The United Nations said on Wednesday it was gravely concerned about&nbsp;reports indicating&nbsp;11&nbsp;civilians had been&nbsp;killed&nbsp;in an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-18-terrorists-killed-by-government-forces-in-logar-province-225281">Afghan&nbsp;security force operation</a> in an eastern province near the border with Pakistan.

Civilian&nbsp;casualties&nbsp;in&nbsp;Afghanistan have been increasing, despite attempts by the United States and the Taliban to negotiate an agreement to end the 18-year war.

The&nbsp;government's main security agency, the National Directorate of Security (NDS), said the operation in Paktia province had targeted a<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/56-taliban-terrorists-including-7-group-commanders-killed-in-afghanistan-239623"> Taliban hideout </a>and among the&nbsp;11&nbsp;dead militants were two commanders.

The&nbsp;UN Assistance Mission in&nbsp;Afghanistan said it was gravely concerned at the killings during a search operation and a human rights team was investigating.

"Accountability essential. Harm to&nbsp;civilians must stop," the agency said in a post on Twitter.

A politician in the area said the&nbsp;government&nbsp;forces attacked a student gathering over the Eid al-Adha Muslim holiday.

"A university student had invited his classmates for dinner," Allah Mir Khan Bahramzoi, a provincial council member in Paktia, told Reuters.

"Late in the evening, security forces surrounded the house, brought out the victims from the guesthouse and shot them one by one," he said by telephone from the province.

The NDS said weapons and ammunition were seized in the raid.

"This operation was conducted based on operative information on a Taliban hideout center and it left no&nbsp;civilian&nbsp;casualties," the agency said in a statement.

The United Nations&nbsp;says&nbsp;nearly 4,000&nbsp;civilians were&nbsp;killed&nbsp;or wounded in the first half of the year. 
&nbsp;The toll included a big increase in the number of&nbsp;casualties&nbsp;inflicted by&nbsp;government and US-led foreign forces.

Ground raids and clashes caused the most&nbsp;civilian&nbsp;casualties, followed by bomb attacks and airstrikes, UNAMA said in a&nbsp;report&nbsp;last month.

There has been no let-up in violence, even though the Taliban and the United States have both&nbsp;reported significant progress in talks on a pact for US troops to withdraw in exchange for a Taliban promise that&nbsp;Afghanistan will not be used as a base for militant attacks.

Their latest round of talks ended on Monday without a final agreement. No date has been announced for the next round

The United Nations said on Wednesday it was gravely concerned about reports indicating 11 civilians had been killed in an Afghan security force operation in an eastern province near the border with Pakistan.

The United Nations said on Wednesday it was gravely concerned about reports indicating 11 civilians had been killed in an Afghan security force operation in an eastern province near the border with Pakistan. Civilian casualties in Afghanistan have been increasing, despite attempts by the United States and the Taliban to negotiate an agreement to end the 18-year war. The government's main security agency, the National Directorate of Security (NDS), said the operation in Paktia province had targeted a Taliban hideout and among the 11 dead militants were two commanders. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said it was gravely concerned at the killings during a search operation and a human rights team was investigating. "Accountability essential. Harm to civilians must stop," the agency said in a post on Twitter. A politician in the area said the government forces attacked a student gathering over the Eid al-Adha Muslim holiday. "A university student had invited his classmates for dinner," Allah Mir Khan Bahramzoi, a provincial council member in Paktia, told Reuters. "Late in the evening, security forces surrounded the house, brought out the victims from the guesthouse and shot them one by one," he said by telephone from the province. The NDS said weapons and ammunition were seized in the raid. "This operation was conducted based on operative information on a Taliban hideout center and it left no civilian casualties," the agency said in a statement. The United Nations says nearly 4,000 civilians were killed or wounded in the first half of the year. The toll included a big increase in the number of casualties inflicted by government and US-led foreign forces. Ground raids and clashes caused the most civilian casualties, followed by bomb attacks and airstrikes, UNAMA said in a report last month. There has been no let-up in violence, even though the Taliban and the United States have both reported significant progress in talks on a pact for US troops to withdraw in exchange for a Taliban promise that Afghanistan will not be used as a base for militant attacks. Their latest round of talks ended on Monday without a final agreement. No date has been announced for the next round

Halt Afghan civilian casualties, UN says after report of 11 killed by government

Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini said on Tuesday he was working to prevent two rescue ships operated by French and Spanish charities from bringing more than 500 migrants to Italy in the latest Mediterranean stand-off.

Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini said on Tuesday he was working to prevent two rescue ships operated by French and Spanish charities from bringing more than 500 migrants to Italy in the latest Mediterranean stand-off. The Ocean Viking, which is run by French non-governmental groups (NGOs) Doctors Without Borders and SOS Mediterranee, has picked up some 356 migrants off the coast of Libya since Friday, while Spanish boat Open Arms has saved some 160 people. Both vessels are in the central Mediterranean, within easy sailing distance of the Italian island of Lampedusa and are seeking a safe port to disembark the mainly African migrants. But Salvini, the leader of the far-right League who has seen his popularity in Italy soar since he took office last year and launched a fierce anti-immigration crackdown, said on Tuesday the boats were not Rome's problem. "I am at work in the ministry this morning to prevent more than 500 migrants from disembarking from two NGO boats, one French and one Spanish," Salvini wrote on Facebook. "I will let you know how this ends. I will not give up." Earlier this month, Salvini introduced a new law hiking fines for ships that enter Italian waters without authorisation to up to 1 million euros ($1.12 million). It also provides for the arrest of captains who ignore orders to stay away and calls on naval authorities to seize their boats automatically. Buoyed by his success in the polls, Salvini is looking to trigger an early election in the autumn by bringing down the Italian government, confident he would emerge as prime minister from any new vote. As such, a high-profile clash with foreign charities will bolster his anti-migrant credentials. UN alarm Salvini said Libya had offered to take back the migrants aboard the Ocean Viking and said Open Arms should go to Spain. Doctors Without Borders has ruled out taking migrants to violence-plagued Libya, saying migrants are routinely tortured and abused there. Open Arms has called for the European Union to coordinate the re-distribution of the migrants around the bloc. The United Nations refugee agency called on European governments to intervene, warning that storms were approaching. "To leave people who have fled war and violence in Libya on the high seas in this weather would be to inflict suffering upon suffering," said Vincent Cochetel, UNHCR Special Envoy for the Central Mediterranean. "They must be immediately allowed to dock, and allowed to receive much-needed humanitarian aid." Spain said Italy should deal with immediate care. "International law states that a rescue takes place in the closest safe port. Without a doubt, right now that means Italy. If it was us, we would do it," Spain's acting development minister Jose Luis Abalos told Telecinco television on Tuesday. However, he also said Europe needed to forge a "wider" policy to handle migrant arrivals from Africa. Italy has taken in more than 600,000 boat migrants since 2014, but new arrivals have fallen sharply over the past two years, with the decline accelerating over the past year. Latest figures say 4,265 migrants have reached Italy so far in 2019, down 78 per cent on the same period in 2018 and down 96 per cent on 2017 levels.

In a new migrant standoff, Italy's Salvini blocks two NGO boats

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-floods-kill-at-least-10-force-54000-people-from-homes-155495">Myanmar troops deployed to flood-hit parts of the country</a> on Sunday to help with relief efforts after the death toll from a deadly landslide jumped to 48.

Every year monsoon rains hammer Myanmar and other countries across Southeast Asia, submerging homes, displacing thousands and triggering landslides.

But the disaster Friday in southeastern Mon state was the worst in recent memory and hundreds of emergency response workers were still pulling bodies out of the muddy wreckage early Sunday.

'The total death toll reached 48. Search and rescue is still ongoing,' Paung township administrator Zaw Moe Aung told AFP.

Heavy rains pounded Mon, Karen and Kachin state, flooding roads and destroying bridges.

As the rainy season reaches its peak, the country's armed forces are pitching in.

'Our regional military commands are working to help with the search and rescue process in disaster areas,' Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun told AFP.&nbsp;

'Helicopters will be used to supply food.'

The bulk of the effort is focused on hard-hit Mon state, which sits on the coast of the Andaman sea.

Floodwaters have submerged more than 4,000 houses in the state and displaced more than 25,000 residents who have sought shelter in monasteries and pagodas, according to state-owned Global New Light of Myanmar.

Vice President Henry Van Thio visited landslide survivors in a Paung township village on Saturday and 'spoke of his sorrow' while promising relief assistance, the paper reported.

Around 89,000 people have been displaced by floods in recent weeks, although many have since been able to return home, according to the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. 
&nbsp;

Myanmar troops deployed to flood-hit parts of the country on Sunday to help with relief efforts after the death toll from a deadly landslide jumped to 48. Every year monsoon rains hammer Myanmar and other countries across Southeast Asia, submerging homes, displacing thousands and triggering landslides.

Myanmar troops deployed to flood-hit parts of the country on Sunday to help with relief efforts after the death toll from a deadly landslide jumped to 48. Every year monsoon rains hammer Myanmar and other countries across Southeast Asia, submerging homes, displacing thousands and triggering landslides. But the disaster Friday in southeastern Mon state was the worst in recent memory and hundreds of emergency response workers were still pulling bodies out of the muddy wreckage early Sunday. 'The total death toll reached 48. Search and rescue is still ongoing,' Paung township administrator Zaw Moe Aung told AFP. Heavy rains pounded Mon, Karen and Kachin state, flooding roads and destroying bridges. As the rainy season reaches its peak, the country's armed forces are pitching in. 'Our regional military commands are working to help with the search and rescue process in disaster areas,' Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun told AFP. 'Helicopters will be used to supply food.' The bulk of the effort is focused on hard-hit Mon state, which sits on the coast of the Andaman sea. Floodwaters have submerged more than 4,000 houses in the state and displaced more than 25,000 residents who have sought shelter in monasteries and pagodas, according to state-owned Global New Light of Myanmar. Vice President Henry Van Thio visited landslide survivors in a Paung township village on Saturday and 'spoke of his sorrow' while promising relief assistance, the paper reported. Around 89,000 people have been displaced by floods in recent weeks, although many have since been able to return home, according to the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Myanmar troops help flood rescue after landslide kills 48

The death toll from a<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/police-among-18-feared-killed-in-landslide-at-myanmar-jade-mine-238967"> landslide triggered by monsoon rains in eastern Myanmar </a>rose to at least 34, an official said Saturday, as emergency workers continued a desperate search through thick mud for scores more feared to miss.&nbsp;

Myanmar's monsoon season brings an annual torrent of heavy downpours, which often leaves tens of thousands displaced from flooded homes and triggering deadly landslides across its more hilly regions.

A huge brown gash on the hillside marked where the deluge of mud flooded onto Ye Pyar Kone village in Mon state on Friday, wiping out 16 homes.

Search and rescue teams worked through the night with excavators and their bare hands trying to find survivors and recover bodies from the deep sludge, continuing through Saturday.&nbsp;

'We found 34 dead, and the search for dead bodies is still ongoing,' local administrator Myo Min Tun told AFP.

So far, 47 people have been left injured while officials believe that more than 80 people could still be missing.&nbsp;

Aerial pictures showed broken remnants of rooftops and other debris from the houses strewn next to trucks knocked over by the force of the mudslide.

The village's hillside temple was left inundated, leaving the pagoda's golden spire peeking out from beneath the mud.

Htay Win, 32, told AFP that two of her daughters and five other relatives had still not been found.

She only survived because she had left her home minutes earlier to go look at the flooding nearby.

'I heard a huge noise and turned round to see my home being hit by the mud,' she said, crying.

Rescue workers spent Saturday morning loading bodies wrapped in plastic onto the back of flatbed trucks as worried villagers looked on. 
&nbsp; 
Tin Htay described how he and his family managed to escape when the landslide hit his house and his efforts to rescue others trapped by the mud.

'I dragged a woman and two children from a car but I could not reach two other people, so I had to leave them,' the 30-year-old said.

Emergency crews had to unblock the main highway from Yangon to Mawlamyine, buried under six feet (1.8 metres) of sludge.

Torrential downpours have burst riverbanks across the country while coastal communities have been warned of higher tides.

In the town of Shwegyin in the eastern Bago region, residents waded out through waist-deep waters or waited to be rescued by boat after the Sittaung river burst its banks, swallowing entire homes.

Around 89,000 people have been displaced by floods in recent weeks, although many have since been able to return home, according to the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Vietnam has also experienced heavy flooding this week with at least eight people killed in the country's central highlands and rescuers using a zip line to carry dozens of others to safety.

The death toll from a landslide triggered by monsoon rains in eastern Myanmar rose to at least 34, an official said Saturday, as emergency workers continued a desperate search through thick mud for scores more feared to miss.

The death toll from a landslide triggered by monsoon rains in eastern Myanmar rose to at least 34, an official said Saturday, as emergency workers continued a desperate search through thick mud for scores more feared to miss. Myanmar's monsoon season brings an annual torrent of heavy downpours, which often leaves tens of thousands displaced from flooded homes and triggering deadly landslides across its more hilly regions. A huge brown gash on the hillside marked where the deluge of mud flooded onto Ye Pyar Kone village in Mon state on Friday, wiping out 16 homes. Search and rescue teams worked through the night with excavators and their bare hands trying to find survivors and recover bodies from the deep sludge, continuing through Saturday. 'We found 34 dead, and the search for dead bodies is still ongoing,' local administrator Myo Min Tun told AFP. So far, 47 people have been left injured while officials believe that more than 80 people could still be missing. Aerial pictures showed broken remnants of rooftops and other debris from the houses strewn next to trucks knocked over by the force of the mudslide. The village's hillside temple was left inundated, leaving the pagoda's golden spire peeking out from beneath the mud. Htay Win, 32, told AFP that two of her daughters and five other relatives had still not been found. She only survived because she had left her home minutes earlier to go look at the flooding nearby. 'I heard a huge noise and turned round to see my home being hit by the mud,' she said, crying. Rescue workers spent Saturday morning loading bodies wrapped in plastic onto the back of flatbed trucks as worried villagers looked on. Tin Htay described how he and his family managed to escape when the landslide hit his house and his efforts to rescue others trapped by the mud. 'I dragged a woman and two children from a car but I could not reach two other people, so I had to leave them,' the 30-year-old said. Emergency crews had to unblock the main highway from Yangon to Mawlamyine, buried under six feet (1.8 metres) of sludge. Torrential downpours have burst riverbanks across the country while coastal communities have been warned of higher tides. In the town of Shwegyin in the eastern Bago region, residents waded out through waist-deep waters or waited to be rescued by boat after the Sittaung river burst its banks, swallowing entire homes. Around 89,000 people have been displaced by floods in recent weeks, although many have since been able to return home, according to the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Vietnam has also experienced heavy flooding this week with at least eight people killed in the country's central highlands and rescuers using a zip line to carry dozens of others to safety.

Myanmar landslide kills 34, many more feared missing

World warned: Change now or endanger food and climate

Mexico's prickly pear cactus, which is emblazoned on the country's flag,&nbsp;could soon play a new and innovative role in the production of biodegradable plastics.

A packaging material that is made from the plant has been developed by a Mexican researcher and is offering a promising solution to one of the&nbsp;world's biggest pollution conundrums.

'The pulp is strained to obtain a juice that I then use,' said Sandra Pascoe, who developed the product and works at the Atemajac Valley University in the western city of Guadalajara.

That substance is then mixed with non-toxic additives and stretched to produce sheets that are coloured with pigments and folded to form different types of packaging.

'What we're doing is trying to concentrate on objects that don't have a long life,' she said, particularly "single-use" packaging.

Pascoe is still conducting tests but hopes to patent her product later this year and look for partners in early 2020, with an eye towards larger-scale production.

The cacti&nbsp;Pascoe uses for her experiments come from San Esteban, a small town on the outskirts of Guadalajara, where they grow by the hundreds.

San Esteban is located in Jalisco state where, starting next year, single-use non-recyclable plastic bags, straws and other disposable items will be banned.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/three-journalists-slain-in-mexico-in-a-week-240458">Mexico city</a>&nbsp;and states such as Baja California have also introduced similar measures.

In May, the capital city adopted a "historic" ban on plastic bags beginning in 2020.

From 2021, straws, plastic plates and cutlery, and balloons will also be banned if they're made "entirely or partially from plastic," according to the bill adopted by the local congress.

Pascoe says her new material would be no more than a "drop in the ocean" in the battle to preserve the environment.

Given the rampant production of industrial&nbsp;plastics&nbsp;and the time it takes to make her material, there would need to be "other recycling strategies" to make any concrete difference, she said.

Latin America and the Caribbean account for around 10 per cent of worldwide waste, according to United Nations figures.

In March, UN member states committed to "significantly reduce" single-use plastics over the next decade, although green groups warned that goal fell short of tackling the Earth's pollution crisis.

Plastic pollution has become a global concern, particularly after bans imposed by China and other countries on the import of plastic waste from overseas.

Despite widespread alarm on the environmental cost, Asia and the United States lifted&nbsp;world production of plastic last year while Europe saw a dip, according to numbers released by the PlasticsEurope federation in June.

More than eight million tons of plastics&nbsp;enter the&nbsp;world's oceans every year.

Mexico's prickly pear cactus, which is emblazoned on the country's flag, could soon play a new and innovative role in the production of biodegradable plastics. A packaging material that is made from the plant has been developed by a Mexican researcher and is offering a promising solution to one of the world's biggest pollution conundrums.

Mexico's prickly pear cactus, which is emblazoned on the country's flag, could soon play a new and innovative role in the production of biodegradable plastics. A packaging material that is made from the plant has been developed by a Mexican researcher and is offering a promising solution to one of the world's biggest pollution conundrums. 'The pulp is strained to obtain a juice that I then use,' said Sandra Pascoe, who developed the product and works at the Atemajac Valley University in the western city of Guadalajara. That substance is then mixed with non-toxic additives and stretched to produce sheets that are coloured with pigments and folded to form different types of packaging. 'What we're doing is trying to concentrate on objects that don't have a long life,' she said, particularly "single-use" packaging. Pascoe is still conducting tests but hopes to patent her product later this year and look for partners in early 2020, with an eye towards larger-scale production. The cacti Pascoe uses for her experiments come from San Esteban, a small town on the outskirts of Guadalajara, where they grow by the hundreds. San Esteban is located in Jalisco state where, starting next year, single-use non-recyclable plastic bags, straws and other disposable items will be banned. Mexico city and states such as Baja California have also introduced similar measures. In May, the capital city adopted a "historic" ban on plastic bags beginning in 2020. From 2021, straws, plastic plates and cutlery, and balloons will also be banned if they're made "entirely or partially from plastic," according to the bill adopted by the local congress. Pascoe says her new material would be no more than a "drop in the ocean" in the battle to preserve the environment. Given the rampant production of industrial plastics and the time it takes to make her material, there would need to be "other recycling strategies" to make any concrete difference, she said. Latin America and the Caribbean account for around 10 per cent of worldwide waste, according to United Nations figures. In March, UN member states committed to "significantly reduce" single-use plastics over the next decade, although green groups warned that goal fell short of tackling the Earth's pollution crisis. Plastic pollution has become a global concern, particularly after bans imposed by China and other countries on the import of plastic waste from overseas. Despite widespread alarm on the environmental cost, Asia and the United States lifted world production of plastic last year while Europe saw a dip, according to numbers released by the PlasticsEurope federation in June. More than eight million tons of plastics enter the world's oceans every year.

Could Mexico cactus solve world's plastics problem?

Global meat consumption must fall to curb global warming, reduce growing strains on land and water and improve food security, health, and biodiversity, a United Nations report on the effects of climate change concluded.

Global meat consumption must fall to curb global warming, reduce growing strains on land and water and improve food security, health, and biodiversity, a United Nations report on the effects of climate change concluded. Although the report stopped short of explicitly advocating going meat-free, it called for big changes to farming and eating habits to limit the impact of population growth and changing consumption patterns on stretched land and water resources. Plant-based foods and sustainable animal-sourced food could free up several million square kilometers of land by 2050 and cut 0.7-8.0 gigatonnes a year of carbon dioxide equivalent, the U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) said. "There are certain kinds of diets that have a lower carbon footprint and put less pressure on land," Jim Skea, professor at London's Imperial College, said on Thursday. The IPCC met this week in Geneva, Switzerland to finalize its report which should help to guide the government's meeting this year in Chile on ways to implement the 2015 Paris Agreement. "The IPCC does not recommend people's diets ... Dietary choices are very often shaped or influenced by local production practices and cultural habits," Skea, who is one of the report's authors, told reporters in Geneva. Land can be both a source and sink of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas blamed for global warming, and better land management can help to tackle climate change, the IPCC said. But it is not the only solution and cutting emissions from all sectors is essential to quickly curtail global warming. "The window for making these changes is closing fast. If there is a further delay in reducing emissions, we will miss the opportunity to successfully manage the climate change transition in the land sector," it said. Since the pre-industrial era, the land surface air temperature has risen by 1.53 degrees Celsius, twice as much as the global average temperature (0.87C), causing more heatwaves, droughts, and heavy rain, as well as land degradation and desertification. Human use directly affects more than 70 per cent of the global, ice-free land surface and agriculture accounts for 70 per cent of freshwater use, the IPCC added in the report. Agriculture, forestry and other land use activities accounted for 23 per cent of total net man-made greenhouse gas emissions from 2007-2016. When pre- and post-production activities in the food system are included, that rises to up to 37 per cent . Last year the IPCC's first special report warned that keeping the Earth's temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit), rather than the 2C target agreed under the Paris accord, required rapid change across society. FOOD SECURITY The IPCC warned of more disruption to global food chains as extreme weather becomes more frequent due to climate change and said environmental costs should be factored into food. It projects a median increase of 7.6 per cent in cereal prices by 2050, meaning higher food prices and an increased risk of hunger. While an estimated 821 million people are undernourished, changing consumption habits have already contributed to about 2 billion adults being overweight or obese. Per capita supply of vegetable oils and meat has more than doubled based on data since 1961 but 25-30 per cent of the total food produced is still lost or wasted. Yields of crops such as maize and wheat have declined in some regions, while those of maize, wheat, and sugar beets have increased in others in recent decades. FOREST FACTOR While forests can soak up heat-trapping gases from the atmosphere, desertification and deforestation can amplify warming due to the loss of vegetation cover and soil erosion. Measures to cut emissions, such as the production of biofuels, biochar - made from biomass - as well as planting trees, will also increase demand for land conversion. Reducing deforestation and forest degradation could result in a reduction of 0.4-5.8 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent, the report said. The Amazon, about 60 per cent of which lies in Brazil, is sometimes called the "lungs of the world" due to the amount of CO2 it can absorb but it was not directly mentioned in the IPCC's summary for policymakers. Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro has supported opening up protected areas of the world's largest tropical rainforest to facilitate agriculture and mining since taking office in January. The report text is prepared by over 100 scientists but has to be approved by governments. In those discussions, Brazil and India were very active to protect their national agro-industrial interests, a source familiar with the talks said.

UN flags need to cut meat to curb land use impact on global warming

Hiroshima marks 74th anniversary of bloody atomic bombing

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-east-asia/southeast-asian-leaders-meet-expected-to-discuss-rohingyas-south-china-sea-229680">Myanmar's foreign ministry</a> on Tuesday denounced a United Nations report that urged world leaders to cut ties with military-linked companies and impose an arms embargo over the Rohingya crisis, saying it was intended to harm the country.

A panel of UN experts urged world leaders on Monday to impose targeted financial sanctions on companies linked to the military and said foreign firms doing business with them could be complicit in international crimes.&nbsp;

More than 730,000<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/rohingya-crisis-japan-offers-to-play-mediator-between-bangladesh-and-myanmar-239627"> Rohingya, members of a persecuted Muslim minority</a>, fled Myanmar's Rakhine state into neighbouring Bangladesh amid a military-led crackdown in August 2017 that the UN and Western countries have said included mass killings and gang-rapes.

The investigators identified at least 59 foreign companies with commercial ties to the Myanmar military and 14 companies that have sold weapons and related equipment to security forces since 2016, including state-owned entities in Israel, India, North Korea, and China.

Any foreign business activity involving the army and its conglomerates 'posts a high risk of contributing to, or being linked to, violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law', the report said.

Myanmar's foreign ministry said on Tuesday the UN had exceeded its mandate in setting up the Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar, which produced the report.&nbsp;

The same panel in 2018 determined the crackdown on Rohingya was carried out with 'genocidal intent'.

'The Government of Myanmar categorically rejects the latest report and its conclusions,' the ministry said in a statement, calling the report an 'action intended to harm the interests of Myanmar and its people'.

'We adhere firmly to the position that cooperation should be the basis for the resolution of international issues, including that of human rights,' the ministry said.

'We do not believe that economic sanctions will resolve the challenges that need to be overcome,' it added.

Myanmar's foreign ministry on Tuesday denounced a United Nations report that urged world leaders to cut ties with military-linked companies and impose an arms embargo over the Rohingya crisis, saying it was intended to harm the country.

Myanmar's foreign ministry on Tuesday denounced a United Nations report that urged world leaders to cut ties with military-linked companies and impose an arms embargo over the Rohingya crisis, saying it was intended to harm the country. A panel of UN experts urged world leaders on Monday to impose targeted financial sanctions on companies linked to the military and said foreign firms doing business with them could be complicit in international crimes. More than 730,000 Rohingya, members of a persecuted Muslim minority, fled Myanmar's Rakhine state into neighbouring Bangladesh amid a military-led crackdown in August 2017 that the UN and Western countries have said included mass killings and gang-rapes. The investigators identified at least 59 foreign companies with commercial ties to the Myanmar military and 14 companies that have sold weapons and related equipment to security forces since 2016, including state-owned entities in Israel, India, North Korea, and China. Any foreign business activity involving the army and its conglomerates 'posts a high risk of contributing to, or being linked to, violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law', the report said. Myanmar's foreign ministry said on Tuesday the UN had exceeded its mandate in setting up the Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar, which produced the report. The same panel in 2018 determined the crackdown on Rohingya was carried out with 'genocidal intent'. 'The Government of Myanmar categorically rejects the latest report and its conclusions,' the ministry said in a statement, calling the report an 'action intended to harm the interests of Myanmar and its people'. 'We adhere firmly to the position that cooperation should be the basis for the resolution of international issues, including that of human rights,' the ministry said. 'We do not believe that economic sanctions will resolve the challenges that need to be overcome,' it added.

Myanmar says UN calls for sanctions, arms embargo a bid to harm country

United Nations investigators urged world leaders on Monday to impose targeted financial sanctions on companies linked to the military in Myanmar and said foreign firms doing business with them could be complicit in international crimes. 
&nbsp; 
A panel of human rights experts identified scores of companies tied to the army, which controls vast swathes of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/despite-myanmar-economy-rebound-investors-wary-of-rohingya-sanctions-risk-imf-128189/amp">Myanmar's economy</a> through holding firms and their subsidiaries, and is accused by the UN of executing a campaign with "genocidal intent" against the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-delegation-holds-repatriation-talks-with-rohingya-in-bangladesh-238936">Rohingya minority</a>. 
&nbsp; 
More than 730,000 Rohingya, members of a persecuted Muslim minority, fled Myanmar's Rakhine state into neighbouring Bangladesh amid a military led crackdown in August 2017 that the UN and Western countries have said included mass killings and gang rapes. 
&nbsp; 
The UN investigatory panel condemned the violence in a report last year that called for the economic isolation of the military. Investigators said the purpose of the new report was to help countries cut financial ties with all army linked companies. 
&nbsp; 
"For the first time, this report comes out with a clear picture of the involvement of specific European and Asian companies, and makes a point that in fact there is this relationship and it's a violation of UN treaties and UN norms," panel chairman Marzuki Darusman said in an interview in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta on Sunday.

United Nations investigators urged world leaders on Monday to impose targeted financial sanctions on companies linked to the military in Myanmar and said foreign firms doing business with them could be complicit in international crimes.

United Nations investigators urged world leaders on Monday to impose targeted financial sanctions on companies linked to the military in Myanmar and said foreign firms doing business with them could be complicit in international crimes. A panel of human rights experts identified scores of companies tied to the army, which controls vast swathes of Myanmar's economy through holding firms and their subsidiaries, and is accused by the UN of executing a campaign with "genocidal intent" against the Rohingya minority. More than 730,000 Rohingya, members of a persecuted Muslim minority, fled Myanmar's Rakhine state into neighbouring Bangladesh amid a military led crackdown in August 2017 that the UN and Western countries have said included mass killings and gang rapes. The UN investigatory panel condemned the violence in a report last year that called for the economic isolation of the military. Investigators said the purpose of the new report was to help countries cut financial ties with all army linked companies. "For the first time, this report comes out with a clear picture of the involvement of specific European and Asian companies, and makes a point that in fact there is this relationship and it's a violation of UN treaties and UN norms," panel chairman Marzuki Darusman said in an interview in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta on Sunday.

United Nations urges sanctions on Myanmar army businesses, says foreign partners could be complicit

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/saudi-led-airstrike-on-market-kill-13-in-northern-yemen-239413">Yemeni Houthi forces</a> launched drone attacks on Saudi Arabia's King Khalid airbase and Abha and Najran airports, the Houthis military spokesman said on Monday.

A spokesman for the Saudi led coalition fighting Iran aligned Houthis in Yemen said later that Houthi drones had been intercepted and downed heading in the direction of civilian airports.&nbsp;

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saria said the attack on Abha airport "hit its targets" and air traffic was disrupted at both Abha and Najran. All three locations are in southwest Saudi, near the border with Yemen.

The Houthis, who control the Yemeni capital Sanaa, have in the past few months stepped up their <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-intercepts-five-yemen-rebel-drones-in-new-airport-attack-227225">attacks against targets in Saudi Arabia</a>. In response, the coalition has struck military sites belonging to the group, especially around Sanaa.

On Thursday the Houthis said they launched missile and drone attacks on a military parade in the southern port city of Aden, the seat of Yemen`s internationally recognized government and a stronghold of the coalition, killing dozens.&nbsp;

The escalation in violence threatens a UN sponsored deal for a ceasefire and troop withdrawal from the flashpoint coastal city of Hodeidah, which became the focus of the war last year when the coalition tried to seize its port, the Houthis` main supply line and a lifeline for millions of Yemenis.

Saudi's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Yemeni Houthi forces launched drone attacks on Saudi Arabia's King Khalid airbase and Abha and Najran airports, the Houthis military spokesman said on Monday. A spokesman for the Saudi led coalition fighting Iran aligned Houthis in Yemen said later that Houthi drones had been intercepted and downed heading in the direction of civilian airports.

Yemeni Houthi forces launched drone attacks on Saudi Arabia's King Khalid airbase and Abha and Najran airports, the Houthis military spokesman said on Monday. A spokesman for the Saudi led coalition fighting Iran aligned Houthis in Yemen said later that Houthi drones had been intercepted and downed heading in the direction of civilian airports. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saria said the attack on Abha airport "hit its targets" and air traffic was disrupted at both Abha and Najran. All three locations are in southwest Saudi, near the border with Yemen. The Houthis, who control the Yemeni capital Sanaa, have in the past few months stepped up their attacks against targets in Saudi Arabia. In response, the coalition has struck military sites belonging to the group, especially around Sanaa. On Thursday the Houthis said they launched missile and drone attacks on a military parade in the southern port city of Aden, the seat of Yemen`s internationally recognized government and a stronghold of the coalition, killing dozens. The escalation in violence threatens a UN sponsored deal for a ceasefire and troop withdrawal from the flashpoint coastal city of Hodeidah, which became the focus of the war last year when the coalition tried to seize its port, the Houthis` main supply line and a lifeline for millions of Yemenis. Saudi's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Yemeni Houthis launch drone attacks on Saudi airports, airbase

The<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-led-forces-israel-among-states-rapped-by-un-for-killing-children-239735"> United Nations</a> and Yemen's<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/saudi-led-airstrike-on-market-kill-13-in-northern-yemen-239413"> Huthi rebels</a> announced Sunday an agreement to resume delivery of food aid suspended for six weeks in areas controlled by the group.

The agreement was signed on Saturday in the rebel-held capital Sanaa, Huthi controlled media said.&nbsp;

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) "signed a high-level agreement that is an important step towards safeguards that guarantee the accountability of our humanitarian operation in Yemen", WFP spokesperson Herve Verhoosel said in an email to AFP.

"We are hopeful that technical details can be agreed in the coming days," he added.

The agreement includes a biometric database of civilians in need of aid to guarantee "effective and efficient distribution" and to "benefit the neediest", according to the Huthis' Alsyasiah website.

The agreement also stipulates "total transparency" in the registration of beneficiaries and distribution of aid, it added.&nbsp;

On July 18, WFP head David Beasley announced an agreement in principle was reached with the Huthis to resume food aid to the areas they control. 
&nbsp; 
The UN had suspended deliveries of food aid to rebel-held areas on June 20 following accusations of "diversion of food" meant for Yemeni civilians.&nbsp;

Fighting between Iran backed Huthis and government forces aided by a Saudi led coalition has killed tens of thousands of people, most of them civilians, aid agencies say.

The conflict has also forced some 3.3 million people from their homes and 24.1 million, some 80 per cent of the population, needs aid, according to the UN.

The United Nations and Yemen's Huthi rebels announced Sunday an agreement to resume delivery of food aid suspended for six weeks in areas controlled by the group.

The United Nations and Yemen's Huthi rebels announced Sunday an agreement to resume delivery of food aid suspended for six weeks in areas controlled by the group. The agreement was signed on Saturday in the rebel-held capital Sanaa, Huthi controlled media said. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) "signed a high-level agreement that is an important step towards safeguards that guarantee the accountability of our humanitarian operation in Yemen", WFP spokesperson Herve Verhoosel said in an email to AFP. "We are hopeful that technical details can be agreed in the coming days," he added. The agreement includes a biometric database of civilians in need of aid to guarantee "effective and efficient distribution" and to "benefit the neediest", according to the Huthis' Alsyasiah website. The agreement also stipulates "total transparency" in the registration of beneficiaries and distribution of aid, it added. On July 18, WFP head David Beasley announced an agreement in principle was reached with the Huthis to resume food aid to the areas they control. The UN had suspended deliveries of food aid to rebel-held areas on June 20 following accusations of "diversion of food" meant for Yemeni civilians. Fighting between Iran backed Huthis and government forces aided by a Saudi led coalition has killed tens of thousands of people, most of them civilians, aid agencies say. The conflict has also forced some 3.3 million people from their homes and 24.1 million, some 80 per cent of the population, needs aid, according to the UN.

United Nations finalises accord with Yemen rebels to resume food aid

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taliban-indicated-a-willingness-to-strike-a-peace-deal-khalilzad-240391">The Taliban</a> governed Afghanistan between 1996 and 2001, imposing strict Islamic sharia law before being ousted and launching an insurgency.

Here is some background:

Religious students

The Taliban originated among young Afghans who studied in Sunni Muslim schools called madrassas in Pakistan after fleeing Afghanistan during the 1979-1989 Soviet occupation.

They are named from Talib, the Arabic word for a student.

In the early 1990s, with Afghanistan in the chaos and corruption of civil war, the Taliban grouped in the southern province of Kandahar under the leadership of one eyed warrior cleric Mullah Omar.

Omar, who led them until his death in 2013, was from the area, a stronghold of the powerful Pashtun ethnic group from which come most Taliban fighters.

Haibatullah Akhundzada is now the insurgents' top leader, while Taliban co-founder Mullah Baradar heads the political wing.

Dramatic rise to power

Promising to restore order and justice, the Taliban rose dramatically.

They drew substantial support from Pakistan and initially had the tacit approval of the United States.

In October 1994 they seized the southern capital of Kandahar, almost without a fight.

Equipped with tanks, heavy weapons and the cash to buy the support of local commanders, they steadily moved north, before capturing the capital on September 27, 1996.

President Burhanuddin Rabbani had already fled.

Taliban dragged former communist president Mohammed Najibullah from the United Nations office where he had been sheltering and hanged him on a public street.&nbsp;

A regime of terror

The Taliban government imposed the strictest interpretations of sharia, establishing religious police for the suppression of "vice".

Music, television, and pastimes such as kite flying were banned. Girls schools were closed; women were prevented from working and forced to wear an all-covering burkha in public.

Taliban courts handed out extreme punishments including chopping off the hands of thieves, public executions and stoning to death women accused of adultery.&nbsp;

By 1998 they had control of 80 per cent of the country but were only recognized as the legal government by Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.

In March 2001 they blew up 1,500-year-old giant statues of the Buddha in the central Bamiyan valley, considered anti-Islamic.

Mullah Omar was based mostly in Kandahar where he lived in a house reportedly built for him by the chief of the Al-Qaeda jihadist group, Saudi billionaire Osama bin Laden.

The Taliban allowed Afghanistan to become a sanctuary for Al-Qaeda, which set up training camps.

Taliban toppled

The September 11, 2001 attacks that killed 3,000 people in New York and Washington were immediately blamed on Al-Qaeda.

Accusing the Taliban of refusing to hand over Bin Laden, the United States and its allies launched airstrikes on Afghanistan in October.

By early December the Taliban government had fallen, its leaders fleeing to their strongholds in the south and east or back across the border into Pakistan's tribal zone.

Bloody insurgency

At first, written off as a spent force, the Taliban rebuilt and re-emerged to lead an insurgency against the new Western-backed government.

Making heavy use of improvised bombings and suicide attacks, they labeled as "crusaders" the tens of thousands of foreign troops deployed into the country as part of a US dominated NATO force.

But the NATO combat mission in December 2014 ended and the bulk of Western forces withdrew.

In July 2015 Pakistan hosted the first direct talks between Afghan and Taliban leaders, with support from China and the US, but they collapsed after Mullah Omar's death was revealed.

The rival Islamic State jihadist group emerged in Afghanistan in 2015, launching its own series of devastating attacks, mainly in Kabul.

A UN tally found that 2018 was the deadliest year on record for Afghans, with at least 3,804 civilian deaths caused by the war -- including 927 children.

Direct talks between the US and the Taliban started last year, with the effort led since September by US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, a previous ambassador to Afghanistan. 
&nbsp;

The Taliban governed Afghanistan between 1996 and 2001, imposing strict Islamic sharia law before being ousted and launching an insurgency. Here is some background: Religious students The Taliban originated among young Afghans who studied in Sunni Muslim schools called madrassas in Pakistan after fleeing Afghanistan during the 1979-1989 Soviet occupation.

The Taliban governed Afghanistan between 1996 and 2001, imposing strict Islamic sharia law before being ousted and launching an insurgency. Here is some background: Religious students The Taliban originated among young Afghans who studied in Sunni Muslim schools called madrassas in Pakistan after fleeing Afghanistan during the 1979-1989 Soviet occupation. They are named from Talib, the Arabic word for a student. In the early 1990s, with Afghanistan in the chaos and corruption of civil war, the Taliban grouped in the southern province of Kandahar under the leadership of one eyed warrior cleric Mullah Omar. Omar, who led them until his death in 2013, was from the area, a stronghold of the powerful Pashtun ethnic group from which come most Taliban fighters. Haibatullah Akhundzada is now the insurgents' top leader, while Taliban co-founder Mullah Baradar heads the political wing. Dramatic rise to power Promising to restore order and justice, the Taliban rose dramatically. They drew substantial support from Pakistan and initially had the tacit approval of the United States. In October 1994 they seized the southern capital of Kandahar, almost without a fight. Equipped with tanks, heavy weapons and the cash to buy the support of local commanders, they steadily moved north, before capturing the capital on September 27, 1996. President Burhanuddin Rabbani had already fled. Taliban dragged former communist president Mohammed Najibullah from the United Nations office where he had been sheltering and hanged him on a public street. A regime of terror The Taliban government imposed the strictest interpretations of sharia, establishing religious police for the suppression of "vice". Music, television, and pastimes such as kite flying were banned. Girls schools were closed; women were prevented from working and forced to wear an all-covering burkha in public. Taliban courts handed out extreme punishments including chopping off the hands of thieves, public executions and stoning to death women accused of adultery. By 1998 they had control of 80 per cent of the country but were only recognized as the legal government by Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. In March 2001 they blew up 1,500-year-old giant statues of the Buddha in the central Bamiyan valley, considered anti-Islamic. Mullah Omar was based mostly in Kandahar where he lived in a house reportedly built for him by the chief of the Al-Qaeda jihadist group, Saudi billionaire Osama bin Laden. The Taliban allowed Afghanistan to become a sanctuary for Al-Qaeda, which set up training camps. Taliban toppled The September 11, 2001 attacks that killed 3,000 people in New York and Washington were immediately blamed on Al-Qaeda. Accusing the Taliban of refusing to hand over Bin Laden, the United States and its allies launched airstrikes on Afghanistan in October. By early December the Taliban government had fallen, its leaders fleeing to their strongholds in the south and east or back across the border into Pakistan's tribal zone. Bloody insurgency At first, written off as a spent force, the Taliban rebuilt and re-emerged to lead an insurgency against the new Western-backed government. Making heavy use of improvised bombings and suicide attacks, they labeled as "crusaders" the tens of thousands of foreign troops deployed into the country as part of a US dominated NATO force. But the NATO combat mission in December 2014 ended and the bulk of Western forces withdrew. In July 2015 Pakistan hosted the first direct talks between Afghan and Taliban leaders, with support from China and the US, but they collapsed after Mullah Omar's death was revealed. The rival Islamic State jihadist group emerged in Afghanistan in 2015, launching its own series of devastating attacks, mainly in Kabul. A UN tally found that 2018 was the deadliest year on record for Afghans, with at least 3,804 civilian deaths caused by the war -- including 927 children. Direct talks between the US and the Taliban started last year, with the effort led since September by US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, a previous ambassador to Afghanistan.

The rise and rise of Afghanistan's Taliban movement

The United Nation nuclear watchdog said on Thursday - it had fixed the timetable for the election of a new director-general following the death of Yukiya Amano two weeks ago.

Member states decided that nominations would be received until September 5, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said following a special meeting of its board of governors in Vienna.

"The Board expects to appoint a director-general in October 2019 and, in any case, envisages that the person appointed will assume office no later than 1 January 2020," it said in a statement.

The US had pushed for a timetable to ensure a new chief would be named by September, but other states were understood to want more time for the process.&nbsp;

The race to succeed Amano will be keenly watched given heightened international tensions over Iran's nuclear activities.

The UN agency is currently confronted with the unravelling of the 2015 nuclear accord with Iran, which began when President Donald Trump unilaterally pulled the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/us-senate-confirms-kelly-craft-as-ambassador-to-united-nations-239845&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjerMTIr-HjAhUWinAKHZoMBUsQFjAIegQIBRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2dKJ5nUXSJsB2FBU7DyArL">United States</a> out of the agreement in May 2018.

At another special meeting last week, the IAEA elected Romanian diplomat Cornel Feruta as its acting director-general until a permanent successor is elected "in order to ensure the orderly and smooth functioning of the Agency".

Feruta has been tipped as one of the likely candidates for the post along with Rafael Grossi, Argentina's ambassador to the IAEA.

Feruta, 43, who worked as a journalist before entering Romania's diplomatic service in 1998, was one of Amano's closest collaborators and had been serving as the agency's chief coordinator.

Amano had led the agency since December 2009 and died on July 18 at the age of 72. No details were released about the cause of death, but he had been ill for several months.

The United Nation nuclear watchdog said on Thursday - it had fixed the timetable for the election of a new director-general following the death of Yukiya Amano two weeks ago.

The United Nation nuclear watchdog said on Thursday - it had fixed the timetable for the election of a new director-general following the death of Yukiya Amano two weeks ago. Member states decided that nominations would be received until September 5, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said following a special meeting of its board of governors in Vienna. "The Board expects to appoint a director-general in October 2019 and, in any case, envisages that the person appointed will assume office no later than 1 January 2020," it said in a statement. The US had pushed for a timetable to ensure a new chief would be named by September, but other states were understood to want more time for the process. The race to succeed Amano will be keenly watched given heightened international tensions over Iran's nuclear activities. The UN agency is currently confronted with the unravelling of the 2015 nuclear accord with Iran, which began when President Donald Trump unilaterally pulled the United States out of the agreement in May 2018. At another special meeting last week, the IAEA elected Romanian diplomat Cornel Feruta as its acting director-general until a permanent successor is elected "in order to ensure the orderly and smooth functioning of the Agency". Feruta has been tipped as one of the likely candidates for the post along with Rafael Grossi, Argentina's ambassador to the IAEA. Feruta, 43, who worked as a journalist before entering Romania's diplomatic service in 1998, was one of Amano's closest collaborators and had been serving as the agency's chief coordinator. Amano had led the agency since December 2009 and died on July 18 at the age of 72. No details were released about the cause of death, but he had been ill for several months.

United Nations nuclear watchdog aims to name permanent chief by October

Australia's parliament voted Monday to implement a maritime border treaty with East Timor, potentially unlocking billions in offshore oil and gas revenue after a bitter decade-long dispute.

The treaty is expected to provide a major boost to East Timor, one of Asia's poorest countries, by establishing new arrangements for sharing revenue from the Greater Sunrise gas fields in the Timor Sea.

It comes just days after East Timor's parliament voted in favour of ratifying the treaty, which the two countries signed at the United Nations in March 2018 and was the first-ever reached under a special conciliation mechanism of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Discovered in 1974, the lucrative Greater Sunrise fields - located 150 kilometres (93 miles) southeast of East Timor and 450 kilometres northwest of Darwin - are estimated to be worth between US$40 and $50 billion.

East Timor plans to develop the gas fields through a pipeline that would reach the country's south coast, with hopes it would provide much-needed employment opportunities, though Australia has cast doubt on the smaller nation's capacity to do so.

Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said in the Senate Monday that the treaty "settled a long-running dispute over our maritime boundaries, agreed upon a pathway for the development of Greater Sunrise and laid the foundation for a new chapter in our bilateral relations".

Australia has seen its international reputation damaged by the dispute with its less powerful neighbour, with Dili dragging Canberra to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague after contesting a previous deal signed in 2006.

East Timor wanted that treaty, which also covered the vast Greater Sunrise fields, torn up after Australia was accused of spying to gain a commercial advantage during the negotiations.

As the dispute escalated, a group of energy companies including Australia's Woodside, ConocoPhillips, Shell, and Osaka Gas decided to mothball plans to develop the fields.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese said during the House of Representatives debate on Friday that the lengthy dispute "has not done a great deal for Australia's standing as good neighbours to one of the newest nations on the planet".

Australia has continued to profit from an oil field stake that is set to be handed to East Timor under the treaty, taking an estimated AUS$60 million in the 12 months after the treaty was signed but not ratified, national broadcaster ABC reported.

East Timor was invaded by Indonesia in 1975 before it gained independence in 2002 after a UN-sponsored referendum in 1999, which will be marked by 20th-anniversary celebrations on August 30.

Australia's parliament voted Monday to implement a maritime border treaty with East Timor, potentially unlocking billions in offshore oil and gas revenue after a bitter decade-long dispute.

Australia's parliament voted Monday to implement a maritime border treaty with East Timor, potentially unlocking billions in offshore oil and gas revenue after a bitter decade-long dispute. The treaty is expected to provide a major boost to East Timor, one of Asia's poorest countries, by establishing new arrangements for sharing revenue from the Greater Sunrise gas fields in the Timor Sea. It comes just days after East Timor's parliament voted in favour of ratifying the treaty, which the two countries signed at the United Nations in March 2018 and was the first-ever reached under a special conciliation mechanism of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Discovered in 1974, the lucrative Greater Sunrise fields - located 150 kilometres (93 miles) southeast of East Timor and 450 kilometres northwest of Darwin - are estimated to be worth between US$40 and $50 billion. East Timor plans to develop the gas fields through a pipeline that would reach the country's south coast, with hopes it would provide much-needed employment opportunities, though Australia has cast doubt on the smaller nation's capacity to do so. Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said in the Senate Monday that the treaty "settled a long-running dispute over our maritime boundaries, agreed upon a pathway for the development of Greater Sunrise and laid the foundation for a new chapter in our bilateral relations". Australia has seen its international reputation damaged by the dispute with its less powerful neighbour, with Dili dragging Canberra to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague after contesting a previous deal signed in 2006. East Timor wanted that treaty, which also covered the vast Greater Sunrise fields, torn up after Australia was accused of spying to gain a commercial advantage during the negotiations. As the dispute escalated, a group of energy companies including Australia's Woodside, ConocoPhillips, Shell, and Osaka Gas decided to mothball plans to develop the fields. Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese said during the House of Representatives debate on Friday that the lengthy dispute "has not done a great deal for Australia's standing as good neighbours to one of the newest nations on the planet". Australia has continued to profit from an oil field stake that is set to be handed to East Timor under the treaty, taking an estimated AUS$60 million in the 12 months after the treaty was signed but not ratified, national broadcaster ABC reported. East Timor was invaded by Indonesia in 1975 before it gained independence in 2002 after a UN-sponsored referendum in 1999, which will be marked by 20th-anniversary celebrations on August 30.

Australia ratifies maritime boundaries with East Timor

Sri Lanka's parliament has blocked a visiting UN human rights expert from meeting with judges hearing war crimes cases, citing fears of foreign interference in the judicial system.

Clement Voule, an envoy of the United Nations Human Rights Council, travelled to the South Asian nation to discuss civil rights protections in Sri Lanka.

But opposition leader Mahinda Rajapakse told parliament on Tuesday that Voule's plans to meet with senior judges overseeing cases concerning military excesses during the former strongman's tenure amounted to foreign interference.

On Wednesday parliament speaker Karu Jayasuriya said he had "intervened and stopped the meeting".

"I thank the opposition for bringing this to my notice, I have taken timely action," Jayasuriya added.

Sri Lanka faced international censure for its human rights record under Rajapakse, who was toppled in January 2015 elections.

Forces under his command were accused of killing up to 40,000 Tamil civilians in the final months of the island's 37-year war against Tamil separatists that ended in May 2009.

Rajapakse's administration resisted global pressure to examine allegations of major human rights violations during his tenure. His successor President Maithripala Sirisena came to power on a pledge to investigate wartime atrocities but has refused calls for an international probe.

UN expert Voule has so far met Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya in the presence of foreign ministry officials. He is due to leave Sri Lanka on Friday.

Sri Lanka's parliament has blocked a visiting UN human rights expert from meeting with judges hearing war crimes cases, citing fears of foreign interference in the judicial system.

Sri Lanka's parliament has blocked a visiting UN human rights expert from meeting with judges hearing war crimes cases, citing fears of foreign interference in the judicial system. Clement Voule, an envoy of the United Nations Human Rights Council, travelled to the South Asian nation to discuss civil rights protections in Sri Lanka. But opposition leader Mahinda Rajapakse told parliament on Tuesday that Voule's plans to meet with senior judges overseeing cases concerning military excesses during the former strongman's tenure amounted to foreign interference. On Wednesday parliament speaker Karu Jayasuriya said he had "intervened and stopped the meeting". "I thank the opposition for bringing this to my notice, I have taken timely action," Jayasuriya added. Sri Lanka faced international censure for its human rights record under Rajapakse, who was toppled in January 2015 elections. Forces under his command were accused of killing up to 40,000 Tamil civilians in the final months of the island's 37-year war against Tamil separatists that ended in May 2009. Rajapakse's administration resisted global pressure to examine allegations of major human rights violations during his tenure. His successor President Maithripala Sirisena came to power on a pledge to investigate wartime atrocities but has refused calls for an international probe. UN expert Voule has so far met Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya in the presence of foreign ministry officials. He is due to leave Sri Lanka on Friday.

Fearing foreign interference, Sri Lanka blocks UN meeting with judges 

UN special envoy for the Climate Summit, Luis de Alba was in India to address climate change and push for the goals of the Paris Agreement.

The envoy appreciated India's turn to electric vehicles and ensured that the country will join the ambitious climate action in September.&nbsp;

Global emissions are reaching record levels and show&nbsp;no sign of peaking.&nbsp;The last four years have been the hottest on record and India is no different.

While taking a short ride in an Indian e-rickshaw Ambassador De Alba valued the country's approach towards electronic-vehicles to beat air pollution.

“There is a lot to be done by India and other countries to lower greenhouse gas emission. India is still using non- renewable resources for energy production, but its turn towards electric vehicles is a good approach to cut down air pollution. E-rickshaws, electric cars and two-wheelers give some relief from North India’s toxic air,” says Ambassador Luis Alfonso de Alba, special envoy for Climate Summit, United Nations.

To combat the toxic air pollution across India, the government is making a big push for electric vehicles, signalling a turning point in its clean energy policy. The government initially wanted to move to hundred per cent electric cars, however, it has been diluted to thirty per cent by 2030.

While bad air is not new to India, Delhi has reached the crisis point.&nbsp;According to the World Health Organisation latest report, 9 out of the 10 most polluted cities across the world are from India.&nbsp;The cities included have an average annual particulate matter (pm) 2.5 concentration of 122.&nbsp;

The Indian&nbsp;cities on the WHO's&nbsp;top 10 list&nbsp;are Gwalior, Allahabad, Patna, Raipur, Ludhiana, Kanpur, Firozabad, Lucknow and the Indian capital Delhi.

India has taken good initiatives in the past and has adhered to Paris Agreement on climate change. The country's turn towards e-vehicles will help reduce carbon emission.&nbsp;

The UN special envoy believes that countries such as India need to find solutions and align themselves completely to climate change and air pollution policies by 2030.&nbsp;

The Indian government has now decided to focus on two-wheelers, where sales are much higher. The new proposal is to have only electric three-wheelers operating in the country by 2023, and only electric two-wheelers by 2025.

It is estimated that each year air pollution causes more than 7 million death, and this is one of the reasons that the United Nations has urgently called on every nation for the Climate Change Summit to take urgent action.&nbsp;

UN special envoy for the Climate Summit, Luis de Alba was in India to address climate change and push for the goals of the Paris Agreement. The envoy appreciated India's turn to electric vehicles and ensured that the country will join the ambitious climate action in September.

UN special envoy for the Climate Summit, Luis de Alba was in India to address climate change and push for the goals of the Paris Agreement. The envoy appreciated India's turn to electric vehicles and ensured that the country will join the ambitious climate action in September. Global emissions are reaching record levels and show no sign of peaking. The last four years have been the hottest on record and India is no different. While taking a short ride in an Indian e-rickshaw Ambassador De Alba valued the country's approach towards electronic-vehicles to beat air pollution. “There is a lot to be done by India and other countries to lower greenhouse gas emission. India is still using non- renewable resources for energy production, but its turn towards electric vehicles is a good approach to cut down air pollution. E-rickshaws, electric cars and two-wheelers give some relief from North India’s toxic air,” says Ambassador Luis Alfonso de Alba, special envoy for Climate Summit, United Nations. To combat the toxic air pollution across India, the government is making a big push for electric vehicles, signalling a turning point in its clean energy policy. The government initially wanted to move to hundred per cent electric cars, however, it has been diluted to thirty per cent by 2030. While bad air is not new to India, Delhi has reached the crisis point. According to the World Health Organisation latest report, 9 out of the 10 most polluted cities across the world are from India. The cities included have an average annual particulate matter (pm) 2.5 concentration of 122. The Indian cities on the WHO's top 10 list are Gwalior, Allahabad, Patna, Raipur, Ludhiana, Kanpur, Firozabad, Lucknow and the Indian capital Delhi. India has taken good initiatives in the past and has adhered to Paris Agreement on climate change. The country's turn towards e-vehicles will help reduce carbon emission. The UN special envoy believes that countries such as India need to find solutions and align themselves completely to climate change and air pollution policies by 2030. The Indian government has now decided to focus on two-wheelers, where sales are much higher. The new proposal is to have only electric three-wheelers operating in the country by 2023, and only electric two-wheelers by 2025. It is estimated that each year air pollution causes more than 7 million death, and this is one of the reasons that the United Nations has urgently called on every nation for the Climate Change Summit to take urgent action.

India to join UN Climate Change Summit in New York this September 

More than 400,000 people have been displaced in northwestern <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-fires-missiles-into-south-syria-state-media-238080">Syria</a> over the past three months, the UN said Friday, as the government presses an intensified bombardment of the rebel-held region.

"More than 400,000 people have been displaced since the end of April," said David Swanson of the United Nations humanitarian affairs agency OCHA.

The region under attack is home to some three million people, nearly half of them already displaced from other parts of the country.&nbsp;

It covers nearly all of Idlib and parts of neighbouring Aleppo, Hama, and Latakia provinces.

Most of the displacement is from southern Idlib and northern Hama, the two areas that have been hit hardest by the flare-up, OCHA said.

"The majority of those fleeing have displaced within Idlib governorate while a smaller number have moved into northern Aleppo governorate.

"Roughly two-thirds of people displaced are staying outside camps," it said.

The region is controlled by jihadist alliance Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, led by Al-Qaeda's former Syria affiliate.

Since late April, more than 730 civilians have been killed in aerial bombardment and shelling of the region by the Syrian government and its allies, according to Britain-based war monitor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

OCHA said that since the end of April it had documented 39 attacks against health facilities or medical workers in the region.&nbsp;

At least 50 schools have been damaged by the airstrikes and shelling, it added.&nbsp;

WATCH:&nbsp;UN seeks support for children in Syria's camps

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A September accord struck between Moscow and Ankara was supposed to spare the region the bloodshed of a government assault, but it was never fully implemented after jihadists refused to withdraw from a planned buffer zone.

Instead, the bombardment has increased in intensity in recent weeks.

Airstrikes by the government and its Russian ally killed 12 civilians in the region on Thursday, according to the Observatory.

Another 50 civilians were killed in strikes on Monday alone - the majority on a busy market.

OCHA described Monday as one of the "deadliest days" in the region since the start of the flare-up.&nbsp;

The war in Syria has killed more than 370,000 people and displaced millions since it started in 2011 with a brutal crackdown on anti-government protests.

More than 400,000 people have been displaced in northwestern Syria over the past three months, the UN said Friday, as the government presses an intensified bombardment of the rebel-held region.

More than 400,000 people have been displaced in northwestern Syria over the past three months, the UN said Friday, as the government presses an intensified bombardment of the rebel-held region. "More than 400,000 people have been displaced since the end of April," said David Swanson of the United Nations humanitarian affairs agency OCHA. The region under attack is home to some three million people, nearly half of them already displaced from other parts of the country. It covers nearly all of Idlib and parts of neighbouring Aleppo, Hama, and Latakia provinces. Most of the displacement is from southern Idlib and northern Hama, the two areas that have been hit hardest by the flare-up, OCHA said. "The majority of those fleeing have displaced within Idlib governorate while a smaller number have moved into northern Aleppo governorate. "Roughly two-thirds of people displaced are staying outside camps," it said. The region is controlled by jihadist alliance Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, led by Al-Qaeda's former Syria affiliate. Since late April, more than 730 civilians have been killed in aerial bombardment and shelling of the region by the Syrian government and its allies, according to Britain-based war monitor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. OCHA said that since the end of April it had documented 39 attacks against health facilities or medical workers in the region. At least 50 schools have been damaged by the airstrikes and shelling, it added. WATCH: UN seeks support for children in Syria's camps × A September accord struck between Moscow and Ankara was supposed to spare the region the bloodshed of a government assault, but it was never fully implemented after jihadists refused to withdraw from a planned buffer zone. Instead, the bombardment has increased in intensity in recent weeks. Airstrikes by the government and its Russian ally killed 12 civilians in the region on Thursday, according to the Observatory. Another 50 civilians were killed in strikes on Monday alone - the majority on a busy market. OCHA described Monday as one of the "deadliest days" in the region since the start of the flare-up. The war in Syria has killed more than 370,000 people and displaced millions since it started in 2011 with a brutal crackdown on anti-government protests.

More than 400,000 displaced in northwest Syria in 3 months: UN

United Nations special envoy was in India, he took a short ride on an electric rickshaw and appreciated India's efforts for climate change. Watch our report to know more.

UN climate change summit: UN special envoy appreciates India's efforts

Ambassadors from 37 countries jointly sent a letter on Friday to the United Nations Human Rights Council, showing their support for China's achievements in protecting human rights in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Watch this video to know more.

Saudi Arabia defends China on human rights achievements in joint letter to UN

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-imposes-sanctions-on-myanmar-military-leaders-over-rohingya-abuses-236561&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiV0sDPq77jAhVFjuYKHfXpDNcQFjAEegQIBRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw19Bl-Zd9_TOCkR-aIEk1_f">Sanctions</a> imposed this week by the United States on Myanmar's military leaders over human rights abuses against Rohingya Muslims do not go far enough, UN special rapporteur Yanghee Lee said on Thursday.

The United States banned Myanmar military Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing, three other senior commanders, and their families from entering the United States in the strongest steps yet taken by Washington in response to the massacre of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.&nbsp;

But Lee said a travel ban was not enough and called for freezing the assets of the commanders.

"(The ban) does not go far enough and it should go further, and the parameters of those sanctions should go further too," she told reporters in Kuala Lumpur.

"They were never going to travel to the US.. let's be realistic."

Lee said the sanctions - which covered Min Aung Hlaing, his deputy Soe Win, and brigadier generals Than Oo and Aung Aung - should also be extended to two more military leaders identified in UN investigators report in 2018.

The report, compiled by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar, had called for the six generals to be tried for genocide.&nbsp;

Lee said reports from Myanmar in recent weeks suggested that human rights violations and abuses committed by the army and insurgents against civilian populations may be getting worse.

Last month, Lee had said the army may be committing gross human rights violations under cover of a mobile phone blackout in Myanmar's Rakhine and Chin states.

On Thursday, Lee said the blackout had left many villages unprepared for severe monsoon floods in the area.

It has also hampered disaster relief and humanitarian responses to the floods, she added.

"The question is, did the Myanmar government impose the ban to inflict more harm on the people of Rakhine?"

A 2017 military crackdown in Myanmar drove more than 730,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee to neighboring Bangladesh, according to UN figures.

UN investigators have said Myanmar's operation included mass killings, gang rapes, and arson and was executed with "genocidal intent." Myanmar denies the charge.

Sanctions imposed this week by the United States on Myanmar's military leaders over human rights abuses against Rohingya Muslims do not go far enough, UN special rapporteur Yanghee Lee said on Thursday.

Sanctions imposed this week by the United States on Myanmar's military leaders over human rights abuses against Rohingya Muslims do not go far enough, UN special rapporteur Yanghee Lee said on Thursday. The United States banned Myanmar military Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing, three other senior commanders, and their families from entering the United States in the strongest steps yet taken by Washington in response to the massacre of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. But Lee said a travel ban was not enough and called for freezing the assets of the commanders. "(The ban) does not go far enough and it should go further, and the parameters of those sanctions should go further too," she told reporters in Kuala Lumpur. "They were never going to travel to the US.. let's be realistic." Lee said the sanctions - which covered Min Aung Hlaing, his deputy Soe Win, and brigadier generals Than Oo and Aung Aung - should also be extended to two more military leaders identified in UN investigators report in 2018. The report, compiled by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar, had called for the six generals to be tried for genocide. Lee said reports from Myanmar in recent weeks suggested that human rights violations and abuses committed by the army and insurgents against civilian populations may be getting worse. Last month, Lee had said the army may be committing gross human rights violations under cover of a mobile phone blackout in Myanmar's Rakhine and Chin states. On Thursday, Lee said the blackout had left many villages unprepared for severe monsoon floods in the area. It has also hampered disaster relief and humanitarian responses to the floods, she added. "The question is, did the Myanmar government impose the ban to inflict more harm on the people of Rakhine?" A 2017 military crackdown in Myanmar drove more than 730,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee to neighboring Bangladesh, according to UN figures. UN investigators have said Myanmar's operation included mass killings, gang rapes, and arson and was executed with "genocidal intent." Myanmar denies the charge.

United States sanctions on Myanmar military leaders inadequate: United Nation investigator

Iran's foreign minister has renewed accusations that the United States was waging "economic terrorism," on a visit to the United Nations. Watch full video to know more.

Iran FM at UN accuses U.S of ‘economic terrorism’

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amnesty-urges-united-nation-probe-of-systematic-philippine-drug-war-killings-234069">Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte</a> is "seriously considering" cutting his nation's diplomatic ties with Iceland after it spearheaded a UN resolution to probe his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/philippines-top-senator-chides-iceland-for-abortion-united-nation-drugs-war-probe-236074">deadly drug war</a>, the leader's spokesman said.

Duterte bristles at any Western condemnation of his signature campaign, which has killed thousands and critics say could amount to crimes against humanity.

The comments late Monday from presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo came in response to the UN Human Rights Council last week backing the Iceland-proposed resolution to review the killings.&nbsp;

"(Duterte) is seriously considering cutting diplomatic relations with Iceland," Panelo said in a statement.

"The adopted Iceland resolution is grotesquely one-sided, outrageously narrow, and maliciously partisan," he added.

Duterte launched the anti-drug crackdown in 2016, and since then police say they have killed over 5,300 drug suspects.&nbsp;

However, human rights groups say the true toll is four times that number.

The UN review comes in addition to a preliminary examination already launched by war crimes prosecutors from the International Criminal Court, which the Philippines left earlier this year.

Panelo attacked the UN resolution saying it "likewise demonstrates how the Western powers are scornful of our sovereign exercise of protecting our people".&nbsp;

Duterte's government frequently paints international criticism as a violation of sovereignty, but watchdogs counter by saying an impartial local review is nearly impossible while Duterte is in power.

Last week Amnesty International released a report alleging the killing is "systematic" and police face very little, if any, scrutiny over the nightly slayings.

Duterte has already publicly mocked Iceland over the UN vote.

"Iceland, what is Iceland's problem? Just ice. That's your problem. You have too much ice," Duterte said Friday.&nbsp;

"These idiots, they don't understand the social, economic, political problems of the Philippines."

While the Philippines and Iceland have diplomatic ties, they do not have embassies in each other's country, said the Filipino foreign minister.

Economic ties include Icelandic investment in geothermal energy in the Philippines and Filipinos working as office and factory workers and nurses in Iceland.

Philippine Foreign Minister Teodoro Locsin had said his nation could withdraw from the UN rights council over the vote but later said it would not do so.&nbsp;

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is "seriously considering" cutting his nation's diplomatic ties with Iceland after it spearheaded a UN resolution to probe his deadly drug war, the leader's spokesman said.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is "seriously considering" cutting his nation's diplomatic ties with Iceland after it spearheaded a UN resolution to probe his deadly drug war, the leader's spokesman said. Duterte bristles at any Western condemnation of his signature campaign, which has killed thousands and critics say could amount to crimes against humanity. The comments late Monday from presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo came in response to the UN Human Rights Council last week backing the Iceland-proposed resolution to review the killings. "(Duterte) is seriously considering cutting diplomatic relations with Iceland," Panelo said in a statement. "The adopted Iceland resolution is grotesquely one-sided, outrageously narrow, and maliciously partisan," he added. Duterte launched the anti-drug crackdown in 2016, and since then police say they have killed over 5,300 drug suspects. However, human rights groups say the true toll is four times that number. The UN review comes in addition to a preliminary examination already launched by war crimes prosecutors from the International Criminal Court, which the Philippines left earlier this year. Panelo attacked the UN resolution saying it "likewise demonstrates how the Western powers are scornful of our sovereign exercise of protecting our people". Duterte's government frequently paints international criticism as a violation of sovereignty, but watchdogs counter by saying an impartial local review is nearly impossible while Duterte is in power. Last week Amnesty International released a report alleging the killing is "systematic" and police face very little, if any, scrutiny over the nightly slayings. Duterte has already publicly mocked Iceland over the UN vote. "Iceland, what is Iceland's problem? Just ice. That's your problem. You have too much ice," Duterte said Friday. "These idiots, they don't understand the social, economic, political problems of the Philippines." While the Philippines and Iceland have diplomatic ties, they do not have embassies in each other's country, said the Filipino foreign minister. Economic ties include Icelandic investment in geothermal energy in the Philippines and Filipinos working as office and factory workers and nurses in Iceland. Philippine Foreign Minister Teodoro Locsin had said his nation could withdraw from the UN rights council over the vote but later said it would not do so.

Philippines' Rodrigo Duterte mulls cutting Iceland ties over United Nations probe

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/philippines-family-find-cocaine-packages-worth-over-a-half-million-us-dollars-234469">Philippines</a>'&nbsp;highest-ranking lawmaker said on Monday a UN resolution to probe the country's bloody war on drugs should be ignored, and its chief backer Iceland be investigated instead for human rights abuses in allowing abortion.

"They have more unborn babies that they have aborted or killed. There are more killings in abortion than the drug pushers who are fighting the police," Senate President Vicente Sotto told ANC news channel.

The Nordic nation lacks moral grounds to lecture the Philippines on human rights, Sotto said. "So we should disregard that resolution."

His remarks are the latest in a series of comments from lawmakers urging the government to not cooperate after the UN Human Rights Council on Thursday adopted Iceland`s resolution to investigate thousands of deaths under <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amnesty-urges-united-nation-probe-of-systematic-philippine-drug-war-killings-234069">Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's anti-drugs campaign</a>.

Police have killed more than 6,600 suspected drug dealers in sting operations since Duterte took office in 2016.&nbsp;

Critics and rights group said authorities summarily execute suspects, which the police deny.

"The criminals can fight back, the babies cannot.

What human rights are they talking about?" Sotto said, adding that drug dealers that fight back and destroy families lose their human rights.

His comments about abortion echoed those made by incoming Senator Imee Marcos, the daughter of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

Rights groups, which hailed the UN vote as a step towards accountability, point out that the bloody anti-narcotics campaign is marked by systematic cover-ups, planted evidence, and impunity.

The president`s spokesman on Monday warned countries not to meddle with the state`s affairs.

"All incidents in the war on drugs are tallied, recorded. All they have to do is ask us, not to pre-judge us," presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo told a regular news conference.

&nbsp;"It behooves them to render respect to a sovereign state."

Duterte on Friday mocked Iceland as an ice-eating nation without an understanding of his country`s problems.

The Philippines' highest-ranking lawmaker said on Monday a UN resolution to probe the country's bloody war on drugs should be ignored, and its chief backer Iceland be investigated instead for human rights abuses in allowing abortion.

The Philippines' highest-ranking lawmaker said on Monday a UN resolution to probe the country's bloody war on drugs should be ignored, and its chief backer Iceland be investigated instead for human rights abuses in allowing abortion. "They have more unborn babies that they have aborted or killed. There are more killings in abortion than the drug pushers who are fighting the police," Senate President Vicente Sotto told ANC news channel. The Nordic nation lacks moral grounds to lecture the Philippines on human rights, Sotto said. "So we should disregard that resolution." His remarks are the latest in a series of comments from lawmakers urging the government to not cooperate after the UN Human Rights Council on Thursday adopted Iceland`s resolution to investigate thousands of deaths under Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's anti-drugs campaign. Police have killed more than 6,600 suspected drug dealers in sting operations since Duterte took office in 2016. Critics and rights group said authorities summarily execute suspects, which the police deny. "The criminals can fight back, the babies cannot. What human rights are they talking about?" Sotto said, adding that drug dealers that fight back and destroy families lose their human rights. His comments about abortion echoed those made by incoming Senator Imee Marcos, the daughter of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Rights groups, which hailed the UN vote as a step towards accountability, point out that the bloody anti-narcotics campaign is marked by systematic cover-ups, planted evidence, and impunity. The president`s spokesman on Monday warned countries not to meddle with the state`s affairs. "All incidents in the war on drugs are tallied, recorded. All they have to do is ask us, not to pre-judge us," presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo told a regular news conference. "It behooves them to render respect to a sovereign state." Duterte on Friday mocked Iceland as an ice-eating nation without an understanding of his country`s problems.

Philippines' top senator chides Iceland for abortion, United Nation drugs war probe

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-of-representatives-speaker-nancy-pelosi-praises-pm-modis-oratory-skills-says-he-had-audience-in-the-palm-of-his-hands-235157&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiR1q3o2LHjAhVK7HMBHcYNBcYQFjAEegQIAhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1Egex9ZQkItgFyQWa6wNVu">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> is likely to attend the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting in September this year, news agency ANI reported quoting government sources.

The <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-lifted-271-million-people-out-of-poverty-between-2006-and-2016-says-united-nations-report-235245&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjGt-mY2bHjAhVk6nMBHUYhBMsQFjAIegQIAhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2QZ7OdLViZM0y2l7AQqYfG">United Nations</a>, in a statement issued on Friday said that the 74th session of the UNGA will commence on September 17, 2019, the report added.

However, there is no official announcement or confirmation from the government regarding the PM's trip yet.&nbsp;

Modi is likely to hold bilateral meetings with world leaders on the sidelines of the special meeting, sources said.

This is prime minister's second&nbsp;address at the UNGA. He first addressed the UNGA in September 2014 after he came to power for the first time.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to attend the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting in September this year, news agency ANI reported quoting government sources.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to attend the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting in September this year, news agency ANI reported quoting government sources. The United Nations, in a statement issued on Friday said that the 74th session of the UNGA will commence on September 17, 2019, the report added. However, there is no official announcement or confirmation from the government regarding the PM's trip yet. Modi is likely to hold bilateral meetings with world leaders on the sidelines of the special meeting, sources said. This is prime minister's second address at the UNGA. He first addressed the UNGA in September 2014 after he came to power for the first time.

PM Modi to attend United Nation General Assembly meet in September

UN ambassadors from 37 countries, including Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, have released a letter defending China's "contribution to the international <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-government-has-destroyed-graveyard-of-uighur-community-historian-226704">human rights cause</a>" in the Xinjiang region, in direct response to Western criticism earlier this week.

On July 10, a group of 22 countries, including the member states of the European Union, joined by Japan, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, issued a statement urging China to stop the mass detention and arbitrary incarceration of ethnic <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uighur-wives-forced-to-drink-alcohol-and-eat-pork-in-chinas-re-education-camps-214757">Uighurs</a> and other Muslims in its western Xinjiang region, The New York Times reported.

On Friday a diverse group of states -- including Russia, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Algeria and North Korea -- replied on Beijing`s behalf, claiming China had faced terrorism, separatism and religious extremism in <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-china-spies-tourists-in-xinjiang-232866&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjCnbaFrLHjAhUISY8KHQG-Bz4QFjACegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1hm9yJMhvV9x9Z2dKXq8Fk">Xinjiang</a>, the vast northwest region that is mainly Muslim.

But through counterterrorism measures and vocational training, these states said, China had restored peace and security there.

"We note with appreciation that human rights are respected and protected in China in the process of counterterrorism and de-radicalisation," they said in the letter to the UN.

China denounced the West`s letter as "distortions" and "hypocrisy" of the Western media, and insisted that the region`s people "feel much better and much more happy and secure.

"Chinese diplomats further suggested that China`s experience in tackling terrorism could even be usefully shared with other countries.

China has been condemned internationally for setting up detention camps, which it describes as "education training centres" helping to stamp out "extremism" and give people new skills.

UN ambassadors from 37 countries, including Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, have released a letter defending China's "contribution to the international human rights cause" in the Xinjiang region, in direct response to Western criticism earlier this week.

UN ambassadors from 37 countries, including Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, have released a letter defending China's "contribution to the international human rights cause" in the Xinjiang region, in direct response to Western criticism earlier this week. On July 10, a group of 22 countries, including the member states of the European Union, joined by Japan, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, issued a statement urging China to stop the mass detention and arbitrary incarceration of ethnic Uighurs and other Muslims in its western Xinjiang region, The New York Times reported. On Friday a diverse group of states -- including Russia, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Algeria and North Korea -- replied on Beijing`s behalf, claiming China had faced terrorism, separatism and religious extremism in Xinjiang, the vast northwest region that is mainly Muslim. But through counterterrorism measures and vocational training, these states said, China had restored peace and security there. "We note with appreciation that human rights are respected and protected in China in the process of counterterrorism and de-radicalisation," they said in the letter to the UN. China denounced the West`s letter as "distortions" and "hypocrisy" of the Western media, and insisted that the region`s people "feel much better and much more happy and secure. "Chinese diplomats further suggested that China`s experience in tackling terrorism could even be usefully shared with other countries. China has been condemned internationally for setting up detention camps, which it describes as "education training centres" helping to stamp out "extremism" and give people new skills.

37 countries, including Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, defend China in UN letter over Xinjiang

Prominent activist Denise Ho brought the issue of protests in Hong Kong to the United Nations in Geneva on Monday, saying China was tightening its grip on the territory and that its autonomy and democratic freedoms were slipping away. Beijing's delegation twice interrupted singer and producer Ho, who is banned in mainland China, as she was delivering her speech, invoking "point of order".

Hong Kong singer-activist brings protest to UN rights body, urges action

India rejects UN's 'Prejudiced' report on J&K. India said UN report showing 'continuation of false narratives.' UN criticises India but won't slam Pak on terror. UN report undermines socio-economic projects in J&K. Watch this video to know more.

India slams UN report on Jammu And Kashmir

<a href="http://wionews.com/world/in-a-bid-to-keep-up-pressure-on-citys-pro-beijing-leaders-hong-kong-protesters-take-aim-at-china-station-233724">Beijing</a> criticised pro-democracy <a href="http://wionews.com/world/protesters-in-hong-kong-reject-carrie-lams-assertion-extradition-bill-dead-threaten-mass-rallies-234227">Hong Kong</a> singer Denise Ho as "delusional" Tuesday after she called for the UN to remove China from the body's Human Rights Council for trying to erode the city's autonomy.

The Canto-pop star has joined the huge marches of protesters calling for democratic reforms in semi-autonomous Hong Kong and angered Beijing by making a speech about the city's sliding freedoms to the UN rights council.

"This is delusional, how is that possible?" said Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang at a press briefing.

"She overestimates herself," he added.

Ho urged the UN rights council to put pressure on Beijing in the speech on Monday -- citing ongoing anti-government protests in Hong Kong as a sign that locals were fed up with China's "tightening grip."

"<a href="http://wionews.com/world/the-united-states-china-to-relaunch-talks-with-little-changed-since-deal-fell-apart-234315">China</a> is preventing our democracy at all costs," said Ho, who also called for the UN to convene an urgent session to protect the people of Hong Kong.

The rights council can hold extraordinary sessions on global crises, which generally produce resolutions that seek to raise awareness but have no influence on the ground.

Ho's speech "interfered in China's internal affairs and sovereignty and slandered China's human rights situation," said Geng at Tuesday's press briefing.

Hong Kong has plunged into its worst crisis in recent history, following a month of huge marches as well as separate violent confrontations with police involving a minority of hardcore protesters.

The rallies were sparked by a now-suspended law that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, but have since morphed into a wider movement calling for democratic reforms and a halt to sliding freedoms in the semi-autonomous territory.

Among recent watershed moments, critics point to are the disappearance into mainland custody of dissident booksellers and the jailing of democracy protest leaders -- both of which were referenced in Ho's address to the rights council.

Chinese diplomat Dai Demao -- who interrupted Ho twice during her speech -- said the pop singer perpetrated an "affront" against Beijing by equating Hong Kong and China, rather than referring to Hong Kong as part of China.

Beijing criticised pro-democracy Hong Kong singer Denise Ho as "delusional" Tuesday after she called for the UN to remove China from the body's Human Rights Council for trying to erode the city's autonomy.

Beijing criticised pro-democracy Hong Kong singer Denise Ho as "delusional" Tuesday after she called for the UN to remove China from the body's Human Rights Council for trying to erode the city's autonomy. The Canto-pop star has joined the huge marches of protesters calling for democratic reforms in semi-autonomous Hong Kong and angered Beijing by making a speech about the city's sliding freedoms to the UN rights council. "This is delusional, how is that possible?" said Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang at a press briefing. "She overestimates herself," he added. Ho urged the UN rights council to put pressure on Beijing in the speech on Monday -- citing ongoing anti-government protests in Hong Kong as a sign that locals were fed up with China's "tightening grip." "China is preventing our democracy at all costs," said Ho, who also called for the UN to convene an urgent session to protect the people of Hong Kong. The rights council can hold extraordinary sessions on global crises, which generally produce resolutions that seek to raise awareness but have no influence on the ground. Ho's speech "interfered in China's internal affairs and sovereignty and slandered China's human rights situation," said Geng at Tuesday's press briefing. Hong Kong has plunged into its worst crisis in recent history, following a month of huge marches as well as separate violent confrontations with police involving a minority of hardcore protesters. The rallies were sparked by a now-suspended law that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, but have since morphed into a wider movement calling for democratic reforms and a halt to sliding freedoms in the semi-autonomous territory. Among recent watershed moments, critics point to are the disappearance into mainland custody of dissident booksellers and the jailing of democracy protest leaders -- both of which were referenced in Ho's address to the rights council. Chinese diplomat Dai Demao -- who interrupted Ho twice during her speech -- said the pop singer perpetrated an "affront" against Beijing by equating Hong Kong and China, rather than referring to Hong Kong as part of China.

China slams pro-democracy Hong Kong singer Denise Ho as 'delusional'

A <a href="http://wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-court-announces-16-yrs-jail-term-1-million-penalty-for-ex-un-worker-234210">court in Nepal</a> has sentenced a former UN aid worker from Canada to nine years in jail on charges of sexually abusing two boys, a court official said on Tuesday.

Peter Dalglish, 62, was arrested at his home near Kathmandu last year and was convicted in June of sexually abusing two boys aged 12 and 14.

"He was sentenced to nine years in jail in one case and seven years in the other," said Thakur Nath Trital, information officer at the court in Kavre district, 30 km (20 miles) east of <a href="http://wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-flood-alert-issued-heavy-rains-expected-for-next-2-days-in-kathmandu-234115">Kathmandu</a>.

The sentences will run concurrently.

Dalglish, who was present in court for the sentencing on Monday, pleaded not guilty and would appeal, his lawyer said.

"Due process has not been fulfilled during the investigation in the case. So we’ll appeal,” the lawyer, Rahul Chapagain, said.

Dalglish was also been ordered to pay about $9,100 in compensation to the boys, Trital said.

Dalglish had been helping children from poor families in Nepal by providing financial support. He had earlier worked with humanitarian agencies like UN-Habitat in Afghanistan and a UN mission in Liberia, Chapagain said.

Activists said the sentence would help deter other possible offenders in a country with a poor record for crimes involving children.

"It will help break the belief that Nepal is not serious about child abuse," said Tarak Dhital, an independent activist campaigning for child rights.

A court in Nepal has sentenced a former UN aid worker from Canada to nine years in jail on charges of sexually abusing two boys, a court official said on Tuesday.

A court in Nepal has sentenced a former UN aid worker from Canada to nine years in jail on charges of sexually abusing two boys, a court official said on Tuesday. Peter Dalglish, 62, was arrested at his home near Kathmandu last year and was convicted in June of sexually abusing two boys aged 12 and 14. "He was sentenced to nine years in jail in one case and seven years in the other," said Thakur Nath Trital, information officer at the court in Kavre district, 30 km (20 miles) east of Kathmandu. The sentences will run concurrently. Dalglish, who was present in court for the sentencing on Monday, pleaded not guilty and would appeal, his lawyer said. "Due process has not been fulfilled during the investigation in the case. So we’ll appeal,” the lawyer, Rahul Chapagain, said. Dalglish was also been ordered to pay about $9,100 in compensation to the boys, Trital said. Dalglish had been helping children from poor families in Nepal by providing financial support. He had earlier worked with humanitarian agencies like UN-Habitat in Afghanistan and a UN mission in Liberia, Chapagain said. Activists said the sentence would help deter other possible offenders in a country with a poor record for crimes involving children. "It will help break the belief that Nepal is not serious about child abuse," said Tarak Dhital, an independent activist campaigning for child rights.

Former United Nation aid worker jailed in Nepal for sexually abusing boys

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