Many international bodies and governments have warned of a ‘new wave’ of escalations in the Middle East after U.S. President Donald Trump signed on Monday a proclamation recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the disputed Golan Heights, with condemnations and criticisms pouring from across the globe. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was ... Read More »
UN rights council condemns Israel’s ‘unlawful lethal and excessive’ force against civilians in Gaza
The United Nations Human Rights Council on Friday condemned Israel’s “apparent intentional use of unlawful lethal and other excessive force” against civilian protesters in Gaza and called for perpetrators of all violations in the strip to face justice. The Geneva forum adopted a resolution on accountability by a vote of ... Read More »
US airstrikes are killing ‘large numbers’ of civilians in Somalia, Amnesty says
Army claims no civilian casualties have occurred since Donald Trump authorised strikes and raids to fight al-Shabaab insurgency in country The US military may be guilty of war crimes for killing large numbers of civilians in a sharply stepped-up campaign of air strikes in Somalia over the past two years, ... Read More »
As Venezuela crisis deepens, U.S. sharpens focus on Colombia rebel threat
U.S. Admiral Craig Faller, the head of the U.S. military’s Southern Command that oversees U.S. forces in Latin America, told Reuters the United States had sharpened its focus on the rebels and increased its sharing of intelligence with Colombian officials. U.S. officials see a growing threat from both Colombia’s National ... Read More »
French PM plans new security measures after Champs Elysees rioting
France’s prime minister will present plans on Monday to crack down on rioters, his office said, after a new flare-up of violence linked to the yellow vest protest movement. Rioters ransacked stores and restaurants while lighting fires along Paris’ Champs Elysees avenue on Saturday as they clashed with police. Cutting ... Read More »
North Korea may suspend nuclear talks with ‘gangster-like’ U.S.: diplomat
North Korea is considering suspending talks with the United States and may rethink a ban on missile and nuclear tests unless Washington makes concessions, news reports from the North’s capital on Friday quoted a senior diplomat as saying. Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui blamed top U.S. officials for the ... Read More »
New Zealand shootings: At least 40 dead in attacks on mosques in Christchurch, says PM Ardern
Witness claims to have seen ‘blood everywhere’ as police arrest an Australian citizen At least 40 people have been killed in a mass shooting at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, prime minister Jacinda Ardern has said. Police declared a “critical incident” after the initial, deadliest attack began at the ... Read More »
Venezuelan opposition leader will call for ‘state of national emergency’ as power blackout goes on
A day after Venezuela’s embattled president and his opposition rival held dueling rallies in the capital Caracas, opposition leader Juan Guaido said he will call for a “state of national emergency” in a special session of parliament on Monday. The South American nation continues to struggle with an ongoing power ... Read More »
China warns of repeating history’s mistakes with Venezuela
The Chinese government’s top diplomat issued a stern warning on Friday against interfering in Venezuela or imposing sanctions on the South American nation, saying history offered a clear lesson about not “following the same old disastrous road”. China has repeatedly called for outsiders not to interfere in Venezuela’s internal affairs ... Read More »
For Kremlin, Ukrainian election a choice between lesser of three evils
Before Russia annexed Crimea and backed separatists in east Ukraine, Moscow had a Ukrainian president who did much of what it wanted. Now, as Ukraine readies to elect a new leader, none of the main candidates look that enticing to Russia. Viktor Yanukovich, the last Moscow-friendly Ukrainian president, was toppled ... Read More »
Lebanese Ministry of Information