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…

US warns of 'severe consequences' if Russia further aggression towards Ukraine

Following a meeting with Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken reaffirmed American support for the "territorial integrity of Ukraine" and warned Russia that it would be held responsible for any aggressive actions it takes towards Ukraine.

Biden administration delists FARC as a 'terrorist' organisation but peace remains fragile


On Tuesday US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, revoked the designation of the now-defunct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia (FARC) rebel group as a "foreign terrorist organisation" but proscribed two splinter organisations of FARC, "FARC-EP and Segunda Marquetalia".

US sanctions Eritrean army and ruling party for 'contributing to the violence' in Ethiopia

The United States has sanctioned the Eritrean army and the country's ruling party for their role in the Ethiopian conflict. 

In a press release, the US Department of the Treasury announced sanctions on four entities and two individuals "that have contributed to the crisis and conflict" in Ethiopia. 

"The presence of Eritrean forces is an impediment to ending the ongoing fighting and increasing humanitarian access," the press release said. 

ICC prosecutor to open investigation into Venezuela

International Criminal Court prosecutor, Karim Khan, said on Wednesday he will open an investigation into possible crimes against humanity in Venezuela.

Speaking in a conference alongside Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, Khan said he is "determined that he will proceed to open an investigation to establish the truth" of events that occurred in Venezuela. A  memorandum of understanding was signed by both the President and Karim Khan. 

Protests against Sudan coup as military dissolve civilian government

A coup is currently underway in Sudan, where the military has dissolved civilian rule, arrested political leaders and declared a state of emergency.

The coup leader, General Abel Fattah Burhan blamed political infighting. In response to the dissolution of civilian rule, protests have erupted in several cities including the capital Khartoum. Three people are said to have been killed after being shot by armed forces, BBC reports. 

Israel proscribes six Palestinian human rights organisations as crackdown on political activism escalates

The Israeli government has effectively outlawed six prominent Palestinian human rights organisations by declaring them terrorist organisations, in what is considered a major escalation of its crackdown on political activism within the occupied territories. 

Welsh independence to be considered by new commission

Welsh Labour ministers have set up a new body to examine Wales' future relationship with the rest of the United Kingdom, with Welsh independence being one of the options considered. 

Prof Laura Mcallister and ex-Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams will co-chair the new body with all major parties agreeing to participate in it. The full membership of the commission is expected to be released next month, currently, they plan to produce an interim report by 2022, with a full report following in 2023.

Deporting asylum seekers back to Afghanistan presents 'no real risk of harm' says UK Home Office

Deporting asylum seekers back to Afghanistan presents "no real risk of harm", according to new Home Office guidance that could pave the way for asylum seekers to be sent back to the Taliban controlled country. 

Canada commemorates first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Canada has commemorated its first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation federally, recognising the painful history caused by residential schools and the ongoing impact it has had on indigenous families and communities.

In a statement the Canadian government recognized that the public commemorations of the country's dark history is a vital component of the reconciliation process. The formal recognition of the commemoration was introduced into law last year but yesterday marked the first commemoration.

Human Rights Watch demands full investigation into Congo prison mass rape incident

Democratic Republic of Congo authorities have made "no apparent progress" in their investigations into the September 2020 prison riot at Kasapa Central Prison in Lubumbashi, Human Rights Watch said.