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…

Thai authorities restrict access to messaging app to curb protests

<p>Thailand authorities have ordered internet providers to block Telegram, a messaging app, which has been used by pro-democracy protesters.&nbsp;</p> <p>An official with the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission confirmed reports on Monday that they had been ordered to block access to the messaging app which has been used&nbsp; Deputy police spokesman Kissana Phataracharoen confirmed an order signed by the chief of police that could allow officials to block access to news sites citing “distorted information”. Another ministry requested court orders to censor content on four media outlets and take down a protest’s groups Facebook page.</p>

Bolivia’s socialist party claims massive victory a year after ‘US-backed coup’

Bolivia’s elections on Sunday saw the Movement Toward Socialism (MAS), claim a victory after securing 52.4 per cent of the vote, according to exit polls.

China passes amendment that criminalises insulting the national flag

<p>The Standing Committee of China’s congress passed amendments to a law which will criminalise&nbsp; insulting the national flag and emblem.&nbsp;</p> <p>The amendment which will come into effect on January 1, 2021, will criminalise those who intentionally burn, paint, deface, discard or display the flag upside down and will be prone to investigation for criminal responsibility.&nbsp;</p> <p>Amendments to the law were proposed after pro-democracy protestors in Hong Kong last year desecrated the Chinese flag resulting in controversy in China.&nbsp;</p>

China and Russia election to the UN Human Rights Council causes outrage

China and Russia's appointment as members of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has caused outrage amongst human rights campaigners. It "is like making a gang of arsonists into the fire brigade”, commented UN Watch, a Geneva-based monitoring group.

British company sued over alleged systematic human rights abuses in Kenyan avocado farm

Allegations of systematic violence against a local community in Kenya by guards working for an avocado farm, Kakuzi, that supplies UK supermarkets have resulted in a lawsuit against the farm’s British parent company, Camellia. 79 claims of “extreme violence”, dating from 2009 to January 2020 were found. Claimants include former employees of Kakuzi. 

Nigeria to abolish notorious Special Anti-Robbery Police Squad but continues their deployment

Following days of violent protest against the alleged killing of a man by the Nigerian police’s notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Nigeria’s government has announced that all SARS with be abolished and officers will be redeployed to other roles.

Taiwan to modernize its defence capabilities as pressure from China increases

On Taiwan’s National Day president Tsai Ing-wen promised to strengthen Taiwan’s defence and alliances with regions partners as China tensions heighten.

During her speech, she called for ‘meaningful dialogue’ with China however she added that “this is not something Taiwan can shoulder alone; it is the joint responsibility of both sides.”

Nine arrested for assisting 12 activists escape Hong Kong

Nine people have been arrested by Hong Kong police under suspicion of assisting 12 activists that attempted to escape Hong Kong in August.

Child dead, after being held on Italian quarantine ship

<p>15-year-old, Abou died in a hospital this week, after being evacuated from an Italian quarantine ship used to isolate refugees amidst the coronavirus.</p> <p>­­Italian officials are investigating the death after several witnesses reported Abou, who travelled from the Ivory Coast, as very ill, dehydrated, malnourished and with evident signs of torture on his body. However, he wasn’t transferred to a hospital until 30 September&nbsp;where he tested negative for Covid-19 and fell into a coma.</p>

India considers creating an app store to compete with Googles 98% market share

Technology entrepreneurs have petitioned the Indian government seeking support to create an Indian app store which would rival Google's market dominance in India, which government officials claims stands at 98% of Indian Android operating systems.