Arab region

Pope Francis presided over an emotional act of reconciliation

Villavicencio - Emirates Voice

Pope Francis presided over an emotional act of reconciliation Friday between ex-fighters and victims of Colombia's civil war, urging "truth" and "justice" for victims of the half-century conflict. "It is... indispensable to come to terms with the truth," Francis said. "Truth is an inseparable companion of justice and mercy. Together they are essential to building peaceRead more

Pope urges truth, justice for Colombia war victims

Villavicencio - Emirates Voice

World's biggest refugee camp in Kenya to stay open

Nairobi - Arab Today

Kenya's High Court on Thursday blocked the government's decision to close the Dadaab refugee camp -- the world's largest -- and force Somali refugees to return home. Judge John Mativo ruled that the plan to shut down the camp was unconstitutional, violated Kenya's international obligations and amounted to persecution of refugees. Dadaab is home to some 256,000 people, the vastRead more

With low oil prices, Sonangol is in ‘precarious financial situation’

Luanda - Arab Today

Angolan state-owned oil company Sonangol rode the commodities boom that drove the country’s extraordinary growth after civil war ended in 2002, but today it symbolizes a national economic crisis. The Luanda-based company has increasingly been in focus since Isabel dos Santos, the billionaire daughter of long-time President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, was appointed CEO in June. She vowed to improveRead more

Spain’s Socialists are ‘on brink of civil war’

Madrid - Arab Today

Spain’s Socialist Party was on the verge of “civil war” Thursday after half its leadership staged a coup, in what could turn out to be good news for those desperate to end the country’s political deadlock. “A sad spectacle,” “War,” read headlines in Spanish newspapers, after 17 members of the party’s executive quit Wednesday in a bid to oust leaderRead more

Airstrike on Syrian troops weakens US effort to curb violence

New York - Arab Today

The United States’ accidental bombing of Syrian troops over the weekend has put it on the defensive, undercutting American efforts to reduce violence in the civil war and open paths for humanitarian relief. The United States had thought that if a deal to ease hostilities in Syria, struck by Secretary of State John Kerry and his Russian counterpart in GenevaRead more

Clashes flare southwest of South Sudan's capital

Juba - MENA

Fighting erupted in South Sudan late Saturday southwest of the capital between forces loyal to the president and the opposition, an opposition spokesman said, after fierce fighting last month in Juba raised fears of a slide back into civil war, the Daily Star reported on Sunday. Witnesses reported heavy gunfire in the region around Yei, which lies on a roadRead more

Rajapaksa’s supporters oppose Sri Lanka war crimes probe

Colombo - Arab Today

Tens of thousands of supporters of Sri Lanka’s former president have held a protest march accusing the government of betraying the nation by agreeing with the United Nations to investigate allegations of war crimes during the country’s civil war. The protesters reached the capital, Colombo, on Monday after marching for several days from the central town of Kandy. They alsoRead more