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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)…

‘Clear and convincing’ evidence of chemical weapons attack – UN

The United Nations has confirmed that it collected evidence of at least one large scale chemical weapons attack in its latest report on Syria, indicating that a further four more attacks it investigated were likely due to chemical weapons.

The report, compiled by UN inspectors in Syria, confirmed that, regarding an alleged attack in Ghouta on the 21st of August of this year,

Suspected mass grave found in Serbia

A suspected mass grave of has been found in Serbia, reports AP, which is believed to contain the bodies of ethnic Albanians.

The European Union Rule of Law Mission, said that excavation would continue. It remains unknown exactly how many bodies have been found, however, war crimes prosecutors in Serbia, have said that around 250 bodies may be found.

Rwanda refused to assist prosecution of genocide suspects - UK

Rwandan authorities refused to assist the UK's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to investigate genocide suspects living in the UK, reported the BBC.

In 2009 Rwanda sought to extradite 4 genocide suspects from the UK for trial in Rwanda, a request that was turned down by the UK High Court. When the UK sought to investigate the suspects themselves, and requested “mutual legal assistance” from Rwanda, the request was turned down.

Catalan parties agree on referendum despite government opposition

Catalan parties seeking the right to self-determination in the Spain’s  north-eastern Catalonia region, today, agreed on the wording of an independence referendum that is proposed for November 2014 despite staunch opposition from the Spanish government.

Outlining the purpose of the referendum the Catalan regional government head, Artur Mas, described the main questions referendum looked to ask, stating

DRC signs peace deal with M23 rebels

The Democratic Republic of Congo has signed a peace deal with M23 rebels, after defeating the group based in the east of the country, with the help of UN forces.

The deal was signed in Nairobi and did not include an amnesty for war crimes, said the DRC's spokesperson Lambert Mende to the BBC.

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Military action 'necessary to avoid carnage' – Hollande

French President Francois Hollande has stated French military intervention in the Central African Republic was 'necessary', after two French soldiers were killed in a clash with armed militias.

On Tuesday, Hollande stated the French military action was "necessary if one wants to avoid carnage".

Speaking in Bangui, the capital city of the Central African Republic where the French soldiers were killed in combat, Hollande added,

US and UK suspend aid to Syrian opposition over warehouse seizure

The US and UK have suspended 'non-lethal' aid to the Syrian opposition after warehouses storing resources were seized by the Islamic Front, which quit the Free Syrian Army last week, reports the Reuters news agency.

The US embassy spokesperson in Ankara said the suspension was to "to inventory the status of US equipment and supplies provided to the SMC".

"As a result of this situation the United States has suspended all further deliveries of non-lethal assistance into northern Syria," he added.

Echoing his comments, his British counterpart said,

Iran's commander slams Western influence over govt

The commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, condemned what he said was the Iranian government's undue acceptance of Western influence.

The Fars news agency quoted Major General Mohammad Jaffari as saying on Tuesday yesterday,

India reinstates gay sex ban

India’s Supreme Court has upheld a colonial law which outlaws gay sex.

The court overturned a ruling by the Delhi High Court in 2009, which decriminalised homosexual acts.

A 153-year-old colonial-era law classed homosexual acts as an "unnatural offence" and punishable by a 10-year prison sentence.

G Ananthapadmanabhan of Amnesty India criticised the decision in a statement.

French soldiers die in the Central African Republic

Two French soldiers have died in clashes in the Central African Republic, the first French to die since last week’s deployment of 1,600 troops.

The soldiers were reported to be involved in a clash with armed militias near the capital Bangui’s airport.

"They were injured and very quickly taken to the surgical unit, but unfortunately they could not be saved," said Claude Bartolone, speaker of France's National Assembly.