Women's issues at UN: Still 'too low down on the agenda'

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Addressing the U.N. General Assembly last week, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina noted a milestone: the 25th anniversary of the Beijing women's conference that produced a global roadmap for gender equality and a ringing rallying cry that became part of the event's official...

UK, Canada impose sanctions on Belarus president, officials

LONDON (AP) — Britain and Canada imposed sanctions Tuesday on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, his son and other senior government officials following the country's disputed presidential election and a violent crackdown on protesters in Belarus. U.K. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the...

Iranian parliament approves new trade and industry minister

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran's parliament on Tuesday approved President Hassan Rouhani’s nominee for trade and industry minister. Ali Reza Razmhosseini will take on the post as Iran faces an unprecedented economic downturn amid intense pressure from the United States after President Donald Trump pulled...

Belarus tells UN sanctions would be 'harmful for everyone'

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Belarus' foreign minister warned Western nations Saturday against imposing sanctions over the country's disputed presidential election and crackdown on protesters, saying their expressions of concern are “nothing but attempts to bring chaos and anarchy to our country.”...

In leaders' UN videos, the backgrounds tell stories, too

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the world to “reject attempts to build blocks to keep others out” as an image of his country’s storied Great Wall hung behind him. Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte used photos and videos to illustrate what he was talking...

Russia, China block release of UN report criticizing Russia

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Russia and China blocked the official release of a report by U.N. experts on Libya that accused its warring parties and their international backers -- including Russia -- of violating a U.N. arms embargo on the conflict-wracked country, U.N. diplomats said Friday. Germany’s...

Japan's newly minted prime minister steps into UN limelight

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s new prime minister, stepping from the shadows of his longtime supporting role, said Saturday in his debut at the U.N. General Assembly that he’s willing to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un without any conditions. The offer comes as Yoshihide Suga — only...

US hits Iran court, judges with sanctions over wrestler

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration on Thursday hit an Iranian revolutionary court and several judges with sanctions in part for their role in the conviction and execution of a young wrestler. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo imposed the sanctions on two judges with Branch 1 of the Revolutionary...

UK is preparing human rights sanctions against Belarus

LONDON (AP) — Britain is preparing sanctions on individuals allegedly involved in human rights violations in Belarus, working with the United States and Canada to hold President Alexander Lukashenko and his government accountable. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told the House of Commons in London on...

UK foreign secretary says Britain is preparing sanctions for human rights violations in Belarus