World News in Brief: Korea tensions mount, UN demands answers over staff death in Yemen, Guterres in Spain, Nepal alert ahead of COP31

UN Secretary-General António Guterres remains concerned over the situation on the Korean Peninsula, including the potential escalation of tensions across the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), his Spokesperson said on Thursday.The Secretary-General encouraged the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and neighbouring Republic of Korea – more commonly known as North and South Korea – to resume communication channels, including on the military-to-military level, to avoid unintended accidents or miscalculations, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told journalists in New York.“Diplomatic engagement and renewed dialogue remain the only pathway to reduce tensions and to achieve sustainable peace on the Korean Peninsula,” he said.Yemen: UN calls for investigation into staffer’s deathThe circumstances surrounding the death of UN staff member Mohammad el Shami, who was arbitrarily detained by the Houthi de facto authorities in Yemen, “raise serious concerns about possible ill-treatment”, the UN said on Thursday.Theses include the Houthis’ prolonged failure to disclose reliable information about his fate and well-being, Mr. Dujarric said.He called for a prompt, independent, impartial and transp...