Six In The Morning

Clashes in Bahrain on protests anniversary

Security forces fire tear gas as activists attempt to march to landmark Pearl roundabout, one year since protests began.

Last Modified: 14 Feb 2012 10:00
Security forces in Bahrain have fired tear gas at protesters attempting to march to the landmark Pearl roundabout in the capital, Manama, on the one-year anniversary of the beginning of anti-government demonstrations at the site. Activists reported on Tuesday that security forces had used stun grenades and shotguns to scatter hundreds of protesters attempting to occupy the roundabout which became the epicentre of weeks of protests last year by the Gulf island's Shia majority against the ruling Sunni dynasty. Protesters marched from Sanabis, Deih and Jidhafs, which lie a few kilometres to the west of Manama, despite police warnings that protests would be dispersed, witnesses said.

Apple admits it has a human rights problem
After years of complaints and workers' suicides in China the technology giant faces up to the human cost of its gadgets

Stephen Foley Author Biography New York Tuesday 14 February 2012
Thousands of Chinese factory workers will be given the chance to detail the punishing conditions on assembly lines producing Apple iPads and iPhones, after the US company bowed to criticism and agreed to allow independent inspections of its supply chain. Facing a growing scandal over the working conditions of those making its best-selling gadgets, Apple has called in assessors from the same organisation that was set up to stamp out sweatshops in the clothing industry more than a decade ago.

Moody's downgrades six EU states, warns three others


irishtimes.com - Last Updated: Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Rating agency Moody's downgraded six European nations including Italy, Spain and Portugal, citing growing risks from Europe's debt crisis and warned it may cut the triple-A ratings of France, the United Kingdom and Austria. Moving less aggressively than rival agency Standard & Poor's last month but putting the United Kingdom's rating in jeopardy for the first time, Moody's said it was worried about Europe's ability to undertake the kind of reforms needed to address the crisis and the amount of funds available to fight it. It also said the region's weak economy could undermine austerity drives by governments to fix their finances.

Syria ignores Arab plan to stop bloodshed


February 14, 2012 - 8:11AM
Syria has ignored a new Arab initiative to end the bloodshed, with its troops pounding the protest hub of Homs as Russia said a ceasefire is needed before peacekeepers can be deployed. Pressure mounted on the Damascus regime, with the top UN human rights official saying crimes against humanity have probably been committed in the bloody crackdown on dissidents since March last year.

UN chief hails Sudan-South Sudan pact over disputed border
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has hailed the signing of a treaty of non-aggression between Sudan and South Sudan over their disputed border.

Sapa-AFP | 14 February, 2012 07:51
Ban "welcomes the signing of a memorandum of understanding on non-aggression and cooperation between the governments of Sudan and South Sudan in Addis Ababa on 10 February 2012," a UN statement said. The UN chief "urges both governments to maintain the positive spirit that led to the signature... and abide by its provisions." The neighbouring nations were in African Union-led negotiations Friday in Addis Ababa. According to the pact, the two sides agreed to have "respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity" and to "refrain from launching any attack, including bombardment."

Peru captures rebel leader. Is this the end of the Shining Path?
President Ollanta Humala declared the Maoist guerrilla group is no longer a threat after the capture of Comrade Artemio, reports guest blogger Hannah Stone.

By Hannah Stone, Guest blogge
The capture of “Comrade Artemio,” one of the last of the Shining Path rebels’ old guard to remain at large, is a security success for Peru’s government, but is unlikely to affect the country’s burgeoning drug trade. On Thursday, the news emerged that Artemio, whose real name is Florindo Eleuterio Flores Hala, had been seriously wounded in the early hours of the morning. Some reports (most links are in Spanish) said he was shot by his own bodyguards, who were working for the authorities, though others said he was hit in a confrontation with the police.