The US imposed sanctions on Venezuelan officials for their suspected role in human rights abuses, as President Barack Obama declared the situation in the country an "extraordinary threat" to US national security.

At least seven high-ranking military, police and government officials will have assets frozen and will be blocked from doing business with US firms or travel to the country.

White House spokesperson Josh Earnest said the Venezuelan government had tried to distract from "its own actions by blaming the United States or other members of the international community for events inside Venezuela".

Greater collaboration and engagement between the UN Human Rights Council and The Hague could increase the effectiveness of the work of the International Criminal Court said the chief prosecutor of the ICC at a discussion panel event organised by ‘Friends of the international Criminal Court’ convened at the 28th session of the United Nations.
 
Noting that the ICC will always ensure impartiality and “complete independence” in investigations despite political situations, the chief prosecutor outlined her intention to carry out preliminary investigations in Palestinian territories.

Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko said separatist rebels have withdrawn a significant amount of heavy weapons, in accordance with the ceasefire agreement signed in February.

"Ukraine has withdrawn the lion's share of its rocket and heavy artillery systems. The Russian-backed fighters have also withdrawn a significant amount," the president said to media.

"There is a ceasefire or there isn't - it depends on how you look at it," he said regarding the truce, with both sides accusing each other of breaking it in recent weeks.

Troops from Niger and Chad have launched a joint offensive against Boko Haram in north-eastern Nigeria.

The African Union of Friday authorised the creation of a new regional force containing over 8,000 soldiers, to tackle the militant group, but the force's remit will be to secure Nigeria's side of Lake Chad and not push further into Nigeria.

Residents told AFP there had been heavy arms fire close to Niger's border with Nigeria. Chad, Cameroon and Niger have already helped Nigeria in its fight against Boko Haram.

A UN base was attacked in northern Mali, leaving three people dead and wounding at least 12.

Around 30 rockets struck the base in Kidal and killed one of the UN peacekeepers, with 2 more civilians dying in a nearby camp for Tuareg and Arab nomads.

It is not clear who carried out the attack, but Al-Qaeda linked militants and Tuareg rebels have been involved in violence in the region over the past few years.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, hailed a decision by Nepal’s top court rejecting the possibility of amnesty for suspected perpetrators of war crimes and other human rights abuses.

Mr Zeid praised the court for "upholding international standards relating to accountability for gross violations of international human rights law and serious violations of international humanitarian law".

"It is essential that the commissions adopt this victim-centred approach, as many victims have felt completely excluded from the process so far," said Mr Zeid in a statement.

Boko Haram militants in Nigeria pledged allegiance with Islamic State militants, according to an online video posted on Saturday.

“We announce our allegiance to the Caliph.. and will hear and obey in times of difficulty and prosperity, in hardship and ease,” said militant group in their video.

Commenting on the video and calling for international action, the Nigerian Presidential Spokesperson said, “It’s why we are appealing to the international community.. Hopefully world will wake up to the disaster unfolding here.”

The United Nations Security Council will vote on a resolution condemning the use of chlorine as a chemical weapon in Syria and threatens unspecified action if further violations occur, on Friday.

The resolution, reportedly pushed for by the United States "condemns in the strongest terms any use of any toxic chemical, such as chlorine, as a weapon in the Syrian Arab Republic."

However, the resolution itself does not blame any of the warring sides in Syria for the use of chlorine as a weapon during the conflict.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) had earlier reported that chlorine gas had been used "systematically and repeatedly" as a weapon in Syria. Witnesses have reported chlorine gas being fired from helicopters – with only the Syrian government having access to such aircraft.

The Palestinian leadership said that it would suspend security co-operation with Israel on Thursday night.

The Palestinian Liberation Organisation, announced the decision as a response to “ongoing Israeli violations and crimes against the people of Palestine,” after a two day meeting in Ramallah, reports the Financial Times.