WORLD NEWS

World News

Latest news from and about the homeland

UN experts demand investigation following Israel’s killing of Lebanese journalists
  Three United Nations (UN) experts called for a full and independent investigation into the killing of three Lebanese journalists by Israel last week, which they described as ‘another attack on press freedom by Israeli forces.’ On March 28, Israeli forces killed Al Mayadeen reporter Fatima Ftouni, her brother and cameraman Mohamed Ftouni, and Al Manar TV reporter Ali Shoeib as they were…

Khmer Rouge leaders found guilty of crimes against humanity, sentenced to life imprisonment

Aug 6, 2014
Two top leaders within the Khmer Rouge regime were found guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced to life imprisonment by a special tribunal in Cambodia on Thursday.

Now in their 80s, Khieu Samphon, the Khmer Rouge head of state, and Nuon Chea, the regime's ideological head and former deputy secretary of the Communist Party of Kampuchea, were charged with crimes against humanity, genocide, religious persecution, homicide and torture.

See here for judgement being delivered.

IS advances through northern Iraq, as US considers air drops to help refugees

Aug 6, 2014

The Islamic State (IS) has captured the largest Christian city in Iraq, while edging closer to the border with Kurdistan.

Qaraqosh, home to around 50,000 Christians fell to the militants on Thursday, after Kurdish peshmerga forces withdrew from the city in Nineveh.

Around 200,000 refugees, mostly members of minority communities like the Yazidis and Christians, are reported to be fleeing from the IS advance, according to UN officials.

Parliamentary committee chair requests details of British arms exports to Israel

Aug 6, 2014
The chair of the parliamentary select committee on British arms exports, requested details of any military exports that may have been used by the Israeli army during its most recent offensive in Gaza, reports The Guardian.

CAR government steps down as part of peace agreement

Aug 6, 2014
The Central African Republic’s government stepped down as part of a peace deal to work towards an end of sectarian violence in the region, reports the Associated Press.

The regions interim Prime Minister and his Cabinet resigned on Tuesday as part of a peace agreement reached between the Muslim and Christian militant factions.

The government has been tasked with organising elections to take place early next year.

Syrian militants withdraw from Lebanese borders

Aug 6, 2014
Militants from Syria withdrew from Lebanese borders today after seizing the border town of Arsal, reports the BBC.

The militants left after a truce was brokered after days of fighting between the Syrian rebels and the Lebanese army.

Lebanon’s government Thursday announced that an extra 12,000 troops would be deployed to stabilise areas under attack by the militants.

Lebanon has long complained that fighters belonging to Syrian militant groups have tried to seize Lebanese border towns.

Russia bans food imports from EU, US, Australia and Canada

Aug 6, 2014
All food imports form the US, EU, Australia, Canada and Norway were banned by Russia reports The Guardian.

The Russian Prime Minister, speaking to press on Thursday, said that all fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, milk and dairy imports from countries that had placed sanctions on Russia would be banned.

Dmitry Medvedev added that officials were considering a ban on European airlines flying to Asia over Siberia.

Russia is Europe’s second largest market for food and drink.

No change to US-Afghan relations says Pentagon after US General killed by Afghan soldier

Aug 5, 2014
Confirming the killing of an US general by an Afghan soldier on Tuesday, the US military stressed that it was an isolated incident and would not change US-Afghan military relations. 

Major General Harold Greene was killed by an Afghan soldier, who  opened fire at a military training facility in Kabul, in the latest 'green on blue attack'. He is the most senior US military officer to be killed since 9/11. 

Palestine Israel talks commence in Cairo as Palestine seeks ICC war crimes case

Aug 5, 2014
Indirect talks between representatives from Israel and Palestine began in Cairo on Wednesday, reports the BBC.

The talks commenced as a truce between Hamas and Israel entered its second day today. Egyptian mediators plan to move between Palestinian and Israeli delegation in an attempt to formulate a common agreement.

Palestinian Authority Seeks ICC War Crimes Case

NUS votes to boycott Israeli products

Aug 5, 2014
The British National Union of Students passed a motion boycotting companies that support Israel during a session held at the NUS national Executive Council, reports the Huffington post.

A NUS spokesperson said,

Libyan shelling of civilian areas could be war crime – Amnesty International

Aug 5, 2014
Amnesty International has called for all parties involved in fighting in Libya to immediately stop indiscriminately shelling civilian areas, warning that it breaches international law.

In a press release on Thursday, Amnesty warned that the shelling amounted to war crimes, with Philip Luther, Director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Amnesty International saying,
“The warring parties in Tripoli and Benghazi have displayed a wanton disregard for the safety of ordinary civilians who have found themselves mercilessly pinned down by indiscriminate shelling with imprecise weapons that should never be used in populated areas.”

“All sides in both these conflicts have an absolute obligation under international law not to target attacks against civilians.”
Khmer Rouge leaders found guilty of crimes against humanity, sentenced to life imprisonment
IS advances through northern Iraq, as US considers air drops to help refugees
Parliamentary committee chair requests details of British arms exports to Israel
CAR government steps down as part of peace agreement
Syrian militants withdraw from Lebanese borders
Russia bans food imports from EU, US, Australia and Canada
No change to US-Afghan relations says Pentagon after US General killed by Afghan soldier
Palestine Israel talks commence in Cairo as Palestine seeks ICC war crimes case
NUS votes to boycott Israeli products
Libyan shelling of civilian areas could be war crime – Amnesty International