WORLD NEWS

World News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Baloch activists accuse state-backed death squads of new killings
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)…

Four Palestinians killed in Gaza boundary area

Aug 11, 2019
<p>Israel’s army has stated that its forces killed four heavily armed Palestinian men near the boundary area between Gaza and Israel on Saturday morning.</p> <p>The army claims that they began open fire when one of the four men crossed into Israel. They further state that the men were carrying assault rifles, anti-tank missiles, and hand grenades. According to their statement, one of the armed men had hurled a grenade at an Israeli soldier.</p> <p>There have been no casualties reported on Israel’s side.</p>

India security forces crackdown on Kashmir protesters

Aug 10, 2019
<p>In Indian-administrated Kashmir’s main city, Srinagar, Indian security forces have cracked down on protesters, firing live ammunition and tear gas to dispel the mass crowds.</p> <p>This follows the recent decision by the Indian government to revoke Article&nbsp; 370 of India's constitution, stripping backing regional decision-making powers and eliminating its right to its own constitution. In addition to repealing Article&nbsp; 370, India has downgraded Kashmir from statehood to two federally administrated territories - Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh which will be controlled by New Delhi.</p>

Intercommunal violence kills 37 in Chad

Aug 9, 2019
<p>Idriss Deby, Chad’s President, has announced that at least 37 people have been killed in inter-communal violence in the eastern province of Ouaddai.</p> <p>The violence this week marks the latest outburst between the nomadic camel herders, many of whom are from the Zaghawa ethnic group, and sedentary farmers, from the Ouaddian community.</p> <p>According to an eyewitness, fighting erupted in the Wadi Hamra district on Monday, after the discovery of a dead rancher. The witness reported this to the AFP news agency and wished to remain anonymous for his/her safety. The witness further stated that three more killings followed that discovery.</p>

US revokes visa-free entry for those who visited North Korea

Aug 9, 2019
<p>The US has revoked visa-free entry rights for foreigners who have visited North Korea in the past eight years, raising concerns over North Korea’s tourism industry.</p> <p>Under the US’s current policy citizens of 38 countries - including South Korea, Japan and France may enter for up to 90 days with a visa under a waiver program. The reform to this policy would mean that those who have traveled to eight countries including North Korea since March 1, 2011, are “no longer eligible” for entry and must apply for either a tourist or business visa.</p>

Iraq MPs describe prison overcrowding as a “humanitarian catastrophe”

Aug 6, 2019
<p>Following the release of Human Right Watch’s report on the horrific conditions in jails in Iraq, several member’s of Iraq’s parliament alongside the province’s deputy governor visited prisoners near Mosul and described the situation as a “humanitarian catastrophe”.</p> <p>In their initial report, Human Rights Watch documented extreme overcrowding, inhumane conditions, and ill-treatment at the Nineveh pretrial detention centers. These three centers had a combined capacity of 2,500 people but in late June 2019 held an estimated 4,500 people including children.</p> <p>Human Rights Watch reported that:</p> <blockquote><p>

Turmoil in Kashmir after India revokes special status

Aug 5, 2019

File photograph: Kashmir

After days of mounting tensions and heightened Indian security presence in Kashmir, the Indian government announced that it would be revoking the region’s special status and splitting the territory in two - a major move that has sparked fears of unrest.

HRW - Thailand’s Human Rights Commission needs “total revamp”

Aug 3, 2019

Following the resignation of two human rights commissioners, Angkhana Neelapaijit and Tuenjai Deetes, from the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRCT), Human Rights Watch has called for a “total revamp of the flawed and scandal-ridden agency”.

Fresh round of US-Taliban peace talks

Aug 3, 2019
<p>A fresh round of US- Taliban peace talks began today in Doha, Qatar, with officials describing it as the “most crucial” phase of negotiations.</p> <p>Senior officials said a peace agreement could be expected at the end of the eighth round of talks, potentially before August 13.</p> <p>In a tweet, Zalmay Khalilzad, the US peace envoy for Afghanistan, wrote, “just got to Doha to resume talks with the Taliban. We are pursuing a peace agreement not a withdrawal agreement.”</p> <p>“A peace agreement that enables withdrawal. Our (US) presence in Afghanistan is conditions-based, and any withdrawal will be conditions based,” he added.</p>

No-Deal Brexit could lead to referendum on Scottish Independence

Aug 2, 2019

There is a very strong case for a second Scottish independence referendum if Britain leaves with a no-deal but there must be a democratic mandate, claims newly re-elected co-leader of Scottish Greens, Patrick Harvie.

Sein Fein demand vote on Irish reunification to follow no-deal Brexit

Aug 1, 2019
<p>Mary Lou McDonald, the leader of Sein Fein has said it is “unthinkable” that a no-deal Brexit was not followed by a vote on Irish reunification.</p> <p>Sein Fein’s statement follows bilateral meetings with the new Prime Minister, Borris Johnson and the other five main parties at Storming on Wednesday. The meeting was ostensibly about the deadlock negotiations over Brexit. The Guardian notes that Northern Ireland’s devolved assembly and executive have been suspended since January 2017.</p>
Four Palestinians killed in Gaza boundary area
India security forces crackdown on Kashmir protesters
Intercommunal violence kills 37 in Chad
US revokes visa-free entry for those who visited North Korea
Iraq MPs describe prison overcrowding as a “humanitarian catastrophe”
Turmoil in Kashmir after India revokes special status
HRW - Thailand’s Human Rights Commission needs “total revamp”
Fresh round of US-Taliban peace talks
No-Deal Brexit could lead to referendum on Scottish Independence
Sein Fein demand vote on Irish reunification to follow no-deal Brexit