Tigray receives a lifeline - first set of humanitarian aid received since peace agreement

The Tigray region has recieved humanitarian aid for the first time since the peace agreement, departing from two years of a devestating blockade. On Tuesday, The International Committee of the Red Cross delivered two medical trucks to the Capital. Speaking on behalf of the ICRC, Nicolas Von Arx announced in a statement, "It is an enormous relief for us to deliver this cargo," he continues, "The healthcare system in the region is under extreme pressure, and these deliveries are a lifeline for people who need medical help." On Wednesday, the World Food Program delivered 15 trucks of supplies to...

Myanmar junta face strong resistance

Following the coup and a brutal crackdown on unarmed protestors, the people of Myanmar have taken up arms against the military which now only has stable control over 17 per cent of the country. Thwarted in his bid to consolidate his coup, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing responded with even more violence. The military has restarted political executions, burned entire villages to the ground, bombed hospitals and schools, and even an outdoor concert – attacks human rights groups say may amount to crimes against humanity. The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), a global crisis...

Zelenskyy accuses Russia of war crimes in Kherson

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russian soldiers of committing war crimes and killing civilians in Kherson, which was retaken by Ukraine last week. “Investigators have already documented more than 400 Russian war crimes. Bodies of dead civilians and servicemen have been found,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address on Sunday, without specifying the locations where the bodies had been discovered. It was not immediately possible to verify Zelenskyy’s allegations. Russia denies its troops intentionally target civilians. Mass graves have been found in several places...

UK, EU impose sanctions on Iranian officials over human rights abuses

The European Union and the United Kingdom have imposed additional sanctions on Iranian officials in response to the widespread use of force against protestors. So far, 336 demonstrators have been killed in the unrest and nearly 15,100 detained, according to the activist HRANA news agency. “We stand with the Iranian people and support their right to protest peacefully and voice their demands and views freely,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a statement. Among those sanctioned by the EU with travel bans and asset freezes are four members of the squad that arrested Amini, high-...

Iran issues first death sentence over protests

A court in Tehran has issued the first death sentence to a person arrested for taking part in protests. A human rights group warned authorities might be planning "hasty executions". At least 20 people are currently facing charges punishable by death, Norway-based Iran Human Rights said, citing official reports . Its director, Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, called on the international community to take urgent action and "strongly warn the Islamic Republic of the consequences of executing protesters". The execution was ordered for an unidentified person for allegedly setting fire to a government...

UK agrees to negotiate with Mauritius over handover of Chagos Island

The UK has agreed to open negotiations with Mauritius over the future handover of the Chagos Island, in a major reversal of policy following years of resistance and legal defeats in international courts but will continue to maint control over it's military base in Diego Garcia. The proposed agreement will allow for the return of former inhabitants of the Chagos archipelago who were forcibly displaced by the British government in the 1960s and 1970s. When Mauritius gained independence from the UK in 1968, London severed the Chagos Islands from the rest of the country so it could lease the...

Humanitarian aid to be delivered to Tigray region after peace deal signed

Ethiopia’s government and the TPLF have agreed to facilitate immediate humanitarian access to “all in need” in war-ravaged Tigray and neighbouring regions. The agreement comes after talks in Nairobi, Kenya this week after the signed peace agreement between the two warring sides brought an end to the two year conflict in Northern Ethiopia. “The parties have agreed to facilitate unhindered humanitarian access to all in need of assistance in Tigray and neighbouring regions,” according to a joint statement read out at a Nairobi press conference on Saturday. The agreement was signed by field...

Report concludes 'no discrepancies' found in Brazilian election

The Brazilian Defence Ministry's report concluded that no discrepancies were found in the recent election, which saw right-wing president Bolsonaro unseated by a narrow margin. It is Brazil's method of casting votes that has drawn scrutiny and criticism. Brazil is the only country in the world that has fully transitioned to a paperless, electronic voting system. Some have criticised the involvement of the military in the election investigation. Paulo Calmon , a political science professor at the University of Brasilia, claims, "the idea to formally involve the armed forces in electoral...

'Fighting Words' - President Xi urges PLA to resolutely defend 'national soverignty'

Dressed in full army uniform, President Xi called on military personnel to “focus all its energy on fighting” according to reports from a Chinese Communist party mouthpiece. President Xi made these comments when addressing the People’s Liberation Army during a recent visit to a command centre. “Focus all [your] energy on fighting, work hard on fighting and improve [your] capability to win,” the instructed army officials. He is said to have gone on to urge the cohort to “resolutely defend national sovereignty and national security”, referring to China’s security situation as “unstable and...

Iranian leaders resist growing calls for referendum on constitution

The Iranian leadership is resisting growing demands from clerics and some reformist politicians to stage a new referendum on Iran’s constitution. A current power struggle between the the country's rulers has left the government sending out mixed messages on how to deal with the ongoing protests. Hardline parliamentarians have called for violent protestors to be executed whilst some other senior members of Iran's administration have gone to university campuses, in an attempt to open dialogue with protestors. However, the security forces have gone ahead with a severe crackdown and arrested...

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