U.N. chief calls for restraint over Kashmir: spokesman
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday called on India and Pakistan to refrain from any steps that could affect the special status of the disputed regions of Kashmir and Jammu.
U.S. sanctions on Venezuela may worsen crisis: U.N. rights chief
The United Nations human rights chief said on Thursday that the latest unilateral U.S. sanctions on Venezuela were “extremely broad” and she feared they would significantly exacerbate the crisis in terms of people’s access to food and health.
Ex-president of Kyrgyzstan surrenders a day after violent botched raid
Kyrgyzstan’s former President Almazbek Atambayev surrendered to security forces at his compound outside the capital Bishkek on Thursday, a day after a commando was killed in a failed attempt to arrest him that led to violent clashes with his followers….
China dispute casts shadow on Canadian election, and on Trudeau
Canada’s dispute with China, an economic powerhouse, has been a nagging headache for Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and the feud is showing no signs of going away before his October bid for re-election.
UK to relax immigration rules for scientists: PM Johnson
Britain will relax its immigration rules to attract more top scientists after Brexit by seeking to fast-track visas, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday.
Uganda to register, monitor social media influencers
Influencers on Ugandan social media and others with large, commercialized online followings must henceforth register their activities for monitoring by the state, the country’s communications regulator said on Thursday.
Rome bans sitting on Spanish Steps, puzzling hot, tired tourists
You can walk up and down Rome’s famed Spanish Steps all you want but don’t try sitting down to take in the moment any more because police will shoo you away with a whistle and threaten you with a fine.
Lebanon PM says more optimistic after crisis talks
Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri indicated that solutions to a political crisis that has paralyzed his government were almost within reach following a meeting on Thursday with President Michel Aoun.
Jailed PKK leader says he is ready for solution with Turkish state: statement
Jailed Kurdish militant leader Abdullah Ocalan said he is ready for a solution on the Kurdish issue and that he could stop the conflict between the Turkish state and Kurdish militants within a week, his lawyers said in a statement on Thursday.
Top Hong Kong police commander recalled from retirement as violence escalates
The police commander who oversaw pro-democracy demonstrations that roiled Hong Kong in 2014 has been recalled from retirement to help deal with the violent protests convulsing the Chinese-ruled city, two sources with knowledge of the move told Reuters….
