Russia and India sign new arms deals

Russia and India have signed new weapons deals worth billions of dollars, during a visit to Delhi by Russian president Vladimir Putin. Indian Premier Manmohan Singh and Putin signed a $1.6billion deal for 46 Sukhoi fighter jets, which will be assembled in India from Russian parts. The two leaders also signed a $1.3billion dollar for 71 Mil Mi-17 military helicopters. "We agreed to further strengthen the traditions of close co-operation in the military and technical areas," Mr Putin said in New Delhi.

Gaza militants responsible for violations of war - HRW

Palestinian militants in Gaza violated laws of war when launching rockets during their conflict with Israel, asserted the US based human rights organisation, Human Rights Watch (HRW). HRW's Middle East Director, Sarah Leah Whitson, said , “Palestinian armed groups made clear in their statements that harming civilians was their aim. There is simply no legal justification for launching rockets at populated areas,” Human Rights Watch research found that certain militant groups in Gaza repeatedly fired rockets into densely populated residential areas and unnecessarily putting civilians at risk. A...

India to strengthen Southeast Asian ties 20 yrs on

India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) pledged to strengthen their economic and strategic relationship during a meeting held in Delhi earlier this week to mark 20 years of India -ASEAN ties. With the aim of doubling free trade over the next decade, the two sides finalised a fair trade agreement in services and investments, ensuring that business professionals can travel easily between nations, as well as agreeing to work towards increased "maritime security cooperation." Describing the move as "transformational", India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said : “I am...

Fugitive harbourers 'stand on wrong side of history' says US

The United States has released a statement calling on states to do more to arrest Rwandan genocide fugitives, after the UN’s International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) sentenc ed a former Rwandan Minister last week. In a statement released after the sentencing, State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said, “We urge all countries to redouble their cooperation with the ICTR so that fugitives can be arrested. Those who harbor fugitives obstruct justice and stand on the wrong side of history. ” Speaking on the sentencing of Augustin Ngirabatware, Nuland said, “The United States...

Syrian air strike in rebel stronghold kills dozens

An air strike in Syria's Hama province on Sunday has killed dozens of people queueing for bread from a bakery, reports Reuters . If the initial death toll of 90 is confirmed, the attack would be one of the deadliest air strikes in the Syrian civil war. Activists uploaded videos showing dozens of blood-stained bodies among piles of rubble and shrapnel. Rami Abdelrahman, of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said: "It is still very unclear what the casualties are ... From looking at the videos I expect the death toll to be around or above 50, and not higher than 100. But for now I am...

CAR city overrun by rebels

The Central African Republic’s third largest city has fallen to rebels who are fighting to overthrow President Francois Bozize. The southern city of Bambari was taken by a coalition known as Seleka, a day after regional leaders called on the rebels to withdraw from cities recently taken and start talks with the government. Seleka’s campaign started a month ago, with the rebels pushing for a release of political prisoners and payment for former fighters, as per a peace deal signed by the government and armed groups in 2007.

Taiwanese executions condemned

Amnesty International has condemned the execution of six Taiwanese prisoners as “cold-blooded killings”. The six men had been convicted of murder and were executed in three prisons across the island. "How can the government credibly claim it wants to see an end to the death penalty when it continues to conduct such actions," said Amnesty International in a statement . "It is abhorrent to justify taking someone's life because prisons are overcrowded or the public's alleged support for the death penalty." Taiwan has now executed a total of 15 prisoners since 2010, after an informal halt on the...

Russia urges action over South Sudan helicopter attacks

The Russian government has called on South Sudan to punish those responsible for the downing of a UN helicopter, staffed by Russian crew. "We call on the government of South Sudan to carry out the necessary investigation, punish the guilty and take every measure to guarantee that this never happens again," a statement by Russia's foreign ministry said. South Sudan has expressed regret for the shooting down, but it is not yet clear who is responsible for the attack.

Egyptian vice president resigns

Egypt’s Vice President, Mahmoud Mekki, announced his resignation today as the country completes its voting process on the controversial referendum on a draft constitution. Mahmoud Mekki, appointed in August, said the Vice President role did not suit his background as a judge. Though President Mursi has said the referendum on the constitution will secure democracy, opponents argue the document betrays the revolution that overthrew Mubarak last year. Explaining his resignation Mekki said, “I realised a while ago that the nature of politics does not suit my professional background as a judge.”...

Russia won't mediate on Syria says Moscow

Russia's foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, made clear today that Moscow would not mediate on behalf of countries offering Bashar al-Assad asylum, in a push to make him quit Syria. Speaking to journalists, Lavrov said : “Some countries in the region have turned to us and suggested, ‘Tell Assad we are ready to fix him up. And we answered, ‘What do we have to do with it? If you have such plans, approach him directly.’ ” “If there are people wishing to give him some kind of guarantees, be our guest. We will be the first to cross ourselves and say, ‘Thank God, the carnage is over.’ Whether this...

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