Chinese activist Cao Shunli has died at a hospital in Beijing, after being denied medical treatment for several months, according to her lawyers.

The human rights activist was on her way to Geneva for a UN training course when she was arrested by Chinese police in September last year.

Russian state media said today, that people in Criema voted overwhelmingly to separate from Ukraine and join Russia today.

RIA news agency said that 93 percent backed the separation as the voting polls closed at 1800 GMT. The turnout was also recorded as 80 percent by the Russian monitoring agency.

A court in France has sentenced former Rwandan intelligence chief to 25 years in prison for his role in the genocide, in a landmark trial on Friday.

In France’s first trial over the genocide, 54-year-old Pascal Simbikangwa was found guilty of genocide and complicity to crimes against humanity.

The former Labour MP and Cabinet Minister Tony Benn has passed away at his home in London at the age of 88.

The veteran left-wing campaigner was an outspoken activist and became the president of the Stop the War Coalition in 2001.

Tony Benn pictured at Parliament Square on May 23, 2009 (Picture: peacestrike.org)

The European Union has agreed to the wording of sanctions on Russia over its military presence in the Crimea, reports the Reuters.

According to the news agency, which reports to have viewed a draft documented, the sanctions will include travel restrictions and asset freezes.

The draft document will be reviewed and put before EU foreign ministers on Monday.
 

Israel's Foreign Minister, Avigdor Liberman asserted that Israel should reoccupy the Gaza strip, citing reports that 41 rockets were fired from the Palestinian territory into Southern Israel.

"We need to reoccupy Gaza," said Liberman in an interview to Channel 2 television.

A commission appointed by Myanmar's government rejected the finding of a UN report that alleged systematic killings by security forces, and instead concluded there was no evidence that 40 Rohingyas were killed during attacks that took place in January, reported VoA.

Commission member, Yin Yin Nwe said,

Quebec's Premier, Pauline Marois said an independence Quebec would not have borders or tolls with Canada, speaking at an electoral campaign event.

Ms Marois, who leads the pro-independence, Parti Quebecois, said that Canadians would be able to travel freely in and out of an independent Quebec.

A recent report released by Amnesty international, found that the Syrian government was using starvation tactics against displaced civilians.

The report highlighted at least 128 refugees deaths due to starvation in the Yarmouk displacement camp. 

Leaders of a United Nations investigation of human rights abuses in Central African Republic further outlined their intention to extend their investigation to look into “reports of genocide” as they launched a probe Monday.

America’s ambassador, Geoffrey Pyatt, in Kiev, outlined today that the Us would refuse to recognise the upcoming referendum in Crimea, and warned of further action should Russia look to use the vote to legitimise its occupation.

The ambassador further outlined that next week’s referendum, could lead to stronger sanctions by the US and the UK.

The Arab League has refused to recognise Israel as a 'Jewish state', backing the rejection of Palestine's Mahmoud Abbas.

Israel has been pushing for the recognition as essential to peace negotiations but the Arab League's chief Nabil El-Araby called on Arab countries to take a "firm stand" against the demands.