On Wednesday the Egyptian higher court, overturned a criminal court order that put 1,538 defendants on the country’s terror list, including the former president Mohamed Morsi.

An investigation by a team of UN human rights experts has concluded that mass rape, dismembering of civilians and cannablism took place in the Democratic Republic of Congo during conflict that began in 2016 in the Kasai region. 

Stating that both government troops and rebel fighters were suspected of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity, the team presented its findings to the UN Human Rights Council last week. 

Photograph: Twitter @PMOIndia

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on the importance of “strong and stable” relations between India and China, stating it was “an important factor for global peace and progress”.

The United States announced that it has changed the name of its largest military command last week, in what officials say is a symbolic move that recognises the importance of India in the region.

"In recognition of the increasing connectivity of the Indian and Pacific Oceans today we rename the US Pacific Command to the US Indo-Pacific Command," said US Defense Secretary Mattis at a ceremony last week.

Almost seven months of direct rule from Madrid ended this weekend after a new Catalan cabinet was sworn in. 
 
Catalan's new leader and close ally of the previous leader, Quim Torra on Saturday sought to rebuild ties with Madrid whilst reaffirming his commitment to Catalonia's independence. 

Catalan's autonomy was suspended by Madrid after the region declared independence following a referendum last year. 

On Wednesday a tax was passed by the Ugandan government that would charge users 200 shillings ($0.0531) per day for use of social media applications such as Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp.

Hungarian parliament considered legislation that would criminalise providing aid to illegal migrants on Tuesday, as well as and may make such actions punishable with a prison sentence.

Israel’s parliament last week considered a bill entitled "Prohibition against photographing and documenting IDF Soldiers” which sought to criminalise photographing Israel Defense Force soldiers on duty.

On Friday a military court in Cameroon found seven activists guilty of “acts of terrorism, hospitality against the homeland, secession, revolution and insurrection” and could be jailed for 15 years. This follows the governments attempt to repress “a budding Anglophone secessionist movement” which is lead primarily by the North West and South West regions, reports Reuters.

Amnesty International has stated that the Rohingya armed group Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) is responsible for at least one, and possible a second, massacre of up to 99 Hindus – an accusation that the militants vehemently deny.

Amnesty International issued a report on Thursday, detailing alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Nigerian military and Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) as they battle against Boko Haram.

On Tuesday Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki met with Fatou Bensouda, the International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor, at The Hague and called for a formal referral stating Israel had violated international law.

The Palestinian Authority stated it believes the ICC “is the competent authority to investigate the ongoing Israeli crimes associated with the illegal colonial settlement regime and to prosecute those criminals who commit such crimes”.

Portuguese parliament approved a motion in support of Sahrawi independence and self-determination last week, reports the Sahara Press Service.

Venezuela’s president Nicolas Maduro ordered the expulsion of a top US diplomat in Venezuela over a new-round of sanction places on Venezuela due to it’s highly criticised elections.

The United States alongside other nations did not recognise the results of Sunday’s vote.

The EU in a statement released today criticised the conduct of the elections, adding that they would take further action in response.