At UN, Muhammad Yunus urges world leaders to ‘invest in your young citizens’
“I stand in this parliament of nations thanks to an epochal transformation that Bangladesh witnessed this July and August,” said Mr. Yunus, Chief Adviser of the interim Government. The “power of populace,” in particular the youth, helped liberate Bangladeshis from…
Nepal’s Prime Minister highlights climate crisis, global inequality at UNGA
Prime Minister Oli warned of a looming climate catastrophe, resurgent geopolitical rivalries, and escalating military expenditures, which he said are driving the world toward instability. “Both people and planet stand on the brink of climate catastrophe,” he cautioned, pointing to…
Gaza crisis reveals ‘true nature’ of Israeli regime, Iranian President says
Addressing the general debate at the Assembly’s 79th session, Masoud Pezeshkian, who assumed office in July, also expressed readiness to engage with the partners of the stalled Iranian nuclear deal. On the situation in Gaza, he emphasized that the world…
Afghanistan: No future without women’s participation
These were just some of the chilling observations and testimony from Afghan women, together with supporters from around the world, who convened at UN Headquarters on Monday to discuss inclusion and women’s rights going forward. “Now, more than ever, it’s…
Afghanistan: UN warns of growing crisis under increasingly authoritarian Taliban rule
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Afghanistan, Roza Otunbayeva, said the country’s de facto rulers who have imposed their own interpretation of strict Islamic law have “delivered a period of stability not seen in decades” in Afghanistan, yet the…
Over 5,000 civilians killed since Myanmar military coup
At least 5,350 civilians have been killed, and more than 3.3 million displaced, since the military seized power on 1 February 2021, and over half the population is living below the poverty line mainly due to violence perpetrated by the…
Viet Nam mobilises massive response as Typhoon Yagi leaves a trail of catastrophe
The storm made landfall on Saturday in the country’s north with wind speeds reaching 213 kilometres (133 miles) per hour, causing severe flooding and landslides, and forcing the evacuation of over 50,000 people. As of Wednesday, at least 179 people…
UN investigators warn of widespread abuses in Myanmar conflict
Addressing the Geneva-based Human Rights Council, Nicholas Koumjian, the head of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM), said that in many instances, civilians were “not just collateral damage but rather the target of attacks”. “Just last week, airstrikes near…
Millions impacted by ‘catastrophic and massive floods’ in Bangladesh
The destruction has prompted the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) to rush humanitarian relief items from its stockpiles in the country to help those in need. Over 18 million people in Bangladesh have been affected by these severe monsoon conditions, with more…
Asia-Pacific nations commit to ‘visionary blueprint’ for inclusive digital world
The Astana Ministerial Declaration, named after the conference host city in Kazakhstan, is particularly significant for the region marked by stark disparities in digital access and usage. While an estimated 96 per cent of the population in Asia and the…