12 dead in Kurdish protest in Turkey
At least 12 people were killed on Tuesday in clashes between Turkish police and Kurdish protesters, who were pressing for more government action to protect the Syrian-Kurdish town of Kobane from Islamic State fighters. Violence erupted in the capital Ankara and Istanbul, as well as in several other towns and cities. The situation became tense after a warning from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan that Kobane was about to fall. The authorities have declared curfew in six provinces across the country. The three-week assault in Kobane has left more than 400 dead and forced 160.000 people to flee their homes.
Houthi rebels reject Yemen's new PM
Yemen's Zaidi Shia Houthi militant group rejected Ahmed Awad Mubarak as the country's new prime minister just hours after his appointment on Tuesday. Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi has nominated Mubarak for the post by a decree that was issued after several discussions between government officials and Houthi representatives. The rebel group, which seized the capital Sanaa, had entered into an agreement with Hadi last month to end the country's political crisis. The Houthis have been fighting for representation in the majority Sunni country.
Clashes erupt at Jerusalem mosque
Violence broke out between Palestinians and Israeli police on Wednesday at the al-Aqsa mosque in occupied East Jerusalem after a Jewish group was allowed permission to enter the compound. Israeli policemen had denied Palestinian worshippers entry to the mosque and allowed several Jews in to observe a Jewish holiday. The mosque, known to Jews as Temple Mount, is the holiest site in Judaism and the third holiest in Islam. It has been at the centre of frequent clashes.
Canada votes to join air campaign in Iraq
The Canadian parliament approved airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Iraq on Tuesday, making it the latest country to join the US-led coalition against the extremist group. The motion, which was introduced by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, was debated this week and passed with a 157-134 vote. The vote authorises air strikes in Iraq for six months and further states that no ground troops will be used in combat operations.
Kenyan president appears before ICC today
Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta is appearing before the International Criminal Court at The Hague on Wednesday, where he faces charges of crimes against humanity. Kenyatta has been accused of orchestrating violence after the country's presidential polls in 2007, which led to more than 1,000 people being killed. The hearing marks the first time a sitting president will attend a session at the international court.
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At least 12 people were killed on Tuesday in clashes between Turkish police and Kurdish protesters, who were pressing for more government action to protect the Syrian-Kurdish town of Kobane from Islamic State fighters. Violence erupted in the capital Ankara and Istanbul, as well as in several other towns and cities. The situation became tense after a warning from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan that Kobane was about to fall. The authorities have declared curfew in six provinces across the country. The three-week assault in Kobane has left more than 400 dead and forced 160.000 people to flee their homes.
Houthi rebels reject Yemen's new PM
Yemen's Zaidi Shia Houthi militant group rejected Ahmed Awad Mubarak as the country's new prime minister just hours after his appointment on Tuesday. Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi has nominated Mubarak for the post by a decree that was issued after several discussions between government officials and Houthi representatives. The rebel group, which seized the capital Sanaa, had entered into an agreement with Hadi last month to end the country's political crisis. The Houthis have been fighting for representation in the majority Sunni country.
Clashes erupt at Jerusalem mosque
Violence broke out between Palestinians and Israeli police on Wednesday at the al-Aqsa mosque in occupied East Jerusalem after a Jewish group was allowed permission to enter the compound. Israeli policemen had denied Palestinian worshippers entry to the mosque and allowed several Jews in to observe a Jewish holiday. The mosque, known to Jews as Temple Mount, is the holiest site in Judaism and the third holiest in Islam. It has been at the centre of frequent clashes.
Canada votes to join air campaign in Iraq
The Canadian parliament approved airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Iraq on Tuesday, making it the latest country to join the US-led coalition against the extremist group. The motion, which was introduced by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, was debated this week and passed with a 157-134 vote. The vote authorises air strikes in Iraq for six months and further states that no ground troops will be used in combat operations.
Kenyan president appears before ICC today
Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta is appearing before the International Criminal Court at The Hague on Wednesday, where he faces charges of crimes against humanity. Kenyatta has been accused of orchestrating violence after the country's presidential polls in 2007, which led to more than 1,000 people being killed. The hearing marks the first time a sitting president will attend a session at the international court.