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…

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.

Kurdish fighter carries out suicide attack against IS amidst US-led airstrikes

Oct 4, 2014
A suicide attack against Islamic State militants, has been carried out by a female Kurdish fighter near the near the Syrian border, a monitoring group reported.

The suicide attack took place at an Islamic State position east of strategic Syrian town of Kobane, which had seen Kurdish fighters backed by US-led air strikes battling to stop an Islamic state onslaught.
 
The woman, named on social media as Arin Mirkan, is the first female Kurdish fighter to carry out a suicide attack against the Islamic State, reports the, UK based, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Mass grave discovered in Mexico

Oct 4, 2014
The remains of at least 20 charred bodies have been found in a mass grave in the southern Mexican state of Guerro, after 43 students went missing following violent clashes with police last week.

Guerrero’s governor, Angel Aguirre, said the victims in the mass grave had been “savagely slaughtered”.

Tomás Zerón de Lucio, head of the criminal investigation agency at the attorney-general’s office, said “the Mexican state cannot allow such a repugnant act to go unpunished.”

“We want to stress emphatically that we will use all the forces at the state’s disposal to clarify this unfortunate incident,” he added.

The discovery comes after the 43 students went missing on 27 September, following a clash with police, which left 6 dead and more than 20 injured. Witnesses say the 43 students were bundled into vans by police.

Sweden defends decision to recognise Palestine statehood amidst US and Israeli criticism

Oct 4, 2014
Washington will not decide Sweden’s policies said, the Swedish Foreign Minister in response to US criticisms over plans to officially recognise Palestine as a sovereign state.

Margot Wallstrom added that Sweden “will continue the constructive dialogue with the US to explain our motives and reasons for this,” reports the Swedish Afotnbladet paper.

Commenting on the Sweden’s official recognition of Palestinian statehood the US State Department spokesperson, Jen Psaki, said
"We believe international recognition of a Palestinian state is premature. We certainly support Palestinian statehood, but it can only come through a negotiated outcome, a resolution of final status issues and mutual recognitions by both parties."

Al-Shabab withdraws from key town as AU troops advance

Oct 4, 2014
Somalian government troops backed by the African Union (AU) claimed to have captured the key town of Barawe, as al-Shabab fighters withdrew from the area.

Hundreds of civilians have also fled from the town, situated on Somalia's southern coast, as al-Shabab trucks loaded with weapons were seen leaving the town which has been under the organisation's control for the last 6 years.

The regional governor told the BBC that government troops were now in the centre of Barawe.

As al-Shabab fighters withdrew, the Shabab commander in Barawe, Mohamed Abu Abdalla, released an audio message warning residents who remained not to support the oncoming government troops.

Islamic State militants intensify assault on Kobane

Oct 4, 2014
Fighting has intensified between Kurdish military forces and Islamic State (IS) militants advancing on the Syrian border town of Kobane.

IS state militants are within 1 km of the town which borders Turkey, despite US-led airstrikes to halt the offensive, reports the BBC.

Kurdish fighters in Kobane told journalists on Friday that they were losing the battle against IS militants and required further support, reports the International Business Times.

Boko Haram claims to behead Nigerian Air Force pilot

Oct 3, 2014
Islamic militant group Boko Haram released footage showing the remains of a Nigerian Air Force jet that they claimed to have shot down and the beheading of a man they identified as a captured pilot.

Two Nigerian pilots and a jet have been missing since September 11, failing to return from a bombing raid against Boko Haram. In the Boko Haram video, the man who is executed identifies himself as a pilot, adding that his co-pilot remains unaccounted for.

The Nigerian government dismissed the claims, with army spokesperson Dele Alonge saying,

UK - 'ISIL's brutality will not persuade us to change our approach'

Oct 3, 2014
The UK remained steadfast in its military action against Islamic State militants in Iraq, despite the release on Friday of a video depicting the execution of a second British hostage, Alan Henning.

"ISIL's brutality will not persuade us to change our approach. Indeed, the senseless murder of an innocent man only reinforces our resolve to defeat this terrorist organisation and to eradicate the threat they pose to Britons - whether those in the region or here on the streets of the UK," said a Downing Street spokesperson, following Prime Minister Cameron's meeting with intelligence agencies, Foreign Office, Home Office, police and military on Saturday morning.

Probe into Nauru child abuse reports

Oct 3, 2014

Australia has announced an inquiry into the reports of child abuse and sexual misconduct by staff in the country's offshore detention facility in Nauru, reported The Guardian on Saturday.

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison said the inquiry will also look at allegations of NGO workers helping children to protest against Australia's immigration policy, including coaching in making complaints and in self-harm.

The minister confirmed that 10 employees of the charity Save the Children had been told to leave Nauru.

“The matters that have been brought to my attention are concerning, certainly the allegations of sexual misconduct are abhorrent and I would be horrified to think that things of that nature have taken place,” Morrison said, adding that reports that charity workers were assisting protests and encouraging detainees to hurt themselves in an effort to undermine the policy of offshore detention “were also very serious”.

Hong Kong chief sets deadline to end protests, thousands more demonstrators take to streets

Oct 3, 2014
Tens of thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators flooded into the city centre of Hong-Kong after the chief  executive announced that the street must be cleared on Monday.

“There should be no more blocking of carriageways in Wan Chai and Central and Western districts so that classes could resume on Monday,” said the chief executive of Hong Kong CY Leung.

Despite the chief executive’s announcement the Hong Kong city centre saw the largest crowds in recent days on Saturday evening, reports the Financial Times.
 
Kenyatta confirms ICC appearance
Kurdish fighter carries out suicide attack against IS amidst US-led airstrikes
Mass grave discovered in Mexico
Sweden defends decision to recognise Palestine statehood amidst US and Israeli criticism
Al-Shabab withdraws from key town as AU troops advance
Islamic State militants intensify assault on Kobane
Boko Haram claims to behead Nigerian Air Force pilot
UK - 'ISIL's brutality will not persuade us to change our approach'
Probe into Nauru child abuse reports
Hong Kong chief sets deadline to end protests, thousands more demonstrators take to streets