From mountain peaks to ocean depths, climate change continued its advance in 2022. The relentless advance of climate change brought more droughts, flooding, and heat waves to communities around the world. This is according to the annual report from the world meteorological organization.

Climate change is continuing its advance, says UN report

In a concerning development, the United Nations-designated terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) has been seen openly collecting funds in Peshawar, Pakistan.

In a concerning development, the United Nations-designated terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) has been seen openly collecting funds in Peshawar, Pakistan. This has raised alarm bells about the resurgence of extremist groups in the country, particularly after its removal from the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) grey list. A Twitter user recounted their experience during the Eid prayer where they witnessed members of the banned outfit collecting funds openly in Peshawar, in the presence of security personnel. "Members of a banned outflit were collecting money openly in Peshawar in the presence of security personnel. My father, my brothers and I were there to pray Eid prayer," said the user. The fundraising took place in Hayatabad (Bagh-e-Naran) by JeM, which is responsible for several terrorist attacks, including the 2001 Indian Parliament attack and the 2019 Pulwama attack. Another Twitter user expressed his disappointment and shared that such fundraising is a common sight in Pakistan. "It is very normal for someone to stand up after prayers and openly ask for funds to fight Jihad in Palestine and Kashmir. Was a frequent sight at our mosque in Karachi," said the netizen. This is not an isolated incident as several users pointed out that fundraising for extremist groups is happening in other areas as well. The ease with which these groups can openly collect funds raises concerns about the government's ability to crack down on extremist activities. The FATF is an intergovernmental organisation that works to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. The watchdog had placed Pakistan on its grey list in 2018 due to its failure to curb terror financing but removed it from the list last year. However, recent developments such as the open fundraising by JeM suggest that the country still has a long way to go in curbing extremist activities. WATCH | Pakistan again in trouble? FATF issues warning as global terrorist Salahuddin spotted in Pak × Earlier this year, in a stern message to Islamabad, the FATF said Pakistan's progress in taking action on terror financing continues to be monitored. The comments are significant in the backdrop of Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin being publicly seen in Pakistan. In response to a WION question at the time, FATF President T Raja Kumar said, "I will not speculate on specific media reports. But I think what is important is to emphasise that there continues to be, you know, monitoring of Pakistan's progress by the Asia Pacific group." Salahuddin, protected by security personnel, was seen leading funeral prayers for Bashir Ahmad Peer in a viral video, where he also issued a threat against India. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

UN-designated terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed openly collects funds in Peshawar

Russian officials, on Sunday (April 23) said visas were never issued for their country’s media representatives who were supposed to accompany the foreign minister for the upcoming United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting in New York, United States. This comes as Moscow has taken over the presidency of the UNSC&nbsp;in April which Kyiv has said was a “slap in the face”.&nbsp;

Russia fumes over US’ move

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, on Sunday, took to the messaging app, Telegram and said, “Speaking about the US real treatment of journalists. There are 40 minutes left before their departure. They (journalists) are all at the airport. They have no visas. The US Embassy replied to a our relevant request that ‘they work on it’”.&nbsp;

She added, “It’s an obvious manipulation of the freedom of speech and infringement on the rights of journalists.” Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said, “We won't forget, we will not forgive this,” referring to Washington’s supposed move. He also denounced it as a “stupid” failure of the US to give visas to Russian journalists.&nbsp;

“A country that calls itself the strongest, smartest, freest and fairest, chickened out,” said the Russian foreign minister, as per AFP, adding that this shows “the worth of their solemn assurances on freedom of speech.” This comes as Moscow has strongly tightened conditions to obtain the accreditations needed to get journalist visas in Russia.&nbsp;

Washington is yet to respond to these allegations.&nbsp;

The Russian foreign minister is said to chair several UNSC meetings in New York. However, Moscow’s UNSC presidency has drawn criticism from Kyiv which has previously called it a “slap in the face”.&nbsp;

Russia warns of retaliatory steps

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said, “We will find formats to respond to this so that the Americans remember for a long time that such things must not be done,” he was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies.&nbsp;

Citing a Russian diplomatic source, TASS reported that the US should not doubt that American journalists will feel maximally uncomfortable after Washington’s non-issuance of visas to Russian journalists.&nbsp;

Russian journalists also told news agency TASS that the US embassy in Moscow has not yet returned their passports and claimed they were invited to the embassy on visa-related matters on April 22 before the minister’s departure.&nbsp;

No plans for Lavrov-Blinken meeting&nbsp;

“There are no such plans. As a matter of fact, we have no agenda to be discussed by the ministers at this point,” said Ryabkov, on Sunday, ahead of the Russian delegation’s departure to New York, when asked about a possible meeting between the Russian foreign minister and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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Russian officials, on Sunday (April 23) said visas were never issued for their country’s media representatives who were supposed to accompany the foreign minister for the upcoming United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting in New York, United States.

Russian officials, on Sunday (April 23) said visas were never issued for their country’s media representatives who were supposed to accompany the foreign minister for the upcoming United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting in New York, United States. This comes as Moscow has taken over the presidency of the UNSC in April which Kyiv has said was a “slap in the face”. Russia fumes over US’ move Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, on Sunday, took to the messaging app, Telegram and said, “Speaking about the US real treatment of journalists. There are 40 minutes left before their departure. They (journalists) are all at the airport. They have no visas. The US Embassy replied to a our relevant request that ‘they work on it’”. She added, “It’s an obvious manipulation of the freedom of speech and infringement on the rights of journalists.” Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said, “We won't forget, we will not forgive this,” referring to Washington’s supposed move. He also denounced it as a “stupid” failure of the US to give visas to Russian journalists. “A country that calls itself the strongest, smartest, freest and fairest, chickened out,” said the Russian foreign minister, as per AFP, adding that this shows “the worth of their solemn assurances on freedom of speech.” This comes as Moscow has strongly tightened conditions to obtain the accreditations needed to get journalist visas in Russia. Washington is yet to respond to these allegations. The Russian foreign minister is said to chair several UNSC meetings in New York. However, Moscow’s UNSC presidency has drawn criticism from Kyiv which has previously called it a “slap in the face”. Russia warns of retaliatory steps Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said, “We will find formats to respond to this so that the Americans remember for a long time that such things must not be done,” he was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies. Citing a Russian diplomatic source, TASS reported that the US should not doubt that American journalists will feel maximally uncomfortable after Washington’s non-issuance of visas to Russian journalists. Russian journalists also told news agency TASS that the US embassy in Moscow has not yet returned their passports and claimed they were invited to the embassy on visa-related matters on April 22 before the minister’s departure. No plans for Lavrov-Blinken meeting “There are no such plans. As a matter of fact, we have no agenda to be discussed by the ministers at this point,” said Ryabkov, on Sunday, ahead of the Russian delegation’s departure to New York, when asked about a possible meeting between the Russian foreign minister and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

‘We will not forgive’: Moscow fumes after US allegedly denied visas to Russian journalists for UN visit

Here's a report which affects you and me and everyone we know and anybody who's on Earth. From mountain peaks to ocean depths, climate change continued its advance in 2022. The relentless advance of climate change brought more droughts, flooding and heat waves to communities.

Climate crisis: Too late already? | Alarming UN report on climate change

At least nine people have been killed and more than 60 have been injured after a triple suicide bomb attack took place in the central Mali town of Sevare, early Saturday (April 22), said the regional governor’s spokesperson, as per Reuters. A report by AFP citing the country’s local and military officials said that the attack lasted for nearly three hours and the Malian military has since regained control of the area.

What do we know about the attack?

The spokesperson, Yacouba Maiga, told Reuters by phone that all those killed and wounded in Saturday’s blasts were civilians. So far, no individual or group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Meanwhile, the local and military officials said that the attack lasted from 5:30 am (local time) to around 8:00 am (local time) in Mopti region’s Sevare. &nbsp;

Eyewitnesses also told AFP, four loud explosions were heard, followed by automatic weapons fire while smoke was also seen near the airport. The governor of the Mopti region, Colonel Major Abass Dembele, visited the site after the attack and termed it a “car bomb attack” targeting an air base in Sevare.

“He first visited the wounded admitted to the Somine Dolo hospital before going to the...airport area where the vehicle bomb packed with explosives exploded without reaching its target,” said a statement, as per AFP. It added that the governor also praised the local residents who were “strongly mobilised” to donate blood to the injured.

Additionally, earlier on Saturday, Mali’s government, in a statement on national television that “a terrorist attack” had been stopped by the army in Sevare, reported Reuters, adding that “three vehicles filled with explosives were destroyed by army drone fire.”&nbsp;

Similarly, speaking on the condition of anonymity to AFP, a Malian military official referred to the incident as a “terrorist” attack. This also&nbsp;comes two days after the chief of staff of Mali’s interim president and three others were killed.&nbsp;

Army helicopter crashes in Mali’s capital city

In a separate incident, a Malian army helicopter crashed in a residential neighbourhood of the capital Bamako, on Saturday around 1:10 pm (local time) while returning from an “operational mission,” said the General Staff of the Armed Forces, in a statement. &nbsp;

UN mission in Mali

Mali is at the centre of a violent insurgency following a separatist rebellion in 2012. Notably, Sevare is home to a major Mali military base and troops from the United Nations’ mission in Mali, MINUSMA.&nbsp;

The local elected official said Senegalese soldiers from the MINUSMA were involved in the fighting, reported AFP. The UN peacekeeping mission’s camp covers four hectares of land next to the airport and the Malian army camp.&nbsp;

Russian troops in Mali?

Citing two local elected officials and a diplomatic source the site has been referred to as a camp housing Russian troops by the news agency AFP. This comes as Mali’s junta in 2022 began working with what it calls Russian military “instructors,” while opponents have reportedly said these are mercenaries from Russia’s Wagner group.&nbsp;

“It is the Russian camp and their planes that have been targeted – the camp is near the airport”, an anonymous local elected official told AFP.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
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At least nine people have been killed and more than 60 have been injured after a triple suicide bomb attack took place in the central Mali town of Sevare, early Saturday (April 22), said the regional governor’s spokesperson, as per Reuters.

At least nine people have been killed and more than 60 have been injured after a triple suicide bomb attack took place in the central Mali town of Sevare, early Saturday (April 22), said the regional governor’s spokesperson, as per Reuters. A report by AFP citing the country’s local and military officials said that the attack lasted for nearly three hours and the Malian military has since regained control of the area. What do we know about the attack? The spokesperson, Yacouba Maiga, told Reuters by phone that all those killed and wounded in Saturday’s blasts were civilians. So far, no individual or group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Meanwhile, the local and military officials said that the attack lasted from 5:30 am (local time) to around 8:00 am (local time) in Mopti region’s Sevare. Eyewitnesses also told AFP, four loud explosions were heard, followed by automatic weapons fire while smoke was also seen near the airport. The governor of the Mopti region, Colonel Major Abass Dembele, visited the site after the attack and termed it a “car bomb attack” targeting an air base in Sevare. “He first visited the wounded admitted to the Somine Dolo hospital before going to the...airport area where the vehicle bomb packed with explosives exploded without reaching its target,” said a statement, as per AFP. It added that the governor also praised the local residents who were “strongly mobilised” to donate blood to the injured. Additionally, earlier on Saturday, Mali’s government, in a statement on national television that “a terrorist attack” had been stopped by the army in Sevare, reported Reuters, adding that “three vehicles filled with explosives were destroyed by army drone fire.” Similarly, speaking on the condition of anonymity to AFP, a Malian military official referred to the incident as a “terrorist” attack. This also comes two days after the chief of staff of Mali’s interim president and three others were killed. Army helicopter crashes in Mali’s capital city In a separate incident, a Malian army helicopter crashed in a residential neighbourhood of the capital Bamako, on Saturday around 1:10 pm (local time) while returning from an “operational mission,” said the General Staff of the Armed Forces, in a statement. UN mission in Mali Mali is at the centre of a violent insurgency following a separatist rebellion in 2012. Notably, Sevare is home to a major Mali military base and troops from the United Nations’ mission in Mali, MINUSMA. The local elected official said Senegalese soldiers from the MINUSMA were involved in the fighting, reported AFP. The UN peacekeeping mission’s camp covers four hectares of land next to the airport and the Malian army camp. Russian troops in Mali? Citing two local elected officials and a diplomatic source the site has been referred to as a camp housing Russian troops by the news agency AFP. This comes as Mali’s junta in 2022 began working with what it calls Russian military “instructors,” while opponents have reportedly said these are mercenaries from Russia’s Wagner group. “It is the Russian camp and their planes that have been targeted – the camp is near the airport”, an anonymous local elected official told AFP. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

At least nine killed, over 60 injured after triple suicide bombing in Mali

Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) said that it has agreed to a 72-hour “humanitarian truce” from 6:00 (local time), on Friday (April 21) coinciding with the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. This comes as the United Nations refugee agency UNHRC and World Food Programme (WFP) said that between 10,000 to 20,000 people have taken refuge in neighbouring Chad.&nbsp;

Announcement of the ceasefire

“The truce coincides with the blessed Eid al-Fitr...to open humanitarian corridors to evacuate citizens and give them the opportunity to greet their families,” said the RSF, on Twitter. This comes as the Sudanese capital of Khartoum&nbsp;continued to be rocked by&nbsp;bombing and shelling&nbsp;on Friday, reported Reuters.&nbsp;

“At this moment, when citizens are preparing to receive the first day of Eid al-Fitr, the neighbourhoods of Khartoum are waking up to the bombings of aircrafts and heavy artillery in a sweeping attack that is directly targeting residential neighbourhoods,” said RSF, in a previous statement on Friday.&nbsp;

The fighting which began nearly a week ago between the Sudanese army and its paramilitary has since led to the death of at least 350 people, as per reports, as conflicting accounts from both sides continue. The RSF said that it acted in “self-defence” to repel a supposed coup attempt and is committed to a “complete ceasefire” during the armistice period.

Meanwhile, the army chief,&nbsp;General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has not mentioned anything about a ceasefire, as of now. Burhan who had&nbsp;posted a statement on Friday&nbsp;to&nbsp;mark Eid al-Fitr, the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan. "We mourn all the victims of my country and pray for the recovery of those injured and pray to God that this occasion of Eid returns in safety and peace," said the army chief, in a pre-recorded&nbsp;statement posted on Facebook.&nbsp;

However, he had earlier told Al Jazeera that he would support a truce if citizens are allowed to move freely, something that he said was being prevented by the RSF.&nbsp;Notably,&nbsp;the&nbsp;RSF leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo has said that he would agree to&nbsp;short ceasefires but they have previously failed.&nbsp;

Thousands flee to Chad

According to UN agencies, about 10,000 to 20,000 people have taken refuge in villages along the border inside neighbouring Chad. This comes as gunfire and explosions sounded across Khartoum, on Thursday. Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged for a three-day ceasefire to allow civilians to reach safety.

“There was a strong consensus on condemning ongoing fighting in Sudan and calling for cessation of hostilities as an immediate priority,” said Guterres, following a meeting with the heads of the African Union, the Arab League and other organisations on Thursday.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
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Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) said that it has agreed to a 72-hour “humanitarian truce” from 6:00 (local time), on Friday (April 21) coinciding with the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr.

Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) said that it has agreed to a 72-hour “humanitarian truce” from 6:00 (local time), on Friday (April 21) coinciding with the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. This comes as the United Nations refugee agency UNHRC and World Food Programme (WFP) said that between 10,000 to 20,000 people have taken refuge in neighbouring Chad. Announcement of the ceasefire “The truce coincides with the blessed Eid al-Fitr...to open humanitarian corridors to evacuate citizens and give them the opportunity to greet their families,” said the RSF, on Twitter. This comes as the Sudanese capital of Khartoum continued to be rocked by bombing and shelling on Friday, reported Reuters. “At this moment, when citizens are preparing to receive the first day of Eid al-Fitr, the neighbourhoods of Khartoum are waking up to the bombings of aircrafts and heavy artillery in a sweeping attack that is directly targeting residential neighbourhoods,” said RSF, in a previous statement on Friday. The fighting which began nearly a week ago between the Sudanese army and its paramilitary has since led to the death of at least 350 people, as per reports, as conflicting accounts from both sides continue. The RSF said that it acted in “self-defence” to repel a supposed coup attempt and is committed to a “complete ceasefire” during the armistice period. Meanwhile, the army chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has not mentioned anything about a ceasefire, as of now. Burhan who had posted a statement on Friday to mark Eid al-Fitr, the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan. "We mourn all the victims of my country and pray for the recovery of those injured and pray to God that this occasion of Eid returns in safety and peace," said the army chief, in a pre-recorded statement posted on Facebook. However, he had earlier told Al Jazeera that he would support a truce if citizens are allowed to move freely, something that he said was being prevented by the RSF. Notably, the RSF leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo has said that he would agree to short ceasefires but they have previously failed. Thousands flee to Chad According to UN agencies, about 10,000 to 20,000 people have taken refuge in villages along the border inside neighbouring Chad. This comes as gunfire and explosions sounded across Khartoum, on Thursday. Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged for a three-day ceasefire to allow civilians to reach safety. “There was a strong consensus on condemning ongoing fighting in Sudan and calling for cessation of hostilities as an immediate priority,” said Guterres, following a meeting with the heads of the African Union, the Arab League and other organisations on Thursday. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

RSF fighters agree to 72-hour ceasefire for Eid; thousands flee from Sudan to Chad

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday and discussed the worsening situation in Sudan. During the discussion, Jaishankar also underscored the need for 'successful diplomacy' which can lead to an early ceasefire and create a ground situation for the safety and welfare of people.

Indian EAM Jaishankar meets UN chief Guterres; discusses Sudan developments, G20 Presidency, Ukraine

The United Nations Security Council, the United Nations own website says 'it is the responsibility of this council to maintain International peace'. But the question is this that will it live up to its own expectations?

The never-changing UNSC: Why no permanent UNSC seat for India? | World News | WION

As was long predicted, India is set to overtake China as the world's most populous country by the end of June, according to the United Nations' new 'State of World Population' report.

As was long predicted, India is set to overtake China as the world's most populous country by the end of June, according to the United Nations' new 'State of World Population' report. The seismic shift means that India's population will hit 1.4286 billion, compared to China's 1.4257 billion by the middle of this year. Occupying only 2.4 per cent of the world's land mass, India is now home to nearly a fifth of humanity (we surpassed 8 billion number in November 2022). As India attains the 'world's biggest population' title, a few simple questions beg for answers. What does it mean to have such a population? Is it good or bad? Are we doomed or is this the beginning of something special? The questions might be simple but the answer certainly is not straightforward - one that can be painted with only black or white hues. Though the connotations of world's most populous nation are often perceived as negative, it also brings with itself a set of remarkable opportunities. The opportunities India is yet to compile its own population data as it has not conducted a census since 2011. The one supposed to happen in 2021 was delayed due to the Covid pandemic and the government does not seem particularly enthused to get the census campaign back on track. However, according to a Time Magazine report, nearly half the population of India (650 million people) is below the age of 25 - meaning the country won't be hitting its peak until 2065. Adults aged 65 and older comprise only seven per cent of population compared with 14 per cent in China and 18 per cent in the US. The share of Indians who are 65 and older is likely to remain under 20 per cent until 2063 and will not approach 30 per cent until 2100, under the UN’s medium variant projections. Considering that the younger population errs on the side of caution and only procreates one or two children per couple, the population will only stabilise after the said year. Until then, India and its mostly young populace could help put the country's economic future into overdrive. The economy can be boosted up to levels hitherto unseen. WATCH | WION Fineprint | India the world's most populous country? × It is a generation brought up on high-speed internet and facilities that were a far cry in the past decades when population expansion was deemed as the end of civilisation. India can create industries and provide services in new fields, all the while sustaining a healthy growth rate. Even in a post-pandemic world, India is one of the few bright spots economically, generating growth rates much higher than nations across the globe. Numerous reports have predicted India and China to lead the economic growth story in the coming decades. India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is already taking financial decisions that it may not have taken earlier. It is trading with Russia to buy oil without the use of the US dollar, it has created its own nexus of power in the Indio-pacific by playing a key part in militarising the Quad grouping. In fact, one of the biggest benefits of India's population is the ability it imparts to its leaders to put their foot down and get their way in major political, financial and geopolitical decisions. However, having the biggest share of the population should automatically bolster India's claim for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council (UNSC). The challenges It is not to say that increase in population will not come with its own set of challenges. To unlock the true potential of India's young population to drive the economic chariot, the country's government will have to massively focus on addressing core problems like healthcare, education, infrastructure and food availability. The division of resources will be a major headache and the problem could be exacerbated by climate change. Then, there is a lack of employment. only five per cent of the workforce currently comes under the formally skilled bracket. Schools, and universities will have to step up majorly so that new avenues of employment are generated for the youth. If India's overwhelming majority of youth sits without a job, it will be a wastage of resources and human capital. Something India can ill-afford to do. ALSO READ | India to surpass China to become most populous country: UN population estimate Does India need to panic? India need not take China's stance in decreasing the population numbers. China took evasive measures such as imposing the one-child rule that led to steep decline in numbers, forcing the government to take a 180 on the issue. Increasing the education levels ought to suffice as aware people are much more likely to limit the number of offspring they want. Moreover, the total fertility rate is already going down and in the coming years, it may automatically offset the numbers. The National Family Health 5 Survey (2019-21) found that India attained a Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of 2.0 for the first time, less than the replacement level of 2.1, falling from 2.2 in NFHS 4 (2015-16). Countries like Japan and Italy have been witnessing an alarming drop in population levels which has caused serious concerns. Thus, trying to solve a problem that does not really exist for India would be a huge blunder. Instead, the government should perceive the large population as human capital and work to use them efficiently. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Explained | India set to become world's most populous nation. What does it mean?

Amid a power struggle, the clashes between the military led by army general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary resulted in the killing of at least 56 civilians, while injuring 595 others. Those killed include&nbsp;three United Nations staff members belonging to the&nbsp;World Food Programme (WFP).

Later on Sunday, the UN&nbsp;food agency said it was suspending work in Sudan. Fighting is raging between&nbsp;the army and paramilitaries in the restive Darfur region.

"While we review the evolving security situation, we are forced to temporarily halt all operations in Sudan," Cindy McCain, executive director of the World Food Programme, said in a statement.&nbsp;

Sudanese Doctors' Union in a tweet said the clashes resulted in a large number of deaths and moderate and critical injuries. "The total number of civilian deaths was 56. Dozens of deaths among the military (some of them were treated in regular hospitals, and some of them are outside our scope.) The total number of injuries reached 595, including military injuries, dozens of whom were in critical condition," it said.&nbsp;

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لجنة أطباء السودان المركزية 
 
حصر مبدئي أحداث يوم 15 أبريل 
 
استيقظ السودانيون والسودانيات صباح 15 أبريل 2023 على فاجعة اشتباكات بين قوات الشعب المسلحة وقوات الدعم السريع، أدت هذه الاشتباكات إلى وقوع عدد كبير من القتلى والإصابات المتوسطة والحرجة. <a href="https://t.co/rRPu9tJvmL">pic.twitter.com/rRPu9tJvmL</a>
— لجنة أطباء السودان المركزية CCSD’S (@SD_DOCTORS) <a href="https://twitter.com/SD_DOCTORS/status/1647435592911708160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Reports suggest that three of the killed were UN staffers of the World Food Programme (WFP).&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="Also Read | US: Train carrying hazardous material derails in Maine due to track washout">US: Train carrying hazardous material derails in Maine due to track washout</a>

"An initial count of the regrettable events of Saturday... has left 27 people killed" including in the capital Khartoum, the doctors' union said in an earlier statement before providing updated death toll.&nbsp;&nbsp;

According to Reuters, which&nbsp;cited sources, two people were killed&nbsp;at the airport in Khartoum, four in the nearby city of&nbsp;Omdurman, five in El Fasher, eight in Nyala and six in El Obeid.&nbsp;

<h2>Military, RSF clash&nbsp;</h2>

The Sudanese army claimed its jets were bombing RSF sites and advised residents to stay inside their homes on Saturday night while it performed a thorough aerial inspection of paramilitary activities.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/poland-bans-food-imports-from-ukraine-to-ease-farmers-582856">Poland bans food imports from Ukraine to ease farmers</a>

“The Rapid Support Forces were surprised Saturday with a large force from the army entering camps in Soba in Khartoum and laying siege to paramilitaries there,” reported AFP. It added that the army had “launched a sweeping attack with all kinds of heavy and light weapons.”&nbsp;

<h2>Statement by Indian embassy in Sudan&nbsp;</h2>

The Indian embassy in Sudan has cautioned Indians in the country to “stay indoors” as the clashes between the Sudanese military and RSF intensified on Saturday.&nbsp;

Watch | What is next in Syrian Civil War?; The rapid development of AI | This World

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In a statement, the mission urged everyone to take “utmost precautions, stay indoors, and stop venturing outside with immediate effect”. 
 
“Please also stay calm and wait for updates," the statement added.&nbsp;

<h2>Military and RSF disagreements&nbsp;</h2>

Earlier in the month, reports said the signing of a deal to establish a civilian administration was delayed by Sudanese authorities as talks on reorganising the military failed.

The major source of disagreement was the timeline for merging the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) into the military. Military ruler General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF head Mohamed Hamdan Daglo are at odds.&nbsp;

In October 2021, the Sudanese military staged a coup and overthrew the civilian government, plunging the country into a political crisis. The military-led transitional government has since faced widespread protests and condemnation from the international community.&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

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Amid a power struggle, the clashes between the military led by army general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary resulted in the killing of at least 56 civilians, while injuring 595 others.

Amid a power struggle, the clashes between the military led by army general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary resulted in the killing of at least 56 civilians, while injuring 595 others. Those killed include three United Nations staff members belonging to the World Food Programme (WFP). Later on Sunday, the UN food agency said it was suspending work in Sudan. Fighting is raging between the army and paramilitaries in the restive Darfur region. "While we review the evolving security situation, we are forced to temporarily halt all operations in Sudan," Cindy McCain, executive director of the World Food Programme, said in a statement. Sudanese Doctors' Union in a tweet said the clashes resulted in a large number of deaths and moderate and critical injuries. "The total number of civilian deaths was 56. Dozens of deaths among the military (some of them were treated in regular hospitals, and some of them are outside our scope.) The total number of injuries reached 595, including military injuries, dozens of whom were in critical condition," it said. لجنة أطباء السودان المركزية حصر مبدئي أحداث يوم 15 أبريل استيقظ السودانيون والسودانيات صباح 15 أبريل 2023 على فاجعة اشتباكات بين قوات الشعب المسلحة وقوات الدعم السريع، أدت هذه الاشتباكات إلى وقوع عدد كبير من القتلى والإصابات المتوسطة والحرجة. pic.twitter.com/rRPu9tJvmL — لجنة أطباء السودان المركزية CCSD’S (@SD_DOCTORS) April 16, 2023 × Reports suggest that three of the killed were UN staffers of the World Food Programme (WFP). Also Read | US: Train carrying hazardous material derails in Maine due to track washout "An initial count of the regrettable events of Saturday... has left 27 people killed" including in the capital Khartoum, the doctors' union said in an earlier statement before providing updated death toll. According to Reuters, which cited sources, two people were killed at the airport in Khartoum, four in the nearby city of Omdurman, five in El Fasher, eight in Nyala and six in El Obeid. Military, RSF clash The Sudanese army claimed its jets were bombing RSF sites and advised residents to stay inside their homes on Saturday night while it performed a thorough aerial inspection of paramilitary activities. Also Read | Poland bans food imports from Ukraine to ease farmers “The Rapid Support Forces were surprised Saturday with a large force from the army entering camps in Soba in Khartoum and laying siege to paramilitaries there,” reported AFP. It added that the army had “launched a sweeping attack with all kinds of heavy and light weapons.” Statement by Indian embassy in Sudan The Indian embassy in Sudan has cautioned Indians in the country to “stay indoors” as the clashes between the Sudanese military and RSF intensified on Saturday. Watch | What is next in Syrian Civil War?; The rapid development of AI | This World × In a statement, the mission urged everyone to take “utmost precautions, stay indoors, and stop venturing outside with immediate effect”. “Please also stay calm and wait for updates," the statement added. Military and RSF disagreements Earlier in the month, reports said the signing of a deal to establish a civilian administration was delayed by Sudanese authorities as talks on reorganising the military failed. The major source of disagreement was the timeline for merging the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) into the military. Military ruler General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF head Mohamed Hamdan Daglo are at odds. In October 2021, the Sudanese military staged a coup and overthrew the civilian government, plunging the country into a political crisis. The military-led transitional government has since faced widespread protests and condemnation from the international community. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Sudan unrest: World Food Programme suspends work following death of 3 staff members

The United Nations has announced that it is reconsidering operations in Afghanistan after the Taliban government banned women from working for the organisation. The UN assistance mission in Afghanistan issued a statement condemning the Taliban regime and is threatening to pull out of Afghanistan altogether.

UN threatens to pull out of Afghanistan after Taliban bans women from working for UN | WION

Dozens of people in central Myanmar were killed in air strikes on Tuesday. Myanmar's ruling junta confirmed that it carried out an airstrike on a village. UN & western powers condemned the attacks & demanded accountability. The south-east Asian country has been in chaos & its economy in tatters since the military seized power in 2021 coup. Attacks by ethnic minority armies & resistance fighters have challenged the rule of the military. The armed forces have been responding with air strikes & heavy weapons, including in civilian areas. At least 1.2 million people have been displaced by post-coup fighting, according to UN.

Myanmar in chaos, economy in tatters | Military rule vs ethnic minority armies & resistance fighters

US, UK, Albania & Malta walked out on Russia's envoy for children's rights as she spoke via video to the UN security council members. The int'l criminal court wants to arrest Russian official maria lvova-belova on war crime charges. UK & UK blocked the informal meeting on Ukraine, convened by Russia, from being webcast by UN. Ukraine accuses Russia of having abducted, and forcibly deported kids since it began its invasion more than a year ago.

UN: Russian official sought by International Criminal Court speaks at meet on Ukraine | Details

Beating China, India emerged victorious in securing a seat at the table of the United Nations Statistical Commission on Wednesday. India earned its stripes in a competitive election securing 46 out of 53 votes. Rivals China, the Republic of Korea and the UAE will now be battling for the one remaining seat.&nbsp;

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar took to Twitter to share the news as India locked its place for a four-year term.&nbsp;

“India elected to the highest UN statistical body for a 4-year term beginning on 1 January 2024! Congrats Team @IndiaUNNewYork for coming through so strongly in a competitive election,” tweeted Jaishankar.&nbsp;

"India's expertise in the field of statistics, diversity &amp; demography has earned it a seat on the UN Statistical Commission," he added.&nbsp;

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India elected to the highest UN 🇺🇳 statistical body for a 4-year term beginning on 1 January 2024! 
 
Congrats Team <a href="https://twitter.com/IndiaUNNewYork?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IndiaUNNewYork</a> for coming through so strongly in a competitive election.
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While India was elected via a secret ballot, Argentina, Sierra Leone, Ukraine, Slovenia, &nbsp;the United Republic of Tanzania and the United States of America were elected by acclamation. The four-year term in the office begins on January 1, 2024.&nbsp;

Notably, the Statistical Commission was established in 1948 and is regarded as the highest body of the global statistical system. It currently oversees the work of the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), and it is a Functional Commission of the UN Economic and Social Council.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indian-foreign-minister-s-jaishankar-reacts-as-west-comments-on-rahul-gandhis-disqualification-578526">WATCH |&nbsp;Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar reacts as West comments on Rahul Gandhi's disqualification</a>

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The Commission brings chief statisticians from member states across the world under one umbrella to set statistical standards and development of concepts and methods. Additionally, it is responsible for the implementation of these standards at the national and international level.&nbsp;

The Commission comprises five members from African countries, four from Asia-Pacific, East Europe, Latin America, and Caribbean states each. Meanwhile, seven members from Western European and other states make up the rest of the composition.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Beating China, India emerged victorious in securing a seat at the table of the United Nations Statistical Commission on Wednesday. India earned its stripes in a competitive election securing 46 out of 53 votes.

Beating China, India emerged victorious in securing a seat at the table of the United Nations Statistical Commission on Wednesday. India earned its stripes in a competitive election securing 46 out of 53 votes. Rivals China, the Republic of Korea and the UAE will now be battling for the one remaining seat. India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar took to Twitter to share the news as India locked its place for a four-year term. “India elected to the highest UN statistical body for a 4-year term beginning on 1 January 2024! Congrats Team @IndiaUNNewYork for coming through so strongly in a competitive election,” tweeted Jaishankar. "India's expertise in the field of statistics, diversity & demography has earned it a seat on the UN Statistical Commission," he added. India elected to the highest UN 🇺🇳 statistical body for a 4-year term beginning on 1 January 2024! Congrats Team @IndiaUNNewYork for coming through so strongly in a competitive election. — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) April 5, 2023 × While India was elected via a secret ballot, Argentina, Sierra Leone, Ukraine, Slovenia, the United Republic of Tanzania and the United States of America were elected by acclamation. The four-year term in the office begins on January 1, 2024. Notably, the Statistical Commission was established in 1948 and is regarded as the highest body of the global statistical system. It currently oversees the work of the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), and it is a Functional Commission of the UN Economic and Social Council. WATCH | Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar reacts as West comments on Rahul Gandhi's disqualification × The Commission brings chief statisticians from member states across the world under one umbrella to set statistical standards and development of concepts and methods. Additionally, it is responsible for the implementation of these standards at the national and international level. The Commission comprises five members from African countries, four from Asia-Pacific, East Europe, Latin America, and Caribbean states each. Meanwhile, seven members from Western European and other states make up the rest of the composition. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Beating China, India secures four-year term to highest UN statistical body

In the latest diktat against women in Afghanistan, the Taliban have issued an order to ban Afghan women employees of the United Nations staff from working throughout Afghanistan. According to a UN spokesperson, the Taliban have extended a ban on women working for NGOs to the UN mission throughout the country.

Taliban's new diktat against Afghan women: UN says its female staffers banned by Taliban | WION

Around 17.5 per cent of the world population or one in six people have experienced infertility at some point in their lifetime, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has revealed in its report that seeks to underscore affliction as a global health issue.

The estimates are based on 100 studies conducted between 1990 and 2021 across high, middle and low-income countries.

In high-income countries, around 17.8 per cent&nbsp;of the population have experienced&nbsp;infertility at least once, while it was 16.5 per cent in low- and middle-income countries.

The UN health body has described infertility as a disease of the male or female reproductive system that is defined by the failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse.

While presenting the report, WHO chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the study highlighted that there was an urgent need to expand access to prevention, diagnosis and treatments for infertility.

“The report reveals an important truth – infertility does not discriminate. The sheer proportion of people affected shows the need to widen access to fertility care and ensure this issue is no longer sidelined in health research and policy, so that safe, effective and affordable ways to attain parenthood are available for those who seek it,” he said.

“The causes of infertility are varied and often complex, and it is something that both men and women experience,” said Tedros.

&nbsp;“Indeed, a wide variety of people, in all regions, may require fertility care.”

The WHO, however, suggested that there was not enough evidence to show whether prevalence was rising or not.

“Based on the data we have, we cannot say that infertility is increasing or constant … the jury’s still out on that question,” the global health agency’s unit head for Contraception and Fertility Care, James Kiarie, told journalists citing that data so far has been mixed and inconsistent, according to AFP.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Around 17.5 per cent of the world population or one in six people have experienced infertility at some point in their lifetime, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has revealed in its report that seeks to underscore affliction as a global health issue.

Around 17.5 per cent of the world population or one in six people have experienced infertility at some point in their lifetime, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has revealed in its report that seeks to underscore affliction as a global health issue. The estimates are based on 100 studies conducted between 1990 and 2021 across high, middle and low-income countries. In high-income countries, around 17.8 per cent of the population have experienced infertility at least once, while it was 16.5 per cent in low- and middle-income countries. The UN health body has described infertility as a disease of the male or female reproductive system that is defined by the failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. While presenting the report, WHO chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the study highlighted that there was an urgent need to expand access to prevention, diagnosis and treatments for infertility. “The report reveals an important truth – infertility does not discriminate. The sheer proportion of people affected shows the need to widen access to fertility care and ensure this issue is no longer sidelined in health research and policy, so that safe, effective and affordable ways to attain parenthood are available for those who seek it,” he said. “The causes of infertility are varied and often complex, and it is something that both men and women experience,” said Tedros. “Indeed, a wide variety of people, in all regions, may require fertility care.” The WHO, however, suggested that there was not enough evidence to show whether prevalence was rising or not. “Based on the data we have, we cannot say that infertility is increasing or constant … the jury’s still out on that question,” the global health agency’s unit head for Contraception and Fertility Care, James Kiarie, told journalists citing that data so far has been mixed and inconsistent, according to AFP. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

One in six people are affected by infertility, says WHO report

Russia's announcement that it will deploy its tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus has left the United Nations Security Council seemingly divided. While the Western Nations have expressed concern, Russia has said that there is no difference between what it plans to do and NATO's strategy.

Top UN diplomat urges nuclear de-escalation

The United Nations general assembly on Wednesday voted to pass a resolution asking the world’s top court to define the obligations of states to combat climate change.

United Nations seeks court clarity on Climate change obligations

UN Adopts Landmark Resolution for Climate Action: What You Need to Know

To address the issue of the water crisis worldwide, the first major UN Conference on water in over 45 years kicked off on Wednesday with an urgent call to sustainably manage "the world’s most important resource."

UN opens first major water conference in 45 years

Here we bring you a quick round-up of all latest news and top headlines from all across the globe. Israel had a major uprising after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the nation's defence minister a day after he voiced his disapproval of the leadership.

MASSIVE PROTESTS in Israel; UN nuclear watchdog chief heads to Ukraine | WION Speed News

The United Nations has said that it is deeply concerned about summary executions of prisoners of war by both Russian and Ukrainian forces. Moscow and Kyiv have accused each other of mistreating prisoners of war since Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine a year ago. The head of the UN human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine stated her organisation had recently recorded killings by both sides.

'Summary executions' of Prisoners of War; UN accuses Ukrainian & Russian Armed Forces | Details

Here we bring you a quick round-up of all latest news and top headlines from all across the globe. The World Health Organization on Thursday warned against "fake news" after Twitter boss Elon Musk tweeted that countries should not "cede authority to WHO" amid negotiations over a new pandemic treaty.

Trump created false expectations of arrest; Musk & W.H.O spar over UN agency's role

In today's episode of WION Climate Tracker, we bring you climate stories from around the world - UN seeks solution to global Water Crisis, California struck by fierce Tornado, Are food grains reaching Africa? Is Indonesia building its new capital at the cost of environment? 'Bomb Cyclone' knocks out power in California, Air pollution spikes in Beijing.

UN seeks solution to global Water Crisis; California struck by fierce tornado | WION Climate Tracker

Its a race against time to save fresh water. to address the issue of water crisis worldwide, UN hosted the first major conference on water in over 45 years.

UN Water Conference 2023: UN seeks solution to global water crisis | WION Climate Tracker

IN PICS | UN report sounds alarm bells over lack of clean drinking water

Last week, negotiations over how to regulate the mining of the seabed began among the 167-nation body, International Seabed Authority (ISA) which regulates the exploitation of minerals on the seabed outside national jurisdictions also known as the high seas.&nbsp;

The ISA headquartered in Kingston, Jamaica is in the midst of hosting a two-week council session which began on March 16 to discuss the adoption of a mining code which has been in the works for nearly a decade. However, its chief has recently come under fire for supposedly ignoring proposals by other diplomats and pushing them to approve the start of deep-sea mining.&nbsp;

What has been happening at the ISA?

The ISA works under the authorisation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea which allows the 167-nation body to control seabeds outside the territorial waters of nations. “We come together now with the work on the mining code, well advanced and with six weeks of negotiating before us this year”, said a British lawyer and head of the UN-affiliated body Michael Lodge.&nbsp;

ISA has recently faced pressure from the tiny Pacific nation, Nauru, said a report by AFP. Notably, the exploitation of seafloor minerals is not expected to begin until the adoption of a mining code, the discussion of which has lasted for almost 10 years now but in June 2021 the island nation triggered a clause which allowed it to demand the adoption of these rules within two years.&nbsp;

The decision taken by ISA is also being closely watched as it comes amid several landmark treaties signed in favour of protecting the environment. This includes the landmark UN High Seas Treaty which was adopted, earlier this month, to protect oceans and seabeds outside national jurisdiction.&nbsp;

Following the historic UN Biodiversity Conference which aims to protect 30 per cent of the Earth’s land and water by 2030, late last year. “With these global milestones, the pressure is now on the ISA council to deliver,” said Lodge, as per AFP.&nbsp;

What was the row about?

As the two-week council session in Jamaica is underway, the ISA chief has been criticised by diplomats who have claimed that he has been pushing them to accelerate the process of beginning deep-sea mining. According to a report by the New York Times, the British lawyer who has a duty of neutrality has supposedly been ignoring measures proposed by some council members which could potentially slow down approval of the first mining proposals.&nbsp;

Additionally, not all countries are in favour of beginning seabed extraction and raised concerns like a lack of knowledge on the impact of disturbing the ocean floor. Germany and Costa Rica have also joined France, Spain, Chile, New Zealand and several Pacific nations which have expressed these concerns and called for a “precautionary pause” or a ban on mining in the high seas.&nbsp;

The 167-nation body will soon receive an application for commercial seabed mining, which makes the decision about the mining code all the more important as it would govern the process. According to the Guardian, Lodge has previously indicated that the impact of seabed mining is “predictable and manageable”.&nbsp;

In response to the story in the New York Times, Costa Rica’s representative to the ISA, Gina Guillén Grillo took to Twitter, on Monday (March 20) and said “Decisions must come from them &amp; must not be pushed by those who have only administrative duties. Mining the seabed cannot be rushed (because) of the economic interests of a few.”

Similarly, Franziska Brantner, Germany’s minister for economic affairs and climate action, in a letter to Lodge also said, “It is not the task of the secretariat to interfere in the decision making. In the past, you have actively taken a stand against positions and decision-making proposals from individual delegations,” reported the Guardian. It added that Germany was “seriously concerned about this approach.”

How did Lodge respond to these allegations?

In his opening remarks, on March 8, the British lawyer said that the allegations of him taking a position opposing proposals from delegates are “untrue” and that he rejects “such a baseless allegation”.&nbsp;

Subsequently, he also made a statement to the New York Times and clarified his position by saying that he places “high importance on the preservation and protection of the marine environment”. He also spoke about how he is working to make sure that the “decision-making processes around economic activity in the deep seabed is based on best available scientific knowledge”.&nbsp;

What would happen if the ISA cannot reach an agreement?

The two-year period expires in a few months after which Nauru will be able to apply for an exploitation contract for Nauru Ocean Resources, Nori, a subsidiary of Canadian mining startup The Metals Company which the country also sponsors. The small Pacific island country is one of three states sponsoring the Canadian mining startup along with the Kingdom of Tonga and the Republic of Kiribati.

Nauru has also previously sent a memo to the ISA saying that if the seabed authority has not finalised regulations within the time frame and in the meantime if an application for deep-sea mining has been submitted they should “consider and provisionally approve” it. However, other countries have said that they are not obligated to do so until the regulations are finalised.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Duncan Currie, an international legal adviser to the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition and official observer at the meeting on March 8, told the Guardian, “This is not just a row between diplomats. It is very significant. The executive organ is the council. It is not for the administrative body to be telling the council what decisions they should be making.”

ISA spokesperson, who was not named, also told the UK-based news organisation, that the role of the secretariat is to “facilitate negotiations and ensure that discussions are informed by the best available science” and in line with the UN convention.&nbsp;

It does not “pass judgement” on the position of its member states. “The regulations will only be approved should ISA’s members reach a consensus on its content. In the meantime, only exploration activities will be permitted,” said the ISA spokesperson, as per the Guardian.&nbsp;

As of now, about 30 research centres and companies which are only concerned with the exploration of delimited zones have been granted contracts as the seabeds are considered a “common heritage” that belong to no one, reported AFP. However, that could change as the July 2023 deadline approaches.&nbsp;

Kirsten Thompson, a&nbsp;lecturer in ecology at the University of Exeter told BBC Future, that mining could "irreversibly damage"&nbsp;species that live on the ocean floor also known as&nbsp;benthic&nbsp;ecosystems. He added,&nbsp;considering the "myriad threats" the marine&nbsp;ecosystem is facing, regulating human activities is "vital to ensure biodiversity conservation and to preserve ecosystem functioning".&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

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Last week, negotiations over how to regulate the mining of the seabed began among the 167-nation body, International Seabed Authority (ISA) which regulates the exploitation of minerals on the seabed outside national jurisdictions also known as the high seas.

Last week, negotiations over how to regulate the mining of the seabed began among the 167-nation body, International Seabed Authority (ISA) which regulates the exploitation of minerals on the seabed outside national jurisdictions also known as the high seas. The ISA headquartered in Kingston, Jamaica is in the midst of hosting a two-week council session which began on March 16 to discuss the adoption of a mining code which has been in the works for nearly a decade. However, its chief has recently come under fire for supposedly ignoring proposals by other diplomats and pushing them to approve the start of deep-sea mining. What has been happening at the ISA? The ISA works under the authorisation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea which allows the 167-nation body to control seabeds outside the territorial waters of nations. “We come together now with the work on the mining code, well advanced and with six weeks of negotiating before us this year”, said a British lawyer and head of the UN-affiliated body Michael Lodge. ISA has recently faced pressure from the tiny Pacific nation, Nauru, said a report by AFP. Notably, the exploitation of seafloor minerals is not expected to begin until the adoption of a mining code, the discussion of which has lasted for almost 10 years now but in June 2021 the island nation triggered a clause which allowed it to demand the adoption of these rules within two years. The decision taken by ISA is also being closely watched as it comes amid several landmark treaties signed in favour of protecting the environment. This includes the landmark UN High Seas Treaty which was adopted, earlier this month, to protect oceans and seabeds outside national jurisdiction. Following the historic UN Biodiversity Conference which aims to protect 30 per cent of the Earth’s land and water by 2030, late last year. “With these global milestones, the pressure is now on the ISA council to deliver,” said Lodge, as per AFP. What was the row about? As the two-week council session in Jamaica is underway, the ISA chief has been criticised by diplomats who have claimed that he has been pushing them to accelerate the process of beginning deep-sea mining. According to a report by the New York Times, the British lawyer who has a duty of neutrality has supposedly been ignoring measures proposed by some council members which could potentially slow down approval of the first mining proposals. Additionally, not all countries are in favour of beginning seabed extraction and raised concerns like a lack of knowledge on the impact of disturbing the ocean floor. Germany and Costa Rica have also joined France, Spain, Chile, New Zealand and several Pacific nations which have expressed these concerns and called for a “precautionary pause” or a ban on mining in the high seas. The 167-nation body will soon receive an application for commercial seabed mining, which makes the decision about the mining code all the more important as it would govern the process. According to the Guardian, Lodge has previously indicated that the impact of seabed mining is “predictable and manageable”. In response to the story in the New York Times, Costa Rica’s representative to the ISA, Gina Guillén Grillo took to Twitter, on Monday (March 20) and said “Decisions must come from them & must not be pushed by those who have only administrative duties. Mining the seabed cannot be rushed (because) of the economic interests of a few.” Similarly, Franziska Brantner, Germany’s minister for economic affairs and climate action, in a letter to Lodge also said, “It is not the task of the secretariat to interfere in the decision making. In the past, you have actively taken a stand against positions and decision-making proposals from individual delegations,” reported the Guardian. It added that Germany was “seriously concerned about this approach.” How did Lodge respond to these allegations? In his opening remarks, on March 8, the British lawyer said that the allegations of him taking a position opposing proposals from delegates are “untrue” and that he rejects “such a baseless allegation”. Subsequently, he also made a statement to the New York Times and clarified his position by saying that he places “high importance on the preservation and protection of the marine environment”. He also spoke about how he is working to make sure that the “decision-making processes around economic activity in the deep seabed is based on best available scientific knowledge”. What would happen if the ISA cannot reach an agreement? The two-year period expires in a few months after which Nauru will be able to apply for an exploitation contract for Nauru Ocean Resources, Nori, a subsidiary of Canadian mining startup The Metals Company which the country also sponsors. The small Pacific island country is one of three states sponsoring the Canadian mining startup along with the Kingdom of Tonga and the Republic of Kiribati. Nauru has also previously sent a memo to the ISA saying that if the seabed authority has not finalised regulations within the time frame and in the meantime if an application for deep-sea mining has been submitted they should “consider and provisionally approve” it. However, other countries have said that they are not obligated to do so until the regulations are finalised. Meanwhile, Duncan Currie, an international legal adviser to the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition and official observer at the meeting on March 8, told the Guardian, “This is not just a row between diplomats. It is very significant. The executive organ is the council. It is not for the administrative body to be telling the council what decisions they should be making.” ISA spokesperson, who was not named, also told the UK-based news organisation, that the role of the secretariat is to “facilitate negotiations and ensure that discussions are informed by the best available science” and in line with the UN convention. It does not “pass judgement” on the position of its member states. “The regulations will only be approved should ISA’s members reach a consensus on its content. In the meantime, only exploration activities will be permitted,” said the ISA spokesperson, as per the Guardian. As of now, about 30 research centres and companies which are only concerned with the exploration of delimited zones have been granted contracts as the seabeds are considered a “common heritage” that belong to no one, reported AFP. However, that could change as the July 2023 deadline approaches. Kirsten Thompson, a lecturer in ecology at the University of Exeter told BBC Future, that mining could "irreversibly damage" species that live on the ocean floor also known as benthic ecosystems. He added, considering the "myriad threats" the marine ecosystem is facing, regulating human activities is "vital to ensure biodiversity conservation and to preserve ecosystem functioning". (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained | Row erupts amid talks to regulate deep-sea mining. Here’s what happened

Here we bring you a quick round-up of all latest news and top headlines from all across the globe. Russian bombers fly over sea of Japan, Zelensky hails Prime Minister Kishida, says talks were 'productive', Earthquake with magnitude 6.6 strikes northern Afghanistan.

Xi reiterates China's adherence to UN; Is Xi more commanding than Putin? | WION Speed News

Self-proclaimed godman and fugitive Kailasa Nithyananda's ‘United States of Kailasa’ has inked&nbsp;a "cultural partnership" with over 30 American cities, a media report has said, days after the city of Newark in the US state of New Jersey said it revoked a "sister-city" agreement with the fictional country.

On January 12, Newark and the fictitious ‘United States of Kailasa’ signed a sister-city agreement. The signing ceremony took held in Newark City Hall, as per an NDTV report.

Nityananda claims to have established a nation called the ‘United States of Kailasa’ in 2019 in his mind-bending spiritual homilies that are coated with a sheen of pseudo-science.

According to its website, there are over 30 American communities that have inked a cultural alliance with the fictitious nation of Kailasa —&nbsp;places from Richmond, Virginia to Dayton, Ohio, to Buena Park, Florida practically all over the map, according to a Fox news report on Thursday.

The report said, "We are finding out the supreme fake pontiff&nbsp;has a long list of cities he has duped."

The statement claimed that it had contacted a few American cities to get their opinions on the signing of an agreement with the fictitious country.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/new-paradigm-in-india-bangladesh-friendship-pm-modi-sheikh-hasina-to-inaugurate-joint-energy-pipeline-573193">New paradigm in India-Bangladesh ties: PM Modi, Sheikh Hasina to inaugurate cross-border energy pipeline</a>

"And so far most of the cities have confirmed these proclamations are in fact true," the report said, adding, "Our proclamations with Kailasa are not an endorsement. They are a response to a request and we do not verify the information that is requested." 
 
Fox News blamed the cities for not "googling" for information about the fake nation.&nbsp;

"If someone wants a proclamation, someone gets a proclamation. They'll just say you're an exotic Hindu Island and they'll name a street after you," the Fox News anchor said.

The report also stated that those controlling the federal government were&nbsp;also duped by the fictitious country, in addition to mayors and local councils.

Moreover, USK representatives even participated in two UN public meetings held in Geneva last month. On February 22, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) hosted a general discussion on "Equal and inclusive representation of women in decision-making systems," and on February 24, the Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights hosted a general discussion on the General Comment on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights and Sustainable Development (CESCR). 
 
(With inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

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Self-proclaimed godman and fugitive Kailasa Nithyananda's ‘United States of Kailasa’ has inked a "cultural partnership" with over 30 American cities, a media report has said, days after the city of Newark in the US state of New Jersey said it revoked a "sister-city" agreement with the fictional country.

Self-proclaimed godman and fugitive Kailasa Nithyananda's ‘United States of Kailasa’ has inked a "cultural partnership" with over 30 American cities, a media report has said, days after the city of Newark in the US state of New Jersey said it revoked a "sister-city" agreement with the fictional country. On January 12, Newark and the fictitious ‘United States of Kailasa’ signed a sister-city agreement. The signing ceremony took held in Newark City Hall, as per an NDTV report. Nityananda claims to have established a nation called the ‘United States of Kailasa’ in 2019 in his mind-bending spiritual homilies that are coated with a sheen of pseudo-science. According to its website, there are over 30 American communities that have inked a cultural alliance with the fictitious nation of Kailasa — places from Richmond, Virginia to Dayton, Ohio, to Buena Park, Florida practically all over the map, according to a Fox news report on Thursday. The report said, "We are finding out the supreme fake pontiff has a long list of cities he has duped." The statement claimed that it had contacted a few American cities to get their opinions on the signing of an agreement with the fictitious country. ALSO READ | New paradigm in India-Bangladesh ties: PM Modi, Sheikh Hasina to inaugurate cross-border energy pipeline "And so far most of the cities have confirmed these proclamations are in fact true," the report said, adding, "Our proclamations with Kailasa are not an endorsement. They are a response to a request and we do not verify the information that is requested." Fox News blamed the cities for not "googling" for information about the fake nation. "If someone wants a proclamation, someone gets a proclamation. They'll just say you're an exotic Hindu Island and they'll name a street after you," the Fox News anchor said. The report also stated that those controlling the federal government were also duped by the fictitious country, in addition to mayors and local councils. Moreover, USK representatives even participated in two UN public meetings held in Geneva last month. On February 22, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) hosted a general discussion on "Equal and inclusive representation of women in decision-making systems," and on February 24, the Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights hosted a general discussion on the General Comment on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights and Sustainable Development (CESCR). (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

‘United States of Kailasa’: Fugitive godman’s fictional country cons 30 US cities, inks ‘sister city’ pacts

Cyclone Freddy has affected over 500,000 people in Malawi and has caused more than 400 deaths in southern Africa, said United Nations (UN) on Friday (March 17). Cyclone Freddy has dissipated after wreaking havoc.

"Over 500,000 people have been affected -- including 326 people killed and over 183,100 people displaced," the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a report.

It has warned that these figures are expected to rise in the coming &nbsp;

"The record-breaking weather system hit Malawi at the end of the rainy season when rivers and water bodies were already at high levels," OCHA said.

United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) country director Paul Turnbull said Friday it was clear that the country "will need significant support".

Many areas were rendered inaccessible "restricting movement of assessment and humanitarian teams and life-saving supplies," he said.

"We are ramping up as quickly as we can under the circumstances" he added in a statement, vowing to assist around 130,000 people affected by the "tragic" situation.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Cyclone Freddy has affected over 500,000 people in Malawi and has caused more than 400 deaths in southern Africa, said United Nations (UN) on Friday (March 17). Cyclone Freddy has dissipated after wreaking havoc.

Cyclone Freddy has affected over 500,000 people in Malawi and has caused more than 400 deaths in southern Africa, said United Nations (UN) on Friday (March 17). Cyclone Freddy has dissipated after wreaking havoc. "Over 500,000 people have been affected -- including 326 people killed and over 183,100 people displaced," the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a report. It has warned that these figures are expected to rise in the coming "The record-breaking weather system hit Malawi at the end of the rainy season when rivers and water bodies were already at high levels," OCHA said. United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) country director Paul Turnbull said Friday it was clear that the country "will need significant support". Many areas were rendered inaccessible "restricting movement of assessment and humanitarian teams and life-saving supplies," he said. "We are ramping up as quickly as we can under the circumstances" he added in a statement, vowing to assist around 130,000 people affected by the "tragic" situation. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Cyclone Freddy has affected more than 500,000 people in Malawi: UN

India's fugitive Nithyananda has fooled everyone with his fictional country "Kailasa". The mock country's representative Ma Vijayapriya Nithyananda got an entry to the 19th United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights meeting. The Mayor of Newark city also invited Kailasa's designation to sign a deal. Mohammed Saleh reports.

Gravitas: How Nithyananda fooled UN with 'Kailasa'

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