WORLD NEWS

World News

Latest news from and about the homeland

  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…

UK, US and UN overlooked calls to stop Rwandan genocide

Leaked diplomatic cables released by the National Security Archive last week, outlined that the United States, Britain and the United Nations were explicitly warned about an impending massacre in Rwanda.

The cables further revealed that despite having this knowledge, both the US and British governments were considering reducing their presence in Rwanda to avoid difficulties.

A discussion between Belgian diplomats regarding the positions of the UK and US on Rwanda found in the cables highlighted reluctance of the international community to act on explicit warnings of an impending genocide.

World record breaking cyclist calls for Ugandan diplomats to be banned from Commonwealth Games

The two-time cycling world record holder, Graeme Obree, called for Ugandan officials to be banned from this summer’s Commonwealth Games in light of recently passed anti-gay laws.

Obree criticised the ‘hypocrisy’ of politicians that boycotted Sochi’s Winter Paralympic Games in protest of Putin’s actions in Ukraine whilst preparing to entertain Ugandan officials this summer.

Speaking to press, he said,

ICC guilty verdict for Congolese militia leader

The Congolese militia leader Germain Katanga has been found guilty of war crimes by the International Criminal Court.

Katanga was convicted of complicity in a massacre in 2003 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which left over 200 people dead.

The court acquitted him of sexual offences and using child soldiers.

Read more here.

Kashmiri students suspended over Pakistani cricket support

Over 60 Kashmiri students at an Indian university in Uttar Pradesh were suspended and charged with sedition and disrupting communal harmony after cheering for the Pakistani cricket team, following Pakistan's win against India.

District magistrate of Meerut, Pankaj Yadav, told BBC Hindi that after investigating the complaint they found no evidence to support the sedition charge, but that the authorities would continue to investigate the other charge.

Urgent action required by international community to stabilise CAR - UN official

The Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Valerie Amos, reiterated calls for urgent international action to end the worsening crisis in the Central African Republic (CAR).

Speaking in Geneva, Amos stressed,

“The situation is extremely grave and urgent action is required by everyone if we are going to prevent further bloodshed. We the international community have stepped up our response.”

Crimea parliament votes to hold referendum on joining Russia

Crimea’s parliament today voted to join Russia consequentially setting a referendum on the decision to be conducted in 10 days time.

This decision was heavily criticised with the U.S, European Union and Ukraine describing Crimea’s decision as a violation of international law.

Commenting on the decision to hold a referendum, Obama said,

UN officials urge intervention to stop demographic changes in CAR

Senior United Nations officials outlined the need for urgent action in the Central African Republic (CAR) to stop irreversible demographic changes, protect civilians and avoid a humanitarian disaster.

The Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Valerie Amos, addressing the United Nations Security Council, said,

US threatens Russia with sanctions

Senior US administration officials outlined, that the US was prepared to take unilateral steps towards sanctioning Russian individuals and businesses it holds responsible for corrupt and illegal behaviour in Ukraine.

Though they did not provide a timeline, officials say that Russian actions over the next few days would illustrate whether President Vladimir Putin has any interest in an early de-escalation of the situation.

UN peacekeeping forces attacked in Congo

Five United Nations peacekeepers were injured in an ambush today, within the eastern province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in DRC (MONUSCO), condemning the attack, reiterated that the MONUSOC forces would carry on serving the region, stating,

US provides financial aid to Ukriane

The US today gave $1 billion of financial aid to Ukraine today in an attempt to help ease the economic crisis the country was facing due to severed ties with Russia.

US Secretary of State, John Kerry, speaking during his visit to Kiev today, condemned Russia’s incursion into the Ukrainian region of Crimea, stating,