WORLD NEWS

World News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Al-Shabab fighters are claiming to have seized control of Adan Yabaal, a town in central Somalia, on Wednesday.  Adan Yabaal is situated about 220 kilometres north of Mogadishu and serves as the logistical hub for government forces. Raids were launched by al-Shabab fighters before dawn on Wednesday, forcing the army to retreat after fierce battles, according to a security officer quoted…

Builder arrested after Maharashtra building collapse kills 16

The builder who contracted a five-storey building in Maharashtra has been arrested following a collapse last month that saw at least 16 people killed.

The building collapsed during heavy monsoon rains in Mahad in the Raigad district, south of Mumbai. 

The office of the chief minister of Maharashtra, Uddhav Thackeray, tweeted about his contact with local representatives: “He has assured them that all possible support will be extended for speedy rescue and relief works.”

Leaders behind Mali coup promise democratic elections

The leaders behind the coup in Mali said during an address to the nation that they will hold democratic elections, as talks on the transition to civilian rule begin in the country this weekend.

The talks come after former president Ibraham Boubacar Keïta, who was arrested last month, was moved to a private hospital overnight, and at least 10 soldiers were killed in an attack overnight.

Khmer Rouge’s chief jailer and war criminal dies  

Photo of Kaing Guek Eav at his 2009 trial 

Khmer Rouge’s chief jailer, Kaing Guek Eav, also known as Duch, has died after admitting to overseeing torture and killings as many as 16,000 Cambodians whilst running the regime’s most notorious prison.

UK claims the pay-outs for Iraq abuses are ‘too many to count’

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has claimed the number of complaints it has received from Iraq relating to unlawful detention and mistreatment by British soldiers is too numerous and that a full disclosure of the sum paid to settle claims would not be possible.

The MoD insists that they cannot provide the full figure as it would take weeks for civil servants to collate all the figures however claim that they are able to provide approximate figures for the thousands of complaints lodged against British troops during their involvement in the 2003 US-led invasion and subsequent occupation of Iraq.

This statement comes as British parliament is set to debate a controversial bill, “the Overseas which would provide partial amnesty for troops who have committed serious crimes - including murder and torture - while serving outside the country.

Former Bosnian Serb General appeals genocide conviction

Former Bosnian Serb general, Ratko Mladic, has appealed his 2017 conviction of genocide and crimes against humanity during the Yugoslav wars, appearing in the Hague on Tuesday.

Mladic has been convicted of overseeing the slaughter of 8,000 Muslim men and boys at Srebrenica in 1995 and attacking and murdering civilians during the 43-month siege of the Bosnian capital Sarajevo. He was the commander of Bosnian Serb forces during the 1992-95 war that was part of Yugoslavia's breakup. He is currently facing a life sentence.

Artist Banksy funds rescue vessel for migrants stranded in central Mediterranean

<p>The British artist Banksy funded a vessel to give aid as hundred of migrants remain stranded in the central Mediterranean.&nbsp;</p> <p>Many migrants were transferred to rescue ships, as European officials ignored calls to allow migrants on shore. These ships were deployed after Louise Michel crew issued a distress call near Lampedusa, an Italian island off the coast of Africa, as it was no longer able to steer with so many people on board.&nbsp;</p> <p>Banksy criticised EU authorities via Instagram, saying, "EU authorities deliberately ignore distress calls from 'non-Europeans.'"</p>

Rwanda issues warrant against former spy complicit in 1994 genocide

Rwanda’s government has issued an international arrest warrant for former Rwandan spy, Aloys Ntiwiragabo, for his role in the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

According to French news site Mediapart, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) has identified Ntiwiragabo as one of the architects of the genocide.

This warrant follows the arrest of alleged genocide architect, Felicien Kabuga, who had evaded authorities for 25 years by travelling to several countries. Kabuga is accused of financing the Rwandan genocide. 

Boris Johnson recruits former Australian PM known for hardline anti-immigration policies

<p>UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has recruited right-wing former Australian PM, Tony Abbott, to help lead the post-Brexit global trade mission.&nbsp;</p> <p>Abbott has been criticised for his hardline anti-immigration policy,&nbsp; which stopped refugees from reaching Australia by boat while others were detained in camps on distant islands.&nbsp;</p>

At least 7 young teens killed by Angolan police enforcing virus curbs

<p>Amnesty International stated seven young men have been shot dead between May and July by Angolan security forces intending to uphold the country’s coronavirus restrictions.</p> <p>A joint investigation by Angolan rights group OMUNGHA and the UK0 based watchdog resulted in the groups stating security forces used “excessive, unlawful force” in tracking down breaches.</p> <p>The government in March declared a state of emergency and soldiers and police were deployed to enforce the curfews and gathering bans.</p> <blockquote><p>

Calls for country-wide strike after 9 year old girl shot in Chile

<p>Chile Truckdrivers call for a country-wide strike after a nine-year-old girl was shot when her father’s cement truck was attacked by at least four armed men on a local highway.</p> <p>The child is currently being treated for serious injuries in a hospital in south-central Chile, as reported by local media.</p> <p>The truck drivers called for this walk-off to begin Thursday if President Sebastian Pinera and Congress do not act to reduce the violent unrest in Chile’s Araucania region.</p> <p>In recent months, Chile’s Araucania has faced numerous attacks to transport trucks and factories.</p>