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…

Former Argentine dictator receives third life sentence

A former military ruler of Argentina has received a third life sentence for crimes against humanity  involving detainees held the Campo de Mayo military base.

The 85-year-old was convicted of the illegal arrests, kidnapping, robbery, torture and murder of 23 detainees, seven of whom were pregnant and had to give birth inside the infamous clandestine prison. In 2012 and 2012 the former general has already received life sentences for crimes related to Campo de Mayo.

Defeated Kenyan presidential candidate files appeal 

The defeated Kenyan presidential candidate, Raila Odinga, has filed an appeal at the Supreme Court accusing the electoral authorities of manipulating the results of the recent presidential election.  Uhuru Kenyatta beat Odinga by 50.07% to 43.28% in the election's first round on 4th March.

Li Keqiang named China's premier

Li Keqiang has been named China's new premier by the country's leaders on Friday, whilst xi Jinping was announced as president. Li received 2940 of 3000 votes, and Jinping received 2950 out of 3000.

The US president Barack Obama called both to express his congratulations. In a statement the US White House said:

"Both leaders agreed on the value of regular high-level engagement to expand co-operation and co-ordination,"

US to boost missile defence

US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel announced Friday that the they will be bolstering its missile defences in response to "a series of irresponsible and reckless provocations" from North Korea.

Hagel also said that the additional defences would mean that the US "will be able to add protection against missiles from Iran sooner, while also providing additional protection against the North Korean threat."

HRW: Chad must arrest Omar al-Bashir

The Chadian government should arrest President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan ro bar him entry to Chad, Human Rights Watch said today.
Reports suggest that President al-Bashir will attend the Greenbelt Conference of the Community of Sahel-Saharan States on March 18 2013.
Noting that Chad was a member of the ICC, Human Rights watch said, that Chad was obliged to cooperate with the

Syrian arms race

The US State Department has suggested that it may support Britain and France providing arms to the Syrian Opposition.

In response to questions about Britain wanting to lift the EU arms embargo to Syria, spokesperson Victoria Nuland said:

Baghdad bombing sparks fears of al Qaeda revival

A co-ordinated attack launched by bombers in central Baghdad has left at least 22 people killed.

The attack comes just days before the tenth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq led by the USA.

In recent weeks analysts have warned that al Qaeda may be regaining strength in Iraq.

See the Guardian for full report.

Botswana apologises over Kenyatta ICC remark

The Foreign Minister of Botswana apologised on Wednesday for stating that the new Kenyan president, Uhuru Kenyatta would not be allowed to "set foot" in the country if he refused to cooperate with the ICC.

The Kenyan government had accused the minister, Phandu Skelemani of being "contemptuous" towards Kenyatta.

In a statement, Skelemani said:

UK may bypass EU Syria arms embargo

David Cameron has indicated that the UK may be prepared to bypass the EU arms embargo to Syria if the measure is not lifted in May.

After approving the provision of armoured vehicles and body armour for Syrian opposition leaders last week, Cameron was asked by the chair of the commons foreign affairs select committee whether he was prepared to veto the EU arms embargo when it is reviewed in May.

The Prime Minister responded:

Suu Kyi losing touch with the people?

Burma's icon of democracy, Aung Sun Suu Kyi has been criticised by former colleagues, including freed deputy 83-year-old Win Tin, for being too compromising with the Burmese military government.

See here for Washington Post's feature.

Extracts reproduced below:

“Some of us would like to push the military into the Bay of Bengal,” [Win Tin] said with a smile. “[Suu Kyi] only wants to push them into Kandawgyi Lake,”

“Although I am a free man, I feel my whole country is still in jail,” he said. “There are no great prison walls, but we are still in chains.”