American embassy port moresby

US officials had evidence of widespread torture by Indian police and security forces and were secretly briefed by Red Cross staff about the systematic abuse of detainees in Kashmir, according to leaked diplomatic cables. The dispatches, obtained by website WikiLeaks, reveal that US diplomats in Delhi were briefed in 2005 by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) about the use of electrocution, beatings and sexual humiliation against hundreds of detainees. Other cables show that as recently as 2007 American diplomats were concerned about widespread human rights abuses by Indian security forces, who they said relied on torture for confessions. The revelations will be intensely embarrassing for Delhi, which takes pride in its status as the world's biggest democracy, and come at a time of heightened sensitivity in Kashmir after renewed protests and violence this year. Other cables reveal that: • The Dalai Lama has told US officials that combating climate change is more … [Read more...] about WikiLeaks cables: India accused of systematic use of torture in Kashmir

The 1,000th day of the Yemen civil war was marked by escalating violence including an audacious but unsuccessful ballistic missile attack by Houthi rebels aimed at the Saudi king’s official residence in Riyadh. It is the third such missile attack mounted by Houthis inside a month and was intercepted by the Saudi air force south of the capital. Saudi Arabia, backed by the US, claims the missiles are being supplied by Iran and has used the alleged leakage of sophisticated weaponry into Houthi hands to justify a blockade on humanitarian and commercial aid going through the port of Hodeida, the key artery for the delivery of aid and fuel for tens of thousands of Yemenis. The missile attack may have been a response to Saudi air raids that the UN human rights commission said had led to 136 civilians being killed and another 87 injured in strikes on Sana’a, Saada, Hodeida, Marib and Taez governorates between 6 and 16 December. “We are deeply concerned at the recent surge in … [Read more...] about Saudi Arabia shoots down Houthi missile aimed at Riyadh palace

The US Air Force has dropped 40 tons of laser-guided bombs on what it called an 'ISIS infested island' in Iraq  F-15 and F-35 jets were used to bomb Qanus Island, which sits in the middle of the Tigris River in central Iraq, in order to destroy hiding places for jihadi fighters.  Colonel Myles B Caggins, spokesman for Operation Joint Resolve, tweeted: 'Here’s what it looks like when US Air Force F15 and F35 jets drop 36,000 kg of bombs on a Daesh infested island.' Daesh is a derogatory Arabic term for ISIS.  The US-led coalition says American warplanes have dropped 40 tons of bombs on an island along the Tigris River that's 'infested' with members of the Islamic State group. The first of the bombs can be seen on the upper left side of this image  A video released by the military showed massive explosions along the island on Tuesday  The explosions created mushroom clouds billowing from the island that appeared to have been subjected to carpet bombing … [Read more...] about The return of shock and awe: US warplanes led by F-35 stealth jets drop 40 TONS of laser-guided bombs on ‘ISIS infested Iraqi island’ to destroy terrorist stronghold and stop flow of fighters from Syria

ISIS has tonight claimed the London Bridge terror attack was carried out by one of its fighters. Usman Khan killed two people and injured more when he went on a deadly rampage yesterday lunchtime. The terror organisation's news agency has now said Khan, 28, was one of its fighters. However, the group did not provide any evidence. It added that the attack was made in response to Islamic State calls to target countries that have been part of a coalition fighting the jihadist group. Convict Khan, who was released from jail last year for terrorism offences, had been attending a prisoner rehabilitation event at Fishmongers' Hall before he unleashed horror. He proceeded to expose a fake suicide vest, pull out two knives and threaten to blow up the building. He then killed two innocent people - including Jack Merritt , 25. Screams filled the hall before Khan stormed onto London Bridge and was chased by a heroic man who armed himself with a 5-ft long narwhal tusk that he had grabbed from … [Read more...] about ISIS claims London Bridge attack was carried out by one of its fighters

Ukraine´s Prosecutor General said on Friday that his office would review the case of an energy company linked to Hunter Biden – just a day after President Donald Trump called for the country to investigate the Bidens. The prosecutor said he is reviewing all the cases that were closed by his predecessors – including several related to the owner of gas company Burisma Holdings where former Vice President Joe Biden´s son sat on the board of directors and was reportedly compensated $50,000 a month. The developments in Ukraine come after newly-revealed Ukraine texts show Trump administration officials discussing efforts to get a probe and push a set of talking points – including by leveraging a presidential visit. President Trump, speaking on the South Lawn of the White House Thursday, said Ukraine should investigate the Bidens, while also saying China should probe Hunter Biden's business dealings there. The president  suggested on that China … [Read more...] about Ukraine’s top prosecutor REOPENS corruption case targeting energy company Hunter Biden helped run – just hours after Donald Trump says country ‘should investigate’ his political rivals