International Headlines
Mar 28: Uighur Nationality Dispute
A diplomatic row has emerged between Turkey and China regarding the nationality of 17 Uighurs detained in Thailand. The group has been issued Turkish passports, but China demands they be returned to Xinjiang, where Turkic-speaking Uighurs face severe repression. To reach Turkey, refugees travel through Southeast Asia. Due to growing ties between Thailand and China, it is unlikely that those detained will be released to Turkey.
Mar 27: Loss of Independence
Australia’s isolated Norfolk Island, which has long claimed independence from Australia, is to have its legislative assembly dismantled. The 1,800 islanders will pay tax to Australia and gain access to Australian health and welfare payments for the first time. The island's chief minister rejects the Australian government's claim that residents support the changes and plans to hold a referendum on self-government within the next two months.
Mar 26: Nigerian Mass Abduction
Boko Haram, an Islamic terrorist organisation, is said to have abducted up to 500 women and children in an act of vengeance while fleeing a town in northern Nigeria during a counter offensive by Chad’s army. Last April, the same group kidnapped at least 200 schoolgirls. Abubakar Shekau, the leader of Boko Haram, has repeatedly expressed his intent to sell his captives into slavery.
Mar 25: Alps Plane Crash
A plane travelling from Barcelona, Spain to Dusseldorf, Germany crashed into the French Alps after a rapid descent, killing all of the 150 passengers on board. The plane was operated by Germanwings which is a low-cost airline owned by Germany’s main carrier, Lufthansa. The crash is presumed to have been an accident caused by a major malfunction; there is no evidence of terrorism.
Mar 24: Woman Lynched
Farkhunda, 28, an Afghan woman, has died after being lynched in Kabul. She challenged a mullah about his practice of selling charms to women at a shrine and was falsely accused of burning the Koran. A crowd overheard the argument and beat her to death despite her denials. Hundreds of Afghans have protested against the attack and her father has said the police should have done more to save her.
Mar 23: Singoparean Leader Dies
Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s founding father and prime minister for 31 years, died at the age of 91. Mr Lee oversaw Singapore’s independence from Britain in 1959 and separation from Malaysia in 1965, and is credited with transforming the small port city into a wealthy global hub. A state funeral will be held on March 29, after a week of mourning.
Mar 22: Airport Attacker Thwarted
A man was shot and killed by police in New Orleans, a city in the southern US state of Louisiana, after storming a checkpoint at an international airport. The man allegedly attacked security workers with spray and a large knife and was found to be carrying a bag full of petrol bombs. Additionally, smoke bombs were found within his vehicle which was parked nearby.
Mar 21: Indian Train Derails
At least 34 passengers were killed and dozens more injured when a passenger train derailed in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The incident occurred near Bachhrawan village as the train travelled between Dehradun and Varanasi. Villagers, police and railway guards rushed to rescue passengers trapped in the carriages. An inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the accident.
Mar 21: Deadly Bombings
Suicide bombers killed at least 137 worshippers and wounded at least 357 people in attacks during prayers at two mosques in Sanaa, Yemen. Four bombers wearing explosive belts targeted the crowded mosques at Friday prayers. "Blood was running like a river," survivor Mohammed al-Ansi told the BBC. Islamic State (IS) claimed the attacks.
Mar 20: Feminists “Missing”
Five young Chinese women have been missing for more than a week since their arrest by Chinese police ahead of International Women’s Day. On March 12, the five womens rights activists were criminally detained on suspicion of “picking quarrels and provoking troubles” says online reports. Their families and lawyers have been unable to reach them since their detention.
Mar 19: Attack In Tunisia
After a shooting at the Bardo Museum in Tunis, Tunisia has vowed to join the fight against terrorism. Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the attack which killed 23 people, including 20 foreign tourists. Additionally, more than forty people were injured. Security forces killed two gunmen and later arrested nine others. World leaders condemned the attack and expressed support for Tunisia.
Mar 18: Netanyahu Secures Victory
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party came out ahead in elections, despite earlier polls which suggested possible defeat. This victory over Yitzhak Herzog’s leftist Zionist Union, means that Mr Netanyahu could become Israel’s longest-serving leader. After polls closed, he told supporters that he had spoken with leaders of other right-of-centre parties to form a new coalition government “without delay.”
Mar 17: Press Freedom
Operation Collateral Freedom has been launched by the Paris-based global press freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders, to mark World Day Against Cyber-Censorship. The watchdog spotlights countries whose governments censor the Internet and deprive their inhabitants of online access to independently-reported news and information. Nine censored websites in 11 countries are to be unblocked and restored, one of which is the Tibet Post International, currently blocked in China.
Mar 16: Appeal for Help
The nation of Vanuata, which consists of more than 60 islands, has pleaded for immediate help following Cyclone Pam, which destroyed much of its infrastructure. Aid has recently begun arriving, but more will be needed to rebuild what has been wiped out by the category five storm. The UN considers Vanuata to be one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world.
Mar 15: Elephants Detect Landmines
Researchers in South Africa have discovered that elephants possess the ability to sniff out landmines with 96.4% accuracy. Despite this skill, it is promised that elephants will not be put to use in the battlefield. Rather, scientists hope to learn how the elephant smells, and apply the knowledge to electronic sensors. Other creatures are also able to detect explosives, including dogs and rats.