WORLD NEWS

World News

Latest news from and about the homeland

UN experts demand investigation following Israel’s killing of Lebanese journalists
  Three United Nations (UN) experts called for a full and independent investigation into the killing of three Lebanese journalists by Israel last week, which they described as ‘another attack on press freedom by Israeli forces.’ On March 28, Israeli forces killed Al Mayadeen reporter Fatima Ftouni, her brother and cameraman Mohamed Ftouni, and Al Manar TV reporter Ali Shoeib as they were…

Deadly clashes in Eastern Ukraine

May 19, 2015

Fighting erupted between Ukrainian government forces and Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine on Tuesday, killing four Ukrainian soldiers. Gennady Moskal, governor of the Luhansk region bordering Russia stated on his website that separatists initiated fire on government positions.

Technically, a ceasefire has been in place since February, however, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said last week that at least 83 Ukrainian servicemen had been killed since then. It is unknown how many casualties the separatists have suffered.

Philippines promises refuge for asylum-seekers stranded on boats

May 19, 2015

In a statement on Tuesday the government of the Philippines has offered refuge to asylum-seekers stranded on boats in the Andaman Sea. Herminio Coloma, a spokesperson for the President said the Philippines would continue its tradition of extending “humanitarian assistance” to “ ‘boat people’” and “continue to do [their] share in saving lives under existing and long-standing mechanisms pursuant to our commitments under the [UN] convention.”

North Korea cancels Ban-Ki Moon’s visit

May 19, 2015
North Korea has cancelled a planned visit by UN Secretary-General, Ban-Ki Moon a day before it was scheduled. Mr. Ban had planned to visit an industrial park in the Kaesong economic zone that is jointly run by South Korea and North Korea.

In comments at a forum in Seoul the secretary general said that no explanation was given and the move was “deeply regrettable”.

US willing to consider rolling back 'pro-democracy' programmes in Cuba

May 18, 2015
A senior US official suggested that Washington could modify pro-democracy programmes in Cuba that had been objected by Havana, reports Reuters.

Speaking or press on Tuesday, the State Department official said,

“The democracy programs have changed over time, and they will continue to change over time to reflect a reality, whether that reality is on the ground in Cuba or in the United States. We always have to be cognisant of making sure that when we’re supporting the Cuban people, we’re doing it in a way that is the most effective.”

Burundi tension results in 110,000 refugees in neighbouring countries - UN

May 18, 2015
Heightening political tensions in Burundi has caused an influx of refugees to neighbouring countries said the United Nations on Tuesday.

Speaking to press, the World Health Organisation spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic said the population of Burundi refugee camp in Tanzania had increased to 90,000.

The UN refugee agency spokesperson, Adrian Edwards, speaking at the same press conference added that there were at least 26,000 Burundian refugees in Rwanda taking the total to 111,000 refugees in all three neighbouring countries.

Hundreds protest in Burundi despite ban

May 17, 2015
Hundreds of people protested in the streets of Burundi on Monday following a failed coup last week to oust the country's president.

Protests have been ongoing in Burundi since April when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced he would be running for a third term. Presidents are limited to two terms in office by both the 2000 Arusha accords that ended Burundi’s civil conflict and the country’s 2005 constitution.

Unlike previous weeks however, protesters clashed with armed military personnel as officials warned against protests. The government of Burundi is seen to be ramping up its campaign against protests with army patrols roaming the capital and soldiers stationed in areas where protests were expected.

EU approves naval force to address migrant smuggling from North Africa

May 17, 2015
The European Union has approved a plan to use naval forces to intercept migrant smuggler ships operating from North African countries, such as Libya, at a meeting of EU defence ministers and foreign ministers on Monday.

The plan aims to militarise the EU response to the surge in migrant smuggling ships crossing the Mediterranean, where thousands of asylum-seekers have already died attempting the perilous journey.

The plan to use naval force still requires further approvals from European governments and legal legitimacy from the UN Security Council, in addition to possible cooperation from countries in North Africa. The UK will play a leading role at the Security Council in drafting a resolution that provides the legal basis for this use of naval force.

Saudi Arabia resumes air strikes in Yemen following end of ceasefire

May 17, 2015
The Saudi Arabia-led military coalition resumed strikes against Houthi militants in Yemen on Monday, hours after the expiration of the humanitarian ceasefire in spite of calls for an extension by the UN.

UN envoy calls for extension of ceasefire in Yemen to allow further distribution of aid

May 16, 2015
The UN envoy to Yemen called on the Saudi-led military coalition and Houthi militants to extend the humanitarian ceasefire due to expire on Sunday.

A senior envoy official, Islmail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, called for the extension to allow for further aid to be delivered to Yemeni civilians.

Egyptian court seeks death penalty for former president Morsi

May 15, 2015
An Egyptian court sought the death penalty for former president Mohamed Morsi who was ousted from Presidency in the 2013 uprisings.

Mr Morsi and 106 other supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood are being tried for their connection with a mass jail break in 2011. Egyptian prosecutors alleged that the Bortherhood was planning of sending elements to receive training from Lebanon’s Hezbollah militants.

The court is expected to make a final ruling on June 2 reports Reuters.
Deadly clashes in Eastern Ukraine
Philippines promises refuge for asylum-seekers stranded on boats
North Korea cancels Ban-Ki Moon’s visit
US willing to consider rolling back 'pro-democracy' programmes in Cuba
Burundi tension results in 110,000 refugees in neighbouring countries - UN
Hundreds protest in Burundi despite ban
EU approves naval force to address migrant smuggling from North Africa
Saudi Arabia resumes air strikes in Yemen following end of ceasefire
UN envoy calls for extension of ceasefire in Yemen to allow further distribution of aid
Egyptian court seeks death penalty for former president Morsi