Syria ceasefire has failed as civilians killed daily: U.N. rights boss
United Nations human rights chief Michelle Bachelet called on Friday for an immediate cessation of hostilies in Idlib, saying that the latest Syrian ceasefire had “yet again failed to protect civilians”.
U.S. ambassador becomes mustachioed face of South Korean discontent
The U.S. ambassador to South Korea drew criticism from the highest levels of government in Seoul on Friday for suggesting that Seoul consult with Washington about the possibility of reopening tourism with North Korea.
Ukraine PM says resignation letter does not affect reforms, IMF ties
Ukrainian Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk said on Friday that the fact that he has submitted a letter of resignation will not affect reforms and Ukrainian cooperation with the International Monetary Fund.
Ukraine PM offers to resign after tape suggests he criticized president
Ukraine’s prime minister Oleksiy Honcharuk submitted his resignation on Friday after an audio recording suggested he had criticized the president, but then appeared to suggest in comments to Reuters that he might stay in his job.
Ukraine PM says there have been many attempts to sow distrust
Ukraine’s Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk told parliament on Friday there had been attempts to sow distrust around his government but called for people to stay united.
Don’t turn plane crash into political issue: Iran foreign ministry spokesman
All countries involved in the Ukrainian airliner crash in Iran should avoid turning it into a political issue, an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Friday.
Iranian representative coming to Ukraine next week, Kiev says
An Iranian representative will travel to Ukraine next week following the shooting down of a Ukrainian passenger plane near Tehran last week, Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko told parliament on Friday.
Khamenei says Iran’s strikes at U.S. targets show ‘hand of God’
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a Friday prayers sermon that Iran’s missile strikes on U.S. targets in Iraq showed it had divine support in delivering a “slap on the face” to a world power.
Iran’s Khamenei calls for unity after unrest over plane disaster
Iran’s supreme leader called on Friday for national unity and a high turnout in a February election, after protests erupted following the military’s admission that it had shot down an airliner by mistake during a confrontation with the United States.
‘We can’t wait’: Maldives desperate for funds as islands risk going under
The tropical Maldives may lose entire islands unless it can quickly access cheap financing to fight the impact of climate change, its foreign minister said.
