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…

Apartheid land compensation process renews in South Africa

Jun 29, 2014
South Africa will re-launch a claims process that will allow families that were removed from their land under apartheid rule to apply for compensation announced the presidency on Monday.

“The Act now provides for the re-opening of the lodgement of land claims by those who missed the 31 December 1998 deadline,” a presidency statement said.

The law builds on a process that previously saw the examination for 80.000 requests for compensation which expired before all those that were driven from their land could make a claim, reports Agence France Presse.

North Korea fires banned missiles ahead of Chinese visit to Seoul

Jun 28, 2014
North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles ahead of a state visit by the Chinese President Xi Jinping to South Korea, reports Reuters. 

North Korea said it was "part of its routine military exercise". The firing of such missiles by isolated countries as weapons testing is banned by the UN.

Iraq receives Russian fighter jets to combat ISIS militants

Jun 28, 2014
Iraq received its first batch of fighter jets it ordered from Russia to aid the fight against ISIS militants, reports BBC.

Iraq’s ministry of defence said that the deal with Russia “was aimed at increasing the firepower of the air force and the rest of the armed forces in order to fight terrorism.”

The defence ministry added that five Sukhoi  attack aircraft would enter service within the next few days.

Kurdistan independence should be supported says Israel's Prime Minister

Jun 28, 2014
The Israeli Prime Minister, Sunday, showed support for Kurdish independence amidst worsening sectarian violence in Iraq, reports the Associated Press.

Highlighting the uncontrollable violence in Iraq, Binyamin Netanyahu called for the formation of an independent Kurdistan that could form an alliance with moderate forces across the region to combat destabilising militants in Iraq.

‘Serbia will never recognise Kosovo’ – Nikolic

Jun 28, 2014

Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic has stated that Serbia will never recognise Kosovo’s independence at a speech commemorating the historic Battle of Kosovo.

Nikolic reportedly went on to tell the crowd that “Serbia will continue fighting for its holy land”, before adding,

Refugees seek protection in Kurdistan as Peshmerga deployment increases

Jun 27, 2014
Unprecedented deployment of Kurdish Peshmerga forces to combat advancing ISIS militants in regions vacated by Iraqi forces is winning support of vulnerable minorities, reports Agence France Presse.

UK Foreign Secretary visits Kurdistan, calls for international action to freeze ISIS assets

Jun 27, 2014
The UK foreign secretary yesterday held talks with Kurdish leaders in Erbil to talk about confronting extremist militants overrunning parts of Iraq, reports the BBC.

Speaking at a press conference with  Kurdish prime minister Masoud Barzani, William Hague said that the UK would press for UN action to stop the militants access to finance and clamp down on their assets.

Obama requests $500m for Syrian opposition

Jun 26, 2014

US President Barack Obama requested that Congress approve $500m to train and equip members of the Syrian opposition on Thursday.

Noting that the funding would only be spent on ''appropriately vetted'' members of the armed Syrian opposition, the White House said in a statement,

"This funding request would build on the administration's longstanding efforts to empower the moderate Syrian opposition, both civilian and armed."

Speaking on the request National Security Council spokesperson Caitlin Hayden, said in a statement,

Independent Kurdistan now 'foregone conclusion' says Israel

Jun 26, 2014
Israel signalled its support to an independent Kurdistan this week, stating that amid escalating violence in Iraq, an independent Kurdistan was a "foregone conclusion", reports Reuters.

UNHRC establishes Commission of Inquiry on Eritrea

Jun 26, 2014
The UN Human Rights Council today mandated a Commission of Inquiry on Eritrea. The inquiry which will last for the period of one year will investigate all alleged violations of human rights in the country.
Apartheid land compensation process renews in South Africa
North Korea fires banned missiles ahead of Chinese visit to Seoul
Iraq receives Russian fighter jets to combat ISIS militants
Kurdistan independence should be supported says Israel's Prime Minister
‘Serbia will never recognise Kosovo’ – Nikolic
Refugees seek protection in Kurdistan as Peshmerga deployment increases
UK Foreign Secretary visits Kurdistan, calls for international action to freeze ISIS assets
Obama requests $500m for Syrian opposition
Independent Kurdistan now 'foregone conclusion' says Israel
UNHRC establishes Commission of Inquiry on Eritrea