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Guterres Raises Alarm Over Rising Nuclear Risks at NPT Conference

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United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres

Guterres Raises Alarm Over Rising Nuclear Risks at NPT Conference

The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has warned that the world is slipping into a dangerous state of “collective amnesia” over the risks of nuclear weapons, as global tensions and military build-ups continue to rise.

He made the remarks at the Eleventh Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), where countries gathered to review global progress on nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation, and peaceful nuclear cooperation.

Guterres said the meeting comes at a critical moment to protect humanity from the threat of nuclear annihilation, recalling that the goal of eliminating nuclear weapons dates back to the United Nations’ first General Assembly resolution in 1946.

He warned that the world is forgetting the lessons of the past, when nuclear fears shaped daily life—such as children practicing missile drills, governments building fallout shelters, and communities suffering from nuclear testing.

According to him, a “collective amnesia” has taken hold, allowing nuclear risks to resurface as mistrust grows between states and global arms control systems weaken.

The UN chief also highlighted that global military spending has reached $2.7 trillion, describing it as a massive imbalance compared to global development aid and equivalent to Africa’s entire GDP.

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He further warned that for the first time in decades, the number of nuclear warheads is increasing, while discussions about nuclear testing and weapons expansion are re-emerging in some countries.

Guterres cautioned that arms control frameworks are eroding and that international norms designed to prevent nuclear escalation are under severe strain.

He reminded world leaders of a key principle: that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought, stressing that nuclear weapons do not provide security but instead increase global danger.

The Secretary-General described the NPT as the cornerstone of global nuclear governance, but warned that it is under pressure due to unfulfilled commitments, declining trust, and rising geopolitical tensions.

He urged countries to fully honour their obligations under the treaty without delay or conditions, while strengthening safeguards and supporting the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in its monitoring role.

Guterres also stressed that the treaty must evolve to address emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, which could increase nuclear risks if not properly regulated.

He said future nuclear governance must ensure human control over nuclear weapons systems while also expanding access to peaceful nuclear technology for sustainable development.

The UN chief concluded by calling for renewed global commitment to disarmament, warning that the strength of the NPT depends on the political will of member states to uphold it.

He added that with stronger cooperation, the treaty can remain a foundation for a safer, nuclear-free world in an era of rapidly changing technology.

Guterres Raises Alarm Over Rising Nuclear Risks at NPT Conference

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International

Five Dead After Coach Carrying Dutch Tourists Overturns in Switzerland

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Five Dead After Coach Carrying Dutch Tourists Overturns in Switzerland

A holiday trip in Switzerland has ended in tragedy after a coach carrying 45 Dutch adults overturned in the eastern part of the country, killing five people and injuring the remaining passengers.

The crash occurred on Thursday afternoon on the road linking Susch and Zernez in the Graubünden region. Police said the vehicle went off the roadway while passing through an area where construction work was taking place before overturning.

Three of those injured are in serious condition, while another 37 people sustained less severe injuries. The driver, who is also Dutch, survived the crash but was among those taken for medical treatment.

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Authorities have begun investigating the incident and are working to establish what caused the coach to leave the road.

Tour operator Oad said the company was devastated by the deaths and described the incident as a deeply shocking tragedy.

The crash took place close to Zernez, a popular gateway to Switzerland’s National Park, a large Alpine nature reserve in the Engadine valley.

 

Five Dead After Coach Carrying Dutch Tourists Overturns in Switzerland

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International

Iran’s President Seeks End to War as US Tightens Economic Pressure

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Iran’s President Seeks End to War as US Tightens Economic Pressure

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said he does not support prolonging the war with the United States, while urging Iran to strengthen its economic and political resilience.

Speaking to university leaders, Pezeshkian said Tehran must avoid entering negotiations from a position of weakness, particularly as the US increases pressure through its Operation Economic Outcast campaign.

He called on universities to help the government tackle the country’s economic and social challenges, warning that poorly planned policies could worsen existing problems.

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Pezeshkian also urged young Iranians, including Generation Z students, to contribute to solving social problems rather than allowing frustration to fuel protests.

The president said he was willing to work with different political groups and anyone capable of helping Iran overcome its current difficulties.

His comments come amid growing pressure on Tehran to find a way forward. The conflict began on February 28, when the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran, prompting Iranian missile and drone strikes against Israel and US positions across the region.

With Washington now intensifying economic pressure, Pezeshkian’s remarks reflect the challenge facing Tehran: resisting US demands while preventing the prolonged conflict and sanctions from further weakening the country.

 

Iran’s President Seeks End to War as US Tightens Economic Pressure

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Africa

Murder of Nigerian Bishop in South Africa Sparks Outcry Over Unsolved Killings

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Murder of Nigerian Bishop in South Africa Sparks Outcry Over Unsolved Killings

Family and community leaders rally for justice after 58-year-old cleric from Ekiti is assassinated in his Johannesburg residence.

To his congregation and loved ones, Nigerian clergyman Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle was a pillar of faith and moral guidance. But that sanctuary was violently shattered inside his Kensington home in Johannesburg when two gunmen forced their way inside and opened fire at point-blank range.

Hit more than seven times, the 58-year-old Ekiti native died at the scene, sending shockwaves across the Nigerian expatriate community and turning deep grief into a collective cry for justice.

Leading the push for accountability, the Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa (NICASA) voiced the community’s sorrow and growing frustration with violent crime.

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Association leaders stressed that Bishop Fakunle’s family, church, and compatriots deserve clear answers rather than empty reassurances.

Urging South African investigators to act with speed and transparency, the group warned authorities against letting the tragedy become another forgotten statistic in an endless stack of unsolved homicides.

As detectives at Jeppe Police Station proceed with the murder inquiry, community heads are calling for robust oversight from Nigerian diplomats while urging the public to exercise restraint.

Despite the intense anger surrounding the brazen attack, leaders emphasized that justice must be pursued through legitimate legal channels.

As mourners across South Africa and Nigeria remember the slain bishop, their message to investigators remains clear: the community will not look away until those responsible are brought before a judge.

 

Murder of Nigerian Bishop in South Africa Sparks Outcry Over Unsolved Killings

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