Indian Court Convicts 31 Hindus of Killing Muslims
Hindus Observe Shut Down in Sindh to Protest Killings
Sardarpura riot case: 31 convicted, 42 acquitted
Hanged in public in western Iran- A young girl carried out the execution
Another girls’ school blown up by militants in Mardan
Indo-Pak dialogue raised SAARC significance: Gilani
Pakistan: Police arrest 11 suspects over Hindu killing
Up to 60 Afghan Taliban killed in NATO base attack
Rogue Afghan soldier shoots three Australians
Trust deficit with Pakistan shrinking: Krishna
Iran 'will never compromise rights' in nuclear programme
Joint war games with Pak not aimed at India: China
Thousands of Sikh pilgrims arrive at Nankana Sahib
Pakistan, India say ties improving ahead of summit
Oil pressure could swing India’s stand on Tehran
West has ‘no serious proof’ of nuclear bomb drive: Iran
Iran 'will not budge an iota' from its nuclear path
Future development of Mecca aims to fit heritage
Bill of rights divides Islamists, Gov’t in Egypt
Pak text books foster hatred of Hindus: US report
Zardari vows to 'eradicate' Haqqanis
Family of drone attack victim is considering suing CIA for killing
No security threats for proposed Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline: Iran
Amnesty urges the Iraqi to extend deadline for Camp New Iraq residents
Iran: UN human rights body concerned over executions and minority rights
Report: No consensus on Palestinian bid
Iran seeks Moscow and Beijing to buffer pressures
US extends sanctions on Iran by a year
UN links Iran to nuclear weapons
Mullah Omar has never been in Pakistan: Musharraf
Need for trade, not aid Zardari tells visiting US Congressman
Zulfiqar Mirza to take evidences against MQM to London
PTI to form anti-corruption cell, expose 'assets' of Sharifs, Zardari
Militant commander, accomplice arrested from Mardan
Pakistani leader vows operations against Haqqanis
China-Pakistani military drill not targeted at India
Pakistan’s educational system fuels religious discrimination: Report
Bangladesh blocks EU help for flood-affected Pakistan
Iran makes airspace off limits to PIA over payment backlog
US urged to avoid public criticism of Pakistan
Iran hits back at nuclear weapons allegations
Zawahiri set up Osama, says new book
Iran working on nukes: UN watchdog report
Saudi hails ‘success’ of this year’s Haj
Iqbal’s 134th birth anniversary being observed
Govt. working to create Iqbal’s Pakistan: Gilani
Compiled By New Age Islam News Bureau
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Indian Court Convicts 31 Hindus of Killing Muslims
Associated Press
AHMABADAD, India November 09, 2011-- A court sentenced 31 Hindus to life imprisonment Wednesday for killing dozens of Muslims by setting a building on fire during one of India's worst rounds of communal violence nine years ago.
Judge S.T. Srivastava acquitted 41 other Hindus of murder charges for lack of evidence.
Those convicted can appeal the verdict in a higher court.
Relations between Hindus and Muslims have been largely peaceful since the bloody partition of the subcontinent into India and Pakistan on independence from Britain in 1947. But mistrust runs deep and there are sporadic bouts of violence.
The worst recent violence erupted in 2002 in Gujarat state. More than 1,000 people, most of them Muslims, were killed by Hindu mobs after a train fire killed 60 Hindus returning from a pilgrimage. Muslims were blamed for the fire.
Rioters set a building on fire in a village in Mehsana district, about 25 miles north of Ahmadabad, the main city in Gujarat state. Thirty-three Muslims, including 20 women, who had taken shelter there were burned alive.
Two of the suspects died during the trial, which was expedited by orders from India's Supreme Court.
Muslims account for about 14 percent of India's population of 1.1 billion but lag far behind the Hindu majority in most social indicators, from literacy to household income.
Wednesday's verdict was the first in nine cases of rioting and murder pending against hundreds of Hindu hard-liners.
With the Supreme Court ordering a speedy trial of the suspects, the courts are expected to issue verdicts in the other eight cases within a year. Indian courts are notorious for long delays.
The Gujarat state government, run by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, was accused of looking the other way when Hindu hard-liners attacked the Muslim community after the train fire.
Cedric Prakash, a rights activist, said the verdict showed that the wheels of justice were moving in the right direction.
"The conviction of such a large number of suspects in a communal violence incident in the country is unprecedented. Other cases now need to be expedited and the guilty, irrespective of the office they hold, should be convicted as soon as possible," Prakash told reporters.
He is the director of Prashant, a center for protecting human rights, justice and peace in the state.
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/11/09/indian-court-convicts-31-hindus-killing-muslims/
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Hindus Observe Shut Down in Sindh to Protest Killings
PTI Nov 9, 2011
KARACHI: Angry over killing of three Hindus, the community members today observed a shut down in Pakistan's southern province of Sindh as part of an indefinite strike to protest the deaths, as police arrested 13 people in the case.
The Pakistan Hindu Council which had initially said that four Hindu doctors were gunned down on Eid day later clarified that three Hindus were killed in the attack.
"It is now confirmed that those killed included a doctor, Dr Ajit Kumar and two of his relatives who were businessmen, Naresh Kumar and Ashok Kumar," Dr Ramesh Kumar, a former lawmaker and chief patron of the PHC, told PTI.
He said a fourth person, Dr Satia Pal, was badly wounded in the attack and is now under intensive care in a Karachi hospital. "He is still struggling for his life," Kumar said.
Police have so far arrested 13 people in connection with the killings, a police official said.
Since the funeral of the three Hindus killed allegedly by the Muslim Bhayo community in a town near Shikarpur, the community has been observing an indefinite strike in many parts of Sindh including Shikarpur, Larkana, Umarkot, Tharparkar, Nawabshah.
"The Hindu community has shut down its businesses and are observing the strike until the killers are apprehended," said Pitanbar Sewani, an elected representative of the Hindu community belonging to Sukkur district.
The community members closed down their business in protest and announced an indefinite strike till those responsible for the killing are brought to book.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Hindus-observe-shut-down-in-Sindh-to-protest-killings/articleshow/10669044.cms
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Sardarpura riot case: 31 convicted, 42 acquitted
Nov 9, 2011,
MEHSANA, GUJARAT: A special court in Gujarat on Wednesday convicted 31 of the 73 accused in the 2002 Sardarpura post-Godhra riot case in which 33 people of a minority community were burnt alive.
The quantum of punishment is likely to be pronounced later in the day by principal District and Session Judge S C Srivastava after hearing the convicts.
Out of the 42 acquitted, 11 were freed due to lack of evidence, while 31 were given the benefit of doubt, who have been asked to submit a solvency bond of Rs 25,000 each. The court has also directed them not to leave the country without its permission.
This is the first post-Godhra riot case, probed by the Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT), on which the verdict has been pronounced.
The 31 convicted have been charged with murder, attempt to murder, rioting and other sections of IPC, while charges of criminal conspiracy against them were dropped by the court.
After the Godhra train burning incident in which 59 people, mainly karsevaks, were burnt to death on February 27 2002, riots had taken place across the state, in which Sardarpura town in Vijapur taluka also fell prey to violence.
A strong mob had surrounded a lane called 'Sheikh vaas' on the intervening night of February 28 and March 1, 2002, where minority population of the village used to live.
Fearing the worst, people of the minority community took shelter in a house owned by one Ibrahim Sheikh. However, the mob torched the house after pouring petrol, in which, 33 people, including 22 women, were charred to death.
In all, 76 accused were arrested in the Sardarpur case by the police, out of which, two died during pendency of trial, while one was a juvenile, against whom, trial was on in a juvenilecourt.
The court had framed charges against 73 accused in June 2009 and initiated trial in the case.
The prosecution alleged that the attack on minority community was pre-planned and the conspiracy was hatched by some local leader, following the Godhra train burning incident.
It had further submitted that weapons were distributed by the accused in the run-up to the incident, who, however claimed that they were being falsely implicated and the violence was perpetrated by people, who had come from outside.
Advocate Y B Sheikh, representing the riot victims, said that over 80 witnesses, who were also victims of the violence, had named the accused while giving statement to the police and and also correctly identified accused in court during trial.
While the trial was on, 112 witnesses were examined, out of the 157 named in the chargesheet. These include 20 doctors, 17 inquest witnesses, 40 riot victims, 20 police and 15 others.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Sardarpura-riot-case-31-convicted-42-acquitted/articleshow/10665261.cms
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Hanged in public in western Iran- A young girl carried out the execution
Nov 9, 2011,
Iran Human Rights, November 3, 2011: One man was hanged publicly in the town of Noor Abad (Lorestan province west of Iran) early Thursday morning 3. November, reported the Iranian state media.
According to the Iranian national broadcasting website Jamejamonline, the man who was identified as "Z. K.", was convicted of murdering the mother and two siblings of a young girl he was in love with. The incident happened after the family of the girl didn’t agree to his marriage proposal with their daughter, 49 days ago, said the report.
He was arrested two days after the incident and the security forces drove him around the town on display.
The court sentenced to him to three times retribution (qesas), the sentence was approved by the Supreme Court and he was hanged publicly in the town’s Imam Square. The whole process took 49 days according to the report.
The report also said that the execution was carried out by the girl (whose mother and siblings were killed). She put the noose around his neck and pulled away the chair he was standing on.
Iran Human Rights (IHR) has previously condemned Iranian authorities’ use of ordinary citizens to conduct executions.
http://www.iranhr.net/spip.php?article2357
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Another girls’ school blown up by militants in Mardan
Nov 9, 2011,
Unknown assailants blew up the Girls Middle School Katlang in Mardan on Tuesday, a private TV reported.
According to police, three rooms of the school were completely destroyed in the explosion, while two were partially damaged. More than 20 kilograms of explosives was used in the attack, police said. Up till now, twelve schools have been destroyed by militants in Mardan.
http://nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/08-Nov-2011/Another-girls-school-blown-up-by-militants-in-Mardan
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Indo-Pak dialogue raised SAARC significance: Gilani
Nov 9, 2011,
Talking to the media before his departure to the Maldives on a three-day visit to attend the 17th SAARC summit, Gilani said that Pakistan will utilise the platform to address regional issues of the greatest significance.
Tthe current government of Pakistan was placing the highest importance to the regional summit, he added.
The premier said the SAARC had earlier been losing its effectiveness and could not move forward due to tense relations between the two major countries of South Asia.
Key issues pertaining to communications, trade and economic relations are expected to be discussed at the summit , titled ‘Building Bridges,’ to be held in Addu City, the Maldives from November 10-11.
Heads of States of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will attend the Summit.
Replying to a question, Gilani said: “We will definitely focus on the Conference’s theme ‘Building the Bridges’ by discussing all possible ways and means for mutual cooperation through rail, road and sea route.”
He said that on the sidelines of the conference, he would also hold talks with the top leadership of the SAARC member countries.
A 12-member delegation, including Communications Minister Arbab Alamgir, Ports and Shipping Minister Babar Khan Ghori, and Interior Minister Rehman Malik, is accompanying the prime minister to the regional conference.
http://www.dawn.com/2011/11/09/indo-pak-dialogue-has-raised-saarc-significance-pm-gilani.html
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Pakistan: Police arrest 11 suspects over Hindu killing
November 9, 2011
Police arrested 11 out of 15 people who were allegedly involved in the killing of three hindus in Shikarpur near Sukkur on Wednesday, Express 24/7 reported.
Police are searching for the remaining four accused in the case.
The incident occurred earlier on Monday in Chak town and the dead were identified as Dr Ajit Kumar while the two businessmen were identified as Naresh Kumar and Ashok Kumar.
(Read: Eid murder: Hindu community threatens indefinite strike if culprits not arrested)
The relatives of the deceased had filed a case against Salim Bhayo, Naeem, Adbdullah, Abdul Latif, Abdul Ghani and other suspects.
The Hindu community in Shikarpur had been in conflict with the Muslim Bhayo community over an alleged case of sexual assault. The Muslim community alleged that three members of the Hindu community had sexually assaulted a girl from their community a few weeks ago and the Muslim community wanted to exact revenge.
Various nationalist parties in Sindh had demanded the arrest of the gunmen within 72 hours, while the city continued to mourn the killings for the second consecutive day.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/289084/police-arrest-11-suspects-over-hindu-killing/?print=true
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Up to 60 Afghan Taliban killed in Nato base attack
Nov 9, 2011,
The Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) confirmed there had been an attack on a base in the Barmal district of southeastern Paktika province late on Tuesday.
Mukhlis Afghan, a spokesman for the Paktika governor, put the number of Taliban fighters killed at between 50 and 60.
An ISAF spokesman said a large group of insurgents attacked the ISAF base using small arms and rocket-propelled grenades.
ISAF troops fought back, causing “significant” casualties among the insurgents.
He said two buildings used by insurgents were destroyed in the fighting, which included ISAF air strikes, but said there had been no reports of civilian or coalition casualties.
Paktika province lies on the border with the Pakistani tribal area of North Waziristan, where the Taliban and allied insurgents like the Haqqani network have safe havens from which they launch attacks into Afghanistan.
For Full Report :
http://www.dawn.com/2011/11/09/afghan-foreign-forces-kill-50-60-taliban-local-govt.html
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Rogue Afghan soldier shoots three Australians
Nov 09 2011,
Sydney : A rogue Afghan soldier was on the run today after shooting and wounding three Australian troops, days after a similar incident left three Australians dead, the defence department said.
The men suffered serious wounds but all were in a stable condition after an Afghan National Army soldier opened fire with an automatic weapon and a grenade launcher at a joint base at Charmistan in Uruzgan province yesterday.
Two Afghan soldiers were also wounded before the man fled in an Afghan army vehicle.
The incident comes less than a fortnight after another Afghan soldier killed three Australians and wounded seven others when he opened fire during a parade in Kandahar province.
"It is too early to speculate that the two incidents are linked," defence force chief David Hurley told reporters, adding that nine or 10 Australians and about 30 Afghans were at the base when the latest attack occurred.
"I stress that there is no simple one-line explanation to this incident or the previous incident.
For Full Report :
http://www.indianexpress.com/story-print/873267/
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Trust deficit with Pakistan shrinking: Krishna
Nov 9, 2011,
India’s SM Krishna and his counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar arrived at a South Asian regional summit in the Maldives speaking optimistically of the improvements in ties achieved during talks over the last few months.
Referring to a “very positive atmosphere” between the countries, Krishna said that the “trust deficit” with Pakistan was shrinking and that they should now look at a “joint strategy” to fight terror.
“I think our relationship with Pakistan is becoming a little more stable than what it was before,” Krishna said as he flew to the Maldives, the Press Trust of India news agency said.
Khar, appearing briefly before reporters, also said that the environment was improved ahead of bilateral talks between Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.
For Full Report :
http://tribune.com.pk/story/289048/pakistan-india-eye-better-ties/
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Iran 'will never compromise rights' in nuclear programme
Nov 09 2011,
Tehran : Iran's envoy to the IAEA said his country "will never compromise its legitimate rights" in pursuing its atomic programme, despite a report strongly suggesting Tehran was engaged in nuclear weapons development.
"As a responsible state, the Islamic republic of Iran will never compromise its legitimate rights and will continue to comply with its commitments under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty," Ali Asghar Soltanieh said, as cited by the official IRNA news agency.
"Iran will continue its peaceful nuclear activities. And, just as many other previous claims were proven baseless, this time also they will not bear any results," he said.
Soltanieh stressed that Iran's nuclear programme was entirely peaceful and that Iran would continue to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN's nuclear watchdog.
For Full Report :
http://www.indianexpress.com/story-print/873332/
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Joint war games with Pak not aimed at India: China
Nov 09 2011, 1
Beijing : China and Pakistan are to hold joint military exercises on the outskirts of Islamabad with Beijing claiming that the war games were not aimed at putting pressure on India.
The annual 'Friendship 2011' joint military exercises are billed as anti-terror manoeuvres aimed at handling non traditional security threats, a Chinese Defence Ministry statement published in state-run China Daily said today.
However, the statement did not specify the dates of the war games which are the first joint drill by the two armies this year.
"This is the first joint drill of the two armies this year and is not targeted at any third nation. It is aimed at enhancing the capability of the two militaries to handle non-traditional security threats and launch joint anti-terror activities," the statement said while referring to Indian media reports that the exercises were aimed at putting pressure on New Delhi.
China-Pakistan held such an exercise in China's Ningxia province last year where the two sides focused honing skills to counter terror threats.
China has deployed large number of its anti-terror squads in Xinjiang, bordering Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK).
For Full Report :
http://www.indianexpress.com/story-print/873322/
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Thousands of Sikh pilgrims arrive at Nankana Sahib
Nov 9, 2011,
More than 3,000 Sikh pilgrims travelling through three special trains to perform their religious rituals arrived at Wagah from across the border.
According to official sources, approximately 8,000 Sikh yatress in total from India, England, Canada, Australia, Afghanistan and other countries have travelled to Nankana Sahib to participate in the annual ceremonies of their spiritual leader.
The yatrees would visit Nankana Sahib, Panja Sahib, Hassanabadal, Dera Sahib and their other holy places in Punjab.
Nanaka Sahib DCO Hassan Iqbal, DPO Dr Haider Ashraf, Auqaf Department’s Deputy Director Fazal Elahi Butt and other officers welcomed the yatrees on their arrival at Nankana Sahib.
Meanwhile the district administration and other law enforcement agencies have made tight security arrangements to avoid any untoward incident on this occasion.
http://www.dawn.com/2011/11/09/thousands-of-sikh-pilgrims-arrive-at-nankana-sahib.html
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Pakistan, India say ties improving ahead of summit
Nov 9, 2011,
India’s S.M. Krishna and his counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar arrived at a South Asian regional summit in the Maldives speaking optimistically of the improvements in ties achieved during talks over the last few months.
Referring to a “very positive atmosphere” between the countries, Krishna said that the “trust deficit” with Pakistan was shrinking and that they should now look at a “joint strategy” to fight terror.
“I think our relationship with Pakistan is becoming a little more stable than what it was before,” Krishna said as he flew to the Maldives, the Press Trust of India news agency said.
Khar, appearing briefly before reporters, also said that the environment was improved ahead of bilateral talks between Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Yousuf Raza Gilani, Pakistan Prime Minister.
“I can certainly say from our side that we look at this environment to have improved considerably. The trust deficit that typically existed between the two countries for many, many years has been reduced to a large order,” she said.
For Full Report :
http://www.dawn.com/2011/11/09/ties-with-pakistan-improving-indian-foreign-minister.html
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Oil pressure could swing India’s stand on Tehran
By Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury in New Delhi
9 November 2011
INDIA’S dislike for Iran going nuclear shaped New Delhi’s vote against Tehran in the International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA), apparently under US pressure since 2005.
But the critical factors of energy supply and the country being the only viable corridor to Afghanistan, Central Asia and Russia have seen the Manmohan Singh government cosying up to the Mahmoud Ahmadinejad regime over the past year.
Besides being the second highest oil supplier, Iran holds significant strategic importance for India as the gateway to Afghanistan, particularly at a time when US troops have started withdrawing from Afghanistan and a regional strategy is being worked out to stabilise the war- torn country. This realisation has shaped New Delhi’s policy towards re- energising its ties with Tehran.
The two sides will soon hold foreign office consultations and a team from India’s shipping min
istry will visit Iran later this month to conduct a feasibility study on expanding the capacity of the Chabahar port that will provide vital link to the Delaram- Zaranj road that India has built in Afghanistan.
For Full Report :
http://epaper.mailtoday.in/epaperhome.aspx?issue=9112011
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West has ‘no serious proof’ of nuclear bomb drive: Iran
Nov 9, 2011,
Iran said on Tuesday that the West had no serious proof it was developing nuclear weapons, ahead of a report by the UN atomic watchdog that is expected to provide new evidence against Tehran.
“There is no serious proof that Iran is going to create a nuclear warhead, ”Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said, responding to a question about the IAEA report during a visit to neighbouring Armenia.
“The West and the United States are exerting pressure on Iran without serious arguments and proof,” he said.
The IAEA report expected this week has been raised as a potential trigger for an Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
For Full Report :
http://nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/International/08-Nov-2011/West-has-no-serious-proof-of-nuclear-bomb-drive-Iran
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Iran 'will not budge an iota' from its nuclear path
9 November 2011
Iran "will not budge an iota" from its nuclear path, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Wednesday, a day after a UN report affirmed that credible evidence suggested Tehran was pursuing atomic weapons.
hmadinejad rejected allegations that Iran's civilian nuclear programme was being used to build a nuclear arsenal, saying, "we don't need the atomic bomb," in a speech broadcast by state television.
He told a crowd in the western city of Shahr-e Kord: "We will not budge an iota from the path we are committed to."
The president rounded on the United States, which he accused of providing the "empty claims" contained in the International Atomic Energy Agency report.
"We will not build two bombs in the face of your 20,000. We will develop something that you cannot respond to, which is ethics, humanity, solidarity and justice," he said.
"You should know that no enemy of the Iranian people has ever tasted victory," he said.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/Print/766810.aspx
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Future development of Mecca aims to fit heritage
By Asma Alsharif
Nov 9, 2011
MECCA, Saudi Arabia (Reuters) - Future development in the Muslim sacred city of Mecca will be more in tune with traditional architecture, the mayor says, but for now residents worry that Islam's holiest sites are disappearing behind skyscrapers.
The historic city, the birthplace of Islam, is studded with dozens of yellow and red cranes and metal scaffolding aimed at increasing hotel space and improving facilities to make the annual haj pilgrimage safer and easier.
As more than 2.5 million Muslims from across the world flood Mecca's narrow streets for the annual pilgrimage, however, many visitors and residents point to a government-owned 600-meter (1,970 feet) tower surmounted by an extravagant clock as evidence development has moved too quickly.
"The building regulations in the city take into consideration the width of the streets, central locations and do not allow the building of skyscrapers...what was built was that," Mayor Osama al-Bar told Reuters when asked about the tower.
Future projects "will be far from the grand mosque by 300 meters ... The buildings will have reasonable heights between 8 to 10 floors and will have the Meccan style," he said.
Within six years, the government hopes to reinforce the infrastructure surrounding Mecca's Grand Mosque, home to the cube-shaped Kaaba toward which Muslims the world over turn in prayer, replacing congested narrow roads with new ones, installing foot bridges for pedestrians and a four-line metro.
For Full Report :
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/09/us-saudi-mecca-idUSTRE7A82R320111109
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Bill of rights divides Islamists, Gov’t in Egypt
By Amr Emam
Nov 9, 2011
A governmental source told the local daily Al-Masry Al-Youm that the Islamists, spearheaded by the Muslim Brotherhood, are working hard to counter efforts made by Deputy Prime Minister Ali el-Selmi to make Egypt's political powers agree to the package.
"Meanwhile, the Government is working with the military council to counter the opposition of the Islamists to the principles," the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the newspaper.
El-Selmi came under intense fire from the Islamists last week when he gathered political powers to discuss a Government-authored bill of rights, a document that contains the principles that should govern Egypt's next Constitution.
Some political powers, including the Islamists, objected in particular to articles in the bill, giving the armed forces the right to agree on arms deals without parliamentary supervision.
They said the bill gives the armed forces a kind of sovereignty they should not enjoy in a democratic Egypt where the people have the upper hand in matters of government.
In expressing these reservations, the Islamists seem to have pitted themselves against the Army, which says the military knows its needs well, while Parliament should not have any power in deciding these needs.
For Full Report :
http://213.158.162.45/~egyptian/index.php?action=news&id=22131&title=Bill%20of%20rights%20divides%20Islamists,%20Gov%E2%80%99t%20in%20Egypt
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Pak text books foster hatred of Hindus: US report
Nov 09 2011,
Washington : Text books in Pakistani schools foster hatred and intolerance of minorities, the Hindus in particular and teachers view these groups "as enemies of Islam," a US government report has said.
"Pakistan and Social Studies textbooks are rife with negative comments regarding India and Great Britain, but Hindus are often singled out for particular criticism in texts and in interview responses," said the report.
This intolerance and prejudice also extends to other minorities like the Christians and Ahmadis, who consider themselves Muslims but are not considered so by the Pakistani constitution."
The Islamisation of text books, the Commission has said began under the army rule of late dictator Zia-ul-Haq who courted Islamists to support his rule.
Though in 2006 the government announced plans to reform the curriculum, this has not been done under apparent pressure of hardliners, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) said in a report made public today.
The Commission in its 139-page report said that though Pakistan was envisaged as a moderate state where minorities would have full rights, but three wars with India and appeasement of hardline clerics by successive weak governments had led to steady radicalisation of the society.
For Full Report :
http://www.indianexpress.com/story-print/873269/
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Zardari vows to 'eradicate' Haqqanis
Nov 09 2011,
Islamabad : Pakistan's President promised to work with the United States to ''eradicate'' the militant Haqqani network, a pledge made during a meeting with visiting American congressmen, according to one of the lawmakers.
But the head of the Homeland Security delegation, Michael McCaul, downplayed the significance of the remarks, saying it was unclear whether President Asif Ali Zardari had the power to make good on his pledge, given the influence of the military in Pakistan.
According to McCaul, Zardari also appeared to brush off threats that US aid spending to Pakistan could be significantly cut if Islamabad did not do more to squeeze insurgents like the Haqqanis, who are based in northwest Pakistan but attack US and Afghan troops in Afghanistan.
"I think he thinks it's a given that we are going to continue the aid, but I tried to tell him that it's in jeopardy,'' McCaul, a Republican congressman from Texas, said of Zardari. "He said, 'I appreciate your assistance, but it's trade more than aid that I need.'''
McCaul and the visiting lawmakers met with Zardari in the Pakistani port city of Karachi on Tuesday, and revealed details of his conversation later the same day.
For Full Report :
http://www.indianexpress.com/story-print/873234/
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Family of drone attack victim is considering suing CIA for killing innocent civilians: report
On Oct. 27,
a 16-year-old Pakistani named Tariq Aziz traveled to Islamabad from his home in North Waziristan to attend a “Waziristan Grand Jirga,” an official meeting the following day to discuss the impact of drone strikes on local communities in Pakistan. According to Pratap Chatterjee at the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, Aziz “had come after he received a phone call from a lawyer in Islamabad offering him an opportunity to learn basic photography to help document these strikes.” Three days later, Aziz and his cousin were killed, Chatterjee reports:
The next day, Tariq and the other Waziris returned to their homes, eight hours drive away.
On Monday, October 31, Tariq took his cousin Waheed Khan to pick up his newly wed aunt, to take her back to Norak. When the two boys were just 200 yards from the house, two missiles slammed into their car, killing them both instantly.
‘I don’t see the logic and reasoning in killing two young boys,’ [Human rights lawyer] Shahzad Akbar told the Bureau. ‘We wanted to work with the youth, to include them in the search for accountability.’
For Full Report :
http://nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/08-Nov-2011/Family-of-drone-attack-victim-is-considering-suing-CIA-for-killing-innocent-civilians-report
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No security threats for proposed Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline: Iran's Deputy Interior Minister
Nov 9, 2011,
Iran's Deputy Interior Minister Ali Abdollahi said that no security problem threatens the proposed Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project, the local Tehran Times daily reported Tuesday.
Abdollahi said the ministry of oil should follow up for finishing the project and establishing the pipeline as soon as possible, said the report.
According to Tehran Times, the multi-billion-U.S. dollar Iran- Pakistan gas pipeline deal, which was signed in June 2010, aims to export a daily amount of 21.5 million cubic meters of Iranian natural gas to Pakistan.
Pakistan's Minister of Oil and Natural Resources Asim Hussain announced on Oct. 28 that the pipeline would be completed before the end of 2013.
The 900-kilometer pipeline stretches on Iran's soil from Asalouyeh gas field in southern Bushehr Province to the city of Iranshahr in Sistan-Baluchestan province, bordering Pakistan.
The Pakistan-based Sunni rebel group Jundollah, who says it is fighting for the interests of Sistan-Baluchestan's large ethnic Baluch community, has been held responsible for the deadly attacks, explosions and insecurity in the region in the past years.
http://nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/08-Nov-2011/No-security-threats-for-proposed-IranPakistan-gas-pipeline-Irans-Deputy-Interior-Minister
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Amnesty urges the Iraqi to extend deadline for Camp New Iraq residents
1 November 2011
Amnesty International is concerned that some 3,250 Iranian long term residents of Iraq who reside at Camp New Iraq, 60 kilometres north of Baghdad, are at serious risk of severe human rights violations if the Iraqi government goes ahead with its plans to force the closure of the camp by the end of December 2011.
The Camp, formerly known as Camp Ashraf, has previously been attacked several times by Iraqi security forces causing the deaths of dozens of residents and injuries to others. Most recently, Iraqi troops stormed into the camp on 8 April using grossly excessive force and live fire against residents who tried to resist them. Some 36 residents, including eight women, were killed and more than 300 others were wounded. At least nine camp residents were killed and others injured in an earlier attack by Iraqi security forces on 28-29 July 2009. Some 36 camp residents who were detained were held for more than two months and reportedly tortured before being released on 7 October 2009.
For Full Report :
https://mail.google.com/mail/?shva=1#inbox/1338670a8bbd2db8
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Iran: UN human rights body concerned over executions and minority rights
3 November 2011
Christine Chanet
The United Nations committee tasked with reviewing compliance with international human rights treaties today voiced concern over Iran’s record on upholding the rights of religious and ethnic minorities, and the increasing number of executions in the country.
The UN Human Rights Committee said it was disturbed by the continuing discrimination and arrest of religious and ethnic minorities and homosexuals, as well as by the frequency of capital punishment imposed on juveniles, expressing alarm at the vague definition and the wide range of offences for which it is used.
The committee is made up of a group of independent experts who monitor implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Iran ratified the covenant in 1976, but it was only last month when the country appeared before the committee.
Christine Chanet, a member of the committee, told reporters in Geneva that the Iranian delegation failed to fully engage in the process and avoided the committee’s questioning.
“For some questions they were embarrassed and they didn’t answer especially when I raised the question of the death penalty and they didn’t answer. I asked the question of stoning and there was no answer at all about this question,” she said.
Michael O’Flaherty from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) told UN Radio that the committee’s observations can make a significant difference to human rights in every country, but its impact may not be immediately visible.
“I remember when Libya came to the committee about four or five years ago, and people could have said then ‘What’s the point?’ The point is our concluding observations are being used today in Tripoli as part of the basic documents to chart how to build a human rights culture in the country going into the future.”
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=40304&Cr=iran&Cr1=
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Report: No consensus on Palestinian bid
Nov 9, 2011,
There is no consensus among the 15 Security Council nations on the Palestinian application for U.N. membership, diplomats said Tuesday, citing a draft report summing up members’ views.
The four-page report says the council is divided among those who support Palestinian membership, those who can’t support it now and therefore would abstain, and those who believe the application doesn’t meet the criteria for membership and oppose it, according to diplomats.
Portugal’s U.N. Ambassador Jose Filipe Moraes Cabral, the current council president, sent the draft report to all 15 council nations Tuesday, diplomats said on condition of anonymity because the consultations are private.
Council members were given until late Wednesday to propose any changes.
The admissions committee is scheduled to meet Friday, and diplomats said it will likely approve the report and send it to the Security Council.
Diplomats said one of the Palestinian supporters on the council, most likely Lebanon or South Africa, would then have to submit a resolution recommending Palestinian membership to be put to a vote in the council.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/nov/8/united-nations-962305246/?page=1
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Iran seeks Moscow and Beijing to buffer pressures
Nov 09 2011,
Dubai : For Iranian envoys at an Asian affairs summit this week in Russia, it was the ultimate dream team: The Russian Prime Minister and China's Premier standing shoulder to shoulder and promising to keep Western influence at bay.
Iran's leaders are now counting on the country's two most powerful friends to remain by their side after the release of a UN report on Tuesday suggesting that Tehran could be on the brink of having the capability to develop an atomic weapon.
Russia and China -- both permanent members of the UN Security Council -- are once again in the position of veto-carrying gatekeepers for any Western bids to tighten sanctions on Iran. They also hold important voices of dissent against warnings of military options by Israel and others, even as the White House insists that diplomacy is still the preferred path.
Tehran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, not weapons production.
The choices for Moscow and Beijing could become even more complicated after the report by the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency. Blocking possible attempts for tougher sanctions could help safeguard diplomatic and commercial interests -- particularly China's booming trade with Iran -- but also may indirectly bolster the case for military action as a last resort, some experts said.
For Full Report :
http://www.indianexpress.com/story-print/873243/
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US extends sanctions on Iran by a year
08 NOVEMBER 2011
LALIT K JHA
US President Barack Obama has extended by one year the financial sanctions on Iran imposed in 1979 in view of the strained relations between the two countries.
“Because our relations with Iran have not yet returned to normal and the process of implementing the agreements with Iran, dated January 19, 1981, is still under way, the national emergency declared on November 14, 1979, must continue in effect beyond November 14, 2011,” Obama said in a notice.
The extension of the national emergency against Iran came as the White House noted that it expects the forthcoming report of the International Atomic Energy Agency would echo its concerns about Iranian behaviour.
For Full Report :
http://www.dailypioneer.com/world/18905-us-extends-sanctions-on-iran-by-a-year.html
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UN links Iran to nuclear weapons
9 November 2011,
VIENNA - Iran appears to have worked on designing an atomic bomb and may still be conducting secret research, the UN nuclear watchdog said in a report likely to raise tensions in the Middle East.
Citing what it called “credible” information from member states and elsewhere, the agency listed a series of activities applicable to developing nuclear weapons, such as high explosives testing and development of an atomic bomb trigger.
The report immediately exposed splits among the big powers about how best to handle the row over Iran’s nuclear aims: the United States signalled tougher sanctions on Tehran but Russia said the report could hurt chances for diplomacy.
It was preceded by Israeli media speculation that the Jewish state may strike against its arch foe’s nuclear sites. But Defence Minister Ehud Barak said on Tuesday no decision had been made on embarking on a military operation.
For Full Report :
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle09.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2011/November/middleeast_November213.xml§ion=middleeast
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Mullah Omar has never been in Pakistan: Musharraf
Nov 9, 2011,
In an interview on BBC HardTalk, Musharraf said that Mullah Omar “has no reason to be in Pakistan”. Musharraf explained that Omar is in Kandahar and is an Afghan leader operating from the Afghan countryside.
Musharraf also vehemently denied the existence of the Quetta Shura which US intelligence believes is headed by Mullah Omar from Balochistan.
“You say it is true, I say it is all nonsense,” Musharraf said to presenter Stephen Sackur about the presence of the Quetta Shura.
“If you think that there is a Quetta Shura regularly meeting with conference tables and a flag of Quetta Shura and Taliban … this is all nonsense.”
For years, the US officials have said the one-eyed Omar is based is in the south-western city of Quetta, not far from the Afghan border, where he heads a Taliban leadership council, or shura.
For Full Report :
http://tribune.com.pk/story/289095/mullah-omar-has-never-been-in-pakistan-musharraf/
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Need for trade, not aid Zardari tells visiting US Congressman
November 8, 2011
Other members of the delegation included Jeffrey Duncan, Henry Cuellar, Gene Green, Michael Fitzpatrick, Nick Palarino, Charles Snyder and Anne Bennet.
Discussing Pak-Us bilateral relations and the recent development, the President called for mutual understanding of each others point of view and a need for greater interaction at all levels to avoid any misunderstanding and negative impressions that would potentially endanger close working relationship at this critical hour.
Zardari emphasised upon need for both sides to exercise restraint and avoid uncalled for public criticism as it undermines efforts to stabilise the equation and working closely for shared goals.
He said that the democratic dispensation of Pakistan believes in trade rather than aid as a solution to the weak and stressed economy.
For Full Report :
http://tribune.com.pk/story/288997/trade-not-aid-zardari-tells-visiting-us-congressman/
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Zulfiqar Mirza to take evidences against MQM to London
Nov 9, 2011,
Zulfiqar Mirza will travel to London to proved evidences to Scotland Yard against MQM, a private TV reported on Tuesday.
According to the report, the former Sindh Home Minister Zulfiqar Mirza will reach London on November 12. He will meet investigation officers of Scotland Yard on November 14.
According to convener of Friends of Lyari International, Habib Jan, Dr Zulfiqar Mirza will provide evidences to the Scotland Yard investigation officers against Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and its chief Alatf Hussain.
Zulfiqar Mirza will also address public gatherings in Birmingham and Manchester during his visit. He will also participate in programmes arranged by different student organizations.
http://nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/08-Nov-2011/Zulfiqar-Mirza-to-take-evidences-against-MQM-to-London
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PTI to form anti-corruption cell, expose 'assets' of Sharifs, Zardari
November 8, 2011
Addressing the media at the residence of Justice Javed Iqbal, Imran Khan said that the assets publically declared by PML-N were fake.
Khan reiterated that President Zardari and the Sharif brothers will never reveal their true assets as they would then be compelled to face charges of corruption on declaration.
The press conference was held to mark the induction of Allama Iqbal’s grandson, Waleed Iqbal into the PTI. Khan hailed the decision made by Iqbal to join the party.
Imran khan said he hoped to see new faces joining his party who were sincere and hardworking.
The PTI has recently seen a number of politicians join after splitting from their parent parties. These include members of PML-Q dissident groups.
(Read: PTI picks up support from PML-Q faction)
Most prominent among the recent recruits is former Punjab governor and a senior PML-Q leader Mian Azhar.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/289015/pti-to-form-anti-corruption-cell-expose-assets-of-sharifs-zardari/
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Militant commander, accomplice arrested from Mardan
By Umer Farooq
Nov 9, 2011,
Official sources said that they raided a house in Mardan when they received the information from the residents about the militant Hazrat Bilal’s presence in the area.
The sources added that, earlier, when operation “Rah-e-Rast” was launched in Swat to hunt down militants back in 2009, around 4,500 militants were arrested; however, some militants had managed to escape.
Officials said that intelligence officials were still chasing the militants and said that a number of militants were arrested with the support of the locals.
“We aim to continue the chase and will arrest those who had escaped the operation. We have detained Bilal along with his close ally from Mardan,” the official said.
According to the official, more than 1300 intelligence based search operations have been conducted in Swat so far.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/289046/swat-militant-commander-arrested-in-mardan/
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Pakistani leader vows operations against Haqqanis
9 November 2011
ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s president promised to work with the United States to “eradicate” the militant Haqqani network, a pledge made during a meeting with visiting American congressmen, according to one of the lawmakers.
But the head of the Homeland Security delegation, Michael McCaul, downplayed the significance of the remarks, saying it was unclear whether President Asif Ali Zardari had the power to make good on his pledge, given the influence of the military in Pakistan.
According to McCaul, Zardari also appeared to brush off threats that US aid spending to Pakistan could be significantly cut if Islamabad did not do more to squeeze insurgents like the Haqqanis, who are based in northwest Pakistan but attack US and Afghan troops in Afghanistan.
For Full Report :
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/displayarticle.asp?xfile=data/international/2011/November/international_November366.xml§ion=international&col=
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China-Pakistani military drill not targeted at India
Nov 9, 2011,
According to the annual exchange plan between China and Pakistan’s militaries, the two armies will hold the ‘Friendship 2011′ joint anti-terror exercise near Islamabad, The China Daily quoted the Information Office of the Ministry of National Defence.
“This is the first joint drill of the two armies this year and is not targeted at any third nation. It is aimed at enhancing the capability of the two militaries to handle non-traditional security threats and launch joint anti-terror activities,” the office said in a written reply.
The two-week exercise will begin on Nov 16, it said.
Fu Xiaoqiang, an expert on South Asian studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, while rejecting the report accused the Indian media of basing such reports on “hearsay evidence”.
“They always wear blinkers to examine China cooperation with Pakistan.
For example, we all know there are many Chinese experts and engineers in Pakistan working on large projects. It is the Indian media which linked that with security issues,” he said.
For Full Report :
http://www.dawn.com/2011/11/09/china-pakistani-military-drill-not-targeted-at-india.html
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Pakistan’s educational system fuels religious discrimination: Report
November 9, 2011
The report also states that most teachers view non-Muslims as “enemies of Islam”.
“Teaching discrimination increases the likelihood that violent religious extremism in Pakistan will continue to grow, weakening religious freedom, national and regional stability, and global security,” Leonard Leo, the chairman of the USCIRF told the Associated Press.
Earlier this year, the USCIRF included Pakistan amongst the list of countries where religious freedom was violated.
In its latest study, the commission reviewed more than 100 textbooks from grades 1-10 from Pakistan’s four provinces. Researchers in February this year visited 37 public schools, interviewing 277 students and teachers, and 19 madrassas, where they interviewed 226 students and teachers.
The report found systematic negative portrayals of minorities, especially Hindus and, to a lesser extent, Christians.
“Religious minorities are often portrayed as inferior or second-class citizens who have been granted limited rights and privileges by generous Pakistani Muslims, for which they should be grateful,” the report said. “Hindus are repeatedly described as extremists and eternal enemies of Islam whose culture and society is based on injustice and cruelty, while Islam delivers a message of peace and brotherhood, concepts portrayed as alien to the Hindu.”
http://tribune.com.pk/story/289063/pakistans-educational-system-fuels-religious-discrimination-report/
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Bangladesh blocks EU help for flood-affected Pakistan
Nov 9, 2011,
Europe and Pakistan had expected a long-announced plan for trade preferences for Pakistani textile makers to be approved during a meeting of trade diplomats in Geneva on Monday, but a Bangladeshi complaint effectively halted it.
“A meeting took place yesterday in Geneva. Bangladesh made a short statement saying that they have some concerns,” said a diplomat in Brussels who is familiar with the talks.
Another said Bangladesh had concerns about the impact of the European measures, which would make it easier for Pakistan to export textiles to Europe. Bangladesh competes with Pakistan for textiles sales to the European market.
The two year cut in tariffs offered by the EU would be a small boost for Pakistan’s exporters.
World Trade Organization rules say the same deal must be offered to all trade partners, so by making an exception for Pakistan, the EU needs to get all WTO members on side and any one country can block the deal.
Until recently India, Pakistan’s neighbour and rival, had objected to the European plan, effectively vetoing it. But as tensions between the two traditional South Asian enemies have eased, India signaled it no longer opposed the plan.
http://www.dawn.com/2011/11/09/bangladesh-blocks-eu-help-for-flood-affected-pakistan.html
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Iran makes airspace off limits to PIA over payment backlog
November 8, 2011
PIA owes Iran close to $600,000 in past payments.
PIA officials said that the ban may affect the shorter route for flights carrying returning Hajis from Saudi Arabia via Iranian airspace. A redirect to the longer and slightly expensive route over Oman would resolve the issue for the flights, the first of which are expected to start from Thursday.
PIA officials said that it is expected that a solution to the current ban will be found through diplomatic channels by tomorrow.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/289032/iran-makes-airspace-off-limits-to-pia-over-payment-backlog/
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US urged to avoid public criticism of Pakistan
Nov 9, 2011,
President Asif Ali Zardari has said that Pakistan and the United States must restrain from uncalled-for public criticism as it undermines efforts to work closely for shared goals.
Zardari made the remarks when he held talks with a delegation of U.S. congressmen led by republican Michael McCaul in Karachi and discussed bilateral relations, strategic dialogue, war against terror, situation in Afghanistan and overall regional situation, the Presidential office said in a statement.
Zardari called for mutual understanding of each other's point of view to avoid misunderstanding and negative impressions that would potentially endanger close working relationship at this critical hour, said the statement.
The President said Pakistan regarded trade rather than aid as a solution to the weak and depressed economy. He called for expediting legislation in the U.S. for the Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs), terming it crucial for creating jobs for the people of militancy-hit areas.
For Full Report :
http://nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/09-Nov-2011/US-urged-to-avoid-public-criticism-of-Pakistan
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Iran hits back at nuclear weapons allegations
09 Nov 2011
Iranian officials say they have responded to the same allegations in the past, and that they are not credible [AFP]
Iran will not retreat "an iota" from its nuclear programme and the world is being misled by claims that it is seeking nuclear weapons, Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, the country's president, has said.
Ahmedinejad was speaking on Wednesday in response to a report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN nuclear watchdog, which alleged that Iran was close to developing a nuclear warhead.
He strongly criticised the IAEA for siding with "absurd" US allegations.
"This nation won't retreat one iota from the path it is going," he told thousands of people who had gathered in Shahr-e-Kord, central Iran, reiterating that the country was pursuing nuclear research only for peaceful purposes.
For Full Report :
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/11/2011119104046138731.html\
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Zawahiri set up Osama, says new book
Nov 9, 2011,
Eager to become the leader of al-Qaida , the then number two Aymen Zawahiri set up Osama bin Laden by repeatedly sending a human courier to his hiding place in Abbottabad who had been interrogated by the CIA, a new book by a former Seal Chuck Pfarrer has said.
"Despite knowing that this operative was blown, Zawahiri used Abu Ahmed al Kuwaiti to make repeated trips to Bin Laden's compound," says the book 'Seal Target Geronimo' written by a former SEAL, Chuck Pfarrer, and published on Tuesday.
"Based on this information, one can draw conclusion that it was Zawahiri who led US to bin Laden's hideout, accomplishing this through a complex and persistent series of lapses in security," he said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Zawahiri-set-up-Osama-says-new-book/articleshow/10662111.cms
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Iran working on nukes: UN watchdog report
Nov 9, 2011,
VIENNA: Iran has worked on developing an atomic bomb design and may still be conducting research relevant for such weapons, the UN nuclear watchdog said in its most detailed and hardest-hitting report on military dimensions to Tehran's nuclear programme.
The International Atomic Energy Agency document, which has been preceded by Israeli media speculation of military strikes against Iranian nuclear sites, detailed new evidence suggesting efforts to acquire a nuclear arms capability.
"The agency has serious concerns regarding possible military dimensions to Iran's nuclear programme," the IAEA said in the report, obtained by Reuters on Tuesday, which included a 13-page annex with key technical descriptions of research.
For Full Report :
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Iran-working-on-nukes-UN-watchdog-report/articleshow/10662044.cms?prtpage=1
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Saudi hails ‘success’ of this year’s Haj
9 November 2011,
MAKKAH — Saudi Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdel Aziz hailed the “success” of this year’s Haj despite the risk of “chaos” feared in the wake of the Arab Spring, state news agency SPA reported.
“We thank God for the success of this year’s Haj, which was the best pilgrimage season to ever pass,” Nayef told the commanders of Haj security forces late on Tuesday.
“Some (pilgrims) were expected to exploit the international and regional changes taking place to cause chaos. But thank God this did not happen,” SPA quoted Nayef, who also holds the interior portfolio, as saying.
The Haj — the world’s largest annual gathering — this year coincided with the Arab Spring democracy protests that have swept many nations in the region and led so far to the unseating of three autocratic leaders in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya.
“We thank all the pilgrims for proving that they are Muslims who respect this (Haj) rite and for being cooperative,” the prince said.
Saudi security forces have several times in the past confronted Iranian pilgrims holding anti-US and anti-Israeli protests.
In 1987, Saudi police efforts to stifle such a demonstration sparked clashes in which 402 people died, including 275 Iranians.
Most of this year’s three million Muslim pilgrims had left the holy city of Makkah after they performed the final rituals of the Haj on Tuesday. Others will continue the last rite of the annual pilgrimage — stoning of the devil — on Wednesday.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle11.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2011/November/middleeast_November223.xml§ion=middleeast
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Iqbal’s 134th birth anniversary being observed
Nov 9, 2011,
The poet of the East Allama Iqbal’s 134th birth anniversary is being observed today. A ceremony at Allama Iqba’s mausoleum of changing of guards took police in which the troops of Pakistan Navy replaced the Rangers. The Station Commander of Pakistan Navy Akbar Naqi laid the floral wreath on the grave of the great poet. Cultural, educational and literary organizations have chalked out different programmes to mark the day in a befitting manner and pay homage to the great poet who envisioned the idea of a separate homeland for the Muslims of subcontinent.
http://nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Regional/Lahore/09-Nov-2011/Iqbals-134th-birth-anniversary-being-observed
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Govt working to create Iqbal’s Pakistan: Gilani
Nov 9, 2011,
In a message on the occasion of 134th birth anniversary of Allama Mohammad Iqbal to be celebrated on November 9, the Prime Minister said, “our leaders Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto always took significant steps at a national level for political and social progress in line with the thoughts and teachings of Allama Iqbal.”
The Prime Minister said, “By following the footsteps of our leaders, our government is working constantly to make our dear country, Pakistan, envisioned by Allama Iqbal.”
Gilani said political values are strengthened in Pakistan and here people have all those basic constitutional rights which are manifestation of a civilised society.
“With the grace and beneficence of Allah, today the journey of democracy is successfully continuing in Pakistan. State institutions are performing their responsibilities by remaining within their constitutional limits, the media is free and the people enjoy their basic rights,” he added.
For Full Report :
http://www.dawn.com/2011/11/09/govt-working-to-create-allama-iqbals-pakistan-gilani.html