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…

Burkina Faso sees third leader in 24 hours

Oct 31, 2014
A second military officer has assumed power in Burkina Faso, after the former president resigned on Friday amidst mass protests.

Colonel Isaac Zida, who is the third person to claim leadership of the country within 24 hours, called on the international community to recognise his authority.

Speaking to crowds in the capital city Ouagadougou, Zida said that the military had taken control to “prevent a state of anarchy that would be detrimental to the goal of democratic change.”

“I will assume the duties of head of this transition and head of state to guarantee the continuity of the state,” he added.

Boko Haram denies negotiations to release abducted school girls

Oct 31, 2014
The leader of the Nigerian militant Boko Haram, claimed that deals to free the 200 kidnapped school girls were untrue, reports the Telegraph.

In a video released on Saturday, Abubakar Shekau, said, “The issue of the girls is long forgotten because I have long ago married them off. In this war there is no going back.”

Islamic State militants execute 85 Albu Nimr tribe members

Oct 31, 2014
Islamic State militants executed a further 85 members of the Albu Nimr tribe in Iraq on Saturday, reports Reuters.

The tribal chief said that 50 members of the tribe had been killed with a further 35 bodies found in a mass grave.

Sheikh Naeem al-Ga’oud said that requests to the Iraqi central government for arms to had been repeatedly ignored.

The Albu Nimr tribe fought back for several weeks against Islamic State militant advances on their village in Anbar.

Militants committing war crimes in Libya says Amnesty International

Oct 30, 2014
All sides in Libya’s most recent conflict have committed serious rights abuses, some of which amount to war crimes, found Amnesty International’s latest report.

The report, “Rule of the gun: Abductions, torture and other abuses in western Libya,” found that armed groups had summarily killed, tortured or ill-treated detainees in their custody whilst targeting civilians based on their origins or perceived political allegiances.

“Leaders of militias and armed groups in Libya have a duty to put an end to violations of international humanitarian law and to make clear to their subordinates that such crimes will not be tolerated. A failure to do so could result in prosecution of commanders by the International Criminal Court,” said the Amnesty press release.

Burkina Faso president resigns amid protests

Oct 30, 2014
The President of Burkina Faso resigned on Friday after days of unrest that saw protesters set fire to the parliament building, reports the New York Times.

Campaore announced his resignation, after the military announced that they had decided to take the side of the protestors.

The recent protests against Campaore came after the former president tried to change legislation that would allow him to extend his term in power.

Blaise Campaore initially seized power of Burkina Faso in 1987 in a coup that saw the former president killed under suspicious circumstances.

Sweden formally recognises Palestine

Oct 29, 2014
Sweden formally recognised the state of Palestine on Thursday, becoming the first European Union member to do so, reports AFP.

The decision, which came ahead of schedule, has been criticised by Israel.

“Some will claim that today’s decision comes too early. I’m rather afraid it’s too late,” Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom wrote in the Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter.

“The past year, we’ve seen how the peace negotiations once again have halted, how decisions on new settlements on occupied Palestinian land have obstructed a two-state solution and how violence has returned to Gaza.”

Realisation of right to self-determination vital for international peace says UN expert

Oct 29, 2014
The realisation of the right to self-determination is fundamental in maintaining local, regional and international peace and must be seen as an important conflict prevention strategy, said the United Nations independent expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order.

Presenting his third report the UN General Assembly on Monday, Alfred de Zayas, said,
“Over the past decades too many conflicts have started because of the denial of the legitimate aspiration of peoples to achieve their human rights, including the right to internal or external self-determination.”
The UN expert called for a strategy to ensure that a recurring questions regarding self-determination were addressed and that a proactive role was taken by the UN to mediate existing and potential crises associated with self-determination, reports Panarmenian.net.

Israeli police shoot journalists covering Palestinian protests

Oct 29, 2014
Protests following the funeral of a 14 year old Palestinian killed by Israeli soldiers were met with a strong  police clamp down on Monday.

Two photographers, including one working for the Associated Press (AP), were hit by rubber bullets fired by Israeli policemen at close range reports the Huffington Post.

The AP has said it will lodge complaints with the Israeli military, police and government.

A senior managing editor for international news, John Daniszewski, said the shooting was an example of “reckless disregard for the safety of journalists who were doing their job in a lawful way.”

Describing the incident, the AP photographer said he was amongst several clearly identifiable journalists before an armoured vehicle pulled up in front of them and fired directly at them.

UN, UK and US express concern at Israeli settlement plans in Palestine

Oct 29, 2014
Israel’s planned settlements violated international law and would raise “grave concerns” regarding its commitment towards a durable peace with the Palestinians said a senior UN political chief, reports the BBC.

Britain said that the settlement activity made it harder for Israel’s friends to defend it against accusations that questioned Israel’s commitment to peace.

A White House spokesman, Josh Earnest, said,

FSA rebels arrive in Kobane to support Kurds

Oct 28, 2014

Rebels from the Free Syrian Army have arrived in Kobane to support Kurdish fighters defending the town against 6-week long assault by the Islamic State.

FSA commander Col Abdul Jabbar al-Oqaidi, told the BBC’s Arabic service that "around 200 fighters" had entered the Kobane to help the defenders.

Burkina Faso sees third leader in 24 hours
Boko Haram denies negotiations to release abducted school girls
Islamic State militants execute 85 Albu Nimr tribe members
Militants committing war crimes in Libya says Amnesty International
Burkina Faso president resigns amid protests
Sweden formally recognises Palestine
Realisation of right to self-determination vital for international peace says UN expert
Israeli police shoot journalists covering Palestinian protests
UN, UK and US express concern at Israeli settlement plans in Palestine
FSA rebels arrive in Kobane to support Kurds