chief will also hold a meeting with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

He will also be speaking at an international conference called '40 years of hosting Afghan refugees in Pakistan.'

Several US officials will also be attending the event.

The UN&nbsp;chief's other engagements include meeting with the youth and participating in an event on Pakistan's polio vaccination campaign.

Guterres will also be visiting Lahore from where he will leave for the Kartappur sahib corridor.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has arrived in Pakistan for a three-day visit. Guterres was received by Munir Akram who is Pakistan's permanent representative to the United Nations at the Nur Khan airbase in Rawalpindi.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has arrived in Pakistan for a three-day visit. Guterres was received by Munir Akram who is Pakistan's permanent representative to the United Nations at the Nur Khan airbase in Rawalpindi. This is the first visit by a UN chief to Pakistan since 2014 though Guterres had earlier visited the country when he was the UN high commissioner for refugees. During his visit, Guterres will call on President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan. The chief will also hold a meeting with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi. He will also be speaking at an international conference called '40 years of hosting Afghan refugees in Pakistan.' Several US officials will also be attending the event. The UN chief's other engagements include meeting with the youth and participating in an event on Pakistan's polio vaccination campaign. Guterres will also be visiting Lahore from where he will leave for the Kartappur sahib corridor.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrives in Pakistan for three-day visit

Antonio Guterres, the secretary-general of the United Nations, arrived in Islamabad on Sunday for a four-day visit to the nation.

UN Chief Guterres calls for Indo-Pak dialogue

Afghan boys sell fresh fruit on carts, signs are written in Dari or Pashto, and restaurants in the bustling bazaar sell Afghan dishes such as Kabuli pulao.

But this "mini Kabul" is in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-plans-talks-with-afghanistan-un-over-return-of-afghan-refugees-1517">Pakistan</a>, which this week marks 40 years of hosting Afghan refugees.

It is a grim milestone for entire generations of families who fled war to create a life in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/latest-south-asia-news-united-nations-general-secretary-antonio-guterres-will-visit-pakistan-on-sunday-280009">Pakistan</a>, but still face an uncertain future and no clear path to citizenship.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/latest-south-asia-news-united-nations-general-secretary-antonio-guterres-will-visit-pakistan-on-sunday-280009">UN general secretary Antonio Guterres to visit Pakistan</a>

"We spent an entire life here," says Niaz Mohammed, a 50-year-old labourer from Afghanistan's Nangarhar province who fled to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/latest-south-asia-news-united-nations-general-secretary-antonio-guterres-will-visit-pakistan-on-sunday-280009">Pakistan </a>in the 1980s.

"We had weddings and marriages here, our kids were born here ... We have jobs and work here, while there's no peace in Afghanistan. That's why we are happy here."

On Sunday <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/latest-south-asia-news-united-nations-general-secretary-antonio-guterres-will-visit-pakistan-on-sunday-280009">UN Secretary General</a> <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/latest-south-asia-news-united-nations-general-secretary-antonio-guterres-will-visit-pakistan-on-sunday-280009">Antonio Guterres</a> will arrive in Islamabad for a conference the United Nations says will "send a global reminder about the fate of millions of Afghans living as refugees".

"The main challenge right now is to continue to provide support to Pakistan in hosting them ... and also give access to skills and education for the young Afghan population here," Indrika Ratwatte, Asia director of the UN refugee agency UNHCR, told AFP on Friday.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-plans-talks-with-afghanistan-un-over-return-of-afghan-refugees-1517">Pakistan plans talks with Afghanistan, UN over return of Afghan refugees</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-plans-talks-with-afghanistan-un-over-return-of-afghan-refugees-1517">Pakistan </a>is one of the largest refugee-hosting nations in the world, home to an estimated 2.4 million registered and undocumented people who have fled Afghanistan, some as far back as the Soviet invasion of 1979.

Many live in camps, while others have built lives for themselves in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-plans-talks-with-afghanistan-un-over-return-of-afghan-refugees-1517">Pakistan</a>'s cities, paying rent and contributing to the economy.

"Mini Kabul", the bustling Refugee Market in the northwestern city of Peshawar is home to some 5,000 shops -- all run by Afghan refugees.

But their status has always been temporary, with deadlines set for them to leave Pakistan repeatedly pushed back as the conflict in Afghanistan worsens.

Many Pakistanis view them with suspicion, accusing them of spurring militancy and criminality, and calling for them to be sent home.

Even those who have spent decades in the country cannot own property or obtain identity cards, and were only recently allowed to open bank accounts.

Shortly after he came to power, Prime Minister Imran Khan vowed to grant them citizenship but the controversial promise sparked outrage, and has not been spoken of since.

Afghan boys sell fresh fruit on carts, signs are written in Dari or Pashto, and restaurants in the bustling bazaar sell Afghan dishes such as Kabuli pulao. But this "mini Kabul" is in Pakistan, which this week marks 40 years of hosting Afghan refugees.

Afghan boys sell fresh fruit on carts, signs are written in Dari or Pashto, and restaurants in the bustling bazaar sell Afghan dishes such as Kabuli pulao. But this "mini Kabul" is in Pakistan, which this week marks 40 years of hosting Afghan refugees. It is a grim milestone for entire generations of families who fled war to create a life in Pakistan, but still face an uncertain future and no clear path to citizenship. Also read: UN general secretary Antonio Guterres to visit Pakistan "We spent an entire life here," says Niaz Mohammed, a 50-year-old labourer from Afghanistan's Nangarhar province who fled to Pakistan in the 1980s. "We had weddings and marriages here, our kids were born here ... We have jobs and work here, while there's no peace in Afghanistan. That's why we are happy here." On Sunday UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres will arrive in Islamabad for a conference the United Nations says will "send a global reminder about the fate of millions of Afghans living as refugees". "The main challenge right now is to continue to provide support to Pakistan in hosting them ... and also give access to skills and education for the young Afghan population here," Indrika Ratwatte, Asia director of the UN refugee agency UNHCR, told AFP on Friday. Also read: Pakistan plans talks with Afghanistan, UN over return of Afghan refugees Pakistan is one of the largest refugee-hosting nations in the world, home to an estimated 2.4 million registered and undocumented people who have fled Afghanistan, some as far back as the Soviet invasion of 1979. Many live in camps, while others have built lives for themselves in Pakistan's cities, paying rent and contributing to the economy. "Mini Kabul", the bustling Refugee Market in the northwestern city of Peshawar is home to some 5,000 shops -- all run by Afghan refugees. But their status has always been temporary, with deadlines set for them to leave Pakistan repeatedly pushed back as the conflict in Afghanistan worsens. Many Pakistanis view them with suspicion, accusing them of spurring militancy and criminality, and calling for them to be sent home. Even those who have spent decades in the country cannot own property or obtain identity cards, and were only recently allowed to open bank accounts. Shortly after he came to power, Prime Minister Imran Khan vowed to grant them citizenship but the controversial promise sparked outrage, and has not been spoken of since.

In 'mini Kabul', Afghan refugees mark 40 years in Pakistan

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-rights-recommendations-to-be-taken-seriously-maduro-229391">United Nations</a> general secretary <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-cannot-afford-another-gulf-war-says-un-chief-after-us-kills-iran-general-271986">Antonio Guterres</a> will visit Pakistan on Sunday.

The UN&nbsp;chief will hold talks with the Pakistani Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/dialogue-between-india-pakistan-is-an-essential-element-united-nations-secretary-general-antonio-guterres-250473">Imran Khan </a>as well as foreign minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/dialogue-between-india-pakistan-is-an-essential-element-united-nations-secretary-general-antonio-guterres-250473">Shah Mehmood Qureshi</a> and President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/dialogue-between-india-pakistan-is-an-essential-element-united-nations-secretary-general-antonio-guterres-250473">Arif Alvi</a>.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/dialogue-between-india-pakistan-is-an-essential-element-united-nations-secretary-general-antonio-guterres-250473">Dialogue between India, Pakistan essential element: UN&nbsp;Secretary-General António Guterres</a>

His talks will mostly revolve around climate and development issues.&nbsp;The two-day conference will be inaugurated by Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/dialogue-between-india-pakistan-is-an-essential-element-united-nations-secretary-general-antonio-guterres-250473">Imran Khan</a>.

On Monday, Guterres will attend a conference on Afghan refugees in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/dialogue-between-india-pakistan-is-an-essential-element-united-nations-secretary-general-antonio-guterres-250473">Pakistan</a>.&nbsp;On Tuesday, Guterres will visit the holy Sikh shrine of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistani-cleric-threatens-sikh-pilgrims-from-visiting-kartarpur-gurdwara-265922">Kartarpur Sahib</a>.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistani-cleric-threatens-sikh-pilgrims-from-visiting-kartarpur-gurdwara-265922">Pakistani cleric threatens Sikh pilgrims from visiting Kartarpur Gurdwara</a>

Kartarpur was a major peace initiative between Pakistan and India.&nbsp;When the peace corridor was opened by both sides, Guterres had welcomed the move calling it a move aimed at inter-faith harmony.

Guterres will be joined by 14-member delegation and&nbsp;the attention of the entire&nbsp;world's media will be on him.&nbsp;Reports indicate that Islamabad will try to internationalise Kashmir once again during Guterres' visit something the world body has refused to do multiple times.

The United Nations general secretary Antonio Guterres will visit Pakistan on Sunday. The UN chief will hold talks with the Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan as well as foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and President Arif Alvi.

The United Nations general secretary Antonio Guterres will visit Pakistan on Sunday. The UN chief will hold talks with the Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan as well as foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and President Arif Alvi. Also read: Dialogue between India, Pakistan essential element: UN Secretary-General António Guterres His talks will mostly revolve around climate and development issues. The two-day conference will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Imran Khan. On Monday, Guterres will attend a conference on Afghan refugees in Pakistan. On Tuesday, Guterres will visit the holy Sikh shrine of Kartarpur Sahib. Also read: Pakistani cleric threatens Sikh pilgrims from visiting Kartarpur Gurdwara Kartarpur was a major peace initiative between Pakistan and India. When the peace corridor was opened by both sides, Guterres had welcomed the move calling it a move aimed at inter-faith harmony. Guterres will be joined by 14-member delegation and the attention of the entire world's media will be on him. Reports indicate that Islamabad will try to internationalise Kashmir once again during Guterres' visit something the world body has refused to do multiple times.

UN general secretary Antonio Guterres to visit Pakistan; set to visit Kartarpur

The United Nations has thanked India for the timely payment of its regular budget assessment dues. India is the fourth nations for doing so, paying its dues ahead of the February 1, 2020 deadline.&nbsp;

India paid $23,396,496 in total to the United Nations on January 10. Armenia, Portugal and Ukraine were the three countries ahead of India in paying their dues on time.&nbsp;

India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin tweeted on the same saying &nbsp;"Very few have already made it..."

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Very few have already made it... 
Hope many, many more make it... 
 
Check out which <a href="https://twitter.com/UN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UN</a> members r on <a href="https://twitter.com/UN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UN</a> 2020 Honor Roll already.<a href="https://t.co/9puqL8Zlrd">https://t.co/9puqL8Zlrd</a> <a href="https://t.co/HLFhI34kFN">pic.twitter.com/HLFhI34kFN</a>
— Syed Akbaruddin (@AkbaruddinIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/AkbaruddinIndia/status/1215826742499315712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"Very few have already made it... Hope many, many more make it... Check out which @UN members r &nbsp;on @UN 2020 Honor Roll already," Akbaruddin's tweet read.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-among-34-un-nations-to-pay-regular-annual-dues-within-stipulated-time-254631">India among 34 UN&nbsp;nations to pay regular annual dues within stipulated time</a>

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In October 2019, the United Nations shared a document which showed India among 34 nations that paid their regular annual dues within the stipulated time of 30 days.&nbsp;

Out of 129, only 34 members paid their regular budget assessments in full within the 30-day due period specified in the UN's Financial Regulation.

The UN's operating budget for 2018-2019 was close to $5.4 billion which didn't include the money for peacekeeping operations. India's contribution was $23,253,808 last year.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke about the United Nation's worst deficit in nearly a decade last year.&nbsp;

"The organisation runs the risk of depleting its liquidity reserves by the end of the month and defaulting on payments to staff and vendors," an official statement read.&nbsp;

The United Nations has thanked India for the timely payment of its regular budget assessment dues. India is the fourth nations for doing so, paying its dues ahead of the February 1, 2020 deadline.

The United Nations has thanked India for the timely payment of its regular budget assessment dues. India is the fourth nations for doing so, paying its dues ahead of the February 1, 2020 deadline. India paid $23,396,496 in total to the United Nations on January 10. Armenia, Portugal and Ukraine were the three countries ahead of India in paying their dues on time. India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin tweeted on the same saying "Very few have already made it..." Very few have already made it... Hope many, many more make it... Check out which @UN members r on @UN 2020 Honor Roll already.https://t.co/9puqL8Zlrd pic.twitter.com/HLFhI34kFN — Syed Akbaruddin (@AkbaruddinIndia) January 11, 2020 × "Very few have already made it... Hope many, many more make it... Check out which @UN members r on @UN 2020 Honor Roll already," Akbaruddin's tweet read. Also read: India among 34 UN nations to pay regular annual dues within stipulated time × In October 2019, the United Nations shared a document which showed India among 34 nations that paid their regular annual dues within the stipulated time of 30 days. Out of 129, only 34 members paid their regular budget assessments in full within the 30-day due period specified in the UN's Financial Regulation. The UN's operating budget for 2018-2019 was close to $5.4 billion which didn't include the money for peacekeeping operations. India's contribution was $23,253,808 last year. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke about the United Nation's worst deficit in nearly a decade last year. "The organisation runs the risk of depleting its liquidity reserves by the end of the month and defaulting on payments to staff and vendors," an official statement read.

India becomes fourth nation to pay UN dues on time, world body thanks New Delhi

In less than a month after President Putin said "nobody knows what causes climate change", the Russian government admitted that climate change has had a "prominent and increasing effect" on people's lives.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nobody-knows-origins-of-global-climate-change-putin-in-annual-press-conference-269149">Also Read:&nbsp;Nobody knows origins of global climate change, says&nbsp;Putin</a>

The Russian government now aims to "use the advantages" of warmer temperatures.

The document which was published in&nbsp;Russia's government website informs that climate change leads to increased risks to health and also increases the prospect of natural disasters while pushing animals from their natural habitat.

According to the report, the government planned to lower the losses of climate change with measures which included building dams and encouraging the use of drought-resistant crops.

Last month, Russian President Putin while addressing his year-end press conference had said: "Nobody knows the origins of global climate change," adding, "we know that in the history of our Earth there have been periods of warming and cooling and it could depend on processes in the universe."

"A small angle in the axis in the rotation of the Earth or its orbit around the Sun could push the planet into serious climate changes," Putin told 1,800 journalists gathered at the Moscow press conference.

Putin, however, added that the country "must undertake maximum efforts to ensure that the climate does not change dramatically."

"For our country, this process is very serious," he said. "We will undertake efforts to minimise the consequences for our country," Putin asserted.

Putin has repeatedly said climate change was due to man-made emissions while denying several scientific data.

Russia had adopted the Paris climate accord in September last year even as the US pulled out.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had said last month that he was disappointed with the results of COP25, calling it a "lost opportunity".

In less than a month after President Putin said "nobody knows what causes climate change", the Russian government admitted that climate change has had a "prominent and increasing effect" on people's lives.

In less than a month after President Putin said "nobody knows what causes climate change", the Russian government admitted that climate change has had a "prominent and increasing effect" on people's lives. Also Read: Nobody knows origins of global climate change, says Putin The Russian government now aims to "use the advantages" of warmer temperatures. The document which was published in Russia's government website informs that climate change leads to increased risks to health and also increases the prospect of natural disasters while pushing animals from their natural habitat. According to the report, the government planned to lower the losses of climate change with measures which included building dams and encouraging the use of drought-resistant crops. Last month, Russian President Putin while addressing his year-end press conference had said: "Nobody knows the origins of global climate change," adding, "we know that in the history of our Earth there have been periods of warming and cooling and it could depend on processes in the universe." "A small angle in the axis in the rotation of the Earth or its orbit around the Sun could push the planet into serious climate changes," Putin told 1,800 journalists gathered at the Moscow press conference. Putin, however, added that the country "must undertake maximum efforts to ensure that the climate does not change dramatically." "For our country, this process is very serious," he said. "We will undertake efforts to minimise the consequences for our country," Putin asserted. Putin has repeatedly said climate change was due to man-made emissions while denying several scientific data. Russia had adopted the Paris climate accord in September last year even as the US pulled out. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had said last month that he was disappointed with the results of COP25, calling it a "lost opportunity".

Now, Russia unveils new climate plan

UN&nbsp;Secretary-General <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/migration-is-a-solution-to-global-problems-antonio-guterres-3196">Antonio Guterres </a>has repeatedly expressed concern to Washington over&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-visa-cut-for-pakistan-citizens-reduced-from-five-years-to-three-months-report-201472">US&nbsp;visa&nbsp;</a>delays&nbsp;for officials from&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;and other countries, a&nbsp;UN&nbsp;spokesman said on Thursday after Moscow accused Guterres of turning a blind eye.

Moscow says Washington has deliberately delayed issuing&nbsp;visas to&nbsp;Russian officials traveling to the&nbsp;UN&nbsp;headquarters in New York, a move&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;has said could further damage strained relations.

The&nbsp;Russian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday accused Guterres of ignoring the&nbsp;US&nbsp;visa&nbsp;delays.

"For many months, the Secretary-General and the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-rights-recommendations-to-be-taken-seriously-maduro-229391">United Nations</a> Legal Counsel have repeatedly conveyed their concerns and the legal position of the Organization to senior representatives of the host country,"&nbsp;UN&nbsp;spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

Dujarric said Guterres and his team continued to follow the matter closely.

The latest report from the&nbsp;UN&nbsp;Committee on relations with the United States as a host of&nbsp;UN&nbsp;headquarters in New York noted that other countries including China, North Korea, Iran, Syria, and Cuba had also complained about&nbsp;US&nbsp;visa&nbsp;delays.

According to the report, the United States said it takes its responsibilities as&nbsp;UN&nbsp;host country seriously but added that Washington "reserved the right to exclude individuals in certain limited cases where there was clear and convincing evidence that the individual was traveling to the host country primarily for purposes that were outside the scope of United Nations business and were prejudicial to the host country's national security."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has repeatedly expressed concern to Washington over US visa delays for officials from Russia and other countries, a UN spokesman said on Thursday after Moscow accused Guterres of turning a blind eye.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has repeatedly expressed concern to Washington over US visa delays for officials from Russia and other countries, a UN spokesman said on Thursday after Moscow accused Guterres of turning a blind eye. Moscow says Washington has deliberately delayed issuing visas to Russian officials traveling to the UN headquarters in New York, a move Russia has said could further damage strained relations. The Russian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday accused Guterres of ignoring the US visa delays. "For many months, the Secretary-General and the United Nations Legal Counsel have repeatedly conveyed their concerns and the legal position of the Organization to senior representatives of the host country," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement. Dujarric said Guterres and his team continued to follow the matter closely. The latest report from the UN Committee on relations with the United States as a host of UN headquarters in New York noted that other countries including China, North Korea, Iran, Syria, and Cuba had also complained about US visa delays. According to the report, the United States said it takes its responsibilities as UN host country seriously but added that Washington "reserved the right to exclude individuals in certain limited cases where there was clear and convincing evidence that the individual was traveling to the host country primarily for purposes that were outside the scope of United Nations business and were prejudicial to the host country's national security."

United Nations rebuffs Russia accusation that United States visa delays being ignored

A major <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cop25-meet-hammers-through-contested-climate-deal-268380">climate summit wrapped up in Madrid</a> on Sunday with a compromise deal that left little to show, prompting UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to lament a "lost opportunity" to act.

Almost a fortnight of COP25 talks just squeezed out hard-earned compromises from countries over a global warming battle plan that fell well short of what science says is needed to tackle the climate crisis.

"I am disappointed with the results of COP25," Guterres said. "The international community lost an important opportunity to show increased ambition on mitigation, adaptation and finance to tackle the climate crisis."

The summit's final declaration "expresses the urgent need" for new carbon cutting commitments to close the gap between current emissions and the Paris treaty goal of capping temperature at below two degrees, host country Spain said.

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"Today, the citizens of the world are asking for us to move ahead faster and better," Carolina Schmidt, Chilean environment minister and President of COP25, told the closing plenary.

But Tina Eonemto Stege, climate envoy for the Marshall Islands, denounced the response as inadequate for facing an existential threat of rising sea levels.

"Unfortunately, the new text we adopted this morning does not reflect anything near what we would have wanted. It is the bare minimum and we regret that countries could not agree on a more ambitious text," Stege said.

Green youth activist Greta Thunberg -- named 2019 Person of the Year by Time magazine -- on Friday slammed world leaders for "still trying to run away from their responsibilities" while demanding a "year of action" in 2020.&nbsp;

Following a year of deadly extreme weather and weekly protests by millions of young people, Madrid negotiators were under pressure to send a clear signal that governments were willing to double down.

The summit -- moved at the last minute from Chile due to unrest -- at times teetered on the brink of collapse as rich polluters, emerging powerhouses and climate-vulnerable nations groped for common ground in the face of competing national interests.

"Based on the adopted text, there is a glimmer of hope that the heart of the Paris Agreement is still beating," Mohamed Adow, Director of Power Shift, said.&nbsp;

"But its pulse is very weak." &nbsp;

Negotiators from nearly 200 nations came to Spain's capital with the aim of finalising the rulebook for the 2015 Paris accord, which enjoins nations to limit global temperature to below two degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit).

'Missing in action'

With the accord set to become operational next year, it had been hoped COP 25 would show the world that governments would be moved by protests, irrefutable science, and deadly storms and wildfires that marked 2019 to redouble their efforts.

But greater ambition -- how far each country is willing to slash carbon emissions or assist less wealthy peers to do likewise -- has largely failed to materialise, leaving some veteran observers aghast.

"Never have I seen such a disconnect between what the science requires and what the climate negotiations are delivering in terms of meaningful action," said Alden Meyer, director of strategy and policy at the Union of Concerned Scientists and a 28-year veteran of the climate process.

"Most of the world's biggest emitting countries are missing in action and resisting calls to raise their ambition."

The push for &nbsp;strengthening &nbsp;voluntary carbon cutting plans is led by small-island and least-developed states, along with the European Union.

These have called out nations they see as blocking consensus -- notably the United States, Australia and Saudi Arabia.

China and India, the world's No. 1 and No. 4 carbon emitters, made it clear they see no need to improve on their current emissions reduction plans, which run to 2030.

These emerging giants chose instead to emphasise the historical responsibility of rich nations to lead the way and provide financing to poor countries.&nbsp;

"Major players who needed to deliver in Madrid did not live up to expectations," said Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation and, as France's top negotiator, a main architect of the Paris Agreement.

"But thanks to a progressive alliance of small island states, European, African and Latin American countries, we obtained the best possible outcome, against the will of big polluters."

'Loss and damage'

The summit was also meant to finalise a chapter on carbon markets in the Paris rulebook.

Instead, the focus now switches to next year's COP 26 in Glasgow, when the true Paris deadline falls.

The US, which is leaving the Paris deal next year, was accused of playing spoiler on a number of issues. &nbsp;

This included so-called "loss and damage" funding to help disaster-hit countries repair and rebuild.&nbsp;

"The US has not come here in good faith," said Harjeet Singh, climate lead with charity ActionAid.&nbsp;

"They continue to block the world's efforts to help people whose lives have been turned upside down by climate change."

Even if all countries implement their current plans under Paris, Earth is on course to warm more than 3C by 2100.

A major climate summit wrapped up in Madrid on Sunday with a compromise deal that left little to show, prompting UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to lament a "lost opportunity" to act.

A major climate summit wrapped up in Madrid on Sunday with a compromise deal that left little to show, prompting UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to lament a "lost opportunity" to act. Almost a fortnight of COP25 talks just squeezed out hard-earned compromises from countries over a global warming battle plan that fell well short of what science says is needed to tackle the climate crisis. "I am disappointed with the results of COP25," Guterres said. "The international community lost an important opportunity to show increased ambition on mitigation, adaptation and finance to tackle the climate crisis." The summit's final declaration "expresses the urgent need" for new carbon cutting commitments to close the gap between current emissions and the Paris treaty goal of capping temperature at below two degrees, host country Spain said. × "Today, the citizens of the world are asking for us to move ahead faster and better," Carolina Schmidt, Chilean environment minister and President of COP25, told the closing plenary. But Tina Eonemto Stege, climate envoy for the Marshall Islands, denounced the response as inadequate for facing an existential threat of rising sea levels. "Unfortunately, the new text we adopted this morning does not reflect anything near what we would have wanted. It is the bare minimum and we regret that countries could not agree on a more ambitious text," Stege said. Green youth activist Greta Thunberg -- named 2019 Person of the Year by Time magazine -- on Friday slammed world leaders for "still trying to run away from their responsibilities" while demanding a "year of action" in 2020. Following a year of deadly extreme weather and weekly protests by millions of young people, Madrid negotiators were under pressure to send a clear signal that governments were willing to double down. The summit -- moved at the last minute from Chile due to unrest -- at times teetered on the brink of collapse as rich polluters, emerging powerhouses and climate-vulnerable nations groped for common ground in the face of competing national interests. "Based on the adopted text, there is a glimmer of hope that the heart of the Paris Agreement is still beating," Mohamed Adow, Director of Power Shift, said. "But its pulse is very weak." Negotiators from nearly 200 nations came to Spain's capital with the aim of finalising the rulebook for the 2015 Paris accord, which enjoins nations to limit global temperature to below two degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit). 'Missing in action' With the accord set to become operational next year, it had been hoped COP 25 would show the world that governments would be moved by protests, irrefutable science, and deadly storms and wildfires that marked 2019 to redouble their efforts. But greater ambition -- how far each country is willing to slash carbon emissions or assist less wealthy peers to do likewise -- has largely failed to materialise, leaving some veteran observers aghast. "Never have I seen such a disconnect between what the science requires and what the climate negotiations are delivering in terms of meaningful action," said Alden Meyer, director of strategy and policy at the Union of Concerned Scientists and a 28-year veteran of the climate process. "Most of the world's biggest emitting countries are missing in action and resisting calls to raise their ambition." The push for strengthening voluntary carbon cutting plans is led by small-island and least-developed states, along with the European Union. These have called out nations they see as blocking consensus -- notably the United States, Australia and Saudi Arabia. China and India, the world's No. 1 and No. 4 carbon emitters, made it clear they see no need to improve on their current emissions reduction plans, which run to 2030. These emerging giants chose instead to emphasise the historical responsibility of rich nations to lead the way and provide financing to poor countries. "Major players who needed to deliver in Madrid did not live up to expectations," said Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation and, as France's top negotiator, a main architect of the Paris Agreement. "But thanks to a progressive alliance of small island states, European, African and Latin American countries, we obtained the best possible outcome, against the will of big polluters." 'Loss and damage' The summit was also meant to finalise a chapter on carbon markets in the Paris rulebook. Instead, the focus now switches to next year's COP 26 in Glasgow, when the true Paris deadline falls. The US, which is leaving the Paris deal next year, was accused of playing spoiler on a number of issues. This included so-called "loss and damage" funding to help disaster-hit countries repair and rebuild. "The US has not come here in good faith," said Harjeet Singh, climate lead with charity ActionAid. "They continue to block the world's efforts to help people whose lives have been turned upside down by climate change." Even if all countries implement their current plans under Paris, Earth is on course to warm more than 3C by 2100.

United Nation climate talks a 'lost opportunity': UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres

Confronted with a climate crisis threatening civilisation itself, humanity must choose between hope and surrender, UN chief Antonio Guterres told the opening plenary of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hundreds-of-thousands-protest-in-europe-asia-ahead-of-un-climate-summit-265346">UN COP25</a> climate conference Tuesday.

"One is the path of surrender, where we have sleepwalked past the point of no return, jeopardising the health and safety of everyone on this planet," Guterres said.

"Do we really want to be remembered as the generation that buried its head in the sand, that fiddled while the planet burned?"

In an impassioned appeal, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/war-against-nature-must-stop-un-chief-says-before-climate-talks-265593">UN chief</a> worked through a long list of worrying signs, including new figures released Tuesday by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).

The last five years have been the hottest ever recorded, the WMO said, and the concentration of planet warming CO2 in the atmosphere has reached levels not seen in three to five million years.

"The last time there was a comparable concentration," Guterres said, "the temperature was two to three degrees Celsius warmer, and sea levels were 10 to 20 metres higher than today."

The 2015 Paris Agreement calls for capping global warming at "well under" 2C, and 1.5C if possible.

A major UN science report reset the threshold for a climate-safe world from 2C to 1.5C.&nbsp;

"Permafrost in the Arctic is thawing 70 years ahead of projections," Guterres continued. "Antarctica is melting three times as fast as a decade ago. Ocean levels are rising quicker than expected."

"More than two-thirds of the world’s megacities are located by the sea."

More than 150 million people will find themselves in coastal flood zones by 2050, according to recent research.

To prevent temperatures from rising more than 1.5 degrees, the global economy must be carbon neutral by mid-century, a landmark UN report said last year.&nbsp;

"The best available science, through the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) tells us today that going beyond that (1.5C) would lead us to catastrophic disaster," Guterres said.

Confronted with a climate crisis threatening civilisation itself, humanity must choose between hope and surrender, UN chief Antonio Guterres told the opening plenary of the UN COP25 climate conference Tuesday.

Confronted with a climate crisis threatening civilisation itself, humanity must choose between hope and surrender, UN chief Antonio Guterres told the opening plenary of the UN COP25 climate conference Tuesday. "One is the path of surrender, where we have sleepwalked past the point of no return, jeopardising the health and safety of everyone on this planet," Guterres said. "Do we really want to be remembered as the generation that buried its head in the sand, that fiddled while the planet burned?" In an impassioned appeal, the UN chief worked through a long list of worrying signs, including new figures released Tuesday by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). The last five years have been the hottest ever recorded, the WMO said, and the concentration of planet warming CO2 in the atmosphere has reached levels not seen in three to five million years. "The last time there was a comparable concentration," Guterres said, "the temperature was two to three degrees Celsius warmer, and sea levels were 10 to 20 metres higher than today." The 2015 Paris Agreement calls for capping global warming at "well under" 2C, and 1.5C if possible. A major UN science report reset the threshold for a climate-safe world from 2C to 1.5C. "Permafrost in the Arctic is thawing 70 years ahead of projections," Guterres continued. "Antarctica is melting three times as fast as a decade ago. Ocean levels are rising quicker than expected." "More than two-thirds of the world’s megacities are located by the sea." More than 150 million people will find themselves in coastal flood zones by 2050, according to recent research. To prevent temperatures from rising more than 1.5 degrees, the global economy must be carbon neutral by mid-century, a landmark UN report said last year. "The best available science, through the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) tells us today that going beyond that (1.5C) would lead us to catastrophic disaster," Guterres said.

Choose hope or climate surrender: UN chief at climate change conference in Madrid

The world must stop a "war against nature" and find more political will to combat climate change, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Sunday, the eve of a two-week global climate summit in Madrid.

Around the world, extreme weather ranging from wildfires to floods is being linked to manmade global warming, putting pressure on the summit to strengthen the implementation of the 2015 Paris Agreement on limiting the rise in temperature.

"Our war against nature must stop, and we know that it is possible," Guterres said ahead of the December 2-13 summit.

"We simply have to stop digging and drilling and take advantage of the vast possibilities offered by renewable energy and nature-based solutions."

Cuts in emissions of greenhouse gases - mostly from burning carbon-based fossil fuels - that have been agreed so far under the Paris deal are not enough to limit temperature rises to a goal of between 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius (2.7-3.6 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels.

Many countries are not even meeting those commitments, and political will is lacking, Guterres said.

President Donald Trump for his part has started withdrawing the United States from the Paris Agreement, while the deforestation of the Amazon basin - a crucial carbon reservoir - is accelerating and China has tilted back towards building more coal-fired power plants.

Seventy countries have committed to a goal of 'carbon neutrality' or 'climate neutrality' by 2050.

This means they would balance out greenhouse emissions, for instance through carbon capture technology or by planting trees.

But Guterres said these pledges were not enough.

"We also see clearly that the world's largest emitters are not pulling their weight," he said, "and without them, our goal is unreachable."

Last year's U.N. climate summit in Poland yielded a framework for reporting and monitoring emissions pledges and updating plans for further cuts. But sticking points remain, not least over an article on how to put a price on emissions, and so allow them to be traded.

"I don't even want to entertain the possibility that we do not agree on article 6," Guterres said. "We are here to approve guidelines to implement article 6, not to find excuses not to do it."

Bank of England Governor Mark Carney has accepted an invitation to become U.N. special envoy on climate action and climate finance from Jan. 1, Guterres said.

The world must stop a "war against nature" and find more political will to combat climate change, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Sunday, the eve of a two-week global climate summit in Madrid.

The world must stop a "war against nature" and find more political will to combat climate change, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Sunday, the eve of a two-week global climate summit in Madrid. Around the world, extreme weather ranging from wildfires to floods is being linked to manmade global warming, putting pressure on the summit to strengthen the implementation of the 2015 Paris Agreement on limiting the rise in temperature. "Our war against nature must stop, and we know that it is possible," Guterres said ahead of the December 2-13 summit. "We simply have to stop digging and drilling and take advantage of the vast possibilities offered by renewable energy and nature-based solutions." Cuts in emissions of greenhouse gases - mostly from burning carbon-based fossil fuels - that have been agreed so far under the Paris deal are not enough to limit temperature rises to a goal of between 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius (2.7-3.6 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels. Many countries are not even meeting those commitments, and political will is lacking, Guterres said. President Donald Trump for his part has started withdrawing the United States from the Paris Agreement, while the deforestation of the Amazon basin - a crucial carbon reservoir - is accelerating and China has tilted back towards building more coal-fired power plants. Seventy countries have committed to a goal of 'carbon neutrality' or 'climate neutrality' by 2050. This means they would balance out greenhouse emissions, for instance through carbon capture technology or by planting trees. But Guterres said these pledges were not enough. "We also see clearly that the world's largest emitters are not pulling their weight," he said, "and without them, our goal is unreachable." Last year's U.N. climate summit in Poland yielded a framework for reporting and monitoring emissions pledges and updating plans for further cuts. But sticking points remain, not least over an article on how to put a price on emissions, and so allow them to be traded. "I don't even want to entertain the possibility that we do not agree on article 6," Guterres said. "We are here to approve guidelines to implement article 6, not to find excuses not to do it." Bank of England Governor Mark Carney has accepted an invitation to become U.N. special envoy on climate action and climate finance from Jan. 1, Guterres said.

'War against nature must stop,' U.N. chief says before climate talks

A car bomb killed at least 13 people in a Turkish-held border town in northeast Syria Saturday, as thousands of Kurds in the wider region protested against "Turkish occupation".

The bombing ripped through Tal Abyad, one of several once Kurdish-controlled towns seized by Turkey last month in a deadly cross-border offensive.

The blast came despite a truce last week to halt the Turkish assault that began on October 9 and sparked the latest humanitarian disaster of Syria's eight-year war.

On Saturday, an AFP correspondent in Tal Abyad saw the remains of two motorbikes ablaze in the middle of a rubble-strewn street.

A group of men carried the severely burnt body of a victim onto the back of a pickup truck, as a veiled young woman stood aghast by the side of the street.

Turkey's defence ministry said 13 civilians were killed in the attack, which it blamed on Kurdish fighters.&nbsp;

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, reported 14 people -- pro-Ankara fighters and civilians -- had been killed in the explosion.

"To displace true owners of the land and to settle Syrian refugees in Turkey to their homes in NE Syria, the Turkish army and its proxies are now creating chaos in Til Abyad by explosions targeting civilians," Mustafa Bali, a spokesman for the Kurdish-led Syrian Defence Forces tweeted.

"Turkey is responsible for civilian casualties in the region it controls," he said.

Meanwhile, in the Kurdish-majority city of Qamishli, thousands of Syrian Kurds marched in the streets to protest what they view as a Turkish invasion.

"No to Turkish occupation," they cried, brandishing flags of their once semi-autonomous region and its fighters.

In the German capital Berlin, the police said around 1,000 people protested to "stop the war" against the Kurds, while hundreds in Paris called for sanctions against Turkey.

US troops return?

The truce deal signed last week between Ankara and Moscow demands Kurdish fighters withdraw from the border.

It hands a 120-kilometre-long (70-mile-long) stretch of borderland including Tal Abyad over to Turkey and provides for joint Russian-Turkish patrols along with other parts of the frontier -- the first of which started on Friday.

Ankara views Syrian Kurdish fighters as "terrorists", and wants to expel them from areas along its southern border.

But Turkey also hopes to resettle there some of the 3.6 million Syrian refugees it hosts on its own soil.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday told Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan the United Nations would study Ankara's plans for repatriation.

The Turkish attack last month came after US President Donald Trump said he had ordered US troops to leave northern Syria.

But on Saturday, US troops visited Kurdish forces in Qamishli in the second such spotting of American forces in northeastern Syria since that announcement.

Tan armoured vehicles flying the American flag pulled up at the headquarters of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, the de-facto army of Syria's Kurds.

The SDF have been a key US partner in fighting the Islamic State jihadist group, backed by airstrikes by a US-led coalition.

A source who attended a meeting with the Americans on Saturday said they wanted to return to set up a military post in Qamishli.

'No confidence'

The US withdrawal was largely seen as a betrayal of its Kurdish partners, who were forced to seek help from the Russia-backed Damascus regime to contain the Turkish attack.

In an interview published Saturday, SDF commander-in-chief Mazloum Abdi said he distrusted both the Syrian government and Russia, but had no other choice but to work with them.

"We have no confidence, but it's not possible to solve Syria's problems without using the political path. We must negotiate," he told Italy's La Repubblica newspaper.

The SDF expelled IS jihadists from their last patch of territory in Syria in March.&nbsp;

But the extremists continue to claim deadly attacks in SDF-held areas, and this week they announced they had a new leader after their former chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed in a US raid.

After years of war against IS, the SDF guard around 12,000 suspected jihadist fighters in overcrowded jails.

Syria's war has spiralled into a complex conflict involving word powers since it started in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.

A car bomb killed at least 13 people in a Turkish-held border town in northeast Syria Saturday, as thousands of Kurds in the wider region protested against "Turkish occupation".

A car bomb killed at least 13 people in a Turkish-held border town in northeast Syria Saturday, as thousands of Kurds in the wider region protested against "Turkish occupation". The bombing ripped through Tal Abyad, one of several once Kurdish-controlled towns seized by Turkey last month in a deadly cross-border offensive. The blast came despite a truce last week to halt the Turkish assault that began on October 9 and sparked the latest humanitarian disaster of Syria's eight-year war. On Saturday, an AFP correspondent in Tal Abyad saw the remains of two motorbikes ablaze in the middle of a rubble-strewn street. A group of men carried the severely burnt body of a victim onto the back of a pickup truck, as a veiled young woman stood aghast by the side of the street. Turkey's defence ministry said 13 civilians were killed in the attack, which it blamed on Kurdish fighters. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, reported 14 people -- pro-Ankara fighters and civilians -- had been killed in the explosion. "To displace true owners of the land and to settle Syrian refugees in Turkey to their homes in NE Syria, the Turkish army and its proxies are now creating chaos in Til Abyad by explosions targeting civilians," Mustafa Bali, a spokesman for the Kurdish-led Syrian Defence Forces tweeted. "Turkey is responsible for civilian casualties in the region it controls," he said. Meanwhile, in the Kurdish-majority city of Qamishli, thousands of Syrian Kurds marched in the streets to protest what they view as a Turkish invasion. "No to Turkish occupation," they cried, brandishing flags of their once semi-autonomous region and its fighters. In the German capital Berlin, the police said around 1,000 people protested to "stop the war" against the Kurds, while hundreds in Paris called for sanctions against Turkey. US troops return? The truce deal signed last week between Ankara and Moscow demands Kurdish fighters withdraw from the border. It hands a 120-kilometre-long (70-mile-long) stretch of borderland including Tal Abyad over to Turkey and provides for joint Russian-Turkish patrols along with other parts of the frontier -- the first of which started on Friday. Ankara views Syrian Kurdish fighters as "terrorists", and wants to expel them from areas along its southern border. But Turkey also hopes to resettle there some of the 3.6 million Syrian refugees it hosts on its own soil. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday told Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan the United Nations would study Ankara's plans for repatriation. The Turkish attack last month came after US President Donald Trump said he had ordered US troops to leave northern Syria. But on Saturday, US troops visited Kurdish forces in Qamishli in the second such spotting of American forces in northeastern Syria since that announcement. Tan armoured vehicles flying the American flag pulled up at the headquarters of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, the de-facto army of Syria's Kurds. The SDF have been a key US partner in fighting the Islamic State jihadist group, backed by airstrikes by a US-led coalition. A source who attended a meeting with the Americans on Saturday said they wanted to return to set up a military post in Qamishli. 'No confidence' The US withdrawal was largely seen as a betrayal of its Kurdish partners, who were forced to seek help from the Russia-backed Damascus regime to contain the Turkish attack. In an interview published Saturday, SDF commander-in-chief Mazloum Abdi said he distrusted both the Syrian government and Russia, but had no other choice but to work with them. "We have no confidence, but it's not possible to solve Syria's problems without using the political path. We must negotiate," he told Italy's La Repubblica newspaper. The SDF expelled IS jihadists from their last patch of territory in Syria in March. But the extremists continue to claim deadly attacks in SDF-held areas, and this week they announced they had a new leader after their former chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed in a US raid. After years of war against IS, the SDF guard around 12,000 suspected jihadist fighters in overcrowded jails. Syria's war has spiralled into a complex conflict involving word powers since it started in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.

At least 13 dead in car bomb in Syrian border town

India is among 34 United Nations member states which paid their regular annual dues within the stipulated time.

In a document shared by the United Nations, as of 27 October 2019, 129 member states have paid their regular budget assessments in full.

Out of 129, only 34 members have paid their regular budget assessments in full within the 30-day due period specified in the U.N.'s Financial Regulation.

The UN's operating budget for 2018-2019 is close to $5.4 billion excluding the money for peacekeeping operations. Meanwhile, India has contributed $23,253,808 this year.

Although 129 States out of 193 have now paid their regular annual dues, only 70 per cent of the total assessment for the year till September had been paid, versus 78 per cent this time last year.

The United Nations is facing the worst cash crisis in nearly a decade and it might not be able to pay the salaries to its officials next month, said the Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

In a statement issued by his Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, Guterres said he had written to the Member States, "about the worst cash crisis facing the United Nations in nearly a decade. The organisation runs the risk of depleting its liquidity reserves by the end of the month and defaulting on payments to staff and vendors."

The United Nations is facing the deepest deficit of the decade.

Addressing the budget-setting Fifth Committee of the General Assembly on Tuesday morning, the Secretary-General said, "this month, we will reach the deepest deficit of the decade."

He said that the Organisation risks "exhausting the closed peacekeeping cash reserves and entering November without enough cash to cover payrolls."

Dujarric, while talking to reporters said, other states needed to pay "urgently and in full".

India is among 34 United Nations member states which paid their regular annual dues within the stipulated time. In a document shared by the United Nations, as of 27 October 2019, 129 member states have paid their regular budget assessments in full.

India is among 34 United Nations member states which paid their regular annual dues within the stipulated time. In a document shared by the United Nations, as of 27 October 2019, 129 member states have paid their regular budget assessments in full. Out of 129, only 34 members have paid their regular budget assessments in full within the 30-day due period specified in the U.N.'s Financial Regulation. The UN's operating budget for 2018-2019 is close to $5.4 billion excluding the money for peacekeeping operations. Meanwhile, India has contributed $23,253,808 this year. Although 129 States out of 193 have now paid their regular annual dues, only 70 per cent of the total assessment for the year till September had been paid, versus 78 per cent this time last year. The United Nations is facing the worst cash crisis in nearly a decade and it might not be able to pay the salaries to its officials next month, said the Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. In a statement issued by his Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, Guterres said he had written to the Member States, "about the worst cash crisis facing the United Nations in nearly a decade. The organisation runs the risk of depleting its liquidity reserves by the end of the month and defaulting on payments to staff and vendors." The United Nations is facing the deepest deficit of the decade. Addressing the budget-setting Fifth Committee of the General Assembly on Tuesday morning, the Secretary-General said, "this month, we will reach the deepest deficit of the decade." He said that the Organisation risks "exhausting the closed peacekeeping cash reserves and entering November without enough cash to cover payrolls." Dujarric, while talking to reporters said, other states needed to pay "urgently and in full".

India among 34 U.N. nations to pay regular annual dues within stipulated time

The United Nations is running a deficit of $230 million, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday and may run out of money by the end of October.

In a letter intended for the 37,000 employees at the U.N. secretariat and obtained by AFP, Guterres said unspecified "additional stop-gap measures" would have to be taken to ensure salaries and entitlements are paid.

"Member States have paid only 70 per cent of the total amount needed for our regular budget operations in 2019. This translates into a cash shortage of $230 million at the end of September. We run the risk of depleting our backup liquidity reserves by the end of the month," he wrote.

To cut costs, Guterres mentioned postponing conferences and meetings and reducing services, while also restricting official travel to only essential activities and taking measures to save energy.

Guterres had asked member states earlier this year to up contributions to the world body to head off cash flow problems, but they refused, a U.N. official said on condition of anonymity.

"The ultimate responsibility for our financial health lies with the Member States," Guterres said.

Not including what it pays for peacekeeping operations, the U.N.'s operating budget for 2018-2019 is close to $5.4 billion, with the United States contributing 22 per cent.

The United Nations is running a deficit of $230 million, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday and may run out of money by the end of October. In a letter intended for the 37,000 employees at the U.

The United Nations is running a deficit of $230 million, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday and may run out of money by the end of October. In a letter intended for the 37,000 employees at the U.N. secretariat and obtained by AFP, Guterres said unspecified "additional stop-gap measures" would have to be taken to ensure salaries and entitlements are paid. "Member States have paid only 70 per cent of the total amount needed for our regular budget operations in 2019. This translates into a cash shortage of $230 million at the end of September. We run the risk of depleting our backup liquidity reserves by the end of the month," he wrote. To cut costs, Guterres mentioned postponing conferences and meetings and reducing services, while also restricting official travel to only essential activities and taking measures to save energy. Guterres had asked member states earlier this year to up contributions to the world body to head off cash flow problems, but they refused, a U.N. official said on condition of anonymity. "The ultimate responsibility for our financial health lies with the Member States," Guterres said. Not including what it pays for peacekeeping operations, the U.N.'s operating budget for 2018-2019 is close to $5.4 billion, with the United States contributing 22 per cent.

United Nations may run out of money by end of the month: Secretary-General Antonio Guterres

Violence against children in Afghanistan has risen sharply over the past four years, a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-nuclear-watchdog-says-iran-taking-step-in-right-direction-253726">U.N.</a> report says.

From 2015 to 2018 a United Nations team studying the plight of children in war-torn <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-taliban-talks-afghanistan-slams-islamabad-india-says-closely-monitoring-development-253844">Afghanistan</a> documented 14,202 grave violations against them throughout the country, says the report published this week by the office of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

"Of serious concern, the killing and maiming of 12,599 children was verified, representing almost a third of all civilian casualties and an increase of 82 per cent in child casualties compared with the previous four years," the report says.

The extent of these violations is probably even greater, adds the report

Civilians have long paid a disproportionate price in the 18 years since a US-led force invaded Afghanistan against the Taliban, and insurgency-linked violence claimed a record number of lives generally last year with more than 3,800, according to U.N. figures released previously.

The report documents 274 cases of children being recruited to fight, 17 of sexual violence committed against them, 231 child abductions, 832 attacks on schools and 249 cases of humanitarian aid being denied.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-3-policemen-wounded-in-fight-at-police-headquaters-253489">Armed groups</a> are mainly responsible for grave violations, except in the case of sexual violence, which is often blamed on security forces, says the report.

"I am deeply disturbed by the scale, severity, and recurrence of grave violations endured by the children in Afghanistan and by the fact that they continue to bear the brunt of the armed conflict," Guterres said.

"I urge all parties to immediately cease all violations."

"I am extremely concerned about the significant increase in the number of child casualties, including those resulting from aerial operations conducted by government and pro-government forces," he added.

Violence against children in Afghanistan has risen sharply over the past four years, a U.N. report says. From 2015 to 2018 a United Nations team studying the plight of children in war-torn Afghanistan documented 14,202 grave violations against them throughout the country, says the report published this week by the office of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Violence against children in Afghanistan has risen sharply over the past four years, a U.N. report says. From 2015 to 2018 a United Nations team studying the plight of children in war-torn Afghanistan documented 14,202 grave violations against them throughout the country, says the report published this week by the office of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. "Of serious concern, the killing and maiming of 12,599 children was verified, representing almost a third of all civilian casualties and an increase of 82 per cent in child casualties compared with the previous four years," the report says. The extent of these violations is probably even greater, adds the report Civilians have long paid a disproportionate price in the 18 years since a US-led force invaded Afghanistan against the Taliban, and insurgency-linked violence claimed a record number of lives generally last year with more than 3,800, according to U.N. figures released previously. The report documents 274 cases of children being recruited to fight, 17 of sexual violence committed against them, 231 child abductions, 832 attacks on schools and 249 cases of humanitarian aid being denied. Armed groups are mainly responsible for grave violations, except in the case of sexual violence, which is often blamed on security forces, says the report. "I am deeply disturbed by the scale, severity, and recurrence of grave violations endured by the children in Afghanistan and by the fact that they continue to bear the brunt of the armed conflict," Guterres said. "I urge all parties to immediately cease all violations." "I am extremely concerned about the significant increase in the number of child casualties, including those resulting from aerial operations conducted by government and pro-government forces," he added.

United Nations: Violence against children in Afghanistan up sharply

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary and said that his vision continues to resonate across the world, including through the work of the U.N.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/mahatma-gandhi-150th-anniversary-of-satyagrahas-heirloom-253166#birth-of-a-new-leader-168880">Mahatma Gandhi</a>'s birth anniversary is observed as International Day of Non-Violence by the global community.

"Mahatma Gandhi pioneered successive non-violent movements that changed history. 150 years since his birth, Gandhi's philosophy is at the core of our work at the U.N. May his courage and conviction continue to inspire us on Wednesday's International Day of Non-Violence and every day, " tweeted <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/dialogue-between-india-pakistan-is-an-essential-element-united-nations-secretary-general-antonio-guterres-250473">Guterres</a>.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Mahatma Gandhi pioneered successive non-violent movements that changed history. 
 
150 years since his birth, Gandhi’s philosophy is at the core of our work at the <a href="https://twitter.com/UN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UN</a>. May his courage &amp; conviction continue to inspire us on Wednesday’s International Day of Non-Violence &amp; every day.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) <a href="https://twitter.com/antonioguterres/status/1179245999543476227?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"His vision continues to resonate across the world, including through the work of the United Nations for mutual understanding, equality, sustainable development, the empowerment of young people, and the peaceful resolution of disputes", Guterres said in a statement commemorating the day.

Born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar town of Gujarat, Mahatma Gandhi or Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi adopted a non-violent resistance and was at the forefront of the freedom struggle against the colonial British rule with utmost patience.

This led to India finally achieving its independence in 1947.

Fondly known as Bapu, his unwavering belief in 'swaraj'&nbsp;(self-governance) and 'ahimsa'&nbsp;(violence) won him accolades across the world.

Guterres recalled that before <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/celebrating-the-mahatma-150th-birth-anniversary-of-mahatma-gandhi-253174">Mahatma Gandhi</a>'s assassination on January 1948, after the partition of India the previous year, Gandhi constantly highlighted "the gap between what we do, and what we are capable of doing".

"On this International Day, I urge each and every one of us to do everything in our power to bridge this divide as we strive to build a better future for all", concluded the U.N. Secretary-General.&nbsp;

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary and said that his vision continues to resonate across the world, including through the work of the U.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary and said that his vision continues to resonate across the world, including through the work of the U.N. Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary is observed as International Day of Non-Violence by the global community. "Mahatma Gandhi pioneered successive non-violent movements that changed history. 150 years since his birth, Gandhi's philosophy is at the core of our work at the U.N. May his courage and conviction continue to inspire us on Wednesday's International Day of Non-Violence and every day, " tweeted Guterres. Mahatma Gandhi pioneered successive non-violent movements that changed history. 150 years since his birth, Gandhi’s philosophy is at the core of our work at the @UN. May his courage & conviction continue to inspire us on Wednesday’s International Day of Non-Violence & every day. — António Guterres (@antonioguterres) October 2, 2019 × "His vision continues to resonate across the world, including through the work of the United Nations for mutual understanding, equality, sustainable development, the empowerment of young people, and the peaceful resolution of disputes", Guterres said in a statement commemorating the day. Born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar town of Gujarat, Mahatma Gandhi or Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi adopted a non-violent resistance and was at the forefront of the freedom struggle against the colonial British rule with utmost patience. This led to India finally achieving its independence in 1947. Fondly known as Bapu, his unwavering belief in 'swaraj' (self-governance) and 'ahimsa' (violence) won him accolades across the world. Guterres recalled that before Mahatma Gandhi's assassination on January 1948, after the partition of India the previous year, Gandhi constantly highlighted "the gap between what we do, and what we are capable of doing". "On this International Day, I urge each and every one of us to do everything in our power to bridge this divide as we strive to build a better future for all", concluded the U.N. Secretary-General.

Gandhi pioneered non-violent movements that changed history: U.N. Secretary-General on Gandhi's 150th anniversary

World leaders paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on the 150th anniversary of his birth at a United Nations event on Tuesday, praising his lasting legacy.

Mahatma Gandhi: Global leaders celebrate his legacy at the United Nations

Who said what at United Nations climate summit

Almost 90 big companies in sectors from food to cement to telecommunications are pledging to slash their greenhouse gas emissions in a new campaign to steer multi-nationals towards a low-carbon future, organizers said on Sunday.

We Mean Business, a coalition of advocacy groups, said dozens of companies had joined the initiative in the two months leading up to a United Nations summit taking place on Monday, which aims to spur faster action on climate change.

“Now we need many more companies to join the movement, sending a clear signal that markets are shifting,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement.

The coalition was launched in June with a call to action by the United Nations, business and civil society leaders. The first 28 companies to join announced the following month. We Mean Business said 87 companies are now involved, with a total market capitalization of more than $2.3 trillion.

Some companies in the coalition have agreed to slash their carbon emissions to net-zero by 2050, including Swiss food company Nestle, French building materials company Saint-Gobain, and French cosmetics maker L'Oreal.

Others have stopped short of committing to go carbon neutral but say they will align their operations with a goal of limiting the increase in average global temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius enshrined in the 2015 Paris Agreement.

This group includes Finnish telecoms company Nokia, French food group Danone and British drugmaker AstraZeneca Plc, We Mean Business said.

As accelerating climate impacts from melting ice caps to sea-level rise and extreme weather outpace climate models, scientists say the world needs to halve its greenhouse gas emissions over the next decade to avoid catastrophic warming.

With fossil fuel companies still developing new oil and gas fields and many developing countries expanding coal-fired power, the coalition's pledges are minuscule relative to rising global emissions.

Some experts have questioned whether publicly traded companies committed to maximizing shareholder returns will be able to make the sweeping investments required to fight climate change. Yet many investors have been pressuring companies to act on climate risks, and chief executives also face pressure from an upsurge in youth-led activism, which mobilized millions around the world to protest on Friday.

We Mean Business believes pledges by a core of mostly European, and some North American and Asian companies, to commit to independently-verified emissions targets will prompt others to follow suit.

“These bold companies are leading the way towards a positive tipping point where 1.5°C-aligned corporate strategies are the new normal for businesses and their supply chains around the world," said Lise Kingo, chief executive of the UN Global Compact, which promotes responsible business practices.

UN chief Guterres sees the private sector as crucial to securing more ambitious pledges at Monday's Climate Action Summit in New York, which aims to boost the Paris deal before it enters a crucial implementation phase next year.

Companies such as Danish power group Orsted, Spanish energy company Iberdrola and German insurer Allianz are due to speak alongside governments at the one-day gathering, according to a draft agenda.

Almost 90 big companies in sectors from food to cement to telecommunications are pledging to slash their greenhouse gas emissions in a new campaign to steer multi-nationals towards a low-carbon future, organizers said on Sunday.

Almost 90 big companies in sectors from food to cement to telecommunications are pledging to slash their greenhouse gas emissions in a new campaign to steer multi-nationals towards a low-carbon future, organizers said on Sunday. We Mean Business, a coalition of advocacy groups, said dozens of companies had joined the initiative in the two months leading up to a United Nations summit taking place on Monday, which aims to spur faster action on climate change. “Now we need many more companies to join the movement, sending a clear signal that markets are shifting,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement. The coalition was launched in June with a call to action by the United Nations, business and civil society leaders. The first 28 companies to join announced the following month. We Mean Business said 87 companies are now involved, with a total market capitalization of more than $2.3 trillion. Some companies in the coalition have agreed to slash their carbon emissions to net-zero by 2050, including Swiss food company Nestle, French building materials company Saint-Gobain, and French cosmetics maker L'Oreal. Others have stopped short of committing to go carbon neutral but say they will align their operations with a goal of limiting the increase in average global temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius enshrined in the 2015 Paris Agreement. This group includes Finnish telecoms company Nokia, French food group Danone and British drugmaker AstraZeneca Plc, We Mean Business said. As accelerating climate impacts from melting ice caps to sea-level rise and extreme weather outpace climate models, scientists say the world needs to halve its greenhouse gas emissions over the next decade to avoid catastrophic warming. With fossil fuel companies still developing new oil and gas fields and many developing countries expanding coal-fired power, the coalition's pledges are minuscule relative to rising global emissions. Some experts have questioned whether publicly traded companies committed to maximizing shareholder returns will be able to make the sweeping investments required to fight climate change. Yet many investors have been pressuring companies to act on climate risks, and chief executives also face pressure from an upsurge in youth-led activism, which mobilized millions around the world to protest on Friday. We Mean Business believes pledges by a core of mostly European, and some North American and Asian companies, to commit to independently-verified emissions targets will prompt others to follow suit. “These bold companies are leading the way towards a positive tipping point where 1.5°C-aligned corporate strategies are the new normal for businesses and their supply chains around the world," said Lise Kingo, chief executive of the UN Global Compact, which promotes responsible business practices. UN chief Guterres sees the private sector as crucial to securing more ambitious pledges at Monday's Climate Action Summit in New York, which aims to boost the Paris deal before it enters a crucial implementation phase next year. Companies such as Danish power group Orsted, Spanish energy company Iberdrola and German insurer Allianz are due to speak alongside governments at the one-day gathering, according to a draft agenda.

90 big companies commit to slash greenhouse gas emissions ahead of UN climate summit

UN chief demands 'positive' news as countries gear for 'emergency' climate summit

UN chief calls for Indo-Pak dialogue to resolve Kashmir issue. Watch video to know more.

UN chief calls for Indo-Pak dialogue to resolve Kashmir issue

Ahead of General debate in United Nations, Secretary-General António Guterres has called for dialogue between India and Pakistan as an essential element to resolve any problem in the region. &nbsp;

Responding to a question on the situation on developments in Kashmir, Guterres said, "I go on with a clear opinion that human rights must be fully respected in the territory. And I go on with a clear opinion that dialogue between India and Pakistan is an essential element for the solution of the problem."

The Secretary-General also explained that the UN's "capacity is only related to good offices and good offices can only be implemented when parties accept it."

New Delhi has rejected any third party mediation&nbsp;and reminded that under Lahore declaration and Shimla Agreement both India and Pakistan will resolve all issues bilaterally.

On the situation of Uighurs Muslims in China, Guterres said, "I don't think anyone has been more persistent and more clear in talking to Chinese authorities about this issue than myself."

Adding further he said, "I have been doing publically much more than many world leaders."

Many western governments have been saying Uighurs are been systemically targeted by China and being sent to re-education camps while countries such as Pakistan have been silent.&nbsp;

The 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 74) opened on September 17 and the first day of high-level General Debate will be on September 24.

On Monday, UN Secretary-General will convene a Climate Summit, and the UNGA will hold a one-day high-level meeting on Universal Health Coverage.

Ahead of General debate in United Nations, Secretary-General António Guterres has called for dialogue between India and Pakistan as an essential element to resolve any problem in the region.

Ahead of General debate in United Nations, Secretary-General António Guterres has called for dialogue between India and Pakistan as an essential element to resolve any problem in the region. Responding to a question on the situation on developments in Kashmir, Guterres said, "I go on with a clear opinion that human rights must be fully respected in the territory. And I go on with a clear opinion that dialogue between India and Pakistan is an essential element for the solution of the problem." The Secretary-General also explained that the UN's "capacity is only related to good offices and good offices can only be implemented when parties accept it." New Delhi has rejected any third party mediation and reminded that under Lahore declaration and Shimla Agreement both India and Pakistan will resolve all issues bilaterally. On the situation of Uighurs Muslims in China, Guterres said, "I don't think anyone has been more persistent and more clear in talking to Chinese authorities about this issue than myself." Adding further he said, "I have been doing publically much more than many world leaders." Many western governments have been saying Uighurs are been systemically targeted by China and being sent to re-education camps while countries such as Pakistan have been silent. The 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 74) opened on September 17 and the first day of high-level General Debate will be on September 24. On Monday, UN Secretary-General will convene a Climate Summit, and the UNGA will hold a one-day high-level meeting on Universal Health Coverage.

Dialogue between India, Pakistan essential element: United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres

A tropical storm warning was issued on Friday for the northern Bahamas, where thousands of residents are struggling to get back on track after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-storm-hits-hurricane-ravaged-bahamas-could-become-tropical-storm-249408">Hurricane Dorian left them homeless</a>.

Bahamian meteorologists said the islands of Grand Bahama and Abaco, which were the worst-hit by Dorian, were in the path of the approaching weather system.

Winds of up to 60 miles (100 kilometers) per hour were expected and heavy rainfall could bring some flooding to the already saturated islands, said Trevor Basden, director of the Department of Meteorology.

Carl Smith, a spokesman for the Bahamian National Emergency Management Agency, said the storm could have an impact on relief and recovery efforts on Grand Bahama and Abaco.

"The weather system will slow down logistics," Smith told a press conference in Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas. "Fuel and water remain the biggest needs in Abaco."

Herve Verhoosel, a spokesman for the UN World Food Program, said flights to Marsh Harbour, the largest town on Abaco, were being suspended because of the storm.

Smith said residents of Abaco should seek shelter.

The NEMA spokesman also said 1,300 people remain unaccounted for following Hurricane Dorian -- the same number he gave on Thursday.

He said 71 people were staying in shelters on Grand Bahama island and 2,037 in shelters in New Providence, where Nassau is located.

"We're no longer receiving large numbers of evacuees from Abaco and Grand Bahama," Smith said.

He said the authorities were reopening Grand Bahama international airport in Freeport to limited commercial traffic.

The Bahamian authorities have put the death toll from Dorian, a devastating Category 5 storm, at 50 so far.

But they have said they expect that number to rise significantly and a former prime minister, Hubert Ingraham, said this week he feared the final toll could be in the hundreds.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was to visit the Bahamas on Friday to express his "deep solidarity" with the Atlantic archipelago.

Guterres said Thursday that he wanted to encourage the international community to "increase the support to the Bahamas people and to the Bahamas government."

He also said Hurricane Dorian was a warning of the dangers of climate change.

"All this is a demonstration of what we have all been saying in the recent past," he said. "Climate change is running faster than we are and we need to have a much more ambitious approach in what we do in order to defeat climate change."

A tropical storm warning was issued on Friday for the northern Bahamas, where thousands of residents are struggling to get back on track after Hurricane Dorian left them homeless.

A tropical storm warning was issued on Friday for the northern Bahamas, where thousands of residents are struggling to get back on track after Hurricane Dorian left them homeless. Bahamian meteorologists said the islands of Grand Bahama and Abaco, which were the worst-hit by Dorian, were in the path of the approaching weather system. Winds of up to 60 miles (100 kilometers) per hour were expected and heavy rainfall could bring some flooding to the already saturated islands, said Trevor Basden, director of the Department of Meteorology. Carl Smith, a spokesman for the Bahamian National Emergency Management Agency, said the storm could have an impact on relief and recovery efforts on Grand Bahama and Abaco. "The weather system will slow down logistics," Smith told a press conference in Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas. "Fuel and water remain the biggest needs in Abaco." Herve Verhoosel, a spokesman for the UN World Food Program, said flights to Marsh Harbour, the largest town on Abaco, were being suspended because of the storm. Smith said residents of Abaco should seek shelter. The NEMA spokesman also said 1,300 people remain unaccounted for following Hurricane Dorian -- the same number he gave on Thursday. He said 71 people were staying in shelters on Grand Bahama island and 2,037 in shelters in New Providence, where Nassau is located. "We're no longer receiving large numbers of evacuees from Abaco and Grand Bahama," Smith said. He said the authorities were reopening Grand Bahama international airport in Freeport to limited commercial traffic. The Bahamian authorities have put the death toll from Dorian, a devastating Category 5 storm, at 50 so far. But they have said they expect that number to rise significantly and a former prime minister, Hubert Ingraham, said this week he feared the final toll could be in the hundreds. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was to visit the Bahamas on Friday to express his "deep solidarity" with the Atlantic archipelago. Guterres said Thursday that he wanted to encourage the international community to "increase the support to the Bahamas people and to the Bahamas government." He also said Hurricane Dorian was a warning of the dangers of climate change. "All this is a demonstration of what we have all been saying in the recent past," he said. "Climate change is running faster than we are and we need to have a much more ambitious approach in what we do in order to defeat climate change."

Tropical storm warning issued for hurricane-hit Bahamas

The 74th session of the UN General Assembly will be held in New York from September 17-30.

“Vice President Delcy Rodriguez and the foreign minister will attend this year’s UN General Assembly. I visited New York last year, that is why this year I will not do that and will work here, in Venezuela,” Maduro said on late Thursday.

He added that Rodriguez would submit to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres a letter, signed by millions of Venezuelan citizens, that condemns the US sanctions against Caracas.

Venezuela faces a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-national-security-advisor-restrained-him-on-venezuela-249294">US</a>-led effort to oust the government of President Maduro&nbsp;and replace him with opposition leader and self-proclaimed President Juan Guaido. The United States has also imposed comprehensive sanctions against Venezuela and frozen some of the country’s assets.

Watch video

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&nbsp;

The 74th session of the UN General Assembly will be held in New York from September 17-30. “Vice President Delcy Rodriguez and the foreign minister will attend this year’s UN General Assembly.

The 74th session of the UN General Assembly will be held in New York from September 17-30. “Vice President Delcy Rodriguez and the foreign minister will attend this year’s UN General Assembly. I visited New York last year, that is why this year I will not do that and will work here, in Venezuela,” Maduro said on late Thursday. He added that Rodriguez would submit to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres a letter, signed by millions of Venezuelan citizens, that condemns the US sanctions against Caracas. Venezuela faces a US-led effort to oust the government of President Maduro and replace him with opposition leader and self-proclaimed President Juan Guaido. The United States has also imposed comprehensive sanctions against Venezuela and frozen some of the country’s assets. Watch video ×

Maduro says will not take part in 2019 session of UN General Assembly

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, on the sidelines of the G7 summit hosted by the southwestern French city of Biarritz on Sunday and had fruitful discussions on a wide range of subjects.

"PM @narendramodi met @UN Secretary General Mr. @antonioguterres on the sidelines of the @G7 Summit. The two leaders had fruitful discussions on a wide range of subjects," the Prime Minister's Office announced in a tweet.

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PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> met <a href="https://twitter.com/UN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UN</a> Secretary General Mr. <a href="https://twitter.com/antonioguterres?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@antonioguterres</a> on the sidelines of the <a href="https://twitter.com/G7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@G7</a> Summit. The two leaders had fruitful discussions on a wide range of subjects. <a href="https://t.co/JuGsftQKRT">pic.twitter.com/JuGsftQKRT</a>
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/1165670577685876740?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2019</a></blockquote>
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At the G7 summit, Modi is expected to speak during sessions on the environment, climate, oceans, and digital transformation, besides also holding bilaterals with leaders of other countries participating in the two-day summit being held here.

The summit holds significance from India's perspective particularly for the fact that the Kashmir issue is expected to come up during Modi's interaction with the leaders of the member countries, particularly US President Donald Trump.&nbsp;

The same was also conveyed recently by a senior official from the Trump administration.

India is not a member country of the G-7, and the invitation to participate in the summit was extended by France.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, on the sidelines of the G7 summit hosted by the southwestern French city of Biarritz on Sunday and had fruitful discussions on a wide range of subjects.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, on the sidelines of the G7 summit hosted by the southwestern French city of Biarritz on Sunday and had fruitful discussions on a wide range of subjects. "PM @narendramodi met @UN Secretary General Mr. @antonioguterres on the sidelines of the @G7 Summit. The two leaders had fruitful discussions on a wide range of subjects," the Prime Minister's Office announced in a tweet. PM @narendramodi met @UN Secretary General Mr. @antonioguterres on the sidelines of the @G7 Summit. The two leaders had fruitful discussions on a wide range of subjects. pic.twitter.com/JuGsftQKRT — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 25, 2019 × At the G7 summit, Modi is expected to speak during sessions on the environment, climate, oceans, and digital transformation, besides also holding bilaterals with leaders of other countries participating in the two-day summit being held here. The summit holds significance from India's perspective particularly for the fact that the Kashmir issue is expected to come up during Modi's interaction with the leaders of the member countries, particularly US President Donald Trump. The same was also conveyed recently by a senior official from the Trump administration. India is not a member country of the G-7, and the invitation to participate in the summit was extended by France.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on sidelines of G7 in France

PM Modi meets United Nations Chief Antonio Guterres. To know more watch the video

PM Modi meets United Nations Chief

The United Nations on Thursday called for the protection of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-amazon-burns-brazils-jair-bolsonaro-tells-rest-of-world-not-to-interfere-244909">fire-ravaged Amazon rainforest</a> and said he was "deeply concerned" by the fires.&nbsp;

"In the midst of the global climate crisis, we cannot afford more damage to a major source of oxygen and biodiversity," UN chief Antonio Guterres said on Twitter.

"The Amazon must be protected."

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I’m deeply concerned by the fires in the Amazon rainforest. In the midst of the global climate crisis, we cannot afford more damage to a major source of oxygen and biodiversity. 
 
The Amazon must be protected.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) <a href="https://twitter.com/antonioguterres/status/1164586391629705216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 22, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Official figures show nearly 73,000 forest fires were recorded in Brazil in the first eight months of the year -- the highest number for any year since 2013. Most were in the Amazon.

The extent of the area damaged by fires has yet to be determined, but smoke has choked Sao Paulo and several other Brazilian cities in the past week.

Meanwhile, France's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amazon-rainforest-fires-our-house-is-on-fire-says-macron-ahead-of-g7-summit-244910">President Emmanuel Macron said the wildfires were "an international crisis"</a> and called on the globe's most industrialised nations to address it at the G7 this weekend.

"Our house is on fire. Literally. The Amazon, the lung of our planet which produces 20 per cent of our oxygen is burning," Macron said on Twitter.&nbsp;

"It is an international crisis. Members of the G7, let's talk in two days about this emergency."

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Our house is burning. Literally. The Amazon rain forest - the lungs which produces 20% of our planet’s oxygen - is on fire. It is an international crisis. Members of the G7 Summit, let's discuss this emergency first order in two days! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ActForTheAmazon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ActForTheAmazon</a> <a href="https://t.co/dogOJj9big">pic.twitter.com/dogOJj9big</a>
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) <a href="https://twitter.com/EmmanuelMacron/status/1164617008962527232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 22, 2019</a></blockquote>
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That did not sit well with Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro.

"The French president's suggestion that Amazon issues be discussed at the G-7 without participation by the countries in the region evokes a colonialist mentality that is out of place in the 21st century," Bolsonaro wrote on Twitter.

Neighboring Peru, which contains much of the Amazon basin, announced it was "on alert" for wildfires spreading from the rainforest in Brazil and Bolivia.

Paraguay and Bolivia are battling separate wildfires that have devastated large areas of their rainforests.

(With inputs from agencies)

The United Nations on Thursday called for the protection of the fire-ravaged Amazon rainforest and said he was "deeply concerned" by the fires. "In the midst of the global climate crisis, we cannot afford more damage to a major source of oxygen and biodiversity," UN chief Antonio Guterres said on Twitter.

The United Nations on Thursday called for the protection of the fire-ravaged Amazon rainforest and said he was "deeply concerned" by the fires. "In the midst of the global climate crisis, we cannot afford more damage to a major source of oxygen and biodiversity," UN chief Antonio Guterres said on Twitter. "The Amazon must be protected." I’m deeply concerned by the fires in the Amazon rainforest. In the midst of the global climate crisis, we cannot afford more damage to a major source of oxygen and biodiversity. The Amazon must be protected. — António Guterres (@antonioguterres) August 22, 2019 × Official figures show nearly 73,000 forest fires were recorded in Brazil in the first eight months of the year -- the highest number for any year since 2013. Most were in the Amazon. The extent of the area damaged by fires has yet to be determined, but smoke has choked Sao Paulo and several other Brazilian cities in the past week. Meanwhile, France's President Emmanuel Macron said the wildfires were "an international crisis" and called on the globe's most industrialised nations to address it at the G7 this weekend. "Our house is on fire. Literally. The Amazon, the lung of our planet which produces 20 per cent of our oxygen is burning," Macron said on Twitter. "It is an international crisis. Members of the G7, let's talk in two days about this emergency." Our house is burning. Literally. The Amazon rain forest - the lungs which produces 20% of our planet’s oxygen - is on fire. It is an international crisis. Members of the G7 Summit, let's discuss this emergency first order in two days! #ActForTheAmazon pic.twitter.com/dogOJj9big — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 22, 2019 × That did not sit well with Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro. "The French president's suggestion that Amazon issues be discussed at the G-7 without participation by the countries in the region evokes a colonialist mentality that is out of place in the 21st century," Bolsonaro wrote on Twitter. Neighboring Peru, which contains much of the Amazon basin, announced it was "on alert" for wildfires spreading from the rainforest in Brazil and Bolivia. Paraguay and Bolivia are battling separate wildfires that have devastated large areas of their rainforests. (With inputs from agencies)

UN chief calls for protection of Amazon rainforest; says can't afford more damage to source of oxygen

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the suicide attack in Afghanistan's Kabul which <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/over-40-dead-100-injured-as-blast-rips-through-wedding-party-in-afghanistans-kabul-243740">killed at least 63 people</a> and injuring over 180.

"The Secretary-General strongly condemns the horrific 17 August terrorist attack on a wedding ceremony in Kabul, claiming the lives of 63 people and injuring over 180," Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement cited by media reports.

The UN chief expressed "his deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and the Government and people of Afghanistan,'' the statement further added.

The deadly suicide-bomb blast took place in the Darulaman area of Kabul city.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-islamic-state-claims-responsibility-for-wedding-suicide-attack-in-kabul-243841">Islamic State group claimed responsibility</a> for the attack.

Watch: Islamic state claims responsibility for wedding suicide attack in Kabul

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According to eyewitnesses, the suicide bomber laid explosives among the wedding participants and detonated them.

The blast happened in western Kabul, a predominantly Shia locality. The Shia minority has been targeted by the Taliban multiple times over the years.

These attacks come at a time when the United States are discussing a peace deal in Afghanistan, a deal that involves the Taliban giving up arms.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the suicide attack in Afghanistan's Kabul which killed at least 63 people and injuring over 180. "The Secretary-General strongly condemns the horrific 17 August terrorist attack on a wedding ceremony in Kabul, claiming the lives of 63 people and injuring over 180," Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement cited by media reports.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the suicide attack in Afghanistan's Kabul which killed at least 63 people and injuring over 180. "The Secretary-General strongly condemns the horrific 17 August terrorist attack on a wedding ceremony in Kabul, claiming the lives of 63 people and injuring over 180," Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement cited by media reports. The UN chief expressed "his deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and the Government and people of Afghanistan,'' the statement further added. The deadly suicide-bomb blast took place in the Darulaman area of Kabul city. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack. Watch: Islamic state claims responsibility for wedding suicide attack in Kabul According to eyewitnesses, the suicide bomber laid explosives among the wedding participants and detonated them. The blast happened in western Kabul, a predominantly Shia locality. The Shia minority has been targeted by the Taliban multiple times over the years. These attacks come at a time when the United States are discussing a peace deal in Afghanistan, a deal that involves the Taliban giving up arms.

Afghanistan: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemns Kabul attack that killed 63

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/concerned-poland-says-india-pakistan-must-resolve-kashmir-issue-through-dialogue-242711">Jammu and Kashmir(J&amp;K)</a> has decided to host investors summit from 12-14 October, NK Chaudhary, principal secretary (Commerce &amp; Industry), said on Tuesday.

"This will be the first-ever global summit to be hosted by the state," the principal secretary said, adding, "the inaugural session of the summit will be held in Srinagar on October 12."

On Monday, Northern Army Commander <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/article-370-revoked-government-needs-time-to-bring-back-normalcy-in-jammu-and-kashmir-says-supreme-court-242715">Lt Gen Ranbir Singh reviewed</a> security in the Kashmir Valley as the government kept restrictions in Kashmir while easing it somewhat during Eid.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistans-desperation-grows-poland-backs-bilateral-solution-on-jk-242639/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

With the scrapping of Article 370 over a week old, the Supreme Court today refused to issue directions to the central government on a petition seeking lifting of all restrictions in Jammu and Kashmir.

The petition was filed by social activist Tehseen Poonawala seeking lifting of curfew and other restrictions including blocking of phone lines, internet and news channels.

The government in its argument in court said it was reviewing the day-to-day situation in the new&nbsp;Union Territory.

The three-judge bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra told the petitioner, "We shall wait for the restoration of normalcy, if nothing happens you can back to the court." &nbsp;

Meanwhile, as Pakistan continued to rake up the issue in the international forum, Poland's ambassador to India Adam Burakowski said that India and Pakistan have to resolve the Kashmir issue bilaterally. Poland currently holds the UNSC presidency for August.

In a similar move, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) President Joanna Wronecka had last week refused to comment on Pakistan's letter to the world body regarding abrogation of Article 370 by India.

Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had written to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres claiming abrogation of article 370&nbsp;Jammu and Kashmir had violated the UNSC resolution.

Pakistan had earlier downgraded ties with India and suspended trade relations over the scrapping of Article 370 which gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp;

Jammu and Kashmir(J&K) has decided to host investors summit from 12-14 October, NK Chaudhary, principal secretary (Commerce & Industry), said on Tuesday. "This will be the first-ever global summit to be hosted by the state," the principal secretary said, adding, "the inaugural session of the summit will be held in Srinagar on October 12.

Jammu and Kashmir(J&K) has decided to host investors summit from 12-14 October, NK Chaudhary, principal secretary (Commerce & Industry), said on Tuesday. "This will be the first-ever global summit to be hosted by the state," the principal secretary said, adding, "the inaugural session of the summit will be held in Srinagar on October 12." On Monday, Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Ranbir Singh reviewed security in the Kashmir Valley as the government kept restrictions in Kashmir while easing it somewhat during Eid. With the scrapping of Article 370 over a week old, the Supreme Court today refused to issue directions to the central government on a petition seeking lifting of all restrictions in Jammu and Kashmir. The petition was filed by social activist Tehseen Poonawala seeking lifting of curfew and other restrictions including blocking of phone lines, internet and news channels. The government in its argument in court said it was reviewing the day-to-day situation in the new Union Territory. The three-judge bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra told the petitioner, "We shall wait for the restoration of normalcy, if nothing happens you can back to the court." Meanwhile, as Pakistan continued to rake up the issue in the international forum, Poland's ambassador to India Adam Burakowski said that India and Pakistan have to resolve the Kashmir issue bilaterally. Poland currently holds the UNSC presidency for August. In a similar move, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) President Joanna Wronecka had last week refused to comment on Pakistan's letter to the world body regarding abrogation of Article 370 by India. Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had written to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres claiming abrogation of article 370 Jammu and Kashmir had violated the UNSC resolution. Pakistan had earlier downgraded ties with India and suspended trade relations over the scrapping of Article 370 which gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Jammu and Kashmir to host first ever global investors summit in October: NK Chaudhary, principal secretary

The United Nations on Monday urged both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint, saying it was concerned about the rising tensions between the two neighbours after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/article-370-revoked-shah-lauds-modi-for-unwavering-commitment-towards-ensuring-indias-unity-integrity-240935">New Delhi abrogated Article 370</a> in Jammu and Kashmir that granted special status to the state.

"We are following with concern the tense situation in the region...We urge all parties to exercise restraint," Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told reporters.

"Over the past few days, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/abrogation-of-article-370-india-briefs-unsc-envoys-tell-them-decision-aimed-at-improving-governance-240932">United Nations</a> Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) has observed and reported an increase in military activity along the Line of Control. We are very concerned about the rise of tensions," he said.

On Monday, the BJP-led central government scrapped Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, along with Article 35 (A) in the Rajya Sabha that gave a special status to Jammu and Kashmir and barred people from the rest of the country from buying property there.

The government also passed a separate bill in the Upper House proposing to divide the border state into two Union Territories -- Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Rattled by India's decisions, Pakistan said it will exercise "all possible options" to counter the steps.

Watch: US, UN keeping close watch on Jammu and Kashmir

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-un-keeping-close-watch-on-jammu-and-kashmir-240963/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Ahead of the landmark announcement, Kashmir has been on the edge in the wake of a massive security build-up and the state government issued an advisory to Amarnath pilgrims and tourists urging them to curtail their visit.

The United Nations on Monday urged both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint, saying it was concerned about the rising tensions between the two neighbours after New Delhi abrogated Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir that granted special status to the state.

The United Nations on Monday urged both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint, saying it was concerned about the rising tensions between the two neighbours after New Delhi abrogated Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir that granted special status to the state. "We are following with concern the tense situation in the region...We urge all parties to exercise restraint," Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told reporters. "Over the past few days, the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) has observed and reported an increase in military activity along the Line of Control. We are very concerned about the rise of tensions," he said. On Monday, the BJP-led central government scrapped Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, along with Article 35 (A) in the Rajya Sabha that gave a special status to Jammu and Kashmir and barred people from the rest of the country from buying property there. The government also passed a separate bill in the Upper House proposing to divide the border state into two Union Territories -- Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Rattled by India's decisions, Pakistan said it will exercise "all possible options" to counter the steps. Watch: US, UN keeping close watch on Jammu and Kashmir Ahead of the landmark announcement, Kashmir has been on the edge in the wake of a massive security build-up and the state government issued an advisory to Amarnath pilgrims and tourists urging them to curtail their visit.

Article 370 revoked: United Nations urges India, Pakistan to exercise restraint

United Nations (UN) Secretary General Antonio Guterres is following with concern the tense situation between India and Pakistan.

US, UN keeping close watch on Jammu and Kashmir

The United States will officially withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty on Friday, clearing the way for a new arms race with Russia -&nbsp;and throwing China into the mix.

The treaty -&nbsp;concluded in 1987 by then US president Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev -&nbsp;limited the Cold War powers' medium-range missiles, both conventional and nuclear.

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres called the demise of the treaty a dangerous step that "will likely heighten, not reduce, the threat posed by ballistic missiles."

"When it expires tomorrow, the world will lose an invaluable brake on nuclear war," he said on Thursday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-hit-300-billion-worth-of-chinese-goods-with-10-tariff-donald-trump-240021">US President Donald Trump's administration</a> says the treaty is effectively dead already because of Russian violations -- a charge Russia denies. The White House launched the six-month procedure for leaving the treaty on February 1.

"I think the INF Treaty has served us well, but it only works if both parties comply," new US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said recently.

"The United States will remain in compliance with all of our obligations until August 2nd -&nbsp;and after that point in time, we will continue to pursue what is in our best interest," he told lawmakers.

In response, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-gives-russian-citizenship-to-novateks-finance-chief-a-us-national-237779">Russian President Vladimir Putin</a> signed off on Moscow's participation in the INF on July 3.&nbsp;

Under the deal, missiles with ranges of 500 to 5,500 kilometres were eliminated.&nbsp;

That paved the way for the mothballing of Russian SS-20 missiles and American Pershing missiles deployed in Europe.

Even if European nations have expressed concerns about the consequence of a new arms race, NATO has endorsed the US position, saying Russia's 9M729 missile had violated the INF agreement.

Moscow insists the new projectile has a maximum range of 480 kilometres -- within INF parameters.

But the death of the INF treaty may suit Washington, former defence secretary Ash Carter said in early July.

"From the military point of view, not the political point of view, it's not so bad," Carter said at a conference at the Council on Foreign Relations.

"We can make good use of what we call conventional prompt strike."

On Thursday, Trump told reporters that the INF did not even come up when he talked by telephone with Putin about Russian wildfires on Wednesday.

However, he did suggest vaguely that a new treaty may be in the mix.

"Russia would like to do something on a nuclear treaty and that's ok with me. They'd like to do something and so would I," he said.

Next-generation technology

The Pentagon is thrilled that it will now be able to modernize its arsenal to counter the mounting might of China, which is looking to assert its military supremacy in Asia.

"Most of China's inventory is of intermediate-range missiles and so we need to make sure we have the capability as well to respond should we -- God forbid -- get in a fight with them one day," Esper said.

The United States has pledged not to deploy new nuclear-armed missiles in Europe. But it has made no such promise on the deployment of conventional weapons.

Advances in technology have allowed for the development of mid-range missiles that are much more precise than those made 30 years ago, explained career diplomat William Courtney, who is now a senior fellow at the nonprofit, nonpartisan Rand Corporation.

"The technology has changed so much that is makes it militarily attractive," said Courtney, an arms control expert.

For Thomas Mahnken, a professor of strategic studies at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies, the United States must now deploy medium-range conventional weapons on its islands in the Pacific and other territory controlled by its allies.

Such a move would help counter China's rise, especially in the South China Sea, where the People's Liberation Army has effectively commandeered several disputed islands.

"It is time to turn the tables," Mahnken said in a commentary published on the specialist website War on the Rocks.

"Such weapons, capable of denying China the use of littoral waters, would be a powerful deterrent to Chinese aggression."

Such a move seems to have the support of the next chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, General Mark Milley.

When asked by US senators about the imminent demise of the INF Treaty, he said he supported the deployment of conventional ground-based medium-range missiles in the Indo-Pacific region.

"Do you think those would be helpful?" one senator asked.

"I do," Milley replied.

The United States will officially withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty on Friday, clearing the way for a new arms race with Russia - and throwing China into the mix.

The United States will officially withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty on Friday, clearing the way for a new arms race with Russia - and throwing China into the mix. The treaty - concluded in 1987 by then US president Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev - limited the Cold War powers' medium-range missiles, both conventional and nuclear. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres called the demise of the treaty a dangerous step that "will likely heighten, not reduce, the threat posed by ballistic missiles." "When it expires tomorrow, the world will lose an invaluable brake on nuclear war," he said on Thursday. US President Donald Trump's administration says the treaty is effectively dead already because of Russian violations -- a charge Russia denies. The White House launched the six-month procedure for leaving the treaty on February 1. "I think the INF Treaty has served us well, but it only works if both parties comply," new US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said recently. "The United States will remain in compliance with all of our obligations until August 2nd - and after that point in time, we will continue to pursue what is in our best interest," he told lawmakers. In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed off on Moscow's participation in the INF on July 3. Under the deal, missiles with ranges of 500 to 5,500 kilometres were eliminated. That paved the way for the mothballing of Russian SS-20 missiles and American Pershing missiles deployed in Europe. Even if European nations have expressed concerns about the consequence of a new arms race, NATO has endorsed the US position, saying Russia's 9M729 missile had violated the INF agreement. Moscow insists the new projectile has a maximum range of 480 kilometres -- within INF parameters. But the death of the INF treaty may suit Washington, former defence secretary Ash Carter said in early July. "From the military point of view, not the political point of view, it's not so bad," Carter said at a conference at the Council on Foreign Relations. "We can make good use of what we call conventional prompt strike." On Thursday, Trump told reporters that the INF did not even come up when he talked by telephone with Putin about Russian wildfires on Wednesday. However, he did suggest vaguely that a new treaty may be in the mix. "Russia would like to do something on a nuclear treaty and that's ok with me. They'd like to do something and so would I," he said. Next-generation technology The Pentagon is thrilled that it will now be able to modernize its arsenal to counter the mounting might of China, which is looking to assert its military supremacy in Asia. "Most of China's inventory is of intermediate-range missiles and so we need to make sure we have the capability as well to respond should we -- God forbid -- get in a fight with them one day," Esper said. The United States has pledged not to deploy new nuclear-armed missiles in Europe. But it has made no such promise on the deployment of conventional weapons. Advances in technology have allowed for the development of mid-range missiles that are much more precise than those made 30 years ago, explained career diplomat William Courtney, who is now a senior fellow at the nonprofit, nonpartisan Rand Corporation. "The technology has changed so much that is makes it militarily attractive," said Courtney, an arms control expert. For Thomas Mahnken, a professor of strategic studies at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies, the United States must now deploy medium-range conventional weapons on its islands in the Pacific and other territory controlled by its allies. Such a move would help counter China's rise, especially in the South China Sea, where the People's Liberation Army has effectively commandeered several disputed islands. "It is time to turn the tables," Mahnken said in a commentary published on the specialist website War on the Rocks. "Such weapons, capable of denying China the use of littoral waters, would be a powerful deterrent to Chinese aggression." Such a move seems to have the support of the next chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, General Mark Milley. When asked by US senators about the imminent demise of the INF Treaty, he said he supported the deployment of conventional ground-based medium-range missiles in the Indo-Pacific region. "Do you think those would be helpful?" one senator asked. "I do," Milley replied.

US pullout from INF treaty will likely heighten, not reduce threat: UN chief Guterres