The Saudi-led Arab Coalition fighting Houthis in Yemen, has started an investigation into the deadly strike on a school bus in Yemen’s North, Saudi media reported.

The Arab coalition cited a high-ranking source in the report.

On Thursday, an airstrike carried out by the coalition in Saada, Yemen’s Northern Province, hit a bus carrying children from a summer camp.

According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), 51 people, including 40 minors, were killed and 79 more, including 56 minors, were injured.

“The command of the coalition has started an investigation into the reports made by the media and a number of websites of the humanitarian organisations, working in Yemen concerning one of the coalition’s operations in Saada province.

“The coalition is also investigating the data on the consequential damage caused to the passenger bus during this operation,’’ a source quoted by the Al Arabiya TV channel as saying.

He added that the coalition pledged to conduct investigations into all incidents involving allegations of wrongdoing and violations of international law while stressing that it was making “every effort to protect civilians’’.

The coalition reported earlier that Thursday’s airstrikes in Saada were targeted at the Houthi militants, who had previously tried to attack the southwestern Saudi port city of Jazan with a ballistic missile.

For several years, Yemen has been experiencing a violent conflict between the government and the Houthi rebels.

In March 2015, the conflict escalated as the Saudi-led coalition started carrying out airstrikes against Houthis at the government’s request.

The rebel movement has repeatedly launched missiles from the Yemeni territory, targeting different cities in Saudi Arabia. (Sputnik/NAN)

Representatives of the Romanian Diaspora and ordinary citizens on Friday, took to the streets in the Capital of Bucharest for an Anti-Government Rally, local media reported.

According to the Agerpres news agency, the protesters started gathering at the Victory Avenue back on Thursday.

Romanians from France, Italy, Sweden, Germany, Norway and the United States, and protesters from across the country planned to start a rally near the government building at 07:00 p.m. (16:00 GMT).

The Federation of Romanians Abroad, which was the rally’s initial organiser, later refused to take responsibility for the event.

According to the press service of Bucharest city authorities, the rally is permitted with up to a million participants and security measures were strengthened.

The avenue has been cordoned off with special constructions with the gendarmerie deployed to the scene.

Protesters demand the dissolution of parliament, snap elections, a technocratic government, judicial independence, creation of 300-seat unilateral parliament to include 100 representatives of the Diaspora, according to the rally’s Facebook page.

Protesters also expressed dissatisfaction with tax system, pension reform, and social care and called for more effective development of economy, agriculture and entrepreneurship.

People also voiced support for democratic values and e-voting as well as partnership with the European Union and NATO.

Sputnik/NAN

https://www.africaprimenews.com/2018/02/26/politics/nigerian-house-of-reps-to-hold-sectoral-debate-on-ajaokuta-steel-company/

The UN General Assembly in New York has appointed former President of Chile, Ms Michelle Bachelet, as High Commissioner for Human Rights, effective from Sept. 1, 2018.

The General Assembly officially appointed Bachelet after a vote on Friday following her nomination by the Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, to succeed outgoing Commissioner, Zeid Al Hussein, who assumed duty in September, 2014 and would bow out Aug. 31.

Minutes after she was voted in, Guterres told reporters that he was delighted by the news of her official appointment, saying “Bachelet has been as formidable a figure in her native Chile as she has at the United Nations”.

Highlighting her role as the first leader of UN Women, between 2010 and 2013, Guterres said she gave “that new entity a dynamic and inspiring start”.

He also pointed to her remarkable career as “the first woman to serve as the country’s President, and also as a survivor of brutality by the authorities targeting her and her family, many decades ago”.

“She has lived under the darkness of dictatorship.

“As a physician, she knows the trials of people thirsting for health and yearning to enjoy other vital economic and social rights. And, she knows the responsibilities of both national and global leadership”.

Following the announcement, Bacheret, who would be the seventh High Commissioner since the office was created in 1993, said she was “deeply humbled and honoured to have been entrusted with this important task”.

Guterres said as this year marked the 70th anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and a time when “hatred and inequality are on the rise,” it was vital to have a “strong advocate for all human rights”.

He added that he could not think of a better choice.

“Michelle Bachelet brings unique experience to the United Nations and to all of us, and is strongly committed to keeping human rights at the forefront of the work of the United Nations.

“She has my full confidence and support, and I ask all member-states and our partners to extend to her their support,” the Secretary-General said.

He also described Bacheret’s predecessor – Zeid – as having served with “leadership, passion, courage and skill” for the past four years.

The UN chief paid special tribute to Zeid, who is stepping down after one term as the key UN voice on global human rights, saying “I wish to express my deep gratitude to my good colleague and friend’’.

Zeid said in a statement on Friday that Bacheret “has all the attributes – courage, perseverance, passion and a deep commitment to human rights – to make her a successful High Commissioner”.

He added that the UN Human Rights Office “looks forward to welcoming her and working under her leadership for the promotion and protection of all human rights, for everyone, everywhere”.

The High Commissioner is the principal official who speaks out for human rights across the UN system, strengthening human rights mechanisms and enhancing equality.

The official also fights discrimination in all its forms, strengthening accountability and the rule of law, and widening the democratic space and protecting the most vulnerable from all forms of human rights abuse.