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,…

Embassies close as clashes escalate in Libya

The US became the latest country to close its mission in Tripoli after violent clashes between militias escalated over the past few weeks and moved closer to the embassy.

"Due to the ongoing violence resulting from clashes between Libyan militias in the immediate vicinity of the US embassy in Tripoli, we have temporarily relocated all of our personnel out of Libya," spokesperson, Marie Harf, said.

Protests erupt in the West Bank as 3 Palestinians are shot dead

The conflict in Gaza spread to the West Bank on Friday, with at least three Palestinians killed, reports the Guardian.

Thousands of Palestinians today took part in a demonstration after over 15 women, children and United Nations stage were killed when a UN shelter was hit yesterday.

Three Palestinians were shot dead during confrontation with the Israeli army in the West Bank.
Israel reported that 35 rockets had been fired from Gaza today as the United Nations Secretary General called for calm.

Veteran Kurdish politician appointed President of Iraq

Iraqi leaders, Thursday, selected a veteran Kurdish politician as President, in a move to help confront Islamic State militants and stop the country from breaking up, reports the Washington Post.

Fouad Massoum received 211 of 269 votes in the Iraqi parliament after Kurds presented him as their candidate.

Israel agrees to 12 hour ceasefire with Hamas

Israel, on Friday, agreed a UN proposed 12-hour ceasefire with Hamas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the US secretary of state today.

The announcement came after the Israeli government rejected earlier calls from John Kerry to implement a seven-day ceasefire, reports abc.news.

Over 1,700 die in most deadly week of Syrian conflict

Over 1,700 people have been killed over the last week as fighting against the Syrian President’s forces intensified.

At least 700 people are have thought to have died over the past 2 days, in the recent escalation of conflict, reports Al-Jazeera.

CAR militants agree ceasefire

Armed groups in the Central African Republic, Thursday, signed a ceasefire agreement in an attempt to end ethnic conflict in the region, reports the BBC.

The agreement, signed by the leader of the Muslim Seleka militants and the Christian anti-Balaka militants, was welcomed by United Nations officials and the UN Security Council.

UN run school in Gaza hit by shelling

Authorities in Gaza said that Israeli forces, Thursday, shelled a United Nations run school, killing at least 16 people, reports Reuters.

The United Nations Secretary General condemned the attacks before arriving in Cairo to meet the United States Secretary of State John Kerry, to discuss strategies towards peace.

“Many have been killed – including woman and children, as well as UN staff. Circumstances are still unclear. I strongly condemn the attack,” said Ban Ki Moon commenting on the shelling.

Nigerian President vows to free kidnapped girls and defeat Boko-Haram

The Nigerian President, in a meeting with parents of the girls kidnapped by Boko-Haram, pledged to do everything possible within his government to secure their release.

Goodluck Jonathan met the parents of the kidnapped girls for the first time on Tuesday, reports the BBC.

"Anyone who gives you the impression that we are aloof and that we are not doing what we are supposed to do to get the girls out is not being truthful. Our commitment is not just to get the girls out, it is also to rout Boko Haram completely from Nigeria," said Jonathan.

Independent investigation needed into possible war crimes in Israel-Gaza conflict says Human Rights chief

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay called for an independent investigation into the killing of civilians during the recent escalation of violence in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.

"There seems to be a strong possibility that international humanitarian law has been violated, in a manner that could amount to war crimes," she said this morning during a special session at the UN Human Rights Council.

"Every one of these incidents must be properly and independently investigated," she added.

UNHRC agrees to investigate alleged rights violations in Israel offensive on Gaza

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Wednesday, agreed to launch an international inquiry into human rights violations that may have been committed during Israel’s most recent military offensive in Gaza.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, earlier warned that Israel may have committed war crimes in its offensive against Hamas, reports the Guardian.

Speaking at an emergency debate at the UNHRC, Nabi Pillay said,