Friday, May 28

*)UN launches investigation into possible Israel, Hamas war crimes The United Nations Human Rights Council has agreed to launch an international investigation into alleged crimes committed during Israel's 11-day assault on Gaza. The independent investigation will have a broad mandate to look into alleged violations by all parties, including Hamas, in Gaza, occupied West Bank and Israel. While Hamas welcomed the investigation, Israel rejected the resolution adopted by the Geneva forum and said it would not cooperate. *) Macron asks Rwanda to forgive France but denies complicity in genocide French President Emmanuel Macron has admitted to France's role in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda without formally apologising. In a speech at Kigali Genocide Memorial in Rwanda, Macron said, "I have come to recognise our responsibilities." Macron went on to say that France "was not complicit" in the genocide in which 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed. *)UN aviation body to probe Belarus plane grounding The United Nations' International Civil Aviation Organization will investigate the forced grounding of a Ryanair passenger plane in Belarus. The aviation authority will produce an interim report by June 25 but regardless of the outcome, there is little scope to punish member states other than by suspending voting rights. The UN probe will be a fact-finding investigation designed mainly to determine whether Belarus breached international aviation rules. *) Hong King's Jimmy Lai, 7 others handed new jail terms over protest Jailed Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai is among eight activists who were handed new prison sentences over anti-China rallies. The latest sentences were given over attending protests on the 70th anniversary of the founding of modern China. Lai, who is 73, was given a 14-month sentence after pleading guilty to organising and participating in an unlawful assembly. He must now serve 20 months in several combined sentences. And finally ... *) Stephen Hawking's office and archive to get Fro