| Islamic World News | |
| 17 Apr 2011, NewAgeIslam.Com |
| Russia Warns NATO Over the Size of Libya Attacks | ||
Gaddafi's daughter sends defiant message NATO Running Short of Bombs in Libya: Report Pak, Afghan set up joint commission to pursue peace 10-member Taliban group joins government Attack on troops shows Taliban danger 3 civilians killed in Taliban-police clash: Afghanistan Army bound to keep itself away from politics: CJ Pakistan Jamaat e Islami Hind all set to launch Welfare Party US never told India not to build Iran pipeline’ India, Kazakhstan ink civil nuclear cooperation deal Taliban claims responsibility for attack on base Cirebon bomb victim flown to Jakarta hospital Indonesian Ulema: Suicide Bombers are enemy of Islam Babar’s role in ministry not over: Pakistan Law Ministry 2500 terrorists killed in FATA operations: FC My job is done if India-Pakistan ties normalise: PM Libya denies using cluster bombs against rebels Emergency to be lifted: Assad US groups nurtured Mideast protests US puts Europe's anti-Iran shield to test over Pacific Ten ANA soldiers injured in explosion - Afghanistan Blocking NATO supply JI to join Tehrik-e-Insaf Over 50,000 rally in Serbia for early elections Parliament resisting tax reforms: Hafeez FIA set to lose another Khanani & Kalia case Egypt court dissolves Mubarak’s former ruling party US consent clinched the issue Flight delays cause havoc in Madinah Extremist attack kills 13 soldiers in Algeria Mubarak's health stable: state media Yemen opposition to meet Gulf ministers over crisis Thousands denounce Saleh’s remarks on women Ba'asyir says porn-watching PKS legislator un-Muslim Be careful of Arab-sponsored organizations: NU Ivory Coast investigates ministers in blood crimes Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau Photo: A conference on the topic "NATO, combating international | ||
Jamaat activist among eight dead in Karachi: PakRussia Warns NATO Over the Size of Libya Attacks
By JUDY DEMPSEY
April 15, 2011
BERLIN — As NATO leaders sought additional aircraft Friday to oppose the forces of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi in Libya, Russia warned the alliance not to use too much military force there.
The Russian foreign minister, Sergey V. Lavrov, said it was crucial not to use “excessive military force which will lead to further additional casualties among civilians.”
“We believe it is important to urgently transfer things into the political course and proceed with a political and diplomatic settlement,” he said at a news conference at the end of a two-day meeting here of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s foreign ministers.
Russia has strongly opposed the NATO mission in Libya from the start, getting support from Brazil, China and India.
On Friday, Mr. Lavrov suggested that NATO’s actions had exceeded the U.N. Security Council’s resolution, which calls for a no-flight zone and protection of the civilian population. He said that at one point some counties had wanted to send ground forces into Libya, in breach of the mandate, though he then conceded that that did not happen.
NATO officials dismissed Mr. Lavrov’s criticism. “We are strictly adhering to the U.N mandate,” said NATO’s secretary general, Anders Fogh Rasmussen.
Mr. Rasmussen was still trying Friday to obtain more aircraft from alliance members. He said he had indications that allies would provide extra strike aircraft for the operation.
“I’m hopeful that we will get the necessary assets in the very near future,” Mr. Rasmussen said at the news conference after the meeting. He declined to name any countries.
Britain and France had asked its NATO allies to provide more strike aircraft so that the coalition could hit targets in Libya with more precision. But it was clear Friday that several big alliance members, including Italy, Spain and Poland, were not willing to provide strike aircraft.
Despite the differences between Russia and NATO over Libya, both sides had lengthy discussions Friday at the NATO-Russia council, which is supposed to foster closer cooperation and trust between both sides.
At the meeting, NATO discussed the controversial issue of U.S. plans to deploys parts of a missile shield in Eastern Europe.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton called for cooperation between NATO and Russia on the issue, saying such that would protect Europe and Russia against threats.
“From the NATO side, our position is very clear: We are thinking about two separate systems, a NATO system and a Russian system, but with a common objective,” Mrs. Clinton told the foreign ministers Friday. “So these two systems should coordinate and cooperate closely, exchange data and thereby make the overall architecture effective.”
She said the two missile defense centers — one for data sharing and one for advance planning and coordinating operations — could serve as linchpins for a cooperative approach to European missile defense. “They could offer a higher level of protection for NATO and Russia than if we acted separately.”
“We want to work together to set up mechanisms that will ensure long-term cooperation on missile defense between NATO and Russia,” she said. “We are optimistic that the NATO-Russia council can agree on a way forward based on the principle of equal partnership.”
Mrs. Clinton also raised the prospect of new negotiations to strengthen conventional arms control in Europe. But Mrs. Clinton insisted that “to get there, Russia must be willing to talk to its neighbors about its equipment and forces in disputed territories.”
Mrs. Clinton was referring to the presence of Russian troops in Transnistria, which is attempting to break away from Moldova, as well as the breakaway Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia that are supported by Russia.
On a more harmonious note, Russia and NATO agreed that Moscow would supply helicopters to Afghanistan and help assist the transit of military equipment and logistical supplies into the country.
At the end of the summit meeting, Mrs. Clinton gave an optimistic assessment, saying the alliance was united in its goal.
And in a move aimed at starting a major debate on nuclear weapons, Mrs. Clinton said NATO would begin what she called a NATO posture review process “to determine what mix of conventional, nuclear and missile defense forces NATO will need going forward.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/16/world/africa/16nato.html?_r=1
--------
Jamaat activist among eight dead in Karachi: Pak
By Imran Ayub
April 17, 2011
KARACHI: Eight people, among them a former UC naib nazim, were killed amid ongoing wave of violence and targeted killings in different areas of the city on Saturday.
Twelve injured people were brought to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Civil Hospital and Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.
A man was found dead at an isolated place in Saadi Town area of the city. He was identified as 46-year-old Junaid Zahidi.
The victim belonged to the Jamaat-i-Islami and was former naib nazim of a union council in Gulshan Town.
He was hit by six bullets and his hands and legs were trussed up with rope. A Jamaat-i-Islami spokesman said Mr Zahidi was elected UC naib nazim in 2001. He had six children.
An owner of a roadside hotel was shot dead in Nazimabad by armed motorcyclists. The deceased was identified as 37-year-old Abdul Wasay Khan.
The shooting also left Zareef Khan and Nadir Khan injured. They worked at the same hotel.The victims belonged to Pishin district of Balochistan.
Earlier in the day, six people were killed, including activists of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Mohajir Qaumi Movement (Haqiqi) and the Awami National Party.
A police officer posted in Jacobabad was among the dead. Police sources, however, said he was killed because of some personal enmity.
“Altaf Hussain deplored and condemned the brutal killings of the MQM workers and other people and called upon the government to take indiscriminate action against the killers,” said an MQM statement.
“The city should be cleansed of the criminal elements and the life and property of people should be safeguarded,” the statement quoted him as saying.
http://www.dawn.com/2011/04/17/violence-in-karachi-continues-seven-more-killed.html
--------
Gaddafi's daughter sends defiant message
April 17, 2011
From her father's compound, struck by U.S. bombs exactly 25 years ago, Muammar Gaddafi's daughter sent a defiant message early on Friday: Libya was not defeated by airstrikes then and won't be defeated now, she told a cheering crowd.
The daughter, Aisha, pumped her right fist as she led the audience in late-night chants from the second-floor balcony of the badly damaged Bab Aziziyah compound, targeted by U.S. warplanes in 1986.
"Leave our skies with your bombs," she said, referring to NATO airstrikes that had struck Tripoli just hours earlier.
Gaddafi, in power for 42 years, has been testing the international community's resolve on the battle field. On Thursday, his forces shelled the besieged western Libyan town of Misrata, where rebels are clinging to positions near the port area, their only link to the outside world.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton told NATO foreign ministers meeting in Berlin on Thursday that Gaddafi is taunting the alliance by continuing to strike cities held by the rebels seeking his overthrow.
"As our mission continues, maintaining our resolve and unity only grows more important," Clinton said. NATO members agree that Gaddafi has to go to end the crisis in Libya, but made clear they are not the ones to oust him.
The Libyan leader has a long and troubled history with the West. In the 1980s, he was seen as sponsor of militant groups, and Libya's secret service was held responsible for the April 5, 1986 bombing of a Berlin disco that killed two U.S. servicemen.
Ten days later, U.S. warplanes struck targets in Benghazi and Tripoli, including Gaddafi's Bab Aziziyah compound. Dozens were killed in the strikes. Gaddafi never repaired Bab Aziziyah, instead turning it into a museum.
Hundreds rallied there late Thursday and early Friday, chanting pro-Gaddafi slogans, such as "Only Allah, Moammar and Libya," and "The people want Moammar as their leader."
The crowd erupted in cheers when Aisha appeared on the balcony.
"Let me go back to the past when I was a child, when I was nine years old, in this house," she said. "A rain of missiles and bombs. They tried to kill me. They killed dozens of children in Libya."
"Now, after 25 years, the same missiles, the same bombs, rain on our children's heads," she said.
"We are a people that cannot be defeated," she added.
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/world/middle-east/gaddafis-daughter-sends-defiant-message-422
--------
NATO Running Short of Bombs in Libya: Report
April 17, 2011
Washington. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is running short of precision bombs and other munitions in its Libyan operation against the forces of Libyan leader Muammar el-Qaddafi, The Washington Post reported late Friday.
Citing unnamed senior NATO and United States officials, the newspaper said the shortage highlights the limitations of Britain, France and other European countries in sustaining even a relatively small military action.
The scope of the problem was not mentioned.
The shortage of European munitions, along with the limited number of aircraft available, has raised doubts among some officials about whether the United States can continue to avoid returning to the air campaign, the report said.
So far, the NATO commander has not requested their deployment, The Post noted.
But several US military officials said they anticipated being called back into the fight, the paper said.
Washington pulled back around 50 combat planes from Libyan operations last week after handing over control of the mission to NATO, although since then they took part in some missions to take out Qaddafi’s air defense systems.
Currently, only six out of 28 nations are conducting air strikes, while France and Britain carry out half of them. The other half are conducted by Belgium, Denmark, Norway and Canada.
A senior administration official said he expected other countries to announce “in the next few days” that they would contribute aircraft equipped with the laser--\guided munitions, The Post pointed out.
http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/international/nato-running-short-of-bombs-in-libya-report/435810
--------
Pak, Afghan set up joint commission to pursue peace
April 17, 2011
KABUL: Pakistan and Afghanistan on Saturday agreed on the formation of a joint commission to carry forward the reconciliation process, following the withdrawal of foreign troops from the insurgency-torn country.
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who held exhaustive talks here at the Presidential Palace, described the parleys as "historic", saying that "the two countries stand together as they have shared destinies".
Prime Minister Gilani said that he in consultations with President Karzai, Chairman Professor Burhanuddin Rabbani and members of the High Peace Council, had agreed to establish the two-tier Afghanistan-Pakistan Joint Commission for facilitating and promoting reconciliation and peace.
The first tier of commission will include the chief executives, foreign ministers along with chiefs of the military and intelligence services of the two countries while the second tier will comprise senior officials of foreign ministries, military and intelligence services.
"I have assured President Karzai that Pakistan strongly supports an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process for reconciliation and peace," Gilani said.
He also extended Pakistan's full support to the efforts of President Karzai and the High Peace Council, for initiating an inclusive process of grand national reconciliation in which all Afghans not only have a stake but the process also promises the future peace and stability in their country.
Full report at:
http://www.thenews.jang.com.pk/NewsDetail.aspx?ID=14254
--------
10-member Taliban group joins government
April 17, 2011
KUNDUZ (AIP): A 10-member group of Taliban renounced violence and joined the government’s peace process this morning in Dash-e-Arch district of northern Kunduz province, police claimed Saturday. The Taliban group led by Ahmad Shah joined the government in Mulla Qudus area of Dash-e-Arch and surrendered their weapons to Afghan forces, Samiullah Qatara, police chief of Kunduz province, told Afghan Islamic Press (AIP). Full report at:
http://www.thefrontierpost.com/News.aspx?ncat=an&nid=870
--------
Attack on troops shows Taliban danger
April 17, 2011
KABUL — Two suicide attacks in two days which killed a police chief and five foreign troops in Afghanistan show the Taliban’s ability to land heavy blows without even engaging in direct combat, experts say.
As spring brings warmer weather across the country, the traditional fighting season is getting under way, which Western officials say will provide a litmus test of their strategy in the near ten-year war following a US troop surge.
But experts warn that Friday’s killing of the police chief of Kandahar and Saturday’s army base blast which left five foreign troops and four Afghans dead again highlight that the Taliban can score points without battlefield gains.
Insurgents appear to have stepped up their campaign against the security forces with at least nine suicide bombings in the past five days.
Full report at:
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle08.asp?xfile=data/international/2011/April/international_April761.xml§ion=international
--------
3 civilians killed in Taliban-police clash: Afghanistan
April 17, 2011
KANDAHAR: (AIP): Three Afghan civilians were killed and four more injured during crossfire between the Taliban and police in the provincial metropolis of Uruzgan on Saturday. Taliban fighters opened fire on uncles of police commander of a security checkpost early in the morning, the Uruzgan police headquarters anti-crime branch in-charge Gulab Khan told the AIP. It left an uncle of the police commander dead and another injured. An Afghan civilian was killed and three more sustained injuries when the police returned the fire, he said. Meanwhile, the Uruzgan public health chairman Dr Sher Agha Miankhel told the AIP that a body and four injured of the incident were brought to the hospital. He maintained one injured succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
Full report at:
http://www.thefrontierpost.com/News.aspx?ncat=an&nid=868
--------
Army bound to keep itself away from politics: CJ Pakistan
April 17, 2011
ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice (CJ), Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, has observed that every member of the armed forces, according to the oath, is bound to bear true allegiance to Pakistan and uphold the constitution, which embodies the will of the people.
Addressing faculty members from Command and Staff College, Quetta at the Supreme Court (SC) building on Saturday, he said it was incumbent upon every member of the forces not to engage himself in any political activities whatsoever, and honestly and faithfully serve Pakistan.
He said military interventions in political processes weakened the democratic institutions and caste adverse implications on the growth of country’s constitution and legal system.
“Pakistan Army has been regarded as a highly disciplined and trained force over the years, but its dominance of politics in Pakistan eventually led to people raising eyebrows over its role,” the CJ said.
Full report at:
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011\04\17\story_17-4-2011_pg1_2
--------
Jamaat e Islami Hind all set to launch Welfare Party
April 17, 2011
Influential Muslim outfit Jamaat-e-Islami Hind is all set to test waters in politics by launching a party, an official announcement of which will be made on Monday.
“We are forming a political outfit namely Welfare Party. Though Jamaat is launching the party, the outfit will be an independent body,” the Jamaat’s convener SQR Ilyas said.
A formal announcement in this regard is expected on Monday when the Jamaat is holding a conference.
Full report at:
http://www.dailypioneer.com/332212/Jamaat-all-set-to-launch-Welfare-Party.html
--------
US never told India not to build Iran pipeline’
April 17, 2011
The US government has never told the Indian government directly that it does not want the Iran-Pakistan-India natural gas pipeline to be built. “They have said it isn’t a good thing in public,” said high level sources. “But never to us directly — possibly because they know the answer they would get
.” India is still interested in the Iran-Pakistan pipeline, said the sources. The barriers to its creation lie in the region rather than Washington.
Among the proposals has been that Iran be allowed to invest heavily in the industry so it has a stake on both ends.
Full report at:
http://www.hindustantimes.com/US-never-told-India-not-to-build-Iran-pipeline/H1-Article1-686235.aspx
--------
India, Kazakhstan ink civil nuclear cooperation deal
April 17, 2011
NEW DELHI: Refusing to be scared away from nuclear energy as a viable source of power even after the Fukushima crisis, India on Saturday signed a civil nuclear agreement with Kazakhstan which gives Indian reactors access to uranium from the Central Asian country.
During a rare visit to Astana, PM Manmohan Singh also formalized a joint oil exploration deal between ONGC-Videsh and Kazmunaigas for a 25% stake in the Satpaev oil block in Caspian basin. Other agreements include those on mutual legal assistance, agriculture, cyber security and healthcare. The PM said, "They represent solid and substantive outcomes in sectors where we have complementary strengths."
India and Russia are engaged in a massive exercise to wean Kazakhstan away from the Chinese embrace, and in the coming months, a free trade agreement including India, Kazakhstan and Russia will be negotiated, which will help Kazakhstan integrate a lot more to Russia and India. Kazakhstan has recently signed a customs union with Russia and Belarus.
Full report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-Kazakhstan-ink-civil-nuclear-cooperation-deal/articleshow/8003236.cms
--------
Taliban claims responsibility for attack on base
April 17, 2011
A suicide bomber wearing an Afghan security forces uniform blew himself up Saturday at the entrance to a military base in eastern Afghanistan, killing at least four Afghan soldiers, officials said.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.
Militants have conducted an increasing number of attacks in the east and north since many of them were routed from their strongholds in the south by an influx of tens of thousands of U.S. and NATO forces last year.
Full report at:
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/04/16/taliban-claims-responsibility-attack-base.html
--------
Cirebon bomb victim flown to Jakarta hospital
April 17, 2011
Cirebon bomb victim flown to Jakarta hospitalCirebon Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Herukoco was referred to the Pertamina Central Hospital in Jakarta on Sunday after being severely injured in an alleged suicide bombing at a mosque in the Cirebon Police office complex in West Java.Heru is among the 15 victims the Friday explosion that happened just as an imam of the mosque began to lead the Friday prayers. One person, believed to be the suicide bomber, died in the incident.Heru received treatment at Cirebon’s Pertamina Hospital. Materials such as nails, nuts and bolts, were embedded in his skin after the bomb exploded.He will be flown to Jakarta in a West Java Police helicopter.
Full report at:
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/04/17/cirebon-bomb-victim-flown-jakarta-hospital.html
--------
Indonesian Ulema: Suicide Bomers are enemy of Islam
April 17, 2011
The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) urges the whole nation to condemn the suicide bomb attack that hit a mosque at the Cirebon Police complex during Friday prayers. “The bombing attack is a real evidence that the terror perpetrators are the enemy of Islam followers,” head of the Inter Religion Harmony Affair Slamet Effendy Yusuf told The Jakarta Post over the telephone on Friday.
Full report at:
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/04/16/mui-bombing-perpetrators-are-enemy-islam.html
--------
Babar’s role in ministry not over: Pakistan Law Ministry
April 17, 2011
LAHORE: Despite his resignation as federal law minister, Babar Awan is likely to be part of the decision-making process in the law ministry, sources say.
Senator Maula Bakhsh Chandio was made law minister only after the Supreme Court asked the government to appoint a new minister without delay after Babar Awan had resigned.
The law minister is a member of the National Judicial Commission and his presence is required for the appointment of judges and other matters.
The sources told this reporter on Saturday that the PPP leadership had taken Babr Awan into confidence over its choice for the job. The party co-chairman also obliged the former minister by appointing his brother Farooq Awan as adviser to prime minister on law and parliamentary affairs.
“It is largely believed in the party circles that after the induction of Babar Awan’s brother into the law ministry, the role of the new minister from Hyderabad will be minimal,” a PPP leader said.
Full report at:
http://www.dawn.com/2011/04/17/babars-role-in-ministry-not-over.html
--------
2500 terrorists killed in FATA operations: FC
April 17, 2011
ISLAMABAD: Colonel Ijaz of the Frontier Corps (FC) informed the Senate Standing Committee on Interior that the Mohmand Agency operation is in its last phase, and that around 2,500 terrorists have so far been killed in Fata. Colonel Ijaz briefed the Standing Committee on Saturday, stating that 169 Pakistan Army personnel and 240 soldiers of the FC have so far been killed in the operation against militants. He said that 5,578 militants have been injured while 956 militans have been nabbed during operations
Full report at:
http://www.thefrontierpost.com/News.aspx?ncat=ts&nid=2251
--------
My job is done if India-Pakistan ties normalise: PM
April 17, 2011
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would consider his job “well done” if ties with Pakistan return to normal before he leaves office, local media quoted him as saying on Sunday, weeks after Singh’s diplomatic push at the cricket World Cup.
My job is done if India-Pakistan ties normalise: PM
NEW DELHI - Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would consider his job “well done” if ties with Pakistan return to normal before he leaves office, local media quoted him as saying on Sunday, weeks after Singh’s diplomatic push at the cricket World Cup.
The nuclear-armed neighbours have slowly tried to rebuild a fragile trust shattered by the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which Singh’s government blamed on Pakistan-based militants in collusion with the country’s spy agency.
Full report at:
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle08.asp?xfile=data/international/2011/April/international_April764.xml§ion=international
--------
Libya denies using cluster bombs against rebels
April 17, 2011
Libya is categorically denying claims that Muammar Gaddafi's forces are using illegal cluster bombs against rebels in Misrata, as the long-besieged town came under heavy fire once again. French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said on Saturday that a new UN resolution to push the Libyan leader into quit
ting was unnecessary, and German Economy Minister Rainer Bruederle suggested frozen Libyan funds be diverted to the United Nations to pay for aid to victims of the conflict.
US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said its researchers reported the use of internationally banned cluster munitions against Misrata, the rebels' last major bastion in western Libya.
Full report at:
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Libya-denies-using-cluster-bombs-against-rebels/H1-Article1-686297.aspx
--------
Emergency to be lifted: Assad
April 17, 2011
DAMASCUS — President Bashar Al Assad said on Saturday the emergency law in force in Syria for nearly 50 years will be abolished within a week, and expressed his sadness at the deaths of protesters.
“The juridical commission on the emergency law has prepared a series of proposals for new legislation, and these proposals will be submitted to the government, which will issue a new law within a week at the most,” he said.
Emergency law in force since 1963 restricts public gatherings and movement, authorises the interrogation of any individual and the monitoring of private communications and imposes media censorship.
In a televised address to the new cabinet charged with launching reforms, Assad also expressed his sorrow over the deaths of an estimated 200 people in a month of protests demanding greater freedoms.
Full report at:
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle09.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2011/April/middleeast_April350.xml§ion=middleeast
--------
US groups nurtured Mideast protests
April 17, 2011
WASHINGTON: Even as the US poured billions of dollars into foreign military programs and anti-terrorism campaigns, a small core of American government-financed organizations were promoting democracy in authoritarian Arab states.
The money spent on these programs was minute compared with efforts led by the Pentagon. But as American officials and others look back at the uprisings of the Arab Spring, they are seeing that the US' democracy-building campaigns played a bigger role in fomenting protests than was previously known, with key leaders having been trained by the Americans in campaigning, organizing through new media tools and monitoring elections.
A number of the groups and individuals directly involved in the revolts and reforms sweeping the region, including the April 6 Youth Movement in Egypt, the Bahrain Center for Human Rights and grass-roots activists like Entsar Qadhi, a youth leader in Yemen, received training and financing from groups like the International Republican Institute, the National Democratic Institute and Freedom House, a nonprofit human rights organization based in Washington, according to interviews in recent weeks and American diplomatic cables obtained by WikiLeaks.
Full report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/US-groups-nurtured-Mideast-protests/articleshow/7996525.cms
--------
US puts Europe's anti-Iran shield to test over Pacific
April 17, 2011
WASHINGTON: The US military said it shot down an intermediate-range ballistic missile target over the Pacific on Friday in the "most challenging" test yet of its work on a planned antimissile shield for Europe against Iran.
The Pentagon said the successful test of Lockheed Martin Corp and Raytheon Co hardware "demonstrated the capability" of the first phase of a layered, multibillion dollar antimissile shield, which is due to be in place in Europe by year-end.
The technology may also be adapted to defend against North Korea, another focus of US antimissile efforts, and ultimately to bolster existing US ground-based defenses.
Full report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/US-puts-Europes-anti-Iran-shield-to-test-over-Pacific/articleshow/8002768.cms
--------
Ten ANA soldiers injured in explosion - Afghanistan
April 17, 2011
GHAZNI (AIP): Ten Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers were injured when a gas cylinder went off at a weapon cache of Afghan security forces in Maqur district of Ghazni province last night, an official said Saturday. A gas cylinder exploded at a weapon cache at a living facility of ANA troops in the district bazaar last night, leaving 10 ANA soldiers injured, the Maqur district administrator Khan Sahib told the AIP. Daud Shah Wafadar, an ANA official in the area, said that it was a small explosion which did not cause harm to the weapon cache. Full report at:
http://www.thefrontierpost.com/News.aspx?ncat=an&nid=869
--------
Blocking NATO supply JI to join Tehrik-e-Insaf
April 17, 2011
F.P. Report PESHAWAR: Jamaat-e-Islami Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has announced to fully support the sit-in to be staged by Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf to block the NATO supply line. The decision in this regard was taken in a meeting held on Saturday at Al-Markaz-e-Islami which was participated by leader of both JI and PTI. The JI delegation was led by Central Naib Ameer Sirajul Haq, while Provincial Chief Asad Qaiser led the PTI team. Other participants included Provincial Ameer of JI Senator Professor Muhammad Ibrahim Khan, Provincial Information Secretary of JI Israr Ullah Advocate, Provincial General Secretary of PTI Farman Ullah Khan and others. Sirajul Haq speaking on the occasion said the real cause of unrest in the region was the presence of US forces in Afghanistan.
Full report at:
http://www.thefrontierpost.com/News.aspx?ncat=cn&nid=1221
--------
Over 50,000 rally in Serbia for early elections
April 16, 2011
BELGRADE: Over 50,000 people took to the streets of Belgrade on Saturday for anti-government protests as the leader of an opposition nationalist party announced a hunger strike to force early elections.
"Since this morning, I did not drink or eat. I ask you to accept this as the last resort to fight for a better Serbia," Tomislav Nikolic told a stunned crowd of over 50,000 of his supporters gathered in front of the Serbian parliament for a protest labelled "a day of change".
Full report at:
http://www.thenews.jang.com.pk/NewsDetail.aspx?ID=14240
--------
Parliament resisting tax reforms: Hafeez
By Anwar Iqbal
April 17, 2011
Finance Minister Hafeez Shaikh and Ambassador Hussain Haqqani during a meeting hosted by Pakistan Business Council at US Chamber of Commerce.-APP
WASHINGTON: Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Sheikh has indicated that the government may seek another International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme as a short-term effort to fill the gap between its income and expenses.
A new programme, he said, was also necessary for debt servicing as Pakistan will soon have to start repaying a previous loan it borrowed from the IMF.
Full report at:
http://www.dawn.com/2011/04/17/parliament-resisting-tax-reforms-hafeez-islamabad-likely-to-seek-fresh-imf-assistance.html
--------
FIA set to lose another Khanani & Kalia case
By Kalbe Ali
April 17, 2011
Abdul Munaf Kalia and Javaid Khanani were arrested by FIA in 2008 on the charges of money laundering and illegal transfer of money.—File photo
ISLAMABAD: Having already lost the money laundering case it filed against Abdul Munaf Kalia and Javaid Khanani in a district court in Karachi, due to lack of evidence, the Federal Investigation Agency now appears set to lose the second one too — thanks to the alleged negligence of the investigation officers who fielded an incomplete challan in district court Abbottabad.
Mr Kalia and Mr Khanani, the directors of Khanani and Kalia International (KKI), one of the largest foreign exchange companies in the country, were arrested by FIA in 2008 on the charges of money laundering and illegal transfer of money.
They were accused of transferring foreign currency from Pakistan and running illegal ‘Hawala or Hundi business’. Cases were registered against them in Lahore, Karachi and Abbottabad.
Full report at:
http://www.dawn.com/2011/04/17/fia-set-to-lose-another-khanani-kalia-case.html
--------
Egypt court dissolves Mubarak’s former ruling party
April 17, 2011
A man walks past electoral banners for Egypt's ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) showing Egypt's President and head of the ruling NDP Hosni Mubarak (R), his son and NDP deputy head Gamal Mubarak (L) and NDP politician and candidate Ayman Salah Mekled (C) in Cairo in this November 22, 2010 file photo. – Reuters Photo
CAIRO: An Egyptian court on Saturday ordered the dissolution of former President Hosni Mubarak’s political party, meeting a demand of the pro-democracy movement whose protests ended his 30-year authoritarian rule.
The disbanding of the National Democratic Party (NDP) was likely to further appease protesters who had called off fresh demonstrations after the military council that now rules Egypt earlier this week ordered Mubarak detained for questioning about corruption allegations.
Full report at:
http://www.dawn.com/2011/04/17/egypt-court-dissolves-mubarak%E2%80%99s-former-ruling-party.html
--------
US consent clinched the issue
By Baqir Sajjad Syed
April 17, 2011
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Afghanistan had stated in a joint communiqué issued after their foreign ministers` meeting in Islamabad that they will establish a two-tier body to support Afghan peace and reconciliation process.
The process for strategic alignment between Islamabad and Kabul was initiated with the visit of Prime Minister Gilani to Kabul in December last year where he emphasised on strengthening of bilateral ties for dealing with common challenges.
Full report at:
http://www.dawn.com/2011/04/17/us-consent-clinched-the-issue.html
--------
Flight delays cause havoc in Madinah
April 17, 2011
MADINAH: Madinah Gov. Prince Abdul Aziz bin Majed has called for a meeting of relevant officials including representatives of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, Saudi Arabian Airlines and Prince Muhammad bin Abdul Aziz Airport to find immediate solutions for the delay in flights from the airport.
The governor’s call came after hundreds of Saudis and foreigners stranded at Madinah airport following its closure on Thursday after a severe sandstorm, the worst in 50 years, hit the holy city. Some Saudia flights reportedly failed to arrive or take off due to technical problems.
http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article362948.ece
--------
Extremist attack kills 13 soldiers in Algeria
April 17, 2011
ALGIERS: Extremists attacked an army post and killed at least 13 soldiers watching the Algerian president’s televised speech promising reforms, security officials said Saturday.
Two militants in the group were killed by soldiers at the post in Kabyle, some 130 kilometers east of Algiers, the officials said Saturday.
On Saturday, security forces swept areas including the Yakourene forest, a hideout of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, in a search for other suspects.
It was the deadliest attack on security forces since July 2009, when at least 14 soldiers were reported killed in an ambush on a military convoy in Damous, near the northern coastal city of Tipaza.
Full report at:
http://arabnews.com/middleeast/article362927.ece
--------
Mubarak's health stable: state media
April 17, 2011
Ousted Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak was hospitalised this week due to a drop in blood pressure, and his condition is stable, state media reported on Saturday.
Mubarak, who is suspected of involvement in the deaths of anti-regime protesters, was previously reported to have suffered a heart attack during questioning by prosecutors on Tuesday.
But the MENA state news agency reported that the 82-year-old had suffered from a “steep decline in blood pressure” at the time, citing an unnamed medical official.
“An ultra-sound was taken of his heart and it showed it was functioning at 73 per cent (of its capacity), which means his health condition has become stable,” MENA said.
Full report at:
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle09.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2011/April/middleeast_April355.xml§ion=middleeast
--------
Yemen opposition to meet Gulf ministers over crisis
April 17, 2011
Yemen’s opposition said it would send a delegation to Saudi Arabia on Sunday to discuss with Gulf Arab ministers the transition of power in Yemen, as thousands rallied anew to demand President Ali Abdullah Saleh step down.
Opposition leaders previously refused to join Gulf-mediated talks with Saleh’s representatives, saying they wanted to force him out within two weeks and the Gulf plan did not include a quick or clear timetable for the transition of power.
“We have requested this meeting with the GCC states’ foreign ministers to explain our points of view on the Gulf initiative,” opposition leader Yassin Noman said, adding former foreign minister Mohammed Basindwa would head the delegation.
Full report at:
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle08.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2011/April/middleeast_April353.xml§ion=middleeast
--------
Thousands denounce Saleh’s remarks on women
April 17, 2011
Yemen’s anti-government movement took up the issue of women’s rights on Saturday, as thousands of demonstrators seeking the president’s ouster denounced his comments against the participation of women in protest rallies.
In a speech Friday, President Ali Abdullah Saleh said the mingling of men and women at protests in the capital was against law. Demonstrators, including thousands of women, responded by marching through the capital of Sanaa and several other cities, shouting: “Saleh, beware of injuring women’s honour.”
“This insult has made us more determined to remain at the opposition squares with the men to topple the ugly regime,” said Jameela Al Qabsi, a female professor at an education college.
Though it was a young woman who first led anti-Saleh demonstrations on a university campus in late January, women didn’t begin turning out in large numbers until early March.
Two months of near-daily protests and defections by key allies in the military, powerful tribes and diplomatic corps have failed to bring an end to Saleh’s 32-year autocratic rule over the impoverished and fragile nation in Yemen.
Full report at:
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle08.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2011/April/middleeast_April352.xml§ion=middleeast
--------
Ba'asyir says porn-watching PKS legislator un-Muslim
April 17, 2011
Terrorism defendant Abu Bakar Ba'asyir on Monday commented on a Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) legislator, Arifinto, who was caught on camera last Friday viewing pornographic material on his tablet.
Arifinto was photographed by a journalist during a House of Representatives plenary session.
Full report at:
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/04/11/baasyir-says-porn-watching-pks-legislator-un-muslim.html
--------
Be careful of Arab-sponsored organizations: NU
April 17, 2011
Said Aqil Siradj, the chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama, the biggest Indonesian Muslim organization, said Arab-sponsored foundations and organizations must be addressed carefully due to their criticism of NU activities.
“Arab-sponsored organizations always criticize our tradition. This is terror on our theology,” he said.
Regarding the Cirebon blast, Aqil urged the police to work more seriously. “The Utan Kayu bombing is also not far from our minds,” he said.
He guaranteed there was no NU member involved in acts of terror.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/04/15/be-careful-arab-sponsored-organizations-nu.html
--------
Ivory Coast investigates ministers in blood crimes
April 17, 2011
Officials in Ivory Coast are drawing up a list of ministers, generals and journalists to be charged with blood crimes, corruption and hate speech, the justice minister responsible for human rights told The Associated Press on Saturday.
Top of the list is Charles Ble Goude, youth minister in the disgraced government of arrested former President Laurent Gbagbo, who organized a violent anti-French and anti-U.N. gang that has terrorized foreigners and ordinary civilians.
On Friday, a government spokesman said Ble Goude had been arrested. But Justice Minister Jeannot Ahoussou said that was a case of mistaken identity.
Full report at:
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/04/16/ivory-coast-investigates-ministers-blood-crimes.html
URL: http://www.newageislam.com/NewAgeIslamIslamicWorldNews_1.aspx?ArticleID=4469
11:13 PM
Moderate Islamist here
0 comments:
Post a Comment