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)…

Veteran Kurdish politician appointed President of Iraq

Jul 24, 2014
Iraqi leaders, Thursday, selected a veteran Kurdish politician as President, in a move to help confront Islamic State militants and stop the country from breaking up, reports the Washington Post.

Fouad Massoum received 211 of 269 votes in the Iraqi parliament after Kurds presented him as their candidate.

Israel agrees to 12 hour ceasefire with Hamas

Jul 24, 2014
Israel, on Friday, agreed a UN proposed 12-hour ceasefire with Hamas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the US secretary of state today.

The announcement came after the Israeli government rejected earlier calls from John Kerry to implement a seven-day ceasefire, reports abc.news.

Over 1,700 die in most deadly week of Syrian conflict

Jul 23, 2014
Over 1,700 people have been killed over the last week as fighting against the Syrian President’s forces intensified.

At least 700 people are have thought to have died over the past 2 days, in the recent escalation of conflict, reports Al-Jazeera.

CAR militants agree ceasefire

Jul 23, 2014

Armed groups in the Central African Republic, Thursday, signed a ceasefire agreement in an attempt to end ethnic conflict in the region, reports the BBC.

The agreement, signed by the leader of the Muslim Seleka militants and the Christian anti-Balaka militants, was welcomed by United Nations officials and the UN Security Council.

UN run school in Gaza hit by shelling

Jul 23, 2014

Authorities in Gaza said that Israeli forces, Thursday, shelled a United Nations run school, killing at least 16 people, reports Reuters.

The United Nations Secretary General condemned the attacks before arriving in Cairo to meet the United States Secretary of State John Kerry, to discuss strategies towards peace.

“Many have been killed – including woman and children, as well as UN staff. Circumstances are still unclear. I strongly condemn the attack,” said Ban Ki Moon commenting on the shelling.

Nigerian President vows to free kidnapped girls and defeat Boko-Haram

Jul 22, 2014
The Nigerian President, in a meeting with parents of the girls kidnapped by Boko-Haram, pledged to do everything possible within his government to secure their release.

Goodluck Jonathan met the parents of the kidnapped girls for the first time on Tuesday, reports the BBC.

"Anyone who gives you the impression that we are aloof and that we are not doing what we are supposed to do to get the girls out is not being truthful. Our commitment is not just to get the girls out, it is also to rout Boko Haram completely from Nigeria," said Jonathan.

Independent investigation needed into possible war crimes in Israel-Gaza conflict says Human Rights chief

Jul 22, 2014
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay called for an independent investigation into the killing of civilians during the recent escalation of violence in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.

"There seems to be a strong possibility that international humanitarian law has been violated, in a manner that could amount to war crimes," she said this morning during a special session at the UN Human Rights Council.

"Every one of these incidents must be properly and independently investigated," she added.

UNHRC agrees to investigate alleged rights violations in Israel offensive on Gaza

Jul 22, 2014
The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Wednesday, agreed to launch an international inquiry into human rights violations that may have been committed during Israel’s most recent military offensive in Gaza.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, earlier warned that Israel may have committed war crimes in its offensive against Hamas, reports the Guardian.

Speaking at an emergency debate at the UNHRC, Nabi Pillay said,

Nigeria's Kaduna hit by deadly explosions

Jul 22, 2014
The city of Kaduna in Nigeria was hit by two explosions leaving at least 40 people dead, reports the BBC.

The first explosion was targeted at a Islamic cleric Dahiru Bauchi whilst the second was directed at a senior opposition leader, Mugammudu Buhari.

Though no one has claimed responsibility for the attacks, government officials believe that Boko-Haram militants are responsible for the attacks.

Al-Jazeera offices in Gaza attacked by Israel's military, international flights suspended to Israel

Jul 21, 2014
The Gaza offices of Al-Jazeera were targeted by the Israeli army, reports the Guardian on Tuesday.

Al Jazeera staff who were preparing to broadcast live from a balcony in their building experienced gunfire at their building.

“Two very precise shots were fire straight into our building. We are high up in the building so we had a very strong vantage point over the area. But we have evacuated,” said Stefanie Dekker of Al-Jazeera.
Veteran Kurdish politician appointed President of Iraq
Israel agrees to 12 hour ceasefire with Hamas
Over 1,700 die in most deadly week of Syrian conflict
CAR militants agree ceasefire
UN run school in Gaza hit by shelling
Nigerian President vows to free kidnapped girls and defeat Boko-Haram
Independent investigation needed into possible war crimes in Israel-Gaza conflict says Human Rights chief
UNHRC agrees to investigate alleged rights violations in Israel offensive on Gaza
Nigeria's Kaduna hit by deadly explosions
Al-Jazeera offices in Gaza attacked by Israel's military, international flights suspended to Israel