x

Politics

Leaders at UN to Face Global Concern Over Regional Conflicts

September 25, 2021

In today's world, few conflicts stay local.

There's India's fight over the Kashmir region with bitter rival Pakistan, Haiti's inner turmoil spilling into a migrant crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border and questions about the Ethiopian government's role in reported starvation deaths in the Tigray region.

All will come into full view Saturday when leaders from those regions address the U.N. General Assembly.

India Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who spent part of the week meeting with U.S. officials to strengthen ties in the Indo-Pacific, is expected to push back against Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's scathing — albeit predictable — rhetoric that landed hours earlier.

Khan on Friday once again labeled Modi's Hindu nationalist government "fascist" and railed against India's crackdown on Kashmir, the disputed region divided between each country but claimed by both.

Modi, like Khan, is also expected to weigh in on the Afghanistan crisis. The Indian government has raised concerns that the chaos left in the wake of the U.S.'s military withdrawal from Afghanistan will benefit Pakistan and feed the long-simmering insurgency in Kashmir, where militants already have a foothold.

Haiti Prime Minister Ariel Henry is scheduled to give a pre-recorded speech Saturday on behalf of the country that's been roiled by turmoil following the assassination of its president and a recent major earthquake.

The address comes days after Henry fired his chief prosecutor, who had asked a judge to charge Henry in the slaying of Haiti President Jovenel Moise and to bar the prime minister from leaving the country.

The troubles have moved beyond Haiti's borders, with thousands of migrants fleeing to the U.S. This week, the Biden administration's special envoy to Haiti, Daniel Foote, resigned in protest  of "inhumane" large-scale U.S. expulsions of Haitian migrants. Foote was appointed to the position only in July, following the assassination.

Ethiopia will also address the largest gathering of world leaders on Saturday and face the pressure of global concern for its Tigray region.

The U.N. has warned of famine in the embattled corner of northern Ethiopia, calling it the world's worst hunger crisis in a decade. Starvation deaths have been reported since the government in June imposed what the U.N. calls "a de facto humanitarian aid blockade."

Russia and the Holy See are also slated to speak Saturday. 

The Catholic Church's government is one of only two permanent non-member observer states to be included in the United Nations.

RELATED

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans’ majority could tighten by another vote after Tuesday’s special congressional election in Buffalo — at least, temporarily.

Top Stories

Columnists

A pregnant woman was driving in the HOV lane near Dallas.

General News

NEW YORK – Meropi Kyriacou, the new Principal of The Cathedral School in Manhattan, was honored as The National Herald’s Educator of the Year.

Video

Over 100 Pilot Whales Beached on Western Australian Coast Have Been Rescued, Officials Say

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — More than 100 long-finned pilot whales that beached on the western Australian coast Thursday have returned to sea, while 29 died on the shore, officials said.

On Monday, April 22, 2024, history was being written in a Manhattan courtroom.

PARIS - With heavy security set for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games during a time of terrorism, France has asked to use a Greek air defense system as well although talks are said to have been going on for months.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A tiny Philip Morris product called Zyn has been making big headlines, sparking debate about whether new nicotine-based alternatives intended for adults may be catching on with underage teens and adolescents.

Enter your email address to subscribe

Provide your email address to subscribe. For e.g. [email protected]

You may unsubscribe at any time using the link in our newsletter.