United Nations has warned that at least 14 million people in Latin America could go hungry this year. Watch report.

11 million newly poor to lose access to food: Latin American economies to contract by 5.3%

More than 1,280 Afghan civilians have been killed in the first six months of the year as fighting rages in Afghanistan despite a pact between the United States and Taliban militants, the United Nations said on Monday.

The violence, mainly between Afghan government forces and the Taliban, killed 1,282 and injured 2,176 for a tally of 3,458 civilian casualties, the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in a report.

"The reality remains that Afghanistan continues to be one of the deadliest conflicts in the world for civilians," it said in the mid-year report.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-push-to-control-private-companies-aid-agencies-in-afghanistan-316358">Also read: Taliban push to control private companies, aid agencies in Afghanistan</a>

Despite a drop of 13% in casualties from the corresponding period last year, UNAMA said the Taliban continued to cause the majority of civilian casualties, mainly through use of explosive devices, abductions and summary executions.

The Taliban were responsible for 43 per cent of all civilian casualties and government forces caused 23 per cent, chiefly from air strikes and indirect fire during operations, it added.

The UNAMA attributed the 13 per cent drop to fewer operations by international forces, as well as fewer attacks by Islamic State militants.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-accuses-afghan-govt-of-re-arresting-freed-insurgents-316115">Also read:&nbsp;Taliban accuses Afghan govt of re-arresting freed insurgents</a>

In February, the United States and the Taliban signed an agreement in Doha, laying out plans for the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan in exchange for security guarantees from the militants.

However, fighting has spiked in recent weeks, prompted by differences over an exchange of prisoners between the Taliban and Afghan government, as Kabul proved reluctant to free hundreds of jailed militants.

The Doha deal provided for the government to release 5,000 Taliban prisoners in exchange for hundreds of Afghan troops, the main plank in starting peace negotiations between the two sides in the effort to end the 18-year-old war.

While the Afghan government has released more than 4,000 Taliban prisoners, it has refused to release another 600, saying they were involved in murder, illicit drug trafficking and major attacks.

More than 1,280 Afghan civilians have been killed in the first six months of the year as fighting rages in Afghanistan despite a pact between the United States and Taliban militants, the United Nations said on Monday.

More than 1,280 Afghan civilians have been killed in the first six months of the year as fighting rages in Afghanistan despite a pact between the United States and Taliban militants, the United Nations said on Monday. The violence, mainly between Afghan government forces and the Taliban, killed 1,282 and injured 2,176 for a tally of 3,458 civilian casualties, the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in a report. "The reality remains that Afghanistan continues to be one of the deadliest conflicts in the world for civilians," it said in the mid-year report. Also read: Taliban push to control private companies, aid agencies in Afghanistan Despite a drop of 13% in casualties from the corresponding period last year, UNAMA said the Taliban continued to cause the majority of civilian casualties, mainly through use of explosive devices, abductions and summary executions. The Taliban were responsible for 43 per cent of all civilian casualties and government forces caused 23 per cent, chiefly from air strikes and indirect fire during operations, it added. The UNAMA attributed the 13 per cent drop to fewer operations by international forces, as well as fewer attacks by Islamic State militants. Also read: Taliban accuses Afghan govt of re-arresting freed insurgents In February, the United States and the Taliban signed an agreement in Doha, laying out plans for the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan in exchange for security guarantees from the militants. However, fighting has spiked in recent weeks, prompted by differences over an exchange of prisoners between the Taliban and Afghan government, as Kabul proved reluctant to free hundreds of jailed militants. The Doha deal provided for the government to release 5,000 Taliban prisoners in exchange for hundreds of Afghan troops, the main plank in starting peace negotiations between the two sides in the effort to end the 18-year-old war. While the Afghan government has released more than 4,000 Taliban prisoners, it has refused to release another 600, saying they were involved in murder, illicit drug trafficking and major attacks.

UN says nearly 3,500 Afghans killed or hurt in first half of 2020

According to a recent report, the COVID-19 pandemic could push up to 132 million people into hunger by the end of 2020. Watch to know more.

COVID-19 may push 132 million people into hunger: UN

Severe flooding in Bangladesh, which has killed at least 54 people and affected over 2.4 million people, could be the worst since 1988, the United Nations has said.

Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said on Tuesday&nbsp;that some 56,000 of those impacted already have been displaced and are taking refuge in government shelters.

"At least 54 people have reportedly been killed to date as a result," Dujarric told reporters at a regular briefing.

"The UN and our humanitarian partners are helping the government respond to the situation by providing food, water purification facilities, hygiene and dignity kits, as well as emergency shelter supplies," he said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/millions-at-risk-in-bangladesh-as-monsoon-floods-add-to-coronavirus-worries-309937">Millions at risk in Bangladesh as monsoon floods add to coronavirus worries</a>

The UN Central Emergency Response Fund recently provided UN agencies with 5.2 million US dollars to help families most at risk, the spokesman said.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said on its website, "The anticipatory funding has since July 11 allowed partners to reach communities early with key assistance, including the distribution of sealable drums to protect agricultural equipment, and hygiene, dignity and health kits, as well as cash assistance."

"Responding to the flood is complicated by the fact that these efforts are taking place as Bangladesh is also addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and recovering from Cyclone Amphan," Dujarric said.

Amphan, which hit Bangladesh in May, was the strongest storm in the Bay of Bengal, the American Red Cross said.The 1988 floods claimed the lives of about 500 people and left more than 25 million people homeless, as per the UN records.

Severe flooding in Bangladesh, which has killed at least 54 people and affected over 2.4 million people, could be the worst since 1988, the United Nations has said.

Severe flooding in Bangladesh, which has killed at least 54 people and affected over 2.4 million people, could be the worst since 1988, the United Nations has said. Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said on Tuesday that some 56,000 of those impacted already have been displaced and are taking refuge in government shelters. "At least 54 people have reportedly been killed to date as a result," Dujarric told reporters at a regular briefing. "The UN and our humanitarian partners are helping the government respond to the situation by providing food, water purification facilities, hygiene and dignity kits, as well as emergency shelter supplies," he said. Also read: Millions at risk in Bangladesh as monsoon floods add to coronavirus worries The UN Central Emergency Response Fund recently provided UN agencies with 5.2 million US dollars to help families most at risk, the spokesman said. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said on its website, "The anticipatory funding has since July 11 allowed partners to reach communities early with key assistance, including the distribution of sealable drums to protect agricultural equipment, and hygiene, dignity and health kits, as well as cash assistance." "Responding to the flood is complicated by the fact that these efforts are taking place as Bangladesh is also addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and recovering from Cyclone Amphan," Dujarric said. Amphan, which hit Bangladesh in May, was the strongest storm in the Bay of Bengal, the American Red Cross said.The 1988 floods claimed the lives of about 500 people and left more than 25 million people homeless, as per the UN records.

Bangladesh floods claim 54 lives, affect 2.4 million people, says UN

Coronavirus pandemic and subsequently enforced lockdown could push 100 million people into extreme poverty, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said on Saturday.

He was speaking on the 102nd birthday anniversary of the late Nelson Mandela -- South Africa's first black president. Guterres said coronavirus was "shining a spotlight" on global injustice.

"We have been brought to our knees -- by a microscopic virus. The pandemic has demonstrated the fragility of our world. Entire regions that were making progress on eradicating poverty and narrowing inequality have been set back years, in a matter of months," he warned at a virtual memorial lecture organised by the Johannesburg-based Nelson Mandela Foundation.

The economic fallout of the pandemic, which has infected more than 14 million and killed close to 600,000 people worldwide, is being disproportionately felt among informal workers, small businesses and women.

"We face the deepest global recession since World War II," he said. "One hundred million more people could be pushed into extreme poverty. We could see famines of historic proportions."

Coronavirus is an "x-ray" that has revealed "fractures in the fragile skeleton of the societies we have built", he added, citing unequal healthcare provision, unpaid care work, income disparity and climate change as some of the concerns.

"It is exposing fallacies and falsehoods everywhere... The delusion that we live in a post-racist world. The myth that we are all in the same boat."

He said the world's 26 richest people hold as much wealth as half the global population.

"But income, pay and wealth are not the only measures of inequality," he added.

Guterres said people were running out of patience at the glaring disparities and discrimination across societies.

He singled out the global anti-racism movement stoked by the death of George Floyd -- an African-American man killed by a white policeman in May -- as simply "one more sign that people have had enough".

Enough of "inequality and discrimination that treats people as criminals on the basis of their skin colour", enough of "structural racism" and "systematic injustice".

Coronavirus, he said, had also created an opportunity for world leaders to build a "more equal and sustainable world".

"We are at breaking point. But we know which side of history we are on."

(with inputs from agencies)

Coronavirus pandemic and subsequently enforced lockdown could push 100 million people into extreme poverty, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said on Saturday.

Coronavirus pandemic and subsequently enforced lockdown could push 100 million people into extreme poverty, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said on Saturday. He was speaking on the 102nd birthday anniversary of the late Nelson Mandela -- South Africa's first black president. Guterres said coronavirus was "shining a spotlight" on global injustice. "We have been brought to our knees -- by a microscopic virus. The pandemic has demonstrated the fragility of our world. Entire regions that were making progress on eradicating poverty and narrowing inequality have been set back years, in a matter of months," he warned at a virtual memorial lecture organised by the Johannesburg-based Nelson Mandela Foundation. The economic fallout of the pandemic, which has infected more than 14 million and killed close to 600,000 people worldwide, is being disproportionately felt among informal workers, small businesses and women. "We face the deepest global recession since World War II," he said. "One hundred million more people could be pushed into extreme poverty. We could see famines of historic proportions." Coronavirus is an "x-ray" that has revealed "fractures in the fragile skeleton of the societies we have built", he added, citing unequal healthcare provision, unpaid care work, income disparity and climate change as some of the concerns. "It is exposing fallacies and falsehoods everywhere... The delusion that we live in a post-racist world. The myth that we are all in the same boat." He said the world's 26 richest people hold as much wealth as half the global population. "But income, pay and wealth are not the only measures of inequality," he added. Guterres said people were running out of patience at the glaring disparities and discrimination across societies. He singled out the global anti-racism movement stoked by the death of George Floyd -- an African-American man killed by a white policeman in May -- as simply "one more sign that people have had enough". Enough of "inequality and discrimination that treats people as criminals on the basis of their skin colour", enough of "structural racism" and "systematic injustice". Coronavirus, he said, had also created an opportunity for world leaders to build a "more equal and sustainable world". "We are at breaking point. But we know which side of history we are on." (with inputs from agencies)

Have been 'brought to our knees' by coronavirus, says United Nations

Highlighting the initiatives taken by the government towards the path of development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the country has not forgotten its "responsibility" towards this planet. "While marching forward on the path of development, we are not forgetting our responsibility towards our planet," PM Modi said in a virtual address to the High-Level Segment of UN's Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

Watch: Indian PM Modi's address at UN's Economic and Social Council

The United Nations has designated Pakistan Taliban's leader Noor Wali Mehsud as a global terrorist for participating in the financing, planning and perpetrating acts on behalf of and in support of entities associated with al-Qaida and ISIS.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-denies-unfreezing-of-hafiz-saeed-five-other-terrorists-bank-accounts-313103#:~:text=Pakistan%20said%20on%20Monday%20that,Saeed's%20account%20has%20been%20restored.">Also read: Pakistan denies unfreezing of Hafiz Saeed, five other terrorists' bank accounts</a> 
 
The UN Security Council's 1267 ISIL and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee added Mehsud, 42, to the ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List on Thursday, subjecting the Pakistani national to an assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo. 
 
Meanhwile, the US welcomed the development saying theat the TTP was responsible for many deadly terrorist attacks in Pakistan.&nbsp;

The United States Department of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA) has tweeted that "Welcome news that the @UN has added Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan leader Noor Wali Mehsud to its ISIL &amp; AQ sanctions list. TTP is responsible for many deadly terrorist attacks in Pakistan. The United States domestically designated Noor Wali as a terrorist in September 2019.

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Welcome news that the <a href="https://twitter.com/UN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UN</a> has added Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan leader Noor Wali Mehsud to its ISIL &amp; AQ sanctions list. TTP is responsible for many deadly terrorist attacks in Pakistan. The United States domestically designated Noor Wali as a terrorist in September 2019.
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The Sanctions Committee said that Mehsud was listed for participating in the financing, planning, facilitating or perpetrating of acts or activities by, in conjunction with, under the name of, on behalf of, or in support of entities associated with al-Qaida. 
 
In June 2018, Mehsud was named the leader of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, following the death of former TTP leader Maulana Fazlullah.

The TTP was blacklisted by the UN on July 29, 2011, for its association with al-Qaida.

Blacklisting by the Security Council entails that all states are required to freeze without delay the funds and other financial assets or economic resources of designated individuals and entities.

They are also required to prevent the entry into or transit through their territories by the designated individuals and prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale and transfer from their territories or by their nationals outside their territories, or using their flag vessels or aircraft, of arms and related materiel of all types, spare parts, and technical advice, assistance, or training related to military activities, to designated individuals and entities.

(With inputs from agencies)

The United Nations has designated Pakistan Taliban's leader Noor Wali Mehsud as a global terrorist for participating in the financing, planning and perpetrating acts on behalf of and in support of entities associated with al-Qaida and ISIS.

The United Nations has designated Pakistan Taliban's leader Noor Wali Mehsud as a global terrorist for participating in the financing, planning and perpetrating acts on behalf of and in support of entities associated with al-Qaida and ISIS. Also read: Pakistan denies unfreezing of Hafiz Saeed, five other terrorists' bank accounts The UN Security Council's 1267 ISIL and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee added Mehsud, 42, to the ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List on Thursday, subjecting the Pakistani national to an assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo. Meanhwile, the US welcomed the development saying theat the TTP was responsible for many deadly terrorist attacks in Pakistan. The United States Department of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA) has tweeted that "Welcome news that the @UN has added Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan leader Noor Wali Mehsud to its ISIL & AQ sanctions list. TTP is responsible for many deadly terrorist attacks in Pakistan. The United States domestically designated Noor Wali as a terrorist in September 2019. Welcome news that the @UN has added Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan leader Noor Wali Mehsud to its ISIL & AQ sanctions list. TTP is responsible for many deadly terrorist attacks in Pakistan. The United States domestically designated Noor Wali as a terrorist in September 2019. — State_SCA (@State_SCA) July 16, 2020 × The Sanctions Committee said that Mehsud was listed for participating in the financing, planning, facilitating or perpetrating of acts or activities by, in conjunction with, under the name of, on behalf of, or in support of entities associated with al-Qaida. In June 2018, Mehsud was named the leader of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, following the death of former TTP leader Maulana Fazlullah. The TTP was blacklisted by the UN on July 29, 2011, for its association with al-Qaida. Blacklisting by the Security Council entails that all states are required to freeze without delay the funds and other financial assets or economic resources of designated individuals and entities. They are also required to prevent the entry into or transit through their territories by the designated individuals and prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale and transfer from their territories or by their nationals outside their territories, or using their flag vessels or aircraft, of arms and related materiel of all types, spare parts, and technical advice, assistance, or training related to military activities, to designated individuals and entities. (With inputs from agencies)

Pakistan Taliban’s group leader Noor Wali Mehsud designated as global terrorist by United Nations

Highlighting the initiatives taken by the government towards the path of development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the country has not forgotten its "responsibility" towards this planet.&nbsp;

"While marching forward on the path of development, we are not forgetting our responsibility towards our planet," PM Modi said in a virtual address to the High-Level Segment of UN's Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). &nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-eu-partnership-is-significant-for-peace-and-stability-of-world-pm-modi-313477">India-EU partnership is significant for peace and stability of world: PM Modi</a>

"Over the past few years, we have reduced 38 millon tonnes of carbon emisssions annually," adding that electrification of villages, providing clean fuels to poor households and energy efficiency initiatives helped the country in achieving this.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-narendra-modi-shares-details-of-conversation-with-sundar-pichai-313008">PM Narendra Modi shares details of conversation with Sundar Pichai</a>

He lauded India's initiative to set up International Solar Alliance and called it a "practical manifestation of climate action".&nbsp;

The Indian prime minister also lauded his government's Ayushman&nbsp;Bharat scheme, world's largest health protection programme.&nbsp;

"In the fight against COVID, our grassroots health systems is helping India ensure one of the best recovery rates in the world," PM Modi said.&nbsp;

Highlighting the initiatives taken by the government towards the path of development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the country has not forgotten its "responsibility" towards this planet.

Highlighting the initiatives taken by the government towards the path of development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the country has not forgotten its "responsibility" towards this planet. "While marching forward on the path of development, we are not forgetting our responsibility towards our planet," PM Modi said in a virtual address to the High-Level Segment of UN's Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Also read | India-EU partnership is significant for peace and stability of world: PM Modi "Over the past few years, we have reduced 38 millon tonnes of carbon emisssions annually," adding that electrification of villages, providing clean fuels to poor households and energy efficiency initiatives helped the country in achieving this. Also read | PM Narendra Modi shares details of conversation with Sundar Pichai He lauded India's initiative to set up International Solar Alliance and called it a "practical manifestation of climate action". The Indian prime minister also lauded his government's Ayushman Bharat scheme, world's largest health protection programme. "In the fight against COVID, our grassroots health systems is helping India ensure one of the best recovery rates in the world," PM Modi said.

India not forgotten 'responsibility' towards our planet: PM Modi at UN ECOSOC

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a virtual keynote address at the valedictory session along with the PM of Norway Erna Solberg and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

PM Modi's keynote address at the UN ECOSOC segment

Meghan Markle, The Duchess of Sussex on Tuesday (July 14) urged girls to "own the conversation," in a prerecorded message at the 2020 Virtual Girl Up Leadership Summit, sponsored by the United Nations Foundation.

'Don't be afraid to do what's right, even when it's not popular' - Meghan, Duchess of Sussex

An abandoned oil tanker lying off Yemen's coast with 1.1 million barrels of crude on board is deteriorating badly and could rupture at any time, with disastrous results for Red Sea marine life, UN and other experts warn.

The 45-year-old FSO Safer is anchored off the port of Hodeida under the control of the Iran-backed Huthi rebels, who have blocked United Nations efforts to send a team of experts to assess its condition.

Effectively a floating storage platform, it has had virtually no maintenance for five years since war broke out in the country where the Huthis have seized much of the north from the internationally recognised government.

The UN Security Council will hold a special meeting on July 15 to discuss the crisis, after water entered the vessel's engine room "which could have led to disaster", UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Friday.

He said prospects for a mission to the site have been revived, and that if an inspection team is allowed on board it will conduct light repairs and determine the next steps.

"We hope logistical arrangements will be quickly completed so this work can begin," he said.

The Yemen government, which appealed for the UN to take up the issue, has warned the Safer could explode and cause "the largest environmental disaster regionally and globally."

Top Huthi leader Mohamed Ali al-Huthi said on Twitter last month that the rebels want guarantees the vessel will be repaired and that the value of the oil on board is used to pay salaries of their employees.

The market value of the oil is now estimated at $40 million, half what it was before crude prices crashed, although experts say poor quality could push it even lower.

Like other economic and aid issues in Yemen, the plight of the tanker has become a bargaining chip, with the Huthis accused of using the threat of disaster to secure control of the value of the cargo.

Yemeni Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik Saeed on Thursday called on the international community to punish the Huthis for preventing a UN inspection, and said the value of the oil should be spent on health and humanitarian projects.

TICKING TIME BOMB

Apart from corrosion to the ageing vessel, essential work on reducing explosive gases in the storage tanks has been neglected for years. Experts said the latest problem emerged in May with a leak in a cooling pipe.

"The pipe burst, sending water into the engine room and creating a really dangerous situation," said Ian Ralby, CEO of IR Consilium, a global maritime consultancy which follows the vessel closely.

A team from Yemen's Safer Exploration and Production Operations, a public oil company partly controlled by the Huthis, sent divers in to fix the leak, narrowly avoiding the ship sinking, Ralby said.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned last week that if the tanker ruptures "it will devastate the Red Sea ecosystem" and disrupt key shipping lanes.

"The Huthis must grant access before this ticking time bomb explodes," he said.

Hodeida port is a lifeline for northern Yemen with 90 percent of all supplies coming through it. Any disruption would inflict further hardship on a country which is again on the brink of famine after long years of conflict.

If the vessel ruptures "you're going to have two catastrophes", said Lise Grande, the UN's humanitarian coordinator for Yemen.

"There's going to be an environmental catastrophe that's bigger than almost any other similar kind... and it's going to be a humanitarian catastrophe because that oil will make the port of Hodeida unusable," she told AFP.

Independent Yemen-based environmental group Holm Akhdar -- Arabic for "Green Dream" -- warned an oil spill could stretch out from the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and into the Arabian Sea.

The region's ecology would need over 30 years to recover from an oil spillage of that size, it said in a recent report, adding that about 115 of Yemen's Red Sea islands would lose their biodiversity and natural habitats.

In a country where the majority of people already relied on aid to survive, an estimated 126,000 fishermen, including 68,000 in Hodeida, would lose their only source of income.

IR Consilium said any salvage operation after an oil spill would be greatly hampered by the coronavirus crisis.

"In the midst of a global pandemic and on the edge of a conflict zone, the chances of an early and adequate response are vanishingly small," it said in a report.

Doug Weir, research and policy director at the UK-based Conflict and Environment Observatory, said that without an independent assessment "it is impossible to determine when an incident might occur, or its form and severity".

"However the risks are clear, and the longer the dispute continues the greater they become, and the more complex and expensive any salvage operation will be."

An abandoned oil tanker lying off Yemen's coast with 1.1 million barrels of crude on board is deteriorating badly and could rupture at any time, with disastrous results for Red Sea marine life, UN and other experts warn.

An abandoned oil tanker lying off Yemen's coast with 1.1 million barrels of crude on board is deteriorating badly and could rupture at any time, with disastrous results for Red Sea marine life, UN and other experts warn. The 45-year-old FSO Safer is anchored off the port of Hodeida under the control of the Iran-backed Huthi rebels, who have blocked United Nations efforts to send a team of experts to assess its condition. Effectively a floating storage platform, it has had virtually no maintenance for five years since war broke out in the country where the Huthis have seized much of the north from the internationally recognised government. The UN Security Council will hold a special meeting on July 15 to discuss the crisis, after water entered the vessel's engine room "which could have led to disaster", UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Friday. He said prospects for a mission to the site have been revived, and that if an inspection team is allowed on board it will conduct light repairs and determine the next steps. "We hope logistical arrangements will be quickly completed so this work can begin," he said. The Yemen government, which appealed for the UN to take up the issue, has warned the Safer could explode and cause "the largest environmental disaster regionally and globally." Top Huthi leader Mohamed Ali al-Huthi said on Twitter last month that the rebels want guarantees the vessel will be repaired and that the value of the oil on board is used to pay salaries of their employees. The market value of the oil is now estimated at $40 million, half what it was before crude prices crashed, although experts say poor quality could push it even lower. Like other economic and aid issues in Yemen, the plight of the tanker has become a bargaining chip, with the Huthis accused of using the threat of disaster to secure control of the value of the cargo. Yemeni Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik Saeed on Thursday called on the international community to punish the Huthis for preventing a UN inspection, and said the value of the oil should be spent on health and humanitarian projects. TICKING TIME BOMB Apart from corrosion to the ageing vessel, essential work on reducing explosive gases in the storage tanks has been neglected for years. Experts said the latest problem emerged in May with a leak in a cooling pipe. "The pipe burst, sending water into the engine room and creating a really dangerous situation," said Ian Ralby, CEO of IR Consilium, a global maritime consultancy which follows the vessel closely. A team from Yemen's Safer Exploration and Production Operations, a public oil company partly controlled by the Huthis, sent divers in to fix the leak, narrowly avoiding the ship sinking, Ralby said. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned last week that if the tanker ruptures "it will devastate the Red Sea ecosystem" and disrupt key shipping lanes. "The Huthis must grant access before this ticking time bomb explodes," he said. Hodeida port is a lifeline for northern Yemen with 90 percent of all supplies coming through it. Any disruption would inflict further hardship on a country which is again on the brink of famine after long years of conflict. If the vessel ruptures "you're going to have two catastrophes", said Lise Grande, the UN's humanitarian coordinator for Yemen. "There's going to be an environmental catastrophe that's bigger than almost any other similar kind... and it's going to be a humanitarian catastrophe because that oil will make the port of Hodeida unusable," she told AFP. Independent Yemen-based environmental group Holm Akhdar -- Arabic for "Green Dream" -- warned an oil spill could stretch out from the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and into the Arabian Sea. The region's ecology would need over 30 years to recover from an oil spillage of that size, it said in a recent report, adding that about 115 of Yemen's Red Sea islands would lose their biodiversity and natural habitats. In a country where the majority of people already relied on aid to survive, an estimated 126,000 fishermen, including 68,000 in Hodeida, would lose their only source of income. IR Consilium said any salvage operation after an oil spill would be greatly hampered by the coronavirus crisis. "In the midst of a global pandemic and on the edge of a conflict zone, the chances of an early and adequate response are vanishingly small," it said in a report. Doug Weir, research and policy director at the UK-based Conflict and Environment Observatory, said that without an independent assessment "it is impossible to determine when an incident might occur, or its form and severity". "However the risks are clear, and the longer the dispute continues the greater they become, and the more complex and expensive any salvage operation will be."

UN to hold crisis talks as decaying Yemen tanker risks disaster

The Trump administration has notified Congress and the United Nations that the United States is formally withdrawing from the World Health Organization due to China's over influence on the body.

US begins formal withdrawal from WHO over China biasness

Highlighting how Pakistan continues to support terror amid the COVID-19 pandemic, India has said that Pakistan must introspect upon why it is universally acknowledged the international epicenter of terrorism and the best safe haven for terrorists.

WION Dispatch: India lists out Pakistani role in terror attacks | Slams Pak at UN

Russia and China cast vetoes on Tuesday&nbsp;to block the U.N. Security Council from extending its approval of aid deliveries to Syria from Turkey for a year, despite U.N.&nbsp;warnings that the lives of Syrian civilians depend on the cross-border access.

Germany and Belgium, two of the council's non-permanent members, had drafted the resolution, which would have allowed aid to continue to pass through two points on the Turkish border without interference from Damascus.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/now-russia-faces-chinas-ire-over-vladivostok-founding-day-celebrations-310368">Now, Russia faces China's ire over Vladivostok founding day celebrations</a>

The&nbsp;six-year long operation is currently authorized until Friday, so another draft resolution could still be put forward.

Beyond Russia and China, the other 13 council members voted to approve the draft, the diplomats said.

During negotiations, Moscow had asked that the extension be limited to six months, rather than a year, and that it only be allowed at one border crossing, not two, they said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/china-shows-greater-interest-in-syria-amid-coronavirus-pandemic-and-deteriorating-ties-with-the-us-305295">China shows greater interest in Syria amid coronavirus pandemic and deteriorating ties with the US</a>

"The draft resolution has not been adopted," Germany's UN ambassador Christoph Heusgen, the acting president of the body in July, confirmed in a letter to Council members.&nbsp;

Immediately after the vote, Russia proposed its own draft resolution.

Diplomats said Syrian allies Russia and China only want to approve one Turkish crossing for aid access for six months.

It repeats the call for a six-month extension, underlines the improvement in the delivery of humanitarian aid under the control of the Syrian regime, and excludes one of the two entry points into Syria,&nbsp;Bab al-Salam, from the mechanism.

The results of a vote on that resolution will be known on Wednesday.

Authorization for cross-border humanitarian aid has existed since 2014, with periodic extensions.&nbsp;

Russia and China cast vetoes on Tuesday to block the U.N. Security Council from extending its approval of aid deliveries to Syria from Turkey for a year, despite U.

Russia and China cast vetoes on Tuesday to block the U.N. Security Council from extending its approval of aid deliveries to Syria from Turkey for a year, despite U.N. warnings that the lives of Syrian civilians depend on the cross-border access. Germany and Belgium, two of the council's non-permanent members, had drafted the resolution, which would have allowed aid to continue to pass through two points on the Turkish border without interference from Damascus. Also read: Now, Russia faces China's ire over Vladivostok founding day celebrations The six-year long operation is currently authorized until Friday, so another draft resolution could still be put forward. Beyond Russia and China, the other 13 council members voted to approve the draft, the diplomats said. During negotiations, Moscow had asked that the extension be limited to six months, rather than a year, and that it only be allowed at one border crossing, not two, they said. Also read: China shows greater interest in Syria amid coronavirus pandemic and deteriorating ties with the US "The draft resolution has not been adopted," Germany's UN ambassador Christoph Heusgen, the acting president of the body in July, confirmed in a letter to Council members. Immediately after the vote, Russia proposed its own draft resolution. Diplomats said Syrian allies Russia and China only want to approve one Turkish crossing for aid access for six months. It repeats the call for a six-month extension, underlines the improvement in the delivery of humanitarian aid under the control of the Syrian regime, and excludes one of the two entry points into Syria, Bab al-Salam, from the mechanism. The results of a vote on that resolution will be known on Wednesday. Authorization for cross-border humanitarian aid has existed since 2014, with periodic extensions.

Russia, China veto UN extension of aid deliveries to Syria from Turkey

Highlighting how Pakistan continues to support terror amidst COVID pandemic, India has said, Pakistan must introspect upon why it is universally acknowledged as the "international epicentre of terrorism and the best safe haven for terrorists."

Speaking at the Virtual Counter-Terrorism Week, Mahaveer Singhvi Head of Indian Delegation said, “While the world is coming together to battle the pandemic, it is unfortunate that Pakistan, a state which sponsors cross border terrorism, continues to use every opportunity to peddle false narratives and make baseless, malicious and egregious allegations against India and interfere in our internal affairs."

The statement made during," “The global scourge of terrorism: Assessment of high-risk threats and trends including the rise of violent extremism and hate speech in a pandemic environment”, India called on the international community to ask Pakistan "to take sustained, verifiable and irreversible actions against terror outfits operating on the territory under its control.”

India listed out the Pakistani role in the terror attack on the Indian mission in Kabul, Mumbai terror attack of 2008, Pathankot attack of 2016, Uri and Pulwama.

Bringing to notice the recent comments by Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in the national parliament terming 9/11 mastermind Osama Bin Laden a martyr, Singhvi said, “This is a chilling reminder of the patronage, and that the international terrorists receive in Pakistan."

In the past, Pakistan’s Prime Minister has publicly acknowledged the presence of up to 40,000 terrorists in his country and a recent report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team of the UN Security Council reported that around 6,500 Pakistani terrorists belonging to LeT and JeM are operating in Afghanistan.

On Pakistan raking Kashmir, India said the country," continues to peddle false and motivated narrative on the situation in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir" while it seeks "to portray its military, financial, logistical support to cross border terrorism against India as a freedom struggle. It is also peddling misinformation about India’s domestic legislation and policies."

India also pointed out the human rights violations in Balochistan, Kyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan occupied Kashmir and the "systematically and consistently discriminated against its religious and cultural minorities".

Singhvi said, “Members from minority communities have held high offices in India, including Presidents and Prime Ministers. Pakistan, being a theocratic State, may find it difficult to fathom India’s secular credentials."

Adding," The least, Pakistan could do, therefore, is to look into its own sorry state of affairs and put its house in order before pointing finger at others and spewing venom against the democratically elected Indian government and its leaders."

Highlighting how Pakistan continues to support terror amidst COVID pandemic, India has said, Pakistan must introspect upon why it is universally acknowledged as the "international epicentre of terrorism and the best safe haven for terrorists.

Highlighting how Pakistan continues to support terror amidst COVID pandemic, India has said, Pakistan must introspect upon why it is universally acknowledged as the "international epicentre of terrorism and the best safe haven for terrorists." Speaking at the Virtual Counter-Terrorism Week, Mahaveer Singhvi Head of Indian Delegation said, “While the world is coming together to battle the pandemic, it is unfortunate that Pakistan, a state which sponsors cross border terrorism, continues to use every opportunity to peddle false narratives and make baseless, malicious and egregious allegations against India and interfere in our internal affairs." The statement made during," “The global scourge of terrorism: Assessment of high-risk threats and trends including the rise of violent extremism and hate speech in a pandemic environment”, India called on the international community to ask Pakistan "to take sustained, verifiable and irreversible actions against terror outfits operating on the territory under its control.” India listed out the Pakistani role in the terror attack on the Indian mission in Kabul, Mumbai terror attack of 2008, Pathankot attack of 2016, Uri and Pulwama. Bringing to notice the recent comments by Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in the national parliament terming 9/11 mastermind Osama Bin Laden a martyr, Singhvi said, “This is a chilling reminder of the patronage, and that the international terrorists receive in Pakistan." In the past, Pakistan’s Prime Minister has publicly acknowledged the presence of up to 40,000 terrorists in his country and a recent report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team of the UN Security Council reported that around 6,500 Pakistani terrorists belonging to LeT and JeM are operating in Afghanistan. On Pakistan raking Kashmir, India said the country," continues to peddle false and motivated narrative on the situation in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir" while it seeks "to portray its military, financial, logistical support to cross border terrorism against India as a freedom struggle. It is also peddling misinformation about India’s domestic legislation and policies." India also pointed out the human rights violations in Balochistan, Kyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan occupied Kashmir and the "systematically and consistently discriminated against its religious and cultural minorities". Singhvi said, “Members from minority communities have held high offices in India, including Presidents and Prime Ministers. Pakistan, being a theocratic State, may find it difficult to fathom India’s secular credentials." Adding," The least, Pakistan could do, therefore, is to look into its own sorry state of affairs and put its house in order before pointing finger at others and spewing venom against the democratically elected Indian government and its leaders."

Amidst Covid-19, Pakistan continues to support terror says India at United Nations

Land degradation, wildlife exploitation, intensive farming and climate change are driving the rise in diseases that, like the coronavirus, are passed from animals to humans,&nbsp;United&nbsp;Nations&nbsp;experts said on Monday.

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) jointly identified seven trends responsible for such diseases, known as zoonotic, calling on governments to take steps to stop future pandemics.

These are: rising demand for animal protein, extraction of natural resources and urbanization, intensive and unsustainable farming, exploitation of wildlife, increased travel and transportation, food supply changes and climate change, it said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/7-killer-viruses-that-emerged-in-china-and-ravaged-the-world-311142">In pics: 7 killer viruses that emerged in China and ravaged the world</a>

"The science is clear that if we keep exploiting wildlife and destroying our ecosystems, then we can expect to see a steady stream of these diseases jumping from animals to humans in the years ahead," said UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen.

"Pandemics are devastating to our lives and our economies, and as we have seen over the past months, it is the poorest and the most vulnerable who suffer the most.

"To prevent future outbreaks, we must become much more deliberate about protecting our natural environment."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mediterranean-marine-life-flourished-during-lockdown-italian-coastguard-311092" hreflang="en">Mediterranean marine life flourished during lockdown: Italian coastguard</a>

About 60 per cent&nbsp;of known infectious diseases in humans and 75 per cent&nbsp;of all emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic, she said, largely due to the increased interaction between humans, animals and the environment.

The new coronavirus, which is most likely to have originated in bats, has infected more than 11 million people and killed over half a million people globally, according to the Johns Hopkins University.

But it is just one in a growing number of diseases – including Ebola, MERS, West Nile fever, Zika, SARS and Rift Valley fever – that have jumped from animal hosts into the human population in recent years, said the report.

Around two million people, mostly in developing&nbsp;nations, die from neglected zoonotic diseases every year. These outbreaks not only cause severe illness and deaths, but also result in major economic losses for some of the world's poorest.

In the last two decades alone, zoonotic diseases have caused economic losses of more than $100 billion. This does not include the cost of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is expected to reach $9 trillion over the next few years, said the report.

Most efforts to control zoonotic diseases have been reactive rather than proactive, say experts. They want governments to invest in public health, farm sustainability, end over-exploitation of wildlife and reduce climate change.

Africa - home to a large portion of the world’s remaining intact rainforests as well as fast-growing human population - is at high risk of the increased emergence of zoonotic diseases - but could also provide solutions, said experts.

"The situation on the continent today is ripe for intensifying existing zoonotic diseases and facilitating the emergence and spread of new ones," said ILRI Director General Jimmy Smith.

"But with their experiences with Ebola and other emerging diseases, African countries are demonstrating proactive ways to manage disease outbreaks."

He said some African&nbsp;nations&nbsp;had adopted a "One Health" approach - uniting public health, veterinary and environmental expertise which can help to identify and treat outbreaks in animals before they pass to humans.

The experts urged governments to provide incentives for sustainable land use and animal husbandry and to develop strategies for producing food that do not rely on the destruction of habitats and biodiversity.

Monday was&nbsp;World Zoonoses Day, which commemorates the work of French biologist Louis Pasteur, who successfully administered the first vaccine against rabies, a zoonotic disease, on July 6 1885.

Land degradation, wildlife exploitation, intensive farming and climate change are driving the rise in diseases that, like the coronavirus, are passed from animals to humans, United Nations experts said on Monday.

Land degradation, wildlife exploitation, intensive farming and climate change are driving the rise in diseases that, like the coronavirus, are passed from animals to humans, United Nations experts said on Monday. The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) jointly identified seven trends responsible for such diseases, known as zoonotic, calling on governments to take steps to stop future pandemics. These are: rising demand for animal protein, extraction of natural resources and urbanization, intensive and unsustainable farming, exploitation of wildlife, increased travel and transportation, food supply changes and climate change, it said. In pics: 7 killer viruses that emerged in China and ravaged the world "The science is clear that if we keep exploiting wildlife and destroying our ecosystems, then we can expect to see a steady stream of these diseases jumping from animals to humans in the years ahead," said UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen. "Pandemics are devastating to our lives and our economies, and as we have seen over the past months, it is the poorest and the most vulnerable who suffer the most. "To prevent future outbreaks, we must become much more deliberate about protecting our natural environment." Also read: Mediterranean marine life flourished during lockdown: Italian coastguard About 60 per cent of known infectious diseases in humans and 75 per cent of all emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic, she said, largely due to the increased interaction between humans, animals and the environment. The new coronavirus, which is most likely to have originated in bats, has infected more than 11 million people and killed over half a million people globally, according to the Johns Hopkins University. But it is just one in a growing number of diseases – including Ebola, MERS, West Nile fever, Zika, SARS and Rift Valley fever – that have jumped from animal hosts into the human population in recent years, said the report. Around two million people, mostly in developing nations, die from neglected zoonotic diseases every year. These outbreaks not only cause severe illness and deaths, but also result in major economic losses for some of the world's poorest. In the last two decades alone, zoonotic diseases have caused economic losses of more than $100 billion. This does not include the cost of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is expected to reach $9 trillion over the next few years, said the report. Most efforts to control zoonotic diseases have been reactive rather than proactive, say experts. They want governments to invest in public health, farm sustainability, end over-exploitation of wildlife and reduce climate change. Africa - home to a large portion of the world’s remaining intact rainforests as well as fast-growing human population - is at high risk of the increased emergence of zoonotic diseases - but could also provide solutions, said experts. "The situation on the continent today is ripe for intensifying existing zoonotic diseases and facilitating the emergence and spread of new ones," said ILRI Director General Jimmy Smith. "But with their experiences with Ebola and other emerging diseases, African countries are demonstrating proactive ways to manage disease outbreaks." He said some African nations had adopted a "One Health" approach - uniting public health, veterinary and environmental expertise which can help to identify and treat outbreaks in animals before they pass to humans. The experts urged governments to provide incentives for sustainable land use and animal husbandry and to develop strategies for producing food that do not rely on the destruction of habitats and biodiversity. Monday was World Zoonoses Day, which commemorates the work of French biologist Louis Pasteur, who successfully administered the first vaccine against rabies, a zoonotic disease, on July 6 1885.

Curb climate change, protect environment to prevent more outbreaks: United Nations

A UN-led report released on Thursday found that the world dumped a record 53.6 million tonnes of e-waste last year. Just 17.4% was recycled.

The Global E-waste Monitor 2020 report found that China, with 10.1 million tonnes, was the biggest contributor to e-waste, and the United States was second with 6.9 million tonnes. India, with 3.2 million tonnes, was third. Together these three countries accounted for nearly 38% of the world's e-waste last year.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/harsh-facts-on-world-environment-day-climate-change-pollution-and-disasters-303703#:~:text=All%20of%20the%20human%20beings,of%20pollution%20and%20climate%20change.&amp;text=Experts%20say%20the%20rapid%20loss,is%20well%20with%20the%20environment.">Harsh facts on World Environment Day: Climate change, pollution and disasters</a>

"Continent wise, it is quite simple, if you go by the total wage and rated per continent, it is definitely Asia, simply because there is also the biggest world population." Ruediger Kuehr, Director of the United Nations University Uni-Vie Scycle and Co-author of the report of e-waste told Reuters.

While the overall damage done to the environment from all the un-recycled waste may be incalculable, the message from the report was conclusive: "The way in which we produce, consume, and dispose of e-waste is unsustainable."

Global warming is just one issue cited by the report as it noted 98 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents were released into the atmosphere as a result of inadequate recycling of "undocumented" refrigerators and air conditioners.

This year's coronavirus lockdowns have exacerbated the e-waste problem.

"This is not yet reflected in the global e-waste…but we can likely expect also an increase due to the COVID crisis because all of us are doing now home work or home schooling." Kuehr said.

What is happening in India and China is symptomatic of a wider problem in developing countries, where demand for goods like washing machines, refrigerators and air conditioners is rising rapidly.

"We found out that in 2019, we produced roughly 54 million tons of e-waste, which is more or less, the weight of 350 cruise ships like the size of Queen Mary 2. It is a huge amount." Antonis Mavropoulos, International Solid Waste Association (ISWS) President told Reuters.

Dinesh Raj Bandela, deputy programme manager at the Centre for Science and Environment, a New Delhi-based research and advocacy body, said India's focus on e-waste had to go beyond the collection, and manufacturers should be encouraged to produce consumer goods that last longer and are less toxic.

Although India is the only country in South Asia to draft legislation for e-waste, its collection remains rudimentary.

A UN-led report released on Thursday found that the world dumped a record 53.6 million tonnes of e-waste last year. Just 17.4% was recycled. The Global E-waste Monitor 2020 report found that China, with 10.

A UN-led report released on Thursday found that the world dumped a record 53.6 million tonnes of e-waste last year. Just 17.4% was recycled. The Global E-waste Monitor 2020 report found that China, with 10.1 million tonnes, was the biggest contributor to e-waste, and the United States was second with 6.9 million tonnes. India, with 3.2 million tonnes, was third. Together these three countries accounted for nearly 38% of the world's e-waste last year. Also read | Harsh facts on World Environment Day: Climate change, pollution and disasters "Continent wise, it is quite simple, if you go by the total wage and rated per continent, it is definitely Asia, simply because there is also the biggest world population." Ruediger Kuehr, Director of the United Nations University Uni-Vie Scycle and Co-author of the report of e-waste told Reuters. While the overall damage done to the environment from all the un-recycled waste may be incalculable, the message from the report was conclusive: "The way in which we produce, consume, and dispose of e-waste is unsustainable." Global warming is just one issue cited by the report as it noted 98 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents were released into the atmosphere as a result of inadequate recycling of "undocumented" refrigerators and air conditioners. This year's coronavirus lockdowns have exacerbated the e-waste problem. "This is not yet reflected in the global e-waste…but we can likely expect also an increase due to the COVID crisis because all of us are doing now home work or home schooling." Kuehr said. What is happening in India and China is symptomatic of a wider problem in developing countries, where demand for goods like washing machines, refrigerators and air conditioners is rising rapidly. "We found out that in 2019, we produced roughly 54 million tons of e-waste, which is more or less, the weight of 350 cruise ships like the size of Queen Mary 2. It is a huge amount." Antonis Mavropoulos, International Solid Waste Association (ISWS) President told Reuters. Dinesh Raj Bandela, deputy programme manager at the Centre for Science and Environment, a New Delhi-based research and advocacy body, said India's focus on e-waste had to go beyond the collection, and manufacturers should be encouraged to produce consumer goods that last longer and are less toxic. Although India is the only country in South Asia to draft legislation for e-waste, its collection remains rudimentary.

World's e-waste unsustainable, says UN report citing China, India and US

Pakistan has grounded 262 pilots for lying about their qualifications & obtaining dubious licenses. WION's Palki Sharma tells you why global agencies are now banning Pakistani pilots and airlines.

Gravitas: Pakistan suspends 262 pilots for fraud

United Nations department with safety and security has now removed Pakistan registered air operators from its recommended list. This move comes after a large scale pilot license scam sent a shock wave across the aviation world. Watch report.

Your Story: EU suspends PIA pilots in Europe, Pak pilots with fake licenses

China must reconsider its sweeping national security law imposed on Hong Kong which "undermines" the city's freedoms, 27 countries said in a joint statement Tuesday.

China must reconsider its sweeping national security law imposed on Hong Kong which "undermines" the city's freedoms, 27 countries said in a joint statement Tuesday. Beijing must also allow the United Nations rights chief meaningful access to its western Xinjiang province, said the states -- including Britain, France, Germany and Japan -- in a rare oral rebuke of China at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. Julian Braithwaite, Britain's ambassador to the UN in Geneva, read the statement at the council, on behalf of all the signatories. The 27 countries have "deep and growing concerns" over the new security law, which has clear implications on the human rights of people in Hong Kong, the statement said. Imposing the law without the direct participation of Hong Kong's people, legislature or judiciary "undermines" the 'One Country, Two Systems' principle guaranteeing Hong Kong a high degree of autonomy, rights and freedoms, the signatories said. "We urge the Chinese and Hong Kong governments to reconsider the imposition of this legislation and to engage Hong Kong's people, institutions and judiciary to prevent further erosion of the rights and freedoms that the people of Hong Kong have enjoyed for many years," the statement said. Signatories included Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland and 15 European Union states including the Netherlands and Sweden. "A number of the signatories to this statement submitted a letter last year to express concern about arbitrary detention, widespread surveillance and restrictions, particularly targeting Uighurs and other minorities in Xinjiang," the statement pointed out. "These deep concerns have been reinforced by additional information now in the public domain." A study by a German researcher said Monday that Chinese authorities were carrying out forced sterilisations of Uighur and other ethnic minority women in an apparent campaign to curb the population. The countries urged China to allow Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, "meaningful access to Xinjiang at the earliest opportunity". The countries urged China to allow Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, "meaningful access to Xinjiang at the earliest opportunity". The signatories urged Bachelet to provide regular information on the human rights situation in Xinjiang and Hong Kong, "in order to safeguard the rights and freedoms which are guaranteed under international law".

China must reconsider Hong Kong security law, 27 countries tell UN

United Nation estimates that more than a million Uighur Muslims has been sent to forced detention camps in China. They are being tortured, brainwashed in these camps. Now more details have emerged that of China's brutal crackdown on the Uighur Muslims. Watch report.

WION Dispatch: How China has been torturing Uighur Muslims in detention camps?

The president of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Tijjani Muhammad-Bande -- in an apparent message to China -- changed the phrase&nbsp;of the resolution to be adopted by UN on the 75th anniversary of its existence. The resolution that will be adopted in September will have a new sentence and not the one that has been a key part of Chinese foreign policy and backed by the Chinese Communist Party.

This happened after six countries -- India, US, UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand objected to the use of phrase -- "to build a community with a shared future for mankind", which has been discussed by China President Xi Jinping many times as his vision for the world.

Xi has raised the concept and the phrase on many occasions including his UNGA speech at the 70th session of the body, and his famous speech at World Economic Forum at Davos in January 2017.

Several European countries were not very happy with the use of the phase. UN member state sources told WION, "It's a much broader concern shared by many."

Another UN source explained, "UNGA President proposing an alternate sentence vindicates our stance"

What is interesting is China had put the phase under "silence" procedure and not at the negotiation stage which many UN members believe is not by chance. Under the silence procedure, the proposal is deemed to be passed, if no one "breaks the silence" by raising a concern. China had not taken kindly to the "silence" being broken and backed by Pakistan, Syria and Russia had shot up a letter to UN.&nbsp;

The proposed wording by UNGA President "for the common future of present and coming generations" was given approval for the resolution via silence procedure with China not objecting to it. Any objection by China could have led to a deadlock, and perhaps a controversy even as UN marks 75th year of existence, something that could have gone against Bejing. The development last week since by June end, the resolution was to be agreed upon for resolution to be adopted later this year. &nbsp;

While China has been trying to put the same language in the UN documents, it has been put to vote and there might be stray instances it might have been able to do so.&nbsp;

The resolution which has been put on UN Website calls for reforms and lists out 12 commitments with COVID pandemic reminding "us in the most powerful way that we are only as strong as our weakest link".

On COVID, the resolution says, "It is even more important as we build back better from the COVID-19 pandemic. We need a strong UN development system" and "the COVID-19 pandemic continues to reverberate around our world. In a matter of weeks, the pandemic manifested itself as the largest global challenge in the history of the UN."

Declaration has strong references to terrorism, peacekeeping operations of UN which are of direct interest to India and key priorities for New Delhi.

On UNSC reforms which India has been talking for a long time, the resolution says, "we commit to instil new life in the discussions on the reform of the security council," highlighting how the world of today is very different from what it was when the UN was created 75 years ago.

On terror, the resolution says, "Terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism are serious threats to international peace and security."

It pays tributes to UN peacekeepers saying, "Over the years, more than one million women and men have served under the UN flag in more than 70 peacekeeping operations".&nbsp;

India is the fourth highest troop-contributing countries with more than 6700 troops from India being deployed on UN peacekeeping missions.

Reinvigorated multilateralism is also a word that appears -- also a matter which Indian PM Modi himself has articulated as reformed multilateralism.

All of the above which the resolution talks about also forms key focus areas for India as it sits at the United Nations Security Council from January 1, 2021 for a period of 2 years. It was elected earlier this month and got 184 votes and was the sole candidate for the Asia Pacific seat.&nbsp;

India's priority areas as UNSC elected member are -- new opportunities for progress, effective response to international terrorism, reforming the multilateral system, comprehensive approach to international peace and security and promoting technology with a human touch as a driver of solutions. 
&nbsp;

The president of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Tijjani Muhammad-Bande -- in an apparent message to China -- changed the phrase of the resolution to be adopted by UN on the 75th anniversary of its existence.

The president of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Tijjani Muhammad-Bande -- in an apparent message to China -- changed the phrase of the resolution to be adopted by UN on the 75th anniversary of its existence. The resolution that will be adopted in September will have a new sentence and not the one that has been a key part of Chinese foreign policy and backed by the Chinese Communist Party. This happened after six countries -- India, US, UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand objected to the use of phrase -- "to build a community with a shared future for mankind", which has been discussed by China President Xi Jinping many times as his vision for the world. Xi has raised the concept and the phrase on many occasions including his UNGA speech at the 70th session of the body, and his famous speech at World Economic Forum at Davos in January 2017. Several European countries were not very happy with the use of the phase. UN member state sources told WION, "It's a much broader concern shared by many." Another UN source explained, "UNGA President proposing an alternate sentence vindicates our stance" What is interesting is China had put the phase under "silence" procedure and not at the negotiation stage which many UN members believe is not by chance. Under the silence procedure, the proposal is deemed to be passed, if no one "breaks the silence" by raising a concern. China had not taken kindly to the "silence" being broken and backed by Pakistan, Syria and Russia had shot up a letter to UN. The proposed wording by UNGA President "for the common future of present and coming generations" was given approval for the resolution via silence procedure with China not objecting to it. Any objection by China could have led to a deadlock, and perhaps a controversy even as UN marks 75th year of existence, something that could have gone against Bejing. The development last week since by June end, the resolution was to be agreed upon for resolution to be adopted later this year. While China has been trying to put the same language in the UN documents, it has been put to vote and there might be stray instances it might have been able to do so. The resolution which has been put on UN Website calls for reforms and lists out 12 commitments with COVID pandemic reminding "us in the most powerful way that we are only as strong as our weakest link". On COVID, the resolution says, "It is even more important as we build back better from the COVID-19 pandemic. We need a strong UN development system" and "the COVID-19 pandemic continues to reverberate around our world. In a matter of weeks, the pandemic manifested itself as the largest global challenge in the history of the UN." Declaration has strong references to terrorism, peacekeeping operations of UN which are of direct interest to India and key priorities for New Delhi. On UNSC reforms which India has been talking for a long time, the resolution says, "we commit to instil new life in the discussions on the reform of the security council," highlighting how the world of today is very different from what it was when the UN was created 75 years ago. On terror, the resolution says, "Terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism are serious threats to international peace and security." It pays tributes to UN peacekeepers saying, "Over the years, more than one million women and men have served under the UN flag in more than 70 peacekeeping operations". India is the fourth highest troop-contributing countries with more than 6700 troops from India being deployed on UN peacekeeping missions. Reinvigorated multilateralism is also a word that appears -- also a matter which Indian PM Modi himself has articulated as reformed multilateralism. All of the above which the resolution talks about also forms key focus areas for India as it sits at the United Nations Security Council from January 1, 2021 for a period of 2 years. It was elected earlier this month and got 184 votes and was the sole candidate for the Asia Pacific seat. India's priority areas as UNSC elected member are -- new opportunities for progress, effective response to international terrorism, reforming the multilateral system, comprehensive approach to international peace and security and promoting technology with a human touch as a driver of solutions.

UNGA Prez says no to Chinese Communist Party language for 75th anniversary resolution

Six migrants died along the way, and 93 others were rescued off Libyan shores -- including a woman who gave birth at sea -- as they tried to reach Europe, the UN's migration agency said Saturday.

The survivors were brought back overnight to the port city of Khoms, 120 kilometres west of the capital Tripoli, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said on Twitter.

Libya was thrown into chaos after the overthrow and killing of veteran dictator Moamer Kadhafi in a NATO-backed uprising in 2011. Traffickers have since exploited the unrest to turn the North African country into a key route for illicit migration towards Europe.

The situation of refugees and asylum seekers in Libya worsened after eastern Libya-based military strongman Khalifa Haftar launched an assault on Tripoli in 2019 and the onset of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Human rights groups have repeatedly criticised the systematic return of migrants intercepted in the Mediterranean to Libya, where they are held in crowded detention centres.

The IOM said those rescued overnight were released after disembarking in Khoms.

The latest operation came just days after French charity boat Ocean Viking, picked up dozens of migrants, including 31 Pakistanis, off the Italian island of Lampedusa after they had drifted from Libya.

More than 100,000 migrants tried to cross the Mediterranean last year with more than 1,200 dying in the attempt, according to the IOM.

Six migrants died along the way, and 93 others were rescued off Libyan shores -- including a woman who gave birth at sea -- as they tried to reach Europe, the UN's migration agency said Saturday.

Six migrants died along the way, and 93 others were rescued off Libyan shores -- including a woman who gave birth at sea -- as they tried to reach Europe, the UN's migration agency said Saturday. The survivors were brought back overnight to the port city of Khoms, 120 kilometres west of the capital Tripoli, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said on Twitter. Libya was thrown into chaos after the overthrow and killing of veteran dictator Moamer Kadhafi in a NATO-backed uprising in 2011. Traffickers have since exploited the unrest to turn the North African country into a key route for illicit migration towards Europe. The situation of refugees and asylum seekers in Libya worsened after eastern Libya-based military strongman Khalifa Haftar launched an assault on Tripoli in 2019 and the onset of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Human rights groups have repeatedly criticised the systematic return of migrants intercepted in the Mediterranean to Libya, where they are held in crowded detention centres. The IOM said those rescued overnight were released after disembarking in Khoms. The latest operation came just days after French charity boat Ocean Viking, picked up dozens of migrants, including 31 Pakistanis, off the Italian island of Lampedusa after they had drifted from Libya. More than 100,000 migrants tried to cross the Mediterranean last year with more than 1,200 dying in the attempt, according to the IOM.

Six migrants dead, dozens rescued off Libya coast: UN

The UN human rights chief called Thursday for a "moratorium" on the use of facial recognition technology during peaceful protests, stressing that it could increase discrimination against people of African descent and other minorities.

Michelle Bachelet's appeal came as her office published a report about the impact of new technologies on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of assemblies, including peaceful protests.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/world-dismantles-historical-artefacts-of-racism-monuments-become-sites-of-protest-304777">World dismantles historical artefacts of racism, monuments become sites of protest</a>

''There should be a moratorium on the use of facial recognition technology in the context of peaceful protests, until states meet certain conditions including human rights due diligence before deploying it," Bachelet said in a statement.&nbsp;

The report was requested by the United Nations Human Rights Council two years ago, but it comes as demonstrations have erupted in a number of countries.

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"New technologies can be used to mobilise and organise peaceful protests, form networks and coalitions, and help people to be better informed about demonstrations and the reasons they are happening, thus driving social change,"&nbsp;Bachelet said.

But, she stressed, "as we have seen, they can be -- and are being -- used to restrict and infringe on protesters' rights, to surveil and track them, and invade their privacy."

The UN report pointed out that technology-enabled surveillance had been a major factor in shrinking civic space in a range of countries, with some states using intrusive online surveillance and the hacking of social media accounts used by protest organisers and demonstrators themselves.

It voiced particular concern over facial recognition technology, "which allows for the automated identification, surveillance and tracking of protesters."

Facial recognition has numerous uses that could simplify people's lives, as seen with Apple using it to unlock smartphones.

But the technology has a dark side, with facial recognition integrated into China's massive public surveillance system and its social credit experiment, where even minor infractions of public norms can result in sanctions.

As protests about police violence and racism spread across the United States, pressure mounted on the tech firms behind the technology.

Microsoft and Amazon announced they would suspend sales of facial recognition software to police forces, while IBM said it would quit the business.

The UN human rights chief called Thursday for a "moratorium" on the use of facial recognition technology during peaceful protests, stressing that it could increase discrimination against people of African descent and other minorities.

The UN human rights chief called Thursday for a "moratorium" on the use of facial recognition technology during peaceful protests, stressing that it could increase discrimination against people of African descent and other minorities. Michelle Bachelet's appeal came as her office published a report about the impact of new technologies on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of assemblies, including peaceful protests. Also see: World dismantles historical artefacts of racism, monuments become sites of protest ''There should be a moratorium on the use of facial recognition technology in the context of peaceful protests, until states meet certain conditions including human rights due diligence before deploying it," Bachelet said in a statement. The report was requested by the United Nations Human Rights Council two years ago, but it comes as demonstrations have erupted in a number of countries. Also read| Pandemic could hit drug markets as in 2008 crisis: United Nations "New technologies can be used to mobilise and organise peaceful protests, form networks and coalitions, and help people to be better informed about demonstrations and the reasons they are happening, thus driving social change," Bachelet said. But, she stressed, "as we have seen, they can be -- and are being -- used to restrict and infringe on protesters' rights, to surveil and track them, and invade their privacy." The UN report pointed out that technology-enabled surveillance had been a major factor in shrinking civic space in a range of countries, with some states using intrusive online surveillance and the hacking of social media accounts used by protest organisers and demonstrators themselves. It voiced particular concern over facial recognition technology, "which allows for the automated identification, surveillance and tracking of protesters." Facial recognition has numerous uses that could simplify people's lives, as seen with Apple using it to unlock smartphones. But the technology has a dark side, with facial recognition integrated into China's massive public surveillance system and its social credit experiment, where even minor infractions of public norms can result in sanctions. As protests about police violence and racism spread across the United States, pressure mounted on the tech firms behind the technology. Microsoft and Amazon announced they would suspend sales of facial recognition software to police forces, while IBM said it would quit the business.

UN urges 'moratorium' on facial recognition tech use in protests

The new coronavirus pandemic could hit drug markets just as the 2008 economic crisis did, exacerbating the risks for users, the UN drugs and crime agency warned Thursday.

In its 2020 World Drug Report, the agency predicted an overall increase in drug use due to the pandemic, with a shift towards consuming cheaper products and injecting them, which carries greater risks.

Countries were also likely to reduce drug-related budgets, it warned.

They might also give less priority to interception operations and international cooperation, which would make it easier for traffickers to operate.

Rising unemployment and a lack of opportunities would increase the chances that "poor and disadvantaged people... turn to illicit activities linked to drugs -– either production or transport".

"The COVID-19 crisis and economic downturn threaten to compound drug dangers further still, when our health and social systems have been brought to the brink and our societies are struggling to cope," said UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly.

"We need all governments to show greater solidarity and provide support, to developing countries most of all, to tackle illicit drug trafficking and offer evidence-based services for drug use disorders and related diseases."

The Vienna-based agency said it had reached its conclusions based on what had happened in the wake of the 2008 economic crisis.

Border closures and other measures linked to the pandemic have already caused shortages of drugs on the street, leading to higher prices and reduced purity, the report noted.

Drug traffickers seemed to rely more on maritime routes, such as direct cocaine shipments by sea from South America to Europe.

Online trafficking via the darknet, which offers users total anonymity, and shipments by mail might also increase, it added.

Drug consumption overall is already on the rise, especially in developing countries, said the report.

While in 2009 an estimated 210 million people worldwide used drugs at least once, in 2018 that figure was closer to 269 million -- or 5.3 percent of the global population.

The report, which mostly examined data up to early 2019, also noted that use of cocaine and methamphetamine was rising, with the methamphetamine markets in Afghanistan and Iraq growing.

Global cocaine production again reached an all-time high, continuing its record-setting trend.

Cannabis remains the most widely used drug worldwide with an estimated 192 million users in 2018. But opioids, used by around 58 million people, remained the most harmful.

The new coronavirus pandemic could hit drug markets just as the 2008 economic crisis did, exacerbating the risks for users, the UN drugs and crime agency warned Thursday.

The new coronavirus pandemic could hit drug markets just as the 2008 economic crisis did, exacerbating the risks for users, the UN drugs and crime agency warned Thursday. In its 2020 World Drug Report, the agency predicted an overall increase in drug use due to the pandemic, with a shift towards consuming cheaper products and injecting them, which carries greater risks. Countries were also likely to reduce drug-related budgets, it warned. They might also give less priority to interception operations and international cooperation, which would make it easier for traffickers to operate. Rising unemployment and a lack of opportunities would increase the chances that "poor and disadvantaged people... turn to illicit activities linked to drugs -– either production or transport". "The COVID-19 crisis and economic downturn threaten to compound drug dangers further still, when our health and social systems have been brought to the brink and our societies are struggling to cope," said UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly. "We need all governments to show greater solidarity and provide support, to developing countries most of all, to tackle illicit drug trafficking and offer evidence-based services for drug use disorders and related diseases." The Vienna-based agency said it had reached its conclusions based on what had happened in the wake of the 2008 economic crisis. Border closures and other measures linked to the pandemic have already caused shortages of drugs on the street, leading to higher prices and reduced purity, the report noted. Drug traffickers seemed to rely more on maritime routes, such as direct cocaine shipments by sea from South America to Europe. Online trafficking via the darknet, which offers users total anonymity, and shipments by mail might also increase, it added. Drug consumption overall is already on the rise, especially in developing countries, said the report. While in 2009 an estimated 210 million people worldwide used drugs at least once, in 2018 that figure was closer to 269 million -- or 5.3 percent of the global population. The report, which mostly examined data up to early 2019, also noted that use of cocaine and methamphetamine was rising, with the methamphetamine markets in Afghanistan and Iraq growing. Global cocaine production again reached an all-time high, continuing its record-setting trend. Cannabis remains the most widely used drug worldwide with an estimated 192 million users in 2018. But opioids, used by around 58 million people, remained the most harmful.

Pandemic could hit drug markets as in 2008 crisis: United Nations

The United Nations and the Arab League made a joint appeal Wednesday for Israel to abandon its plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank.

The call was made during a UN Security Council video conference in which several government ministers participated.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/nearly-80-million-people-forcibly-displaced-globally-at-the-end-of-2019-united-nations-307075" hreflang="en">Nearly 80 million people forcibly displaced globally at the end of 2019: United Nations</a>

It was the last international meeting before Israel goes ahead with the plans as early as July 1.

"I call on the Israeli government to abandon its annexation plans," said UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

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He reiterated the longstanding goal of a two-state solution with an independent, contiguous, sovereign and viable Palestinian state, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states.

Arab League secretary general Ahmed Aboul Gheit said annexation "will destroy any prospect for peace in the future."

The United Nations and the Arab League made a joint appeal Wednesday for Israel to abandon its plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank. The call was made during a UN Security Council video conference in which several government ministers participated.

The United Nations and the Arab League made a joint appeal Wednesday for Israel to abandon its plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank. The call was made during a UN Security Council video conference in which several government ministers participated. Also read: Nearly 80 million people forcibly displaced globally at the end of 2019: United Nations It was the last international meeting before Israel goes ahead with the plans as early as July 1. "I call on the Israeli government to abandon its annexation plans," said UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. Also read: United Nations cuts assistance to Yemen, over 75% services affected He reiterated the longstanding goal of a two-state solution with an independent, contiguous, sovereign and viable Palestinian state, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states. Arab League secretary general Ahmed Aboul Gheit said annexation "will destroy any prospect for peace in the future."

UN, Arab League urge Israel to abandon annexation plans

The United Nations secretary general, Antonio Guterres, has expressed hope that&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;will hear global calls and will not go ahead with annexation of parts of the West Bank, which would undermine a two-state solution to the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The UN has been consistently conveying the message “that annexation would be not only against international law but it would be a major factor to destabilise the region”, he said in an interview.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-troops-kill-palestinian-who-tried-car-ramming-in-west-bank-police-308080">Israeli troops kill Palestinian who tried car-ramming in West Bank: Police</a>

He spoke ahead of a high-level UN security council meeting on Wednesday on the Mideast where Israel’s plans to annex around 30 per cent&nbsp;of the West Bank in line with US president Donald Trump’s Middle East peace plan is certain to be a major topic.

Guterres will speak before briefings from Arab League secretary-general, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, and UN special coordinator, Nickolay Mladenov. France, which holds the council presidency this month, said half a dozen foreign ministers are expected to take part, along with the Palestinian foreign minister and Israel’s UN ambassador.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israels-netanyahu-mulls-two-phase-west-bank-annexation-306513">Israel's Netanyahu mulls two-phase West Bank annexation</a>

Israel captured the West Bank from Jordan in the 1967 war and has built dozens of settlements that are now home to nearly 500,000 Israelis, but it never formally claimed it as an Israeli territory due to stiff international opposition.

The Palestinians, with wide international backing, seek the territory as the heartland of their future independent state.

The Trump administration has taken a much softer line toward Israeli settlements than its predecessors. With Trump’s reelection prospects uncertain this November, Israeli hardliners have urged their prime minister,&nbsp;Benjamin Netanyahu, to move ahead with annexation quickly. The Israeli leader’s new coalition deal includes an official clause allowing him to present his annexation plan to the government starting July 1.

Such a unilateral move would all but dash Palestinian hopes of establishing a viable independent state and is vehemently opposed by the Palestinians, Arab nations and most of the rest of the world.

Guterres said annexation “would undermine what I believe is necessary, which is a two-state solution in which Israelis and the Palestinians can live together in peace, respect each other, and guarantee each other’s security”.

“I hope that this voice of reason that is not only mine, it is echoing across the world, will be heard by the Israeli authorities and that annexation does not take place on July 1,” he said.

The United Nations secretary general, Antonio Guterres, has expressed hope that Israel will hear global calls and will not go ahead with annexation of parts of the West Bank, which would undermine a two-state solution to the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The United Nations secretary general, Antonio Guterres, has expressed hope that Israel will hear global calls and will not go ahead with annexation of parts of the West Bank, which would undermine a two-state solution to the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The UN has been consistently conveying the message “that annexation would be not only against international law but it would be a major factor to destabilise the region”, he said in an interview. Also read: Israeli troops kill Palestinian who tried car-ramming in West Bank: Police He spoke ahead of a high-level UN security council meeting on Wednesday on the Mideast where Israel’s plans to annex around 30 per cent of the West Bank in line with US president Donald Trump’s Middle East peace plan is certain to be a major topic. Guterres will speak before briefings from Arab League secretary-general, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, and UN special coordinator, Nickolay Mladenov. France, which holds the council presidency this month, said half a dozen foreign ministers are expected to take part, along with the Palestinian foreign minister and Israel’s UN ambassador. Also read: Israel's Netanyahu mulls two-phase West Bank annexation Israel captured the West Bank from Jordan in the 1967 war and has built dozens of settlements that are now home to nearly 500,000 Israelis, but it never formally claimed it as an Israeli territory due to stiff international opposition. The Palestinians, with wide international backing, seek the territory as the heartland of their future independent state. The Trump administration has taken a much softer line toward Israeli settlements than its predecessors. With Trump’s reelection prospects uncertain this November, Israeli hardliners have urged their prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to move ahead with annexation quickly. The Israeli leader’s new coalition deal includes an official clause allowing him to present his annexation plan to the government starting July 1. Such a unilateral move would all but dash Palestinian hopes of establishing a viable independent state and is vehemently opposed by the Palestinians, Arab nations and most of the rest of the world. Guterres said annexation “would undermine what I believe is necessary, which is a two-state solution in which Israelis and the Palestinians can live together in peace, respect each other, and guarantee each other’s security”. “I hope that this voice of reason that is not only mine, it is echoing across the world, will be heard by the Israeli authorities and that annexation does not take place on July 1,” he said.

UN chief Antonio Guterres urges Israel to back away from West Bank annexation

The United States&nbsp;has shared a draft resolution with members of the United Nations Security Council that would extend an arms&nbsp;embargo&nbsp;on Iran indefinitely, according to diplomats.

The embargo, put in place as part of a nuclear accord signed with Tehran in 2015, is set to expire in October, but Washington has been working to extend the ban as tensions with its arch-rival remain high.

On Friday, France, the UK&nbsp;and Germany, all signatories to the deal, issued a joint statement arguing against lifting the ban as scheduled, saying it could have ''major implications for regional security and stability.''

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-britain-and-germany-regret-us-end-to-iran-nuclear-waivers-301999">France, Britain and Germany regret US end to Iran nuclear waivers</a>

With the ban on arms transactions with Iran set to expire in October under terms of the 2015 nuclear deal, the US&nbsp;draft calls on all countries to ''prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale, or transfer''&nbsp;of weapons to and from the Islamic Republic unless a Security Council committee approves it at least 30 days in advance on a case-by-case basis.

The US&nbsp;proposal Monday came after Russia and China, two veto-wielding members of the council, have already said they won’t support extending the&nbsp;embargo&nbsp;because they blame President Donald Trump for exiting the nuclear accord unilaterally. Diplomats expect a clash at the council over the next few months because the&nbsp;US&nbsp;is threatening&nbsp;that it will invoke a ''snapback''&nbsp;provision in the 2015 deal if it doesn’t get its way, which would reimpose all UN sanctions against Tehran.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-germany-uk-accessories-to-trump-netanyahu-iran-foreign-minister-zarif-307236">France, Germany, UK 'accessories' to Trump, Netanyahu: Iran Foreign Minister Zarif</a>

The Security Council is set to begin negotiations on the resolution on Wednesday, diplomats said. Earlier this month, US&nbsp;Ambassador Kelly Craft told reporters that the resolution had already been shared with close allies and Russia, and that the text would be circulated among the rest of the council soon.

<aside data-state="ready">
The American resolution cites the conclusion by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in his most recent report that missiles and drones used in several attacks against Saudi Arabia in 2019&nbsp;originated&nbsp;in Iran.

The draft expresses ''grave concern about the risk that these attacks posed to global energy supplies, to freedom of navigation in the region, to the safety of persons working in the energy and maritime transportation sectors and to the environment.''

It adds that ''such attacks and continued proliferation of arms and related material by Iran constitute a threat to international peace and security.''
</aside>

Iran ''categorically''&nbsp;rejected the UN findings, saying in a&nbsp;statement&nbsp;earlier this month that the secretariat ''lacks the capacity, expertise, and knowledge to conduct such a sophisticated and sensitive investigation.''

The expiration of the arms&nbsp;embargo&nbsp;theoretically would let Iran move ahead with purchases of conventional weapons from Russia and China. Iran could modernize its forces by buying advanced weapons systems that it has mostly been unable to acquire for decades, including fighter aircraft and main battle tanks, the Pentagon warned in November.

The issue takes on added political emphasis for Trump, with the October expiration coming just weeks before the US&nbsp;presidential election.

The United States has shared a draft resolution with members of the United Nations Security Council that would extend an arms embargo on Iran indefinitely, according to diplomats.

The United States has shared a draft resolution with members of the United Nations Security Council that would extend an arms embargo on Iran indefinitely, according to diplomats. The embargo, put in place as part of a nuclear accord signed with Tehran in 2015, is set to expire in October, but Washington has been working to extend the ban as tensions with its arch-rival remain high. On Friday, France, the UK and Germany, all signatories to the deal, issued a joint statement arguing against lifting the ban as scheduled, saying it could have ''major implications for regional security and stability.'' Also read: France, Britain and Germany regret US end to Iran nuclear waivers With the ban on arms transactions with Iran set to expire in October under terms of the 2015 nuclear deal, the US draft calls on all countries to ''prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale, or transfer'' of weapons to and from the Islamic Republic unless a Security Council committee approves it at least 30 days in advance on a case-by-case basis. The US proposal Monday came after Russia and China, two veto-wielding members of the council, have already said they won’t support extending the embargo because they blame President Donald Trump for exiting the nuclear accord unilaterally. Diplomats expect a clash at the council over the next few months because the US is threatening that it will invoke a ''snapback'' provision in the 2015 deal if it doesn’t get its way, which would reimpose all UN sanctions against Tehran. Also read: France, Germany, UK 'accessories' to Trump, Netanyahu: Iran Foreign Minister Zarif The Security Council is set to begin negotiations on the resolution on Wednesday, diplomats said. Earlier this month, US Ambassador Kelly Craft told reporters that the resolution had already been shared with close allies and Russia, and that the text would be circulated among the rest of the council soon. The American resolution cites the conclusion by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in his most recent report that missiles and drones used in several attacks against Saudi Arabia in 2019 originated in Iran. The draft expresses ''grave concern about the risk that these attacks posed to global energy supplies, to freedom of navigation in the region, to the safety of persons working in the energy and maritime transportation sectors and to the environment.'' It adds that ''such attacks and continued proliferation of arms and related material by Iran constitute a threat to international peace and security.'' Iran ''categorically'' rejected the UN findings, saying in a statement earlier this month that the secretariat ''lacks the capacity, expertise, and knowledge to conduct such a sophisticated and sensitive investigation.'' The expiration of the arms embargo theoretically would let Iran move ahead with purchases of conventional weapons from Russia and China. Iran could modernize its forces by buying advanced weapons systems that it has mostly been unable to acquire for decades, including fighter aircraft and main battle tanks, the Pentagon warned in November. The issue takes on added political emphasis for Trump, with the October expiration coming just weeks before the US presidential election.

US seeking indefinite extension in Iran arms embargo via UN Resolution

The United Nations (UN) on Sunday lambasted the Taliban and Afghan security forces, blaming them for "deliberately" carrying out attacks on healthcare workers and facilities at a time when the country&nbsp;is struggling to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

"At a time when an urgent humanitarian response was required to protect every life in Afghanistan, both the Taliban and Afghan national security forces carried out deliberate acts of violence that undermined healthcare operations," United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) chief Deborah Lyons said in a statement, reported AFP.&nbsp;

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The UNAMA said it had registered 12 such incidents of violence between March 11 and May 23 against medical professionals and facilities.&nbsp;

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Out of the 12 attacks, the UN agency held the Taliban responsible for eight of these and blamed Afghan forces for three attacks.&nbsp;

Amongst all the attacks, one of the deadliest was the one on a Kabul-based maternity hospital on May 12, which so far remains unclaimed.&nbsp;

As many as 25 people died, including 16 mothers, in the attack on the maternity ward of Dasht e-Barchi hospital in Kabul, according to international charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF).&nbsp;

This report came at a time when Afghanistan is struggling to contain the cases of coronavirus, which has so far infected 28,833 people, including 581 deaths in the country.&nbsp;

"Perpetrating targetted attacks on healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when health resources are already stretched and of critical importance to the civilian population, is particularly reprehensible," Fiona Frazer, UNAMA Chief of Human Rights, said.&nbsp;

The United Nations (UN) on Sunday lambasted the Taliban and Afghan security forces, blaming them for "deliberately" carrying out attacks on healthcare workers and facilities at a time when the country is struggling to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

The United Nations (UN) on Sunday lambasted the Taliban and Afghan security forces, blaming them for "deliberately" carrying out attacks on healthcare workers and facilities at a time when the country is struggling to contain the coronavirus pandemic. "At a time when an urgent humanitarian response was required to protect every life in Afghanistan, both the Taliban and Afghan national security forces carried out deliberate acts of violence that undermined healthcare operations," United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) chief Deborah Lyons said in a statement, reported AFP. Also read | Afghan Taliban kidnap dozens of civilians amid peace efforts, officials say The UNAMA said it had registered 12 such incidents of violence between March 11 and May 23 against medical professionals and facilities. Also read | Western powers support Afghanistan's decision to not release Taliban prisoners Out of the 12 attacks, the UN agency held the Taliban responsible for eight of these and blamed Afghan forces for three attacks. Amongst all the attacks, one of the deadliest was the one on a Kabul-based maternity hospital on May 12, which so far remains unclaimed. As many as 25 people died, including 16 mothers, in the attack on the maternity ward of Dasht e-Barchi hospital in Kabul, according to international charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF). This report came at a time when Afghanistan is struggling to contain the cases of coronavirus, which has so far infected 28,833 people, including 581 deaths in the country. "Perpetrating targetted attacks on healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when health resources are already stretched and of critical importance to the civilian population, is particularly reprehensible," Fiona Frazer, UNAMA Chief of Human Rights, said.

UN blames Afghan forces, Taliban for 'deliberately' targetting healthcare

United Nations' World Refugee Day on Saturday (June 20), will be the same as every day for Marwan Kuwaik, a 70-year-old Palestinian in Gaza, who will be focused on trying to eke out a living by selling snack food on the street. This year's event is aimed at reminding the world that everyone, including refugees, can contribute to society, the U.N. said on its website.

On World Refugee Day, Palestinian tries to scrape by in Gaza

Nearly 80 million people were forcibly displaced globally by the end of 2019 as a result of war, violence, persecution and other emergencies, according to the United Nations.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/rohingya-refugees-relocated-to-controversial-bangladesh-island-after-spending-weeks-at-sea-296449">Also read: Rohingya refugees relocated to controversial Bangladesh island after spending weeks at sea</a> 
 
The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, in its annual report on displacement released on Thursday, noted that an additional 11 million people were newly displaced in 2019 alone, with developing countries the worst-hit.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/malaysia-could-send-rohingya-detainees-back-out-to-sea-sources-306778">Also read: Malaysia could send Rohingya detainees back out to sea</a> 
 
The number is almost double the total figure over the past decade.

While 2.4 million sought protection outside their country, 8.6 million were newly displaced within the borders of their countries.

Many displaced populations failed to find long-lasting solutions for rebuilding their lives, with only 317,200 refugees able to return to their country of origin and only 107,800 resettled in third countries, the UNHCR said in the report released ahead of World Refugee Day on June 20.

The global displacement number of 79.5 million or one in every 97 people on the planet at the end of 2019 is almost double the number of people in crisis registered a decade ago, it noted.

"This almost 80 million figure -- the highest that UNHCR has recorded since these statistics have been systematically collected, is, of course, a reason for great concern. This is approximately one per cent of the world's population, we have never reached this very significant percentage," UNHCR High Commissioner Filippo Grandi said.

Speaking to journalists in Geneva, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees chief noted that although the issue of displacement affects all nations, data showed that it was poorer countries which hosted 85 per cent of those forced from their home.

"This continues to be a global issue, an issue for all States, but one that challenges most directly the poorer countries - not the richer countries - in spite of the rhetoric," he said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reminded countries of their fundamental obligation to protect the nearly 80 million people worldwide forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution and other crises.

In his message to mark the World Refugee Day, the UN chief also praised those nations and communities hosting refugees and internally displaced people, often amid their own economic and security challenges.

"We owe these countries our thanks, our support and our investment," he said.

While refugees and internally displaced people are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Secretary-General commended them for stepping up on the frontlines of response.

"From camps in Bangladesh to hospitals in Europe, refugees are working as nurses, doctors, scientists, teachers and in other essential roles, protecting themselves and giving back to the communities that host them," he said.

Numerous emergencies old and new are behind the massive people flows, from Afghanistan to Central African Republic, to Myanmar, with hotspots including the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Burkina Faso -- and the wider Sahel -- and the continuing fallout in Syria, after nearly a decade of civil war, the report said.

About 73 per cent of the 79.5 million on the move have sought shelter in a country neighbouring their own, Grandi said, dismissing the regularly politicised misconception that most migrants and refugees target richer countries far from home.

Nearly seven in 10 of those displaced came from Syria, Venezuela, Afghanistan, South Sudan and Myanmar, he said.

"If crises in these countries were solved, 68 per cent of global forced displacement would be on its way to being solved," Grandi said.

Asked about the impact of COVID-19 on mass population movements, he said it would "no doubt" push more people into crisis.

"I am very worried and we've said it to a lot of different governments that have asked us the question," he said.

"The livelihoods crisis...the increased poverty of these populations, in my opinion -- coupled with lack of solutions to a situation of conflict and in situations like the Sahel, with a deterioration of security -- there's no doubt it will increase population movements in the region but also beyond, towards Europe," Grandi said.

Since the global health crisis began, the agency has also reported an increase in the number of Rohingyas moving from Bangladesh and Myanmar, towards Malaysia and other States in South East Asia.

'That, in my opinion, is linked more than COVID-19 once again by the very stagnant situation of the Rohingya issue,' Grandi said.

'No solution, great poverty and lack of opportunities in the camps in Bangladesh, now maybe also couple with the lockdown that was made necessary by COVID that has added to the hardship.'

For the first time, Venezuela's 3.5 million displaced people feature in the UNHCR report, accounting in part for the significant rise, compared with the 2018-19 data.

In terms of the ages of those affected, the UN agency estimates that around 30 to 34 million of the world's 79.5 million forcibly displaced, are children.

Of the near 80 million people cited in the report, 26 million are refugees; 20.4 million come under UNHCR's mandate and 5.6 million are Palestine refugees registered with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Nearly 80 million people were forcibly displaced globally by the end of 2019 as a result of war, violence, persecution and other emergencies, according to the United Nations.

Nearly 80 million people were forcibly displaced globally by the end of 2019 as a result of war, violence, persecution and other emergencies, according to the United Nations. Also read: Rohingya refugees relocated to controversial Bangladesh island after spending weeks at sea The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, in its annual report on displacement released on Thursday, noted that an additional 11 million people were newly displaced in 2019 alone, with developing countries the worst-hit. Also read: Malaysia could send Rohingya detainees back out to sea The number is almost double the total figure over the past decade. While 2.4 million sought protection outside their country, 8.6 million were newly displaced within the borders of their countries. Many displaced populations failed to find long-lasting solutions for rebuilding their lives, with only 317,200 refugees able to return to their country of origin and only 107,800 resettled in third countries, the UNHCR said in the report released ahead of World Refugee Day on June 20. The global displacement number of 79.5 million or one in every 97 people on the planet at the end of 2019 is almost double the number of people in crisis registered a decade ago, it noted. "This almost 80 million figure -- the highest that UNHCR has recorded since these statistics have been systematically collected, is, of course, a reason for great concern. This is approximately one per cent of the world's population, we have never reached this very significant percentage," UNHCR High Commissioner Filippo Grandi said. Speaking to journalists in Geneva, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees chief noted that although the issue of displacement affects all nations, data showed that it was poorer countries which hosted 85 per cent of those forced from their home. "This continues to be a global issue, an issue for all States, but one that challenges most directly the poorer countries - not the richer countries - in spite of the rhetoric," he said. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reminded countries of their fundamental obligation to protect the nearly 80 million people worldwide forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution and other crises. In his message to mark the World Refugee Day, the UN chief also praised those nations and communities hosting refugees and internally displaced people, often amid their own economic and security challenges. "We owe these countries our thanks, our support and our investment," he said. While refugees and internally displaced people are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Secretary-General commended them for stepping up on the frontlines of response. "From camps in Bangladesh to hospitals in Europe, refugees are working as nurses, doctors, scientists, teachers and in other essential roles, protecting themselves and giving back to the communities that host them," he said. Numerous emergencies old and new are behind the massive people flows, from Afghanistan to Central African Republic, to Myanmar, with hotspots including the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Burkina Faso -- and the wider Sahel -- and the continuing fallout in Syria, after nearly a decade of civil war, the report said. About 73 per cent of the 79.5 million on the move have sought shelter in a country neighbouring their own, Grandi said, dismissing the regularly politicised misconception that most migrants and refugees target richer countries far from home. Nearly seven in 10 of those displaced came from Syria, Venezuela, Afghanistan, South Sudan and Myanmar, he said. "If crises in these countries were solved, 68 per cent of global forced displacement would be on its way to being solved," Grandi said. Asked about the impact of COVID-19 on mass population movements, he said it would "no doubt" push more people into crisis. "I am very worried and we've said it to a lot of different governments that have asked us the question," he said. "The livelihoods crisis...the increased poverty of these populations, in my opinion -- coupled with lack of solutions to a situation of conflict and in situations like the Sahel, with a deterioration of security -- there's no doubt it will increase population movements in the region but also beyond, towards Europe," Grandi said. Since the global health crisis began, the agency has also reported an increase in the number of Rohingyas moving from Bangladesh and Myanmar, towards Malaysia and other States in South East Asia. 'That, in my opinion, is linked more than COVID-19 once again by the very stagnant situation of the Rohingya issue,' Grandi said. 'No solution, great poverty and lack of opportunities in the camps in Bangladesh, now maybe also couple with the lockdown that was made necessary by COVID that has added to the hardship.' For the first time, Venezuela's 3.5 million displaced people feature in the UNHCR report, accounting in part for the significant rise, compared with the 2018-19 data. In terms of the ages of those affected, the UN agency estimates that around 30 to 34 million of the world's 79.5 million forcibly displaced, are children. Of the near 80 million people cited in the report, 26 million are refugees; 20.4 million come under UNHCR's mandate and 5.6 million are Palestine refugees registered with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Nearly 80 million people forcibly displaced globally at the end of 2019: United Nations

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