China and the US pledge to step up climate efforts ahead of Biden-Xi summit and UN meeting November 15, 2023 at 12:11AM

China and the US have made a joint commitment to address climate change by reducing emissions of methane and other greenhouse gases, alongside carbon dioxide. The announcement was made ahead of a summit between Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping, aimed at improving US-China relations. The cooperation between the two largest emitters of greenhouse gases is crucial for the success of upcoming UN climate talks. The countries also agreed to restart talks on energy policies and enhance climate action.

Vietnam arrests prominent parliamentary official as top UN rights official visits November 14, 2023 at 11:54PM

A prominent parliamentary official in Vietnam, Luu Binh Nhuong, has been arrested on suspicion of links to an extortion racket. Nhuong, a former member of Vietnam's National Assembly, was known for occasionally expressing critical opinions about government officials and security forces. The arrest coincided with the visit of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to development, who warned about the selective use of the law to target human rights defenders and climate activists in Vietnam.

Philippines counter insurgency force 'operating with impunity', says UN expert November 14, 2023 at 11:30PM

A United Nations expert has called on the Philippines to disband its anti-communist task force, citing concerns over human rights abuses. UN Special Rapporteur Ian Fry urged for an independent investigation into the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), which has been accused of "red-tagging" and arbitrary arrests. The task force, chaired by President Rodrigo Duterte, denies these allegations. Fry stated that the task force has exceeded its original mandate and should be replaced with a more effective approach to counterterrorism.