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United Nations, Mar 18 (AP) Russia's U.N. ambassador says he is not asking for a vote Friday on its resolution on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, which has been sharply criticized by Western countries for making no mention of Russia's responsibility for the war against its smaller neighbor.

Vassily Nebenzia told the U.N. Security Council Thursday that Russia decided at this stage not to seek a vote because of pressure from the United States and Albania on U.N. members to oppose it, but he stressed that Moscow is not withdrawing the resolution.

NEW YORK (AP) — Facing stiff resistance in Ukraine and crippling economic sanctions at home, Russian President Vladimir Putin is using language that recalls the rhetoric from Josef Stalin’s show trials of the 1930s.

Putin’s ominous speech on Wednesday likened opponents to “gnats” who try to weaken the country at the behest of the West — crude remarks that set the stage for sweeping repressions against those who dare to speak out against the war in Ukraine.

NEW YORK, Mar 17 (APP): Despite women being disproportionately affected by climate change, they play a crucial role in climate change adaptation and mitigation, distinguished speakers told an event organized by the Pakistan Mission to the UN on the sidelines of the 66th Session of Commission on Status of Women (CSW).

UNITED NATIONS, March 16 (Xinhua) -- UN Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo warned on Wednesday that the current political polarization in Libya may lead to instability.

"Libya is now facing a new phase of political polarization. It risks dividing its institutions once again and reversing the gains achieved over the past two years," she said. "We know from experience what unilateral actions, divided government, and an unending transition may hold in store for Libya."

17 March 2022; MEMO: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres yesterday expressed his concerns over a controversial Israeli law preventing the reunification of Palestinian families.

"The secretary-general has been following this long-standing issue and has taken note of the vote of the Knesset to pass a temporary order applying the law for 12 months, said Farhan Haq," Guterres' deputy spokesman, Farhan Haq, said.

United Nations, Mar 17 (AP) The UN Security Council will meet Thursday at the request of six Western nations that sought an open session on Ukraine ahead of an expected vote on a Russian humanitarian resolution that they have sharply criticized for making no mention of Moscow's war against its smaller neighbour

Russia is committing war crimes and targeting civilians. Russia's illegal war on Ukraine is a threat to us all, tweeted the U.N. mission of the United Kingdom, one of the six countries that requested the meeting.

UNITED NATIONS, Mar 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) – UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, is deeply concerned about Sunday’s missile attack in Erbil, Iraq, said Farhan Haq, his deputy spokesman, yesterday.

The attack came at a critical moment for Iraq’s path to peace and stability. The secretary-general renewed his call on all concerned sides, to exercise restraint and avoid escalation, said the spokesman.

UNITED NATIONS, March 15 (Xinhua) -- UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths on Tuesday warned against inertia and fatigue on the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen.

After more than seven years of war, Yemen is becoming what humanitarians often refer to as a "chronic emergency," he told the Security Council in a briefing. "And, as aid workers know, there are grave risks in chronic emergencies, namely inertia and fatigue. We have to avoid giving in to those forces."

NEW YORK, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Almost three-quarters of Americans said they're unhappy with U.S. President Joe Biden's handling of inflation, which is now widely considered the country's top priority for voters, reported Newsweek on Monday, citing an ABC News/Ipsos poll.

A record high of 70 percent of the general public said they disapprove of Biden's response to inflation, said the report, noting that the figure is slightly higher than the 69 percent disapproval Biden received for his handling of inflation in previous ABC/Ipsos polls from the end of January and mid-December.

16 March 2022; MEMO: The UN General Assembly adopted, by consensus on Tuesday, a resolution declaring 15 March as International Day to Combat Islamophobia, Anadolu News Agency reports.

The Resolution was introduced by Pakistan on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. It marks the day when a gunman entered two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, killing 51 victims, and injuring 40 others.