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)…

Spain files suit against Catalan leader over independence referendum

Nov 17, 2014
Spain's state prosecutor is to sue the Catalan leader, Artur Mas, for allegedly violating a ruling by the country's constitutional court which deemed the holding of a referendum on independence illegal, reports Reuters.

In defiance of the court ruling, Catalan's regional government held a referendum on independence on November 9, in a symbolic move described as a popular consultation. Over two million Catalans voted in the poll, with over 80% voting in favour of independence from Spain.
 
According to Reuters, if found guilty, Mas could be prevented from standing in regional elections there after.

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Catalans vow to push ahead with referendum despite court ruling (04 Nov 2014)

Palestinian gunmen kill four inside Jerusalem synagogue

Nov 17, 2014
Four Israelis were killed inside a synagogue in Jerusalem on Tuesday morning local time, by two Palestinians armed with a gun and a meat clear, reports Reuters.

Eight other people are believed to have been injured. The attackers, named as Ghassan Abu Jamal and Uday Abu Jamal, are reported to be members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, were shot dead by police.

According to The Guardian, the PFLP praised the killing however, did not claim responsibility for it.

Israeli police said three of those killed held dual US and Israeli citizenship - Aryeh Kupinsky, Cary William Levine, and Mosheh Twersky. The fourth person held dual British and Israeli citizenship - Avraham Goldberg.

Bosnia arrests 12 Serbs for crimes against humanity

Nov 16, 2014

Bosnian authorities have arrested 12 men suspected of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity, for their role in an attack on a Bosnian village that killed at least 150 Muslims in 1992.

The men, former members of the Bosnian Serb army and police "are charged with murders, torture, rapes, as well as with looting and destroying the property of Bosniaks in the village of Zecovi as part of a bid to drive the Bosniaks from the village," the prosecutor's office said in a statement.

Prosecutors went on to say the crimes were part of a "wide and systematic attack of (Serb) army and police against the Muslim population of the village of Zecovi... in which more than 150 victims were killed."

Burkina Faso announces interim president

Nov 16, 2014

Former foreign minister Michel Kafando, has been named as Burkina Faso's interim president by a committee of political, military, religious and traditional authorities, following a military takeover in the country last month.

On announcement of the news, Kafando said that,

“The committee has just designated me to guide temporarily the destiny of our country. This is more than an honour. It’s a true mission which I will take with the utmost seriousness.” 

The appointment means Kafando will be barred from standing from elections, which have been planned for late next year. He will now be expected to appoint a prime minister and a 25-member government.

The appointment of an interim president comes after the African Union warned Burkina Faso that it faces sanctions if civilian rule was not restored.

EU discusses further sanctions on Russia

Nov 16, 2014
Foreign ministers from the European Union are discussing expanding sanctions against Russia, as clashes between pro-Russian separatists and the Ukrainian military continued in eastern Ukraine.

Speaking to reporters before the meeting on Monday, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said that ministers would be discussing “relations with Russia and the dialogue with Russia to get to a solution of the crisis."

The European Union would also start a mission to assist the Ukrainian authorities "on restructuring the civilian security of the country," continued Mogherini.

The discussion of fresh sanctions comes as German chancellor Angela Merkel said that Russia "will not prevail," on Monday.

Speaking after attending the G20 summit in Brisbane, where she held discussions with Russia's president Vladmir Putin, Merkel said Russia's annexation of Crimea in March "called the whole of the European peaceful order into question, and it has continued by Russia exporting its influence to destabilise eastern Ukraine."

"Old thinking, thinking in terms of theories of influence, where international law is violated, this must not be allowed to prevail. I'm convinced it will not prevail," added Merkel.

Colombia suspends peace talks with Farc

Nov 16, 2014
The Colombian government suspended peace talks with the Farc separatist group this weekend, over an alleged abduction of an army general.

Peace talks between the two sides have been ongoing for over two years.

According to the army, Brigadier General Ruben Dario Alzate Mora was kidnapped by Farc members on Sunday, in the northern province of Choco.

"Tomorrow negotiators were to travel to another round of talks in Havana," the President Juan Manuel Santos said on Sunday, Reuters reported.

Obama confirms beheading of US aid worker by IS

Nov 15, 2014
US President Barack Obama confirmed Islamic State militants have executed US aid-worker Abdul-Rahman Kassig, condemning the killing as "an act of pure evil by a terrorist group that the world rightly associates with inhumanity."

Kassig's execution, shown in a video which has been authenticated by the White House, is the fifth such killing of Western hostages by the Islamic State. The latest video by IS also shows the mass beheading of at least 14 Syrian soldiers captured by the Islamic militant group, who are paraded out before the camera.

In a statement aboard Air Force One, Obama said,
“Today we offer our prayers and condolences to the parents and family of Abdul-Rahman Kassig, also known to us as Peter.”

"Today we grieve together, yet we also recall that the indomitable spirit of goodness and perseverance that burned so brightly in Abdul-Rahman Kassig."
British Prime Minister David Cameron said he was horrified by the "cold-blooded murder."

Iraq and Kurdistan Regional Government agree preliminary oil export deal

Nov 15, 2014
The government of Iraq and Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) came to an agreement over Kurdish oil exports and civil servants payments from Baghdad to ease tension last week.

A statement by the KRG spokesperson in Arbil, confirmed that Baghdad would recommence payments for KRG civil servant salaries after they were stopped in protest of Iraqi Kurdistan’s independent oil exports.

“What they have agreed is that Baghdad will release some funds - $500 million – and the KRG will give 150,000 barrels per day of oil to Baghdad,” said Safeen Dizayee.

Nigerian military recaptures Chibok from Boko Haram

Nov 15, 2014
The Nigerian military claimed to have recaptured the town of Chibok from Boko Haram, the site of the kidnapping of more than 200 schoolgirls earlier this year.

Local vigilante fighters reportedly joined the fight against Boko Haram alongside the Nigerian military. The Islamic militant group had overran Nigerian military defences in the town earlier last week.

Nigeria's army claimed that “normalcy is restored” on its official Twitter account.

China to double investment in Iran

Nov 15, 2014
China will be doubling its investment in Iranian energy projects to over $52 billion, announced Iran's deputy energy minister Esmail Mahsouli, ahead of a deadline for talks over the country's nuclear program.

“Chinese sides have agreed to the changes proposed by Iran’s Central Bank, thus raising their quota in Iran’s projects to more than $52 billion from its previous $25 billion, which shows more than 100 per cent increase,” said Mahsouli.
Spain files suit against Catalan leader over independence referendum
Palestinian gunmen kill four inside Jerusalem synagogue
Bosnia arrests 12 Serbs for crimes against humanity
Burkina Faso announces interim president
EU discusses further sanctions on Russia
Colombia suspends peace talks with Farc
Obama confirms beheading of US aid worker by IS
Iraq and Kurdistan Regional Government agree preliminary oil export deal
Nigerian military recaptures Chibok from Boko Haram
China to double investment in Iran