WORLD NEWS

World News

Latest news from and about the homeland

German police arrest Rwanda genocide suspect accused of ordering killings
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,…

Bahraini prince not immune from prosecution over torture claims, rules UK High Court

Oct 6, 2014
The High Court in London has ruled that Prince Nasser of Bahrain is not immune from prosecution over claims of torture.

The ruling is expected to see Scotland Yard be asked to investigate allegations that the Bahraini prince was involved in torture, during the country's pro-democracy protests in 2011.

The decision by the High Court overturns a previous director of public prosecutions (DPP) ruling that the prince had state immunity from prosecution. The latest ruling came after a case filed by a Bahraini citizen who was arrested during the protests, identified as FF, sought the arrest of the prince, whilst he was on a visit to the UK.

Catalonia to decide on independence vote by October 15

Oct 6, 2014
The regional government of Catalonia will make a final decision on whether an independence referendum will take place before October 15 a spokesperson said on Monday.

The leader of Catalonia Artur Mas, has faced pressure from several Catalan organisations to push forward with the referendum despite the Spanish government’s opposition, reports Reuters.

Spanish courts have already called the Catalan regional government’s calls for a referendum on November 9 unconstitutional.

Kurds demonstrate calling for assistance as Islamic State advances into Kobane

Oct 6, 2014
Kurdish people have blockaded airports and held protests across Europe, demonstrating for military assistance to Kurdish fighters in Kobane, as Islamic State militants advanced into the eastern Kurdish Syrian town of Kobane on Monday night, reported a Syrian monitoring group.

"There were clashes overnight. Not heavy but ISIS is going forward from the southwest. They have crossed into Kobani and control some buildings in the city there," said the head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdulrahman.

Kobane, a border town between south west Syria and Turkey, has been under seige for several days as Islamic State militants advanced from three sides.

Fierce battles rage in Nigeria as government troops recapture towns

Oct 5, 2014
Heavy fighting continues between the Nigerian army and Boko Haram militants, as the government claimed to have recaptured areas in the North-East of the country.

Punch reported that Michika and Gulak in the Adamawa state have come under the control of the Nigerian armed forces, after they overran Boko Haram fighters in the area.

A source told the Nigerian newspaper,
“The Nigerian troops have gained entry into Michika and Gulak, and are now fully in control of the towns having dealt a severe blow to the insurgents, as they lost about 200 members, while some escaped with injuries sustained from gun shots.”

Kenyatta confirms ICC appearance

Oct 5, 2014
Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta confirmed he will attend a hearing at the International Criminal Court (ICC) this week, where he faces charges of crimes against humanity.

Kenyatta stated he would temporarily step down from his role as president, in order to bypass becoming the first sitting president to attend an ICC session. In a televised address, Kenyatta said that deputy president, William Ruto, would temporarily take over his role.

Islamic State militants intensify assault on Kobane

Oct 4, 2014
Fighting has intensified between Kurdish military forces and Islamic State (IS) militants advancing on the Syrian border town of Kobane.

IS state militants are within 1 km of the town which borders Turkey, despite US-led airstrikes to halt the offensive, reports the BBC.

Kurdish fighters in Kobane told journalists on Friday that they were losing the battle against IS militants and required further support, reports the International Business Times.

Al-Shabab withdraws from key town as AU troops advance

Oct 4, 2014
Somalian government troops backed by the African Union (AU) claimed to have captured the key town of Barawe, as al-Shabab fighters withdrew from the area.

Hundreds of civilians have also fled from the town, situated on Somalia's southern coast, as al-Shabab trucks loaded with weapons were seen leaving the town which has been under the organisation's control for the last 6 years.

The regional governor told the BBC that government troops were now in the centre of Barawe.

As al-Shabab fighters withdrew, the Shabab commander in Barawe, Mohamed Abu Abdalla, released an audio message warning residents who remained not to support the oncoming government troops.

Sweden defends decision to recognise Palestine statehood amidst US and Israeli criticism

Oct 4, 2014
Washington will not decide Sweden’s policies said, the Swedish Foreign Minister in response to US criticisms over plans to officially recognise Palestine as a sovereign state.

Margot Wallstrom added that Sweden “will continue the constructive dialogue with the US to explain our motives and reasons for this,” reports the Swedish Afotnbladet paper.

Commenting on the Sweden’s official recognition of Palestinian statehood the US State Department spokesperson, Jen Psaki, said
"We believe international recognition of a Palestinian state is premature. We certainly support Palestinian statehood, but it can only come through a negotiated outcome, a resolution of final status issues and mutual recognitions by both parties."

Mass grave discovered in Mexico

Oct 4, 2014
The remains of at least 20 charred bodies have been found in a mass grave in the southern Mexican state of Guerro, after 43 students went missing following violent clashes with police last week.

Guerrero’s governor, Angel Aguirre, said the victims in the mass grave had been “savagely slaughtered”.

Tomás Zerón de Lucio, head of the criminal investigation agency at the attorney-general’s office, said “the Mexican state cannot allow such a repugnant act to go unpunished.”

“We want to stress emphatically that we will use all the forces at the state’s disposal to clarify this unfortunate incident,” he added.

The discovery comes after the 43 students went missing on 27 September, following a clash with police, which left 6 dead and more than 20 injured. Witnesses say the 43 students were bundled into vans by police.

Kurdish fighter carries out suicide attack against IS amidst US-led airstrikes

Oct 4, 2014
A suicide attack against Islamic State militants, has been carried out by a female Kurdish fighter near the near the Syrian border, a monitoring group reported.

The suicide attack took place at an Islamic State position east of strategic Syrian town of Kobane, which had seen Kurdish fighters backed by US-led air strikes battling to stop an Islamic state onslaught.
 
The woman, named on social media as Arin Mirkan, is the first female Kurdish fighter to carry out a suicide attack against the Islamic State, reports the, UK based, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Bahraini prince not immune from prosecution over torture claims, rules UK High Court
Catalonia to decide on independence vote by October 15
Kurds demonstrate calling for assistance as Islamic State advances into Kobane
Fierce battles rage in Nigeria as government troops recapture towns
Kenyatta confirms ICC appearance
Islamic State militants intensify assault on Kobane
Al-Shabab withdraws from key town as AU troops advance
Sweden defends decision to recognise Palestine statehood amidst US and Israeli criticism
Mass grave discovered in Mexico
Kurdish fighter carries out suicide attack against IS amidst US-led airstrikes