Category: Unami

The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) has condemned “in the strongest terms” the assassination attempt on Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, following a drone attack overnight on Sunday, aimed at his house in Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone.

According to news reports, the exploding drone caused damage to the residence and several of the Prime Minister’s security guards were injured in the attack.

Al-Kadhimi, was sworn into office in May last year.

The Green Zone houses Government offices and many foreign embassies. No group has so far claimed any responsibility for the attack and remains from the explosive-laden drone have been recovered, as part of an on-going investigation.

“The Mission expresses its relief that the Prime Minister was not hurt in the drone attack”, said the UNAMI statement.

In a statement, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, also strongly condemned the attack, and called for the perpetrators “of this crime, to be held accountable.”

“The Secretary-General calls on all Iraqis to exercise utmost restraint and reject all violence and any attempts to destabilize Iraq. He urges all political actors to uphold the constitutional order and resolve differences through peaceful and inclusive dialogue.”

“Terrorism, violence and unlawful acts must not be allowed to undermine Iraq’s stability and derail its democratic process”, it continued.

The attack has been condemned by both the Government of Iran, and the United States.

On Friday, protests outside the Green Zone, against the results of the last month’s parliamentary elections turned violent, as demonstrators clashed with security forces, reportedly accusing Iraq’s political elite of rigging the vote.

One protester was reportedly killed, and dozens of security personnel were injured. The Prime Minister has ordered an investigation into what led to the violence.

Turnout for the election was low, with just 41 per cent turning out to vote, and supporters of pro-Iranian parties and militias, lost ground, according…

Continue reading

According to news reports, the exploding drone caused damage to the residence and several of the Prime Minister’s security guards were injured in the attack.

Mr. al-Kadhimi, was sworn into office in May last year.

The Green Zone houses Government offices and many foreign embassies. No group has so far claimed any responsibility for the attack and remains from the explosive-laden drone have been recovered, as part of an on-going investigation.

“The Mission expresses its relief that the Prime Minister was not hurt in the drone attack”, said the UNAMI statement.

In a statement, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, also strongly condemned the attack, and called for the perpetrators “of this crime, to be held accountable.”

“The Secretary-General calls on all Iraqis to exercise utmost restraint and reject all violence and any attempts to destabilize Iraq. He urges all political actors to uphold the constitutional order and resolve differences through peaceful and inclusive dialogue.”

No place for terrorism, violence

“Terrorism, violence and unlawful acts must not be allowed to undermine Iraq’s stability and derail its democratic process”, it continued.

The attack has been condemned by both the Government of Iran, and the United States.

On Friday, protests outside the Green Zone, against the results of the last month’s parliamentary elections turned violent, as demonstrators clashed with security forces, reportedly accusing Iraq’s political elite of rigging the vote.

One protester was reportedly killed, and dozens of security personnel were injured. The Prime Minister has ordered an investigation into what led to the violence.

Turnout for the election was low, with just 41 per cent turning out to vote, and supporters of pro-Iranian parties and militias, lost ground, according to preliminary results. Protesters are reportedly calling for the Government, and Iraq’s independent electoral commission, to hold a recount.

Call for restraint

The UN…

Continue reading

Last week in Manhattan a foodie lover’s dream came true.

CITIZENS New York, a new culinary destination from C3 featuring a culinary market with 13 separate kiosks featuring C3’s restaurant brands and elevated dining options Katsuya and Casa Dani, hosted grand celebration for their launch. VIP guests, influencers, and driends were treated to a food-centric experience with performances by DJ’s NEVO, Chopstix Mami and Eli Escobar.

The epic soiree showcased the stunning delights of the venue. From topnotch design to scrumptious bites, the whole affair certainly created many magical memories.  

Citizens culinary market chef partners Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, Master sushi chef Katsuya Uechi, Michelin Star Chef Dani Garcia, Chef Alvin Cailan, Cindy Kruse helped the shape the night that was the talk of the town.

Lucky guests got to enjoy great food and sounds, as well as mingle with the likes of Chef Alvin, who was on hand to speak about his new appointment with Umami Burger.

“This is simply an exciting moment in New York City,” said Chef Alvin, “It’s not just a place for people who like food here. It is so much more than that.

Check out the new space this weekend here. You will love all your moments there.

Continue reading

10/25/2021 Iraq (International Christian Concern) – Following the preliminary results of Iraq’s October 10 parliamentary elections, Iranian proxies lost a significant portion of their seats and influence, inciting accusations of fraud and threats against Iraq’s Independent High Election Commission (IHEC) and the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).q

Iraqi Cardinal Louis Raphael I Sako responded to the rising political tensions, calling on “all politicians to adhere to national and brotherly values, to give priority to the public interest over partisan agendas, and to sit together in a calm civilized dialogue for understanding and ending the current tension.” He urged restraint for threats to violence and arms and to prioritize the formation of the new government to “avoid the situation slipping to its worst possible outcome”.

Iranian proxies are likely to escalate violence or other forms of coercion against those with a perceived role in their political downturn, according to an article by Katherine Lawlor with the Institute for the Study of War. Those accused include the IHEC, UNAMI, United States, United Nations, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates. Iran’s parliamentary proxy, the Conquest Alliance which includes political wings of the Badr Organization and a US-designated terrorist group AAH, only received 16 seats. In 2018, the coalition had a high of 47 seats.

Lawlor continues on to suggest that a quick government formation would be most beneficial to domestic stability and US interests, so long as the leading member Muqtada al-Sadr can efficiently create a coalition. She writes, “In this scenario, Iran will likely tolerate a second Kadhimi government to retain stability but will allow some of its proxies, like Kata’ib Hezbollah, to directly, and sometimes violently, oppose that government. If a newly emboldened, Sadrist-led government elects to crack down on proxy militias, as Sadr threatened to do in his victory…

Continue reading

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The United States condemned the threats of violence against the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), and other Iraqis in a State Department press statement on Monday.

“We urge all parties to respect the rule of law and the integrity of the electoral process,” the statement read. “We join the international community in condemning the threats of violence against UNAMI, IHEC, and other Iraqis.”

The United States also welcomed the UN Security Council’s recent press statement on Iraq.

In that Friday statement, the UN Security Council “welcomed interim reports that the election proceeded smoothly and featured significant technical and procedural improvements from previous Iraqi elections.”

That statement also “thanked UNAMI for its assistance, and commended UNAMI for demonstrating objectivity in its efforts to support Iraq throughout the election process.”

The State Department also extended its congratulations to “the people and the Government of Iraq for a secure, technically sound, and largely peaceful election process.”

“Iraq’s election was an opportunity for Iraqi voters to determine their future through a government that reflects their will,” Monday’s statement said.

Read More: US congratulates Iraqi government on elections; reaffirms right of self-defense against pro-Iran militias

“The United States looks forward to working with the new government once formed to strengthen our strategic partnership on our many shared interests, including Iraq’s stability and sovereignty, economic empowerment, anti-corruption efforts, energy independence, climate, and the protection of human rights,” the statement concluded.

Read More: US denounces threats against IHEC; no change to US troops in Iraq

Continue reading

BRUSSELS — The European Union Saturday stressed that multilateralism, with the United Nations at its core, is the most effective way to contribute to global peace, security, human rights and prosperity.

“In a rapidly evolving world, a strong and dynamic partnership between the EU and the UN is more important than ever and it needs to deliver,” said EU High Representative Josep Borrell in a statement to mark the UN Day.

“Together, we must respond to global crises, threats and challenges that cannot be addressed by any country alone, be it climate change and biodiversity loss or the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

Borrell noted that the UN Secretary-General’s report on Our Common Agenda represents a timely opportunity to transform the UN system and gear it towards these objectives.

“On the UN Day, we congratulate the UN and its staff for their vital work across the globe, from Afghanistan to Mali,” he added. United Nations Day, on Oct. 24, marks the anniversary of the day in 1945 when the UN Charter entered into force.

The EU also deplored the recent threats of violence against the personnel of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), the Independent High Electoral Commission and against others, following the publication of preliminary elections results in Iraq held earlier this month.

“Such violent manifestations have no place in a democracy. The EU recalls that voting on Election Day was largely peaceful, orderly and well-organized, and voters were able to freely express their will,” said EU lead spokesman for foreign relations Peter Stano in a statement.

“Any elections-related appeal or complaint should be addressed through existing legal procedures. It is crucial that all parties use these legal means to address any grievances they may have over the outcome of the polls,” he said.

The EU looks forward to working closely with the…

Continue reading

The members of the Security Council congratulated the Iraqi people and the Government of Iraq on the occasion of their latest elections, held on 10 October 2021. The members of the Security Council welcomed interim reports that the elections proceeded smoothly and featured significant technical and procedural improvements from previous Iraqi elections.

The members of the Security Council commended the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) for conducting a technically sound election. They commended the Government of Iraq for its election preparations and for preventing violence on election day.

The members of the Security Council commended the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) for providing IHEC the technical assistance and international monitoring team the Government of Iraq requested to strengthen the electoral process and promote transparency. The members of the Security Council thanked UNAMI for its assistance, and commended UNAMI for demonstrating objectivity in its efforts to support Iraq throughout the election process. They welcomed IHEC’s and UNAMI’s efforts to promote women’s political participation.

The members of the Security Council also welcomed the efforts of member states and other international organizations to observe the elections, notably the European Union long-term Election Observation Mission, the Arab League, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and others, as well as domestic organisations.

The members of the Security Council deplored the recent threats of violence against UNAMI, IHEC personnel, and others.

The members of the Security Council reiterated the Secretary-General’s call for all stakeholders to show patience and respect for the electoral timeline. The members of the Security Council stressed that any electoral disputes that may arise should be resolved peacefully through established legal channels. Once the results are ratified, the members of the Security Council look forward to the peaceful formation of an inclusive government that reflects the will…

Continue reading

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Friday welcomed a United Nations Security Council statement on the early Iraqi elections held on Oct. 10.

The premier also said that the technical assistance by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and international teams from the EU and others were “central” to the election process.

I welcome today’s UNSC statement on the Iraqi elections. @UNIraq’s technical assistance, and intl teams from the EU and others were central to the process.

I urge all the parties to quickly form an inclusive govt capable to build a better future for the Iraqi peoples- mb.

— Masrour Barzani (@masrour_barzani) October 22, 2021

“I urge all the parties to quickly form an inclusive govt (government) capable to build a better future for the Iraqi peoples,” he affirmed.

The members of the UN Security Council (UNSC) congratulated the Iraqi people and the Government of Iraq in a statement on Friday.

“The members of the Security Council welcomed interim reports that the elections proceeded smoothly and featured significant technical and procedural improvements from previous Iraqi elections,” the statement said.

The UNSC members commended the Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) for “conducting a technically sound election.”

Moreover, the UNSC praised the Iraqi government for its election preparations and preventing violence on election day.

The UNSC also thanked UNAMI for providing IHEC with technical assistance and an international election monitoring team to the Iraqi government.

“The members of the Security Council deplored the recent threats of violence against UNAMI, IHEC personnel, and others,” the UNSC statement added.

Pro-Iran parties, such as the Fatah Alliance that performed poorly in the October 10 elections, have protested the election results. As a result, there is a fear of violence, if…

Continue reading

=parseInt(pixels);}} class PubAds{constructor(gamPath){this.enabled=true;this.gamPath=gamPath;let event=document.createEvent(“CustomEvent”);event.initCustomEvent(‘googletagEvent’,false,false,{});this.googletagEvent=event;} getGamPath(){return this.gamPath;} barebonesDefine(gamPath,meta){googletag.pubads().setTargeting(“section”,meta.getMetaValue(‘gtm-section’,’0′));googletag.pubads().setTargeting(“homefront”,meta.getMetaValue(‘gtm-home’,”0″));googletag.pubads().setTargeting(“sectionfront”,meta.getMetaValue(‘gtm-section-home’,”0″));googletag.pubads().setTargeting(“article”,meta.isArticle()?”1″:”0″);googletag.pubads().setTargeting(“nodeid”,meta.getMetaValue(‘gtm-article’,”));googletag.pubads().setTargeting(“topic”,meta.getMetaValue(‘gtm-topics’,”));googletag.pubads().setTargeting(“keyword”,meta.getMetaValue(‘gtm-keywords’,”));googletag.pubads().setTargeting(“tag”,meta.getMetaValue(‘keywords’,”));googletag.pubads().setTargeting(“path”,window.location.pathname);googletag.pubads().setTargeting(‘browserLargerThan1460’,meta.isBrowserLarger(1460)?”1″:”0″);let pubAds=this;googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.pubads().addEventListener(‘slotRequested’,function(event){if(pubAds.dfpDebugOn()){console.group(‘[debug] Ad for slot ‘,event.slot.getSlotElementId(),’ requested’);console.groupEnd();} try{if(event&&event.slot.getSlotElementId()===’header-ad’){pubAds.floatHeadAd();}}catch(error){console.log(‘[error]’,’The event object does not have the proper method.’);}});});googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.pubads().addEventListener(‘slotOnload’,function(event){if(pubAds.dfpDebugOn()){console.log(‘[debug]’,”showAds”,”slotOnLoad”,”Slot is loaded: “,event.slot.getSlotElementId());}});});googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.pubads().addEventListener(‘impressionViewable’,function(event){if(pubAds.dfpDebugOn()){console.log(‘[debug]’,”showAds”,”impressionViewable”,”Slot is viewable: “,event.slot.getSlotElementId());}});});if(this.dfpDebugOn()){googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.pubads().addEventListener(‘slotRenderEnded’,function(event){});});} googletag.pubads().enableLazyLoad({fetchMarginPercent:50,renderMarginPercent:30,mobileScaling:2.0});googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs();googletag.enableServices();} floatHeadAd(time=4000){if(this.dfpDebugOn()){console.log(‘[debug]’,”showAds”,”floatHeadAd”,”Starting head-ad float.”);} let top=0;let headerAd=document.getElementById(‘header-ad-wrapper’);let parent=headerAd.parentElement;parent.style.minWidth=headerAd.offsetWidth+’px’;parent.style.minHeight=headerAd.offsetHeight+’px’;headerAd.classList.add(‘float-header-ad’);let toolbarNav=document.getElementById(‘toolbar-bar’);if(toolbarNav){top+=toolbarNav.offsetHeight;} let adminTray=document.getElementById(‘toolbar-item-administration-tray’);if(adminTray){top+=adminTray.offsetHeight;} if(top>0&&toolbarNav&&window.getComputedStyle(toolbarNav).position===’relative’){headerAd.style.top=top+’px’;} setTimeout(function(){headerAd.classList.remove(‘float-header-ad’);},time);} dispatchLoadAdEvent(){document.dispatchEvent(this.googletagEvent);} containerExists(elementId){return document.getElementById(elementId)!==null;} dfpDebugOn(){return window.location.search.indexOf(“dfpdeb”)>0;}} (function(){window.meta=new PageMeta();window.gamPath=’/298443/questex.nightclubandbar/worldteanews’;window.pubAds=new PubAds(gamPath);window.adUnits=window.adUnits||{};if(pubAds.dfpDebugOn()){console.log(“[debug] gamPath”,gamPath);console.log(“[debug] isArticle”,meta.isArticle());console.log(“[debug] section:gpt-section”,meta.getMetaValue(‘gtm-section’,0));console.log(“[debug] sectionfront:gtm-section-home”,meta.isSectionFront());console.log(“[debug] article:gtm-is-article”,meta.isArticle()?1:0);console.log(“[debug] topic:gtm-topics”,meta.getMetaValue(‘gtm-topics’,”));console.log(“[debug] keyword:gtm-keywords”,meta.getMetaValue(‘gtm-keywords’));console.log(“[debug] tag:gtm-tags”,meta.getMetaValue(‘keywords’));console.log(“[debug] path:Page Path”,window.location.pathname);console.log(“[debug] browserLargerThan1460”,meta.isBrowserLarger(1460));} window.googletag=window.googletag||{};window.googletag.cmd=googletag.cmd||[];if(pubAds.dfpDebugOn()){console.log(“[debug] pushing pubAds.define() into the googletag cmd queue”);} let userAgent=window.navigator.userAgent;if(userAgent.toLowerCase().includes(‘bot’)===true){pubAds.enabled=false;} if(pubAds.enabled){googletag.cmd.push(function(){pubAds.barebonesDefine(gamPath,meta);});}})();]]]]]]>]]]]>]]> Q&A: Renegade Tea Estate – Putting Georgian Tea Back on the Map | World Tea News Skip to main content
Continue reading

Today, under the auspices of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the remains of a Saudi national who went missing during the 1990-1991 Gulf War were handed over by the State of Kuwait to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) at Kuwait International Airport.

After 30 years of painful uncertainty, the family of the missing Saudi national now has clarity on the fate of their loved one. Throughout this time, the KSA authorities have maintained the case on their missing persons list. The human remains were found in March 2019 at a burial site in Iraq’s Samawa District, with the joint efforts of Iraqi and Kuwaiti authorities, assisted by experts from the ICRC within the framework of the Tripartite Commission Mechanism.

The identification of the remains and its subsequent handover to KSA was conducted following conclusive DNA analysis, matching with Kuwait’s database of prisoners of war and missing persons and third-country nationals, led by the General Department of Forensic Evidence in the Ministry of Interior in the State of Kuwait.

The Tripartite Commission and its Technical Sub-Committee were set up in 1991 and 1994 respectively, to help ascertain the fate of people missing in connection with the 1990-1991 Gulf War. They are chaired by the ICRC and composed of representatives of the Republic of Iraq, the State of Kuwait, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and the Republic of France. In 2014, the UNAMI joined, as an observer.

The members of the Tripartite Commission are committed to upholding the right of families to receive answers about the fate of their missing loved ones. To this end, the Commission places all necessary efforts in the search and…

Continue reading