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…

Attacks on Egyptian media must end - CPJ

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a worldwide press freedom group, called on the Egyptian military to end the violence against journalists and the censoring of media outlets.  

See CPJ statement -'In Egypt, press freedom abuses must be investigated' (19/12/11)

CPJ's Middle East and North Africa programme coordinator, Mohamed Abdel Dayem, said,

Justice will end crimes in Darfur - ICC

Addressing the UN Secruity Council, chief ICC prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, continued the court's call to end impunity in Sudan and bring those responsible for crimes against humanity and genocide in Darfur, to justice. 

Ocampo said,

The execution of the arrest warrants will end the crimes in Darfur."

Nazi killer starts jail term at 90

A former member of the Waffen SS has begun a life-sentence for the murder of three civilians during World War II.

Wheelchair bound Heinrich Boere, who is now 90 years old, was taken from his nursing home to the prison where he will serve his sentence.

An appeal on medical grounds was rejected, as a medical expert testified he was well enough to serve his sentence at a suitable facility.

Russia condemns violence in Syria

Russia has proposed a new UN resolution on Syria, condeming the violence used against civilians by “all parties, including disproportionate use of force by Syrian authorities”.

Although officials from the US and Europe described the current draft as too mild, they welcomed it, remaining hopeful that a sterner stance can be negotiated with Moscow.

US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, said,

Gaddafi killing could be war crime – ICC chief prosecutor

The Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Louis Moreno-Ocampo, has asked the National Transitional Council of Libya what steps the government is taking to investigate war crimes committed by all sides during the rebellion.

Nazi hunters' final push

The Simon Wiesenthal Center has announced a new push to prosecute the last remaining individuals guilty of committing war crimes during the second world war.

The head of the Nazi-hunting organisation's Jerusalem office, Efraim Zuroff, told a press conference in Berlin, the Center would offer a reward of 25,000 euros for information leading to successful prosecution of former Nazi's still at large.

The intiative has been given a boost by the conviction of John Demjanjuk, a Ukrainian former camp guard.

Syrian commanders ordered troops to 'shoot to kill' - HRW

Defected Syrian soldiers identified 74 of their senior officers and commanders responsible for the killing of protesters said Human Rights Watch in a report released on Thursday.

International justice is here to stay' - ICC prosecutor

Sudan president, Omar al-Bashir will face justice one day asserted Luis Moreno Ocampo, the ICC's chief prosecutor, at a news conference following a briefing at the UN Security Council on Thursday.

Ocampo warned,

International justice is here to stay. It will take time but the destiny is clear. He will face justice.”

Abbas raises Palestinian Flag at UNESCO

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has symbolically raised the Palestinian flag above the UNESCO headquarters in Paris to the backdrop of the Palestinian national anthem, marking the first time the flag has flown above a UN agency.

Addressing the crowd at UNESCO, Abbas said,

Chad next to be referred to UN over Bashir

The International Criminal Court referred Chad to the UN Security Council on Wednesday over its failure to arrest Sudan's President, Omar al-Bashir for a second time.

The referral comes 2 days after Malawi suffered a similar fate.

A statement by the ICC read,