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…

‘World’s worst’ food crisis in South Sudan – UN

Jul 27, 2014

The UN Security Council has warned of a looming famine in South Sudan, saying the "catastrophic food insecurity" was the worst in the world and urged donor countries to make good on their promise to donate $618m (£364m) in aid.

US accelerates supply of arms to Syrian rebels

Jul 27, 2014
The United States has accelerated its supply of arms and ammunition to the Syrian rebels, as fears grow of ISIS and other extreme elements gaining ground across Iraq and Syria, the Washington Post reported on Sunday.

Under what the paper described as a "covert program", the US is reported to be sending arms deliveries to the rebels, along with ammunition and money, through Turkey and Jordan.

Fighting eases in Gaza whilst ceasefire remains elusive

Jul 26, 2014
The fighting eased in Gaza on Sunday after Hamas endorsed the UN call for a 24 hour humanitarian truce given the upcoming Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, however the prospects of a lasting ceasefire remained low.

Limited firing of rockets by Hamas and artillery gun fire by Israel continued to take place despite the humanitarian truce, Al Jazeera reported.

Australian official resigns over anti-Hamas remarks

Jul 26, 2014
Australia’s Community Relations Commission chairman for New South Wales, resigned from his position Sunday, after sending out an email suggesting that ‘all options are on the table’ in a war against Hamas, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.

Vic Alhadeff, who is also the chief executive of the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies, resigned from his community relations role, stating,

“I have chosen to do so in the interests of the CRC and its important work in fostering social harmony.”

ISIS to be investigated for war crimes in UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria

Jul 25, 2014
The United Nations could include fighters and heads form the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) in its list of war crimes suspects in Syria, said the chief investigator of Commission  of Inquiry on Syria, reports the BBC.

"I can assure you that we are collecting information on perpetrators from all sides including non-state armed groups and ISIS. They are good candidates for the list," Paulo Pinheiro said.

Israel accepts 24 hour ceasefire request

Jul 25, 2014

The Israeli government has accepted a request by the UN to extend the truce agreed on Friday by another 24 hours, although Hamas earlier rejected an earlier move by Israel to extend the initial 12-hour ceasefire by four hours.

Hamas demanded a complete withdrawal by Israeli troops from the Gaza strip and continued to fire rockets into Israel, claiming that the country was using the truce to prepare more attacks.

Embassies close as clashes escalate in Libya

Jul 25, 2014

The US became the latest country to close its mission in Tripoli after violent clashes between militias escalated over the past few weeks and moved closer to the embassy.

"Due to the ongoing violence resulting from clashes between Libyan militias in the immediate vicinity of the US embassy in Tripoli, we have temporarily relocated all of our personnel out of Libya," spokesperson, Marie Harf, said.

Protests erupt in the West Bank as 3 Palestinians are shot dead

Jul 24, 2014
The conflict in Gaza spread to the West Bank on Friday, with at least three Palestinians killed, reports the Guardian.

Thousands of Palestinians today took part in a demonstration after over 15 women, children and United Nations stage were killed when a UN shelter was hit yesterday.

Three Palestinians were shot dead during confrontation with the Israeli army in the West Bank.
Israel reported that 35 rockets had been fired from Gaza today as the United Nations Secretary General called for calm.

Veteran Kurdish politician appointed President of Iraq

Jul 24, 2014
Iraqi leaders, Thursday, selected a veteran Kurdish politician as President, in a move to help confront Islamic State militants and stop the country from breaking up, reports the Washington Post.

Fouad Massoum received 211 of 269 votes in the Iraqi parliament after Kurds presented him as their candidate.

Israel agrees to 12 hour ceasefire with Hamas

Jul 24, 2014
Israel, on Friday, agreed a UN proposed 12-hour ceasefire with Hamas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the US secretary of state today.

The announcement came after the Israeli government rejected earlier calls from John Kerry to implement a seven-day ceasefire, reports abc.news.
‘World’s worst’ food crisis in South Sudan – UN
US accelerates supply of arms to Syrian rebels
Fighting eases in Gaza whilst ceasefire remains elusive
Australian official resigns over anti-Hamas remarks
ISIS to be investigated for war crimes in UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria
Israel accepts 24 hour ceasefire request
Embassies close as clashes escalate in Libya
Protests erupt in the West Bank as 3 Palestinians are shot dead
Veteran Kurdish politician appointed President of Iraq
Israel agrees to 12 hour ceasefire with Hamas