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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)…

Egypt orders activist arrests

Egypt's prosecutor general ordered the arrest of five prominent political activists on Monday, on allegations of inciting violence near the Muslim Brotherhood's headquarters last week.

At least 130 people are reported to have been hospitalised after protests outside the headquarters turned violent on Friday.

The prosecutor's orders come after a threat from President Mursi who warned on Sunday that "necessary measures" would be taken against politicians found to be involved in the violence.

7 jailed for 'genocide crimes' in Argentina

Seven former military and police personnel have been jailed for "crimes against humanity committed in the international context of genocide", by a court in Argentina, earlier this week.

The individuals werefound guilty of crimes committed during the country's military rule from1976-83, where some 16,000 people were thought to have disappeared.

Syrian opposition chief resigns

The head of the Syrian National Congress (SNC), Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib, has resigned from the opposition movement, according to a statement on his Facebook page.

Al-Khatib said he resigned because he wanted to work without the constraints that being part of an institution placed on him.

"I announce my resignation from the National Coalition, so that I can work with a freedom that cannot possibly be had in an official institution," he said in the statement.

Free Syrian Army rejects opposition PM

The Free Syrian Army announced on Sunday that it does not recognize the opposition coalition's choice of provisional prime minister, reports Israeli newspaper Haaretz.

Israel apology for flotilla deaths

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has apologised to Turkey for the deaths caused by a commando raid on an aid flotilla, which attempted to breach the blockade on Gaza, and agreed to compensate the relatives of the deceased.

"The prime minister made it clear that the tragic results regarding the Mavi Marmara were unintentional and that Israel expresses regret over injuries and loss of life," a statement by Netanyahu’s office said.

“Terminator” in ICC custody

The suspected war criminal General Bosco Ntaganda has arrived at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, after surrendering at the US embassy in Rwanda.

Gen Ntaganda has been charged by the ICC with 10 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

"This is a good day for victims in the DRC and for international justice," ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme

Lebanon PM resigns, sparking clashes in North

The resignation of Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati has been accepted by President Michel Suleiman.

Mikati's resignation is said to have sparked clashes in the northern port city of Tripoli, where reports claim heavy weaponry such as mortar bombs were involved.

Mikati resigned after a ministerial meeting on Friday was deadlocked by a dispute with Hezbollah.

Obama visits Holocaust memorial in Israel

US President Barack Oabama paid a visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial site in Israel, as part of his 3 day visit to the country.

The President  with Israeli prime Minister Netanyahu and President Peres, lit the 'Eternal Flame' and took part in a 10-minute ceremony, which concluded with a prayer for the souls of martyrs.

Speaking at the memorial in Jerusalem, President Obama stated,

“Nothing equals the wrenching power of this sacred place".

Ocalan calls for ceasefire and PKK withdrawal from Turkey

The leader of the PKK Abdullah Ocalan has called for an immediate ceasefire with Turkey, in a significant step in the peace process between Kurds and Turkey.

A statement by Ocalan was read out to hundreds of thousands of people in the Kurdish capital Diyarbakir, during the Kurdish New Year Newroz celebrations. The statement was also broadcast live on Turkish television, an unprecedented move as all displays of PKK symbols are banned.

Italy to send marines back to India for trial

The Italian government has agreed to send back the marines accused of murdering two Indian fishermen.

Delhi had allowed the men to return to Italy last month to vote in the country’s election, however they failed to return, sparking a diplomatic row which saw the Italian ambassador to India barred from leaving the country.

Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti’s office announced it has received ample assurances about the men’s human rights and treatment while in custody. "The marines agreed to this decision," the statement added.