UN Security Council holds emergency meeting on recent U.S. attacks on Venezuela

The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss recent U.S. military attacks on Venezuela.

Calling it a "grave time", UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his deep concerns about U.S. strikes on Venezuela and its capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in a statement to the Security Council, read on his behalf by Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo.

Guterres said he is worried about the possible intensification of instability in the country, the potential impact on the region, and the precedent it may set for how relations between and among states are conducted.

The government of Venezuela has characterized the United States action as a military aggression carried out in civilian and military areas, and as a flagrant violation of the UN Charter, posing a threat to international and regional peace and security, the UN chief said.

He called on all Venezuelan actors to engage in an inclusive, democratic dialogue in which all sectors of society can determine their future.

He also urged Venezuela's neighbors, and the international community more broadly, to act in a spirit of solidarity and in adherence to the principles, laws and rules that promote peaceful coexistence.

Maduro made his first court appearance Monday morning in New York after he was seized by U.S. forces in his country.

UN Security Council holds emergency meeting on recent U.S. attacks on Venezuela

UN Security Council holds emergency meeting on recent U.S. attacks on Venezuela

UN Security Council holds emergency meeting on recent U.S. attacks on Venezuela

UN Security Council holds emergency meeting on recent U.S. attacks on Venezuela

The Global Mayors Dialogue opened in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province on Tuesday, bringing together mayors and senior city officials from across Europe, Asia, and North America to have in-depth exchanges on practical approaches to developing the ice and snow economy.

Held under the theme "Connecting the World with Ice and Snow, Win-Win Cooperation for a Shared Future", the three-day event gathered mayors, deputy mayors, and mayoral representatives from cities across the globe, including Canada, Finland, Germany, Greece, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, and Türkiye, focusing on the ice and snow economy, cultural integration, smart city development, heritage preservation, and urban governance.

The event featured a main dialogue and a scenario-based dialogue salon to foster in-depth exchanges and spark new ideas. Guests are invited to visit iconic sites such as the Harbin Ice and Snow World and attend the opening ceremony and trade events of the Harbin Ice and Snow Economy Expo, which are showcasing Harbin's achievements in building an ice and snow economy brand, strengthening international exchanges and cooperation, and inheriting ice and snow culture.

Harbin, called China's "ice city", has turned its long, cold winters into a major tourist attraction. Last winter, it welcomed a record 90.36 million visitors, generating 137.22 billion yuan (about 19.44 billion U.S. dollars) in revenue, a year-on-year increase of 16.6 percent.

International mayors gather in Harbin to explore ice and snow economy