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)…

Syria to face further chemical weapons investigations

Apr 28, 2014
The Hague based chemical watchdog, Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) will send a fact finding mission to Syria to further investigate allegations of chlorine gas attacks, reports Reuters.

The announcement of an investigation by the OPCW, follows over 3 allegations of government chemical gas attacks by the Syrian rebels.

The United States last week warned that Syria’s continued use of chemical weapons would violate the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).

Palestine commemorates Holocaust, Israel rejects sentiment

Apr 27, 2014
The Palestinian president, in a statement released by the Palestinian official news agency yesterday, called the Holocaust ‘the most heinous crime in modern history’, reports The Guardian.

Mahmoud Abbas’ statement, which coincided with the Holocaust remembrance day, said,
“The Holocaust is a reflection of the concept of ethnic discrimination and racism which the Palestinians strongly reject and act against.”

Militants kill 22 civilians including 3 MSF in CAR

Apr 27, 2014
At least 22 people including 3 workers from the medical charity Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF), were killed in an attack on a town in the Central African Republic today, officials said on Sunday.

Two state solution to resolve Palestine Israel conflict says US secretary of state

Apr 27, 2014
The United States secretary of state, John Kerry, concluded in a closed door meeting today, that  a two state solution looked to be the best way to solve the tensions between the Palestinian and Israeli communities, reports The Guardian.

Reports suggest that, expressing frustration at the failing peace-talks between the two parties, Kerry said,

US implements further sanctions on Russia

Apr 27, 2014
The US imposed further sanctions on Russia today as a warning message against Russia’s destabilising actions in Eastern Ukraine.

The sanctions targeted 17 companies linked to the Russian president’s inner circle, 3 banks and deny export licence applications to Russia, reports the Financial times.

The sanctions came after the G7 nations agreed to intensify sanctions over the weekend. Further sanctions are expected to be announced by the EU this week.

G7 nations set to launch further sanctions against Russia

Apr 26, 2014
Leaders of the G7 major economies agreed to intensify sanctions against Russia this weekend, reports The Guardian.

A statement released by several heads of states and senior officials, including David Cameron, Barack Obama and Angela Merkal, and expressed ‘deep concern at the continued efforts by separatists backed by Russia to destabilise eastern Ukraine.’

Palestine commits to seeking membership of international bodies

Apr 26, 2014
The Palestinian Authority today reaffirmed its commitment to seek membership of United Nations bodies and international conventions.

A statement by the central council said that the it “affirms the need for Palestinian leadership to continue membership of UN agencies and international conventions, under the Palestinian plan that was adopted.”

See related article:
Palestinians to seek membership of UN agencies if talks fail (03 Dec 2013)

UN sends genocide prevention envoy to South Sudan, Kenya vows to prevent genocide

Apr 25, 2014
The Kenyan president said that he would not let the conflict in South Sudan descend into genocide, reports Reuters today.

“We especially reject the possibility that we are creeping into genocide again in our region. We shall not stand by and allow it to happen,” Uhuru Kenyatta said, in a statement made late on Friday.

Calls for secession surface amidst ethnic conflict in CAR

Apr 25, 2014
Rebels in the Central African Republic today called for secession as the conflict worsened between ethnic communities, reports The Guardian.
 
A petition on independence of the northern region of CAR called for a new ‘Republic of Northern Central Africa’ to solve the ethnic conflict was carried out last week reported Reuters.

ICC to investigate crimes against humanity in Ukraine

Apr 24, 2014
The International Criminal Court (ICC) announced today that a preliminary investigation into allegations of crimes against humanity had begun, reports Reuters.

Though Ukraine has not ratified the statute which makes it answerable to the ICC, special permission has been granted that give the court jurisdiction over crimes committed from 21 November 2013 to 22 February 2014.
Syria to face further chemical weapons investigations
Palestine commemorates Holocaust, Israel rejects sentiment
Militants kill 22 civilians including 3 MSF in CAR
Two state solution to resolve Palestine Israel conflict says US secretary of state
US implements further sanctions on Russia
G7 nations set to launch further sanctions against Russia
Palestine commits to seeking membership of international bodies
UN sends genocide prevention envoy to South Sudan, Kenya vows to prevent genocide
Calls for secession surface amidst ethnic conflict in CAR
ICC to investigate crimes against humanity in Ukraine