Japan's chief cabinet secretary to join race to succeed Abe as party leader - Reports
Aug 31, 2020, at 03:45 am
Tokyo/Sputnik: Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan Yoshihide Suga will join the race to succeed outgoing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, who will also become the country's next prime minister, the Kyodo news agency reported on Sunday, citing a source familiar with the matter.
France investigates senior military officer suspected spying for Russia
Aug 31, 2020, at 03:39 am
Paris/Sputnik: An investigation has been launched into a senior French military officer over a "security breach," French Defense Minister Florence Parly told Europe 1 radio broadcaster on Sunday amid reports the officer had passed classified information to Russia.
Norway: Clashes break out at far right rally
Aug 31, 2020, at 03:35 am
Oslo/UNI: Tension gripped the Norwegian capital after a clash broke out between two groups at an anti-community rally on late Saturday forcing authorities to step in and end the event early, local media reports said on Sunday.
Belarusian security forces detain 125 protesters in Minsk by 13:00 GMT
Aug 31, 2020, at 03:14 am
Minsk/Sputnik: Belarusian security forces deployed special equipment and arrested 125 people during an ongoing anti-government protest in Minsk by 13:00 GMT on Sunday, a spokeswoman for the Interior Ministry said.
Aug 30, 2020, at 05:20 am
Stockholm/UNI: Riots broke out in the Sweden city of Malmo, following burning of some objectionable material by the members of a far-right Danish party, police said on Saturday.
New killings after Jacob Blake shooting reveal chronic problems still to be overcome in US
Aug 29, 2020, at 10:25 pm
New York: Disturbing video footage purportedly showing a teenager involved in a deadly shooting in the US state of Wisconsin is evidence that far stricter gun control measures are needed, the UN human rights office, OHCHR said on Friday.
New guidelines aim to dismantle barriers blocking people with disabilities from access to justice
Aug 29, 2020, at 10:01 pm
New York: The first-ever guidelines on access to justice for people with disabilities are an “indispensable contribution” towards ensuring justice for all, UN human rights experts said on Friday.
Feels bad about resignation of Shinzo Abe: Donald Trump
Aug 29, 2020, at 09:53 pm
Washington/UNI: US President Donald Trump has expressed sadness over Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s decision to leave his post due to deteriorating health
Aug 29, 2020, at 08:21 pm
Stockholm: Stones were pelted at policemen as about 300 agitators set fire to tyres while protesting anti-Islam activities in Sweden's Malmo.
US govt 'strongly objects' to Turkish President Erdogan hosting Hamas leaders
Aug 29, 2020, at 03:07 am
Washington: The United States has strongly objected to Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan hosting two Hamas leaders in Istanbul on Aug 22.
Myanmar: Upcoming elections an opportunity to take a new inclusive democratic path
Aug 28, 2020, at 10:28 pm
New York: The Government of Myanmar should embrace upcoming national elections, scheduled for November, as an opportunity to take a new and fully inclusive democratic path, and to address the root of causes of abuses suffered by ethnic minorities, the UN human rights office (OHCHR) has urged.
UNESCO launches Beirut recovery fund for culture, heritage and education
Aug 28, 2020, at 10:16 pm
New York: To support the rehabilitation of schools, historic heritage buildings, museums and the creative economy, which suffered extensive damage in the deadly explosions that shook Beirut earlier this month, the head of the UN cultural agency on Thursday launched an international fund-raising appeal.
Aug 28, 2020, at 10:07 pm
New York: The UN’s expert on human rights in the Central African Republic (CAR) issued a series of recommendations on Wednesday to ensure that citizens – after years of civil unrest – can freely decide the future of their country during presidential elections on 27 December.
Chinese military says participation in army games to boost partnership with Russia
Aug 28, 2020, at 10:02 pm
Kubinka/Sputnik: The Chinese military's participation in the sixth International Army Games 2020 will contribute to strengthening the strategic partnership between China and Russia, as well as give an impetus to international military cooperation, Deputy Commander of the Chinese People's Liberation Army group, Senior Col. Liu Zhaoming told Sputnik.
Committee to review global treaty on response to health emergencies
Aug 28, 2020, at 09:59 pm
New York: An independent expert committee will be established to examine various aspects of the international treaty that governs preparedness and response to health emergencies, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Thursday.
Deliberate silencing of peaceful voices in Iraq ‘unacceptable’, says UN human rights chief
Aug 28, 2020, at 09:39 pm
New York: A new UN report launched on Thursday highlights human rights violations and abuses that were committed during recent demonstrations in Iraq and calls for immediate action for justice.
Trade agreement between UK, Japan postponed to September - Reports
Aug 28, 2020, at 09:28 pm
Tokyo/Sputnik: A post-Brexit agreement on foreign trade between Japan and the United Kingdom, which was set to be reached by the end of August, has been postponed to September, Japan's Kyodo new agency reported on Friday.
Human rights are the ‘means by which governments can successfully beat pandemics’, says UNAIDS chief
Aug 28, 2020, at 09:18 pm
New York: Some of the world’s most marginalized and defenseless communities have fallen victim to violence and other rights abuses during the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting the UN agency dedicated to tackling the AIDS virus to urge Governments to protect the most vulnerable, particularly key populations at higher risk of HIV.
Turkey seeks detention of 69 suspects over failed coup
Aug 28, 2020, at 09:15 pm
Istanbul/Xinhua: Turkish prosecutors on Friday issued detention warrants for 69 suspects at two separate investigations over their alleged links to a network believed to be behind a coup attempt in 2016.
Six US B-52 bombers to fly over all 30 NATO countries Friday - US European Command
Aug 28, 2020, at 09:00 pm
Moscow/Sputnik: Six US B-52 bombers will fly over all 30 NATO member states in one day in a show of solidarity and as an interoperability practice on Friday, the United States European Command said in a statement.
Japan PM Shinzo Abe to step down over health problems
Aug 28, 2020, at 08:27 pm
Tokyo/UNI: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who suffers from a chronic illness, is to step down from his post owing to health issues.
3 rockets hit Green Zone in Iraq's Baghdad
Aug 28, 2020, at 02:56 pm
Baghdad/Xinhua: Three Katyusha rockets on Thursday landed in the heavily fortified Green Zone in the Iraqi capital Baghdad without causing casualties, the Iraqi military said.
Israel hits Hamas targets in Gaza strip again after new explosive balloon attacks – IDF
Aug 28, 2020, at 02:38 pm
Moscow/Sputnik: The Israeli forces once again stroke facilities of the Hamas Islamist movement in the Gaza Strip after several explosive balloons had been launched from the Palestinian enclave, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said.
Aug 27, 2020, at 06:46 pm
New York: The COVID-19 pandemic is aggravating deep-rooted economic, social and political challenges in Iraq, but elections in 2021 – if credible - could open a new chapter for the Middle East nation after years of conflict and strife, the UN’s top official in the country said Wednesday.
UN again calls for full ratification of nuclear test-ban treaty
Aug 27, 2020, at 06:44 pm
New York: Achieving a nuclear-free world is the best way to honour lives devastated by these weapons, the UN disarmament chief told a virtual meeting held on Wednesday to commemorate the International Day against Nuclear Tests, observed annually on 29 August.
COVID-19: UN urges ramping up social protection programmes to safeguard those most vulnerable
Aug 27, 2020, at 06:42 pm
New York: The socio-economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic prompted UN agencies on Wednesday to call on countries to increase social protection programmes to protect those most at risk.
Refugees at risk of hunger and malnutrition, as relief hit in Eastern Africa
Aug 27, 2020, at 06:35 pm
New York: UN World Food Programme (WFP) has been forced to reduce its food and cash assistance for refugees in Eastern Africa by up to 30 per cent, the agency has said, voicing fears that the reductions could worsen in the coming months unless urgent additional funding is received in time.
Address root causes of the Rohingya refugee crisis, urges UN chief
Aug 27, 2020, at 06:25 pm
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for greater attention to the Rohingya refugee crisis – which entered its fourth year – and for addressing the root causes of the conflict.
US Spy plane entered Chinese airspace during China's military drill - Foreign Ministry
Aug 26, 2020, at 10:14 pm
Beijing/Sputnik: A US spy plane entered a no-fly zone in China's airspace as Chinese soldiers were holding an exercise, a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Zhao Lijian, said Wednesday.
Two civilians killed in Turkish drone airstrike in Northern Iraq – Official Media
Aug 26, 2020, at 10:11 pm
Baghdad/Sputnik: Two civilians were killed in the result of an airstrike launched by a Turkish unmanned aerial vehicle late on Tuesday on a car in the town of Khana Sor located in the northern Iraqi province of Nineveh, the official Security Media Cell has said.