WORLD NEWS

World News

Latest news from and about the homeland

A former senior UK Special Forces officer has told a public inquiry into alleged war crimes in Afghanistan that the SAS had a "golden pass allowing them to get away with murder" In evidence given to a public inquiry into suspected war crimes in Afghanistan, the soldier said an allegedly rogue special forces unit had targeted all males of fighting age, including under 16s, even if they…

Turkey ban on Armenian genocide scholarship violates European rights convention - court

The European Court of Human Rights on Tuesday unanimously ruled that the recognition of the Armenian Genocide cannot be criminalized in Turkey. The verdict stemmed from a case brought to the court by noted scholar Taner Akcam.

In the case Taner Akcam vs. Turkey, the court ruled that Turkey’s ongoing criminal prosecution of scholarship on the Armenian Genocide issue constituted a violation of Article 10 (freedom of expression) of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Gaddafi's son to surrender to ICC

The National Transitional Council of Libya has stated that Saif al-Islam, the fugitive son of Muammar Gaddafi, has offered to surrender to the International Criminal Court.

Abdel Majid Mlegta, a senior military official for the NTC told reporters that with Saif al-Islam was Gaddafi’s former intelligence chief Abdullah al-Senussi. Both are wanted by the ICC for crimes against humanity.

Mlegta said,
'They are proposing a way to hand themselves over to The Hague.'

Egyptian Policemen jailed for activist death

Two Egyptian policemen have been jailed for seven years for the manslaughter of Khaled Said, an activist, whose death became a major trigger for the widespread protests that resulted in the overthrow of the Mubarak regime.

The policemen claimed Said had choked on a packet of drugs which he attempted to swallow when the police approached.

However, forensic reports proved that the package was forced into his mouth, leaving Said with broken teeth and a fractured jaw.

Renewed calls to investigate Fox-Werrity, after new allegations emerge

The British prime minister, David Cameron, faced renewed calls to launch an investigation into the former defence secretary, Liam Fox's, best friend and self-proclaimed advisor, Adam Werritty, following further allegations revealed by the Guardian.

A defence lobbyist, Stephen Crouch, paid Werritty a flat fee of £20,000, in the hope that influential meetings would be set up, alleged the Guardian on Wednesday.

Amnesty: Syrian regime torturing dissidents in hospitals

Wounded anti-government protesters in Syria, are being subjected to torture and abuse whilst being admitted to state-run hospitals, according to a report released by Amnesty International on Tuesday.

Don’t see Libya as a model for success in every conflict

Writing in the Times, former commander of British Forces in Afghanistan Colonel Richard Kemp argued that while military intervention in Libyan by NATO is being hailed as a success, it should not form the basis for the same model to be applied in other conflicts.

Examining the Libya campaign and the inital NATO-lead drive in Afghanistan in 2001, Kemp commented that while they were successful, the military option may not always be the best path to follow.

"The best form of intervention in a foreign country is non-intervention. Or, at least, intervention that is so discreet as to be almost invisible to the naked eye — funding of rebel forces, covert supply of weapons, behind-the-scenes “advice” to opposition leaders.

Even this carries risk. But the greatest risk comes from deploying conventional forces in strength. As we saw with such horrific consequences in Iraq and later in Afghanistan, however benign the intention, boots on the ground will inevitably come to be seen as occupying forces and will be attacked from all quarters."

Libya's NTC announce investigation into Gaddafi's death

Libya's interim leader, Mustafa Abdul-Jalil, announced on Monday, an investigation has been ordered, into Muammar Gaddafi death.

The National Transitional Council (NTC) has formed a committee in order to conduct the investigation said Abdul-Jalil.

Today's announcement comes amidst rising international pressure to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death and reports of Gaddafi loyalists being executed.

Security laws to be repealed in Kashmir

Security laws, that have long protected security forces from prosecution, are to be lifted in some areas of Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, the chief minister of Indian controlled Jammu and Kashmir announced on Friday.

In a speech to police officers stationed in the region, Abdullah explained that the laws were no longer warranted given the prevailing peace in the region. The announcement comes amidst wider efforts to decrease the security presence in the region.

Libya declared free

Libya's new leaders - former rebel fighters and now NTC members - declared the country to be free from the 42-year rule of Muammar Gaddafi on Sunday .

Thousands gathered in the city of Benghazi to hear the announcement of liberation.

National Transitional Council officials and spectators chanted "raise your head high, you are a free Libyan!"

Celebrations are said to be continuing well into the night.

UN & US push for Gaddafi investigation

International pressure has mounted on the National Transitional Council of Libya to clarify how former leader Muammar Gaddafi died last week, after both the UN & US called for further investigations.

Rupert Colville, a spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said,
“We really do need some clarity.”