Africa and Middle East
South African Police massacre confirmed
The South African police minister has confirmed that 30 people were killed in a clash between police and striking miners at the Marikana mine. The miners were striking over pay, with one individual saying “we are not fighting anyone, we just want money so we can feed our children”. Police are reported to have opened fire when they failed to dissolve the strikers who were mostly armed with clubs and machetes. A former police gun was recovered from the miners but it has not been confirmed whether this was used or warranted the police response. The massacre brings back uncomfortable memories for a country with a violent past. It it the bloodiest clash of its kind since the apartheid years.
UN withdraw observer mission in Syria
The United Nations (UN) has prematurely withdrawn its military observer mission in Syria. In a statement France’s UN ambassador said, “the conditions to continue were not filled”. The UN will maintain political contacts in the region through a civilian office instead. The mission was set up by Kofi Annan who resigned as the UN-Arab envoy for Syria after he expressed his concerns that all stakeholders were showing disunity and non-compliance. The conditions for which the mission would have to continue has shown “Significant risk to [the mission’s patriots’] lives”. Subsequently, “The mission will come to an end at midnight on Sunday”, according to Mr Araud, the president of the Security Council.
Asia
Gu Kailai murder trial verdict due Monday
The verdict in the murder trial of British businessman Neil Heywood will be announced on Monday. The trial of Gu Kailai, wife of the disgraced politician Bo Xilai, ended after one day when Ms Gu was reported to not contest the charges read before her. the court found that she murdered Mr. Heywood by poisoning. There is a real possibility of the death penalty if found guilty. It is suspected now that Mr Bo, once tipped as the future leader of The Communist Party, will not be implicated in the case.
Europe
Breivik report: Police chief resigns
The chief of Norway’s police force has resigned after a report concluded that the Anders Breivik massacre could have been prevented. The massacre took place last year in a twin terror attack, which killed 77 people. Breivik, a far-right nationalist, is currently on trial in Norway where he has admitted the charges. Not only did the report conclude that the killings were preventable, but added that the police response time was “unacceptable”.
Ecuador give Assange asylum
Ecuador has offered the Wikileaks founder, Julian Assange, asylum over fears his human rights could be violated. The decision has been heavily criticized by the UK government, who says they have a ‘legal obligation’ to extradite Assange to Sweden where he faces accusations of rape and assault. He denies the charges and fears he will be then extradited to the US where he faces charges of facilitating the release of sensitive security information; adding that the charges are “politically motivated”. Yesterday, it was announced that the UK had threatened to storm the Ecuadorian embassy in London to arrest Assange, however despite this decision the UK has said it doesn’t give Assange a safe route out of the country. It appears now that it will be a waiting game, with the Knightsbridge embassy under police surveillance one side of the row will have to give way. The decision has strained diplomatic relations; the UK has pressured other Latin American countries to condemn and use their ‘considerable influence’ over Ecuador, Sweden has summoned the Ecuador diplomatic for talks as friends of Assange stand to loose the considerable sums spent on his bail. The UK Foreign Office says it remains committed to reaching a “negotiated solution” but following its obligations under the Extradition Act, it would arrest Mr Assange if he left the embassy.
About the Author
