Apr 18, 2021, at 01:18 am
New York: The United Nations Secretary-General, on Friday, called for a “revolution” in urban planning and urban transport to beat back impacts of climate change and build a green and sustainable future for all.
Myanmar releases over 23,000 prisoners, including foreigners: Reports
Apr 17, 2021, at 11:19 pm
Moscow/Sputnik: Myanmar's military authorities have granted amnesty to more than 23,000 prisoners, including foreigners, news agency Xinhua reported on Saturday, citing the decision of the State Administration Council.
Bangladesh records 101 new COVID-19 deaths
Apr 17, 2021, at 10:56 pm
Dhaka: Bangladesh recorded 101 deaths due to COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, taking the death toll to 10,283, media reports said.
Colombo Port City will not become Chinese colony: Sri Lankan government
Apr 17, 2021, at 10:21 pm
Under attack from all sides over the controversial Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill, the Sri Lankan government defended the move, saying the city will not become a Chinese colony.
Chinese embassy in US slams statements by Biden, Suga on Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang
Apr 17, 2021, at 10:10 pm
Beijing/Sputnik: The Chinese Embassy to the United States on Saturday rebuked statements made by US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on the situation in Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, reminding that these are China's domestic matters and should not be interfered with.
Aurat March organizer booked for blasphemy in Pakistan
Apr 17, 2021, at 10:02 pm
Organizers of the Aurat March in Pakistan were booked over blasphemy charges by Peshawar Police on the order of a local court, Dawn reported.
US condemns sentencing of seven Hong Kong pro-democracy activists: Blinken
Apr 17, 2021, at 03:37 pm
Washington/Sputnik: The United States condemned the sentencing of seven pro-democracy activists who took part in a peaceful assembly of 1.7 million people in Hong Kong, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.
US: Four Sikhs, 4 others killed in Indianapolis mass shooting
Apr 17, 2021, at 02:40 pm
Indianapolis/UNI: Three women and one man from the Sikh community were among eight FeDEx employees who were killed in a shooting at FedEx parking area, near Indianapolis International Airport on Thursday night.
Pakistani passport is fourth worst in the world: Henley Passport Index
Apr 17, 2021, at 06:59 am
Islamabad: Pakistan passport remained the fourth weakest passport in the world behind only war-torn Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq, as per Henley Passport Index.
US: CBP seizes counterfeit N95 masks that originated from China
Apr 17, 2021, at 06:43 am
Houston: U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Houston Seaport intercepted a shipment of counterfeit N95 masks that with an estimated Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of almost $350,000.
Moderna slashes its COVID-19 vaccine supply to Canada by half in April end
Apr 17, 2021, at 05:07 am
Ottawa/IBNS: Anita Anand Canada's Procurement Minister said that Moderna's supply of incoming vaccines to Canada would be half of the expected supply through the rest of Apri.
UN satisfied with relocation of Rohingya refugees to Bhasan Char island
Apr 17, 2021, at 04:23 am
The team of the United Nations who had visited Bhasan Char island - the new site for the relocation of 100,000 Rohingya refugees - has expressed its satisfaction with the facilities developed by the Bangladesh government. Initially, the government had faced criticism for its relocation plan.
Hong Kong: Media tycoon Jimmy Lai sentenced to 14 months for pro-democracy protests
Apr 17, 2021, at 04:23 am
Hong Kong: Hong Kong's pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai was sentenced to 14-month prison as he was found guilty of unauthorised assembly, media reports said.
Pakistan briefly blocks access to all major social media platforms
Apr 17, 2021, at 04:11 am
Authorities in Pakistan Friday had blocked access to all social media platforms in the country on Friday, media reports said. However, partial access was restored by evening. The move came at a time when the government has been struggling to contain violent protests led by an Islamist group.
US clamps sanctions against Pakistani company functioning as Russian proxy
Apr 17, 2021, at 04:10 am
The US on Thursday sanctioned a Pakistan-based organisation and six individuals for trying to influence the US presidential 2020 election on behalf of a Russian network, the News reported.
Protesters demonstrate outside Pakistani embassy in Hague, demand apology for genocide in Bangladesh
Apr 16, 2021, at 11:56 pm
Hague: A demonstration occurred outside the Pakistan embassy in the Hague recently where the protesters demanded an "unconditional official apology" for the genocide committed by the Pakistan Army in Bangladesh during the 1971 Liberation War, media reports said.
‘Inequality virus’ threatens ‘catastrophe for all’ unless crisis can be overcome together
Apr 16, 2021, at 11:47 pm
New York: The COVID-19 pandemic is leading to “an even more unequal world”, the Deputy UN chief said on Thursday, speaking at the closing session of the Financing for Development (FfD) Forum, with many lower-income countries now seeing development gains reversed.
New UN-backed framework to boost agricultural trade between African nations
Apr 16, 2021, at 11:31 pm
New York: The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), together with the African Union (AU) Commission, launched a new continent-wide framework on Thursday, to boost trade and improve food security.
41 Sri Lankan women migrant workers detained in Saudi Arabia for months
Apr 16, 2021, at 11:22 pm
At least 41 Sri Lankan women migrant workers have been detained in Saudi Arabia for as long as 18 months, Amnesty International said in a statement, demanding their immediate release.
Maldivian foreign minister calls for ‘peaceful & stable’ Indian Ocean
Apr 16, 2021, at 10:17 pm
Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdullah Shahid, on a visit to India, has called for a “peaceful, prosperous and stable” Indian Ocean and added that it is essential for the "stability" of the Maldives.
UN experts urge US to align anti-terrorism programme with international law
Apr 16, 2021, at 09:56 pm
New York: A so-called “Rewards for Justice” programme in the United States is violating the human rights of some of the individuals it targets, independent UN human rights experts said on Wednesday.
Prevention is ‘only cure’ to end sexual violence in conflict, Security Council hears
Apr 16, 2021, at 05:16 pm
New York: “Prevention is the best and only cure” to stem the multiple, devastating and enduring consequences faced by survivors of sexual violence in conflict, especially as a brutal tactic of war, a senior UN official told the Security Council on Wednesday.
Settler violence is rising in Occupied Palestinian Territory, warn experts
Apr 16, 2021, at 05:07 pm
New York: Violence attributed to Israeli settlers against Palestinians living in the West Bank has worsened in recent months, amidst “an atmosphere of impunity”, UN-appointed independent rights experts said on Wednesday.
Canada’s manufacturing sector dips in February amid semiconductor shortage
Apr 16, 2021, at 03:26 pm
Toronto/Sputnik: Canada’s manufacturing sector saw its largest decline since the August 2020 in February, the state statistics agency said in its monthly manufacturing report.
Over 100 people protesting against online education near residence of Argentine President
Apr 16, 2021, at 03:10 pm
Buenos Aires/Sputnik: More than 100 people have gathered near the residence of Argentine President Alberto Fernandez to protest against returning schoolchildren to online education amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a Sputnik correspondent reported.
Pakistan govt bans TLP after days of violent protests
Apr 16, 2021, at 05:05 am
Islamabad: The Pakistan government on Thursday formally banned the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) after days of violent protests by the members of the radical islamist group following the arrest of their leader.
Pakistan approaches Twitter to block contents directed against judiciary
Apr 16, 2021, at 04:58 am
Islamabad: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has asked micro-blogging site Twitter to block and remove malicious “trends and tweets” vilifying the superior judiciary of the country, media reports said.
Chinese challenge: Taiwan gearing up to welcome Mike Pompeo
Apr 16, 2021, at 04:53 am
Taiwan is gearing up to welcome former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo later this year, a development that might anger China further.
Ontario reports new record high Covid cases with 4,736 fresh infections, 29 more deaths
Apr 16, 2021, at 04:44 am
Ontario/IBNS: A new record high of 4,736 cases of COVID-19 and 29 more deaths were reported in Ontario on Thursday.
Pakistan: Blast during football match leaves 14 hurt
Apr 16, 2021, at 04:24 am
Khuzdar: A bomb explosion during a football match in Pakistan's Lasbela district on Tuesday left at least 14 people hurt, media reports said.