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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)…

UN peacekeeping forces attacked in Congo

Five United Nations peacekeepers were injured in an ambush today, within the eastern province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in DRC (MONUSCO), condemning the attack, reiterated that the MONUSOC forces would carry on serving the region, stating,

US provides financial aid to Ukriane

The US today gave $1 billion of financial aid to Ukraine today in an attempt to help ease the economic crisis the country was facing due to severed ties with Russia.

US Secretary of State, John Kerry, speaking during his visit to Kiev today, condemned Russia’s incursion into the Ukrainian region of Crimea, stating,

UN Secretary General recommends deploying forces into CAR

The United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon recommended deploying a further 12,000 peacekeepers to the Central African Republic (CAR) today, as the nation faces an imminent humanitarian disaster.

The primary task of the UN deployment would be for “the protection of the civilians, Ban said in his report to the members of the United Nations Security Council.

The secretary general further outlined that the deployment was part of a “broader long term engagement of the international community” as the UN could not address all the immediate problems face in the CAR.

British Premier looks to apply political and economic pressure on Russia

The British Premier, David Cameron, reiterated today that the UK would resort to diplomatic, political and economic sanctions in order de-escalate the situation in Ukraine.

Croatian legal team argue case of genocide at the Hague

A Croatian legal team, today, told a top United Nations court in The Hague, the International Court of Justice (ICJ),  that Serbian leaders were ‘in denial’ over a policy of genocide that was carried out in the 1990s.

The head of Croatia’s legal team, Vesna Crinic-Grotic, argued to the court that,

“Many political leaders in Serbia have maintained an attitude of denial.

“We will show you that the crimes that took place in the campaign against Croats amount to genocide,” she further added.

US threatens Russia with sanctions for occupying Crimea

US Secretary of State John Kerry warned this morning that Russia could face economic sanctions and expulsion from the G8 unless President Putin withdrew armed forces from Ukraine.

Speaking to NBC news, he said,

“He is not going to have a Sochi G8, he may not even remain in the G8 if this continues. He may find himself with asset freezes, on Russian business, American business may pull back, there may be further tumble of the ruble.”

MSF suspended in Myanmar after protests from Buddhists

Medecins Sans Frontieres’ work was suspended in the state of Rakhine by the Burmese government this week, following a series of protests led by Buddhists against the aid organisation.

Regional government spokesperson Win Myaing told AFP stated the group’s operating license has expired and denied the move was linked to recent protests. However presidential spokesperson, Ye Htut, told the Guardian,

France blocks Rwandan genocide extradition

France’s highest court has blocked the extradition of three men to Rwanda, where they would have faced charges relating to the 1994 genocide.

The French Court of Cassation overturned a previous ruling by the appeals court, which ordered the extradition of Claude Muhayimana and Innocent Musabyimana to Rwanda. A third man, Laurent Serubuga, who was Rwanda's deputy army chief-of-staff during the genocide, also had his extradition request rejected by the court.

The decision has left Rwanda disappointed, with Rwandan Prosecutor General Richard Muhumuza saying,

Obama warning as Crimea crisis escalates

US President Barack Obama has warned Russia of "costs" if it got involved militarily in the Ukrainian crisis.

Since last week's toppling of President Yanukovych, tensions have escalated in Russian-majority Crimea. Reports suggest around 2,000 Russian troops have moved into the peninsula as the acting Ukrainian President Oleksander Turchynov  accused Russia of trying to provoke an armed conflict.

Obama commended the interim government for showing restraint.

HRW warns of war crimes in South Sudan

Human Rights Watch (HRW) outlined today that pro-government and anti-government forces in South Sudan may have committed abuses amounting to war crimes.

The Human Rights Watch Africa director, Daniel Bekele, said,

“The wanton destruction and violence against civilians in this conflict is shocking.”

Stressing the need for both sides to protect civilians, Bekele said,