WORLD NEWS

World News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Al-Shabab fighters are claiming to have seized control of Adan Yabaal, a town in central Somalia, on Wednesday.  Adan Yabaal is situated about 220 kilometres north of Mogadishu and serves as the logistical hub for government forces. Raids were launched by al-Shabab fighters before dawn on Wednesday, forcing the army to retreat after fierce battles, according to a security officer quoted…

US diplomatic boycott of Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic over Uighur genocide

Speaking at the White House press briefing, US Press Secretary, Jen Psaki, announced that “the Biden administration would not send any diplomatic or official representation to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic games given the PRC’s ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang and other human rights abuses”.

Rohingya Muslims launch landmark legal case against Facebook


The north district court in San Francisco has received a class action complaint, on behalf of estimated 10,000 Rohingya Muslims, against the social media giant Facebook for enabling and fomenting genocidal violence in Myanmar.

Myanmar’s military halves Aung San Suu Kyi’s sentence as criticism continues to mount

Myanmar’s military-ruled court has halved their sentence of deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi, from four to two years, as international criticism continues to mount.

International condemnation of summary execution ex-Afghan security officials

Responding to the reported executions of over 100 former Afghan security officials by the Taliban, the US, EU and 20 other countries have released a joint statement condemning the killings.

US warns of 'severe consequences' if Russia further aggression towards Ukraine

Following a meeting with Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken reaffirmed American support for the "territorial integrity of Ukraine" and warned Russia that it would be held responsible for any aggressive actions it takes towards Ukraine.

Biden administration delists FARC as a 'terrorist' organisation but peace remains fragile


On Tuesday US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, revoked the designation of the now-defunct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia (FARC) rebel group as a "foreign terrorist organisation" but proscribed two splinter organisations of FARC, "FARC-EP and Segunda Marquetalia".

US sanctions Eritrean army and ruling party for 'contributing to the violence' in Ethiopia

The United States has sanctioned the Eritrean army and the country's ruling party for their role in the Ethiopian conflict. 

In a press release, the US Department of the Treasury announced sanctions on four entities and two individuals "that have contributed to the crisis and conflict" in Ethiopia. 

"The presence of Eritrean forces is an impediment to ending the ongoing fighting and increasing humanitarian access," the press release said. 

ICC prosecutor to open investigation into Venezuela

International Criminal Court prosecutor, Karim Khan, said on Wednesday he will open an investigation into possible crimes against humanity in Venezuela.

Speaking in a conference alongside Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, Khan said he is "determined that he will proceed to open an investigation to establish the truth" of events that occurred in Venezuela. A  memorandum of understanding was signed by both the President and Karim Khan. 

Protests against Sudan coup as military dissolve civilian government

A coup is currently underway in Sudan, where the military has dissolved civilian rule, arrested political leaders and declared a state of emergency.

The coup leader, General Abel Fattah Burhan blamed political infighting. In response to the dissolution of civilian rule, protests have erupted in several cities including the capital Khartoum. Three people are said to have been killed after being shot by armed forces, BBC reports. 

Israel proscribes six Palestinian human rights organisations as crackdown on political activism escalates

The Israeli government has effectively outlawed six prominent Palestinian human rights organisations by declaring them terrorist organisations, in what is considered a major escalation of its crackdown on political activism within the occupied territories.