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.
Imposition of new education policy: China facing protests in Inner Mongolia
Nov 13, 2020, at 12:49 am
Beijing: China is facing violent protests in Inner Mongolia over Beijing's decision to impose new education policy in the region.
Negative PCR test must for people travelling to Spain
Nov 12, 2020, at 07:21 am
Madrid/IBNS: Visitors to Spain from countries with high risk of coronavirus infection have to produce a negative PCR test within 72 hours of their arrival, said the country's health ministry on Wednesday.
China gets four Hong Kong lawmakers disqualified, others resign en masse
Nov 11, 2020, at 11:36 pm
Hong Kong/UNI: The Hong Kong government's decision to disqualify four opposition lawmakers on Wednesday led to a cascading effect, as 15 others from Hong Kong's pro-democracy camp in the legislature also tendered their resignation.
UK University students will have 'travel window' to spend Christmas with family: Govt
Nov 11, 2020, at 11:15 pm
London/Sputnik: UK university students will be able to spend Christmas with their families, but only if they use a six-day “travel window” that will be open from December 3 to December 9 immediately after the COVID-19 lockdown is lifted in England, the government announced on Wednesday.
'Have some plans': New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern on her wedding
Nov 11, 2020, at 07:01 pm
Welington/IBNS: After registering a thumping victory in the elections, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has revealed she might get wedded to her partner Clarke Gayford soon.
COVID-19: Slow road to jobs recovery for Latin America and the Caribbean
Nov 11, 2020, at 04:08 pm
New York: The labour market in Latin America and the Caribbean faces a slow recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for “active macro policies” and other measures to promote sustainable development alongside getting people back into the workforce.
Nov 11, 2020, at 03:57 pm
New York: The Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC) is urging Libya’s warring parties to implement their recent historic ceasefire agreement, calling it a “welcome concrete development” for a population that has been yearning for peace.