The United Nations has accused South Sudanese government forces and allied militias of potential “war crimes” over a campaign of rape and killing that targeted civilians in opposition-held villages in the conflict-torn country. According to the UN human rights office, at least 232 civilians were killed and 120 women and girls raped during an offensive between 16 April and 24 May in the country’s Unity state, with three commanders identified as bearing the “greatest responsibility” in the violence.

Among the victims was a six-year-old who investigators say was gang-raped by soldiers, and elderly and disabled villagers who were burned alive in their huts. The UN report will increase pressure on the international community – not least the US – to impose fresh sanctions against senior figures in South Sudan over continuing serious human rights abuses.

It echoes allegations of serious human rights abuses made to the Guardian last month by villagers fleeing the fighting, as well as reports by human rights groups. Last month during a visit to the area of the attacks, survivors – who had fled across the Sudd marshes – detailed to the Guardian how villagers, including elderly residents, had been burned alive in their homes. The accounts were confirmed by an investigation conducted by the Human Rights Division of the UN mission in South Sudan.(theguardian)…[+]

Donald Trump has named Brett Kavanaugh as his nominee for the US supreme court, lighting the fuse of an acrimonious political battle and potentially setting the court on a more conservative course for decades to come.

The selection of the federal appeals court judge was the cue for euphoria on the right and confirmed many progressive fears. If rubber-stamped by the Senate, it would represent one of the most consequential decisions of Trump’s presidency. Kavanaugh’s record will come under particular scrutiny for clues as to how he might vote in any future review of Roe v Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that guaranteed a woman’s right to an abortion. Last year, Kavanaugh decided against a 17-year-old undocumented immigrant in federal custody who sought to immediately terminate her pregnancy, though he was overruled by colleagues.(theguardian)…[+]

Monday’s flurry of resignations from Theresa May’s cabinet is causing consternation and frustration around European capitals, with politicians and commentators concerned that chaos in Westminster will paralyse Brexit negotiations and accelerate Britain’s departure from the geopolitical stage.

The prospect of more chaos in Westminster would more likely cause consternation than schadenfreude in Berlin, Josef Janning, who heads the Berlin office of the European council of foreign relations, told the Guardian. Although that sentiment did not extend to the recently-departed foreign secretary, Boris Johnson.

“The sorrow caused by Johnson’s departure in German government circles will be in short supply,” Janning said. “German politicians were alienated by the way in which he carried out his office from the beginning. He was seen as a player, an opportunist.”

Relations had got off to an awkward start during Johnson’s inaugural visit to the German capital in November 2016, when he offered the then-foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier an awkward fist-bump during their press conference and reportedly referred to his counterpart as “Markus-Walter” in their private meeting. Steinmeier, now Germany’s president, said he was “not amused” by Johnson’s support for Brexit.(theguardian)…[+]