The Colombian attorney general has announced he is investigating 22 generals for their alleged role in the killing of civilians as part of the country’s “false positives” scandal.

Hundreds of men were allegedly extra-judicially murdered by the Colombian armed forces, which would then pass of their bodies as those of Farc militants or other opposition groups.

Attorney general Eduardo Montealegre announced on Saturday that 22 generals would also be under investigation, with some 800 members of the security forces having been jailed so far. More than 5,000 members of the security forces were implicated in the scandal added Mr Montealegre.

Four Blackwater Worldwide guards have been sentenced to jail for their roles in the murder of 14 Iraqi civilians in 2007.

A life sentence was handed down to one of the men, whilst the other three were imprisoned for 30 years for their part in the massacre, which also injured 17 Iraqis.

“What happened on September 16, 2007, was nothing short of an atrocity,” said T Patrick Martin, a federal prosecutor. “The United States has shown that regardless of the nationality of the victims, it values justice for all… Even when that means that the American who committed the crime must serve time.”

A US government sentencing memorandum which was filed to the court, said the defendants had “shown no remorse for their actions” adding,

“The crimes here were so horrendous – the massacre and maiming of innocents so heinous – that they outweigh any factors that the defendants may argue form a basis for leniency.”

The leaders of Islamic State (IS) are unlikely to face war crimes charges at the International Criminal Court (ICC), chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said in a statement.

"The international community pledged that appalling crimes that deeply shock the conscience of humanity must not go unpunished,” said Ms Bensouda.

At least 14 people have been killed in two bomb attacks in the Sinai peninsula, according to Egyptian security forces.

A roadside bomb targeting an armoured vehicle killed at least 6 Egyptian soldiers in the town of Sheikh Zuweid, whilst as many as 8 people were killed in a bomb reportedly targeting a police station in El-Arish.

The Egyptian army blamed "terrorist and extremist elements" for both attacks, with the twitter account for the the Sinai Province group, linked to the Islamic State, also claiming responsibility for the attack.

Russia has lifted its ban on the sale of the S-300 air defence missile system, which would enhance Tehran's capability to defend itself from air strikes.

Russia' president Vladimir Putin gave the go-ahead for the sale, after it was suspended in 2010 when the UN imposed sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme.

Israel and the US expressed concern at the news, which comes soon after a framework agreement on Iran's nuclear future was reached with the international community.

China has rejected Taiwan's application to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, a Chinese-led development bank, with over 30 international members, with a similar remit as the World Bank.

The Chinese government said it will not allow Taiwan to join under its current name, but that it would be welcome in the future under a different name.

Taiwan's government officially calls itself as the Republic of China.

Iran called for the formation of a new Yemeni government whilst offering to assist with a political transition, reports Reuters.

Speaking on a two day visit to Kazhakstan, Iran’s foreign minister, Mohammed Javad Zarif, said,

“I have the privilege of participating in the Bonn Conference when we created the Afghan government. Actually we didn’t do it, the Afghans did.. We can do that in Yemen too.”

Mr Zafiri’s comments come as Houthi rebels, who Saudi Arabia accuse of being backed by Iran, advance in the presidential city of Aden.

Talks between the foreign ministers of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France began on Monday evening in attempts to strengthen a truce declared in eastern Ukraine.

Meeting for the 5th time in Berlin, the German foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier said that the ministers would discuss measures to cement peace in Ukraine including humanitarian aid, exchange of prisoners and local elections, reports the Wall Street Journal.

 

Obama and Castro at the summit (Reuters)

US President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro today met on the sidelines of the Summit of the Americas in Panama, the first such meeting between the leaders of the two countries since 1959.

"[Obviously] there are still going to be deep and significant differences between our two governments," Mr Obama said, even as he welcomed "the spirit of openness and courtesy" Mr Castro had shown during their meeting.

"What we have both concluded is that we can disagree with a spirit of respect and civility," he said. "Over time, it is possible for us to turn the page and develop a new relationship between our two countries."

The president said the US will not ignore rights issues on the island.

"We will continue to try to lift up concerns around democracy and human rights," he said.

"[Some] of our immediate tasks include normalizing diplomatic relations and ultimately opening an embassy in Havana, and Cuba being able to open an embassy in Washington, D.C. so that our diplomats are able to interact on a more regular basis," the US president added.

Raul Castro, the brother of revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, said patience was needed but that Cuba was ready to talk about sensitive topics.