United Nations: The UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson has cited the arrest of Alt News co-founder Mohammad Zubair in India, saying journalists should not be jailed for “whatever they write, tweet or say” to journalists. The spokesperson said it is important that people are allowed to speak their mind fearlessly.

(CPJ) has also condemned Zubair’s arrest. Steven Butler, CPJ’s Asia programme coordinator in Washington, said, “The arrest of journalist Mohammad Zubair has further lowered the level of press freedom in India. The government has created an unsafe hostile environment for members of the press to publish news related to communal issues. The authorities should release Zubair immediately and unconditionally and let him do his journalism without any interference. ’

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Washington: Amid sharp reactions from several Muslim countries over BJP leaders’ controversial remarks against Prophet Mohammed, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres’ spokesman Stephane Dujarric said that “they firmly promote respect and tolerance for all religions”.

The spokesman made the above remark in response to a question posed by a Pakistani journalist.

The journalist had asked about the UN Secretary General’s reaction to the controversial remarks made against Prophet Mohammed by former BJP national spokesperson Nupur Sharma and the party’s Delhi unit’s media in-charge Naveen Kumar Jindal being condemned by several Muslim countries. ”I’ve seen news related to this, but I haven’t seen these comments either,” Dujarric said at a regular press meet on Monday. But in spite of this, I can tell you that we strongly promote a sense of respect and tolerance towards all religions, he added.

The controversial remarks against Prophet Mohammad were opposed by several Muslim countries, following which the BJP suspended Nupur Sharma and expelled Jindal from the party. After Qatar, Iran and Kuwait, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Afghanistan on Monday joined the ranks of countries that condemned the controversial remarks against prophet Mohammed and the importance of respect for all religious beliefs.

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New Delhi: A deadly explosion occurred at a Sufi mosque in Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul in which reportedly killed at least 10 people and injured up to 15 more, many of them seriously.

The blast at the Khalifa Sahib mosque, located in the Darulaman area in the west of the city, is the latest in a series of attacks on civilian targets in the capital and provinces.

The United Nations has condemned the incident and said, “No words are strong enough to condemn this despicable act, targeting a place of worship, as Muslims across Afghanistan prepare to celebrate Eid,” says @UN deputy envoy for #Afghanistan @Metknu, appalled by today’s deadly attack on a mosque in #Kabul.

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Washington: Russia has agreed “in principle” to UN involvement in the evacuation of citizens from the last remaining holdout in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol, following a meeting between Secretary-General António Guterres and President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

During his “tête-a-tête meeting” with President Putin, Guterres reiterated the UN’s position on Ukraine, according to a readout issued by his Spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric

“In Moscow, Secretary-General @antonioguterres met with Russian president Vladimir Putin and reiterated the UN’s position on Ukraine. They discussed proposals for humanitarian assistance & evacuation of civilians from conflict zones,”UN tweeted.

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Washington: United nations showed concerned over rising rhetoric and violent clashes between Palestinians and Israeli Security Forces (ISF) at the Holy Sites.

Officials said that said that the situation, however, in Jerusalem, is “relatively calm.”

However, rocket launching in Gaza is “undermining the fragile stability that has prevailed since last May,” a statement read by UN.

Meanwhile, Palestinian leaders have made some commendable efforts to ease tensions, condemn attacks and rein in violence that “should continue,” Tor Wennesland, United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process said, “Let me be clear: there is no justification for acts of terrorism or violence against civilians. Violence, provocations, and incitement must stop immediately and be unequivocally condemned by all”.

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