Rejecting deal will isolate US says Kerry
United States Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday told members of the United States Congress that rejecting the Iran nuclear deal will provide Iran with a "fast track" to developing nuclear weapons. Speaking in front of the House of Representatives Foreign Affair Committee, Kerry tried convincing US lawmakers that the agreement is not temporary and only stopping Iran from developing weapons for a decade and the agreement would ensure that Iran would not develop nuclear weapons "ever". The deal, signed earlier this month, is an agreement between Iran and six other nations including the United States which will see Iran place curbs on its nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of sanctions on the country by the powers.
Libyan court sentences Saif al-Islam Gaddafi to death
A court in Libya sentenced Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of toppled dictator Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, as well as eight others to death over crimes linked to the 2011 revolution that took place in the country. More than 30 people associated with Muammar Gaddafi's regime were tried by the court which also sentenced former Prime Minister Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi and former head of intelligence Abdullah al-Senussi. Saif al-Islam, who is currently being held by a former rebel group, appeared in court via video. The accused have been provided 60 days to appeal against their sentences. Saif al-Islam is also wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed during the 2011 revolution.
Nigerian army rescues 30 from Boko Haram
Thirty hostages held by terror outfit Boko Haram, including 21 children and seven women, were freed by Nigeria's army in the northeast region of the country on Tuesday, said officials. The operation took place in Borno state in the town of Dikwa. The rescue took place even as offensives against the militant group were stepped up. Reports also say that 11 members of Boko Haram were killed in clashes with military in a village in southern Borno. Three others, including members of a local militia were also killed in the clashes.
Petition to pardon Snowden denied
The White House on Tuesday rejected a petition that was calling for a for National Security Agency spy program whistleblower Edward Snowden. Calling Snowden "dangerous" and "compromising to national security", the government said Snowden had to face the consequences of his actions. Lisa Monaco, President Barack Obama's adviser on homeland security and counter-terrorism said that if Snowden believed his leaks were an act of civil disobedience, he should return to the United States and "be judged by a jury of his peers". Snowden had released sensitive documents detailing the NSA's surveillance program in various countries including the USA and has since lived in Moscow, under asylum. The White House was responding to a petition with nearly 1,68,000 signatories referring to Snowden as a "national hero" and calling for an "absolute pardon" for any crimes he committed or may have committed with regards to his revelations about the NSA's programs.
Nepal stops Gandhimai temple animal sacrifice
The Gandhimai temple in Nepal, known for conducting mass slaughter of animals at a festival every year, has indefinitely banned animal sacrifice. Over 5,00,000 animals have been sacrificed at the temple festival which is attended by millions of pilgrims from Nepal and India. Animal rights groups and organisations all over the world have been campaigning to shut down the slaughter at the festival which is held a few kilometers away from the nation's capital Kathmandu.
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United States Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday told members of the United States Congress that rejecting the Iran nuclear deal will provide Iran with a "fast track" to developing nuclear weapons. Speaking in front of the House of Representatives Foreign Affair Committee, Kerry tried convincing US lawmakers that the agreement is not temporary and only stopping Iran from developing weapons for a decade and the agreement would ensure that Iran would not develop nuclear weapons "ever". The deal, signed earlier this month, is an agreement between Iran and six other nations including the United States which will see Iran place curbs on its nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of sanctions on the country by the powers.
Libyan court sentences Saif al-Islam Gaddafi to death
A court in Libya sentenced Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of toppled dictator Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, as well as eight others to death over crimes linked to the 2011 revolution that took place in the country. More than 30 people associated with Muammar Gaddafi's regime were tried by the court which also sentenced former Prime Minister Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi and former head of intelligence Abdullah al-Senussi. Saif al-Islam, who is currently being held by a former rebel group, appeared in court via video. The accused have been provided 60 days to appeal against their sentences. Saif al-Islam is also wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed during the 2011 revolution.
Nigerian army rescues 30 from Boko Haram
Thirty hostages held by terror outfit Boko Haram, including 21 children and seven women, were freed by Nigeria's army in the northeast region of the country on Tuesday, said officials. The operation took place in Borno state in the town of Dikwa. The rescue took place even as offensives against the militant group were stepped up. Reports also say that 11 members of Boko Haram were killed in clashes with military in a village in southern Borno. Three others, including members of a local militia were also killed in the clashes.
Petition to pardon Snowden denied
The White House on Tuesday rejected a petition that was calling for a for National Security Agency spy program whistleblower Edward Snowden. Calling Snowden "dangerous" and "compromising to national security", the government said Snowden had to face the consequences of his actions. Lisa Monaco, President Barack Obama's adviser on homeland security and counter-terrorism said that if Snowden believed his leaks were an act of civil disobedience, he should return to the United States and "be judged by a jury of his peers". Snowden had released sensitive documents detailing the NSA's surveillance program in various countries including the USA and has since lived in Moscow, under asylum. The White House was responding to a petition with nearly 1,68,000 signatories referring to Snowden as a "national hero" and calling for an "absolute pardon" for any crimes he committed or may have committed with regards to his revelations about the NSA's programs.
Nepal stops Gandhimai temple animal sacrifice
The Gandhimai temple in Nepal, known for conducting mass slaughter of animals at a festival every year, has indefinitely banned animal sacrifice. Over 5,00,000 animals have been sacrificed at the temple festival which is attended by millions of pilgrims from Nepal and India. Animal rights groups and organisations all over the world have been campaigning to shut down the slaughter at the festival which is held a few kilometers away from the nation's capital Kathmandu.