UNITED NATIONS: President Barack Obama is telling world leaders they have to do more to open their hearts to refugees who are desperate for a home.
Obama says the world is more secure if leaders are prepared to help people in need, but they have to follow through even when the politics are hard.
He says leaders must have the empathy to imagine what it would be like for their families if the unspeakable were to happen.
Seemingly speaking of the US, Obama says there are a lot of nations doing the right thing, but many countries, particularly those blessed with wealth and the benefits of geography can do more to help.
The UN estimates that there are about about 21.3 million refugees forced to flee due to armed conflict or persecution.
In his final speech to the UN General Assembly in New York, Obama says the kind of thinking that favors “the strong man” over true democracy is wrong.
He says economies can only grow so much in the 21st century before they will have no choice but to open up to give entrepreneurs access to information or to allow independent media to operate. Obama says democracy is hard work and takes generations, but that the gains are worth the effort.
Obama adds that without evolving in the direction of democracy, people’s expectations will go unmet, suppression and stagnation will set in and strongmen will be left to crack down on their societies or scapegoat enemies, leading to war.
Obama told world leaders that a paradox defines the world today as the world is by many measures less violent and more prosperous than ever before.
Yet, he says that people are losing trust in institutions, which makes governing more difficult. Obama says world leaders can choose to press forward with a better model of cooperation and integration, or they can retreat into a world that is sharply divided and ultimately in conflict.
Obama is addressing the United Nations for the final time as president.
Obama says the benefits of global integration need to be broadly shared. He says the global economy needs to work better for all people, not just those at the top.
The top US diplomat has urged Pakistan’s prime minister to prevent “all terrorists” from using the nation’s territory as safe havens.
The appeal from Secretary of State John Kerry to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif came as tensions escalated between Pakistan and India after suspected rebels killed 18 Indian soldiers in an attack on a military base in the disputed territory of Kashmir.
The State Department said Tuesday that Kerry met Sharif Monday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
Kerry expressed “strong concern” with the recent violence in Kashmir, particularly Sunday’s attack, and called on all sides to reduce tensions.
He also urged restraint in nuclear weapons programs.
India on Tuesday accused Pakistan of firing at an Indian military position in Kashmir, which Pakistan denied.
Taking the world stage for the last time as secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon unleashes years of pent-up anger at leaders who keep “feeding the war machine” in Syria, violate human rights and prevent aid deliveries to starving people.
The UN chief told leaders at Tuesday’s opening of General Assembly’s annual ministerial meeting that “powerful patrons” of both sides in the more than five-year Syrian conflict “have blood on their hands“
“Present in this hall today are representatives of governments that have ignored, facilitated, funded, participated in or even planned and carried out atrocities inflicted by all sides of the Syria conflict against Syrian civilians,” he said.
Ban said “many groups have killed innocent civilians — none more so than the government of Syria.”
And he accused South Sudan’s feuding leaders of betraying their people. He said “in too many places, we see leaders rewriting constitutions, manipulating elections and taking other desperate steps to cling to power.”
Earlier, Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli kicks off the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly as world leaders convene to address most pressing global and regional issues.
Bocelli’s performance of Nessun Dorma on Monday earned a standing ovation from heads of state.
Obama says the world is more secure if leaders are prepared to help people in need, but they have to follow through even when the politics are hard.
He says leaders must have the empathy to imagine what it would be like for their families if the unspeakable were to happen.
Seemingly speaking of the US, Obama says there are a lot of nations doing the right thing, but many countries, particularly those blessed with wealth and the benefits of geography can do more to help.
The UN estimates that there are about about 21.3 million refugees forced to flee due to armed conflict or persecution.
In his final speech to the UN General Assembly in New York, Obama says the kind of thinking that favors “the strong man” over true democracy is wrong.
He says economies can only grow so much in the 21st century before they will have no choice but to open up to give entrepreneurs access to information or to allow independent media to operate. Obama says democracy is hard work and takes generations, but that the gains are worth the effort.
Obama adds that without evolving in the direction of democracy, people’s expectations will go unmet, suppression and stagnation will set in and strongmen will be left to crack down on their societies or scapegoat enemies, leading to war.
Obama told world leaders that a paradox defines the world today as the world is by many measures less violent and more prosperous than ever before.
Yet, he says that people are losing trust in institutions, which makes governing more difficult. Obama says world leaders can choose to press forward with a better model of cooperation and integration, or they can retreat into a world that is sharply divided and ultimately in conflict.
Obama is addressing the United Nations for the final time as president.
Obama says the benefits of global integration need to be broadly shared. He says the global economy needs to work better for all people, not just those at the top.
The top US diplomat has urged Pakistan’s prime minister to prevent “all terrorists” from using the nation’s territory as safe havens.
The appeal from Secretary of State John Kerry to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif came as tensions escalated between Pakistan and India after suspected rebels killed 18 Indian soldiers in an attack on a military base in the disputed territory of Kashmir.
The State Department said Tuesday that Kerry met Sharif Monday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
Kerry expressed “strong concern” with the recent violence in Kashmir, particularly Sunday’s attack, and called on all sides to reduce tensions.
He also urged restraint in nuclear weapons programs.
India on Tuesday accused Pakistan of firing at an Indian military position in Kashmir, which Pakistan denied.
Taking the world stage for the last time as secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon unleashes years of pent-up anger at leaders who keep “feeding the war machine” in Syria, violate human rights and prevent aid deliveries to starving people.
The UN chief told leaders at Tuesday’s opening of General Assembly’s annual ministerial meeting that “powerful patrons” of both sides in the more than five-year Syrian conflict “have blood on their hands“
“Present in this hall today are representatives of governments that have ignored, facilitated, funded, participated in or even planned and carried out atrocities inflicted by all sides of the Syria conflict against Syrian civilians,” he said.
Ban said “many groups have killed innocent civilians — none more so than the government of Syria.”
And he accused South Sudan’s feuding leaders of betraying their people. He said “in too many places, we see leaders rewriting constitutions, manipulating elections and taking other desperate steps to cling to power.”
Earlier, Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli kicks off the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly as world leaders convene to address most pressing global and regional issues.
Bocelli’s performance of Nessun Dorma on Monday earned a standing ovation from heads of state.
