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…

ICC affirms acquittal of Congolese militia leader for war crimes

Feb 27, 2015
The appeals chamber of the International Criminal Court upheld a decision to acquit Mathieu Ngudjolo, the leader of  a Congolese militia, of war crimes and crimes against humanity on Friday.

Prosecutors challenged a 2012 ruling which found Mr Ngudjolo not guilty on charges of murder, rape and pillaging in relation to a 2003 massacre in the eastern Democratic republic of Congo. The attack had left 200 people dead.

Whilst admitting that mistakes in assessing the evidence may have been made during the 2012 trial, presiding judge Sanji Mmasenono Monageng said that “the trial chambers errors had no material impact on the acquittal decision."

IS destruction of statues a war crime, says UN

Feb 27, 2015
The destruction of several historical artefacts in a museum in Iraq by Islamic State (IS) militants is a war crime stated the head of UNESCO, the UN cultural agency.

In a press conference condemning the destruction of statues in Mosul, the Director General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova said, “I was filled with dismay by images of the attack on the Mosul Museum, as well as on other archaeological sites in the Nineveh region in Iraq.”

Ms Bokova added that under the Rome Statute, the deliberate destruction of cultural is a war crime that could be prosecuted by the International Criminal Court (ICC). She has asked the ICC Chief Prosecutor to investigate the incident, she added.

British-based Nepalese army officer 'ordered torture'

Feb 26, 2015

A Nepalese army officer based in Britain is said to have ordered the torture of two suspected rebels during Nepal's civil war, according to evidence heard by the Old Bailey.

Lt Col Kumar Lama stands accused of ordering the torture of Janak Raut and Karam Hussain, who were believed to be Maoist rebels, but refutes the charges.

The prosecution is being brought in the UK due to an obligation under the United Nations Convention Against Torture.

Kurdish forces recapture strategic Syrian town

Feb 26, 2015
Kurdish forces captured the strategic town of Tel Hamis in North-East Syria in their latest powerful offensive, reports Reuters.

The UK based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the conflict confirmed the Kurdish Peshmerga forces’ announcement that the town had been captured on Friday.

The Observatory said that Kurdish forces had killed at least 175 members and commanders of the Islamic State militants, in an offensive that began last weekend.

Cuba calls for de-listing as talks with US resume

Feb 26, 2015
Cuban and US officials held talks on Friday aimed at restoring diplomatic ties, with Cuba pushing to be removed from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism, reports Reuters.

The US has said that talks should focus on functioning of diplomats in future embassies, despite Cuban calls for talks to be centred on the de-listing of Cuba before restoring full diplomatic ties.

China loaned $22bn to Latin American countries last year - report

Feb 25, 2015

China's state-owned banks loaned $22bn to countries in Latin America in 2014, according to figures released by US think-tank Inter-American Dialogue.

The money helped struggling economies which have been hit hard by a fall in prices for oil, minerals and other commodities they export.

China loaned $8.6bn to Brazil, $7bn to Argentina, $5.7bn to Venezuela and $821mn to Ecuador last year.

Boko Haram kills dozens, Nigerian president vows to recapture territory

Feb 25, 2015
Boko Haram militants killed over 23 civilians on Thursday in a series of suicide bombs and roads side blasts reports Reuters.

A suicide bomber at a bus station killed at least 17 people, whilst two road side bombs killed a further 6 people, a military source told local press.

The latest attacks come as Nigerian military recaptured a town seized b Boko Haram earlier this month.

Ukraine begins withdrawing heavy weapons

Feb 25, 2015

The Ukrainian government has begun its heavy weapons from the frontlines of the conflict with pro-Russian separatists in the east of the country, under the terms of a ceasefire agreement.

“Today Ukraine has begun the withdrawal of 100 millimeter guns from the line of confrontation,” said Ukraine’s military in a statement.

Amnesty International urges UN Security Council to renounce veto on genocide votes

Feb 24, 2015
Amnesty International has called on the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council to waive their right to veto decisions in cases where genocide is being committed.

The call from the non-governmental organisation came as it released its annual report, which criticised the global response to conflict in 2014 as “shameful and ineffective”.
Secretary-General for Amnesty International, Salil Shetty, said members of the UN Security Council had used their veto to "promote their political self-interest or geopolitical interest above the interest of protecting civilians" and called for a change to the current system.

"As people suffered an escalation in barbarous attacks and repression, the international community has been found wanting," said Mr Shetty. "It is abhorrent to see how wealthy countries' efforts to keep people out take precedence over their efforts to keep people alive."

The head of Amnesty’s French branch, Geneviève Garrigos, told FRANCE 24, “We propose that the five permanent members abandon their veto power when it comes to finding a solution to very serious crises such as genocides, war crimes and crimes against humanity”.

In response to the Amnesty International report, the British Foreign Office said,

"The United Kingdom wholeheartedly supports the principle that the Security Council must act to stop mass atrocities and crimes against humanity… We cannot envisage circumstances where we would use our veto to block such action."

Islamic State militants burn down Mosul library

Feb 24, 2015
Islamic State militants looted Mosul library and burned over a hundred thousand rare manuscripts reports the Independent.

Reports suggest that over 100,000 manuscripts and books, including UNESCO listed rarities, were lost in the looting, on Wednesday.

The Mosul Public Library director, Chanim al-Ta’nan said that the militants demolished the building using explosives after burning the manuscripts.
ICC affirms acquittal of Congolese militia leader for war crimes
IS destruction of statues a war crime, says UN
British-based Nepalese army officer 'ordered torture'
Kurdish forces recapture strategic Syrian town
Cuba calls for de-listing as talks with US resume
China loaned $22bn to Latin American countries last year - report
Boko Haram kills dozens, Nigerian president vows to recapture territory
Ukraine begins withdrawing heavy weapons
Amnesty International urges UN Security Council to renounce veto on genocide votes
Islamic State militants burn down Mosul library