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)…

India launches first indigenous nuclear submarine

Dec 17, 2014
India launched its first ever indigenously built nuclear submarine for a test run, on Monday.

Over 40 years after India first started its efforts for nuclear submarines, the INS Arihant, is set to undergo operational tests for the next 18 months before it is deemed a fully operational nuclear submarine.

Until now, India has been operating one maritime submarine which, was obtained on a 10 year lease from Russia, reports the Times of India.


UN General Assembly seeks referral of North Korea to ICC

Dec 17, 2014
The UN General Assembly voted on Thursday in favour of North Korea being referred to the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.

The resolution was voted for by 116 states, 20 against and 53 abstentions, reported Reuters.

North Korea rejected the resolution, describing it as "a product of political plot and confrontation".

The resolution follows a UN inquiry that published its findings earlier this year, detailing instances of atrocities committed by North Korean state officials.

Suspected Boko Haram militants kidnap over 100 women and children

Dec 17, 2014
Suspected Boko Haram gunmen kidnapped more than 100 women and children whilst killing 35 other people on Sunday during a raid in northeast Nigeria. 

Maina Chibok, who comes from the remote village of Gumsuri where the raid occurred, was quoted by Reuters as sayingthat militants came in pick-up trucks and sprayed the town with bullets from machine guns.
 
A security source confirmed that over 100 had been abducted with the district head being one of those killed.

EU court annuls Hamas proscription

Dec 16, 2014
The European Union’s lower court annulled the bloc’s prevision decision to keep Hamas on a list of terrorist organisations citing technical procedures, reports the BBC.

Hamas was removed from the proscription list based on technical grounds involving “factual imputations derived from the press and the internet.”

The EU court stressed that the decision did “not imply any substantive assessment of the question of the classification of Hamas as a terrorist group,” reports Al Jazeera.

The court said that it would maintain existing measures for three months to ensure effectiveness of any possible future freezing of funds.

Responding to Hamas’ de-listing, Israeli prime minister slammed the EU for its ‘prejudice’ against the Jewish community.

10 Bosnian Serbs arrested for war crimes

Dec 16, 2014
Ten Bosnian Serb officials were arrested on Tuesday by Bosnian police for alleged war crimes committed between 1992 and 1995.

The officials, all senior military and police personnel, are accused of "planning, leading and participating" in the killing of 67 Muslim civilians, including women and children, in 1992 in the Bosnian village of Lokanj, reports VoA.

Recent months have seen a steady number of arrests of former Bosnian Serb officials for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Norwegian court convicts Rwandan man of genocide

Dec 16, 2014
A court in Norway has found a Rwandan man guilty of genocide, ruling that he had a leading role in the two key massacres during the 1994 genocide where over 2000 were killed.

The man, 49 year old Sadi Bugingo, was found guilty for 19 out of the 20 charges he was accused of, reported a local newspaper. He will be sentenced in January by the court of appeal in Oslo.

“This case shows that Norway has the ability and the will to punish the most serious international crimes,” the state prosecutor, Marit Bakkevig, was quoted by the paper as saying.

EU recognises Palestinian statehood

Dec 16, 2014
The European parliament passed a motion recognising Palestinian statehood and reiterating the illegality of Israeli settlements, by 498 votes to 88 on Wednesday.

FARC declares indefinite unilateral ceasefire

Dec 16, 2014
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) have declared a unilateral ceasefire starting from 20 December and called for a formal armistice with the Colombian government.

Previous calls for a bilateral truce between the two sides have been rejected. Colombia's president Juan Manuel Santos has refused to suspend military action against FARC, claiming that any pause in the fighting will give them a chance to rearm.

FARC however, released a statement on its website saying "we have resolved to declare a unilateral ceasefire and end to hostilities for an indefinite time, which should transform into an armistice."

US and Cuba to 'normalise' diplomatic and economic relations

Dec 16, 2014
The US president, in a historic statement today, announced new measures that would ‘normalise’ diplomatic and economic relations with Cuba.

Deeming the current approach ‘outdated,’ Barack Obama, outlined changes which he described as the “most significant changes in our policy in more than fifty years.”

“Through these changes, we intend to create more opportunities for the American and Cuban people, and begin a new chapter among the nations of the Americas,” said Obama.

The announcement came as Cuba agreed to release an imprisoned US aid worker in exchange of 3 detained Cuban intelligence officers, reports the Guardian.

Kenya delists hundreds of NGOs

Dec 15, 2014

The Kenya government has “deregistered” more than 500 non-governmental organisations (NGO) for allegedly not complying with the law, following the passing of a controversial security bill last week.

In a statement announcing the closing of the NGOs, the government said,

“Some NGOs have been and continue to be used for criminal activities, including as conduits of terrorism financing in Kenya and in the Horn of Africa.”

Although it did not name any groups, 15 of those deregistered were accused of being linked to terrorism. The organisations were identified “in collaboration with security agencies both locally and internationally,” said the government.

India launches first indigenous nuclear submarine
UN General Assembly seeks referral of North Korea to ICC
Suspected Boko Haram militants kidnap over 100 women and children
EU court annuls Hamas proscription
10 Bosnian Serbs arrested for war crimes
Norwegian court convicts Rwandan man of genocide
EU recognises Palestinian statehood
FARC declares indefinite unilateral ceasefire
US and Cuba to 'normalise' diplomatic and economic relations
Kenya delists hundreds of NGOs