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,…

US renews sanctions on Myanmar

May 16, 2014
US President Barack Obama, last week renewed economic sanctions on Myanmar for another year citing a lack of expected progress in reforms, reported Reuters.

Commenting on the reasons behind renewing sanctions, Obama said,

Landslide victories for BJP in Indian election and AIADMK in Tamil Nadu

May 15, 2014

Updated 15:52 BST

The BJP is on course for a landslide victory in the Indian elections, winning beyond the 272 seats needed to form a majority government.

So far the BJP has won 285 seats, whilst its alliance has secured 335 seats, IBNlive reported. Votes are still being counted, with over 500 millions votes cast during this protracted election.

Obama welcomes Modi to US, congratulating him on historic win

May 15, 2014
The US President Barack Obama congratulated the BJP leader Narendra Modi on his historic win in the Indian election in a phone call made this afternoon, inviting him "to visit Washington at a mutually agreeable time to strengthen our bilateral relationship."

Violence in CAR escalates despite sanctions

May 14, 2014
At least 31 civilians were killed in clashes between the opposing factions in the Central African Republic (CAR) said Red Cross officials.
“Yesterday, Red Cross volunteers collected 21 bodies, most of them civilians,” a local Catholic priest told Reuters.

UK upgrades Syrian opposition's diplomatic status and denounces presidential elections

May 14, 2014
The British Foreign Secretary William Hague, labelling the upcoming Syrian presidential elections as a ‘parody of democracy’, announced that the Syrian opposition would have its diplomatic status in the UK upgraded, reports the BBC.

William Hague, whilst hosting a meeting of the Friends of Syria group in London, said,
“We are of course united in our disgust and anger at what’s happening in Syria and the ruthless utter disregard for human life.”

US runs manned surveillance planes over Nigeria

May 13, 2014
The US revealed yesterday that it was flying manned surveillance missions over Nigeria in an effort to find the 200 girls abducted by the militant Boko Haram group, reports the BBC.

US officials also announced that Nigeria was using US satellite imagery to aid its ground search missions.
“We have shared commercial satellite imagery with the Nigerians and are flying manned ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) assets over Nigeria with the government’s permission,” said a senior US administration official.

Ukraine to devolve powers after talks to quell eastern calls for independence

May 13, 2014
The Ukrainian interim leadership today during talks to deescalate the rebellion in eastern regions outlined plans to allow regions greater autonomy over local affairs, reports Reuters.

The talks, which involved politicians and civil society groups, excluded representatives of the pro-independence movement in the eastern regions.

ICC to look into allegations of British war crimes in Iraq

May 12, 2014
Officials form the International Criminal Court announced today that allegations of war crimes committed by British troops will be examined and verified by the court.

The court is to conduct preliminary examination of around 60 alleged case cases of unlawful killings and claims of the mistreatment of over 170 Iraqis in British custody, reports The Guardian.

Nigerian government ready for talks with Boko Haram

May 12, 2014
The Nigerian government is ready to talk to the Boko Haram militants, to negotiate the release of over 200 abducted school girls, announced cabinet minister Tanimu Turaki today, reports the BBC.

Responding to a statement by Boko Haram that called for the exchange of Boko Haram prisoners for the abducted school girls, Turaki said that the Nigerian government would send representatives for talks if the militant group was sincere.

French president vows to find murders of journalist in CAR

May 12, 2014
A French journalist has been killed in Central African Republic, announced the office of the French President Francois Hollande, today.

The journalist was found dead by French soldiers after they stopped a vehicle driven by Christian militias that predominantly fight with the Seleka rebels, reports Reuters.
US renews sanctions on Myanmar
Landslide victories for BJP in Indian election and AIADMK in Tamil Nadu
Obama welcomes Modi to US, congratulating him on historic win
Violence in CAR escalates despite sanctions
UK upgrades Syrian opposition's diplomatic status and denounces presidential elections
US runs manned surveillance planes over Nigeria
Ukraine to devolve powers after talks to quell eastern calls for independence
ICC to look into allegations of British war crimes in Iraq
Nigerian government ready for talks with Boko Haram
French president vows to find murders of journalist in CAR