UN deplores Kenya violence
The UN Security Council has deplored the widespread violence in Kenya, which has resulted in extensive loss of life and serious humanitarian consequences.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Security Council expressed deep concern that civilians continued to be killed, abused and displaced in Kenya following the disputed Dec 27 elections.
It also voiced concern at the political, security and economic impact of that crisis on the wider region.
"The council expresses its strong concern at the continuing dire humanitarian situation in Kenya and calls for the protection of refugees and internally displaced persons," said the statement, which was read out by Panama's envoy to the UN Ricardo Alberto Arias.
"The council further expresses its concern at the safety of humanitarian workers and UN personnel and calls on all parties to facilitate their work and ensure their safety," it said.
The 15-member body welcomed the announcement of progress in negotiations overseen by former UN secretary general Kofi Annan between President Mwai Kibaki and his challenger Raila Odinga.
The council also reaffirmed its support for the African Union and the panel of eminent African personalities in their efforts to stem the violence.
Less time to read?
Try Quickreads
-
White people get bigger share of monkeypox shots, early data show
Much like with Covid-19, the monkeypox health crisis in the US is hitting Black and Hispanic Americans hard. Yet those groups are so far lagging in vaccination rates, early data obtained by Bloomberg News show. In some major US cities with outbreaks, White people are getting the majority of vaccinations, data collected by Bloomberg show. In Chicago, 55% of vaccines have gone to White people. In Washington, D.C., 63.5% of vaccine recipients identify as White.
-
Top Taliban cleric killed in blast in Kabul: Officials
A prominent Taliban cleric, Sheikh Rahimullah Haqqani, was killed in an attack in a seminary in Kabul when the attacker detonated explosives hidden in a plastic artificial leg on Thursday, according to officials and Taliban sources. It was not immediately clear who was behind the blast. Four Taliban sources told Reuters the attacker was someone who had previously lost his leg and had hidden the explosives in a plastic artificial leg.
-
China says it needs more time to assess US, India proposal to blacklist JeM chief’s brother at UNSC
China on Thursday said it needs more time to “assess” the India-US proposal to list Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) leader Abdul Rauf Azhar as a global terrorist at the UN Security Council, hours after blocking the joint effort. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said the 1267 Committee of the UN Security Council has clear provisions about designating terrorist organisations and officials. China had similarly sought time to assess the case.
-
China, Nepal agree on cross-Himalayan railway
China has agreed to finance a feasibility study for a cross-border railway with Nepal under the trans-Himalayan multi-dimensional connectivity network, part of the Belt and Road Initiative and pledged $118 million for China-assisted projects in the country, the foreign ministries of the two countries have said. Chinese state councillor and foreign minister, Wang Yi said China will work with Nepal on power projects and also in building cross Himalayan connectivity projects.
-
Sri Lanka's ex-leader Gotabaya Rajapaksa leaves Singapore: Report
Former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa left Singapore Thursday, the city-state's immigration office said, after his social visit pass expired. "The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority confirms that Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa left Singapore on 11 August 2022," the office said in reply to an AFP query. Rajapaksa fled to the Maldives on July 13 and then to Singapore, where he announced his resignation after months of protests over Sri Lanka's economic meltdown.
