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…

Sudan and South Sudan reach oil agreement

Sudan and South Sudan reached an agreement on oil on Saturday, following an extension of Thursday's deadline.

The agreement includes the exportation of South Sudanese oil through Sudan's pipelines, and the distribution of oil revenues.

China sentences 20 for separatism and terrorism

Twenty people were sentenced in the Xinjiang region of China on charges of terrorism and separatism, reported China's state media - People's Daily - on Thursday.

All twenty are believed to be Uighurs - Muslim, Turkic speaking people who consider Xinjiang to be their home.

The People's Daily report, said,

Bangladesh blocks aid to Rohingyas

Bangladeshi authorities have told three international aid agencies to stop providing support to Rohingya refugees who arrived from neighbouring Burma.

Officials claim that the agencies are exceeding their mandate by supporting illegal migrants and that the aid was encouraging more Rohingyas to cross the border.

British based Muslim Aid and French NGOs Médecins Sans Frontières and Action Contre La Faim are the charities which have been blocked from providing aid.

UN demands for an end to Congo rebel support

The UN Security Council on Thursday demanded for an end to all foreign support being given to the M23 rebels fighting against the government in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

The statement voiced a “strong condemnation of any and all outside support to the M23 and demand that all support to the M23, including from outside countries, cease immediately.”

UN deadline passes for Sudan - South Sudan agreement

The UN Security Council deadline for Sudan and South Sudan to negotiate a peace agreement has passes, as extra time is granted to further develop negotiations.

France’s UN ambassador and current president of the Security Council, Gerard Araud, said, “clearly Sudan and South Sudan have not fulfilled all the conditions laid down, although progress has been achieved.”

UN condemns Syria as Annan resigns as envoy

The United Nations General Assembly has passed a resolution condemning the Syrian government’s use of heavy weaponry as it battles against rebel forces, in the midst of Kofi Annan stepping down as the UN and Arab League negotiator for Syria.

The resolution passed earlier on Friday also goes on to condemn the UN Security Council for failing to make Syria comply with earlier UN  decisions.

Saif Gaddafi demands Hague trial

Colonel Gaddafi’s son Saif al-Islam said he wants to be transferred to The Hague to face trial.

"I am not afraid to die but if you execute me after such a trial you should just call it murder and be done with it," Saif al-Islam said according to documents submitted to the ICC by his lawyers.

He has already been indicted by the ICC for crimes against humanity, but Libya has refused to hand him over till now.

Obama signs 'secret' order to help Syrian rebels says Reuters

US President Obama, has signed a secret order authorising 'intelligence finding' assistance by the CIA and other agencies to the Syrian rebels, reports the Reuters news agency.

According Reuters the exact extent of assistance remains unclear, however, it will not include giving the rebels arms.

White House spokesperson, Tommy Vietor reportedly declined to comment.

A US government source, told Reuters, that the US was colloborating with a 'secret command centre' in Turkey.

White House dismisses reports of aid to Syria rebels

US officials earlier dismissed reports that claimed US President Barack Obama had signed a secret order to send aid to Syrian rebels, currently fighting against President Assad’s regime.

Whilst White House Press Secretary Jay Carney did not deny that aid was being supplied to the rebels, he stressed that the only assistance being provided was non lethal, stating,
“We do not believe that adding to the number of weapons in Syria is what is needed to help bring about a peaceful transition,”

India to allow investment from Pakistan

The Indian government has announced it will allow investment from Pakistani citizens and companies in India.

A press release by the commerce ministry said all foreign direct investment from Pakistan will need to be approved by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board.

Investments cannot be made in defence, space or atomic energy.