Saudi Arabia joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organization

Saudi Arabia joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organization

Saudi Arabia joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Saudi Arabia has joined the organization as a dialogue partner, a first step towards full membership. Despite US reservations, Saudi Arabia wants a long-term partnership with China. According to the official Saudi news agency, Saudi Arabia has approved a memorandum of understanding that will make the state a…

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First Minister Hamza Yusuf along with his family reached the official residence

First Minister Hamza Yusuf along with his family reached the official residence

Photo courtesy of Hamza Yusuf/Twitter After taking the oath of office, the newly elected first minister of Pakistani origin, Hamza Yusuf, along with his family, reached the official residence of the first minister. Hamza Yusuf broke the fast in Beauthouse Edinburgh, the family also offered prayers under the leadership of Hamza Yusuf. Hamza Yusuf was…

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General Assembly votes to seek world court’s opinion, in quest for ‘bolder’ climate action

General Assembly votes to seek world court’s opinion, in quest for ‘bolder’ climate action

The resolution was put forward by the cyclone-battered Pacific Island nation of Vanuatu, supported by a “core group” of 17 countries from various regions, and is focused on the adverse impacts of climate change on small island developing States as well as climate justice.  The ICJ, also known as the world court, is the UN’s…

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WHO supports Equatorial Guinea in combatting country’s first-ever deadly Marburg virus outbreak

Marburg virus outbreaks highlight link between health and planet: Tedros

Speaking to reporters in Geneva, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that in Equatorial Guinea, WHO is on the ground supporting the outbreak response.  “We have deployed teams to assist with case finding, clinical care, logistics, and community engagement. We have also helped to establish treatment units in the affected areas,” he said.   The number of officially reported…

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DR Congo: Security Council warned of ‘considerable’ deterioration in restive east

DR Congo: Security Council warned of ‘considerable’ deterioration in restive east

Aware of the worsening situation involving multiple armed groups clashing with Government forces, and each other, a Security Council delegation visited the DRC earlier this month in solidarity with the people of DRC, and to mobilize the United Nations peacekeeping and humanitarian operations in the face of security, electoral and structural challenges. Abuses by militia…

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Afghanistan: OHCHR alarm over arrests of activists speaking up for women and girls

Afghanistan: OHCHR alarm over arrests of activists speaking up for women and girls

Since the beginning of the year, several civil society activists and journalists have been detained for speaking out against Taliban policies that restrict women and girls’ access to education, work, and most other areas of public life.  “No one should be detained for speaking out in defence of their fundamental rights and the rights of…

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UN rights experts condemn Uganda’s ‘egregious’ anti-LGBT legislation

UN rights experts condemn Uganda’s ‘egregious’ anti-LGBT legislation

“The imposition of the death penalty based on such legislation is per se an arbitrary killing and a breach of article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR),” the experts said, noting that Ugandan politicians had been made aware of this on previous occasions in recent years.  The harsh anti-LGBT laws approved by a majority…

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