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…

Croatia spends over 3 million euros on genocide prosecution at the Hague

Jun 6, 2014
The Croatian government last week announced that it had spent over 3 million euros in the country’s genocide prosecution against Serbia at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, reports BalkanInsight.

Croatia first filed a genocide lawsuit against Serbia in 1999, whilst Serbia launched a counter claim alleging Croat

World leaders mark D-Day 70th anniversary

Jun 5, 2014

World leaders gathered in Normandy, France on Friday to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Normandy landings.

More famously known as D-Day, the landings began the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe and eventually led to the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War 2.

Both sides in CAR conflict responsible for war crimes finds preliminary UN Commission of Inquiry

Jun 4, 2014

Both sides of the conflict in the Central African Republic are responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity, found a United Nations preliminary Commission of Inquiry report.

The report stressed that, "the displacement of Muslims affected by whatever party so far is a matter of protection and the preservation of human life, not a matter of ethnic cleansing.”

China welcomes Palestinian unity government as foundation of independent statehood

Jun 4, 2014
The Chinese government this week welcomed the newly formed Palestinian unity government as a step towards Palestinian independence, reports Xinhua.

“We believe Palestine’s internal reconciliation will strengthen the solidarity of the Palestinian people, and promote the founding of an independent state for Palestinians and peaceful coexistence between Palestine and Israel,” said the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei.

Israel responds to Palestinian unity by announcing more settlements

Jun 4, 2014

In response to a Palestinian unity government being sworn in this week, Israel has announced the construction of almost 1,500 new homes in various settlements, in a move that has received international condemnation.

Palestinian unity government work towards two state solution welcomed by UN

Jun 3, 2014
The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the announcement of a Palestinian unity government, in a statement released yesterday.

The Secretary-General also noted that ‘the Palestine Liberation Organisation will remain responsible for holding peace negotiations with the State of Israel, a commitment President Abbas has reaffirmed, and hopes that new opportunism for progress toward a two-state solution will emerge soon.’

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Assad emphatically wins criticised Syrian elections

Jun 3, 2014
Ruling Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was announced the winner of the much criticised Syrian elections on Wednesday, taking 88.7% of the vote and securing a third term in office, as fighting continued in many parts of the country.

Opposition controlled areas did not see any voting, yet Syria's constitutional court put the turnout at 73.42%. The two other men on the ticket, who received only 4.3% and 3.2% of the vote, were dismissed by the opposition, claiming they were token candidates who provided no real alternative to the Assad regime.

The elections were also slammed by US Secretary of State John Kerry, who said, “The elections are non-elections. A great big zero”. Speaking in Lebanon, he went on to add, "You can't have an election where millions of your people don't even have an ability to vote... Nothing has changed between the day before the election and after”.

He was joined by the European Union in his criticism who stated it was not "a genuinely democratic vote".

25th anniversary of Tiananmen Square marked

Jun 3, 2014
See more minute by minute tweets of the events of June 4th 1989 @prchovanec

Tens of thousands of people gathered in Hong Kong to mark the 25th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre today, whilst Chinese authorities silenced all mention of the pro-democracy protests, that resulted in a military crackdown killing hundreds.

Organisers stated that 180,000 people gathered in Hong Kong, as thousands of candles were lit to mark the massacre, alongside events held in Taiwan and around the globe.


Pro-democracy activists alongside Tamil Solidarity mark the massacre in London. Photograph: Tamil Solidarity

The White House also released a statement saying, the United States “continues to honor the memories of those who gave their lives in and around Tiananmen Square and throughout China, and we call on Chinese authorities to account for those killed, detained, or missing in connection with the events surrounding June 4, 1989.”

In mainland China though, the government cracked down in the weeks leading up to the massacre, where it is still a taboo topic. Lawyers, journalists and activists were reportedly detained while international news reports were censored and internet searches blocked.

Syrian regime holds elections amidst controversy

Jun 2, 2014
The Syrian government holds presidential elections in government-held areas today, reports the BBC.

Opposition areas are expected to not vote in protest of a state that bombs its own civilians report correspondents on the ground.

Though this is the first time Syrian elections have seen a rival candidate, the independence of the candidate has been questioned after the last hours of the candidate’s campaign saw him explain why Bashar al-Assad should win.

State led rape used to torture political activists in Congo says Freedom From Torture

Jun 2, 2014
Security officials routinely gang rape women in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) prisons as punishment for their political activities, said UK- based charity, Freedom From Torture.

The report documented testimonies from 34 survivors who were tortured and raped by state actors due to involvement in political and rights organisations.
Croatia spends over 3 million euros on genocide prosecution at the Hague
World leaders mark D-Day 70th anniversary
Both sides in CAR conflict responsible for war crimes finds preliminary UN Commission of Inquiry
China welcomes Palestinian unity government as foundation of independent statehood
Israel responds to Palestinian unity by announcing more settlements
Palestinian unity government work towards two state solution welcomed by UN
Assad emphatically wins criticised Syrian elections
25th anniversary of Tiananmen Square marked
Syrian regime holds elections amidst controversy
State led rape used to torture political activists in Congo says Freedom From Torture