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)…

Gerry Adams released without charge

May 4, 2014
The Sinn Fein President, Gerry Adams, was released without charge yesterday after being questioned for four days about a case of kidnap and murder during the Northern Ireland Troubles, reported The Guardian.
 
Speaking at a press conference last night, Adams reiterated that he had no involvement in the kidnap and murder conspiracy of Jean McConville in 1972.
“I extend sympathy once again to the McConville family and all those who have suffered at the hands of Republicans,” Adams further added.

Peace-talks 'couldn't be better' say FARC rebels in Colombia

May 4, 2014
Colombian government peace-talks with the FARC rebels took a progressive turn today as the two parties released a joint statement outlining progress in talks, reports Reuters.
“We are making significant progress. It’s a good environment. I would say it couldn’t be better,” said the leader of the separatist FARC movement, Ivan Marquez.

Nigeria seeks help from world powers to address security issues, protesters calling for action arrested

May 4, 2014
The Nigerian President broke his silence on the kidnapping of hundreds of school girls by the suspected militants Boko Haram, reports the BBC.
“We promise that wherever they are we will surely get them out,” said President Goodluck Jonathan.

The president noted that he had held discussions with several world powers including the US, France, Britain and China who were all willing to help with security issues in Nigeria.

Boko Haram claims responsibility for schoolgirl abductions

May 4, 2014
The Nigerian militant group, Boko Haram, today, said that it was responsible for the abdutction of hundreds of school girls last month, reported the AFP.
“I abducted your girls,” said the Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, in a video obtained by the AFP news agency.

Syrian government bombs market and schools

May 3, 2014
Syrian Airstrikes on a market in Aleppo killed at least  33 people last week , reported the BBC.

According to the UK based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the attack happened in the northern Halak district.

The attack came shortly after the Syrian government bombed a school in southern Aleppo killing 18 people.

Condemning the attacks, the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) in a statement, said,

South Sudan government on offensive despite agreeing to peacetalks

May 3, 2014
South Sudanese government forces launched an offensive on the strategic oil hub of Bentiu in fresh attempts to reclaim the region from the rebels, reports the BBC.

The offensive comes as the South Sudanese president, told US Secretary of State John Kerry that he was ready to hold peace talks with the rebels.

The rebel leader Reik Machar said that face to face peace talks may be counterproductive. Speaking to the Sudan Tribune yesterday, he said,

Ukraine to investigate separatist deaths, Russia calls on west to diffuse situation

May 3, 2014
The Ukrainian interim Prime Minister blamed the death of 40 pro-Russian separatists in Odessa on the inefficiency of local security services and told the BBC that a full comprehensive and independent investigation would be conducted into the matter.

Meanwhile the Kremlin said yesterday that it was unable to control the pro-Russian separatists and had little influence over the groups, reports The Independent.

International observers freed in East Ukraine

May 2, 2014
Seven international observers have been freed by pro-Russian fighters in East Ukraine, after they were held hostage for eight days.

The observers, part of the Organization for Security and Co-operation (OSCE) in Europe, were released "without conditions", the BBC quoted pro-Russian fighters as saying.

On Friday, US President Barack Obama had called for their immediate release, stating that the detention was "inexcusable" and "disgraceful".

Five Ukrainian officials, who were also captured, have been released.

US pledges support to Nigeria amidst fears of further attacks

May 2, 2014
The US Secretary of State John Kerry pledged US help to find and return the hundreds of Nigerian girls that were kidnapped by militants two weeks ago, reports the Washington Post.
“The kidnapping of hundreds of children by Boko Haram is an unconscionable crime. We will do everything possible to support the Nigerian government to return these young women to their homes and hold the perpetrators to justice.”

Ukraine at war with pro-Russian rebels says anti-terrorism chief

May 2, 2014
Ukraine’s government today stated that it was now ‘at war’ with pro-Russian insurgents, as the commencement of Ukraine’s ‘anti-terrorism’ measures escalated violence in the rebel held eastern regions, reports The Telegraph.

The head of Ukraine’s anti-terrorist command, Vasyl Krutov, said,
“What we are facing in the Donetsk region and in the eastern regions is not just some kind of short-lived uprising – it is in fact a war.”
Gerry Adams released without charge
Peace-talks 'couldn't be better' say FARC rebels in Colombia
Nigeria seeks help from world powers to address security issues, protesters calling for action arrested
Boko Haram claims responsibility for schoolgirl abductions
Syrian government bombs market and schools
South Sudan government on offensive despite agreeing to peacetalks
Ukraine to investigate separatist deaths, Russia calls on west to diffuse situation
International observers freed in East Ukraine
US pledges support to Nigeria amidst fears of further attacks
Ukraine at war with pro-Russian rebels says anti-terrorism chief