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…

Palestinian flag hoisted at the United Nations for the first time

Sep 30, 2015
In a historic moment on Wednesday afternoon, the Palestinian flag was raised for the first time at the United Nations. While diplomats and reporters watched on in New York, hundreds of Palestinians gathered in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah to watch the flag-raising on a large screen staged in Yasser Arafat Square.
 
Addressing the crowd, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas dedicated the ceremony to “the martyrs, the prisoners and the wounded, and to those who gave their lives while trying to raise this flag.”
 
Only minutes earlier President Abbas had addressed the UN General Assembly and spoke of the failure of more than two decades of peace agreements and negotiations for a Palestinian state. Speaking on the Oslo accords he said: “We will start the implementation of this declaration by all peaceful and legal means. Either the Palestinian National Authority will be the conduit of the Palestinian people from occupation to independence, or Israel, the occupying power, must bear all of its responsibilities.”
 

Call for UN inquiry into Yemen conflict replaced with consensus resolution at UNHRC

Sep 30, 2015
The Netherlands on Wednesday withdrew the draft of a resolution supported by mainly Western countries mandating the High Commissioner for Human Rights to send experts to conduct an investigation into the conduct of the war in Yemen.
 
The resolution came out of a key recommendation made by the High Commissioner in his report on the conflict in Yemen earlier this month, which detailed the extensive loss of civilian life in Yemen resulting from indiscriminate airstrikes by the military coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the indiscriminate shelling by Houthi rebels.

In addition to an international independent inquiry, the resolution called for parties to the conflict to allow access for humanitarian groups into the conflict zone.
 
However, reportedly following pressure from Saudi Arabia and its military coalition members, Netherlands withdrew the resolution and instead, Western governments are reported to have accepted a resolution sponsored by Saudi Arabia with no reference to an international inquiry into the conflict.

ICC begins trial of witness tampering by former Congolese vice-president

Sep 30, 2015
The International Criminal Court on Tuesday began its trial of former Congolese vice president, Jean-Pierre Bemba, and four of his associates, on charges that they tampered with witnesses during Mr. Bemba’s war crimes trial.
 
Mr Bemba’s militia, the Movement for the Liberation of Congo were alleged to have committed war crimes including murder, rape and pillaging, during the conflict between 2002 and 2003 in the Central African Republic. ICC prosecutors charged Mr Bemba as commander-in-chief at the time, with responsibility for the international crimes committed. In the same month that submissions closed for that trial in November 2014, ICC judges confirmed charges of witness tampering against Mr Bemba and four of his associates.
 

Russia launches first airstrikes in Syria

Sep 30, 2015
Russia launched its first airstrikes in Syria on Wednesday hours after President Putin’s request to use military force was approved by Russian parliament.
 
Russian defence officials asserted that they carried out 20 missions targeting the Islamic State but this was quickly disputed by the United States, activists and rebels on the ground. The BBC reported that the airstrikes had hit rebel-controlled areas of Homs and Hama provinces and others reported that targets attacked were all opposed to the Assad regime.
 
Earlier on Wednesday, US Secretary of State, John Kerry told the UN Security Council that the US would support “any genuine effort to fight Isil and al-Qaida affiliated groups” but that they “would have grave concerns should Russia strike targets where Isil and al-Qaida affiliated targets [were not] operating.” He emphasized the need for Russia and the US to coordinate efforts in the region saying, “[w]e have informed Russia that were are prepared to hold these deconfliction talks as early as possible: this week.”
 

Ban Ki Moon calls for Syria to be referred to the ICC

Sep 27, 2015

Addressing the UN General Assembly’s 70th session, the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon called for the ongoing crisis in Syria to be referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“It is time now for others, primarily the Security Council and key regional actors, to step forward," Mr Ban said.

“Five countries in particular hold the key: the Russian Federation, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Turkey.  But as long as one side will not compromise with the other, it is futile to expect change on the ground.”

ICC trial for Timbuktu destruction

Sep 26, 2015

A man accused of taking part in the war crime of destroying religious monuments, during civil strife in Mali, has arrived in The Hague to stand trial at the International Criminal Court.

Ahmad al-Mahdi al-Faqi is charged with the destruction of nine mausoleums and a mosque in Timbuktu in 2012.

In a statement released on Saturday, the ICC said it was the first case to be brought before the court "concerning the destruction of buildings dedicated to religion and historical monuments".

Pro-independence parties win majority in Catalan election

Sep 26, 2015

Pro-independence parties won a clear majority in Catalonia's parliamentary elections on Sunday.

"Catalans have voted yes to independence [from Spain]," acting regional government head Artur Mas told supporters adding that a "democratic mandate" now existed to move forward with independence.

The regional election has been anticipated by observers as a de facto referendum on independence.

Putin calls for coordination to fight IS

Sep 26, 2015

Russia's President Vladimir Putin has called for coordination in the fight against the Islamic State, while reiterating his support for Syria's beleaguered president, Bashar al-Assad.

In an interview with the US TV station CBS, Mr Putin said Syria's troops were "the only legitimate conventional army there". He said that they were fighting terrorist organisations and Russia "would be pleased to find common ground for joint action against the terrorists".

UN aid agencies expelled from Luhansk

Sep 24, 2015
The United Nations humanitarian aid chief Stephen O’Brien expressed serious concern after authorities in the eastern city of Luhansk called on UN agencies to immediately vacate the city.

“I am alarmed by news that the de facto authorities in eastern Ukraine have ordered UN agencies in Luhansk to end operations and to leave the area by tomorrow, 25 September,” said Mr O’Brien in a statement.

Colombian govt and Farc pledge end to conflict in 6 months

Sep 23, 2015
The Colombian government and Farc pledged on Wednesday to bring an end to the conflict, which has run for 50 years, within six months, reports Reuters.

Meeting in Havana for ongoing peace talks, the Colombian president and the Farc leader, Rodrigo Londono (alias Timochenko) shook hands to seal their agreement.

"We will not fail," Mr Santos said. "The time for peace has arrived."

An official deadline has been set for 23 March 2016. Farc was pledged to lay down arms within 60 days of signing the deal.

Palestinian flag hoisted at the United Nations for the first time
Call for UN inquiry into Yemen conflict replaced with consensus resolution at UNHRC
ICC begins trial of witness tampering by former Congolese vice-president
Russia launches first airstrikes in Syria
Ban Ki Moon calls for Syria to be referred to the ICC
ICC trial for Timbuktu destruction
Pro-independence parties win majority in Catalan election
Putin calls for coordination to fight IS
UN aid agencies expelled from Luhansk
Colombian govt and Farc pledge end to conflict in 6 months