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…

South Sudan accuses Sudan of border attacks

South Sudan has accused Sudan of carrying out attacks in the disputed border areas involving two attacks with planes and land forces, reports Reuters.

South Sudan's army spokesperson, Philip Aguer, asserted that two Sudanese MiG warplanes bombed military positions in the Jau area on Wednesday, and that Sudanese infantry troops had attempted to seize land just north of the upper Nile state.

Aguer said:

Dozens die in Egypt clashes

Clashes between supporters and opponents of the ousted President Morsi have killed twelve in Alexandria and three in Cairo reports the BBC. The violence was sparked by the killing of three pro-Morsi demonstrators by security forces in another part of Cairo. Although calm has been restored militarily in Cairo, official figures state that 26 have died in violence across the nation with hundreds more injured.

Mali troops enter Kidal in stabilising mission

Mali’s army has re-entered the rebel-held town of Kidal as part of efforts to improve security before the presidential election, officials have said.

Tuareg rebels captured Kidal after a French-led offensive forced militant Islamists out in February.

Support for Congo rebels falling – UN report

A leaked UN report by a group of UN experts has said that Rwanda is only providing limited support to Congo’s M23 rebels and Uganda has completely ceased all support.

The report, leaked by Inner City Press, details findings of the UN group from its trips in early 2013.

Egypt army guarantees right to peaceful protest

Egypt's army has said it will protect the populations right to peaceful protest, as the deposed president's followers are planning marches, supporting Mohammed Morsi.

Bolivian president threatens to shut down US embassy

The Bolivian President Evo Morales, has threatened to close the United States embassy after his official plane was banned from European, reports the BBC.

The Bolivian president blamed Washington for pressurising European countries into refusing him passage.

Burmese General blacklisted by US for North Korea arms deals

A senior Burmese military official has been blacklisted by the US, who accuse him of making arms deal with North Korea, in breach of sanctions.

The US Treasury claimed Lieutenant-General Thein Htay purchased military equipment from North Korea, defying several UN resolutions.

In a statement, the treasury said Burma’s government was not going to be targeted.

Morsi ousted as Egyptian President

The chief of the armed forces in Egypt, General Abdel-Fatah al-Sisi, announced the suspension of the current constitution in what the current presidency called a full military coup.

The elected president, Mohammed Morsi, was removed from office in the evening with  the arrest of the head of the Muslim Brotherhood party happening simultaneously.

Obama urges Egyptian army to ensure democratic govt 

In a statement on events unfolding in Egypt, the US President Barack Obama urged the Egyptian army to ensure power was handed over "to move quickly and responsibly to return full authority back to a democratically elected civilian government as soon as possible through an inclusive and transparent process."

See here for full statement. extract reproduced below:

"As I have said since the Egyptian Revolution, the United States supports a set of core principles, including opposition to violence, protection of universal human rights, and reform that meets the legitimate aspirations of the people.  The United States does not support particular individuals or political parties, but we are committed to the democratic process and respect for the rule of law.  Since the current unrest in Egypt began, we have called on all parties to work together to address the legitimate grievances of the Egyptian people, in accordance with the democratic process, and without recourse to violence or the use of force."

US is 'not actually snooping' - India

The United States is "not actually snooping" said the Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid on Tuesday, reports The Hindu.

Defending the US surveillance programme, Khurshid said:

“Some of the information they (the US) got out of their scrutiny, they were able to use it to prevent serious terrorist attacks in several countries,”