WORLD NEWS

World News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Baloch activists accuse state-backed death squads of new killings
Photograph: Screenshot/ BLA video A fresh wave of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances has been documented across Balochistan this month, as Baloch rights groups recorded the recovery of several bodies of men who had earlier been forcibly taken, and appealed once more to international institutions that have largely ignored the province. The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC)…

UN aid agencies expelled from Luhansk

Sep 24, 2015
The United Nations humanitarian aid chief Stephen O’Brien expressed serious concern after authorities in the eastern city of Luhansk called on UN agencies to immediately vacate the city.

“I am alarmed by news that the de facto authorities in eastern Ukraine have ordered UN agencies in Luhansk to end operations and to leave the area by tomorrow, 25 September,” said Mr O’Brien in a statement.

Colombian govt and Farc pledge end to conflict in 6 months

Sep 23, 2015
The Colombian government and Farc pledged on Wednesday to bring an end to the conflict, which has run for 50 years, within six months, reports Reuters.

Meeting in Havana for ongoing peace talks, the Colombian president and the Farc leader, Rodrigo Londono (alias Timochenko) shook hands to seal their agreement.

"We will not fail," Mr Santos said. "The time for peace has arrived."

An official deadline has been set for 23 March 2016. Farc was pledged to lay down arms within 60 days of signing the deal.

Independence will come 'sooner or later' says Catalan leader

Sep 22, 2015
Catalan's leader, Artur Mas, said that independence would come "sooner or later", promised to push for a referendum on secession if the coalition of pro-independence parties win elections this month.

"Clearly, if we get a majority of the votes on September 27, then that's the referendum done," Mr Mas told AFP in an interview on Wednesday.

"If we won a majority of seats but not a majority of votes and the Spanish government offered us a binding referendum on independence – though I am very skeptical about whether it would do so – then we would listen," he added.

China's president lands in US to boost trade ties

Sep 22, 2015

China’s president Xi Jinping landed in the US on Tuesday to commence a week-long US visit that will include meetings with SU business leaders, reports Reuters.

Mr Jinping is expected to meet US government and business leaders to seek bi-lateral agreements and improve relations between the two economies.

Nazi radio operator charged with war crimes

Sep 22, 2015
German prosecutors have charged a 91 year old woman with 260,000 counts of accessory to murder over allegations she was a member of the Nazi SS who served in Auschwitz death camps, reports the Independent.

The woman, whose name was not disclosed, is alleged to have served as a radio operator for the camp commandant form April to July 1944.

UK to guarantee £2bn nuclear plant deal for China

Sep 20, 2015

The UK will guarantee a £2bn deal with China, which will see investment in the Hinkley nuclear power plant and the possible construction of further reactors.

Chancellor George Osborne made the announcement during his visit to China and said the deal would pave the way for a final investment decision on the delayed project by French energy company EDF.

Glasgow rally pledges to continue journey towards Scottish independence

Sep 18, 2015
Crowds gathered in Glasgow on Saturday, one year on from the Scottish independence referendum, pledging to continue the journey towards independence.

Gathering at the city's George Square, pro-independence campaigners held the Saltire and 'Still Yes' banners, stating that they wished "to make a clear statement that our journey to full independence for our nation continues".

Speaking on Friday, the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon said that it would be wrong to rule out another referendum, however, commenting on the 2014 referendum result, she said, "We respect last year's result."

"It would be wrong to propose another referendum without a fundamental change of circumstances or a strong indication that a significant number of those who voted No last year had changed their minds."

US receives first Cuban ambassador in 54 years

Sep 16, 2015
The United States received its first ambassador, Jose Cabanas, from Cuba in 54 years on Thursday, reports Reuters.

"The ceremony took place at the White House Oval Office, the venue of the presidential office, in the midst of a day when the U.S. leader received 16 new ambassadors," the Cuban embassy said in a statement.

"The Cuban ambassador's accreditation to the United States is a further step within the process to normalize relations between both countries," the statement added.

China's president to visit US on Sept 25

Sep 15, 2015
China's president, Xi Jingping is to visit the United States later this month on an official state trip where he will be hosted by the US president, Barack Obama.

The visit will take place on September 25 the White House said on Tuesday, reports Reuters.

"President Xi's visit will present an opportunity to expand U.S.-China cooperation on a range of global, regional, and bilateral issues of mutual interest, while also enabling President Obama and President Xi to address areas of disagreement constructively," the White House added in a statement.

French court stops extradition of Rwandan genocide suspect

Sep 14, 2015
A court in France on Tuesday stopped the extradition of a Rwandan genocide suspect, Joseph Habyarimana, who is accused of inciting the murder of monks in a monastery in 1994, reports Le Monde.

A judge in a Toulouse court, where Mr Habyarimana now resides did not grant the extradition request stating that the crimes were not deemed a criminal offence at the time and therefore the law could not be enacted retrospectively.

The ruling was met with anger by a group representing the victims, the Collective of Civil Parties for Rwanda (CPCR).

UN aid agencies expelled from Luhansk
Colombian govt and Farc pledge end to conflict in 6 months
Independence will come 'sooner or later' says Catalan leader
China's president lands in US to boost trade ties
Nazi radio operator charged with war crimes
UK to guarantee £2bn nuclear plant deal for China
Glasgow rally pledges to continue journey towards Scottish independence
US receives first Cuban ambassador in 54 years
China's president to visit US on Sept 25
French court stops extradition of Rwandan genocide suspect