The United Nations Security Council is set to discuss a report that lists 63 parties suspected of committing or being responsible for patterns of rape and other forms of sexual violence in armed conflict. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, health workers treated over 17,000 victims of sexual violence in just five months last year amidst intense battles between Congolese forces and M23 rebels.
USaid partnered with SpaceX to provide Starlink terminals to Ukraine after Russia's invasion in February 2022. The report found that USaid did not fully mitigate the risk of terminal misuse, and over half of the active units were located in territories occupied by Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's role may be diminished if world leaders agree on a future global architecture, according to a recent statement. This comes after he reported being the target of an assassination attempt by Ukraine's Security Service and experiencing torture.
China has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) over India's export of steel, escalating tensions between the two countries in their trade spat. The WTO suit is seen as a significant escalation of the dispute, which began after China imposed tariffs on Indian steel imports. This move by China could lead to further retaliatory measures from India, potentially affecting global steel markets and trade relations between the two nations.
Global talks for a legally binding treaty to tackle plastic pollution at the United Nations in Geneva have stalled due to disagreements among countries over scope and approach. Countries such as Panama, Kenya, Britain, and the European Union push for measures on the full life cycle of plastic pollution, while oil-producing nations like those in the Middle East oppose curbs on virgin plastics derived from petroleum, coal, and gas. A global treaty aims to reduce plastic products containing harmful chemicals and single-use plastics, addressing issues such as hazardous chemicals and recycling processes, but implementation details will be left to individual nations.
The abandonment of key principles in the global trading system, including the "most favoured nation" rule, could have devastating consequences. The "single undertaking" principle requires a single entity to be held accountable for its actions under a trade agreement, while "national treatment" and "special and differential treatment" are designed to protect vulnerable nations from exploitation. If these norms are discarded, the world's poorest countries may be left exposed to unfair trade practices, potentially leading to widespread economic harm.
India and the US have a multi-layered strategic relationship that extends beyond trade, with geopolitical and strategic considerations playing a significant role. The government has stated that there are no plans for a change in the sixth round of India-US talks, which may lead to a potential trade agreement between the two countries.
South Korea and Laos marked a significant milestone in their diplomatic relations with the signing of a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation in healthcare. As part of this agreement, KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) will provide support for laboratory capacity building and medical logistics in Laos. The move aims to enhance the country's healthcare system, which has been bolstered by a recent blood donation drive organized by the University of Health Sciences Laos. This initiative is part of Korea's efforts to assist Laos in developing its medical infrastructure, as both countries celebrate their 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
Pakistan and the Federated States of Micronesia have established diplomatic relations, with a joint communiqué signed by Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad and Ambassador Jeem S Lippwe in New York. The agreement focuses on climate change, capacity building, and peace at the United Nations. Pakistan's Deputy Permanent Representative Usman Jadoon was present during the ceremony, where Ambassador Iftikhar expressed his happiness over the establishment of relations on Pakistan's Independence Day anniversary.