Human Rights

BEIJING, May 17 (Xinhua): China hopes to work with the Iranian side to eliminate complicated disturbing factors and make efforts for the full implementation of the Iran nuclear deal, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Friday.

Wang made the remarks when meeting with visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

UNITED NATIONS, May 17 (Xinhua): The United Nations on Friday called for an immediate de-escalation of violence in greater Idlib, Syria.

"Let us unite today for the first step - to support an immediate de-escalation of the violence in greater Idlib and work towards a political solution that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people," UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo told a Security Council meeting on Syria.

17 May 2019; MEMO: UAE President Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has pardoned former leader of the Muslim Brotherhood Abdulrahman Bin Subaih Al-Suwaidi who was convicted in the “secret organisation” case.

Emarat Al Youm reported that “the decision came after Al-Suwaidi discovered that the group had planned to destabilise the UAE’s security and so he decided to revoke his allegiance to it and return to his homeland.”

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — Former Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning was ordered back to jail Thursday for refusing to testify to a grand jury, even after telling a judge she’d rather “starve to death” than cooperate with prosecutors.

U.S. District Judge Anthony Trenga ordered her to remain incarcerated at the Alexandria jail either until she agrees to testify or until the grand jury’s term expires in 18 months. He also imposed fines that will kick in at $500 a day after 30 days and $1,000 a day after 60 days.

Washington, May 16; AFP/GANASHAKTI: US police on Thursday evicted the last of a group of protestors who have been occupying the Venezuelan embassy in Washington in support of President Nicolas Maduro, ending a weeks-long standoff.

"The liberation of our embassy came about thanks to the struggle of the Venezuelan diaspora," said Carlos Vecchio, envoy for opposition leader Juan Guaido, who declared himself interim president earlier this year in a power play against Maduro.

"With sacrifice they held the grounds against all adversity," said Vecchio on Twitter.

New Delhi, May 16 (PTI) Taking note of the pendency of sexual assault and business dispute cases, the Delhi High Court Thursday directed the Delhi government to place before the Cabinet the requirement for 18 more fast track and 22 commercial courts.

A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice A J Bhambhani said the high court had sanctioned certain posts of judges for establishing fast track and commercials courts but the matter has been pending before the government for over two years.

Kabul, May 17 (AP) Afghan officials say an airstrike killed 17 policemen by mistake during a battle with the Taliban just outside the provincial capital of Lashkar Gah in the country's southern Helmand province.

Attaullah Afghan, head of the provincial council, says the airstrike took place on Thursday as Afghan police were fighting the Taliban near the city. He also says 14 policemen were wounded in the strike.

Madurai, May 16 (PTI) The Madras High Court Thursday reserved its order on the anticipatory bail petition filed by MNM chief Kamal Haasan over his "free India's first extremist was a Hindu" remark made during an election meeting in the Aravkurichi assembly constituency.

When the bail plea by the actor-politician came up, Justice B Pugalendhi reserved the orders without mentioning a date.

Police in Aravakurichi in Karur district have registered a case against the actor based on a complaint filed by a right wing activist.

Lucknow, May 17 (PTI) BSP chief Mayawati Friday alleged that outsiders are being used to lure and threaten voters in Varanasi to ensure a win for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and asked why the EC was not focusing on the constituency.

Slamming the Election Commission, she asked why the poll body was not keeping a watch on Varanasi like it was doing in West Bengal.

Jammu, May 17 (PTI) Curfew remained clamped in Bhaderwah valley of Doda district for the second day on Friday following violent protests by members of a community against killing of a person.

The Doda district administration refuted media reports that "cow vigilantism" was the reason behind the murder and said some people were trying to give communal colour to the incident.

The Army has been deployed in the town besides additional security personnel being posted in sensitive areas to maintain law and order.