Pope Says Mankind at Stake over Gay Marriage
New Age Islam News Bureau
22
Dec 2012
India
• CBI arrests five cops in Sadiq case
• Terror plot accused move HC challenging his remand
• Omar bats for AFSPA withdrawal
• Babri Masjid demolition case: SP MP, former Sena MLA surrender in court
• HuJI man wanted in 2001 Burman kidnap case held
• A couple of token Muslims in Assembly, but Gujarat don’t care
• Indian troops kill one more Kashmiri youth
• 40-day period of harsh winter 'Chillai Kalan' begins in Kashmir
• From Siddiqui murder to Kasab hanging, Pune made headlines
• Kazmi to fight for ‘innocent’ youth held on terror charges
• Bail plea of Jamia student dismissed
• 'Sena won't allow cricket matches with Pak in Maharashtra'
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Pakistan
• Eleven illegal immigrants killed on Pak-Iran border
• Indian legal experts extend stay to finalise terms of reference
• Pakistan welcomes Kerry's nomination as next US Secretary of State
• High court rejects challenge over UK link to drone strikes in Pakistan
• Questions concerning the murder of Benazir Bhutto
• Tehreek-e-Minhajul Quran chief denies establishment support
• Opposition to demand changing all governors, says Nisar
• ‘Don’t give provincial status to GB’
• Nothing to do with Ahmad Mehmood’s appointment, says Pagara
• Pakistan Cricket leaves for India series today
• ‘FIA official’s probe against the son of former Prime Minister biased’
• Karachi: 3 alleged TTP workers arrested
• Ahmed Mahmud likely to be new Punjab governor
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Arab World
• A series on Prophet Mohammed worth $1 billion planned by a Qatar-based firm
• Alexandria 'rioters' seek to disrupt referendum, says preacher El-Mahalawy
• Iraqi finance minister’s guards arrested for ‘terrorism’
• The U.S. should not take sides in Syria’s Shiite vs. Sunni war
• Support for Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood Erodes in an Islamist Bastion
• Al-Azhar mosque at heart of concerns over Islamist turns in Egypt
• Iraq's Sunni leaders accuse PM of crackdown
• Egypt prepares for a final constitutional vote
• Egypt President Morsi upholds list of new Shura Council members
• Algerian colonel killed in clash with Islamists: Report
• Health Minister leads surgery to separate Siamese twins at the Order of Saudi King
• U A E Khalifa Foundation hosts group wedding
• Syria rebels "fire warning shots" at civilian plane
• Syria ‘firing Scud-style missiles': NATO
• Saudi scouts campaign for clean Jeddah
• Brotherhood and allies plan big rally in Egypt's second city
• Arab League chief, ministers to visit West Bank
• Egypt to resume natural gas flow to Jordan
• Syria returns bodies of Lebanese fighters
• Jumblatt says Arab aid to Palestinians insufficient
• Gunmen kill Syria state TV cameraman
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Mideast Asia
• Turkish union asks for prayer rooms in schools
• EU imposes new curbs on Iran
• UN sanctions two Iran firms over Syria arms supplies
• Israel complains to UN about rearming by Hezbollah
• Iran says to send humanitarian aid to Syria's Palestinians
• Turkey to help Muslims in Cameroon over religious needs
• Bosnia commemorates Jalal al-Din Rumi
• Turkish RPP firm to sue Pakistan at US arbitration court
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Africa
• Kenya tribal violence kills 39
• Libya urged to halt former leader Abdel Jalil’s trial: a rights watchdog
• French President: Al-Qaeda behind Nigeria kidnap
• Nigeria gunmen free South Korean Hyundai workers
• Tunisian Dictator’s Possessions to Be Sold at Public Auction
• 16 Al Qaida suspects arrested in Tunisia
• FBI quizzes Libya attack suspect without lawyers
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South Asia
• US marine pleads guilty to urinating on Taliban corpse
• OIC chief to visit Muslims in Myanmar before summit
• Afghan president: foreign donor countries to blame for country’s widespread corruption
• Stronger Indo-Bangla ties urgent for development
• Thai PM upbeat on trade with Dhaka
• ‘Torture’ of Pakistani labourers: Border gate reopened after Afghan assurance
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Southeast Asia
• Indonesian official who divorced teenager faces sack
• Migrant workers missing in Malaysian waters
• Passing Grades and Failures in Indonesian Education
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Europe
• Pope says mankind at stake over gay marriage
• EU, Russia flay settlement plans
• Russia-EU summit to focus on energy, Syria
• Putin says democracy solution to Syria crisis
• South Sudan’s army down UN helicopter in Jonglei, 4 Russian killed
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North America
• US senators condemn 'Zero Dark Thirty' film about the Osama bin Laden raid
• UK pays out millions to Iraqi torture victims
• U.S. Acts With Europe to Strengthen Iran Penalties
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
Photo: Alexandria 'rioters' seek to disrupt referendum, says preacher El-Mahalawy
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India
CBI arrests five cops in Sadiq case
Dec 22, 2012
AHMEDABAD: A day after the results of Gujarat assembly elections were announced, the CBI swung into action by arresting five Gujarat policemen in connection with the Sadiq Jamal Mehtar encounter case of 2003.
This takes the total number of arrests in this case to seven. Earlier, the probe agency had arrested deputy superintendent of police Tarun Barot and Mumbai-based journalist Ketan Tirodkar. All the arrested cops were posted in the Ahmedabad crime branch when Sadiq was killed in a fake encounter near Galaxy cinema in Naroda on January 13, 2003.
On Friday, CBI produced the five arrested cops at the special CBI court here and also submitted the first chargesheet, which names eight accused cops, including the six arrested police officials. The two other accused cops are retired DSPs I A Saiyad and K M Vaghela. The court has issued non-bailable warrants against the two remaining accused. The next hearing is scheduled for December 31.
The Sadiq probe was handed over to the CBI following a Gujarat high court order. Jamal's brother Shabbir Mehtar had filed an application before the HC alleging that his brother was killed in a staged encounter. Tirodkar, whose name doesn't figure in the chargesheet, had also told a court in Maharashtra that he knew Sadiq and that in a clandestine operation Maharashtra police had handed over Sadiq to Gujarat police right before the encounter.
Over the last couple of days, the five accused policemen were being questioned at the CBI office at Gandhinagar. On Friday, investigator of the case S K Rathi intimated the five cops — retired deputy superintendent of police J G Parmar, police inspectors G H Gohil and R L Maavani, head constables Ajay Pal Yadav and Chhatrasinh Chudasama — that they are being arrested.
The agency produced the five before the special CBI court. CBI officials told the court that they did not wish to take the five accused on remand. The court then sent the accused policemen to judicial custody.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/CBI-arrests-five-cops-in-Sadiq-case/articleshow/17715357.cms
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Terror plot accused move HC challenging his remand
Dec 21, 2012
BANGALORE: The 14 accused in the Bangalore terror plot alleged to have links with banned terror groups have moved the Karnataka high court challenging the order of the lower court in extending their remand to 180 days. Vacation Judge A N Venugopala Gowda upon hearing the petitions filed by them ordered notice to the police and asked them to file response in one week.
Shoiab Ahmed Mirza and 13 others, arrested in August this year, have challenged the November 24,2012 order passed by the Principal city and session Judge, Bangalore remanding their custody up to 180 days. The petitioners have contended that the order passed by the sessions court suffers from jurisdiction as the case is yet to be committed by the Magistrate.They also claim that they have not been notified either personally or through their counsel before extending the remand to 180 days.
They further claimed that as against the claim of the prosecution, the case is yet to be handed over to National Investigation Agency (NIA) and thus, the session court does not have jurisdiction as the application was filed by CCB not the NIA. The sessions court had extended their remand to 180 days , calculated from the date of production of the accused,under section 43D(2)(b) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention)Act.This has enabled the investigating agency 180 days to submit final report. The investigating agency had submitted an application saying that it is not possible for them to submit the final report in 90 days as contemplated under CrPC. They have cited various reasons including the digital evidence, which according to them is yet to be analysed by the Central Forensic Sciences Laboratories(CFSL).It was also stated in the application that the central government has passed an order for transferring the case to NIA.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Terror-plot-accused-move-HC-challenging-his-remand/articleshow/17710070.cms
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Omar bats for AFSPA withdrawal
Dec 22, 201
CONTINUING his campaign for the withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act ( AFSPA), Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah debunked the army’s apprehension of AFSPA- free pockets turning into a safe haven for militants asserting that the state police and CRPF were capable enough to deal with them.
Addressing the media at a “ Meet the Press” event at the Press Club of India, Abdullah said the violence in the state has come down consistently since 2002 and the time is ripe for withdrawal of the army from certain areas around Srinagar, Sambha and Jammu. The chief minister said the CRPF and the state police had acquired enough experience to deal with militancy and army was not required in certain areas.
“ If one has posed confidence in the CRPF and the state police then there is no logic in allowing the army to continue,” he said. There might be one or two odd cases of carelessness but that does not mean AFSPA should be allowed to continue, he said adding the state government was ready to take full responsibility of any untoward situation.
Claiming that the level of violence in the state was at a historic low, Abdullah made a strong pitch for Kashmiri Pandits to return to the Valley and reiterated his government’s commitment to reverse migration.
He said Kashmiri Pandits should start thinking about returning to the Valley and his government believes in action rather than mere lip service.
“ If words were enough to bring Kashmiri pandits back, we would have used. But words are not sufficient as only action will speak,” he said. “ It is the right time for Pandits to start exploring possibilities to return,” he said adding there has been no attack targeted on Pandits.
Abdullah also took a dig at moderate Hurriyat Conference for holding talks with Pakistan and not coming to Delhi for discussions with the central leadership.
“ They ( Hurriyat) are very subjective to who they talk to while they do not have any hesitation to board a plane to Islamabad and talk to leadership there. The same people are averse to boarding a plane and coming to Delhi and talking to leadership here,” Abdullah said.
He said the recent diatribe of Rehman Malik has not helped in creating an amiable atmosphere and claimed it was difficult to comprehend if the Pakistani minister was suffering from a foot in the mouth syndrome or ill- advised statements were part of a written script.
To a question on Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru’s mercy plea, the chief minister said there has been no discussion between the Centre and state government.
Mail Today
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Babri Masjid demolition case: SP MP, former Sena MLA surrender in court
Dec 22, 2012
LUCKNOW: Samajwadi Party MP Brijbhushan Singh and former Shiv Sena MLA Pawan Pandey on Saturday surrendered before a special CBI court, hearing the Babri Masjid demolition case, after non-bailable warrants were issued against them.
Special judge Shashimouli Tiwari had on December 17 issued the non-bailable warrants against the duo for failing to appear before the court, CBI counsel Lalit Kumar Singh said.
The judge has now recalled the warrants and fixed December 24 as the next date for recording evidence of the witnesses in the case.
Singh, the Samajwadi Party MP from Kaiserganj, and Pandey are accused in the Babri demolition case. Singh was the BJP MP from Gonda constituency at the time of razing down of the medieval monument.
On December 17, the CBI counsel was present along with 90th witness for recording evidence but both Singh and Pandey failed to appear in the court.
The judge had then issued the non-bailable warrants against the two leaders.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Babri-Masjid-demolition-case-SP-MP-former-Sena-MLA-surrender-in-court/articleshow/17718970.cms
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HuJI man wanted in 2001 Burman kidnap case held
Dec 21, 201
In a major breakthrough in the 2001 shoe baron Partha Pratim Roy Burman abduction case, the special task force (STF) of Kolkata police on Thursday arrested a Harkat-ul-Jihadi-al-Islami (HuJI) militant, who was wanted in the case, from the Port area.
Joint commissioner of police (STF) Rajeev Kumar said, “Muijanur Rahman, who was at large for more than a decade, was arrested during a raid last night. We have recovered some
Full report at:
http://www.asianage.com/kolkata/huji-man-wanted-2001-burman-kidnap-case-held-158
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A couple of token Muslims in Assembly, but Gujarat doesn't care
December 22, 2012
Muslims comprise 9% of Gujarat's 60 million people, but when it comes to representation in the state legislature, only two of them were elected to the 182-seat assembly this time.
The representation of Muslims in Gujarat's political system has always been skewed against the but Thursday's verdict brought it to a new low. It is the lowest since 1995, when the BJP came to power in the state for the first time.
Full report at:
-2012/Chunk-HT-UI-GujaratAssemblyElections2012-TopStories/A-couple-of-token-Muslims-in-House-but-Gujarat-doesn-t-care/SP-Article10-979185.aspx
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Indian troops kill one more Kashmiri youth
21 December 2012
Indian troops have killed one more Kashmiri youth in Kishtwar district.
The killed youth identified as Shakir Ahmad was killed by troops of 11 Rashtriya Rifles during a siege and search operation at Navapachi in the district, reported Kashmir Media Service.
Police claimed that the killed youth was a divisional commander of Hizbul Mujahideen.
Full report at:
http://www.worldbulletin.net/?aType=haber&ArticleID=100598
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40-day period of harsh winter 'Chillai Kalan' begins in Kashmir
Dec 21 2012
Srinagar : 'Chillai Kalan' today made an anti-climatic entry as bright, sunny and clear skies marked the first day of the harshest 40-day period of winter in Kashmir instead of the expected snowfall.
Gulmarg skiing resort in north Kashmir and Pahalgam in south Kashmir and some other areas in the periphery of the Valley have witnessed snowfall last week but the weather has remained dry since then.
Full report at:
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/40day-period-of-harsh-winter-chillai-kalan-begins-in-kashmir/1048533/
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From Siddiqui murder to Kasab hanging, Pune made headlines
Dec 22 2012
The murder of an alleged Indian Mujahideen operative by two local gangsters in Yerawada Central Prison and serial blasts on J M Road allegedly carried out by the terror outfit to avenge his murder; the attacks on and exodus of North-East students, and finally the dramatic hanging of Ajmal Kasab at Yerawada Jail shook the city’s crime scene in 2012
Siddiqui murder, JM Road revenge blasts.
Full report at:
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/from-siddiqui-murder-to-kasab-hanging-city-made-headlines/1048848/
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Kazmi to fight for ‘innocent’ youth held on terror charges
Dec 22 2012
Mumbai : Syed Mohammad Ahmed Kazmi, the journalist held for his alleged role in the attack on an Israeli diplomat in Delhi, said Friday he will fight for the release of innocent men held on fabricated terror charges.
Full report at:
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/kazmi-to-fight-for--innocent--youth-held-on-terror-charges/1048780/
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Bail plea of Jamia student dismissed
Dec 22, 2012
NEW DELHI: A Delhi court has dismissed the bail plea of a Jamia law student, arrested along with four other accused, for allegedly gang-raping a minor for over two months and then confining her at the residence of one of the accused. District judge R K Gauba dismissed the bail plea of Pulkit Chaudhary, saying the probe was at the initial stage and Pulkit does not deserve to be released on bail.
Full report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Bail-plea-of-Jamia-student-dismissed/articleshow/17714032.cms
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'Sena won't allow cricket matches with Pak in Maharashtra'
By Ambarish Mishra
Dec 22, 2012
MUMBAI: Senior Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi on Friday said his party would not allow India-Pakistan cricket matches to be held anywhere in Maharashtra.
Full report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Sena-wont-allow-cricket-matches-with-Pak-in-Maharashtra/articleshow/17714082.cms
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Pakistan
Eleven illegal immigrants killed on Pak-Iran border
22 December 2012
QUETTA: Eleven illegal immigrants were reportedly killed on Friday in a firing incident in Pothan area, near Pakistan-Iran border and some 80km northwest of Gwadar.
Balochistan Home Secretary told Dawn that special teams had been dispatched for confirmation of the incident.
Full report at:
http://dawn.com/2012/12/22/11-killed-on-pak-iran-border/
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Indian legal experts extend stay to finalise terms of reference
22 December 2012
ISLAMABAD: Indian legal experts visiting Pakistan for negotiations on the terms of reference (ToR) for travel of a second Pakistani judicial commission (JC) to India for collecting evidence in the Mumbai attack case, decided on Friday to extend their stay due to a sticking point in their talks.
Full report at:
http://dawn.com/2012/12/22/pakistanis-visit-for-mumbai-attacks-probe-indian-legal-experts-extend-stay-to-finalise-tor/
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Pakistan welcomes Kerry's nomination as next US Secretary of State
By Huma Imtiaz
December 22, 2012
WASHINGTON: As President Barack Obama announced his nomination of SeNATOr John Kerry as the next Secretary of State, Pakistan welcomed the prospect of working with a friendly face.
“We welcome news of the nomination of SeNATOr John F Kerry as the next US Secretary of State. SeNATOr Kerry is a man of towering stature and accomplishments, having served the United States with great vigor and distinction,” Pakistan’s ambassador to US Sherry Rehman said in a statement.
Full report at:
http://tribune.com.pk/story/482962/pakistan-welcomes-kerrys-nomination-for-next-us-secretary-of-state/
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High court rejects challenge over UK link to drone strikes in Pakistan
21 December 2012
A Pakistani man whose father was killed in a US drone strike has failed to persuade the UK courts that British officials should be prevented from sharing targeting intelligence with the CIA.
Noor Khan said he would appeal against the high court's refusal to issue a declaration that support for US drone operations over Pakistan may involve acts of assisting murder or even war crimes.
Full report at:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/dec/21/high-court-drone-strikes-pakistan
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Questions concerning the murder of Benazir Bhutto
December 22, 2012
OWEN BENNETT-JONES
The outpouring of sympathy that followed Bhutto’s murder propelled Zardari to power. Privately, many of Bhutto’s friends were unhappy that the man who they believed had corrupted Bhutto had secured the presidency. But they had one consolation: guided by his Sindhi honour code, which sets a high value on revenge, and with the full power of the state at his disposal, Zardari would be able to bring her killers to justice.
Full report at:
http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/international/22-Dec-2012/questions-concerning-the-murder-of-benazir-bhutto
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Tehreek-e-Minhajul Quran chief denies establishment support
December 22, 2012
Tehreek-e-Minhajul Quran (TMQ) Chief Dr Tahirul Qadri dismissed the impression that he had been backed by the establishment. “The TMQ is organising the public meeting at Minar-e-Pakistan to bring about a change,” he told the media at his party secretariat Friday.
Full report at:
http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/lahore/22-Dec-2012/minhaj-chief-denies-establishment-support
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Opposition to demand changing all governors, says Nisar
December 22, 2012
ISLAMABAD - Opposition leader in the National Assembly, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has said that his party, in consultation with other opposition parties, would demand changing governors of all the four provinces when the polls get closer as they have been appointed on political basis.
Full report at:
http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/national/22-Dec-2012/opposition-to-demand-changing-all-governors-says-nisar
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‘Don’t give provincial status to GB’
December 22, 2012
ISLAMABAD - APHC Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Friday urged Pakistan not to give provincial status to Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) as such a move would pave way for India to make Ladakh one of its provinces.“When we talk about Kashmir we talk of 1947 Jammu and Kashmir. Our movement is indigenous and Kashmiris have sacrificed a lot during last 20 years. We urge Pakistan not to give provincial status to Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) as such a move would pave way for India to make Ladakh one of its provinces,” Mirwiaz said while delivering a lecture on ‘Resolution of Kashmir Issue in the new Geo-Political Environment’ at National Defence University (NDU), here.
Full report at:
http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/national/22-Dec-2012/-don-t-give-provincial-status-to-gb
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Nothing to do with Ahmad Mehmood’s appointment, says Pagara
December 22, 2012
KARACHI - PML-F chief Pir Sibghatullah Shah Rashdi Pir Pagara has distanced his party from President Asif Zardari’s decision to appoint Makhdoom Ahmad Mehmood as Punjab governor and sought resignation from the Makhdoom.Addressing a press conference at Raja House after meeting with PTI leader Jehangir Tareen, Pir Pagara said he had advised the Makhdoom to stay away from the offer.
Full report at:
http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/national/22-Dec-2012/nothing-to-do-with-ahmad-mehmood-s-appointment-says-pagara
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Pakistan Cricket leave for India series today
December 22, 2012
LAHORE - The Pakistan cricket team will leave for New Delhi On Saturday (today) to play the first bilateral series against India in five years. The team will reach in Bangalore at night via New Delhi in a chartered flight.
Full report at:
http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/sports/22-Dec-2012/pakistan-leave-for-india-series-today
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‘FIA official’s probe against the son of former Prime Minister biased’
By Tanveer Ahmed
December 22, 2012
ISLAMABAD: The investigation officer of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Hussain Ashgar, was biased in his probe against MNA Abdul Qadir Gilani, the son of former Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani because of his suspension and transfer by the former premier, National Assembly was told on Friday.
Full report at:
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2012\12\22\story_22-12-2012_pg7_5
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Karachi: 3 alleged TTP workers arrested
December 21, 2012
KARACHI: CID police have claimed to arrest three activists of banned Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan from Manghopir area of the metropolis.
Full report at:
http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-80641-Karachi:-3-alleged-TTP-workers-arrested
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Ahmed Mahmud likely to be new Punjab governor
Afzal Khan
22 December 2012
Pakistan: In a deft move, President Asif Ali Zardari has reportedly decided to induct Ahmed Mahmud, an influential politician from south Punjab, as Punjab’s governor, to bolster sagging election fortunes of his Pakistan People’s Party in the region.
Full report at:
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/kt-article-display-1.asp?xfile=/data/international/2012/December/international_December844.xml§ion=international
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Arab World
A series on Prophet Mohammed worth $1 billion planned by a Qatar-based firm
19 December 2012
A movie series on the life of Prophet Mohammed with a budget of $1 billion has been planned by a Qatar-based firm.
The company said the film will be in English and will be translated into several different languages.
The biopics will be produced as a series of "seven films -- instead of three films as per an earlier announcement -- with a total budget of $1 billion," Alnoor chairman Ahmed Al-
Full report at:
http://www.worldbulletin.net/?aType=haber&ArticleID=100475
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Alexandria 'rioters' seek to disrupt referendum, says preacher El-Mahalawy
21 Dec 2012
Ahmed El-Mahalawy, an ultra-orthodox Islamist and a staunch supporter of President Mohamed Morsi, said Friday’s fresh violent confrontations aimed at disrupting the ongoing constitution referendum.
Full report at:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/61046/Egypt/Politics-/Alexandria-rioters-seek-to-disrupt-referendum,-say.aspx
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Iraqi finance minister’s guards arrested for ‘terrorism’
BY MOHAMAD ALI HARISSI
22 December 2012
BAGHDAD: Nine of the Iraqi finance minister’s guards are being held on terrorism charges, a judicial spokesman said yesterday, after the minister demanded the premier’s resignation following their arrest.
The arrests and Finance Minister Rafa Al-Essawi’s response threaten to reignite a long-running feud between the secular, Sunni-backed Iraqiya bloc, of which he is a member, and Shiite
Full report at:
http://www.arabnews.com/iraqi-finance-minister%E2%80%99s-guards-arrested-%E2%80%98terrorism%E2%80%99
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The U.S. should not take sides in Syria’s Shiite vs. Sunni war
DECEMBER 21 2012
Since the beginning of hostilities, NBC News has been all-in for the Rebels fighting against President Assad and the Syrian government, and this bias comes through in this report of the abduction of Richard Engel’s news team (“Richard Engel and NBC News team freed from captors in Syria“). During their captivity, Engel and his crew found out that the militia that captured them was allied with Assad’s government and ultimately working for Iran, without which Assad’s government would fold up like a cheap tent.
Full report at:
http://www.westernfreepress.com/2012/12/21/the-u-s-should-not-take-sides-in-syrias-shiite-vs-sunni-war/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-u-s-should-not-take-sides-in-syrias-shiite-vs-sunni-war
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Support for Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood Erodes in an Islamist Bastion
By DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK
December 21, 2012
AL TALBEYA, Egypt — Mohamed Salamah used to vote with the Muslim Brotherhood. But in Saturday’s referendum on the Islamist-backed constitution, Mr. Salamah says he is voting against it, mainly because he no longer trusts the movement.
“They aren’t even doing anything very Islamic,” said Mr. Salamah, a 24-year-old waiter in a cafe in Al Talbeya, a working-class neighborhood in Giza across the Nile from Cairo that was an Islamist stronghold in previous votes. “They are just doing things that aren’t very Full report at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/22/world/middleeast/in-islamist-bastion-support-ebbs-for-egypts-brotherhood.html?ref=world&gwh=AC42858358EE3944527822905C5F9E6B
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Al-Azhar mosque at heart of concerns over Islamist turns in Egypt
December 21, 2012
Al-Azhar mosque at heart of concerns over Islamist turn in Egypt
December 22, 2012
In CAIRO — The revolution that began here two years ago with calls for justice and freedom has become a rout by Islamist forces that have racked up victory upon victory at the polls.
But within Egypt and across the region, the real source of fears that the country is careening toward theocracy lies in an unlikely place: the ancient stone corridors of al-Azhar, a Cairo institution that has long been known as a respected beacon of moderation.
Full report at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/al-azhar-mosque-at-heart-of-concerns-over-islamist-turn-in-egypt/2012/12/21/88fb6770-4a25-11e2-8af9-9b50cb4605a7_story.html
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Iraq's Sunni leaders accuse PM of crackdown
21 Dec 2012
Iraq's Sunni leaders accused Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki of a political crackdown after troops raided the finance minister's office and home, threatening to reignite a crisis a year after the last American troops left.
Full report at:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/61006/World/Region/Iraqs-Sunni-leaders-accuse-PM-of-crackdown.aspx
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Egypt prepares for a final constitutional vote
21 Dec 2012
An estimated 25.5 million voters – out of a total 51.3 million – in 17 Egyptian governorates are expected to head to the polls on Saturday in the second phase of the national referendum on the country's first post-uprising draft constitution.
The governorates can be divided into four groups: three Suez Canal ones (Port Said, Suez and Ismailia); five Nile Delta ones (Qalioubiya, Menoufiya, Damietta, Kafr El-Sheikh and Beheira); six Upper Egypt governorates (Giza, Fayoum, Beni Suef, Minya, Luxor and Qena); and three border ones (Marsa Matruh, the Red Sea and the New Valley).
Full report at:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/61032/Egypt/Politics-/Egypt-President-Morsi-upholds-list-of-new-Shura-Co.aspx
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Algerian colonel killed in clash with Islamists: Report
21 Dec 2012
An Algerian army colonel has been killed in a gun battle between troops and Islamists in the Bouira region, 125 kilometres (80 miles) southeast of Algiers, local media reported on Friday.
The clash broke out on Wednesday evening during a search operation for a "terrorist group" in the mountainous region, El Watan said, citing security sources, and employing the term officials use for Islamist insurgents.
Full report at:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/61036/World/Region/Algerian-colonel-killed-in-clash-with-Islamists-Re.aspx
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Health Minister leads surgery to separate Siamese twins at the Order of Saudi King
22 December 2012
JEDDAH: Surgery to separate conjoined twins, Abdullah and Salman, an operation undertaken at the order of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah, began at the National Guards’ King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh on Friday.
Health Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah heads the surgical team, which includes 30 specialists in addition to other medical staff.
Full report at:
http://www.arabnews.com/minister-leads-surgery-separate-siamese-twins
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U A E Khalifa Foundation hosts group wedding
22 December 2012
Nearly 436 Palestinian couples tied the knot in a group wedding sponsored by UAE’s Khalifa bin Zayed Foundation.
The event was attended by deposed Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, senior officials and representatives of local civil society organisations in Gaza Strip. Addressing the colourful ceremony, a number of Palestinian officials praised the UAE for its firm stance in support of Full report at:
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation/inside.asp?xfile=/data/government/2012/December/government_December54.xml§ion=government
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Syria rebels "fire warning shots" at civilian plane
20 December 2012
Syrian rebels fired warning shots at an airliner preparing to take off from Aleppo airport in the first direct attack on a civilian flight since the uprising in Syria began 21 months ago, a rebel commander said on Friday.
Full report at:
http://www.worldbulletin.net/?aType=haber&ArticleID=100608
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Saudi scouts campaign for clean Jeddah
IRFAN MOHAMMED
22 December 2012
JEDDAH: Saudi Scouts, in collaboration with the Saudi Environment Society and Jeddah municipality, launched their maiden campaign on Thursday evening to promote a clean ‘Jeddah’ during a symbolic procession at the Northern Corniche, in which approximately 400 young Saudi students participated.
Full report at:
http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-scouts-campaign-clean-jeddah
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Brotherhood and allies plan big rally in Egypt's second city
21 December 2012
Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood and allies are planning a mass protest in Alexandria on Friday.
The Muslim Brotherhood called for the rally after a violent confrontation between Islamists and the liberal, secular opposition in Egypt's second city last week ended with a Muslim preacher besieged inside his mosque for 14 hours. Rival factions were armed with clubs, knives and swords.
Full report at:
http://www.worldbulletin.net/?aType=haber&ArticleID=100572
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Arab League chief, ministers to visit West Bank
21 Dec 2012
Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi and a group of Arab foreign ministers will visit the West Bank on December 29, Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat has said.
"Nabil al-Arabi and between eight and 10 foreign ministers will be our guests on the 29th," he said during a late Thursday meeting with reporters in the West Bank town of Beit Jala, west of Bethlehem.
Full report at:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/61038/World/Region/Arab-League-chief,-ministers-to-visit-West-Bank.aspx
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Egypt to resume natural gas flow to Jordan
21 Dec 2012
Egypt will resume pumping natural gas to Jordan at about 250 million cubic feet per day, following Prime Minister Hisham Qandil's visit to the Jordanian capital.
Qandil arrived in Amman Thursday to hold talks with his Jordanian counterpart on developing strong bilateral relations as well as strengthening economic ties between the two countries.
Full report at:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/3/12/61012/Business/Economy/Egypt-to-resume-natural-gas-flow-to-Jordan.aspx
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Syria returns bodies of Lebanese fighters
December 22, 2012
BEIRUT: Damascus returned Saturday the bodies of three more Lebanese fighters who were recently killed in Syria’s Tal Kalakh.
The bodies were identified as Malek Hajj Deeb, Abdel-Karim Ibrahim and Hasan Srour, who all hailed from the northern city of Tripoli.
Full report at:
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2012/Dec-22/199554-syria-returns-bodies-of-lebanese-fighters.ashx#ixzz2FlvKra7M
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Jumblatt says Arab aid to Palestinians insufficient
December 22, 2012
BEIRUT: Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt slammed in remarks published Saturday Arab leaders over their assistance to Palestinians displaced by the Syria conflict, saying their level of help was presently insufficient.
“Arabs should dedicate a small amount of their huge resources to serve the Palestinian people rather than build valueless, delusive towers in the desert,” Jumblatt, who spoke to As-Safir Full report at:
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2012/Dec-22/199557-gunmen-kill-syria-state-tv-cameraman.ashx#ixzz2FlwA0mCj
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Mideast Asia
Turkish union asks for prayer rooms in schools
21 December 2012
The Education Personnel Labor Union (Eğitim Bir-Sen) has petitioned the Education Ministry to demand a prayer room in schools, noting that many universities across the country already have prayer rooms.
Full report at:
http://www.worldbulletin.net/?aType=haber&ArticleID=100586
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EU imposes new curbs on Iran
December 22, 2012
BRUSSELS - The EU on Friday agreed new sanctions against Iran, adding 18 companies or institutions and one person to a blacklist aimed at forcing stalled talks on Tehran's contested nuclear drive to resume. A statement said a person and 18 entities "involved in nuclear activities or providing support to the Iranian government" had been added to an already long list of those targeted by a European Union asset freeze and travel ban. This brought the total of entities subject to sanctions to 490 and the total number of people to 105.
Full report at:
http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/international/22-Dec-2012/eu-imposes-new-curbs-on-iran
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UN sanctions two Iran firms over Syria arms supplies
December 22, 2012
UNITED NATIONS - The UN Security Council on Thursday slapped sanctions on two Iranian firms accused of supplying arms to the Syrian government, a UN statement said. Yas Air and the SAD Import Export Company were added to a growing Iran sanctions list for breaching an arms embargo ordered against the Islamic republic for its nuclear drive. According to diplomats, Turkish authorities intercepted arms shipments organized by Yas Air to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2011.
Full report at:
http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/national/22-Dec-2012/un-sanctions-two-iran-firms-over-syria-arms-supplies
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Israel complains to UN about rearming by Hezbollah
21 Dec 2012
Israel's U.N. envoy urged the Security Council on Thursday to condemn what he described as significant rearming by Hezbollah, saying the Lebanese militant group now possessed an arsenal of tens of thousands of missiles capable of hitting Israel.
Full report at:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/61010/World/Region/Israel-complains-to-UN-about-rearming-by-Hezbollah.aspx
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Iran says to send humanitarian aid to Syria's Palestinians
By REUTERS
12/22/2012
DUBAI - Iran plans to send humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Syria living in an area recently seized by Syrian rebels, Iran's ambassador to Syria was quoted as saying on Saturday.
Iran has been a staunch supporter of Syrian President Bashar Assad of Syria who has been battling to put down a 21-month uprising against his rule, and Tehran has also long cast itself as a champion of the Palestinian people.
Full report at:
http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=296940
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Turkey to help Muslims in Cameroon over religious needs
21 December 2012
Turkish Religious Affairs Director Mehmet Gormez is visiting Cameroon, where 7 million Muslims live, as the official guest of this country's religious leader Ibrahim Mbombo Mubarak.
Turkish Ambassador Omer Faruk Dogan welcomed Gormez in the capital of Yaounde.
Gormez will hold meetings with state authorities as well as religious leaders of Muslim.
Full report at:
http://www.worldbulletin.net/?aType=haber&ArticleID=100584
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Bosnia commemorates Jalal al-Din Rumi
18 December 201
A Seb-i Arus ceremony took place in the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo on Monday in order to commemorate Jalal al-Din Rumi.
The Sarajevo ceremony took place at the Naksibendi Dervish Lodge in historic Bascarsi with the participation of dozens of residents.
Full report at:
http://www.worldbulletin.net/?aType=haber&ArticleID=100407
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Turkish RPP firm to sue Pakistan at US arbitration court
22 December 2012
ISTANBUL: Turkish power firm Karadeniz Holding said it was suing Pakistan at a US arbitration court for at least $600 million compensation after two of its electricity-generating ships were seized in March.
Full report at:
http://dawn.com/2012/12/21/turkish-rpp-firm-to-sue-pakistan-at-us-arbitration-court/
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Africa
Kenya tribal violence kills 39
December 22, 2012
NAIROBI - At least 39 people were killed on Friday in an attack on a village in a remote part of southeastern Kenya's coastal region, where deadly tribal violence also erupted earlier this year, police said. The raid on Kipao village in the Tana River delta in the early hours ‘unleashed terror’ on the inhabitants, police said.
Full report at:
http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/national/22-Dec-2012/kenya-tribal-violence-kills-39
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Libya urged to halt former leader Abdel Jalil’s trial: a rights watchdog
22 December 2012
TRIPOLI: Libya should suspend the trial of former interim leader Mustafa Abdel Jalil before a military court and stop civilian cases in such tribunals, a rights watchdog said.
Full report at:
http://www.arabnews.com/libya-urged-halt-former-leader%E2%80%99s-trial
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French President: Al-Qaeda behind Nigeria kidnap
21 December 2012
Al-Qaeda, or an allied group, was probably behind the kidnapping of a French engineer in Nigeria, French President Francois Hollande has said.
A group of about 30 gunmen snatched him from a heavily guarded compound in northern Nigeria, police say.
Full report at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20808534
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Nigeria gunmen free South Korean Hyundai workers
22 December 2012
Four South Korean workers for Hyundai have been freed days after being snatched by gunmen in Nigeria.
Gunmen kidnapped the Koreans, along with two Nigerians, in the oil-rich Bayelsa state on Monday.
Full report at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20822785
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Tunisian Dictator’s Possessions to Be Sold at Public Auction
By MONICA MARKS
December 21, 2012
TUNIS — It could be the Middle East’s most opulent yard sale.
Just in time for Christmas, Tunisia’s Finance Ministry has organized a public auction of cars, jewels, carpets and trinkets that once belonged to the deposed president, Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, the first autocrat to fall in the Arab Spring revolution incubated here two years ago.
The monthlong sale and exhibition of 12,000 items begins Saturday at the Cleopatra Hotel, a sumptuous property in a northern suburb of Tunis.
Full report at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/22/world/africa/ben-alis-possessions-to-be-auctioned-in-tunisia.html?hp&_r=1&&gwh=6F9EDA595B23E89E5811148936D70443
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16 Al Qaida suspects arrested in Tunisia
December 22, 2012
Tunis: Tunisia announced on Friday that it had arrested 16 men suspected of belonging to a group with ties to Al Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, in the western regions of Kasserine and Jendouba near the Algerian border.
“Full report at:
http://gulfnews.com/news/region/tunisia/16-al-qaida-suspects-arrested-in-tunisia-1.1122198
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FBI quizzes Libya attack suspect without lawyers
December 22, 2012
Tunis: FBI agents on Friday questioned a Tunisian man suspected of involvement in a deadly September attack on the US consulate in Libya, but in the absence of defence lawyers, his solicitor said.
Full report at:
http://gulfnews.com/news/region/tunisia/fbi-quizzes-libya-attack-suspect-without-lawyers-1.1122204
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South Asia
US marine pleads guilty to urinating on Taliban corpse
21 December 2012
A US marine staff sergeant who urinated on dead Taliban insurgents and posed for photographs with the bodies has pleaded guilty to two charges in a military court.
His sentence was a reduction in rank and forfeiture of $500 (£307) in pay.
Full report at:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/dec/21/us-marine-pleads-guilty-urination
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Afghan president: foreign donor countries to blame for country’s widespread corruption
December 22, 2012
KABUL, Afghanistan — Afghanistan’s president accused on Saturday the countries that fund his government and military with enabling the widespread corruption that undermines his efforts to establish rule of law in the war-wracked country.
Full report at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/afghan-president-says-foreign-donor-countries-to-blame-for-countrys-widespread-corruption/2012/12/22/c42932da-4c0c-11e2-8758-b64a2997a921_story.html
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Stronger Indo-Bangla ties urgent for dev
December 22, 2012
Bangladesh-India relations must be strengthened even more for the greater interest of the two countries' development in economy and culture, said speakers at a seminar yesterday.
Terming India a true friend of Bangladesh, they urged the country's policymakers and diplomats to remove “anti-India mindsets” and formulate a master plan for the betterment of Full report at:
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=262102
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Thai PM upbeat on trade with Dhaka
December 22, 2012
Thailand wants to double its two-way trade -- export and import -- with Bangladesh by 2015 in an effort to boost commerce and investment, Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said in Dhaka yesterday.
“There's a great potential for further expansion of economic partnership between the two countries…we need closer cooperation between our governments and more importantly between our private sectors,” said Shinawatra.
Full report at:
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=262076
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‘Torture’ of Pakistani labourers: Border gate reopened after Afghan assurance
Dec 22, 2012
PESHAWAR: The Torkham border gate with Afghanistan was reopened on Saturday after an assurance from Afghan authorities that action would be taken against personnel involved in the torture of 29 Pakistani labourers, DawnNews reported.
The gate had been closed earlier today after Pakistani labourers reached the area and Full report at:
http://dawn.com/2012/12/22/torture-of-pakistani-labourers-border-gate-reopened-after-afghan-assurance/
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Southeast Asia
Indonesian official who divorced teenager faces sack
21 December 2012
Legislators have voted to dismiss an Indonesian official who divorced a teenager after four days of marriage.
Aceng Fikri, elected head of Garut in West Java province, publicly apologised amid angry protests earlier this month.
Full report at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20816099
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Migrant workers missing in Malaysian waters
Jakarta:The National Police has sent two ships to the Malaysian border to search for missing Indonesian migrant workers, who reportedly drowned after a cargo boat sank near Kota Tinggi, off the eastern coast of peninsular Malaysia.
Full report at:
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/12/22/migrant-workers-missing-malaysian-waters.html
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Passing Grades and Failures in Indonesian Education
December 22, 2012
The Indonesian education scene will remember 2012 as a roller coaster ride, buoyed by high-achieving students and the fact that a government-funding scheme for schools had finally been implemented properly.
Full report at:
http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/passing-grades-and-failures-in-indonesian-education/563117
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Europe
Pope says mankind at stake over gay marriage
21 December 2012
VATICAN CITY: Pope Benedict XVI on Friday weighed in on a heated debate over gay marriage, criticising new concepts of the traditional family and warning that in the fight for the family, mankind itself is at stake.
Full report at:
http://dawn.com/2012/12/21/pope-says-mankind-at-stake-over-gay-marriage/
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EU, Russia flay settlement plans
22 December 2012
BRUSSELS: The European Union and Russia yesterday denounced Israel’s plans to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank and urged Israelis and Palestinians to take “bold and concrete steps toward peace.”
Full report at:
http://www.arabnews.com/eu-russia-flay-settlement-plans
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Russia-EU summit to focus on energy, Syria
22 December 2012
BRUSSELS: Russian President Vladimir Putin is in Brussels for a summit with European Union leaders that is expected to focus on energy disputes and the Syrian crisis and could be marred by EU concerns about the Kremlin's clampdown on dissent.
For Putin, the main issue in yesterday's talks is EU energy market regulations intended to boost competition, which Moscow has described as discrimiNATOry against Russia's state-controlled Gazprom gas company.
Full report at:
http://www.arabnews.com/russia-eu-summit-focus-energy-syria
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Putin says democracy solution to Syria crisis
22 December 2012
BRUSSELS: Russian President Vladimir Putin met with European leaders in Brussels to discuss energy, Syria and human rights, but reached no agreements — as officials on both sides had predicted in advance.
Full report at:
http://www.arabnews.com/middle-east/putin-says-democracy-solution-syria-crisis
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South Sudan’s army down UN helicopter in Jonglei, 4 Russian killed
December 21, 2012
LONDON — South Sudanese army, SPLA, shot down a United Nations helicopter in the troubled state of Jonglei, killing all the members of its Russian crew, the international organisation said.
Full report at:
http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article44945
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North America
US senators condemn 'Zero Dark Thirty' film about the Osama bin Laden raid
December 22, 2012
WASHINGTON: Three U.S. senators say the new film about the Osama bin Laden raid is "grossly inaccurate and misleading" in how it depicts CIA interrogations as torture and have called on the studio distributing "Zero Dark Thirty" to publicly state the movie is not based on fact.
Full report at:
http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-80701-US-seNATOrs-condemn-Zero-Dark-Thirty
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UK pays out millions to Iraqi torture victims
21 Dec 2012
Britain has paid out $22.7m to Iraqis who accused UK troops of illegally detaining and torturing them following the 2003 invasion.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Thursday confirmed a report in the Guardian newspaper which revealed that the government had given compensation to 205 complainants over the last five years, with more than 700 claims expected next year.
Some $13.4m was paid to 162 Iraqis this year, with the average settlement being $113,500 plus costs.
Full report at:
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2012/12/20121221144431944878.html
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U.S. Acts With Europe to Strengthen Iran Penalties
By RICK GLADSTONE
ecember 21, 2012
The United States and Europe announced strengthened sanctions against Iran on Friday, increasing the number of blacklisted companies and individuals linked to the Iranian nuclear program, in coordinated actions that underscored the failure to resolve one of the most intractable international disputes.
Full report at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/22/world/middleeast/penalties-on-iran-strengthened-by-us-and-europe.html?ref=middleeast&gwh=2924D59A2149E2D163E4BF6487A4C63B
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