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…

Mali requests UN 'rapid intervention force' to battle Islamic militants

Oct 8, 2014
Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop requested the United Nations send a rapid intervention force in order to fight Islamist militants in the North of the country.

The request comes following a wave of attacks on UN peacekeepers in the country, with a Senegalese soldier killed on Tuesday. Nine peacekeepers from Niger were reportedly killed by militants earlier this week. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said he was “outraged” by the attack.

Diop, who was addressing the UN Security Council via a video link, called for “urgent measures” to bolster the nearly 10,000 UN peacekeepers already in Mali. He warned that Northern Mali was at “risk of becoming the destination of hordes of terrorists” and said,

Turkey says action in Syria 'unrealistic' as IS captures districts in Kobane

Oct 8, 2014
Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has said the country cannot lead a ground operation against advancing Islamic State (IS) forces on its own, calling for a Nato-enforced buffer zone to be established on the Syrian-Turkish border.

"It is not realistic to expect Turkey to conduct a ground operation on its own," said Cavusoglu, adding, "We are holding talks. Once there is a common decision, Turkey will not hold back from playing its part."

The international response to the request for a buffer zone has been mixed so far. Whilst US Secretary of State John Kerry said the idea was “worth looking at very, very closely,”  President Obama’s spokesman, Josh Earnest stated a buffer zone was “not something under consideration right now”.

US-led airstrikes continue as fighting rages in Kobane, riots in Turkey as Kurds demand action

Oct 7, 2014
3rd lead
Coalition airstrike over Kobane city centre on Wednesday afternoon. Photograph Nizar Mistefa

Airstrikes by the US led coalition against Islamic State militants continued on Wednesday, as fighting continued inside Kobane and Kurdish officials warned that the city was on the brink of falling to Islamic State militants.

Air strikes were seen targeting the south-east and central part of Kobane, Nizar Mistefa, a Kurdish photographer situated inside Turkey by the Kobane border told Tamil Guardian on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the US-led coalition carried out its most extensive set of airstrikes against the Islamic State targets, who entered the eastern side of the city, raising their black flag.

Coalition airstrike Wednesday afternoon over Mishtar Noor Hill in the south-east part of Kobane. Photograph Nizar Mistefa


Ukraine calls for increased international monitors at Russian borders

Oct 7, 2014
Ukraine called for the deployment of hundreds more international monitors in eastern regions amidst growing fears of the possible collapse of a ceasefire with the separatist militants, reports the Wall Street Journal.

Meeting with the Organisation for Security Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Ukrainian president, on Tuesday, warned that rebels controlled large sections of Ukraine’s borders with Russia and asked the group to expand its mission to 1,500 people and 29 drone aircraft.

Kenyan president appears before ICC

Oct 7, 2014
Uhuru Kenyatta, became the first serving head of state to appear before the International Criminal Court, in a landmark hearing on Wednesday.

Prosecutors at the trial however, admitted they had no further evidence to be able to proceed with the case, as Kenyatta's defence lawyers called for the case to be thrown out.

ICC Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda accused the Kenyan government of withholding evidence, including items such as Kenyatta's bank statement. At least seven witnesses have also dropped out amidst allegations of bribery and intimidation.

Kenyatta is accused of crimes against humanity, over his alleged role in election violence that left 1,200 people dead in 2007.

Russia calls for international input into Ukraine inquiry amid threat of further EU sanctions

Oct 7, 2014
The Russian Foreign Minister, called on international bodies to become involved in an investigation into war crimes committed in Ukraine, reports Press TV.

Sergey Lavrov made the remarks in a meeting with his Finnish counterpart on Monday.

“Judging by the fact that no progress was made in investigating these incidents, it is possibly time for international organisations, such as the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) the Council of Europe and the United Nations to take responsibility of ensuring an unbiased and fair investigation,” he said.

Ukraine has faced questions regarding several mass graves found in the eastern regions by separatist militants.

Kurds demonstrate calling for assistance as Islamic State advances into Kobane

Oct 6, 2014
Kurdish people have blockaded airports and held protests across Europe, demonstrating for military assistance to Kurdish fighters in Kobane, as Islamic State militants advanced into the eastern Kurdish Syrian town of Kobane on Monday night, reported a Syrian monitoring group.

"There were clashes overnight. Not heavy but ISIS is going forward from the southwest. They have crossed into Kobani and control some buildings in the city there," said the head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdulrahman.

Kobane, a border town between south west Syria and Turkey, has been under seige for several days as Islamic State militants advanced from three sides.

Catalonia to decide on independence vote by October 15

Oct 6, 2014
The regional government of Catalonia will make a final decision on whether an independence referendum will take place before October 15 a spokesperson said on Monday.

The leader of Catalonia Artur Mas, has faced pressure from several Catalan organisations to push forward with the referendum despite the Spanish government’s opposition, reports Reuters.

Spanish courts have already called the Catalan regional government’s calls for a referendum on November 9 unconstitutional.

Bahraini prince not immune from prosecution over torture claims, rules UK High Court

Oct 6, 2014
The High Court in London has ruled that Prince Nasser of Bahrain is not immune from prosecution over claims of torture.

The ruling is expected to see Scotland Yard be asked to investigate allegations that the Bahraini prince was involved in torture, during the country's pro-democracy protests in 2011.

The decision by the High Court overturns a previous director of public prosecutions (DPP) ruling that the prince had state immunity from prosecution. The latest ruling came after a case filed by a Bahraini citizen who was arrested during the protests, identified as FF, sought the arrest of the prince, whilst he was on a visit to the UK.

Kenyatta confirms ICC appearance

Oct 5, 2014
Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta confirmed he will attend a hearing at the International Criminal Court (ICC) this week, where he faces charges of crimes against humanity.

Kenyatta stated he would temporarily step down from his role as president, in order to bypass becoming the first sitting president to attend an ICC session. In a televised address, Kenyatta said that deputy president, William Ruto, would temporarily take over his role.
Mali requests UN 'rapid intervention force' to battle Islamic militants
Turkey says action in Syria 'unrealistic' as IS captures districts in Kobane
US-led airstrikes continue as fighting rages in Kobane, riots in Turkey as Kurds demand action
Ukraine calls for increased international monitors at Russian borders
Kenyan president appears before ICC
Russia calls for international input into Ukraine inquiry amid threat of further EU sanctions
Kurds demonstrate calling for assistance as Islamic State advances into Kobane
Catalonia to decide on independence vote by October 15
Bahraini prince not immune from prosecution over torture claims, rules UK High Court
Kenyatta confirms ICC appearance