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…

UN Human Rights Chief slams Security Council inaction

Aug 21, 2014
The outgoing UN High Commissioner for Human Rights slammed the UN Security Council over its failure to act in several conflicts due to putting national interests before human suffering.

"Despite repeated briefings regarding escalating violations in multiple crises – by OHCHR and other human rights mechanisms – there has not always been a firm and principled decision by Members to put an end to crises," Navi Pillay told the 15 member panel in her final address, highlighting conflicts in Afghanistan, Libya, Mali, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Central African Republic, DR Congo, Iraq, Ukraine and Gaza.

"Short-term geopolitical considerations and national interest, narrowly defined, have repeatedly taken precedence over intolerable human suffering and grave breaches of – and long-term threats to – international peace and security. I firmly believe that greater responsiveness by this Council would have saved hundreds of thousands of lives," she added.

Russia fires artillery at Ukrainian forces

Aug 21, 2014

The Russian military has fired artillery at Ukrainian forces from inside Ukraine said a spokesperson for NATO earlier on Friday.

“Russian artillery support — both cross-border and from within Ukraine — is being employed against the Ukrainian armed forces,” said Oana Lungescu.

NATO’s Secretary General criticised the recent incursion of a Russian aid envoy into Ukraine whilst highlighting heightening Russian military activity in Ukrainian territory, reports the New York Times.

“I condemn the entry of a Russian so-called humanitarian convoy into Ukrainian territory without the consent of the Ukrainian authorities and without any involvement of the International Committee of the Red Cross. These developments are even more worrying as they coincide with a major escalation in Russian military involvement in Eastern Ukraine since mid-August, including the use of Russian forces,” said Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

Syria death toll surpasses 191,000 says UN

Aug 21, 2014
The United Nations stated over 191,000 people have been killed in the Syrian conflict so far, as violence continues in the region.

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay however, said that the true number was higher. Stating 191,369 had been killed in the violence so far, she added "tragically it is probably an underestimate of the real total number of people killed.”

Pillay added that the conflict was a "wholly avoidable human catastrophe" saying,
"The killers, destroyers and torturers in Syria have been empowered and emboldened by the international paralysis.”

US carries out airstrikes against militants in Iraq, outlines need to tackle IS in Syria

Aug 21, 2014
US fighter jets carried out six air raids on Islamic State (IS) positions around the Mosul dam, destroying four vehicles and multiple homemade bomb placements, a spokesperson for the US central command was quoted as saying.

The airstrikes come as the US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said that the IS militants were the biggest threat America had faced in years, reports the BBC.

Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, Hagel said,

“They are beyond just a terrorist group. They marry ideology, a sophistication of strategic and tactical military prowess, they are tremendously well-funded. This is beyond anything that we have seen.”

Coup leader appointed Prime Minister in Thailand

Aug 20, 2014
The leader of Thailand's military coup in May was appointed prime minister on Thursday.

General Prayuth Chan-ocha, who ousted Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in a bloodless coup, was appointed by the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) and pledged to form an interim government to supervise reforms as well as three phase path towards reconciliation. However, power is widely considered to stay with the military junta.

"Nobody had any problem. Nobody disagreed," Prayuth reportedly said after the vote on Monday.

191 out of 194 members voted in favour of Prayuth's appointment. He was the only candidate fielded.

3 senior commanders killed by Israel says Hamas

Aug 20, 2014
The Israeli military has killed three senior Hamas military commanders in air strikes on Thursday, said Hamas.

Raed al-Attar, Mohammed Abu Shamala and Mohammed Barhoum, described by Hamas as the "founding generation" of Hamas' military wing, Qassam Brigade, were killed in the southern Gazan town of Rafah.

Raed al-Attar and Mohammed Abu Shamala were considered to be two of the most senior commanders.

A security source told the Jerusalem Post on Thursday "this strike represents a very significant intelligence achievement, and an intelligence infiltration."

Philippines government agrees to review MILF self-rule proposal

Aug 20, 2014
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a separatist militant group in the Philippines submitted a final proposal for self-rule which was agreed upon by the government, reports Reuters.

“As agreed upon by the parties, the MILF submitted the final draft of the Bangsamoro Basic Law to the Office of the Executive Secretary yesterday evening,” said the presidential adviser to the peace talks.

Britain to send fighter jets to combat Boko Haram amidst Nigerian army mutiny

Aug 20, 2014
The British government announced today that it would be sending three RAF warplanes to help locate Nigerian schoolgirls kidnapped by the Boko Haram militants.

The fighter bombers will help Nigerian authorities track the movement of militants, a government source told The Times.

UN shelter camps in South Sudan deemed inhumane, China calls for immediate ceasefire

Aug 20, 2014
The conditions faced by over 40,000 people sheltering in a UN camp in South Sudan are in humane warned Medecins sans Frontieres (MSF).

“People are living in conditions that are barely compatible with life and are incompatible with human dignity. What we have now is a 1.5 sq km camp in the middle of the largest grass swamp in the world, so it’s not a place you would chose. It’s not fit for human habitation – at least not for 40,000 people,” the Guardian quotes an emergency coordinator for MSF as saying.


China presses South Sudan for immediate ceasefire

China’s foreign minister demanded an immediate ceasefire and political dialogue in South Sudan, reports Reuters.

We will not forget what happened' US warns Islamic State as air strikes continue

Aug 20, 2014
The United States has warned that the killers of American journalist James Foley will be brought to justice, as they continued to carry out air strikes against the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq on Thursday.

US Attorney General Eric Holder, stated that the Department of Justice had opened a “criminal investigation” into the killing, adding,
“Those who would perpetrate such acts need to understand something. This Justice Department, this Department of Defence, this nation – we have long memories and our reach is very wide. We will not forget what happened, and people will be held accountable, one way or the other.”
UN Human Rights Chief slams Security Council inaction
Russia fires artillery at Ukrainian forces
Syria death toll surpasses 191,000 says UN
US carries out airstrikes against militants in Iraq, outlines need to tackle IS in Syria
Coup leader appointed Prime Minister in Thailand
3 senior commanders killed by Israel says Hamas
Philippines government agrees to review MILF self-rule proposal
Britain to send fighter jets to combat Boko Haram amidst Nigerian army mutiny
UN shelter camps in South Sudan deemed inhumane, China calls for immediate ceasefire
We will not forget what happened' US warns Islamic State as air strikes continue