WORLD NEWS

World News

Latest news from and about the homeland

  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…

African Union to back Kenyatta

Kenyan president Kenyatta says he is delighted that other African leaders are supporting his bid to have his case for crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court (ICC) referred back to Kenya.

Heads of state are due to adopt a draft decision at the African Union (AU) Assembly on Sunday.

In the eyes of the ICC such a proposal would have no legal standing and according to international diplomats, now that the process has started it would be too late for the case to be abandoned.

New round of talks planned for Syria

The various factions of Syria's opposition are attempting to agree a new leadership in time for a new round of peace talks, reports Reuters.

The talks are being convened by the US and Russia after recent developments in the civil war have compelled new attempts at diplomacy.

The 'peace conference' could take part in Geneva in the coming weeks and Russia has said that the Syrian government has in principle agreed to attend.

Hezbollah affirms commitment to upholding Assad's regime

The leader of the militant group Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, aligned his movement behind President Bashar’s Syrian government.

The affirmation of support came as Hezbollah militants assisted Syrian government forces to launch an assault on the town of Qusair.

5 arrested in EU war crimes probe

The European Union police and justice mission in Kosovo have arrested 5 people as part of a war crimes probe in the country, including a close ally of current Prime Minister Hashim Thaci.

Sami Lushtaku, who is also the mayor of the town of Skenderaj, was arrested by EULEX who stated he was detained,

"for war crimes against the civilian population in the form of violation of bodily integrity and health of civilians held in a KLA detention center located in Likovc, Skenderaj municipality".

They went on to add,

Chinese vice premier visits Zimbabwe

China’s vice premier Wang Yang arrived in Zimbabwe on a business trip earlier this week, hailing economic and business ties between the two countries.

Speaking to reporters at Harare, after being welcomed by Zimbabwean  Vice President Joice Mujuru, Wang stated,

"Business co-operation is an important part of our friendly relations".

North Korea ready for dialogue – China

Chinese media have reported that a North Korean envoy, currently visiting China, said they are ready for "dialogue with all the relevant parties".

Vice Marshal Choe Ryong-hae met senior Chinese official Liu Yunshan and discussed the recent crisis, which saw Pyongyang threatening South Korea and the US with missile strikes.

Liu said that China along with other concerned parties support denuclearisation and called for a return to talks.

Argentine military officer arrested for war crimes

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A retired Argentine military officer wanted for crimes committed during the 1976-1983 "dirty war" against the left has been was arrested in the Uruguayan capital, today.

The Uruguay National Police force arrested, Col Alberto Julio Candiotti, on the basis of an Interpol Red Notice issued at the request of an Argentine federal court.

Aftermath of Woolwich attack

Politicians and UK community leaders urged the country to unite on Thursday in the aftermath of the murder of a British soldier in Woolwich, London, an incident widely described as a terrorist attack.

The soldier, identified as 25-year-old Drummer Lee Rigby was hacked to death by two men, one of whom has been named as Michael Adebolajo, in broad daylight near military barracks in Woolwich. The killers, who were previously know to security and intelligence services, stopped and spoke to bystanders, threatening that the British public would not be safe while soldiers remained stationed in the Middle East.

M23 declare ceasefire ahead of UN Sec Gen visit

M23 rebels have declared a ceasefire for the upcoming visit of the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

Ban Ki-moon arrived in Goma this week, and expressed deep concern regarding the increased in violence in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

The group's political spokesperson, Amani Kabasha, told Reuters that M23 had "decided to announce this ceasefire to allow His Excellency Ban Ki-moon to visit Goma as he promised".

Kenya calls for ICC proceedings to be 'terminated'

Kenya has called upon the United Nations Security Council to for all International Criminal Court charges against Kenyan political leaders to be dropped.

Speaking after a closed-door meeting with the council, Kenya's UN ambassador Macharia Kamau said,

"We have asked that these proceedings be terminated as soon as possible".