AFP, France: France's state of emergency and new electronic surveillance laws imposed following the November attacks in Paris impose "excessive and disproportionate" restrictions on key rights, UN experts said Tuesday. The group of four United Nations rights specialists also called on…

AFP, Paris: A major fire Tuesday ravaged a section of the landmark Paris Ritz hotel, which has been closed for over three years for renovations and had been set to reopen in March, the fire service said. The fire broke out at around 7:00 am (0600 GMT) on the top floor of the luxury hotel, vividly remembered…

AFP, China: Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, the first stop on an unprecedented trip to raise the economic giant's profile in a troubled region. Xi, making his first presidential visit to the Middle East, will also travel to Egypt and Iran. The official Saudi Press…

AFP, Chechnya: The strongman leader of Russia's Chechnya region Ramzan Kadyrov on Tuesday threatened to eradicate the "enemy" opposition in Russia, raising more concerns about the fate of Kremlin critics and independent media in the country. Kadyrov, who rules with an iron grip the North…

AFP, Britain: Britain launches a new website on Tuesday which aims to educate Muslim teenagers against groups like Islamic State, as the government backed the right of schools to ban girls from wearing veils. The Educate Against Hate site will warn parents and teachers to watch out for signs of radicalisation…