India is among almost 90 countries in the world without national policies in place that ensure new fathers get adequate paid time off with their newborn babies, according to a new UNICEF analysis.&nbsp

Almost two-third&nbspof the world's children under one-year-old, nearly 90 million, live in countries where their fathers are not entitled by law to a single day of paid paternity leave, the UNICEF analysis said.

India and Nigeria, which have high infant populations, are among the 92 countries do not have national policies in place that ensure new fathers get adequate paid time off with their newborn babies.&nbsp

The UN agency noted that around the world, momentum for family-friendly policies was growing. It cited the example of India, where officials are proposing a Paternity Benefit Bill for consideration in the next session of Parliament which would allow fathers up to three months of paid paternity leave.

Noting that much work remains to be done, UNICEF said in eight countries across the world, including the United States which is home to nearly four million infants, there was no paid maternity or paternity leave policy.

Other countries with high infant populations, including Brazil and Congo, all have national paid paternity leave policies, albeit offering relatively short-term entitlements.

"Positive and meaningful interaction with mothers and fathers from the very beginning helps shape children's brain growth and development for life, making them healthier and happier, and increasing their ability to learn. It's all of our responsibility to enable them to fill this role," UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore said.

Evidence suggests that when fathers bond with their babies from the beginning of life, they are more likely to play a more active role in the child's development. Research also suggests that when children positively interact with their fathers, they have better psychological health, self-esteem and life-satisfaction in the long-term, the UNICEF said.

UNICEF urged governments to implement national family-friendly policies that support early childhood development, including paid paternity leave, to help provide parents with the time, resources and information they need to care for their children.&nbsp

Earlier this year, UNICEF modernised its approach to parental leave provisions, with up to 16 weeks of paid leave for paternity across all of its offices worldwide&nbspthe first United Nations agency to extend such leave beyond the standard four weeks.

"We cannot be 'For Every Child', if we are not also 'For Every Parent'. We have to ask more of governments and more of employers if we're going to give fathers and mothers the time and resources they need to nurture their children, particularly during the earliest years of a child's life," Fore said.

The new analysis forms part of UNICEF's 'Super Dads' campaign, now in its second year, which aims to break down barriers preventing fathers from playing an active role in their young children's development.&nbsp

The campaign celebrates 'Father's Day'&nbsprecognised in more than 80 countries in June&nbspand focuses on the importance of love, play, protection and good nutrition for the healthy development of young children's brains.&nbsp

Almost two-third of the world's children under one-year-old, nearly 90 million, live in countries where their fathers are not entitled by law to a single day of paid paternity leave

India is among almost 90 countries in the world without national policies in place that ensure new fathers get adequate paid time off with their newborn babies, according to a new UNICEF analysis. Almost two-third&nbspof the world's children under one-year-old, nearly 90 million, live in countries where their fathers are not entitled by law to a single day of paid paternity leave, the UNICEF analysis said. India and Nigeria, which have high infant populations, are among the 92 countries do not have national policies in place that ensure new fathers get adequate paid time off with their newborn babies. The UN agency noted that around the world, momentum for family-friendly policies was growing. It cited the example of India, where officials are proposing a Paternity Benefit Bill for consideration in the next session of Parliament which would allow fathers up to three months of paid paternity leave. Noting that much work remains to be done, UNICEF said in eight countries across the world, including the United States which is home to nearly four million infants, there was no paid maternity or paternity leave policy. Other countries with high infant populations, including Brazil and Congo, all have national paid paternity leave policies, albeit offering relatively short-term entitlements. "Positive and meaningful interaction with mothers and fathers from the very beginning helps shape children's brain growth and development for life, making them healthier and happier, and increasing their ability to learn. It's all of our responsibility to enable them to fill this role," UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore said. Evidence suggests that when fathers bond with their babies from the beginning of life, they are more likely to play a more active role in the child's development. Research also suggests that when children positively interact with their fathers, they have better psychological health, self-esteem and life-satisfaction in the long-term, the UNICEF said. UNICEF urged governments to implement national family-friendly policies that support early childhood development, including paid paternity leave, to help provide parents with the time, resources and information they need to care for their children. Earlier this year, UNICEF modernised its approach to parental leave provisions, with up to 16 weeks of paid leave for paternity across all of its offices worldwide&nbspthe first United Nations agency to extend such leave beyond the standard four weeks. "We cannot be 'For Every Child', if we are not also 'For Every Parent'. We have to ask more of governments and more of employers if we're going to give fathers and mothers the time and resources they need to nurture their children, particularly during the earliest years of a child's life," Fore said. The new analysis forms part of UNICEF's 'Super Dads' campaign, now in its second year, which aims to break down barriers preventing fathers from playing an active role in their young children's development. The campaign celebrates 'Father's Day'&nbsprecognised in more than 80 countries in June&nbspand focuses on the importance of love, play, protection and good nutrition for the healthy development of young children's brains.

India among over 90 nations without paid paternity leave for new dads: UNICEF

<a href="http://wionews.com/world/arab-states-launch-biggest-assault-of-yemen-war-with-attack-on-main-port-of-hudaydah-144236">Arab states launch </a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/arab-states-launch-biggest-assault-of-yemen-war-with-attack-on-main-port-of-hudaydah-144236">biggest</a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/arab-states-launch-biggest-assault-of-yemen-war-with-attack-on-main-port-of-hudaydah-144236"> assault of Yemen war with </a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/arab-states-launch-biggest-assault-of-yemen-war-with-attack-on-main-port-of-hudaydah-144236">attack</a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/arab-states-launch-biggest-assault-of-yemen-war-with-attack-on-main-port-of-hudaydah-144236"> on country's main port</a>

A Saudi-led alliance of Arab states launched an attack on Yemen’s main port city on Wednesday in the largest battle of the Yemen war, aiming to bring the ruling Houthi movement to its knees at the risk of worsening the world’s biggest humanitarian crisis.

<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/nirav-modi-travelling-in-brussels-on-singapore-passport-sources-144248">Nirav Modi reported </a><a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/nirav-modi-travelling-in-brussels-on-singapore-passport-sources-144248">to have</a><a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/nirav-modi-travelling-in-brussels-on-singapore-passport-sources-144248"> fled London for Brussels</a>

Absconding diamantaire and PNB fraud accused Nirav Modi is reported to have fled London for Brussels.&nbsp;

<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/karti-chidambarams-firms-received-116-crore-bribe-in-aircel-maxis-deal-probe-agency-144231">Karti Chidambaram's firms received Rs 1.16-crore bribe in Aircel-Maxis deal: ED</a>

Former Union minister P Chidambaram's son Karti controlled two firms which allegedly received Rs. 1.16 crore as bribe money in the Aircel-Maxis money laundering case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday said in its charge sheet filed before a Delhi court.

<a href="http://wionews.com/world/120-countries-at-united-nations-condemn-israel-over-gaza-violence-144241">120 countries at United Nations condemn Israel over Gaza violence</a>

The UN General Assembly on Wednesday adopted by a strong majority of 120 countries an Arab-backed resolution condemning Israel for Palestinian deaths in Gaza and rejected a US bid to blame Hamas for the violence.

<a href="http://wionews.com/world/argentine-congress-prepares-for-historic-abortion-vote-144238">Argentine Congress prepares for historic abortion vote</a>

Lawmakers in conservative Argentina prepared to vote Wednesday on a decisive bill to legalize abortion which if passed, would make it the most populous Latin American country to do so.

&nbsp;

Arab states launch biggest assault of Yemen war with attack on country's main port A Saudi-led alliance of Arab states launched an attack on Yemen’s main port city on Wednesday in the largest battle of the Yemen war, aiming to bring the ruling Houthi movement to its knees at the risk of worsening the world’s biggest humanitarian crisis. Nirav Modi reported to have fled London for Brussels Absconding diamantaire and PNB fraud accused Nirav Modi is reported to have fled London for Brussels. Karti Chidambaram's firms received Rs 1.16-crore bribe in Aircel-Maxis deal: ED Former Union minister P Chidambaram's son Karti controlled two firms which allegedly received Rs. 1.16 crore as bribe money in the Aircel-Maxis money laundering case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday said in its charge sheet filed before a Delhi court. 120 countries at United Nations condemn Israel over Gaza violence The UN General Assembly on Wednesday adopted by a strong majority of 120 countries an Arab-backed resolution condemning Israel for Palestinian deaths in Gaza and rejected a US bid to blame Hamas for the violence. Argentine Congress prepares for historic abortion vote Lawmakers in conservative Argentina prepared to vote Wednesday on a decisive bill to legalize abortion which if passed, would make it the most populous Latin American country to do so.

News brief: Big stories of the day

The UN General Assembly on Wednesday adopted by a strong majority of 120 countries an Arab-backed resolution condemning Israel for Palestinian deaths in Gaza and rejected a US bid to blame Hamas for the violence.

The resolution deplores Israel's use of "excessive, disproportionate and indiscriminate force" against Palestinian civilians and calls for protection measures for Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

At least 129 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire during protests near the border with Gaza that began at the end of March. No Israelis have died.

Presented by Algeria and Turkey on behalf of Arab and Muslim countries, the measure won a decisive 120 votes in the 193-member assembly, with 8 votes against and 45 abstentions.&nbsp

US Ambassador Nikki Haley dismissed the resolution as "one-sided" and accused Arab countries of trying to score political points at home by seeking to condemn Israel at the United Nations.

"For some, attacking Israel is their favorite political sport. &nbspThat's why we are here today," Haley told the assembly.

An amendment presented by the United States that condemned Hamas for "inciting violence" along the border with Gaza failed to garner the two-thirds majority needed for adoption.&nbsp

Arab countries backing the measure turned to the General Assembly after the United States used its veto in the Security Council to block the resolution on June 1.

Unlike the Security Council, resolutions adopted by the assembly are non-binding and there is no veto.

UN chief to propose protection

The resolution tasks UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres with the drafting of proposals for an "international protection mechanism" for the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

These could range from setting up an observer mission to a full-blown peacekeeping force, but action on any option would require backing from the Security Council, where the United States has veto power.&nbsp

"We are asking for a simple thing," Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour told the assembly. "We want our civilian population to be protected."

Turkey's Ambassador Feridun Hadi Sinirlioglu defended the resolution, saying it was "about taking sides with international law" and showing the Palestinians that the world "does care about their suffering."

Taking the podium, Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon assailed the measure as an "attempt to take away our basic right to self-defense." He warned ambassadors that by supporting the resolution "you are empowering Hamas."

France was among 12 EU countries that backed the resolution, but Britain abstained along with Italy, Poland and 13 other EU member-states. Russia and China voted in favor.

Australia, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, the Solomon Islands and Togo joined the United States and Israel in voting against the resolution.

The US amendment condemning Hamas received 62 votes in favor, with 58 against and 42 abstentions. The United States sought to challenge the ruling requiring a two-thirds majority for approval but that was defeated in a separate vote.

"We had more countries on the right side than the wrong side," Haley said in a statement,

The General Assembly last held a similarly contentious vote on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in December, when it rejected President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move the US embassy there.&nbsp

Haley had warned at the time that Washington was "taking names" of countries that supported the resolution. That vote was 128 to 9, with 35 abstentions.

Backed by Arab countries, the Palestinians had lobbied to win as many votes on the Gaza resolution as those cast in support of the measure condemning the US decision on Jerusalem.

Israel and Hamas have fought three wars in Gaza and the United Nations has warned that a fourth conflict could be easily ignited.&nbsp

At least 129 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire during protests near the border with Gaza that began at the end of March. No Israelis have died

The UN General Assembly on Wednesday adopted by a strong majority of 120 countries an Arab-backed resolution condemning Israel for Palestinian deaths in Gaza and rejected a US bid to blame Hamas for the violence. The resolution deplores Israel's use of "excessive, disproportionate and indiscriminate force" against Palestinian civilians and calls for protection measures for Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. At least 129 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire during protests near the border with Gaza that began at the end of March. No Israelis have died. Presented by Algeria and Turkey on behalf of Arab and Muslim countries, the measure won a decisive 120 votes in the 193-member assembly, with 8 votes against and 45 abstentions. US Ambassador Nikki Haley dismissed the resolution as "one-sided" and accused Arab countries of trying to score political points at home by seeking to condemn Israel at the United Nations. "For some, attacking Israel is their favorite political sport. &nbspThat's why we are here today," Haley told the assembly. An amendment presented by the United States that condemned Hamas for "inciting violence" along the border with Gaza failed to garner the two-thirds majority needed for adoption. Arab countries backing the measure turned to the General Assembly after the United States used its veto in the Security Council to block the resolution on June 1. Unlike the Security Council, resolutions adopted by the assembly are non-binding and there is no veto. UN chief to propose protection The resolution tasks UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres with the drafting of proposals for an "international protection mechanism" for the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. These could range from setting up an observer mission to a full-blown peacekeeping force, but action on any option would require backing from the Security Council, where the United States has veto power. "We are asking for a simple thing," Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour told the assembly. "We want our civilian population to be protected." Turkey's Ambassador Feridun Hadi Sinirlioglu defended the resolution, saying it was "about taking sides with international law" and showing the Palestinians that the world "does care about their suffering." Taking the podium, Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon assailed the measure as an "attempt to take away our basic right to self-defense." He warned ambassadors that by supporting the resolution "you are empowering Hamas." France was among 12 EU countries that backed the resolution, but Britain abstained along with Italy, Poland and 13 other EU member-states. Russia and China voted in favor. Australia, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, the Solomon Islands and Togo joined the United States and Israel in voting against the resolution. The US amendment condemning Hamas received 62 votes in favor, with 58 against and 42 abstentions. The United States sought to challenge the ruling requiring a two-thirds majority for approval but that was defeated in a separate vote. "We had more countries on the right side than the wrong side," Haley said in a statement, The General Assembly last held a similarly contentious vote on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in December, when it rejected President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move the US embassy there. Haley had warned at the time that Washington was "taking names" of countries that supported the resolution. That vote was 128 to 9, with 35 abstentions. Backed by Arab countries, the Palestinians had lobbied to win as many votes on the Gaza resolution as those cast in support of the measure condemning the US decision on Jerusalem. Israel and Hamas have fought three wars in Gaza and the United Nations has warned that a fourth conflict could be easily ignited.

120 countries at United Nations condemn Israel over Gaza violence

India today rejected the <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/jk-terrorists-abduct-indian-army-soldier-from-pulwama-144334">United Nations report which called </a>for an inquiry into abuses in "Indian-administered Kashmir" as well as "Pakistan-administered Kashmir".&nbsp

India said the UN report on human rights violation in Kashmir was "fallacious, tendentious and motivated". UN report on Kashmir violates India's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the ministry of external affairs said.

In a first of its kind report, the UN said there was an urgent need to address the past and ongoing human rights violations, "any resolution to the political situation in Kashmir should entail a commitment to ending the cycles of violence and accountability for past and current human rights violations."

Specifically named "Report on the Situation of Human Rights in Kashmir: Developments in the Indian State of J-K from June 2016 to April 2018, and General Human Rights Concerns in Azad J-K and Gilgit-Baltistan", it noted there were a variety of "armed groups operating" in the&nbspIndian state of J&K.

"Despite the Government of Pakistan's assertions of denial of any support to these groups, experts believe that Pakistan's military continues to support their operations across the Line of Control in Indian-Administered Kashmir," the report said. &nbsp

It said that there was documented evidence of these groups committing human right abuses, including kidnappings and killings of civilians.

The report said, "the people on both sides of the Line of Control have been detrimentally impacted and suffer from limitations or denial of a range of human rights."

The report asked for urgent repealing of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1990 and to "immediately remove the requirement for prior central government permission to prosecute security forces personnel accused of human rights violations in civilian courts."

It said that there was documented evidence of these groups committing human right abuses, including kidnappings and killings of civilians.

India today rejected the United Nations report which called for an inquiry into abuses in "Indian-administered Kashmir" as well as "Pakistan-administered Kashmir". India said the UN report on human rights violation in Kashmir was "fallacious, tendentious and motivated". UN report on Kashmir violates India's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the ministry of external affairs said. In a first of its kind report, the UN said there was an urgent need to address the past and ongoing human rights violations, "any resolution to the political situation in Kashmir should entail a commitment to ending the cycles of violence and accountability for past and current human rights violations." Specifically named "Report on the Situation of Human Rights in Kashmir: Developments in the Indian State of J-K from June 2016 to April 2018, and General Human Rights Concerns in Azad J-K and Gilgit-Baltistan", it noted there were a variety of "armed groups operating" in the&nbspIndian state of J&K. "Despite the Government of Pakistan's assertions of denial of any support to these groups, experts believe that Pakistan's military continues to support their operations across the Line of Control in Indian-Administered Kashmir," the report said. It said that there was documented evidence of these groups committing human right abuses, including kidnappings and killings of civilians. The report said, "the people on both sides of the Line of Control have been detrimentally impacted and suffer from limitations or denial of a range of human rights." The report asked for urgent repealing of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1990 and to "immediately remove the requirement for prior central government permission to prosecute security forces personnel accused of human rights violations in civilian courts."

UN report on J&K is fallacious, tendentious and motivated: India

United Nations refugee chief Filippo Grandi, on Wednesday, noted that the escalating violence in Yemen could lead to a refugee exodus. He further added that the war has taken a huge toll on the civilians and will not come to an end this way.&nbsp

A Saudi-led coalition launched the largest assault of the war.

"It’s actually surprising that an exodus has not happened yet," he told Reuters. "The message is to go back to the negotiating table as soon as possible."

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp

He further added that the war has taken a huge toll on the civilians

United Nations refugee chief Filippo Grandi, on Wednesday, noted that the escalating violence in Yemen could lead to a refugee exodus. He further added that the war has taken a huge toll on the civilians and will not come to an end this way. A Saudi-led coalition launched the largest assault of the war. "It’s actually surprising that an exodus has not happened yet," he told Reuters. "The message is to go back to the negotiating table as soon as possible." (With inputs from Reuters)

UN's Grandi calls for Yemen talks, fears refugee exodus

The members of the <a href="Founded to protest Pakistan 'disappearances', group now sees supporters go missing">Civil rights group Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM)</a> staged an anti-Pakistan protest in NewYork against the recent firing by Pakistani Army on a rally of Pashtun activists in South Waziristan.

The protest was staged outside the United Nations office to press the UN to impose sanctions on Pakistan army. They also demand an investigation into the attack that killed several members of the PTM activists.

The protest was also carried out against the state-sponsored Taliban, which is responsible for attacks on innocent Pashtuns.

The protesters and the activists criticised the Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army, General Qamar Javed Bajwa and the security forces.

Raising slogans against Pakistan army and General Bajwa the protesters slammed the outfit.

The protesters sloganeered, "Yeh jo mara mari, iske peeche wardi hai 
Yeh jo dheshadgardi hai, iske peeche wardi hai 
Yeh colonel general, dheshadgard 
Yeh Bajwa Bajwa, dheshadgard!"

The protests followed after the killing of several PTM activists last week by Pakistan security forces at a peaceful rally in South Waziristan.

Pashtuns have long blamed that they have been targets of military operations, internal displacement, ethnic stereotyping and abductions by the Pakistani security forces.

They feel that they have been victims of gross human rights violations by Pakistan's military in federally administered tribal areas.

They allege that Pakistan army functions along with militant groups in the region and indiscriminately use force against innocent Pashtuns.

However, the Voice of Karachi chairman Nadeem Nusrat had strongly condemned the allegations of Pakistan Army against the PTM last week, saying, the country's military is a national security institution, not a court of law and that it has no legal or constitutional mandate to brand a "genuine grassroots movement as anti-state."&nbsp

&nbsp

(With inputs from ANI)

The protest was staged outside the United Nations office to press the UN to impose sanctions on Pakistan army. They also demand an investigation into the attack that killed several members of the PTM activists

The members of the Civil rights group Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) staged an anti-Pakistan protest in NewYork against the recent firing by Pakistani Army on a rally of Pashtun activists in South Waziristan. The protest was staged outside the United Nations office to press the UN to impose sanctions on Pakistan army. They also demand an investigation into the attack that killed several members of the PTM activists. The protest was also carried out against the state-sponsored Taliban, which is responsible for attacks on innocent Pashtuns. The protesters and the activists criticised the Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army, General Qamar Javed Bajwa and the security forces. Raising slogans against Pakistan army and General Bajwa the protesters slammed the outfit. The protesters sloganeered, "Yeh jo mara mari, iske peeche wardi hai Yeh jo dheshadgardi hai, iske peeche wardi hai Yeh colonel general, dheshadgard Yeh Bajwa Bajwa, dheshadgard!" The protests followed after the killing of several PTM activists last week by Pakistan security forces at a peaceful rally in South Waziristan. Pashtuns have long blamed that they have been targets of military operations, internal displacement, ethnic stereotyping and abductions by the Pakistani security forces. They feel that they have been victims of gross human rights violations by Pakistan's military in federally administered tribal areas. They allege that Pakistan army functions along with militant groups in the region and indiscriminately use force against innocent Pashtuns. However, the Voice of Karachi chairman Nadeem Nusrat had strongly condemned the allegations of Pakistan Army against the PTM last week, saying, the country's military is a national security institution, not a court of law and that it has no legal or constitutional mandate to brand a "genuine grassroots movement as anti-state." (With inputs from ANI)

Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) members hold protests against Pak Army in New York

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an investigation of air strikes believed to have been carried out by Russian jets in Syria, killing dozens including children.

The air attack on the night of June 7 to 8 targeted the village of Zardana in Idlib province and left 44 dead including six children, according to the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

In a statement, Guterres expressed "deep concern" about the strikes and called for a "full investigation into the attacks, especially allegations that there was also a second strike targeting first responders, to establish accountability."

He recalled that Idlib is part of the de-escalation agreement for Syria reached between Turkey, Russia and Iran and urged those guarantors to uphold their commitment.

Most of Idlib province is held by an array of Islamist and jihadist groups with only parts controlled by the Russian-backed government.

Since Russia intervened in its support in 2015, the government has regained control of around half of the country. More than 350,000 people have been killed in the Syrian war since it started in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.&nbsp

The air attack on the night of June 7 to 8 targeted the village of Zardana in Idlib province and left 44 dead including six children, according to the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an investigation of air strikes believed to have been carried out by Russian jets in Syria, killing dozens including children. The air attack on the night of June 7 to 8 targeted the village of Zardana in Idlib province and left 44 dead including six children, according to the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. In a statement, Guterres expressed "deep concern" about the strikes and called for a "full investigation into the attacks, especially allegations that there was also a second strike targeting first responders, to establish accountability." He recalled that Idlib is part of the de-escalation agreement for Syria reached between Turkey, Russia and Iran and urged those guarantors to uphold their commitment. Most of Idlib province is held by an array of Islamist and jihadist groups with only parts controlled by the Russian-backed government. Since Russia intervened in its support in 2015, the government has regained control of around half of the country. More than 350,000 people have been killed in the Syrian war since it started in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.

UN chief calls for investigation of Syria strikes

Myanmar's&nbsp;hardline&nbsp;monks&nbsp;will dodge&nbsp;bans on&nbsp;Facebook&nbsp;and keep using it to "tell the truth", they said on Friday, after the social media giant barred several Buddhist nationalists for hate messages targeting Rohingya Muslims.

United Nations officials investigating a possible genocide in&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;have said&nbsp;Facebook&nbsp;has been a source of propaganda against the minority in a country where it has become a near-ubiquitous communications tool as the economy opens up.

Myanmar's nationalist&nbsp;monks&nbsp;and activists, who have emerged as a political force in recent years, have been sharing violent and angry rhetoric on&nbsp;Facebook&nbsp;targeting the minority, seen by many in the Buddhist-majority country as illegal immigrants.

"It is a violation of freedom of expression," Thuseitta, a member of the Patriotic&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;Monks' Union told Reuters hours after&nbsp;Facebook&nbsp;identified him as a "hate figure".

"We will keep using&nbsp;Facebook&nbsp;with different names and accounts to tell the truth to people."

Nearly 700,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled to neighbouring&nbsp;Bangladesh, the United Nations and aid agencies have said, following an army crackdown after Rohingya insurgent attacks last August.

Washington has called the army response "ethnic cleansing" - a charge&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;denies, saying its security forces have been waging a legitimate counter-insurgency operation against "Bengali terrorists".

Pinnyawenta, another monk from the union whose account was deactivated in May after repeatedly being asked by&nbsp;Facebook&nbsp;to remove some posts, said he had registered again under another name and would "continue to write about the truth" on the site.

In an email message,&nbsp;Facebook&nbsp;told Reuters it was "investing more in the teams who are working on&nbsp;Myanmar" as it seeks to "understand and respond to&nbsp;Myanmar's unique technical challenges".

"There's always more we can do to get ahead of these repeat offenders, and we are committed to improving our detection tools to remove them from&nbsp;Facebook&nbsp;as quickly as possible," the company said.

The California-based company will invest more in artificial intelligence to deal with languages inMyanmar, it said.

Facebook&nbsp;added that it had designated as "hate figures and organizations" a radical Buddhist group, Ma Ba Tha, and several prominent&nbsp;monks&nbsp;known for vitriol towards Rohingya, blocking them from the platform.

The move had led to the removal of "a lot of harmful and violating content", it said.

Ei Myat Noe Khin, a manager of Yangon-based Phandeeyar, which helped&nbsp;Facebook&nbsp;translate its Burmese-language community standards, urged the company to hire more people who are unbiased and understand&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;well.

That would be the only way for&nbsp;Facebook&nbsp;to tackle the proliferating accounts behind the rumours spread to trigger violence, riots and conflict, she added.

United Nations officials investigating a possible genocide in Myanmar have said Facebook has been a source of propaganda against the minority in a country

Myanmar's hardline monks will dodge bans on Facebook and keep using it to "tell the truth", they said on Friday, after the social media giant barred several Buddhist nationalists for hate messages targeting Rohingya Muslims. United Nations officials investigating a possible genocide in Myanmar have said Facebook has been a source of propaganda against the minority in a country where it has become a near-ubiquitous communications tool as the economy opens up. Myanmar's nationalist monks and activists, who have emerged as a political force in recent years, have been sharing violent and angry rhetoric on Facebook targeting the minority, seen by many in the Buddhist-majority country as illegal immigrants. "It is a violation of freedom of expression," Thuseitta, a member of the Patriotic Myanmar Monks' Union told Reuters hours after Facebook identified him as a "hate figure". "We will keep using Facebook with different names and accounts to tell the truth to people." Nearly 700,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled to neighbouring Bangladesh, the United Nations and aid agencies have said, following an army crackdown after Rohingya insurgent attacks last August. Washington has called the army response "ethnic cleansing" - a charge Myanmar denies, saying its security forces have been waging a legitimate counter-insurgency operation against "Bengali terrorists". Pinnyawenta, another monk from the union whose account was deactivated in May after repeatedly being asked by Facebook to remove some posts, said he had registered again under another name and would "continue to write about the truth" on the site. In an email message, Facebook told Reuters it was "investing more in the teams who are working on Myanmar" as it seeks to "understand and respond to Myanmar's unique technical challenges". "There's always more we can do to get ahead of these repeat offenders, and we are committed to improving our detection tools to remove them from Facebook as quickly as possible," the company said. The California-based company will invest more in artificial intelligence to deal with languages inMyanmar, it said. Facebook added that it had designated as "hate figures and organizations" a radical Buddhist group, Ma Ba Tha, and several prominent monks known for vitriol towards Rohingya, blocking them from the platform. The move had led to the removal of "a lot of harmful and violating content", it said. Ei Myat Noe Khin, a manager of Yangon-based Phandeeyar, which helped Facebook translate its Burmese-language community standards, urged the company to hire more people who are unbiased and understand Myanmar well. That would be the only way for Facebook to tackle the proliferating accounts behind the rumours spread to trigger violence, riots and conflict, she added.

Myanmar hardline monks vow to stay on Facebook despite ban

A day after Maldives failed to secure a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council, losing to&nbsp;Indonesia, the government of Maldives thanked the Indian government for supporting its candidature in the UNSC.

Ambassador of Maldives to India, Ahmed Mohamed, appreciated India's support for Maldives' UNSC candidature.&nbsp;

He tweeted, "The #Maldives highly appreciates the support by #India for our #UNSC candidature. We received reassurances in writing on 7 June 2018 as well. @MDVForeign @MDVinIND".

Maldives had contested against Indonesia for a seat in the UNSC where it lost in the plenary session held at the UN headquarters in New York on Friday. Indonesia won the seat after securing 144 votes against 46 for the Maldives.

The Ministry of External Affairs has, however, not clarified on whether India voted for Maldives or Indonesia. Quoting the MEA a media reported that the ministry never reveals such vote to the public.

The UNSC is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations majorly responsible for maintaining international peace and security.&nbsp;

Ambassador of Maldives to India, Ahmed Mohamed, has appreciated India's support for Maldives' UNSC candidature. He tweeted, "The #Maldives highly appreciates the support by #India for our #UNSC candidature. We received reassurances in writing on 7 June 2018 as well. @MDVForeign @MDVinIND"

A day after Maldives failed to secure a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council, losing to Indonesia, the government of Maldives thanked the Indian government for supporting its candidature in the UNSC. Ambassador of Maldives to India, Ahmed Mohamed, appreciated India's support for Maldives' UNSC candidature. He tweeted, "The #Maldives highly appreciates the support by #India for our #UNSC candidature. We received reassurances in writing on 7 June 2018 as well. @MDVForeign @MDVinIND". Maldives had contested against Indonesia for a seat in the UNSC where it lost in the plenary session held at the UN headquarters in New York on Friday. Indonesia won the seat after securing 144 votes against 46 for the Maldives. The Ministry of External Affairs has, however, not clarified on whether India voted for Maldives or Indonesia. Quoting the MEA a media reported that the ministry never reveals such vote to the public. The UNSC is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations majorly responsible for maintaining international peace and security.

Despite losing UNSC bid, Maldives govt thanks India for support

Despite losing UNSC seat, Maldives govt thanks India for support

Rohingya Muslims who are currently living in shelters in Bangladesh has said that they are upset that United Nations agreement does not include citizenship demand which was one of&nbspthe key demands media reports said on Saturday.

According to the media reports, the refugees are willing to go back to their home in Rakhine, Myanmar, but have concerns regarding their protection.

They had reportedly demanded proper citizenship and the return of the property they lost during the violence.&nbsp

Since August 2017, about 700,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled a military crackdown in mainly Buddhist Myanmar, many reporting killings, rape and arson on a large scale, UN and other aid organisations have said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/un-and-myanmar-agree-outline-of-rohingya-return-deal-no-details-141556">Myanmar and United Nations on Wednesday signed an agreement</a> aimed at allowing those refugees to return back to their homeland. The refugees are currently living in camps in Bangladesh' coz bazaar.

Meanwhile, in a separate statement on Thursday, Myanmar's government said it would set up an independent commission to investigate "the violation of human rights and related issues" in Rakhine State following the army operation there in response to attacks by Rohingya insurgents on security posts.

The atrocities on Rohingya was widely criticised by the international media.

The United Nations and aid agencies had also described the crackdown on the Rohingya as "a textbook example of ethnic cleansing", an accusation Myanmar rejects.

(With inputs from Reuters)

According to the media reports, the refugees are willing to go back to their home in Rakhine, Myanmar, but have concerns regarding their protection

Rohingya Muslims who are currently living in shelters in Bangladesh has said that they are upset that United Nations agreement does not include citizenship demand which was one of&nbspthe key demands media reports said on Saturday. According to the media reports, the refugees are willing to go back to their home in Rakhine, Myanmar, but have concerns regarding their protection. They had reportedly demanded proper citizenship and the return of the property they lost during the violence. Since August 2017, about 700,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled a military crackdown in mainly Buddhist Myanmar, many reporting killings, rape and arson on a large scale, UN and other aid organisations have said. Myanmar and United Nations on Wednesday signed an agreement aimed at allowing those refugees to return back to their homeland. The refugees are currently living in camps in Bangladesh' coz bazaar. Meanwhile, in a separate statement on Thursday, Myanmar's government said it would set up an independent commission to investigate "the violation of human rights and related issues" in Rakhine State following the army operation there in response to attacks by Rohingya insurgents on security posts. The atrocities on Rohingya was widely criticised by the international media. The United Nations and aid agencies had also described the crackdown on the Rohingya as "a textbook example of ethnic cleansing", an accusation Myanmar rejects. (With inputs from Reuters)

Rohingyas are upset over UN agreement not addressing citizenship demand

The UN Security Council is urging Myanmar's government to allow international investigators to help probe allegations of human rights violations against Rohingya Muslims, saying it remains "gravely concerned" at their plight. 
 
In a letter to Myanmar's leaders obtained today by The Associated Press, the council noted the government's commitment to investigate all allegations of violence. 
 
It said independent and transparent investigations "with the involvement of the international community ... Would turn this commitment into concrete action and ensure that all perpetrators of human rights violations and abuses are held to account." 
 
The council also urged Myanmar's government to grant U.N. Agencies and humanitarian organisations immediate access to Rakhine state.

Rohingya insurgent attacks last August were followed by a military crackdown that led some 700,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh.

In a letter to Myanmar's leaders obtained today by The Associated Press, the council noted the government's commitment to investigate all allegations of violence

The UN Security Council is urging Myanmar's government to allow international investigators to help probe allegations of human rights violations against Rohingya Muslims, saying it remains "gravely concerned" at their plight. In a letter to Myanmar's leaders obtained today by The Associated Press, the council noted the government's commitment to investigate all allegations of violence. It said independent and transparent investigations "with the involvement of the international community ... Would turn this commitment into concrete action and ensure that all perpetrators of human rights violations and abuses are held to account." The council also urged Myanmar's government to grant U.N. Agencies and humanitarian organisations immediate access to Rakhine state. Rohingya insurgent attacks last August were followed by a military crackdown that led some 700,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh.

UN: International experts should help probe Myanmar abuses

The UN General Assembly today overwhelmingly elected Ecuador's Foreign Minister Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces as its next president, making her only the fourth woman to lead the 193-member world body in its 73-year history.

She defeated another woman ? Honduras' UN Ambassador Mary Elizabeth Flores Flake ? by 128-62 with two abstentions in the secret-ballot vote.

The current council president, Miroslav Lajcak of Slovakia, announced the results to loud applause, saying, "Frankly, 4 out of 73 is not a record to be proud of, but I'm glad we are getting ourselves on track." Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who defeated several female candidates and continues the male domination of the UN's top post, echoed Lajcak, saying, "We can and we must do better."&nbsp;

Espinosa Garces expressed hope that gender parity continues to make progress and dedicated her election to "all the women in the world who participate in politics today and who face political and media attacks marked by machismo and discrimination." "I would like to pay a special tribute to the women who struggle every day to access jobs on equal terms, to women and girls who are victims of violence, to girls and adolescents who demand access to quality information and education," she said. "My commitment will always be to them."&nbsp;

While the presidency of the General Assembly is largely ceremonial, it is also prestigious.

The world body controls the UN budget, adopts treaties, addresses global issues from poverty to climate change, and passes numerous resolutions that while not legally binding almost always reflect global opinion. It is also the UN organ where countries large and small can speak ? and the scene of the annual gathering of world leaders in September.

The selection of the assembly president follows a regional rotation mandated by the world body, and it was the turn of Latin America and the Caribbean to preside over the next yearlong session which starts just before September's global gathering.

By tradition, the UN's regional groups usually nominate a single candidate who is then rubber-stamped by the assembly. But this year the election was contested ? as it was in 1991, 2012 and 2016 ? according to the UN, because Latin American countries couldn't agree on a nominee.

Espinosa Garces noted after her victory that she will also be the first woman from Latin America and the Caribbean to preside over the assembly starting in September.

"I offered an open door presidency and I will hold to that promise," she said.

"I am a poet as well as a politician," Espinosa Garces said. "As such, I am fully aware that no view is useful if we do not see, and no word has any value if we do not listen. I will be ready to listen to you all and to work for you and with you." For the first time this year, assembly president Lajcak decided to follow a new practice that was also used to choose secretary-general Guterres.

He invited both candidates to appear before assembly members for two hours&nbsp;May 4&nbsp;to present their vision for the presidency and answer questions from diplomats and civil society representatives. The issues raised ranged from conflict prevention and financing U.N. Goals for 2030 to ending poverty and sustaining the planet to transparency in the president's office, UN reforms, and gender equality.

Espinosa Garces said then that she would focus on "delivery, implementation and accountability" to bring the UN's work closer to people everywhere and convince them that what the United Nations does "touches upon their daily lives."

After&nbsp;Tuesday's&nbsp;election, she stressed that "strengthening multilateralism is not an option, it's an obligation." Therefore, Espinosa Garces said, it's urgent that the United Nations responds to major global challenges and does more to bring the organization closer to all citizens of the world.

She told reporters later that her priorities will be to finalize negotiations for a global compact on migration, promoting action on climate change, implementing UN reforms, and looking for new ways to finance economic development.

Diplomats said before the vote that the views of the governments of Ecuador and Honduras would likely play a significant role in&nbsp;Tuesday's&nbsp;voting. One issue they pointed to that could have an impact was December's General Assembly resolution condemning the United States for recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital, which was adopted overwhelmingly.

While the presidency of the General Assembly is largely ceremonial, it is also prestigious

The UN General Assembly today overwhelmingly elected Ecuador's Foreign Minister Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces as its next president, making her only the fourth woman to lead the 193-member world body in its 73-year history. She defeated another woman ? Honduras' UN Ambassador Mary Elizabeth Flores Flake ? by 128-62 with two abstentions in the secret-ballot vote. The current council president, Miroslav Lajcak of Slovakia, announced the results to loud applause, saying, "Frankly, 4 out of 73 is not a record to be proud of, but I'm glad we are getting ourselves on track." Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who defeated several female candidates and continues the male domination of the UN's top post, echoed Lajcak, saying, "We can and we must do better." Espinosa Garces expressed hope that gender parity continues to make progress and dedicated her election to "all the women in the world who participate in politics today and who face political and media attacks marked by machismo and discrimination." "I would like to pay a special tribute to the women who struggle every day to access jobs on equal terms, to women and girls who are victims of violence, to girls and adolescents who demand access to quality information and education," she said. "My commitment will always be to them." While the presidency of the General Assembly is largely ceremonial, it is also prestigious. The world body controls the UN budget, adopts treaties, addresses global issues from poverty to climate change, and passes numerous resolutions that while not legally binding almost always reflect global opinion. It is also the UN organ where countries large and small can speak ? and the scene of the annual gathering of world leaders in September. The selection of the assembly president follows a regional rotation mandated by the world body, and it was the turn of Latin America and the Caribbean to preside over the next yearlong session which starts just before September's global gathering. By tradition, the UN's regional groups usually nominate a single candidate who is then rubber-stamped by the assembly. But this year the election was contested ? as it was in 1991, 2012 and 2016 ? according to the UN, because Latin American countries couldn't agree on a nominee. Espinosa Garces noted after her victory that she will also be the first woman from Latin America and the Caribbean to preside over the assembly starting in September. "I offered an open door presidency and I will hold to that promise," she said. "I am a poet as well as a politician," Espinosa Garces said. "As such, I am fully aware that no view is useful if we do not see, and no word has any value if we do not listen. I will be ready to listen to you all and to work for you and with you." For the first time this year, assembly president Lajcak decided to follow a new practice that was also used to choose secretary-general Guterres. He invited both candidates to appear before assembly members for two hours May 4 to present their vision for the presidency and answer questions from diplomats and civil society representatives. The issues raised ranged from conflict prevention and financing U.N. Goals for 2030 to ending poverty and sustaining the planet to transparency in the president's office, UN reforms, and gender equality. Espinosa Garces said then that she would focus on "delivery, implementation and accountability" to bring the UN's work closer to people everywhere and convince them that what the United Nations does "touches upon their daily lives." After Tuesday's election, she stressed that "strengthening multilateralism is not an option, it's an obligation." Therefore, Espinosa Garces said, it's urgent that the United Nations responds to major global challenges and does more to bring the organization closer to all citizens of the world. She told reporters later that her priorities will be to finalize negotiations for a global compact on migration, promoting action on climate change, implementing UN reforms, and looking for new ways to finance economic development. Diplomats said before the vote that the views of the governments of Ecuador and Honduras would likely play a significant role in Tuesday's voting. One issue they pointed to that could have an impact was December's General Assembly resolution condemning the United States for recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital, which was adopted overwhelmingly.

UN General Assembly elects Ecuador minister next president

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has told a UN human rights expert who said the country's judicial independence was under threat to 'go to hell', warning against interference in domestic affairs.

The Philippine Supreme Court voted last month to remove Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, whom Duterte had called an "enemy" for voting against controversial government proposals, citing violations in the way she was appointed.

Her dismissal is sending a chilling message to other supreme court judges and members of the judiciary, Diego García-Sayán, special UN rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, said on Friday.

"Tell him not to interfere with the affairs of my country. He can go to hell," Duterte told a news conference late Saturday night, prior to leaving for an official visit to South Korea.

The outspoken Philippine leader is known for defying international pressure and his diatribes against critics.

In particular, he has railed against former US&nbsp;President Barack Obama and UN&nbsp;special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings, Agnes Callamard, for criticising the bloody war on drugs, his signature public safety project.

Sereno, the first chief justice to be removed by her peers, had voted against several of the Duterte's proposals including the extension of martial rule in the volatile southern Philippines.

Rodrigo Duterte has told a UN human rights expert who said the country's judicial independence was under threat to 'go to hell', warning against interference in domestic affairs

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has told a UN human rights expert who said the country's judicial independence was under threat to 'go to hell', warning against interference in domestic affairs. The Philippine Supreme Court voted last month to remove Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, whom Duterte had called an "enemy" for voting against controversial government proposals, citing violations in the way she was appointed. Her dismissal is sending a chilling message to other supreme court judges and members of the judiciary, Diego García-Sayán, special UN rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, said on Friday. "Tell him not to interfere with the affairs of my country. He can go to hell," Duterte told a news conference late Saturday night, prior to leaving for an official visit to South Korea. The outspoken Philippine leader is known for defying international pressure and his diatribes against critics. In particular, he has railed against former US President Barack Obama and UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings, Agnes Callamard, for criticising the bloody war on drugs, his signature public safety project. Sereno, the first chief justice to be removed by her peers, had voted against several of the Duterte's proposals including the extension of martial rule in the volatile southern Philippines.

Go to hell, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte tells UN human rights expert

The United Nations said&nbsp;on Thursday&nbsp;it had struck an outline deal with Myanmar aimed at eventually allowing hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims sheltering in Bangladesh to return safely and by choice.

Since August 2017, about 700,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled a military crackdown in mainly Buddhist Myanmar, many reporting killings, rape and arson on a large scale, U.N. and other aid organisations have said.

"Since the conditions are not conducive for voluntary return yet, the MoU (memorandum of understanding) is the first and necessary step to support the government`s efforts to change that situation," the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said in a statement.

Myanmar`s government said in a brief statement late&nbsp;on Thursday&nbsp;the MoU would be signed "soon" and U.N. agencies would "support access to livelihoods through the design and implementation of community-based interventions".

Myanmar civilian government spokesman Zaw Htay said he had nothing to add to the statement.

Myanmar and Bangladesh agreed in January to complete the voluntary repatriation of the refugees&nbsp;within two years&nbsp;but differences between the two sides persist, impeding implementation of the plan.

In a separate statement&nbsp;on Thursday, Myanmar`s government said it would set up an independent commission to investigate "the violation of human rights and related issues" in Rakhine State following the army operation there in response to attacks by Rohingya insurgents on security posts.

The commission will be assisted by international experts, the statement said without elaborating.

In the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka, senior UNHCR official George William Okoth-Obbo told reporters after a five-day visit to Rohingya refugee camps along the border that conditions in Myanmar did not yet allow a "safe and sustainable return".

Okoth-Obbo said an immediate challenge for humanitarian agencies was to relocate 200,000 Rohingya refugees threatened by seasonal monsoon flooding and landslides to a safer place.

The United Nations and aid agencies have described the crackdown on the Rohingya as "a textbook example of ethnic cleansing", an accusation Myanmar rejects.

The Security Council asked Myanmar in November to ensure no "further excessive use of military force" and to allow "freedom of movement, equal access to basic services, and equal access to full citizenship for all".

Myanmar has for years denied Rohingya citizenship, freedom of movement and access to basic services such as healthcare. Many in Myanmar regard the Rohingya as illegal immigrants from mostly Muslim Bangladesh.

The United Nations said it had struck an outline deal with Myanmar aimed at eventually allowing hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims sheltering in Bangladesh

The United Nations said on Thursday it had struck an outline deal with Myanmar aimed at eventually allowing hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims sheltering in Bangladesh to return safely and by choice. Since August 2017, about 700,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled a military crackdown in mainly Buddhist Myanmar, many reporting killings, rape and arson on a large scale, U.N. and other aid organisations have said. "Since the conditions are not conducive for voluntary return yet, the MoU (memorandum of understanding) is the first and necessary step to support the government`s efforts to change that situation," the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said in a statement. Myanmar`s government said in a brief statement late on Thursday the MoU would be signed "soon" and U.N. agencies would "support access to livelihoods through the design and implementation of community-based interventions". Myanmar civilian government spokesman Zaw Htay said he had nothing to add to the statement. Myanmar and Bangladesh agreed in January to complete the voluntary repatriation of the refugees within two years but differences between the two sides persist, impeding implementation of the plan. In a separate statement on Thursday, Myanmar`s government said it would set up an independent commission to investigate "the violation of human rights and related issues" in Rakhine State following the army operation there in response to attacks by Rohingya insurgents on security posts. The commission will be assisted by international experts, the statement said without elaborating. In the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka, senior UNHCR official George William Okoth-Obbo told reporters after a five-day visit to Rohingya refugee camps along the border that conditions in Myanmar did not yet allow a "safe and sustainable return". Okoth-Obbo said an immediate challenge for humanitarian agencies was to relocate 200,000 Rohingya refugees threatened by seasonal monsoon flooding and landslides to a safer place. The United Nations and aid agencies have described the crackdown on the Rohingya as "a textbook example of ethnic cleansing", an accusation Myanmar rejects. The Security Council asked Myanmar in November to ensure no "further excessive use of military force" and to allow "freedom of movement, equal access to basic services, and equal access to full citizenship for all". Myanmar has for years denied Rohingya citizenship, freedom of movement and access to basic services such as healthcare. Many in Myanmar regard the Rohingya as illegal immigrants from mostly Muslim Bangladesh.

UN and Myanmar agree outline of Rohingya return deal, no details

The US says it will veto an Arab-backed resolution that asks the UN chief to propose measures to ensure “international protection” for Palestinian civilians.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley described the text put forward by Kuwait on behalf of Arab countries as a "grossly one-sided approach that is morally bankrupt and would only serve to undermine ongoing efforts toward peace between the Israelis and Palestinians."

After initially deciding to delay action on the measure, the council was expected to finally go ahead with the vote around 7:00 pm (2300 GMT), diplomats said.

Kuwait presented the draft two weeks ago, initially calling for an international protection mission for the Palestinians as protests turned violent on the Israeli-Gaza border.

At least 122 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the unrest since the end of March. No Israelis have been killed.

The final version, however, urges "the consideration of measures to guarantee the safety and protection" of Palestinian civilians and requests a report from Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on a possible "international protection mechanism."

"The resolution calls on Israel to immediately cease its actions in self-defense, but makes no mention of Hamas' aggressive actions against Israeli security forces and civilians," Haley said in a statement.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/USUN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USUN</a>: Yesterday, Hamas launched 70 rockets into Israel. Who among us would accept 70 rockets launched into your country? We all know the answer to that. No one would. <a href="https://t.co/eVzmqoirvS">pic.twitter.com/eVzmqoirvS</a>
— Nikki Haley (@nikkihaley) <a href="https://twitter.com/nikkihaley/status/1001941044445954048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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She also delivered a blunt warning to European countries and others on the council who decide to back the Kuwait text.

"Those who choose to vote in favour of this resolution will clarify their own lack of fitness to take part in any credible negotiations between the two parties," she said.

The United States circulated its own draft resolution demanding that Hamas and Islamic Jihad "cease all violent activity and provocative actions, including along the boundary fence" between Israel and Gaza.

The UN envoy for the Middle East, Nickolay Mladenov, this week warned the Security Council that Gaza was on the brink of war following a serious escalation between Israel and Palestinian militants in the Hamas-ruled enclave.

An exchange of fire on Tuesday and into the early hours of Wednesday began with a barrage of rocket and mortars into Israel from Gaza, prompting Israel to respond with strikes on 65 militant sites in the Gaza Strip.

It was the worst flare-up since the 2014 war in Gaza.

Diplomats have said the Palestinians may turn to the UN General Assembly to win support for the measure if the vote fails at the Security Council as expected.

A draft resolution requires nine votes to be adopted in the 15-member council and no veto from the five permanent members -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.

A young relative of 23-year-old Palestinian Naji Ghonaim mourns during his funeral in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on May 29, 2018 at least 122 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the unrest since the end of March.

(With inputs from AFP)

At least 122 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the unrest since the end of March. No Israelis have been killed.

The US says it will veto an Arab-backed resolution that asks the UN chief to propose measures to ensure “international protection” for Palestinian civilians. US Ambassador Nikki Haley described the text put forward by Kuwait on behalf of Arab countries as a "grossly one-sided approach that is morally bankrupt and would only serve to undermine ongoing efforts toward peace between the Israelis and Palestinians." After initially deciding to delay action on the measure, the council was expected to finally go ahead with the vote around 7:00 pm (2300 GMT), diplomats said. Kuwait presented the draft two weeks ago, initially calling for an international protection mission for the Palestinians as protests turned violent on the Israeli-Gaza border. At least 122 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the unrest since the end of March. No Israelis have been killed. The final version, however, urges "the consideration of measures to guarantee the safety and protection" of Palestinian civilians and requests a report from Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on a possible "international protection mechanism." "The resolution calls on Israel to immediately cease its actions in self-defense, but makes no mention of Hamas' aggressive actions against Israeli security forces and civilians," Haley said in a statement. RT @USUN: Yesterday, Hamas launched 70 rockets into Israel. Who among us would accept 70 rockets launched into your country? We all know the answer to that. No one would. pic.twitter.com/eVzmqoirvS — Nikki Haley (@nikkihaley) May 30, 2018 × She also delivered a blunt warning to European countries and others on the council who decide to back the Kuwait text. "Those who choose to vote in favour of this resolution will clarify their own lack of fitness to take part in any credible negotiations between the two parties," she said. The United States circulated its own draft resolution demanding that Hamas and Islamic Jihad "cease all violent activity and provocative actions, including along the boundary fence" between Israel and Gaza. The UN envoy for the Middle East, Nickolay Mladenov, this week warned the Security Council that Gaza was on the brink of war following a serious escalation between Israel and Palestinian militants in the Hamas-ruled enclave. An exchange of fire on Tuesday and into the early hours of Wednesday began with a barrage of rocket and mortars into Israel from Gaza, prompting Israel to respond with strikes on 65 militant sites in the Gaza Strip. It was the worst flare-up since the 2014 war in Gaza. Diplomats have said the Palestinians may turn to the UN General Assembly to win support for the measure if the vote fails at the Security Council as expected. A draft resolution requires nine votes to be adopted in the 15-member council and no veto from the five permanent members -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States. A young relative of 23-year-old Palestinian Naji Ghonaim mourns during his funeral in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on May 29, 2018 at least 122 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the unrest since the end of March. (With inputs from AFP)

US will veto United Nations draft on protecting Palestinians: Nikki Haley 

Russia on Tuesday rejected calls at the United Nations to accept responsibility for the downing of Flight MH17 over Ukraine after an investigation found that a Russian army missile was used in the attack.

At a Security Council meeting on Ukraine, Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok called on Moscow to accept the findings that the airliner was shot down by a Russian-made BUK missile provided by a brigade based in the Russian city of Kursk.

"The language of ultimatums is not something that anyone will be allowed to use when speaking to Russia," Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the council meeting.

"We cannot accept the unfounded conclusion of the JIT", the Dutch-led Joint investigation Team, he added.

All 298 people on the Malaysia Airlines flight en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur were killed when the missile slammed into the plane as it flew over territory held by pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine in July 2014.

Responding to Nebenzia, the Dutch foreign minister said his arguments were "nothing new" and again urged Russia to work with the Netherlands and Australia to identify the perpetrators.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley voiced strong support for the Dutch and Australian call on Russia to acknowledge its role in the tragedy and help bring to account those responsible for the shooting down.

"Despite its transparent denials, there is no doubt Russia is driving the Ukrainian conflict," said Haley.

More than 10,000 people have been killed since the Moscow-backed insurgency broke out in April 2014 following Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin told the council that Russia's rejection of the findings "did not surprise me at all."

"We have no doubt that the downing of MH17 flight is a terrorist act," he said.&nbsp

Ukraine will present documents to the International Court of Justice next month showing that Russia is violating anti-terrorism agreements, he said.

Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz renewed his call for a peacekeeping mission to be deployed to east Ukraine and urged Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to appoint a UN special envoy for Ukraine.

Diplomats say Russia, a veto-wielding power at the council, has blocked attempts to step up UN involvement in efforts to end the conflict.

Russia on Tuesday rejected calls at the United Nations to accept responsibility for the downing of Flight MH17 over Ukraine after an investigation found that a Russian army missile was used in the attack

Russia on Tuesday rejected calls at the United Nations to accept responsibility for the downing of Flight MH17 over Ukraine after an investigation found that a Russian army missile was used in the attack. At a Security Council meeting on Ukraine, Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok called on Moscow to accept the findings that the airliner was shot down by a Russian-made BUK missile provided by a brigade based in the Russian city of Kursk. "The language of ultimatums is not something that anyone will be allowed to use when speaking to Russia," Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the council meeting. "We cannot accept the unfounded conclusion of the JIT", the Dutch-led Joint investigation Team, he added. All 298 people on the Malaysia Airlines flight en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur were killed when the missile slammed into the plane as it flew over territory held by pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine in July 2014. Responding to Nebenzia, the Dutch foreign minister said his arguments were "nothing new" and again urged Russia to work with the Netherlands and Australia to identify the perpetrators. US Ambassador Nikki Haley voiced strong support for the Dutch and Australian call on Russia to acknowledge its role in the tragedy and help bring to account those responsible for the shooting down. "Despite its transparent denials, there is no doubt Russia is driving the Ukrainian conflict," said Haley. More than 10,000 people have been killed since the Moscow-backed insurgency broke out in April 2014 following Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin told the council that Russia's rejection of the findings "did not surprise me at all." "We have no doubt that the downing of MH17 flight is a terrorist act," he said. Ukraine will present documents to the International Court of Justice next month showing that Russia is violating anti-terrorism agreements, he said. Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz renewed his call for a peacekeeping mission to be deployed to east Ukraine and urged Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to appoint a UN special envoy for Ukraine. Diplomats say Russia, a veto-wielding power at the council, has blocked attempts to step up UN involvement in efforts to end the conflict.

Russia comes under fire at UN over MH17 downing

The Egyptian foreign ministry said on Saturday its embassy in Syria had been able to get seven Egyptians out of shelters in areas now controlled by the Syrian government.

The embassy had cooperated with the Syrian authorities to secure their release from camps where thousands of civilians fleeing the Eastern Ghouta Damascus suburb were now staying.

One citizen was able to leave one of the shelters on Saturday, while another Egyptian, his mother, his sister, and his Syrian wife and children were able to leave another shelter the same day.

The ministry said preparations were underway to fly them home.

The embassy was able to rescue another Egyptian family "from the area of military operations in Ghouta a few weeks ago," the ministry said.

Syria's regime lost swathes of territory to rebels early in the uprising but has since made a comeback and recaptured large parts of the country.

It used military pressure and population transfers to flush fighters and civilians out of territory around Damascus, most notably the Eastern Ghouta suburb.

The assault on Eastern Ghouta has a sparked a mass exodus from the shrinking rebel enclave, with 50,000 people reaching shelters in regime-controlled areas in the past week, according to the United Nations.

The UN humanitarian coordinator in Syria in March condemned the "tragic" living conditions of the displaced massed in the makeshift shelters.

Prior to the assault, Ghouta's 400,000 residents had suffered five years of crippling regime siege that made food and medicine nearly impossible to access or afford.&nbsp

Syria's conflict broke out in March 2011 with protests against the government but has since evolved into a civil war that has killed more than 350,000 people and triggered a staggering humanitarian crisis.

The embassy had cooperated with the Syrian authorities to secure their release from camps where thousands of civilians fleeing the Eastern Ghouta Damascus suburb were now staying

The Egyptian foreign ministry said on Saturday its embassy in Syria had been able to get seven Egyptians out of shelters in areas now controlled by the Syrian government. The embassy had cooperated with the Syrian authorities to secure their release from camps where thousands of civilians fleeing the Eastern Ghouta Damascus suburb were now staying. One citizen was able to leave one of the shelters on Saturday, while another Egyptian, his mother, his sister, and his Syrian wife and children were able to leave another shelter the same day. The ministry said preparations were underway to fly them home. The embassy was able to rescue another Egyptian family "from the area of military operations in Ghouta a few weeks ago," the ministry said. Syria's regime lost swathes of territory to rebels early in the uprising but has since made a comeback and recaptured large parts of the country. It used military pressure and population transfers to flush fighters and civilians out of territory around Damascus, most notably the Eastern Ghouta suburb. The assault on Eastern Ghouta has a sparked a mass exodus from the shrinking rebel enclave, with 50,000 people reaching shelters in regime-controlled areas in the past week, according to the United Nations. The UN humanitarian coordinator in Syria in March condemned the "tragic" living conditions of the displaced massed in the makeshift shelters. Prior to the assault, Ghouta's 400,000 residents had suffered five years of crippling regime siege that made food and medicine nearly impossible to access or afford. Syria's conflict broke out in March 2011 with protests against the government but has since evolved into a civil war that has killed more than 350,000 people and triggered a staggering humanitarian crisis.

Cairo gets 7 Egyptians out of Syria-controlled shelters

Saudi Arabia has said that two of its soldiers were killed in fighting against Yemen's Huthi rebels as the kingdom reported foiling a drone attack on a southern airport.

The official SPA news agency reported late Saturday that two soldiers from the national guards have killed "during their participation on the southern border" -- a reference normally used for the fighting in Yemen against the Iran-backed Huthis.

SPA, however, did not provide details on when or how the two soldiers were killed but said senior officials took part in their funerals.

A Saudi-led Arab coalition has been fighting in Yemen since March 2015 against the Huthi rebels with the goal of reinstating the internationally recognised government of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi.

Colonel Turki al-Maleki, the spokesman for the coalition, meanwhile said Saudi air defences had intercepted and destroyed a Huthi drone that targeted the international airport in Abha in the south.

An examination of the debris showed the drone was manufactured by Iran and used by the Huthi rebels, Maleki said in a statement late Saturday cited by the SPA.

The three-year conflict has left nearly 10,000 people dead and more than 55,000 wounded, according to the World Health Organization.

More than 2,200 others have died from cholera and millions are on the verge of famine in what the United Nations says is the world's gravest humanitarian crisis.

Saudi Arabia has said that two of its soldiers were killed in fighting against Yemen's Huthi rebels as the kingdom reported foiling a drone attack on a southern airport

Saudi Arabia has said that two of its soldiers were killed in fighting against Yemen's Huthi rebels as the kingdom reported foiling a drone attack on a southern airport. The official SPA news agency reported late Saturday that two soldiers from the national guards have killed "during their participation on the southern border" -- a reference normally used for the fighting in Yemen against the Iran-backed Huthis. SPA, however, did not provide details on when or how the two soldiers were killed but said senior officials took part in their funerals. A Saudi-led Arab coalition has been fighting in Yemen since March 2015 against the Huthi rebels with the goal of reinstating the internationally recognised government of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi. Colonel Turki al-Maleki, the spokesman for the coalition, meanwhile said Saudi air defences had intercepted and destroyed a Huthi drone that targeted the international airport in Abha in the south. An examination of the debris showed the drone was manufactured by Iran and used by the Huthi rebels, Maleki said in a statement late Saturday cited by the SPA. The three-year conflict has left nearly 10,000 people dead and more than 55,000 wounded, according to the World Health Organization. More than 2,200 others have died from cholera and millions are on the verge of famine in what the United Nations says is the world's gravest humanitarian crisis.

Saudi Arabia says 2 soldiers killed in Yemen fighting

Israel's Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the military's use of lethal force against Palestinians during protests and clashes on the Gaza border.

In the 41-page ruling published by the justice ministry Thursday night the panel of three justices unanimously rejected a petition by Israeli and Palestinian rights groups to restrain the army's use of snipers firing live ammunition.&nbsp

Chief Justice Esther Hayut accepted the government position that the Gaza protesters were not peaceful civilian demonstrators but part of the "armed conflict" between Israel and the Gaza Strip's Islamist rulers Hamas.

But she said that despite the ruling the army should continue its internal review of the events and of its procedures.

The rules of engagement came under international fire after Israeli forces shot dead at least 62 Gazans on May 14, when thousands of Palestinians protested as the US officially moved its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. &nbsp&nbsp

French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the "violence of the Israeli armed forces against the protesters".

UN and European Union demand for an independent investigation were echoed by Britain, Germany and Switzerland.

Israel has rejected the idea and the United States, its strongest backer, has blocked moves for a probe at the United Nations.

Ireland and Belgium summoned the Israeli envoys in their capitals, while South Africa recalled its ambassador to Israel.

With at least 2,400 other Palestinians wounded, it was the bloodiest day of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since the 2014 Gaza war and the peak of a campaign of protests launched on March 30.

Israeli forces have killed 121 Palestinians in those clashes. One Israeli soldier has been reported wounded over the same period.

Five Israeli NGOs and the Gaza-based Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights had argued in the court that international law bars the use of lethal fire against unarmed demonstrators.

The army has accused Hamas, which has fought three wars with Israel since 2008, of seeking to use the protests as cover to carry out attacks.

It says that live fire is only used as a last resort after non-lethal means have failed to stop actions it considers "a real danger" to Israeli troops and civilians living near the border with Gaza.

Israel's Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the military's use of lethal force against Palestinians during protests and clashes on the Gaza border

Israel's Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the military's use of lethal force against Palestinians during protests and clashes on the Gaza border. In the 41-page ruling published by the justice ministry Thursday night the panel of three justices unanimously rejected a petition by Israeli and Palestinian rights groups to restrain the army's use of snipers firing live ammunition. Chief Justice Esther Hayut accepted the government position that the Gaza protesters were not peaceful civilian demonstrators but part of the "armed conflict" between Israel and the Gaza Strip's Islamist rulers Hamas. But she said that despite the ruling the army should continue its internal review of the events and of its procedures. The rules of engagement came under international fire after Israeli forces shot dead at least 62 Gazans on May 14, when thousands of Palestinians protested as the US officially moved its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the "violence of the Israeli armed forces against the protesters". UN and European Union demand for an independent investigation were echoed by Britain, Germany and Switzerland. Israel has rejected the idea and the United States, its strongest backer, has blocked moves for a probe at the United Nations. Ireland and Belgium summoned the Israeli envoys in their capitals, while South Africa recalled its ambassador to Israel. With at least 2,400 other Palestinians wounded, it was the bloodiest day of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since the 2014 Gaza war and the peak of a campaign of protests launched on March 30. Israeli forces have killed 121 Palestinians in those clashes. One Israeli soldier has been reported wounded over the same period. Five Israeli NGOs and the Gaza-based Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights had argued in the court that international law bars the use of lethal fire against unarmed demonstrators. The army has accused Hamas, which has fought three wars with Israel since 2008, of seeking to use the protests as cover to carry out attacks. It says that live fire is only used as a last resort after non-lethal means have failed to stop actions it considers "a real danger" to Israeli troops and civilians living near the border with Gaza.

Gaza violence: Israel's Supreme Court upholds open-fire rules on Gaza border

Recent remarks by several senior Pakistani officials suggest that Pakistan and China are groping with how to deal with globally designated Pakistani militant Hafiz Saeed as the South Asian nation gears up for elections expected in July and risks being next month put on an international terrorism finance and money laundering watchlist.

The Pakistani-Chinese dilemma stems from a China-backed Pakistani refusal to fully implement designations of Hafiz Saeed by the United Nations Security Council and the US Treasury.

The United States has put a $10 million bounty the head of Saeed, who is believed to lead the outlawed militant group, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) as well as Jamaat-ud-Dawa, an alleged LeT front, and is suspected of being the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks in which 166 people were killed.

Pakistan has repeatedly put Saeed under house arrest, only to release him on court orders that asserted that there was insufficient evidence against him. The government has half-heartedly sought to seize Jamaat-ud-Dawa assets and prevent it from collecting donations through its charity arm, Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation.

Pakistan's election commission has so far refused to register a political party established by Jamaat-ud-Dawa in advance of the elections. The refusal would not prevent party members from running as independents.

To reduce focus on Saeed, a senior aide to Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that Chinese President Xi Jinping had asked Abbasi during a meeting on the sidelines of last month's Boao Forum to explore relocating Saeed to a Middle Eastern country.

"At a 35-minute meeting, at least 10 minutes of the discussion dealt with Saeed. The Chinese President was keen on pressing the Prime Minister to find an early solution to keep Saeed away from the limelight," a leading Indian daily quoted the aide as saying.

In separate remarks, Major General Asif Ghafoor - a spokesman for Pakistan's ISI - told another Indian newspaper that "anything (Saeed) does, other than violence, is good. There is a process in Pakistan for anyone to participate in politics. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has its rules and laws. If he (Saeed) fulfills all those requirements that is for the ECP to decide."

The divergent proposals to either remove Saeed from the limelight or mainstream him by integrating him into the political process are unlikely to satisfy either the United Nations or the United States.

They are also unlikely to prevent the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a global financial watchdog that monitors the funding of political violence and money laundering, from next month putting Pakistan on its watchlist.

The FATF action could negatively affect the Pakistan economy. Pakistan risks downgrading by multilateral lenders such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as well as by international credit rating agencies Moody's, Standard & Poor's and Fitch.

Xi's suggestion to Abbasi reflects Chinese ambivalence towards those Pakistani militants that both Islamabad and Beijing see as useful tools to keep India off balance. China protected Saeed from UN designation prior to the Mumbai attacks and has since prevented another Pakistani militant, Masood Azhar, from being designated by the Security Council.

At the same time, China refrained in February from shielding Pakistan from censorship by FATF.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson nonetheless argued at the time that "in recent years, Pakistan has made important progress in actively strengthening financial regulations to combat terror financing... China highly recognises that and hopes all relevant parties of the international community could arrive at an objective and fair conclusion on that."

Implementing Xi's proposal to remove Saeed from the limelight is easier said than done. It's hard to see what Middle Eastern nation would risk international criticism by granting Saeed asylum without tacit approval by the United States and/or the United Nations. By the same token, its unlikely that either would agree to the scheme.

Similarly, neither the UN nor the United States are likely to be persuaded by a belief within the Pakistani military that the best way of blunting militancy that has over the decades been woven into the fabric of significant segments of the armed forces, intelligence and society is by mainstreaming militants and integrating them into the political process.

Ousted Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif kicked up a storm when he earlier this month appeared to confirm the pervasiveness of militancy by suggesting that the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks had been supported by Pakistan.

"Militant organisations are active. Call them non-state actors, should we allow them to cross the border and kill 150 people in Mumbai? Explain it to me. Why can't we complete the trial? It's unacceptable. This is exactly what we are struggling for. President Putin has said it. President Xi has said it. We could have already been at seven per cent growth (in GDP), but we are not," Sharif said.

The remarks by the Pakistani officials suggest that both Pakistan and China are attempting to square circles.

Pakistan needs to be seen as cracking down on militancy while considering the domestic influence of ultra-conservative religious groups as well as seemingly misguided beliefs that support for anti-Indian militants serves its purpose.

For its part, China's justification of its hardhanded crackdown in the north-western province of Xinjiang as a bid to counter jihadism and nationalism among, Uighurs, a Turkic people, is weakened by its reluctance to be equally firm in countering militants in Pakistan.

The problem for both countries is that 1 + 1 = 2, whichever way one looks at it.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Pakistan has repeatedly put Saeed under house arrest, only to release him on court orders that asserted that there was insufficient evidence against him.

Recent remarks by several senior Pakistani officials suggest that Pakistan and China are groping with how to deal with globally designated Pakistani militant Hafiz Saeed as the South Asian nation gears up for elections expected in July and risks being next month put on an international terrorism finance and money laundering watchlist. The Pakistani-Chinese dilemma stems from a China-backed Pakistani refusal to fully implement designations of Hafiz Saeed by the United Nations Security Council and the US Treasury. The United States has put a $10 million bounty the head of Saeed, who is believed to lead the outlawed militant group, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) as well as Jamaat-ud-Dawa, an alleged LeT front, and is suspected of being the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks in which 166 people were killed. Pakistan has repeatedly put Saeed under house arrest, only to release him on court orders that asserted that there was insufficient evidence against him. The government has half-heartedly sought to seize Jamaat-ud-Dawa assets and prevent it from collecting donations through its charity arm, Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation. Pakistan's election commission has so far refused to register a political party established by Jamaat-ud-Dawa in advance of the elections. The refusal would not prevent party members from running as independents. To reduce focus on Saeed, a senior aide to Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that Chinese President Xi Jinping had asked Abbasi during a meeting on the sidelines of last month's Boao Forum to explore relocating Saeed to a Middle Eastern country. "At a 35-minute meeting, at least 10 minutes of the discussion dealt with Saeed. The Chinese President was keen on pressing the Prime Minister to find an early solution to keep Saeed away from the limelight," a leading Indian daily quoted the aide as saying. In separate remarks, Major General Asif Ghafoor - a spokesman for Pakistan's ISI - told another Indian newspaper that "anything (Saeed) does, other than violence, is good. There is a process in Pakistan for anyone to participate in politics. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has its rules and laws. If he (Saeed) fulfills all those requirements that is for the ECP to decide." The divergent proposals to either remove Saeed from the limelight or mainstream him by integrating him into the political process are unlikely to satisfy either the United Nations or the United States. They are also unlikely to prevent the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a global financial watchdog that monitors the funding of political violence and money laundering, from next month putting Pakistan on its watchlist. The FATF action could negatively affect the Pakistan economy. Pakistan risks downgrading by multilateral lenders such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as well as by international credit rating agencies Moody's, Standard & Poor's and Fitch. Xi's suggestion to Abbasi reflects Chinese ambivalence towards those Pakistani militants that both Islamabad and Beijing see as useful tools to keep India off balance. China protected Saeed from UN designation prior to the Mumbai attacks and has since prevented another Pakistani militant, Masood Azhar, from being designated by the Security Council. At the same time, China refrained in February from shielding Pakistan from censorship by FATF. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson nonetheless argued at the time that "in recent years, Pakistan has made important progress in actively strengthening financial regulations to combat terror financing... China highly recognises that and hopes all relevant parties of the international community could arrive at an objective and fair conclusion on that." Implementing Xi's proposal to remove Saeed from the limelight is easier said than done. It's hard to see what Middle Eastern nation would risk international criticism by granting Saeed asylum without tacit approval by the United States and/or the United Nations. By the same token, its unlikely that either would agree to the scheme. Similarly, neither the UN nor the United States are likely to be persuaded by a belief within the Pakistani military that the best way of blunting militancy that has over the decades been woven into the fabric of significant segments of the armed forces, intelligence and society is by mainstreaming militants and integrating them into the political process. Ousted Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif kicked up a storm when he earlier this month appeared to confirm the pervasiveness of militancy by suggesting that the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks had been supported by Pakistan. "Militant organisations are active. Call them non-state actors, should we allow them to cross the border and kill 150 people in Mumbai? Explain it to me. Why can't we complete the trial? It's unacceptable. This is exactly what we are struggling for. President Putin has said it. President Xi has said it. We could have already been at seven per cent growth (in GDP), but we are not," Sharif said. The remarks by the Pakistani officials suggest that both Pakistan and China are attempting to square circles. Pakistan needs to be seen as cracking down on militancy while considering the domestic influence of ultra-conservative religious groups as well as seemingly misguided beliefs that support for anti-Indian militants serves its purpose. For its part, China's justification of its hardhanded crackdown in the north-western province of Xinjiang as a bid to counter jihadism and nationalism among, Uighurs, a Turkic people, is weakened by its reluctance to be equally firm in countering militants in Pakistan. The problem for both countries is that 1 + 1 = 2, whichever way one looks at it. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: What to do with Hafiz Saeed? Pakistan and China grope for ambiguity

Five people were killed and 22 wounded by a Houthi missile fired at the Yemeni city of Marib, which falls under control of the internationally recognised government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, the SABA news agency reported on Tuesday.

"Iran-backed Houthi launched a Katyusha missile targeting a crowded popular market in the city centre of Marib, killing 5 people and wounding 22," SABA said.

Backed by the Saudi-led Arab coalition, Hadi's government has been battling the Iran-aligned Houthi movement since 2015 in a war that has driven the country to the verge of famine.

The United Nations says 10,000 people have died in the three-year-old war, and three out of four Yemenis - 22 million civilians - need relief aid

The United Nations says 10,000 people have died in the three-year-old war

Five people were killed and 22 wounded by a Houthi missile fired at the Yemeni city of Marib, which falls under control of the internationally recognised government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, the SABA news agency reported on Tuesday. "Iran-backed Houthi launched a Katyusha missile targeting a crowded popular market in the city centre of Marib, killing 5 people and wounding 22," SABA said. Backed by the Saudi-led Arab coalition, Hadi's government has been battling the Iran-aligned Houthi movement since 2015 in a war that has driven the country to the verge of famine. The United Nations says 10,000 people have died in the three-year-old war, and three out of four Yemenis - 22 million civilians - need relief aid

Yemen: Five killed, 22 wounded by Houthi missile in Marib

US President Donald Trump on Monday urged China to maintain tight control of its border with North Korea until he signs a denuclearization deal with Kim Jong UN.

Trump is scheduled to hold a landmark summit with the North Korean leader June 12 in Singapore, but Pyongyang recently has threatened to pull out over US demands for "unilateral nuclear abandonment."&nbsp

"China must continue to be strong & tight on the Border of North Korea until a deal is made," Trump tweeted, suggesting China may have eased up on enforcing economic sanctions against Pyongyang.

"The word is that recently the Border has become much more porous and more has been filtering in.", he wrote, adding he wants North Korea to be 'VERY successful,' but only once a deal has been reached on denuclearization," he said.&nbsp

China is North Korea's biggest trade partner, and Trump has called on it repeatedly to press Pyongyang to rein in its nuclear and missile programs.

Besides protesting US disarmament demands, North Korea also angrily condemned joint US-South Korean military exercises, and last week pulled out of planned inter-Korean talks.

Trump's National Security Advisor John Bolton also has drawn Pyongyang's ire by referring to Libya as a denuclearization model. After giving up Libya's nuclear program in 2003, leader Moamer Kadhafi was killed in a NATO-backed uprising in 2011.

North Korea's sudden shift in attitude followed a weeks-long charm offensive that saw Kim Jong Un hold a historic summit in the Demilitarized Zone with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, and meet twice with China's President Xi Jinping.

As prospects for the Singapore summit dimmed, Trump offered assurances that if the summit is successful, Kim "will get protections that will be very strong."

"He'd be in his country and running his country. His country would be very rich," he told reporters last week.

US President Donald Trump on Monday urged China to maintain tight control of its border with North Korea until he signs a denuclearization deal with Kim Jong UN

US President Donald Trump on Monday urged China to maintain tight control of its border with North Korea until he signs a denuclearization deal with Kim Jong UN. Trump is scheduled to hold a landmark summit with the North Korean leader June 12 in Singapore, but Pyongyang recently has threatened to pull out over US demands for "unilateral nuclear abandonment." "China must continue to be strong & tight on the Border of North Korea until a deal is made," Trump tweeted, suggesting China may have eased up on enforcing economic sanctions against Pyongyang. "The word is that recently the Border has become much more porous and more has been filtering in.", he wrote, adding he wants North Korea to be 'VERY successful,' but only once a deal has been reached on denuclearization," he said. China is North Korea's biggest trade partner, and Trump has called on it repeatedly to press Pyongyang to rein in its nuclear and missile programs. Besides protesting US disarmament demands, North Korea also angrily condemned joint US-South Korean military exercises, and last week pulled out of planned inter-Korean talks. Trump's National Security Advisor John Bolton also has drawn Pyongyang's ire by referring to Libya as a denuclearization model. After giving up Libya's nuclear program in 2003, leader Moamer Kadhafi was killed in a NATO-backed uprising in 2011. North Korea's sudden shift in attitude followed a weeks-long charm offensive that saw Kim Jong Un hold a historic summit in the Demilitarized Zone with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, and meet twice with China's President Xi Jinping. As prospects for the Singapore summit dimmed, Trump offered assurances that if the summit is successful, Kim "will get protections that will be very strong." "He'd be in his country and running his country. His country would be very rich," he told reporters last week.

Trump urges China to clamp down on North Korea border

A war monitor said buses evacuated Islamic State fighters from an enclave south of Damascus on Sunday in a withdrawal deal, though state media denied the report and said the Syrian army was fighting to finish off the insurgents.

The recovery of the enclave south of Damascus will mark another milestone in President Bashar al-Assa's war effort, crushing the last besieged rebel enclave in western Syria.

Swathes of territory at the borders with Iraq, Turkey and Jordan, however, remain outside state control.

Syrian government forces and their allies have been battling to recover the enclave south of Damascus since defeating rebels in eastern Ghouta, also near the capital, in April.

The area is centred around the al-Hajar al-Aswad district and the adjoining Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk.

In a live broadcast, a reporter with Syrian state TV said the Syrian army operations in the Hajar al-Aswad area were nearing their end and insurgent lines were collapsing as columns of smoke rose from the area behind him.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights earlier said buses had entered the enclave after midnight to take out fighters and their families. They had left towards the Syrian Badia, a sparsely populated expanse of territory east of the capital that extends to the border with Jordan and Iraq, it said.&nbsp

Islamic State militants had torched their offices in the Yarmouk enclave, the Observatory said.

Negotiated withdrawals have been a common feature of the Syrian war in recent years as the government, aided by the Russian military and Iran-backed forces, has steadily clawed back territory.

The rebels have mostly been given safe passage to northwestern Syria. In the last two months alone, the United Nations says 110,000 people have been evacuated to northwestern Syria and rebel-held areas north of Aleppo.

The opposition has called it a policy of forced displacement amounting to demographic change to drive out Assad's opponents. The Syrian government has said nobody is forced to leave and those who stay must accept state rule.

While Assad has vowed to win back "every inch" of Syria, the map of the conflict suggests a more complicated time ahead from now on.&nbsp

The US&nbspmilitary is in much of the east and northeast, which is controlled by Kurdish groups that want autonomy from Damascus. It has used force to defend the territory from pro-Assad forces.

Turkey has sent forces into the northwest to counter those same Kurdish groups, carving out a buffer zone where anti-Assad rebels have regrouped.

In the southwest, where rebels hold territory at the Israeli and Jordanian border, Assad faces the risk of conflict with Israel, which wants his Iranian-backed allies kept well away from the frontier and has mounted air strikes in Syria.&nbsp

The recovery of the enclave south of Damascus will mark another milestone in President Bashar al-Assad's war effort, crushing the last besieged rebel enclave in western Syria

A war monitor said buses evacuated Islamic State fighters from an enclave south of Damascus on Sunday in a withdrawal deal, though state media denied the report and said the Syrian army was fighting to finish off the insurgents. The recovery of the enclave south of Damascus will mark another milestone in President Bashar al-Assa's war effort, crushing the last besieged rebel enclave in western Syria. Swathes of territory at the borders with Iraq, Turkey and Jordan, however, remain outside state control. Syrian government forces and their allies have been battling to recover the enclave south of Damascus since defeating rebels in eastern Ghouta, also near the capital, in April. The area is centred around the al-Hajar al-Aswad district and the adjoining Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk. In a live broadcast, a reporter with Syrian state TV said the Syrian army operations in the Hajar al-Aswad area were nearing their end and insurgent lines were collapsing as columns of smoke rose from the area behind him. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights earlier said buses had entered the enclave after midnight to take out fighters and their families. They had left towards the Syrian Badia, a sparsely populated expanse of territory east of the capital that extends to the border with Jordan and Iraq, it said. Islamic State militants had torched their offices in the Yarmouk enclave, the Observatory said. Negotiated withdrawals have been a common feature of the Syrian war in recent years as the government, aided by the Russian military and Iran-backed forces, has steadily clawed back territory. The rebels have mostly been given safe passage to northwestern Syria. In the last two months alone, the United Nations says 110,000 people have been evacuated to northwestern Syria and rebel-held areas north of Aleppo. The opposition has called it a policy of forced displacement amounting to demographic change to drive out Assad's opponents. The Syrian government has said nobody is forced to leave and those who stay must accept state rule. While Assad has vowed to win back "every inch" of Syria, the map of the conflict suggests a more complicated time ahead from now on. The US&nbspmilitary is in much of the east and northeast, which is controlled by Kurdish groups that want autonomy from Damascus. It has used force to defend the territory from pro-Assad forces. Turkey has sent forces into the northwest to counter those same Kurdish groups, carving out a buffer zone where anti-Assad rebels have regrouped. In the southwest, where rebels hold territory at the Israeli and Jordanian border, Assad faces the risk of conflict with Israel, which wants his Iranian-backed allies kept well away from the frontier and has mounted air strikes in Syria.

Syrian monitor says insurgents quit enclave, state media denies it

Pope Francis on Sunday deplored 'rivers of blood and tears' in Ukraine and rejected Russia's assertion that it was just "a special military operation"

"In Ukraine rivers of blood and tears are flowing. This is not only a military operation but a war which sows death, destruction and misery," the pope said in his weekly address to crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/3000-americans-volunteer-to-fight-invading-russian-forces-in-ukraine-says-report-459533">3,000 Americans volunteer to fight invading Russian forces in Ukraine, says report</a>

However, as has been the case throughout the 11-day conflict, Francis did not publicly condemn Russia by name for its invasion.

Instead, he repeated his appeal for peace, the creation of humanitarian corridors and a return to negotiations.

"In that martyred country the need for humanitarian assistance is growing by the hour," the pope said, speaking from a window overlooking the square. "Let common sense prevail, let us return to the respect of international law."

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/this-will-be-a-war-crime-ukraine-warns-russia-preparing-to-shell-port-city-odessa-459585">'This will be a war crime': Ukraine warns Russia preparing to shell port city Odessa</a>

There were many more people than normal gathered infront of St. Peter's Basilica for the pope's Sunday appearance, with some holding aloft multi-coloured peace flags as well as the blue and yellow flag of Ukraine.

"The Holy See is willing to do all everything to put itself at the service of peace," the pope said, adding that two Roman Catholic cardinals had gone to Ukraine to help those in need.

"War is madness, please stop," the pope said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Pakistan's ambassador to UN said, 'The Council needs to be more consistent and unbiased in its actions. Selectivity in the implementation of its resolutions and decisions, especially on long-standing disputes, notably Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine must end. There can, after all, be no peace without justice'

Pope Francis on Sunday deplored 'rivers of blood and tears' in Ukraine and rejected Russia's assertion that it was just "a special military operation" "In Ukraine rivers of blood and tears are flowing. This is not only a military operation but a war which sows death, destruction and misery," the pope said in his weekly address to crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square. Also Read | 3,000 Americans volunteer to fight invading Russian forces in Ukraine, says report However, as has been the case throughout the 11-day conflict, Francis did not publicly condemn Russia by name for its invasion. Instead, he repeated his appeal for peace, the creation of humanitarian corridors and a return to negotiations. "In that martyred country the need for humanitarian assistance is growing by the hour," the pope said, speaking from a window overlooking the square. "Let common sense prevail, let us return to the respect of international law." Also Read | 'This will be a war crime': Ukraine warns Russia preparing to shell port city Odessa There were many more people than normal gathered infront of St. Peter's Basilica for the pope's Sunday appearance, with some holding aloft multi-coloured peace flags as well as the blue and yellow flag of Ukraine. "The Holy See is willing to do all everything to put itself at the service of peace," the pope said, adding that two Roman Catholic cardinals had gone to Ukraine to help those in need. "War is madness, please stop," the pope said. (With inputs from agencies)

Long-standing disputes like Kashmir should be resolved: Pakistan's Ambassador to UN

According to a United Nations report, Delhi will soon become the most populous city in the world in the next decade. The report further added that India is likely to add the largest number of urban dwellers by 2050.&nbsp

"By 2020, Tokyo's population is projected to begin to decline, while Delhi is projected to continue growing and to become the most populous city in the world around 2028," the report stated.

India has the largest rural population in the world (893 million), followed by China at 578 million.

UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs' (UN DESA) Population Division released a report titled 'The 2018 Revision of World Urbanisation Prospects'&nbsptoday. According to the report, 68 per cent of world's population is estimated to dwell in urban areas by 2050 as opposed to 55 per cent at present.

The report stated that India, China and Nigeria together will account for 35 per cent of the projected growth of the world's urban population between 2018 and 2050.

By 2050, India is projected to have added 416 million urban dwellers, China 255 million and Nigeria 189 million.

At present Tokyo leads as the largest city with an agglomeration of 37 million inhabitants, New Delhi closely follows with 29 million, followed by Shanghai with 26 million. Cairo, Mumbai, Beijing and Dhaka all have close to 20 million inhabitants.&nbsp

The global urban population has grown rapidly from 751 million in 1950 to 4.2 billion in 2018. Asia, despite its relatively lower level of urbanization, is home to 54 per cent of the world's urban population, followed by Europe and Africa with 13 per cent each.&nbsp

Some of the most urbanized regions in the world include Northern America (with 82 per cent of its population living in urban areas in 2018), Latin America and the Caribbean (81 per cent), Europe (74 per cent) and Oceania (68 per cent).&nbsp

Globally, fewer cities are projected to see a decline in populations until 2030, said the report.

(With inputs from PTI)

India has the largest rural population in the world (893 million), followed by China (578 million)

According to a United Nations report, Delhi will soon become the most populous city in the world in the next decade. The report further added that India is likely to add the largest number of urban dwellers by 2050. "By 2020, Tokyo's population is projected to begin to decline, while Delhi is projected to continue growing and to become the most populous city in the world around 2028," the report stated. India has the largest rural population in the world (893 million), followed by China at 578 million. UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs' (UN DESA) Population Division released a report titled 'The 2018 Revision of World Urbanisation Prospects'&nbsptoday. According to the report, 68 per cent of world's population is estimated to dwell in urban areas by 2050 as opposed to 55 per cent at present. The report stated that India, China and Nigeria together will account for 35 per cent of the projected growth of the world's urban population between 2018 and 2050. By 2050, India is projected to have added 416 million urban dwellers, China 255 million and Nigeria 189 million. At present Tokyo leads as the largest city with an agglomeration of 37 million inhabitants, New Delhi closely follows with 29 million, followed by Shanghai with 26 million. Cairo, Mumbai, Beijing and Dhaka all have close to 20 million inhabitants. The global urban population has grown rapidly from 751 million in 1950 to 4.2 billion in 2018. Asia, despite its relatively lower level of urbanization, is home to 54 per cent of the world's urban population, followed by Europe and Africa with 13 per cent each. Some of the most urbanized regions in the world include Northern America (with 82 per cent of its population living in urban areas in 2018), Latin America and the Caribbean (81 per cent), Europe (74 per cent) and Oceania (68 per cent). Globally, fewer cities are projected to see a decline in populations until 2030, said the report. (With inputs from PTI)

Delhi may become world's most populous city by 2028: UN report

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani apologised Wednesday to the families of civilians, mainly children, killed when the country's air force sprayed an outdoor religious gathering with rockets and machine gun fire last month.

The April 2 airstrike on a ceremony attended by hundreds of men and boys in Dasht-e-Archi district -- a Taliban stronghold in the northern province of Kunduz -- left at least 36 people dead including 30 &nbspchildren, a United Nations investigation has shown.&nbsp

Seventy-one people were wounded, including 51 children, it said, adding that it had "credible information" the tolls could be even higher.

Originally the government and military had said the Afghan Air Force targeted a Taliban base where senior members of the group were planning attacks.&nbsp

The defence ministry initially denied any civilians had been hurt, then claimed the Taliban had shot them.

On Wednesday Ghani met families as well as local elders and apologised, a statement from the presidential palace said.

"(T)he difference between evildoers and a legitimate government is that a legitimate government apologises for the mistakes made," he said, according to the statement.&nbsp

He also vowed that the government would pay compensation to the families, and build a minaret in memory of the victims as well as a mosque for the region. The statement gave no further details.&nbsp

The UN investigators could not confirm if the casualties were all civilians or whether Taliban leaders had been present at the time of the air strike. They have called for further investigations. &nbsp &nbsp&nbsp

The government has sent two teams to conduct an investigation into the incident but so far neither team has "publicly reported their findings", the UN said.&nbsp

The April 2 airstrike on a ceremony attended by hundreds of men and boys in Dasht-e-Archi district -- a Taliban stronghold in the northern province of Kunduz -- left at least 36 people dead including 30 children

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani apologised Wednesday to the families of civilians, mainly children, killed when the country's air force sprayed an outdoor religious gathering with rockets and machine gun fire last month. The April 2 airstrike on a ceremony attended by hundreds of men and boys in Dasht-e-Archi district -- a Taliban stronghold in the northern province of Kunduz -- left at least 36 people dead including 30 &nbspchildren, a United Nations investigation has shown. Seventy-one people were wounded, including 51 children, it said, adding that it had "credible information" the tolls could be even higher. Originally the government and military had said the Afghan Air Force targeted a Taliban base where senior members of the group were planning attacks. The defence ministry initially denied any civilians had been hurt, then claimed the Taliban had shot them. On Wednesday Ghani met families as well as local elders and apologised, a statement from the presidential palace said. "(T)he difference between evildoers and a legitimate government is that a legitimate government apologises for the mistakes made," he said, according to the statement. He also vowed that the government would pay compensation to the families, and build a minaret in memory of the victims as well as a mosque for the region. The statement gave no further details. The UN investigators could not confirm if the casualties were all civilians or whether Taliban leaders had been present at the time of the air strike. They have called for further investigations. The government has sent two teams to conduct an investigation into the incident but so far neither team has "publicly reported their findings", the UN said.

Ashraf Ghani apologises after Afghan air strike kills 30 children

Heavy rains and flooding have claimed lives of 34 people in Afghanistan, reports said on Tuesday.

The flash floods which are caused by heavy rains continuing from a week also caused serious damage to property as well.

Mainly North and center provinces of Afghanistan are affected the most.

According to a report by the&nbsp;news agency, Reuters 900 houses and agricultural lands were damaged. Hundreds of cattle were also killed.

Afghanistan&nbsp;Natural Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA) officials are still assessing the damage.

The mountainous area is often a victim of natural disasters.

Earlier this month parts of Afghanistan provinces were facing a serious threat of severe drought&nbsp;affecting&nbsp;lives of almost one million people living in the area.

A&nbsp;statement released by United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund in April read, "the extremely dry winter has affected 22 provinces across Afghanistan and now threatens to negatively impact the lives of one million people, with an additional two million who could feel its effects over the coming months".

Hashmat Khan Bahaduri, spokesman for the&nbsp;Afghanistan&nbsp;Natural Disaster Management Authority said that the rugged mountainous terrain and the lack of roads mean it is often difficult to evaluate relief needs but "ANDMA had sufficient resources to deal with the problem for now," Reuters reported.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/million-lives-at-stake-as-afghanistan-is-hit-with-drought----132502">One million lives at stake as Afghanistan is hit by drought</a>

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The flash floods which are caused by heavy rains continuing from a week also caused serious damage to property as well

Heavy rains and flooding have claimed lives of 34 people in Afghanistan, reports said on Tuesday. The flash floods which are caused by heavy rains continuing from a week also caused serious damage to property as well. Mainly North and center provinces of Afghanistan are affected the most. According to a report by the news agency, Reuters 900 houses and agricultural lands were damaged. Hundreds of cattle were also killed. Afghanistan Natural Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA) officials are still assessing the damage. The mountainous area is often a victim of natural disasters. Earlier this month parts of Afghanistan provinces were facing a serious threat of severe drought affecting lives of almost one million people living in the area. A statement released by United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund in April read, "the extremely dry winter has affected 22 provinces across Afghanistan and now threatens to negatively impact the lives of one million people, with an additional two million who could feel its effects over the coming months". Hashmat Khan Bahaduri, spokesman for the Afghanistan Natural Disaster Management Authority said that the rugged mountainous terrain and the lack of roads mean it is often difficult to evaluate relief needs but "ANDMA had sufficient resources to deal with the problem for now," Reuters reported. Also read: One million lives at stake as Afghanistan is hit by drought

Afghanistan: Floods, heavy rains kill 34 people, damage hundreds of homes

The head of the UN's World Food Programme said today it appeared North Korea was "turning a new page in history", following a four-day visit to the country.

David Beasley said he had enjoyed unprecedented access to the secretive state, spending two days in the capital Pyongyang and two in the countryside, accompanied by government minders.

He said there was undoubtedly a hunger problem in North Korea but it was not on the scale of the 1990s famine.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/very-smart-and-gracious-gesture-trump-thanks-north-korea-for-promising-to-destroy-nuclear-test-site-136434">Trump thanks North Korea for promising to destroy nuclear test site</a>

North Korea's economy has been devastated by its own mismanagement and crippling international sanctions over its nuclear weapons programme. However, its relations with the rest of the world are rapidly changing, with leader Kim Jong Un on a charm offensive.

Beasley told BBC radio that North Korea's leaders had a "sense of optimism".

Dialogue brokered by Seoul has seen US-North Korea relations go from trading personal insults and threats of war last year to a summit between Kim and President Donald Trump due in Singapore on June 12.

"There is a sense of turning a new page in history," said Bealsey, 61, the former governor of South Carolina.

He described the farming he witnessed outside the capital, in a country where only around a fifth of the land is arable.

"One of the most powerful things that I saw was out in the countryside -- it's spring, they're planting -- there's not mechanisation. You've got oxen pulling ploughs, men and women in the fields," said Beasley.

"It's very structured, very organised, every foot and inch of dirt is being toiled with rakes and hoes and shovels, and they're literally planting crops up to the edge of the road, down embankments, using every available space because it is a land that's mostly mountainous." North Korea has periodically been hit by famine, and hundreds of thousands of people died -- estimates range into the millions -- in the mid-1990s.

Beasley said: "I didn't see starvation like you had in the famine back in the 1990s, that's the good news. But is there a hunger issue, is there under-nutrition? There's no question about it." A United Nations-led report in March said chronic food shortages and malnutrition were widespread.

Around 41 percent -- 10.5 million people -- were undernourished, it said Around 18 million North Koreans, or 70 percent of the population including 1.3 million children aged under five, depend on the government-run Public Distribution System for rations of cereal and potatoes.

But most people do not consume a sufficiently diverse diet for healthy development, the report said. (AFP)&nbsp

The comment came from the chief of the UN's World Food Programme after a four-day visit to the country

The head of the UN's World Food Programme said today it appeared North Korea was "turning a new page in history", following a four-day visit to the country. David Beasley said he had enjoyed unprecedented access to the secretive state, spending two days in the capital Pyongyang and two in the countryside, accompanied by government minders. He said there was undoubtedly a hunger problem in North Korea but it was not on the scale of the 1990s famine. Also read: Trump thanks North Korea for promising to destroy nuclear test site North Korea's economy has been devastated by its own mismanagement and crippling international sanctions over its nuclear weapons programme. However, its relations with the rest of the world are rapidly changing, with leader Kim Jong Un on a charm offensive. Beasley told BBC radio that North Korea's leaders had a "sense of optimism". Dialogue brokered by Seoul has seen US-North Korea relations go from trading personal insults and threats of war last year to a summit between Kim and President Donald Trump due in Singapore on June 12. "There is a sense of turning a new page in history," said Bealsey, 61, the former governor of South Carolina. He described the farming he witnessed outside the capital, in a country where only around a fifth of the land is arable. "One of the most powerful things that I saw was out in the countryside -- it's spring, they're planting -- there's not mechanisation. You've got oxen pulling ploughs, men and women in the fields," said Beasley. "It's very structured, very organised, every foot and inch of dirt is being toiled with rakes and hoes and shovels, and they're literally planting crops up to the edge of the road, down embankments, using every available space because it is a land that's mostly mountainous." North Korea has periodically been hit by famine, and hundreds of thousands of people died -- estimates range into the millions -- in the mid-1990s. Beasley said: "I didn't see starvation like you had in the famine back in the 1990s, that's the good news. But is there a hunger issue, is there under-nutrition? There's no question about it." A United Nations-led report in March said chronic food shortages and malnutrition were widespread. Around 41 percent -- 10.5 million people -- were undernourished, it said Around 18 million North Koreans, or 70 percent of the population including 1.3 million children aged under five, depend on the government-run Public Distribution System for rations of cereal and potatoes. But most people do not consume a sufficiently diverse diet for healthy development, the report said. (AFP)

North Korea 'turning a new page'

Rockets and heavy machines guns fired from Afghan government helicopters killed and wounded at least 107 boys and men attending a religious ceremony near the northern city of Kunduz last month, according to a United Nations report on Monday.

Last month, villagers in Dasht-i Archi district of Kunduz said dozens of people including many children had been killed in an attack on a religious ceremony, prompting the UN to launch an investigation.

The UN report underlined the risks of a new strategy, developed with US advisers, which has seen a big build up in Afghan air power, with rocket-equipped helicopters and attack aircraft deployed to try to break a stalemate with the Taliban.

"A key finding of this report is that the government used rockets and heavy machinegun fire on a religious gathering, resulting in high numbers of child casualties," the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said.

It said at least 36 people, including 30 children, were killed and 71 wounded and there were questions "as to the government's respect of the rules of precaution and proportionality under international humanitarian law".

Investigators verified 107 victims but had received victims' lists from various sources indicating over 200 casualties, the report said.

It said there were serious concerns about the incident that required further investigation but said it was not in a position to determine whether the attack amounted to a violation of international law.

The UN report underlined the risks of a new strategy, developed with US advisers, which has seen a big build up in Afghan air power, with rocket-equipped helicopters and attack aircraft deployed to try to break a stalemate with the Taliban

Rockets and heavy machines guns fired from Afghan government helicopters killed and wounded at least 107 boys and men attending a religious ceremony near the northern city of Kunduz last month, according to a United Nations report on Monday. Last month, villagers in Dasht-i Archi district of Kunduz said dozens of people including many children had been killed in an attack on a religious ceremony, prompting the UN to launch an investigation. The UN report underlined the risks of a new strategy, developed with US advisers, which has seen a big build up in Afghan air power, with rocket-equipped helicopters and attack aircraft deployed to try to break a stalemate with the Taliban. "A key finding of this report is that the government used rockets and heavy machinegun fire on a religious gathering, resulting in high numbers of child casualties," the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said. It said at least 36 people, including 30 children, were killed and 71 wounded and there were questions "as to the government's respect of the rules of precaution and proportionality under international humanitarian law". Investigators verified 107 victims but had received victims' lists from various sources indicating over 200 casualties, the report said. It said there were serious concerns about the incident that required further investigation but said it was not in a position to determine whether the attack amounted to a violation of international law.

Afghan gunships killed and wounded 107 boys and men in attack last month: United Nations

A group of Sikh hardliners held a protest outside the United Nations office in Geneva to demand the release of Sikh militants arrested in India.

The protest was held at the behest of Pakistan and was planned by the Sikh Federation (UK), an organization that acts as a sympathizer of a separatist movement in India.

These Sikhs who migrated to UK and other parts of Europe decades ago, have a history of being involved in some or the other terrorist activity in India.

The protesters put up banners near the Broken Chair to show their support to terrorists, including Harminder Singh Mintoo, the chief of Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), who recently died of heart attack in the Nabha Jail in Punjab.

As per the police files, Mintoo had the backing of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency, which had been providing him with logistics to carry out terror activities in Punjab.

He had over ten terrorism-related cases in Punjab and other places against his name.

Sikh protesters in Geneva also demanded the release of Jagtar Singh Johal, a British Sikh activist, who was arrested last year for his alleged connection with a spate of targeted killings of Hindu leaders, including Jagdish Gangneja in 2016, Ravinder Gosain in October 2017 and pastor Sultan Masih in July 2017.

Police are of the view that Johal is behind these murders and was also providing funds and arranging arms for the Khalistan Liberation Force.

The posters outside the UN also include the name of Jagtar Singh Tara, the mastermind behind the assassination of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh, who is now in police custody.

Two other accused -- Gurpreet Singh Gurdaspur and Gurdev Singh Jajja - have been deported from Thailand on various charges in the recent past.

Pakistan is making an all-out effort to revive the Khalistan Movement in Punjab by providing logistic and financial support to separatists settled in UK, Canada, the United States and Europe.

These Sikhs who migrated to UK and other parts of Europe decades ago, have a history of being involved in some or the other terrorist activity in India

A group of Sikh hardliners held a protest outside the United Nations office in Geneva to demand the release of Sikh militants arrested in India. The protest was held at the behest of Pakistan and was planned by the Sikh Federation (UK), an organization that acts as a sympathizer of a separatist movement in India. These Sikhs who migrated to UK and other parts of Europe decades ago, have a history of being involved in some or the other terrorist activity in India. The protesters put up banners near the Broken Chair to show their support to terrorists, including Harminder Singh Mintoo, the chief of Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), who recently died of heart attack in the Nabha Jail in Punjab. As per the police files, Mintoo had the backing of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency, which had been providing him with logistics to carry out terror activities in Punjab. He had over ten terrorism-related cases in Punjab and other places against his name. Sikh protesters in Geneva also demanded the release of Jagtar Singh Johal, a British Sikh activist, who was arrested last year for his alleged connection with a spate of targeted killings of Hindu leaders, including Jagdish Gangneja in 2016, Ravinder Gosain in October 2017 and pastor Sultan Masih in July 2017. Police are of the view that Johal is behind these murders and was also providing funds and arranging arms for the Khalistan Liberation Force. The posters outside the UN also include the name of Jagtar Singh Tara, the mastermind behind the assassination of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh, who is now in police custody. Two other accused -- Gurpreet Singh Gurdaspur and Gurdev Singh Jajja - have been deported from Thailand on various charges in the recent past. Pakistan is making an all-out effort to revive the Khalistan Movement in Punjab by providing logistic and financial support to separatists settled in UK, Canada, the United States and Europe.

Pakistan-backed Khalistani activists hold anti-India protest outside UN

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