The UN Security Council is expected to adopt on Thursday a US-drafted resolution that threatens to impose an arms embargo on South Sudan and sanctions against those blocking efforts to end one of Africa&#39;s worst wars.

The strongly-worded text is aimed at piling pressure on South Sudan&#39;s warring sides as they head into a new round of peace talks in Ethiopia next month to end the four-year war.

The council &quot;expresses its intention to consider all measures, including an arms embargo, as appropriate, to deprive the parties of the means to continue fighting,&quot; according to a final draft resolution.

Demanding an end to the fighting, the council will &quot;consider all appropriate measures... against those who take actions that undermine the peace, stability, and security of South Sudan,&quot; said on Wednesday.

The draft resolution would also renew the mandate of the UN peacekeeping mission for a year and maintain a regional force in Juba that was deployed after fierce fighting broke out in the capital in July 2016.

The United Nations has 12,500 troops and 1,500 police in its UNMISS mission, which is tasked with protecting civilians caught up in a brutal war between President Salva Kiir&#39;s forces and rebels.

Negotiations on the US-drafted text began last week with Russia, China and Ethiopia raising objections to the threat of an arms embargo, diplomats said.

That stance was in line with the African Union, which has backed sanctions as a way to pressure the parties but has not endorsed an arms embargo.

The United States failed in late 2016 to garner enough support for a ban on weapons sales after eight countries including Russia, China, Angola, Egypt and Senegal abstained.

Nine votes are required to adopt a resolution in the 15-member council.

Despite the defeat, the United States has continued to call for an arms embargo, with the support of Britain and France.

Time for action

Human Rights Watch&#39;s UN deputy director Akshaya Kumar said an arms embargo and sanctions are the &quot;missing pieces of the puzzle&quot; to shore up peace efforts in South Sudan.

&quot;It&#39;s good that the Security Council is threatening these steps but they have made these threats many times before, and what we are waiting for is action,&quot; she said.

The measure would push the council closer to action but another draft resolution would have to be approved for the actual arms embargo to be imposed.

The war in the world&#39;s youngest nation has killed tens of thousands of people, uprooted four million -- roughly a third of the population -- and raised the risk of famine.

South Sudan won independence from Sudan in 2011, with critical backing from the United States, which remains Juba&#39;s biggest aid donor.

With the war now in its fifth year, Ethiopia is leading a regional peace effort, hosting talks between the government and rebel groups that have yet to produce a breakthrough.

A ceasefire deal agreed in December has not taken hold, even though the level of violence has decreased.

The Ethiopia-led diplomatic effort has been billed as a last chance for peace as frustration grows over the ongoing war that has seen horrific levels of brutality.&nbsp;

A UN rights commission last month said there was sufficient evidence to charge at least 41 senior officers and officials with war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The commission&#39;s report documented extraordinary cruelty. Some victims were beheaded, burned alive or had their throats cut, others had their eyes gouged out or were tortured.

Addressing a recent African Union summit, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres dropped his usual reluctance to criticize leaders and bluntly said of South Sudan&#39;s leaders that he &quot;had never seen a political elite with so little interest in the well-being of its own people.&quot;&nbsp;

The UN Security Council is expected to adopt a US-drafted resolution that threatens to impose an arms embargo on South Sudan

The UN Security Council is expected to adopt on Thursday a US-drafted resolution that threatens to impose an arms embargo on South Sudan and sanctions against those blocking efforts to end one of Africa's worst wars. The strongly-worded text is aimed at piling pressure on South Sudan's warring sides as they head into a new round of peace talks in Ethiopia next month to end the four-year war. The council "expresses its intention to consider all measures, including an arms embargo, as appropriate, to deprive the parties of the means to continue fighting," according to a final draft resolution. Demanding an end to the fighting, the council will "consider all appropriate measures... against those who take actions that undermine the peace, stability, and security of South Sudan," said on Wednesday. The draft resolution would also renew the mandate of the UN peacekeeping mission for a year and maintain a regional force in Juba that was deployed after fierce fighting broke out in the capital in July 2016. The United Nations has 12,500 troops and 1,500 police in its UNMISS mission, which is tasked with protecting civilians caught up in a brutal war between President Salva Kiir's forces and rebels. Negotiations on the US-drafted text began last week with Russia, China and Ethiopia raising objections to the threat of an arms embargo, diplomats said. That stance was in line with the African Union, which has backed sanctions as a way to pressure the parties but has not endorsed an arms embargo. The United States failed in late 2016 to garner enough support for a ban on weapons sales after eight countries including Russia, China, Angola, Egypt and Senegal abstained. Nine votes are required to adopt a resolution in the 15-member council. Despite the defeat, the United States has continued to call for an arms embargo, with the support of Britain and France. Time for action Human Rights Watch's UN deputy director Akshaya Kumar said an arms embargo and sanctions are the "missing pieces of the puzzle" to shore up peace efforts in South Sudan. "It's good that the Security Council is threatening these steps but they have made these threats many times before, and what we are waiting for is action," she said. The measure would push the council closer to action but another draft resolution would have to be approved for the actual arms embargo to be imposed. The war in the world's youngest nation has killed tens of thousands of people, uprooted four million -- roughly a third of the population -- and raised the risk of famine. South Sudan won independence from Sudan in 2011, with critical backing from the United States, which remains Juba's biggest aid donor. With the war now in its fifth year, Ethiopia is leading a regional peace effort, hosting talks between the government and rebel groups that have yet to produce a breakthrough. A ceasefire deal agreed in December has not taken hold, even though the level of violence has decreased. The Ethiopia-led diplomatic effort has been billed as a last chance for peace as frustration grows over the ongoing war that has seen horrific levels of brutality. A UN rights commission last month said there was sufficient evidence to charge at least 41 senior officers and officials with war crimes and crimes against humanity. The commission's report documented extraordinary cruelty. Some victims were beheaded, burned alive or had their throats cut, others had their eyes gouged out or were tortured. Addressing a recent African Union summit, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres dropped his usual reluctance to criticize leaders and bluntly said of South Sudan's leaders that he "had never seen a political elite with so little interest in the well-being of its own people."

United Nations set to threaten arms embargo on South Sudan

The members of the Baloch Republican Party (BPR) have raised the issue of human rights violations carried out by Pakistan in Balochistan at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

&quot;The precious natural resources of Balochistan are being looted and taken away by the Pakistani state while the Baloch people are forced to live in Stone Age like conditions,&quot; said representative of the Baloch Republican Party to the UNHRC Abdul Nawaz Bugti.

&quot;Whenever the Baloch people demanded their rights from the Pakistani state, the response has always been military operations and massacre by the army,&quot; he added, &quot;300 thousand Baloch have been displaced and 27 thousands have become the victim of enforced disappearances.&quot;

He noted that &quot;torture and custodial killings of Baloch activists are common practice. Even women and children are not spared.&quot;

Another activist of BPR threw light on the plight of women in Balochistan.

&quot;While the world talks about gender equality and equal rights for women, the women in Balochistan are facing state terrorism, in addition to global problems,&quot; activist, BPR Muhammad Jawad.

&quot;They are most affected by the military operations, enforced disappearances of their family members,&quot; he added.

Jawad went on to say that &quot;there is hardly women in Balochistan who has not lost his husband, brother, father or son as a result of notorious kill and dump policy of Pakistan Army.&quot;

The members of the Baloch Republican Party (BPR) have raised the issue of human rights violations carried out by Pakistan in Balochistan at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)

The members of the Baloch Republican Party (BPR) have raised the issue of human rights violations carried out by Pakistan in Balochistan at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). "The precious natural resources of Balochistan are being looted and taken away by the Pakistani state while the Baloch people are forced to live in Stone Age like conditions," said representative of the Baloch Republican Party to the UNHRC Abdul Nawaz Bugti. "Whenever the Baloch people demanded their rights from the Pakistani state, the response has always been military operations and massacre by the army," he added, "300 thousand Baloch have been displaced and 27 thousands have become the victim of enforced disappearances." He noted that "torture and custodial killings of Baloch activists are common practice. Even women and children are not spared." Another activist of BPR threw light on the plight of women in Balochistan. "While the world talks about gender equality and equal rights for women, the women in Balochistan are facing state terrorism, in addition to global problems," activist, BPR Muhammad Jawad. "They are most affected by the military operations, enforced disappearances of their family members," he added. Jawad went on to say that "there is hardly women in Balochistan who has not lost his husband, brother, father or son as a result of notorious kill and dump policy of Pakistan Army."

Baloch activists raise voice against atrocities by Pakistan at UNHRC

A two-pronged US push for action on Syria at the UN Security Council could prompt Russia to again use its veto, a move some diplomats see as a possible trigger for American strikes in Syria.

Russia has used its veto power 11 times to block action against its Syrian ally, shielding President Bashar al-Assad&#39;s government from sanctions, war crimes investigations and an inquiry into chemical weapons attacks.&nbsp;

Speculation about a 12th Russian veto on Syria is again rife after the United States on Monday put forward a draft resolution on a 30-day ceasefire in Eastern Ghouta and Damascus.

The move was in response to the failure of a UN-approved humanitarian ceasefire to take hold despite backing from Russia, which is helping Syria&#39;s offensive in Eastern Ghouta, a rebel enclave on the outskirts of the capital.

The operation has reportedly killed more than 1,100 civilians since it was launched in mid-February.

A separate US-drafted measure to set up an inquiry into chemical weapons attacks is under negotiation, but diplomats said talks with Russia had hit a wall.

With two measures on the table, US Ambassador Nikki Haley has warned that the United States is ready to act in Syria &quot;if we must&quot; to address the use of chemical weapons and &quot;inhuman suffering.&quot;

&quot;When the international community consistently fails to act, there are times when states are compelled to take their own action,&quot; Haley said on Monday.

&quot;We also warn any nation that is determined to impose its will through chemical attacks and inhuman suffering, most especially the outlaw Syrian regime: the United States remains prepared to act if we must.&quot;

It remains unclear when the United States will put its draft resolutions up for a vote at the council, which is increasingly frustrated by its inability to change the course of the war in Syria.

- Deja vu - 
Haley&#39;s threat was a repeat of the warning delivered to the council in April last year, just before President Donald Trump ordered missile strikes on a Syrian air base over the sarin gas attack on the opposition-held village of Khan Sheikhun.

UN diplomats are openly talking about &quot;deja vu&quot; as the United States again signals that it is considering military action in Syria.

The threats are ratcheting up pressure on Russia.

&quot;The Russians are feeling the heat. They are afraid that the Americans might re-engage in Syria in a more robust way,&quot; a council diplomat said on condition of anonymity.

Another council diplomat pointed to the anniversary of the Khan Sheikhun attack on April 4 as a possible timeframe for US action.

&quot;The Trump administration is resorting to a naming-and-shaming strategy on Russia at the Security Council,&quot; said Nicholas Heras, Syria expert at the Washington-based Center for a New American Security.

&quot;This is the beginning of a larger discussion with Russia about what will happen with other areas in the country,&quot; in particular the southwest where a de-escalation zone has been set up by the United States, Jordan and Russia, said Heras.

&quot;What the Trump team is doing now is initial posturing: It&#39;s saying: &#39;What you are doing in Ghouta, don&#39;t do it anywhere else. If you try to do it anywhere else, there will be consequences.&#39;&quot;

Haley&#39;s warning drew a strong response from Moscow on Tuesday.

After last year&#39;s US strike on the Shayrat air base, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned that &quot;if a new strike of this kind takes place, the consequences will be very serious.&quot;

Russia&#39;s head of the general staff Valery Gerasimov warned of &quot;retaliatory measures&quot; if any Russian serviceman is hit in a US strike.

Russia has military staff on the ground helping the Syrian offensive in Eastern Ghouta, which lies near the capital of Damascus.

Russia has used its veto power 11 times to block action against its Syrian ally, shielding President Bashar al-Assad's government from sanctions

A two-pronged US push for action on Syria at the UN Security Council could prompt Russia to again use its veto, a move some diplomats see as a possible trigger for American strikes in Syria. Russia has used its veto power 11 times to block action against its Syrian ally, shielding President Bashar al-Assad's government from sanctions, war crimes investigations and an inquiry into chemical weapons attacks. Speculation about a 12th Russian veto on Syria is again rife after the United States on Monday put forward a draft resolution on a 30-day ceasefire in Eastern Ghouta and Damascus. The move was in response to the failure of a UN-approved humanitarian ceasefire to take hold despite backing from Russia, which is helping Syria's offensive in Eastern Ghouta, a rebel enclave on the outskirts of the capital. The operation has reportedly killed more than 1,100 civilians since it was launched in mid-February. A separate US-drafted measure to set up an inquiry into chemical weapons attacks is under negotiation, but diplomats said talks with Russia had hit a wall. With two measures on the table, US Ambassador Nikki Haley has warned that the United States is ready to act in Syria "if we must" to address the use of chemical weapons and "inhuman suffering." "When the international community consistently fails to act, there are times when states are compelled to take their own action," Haley said on Monday. "We also warn any nation that is determined to impose its will through chemical attacks and inhuman suffering, most especially the outlaw Syrian regime: the United States remains prepared to act if we must." It remains unclear when the United States will put its draft resolutions up for a vote at the council, which is increasingly frustrated by its inability to change the course of the war in Syria. - Deja vu - Haley's threat was a repeat of the warning delivered to the council in April last year, just before President Donald Trump ordered missile strikes on a Syrian air base over the sarin gas attack on the opposition-held village of Khan Sheikhun. UN diplomats are openly talking about "deja vu" as the United States again signals that it is considering military action in Syria. The threats are ratcheting up pressure on Russia. "The Russians are feeling the heat. They are afraid that the Americans might re-engage in Syria in a more robust way," a council diplomat said on condition of anonymity. Another council diplomat pointed to the anniversary of the Khan Sheikhun attack on April 4 as a possible timeframe for US action. "The Trump administration is resorting to a naming-and-shaming strategy on Russia at the Security Council," said Nicholas Heras, Syria expert at the Washington-based Center for a New American Security. "This is the beginning of a larger discussion with Russia about what will happen with other areas in the country," in particular the southwest where a de-escalation zone has been set up by the United States, Jordan and Russia, said Heras. "What the Trump team is doing now is initial posturing: It's saying: 'What you are doing in Ghouta, don't do it anywhere else. If you try to do it anywhere else, there will be consequences.'" Haley's warning drew a strong response from Moscow on Tuesday. After last year's US strike on the Shayrat air base, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned that "if a new strike of this kind takes place, the consequences will be very serious." Russia's head of the general staff Valery Gerasimov warned of "retaliatory measures" if any Russian serviceman is hit in a US strike. Russia has military staff on the ground helping the Syrian offensive in Eastern Ghouta, which lies near the capital of Damascus.

Would a Russian veto at the UN trigger US strikes on Syria?

The United Nations said Tuesday it is considering a request from Venezuela to help prepare the May 20 presidential election in which President Nicolas Maduro is seeking a new term.

UN political affairs chief Jeffrey Feltman met for two hours at UN headquarters with opposition candidate Henri Falcon, Venezuelan Ambassador Samuel Moncada and other opposition representatives to discuss the request.

&quot;The UN Secretariat is considering a request from the Venezuelan government for an accompaniment of the electoral process in the run-up to presidential polls set for 20 May,&quot; said Jose Luis Diaz, a spokesman for UN political affairs.

Maduro is seeking a second six-year term and the main opposition is boycotting the vote, claiming fraud.&nbsp;

Falcon told reporters after the meeting that a UN &quot;exploratory commission&quot; will carry out an in-depth review of the electoral procedure.

The commission falls short of a formal UN observer mission, but it could help Venezuela move towards &quot;an electoral path and not the path of violence,&quot; said Falcon.

Opposition parties have sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres asking him not to send observers, out of fears such a move would lend legitimacy to the polls.

Falcon, 56, is a member of the opposition coalition Democratic Unity Roundtable, or MUD, but has defied a call to boycott the May 20 vote.

Violent protests erupted last year against Maduro&#39;s rule in which dozens have died as Venezuelans struggle with chronic shortages of food and medicine.

The United Nations said it is considering a request from Venezuela to help prepare the May 20 presidential election in which President Nicolas Maduro is seeking a new term

The United Nations said Tuesday it is considering a request from Venezuela to help prepare the May 20 presidential election in which President Nicolas Maduro is seeking a new term. UN political affairs chief Jeffrey Feltman met for two hours at UN headquarters with opposition candidate Henri Falcon, Venezuelan Ambassador Samuel Moncada and other opposition representatives to discuss the request. "The UN Secretariat is considering a request from the Venezuelan government for an accompaniment of the electoral process in the run-up to presidential polls set for 20 May," said Jose Luis Diaz, a spokesman for UN political affairs. Maduro is seeking a second six-year term and the main opposition is boycotting the vote, claiming fraud. Falcon told reporters after the meeting that a UN "exploratory commission" will carry out an in-depth review of the electoral procedure. The commission falls short of a formal UN observer mission, but it could help Venezuela move towards "an electoral path and not the path of violence," said Falcon. Opposition parties have sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres asking him not to send observers, out of fears such a move would lend legitimacy to the polls. Falcon, 56, is a member of the opposition coalition Democratic Unity Roundtable, or MUD, but has defied a call to boycott the May 20 vote. Violent protests erupted last year against Maduro's rule in which dozens have died as Venezuelans struggle with chronic shortages of food and medicine.

United Nations studying request to help prepare Venezuela vote

UN officials said Sunday that nearly $1 billion will be needed this year to feed and care for the roughly one million Rohingya refugees living in overcrowded camps in southeastern Bangladesh.

The $950 million for this year&#39;s aid effort was &quot;a very legitimate and valid&quot; request given the magnitude of the crisis, the UN resident coordinator in Bangladesh said.

&quot;It&#39;s a new and evolving crisis. The needs are huge. These people came with nothing. We hope the support will continue,&quot; the UN country head Mia Seppo told AFP.

The funding request could be raised this week at a UN conference in Geneva.

In October, nations pledged $345 million in response to the Rohingya crisis. The UN said at the time it needed $434 million to care for the displaced Muslims until February.

Food, shelter and healthcare remain pressing needs for the Rohingya, who fled a Myanmar army crackdown in Rakhine state en masse over the past six months.

But there are other urgent considerations. As the monsoon season nears, aid groups need to relocate an estimated 100,000 refugees living in areas prone to landslides and floods, Seppo said.

The UN-backed Inter Sector Coordination Group has also factored into the relief budget the cost of mass vaccination drives against diseases like cholera, diphtheria and measles, the group&#39;s head Sumbul Rizvi said.

Bangladesh and Myanmar agreed in November to begin repatriating Rohingya who volunteered to return to Rakhine state where the persecuted Muslim minority have lived for generations.

But the process has stalled and it is not clear when it will begin, said Bangladesh&#39;s refugee commissioner Mohammad Abul Kalam.

A quarter of the proposed $950 million funding for the remainder of the year would go to Bangladeshis living in Cox&#39;s Bazar whose lives have been upended by the massive refugee influx.

Nearly 700,000 Rohingya Muslims have crossed the border since August, clearing forests and camping on hillsides already crowded with more than 300,000 refugees from previous waves of migration.

Prices for local goods have skyrocketed and competition for jobs and resources intensified in the largely-rural border district, said Kalam.

&quot;We will try to compensate these farmers,&quot; he said.

Separately, police in Cox&#39;s Bazar briefly detained 39 foreign aid workers Sunday for questioning over alleged visa violations.

Afrujul Haq Tutul, the deputy police chief of Cox&#39;s Bazar, said the aid staff had been working on tourist visas, but were later released.

UN officials said that nearly $1 billion will be needed this year to feed and care for the roughly one million Rohingya refugees living in overcrowded camps in southeastern Bangladesh

UN officials said Sunday that nearly $1 billion will be needed this year to feed and care for the roughly one million Rohingya refugees living in overcrowded camps in southeastern Bangladesh. The $950 million for this year's aid effort was "a very legitimate and valid" request given the magnitude of the crisis, the UN resident coordinator in Bangladesh said. "It's a new and evolving crisis. The needs are huge. These people came with nothing. We hope the support will continue," the UN country head Mia Seppo told AFP. The funding request could be raised this week at a UN conference in Geneva. In October, nations pledged $345 million in response to the Rohingya crisis. The UN said at the time it needed $434 million to care for the displaced Muslims until February. Food, shelter and healthcare remain pressing needs for the Rohingya, who fled a Myanmar army crackdown in Rakhine state en masse over the past six months. But there are other urgent considerations. As the monsoon season nears, aid groups need to relocate an estimated 100,000 refugees living in areas prone to landslides and floods, Seppo said. The UN-backed Inter Sector Coordination Group has also factored into the relief budget the cost of mass vaccination drives against diseases like cholera, diphtheria and measles, the group's head Sumbul Rizvi said. Bangladesh and Myanmar agreed in November to begin repatriating Rohingya who volunteered to return to Rakhine state where the persecuted Muslim minority have lived for generations. But the process has stalled and it is not clear when it will begin, said Bangladesh's refugee commissioner Mohammad Abul Kalam. A quarter of the proposed $950 million funding for the remainder of the year would go to Bangladeshis living in Cox's Bazar whose lives have been upended by the massive refugee influx. Nearly 700,000 Rohingya Muslims have crossed the border since August, clearing forests and camping on hillsides already crowded with more than 300,000 refugees from previous waves of migration. Prices for local goods have skyrocketed and competition for jobs and resources intensified in the largely-rural border district, said Kalam. "We will try to compensate these farmers," he said. Separately, police in Cox's Bazar briefly detained 39 foreign aid workers Sunday for questioning over alleged visa violations. Afrujul Haq Tutul, the deputy police chief of Cox's Bazar, said the aid staff had been working on tourist visas, but were later released.

UN to seek $1billion for Rohingya refugee effort in Bangladesh

The United Nations on Friday was in talks with South Sudan&#39;s government after it ordered a UN radio broadcaster be shut down.

The decision to close Radio Miraya would be another blow for press freedom in South Sudan, where foreign correspondents have been forced to leave and authorities have targeted other media outlets.

Radio Miraya was ordered to end its broadcast because of &quot;persistent non-compliance and refusal to be regulated&quot; under domestic laws, said Elijah Alier, who chairs South Sudan&#39;s media authority.

Alier told reporters in Juba that the request to withdraw the frequency allocated to Radio Miraya would go into effect on Friday.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, however, said talks were ongoing with Juba about the decision.

UN officials are &quot;in touch with the South Sudanese authorities to clarify the situation. At this point, the UN radio station is still broadcasting,&quot; said Dujarric.

Run by the UN mission in South Sudan, Radio Miraya started broadcasting in 2006.&nbsp;

It bills itself as an independent radio station that provides impartial news and information.

South Sudan this year entered its fifth year of war, with nearly four million people uprooted and millions more in dire need of humanitarian aid.

The decision to close Radio Miraya would be another blow for press freedom in South Sudan

The United Nations on Friday was in talks with South Sudan's government after it ordered a UN radio broadcaster be shut down. The decision to close Radio Miraya would be another blow for press freedom in South Sudan, where foreign correspondents have been forced to leave and authorities have targeted other media outlets. Radio Miraya was ordered to end its broadcast because of "persistent non-compliance and refusal to be regulated" under domestic laws, said Elijah Alier, who chairs South Sudan's media authority. Alier told reporters in Juba that the request to withdraw the frequency allocated to Radio Miraya would go into effect on Friday. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, however, said talks were ongoing with Juba about the decision. UN officials are "in touch with the South Sudanese authorities to clarify the situation. At this point, the UN radio station is still broadcasting," said Dujarric. Run by the UN mission in South Sudan, Radio Miraya started broadcasting in 2006. It bills itself as an independent radio station that provides impartial news and information. South Sudan this year entered its fifth year of war, with nearly four million people uprooted and millions more in dire need of humanitarian aid.

United Nations in talks with South Sudan to keep radio station open

&nbsp;A senior European researcher has accused Pakistan of making moves to sell the disputed region of Gilgit-Baltistan to China in return for stacks of Renminbi (Chinese currency) and Yuan (basic unit of Chinese currency).

Participating in the 37th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Senior Research Analyst at the European Foundation for South-Asian Studies Du&scaron;an Vejinovic said Friday, &quot;While Pakistan manifests itself as a self-styled advocate of the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the factual situation is, that it remains an illegal occupier of Jammu and Kashmir, which has deprived the people of their political and civil liberties.&quot;

&quot;Contrary to the country&#39;s diplomatic rhetoric, it is Pakistan which has denied the people of Jammu and Kashmir their fundamental human rights. Moreover, it is now aspiring to become a broker of Jammu and Kashmir, by negotiating the sale of Gilgit-Baltistan to Beijing, in return for stacks of Chinese Yuan,&quot; he added.

Demanding that the United Nations take appropriate action against Pakistan, Vejinovic said, &quot;Why is Pakistan allowed to infringe international law and make a mockery of this august institution? The United Nations is obliged to act, not only to ensure peace in South Asia, but more importantly, to maintain its own credibility and reinforce its authority.&quot;

Reminding the UNHRC that the UN&nbsp;resolutions of 1948 and 1949 had directed Pakistan to withdraw its troops from the state of Jammu and Kashmir by August 13, 1948, a perplexed Vejinovic asked what is preventing Islamabad from complying with a legally binding instruction issued more than 70 years ago.

Jammu and Kashmir has been an area of contention for both India and Pakistan ever since the nations were formed in 1947 with three battles having been fought between the two neighbours over it.

A senior European researcher has accused Pakistan of making moves to sell the disputed region of Gilgit-Baltistan to China in return for stacks of Renminbi (Chinese currency) and Yuan (basic unit of Chinese currency)

A senior European researcher has accused Pakistan of making moves to sell the disputed region of Gilgit-Baltistan to China in return for stacks of Renminbi (Chinese currency) and Yuan (basic unit of Chinese currency). Participating in the 37th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Senior Research Analyst at the European Foundation for South-Asian Studies Dušan Vejinovic said Friday, "While Pakistan manifests itself as a self-styled advocate of the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the factual situation is, that it remains an illegal occupier of Jammu and Kashmir, which has deprived the people of their political and civil liberties." "Contrary to the country's diplomatic rhetoric, it is Pakistan which has denied the people of Jammu and Kashmir their fundamental human rights. Moreover, it is now aspiring to become a broker of Jammu and Kashmir, by negotiating the sale of Gilgit-Baltistan to Beijing, in return for stacks of Chinese Yuan," he added. Demanding that the United Nations take appropriate action against Pakistan, Vejinovic said, "Why is Pakistan allowed to infringe international law and make a mockery of this august institution? The United Nations is obliged to act, not only to ensure peace in South Asia, but more importantly, to maintain its own credibility and reinforce its authority." Reminding the UNHRC that the UN resolutions of 1948 and 1949 had directed Pakistan to withdraw its troops from the state of Jammu and Kashmir by August 13, 1948, a perplexed Vejinovic asked what is preventing Islamabad from complying with a legally binding instruction issued more than 70 years ago. Jammu and Kashmir has been an area of contention for both India and Pakistan ever since the nations were formed in 1947 with three battles having been fought between the two neighbours over it.

'Broker' Pakistan now aspiring to sell Gilgit-Baltistan to China: European Union expert

The United Nations issued a warning to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) estimating more than two million children to be at risk of dying from starvation.

Millions of children may die of acute malnutrition in coming months if the necessary aid&nbsp;is not provided, the UN report said.

United Nation humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock&nbsp;during his Geneva briefing informed that he will be visiting the country to meet donors.

Reuters reported Laerke as saying, &quot;We have a great responsibility in the DRC...now is the time to stay the course&quot;.&nbsp;

The kids that are at the&nbsp;risk includes about 300,000 children from Kasai region only.

Congo&#39;s central Kasai region is facing major rebellion conflict between rebel militia and government forces which is now converting into ethnic violence.&nbsp;

The violence&nbsp;intensified after Joseph Kabila, the president refused to step down from his post even after his tenure was ended in December 2016.

Militia mostly made up of Luba people (an ethnic group of Congo) led by Kamwina Nsapu has selectively killed non-luba people.

Reports say that by June 2017, more than 3,300 people have been killed in violence since October 2016 and 20 villages were completely destroyed.

 
&nbsp;

According to the issued warning, millions of children may die of acute malnutrition in coming months if the necessary aid is not provided

The United Nations issued a warning to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) estimating more than two million children to be at risk of dying from starvation. Millions of children may die of acute malnutrition in coming months if the necessary aid is not provided, the UN report said. United Nation humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock during his Geneva briefing informed that he will be visiting the country to meet donors. Reuters reported Laerke as saying, "We have a great responsibility in the DRC...now is the time to stay the course". The kids that are at the risk includes about 300,000 children from Kasai region only. Congo's central Kasai region is facing major rebellion conflict between rebel militia and government forces which is now converting into ethnic violence. The violence intensified after Joseph Kabila, the president refused to step down from his post even after his tenure was ended in December 2016. Militia mostly made up of Luba people (an ethnic group of Congo) led by Kamwina Nsapu has selectively killed non-luba people. Reports say that by June 2017, more than 3,300 people have been killed in violence since October 2016 and 20 villages were completely destroyed.

2 million children at risk of dying from starvation in Congo: United Nations

The United Nations envoy to Afghanistan on Thursday urged the Taliban to take up an offer by the Afghan government of direct talks on peace.

&quot;The offer of negotiation is on the table,&quot; said Tadamichi Yamamoto at a Security Council meeting to mark the annual renewal of the UN mission to the war-torn country.

&quot;It is now incumbent upon the Taliban to come forward with an offer of their own, and start direct talks with the government to put an end to the suffering of the Afghan people,&quot; he said.

&quot;Making peace and reaching out to opponents requires resolve, courage and above all national unity,&quot; he added. &quot;Political leaders need to place the national interest above partisan agenda.&quot;

He said he hoped that parliamentary elections could be held in 2018 and a presidential vote in 2019.

He also expressed concern about the growing number of civilian casualties at the hands of the Islamic State group in Khorasan province.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) was launched in March 2002 to help Afghans build a more stable and peaceful society, although 16 years later the country is still racked by violence and instability.&nbsp;

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani recently unveiled a plan to open talks with the Taliban, including eventually recognizing them as a political party.

In return, Ghani said the militants should officially recognize the Afghan government and constitution, a perennial sticking point in past attempts to open talks.

'The offer of negotiation is on the table,' said Tadamichi Yamamoto at a Security Council meeting to mark the annual renewal of the UN mission to the war-torn country

The United Nations envoy to Afghanistan on Thursday urged the Taliban to take up an offer by the Afghan government of direct talks on peace. "The offer of negotiation is on the table," said Tadamichi Yamamoto at a Security Council meeting to mark the annual renewal of the UN mission to the war-torn country. "It is now incumbent upon the Taliban to come forward with an offer of their own, and start direct talks with the government to put an end to the suffering of the Afghan people," he said. "Making peace and reaching out to opponents requires resolve, courage and above all national unity," he added. "Political leaders need to place the national interest above partisan agenda." He said he hoped that parliamentary elections could be held in 2018 and a presidential vote in 2019. He also expressed concern about the growing number of civilian casualties at the hands of the Islamic State group in Khorasan province. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) was launched in March 2002 to help Afghans build a more stable and peaceful society, although 16 years later the country is still racked by violence and instability. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani recently unveiled a plan to open talks with the Taliban, including eventually recognizing them as a political party. In return, Ghani said the militants should officially recognize the Afghan government and constitution, a perennial sticking point in past attempts to open talks.

United Nations calls on Taliban to take up offer of direct talks

India on Thursday highlighted human rights violations by Pakistan at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

India&#39;s response came after Pakistan raised the issue of human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir.

Mini Devi Kumam, Second Secretary, India&#39;s Permanent Mission at UNHRC, said it had become a habit of Pakistan to misuse the UNHRC platform to make misleading references about internal matters pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir.

&quot;This Council should be mindful that the dubious concern for human rights is coming from a country, which has systematically abused and violated the human rights of the people in Baluchistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as well as Pakistan Occupied Kashmir,&quot; Kumam said at the 37th Session of UNHRC.

She added that &quot;Pakistan has long been attempting to mask its territorial ambitions and use of terrorism as a state policy under the guise of concern for human rights&quot;.

The Indian representative also told the UNHRC that Pakistan was committing grossest violation of human rights by exporting terrorism to Jammu and Kashmir.

&quot;Terrorism is the grossest violation of human rights. The real problem in the State of Jammu and Kashmir is terrorism, which has constantly received sustenance from Pakistan and territories under its control,&quot; Kumam asserted.

India also urged the UNHRC to call on Pakistan to end cross-border infiltration, to dismantle special terrorist zones, safe havens and sanctuaries, and to take verifiable actions, including on terror financing.

The Indian representative also told the UNHRC that Pakistan should provide freedom to the people of Pakistan occupied Kashmir by ending its illegal and forcible occupation.

While highlighting the misuse of blasphemy laws in Pakistan, India said Islamabad should end harassment of minorities; place procedural and institutional safeguards to prevent its misuse.

Kumam also demanded that Pakistan should end forced conversions and marriages of minorities; including Hindu, Sikh and Christian women, and prosecute all such cases.

India also highlighted enforced disappearances and unlawful killing of political dissidents by the Pakistani security forces.

&quot;We urge the Council to call on Pakistan to stop targeting political dissidents and legitimate criticism in Sindh, Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and to stop torture, enforced disappearances and unlawful killing, including that of journalists and activists by its security agencies. Pakistan should also prosecute all perpetrators of such crimes,&quot; Kumam said.

India also demanded end of sectarian violence, systemic persecution and attacks on Muslim minorities, such as Shia, Ahmadiyas , Ismailia and Hazaras in Pakistan.&nbsp;

India also highlighted enforced disappearances and unlawful killing of political dissidents by the Pakistani security forces

India on Thursday highlighted human rights violations by Pakistan at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). India's response came after Pakistan raised the issue of human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir. Mini Devi Kumam, Second Secretary, India's Permanent Mission at UNHRC, said it had become a habit of Pakistan to misuse the UNHRC platform to make misleading references about internal matters pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir. "This Council should be mindful that the dubious concern for human rights is coming from a country, which has systematically abused and violated the human rights of the people in Baluchistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as well as Pakistan Occupied Kashmir," Kumam said at the 37th Session of UNHRC. She added that "Pakistan has long been attempting to mask its territorial ambitions and use of terrorism as a state policy under the guise of concern for human rights". The Indian representative also told the UNHRC that Pakistan was committing grossest violation of human rights by exporting terrorism to Jammu and Kashmir. "Terrorism is the grossest violation of human rights. The real problem in the State of Jammu and Kashmir is terrorism, which has constantly received sustenance from Pakistan and territories under its control," Kumam asserted. India also urged the UNHRC to call on Pakistan to end cross-border infiltration, to dismantle special terrorist zones, safe havens and sanctuaries, and to take verifiable actions, including on terror financing. The Indian representative also told the UNHRC that Pakistan should provide freedom to the people of Pakistan occupied Kashmir by ending its illegal and forcible occupation. While highlighting the misuse of blasphemy laws in Pakistan, India said Islamabad should end harassment of minorities; place procedural and institutional safeguards to prevent its misuse. Kumam also demanded that Pakistan should end forced conversions and marriages of minorities; including Hindu, Sikh and Christian women, and prosecute all such cases. India also highlighted enforced disappearances and unlawful killing of political dissidents by the Pakistani security forces. "We urge the Council to call on Pakistan to stop targeting political dissidents and legitimate criticism in Sindh, Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and to stop torture, enforced disappearances and unlawful killing, including that of journalists and activists by its security agencies. Pakistan should also prosecute all perpetrators of such crimes," Kumam said. India also demanded end of sectarian violence, systemic persecution and attacks on Muslim minorities, such as Shia, Ahmadiyas , Ismailia and Hazaras in Pakistan.

India to UN: Call on Pakistan to dismantle 'special terrorist zones'

The Syrian regime is orchestrating an &quot;apocalypse&quot; that will strike elsewhere following the devastating crisis unfolding in the rebel-held enclave of Eastern Ghouta, the UN human rights chief said on Wednesday.

In his annual report to the United Nations Human Rights Council, Zeid Ra&#39;ad Al Hussein said the government&#39;s actions in the area were &quot;legally and morally unsustainable&quot; while warning the next nightmare for Syrian civilians would inevitably arrive soon.&nbsp;

&quot;This month, it is Eastern Ghouta which is, in the words of the Secretary-General, hell on earth; next month or the month after, it will be somewhere else where people face an apocalypse &ndash; an apocalypse intended, planned and executed by individuals within the government, apparently with the full backing of some of their foreign supporters,&quot; Zeid told the council.&nbsp;

&quot;It is urgent to reverse this catastrophic course, and to refer Syria to the International Criminal Court,&quot; he added.&nbsp;

The Syrian army and allied militia launched an offensive on February 18 to retake Eastern Ghouta, the last rebel-controlled region near the capital Damascus.&nbsp;

The offensive has been backed by Russia, the government&#39;s key military ally.&nbsp;

They have since recaptured more than 40 per cent of the area with support from a devastating bombing campaign that has killed more than 800 civilians.

By Wednesday, government troops were at the edges of several key towns, including Misraba, Beit Sawa, Jisreen and Hammuriyeh.&nbsp;

Beyond Eastern Ghouta, Zeid said the seven-year-old conflict in Syria was entering &quot;a new phase of horror&quot;, noting rising violence in the rebel-held area of Idlib and Turkey&#39;s offensive in Afrin.&nbsp;

&quot;When you are prepared to kill your own people so easily, lying is easy too. Claims by the government of Syria that it is taking every measure to protect its civilian population are frankly ridiculous,&quot; Zeid said.&nbsp;

'It is urgent to reverse this catastrophic course, and to refer Syria to the International Criminal Court,' the UN human rights chief said

The Syrian regime is orchestrating an "apocalypse" that will strike elsewhere following the devastating crisis unfolding in the rebel-held enclave of Eastern Ghouta, the UN human rights chief said on Wednesday. In his annual report to the United Nations Human Rights Council, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said the government's actions in the area were "legally and morally unsustainable" while warning the next nightmare for Syrian civilians would inevitably arrive soon. "This month, it is Eastern Ghouta which is, in the words of the Secretary-General, hell on earth; next month or the month after, it will be somewhere else where people face an apocalypse – an apocalypse intended, planned and executed by individuals within the government, apparently with the full backing of some of their foreign supporters," Zeid told the council. "It is urgent to reverse this catastrophic course, and to refer Syria to the International Criminal Court," he added. The Syrian army and allied militia launched an offensive on February 18 to retake Eastern Ghouta, the last rebel-controlled region near the capital Damascus. The offensive has been backed by Russia, the government's key military ally. They have since recaptured more than 40 per cent of the area with support from a devastating bombing campaign that has killed more than 800 civilians. By Wednesday, government troops were at the edges of several key towns, including Misraba, Beit Sawa, Jisreen and Hammuriyeh. Beyond Eastern Ghouta, Zeid said the seven-year-old conflict in Syria was entering "a new phase of horror", noting rising violence in the rebel-held area of Idlib and Turkey's offensive in Afrin. "When you are prepared to kill your own people so easily, lying is easy too. Claims by the government of Syria that it is taking every measure to protect its civilian population are frankly ridiculous," Zeid said.

UN accuses Syria regime of orchestrating 'apocalypse'

India`s foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale will participate in Kabul Process Conference in Afghanistan this week.

About 23 nations including Pakistan and the European Union, United Nations and NATO are also participating in Kabul Process Conference which begins tomorrow in Afghanistan.

Earlier on February 26, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani had said that their government will propose an inclusive proposal to Pakistan and the Taliban during the Kabul Process conference.

Ghani will highlight the strong commitment of the Afghan government for ensuring peace in Afghanistan at the conference.

The Kabul government will call on countries in the region to reach a consensus to accept Afghan stability and work on achieving it.

About 23 nations including Pakistan and the European Union, United Nations and NATO are also participating in Kabul Process Conference which begins tomorrow in Afghanistan

India`s foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale will participate in Kabul Process Conference in Afghanistan this week. About 23 nations including Pakistan and the European Union, United Nations and NATO are also participating in Kabul Process Conference which begins tomorrow in Afghanistan. Earlier on February 26, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani had said that their government will propose an inclusive proposal to Pakistan and the Taliban during the Kabul Process conference. Ghani will highlight the strong commitment of the Afghan government for ensuring peace in Afghanistan at the conference. The Kabul government will call on countries in the region to reach a consensus to accept Afghan stability and work on achieving it.

Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale to participate in Kabul Process Conference

The Philippines will allow an investigation into alleged human rights abuses in its bloody war on drugs, but not if it is conducted by the United Nations&#39; current special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings, a senior official said on Tuesday.

More than 30 mostly Western countries have called on the Philippines to allow the UN expert, Agnes Callamard, to look into the thousands of killings in President Rodrigo Duterte brutal 19 month-old crackdown.

Callamard&#39;s specialist areas under the United Nations are extrajudicial killings, summary and arbitrary executions.

Duterte&#39;s spokesman, Harry Roque, a lawyer, said the Philippines welcomed any investigation provided that the United Nations sends a &quot;credible, objective and unbiased&quot; rapporteur, who is also &quot;an authority in the field that they seek to investigate&quot;.

Callamard does not fit that description, he said.

&quot;Definitely, not Agnes Callamard,&quot; Roque told a regular news briefing. &quot;It&#39;s her fault the home state does not want her in.&quot;

More than 4,000 Filipinos have been killed by police during the drugs war and hundreds, possibly several thousand, more by unidentified armed men.

Human rights groups and Duterte&#39;s political opponents say executions of drug users and small-time peddlers are widespread and systematic. The authorities deny that and say those killed were all dealers who put up violent resistance.

Last week, Amnesty International in the Philippines said &quot;meaningful investigations&quot; into such killings had failed to take place.

A prosecutor at the International Criminal Court in the Hague earlier this month started a preliminary examination into a complaint accusing Duterte and at least 11 officials of crimes against humanity. Duterte has welcomed that.

Roque said he had a lawyer in mind who could do the job instead of Callamard, but would not say who.

Duterte has previously said he would welcome a probe by Callamard on the condition she agreed to have a public debate with him.

She irked the government in May last year when she gave a speech at a policy forum during a visit in an unofficial capacity.

The Philippines will allow an investigation into alleged human rights abuses in its bloody war on drugs, but not if it is conducted by the United Nations' current special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings, a senior official said on Tuesday

The Philippines will allow an investigation into alleged human rights abuses in its bloody war on drugs, but not if it is conducted by the United Nations' current special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings, a senior official said on Tuesday. More than 30 mostly Western countries have called on the Philippines to allow the UN expert, Agnes Callamard, to look into the thousands of killings in President Rodrigo Duterte brutal 19 month-old crackdown. Callamard's specialist areas under the United Nations are extrajudicial killings, summary and arbitrary executions. Duterte's spokesman, Harry Roque, a lawyer, said the Philippines welcomed any investigation provided that the United Nations sends a "credible, objective and unbiased" rapporteur, who is also "an authority in the field that they seek to investigate". Callamard does not fit that description, he said. "Definitely, not Agnes Callamard," Roque told a regular news briefing. "It's her fault the home state does not want her in." More than 4,000 Filipinos have been killed by police during the drugs war and hundreds, possibly several thousand, more by unidentified armed men. Human rights groups and Duterte's political opponents say executions of drug users and small-time peddlers are widespread and systematic. The authorities deny that and say those killed were all dealers who put up violent resistance. Last week, Amnesty International in the Philippines said "meaningful investigations" into such killings had failed to take place. A prosecutor at the International Criminal Court in the Hague earlier this month started a preliminary examination into a complaint accusing Duterte and at least 11 officials of crimes against humanity. Duterte has welcomed that. Roque said he had a lawyer in mind who could do the job instead of Callamard, but would not say who. Duterte has previously said he would welcome a probe by Callamard on the condition she agreed to have a public debate with him. She irked the government in May last year when she gave a speech at a policy forum during a visit in an unofficial capacity.

Philippines open to UN drugs war probe, if by 'credible, objective' investigator

UN rights chief Antonio Guterres urged <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/strikes-clashes-hit-syrias-ghouta-despite-ceasefire-call-34026">US, China, and Russia to end &quot;pernicious&quot;</a> Security Council vetoes while condemning the &quot;prolific slaughterhouses&quot; in Syria and other conflicts

The UN secretary-general also demanded that a Security Council resolution for a 30-day ceasefire in Syria be &quot;immediately implemented and sustained.&quot;&nbsp;

The UN chief stressed that &quot;Security Council resolutions are only meaningful if they are effectively implemented, and that is why I expect the resolution to be immediately implemented and sustained.&quot;

UN members approved a ceasefire in Syria on Saturday after weeks of wrangling over the issue. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had earlier called the conflict &nbsp;&quot;Hell on Earth&quot;.

The resolution was stuck after Russia demanded that the rebel group fighting President Bashar al-Assad&#39;s forces also comply with the resolution. After protracted talks, the resolution was finally passed unanimously ensuring a 30-day ceasefire in the war-torn country.

The Syrian military forces have not commented on the resolution so far.

In November, Russia had used its veto to end a UN-backed investigation of chemical weapons in Syria.

In May last year, Russia, Iran and Turkey had signed an agreement to set up de-escalation zones, in order to prevent airstrike-related incidents in some parts of Syria.

 
<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6D3YUxZsIDA" width="560"></iframe> 
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The UN secretary-general also demanded that a Security Council resolution for a 30-day ceasefire in Syria be "immediately implemented and sustained."

UN rights chief Antonio Guterres urged US, China, and Russia to end "pernicious" Security Council vetoes while condemning the "prolific slaughterhouses" in Syria and other conflicts The UN secretary-general also demanded that a Security Council resolution for a 30-day ceasefire in Syria be "immediately implemented and sustained." The UN chief stressed that "Security Council resolutions are only meaningful if they are effectively implemented, and that is why I expect the resolution to be immediately implemented and sustained." UN members approved a ceasefire in Syria on Saturday after weeks of wrangling over the issue. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had earlier called the conflict "Hell on Earth". The resolution was stuck after Russia demanded that the rebel group fighting President Bashar al-Assad's forces also comply with the resolution. After protracted talks, the resolution was finally passed unanimously ensuring a 30-day ceasefire in the war-torn country. The Syrian military forces have not commented on the resolution so far. In November, Russia had used its veto to end a UN-backed investigation of chemical weapons in Syria. In May last year, Russia, Iran and Turkey had signed an agreement to set up de-escalation zones, in order to prevent airstrike-related incidents in some parts of Syria.

US, China and Russia should end 'pernicious' Security Council vetoes: UN chief

The United States is seeking to have the United Nations ban 33 vessels from ports worldwide and blacklist 27 shipping businesses for helping North Korea circumvent sanctions.

The US request to a UN sanctions committee, came as President Donald Trump announced Friday the &quot;heaviest sanctions ever&quot; on North Korea over its nuclear and ballistic missile tests.

Japan joined the United States in supporting the request concerning three of the 33 vessels for carrying out ship-to-ship transfers of oil destined for North Korea in violation of UN resolutions.

Council members have until Friday at 3:00 pm to raise objections to the proposed sanctions.

The measures will come into effect if none of the council members, including the North&#39;s ally China, block the request.

Only eight vessels have so far been banned from ports for sanctions-busting and the US request would significantly expand the blacklist in a bid to cripple North Korea&#39;s maritime network.

Last year, the Security Council adopted a series of resolutions to ban North Korean exports of commodities in a bid to cut off revenue to North Korea&#39;s military programs.

The measures severely restrict deliveries of oil and refined petroleum products to North Korea, but a recent report by a UN panel of experts found that Pyongyang was flouting sanctions.

North Korea earned $200 million in revenue last year from exports of coal, iron, steel and other banned commodities, the report said.

The United States and Japan are strong backers of sanctions as a way to pressure Pyongyang to come to the negotiating table and end its drive to develop nuclear weapons.

The US request to a UN sanctions committee, came as President Donald Trump announced Friday the 'heaviest sanctions ever' on North Korea over its nuclear and ballistic missile tests

The United States is seeking to have the United Nations ban 33 vessels from ports worldwide and blacklist 27 shipping businesses for helping North Korea circumvent sanctions. The US request to a UN sanctions committee, came as President Donald Trump announced Friday the "heaviest sanctions ever" on North Korea over its nuclear and ballistic missile tests. Japan joined the United States in supporting the request concerning three of the 33 vessels for carrying out ship-to-ship transfers of oil destined for North Korea in violation of UN resolutions. Council members have until Friday at 3:00 pm to raise objections to the proposed sanctions. The measures will come into effect if none of the council members, including the North's ally China, block the request. Only eight vessels have so far been banned from ports for sanctions-busting and the US request would significantly expand the blacklist in a bid to cripple North Korea's maritime network. Last year, the Security Council adopted a series of resolutions to ban North Korean exports of commodities in a bid to cut off revenue to North Korea's military programs. The measures severely restrict deliveries of oil and refined petroleum products to North Korea, but a recent report by a UN panel of experts found that Pyongyang was flouting sanctions. North Korea earned $200 million in revenue last year from exports of coal, iron, steel and other banned commodities, the report said. The United States and Japan are strong backers of sanctions as a way to pressure Pyongyang to come to the negotiating table and end its drive to develop nuclear weapons.

US seeks UN ban on 33 ships, 27 firms over North Korea smuggling

A former UN official, Prashanti Tiwary, has filed an FIR against United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)&nbsp;India chief Diego Palacios in Patna.

Tiwary lodged a case of sexual harassment and mental torture against the UNFPA chief, reports said.&nbsp;

She complained of harassment against him saying that she lost her job after she refused to assent to his demands.&nbsp;

She said &quot;I used to work at UN Population Fund&#39;s Bihar office. I met him when he came to Patna for 3 days. Some incidents happened at that time. I did not cower down to his demands. He began pressurising me to relent. As a result I lost my job&quot;.

However, the UN agency has dismissed the charges against its official and put forward diplomatic immunity for him.

Prashanti had also requested External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to waive the immunity of the UNFPA India chief so that a trial against him could be initiated in the Indian court.&nbsp;

She said &quot; I have complained against India Rep &amp; Asst Rep of UN Population Fund alleging them of &#39;character assassination&#39;. I have complained about the same to MEA. I have asked the government to waive off his immunity (India rep) so he can be tried in Court.&quot;

Tiwary said that her Right to Equality guaranteed by the Indian Constitution&nbsp;was challenged by the immunity offered to the UN official.&nbsp;

The special immunity provided to the UN official restricts any kind of legal action against him. 
&nbsp;

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The woman said 'I used to work at UN Population Fund's Bihar office. I met him when he came to Patna for 3 days. Some incidents happened at that time. I did not cower down to his demands. He began pressurising me to relent. As a result I lost my job'

A former UN official, Prashanti Tiwary, has filed an FIR against United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) India chief Diego Palacios in Patna. Tiwary lodged a case of sexual harassment and mental torture against the UNFPA chief, reports said. She complained of harassment against him saying that she lost her job after she refused to assent to his demands. She said "I used to work at UN Population Fund's Bihar office. I met him when he came to Patna for 3 days. Some incidents happened at that time. I did not cower down to his demands. He began pressurising me to relent. As a result I lost my job". However, the UN agency has dismissed the charges against its official and put forward diplomatic immunity for him. Prashanti had also requested External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to waive the immunity of the UNFPA India chief so that a trial against him could be initiated in the Indian court. She said " I have complained against India Rep & Asst Rep of UN Population Fund alleging them of 'character assassination'. I have complained about the same to MEA. I have asked the government to waive off his immunity (India rep) so he can be tried in Court." Tiwary said that her Right to Equality guaranteed by the Indian Constitution was challenged by the immunity offered to the UN official. The special immunity provided to the UN official restricts any kind of legal action against him.

Patna woman accuses UN official of harassment

The UN Security Council is expected to vote, probably on Thursday, on a draft resolution demanding a 30-day ceasefire in Syria to allow deliveries of humanitarian aid and medical evacuations, diplomats said.

Sweden and Kuwait, which drafted the measure, requested the vote &quot;as soon as possible,&quot; the Swedish mission said Wednesday, adding that it will likely be scheduled for Thursday.

It remained unclear whether Russia would resort to its veto to block the draft resolution.&nbsp;

The push for a vote came after UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called for a halt of the &quot;war activities&quot; in Eastern Ghouta, Syria`s rebel enclave which has come under a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/syria-russia-pound-rebel-enclave-over-250-dead-33548" target="_blank">fierce bombing campaign</a> by government forces.

As the death toll from airstrikes escalated sharply, Guterres said life for the 400,000 civilians of Eastern Ghouta had become &quot;hell on earth&quot;.

Russia called for an urgent council meeting on Thursday to discuss the crisis in Eastern Ghouta which Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia described as a &quot;complex situation.&quot;

&quot;There are terrorists there who the Syrian army is fighting and the terrorists are shelling Damascus,&quot; Nebenzia said.

&quot;It`s a complex situation and not just a one-way street,&quot; he said, according to remarks released by the Russian mission.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley shot back, saying it was &quot;simply preposterous to claim that these attacks on civilians have anything to do with fighting terrorism.&quot;

&quot;It`s time to take immediate action in the hopes of saving the lives of the men, women, and children who are under attack by the barbaric Assad regime,&quot; she said in a statement.

The United States will support the draft resolution &quot;as should every member of the council,&quot; Haley added.

The draft resolution would pave the way for the truce to go into effect 72 hours after the adoption of the measure and for aid deliveries and medical evacuations to begin 48 hours after that.

It demands the immediate lifting of all sieges including in Eastern Ghouta, Yarmouk, Foua and Kefraya and orders all sides to &quot;cease depriving civilians of food and medicine indispensable to their survival.&quot;

In a concession to Russia, the draft was amended during tough-going negotiations last week to specify that the ceasefire does not apply to the Islamic State group or Al-Qaeda.

That would allow the Syrian government offensive to continue against Al-Qaeda-linked jihadists in Idlib, the last province in Syria outside the control of Damascus.

Some diplomats said they were hoping that Russia will abstain.

Sweden and Kuwait presented the measure to the council on February 9, but negotiations have dragged on as Syrian forces backed by Russia escalated their fierce offensive.

Close to 300 civilians have been killed since Sunday in Eastern Ghouta including 24 Syrians who died when government planes dropped barrel bombs on the town of Kafr Batna on Wednesday, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

More than 340,000 people have been killed and millions driven from the homes in the war, which next month enters its eighth year with no end in sight.

More than 13.1 million Syrians are in need of humanitarian aid, of whom 2.9 million live in besieged and hard-to-reach areas.

The push for a vote came after UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called for a halt of the 'war activities' in Eastern Ghouta, Syria`s rebel enclave which has come under a fierce bombing campaign by government forces

The UN Security Council is expected to vote, probably on Thursday, on a draft resolution demanding a 30-day ceasefire in Syria to allow deliveries of humanitarian aid and medical evacuations, diplomats said. Sweden and Kuwait, which drafted the measure, requested the vote "as soon as possible," the Swedish mission said Wednesday, adding that it will likely be scheduled for Thursday. It remained unclear whether Russia would resort to its veto to block the draft resolution. The push for a vote came after UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called for a halt of the "war activities" in Eastern Ghouta, Syria`s rebel enclave which has come under a fierce bombing campaign by government forces. As the death toll from airstrikes escalated sharply, Guterres said life for the 400,000 civilians of Eastern Ghouta had become "hell on earth". Russia called for an urgent council meeting on Thursday to discuss the crisis in Eastern Ghouta which Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia described as a "complex situation." "There are terrorists there who the Syrian army is fighting and the terrorists are shelling Damascus," Nebenzia said. "It`s a complex situation and not just a one-way street," he said, according to remarks released by the Russian mission. US Ambassador Nikki Haley shot back, saying it was "simply preposterous to claim that these attacks on civilians have anything to do with fighting terrorism." "It`s time to take immediate action in the hopes of saving the lives of the men, women, and children who are under attack by the barbaric Assad regime," she said in a statement. The United States will support the draft resolution "as should every member of the council," Haley added. The draft resolution would pave the way for the truce to go into effect 72 hours after the adoption of the measure and for aid deliveries and medical evacuations to begin 48 hours after that. It demands the immediate lifting of all sieges including in Eastern Ghouta, Yarmouk, Foua and Kefraya and orders all sides to "cease depriving civilians of food and medicine indispensable to their survival." In a concession to Russia, the draft was amended during tough-going negotiations last week to specify that the ceasefire does not apply to the Islamic State group or Al-Qaeda. That would allow the Syrian government offensive to continue against Al-Qaeda-linked jihadists in Idlib, the last province in Syria outside the control of Damascus. Some diplomats said they were hoping that Russia will abstain. Sweden and Kuwait presented the measure to the council on February 9, but negotiations have dragged on as Syrian forces backed by Russia escalated their fierce offensive. Close to 300 civilians have been killed since Sunday in Eastern Ghouta including 24 Syrians who died when government planes dropped barrel bombs on the town of Kafr Batna on Wednesday, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. More than 340,000 people have been killed and millions driven from the homes in the war, which next month enters its eighth year with no end in sight. More than 13.1 million Syrians are in need of humanitarian aid, of whom 2.9 million live in besieged and hard-to-reach areas.

UN Security Council set to vote on Syria ceasefire

According to UN Food and Agriculture&#39;s top official, Africa is home to nearly 224 million under-nourished people.&nbsp;

FAO&#39;s assistant director-general for Africa, Bukar Tijani, noted climate change and conflicts to heighten food insecurity across the continent. Conflicts in countries like Somalia, South Sudan and the Central African Republic have also increased food insecurity in the region.

Tijani spoke at a conference on Africa organised by the UN&#39;s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). He further noted that the situation in the continent was a &quot;cause of concern&quot;.

&quot;Under-nourishment appears to have increased from about 21 percent to nearly 23 percent between 2015 and 2016,&quot; Tijani noted.

&quot;Over the same period, the number of under-nourished rose from 200 million to 224 million in Africa. This is a cause of concern for all of us.&quot;

UN officials have previously warned against growing food insecurity in the region. According to the international body, food insecurity is now displacing more and more people across the continent.

Many African countries -- like South Sudan -- struggle for proper food. Proper nutrition is also one of the main issues in some African countries.

Tijani noted Africa&#39;s economy to have improved, its food and agriculture market was estimated to reach one trillion dollars by 2030.

The ongoing five-day conference in Sudan&#39;s capital will witness hundreds of delegates from across the continent. These delegates will discuss ways to eradicate hunger and food insecurity in Africa.

(With inputs from AFP)&nbsp;

Many African countries -- like South Sudan -- struggle for proper food

According to UN Food and Agriculture's top official, Africa is home to nearly 224 million under-nourished people. FAO's assistant director-general for Africa, Bukar Tijani, noted climate change and conflicts to heighten food insecurity across the continent. Conflicts in countries like Somalia, South Sudan and the Central African Republic have also increased food insecurity in the region. Tijani spoke at a conference on Africa organised by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). He further noted that the situation in the continent was a "cause of concern". "Under-nourishment appears to have increased from about 21 percent to nearly 23 percent between 2015 and 2016," Tijani noted. "Over the same period, the number of under-nourished rose from 200 million to 224 million in Africa. This is a cause of concern for all of us." UN officials have previously warned against growing food insecurity in the region. According to the international body, food insecurity is now displacing more and more people across the continent. Many African countries -- like South Sudan -- struggle for proper food. Proper nutrition is also one of the main issues in some African countries. Tijani noted Africa's economy to have improved, its food and agriculture market was estimated to reach one trillion dollars by 2030. The ongoing five-day conference in Sudan's capital will witness hundreds of delegates from across the continent. These delegates will discuss ways to eradicate hunger and food insecurity in Africa. (With inputs from AFP)

Food insecurity rising across Africa: United Nations 

In a recent report published by United Nations showed&nbsp;disturbing data revealing Afghanistan war&#39;s impact on people living in the area.

According to the report&nbsp;a total of 10,453 civilian were victims of war in 2017 of which 3,438 were killed and 7,015 were injured.

The report was released on Thursday by the UN Assitance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

However, the report also states that the number has been decreased by nine per cent in comparison to the figures of 2016.

The report further says suicide bombings and other attacks using Improvised explosive device were the reason for the highest number of casualties.

The report also says that engagements between anti-government elements and pro-government forces caused 11%&nbsp;of civilian casualties.

People who were heavily affected by the violence were woman and children.

359 women were killed and 865 were injured; in child casualties, 861 were killed and 2,318 injured.

Though the number of woman casualties has been increased by five per cent compared to 2016 data. The child casualty number was decreased by 10% compared to 2016.

Afghanistan is in the war since 2001 after American invasion in order to dismantle Al-Qaeda and removing Taliban from power.

The report was released on Thursday by the UN Assitance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

In a recent report published by United Nations showed disturbing data revealing Afghanistan war's impact on people living in the area. According to the report a total of 10,453 civilian were victims of war in 2017 of which 3,438 were killed and 7,015 were injured. The report was released on Thursday by the UN Assitance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. However, the report also states that the number has been decreased by nine per cent in comparison to the figures of 2016. The report further says suicide bombings and other attacks using Improvised explosive device were the reason for the highest number of casualties. The report also says that engagements between anti-government elements and pro-government forces caused 11% of civilian casualties. People who were heavily affected by the violence were woman and children. 359 women were killed and 865 were injured; in child casualties, 861 were killed and 2,318 injured. Though the number of woman casualties has been increased by five per cent compared to 2016 data. The child casualty number was decreased by 10% compared to 2016. Afghanistan is in the war since 2001 after American invasion in order to dismantle Al-Qaeda and removing Taliban from power.

More than 10,000 civilians killed or injured in Afghanistan conflict in 2017: UN

Myanmar is making final preparations to take back the first batch of Rohingya Muslims who had fled conflict in troubled Rakhine state, state media said on Saturday, despite growing doubts about the plan among refugees and in the United Nations.

Rakhine state chief minister Nyi Pu &ldquo;insisted on completion of the finishing touches on buildings, medical clinics and sanitation infrastructures&rdquo; during a visit to repatriation camps in the state on Friday, the Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper said.

It published a photo of his delegation standing by a long, wooden house that will be used to house returnees at the camp near the town of Maungtaw. A wire-mesh fence topped by barbed wire appears in the background of the photo.

Over 655,500 Muslim Rohingya fled to Bangladesh after the Myanmar military cracked down in the northern part of Rakhine in response to militant attacks on security forces on August 25. The United Nations described the operation as ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya, which Myanmar denies.

Myanmar will start receiving Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh at two reception centres and the temporary camp near Maungtaw starting on Tuesday and continuing over the next two years, under an agreement the two countries signed this week.

Bangladesh will provide an advance list of prospective returnees with forms attesting to their residency in Myanmar, the newspaper said. Some returnees will cross over by land and others via a river along the border, it said.

Rohingya refugees at the sprawling Kutupalong camp in Bangladesh are balking at going back until Myanmar can guarantee their safety, among other demands listed in a petition drawn up by camp leaders and shown to Reuters.

Even as Myanmar gets ready to start receiving the Rohingya next week, more of them are fleeing continued military operations in Rakhine, newly arrived refugees camp have told Reuters.

More than 100 Rohingya Muslims from northern Rakhine fled into Bangladesh and scores more were waiting to cross the Naf river that forms the border, they said.

&lsquo;Concentration camps&rsquo;

Rohingya Muslim insurgents said on Saturday the repatriation plan was &ldquo;not acceptable&rdquo; and &ldquo;the Burmese terrorist government is deceitfully and crookedly offering Rohingya refugees to settle down in so-called temporary camps&rdquo;. Burma is the former name of Myanmar.

&ldquo;Repatriated Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh will never be able to settle down in their own ancestral lands and villages, rather than spending not only the rest of their lives but also the lives of their next generations to come in those concentration camps,&rdquo; the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) said in a statement on Twitter.

Myanmar has said it would build a transit camp that can house 30,000 returnees before they are allowed to return to their &ldquo;place of origin&rdquo; or &ldquo;nearest to their place of origin.&rdquo;

Government spokesman Zaw Htay did not respond to requests for comment on the ARSA statement.

Paul Vrieze, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) spokesman in Myanmar, cautioned that the returnees must not be rushed out of Bangladesh prematurely &ldquo;without the informed consent of refugees or the basic elements of lasting solutions in place&rdquo;.

&ldquo;Further measures are also required to ensure safe, voluntary and sustainable repatriation of refugees to their places of origin and to address the underlying root causes of the crisis,&rdquo; he told Reuters.

The UNHCR, which is helping to administer the refugee camps, is not involved in the repatriation exercise between Bangladesh and Myanmar.

Rohingya refugees at the sprawling Kutupalong camp in Bangladesh are balking at going back until Myanmar can guarantee their safety

Myanmar is making final preparations to take back the first batch of Rohingya Muslims who had fled conflict in troubled Rakhine state, state media said on Saturday, despite growing doubts about the plan among refugees and in the United Nations. Rakhine state chief minister Nyi Pu “insisted on completion of the finishing touches on buildings, medical clinics and sanitation infrastructures” during a visit to repatriation camps in the state on Friday, the Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper said. It published a photo of his delegation standing by a long, wooden house that will be used to house returnees at the camp near the town of Maungtaw. A wire-mesh fence topped by barbed wire appears in the background of the photo. Over 655,500 Muslim Rohingya fled to Bangladesh after the Myanmar military cracked down in the northern part of Rakhine in response to militant attacks on security forces on August 25. The United Nations described the operation as ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya, which Myanmar denies. Myanmar will start receiving Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh at two reception centres and the temporary camp near Maungtaw starting on Tuesday and continuing over the next two years, under an agreement the two countries signed this week. Bangladesh will provide an advance list of prospective returnees with forms attesting to their residency in Myanmar, the newspaper said. Some returnees will cross over by land and others via a river along the border, it said. Rohingya refugees at the sprawling Kutupalong camp in Bangladesh are balking at going back until Myanmar can guarantee their safety, among other demands listed in a petition drawn up by camp leaders and shown to Reuters. Even as Myanmar gets ready to start receiving the Rohingya next week, more of them are fleeing continued military operations in Rakhine, newly arrived refugees camp have told Reuters. More than 100 Rohingya Muslims from northern Rakhine fled into Bangladesh and scores more were waiting to cross the Naf river that forms the border, they said. ‘Concentration camps’ Rohingya Muslim insurgents said on Saturday the repatriation plan was “not acceptable” and “the Burmese terrorist government is deceitfully and crookedly offering Rohingya refugees to settle down in so-called temporary camps”. Burma is the former name of Myanmar. “Repatriated Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh will never be able to settle down in their own ancestral lands and villages, rather than spending not only the rest of their lives but also the lives of their next generations to come in those concentration camps,” the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) said in a statement on Twitter. Myanmar has said it would build a transit camp that can house 30,000 returnees before they are allowed to return to their “place of origin” or “nearest to their place of origin.” Government spokesman Zaw Htay did not respond to requests for comment on the ARSA statement. Paul Vrieze, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) spokesman in Myanmar, cautioned that the returnees must not be rushed out of Bangladesh prematurely “without the informed consent of refugees or the basic elements of lasting solutions in place”. “Further measures are also required to ensure safe, voluntary and sustainable repatriation of refugees to their places of origin and to address the underlying root causes of the crisis,” he told Reuters. The UNHCR, which is helping to administer the refugee camps, is not involved in the repatriation exercise between Bangladesh and Myanmar.

Myanmar finalises preparations for repatriation of Rohingya Muslims

Baloch activist Mama Qadeer has revealed that<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kulbhushan-jadhav-parroted-script-given-by-pakistan-during-meeting-with-family-mother-foils-attempt-reports-27934" target="_blank"> Indian National Kulbhushan Jadhav</a> was kidnapped&nbsp;from Iran by Mullah Omar&nbsp;and&nbsp;that the pro-Pakistan statements made by him are due to&nbsp;the force and torture.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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He said that the kidnapping was directed by <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/opinion-why-i-am-disgusted-at-the-unethical-way-pakistan-treated-jadhavs-family-27949" target="_blank">Pakistan </a>which paid large sums of money to Mullah.

The activist added that Jadhav was taken to Islamabad via Quetta.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KulbhushanJadhav?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KulbhushanJadhav</a> was abducted form Iran by Mullah Omar on being given directions &amp; huge sums of money by Pakistan. Jadhav was then taken to Islamabad via Quetta, through force &amp; torture he was made to give pro-Pakistan statements: Mama Qadeer Baloch, Baloch activist <a href="https://t.co/odI2NgG43Z">pic.twitter.com/odI2NgG43Z</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/954550459649282049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Citing the strict security checking in Gwadar where the China Pakistan Economic Border is being constructed, he said &quot; While visiting Gwadar, where the so-called&nbsp;CPEC is being constructed, even a local has to cross four checkpoints how can you expect an outsider to stay there?&quot;

He added that Pakistan does not have any proof against <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-military-court-sentences-spy-kulbhushan-jadhav-to-death-india-calls-it-a-farce-14382" target="_blank">Jadhav</a>.&nbsp;

Qadeer also held the terror outfits in Pakistan responsible for every murder and&nbsp;kidnapping in Balochistan.

He said &quot; Whoever goes missing or is murdered in Balochistan, Pakistan and its agencies like ISI are responsible for it. Pakistan is running a terror&nbsp;factory, they have produced Hafiz Saeed and Syed Salahuddin&quot;.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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Whoever goes missing or is murdered in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Balochistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Balochistan</a>, Pakistan &amp; its agencies like ISI are responsible for it. Pakistan is running a terror factory, they have produced Hafiz Saeed &amp; Syed Salahuddin: Mama Qadeer Baloch, Baloch activist <a href="https://t.co/INXDdy44Hg">pic.twitter.com/INXDdy44Hg</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/954550456616935424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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There is a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/baloch-parties-hold-anti-pak-protest-in-london-23593" target="_blank">constant protest by the people of Balochistan</a> against Pakistan.

They have been revolting against the various atrocities inflicted on them.

&nbsp;

Baloch activist Mama Qadeer has revealed that Indian National Kulbhushan Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran by Mullah Omar

Baloch activist Mama Qadeer has revealed that Indian National Kulbhushan Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran by Mullah Omar and that the pro-Pakistan statements made by him are due to the force and torture. × He said that the kidnapping was directed by Pakistan which paid large sums of money to Mullah. The activist added that Jadhav was taken to Islamabad via Quetta. #KulbhushanJadhav was abducted form Iran by Mullah Omar on being given directions & huge sums of money by Pakistan. Jadhav was then taken to Islamabad via Quetta, through force & torture he was made to give pro-Pakistan statements: Mama Qadeer Baloch, Baloch activist pic.twitter.com/odI2NgG43Z — ANI (@ANI) January 20, 2018 × Citing the strict security checking in Gwadar where the China Pakistan Economic Border is being constructed, he said " While visiting Gwadar, where the so-called CPEC is being constructed, even a local has to cross four checkpoints how can you expect an outsider to stay there?" He added that Pakistan does not have any proof against Jadhav. Qadeer also held the terror outfits in Pakistan responsible for every murder and kidnapping in Balochistan. He said " Whoever goes missing or is murdered in Balochistan, Pakistan and its agencies like ISI are responsible for it. Pakistan is running a terror factory, they have produced Hafiz Saeed and Syed Salahuddin". Whoever goes missing or is murdered in #Balochistan, Pakistan & its agencies like ISI are responsible for it. Pakistan is running a terror factory, they have produced Hafiz Saeed & Syed Salahuddin: Mama Qadeer Baloch, Baloch activist pic.twitter.com/INXDdy44Hg — ANI (@ANI) January 20, 2018 × There is a constant protest by the people of Balochistan against Pakistan. They have been revolting against the various atrocities inflicted on them.

Pro-Pakistan statements by Kulbhushan Jadhav due to force and torture: Baloch activist

A woman staff member of&nbsp;the United Nations was abducted on Monday morning from the Khair Khana area of Kabul, Afghanistan.

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A staff member of United Nations &amp; her child kidnapped early Monday morning in Khair Khana in Kabul city. The woman had reportedly been on her way to drop her child off at school before heading to work when she was abducted: TOLOnews <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/955324301170786304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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According to reports, the woman was on her way to drop her child off at school before leaving for work.

The child she was dropping off was also abducted with her.

Further details of the incident are awaited.

Meanwhile, on Saturday night, six civilians were killed and three injured in the Taliban attack at the Intercontinental hotel which was scheduled to host an IT conference on January 21.

According to reports, the woman was on her way to drop her child off at school before leaving for work

A woman staff member of the United Nations was abducted on Monday morning from the Khair Khana area of Kabul, Afghanistan. A staff member of United Nations & her child kidnapped early Monday morning in Khair Khana in Kabul city. The woman had reportedly been on her way to drop her child off at school before heading to work when she was abducted: TOLOnews #Afghanistan — ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2018 × According to reports, the woman was on her way to drop her child off at school before leaving for work. The child she was dropping off was also abducted with her. Further details of the incident are awaited. Meanwhile, on Saturday night, six civilians were killed and three injured in the Taliban attack at the Intercontinental hotel which was scheduled to host an IT conference on January 21.

Afghanistan: UN staff member abducted in Kabul

Aung San&nbsp;Suu&nbsp;Kyi&nbsp;remains&nbsp;Myanmar&#39;s&nbsp;best&nbsp;hope&nbsp;for change, veteran US&nbsp;mediator Bill&nbsp;Richardson&nbsp;said on Friday, days after he got into a fight with the Nobel laureate and quite an international panel advising her government on the Rohingya crisis.

Richardson&nbsp;said&nbsp;Suu&nbsp;Kyi&nbsp;- whom he described as a long-time friend - had developed a &quot;siege mentality&quot; in her position as&nbsp;Myanmar&#39;s&nbsp;State Counsellor, the country&#39;s civilian leader, but added that Western governments should continue to engage with her.

&quot;The relationship with the West, with human rights groups, with the United Nations, with the international media is terrible,&quot; he told Reuters by phone from New Mexico on Friday.

&quot;And I think Aung San&nbsp;Suu&nbsp;Kyi&nbsp;has brought this upon herself, the constant disparagement of the international community, which I think can be helpful to her ... She seems isolated. She doesn&#39;t travel much into the country. I think she&#39;s developed a classic bubble.&quot;

Richardson&nbsp;said he resigned from the advisory board on Wednesday, during its first visit to troubled Rakhine State, saying it was conducting a &quot;whitewash&quot;.&nbsp;Suu&nbsp;Kyi&#39;s office said on Thursday her government had asked&nbsp;Richardson&nbsp;to step down and accused him of pursuing &quot;his own agenda&quot;.

Suu&nbsp;Kyi&#39;s government said on Friday it did not want discuss the details of the exchange between Suu&nbsp;Kyi&nbsp;and&nbsp;Richardson&nbsp;any further.

Around 688,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled from Rakhine to Bangladesh in recent months to escape an army crackdown following insurgent attacks on security forces.

&quot;I think the Myanmar military is to blame a lot and the only person that can turn them around, I believe, is Aung San&nbsp;Suu&nbsp;Kyi, and she should start doing that,&quot; said&nbsp;Richardson, a former US&nbsp;ambassador to the United Nations under President Bill Clinton who has also worked as a mediator with North Korea.

Richardson&nbsp;said he had informed the US&nbsp;ambassador in Yangon and the State Department of his intention to resign but had not sought their guidance.

Richardson&nbsp;said that before his trip to Myanmar, he spoke to US&nbsp;Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who visited the country in November. &quot;He called me and gave me a briefing on his visit and that was all,&quot; he told Reuters in a separate television interview.

A State Department spokesman said he could not immediately confirm details of&nbsp;Richardson&#39;s contacts.

Furious Argument

A statement on Thursday from the nine remaining members of the advisory board said they met this week &quot;with open minds&quot; and rejected&nbsp;Richardson&#39;s criticism that he feared the panel would be used as &quot;a cheerleading squad&quot;.

Richardson&nbsp;said&nbsp;Suu&nbsp;Kyi&#39;s response at a Monday night dinner was &quot;furious&quot; when he brought up the case of two Reuters reporters, who were arrested on Dec. 12 on suspicion of violatingMyanmar&#39;s&nbsp;Official Secrets Act.

&quot;She was very angry with me when I raised releasing the journalists, giving them a fair trial,&quot; he said.

&quot;She was upset when I said there should be an investigation of the mass-graves issue, that they had to increase their international support for the treatment of the Rohingyas, the terrible refugee crisis. She exploded. She was very unhappy, and it shows that she didn&#39;t want to hear frank advice.&quot;

Her office said it would not be commenting further on the exchange.

&quot;We already published a statement and also the advisory board published a statement. The judge will decide whether the journalists committed the crime or not. It is Contempt of Court. Even in America, they wouldn&#39;t involve themselves in a case while the case is ongoing in a court hearing,&quot; said Zaw Htay,&nbsp;Suu&nbsp;Kyi&#39;s spokesman.&nbsp;

Reporters Wa Lone, 31, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 27, had worked on Reuters coverage of the crisis in Rakhine.

Richardson&nbsp;said it was important for Western governments, the United Nations and&nbsp;Suu&nbsp;Kyi&nbsp;to enter into a new dialogue &quot;to try to help each other, not to keep fighting each other&quot; before any thoughts of new sanctions on Myanmar.

&quot;What we don&#39;t want is to have Aung San&nbsp;Suu&nbsp;Kyi&nbsp;just listen to ASEAN countries, China or Russia. They need engagement with the West. We&#39;re all former friends. She needs to change, and perhaps the West needs to give her another chance and not impose sanctions.&quot;

Myanmar&#39;s&nbsp;armed forces have been accused by Rohingya witnesses and human rights activists of carrying out killings, rapes and arson in Rakhine in a campaign senior officials in the United Nations and United States have described as ethnic cleansing. Myanmar rejects that label and has denied nearly all the allegations.

Bangladesh and Myanmar agreed earlier this month to complete the voluntary repatriation of all the refugees. The remaining members of the advisory board on Wednesday toured temporary camps the government has set up for returnees.

Richardson&nbsp;said he did not believe conditions were yet right for the repatriation process to begin.

&quot;I believe that the Myanmar government has emphasised speed instead of systems,&quot; he said. &quot;There&#39;s been too much emphasis on quick results rather than assuring that safety is guaranteed.&quot;

Richardson said he resigned from the advisory board on Wednesday, during its first visit to troubled Rakhine State

Aung San Suu Kyi remains Myanmar's best hope for change, veteran US mediator Bill Richardson said on Friday, days after he got into a fight with the Nobel laureate and quite an international panel advising her government on the Rohingya crisis. Richardson said Suu Kyi - whom he described as a long-time friend - had developed a "siege mentality" in her position as Myanmar's State Counsellor, the country's civilian leader, but added that Western governments should continue to engage with her. "The relationship with the West, with human rights groups, with the United Nations, with the international media is terrible," he told Reuters by phone from New Mexico on Friday. "And I think Aung San Suu Kyi has brought this upon herself, the constant disparagement of the international community, which I think can be helpful to her ... She seems isolated. She doesn't travel much into the country. I think she's developed a classic bubble." Richardson said he resigned from the advisory board on Wednesday, during its first visit to troubled Rakhine State, saying it was conducting a "whitewash". Suu Kyi's office said on Thursday her government had asked Richardson to step down and accused him of pursuing "his own agenda". Suu Kyi's government said on Friday it did not want discuss the details of the exchange between Suu Kyi and Richardson any further. Around 688,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled from Rakhine to Bangladesh in recent months to escape an army crackdown following insurgent attacks on security forces. "I think the Myanmar military is to blame a lot and the only person that can turn them around, I believe, is Aung San Suu Kyi, and she should start doing that," said Richardson, a former US ambassador to the United Nations under President Bill Clinton who has also worked as a mediator with North Korea. Richardson said he had informed the US ambassador in Yangon and the State Department of his intention to resign but had not sought their guidance. Richardson said that before his trip to Myanmar, he spoke to US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who visited the country in November. "He called me and gave me a briefing on his visit and that was all," he told Reuters in a separate television interview. A State Department spokesman said he could not immediately confirm details of Richardson's contacts. Furious Argument A statement on Thursday from the nine remaining members of the advisory board said they met this week "with open minds" and rejected Richardson's criticism that he feared the panel would be used as "a cheerleading squad". Richardson said Suu Kyi's response at a Monday night dinner was "furious" when he brought up the case of two Reuters reporters, who were arrested on Dec. 12 on suspicion of violatingMyanmar's Official Secrets Act. "She was very angry with me when I raised releasing the journalists, giving them a fair trial," he said. "She was upset when I said there should be an investigation of the mass-graves issue, that they had to increase their international support for the treatment of the Rohingyas, the terrible refugee crisis. She exploded. She was very unhappy, and it shows that she didn't want to hear frank advice." Her office said it would not be commenting further on the exchange. "We already published a statement and also the advisory board published a statement. The judge will decide whether the journalists committed the crime or not. It is Contempt of Court. Even in America, they wouldn't involve themselves in a case while the case is ongoing in a court hearing," said Zaw Htay, Suu Kyi's spokesman. Reporters Wa Lone, 31, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 27, had worked on Reuters coverage of the crisis in Rakhine. Richardson said it was important for Western governments, the United Nations and Suu Kyi to enter into a new dialogue "to try to help each other, not to keep fighting each other" before any thoughts of new sanctions on Myanmar. "What we don't want is to have Aung San Suu Kyi just listen to ASEAN countries, China or Russia. They need engagement with the West. We're all former friends. She needs to change, and perhaps the West needs to give her another chance and not impose sanctions." Myanmar's armed forces have been accused by Rohingya witnesses and human rights activists of carrying out killings, rapes and arson in Rakhine in a campaign senior officials in the United Nations and United States have described as ethnic cleansing. Myanmar rejects that label and has denied nearly all the allegations. Bangladesh and Myanmar agreed earlier this month to complete the voluntary repatriation of all the refugees. The remaining members of the advisory board on Wednesday toured temporary camps the government has set up for returnees. Richardson said he did not believe conditions were yet right for the repatriation process to begin. "I believe that the Myanmar government has emphasised speed instead of systems," he said. "There's been too much emphasis on quick results rather than assuring that safety is guaranteed."

Aung Suu Kyi remains Myanmar's best hope: US mediator Bill Richardson

The UN Security Council will travel to Washington on Monday to inspect debris from missiles allegedly provided by Iran to Yemen&#39;s Huthi rebels and hold meetings at the White House, diplomats said.

The ambassadors are expected to meet with President Donald Trump as the US administration seeks international action against Iran, diplomats said.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley last month presented the fragments as &quot;undeniable&quot; evidence that a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-intercepts-yemen-rebel-missile-over-riyadh-state-media-27194" target="_blank">ballistic missile fired by Yemen&#39;s Huthi rebels at Saudi Arabia</a> in November was Iranian-made.

That claim was bolstered when a UN panel of experts concluded in a recent report to the council that Iran had violated the arms embargo on Yemen by failing to block supplies of missiles to the rebels.

Haley has invited her UN counterparts to see the missile debris stored in a warehouse at a Washington military base.&nbsp;

&quot;The evidence is undeniable. The weapons might as well have had &#39;Made in Iran&#39; stickers all over it,&quot; Haley told a press conference last month.

The &quot;evidence&quot; stored in Washington includes other pieces of military material allegedly provided by Iran including fragments of an anti-tank missile and drones.

Iran has strongly denied arming the Huthis and last month accused Haley of presenting &quot;fabricated&quot; evidence that the November 4 missile fired at Riyadh airport was Iranian-made.

Haley is seeking to persuade the Security Council to take action against Iran, possibly by imposing sanctions, but will likely face opposition from Russia, which has friendly ties with Tehran.

A separate report last month said UN officials had examined the missile fragments and found that they were of &quot;common origin&quot; but they were unable to reach any firm conclusions about whether Iran was the source.

The US mission did not immediately respond to a request for information about the council visit to Washington.

It will be the second time that the top UN envoys meet with Trump, who sat down for a lunch meeting with the ambassadors in April last year.

Relations between the United Nations and the US administration have been strained over Trump&#39;s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital, his threats to scrap the Iran nuclear deal and funding cuts.

The council voted 14-1 to reject Trump&#39;s Jerusalem decision, prompting Haley to resort to the US veto to block the condemnation.

The General Assembly later approved by a vote of 128 to 9, with 35 abstentions, the same resolution.

The ambassadors are expected to meet with President Donald Trump as the US administration seeks international action against Iran

The UN Security Council will travel to Washington on Monday to inspect debris from missiles allegedly provided by Iran to Yemen's Huthi rebels and hold meetings at the White House, diplomats said. The ambassadors are expected to meet with President Donald Trump as the US administration seeks international action against Iran, diplomats said. US Ambassador Nikki Haley last month presented the fragments as "undeniable" evidence that a ballistic missile fired by Yemen's Huthi rebels at Saudi Arabia in November was Iranian-made. That claim was bolstered when a UN panel of experts concluded in a recent report to the council that Iran had violated the arms embargo on Yemen by failing to block supplies of missiles to the rebels. Haley has invited her UN counterparts to see the missile debris stored in a warehouse at a Washington military base. "The evidence is undeniable. The weapons might as well have had 'Made in Iran' stickers all over it," Haley told a press conference last month. The "evidence" stored in Washington includes other pieces of military material allegedly provided by Iran including fragments of an anti-tank missile and drones. Iran has strongly denied arming the Huthis and last month accused Haley of presenting "fabricated" evidence that the November 4 missile fired at Riyadh airport was Iranian-made. Haley is seeking to persuade the Security Council to take action against Iran, possibly by imposing sanctions, but will likely face opposition from Russia, which has friendly ties with Tehran. A separate report last month said UN officials had examined the missile fragments and found that they were of "common origin" but they were unable to reach any firm conclusions about whether Iran was the source. The US mission did not immediately respond to a request for information about the council visit to Washington. It will be the second time that the top UN envoys meet with Trump, who sat down for a lunch meeting with the ambassadors in April last year. Relations between the United Nations and the US administration have been strained over Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, his threats to scrap the Iran nuclear deal and funding cuts. The council voted 14-1 to reject Trump's Jerusalem decision, prompting Haley to resort to the US veto to block the condemnation. The General Assembly later approved by a vote of 128 to 9, with 35 abstentions, the same resolution.

UN Security Council to inspect 'Iranian-made' missile debris

US Ambassador Nikki Haley has slammed rumors that she was having an affair with President Donald Trump as &ldquo;highly offensive&rdquo; and &ldquo;disgusting.&rdquo;

The rumors stem from author Michael Wolff of the best-seller &ldquo;Fire and Fury,&rdquo; who suggested in an interview that Trump was having an affair and that the liaison was with someone detailed in his book.

Wolff wrote in his book that Haley, the most high-profile woman in Trump&rsquo;s administration, was positioning herself as the president&rsquo;s heir apparent.

In an interview with Politico&rsquo;s Women Rule podcast on Thursday, Haley shot down talk of being romantically involved with the US president.

&ldquo;It is absolutely not true,&rdquo; Haley said. &ldquo;It is highly offensive, and it&rsquo;s disgusting.&rdquo;

She hit back at Wolff&rsquo;s assertion in his book that she was spending a lot of private time with Trump on his presidential plane and in the Oval Office.

&ldquo;I have literally been on Air Force One once and there were several people in the room when I was there,&rdquo; Haley said.

&ldquo;He says that I&rsquo;ve been talking a lot with the president in the Oval about my political future. I&rsquo;ve never talked once to the president about my future and I am never alone with him.&rdquo;

Haley attributed the rumors to sexism from a &ldquo;small group of men&rdquo; uneasy with strong-willed women.

&ldquo;Most men respect women but there is a small group of men, that if you just do your job and you try and do it well and you are outspoken about it, they resent it. And they think the only option is to bring you down,&rdquo; she said.

The former South Carolina governor who backed Trump rival Marco Rubio for the Republican nomination said she and Trump are in agreement on almost all policy issues.

&ldquo;We get along great, and I agree with almost everything that he has done,&rdquo; she said.

The online speculation was instigated by 'Fire and Fury' author Michael Wolff, who dropped hints on HBO's 'Real Time with Bill Maher' last week

US Ambassador Nikki Haley has slammed rumors that she was having an affair with President Donald Trump as “highly offensive” and “disgusting.” The rumors stem from author Michael Wolff of the best-seller “Fire and Fury,” who suggested in an interview that Trump was having an affair and that the liaison was with someone detailed in his book. Wolff wrote in his book that Haley, the most high-profile woman in Trump’s administration, was positioning herself as the president’s heir apparent. In an interview with Politico’s Women Rule podcast on Thursday, Haley shot down talk of being romantically involved with the US president. “It is absolutely not true,” Haley said. “It is highly offensive, and it’s disgusting.” She hit back at Wolff’s assertion in his book that she was spending a lot of private time with Trump on his presidential plane and in the Oval Office. “I have literally been on Air Force One once and there were several people in the room when I was there,” Haley said. “He says that I’ve been talking a lot with the president in the Oval about my political future. I’ve never talked once to the president about my future and I am never alone with him.” Haley attributed the rumors to sexism from a “small group of men” uneasy with strong-willed women. “Most men respect women but there is a small group of men, that if you just do your job and you try and do it well and you are outspoken about it, they resent it. And they think the only option is to bring you down,” she said. The former South Carolina governor who backed Trump rival Marco Rubio for the Republican nomination said she and Trump are in agreement on almost all policy issues. “We get along great, and I agree with almost everything that he has done,” she said.

Nikki Haley slams rumours of affair with Trump as 'highly offensive', 'disgusting'

Pakistan has again raked up the Kashmir issue at the UN Security Council and accused it of &quot;selectively&quot; implementing its resolution on the matter.

Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistan&#39;s Permanent Representative to the UN, sought periodic review of the implementation of the UN Security Council&#39;s decades-old resolution on the issue.

&quot;Nothing undermines the credibility of the Council more than &#39;selective&#39; implementation of its resolutions,&quot; Lodhi said during an open debate of the Security Council on its working methods.

&quot;The Council should therefore periodically review the implementation of its resolutions, especially on longstanding issues like the Jammu and Kashmir dispute,&quot; she said.

She said the failure of the Council to enforce its own resolutions &quot;undercuts not just the Council&#39;s standing in the world, but the UN as well&quot;.

According to the top Pakistani diplomat, the best way to enhance the democratic and representative character of the Security Council is to reinforce this norm of accountability, and not to support any actions that threaten to undermine or reverse these ideals.

The Council, she said, should be more transparent and balanced in the working of its subsidiary organs.

Elected members should have a more equitable representation of these organs.

India is opposed to any third-party intervention in resolving the Kashmir issue while Pakistan has continuously sought mediation to sort out the differences. Pakistan often raises the issue at various international platforms.

"Nothing undermines the credibility of the Council more than 'selective' implementation of its resolutions," Lodhi said

Pakistan has again raked up the Kashmir issue at the UN Security Council and accused it of "selectively" implementing its resolution on the matter. Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN, sought periodic review of the implementation of the UN Security Council's decades-old resolution on the issue. "Nothing undermines the credibility of the Council more than 'selective' implementation of its resolutions," Lodhi said during an open debate of the Security Council on its working methods. "The Council should therefore periodically review the implementation of its resolutions, especially on longstanding issues like the Jammu and Kashmir dispute," she said. She said the failure of the Council to enforce its own resolutions "undercuts not just the Council's standing in the world, but the UN as well". According to the top Pakistani diplomat, the best way to enhance the democratic and representative character of the Security Council is to reinforce this norm of accountability, and not to support any actions that threaten to undermine or reverse these ideals. The Council, she said, should be more transparent and balanced in the working of its subsidiary organs. Elected members should have a more equitable representation of these organs. India is opposed to any third-party intervention in resolving the Kashmir issue while Pakistan has continuously sought mediation to sort out the differences. Pakistan often raises the issue at various international platforms.

Pakistan again rakes up Kashmir issue at UN

Nepal&#39;s restrictions on woman migrating for work are discriminatory and inconsistent with international law, a United Nations rights official said today during a visit to the country.

Nepal last year introduced a ban on women working as domestic helpers in the Gulf, one of various laws passed over the last decade to protect female migrant workers from sexual exploitation.

&quot;These bans are ineffective and create the consequence that women migrate through irregular channels and become victims of trafficking,&quot; said the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, Felipe Gonzalez Morales.

&quot;They (the government) don&#39;t realise it&#39;s discrimination, but these policies are inconsistent with international law and should be lifted.&quot; 
 
Nearly half a million Nepalese migrated for work in 2015/16, according to the latest available government data, and migrant remittances account for over a third of the country&#39;s GDP.

The vast majority are men working in construction in the Gulf and Malaysia, but around 20,000 women also left that year despite various laws that restrict female migration.

In recent years Nepal has introduced a minimum age limit for female migrant workers, prevented mothers with children under two from leaving the country for work, and most recently banned women from domestic work in the Gulf, though enforcement has been patchy.

&quot;The government is trying to make a statement that they are protecting (women). But this can be done through other means,&quot; Morales said.

Morales was speaking after an eight-day visit to the impoverished Himalayan nation to assess the recruitment processes for Nepalis working abroad.

Nepal&#39;s government has been criticised for failing to protect migrant workers from exorbitant fees charged by recruitment agencies that leave them mired in debt and trapped in jobs overseas.

In 2015 it banned agencies from charging migrants for flights and visas, but enforcement has been weak. Some suspect authorities are reluctant to clamp down on the lucrative industry.

&quot;Everyone agrees that there is a big problem in the recruitment process, but there doesn&#39;t seem to be a concrete plan to take steps to have the employers paying for this, which would be the solution according to international standards,&quot; said Morales.

Nepal&#39;s reliance on the cash flow from citizens overseas leaves it vulnerable to changes in host countries.

Political instability in Qatar and an economic slowdown in Saudi Arabia -- the two largest recipient countries of Nepali workers -- saw the number of new arrivals from Nepal slump at the end of last year.

Remittances declined by 1.4 per cent in the same period, a tiny drop that still resulted in Nepal&#39;s current account balance slipping into the red, according to central bank figures.

Nepal last year introduced a ban on women working as domestic helpers in the Gulf, one of various laws passed over the last decade to protect female migrant workers from sexual exploitation

Nepal's restrictions on woman migrating for work are discriminatory and inconsistent with international law, a United Nations rights official said today during a visit to the country. Nepal last year introduced a ban on women working as domestic helpers in the Gulf, one of various laws passed over the last decade to protect female migrant workers from sexual exploitation. "These bans are ineffective and create the consequence that women migrate through irregular channels and become victims of trafficking," said the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, Felipe Gonzalez Morales. "They (the government) don't realise it's discrimination, but these policies are inconsistent with international law and should be lifted." Nearly half a million Nepalese migrated for work in 2015/16, according to the latest available government data, and migrant remittances account for over a third of the country's GDP. The vast majority are men working in construction in the Gulf and Malaysia, but around 20,000 women also left that year despite various laws that restrict female migration. In recent years Nepal has introduced a minimum age limit for female migrant workers, prevented mothers with children under two from leaving the country for work, and most recently banned women from domestic work in the Gulf, though enforcement has been patchy. "The government is trying to make a statement that they are protecting (women). But this can be done through other means," Morales said. Morales was speaking after an eight-day visit to the impoverished Himalayan nation to assess the recruitment processes for Nepalis working abroad. Nepal's government has been criticised for failing to protect migrant workers from exorbitant fees charged by recruitment agencies that leave them mired in debt and trapped in jobs overseas. In 2015 it banned agencies from charging migrants for flights and visas, but enforcement has been weak. Some suspect authorities are reluctant to clamp down on the lucrative industry. "Everyone agrees that there is a big problem in the recruitment process, but there doesn't seem to be a concrete plan to take steps to have the employers paying for this, which would be the solution according to international standards," said Morales. Nepal's reliance on the cash flow from citizens overseas leaves it vulnerable to changes in host countries. Political instability in Qatar and an economic slowdown in Saudi Arabia -- the two largest recipient countries of Nepali workers -- saw the number of new arrivals from Nepal slump at the end of last year. Remittances declined by 1.4 per cent in the same period, a tiny drop that still resulted in Nepal's current account balance slipping into the red, according to central bank figures.

Nepal ban on women migrants violates rights: United Nations

Hundreds of thousands of Greeks rallied outside parliament in Athens on Sunday to protest against the use of the term Macedonia in any settlement the government pursues with the ex-Yugoslav Republic to end a decades-old name row.

According to the law enforcement data, 283 buses brought the protesters to the demonstration site. The demonstration&rsquo;s organizers said that over a million people had been a part of&nbsp;the rally up till Sunday night.

The two countries have agreed to step up negotiations, mediated by the United Nations, this year to settle the dispute, which has frustrated the aspirations of Greece&rsquo;s small northern neighbour to join NATO and the European Union.

Thoroughfares in central Athens turned into a sea of people waving blue and white Greek flags in what locals said was the largest gathering in decades, easily outdoing rallies against austerity foisted by lenders on the crisis-hit country.

Greece objects to Macedonia&rsquo;s name because it has its own region called Macedonia, and argues that its neighbour&rsquo;s use of the name, along with contentious articles in its constitution, imply territorial claims over Greek land.

According to media reports, the police officials are trying to get the situation in control between the far-right and far-left protesters after the far-right demonstrators reportedly attempted to attack anarchists with stones, flag poles, and stun grenades.

Reports further said that the police had to resort to using tear gas against demonstrators.

Protesters hoisted a giant Greek flag over the demonstration with a crane on Sunday. They held banners reading &ldquo;Hands off Macedonia!&rdquo; and chanted the national anthem.

Greece considers the name &quot;Macedonia&quot; to be part of its own cultural heritage, as it is also the name of a historic Greek province that was the core of Alexander the Great&#39;s ancient empire.

Athens thus seeks guarantees that the use of the name by its neighbour implies no claim to parts of its own territory.

Because of Greece&#39;s objections, Macedonia in 1993 joined the United Nations as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

To break the deadlock, longterm UN mediator Matthew Nimetz has now proposed several alternative names in Macedonian, including &quot;Republika Nova Makedonija&quot; or the &quot;Republic of New Macedonia&quot;.

Tsipras&#39; government says it is ready to accept a composite name that will establish a clear distinction from Greek Macedonia.

A resolution of the issue is needed before Macedonia can join NATO or the EU.

Greece in 2008 threatened to veto Macedonia&#39;s NATO entry. Skopje subsequently took the issue to the International Court of Justice, which said Athens had been wrong to block its land-locked neighbour&#39;s aspirations.

 
&nbsp;

The two countries have agreed to step up negotiations, mediated by the United Nations, this year to settle the dispute, which has frustrated the aspirations of Greece’s small northern neighbour to join NATO and the European Union

Hundreds of thousands of Greeks rallied outside parliament in Athens on Sunday to protest against the use of the term Macedonia in any settlement the government pursues with the ex-Yugoslav Republic to end a decades-old name row. According to the law enforcement data, 283 buses brought the protesters to the demonstration site. The demonstration’s organizers said that over a million people had been a part of the rally up till Sunday night. The two countries have agreed to step up negotiations, mediated by the United Nations, this year to settle the dispute, which has frustrated the aspirations of Greece’s small northern neighbour to join NATO and the European Union. Thoroughfares in central Athens turned into a sea of people waving blue and white Greek flags in what locals said was the largest gathering in decades, easily outdoing rallies against austerity foisted by lenders on the crisis-hit country. Greece objects to Macedonia’s name because it has its own region called Macedonia, and argues that its neighbour’s use of the name, along with contentious articles in its constitution, imply territorial claims over Greek land. According to media reports, the police officials are trying to get the situation in control between the far-right and far-left protesters after the far-right demonstrators reportedly attempted to attack anarchists with stones, flag poles, and stun grenades. Reports further said that the police had to resort to using tear gas against demonstrators. Protesters hoisted a giant Greek flag over the demonstration with a crane on Sunday. They held banners reading “Hands off Macedonia!” and chanted the national anthem. Greece considers the name "Macedonia" to be part of its own cultural heritage, as it is also the name of a historic Greek province that was the core of Alexander the Great's ancient empire. Athens thus seeks guarantees that the use of the name by its neighbour implies no claim to parts of its own territory. Because of Greece's objections, Macedonia in 1993 joined the United Nations as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). To break the deadlock, longterm UN mediator Matthew Nimetz has now proposed several alternative names in Macedonian, including "Republika Nova Makedonija" or the "Republic of New Macedonia". Tsipras' government says it is ready to accept a composite name that will establish a clear distinction from Greek Macedonia. A resolution of the issue is needed before Macedonia can join NATO or the EU. Greece in 2008 threatened to veto Macedonia's NATO entry. Skopje subsequently took the issue to the International Court of Justice, which said Athens had been wrong to block its land-locked neighbour's aspirations.

Millions of Greeks rally over Macedonia name row

North Korea violated United Nations sanctions to earn nearly $200 million in 2017 from banned commodity exports, according to a confidential report by independent UN&nbsp;monitors, which also accused Pyongyang of supplying weapons to Syria and Myanmar.

The report to a UN&nbsp;Security Council sanctions committee, seen by Reuters on Friday, said North Korea had shipped coal to ports, including in Russia, China, South Korea, Malaysia and Vietnam, mainly using false paperwork that showed countries such as Russia and China as the coal origin, instead of North Korea.

The 15-member council has unanimously boosted sanctions on North Korea since 2006 in a bid to choke funding for Pyongyang&#39;s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, banning exports including coal, iron, lead, textiles and seafood, and capping imports of crude oil and refined petroleum products.

&quot;The DPRK (North Korea) is already flouting the most recent resolutions by exploiting global oil supply chains, complicit foreign nationals, offshore company registries and the international banking system,&quot; the UN&nbsp;monitors wrote in the 213-page report.

The North Korean mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the UN report. Russia and China have repeatedly said they are implementing UN&nbsp;sanctions on North Korea.

Syria Myanmar

The monitors said they had investigated ongoing ballistic missile cooperation between Syria and Myanmar, including more than 40 previously unreported North Korea shipments between 2012 and 2017 to Syria&#39;s Scientific Studies and Research Centre, which oversees the country&#39;s chemical weapons program.

The investigation has shown &quot;further evidence of arms embargo and other violations, including through the transfer of items with utility in ballistic missile and chemical weapons programs,&quot; the UN&nbsp;monitors wrote.

They also inspected cargo from two North Korea shipments intercepted by unidentified countries en route to Syria. Both contained acid-resistant tiles that could cover an area equal to a large scale industrial project, the monitors reported.

One country, which was not identified, told the monitors the seized shipments can &quot;be used to build bricks for the interior wall of a chemical factory.&quot;

Syria agreed to destroy its chemical weapons in 2013. However, diplomats and weapons inspectors suspect Syria may have secretly maintained or developed a new chemical weapons capability.

The Syrian mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the UN&nbsp;report.

The UN&nbsp;monitors also said one country, which they did not identify, reported it had evidence that Myanmar received ballistic missile systems from North Korea, along with conventional weapons, including multiple rocket launchers and surface-to-air missiles.

Myanmar UN&nbsp;Ambassador Hau Do Suan said the Myanmar government &quot;has no ongoing arms relationship, whatsoever, with North Korea&quot; and is abiding by the UN&nbsp;Security Council resolutions.

Banned exports, imports

Under a 2016 resolution, the UN&nbsp;Security Council capped coal exports and required countries to report any imports of North Korean coal to the council sanctions committee. It then banned all exports of coal by North Korea on Aug. 5.

The UN&nbsp;monitors investigated 16 coal shipments between January and Aug. 5 to ports in Russia, China, Malaysia and Vietnam. They said Malaysia reported one shipment to the council committee and the remaining 15 shipments violated sanctions.

After the coal ban was imposed on Aug. 5, the UN&nbsp;monitors investigated 23 coal shipments to ports in Russia, China, South Korea and Vietnam. The UN&nbsp;monitors said all those shipments &quot;would constitute a violation of the resolution, if confirmed.&quot;

&quot;The DPRK combined deceptive navigation patterns, signals manipulation, transshipments as well as fraudulent documentation to obscure the origin of the coal,&quot; the monitors said.

The UN&nbsp;monitors &quot;also investigated cases of ship-to-ship transfers of petroleum products in violation (of UN&nbsp;sanctions) ... and found that the network behind these vessels is primarily based in Taiwan province of China.&quot;

The monitors said one country, which they did not name, told them North Korea had carried out such transfers off its ports of Wonsan and Nampo and in international waters between the Yellow Sea and East China Sea between October and January.

The report said several multinational oil companies, which were not named, were also being investigated for roles in the supply chain of petroleum products transferred to North Korea.

North Korea violated United Nations sanctions to earn nearly $200 million in 2017 from banned commodity exports, according to a confidential report by independent UN monitors, which also accused Pyongyang of supplying weapons to Syria and Myanmar

North Korea violated United Nations sanctions to earn nearly $200 million in 2017 from banned commodity exports, according to a confidential report by independent UN monitors, which also accused Pyongyang of supplying weapons to Syria and Myanmar. The report to a UN Security Council sanctions committee, seen by Reuters on Friday, said North Korea had shipped coal to ports, including in Russia, China, South Korea, Malaysia and Vietnam, mainly using false paperwork that showed countries such as Russia and China as the coal origin, instead of North Korea. The 15-member council has unanimously boosted sanctions on North Korea since 2006 in a bid to choke funding for Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic missile programs, banning exports including coal, iron, lead, textiles and seafood, and capping imports of crude oil and refined petroleum products. "The DPRK (North Korea) is already flouting the most recent resolutions by exploiting global oil supply chains, complicit foreign nationals, offshore company registries and the international banking system," the UN monitors wrote in the 213-page report. The North Korean mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the UN report. Russia and China have repeatedly said they are implementing UN sanctions on North Korea. Syria Myanmar The monitors said they had investigated ongoing ballistic missile cooperation between Syria and Myanmar, including more than 40 previously unreported North Korea shipments between 2012 and 2017 to Syria's Scientific Studies and Research Centre, which oversees the country's chemical weapons program. The investigation has shown "further evidence of arms embargo and other violations, including through the transfer of items with utility in ballistic missile and chemical weapons programs," the UN monitors wrote. They also inspected cargo from two North Korea shipments intercepted by unidentified countries en route to Syria. Both contained acid-resistant tiles that could cover an area equal to a large scale industrial project, the monitors reported. One country, which was not identified, told the monitors the seized shipments can "be used to build bricks for the interior wall of a chemical factory." Syria agreed to destroy its chemical weapons in 2013. However, diplomats and weapons inspectors suspect Syria may have secretly maintained or developed a new chemical weapons capability. The Syrian mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the UN report. The UN monitors also said one country, which they did not identify, reported it had evidence that Myanmar received ballistic missile systems from North Korea, along with conventional weapons, including multiple rocket launchers and surface-to-air missiles. Myanmar UN Ambassador Hau Do Suan said the Myanmar government "has no ongoing arms relationship, whatsoever, with North Korea" and is abiding by the UN Security Council resolutions. Banned exports, imports Under a 2016 resolution, the UN Security Council capped coal exports and required countries to report any imports of North Korean coal to the council sanctions committee. It then banned all exports of coal by North Korea on Aug. 5. The UN monitors investigated 16 coal shipments between January and Aug. 5 to ports in Russia, China, Malaysia and Vietnam. They said Malaysia reported one shipment to the council committee and the remaining 15 shipments violated sanctions. After the coal ban was imposed on Aug. 5, the UN monitors investigated 23 coal shipments to ports in Russia, China, South Korea and Vietnam. The UN monitors said all those shipments "would constitute a violation of the resolution, if confirmed." "The DPRK combined deceptive navigation patterns, signals manipulation, transshipments as well as fraudulent documentation to obscure the origin of the coal," the monitors said. The UN monitors "also investigated cases of ship-to-ship transfers of petroleum products in violation (of UN sanctions) ... and found that the network behind these vessels is primarily based in Taiwan province of China." The monitors said one country, which they did not name, told them North Korea had carried out such transfers off its ports of Wonsan and Nampo and in international waters between the Yellow Sea and East China Sea between October and January. The report said several multinational oil companies, which were not named, were also being investigated for roles in the supply chain of petroleum products transferred to North Korea.

North Korea earned $200 million from banned exports, sends arms to Syria, Myanmar: UN report

Myanmar&#39;s government has told the Security Council that this month was &quot;not the right time&quot; for a visit by the top UN body to see first-hand the Rohingya refugee crisis, the council president said on Thursday. 
 
Kuwait&#39;s Ambassador Mansour al-Otaibi said Myanmar authorities were not opposed to such a visit, which could take place in March or April. 
 
&quot;They just think that this is not the right time for a visit,&quot; Otaibi, who holds the council presidency for February, told reporters at UN headquarters. 
 
The council has demanded that hundreds of thousands of Muslim Rohingya who were driven out of Rakhine state during an army crackdown be allowed to return. 
 
The ambassador said Myanmar authorities were trying to organize a visit for diplomats based in the country and had emphasized that &quot;tensions are high in Rakhine state at the moment.&quot; 
 
Nearly 700,000 Rohingya have crossed into Bangladesh and are living in refugee camps since August following the campaign that the United Nations has said was tantamount to ethnic cleansing. 
 
Last month, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution calling on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to name a special envoy for Myanmar, but that appointment has yet to be made. 
 
China, a supporter of Myanmar&#39;s former ruling junta, and Russia voted against the resolution.&nbsp;

Myanmar's government has told the Security Council that this month was "not the right time" for a visit by the top UN body to see first-hand the Rohingya refugee crisis

Myanmar's government has told the Security Council that this month was "not the right time" for a visit by the top UN body to see first-hand the Rohingya refugee crisis, the council president said on Thursday. Kuwait's Ambassador Mansour al-Otaibi said Myanmar authorities were not opposed to such a visit, which could take place in March or April. "They just think that this is not the right time for a visit," Otaibi, who holds the council presidency for February, told reporters at UN headquarters. The council has demanded that hundreds of thousands of Muslim Rohingya who were driven out of Rakhine state during an army crackdown be allowed to return. The ambassador said Myanmar authorities were trying to organize a visit for diplomats based in the country and had emphasized that "tensions are high in Rakhine state at the moment." Nearly 700,000 Rohingya have crossed into Bangladesh and are living in refugee camps since August following the campaign that the United Nations has said was tantamount to ethnic cleansing. Last month, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution calling on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to name a special envoy for Myanmar, but that appointment has yet to be made. China, a supporter of Myanmar's former ruling junta, and Russia voted against the resolution.

Myanmar turns down UN Security Council visit

A United Nations humanitarian task force has been unable to make deliveries to desperate Syrians for the past two months as President Bashar al-Assad&rsquo;s government has withheld approval for aid convoys, the UN humanitarian adviser said on Thursday.

Before they can move into besieged areas or across front lines, the convoys require letters from the government and security guarantees from armed groups.

&ldquo;It&rsquo;s an all-time low in giving us the facilitation letters,&rdquo; adviser Jan Egeland told reporters after meeting senior diplomats in Geneva.

Insurgents fighting Assad&rsquo;s forces were also creating obstacles, contributing to the worst situation since 2015, he said.

Egeland called on Russia, Turkey and Iran to de-escalate the fighting in Idlib governorate, which he said was &ldquo;screaming for a ceasefire&rdquo;.

&ldquo;When we need their ability to influence the parties the most, in this bleak hour for humanitarian work, humanitarian diplomacy seems to be totally impotent. We&rsquo;re getting nowhere at the moment.&rdquo;

This week Russia convened a Syrian peace congress in Sochi. Egeland said it had so far not resulted in any progress but he hoped that it would.

Air strikes hit two crowded markets in Idlib this week, killing at least 31 people, and have deprived hundreds of thousands of healthcare.

&ldquo;I told the members of the humanitarian task force, we cannot have conventional warfare in what is essentially a refugee camp,&rdquo; Egeland said.

Further north, a Turkish offensive in Afrin district has displaced about 15,000 people, Egeland said, adding: &ldquo;There are also reports...that local authorities have made it hard for people to flee from the Afrin area.&rdquo;

And outside Damascus, the rebel-held enclave of Eastern Ghouta, where almost 400,000 people are under siege and about 750 need urgent medical evacuation, desperately needs a pause in the fighting, he said.

&ldquo;We have indications from both sides that they want it, but it hasn&rsquo;t happened. And it&rsquo;s both sides that have to help us here. There are air raids, fighting from the government side, but there is a barrage of mortars and grenades going from this area going into civilian neighbourhoods in Damascus.&rdquo;

He also said 112 people had been killed by explosions in the town of Raqqa since it was recaptured from Islamic State fighters in October because people had been allowed back to their homes before the town had been cleared of bombs.

A United Nations humanitarian task force has been unable to make deliveries to desperate Syrians for the past two months as President Bashar al-Assad’s government has withheld approval for aid convoys, the UN humanitarian adviser said on Thursday

A United Nations humanitarian task force has been unable to make deliveries to desperate Syrians for the past two months as President Bashar al-Assad’s government has withheld approval for aid convoys, the UN humanitarian adviser said on Thursday. Before they can move into besieged areas or across front lines, the convoys require letters from the government and security guarantees from armed groups. “It’s an all-time low in giving us the facilitation letters,” adviser Jan Egeland told reporters after meeting senior diplomats in Geneva. Insurgents fighting Assad’s forces were also creating obstacles, contributing to the worst situation since 2015, he said. Egeland called on Russia, Turkey and Iran to de-escalate the fighting in Idlib governorate, which he said was “screaming for a ceasefire”. “When we need their ability to influence the parties the most, in this bleak hour for humanitarian work, humanitarian diplomacy seems to be totally impotent. We’re getting nowhere at the moment.” This week Russia convened a Syrian peace congress in Sochi. Egeland said it had so far not resulted in any progress but he hoped that it would. Air strikes hit two crowded markets in Idlib this week, killing at least 31 people, and have deprived hundreds of thousands of healthcare. “I told the members of the humanitarian task force, we cannot have conventional warfare in what is essentially a refugee camp,” Egeland said. Further north, a Turkish offensive in Afrin district has displaced about 15,000 people, Egeland said, adding: “There are also reports...that local authorities have made it hard for people to flee from the Afrin area.” And outside Damascus, the rebel-held enclave of Eastern Ghouta, where almost 400,000 people are under siege and about 750 need urgent medical evacuation, desperately needs a pause in the fighting, he said. “We have indications from both sides that they want it, but it hasn’t happened. And it’s both sides that have to help us here. There are air raids, fighting from the government side, but there is a barrage of mortars and grenades going from this area going into civilian neighbourhoods in Damascus.” He also said 112 people had been killed by explosions in the town of Raqqa since it was recaptured from Islamic State fighters in October because people had been allowed back to their homes before the town had been cleared of bombs.

UN calls on Russia, Iran and Turkey to break Syria aid deadlock

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