un

Russia systematically tortures Ukraine POWs, UN commission says

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Russia systematically tortures Ukraine POWs, UN commission says

A United Nations commission of inquiry on Ukraine reported that Russia has systematically tortured Ukrainian prisoners of war, including threats of rape and electric shocks on genitals. The commission described these acts as “widespread and systematic,” potentially amounting to crimes against humanity. The report highlighted severe and brutal treatment of detainees, leading to significant pain and suffering. Despite Russia’s denial of such actions, the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, which received the report, will consider extending the commission’s mandate. The commission also noted instances of ill-treatment by Ukrainian forces, which Kyiv has pledged to investigate. Additionally, the report detailed extreme conditions in Russian detention centers, including prisoners resorting to eating soap, worms, and leftover dog food. One Ukrainian soldier experienced severe beatings, leading to significant health issues and multiple hospitalizations. The commission’s chair, Erik Møse, emphasized the need for further investigation to establish these acts as part of Russian policy, while Germany’s ambassador called for accountability. Ukraine’s ambassador urged for the extension of the commission’s mandate to gather more evidence for potential use in legal proceedings.

Demetriou advocates for resuming Cyprus issue negotiations

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Demetriou advocates for resuming Cyprus issue negotiations

Disy leader Annita Demetriou met with the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy, Maria Angela Holguin, to discuss the Cyprus issue. Demetriou conveyed that the only viable solution is to resume negotiations from where they stopped in Crans-Montana, emphasizing a solution under the UN’s auspices based on a bizonal, bi-communal federation with political equality. She highlighted the danger of maintaining the status quo and rejected a two-state solution, advocating for negotiations based on the Guterres plan and previous convergences. Demetriou also shared Disy’s initiatives to foster conditions conducive to resolving the Cyprus issue and stressed the urgency of addressing the conflict, given the ongoing occupation for over 50 years.

Keve reiterates support for intercommunal trade in meeting with UN envoy

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Keve reiterates support for intercommunal trade in meeting with UN envoy

Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Keve) president Stavros Stavrou and members of the chamber’s executive committee met with UN Secretary-General’s envoy to Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar, at the Keve headquarters in Nicosia. They discussed the regulation of green line trade, challenges, prospects for further trade development between the two communities, and how this could help resolve the Cyprus problem. Stavrou emphasized the chamber’s role as the state’s advisor on economic matters and its support for equal commercial and economic cooperation between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities. He stated that such cooperation aids in efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem, aligning with UN Security Council resolutions and decisions. Stavrou also assured Cuellar of the chamber’s readiness to support government and UN efforts to resume negotiations.

Holguin to meet Disy leader

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Holguin to meet Disy leader

UN Secretary General’s personal envoy Maria Holguin is on her second visit to Cyprus, where she will continue her meetings. She is scheduled to meet with the head and members of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Nicosia and with Disy party leader Annita Demetriou. President Nikos Christodoulides mentioned a forthcoming meeting with Holguin and expressed willingness to meet Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar in Holguin’s presence. Holguin was appointed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in January to explore restarting Cyprus talks and has met with the leaders of both communities and the guarantor powers.

UN Envoy continues assessment over potential new negotiations

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UN Envoy continues assessment over potential new negotiations

Maria Angela Holguín Cuéllar, the personal envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General, is in Cyprus to gather assessments on the failure of the talks in Crans Montana and to understand the positions of various political forces regarding the future of negotiations in Cyprus. During her meetings with leaders from both sides of the divide and party leaders, Holguín has emphasized not rushing into negotiations without sufficient momentum and has sought to understand each side’s desires and perceived responsibilities of the other side. She has indicated a preference for focusing on the present rather than past failures. Various political leaders have expressed their views to Holguín, ranging from skepticism about the potential for confidence-building measures to contribute positively, to differing perspectives on the future of negotiations and the possibility of a federation. The National Unity Party in the occupied territories has stated that the chapter of federation is closed, while the Republican Turkish Party supports efforts to create common ground for resuming official negotiations and seeks a comprehensive solution based on political equality.

Putin warns the West: Russia is ready for nuclear war

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Putin warns the West: Russia is ready for nuclear war

President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia is technically prepared for nuclear war but sees no immediate need for nuclear weapons in Ukraine. He warned that U.S. troop deployment in Ukraine would be seen as a significant escalation. Putin expressed confidence in Russia’s military readiness for a nuclear confrontation but highlighted the lack of necessity for such measures in the current context. He also mentioned that Russia has annexed four regions of Ukraine, considering them fully part of Russia. The Biden administration has no plans to send troops to Ukraine but aims to support Ukrainian forces with a security aid bill. Putin’s nuclear rhetoric was described by a Ukrainian official as propaganda and intimidation, while the UN nuclear watchdog’s chief downplayed the likelihood of nuclear war. Putin reiterated that the use of nuclear weapons is outlined in Russia’s nuclear doctrine, which includes conditions such as a response to an attack with weapons of mass destruction or a conventional attack threatening Russia’s existence. Additionally, Putin offered talks on Ukraine and emphasized the need for written security guarantees in any settlement.

President to meet Holguin again on Saturday

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President to meet Holguin again on Saturday

President Nikos Christodoulides will meet the UN Secretary General’s personal envoy for Cyprus, Maria Holguin, on Saturday. This meeting is a part of the second round of contacts aimed at finding common ground to restart negotiations on the Cyprus problem. Both sides have shown willingness to explore solutions, which is seen as a positive sign. During her visit, Holguin met with party leaders Nicholas Papadopoulos of Diko and Stefanos Stefanou of Akel. Papadopoulos emphasized that the solution to the Cyprus issue must be based on UN resolutions, high-level agreements, and a bizonal bicommunal federation. He expressed concerns about the Turkish side’s reluctance to restart negotiations, fearing a push towards a two-state solution or recognition of the pseudo state. Stefanou highlighted the need to adhere to the agreed basis for a solution and the importance of resuming negotiations from where they were suspended in 2017. He also mentioned the need for a positive agenda towards Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots, including incentives related to energy issues.

Oldest Greek Cypriot diaspora group sends resolution to UK PM

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Oldest Greek Cypriot diaspora group sends resolution to UK PM

The Greek Cypriot Brotherhood, during its annual general meeting, approved a resolution addressed to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak concerning the Cyprus issue. The resolution commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus, describing it as a failure of international diplomacy and a violation of international law and human rights. It calls on the UK government to remain committed to its obligations to Cyprus as per international and European law, especially in light of a new impetus from the appointment of a personal envoy of the UNSG for Cyprus. The resolution emphasizes the UK’s special role regarding Cyprus, urges the UK to send a message to Turkey similar to its response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and calls for the reversal of divisive actions, implementation of UN resolutions, and support for UN efforts to resume negotiations for a solution that would enable the peaceful coexistence of religions. The resolution is signed by the Greek Cypriot Brotherhood President Aris Charalambides and Secretary Andreas Karaolis.

Haitian PM tenders resignation after Jamaica talks

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Haitian PM tenders resignation after Jamaica talks

Ariel Henry, Haiti’s unelected prime minister since the 2021 assassination of the last president, announced he will step down after a transition council and a temporary replacement are appointed. Under his administration, armed gangs expanded their wealth, influence, and territory, leading Henry to seek support from Kenya for a UN-backed security mission. His trip coincided with an escalation in conflict, leaving him stranded in Puerto Rico. Henry’s resignation was decided on Friday, and he will be replaced by a presidential council consisting of two observers and seven voting members from various sectors. Haiti has been without elected representatives since early 2023, and the next elections will be the first since 2016. The U.S. has pledged an additional 0 million to the international force to help fight gangs in Haiti, bringing its total pledge to 0 million. Gang violence has led to a humanitarian crisis, with over 362,000 people internally displaced and thousands killed since 2021. Gang leader Jimmy “Barbeque” Cherizier has called for a “bloody revolution” and criticized the current system as an apartheid system.

Daily News Briefing

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Daily News Briefing

In a meeting with President Nikos Christodoulides, the UN secretary-general’s personal envoy Maria Holguin mentioned that “a lot of ideas” were discussed. Additionally, an ecclesiastical court is set to convene within the week concerning two monks implicated in an alleged sex and cash scandal. Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos is scheduled to travel to Lebanon on Tuesday to meet with his counterpart Abdallah Bou Habib.