WORLD NEWS

World News

Latest news from and about the homeland

In recent weeks Yemen’s Houthi armed group has shot down seven US Reaper drones worth over $200m. The drones destroyed between 31 March and 22 April mark Washington's most significant material loss.  Three of the drones were destroyed in the past week, suggesting an improvement in the Houthis’ ability to strike high-altitude US aircraft.  The drones were conducting surveillance or…

China condemns India’s division of Kashmir

<p>China has spoken out against India following the decision to revoke Kashmir’s special status and split the land into two federal territories, both of which will be governed by New Delhi.</p> <p>The land has been split into two; one section for Jammu and Kashmir, and another for Ladakh.</p> <p>Geng Shuang, a spokesman for China’s Foreign Minister, responded to India’s decision with the following statement:</p> <blockquote><p> “The Indian government officially announced the establishment of so called Jammu Kashmir territory and Ladakh Union territory which included some of China’s territory into its administrative jurisdiction,”</p>

US recognises Armenian genocide and imposes sanctions on Turkey

<p>The US House of Representatives have acknowledged the Armenian genocide and has imposed sanctions on Turkey in response to its assault on Kurdish controlled territories in north-eastern Syria.</p> <p>The Armenian genocide was carried out from 1914-1923 where an approximate 1.5 million Armenians were systematically killed by the Ottoman Empire and subject to expulsion.</p>

Pakistan denies India use of its airspace

<p>Pakistan has denied India use of its airspace for the third time due to “ongoing grave human rights violations” in Indian-administrated Kashmir.</p> <p>Pakistan’s denial of its airspace follows the decision by India to strip the Muslim majority Kashmir of its limited autonomy and impose order through the deployment of the security forces. This continues to be the situation in Kashmir and has lasted over 80 days.</p>

At least five dead in Iraq after anti-government protests

<p>At least five people have died in Iraq as anti-government protests have entered into a second day. The death toll this month has been over 190.</p> <p>Protests began on 1 October and during these earlier protests close to 150 people died due to clashes with the security forces. The government has released a report acknowledging that authorities had used excessive force in responding to these demonstrations.</p> <p>The BBC has stated that the protests continued in Iraq despite the leaders of the protests insisting that demonstrators give the government time to respond to their demands.</p>

US House of Reps to vote on Armenian genocide resolution

The US House of Representatives is set to vote next week on a resolution to commemorate the Armenian genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire.

Turkey has opposed the move, with its embassy saying in a statement “Turkey opposes all legislative steps and other official acts that try to render judgment on its history,” adding that the resolution would undermine reconciliation efforts between Turks and Armenians.

The issue of whether the US should recognise the Armenian genocide has been the subject of a diplomatic battle for years.

US President lifts sanctions on Turkey post-ceasefire

<p>US President Donald Trump has lifted sanctions on Turkey in response to a ceasefire in Kurdish controlled northern Syria; he claims the ceasefire is permanent.</p> <p>This decision withdrawal of troops from Northern Syria and a subsequent attack from Turkey on Kurdish controlled region. President Trump faced widespread opposition, including from senior officials from his own party.</p> <p>During a White House speech, the President described the cease fire negotiated by Vice President Mike Pence as a “major breakthrough”.</p> <p>He further stated</p> <blockquote><p>

Native Americans regain land stolen in 1860 massacre

<p>In a landmark decision, the Wiyot Tribe will regain the majority of an island off Northern California which they had lost to colonial settlers in a massacre in 1860.</p> <p>In 1860 the Wiyot tribe was massacred as women, children and elders were slaughtered as the tribesmen were gathering supplies. The remaining 600 members of the tribe have since then continued to fight for their land.</p>

HRW calls upon Japan to hold Myanmar accountable

<p>HRW has released a statement yesterday calling for the Japanese government to hold Myanmar accountable for the atrocities committed against Rohingya and other ethnic minorities, as well as to discourage investment that will benefit Myanmar’s military, the Tatmadaw. &nbsp;</p> <p>In 2018, the UN accused Myanmar of genocide in response to a brutal ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya people in 2017. This forced over 740,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh. Over a million reside in overcrowded camps in Bangladesh whilst another 600,000 remain in Myanmar, confined to camps and villages.</p>

UK stops arms exports to Turkey

<p>Following Turkey’s invasion of the Kurdish regions of Northern Syria, the UK has seized its sale of arms.</p> <p>Since 2014, the UK has supplied £1.1 billion worth of arms to Turkey, weapons which may have been used in Syria.</p> <p>The decision follows sharp criticism from both the UK Labour and Green party for the government’s initial reluctance to condemn Turkey’s actions during the EU foreign affairs council on Monday.&nbsp;</p> <p>Dominic Raab, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, told condemned Turkey’s actions stating;</p> <blockquote><p>

‘Kurds are no angels… PKK worse than ISIS’ says Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump has defended his decision to withdraw American troops from the Kurdish regions of norther Syria, stating it was “strategically brilliant”, whilst lashing out at the Kurds in the region.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Trump said the Kurds were “not angels” and said the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) were “probably worse at terror and more of a terrorist threat in many ways than" Islamic State.

He also commented on Kurdish militants who fought Islamic State alongside US soldiers, stating they were “not angels”.