Technology brings positive change, but ‘collateral damage’ must be minimized: senior UN official

Aug 28, 2019, at 09:45 am

New York, Aug 28 (IBNS): Digital technology has the potential to bring about a sustainable future, but the “collateral damage” of this transition must be mitigated, says the head of the UN’s technology strategy team, Salem Avan.

With ISIL down but not out, continued vigilance is key, UN Security Council told

Aug 28, 2019, at 09:25 am

New York, Aug 28 (IBNS): Despite ISIL’s territorial defeat in Syria, the terrorist group, also known as Da’esh “continues to aspire to global relevance”, the United Nations top counter-terrorism officials told the Security Council on Tuesday.

‘Complete political deadlock’ over Middle East peace risks more violence, regional escalation, warns UN envoy

Aug 28, 2019, at 09:17 am

New York, Aug 28 (IBNS): Tangible steps “can, and must, be taken” to urgently reverse the “negative trajectory” of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and revive the peace process, a senior United Nations envoy told the Security Council on Tuesday. 

Football is ‘refuge for those who have left everything’; UN initiative aims to bolster well-being of refugee, migrant children in Peru

Aug 28, 2019, at 09:10 am

New York, Aug 28 (IBNS): Sport brings people together “regardless of conditions or flags”, a senior United Nations official in Perú said on Tuesday referring to a new initiative launched over this past weekend to promote the well-being of children and youth in Lima’s refugee and migrant communities through football.

Iranian court sentences Iranian-British citizen to 12 years in jail on espionage charges

Aug 27, 2019, at 05:39 pm

Tehran, Aug 27 (Sputnik/UNI) An Iranian court has sentenced an Iranian-British dual national, Anushe Ashuri, to 12 years in prison on espionage charges, including cooperation with Israel's Mossad intelligence agency, Iran judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaeili said on Tuesday.

Hezbollah finds 5.5-kg explosives in crashed Israeli drone

Aug 27, 2019, at 05:31 pm

Beirut, Aug 27 (Xinhua/UNI) Hezbollah announced on Tuesday that the drone which crashed in Beirut's southern suburbs had carried 5.5 kg of C-4 explosives, the National News Agency reported.

Passenger plane catches fire at Beijing Airport - Statement

Aug 27, 2019, at 05:25 pm

Moscow, Aug 27 (Sputnik) A passenger aircraft awaiting departure caught on fire in the Capital Airport in Beijing on Tuesday, the airport authority said in a statement on its official Weibo account.

Japan's Minister warns N Korea developing missiles capable of breaking through air defense

Aug 27, 2019, at 05:23 pm

Tokyo, Aug 27 (Sputnik) North Korea's recent missile launches indicate that the country is busy developing new types of missiles that may be difficult for air defense to intercept, Japanese Defence Minister Takeshi Iwaya told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday.

Iraq: Bomb blast in Diyala leaves one civilian injured

Aug 27, 2019, at 04:30 pm

Baghdad, Aug 27 (IBNS): A bomb blast hit  Diyala area in Iraq and left one civilian wounded, media reports said on Tuesday.

We can deal with protests ourselves: Chief Executive of Hong Kong Carrie Lam

Aug 27, 2019, at 04:27 pm

Hong Kong City, Aug 27 (IBNS): Chief Executive of Hong Kong Carrie Lam on Tuesday said the government will act 'within existing' laws to deal with the ongoing anti-government protests going on in the city for the past couple of months.

Hong Kong Chief Executive meets young people amid escalation of protests – Reports

Aug 27, 2019, at 10:20 am

Beijing, Aug 27 (Sputnik/UNI) Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam held on Tuesday a meeting with young people two days after the escalation of tensions between the protesters and security officers in the city, Chinese media reported.

Three Hashd Shaabi members killed in IS attack in central Iraq

Aug 27, 2019, at 10:17 am

Baghdad, Aug 27 (Xinhua/UNI) At least three Hashd Shaabi paramilitary members were killed Monday in an attack on their position by Islamic State (IS) militants in the central province of Salahudin, a provincial security source said.

Sudan: New political transition, bolstered by peacebuilding, could bring long-term stability to Darfur, Security Council told

Aug 27, 2019, at 10:00 am

New York, Aug 27 (IBNS): “Important developments” under way in Sudan since midsummer, including a pledge to end the country’s outstanding conflicts, and the establishment of a new transitional government, could serve to edge the country’s people closer to stability, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix said, briefing the UN Security Council on Monday.  

UN civil society conference to focus on sustainable solutions for challenges of urban life

Aug 27, 2019, at 09:59 am

New York, Aug 27 (IBNS): “Well-planned and managed cities can steer us towards inclusive growth and serve as models of harmony among diverse people”, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres declared in a video message on Monday to delegates at the 68th UN Civil Society Conference, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Hong Kong Protest against Chinese govt continues: 36 people arrested

Aug 26, 2019, at 06:30 pm

Hong Kong City, Aug 26 (IBNS): Hong Kong Police have said 36 people have been arrested over what it dubbed "violent protests" by pro-democracy activists which broke out in the region on Sunday again where cops even resorted to gunshot and use of water cannons to bring the situation under control.

Trump says delay of increased tariffs on Chinese imports possible

Aug 26, 2019, at 05:34 pm

Moscow, Aug 26 (Sputnik/UNI) US President Donald Trump said Monday that it was possible Washington would delay increasing tariffs on Chinese imports announced last week as trade talks between the two global heavyweights continue.

Israeli aircraft hit Hamas sites in Gaza

Aug 26, 2019, at 03:59 pm

Jerusalem, Aug 26 (Xinhua/UNI) Israeli aircraft have hit the Palestinian movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip after rockets were fired from the territory of the enclave, according to a statement released by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Monday.

Almost 20 people detained during protests near G7 summit in France's Biarritz - Reports

Aug 26, 2019, at 10:13 am

Moscow, Aug 26 (Sputnik/UNI) French police detained 19 people in connection with protests near Biarritz, host city of the G7 summit, the Sud-Ouest newspaper reported on Sunday, citing the prefecture of the Atlantic Pyrenees department.The newspaper noted that 17 of those had been detained on Sunday, mainly for carrying weapons and violence against law enforcement officers.

Gaza militants fire 3 rockets toward southern Israel: army

Aug 26, 2019, at 10:09 am

Jerusalem, Aug 26 (Xinhua/UNI) Militants from the Gaza Strip fired three rockets on Sunday night toward southern Israel, one of which exploded inside Israel , the Israeli army said.

Anti-Macron March underway in Bayonne amid G7 Summit in neighboring Biarritz

Aug 25, 2019, at 10:34 pm

Bayonne, France, August 25 (Sputnik/UNI) A protest march against French President Emmanuel Macron has begun on Sunday in Bayonne, a city in the southwest of France, just a few miles from Biarritz, which is currently hosting the G7 summit, a Sputnik correspondent reported.

Iraqi military intelligence forces arrest two Islamic State terrorists from Kirkuk

Aug 25, 2019, at 09:07 pm

Baghdad, Aug 25 (IBNS):  Iraqi military intelligence forces have said that two Islamic State terrorists have been arrested from Kirkuk province of the country, media reports said.

Hong Kong police fire gun and use water cannon on pro-democracy protests

Aug 25, 2019, at 08:43 pm

Hong Kong, Aug 25 (IBNS): It was for the first time in 12 weekends that a Hong Kong police officer fired a gunshot as pro-democracy protests once again took place in the specially administered region of China on Sunday.

Macron denies receiving any G7 mandate for talks with Iran

Aug 25, 2019, at 06:33 pm

Paris, August 25 (Sputnik/UNI) French President Emmanuel Macron denied on Sunday that he had received any mandate from the fellow G7 leaders to hold talks with Iran on the club’s behalf, noting that the nations, "each in its role," would make coordinated efforts in this regard.

IS terrorists kill 6, injure 9 in Northern Iraq - Security Services

Aug 25, 2019, at 06:30 pm

Moscow, August 25 (Sputnik/UNI) The militants of the Islamic State terrorist group (IS, outlawed in Russia) have attacked civilians in northern Iraq killing six people and injuring nine more, a press service of the Iraqi security forces said on Sunday.

Gunmen abduct 5 in NW Nigeria village attack: police

Aug 25, 2019, at 06:26 pm

Abuja, Aug 25 (Xinhua/UNI) Nigerian police said on Sunday that a group of gunmen raided a village and took away five persons in Nigeria's northern state of Kaduna.

G7 summit instructs Macron to send message to Iran regarding nuclear deal - Reports

Aug 25, 2019, at 06:14 pm

Paris, August 25 (Sputnik/UNI) Leaders of G7 countries have tasked French President Emmanuel Macron with sending a message to Tehran about the future of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal, based on the results of negotiations in Biarritz, local media reported on Sunday.

Pope Francis expresses concern over Amazon rainforest wildfires

Aug 25, 2019, at 06:01 pm

Moscow, Aug 25 (Sputnik/UNI) Pope Francis expressed concern on Sunday over ongoing wildfires in the Amazon rainforest and prayed for the containment of fires as soon as possible.

Hong Kong protest turns ugly; 29 held

Aug 25, 2019, at 10:31 am

Hong Kong, Aug 25 (UNI) At least 29 anti-government protestors were arrested after clashes overnight with the police which have been going on for the past three months, South China Morning Post reported on Sunday.

Trump ruined my lawn, complains Queen Elizabeth

Aug 25, 2019, at 10:26 am

London, Aug 25 (UNI) Queen Elizabeth II jokingly complained that the lawn in front of Buckingham Palace had been 'ruined' by helicopters of US President Donald Trump during the latter's visit to the country, the Sunday Times reported.

Japan sends protest to South Korea over military exercises near disputed islands: Reports

Aug 25, 2019, at 10:09 am

Tokyo, Aug 25 (Sputnik) Government of Japan protested to South Korea in connection with the military exercises in the area of the Liancourt Rocks islands, disputed by Tokyo and Seoul, the Kyodo news agency reported, citing sources in Japanese diplomatic circles.