Africa

African Union leaders back leaving ICC

Leaders of multiple African countries announced that they have backed a "strategy of collective withdrawal" from the International Criminal Court.

North America

Court issues stay on Trump immigration order

A Brooklyn federal judge blocked Trump's order barring immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries, as activists occupied JFK and several other US airports.

Africa

Chemical attacks in Darfur claimed

Amnesty International claims "horrific evidence" of repeated chemical weapons attacks carried out by Sudanese government forces against civilians, including young children.

Planet Watch

ICC to prosecute environmental crimes

The International Criminal Court released a policy document calling for prosecution of individuals for atrocities committed by destroying the environment.

Africa

Darfur: Sudan planning ‘Final Solution’?

Amid a referendum portrayed by Khartoum as a step toward peace, regime-backed militias unleash a new scorched-earth campaign in Darfur—reviving calls for US intervention.

Africa

Mining fuels renewed Darfur conflict

Russia is blocking release of an internal UN report that apparently shows how pro-government militias in Darfur are making some $54 million per year in gold mining.

Africa

UN warns of renewed Darfur conflict

The UN human rights expert for Sudan warned that fighting between government forces and rebels in Darfur has left tens of thousands displaced over the past two weeks.

Africa

South Africa to leave ICC: reports

A South African deputy minister said that the nation will leave the International Criminal Court, opining that it has "lost its direction" in singling out Africans for prosecution. 

Syria

US drops Cuba from terrorism list

The US government formally removed Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terrorism as a step toward restoring full diplomatic relations. Cuba had been listed since 1982.

Africa

Sudan: mass rape by army in Darfur

Sudanese army forces raped more than 200 women and girls in an organized attack on the north Darfur town of Tabit in October, Human Rights Watch charges.

Africa

China sends combat troops to South Sudan

A 700-strong Chinese battalion is headed for South Sudan as part of a UN "peacekeeping" mission—but the deployment follows China's massive investment in the country's oil sector.