The leader of the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) condemning Turkish airstrikes on PKK bases accused the government of supporting Islamic State militants.

The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warned that the situation in Yemen is “disastrous” as he urged all sides in the conflict to abide by international humanitarian law.

Peter Maurer announced that the ICRC will be expanding its activities in Yemen due to the lack of aid reaching the conflict areas. “The international parties must be aware of the blockade which caused disastrous situations and allow access for goods and medicines into Yemen,” said Mr Maurer.

His announcement came as the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen appealed for more contributions in order to meet the “staggering” needs in the country. Some 21 million people are in need of live-saving assistance said Johannes Van Der Klaauw following a visit to Sa'ada last week.

“The success of our humanitarian effort depends on having sufficient resources to provide assistance,” said Mr Van der Klaauw, noting that only 18% of the $1.6 billion humanitarian appeal had been funded.

“Violence that directly impacts civilians and attacks on civilian infrastructure must stop,” he added. “I cannot overemphasize the importance of all parties protecting civilian lives and livelihoods. Civilian infrastructure must be spared from airstrikes and shelling; at the same time these facilities must not be used for military purposes.”

Yemen's Houthi rebels have lost the strategic city of Zinjibar to pro-government forces, who were supported by Saudi-led air strikes.

Over 18 people were killed and over 150 injured in the fighting over the city, which is the capital of the southern Abyan province.

Rebels recently lost the city of Aden last month and a key air base earlier this week.

On Saturday the United Arab Emirates said that three of its soldiers were killed while taking part in a Saudi-led campaign.

Survivors of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki gathered to mark 70 years since the attack at an emotional ceremony held at the Nagasaki Peace Park on Sunday.

Ambassadors from 75 countries, including US Ambassador Caroline Kennedy, attended the memorial service, which saw survivors of the bombing criticise Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for his plans to amend Japan’s pacifist constitution.

Addressing the audience, Mr Abe said Japan remained "determined to pursue a world without nuclear weapons".  "As the only nation in the world to have suffered a war-time nuclear attack, I have renewed my resolve to play a leading role in pursuing a world without nuclear weapons," he added.

However, the prime minister came under fire from Nagasaki mayor Tomihisa Taue who said there was "widespread unease" about Mr Abe’s plan to change the constitution, which would allow Japan to go to war in defence of an ally which comes under attack. The proposed legislation has already been passed by the lower house of parliament.

"I urge the government of Japan to listen to these voices of unease and concern," he said.

His comments were echoed by Nagasaki bombing survivor Sumiteru Taniguchi, who told the crowd, "we cannot accept this". "The security bills which the government is trying to push through would jeopardise our long-time movement for nuclear abolition and hopes of hibakusha (atom-bomb survivors)," he added. "I cannot tolerate the bills."

The United States sent in six F016 jets and 300 personnel to a Turkish Air Base to fight Islamic State militants.

The Pentagon, in a statement made on Sunday, said,

 A UN human rights investigator said on Friday that Myanmar’s government had denied her access to the Rakhine state which is home to the marginalised Rohingya people.

The UN special rapporteur on human rights in Myanamr, Yanghe Lee said that her request to visit Rakhine was denied and expressed concern at the surveillance and intimidation of people in the Rakhine state that she had visited on previous tours of Burma.

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari says the country will establish its own domestic arms factory, designed to cut reliance on weapons from other countries.

The president said the defence ministry had been told to develop plans for a "modest military industrial complex".

The US has refused to supply weapons to Nigeria, over the country's questionable human rights record.

US Secretary of State John Kerry said progress on human rights would lead to a closer relationship between the United States and Vietnam on Friday.

In a speech in Hanoi to mark the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Mr Kerry said, “progress on human rights and the rule of law will provide the foundation for a deeper and more sustainable strategy and strategic partnership between the United States and Vietnam.”

“Only you can decide the pace and the direction of this process of building this partnership, but I’m sure you’ve noticed that America’s closest partnerships in the world are with countries that share a commitment to certain values,” he added.

The Secretary of State, a former US officer who served in Vietnam, also said the two countries have now reconciled. Trade between the two countries now reaches $36 billion, from $451 million some two decades ago, reports the New York Times.

However, Mr Kerry said more had to be done. “The United States recognizes that only the Vietnamese people can determine their political system,” he said. “But there are basic principles we will always defend: No one should be punished for speaking their mind so long as they are peaceful; and if trading goods flow freely between us, so should information and ideas.”

The UN Security Council on Friday unanimously passed a resolution asking the UN Secretary General to set up an inquiry to identify those responsible for chemical weapons attacks in the Syrian conflict.

The resolution, passed by the 15 member Security Council, called on the Secretary General to coordinate with the head of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to submit recommendations for the establishment of an investigative body to “identify the greatest extent feasible individuals, entities, groups, or governments” involved in any chemical attacks in Syria.