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Added on the 03/01/2017 23:11:35 - Copyright : AFP EN
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calls a flood that killed thousands in Derna, Libya a symbol of the world's ills as he openS the annual General Assembly. "Even as we speak now, bodies are washing ashore from the same Mediterranean Sea where billionaires sunbathe on their super yachts," Guterres says, adding, "Derna is a sad snapshot of the state of our world -- the flood of inequity, of injustice, of inability to confront the challenges in our midst." SOUNDBITE
"This is no longer a regional issue," says International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Kristalina Georgieva of the new coronavirus epidemic, "it is a global problem, calling for a global response." Georgieva was addressing a news conference after the 189 members of the International Monetary Fund pledged to bring all available resources to bear to help countries combat the impact of the coronavirus. SOUNDBITE
The UN Secretary-General calls for "complete transparency" in Venezuela following the announced re-election of President Nicolas Maduro, contested by the opposition, says his spokesman. "We have taken note of the announcement made by the electoral authorities, as well as concerns expressed by political actors and members of the international community, the Secretary-General calls for complete transparency," Stephane Dujarric tells reporters during a briefing. SOUNDBITE
The current President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, addresses the European Parliament. The MEPs then vote on whether or not to grant her a second term. SOUNDBITE
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's spokesman calls for all sides to "refrain from acts that could escalate tensions in the region" amid China's military drills around Taiwan. "On China, I can tell you that we're of course following the developments in the Taiwan Straits closely. We urge the relevant parties to refrain from acts that could escalate tensions in the region," Stephane Dujarric tells a press conference at the UN headquarters in New York. SOUNDBITE
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calls for an immediate halt to hostilities between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, the return of hostages and an increase in aid to the beseiged Palestinian territory, in a video address to an international donors' conference in Kuwait. SOUNDBITE