Climate crisis and Ukraine main topics of UN General Assembly
The 77th annual UN General Assembly was in full swing in New York City on Tuesday, with a focus on the war in Ukraine as well as global economic and environmental problems. The assembly marks the first full meeting of members since pandemic restrictions were lifted; 157 people are expected to speak between Tuesday and Sunday representing various countries, reports The New York Times.
Secretary General António Guterres made opening comments strongly emphasizing the need for urgent climate action. "The climate crisis is the defining issue of our time. It must be the first priority of every government and multilateral organization," he said. Guterres also condemned Russia for its actions against Ukraine, saying the war has "unleashed widespread destruction with massive violations of human rights and international humanitarian law."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The first world leader to speak was Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who pushed for peace talks rather than sanctions against Russia to stop the violence against Ukraine, CNN reports. Brazil has held a neutral position over the Ukraine war and opposed Russia being removed from the G20. Bolsonaro also highlighted Brazil's accomplishments in an apparent attempt to win domestic favor as he trails his opponent in polls for the upcoming Brazilian presidential election.
President Biden is scheduled to address the body on Wednesday. Read more about what to watch for this week at Axios.
-
Political cartoons for February 21Cartoons Saturday’s political cartoons include consequences, secrets, and more
-
Crisis in Cuba: a ‘golden opportunity’ for Washington?Talking Point The Trump administration is applying the pressure, and with Latin America swinging to the right, Havana is becoming more ‘politically isolated’
-
5 thoroughly redacted cartoons about Pam Bondi protecting predatorsCartoons Artists take on the real victim, types of protection, and more
-
Britain’s ex-Prince Andrew arrested over Epstein tiesSpeed Read The younger brother of King Charles III has not yet been charged
-
Ex-South Korean leader gets life sentence for insurrectionSpeed Read South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to life in prison over his declaration of martial law in 2024
-
Putin’s shadow warFeature The Kremlin is waging a campaign of sabotage and subversion against Ukraine’s allies in the West
-
Rubio boosts Orbán ahead of Hungary electionSpeed Read Far-right nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is facing a tough re-election fight after many years in power
-
Key Bangladesh election returns old guard to powerSpeed Read The Bangladesh Nationalist Party claimed a decisive victory
-
Epstein files topple law CEO, roil UK governmentSpeed Read Peter Mandelson, Britain’s former ambassador to the US, is caught up in the scandal
-
Iran and US prepare to meet after skirmishesSpeed Read The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East
-
EU and India clinch trade pact amid US tariff warSpeed Read The agreement will slash tariffs on most goods over the next decade
