AMSTERDAM: The International Court of Justice has rejected suits filed by the Marshall Islands, against global nuclear powers India, Pakistan and Britain. In sharply divided decisions, a 16-judge bench at the UN's highest court, ruled there was no evidence that the island's government had a prior dispute with any of the three nuclear powers or had sought negotiations on the issue. Presiding Judge Ronny Abraham said, "The court upholds the objection to jurisdiction" raised by each of the countries, and therefore the tribunal "cannot proceed to the merits of the case." The Marshall Islands were once ground zero for a set of nuclear tests conducted by the United States in 1946-58. Following the hearing, the government said it would "study the ruling" which remains final and without avenue of appeal. Marshall Islands lawyer Phon van den Biesen said, "Obviously it's very disappointing. It's a dispute that is clear to all of the world except for the judges here."
US allows Sikhs in forces to keep articles of faith
WASHINGTON: Complying to a long-standing demand made by the Sikh community, the US has allowed career-long religious accommodation for them to serve in the defence forces without having to give up on their articles of faith; turban and beard. Issued by the Department of Defence, the directive provides career-long accommodation for Sikh Americans and others to serve while maintaining articles of faith. "We are a stronger nation, and a stronger military, because of our respect for religious and personal freedom, and I'm pleased to see the US army once again recognise this with its new directive," said Congressman Joe Crowler, who had led the campaign on behalf of the Sikh-Americans. He added that he looked forward to reviewing the directive carefully.
Pakistan's lawmakers toughen penalty for 'honor' killings
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani lawmakers have taken the first step towards curbing the rising numbers of "honor" killings in the country. Over a 1,000 women were killed last year, often by their fathers, brothers, or husbands, who believed the victims had somehow tainted the family name. Pak's legal code since the 1990s has allowed families of the deceased to forgive the killer, keeping in par with the Islamic Shariah law. However, the new measure imposes a mandatory 25 year prison sentence for anyone convicted of killing in the name of honour, and bans family members from forgiving them. Sherry Rehman, an opposition legislator and fierce champion of women's rights, warned the Parliament in a speech. "Remove these clauses which allow the option of forgiveness, otherwise these killings will keep happening. We should be ashamed. We should all be ashamed. You should all be ashamed," she said. The law was objected by the conservative leaders, who said that the law is bringing Western-style independence for women.
Guterres to be next UN chief
UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations Security Council has formally announced former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres as the next UN secretary-general. Security Council President, Vitaly Churkin, Russia's UN ambassador, said the leader was approved by acclamation for a five-year term in a closed-door meeting. Current secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon, said Guterres was a "super choice" as his successor. "I am sure he will carry the torch on the full range of key challenges, from strengthening peace operations to achieving sustainable development, upholding human rights and easing humanitarian suffering," Ban said. Guterres was prime minister of Portugal from 1995 to 2002, and has served as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees from 2005 to 2015. Churkin said, "He has great United Nations credentials... and being High Commissioner for Refugees means traveling the world and seeing some of the most gruesome conficlts we have to deal with. And then of course, he is a high-level politician."
140 killed in air strike on Yemen funeral
UNITED NATIONS: Over 140 people were killed and 525 injured last weekend, when airstrikes launched by the Saudi-led coalition hit a funeral ceremony in Yemen. A United Nations official in Yemen, Jamie McGoldrick said aid workers were "shocked and outraged" by the attacks that hit a community hall in capital Sanaa. "Initial reports from health officials in Sanaa indicate that over 140 people were killed and over 525 injured," he said in a statement. The official called for an immediate investigation and said the international community must exert pressure to ensure civilians are protected. "This violence against civilians in Yemen must stop immediately," McGoldrick said. Meanwhile, the Saudi-led coalition said it had no operations at the location and "other causes" for the incident must be considered.
Bangladesh kills 11 JMB men in 3 raids
DHAKA: Security forces in Bangladesh killed at least 11 suspected militants in three different raids conducted as part of the ongoing crackdown against Islamic extremism in the region. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said, the suspects were members of the banned group Jumatul Mujahedeen Bangladesh which the government believes were responsible for the July attack at a Dhaka restaurant. He added one of the men killed was identified as Akash, a militant who had taken over the JMB's leadership after former chief Tamim Chowdhury, a Bangladeshi Canadian, was killed in a raid in August.
Putin cancels visit to Paris in Syria row
PARIS: Russian President Vladimir Putin cancelled his visit to France in protest over the country's role in the Syria issue. The announcement came a day after French President Francois Hollande said Syrian forces had committed "war crime" in the battered city of Aleppo with the help of Russian airstrikes. Putin was due in Paris on October 19, to inaugurate a Russian Orthodox church, however, Hollande insisted he also participate in talks with him regarding the conflicted region. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin was "ready to visit when it is comfortabel for President Hollande," adding that Moscow would "wait for when that comfortable time comes."
