In a statement Emitted by his spokesperson, António Guterres expressed his alarm in the face of dangerous escalation and the growing bankruptcy of civilians.

He reiterated that attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure is prohibited under international law and have called for an immediate and unconditional cease-fire.

“These strikes disturbed the power supply to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, stressing once again the risks for nuclear security,” said UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.

“The secretary general reiterates his call to a complete, immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine as the first step towards a fair, complete and lasting peace, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nationsinternational law and relevant United Nations resolutions. »»

Fragile situation

Friday, the air strikes broke the last external connection of the nuclear power plant, forcing the ZNPP to count on emergency diesel generators for more than three hours, according to International Atomic Energy Agency (Aiea).

The food was finally restored, but the incident marked the ninth time that the factory has lost all the electricity out of site since the start of the large -scale invasion in 2022.

Rafael Mariano Grossi, director general of the nuclear guard dog, warned that the situation remains extremely fragile.

“What was once practically unimaginable-that a large nuclear power plant would repeatedly lose all its external power connections-has unfortunately become common,” he said.

Nuclear security deterioration

Located in southern Ukraine, the Zaporizhzhia factory is the largest nuclear installation in Europe. Although its six reactors have been in cold stop since 2024, they always require electricity to cool the reactor nuclei and the fuel pools spent to prevent overheating and potential radioactive release.

During the power failure, 18 diesel generators were activated to maintain critical cooling functions. The factory has enough diesel on site for at least ten days, with emergency plans in place to obtain other supplies if necessary, IAEA reported.

The ZNPP has become radically more vulnerable since the start of the war. Before the conflict, he had access to ten external power lines; He is now counting on one.

The IAEA teams remain based on the site and continue to monitor the situation closely.

“Cooperatives are a system that allows southern suddens to improve their livelihoods, but at the same time, also contributes to the economy … This is the only way for South Sudan to leave poverty,” said Louis Bagare Project Manager of food and agricultural cooperatives (Fao) In South Sudan.

He spoke before International Cooperative DayWho is celebrated every July 5, and who emphasizes how cooperatives allow people to provide for their basic needs in contexts where individuals working alone are insufficient.

A path to peace

In South Sudan, the potential of cooperatives extends beyond economic empowerment.

“Cooperatives are one of the avenues that can bring peace and stability to South Sudan,” said Mr. Bagare.

For more than a decade, South Sudan has been faced with many challenges that come across. After its independence in 2011, a civil war broke out, concluding in 2018 with a peace agreement. But this peace is more fragile that never.

Pillage and inter -municipal violence, mainly perpetrated by young people, continues to be an omnipresent concern for many communities which are already confronted food insecurity and continuous climatic shocks.

In this context, cooperatives provide a glimmer of hope.

“Cooperatives have really changed the state of mind of our people and brought stability to the country,” said Deng William Aachiek, director of rural producers from the Sudan Ministry of South South Agriculture and Food Security.

But what can cooperatives inaugurate lasting peace?

A voluntary and democratic group

Cooperatives are voluntary economic organizations in which members share risk, work and income.

“A cooperative is a democratic social association of people who, as an individual, cannot improve their status of life and social status … But once they meet in a cooperative, they can then increase the level of their lives,” said Oneil Yosia Damia, Director General of Cooperative Development in South Sudan.

FaoLouis Bagare believes that this type of democratic approach to governance at the local level will go to the national level and encourage more widespread adhesion to a democratic form of governance through South Sudan.

Income, no firearms

In addition to providing a model of democratic governance, cooperatives also allow economic growth and development, providing communities – especially young people – a viable and lasting alternative to looting.

“When, in particular young people, are engaged in productive activities that generate income, they will not have the point of choosing a firearm to go fight or to fly and loot,” said Bagare.

In South Sudan, communities that form cooperatives often do not have enough individual resources to maintain a sustainable livelihood, a reality that pushes young people to violent looting for survival.

” When [community members] Work together, when they bring together ideas, when they bring together resources, it is much easier for them to overcome their livelihoods, “said Bagare.

Bagare also explained that banks are more ready to invest in groups and that organizations like FAO are more likely to provide support for cooperatives. But in the end, the objective is that it will not be long term.

“The emphasis is placed on the strengthening of their capacity so that they can create lives,” said Bagare.

A historical structure in the youngest country in the world

In South Sudan, there are cooperatives of each shape and size. Massively, these cooperatives are agricultural, but some also produce soap, bread and textiles. The history of South Sudan is populated by examples of this type of work.

“Cooperatives are not something now. This is part of the culture of South Sudan, ”said Bagare.

Mr. Daima referred to “the golden era” of the cooperatives that existed before the civil war in 2011. He said that his office in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Safety works with diligence to return to that time.

“I want our cooperatives to be as busy as bees. It is the spirit of unity, of unity, ”said Mr. Daima.

Mr. Bagare hopes for a future in South Sudan where cooperatives are part of each economic sector – not just agriculture.

“If we are able to work together, we can become better people tomorrow. But when we continue to fight only, we will continue to destroy ourselves. ”

Since September 2023, more than 2.43 million undocumented Afghan migrants have returned from Iran and Pakistan.

Women and girls represent approximately half of Pakistan returnees, while their share among those returning from Iran have increased regularly, reaching around 30% in June.

The pace of climbing yields is useful reported THE Humanitarian work groupa consortium of humanitarian actors led by United Nations and the United Nations Reproductive Health Agency (Unfpa).

Border vulnerabilities

Women and girls arrive with little protection or support.

“A tent would be my only protection. I don’t have appropriate clothes or hijabs to wear, no food to eat, no contact number and no parents to stay, “said a woman on the border.

Those who travel without a mahram – A male tutor – Faced with specific risks. Interviews and discussions by the working group have revealed extortion, harassment and threats of violence to border crossings.

“They took 6,000 rupees (about $ 21) and only gave me 2,000 back. Now I don’t know where to go with this money, “a woman told Torkham. In Qala Islam, others have pointed out “ill -treatment and harassment … provoking fear and distress”.

Increased risks of protection

Rapatrians are faced with growing exposure to sexist violence, early and forced marriage, trafficking and transactional sex – exacerbated by a lack of basic resources.

A humanitarian worker from Kandahar said: “A widow with four girls was trying to see if she could sell one or two girls to someone here to have money to survive.”

Humanitarian agencies report a critical shortage of safe spaces and mental health and psychosocial support services (MHPS), in particular to border passages, where many women arrive in distress and disoriented.

Shelter, livelihoods and education

In the provinces, women cite shelter, livelihoods and education of girls as best needs.

“We need a place to stay, a chance to learn and a way to win,” said a repatriated woman from Nangarhar’s province.

Only 10% of households led by women live in permanent shelters and almost four out of ten fear the expulsion. In Herat, 71% of women declared rent disputes and 45% of households led by women lived in inadequate housing.

“Many families lack sufficient financial resources to provide basic foods and necessities,” said a woman in Herat.

Women who previously worked in professions such as sewing or crafts now find it difficult to restart due to a lack of tools, movement restrictions and limited networks.

Ahead

The forced yields that should continue, humanitarian agencies urge on the scale of sex sensitive services, including security spaces, mental health care, support for livelihoods and access to education.

UN women and its partners call for an increase in funding and supported international support to meet urgent and long -term needs of Afghan women and girls.

Climbing conflicts in Ukraine

In an oral update, il à Marques Kehris, Deputy Secretary General of the UN Human Rightsreported a strong escalation of hostilities in Ukraine.

Civil victims increased from April to June, seeing almost 50% dead and additional injuries compared to the same period in 2024.

“More than 90% of these victims took place in a territory controlled by Ukraine,” she said, attributing the point in part to the intensification of Russian drone and missile attacks.

Attacks using aerial warheads and repeated strikes in hospitals have instilled “terror and anxiety” among urban populations, she added. A night attack from June 16 to 17 in kyiv killed more civilians than any other assault in the past year.

While cease-fire negotiations have produced humanitarian gains-such as the exchange of prisoners of war and the return of deceased soldiers-Ms. Kehris stressed arduous conditions of detention.

More than 117 former Ukrainian prisoners of war interviewed by the United Nations Rights Office, Ohchrpointed out torture, including sexual violence, in Russian captivity. Although less widespread, similar abuses have also been documented in unofficial Ukrainian detention facilities, which caused calls to transparent investigations.

The report also noted continuous violations of human rights in the territories occupied by Russia, in particular restrictions on civic space and the exercise of freedom of expression.

“Peace is more imperative than ever,” said Kehris, reiterating calls for immediate cessation of hostilities in accordance with international law.

Structural racism and intersectionality

Ashwini KP, Special rapporteur on contemporary forms of racismpresented a thematic report focused on intersectionality as a tool for racial justice.

Based on the experiences of black feminists and extended by studies focused on the members of the Dalit, Indigenous, Muslims and Roma community, the concept of intersectionality was presented as essential to dismantle systemic discrimination.

“Women of African origin, the oppressed communities of caste, Roma, Arab and Muslim women and other marginalized groups are affected disproportionately due to forms of discrimination that are overlapping,” said Ashwini.

Its report has detailed how states can integrate an intersectional approach, emphasizing data disintegration, the development of participatory policies, legal recognition of multiple discrimination and historical responsibility.

Ashwini stressed the importance of restorative justice for the communities affected by colonialism and slavery and called for states – in particular those historically accomplices – to implement daring reforms.

Deepening of the crisis in Gaza

Francesca Albanese, Special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967Also reported to the council, with a dark update on Gaza.

She described conditions as “apocalyptic” and reported more than 200,000 people killed or injured since October 7, 2023, when Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups attacked Israeli communities – killing at least 1,200 people and taking more than 250 as hostages.

“In Gaza, the Palestinians continue to suffer suffering beyond the imagination,” said Ms. Albanese, describing the Gaza humanitarian foundation supported by Israel as a “death trap-designed to kill or force the theft of a hungry, bombed and emaciated population marked for elimination”.

She also accused Israel of having used conflict as an opportunity to test new weapons and technologies against the population of the “without restraint” enclave.

“The occupation forever has provided optimal test fields for weapons manufacturers and large technologies with little surveillance and zero responsibility-while investors and private and public institutions have largely benefited,” she said.

“We have to reverse the tide,” said Ms. Albanese, calling on the Member States to impose a full embargo on arms in Israel, to suspend all trade agreements and investment relations and to apply responsibility, “ensure that corporate entities are faced with legal consequences for their involvement in serious violations of international law”.

Independent rights experts

Special rapporteurs are independent human rights experts appointed and mandated by the Human Rights Council – The UN’s highest intergovernmental forum on human rights.

Being part of his Special proceduresSpecial rapporteurs and other independent experts are mandated to monitor and assess the situation of rights in certain thematic situations or country.

They work in their individual quality, are not UN staff and do not receive wages.