WORLD NEWS

World News

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)…

Security forces raiding hopitals in Yemen

Human Rights Watch (HRW) have accused Yemeni state security forces of threatening health care in the southern port city of Aden by forcibly removing wounded patients, allegedly militants, from hospitals.

Exchanges of gunfire and beating of medical staff has resulted in one hospital in Aden suspending operations.

Basque separatists “win” local elections

The local elections in the Basque Country have resulted in a win for nationalist parties, according to exit polls.

The conservative Basque National Party is expected to win most seats in the regional parliament, with Euskal Herria Bildu, a left-leaning alliance of separatist parties, came a close second.

Serbia and Kosovo leaders meet

The prime ministers of Kosovo and Serbia have met for the first time in Brussels.

The talks, facilitated by the EU, focused on normalising relations between the neighbours.

EU foreign affairs chief Barioness Catherine Ashton chaired the meeting and said they would "meet again soon... to improve the lives of people and help solve problems and, in so doing, bring Serbia and Kosovo closer" to the EU.

Belgrade has been moving closer to be considered for EU membership and was granted “candidate status” in June.

Security Council calls for M23 rebels to be disarmed and demobilised

The United Nations Security Council released a statement reiterating its condemnation of external support being provided to armed groups which have been destabilising the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Ambassador Gert Rosenthal of Guatemala, who currently holds the Presidency of the Security Council for the month of October, demanded that support to the M23 rebel groups cease immediately.

Emir of Qatar to visit Gaza

The Emir of Qatar is to visit the blockaded Gaza strip on Tuesday, becoming the first head of state to do so since Hamas took over power in 2007. 

The Emir, Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani is to inaugurate reconstruction projects worth over $250 million.

Confirming the visit, Hamas Prime Minister, Ismail Haniyeh said, "our people to express their good hospitality in welcoming the great visitor of Gaza".

UN official calls for more action over sexual violence

A senior United nations official has called for stronger political will to help eradicate sexual violence in conflict, stating that the issue is one that needs to be treated with greater  concern.

The UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Zainab Bangura, told reporters in Geneva,

Moussa Ibrahim arrested says Libyan PM's office

The former spokesperson of Muammar Gaddafi, Moussa Ibrahim has been captured, said the office of Libya's Prime Minister.

The office said he was arrest on Saturday in Tarhouna and was being transferred to Tripoli.

In a statement, the office said:

Nato chief calls for free elections in Afghanistan

Speaking after a two day visit to Afghanistan, NATO’s chief, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, urged the Afghan government to work towards a ‘free, fair and transparent’ elections in the presidential poll, which is due to take place in 2014. Noting the significance of a fair election process in orchestrating a smooth transition of power back to the Afghan forces, Rasmussen said , “I think it is essential for building trust and confidence between the Afghan people and the Afghan government that the presidential elections take place in a manner that is free fair, and transparent.”

Former Argentinean general arrested over crimes against humanity

A former Argentinean army general who led troops in the Falklands war has been arrested over his role in committing alleged crimes against humanity, during the country’s 1976-83 military dictatorship.

Rwanda elected to UN Security Council

UN member states have voted Rwanda onto the Security Council, where they will serve for two years.

The country will replace South Africa and occupy the African seat, which was uncontested, on January 1.

On Monday, a leaked UN report accused the Rwandan defence minister of leading a rebel army in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.