WORLD NEWS

World News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Al-Shabab fighters are claiming to have seized control of Adan Yabaal, a town in central Somalia, on Wednesday.  Adan Yabaal is situated about 220 kilometres north of Mogadishu and serves as the logistical hub for government forces. Raids were launched by al-Shabab fighters before dawn on Wednesday, forcing the army to retreat after fierce battles, according to a security officer quoted…

Aung San Suu Kyi's party wins in election 'landslide'

Aung San Suu Kyi has won enough parliamentary seats to form the next government  in Myanmar while the military backed opposition has called for a new vote.

Ms Suu Kyi's party, National League for Democracy (NLD) has secured 346 seats, more than the 322 needed to secure a majority. According to Myanmar's constitution, Ms Suu Kyi's government is required to govern with military involvement. 

Afghanistan’s peace talks threatened by university attack

The Afghan Taliban denied responsibility for an attack on Kabul University earlier this month, as they called on the US to ensure that an agreement that sees American troops withdrawn from the country by netx year.

“The Islamic Emirate would like to stress to the new American president-elect and future administration that implementation of the agreement is the most reasonable and effective tool for ending the conflict between both our countries,” the group said in a statement on the results of the US presidential election.

The statement comes after at least 22 people were by gunmen who shot fire at Kabul University before provoking security forces into a gruesome, hours-long battle last week. Afghanistan’s Vice President Amrullah Salleh designated responsibility to the Taliban, but these claims were rejected and the armed group who condemned the attack.

US sanctions top Lebanese politician citing corruption

The United States has imposed sanctions on top Lebanese politician and Christian ally of Hezbollah, Gebran Bassil, for alleged corruption. The sanction blocks Bassil's ability to hold assets and carry out financial transactions in the US.

Bassil has served in multiple high-level posts in the Lebanese government, including as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Minister of Energy and Water, and Minister of Telecommunications.

According to US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, the “systemic corruption in Lebanon's political system exemplified by Bassil has helped to erode the foundation of an effective government that serves the Lebanese people”.

Parliaments from across the world call for China to be held accountable for Uighur genocide

In a letter sponsored by over 60 parliamentarians from 16 countries, the International Criminal Court has been urged to hold China accountable for the on-going genocide of Uighur Muslim and persecution of other Turkish peoples.

The Guardian has described the on-going persecution of the Uighurs as “an early test case of the human rights climate since Joe Biden became president-elect”.

Whistleblower accuses UN of complicity in Uighur genocide

UN Human Rights Lawyer, Emma Reilly, an employee for the UN Human Rights Council has accused the UN of complicity in the Uighur genocide; maintaining, on LBC radio, that high ranking officials handed over the name of Uighur dissidents directly to the Chinese government.

Modi congratulates Kamala Harris on her victory as US vice president elect

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Vice President Kamala Harris after her and Joe Biden’s election victory, saying he is “confident that the vibrant India-US ties will get even stronger with [her] support and leadership.”

Biden and Harris elected to the White House

Joe Biden has been elected as the next President of the United States after beating Donald Trump in a tightly contested election, following a count that stretched on for days after polls had closed.

The closest electoral victory in recent memory will see Biden take up office in January 2021, with Kamala Harris the first Black woman and the first Tamil to become the Vice-President of the United States.

Twitter flags Trump tweets as US election count continues

Twitter has marked a series of tweets from current US president Donald Trump as “disputed and might be misleading,” as a tightly contested election count continues today.

As votes continue to be counted in key battleground states, Trump tweeted claims of the Democrats “trying to STEAL the Election”. He has since continued to send out several other tweets which twitter flagged as “disputed and might be misleading about an election or other civic process”.

Election counts are still underway in key states including Wisconsin and Michigan.

‘Her Body, Her Choice’ – Abortion ruling sparks nationwide outrage in Poland

Thousands of women are protesting across the nation against Poland’s latest abortion ruling, despite COVID-19 restrictions limiting public gatherings.

On October 22 the coutnry's constitutional court ruled that ending the life of a deformed foetus is unconstitutional, an almost total ban allowing terminations only in cases of rape or incest, or when the mother’s health is at risk; a decision that was pressed without parliamentary debate or public consultation, and was widely criticised by rights groups inside and outside the country.

Rwandan genocide suspect arrives in The Hague to face trial

Rwandan genocide suspect, Félicien Kabuga, 84, has been transferred into detention at The Hague to face trial for his alleged participation during the 1994 genocide of thousands of Tutsis in Rwanda. 

He was on the run for over two decades until he was arrested in France in May. The United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, which handles outstanding war crimes cases for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia, is due to try the former tea and coffee tycoon. Kabuga is indicted on counts of genocide, complicity in genocide and crimes against humanity.