Clashes at Hungary-Serbia border
Hungarian riot police fired tear gas and water cannon to force migrants back from the Serbia-Hungary border on Wednesday. Hundreds of people massed at a closed crossing point near the Serbian town of Horgos and were involved in a stand-off with police. Some migrants threw missiles, including stones and water bottles. Tens of thousands of people have crossed into Hungary to enter the Europe Union's Schengen zone, which normally allows people to travel between member countries without restrictions. Hungary closed its entire border with Serbia on Tuesday. The country's courts have started fast-track trials of arrested migrants.
UN report details horrific violations in Sri Lanka
A long-awaited United Nations report has urged Sri Lanka to establish a special court to try the horrific abuses committed by the authorities and the rebels in the last phase of the country’s civil war. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Investigation on Sri Lanka, which released the report in Geneva on Wednesday, called upon Colombo to create the proposed court through specific legislation by integrating international judges, prosecutors, lawyers and investigators. “For an accountability mechanism to succeed in Sri Lanka, it will require more than a domestic mechanism,” the agency said.
Russia proposes talks with US on Syria
Russia has proposed military talks with the United States on Syria and the United States is considering next steps, US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Wednesday. He said he was talking to the White House and Pentagon about the proposal following recent conversations with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. "The Russians proposed that we have military-to-military conversation to discuss what precisely what will be done to deconflict with respect to any potential risks that might be run and to have a complete and clear understanding as to the road ahead and what the intentions are," Kerry said.
Syria's Assad says he won't quit under pressure
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Wednesday that he will not quit under foreign pressure, adding the Syrian people must decide their future. Western powers and much of the Syrian opposition say it is not conceivable forAssad to lead a post-war Syria. Assad said Iran was supporting his government politically, economically and militarily but denied that Iranian ground forces were operating in the country. He was re-elected in 2014 with 88.7% of the vote. However, the election only took place in government-held areas and the opposition said the vote had no credibility in the midst of a civil war.
Egypt to probe attack on Mexican tour group
Egypt's foreign minister Sameh Shoukry said on Wednesday that the killing of 12 people in an accidental attack by security forces on a group of Mexican tourists traveling in the western desert was regrettable. He made the remarks during a joint press conference with his Mexican counterpart Claudia Ruiz Massieu, who also met with Egypt's president. She called for a comprehensive, prompt and transparent investigation into the tragic events on Sunday.
Hungarian riot police fired tear gas and water cannon to force migrants back from the Serbia-Hungary border on Wednesday. Hundreds of people massed at a closed crossing point near the Serbian town of Horgos and were involved in a stand-off with police. Some migrants threw missiles, including stones and water bottles. Tens of thousands of people have crossed into Hungary to enter the Europe Union's Schengen zone, which normally allows people to travel between member countries without restrictions. Hungary closed its entire border with Serbia on Tuesday. The country's courts have started fast-track trials of arrested migrants.
UN report details horrific violations in Sri Lanka
A long-awaited United Nations report has urged Sri Lanka to establish a special court to try the horrific abuses committed by the authorities and the rebels in the last phase of the country’s civil war. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Investigation on Sri Lanka, which released the report in Geneva on Wednesday, called upon Colombo to create the proposed court through specific legislation by integrating international judges, prosecutors, lawyers and investigators. “For an accountability mechanism to succeed in Sri Lanka, it will require more than a domestic mechanism,” the agency said.
Russia proposes talks with US on Syria
Russia has proposed military talks with the United States on Syria and the United States is considering next steps, US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Wednesday. He said he was talking to the White House and Pentagon about the proposal following recent conversations with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. "The Russians proposed that we have military-to-military conversation to discuss what precisely what will be done to deconflict with respect to any potential risks that might be run and to have a complete and clear understanding as to the road ahead and what the intentions are," Kerry said.
Syria's Assad says he won't quit under pressure
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Wednesday that he will not quit under foreign pressure, adding the Syrian people must decide their future. Western powers and much of the Syrian opposition say it is not conceivable forAssad to lead a post-war Syria. Assad said Iran was supporting his government politically, economically and militarily but denied that Iranian ground forces were operating in the country. He was re-elected in 2014 with 88.7% of the vote. However, the election only took place in government-held areas and the opposition said the vote had no credibility in the midst of a civil war.
Egypt to probe attack on Mexican tour group
Egypt's foreign minister Sameh Shoukry said on Wednesday that the killing of 12 people in an accidental attack by security forces on a group of Mexican tourists traveling in the western desert was regrettable. He made the remarks during a joint press conference with his Mexican counterpart Claudia Ruiz Massieu, who also met with Egypt's president. She called for a comprehensive, prompt and transparent investigation into the tragic events on Sunday.
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