Ninety-five people in a central Malian village inhabited by the Dogon community were killed by gunmen in an overnight attack, a local official and a security source said Monday, giving a provisional toll.

"Right now we have 95 dead civilians. The bodies are burned, we are continuing to look for others," an official in Koundou district, where the village of Sobane-Kou is located, told AFP.

A Malian security source at the site of the massacre said, "a Dogon village has been virtually wiped out".

The local official said the attackers came and "started shooting, pillaging and burning."&nbsp;

The village had about 300 inhabitants, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The attack appears to be the latest incident in a cycle of violence in central Mali, an ethnic mosaic.

The tit-for-tat began when a predominantly Fulani jihadist group led by preacher Amadou Koufa surfaced in the region and started targeting the Bambara and Dogon ethnic groups.

The Fulani, also known as Peul, are primarily cattle breeders and traders, while the Bambara and Dogon are traditionally sedentary farmers.&nbsp;

On May 16, the UN mission in Mali (MINUSMA) announced it had recorded "at least 488 deaths" in attacks on Fulanis in the central regions of Mopti and Segou since January 2018.

In the bloodiest raid, about 160 Fulani villagers were slaughtered in March at Ogossagou, near the border with Burkina Faso, by suspected Dogon hunters.

MINUSMA said that also since January 2018, armed Fulanis had "caused 63 deaths" among civilians in the Mopti region.

Koufa in March 2017 joined the newly-formed Group to Support Islam and Muslims (GSIM), the leading jihadist alliance in the Sahel region, with links to Al-Qaeda. Its leader is Iyad Ag Ghaly

Ninety-five people in a central Malian village inhabited by the Dogon community were killed by gunmen in an overnight attack, a local official and a security source said Monday, giving a provisional toll.

Ninety-five people in a central Malian village inhabited by the Dogon community were killed by gunmen in an overnight attack, a local official and a security source said Monday, giving a provisional toll. "Right now we have 95 dead civilians. The bodies are burned, we are continuing to look for others," an official in Koundou district, where the village of Sobane-Kou is located, told AFP. A Malian security source at the site of the massacre said, "a Dogon village has been virtually wiped out". The local official said the attackers came and "started shooting, pillaging and burning." The village had about 300 inhabitants, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The attack appears to be the latest incident in a cycle of violence in central Mali, an ethnic mosaic. The tit-for-tat began when a predominantly Fulani jihadist group led by preacher Amadou Koufa surfaced in the region and started targeting the Bambara and Dogon ethnic groups. The Fulani, also known as Peul, are primarily cattle breeders and traders, while the Bambara and Dogon are traditionally sedentary farmers. On May 16, the UN mission in Mali (MINUSMA) announced it had recorded "at least 488 deaths" in attacks on Fulanis in the central regions of Mopti and Segou since January 2018. In the bloodiest raid, about 160 Fulani villagers were slaughtered in March at Ogossagou, near the border with Burkina Faso, by suspected Dogon hunters. MINUSMA said that also since January 2018, armed Fulanis had "caused 63 deaths" among civilians in the Mopti region. Koufa in March 2017 joined the newly-formed Group to Support Islam and Muslims (GSIM), the leading jihadist alliance in the Sahel region, with links to Al-Qaeda. Its leader is Iyad Ag Ghaly

95 killed in attack on central Mali village

The UN's nuclear watchdog said Monday it was "worried about increasing tensions" over Iran's nuclear programme after Tehran said it might stop respecting more elements of a 2015 international deal.&nbsp;

"I... hope that ways can be found to reduce current tensions through dialogue," International Atomic Energy Agency director general Yukiya Amano said in a speech opening the agency's quarterly board of governors meeting.

On May 8 Iran announced it no longer considered itself bound to keep to the limits of stocks of heavy water and enriched uranium. The limits were agreed as part of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Tehran's move came a year after US President Donald Trump pulled out of the deal. Washington has also reinforced economic sanctions against the Islamic republic.

Iran has also said that if the other parties to the JCPOA did not speed up work on mitigating the effects of US sanctions, by early July it would stop abiding by restrictions on the level to which it can enrich uranium and on modifications to its Arak heavy water reactor.

Two weeks ago, the latest inspections report by the IAEA said that while stocks of uranium and heavy water had increased, they were as yet still within the limits set by the JCPOA.

"As I have constantly emphasised, the nuclear-related commitments entered into by Iran under the JCPOA represent a significant gain for nuclear verification," Amano said in his speech.

"It is essential that Iran fully implements its nuclear-related commitments under the JCPOA," he added.

The UN's nuclear watchdog said Monday it was "worried about increasing tensions" over Iran's nuclear programme after Tehran said it might stop respecting more elements of a 2015 international deal.

The UN's nuclear watchdog said Monday it was "worried about increasing tensions" over Iran's nuclear programme after Tehran said it might stop respecting more elements of a 2015 international deal. "I... hope that ways can be found to reduce current tensions through dialogue," International Atomic Energy Agency director general Yukiya Amano said in a speech opening the agency's quarterly board of governors meeting. On May 8 Iran announced it no longer considered itself bound to keep to the limits of stocks of heavy water and enriched uranium. The limits were agreed as part of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Tehran's move came a year after US President Donald Trump pulled out of the deal. Washington has also reinforced economic sanctions against the Islamic republic. Iran has also said that if the other parties to the JCPOA did not speed up work on mitigating the effects of US sanctions, by early July it would stop abiding by restrictions on the level to which it can enrich uranium and on modifications to its Arak heavy water reactor. Two weeks ago, the latest inspections report by the IAEA said that while stocks of uranium and heavy water had increased, they were as yet still within the limits set by the JCPOA. "As I have constantly emphasised, the nuclear-related commitments entered into by Iran under the JCPOA represent a significant gain for nuclear verification," Amano said in his speech. "It is essential that Iran fully implements its nuclear-related commitments under the JCPOA," he added.

UN's nuclear watchdog IAEA 'worried about increasing tensions' over Iran nuclear issue

Sweden's teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg was Friday awarded a prestigious Amnesty International prize for mobilising world public opinion on the looming peril of global warming.

The 16-year-old issued a statement declaring it "a huge honour to receive Amnesty International's Ambassador of Conscience Award," saying it was recognition for everybody inspired by her "Fridays for Future" movement that has seen students strike from school to take part in climate protests.

"To act on your conscience means that you fight for what you think is right," she said.

To AFPTV, she said "it's amazing to get recognition like this".

Thunberg, a fierce campaigner with a gift for public speaking, has become a figurehead for young climate activists internationally. International organisations often invite her to climate change events in an effort to put a human face on the fight to curb carbon emissions.

Last week, she appeared alongside actor and former politician Arnold Schwarzenegger at a conference in Austria discussing ways to tackle climate change.

The head of Amnesty International, Kumi Naidoo, lauded Thunberg's work in a statement announcing the prize from his organisation.

"Every young person taking part in 'Fridays for Future' embodies what it means to act on your conscience. They remind us that we are more powerful than we know and that we all have a role to play in protecting human rights against climate catastrophe," he said.

Year off school

Thunberg has announced she is taking a year off school to pursue her campaigning.&nbsp;

Her agenda includes a UN climate change summit in September and a UN climate conference in Chile in December that both pose a quandary for Thunberg, who eschews air travel because of the carbon footprint it leaves.

"I have decided that I am going to try to take a sabbatical year from school and try to travel to different places, among others to North and South America, where I have received invitations to attend several meetings and summits -- so I will have to try to go there without flying if that is possible," she told AFPTV.

"It is across the Atlantic Ocean and I don't fly because of climate reasons so I will have to do it in another way…. I don't know, we will see (how)," she said.

Sweden's teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg was Friday awarded a prestigious Amnesty International prize for mobilising world public opinion on the looming peril of global warming.

Sweden's teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg was Friday awarded a prestigious Amnesty International prize for mobilising world public opinion on the looming peril of global warming. The 16-year-old issued a statement declaring it "a huge honour to receive Amnesty International's Ambassador of Conscience Award," saying it was recognition for everybody inspired by her "Fridays for Future" movement that has seen students strike from school to take part in climate protests. "To act on your conscience means that you fight for what you think is right," she said. To AFPTV, she said "it's amazing to get recognition like this". Thunberg, a fierce campaigner with a gift for public speaking, has become a figurehead for young climate activists internationally. International organisations often invite her to climate change events in an effort to put a human face on the fight to curb carbon emissions. Last week, she appeared alongside actor and former politician Arnold Schwarzenegger at a conference in Austria discussing ways to tackle climate change. The head of Amnesty International, Kumi Naidoo, lauded Thunberg's work in a statement announcing the prize from his organisation. "Every young person taking part in 'Fridays for Future' embodies what it means to act on your conscience. They remind us that we are more powerful than we know and that we all have a role to play in protecting human rights against climate catastrophe," he said. Year off school Thunberg has announced she is taking a year off school to pursue her campaigning. Her agenda includes a UN climate change summit in September and a UN climate conference in Chile in December that both pose a quandary for Thunberg, who eschews air travel because of the carbon footprint it leaves. "I have decided that I am going to try to take a sabbatical year from school and try to travel to different places, among others to North and South America, where I have received invitations to attend several meetings and summits -- so I will have to try to go there without flying if that is possible," she told AFPTV. "It is across the Atlantic Ocean and I don't fly because of climate reasons so I will have to do it in another way…. I don't know, we will see (how)," she said.

Teen climate activist Greta Thunberg gets Amnesty prize

The Philippines on Saturday rejected a call for an independent United Nations probe into Manila's alleged human rights violations, describing it as interference in the affairs of the Asian nation.

UN rights experts asked the UN Human Rights Council on Friday to look into the "staggering number of unlawful deaths and police killings in the context of the so-called war on drugs, as well as killings of human rights defenders".

President Rodrigo Duterte has overseen a narcotics crackdown in which police have killed more than 5,300 suspected drug dealers and users since he was elected three years ago.

Rights groups say the actual number of dead is at least three times higher.

"The latest call by 11 special rapporteurs of the United Nations for an international probe of the Philippines not only is intellectually challenged but an outrageous interference on Philippine sovereignty," Duterte spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

He accused the UN experts of "peddling a biased and absolutely false recital of facts, adulterated with malicious imputations against the constituted authorities".

Panelo also said: "Those who have spoken against the campaign on illegal drugs and human rights record of this president have been overwhelmingly rejected by the Filipino electorate."

Last month's midterm polls, held halfway into Duterte's six-year term, saw his allies take control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The 11 UN experts, who are independent and do not speak for the United Nations, include the special rapporteur on summary or extrajudicial killings, Agnes Callamard.

Callamard earned Duterte's ire when she called for a stop to the drug war killings in 2016.

Duterte's drug war is his signature policy initiative and he defends it fiercely, especially from international critics and institutions which he says do not care about the Philippines.

Critics have alleged the crackdown amounts to a war on the poor that feeds an undercurrent of impunity and lawlessness in the country.

The Philippines on Saturday rejected a call for an independent United Nations probe into Manila's alleged human rights violations, describing it as interference in the affairs of the Asian nation.

The Philippines on Saturday rejected a call for an independent United Nations probe into Manila's alleged human rights violations, describing it as interference in the affairs of the Asian nation. UN rights experts asked the UN Human Rights Council on Friday to look into the "staggering number of unlawful deaths and police killings in the context of the so-called war on drugs, as well as killings of human rights defenders". President Rodrigo Duterte has overseen a narcotics crackdown in which police have killed more than 5,300 suspected drug dealers and users since he was elected three years ago. Rights groups say the actual number of dead is at least three times higher. "The latest call by 11 special rapporteurs of the United Nations for an international probe of the Philippines not only is intellectually challenged but an outrageous interference on Philippine sovereignty," Duterte spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement. He accused the UN experts of "peddling a biased and absolutely false recital of facts, adulterated with malicious imputations against the constituted authorities". Panelo also said: "Those who have spoken against the campaign on illegal drugs and human rights record of this president have been overwhelmingly rejected by the Filipino electorate." Last month's midterm polls, held halfway into Duterte's six-year term, saw his allies take control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. The 11 UN experts, who are independent and do not speak for the United Nations, include the special rapporteur on summary or extrajudicial killings, Agnes Callamard. Callamard earned Duterte's ire when she called for a stop to the drug war killings in 2016. Duterte's drug war is his signature policy initiative and he defends it fiercely, especially from international critics and institutions which he says do not care about the Philippines. Critics have alleged the crackdown amounts to a war on the poor that feeds an undercurrent of impunity and lawlessness in the country.

Philippines rejects call for United Nations probe in alleged human rights violations

The United Nations is moving some of its staff from Sudan, a spokeswoman said Wednesday, as the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sudan-opposition-rejects-armys-offer-of-talks-death-toll-hits-101-224759">death toll from a crackdown on protesters soared to more than 100</a>.

"We are temporarily relocating non-programme-critical UN staff, while all UN operations continue in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/sudan-can-avoid-past-mistakes-by-drawing-lessons-from-its-history-210866">Sudan</a>," said UN spokesperson Eri Kaneko.

No details were provided on the number of staffers leaving Khartoum, where there is a large UN presence of 27 entities, mostly UN aid agencies.

The United Nations also runs a peacekeeping mission in Darfur with the African Union, where about 7,200 troops and police are deployed.

Sudan has been engulfed in turmoil since security forces on Monday violently broke up a weeks-long sit-in by protesters demanding an end to military rule.

The Central Committee for Sudanese Doctors close to the protest movement said on Wednesday that at least 108 people had been killed in the crackdown.

Forty bodies have been recovered from the Nile river, they said.

Watch: Unrest In Sudan Continues: Military Council Calls For Snap Polls

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A military council has ruled the country since the ouster of President Omar al-Bashir on April 11, following months of protests against his three-decade authoritarian rule.

Army ruler General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan announced Tuesday that he was scrapping a plan for a three-year transition period and would hold elections within nine months.

Western powers have warned that snap elections will crush hopes for a democratic transition in Sudan and have called for a return to negotiations.

The United Nations is moving some of its staff from Sudan, a spokeswoman said Wednesday, as the death toll from a crackdown on protesters soared to more than 100.

The United Nations is moving some of its staff from Sudan, a spokeswoman said Wednesday, as the death toll from a crackdown on protesters soared to more than 100. "We are temporarily relocating non-programme-critical UN staff, while all UN operations continue in Sudan," said UN spokesperson Eri Kaneko. No details were provided on the number of staffers leaving Khartoum, where there is a large UN presence of 27 entities, mostly UN aid agencies. The United Nations also runs a peacekeeping mission in Darfur with the African Union, where about 7,200 troops and police are deployed. Sudan has been engulfed in turmoil since security forces on Monday violently broke up a weeks-long sit-in by protesters demanding an end to military rule. The Central Committee for Sudanese Doctors close to the protest movement said on Wednesday that at least 108 people had been killed in the crackdown. Forty bodies have been recovered from the Nile river, they said. Watch: Unrest In Sudan Continues: Military Council Calls For Snap Polls × A military council has ruled the country since the ouster of President Omar al-Bashir on April 11, following months of protests against his three-decade authoritarian rule. Army ruler General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan announced Tuesday that he was scrapping a plan for a three-year transition period and would hold elections within nine months. Western powers have warned that snap elections will crush hopes for a democratic transition in Sudan and have called for a return to negotiations.

UN relocates staff from Sudan, death toll rises to 108

A hundred and sixty people descended on a beach at Enoshima, the venue for sailing at the Olympic Games next year, on Wednesday (June 5) to participate in the annual Tokyo 2020 Trash Collection Challenge and to mark World Environment Day.

Trash collection at Tokyo 2020 venue to mark World Environment Day

Nearly half of all rural Afghans now face some level of food insecurity, a UN agency said Monday, as a historic drought and deteriorating security grip Afghanistan.

Described by some locals as the worst in a lifetime, Afghanistan's drought had a devastating effect on rural populations last year, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in an overview of Afghanistan aid operations in 2018.

"With crops failing and limited water supplies, as well as increased malnutrition and illness, hundreds of thousands of people left their homes to seek help near major cities," OCHA said.

The misery was only compounded this spring when rains finally did come, as downpours led to deadly flooding in provinces across the country.

OCHA found that the number of people in need of some form of food assistance in Afghanistan rose from 3.3 million at the start of last year to a projected current level of 13.5 million -- or 47 per cent of the population -- as of February 2019.

That group has been affected to varying degrees, according to the OCHA, but none were at immediate risk of famine -- though a failed harvest in 2019 could change that.

OCHA said aid humanitarian groups were able to reach about 6.5 million people last year on a budget of $471 million.

Despite the impact of the drought, conflict remained the largest driver of humanitarian need in Afghanistan last year, OCHA said.

According to the UN, 3,804 civilians -- including more than 900 children -- were killed in Afghanistan in 2018, with another 7,189 wounded. It was the deadliest year on record.&nbsp;

"An increase in mass casualty incidents, escalating hostilities and the dangers posed by unexploded ordnance all contributed to record-high numbers of trauma cases in 2018," the OCHA report states.

Another compounding factor was a wave of Afghans returning from Iran as the economy there slowed down amid new US sanctions, cutting demand for Afghan workers.

While returns from Pakistan were at an all-time low, with only 46,300 recorded in 2018, 775,000 Afghans came back from Iran during 2018, according to OCHA.

Nearly half of all rural Afghans now face some level of food insecurity, a UN agency said Monday, as a historic drought and deteriorating security grip Afghanistan.

Nearly half of all rural Afghans now face some level of food insecurity, a UN agency said Monday, as a historic drought and deteriorating security grip Afghanistan. Described by some locals as the worst in a lifetime, Afghanistan's drought had a devastating effect on rural populations last year, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in an overview of Afghanistan aid operations in 2018. "With crops failing and limited water supplies, as well as increased malnutrition and illness, hundreds of thousands of people left their homes to seek help near major cities," OCHA said. The misery was only compounded this spring when rains finally did come, as downpours led to deadly flooding in provinces across the country. OCHA found that the number of people in need of some form of food assistance in Afghanistan rose from 3.3 million at the start of last year to a projected current level of 13.5 million -- or 47 per cent of the population -- as of February 2019. That group has been affected to varying degrees, according to the OCHA, but none were at immediate risk of famine -- though a failed harvest in 2019 could change that. OCHA said aid humanitarian groups were able to reach about 6.5 million people last year on a budget of $471 million. Despite the impact of the drought, conflict remained the largest driver of humanitarian need in Afghanistan last year, OCHA said. According to the UN, 3,804 civilians -- including more than 900 children -- were killed in Afghanistan in 2018, with another 7,189 wounded. It was the deadliest year on record. "An increase in mass casualty incidents, escalating hostilities and the dangers posed by unexploded ordnance all contributed to record-high numbers of trauma cases in 2018," the OCHA report states. Another compounding factor was a wave of Afghans returning from Iran as the economy there slowed down amid new US sanctions, cutting demand for Afghan workers. While returns from Pakistan were at an all-time low, with only 46,300 recorded in 2018, 775,000 Afghans came back from Iran during 2018, according to OCHA.

Nearly half of rural Afghans face food insecurity: UN

International donors pledged to contribute $1.2 billion to help rebuild areas and infrastructure destroyed by cyclones Kenneth and Idai in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cyclone-idai-at-least-157-killed-in-zimbabwe-mozambique-204116">Mozambique</a>, according to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-nations-provides-13-million-in-emergency-funds-to-cyclone-hit-mozambique-214368">United Nations</a>, less than half the amount the government says is needed.

The announcement was made by the country`s President Filipe Nyusi at the end of a two-day International Conference of Donors that drew around 700 participants from international organizations, donors, the private sector and civil society to the city of Beira, one of the areas worst hit by the cyclones.

In his address, Nyusi said "thank you very much for saving Mozambican lives," an article on the UN website dated June 1 read. 
Cyclone Kenneth crashed into the province of Cabo Delgado and flattened entire villages with winds of up to 280 kph (174 mph), killing around 45 people while Mozambique was still struggling to deal with the impact of Cyclone Idai, which hammered the country`s central region just six weeks earlier.

More than 1,000 people were killed across Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi when Cyclone Idai, the worst cyclone in decades, lashed its eastern Indian Ocean coast with heavy winds and rains in mid-March. 
Mozambique needs $3.2 billion for post-cyclone reconstruction in the provinces of Sofala, Manica, Tete, Zambézia, Inhambane Nampula and Cabo Delgado.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres, called for a "generous response" from the international community and said "this is the time to translate into concrete gestures the solidarity with a country that has suffered one of the worst environmental disasters ever experienced in Africa," the UN said.

International donors pledged to contribute $1.2 billion to help rebuild areas and infrastructure destroyed by cyclones Kenneth and Idai in Mozambique, according to the United Nations, less than half the amount the government says is needed.

International donors pledged to contribute $1.2 billion to help rebuild areas and infrastructure destroyed by cyclones Kenneth and Idai in Mozambique, according to the United Nations, less than half the amount the government says is needed. The announcement was made by the country`s President Filipe Nyusi at the end of a two-day International Conference of Donors that drew around 700 participants from international organizations, donors, the private sector and civil society to the city of Beira, one of the areas worst hit by the cyclones. In his address, Nyusi said "thank you very much for saving Mozambican lives," an article on the UN website dated June 1 read. Cyclone Kenneth crashed into the province of Cabo Delgado and flattened entire villages with winds of up to 280 kph (174 mph), killing around 45 people while Mozambique was still struggling to deal with the impact of Cyclone Idai, which hammered the country`s central region just six weeks earlier. More than 1,000 people were killed across Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi when Cyclone Idai, the worst cyclone in decades, lashed its eastern Indian Ocean coast with heavy winds and rains in mid-March. Mozambique needs $3.2 billion for post-cyclone reconstruction in the provinces of Sofala, Manica, Tete, Zambézia, Inhambane Nampula and Cabo Delgado. UN Secretary-General António Guterres, called for a "generous response" from the international community and said "this is the time to translate into concrete gestures the solidarity with a country that has suffered one of the worst environmental disasters ever experienced in Africa," the UN said.

Donors pledge $1.2 billion to rebuild Mozambique after cyclones: UN

More than 90,000 people have been displaced in Libya since April as a result of the armed conflict between Khalifa Haftar`s army and UN-backed government forces in capital Tripoli, United Nations said on Friday.

Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said in a press briefing here that over than 8000 people were displaced this week alone. Half of them are believed to be children.

"Aid workers continue to provide assistance to the internally displaced and to other vulnerable people impacted by the hostilities, with more than 47,000 people in Tripoli and surrounding areas having received help to date," Xinhua quoted Haq as saying.

According to a recent report by the World Health Organisation, more than 390 people have lost their lives and over 1,900 others wounded since the fighting began on April 12.

Libya has been largely divided into two factions ever since the death of its dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

The LNA-backed parliament controls the east of Libya, while the UN-backed interim Government of National Accord (GNA) governs Libya`s western region from Tripoli.

While the US government has primarily backed the GNA which is led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, American diplomats and military officers have maintained contacts with Russia backed Haftar.

Most of the international community has urged for a peaceful resolution to the intense fighting which has ensued in the African nation.&nbsp;

More than 90,000 people have been displaced in Libya since April as a result of the armed conflict between Khalifa Haftar`s army and UN-backed government forces in capital Tripoli, United Nations said on Friday.

More than 90,000 people have been displaced in Libya since April as a result of the armed conflict between Khalifa Haftar`s army and UN-backed government forces in capital Tripoli, United Nations said on Friday. Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said in a press briefing here that over than 8000 people were displaced this week alone. Half of them are believed to be children. "Aid workers continue to provide assistance to the internally displaced and to other vulnerable people impacted by the hostilities, with more than 47,000 people in Tripoli and surrounding areas having received help to date," Xinhua quoted Haq as saying. According to a recent report by the World Health Organisation, more than 390 people have lost their lives and over 1,900 others wounded since the fighting began on April 12. Libya has been largely divided into two factions ever since the death of its dictator Muammar Gaddafi. The LNA-backed parliament controls the east of Libya, while the UN-backed interim Government of National Accord (GNA) governs Libya`s western region from Tripoli. While the US government has primarily backed the GNA which is led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, American diplomats and military officers have maintained contacts with Russia backed Haftar. Most of the international community has urged for a peaceful resolution to the intense fighting which has ensued in the African nation.

Over 90,000 displaced in Libya due to fighting in Tripoli: UN

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-announces-17-new-espionage-charges-against-wikileaks-julian-assange-221127">WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange </a>has suffered "psychological torture" from a defamation campaign against him by the media, judges and senior political figures, a United Nations human rights investigator said on Friday.

Nils Melzer, the UN special rapporteur on torture who visited Assange in a high-security London prison on May 9, voiced concern at fresh US&nbsp;criminal charges laid against Assange and reiterated a call for him not to be extradited.

Assange was too ill on Thursday to appear via video link from a British prison in a hearing on an extradition request from the United States, his lawyer Gareth Peirce told Reuters. He is in a health ward.

"Mr. Assange has been deliberately exposed, for a period of several years, to progressively severe forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, the cumulative effects of which can only be described as psychological torture," Melzer said in a statement.

The Swiss law professor, an independent expert, was accompanied on the prison visit by two medical experts specialised in examining potential victims of torture and other ill-treatment, the statement said. They spoke with Assange in private and conducted a "thorough medical assessment".

"It was obvious that Mr. Assange`s health has been seriously affected by the extremely hostile and arbitrary environment he has been exposed to for many years," Melzer said.&nbsp;

"In addition to physical ailments, Mr. Assange showed all symptoms typical for prolonged exposure to psychological torture, including extreme stress, chronic anxiety and intense psychological trauma."

The United States is seeking the extradition of Assange, who was dragged from the Ecuadorean embassy in London on April 11 after his seven-year asylum was revoked, for one of the biggest ever leaks of classified information.

The Australian, now 47, had skipped bail and taken refuge there in 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden over a sexual assault investigation that was later dropped. Sweden reopened the investigation in early May. Assange denies the rape allegation.

The United States has charged Assange with espionage, saying he unlawfully published the names of classified sources and conspired with and assisted ex-Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning in obtaining access to classified information. He faces 18 US&nbsp;criminal counts and decades in prison if convicted.

"My most urgent concern is that, in the United States, Mr. Assange would be exposed to a real risk of serious violations of his human rights, including his freedom of expression, his right to a fair trial and the prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment," Melzer said.

Assange made international headlines in 2010 when WikiLeaks published a classified US military video showing a 2007 attack by Apache helicopters in Baghdad that killed a dozen people, including two Reuters news staff.

"Since (2010), there has been a relentless and unrestrained campaign of public mobbing, intimidation and defamation against Mr. Assange, not only in the United States, but also in the United Kingdom, Sweden and, more recently, Ecuador," Melzer said, pointing to the press and social media, and unnamed senior political figures and judicial magistrates involved in the case.&nbsp;

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has suffered "psychological torture" from a defamation campaign against him by the media, judges and senior political figures, a United Nations human rights investigator said on Friday.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has suffered "psychological torture" from a defamation campaign against him by the media, judges and senior political figures, a United Nations human rights investigator said on Friday. Nils Melzer, the UN special rapporteur on torture who visited Assange in a high-security London prison on May 9, voiced concern at fresh US criminal charges laid against Assange and reiterated a call for him not to be extradited. Assange was too ill on Thursday to appear via video link from a British prison in a hearing on an extradition request from the United States, his lawyer Gareth Peirce told Reuters. He is in a health ward. "Mr. Assange has been deliberately exposed, for a period of several years, to progressively severe forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, the cumulative effects of which can only be described as psychological torture," Melzer said in a statement. The Swiss law professor, an independent expert, was accompanied on the prison visit by two medical experts specialised in examining potential victims of torture and other ill-treatment, the statement said. They spoke with Assange in private and conducted a "thorough medical assessment". "It was obvious that Mr. Assange`s health has been seriously affected by the extremely hostile and arbitrary environment he has been exposed to for many years," Melzer said. "In addition to physical ailments, Mr. Assange showed all symptoms typical for prolonged exposure to psychological torture, including extreme stress, chronic anxiety and intense psychological trauma." The United States is seeking the extradition of Assange, who was dragged from the Ecuadorean embassy in London on April 11 after his seven-year asylum was revoked, for one of the biggest ever leaks of classified information. The Australian, now 47, had skipped bail and taken refuge there in 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden over a sexual assault investigation that was later dropped. Sweden reopened the investigation in early May. Assange denies the rape allegation. The United States has charged Assange with espionage, saying he unlawfully published the names of classified sources and conspired with and assisted ex-Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning in obtaining access to classified information. He faces 18 US criminal counts and decades in prison if convicted. "My most urgent concern is that, in the United States, Mr. Assange would be exposed to a real risk of serious violations of his human rights, including his freedom of expression, his right to a fair trial and the prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment," Melzer said. Assange made international headlines in 2010 when WikiLeaks published a classified US military video showing a 2007 attack by Apache helicopters in Baghdad that killed a dozen people, including two Reuters news staff. "Since (2010), there has been a relentless and unrestrained campaign of public mobbing, intimidation and defamation against Mr. Assange, not only in the United States, but also in the United Kingdom, Sweden and, more recently, Ecuador," Melzer said, pointing to the press and social media, and unnamed senior political figures and judicial magistrates involved in the case.

WikiLeaks' Assange suffering from 'psychological torture': UN rights expert

The world risks a descent into lawlessness and a new Cold War if multilateralism fails, UN&nbsp;Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Thursday, calling on the European Union to take a lead role in fighting to preserve a rules-based global order.

Speaking in the western German city of Aachen, where he was being awarded the annual Charlemagne Prize for promoting European unity, Guterres described the 28-nation bloc as a pillar of multilateralism that was "too big to fail".

"If you want to avoid a new Cold War, if you want a real multilateral order, then we have to have a United States of Europe as a strong pillar of it," he said after being presented the medal in Aachen city hall`s ornate Coronation Room.

The prize, first awarded in 1949, is named after the medieval monarch who in 800 was crowned emperor of a Europe-spanning polity that ruled much of modern-day France, Germany, the Low Countries and Central Europe from Aachen.

Former laureates have included French President Emmanuel Macron, Pope Francis and Britain`s wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

In its citation, the prize committee said Guterres, a former prime minister of Portugal, had been chosen for his advocacy of cooperation, tolerance, pluralism and multilateral cooperation.

Guterres said Europe and the global order, with the United Nations at its apex, risked being undermined by rising nationalism and xenophobia at precisely the time when it was needed more than ever to tackle challenges posed by issues such as climate change and migration.

"The bitter truth is that we have taken too many things for granted," he said.

"Human rights has lost ground against the agenda of national sovereignty," he added. "The failure of Europe would inevitably be the failure of multilateralism and the failure of a world in which the rule of law can prevail."

The world risks a descent into lawlessness and a new Cold War if multilateralism fails, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Thursday, calling on the European Union to take a lead role in fighting to preserve a rules-based global order.

The world risks a descent into lawlessness and a new Cold War if multilateralism fails, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Thursday, calling on the European Union to take a lead role in fighting to preserve a rules-based global order. Speaking in the western German city of Aachen, where he was being awarded the annual Charlemagne Prize for promoting European unity, Guterres described the 28-nation bloc as a pillar of multilateralism that was "too big to fail". "If you want to avoid a new Cold War, if you want a real multilateral order, then we have to have a United States of Europe as a strong pillar of it," he said after being presented the medal in Aachen city hall`s ornate Coronation Room. The prize, first awarded in 1949, is named after the medieval monarch who in 800 was crowned emperor of a Europe-spanning polity that ruled much of modern-day France, Germany, the Low Countries and Central Europe from Aachen. Former laureates have included French President Emmanuel Macron, Pope Francis and Britain`s wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill. In its citation, the prize committee said Guterres, a former prime minister of Portugal, had been chosen for his advocacy of cooperation, tolerance, pluralism and multilateral cooperation. Guterres said Europe and the global order, with the United Nations at its apex, risked being undermined by rising nationalism and xenophobia at precisely the time when it was needed more than ever to tackle challenges posed by issues such as climate change and migration. "The bitter truth is that we have taken too many things for granted," he said. "Human rights has lost ground against the agenda of national sovereignty," he added. "The failure of Europe would inevitably be the failure of multilateralism and the failure of a world in which the rule of law can prevail."

Stand firm or face a new Cold War, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warns Europe

The US State Department said Tuesday that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-military-identifies-more-remains-of-american-war-dead-handed-over-by-north-korea-222369">North Korea</a>'s overall program of weapons of mass destruction violated UN resolutions after President Donald Trump brushed off recent missile launches.

Choosing words carefully after Trump's latest warm words for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/endemic-corruption-in-north-korea-people-survive-by-paying-bribes-un-report-222287">North Korean</a> leader Kim Jong Un, State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus declined to say if North Korea's launches were of ballistic missiles or constituted weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

"I think the entire North Korean WMD program, it's in conflict with the UN Security (Council) resolutions," Ortagus told reporters.

She said the United States wanted a favourable relationship between Trump and Kim with a goal to "negotiate a peaceful end to the North Korean WMD program."

Watch: North Korea demands immediate return of Cargo Ship seized by US

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"We have said many times and we will continue to reiterate that the economic sanctions will remain in place until we're there," she said.

When he arrived in Japan for a weekend state visit, Trump tweeted that North Korea had tested "some small weapons" that had "disturbed some of my people, and others, but not me."

He appeared to be referring to his National Security Advisor John Bolton, who said Saturday there was "no doubt" that North Korea's launches had contravened United Nations Security Council resolutions.

North Korea wasted no time piling onto Bolton, who has long promoted a hawkish foreign policy, calling him a "human defect" and "war maniac."

North Korea has previously called for Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to be excluded from negotiations after he apparently pressed Trump at his February summit with Kim in Hanoi not to accept sanctions relief without further action by Pyongyang in ending its nuclear program.

The US State Department said Tuesday that North Korea's overall program of weapons of mass destruction violated UN resolutions after President Donald Trump brushed off recent missile launches.

The US State Department said Tuesday that North Korea's overall program of weapons of mass destruction violated UN resolutions after President Donald Trump brushed off recent missile launches. Choosing words carefully after Trump's latest warm words for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus declined to say if North Korea's launches were of ballistic missiles or constituted weapons of mass destruction (WMD). "I think the entire North Korean WMD program, it's in conflict with the UN Security (Council) resolutions," Ortagus told reporters. She said the United States wanted a favourable relationship between Trump and Kim with a goal to "negotiate a peaceful end to the North Korean WMD program." Watch: North Korea demands immediate return of Cargo Ship seized by US "We have said many times and we will continue to reiterate that the economic sanctions will remain in place until we're there," she said. When he arrived in Japan for a weekend state visit, Trump tweeted that North Korea had tested "some small weapons" that had "disturbed some of my people, and others, but not me." He appeared to be referring to his National Security Advisor John Bolton, who said Saturday there was "no doubt" that North Korea's launches had contravened United Nations Security Council resolutions. North Korea wasted no time piling onto Bolton, who has long promoted a hawkish foreign policy, calling him a "human defect" and "war maniac." North Korea has previously called for Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to be excluded from negotiations after he apparently pressed Trump at his February summit with Kim in Hanoi not to accept sanctions relief without further action by Pyongyang in ending its nuclear program.

US says North Korea program violates UN resolutions, after Trump tweet

The family of former Renault and Nissan head <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/ex-nissan-chief-carlos-ghosn-to-walk-free-again-after-court-sets-bail-at-45-million-213336">Carlos Ghosn</a> has submitted another request for UN intervention against what it says is his "judicial persecution" in Japan, one of their lawyers said Sunday.

Jessica Finelle said the family had approached the working group on arbitrary detention at the Office of the UN Commissioner for Human Rights to see if they could provide some redress.

In the request, the lawyers say bail conditions imposed on Ghosn amounted to "house arrest" and were intended to weaken him psychologically ahead of his trial.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/carlos-ghosns-trial-to-be-delayed-possibly-until-next-year-report-214005">Ghosn was dramatically arrested in November </a>as he stepped off his private jet in Tokyo. He was held for 108 days as prosecutors investigated financial misconduct allegations and charged him with three counts.

He finally won bail in March, agreeing to conditions including living in a court-appointed residence monitored by cameras.

But prosecutors then levelled a fresh allegation against him in April and he was rearrested, spending another 21 days in detention before winning bail a second time.

The former Nissan chief is now preparing for trial on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ghosn-to-be-indicted-on-fresh-charge-media-211793">four charges of financial misconduct ranging from concealing part of his salary</a>, to using Nissan funds for personal expenses.

Lawyers for the family said in the latest request to the UN's working committee on arbitrary detention that the number and scale of the conditions imposed on Ghosn amounted "in effect to house arrest, meaning that his provisional detention continues and he is still deprived of his liberty".

The restrictions, "especially the prohibition of any direct contact with his wife, appear to be abuse aimed at tiring him out psychologically and to put him in a position of weakness... in violation of the right to a fair trial".

"This really amounts to a form of judicial persecution of Carlo Ghosn who is prohibited from meeting his wife, even for an hour in the presence of lawyers," they say, according to the documents seen by AFP.

Describing Ghosn as being held "hostage", the lawyers go on to demand that the UN working group declare the Japanese measures to be "arbitrary" and to urge Japan to "release (him) without delay".

Lawyer Finelle told AFP that even if the UN working group has no power to compel Japan to act differently, "it is still a matter of image for the Japanese".

She said she hoped for a decision before Ghosn's court case begins, which might not be until next year.

Watch: Nissan's Carlos Ghosn

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The family of former Renault and Nissan head Carlos Ghosn has submitted another request for UN intervention against what it says is his "judicial persecution" in Japan, one of their lawyers said Sunday.

The family of former Renault and Nissan head Carlos Ghosn has submitted another request for UN intervention against what it says is his "judicial persecution" in Japan, one of their lawyers said Sunday. Jessica Finelle said the family had approached the working group on arbitrary detention at the Office of the UN Commissioner for Human Rights to see if they could provide some redress. In the request, the lawyers say bail conditions imposed on Ghosn amounted to "house arrest" and were intended to weaken him psychologically ahead of his trial. Ghosn was dramatically arrested in November as he stepped off his private jet in Tokyo. He was held for 108 days as prosecutors investigated financial misconduct allegations and charged him with three counts. He finally won bail in March, agreeing to conditions including living in a court-appointed residence monitored by cameras. But prosecutors then levelled a fresh allegation against him in April and he was rearrested, spending another 21 days in detention before winning bail a second time. The former Nissan chief is now preparing for trial on four charges of financial misconduct ranging from concealing part of his salary, to using Nissan funds for personal expenses. Lawyers for the family said in the latest request to the UN's working committee on arbitrary detention that the number and scale of the conditions imposed on Ghosn amounted "in effect to house arrest, meaning that his provisional detention continues and he is still deprived of his liberty". The restrictions, "especially the prohibition of any direct contact with his wife, appear to be abuse aimed at tiring him out psychologically and to put him in a position of weakness... in violation of the right to a fair trial". "This really amounts to a form of judicial persecution of Carlo Ghosn who is prohibited from meeting his wife, even for an hour in the presence of lawyers," they say, according to the documents seen by AFP. Describing Ghosn as being held "hostage", the lawyers go on to demand that the UN working group declare the Japanese measures to be "arbitrary" and to urge Japan to "release (him) without delay". Lawyer Finelle told AFP that even if the UN working group has no power to compel Japan to act differently, "it is still a matter of image for the Japanese". She said she hoped for a decision before Ghosn's court case begins, which might not be until next year. Watch: Nissan's Carlos Ghosn ×

Ghosn family seeks UN help against 'judicial persercution' in Japan

Rohan Perera, Sri Lanka's permanent representative to the United Nations, on Sunday, criticised two UN representatives for expressing alarm over the "growing acts of violence on the basis of religion," particularly in the North Western Province of the country.

In a joint statement issued on May 13, Adama Dieng, UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, and Karen Smith, UN Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect, cited growing instances of religion-based violence and called for an end to "hateful attacks" directed towards the country`s Muslim minority.

Responding to the statement, Perera said that while noting their concerns, "we were taken aback by your oversimplified narrative of events that are nuanced and complex in nature", Colombo Page reported.

He said their prejudiced statement only serves to sensationalise issues at a time when the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-likely-to-miss-full-year-growth-target-after-easter-bombings-junior-minister-220476"> Sri Lankan government</a> is taking stringent measures to maintain law and order and quell unrest in the interest of safety of all in the wake of Easter terror attacks on April 21 that targeted several high-end hotels and churches, killing more than 250 people across the country.

"Ill-timed statements from responsible authorities will only serve to strengthen the hands of parties with vested interests and extremist elements determined to veer Sri Lanka from the path of peace and development. The need of the hour is for measured advice and support of experts of your good offices to help clarify matters in order for Sri Lanka and all her people to face new challenges arising from violent extremism," the envoy was quoted as saying.

"It is quite insensitive and ill-conceived that you did not consider it important to share your concerns with the Sri Lankan government first, before going public with your statement. This would have also been in keeping with the key objectives of your respective mandates, i.e.&nbsp;to provide early warning and advocacy," Perera added.

In the statement, the UN advisers stated that "it is in the interest of all ethnic and religious groups in Sri Lanka, as well as the Government, the opposition, civil society and the security sector, to work collaboratively in taking appropriate action and immediately stop these hateful attacks."

"The country is trying to move forward from a traumatic period of inter-ethnic armed conflict, but these attacks are pushing Sri Lanka backwards. If not adequately dealt with, the recent violence has the potential to escalate even further," they warned.

Rohan Perera, Sri Lanka's permanent representative to the United Nations, on Sunday, criticised two UN representatives for expressing alarm over the "growing acts of violence on the basis of religion," particularly in the North Western Province of the country.

Rohan Perera, Sri Lanka's permanent representative to the United Nations, on Sunday, criticised two UN representatives for expressing alarm over the "growing acts of violence on the basis of religion," particularly in the North Western Province of the country. In a joint statement issued on May 13, Adama Dieng, UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, and Karen Smith, UN Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect, cited growing instances of religion-based violence and called for an end to "hateful attacks" directed towards the country`s Muslim minority. Responding to the statement, Perera said that while noting their concerns, "we were taken aback by your oversimplified narrative of events that are nuanced and complex in nature", Colombo Page reported. He said their prejudiced statement only serves to sensationalise issues at a time when the Sri Lankan government is taking stringent measures to maintain law and order and quell unrest in the interest of safety of all in the wake of Easter terror attacks on April 21 that targeted several high-end hotels and churches, killing more than 250 people across the country. "Ill-timed statements from responsible authorities will only serve to strengthen the hands of parties with vested interests and extremist elements determined to veer Sri Lanka from the path of peace and development. The need of the hour is for measured advice and support of experts of your good offices to help clarify matters in order for Sri Lanka and all her people to face new challenges arising from violent extremism," the envoy was quoted as saying. "It is quite insensitive and ill-conceived that you did not consider it important to share your concerns with the Sri Lankan government first, before going public with your statement. This would have also been in keeping with the key objectives of your respective mandates, i.e. to provide early warning and advocacy," Perera added. In the statement, the UN advisers stated that "it is in the interest of all ethnic and religious groups in Sri Lanka, as well as the Government, the opposition, civil society and the security sector, to work collaboratively in taking appropriate action and immediately stop these hateful attacks." "The country is trying to move forward from a traumatic period of inter-ethnic armed conflict, but these attacks are pushing Sri Lanka backwards. If not adequately dealt with, the recent violence has the potential to escalate even further," they warned.

Sri Lanka reacts to UN Special Advisers' statement on sectarian violence

As nuclear explosions go, the US "Cactus" bomb test in May 1958 was relatively small -- but it has left a lasting legacy for the Marshall Islands in a dome-shaped radioactive dump.

The dome -- described by a UN chief Antonio Guterres as "a kind of coffin" -- was built two decades after the blast in the Pacific ocean region.&nbsp;

The US military filled the bomb crater on Runit island with radioactive waste, capped it with concrete, and told displaced residents of the Pacific's remote Enewetak atoll they could safely return home.&nbsp;

But Runit's 45-centimetre (18-inch) thick concrete dome has now developed cracks.&nbsp;

And because the 115-metre wide crater was never lined, there are fears radioactive contaminants are leaching through the island's porous coral rock into the ocean.&nbsp;

The concerns have intensified amid climate change. Rising seas, encroaching on the low-lying nation, are threatening to undermine the dome's structural integrity.

Jack Ading, who represents the area in the Marshalls' parliament, calls the dome a "monstrosity".&nbsp;

"It is stuffed with radioactive contaminants that include plutonium-239, one of the most toxic substances known to man," he told AFP.

"The coffin is leaking its poison into the surrounding environment. And to make matters even worse, we're told not to worry about this leakage because the radioactivity outside of the dome is at least as bad as the radioactivity inside of it."

'Staggering' challenges

The dome has become a symbol of the mess left by the US nuclear test programme in the Marshall islands when 67 bombs were detonated between 1947-58 at Enewetak and Bikini atolls.

Numerous islanders were forcibly evacuated from ancestral lands and resettled, including Enewetak's residents. Thousands of more islanders were exposed to radioactive fallout and suffered health problems.

The people of Enewetak were allowed home in 1980, and about 800 islanders now live in the southern part of the atoll, 20 kilometres (12 miles) from Runit.

After the US military withdrew, the Marshall Islands government officially accepted a "full and final" settlement to cover the impact of the nuclear tests.

But there have long been complaints that the compensation paid by Washington was inadequate, and the United Nations has described "a legacy of distrust" towards the United States.

UN Secretary-General Guterres raised the issue earlier this month after meeting Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine in Fiji, when they discussed the nuclear legacy and the prospect of radioactive leakage from Runit Dome.

"The Pacific was victimised in the past as we all know... the consequences of these have been quite dramatic, in relation to health, in relation to the poisoning of waters in some areas," he said.

Marshalls Foreign Minister John Silk said he appreciated Guterres bringing the Runit dome to world attention with this comments.

"We are pleased that the Secretary-General made these statements since so often it seems that these ongoing legacy issues that continue to impact our people are forgotten by the international community," he said.

Uncertain future

Rhea Moss-Christian, who chairs the Marshall Islands National Nuclear Commission, said the country "needs the support of the international community to address the staggering health and environmental challenges across the Pacific."

The consequences of the dome failing are unclear.

A 2013 inspection commissioned by the US government suggested radioactive fallout in the Enewetak lagoon sediment was already so high a catastrophic failure would not necessarily result in locals receiving increased dosages of radiation.

Silk, noting that the US government had committed to ongoing monitoring of the dome, said an independent assessment of the structure's status "would be helpful".

But Ading said the situation was "a constant source of anxiety for the people of Enewetak".

"We pray that the Runit dome does not eventually become our coffin," he said.

As nuclear explosions go, the US "Cactus" bomb test in May 1958 was relatively small -- but it has left a lasting legacy for the Marshall Islands in a dome-shaped radioactive dump.

As nuclear explosions go, the US "Cactus" bomb test in May 1958 was relatively small -- but it has left a lasting legacy for the Marshall Islands in a dome-shaped radioactive dump. The dome -- described by a UN chief Antonio Guterres as "a kind of coffin" -- was built two decades after the blast in the Pacific ocean region. The US military filled the bomb crater on Runit island with radioactive waste, capped it with concrete, and told displaced residents of the Pacific's remote Enewetak atoll they could safely return home. But Runit's 45-centimetre (18-inch) thick concrete dome has now developed cracks. And because the 115-metre wide crater was never lined, there are fears radioactive contaminants are leaching through the island's porous coral rock into the ocean. The concerns have intensified amid climate change. Rising seas, encroaching on the low-lying nation, are threatening to undermine the dome's structural integrity. Jack Ading, who represents the area in the Marshalls' parliament, calls the dome a "monstrosity". "It is stuffed with radioactive contaminants that include plutonium-239, one of the most toxic substances known to man," he told AFP. "The coffin is leaking its poison into the surrounding environment. And to make matters even worse, we're told not to worry about this leakage because the radioactivity outside of the dome is at least as bad as the radioactivity inside of it." 'Staggering' challenges The dome has become a symbol of the mess left by the US nuclear test programme in the Marshall islands when 67 bombs were detonated between 1947-58 at Enewetak and Bikini atolls. Numerous islanders were forcibly evacuated from ancestral lands and resettled, including Enewetak's residents. Thousands of more islanders were exposed to radioactive fallout and suffered health problems. The people of Enewetak were allowed home in 1980, and about 800 islanders now live in the southern part of the atoll, 20 kilometres (12 miles) from Runit. After the US military withdrew, the Marshall Islands government officially accepted a "full and final" settlement to cover the impact of the nuclear tests. But there have long been complaints that the compensation paid by Washington was inadequate, and the United Nations has described "a legacy of distrust" towards the United States. UN Secretary-General Guterres raised the issue earlier this month after meeting Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine in Fiji, when they discussed the nuclear legacy and the prospect of radioactive leakage from Runit Dome. "The Pacific was victimised in the past as we all know... the consequences of these have been quite dramatic, in relation to health, in relation to the poisoning of waters in some areas," he said. Marshalls Foreign Minister John Silk said he appreciated Guterres bringing the Runit dome to world attention with this comments. "We are pleased that the Secretary-General made these statements since so often it seems that these ongoing legacy issues that continue to impact our people are forgotten by the international community," he said. Uncertain future Rhea Moss-Christian, who chairs the Marshall Islands National Nuclear Commission, said the country "needs the support of the international community to address the staggering health and environmental challenges across the Pacific." The consequences of the dome failing are unclear. A 2013 inspection commissioned by the US government suggested radioactive fallout in the Enewetak lagoon sediment was already so high a catastrophic failure would not necessarily result in locals receiving increased dosages of radiation. Silk, noting that the US government had committed to ongoing monitoring of the dome, said an independent assessment of the structure's status "would be helpful". But Ading said the situation was "a constant source of anxiety for the people of Enewetak". "We pray that the Runit dome does not eventually become our coffin," he said.

Under the dome: Fears Pacific nuclear 'coffin' is leaking

US&nbsp;National Security Adviser John Bolton said on Saturday North Korea's recent missile launches violated a UN&nbsp;Security Council resolution and urged leader Kim Jong Un to return to denuclearisation talks.

It was the first time a senior US&nbsp;official has described the tests as a violation of UN&nbsp;resolutions aimed at halting <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/north-korea-missile-tests-does-diplomacy-still-have-a-chance-218607">North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes</a> and came ahead of a four-day visit to Japan by US&nbsp;President Donald Trump who arrives later in the day.

"The UN&nbsp;resolution prohibits the launch of any ballistic missiles," Bolton said at a press roundtable. North Korea's test firings included short-range ballistic missiles and so there was "no doubt" it was a violation, he added.

Earlier this month, Kim Jong Un oversaw the first flight of a previously untested weapon - a relatively small, fast missile experts believe will be easier to hide, launch and manoeuvre in flight.

Bolton said that the United States was still open to talks with Kim's regime but that it had not changed its position from the one outlined at the last <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-blames-us-for-failed-summit-urges-new-calculation-221306">summit between the United States and North Korea</a> in Hanoi.

"Trump has held the door open for Kim, the next step is for Kim to walk through it," he said.

Bolton also urged Kim to agree to a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, which he said could help restart dialogue on North Korea's weapons programmes.

An Abe Kim summit "could be substantive assistance to that", he said.

Trump, who will play golf with Abe on Sunday before watching Sumo wrestling, is expected to discuss topics ranging from North Korea to China and two-way trade when they sit down for a summit on Monday.

The two leaders will also discuss rising tensions with Iran, Bolton said. Abe is considering a visit to Iran as early as mid-June, public broadcaster NHK said on Friday, the first such trip in four decades.

Washington has said it will stop waivers for countries buying Iranian oil and has designated Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guard Corps as a foreign terrorist organisation.

The <a href="http://wionews.com/world/north-korea-says-biggest-issue-in-us-ties-is-impounded-ship-220662http://wionews.com/world/north-korea-says-biggest-issue-in-us-ties-is-impounded-ship-220662">United States&nbsp;</a>is also deploying a carrier strike group and bombers to the Middle East in response to what the Trump administration described as troubling “indications and warnings” from Iran.

Bolton, who has spearheaded an increasingly hawkish US&nbsp;policy on Iran, described recent attacks on tankers off the United Arab Emirates and a pipeline pumping station in Saudi Arabia, as well as a rocket attack in Baghdad’s Green Zone in Iraq, as "manifestations of concern".

The United States has "deep and serious" intelligence on the threat posed by Iran, said Bolton, who declined to provide details.

US National Security Adviser John Bolton said on Saturday North Korea's recent missile launches violated a UN Security Council resolution and urged leader Kim Jong Un to return to denuclearisation talks.

US National Security Adviser John Bolton said on Saturday North Korea's recent missile launches violated a UN Security Council resolution and urged leader Kim Jong Un to return to denuclearisation talks. It was the first time a senior US official has described the tests as a violation of UN resolutions aimed at halting North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes and came ahead of a four-day visit to Japan by US President Donald Trump who arrives later in the day. "The UN resolution prohibits the launch of any ballistic missiles," Bolton said at a press roundtable. North Korea's test firings included short-range ballistic missiles and so there was "no doubt" it was a violation, he added. Earlier this month, Kim Jong Un oversaw the first flight of a previously untested weapon - a relatively small, fast missile experts believe will be easier to hide, launch and manoeuvre in flight. Bolton said that the United States was still open to talks with Kim's regime but that it had not changed its position from the one outlined at the last summit between the United States and North Korea in Hanoi. "Trump has held the door open for Kim, the next step is for Kim to walk through it," he said. Bolton also urged Kim to agree to a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, which he said could help restart dialogue on North Korea's weapons programmes. An Abe Kim summit "could be substantive assistance to that", he said. Trump, who will play golf with Abe on Sunday before watching Sumo wrestling, is expected to discuss topics ranging from North Korea to China and two-way trade when they sit down for a summit on Monday. The two leaders will also discuss rising tensions with Iran, Bolton said. Abe is considering a visit to Iran as early as mid-June, public broadcaster NHK said on Friday, the first such trip in four decades. Washington has said it will stop waivers for countries buying Iranian oil and has designated Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guard Corps as a foreign terrorist organisation. The United States is also deploying a carrier strike group and bombers to the Middle East in response to what the Trump administration described as troubling “indications and warnings” from Iran. Bolton, who has spearheaded an increasingly hawkish US policy on Iran, described recent attacks on tankers off the United Arab Emirates and a pipeline pumping station in Saudi Arabia, as well as a rocket attack in Baghdad’s Green Zone in Iraq, as "manifestations of concern". The United States has "deep and serious" intelligence on the threat posed by Iran, said Bolton, who declined to provide details.

North Korean missile test violated UN resolution: John Bolton

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/isro-successfully-launches-earth-observation-satellite-risat-2b-220516">ISRO successfully launches earth observation satellite RISAT-2B</a>

In a pre-dawn launch on Wednesday, Indian space agency ISRO scripted history by successfully launching earth observation satellite RISAT-2B that would enhance the country's surveillance capabilities among others.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-warns-of-painful-consequences-if-us-escalates-tensions-220517">Iran warns of 'painful consequences' if US escalates tensions</a>

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has warned the United States of "painful consequences for everybody" if there is an escalation in tensions with the Islamic republic.

Zarif also accused the US of "playing a very, very dangerous game" in an interview with CNN aired on Tuesday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/at-nda-meeting-pm-modi-expresses-concern-over-needless-controversy-over-evms-by-opposition-220526">At NDA meeting, PM Modi expresses concern over 'needless controversy' over EVMs by opposition</a>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday expressed concern over the "needless controversy" created by the Opposition over EVMs at a meeting of NDA leaders, even as the ruling alliance laid out its agenda for the next five years if it is elected to power again.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-forecasts-global-economy-to-grow-27-in-2019-29-in-2020-220522">UN forecasts global economy to grow 2.7% in 2019, 2.9% in 2020</a>

The United Nations on Tuesday downgraded its forecast for world economic growth, announcing that it expects overall growth of 2.7 per cent this year and 2.9 per cent in 2020.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mcdonalds-faces-25-new-sexual-harassment-complaints-from-workers-220518">McDonald's faces 25 new sexual harassment complaints from workers</a>

McDonald's Corp was accused on Tuesday in 25 new lawsuits and regulatory charges of condoning sexual harassment in the workplace and retaliating against employees who speak up.

ISRO successfully launches earth observation satellite RISAT-2B In a pre-dawn launch on Wednesday, Indian space agency ISRO scripted history by successfully launching earth observation satellite RISAT-2B that would enhance the country's surveillance capabilities among others.

ISRO successfully launches earth observation satellite RISAT-2B In a pre-dawn launch on Wednesday, Indian space agency ISRO scripted history by successfully launching earth observation satellite RISAT-2B that would enhance the country's surveillance capabilities among others. Iran warns of 'painful consequences' if US escalates tensions Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has warned the United States of "painful consequences for everybody" if there is an escalation in tensions with the Islamic republic. Zarif also accused the US of "playing a very, very dangerous game" in an interview with CNN aired on Tuesday. At NDA meeting, PM Modi expresses concern over 'needless controversy' over EVMs by opposition Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday expressed concern over the "needless controversy" created by the Opposition over EVMs at a meeting of NDA leaders, even as the ruling alliance laid out its agenda for the next five years if it is elected to power again. UN forecasts global economy to grow 2.7% in 2019, 2.9% in 2020 The United Nations on Tuesday downgraded its forecast for world economic growth, announcing that it expects overall growth of 2.7 per cent this year and 2.9 per cent in 2020. McDonald's faces 25 new sexual harassment complaints from workers McDonald's Corp was accused on Tuesday in 25 new lawsuits and regulatory charges of condoning sexual harassment in the workplace and retaliating against employees who speak up.

News brief: Big stories of the day

The United Nations on Tuesday downgraded its forecast for world economic growth, announcing that it expects overall growth of 2.7 per cent this year and 2.9 per cent in 2020.

In a revision of its earlier economic outlook, the international body modified downward the figures it had published in January when it said that it expected the world economy to grow by 3.0 per cent both in 2019 and in 2020.

The downward adjustment came as a result of trade tensions and political uncertainty, a complicated confluence of internal and external factors affecting most of the developed and developing economies, the UN said.

Thus, after growing at a 3.0 per cent clip in 2018, according to UN figures, the world economic growth rate is predicted to slow slightly to 2.7 per cent this year, taking these adjusted figures into account, a situation that reinforces the theory that the current cycle of growth has reached its peak.

The UN predicts for 2019 that the United States' economy will grow at 2.3 per cent, while the European Union's overall economy will expand at 1.5 per cent, Japan at 0.8 per cent and Russia at 1.4 per cent.

Meanwhile, the developing economies as a group will expand at 4.1 per cent, with Latin America and the Caribbean bringing up the rear with growth of just 1.1 per cent.

The UN also emphasized the existence of several risks that could slow economic growth even more, mainly increased trade tensions but also a deterioration in financial conditions and the effects of climate change.

Amid the widening trade war between the US and China, the UN projects that world trade will grow in 2019 by 2.7 per cent, significantly below the 3.6 per cent growth achieved in that area last year.

The international organization warned that if big governments continue raising tariffs and ratcheting up the trade war the less developed economies could suffer, too, above all those whose exports depend in large measure on the larger economies.

At the same time, the UN said that the flexibility of monetary policies adopted by some central banks in response to slower growth could produce financial imbalances if they continue for a prolonged period.

The United Nations on Tuesday downgraded its forecast for world economic growth, announcing that it expects overall growth of 2.7 per cent this year and 2.9 per cent in 2020.

The United Nations on Tuesday downgraded its forecast for world economic growth, announcing that it expects overall growth of 2.7 per cent this year and 2.9 per cent in 2020. In a revision of its earlier economic outlook, the international body modified downward the figures it had published in January when it said that it expected the world economy to grow by 3.0 per cent both in 2019 and in 2020. The downward adjustment came as a result of trade tensions and political uncertainty, a complicated confluence of internal and external factors affecting most of the developed and developing economies, the UN said. Thus, after growing at a 3.0 per cent clip in 2018, according to UN figures, the world economic growth rate is predicted to slow slightly to 2.7 per cent this year, taking these adjusted figures into account, a situation that reinforces the theory that the current cycle of growth has reached its peak. The UN predicts for 2019 that the United States' economy will grow at 2.3 per cent, while the European Union's overall economy will expand at 1.5 per cent, Japan at 0.8 per cent and Russia at 1.4 per cent. Meanwhile, the developing economies as a group will expand at 4.1 per cent, with Latin America and the Caribbean bringing up the rear with growth of just 1.1 per cent. The UN also emphasized the existence of several risks that could slow economic growth even more, mainly increased trade tensions but also a deterioration in financial conditions and the effects of climate change. Amid the widening trade war between the US and China, the UN projects that world trade will grow in 2019 by 2.7 per cent, significantly below the 3.6 per cent growth achieved in that area last year. The international organization warned that if big governments continue raising tariffs and ratcheting up the trade war the less developed economies could suffer, too, above all those whose exports depend in large measure on the larger economies. At the same time, the UN said that the flexibility of monetary policies adopted by some central banks in response to slower growth could produce financial imbalances if they continue for a prolonged period.

UN forecasts global economy to grow 2.7% in 2019, 2.9% in 2020

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-voices-concern-over-delays-in-reimbursement-to-un-peacekeeping-contributing-countries-219539">India has emphasised</a> that peacebuilding activities will give sustainable results only if they align with a nation's priorities and its leaders and institutions are involved in the implementation.

Speaking at the General Assembly on Monday, India's Deputy Permanent Representative Nagaraj Naidu said, "This would ensure that gains are long-term and prevent any relapse."

"India believes that the efforts undertaken by the PBC (Peacebuilding Commission) in various countries and regions will result in sustainable outcomes if national ownership is strictly followed," India's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador K Nagaraj Naidu said.

Naidu said the peacebuilding activities should align with the national priorities and implemented with the involvement of the country's leadership and national institutions.

He emphasised that today's conflicts are increasingly intra-state, involving non-state actors and international terror networks.

"The complex and interlinked nature of conflicts have much wider implications across countries. We, therefore, have a collective interest in building and sustaining peace," he said.

India recognises and welcomes the importance of expanding cooperation with regional organisations in peacebuilding efforts, Naidu said adding that India also supports the advisory, flexible and convening role of the PBC in its interactions with its parent bodies - the General Assembly, Security Council and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), with the objective of pursuing a coherent and integrated approach to building and sustaining peace.

The Peacebuilding Fund (PBF), during last one year, supported projects worth USD 183 million in 40 countries.

Naidu pointed out that the high donor contributions to the fund in the last two years is a clear sign of confidence in the contribution of the UN to peacebuilding.

Underscoring the "important" role of women and youth in peacebuilding and in its decision-making, Naidu said India commands the fund for exceeding its own record of previous years by allocating 40 per cent of funds in support of gender equality and women's empowerment during 2018.

"Skill development and employment generation for youth play a significant role in building and sustaining peace," he said.

Naidu further said that there is a clear recognition of the importance of sustainable and inclusive economic growth and political processes in preventing conflict as well as undertaking effective peacebuilding efforts.

"India continues to expand its development partnership efforts with fellow developing countries to assist in their developmental priorities," he said adding that as a member of the Peacebuilding Commission since its inception, India looks forward to playing a constructive role in pursuing the objectives of achieving peace and prosperity for our peoples.

The Peacebuilding Commission looks forward to a review of its work in 2020 by the General Assembly and the Security Council as an opportunity to take stock of progress made and to explore ways to strengthen the UN efforts in forging sustainable peace in places where conflict once reigned, the General Assembly heard during the debate as it took up the Secretary-General's annual reports on the Commission and the Peacebuilding Fund.

The Assembly, acting without a vote, adopted a draft resolution contained in a report of its Special Political and Decolonisation Committee (Fourth Committee) entitled "Comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects."

Through the draft resolution, the Assembly took note of the report of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations. It also decided that the Special Committee shall continue its efforts for a comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations, review the implementation of its previous proposals and consider any new proposals as a way to enhance the Organisation's capacity to fulfil its responsibilities in that field.

India has emphasised that peacebuilding activities will give sustainable results only if they align with a nation's priorities and its leaders and institutions are involved in the implementation.

India has emphasised that peacebuilding activities will give sustainable results only if they align with a nation's priorities and its leaders and institutions are involved in the implementation. Speaking at the General Assembly on Monday, India's Deputy Permanent Representative Nagaraj Naidu said, "This would ensure that gains are long-term and prevent any relapse." "India believes that the efforts undertaken by the PBC (Peacebuilding Commission) in various countries and regions will result in sustainable outcomes if national ownership is strictly followed," India's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador K Nagaraj Naidu said. Naidu said the peacebuilding activities should align with the national priorities and implemented with the involvement of the country's leadership and national institutions. He emphasised that today's conflicts are increasingly intra-state, involving non-state actors and international terror networks. "The complex and interlinked nature of conflicts have much wider implications across countries. We, therefore, have a collective interest in building and sustaining peace," he said. India recognises and welcomes the importance of expanding cooperation with regional organisations in peacebuilding efforts, Naidu said adding that India also supports the advisory, flexible and convening role of the PBC in its interactions with its parent bodies - the General Assembly, Security Council and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), with the objective of pursuing a coherent and integrated approach to building and sustaining peace. The Peacebuilding Fund (PBF), during last one year, supported projects worth USD 183 million in 40 countries. Naidu pointed out that the high donor contributions to the fund in the last two years is a clear sign of confidence in the contribution of the UN to peacebuilding. Underscoring the "important" role of women and youth in peacebuilding and in its decision-making, Naidu said India commands the fund for exceeding its own record of previous years by allocating 40 per cent of funds in support of gender equality and women's empowerment during 2018. "Skill development and employment generation for youth play a significant role in building and sustaining peace," he said. Naidu further said that there is a clear recognition of the importance of sustainable and inclusive economic growth and political processes in preventing conflict as well as undertaking effective peacebuilding efforts. "India continues to expand its development partnership efforts with fellow developing countries to assist in their developmental priorities," he said adding that as a member of the Peacebuilding Commission since its inception, India looks forward to playing a constructive role in pursuing the objectives of achieving peace and prosperity for our peoples. The Peacebuilding Commission looks forward to a review of its work in 2020 by the General Assembly and the Security Council as an opportunity to take stock of progress made and to explore ways to strengthen the UN efforts in forging sustainable peace in places where conflict once reigned, the General Assembly heard during the debate as it took up the Secretary-General's annual reports on the Commission and the Peacebuilding Fund. The Assembly, acting without a vote, adopted a draft resolution contained in a report of its Special Political and Decolonisation Committee (Fourth Committee) entitled "Comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects." Through the draft resolution, the Assembly took note of the report of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations. It also decided that the Special Committee shall continue its efforts for a comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations, review the implementation of its previous proposals and consider any new proposals as a way to enhance the Organisation's capacity to fulfil its responsibilities in that field.

Peacebuilding activities should align with national priorities: India at United Nations

The UN's World Food Programme has warned that aid could be suspended to areas of Yemen under the control of Huthi rebels unless they abide by accords aimed at ensuring that supplies are not diverted.

"If the beneficiary targeting and biometric exercise is not carried out as agreed, WFP will be left with no option but to suspend food distributions in the areas controlled by Ansarullah," the Huthis, David Beasley, the agency's executive director, wrote in a letter sent to the rebel movement.

He was referring to accords the WFP signed with the warring parties in December and January.

Herve Verhoosel, a spokesman for the WFP's Geneva office, said Monday that the letter was hand-delivered to the Huthi leadership in Yemen.

It was "the second letter WFP has sent requesting greater access", he said.

"WFP noted some progress after the first letter was sent in December, but in recent weeks that progress has halted and in some cases it has been reversed."

The Rome-headquartered WFP lamented that in Yemen "our greatest challenge does not come from the guns... it is the obstructive and uncooperative role of some of the Huthi leaders in areas under their control."

"Humanitarian workers in Yemen are being denied access to the hungry, aid convoys have been blocked, and local authorities have interfered with food distribution," the WFP said in a statement.

"Most importantly, there have been repeated obstacles placed in the way of our independent selection of beneficiaries and a request for a rollout of a biometric registration system."

"This has to stop," WFP said.

The Yemen conflict has killed tens of thousands of people since a Saudi-led military coalition intervened in support of the beleaguered government in March 2015, according to the World Health Organisation.

The fighting has triggered what the United Nations describes as the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with 3.3 million people still displaced and 24.1 million -- more than two-thirds of the population -- in need of aid.

The UN's World Food Programme has warned that aid could be suspended to areas of Yemen under the control of Huthi rebels unless they abide by accords aimed at ensuring that supplies are not diverted.

The UN's World Food Programme has warned that aid could be suspended to areas of Yemen under the control of Huthi rebels unless they abide by accords aimed at ensuring that supplies are not diverted. "If the beneficiary targeting and biometric exercise is not carried out as agreed, WFP will be left with no option but to suspend food distributions in the areas controlled by Ansarullah," the Huthis, David Beasley, the agency's executive director, wrote in a letter sent to the rebel movement. He was referring to accords the WFP signed with the warring parties in December and January. Herve Verhoosel, a spokesman for the WFP's Geneva office, said Monday that the letter was hand-delivered to the Huthi leadership in Yemen. It was "the second letter WFP has sent requesting greater access", he said. "WFP noted some progress after the first letter was sent in December, but in recent weeks that progress has halted and in some cases it has been reversed." The Rome-headquartered WFP lamented that in Yemen "our greatest challenge does not come from the guns... it is the obstructive and uncooperative role of some of the Huthi leaders in areas under their control." "Humanitarian workers in Yemen are being denied access to the hungry, aid convoys have been blocked, and local authorities have interfered with food distribution," the WFP said in a statement. "Most importantly, there have been repeated obstacles placed in the way of our independent selection of beneficiaries and a request for a rollout of a biometric registration system." "This has to stop," WFP said. The Yemen conflict has killed tens of thousands of people since a Saudi-led military coalition intervened in support of the beleaguered government in March 2015, according to the World Health Organisation. The fighting has triggered what the United Nations describes as the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with 3.3 million people still displaced and 24.1 million -- more than two-thirds of the population -- in need of aid.

United Nations warns aid to Yemen could be suspended

India, which is owed $38 million by the UN for peacekeeping operations, has voiced concern over the "unjustifiable and inexplicable" delays in reimbursement to countries providing peacekeeping troops and police for UN missions.

It underlined that recurrent delays in payments have turned the Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) as "de facto financers" of UN peacekeeping.

"Reimbursement on time for peacekeeping is a genuine expectation," First Secretary in India's Permanent Mission to the UN Mahesh Kumar said Thursday at a Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) session on 'Improving the Financial Situation of the United Nations.'

Kumar noted that total arrears currently stand at a whopping $3.6 billion, nearly one-third of the annual assessment of the United Nations, adding that UN peacekeeping also suffers from delay in reimbursements.

He pointed out that apart from the one billion dollar worth of unsettled reimbursements to TCCs, large reimbursements related to Letters of Assist ($178 million) and death and disability claims ($8 million) were also outstanding.

These amounts do not include the long unsettled Contingent Owned Equipment (COE) reimbursements of many TCCs, including India, from the closed peacekeeping missions.

The UN owes India $38 million, among the highest it has to pay to any country, for peacekeeping operations as of March 2019, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had said in his report in April on improving the financial situation of the UN. As of March 31, 2019, the total amount payable to troop- and police-contributing countries with respect to active peacekeeping missions was $265 million.

Kumar emphasised that India is among those member states who continue to be owed significant sums towards troop and COE reimbursements from the active peacekeeping missions but the country still continues to support UN peacekeeping and is cumulatively the largest troop contributor.

He voiced concern over the "unjustifiable and inexplicable delays in reimbursement, saying it negatively impacts on UN's ability to maintain honest agreements with TCCs on other aspects of peacekeeping. "This situation calls for serious introspection," he said.

Emphasising that arrears put those member states that would have benefitted from the efficient implementation of mandates to a serious disadvantage, Kumar noted that while there has not been any real growth in the reimbursement rates, the TCCs have been asked to bring in more capacities and more equipment to achieve ambitious mandates.

"These arrears and recurrent delay in reimbursement have turned the TCCs as de facto financers of UN peacekeeping. This is involuntary and beyond many TCCs' capacity to pay; in fact, it eats up their already limited capacity to contribute," he said.

Kumar added that the current reimbursement framework and related practices of the UN Secretariat also compound the problem, noting that the practice of delaying payments to TCCs, even as similar contractual obligations to others are met, cannot continue "unaddressed."

India's share of the UN's budget has been increasing in recent years, including a 13 per cent increase from this year and the country has been paying its share on time. The UN Secretary-General has put forth several proposals to improve the financial situation of the UN and some of the proposals supposedly aim to improve the UN's reimbursement relationship with the TCCs. Kumar said India will study these proposals carefully.

Guterres had said in his report that the arrears to troop- and police-contributing countries could increase to $588 million by June 2019 "in the worst-case scenario. The UN chief had expressed his concern about the deteriorating financial health of the Organisation, saying the United Nations is facing deepening liquidity problems in its regular budget, a trend that must be urgently halted and reversed.

"Peacekeeping operations also face frequent cash constraints that force the Organisation to postpone the settlement of its obligations to troop- and police-contributing countries, he said.

Guterres has requested the General Assembly to increase the Working Capital Fund to $350 million effective July 1, 2019 and to create a Peacekeeping Working Capital Fund of $250 million and authorise its use to address the liquidity challenges of active peacekeeping operations among ways to help improve the financial situation of the world body and deal with timely payment of dues to troop and police contributing countries.

Earlier this year, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin had said that the financial situation of the United Nations peacekeeping, particularly the non-payment/delayed payment of arrears to the troop/police-contributing countries, is a "cause for concern".

He had said that the practice of delaying payments to TCCs/PCCs, even as contractual obligations to others are met, cannot continue unaddressed.

It results in TCCs/PCCs bearing unsustainable burdens. In some cases, TCCs and PCCs are owed 100 to 200 times their cumulative annual financial contributions to the UN, he had said.

India, which is owed $38 million by the UN for peacekeeping operations, has voiced concern over the "unjustifiable and inexplicable" delays in reimbursement to countries providing peacekeeping troops and police for UN missions.

India, which is owed $38 million by the UN for peacekeeping operations, has voiced concern over the "unjustifiable and inexplicable" delays in reimbursement to countries providing peacekeeping troops and police for UN missions. It underlined that recurrent delays in payments have turned the Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) as "de facto financers" of UN peacekeeping. "Reimbursement on time for peacekeeping is a genuine expectation," First Secretary in India's Permanent Mission to the UN Mahesh Kumar said Thursday at a Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) session on 'Improving the Financial Situation of the United Nations.' Kumar noted that total arrears currently stand at a whopping $3.6 billion, nearly one-third of the annual assessment of the United Nations, adding that UN peacekeeping also suffers from delay in reimbursements. He pointed out that apart from the one billion dollar worth of unsettled reimbursements to TCCs, large reimbursements related to Letters of Assist ($178 million) and death and disability claims ($8 million) were also outstanding. These amounts do not include the long unsettled Contingent Owned Equipment (COE) reimbursements of many TCCs, including India, from the closed peacekeeping missions. The UN owes India $38 million, among the highest it has to pay to any country, for peacekeeping operations as of March 2019, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had said in his report in April on improving the financial situation of the UN. As of March 31, 2019, the total amount payable to troop- and police-contributing countries with respect to active peacekeeping missions was $265 million. Kumar emphasised that India is among those member states who continue to be owed significant sums towards troop and COE reimbursements from the active peacekeeping missions but the country still continues to support UN peacekeeping and is cumulatively the largest troop contributor. He voiced concern over the "unjustifiable and inexplicable delays in reimbursement, saying it negatively impacts on UN's ability to maintain honest agreements with TCCs on other aspects of peacekeeping. "This situation calls for serious introspection," he said. Emphasising that arrears put those member states that would have benefitted from the efficient implementation of mandates to a serious disadvantage, Kumar noted that while there has not been any real growth in the reimbursement rates, the TCCs have been asked to bring in more capacities and more equipment to achieve ambitious mandates. "These arrears and recurrent delay in reimbursement have turned the TCCs as de facto financers of UN peacekeeping. This is involuntary and beyond many TCCs' capacity to pay; in fact, it eats up their already limited capacity to contribute," he said. Kumar added that the current reimbursement framework and related practices of the UN Secretariat also compound the problem, noting that the practice of delaying payments to TCCs, even as similar contractual obligations to others are met, cannot continue "unaddressed." India's share of the UN's budget has been increasing in recent years, including a 13 per cent increase from this year and the country has been paying its share on time. The UN Secretary-General has put forth several proposals to improve the financial situation of the UN and some of the proposals supposedly aim to improve the UN's reimbursement relationship with the TCCs. Kumar said India will study these proposals carefully. Guterres had said in his report that the arrears to troop- and police-contributing countries could increase to $588 million by June 2019 "in the worst-case scenario. The UN chief had expressed his concern about the deteriorating financial health of the Organisation, saying the United Nations is facing deepening liquidity problems in its regular budget, a trend that must be urgently halted and reversed. "Peacekeeping operations also face frequent cash constraints that force the Organisation to postpone the settlement of its obligations to troop- and police-contributing countries, he said. Guterres has requested the General Assembly to increase the Working Capital Fund to $350 million effective July 1, 2019 and to create a Peacekeeping Working Capital Fund of $250 million and authorise its use to address the liquidity challenges of active peacekeeping operations among ways to help improve the financial situation of the world body and deal with timely payment of dues to troop and police contributing countries. Earlier this year, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin had said that the financial situation of the United Nations peacekeeping, particularly the non-payment/delayed payment of arrears to the troop/police-contributing countries, is a "cause for concern". He had said that the practice of delaying payments to TCCs/PCCs, even as contractual obligations to others are met, cannot continue unaddressed. It results in TCCs/PCCs bearing unsustainable burdens. In some cases, TCCs and PCCs are owed 100 to 200 times their cumulative annual financial contributions to the UN, he had said.

India voices concern over delays in reimbursement to UN peacekeeping contributing countries

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said it was vital "to save the Pacific to save the world" as he wrapped up his brief South Pacific tour in Vanuatu on Saturday.

Guterres has spent the past week in the region pushing for urgent action ahead of a UN summit in September billed as a last chance to prevent irreversible climate change.

According to the UN, Vanuatu is the world's most at-risk country from natural hazards, but Guterres said it was also "leading the way" with is resilience.&nbsp;

At a joint press conference with Vanuatu's Prime Minister Charlot Salwai, Guterres praised the way the country had bounced back from the catastrophic Cyclone Pam which lashed the archipelago in 2015.

It claimed at least 15 lives, flattened villages and impacted nearly half the 300,000 population.&nbsp;

"It is clear that the Pacific is on the frontline of climate change even though they don't contribute to climate change," Guterres told AFP, referring to low-lying Pacific islands which are threatened by rising sea levels.

"So the Pacific has the moral authority to offer a lesson for the rest of the world. We absolutely need to save the Pacific to save the world."

The UN target is to limit rises to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial revolution levels and Guterres urged governments "to understand that we need transformative measures, in industry, in agriculture and in relation to the oceans".&nbsp;

"I believe it is time to recognise that we need to shift taxation away from people to carbon and pollution instead," he said.&nbsp;

"We need to stop subsidies for fossil fuels. It doesn't make any sense that taxpayers' money is contributing to increased storms, the spread of drought, glaciers melting, corals bleaching and putting these islands in danger."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said it was vital "to save the Pacific to save the world" as he wrapped up his brief South Pacific tour in Vanuatu on Saturday.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said it was vital "to save the Pacific to save the world" as he wrapped up his brief South Pacific tour in Vanuatu on Saturday. Guterres has spent the past week in the region pushing for urgent action ahead of a UN summit in September billed as a last chance to prevent irreversible climate change. According to the UN, Vanuatu is the world's most at-risk country from natural hazards, but Guterres said it was also "leading the way" with is resilience. At a joint press conference with Vanuatu's Prime Minister Charlot Salwai, Guterres praised the way the country had bounced back from the catastrophic Cyclone Pam which lashed the archipelago in 2015. It claimed at least 15 lives, flattened villages and impacted nearly half the 300,000 population. "It is clear that the Pacific is on the frontline of climate change even though they don't contribute to climate change," Guterres told AFP, referring to low-lying Pacific islands which are threatened by rising sea levels. "So the Pacific has the moral authority to offer a lesson for the rest of the world. We absolutely need to save the Pacific to save the world." The UN target is to limit rises to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial revolution levels and Guterres urged governments "to understand that we need transformative measures, in industry, in agriculture and in relation to the oceans". "I believe it is time to recognise that we need to shift taxation away from people to carbon and pollution instead," he said. "We need to stop subsidies for fossil fuels. It doesn't make any sense that taxpayers' money is contributing to increased storms, the spread of drought, glaciers melting, corals bleaching and putting these islands in danger."

United Nations' chief calls to 'save the Pacific to save the world'

Thousands of civilians are fleeing fighting between the Democratic Republic of Congo's army and militia groups in the eastern South Kivu province, a local official told AFP on Friday.

Some 25,000 of them have gathered in Minwembe, the rural commune's deputy mayor Charles Sadiki told AFP.

"They are fleeing the fighting. Their homes have been burnt and pillaged. They have spent the night out of doors. They have no shelter. They have no food. No assistance," he said.

Sadiki said gunfire had been heard near Minembwe, where UN-funded Okapi radio reported that three militiamen were killed in combat with troops.

The United Nations said this week it had warded off several attacks on Minewemba.

Dozens of armed groups are active in the North and South Kivu provinces of DRC.

In the city of Beni in North Kivu, a local official said five civilians and soldiers were killed Friday in an attack attributed to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).

"The civilians were surprised in the fields by the ADF, who killed five of them by machete and took two with them," an administrator of Beni, Donat Kibwana, told AFP.

"One soldier was killed and another injured, and the search is continuing" for the abducted individuals, added army spokesman Mak Hazukay.

"We are still urging our political-military authorities to save the people of Beni from this situation," residents' representative Noella Muliwavio said.

The ADF, forced out of Uganda in the mid-1990s, is frequently accused by DRC authorities of attacking army positions in North Kivu.

Thousands of civilians are fleeing fighting between the Democratic Republic of Congo's army and militia groups in the eastern South Kivu province, a local official told AFP on Friday.

Thousands of civilians are fleeing fighting between the Democratic Republic of Congo's army and militia groups in the eastern South Kivu province, a local official told AFP on Friday. Some 25,000 of them have gathered in Minwembe, the rural commune's deputy mayor Charles Sadiki told AFP. "They are fleeing the fighting. Their homes have been burnt and pillaged. They have spent the night out of doors. They have no shelter. They have no food. No assistance," he said. Sadiki said gunfire had been heard near Minembwe, where UN-funded Okapi radio reported that three militiamen were killed in combat with troops. The United Nations said this week it had warded off several attacks on Minewemba. Dozens of armed groups are active in the North and South Kivu provinces of DRC. In the city of Beni in North Kivu, a local official said five civilians and soldiers were killed Friday in an attack attributed to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). "The civilians were surprised in the fields by the ADF, who killed five of them by machete and took two with them," an administrator of Beni, Donat Kibwana, told AFP. "One soldier was killed and another injured, and the search is continuing" for the abducted individuals, added army spokesman Mak Hazukay. "We are still urging our political-military authorities to save the people of Beni from this situation," residents' representative Noella Muliwavio said. The ADF, forced out of Uganda in the mid-1990s, is frequently accused by DRC authorities of attacking army positions in North Kivu.

Thousands flee deadly fighting in east DR Congo: Officials

Britain on Friday challenged Russia and Syria to provide assurances to the UN Security Council that attacks on hospitals and schools in northwest Syria will stop.

The council was meeting in an emergency session to discuss the surge of fighting in the Idlib region that has raised the alarm of an imminent all-out assault which could lead to a humanitarian catastrophe.

At least 18 hospitals and clinics have been destroyed or damaged by air strikes and shelling over recent weeks, several of which were on UN "no target" lists that detail exact locations of the health facilities to the warring sides, the UN aid chief told the council.&nbsp;

"Russia and Syria are the only countries that fly planes in the area," British Ambassador Karen Pierce told the council. "I think we need answers today."

"If the answer is the Russian and Syrian air forces, I call on both ambassadors here today to give us the assurance that the attacks will stop."

Russia rejected accusations that hospitals and other civilian infrastructure were being targeted and stressed that military operations were aimed at wiping out terrorists.

"We categorically reject accusations of violations of international humanitarian law," Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the council.

"Not the Syrian army, or the Syrian air force, or Russia are conducting hostilities against civilians or civilian infrastructure."

"Our goal is the terrorists," he said.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate which is on the UN terror list, controls most of Idlib province as well as parts of neighbouring Aleppo, Hama and Latakia provinces.

More than 180,000 people have been displaced by the latest violence in three weeks, UN aid chief Mark Lowcock said, and up to 160 people have been killed.

The region was to have been spared from a major offensive under a de-escalation agreement between Russia, Iran and Turkey, which has ties to the rebels.

The war in Syria, now in its ninth year, has killed more than 370,000 people and displaced millions since it started with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.

Britain on Friday challenged Russia and Syria to provide assurances to the UN Security Council that attacks on hospitals and schools in northwest Syria will stop.

Britain on Friday challenged Russia and Syria to provide assurances to the UN Security Council that attacks on hospitals and schools in northwest Syria will stop. The council was meeting in an emergency session to discuss the surge of fighting in the Idlib region that has raised the alarm of an imminent all-out assault which could lead to a humanitarian catastrophe. At least 18 hospitals and clinics have been destroyed or damaged by air strikes and shelling over recent weeks, several of which were on UN "no target" lists that detail exact locations of the health facilities to the warring sides, the UN aid chief told the council. "Russia and Syria are the only countries that fly planes in the area," British Ambassador Karen Pierce told the council. "I think we need answers today." "If the answer is the Russian and Syrian air forces, I call on both ambassadors here today to give us the assurance that the attacks will stop." Russia rejected accusations that hospitals and other civilian infrastructure were being targeted and stressed that military operations were aimed at wiping out terrorists. "We categorically reject accusations of violations of international humanitarian law," Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the council. "Not the Syrian army, or the Syrian air force, or Russia are conducting hostilities against civilians or civilian infrastructure." "Our goal is the terrorists," he said. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate which is on the UN terror list, controls most of Idlib province as well as parts of neighbouring Aleppo, Hama and Latakia provinces. More than 180,000 people have been displaced by the latest violence in three weeks, UN aid chief Mark Lowcock said, and up to 160 people have been killed. The region was to have been spared from a major offensive under a de-escalation agreement between Russia, Iran and Turkey, which has ties to the rebels. The war in Syria, now in its ninth year, has killed more than 370,000 people and displaced millions since it started with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.

Britain at UN presses Russia to answer for Idlib hospital attacks

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/i-got-a-sense-that-a-majority-government-will-come-to-power-again-pm-modi-in-joint-press-conference-with-amit-shah-219416">I got a sense that a majority government will come to power again: PM Modi in joint press conference with Amit Shah</a>

In his first major press conference as prime minister, Narendra Modi said he was confident of forming the next government as campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections came to an end on Friday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/some-250000-rohingya-refugees-receive-first-id-cards-united-nations-219427">Some 250,000 Rohingyas have received first ID cards in Bangladesh: United Nations</a>

The UN said Friday it has registered more than 250,000 Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, providing many with their first ever identification cards and proof of their right to return to Myanmar in the future.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/talks-gone-as-far-as-they-can-jeremy-corbyn-writes-to-theresa-may-as-labour-party-pulls-plug-on-brexit-compromise-talks-219387">'Talks gone as far as they can,' Jeremy Corbyn writes to Theresa May as Labour party pulls plug on Brexit compromise talks</a>

Britain's tumultuous divorce from the European Union was again in disarray on Friday as the opposition Labour Party declared last-ditch cross-party talks were dead in the twilight of Prime Minister Theresa May's premiership.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/intel-inputs-warn-of-terrorist-attack-on-airbases-in-kashmir-security-forces-on-high-alert-219386">Intel inputs warn of terrorist attack on airbases in Kashmir, security forces on high alert</a>

Security forces have warned of a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir this election season. The specific intelligence inputs say Srinagar and the Awantipora airbases can be targeted by Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists, adding that the plan comes in retaliation to the successful encounters conducted by the security forces in the state after the Pulwama attack.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/the-modi-experiment-has-been-accepted-amit-shah-in-joint-press-conference-with-pm-modi-219410">The Modi experiment has been accepted: Amit Shah in joint press conference with PM Modi</a>

As the long and torrid election campaign came to an end on Friday, BJP president Amit Shah and PM Modi addressed a press conference at the party headquarters in New Delhi.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

I got a sense that a majority government will come to power again: PM Modi in joint press conference with Amit Shah In his first major press conference as prime minister, Narendra Modi said he was confident of forming the next government as campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections came to an end on Friday.

I got a sense that a majority government will come to power again: PM Modi in joint press conference with Amit Shah In his first major press conference as prime minister, Narendra Modi said he was confident of forming the next government as campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections came to an end on Friday. Some 250,000 Rohingyas have received first ID cards in Bangladesh: United Nations The UN said Friday it has registered more than 250,000 Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, providing many with their first ever identification cards and proof of their right to return to Myanmar in the future. 'Talks gone as far as they can,' Jeremy Corbyn writes to Theresa May as Labour party pulls plug on Brexit compromise talks Britain's tumultuous divorce from the European Union was again in disarray on Friday as the opposition Labour Party declared last-ditch cross-party talks were dead in the twilight of Prime Minister Theresa May's premiership. Intel inputs warn of terrorist attack on airbases in Kashmir, security forces on high alert Security forces have warned of a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir this election season. The specific intelligence inputs say Srinagar and the Awantipora airbases can be targeted by Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists, adding that the plan comes in retaliation to the successful encounters conducted by the security forces in the state after the Pulwama attack. The Modi experiment has been accepted: Amit Shah in joint press conference with PM Modi As the long and torrid election campaign came to an end on Friday, BJP president Amit Shah and PM Modi addressed a press conference at the party headquarters in New Delhi.

The UN said Friday it has registered more than 250,000 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/alleged-rohingya-traffickers-shot-by-bangladesh-police-103-refugees-rescued-219012">Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh</a>, providing many with their first ever identification cards and proof of their right to return to Myanmar in the future.

The UN refugee agency also said the registration could serve as a tool for law enforcement to help counter human trafficking.

"Over a quarter of a million Rohingya refugees from Myanmar have now been jointly registered and provided with identity cards by Bangladesh authorities and UNHCR," spokesman Andrej Mahecic told reporters in Geneva.

Some 740,000 Rohingya refugees fled a military crackdown in August 2017 to cross into Bangladesh where 300,000 members of the persecuted Muslim minority were already in camps.

Many <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/in-exile-in-bangladesh-a-bittersweet-revival-of-rohingya-culture-216919">Rohingya refugees who fled</a> said there had been mass rapes and slaughters in the villages, and in a report published last September, the fact-finding mission said there were reasonable grounds to believe the atrocities amounted to "genocide".

UNHCR puts the number of Rohingya refugees currently crowded into settlements in Cox's Bazar at around 900,000, although the UN often gives a lower number than Bangladesh authorities and other aid organisations.

They are stateless, despite the fact that many of their families have lived in Myanmar for generations since members of the Muslim minority have had their citizenship eroded over decades.

"The registration exercise, which began in June 2018, is about safeguarding the right of Rohingya refugees to be able to return home voluntarily to Myanmar in future," Mahecic said.&nbsp;

Myanmar and Bangladesh have signed a memorandum of understanding about repatriating the Rohingya, but so far safety fears and concerns over citizenship mean the refugees have refused to return.

The new ID cards, provided to all refugees over the age of 12, lists important information, including names, family links and fingerprints and Iris scans.

Mahecic also said that the cards list Myanmar as the refugees' country of origin.

In total, 270,348 refugees, or nearly 60,000 families, have been registered, and around 4,000 people are added to the roster each day, he said.

UNHCR's goal is to complete the process of registering all the Rohingya in Cox's Bazar by November.

Mahecic pointed out that comprehensive registration is important for improving the accuracy of data on refugees in Bangladesh, and provides authorities and humanitarians with a better understanding of the population and its needs.

He also said that the registration "can also serve as a better tool vis-a-vis the authorities to prevent and combat smuggling and trafficking".

His comment came after a rise in attempted human smuggling of Rohingya in the last few months, amid growing desperation in the camps.

Earlier this week, Bangladeshi police shot dead two suspected Rohingya human traffickers, after rescuing 103 refugees in two days about to make the perilous sea voyage to Malaysia.

The UN said Friday it has registered more than 250,000 Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, providing many with their first ever identification cards and proof of their right to return to Myanmar in the future.

The UN said Friday it has registered more than 250,000 Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, providing many with their first ever identification cards and proof of their right to return to Myanmar in the future. The UN refugee agency also said the registration could serve as a tool for law enforcement to help counter human trafficking. "Over a quarter of a million Rohingya refugees from Myanmar have now been jointly registered and provided with identity cards by Bangladesh authorities and UNHCR," spokesman Andrej Mahecic told reporters in Geneva. Some 740,000 Rohingya refugees fled a military crackdown in August 2017 to cross into Bangladesh where 300,000 members of the persecuted Muslim minority were already in camps. Many Rohingya refugees who fled said there had been mass rapes and slaughters in the villages, and in a report published last September, the fact-finding mission said there were reasonable grounds to believe the atrocities amounted to "genocide". UNHCR puts the number of Rohingya refugees currently crowded into settlements in Cox's Bazar at around 900,000, although the UN often gives a lower number than Bangladesh authorities and other aid organisations. They are stateless, despite the fact that many of their families have lived in Myanmar for generations since members of the Muslim minority have had their citizenship eroded over decades. "The registration exercise, which began in June 2018, is about safeguarding the right of Rohingya refugees to be able to return home voluntarily to Myanmar in future," Mahecic said. Myanmar and Bangladesh have signed a memorandum of understanding about repatriating the Rohingya, but so far safety fears and concerns over citizenship mean the refugees have refused to return. The new ID cards, provided to all refugees over the age of 12, lists important information, including names, family links and fingerprints and Iris scans. Mahecic also said that the cards list Myanmar as the refugees' country of origin. In total, 270,348 refugees, or nearly 60,000 families, have been registered, and around 4,000 people are added to the roster each day, he said. UNHCR's goal is to complete the process of registering all the Rohingya in Cox's Bazar by November. Mahecic pointed out that comprehensive registration is important for improving the accuracy of data on refugees in Bangladesh, and provides authorities and humanitarians with a better understanding of the population and its needs. He also said that the registration "can also serve as a better tool vis-a-vis the authorities to prevent and combat smuggling and trafficking". His comment came after a rise in attempted human smuggling of Rohingya in the last few months, amid growing desperation in the camps. Earlier this week, Bangladeshi police shot dead two suspected Rohingya human traffickers, after rescuing 103 refugees in two days about to make the perilous sea voyage to Malaysia.

Some 250,000 Rohingyas have received first ID cards in Bangladesh: United Nations

Huawei on Thursday responded to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-declares-national-emergency-bars-huawei-from-us-telecommunications-networks-219053">United States'&nbsp;ban on the&nbsp;Chinese multinational telecommunications </a>equipment saying it was "unreasonable restriction" by the US.

The Chinese firm also hit out at the US claiming that the restriction would not&nbsp;make it more secure or stronger; instead, will only serve to limit the US to inferior and&nbsp;expensive alternatives

"Restricting Huawei from doing business in the US will not make the US more secure or stronger; instead, this will only serve to limit the US to inferior yet more expensive alternatives. In addition, unreasonable restrictions will infringe upon Huawei's rights and raise other serious legal issues," the telecom giant said in a statement.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order declaring a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-declares-us-mexico-border-emergency-democrats-protest-197678">national emergency</a>&nbsp;and barring US&nbsp;companies from using telecommunications equipment made by firms posing a national security risk.

The order paved&nbsp;the way for a ban on doing business with China's Huawei Technologies Co.

The executive order invokes the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which gives the president the authority to regulate commerce in response to a national emergency that threatens the United States. The order directs the Commerce Department, working with other government agencies, to draw up a plan for enforcement within 150 days.

The order, which has been under review for more than a year, is aimed at protecting the supply chain from "foreign adversaries to the nation`s information and communications technology and services supply chain," said Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.

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US officials have previously labelled Huawei a "threat" and actively lobbied allies to not using Huawei network equipment in next generation 5G networks.

(With inputs from agencies)

Huawei on Thursday responded to United States' ban on the Chinese multinational telecommunications equipment saying it was "unreasonable restriction" by the US. The Chinese firm also hit out at the US claiming that the restriction would not make it more secure or stronger; instead, will only serve to limit the US to inferior and expensive alternatives "Restricting Huawei from doing business in the US will not make the US more secure or stronger; instead, this will only serve to limit the US to inferior yet more expensive alternatives.

Huawei on Thursday responded to United States' ban on the Chinese multinational telecommunications equipment saying it was "unreasonable restriction" by the US. The Chinese firm also hit out at the US claiming that the restriction would not make it more secure or stronger; instead, will only serve to limit the US to inferior and expensive alternatives "Restricting Huawei from doing business in the US will not make the US more secure or stronger; instead, this will only serve to limit the US to inferior yet more expensive alternatives. In addition, unreasonable restrictions will infringe upon Huawei's rights and raise other serious legal issues," the telecom giant said in a statement. President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order declaring a national emergency and barring US companies from using telecommunications equipment made by firms posing a national security risk. The order paved the way for a ban on doing business with China's Huawei Technologies Co. The executive order invokes the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which gives the president the authority to regulate commerce in response to a national emergency that threatens the United States. The order directs the Commerce Department, working with other government agencies, to draw up a plan for enforcement within 150 days. The order, which has been under review for more than a year, is aimed at protecting the supply chain from "foreign adversaries to the nation`s information and communications technology and services supply chain," said Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. × US officials have previously labelled Huawei a "threat" and actively lobbied allies to not using Huawei network equipment in next generation 5G networks. (With inputs from agencies)

Unreasonable restrictions infringe on its rights: Huawei responds to US ban

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-may-attack-israel-if-us-standoff-escalates-cabinet-minister-218054&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjw5Zroi6DiAhXD73MBHUmJDUMQFjACegQIEBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0eu-hyOG3NADuN-CEjFRCc">Iran </a>has no plans to launch centrifuge machines able to enrich uranium at higher capacity or to alter its relations with the UN&nbsp;nuclear watchdog, the spokesman for its civilian nuclear agency was quoted as saying on Thursday.

Last week, Iran notified <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/china-formally-arrests-two-canadians-detained-for-months-on-national-security-grounds-219091&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiSoZv9iKDiAhUPaI8KHZpCAroQFjABegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1ap9JhvFUwGFBEyeAwh7Or">China</a>, France, Germany, <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/russias-increasing-influence-in-cuba-stirs-ghost-of-cold-war-215866&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjwidaBjKDiAhVu8XMBHYdiC6oQFjADegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2-GkCT4tYINrvbMaSSS8oq">Russia </a>and Britain that would scale back some commitments under its 2015 nuclear deal, a year after the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/opinions/in-line-with-us-sanctions-china-dramatically-reduces-trade-with-tehran-193997&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjq8qOQjKDiAhXs8HMBHT78B1MQFjACegQIDhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2rMAagYVdFNnSkmqHlCI1z">United States withdrew from the pact and reimposed sanctions on Tehran</a>.

Iran’s initial moves, involving the stockpiling of some nuclear materials, did not appear to violate the deal's terms.

But Iran warned that unless the other signatories to the deal protect Iran’s economy from US&nbsp;sanctions within 60 days, Tehran would start refining uranium to a fissile purity above that deemed suitable for fuelling civilian power plants.

"We do not currently have any plan to increase capacity and production process by changing the capacity of centrifuges," Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesman of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, told the semi-official news agency ISNA.

"Increasing the capacity and production process is being carried out with the same number of already installed centrifuges in Natanz (enrichment plant)," Kamalvandi said.

Regarding enhanced monitoring of Iranian nuclear sites by the IAEA under the deal, "in some stages, and to carry out some technical work, the IAEA needs to be informed in advance, which has been done and is being done," ISNA quoted him as saying.

The restrictions on uranium enrichment accepted by Iran under the deal were aimed at extending the time it would need to produce a nuclear bomb, if it chose to, to a year from roughly 2-3 months.

The United States and the IAEA believe Iran had a clandestine nuclear weapons programme that it later abandoned.

Tehran denies ever having had one.

The deal imposes a 15-year cap on the level of purity to which Iran can enrich uranium at 3.67 per cent, far below the 90 per cent of weapons-grade.

It is also well below the 20 per cent level to which Iran enriched uranium before the deal.

Iran is also allowed to refine uranium only with its first-generation, lower-capacity IR-1 centrifuges.

It can use small numbers of more advanced centrifuges for research, but without accumulating enriched uranium.

Iran has no plans to launch centrifuge machines able to enrich uranium at higher capacity or to alter its relations with the UN nuclear watchdog, the spokesman for its civilian nuclear agency was quoted as saying on Thursday.

Iran has no plans to launch centrifuge machines able to enrich uranium at higher capacity or to alter its relations with the UN nuclear watchdog, the spokesman for its civilian nuclear agency was quoted as saying on Thursday. Last week, Iran notified China, France, Germany, Russia and Britain that would scale back some commitments under its 2015 nuclear deal, a year after the United States withdrew from the pact and reimposed sanctions on Tehran. Iran’s initial moves, involving the stockpiling of some nuclear materials, did not appear to violate the deal's terms. But Iran warned that unless the other signatories to the deal protect Iran’s economy from US sanctions within 60 days, Tehran would start refining uranium to a fissile purity above that deemed suitable for fuelling civilian power plants. "We do not currently have any plan to increase capacity and production process by changing the capacity of centrifuges," Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesman of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, told the semi-official news agency ISNA. "Increasing the capacity and production process is being carried out with the same number of already installed centrifuges in Natanz (enrichment plant)," Kamalvandi said. Regarding enhanced monitoring of Iranian nuclear sites by the IAEA under the deal, "in some stages, and to carry out some technical work, the IAEA needs to be informed in advance, which has been done and is being done," ISNA quoted him as saying. The restrictions on uranium enrichment accepted by Iran under the deal were aimed at extending the time it would need to produce a nuclear bomb, if it chose to, to a year from roughly 2-3 months. The United States and the IAEA believe Iran had a clandestine nuclear weapons programme that it later abandoned. Tehran denies ever having had one. The deal imposes a 15-year cap on the level of purity to which Iran can enrich uranium at 3.67 per cent, far below the 90 per cent of weapons-grade. It is also well below the 20 per cent level to which Iran enriched uranium before the deal. Iran is also allowed to refine uranium only with its first-generation, lower-capacity IR-1 centrifuges. It can use small numbers of more advanced centrifuges for research, but without accumulating enriched uranium.

Iran plans no changes to nuclear centrifuges, IAEA ties: civilian nuclear agency spokesman

The United Nations on Monday said it was very concerned about acute food crisis in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/70-countries-urge-north-korea-to-scrap-nuclear-ballistic-weapons-217659">North Korea and the country</a> was in an urgent need of livelihoods assistance.

David Beasley, the head of the UN World Food Programme, appealed for donations to solve the crisis and vowed that he would ensure that the aid reaches the neediest people there.

Beasley was in Seoul to meet South Korean Minister of Unification Kim Yeon-Chul and discuss the findings of a recent joint report by WFP and Food and Agriculture Organization on the critical hunger situation in North Korea, the Ministry said in a statement.

The report stressed that some 10 million North Koreans (40 per cent of its population) face an imminent shortage of food, especially in the summer months preceding the next big harvest, due to the worst agricultural yield in a decade.

“We are very concerned about the situation there, and we are hopeful that we can come up with some solutions," Beasley told reporters after he met with the South Korean minister.

"Whatever we do, we will assure the donors that the food or any assistance will meet their objectives. We'll have monitoring systems in place," he added in statements reported by Yonhap news agency.

Beasley was referring to cases where food aid shipments sent in the past to North Korea were allegedly redirected to the army and the regime elites instead of reaching those who needed it the most.

The meeting comes after the South Korean government last week expressed its intention to provide food aid to its northern neighbour, with whom it remains technically at war since 1950.

According to the ministry, Beasley and Kim both agreed on the need to separate humanitarian and political issues in reference to the recent missile launches by North Korea amid a stagnancy in denuclearization talks.

Kim Yeon-Chul said he would analyze the possibility of activating nutritional support donation programs especially for children and pregnant women, adds the text.

The South Korean minister is expected to meet with representatives of civic and religious groups Tuesday to study an aid package.

In 2017, the South Korean government approved an aid package for the North valued at $8 million to be channelled through international agencies, although the package is yet to be sent due to the lack of progress in denuclearization dialogue.

The last time Seoul sent food assistance (5,000 tonnes of rice) to North Korea was in 2010.&nbsp;

The United Nations on Monday said it was very concerned about acute food crisis in North Korea and the country was in an urgent need of livelihoods assistance. David Beasley, the head of the UN World Food Programme, appealed for donations to solve the crisis and vowed that he would ensure that the aid reaches the neediest people there.

The United Nations on Monday said it was very concerned about acute food crisis in North Korea and the country was in an urgent need of livelihoods assistance. David Beasley, the head of the UN World Food Programme, appealed for donations to solve the crisis and vowed that he would ensure that the aid reaches the neediest people there. Beasley was in Seoul to meet South Korean Minister of Unification Kim Yeon-Chul and discuss the findings of a recent joint report by WFP and Food and Agriculture Organization on the critical hunger situation in North Korea, the Ministry said in a statement. The report stressed that some 10 million North Koreans (40 per cent of its population) face an imminent shortage of food, especially in the summer months preceding the next big harvest, due to the worst agricultural yield in a decade. “We are very concerned about the situation there, and we are hopeful that we can come up with some solutions," Beasley told reporters after he met with the South Korean minister. "Whatever we do, we will assure the donors that the food or any assistance will meet their objectives. We'll have monitoring systems in place," he added in statements reported by Yonhap news agency. Beasley was referring to cases where food aid shipments sent in the past to North Korea were allegedly redirected to the army and the regime elites instead of reaching those who needed it the most. The meeting comes after the South Korean government last week expressed its intention to provide food aid to its northern neighbour, with whom it remains technically at war since 1950. According to the ministry, Beasley and Kim both agreed on the need to separate humanitarian and political issues in reference to the recent missile launches by North Korea amid a stagnancy in denuclearization talks. Kim Yeon-Chul said he would analyze the possibility of activating nutritional support donation programs especially for children and pregnant women, adds the text. The South Korean minister is expected to meet with representatives of civic and religious groups Tuesday to study an aid package. In 2017, the South Korean government approved an aid package for the North valued at $8 million to be channelled through international agencies, although the package is yet to be sent due to the lack of progress in denuclearization dialogue. The last time Seoul sent food assistance (5,000 tonnes of rice) to North Korea was in 2010.

North Korea facing food shortage, says United Nations

Indigenous residents of low-lying islands off northern Australia will submit a landmark complaint with the United Nations on Monday accusing the government of violating their human rights by failing to tackle climate change.

The Torres Strait Islanders will tell the UN Human Rights Committee in Geneva that rising seas caused by global warming are threatening their homelands and culture, lawyers representing the group said.

The lawyers, from the non-profit ClientEarth, said the case was the first of its kind to be lodged with the UN equating government inaction on climate change to a<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-rights-experts-cite-concern-at-disproportionate-assange-detention-215668"> human rights violation</a>.

In their complaint, the islanders ask the UN to find that international human rights law requires Australia to reduce its emissions to at least 65 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030.

The country should become carbon neutral by 2050, phasing out its use and export of coal completely, they say.

The complaint also demands the government allocate Aus$20 million (US$14 million) for emergency infrastructure like sea walls to protect Torres Strait communities.

"Advancing seas are already threatening homes, as well as damaging burial grounds and sacred cultural sites," the claimants said in a statement.

"Many Islanders are worried that their islands could quite literally disappear in their lifetimes without urgent action."

Kabay Tamu of Warraber island said that his community had a "right to practice our culture in our traditional homeland".&nbsp;

"Our culture starts here on the land. It is how we are connected with the land and the sea. You wash away the land and it is like a piece of us you are taking away," he said in a statement.

The complaint is being lodged just days before Australian elections in which the conservative government of Prime Minister Scott Morrison trails in opinion polls.

Climate change has been a key campaign issue, with Morrison's government accused of dragging its feet on emission reduction efforts while backing the expansion of coal mining.

John Knox, a law professor at Wake Forest University in the US and a former UN Special Rapporteur on human rights, called the Torres Islanders to claim "potentially groundbreaking".&nbsp;

The UN committee late last year determined that states' duty to safeguard human rights also meant protection against environmental harm, including climate change, Knox said on Twitter.

"This case gives the Human Rights Committee its first chance to give specific application" to that determination "by assessing and explaining what Australia should do to protect the human rights of the Torres Strait Islanders," he said.

While the UN committee's rulings are non-binding, "its decision may increase pressure on Australia to do the right thing", he said.&nbsp;

Indigenous residents of low-lying islands off northern Australia will submit a landmark complaint with the United Nations on Monday accusing the government of violating their human rights by failing to tackle climate change.

Indigenous residents of low-lying islands off northern Australia will submit a landmark complaint with the United Nations on Monday accusing the government of violating their human rights by failing to tackle climate change. The Torres Strait Islanders will tell the UN Human Rights Committee in Geneva that rising seas caused by global warming are threatening their homelands and culture, lawyers representing the group said. The lawyers, from the non-profit ClientEarth, said the case was the first of its kind to be lodged with the UN equating government inaction on climate change to a human rights violation. In their complaint, the islanders ask the UN to find that international human rights law requires Australia to reduce its emissions to at least 65 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030. The country should become carbon neutral by 2050, phasing out its use and export of coal completely, they say. The complaint also demands the government allocate Aus$20 million (US$14 million) for emergency infrastructure like sea walls to protect Torres Strait communities. "Advancing seas are already threatening homes, as well as damaging burial grounds and sacred cultural sites," the claimants said in a statement. "Many Islanders are worried that their islands could quite literally disappear in their lifetimes without urgent action." Kabay Tamu of Warraber island said that his community had a "right to practice our culture in our traditional homeland". "Our culture starts here on the land. It is how we are connected with the land and the sea. You wash away the land and it is like a piece of us you are taking away," he said in a statement. The complaint is being lodged just days before Australian elections in which the conservative government of Prime Minister Scott Morrison trails in opinion polls. Climate change has been a key campaign issue, with Morrison's government accused of dragging its feet on emission reduction efforts while backing the expansion of coal mining. John Knox, a law professor at Wake Forest University in the US and a former UN Special Rapporteur on human rights, called the Torres Islanders to claim "potentially groundbreaking". The UN committee late last year determined that states' duty to safeguard human rights also meant protection against environmental harm, including climate change, Knox said on Twitter. "This case gives the Human Rights Committee its first chance to give specific application" to that determination "by assessing and explaining what Australia should do to protect the human rights of the Torres Strait Islanders," he said. While the UN committee's rulings are non-binding, "its decision may increase pressure on Australia to do the right thing", he said.

Indigenous Australians take government to UN over climate change

Vietnam has culled more than 1.2 million farmed pigs infected with African swine fever, the government said on Monday, as the virus continues to spread rapidly in the Southeast Asian country.

Pork accounts for three-quarters of total meat consumption in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vietnam-jails-two-activists-for-spreading-propaganda-on-facebook-217787">Vietnam</a>, a country of 95 million people where most of its 30 million farm-raised pigs are consumed domestically.

The virus was first detected in Vietnam in February and has spread to 29 provinces, including Dong Nai, which supplies around 40% of the pork consumed in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's southern economic hub.

"The risk of the virus spreading further is very high and the evolution of the outbreak is complicated," the government said in a statement.

It said many provinces had failed to detect outbreaks and cull infected pigs properly due to a lack of funds and the space needed for burying the dead pigs.

The disease, which is harmless to humans but incurable in pigs, has also spread quickly across neighbouring China.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in March advised Vietnam to declare the swine fever outbreak as a national emergency.

Vietnam has culled more than 1.2 million farmed pigs infected with African swine fever, the government said on Monday, as the virus continues to spread rapidly in the Southeast Asian country.

Vietnam has culled more than 1.2 million farmed pigs infected with African swine fever, the government said on Monday, as the virus continues to spread rapidly in the Southeast Asian country. Pork accounts for three-quarters of total meat consumption in Vietnam, a country of 95 million people where most of its 30 million farm-raised pigs are consumed domestically. The virus was first detected in Vietnam in February and has spread to 29 provinces, including Dong Nai, which supplies around 40% of the pork consumed in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's southern economic hub. "The risk of the virus spreading further is very high and the evolution of the outbreak is complicated," the government said in a statement. It said many provinces had failed to detect outbreaks and cull infected pigs properly due to a lack of funds and the space needed for burying the dead pigs. The disease, which is harmless to humans but incurable in pigs, has also spread quickly across neighbouring China. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in March advised Vietnam to declare the swine fever outbreak as a national emergency.

Vietnam culls 1.2 million pigs as African swine fever spreads nationwide

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