World Leaders Address UN: Sharif Calls for Palestinian State, Global Coalition Condemns Houthi Attacks, and Golob Critiques UNSC
Pakistani and Slovenian PMs urge UN actions on Gaza, while global powers condemn Houthi attacks and US charges Iranian operatives in escalating geopolitical tensions.
Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif took to the UN General Assembly to condemn Israel’s actions in Gaza and Lebanon, urging for an end to the bloodshed and calling for a sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. He highlighted that the failure to implement UN resolutions has emboldened Israel, increasing the risk of a regional war, and stressed the need for Palestine's full membership in the UN.
Echoing the call for adherence to international norms, an international coalition, including the US, UK, Germany, and France, condemned Houthi attacks on humanitarian workers in Yemen. The coalition demanded the immediate release of detained UN staff, NGO workers, and former diplomatic mission members, emphasizing support for the UN's decision to suspend non-essential activities in Houthi-controlled areas.
Meanwhile, Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob, speaking at the UN General Assembly, also called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and critiqued the UN Security Council for its ineffectiveness in resolving conflicts like Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan. Golob urged for UNSC reforms and shed light on the severe humanitarian crises in Gaza and Sudan.
In a different yet related geopolitical tension, the US Justice Department has charged three Iranian operatives with hacking Donald Trump’s presidential campaign and distributing the stolen information to media outlets. This move aggravates the already high tensions between the US and Iran, underscoring the ongoing threats and regional conflicts influencing international relations.
On the economic front, a World Economic Forum report predicts limited growth for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in 2024-25, despite a slight increase anticipated by the IMF. Contrastingly, South Asia and the US show more promising growth prospects, driven by easing inflation and strong global commerce, though economists caution that elevated debt levels and geopolitical tensions may affect global economic stability.
Shifting to a more local but equally impactful story, Ghada Al-Malki’s Terracotta Studio in Riyadh offers a therapeutic pottery space for women, blending art and therapy inspired by her background in psychology. Despite challenges like high rental costs, the studio has seen a tremendous response, with plans to expand offerings and create spaces specifically for children, contributing to improved mental well-being for many.
Echoing the call for adherence to international norms, an international coalition, including the US, UK, Germany, and France, condemned Houthi attacks on humanitarian workers in Yemen. The coalition demanded the immediate release of detained UN staff, NGO workers, and former diplomatic mission members, emphasizing support for the UN's decision to suspend non-essential activities in Houthi-controlled areas.
Meanwhile, Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob, speaking at the UN General Assembly, also called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and critiqued the UN Security Council for its ineffectiveness in resolving conflicts like Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan. Golob urged for UNSC reforms and shed light on the severe humanitarian crises in Gaza and Sudan.
In a different yet related geopolitical tension, the US Justice Department has charged three Iranian operatives with hacking Donald Trump’s presidential campaign and distributing the stolen information to media outlets. This move aggravates the already high tensions between the US and Iran, underscoring the ongoing threats and regional conflicts influencing international relations.
On the economic front, a World Economic Forum report predicts limited growth for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in 2024-25, despite a slight increase anticipated by the IMF. Contrastingly, South Asia and the US show more promising growth prospects, driven by easing inflation and strong global commerce, though economists caution that elevated debt levels and geopolitical tensions may affect global economic stability.
Shifting to a more local but equally impactful story, Ghada Al-Malki’s Terracotta Studio in Riyadh offers a therapeutic pottery space for women, blending art and therapy inspired by her background in psychology. Despite challenges like high rental costs, the studio has seen a tremendous response, with plans to expand offerings and create spaces specifically for children, contributing to improved mental well-being for many.
