$1.9 trillion Covid plan clears US House, heads to Senate

Washington-The US House passed an enormous, $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package early Saturday, hailed by Democrats as a critical step in funneling new funding toward vaccinations, overburdened local governments, and millions of families devastated by the pandemic. Four days after the Covid-19 death toll surpassed 500,000 in […]

UN rights chief concerned over Kashmir restrictions

Raids on human rights defenders in Indian-administered Kashmir show continued restrictions on civil society, which impair the public’s rights to impart and receive information and debate the government policies affecting them, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said in a statement on Friday. Bachelet said […]

Biden to sign order to bolster critical supply chains

US President Joe Biden signed an executive order Wednesday intended to strengthen the nation’s supply chains of key goods and materials after biting shortages hobbled public health efforts and manufacturing. Biden specifically pointed to shortages of personal protective equipment in the early days of the US coronavirus outbreak that included a […]

Malaysia under fire after controversial Myanmar deportation

Kuala Lumpur   –  Malaysia’s government faced mounting criticism from opposition MPs and rights groups Wednesday over its decision to deport over 1,000 Myanmar nationals in defiance of a court order.  The migrants, whom activists say include vulnerable asylum seekers, departed Tuesday on Myanmar navy ships from a […]

US seeks UN rights council seat after Trump pullout

Geneva   –  The United States is seeking a return to the UN Human Rights Council, three years after former president Donald Trump’s administration withdrew, the US top diplomat told the rights body Wednesday. “I’m pleased to announce the United States will seek election to the Human Rights Council […]

EU aims to create global vaccine c

The European Commission is preparing a digital vaccine certificate which is expected to be globally recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO), an EU official said Tuesday. Speaking at a press conference following a virtual meeting of EU affairs ministers, Maros Sefcovic, vice president of the European […]

Demos planned in Georgia after opposition leader arrested

Tbilisi, Feb 23    –  Opposition parties called for major demonstrations in Georgia Tuesday after a leading political figure was arrested in an early morning raid on his party headquarters, deepening a spiralling political crisis following disputed parliamentary elections last year.  Hundreds of riot police used tear gas […]

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