United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the five permanent members of the Security Council that he would like to stay on for a second term.

According to a report published in Bloomberg News, Guterres is likely to officially inform the president of the UN General Assembly soon about his decision.

Guterres took office as the ninth secretary-general in January, 2017 for a five year term that finishes at the end of the year.

Guterres was waiting for the results of the November election in the United States before coming to a decision and was seeking a second term following the win of President-elect Joe Biden, according to Bloomberg.

Under Trump, the United States left the World Health Organisation and upset Security Council members with its withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal. It also exited the Paris climate accord.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the five permanent members of the Security Council that he would like to stay on for a second term. According to a report published in Bloomberg News, Guterres is likely to officially inform the president of the UN General Assembly soon about his decision.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the five permanent members of the Security Council that he would like to stay on for a second term. According to a report published in Bloomberg News, Guterres is likely to officially inform the president of the UN General Assembly soon about his decision. Guterres took office as the ninth secretary-general in January, 2017 for a five year term that finishes at the end of the year. Guterres was waiting for the results of the November election in the United States before coming to a decision and was seeking a second term following the win of President-elect Joe Biden, according to Bloomberg. Under Trump, the United States left the World Health Organisation and upset Security Council members with its withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal. It also exited the Paris climate accord.

UN chief Guterres seeks to stay on for second term, report says

UN chief Antonio Guterres on Saturday urged world leaders to declare a "state of climate emergency" and shape greener growth after the coronavirus pandemic, as he opened a summit marking five years since the landmark Paris Agreement.

The Climate Ambition Summit, being held online, comes as the United Nations warns current commitments to tackle rises in global temperatures are inadequate.

The commitments made in Paris in 2015 were "far from enough" to limit temperature rises to 1.5 degrees Celsius, the UN secretary-general said in his opening address to the summit, which is co-hosted by Britain and France.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-pm-ardern-declares-climate-emergency-346825">New Zealand PM Ardern declares 'climate emergency'</a>

"If we don't change course, we may be headed for a catastrophic temperature rise of more than 3.0 degrees this century," he said.

"That is why today, I call on all leaders worldwide to declare a State of Climate Emergency in their countries until carbon neutrality is reached," he added, arguing the recovery from COVID-19 presented a rare opportunity to recalibrate growth.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the climate summit that a traumatic year of pandemic was ending with the hope of vaccines coming on-stream.

"My message to you all is that together, we can use scientific advances to protect our planet, our biosphere against a challenge far worse, far more destructive, than even the coronavirus pandemic," he said.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-sees-emergency-aid-needs-exploding-due-to-pandemic-346626">UN sees emergency aid needs exploding due to pandemic</a>

For its part, Britain was acting on climate not because it was a nation of "mung bean-eating eco freaks" but because scientific progress would allow the creation of "millions" of green jobs, Johnson added.

Speaking slots were handed to countries that submitted the most ambitious plans to accelerate their Paris promises.&nbsp;

These include Honduras and Guatemala, which were hit last month by a pair of monster hurricanes, as well as India, which is battling increasingly erratic weather patterns and air pollution.

Business figures set to speak include Tim Cook, the chief executive of Apple, which has committed to making its whole supply chain carbon neutral by 2030.

But major economies including Australia, Brazil and South Africa are absent.&nbsp;

Brazil's far-right President Jair Bolsonaro has dismissed the scale of destruction to the Amazon rainforest opened up by his climate-sceptic policies.

The United States, the world's second-largest polluter after China, left the Paris Agreement under President Donald Trump. President-elect Joe Biden plans immediately to re-enter the accord, and has set a goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.

"We haven't come close to the bold action that's needed, and today, we have no time to waste," Biden said in a statement Saturday, reiterating a pledge to convene leaders of major economies for his own climate summit within 100 days of taking office next month.

'Moment of accountability'

Speakers at Saturday's summit were delivering short video messages, with organisers saying they would announce "new and ambitious climate change commitments" and that there would be "no space for general statements".

Under the Paris climate accord, signatories committed to action to limit temperature rises to "well below" 2.0 Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and to try to restrain them to 1.5C.

But the UN warned this week that temperatures remain on course to rise more than 3.0C this century, creating a crisis that will "dwarf the impacts of Covid-19".

The summit is a stocktaking exercise five years after the Paris accord was signed and a prelude to the UN's COP26 climate change conference in Scotland next November. That was meant to happen last month but was delayed by the pandemic.

Greenpeace called Saturday a "moment of accountability for leaders".

Under the Paris deal's "ratchet" mechanism, countries are required to submit renewed emissions cutting plans — termed Nationally Determined Contributions or NDCs — every five years.

The deadline for this is December 31.&nbsp;

Countries are set to announce efforts to reduce national emissions, long-term strategies and financial commitments to support the most vulnerable.

More than 110 countries have committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2050. China, the world's biggest polluter, announced in September plans to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060.

The summit comes as EU leaders on Friday committed to the goal of reducing emissions by 55 percent by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.

Britain -- out of the EU since January -- this month announced it would seek to reduce emissions by 68 percent over the same period.&nbsp;

Johnson has presented plans for a "green industrial revolution" creating up to 250,000 jobs. Before the summit opened, he committed to ending all direct British government support for the fossil fuel sector overseas.

UN chief Antonio Guterres on Saturday urged world leaders to declare a "state of climate emergency" and shape greener growth after the coronavirus pandemic, as he opened a summit marking five years since the landmark Paris Agreement.

UN chief Antonio Guterres on Saturday urged world leaders to declare a "state of climate emergency" and shape greener growth after the coronavirus pandemic, as he opened a summit marking five years since the landmark Paris Agreement. The Climate Ambition Summit, being held online, comes as the United Nations warns current commitments to tackle rises in global temperatures are inadequate. The commitments made in Paris in 2015 were "far from enough" to limit temperature rises to 1.5 degrees Celsius, the UN secretary-general said in his opening address to the summit, which is co-hosted by Britain and France. Also read| New Zealand PM Ardern declares 'climate emergency' "If we don't change course, we may be headed for a catastrophic temperature rise of more than 3.0 degrees this century," he said. "That is why today, I call on all leaders worldwide to declare a State of Climate Emergency in their countries until carbon neutrality is reached," he added, arguing the recovery from COVID-19 presented a rare opportunity to recalibrate growth. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the climate summit that a traumatic year of pandemic was ending with the hope of vaccines coming on-stream. "My message to you all is that together, we can use scientific advances to protect our planet, our biosphere against a challenge far worse, far more destructive, than even the coronavirus pandemic," he said. Also read| UN sees emergency aid needs exploding due to pandemic For its part, Britain was acting on climate not because it was a nation of "mung bean-eating eco freaks" but because scientific progress would allow the creation of "millions" of green jobs, Johnson added. Speaking slots were handed to countries that submitted the most ambitious plans to accelerate their Paris promises. These include Honduras and Guatemala, which were hit last month by a pair of monster hurricanes, as well as India, which is battling increasingly erratic weather patterns and air pollution. Business figures set to speak include Tim Cook, the chief executive of Apple, which has committed to making its whole supply chain carbon neutral by 2030. But major economies including Australia, Brazil and South Africa are absent. Brazil's far-right President Jair Bolsonaro has dismissed the scale of destruction to the Amazon rainforest opened up by his climate-sceptic policies. The United States, the world's second-largest polluter after China, left the Paris Agreement under President Donald Trump. President-elect Joe Biden plans immediately to re-enter the accord, and has set a goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. "We haven't come close to the bold action that's needed, and today, we have no time to waste," Biden said in a statement Saturday, reiterating a pledge to convene leaders of major economies for his own climate summit within 100 days of taking office next month. 'Moment of accountability' Speakers at Saturday's summit were delivering short video messages, with organisers saying they would announce "new and ambitious climate change commitments" and that there would be "no space for general statements". Under the Paris climate accord, signatories committed to action to limit temperature rises to "well below" 2.0 Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and to try to restrain them to 1.5C. But the UN warned this week that temperatures remain on course to rise more than 3.0C this century, creating a crisis that will "dwarf the impacts of Covid-19". The summit is a stocktaking exercise five years after the Paris accord was signed and a prelude to the UN's COP26 climate change conference in Scotland next November. That was meant to happen last month but was delayed by the pandemic. Greenpeace called Saturday a "moment of accountability for leaders". Under the Paris deal's "ratchet" mechanism, countries are required to submit renewed emissions cutting plans — termed Nationally Determined Contributions or NDCs — every five years. The deadline for this is December 31. Countries are set to announce efforts to reduce national emissions, long-term strategies and financial commitments to support the most vulnerable. More than 110 countries have committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2050. China, the world's biggest polluter, announced in September plans to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060. The summit comes as EU leaders on Friday committed to the goal of reducing emissions by 55 percent by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. Britain -- out of the EU since January -- this month announced it would seek to reduce emissions by 68 percent over the same period. Johnson has presented plans for a "green industrial revolution" creating up to 250,000 jobs. Before the summit opened, he committed to ending all direct British government support for the fossil fuel sector overseas.

UN chief urges global summit to declare 'climate emergency'

During a virtual meeting with&nbsp;Ambassador T S Tirumurti, UN chief Antonio Guterres has commended India's assistance towards other countries in these tough times of COVID 19 pandemic.

"Great pleasure to 'call on' HE UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres (through) video conference. He recalled warmly his visits to India, underlined the importance of India for the UN &amp; appreciated India's assistance to other countries during COVID," Tirumurti tweeted on Thursday.

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Great pleasure to “call on” HE UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres thro video conference. He recalled warmly his visits to India, underlined importance of India for UN &amp; appreciated India’s assistance to other countries during COVID. ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MEAIndia</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrSJaishankar</a>⁩ <a href="https://t.co/f4G1zjY5ZA">pic.twitter.com/f4G1zjY5ZA</a>
— PR to UN Tirumurti (@ambtstirumurti) <a href="https://twitter.com/ambtstirumurti/status/1266163321134333953?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The appreciation comes as India has sent&nbsp;essential drugs, testing kits and other medical assistance to many countries around the world, in Middle East, Asia, US and other places, to help the countries during these testing times.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/whistleblower-accuses-un-human-rights-office-of-helping-china-keep-an-eye-on-dissidents-301414">Also read: Whistleblower accuses UN human rights office of helping China keep an eye on dissidents</a>

Tirumurti assumed charge just weeks before the General Assembly is set to hold elections on June 17 for the five non-permanent seats of the UN Security Council for the 2021-22 term.

"We obviously very much welcome India's new Permanent Representative to the United Nations. And I know the Secretary-General looks forward to working very closely with the new envoy in the years ahead," Spokesman for the Secretary-General, Stephane Dujarric&nbsp;said at the daily press briefing last week.

(With inputs from PTI)

During a virtual meeting with Ambassador T S Tirumurti, UN chief Antonio Guterres has commended India's assistance towards other countries in these tough times of COVID 19 pandemic.

During a virtual meeting with Ambassador T S Tirumurti, UN chief Antonio Guterres has commended India's assistance towards other countries in these tough times of COVID 19 pandemic. "Great pleasure to 'call on' HE UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres (through) video conference. He recalled warmly his visits to India, underlined the importance of India for the UN & appreciated India's assistance to other countries during COVID," Tirumurti tweeted on Thursday. Great pleasure to “call on” HE UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres thro video conference. He recalled warmly his visits to India, underlined importance of India for UN & appreciated India’s assistance to other countries during COVID. ⁦@MEAIndia⁩ ⁦@DrSJaishankar⁩ pic.twitter.com/f4G1zjY5ZA — PR to UN Tirumurti (@ambtstirumurti) May 29, 2020 × The appreciation comes as India has sent essential drugs, testing kits and other medical assistance to many countries around the world, in Middle East, Asia, US and other places, to help the countries during these testing times. Also read: Whistleblower accuses UN human rights office of helping China keep an eye on dissidents Tirumurti assumed charge just weeks before the General Assembly is set to hold elections on June 17 for the five non-permanent seats of the UN Security Council for the 2021-22 term. "We obviously very much welcome India's new Permanent Representative to the United Nations. And I know the Secretary-General looks forward to working very closely with the new envoy in the years ahead," Spokesman for the Secretary-General, Stephane Dujarric said at the daily press briefing last week. (With inputs from PTI)

COVID 19: UN Chief appreciates India's efforts of helping other countries

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday that the developed world could learn lessons from the preventative measures taken by many African countries to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

"COVID-19 has made much slower progress (in Africa) than the predictions that were made at the beginning" of the crisis, Guterres said in an interview with RFL radio in France.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-pandemic-will-push-60-million-into-extreme-poverty-world-bank-299794" hreflang="en">Coronavirus pandemic will push 60 million into 'extreme poverty': World Bank</a>

This has been largely thanks to the fact that "most African governments and organisations took in time very brave prevention measures which provide a lesson for some developed nations that did not," he added.

There have been fewer than 3,000 COVID-19 deaths from 88,000 cases of the disease registered throughout the African continent, relatively low numbers compared to over 320,000 deaths worldwide.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-us-criticism-who-adopts-resolution-to-launch-independent-probe-into-coronavirus-299764" hreflang="en">Amid US criticism, WHO adopts resolution to launch independent probe into coronavirus</a>

Guterres also called for a more regularised easing of debt repayments for the poorest countries.

Last month, G20 and Paris Club creditor nations agreed to waive most debt payments for the world's poorest countries in 2020 as a result of the coronavirus crisis, but Guterres called this move "insufficient".

"We need to prepare targeted debt relief and a more comprehensive, more structural approach to avoid at all costs in the future a series of bankruptcies that could lead to&nbsp;a depression" on the global level, he said.

A total of 41 African nations are involved and on Tuesday Mali became the first to secure a moratorium in debt payments from the Paris Club of creditor nations, a French finance ministry source said Tuesday.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday that the developed world could learn lessons from the preventative measures taken by many African countries to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday that the developed world could learn lessons from the preventative measures taken by many African countries to stem the spread of the coronavirus. "COVID-19 has made much slower progress (in Africa) than the predictions that were made at the beginning" of the crisis, Guterres said in an interview with RFL radio in France. Also read: Coronavirus pandemic will push 60 million into 'extreme poverty': World Bank This has been largely thanks to the fact that "most African governments and organisations took in time very brave prevention measures which provide a lesson for some developed nations that did not," he added. There have been fewer than 3,000 COVID-19 deaths from 88,000 cases of the disease registered throughout the African continent, relatively low numbers compared to over 320,000 deaths worldwide. Also read: Amid US criticism, WHO adopts resolution to launch independent probe into coronavirus Guterres also called for a more regularised easing of debt repayments for the poorest countries. Last month, G20 and Paris Club creditor nations agreed to waive most debt payments for the world's poorest countries in 2020 as a result of the coronavirus crisis, but Guterres called this move "insufficient". "We need to prepare targeted debt relief and a more comprehensive, more structural approach to avoid at all costs in the future a series of bankruptcies that could lead to a depression" on the global level, he said. A total of 41 African nations are involved and on Tuesday Mali became the first to secure a moratorium in debt payments from the Paris Club of creditor nations, a French finance ministry source said Tuesday.

Developed countries can learn from Africa's measures to curb COVID-19: Guterres

The secretary-general of the United Nations Antonio Guterres has said that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/more-girls-die-under-age-five-in-countries-with-high-gender-inequality-174574">Gender inequality</a> is fundamentally a question of power and called for men everywhere to support women’s rights.&nbsp;

He was speaking at The New School, a university in New York City.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/more-girls-die-under-age-five-in-countries-with-high-gender-inequality-174574">More girls die under age five in countries with high gender inequality</a>

“Just as slavery and colonialism were a stain on previous centuries, women’s inequality should shame us all in the 21st. Because it is not only unacceptable; it is stupid”, he said.&nbsp;

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Gender inequality is fundamentally a question of power. 
 
I'm speaking at <a href="https://twitter.com/TheNewSchool?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@thenewschool</a> about how we can transform our world by achieving gender equality and ending discrimination against women &amp; girls. <a href="https://t.co/iSK14y2sZz">https://t.co/iSK14y2sZz</a>
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) <a href="https://twitter.com/antonioguterres/status/1233175874138230789?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Talking about male-domination in all power structures in the world he said that at the heart of the gender inequality is power. Patriarchy has impacted males of every age from men to boys, trapping them in rigid gender stereotypes.

Also see: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-women-in-india-wall-together-for-gender-equality-187862">Indian women fight gender inequality, form 'wall' of solidarity</a>

“It is time to stop trying to change women, and start changing the systems that prevent them from achieving their potential. Our power structures have evolved gradually over thousands of years. One further evolution is long overdue. The 21st century must be the century of women’s equality”, he said.&nbsp;

For the UN chief, gender inequality and discrimination against women and girls remains an overwhelming injustice across the globe.&nbsp;

“From the ridiculing of women as hysterical or hormonal to the routine judgement of women based on their looks; from the myths and taboos that surround women’s natural bodily functions to mansplaining and victim-blaming – misogyny is everywhere”, he said.

As the United Nations turns 75 this year, the global body is taking greater action to support women’s rights, he added.&nbsp;

The secretary-general of the United Nations Antonio Guterres has said that Gender inequality is fundamentally a question of power and called for men everywhere to support women’s rights.

The secretary-general of the United Nations Antonio Guterres has said that Gender inequality is fundamentally a question of power and called for men everywhere to support women’s rights. He was speaking at The New School, a university in New York City. Also read: More girls die under age five in countries with high gender inequality “Just as slavery and colonialism were a stain on previous centuries, women’s inequality should shame us all in the 21st. Because it is not only unacceptable; it is stupid”, he said. Gender inequality is fundamentally a question of power. I'm speaking at @thenewschool about how we can transform our world by achieving gender equality and ending discrimination against women & girls. https://t.co/iSK14y2sZz — António Guterres (@antonioguterres) February 27, 2020 × Talking about male-domination in all power structures in the world he said that at the heart of the gender inequality is power. Patriarchy has impacted males of every age from men to boys, trapping them in rigid gender stereotypes. Also see: Indian women fight gender inequality, form 'wall' of solidarity “It is time to stop trying to change women, and start changing the systems that prevent them from achieving their potential. Our power structures have evolved gradually over thousands of years. One further evolution is long overdue. The 21st century must be the century of women’s equality”, he said. For the UN chief, gender inequality and discrimination against women and girls remains an overwhelming injustice across the globe. “From the ridiculing of women as hysterical or hormonal to the routine judgement of women based on their looks; from the myths and taboos that surround women’s natural bodily functions to mansplaining and victim-blaming – misogyny is everywhere”, he said. As the United Nations turns 75 this year, the global body is taking greater action to support women’s rights, he added.

Gender inequality a question of power; make this the century of women’s equality: UN chief

8-years-old Indian climate activist Licypriya Kangujam, known as India's Greta Thunberg, met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, at COP25 (2019 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) on Thursday. Kangujam submitted a 4-page long memorandum on behalf of the children of the world.

Kangujam told Guterres that children must lead the decision-making process to unite world leaders. She also called for actions as per her memorandum.

"I was glad to meet 8-year-old @LicypriyaK at #COP25 today. Her presence reminds us of our obligations to future generations. Hers is the generation for which we have to take urgent #ClimateAction," the UN Secretary-General tweeted on Thursday.

Kangujam demanded to call a special session of the UN Security Council to fight the war against the climate crisis.

The young climate activist urged the UN chief to work with courage and strength against countries, including the United States, that are ignoring science and responsible for maximum carbon emissions. She also demanded the UN chief to give strong instructions to the UNESCO to include climate change as a compulsory subject in the school curriculum in all countries.

Kangujam also strongly urged to call a special UN Security Council meeting to curb climate crisis and bring peace on the planet for a safe and secure future for our future generations.

She briefed the UN chief about Delhi's air pollution and how it is posing a threat to children and infants. She urged Guterres to bring an urgent permanent solution to &nbsp;Delhi's health emergency by working with the government of India. The UN chief said he will definitely look into it.

The COP25 climate conference is being held in the Spanish capital, Madrid, from December 2-13.

8-years-old Indian climate activist Licypriya Kangujam, known as India's Greta Thunberg, met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, at COP25 (2019 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) on Thursday.

8-years-old Indian climate activist Licypriya Kangujam, known as India's Greta Thunberg, met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, at COP25 (2019 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) on Thursday. Kangujam submitted a 4-page long memorandum on behalf of the children of the world. Kangujam told Guterres that children must lead the decision-making process to unite world leaders. She also called for actions as per her memorandum. "I was glad to meet 8-year-old @LicypriyaK at #COP25 today. Her presence reminds us of our obligations to future generations. Hers is the generation for which we have to take urgent #ClimateAction," the UN Secretary-General tweeted on Thursday. Kangujam demanded to call a special session of the UN Security Council to fight the war against the climate crisis. The young climate activist urged the UN chief to work with courage and strength against countries, including the United States, that are ignoring science and responsible for maximum carbon emissions. She also demanded the UN chief to give strong instructions to the UNESCO to include climate change as a compulsory subject in the school curriculum in all countries. Kangujam also strongly urged to call a special UN Security Council meeting to curb climate crisis and bring peace on the planet for a safe and secure future for our future generations. She briefed the UN chief about Delhi's air pollution and how it is posing a threat to children and infants. She urged Guterres to bring an urgent permanent solution to Delhi's health emergency by working with the government of India. The UN chief said he will definitely look into it. The COP25 climate conference is being held in the Spanish capital, Madrid, from December 2-13.

She reminds of our obligations to future generations: UN chief on India's child climate activist Licypriya Kangujam

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday hailed as a "landmark" the first meeting of a committee comprising Syrian government and opposition negotiators, tasked with amending the war-torn country's constitution. &nbsp;

On Wednesday, the two sides sat face-to-face in Geneva for the launch of the constitutional review committee's work.

"Yesterday's first meeting of the Constitutional Committee was a landmark, a foundation for progress," Guterres told a conference on mediation in Istanbul organized by the Turkish government.

"I hope this will be the first step towards a political solution that will end this tragic chapter in the lives of the Syrian people, also to create the opportunity for all Syrians to return to their places of origin, in safety and dignity, to end their status as refugees," he said.

The United Nations-brokered committee includes 150 delegates,&nbsp;divided equally among President Bashar al-Assad's government, the opposition and civil society.

However, there is little hope that the process can achieve a breakthrough in reaching a political solution to the conflict which has claimed more than 370,000 lives over the past eight years.

Experts have argued that Assad,&nbsp;&nbsp;whose forces have made major gains against the opposition,&nbsp;has little to lose at the talks and will walk away before making any significant compromises.

Guterres also said that he remained "very concerned about the situation in Idlib",&nbsp;a region of around three million residents of whom half are displaced people from other parts of the country. It is the last major rebel bastion in Syria.

Last week Assad said that winning the Idlib front would be key to winning the war and that his troops had completed preparations for an offensive.

Guterres added that he was repeating his "call for maximum restraint, de-escalation and the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure on all fronts in Syria".

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday hailed as a "landmark" the first meeting of a committee comprising Syrian government and opposition negotiators, tasked with amending the war-torn country's constitution.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday hailed as a "landmark" the first meeting of a committee comprising Syrian government and opposition negotiators, tasked with amending the war-torn country's constitution. On Wednesday, the two sides sat face-to-face in Geneva for the launch of the constitutional review committee's work. "Yesterday's first meeting of the Constitutional Committee was a landmark, a foundation for progress," Guterres told a conference on mediation in Istanbul organized by the Turkish government. "I hope this will be the first step towards a political solution that will end this tragic chapter in the lives of the Syrian people, also to create the opportunity for all Syrians to return to their places of origin, in safety and dignity, to end their status as refugees," he said. The United Nations-brokered committee includes 150 delegates, divided equally among President Bashar al-Assad's government, the opposition and civil society. However, there is little hope that the process can achieve a breakthrough in reaching a political solution to the conflict which has claimed more than 370,000 lives over the past eight years. Experts have argued that Assad, whose forces have made major gains against the opposition, has little to lose at the talks and will walk away before making any significant compromises. Guterres also said that he remained "very concerned about the situation in Idlib", a region of around three million residents of whom half are displaced people from other parts of the country. It is the last major rebel bastion in Syria. Last week Assad said that winning the Idlib front would be key to winning the war and that his troops had completed preparations for an offensive. Guterres added that he was repeating his "call for maximum restraint, de-escalation and the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure on all fronts in Syria".

United Nations chief hails 'landmark' meeting on Syria constitution

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres raised the plight of ethnic <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-using-ai-to-identify-uighurs-across-the-country-reports-210712">Uighurs&nbsp;in Xinjiang</a> region during talks with Chinese leaders and stressed that China must fully respect human rights, his spokesman said.

Guterres faced calls to speak out on human rights during his visit to Beijing where he attended a summit on Saturday of China's prized <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-rejects-turkey-criticism-on-uighurs-denies-poet-died-196702">Belt and Road Initiative(BRI)</a> and held talks with President Xi Jinping.

The UN chief delivered a three-point message that stressed that human rights must be upheld in the fight against extremism, while recognising China's sovereignty and condemning terrorism.

"Human rights must be fully respected in the fight against terrorism and in the prevention of violent extremism," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters.

"Each community must feel that its identity is respected and that if fully belongs to the nation as a whole." As many as one million Uighurs and other mostly Muslim minorities are being held in internment camps in Xinjiang, according to a group of experts cited last year by the United Nations.

Beijing claims the camps are "vocational training centers" to steer people away from extremism and reintegrate them, in a region plagued by violence blamed on Uighur separatists or Islamists.

In the run-up to the trip, Guterres had met with UN ambassadors from the United States, Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, Canada and Turkey who urged him to raise the situation in Xinjiang during his meetings, UN sources said.

That presented Guterres with a diplomatic challenge to discuss the ultra-sensitive matter with China, the UN's second largest financial contributor and a veto-wielding Security Council member.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet last month complained that she had yet to be given the green light by China for a fact-finding mission to the region following a request made in December.

Guterres told Chinese leaders that he "fully stands by the initiatives" of his rights chief, Dujarric said, but there was no announcement on dispatching an independent assessment team to Xinjiang.

Dujarric described the talks as "very cordial" and "frank," adding that the dialogue will continue.

Human Rights Watch executive director Kenneth Roth last week wrote a scathing op-ed about Guterres, accusing him of being silent on human rights and firmly siding with quiet diplomacy since he became UN chief in January 2017.

Roth said Guterres had yet to speak out publicly on the plight of the Uighurs. "Instead, he praises China's development prowess and rolls out the red carpet for President Xi Jinping." Guterres has visited China four times as UN chief.&nbsp;

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres raised the plight of ethnic Uighurs in Xinjiang region during talks with Chinese leaders and stressed that China must fully respect human rights, his spokesman said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres raised the plight of ethnic Uighurs in Xinjiang region during talks with Chinese leaders and stressed that China must fully respect human rights, his spokesman said. Guterres faced calls to speak out on human rights during his visit to Beijing where he attended a summit on Saturday of China's prized Belt and Road Initiative(BRI) and held talks with President Xi Jinping. The UN chief delivered a three-point message that stressed that human rights must be upheld in the fight against extremism, while recognising China's sovereignty and condemning terrorism. "Human rights must be fully respected in the fight against terrorism and in the prevention of violent extremism," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters. "Each community must feel that its identity is respected and that if fully belongs to the nation as a whole." As many as one million Uighurs and other mostly Muslim minorities are being held in internment camps in Xinjiang, according to a group of experts cited last year by the United Nations. Beijing claims the camps are "vocational training centers" to steer people away from extremism and reintegrate them, in a region plagued by violence blamed on Uighur separatists or Islamists. In the run-up to the trip, Guterres had met with UN ambassadors from the United States, Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, Canada and Turkey who urged him to raise the situation in Xinjiang during his meetings, UN sources said. That presented Guterres with a diplomatic challenge to discuss the ultra-sensitive matter with China, the UN's second largest financial contributor and a veto-wielding Security Council member. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet last month complained that she had yet to be given the green light by China for a fact-finding mission to the region following a request made in December. Guterres told Chinese leaders that he "fully stands by the initiatives" of his rights chief, Dujarric said, but there was no announcement on dispatching an independent assessment team to Xinjiang. Dujarric described the talks as "very cordial" and "frank," adding that the dialogue will continue. Human Rights Watch executive director Kenneth Roth last week wrote a scathing op-ed about Guterres, accusing him of being silent on human rights and firmly siding with quiet diplomacy since he became UN chief in January 2017. Roth said Guterres had yet to speak out publicly on the plight of the Uighurs. "Instead, he praises China's development prowess and rolls out the red carpet for President Xi Jinping." Guterres has visited China four times as UN chief.

Human rights must be upheld in fight against extremism: UN chief Guterres to China

The international arms control system is facing collapse, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/russia-to-exit-inf-treaty-in-six-months-in-response-to-us-pull-out-russian-foreign-minister-lavrov-195687">the United Nations chief said Monday</a>, as he urged Russia and the US to stop the imminent demise of a crucial nuclear treaty.

"I will be blunt. Key components of the international arms control architecture are collapsing," Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a speech to the UN's Conference on Disarmament in Geneva.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/s400-missile-deal-with-russia-dominates-jim-mattis-nirmala-sitharaman-talks-181335">Secretary-General Antonio Guterres</a> used an address to the UN's Conference on Disarmament to warn that one of the cornerstones of diplomatic achievement over the last half-century - arms control - was in "grave danger".

The United States has already begun the process of withdrawing from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty, in response to Moscow's deployment of the 9M729 missile, prompting Russia to announce its own withdrawal.

"We simply cannot afford to return to the unrestrained nuclear competition of the darkest days of the Cold War," Guterres said.

"I call on the parties to the INF Treaty to use the time remaining to engage in sincere dialogue on the various issues that have been raised," he added. "It is very important that this treaty be preserved."

The collapse of the 1987 treaty, which banned ground-launched missiles with a range of 500 to 5,500 kilometres, has sparked fears of a new arms race in Europe.

The US withdrawal is not set to take effect until August, giving a six-month window to save the treaty, but few expect this to happen and NATO has warned the world should ready itself for the pact's scrapping.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The international arms control system is facing collapse, the United Nations chief said Monday, as he urged Russia and the US to stop the imminent demise of a crucial nuclear treaty.

The international arms control system is facing collapse, the United Nations chief said Monday, as he urged Russia and the US to stop the imminent demise of a crucial nuclear treaty. "I will be blunt. Key components of the international arms control architecture are collapsing," Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a speech to the UN's Conference on Disarmament in Geneva. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres used an address to the UN's Conference on Disarmament to warn that one of the cornerstones of diplomatic achievement over the last half-century - arms control - was in "grave danger". The United States has already begun the process of withdrawing from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty, in response to Moscow's deployment of the 9M729 missile, prompting Russia to announce its own withdrawal. "We simply cannot afford to return to the unrestrained nuclear competition of the darkest days of the Cold War," Guterres said. "I call on the parties to the INF Treaty to use the time remaining to engage in sincere dialogue on the various issues that have been raised," he added. "It is very important that this treaty be preserved." The collapse of the 1987 treaty, which banned ground-launched missiles with a range of 500 to 5,500 kilometres, has sparked fears of a new arms race in Europe. The US withdrawal is not set to take effect until August, giving a six-month window to save the treaty, but few expect this to happen and NATO has warned the world should ready itself for the pact's scrapping.

Key components of international arms control architecture collapsing: UN chief Guterres

Asserting that those involved in violence against the Rohingyas should be held accountable, United Nations General Secretary Antonio Guterres on Tuesday said India can help in the crisis by supporting Bangladesh in humanitarian assistance and using its influence with Myanmar to bring about reconciliation.

He also said that to keep a population in such a “discriminatory situation” is “an invitation for terrorist groups” to exploit the situation.

The top UN official said India “is an absolutely essential component” of a future multi-polar world and that the country can also play a role of an “honest broker” in some of the on-going conflicts in the world.

In response to a question on the adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT), proposed by India in 1996, he said the reason for the delay has been due to non-agreement on the definition of terrorism by countries.

After attacks by the Myanmarese security forces, Rohingyas, an ethnic minority in Myanmar that mostly resides in regions bordering Bangladesh, have fled the country.

According to the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, over seven lakh people have fled Myanmar, and the majority of them reside in Bangladesh. India has over 40,000 refugees scattered across the country.

“I have never seen a community so discriminated in the world as Rohingyas,” Guterres, who arrived here on Monday on his maiden visit to India, said in response to a question on the issue. He was delivering a lecture on ‘Global Challenges, Global Solutions’ here.

He said the Rohingyas don’t have access to health and education and there was a deep-rooted feeling of racism against them within the Myanmarese society.

Guterres recalled his visit to the country as the High Commissioner for Refugees, during which he said the president of Myanmar asked him to resettle Rohingyas in some other countries.

“To make them refugees is not my role. My role is to solve the problem of refugees. This shows how deeply rooted in the negative perception of the Rohingyas. This was intensified by some hate speech by some monks on social media. There are over one million people in Bangladesh. They were people burnt, raped.

“Even if there was a provocation, the reaction of the armed forces was brutal,” he alleged.

Guterres stressed on political reconciliation so that the Rohingyas could go back to their country.

“What can India do? Support Bangladesh in helping these people because there is a huge humanitarian problem. Second, to pressure on Myanmar, the military in Myanmar for reconciliation and create conditions for these people to go back. These people will not go back in present circumstances,” he said.

“There should be accountability to those crimes,” he said on the treatment meted out to Rohingyas added “to keep a population in such a discriminatory situation is an invitation for terrorist groups” to exploit the situation.

In May, during the visit of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to Myanmar, India had offered to help in the safe, speedy and sustainable return of Rohingyas. India has also been helping Bangladesh in providing humanitarian assistance to Rohingyas.

Responding to a question on why the CCIT could not be adopted, Guterres said there is no agreement on the definition of terrorism and there were several complexities involved in it.

“The problem of definition of terrorism is (due to) several complexities. There are a number of things which are complicated to have a common definition of terrorism. 
We have never managed to have it and we have never managed to have a true convention because of the definition,” he said.

Guterres said India has been in the frontline of supporting CCIT and the UN fully supports India in this regard.

To a question on the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights report on alleged human rights abuses in Kashmir, which was rejected by India, he said the reports are not endorsed by the secretary general.

“I don't discuss reports about human rights commissioner. They have independence. The countries can agree or disagree with the reports. Their reports are not endorsed by the secretary general. The reports are done in a strictly independent way.”

He said as a principle, he does not make any comment on reports of both the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and High Commissioner for Refugees.

Responding to another question on communalism and religious fundamentalism, he said he “does not think India is in the worst situation” at all.

“I have always seen India as a country with extreme diversity. Of course, there are forms of extremism as any other parts of the world. I don't think that is the major problem that you face,” he said.

Guterres said poverty and inequality are two major problems faced by the Indian society.

India can also play a role of an “honest broker” in some of the on-going conflicts in the world, he said, adding,”We need people and countries that all sides can respect. India does not have any specific agenda in many of these areas.”

The secretary-general also noted that never in the recent times was multilateralism and rules-based international order under so much of fire, citing the trade wars

He said it is necessary to create factors of equilibrium and no country was better than India because of its dimensions, its technological and innovation capacity and of its geo-strategic location. “India is an absolutely essential component of our future multi-polar world,” he said.

Asserting that those involved in violence against the Rohingyas should be held accountable, United Nations General Secretary Antonio Guterres on Tuesday said India can help in the crisis by supporting Bangladesh in humanitarian assistance and using its influence with Myanmar to bring about reconciliation.

Asserting that those involved in violence against the Rohingyas should be held accountable, United Nations General Secretary Antonio Guterres on Tuesday said India can help in the crisis by supporting Bangladesh in humanitarian assistance and using its influence with Myanmar to bring about reconciliation. He also said that to keep a population in such a “discriminatory situation” is “an invitation for terrorist groups” to exploit the situation. The top UN official said India “is an absolutely essential component” of a future multi-polar world and that the country can also play a role of an “honest broker” in some of the on-going conflicts in the world. In response to a question on the adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT), proposed by India in 1996, he said the reason for the delay has been due to non-agreement on the definition of terrorism by countries. After attacks by the Myanmarese security forces, Rohingyas, an ethnic minority in Myanmar that mostly resides in regions bordering Bangladesh, have fled the country. According to the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, over seven lakh people have fled Myanmar, and the majority of them reside in Bangladesh. India has over 40,000 refugees scattered across the country. “I have never seen a community so discriminated in the world as Rohingyas,” Guterres, who arrived here on Monday on his maiden visit to India, said in response to a question on the issue. He was delivering a lecture on ‘Global Challenges, Global Solutions’ here. He said the Rohingyas don’t have access to health and education and there was a deep-rooted feeling of racism against them within the Myanmarese society. Guterres recalled his visit to the country as the High Commissioner for Refugees, during which he said the president of Myanmar asked him to resettle Rohingyas in some other countries. “To make them refugees is not my role. My role is to solve the problem of refugees. This shows how deeply rooted in the negative perception of the Rohingyas. This was intensified by some hate speech by some monks on social media. There are over one million people in Bangladesh. They were people burnt, raped. “Even if there was a provocation, the reaction of the armed forces was brutal,” he alleged. Guterres stressed on political reconciliation so that the Rohingyas could go back to their country. “What can India do? Support Bangladesh in helping these people because there is a huge humanitarian problem. Second, to pressure on Myanmar, the military in Myanmar for reconciliation and create conditions for these people to go back. These people will not go back in present circumstances,” he said. “There should be accountability to those crimes,” he said on the treatment meted out to Rohingyas added “to keep a population in such a discriminatory situation is an invitation for terrorist groups” to exploit the situation. In May, during the visit of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to Myanmar, India had offered to help in the safe, speedy and sustainable return of Rohingyas. India has also been helping Bangladesh in providing humanitarian assistance to Rohingyas. Responding to a question on why the CCIT could not be adopted, Guterres said there is no agreement on the definition of terrorism and there were several complexities involved in it. “The problem of definition of terrorism is (due to) several complexities. There are a number of things which are complicated to have a common definition of terrorism. We have never managed to have it and we have never managed to have a true convention because of the definition,” he said. Guterres said India has been in the frontline of supporting CCIT and the UN fully supports India in this regard. To a question on the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights report on alleged human rights abuses in Kashmir, which was rejected by India, he said the reports are not endorsed by the secretary general. “I don't discuss reports about human rights commissioner. They have independence. The countries can agree or disagree with the reports. Their reports are not endorsed by the secretary general. The reports are done in a strictly independent way.” He said as a principle, he does not make any comment on reports of both the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and High Commissioner for Refugees. Responding to another question on communalism and religious fundamentalism, he said he “does not think India is in the worst situation” at all. “I have always seen India as a country with extreme diversity. Of course, there are forms of extremism as any other parts of the world. I don't think that is the major problem that you face,” he said. Guterres said poverty and inequality are two major problems faced by the Indian society. India can also play a role of an “honest broker” in some of the on-going conflicts in the world, he said, adding,”We need people and countries that all sides can respect. India does not have any specific agenda in many of these areas.” The secretary-general also noted that never in the recent times was multilateralism and rules-based international order under so much of fire, citing the trade wars He said it is necessary to create factors of equilibrium and no country was better than India because of its dimensions, its technological and innovation capacity and of its geo-strategic location. “India is an absolutely essential component of our future multi-polar world,” he said.

India should use its influence with Myanmar for reconciliation on Rohingya issue: UN chief

After successfully concluding his talks with North Korea, President Trump said the <a href="http://wionews.com/world/great-epoch-making-significance-says-north-koreas-ally-china-on-trump-kim-talks-143846">deal with Kim was a "great thing for China"</a>.

"Making a deal is<a href="http://wionews.com/world/us-has-dropped-war-games-in-korean-peninsula-ready-to-change-the-world-says-trump-after-meeting-kim-143832"> a great thing for the world, it's </a>also a great thing for China, I can't imagine that China is happy with someone having nuclear weapons so close, so China is very happy," Trump told reporters in Singapore.&nbsp

China had earlier praised the Trump-Kim meeting calling it an "epoch-making event" and promised to play a "constructive role".

<a href="http://wionews.com/world/this-is-what-kim-jong-un-and-donald-trump-ate-at-the-singapore-summit--143783">Also Read:&nbspThis is what Kim Jong-Un and Donald Trump ate at the Singapore summit</a>

Trump said he would call Xi, probably before he lands in Washington on his way back from Singapore, to tell him about the results of the meeting. He said he would be including Beijing in follow-up discussions.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres today said an "important milestone" was reached towards denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula after the successful completion of Trump-Kim talks in Singapore on Tuesday.

"The summit held in Singapore was an important milestone in the advancement of sustainable peace and the complete and verifiable denuclearisation on the Korean peninsula," Guterres said in a statement.

President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held their first face-to-face meeting after months of uncertainty over the summit. The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere with both leaders comfortable with each other with Trump repeatedly praising the North Korean leader.

Guterres had earlier complained after North Korea dismantled its nuclear sites without the presence of UN experts with just foreign journalists invited. The UN chief this time, however, welcomed the talks in Singapore between Trump and Kim.

Guterres urged the leaders to "seize this momentous opportunity" and offered UN help to achieve North Korea to dismantle its nuclear weapons programme as promised by Kim during his meeting with President Trump.

One of the key UN permanent members Russia said that the mere fact that the meeting took place was a "positive step". Japanese PM Shinzo Abe too welcomed the Trump-Kim summit calling it a "first step" towards denuclearisation.

"Through this US-North Korea summit, Chairman Kim Jong Un's intent for complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula was confirmed in writing," Abe said.&nbsp

"I support this as a first step to the comprehensive resolution of issues concerning North Korea," the Japanese PM added.

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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres today said an "important milestone" was reached towards denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula

After successfully concluding his talks with North Korea, President Trump said the deal with Kim was a "great thing for China". "Making a deal is a great thing for the world, it's also a great thing for China, I can't imagine that China is happy with someone having nuclear weapons so close, so China is very happy," Trump told reporters in Singapore. China had earlier praised the Trump-Kim meeting calling it an "epoch-making event" and promised to play a "constructive role". Also Read:&nbspThis is what Kim Jong-Un and Donald Trump ate at the Singapore summit Trump said he would call Xi, probably before he lands in Washington on his way back from Singapore, to tell him about the results of the meeting. He said he would be including Beijing in follow-up discussions. Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres today said an "important milestone" was reached towards denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula after the successful completion of Trump-Kim talks in Singapore on Tuesday. "The summit held in Singapore was an important milestone in the advancement of sustainable peace and the complete and verifiable denuclearisation on the Korean peninsula," Guterres said in a statement. President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held their first face-to-face meeting after months of uncertainty over the summit. The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere with both leaders comfortable with each other with Trump repeatedly praising the North Korean leader. Guterres had earlier complained after North Korea dismantled its nuclear sites without the presence of UN experts with just foreign journalists invited. The UN chief this time, however, welcomed the talks in Singapore between Trump and Kim. Guterres urged the leaders to "seize this momentous opportunity" and offered UN help to achieve North Korea to dismantle its nuclear weapons programme as promised by Kim during his meeting with President Trump. One of the key UN permanent members Russia said that the mere fact that the meeting took place was a "positive step". Japanese PM Shinzo Abe too welcomed the Trump-Kim summit calling it a "first step" towards denuclearisation. "Through this US-North Korea summit, Chairman Kim Jong Un's intent for complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula was confirmed in writing," Abe said. "I support this as a first step to the comprehensive resolution of issues concerning North Korea," the Japanese PM added.

Deal with North Korea great for the world, also for China, says Trump

UN Secretary-General <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-pm-appeals-oic-to-stand-beside-rohingyas-134900">Antonio Guterres said on Thursday</a> several thousand Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh camps should be relocated in order to save them from floods as they were "extremely vulnerable to the monsoon." .

"The monsoon is the biggest concern," Guterres told reporters at UN headquarters in New York.

The UN chiefs <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/violence-against-rohingya-exposed-in-shocking-photos-131241">views come amid reports</a> of Bangladesh planning to relocate the Rohingyas to an island, however, there are no immediate reports of it being ready.

"Higher ground is the best place for this kind of relocation," the UN chief added.

Over 700,000 Rohingyas have fled Myanmar since August last year after reports emerged of persecution by the Army.

Bangladesh was hit by an exodus of refugees with both the UN and the US calling the Myanmar military government to stop the "ethnic cleansing".

Guterres said the UN is in touch with the Bangladesh government on finding a permanent base for the Rohingyas, even though the outcome of the backroom talks is still not clear.

Bangladesh was hit by an exodus of refugees with both the UN and the US calling the Myanmar military government to stop the "ethnic cleansing".

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Thursday several thousand Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh camps should be relocated in order to save them from floods as they were "extremely vulnerable to the monsoon." . "The monsoon is the biggest concern," Guterres told reporters at UN headquarters in New York. The UN chiefs views come amid reports of Bangladesh planning to relocate the Rohingyas to an island, however, there are no immediate reports of it being ready. "Higher ground is the best place for this kind of relocation," the UN chief added. Over 700,000 Rohingyas have fled Myanmar since August last year after reports emerged of persecution by the Army. Bangladesh was hit by an exodus of refugees with both the UN and the US calling the Myanmar military government to stop the "ethnic cleansing". Guterres said the UN is in touch with the Bangladesh government on finding a permanent base for the Rohingyas, even though the outcome of the backroom talks is still not clear.

Rohingyas should be relocated: UN to Bangladesh

A major TV station <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/india-was-first-stop-planned-for-special-envoys-visit-maldives-32215">in the Maldives today suspended</a> operation as the 15-day emergency imposed by President Abdulla Yameen-led government continued to throw the nation in crisis.

RaajjeTV in a tweet <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/maldives-top-judge-threatened-with-death-lawyer-32199">said it had suspended broadcast </a>due to &quot;attacks on free and independent media.&quot; 
&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Maldives?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Maldives</a> RaajjeTV has shutdown its broadcast coming under immense pressure and threats of attacks . <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JournalismNotaCrime?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JournalismNotaCrime</a> <a href="https://t.co/qMNL3DkOrz">pic.twitter.com/qMNL3DkOrz</a>
&mdash; Maldives Voice (@MaldivesVoice4) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaldivesVoice4/status/961670751693754369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&quot;Raajje TV informs our viewers that we have suspended regular broadcast due to attacks on free and independent media continued threats to Raajje TV and its staff, following the police&#39;s decision to slash security to the station and the warning issued to MNDF to media sources over closure of any media stations without warning,&quot; the TV station said in a tweet.

Meanwhile, former president of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed who is in exile said Supreme Court judge Ali Hameed was being &quot;mistreated&quot; by authorities in prison.

The Chief Justice of Maldives Abdulla Saeed including judge Ali Hameed were arrested by police after the riot police entered the nation&#39;s Supreme Court where top judges had taken refuge.

The arrest of top men in the judiciary came after&nbsp; President Abdulla Yameen imposed a 15-day emergency plunging the island nation into a political crisis.

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Under the guise of an emergency, Pres Yameen has gone after the opposition, judiciary, parliament, and now the media. <a href="https://twitter.com/Raajje_tv?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Raajje_tv</a> stops broadcast following multiple threats, &amp; intimidation from the security services. Press freedom must be guaranteed for all.
&mdash; Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) <a href="https://twitter.com/MohamedNasheed/status/961670964869185536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
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former president of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed who is in exile said Supreme Court judge Ali Hameed was being "mistreated" by authorities in prison

A major TV station in the Maldives today suspended operation as the 15-day emergency imposed by President Abdulla Yameen-led government continued to throw the nation in crisis. RaajjeTV in a tweet said it had suspended broadcast due to "attacks on free and independent media." #Maldives RaajjeTV has shutdown its broadcast coming under immense pressure and threats of attacks . #JournalismNotaCrime pic.twitter.com/qMNL3DkOrz — Maldives Voice (@MaldivesVoice4) February 8, 2018 × "Raajje TV informs our viewers that we have suspended regular broadcast due to attacks on free and independent media continued threats to Raajje TV and its staff, following the police's decision to slash security to the station and the warning issued to MNDF to media sources over closure of any media stations without warning," the TV station said in a tweet. Meanwhile, former president of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed who is in exile said Supreme Court judge Ali Hameed was being "mistreated" by authorities in prison. The Chief Justice of Maldives Abdulla Saeed including judge Ali Hameed were arrested by police after the riot police entered the nation's Supreme Court where top judges had taken refuge. The arrest of top men in the judiciary came after President Abdulla Yameen imposed a 15-day emergency plunging the island nation into a political crisis. Under the guise of an emergency, Pres Yameen has gone after the opposition, judiciary, parliament, and now the media. @Raajje_tv stops broadcast following multiple threats, & intimidation from the security services. Press freedom must be guaranteed for all. — Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) February 8, 2018 ×

Raajje TV suspends operations in Maldives due to 'attacks on free media'

After UN chief Antonio Guterres slammed the Maldives government, &nbsp;Zeid Ra&rsquo;ad Al Hussein the High Commissioner of the &nbsp;United Nations Human Rights in a statement said the current turn of events in Maldives creates a &ldquo;dangerous concentration of power in the hands of the president.&rdquo;

Maldives president President Abdulla Yameen declared a 15-day national emergency this week after weeks of turmoil as the Supreme Court ordered release of nine imprisoned opposition politicians, maintaining that their trials were &quot;politically motivated and flawed&quot;.&nbsp;

Yameen refused to free the prisoners instead the government&#39;s riot police stormed the country&#39;s top court and arrested several judges including the Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed.

Later, Maldives authorities arrested several top Opposition leaders including ex-president Abdul Gayoom.

&ldquo;The Maldives have seen in recent years attacks on political opponents, on journalists, on civil society and human right defenders, and what is happening now is tantamount to an all-out assault on democracy,&rdquo; Zeid said.&nbsp;

Zeid said the Maldives government should call off the emergency and raised concerns over the arrest of Chief Justice Abdula Saeed and Supreme Court judge Judge Ali Hameed.

On Wednesday, UN chief Antonio Guterres asked the Maldives president uphold the Constitution even as the Supreme Court revoked its earlier order to release political prisoners.

UNHRC chief said Maldives creates a 'dangerous concentration of power in the hands of the president'.

After UN chief Antonio Guterres slammed the Maldives government, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein the High Commissioner of the United Nations Human Rights in a statement said the current turn of events in Maldives creates a “dangerous concentration of power in the hands of the president.” Maldives president President Abdulla Yameen declared a 15-day national emergency this week after weeks of turmoil as the Supreme Court ordered release of nine imprisoned opposition politicians, maintaining that their trials were "politically motivated and flawed". Yameen refused to free the prisoners instead the government's riot police stormed the country's top court and arrested several judges including the Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed. Later, Maldives authorities arrested several top Opposition leaders including ex-president Abdul Gayoom. “The Maldives have seen in recent years attacks on political opponents, on journalists, on civil society and human right defenders, and what is happening now is tantamount to an all-out assault on democracy,” Zeid said. Zeid said the Maldives government should call off the emergency and raised concerns over the arrest of Chief Justice Abdula Saeed and Supreme Court judge Judge Ali Hameed. On Wednesday, UN chief Antonio Guterres asked the Maldives president uphold the Constitution even as the Supreme Court revoked its earlier order to release political prisoners.

Maldives situation an all-out assault on democracy: UNHRC

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres may seek the option of talking to senior officials from India and Pakistan on the situation in Kashmir and will see how things can be improved on the ground, his spokesperson has said.

Guterres &quot;will talk to different officials if it helps to move the process along. That&#39;s something that he is looking into. Beyond that, I have nothing new to say about the issue,&quot; UN chief&#39;s deputy spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters.

Haq made the remarks when he was asked at his daily press briefing about the situation in Kashmir and if Guterres has been able to understand the Kashmir dispute and would he be talking to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to start a dialogue with Pakistan.

Reacting to Haq&#39;s comments, official sources in New Delhi said there is no change in India&#39;s position on addressing all issues between India and Pakistan bilaterally.&nbsp;

India has been maintaining that there is no role for any third party intervention.

When asked if there is a timeline as to when the UN chief will talk to leaders from the two countries, Haq said as with any number of long-running situations, there are &quot;a lot of complex issues&quot; that need to be examined.

The UN chief &quot;will look into the issue, and certainly, he will try to see what can be done to improve the situation on the ground,&quot; Haq said.

Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had repeatedly expressed deep concern about the deteriorating situation along the Line of Control in Kashmir and called on all those involved to prioritise the restoration of calm and stability in order to prevent any further escalation of tensions and loss of lives.

Ban had called for the two nations to resolve their difference bilaterally, saying that his good offices were available to India and Pakistan if &quot;accepted by both sides&quot;. &nbsp;

Meanwhile, Junaid Qureshi, son of Kashmiri separatist leader Hashim Qureshi, said that Gilgit-Baltistan region is an integral part of Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan has no right to divide the state, ANI reported.

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Geneva: Kashmiri writer and Director, European Foundation for South Asian Studies Junaid Qureshi tells UN that J&amp;K is not for sale. <a href="https://t.co/F0oCJJRvhN">pic.twitter.com/F0oCJJRvhN</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/840198446455914496">March 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Gilgit Baltistan is integral part of J&amp;K.Pak has no right to divide J&amp;K furthr&amp;sell its resources undr false rubric of infra dvlpmt:JQureshi <a href="https://t.co/QS75QRMy3V">pic.twitter.com/QS75QRMy3V</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/840198243321552896">March 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Geneva: I strongly reject construction of this (CPEC) corridor of exploitation: Junaid Qureshi, Kashmiri writer &amp; Director, EFSAS tells UN <a href="https://t.co/cOdfozps2g">pic.twitter.com/cOdfozps2g</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/840196997663604736">March 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Junaid Qureshi also rejected the construction of CPEC corridor along the line of control through Gilgit-Baltistan region.

(PTI and agencies)

&nbsp;

India has been maintaining that there is no role for any third party intervention

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres may seek the option of talking to senior officials from India and Pakistan on the situation in Kashmir and will see how things can be improved on the ground, his spokesperson has said. Guterres "will talk to different officials if it helps to move the process along. That's something that he is looking into. Beyond that, I have nothing new to say about the issue," UN chief's deputy spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters. Haq made the remarks when he was asked at his daily press briefing about the situation in Kashmir and if Guterres has been able to understand the Kashmir dispute and would he be talking to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to start a dialogue with Pakistan. Reacting to Haq's comments, official sources in New Delhi said there is no change in India's position on addressing all issues between India and Pakistan bilaterally. India has been maintaining that there is no role for any third party intervention. When asked if there is a timeline as to when the UN chief will talk to leaders from the two countries, Haq said as with any number of long-running situations, there are "a lot of complex issues" that need to be examined. The UN chief "will look into the issue, and certainly, he will try to see what can be done to improve the situation on the ground," Haq said. Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had repeatedly expressed deep concern about the deteriorating situation along the Line of Control in Kashmir and called on all those involved to prioritise the restoration of calm and stability in order to prevent any further escalation of tensions and loss of lives. Ban had called for the two nations to resolve their difference bilaterally, saying that his good offices were available to India and Pakistan if "accepted by both sides". Meanwhile, Junaid Qureshi, son of Kashmiri separatist leader Hashim Qureshi, said that Gilgit-Baltistan region is an integral part of Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan has no right to divide the state, ANI reported. Geneva: Kashmiri writer and Director, European Foundation for South Asian Studies Junaid Qureshi tells UN that J&K is not for sale. pic.twitter.com/F0oCJJRvhN — ANI (@ANI_news) March 10, 2017 × Gilgit Baltistan is integral part of J&K.Pak has no right to divide J&K furthr&sell its resources undr false rubric of infra dvlpmt:JQureshi pic.twitter.com/QS75QRMy3V — ANI (@ANI_news) March 10, 2017 × Geneva: I strongly reject construction of this (CPEC) corridor of exploitation: Junaid Qureshi, Kashmiri writer & Director, EFSAS tells UN pic.twitter.com/cOdfozps2g — ANI (@ANI_news) March 10, 2017 × Junaid Qureshi also rejected the construction of CPEC corridor along the line of control through Gilgit-Baltistan region. (PTI and agencies)

UN chief Antonio Guterres may speak to India, Pakistan over 'complex issues' in Kashmir

Newly appointed United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke with US President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday, and the two had &quot;a very positive discussion on US-UN relations,&quot; said a UN spokesman, a week after Trump slammed the world body on Twitter.

Guterres, a former Portuguese prime minister and UN refugee chief who began his five-year term on Sunday, spoke by phone with Trump, who will take office on January 20, said UN spokesman Farhan Haq.&nbsp;

&quot;This was an introductory phone call during which they had a very positive discussion on US-UN relations. The secretary-general said that he looked forward to engaging with the president after his inauguration,&quot; Haq told reporters.

Trump took to Twitter to disparage the 193-member world body after the United States abstained in a December 23 UN Security Council vote, allowing the adoption of a resolution demanding an end to settlement building by US ally Israel.

Trump, who had called on the outgoing Obama administration to veto the resolution, warned that &quot;things will be different&quot; at the United Nations after he takes office, without offering any details.&nbsp;

He followed up with another tweet on December 26: &quot;The United Nations has such great potential but right now it is just a club for people to get together, talk and have a good time. So sad!&quot;

Guterres responded in an interview with Snapchat on Tuesday: &quot;President-elect Trump also said the UN has an enormous potential. That`s exactly what I feel. My job is to make sure that potential becomes a reality.&quot;

In an address to UN staff in New York on Tuesday, Guterres acknowledged that in some parts of the world there was a resistance and scepticism about the role of the United Nations.

Trump spokesman Sean Spicer said on Wednesday that the president-elect would work with Rex Tillerson, his secretary of state nominee, and Nikki Haley, his choice for US ambassador to the United Nations, to &quot;demand some reform and change.&quot; Both Tillerson and Haley must be confirmed by the US Senate before taking office.

The United States is the largest contributor to the United Nations, paying 22 percent of the $5.4 billion core UN&nbsp;budget and 28 percent of the $7.9 billion UN peacekeeping budget. Following passage of the UN resolution on Israeli settlements, a top US senator threatened to work to cut US funding.

&quot;This gives Guterres a reason for going big on reform quickly,&quot; said a senior UN&nbsp;diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity. &quot;He needs to make sure he is reforming the UN&nbsp;fast enough and radically enough in order to engage the incoming US administration.&quot;

(Reuters)

The United States is the largest contributor to the United Nations, paying 22 percent of the $5.4 billion core UN budget

Newly appointed United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke with US President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday, and the two had "a very positive discussion on US-UN relations," said a UN spokesman, a week after Trump slammed the world body on Twitter. Guterres, a former Portuguese prime minister and UN refugee chief who began his five-year term on Sunday, spoke by phone with Trump, who will take office on January 20, said UN spokesman Farhan Haq. "This was an introductory phone call during which they had a very positive discussion on US-UN relations. The secretary-general said that he looked forward to engaging with the president after his inauguration," Haq told reporters. Trump took to Twitter to disparage the 193-member world body after the United States abstained in a December 23 UN Security Council vote, allowing the adoption of a resolution demanding an end to settlement building by US ally Israel. Trump, who had called on the outgoing Obama administration to veto the resolution, warned that "things will be different" at the United Nations after he takes office, without offering any details. He followed up with another tweet on December 26: "The United Nations has such great potential but right now it is just a club for people to get together, talk and have a good time. So sad!" Guterres responded in an interview with Snapchat on Tuesday: "President-elect Trump also said the UN has an enormous potential. That`s exactly what I feel. My job is to make sure that potential becomes a reality." In an address to UN staff in New York on Tuesday, Guterres acknowledged that in some parts of the world there was a resistance and scepticism about the role of the United Nations. Trump spokesman Sean Spicer said on Wednesday that the president-elect would work with Rex Tillerson, his secretary of state nominee, and Nikki Haley, his choice for US ambassador to the United Nations, to "demand some reform and change." Both Tillerson and Haley must be confirmed by the US Senate before taking office. The United States is the largest contributor to the United Nations, paying 22 percent of the $5.4 billion core UN budget and 28 percent of the $7.9 billion UN peacekeeping budget. Following passage of the UN resolution on Israeli settlements, a top US senator threatened to work to cut US funding. "This gives Guterres a reason for going big on reform quickly," said a senior UN diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity. "He needs to make sure he is reforming the UN fast enough and radically enough in order to engage the incoming US administration." (Reuters)

UN chief Guterres speaks with US President-elect Trump

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