Journalism under fire: UNESCO raises alarm over surge of attacks on media workers covering protests
Sep 15, 2020, at 02:38 pm
New York: Clampdowns on the media have increased sharply in 2020, the UN cultural agency said on Monday, highlighting 21 protests around the world this year in which State security forces have violated journalists’ rights.
IAEA head says North Korea's nuclear activities remain major concern among int'l community
Sep 14, 2020, at 11:03 pm
Moscow/Sputnik: North Korea's nuclear activities are still causing the international community to have serious concerns, as the country continues to violate resolutions of the UN Security Council by further implementing its nuclear program, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi said in a statement on Monday.
Iran executes wrestler Navid Afkari amid global outcry, Olympic body expresses shock
Sep 14, 2020, at 07:07 am
Tehran/IBNS: Iran has executed a 27-year-old wrestler for allegedly murdering a government employee despite appeals by athletes across the world and international bodies, an AFP report said.
Israeli police detain 9 protesters in Jerusalem during anti-government rally
Sep 14, 2020, at 03:06 am
Tel Aviv/Sputnik: Nine people were arrested in Jerusalem on Saturday during a demonstration against the government and its response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Israeli police said on Sunday.
Spain Police apprehend two for smuggling dual-use equipment to Pakistani military cos
Sep 13, 2020, at 11:13 pm
Madrid: Spanish Police have arrested two people on charges of smuggling dual-use equipment and technology to Pakistani military companies, media reports said on Sunday.
Russia registers 5 ceasefire violations in Syria, Turkey records no breaches: Ministry
Sep 13, 2020, at 09:31 pm
Moscow/Sputnik: The Russian side of the Russian-Turkish commission monitoring the implementation of the Syrian truce has registered five ceasefire violations in Syria over the past 24 hours, while the Turkish side did not record any truce breaches, the Russian Defense Ministry said in its daily bulletin on Sunday.
ATV Accident in Moscow Region Leaves 1 Adult Dead, 3 Children Injured – Interior Ministry
Sep 13, 2020, at 03:46 pm
MOSCOW/Sputnik: One adult has died and three children have suffered injuries after an ATV accident in Moscow region on Saturday, the regional branch of the Ministry of Internal Affairs told Sputnik.
Yellow vest protesters rally at place Wagram in French capital of Paris
Sep 12, 2020, at 10:23 pm
Paris/Sputnik: The first Yellow Vest protests in Paris since March have begun on Saturday at Place Wagram in the French capital’s 17th arrondissement, a Sputnik correspondent at the scene reports.
At least 50 feared dead after Congo mine caves in
Sep 12, 2020, at 08:30 pm
Kinshasa/UNI: At least 50 people are feared dead after a gold mine collapsed in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, local authorities said on Saturday.
Don't cross the line: Taiwan warns China
Sep 12, 2020, at 04:06 pm
Taipei: Amid ongoing border standoff with India, Taiwan now warned China that it should not "cross the line".
Guterres condemns killing of journalists, following beheading of Mexican crime reporter
Sep 12, 2020, at 03:48 pm
New York: Following the gruesome death of a Mexican journalist specializing in crime reporting, who was found beheaded on Wednesday, UN chief António Guterres has issued a statement condemning the increasing number of attacks made on media workers worldwide.
Belarus: UN chief deeply concerned over use of force against peaceful protesters
Sep 12, 2020, at 03:43 pm
New York: Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday expressed deep concern over the continued use of force against peaceful protestors in Belarus and detention of those exercising their legitimate democratic rights
Switzerland: Draft anti-terrorism law sets ‘dangerous precedent’, rights experts warn
Sep 12, 2020, at 03:39 pm
New York: A proposed new anti-terrorism law in Switzerland could set a dangerous precedent for the suppression of political dissent worldwide, a group of five independent UN human rights experts warned on Friday.
New fires at Greek island refugee camp destroy last remaining shelters
Sep 12, 2020, at 03:23 pm
New York: Fresh fires at a Greek island centre for thousands of refugees and migrants, have destroyed all remaining accommodation for those affected by the initial blaze on Tuesday evening.
Al-Qaeda threatens with new attack on Charlie Hebdo over Prophet Cartoons reprint: Reports
Sep 12, 2020, at 01:53 pm
Moscow/Sputnik: Al-Qaeda terror group (outlawed in Russia) has threatened with a new attack on the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo after the latter’s decision to reprint the caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed, French media reported.
Security Council demands an end to attacks on schools worldwide
Sep 11, 2020, at 11:08 pm
New York: The Security Council on Thursday demanded a halt to attacks on schools, together with students and teachers in conflict zones around the world, in a presidential statement coinciding with the first International Day to Protect Education from Attack.
Issues surrounding Syria’s chemical weapons programme must be resolved, to restore global confidence
Sep 11, 2020, at 11:04 pm
New York: Until outstanding issues related to Syria’s initial declaration of its chemical weapons stockpile and programme are resolved, the international community cannot have full confidence that its activities have ended, the UN’s top disarmament expert told the Security Council on Thursday.
Man crashes into police car in center of Amsterdam
Sep 11, 2020, at 10:22 pm
The Hague/Xinhua: A man in a van drove into a police car several times in the center of Amsterdam on Friday morning, with one police officer injured, the Amsterdam police said on Twitter.
Uyghur Genocide: Activists slam Disney for filming Mulan in Xinjiang
Sep 11, 2020, at 08:19 pm
Washington: Activists and netizens have been outraged after Disney shot several portions of the action movie Mulan in parts of China where it is believed that authorities have placed countless people, mostly Uyghur Muslims, in concentration camps, subjecting them to human rights abuses. Campaign for Uyghurs Executive Director Rushan Abbas in a video message said she was horrified by the choice of Disney to shoot there ignoring the genocide of people by communist China.
Work to achieve a culture of peace amid COVID-19 upheaval: UN Secretary-General
Sep 11, 2020, at 07:00 pm
New York: As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to upend economies and societies, while also threatening to erode trust in public institutions and democracy, it is critical that people everywhere continue to pursue peace.
Belarus: Ensure ‘full respect’ for workers’ rights during protests, ILO urges President Lukashenko
Sep 11, 2020, at 06:40 pm
New York: Voicing deep concern over detention and arrests of trade unionists in Belarus, the head of the UN International Labour Organization (ILO) called on President Alexander Lukashenko to ensure a climate free from violence and intimidation against peacefully protesting workers
No casualties as result of blast at ammunition depot in Jordan’s Zarqa: State Media
Sep 11, 2020, at 06:27 pm
Cairo/Sputnik: No one was killed or injured in the result of a powerful explosion that occurred in the early hours of Friday at an ammunition depot in the Jordanian city of Zarqa, northeast of the Amman capital, the state-run Jordan News Agency (Petra) reported, citing a senior military source in the country's Armed Forces.
Sep 11, 2020, at 06:23 pm
New York: The erosion of trust in public institutions, unequal access to health care and tensions around delicate peace negotiations, are among the risks amplified by COVID-19, which if not mitigated, could push more countries into violence, the UN political affairs chief told the Security Council on Wednesday.
Fresh war crimes fears highlighted in new Yemen report
Sep 11, 2020, at 06:12 pm
New York: The war in Yemen continues to ravage the country and its people, senior UN-appointed rights investigators said on Wednesday, in a call for an international probe into suspected war crimes, and sanctions against the perpetrators.
France, Australia speak out about Taliban prisoners release, transfer ahead of Doha talks
Sep 11, 2020, at 06:06 pm
Moscow/Sputnik: The French Foreign Ministry expressed on Friday its discontent with the Afghan government's decision to release Taliban prisoners who were convicted to sentences for murdering French citizens, and Australia's high-ranking officials condemned the decision to transfer "sensitive" prisoners to Doha.
Greece: Devasting fire compounds overcrowding and COVID-19 challenges in refugee camp
Sep 11, 2020, at 05:54 pm
New York: UN agencies have offered support to Greek authorities on Wednesday after a major fire ripped through an overcrowded refugee camp overnight, destroying dwellings and forcing thousands to flee, many reportedly suffering from smoke inhalation.
Lebanon: Fire breaks out at oils and tires warehouse in Beirut
Sep 10, 2020, at 11:46 pm
Beirut/IBNS: A major fire broke out at an oils and tires warehouse in the duty-free market of Lebanon capital Beirut's port on Thursday.
US President Donald Trump nominated for Nobel Peace Prize 2021
Sep 09, 2020, at 11:38 pm
Washington: US President Donald Trump has been nominated for the coveted 2021 Nobel Peace Prize, just weeks after he helped to broker peace between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Under ‘extraordinary circumstances’, General Assembly continues to serve the people
Sep 09, 2020, at 03:20 pm
New York: Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the General Assembly has worked hard, under “extraordinary circumstances” to uphold its vital mandates, perform essential services, and ensure continuity in the name of the people the Organization serves, the president of the UN body said on Tuesday.
Finance Ministers meet to refine ‘single ambitious menu’ for COVID-19 recovery and beyond
Sep 09, 2020, at 03:04 pm
New York: The UN Deputy Secretary-General has reminded Finance Ministers from across the world of their duty to help countries emerge from the social and economic chaos brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.