US Jury Convicts Arab Bank of Financing Hamas Terrorism
New Age Islam News Bureau
23
Sept 2014
North America
• US Jury
Convicts Arab Bank of Financing Hamas Terrorism
• US
attack on IS targets in Syria 'will be answered': Fighter
• Obama
talks Islamic State, Syria with US rabbis
• US
helping Pakistan become prosperous, democratic: US envoy
• FBI
tracking some Americans who fought with Islamic State, then returned home
• Islamic
State to John Kerry: You’re an ‘old uncircumcised geezer’
Arab World
• Tales of
How Jihadists Use Offer of 'Virgins' as Recruiting Norm
• US
strikes kill 50 Qaeda fighters in Syria: Monitor
• Jihadists
kill 40 Iraqi soldiers, capture at least 70
• Army
Kills Tens of Saudi Terrorists in Aleppo Countryside
• Iraq's
Warplanes Kill 4 ISIL Terrorists in Kirkuk
• 5 ISIL
Ringleaders Killed in Iraq's Babil
• Islamic
State Terrorists Flee Females: ‘They Believe They’ll Go To Hell’ If Killed By
Woman
• Seven
terrorists sentenced to death in Saudia Arabia
• Syria
backs 'any international effort' in anti-jihadist fight
• Shoura
Council favours scientific research law
• Kuwait
donates $1m to help Palestinian children
• Former
Saudi ISIS fighter reveals secrets of militant group
• Jordan
signals took part in attacks on Islamic State
South Asia
• 38
Taliban militants killed in clearing operations: MoI
• China
jails Uighur scholar Ilham Tohti for life for 'separatism'
• Militant
financing: Banks asked to be careful about their CSR funds
• Ex-Jamaat
MP among 235 charged over Bamandanga police murders
• Karzai
slams US, Pakistan in farewell speech
India
• NIA
Seeks Home Ministry’s Nod to File Case against ISIS
• ‘No
Clash between Judiciary and Darul Quaza'
• India-Saudi
Arabia cooperation to grow: Modi
• I did
not criticise Islam in ‘Lajja': Taslima Nasrin
Pakistan
• Pakistan
developing sea-based nuclear-arms
• 19
terrorists killed in North Waziristan
• 3 killed
in a suicide blast targeting senior army officer
• Qadri to
turn revolution march into storm in two to three days
• Six
major generals promoted; Rizwan new ISI DG
• Muslims,
Christians come together for peace
• Technocrats
should govern country for two years: Altaf Hussain
• ‘Security agencies have failed to change
ground realities in Balochistan’
Mideast
• Yemeni
Shia rebels sweep into Sanaa, 340 dead in a week
• Iran,
OIC Discuss Spread of New Spate of Extremism in Region
• Erdogan
hints Turkey underwent ISIS prisoner swap
• Hamas
tortures citizens next to a school, PA daily claims
• Abbas to
demand U.N. resolution to end occupation
• Israel
to react 'forcefully' to any threat after Syria jet downed
• Israel
troops kill 2 Palestinian suspects in settlers murder: Army
• Israel
spy agency Mossad launches online recruitment drive
Europe
• British
PM to meet Iran's Rouhani to ask for help against IS
• Putin
says IS strikes require Syria's consent
• Britain
says has not made final decision over air strikes in Syria
• EU
pledges €90.5 million for Afghanistan rural development
• France
won’t stop fight against Islamic State despite kidnapping: French PM
Africa
• Algerian
Terrorists Kidnap Frenchman Following ISIL Calls to Attack Westerners
• Libya’s
parliament approves new government
Southeast Asia
• Indonesia
militants claim slaying of ‘police informant’
• Harmony
law won’t infringe on constitutional rights, minister says
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
----------
North America
US Jury
Convicts Arab Bank of Financing Hamas Terrorism
23
September 2014
In a
landmark decision, a New York jury on Monday found the Jordan-based
multinational Arab Bank liable on 24 counts of supporting terrorism by
transferring funds to Hamas
The
verdict came after the jury deliberated for nearly two full days after a
month-long trial at the eastern district court in Brooklyn.
“This is
an enormous milestone,” said Gary Osen, a lawyer on the team representing
around 300 American relatives and the victims of 24 attacks carried out in
Israel and the Palestinian territories during the Second Intifada. The federal
lawsuit was filed in 2004.
“For the
first time a financial institution is liable for supporting terrorism. The
question now is to see how other financial institutions, regulators will deal
with their banks and this decision,” he added.
The
American victims and their relatives said the bank violated the 2001
Anti-Terrorism Act when it served as a conduit for money from a Saudi Arabian
fund to families of Palestinians who died, including suicide bombers.
A second
trial would have to determine how much the Bank will be liable to pay in
damages.
District
Judge Brian Cogan indicated it would be a long road ahead. “This case is a long
way from over,” he told the court.
The
defence argued there was no evidence Arab Bank executives supported terrorism
and disputed the allegation that the institution knowingly made payments to
designated terrorists.
But the
plaintiffs said the bank transferred more than $70 million to an alleged Saudi terror
entity, charities they claim were a front for Hamas and 11 globally designated
terrorist clients.
Shand
Stephens, the lawyer for Arab Bank, poured scorn on the verdict, saying it
should not have been found on “evidence that thin.”
Asked
whether the Bank would appeal, he told reporters: “This verdict is going to be
reversed.”
Rolodex
full of Hamas customers
The bank
had “a Rolodex full of Hamas customers,” and lied in its defense, the
plaintiffs said in their concluding remarks.
“They’re
guilty,” prosecution lawyer Mark Werbner said in his concluding arguments on
Thursday.
He said
the bank must have known that helping Hamas would mean “bad things were going
to happen and that’s enough to make them responsible.”
The
trial heard that the bank was able to transfer $60,000 to Hamas spiritual
leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin — who was assassinated by Israel in 2004 — due to a
spelling mistake of his name, which was not detected by screening software.
Every
bank that has operations in the United States — like Arab Bank — uses the same
automated software to screen those on terror blacklists.
“There’s
not one word of testimony in this case that would lead you to conclude that any
one of those people deliberately supported terrorism,” Stephens told the court
on Thursday.
The Arab
Bank says it closed accounts after holders were designated terrorists.
The US
plaintiffs claimed that Hamas, which the US officially designates as a terror
group, directed the distribution of the money from the Saudi fund.
Stephens
said Arab Bank provided routine banking services and that no charity —
including the Saudi committee — to whom it transferred funds was on any US, UN
or EU blacklist at the time.
He said
that between 2000 and 2004 its Saudi fund payments to 15,000 people each month
were public and approved by Israel.
Stephens
said there was no evidence to prove that any money transferred by Arab Bank had
been used to finance terror attacks and that the cycle of violence in the
decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict had nothing to do with his client.
The Arab
Bank Group has more than 600 branches in 30 countries, with assets last year
worth $46.4 billion and a shareholders’ equity base of $7.8 billion.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/us-jury-finds-arab-bank-liable-for-backing-hamas-terrorism/#ixzz3E7hl89gP
----------
US
Attack On IS Targets in Syria 'Will Be Answered': IS Fighter
23
September 2014
An
Islamic State fighter said on Tuesday the group will respond to U.S.-led air
strikes inside Syria and blamed Saudi Arabia for allowing them to happen.
"These
attacks will be answered. The sons of Saloul are the ones who are to be blamed.
It happened because of them," he told Reuters, using a derogatory term for
Saudi Arabia's royal Saudi family.
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/111465/World/Region/US-attack-on-IS-targets-in-Syria-will-be-answered-.aspx
---------
Obama
talks Islamic State, Syria with US rabbis
23
September 2014
WASHINGTON
— The Middle East led the agenda Monday afternoon when US President Barack
Obama held his annual pre-Rosh Hashanah conference call with close to one
thousand rabbis from America’s Reform, Conservative, Orthodox and
Reconstructionist communities.
Packed
between meetings and photo-ops as the White House prepares for the president’s
annual appearance at the United Nations General Assembly, this year’s call left
little room for doubt that foreign policy topped the president’s agenda.
Six
weeks before what is expected to be a critical midterm election, domestic
policy seemed to pale in comparison to pressing issues in the Middle East,
including Iraq, Syria and the Islamic State.
The
pre-Rosh Hashanah conference call is seen by administration officials as an
opportunity to send critical messages out to rabbis days before they direct
sermons to packed synagogues during the High Holy Days.
“I
wouldn’t say that it is going to impact the message, but it gives a certain
context to it,” Rabbi William Gershon, president of the Rabbinical Assembly
said following the call. “It is gratifying to hear the kind of thinking,
intellect, and support that the president put forward and that gives me hope.”
In 2009,
Obama urged the rabbis to discuss the Affordable Care Act, the crowning
legislative achievement of his first term in office. A year later, in the midst
of his first attempt to broker a peace deal, he used his call to discuss Middle
East peace.
In his
2011 call, he combined domestic and foreign policy, discussing both his jobs
bill and American attempts to block a Palestinian declaration of statehood at
the United Nations.
The year
2012 broke records for participation in the heated run-up to the presidential
elections, with both Obama and then Republican candidate Mitt Romney offering
their Rosh Hashanah greetings — and talking points. Strengthening his foreign
policy credentials during a campaign in which they were called into question,
Obama talked tough on Iran to an audience of some 1,200 rabbis.
Last
year, Obama’s message was to push the now-defunct peace talks, urging community
leaders to support the administration’s renewed effort to achieve a
comprehensive settlement between Israel and the Palestinians.
This
year’s call demonstrated how far events have come in just twelve months.
Foreign policy challenges still dominated the conversation, with Obama focusing
on the dangers and complexities of the current conditions in the Middle East
and on the challenges of making peace in the conflict-ridden region.
Although
Obama asked for the rabbis’ support on domestic policy, the focus was on Iraq,
Syria, and of course, the Islamic State.
Participants
described the tone as “warm, engaging and cordial” as the president emphasized
the strength of the relationships binding Israel and the United States. Obama
did not, however, gesture to the US-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014, a
key bill which proponents hope will be sent for presidential approval during
the post-elections “lame duck” session of Congress.
The
president fielded two questions from participants – one general question about
the situation in the Middle East as a whole, and a second regarding the
challenge of demilitarizing Hamas and preventing the terror group from
benefiting from reconstruction efforts.
In
answer to the latter, Obama described efforts that are currently underway to
ensure that aid to Gaza reaches its intended recipients.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/obama-talks-islamic-state-syria-with-us-rabbis/#ixzz3E7i3xYXo
----------
US
helping Pakistan become prosperous, democratic: US envoy
23
September 2014
KARACHI:
Consul General of United States (US) in Karachi Brian Heath highlighting US
Assistance Programme for Pakistan said US has been helping Pakistan become a
stable, prosperous and democratic nation as all these three elements were
critical to success and co-dependent on one another.At Karachi Chamber Of
Commerce and Industry (KCCI) he said, “You cannot have a stable nation without
democracy and prosperity. You cannot have a prosperous nation, if it is
unstable and lacks democracy. Democracy does not last long in a country that is
not prosperous and unstable.”All of the US efforts are geared towards helping
people of Pakistan to create an enabling business environment.United States
Agency for International Development (USAID) is helping Pakistan rebuild its
infrastructure, particularly the roads network in order to ensure smooth flow
of tradable goods across the country and also to facilitate cross-border
trade.We are working on various projects to refurbish the existing power
stations with a view to add more megawatts into the system and are helping to
build the education sector so that maximum number of children have access to
education, he added.He was of the view both energy and education were key to
prosperous business environment as employees did not work as productively and
efficiently without education while factories could not be run without
electricity.Heath informed during his earlier visit to police headquarters, US
Consulate donated trucks, bulletproof jackets and helmets to help police
maintain law and order situation.Our assistance programmes for Pakistan is one
of largest involving hundreds of millions dollars throughout the year and even
close to a billion if military assistance being provided by US is also added to
the assistance programme, he informed.Terrorists’ attacks and extremists’
attack in Karachi and elsewhere in Pakistan affect investors’ confidence, which
needs to be improved.Although Pakistan’s economy has been growing but the
country faces severe energy crisis, which affects Gross Domestic Products
growth rate. In this regard US has been assisting Pakistan to overcome energy
crisis on priority under US Assistance Programmes.President KCCI Abdullah Zaki
said Karachi the financial and economic hub of Pakistan was contributing more
than 68 percent revenue to the national exchequer and offering immense
opportunities for investment and joint ventures to US businessmen and
investors.We have been focusing on strengthening trade ties with western
countries including US as we believe ‘Pakistan needs Trade Not Aid’ and we are
constantly emphasising upon the need to minimise trade barriers between the two
countries, he added.During 2013-14, Pakistan’s exports to US were recorded at
$3,951.04 million while Pakistan’s import from US stood at $1,125.58 million
making the trade balance favourable for Pakistan by $2,825 million.However no
progress was taking place in signing of Bilateral Investment Treaty between US
and Pakistan since 2009, which needs to be implemented at the earliest as it
would go in favour of both countries, he added.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/sindh/23-Sep-2014/us-helping-pakistan-become-prosperous-democratic-us-envoy
----------
FBI
tracking some Americans who fought with islamic State, then returned home
23
September 2014
White
House officials on Monday acknowledged for the first time that Americans who’ve
fought alongside the Islamic State terrorist group in Syria and Iraq have
returned to the U.S., raising concerns about an attack on the homeland as
President Obama prepares to urge the United Nations to confront the threat
overseas.
Counterterrorism
experts believe at least 100 Americans have traveled to the Middle East to join
the terrorist group, and a senior administration official said the total
includes “those who’ve gone, those who’ve tried to go, some who’ve come back
and are under active [investigation] — the FBI is looking at them.”
In a
little-noticed speech last week, one lawmaker said as many as 40 radicalized
Americans have returned to the U.S. after fighting with the Islamic State.
“It is …
believed that some 40 of those who left this country to join up with [the
Islamic State] have now returned to our country,” said Rep. Timothy H. Bishop,
New York Democrat. He said the 40 individuals “are under FBI attention and
surveillance. So they are known and being tracked by the FBI.”
Full
report at:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/sep/22/wh-some-islamic-state-fighters-returned/#ixzz3E7hN5gzi
----------
Islamic
State to John Kerry: You’re an ‘old uncircumcised geezer’
23
September 2014
Islamic
State terrorists have released a new video calling on lone wolf attacks in the
United States — and taking potshots at America’s leaders, characterizing
President Obama as the “mule of the Jews” and labeling Secretary of State John
Kerry as out-of-touch and ineffective.
Specifically,
Islamic State spokesman Abu Mohammad al-Adnani labels Mr. Kerry in the video as
an “old uncircumcised geezer,” the Daily Mail reported. He then slings the
phrase of “mule of the Jews” at Mr. Obama, before calling on those of Muslim
faith to take action and wage war on those who of non-Islam belief.
“If you
can, kill a disbelieving American or European — especially the spiteful and
filthy French — or an Australian or a Canadian, or any other disbeliever from
the disbelievers waging war, including the citizens of the countries that
entered into a coalition against the Islamic State … kill him in any manner or
way, however that may be,” Al-Adnani said, the Daily Mail reported.
France
angered the terrorist organization when four of their airstrikes killed dozens
of Islamic State members. The group is also angry with Mr. Obama for announcing
that 40 nations have agreed to stand by America’s side and fight Islamic State
terrorists.
Full
report at:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/sep/22/islamic-state-john-kerry-youre-old-uncircumcised-g/
---------
Arab World
Tales of
How Jihadists Use Offer of 'Virgins' as Recruiting Norm
23
September 2014
While
horrific stories of torture and inhumanity are not uncommon when it comes to
Sunni militant group Islamic State, tales have also started trickling in on how
the deadly jihadists often use offer of 'virgins' as a recruiting norm.
Reports
emerged last week on how the extremist group was using social media to lure
Western girls to their self-declared "caliphate" in Syria and Iraq
for the sheer purpose of procreating with jihadists. Most of those women
recruited are from Britain, Australia and the United States, terrorism experts
said earlier in September.
But now,
stories have surfaced on how these women, along with other Muslim women, were
used as sex-tools to lure foreign recruits– an instance that opens the world's
eye to the most depraved and sickening practice the hardliner group seems to
resort to, all in the name of God and religion.
"We
were told that as martyrs we would have 72 eternal virgins in heaven and we can
save dozens of our close relatives from hell too," ex-IS member Sherko
Omer, who escaped from the militants earlier this year, told Your Middle-East
in an interview.
The man,
who claims to have worked as a technical professional with the group, said that
every new recruit was promised women in heaven and on earth, based on IS
jihadist teaching of the verses of some Suras of Quran and Hadiths by prophet
Muhammad.
Full
report at:
http://www.ibtimes.co.in/islamic-state-tales-how-jihadists-use-offer-virgins-recruiting-norm-609708
----------
US
strikes kill 50 Qaeda fighters in Syria: Monitor
September
23, 2014
US air
strikes killed 50 Al-Qaeda militants and eight civilians, including children,
in northern Syria on Tuesday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
Most of
the 50 fighters killed in the attacks west of the second city Aleppo were
foreigners, and the civilians included three children and one woman, the
Britain-based monitoring group said.
The
strikes came in addition to separate raids carried out by a US-led coalition
including Arab nations that hit the Islamic State jihadist group in north and
east Syria.
In
Washington, the Pentagon confirmed eight US strikes against "seasoned
Al-Qaeda veterans" in Aleppo province.
"The
United States has also taken action to disrupt the imminent attack plotting
against the United States and Western interests conducted by a network of
seasoned Al-Qaeda veterans -- sometimes referred to as the Khorasan
Group," it said in a statement.
The
group, it added, has "established a safe haven in Syria to develop
external attacks, construct and test improvised explosive devices and recruit
Westerners to conduct operations".
Full
report at:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/111494/World/Region/US-strikes-kill--Qaeda-fighters-in-Syria-Monitor.aspx
-----------
Jihadists
kill 40 Iraqi soldiers, capture at least 70
23
September 2014
Jihadists
attacked an Iraqi army base west of Baghdad with six suicide bombers, killing
40 soldiers and capturing at least 70 others who fled, a senior army officer
said Monday.
Four
suicide bombers detonated explosives-rigged armoured personnel carriers at the
base in Saqlawiyah on Sunday, while two others attacked with explosive belts,
General Rashid Fleih told AFP.
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/111443/World/Region/Jihadists-kill--Iraqi-soldiers,-capture-at-least-.aspx
----------
Army
Kills Tens of Saudi Terrorists in Aleppo Countryside
23
September 2014
The
Syrian army killed a large number of terrorists in heavy clashes in Aleppo
countryside in the Northern parts of the country.
The army
conducted different operations in different parts of the Aleppo countryside and
killed at least 30 Saudi Takfiri terrorists after destroying their gathering
centers.
Also in
the past 24 hours, armed conflicts erupted between Jaysh al-Islam and Jaysh
Al-Ummah terrorists in Douma countryside.
Meantime,
the Syrian Armed Forces struck major blows at militants in the countryside of
Quneitra and Homs, leaving a large number of them dead and injured.
The
gathering centers of the foreign-backed militants were raided by the army
soldiers in the areas of Bi’r al-Ajam, Jibata al-Khashab and al-Briqa in
Quneitra.
The army
also inflicted heavy losses upon the militants in Homs countryside, killing
scores of them in Ein Hussein, al-Janoubi, Deir Foul Tal, and Abu al-Sanasel.
Elsewhere,
Foreign-backed militants sustained major losses as the Syrian Army continued to
score more gains against the armed groups in Idlib province.
Full
report at:
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13930701000439
----------
Iraq's
Warplanes Kill 4 ISIL Terrorists in Kirkuk
23
September 2014
Iraqi bomber attacks launched massive strikes
against the positions of the ISIL terrorists in Kirkuk province, killing an
injuring too many of them.
A
military source told Iraqi News that Iraq's Air Force launched several attacks
on the hideouts of the Takfiri group in the Southwestern areas of the province
and killed 4 ISIL terrorists.The security forces also injured 10 members of the
so-called Islamic group.
The
Takfiri terrorists currently control parts of Syria and Iraq. They have
threatened all communities, including Shiites, Sunnis, Kurds, Christians, Ezadi
Kurds and others, as they continue their atrocities in Iraq.
Senior
Iraqi officials have blamed Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and some Persian Gulf Arab
states for the growing terrorism in their country.
The ISIL
has links with Saudi intelligence and is believed to be indirectly supported by
the Israeli regime.
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13930701000277
----------
5 ISIL
Ringleaders Killed in Iraq's Babil
23
September 2014
ISIL
terrorists suffered major losses as the Iraqi Army scored major gains against
the Takfiri group in the Northern province of Babil.
A
military source told Iraqi News that the army soldiers killed five ringleaders
of the terrorist group during the operations in Jurf al-Sakhr district.
The
source added that two gathering centers of the terrorists in the areas of
Auweisat, Hujair, Ruwaiya and Abed Weis were also stormed during the attacks.
The
Takfiri terrorists currently control parts of Syria and Iraq. They have
threatened all communities, including Shiites, Sunnis, Kurds, Christians, Ezadi
Kurds and others, as they continue their atrocities in Iraq.
Senior
Iraqi officials have blamed Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and some Persian Gulf Arab
states for the growing terrorism in their country.
The ISIL
has links with Saudi intelligence and is believed to be indirectly supported by
the Israeli regime.
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13930701000322
----------
Islamic
State Terrorists Flee Females: ‘They Believe They’ll Go To Hell’ If Killed By
Woman
23
September 2014
Turns
out, terrorists on a jihad are terrified of women — at least, of being killed
by a woman.
That’s
because their beliefs teach that suicide missions lead to an afterlife of 72
virgins — unless they’re killed by a woman. Then, their afterlife is
virgin-free, spent in the fiery furnaces of hell, a lawmaker told the New York
Post.
“These
ISIL soldiers apparently believed that if they were killed in battle, they went
to paradise as long as they were killed by a man,” said Rep. Ed Royce, chairman
of the House International Relations Committee, in the New York Post.
But if
they’re killed by a woman, then it’s a no-go on the virgins, he said.
Females
are currently being recruited in Iraq to join the Kurdish Peshmerga forces and
fight against Islamic State terrorists, The Blaze reported. And the results
have been eye-opening.
Full
report at:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/sep/22/terrorists-flee-female-fighters-they-believe-theyl/#ixzz3E7gZ3Ppv
----------
Seven
terrorists sentenced to death in Saudia Arabia
23
September 2014
RIYADH —
Seven Saudi men have been sentenced to death for their role in one of the
Kingdom's largest terror cells, which consisted of 94 persons and aimed to
target oil facilities and assassinate security officers, scholars, senior
officials and journalists.
The
Special Criminal Court in Riyadh awarded death penalty to three terror suspects
on Monday and four others on Sunday. Forty suspects were sentenced to prison
terms. On Monday, the court sentenced 20 suspects to prison terms ranging from
five to 25 years, in addition to a travel ban. All the convicts are Saudis. The
convicts can appeal the verdict within 30 days, the Saudi Press Agency
reported. The charges against the convicts included kidnapping and killing a
foreigner, armed confrontation with the security forces, embracing deviant
ideology, joining Al-Qaeda, disobedience of the ruler, making explosives, and
receiving training in the use of weapons.
Full
report at:
http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20140923219074
----------
Shoura
Council favors scientific research law
23
September 2014
RIYADH –
The Shoura Council underscored the need for a law for scientific research in
the Kingdom. Muhammad Al-Amr, secretary general, said that the Council favored
the Cabinet view that there was no need to establish a fund for financing
scientific research. However, the Council, with a majority vote, called for
re-introducing the draft law for scientific research that it approved 10 years
ago, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The
Council discussed a report presented by the committee for the affairs of
education and scientific research, read by Khaled Abdullah, president of the
committee. Abdullah said that the justifications and objectives of the proposed
law are still relevant and hence the law shall be re-introduced in a way
implementing the policies, mechanism and priorities of national scientific
research in order to unify efforts on research and integrate it to take optimum
utilization of its outcome and avoid wasting of human and financial resources.
http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20140923219090
----------
Kuwait
donates $1m to help Palestinian children
23
September 2014
KUWAIT
CITY – Kuwait has donated $1 million to fund American Near East Refugee Aid’s
(ANERA) work with Palestinian communities, announced ANERA in a press release
on Monday.
The
generous contribution enables ANERA to support a range of significant projects
serving Palestinian communities in the West Bank and Gaza.
Kuwait’s
Ambassador to US Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah presented the donation to
ANERA President Bill Corcoran.
“During
this time of regional violence, we are especially mindful that the families of
Gaza have suffered both physical and psychological damage.
Full
report at:
http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20140923219037
----------
Former
Saudi ISIS fighter reveals secrets of militant group
23
September 2014
A Saudi
man who was a former fighter in the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has
revealed some of the secrets of the militant group in a television interview.
In the interview, the man describes his journey of becoming an ISIS fighter
before deserting the group in Syria and returning home.
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/webtv/reports/2014/09/22/Former-Saudi-ISIS-fighter-reveals-secrets-of-militant-group.html
----------
Jordan
signals took part in attacks on Islamic State
23
September 2014
The
Jordanian army said on Tuesday it had mounted air strikes against
"terrorist groups" that were planning attacks in Jordan, an
indication Amman had joined U.S.-led air strikes against Islamic State in
neighbouring Syria.
A
Jordanian army statement did not say where the air force had struck. "Air
force jets destroyed a number of targets that belong to some terrorist groups
that sought to commit terror acts inside Jordan," the statement broadcast
on state TV said.
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/111459/World/Region/Jordan-signals-took-part-in-attacks-on-Islamic-Sta.aspx
----------
South Asia
38
Taliban militants killed in clearing operations: MoI
Sep 23
2014
At last
38 Taliban militants were killed and 3 others were injured following military
operations by Afghan national security forces in various provinces of the
country.
The
Ministry of Interior (MoI) following a statement said, “In past 24 hours,
Afghan National Police conducted several anti-terrorism joint operations with
Afghan National Army and NDS to clean some of the areas from terrorists and
enemies of peace and stability of Afghanistan.”
The
statement further added the operations were conducted in Nangarhar, Kapisa,
Laghman, Balkh, Zabul and Helmand provinces, as a result 38 armed Taliban
members were killed, three wounded and four others were arrested by Afghan
National Security Forces.
Afghan
National Police discovered and confiscated light and heavy rounds ammunition
during the operations, MoI said.
The
statement also added that the Afghan National Police discovered and defused
nine different types of IEDs placed by enemies of Afghanistan for destructive
activities in Kandahar, Zabul and Herat provinces.
Taliban
militants group has not commented regarding the report so far.
http://www.khaama.com/38-taliban-militants-killed-in-clearing-operations-moi-8706
----------
China
jails Uighur scholar Ilham Tohti for life for 'separatism'
AFP |
Sep 23, 2014
BEIJING:
A court on Tuesday sentenced a prominent scholar from China's mostly-Muslim
Uighur minority to life in prison for "separatism", an unusually
harsh sentence for a long-time yet moderate critic of Beijing's policies in the
restive Xinjiang region.
The
United States, the European Union, and several human rights groups have called
for the release of Ilham Tohti. Analysts say his prosecution risks silencing
moderate Uighur voices and cutting off the possibility of dialogue.
Tohti, a
former university professor and advocate for minority rights in the vast
western region, will certainly appeal the sentence passed by a court in
Xinjiang's capital Urumqi, Li Fangping, one of his lawyers, said.
Tohti,
44, said he "did not agree" with the sentence as it was announced but
was not allowed to make any further statement before being led out by court
officials, Li said, adding that the court will "confiscate his entire
property".
Tohti's
wife cried loudly after the verdict was read and "was so upset she
couldn't walk," he added.
The
Xinjiang region is home to about 10 million members of the Uighur minority, and
in the last year has been hit by a string of attacks on civilians and clashes
which have killed at least 200 people.
Full
report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/China-jails-Uighur-scholar-Ilham-Tohti-for-life-for-separatism/articleshow/43218013.cms
---------
Militant
financing: Banks asked to be careful about their CSR funds
23
September 2014
The
government has asked the banks to make sure that their CSR funds are not used
for militant or terrorist financing, officials have said.
The
Finance Ministry move comes after the Home Ministry has repeatedly expressed
concerns in this regard.
The Bank
and Financial Institutions Division of the Finance Ministry yesterday issued a
circular, signed by Deputy Secretary Rajanul Huda, imposing bar on the
utilisation of the banks’ CRS funds for financing terrorist activities.
State
Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan told Dhaka Tribune yesterday: “There are
allegations that money from the Corporate Social Responsibility fund of the
Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited went into militant financing. This matter also
came up in the first meeting of the Anti-Militant Financing Task Force.”
He also
said his ministry was now investigating the usage of Islami Bank’s CSR fund and
looking into how some of the other banks, who follow the Islamic way of
banking, use their respective funds.
Full
report at:
http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2014/sep/23/militant-financing-banks-asked-be-careful-about-their-csr-funds#sthash.wljmGude.dpuf
----------
Ex-Jamaat
MP among 235 charged over Bamandanga police murders
23
September 2014
Police
have finally submitted the charge sheet in the sensational case filed over the
killing of four constables in Gaibandha’s Bamandanga investigation centre last
year accusing 235 people including former Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Ghoramara
Aziz.
Shundarganj
police OC Mozammel Huq submitted the charge sheet to the Senior Judicial
Magistrate Court on September 18, but kept the matter a secret.
Shundarganj
1 former MP Ghoramara is accused of instigating the attacks on February 28 in
different areas of the upazila – following the verdict by a war tribunal
sentencing Jamaat leader Delawar Hossain Sayedee to death.
On that
afternoon, the supporters of Jamaat and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir
torched Bamandanga Rail Station and uprooted the rail tracks in
Shantahar-Lalmonirhat route.
Later
they attacked the police investigation centre with sharp weapons, and beat up
and tortured the on-duty members leaving four constables dead and four others
injured. The deceased are Hazrat Ali, Tojammel Huq, Babul Mia and Nazim Uddin.
Then
Shundarganj police Sub-Inspector Abu Hanif filed the case against 2,500 people
naming Ghoramara and 88 others.
http://www.dhakatribune.com/crime/2014/sep/23/235-charged-over-bamandanga-police-murders#sthash.xhMnyVWX.dpuf
----------
Karzai
slams US, Pakistan in farewell speech
23
September 2014
Kabul:
Outgoing Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Tuesday blamed the United States for
his country's long war, a final swipe at the country that helped bring him to
power 13 years ago but towards which he has become increasingly bitter.
His
farewell speech came days ahead of the planned swearing in of a new president,
Ashraf Ghani, after months of potentially violent crisis over a disputed
election that ended in a power-sharing deal, yet to be tested, with rival
Abdullah Abdullah.
Karzai
blamed both the United States and neighboring Pakistan for the continuing war
with the Taliban-led insurgency and warned the new government to be “be extra
cautious in relations with the US and the West”.
The
conflict kills thousands of Afghans each year and has claimed the lives of more
than 2,200 American and other international forces in Afghanistan.
“One of
the reasons was that the Americans did not want peace because they had their
own agenda and objectives,” Karzai said.
Full
report at:
http://www.dawn.com/news/1133830/karzai-slams-us-pakistan-in-farewell-speech
----------
India
NIA
Seeks Home Ministry’s Nod to File Case against ISIS
Sep 23,
2014
The
National Investigation Agency (NIA) has sought the permission of the Ministry
of Home Affairs to file a case against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria
(ISIS).
Following
reports of Indian youths joining ISIS, the NIA is said to have suggested that
an “open case” under provisions of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and the
UN Convention on terrorism could be filed against ISIS for brainwashing youths
into committing acts of terror.
“We are
still deliberating the specific sections under which the case would be
registered. The Home Ministry is to take a final call on it,” a senior NIA
official said.
Since
the group has not committed any crime in India, the Home Ministry is exploring
the possibility of registering the case under some preparatory sections, such
as Section 18 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.
Full
report at:
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/nia-seeks-home-ministrys-nod-to-file-case-against-isis/#sthash.4s9jJgdB.dpuf
----------
‘No Clash
between Judiciary and Darul Quaza'
Faizan
Ahmad,TNN | Sep 22, 2014
PATNA:
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board's Darul Qaza, or Islamic court,
committee has asserted that it has no clash with the law of the land and
judiciary. The committee had its two-day meeting at Imarat Shariah in
Phulwarisharif, which concluded on Sunday evening.
The
board's president, Maulana Syed Rabey Hasni Nadvi, said the Islamic court's
decisions were binding on Muslims and it is a sin to challenge them in other
courts. Asking them to approach only the Islamic court for civilian cases,
particularly marriage, divorce and hereditary property disputes for quick
disposal on religious lines, he said Muslims everywhere should be educated and
encouraged to take their issues to Darul Quaza and strictly adhere to its
verdicts.
"Judicial
courts give verdict on the basis of the law of the land and Darul Quaza
delivers judgment on the basis of the holy Quran and Hadees. But there is no
clash between the two," said Nadvi, who is also the head of Lucknow-based
seminary Nadwatul Ulema. "The judicial courts never raised objections to
Islamic court's verdicts," he added.
Full
report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/No-clash-between-judiciary-and-Shariat-court/articleshow/43174165.cms
----------
India-Saudi
Arabia cooperation to grow: Modi
September
23, 2014
Prime Minister
Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that cooperation between India and Saudi Arabia
“will grow in the years to come” while greeting the people of the Gulf nation
on their National Day.
“Best
wishes to the people of Saudi Arabia on their National Day. I am sure the
cooperation between our nations will grow in the years to come,” Mr. Modi said.
This
year, Saudi Arabia is celebrating its 84th National Day.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/indiasaudi-arabia-cooperation-to-grow-modi/article6438604.ece
------------
I did
not criticise Islam in ‘Lajja': Taslima Nasrin
Sep 23,
2014
Bangladeshi
author Taslima Nasrin says she did not criticise Islam in her controversial
novel “Lajja” and the fatwa against her is because of her criticism of the
religion in many of her other books.
“Many
believe that I have criticised Islam in ‘Lajja’ and the Muslim fundamentalists
of Bangladesh have issued a fatwa against me – both untrue. I have not
criticised Islam in ‘Lajja’ and the fatwa is not because of Lajja. The fatwa is
because I have criticised Islam in many of my other books,” she says.
“‘Lajja’
can be seen as a symbol of protest. It is a protest against the violence,
hatred and killings that are going on all over the world in the name of
religion,” Nasrin writes in the preface of a new English translation of “Lajja”
brought out as a special 20th anniversary edition.
The
fresh edition, translated by activist-writer Anchita Ghatak, is published by
Penguin Books India.
Full
report at:
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/i-did-not-criticise-islam-in-lajja-taslima-nasrin/#sthash.dBjfXGpu.dpuf
----------
Pakistan
Pakistan
developing sea-based nuclear-arms
23
September 2014
ISLAMABAD/WASHINGTON:
Pakistan is developing sea-based missiles and expanding its interest in
tactical nuclear warheads to give it a "second-strike" capability if
a catastrophic nuclear attack destroyed all its land-based weapons, according
to a media report on Sunday.
The next
step of Pakistan's strategy includes an effort to develop nuclear warheads
suitable for deployment from the Indian Ocean, either from warships or from one
of the country's five diesel-powered navy submarines, The Washington Post
reported quoting Pakistani and Western analysts.
In a
sign of that ambition, Pakistan in 2012 created the Naval Strategic Force
command, which is similar to the air force and army commands that oversee
nuclear weapons. "We are on our way, and my own hunch is within a year or
so, we should be developing our second-strike capability," the paper
quoted Shireen M Mazari, a nuclear expert and the former director of the
Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, a Pakistani government-funded
thinktank.
Full
report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Pakistan-developing-sea-based-nuclear-arms/articleshow/43115566.cms
----------
19
terrorists killed in North Waziristan
23
September 2014
RAWALPINDI:
At least 19 terrorists were killed in precise aerial strikes in North
Waziristan on Tuesday.
According to an ISPR press release, aerial
strikes were carried out at terrorist hideouts in Dandi Kachkol near Ghulam
Khan, Gurbaz and Mana near Pasht Ziarat in North Waziristan.
The latest air strikes are part of Operation
Zarb-e-Azb launched in North Waziristan on June 2014 to eliminate terrorists
and their sanctuaries.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-160581-19-terrorists-killed-in-North-Waziristan-
----------
3 killed
in a suicide blast targeting senior army officer
23
September 2014
PESHAWAR:
At least three people — including a woman and a security official — were killed
and six others injured in a suicide blast targeting a convoy of the Frontier
Corps (FC) carrying a high-ranking military official in Peshawar on Tuesday.
Brigadier
Khalid Javed who was the target of the attack narrowly escaped the explosion
and is safe, CCPO Peshawar Ijaz Khan told reporters, adding that those killed
include a woman, an FC man and a passerby. He added that 13 people, including
security personnel, were injured in the explosion on Saddar Road caused by a car
bomb.
Full
report at:
http://www.dawn.com/news/1133796/woman-among-3-killed-in-peshawar-blast-targeting-senior-army-officer
----------
Qadri to
turn revolution march into storm in two to three days
23
September 2014
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) Chief Dr Tahirul Qadri on Monday announced turning
the wave of revolution into a storm within next two or three days and called
upon workers to take the “mission” to its logical end, claiming that
“intellectual revolution” has already taken place in the country.
“A strategy to turn this wave of revolution
into a storm will be devised within next two or three days and revolution will
soon be turned into a storm,” emotional PAT chief said. “Revolution has given
voice to the deaf and dumb, while dictators depressed the masses,” Qadri told
his diehard workers and devotees during his routine speech on the 39th day of
protest sit-in on the Constitution Avenue in heart of the federal capital.
Full
report at:
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/national/23-Sep-2014/qadri-to-turn-revolution-march-into-storm-in-two-to-three-days
----------
Six
major generals promoted; Rizwan new ISI DG
September
23, 2014
ISLAMABAD
- In a major reshuffle, six major generals of Pakistan Army were promoted as
lieutenant generals on Monday, while one of them was nominated as ISI director
general.
All the
elevated lieutenant generals were also assigned important positions; four of
them stepping into the shoes of the incumbent corps commanders of Mangla,
Peshawar, Gujranwala and Karachi on their retirement at the start of next
month.
According
to the ISPR, new Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) director general Lt-Gen
Rizwan Akhtar will assume charge on November 8, when incumbent DG Lt-Gen DG
Zaheerul Islam retires. One of the promoted officers, Lt-Gen Nazir Ahmad Butt
will assume the charge of IG Communication and Information Technology.
Full
report at:
http://nation.com.pk/national/23-Sep-2014/six-major-generals-promoted-rizwan-new-isi-dg
--------
Technocrats
should govern country for two years: Altaf Hussain
23
September 2014
LONDON:
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain has called for the setting
up of a technocratic government in the country for a period of two years,
DawnNews reported.
The
demand came as the MQM chief expressed his concern over the present political
crisis during a meeting with Punjab Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar in
London.
The
statement comes amid rumours that differences have developed between Sharif
brothers and Sarwar over governance issues and that the latter is planning to
resign. Sarwar has denied the rumours saying there was no truth in reports that
he was going to resign upon his return from London.
Full
report at:
http://www.dawn.com/news/1133794/technocrats-should-govern-country-for-two-years-altaf-hussain
----------
Muslims,
Christians come together for peace
23
September 2014
ISLAMABAD:
As many as 150 Muslim and Christian families, affected by the recent floods,
attended a function at a church in connection with the World Peace Day on
Monday.
The
event was organised at the Khanna Dak Christian Colony church with the hope
that it would give a message to the nation that different communities can live
together in peace and harmony.
Know
more: Is the NA apathetic towards minority issues?
Priest
Faqir Masih told the audience that it was the first time in his life that he
had seen members of the two communities together in a church. “We are pleased
and honoured by the presence of the Muslims in this church. This will bring the
communities closer.”
The
event was an initiative of the Global Peace Pioneers (GPP), a non-governmental
organization, working for peace, interfaith harmony and sustainable
development.
Ninety-nine
flood-affected families from the Christian Colony and 60 from Pindorian and
Iqbal Town attended the event.
http://www.dawn.com/news/1133718/muslims-christians-come-together-for-peace
----------
‘Security
agencies have failed to change ground realities in Balochistan’
23
September 2014
KARACHI:
The prince of the defunct Kalat state, Mohyuddin Baloch, has said the security
agencies which have been engaged in an operation against militancy in
Balochistan since 1999 have failed to bring about any change in ground
realities and now outside forces and neighbouring countries have jumped in.
“If we
fail to find a solution to our problem soon, international players may further
complicate the issue,” he said and recalled that a US senator had lent support
to the Baloch separatist movement while making a speech in Congress in February
last year.
The
prince, who had remained a federal minister for communications during the Zia
era, told a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Monday that he had
made an offer to the government which had not received any answer so far that
if he be given all powers except currency, defence and foreign policy for three
years he would bring back Balochistan to normality.
Full
report at:
http://www.dawn.com/news/1133673/security-agencies-have-failed-to-change-ground-realities-in-balochistan
----------
Mideast
Yemeni
Shia rebels sweep into Sanaa, 340 dead in a week
AP | Sep
23, 2014
SANAA:
In a stunning sweep of the Yemeni capital, the country's Shia rebels seized
homes, offices and military bases of their Sunni foes, forcing many into hiding
and triggering an exodus of civilians from the city after a week of fighting
that left 340 people dead.
It was
the latest development in the Hawthi blitz, which has plunged volatile Yemen
into more turmoil, pitting the Shia rebels against the Sunni-dominated military
and their Islamist tribal allies.
The
heavily armed Hawthi fighters yesterday seized tanks and armoured vehicles from
military headquarters they had overrun, and raided the home of long-time
archenemy Major General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, the commander of the army's elite
1st armoured division and a veteran of a series of wars against the Shiite
rebels, as well as residences of top Sunni Islamist militiamen or the
fundamentalist Islah party.
Al-Ahmar
himself fled and was forced into hiding, along with his followers, as the UN
envoy to Yemen, Jamal Benomar, succeeded in mediating a deal on Sunday between
the Shiite Hawthis and their rivals and the fighting died down. But the Hawthis
made no concessions.
After
flooding into Sanaa, the Hawthis also took strategic installations and key
state buildings, though they claimed later to have handed them back to the
army's military police.
Thousands
of Hawthi fighters — including many youths — were the only visible force Monday
on the streets of the capital.
Full
report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Yemeni-Shia-rebels-sweep-into-Sanaa-340-dead/articleshow/43199332.cms
---------
Iran,
OIC Discuss Spread of New Spate of Extremism in Region
23
September 2014
Iranian
Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Secretary-General of the Organization
of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Ayad Madani voiced concern over the threats
posed by extremist groups, and called on Muslim nations to gather around a
united front to root out extremism.
In a
meeting in New York on Monday, Zarif stressed the need for correcting the past
wrong policies regarding the regional issues and warned against spread of
terrorism and extremism.
He urged
the Islamic world to avoid factional tendencies and called on Muslim nations to
actively confront terrorism and extremism.
The two
politicians further exchanged views on regional developments such as ongoing
terrorist operations in Iraq.
Full
report at:
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13930701000582
----------
Erdogan
hints Turkey underwent ISIS prisoner swap
23
September 2014
Turkish
President Recep Tayyib Erdogan indicated for the first time Monday that his
country may have traded Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group prisoners
it held captive in exchange for 49 Turkish hostages held by the militants.
Asked
about it in New York on Monday, Erdogan said “such things may be possible.” He
said Israel released 1,500 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for one Israeli
hostage. "So you see, it's possible," he added.
The
hostages - 46 Turks and three Iraqis - were returned to Turkey on Saturday
after more than three months in the hands of ISIS, which captured them when it
overran the Iraqi city of Mosul in June.
Turkish
government officials have not revealed how they managed to secure the release
of the captives. Erdogan denied paying a ransom but has been vague on whether
there was a prisoner swap.
Speaking
at the Council of Foreign Relations in New York, Erdogan tried to sidestep the
question.
Full
report at:
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/09/23/Erdogan-hints-Turkey-underwent-ISIS-prisoner-swap.html
----------
Hamas
tortures citizens next to a school, PA daily claims
23
September 2014
Classes
in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis have been disrupted by the
screams and shouts of political prisoners being interrogated by Hamas security
forces in a nearby building, an official Palestinian Authority daily reported
As
reconciliation talks between Fatah and Hamas resumed in Cairo on Monday,
Ramallah-based Al-Hayat Al-Jadidah claimed that pupils in a girls’ school in
central Khan Younis have been affected by “fear and horror” as a result of the
torture, compounding their suffering during Operation Protective Edge.
Despite
having formed a unity government of technocrats on June 2, the political schism
between the two rival movements remains as deep as ever, with Abbas openly
accusing Hamas of scheming to topple him and of instigating the recent round of
violence with Israel.
Many
anonymous testimonies were sent to the daily by students fearing reprisal for
complaining openly. “M,” a new student at the school, asked her counterpart “A”
about the origin of the shrieks and was told that the building next door
belonged to Hamas police’s General Investigations Department.
Full
report at:
http://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-tortures-citizens-next-to-a-school-pa-daily-claims/#ixzz3E7eix3UZ
----------
Abbas to
demand U.N. resolution to end occupation
23
September 2014
Palestinian
leader Mahmoud Abbas said on Monday that he will demand an international
resolution that would set a timetable for ending Israeli occupation of
Palestinian territories when he speaks to the U.N. General Assembly this week.
If the
U.N. rejects his appeal, Abbas said he will seek membership in international
institutions and agencies. His aides have said that would include the
International Criminal Court.
Joining
the court could potentially open the door to war crimes charges against Israel,
both for its military actions in Gaza and for ongoing construction of Jewish
settlements on occupied lands.
Abbas
spoke Monday in a lecture at Cooper Union college. He is set to speak before
the General Assembly on Friday and is meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John
Kerry on Tuesday.
Full
report at:
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/09/23/Abbas-to-demand-U-N-resolution-to-end-occupation.html
----------
Israel
to react 'forcefully' to any threat after Syria jet downed
23
September 2014
Israel
will respond "forcefully" to attempts to threaten its security,
Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon warned on Tuesday after a Syrian warplane was
shot down over the Golan Heights.
"We
will not allow anyone, whether it is a state actor or a terror organisation, to
threaten our security and breach our sovereignty," he said in a statement.
"We
will respond forcefully against any such attempt, whether it is an error or
intentional."
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/111475/World/Region/Israel-to-react-forcefully-to-any-threat-after-Syr.aspx
----------
Israel
troops kill 2 Palestinian suspects in settlers murder: Army
23
September 2014
Israeli
Forces killed two Palestinians early Tuesday it had named as suspects in the
June murder of three Israeli settlers in the West Bank, the army said.
"Overnight,
Amer Abu Aisha and Marwan Qawame, murderers of Eyal, Gilad and Naftali -- were
killed in exchange of fire with Israeli forces," army spokesman Peter
Lerner said on his Twitter account.
The June
abduction of the three teenagers from a hitchhiking stop in the southern West
Bank sparked a huge Israeli search operation in which more than 400
Palestinians were arrested and at least five killed.
Full
report at:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/111450/World/Region/Israel-troops-kill--Palestinian-suspects-in-settle.aspx
----------
Israel
spy agency Mossad launches online recruitment drive
23
September 2014
Israel's
secretive overseas spy agency, the Mossad, launched a new website Monday to
recruit potential spooks, as well as an espionage thriller-type video hoping to
hook new talent.
The
site, Mossad.gov.il, available in Hebrew, English, Russian, French, Arabic and
Persian, features inspirational quotations from Israeli leaders past and
present, and an unattributed "This is my secret -- always and
forever", which links to the careers section.
The
"introduction questionnaire" asks candidates to pick their best
qualities, such as sociability, charisma, analytical ability and
inquisitiveness, and inquires about favourite hobbies and other indicators of
personality.
Full
report at:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/111437/World/Region/Israel-spy-agency-Mossad-launches-online-recruitme.aspx
---------
Europe
British
PM to meet Iran's Rouhani to ask for help against IS
23
September 2014
British
Prime Minister David Cameron will meet Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in the
next two days in New York and ask him for help to fight Islamic State, the
first meeting between leaders of the two nations since Tehran's 1979 Islamic
revolution.
Cameron
will meet Rouhani on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, a
source in the British leader's office told Reuters, speaking after the United
States and Arab partners struck IS targets inside Syria.
Cameron
is in New York to try to bolster international action against IS and to clarify
his own country's position when it comes to air strikes, something London has
so far held off participating in.
Cameron
is expected to ask Rouhani to drop his support for Syrian President Bashar
al-Assad, to tell him that developing nuclear weapons is unacceptable, and to
urge him to join the international coalition against IS.
Full
report at:
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/111476/World/Region/British-PM-Cameron-to-meet-Irans-Rouhani-to-ask-fo.aspx
----------
Putin says
IS strikes require Syria's consent
September
23, 2014
Russian
President Vladimir Putin warned just ahead of Tuesday's US air strikes in Syria
that the offensive should not be carried out without the Syrian government's
permission, in a phone call with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
"The
Russian side stressed that directing air strikes against the bases of Islamic
State terrorists in Syria should not be carried out without the agreement of
the Syrian government," said a Kremlin statement issued shortly after
midnight local time (20:00 GMT Monday).
The
United States, with backing from five allied Arab states, launched strikes from
the air and sea against Islamic State militants in Syria early on Tuesday.
Russia,
which is locked in a showdown with the West over Ukraine, said earlier this
month that unilateral US air strikes in Syria would be a violation of
international law.
Putin
will not attend a UN General Assembly that gathers in New York on Wednesday
which is expected to focus much of its attention on the jihadist advance in
Iraq and Syria.
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/111493/World/Region/Putin-says-IS-strikes-require-Syrias-consent.aspx
---------
Britain
says has not made final decision over air strikes in Syria
23
September 2014
Britain
said on Tuesday that no final decision had been made over whether to join air
strikes launched by the United States and several Gulf Arab allies on Islamic
State strongholds in Syria.
A
spokeswoman at the Ministry of Defence said discussions were still ongoing.
The
office of British Prime Minister David Cameron said Britain was not currently
part of the action against Islamic State militants who have seized large
expanses of territory in Iraq and Syria.
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/111462/World/Region/Britain-says-has-not-made-final-decision-over-air-.aspx
----------
EU
pledges €90.5 million for Afghanistan rural development
Sep 23 2014
The
European Union has pledged €90.5 million in aid for rural development projects
in Afghanistan, officials said Tuesday.
Finance
minister, Hazrat Omar Zakhilwal said the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and
Development will use the funds for development projects in villages across the
country.
Zakhilwal
further added that the funds will be used in National Solidrity projects,
development projects in villages and road construction.
The
funds will be channeled through World Bank to the government of Afghanistan,
the officials said, adding that the aid will cover hundreds of development
projects across the country in the upcoming 3 years.
In the
meantime, the European Union (EU) mission in Afghanistan says that the
implementation of development projects will have a positive impact on the
living conditions of villagers across the country.
The
mission reaffirmed continued support to Afghanistan and pledged that the
European Union will remain committed to implement more rural development
projects in the country.
http://www.khaama.com/eu-pledges-e90-5-million-for-afghanistan-rural-development-8709
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France
won’t stop fight against Islamic State despite kidnapping: French PM
September
23, 2014
France’s
prime minister says his country won’t stop fighting Islamic State militants
despite demands by kidnappers holding a French hostage.
The
55-year-old man was abducted in Algeria on Monday by a splinter group from
al-Qaida’s North African branch. The Jund al-Khilafah, or Soldiers of the
Caliphate, said it would kill him unless France halts it airstrikes in Iraq
within 24 hours.
Manuel
Valls said Tuesday on Europe 1 radio that French authorities are “doing
everything” to try to free the hostage, but won’t negotiate with his captors.
He said,
“if we cede, if we retreat one inch, that would hand victory” to the militants.
French
forces on Friday joined the U.S. in carrying out airstrikes against extremists
who have overrun large areas of Syria and Iraq.
http://indianexpress.com/article/world/middle-east-africa/france-wont-stop-fight-against-islamic-state-despite-kidnapping-french-pm/#sthash.hTSdyY43.dpuf
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Africa
Algerian
Terrorists Kidnap Frenchman Following ISIL Calls to Attack Westerners
23
September 2014
An
Al-Qaeda splinter group kidnapped a French citizen and announced it will
execute him if Paris doesn’t stop its military action against the Islamic State
of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorist group in Iraq.
France
has confirmed the incident, but says it will not change the nation's position,
RT reported.
In a
video that appeared on social media, a masked member of a group calling itself
Jund al-Khilafah, or Soldiers of the Caliphate, warns French President Francois
Hollande that the hostage will be executed unless France ends its airstrikes
and other military actions against ISIL.
Flanked
by two masked men, the Frenchman reiterates the group’s demands and asks for
help, "I am in the hands of Jund al-Khilifa, an Algerian armed
group."
"This
armed group is asking me to ask you (President Francois Hollande) not to
intervene in Iraq. They are holding me as a hostage and I ask you, Mr.
President, to do everything to get me out of this bad situation, and I thank
you".
Full
report at:
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13930701000785
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Libya’s
parliament approves new government
23
September 2014
Libya’s
elected parliament approved on Monday a new cabinet proposed by Prime Minister
Abdullah al-Thinni, a parliamentary spokesman said.
The
House of Representatives agreed on a second cabinet list after rejecting last
week an initial a 16-member lineup as too large, spokesman Faraj Hashem said.
The new
cabinet has only 13 ministers and no oil minister, lawmakers said. The vital
oil sector will be run by state firm National Oil Corp (NOC).
Thinni,
a former career soldier, has been prime minister since March but had resigned
after a June election. Lawmakers then asked him to again form a new government.
But
Thinni has failed to establish rule of law in Libya, where armed groups have
called the shots since the overthrow of Muammar Qaddafi in 2011.
Full
report at:
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/09/23/Libya-s-parliament-approves-new-government.html
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Southeast Asia
Indonesia
militants claim slaying of ‘police informant’
23
September 2014
JAKARTA
— An Indonesian militant group led by the country’s most wanted extremist has
claimed responsibility for the brutal murder of a farmer accused of being a
police informant.
The
Eastern Indonesia Mujahideen, led by an extremist known as Santoso, said they
had killed Fadli — a 50-year-old who like many Indonesians goes by one name —
on the central island of Sulawesi, a known hotbed of militant activity.
According
to the police, five men, some of them wearing balaclavas, dragged the victim
out of his house on Thursday night and hacked at his neck, almost decapitating
him. Police are still hunting the attackers.
“We have
slaughtered a villager,” the Eastern Indonesia Mujahideen said in a statement
released to Islamist websites in recent days.
The
killing was “due to his infidel act of providing information to the cursed
Detachment 88 (an elite police anti-terror unit) that resulted in an attack
against us, killing two of our brothers,” said the statement.
Full
report at:
http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20140923219056
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Harmony
law won’t infringe on constitutional rights, minister says
23
September 2014
KUALA
LUMPUR, Sept 23 ― The proposed legislation to safeguard national unity will be
formulated in accordance with the Federal Constitution, a minister said today,
following concerns raised by right-wing groups that the replacement law for the
Sedition Act would infringe on Malay rights.
Minister
in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Joseph Kurup gave his assurance,
however, that Putrajaya will ensure that all new legislations are kept within
the strict confines of the country’s supreme law.
“I would
like to stress here that the Barisan Nasional (BN) government, under Datuk Seri
Najib Razak’s leadership, is very careful in ensuring that the enactment of any
new law, not just this (National Harmony Act), does not contravene the existing
provisions in the Constitution,” he said at the launch of Majlis Muhibah
Malaysia here today.
Kurup
also repeated that the draft of the National Harmony Bill, which has been
touted as a replacement to the 1948 Sedition Act, has not been finalised.
“Any
draft bills need to be prepared in detail so that it would be relevant not only
today, but also in years to come,” he said.
Putrajaya
established the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) in 2012 after
pledging to do away with the Sedition
Act, saying it was time for a new law that would help strike the right balance
between upholding the rights of Malaysians to free speech while at the same
time ensuring such freedoms would not allow irresponsible individuals to run
riot with the added liberties.
Full
report at:
http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/harmony-law-wont-infringe-on-constitutional-rights-minister-says#sthash.XV5fzu71.dpuf
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