World

Egypt Urged to Lift Travel Bans on Two Prominent Human Rights Lawyers

Egypt Urged to Lift Travel Bans on Two Prominent Human Rights Lawyers

Amnesty International has called on Egyptian authorities to immediately lift travel bans imposed on prominent human rights lawyers Nasser Amin and Hoda Abdelwahab. Despite the closure of the long-standing "foreign funding" case, Case 173/2011, which involved multiple NGOs, the travel restrictions on Amin and Abdelwahab, co-founders of the Arab Centre for Independence of Judiciary and Legal Profession (ACIJLP), remain in place. On 20 March 2024, after 13 years of investigations, the authorities announced the end of Case 173/2011, which had implicated at least seven organizations and 11 NGO workers, with travel bans imposed on 31 human rights defenders and NGO…
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Russian Army Destroys Patriot Missile Launchers and Giraffe Radar in Ukraine

Russian Army Destroys Patriot Missile Launchers and Giraffe Radar in Ukraine

The Russian Defense Ministry has reported the destruction of two launchers of the Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems and a Giraffe radar in the Odessa region, Ukraine. The attack took place near the village of Yuzhnoye and was carried out by the crew of the Iskander operational-tactical complex. According to the ministry's statement, "The crew of the Iskander operational-tactical complex attacked the position of a battery of the Patriot anti-aircraft missile system of the Ukrainian armed forces near the village of Yuzhnoye in the Odessa region. As a result of the strike, two Patriot air defense missile launchers and a Giraffe…
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Putin calls for ‘complete end’ to Ukraine conflict

Putin calls for ‘complete end’ to Ukraine conflict

Russia wants to fully resolve the Ukraine conflict, rather than just agreeing a ceasefire or freezing the hostilities, President Vladimir Putin has said. The statement came after Putin met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Moscow on Friday. Orban traveled to the Russian capital to discuss ways of finding a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to the conflict. Speaking at a joint press conference following their meeting, Putin stated there should not be a “ceasefire or some kind of pause that the Kiev regime could use to recover losses, regroup, and rearm. Russia is in favor of a complete and…
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Haiti’s New Government Seeks to End Gang Violence and Facilitate Elections

Haiti’s New Government Seeks to End Gang Violence and Facilitate Elections

Haiti's newly installed Transitional Presidential Council and Government have called for the mobilization of all available resources to ensure this transition is the final one. Addressing the United Nations Security Council, interim Prime Minister Garry Conille stressed the critical need to address the rampant gang violence that has stymied political progress and economic development. Conille emphasized that with 12,000 armed gangs holding 12 million people hostage, no political or economic projects can succeed without first tackling the security crisis. In his inaugural public appearance before the Council, Conille revealed that the new Government has already engaged in several working sessions…
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Forest Ecosystems: The Life Support of Our Planet, Stresses UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed

Forest Ecosystems: The Life Support of Our Planet, Stresses UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed emphasized the critical role forest ecosystems play in sustaining life on Earth. Speaking during the opening ceremony of the first International Conference on Afforestation and Reforestation in Brazzaville, held under the auspices of the Republic of Congo with the support of the African Union, marked a significant step in global efforts to combat deforestation and promote sustainable development. "I am deeply honored to be here today at the inaugural International Conference on Afforestation and Reforestation," began Deputy Secretary-General Mohammed. "We congratulate President Denis Sassou Nguesso for his visionary initiative launched in 2022 at the UN…
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Who is Masoud Pezeshkian, the New Iranian President?

Who is Masoud Pezeshkian, the New Iranian President?

Masoud Pezeshkian, a seasoned lawmaker and former health minister, has been elected as the ninth president of Iran, defeating his opponent Saeed Jalili in the recent presidential runoff election. Pezeshkian secured 16,384,403 votes out of a total of 30,530,157, while Jalili received 13,538,179 votes. The election follows the untimely death of former President Ebrahim Raeisi in a helicopter crash in May. Pezeshkian, born on September 29, 1954, in Mahabad, has had a long and distinguished political career. He has represented Tabriz in the Iranian parliament and served as Health Minister under President Mohammad Khatami from 2001 to 2005. A cardiac…
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Iranian Reformist Masoud Pezeshkian Wins Presidential Run-Off

Iranian Reformist Masoud Pezeshkian Wins Presidential Run-Off

Masoud Pezeshkian, the reformist candidate, has emerged victorious in Iran's presidential run-off election, the spokesman for the Islamic Republic’s Election Office, Mohsen Eslami, announced today. After counting all 30.530 million ballots, Pezeshkian secured 53.6% of the vote, amounting to 16.384 million votes, according to the announcement on IRIB TV channel. His conservative opponent, Saeed Jalili, garnered 44.3% of the vote, translating to 13.538 million votes. Voter turnout for the election reached 49.8%, highlighting a significant engagement from the Iranian populace. The run-off election took place on Friday, marking a pivotal moment in Iran’s political landscape as Pezeshkian becomes the country's…
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What Does the Election of UK’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer Mean to Africa?

What Does the Election of UK’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer Mean to Africa?

Keir Starmer's recent election as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom marks a significant shift in the country's political landscape, with potential implications reaching far beyond its borders. As the leader of the Labour Party, Starmer brings a different set of priorities and policies that could impact Africa in various ways. Here’s how his leadership might affect the continent: 1. Trade Relations: Under Starmer, the UK might seek to strengthen its trade ties with African nations. The Labour Party has historically supported fair trade practices and economic partnerships that promote mutual benefits. This could lead to more equitable trade agreements…
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David Lammy Appointed UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs

David Lammy Appointed UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs

United Kingdom's Prime Minister Keir Starmer has named the Rt Hon David Lammy as the new Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs. Lammy, a seasoned politician and lawyer, expressed his profound gratitude, stating, "It is the honour of my life to be appointed Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs. The world faces huge challenges, but we will navigate them with the UK's enormous strengths. We will reconnect Britain for our security and prosperity at home." He was born on July 19, 1972, in Whittington Hospital, London, to Guyanese parents David and Rosalind Lammy, has…
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Keir Starmer’s Acceptance Speech: A Call for National Renewal

Keir Starmer’s Acceptance Speech: A Call for National Renewal

In a historic moment, Keir Starmer, the newly elected Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, delivered an inspiring acceptance speech at Buckingham Palace, where he formally accepted the invitation from His Majesty the King Charles III to form the next government. Starmer’s speech was a blend of gratitude, recognition, and a compelling vision for the future. Acknowledging the Past, Embracing Change Starmer began by expressing his gratitude to the outgoing Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, highlighting Sunak's groundbreaking achievement as the first British Asian Prime Minister. Starmer praised Sunak's dedication and hard work, acknowledging the extra effort required to reach such…
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