“If Russia continues to interfere in Ukraine, we stand ready to impose further sanctions.”

“The inability of the commission to get support and cooperation from the country concerned makes it impossible for the commission to carry out its mandate in an impartial objective, and effective manner,” Chuandong said.

“We are going to carry on liberating spaces taken by the protesters.”

“No measures will be taken against our military facilities in Crimea during this time. Our military sites are therefore proceeding with a replenishment of reserves.”

Chinese activist Cao Shunli has died at a hospital in Beijing, after being denied medical treatment for several months, according to her lawyers.

The human rights activist was on her way to Geneva for a UN training course when she was arrested by Chinese police in September last year.

US State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said that the US was “deeply disturbed” by the reports of Cao Shunli’s death, adding that the US had repeatedly raised concerns about the activist’s detention and health issues with the Chinese government.

A court in France has sentenced former Rwandan intelligence chief to 25 years in prison for his role in the genocide, in a landmark trial on Friday.

In France’s first trial over the genocide, 54-year-old Pascal Simbikangwa was found guilty of genocide and complicity to crimes against humanity.

The prosecution described him as a "genocide denier" adding he believed in "extremist Hutu ideology", in the 6 week trial.

The former Labour MP and Cabinet Minister Tony Benn has passed away at his home in London at the age of 88.

The veteran left-wing campaigner was an outspoken activist and became the president of the Stop the War Coalition in 2001.

Tony Benn pictured at Parliament Square on May 23, 2009 (Picture: peacestrike.org)