• That old chestnut

    As tens of thousands from Bahrain’s Shia community demonstrated against this weekend’s Formula 1 race being held amid ongoing violent repression by the ruling Sunni dynasty, how did Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa justify why the race should go ahead?

    "I genuinely believe this race is a force for good, it unites many people from many different religious backgrounds, sects and ethnicities," he said.

    The standard rationale for sports amid repression – even in the face of obvious evidence to the contrary.

    Crown Prince Al Khalifa went on to say:

    “I think cancelling the race just empowers extremists…. Having the race allows us to build bridges across communities, get people working together. It allows us to celebrate our nation as an idea that is positive, not one that is divisive.”

    Meanwhile, Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, who stood at the Prince's right elbow, had this to say:

    "If people have got a complaint about something else, it's nothing to do with F1."

     So that's that, then.

  • Security Council authorises 300 unarmed military observers to Syria

    The UN Security Council voted unanimously in favour of adopting a Russia-European resolution authorises the deployment of up to 300 unarmed military observers to Syria, to be known as UNSMIS.

    The move comes less than day after UN ceasefire monitors entered the city of Homs.

    Stating that the violence between government forces and opposition activists was "clearly incomplete", the resolution warned that "further steps" may be necessary if the agreement is not adhered to.

    The resolution stipulated that the deployment would depend on the Assad regime's compliance with the UN Secretary General's six point peace plan.

    The US ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice, said,

    "The United Nations Security Council has called upon the government to take concrete actions," 

    "The Syrian government has ignored this council. In the United States, our patience is exhausted."

    "We will not wait 90 days to pursue measures against the Syrian government if it continues to violate its commitments or obstruct the monitors' work."

     

  • Israel remembers Holocaust

    Israel fell silent on Holocaust Memorial Day on Thursday, as the nation remembered six million Jews killed by Nazi during the course of the Second World War.

    Official commemorations commenced late on Wednesday with a ceremony at Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial museum in Israel.

    At the ceremony, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu compared the Nazi Holocaust with Iran’s nuclear threat to Israel.

    “People who refuse to see the Iranian threat have learned nothing from the Shoah (Holocaust).”

    “They are afraid to speak the truth, which is today, as it was then, that there are people who want to annihilate millions of Jews. The truth is that an Iran in possession of nuclear arms is an existential threat to the State of Israel.”

    Elie Wisel, a holocaust survivor and Nobel Laureate, disapproved of his comments.

    “I don’t like this. It is unacceptable and impossible to make comparisons with the Holocaust.”

    Over 10,000 youths also gathered in Auschwitz, Poland to commemorate the victims of the genocide at the most infamous of Nazi concentration camps.

  • Calls to cancel Bahrain Grand Prix grow

    The leader of the UK's opposition, Labour party, Ed Milliband, joined calls to cancel the Bahrain Grand Prix given the on-going reports of the state's violent crack down of legitimate protesters. 

    Milliband said,

    "I certainly think it is the case that, given the violence we have seen in Bahrain and given the human rights abuses, I don't believe the Grand Prix should go ahead."

    "I hope that the Government will make its view clear and say the same."

    His remarks add to those of several politicians and human rights activists, including the shadow foreign secretary, Douglas Alexander, and the shadow Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, who urged British Formula One driver, Jenson Button and Lewis Hamiliton to boycott the event.

    Speaking on BBC's Question Time Cooper said,

    "It shouldn't go ahead, I don't think British drivers should go, I think the Formula One should not go ahead in Bahrain."

    "You have got demonstrations by democratic protesters who have been violently suppressed and although it should be a matter for the sport to decide rather than for the Government, I do think government ministers can express an opinion."

    "That opinion should be it should not go ahead, it would sent the wrong signal, it should not happen."

    The UK MP George Galloway of the Respect party said the Bahraini race circuit were "stained by the blood of the people who are asking for a vote" and "anyone who drives over then will never be forgiven."

    Responding to the comments, a No 10 spokesperson said,

    "It is not for us to dictate what sporting events happen in other countries."

    Despite the Bahraini regime's efforts to crackdown on demonstrations during the planned event, the protesters have pledged to disrupt the games, vowing to create "Three Days of Rage". On Thursday, over 700 protesters were dispersed using tear gas and stun grenades.

    Speaking to the Times, a 22-year-old protester said,

    “Formula One should be ashamed to be here. We are being denied our basic rights. We asked for democracy and they killed our friends and brothers."

    The 2011 Bahrain Grand Prix was cancelled amid international criticism over the state's human rights abuses.

    Related articles:

    Former F1 Champion wants Bahrain Grand Prix rethink (05 Apr 2012)

    Protesters take to streets of Bahrain one year on (14 Feb 2012)

    2012 Bahrain Grand Prix under pressure (11 Jan 2012)

  • EU agrees to suspend most Burma sanctions

    European Union diplomats are said to have agreed to suspend sanctions on Burma for one year.

    An unidentified official told AFP that the suspension would give the EU time to monitor political reform.

    The agreement would still have to be formally approved by EU foreign ministers at a meeting on Monday.

    The only sanctions to remain would be the embargo on arms.

    The EU move comes on the heels of announcements by the US and Australia, easing their own sanctions on Burma in order to encourage democratic reforms in the country.

  • Sudan declares war on South Sudan

    Amid escalating clashes, Sudan President Omar al-Bashir has declared war on South Sudan, vowing to retake the region which won its independence last year through an internationally-facilitated referendum.

    During a rally Wednesday, in a message to South Sudan, President Bashir said: “Either we end up in Juba and take everything, or you end up in Khartoum and take everything,” referring to the two countries’ capitals.

    (See the BBC’s report here, and Xinhua's here)

    He also described the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), which has ruled South Sudan since it seceded from Sudan in July 2011, as “insects” that needed to be eliminated.

    President Bashir, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court on genocide charges said his main goal now is to “liberate” the people of South Sudan from its rulers.

    South Sudanese voted almost unanimously to be free of Sudanese rule in a referendum last year.

    South Sudan seized the Heglig oil field, generally viewed as Sudanese territory, eight days ago. On Tuesday, fighting broke out north of Aweil town in South Sudan, about 160 km west of Heglig, near the border between the two countries.

    Addressing the rally in Khartoum, President Bashir announced:

    “From today our slogan is to liberate the citizens of South Sudan from the rule of the SPLM, and from today it will be eye for eye, tooth for tooth and strike for strike and the beginner (of the war) is more unjust.

    We've made a mistake historically to enable the SPLM to rule the south, but we will correct this mistake, and we have a moral obligation for our people in South Sudan, that is to save them from the SPLM.

    “We say that it has turned into a disease, a disease for us and for the South Sudanese citizens. The main goal should be liberation from these insects and to get rid of them once and for all, God willing.”

    On Tuesday, the UN Security Council (UNSC) reiterated its call for Sudan to stop air strikes and South Sudan to withdraw from Heglig.

    On Wednesday, the African Union (AU) urged both Sudan and South Sudan to “act responsibly” and immediately end the current conflict between their armed forces, as demanded by the international community, reported the Sudan Tribune.

  • U.N considers sanctions in Sudan dispute

    The U.N Security Council is considering sanctions as a means to quell the fighting between South Sudan and Sudan and to prevent the escalation into a full-scale war.

    The Security Council has demanded that South Sudan pull its troop out of Sudan and called on Khartoum to end to aerial bombardments.

    U.S Ambassador to the U.N Susan Rice said "Council members discussed ways to leverage the influence of the council to press the parties to take these steps and included in that a discussion potentially of sanctions."

    Recent escalation of tensions between the two nations was initiated by Sudan’s aerial bombardment on South Sudan’s territory.

    In retaliation South Sudan attacked and occupied Heglig, home to one of the largest oil fields in Sudan, near the unmarked border between the two countries.

    South Sudan claims Heglig, which used to provide more than half of unitary Sudan’s oil, as part of its territory.

    On Tuesday, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called “on both parties to end the fighting immediately and to respect international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians.”

  • Further US military trophy photos emerge

    Photographs of US military officers posing with the corpses of dead Afghan fighters have emerged once again.

    The photographs, published in the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday, depict US paratroopers of the 82nd Airbourne Division grinning next to the mangled corpses of Afghan fighters.

    The US army has launched a criminal investigation into the incident, reports the Los Angeles Times.

    In a statement, the U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, Ryan C. Crocker, condemned the actions of those involved. Crocker said,

    "Such actions are morally repugnant, dishonor the sacrifices of hundreds of thousands of U.S. soldiers and civilians who have served with distinction in Afghanistan, and do not represent the core values of the United States or our military."

  • Libyan to sue UK over rendition

    A Libyan military commander is taking legal action against former British foreign secretary Jack Straw, over his rendition to Gaddafi’s Libya.

    Formerly exiled rebel leader Abdel Hakim Belhadj says that he was kidnapped by CIA agents in Thailand, before being taken to Libya via the UK territory of Diego Garcia.

    The BBC revealed earlier this month that the UK allowed the rendition of Mr Belhadj and his wife. The Sunday Times has now reported that Jack Straw directly authorised the transfer.

    Mr Belhadj’s lawyers have now served court papers on Mr Straw to force him to reveal any involvement he had with this case.

    The former foreign secretary is accused by Mr Belhadj, who is now a military commander in Libya, of complicity in "torture, inhuman and degrading treatment, batteries and assaults" committed by Thai, US and Libyan security forces.

    The Metropolitan Police is now investigating the claims, which could lead to Jack Straw facing criminal charges.

    A spokeswoman for the British Government said:

    "The Government's position on torture is well-known. We stand firmly against it and any cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. We do not condone that and we do not ask others to do it on our behalf."

  • Australia relaxes Burma sanctions

    Australia has become the latest country to ease sanctions against Burma in recognition of efforts at democratic reforms.

    Foreign Minister Bob Carr has announced the easing of travel and financial restrictions against around 260 Burmese nationals, including President Thein Sein.

    ''We're easing sanctions after talking to Aung San Suu Kyi and others in the opposition, after talking to the government itself, (and) after talking to other nations," Mr Carr told reporters in London, ahead of a meeting with British Foreign Secretary William Hague.

    A joint press release by Mr Carr and the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness, Dr Craig Emerson said that of 392 individuals on the list for financial and travel restrictions, only 130 will remain, including serving military figures and individuals of human rights concern. The arms embargo will also remain in place.

    The President and other reformists within the government are among the individuals removed from the list.

    "I welcome the opportunities that normalised trade ties will present for the Burmese people and Australian companies," Dr Emerson said.

    "Increased trade and investment will help support the reform process in Burma, as well as enhance the economic prospects of ordinary Burmese.”

  • Willing to resolve nuclear issue with world powers - Iran

    Iran is willing to resolve nuclear issues during the next round of talks with world powers if sanctions against it are lifted, said the country's foreign minister on Monday.

    Iran held nuclear negotiations in Istanbul on Saturday with the USA, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany.

    Israel’s Prime Minister however felt the talks had gave Iran more time to mature its nuclear program.

    "My initial impression is that Iran has been given a freebie. It's got five weeks to continue enrichment without any limitation, any inhibition," said Israel Prime Minister Benjamin  Netanyahu.

    President Obama responded to Israel’s Prime Minister comments saying

    “We're going to keep on seeing if we make progress. Now, the clocking is ticking and I've been very clear to Iran and to our negotiating partners that we're not going to have these talks just drag out in a stalling process.”

    Israel and U.S continue to threat militarily, but it seems unlikely as President Obama is up for re-election. Obama administration is still hopeful that the issue can be resolved through diplomatic dialogues.

    "We still have a window in which to resolve this conflict diplomatically. That window is closing and Iran needs to take advantage of it," said President Obama.

    A senior official in the Obama administration added,

    "Dialogue is not sufficient for any sanctions relief, one has to get to concrete actions that are significant,"

    "One only begins to look at those issues when there are sufficient concrete steps taken that warrant any changes in our approach to sanctions."

    Talks will resume on May 23 in Baghdad.

  • US to ease some Burma sanctions

    The US has followed Australia and the UK in easing pressure against Burma in order to encourage democratic reforms by the government.

    The US treasury department announced that non-governmental organisations will now be able to carry out some humanitarian, religious and other non-profit activities.

    Sanctions on sporting activities and "non-commercial development projects directly benefiting the Burmese people" will also be eased.

    Australia relaxes Burma sanctions (16 Apr 2012)

    Cameron calls for suspension of Burma sanctions (13 Apr 2012)

  • Arab League urges Syria to cooperate with UN monitors

    Arab League ministers urged the Assad regime to cooperate fully with the UN's ceasefire monitors.

    In a statement issued at a meeting between the Arab League and Kofi Annan (UN- Arab League special envoy to Syria), the Arab League said,

    "We request the Syrian government to help observers do their job and allow transport and the ability to reach all areas in Syria, and not to impose conditions on them that prevent them from doing their job."

  • Security Council authorises military observers to Syria

    The UN Security Council voted unanimously in favour of sending a team of upto 30 unarmed military observers to Syria, in order to monitor the implementation of the ceasefire. A further deployment of UN ceasefire monitors was expected Sunday. In a resolution, the Security Council urged the Syrian government to ensure the safety of UN staff.

    However, the move comes as the Syrian government has pledged a crack down on a wave of 'terrorist attacks', stating that it could not be responsible for the safety any UN monitors unless it is involved in "all steps on the ground".

    The Assad regime's spokesperson and presidential advisor, Bouthaina Shaaban, added, that Syria reserved the right to agree on the nationality of the monitors.

  • North Korean rocket launch fails

    North Korea acknowledged that its recent rocket launch into orbit had been unsuccessful, on Friday. The rocket was in the air for a minute and a half, shorter than its previous launch, before exploding in midair. The debris from the rocket landed 165 km west of Seoul.

    The U.S Navy, along with South Korean destroyers, have commenced a search operation to collect the debris in order to analyse the technology used by North Korea in the development of the rocket.

    North Korea launched the rocket in commemoration of Kim II Sung’s centennial birth.

    Expressing concern over the rocket launch, US president, Barack Obama said,

    "They've been trying to launch missiles like this for over a decade now and they don't seem to be real good at it."

    "We will continue to keep the pressure on them and they'll continue to isolate themselves until they take a different path."

    The U.S has warned Pyongyang that it will face additional sanctions if it were to defy international community again.
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