Commitment ‘crucial’ to strengthen Security Council, says UN Assembly President
Nov 18, 2020, at 02:43 pm
New York: Highlighting the importance of the UN Security Council to address peace and security challenges in an increasingly complex world, the President of the General Assembly has called on ambassadors to drive through “true reforms”, to make the body more effective.
Nov 18, 2020, at 06:45 am
London: Pakistani-origin Lord Nazir Ahmed, who in 1998 made history by becoming the first Muslim to be appointed a peer in Britain's House of Lords, has retired from Parliament after seeing a conduct report which has recommended his expulsion for sexually exploiting a vulnerable woman several decades ago.
Two people killed in gas blast at metal factory in Israel’s Ashdod: Police
Nov 17, 2020, at 10:30 pm
Tel Aviv/Sputnik: At least two people were killed and two others were injured as a result of an explosion that occurred earlier on Tuesday at a metallurgical plant in the Israeli coastal city of Ashdod, Israeli police spokesman Mikhail Zingerman told Sputnik.
French security forces evacuate 2,500 refugees from migrant camp in Paris's suburb
Nov 17, 2020, at 10:25 pm
Moscow/Sputnik: French police troops dismantled a migrant camp in Paris's northern suburb of Saint-Denis on Tuesday morning, evacuating some 2,500 refugees and homeless people.
Switzerland raises concerns on treatment of Tibetans in China during political dialogue
Nov 17, 2020, at 05:33 pm
Geneva: Switzerland’s State Secretary Krystyna Marty in a political dialogue via videoconference with China’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Qin Gang recently expressed concern over the human rights violations in China and the treatment meted out to Tibetans.
Second tough lockdown over COVID-19 begins in Austria
Nov 17, 2020, at 01:48 pm
Vienna/Sputnik: Austria starts the second tough lockdown due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, and the restrictions will be in effect until at least December 6.
South Korea arrests 8 suspected internet scammers with links to N Korean hacker: Reports
Nov 16, 2020, at 10:04 pm
Moscow/Sputnik: South Korea's police and the National Intelligence Service have arrested eight members of a phishing ring suspected of conspiring with a North Korean hacker to obtain private bank user data and extort large amounts of money from clients, South Korean media reported on Monday, citing officials.
Nov 16, 2020, at 05:48 pm
Geneva: The Swiss Foreign Policy Commission has recommended the country's government to submit a detailed report to the Parliament on the implementation of human rights dialogue with Beijing and also on the situation of Tibetans in Switzerland, a move seen at a time when rising human rights abuse in Tibet by Beijing is being reported regularly.
Libyan elections to take place in December 2021: senior UN official
Nov 16, 2020, at 04:08 pm
New York: National elections in Libya will take place on 24 December 2021, Stephanie Williams, the head of the UN mission in the country, announced on Friday during a virtual press conference.
Over 760 people detained across Belarus at Sunday opposition rallies: Rights Activists
Nov 16, 2020, at 02:34 pm
Minsk/Sputnik: More than 760 people were detained during Sunday unauthorized anti-government protests held across Belarus, the unregistered Viasna human rights center said.
Belarusian security forces use tear gas against protesters in Minsk : Reports
Nov 16, 2020, at 03:49 am
Minsk/Sputnik: Belarusian security forces targeted protesters in Minsk with tear gas on Sunday, according to local telegram channels.
Germans should brace for 4-5 months of Coronavirus curbs: Altmaier
Nov 16, 2020, at 02:43 am
Moscow/Sputnik: Coronavirus curbs will stay in place in Germany for four to five months, Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said in an interview out Sunday, dashing hopes of a return to normal in time for Christmas.
Ex-Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull warns country to not buckle under pressure from China
Nov 15, 2020, at 04:03 am
Canberra: Former Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull has cautioned that the nation should not “buckle under pressure” from an onslaught of trade actions from Beijing and change its stance on controversial bilateral issues with China.
Esper warned Trump against speedy Afghan pullout in memo before termination – Reports
Nov 14, 2020, at 10:58 pm
Moscow/Sputnik: Mark Esper sent a classified memo to US President Donald Trump warning him against a rapid withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, shortly before he was "terminated" from his position as secretary of defense, media said Saturday.
Japan pledges $200mln in coronavirus aid to ASEAN - Reports
Nov 14, 2020, at 09:56 pm
Tokyo/Sputnik: Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Saturday promised to supply the coronavirus-hit Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with medical aid in excess of $200 million, national media said.
Iran refutes presence of Al-Qaeda on its territory after reported Israeli operation
Nov 14, 2020, at 09:39 pm
Terhran/Sputnik: The Iranian Foreign Ministry on Saturday refuted the presence of al-Qaeda terrorist group (banned in Russia) in the country after The New York Times newspaper reported that Israeli agents had killed one of the group’s leaders in Tehran.
Iran rejects Al-Qaeda's presence in its territory after reported Israeli operation
Nov 14, 2020, at 09:30 pm
Terhran/Sputnik: The Iranian Foreign Ministry on Saturday refuted the presence of al-Qaeda terrorist group (banned in Russia) in the country after The New York Times newspaper reported that Israeli agents had killed one of the group’s leaders in Tehran.
Guterres ‘remains committed’ to maintaining 1991 ceasefire in Western Sahara
Nov 14, 2020, at 04:07 pm
New York: The UN chief has expressed “grave concern” at the possible consequences which could arise from an operation reportedly launched by the Moroccan Government on the southern border of Western Sahara, in response to a reported highway blockade by supporters of the pro-independence Frente POLISARIO.
Mozambique Cabo Delgado violence is a ‘desperate’ situation, warns Bachelet
Nov 14, 2020, at 03:58 pm
New York: There is increasing concern about the worsening security situation in Cabo Delgado province in northern Mozambique, which the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights described on Friday as “desperate”.
South Sudan: ‘No child anywhere should suffer from polio’: UN health agency
Nov 14, 2020, at 03:53 pm
New York: Although South Sudan had recently been declared free from the wild poliovirus, the UN health agency said on Friday that 15 children under the age of five are reported to have been infected by a vaccine-derived form of polio, which has left them with irreversible paralysis.
Reported Ethiopia massacre: UN rights chief warns of spiralling situation, war crimes
Nov 14, 2020, at 03:47 pm
New York: Disturbing reports of an alleged massacre have surfaced in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, amid fighting between national and regional forces that may become impossible to control, the UN human rights chief warned on Friday.
Over 110 people detained during Friday protests in Belarus
Nov 14, 2020, at 03:02 pm
Minsk/Sputnik: More than 110 people were arrested on Friday during protests across the country which was sparked by the death of opposition activist Roman Bondarenko, the Vesna human rights center said.
Nov 14, 2020, at 04:10 am
Brussels: During the European Parliamentary plenary of Nov 11, French MEP Nicolas Bay from the Identity and Democracy Group had strong words against European aid to Pakistan and Turkey in light of threats coming from both countries.
Turkish forces ‘neutralize’ 14 Kurdish fighters in Northern Syria: Defense Ministry
Nov 13, 2020, at 10:28 pm
Ankara/Sputnik: Turkish forces on Friday "neutralized" 14 members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party and Syrian Kurdish Self-Defense Forces (PKK/YPG) in northern Syria, the defense ministry said.
More tragedy on the Mediterranean as 74 migrants reportedly drown off Libya coast
Nov 13, 2020, at 04:04 pm
New York: The International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Thursday reported yet another devastating shipwreck in the Central Mediterranean, which has claimed the lives of at least 74 migrants off the coast of Khums, Libya. It is the eighth such incident since the beginning of October.
Landmine toll still high amid concerns over COVID-19 impact on clearance efforts
Nov 13, 2020, at 03:47 pm
New York: Thousands of people continue to be killed and injured every year by landmines and explosive weapons in conflicts around the world, while the COVID-19 pandemic has forced mine-clearance efforts to be scaled back, a UN-backed civil society report on the issue said on Thursday.
‘No way’ to get vital humanitarian aid into Ethiopia’s Tigray region, UN warns
Nov 13, 2020, at 03:40 pm
New York: With telephone lines still cut and transport links disrupted, it is impossible for humanitarians to get vital supplies into Ethiopia’s Tigray region or assess evolving humanitarian needs, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has said.
Seafarers, heroes of the pandemic as shipping plays vital role in crisis
Nov 13, 2020, at 03:37 pm
New York: The global shipping industry has played a vital role in the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and demand for its services has limited the annual decline in maritime trade volumes to around 4.1 per cent in 2020, the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said in its annual report on the shipping industry on Thursday.
Beirut blast aftermath: Healing underway, city needs more support to cleanse ‘deep wounds’
Nov 13, 2020, at 03:32 pm
New York: Those affected by the devastating explosions that tore through Beirut 100 days ago, killing more than 200 people, remain in need of crucial support, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned on Wednesday.
Terrorist attack in northern Burkina Faso leaves 14 security officers killed
Nov 13, 2020, at 02:56 pm
Ouagadougou/Sputnik: A terrorist attack in the northern part of Burkina Faso had resulted in the death of 14 security officers, French media reported on Thursday.