Protests in Vietnam over Chinese 'bullying' have continued to grow this week, after China declared a city, which Vietnam claims, it's newest municipality. Protesters were seen marching through Hanoi brandishing posters which read, "China! Hands off Vietnam!" and "Shame on you, bastard neighbour", as frustration with Beijing's aggression grew. The protests come as the state-backed China National Offshore Oil Corporation also sought bids for oil exploration in waters that Vietnam claim, and the arrest of Vietnamese fishermen near the disputed islands earlier this year. Meanwhile the protestors...
A Palestinian conference regarding the nation's bid for recognition as a state at the UN next month, was abandoned on Sunday, after four envoys were prohibited by Israel from reaching Ramallah in the West Bank. The four envoys, from Malaysia, Indonesia, Cuba and Bangladesh, were barred on the grounds that the four states do not recognise Israel. The envoys were due to sign a declaration backing the Palestinians' campaign. Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Malki said , "The goal of this decision, which was issued at the highest political echelons in Israel, is to thwart the efforts of the...
The US government has made it possible for Americans to donate money to help arm the Syrian rebels whilst upholding its official refusal to arm the forces opposing Bashar Al-Assad. A Washington-based organisation with close links to the opposition, Syrian Support Group (SSG), has been given a licence that allows them to raise funds on behalf of the rebels. This leaves American donors in a unique situation that allows them to support an army that the US government is still reluctant to officially back. The treasury license allows the SSG to supply rebels with “financial, communications,...
The United Nations Human rights envoy to Burma, Tomas Ojea Quintana, called for an urgent investigation into the Rakhine state conflict that has left at least 78 dead and tens of thousands homeless. Speaking at the end of a six day visit to Burma, Quintanta expressed his concerns about allegations of murder, torture and mass arrests by security forces ‘restoring order’ in the state. Outlining the importance of an investigation, he said , “It is of fundamental importance to clearly establish what has happened in the Rakhine state and ensure accountability. Reconciliation will not be possible...
A Sudanese United Nations staff member working for the World Food Programme has been shot dead in the disputed Sudanese region of South Kordofan, as negotiations for a ceasefire continue to take place. Fighting between government troops and rebel forces has caused a humanitarian crisis, with an estimated 200,000 people displaced since last June. Whilst the Sudanese government blamed rebels for the attack, just two days after a WFP compound was ransacked and looted, the rebels claimed that the area was under government control. A deal allowing for humanitarian access was agreed upon, with...
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.
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 , "Pyongyang's diplomatic community was invited to the opening of the Rungna People's Pleasure Ground. This included the chargé d'affaires of the British Embassy, who accepted the invitation to attend. While this was an unusual...
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. A fee of $9.48 for crude oil exportation, and $11 for light crude oil exportation was finally agreed upon, along with a £3.028 billion one off payment by South Sudan to Sudan to compensate them for the loss of oil revenue following the South's independence. A spokesperson for Sudan, told the Associated Press, "the deal is accepted by both sides. Even though it...
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, "A vast amount of evidence shows that the accused criminals carried out a lot of preparatory work in planning violent terror activities and set up a formal terror organisation," "Some members of the terror organization made explosives and carried out test explosions." However, Dilxat Raxit,...
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. Aid workers have criticised the move, saying the already terrible conditions in camps will worsen. The agencies provided health care...