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Latest news from and about the homeland

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)…

Malnutrition caused by ethnic conflict in South Sudan could kill 50,000 children

The United Nations warned today that as many as 50,000 children could die as a result of recent conflict between ethnic rebels, reports abc news.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) predicted that at least 50,000 children will die in South Sudan by the end of this year due to malnutrition.

The latest findings come as the EU last week placed sanctions on key leaders from both sides of the ethnic conflict in an attempt to de-escalate the situation.

Israel resumes airstrikes on Gaza as ceasefire proposal collapses

Israel resumed air strikes in Gaza as a ceasefire agreement proposed by Egypt collapsed, reports Reuters.

Hamas’ military wing rejected the ceasefire proposal, stating that the key demands of the Palestinian people were not addressed in the terms of the ceasefire proposal.

Israel earlier in the day accepted the ceasefire, warning that its operation would intensify should Hamas fail to act on the proposal and stop firing rockets.

The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said on national TV that there was no choice left but to ‘expand and intensify’ its campaign against Hamas.


Condemning Israel's acceptance of Egypt's ceasefire proposal, Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman called for Gaza to be occupied. “An end result to the operation would see the IDF control Gaza,” the Times of Israel quoted him as saying.

Thousands flee northern Gaza as conflict continues

Thousands of Palestinians fled northern Gaza, as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continued into the seventh day.

According to the UN, over 17,000 have sought refuge within UN buildings, the BBC reported. At least 172 Palestinians have been killed.

The Israeli military said earlier today it had shot down a drone launched from Gaza. Hamas had previously stated drones carried out "three missions over Israeli military bases" via its Twitter account.

Egypt proposes Middle East ceasefire

Egypt presented its proposals for a ceasefire on Monday, aimed at halting the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

The ceasefire proposals aim to be in force by 0600 GMT on Tuesday, followed by a cessation in the violence by 12 hours later, and talks in Cairo within 48 hours, Egypt state media MENA reported.

An Israeli official said that the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will discuss the proposal with his cabinet on Tuesday, reported Reuters.

Concern at Thailand's planned deportation of refugees to Myanmar

Rights groups have expressed grave concerns over the Thai military's decision to deport up to 130,000 refugees from Myanmar.

"The policy of the National Council for Peace and Order is to send the refugees back and close all camps," a source within the military was quoted by the Bangkok Post as saying.

"The Myanmar government is also ready to bring them home," the source further added.

UN Security Council calls for Gaza ceasefire as death toll rises

The UN Security Council on Saturday called for a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinians, as the death toll in Gaza continues to rise amidst heavy air strikes.

“The Security Council members called for de-escalation of the situation, restoration of calm, and reinstitution of the November 2012 ceasefire,” a statement said.

“The Security Council members further called for respect for international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians.”

The statement is the first by the 15 member Security Council since the Israeli offensive began, with members previously divided on how to respond.

First Russian fatality in Ukraine crisis

A shell fired across the border from Ukraine into Russia has killed one man, the first reported Russian fatality in the three-month conflict.

Moscow has threatened Ukraine with "irreversible" consequences. However Kiev have called the accusation "total nonsense", instead suggesting that the attack may have been carried out by rebels trying to provoke Russian intervention. Pro-Russian rebels have also denied responsibility.

Amnesty calls for UN war crimes investigation into Israel/Gaza conflict and regional arms embargo

The UN must set up a fact finding mission into Israel and Gaza to investigate airstrikes and shelling committed by both sides of the conflict that could constitute to war crimes, said Amnesty International in a statement Sunday.

Turkey legislation paves way for PKK peace talks

Turkey has passed a legal framework for peace talks with the PKK, previously made difficult due to the country’s strict anti-terror laws.

Thursday’s parliamentary vote removes the risk of Kurds participating in the talks from being prosecuted in case negotiations fail.

The law will protect those involved in disarming and reintegrating Kurdish rebels and gove legal protection to meetings that aim to contribute to ending the conflict.

175 victims of Srebrenica massacre buried on anniversary

The 19th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre was marked in Bosnia-Herzegovina, with 175 victims that were found in mass graves buried in the town on Friday.

The newly identified bodies of Bosniak men and boys were buried next to 6,066 massacre victims, found previously.

Over 8,000 Bosniak Muslims were massacred by Serbian troops, after Dutch UN troops handed the area over to the Serbs. The commander of the troops who did the killing, Ratko Mladic, is now on trial at The Hague, facing charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.