Washington: President Barack Obama announced that both, USA and Cuba have agreed to open embassies in each other's capitals. “This is a historic step forward in our efforts to normalise relations with the Cuban government and people and begin a new chapter with our neighbours in the Americas.” Both the countries had been secretly working on the re-establishment of the embassies and collectively came upon the agreement. “As part of that effort, President Raul Castro and I directed our teams to negotiate the reestablishment of embassies. Since then our State Department has worked hard with our Cuban counterparts to achieve that goal and later this summer Secretary Kerry will travel to Havana formally to proudly raise the American flag over our embassy once more.” The agreement comes after more than half a century of hostilities between both the countries. The U.S. Embassy in Havana is scheduled to open on July 20,as per the Cuban Foreign Ministry.
Afghan appoints first woman SC judge
Kabul: Anisa Rasouli, head of the Afghan Women Judges Association and former juvenile court judge, is the first and the only female to be nominated to the nine member bench. The decision came after it was delayed and put on hold by opposition from Islamic conservatives. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani nominated a female judge to sit on the Supreme Court, provoking retaliation from conservatives. “I'm proud to announce that for the very first time I have nominated a woman to the Supreme Court,” Ghani addressed a gathering of diplomats and women's rights activists. “Appointing a woman to the Supreme Court does not alter the judicial system. We do have full support of the Ulema (Islamic scholars) for it,” he added. The nomination, which requires approval of the parliament, is part of efforts by Ghani's unity government to promote more women to high-profile positions since he and his Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah assumed office last September.
Meiji sites in Japan get world heritage status
Tokyo: Unesco has decided to grant world heritage status to more than 20 old industrial sites in Japan; the 23 Meiji period sites that include coalmines and shipyards and have contributed to the country's transformation from feudalism to a modern economy. South Korea had opposed to the application as more than 60,000 Korean labourers were forced to work at seven sites during Japan's colonial rule. UN body's 21 member panel withheld the decision until negotiations were conducted between both the sides. The application was later given a go when Japan agreed to acknowledge the use of conscripted labour. “Japan is prepared to take measures that allow an understanding that there were a large number of Koreans and others who were brought against their will and forced to work under harsh conditions in the 1940s at some of the sites,” Japanese delegation told Unesco in a statement.
Iraqi fighter jet accidently bombs Baghdad, kills 12
Baghdad: One of the many Sukhois, used by Iraq to fight against the Is, was returning to its base when it accidently dropped a bomb over a Baghdad neighbourhood, killing at least 12 people. Military spokesnman, Brig Gen. Saad Maan Ibrahim said a technical failure caused the jet to malfunction and drop the bomb. Among the 12 killed, 3 were children and 2 women. Footage from the scene showed rescue teams in orange jumpsuits and blue helmets searching through the rubble for victims. One victim was seen wrapped with a blanket, being rushed to an ambulance.
Boko Haram extremists bomb city
Jos: A mosque and a muslim restaurant fell prey to Boko Haram extremism as bombs exploded in the city of Jos, claiming 44 lives. The first bomb erupted at the Yantaya Mosque whn leading cleric Sain Yahaya of the Jama'atu Izalatul Bidia Organisation was addressing the crowd. The second bomb detonated at Shagalinku, a restaurant frequented by state governors and other elite politicians. The survivors who spoke on the event, only voiced themselves on condition of anonymity. Jos has always been targeted for violent religious confrontations as it is located in a region where Nigeria’s majority Muslim north and mainly Christian south collide. The city has been targeted in the past by bomb blasts claimed by Boko Haram terrorists that have killed hundreds of people.
