April 12, 2022

*) Russia aims to take Mariupol as part of eastern Ukraine onslaught Russian troops are planning to take control of Mariupol as part of an anticipated onslaught across eastern Ukraine. But the Ukrainian army has insisted that "the defence of Mariupol continues". In an address, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made a fresh plea to his allies for more weapons to boost the defence of the besieged city. He said: “we are not getting as much as we need to end this war sooner.” *) UN: Ukraine children, women need more protection Top officials at the United Nations have called for a probe into violence against women and the protection of children in the Ukraine conflict. Sima Bahous, director of the UN women's agency, told a meeting of the Security Council in New York that the organisation is hearing of increasing rape and sexual violence incidients. She said the “allegations must be independently investigated to ensure justice and accountability”. It is not clear if the Security Council, on which Russia is a veto-wielding permanent member, would agree to any investigation. *) Shehbaz Sharif elected Pakistan's new prime minister Pakistan’s parliament has elected Shehbaz Sharif the country’s new prime minister after the ouster of Imran Khan. Sharif was elected with 174 votes in his favour after more than 100 lawmakers from Khan's party walked out of the National Assembly in protest. Sharif, the brother of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, was the only contender. *) US monitoring rise in rights abuses in India US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said the United States is monitoring what he described as a rise in human rights abuses in India by some officials. He made the remark in a joint press briefing with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austinand India’s foreign minister and defence ministers. It came days after US Representative Ilhan Omar questioned the alleged reluctance of the US to criticise Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government on human rights. And, finally... *) Cobain's guitar i