Libya: Critical political, economic, and security juncture - Briefing | United Nations

Special Representative for Libya Hanna Serwaa Tetteh said Libya faces a “critical” political, economic, and security juncture, with divided State institutions and stalled elections. She reiterated the UNSMIL roadmap can lead to institutional reunification, restoring legitimacy through elections and preserving the country’s unity. Briefing the Security Council on the situation in Libya via video link, Tetteh thanked the Council’s support of UNSMIL and the implementation of the roadmap, as reaffirmed in its 3 March Press Statement. However, she said that we are not where we would like to be in terms of progress on the roadmap. She noted that some Libyan actors continue to disregard the expectations of the public regarding their participation in political processes, or towards exercising political leadership based on democratic legitimacy. Parallel structures have been established outside of the framework of existing agreements, which can limit the effectiveness of the UNSMIL process aimed at institutional reunification and establishing democratic legitimacy for political leadership. The Special Representative also highlighted, “Libya’s national wealth is being absorbed into a distorted political economy that fuels unaccountable spending and weaponises oil revenues.” She said, “this diversion of resources without a consensus on agreed national priorities weakens fiscal discipline and undermines the State’s ability to function as a steward for implementing projects, programs and initiatives that respond to critical public priorities and social spending commitments.” Tetteh cautioned that the country is facing a “significant but potentially short-lived” oil revenue windfall. “This creates a narrow window of opportunity to reinforce macroeconomic stability and restore integrity in public finance,” she added. In this context, the UNSMIL chief welcomed the signing on 11 April of Annex No. 1 to the Unified Development Program by members of the House of Representatives and the High Council of State under the auspices of the Central Bank and supported by the United States, “as an important step towards greater fiscal coherence.” The Special Representative also stated that the Sudan Regional Response Plan, which covers Libya, is intended to support approximately 597,000 Sudanese refugees and host communities in health, protection, and food security, with an estimated financial requirement of $115.5 million for 2026. She urged Member States to support this effort, adding that in parallel, “efforts continue to advance the return or reintegration of internally displaced populations, primarily those linked to conflict, as part of the broader durable solutions agenda”


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Macky Sall - Dialogue for the next UN Chief position | United Nations

Interactive dialogue with Mr. Macky Sall. Mr. Sall was nominated on 2 March 2026 by Burundi. The process for the selection and appointment of the next Secretary-General has been formally initiated by the President of the General Assembly and the President of the Security Council through a joint letter dated 25 November 2025. The President of the General Assembly, H.E. Ms. Annalena Baerbock, has committed to guiding this process in a transparent and inclusive manner. General Assembly resolution 79/327 on the Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly sets out the process for the selection and appointment in line with Article 97 of the Charter of the United Nations. Article 97: "The Secretariat shall comprise a Secretary-General and such staff as the Organization may require. The Secretary-General shall be appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council. He shall be the chief administrative officer of the Organization."


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Syria: "Rising Returns, Growing Humanitarian Needs" - Briefing | United Nations

Tom Fletcher, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, said, “I visited Syria again last month, with my UNDP colleague Alexander De Croo. We saw progress: millions of people are returning home. Markets growing. More lights coming back on. The Humanitarian Reset working.” He added, “Conflict across the region in March put immense pressure on Syria. As of April 19th, nearly 300,000 people had crossed into Syria from Lebanon – overwhelmingly Syrian nationals – adding to the estimated 1.6 million Syrian refugees who have returned to Syria from across the region since the end of 2024. Returnees need food, shelter and other support. While the ceasefire between Iran and the United States and Israel holds, tensions in the region remain high. The risk of ongoing disruptions to critical supply routes persists, threatening to destabilize the fragile internal momentum and potentially setting back return and recovery efforts by years.” He highlighted, “Needs are still high. Over 13 million in need of food. 12 million in need of clean water. Nearly 13 million in need of healthcare support. In the Northeast, 100,000 displaced across Al-Hasakah and Aleppo Governorates. Services are gradually stabilizing there as updated security arrangements are put in place, but gaps remain.”


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Houston Police Officer Ashley Gonzalez placed on leave for using a slur to describe Black people

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Secretary-General Candidates: Rafael Mariano Grossi - Media Stakeout | United Nations

Comments to the media by Rafael Mariano Grossi, Candidate for the position of UN Secretary-General, following his interactive dialogue.


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House Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick resign before the House Ethics Committee hearing on sanctions

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Michelle Bachelet Jeria - Dialogue for the next UN Chief position | United Nations

Interactive dialogue with Ms. Michelle Bachelet Jeria. Ms. Bachelet was nominated on 2 February 2026 by Chile, Brazil, and Mexico. The process for the selection and appointment of the next Secretary-General has been formally initiated by the President of the General Assembly and the President of the Security Council through a joint letter dated 25 November 2025. The President of the General Assembly, H.E. Ms. Annalena Baerbock, has committed to guiding this process in a transparent and inclusive manner. General Assembly resolution 79/327 on the Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly sets out the process for the selection and appointment in line with Article 97 of the Charter of the United Nations. Article 97: "The Secretariat shall comprise a Secretary-General and such staff as the Organization may require. The Secretary-General shall be appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council. He shall be the chief administrative officer of the Organization."


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Ukraine: Attacks continued to intensify - Briefing | United Nations

Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari told the Security Council that “five years in, the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine continues to test international law, drive deepening divisions, and undermine the broader rules-based multilateral order.” Khiari said Russian attacks “continued to intensify,” during the reporting period “with mounting civilian casualties and devastation across Ukraine.” He noted that on 9th of April, “following Ukraine's earlier proposal of an Easter ceasefire, the Russian Federation announced a 32-hour Easter truce from 11 to 12 April,” adding that Ukraine “responded that it would reciprocate.” However, Khiari said, “this temporary pause in fighting that could have allowed a peaceful celebration of Orthodox Easter was not respected.” On the night from 15 to 16 April, he continued, “the Russian Federation lunched its deadliest attack so far this year, targeting Odessa, Dnipropetrovsk, Kyiv, Sumy and Kharkiv regions.” In the city of Odessa and Dnipro, the official said, “residential buildings were hit, reportedly killing at least nine and five people, respectively. In total, across the country, at least 20 people, including at least one child, were reportedly killed and dozens more injured by this attack.” Beyond the immediate conflict zone, Khiari said, “the war has heightened regional tensions and insecurity, with drones reportedly sighted this month in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Finland.” He said, “we must remain steadfast in our commitment to ending this war, guided by the principle and obligations set out in the United Nations Charter.”


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25th UN Forum on Indigenous Issues Opens

The 25th UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) has opened in New York, running from April 20 to May 1, 2026, with a focus on 'Ensuring Indigenous Peoples' health, including in the context of conflict'. Reappointed Chair Aluki Kotierk emphasized that environmental degradation and exclusion from decision-making profoundly impact Indigenous well-being. Addressing the opening, Secretary-General António Guterres underscored that this two-week session is essential for upholding rights and protecting Indigenous communities.


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Young People as Drivers of Gender Equality - SDG Media Zone | United Nations

Achieving gender equality is foundational to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, and underscore that youth are not just future leaders, but current architects of a more inclusive global society. As the world faces pushback on women’s rights, this session will highlight how young advocates and activists are using digital innovation and grassroots organizing to dismantle gender-based violence and economic inequality. Moderator Aishworya Shrestha, Young Leader for SDGs, UN Youth Office SPEAKERS Hanna Mulugeta Melaku, Youth Reference Group Yasmine Aburaya, Founder of Your Voice Initiative and Youth Leader in Gender Equality and Civic Engagement


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S13 E08: Iran, The Pope & Prediction Markets: 4/19/26: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

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This episode features: S13 E08: Iran, The Pope & Prediction Markets: 4/19/26: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

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