A human rights lawyer who fought to end the "ghost" status of stateless people in Kyrgyzstan, was on Wednesday named the winner of the U.N. refugee agency's prestigious Nansen award.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) hailed Azizbek Ashurov for helping Kyrgyzstan to become the world's first country to end statelessness, working through his organisation Ferghana Valley Lawyers Without Borders (FVLWB).

He has helped more than 10,000 people gain Kyrgyz nationality after they became stateless following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the agency said in a statement.

"I cannot stand still when I see an injustice," Ashurov said in the statement. "Statelessness is injustice".

"A stateless person is not recognised by any state," he said. "They are like ghosts. They exist physically, but they don't exist on paper."

Ashurov will receive his award at a ceremony in Geneva next Monday.

Thanks to his work, around 2,000 children have been handed a right to education, and a future in which they will be free to travel, marry and work, UNHCR said.

"Azizbek Ashurov's story is one of great personal resolve and tenacity," UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi said in the statement.&nbsp;

"His commitment to the cause of eradicating statelessness in Kyrgyzstan ... is a compelling example of the power of an individual to inspire and mobilise collective action," he added.&nbsp;

Ashurov was motivated by his own family's struggle to achieve Kyrgyz citizenship after arriving from Uzbekistan.

'Stranded'

During the Soviet era, there were no internal borders, and people moved across Central Asia with only internal documentation.

But after the Soviet Union was dissolved in 1991, "many people became stranded across newly established borders, often with now-invalid Soviet passports or no means to prove where they were born," the UNHCR noted.

This left hundreds of thousands of people stateless throughout the region, including in Kyrgyzstan.

Statelessness, which affects millions worldwide, leaves people politically and economically marginalised, often discriminated against and particularly vulnerable to exploitation and abuse, according to UNHCR.

In the former Soviet Union, women were disproportionately affected by the problem, since they had been more likely to move to marry. And due to hereditary citizenship laws, their statelessness was passed on to their children, UNHCR said.

Ashurov helped found Ferghana Valley Lawyers Without Borders (FVLWB) in 2003 to provide free legal advice and assistance to stateless and undocumented people in the southern part of the country.

He and FVLWB formed mobile legal teams which travelled to remote areas of the south of the country, sometimes on horseback, to find vulnerable and socially marginalised groups.

The Nansen prize, awarded annually, is named for Norwegian polar explorer Fridtjof Nansen, who served as the first High Commissioner for refugees during the failed League of Nations.

Last year's winner was&nbsp;South Sudanese doctor Evan Atar Adaha, who runs an overcrowded hospital to service refugees from Blue Nile State.

A human rights lawyer who fought to end the "ghost" status of stateless people in Kyrgyzstan, was on Wednesday named the winner of the U.N. refugee agency's prestigious Nansen award.

A human rights lawyer who fought to end the "ghost" status of stateless people in Kyrgyzstan, was on Wednesday named the winner of the U.N. refugee agency's prestigious Nansen award. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) hailed Azizbek Ashurov for helping Kyrgyzstan to become the world's first country to end statelessness, working through his organisation Ferghana Valley Lawyers Without Borders (FVLWB). He has helped more than 10,000 people gain Kyrgyz nationality after they became stateless following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the agency said in a statement. "I cannot stand still when I see an injustice," Ashurov said in the statement. "Statelessness is injustice". "A stateless person is not recognised by any state," he said. "They are like ghosts. They exist physically, but they don't exist on paper." Ashurov will receive his award at a ceremony in Geneva next Monday. Thanks to his work, around 2,000 children have been handed a right to education, and a future in which they will be free to travel, marry and work, UNHCR said. "Azizbek Ashurov's story is one of great personal resolve and tenacity," UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi said in the statement. "His commitment to the cause of eradicating statelessness in Kyrgyzstan ... is a compelling example of the power of an individual to inspire and mobilise collective action," he added. Ashurov was motivated by his own family's struggle to achieve Kyrgyz citizenship after arriving from Uzbekistan. 'Stranded' During the Soviet era, there were no internal borders, and people moved across Central Asia with only internal documentation. But after the Soviet Union was dissolved in 1991, "many people became stranded across newly established borders, often with now-invalid Soviet passports or no means to prove where they were born," the UNHCR noted. This left hundreds of thousands of people stateless throughout the region, including in Kyrgyzstan. Statelessness, which affects millions worldwide, leaves people politically and economically marginalised, often discriminated against and particularly vulnerable to exploitation and abuse, according to UNHCR. In the former Soviet Union, women were disproportionately affected by the problem, since they had been more likely to move to marry. And due to hereditary citizenship laws, their statelessness was passed on to their children, UNHCR said. Ashurov helped found Ferghana Valley Lawyers Without Borders (FVLWB) in 2003 to provide free legal advice and assistance to stateless and undocumented people in the southern part of the country. He and FVLWB formed mobile legal teams which travelled to remote areas of the south of the country, sometimes on horseback, to find vulnerable and socially marginalised groups. The Nansen prize, awarded annually, is named for Norwegian polar explorer Fridtjof Nansen, who served as the first High Commissioner for refugees during the failed League of Nations. Last year's winner was South Sudanese doctor Evan Atar Adaha, who runs an overcrowded hospital to service refugees from Blue Nile State.

Kyrgyz lawyer wins United Nations prize for battling statelessness

Pakistan removes Maleeha Lodhi, appoints Munir Akram as UN envoy. Watch video to know more.

Pakistan removes Maleeha Lodhi, appoints Munir Akram as UN envoy

A decision by Pakistan to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/day-after-imran-khan-returns-from-us-pakistan-removes-maleeha-lodhi-as-permanent-representative-to-un-252912">appoint a former diplomat as its ambassador to the United Nations</a> has sparked criticism over his alleged involvement in a domestic violence dispute in 2002.&nbsp;

Munir Akram "has been appointed as Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations in New York, in place of Dr. Maleeha Lodhi," the country's ministry of foreign affairs said in a statement late Monday.&nbsp;

Akram served a previous stint in the post from 2002 to 2008.

But in January 2003 the United States asked Pakistan to waive Akram's diplomatic immunity so that he could be prosecuted on assault charges.

According to press reports, New York police were called to Akram's home on December 10, 2002 by a woman who alleged the envoy had beaten her.

The woman told police dispatchers that the envoy had smashed her head into a wall, that her arm hurt and that he had hit her before, according to the newspaper accounts.

The case could have had potentially embarrassing diplomatic ramifications.&nbsp;

At the time, Pakistan was a key US ally in the war on terror, and had just taken up a seat on the UN Security Council, which was then considering whether to authorise military action against Iraq.

Akram, who enjoys full diplomatic immunity, was never charged.

Even so his return to the post ignited a swift backlash Tuesday, many from women angered over the decision.

"In the age of #MeToo, the appointment... sends absolutely the wrong message to Pakistan men AND women; being a domestic violence perpetrator will earn you not just protection from the government but also not harm your career," wrote feminist author Bina Shah in a statement posted on Twitter.&nbsp;

Others decried Akram's age -- he is in his 70s -- and his hawkishness over Pakistan's arch-rival India, with Pakistani media suggesting that his appointment hints at a new, more aggressive policy by Islamabad over the disputed region of Kashmir.

However many also praised him as a seasoned diplomat who would take up the role just as Pakistan is trying to rally the international community to challenge India over Kashmir.

The widely-respected Lodhi, who had served in the post for four years, said on Twitter that she had planned to move on after last week's UN General Assembly, and wished Akram luck in the role.

A decision by Pakistan to appoint a former diplomat as its ambassador to the United Nations has sparked criticism over his alleged involvement in a domestic violence dispute in 2002.

A decision by Pakistan to appoint a former diplomat as its ambassador to the United Nations has sparked criticism over his alleged involvement in a domestic violence dispute in 2002. Munir Akram "has been appointed as Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations in New York, in place of Dr. Maleeha Lodhi," the country's ministry of foreign affairs said in a statement late Monday. Akram served a previous stint in the post from 2002 to 2008. But in January 2003 the United States asked Pakistan to waive Akram's diplomatic immunity so that he could be prosecuted on assault charges. According to press reports, New York police were called to Akram's home on December 10, 2002 by a woman who alleged the envoy had beaten her. The woman told police dispatchers that the envoy had smashed her head into a wall, that her arm hurt and that he had hit her before, according to the newspaper accounts. The case could have had potentially embarrassing diplomatic ramifications. At the time, Pakistan was a key US ally in the war on terror, and had just taken up a seat on the UN Security Council, which was then considering whether to authorise military action against Iraq. Akram, who enjoys full diplomatic immunity, was never charged. Even so his return to the post ignited a swift backlash Tuesday, many from women angered over the decision. "In the age of #MeToo, the appointment... sends absolutely the wrong message to Pakistan men AND women; being a domestic violence perpetrator will earn you not just protection from the government but also not harm your career," wrote feminist author Bina Shah in a statement posted on Twitter. Others decried Akram's age -- he is in his 70s -- and his hawkishness over Pakistan's arch-rival India, with Pakistani media suggesting that his appointment hints at a new, more aggressive policy by Islamabad over the disputed region of Kashmir. However many also praised him as a seasoned diplomat who would take up the role just as Pakistan is trying to rally the international community to challenge India over Kashmir. The widely-respected Lodhi, who had served in the post for four years, said on Twitter that she had planned to move on after last week's UN General Assembly, and wished Akram luck in the role.

Outcry as Pakistan appoints new UN envoy Munir Akram

India's sacthing reply to Pak's rant, says 'Pak PM abused opportunity at UN'. Watch video to know more.

India's scathing reply to Pak's rant, says 'Pak PM abused opportunity at UN'

'Imran practised brinkmanship not statesmanship' India replies at UN. Watch video to know more.

'Imran practised brinkmanship not statesmanship' India replies at UN

Team WION analyses the big United Nations faceoff. Watch video to know more.

Team WION analyses the big United Nations faceoff

US asks Pakistan: Why ignore Uighurs muslims? Watch video to know more.

US asks Pakistan: Why ignore Uighurs muslims?

The first secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Maitra holds the official designation of the Deputy Secretary (DS) of the Policy Planning and Research (PP&R) Division. An IFS officer of the 2008 batch, she was awarded the EAM's Ambassador Bimal Sanyal Memorial Prize Gold Medal Best Officer Trainee in 2009.

Who is Vidisha Maitra?

In a 17-minute speech from the United Nation General Assembly, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/terrorism-is-the-biggest-global-challenge-for-humanitys-sake-lets-unite-against-terrorism-says-pm-narendra-modi-at-unga-252493">Prime minister Narendra Modi </a>spoke on development, India's world vision and peace, not war.

"Our country has never given 'Yudh' (war) to the world. It has given Buddha. It has always given the message of peace to the world," the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-hails-ayushman-bharat-at-unga-says-arrangements-made-give-a-motivational-message-to-world-252489">Indian prime minister</a> told the UN General Assembly.

Speaking in Tamil, PM quoted Kaniyan Pungundranar saying, "we have a feeling of oneness for all the places and people who are our own". He also quoted Swami Vivekananda saying India's message is "harmony and peace".&nbsp;

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-us-edition-big-unga-faceoff-the-contrasting-tales-of-two-prime-ministers-part-2-252519/embed" width="560" height="350" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" autoplay=1 allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

He highlighted his government's programmes like - financial programs, health insurance, cleanliness drive, housing programmes and digital identification process and the center of which are the people of India. He said his government's plan is to make India tuberculosis free by 2025.&nbsp;

He expressed appreciation for "no single-use plastics" in the UN. PM Modi said his government has "initiated a programme to remove single-use plastics from India" which received wide applause inside the General Assembly hall.

Climate change also formed a crucial part of his speech with PM saying, "we are one of the foremost countries to take steps on climate change.. we started the international solar alliance."

He invited world leaders to join India to lead "coalition for disaster resilient infrastructure" that will help the world to create an infrastructure which can withstand natural disasters.

Waring the world about the threat of terror, PM said, "terror is common fight of the world. The world is divided on terror that impacts the principals that lead to the birth of UN. The world needs to speak in one voice on terror."

Interestingly he made no mention of Pakistan during his speech, sending out a clear message of dehypenation to Islamabad. This is his second address to UNGA since 2014.

Unlike the Indian prime minister speech, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan spoke for 40 minutes and overshot his time limit. He raked up Kashmir, as expected and threatened that&nbsp;"there would be another Pulwama and guess what will happen, they would blame us."

In a 17-minute speech from the United Nation General Assembly, Prime minister Narendra Modi spoke on development, India's world vision and peace, not war. "Our country has never given 'Yudh' (war) to the world.

In a 17-minute speech from the United Nation General Assembly, Prime minister Narendra Modi spoke on development, India's world vision and peace, not war. "Our country has never given 'Yudh' (war) to the world. It has given Buddha. It has always given the message of peace to the world," the Indian prime minister told the UN General Assembly. Speaking in Tamil, PM quoted Kaniyan Pungundranar saying, "we have a feeling of oneness for all the places and people who are our own". He also quoted Swami Vivekananda saying India's message is "harmony and peace". Watch Video: He highlighted his government's programmes like - financial programs, health insurance, cleanliness drive, housing programmes and digital identification process and the center of which are the people of India. He said his government's plan is to make India tuberculosis free by 2025. He expressed appreciation for "no single-use plastics" in the UN. PM Modi said his government has "initiated a programme to remove single-use plastics from India" which received wide applause inside the General Assembly hall. Climate change also formed a crucial part of his speech with PM saying, "we are one of the foremost countries to take steps on climate change.. we started the international solar alliance." He invited world leaders to join India to lead "coalition for disaster resilient infrastructure" that will help the world to create an infrastructure which can withstand natural disasters. Waring the world about the threat of terror, PM said, "terror is common fight of the world. The world is divided on terror that impacts the principals that lead to the birth of UN. The world needs to speak in one voice on terror." Interestingly he made no mention of Pakistan during his speech, sending out a clear message of dehypenation to Islamabad. This is his second address to UNGA since 2014. Unlike the Indian prime minister speech, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan spoke for 40 minutes and overshot his time limit. He raked up Kashmir, as expected and threatened that "there would be another Pulwama and guess what will happen, they would blame us."

Buddha and not 'yudh', PM Modi's message of peace at UNGA

Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar whose forces have been battling to capture the seat of the UN-recognized government in Tripoli since April, said he was open to "dialogue" ahead of a special UN session Thursday.

His forces are fighting those of the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA), led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, in a country that has been plagued by violence since Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was killed in 2011.

"When all is said and done, we need dialogue, and we need to sit down" at the negotiating table, Haftar said in a statement issued Wednesday night.

Hours later, France and Italy brought together the conflict's regional actors in a special Thursday session on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Their mission: to unify the international community and coalesce around the best way out of the conflict.

Sarraj is backed by Turkey and Qatar, the latter of which was absent from the table. Haftar's allies, the UAE and Egypt, sat on the other side, as the small diplomatic gathering got underway.

The idea was to organize "political pressure on the main actors supporting each (Libyan) faction so that they might conclude that it's time to stop the military competition game and proxy war," a European diplomat said on condition of anonymity.

'No military solution'

Haftar's Wednesday declaration was seen as a positive sign after his faction declared only weeks prior that a "military solution" was the only way out.

Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army launched an offensive on April 4 to conquer the seat of Sarraj's government in Tripoli, and purge it of "terrorist groups."

The violence has killed more than 1,000 people according to the UN, and has seen the two sides become entrenched in a stalemate on the capital's southern outskirts.

Haftar has repeatedly hammered home that dialogue would "not be possible so long as terrorist groups and criminal militias control&nbsp;, Tripoli" in reference to forces loyal to the GNA.

But he hoped the UN meeting would lead to proposals that help "restore security and stability" in Libya.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, criticized for his support of Haftar before the Tripoli offensive, did not mince words.

"There will be no military solution in Libya. Those who think otherwise are wrong and risk dragging this country into a dramatic downward slide," he said ahead of the meeting, which was co-chaired by his Italian counterpart Luigi Di Maio.

'Africa has expertise'&nbsp;

Paris is particularly worried about the risk of an Islamic State insurgency in southern Libya.

The goal is for an agreement on four points: respect for a cease-fire, an arms embargo, sharing of oil resources, and organization of an inter-Libyan conference.

An international conference would gather the conflict's actors and their allies in Berlin, according to a plan proposed by UN envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame.

Countries in North Africa's Sahel region have been hit hard by the shockwaves and fallout from the Libyan crisis, and have taken a greater role in the African Union's efforts to settle the conflict.

Regional leaders called this week for the appointment of a joint UN-AU special envoy.

"Africa has expertise which has just been confirmed in the Sudan crisis," Mahamadou Issoufou, president of Niger, said.

"Libya is on the African continent, Libya is African, we cannot solve the Libyan problem by leaving the AU at the margin," he said.

Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar whose forces have been battling to capture the seat of the UN-recognized government in Tripoli since April, said he was open to "dialogue" ahead of a special UN session Thursday.

Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar whose forces have been battling to capture the seat of the UN-recognized government in Tripoli since April, said he was open to "dialogue" ahead of a special UN session Thursday. His forces are fighting those of the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA), led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, in a country that has been plagued by violence since Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was killed in 2011. "When all is said and done, we need dialogue, and we need to sit down" at the negotiating table, Haftar said in a statement issued Wednesday night. Hours later, France and Italy brought together the conflict's regional actors in a special Thursday session on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. Their mission: to unify the international community and coalesce around the best way out of the conflict. Sarraj is backed by Turkey and Qatar, the latter of which was absent from the table. Haftar's allies, the UAE and Egypt, sat on the other side, as the small diplomatic gathering got underway. The idea was to organize "political pressure on the main actors supporting each (Libyan) faction so that they might conclude that it's time to stop the military competition game and proxy war," a European diplomat said on condition of anonymity. 'No military solution' Haftar's Wednesday declaration was seen as a positive sign after his faction declared only weeks prior that a "military solution" was the only way out. Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army launched an offensive on April 4 to conquer the seat of Sarraj's government in Tripoli, and purge it of "terrorist groups." The violence has killed more than 1,000 people according to the UN, and has seen the two sides become entrenched in a stalemate on the capital's southern outskirts. Haftar has repeatedly hammered home that dialogue would "not be possible so long as terrorist groups and criminal militias control , Tripoli" in reference to forces loyal to the GNA. But he hoped the UN meeting would lead to proposals that help "restore security and stability" in Libya. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, criticized for his support of Haftar before the Tripoli offensive, did not mince words. "There will be no military solution in Libya. Those who think otherwise are wrong and risk dragging this country into a dramatic downward slide," he said ahead of the meeting, which was co-chaired by his Italian counterpart Luigi Di Maio. 'Africa has expertise' Paris is particularly worried about the risk of an Islamic State insurgency in southern Libya. The goal is for an agreement on four points: respect for a cease-fire, an arms embargo, sharing of oil resources, and organization of an inter-Libyan conference. An international conference would gather the conflict's actors and their allies in Berlin, according to a plan proposed by UN envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame. Countries in North Africa's Sahel region have been hit hard by the shockwaves and fallout from the Libyan crisis, and have taken a greater role in the African Union's efforts to settle the conflict. Regional leaders called this week for the appointment of a joint UN-AU special envoy. "Africa has expertise which has just been confirmed in the Sudan crisis," Mahamadou Issoufou, president of Niger, said. "Libya is on the African continent, Libya is African, we cannot solve the Libyan problem by leaving the AU at the margin," he said.

Haftar ready for 'dialogue' as UN pressures Libya's warring factions

Before starting his first address before the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/at-unga-today-pm-modi-to-lead-from-the-front-252332">United Nations General Assembly </a>on Thursday, 38-year-old El Salvador President Nayib Bukele asked the audience to hold on a second, took out his phone, and snapped a selfie.

"Believe me, many more people will see this selfie than will hear this speech," Bukele quipped before delivering his address calling on the United Nations to change with the times and for world leaders to do more to connect with their countries' youth.

The former mayor of the capital, San Salvador, who took office in June, is a prolific user of social media. In his speech, he attributed his election victory to his mastery of platforms like Facebook Live, which he said his political opponents did not fully grasp.

After finishing his speech, Bukele uploaded the photo to Twitter, where it received more than 7,000 likes in less than an hour. The picture showed him smiling in front of the U.N. logo - a map of the world surrounded by olive branches - and Argentine U.N. Ambassador Martin Garcia Moritan, one of several General Assembly vice presidents.

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— Nayib Bukele (@nayibbukele) <a href="https://twitter.com/nayibbukele/status/1177305252179193862?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"Maybe in a few years, thousands of us will not have to travel to New York to meet in this building," Bukele said. "A series of videoconferences would have cost several hundred million dollars less, and I'm sure it would have the same effect, if not greater."

Before starting his first address before the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, 38-year-old El Salvador President Nayib Bukele asked the audience to hold on a second, took out his phone, and snapped a selfie.

Before starting his first address before the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, 38-year-old El Salvador President Nayib Bukele asked the audience to hold on a second, took out his phone, and snapped a selfie. "Believe me, many more people will see this selfie than will hear this speech," Bukele quipped before delivering his address calling on the United Nations to change with the times and for world leaders to do more to connect with their countries' youth. The former mayor of the capital, San Salvador, who took office in June, is a prolific user of social media. In his speech, he attributed his election victory to his mastery of platforms like Facebook Live, which he said his political opponents did not fully grasp. After finishing his speech, Bukele uploaded the photo to Twitter, where it received more than 7,000 likes in less than an hour. The picture showed him smiling in front of the U.N. logo - a map of the world surrounded by olive branches - and Argentine U.N. Ambassador Martin Garcia Moritan, one of several General Assembly vice presidents. #UNSelfie pic.twitter.com/P7qH5p2l04 — Nayib Bukele (@nayibbukele) September 26, 2019 × "Maybe in a few years, thousands of us will not have to travel to New York to meet in this building," Bukele said. "A series of videoconferences would have cost several hundred million dollars less, and I'm sure it would have the same effect, if not greater."

'Just bear with me', El Salvador President Nayib Bukele takes selfie before his first address at UNGA

Despite support from China and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/saudi-crown-prince-expected-to-seal-multi-billion-dollar-deals-in-pakistan-196969">Saudi Arabia</a> and a huge <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/imf-approves-6-billion-loan-for-pakistan-to-right-the-nations-economy-232863">IMF loan that helped Pakistan</a> to address its immediate economic crisis, the United Nations on Thursday said that the country is still in the midst of a crisis.

In a brief comment on Pakistan in the Asia section, UN's Trade and Development Report 2019 said that "Pakistan is in the midst of a crisis" as the growth rate has halved, the balance of payments is in poor shape, the rupee has depreciated significantly and external debt is large and rising, reported The Dawn.

Meanwhile, the report also stated that slowdown observed in the rate of growth of the Chinese economy from 2017 onwards is projected to intensify in 2019 because of the trade and technology tensions.

The slowing of China's trade growth has a major impact on other East Asian and South-East Asian economies since it is likely that the integrated value chains spread across these economies and linked to China would be disrupted, the report noted.

The report further stated that public banking should be given back its traditional, bigger role if the environmental and economic landscape is to be transformed by 2030.

The annual fiscal deficit of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistans-belly-dance-formula-to-revive-economy-248440">Pakistan</a>&nbsp;to the highest in the last three decades at 8.9 per cent for the financial year 2018-19.

The fiscal deficit is a difference between revenues and expenditures of the federal government.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, who was elected on an anti-corruption plank and a pledge to end austerity measures, had vowed to improve the depleting economic situation of the cash-strapped country.

In reality, prices of gas and oil products and electricity in Pakistan have risen considerably, burning a hole in common man's pocket.

Despite support from China and Saudi Arabia and a huge IMF loan that helped Pakistan to address its immediate economic crisis, the United Nations on Thursday said that the country is still in the midst of a crisis.

Despite support from China and Saudi Arabia and a huge IMF loan that helped Pakistan to address its immediate economic crisis, the United Nations on Thursday said that the country is still in the midst of a crisis. In a brief comment on Pakistan in the Asia section, UN's Trade and Development Report 2019 said that "Pakistan is in the midst of a crisis" as the growth rate has halved, the balance of payments is in poor shape, the rupee has depreciated significantly and external debt is large and rising, reported The Dawn. Meanwhile, the report also stated that slowdown observed in the rate of growth of the Chinese economy from 2017 onwards is projected to intensify in 2019 because of the trade and technology tensions. The slowing of China's trade growth has a major impact on other East Asian and South-East Asian economies since it is likely that the integrated value chains spread across these economies and linked to China would be disrupted, the report noted. The report further stated that public banking should be given back its traditional, bigger role if the environmental and economic landscape is to be transformed by 2030. The annual fiscal deficit of Pakistan to the highest in the last three decades at 8.9 per cent for the financial year 2018-19. The fiscal deficit is a difference between revenues and expenditures of the federal government. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, who was elected on an anti-corruption plank and a pledge to end austerity measures, had vowed to improve the depleting economic situation of the cash-strapped country. In reality, prices of gas and oil products and electricity in Pakistan have risen considerably, burning a hole in common man's pocket.

Pakistan in midst of economic crisis despite support from China, IMF: U.N.

President Trump meets face to face with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine for the first time today at the UN General Assembly.

Trump meets Ukraine's Zelensky at United Nations

UN Releases Special Stamp To Pay Tribute To Mahatma Gandhi

Gravitas U.S. Edition: UN pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday (local time) said that over 195 solar panels had been installed in the United Nations (UN) Headquarters by India as a mark of tribute to the Mahatma Gandhi.

"The United Nations commemorated 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi by planting 150 trees and India erected 195 solar panels on the terrace of UN," Javadekar told ANI.

Earlier today, PM Modi inaugurated a 50 kilowatt 'Gandhi Solar Park' at the Headquarters of the UN, on the second leg of his visit to the United States.

The event was hosted to celebrate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, which will underline the continuing relevance of Gandhian thoughts and values in today's world.&nbsp;

Javadekar said that the initiative by PM Modi was appreciated by the leaders across the world."This was a unique program. [The teachings of] non-violence, peace, antyodaya (uplifting of the weakest section of the society) by Mahatma Gandhi was remembered," he added.

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday (local time) said that over 195 solar panels had been installed in the United Nations (UN) Headquarters by India as a mark of tribute to the Mahatma Gandhi.

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday (local time) said that over 195 solar panels had been installed in the United Nations (UN) Headquarters by India as a mark of tribute to the Mahatma Gandhi. "The United Nations commemorated 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi by planting 150 trees and India erected 195 solar panels on the terrace of UN," Javadekar told ANI. Earlier today, PM Modi inaugurated a 50 kilowatt 'Gandhi Solar Park' at the Headquarters of the UN, on the second leg of his visit to the United States. The event was hosted to celebrate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, which will underline the continuing relevance of Gandhian thoughts and values in today's world. Javadekar said that the initiative by PM Modi was appreciated by the leaders across the world."This was a unique program. [The teachings of] non-violence, peace, antyodaya (uplifting of the weakest section of the society) by Mahatma Gandhi was remembered," he added.

Over 130 solar panels installed by India on UN's rooftop: Prakash Javadekar

Indian PM Modi & U.S. President Trump's meet at UN for bilateral talks. Watch this video to know in detail.

Indian PM Modi & U.S. President Trump's meet at UN for bilateral talks

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

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

Pak PM Imran Khan ignores Indian Media's questions in PC. Watch video to know more.

Pakistan PM Imran Khan ignores WION's question

Two million <a href="https://www.wionews.com/west-asia/in-yemen-a-child-dies-every-10-minutes-from-easily-preventable-diseases-175690">children</a> are out of school in war-torn Yemen, a fourth of whom have dropped out since the conflict escalated in March 2015, the UN children's agency said Wednesday.

The education of a further 3.7 million children is at risk as teachers' salaries have not been paid in more than two years, UNICEF said in a statement.

"Violence, displacement and attacks on schools are preventing many children from accessing school," said Sara Beysolow Nyanti, a UNICEF representative in Yemen.&nbsp;

One in five schools in the country can no longer be used as a direct result of the conflict that has devastated Yemen's already fragile education system, the UN agency says.&nbsp;

"Children out of school face increased risks of all forms of exploitation including being <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/more-than-800-child-soldiers-recruited-in-yemen-un-150600">forced to join the fighting</a>, child labour and early marriage," Nyanti said.&nbsp;

"They lose the opportunity to develop and grow in a caring and stimulating environment, ultimately becoming trapped in a life of poverty and hardship," Nyanti added.

Tens of thousands of people, mostly civilians, have been killed since Saudi Arabia and its allies intervened in March 2015 in support of the beleaguered government after the Iran-aligned Huthi rebels captured the capital Sanaa.

The fighting has displaced millions and left 24.1 million -&nbsp;more than two-thirds of the population - in&nbsp;need of aid.

According to UNICEF, 1.8 million children under the age of five are suffering from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/around-20-million-yemenis-food-insecure-due-to-ongoing-conflict-un-182515">severe malnutrition</a>.&nbsp;

The United Nations has described Yemen as the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

Two million children are out of school in war-torn Yemen, a fourth of whom have dropped out since the conflict escalated in March 2015, the UN children's agency said Wednesday.

Two million children are out of school in war-torn Yemen, a fourth of whom have dropped out since the conflict escalated in March 2015, the UN children's agency said Wednesday. The education of a further 3.7 million children is at risk as teachers' salaries have not been paid in more than two years, UNICEF said in a statement. "Violence, displacement and attacks on schools are preventing many children from accessing school," said Sara Beysolow Nyanti, a UNICEF representative in Yemen. One in five schools in the country can no longer be used as a direct result of the conflict that has devastated Yemen's already fragile education system, the UN agency says. "Children out of school face increased risks of all forms of exploitation including being forced to join the fighting, child labour and early marriage," Nyanti said. "They lose the opportunity to develop and grow in a caring and stimulating environment, ultimately becoming trapped in a life of poverty and hardship," Nyanti added. Tens of thousands of people, mostly civilians, have been killed since Saudi Arabia and its allies intervened in March 2015 in support of the beleaguered government after the Iran-aligned Huthi rebels captured the capital Sanaa. The fighting has displaced millions and left 24.1 million - more than two-thirds of the population - in need of aid. According to UNICEF, 1.8 million children under the age of five are suffering from severe malnutrition. The United Nations has described Yemen as the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

Two million children out of school in war-torn Yemen: UN

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Tuesday hailed Mahatma Gandhi's unifying power of inter-faith and inter-cultural understanding that bind all people and all religions across the globe, at a cultural event hosted by India at the United Nations.

Addressing an event to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of the Mahatma at the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), along with other world leaders, Ardern said, "At a time when religion could have been used to divide us we saw the unifying power of inter-faith and inter-cultural understanding. Gandhi himself understood the inner truths of all faiths of dignity and humanity that bind all people and all religion."

"Gandhi himself said that we should cultivate non-violence in our daily lives along with truthfulness, humility, and tolerance. These are challenges not only faced by my country but others across the globe as well," she added.

The Prime Minister started her speech by saying 'Namaste'&nbsp;and stated, "Our presence here is a reflection of the close ties between India and New Zealand and also the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi which was felt in the farthest corners of the globe including New Zealand."

"I had first heard of the Mahatma when I was a schoolgirl," she started.

"Gandhi himself understood the inner truths of all faiths of dignity and humanity that bind all people and all religion. Like Gandhi, we should not be afraid to stand up and transform our society for the better," the prime minister stressed further.

She said that New Zealand has recently witnessed a tragic consequence of intolerance and violence, and added, "I saw terrorism sought to divide us and took the lives of 51 innocent worshippers."

Ardern's remarks came in the wake of 15 March's Christchurch mosque shootings in her country which killed 51 people.

Yet in the face of this act of hatred and violence, the Muslim community in New Zealand opened doors for all New Zealanders and the world to grieve with them.

The act of peace was a powerful and empowering message.

By opening the doors they sowed the seeds of forgiveness, diversity, humanity and love, the leader noted.

Ardern also said that Gandhi had mulled the expression of political dissent through non-violent opposition.

"It is critical to resolving tensions in a peaceful manner. I believe that Gandhi's legacy as relevant as it was before. It calls on us to reject bigotry and embrace kindness and truth," she told the attendees.

In her concluding remarks, she said, "We look forward to Gandhi's principles to address the pressing problems. There are three aspects of Gandhi message that carry particular weight: tolerance, equality and quantity of non-violence and peace."

"These are values that we should always keep in the forefronts of our minds not just in good times but especially when faced with difficult choices," she noted further.

World leaders including Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and South Korean President Moon-Jae-in were also present at the occasion in New York.

The event was hosted to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, which underlined the continuing relevance of Gandhian thoughts and values in today's world.&nbsp;

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Tuesday hailed Mahatma Gandhi's unifying power of inter-faith and inter-cultural understanding that bind all people and all religions across the globe, at a cultural event hosted by India at the United Nations.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Tuesday hailed Mahatma Gandhi's unifying power of inter-faith and inter-cultural understanding that bind all people and all religions across the globe, at a cultural event hosted by India at the United Nations. Addressing an event to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of the Mahatma at the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), along with other world leaders, Ardern said, "At a time when religion could have been used to divide us we saw the unifying power of inter-faith and inter-cultural understanding. Gandhi himself understood the inner truths of all faiths of dignity and humanity that bind all people and all religion." "Gandhi himself said that we should cultivate non-violence in our daily lives along with truthfulness, humility, and tolerance. These are challenges not only faced by my country but others across the globe as well," she added. The Prime Minister started her speech by saying 'Namaste' and stated, "Our presence here is a reflection of the close ties between India and New Zealand and also the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi which was felt in the farthest corners of the globe including New Zealand." "I had first heard of the Mahatma when I was a schoolgirl," she started. "Gandhi himself understood the inner truths of all faiths of dignity and humanity that bind all people and all religion. Like Gandhi, we should not be afraid to stand up and transform our society for the better," the prime minister stressed further. She said that New Zealand has recently witnessed a tragic consequence of intolerance and violence, and added, "I saw terrorism sought to divide us and took the lives of 51 innocent worshippers." Ardern's remarks came in the wake of 15 March's Christchurch mosque shootings in her country which killed 51 people. Yet in the face of this act of hatred and violence, the Muslim community in New Zealand opened doors for all New Zealanders and the world to grieve with them. The act of peace was a powerful and empowering message. By opening the doors they sowed the seeds of forgiveness, diversity, humanity and love, the leader noted. Ardern also said that Gandhi had mulled the expression of political dissent through non-violent opposition. "It is critical to resolving tensions in a peaceful manner. I believe that Gandhi's legacy as relevant as it was before. It calls on us to reject bigotry and embrace kindness and truth," she told the attendees. In her concluding remarks, she said, "We look forward to Gandhi's principles to address the pressing problems. There are three aspects of Gandhi message that carry particular weight: tolerance, equality and quantity of non-violence and peace." "These are values that we should always keep in the forefronts of our minds not just in good times but especially when faced with difficult choices," she noted further. World leaders including Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and South Korean President Moon-Jae-in were also present at the occasion in New York. The event was hosted to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, which underlined the continuing relevance of Gandhian thoughts and values in today's world.

New Zealand PM hails Gandhi's unifying power of inter-faith, inter-cultural understanding

Key Takeaways From The UN Youth Climate Summit.

Gravitas U.S. Edition: Young Climate Activists Keep Pressure On World Leaders

After global street protests demanding action on climate change, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-how-dare-you-greta-thunberg-thunders-at-world-leaders-at-united-nations-251573">Greta Thunberg and 15 other</a> young activists on Monday filed a complaint at the UN against five countries for not doing enough to ward off global warming.

The complaint accused Germany, France, Brazil, Argentina and Turkey of failing to uphold their obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, signed 30 years ago.

The complaint, filed by the 16-year-old Swedish activist and 15 other petitioners from 12 different countries and aged between eight and 17, accused the five countries of violating children's rights by failing to take adequate and timely action against climate change.

It was filed after Thunberg delivered a searing attack on world leaders for their slow response to climate change at a special session kicking off the UN General Assembly in New York.

Every member of the United Nations except the United States has ratified the convention to protect the health and rights of children.&nbsp;

Monday's complaint focuses on a little-known "optional protocol" that came into effect in 2014 that allows children to file a complaint to the Committee on the Rights of the Child if they feel their rights are being denied. &nbsp;

The committee is then meant to investigate the charges before making recommendations to the countries concerned on how they can fix the issue.&nbsp;

The 16 young people were backed by the legal firm Hausfeld LLP and Earthjustice, an environmental law group.

Lawyer Michael Hausfeld said that while the committee's recommendations are not legally binding, the 44 countries that ratified the protocol pledged to respect them. He said he hoped the recommendations would be made in the coming 12 months.

The five countries named in the complaint are among the 44 that ratified the protocol and are also among the top global polluters, as well as being members of the G20 group of leading global economies.&nbsp;

The largest polluters in the world - the United States, China and India - did not ratify the protocol.

Countries like France and Germany may have recently begun working to tackle greenhouse gas emissions, but have also played a large role historically in polluting the atmosphere, the law firm argued.

After global street protests demanding action on climate change, Greta Thunberg and 15 other young activists on Monday filed a complaint at the UN against five countries for not doing enough to ward off global warming.

After global street protests demanding action on climate change, Greta Thunberg and 15 other young activists on Monday filed a complaint at the UN against five countries for not doing enough to ward off global warming. The complaint accused Germany, France, Brazil, Argentina and Turkey of failing to uphold their obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, signed 30 years ago. The complaint, filed by the 16-year-old Swedish activist and 15 other petitioners from 12 different countries and aged between eight and 17, accused the five countries of violating children's rights by failing to take adequate and timely action against climate change. It was filed after Thunberg delivered a searing attack on world leaders for their slow response to climate change at a special session kicking off the UN General Assembly in New York. Every member of the United Nations except the United States has ratified the convention to protect the health and rights of children. Monday's complaint focuses on a little-known "optional protocol" that came into effect in 2014 that allows children to file a complaint to the Committee on the Rights of the Child if they feel their rights are being denied. The committee is then meant to investigate the charges before making recommendations to the countries concerned on how they can fix the issue. The 16 young people were backed by the legal firm Hausfeld LLP and Earthjustice, an environmental law group. Lawyer Michael Hausfeld said that while the committee's recommendations are not legally binding, the 44 countries that ratified the protocol pledged to respect them. He said he hoped the recommendations would be made in the coming 12 months. The five countries named in the complaint are among the 44 that ratified the protocol and are also among the top global polluters, as well as being members of the G20 group of leading global economies. The largest polluters in the world - the United States, China and India - did not ratify the protocol. Countries like France and Germany may have recently begun working to tackle greenhouse gas emissions, but have also played a large role historically in polluting the atmosphere, the law firm argued.

After protests at climate change summit, Greta Thunberg, others file UN complaint against five countries

The members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community from Pakistan have alleged persecution and demanded justice during a side event organized on the margins the 42nd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

In 1974, Pakistan's Constitution was amended and the Ahmadis, a minority community, were declared non-Muslims according to the new law.

In 1984, under the rule of former President General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, the Pakistani government enacted ordinance and made it a criminal offence, punishable by three years imprisonment and a fine, for the Ahmadis to call themselves as Muslims, refer to their faith as Islam, call their place of worship a 'Mosque' and make the call for prayers (Azan).

Fareed Ahmad, the National Secretary for the External Affairs of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in UK said, "The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is being targeted.&nbsp;The legislation calls for Ahmadiyyas to be targeted so why should we not call out against them?"

He added, "Hundreds of Ahmadis have been killed in Pakistan. Thousands of our community members have been harassed.&nbsp;Tens of thousands are being charged under the laws. We do not have access to a proper education system. We have also been denied the fundamental right to vote in Pakistan."

Many of the Ahmadis are being falsely targeted under the country's blasphemy law, the activist alleged.

Meanwhile, Sir Iftikhar Ahmad Ayaz, a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community said that the Pakistani Constitution promises equal rights for every citizen, but "members of our community are facing persecution".

He said, "The whole world knows what is happening to the Ahmadis in Pakistan in relation to their civic and economic rights, education. They are being deprived of everything. And, yet Article 20 of its Constitution states that everyone will be granted freedom of religion.&nbsp;In Pakistan, our community is not even allowed to possess our holy scriptures as well as the Quran."

The event, which was attended by members of the European Parliament and the former European politicians, was organized in order to raise the voices of the Ahmadiyya community that has faced suppression and decades of severe state-sponsored persecution.

Hundreds of Ahmadi Muslims have been murdered in recent years, with many facing a relentless tide of vilification, harassment, and violence.

In 2017 nationwide anti-Ahmadi protests brought Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, to a standstill.

The situation has been described by some observers as equivalent to genocide in Pakistan.

The members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community from Pakistan have alleged persecution and demanded justice during a side event organized on the margins the 42nd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

The members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community from Pakistan have alleged persecution and demanded justice during a side event organized on the margins the 42nd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. In 1974, Pakistan's Constitution was amended and the Ahmadis, a minority community, were declared non-Muslims according to the new law. In 1984, under the rule of former President General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, the Pakistani government enacted ordinance and made it a criminal offence, punishable by three years imprisonment and a fine, for the Ahmadis to call themselves as Muslims, refer to their faith as Islam, call their place of worship a 'Mosque' and make the call for prayers (Azan). Fareed Ahmad, the National Secretary for the External Affairs of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in UK said, "The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is being targeted. The legislation calls for Ahmadiyyas to be targeted so why should we not call out against them?" He added, "Hundreds of Ahmadis have been killed in Pakistan. Thousands of our community members have been harassed. Tens of thousands are being charged under the laws. We do not have access to a proper education system. We have also been denied the fundamental right to vote in Pakistan." Many of the Ahmadis are being falsely targeted under the country's blasphemy law, the activist alleged. Meanwhile, Sir Iftikhar Ahmad Ayaz, a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community said that the Pakistani Constitution promises equal rights for every citizen, but "members of our community are facing persecution". He said, "The whole world knows what is happening to the Ahmadis in Pakistan in relation to their civic and economic rights, education. They are being deprived of everything. And, yet Article 20 of its Constitution states that everyone will be granted freedom of religion. In Pakistan, our community is not even allowed to possess our holy scriptures as well as the Quran." The event, which was attended by members of the European Parliament and the former European politicians, was organized in order to raise the voices of the Ahmadiyya community that has faced suppression and decades of severe state-sponsored persecution. Hundreds of Ahmadi Muslims have been murdered in recent years, with many facing a relentless tide of vilification, harassment, and violence. In 2017 nationwide anti-Ahmadi protests brought Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, to a standstill. The situation has been described by some observers as equivalent to genocide in Pakistan.

Pakistan's Ahmadiyya Muslims allege persecution, demand justice at UN event

The United Nations special envoy for Syria arrived in Damascus on Sunday for fresh talks on forming a committee tasked with drafting a new constitution for the war-ravaged country.&nbsp;

Geir Pedersen was set to meet with Foreign Minister Walid Muallem on Monday to discuss the committee, the UN-backed push for which has been bogged down by disagreements with President Bashar al-Assad's government over the make-up of the body. &nbsp;

On arrival in the Syrian capital, Pedersen said he was "looking very much forward" to his meeting with Muallem, recalling the "productive meetings" they had during his last visit in July.

The Norwegian diplomat, who took up the role in January, said progress has been made since.

On Wednesday, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said an agreement had been reached concerning the formation of the body.&nbsp;

The committee is set to include 150 members, a third picked by the regime, another by the opposition and the remaining third by the UN.

Besides its composition, the mechanisms that will govern the committee's work have yet to be agreed upon, prompting fears among diplomats that concrete progress is still months away.

According to the pro-Damascus daily Al-Watan, Pedersen could make a formal announcement on the constitutional committee at the UN General Assembly, which opens in New York this week.

Numerous rounds of the UN-led peace talks have failed to end a war that has <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-1100-children-were-killed-in-the-syrian-war-in-2018-deadliest-year-202550">killed more than 370,000 people</a> and displaced millions since erupting in 2011 with the repression of anti-government protests.

In recent years, a parallel negotiations track led by Russia and rebel backer Turkey has taken precedence.

With key military backing from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/regime-and-russian-air-strikes-killed-43-people-in-northwest-syria-war-monitor-237768">Russia</a>, Assad's forces have retaken large parts of Syria from rebels and jihadists since 2015, and now control around 60 percent of the country.

The United Nations special envoy for Syria arrived in Damascus on Sunday for fresh talks on forming a committee tasked with drafting a new constitution for the war-ravaged country.

The United Nations special envoy for Syria arrived in Damascus on Sunday for fresh talks on forming a committee tasked with drafting a new constitution for the war-ravaged country. Geir Pedersen was set to meet with Foreign Minister Walid Muallem on Monday to discuss the committee, the UN-backed push for which has been bogged down by disagreements with President Bashar al-Assad's government over the make-up of the body. On arrival in the Syrian capital, Pedersen said he was "looking very much forward" to his meeting with Muallem, recalling the "productive meetings" they had during his last visit in July. The Norwegian diplomat, who took up the role in January, said progress has been made since. On Wednesday, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said an agreement had been reached concerning the formation of the body. The committee is set to include 150 members, a third picked by the regime, another by the opposition and the remaining third by the UN. Besides its composition, the mechanisms that will govern the committee's work have yet to be agreed upon, prompting fears among diplomats that concrete progress is still months away. According to the pro-Damascus daily Al-Watan, Pedersen could make a formal announcement on the constitutional committee at the UN General Assembly, which opens in New York this week. Numerous rounds of the UN-led peace talks have failed to end a war that has killed more than 370,000 people and displaced millions since erupting in 2011 with the repression of anti-government protests. In recent years, a parallel negotiations track led by Russia and rebel backer Turkey has taken precedence. With key military backing from Russia, Assad's forces have retaken large parts of Syria from rebels and jihadists since 2015, and now control around 60 percent of the country.

UN Syria envoy arrives in Damascus for fresh talks on forming committee tasked with drafting new constitution

The work done under Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s flagship healthcare scheme Ayushman Bharat in the past one year has received commendation from the United Nations (UN), World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World bank alike, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Monday.

Speaking to ANI on the completion of the first year of Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), he said, "This biggest health insurance scheme has brought smiles on the faces of lakhs of people in the country. People are thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji for this blessing. I am glad to inform that Ayushman Bharat scheme has been appreciated by the United Nations, World Health Organisation and World Bank."

Vardhan noted that more than 47 lakh people have received benefits worth Rs 7,500 crores in the past 12 months, and approximately 60 per cent of this amount has been spent on tertiary-care.

"Over 10 crore e-cards have been generated and about 18,000 hospitals have been empanelled under AB-PMJAY. Out of the total hospitals empanelled, 53 per cent are private, especially multi-speciality. There are 9 hospital admissions every minute across India," said the Health minister.

As of today, the scheme has been implemented in 32 States and Union Territories.

A unique feature of AB-PMJAY is its portability, which has helped atleast 42,631 eligible poor and migrant workers to seek treatment outside their states, said the health minister.

AB-PMJAY is the flagship scheme of Government of India that provides a cover of up to Rs 5 lakhs per family per year, for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to over 10.74 crore vulnerable entitled families (approximately 50 crore beneficiaries).

Last year on 23 September, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched PM-JAY from Ranchi, Jharkhand.&nbsp;

The work done under Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s flagship healthcare scheme Ayushman Bharat in the past one year has received commendation from the United Nations (UN), World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World bank alike, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Monday.

The work done under Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s flagship healthcare scheme Ayushman Bharat in the past one year has received commendation from the United Nations (UN), World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World bank alike, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Monday. Speaking to ANI on the completion of the first year of Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), he said, "This biggest health insurance scheme has brought smiles on the faces of lakhs of people in the country. People are thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji for this blessing. I am glad to inform that Ayushman Bharat scheme has been appreciated by the United Nations, World Health Organisation and World Bank." Vardhan noted that more than 47 lakh people have received benefits worth Rs 7,500 crores in the past 12 months, and approximately 60 per cent of this amount has been spent on tertiary-care. "Over 10 crore e-cards have been generated and about 18,000 hospitals have been empanelled under AB-PMJAY. Out of the total hospitals empanelled, 53 per cent are private, especially multi-speciality. There are 9 hospital admissions every minute across India," said the Health minister. As of today, the scheme has been implemented in 32 States and Union Territories. A unique feature of AB-PMJAY is its portability, which has helped atleast 42,631 eligible poor and migrant workers to seek treatment outside their states, said the health minister. AB-PMJAY is the flagship scheme of Government of India that provides a cover of up to Rs 5 lakhs per family per year, for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to over 10.74 crore vulnerable entitled families (approximately 50 crore beneficiaries). Last year on 23 September, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched PM-JAY from Ranchi, Jharkhand.

Work done under Ayushman Bharat scheme commended by UN, WHO, World Bank: Harsh Vardhan

Riot police and protesters in Hong Kong fought brief skirmishes near the Chinese border on Saturday, the latest clashes during huge pro-democracy protests that have battered the financial hub for more than three months.

Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at small groups of hardcore activists who had built barricades in the outlying town of Tuen Mun, some of them lobbing bricks and at least one Molotov cocktail.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/when-will-you-die-hong-kong-leader-carrie-lam-grilled-at-press-conference-242677">'When will you die?' Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam grilled at press conference</a>

Multiple protesters were seen being arrested in the clashes, which were less sustained than the intense battles of previous weekends.

The city has been convulsed by months of huge, sometimes violent rallies calling for greater democratic freedoms and police accountability.

The movement is the biggest challenge to China's rule since <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amnesty-accuses-hong-kong-police-of-abuses-torture-of-protestors-250814">Hong Kong</a> was handed back by Britain in 1997 and shows no sign of ending, with city leaders and Beijing taking a hard line.

Saturday's clashes were the 16th straight weekend of protests and skirmishes.

In a now-familiar pattern, the day began with a peaceful rally through Tuen Mun, a town in Hong Kong's northwest, close to the border with mainland China.

At one point, a handful of protesters pulled down China's flag flying outside a local government office and burned it.

Tensions soon spiked after police snatch squads rushed into a park where crowds had gathered and made a series of arrests.

Hundreds of hardcore activists then built barricades and dismantled nearby fences to arm themselves with makeshift clubs. Objects were also thrown onto nearby train tracks.

But protesters showed little appetite in holding ground, quickly retreating as soon as tear gas and rubber bullets were fired by police.

By Saturday evening, pockets of demonstrators and police were playing a familiar game of cat and mouse.

Calvin Tan, 22, was among those taking part in the rally earlier in the day.

He said most protesters were prepared for a "long term fight".

"Every small protest matters, even though it doesn't seem to help that much, it's like each small step in a marathon," he told AFP.

'No choice'

Tan described himself as a moderate who avoids clashes with police. But he said he ideologically supports those on the frontlines.

"When facing institutional violence, we have no choice but to respond with street fights," he said. "We have tried peaceful, rational and non-violent methods and continued using these ways to fight for our demands."

Hong Kong has been plunged into crisis this summer.

The protests were ignited by a now-scrapped plan to allow extraditions to the authoritarian Chinese mainland.

But when local leaders and Beijing refused to budge it snowballed into a wider campaign for democracy, fuelled by animosity towards the police.

Protesters have hurled rocks, bottles and petrol bombs as well as used slingshots in their battles with police, who have responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons with growing frequency.

On Friday Amnesty International released a report accusing Hong Kong's police of using excessive force, in some cases amounting to torture.

The UN's rights watchdog has also criticized the city's police.

But the city's force rejects such criticism, saying their officers have used proportionate force against hardcore protesters who are showing increasing levels of violence.

At a briefing with foreign journalists on Friday, a senior commanding officer said he was alarmed by the latest tactics from protesters.

"Our officers are worried that&nbsp;violence has got to such a level that they might have to kill someone or be killed themselves," he said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"We have been so restrained but in the face of such violence, this pressure has become extremely dangerous."

Riot police and protesters in Hong Kong fought brief skirmishes near the Chinese border on Saturday, the latest clashes during huge pro-democracy protests that have battered the financial hub for more than three months.

Riot police and protesters in Hong Kong fought brief skirmishes near the Chinese border on Saturday, the latest clashes during huge pro-democracy protests that have battered the financial hub for more than three months. Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at small groups of hardcore activists who had built barricades in the outlying town of Tuen Mun, some of them lobbing bricks and at least one Molotov cocktail. Also read: 'When will you die?' Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam grilled at press conference Multiple protesters were seen being arrested in the clashes, which were less sustained than the intense battles of previous weekends. The city has been convulsed by months of huge, sometimes violent rallies calling for greater democratic freedoms and police accountability. The movement is the biggest challenge to China's rule since Hong Kong was handed back by Britain in 1997 and shows no sign of ending, with city leaders and Beijing taking a hard line. Saturday's clashes were the 16th straight weekend of protests and skirmishes. In a now-familiar pattern, the day began with a peaceful rally through Tuen Mun, a town in Hong Kong's northwest, close to the border with mainland China. At one point, a handful of protesters pulled down China's flag flying outside a local government office and burned it. Tensions soon spiked after police snatch squads rushed into a park where crowds had gathered and made a series of arrests. Hundreds of hardcore activists then built barricades and dismantled nearby fences to arm themselves with makeshift clubs. Objects were also thrown onto nearby train tracks. But protesters showed little appetite in holding ground, quickly retreating as soon as tear gas and rubber bullets were fired by police. By Saturday evening, pockets of demonstrators and police were playing a familiar game of cat and mouse. Calvin Tan, 22, was among those taking part in the rally earlier in the day. He said most protesters were prepared for a "long term fight". "Every small protest matters, even though it doesn't seem to help that much, it's like each small step in a marathon," he told AFP. 'No choice' Tan described himself as a moderate who avoids clashes with police. But he said he ideologically supports those on the frontlines. "When facing institutional violence, we have no choice but to respond with street fights," he said. "We have tried peaceful, rational and non-violent methods and continued using these ways to fight for our demands." Hong Kong has been plunged into crisis this summer. The protests were ignited by a now-scrapped plan to allow extraditions to the authoritarian Chinese mainland. But when local leaders and Beijing refused to budge it snowballed into a wider campaign for democracy, fuelled by animosity towards the police. Protesters have hurled rocks, bottles and petrol bombs as well as used slingshots in their battles with police, who have responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons with growing frequency. On Friday Amnesty International released a report accusing Hong Kong's police of using excessive force, in some cases amounting to torture. The UN's rights watchdog has also criticized the city's police. But the city's force rejects such criticism, saying their officers have used proportionate force against hardcore protesters who are showing increasing levels of violence. At a briefing with foreign journalists on Friday, a senior commanding officer said he was alarmed by the latest tactics from protesters. "Our officers are worried that violence has got to such a level that they might have to kill someone or be killed themselves," he said, speaking on condition of anonymity. "We have been so restrained but in the face of such violence, this pressure has become extremely dangerous."

Hong Kong police, protesters clash in 16th weekend of rallies

Two members of Cuba's UN mission have been ordered to leave the United States over an alleged threat to US national security, triggering a sharp denial from Havana.

"We take any &amp; all attempts against the National Security of the US&nbsp;seriously," US State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said Thursday on Twitter.

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After 2 members of Cuba’s UN mission engaged in activities harmful to U.S. national security, we asked them to leave the U.S. Members of Cuba’s UN mission are also restricted to stay in Manhattan. We take any &amp; all attempts against the National Security of the U.S. seriously.
— Morgan Ortagus (@statedeptspox) <a href="https://twitter.com/statedeptspox/status/1174776971148050433?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
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In a statement, she said the State Department had told the Cuban foreign ministry that the United States "requires the imminent departure" of the two members of Cuba's UN mission.

Ortagus said that the pair had been "abusing their privileges of residence" and attempting to "conduct influence operations against the United States."

"We&nbsp;will continue to investigate any additional personnel who may be manipulating their privileges of residence," she added.

The State Department spokeswoman also said the movement of all members of Cuba's UN mission would be restricted to Manhattan, where UN headquarters is located.

Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez moved quickly to slam the expulsions.

"We categorically reject the unjustified expulsion of two officials of the Permanent Mission of Cuba at the UN and the tightening of restrictions on movement for diplomats and their families," Rodriguez said on Twitter.

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I strongly reject unjustified expulsion of 2 officials from Permanent Mission of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cuba?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cuba</a> to the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UN</a> &amp; increased restrictions of movement imposed on our diplomats &amp; their families. Allegations that they engaged in actions incompatible with their diplomatic status is a gross slander.
— Bruno Rodríguez P (@BrunoRguezP) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrunoRguezP/status/1174824126801940481?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Cuba and the United States have a history of conducting tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats, and relations have worsened since President Donald Trump took office.

The United States recalled most of its diplomats from Cuba in September 2017 and Trump expelled 15 Cuban diplomats the following month.

The latest expulsions came as the United Nations holds its 74th General Assembly in New York.

"Given that the situation is ongoing, we will not comment further at this stage other than to confirm that we will closely follow this matter," the United Nations said in a statement.

Two members of Cuba's UN mission have been ordered to leave the United States over an alleged threat to US national security, triggering a sharp denial from Havana.

Two members of Cuba's UN mission have been ordered to leave the United States over an alleged threat to US national security, triggering a sharp denial from Havana. "We take any & all attempts against the National Security of the US seriously," US State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said Thursday on Twitter. After 2 members of Cuba’s UN mission engaged in activities harmful to U.S. national security, we asked them to leave the U.S. Members of Cuba’s UN mission are also restricted to stay in Manhattan. We take any & all attempts against the National Security of the U.S. seriously. — Morgan Ortagus (@statedeptspox) September 19, 2019 × In a statement, she said the State Department had told the Cuban foreign ministry that the United States "requires the imminent departure" of the two members of Cuba's UN mission. Ortagus said that the pair had been "abusing their privileges of residence" and attempting to "conduct influence operations against the United States." "We will continue to investigate any additional personnel who may be manipulating their privileges of residence," she added. The State Department spokeswoman also said the movement of all members of Cuba's UN mission would be restricted to Manhattan, where UN headquarters is located. Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez moved quickly to slam the expulsions. "We categorically reject the unjustified expulsion of two officials of the Permanent Mission of Cuba at the UN and the tightening of restrictions on movement for diplomats and their families," Rodriguez said on Twitter. I strongly reject unjustified expulsion of 2 officials from Permanent Mission of #Cuba to the #UN & increased restrictions of movement imposed on our diplomats & their families. Allegations that they engaged in actions incompatible with their diplomatic status is a gross slander. — Bruno Rodríguez P (@BrunoRguezP) September 19, 2019 × Cuba and the United States have a history of conducting tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats, and relations have worsened since President Donald Trump took office. The United States recalled most of its diplomats from Cuba in September 2017 and Trump expelled 15 Cuban diplomats the following month. The latest expulsions came as the United Nations holds its 74th General Assembly in New York. "Given that the situation is ongoing, we will not comment further at this stage other than to confirm that we will closely follow this matter," the United Nations said in a statement.

Two members of Cuba's UN mission ordered to leave US

In a dusty Kabul suburb, hundreds of workers check and recheck biometric fingerprint readers&nbsp;part of a massive effort to ensure Afghanistan's upcoming presidential election is not tainted by fraud allegations that have marred previous polls.

The young employees at the Independent Election Commission (IEC) are rushing through final technical preparations for the vote, set for September 28.

The stakes for the IEC are high, with the question of turnout in Afghanistan's fourth presidential election since the fall of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistans-taliban-tells-teachers-students-to-block-presidential-elections-or-risk-death-250375">Taliban</a>&nbsp;crucial to whether it is seen as fair and transparent.

The Taliban have openly threatened to disrupt the polls and killed 26 people in a bomb blast at a campaign rally being held by President Ashraf Ghani earlier this week.

Turnout in previous polls has historically been low. The United Nations estimated it at around 32 per cent for the 2009 elections, while no credible figure was available for the 2014 vote.

Each time the exercise has been tainted with accusations of irregularities particularly in 2014.

Then, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bomb-blast-hits-pro-ghani-campaign-gathering-in-central-afghanistan-source-250173">Ghani</a> and rival Abdullah Abdullah both claimed to have won, plunging Afghanistan into months of crisis before the US and the UN pressured them to form a "national unity government", with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-president-ashraf-ghani-sees-his-chance-in-upcoming-elections-after-collapse-of-us-taliban-talks-250287">Ghani</a> as president and Abdullah his chief executive.

The two are once again facing off in 2019 as the likely favourites, underscoring the comparison to 2014.

"People have lost their trust and confidence because of serious fraud in the past elections," Sughra Saadat, spokeswoman for the Transparent Election Foundation of Afghanistan (TEFA), told AFP.

"So far, election bodies have failed to restore people's trust."

Without such faith in the process, it is hard to see why voters should risk their lives to participate.

Yet the winner will need a strong mandate if he wants to pose as an interlocutor with the Taliban in any future talks.

The insurgents have always considered Ghani a "puppet" of Washington and ensured he was sidelined from talks which have since fallen apart&nbsp;between Washington and the Taliban that would have paved the way for the US to begin withdrawing troops.

If re-elected, Ghani hopes to put the Afghan government back in the mix.

Secret weapon&nbsp;

The IEC's chairwoman, Hawa Alam Nooristani, assured AFP that this vote will be different "because we have worked on rules and regulations, procedures and mechanisms to prevent fraud".

Supervisors in Afghanistan's 34 provinces were recruited in a process overseen by independent organisations such as the TEFA, she added.

Her secret weapon&nbsp;the biometric fingerprint readers which are meant to prevent people from voting more than once was used during the chaotic legislative elections in October last year, but they were only introduced at the eleventh hour.

Untrained staff struggled with glitches such as the devices running out of power, and the result was at best mixed.

This time, she says, all the necessary precautions have been taken&nbsp;in particular, getting technicians from the German company which makes the readers train the IEC workers directly.

Protecting voters&nbsp;and polling station officials&nbsp;remains a top priority.

All observers expect a further wave of violence from the insurgents, who want to undermine the future head of state by discouraging as many of the 9.6 million voters as possible from going to the polls.

Nearly 500 polling stations have already been excluded because security could not be guaranteed, leaving 4,942 across the country to be protected by 72,000 members of the security forces.

The IEC's huge complex is itself a tightly guarded fortress, with four checkpoints and as many barriers to cross before visitors can access it.

Under a blazing sun, workers unload long bundles of canvas from a truck tent&nbsp;which will serve as polling stations in rural areas without the necessary facilities.

Grey metal hangars house the technical operations.

Under one, the voices of around a hundred young people can be heard as they activate and test the biometric readers before stacking them in large blue plastic boxes.

In the next hangar, men fill the same blue boxes with sealed ballots, voter registers, and a variety of materials to guarantee the integrity of the ballot.

Those include invisible ink to mark voter registration cards, with the mark only visible under the light of a small torch contained in the box, batteries included.

Then there's the traditional, low-tech safeguard: bottles of indelible ink into which every voter will dip their finger as they vote.

"It will make a difference," Farid Nader, a supervisor, says hopefully. "Young people will trust the election."

In a dusty Kabul suburb, hundreds of workers check and recheck biometric fingerprint readers part of a massive effort to ensure Afghanistan's upcoming presidential election is not tainted by fraud allegations that have marred previous polls.

In a dusty Kabul suburb, hundreds of workers check and recheck biometric fingerprint readers part of a massive effort to ensure Afghanistan's upcoming presidential election is not tainted by fraud allegations that have marred previous polls. The young employees at the Independent Election Commission (IEC) are rushing through final technical preparations for the vote, set for September 28. The stakes for the IEC are high, with the question of turnout in Afghanistan's fourth presidential election since the fall of the Taliban crucial to whether it is seen as fair and transparent. The Taliban have openly threatened to disrupt the polls and killed 26 people in a bomb blast at a campaign rally being held by President Ashraf Ghani earlier this week. Turnout in previous polls has historically been low. The United Nations estimated it at around 32 per cent for the 2009 elections, while no credible figure was available for the 2014 vote. Each time the exercise has been tainted with accusations of irregularities particularly in 2014. Then, Ghani and rival Abdullah Abdullah both claimed to have won, plunging Afghanistan into months of crisis before the US and the UN pressured them to form a "national unity government", with Ghani as president and Abdullah his chief executive. The two are once again facing off in 2019 as the likely favourites, underscoring the comparison to 2014. "People have lost their trust and confidence because of serious fraud in the past elections," Sughra Saadat, spokeswoman for the Transparent Election Foundation of Afghanistan (TEFA), told AFP. "So far, election bodies have failed to restore people's trust." Without such faith in the process, it is hard to see why voters should risk their lives to participate. Yet the winner will need a strong mandate if he wants to pose as an interlocutor with the Taliban in any future talks. The insurgents have always considered Ghani a "puppet" of Washington and ensured he was sidelined from talks which have since fallen apart between Washington and the Taliban that would have paved the way for the US to begin withdrawing troops. If re-elected, Ghani hopes to put the Afghan government back in the mix. Secret weapon The IEC's chairwoman, Hawa Alam Nooristani, assured AFP that this vote will be different "because we have worked on rules and regulations, procedures and mechanisms to prevent fraud". Supervisors in Afghanistan's 34 provinces were recruited in a process overseen by independent organisations such as the TEFA, she added. Her secret weapon the biometric fingerprint readers which are meant to prevent people from voting more than once was used during the chaotic legislative elections in October last year, but they were only introduced at the eleventh hour. Untrained staff struggled with glitches such as the devices running out of power, and the result was at best mixed. This time, she says, all the necessary precautions have been taken in particular, getting technicians from the German company which makes the readers train the IEC workers directly. Protecting voters and polling station officials remains a top priority. All observers expect a further wave of violence from the insurgents, who want to undermine the future head of state by discouraging as many of the 9.6 million voters as possible from going to the polls. Nearly 500 polling stations have already been excluded because security could not be guaranteed, leaving 4,942 across the country to be protected by 72,000 members of the security forces. The IEC's huge complex is itself a tightly guarded fortress, with four checkpoints and as many barriers to cross before visitors can access it. Under a blazing sun, workers unload long bundles of canvas from a truck tent which will serve as polling stations in rural areas without the necessary facilities. Grey metal hangars house the technical operations. Under one, the voices of around a hundred young people can be heard as they activate and test the biometric readers before stacking them in large blue plastic boxes. In the next hangar, men fill the same blue boxes with sealed ballots, voter registers, and a variety of materials to guarantee the integrity of the ballot. Those include invisible ink to mark voter registration cards, with the mark only visible under the light of a small torch contained in the box, batteries included. Then there's the traditional, low-tech safeguard: bottles of indelible ink into which every voter will dip their finger as they vote. "It will make a difference," Farid Nader, a supervisor, says hopefully. "Young people will trust the election."

Fraud the main enemy for Afghan election officials

Global warming and pollution caused by humanity's carbon-heavy footprint are ravaging Earth's oceans and icy regions in ways that could unleash misery on a global scale, a landmark UN report to be unveiled next week will warn.

Diplomats and scientists from 195 nations will gather in Monaco from Friday to validate a summary for leaders of observed and projected impacts ranging from vanishing glaciers and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/worlds-oceans-are-heating-up-at-a-quickening-pace-study-189467">marine heatwaves</a>, to rising seas and unprecedented levels of forced migration, according to a draft seen by AFP.

The underlying 900-page scientific report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the fourth such UN tome in less than a year, with others focused on a 1.5-Celsius cap on global warming, the decline of biodiversity, as well as the land use and the global food system.

All four conclude that humanity must overhaul how it produces, distributes, and consumes almost everything to avoid the worst ravages of global warming and environmental degradation.

The barrage of bad news from science and a newly alarmed public demanding decisive action are the backdrop for a key UN climate summit in New York on Monday designed to push countries into setting more ambitious carbon-cutting goals.

Current pledges -- if honoured -- would see Earth's surface heat up more than three degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels. The 2015 Paris Climate Treaty calls for capping global warming at "well below" 2 C, with 1.5 C&nbsp;possible.

A single degree of warming has already seen a crescendo of extreme weather, including killer heat waves and superstorms amped up by rising seas.

Melting Glaciers

"Some of the impacts of climate change on our oceans are now irreversible and others are looking increasingly inevitable", notes Greenpeace International's scientist, Melissa Wang.

"At current emissions rates, we are effectively dumping one million tonnes of CO2 into the oceans every hour", she added.

Oceans and the frozen zones comprising the cryosphere cover more than 80 percent of Earth's surface, yet more money has been spent to explore the Moon.

The IPCC report pulls together thousands of peer-reviewed studies detailing not only how mankind has degraded the planet's seas and ice, but the blowback humanity will suffer as a consequence. &nbsp;

Since the mid-19th century, oceans have absorbed more than 90 percent of excess heat generated by the greenhouse gases that humans have dumped in the atmosphere. &nbsp;

Without oceans, human emissions would likely have warmed the planet's surface by at least 10 C above today's temperature, according to a rough calculation by Katharine Hayhoe, an atmospheric scientist and Director of the Climate Center at Texas Tech University.

Mountain glaciers in Asia and South America provide water for drinking and agriculture to nearly two billion people, and the stable weather patterns to which northern hemisphere populations have adapted depend on sea ice and ocean currents destabilised by global warming.

As the 21st century unfolds, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/himalayan-glaciers-melting-doubled-since-2000-study-229032">melting glaciers</a> will first give too much and then too little to billions who depend on them for freshwater, according to the draft report.

Food Chain Disrupted

Without deep cuts to manmade emissions, 30 to 99 percent of the northern hemisphere's surface permafrost could melt by this century's end, unleashing billions of tonnes of planet-warming carbon.

By 2050, many low-lying megacities and small island nations will experience "extreme sea-level events" every year, even under the most optimistic emissions reduction scenarios.

And by 2100, "annual flood damages are expected to increase by two to three orders of magnitude", or 100 to 1,000 fold.

Even if the world manages to cap global warming at two degrees Celsius -- a big "if" -- the global ocean waterline will eventually rise enough to submerge areas inhabited today by more than a quarter of a billion people, the draft report says.

"The migration crises we are witnessing in North Africa and Central America would pale in comparison to the repercussions of a 1.2 metre rise in sea level", Belize's Carlos Fuller, lead climate negotiator for the Association of Small Island States (AOSIS), told AFP.

Acidification is disrupting the ocean's basic food chain, and marine heatwaves (which have become twice as frequent since the 1980s) are creating vast oxygen-depleted dead zones.

The final advice to policymakers will be released on September 25.

While the underlying science cannot be modified, diplomats with scientists at their elbow will tussle over how to frame the findings, and what to leave in or out.

Global warming and pollution caused by humanity's carbon-heavy footprint are ravaging Earth's oceans and icy regions in ways that could unleash misery on a global scale, a landmark UN report to be unveiled next week will warn.

Global warming and pollution caused by humanity's carbon-heavy footprint are ravaging Earth's oceans and icy regions in ways that could unleash misery on a global scale, a landmark UN report to be unveiled next week will warn. Diplomats and scientists from 195 nations will gather in Monaco from Friday to validate a summary for leaders of observed and projected impacts ranging from vanishing glaciers and marine heatwaves, to rising seas and unprecedented levels of forced migration, according to a draft seen by AFP. The underlying 900-page scientific report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the fourth such UN tome in less than a year, with others focused on a 1.5-Celsius cap on global warming, the decline of biodiversity, as well as the land use and the global food system. All four conclude that humanity must overhaul how it produces, distributes, and consumes almost everything to avoid the worst ravages of global warming and environmental degradation. The barrage of bad news from science and a newly alarmed public demanding decisive action are the backdrop for a key UN climate summit in New York on Monday designed to push countries into setting more ambitious carbon-cutting goals. Current pledges -- if honoured -- would see Earth's surface heat up more than three degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels. The 2015 Paris Climate Treaty calls for capping global warming at "well below" 2 C, with 1.5 C possible. A single degree of warming has already seen a crescendo of extreme weather, including killer heat waves and superstorms amped up by rising seas. Melting Glaciers "Some of the impacts of climate change on our oceans are now irreversible and others are looking increasingly inevitable", notes Greenpeace International's scientist, Melissa Wang. "At current emissions rates, we are effectively dumping one million tonnes of CO2 into the oceans every hour", she added. Oceans and the frozen zones comprising the cryosphere cover more than 80 percent of Earth's surface, yet more money has been spent to explore the Moon. The IPCC report pulls together thousands of peer-reviewed studies detailing not only how mankind has degraded the planet's seas and ice, but the blowback humanity will suffer as a consequence. Since the mid-19th century, oceans have absorbed more than 90 percent of excess heat generated by the greenhouse gases that humans have dumped in the atmosphere. Without oceans, human emissions would likely have warmed the planet's surface by at least 10 C above today's temperature, according to a rough calculation by Katharine Hayhoe, an atmospheric scientist and Director of the Climate Center at Texas Tech University. Mountain glaciers in Asia and South America provide water for drinking and agriculture to nearly two billion people, and the stable weather patterns to which northern hemisphere populations have adapted depend on sea ice and ocean currents destabilised by global warming. As the 21st century unfolds, melting glaciers will first give too much and then too little to billions who depend on them for freshwater, according to the draft report. Food Chain Disrupted Without deep cuts to manmade emissions, 30 to 99 percent of the northern hemisphere's surface permafrost could melt by this century's end, unleashing billions of tonnes of planet-warming carbon. By 2050, many low-lying megacities and small island nations will experience "extreme sea-level events" every year, even under the most optimistic emissions reduction scenarios. And by 2100, "annual flood damages are expected to increase by two to three orders of magnitude", or 100 to 1,000 fold. Even if the world manages to cap global warming at two degrees Celsius -- a big "if" -- the global ocean waterline will eventually rise enough to submerge areas inhabited today by more than a quarter of a billion people, the draft report says. "The migration crises we are witnessing in North Africa and Central America would pale in comparison to the repercussions of a 1.2 metre rise in sea level", Belize's Carlos Fuller, lead climate negotiator for the Association of Small Island States (AOSIS), told AFP. Acidification is disrupting the ocean's basic food chain, and marine heatwaves (which have become twice as frequent since the 1980s) are creating vast oxygen-depleted dead zones. The final advice to policymakers will be released on September 25. While the underlying science cannot be modified, diplomats with scientists at their elbow will tussle over how to frame the findings, and what to leave in or out.

Climate change could turn oceans from friend to foe, UN report warns

Used and abused, oceans key to fighting climate change

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

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

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