WORLD NEWS

World News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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,…

M23 rebels withdraw from fighting

The M23 rebel group active in the easter Democratic Republic of Congo has announced it will stop fighting after being pounded by UN forces over the past week.

M23 official Museveni Sendugo said to the BBC that rebel forces had already withdrawn from the frontline.

A 3,000 strong UN brigade is currently in the DRC, fighting the rebels, who are thought to be backed by neighbouring Rwanda.

Obama reiterates obligation to combat chemical weapons use

President Barack Obama outlined the possibility of a “limited narrow act” by the US in response to the alleged use of chemical weapons by the Syrian army, today.

Commenting after the Secretary of State, John Kerry, summarised a report that placed culpability for the attacks on the Syrian army, Obama stressed,

DRC accused of shelling Rwanda

The Rwandan fovernment has accused the Democratic Republic of Congo of bombing the country, killing a woman and injuring her baby.

The DRC has denied the accusations, blaming rebels, who are purported to be backed by Rwanda, according to the DRC and the UN.

"Rwandan civilians are being targeted by DRC forces. We have remained restrained for as long as we can but this provocation can no longer be tolerated," said Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo.

UK decides against military intervention in Syria

British parliament decided against potential military intervention in Syria following a 7 hour debate, today.

UK proposes UN resolution on Syria

The UK has put forward a resolution at the UN Security Council “authorising all necessary measures to protect civilians" in Syria.

There has been increasing pressure on the international community to act after chemical weapons were used, however it has not yet been conclusively proven where the weapons were fired from.

Russia has said the UN must finish its investigations before the resolution can be discussed. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has also appealed for more time for the team to do its job.

Dozens killed in Baghdad bombs

At least 66 people have been killed in a wave of bombings around primarily Shi'ite areas of Baghad on Wednesday.

The attacks have caused the worst bloodshed in the country since 2008, raising fears about ethnic and sectarian tensions.

See the Guardian for full report.

Former Bosnian police chief convicted of war crimes

Bosnia’s war crimes court sentenced a former Bosnian Serb police chief, Goran Saric, to 14 years in prison for his role in the killing of Muslim civilians during the 1992=-1995 conflict in Sarajevo, today.

Google hack follows West Bank clashes

Google's regional page in Palestine, google.ps was given a makeover by hackers objecting to the label of Israel on Google maps.

The hack involved a message displayed saying "the country in google map not called Israel. It's called Palestine."

US army prepared to launch Syrian attacks

The US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel, in an interview with the BBC, indicated that the military were ready to execute attacks on Syira, should President Obama give the go ahead.

“We have moved assets in place to be able to fulfil and comply with whatever option the president wishes to take,” Hagel said.

We can't let use of chemical weapons stand - Cameron

UK Prime Minister David Cameron recalled Parliament to discuss possible responses to the allegations of chemical weapons use by the Syrian government.

The Prime Minister said:
"What we have seen in Syria are appalling scenes of death and suffering because of the use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime. I don't believe we can let that stand."
Meanwhile, Iran, in response to US Secretary of State John Kerry's statement has warned against military intervention by the West.