Leading religious figures from the Central Afircan Republic (CAR) travelled to the United Nations in New York to warn of an impending genocidal war in the CAR.

In a joint statement, a leading Catholic prelate, Protestant leader and Islamic imam stressed the threat of a ‘genocidal war’ between religious factions in the country.

Ukraine’s military announced today that one of its officers had been killed after Russian forces stormed a military base in Crimea.

The Russian attack came shortly after the Russian President Vladmir Putin and leaders in Crimea signed a declaration that joined Crimea wit the Russian federation.

Ukraine has no authorised its troops to fire in self-defence.

The United States and European Union, imposed sanctions on Russian and Crimean officials involved in the separation of Crimea from Ukraine, after Russian President Vladmir Putin signed a decree that declared Crimea a sovereign state today.

Anticipating further moves by Russia to appropriate other parts of Ukraine, the US President, Barack Obama, said,

A U.N report outlining severe crimes against humanity committed by North-Korea was rejected by China at the United Nations Human Rights Council today.

A counsellor at China’s mission to Geneva, Chen Chuandong, told the UNHRC that the independent commission of inquiry set up by the council had made accusations and recommendations that were “divorced from reality.”

Venezualean troops stormed a square in Caracus, to evict protestors that had occupied the area in six weeks of anti-president demonstrations.

Soldiers of the Venezualean National Guard stormed the square using teargas and water cannons to overthrow hundreds of demonstrators.

Russia and Ukraine agreed a truce in Crimea, until 21 March, Ukraine’s acting defence minister, Ihor Tenyukh, announced as a referendum on Crimea’s future took place today.

Commenting on the development, Tenyukh, said,

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.

Russian state media said today, that people in Criema voted overwhelmingly to separate from Ukraine and join Russia today.

RIA news agency said that 93 percent backed the separation as the voting polls closed at 1800 GMT. The turnout was also recorded as 80 percent by the Russian monitoring agency.

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 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)

The European Union has agreed to the wording of sanctions on Russia over its military presence in the Crimea, reports the Reuters.

According to the news agency, which reports to have viewed a draft documented, the sanctions will include travel restrictions and asset freezes.

The draft document will be reviewed and put before EU foreign ministers on Monday.
 

Israel's Foreign Minister, Avigdor Liberman asserted that Israel should reoccupy the Gaza strip, citing reports that 41 rockets were fired from the Palestinian territory into Southern Israel.

"We need to reoccupy Gaza," said Liberman in an interview to Channel 2 television.

A commission appointed by Myanmar's government rejected the finding of a UN report that alleged systematic killings by security forces, and instead concluded there was no evidence that 40 Rohingyas were killed during attacks that took place in January, reported VoA.

Commission member, Yin Yin Nwe said,