WEBVTT 1 00:00:04.200 --> 00:00:19.559 Thank you for listening to Pictures Media Radio. Welcome to Policy and Rights, 2 00:00:21.160 --> 00:01:03.079 the show about the government, Policy and human rights. Welcome back to Policy 3 00:01:03.079 --> 00:01:07.640 and Rates here in Depictions Media Radio. Turkey has suspended all trade to Israel, 4 00:01:08.719 --> 00:01:19.920 citing worsening tragedies in Gaza, especially after the deadly Hamas attack on October 5 00:01:19.959 --> 00:01:30.439 seventh, dubbing the Israeli Prime Minister the butcher of Gaza. The Prime minister 6 00:01:30.560 --> 00:01:38.200 has rejected any criticism from Turkey, accusing Turkey of supporting the mass murderers of 7 00:01:38.280 --> 00:01:46.000 Hamas. Turkey said the trade restrictions, which expand a measure of approval last 8 00:01:46.799 --> 00:01:53.159 month affecting fifty four products exported to Israel, would last till until Tel Aviv 9 00:01:53.319 --> 00:02:04.000 allows uninterrupted, sufficient and sufficient flow of mianitarian aid to Gaza. Israeli's Foreign 10 00:02:04.079 --> 00:02:14.240 minister is now looking to find alternatives for trade with Turkey. Worth and this 11 00:02:14.319 --> 00:02:27.360 is in pounds five point six billion pounds last year, so it's quite a 12 00:02:27.520 --> 00:02:39.080 bit of trade and expense to to both countries to find trade partners that they 13 00:02:39.159 --> 00:02:51.520 can keep that sort of pace up. Okay, and we're moving to me 14 00:02:51.639 --> 00:03:00.639 or Mar. Miramar military regime regime is eager to find new army recruits to 15 00:03:00.680 --> 00:03:13.319 fight rebel groups across the country in the In the latest move to bulk up 16 00:03:13.360 --> 00:03:24.039 its forces, the government is no longer allowing conscription age men to travel out 17 00:03:24.159 --> 00:03:44.280 of the country for work. Moving to the latest in CNN reports, President 18 00:03:44.400 --> 00:03:53.439 Joe Biden made his first extensive remarks on the wave of unrest at colleges Thursday, 19 00:03:53.000 --> 00:04:00.319 drawing a line between what he called peaceful and violent protests, while while 20 00:04:00.680 --> 00:04:08.520 reiterating his support for Israel and dismissing the calls for the National Guard to intervene. 21 00:04:08.840 --> 00:04:14.479 He emphasized that both groups have a right to free speech, but also 22 00:04:14.599 --> 00:04:26.399 said the US was a civil society where order must prevail. When asked if 23 00:04:26.439 --> 00:04:33.920 the protests have forced him to reconsider American policies towards the US, mister Biden 24 00:04:34.040 --> 00:04:45.079 said no. Nationwide, more than two thousand people have been arrested on college 25 00:04:45.120 --> 00:04:58.600 and university campus since April eighteen. Protests in solidarity with Palestinians under Israeli siege 26 00:04:59.000 --> 00:05:04.160 in have also spread to campuses in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. 27 00:05:05.959 --> 00:05:13.160 Moving forward to the Trump trial, Keith Davison, a key witness who negotiated 28 00:05:13.279 --> 00:05:26.600 with Stormy Daniels and Karen mcdonagal hush money agreements, was on the stand Thursday 29 00:05:27.079 --> 00:05:33.519 in the former Donald President's Donald Trump hush money trial. The defense tried to 30 00:05:33.639 --> 00:05:46.560 poke holes in Davison's character by questioning his involvement in other celebrity cases. Davison 31 00:05:46.639 --> 00:05:58.279 admitted he told former Trump attorney Michael Cohen that Trump lost the election in twenty 32 00:05:58.319 --> 00:06:10.439 sixteen, Daniels would lose her leverage against him. The witness was digital was 33 00:06:10.519 --> 00:06:20.160 digital evidence analysts Doug Das, who testified that Cohen had nearly forty thousand contacts 34 00:06:20.720 --> 00:06:33.839 on one cell phone, calling it unusual, dos could potentially share other things 35 00:06:33.240 --> 00:06:47.439 he found on Cohen's phone when testimony resumes, so a beef recall in the 36 00:06:47.560 --> 00:07:03.240 United States, possible E Coli recalled from the USDA by cargo meat solutions could 37 00:07:03.319 --> 00:07:12.759 be effected, according to a report in Dubai Ooh. Another round of heavy 38 00:07:12.839 --> 00:07:21.800 rains returned to the United Arab Immirates on Thursday, forcing widespread business closures and 39 00:07:23.120 --> 00:07:31.800 flight cancellations. The storm comes just two weeks after record setting rainfall triggered by 40 00:07:31.839 --> 00:07:41.680 damaging floods and severe per several parts of the country, which killed at least 41 00:07:41.759 --> 00:07:50.480 four people in the UAE and brought the bustling region to a halt. The 42 00:07:50.519 --> 00:08:03.079 floods also killed at least nineteen others in Amman, including ten children whose school 43 00:08:03.240 --> 00:08:11.079 bus was swept away by the deluge. The rainfall fall has a heavy not 44 00:08:11.240 --> 00:08:20.279 as heavy as the event two weeks ago, but Dubai experience nearly an inch 45 00:08:20.319 --> 00:08:28.480 of rain in twelve hours, which is more than twice the usual receipt of 46 00:08:31.560 --> 00:08:43.120 rain over the months of April and May combined. Authorities are have ordered remote 47 00:08:46.639 --> 00:08:58.399 working in study they will affect the areas affected and going to the space race, 48 00:08:58.519 --> 00:09:07.480 China has launched an uncrude lunar mission today and aims to bring back samples 49 00:09:07.960 --> 00:09:15.039 from the far side of the Moon for the first time, in a potentially 50 00:09:15.240 --> 00:09:22.120 major step towards the country's ambitious space program. And we'll have to see how 51 00:09:22.159 --> 00:09:33.159 that actually pans out for China. So we have recording from the UN press 52 00:09:33.159 --> 00:09:37.919 floor. They are going to be talking about, of course Gaza again and 53 00:09:39.120 --> 00:09:50.399 amongst other things, the wolf is going through a nut. They will be 54 00:09:50.360 --> 00:10:00.879 also talking highlights of East Africa again, talking about humanitarian efforts because of all 55 00:10:00.919 --> 00:10:07.919 the rain there will also be talking about things happening in South Africa, Madagascars, 56 00:10:07.960 --> 00:10:18.799 Sudan and as well as Syria, Ukraine, Cyprus and World Tuna Day. 57 00:10:18.120 --> 00:10:22.679 So we also have a statement because May third, which I am actually 58 00:10:22.759 --> 00:10:31.840 recording, this is World Press Freedom Day and that statement will be coming from 59 00:10:31.879 --> 00:10:39.080 mister Gerrius himself as he talks about freedom of the press and how it is 60 00:10:39.159 --> 00:10:54.000 important for the press to remain free so that information can be shared. The 61 00:10:54.080 --> 00:11:01.600 world is going through an unprecedented environmental emergency which poses an existential threat to these 62 00:11:01.639 --> 00:11:07.000 and future generations. People need to know about these and journalists and media workers 63 00:11:07.360 --> 00:11:13.279 have a role in informing and educating them. Local, national, and global 64 00:11:13.320 --> 00:11:20.399 media outlets can I hide stories about the climate crisis, biodiversity laws and environmental 65 00:11:20.440 --> 00:11:26.519 injustice so their work people come to understand the plight of our planet and are 66 00:11:26.559 --> 00:11:33.759 mobilized and empowered to take action for change. Media workers also document environmental degradation 67 00:11:33.480 --> 00:11:39.279 and they provide evidence of environmental vandalism that helps to hold those responsible to account. 68 00:11:41.559 --> 00:11:46.360 It is no surprise that some powerful people, companies, and institutions will 69 00:11:46.399 --> 00:11:52.080 stop at nothing to prevent environmental journalists from doing their jobs. Media freedom is 70 00:11:52.360 --> 00:12:01.399 er siege and environmental journalism is an increasingly dangerous profession. Journalists covering illegal mining, 71 00:12:01.639 --> 00:12:07.840 logging, poaching, and other environmental issues have been killed in recent decades. 72 00:12:07.639 --> 00:12:11.639 In the vast majority of cases, no one has been held to account. 73 00:12:11.799 --> 00:12:16.679 UNESCU reports that in the past fifteen years there have been some seven hundred 74 00:12:16.679 --> 00:12:24.000 and fifty attacks on journalists and news outlets reporting on environmental issues, and the 75 00:12:24.039 --> 00:12:30.639 frequency of such attacks is rising. Legal processes are also misused to censor, 76 00:12:31.000 --> 00:12:35.919 silence, detain and the ras environmental reporters, while a new era of climat 77 00:12:37.039 --> 00:12:43.679 is information focuses on under mining proven solutions, including renewable energy. But environmental 78 00:12:43.759 --> 00:12:48.759 journalists are not the only ones at risk. Around the world, many workers 79 00:12:48.799 --> 00:12:54.000 are risking their lives trying to bring us news on everything from war to democracy. 80 00:12:54.919 --> 00:12:58.360 I am shocked and appalled by the high number of journalists killed in Israeli 81 00:12:58.360 --> 00:13:05.519 military opening in Gaza. The United Nations recognizes the invariable work of journalists and 82 00:13:05.639 --> 00:13:11.919 media professionals to ensure that the public is informed and engaged. Without facts, 83 00:13:11.240 --> 00:13:16.519 we cannot fight means and this information. Without accountability, we will not have 84 00:13:16.600 --> 00:13:22.879 strong policies in place. Without press freedom, we won't have any freedom. 85 00:13:22.799 --> 00:13:26.960 A free press is not a choice, but a necessity. Our World Press 86 00:13:28.000 --> 00:13:33.240 Freedom Day is very important, and so I call on governments, the private 87 00:13:33.320 --> 00:13:39.600 sector and civil society to join us in reaffirming our commitment to safeguarding press freedom 88 00:13:39.799 --> 00:13:56.320 and the rights of journalists and media professionals around the world. Okay, Bank 89 00:13:56.399 --> 00:14:01.240 to our regular programming. These Secretary General, as we've told you a number 90 00:14:01.279 --> 00:14:07.000 of times, is in Chile to attend the meeting of the Chief Executive Board 91 00:14:07.039 --> 00:14:11.320 for Coordination of the United Nation. This afternoon, he will have a bilateral 92 00:14:11.360 --> 00:14:16.240 meeting with the President of Chili, Gabrielle Borich, and that will be followed 93 00:14:16.240 --> 00:14:22.120 by a joint press encounter that'll be around six forty five pm here in New 94 00:14:22.200 --> 00:14:26.879 York. For those of you who are interested, it'll be should be up 95 00:14:26.919 --> 00:14:31.879 on our UN web TV platform. Last night you saw we issued a statement 96 00:14:33.519 --> 00:14:37.440 in which the Secretary General expressed his deep distress at the news of the hundreds 97 00:14:37.480 --> 00:14:43.600 of lives lost and many others affected by the heavy flooding in Burundi and Kenya, 98 00:14:43.679 --> 00:14:48.200 Somalia, in Tanzania as well as other parts of East Africa. The 99 00:14:48.279 --> 00:14:54.159 United Nations and its partners are working closely with national authorities to address the humanitarian 100 00:14:54.200 --> 00:15:00.320 requirements. The Secretary General stresses that the United Nations stands ready to offer any 101 00:15:00.440 --> 00:15:05.159 additional assistance that may be needed during this very difficult period. The Secretary General 102 00:15:05.240 --> 00:15:11.039 is extremely concerned about the impacts of El Nino triggered extreme weather, which risks 103 00:15:11.120 --> 00:15:20.120 further devastating communities and undermining livelihoods. In that regard, the Martin Griffiths, 104 00:15:20.159 --> 00:15:26.279 our Emergency Relief Coordinator, has released thirteen point five million dollars from the Central 105 00:15:26.279 --> 00:15:33.159 Emergency Response Fund to shore up a support to address El Nino induced disasters in 106 00:15:33.440 --> 00:15:37.879 Southern Africa. The funds will go towards providing food, cash support for irrigation 107 00:15:39.000 --> 00:15:43.639 systems, drought resistance, seeds for farmers for planting, among other assistants. 108 00:15:45.039 --> 00:15:50.639 This latest allocation brings the total amount earmark to confront Del Nino crisis globally to 109 00:15:50.759 --> 00:15:56.000 more than sixty million dollars and staying in the region and turning to Madagascar, 110 00:15:56.080 --> 00:16:00.399 we have a humanitarian update for you on the response following the past sege of 111 00:16:00.399 --> 00:16:04.600 tropical cyclone Goman in late March. The storm impacted more than five hundred and 112 00:16:04.639 --> 00:16:10.360 thirty thousand men, women and children. Hundreds of houses in schools and health 113 00:16:10.360 --> 00:16:15.519 centers were flooded and damaged. We continue to support the Government of Madagascar led 114 00:16:15.679 --> 00:16:21.159 response, focusing on the health response due to the risk of epidemics Following the 115 00:16:21.200 --> 00:16:26.600 storm. Humanitarian organizations have provided medicine, mosquito nets, water purification products. 116 00:16:27.200 --> 00:16:33.360 They're also providing training on water treatment. The education sector is also a priority 117 00:16:33.720 --> 00:16:38.480 as it is the last semester of school. Humanitarian aid organizations have distributed tents 118 00:16:40.360 --> 00:16:45.360 for temporary classrooms for students. Our colleagues from Mocha say that access to some 119 00:16:45.519 --> 00:16:51.000 areas remains challenging as the national road connecting the northeast, one of the most 120 00:16:51.159 --> 00:16:56.240 affected regions, is still cut off. Both humanitarian supplies and staff need to 121 00:16:56.279 --> 00:17:00.879 be transported by sea or air, which, as you can image, increases 122 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:06.160 the cost of the response. Humanitarian partners are calling for additional funds to support 123 00:17:06.200 --> 00:17:10.960 relief efforts. The flash Appeal for Madagascar, which will require ninety million dollars 124 00:17:10.960 --> 00:17:15.759 this year, is under thirteen percent funded, with only eleven point five million 125 00:17:15.799 --> 00:17:21.240 dollars in the bank. Moving to Sudan or Humanitarian colleagues say they are deeply 126 00:17:21.279 --> 00:17:26.720 concerned about the humanitarian crisis that is ongoing there. A group of ten emergency 127 00:17:26.759 --> 00:17:32.799 directors from UN agencies and non governmental organizations wrapped up a joint mission to Sudan 128 00:17:32.880 --> 00:17:38.039 today to sound the alarm over the absolutely devastating situation across the country, including 129 00:17:38.160 --> 00:17:45.559 catastrophic food insecurity levels and a growing risk of famine. Humanitarians urgently need to 130 00:17:45.599 --> 00:17:52.079 expand access across conflict, conflict lines and borders to reach people in need wherever 131 00:17:52.119 --> 00:17:56.960 they are. They also need more resources. Despite generous pleasures made in Paris 132 00:17:56.000 --> 00:18:02.519 about two weeks ago at the conference there, down humanitarian appeal remains only ten 133 00:18:02.599 --> 00:18:07.200 percent funded. Our colleagues are deeply disturbed by the situation for civilians in and 134 00:18:07.240 --> 00:18:14.079 around El Fasher, where Clasher's intentions have escalated. We're particularly alarmed about restrictions 135 00:18:14.119 --> 00:18:18.279 on civilian movements and reports that civilians are being attacked and robbed while attempting to 136 00:18:18.359 --> 00:18:23.920 flee south from the capital of North darfor state fighting in and around the city 137 00:18:23.960 --> 00:18:30.039 has already cut off humanitarian access to civilians who desperately need assistance. If the 138 00:18:30.119 --> 00:18:34.920 violence in Al Fasher escalates more than three hundred and sixty thousand people will be 139 00:18:34.960 --> 00:18:40.640 deprived of food assistants and livelihood support and more than one hundred thousand will lose 140 00:18:40.640 --> 00:18:45.599 out on shelter assistance. It could also have impact a negative impact on our 141 00:18:45.680 --> 00:18:49.599 humanitarian access to other states in the Darfur region. And just a flag that 142 00:18:49.680 --> 00:18:56.920 Tomorrow Friday, we will be joined virtually by Lenny Kinsley from Nairobi. She 143 00:18:56.079 --> 00:19:02.680 is the Food program spokesperson for Sudan and she will brief you in more detail 144 00:19:02.720 --> 00:19:07.039 on the situation in Darfur and Al Fasher. Turning to the situation in Gaza, 145 00:19:07.200 --> 00:19:12.839 or humanitarian colleagues continue to warn about the catastrophic impact that a potential ground 146 00:19:12.920 --> 00:19:18.319 invasion in Rafa could have, especially on the civilians and obviously on the aid 147 00:19:18.400 --> 00:19:23.640 operation that supports those civilians. Rafa is at the heart of our Gaza humanitarian 148 00:19:23.680 --> 00:19:30.079 operations. It is a transhipment point for life saving assistants that arrives in Gaza 149 00:19:30.519 --> 00:19:34.640 from Rafa. From the Rafa and the current shoal On crossings. It is 150 00:19:34.680 --> 00:19:40.440 where dozens of aid organizations store the life saving supplies they delivered to civilians who 151 00:19:40.480 --> 00:19:45.200 cross the Gaza Strip. Among other things, our colleagues from the UN Population 152 00:19:45.359 --> 00:19:51.039 Fund operate clinics for sexual and reproductive health at field hospitals in Rafa. UNICEF 153 00:19:51.160 --> 00:19:56.880 and partners are providing outpatient treatment for acutely malnourished children at more than fifty sites 154 00:19:56.119 --> 00:20:02.960 in Rafa. The Wolf Food Program and its partners distributing nutrition supplements to children 155 00:20:03.160 --> 00:20:07.240 under five and pregnant and breastfeeding women in Rafa. Three of Anhua's eight health 156 00:20:07.279 --> 00:20:14.400 centers in Gaza are in Rafa. They provide primary care, medication, vaccination, 157 00:20:14.559 --> 00:20:18.519 pre and post natal services, and wound dressings for injured patients. Most 158 00:20:18.559 --> 00:20:23.079 importantly, there are hundreds of thousands of civilians who fled to Rafa to escape 159 00:20:23.079 --> 00:20:27.440 bombardment, famine, disease. For them, a ground operation would be more 160 00:20:27.599 --> 00:20:34.920 mean, more suffering civilians must be protected and international humanitarian law must be respected 161 00:20:36.000 --> 00:20:41.000 by all. Moving to Syria, where we are told that extreme weather there 162 00:20:41.039 --> 00:20:47.319 has left thousands of people in the northwest of the country in urgent needs of 163 00:20:47.400 --> 00:20:52.319 tents and other shelter support. In Idab and northern Aleppo, nearly two five 164 00:20:52.400 --> 00:20:56.599 hundred people were heavily impacted by the rainfall, Some two hundred and fifty tents 165 00:20:56.599 --> 00:21:00.079 and more than one hundred and eighty shelters were damaged. Our colla at Ocha 166 00:21:00.559 --> 00:21:04.839 say that among those working to assess the damage and our partners on the ground 167 00:21:06.200 --> 00:21:11.720 are distributing tents, mattresses, blankets, insulators and other assistants. We along 168 00:21:11.759 --> 00:21:15.880 with our partners, have been providing to work have been working, excuse me, 169 00:21:15.920 --> 00:21:19.640 to move some eight hundred thousand men, women and children in Northwest Syria 170 00:21:19.720 --> 00:21:26.680 to safer and more durable shelters. That's while recurrent flooding. Amid recurrent flooding 171 00:21:26.720 --> 00:21:30.279 since the start of the year, however, the funding shortfalls are challenging efforts 172 00:21:30.319 --> 00:21:34.440 to provide support in the area. Just eight percent of the one point four 173 00:21:34.480 --> 00:21:40.519 billion dollars needed for the cross border humanitarian response in northwest Syria is in the 174 00:21:40.519 --> 00:21:45.039 bank and moving up to Europe and Ukraine. The Humanitarian Coordinator for the United 175 00:21:45.119 --> 00:21:49.279 Nations in Ukraine, Denise Brown, was in the Kharkiv region in the east 176 00:21:49.319 --> 00:21:55.279 of the country today where she condemned the recent wave of attacks on the region. 177 00:21:55.640 --> 00:21:59.440 Attacks have also continued for a third day in a row in Odessa, 178 00:21:59.599 --> 00:22:04.160 causing dozens of civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure. That's according to what 179 00:22:04.319 --> 00:22:10.160 local authorities are telling us. Our humanitarian partners have warned about the impact of 180 00:22:10.200 --> 00:22:15.799 the increase in attacks on education institutions and health facilities in recent months. In 181 00:22:15.839 --> 00:22:19.319 the first four months of this year alone, nearly ninety schools were damaged in 182 00:22:19.400 --> 00:22:23.680 attacks across the country. That's what our partners are telling us, and humanitarian 183 00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:33.160 organizations are mobilized and are mobilized and are providing emergency repair materials, psychological and 184 00:22:33.240 --> 00:22:38.240 legal assistance to those who need it. Almost lastly, the Secretary General's Personal 185 00:22:38.319 --> 00:22:44.400 ne Void for Cyprus, Marie Anela Holgun, will undertake her third visit to 186 00:22:44.440 --> 00:22:48.279 Cyprus and that will take place on the seventh to the fourteenth of May of 187 00:22:48.319 --> 00:22:51.839 this year. During the visit, she's expected to meet with the Greek and 188 00:22:51.920 --> 00:22:57.359 Sypriot, Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot leaders, as well as a broad 189 00:22:57.480 --> 00:23:03.039 range of additional interlocutors. Before the visit to Cyprus, she traveled to Brussels 190 00:23:03.039 --> 00:23:11.359 for meeting with European Union officials as well as to other relevant capitals. And 191 00:23:11.759 --> 00:23:18.720 today is World Tuna Day. Don't roll your eyes at me, Edie letter. 192 00:23:19.000 --> 00:23:22.240 The fish has some amazing qualities. It's rich, in Omega three. 193 00:23:22.240 --> 00:23:26.799 It contains minerals, proteins, and vitamin B twelve, among other advantages. 194 00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:32.559 However, it is threatened by the overwhelming demand. And I'm part of that 195 00:23:32.680 --> 00:23:37.359 overwhelming demand because I love tuna, but we need to fish sustainably. This 196 00:23:37.440 --> 00:23:45.039 day highlights the importance of the conservation of management of tuna. Edie the Big 197 00:23:45.079 --> 00:23:49.640 Tuna. Thank you. I have to say, I do like to yes 198 00:23:49.759 --> 00:24:00.279 exactly on on Sudan and what's happening around ol Fasher, Can you tell us 199 00:24:00.359 --> 00:24:08.440 what mister Lemamra is doing. Is he trying to get a lot of the 200 00:24:08.519 --> 00:24:18.759 key players too together with the two generals to actually try and bring it in 201 00:24:18.039 --> 00:24:25.839 to at least this offensive and the broader company. That's that's the aim. 202 00:24:26.359 --> 00:24:30.359 He has been talking to various parties and those who have influence over the parties 203 00:24:30.720 --> 00:24:36.839 and he will continue his activities in that regard. Can can we get a 204 00:24:36.920 --> 00:24:44.839 more granular update on on what's what's happening with it? With with that, 205 00:24:45.519 --> 00:24:52.160 thanks, I'll come back Joe than Beno. Yes. First, in honor 206 00:24:52.240 --> 00:24:56.160 of this International Tuna Day, I'm going to have tunic cast role tonight. 207 00:24:56.240 --> 00:25:00.680 So I just wanted to let you know anyway, I'm more serious. There 208 00:25:00.759 --> 00:25:08.880 is a ceasefire proposal on the table, and Israel's offer of a six week 209 00:25:10.400 --> 00:25:15.720 ceasefire, reducing the number of hostages is demanding or asking to be released, 210 00:25:17.440 --> 00:25:22.680 and proposing a much larger number of Palestinian prisoners to be released. It's been 211 00:25:22.720 --> 00:25:27.720 described as very generous by the US and the UK. Does a Secretary General 212 00:25:27.799 --> 00:25:36.799 have any message for Hamas to accept this proposal? So far? Indications are 213 00:25:36.920 --> 00:25:41.880 that is reluctant to accept the proposal. Well, I mean, you're listing 214 00:25:41.319 --> 00:25:45.319 a proposal that you know the Secretary journal has not seen. We are not 215 00:25:45.400 --> 00:25:51.599 a party to these negotiations. We've seen different variations of it in the press. 216 00:25:52.880 --> 00:25:57.359 Secretary General's messages I think as he delivered it on Tuesday. So the 217 00:25:57.400 --> 00:26:06.079 parties to agree to a humanitarian cease fire, to agree to release all of 218 00:26:06.119 --> 00:26:11.759 the hostages, to agree for greater humanitarian access. So we are not party 219 00:26:11.799 --> 00:26:18.000 to the agreement. We have not seen the proposals, We've seen press reports. 220 00:26:18.359 --> 00:26:22.599 We want we want to see an agreement. And I think he was 221 00:26:22.680 --> 00:26:26.440 much more eloquent than I'm being in his expressing his opinion on Tuesday. But 222 00:26:27.319 --> 00:26:32.160 it looks like for more reports. It is Hamas that's standing in the way. 223 00:26:32.880 --> 00:26:38.960 Israel has made several offers, and Hamas so far has said no unless 224 00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:44.799 it gets its ways. I mean, it's we're basing this discussion on press 225 00:26:44.799 --> 00:26:48.319 reports unless you have seen the agreement. I have not, so I can 226 00:26:48.720 --> 00:26:52.319 since I don't have the details of it. I'm just reiterating what the Secretary 227 00:26:52.319 --> 00:27:00.160 of General has said. Benno, I'd like to have some authority here now. 228 00:27:00.200 --> 00:27:02.519 I'm gonna go with Beno. I know, I know, I changed 229 00:27:02.559 --> 00:27:07.960 my mind. Beno, go go ahead. No go, no go go, 230 00:27:07.079 --> 00:27:11.359 Beno, go no. God. I feel so bad. Thank you 231 00:27:11.400 --> 00:27:18.519 for bringing me in that situation. Switzerland announced the Ukraine Peace Summit for fifteenth 232 00:27:18.559 --> 00:27:22.920 and sixteenth of June. Who will go for the Unite? I don't have 233 00:27:22.920 --> 00:27:27.559 any details for you to share this point. And the second thing, the 234 00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:34.039 EU wants to pay Libanon around a billion euro to stop migration of Syrian refugees 235 00:27:34.079 --> 00:27:37.599 to Cyprus and the EU. Do you have any comment to this? Okay, 236 00:27:38.119 --> 00:27:47.200 I think it is whatever decisions are taken on efforts to you know, 237 00:27:47.240 --> 00:27:55.279 I would I would use the term manage the flow of human beings, whether 238 00:27:55.279 --> 00:28:00.799 they be migrants or refugees needs to be done in a holistic in a holistic 239 00:28:00.880 --> 00:28:04.000 manner that deals with the countries of origin, the countries of destination, and 240 00:28:04.039 --> 00:28:07.920 the countries of transit. So you mean this is not holistic life. I 241 00:28:07.960 --> 00:28:12.640 haven't seen all the details. I'm just stating my principles. Nada, Hi, 242 00:28:12.759 --> 00:28:15.519 thank you, Stan, thank you. Vanna. I wanted to follow 243 00:28:15.559 --> 00:28:19.400 up on Edie's questions. She asked about any progress has been made with negotiations 244 00:28:19.400 --> 00:28:25.920 between the RSF and the SAF on completely stopping the fighting and a CSI. 245 00:28:26.039 --> 00:28:30.599 But my question is after today you said that ten emergency directors from you and 246 00:28:30.680 --> 00:28:33.960 agencies had a mission today, has there been any progress on maybe just cross 247 00:28:34.039 --> 00:28:37.799 line negotiations and just AID access. Maybe not at whole land. As far 248 00:28:37.839 --> 00:28:45.119 as I know, there's not been sufficient progress, uh, Maggie, then 249 00:28:45.359 --> 00:28:53.160 Michelle, then Deji following up on Sudan. Where in Sudan did the ten 250 00:28:53.160 --> 00:28:57.359 emergency directors go? Because it's very hard to move around, So do you 251 00:28:57.359 --> 00:29:00.000 know where they went? No? I do not, but I will get 252 00:29:00.079 --> 00:29:07.680 un answered shortly. Yep, go ahead, Sorry, just three quick questions 253 00:29:07.720 --> 00:29:15.319 on Gaza aid, has the UN had any communications from Israel on how imminent 254 00:29:15.039 --> 00:29:22.839 an assault on Rafa. We are not privy to military their military operations. 255 00:29:22.920 --> 00:29:27.559 They gave a warning in October when they were going to go in. You've 256 00:29:27.559 --> 00:29:33.839 had nothing, okay. And on the peer, the US led peer, 257 00:29:34.240 --> 00:29:41.240 has there been any kind of has the UN resolved how what their involvement will 258 00:29:41.279 --> 00:29:45.720 be in excuse me? Those discussions are also ongoing. And then last question 259 00:29:48.200 --> 00:29:56.799 from Rafa, how many people is the UN been observed leaving in recently leaving 260 00:29:56.880 --> 00:30:02.359 Rafa and leaving Gaza like, has there been a surgeon people leaving ahead of 261 00:30:02.480 --> 00:30:11.319 going back north well or leaving crossing into Egypt. I don't have those numbers. 262 00:30:11.359 --> 00:30:18.039 I'm not aware that we've seen any large movements of people uh Deji. 263 00:30:18.400 --> 00:30:25.000 Sorry, yes. A couple of questions Steph. Starting with Syria border crossings. 264 00:30:25.400 --> 00:30:33.039 This February Syrian government UH grant permission for you interviews Arai and Baba Salama 265 00:30:33.000 --> 00:30:40.440 border crossings and that that mandate is due to expire on thirteenth of May. 266 00:30:40.759 --> 00:30:44.240 Is there any update the negotiations? I think, as we said, as 267 00:30:44.240 --> 00:30:48.279 we said last week, our ULTR colleagues are very much in contact with the 268 00:30:48.359 --> 00:30:53.119 Syrian government to ensure the continuation of that. But generally speaking, how's the 269 00:30:53.240 --> 00:30:59.599 how's the border crossing operations? They're working, They're working. They're underfunded, 270 00:30:59.680 --> 00:31:03.039 but they're working. Okay, good. Second question, it's been reported that 271 00:31:03.119 --> 00:31:11.920 Columbia might cut diplomatic ties with Israel because of the Gaza conflict. Any positions 272 00:31:11.960 --> 00:31:18.920 from the issue bilateral relations is a bilateral issue, Stefanie, Thank you, 273 00:31:18.960 --> 00:31:25.319 stepman. After what happened in the last few hours with the students size in 274 00:31:25.319 --> 00:31:30.160 California, would the Secretary General perhaps like to clarify better what he said earlier 275 00:31:30.279 --> 00:31:36.680 about the protests, that when freedom of expression must be respected and when not? 276 00:31:37.960 --> 00:31:41.720 I think I'm not I mean the Secretary John I think was very clear 277 00:31:41.720 --> 00:31:47.440 and it was using very clear words when he spoke about this on Tuesday. 278 00:31:49.920 --> 00:31:57.720 Alan, thank you, Stephan. I have a question on Ukraine. Today 279 00:31:57.759 --> 00:32:04.279 it marks ten years since the one of the milestones that triggered the Ukrainian conflict. 280 00:32:04.680 --> 00:32:10.839 Speaking of the situation on May twenty fourteen, on the what there's a 281 00:32:10.880 --> 00:32:17.240 strade Union's house. As you know, that day nationalists locked up in the 282 00:32:17.240 --> 00:32:24.680 house, the Federalism protesters and then the house was set on fire. About 283 00:32:24.759 --> 00:32:31.200 fifty people were killed there, over two hundred I guess almost two hundred and 284 00:32:31.240 --> 00:32:37.960 fifty people injured. Still no results for the investigation, no accountability. Is 285 00:32:37.000 --> 00:32:44.960 the UN advocating for the proper thorough investigation all this Back at the time of 286 00:32:45.079 --> 00:32:50.440 events, Secretary General issued a statement in which he called for swift and conclusive 287 00:32:50.480 --> 00:32:57.240 investigation, and since then our colleagues in the Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine 288 00:32:57.279 --> 00:33:01.319 have also issued similar statements. And I would encourage you to check with excuse 289 00:33:01.359 --> 00:33:07.759 me, check with our human rights colleagues if they've anything had to say, 290 00:33:07.799 --> 00:33:15.240 but they've been there've been updates from them calling for an investigation. Nobody was 291 00:33:15.279 --> 00:33:21.680 brought to justice. Since then. There are a lot of cases around the 292 00:33:21.680 --> 00:33:25.960 world where we have called for investigations and there's been no accountability. Very sadly, 293 00:33:29.880 --> 00:33:40.559 Eadie, thank you Steph. On aid getting into northern Gaza, there 294 00:33:40.599 --> 00:33:49.880 had been somewhere around two hundred trucks getting in per day. Are the aid, 295 00:33:50.079 --> 00:33:54.880 the fool the other items from those trucks actually being delivered or are they 296 00:33:55.000 --> 00:33:59.279 still being held up because of fire? I mean a lot, a lot 297 00:33:59.319 --> 00:34:04.640 of the the goods that are able to cross from Israel into Gaza are not 298 00:34:05.000 --> 00:34:09.400 in a position to be delivered because of the obstacles that we've been mentioning repeatedly. 299 00:34:09.760 --> 00:34:16.880 Abdel Hamid, thank you, Stephan. I have two questions. One 300 00:34:17.079 --> 00:34:27.400 on Egypt. There were fourteen young women, mostly women, demonstrated in support 301 00:34:27.400 --> 00:34:31.159 of Gaza in front of the You and office in Cairo. They were all 302 00:34:31.239 --> 00:34:36.599 arrested. I see you and involved. Do they follow the case because they 303 00:34:36.599 --> 00:34:39.559 were in the front of the new An office? An you an officer following 304 00:34:39.599 --> 00:34:44.320 the case? I will check with our office in Cairo. I was not 305 00:34:44.400 --> 00:34:49.280 aware. But whether it's in Egypt or anywhere else, we continue to believe 306 00:34:49.320 --> 00:34:54.320 in the right for people to express themselves peacefully. Your second question the second 307 00:34:54.760 --> 00:35:00.599 yes, yesterday the House of Representative in the US and vote three twenty to 308 00:35:00.800 --> 00:35:07.719 ninety one atop the era definition of anti Semitism, which mixes the criticism of 309 00:35:07.800 --> 00:35:13.119 Israel and label it as anti Symitism. Do you have any opinion on that? 310 00:35:13.599 --> 00:35:16.280 We don't. We're not in the business of commenting on laws that are 311 00:35:16.639 --> 00:35:21.880 going through a process. It is not as far as I know, it 312 00:35:21.920 --> 00:35:29.719 has not passed through all the But do you agree that criticizing is not any 313 00:35:30.920 --> 00:35:34.920 I have no comment. I will I will just tell I'm not commenting on 314 00:35:34.920 --> 00:35:37.559 the law. I will just tell you that we that you know, in 315 00:35:37.679 --> 00:35:43.519 terms of the UN, there is no Member states have now agreed to an 316 00:35:43.559 --> 00:35:50.639 official written definition of anti semitism just like terrorism. However, that has not 317 00:35:52.360 --> 00:35:58.320 that has not prevented the Secretary, the Secretary General and very Secretary entities to 318 00:35:58.400 --> 00:36:05.519 be consistent in our position against anti semitism and is called for member states to 319 00:36:05.599 --> 00:36:13.320 counter anti Semitism. I will leave it at that. I wish you a 320 00:36:13.360 --> 00:36:15.840 good day, a good afternoon, and my good calling. Mister huck will 321 00:36:15.840 --> 00:36:21.559 be here tomorrow. I'm going tuna fishing. Oh sorry, one more, 322 00:36:22.400 --> 00:36:27.920 one more thing, Uh, the emergency directors were in Port Sudan only. 323 00:36:37.519 --> 00:36:45.760 Okay, So final thoughts. Freedom of the of the press is extremely important, 324 00:36:45.920 --> 00:36:51.440 and in some countries the press isn't so free. And if we have 325 00:36:51.599 --> 00:36:59.639 reported since the pandemic about different areas of the world where the press has come 326 00:36:59.719 --> 00:37:07.320 under attack, and in the US and Canada during the pandemic, the press 327 00:37:07.400 --> 00:37:15.039 did come under fire. Even where it is constitutionally stated that the press should 328 00:37:15.079 --> 00:37:22.800 be allowed freedom, the information that is shared should be allowed to be spread 329 00:37:24.639 --> 00:37:31.239 freely and reporters should be allowed to report on what is happening in our communities 330 00:37:34.199 --> 00:37:37.360 so that we all know what is happening, we all know what the issues 331 00:37:37.440 --> 00:37:45.800 are. At the same time, there is a problem where stories are tainted 332 00:37:45.480 --> 00:37:54.679 and at times twisted to fit agendas, and as the public, we should 333 00:37:55.480 --> 00:38:00.119 be able to question what it is that the press is telling us and find 334 00:38:00.119 --> 00:38:08.079 out for ourselves what is actually true, and that should be welcomed as well. 335 00:38:09.920 --> 00:38:14.119 Thank you for listening to policy and rates here in Depictions Media Radio. 336 00:38:14.440 --> 00:38:17.599 I have been your host, Michael Cloggs. Please find that subscribe button wherever 337 00:38:17.599 --> 00:38:23.360 it is and support us if you find our support link appear on your screen. 338 00:39:01.559 --> 00:39:08.239 The show has been produced by Depictions Media. Please contact us at depictions 339 00:39:08.480 --> 00:39:10.360 dot media for more information.