‘Nine million people displaced by Syrian crisis’

‘Nine million people displaced by Syrian crisis’

Beirut, March 15 (IANS) Visiting UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres said that the crisis in Syria has led to the displacement of nine million people, media reported. “Three years have passed on this horrible Syrian crisis and that means more displaced people to expect. Today we have around 2.6 million Syrians displaced to neighbouring […]

Britain disappointed at failure of US-Russia talks on Ukraine

Britain disappointed at failure of US-Russia talks on Ukraine

London, March 15 (IANS) British Foreign Secretary William Hague expressed his deep disappointment at the failure of US-Russia talks on solving the Ukraine crisis. “It is deeply disappointing that today’s talks did not produce the diplomatic breakthrough,” Xinhua reported citing Hague’s statement here Friday after the talks concluded in London. No substantial agreement was reached between […]

Syria’s political process must be re-energised: UN chief

Syria’s political process must be re-energised: UN chief

United Nations, March 15 (IANS/WAM) UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has again appealed to the international community to help bring the rival Syrian parties closer on concrete measures to end the conflict, saying “it is not enough for representatives of the government and opposition to be in the same room, what matters most is what they do […]

Karzai pledges transparent elections in Afghanistan

Karzai pledges transparent elections in Afghanistan

Kabul, March 15 (IANS) Afghan President Hamid Karzai Saturday assured the people of a free and fair presidential election on April 5, saying the security forces were entirely ready for the polls. “The government will use all its power to ensure the coming presidential and provincial council elections are free, fair and transparent. The Afghan National […]

Kiev seeks US, NATO assistance

Kiev seeks US, NATO assistance

Kiev, March 15 (IANS) Kiev is in talks with the US and NATO over a possible military technical assistance, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk said Friday. “As for military assistance, we hold bilateral and multilateral consultations on technical support,” Yatsenyuk said during a media briefing at the International Boryspil Airport after his visit to Washington, Xinhua […]

Pro-Morsi marches prompt clashes across Egypt

Pro-Morsi marches prompt clashes across Egypt

Cairo, March 15 (IANS) Supporters of former Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi staged massive protests across the country, resulting in clashes with security forces and about 50 arrests, media reported Friday. The protests took place in a number of governorates, including Cairo, Giza, Alexandria, Damietta, Minufiya, Fayoum, Gharbiya, Qena and North Sinai, Xinhua reported. The marches were […]

Steiner reappointed as UNEP chief

Steiner reappointed as UNEP chief

United Nations, March 15 (IANS) The UN General Assembly has extended for two years the appointment of Achim Steiner as executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), beginning June 15, the UN spokesperson’s office said here Friday. The General Assembly made the decision following the recommendation of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, the UN […]

US prosecutors re-indict Devyani Khobragade

US prosecutors re-indict Devyani Khobragade

Washington, March 15 (IANS) Two days after a New York judge dismissed the visa fraud case against Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade, a US grand jury Friday again indicted her on same criminal charges. “A grand jury has returned a true bill today on a two-count criminal indictment of Devyani Khobragade, said the office of US prosecutor […]

Obama hopes for diplomatic solution to Ukraine crisis

Obama hopes for diplomatic solution to Ukraine crisis

Washington, March 15 (IANS) US President Barack Obama said Friday that he continued to hope that a “diplomatic solution” can be found to the current crisis in Ukraine. When meeting Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny at the White House, Obama told reporters that there would be “consequences” if Ukraine’s sovereignty is violated, Xinhua reported. “We continued […]

Malaysian PM prays for missing airliner

Malaysian PM prays for missing airliner

Kuala Lumpur, March 14 (IANS) Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak Friday in a mosque near Kuala Lumpur International Airport prayed for the passengers and crew of a Malaysia Airlines plane that went missing March 8. About a thousand Muslims living nearby came to the mosque for their regular prayer before Najib and other citizens prayed for […]