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)…

South Sudan offers $3.2 billion to neighbour

South Sudan has offered to resume oil production and increase transit fees to Sudan in an attempt to further talks between the two nations.

The deal, proposed at talks being held in Ethiopia, would see South Sudan provide Khartoum $3.245 billion, as well as raising transit fees to $9.10 a barrel for use of a pipeline that crosses through Sudan and $7.26 a barrel for another.

South Sudan's chief negotiator, Pagan Amum, said,

US cuts aid to Rwanda

The US has cut military aid to Rwanda, accusing it of destabilising the region by funding the M23 movement in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.

The funding of $200,000 will be reallocated to other countries announced the US State Department.

Although a insignificant sum, the military aid cut is said to be a symbolic blow to Rwanda by the US - considered to be a Rwandan ally. 

South Sudan talks suspended after air strike accusations

South Sudan has scrapped talks with neighbour Sudan, after accusing Khartoum of carrying out air strikes on their side of a disputed border.

Direct talks were being held by the two countries as a UN Security Council deadline of August 2nd looms for the nations to resolve their disputes.

However, allegations of airstrikes by Sudan on Friday have led to South Sudan cancelling direct talk that were due to take place in Addis Ababa.

Atif Kiir, the spokesman for Juba's South Sudan said,

Human rights group slam planned promotion of Nepali colonel

Human rights groups have urged Nepal to bar the promotion of a senior army officer implicated in torture and disappearances during the country’s civil war.

Local media had reported that Colonel Raju Basnet had been recommended for promotion to Brigadier General.

In a joint statement, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International said,

ICJ orders Senegal to prosecute or extradite Habre to Belgium

The International Court of Justice has ordered the Senegalese government to commence the trial of Chad’s former president Hissene Habre ‘without delay’ or to extradite him to Belgium to face trial.

Mr Habre denies accusation he committed crimes against humanities during his reign.

He is alleged to have killed and tortured tens of thousands of opposition activists between 1982 and 1990.

South Sudanese runner to compete in Olympics

Guor Marial, a long distance runner from South Sudan will be competing in the upcoming London Olympics, after the International Olympic Committee granted him permission to compete under the Olympic flag.

Speaking to Associated Press, Marial said,
"The voice of South Sudan has been heard."

Russia tightens grip on NGOs

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sanctioned a law which will impose tighter controls on civil rights groups which receive funding from abroad.

Opposition groups have said that the move continues Putin’s campaign to curb dissent, as the law will force NGOs engaged in “political activity” to register as “foreign agents” with the Ministry of Justice and submit a quarterly report to officials.

Mali calls on ICC to investigate war crimes

The Government of Mali has asked the International Criminal Court in The Hague to investigate possible instances of war crimes and crimes against humanity, after Islamists seized control of the North of the country earlier this year.

In a visit to The Hague, Malian Justice Minister Malick Coulibaly alleged that there were,
“grave and massive violations of human rights and international humanitarian law committed particularly in the north of the country.”

Crimes against Rohingyas increasing - AI

Attacks on Rohingya Muslims in Burma are on the increase, warns Amnesty International on Friday.

In continuing communal violence, Rohingyas have become targets for killings, rape and physical abuse although the Burmese government has dismissed the allegations as groundless and biased.

Amnesty accused Burma’s security forces and ethnic Buddhists of being responsible for the attacks.

Zimbabwe's new constitution limits presidency

Under the terms of a new constitution document drawn up this week, the Zimbabwe's president will not be able to hold office for more than ten years, declare war or dissolve parliament.

The presidency would be limited to two five-year terms.

The constitutional review was agreed as part of the 2008 powersharing arrangement between the current president Robert Mugabe, and opposition leave Morgan Tsvangirai.

There is currently no limit on the presidency, and Mugabe has been in power since 1980.