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)…

Hong Kong Chief Executive open for talks with protestors

Oct 15, 2014
The Chief Executive of Hong Kong Leung Chun-ying has said that he welcomed the prospect of new talks with pro-democracy protestors, who have occupied parts of the city for almost 3 weeks.

Leung told reporters,
"Over the last few days, including this morning through third parties, we expressed a wish to the students that we would like to start a dialogue to discuss universal suffrage as soon as we can and hopefully within the following week."
However, he added that he was not in a position to offer any new concessions, saying, “we can’t make something unconstitutional constitutional.”

Putin 'unlikely' to meet Abbott says Kremlin, as Medvedev warns Australian PM

Oct 14, 2014
Vladmir Putin is “unlikely” to meet Australia's Prime Minister Tony Abbott, said the Kremlin, after Abbott vowed to confront the Russian president over the downing of flight MH17 in Eastern Ukraine.

The Kremlin's remarks come as Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev warned that politicians should “choose their words”, after Abbott said he would “shirt-front” Putin at the upcoming G20 summit in Brisbane.

“Shirt-front” is an Australian Rules football term to aggressively knock an opponent to the floor.

“If he likes to use sports terms, let him go ahead”, said Medvedev. “Mr Putin is quite adept at sports and they could have forceful debates. That said, serious politicians should choose their words.”

The Russian president’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said “the Russian government does not intend to respond to Mr Abbott’s colourful language.”

UK recognition of Palestine criticised by Israel

Oct 14, 2014

The Israeli government has expressed concerns after the recent parliamentary vote in the UK, which saw the recognition of the Palestinian state.

Israel said the vote could undermine possibilities for a peaceful solution, by letting Palestinian leaders think they could evade "tough choices".

North, South Korea talks end in stalemate

Oct 14, 2014
Rare high level talks held between military generals from North and South Korea ended in stalemate on Wednesday with both sides failing to reach a breakthrough.

The two countries agreed to resume talks, after a high-level military delegation from North Korea visited South Korea for the closing ceremony of the Asian Games.

Kim Min-seok, spokesperson for the South’s Ministry of National Defense, said,
"The mood of the meeting was sincere as both sides were serious about improving ties, but this was the first meeting (in a while) and there was a difference in view that we were not able to narrow.”

Catalan president announces non-binding independence ballot

Oct 14, 2014
The Catalan president Artur Mas announced plans for a non-binding ballot on independence for the region, hours after calling off the proposed referendum on independence, after it was deemed illegal by a constitutional court last month.

"The vote on 9 November can be considered the preparatory vote before the definitive one," Mas told a press conference on Tuesday.

“There will be ballots and ballot boxes. We can’t apply the decree [to hold a referendum] but it will be possible to vote,” he said.

"The Catalan government has jurisdiction over consulting popular opinion," Mas said, adding, "the real adversary is the Spanish state, which has done everything to stop us voting."

Rwandan president accuses BBC of 'genocide denial'

Oct 14, 2014
Rwanda's President Paul Kagame has accused the BBC of “genocide denial” following the airing of a documentary regarding the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

Speaking to the Rwandan parliament on Tuesday, Kagame stated that the BBC had chosen to "tarnish Rwandans, dehumanise them", reports AFP.

He went on to state that whilst other genocides such as the Holocaust were never challenged, "but to Africans and Rwandans they do it and then claim freedom of speech".

The documentary, “Rwanda's Untold Story”, contained allegations that Kagame and his then RPF armed organisation had shot down the Hutu president Juvenal Habyarimana, sparking the genocide which killed some 800,000 people.

Kagame's comments come after a group of 38 experts on Rwanda had written to the BBC, stating that they had been “recklessly irresponsible” in promoting “genocide denial”.

Prominent Shia cleric sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia

Oct 14, 2014

A Saudi court has sentenced prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr to death.

The cleric was accused by prosecutors of "sowing discord" and "undermining national unity", due to his support for anti-government protests that erupted in the country’s Shia-majority Eastern Province in 2011.

Sheikh Nimr's brother said he was sentenced to death in the Specialised Criminal Court, which tries terrorism cases, on Wednesday.

Turkey denies air base deal as jets bombs PKK

Oct 13, 2014
Turkish officials denied that a deal has been reached which allows the United States use of its air bases, as Turkish F-16 and F-4 carried out air strikes on Kurdish PKK-held areas in the south of the country.

The Turkish prime minister’s office denied that a decision had been taken over the use of Incirlik airbase and that talks were still underway.

UN Secretary General pledges support to Palestinian unity government

Oct 13, 2014
The United Nations Secretary General, pledged support to the Palestinian unity government that was formed between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas, during a visit to Gaza on Tuesday, reports Reuters.

“We stand by you, the international community supports your government’s efforts to assume the security and governance responsibility in Gaza," said Ban Ki Moon.

South Sudan signs agreement to tackle sexual violence in conflict

Oct 13, 2014
The government of South Sudan has signed a Joint Communique with the United Nations that outlines steps it will take to tackle the issue of sexual violence in conflict.

The agreement comes as the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Zainab Hawa Bangura, visited the region.

During her visit Bangura met with South Sudan's President Salva Kir, ministers and members of the army, as well as civil society actors including women's groups and journalists.
Hong Kong Chief Executive open for talks with protestors
Putin 'unlikely' to meet Abbott says Kremlin, as Medvedev warns Australian PM
UK recognition of Palestine criticised by Israel
North, South Korea talks end in stalemate
Catalan president announces non-binding independence ballot
Rwandan president accuses BBC of 'genocide denial'
Prominent Shia cleric sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia
Turkey denies air base deal as jets bombs PKK
UN Secretary General pledges support to Palestinian unity government
South Sudan signs agreement to tackle sexual violence in conflict