Al Qaeda in Yemen releases video of kidnapped UN worker

In a video message, Akam Sofyol Anam, believed to be from Bangladesh, urges the global community "to please come forward...and meet the demands of my captors", without outlining the demands.

Five UN staff members were kidnapped in Yemen's southern province of Abyan in February while returning to the port city of Aden. (AP Archive)

Al Qaeda's Yemen branch has released a video showing a United Nations worker who was abducted in the war-torn country more than six months ago, the SITE Intelligence Group has reported. In Saturday's video message, apparently recorded on August 9, Akam Sofyol Anam, identified by SITE as Bangladeshi, urges "the UN, the international community, the humanitarian organisations, to please come forward... and meet the demands of my captors", without outlining the demands. He said he was facing "serious health trouble", including heart problems, and needed "immediate medical support and hospitalisation", according to SITE, which monitors extremist activity. Anam, who SITE identified as the "director of the United Nations Office of Security and Safety in Yemen", said he and four colleagues were kidnapped on February 11. Five UN staff members were kidnapped in Yemen's southern province of Abyan in February while returning to the port city of Aden "after having completed a field mission," UN spokesperson Eri Kaneko said at the time. "The United Nations is in close contact with the authorities to secure their release," its spokesperson had said after the workers' abduction in February. READ MORE: Yemen claims several soldiers killed in Houthi rebel attack near Taiz [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf5H-dQgXdE[/embed] Deadly conflict Yemen has been gripped by conflict since the Iran-backed Houthi rebels took control of the capital Sanaa in 2014, triggering a Saudi-led military intervention in support of the beleaguered government the following year. Hundreds of thousands have died, directly from fighting as well as indirectly, and millions have been displaced in what the UN has called the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Aden became the base of Yemen's internationally recognised government after the Houthis ousted it from the capital Sanaa in 2014. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and fighters loyal to the Daesh terror group have thrived in the chaos. Formed in a merger of Al Qaeda's Yemen and Saudi branches, AQAP has carried out attacks on both rebel and government targets in Yemen as well as foreigners. It has also been accused of plotting attacks beyond the Middle East and its leaders have been targeted by a US drone war for more than two decades, although the number of strikes has dropped off in recent years. Yemen's warring parties have been observing a ceasefire since April, bringing a drastic reduction in hostilities although small-scale fighting has continued. READ MORE: UN envoy aims to expand fragile truce in Yemen Source: AFP

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UN releases Xinjiang report despite China's 'firm' opposition

Discriminatory detention of Muslim groups in Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region may constitute crimes against humanity, says UN human rights in new report. Beijing "firmly opposes" report release.

"We all know so well that the so-called Xinjiang issue is a completely fabricated lie out of political motivations," says China's UN Ambassador, Zhang Jun ahead of report release. (AA)

The office of UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet has published its long-awaited report on alleged rights violations in China's western Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, brushing aside Beijing's demands to keep a lid on a report that fanned a tug-of-war for diplomatic influence with the West over the rights of the region's native Uighurs and other predominantly Muslim ethnic groups. Wednesday's report, which Western diplomats and UN officials said had been all but ready for months, was published with just minutes to go in Bachelet's four-year term.  The report said serious human rights violations have been committed in the region and "patterns of torture" allegations in Xinjiang are "credible." "The extent of arbitrary and discriminatory detention of members of Uighur and other predominantly Muslim groups, pursuant to law and policy, in context of restrictions and deprivation more generally of fundamental rights enjoyed individually and collectively, may constitute international crimes, in particular crimes against humanity," the report said. The report was unexpected to break significant new ground beyond sweeping findings from independent advocacy groups and journalists who have documented concerns about human rights in Xinjiang for years.  But Bachelet's report comes with the imprimatur of the United Nations, and the member states that make it up.  The run-up to its release fuelled a debate over China's influence on the world body and epitomised the on-and-off diplomatic chill between Beijing and the West over human rights, among other sore spots. Beijing 'firmly opposed' to release Hours before the release, China's UN Ambassador Zhang Jun said Beijing remains "firmly opposed" to the release. "We haven't seen this report yet, but we are completely opposed to such a report, we do not think it will produce any good to anyone," Zhang told reporters outside the Security Council.  "We have made it very clear to the high commissioner and on a number of other occasions that we are firmly opposed to such a report." "We all know so well that the so-called Xinjiang issue is a completely fabricated lie out of political motivations, and its purpose is definitely to undermine China's stability and to obstruct China's development," he added.  Bachelet said in recent months that she received pressure from both sides to publish, or not publish, the report and resisted it all, treading a fine line all the while noting her experience with political squeeze during her two terms as president of Chile. In June, Bachelet said she would not seek a new term as rights chief, and promised the report would be released by her departure date on August 31.  Detention camps or training centres That led to a swell in back-channel campaigns, including letters from civil society, civilians and governments on both sides of the issue.  She hinted last week her office might miss her deadline, saying it was "trying" to release it before her exit. Bachelet had set her sights on the Xinjiang region upon taking office in September 2018, but Western diplomats voiced concerns in private that over her term, she did not challenge China enough. The West alleges China's "mass detention campaign" in Xinjiang swept an estimated million Uighurs and other ethnic groups into a network of prisons and camps.  Beijing rejects such accusations and calls them "training centres". Source: TRTWorld and agencies

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Cambridge releases O Level, IGCSE results for June 2022 session

Students sit for a final exam. — AFP/ File

• Thousands of students in Pakistan receive their Cambridge O Level, Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge ICE results.
• Islamiyat, English Language and Pakistan Studies were most popular subjects among Pakistani students.
• Over 200,000 Cambridge O Level, Cambridge IGCSE subject entries were made by schools in June 2022. 

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ISLAMABAD: Cambridge Assessment International Education announced on Friday that thousands of Pakistani students received their O Level, IGCSE and ICE results for the June 2022 exam series, along with the rest of the world.

A statement issued by the board said that Cambridge O Level and Cambridge IGCSE result was released today, few days after AS and A-Level results were released on August 11.

"Today’s results are a true testament to Cambridge students for their hard work and to Cambridge teachers for their incredible support," said the board.

In Pakistan, over 200,000 O Level and IGCSE subject entries were made by schools for the June 2022 session, with around 56,000 students appearing for exams from 628 schools. 

The board said that Islamiyat, English Language and Pakistan Studies were the most popular Cambridge O Level subjects in the June session.

“This year has been another tough one — the pandemic has continued to disrupt our lives and learning in different ways. Some of our students and teachers have been affected by school closures and ongoing restrictions," said Christine Özden, who is the chief accountable officer of Cambridge International. 

“More than ever, I congratulate Cambridge students for their hard work towards these results. They’ve shown great resilience and dedication to get to this point, and I am proud of everyone’s achievements. They can now progress to new opportunities and experiences, and I’m confident they have the skills, knowledge and courage to succeed in every choice they make. I also want to express special thanks to Cambridge schools and teachers. Their commitment and passion for education have been fundamental to their student's success," she added. 

County Director Pakistan of Cambridge International Uzma Yousuf congratulated the students in Pakistan on their Cambridge O Level and Cambridge IGCSE results.

"This is a fantastic achievement, in the face of yet another difficult year, as these students have had to overcome many challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. All those receiving results today should be very proud of what they have achieved," she added. 

She also congratulated the teachers, schools and families for the constant support they gave to the students through such uncertain times, enabling them to gain their qualifications and continue with their studies.

“I would also like to congratulate the teachers, schools and families for the constant support they have given to our students through such uncertain times, which has enabled them to gain their qualifications and continue with their studies. “I would like to appreciate the diligence of our partners, the British Council for conducting these exams during this time and for ensuring the safety of all the students taking their exams, by adhering to strict COVID-19 safety measures," said Yousuf. 

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/cambridge-releases-o-level-igcse-results-for-june-2022-session/?feed_id=12764&_unique_id=62feca48e5dd0