Europe 

Vessel to collect first humanitarian wheat shipment under Ukraine grain deal

This will be the first shipment of humanitarian food assistance under the Black Sea Grain Initiative signed last month by Ukraine, Russia and Türkiye.  WFP said the development marks “another important step in efforts to reintegrate Ukrainian food into global markets and get it to countries worst affected by the global food crisis through both commercial and humanitarian avenues.”  The… Read More
Europe 

Ukraine: UN chief appeals for end to military activities at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant

Europe’s largest nuclear plant has been occupied by Russian forces since March, and last week the external power supply system was damaged in an attack.  “I am calling for all military activities in the immediate vicinity of the plant to cease immediately and not to target its facilities or surroundings,” Mr. Guterres said in a statement expressing his grave concern… Read More
Europe 

‘Very alarming’ conditions at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant,  IAEA chief warns

“These military actions near such a large nuclear facility could lead to very serious consequences,” Mr. Grossi said at the meeting requested by Russia, which was marked by resounding calls to allow the Agency’s technical experts to visit the area amid mounting safety concerns. IAEA has been in frequent contact with both Ukraine and Russia to ensure that it has… Read More
Europe 

Belarus: Rights experts denounce withdrawal from key environmental agreement

The Aarhus Convention, adopted in 1998, also requires that individuals exercising these rights are not persecuted, penalized or harassed for doing so.  Belarus’s President Aleksandr Lukashenko signed a decree on 18 July effectively ending the country’s participation.  Withdrawal is scheduled to take effect on 24 October, in line with article 21 of the Convention.  Strengthening rights, ensuring compliance  In denouncing… Read More
Europe 

Heat, drought and wildfires during one of the warmest Julys on record– WMO

According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), temperatures were close to 0.4℃ above the 1991-2020 average across much of Europe, with southwestern and western Europe being the most above-average regions, because of an intense heatwave around mid-July. “This is despite the La Niña event that’s meant to have a cooling influence,” explained WMO spokesperson Clare Nullis. “We saw this in… Read More
Europe 

More breathing devices needed for premature babies born in Ukraine 

“The war increases levels of stress in pregnant women, which leads to an increase in the number of premature births reported,” Herve Verhoosel, Spokesperson for global health agency Unitaid, told journalists at a regular WHO press briefing.    The war in #Ukraine has increased the number of premature births. Premature babies are more likely to suffer from complications that require oxygen… Read More
Europe 

Ukraine: Guterres welcomes departure of first grain ship, to help ease food crisis

The Razoni, carrying a cargo of 26,527 tonnes of corn, is the first cargo ship to leave a Ukrainian Black Sea port since 26 February, just a few days after the Russian invasion began. It is bound for the Mediterranean port of Tripoli, in Lebanon. ‘Humanitarian imperative’ In a statement issued by his Spokesperson, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that ensuring… Read More
Europe 

Ukraine: Prospects for end to war look bleak, despite ‘encouraging’ grain deal

Ambassadors were briefed by UN political affairs chief Rosemary DiCarlo, who pointed to the recent agreement on the safe resumption of grain exports via the Black Sea as a bright light in the conflict, though acknowledging the dim prospects for peace.  “The grain agreement is a sign that dialogue between the parties is possible in the search to ease human… Read More
Europe 

Top rights expert questions ‘double standard’ on Ukraine’s war displaced

Mr. González Morales was referring to third country nationals who had been based in Ukraine at the outbreak of the war, particularly people of African descent and other racial and ethnic minorities, who he maintained had not found it so easy to integrate into Polish communities. Victims of ‘same war’ “Even for those that have fled the same war, although… Read More
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