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…

Former Bosnian Serb General appeals genocide conviction

Former Bosnian Serb general, Ratko Mladic, has appealed his 2017 conviction of genocide and crimes against humanity during the Yugoslav wars, appearing in the Hague on Tuesday.

Mladic has been convicted of overseeing the slaughter of 8,000 Muslim men and boys at Srebrenica in 1995 and attacking and murdering civilians during the 43-month siege of the Bosnian capital Sarajevo. He was the commander of Bosnian Serb forces during the 1992-95 war that was part of Yugoslavia's breakup. He is currently facing a life sentence.

Artist Banksy funds rescue vessel for migrants stranded in central Mediterranean

<p>The British artist Banksy funded a vessel to give aid as hundred of migrants remain stranded in the central Mediterranean.&nbsp;</p> <p>Many migrants were transferred to rescue ships, as European officials ignored calls to allow migrants on shore. These ships were deployed after Louise Michel crew issued a distress call near Lampedusa, an Italian island off the coast of Africa, as it was no longer able to steer with so many people on board.&nbsp;</p> <p>Banksy criticised EU authorities via Instagram, saying, "EU authorities deliberately ignore distress calls from 'non-Europeans.'"</p>

Rwanda issues warrant against former spy complicit in 1994 genocide

Rwanda’s government has issued an international arrest warrant for former Rwandan spy, Aloys Ntiwiragabo, for his role in the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

According to French news site Mediapart, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) has identified Ntiwiragabo as one of the architects of the genocide.

This warrant follows the arrest of alleged genocide architect, Felicien Kabuga, who had evaded authorities for 25 years by travelling to several countries. Kabuga is accused of financing the Rwandan genocide. 

Boris Johnson recruits former Australian PM known for hardline anti-immigration policies

<p>UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has recruited right-wing former Australian PM, Tony Abbott, to help lead the post-Brexit global trade mission.&nbsp;</p> <p>Abbott has been criticised for his hardline anti-immigration policy,&nbsp; which stopped refugees from reaching Australia by boat while others were detained in camps on distant islands.&nbsp;</p>

At least 7 young teens killed by Angolan police enforcing virus curbs

<p>Amnesty International stated seven young men have been shot dead between May and July by Angolan security forces intending to uphold the country’s coronavirus restrictions.</p> <p>A joint investigation by Angolan rights group OMUNGHA and the UK0 based watchdog resulted in the groups stating security forces used “excessive, unlawful force” in tracking down breaches.</p> <p>The government in March declared a state of emergency and soldiers and police were deployed to enforce the curfews and gathering bans.</p> <blockquote><p>

Calls for country-wide strike after 9 year old girl shot in Chile

<p>Chile Truckdrivers call for a country-wide strike after a nine-year-old girl was shot when her father’s cement truck was attacked by at least four armed men on a local highway.</p> <p>The child is currently being treated for serious injuries in a hospital in south-central Chile, as reported by local media.</p> <p>The truck drivers called for this walk-off to begin Thursday if President Sebastian Pinera and Congress do not act to reduce the violent unrest in Chile’s Araucania region.</p> <p>In recent months, Chile’s Araucania has faced numerous attacks to transport trucks and factories.</p>

Seventh protest against governor’s arrest challenged Kremlin

Around 1,500 demonstrators marched across Russia’s southeastern city of Khabarovsk on Saturday, in the seventh consecutive weekend of protests after the arrest of the regional governor.

Sergei Furgal was arrested on 9 July in connection with murder charges in which he denies.

Demonstrators took to the streets of Khabarovsk, demanding that Furgal stand trial at home, claiming the charges against Furgal were unsubstantiated and politically motivated.

Uproar after Somalia’s parliament considers legalisation of child marriage

An uproar is rising in Somalia as parliament considers a new bill that would allow child marriage once a girl reaches puberty, as early as 10 years old for some girls, or as long as the family gives their consent.

Recent government surveys show that nearly a third of girls are married before turning 18 and just under half of those married before turning 15.

Egypt passes new law protecting victims of sexual abuse

Egypt approved a new law on Tuesday, protecting the identity of victims of sexual harassment and abuse in a move aimed to reduce the social stigma of reporting such crimes.

The Egyptian government has faced recent pressure to act after hundreds of women have started to speak up on social media about sexual assault in Egypt’s recent #MeToo movement.

The new law will give victims the automatic rights to anonymity, banning investigative authorities from disclosing information about victims in such crimes, except to defendants or their lawyers.

Human Rights Activist killed in Philippine ‘war against dissent’

Human rights activist, Zara Alvarez, is the thirteenth human rights activist of her group killed in Philippines “war against dissent” while under President Rodrigo Duterte’s rule.

Alvarez, a former education director of the human rights alliance Karapatan, died on Monday evening after being shot six times as she was heading home from buying dinner.