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)…

UNHRC votes to support Palestinian right to self-determination

Mar 27, 2014
The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), today, overwhelmingly voted in favour of a resolution on the ‘Right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.’

The resolution, which was supported for by 46 out of the 47 voting states, called for,
 “Member States and relevant bodies of the United Nations system to support and assist the Palestinian people in early realisation of their right to self-determination.’

See full resolution here.

Putin discusses US proposals with Obama

Mar 27, 2014
The Russian president Vladmir Putin called Barack Obama today, to discuss proposals that appeased all parties involved in the situation in Ukraine.

Commenting on today’s events, the US secretary of state, John Kerry, outlined that Putin had called to discuss a US proposal for a diplomatic resolution that was presented to the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov earlier this week.

An official from the White House described the call as ‘frank and direct’, outlining that the next step was for the Lavrov and Kerry to continue discussions to prove Russia’s commitment to negotiation.

UN reiterates calls to allow aid to reach Syrian civilians

Mar 27, 2014
The United Nations humanitarian chief, Valerie Amos, repeated calls for the Syrian government to end restrictions on access to areas where Syrian civilians were in desperate need of international aid.

Speaking to Reuters after briefing the United Nations Security Council, Amos said,

MILF agrees historic territorial peace deal with government of Philippines

Mar 26, 2014
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebel group in the Philippines signed a historic territorial peace deal with the government today, ending over four decades of conflict with the government of Philippines.

Buddhist protestors attack international aid agencies

Mar 26, 2014
Buddhist protesters in Myanmar attacked offices and houses of international aid groups today, after a European aid worker allegedly disrespected a Buddhist flag that represented Buddhist monks that were against the census operations in Myanmar.

The unrest comes ahead of a census that many fear will raise tension between the Buddhists and Rohingya community in the Rakhine state.

Though the Rohingya have not been given a category to vote for in the national census, Buddhist flags have been hung on many houses in protest of recognising the Rohingya as citizens of Myanmar.

UN condemns Moscow backed referendum in Crimea

Mar 26, 2014
The United Nations General Assembly, today, approved a resolution deeming the Moscow-backed referendum that led to Russia’s annexation of Crimea as illegal.

One hundred countries voted in favour of the resolution, eleven nations against and 58 abstained.

Turkey moves to ban YouTube after leaked incriminating audio

Mar 26, 2014
Turkey has moved to ban YouTube access after what appeared to be a leaked recording of Turkish officials discussing Syria surfaced on the YouTube website.

The leaked discussions were around military operations in Syria, with the Turkish Foreign minister and Intelligence Chief allegedly involved.

Reuters, who couldn’t confirm the participants in the leaked discussion, outlined that it was potentially the most damaging leak so far.

Political solution needed to end crisis in CAR says UN official

Mar 25, 2014
United Nations officials in the Central African Republic (CAR), urging the international community to increase its support, stressed today, that a lack of a political solution and sufficient funding  was keeping the region in a state of constant instability that worsened the humanitarian crisis.

Reiterating the importance of finding a political solution to ensure lasting peace and recovery in the region, the head of the UN peace-building mission in CAR, Babacar Gaye, told press,

King's College Student Union passes boycott Israel motion

Mar 25, 2014
King’s College London University Students Union, Tuesday, passed a motion that supported the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign, that urged the international community to suspend economic cooperation with Israeli entities in protest of Israeli policies and operations in the West Bank and Gaza.

The motion, which passed with 348 of the overall 600 votes, read,

EU preparing 'robust' sanctions against Russia, says Cameron

Mar 25, 2014
The British Premier, David Cameron, outlined at the Houses of Commons today, that the European Union (EU) was preparing a strong set of sanctions to place against Russia should they intervene further into Ukraine.

Speaking on his visit to The Hague to meet European leaders and the US president, Cameron outlined that a "strong, robust and powerful" package of trade, financial and economic sanctions were being prepared.
UNHRC votes to support Palestinian right to self-determination
Putin discusses US proposals with Obama
UN reiterates calls to allow aid to reach Syrian civilians
MILF agrees historic territorial peace deal with government of Philippines
Buddhist protestors attack international aid agencies
UN condemns Moscow backed referendum in Crimea
Turkey moves to ban YouTube after leaked incriminating audio
Political solution needed to end crisis in CAR says UN official
King's College Student Union passes boycott Israel motion
EU preparing 'robust' sanctions against Russia, says Cameron