Syrian crisis continues as Russia ‘sends sophisticated weapons’

Posted on May 18, 2013 by

Russia has sent sophisticated anti-ship missiles to Syria, US media report. The New York Times quotes unnamed US officials as saying the missiles could be used to counter any potential future foreign military intervention in Syria. Without confirming details, Russia’s foreign minister said Russian supplies did not break any international rules. It comes amid growing alarm that chemical weapons may be being used in Syria, something US President Barack Obama has said would be “a red line”. Meanwhile efforts continue to arrange an international conference on Syria. The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon met Mr Lavrov in Sochi on Friday to discuss the plans for the conference, which would … Continue reading →

Pages: 1 2
Posted in Russia, Syria | Leave a comment

Cameron and Putin discuss Syria conflict at Sochi talks

Posted on May 11, 2013 by

British Prime Minister David Cameron has said the international community must do more to “help shape” a transitional government in Syria after holding talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. At a press conference in Sochi, Mr Cameron admitted the two men differed over how to deal with the conflict. But he said they agreed on the need to end the violence, prevent the growth of extremism and stop Syria “fragmenting”. Mr Putin said the two had a “common interest” in stabilising the country. The talks, at Mr Putin’s summer residence in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. were dominated by the two-year conflict in Syria, in which 80,000 people have … Continue reading →

Pages: 1 2 3
Posted in Russia, United Kingdom | Leave a comment

Russia and US agree to hold Syria conference

Posted on May 9, 2013 by

Russia and the US have agreed to work towards convening an international conference to find a political solution to the conflict in Syria. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Secretary of State John Kerry announced it would follow on from an Action Group for Syria meeting in Geneva last June. Mr Kerry said they would try to “bring both sides to the table”. Relations between Moscow and Washington have been strained in the last two years by differences over Syria. Mr Kerry held lengthy talks with President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday during his first visit to Moscow since becoming secretary of state. He told Mr Putin that their two countries shared … Continue reading →

Pages: 1 2
Posted in Syria, United States | Leave a comment

Kurdish PKK rebels ‘begin leaving Turkey’ after truce

Posted on May 9, 2013 by

Kurdish rebel fighters have begun leaving south-eastern Turkey for their safe havens in Iraq under a ceasefire, Kurdish sources say. “We know that they have started moving,” Selahattin Demirtas, a pro-Kurdish politician involved in the peace process, told AFP news agency. The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) announced last month a phased withdrawal to start early in May. More than 40,000 people have died in their 30-year fight against Turkey. There was no immediate official confirmation of the move from Turkey but an unnamed security source told Reuters news agency: “We have observed movement among [PKK] group members, but have not been able to establish whether this is regrouping or preparation … Continue reading →

Posted in Kurdistan, Turkey | Leave a comment

French left rallies against President Francois Hollande

Posted on May 6, 2013 by

Tens of thousands of protesters have rallied in Paris to express their dissatisfaction with French President Francois Hollande ahead of the first anniversary of his election. The left-wing demonstrators accuse the president of abandoning socialism with his austerity policies. Recent opinion polls show Mr Hollande’s approval rating among the public has fallen to about 25%. This is the biggest slump for any French president in the past 50 years. Many people are angered by the weak economy and soaring unemployment. And correspondents say Mr Hollande’s vision of a fairer society does not sit well with the recent scandal involving his former budget minister Jerome Cahuzac, who admitted lying about a … Continue reading →

Posted in France | Leave a comment

Dutch police may get right to hack in cyber crime fight

Posted on May 2, 2013 by

The Dutch government has announced plans to give police far greater powers to fight cybercrime. Under a new bill, investigators would be able to hack into computers, install spyware, read emails and destroy files. They could also break into servers located abroad, if they were being used to block services. Critics say the proposed measures are unnecessary and could set a dangerous precedent for people living under oppressive governments. Use of the powers would be subject to the approval of a judge, the government stresses. The bill would also make it a crime for a suspect to refuse to decipher encrypted files during a police investigation. It is expected the … Continue reading →

Posted in Netherlands | Leave a comment

Ukraine violated Tymoshenko’s rights – European court

Posted on May 1, 2013 by

Ukraine’s pre-trial detention of ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko in 2011 was “arbitrary and unlawful” and her right to a legal review was violated, European judges have ruled. Tymoshenko, who is still in jail, also alleged physical mistreatment, but that complaint was not upheld by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). She was jailed for seven years for abuse of office over a gas deal. Tuesday’s verdict does not overturn her prison sentence. The ECHR will examine that verdict later, in a separate case. According to the Associated Press, a Ukrainian government official stormed out of the courtroom after Tuesday’s ruling. The judgment is not final as the parties involved … Continue reading →

Pages: 1 2
Posted in Ukraine | Leave a comment

French soldier killed in northern Mali

Posted on April 30, 2013 by

A French soldier has been killed in Mali, according to the French president’s office. A statement said the soldier – a commando from a parachute regiment – died in the far north of the West African nation. Six French soldiers have been killed since France launched an operation in Mali in January to drive Islamist rebels from the northern desert region. France began withdrawing some of its 4,000 troops earlier this month. But 1,000 will remain for now to pursue al-Qaeda linked militants while other international forces concentrate on securing the main cities and roads. Some towns and cities have been recaptured by French soldiers but a number of Islamist … Continue reading →

Posted in France, Mali | Leave a comment

Birmingham bomb plotters receive long prison sentences

Posted on April 28, 2013 by

Three members of a Birmingham terror cell have been jailed for planning an attack to rival the 7 July and 9/11 atrocities. The group’s leaders were Irfan Naseer, Irfan Khalid and Ashik Ali. Naseer, 31, was sentenced to life with a minimum of 18 years, Khalid, 28, was given 18 years and Ali 15 years. The judge said Naseer wanted part of Birmingham to be a “little war zone”. Eight other members of the same terror cell were also sent to prison. Rahin Ahmed was sentenced to 12 years, with a further five on licence. Ashik Ali’s older brother, Bahader, was given six years. Mohammed Rizwan and Mujahid Hussain were … Continue reading →

Pages: 1 2
Posted in Pakistan, Uncategorized, United Kingdom | Leave a comment

‘Growing evidence’ of chemical weapon use in Syria – Cameron

Posted on April 28, 2013 by

There is “limited but growing evidence” that chemical weapons have been used in Syria’s civil war, David Cameron has said. Agreeing with US President Barack Obama that the issue was a “red line”, the British Prime Minister said it was unlikely that it would lead to British troops on the ground in Syria. Cameron’s comments came as footage claiming to show the aftermath of a chemical weapon attack was posted on YouTube. Speaking on BBC Breakfast on Friday morning, Cameron said: “It is very disturbing what we are seeing. It’s limited evidence but there’s growing evidence that we have seen too of the use of chemical weapons, probably by the regime. It is … Continue reading →

Pages: 1 2
Posted in Syria, Uncategorized, United Kingdom, United States | Leave a comment