<p>The International Criminal Court (ICC) has rejected the request by Fatou Bensouda, the court’s prosecutor, to open an investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity in Afghanistan since May 1, 2003.</p> <p>The court concluded that the prospect of any investigation and prosecution is extremely limited because the US, Afghan authorities and the Taliban would not cooperate.</p> <p>Despite the refusal to investigate, Bensouda’s office said it will continue to consider all available legal remedies.</p>

German police carried out raids of NGOs and charities across the country alleged to have links to Hamas.

Around 90 properties in ten states were searched, targeted for allegations of providing “financial and propaganda” to the Palestinian organisation which is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the European Union and the United States.

"Whoever supports Hamas under the mantle of providing humanitarian aid disregards the fundamental values of our constitution," Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said. "This also discredits the commitment of the many aid organizations that have committed themselves to neutrality under difficult circumstances."

<p>Armed militias loyal to Sudan’s president, Omar al- Bashir, have launched attacks on protesters taking part in a mass sit in outside the defence ministry in the capital, Khartoum.</p> <p>Witnesses said that the security forces have used gunfire and teargas to disperse demonstrators.</p> <p>The total number of people killed since Saturday is 22, including five soldiers who were killed while defending the protesters.</p> <p>The group spearheading the demonstrations, the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA),&nbsp;have said that 153 have been wounded.</p>

Five men are being investigated by UK police over allegations of involvement in the Rwandan genocide, The Guardian reports. 

<p>Donald Trump has designated Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guard Corps as a foreign terrorist organisation, marking the first time the United States has formally labelled another country’s military a "terrorist group".</p> <p>In a statement, Trump said that “Iran is not only a state sponsor of terrorism, but the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) actively participates in, finances, and promotes terrorism as a tool of statecraft.”</p> <p>“We will continue to increase financial pressure and raise the costs on the Iranian regime for its support for terrorist activity until it abandons its malign and outlaw behaviour,” Trump added.</p>

India’s ruling BJP party has announced in their manifesto plans to repeal Article 370 and 35A which grants special rights to residents of Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).

Article 370 was initially intended as a temporary provision and grants Jammu and Kashmir a special autonomous status. Article 35A enables the J&K legislature to define who were “permanent residents” as well as special rights and privileges. This includes the right to purchase property which non-residents have been barred from.

Sinn Fein, the former political wing of the Irish Republican Army, continues its abstentionist policy despite holding enough seats to prevent a no-deal Brexit.

On Monday, the proposal to keep the United Kingdom in the European Union’s customs union was narrowly defeated by three votes. Sinn Fein holds seven seats in West Minster since the 2017 general election refused to vote on the matter which could have avoided a no-deal Brexit which they view as devastating for Irish interests.

Speaking to reporters Mary Lou McDonald, the party’s president, said:

<p>US Congress has given final approval on a resolution to end American military assistance to Saudi Arabia in its war against Yemen. The House voted 247-175 to send the resolution to Trump's desk, where it is likely to be met with a veto.&nbsp;</p> <p>The vote marks the first time the US Congress has invoked the 1973 War Powers Act, a law which curtails the president's power to take the country into a conflict without congressional approval.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Algerian president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, has resigned with immediate effect after weeks of mass protests against his 20-year rule.</p> <p>The 82-year-old announced his resignation in a letter to the president of the Constitutional Council on Tuesday.</p> <p>In his letter, Bouteflika wrote, “my intention is to contribute to calming down the souls and minds of the citizens so they can collectively take Algeria to the better future they aspire to.” His resignation triggered a 90-day caretaker presidency by the chairman of the upper house of parliament, Abdelkader Bensalah, until elections are held.</p>

<p>Pakistan’s military has reported&nbsp;three soldiers were killed by Indian forces in the Rawalakot area of&nbsp;Pakistani-controlled Kashmir.</p> <p>In a statement, Pakistan's military said they had responded to an Indian mortar attack on its positions at the border town Rakhchakri. Indian officials&nbsp;have not responded to the initial reports.</p>