WORLD NEWS

World News

Latest news from and about the homeland

  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…

Crimes against humanity in CAR – Amnesty International

Amnesty International has reported that war crimes and crimes against humanity are taking place in the Central African Republic and called for the rapid deployment of UN peacekeepers, at the close of a two week mission to the country.

Christian Mukosa, Amnesty International’s Central Africa expert, stated,
“Our in-depth research on the ground in the Central African Republic over the past two weeks has left no room for doubt that war crimes and crimes against humanity are being committed by all parties to the conflict”.

Suicide attack in Benghazi kills 14

At least 14 people were killed in a suicide car bomb attack in Benghazi, Libya.

The attack on a military checkpoint, on the outskirts of the city, is believed to be the first suicide attack in Libya since Gaddafi was overthrown in the 2011 uprisings.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, although car bombs and assassinations have been common in Benghazi with frequent clashes between the military and militia groups, in particular the Islamist group Ansar al-Sharia.

Cuba calls for improved US ties

The President of Cuba, Raul Castro, has said that Cuba and the US should respect their differences and both sides should work on improving relations, but called on the US to drop their demands for a regime change.

He said that the fact that officials from both countries had met over the last year to discuss issues such as immigration and the resumption of postal services, showed that relations can be civilised.

Dutch court grants Rwandan extradition request

The Dutch Court of First instance has approved the extradition of a man suspected of taking part in the Rwandan genocide of 1994, to Rwanda where he will be put on trial.

The 37-year-old, Jean Claude Iyamuremye, was arrested in the Netherlands in July, for his alleged role in a militia that killed ethnic Tutsis in Rwanda.

China ‘firmly opposed’ to Japanese defence plan

China’s Defence Ministry has strongly denounced a Japanese five-year government approved strategy, that will see an increase in defence spending.

Japan’s new defence plan will see it purchase its first surveillance drones, as well as increase the number of aircraft and naval destroyers, alongside establishing an amphibious marines unit.

India transfers diplomat from US to UN mission

India has transferred its diplomat, whose arrest in the US sparked protests in India, to its UN mission, reports Reuters.

Devyani Khobragade, who was arrested earlier this month, on charges of visa fraud and making false statements about the employment of her housekeeper, was serving as the deputy consul general in New York.

The incident was vehemently condemned by New Delhi, which has demanded that all charges be dropped.

The Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath said,

Prosecutor asks for delay in Kenyatta trial

The trial of Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta at the International Criminal Court was dealt a heavy blow yesterday, after the chief prosecutor requested a delay in his trial acknowledging a lack of evidence.

South Sudan ‘at precipice’ of civil war warns Obama

US President Barack Obama has warned that South Sudan may return to the ‘dark days of its past’, in a letter to Congresss, as violence continues to grow in the world’s newest state.

Calling on the South Sudanese leaders to show “courage and leadership”, Obama stated,

Rights organisations urge US to take tougher stance on Burma

Several human rights organisations, in a letter addressed to the United States Government, urged President Obama, to take a tougher stance on relations with Burma.

The letter called on the United States to act on the ongoing detainment of human rights activists and detained political prisoners.

See the list of recommendations here.

Indian peacekeepers killed in South Sudan

Three Indian peacekeepers have been killed as a United Nations compound was attacked in the Jonglei state of South Sudan by armed ethnic Nuer youth.

India's UN envoy Asoke Mukerji confirmed the deaths as ethnic violence in the country continues to grow. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon released a statement earlier saying,