US withdraws staff from Tunisia and Sudan

The US State Department has ordered the withdrawal of all non-essential diplomatic staff and their families from Tunisia and Sudan. Embassies in both countries have been attacked in recent days, during protests over an anti-Islam film produced in the US. In a statement the State Department said it “urges U.S. citizens to avoid all travel to the Darfur region of Sudan, the Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan States,” and that it advises citizens to “consider carefully the risks of travel in other areas of Sudan.” The Sudanese government earlier refused permission for the arrival of US marines to...

Chinese vessels enter disputed waters

Chinese boats entered disputed waters between China and Japan on Thursday, as the row over a set of islands claimed by both nations continues to worsen. Six ships were sent by China to the contested area, with the Chinese foreign ministry stating , "These law enforcement and patrol activities are aimed to demonstrate China's jurisdiction over the Diaoyu Islands and its affiliated islets and ensure the country's maritime interests." The move was labelled as “unprecedented” by Japan’s ," Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura, with Tokyo summoning the Chinese ambassador to register their...

Widespread protests over Islam film

The protests over the obscure movie about Mohammad have escalated around the world. Three protestors died after thousands of people attacked the US embassy in Khartoum, according to Sudanese state radio. The mob initially attacked the German embassy and set fire to it, causing severe damage. The British embassy nearby also saw protests but was not damaged. Germany and the UK have no link to the film. "I condemn in the strongest possible terms today's attack and call on the Sudanese authorities to ensure that those involved are brought to justice," said UK Foreign Secretary William Hague.

Worrying Use of Terrorism Laws in Jordan – HRW

Over a dozen peaceful reform activists have been arrested in Jordan over the past week says Human Rights Watch (HRW). The wave of arrests indicates a reinforcement of intolerance towards calls for political demands in the kingdom. At least seventeen activists and peaceful protesters have been arrested across the country and remain in detention under terrorism charges. Senior Middle East researcher at Human Rights Watch, Christoph Wilcke said: “The arrests show how shallow promises of political freedoms in Jordan are. It is deeply worrying that Jordan is using laws against terrorism to...

US does not consider Egypt to be an ally – Obama

US President Barack Obama has said that the US does not consider Egypt to be an ally nor an enemy. His comments came after clashes and demonstrations outside US consulates across the Middle East, which spread after a movie that was deemed blasphemous by some was made in the US. "I don't think we would consider them an ally, but we don't consider them an enemy. They are a new government that is trying to find its way," Mr Obama said in a television interview with Telemundo .

UN agency reprimands Iran over nuclear activity

The UN nuclear agency has rebuked Iran over its nuclear program after a resolution expressing "serious concern" was overwhelmingly voted forward. 31 out of the 35 member states of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) voted for the resolution condemning Iran. The resolution was proposed by the United States, China, Russia, Germany, France and the United Kingdom. Among those who abstained were Ecuador, Tunisia and Egypt abstained with only Cuba voting against it. The United States envoy to the agency, Robert Wood, said , "What we are hoping is that this resolution will keep ... diplomatic...

HRW tells Kenya to investigate all politicians involved in violence

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has found at least four politicians responsible for violent clashes in the Tana River County in August and early September. A Kenyan MP, Dhadho Godhana was arrested on Wednesday in connection with the violence which is reported to have claimed the lives of at least 110 people and left 6000 displaced. HRW research implicates at least three other politicians in organising the violence, as well as pointing out the failure of police to take preventative measures despite warnings. Deputy Africa director for HRW, Leslie Lefkow said: “For decades the Kenya police have failed...

Former leader of Khmer Rouge set to be released

Cambodia’s long running Khmer Rouge war crimes court has ordered the release of the “first lady” who has been declared unfit to stand trial. The UN backed court ruled that there was no prospect that Ieng Thirith, who is 80 years old, could stand trial due to a degenerative illness that she suffers from. Ieng Thirith, stands accused of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity for her role in the Khmer Regime which, some estimates suggest, resulted in the death of over 2 million people. The court emphasised that that the release did not pardon Thirth of her crimes, stating that the...

1.5 million march for Catalan independence

Some 1.5 million people took part in Catalonia's annual independence rally in Barcelona on Saturday, the BBC reports , citing police. Catalonia has a population of 7.6 million. The size of the turnout for the rally, which is held annually on 11 September to mark the Siege of Barcelona 300 years ago, forced organisers to change its route. Alfred Bosch, an MP from the Republican left of Catalonia, told the BBC: "All the flags I can see are the pro-independence flags of Catalonia with the lonely star right in the middle of the triangle. "And everybody is wearing these flags. I have never seen so...

US Ambassador to Libya killed in Benghazi protest

The US Ambassador to Libya has been killed during an attack by protestors on the US embassy in Benghazi, according to government officials. Al-Jazeera reported that the ambassador came under rocket fire whilst in a car and died from smoke inhalation with three other staff of the embassy. An armed mob attacked the compound on Tuesday after a film critical of Islam was made in the US and released on YouTube. Wanis al-Sharif, the Libyan deputy interior minister, confirmed the deaths to the AFP news agency. Mustafa Abu Shagur, the Libyan deputy prime minister, condemned the "cowardly act of attacking the US consulate and the killing of [the ambassador] and the other diplomats".

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