UN rights chief decries racism in US, keeps eye on Hong Kong
Geneva: The UN human rights chief appealed Monday for “urgent and profound action to combat systemic racism” in the United States, and encouraged Hong Kong authorities to “monitor closely” the enforcement of a national security law in China derided by many activists. The comments from Michelle Bachelet came in a catch-all speech to open the […]
UN atomic watchdog: Hopeful of greater trust with Iran
Berlin: The head of the United Nations’ atomic watchdog agency told board members on Monday he is hopeful Iran’s decision to let inspectors in to two disputed sites could lead to greater trust with Tehran. Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, in late August secured an agreement with Iran to inspect […]
Chinese military calls US biggest threat to world peace
Beijing: China’s Defence Ministry on Sunday blasted a critical US report on the country’s military ambitions, saying it is the US instead that poses the biggest threat to the international order and world peace. The statement follows the September 2 release of the annual Defence Department report to Congress on Chinese military developments and goals […]
Rain-triggered landslide kills 11 people in Nepal
Kathmandu: A massive landslide triggered by torrential rains in central Nepal has killed at least 11 people, including seven women, and left 20 missing, an official said on Sunday. The landslide swept away some 15 houses in Bhirkharka area of Barhabise Rural Municipality in Sindhupalchowk district, 120 kilometres east of Kathmandu, on Saturday night. A […]
Iraq’s top Shiite cleric backs early parliamentary elections
Baghdad: Iraq’s top Shiite cleric on Sunday threw his support behind the prime minister’s announcement to hold parliamentary elections ahead of schedule next year, saying the timing should not serve the interests of political groups. Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani’s comments came in a statement released by his office after a meeting with UN envoy to […]
India votes in favour of UNGA resolution, calling for multilateral cooperation to combat COVID
United Nations: India, along with 168 nations, voted in favour of a COVID-19 resolution in the UN General Assembly that reaffirms international cooperation to respond to “one of the greatest global challenges” and acknowledges the World Health Organisation’s “key leadership role” in responding to the outbreak, a reference the US objected to as it opposed […]
Warring Afghans meet to find peace after decades of war
Dubai: Afghanistan’s warring sides started negotiations on Saturday for the first time aimed at ending decades of war, bringing together delegates appointed by the Afghan government and the Taliban. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo attended the opening ceremony, which was held in Qatar where the meetings will take place. It’s the latest in a […]
More than 50 killed at collapsed gold mine in eastern Congo
Kinshasa: More than 50 people are dead after landslides collapsed three artisanal gold mining wells near the city of Kamituga in eastern Congo’s South Kivu province on Friday, officials said. Heavy rains for days led to the disaster. “The diggers and the transporters of the stones were swallowed up by the waters,” said the Kamituga […]
Never let geography or geometry define our approach to assisting developing countries: India
United Nations: India has never let geography or geometry define its approach to assisting developing countries and it views South-South Cooperation as a development partnership and not a donor-donee relationship, India’s deputy envoy to the UN has said. Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Nagaraj Naidu said this while speaking at the UN Day […]
Russian hackers targeting U.S. campaigns, Microsoft says
Boston (US): The same Russian military intelligence outfit that hacked the Democrats in 2016 has renewed vigorous U.S. election-related targeting, trying to breach computers at more than 200 organisations including political campaigns and their consultants, Microsoft said Thursday. The intrusion attempts reflect a stepped up effort to infiltrate the U.S. political establishment, the company said. […]
