WORLD NEWS

World News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Rwandan genocide memorial in Nyamata (Fanny Schertzer) German prosecutors have arrested a German-Rwandan national on suspicion of complicity in genocide and 25 counts of murder during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis in Rwanda. The suspect, identified only as Innocent S. under German privacy rules, was arrested in the central German state of Hesse on Wednesday. According to Reuters,…

Rohingya community faces severe malnutrition after 2 years in Myanmar refugee camps

United Nations says that 135,000 ethnic Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar remain in refugee camps and face malnutrition, 2 years after they were first forced to vacate their homes amidst escalating ethnic riots, reports the Washington Post.

A representative from UNICEF in Myanmar, warned that there was an alarming increase in child malnutrition amongst the Rohingya community.

Ethnic rift deepens in Myanmar says UN Special Rapporteur

The United Nations, Saturday, warned of a deepening ethnic rift between Buddhist and Muslim communities in Myanmar, reports Reuters.

The Special Rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, during a news conference at the end of her 10 day visit, highlighting ‘deplorable’ living conditions for displaced Muslims, called on the government to tackle the reoccurring issue of inter-communal violence.

UN Security Council urges unconditional immediate ceasefire between Gaza and Israel

The United Nations Security Council, Monday, called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza as overnight ceasefire announcements between Hamas and Israel were violated by both sides.

The statement called on the parties to the conflict ‘to accept and fully implement the humanitarian ceasefire into the Eid period and beyond’ and ‘to engage in efforts to achieve a durable and fully respected ceasefire, based on the Egyptian initiative,” reports The Guardian.

Cameroon Deputy PM’s wife abducted by Boko Haram

The wife of Cameroon’s deputy prime minister Amadou Ali, has been abducted by the Nigerian militant group, Boko Haram, according to Cameroonian military.

Members of Boko Haram attacked the northern town of Kolofata and also kidnapped the town’s mayor Seini Boukar Lamine.

"I can confirm that the home of vice-prime minister Amadou Ali in Kolofata came under a savage attack from Boko Haram militants," Issa Tchiroma told Reuters by telephone.

‘World’s worst’ food crisis in South Sudan – UN

The UN Security Council has warned of a looming famine in South Sudan, saying the "catastrophic food insecurity" was the worst in the world and urged donor countries to make good on their promise to donate $618m (£364m) in aid.

US accelerates supply of arms to Syrian rebels

The United States has accelerated its supply of arms and ammunition to the Syrian rebels, as fears grow of ISIS and other extreme elements gaining ground across Iraq and Syria, the Washington Post reported on Sunday.

Under what the paper described as a "covert program", the US is reported to be sending arms deliveries to the rebels, along with ammunition and money, through Turkey and Jordan.

Fighting eases in Gaza whilst ceasefire remains elusive

The fighting eased in Gaza on Sunday after Hamas endorsed the UN call for a 24 hour humanitarian truce given the upcoming Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, however the prospects of a lasting ceasefire remained low.

Limited firing of rockets by Hamas and artillery gun fire by Israel continued to take place despite the humanitarian truce, Al Jazeera reported.

Australian official resigns over anti-Hamas remarks

Australia’s Community Relations Commission chairman for New South Wales, resigned from his position Sunday, after sending out an email suggesting that ‘all options are on the table’ in a war against Hamas, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.

Vic Alhadeff, who is also the chief executive of the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies, resigned from his community relations role, stating,

“I have chosen to do so in the interests of the CRC and its important work in fostering social harmony.”

ISIS to be investigated for war crimes in UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria

The United Nations could include fighters and heads form the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) in its list of war crimes suspects in Syria, said the chief investigator of Commission  of Inquiry on Syria, reports the BBC.

"I can assure you that we are collecting information on perpetrators from all sides including non-state armed groups and ISIS. They are good candidates for the list," Paulo Pinheiro said.

Israel accepts 24 hour ceasefire request

The Israeli government has accepted a request by the UN to extend the truce agreed on Friday by another 24 hours, although Hamas earlier rejected an earlier move by Israel to extend the initial 12-hour ceasefire by four hours.

Hamas demanded a complete withdrawal by Israeli troops from the Gaza strip and continued to fire rockets into Israel, claiming that the country was using the truce to prepare more attacks.