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…

Independence will come 'sooner or later' says Catalan leader

Sep 22, 2015
Catalan's leader, Artur Mas, said that independence would come "sooner or later", promised to push for a referendum on secession if the coalition of pro-independence parties win elections this month.

"Clearly, if we get a majority of the votes on September 27, then that's the referendum done," Mr Mas told AFP in an interview on Wednesday.

"If we won a majority of seats but not a majority of votes and the Spanish government offered us a binding referendum on independence – though I am very skeptical about whether it would do so – then we would listen," he added.

Nazi radio operator charged with war crimes

Sep 22, 2015
German prosecutors have charged a 91 year old woman with 260,000 counts of accessory to murder over allegations she was a member of the Nazi SS who served in Auschwitz death camps, reports the Independent.

The woman, whose name was not disclosed, is alleged to have served as a radio operator for the camp commandant form April to July 1944.

China's president lands in US to boost trade ties

Sep 22, 2015

China’s president Xi Jinping landed in the US on Tuesday to commence a week-long US visit that will include meetings with SU business leaders, reports Reuters.

Mr Jinping is expected to meet US government and business leaders to seek bi-lateral agreements and improve relations between the two economies.

UK to guarantee £2bn nuclear plant deal for China

Sep 20, 2015

The UK will guarantee a £2bn deal with China, which will see investment in the Hinkley nuclear power plant and the possible construction of further reactors.

Chancellor George Osborne made the announcement during his visit to China and said the deal would pave the way for a final investment decision on the delayed project by French energy company EDF.

Glasgow rally pledges to continue journey towards Scottish independence

Sep 18, 2015
Crowds gathered in Glasgow on Saturday, one year on from the Scottish independence referendum, pledging to continue the journey towards independence.

Gathering at the city's George Square, pro-independence campaigners held the Saltire and 'Still Yes' banners, stating that they wished "to make a clear statement that our journey to full independence for our nation continues".

Speaking on Friday, the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon said that it would be wrong to rule out another referendum, however, commenting on the 2014 referendum result, she said, "We respect last year's result."

"It would be wrong to propose another referendum without a fundamental change of circumstances or a strong indication that a significant number of those who voted No last year had changed their minds."

US receives first Cuban ambassador in 54 years

Sep 16, 2015
The United States received its first ambassador, Jose Cabanas, from Cuba in 54 years on Thursday, reports Reuters.

"The ceremony took place at the White House Oval Office, the venue of the presidential office, in the midst of a day when the U.S. leader received 16 new ambassadors," the Cuban embassy said in a statement.

"The Cuban ambassador's accreditation to the United States is a further step within the process to normalize relations between both countries," the statement added.

China's president to visit US on Sept 25

Sep 15, 2015
China's president, Xi Jingping is to visit the United States later this month on an official state trip where he will be hosted by the US president, Barack Obama.

The visit will take place on September 25 the White House said on Tuesday, reports Reuters.

"President Xi's visit will present an opportunity to expand U.S.-China cooperation on a range of global, regional, and bilateral issues of mutual interest, while also enabling President Obama and President Xi to address areas of disagreement constructively," the White House added in a statement.

French court stops extradition of Rwandan genocide suspect

Sep 14, 2015
A court in France on Tuesday stopped the extradition of a Rwandan genocide suspect, Joseph Habyarimana, who is accused of inciting the murder of monks in a monastery in 1994, reports Le Monde.

A judge in a Toulouse court, where Mr Habyarimana now resides did not grant the extradition request stating that the crimes were not deemed a criminal offence at the time and therefore the law could not be enacted retrospectively.

The ruling was met with anger by a group representing the victims, the Collective of Civil Parties for Rwanda (CPCR).

South Africa invites Bashir to enter again

Sep 14, 2015
South Africa welcomed the Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir, who faces a warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over charges of genocide and crimes against humanity in Darfur, to enter the country again, despite widespread criticism of Mr Bashir's visit to South Africa in June.

The South African president, Jacob Zuma, told diplomats that Sudan was likely to participate in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which is due to take place in Johannesburg in December.

"It is expected that the Sudanese government will participate in FOCAC," Mr Zuma was quoted by AFP as saying.

In June, despite numerous calls for Mr Bashir to be arrested and handed over to the ICC on arrival in South Africa, the South African government said that he was granted immunity as he was attending an African Union summit.

US urges calm on both sides in Jerusalem

Sep 13, 2015
The United States urged both sides to restrain from escalating violence, following clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli forces by the Al-Asqa mosque or Temple Mount.

"The United States is deeply concerned by the increase in violence and escalating tensions surrounding the (al-)Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount," the US State Department spokesperson, John Kirby, was quoted by Reuters as saying.

"We strongly condemn all acts of violence. It is absolutely critical that all sides exercise restraint, refrain from provocative actions and rhetoric and preserve unchanged the historic status quo on the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount."

Independence will come 'sooner or later' says Catalan leader
Nazi radio operator charged with war crimes
China's president lands in US to boost trade ties
UK to guarantee £2bn nuclear plant deal for China
Glasgow rally pledges to continue journey towards Scottish independence
US receives first Cuban ambassador in 54 years
China's president to visit US on Sept 25
French court stops extradition of Rwandan genocide suspect
South Africa invites Bashir to enter again
US urges calm on both sides in Jerusalem