New York

ESPN reasserts political talk policy after attack on Trump

NEW YORK (AP) — ESPN is reminding employees of the network’s policy to avoid talking about politics after radio talk show host Dan Le Batard criticized President Donald Trump and his recent racist comments and ESPN itself on the air this week.

The reminder went out Friday to all employees, including Le Batard, according to an ESPN employee who spoke on condition of anonymity Saturday because the person was not authorized to speak publicly about personnel matters.

ESPN has not spoken publicly about Le Batard’s comments, including whether he faces any disciplinary action.

Top UN sustainable development forum notes progress on empowering people as it ends session

UNITED NATIONS, Jul 20 (APP): The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) President, Inga Rhonda King, has told participants of the 54-member body’s high-level segment that this year’s session had contributed significantly to advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

By “increasing awareness and galvanizing efforts towards empowerment, inclusiveness and equality”, the entire ECOSOC system has worked “to address gaps and challenges, provide integrated policy recommendations, and review progress”, which are all “at the heart of the 2030 Agenda”, she said.

UNGA President speaks of love for Pakistan’s people, food at book launch at UN

UNITED NATIONS, July 19 (APP): A beautifully illustrated book featuring recipes of authentic Pakistani cuisine was launched at a glittering reception, with Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi, permanent representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, saying that she helped to commission this for the benefit of the global community at the UN.

UN calls for end of hate speech on Nelson Mandela International Day

UNITED NATIONS, July 18 (Xinhua) -- The leadership of the UN on Thursday called for actions on hate speech on the occasion of the Nelson Mandela International Day.

To honor his legacy, the UN held a meeting on the observance of the annual Nelson Mandela International Day.

In her opening remarks, UN General Assembly President Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces called on the international community to increase efforts to combat racism and hate speech.

EU should allow Iran to trade to preserve nuclear deal, foreign minister says

UNITED NATIONS, July 18. /TASS/: European countries should implement their commitments on ensuring the freedom of trade for Iran to preserve the nuclear deal, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif told TASS.

"We expect them to implement their obligations to normalize economic relations between Iran and other countries," Zarif said adding that "we need to sell our oil."

"We are doing business with Russia and China, but that’s not enough. The Europeans - both E3 and the entire EU - are part of it [the deal] and they have to implement their commitments," he added.

Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman sentenced to life in prison

NEW YORK (AP) — Mexican drug kingpin and escape artist Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman was sentenced Wednesday to life behind bars in a U.S. prison, expressing no remorse over his conviction for a massive drug conspiracy that spread murder and mayhem for more than two decades.

Instead, a defiant Guzman took a parting shot at a judge in federal court in Brooklyn by accusing him of making a mockery of the U.S. justice system in refusing to order a new trial based on unsubstantiated allegations of juror misconduct.

Pakistan presents progress report on its anti-poverty development plans to UN

UNITED NATIONS, Jul 17 (APP): Pakistan on Tuesday presented its progress report and future plans on meeting the globally agreed and nationally adopted anti-poverty Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), saying that the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan was committed to accelerating human development in the country.

The progress report was in the form of Voluntary National Review, a mechanism in which countries inform the UN about its implementation strategies to meet the goals and targets of the sustainable development agenda, also known as Agenda 2030.

UN ‘deeply concerned’ about new U.S. asylum restrictions

UNITED NATIONS, Jul 17 (APP): The UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, is “deeply concerned” about the new rule barring from asylum the majority of people crossing the southern U.S. land border, saying that the “severe” measure will endanger vulnerable people in need of international protection from violence or persecution.

“We understand that the U.S. asylum system is under significant strain. And we are ready to play a constructive role if needed in helping alleviate this strain,” UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said in a statement.

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