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…

UK Labour Party reiterates support for Saharawi self determination

Sep 30, 2014
The United Kingdom's Labour Party reaffirmed its support of the right to self determination for the Saharawi people in Western Sahara, reports the Sahara Press Service.

The Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Douglas Alexander pledged support and called for human rights to be respected in the region, an issue that he said remains a “sacred principle” for the Labour Party.

Karadzic denies charges of ethnic cleansing

Sep 30, 2014
Former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic denied charges of ethnic cleansing at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, as he began his closing defence arguments.

Karadzic, who submitted a 800 page written brief to the court, rejected what he called “lies” laid out in the 11 charges against him, including genocide.

"It is the Serb people that stand accused," he told his judges. “The entire case against me is false... I know the truth, the prosecution knows the truth, they are trying to delude the court.”

Karadzic went on to say, “I know of no one in the Serb leadership who wanted to harm Muslims or Croats” adding, “I really was a true friend to the Muslims.”

Thousands protest after Spanish court rules secession vote unconstitutional

Sep 30, 2014
Thousands of Catalan demonstrators took to the streets on Wednesday after the Spanish court ruled the campaign to hold a secession vote in November unconstitutional.

Photograph: Yes Catalonia

Commission of Inquiry into Eritrea will pave way for accountability, says special rapporteur

Sep 30, 2014
The recently mandated Commission of Inquiry into Eritrea would help pave the way to accountability a United Nations expert said, reports the UN News Centre.

Warning of a deteriorating human rights situation, the newly appointed Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea, Shaila Keetharuth added,
"the creation of my special rapporteur’s mandate has increased international awareness about the large-scale violations of human rights in Eritrea.”
Eritreans are escaping systematic and widespread human rights violations. I hope the Commission of Inquiry would pave the way to establish accountability for these violations, especially in view of the continued non-cooperation of Eritrea with my mandate and other UN mechanisms,” said Sheila Keetharuth.

Afghanistan signs deal to keep US troops

Sep 29, 2014

The new Afghan government has signed a deal with the United States to keep troops in the country.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani welcomed the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA), saying his country has “regained its sovereignty as a power."

US President Barack Obama said it was a "historic day" in US-Afghan relations.

"We look forward to working with this new government to cement an enduring partnership that strengthens Afghan sovereignty, stability, unity, and prosperity," he added.

Karadzic was 'driving force' for genocide say prosecutors

Sep 28, 2014
Prosecutors at the trial of the former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic told judges at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, that Karadzic was the "driving force" behind the genocide in Bosnia, reports Reuters.

"After hundreds of witnesses, 80,000 pages of transcripts, and 10,000 exhibits, the policy of ethnic cleansing is finally exposed. And Karadzic was its driving force," said the prosecutor Alan Tieger, as the prosecution made its closing remarks on Monday. 

"He said at the time what would happen and it did. Thousands killed, hundreds of towns destroyed, masses forceably displaced," Tieger added.

Spain wants to ban Catalonia referendum

Sep 28, 2014

The Spanish government has asked its constitutional court to declare the independence referendum planned in Catalonia as illegal.

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said the vote was not "compatible with the Spanish constitution".
Rajoy said "Nobody and nothing will be allowed to break up Spain”, during a televised address to the nation on Monday.

Tens of thousands defy Hong Kong riot police and demonstrate into the night

Sep 28, 2014
Tens of thousands of people defied calls to dismantle their protests and return home, after pro-democracy demonstrations grew in Hong Kong on early Monday morning.

Photographs: The Guardian

Turkey reiterates support to Kurdistan in fight against Islamic State militants

Sep 28, 2014
The Turkish President pledged to support the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan in their fight against Islamic State militants, reports the International Business Times.

Tayyip Erdogan met with the Kurdistan Region Prime Minister at the sideliners of the World Economic Forum meeting in Istanbul.

A statement released by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) said,

Modi attracts thousands on historic visit to the US, calls for global front against terrorism

Sep 27, 2014
Updated 10.36 BST
The Indian prime minister, Modi addressed over 20,000 thousand Americans at a rally organised by the Indian American Community Foundation in Madison Square Garden on Sunday.

Though Modi has been widely received, hundreds of protesters marched through the streets of New York, demanding justice for the ill-treatment of India's Muslim and Sikh communities and 1984 communal riots.
UK Labour Party reiterates support for Saharawi self determination
Karadzic denies charges of ethnic cleansing
Thousands protest after Spanish court rules secession vote unconstitutional
Commission of Inquiry into Eritrea will pave way for accountability, says special rapporteur
Afghanistan signs deal to keep US troops
Karadzic was 'driving force' for genocide say prosecutors
Spain wants to ban Catalonia referendum
Tens of thousands defy Hong Kong riot police and demonstrate into the night
Turkey reiterates support to Kurdistan in fight against Islamic State militants
Modi attracts thousands on historic visit to the US, calls for global front against terrorism