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,…

Obama authorises air strikes in Iraq

Aug 7, 2014
The US President Barack Obama Thursday announced the authorisation of "targetted air strikes" in Iraq to stop the advance of Islamic State (IS) fighters, as well as humanitarian action to help Yazidi refugees trapped on a mountain.

"Today I authorised two operations in Iraq. Targetted air strikes to protect our American personnel and a humanitarian effort to help save thousands of Iraqi civilians who are trapped on a mountain without food or water and facing almost certain death," Obama said during a televised address on Thursday evening.

Explaining the reasons for the air strikes, he said:
"In recent days these terrorists have continued to move across Iraq and have neared the city of Erbil where American diplomats and civilians serve at our consulate and American military personnel advise Iraqi forces.

To stop the advance on Erbil, I have directed our military to take targetted strikes against ISIL terrorist convoys should they move towards the city. We intend to stay vigilant and take action if these terrorist forces threaten our forces or personnel any where in Iraq including our consulate in Erbil and our embassy in Baghdad.

We are providing urgent assistance to Iraqi government and Kurdish forces so they can more effectively wage the fight against ISIL."

Describing the plight of the Yazidi refugees, President Obama said America could not turn a blind eye to a "potential genocide".

WHO: Ebola epidemic an international emergency

Aug 7, 2014
The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the outbreak of Ebola across West Africa as an international health emergency, on Friday following an emergency committee meeting in Switzerland.

"A coordinated international response is deemed essential to stop and reverse the international spread of Ebola," the WHO said in a statement, adding that the Committee concluded the conditions for a 'Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)' had been met.

Urging all states affected by the infection to declare a state of emergency and activate national disaster protocols, the WHO called for mandatory "screening of all persons at international airports, seaports and major land crossings, for unexplained febrile illness consistent with potential Ebola infection."

"There should be no international travel of Ebola contacts or cases, unless the travel is part of an appropriate medical evacuation," the WHO added, falling short of a complete ban on international travel and trade. 

Fighting resumes after Israel-Gaza truce expires

Aug 7, 2014
Fighting resumed in Gaza after the 72-hour truce expired at 8am local time, as talks in Cairo aimed at extending the truce failed to reach a conclusion.

Israeli air strikes have been launched after it reported rockets were fired into southern Israel by Hamas.

One of the rockets fired into Israel was intercepted over the city of Ashkelon by Israel's Iron Dome system, reports Haaretz.

The IDF, which has removed its ground troops from Gaza but remains vigilant across the border, said it resumed strikes against "terror sites across the Gaza Strip".

Palestinian officials however told the BBC a ten year old Palestinian boy was killed in an air strike near a mosque on Friday morning.

Hamas had earlier rejected any extension of the truce, stating that Israel had failed to meet its demands which including the lifting of the blockade on Gaza and the release of prisoners.

South Sudan war crimes need investigation – HRW

Aug 7, 2014

The South Sudanese Army and rebel forces committed “extraordinary acts of cruelty” and should be prosecuted for war crimes, according to Human Rights Watch.

In a report released today, the New York-based rights group said that both sides have killed civilians and looted property during recent clashes and that some of their acts could amount to crimes against humanity.

Khmer Rouge leaders found guilty of crimes against humanity, sentenced to life imprisonment

Aug 6, 2014
Two top leaders within the Khmer Rouge regime were found guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced to life imprisonment by a special tribunal in Cambodia on Thursday.

Now in their 80s, Khieu Samphon, the Khmer Rouge head of state, and Nuon Chea, the regime's ideological head and former deputy secretary of the Communist Party of Kampuchea, were charged with crimes against humanity, genocide, religious persecution, homicide and torture.

See here for judgement being delivered.

IS advances through northern Iraq, as US considers air drops to help refugees

Aug 6, 2014

The Islamic State (IS) has captured the largest Christian city in Iraq, while edging closer to the border with Kurdistan.

Qaraqosh, home to around 50,000 Christians fell to the militants on Thursday, after Kurdish peshmerga forces withdrew from the city in Nineveh.

Around 200,000 refugees, mostly members of minority communities like the Yazidis and Christians, are reported to be fleeing from the IS advance, according to UN officials.

Parliamentary committee chair requests details of British arms exports to Israel

Aug 6, 2014
The chair of the parliamentary select committee on British arms exports, requested details of any military exports that may have been used by the Israeli army during its most recent offensive in Gaza, reports The Guardian.

CAR government steps down as part of peace agreement

Aug 6, 2014
The Central African Republic’s government stepped down as part of a peace deal to work towards an end of sectarian violence in the region, reports the Associated Press.

The regions interim Prime Minister and his Cabinet resigned on Tuesday as part of a peace agreement reached between the Muslim and Christian militant factions.

The government has been tasked with organising elections to take place early next year.

Syrian militants withdraw from Lebanese borders

Aug 6, 2014
Militants from Syria withdrew from Lebanese borders today after seizing the border town of Arsal, reports the BBC.

The militants left after a truce was brokered after days of fighting between the Syrian rebels and the Lebanese army.

Lebanon’s government Thursday announced that an extra 12,000 troops would be deployed to stabilise areas under attack by the militants.

Lebanon has long complained that fighters belonging to Syrian militant groups have tried to seize Lebanese border towns.

Russia bans food imports from EU, US, Australia and Canada

Aug 6, 2014
All food imports form the US, EU, Australia, Canada and Norway were banned by Russia reports The Guardian.

The Russian Prime Minister, speaking to press on Thursday, said that all fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, milk and dairy imports from countries that had placed sanctions on Russia would be banned.

Dmitry Medvedev added that officials were considering a ban on European airlines flying to Asia over Siberia.

Russia is Europe’s second largest market for food and drink.
Obama authorises air strikes in Iraq
WHO: Ebola epidemic an international emergency
Fighting resumes after Israel-Gaza truce expires
South Sudan war crimes need investigation – HRW
Khmer Rouge leaders found guilty of crimes against humanity, sentenced to life imprisonment
IS advances through northern Iraq, as US considers air drops to help refugees
Parliamentary committee chair requests details of British arms exports to Israel
CAR government steps down as part of peace agreement
Syrian militants withdraw from Lebanese borders
Russia bans food imports from EU, US, Australia and Canada