Global food systems ‘broken’, UN chief says, as more people go hungry

UNITED NATIONS, Jul 24 (APP): UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Monday highlighted the need to address global hunger, promote cooperation between businesses and governments, and mitigate the damaging impact of continuing climate change on food production. Addressing the ‘UN Food Systems Summit +2 Stocktaking Moment’, in […]

Announcing polls in Pakistan is encouraging: US

WASHINGTON July 23 (Online): US principle deputy assistant secretary of state for south and central Asia Alizabith Horst said there is no immediate solution to Pakistan’s economic situation but IMF agreement will help to control chaos. She said holding election announcement in Pakistan is welcoming […]

Rhodes wildfire forces thousands of evacuations, tourists flee

ATHENS July 23 (Online): Thousands of tourists and residents fleeing a wildfire on Rhodes huddled in schools and shelters on Sunday, with many evacuated on private boats from beaches to safer areas of the Greek island when flames moved towards resorts and coastal villages. Thousands […]

Limited political support in Sweden to ban Holy Quran burnings

SWEDEN July 22 (Online): There is limited political will in Sweden to ban Holy Quran burnings that have upset large parts of the Muslim world, and it would be complicated to do so even if there were backing for such a move, experts and politicians […]

For asylum seekers, giant US immigration backlog can be a boon

Washington, July 22 (AFP/APP): The massive backlog of cases in US immigration courts has made it ever more attractive for many migrants to come to the United States, knowing that they can work legally for years without being deported as their cases inch through the […]

Saudi Arabia, Iran summon Swedish diplomats over Holy Quran protest

RIYADH July 21 (Online): Middle East powerhouses Saudi Arabia and Iran have summoned Swedish diplomats to denounce Stockholm’s permission for protests that desecrate the Holy Quran on free speech grounds. The separate moves by both majority-Muslim countries, announced in statements late on Thursday, came amid […]

Millions hit by extreme heat on three continents

Athens, July 19 (AFP/APP): Millions of people across three continents suffered a sustained spell of heat Wednesday as fires raged, health worries mounted and temperature records tumbled. Experts pointed the finger at climate change driven by the burning of fossil fuels, saying global warming had […]

Putin vows ‘response’ after Ukraine attack on Crimea Bridge

Moscow, July 17 (AFP/APP): President Vladimir Putin on Monday vowed to retaliate after a Ukrainian attack on a bridge linking Moscow-annexed Crimea to Russia killed two civilians and left their child wounded. “Another terrorist attack was committed on the bridge last night,” Putin said in […]