Universal Democratic Values: US criticizes Turkey for move on Zaman media group

U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby has named a recent court decision to appoint a board of trustees to Zaman media group “troubling,” as he urged Turkish authorities to “ensure their actions uphold the universal democratic values.”

France ’Not Finished with Terrorism’ Says Hollande

French President Francois Hollande said in his New Year’s Eve address to the nation Thursday that France “has not finished with terrorism yet”.

Islamic State militants close in on Syria's historic Palmyra

Islamic State group militants advanced on the Syrian city of Palmyra on Thursday, raising fears that the UNESCO world heritage site faces imminent destruction at the hands of the same jihadists who destroyed ancient Iraqi artefacts earlier this year.

White House, UN 'Troubled' by Death Verdicts in Egypt. - Ban Ki-moon has expressed alarm

The United States is "deeply troubled" by an Egypt court's death sentence for the leader of the Muslim Brotherhood and hundreds of supporters, the White House said on Monday, condemning the country's use of mass trials.

"Today's verdict, like the one last month, defies even the most basic standards of international justice. The Egyptian government has the responsibility to ensure that every citizen is afforded due process, including the right to a fair trial in which evidence is clearly presented, and access to an attorney," the White House said in a statement.

China issues report on U.S. human rights

BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- China published a report on the United States' human rights record on Friday, in response to U.S. criticism and "irresponsible remarks" about China.
"The Human Rights Record of the United States in 2013" was released by the Information Office of the State Council, China's cabinet, in response to "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2013" made public by the U.S. State Department on Thursday.
China's report states that there were serious human rights problems in the U.S in 2013, with the situation deteriorating in many fields. Once again posing as "the world judge of human rights", the U.S. government "made arbitrary attacks and irresponsible remarks" on almost 200 countries and regions, the report says.