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…

World major asset managers and state pensions allegedly engaged in Uighur repression

Many of the world’s largest asset managers and state pension funds are passively investing in companies that have allegedly engaged in the repression of Uighur Muslims in China, according to a new report.

Supreme court rules against Scottish independence referendum

The supreme court has ruled that the Scottish government cannot hold an independence referendum without the UK government's consent. 

Nicola Sturgeon had planned to hold a referendum on 19 October 2023 but the supreme court ruled unanimously that she does not have the power to do so, stating that the issue is reserved to Westminister. 

Man detained at Manston centre dies

A man who arrived in the UK on a small boat a week ago and was being processed at Manston has died, the Home Office said on Saturday. He became ill while at the Kent detention site and was taken to hospital, but later died.

t is understood that he arrived on 12 November and was taken ill on Friday evening.

“We can confirm a person staying at Manston has died this morning [Saturday] in hospital after becoming unwell,” a Home Office spokesperson said.

Tigray receives a lifeline - first set of humanitarian aid received since peace agreement

The Tigray region has recieved humanitarian aid for the first time since the peace agreement, departing from two years of a devestating blockade.

On Tuesday, The International Committee of the Red Cross delivered two medical trucks to the Capital. Speaking on behalf of the ICRC, Nicolas Von Arx announced in a statement, "It is an enormous relief for us to deliver this cargo," he continues, "The healthcare system in the region is under extreme pressure, and these deliveries are a lifeline for people who need medical help."

Myanmar junta face strong resistance

Following the coup and a brutal crackdown on unarmed protestors, the people of Myanmar have taken up arms against the military which now only has stable control over 17 per cent of the country. 

Zelenskyy accuses Russia of war crimes in Kherson

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russian soldiers of committing war crimes and killing civilians in Kherson, which was retaken by Ukraine last week.

“Investigators have already documented more than 400 Russian war crimes. Bodies of dead civilians and servicemen have been found,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address on Sunday, without specifying the locations where the bodies had been discovered.

UK, EU impose sanctions on Iranian officials over human rights abuses

The European Union and the United Kingdom have imposed additional sanctions on Iranian officials in response to the widespread use of force against protestors. 

So far, 336 demonstrators have been killed in the unrest and nearly 15,100 detained, according to the activist HRANA news agency.

“We stand with the Iranian people and support their right to protest peacefully and voice their demands and views freely,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a statement.

Iran issues first death sentence over protests

A court in Tehran has issued the first death sentence to a person arrested for taking part in protests.

A human rights group warned authorities might be planning "hasty executions".

At least 20 people are currently facing charges punishable by death, Norway-based Iran Human Rights said, citing official reports.

UK agrees to negotiate with Mauritius over handover of Chagos Island

The UK has agreed to open negotiations with Mauritius over the future handover of the Chagos Island, in a major reversal of policy following years of resistance and legal defeats in international courts but will continue to maint control over it's military base in Diego Garcia. 

The proposed agreement will allow for the return of former inhabitants of the Chagos archipelago who were forcibly displaced by the British government in the 1960s and 1970s. 

Humanitarian aid to be delivered to Tigray region after peace deal signed

Ethiopia’s government and the TPLF have agreed to facilitate immediate humanitarian access to “all in need” in war-ravaged Tigray and neighbouring regions.

The agreement comes after talks in Nairobi, Kenya this week after the signed peace agreement between the two warring sides brought an end to the two year conflict in Northern Ethiopia.