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…

Spanish court issues arrest warrant for former Chinese leader's role in genocide

Feb 9, 2014
The Spanish High Court Judge, Ismael Moreno, today issued an arrest warrant for the former Chinese President, Jiang Zemin, ex-Prime Minister, Li Peng and three other officials alleging responsibility for alleged genocide in Tibet.

The court ordered that the official’s details be handed over to Interpol for their role in alleged “genocide, torture and crimes against humanity.”

EU agrees to talks with Cuba

Feb 9, 2014

The European Union has agreed to hold talks with Cuba to discuss restoring full relations with the Communist country.

Catherine Ashton, head of EU foreign policy, said that human rights remained "at the core" of relations with Cuba.

"These negotiations will help consolidate our engagement with Cuba. I hope Cuba will take up this offer," she said.

ICC hearing of Congo’s Ntaganda begins

Feb 9, 2014

A pre-trial hearing to decide if there is enough evidence to convict Bosco Ntaganda of crimes against humanity, commenced at the International Criminal Court earlier today.
Ntaganda, a former commander with the M23 rebel organisation, faces 18 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Fatou Bensouda, Chief Prosecutor at the ICC told the hearing,

Relief convoys to rebel-held territory attacked in Syria

Feb 8, 2014

Relief convoys carrying humanitarian aid into the rebel-held area of Homs, today experienced military fire for the second consecutive day, despite appeals from the United Nations urging the Syrian government and rebels to respect a ceasefire.

‘Terminator’ to face hearing at ICC

Feb 8, 2014

Congolese war crimes suspect Bosco Ntaganda is set to face the International Criminal Court on Monday, facing 18 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Nicknamed ‘The Terminator’, Ntaganda was a commander with the M23 rebel organisation, before crossing into Rwanda and surrendering to the US Embassy, stating he wanted to give himself up to the ICC.

Ida Sawyer of Human Rights Watch said that more than 900 victims may come forward to take part in the hearing, adding,

Tibetan man dies in self-immolation

Feb 7, 2014
A Tibetan man set himself alight and died in protest against Chinese rule earlier this week, marking the first self-immolation in Tiber in 2014.

29-year-old Phakmo Samdup became the 6th person to self immolate since July 2013, before which saw a sharp rise in the number of deaths. So far, a reported 126 deaths from self-immolation have occurred in Chinese ruled Tibet.

Israelis fear failed peace-talks could result in growing BDS campaign

Feb 7, 2014
Reporting from the middle-east Aljazeera found that many Israelis feared that the failure of US-led peace talks between Palestine and Israel, could result in the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) campaign gaining momentum due to European Union pressure.

See report below.

ICC opens war crimes investigation into CAR

Feb 6, 2014

The International Criminal Court has opened a preliminary investigation into reports of war crimes in the Central African Republic, as sectarian violence continues to escalate in the country.

ICC Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda stated earlier,

Pakistan/Taliban peace talks commence

Feb 5, 2014
The first formal meeting between the Pakistani government and Taliban peace envoy, took place today in Islamabad, announced officials today.

The two parties, in a 3 hour long meeting, agreed to cease activity on either side that could potentially harm the future peace efforts.

Many critics remain sceptical as the Taliban disagree with the government’s intention of directing talks to form a ‘road map to peace’ that stays within the confines of the current constitution.

Syria criticised over chemical weapon delay

Feb 5, 2014

The Syrian government has faced criticism from the United States over delays in destroying their stockpile of chemical weapons.

Syria has already missed two deadlines in exporting its store of chemical weapons, with only 30 tonnes of an estimated 1,300 tonne stockpile having been removed from the country so far.

Speaking on the issue, the United States ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, said,

Spanish court issues arrest warrant for former Chinese leader's role in genocide
EU agrees to talks with Cuba
ICC hearing of Congo’s Ntaganda begins
Relief convoys to rebel-held territory attacked in Syria
‘Terminator’ to face hearing at ICC
Tibetan man dies in self-immolation
Israelis fear failed peace-talks could result in growing BDS campaign
ICC opens war crimes investigation into CAR
Pakistan/Taliban peace talks commence
Syria criticised over chemical weapon delay