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Latest news from and about the homeland

Photograph: Screenshot/ BLA video A fresh wave of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances has been documented across Balochistan this month, as Baloch rights groups recorded the recovery of several bodies of men who had earlier been forcibly taken, and appealed once more to international institutions that have largely ignored the province. The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC)…

Indiscriminate tear gas use in Bahrain

Bahrain authorities have been accused by a US based human rights group of ‘weaponising’ tear gas against protesters.

Physicians for Human Rights said the indiscriminate use of tear gas against civilians has resulted in maiming, blinding and even death, as at least 30 have died since protests sparked off last year.

The government of Bahrain has denied the accusations saying that international standards are followed by its security forces.

Junior British diplomat’s rollercoaster ride with Kim Jong-Un

The British Foreign Office has released a statement after a junior diplomat from it’s North Korean Embassy was photographed enjoying a rollercoaster ride with the country’s new leader, Kim Jong-Un.

The release of the photograph with British chargé d'affaires Barnaby Jones, comes soon after Kim Jong-Un publicly announced that he was married.

The UK Foreign Office said,

Sudan and South Sudan reach oil agreement

Sudan and South Sudan reached an agreement on oil on Saturday, following an extension of Thursday's deadline.

The agreement includes the exportation of South Sudanese oil through Sudan's pipelines, and the distribution of oil revenues.

China sentences 20 for separatism and terrorism

Twenty people were sentenced in the Xinjiang region of China on charges of terrorism and separatism, reported China's state media - People's Daily - on Thursday.

All twenty are believed to be Uighurs - Muslim, Turkic speaking people who consider Xinjiang to be their home.

The People's Daily report, said,

Bangladesh blocks aid to Rohingyas

Bangladeshi authorities have told three international aid agencies to stop providing support to Rohingya refugees who arrived from neighbouring Burma.

Officials claim that the agencies are exceeding their mandate by supporting illegal migrants and that the aid was encouraging more Rohingyas to cross the border.

British based Muslim Aid and French NGOs Médecins Sans Frontières and Action Contre La Faim are the charities which have been blocked from providing aid.

UN demands for an end to Congo rebel support

The UN Security Council on Thursday demanded for an end to all foreign support being given to the M23 rebels fighting against the government in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

The statement voiced a “strong condemnation of any and all outside support to the M23 and demand that all support to the M23, including from outside countries, cease immediately.”

UN deadline passes for Sudan - South Sudan agreement

The UN Security Council deadline for Sudan and South Sudan to negotiate a peace agreement has passes, as extra time is granted to further develop negotiations.

France’s UN ambassador and current president of the Security Council, Gerard Araud, said, “clearly Sudan and South Sudan have not fulfilled all the conditions laid down, although progress has been achieved.”

UN condemns Syria as Annan resigns as envoy

The United Nations General Assembly has passed a resolution condemning the Syrian government’s use of heavy weaponry as it battles against rebel forces, in the midst of Kofi Annan stepping down as the UN and Arab League negotiator for Syria.

The resolution passed earlier on Friday also goes on to condemn the UN Security Council for failing to make Syria comply with earlier UN  decisions.

Saif Gaddafi demands Hague trial

Colonel Gaddafi’s son Saif al-Islam said he wants to be transferred to The Hague to face trial.

"I am not afraid to die but if you execute me after such a trial you should just call it murder and be done with it," Saif al-Islam said according to documents submitted to the ICC by his lawyers.

He has already been indicted by the ICC for crimes against humanity, but Libya has refused to hand him over till now.

Obama signs 'secret' order to help Syrian rebels says Reuters

US President Obama, has signed a secret order authorising 'intelligence finding' assistance by the CIA and other agencies to the Syrian rebels, reports the Reuters news agency.

According Reuters the exact extent of assistance remains unclear, however, it will not include giving the rebels arms.

White House spokesperson, Tommy Vietor reportedly declined to comment.

A US government source, told Reuters, that the US was colloborating with a 'secret command centre' in Turkey.