WORLD - The African Mirror

Aug

15

2024

Venezuela: UN Human Rights Chief concerned over high arbitrary detentions

WORLD

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk has voiced his deep concern over the high and continuing number of arbitrary detentions, as well as disproportionate use of force reported in the aftermath of presidential elections in Venezuela, and the resulting climate of fear. “It is especially troubling that so many people are being detained, accused or charged either with incitement to hatred or under counterterrorism legislation. Criminal law must never be used to limit unduly the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association,” UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said in the biweekly UN press briefing in Geneva.…

Aug

14

2024

By The African Mirror

Putin expresses support for Palestinian state, laments humanitarian crisis

WORLD

RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin voiced strong support for Palestinian statehood and expressed deep concern over the humanitarian crisis in Palestine during a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday. Reuters reports that Putin also emphasised Russia's commitment to the Palestinian cause despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. "We are watching with great pain and anxiety the humanitarian catastrophe that has unfolded in Palestine," Putin said, according to a Kremlin transcript. He noted the death toll of almost 40,000 Palestinians in the Gaza war since October 7, 2023. According to Reuters, Putin reaffirmed Russia's backing for the Palestinian aspiration to…

Aug

14

2024

By The African Mirror

Leicester Square stabbing suspect charged with attempted murder

WORLD

A 32-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder following a stabbing incident involving a young girl in London's Leicester Square. The suspect, identified as Ioan Pintaru, appeared in court on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, facing charges of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article.Reuters reports that the incident, described by prosecutors as a "random attack," occurred on Monday afternoon in the popular tourist area. The victim, an 11-year-old girl, was stabbed eight times but her injuries are not considered life-threatening, according to London's Metropolitan Police.The news agency states that initial reports of the girl's mother being injured were…

Aug

14

2024

By The African Mirror

UN calls for release of staff detained in Yemen, condemns storming of office

WORLD

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk has strongly condemned the storming of his Office’s representation in Sana’a by the Ansar Allah de facto authorities and renewed his call for the immediate and unconditional release of all UN staff detained in Yemen. “Entering a UN office without permission and seizing documents and property by force are wholly inconsistent with the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations. This is also a serious attack on the ability of the UN to perform its mandate, including with respect to the promotion and protection of human rights, which our Office is there to defend,” UN Human Rights…

Aug

12

2024

By The African Mirror

Israel orders another escalation, after airstrike kills over 90 in Gaza

WORLD

THERE has been a dramatic escalation in the Gaza conflict as Israel expands its evacuation orders in Khan Younis, forcing tens of thousands of Palestinians to flee their homes in the dark of night. The Israeli military claims to be targeting Hamas militants, while Palestinians describe scenes of chaos and fear. According to Reuters, an Israeli airstrike on a school in Gaza City on Saturday killed at least 90 displaced Palestinians, sparking international outrage. Israel maintains it struck a militant command post, a claim rejected by Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Reuters details the latest evacuation order, covering central, eastern, and…

Aug

11

2024

By The African Mirror

UN rights chief condemns Israeli minister for justifying war crime starvation of civilians in Gaza

WORLD

THE UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk is “shocked and appalled”, a spokesman said, at Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich’s statement earlier this week in which he deplored aid for civilians in the Gaza Strip and suggested that the deliberate starvation of Palestinian civilians in Gaza could be “justified and moral” as long as Israeli hostages are held by Hamas. “The High Commissioner condemns these words in the strongest terms,” said Jeremy Laurence, UN human rights spokesperson, at the press briefing in Geneva. “They also incite hatred against innocent civilians. The starvation of civilians as a method of…

Aug

09

2024

By The African Mirror

Nobel laureate Yunus arrives to lead Bangladesh, says will be guided by students

WORLD

NOBEL Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus has returned home to Bangladesh to lead a new interim government after weeks of tumultuous student protests forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign and flee to neighboring India. According to Reuters, Yunus (84), a harsh critic of Hasina, arrived in Dhaka following medical treatment in Paris after protesters backed him for the role in a government tasked with holding elections for a new leader. "The country has the possibility of becoming a very beautiful nation," the economist told reporters at the airport, where he was greeted by senior military officers and student leaders. The…

Aug

09

2024

By The African Mirror

Taylor Swift concert cancelled after exposure of planned attacks

WORLD

AUSTRIA has cancelled three Taylor Swift concerts this week after authorities detained three teenagers, including a 19-year-old who allegedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State militant group, over a planned attack, the government said. Reuters reports that the 19-year-old, who has North Macedonian roots, was found to have chemical substances and technical devices at his home, indicating "concrete preparatory actions," said Frankz Ruf, Austria's general director for public security. The suspect had sworn allegiance to Islamic State's leader, Ruf told ORF radio, citing internet evidence. Two other teenagers, aged 17 and 15, were also detained. According to Reuters, the planned…

Aug

08

2024

By The African Mirror

Nine UNRWA employees fired, 10 cleared over 7 Oct attacks

WORLD

UNRWA, the UN’s agency for Palestine refugees, has announced the firing of nine employees following the conclusion of an internal investigation into Israeli allegations that 19 UNRWA staff members had participated in the Hamas-led 7 October attacks on Israel last year. The investigation, carried out by the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), the UN’s highest investigative body, found no evidence or insufficient evidence of involvement in 10 cases. In nine other cases, it determined that “the UNRWA staff members may have been involved” in the attacks. Announcing the findings on Monday, UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq noted that because “information used…

Aug

08

2024

By Tara Brian

‘It’s on our shoulders’: Ten years after Yazidi genocide, survivors refuse to give up on the missing

WORLD

This story was originally published by The New Humanitarian. By Tara Brian IT was one in the morning on a spring night in 2019 when Sanaa Alneamat saw a photo of her missing sister online. She was wearing a headscarf – unlike when the Yazidi teenager was last seen as she was abducted by militants from the so-called Islamic State – and she was older, but Alneamat immediately recognised a birthmark on her sister’s face, and her eyes. Staring at the picture, which had been posted on social media, Alneamat had no doubt: This was the same sister she had…