Afghanistan on Tuesday accused Pakistan of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-fired-over-200-missiles-on-afghanistans-kunar-province-in-last-3-days-244565">yet another military violation</a>&nbsp;and sought United Nations' (UN) intervention.&nbsp;

Seeking an action from the UN against Pakistan,&nbsp;Kabul said that the violations from Pakistan continued in the form of shelling and airspace despite several appeals.

Kabul wrote to the UN&nbsp;Security Council citing the dates for the violations.

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Afghanistan wrote to United Nations Security Council (UNSC), over continuous shelling by Pakistan in various cities of Afghanistan near borders with Pakistan. Afghanistan urged UNSC to take necessary measures. <a href="https://t.co/rRF3QXcEOx">pic.twitter.com/rRF3QXcEOx</a>
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Afghanistan's provincial governor`s spokesman Abdul Ghani Musamim had earlier&nbsp;claimed that Pakistan had fired over 200 missiles on Afghanistan's Kunar province.

Musamim said that the missiles were fired over a period of three days.Tolo News quoted him as saying that the rocket attacks left four houses destroyed.

Quoting sources, the Afghan agency had reported that the shelling from across the border had been going on for the past few days and had even started spreading fear.&nbsp;

Afghanistan on Tuesday accused Pakistan of yet another military violation and sought United Nations' (UN) intervention. Seeking an action from the UN against Pakistan, Kabul said that the violations from Pakistan continued in the form of shelling and airspace despite several appeals.

Afghanistan on Tuesday accused Pakistan of yet another military violation and sought United Nations' (UN) intervention. Seeking an action from the UN against Pakistan, Kabul said that the violations from Pakistan continued in the form of shelling and airspace despite several appeals. Kabul wrote to the UN Security Council citing the dates for the violations. Afghanistan wrote to United Nations Security Council (UNSC), over continuous shelling by Pakistan in various cities of Afghanistan near borders with Pakistan. Afghanistan urged UNSC to take necessary measures. pic.twitter.com/rRF3QXcEOx — ANI (@ANI) August 27, 2019 × Afghanistan's provincial governor`s spokesman Abdul Ghani Musamim had earlier claimed that Pakistan had fired over 200 missiles on Afghanistan's Kunar province. Musamim said that the missiles were fired over a period of three days.Tolo News quoted him as saying that the rocket attacks left four houses destroyed. Quoting sources, the Afghan agency had reported that the shelling from across the border had been going on for the past few days and had even started spreading fear.

Kabul accuses Pakistan of military violations; seeks action from United Nations

US and Taliban representatives held negotiations in Doha on Sunday, an American source close to the process said, as potentially decisive talks to enable Washington to drawdown its military in Afghanistan stretched into the evening.&nbsp;

"Talks resumed late morning today," the US source said.

The third day of the two sides' ninth round of dialogue, which continued until after 1900 GMT an AFP correspondent said, was described as promising by a Taliban source.

The insurgent group had earlier said that it was finalising technical points of an agreement with Washington at the talks being held in a luxury members’ club in the Qatari capital Doha.

"The agreement will be completed after we agree on these points," Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen told AFP on Saturday.

Any deal would be announced before the media as well as representatives from neighbouring countries and China, Russia, and the United Nations, he added.

The United States, which invaded Afghanistan and toppled the Taliban from power in 2001 after the September 11 attacks, wants to withdraw thousands of troops but only in return for the group renouncing Al-Qaeda and curbing attacks.

Washington is hoping to strike an agreement with the Taliban by September 1 -- ahead of Afghan polls due the same month, and US presidential polls next year.

The Doha talks are being held against a backdrop of persistent violence in Afghanistan.

The Taliban claimed on Saturday to have killed seven members of the US military in an attack on a convoy near Bagram airfield north of Kabul. American officials dismissed the claims as “lies”.

On Wednesday, two US soldiers were killed by small arms fire in Faryab province in northern Afghanistan, the Pentagon said.

Shaheen, the Taliban spokesman, had said the deaths should have a "positive" impact on the talks in Doha.

US and Taliban representatives held negotiations in Doha on Sunday, an American source close to the process said, as potentially decisive talks to enable Washington to drawdown its military in Afghanistan stretched into the evening.

US and Taliban representatives held negotiations in Doha on Sunday, an American source close to the process said, as potentially decisive talks to enable Washington to drawdown its military in Afghanistan stretched into the evening. "Talks resumed late morning today," the US source said. The third day of the two sides' ninth round of dialogue, which continued until after 1900 GMT an AFP correspondent said, was described as promising by a Taliban source. The insurgent group had earlier said that it was finalising technical points of an agreement with Washington at the talks being held in a luxury members’ club in the Qatari capital Doha. "The agreement will be completed after we agree on these points," Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen told AFP on Saturday. Any deal would be announced before the media as well as representatives from neighbouring countries and China, Russia, and the United Nations, he added. The United States, which invaded Afghanistan and toppled the Taliban from power in 2001 after the September 11 attacks, wants to withdraw thousands of troops but only in return for the group renouncing Al-Qaeda and curbing attacks. Washington is hoping to strike an agreement with the Taliban by September 1 -- ahead of Afghan polls due the same month, and US presidential polls next year. The Doha talks are being held against a backdrop of persistent violence in Afghanistan. The Taliban claimed on Saturday to have killed seven members of the US military in an attack on a convoy near Bagram airfield north of Kabul. American officials dismissed the claims as “lies”. On Wednesday, two US soldiers were killed by small arms fire in Faryab province in northern Afghanistan, the Pentagon said. Shaheen, the Taliban spokesman, had said the deaths should have a "positive" impact on the talks in Doha.

US, Taliban push for peace at Doha talks

Why the CIA doesn't spy on the UAE

When<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/security-tightened-as-myanmar-delegation-visits-rohingya-camps-238712"> Myanmar officials toured refugee camps in Bangladesh </a>last month, inviting Rohingya Muslims who fled the country to return, they brought with them pamphlets adorned with cartoons showing hijab-wearing women passing through checkpoints and happily grasping identity cards.

They did not mention the new war being waged at home.

While the majority of Rohingya residents of northwestern Myanmar were driven out by a military campaign that began in August 2017, a scattered community of some 200,000 remained behind in Rakhine state, in villages that were spared the violence.

Two years on, many of them are now trapped by a new conflict.

Since late last year, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-bangladesh-agree-to-start-rohingya-repatriation-next-week-243215">government troops have been battling the Arakan Army</a>, an ethnic armed group that recruits from the mostly Buddhist Rakhine, who make up the majority in the region.

The worsening fighting has left Rohingya caught in the middle and facing threats from both sides, a dozen villagers told Reuters, making returns ever more unlikely.

"We are stuck in the middle of their fight," said Tin Shwe, a villager from Buthidaung township, where clashes have been intense.

"There has been no improvement in our lives over the past two years, only degradation. Only trouble."

More than 730,000 Rohingya fled Rakhine to Bangladesh after Myanmar's armed forces launched a crackdown following attacks on security posts on Aug. 25, 2017.

United Nations' investigators have said the army campaign included mass killings and gang-rapes and was carried out with "genocidal intent".

The military denies almost all the allegations made by refugees during what it said was a legitimate counterterrorism operation.

On Thursday, a third attempt to begin the repatriation of 3,450 Rohingya cleared by the authorities to return to Myanmar failed when the refugees refused to go back.

Min Thein, director of Myanmar's social welfare ministry, said security measurements were in place for returning refugees.

"The Myanmar police force will guard them," he said.

A military spokesman did not answer phone calls seeking comment.

Information blackout

Authorities have shut northern Rakhine off from journalists and most humanitarian agencies, and imposed an internet blackout since late June, citing the need to avert unrest.

The restrictions make information difficult to verify, but Reuters spoke to a dozen Rohingya still in central and northern Rakhine and refugees in Bangladesh with relatives who stayed behind.

Some described landmine blasts and shells falling in Muslim villages, as well as intimidation from combatants on both sides of the conflict.

Two told Reuters they would flee to Bangladesh if they could, but routes out of the country used during the previous exodus have been rendered unsafe by the violence.

More than 1,000 Rohingya have arrived in the camps in Bangladesh since January, according to the United Nations refugee agency, a figure that also includes arrivals from India, which has in recent months been cracking down on what it says are illegal Rohingya immigrants.

Those from Myanmar cited violence linked to fighting between Arakan Army insurgents and the military as well as poor living conditions, spokeswoman Louise Donovan said.

Many refugees living in the crowded Bangladesh camps say they want to return home, but under specific conditions, including guarantees of citizenship and security and improvements in the lives of Rohingya still in Myanmar.

Denigrated as illegal immigrants, although many can trace their ancestry in Myanmar back centuries, the Rohingya there are mostly denied citizenship and subject to tight restrictions on movement that keep them confined to camps and villages.

Caught in crossfire

The Arakan Army has been fighting for greater autonomy for Rakhine, a region that was an independent kingdom for centuries.

In its calls for an armed "revolution", the group draws on deep-seated historical resentment felt by some Rakhines towards the ethnic Bamar majority that dominates the central government.

Rohingya still living in the area say they have been caught in the middle of the conflict.

Government troops battling the insurgents have set up camp in Muslim villages in parts of northern Rakhine, five villagers told Reuters.

Soldiers ask Muslim residents to bring them food and firewood, or to show them the roads, villagers said, putting them in danger of retribution from the Arakan Army.

"If they say they will stay, we have to accept it," said one Rohingya living in Rathedaung township, who like others asked not to be named for safety reasons.

Another in Buthidaung township said soldiers had asked him to guide troops, as he was a proficient Burmese speaker.

Some of the Muslim population, particularly from poorer communities, speak only the Rohingya dialect.

Afterwards, the villager said, he got a call from an unknown number, warning that anyone who helped the military would face consequences.

He said the speaker told him: "We will kill you. We will burn your village."

Two Rohingya were shot dead in Rathedaung township's Sin Khone Taing village in early August after escorting troops, five locals told Reuters. Officials from the village could not be reached for comment.

"We are hostages, stuck between two groups," said one Muslim who fled the village.

"We are not safe. It has been three times already that we have fled from the village since June ... The government cannot control this area."

Arakan Army spokesman Khine Thu Ka denied the organisation had killed civilians, blaming Myanmar forces for the deaths.

"We don't kill our civilians like that," he said.

"As we heard, the Burmese military took them and eliminated like them ... There are too many cases like that."

Aid&nbsp;shortages

Many Rohingya in Myanmar have been reliant on international non-profit organizations for medical care and deliveries of food since a previous bout of violence in 2012 that forced many into camps.

Since the start of the Arakan Army conflict, little has been getting through.

In Rathedaung's Sin Khone Taing village, Rohingya said they last received a delivery of food in May.

"People are living off rice porridge," said one villager.

Kyaw Win, executive director of Burma Human Rights Network, which monitors the Rohingya crisis, said it had received reports of landmines and improved explosive devices placed on the roads near the exits of Rohingya villages.

In a joint statement last week, 61 NGOs including Save the Children and Oxfam said there had been "no meaningful progress on freedom of movement or human rights" for the Rohingya still in Myanmar, while the recent "upsurge in violence has worsened the already precarious humanitarian situation in central and northern Rakhine state".

Across the border, in the sprawling Bangladesh camps, refugees keep in touch with their relatives in Myanmar via phone, now that the internet connection has been cut.

Nobody is urging them to come home.

"All of the people want to flee as there is no security," Tin Shwe said.

"The government cannot help the few Rohingya left behind. So how could anyone believe they could help hundreds of thousands?"

'We are hostages': Two years on, Rohingya still in Myanmar trapped by a new war

When Myanmar officials toured refugee camps in Bangladesh last month, inviting Rohingya Muslims who fled the country to return, they brought with them pamphlets adorned with cartoons showing hijab-wearing women passing through checkpoints and happily grasping identity cards.

When Myanmar officials toured refugee camps in Bangladesh last month, inviting Rohingya Muslims who fled the country to return, they brought with them pamphlets adorned with cartoons showing hijab-wearing women passing through checkpoints and happily grasping identity cards. They did not mention the new war being waged at home. While the majority of Rohingya residents of northwestern Myanmar were driven out by a military campaign that began in August 2017, a scattered community of some 200,000 remained behind in Rakhine state, in villages that were spared the violence. Two years on, many of them are now trapped by a new conflict. Since late last year, government troops have been battling the Arakan Army, an ethnic armed group that recruits from the mostly Buddhist Rakhine, who make up the majority in the region. The worsening fighting has left Rohingya caught in the middle and facing threats from both sides, a dozen villagers told Reuters, making returns ever more unlikely. "We are stuck in the middle of their fight," said Tin Shwe, a villager from Buthidaung township, where clashes have been intense. "There has been no improvement in our lives over the past two years, only degradation. Only trouble." More than 730,000 Rohingya fled Rakhine to Bangladesh after Myanmar's armed forces launched a crackdown following attacks on security posts on Aug. 25, 2017. United Nations' investigators have said the army campaign included mass killings and gang-rapes and was carried out with "genocidal intent". The military denies almost all the allegations made by refugees during what it said was a legitimate counterterrorism operation. On Thursday, a third attempt to begin the repatriation of 3,450 Rohingya cleared by the authorities to return to Myanmar failed when the refugees refused to go back. Min Thein, director of Myanmar's social welfare ministry, said security measurements were in place for returning refugees. "The Myanmar police force will guard them," he said. A military spokesman did not answer phone calls seeking comment. Information blackout Authorities have shut northern Rakhine off from journalists and most humanitarian agencies, and imposed an internet blackout since late June, citing the need to avert unrest. The restrictions make information difficult to verify, but Reuters spoke to a dozen Rohingya still in central and northern Rakhine and refugees in Bangladesh with relatives who stayed behind. Some described landmine blasts and shells falling in Muslim villages, as well as intimidation from combatants on both sides of the conflict. Two told Reuters they would flee to Bangladesh if they could, but routes out of the country used during the previous exodus have been rendered unsafe by the violence. More than 1,000 Rohingya have arrived in the camps in Bangladesh since January, according to the United Nations refugee agency, a figure that also includes arrivals from India, which has in recent months been cracking down on what it says are illegal Rohingya immigrants. Those from Myanmar cited violence linked to fighting between Arakan Army insurgents and the military as well as poor living conditions, spokeswoman Louise Donovan said. Many refugees living in the crowded Bangladesh camps say they want to return home, but under specific conditions, including guarantees of citizenship and security and improvements in the lives of Rohingya still in Myanmar. Denigrated as illegal immigrants, although many can trace their ancestry in Myanmar back centuries, the Rohingya there are mostly denied citizenship and subject to tight restrictions on movement that keep them confined to camps and villages. Caught in crossfire The Arakan Army has been fighting for greater autonomy for Rakhine, a region that was an independent kingdom for centuries. In its calls for an armed "revolution", the group draws on deep-seated historical resentment felt by some Rakhines towards the ethnic Bamar majority that dominates the central government. Rohingya still living in the area say they have been caught in the middle of the conflict. Government troops battling the insurgents have set up camp in Muslim villages in parts of northern Rakhine, five villagers told Reuters. Soldiers ask Muslim residents to bring them food and firewood, or to show them the roads, villagers said, putting them in danger of retribution from the Arakan Army. "If they say they will stay, we have to accept it," said one Rohingya living in Rathedaung township, who like others asked not to be named for safety reasons. Another in Buthidaung township said soldiers had asked him to guide troops, as he was a proficient Burmese speaker. Some of the Muslim population, particularly from poorer communities, speak only the Rohingya dialect. Afterwards, the villager said, he got a call from an unknown number, warning that anyone who helped the military would face consequences. He said the speaker told him: "We will kill you. We will burn your village." Two Rohingya were shot dead in Rathedaung township's Sin Khone Taing village in early August after escorting troops, five locals told Reuters. Officials from the village could not be reached for comment. "We are hostages, stuck between two groups," said one Muslim who fled the village. "We are not safe. It has been three times already that we have fled from the village since June ... The government cannot control this area." Arakan Army spokesman Khine Thu Ka denied the organisation had killed civilians, blaming Myanmar forces for the deaths. "We don't kill our civilians like that," he said. "As we heard, the Burmese military took them and eliminated like them ... There are too many cases like that." Aid shortages Many Rohingya in Myanmar have been reliant on international non-profit organizations for medical care and deliveries of food since a previous bout of violence in 2012 that forced many into camps. Since the start of the Arakan Army conflict, little has been getting through. In Rathedaung's Sin Khone Taing village, Rohingya said they last received a delivery of food in May. "People are living off rice porridge," said one villager. Kyaw Win, executive director of Burma Human Rights Network, which monitors the Rohingya crisis, said it had received reports of landmines and improved explosive devices placed on the roads near the exits of Rohingya villages. In a joint statement last week, 61 NGOs including Save the Children and Oxfam said there had been "no meaningful progress on freedom of movement or human rights" for the Rohingya still in Myanmar, while the recent "upsurge in violence has worsened the already precarious humanitarian situation in central and northern Rakhine state". Across the border, in the sprawling Bangladesh camps, refugees keep in touch with their relatives in Myanmar via phone, now that the internet connection has been cut. Nobody is urging them to come home. "All of the people want to flee as there is no security," Tin Shwe said. "The government cannot help the few Rohingya left behind. So how could anyone believe they could help hundreds of thousands?" 'We are hostages': Two years on, Rohingya still in Myanmar trapped by a new war

'We are hostages': Two years on, Rohingya still in Myanmar trapped by new war

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sudan-protesters-accept-ethiopia-proposal-for-political-transition-229842">Ethiopia's parliament has approved an electoral </a>and political parties&nbsp;draft bill, the state broadcaster reported on Saturday, paving the way for national elections next year, the first to be held under reformist Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

On August 9<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sudanese-factions-sign-sign-accord-on-transitional-government-243675"> Ethiopia's ruling coalition </a>said it will hold a national election in 2020, defying worries over security and displaced people within the country that had led some to speculate the election might be postponed.

"The parliament unanimously approved the revised bill," the Ethiopian Broadcast Corporation (EBC) reported.

National parties will require at least 10,000 founding members, while regional parties need 4,000, EBC said.

Abiy has rolled out a series of political reforms since coming to power last year, including unbanning many political parties, releasing political prisoners and journalists, and welcoming home exiled rebel groups.

But an attempted coup in June by a rogue militia in the northern Amhara region had raised doubts over the ruling party’s ability to ensure security, while an increase in ethnic violence across the country made some query whether the election would be held.

A national census has already been postponed twice, potentially undermining logistics for the polls including the drawing up of constituencies in Africa’s second-most populous nation.

Tensions within the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), which has ruled with an iron grip since 1991, have risen following the failed coup.

In a rare public feud earlier this month, two of its four ethnic parties traded barbs over who was responsible for the violence.

After decades of harsh rule, Abiy’s reforms have created new freedoms but old grievances and disputes have resurfaced, while local power-brokers seeking to build support by securing power and territory for their ethnic groups have been emboldened.

In June parliamentarians in both houses voted overwhelmingly to delay the census again by a year, due to an upsurge in ethnic conflicts that have forced 2.4 million Ethiopians out of their homes, according to United Nations figures.

Ethiopia's parliament has approved an electoral and political parties draft bill, the state broadcaster reported on Saturday, paving the way for national elections next year, the first to be held under reformist Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

Ethiopia's parliament has approved an electoral and political parties draft bill, the state broadcaster reported on Saturday, paving the way for national elections next year, the first to be held under reformist Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. On August 9 Ethiopia's ruling coalition said it will hold a national election in 2020, defying worries over security and displaced people within the country that had led some to speculate the election might be postponed. "The parliament unanimously approved the revised bill," the Ethiopian Broadcast Corporation (EBC) reported. National parties will require at least 10,000 founding members, while regional parties need 4,000, EBC said. Abiy has rolled out a series of political reforms since coming to power last year, including unbanning many political parties, releasing political prisoners and journalists, and welcoming home exiled rebel groups. But an attempted coup in June by a rogue militia in the northern Amhara region had raised doubts over the ruling party’s ability to ensure security, while an increase in ethnic violence across the country made some query whether the election would be held. A national census has already been postponed twice, potentially undermining logistics for the polls including the drawing up of constituencies in Africa’s second-most populous nation. Tensions within the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), which has ruled with an iron grip since 1991, have risen following the failed coup. In a rare public feud earlier this month, two of its four ethnic parties traded barbs over who was responsible for the violence. After decades of harsh rule, Abiy’s reforms have created new freedoms but old grievances and disputes have resurfaced, while local power-brokers seeking to build support by securing power and territory for their ethnic groups have been emboldened. In June parliamentarians in both houses voted overwhelmingly to delay the census again by a year, due to an upsurge in ethnic conflicts that have forced 2.4 million Ethiopians out of their homes, according to United Nations figures.

Ethiopian parliament approves electoral, political parties bill: Report

Big embarrassment for Pakistan at United Nations. Watch video to know more.

Big embarrassment for Pakistan at United Nations

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

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

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

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

China's Syria envoy said on Tuesday that "terrorist organisations" including the Islamic State group are being revived in the war-ravaged country, urging the international community not to ignore the "early warning" signs.

China's Syria envoy said on Tuesday that "terrorist organisations" including the Islamic State group are being revived in the war-ravaged country, urging the international community not to ignore the "early warning" signs. Xie Xiaoyan, Beijing's point man for the Syrian conflict, made the comments after meeting in Geneva with the UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir O. Pedersen. "There is now a danger of terrorist organisations like ISIS being revived," Xie told reporters, using another acronym for IS. "The international community should pay attention to." IS overran large parts of Syria and Iraq in 2014, proclaiming a "caliphate" there, but offensives in both countries reclaimed the territory. Xie's Geneva visit came as concern mounts over a possible major offensive by President Bashar al-Assad's forces on Idlib, a jihadist-run area in the northwest which is the last major opposition stronghold in Syria. The UN has warned that an assault on Idlib could trigger a humanitarian catastrophe. Idlib has for several years served as a reception zone for those escaping government advances elsewhere in the country, who now number in their hundreds of thousands. Today they have nowhere to run in case of a full assault on Idlib. Asked about Beijing's position on a prospective of such an assault and the humanitarian fallout, Xie described the issue as "very complicated". "We all know that this is the last stronghold of some of the terrorist organisations... so this is an issue that needs to be dealt with," he said. "The fight against terrorism is not finished yet." Since January, Idlib has been administered by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham alliance, which is led by jihadists from Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate.

China warns on Islamic State revival in Syria

The United Nations' refugee agency and Bangladesh authorities on Tuesday started to consult more than 3,000 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar to determine if any want to return home, officials said, as a fresh repatriation bid was launched.

More than 730,000 Rohingya fled Rakhine for neighbouring Bangladesh after a military-led crackdown in August 2017 the United Nations has said was perpetrated with "genocidal intent", but many refugees refuse to go back, fearing more violence.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/around-3500-rohingya-cleared-to-return-home-to-myanmar-starting-this-week-source-244272">Myanmar cleared 3,450 people to return</a>, from a list of more than 22,000 provided by Bangladesh, authorities said.

"The intentions surveys are beginning today," Louise Donovan, a UNHCR spokeswoman in the Cox's Bazar district of Bangladesh, told Reuters.

"Together, the government of Bangladesh and UNHCR will ask these refugees to come forward and discuss the option of repatriation."

The agency will hold a second confidential interview with those who express a wish to return, she added, to discuss their intentions, and ensure the decision is voluntary, she said.

"They will be asked to complete a voluntary repatriation form," she added.

A representative of Bangladesh's refugee relief effort will also attend the interviews, a government official said.

"The UN refugee agency has started interviewing the Rohingya on the list," Mohammad Abul Kalam, the country's refugee relief and repatriation commissioner, said by telephone.

"Transit centres, transport facilities…everything is ready to start the repatriation on Thursday," he added.

The UN&nbsp;Security Council is set to discuss the latest repatriation plan behind closed doors on Wednesday, at the request of Belgium, Britain, France, Germany and the United States, diplomats said.

British charity Oxfam called for the international community to step up diplomatic pressure on Myanmar and expressed concern about human rights violations there. 
 
"Oxfam remains concerned about human rights violations in Myanmar and hopes the government will take this opportunity to recognise the equal rights of Rohingya people and to lift the heavy restrictions on their movement," said Elizabeth Hallinan, an official of the charity.

"Refugees long to return to their homes, but they tell us they fear going back without rights and justice," Hallinan said in a statement.

Last week, Myanmar government spokesman Zaw Htay said officials had scrutinized the list of refugees to determine whether they had lived in Myanmar and had been involved in attacks on the military.

The 2017 crackdown was preceded by attacks on security forces by insurgents calling themselves the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, which Myanmar has classified as a terrorist organization.

Previous attempts at persuading Rohingya to return to Rakhine have failed due to opposition from refugees. An effort in November sowed fear and confusion in the camps, and finally failed after refugee protests. 
&nbsp;

The United Nations' refugee agency and Bangladesh authorities on Tuesday started to consult more than 3,000 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar to determine if any want to return home, officials said, as a fresh repatriation bid was launched.

The United Nations' refugee agency and Bangladesh authorities on Tuesday started to consult more than 3,000 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar to determine if any want to return home, officials said, as a fresh repatriation bid was launched. More than 730,000 Rohingya fled Rakhine for neighbouring Bangladesh after a military-led crackdown in August 2017 the United Nations has said was perpetrated with "genocidal intent", but many refugees refuse to go back, fearing more violence. Myanmar cleared 3,450 people to return, from a list of more than 22,000 provided by Bangladesh, authorities said. "The intentions surveys are beginning today," Louise Donovan, a UNHCR spokeswoman in the Cox's Bazar district of Bangladesh, told Reuters. "Together, the government of Bangladesh and UNHCR will ask these refugees to come forward and discuss the option of repatriation." The agency will hold a second confidential interview with those who express a wish to return, she added, to discuss their intentions, and ensure the decision is voluntary, she said. "They will be asked to complete a voluntary repatriation form," she added. A representative of Bangladesh's refugee relief effort will also attend the interviews, a government official said. "The UN refugee agency has started interviewing the Rohingya on the list," Mohammad Abul Kalam, the country's refugee relief and repatriation commissioner, said by telephone. "Transit centres, transport facilities…everything is ready to start the repatriation on Thursday," he added. The UN Security Council is set to discuss the latest repatriation plan behind closed doors on Wednesday, at the request of Belgium, Britain, France, Germany and the United States, diplomats said. British charity Oxfam called for the international community to step up diplomatic pressure on Myanmar and expressed concern about human rights violations there. "Oxfam remains concerned about human rights violations in Myanmar and hopes the government will take this opportunity to recognise the equal rights of Rohingya people and to lift the heavy restrictions on their movement," said Elizabeth Hallinan, an official of the charity. "Refugees long to return to their homes, but they tell us they fear going back without rights and justice," Hallinan said in a statement. Last week, Myanmar government spokesman Zaw Htay said officials had scrutinized the list of refugees to determine whether they had lived in Myanmar and had been involved in attacks on the military. The 2017 crackdown was preceded by attacks on security forces by insurgents calling themselves the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, which Myanmar has classified as a terrorist organization. Previous attempts at persuading Rohingya to return to Rakhine have failed due to opposition from refugees. An effort in November sowed fear and confusion in the camps, and finally failed after refugee protests.

UN agency, Bangladesh begin survey of Rohingya over return to Myanmar

Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Monday sought to ease tension after violent protests in several cities in Papua in response to claims of racist abuse and physical mistreatment of students from the country's easternmost region.

His chief security minister, Wiranto, also pledged a "complete and fair" investigation into incidents in East Java that triggered the protests and in Papua, saying the situation in Papua had been contained.

A separatist movement has simmered for decades in Papua, where there have been frequent complaints of rights abuses by Indonesian security forces.

The latest protest appears to have been sparked off by the detention of Papuan students in the East Java city of Surabaya accused of bending a flagpole in front of a dormitory during Independence Day celebrations on Saturday, activists say.

Police fired tear gas into the dormitory before arresting 43 students, Albert Mungguar, an activist, told a news conference on Sunday. He said the students, who were released the same day without charge, had been called "monkeys" during the operation.

Thousands of Papuans protested in the cities of Manokwari and Sorong, blocking streets by burning tyres and tree branches.

Papuans were angry because of "the extremely racist words used by East Java people, the police and military", Papua Governor Lukas Enembe told broadcaster TVone.

In Manokwari, the capital of West Papua province, protesters set fire to parliament and office buildings, pulled down power poles and burnt vehicles, Deputy Governor Mohamad Lakotani said by telephone.

Protesters entered the airport in Sorong and destroyed some facilities, state news agency Antara said.

Widodo called for calm in Papua and urged people not to damage public facilities.

"It's okay to be emotional, but it's better to be forgiving," he told reporters at the presidential palace, a television broadcast showed. "Patience is also better."

Lakotani, who met protesters in Manokwari, said Papuans demanded an apology for the slur against the students, as well as protection for anyone studying across the archipelago.

"We apologise because this does not represent the voice of the people of East Java," the province's governor, Khofifah Indar Parawansa, said in a televised statement and called the slur "someone's personal outburst of emotion".

Large crowds also took to the streets of Jayapura, the capital of Papua province, though the protest appeared peaceful in television images.

Papua police spokesman Ahmad Kamal said by telephone 500 people were involved in the Jayapura demonstration.

"It's been a while since I saw West Papuans this angry," Veronica Koman, a human rights lawyer who focuses on Papua, said on Twitter. "The liberation movement is entering a new chapter."

Koman posted videos on Twitter of protesters crying, "Free Papua" and a group of teenagers carrying a Morning Star flag, a banned symbol used by independence supporters.

Papua and West Papua provinces, the resource-rich western part of the island of New Guinea, make up a former Dutch colony that was incorporated into Indonesia after a widely criticised UN-backed referendum in 1969.

President Joko Widodo has sought to ease tension in the restive region with steps such as building the Trans Papua highway to spur economic activity and boost welfare.

However, unrest has persisted and separatists killed a group of construction workers in December 2018, triggering a military crackdown that displaced thousands in the Nduga area. 
&nbsp;

Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Monday sought to ease tension after violent protests in several cities in Papua in response to claims of racist abuse and physical mistreatment of students from the country's easternmost region.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Monday sought to ease tension after violent protests in several cities in Papua in response to claims of racist abuse and physical mistreatment of students from the country's easternmost region. His chief security minister, Wiranto, also pledged a "complete and fair" investigation into incidents in East Java that triggered the protests and in Papua, saying the situation in Papua had been contained. A separatist movement has simmered for decades in Papua, where there have been frequent complaints of rights abuses by Indonesian security forces. The latest protest appears to have been sparked off by the detention of Papuan students in the East Java city of Surabaya accused of bending a flagpole in front of a dormitory during Independence Day celebrations on Saturday, activists say. Police fired tear gas into the dormitory before arresting 43 students, Albert Mungguar, an activist, told a news conference on Sunday. He said the students, who were released the same day without charge, had been called "monkeys" during the operation. Thousands of Papuans protested in the cities of Manokwari and Sorong, blocking streets by burning tyres and tree branches. Papuans were angry because of "the extremely racist words used by East Java people, the police and military", Papua Governor Lukas Enembe told broadcaster TVone. In Manokwari, the capital of West Papua province, protesters set fire to parliament and office buildings, pulled down power poles and burnt vehicles, Deputy Governor Mohamad Lakotani said by telephone. Protesters entered the airport in Sorong and destroyed some facilities, state news agency Antara said. Widodo called for calm in Papua and urged people not to damage public facilities. "It's okay to be emotional, but it's better to be forgiving," he told reporters at the presidential palace, a television broadcast showed. "Patience is also better." Lakotani, who met protesters in Manokwari, said Papuans demanded an apology for the slur against the students, as well as protection for anyone studying across the archipelago. "We apologise because this does not represent the voice of the people of East Java," the province's governor, Khofifah Indar Parawansa, said in a televised statement and called the slur "someone's personal outburst of emotion". Large crowds also took to the streets of Jayapura, the capital of Papua province, though the protest appeared peaceful in television images. Papua police spokesman Ahmad Kamal said by telephone 500 people were involved in the Jayapura demonstration. "It's been a while since I saw West Papuans this angry," Veronica Koman, a human rights lawyer who focuses on Papua, said on Twitter. "The liberation movement is entering a new chapter." Koman posted videos on Twitter of protesters crying, "Free Papua" and a group of teenagers carrying a Morning Star flag, a banned symbol used by independence supporters. Papua and West Papua provinces, the resource-rich western part of the island of New Guinea, make up a former Dutch colony that was incorporated into Indonesia after a widely criticised UN-backed referendum in 1969. President Joko Widodo has sought to ease tension in the restive region with steps such as building the Trans Papua highway to spur economic activity and boost welfare. However, unrest has persisted and separatists killed a group of construction workers in December 2018, triggering a military crackdown that displaced thousands in the Nduga area.

Indonesia president urges calm after violent protests in Papua cities

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/detained-iran-tanker-departs-after-gibraltar-rejects-us-demand-243961">Detained Iran tanker departs after Gibraltar rejects US demand</a>

The Iranian oil tanker at the centre of a diplomatic dispute has departed from Gibraltar after the British overseas territory rejected a US demand to seize the vessel.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tiananmen-square-style-crackdown-in-hong-kong-would-harm-trade-deal-with-china-donald-trump-243953">Tiananmen Square-style crackdown in Hong Kong would harm trade deal with China: Donald Trump</a>

US President Donald Trump on Sunday warned China that carrying out a Tiananmen Square-style crackdown on Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters would harm trade talks between the two countries.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-nations-appeals-for-more-help-to-alleviate-venezuela-refugee-crisis-243966">United Nations appeals for more help to alleviate Venezuela refugee crisis</a>

The United Nations on Sunday appealed for more humanitarian aid for Venezuelan refugees pouring into neighbouring countries, where they are overwhelming social services and reportedly sparking local tensions.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-donald-trump-confirms-interest-in-buying-greenland-243957">US President Donald Trump confirms interest in buying Greenland</a>

US President Donald Trump on Sunday confirmed his interest in buying Greenland, but said it was not a priority for his administration.

<a href="https://wionews.com/world/jordan-summons-israeli-envoy-over-temple-mount-violations-243956">Jordan summons Israeli envoy over Temple Mount 'violations'</a>

Jordan's Foreign Ministry on Sunday summoned Israel's ambassador to the country, Amir Weissbrod, in protest over last week's clashes at Jerusalem's Temple Mount compound, when Jewish worshipers were allowed on the site to commemorate Tisha B'Av, which coincided with the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.

Detained Iran tanker departs after Gibraltar rejects US demand The Iranian oil tanker at the centre of a diplomatic dispute has departed from Gibraltar after the British overseas territory rejected a US demand to seize the vessel.

Detained Iran tanker departs after Gibraltar rejects US demand The Iranian oil tanker at the centre of a diplomatic dispute has departed from Gibraltar after the British overseas territory rejected a US demand to seize the vessel. Tiananmen Square-style crackdown in Hong Kong would harm trade deal with China: Donald Trump US President Donald Trump on Sunday warned China that carrying out a Tiananmen Square-style crackdown on Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters would harm trade talks between the two countries. United Nations appeals for more help to alleviate Venezuela refugee crisis The United Nations on Sunday appealed for more humanitarian aid for Venezuelan refugees pouring into neighbouring countries, where they are overwhelming social services and reportedly sparking local tensions. US President Donald Trump confirms interest in buying Greenland US President Donald Trump on Sunday confirmed his interest in buying Greenland, but said it was not a priority for his administration. Jordan summons Israeli envoy over Temple Mount 'violations' Jordan's Foreign Ministry on Sunday summoned Israel's ambassador to the country, Amir Weissbrod, in protest over last week's clashes at Jerusalem's Temple Mount compound, when Jewish worshipers were allowed on the site to commemorate Tisha B'Av, which coincided with the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.

News brief: Big stories of the day

The United Nations on Sunday appealed for more humanitarian aid for Venezuelan refugees pouring into neighbouring countries, where they are overwhelming social services and reportedly sparking local tensions.

UN High Commissioner for refugees, Filippo Grandi, had planned to visit the Brazilian town of Pacaraima this weekend, but authorities reportedly advised him to cancel the trip amid fears of protests by residents who are unhappy with the arrival of more than 500 Venezuelans each day.

Last week, the residents of Pacaraima closed shops and marched through the streets, raising slogans such as "Out with the Venezuelans", "Pacaraima is ours", "Out with the UN", and "Brazil for Brazilians".

Grandi said financial institutions such as the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank have been engaged, but they need to speed up their help to help sustain health and education systems, Al Jazeera reported.

The UNHCR, in a report, estimated that around 4.3 million Venezuelans fled economic and political turmoil in their country, mainly to Colombia, Peru, Chile and Ecuador. Around 180,000 are also staying in Brazil.

In June, the Organisation of American States said that the Venezuelan exodus may exceed eight million people by the end of next year, which would make it the largest migration crisis in the world.&nbsp;

The group's projection puts the exodus between 7.5 million and 8.2 million in 2020, far surpassing the 6.7 million people who have fled war-torn Syria in eight years.&nbsp;

Grandi said there were signs of anti-immigrant sentiment spreading across the region, reflected in mounting restrictions on the movement of Venezuelans in Andean countries. Venezuela plunged into a political and economic crisis in January after opposition leader Juan Guaido proclaimed himself as the country's interim president amid throngs of cheering supporters who called for the resignation of legitimate President Nicolas Maduro.&nbsp;

The US immediately extended its support to Guaido, followed by nations like Canada and Britain.&nbsp;

However, countries like Russia and China have backed Maduro and slammed the US for its external interference in Venezuela.

Since then, Washington has been pursuing a policy of economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation against the Maduro government in support of Guaido.

The United Nations on Sunday appealed for more humanitarian aid for Venezuelan refugees pouring into neighbouring countries, where they are overwhelming social services and reportedly sparking local tensions.

The United Nations on Sunday appealed for more humanitarian aid for Venezuelan refugees pouring into neighbouring countries, where they are overwhelming social services and reportedly sparking local tensions. UN High Commissioner for refugees, Filippo Grandi, had planned to visit the Brazilian town of Pacaraima this weekend, but authorities reportedly advised him to cancel the trip amid fears of protests by residents who are unhappy with the arrival of more than 500 Venezuelans each day. Last week, the residents of Pacaraima closed shops and marched through the streets, raising slogans such as "Out with the Venezuelans", "Pacaraima is ours", "Out with the UN", and "Brazil for Brazilians". Grandi said financial institutions such as the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank have been engaged, but they need to speed up their help to help sustain health and education systems, Al Jazeera reported. The UNHCR, in a report, estimated that around 4.3 million Venezuelans fled economic and political turmoil in their country, mainly to Colombia, Peru, Chile and Ecuador. Around 180,000 are also staying in Brazil. In June, the Organisation of American States said that the Venezuelan exodus may exceed eight million people by the end of next year, which would make it the largest migration crisis in the world. The group's projection puts the exodus between 7.5 million and 8.2 million in 2020, far surpassing the 6.7 million people who have fled war-torn Syria in eight years. Grandi said there were signs of anti-immigrant sentiment spreading across the region, reflected in mounting restrictions on the movement of Venezuelans in Andean countries. Venezuela plunged into a political and economic crisis in January after opposition leader Juan Guaido proclaimed himself as the country's interim president amid throngs of cheering supporters who called for the resignation of legitimate President Nicolas Maduro. The US immediately extended its support to Guaido, followed by nations like Canada and Britain. However, countries like Russia and China have backed Maduro and slammed the US for its external interference in Venezuela. Since then, Washington has been pursuing a policy of economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation against the Maduro government in support of Guaido.

United Nations appeals for more help to alleviate Venezuela refugee crisis

The Syrian regime and its ally Russia have for nearly four months ramped up bombardment of the last major jihadist-run bastion in the country after eight years of brutal conflict.

The Syrian regime and its ally Russia have for nearly four months ramped up bombardment of the last major jihadist-run bastion in the country after eight years of brutal conflict. On Sunday, following fierce battles with jihadists and rebels, pro-regime forces entered the key town of Khan Sheikhun in northwestern Idlib province for the first time since they lost control of it in 2014. According to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor, the strikes pummelling Idlib have claimed more than 860 civilian lives since late April. The UN says more than 400,000 people have been displaced. Here is some background. Jihadist stronghold Strikes by the regime and Russia pick up after the powerful Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) jihadist alliance, led by Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate, takes control of the area on January 2019. A major escalation begins in late April after clashes and strikes since February had already killed more than 200 civilians, according to the UN. Bordering rebel backer Turkey, the region under HTS control covers nearly all of Idlib province and parts of neighbouring Aleppo, Hama and Latakia provinces. It hosts some three million people. Escalation On April 26, Russia and the regime's other main ally Iran pledge along with Turkey to cooperate to "ultimately eliminate" HTS. After Russian raids on April 26-27 kill around 15 civilians, the UN warns Moscow to abide by its commitment to "avoid large-scale military offensives" on the region. Russia denies targeting civilians. 'Humanitarian disaster' By early May the strikes have forced 150,000 people to flee and knocked 12 hospitals and 10 schools out of action, the UN says. Britain, France, the United States, and eight other countries at the UN Security Council warned on May 10 of a "potential humanitarian catastrophe". On May 17, Amnesty International accuses the regime and Russia of a "deliberate and systematic assault" on hospitals. Banned weapons The US says on May 22 there are indications the Syrian government used chemical weapons in Idlib. France says it has similar information. Neither offered proof. On June 3, Human Rights Watch accuses the regime and Russia of using "internationally banned" weapons in attacks on civilians. They include cluster munitions and large air-dropped "barrel bombs", it says. No, let up After days of deadly violence, a new flare-up starts on June 15 when at least 45 people, including 10 civilians are killed in airstrikes and clashes. Five days later regime bombardment kills another 20 civilians. Strikes on July 21 killed 18 civilians including seven children, among them a young citizen journalist Anas al-Dyab, who was a member of the White Helmets rescue group and also contributed to AFP. The following day, regime and Russian airstrikes kill 50 people, many at a vegetable market in Maaret al-Numan. Inching closer The regime resumes military operations against the region on August 5, scrapping a ceasefire that had held for four days. The Syrian army accuses jihadists of launching rockets on the Hmeimim airbase west of the bastion, causing "great human and material losses" nearby. On August 11 the regime seizes the town of Al-Habeet on the edge of Idlib, after clashes that left more than 130 fighters dead. On August 14, jihadists down a regime plane and capture the pilot, a first since the escalation in April, according to the Observatory. At the same time, regime forces wage fierce battles with jihadists and rebels to try to take back the town of Khan Sheikhun. On August 18 they enter the town and set their sights on a highway that connects government-held Damascus with the northern city of Aleppo, which the regime retook from rebels in December 2016. A day later Damascus condemns the deployment of a Turkish military convoy towards Khan Sheikhun.

Russia, Syria ramp up bombing campaign on Idlib

Police regain control in Indonesia's Papua region after protests

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Friday held a rare closed-door consultation on the situation in Kashmir days after India revoked the special status to Jammu and Kashmir, sparking a fresh row with Pakistan. Watch this video to know more.

Breaking News: 4 permanent members back India at UNSC closed-door meet on J&K

Pakistan's efforts to raise Indian government's decision to end the special status of Jammu and Kashmir at the United Nations were thwarted on Friday as China's initiative to discuss the matter at the United Nations Security Council found no takers.

Breaking News: Pakistan's efforts to rake up Kashmir issue fall flat at UNSC

Thousands of Yemenis marched through Aden Thursday demanding renewed independence for the south after separatist fighters drove unionist forces out of its former capital in deadly fighting last week.

The demonstrators rallied in the Khormaksar district in the heart of the sprawling port city, waving southern flags and banners proclaiming loyalty to the separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC).

Organisers said many of the demonstrators had travelled into the city from neighbouring southern provinces to add their voice to the calls for secession.

South Yemen was an independent country until it merged with the north in 1990. An armed secession bid four years later ended in occupation by northern forces, which provoked resentments that persist to this day.

Separatist forces trained and equipped by the United Arab Emirates seized the presidential palace in Aden on Saturday following days of clashes with rival, unionist forces loyal to the government of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi.

The clashes left at least 40 people dead and 260 wounded, according to the United Nations.

Hadi's government on Wednesday ruled out any talks with the separatists until they withdraw from the positions they seized last week.

Saudi Arabia, which has led a long and costly military intervention supporting the government against Huthi rebels from the north, has also called on the separatists to pull back to clear the way for dialogue.

But a petition signed by southern civil society organisations and trade unions called on the Saudi-led coalition to hand over the administration of the south to the separatist STC.

It urged STC chief Aidarus al-Zubaidi to declare independence and appealed for international recognition for the breakaway state.

Analysts say the break between Hadi's government and the separatists reflects a wider split between the main partners in the coalition, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, that threatens to undermine their common battle against the Huthis.

After four and a half years of military intervention, the rebels remain in control of the capital Sanaa and much of the more populous north.&nbsp;

The conflict has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people and displaced some 3.3 million. Two-thirds of the population -- some 20 million people -- require humanitarian support, according to the United Nations.

Thousands of Yemenis marched through Aden Thursday demanding renewed independence for the south after separatist fighters drove unionist forces out of its former capital in deadly fighting last week.

Thousands of Yemenis marched through Aden Thursday demanding renewed independence for the south after separatist fighters drove unionist forces out of its former capital in deadly fighting last week. The demonstrators rallied in the Khormaksar district in the heart of the sprawling port city, waving southern flags and banners proclaiming loyalty to the separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC). Organisers said many of the demonstrators had travelled into the city from neighbouring southern provinces to add their voice to the calls for secession. South Yemen was an independent country until it merged with the north in 1990. An armed secession bid four years later ended in occupation by northern forces, which provoked resentments that persist to this day. Separatist forces trained and equipped by the United Arab Emirates seized the presidential palace in Aden on Saturday following days of clashes with rival, unionist forces loyal to the government of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi. The clashes left at least 40 people dead and 260 wounded, according to the United Nations. Hadi's government on Wednesday ruled out any talks with the separatists until they withdraw from the positions they seized last week. Saudi Arabia, which has led a long and costly military intervention supporting the government against Huthi rebels from the north, has also called on the separatists to pull back to clear the way for dialogue. But a petition signed by southern civil society organisations and trade unions called on the Saudi-led coalition to hand over the administration of the south to the separatist STC. It urged STC chief Aidarus al-Zubaidi to declare independence and appealed for international recognition for the breakaway state. Analysts say the break between Hadi's government and the separatists reflects a wider split between the main partners in the coalition, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, that threatens to undermine their common battle against the Huthis. After four and a half years of military intervention, the rebels remain in control of the capital Sanaa and much of the more populous north. The conflict has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people and displaced some 3.3 million. Two-thirds of the population -- some 20 million people -- require humanitarian support, according to the United Nations.

Thousands march in Yemen's Aden for independent south

At least 65 people were killed in a landslide triggered by monsoon rains in Myanmar's state of Mon, the United Nations said on Tuesday.

"A landslide in Paung Township in Mon State last Friday resulted in the deaths of at least 65 people," the United Nations Office of the Spokesperson said in a statement on Tuesday.

On Friday, the mountainside of Ma-lat mountain buried residents, buildings and vehicles in the town of Paung after collapsing due to torrential monsoon downpour.&nbsp;

Earlier reports said that 59 people died in the disaster.

Myanmar has been hit with heavy rains during this year`s monsoon season.&nbsp;

Over 105,000 people have been displaced due to floods since June, according to data from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.&nbsp;

At least 65 people were killed in a landslide triggered by monsoon rains in Myanmar's state of Mon, the United Nations said on Tuesday. "A landslide in Paung Township in Mon State last Friday resulted in the deaths of at least 65 people," the United Nations Office of the Spokesperson said in a statement on Tuesday.

At least 65 people were killed in a landslide triggered by monsoon rains in Myanmar's state of Mon, the United Nations said on Tuesday. "A landslide in Paung Township in Mon State last Friday resulted in the deaths of at least 65 people," the United Nations Office of the Spokesperson said in a statement on Tuesday. On Friday, the mountainside of Ma-lat mountain buried residents, buildings and vehicles in the town of Paung after collapsing due to torrential monsoon downpour. Earlier reports said that 59 people died in the disaster. Myanmar has been hit with heavy rains during this year`s monsoon season. Over 105,000 people have been displaced due to floods since June, according to data from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

65 killed in Myanmar's landslide: United Nations

Pakistan's Desperate Efforts To Internationalise The Kashmir Issue Suffers A Major Setback. It's a major setback for Pakistan. Islamabad's attempt to internationalise the Kashmir issue fails spectacularly as UN says that it will go by the UN Charter and Simla agreement. Palki explains what this development means for Pakistan.

WION Gravitas: UN Chief rejects Pakistan's mediation request

Protesters in Mexico City demanded justice Monday for two teenage girls who say police officers raped them, dousing the capital's security minister in pink glitter and smashing the glass doors of the local prosecutor's office.

Shouting 'Justice!', around 250 people, mostly women, took to the streets to protest the lack of punishment in the two cases, the latest to trigger outrage over the high rate of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world?page=1350">violence against women and girls in Mexico</a>.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-sacks-army-commander-over-north-korea-defector-boat-232730">The capital's security minister, Jesus Orta</a>, appealed for calm as the march turned rowdy, greeting the protesters in person and telling them, "These cases have not been closed. We're on your side."

Protesters, however, responded by covering him in pink glitter and spray-painting a group of policemen standing guard.

They also displayed a pig's head outside the local prosecutor's office.

Masked demonstrators later hurled rocks at the building, shattering the glass entrance.

The protests were sparked by two recent cases: that of a 17-year-old girl who says four policemen raped her in their patrol car as she left a party on the capital's north side, and that of a 16-year-old girl who says a policeman raped her at the national photography archive museum, in the city center.

No officers have been detained or punished so far in the first case.

A policeman was arrested Thursday in the second.

Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum, the first woman elected to the post, said she sympathized with the protesters, but condemned their actions.

"There need to be investigations (in the two cases), but this was not a protest, it was a provocation. They wanted the government to respond with violence. But we're not going to do that," she told a news conference.

Local prosecutor Ernestina Godoy said on Twitter that 'various investigations' are underway in the cases.

Mexico has a long history of machismo and high levels of violence against women and girls.

Nine women are murdered here every day, according to the United Nations.

Protesters in Mexico City demanded justice Monday for two teenage girls who say police officers raped them, dousing the capital's security minister in pink glitter and smashing the glass doors of the local prosecutor's office.

Protesters in Mexico City demanded justice Monday for two teenage girls who say police officers raped them, dousing the capital's security minister in pink glitter and smashing the glass doors of the local prosecutor's office. Shouting 'Justice!', around 250 people, mostly women, took to the streets to protest the lack of punishment in the two cases, the latest to trigger outrage over the high rate of violence against women and girls in Mexico. The capital's security minister, Jesus Orta, appealed for calm as the march turned rowdy, greeting the protesters in person and telling them, "These cases have not been closed. We're on your side." Protesters, however, responded by covering him in pink glitter and spray-painting a group of policemen standing guard. They also displayed a pig's head outside the local prosecutor's office. Masked demonstrators later hurled rocks at the building, shattering the glass entrance. The protests were sparked by two recent cases: that of a 17-year-old girl who says four policemen raped her in their patrol car as she left a party on the capital's north side, and that of a 16-year-old girl who says a policeman raped her at the national photography archive museum, in the city center. No officers have been detained or punished so far in the first case. A policeman was arrested Thursday in the second. Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum, the first woman elected to the post, said she sympathized with the protesters, but condemned their actions. "There need to be investigations (in the two cases), but this was not a protest, it was a provocation. They wanted the government to respond with violence. But we're not going to do that," she told a news conference. Local prosecutor Ernestina Godoy said on Twitter that 'various investigations' are underway in the cases. Mexico has a long history of machismo and high levels of violence against women and girls. Nine women are murdered here every day, according to the United Nations.

Mexico march demands justice for girls allegedly raped by police

United Nations condemned Libya car bomb attack which took place outside a mall in Benghazi. Watch this video to know more.

United Nations condemned Libya car bomb attack

Yemen's southern separatists celebrated on Saturday (August 10) after taking effective control of Aden, the seat of the internationally recognised government, and fracturing the Saudi-led coalition. In a move that complicates efforts by the United Nations to end a four-year war, the separatists seized control of all government military camps in the southern port city on Saturday.

Celebration by Yemen’s separatists after Aden takeover

At least 22 people were killed when a landslide triggered by monsoon rains struck a village in eastern Myanmar, as emergency workers continued the search Saturday for scores more feared missing.

A huge brown scar on the hillside marked where the deluge of mud descended on Thae Pyar Kone village in Mon state on Friday, wiping out 16 homes and a monastery.

Search and rescue teams worked through the night trying to find survivors and recover bodies from the deep sludge.

"So far we have found 22 bodies and 47 injured people," said local administrator Myo Min Tun.

Officials believe up to 100 people could still be missing.

Aerial pictures showed broken remnants of rooftops and other debris from the houses strewn next to trucks knocked over by the force of the mudslide.

Htay Htay Win, 32, told AFP that two of her daughters and five other relatives had still not been found.

"I heard a huge noise and turned round to see my home being hit by the mud," she said, crying.

Rescue workers spent Saturday morning loading bodies wrapped in plastic onto the back of flatbed trucks as worried villagers looked on.&nbsp;

Emergency crews had to unblock the main highway from Yangon to Mawlamyine, buried under six feet (1.8 metres) of sludge.

Torrential downpours have burst riverbanks across the country while coastal communities have been warned of higher tides.

In the town of Shwegyin in eastern Bago region, residents waded out through waist-deep waters or waited to be rescued by boat after the Sittaung river burst its banks, swallowing entire homes.

Around 89,000 people have been displaced by floods in recent weeks, although many have since been able to return home, according to the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Vietnam has also experienced heavy flooding this week with at least eight people killed in the country's central highlands and rescuers using a zipline to carry dozens of others to safety.

At least 22 people were killed when a landslide triggered by monsoon rains struck a village in eastern Myanmar, as emergency workers continued the search Saturday for scores more feared missing.

At least 22 people were killed when a landslide triggered by monsoon rains struck a village in eastern Myanmar, as emergency workers continued the search Saturday for scores more feared missing. A huge brown scar on the hillside marked where the deluge of mud descended on Thae Pyar Kone village in Mon state on Friday, wiping out 16 homes and a monastery. Search and rescue teams worked through the night trying to find survivors and recover bodies from the deep sludge. "So far we have found 22 bodies and 47 injured people," said local administrator Myo Min Tun. Officials believe up to 100 people could still be missing. Aerial pictures showed broken remnants of rooftops and other debris from the houses strewn next to trucks knocked over by the force of the mudslide. Htay Htay Win, 32, told AFP that two of her daughters and five other relatives had still not been found. "I heard a huge noise and turned round to see my home being hit by the mud," she said, crying. Rescue workers spent Saturday morning loading bodies wrapped in plastic onto the back of flatbed trucks as worried villagers looked on. Emergency crews had to unblock the main highway from Yangon to Mawlamyine, buried under six feet (1.8 metres) of sludge. Torrential downpours have burst riverbanks across the country while coastal communities have been warned of higher tides. In the town of Shwegyin in eastern Bago region, residents waded out through waist-deep waters or waited to be rescued by boat after the Sittaung river burst its banks, swallowing entire homes. Around 89,000 people have been displaced by floods in recent weeks, although many have since been able to return home, according to the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Vietnam has also experienced heavy flooding this week with at least eight people killed in the country's central highlands and rescuers using a zipline to carry dozens of others to safety.

Myanmar landslide kills 22, many more feared missing

India has asked United Nations member states to contribute more to the&nbsp;United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees&nbsp;as it handed over its annual contribution of&nbsp;$5 million to UN body which is facing financial vows in the backdrop of aid cut by the US.

Indian mission in Palestine in a statement said, "India made a strong appeal to other traditional donors of UNRWA to consider enhancing their contributions as well as to non-donor member states to consider contributing to UNRWA in solidarity with the Palestine refugees."

India's representative to Palestine Sunil Kumar handed over the cheque for $5 million at the UNRWA headquarters in Jerusalem.&nbsp;The contribution comes at that time when the agency faces a difficult financial situation.

US President Donald Trump last year announced that America will end support to the body.&nbsp;

The state department in a statement back then said, "The United States will no longer commit further funding to this irredeemably flawed operation."

UNRWA has been providing relief to 5.4 million Palestinians&nbsp;refugees&nbsp;in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank, and the Gaza Strip since 1950.

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Palestine in February 2018, India had announced that it will increase its contribution to the body from $1.25 million to $5 million.

India has been providing&nbsp;assistance programmes in Palestine to strengthen capacity-building efforts. Under India-Palestine development partnership, New Delhi is currently funding eight on-going developmental projects worth of $ 59 million dollars including building a 215 Bed Super Specialty Hospital in Bethlehem.

India has asked United Nations member states to contribute more to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees as it handed over its annual contribution of $5 million to UN body which is facing financial vows in the backdrop of aid cut by the US.

India has asked United Nations member states to contribute more to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees as it handed over its annual contribution of $5 million to UN body which is facing financial vows in the backdrop of aid cut by the US. Indian mission in Palestine in a statement said, "India made a strong appeal to other traditional donors of UNRWA to consider enhancing their contributions as well as to non-donor member states to consider contributing to UNRWA in solidarity with the Palestine refugees." India's representative to Palestine Sunil Kumar handed over the cheque for $5 million at the UNRWA headquarters in Jerusalem. The contribution comes at that time when the agency faces a difficult financial situation. US President Donald Trump last year announced that America will end support to the body. The state department in a statement back then said, "The United States will no longer commit further funding to this irredeemably flawed operation." UNRWA has been providing relief to 5.4 million Palestinians refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank, and the Gaza Strip since 1950. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Palestine in February 2018, India had announced that it will increase its contribution to the body from $1.25 million to $5 million. India has been providing assistance programmes in Palestine to strengthen capacity-building efforts. Under India-Palestine development partnership, New Delhi is currently funding eight on-going developmental projects worth of $ 59 million dollars including building a 215 Bed Super Specialty Hospital in Bethlehem.

India contributes $5 million to UNRWA for Palestine Refugees

A UN human rights body called on Bangladeshi authorities on Friday to investigate credible allegations that police and security forces routinely torture detainees and to prosecute any perpetrators.

It was the first time that the independent experts examined the record of Bangladesh, which ratified an international ban on torture in 1999 but had failed to submit any compliance reports until last month.

"Bangladesh presented us with no report for 20 years, came a week beforehand and gave us a report which was solely about the law," panel member Felice Gaer told a briefing.

"We did not come out with a happy conclusion. We have a 16-page report which begins with the discussion of widespread torture, widespread and routine torture," she said.

A delegation of 20 Bangladeshi officials led by justice minister Anisul Huq told the UN Committee Against Torture that the government was committed to preventing any violent punishment and acts of torture.

It had initiated prison reform and had a "zero-tolerance policy" for deaths in custody due to torture, he said.

The government delegation said 17 claims of torture had been brought, but it was unable to provide any details, Gaer added.

The panel, which received information from activists and U.N. agencies, voiced concern at allegations of "widespread and routine commission of torture and ill-treatment in (Bangladesh) by law enforcement officials for the purpose of obtaining confessions or to solicit the payment of bribes".

It cited reports that "police officers frequently refuse to register claims of torture or disappearance brought by victims or family members".

A UN human rights body called on Bangladeshi authorities on Friday to investigate credible allegations that police and security forces routinely torture detainees and to prosecute any perpetrators.

A UN human rights body called on Bangladeshi authorities on Friday to investigate credible allegations that police and security forces routinely torture detainees and to prosecute any perpetrators. It was the first time that the independent experts examined the record of Bangladesh, which ratified an international ban on torture in 1999 but had failed to submit any compliance reports until last month. "Bangladesh presented us with no report for 20 years, came a week beforehand and gave us a report which was solely about the law," panel member Felice Gaer told a briefing. "We did not come out with a happy conclusion. We have a 16-page report which begins with the discussion of widespread torture, widespread and routine torture," she said. A delegation of 20 Bangladeshi officials led by justice minister Anisul Huq told the UN Committee Against Torture that the government was committed to preventing any violent punishment and acts of torture. It had initiated prison reform and had a "zero-tolerance policy" for deaths in custody due to torture, he said. The government delegation said 17 claims of torture had been brought, but it was unable to provide any details, Gaer added. The panel, which received information from activists and U.N. agencies, voiced concern at allegations of "widespread and routine commission of torture and ill-treatment in (Bangladesh) by law enforcement officials for the purpose of obtaining confessions or to solicit the payment of bribes". It cited reports that "police officers frequently refuse to register claims of torture or disappearance brought by victims or family members".

Bangladesh must investigate rife torture: United Nations rights body

UN Security Council President Joanna Wronecka on Thursday refused to comment on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/several-positive-points-in-centres-move-on-jammu-and-kashmir-says-veteran-congress-leader-karan-singh-241503">Pakistan's letter to the world</a> body regarding abrogation of Article 370 by India that granted a special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

"No comments," Wronecka said when asked for a reaction at a press briefing in New York.

UNSC president's refusal to comment on the letter follows the recent meeting of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/overall-situation-in-jammu-and-kashmir-under-control-says-army-chief-bipin-rawat-241555">Pakistan's permanent representative </a>to the UN Maleeha Lodhi and Prime Minister Imran Khan's statement in the country's Parliament that his government will take the matter to the world body.

UNSC to even comment on Pak&nbsp;comes despite Pakistan's public relation's campaign saying she met UNSC president and Pak Prime Minister Imran Khan said they will be moving to the UNSC.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-no-change-in-the-us-policy-on-kashmir-241619/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had written to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres claiming abrogation of in Jammu and Kashmir had violated the UNSC resolution.

Earlier, Guterres had appealed to both India and Pakistan to exercise "maximum restraint" and said he has been following the situation in Jammu and Kashmir with concern.

"The Secretary-General also recalls the 1972 Agreement on bilateral relations between India and Pakistan, also known as the Simla Agreement, which states that the final status of Jammu and Kashmir is to be settled by peaceful means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations," said Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson of the UN Secretary-General in a statement.

"The Secretary-General calls on all parties to refrain from taking steps that could affect the status of Jammu and Kashmir," said the statement.

Tensions between India and Pakistan have spiralled after the Indian Parliament on Tuesday passed a resolution to revoke Article 370 and a bill bifurcating Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories.

Rattled by New Delhi's decisions, Islamabad "rejected" the move and said it will exercise "all possible options" to counter the steps.

Pakistan on Wednesday decided to downgrade bilateral ties with India and suspend all bilateral trade activities with the neighbouring country in the aftermath of the scrapping of special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

On its part, New Delhi asked Islamabad to review its decision so that normal channels for diplomatic communications are preserved while strictly maintaining that its steps in Jammu and Kashmir are an "entirely internal affair".

The international community has urged both countries to exercise restraint and ensure that peace and stability prevail across the Line of Control (LoC).

UN Security Council President Joanna Wronecka on Thursday refused to comment on Pakistan's letter to the world body regarding abrogation of Article 370 by India that granted a special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

UN Security Council President Joanna Wronecka on Thursday refused to comment on Pakistan's letter to the world body regarding abrogation of Article 370 by India that granted a special status to Jammu and Kashmir. "No comments," Wronecka said when asked for a reaction at a press briefing in New York. UNSC president's refusal to comment on the letter follows the recent meeting of Pakistan's permanent representative to the UN Maleeha Lodhi and Prime Minister Imran Khan's statement in the country's Parliament that his government will take the matter to the world body. UNSC to even comment on Pak comes despite Pakistan's public relation's campaign saying she met UNSC president and Pak Prime Minister Imran Khan said they will be moving to the UNSC. Watch Video: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had written to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres claiming abrogation of in Jammu and Kashmir had violated the UNSC resolution. Earlier, Guterres had appealed to both India and Pakistan to exercise "maximum restraint" and said he has been following the situation in Jammu and Kashmir with concern. "The Secretary-General also recalls the 1972 Agreement on bilateral relations between India and Pakistan, also known as the Simla Agreement, which states that the final status of Jammu and Kashmir is to be settled by peaceful means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations," said Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson of the UN Secretary-General in a statement. "The Secretary-General calls on all parties to refrain from taking steps that could affect the status of Jammu and Kashmir," said the statement. Tensions between India and Pakistan have spiralled after the Indian Parliament on Tuesday passed a resolution to revoke Article 370 and a bill bifurcating Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories. Rattled by New Delhi's decisions, Islamabad "rejected" the move and said it will exercise "all possible options" to counter the steps. Pakistan on Wednesday decided to downgrade bilateral ties with India and suspend all bilateral trade activities with the neighbouring country in the aftermath of the scrapping of special status to Jammu and Kashmir. On its part, New Delhi asked Islamabad to review its decision so that normal channels for diplomatic communications are preserved while strictly maintaining that its steps in Jammu and Kashmir are an "entirely internal affair". The international community has urged both countries to exercise restraint and ensure that peace and stability prevail across the Line of Control (LoC).

Jammu and Kashmir bilateral issue between India & Pak, part of Shimla Agreement: UN

The world must overhaul how it feeds itself and manages Earth's forests, pasture and resources in order to avoid food insecurity and the worst impacts of climate change, a landmark UN assessment said Thursday.&nbsp;

The Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change warned that failure to act rapidly on reducing land degradation, food waste and agriculture's carbon footprint could challenge food systems and undermine efforts to head off disastrous global warming.&nbsp;

The Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change on Thursday delivered the most comprehensive scientific overview yet of the links between the land we live off and global warming.

The report was compiled by more than 100 climate and land use scientists, drawing on thousands of data sets.

It depicts a world ravaged by humankind's insatiable appetite for food and natural resources.

Human activity is now imprinted on more than 70 per cent of all ice-free land on Earth; agriculture uses 70 per cent of the planet's freshwater.

At the same time, human activity is expanding the world's deserts, with the area of dryland experiencing drought increasing around 1 per cent each year.

Land, with its soil, vegetation and ability to reflect much of the Sun's heat, sucked up as much as 29 per cent of mankind's CO2 emissions in the decade to 2016.

But as temperatures rise across the globe, there are fears that absorption rate will slow.&nbsp;

The land is also a source of greenhouse gases, with agriculture, forestry and other activities accounting for 23 per cent of total net man-made emissions.

1.5C already? 

The IPCC sprung to global attention in 2018 with its assessment on how to limit global warming to 1.5C (2.6 Fahrenheit), as aimed for in the Paris climate deal.&nbsp;

It spelt out the need for drastic greenhouse gas emissions cuts achieved partly by a near-immediate fall in fossil fuel consumption.&nbsp;

Earth's surface has already heated 1C since pre-industrial times, but temperatures on land rise faster than in the ocean.&nbsp;

Thursday's report suggested that compared with the pre-industrial average, land temperatures have already risen 1.53C.

It highlighted an increased risk of crop vulnerability, land degradation and extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change, with women, children and the elderly at most immediate risk.

It also warned that the risk of food insecurity would go from "high" under 1.5C of warming, to "very high" under 2C.

Overweight, underfed

Between 25-30 per cent of all food produced is currently lost or wasted.&nbsp;

This waste comes amid an epoch of vastly heightened meat and fat consumption in wealthy nations, and indeed global per capita food calories have increased around one third since 1961.&nbsp;

Two billion adults are classified as overweight or obese, while at least 820 million people go to bed hungry every night.

Trade-offs

The report looks at ways that humanity can use land to combat climate change. It stresses the value of maintaining and even restoring forests to suck carbon from the atmosphere.

In addition, it runs the rule over bioenergy schemes, including as yet untested systems that use biomass to sequester greenhouse gases, and later get burned for energy as an alternative to fossil fuels.&nbsp;

But the area of land needed to keep to a 1.5-C limit varies in projections depending on global consumption patterns in the decades to come.&nbsp;

Even under a low-consumption trajectory, where populations rise slower than anticipated in a less resource-intensive world, a "high risk" of food insecurity occurs in the IPCC models at warming between 2.5-3.5C.&nbsp;

For a world on its current consumption path, that happens at just 1.3C.&nbsp;

The report warns that land given over to bioenergy at the scale required to scrub out global missions, could "increase risks for desertification, land degradation, food security and sustainable development".

Emissions reductions

The land use assessment repeats the 1.5C report warning that man-made greenhouse gas emissions need to start falling immediately in order to avoid "irreversible loss in land ecosystem functions and services required for food, health, habitable settlements and production".&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The world must overhaul how it feeds itself and manages Earth's forests, pasture and resources in order to avoid food insecurity and the worst impacts of climate change, a landmark UN assessment said Thursday.

The world must overhaul how it feeds itself and manages Earth's forests, pasture and resources in order to avoid food insecurity and the worst impacts of climate change, a landmark UN assessment said Thursday. The Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change warned that failure to act rapidly on reducing land degradation, food waste and agriculture's carbon footprint could challenge food systems and undermine efforts to head off disastrous global warming. The Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change on Thursday delivered the most comprehensive scientific overview yet of the links between the land we live off and global warming. The report was compiled by more than 100 climate and land use scientists, drawing on thousands of data sets. It depicts a world ravaged by humankind's insatiable appetite for food and natural resources. Human activity is now imprinted on more than 70 per cent of all ice-free land on Earth; agriculture uses 70 per cent of the planet's freshwater. At the same time, human activity is expanding the world's deserts, with the area of dryland experiencing drought increasing around 1 per cent each year. Land, with its soil, vegetation and ability to reflect much of the Sun's heat, sucked up as much as 29 per cent of mankind's CO2 emissions in the decade to 2016. But as temperatures rise across the globe, there are fears that absorption rate will slow. The land is also a source of greenhouse gases, with agriculture, forestry and other activities accounting for 23 per cent of total net man-made emissions. 1.5C already? The IPCC sprung to global attention in 2018 with its assessment on how to limit global warming to 1.5C (2.6 Fahrenheit), as aimed for in the Paris climate deal. It spelt out the need for drastic greenhouse gas emissions cuts achieved partly by a near-immediate fall in fossil fuel consumption. Earth's surface has already heated 1C since pre-industrial times, but temperatures on land rise faster than in the ocean. Thursday's report suggested that compared with the pre-industrial average, land temperatures have already risen 1.53C. It highlighted an increased risk of crop vulnerability, land degradation and extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change, with women, children and the elderly at most immediate risk. It also warned that the risk of food insecurity would go from "high" under 1.5C of warming, to "very high" under 2C. Overweight, underfed Between 25-30 per cent of all food produced is currently lost or wasted. This waste comes amid an epoch of vastly heightened meat and fat consumption in wealthy nations, and indeed global per capita food calories have increased around one third since 1961. Two billion adults are classified as overweight or obese, while at least 820 million people go to bed hungry every night. Trade-offs The report looks at ways that humanity can use land to combat climate change. It stresses the value of maintaining and even restoring forests to suck carbon from the atmosphere. In addition, it runs the rule over bioenergy schemes, including as yet untested systems that use biomass to sequester greenhouse gases, and later get burned for energy as an alternative to fossil fuels. But the area of land needed to keep to a 1.5-C limit varies in projections depending on global consumption patterns in the decades to come. Even under a low-consumption trajectory, where populations rise slower than anticipated in a less resource-intensive world, a "high risk" of food insecurity occurs in the IPCC models at warming between 2.5-3.5C. For a world on its current consumption path, that happens at just 1.3C. The report warns that land given over to bioenergy at the scale required to scrub out global missions, could "increase risks for desertification, land degradation, food security and sustainable development". Emissions reductions The land use assessment repeats the 1.5C report warning that man-made greenhouse gas emissions need to start falling immediately in order to avoid "irreversible loss in land ecosystem functions and services required for food, health, habitable settlements and production".

In landmark assessment, UN body suggests ways to avoid food insecurity, worst impacts of climate change

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

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

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

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

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

US, UN keeping close watch on Jammu and Kashmir

Myanmar's foreign ministry on Tuesday denounced a United Nations report that urged world leaders to cut ties with military-linked companies and impose an arms embargo over the Rohingya crisis, saying it was intended to harm the country.

A panel of UN experts urged world leaders on Monday to impose targeted financial sanctions on companies linked to the military and said foreign firms doing business with them could be complicit in international crimes.

More than 730,000 Rohingya, members of a persecuted Muslim minority, fled Myanmar's Rakhine state into neighbouring Bangladesh amid a military-led crackdown in August 2017 that the UN and western countries have said included mass killings and gang-rapes.

The investigators identified at least 59 foreign companies with commercial ties to the Myanmar military and 14 companies that have sold weapons and related equipment to security forces since 2016, including state-owned entities in Israel, India, North Korea and China.

Any foreign business activity involving the army and its conglomerates "posts a high risk of contributing to, or being linked to, violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law", the report said.

Myanmar's foreign ministry said on Tuesday the UN had exceeded its mandate in setting up the Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar, which produced the report. The same panel in 2018 determined the crackdown on Rohingya was carried out with "genocidal intent".

"The Government of Myanmar categorically rejects the latest report and its conclusions," the ministry said in a statement, calling the report an "action intended to harm the interests of Myanmar and its people".

"We adhere firmly to the position that cooperation should be the basis for the resolution of international issues, including that of human rights," the ministry said.

"We do not believe that economic sanctions will resolve the challenges that need to be overcome," it added.

Myanmar's foreign ministry on Tuesday denounced a United Nations report that urged world leaders to cut ties with military-linked companies and impose an arms embargo over the Rohingya crisis, saying it was intended to harm the country.

Myanmar's foreign ministry on Tuesday denounced a United Nations report that urged world leaders to cut ties with military-linked companies and impose an arms embargo over the Rohingya crisis, saying it was intended to harm the country. A panel of UN experts urged world leaders on Monday to impose targeted financial sanctions on companies linked to the military and said foreign firms doing business with them could be complicit in international crimes. More than 730,000 Rohingya, members of a persecuted Muslim minority, fled Myanmar's Rakhine state into neighbouring Bangladesh amid a military-led crackdown in August 2017 that the UN and western countries have said included mass killings and gang-rapes. The investigators identified at least 59 foreign companies with commercial ties to the Myanmar military and 14 companies that have sold weapons and related equipment to security forces since 2016, including state-owned entities in Israel, India, North Korea and China. Any foreign business activity involving the army and its conglomerates "posts a high risk of contributing to, or being linked to, violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law", the report said. Myanmar's foreign ministry said on Tuesday the UN had exceeded its mandate in setting up the Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar, which produced the report. The same panel in 2018 determined the crackdown on Rohingya was carried out with "genocidal intent". "The Government of Myanmar categorically rejects the latest report and its conclusions," the ministry said in a statement, calling the report an "action intended to harm the interests of Myanmar and its people". "We adhere firmly to the position that cooperation should be the basis for the resolution of international issues, including that of human rights," the ministry said. "We do not believe that economic sanctions will resolve the challenges that need to be overcome," it added.

Myanmar says UN calls for sanctions, arms embargo bid to harm country

A Chinese human rights lawyer said Sunday he had landed in the United States despite being stopped from leaving Beijing in April by mainland authorities who imposed an exit ban on him.

"My family and I have landed in JFK airport, New York, late night on August 3, 2019," Chen Jiangang said in a statement provided by a friend to AFP.&nbsp;

In April, the lawyer was pulled aside by customs at Beijing Capital airport as he prepared to board a flight to Seattle and told him he was banned from leaving China.

He had been selected to study English there as part of the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship, a program named for the late vice president that provides a year of US education for emerging leaders from around the world.

Beijing defended the ban as "in accordance with China's own laws", but the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-state-department-welcomes-news-of-ceasefire-in-northwest-syria-240525">US State Department</a> called it disturbing.

It was Chen's work as a human rights lawyer in China that landed him in authority crosshairs.

Chen represented Xie Yang a leading lawyer involved in politically sensitive cases including defending Hong Kong pro-democracy activists who were himself rounded up in a sweeping crackdown on legal staff in 2015.

Chen remained vocal on the case even after authorities removed him as Xie's lawyer, drawing attention to his former client's allegations of torture in police custody.

In a separate 2017 incident criticized by the United Nations human rights office, Chen was stopped while vacationing with his family in remote Yunnan province.

His wife and young children were allowed to fly back to Beijing, but Chen said he was taken back via a 3,200 kilometre (2,000 miles) road journey under police escort.

"Merely for following and defending the law in normal practice, I have met naked threats delivered in my face by officials representing the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/china-is-building-a-global-coalition-of-human-rights-violators-to-defend-its-record-in-xinjiang-237132"> Chinese government</a>," Chen said in Sunday's statement.

"Such threats have put me in imminent danger of enforced disappearance, torture, or even death."&nbsp;&nbsp;

Chen did not say how he came to leave China, but thanked friends and human rights organisations for their "rescue work and help".

"Without them, our family would not have made it to freedom," he said.&nbsp;

A Chinese human rights lawyer said Sunday he had landed in the United States despite being stopped from leaving Beijing in April by mainland authorities who imposed an exit ban on him.

A Chinese human rights lawyer said Sunday he had landed in the United States despite being stopped from leaving Beijing in April by mainland authorities who imposed an exit ban on him. "My family and I have landed in JFK airport, New York, late night on August 3, 2019," Chen Jiangang said in a statement provided by a friend to AFP. In April, the lawyer was pulled aside by customs at Beijing Capital airport as he prepared to board a flight to Seattle and told him he was banned from leaving China. He had been selected to study English there as part of the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship, a program named for the late vice president that provides a year of US education for emerging leaders from around the world. Beijing defended the ban as "in accordance with China's own laws", but the US State Department called it disturbing. It was Chen's work as a human rights lawyer in China that landed him in authority crosshairs. Chen represented Xie Yang a leading lawyer involved in politically sensitive cases including defending Hong Kong pro-democracy activists who were himself rounded up in a sweeping crackdown on legal staff in 2015. Chen remained vocal on the case even after authorities removed him as Xie's lawyer, drawing attention to his former client's allegations of torture in police custody. In a separate 2017 incident criticized by the United Nations human rights office, Chen was stopped while vacationing with his family in remote Yunnan province. His wife and young children were allowed to fly back to Beijing, but Chen said he was taken back via a 3,200 kilometre (2,000 miles) road journey under police escort. "Merely for following and defending the law in normal practice, I have met naked threats delivered in my face by officials representing the Chinese government," Chen said in Sunday's statement. "Such threats have put me in imminent danger of enforced disappearance, torture, or even death." Chen did not say how he came to leave China, but thanked friends and human rights organisations for their "rescue work and help". "Without them, our family would not have made it to freedom," he said.

Chinese human rights lawyer lands in United States despite travel ban

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