Geneva

Biden says Russia, US to launch nuclear arms control talks

US President Joe Biden’s first meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin since assuming office comes amid soaring tensions between Washington and Moscow, with both sides playing down the prospect of any major breakthroughs at the summit.

Putin: Meeting with Biden could help establish dialogue

The meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden is due to take place on June 16 in Geneva amid strained bilateral relations on a wide array of issues.

Putin signs law to take Russia out of Open Skies

Kremlin says US decision to withdraw from treaty “significantly upset the balance of interests” among pact members, compelling Russia to exit.

Muslim countries call for UN probe on rights violations in Israeli attacks

UN Human Rights Council will hold a special session on Israel’s attacks in Gaza at the request of Pakistan, as coordinator of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the state of Palestine.

Informal Cyprus talks end with ‘no common ground’

Turkish Cypriot President Tatar says official talks on future of Cyprus meaningless without recognition of equality of both sides as sovereign states, with Greek Cypriots wanting a bizonal, bi-communal federation with political equality.

Turkey backs Turkish Cypriot 'sovereign equality' vision in Geneva talks

At the UN-led meeting, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu says Ankara supports a two-state solution to the island with a sustainable settlement only achievable based on ground realities.

UN expresses grave concern over UAE’s Sheikha Latifa, demands proof of life

The princess says she is being held captive in a barricaded villa in video message filmed in a bathroom and obtained by the BBC in February.

In rare oral rebuke, UN voices alarm at Egypt's use of terror law

Egypt responds with disapproval and shock after 31 countries, including US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, expressed concern on Cairo’s use of terror legislation against a broad range of critics, including rights activists and journalists.

Muslims campaign against Swiss referendum on banning face veils

Opinion polls suggest a majority of Swiss will back the face veil ban, while campaigners argue that it’s about Islamophobia and controlling women in the public sphere.

Libya’s factions choose interim government ahead of elections

Libyan delegates chose a list of candidates in a UN-hosted process aimed to give balance to regional powers and various political and economic interests.

Turkey, Iran, Russia urge Syrian peace process free of foreign interference

A tripartite statement said the next international meeting on Syria in the Astana format will take place in Sochi in mid February.

New round of talks on Syria's constitution begins in Geneva

The US and its allies accuse Syrian regime leader Bashar al Assad of deliberately delaying the drafting of a new constitution to waste time until presidential elections are held this year and avoid UN-supervised voting as called for by the UNSC.