United Nations

Sudanese military officials say they’ve broken through a siege by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group of the South Kordofan capital of Kadugli. It’s the military’s second major advance in the Kordofan region in less than a week.

A globetrotter, who has explored every single country in the world and over 400 islands, has labelled one island as the ‘world’s best’ following an ‘unforgettable’ experience

A world traveller who’s explored over 400 islands worldwide has singled out one destination with towering peaks and dramatic glaciers as the ‘best in the world’.

Henrik Jeppesen has accomplished an extraordinary achievement that most of us can only fantasise about – setting foot in every country on Earth. That amounts to 193 nations, as recognised by the United Nations.

The 37-year-old traveller, hailing from Thy in northwest Jutland, Denmark, has also crossed off more than 2,000 locations from his ever-growing bucket list, encompassing over 400 islands spanning every ocean. From the Maldives to New Zealand and Seychelles, Henrik is well-versed in island destinations and holds a wealth of expert knowledge.

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However, one particular island eclipses all others, leaving Henrik with a “deep impression” – South Georgia Island, which forms part of the British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic Ocean. The island, frequently characterised as ‘Antarctic-like’, boasts magnificent snow-capped peaks, enormous glaciers and profound fjords.

This stunning island has earned the nickname ‘Serengeti of the Southern Ocean’ thanks to its sub-Antarctic fauna, hosting more than seven million penguins, upwards of 65,000 seals, and as many as 30 million nesting birds. Its landscapes resemble something plucked straight from a wildlife programme. Indeed, Sir David Attenborough has famously visited this isolated island on multiple occasions.

Dubbing it the ‘best island in the world’, Henrik told the Express: “This British island lies deep in the South Atlantic Ocean, in the sub-Antarctic, and feels like one of the last truly wild places on Earth. South Georgia is raw, dramatic, and overwhelming in scale – nature entirely on its own terms.

“It’s especially known for its enormous penguin colonies, among the largest in the world, where hundreds of thousands of birds gather on black-sand beaches beneath towering mountains and glaciers. It’s a sensory experience that’s both humbling and unforgettable.”

Yet those yearning to explore the untamed terrain must organise their trip far in advance, as it’s regarded as one of the world’s most isolated spots. Henrik explained: “Getting there isn’t easy. There are no flights. The only real way to visit is by expedition cruise, usually departing from South America.

“I did this on a three-week voyage through some of the most remote seas on Earth. While it was unforgettable, it also reminded me of an important reality of exploration today: Even when paying a lot for an expedition cruise, landings at remote destinations are not guaranteed.”

He added: “On the same trip, we were scheduled to land at Tristan da Cunha, another famously remote island – yet conditions prevented us from making that landing at all. Despite that, South Georgia alone makes the journey more than worthwhile.”

Attenborough made his first trip to South Georgia Island with the BBC back in 1981, later returning for a brief documentary broadcast in 2020. However, despite its striking beauty, Attenborough observed at the time that: “South Georgia is a global rarity – an ecosystem in recovery.”

Attenborough highlighted the danger climate change poses to the Antarctic, as ice blanketing large portions of the island continues to melt. He explained: “Since I was first here, the island’s glaciers have retreated, some by 500 metres. A 2.5 °C rise in air temperatures in the past 70 years means the Antarctic is one of the fastest-warming regions on the planet.”

Professor Dame Jane Francis, Director of the British Antarctic Survey, commented at the time: “South Georgia is a real gem in the Southern Ocean. The stunning wildlife will fill you with awe and make you wonder at the incredible beauty of the island. South Georgia shows us how much better our planet can be if we learn to live in balance with nature.”

Henrik also remarked that South Georgia Island “reminds you that nature still rules the wild world.” Despite having explored over 400 islands, he’s discovered that the finest ones “aren’t about luxury or popularity, but defined by impact – how profoundly they stay with you long after the journey ends.”

Other islands that have captured Henrik’s attention during his globe-trotting adventures include New Zealand’s South Island, thanks to its “blend of epic scenery with safety and warmth”. He elaborated: “What makes the South Island especially unforgettable to me is not just the scenery, but the people, culture, and quality of life.”

He added: “The locals are welcoming and friendly, the food is excellent, the country feels clean, and it’s consistently ranked among the safest places to travel in the world. This combination of breathtaking nature, warm people, and peace of mind makes the South Island a rare travel gem.”

Additionally, he praised Suðuroy, which embodies tranquillity and authenticity, alongside Greenland for its “culture, scale, and deep personality”. Henrik also noted Easter Island as one of the best because it shows “isolation, history and beauty combine into something unforgettable.”

You can learn more about Henrik’s travels by visiting his website.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres appears to point at Trump as critics say his ‘Board of Peace’ aims to replace UN.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that international “cooperation is eroding” in the world, during a media briefing where he took aim at one – maybe two – powerful countries undermining efforts to solve global problems collectively.

In his annual address as secretary-general, where he outlined priorities for the UN, Guterres said on Thursday that the world body stood ready to help members do more to address their most pressing issues, including the climate catastrophe, inequality, conflict and the rising influence of technology companies.

But he warned that “global problems will not be solved by one power calling the shots,” in apparent reference to United States President Donald Trump’s administration and his moves to abandon much of the UN system, while also impelling countries to join his newly-created “Board of Peace”.

Guterres went on to say that “two powers” would also not solve key problems by “carving the world into rival spheres of influence”, in what appeared to be a reference to China and its growing role in global affairs.

Guterres, who will step down from his position at the end of the year, underscored the UN’s ongoing commitment to international law amid concerns that treaties, which countries have abided by for decades, are coming undone.

Amid Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza and the brazen abduction of Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro by US forces, the UN chief warned that international law is being “trampled” and “multilateral institutions are under assault on many fronts.”

But, he added, the UN was still “pushing for peace – just and sustainable peace rooted in international law”.

Beginning in his first term as US President, Trump sought to end his country’s formal participation in many aspects of the UN system, while also eager to wield influence over key decision-making bodies, including through the use of the US veto in the UN’s powerful Security Council.

Trump’s current administration has also imposed sanctions on UN Special Rapporteur for Palestine Francesca Albanese and threatened to sanction negotiators involved in UN talks on shipping pollution at the International Maritime Organization.

The US leader’s actions have drawn criticism.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio “Lula” da Silva earlier this month accused Trump of wanting to create “a new UN”.

Lula made his comment just days after Trump launched his “Board of Peace” initiative at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

While more than two dozen countries in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe have signed up as founding members of the peace board, several major nations, including France, have turned down invitations to join, and Canada has been excluded.

France said the Trump-led peace board “goes beyond the framework of Gaza and raises serious questions, in particular with respect to the principles and structure of the United Nations, which cannot be called into question”.