Rebels in the Central African Republic today called for secession as the conflict worsened between ethnic communities, reports The Guardian.
 
A petition on independence of the northern region of CAR called for a new ‘Republic of Northern Central Africa’ to solve the ethnic conflict was carried out last week reported Reuters.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) announced today that a preliminary investigation into allegations of crimes against humanity had begun, reports Reuters.

Though Ukraine has not ratified the statute which makes it answerable to the ICC, special permission has been granted that give the court jurisdiction over crimes committed from 21 November 2013 to 22 February 2014.

Human Rights Watch urged Israel to stop shooting civilians in Gaza in a press brief released today.

Citing over 60 civilian shooting in 2014, Human Rights Watch emphasised that Israel were repeatedly violating international law by shooting at unarmed civilians near the Gaza perimeter.

The Middle East director at Human Rights Watch, condemning the shootings, said,

“Month after month, Israeli forces have wounded and killed unarmed Palestinian’s who did nothing but cross an invisible, shifting, line that Israel has drawn inside Gaza’s perimeter."

War ships from the Indian fleet took part in drills with the Chinese Navy to celebrate its 65th anniversary, off the coast of China.

Bangladesh, Pakistan, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei also took part in the drills, codenamed ‘Maritime Cooperation 2014’, organised by the People’s Liberation Army.

Tamil Nadu goes to the polls today in India's Lok Sabha election, in the third stage of the country's staggered election process.

Voting for the 39 parliamentary seats will take place across all 39 Tamil Nadu constituencies in one single day.

Polling is also taking place in constituencies in ten other states across the country, including Assam, Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.

Votes will be counted on May 16.

The Israeli prime minister today declared an end to peace talks with Palestine in response to a unity deal struck between the Fatah-led Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and Hamas.

The decision came after a five hour meeting of the Israeli Security Cabinet reports the Financial Times.

Russia and China blocked a proposal by the United States and France to impose UN sanctions on the former president of Central African Republic (CAR) for his involvement in escalating conflict in the region, reports Reuters.

The motion to place sanctions on François Bizize and other individuals was objected by the two nations at the last minute.

“The Russians and Chinese have placed a hold on proposed designations. We don’t know whether it’s dead or if their concerns can be dealt with,” a diplomat form the UN Security Council who wishes to remain unnamed told Reuters yesterday.

The Armenian president in a statement marking the 99th anniversary of the start of the mass killings and deportations, accused Turkey of ignoring the facts, reports The Guardian.

“The Armenian genocide is alive as far as the successor of the Ottoman Turkey continues its policy of utter denial. The denial of the crime constitutes the direct continuation of that very crime. Only recognition and condemnation can prevent the repetition of such crimes in the future,” said Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) today, singed a unity pact with Hamas, which looks to form a united government within five weeks of national elections in 6 months time, reports Reuters.  

The unity deal is thought to have a damaging impact in the already failing US sponsored peace-talks between Palestine and Israel, reports the BBC.

South Sudanese rebels were responsible for the death of over 400 ethnically targeted civilians in the past week said the UN mission in South Sudan today.

The mission, in a statement released today, condemned the targeting of civilians based on their ethnic origin in the city of Bentiu.

The statement further condemned the use of local radio stations to broadcast hate speech against ethnic groups in the region.