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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 warning over Iran nuclear deal

The verification of Iran’s commitment to curb nuclear activities under a deal agreed last week may take some time, according to the head of the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) .

Yukiya Amano said he could not confirm when the inspections could begin.

"It will take time because it is a quite complicated task and we would like to properly prepare and do the job properly,” he said.

Burma makes disputed arrests over sectarian violence

Burmese authorities say they have charged 93 people in connection with last month’s sectarian violence in the western town of Thandwe.

The government announced that the specially appointed investigation team had made dozens of arrests in relation to assault, arson an violence between Buddhists and Muslims.

France to deploy more troops to CAR

France on Tuesday pledged to deploy 1000 more troops to its former colony, the Central African Republic as warnings of impending genocide continue to grow.

The former president of the country's economic and social council said:
"France should have intervened a long time ago to stop this downward spiral,"

"The country has never known such a prolonged period of instability and violence."

SNP releases party blueprint for Scottish independence

The Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond released the Scottish National Party’s (SNP’s) independence blueprint, today.

The document, which put forward the argument that the Scottish nation would prosper if there was ‘yes’ vote in the referendum next year, outlined the possible benefits in various sectors such as childcare, health, defence, taxes and pensions.

Malaysian tribunal finds former Israeli general guilty of crime against humanity and genocide

The Kuala Lumpur War Crimes Tribunal (KLWCT) found former Israeli army general Amos Yaron and the state of Israel guilty of crimes against humanity and genocide.

The charges stemmed from the massacre of Palestinians who resided in refugee camps in Beirut during 1982.

Date set for first direct Syrian talks

The first direct talks between the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the Syrian rebels will commence on 22nd January, announced the United Nations on Monday.

The UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon said that the aim would be to arrive as a transitional administration acceptable to both sides.

Ban's special envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi said,
"It is a huge opportunity for peace that shouldn't be wasted,"

Obama defends Iran deal

The President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, has defended the recently concluded deal with Iran, which would see an easing of sanctions the country in return for some concessions by Teheran on its nuclear programme.

"Huge challenges remain, but we cannot close the door on diplomacy, and we cannot rule out peaceful solutions to the world's problems," Obama said in San Francisco.

Iran signs nuclear agreement in return for reduced sanctions

Iranian officials met with six other world powers in Geneva to reach an agreement, during the fourth day of negotiations, on Tehran’s nuclear programme.

Negotiators from the UK, US, Russia, China, France and Germany intending to stop Iran enriching uranium in return for the loosening of sanctions on the nation, reaching a signed agreement  on Sunday morning.

Afghans call for US security pact this year

An influential group of Afghan elders has called for a security pact with the US to be signed by the end of this year.

The pact, which would allow US troops to remain in the country past 2014, is being delayed by Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who said he wants the US to bring peace to the country first.

The US has said the delaying of the pact is neither “practical nor possible”.

Congo opposition member arrested on ICC warrant

A senior member of Congo's opposition was arrested on Sunday on an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant, accusing him of interfering with the war crimes trial of the former presidential candidate Jean-Pierre Bemba.

The arrest of Fidèle Babala Wandu is part of a wider effort to bring Bemba's associates, based in countries across Europe, to account for trying to influence witnesses in his case, said the ICC in a statement.