Begum Nusrat Bhutto Passes Away in Dubai
Gaddafi's Body to be Handed to his Relatives: NTC
India: Darjeeling bridge collapse kills 32
US firm fires 26 Muslim drivers over prayer breaks
Tunisians vote in historic first free elections
Malaysian Muslims denounce Christian conversion efforts
Pak violates ceasefire along LoC
Indian Army chopper enters Pak airspace, crew taken into custody
Curbs on religious freedom may backfire, US warns Tajikistan
India welcomes Pakistan's UNSC seat
Anti-US rally: JI to oppose any changes to foreign policy
Pak Taliban demands Rs. 400 million from oil firms, issues threats
Would stand by Pakistan if it is attacked by India or US: Karzai
Taliban threatens to attack Shell Pakistan, Pakistan State Oil
'I killed the dictator'
Tunisians vote in historic first free elections
Clinton warns Iran on Iraq interference
Saudi heir’s death brings conservative to fore
Criticism undermining struggle against militancy: Zardari
Iraq prime minister: Immunity issue scuttled U.S. troop deal
UK wants probe into Gaddafi killing
Police summon Son of Former President for questioning
American documentary on new Muslim communities reaches Maldives
World Economic Forum: Zardari parades Pakistan’s economic possibilities in Amman
Aftab Sultan to head Pakistan IB
Compiled By New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: http://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/begum-nusrat-bhutto-passes-away-in-dubai/d/5753
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Begum Nusrat Bhutto Passes Away in Dubai
October 23, 2011
DUBAI: Nusrat Bhutto, widow of former prime minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and mother of assassinated former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, passed away in Dubai on Sunday.
The federal government to announce one day of mourning due to her demise. The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has announced the suspension of all political activity in the wake of the former First Lady’s death.
Begum Nusrat Bhutto was 82 years old at the time of her death.
She outlived three of her children Murtaza, Benazir and Shahnawaz Bhutto. Of the immediate family, only Sanam Bhutto, daughter of Nusrat and ZA Bhutto remains.
Sources said that arrangements are being made to bring her body back to Karachi for a funeral scheduled for Tuesday.
Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar said that her body will be taken for burial to Garhi Khuda Bux, the ancestral graveyard of the Bhutto family.
Bhutto had been recovering from a stroke while simultaneously battling Alzheimer’s disease.
She had functioned as a political hostess and accompanied ZA Bhutto on overseas visits.
In 1979, after the trial and execution of her husband, she succeeded him as leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party as chairman for life.
In 1982 she was given permission to leave the country by the military government of General Ziaul Haq for medical treatment in London at which point her daughter, Benazir Bhutto, became acting leader of the party and by 1984 Benazir became party chairman.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/280205/nusrat-bhutto-passes-away-in-dubai/
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Gaddafi's Body to be Handed to his Relatives: NTC
AFP | TRIPOLI
Oct 23, 2011
Libya's interim government will hand the body of slain despot Muammar Gaddafi to his relatives after consulting with them on the location of his burial, a senior government advisor said on Sunday.
"The decision has been taken to hand him over to his extended family, because none of his immediate family are present at this moment," Ahmed Jibril said.
"The NTC (National Transitional Council) are in consultation with his family. It is for his family to decide where Gaddafi will be buried, in consultation with the NTC," he added.
Jibril, who is an advisor to the new regime's interim premier Mahmud Jibril, declined to say when the transfer would take place.
Since he was killed on Thursday, as he tried to flee his hometown of Sirte, Gaddafi's body has been held in a refrigerated chamber outside Misrata, drawing large crowds wanting to view the remains of the despot who ruled Libya with an iron fist for decades.
The NTC has been reticent about plans for his burial, not wishing to see the grave become a rallying point for residual loyalists, and NTC leaders and military officials have indicated that he would be buried in a secret location.
Disquiet has grown internationally over how Gaddafi met his end on Thursday after NTC fighters hauled him out of a culvert where he was hiding following NATO air strikes on the convoy in which he had been trying to flee his falling hometown.
http://www.asianage.com/international/gaddafis-body-be-handed-his-relatives-ntc-305
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India: Darjeeling bridge collapse kills 32
Oct. 23, 2011
The bridge is thought to have been weakened by an earthquake that shook the region in September
At least 32 people have died and 132 injured after a bridge collapsed at a political event in India's tea-producing region of Darjeeling.
More than 150 villagers were standing on the bridge for talks by local separatist leaders on Saturday night when it collapsed.
Officials say the victims fell at least 70ft (21m) into the fast-flowing Rangeet Khola river.
The army, fire brigade and police helped residents in the rescue effort.
Up to 60 people were rescued on Saturday night, but the search on Sunday was mainly focused on areas down river, reports say.
Government help
People had gathered in the village of Bijonbari, 30km (20miles) from Darjeeling, to listen to speeches by leaders of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) party.
The GJM is fighting for a separate state for the tea-producing Darjeeling hills.
"A cultural programme was being held on one side of the bridge, while a meeting was being held on the other," GJM General Secretary Roshan Giri said.
"Too many people were standing on it when it collapsed and they fell into the river below."
Darjeeling District Magistrate Soumitra Mohan said on Sunday that the death toll had reached 32, with 132 wounded.
At least six children are among the casualties.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said her government would do "everything it can" to help the victims and their families.
The bridge was reportedly built in 1942, and is thought to have been weakened by a magnitude 6.9 earthquake that shook north-eastern India, Nepal and Tibet in September.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-15420088
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US firm fires 26 Muslim drivers over prayer breaks
AP | Oct 23, 2011,
SEATTLE: More than two dozen Somali Muslim drivers for Hertz at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport are being fired after refusing to clock out for daily breaks during which they normally pray, according to media reports.
The 26 workers drive the company's rental cars to and from the airport for cleaning and refueling. They are among 34 Hertz employees suspended on September 30 for failing to clock out before breaks. Eight of the 34 signed the clock-out agreement and have returned to their jobs, company spokesman Rich Broome said.
Termination letters have been sent to the rest. The firm made it clear the suspended workers needed to agree to the clock-out conditions by the end of the day if they wanted to be reinstated, Broome told the Seattle Times.
The firings were first reported by KOMO-TV . Broome said, "It's not about prayer, it's not about religion; it's about reasonable requirements."
Observant Muslims pray several times a day. Hertz said the suspended workers were violating provisions of a collective bargaining agreement and a settlement with the equal employment opportunity commission reached two years ago. Teamsters Local 117, which represents workers, said the two sides were unable to reach an agreement that would have allowed the workers back to return to their pre-suspension status.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/US-firm-fires-26-Muslim-drivers-over-prayer-breaks/articleshow/10459611.cms
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Tunisians vote in historic first free elections
Oct.23, 11
Tunisians voted on Sunday in the country’s first ever free elections, nine months after a revolution that forced out the country’s dictator, setting an example for the entire Arab world.
Around 11,000 candidates are competing in the election of a 217-member constituent assembly, which will draw up a new constitution, under which presidential and parliamentary elections will be held.
Polling stations across the country of 10.6 million people were scheduled to open at 7 am (0600 GMT) for 12 hours of voting.
Independents account for nearly half of the 1,519 lists of candidates submitted.
The election is expected to be dominated by the few parties that have a national profile: the moderate Islamist party Ennahda, the secular Progressive Democratic Party and the Democratic Forum for Labour and Liberties, Ettakatol.
Polls show Ennahda, which was banned by ousted president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, likely to top the poll, with between 20 and 30 per cent of the vote.
Only around 55 per cent of around 7 million eligible voters are registered to vote. The election commission has said the remainder will be allowed to vote with their ID card.
Around 500 foreign election observers have been deployed to monitor the election.
Ennahda leader Rachid Ghannouchi has warned of a fresh revolt in the event of an attempt to manipulate the result.
The first results are expected on Sunday evening and the final result on Monday.
Tunisia’s month-long Jasmine Revolution, which was driven by frustration over State repression, corruption and unemployment, culminated in Ben Ali’s flight into exile in Saudi Arabia. Around 200 people were killed during the uprising, mostly unarmed demonstrators.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/article2564762.ece
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Malaysian Muslims denounce Christian conversion efforts
Oct. 23, 2011
SHAH ALAM: About 2,000 slogan-shouting Malaysian Muslims gathered near the capital on Saturday to denounce alleged Christian attempts to convert Muslims, widening a religious rift that could cost Prime Minister Najib Razak minority votes in upcoming polls.
The rally led by non-governmental bodies comes amid an escalating row over accusations of covert conversions among Muslims and a raid on a Methodist church, which has divided Muslims and angered ethnic minorities.
Men, women and families gathered in a stadium in a suburb outside Kuala Lumpur to unite against what they said were attempts to evangelise Muslims, an offence in a country where over half the population follows Islam.
“We have gathered today to save the faith of Muslims due to the threat of apostasy,” Yusri Mohamad, chairman of the organising committee, told the crowd.
“Some people say they (non-Muslims) work hard to spread their religion and that there is nothing wrong with apostasy. These are the voices which we want to drown out with our gathering today.”
Full Report at:
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011\10\23\story_23-10-2011_pg4_2
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Pak violates ceasefire along LoC
PTI | JAMMU
Oct 23, 2011
Violating the ceasefire again, Pakistani troops resorted to firing on Indian forward posts along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district after Army detected an infiltration bid by militants.
"There was firing by machine guns from Pakistan side along LoC on Indian Posts — Kranti-1 and Kranti-2 in Krishna gati sub-sector of Poonch — at around 2230 hours last night after Army detected movement of some suspected elements close to the border," a senior Army officer said here on Sunday.
The Army retaliated and the exchange of fire continued for about one-and-a-half hours, he said.
It seems there was an infiltration attempt by militants, he said.
"The Pakistani troops fired from their Daku and Yellow Bump posts opposite to our KG forward belt," the officer said, adding that there was no casualty on the Indian side.
This is the second ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops in about 30 days.
Earlier on September 20, indiscriminate firing started near the BSF post in Jammu after Pakistan violated ceasefire in Samba sector. At least one BSF sub-inspector was killed and one civilian injured in the firing.
http://www.asianage.com/india/pak-violates-ceasefire-along-loc-287
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Indian Army chopper enters Pak airspace, crew taken into custody
TNN & Agencies
Oct 23, 2011,
ISLAMABAD/NEW DELHI: Pakistan's military forced an Indian Army helicopter to land for allegedly violating Pakistani airspace on Sunday and detained four Indian Army officers, reports said.
India, however, refuted the charges saying that the helicopter was forced to land in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir due to due to bad weather. The helicopter had reportedly entered PoK's Olding sector in northern Skardu region around 1.00 pm.
"The helicopter had come deep into our airspace. It was forced to land. Four Indian army officers have been taken into safe custody. They are safe," Pakistan military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas told Reuters.
Abbas said India had been informed of the incident and investigations were underway.
India and Pakistan have fought three wars since their independence from British rule in 1947. However, their relations have improved after they resumed a peace process this year which was suspended after co-ordinated attacks by Pakistan-based Islamist militants in the Indian city of Mumbai in 2008, that killed 166 people.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Indian-Army-chopper-enters-Pak-airspace-crew-taken-into-custody/articleshow/10463625.cms
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Curbs on religious freedom may backfire, US warns Tajikistan
Oct. 23, 2011
DUSHANBE: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned Tajikistan on Saturday that efforts to crack down on religious freedom might backfire and increase sympathy for radical views that could threaten stability in the Central Asian country.
Clinton, who met Tajik President Imomali Rakhmon on a trip to thank two Central Asian states for their cooperation in the US-led war in neighbouring Afghanistan, said freedom of religious expression was tied to the region’s future security. “I disagree with restrictions on religious freedom and shared those concerns,” Clinton told a news conference after meeting Rakhmon.
She said efforts to regulate religion “could push legitimate religious expression underground, and that could build up a lot of unrest and discontent”.
Following visits to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Clinton was on the first leg of a Central Asian tour. She is due to visit Uzbekistan and meet President Islam Karimov later on Saturday.
Both Karimov and Rakhmon have moved to limit religious freedom in their own countries, both of which remain under authoritarian rule two decades after they emerged from the break-up of the Soviet Union.
Tajikistan, a mainly Muslim country of 7.5 million people, introduced laws in August to ban youths from praying in mosques, churches and other religious sites, a move that was criticised by religious leaders in the former Soviet state. Rakhmon, in power since 1992, has said tough measures are needed to stop the spread of religious fundamentalism in an impoverished country that shares a porous 1,340-km border with Afghanistan.
Full Report at:
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011\10\23\story_23-10-2011_pg4_1
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Maulana’s doublespeak: Denying Haqqani presence, Fazl offers to negotiate with network
By Qamar Zaman
ISLAMABAD: October 23, 2011
While it would be “inappropriate to influence any foreign outfit,” the eponymous chief of his own faction of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) Maulana Fazlur Rehman said he could play a role in negotiations with the Haqqanis.
“Sirajuddin Haqqani has formally joined the Mullah Omer-led Taliban movement,” the JUI-F chief said in an apparent rejection of the Haqqani network’s presence in Pakistan, at a press conference following a meeting of the party’s central executive committee on Saturday.
He accused Washington of destabilising Pakistan by forcing Islamabad to move against a network which did not exist on its soil. Fazl rejected US insistence on a crackdown against the Haqqani network and said the government should take parliament into confidence vis-à-vis US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s recent visit.
He criticised the American strategy, saying that Washington was pressing Islamabad for military action against the Taliban on one hand and pursuing talks with them on the other.
Giving details of the party meeting, the JUI-F chief said they discussed the creation of new provinces in the country.
Full Report at:
http://tribune.com.pk/story/280089/maulanas-doublespeak-denying-haqqani-presence-fazl-offers-to-negotiate-with-network/
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India welcomes Pakistan's UNSC seat
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI, October 23, 2011
India has welcomed Pakistan's winning a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for 2012-13. “The election of Pakistan will give us new opportunities to work together on issues of concern to them and us. Pakistan would also be with India on thematic issues like peacekeeping and counter-terrorism,” said government sources.
Pointing out that Kyrgyzstan, the sole rival, was no match for Pakistan, the sources drew attention to Pakistan's Permanent Representative Hussain Haroon publicly thanking his Indian counterpart Hardeep Puri for New Delhi's backing. “One issue [Kashmir], which people say is contentious between the two, has technically been on the table for more than 60 years. Nothing has happened on that and there is unlikely to be any movement for a long time to come. Otherwise, Pakistan and India are likely to have similar positions on all other issues,” said the sources.
“Hypothetically, had Pakistan been with India on the UNSC during the current year, without fear of contradiction we can say that their votes on dozens of resolutions and Presidential statements would have been identical on issues like Syria, Lebanon or Cote d'Ivoire,” they said.
India's two-year term as non-permanent member of the UNSC began in January this year while Pakistan will begin its term from January 1, 2012. It would be the fourth time both countries were simultaneously on the UNSC.
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Anti-US rally: JI to oppose any changes to foreign policy
October 23, 2011
PESHAWAR: Former chief of Jamat-e-Islami (JI) Qazi Hussain Ahmad said on Sunday that his party would strongly oppose any changes made by the government in its foreign policy regarding the United States.
Qazi Hussain was addressing an anti-US rally in Peshawar. He also maintained that the Pakistani nation would stand with the JI on this matter.
More than 1,500 Jamaat-e-Islami activists along with provincial and district JI chiefs were present on the occasion.
Qazi asserted that any attack by United States on Pakistan would not be tolerated and said the nation would stand united against the US.
Angry protesters also voiced their fury by chanting anti-America slogans.
(Read more: Pakistan has right to maintain contact with Haqqani network, says Qazi Hussain)
Last month, anti-American protests by religious parties broke out in several Pakistani cities after political leaders joined in rejecting US accusations that Islamabad was supporting militants.
Charges by top US general Mike Mullen that Pakistan’s spy agency had supported an attack on the US mission in Kabul has added to anti-American sentiment in a country where a poll in June showed that almost two-thirds of the population considered the United States an enemy.
The United States has long pressed its ally Pakistan to pursue the Haqqani network, one of the most lethal Taliban-allied Afghan groups fighting Western forces in Afghanistan.
Pakistan denies it supports the Haqqanis and says its army is too stretched battling its own Taliban insurgency to go after the network, which has between 10,000-15,000 fighters.
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Pak Taliban demands Rs. 400 million from oil firms, issues threats
Oct 23, 2011
PTI, Islamabad
The Pakistani Taliban have threatened to attack installations of Shell Pakistan and the state-run Pakistan State Oil if the two firms do not pay a total of Rs. 400 million within 20 days as extortion money, a media report said today.
"I had personally spoken to the managing directors of the Pakistan State Oil and Shell Pakistan and demanded that they arrange to pay us Rs. 200 million each. Otherwise, I had warned them that we would start attacking their installations anywhere in the country," a senior Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan commander told The News over phone.
The unnamed commander claimed officials of the two oil companies had sought time to consider the Taliban's demand. The commander further claimed the Taliban had never warned the companies to halt supplying fuel to NATO forces in Afghanistan.
He said officials of the companies 'wrongly linked' the Taliban's threat to ending oil supplies to the foreign forces.
The commander claimed the PSO had issued a statement to the media that said the the Taliban wanted the company to halt oil supplies to foreign forces in Afghanistan.
"It isn't true. We never asked them to stop fuel supply to the US or NATO forces in Afghanistan. We had nothing to do with whatever they are doing. I just asked them to pay us Rs. 200 million within 20 days, otherwise we would target their installations," the commander was quoted as saying.
http://www.asianage.com/international/pak-taliban-demands-rs-400-million-oil-firms-issues-threats-296
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Would stand by Pakistan if it is attacked by India or US: Karzai
PTI | Oct 22, 2011,
ISLAMABAD: After being critical of Pakistan over its links with Taliban militants, Afghan President Hamid Karzai has now said his country would stand by Islamabad in the event of hostilities with any nation, including the United States or India.
"God forbid, if at any time there is a war between Pakistan and America, then we will be with Pakistan," Karzai said in an interview with Pakistan's Geo News, excerpts of which were aired by the channel this afternoon.
Asked specifically if Afghanistan would back Pakistan if it was attacked by India, Karzai replied: "Anybody that attacks Pakistan, Afghanistan will stand with Pakistan. Afghanistan will be a brother of Pakistan. Afghanistan will never betray a brother".
Karzai's comments came against the backdrop of increased tensions between Pakistan and the US on the issue of tackling terrorist groups like the Haqqani network, which use bases in Pakistan's tribal belt to carry out attacks on US and allied forces in Afghanistan.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton yesterday said the US did not intend to act unilaterally against groups like the Haqqani network but called on Pakistan to act within "days and weeks" to "squeeze" the Taliban faction.
Full Report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Would-stand-by-Pakistan-if-it-is-attacked-by-India-or-US-Karzai/articleshow/10455950.cms
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Taliban threatens to attack Shell Pakistan, Pakistan State Oil
PTI | Oct 23, 2011,
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani Taliban have threatened to attack installations of Shell Pakistan and the state-run Pakistan State Oil if the two firms do not pay a total of Rs 400 million within 20 days as extortion money, a media report said on Sunday.
"I had personally spoken to the managing directors of the Pakistan State Oil and Shell Pakistan and demanded that they arrange to pay us Rs 200 million each. Otherwise, I had warned them that we would start attacking their installations anywhere in the country," a senior Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan commander told The News on phone.
The unnamed commander claimed officials of the two oil companies had sought time to consider the Taliban's demand. The commander further claimed the Taliban had never warned the companies to halt supplying fuel to NATO forces in Afghanistan.
He said officials of the companies "wrongly linked" the Taliban's threat to ending oil supplies to the foreign forces.
The commander claimed the PSO had issued a statement to the media that said the the Taliban wanted the company to halt oil supplies to foreign forces in Afghanistan.
"It isn't true. We never asked them to stop fuel supply to the US or NATO forces in Afghanistan. We had nothing to do with whatever they are doing. I just asked them to pay us Rs 200 million within 20 days, otherwise we would target their installations," the commander was quoted as saying.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Taliban-threatens-to-attack-Shell-Pakistan-Pakistan-State-Oil/articleshow/10463295.cms
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“I Killed the Dictator”
AFP | Oct 23, 2011,
A young anti-gaddafi fighter has claimed in a video posted on the web that he had captured Muammar Gaddafi and shot him twice.
TRIPOLI: A young Libyan fighter has claimed in a video posted on the internet that he had captured Muammar Gaddafi and shot him twice, fatally wounding him.
The claim, made by a youth identified as Sanad al-Sadek al-Ureibi, added fuel to growing speculation over how Gaddafi died.
On the video, Ureibi is shown being interviewed by unidentified men, some of them wearing military fatigues , who are congratulating him. They showed a gold ring and a bloody jacket allegedly belonging to Gaddafi, with the ring being engraved with the name of Gaddafi's second wife, Safia, and September 10, 1970, date of their marriage.
"I fired two bullets at him, one hit under his armpit , the other his head. He did not die immediately. It took him half an hour," he said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/I-killed-the-dictator/articleshow/10459636.cms
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Clinton warns Iran on Iraq interference
AFP, Oct. 23, 2011
WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Saturday implicitly warned Iran not to interfere in Iraq after the decision to pull all American troops out of the war-wracked state by the end of the year.
Clinton, on a visit to Tajikistan, echoed President Barack Obama’s comments that the United States would continue to work with Iraq despite a complete military withdrawal, but urged neighboring states to be similarly constructive.
“To countries in the region, especially Iraq’s neighbors, we want to emphasize that America will stand with our allies and friends, including Iraq, in defense of our common security and interests,” she said.
The United States would continue to have a presence in the region, which “should be free from outside interference to continue on a pathway to democracy,” Clinton added, alluding to US arch-foe Iran.
Washington has frequently accused Shia extremist groups in Iran of committing attacks in Iraq, and US officials routinely criticize Tehran for interfering in the affairs of Baghdad’s Shia-led government.
Full Report at:
http://www.dawn.com/2011/10/23/clinton-warns-iran-on-iraq-interference.html
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Saudi heir’s death brings conservative to fore
By Abdullah Al-Shihiri and Brian Murphy
Associated Press
October 22, 2011
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Saudi Arabia’s ruling monarchy moved into a critical period of realignment Saturday after the death of the heir to the throne opened the way for a new crown prince: most likely a tough-talking interior minister who has led crackdowns on Islamic militants but also has shown favor to ultraconservative traditions such as keeping the ban on women voting.
A state funeral is planned for Tuesday in Riyadh for crown prince Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, who died in New York at the age of 80 after an unspecified illness, the official Saudi Full Report at:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/oct/22/saudi-crown-prince-dies-opening-succession-issue/
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Criticism undermining struggle against militancy: Zardari
PTI | Oct 22, 2011,
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday conveyed to the US that said public criticism of Pakistan's role in the war on terror undermines the "common struggle against militancy in the region".
Zardari made the remarks during a meeting with US secretary of state Hillary Clinton, who called on him with a high-level delegation at the presidency.
He sought enhanced consultations between the two countries on the basis of "mutual respect, sovereignty and interests".
During the one-on-one and delegation-level meetings, the two sides discussed Pakistan-US relations, the fight against militancy and the regional situation with particular reference to Afghanistan, presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said.
"Our people and the leadership are among the first ones to fully realize and comprehend the threat posed by the violent mindset which is bred on the premises of deprivation and fuelled by the sense of inequality," Zardari said.
He said 30,000 civilians and 5,000 military and police personnel had died while securing Pakistan "from the clutches of the militant mindset".
Referring to the situation in Afghanistan, Zardari reiterated Pakistan's support for all efforts for regional peace, prosperity and connectivity that are "based on existing realities of the region".
Pakistan supports an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process, he added.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Criticism-undermining-struggle-against-militancy-Zardari/articleshow/10445874.cms
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Iraq Prime Minister: Immunity issue scuttled U.S. troop deal
BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq’s prime minister said Saturday that U.S. troops are leaving Iraq after nearly nine years of war because Baghdad rejected American demands that any U.S. military forces to stay would have to be shielded from prosecution or lawsuits.
The comments by Nouri al-Maliki, a Shiite, made clear that it was Iraq who refused to let the U.S. military remain under the Americans’ terms.
A day earlier, President Barack Obama had hailed the troops’ withdrawal as the result of his commitment — promised shortly after taking office in 2009 — to end the war that he once described as “dumb.”
“When the Americans asked for immunity, the Iraqi side answered that it was not possible,” al-Maliki told reporters in Baghdad. “The discussions over the number of trainers and the place of training stopped. Now that the issue of immunity was decided and that no immunity to be given, the withdrawal has started.”
Full Report at:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/oct/22/iraq-pm-immunity-issue-scuttled-us-troop-deal/
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UK wants probe into Gaddafi killing
Oct 23, 2011 | PTI | London
Hammond said he wanted to see an investigation into Gaddafi's death.
He said: "The fledgling Libyan government will understand that its reputation in the international community is a little bit stained by what happened.”
"I am sure that it will want to get to the bottom of it in a way that rebuilds and cleanses that reputation".
Britain, which was in the forefront of international efforts to unseat Gaddafi, had a responsibility to help in the country's reconstruction following the end of the civil war, he said.
http://www.asianage.com/international/uk-wants-probe-gaddafi-killing-318
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Police summon Son of Former President for questioning
By Ahmed Naish
October 22nd, 2011
Police summoned Gassan Maumoon, son of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, for questioning today concerning disturbances outside his residence Endherimaage on Thursday during a protest by the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).
A 17-year-old boy was struck on the head with a wooden plank allegedly thrown from Endherimaage while protesters led by MDP MPs, councillors and senior members were marching by the former President’s residence.
Police Sub-Inspector Ahmed Shiyam told Minivan News today that Gassan was among a number of people police were questioning regarding Thursday’s events.
Police were investigating complaints of damage caused to the former President’s property as well as the injury caused to the 17-year-old, Shiyam explained.
Police had received information that suggests the wooden plank that injured the 17-year-old was hurled or dropped from the building, he said.
However, said Shiyam, police could not divulge further details at this stage of the investigation.
Full Report at:
http://minivannews.com/politics/police-summon-gassan-maumoon-for-questioning-27313
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American documentary on new Muslim communities reaches Maldives
By Eleanor Johnstone
October 22nd, 2011
Independent American documentary New Muslim Cool was screened at the American Center on Male’ last week. The film follows the efforts of former Latino-American drug dealer Hamza Pérez, now a Muslim convert, to integrate into a Muslim community on the tough north side of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Co-producer Hana Siddiqi, who attended this week’s screenings, said the film addressed one of many versions of Islam in America.
Full Report at:
http://minivannews.com/travelandarts/american-documentary-on-new-muslim-communities-reaches-maldives-27272
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World Economic Forum: Zardari parades Pakistan’s economic possibilities in Amman
By Agencies
October 23, 2011
JORDAN: At a Dead Sea resort on Saturday, President Asif Zardari told the World Economic Forum that Pakistan was alive and kicking with economic opportunity.
In a session titled “A conversation with the President of Pakistan”, conducted by Professor Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum, Zardari listed Pakistan’s selling points to the international audience.
The president mentioned the country’s strategic location next to the world’s largest growing economies, China and India, a youthful and productive workforce, a population approaching 200 million and liberal economic and political policies.
Zardari claimed these factors make Pakistan a force multiplier for the economies of the region straddling across China, India and the Middle East. Pakistan’s geopolitical location, he added, places it as a gateway to Central Asia, with the bonus of being able to provide access to warm waters.
Pakistan’s contribution in the war on terror was also mentioned, as Zardari emphasised the importance of an environment of peace and stability in order for entrepreneurial activity to thrive.
Full Report at:
http://tribune.com.pk/story/279752/world-economic-forum-pakistan-victim-of-terror-says-zardari/
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Aftab Sultan to head Pakistan IB
By Muhammad Faisal Ali
Oct 23, 2011
LAHORE: After lengthy deliberations to forge a consensus over the appointment of the new Intelligence Bureau chief from among four senior police officers, the federal government finally chose Additional IG Aftab Sultan as the bureau’s new director general on Saturday.
As the prime minister finalised the name of Mr Sultan, who was working as Additional IG Welfare and Finance, Punjab, even after getting promotion to the rank of BS-22, a notification was issued by the Establishment Division.
The slot of IB chief fell vacant after Additional IG Javed Noor retired from the Police Service of Pakistan on Oct 1.
Full Report at:
http://www.dawn.com/2011/10/23/aftab-sultan-to-head-ib.html
URL: http://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/begum-nusrat-bhutto-passes-away-in-dubai/d/5753