Rights experts demand Iran release academic ‘nearing death’ in solitary confinement
Mar 19, 2021, at 09:07 pm
United Nations independent human rights experts on Thursday called on Iran to immediately release Iranian-Swedish academic Ahmadreza Djalali, reported to be in a “near death” condition after months of prolonged solitary confinement.
Mar 19, 2021, at 05:09 pm
A defence and strategic policy think tank has said Chinese Communist Party (CCP) diplomatic accounts, Chinese state media, pro-CCP influencers and patriotic trolls are targeting the UK public broadcaster, the BBC, in a coordinated information operation.
COVID-19: Main French book fair canceled for 2nd year
Mar 19, 2021, at 03:54 pm
Paris/UNI: France’s biggest book fair Livre Paris will not take place for a second year in a row due to persisting COVID-19 concerns, the organizers said.
Russia recalls envoy over Joe Biden's killer comment on Putin
Mar 19, 2021, at 12:47 am
Moscow/UNI/IBNS: The Russian government announced on Thursday that it has decided to recall its ambassador to the United States for consultations, as relations between the two countries hit a new low after US President Joe Biden's comments on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Whistleblower Edward Snowden to apply for Russian citizenship soon
Mar 19, 2021, at 12:24 am
Moscow/Sputnik: Edward Snowden, a fugitive, former CIA contractor who exposed massive online surveillance by the United States in 2013, will apply for Russian citizenship soon, his lawyer informed on Thursday.
UN leaders speak out against Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred
Mar 19, 2021, at 12:04 am
New York: Underlining that “diversity is a richness, not a threat”, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for greater investment in promoting social cohesion and tackling bigotry in a message on Wednesday to mark the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
UNICEF condemns ‘horrific killings’ of civilians in Niger
Mar 18, 2021, at 11:56 pm
New York: The recent “horrific killings” of dozens of civilians in two villages in western Niger have been condemned in the strongest terms by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Libya arms embargo ‘totally ineffective’: UN expert panel
Mar 18, 2021, at 11:48 pm
New York: An arms embargo imposed on Libya by the Security Council in 2011 remains “totally ineffective” a UN Panel of Experts has said, adding that civilians, including migrants and asylum seekers, continue to suffer widespread rights violations and abuses.
South Asia: Sharp rise in child and maternal deaths due to COVID-19
Mar 18, 2021, at 11:42 pm
New York: Severe disruptions in health services due to the COVID-19 pandemic may have resulted in an additional 239,000 child and maternal deaths in South Asia last year, United Nations agencies said on Wednesday.
Fugitive Snowden to apply for Russian citizenship soon
Mar 18, 2021, at 11:26 pm
Moscow/Sputnik: Fugitive Edward Snowden, former CIA contractor, who exposed massive online surveillance by the United States in 2013, will apply for Russian citizenship soon, his lawyer informed on Thursday.
IEA slightly upgrades forecast for world oil demand growth in 2021 to 5.5 mbd: Report
Mar 17, 2021, at 10:20 pm
Moscow/Sputnik: The International Energy Agency (IEA) in a report on Wednesday slightly upgraded the forecast for world oil demand growth in 2021 by 0.1 million barrels a day (mbd) to 5.5 mbd as the global consumption is driven up by cold weather.
UN envoy warns of ‘dramatic’ deterioration in Yemen conflict
Mar 17, 2021, at 09:13 pm
New York: The UN’s top official in Yemen has warned of a “dramatic” deterioration in the country’s ongoing conflict, telling the Security Council on Tuesday that fighting has expanded on several fronts amid the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.
Gender equality means business, Secretary-General chief tells corporate leaders
Mar 17, 2021, at 09:06 pm
New York: The UN Secretary-General has urged corporate leaders to achieve gender equality, highlighting the benefits for the private sector and society at large.
Syria’s decade of conflict takes massive toll on women and girls
Mar 17, 2021, at 08:49 pm
New York: This week, Syria marks a grim anniversary: 10 years since the start of the country’s grinding conflict. Today, one decade into the catastrophe, about half the country’s population has been uprooted, with some 12 million people internally displaced or living as refugees.
Four children killed, 2 other people injured in Siberia fire: Russian Emergencies Ministry
Mar 17, 2021, at 03:09 pm
Krasnoyarsk/Sputnik: Four children were killed, another child and an adult were injured in a fire in an apartment building in the Russian town of Lesosibirsk, Siberia's Krasnoyarsk Territory, the regional department of the Emergencies Ministry told reporters.
At least 30 civilians killed in militant attack in southwestern Niger: Reports
Mar 17, 2021, at 02:41 pm
Moscow/Sputnik: At least 30 people were killed after armed militants attacked civilians in southwestern Niger, the RFI radio broadcaster reported on Tuesday, citing local security sources.
Maldives president meets Qatar Emir, first since reinstating ties
Mar 17, 2021, at 12:16 am
Maldives President Ibrahim Mohammad Solih has met with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani during his visit to Qatar, the visit is the first high-level visit undertaken by the Maldivian president after re-establishing diplomatic ties with the Gulf country.
Independent UN expert says ‘tsunami of hate’ targeting minorities must be tackled
Mar 16, 2021, at 09:59 pm
New York: Social media has too often been used with “relative impunity” to spread hate, prejudice and violence against minorities, an independent UN human right expert said on Monday, calling for an international treaty to address the growing scourge.
Facebook strikes content revenue-sharing deal with Australian news corp media company
Mar 16, 2021, at 09:55 pm
Moscow/Sputnik: Facebook has signed a multi-year content deal with one of Australia's largest media companies, News Corp, to be able to use its materials on its own platforms following the introduction of media bargaining laws in Australia, News Corp said in a press release.
COVID-19 has exposed endemic gender inequality, Guterres tells UN Women’s commission
Mar 16, 2021, at 08:36 pm
New York: The COVID-19 pandemic is having a devastating impact on women and girls, and the fallout has shown how deeply gender inequality remains embedded in the world’s political, social and economic systems, UN chief António Guterres said in his address to the Commission on the Status of Women, on Monday.
Allies of South Sudan militias must be held accountable: UN human rights report
Mar 16, 2021, at 05:26 pm
New York: Military and political officials in South Sudan supporting community-based militias in the Greater Jonglei region, must be held accountable for violence that killed more than 700 people over a six-month period last year, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, said on Monday.
France temporarily suspends use of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 Vaccine: Macron
Mar 16, 2021, at 03:35 pm
Paris/Sputnik: France is temporarily suspending the use of a COVID-19 vaccine, developed by UK drugmaker AstraZeneca, President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday.
Spain to suspend use of AstraZeneca Vaccine for at least 15 days: Reports
Mar 16, 2021, at 03:24 pm
Moscow/Sputnik: Spain will suspend the use of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine for at least 15 days from Monday, the Cadena Ser broadcaster reported on Monday.
Indonesia pauses AstraZeneca Vaccination over health concerns: Regulator
Mar 16, 2021, at 03:03 pm
Moscow/Sputnik: The Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) has decided to hold up the use of the UK-Swedish AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine amid fears that the recipients may develop potentially deadly blood clots, BPOM head Penny Lukito said on Monday.
Demonstration against COVID-19 restrictions in the Hague ends with 20 arrests - Police
Mar 15, 2021, at 10:05 pm
Moscow/Sputnik: At least 20 people were arrested at the Sunday demonstration against the Dutch government’s coronavirus measures in The Hague, city police said.
Oil facilities in Syria’s Aleppo province come under rocket attack: Reports
Mar 15, 2021, at 10:01 pm
Cairo/Sputnik: Oil facilities came under a rocket attack in the north of Syria’s Aleppo Governorate, in an area controlled by pro-Turkish groups, the Syrian Al Watan newspaper reports.
‘Guarantee due process’, says UN chief, following Bolivia opposition arrests
Mar 15, 2021, at 09:55 pm
New York: UN Secretary-General António Guterres has recalled the importance of upholding due process in all legal proceedings, a day after the arrest of the former interim president of Bolivia, Jeanine Áñez, and several former ministers.
Myanmar crisis: Thirty-eight demonstrators died during crackdown, says Rights Group
Mar 15, 2021, at 03:01 pm
Naypyidaw/UNI: At least 38 protesters were killed and 80 others wounded on Sunday as security forces cracked down on unceasing anti-coup demonstrations, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) said.
China's judicial dept might conduct 1st trial of two Canadian nationals soon
Mar 15, 2021, at 04:20 am
Beijing: Canadian nationals Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, who were prosecuted by the procuratorates in China for suspected crimes undermining China's national security in June 2020, are going to be tried soon, a source close to the matter told the Global Times.
UK: Protestors clash with London Police
Mar 15, 2021, at 02:06 am
London/Sputnik: Police in London clashed with people who gathered at a vigil on Saturday to commemorate Sarah Everard and call for changes that will keep others safe, hours after a police officer had been charged with killing the woman, media reported.