Rethinking Islam with Sultan Shahin

Islamic World News

18 May 2011, NewAgeIslam.Com

Muslims voting In India along community lines worrying'
	Centre for the Study of Interethnic and Interfaith Relations to be established in Kazakhstan Al-Qaeda operative arrested in Karachi Israel celebrates anniversary by killing Palestinians Syria denies reports of mass graves Five Chechens killed in Quetta do, I do, I do: Meet the Islamic faith healer who married 107 women For many, one wife is enough. Delhi Muslims demonstrate against alleged blasphemy in a comic book Inclusion of Khan in most wanted list a ''mistake'': Chidambaram Most wanted terror error: CBI deletes fugitive's profile Saif al-Adel named new al-Qaida leader: CNN Report Sharjah Islamic Bank plans $400m sukuk NATO helicopter attacks Pakistani army post Tunisia protests over Libya shelling Russia tells Kadhafi envoy to obey UN resolution Rana trial to spill ISI links in 26/ 11 Pak PM Gilani stress on dialogue for global harmony, progress Kingdom to overspend budget by up to 15%: Al-Assaf Security review at Saudi mission after assassination Slain Saudi diplomat's family to get SR500,000 for housing Mixed reaction over Egyptian 'swap deal' US troops face increasing dangers in southern Iraq Sudan accused of bombing on Darfur villages Saudi investors warned against fresh debt trap SC rejects appeals of 7 PCO judges Pakistan probing Osama's life, death: Kerry US senator rules out Pakistan aid cuts CIA used stealth drones to monitor Osama: report Yemen NGO wants repatriation of Osama widow Nisar assails new `secret` agreement with US US contests claims of terror war expenses US cuts down troops to placate Pakistan Two detained for attack on Dawood Ibrahim's brother Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau Photo: Maulana Badruddin Ajmal Al-Qasmi of Assam: the new face of Muslim politics in India?

---- Muslims voting In India along community lines worrying' 18 MAY 2011 NEW DELHI: With Muslims polarizing in favour of religious outfits in Assam and Kerala elections, a key author of Sachar report has sounded the alarm that mainstream parties have to step in to check the "unfortunate" trend. The community's gravitation towards Badruddin Ajmal's All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) in Assam and Muslim League in Kerala was so complete that the parties notched up their highest tallies, emerging key players in state assemblies. All India United Democratic Front is even eyeing the lead opposition's slot. Abusaleh Shariff, who was part of the Sachar panel which ranked Muslims at par with dalits in backwardness, called the electoral development "unfortunate". He said the community veered towards religious parties owing to lack of representation in mainstream platforms. "This makes them vulnerable to religious rhetoric," he said. The Muslims-for-Muslim-parties trend raised eyebrows because it happened in states where demographics make religious politics a sustainable enterprise. Assam has 30% of the community while Kerala has around 25%. That they are concentrated in select districts makes them crucial to winnability and appealing to leaders who want to launch religious platforms. Shariff said, "We want Muslims to go to normal schools and not madrassas, but now the same is happening in politics. They have to be part of mainstream parties and the latter too have to be more inclusive — give them tickets and pay attention to their welfare agenda to check the unfortunate drift." He said there could not be room for religion in public place. While the secular credentials of Congress and Left traditionally polled a chunk of community votes, the 2011 results surprised observers to ask if it was a trend. West Bengal, however, bucked the wave with Trinamool Congress raking in the community's backing. The West Bengal result is seen as welcome relief. The political class, however, feels that too much focus on Kerala and Assam could be misleading because the potential is higher among mainstream parties to have broad-based support. Bihar, too, has high Muslim population but Nitish Kumar's success last year in singlehandedly weaning them away from Lalu Prasad is seen as evidence of this belief. "Mamata Banerjee follows the same strategy. It is healthy," a leader said. The community's gravitation towards Badruddin Ajmal's AIUDF in Assam and Muslim League in Kerala was so complete that the parties notched up their highest tallies, emerging key players in state assemblies. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Muslims-voting-along-community-lines-worrying/articleshow/8404114.cms ------- Centre for the Study of Interethnic and Interfaith Relations to be established in Kazakhstan 16.05.2011 / 16:29 ASTANA. May 16. KAZINFORM /Damir Baimanov/ Center for the Study of Interethnic and Interfaith Relations will be established at the Academy of Public Administration under the President of Kazakhstan. Natalya Kalashnikova, the scientific secretary of the Scientific Expert Council of Kazakhstan's People's Assembly, told Kazinform on Monday. According to her, the center will conduct fundamental research in the field of interethnic and interfaith relations. One more objective will be the advanced training of civil servants working with ethnic-cultural associations. At an expanded meeting of the scientific advisory council, which took place on Monday, Secretary of State Kanat Saudabayev said that the Center should seriously study the foreign experience in tolerance and interethnic harmony as well as "actively promote Kazakhstan's achievements in this field." The Secretary of State considers that the scientific council of the People's Assembly and the center should ensure coordination with other scientific and analytical structures to conduct basic and applied research in the field of interethnic relations. Al-Qaeda operative arrested in Karachi By AZHAR MASOOD May 17, 2011 ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's army arrested a senior Al-Qaeda operative Muhammad Ali Qasim Yaqub, alias Abu Suhaib Al-Makki from Karachi on Tuesday. The army said the man had been working directly under Al-Qaeda leaders along the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. "According to preliminary investigations, Al Makki is a Yemeni national and has been working directly under Al-Qaeda leaders along Pak-Afghan borders," the military's media wing said. "The arrest of Al Makki is a major development in unraveling the Al-Qaeda network operating in the region," it said. http://arabnews.com/world/article410531.ece -------- Israel celebrates anniversary by killing Palestinians By DR. ABDUL RUFF May 18, 2011 As its major Mideast policy, the US finances Israeli terrorism to the tune of billions of dollars each year. It is a matter of shame for the UN Security Council that Israeli terrorism demonstrates the Israeli regime's brazenly unlawful operations in occupied Palestine, killing defenseless people at will. In a manner of matching with the Obama regime's "humanitarian" pretext for the bombardment of sovereign Libya, killing thousands of Libyan Arabs, the Zionist regime, installed illegally by the West on Palestinian lands in Mideast in 1948, celebrated their Zionism Day on 15th of May by killing Palestinians. May 15 marks the anniversary of Israel's establishment in 1948, but for the Palestinian people it is commemorated as "the catastrophe," or Al-Nabka. In order to mark the 63rd anniversary of the founding of the illegal Zionist state, Israeli soldiers killed at least 15 Palestinians and wounded many more as they suppressed protests held at border posts facing Syria, Lebanon and Gaza. The Zionist state was founded through a terror campaign triggering one of the largest forced migrations in modern history. An estimated 700,000 Palestinians were expelled or fled their homes, and their property was expropriated. Denied the right to return ever since, there are now about 4.5 million refugees and their descendants in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and the occupied territories. Thousands of refugees and their supporters protested around the world. Within the occupied territories, tens of thousands took to the streets, many holding keys of their family homes lost in 1948. Not gauging the cause and implications of the CIA engineered "uprisings" in Mideast, young Palestinians are inspired by the uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt and other Arab countries. With a view to denying the Palestinians a chance to protest against Zionist crime, Israel also imposed a 24-hour shutdown across the West Bank, closing the various crossings and checkpoints, causing more difficulties for the besieged Palestinians. There were clashes between protesters and Israeli troops in Hebron, Wallajeh and Jerusalem, while at Gaza's Erez border crossing at least 15 unarmed civilians were wounded by Israeli gunfire. The worst of the violence occurred outside the southern Lebanese village of Maroun Al-Ras, where thousands of people gathered at a border fence. Protesters reportedly hung flags on the barbed wire and sang songs, with some young people throwing rocks across the border, before both Israeli and Lebanese soldiers began firing. Israeli Premier Netanyahu openly defended Zionist fascism and state terrorism and expects USA, UK and entire UNSC to stand with hands folded behind Zionist crimes. Israel as usual alleged that the Nabka protests were "provocations" which bore "the fingerprints of Iran." The Syrian government and Lebanon's Hezbollah were also accused. Netanyahu allegations are consistent with the Israeli government's typical response to crises — to ratchet up tensions and beat the drum for war with Iran. The Netanyahu regime appears to be even farther away from any of its predecessors from considering a negotiated agreement with Syria that would out of necessity require the return of the Golan. It is true that considering Israel's military prowess, Syria will not be able to regain the Golan by force in the foreseeable future. But this does not suggest that continued Israeli entrenchment on the Golan will over time create an irreversible situation that would compel Syria to simply give up its claim over its territory. Although it is also true that relocating will require billions of dollars and it would be heartbreaking for many Israelis, the passage of time will make it only much more expensive and far more traumatic for the Israelis. Instead of punitive operations over Israel, the NATO boss, US, has promised Zionist regime more weapons. Possibly expecting more US carrots, Zionist Israel has rejected Obama administration's "special packages" for a possible slow downing of fascist trends of Israel. The incentives included 20 free advanced F-35 fighter jets and assorted promises to defend Israel at the UN and other international forums on its sustained holocausts of innocent Palestinians. The offer is in exchange for a 90-day extension of a settlement freeze for concentrating on sketching out an agreement on borders, which would generate progress and reduce the risk of future battles over settlements, but Israel rejected freeze while accepted the arms. Tel-Aviv bosses and Israeli Mossad have learned the tricks of terror trade with USA (Pentagon-CIA) and know how to make the "talks" bogus and garner more aid. The USA promised not to ask for another extension, the 90-day deadline gives all kinds of incentives for those who don't really want a deal to stall. Israel can betray all hopes even if agrees to freeze. A trained aggressor- cum criminal state, Israel (Mossad-CIA) seemed to have tried to create the conditions for a violent crackdown and a campaign of fear and hysteria about a supposed threat to Israel's sovereignty. Israel invaded Syria's Golan Heights in 1967 and later illegally annexed the territory. Its "sovereignty" over the area is not internationally recognized. Israel invaded Lebanon in 2006, killing people. In employing the "enemy threat" as the key tool to advance a nation's domestic and foreign goals, the Israeli polices of making the ever-weakening and extremely terrorized Palestinians the enemy ever-ready to annihilate the Jews from the face of the earth has worked too well for the Zionist fascist regime. It is disturbing to note that Egyptian forces shot and injured many protesters at the Israeli embassy. Thousands protested outside the Israeli embassy in Cairo and more than 100 were injured when Egyptian security forces fired tear gas and rubber-coated steel bullets. Like Indian IPL gimmicks jointly played by select cricketers to promote Indian sport interests, the anti-Islamic nations have also ganged up against Islam only to loot and share the energy resources after reducing Muslim populations. The crude threat perception of Islam and Muslims has exceedingly helped the US and NATO members pursue their hidden agendas. India has benefited a lot from the same terror tactics projecting Kashmiris, Pakistanis and Muslims as the threat to destroy India.Like the NATO terror syndicate led by the USA-UK, the street criminals in every country too have their own terror strategies to go on rampages. Israel is only extending these joint strategies to accomplish its fascist agenda in Palestine.It is high time, the new regime in Egypt cancelled the recognition of Israel until further orders and close down the Zionist embassy until Palestine state is established. Meanwhile, Obama and his team must remind the Zionist regime that time has already run out for that illegal outfit in Mideast. — Dr. Abdul Ruff is a Chancellor-Founder of Center for International Affairs. He is a former university teacher and an analyst. http://arabnews.com/middleeast/article410819.ece -------- Syria denies reports of mass graves By SULEIMAN AL-KHALIDI May 18, 2011 AMMAN: Villagers near Syria’s southern city of Daraa have found two separate graves containing up to 26 bodies, residents said on Tuesday, and activists said the army continued a military assault on the border town of Tel Kelakh. Syria denied the existence of any mass grave near Daraa, saying such reports were part of “campaign of incitement” against authorities tackling a two-month wave of protests against President Bashar Assad. But state television quoted an Interior Ministry source saying that five bodies had been found near Daraa, the city where unrest first erupted in March and which troops and tanks stormed last month. It said officials were investigating. Four residents told Reuters that villagers had contacted the local civil defense after finding two mounds of earth in wheatfields just outside Daraa’s old city district. Under the mounds were 22 to 26 decomposed corpses, they said. Their reports could not be verified because authorities have barred most international media from operating in Syria. Since Assad sent tanks into Daraa three weeks ago to crush dissent, the army has moved into several other protest centers in the south of the country, around the capital Damascus and on the Mediterranean coast. Syrian rights groups say at least 700 civilians have been killed by security forces and the United States has condemned the crackdown as “barbaric.” Washington and the European Union have imposed sanctions on senior Syrian officials, though they have yet to target Assad. State news agency SANA said security forces clashed with “wanted armed terrorist members” in Tel Kelakh on Monday, killing several and capturing others, and seizing weapons, ammunition and military uniform. Fifteen members of the security forces were wounded, it quoted sources as saying. Human rights campaigners said scores of people had been arrested since Monday and that Assad’s forces were firing at several neighborhoods in the city of 30,000 people. Citing witnesses, the Local Coordination Committees, a main activists’ protest group, said several people were killed in Tuesday’s offensive, adding to 12 civilians already killed by army shelling, shooting and sniper fire in the last three days. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said there were also mass arrests in the cities of Homs, Deir Al-Zor and Latakia, which security forces had “robbed of normality.” Assad, who trained as an ophthalmologist, has tried a mixture of reform and repression to stem the protests, inspired by uprisings across the Arab world. Authorities said he intends to launch national dialogue talks, a gesture rejected by opposition leaders and the main activists’ protest group who say first security forces must stop shooting protesters and political prisoners must be freed. SANA news agency said Assad met a delegation from Daraa on Monday and discussed implementing reforms. The Facebook page Syria Revolution 2011 called for a general strike across Syria on Wednesday. “Let us turn this Wednesday into a Friday,” it said, referring to the day when most demonstrations take place after weekly Muslim prayers. It called for “mass protests ...no schools (open), no universities, no shops or restaurants, not even taxis.” http://arabnews.com/middleeast/article410661.ece -------- Five Chechens killed in Quetta 18 MAY 2011 QUETTA: Security forces killed five suspected Chechen terrorists, three of them women, who had tried to attack a checkpoint near the airport on Tuesday. A paramilitary soldier died of wounds he had suffered during the incident. “All the five Chechens were suicide bombers,” Capital City Police Officer Daud Junejo said, adding that they possessed hand-grenades, explosives and detonators. However, he was not sure about the place or the people the slain terrorists planned to target. Full report at: http://www.dawn.com/2011/05/18/five-chechens-killed-in-quetta.html -------- do, I do, I do: Meet the Islamic faith healer who married 107 women For many, one wife is enough. May 17, 2011 But Islamic faith healer Bello Maasaba has only said: 'I'm done' after an incredible 107 marriages, producing 185 children. And the 87-year-old Nigerian, who now has an extended family of more than 5,000 people, says obedience is the quality he most values in a wife. The polygamist claimed to have a revelation from God in the 1970s, telling him to become a healer and take a succession of wives. Full report at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1386586/I-I-I-Meet-Islamic-faith-healer-married-107-women.html?printingPage=true -------- Delhi Muslims demonstrate against alleged blasphemy in a comic book New Age Islam News Bureau May 17, 2011 New Delhi: 18 May 2011; A huge demonstration was held in the heart of Delhi against an alleged “blasphemer”, the printer and publisher of Diamond Comics. Muslims claim that the April 2011 issue of Diamond Comics, containing the alleged blasphemous remarks and pictures, is still being sold in the market. The issue is said to contain the Prophet’s imaginary photos. Several such protest demonstrations, dharnas, agitations and meetings have taken place in various places in the country and regularly been covered by New Age Islam. A demonstration attended by several renowned Islamic scholars including Hazrat Quazi Ahle Sunnat w Mufti e Azam Mian Samroo was organized at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, by Islami Taalimi Board of India and Anjuman Ahle e Sunnat Falah e Darain Masjid e Shaikhan, Bara Hindu Rao. The demonstrators demanded immediate cancellation of the publisher’s license, RNI No. and the government declaration. While addressing the demonstration, the patron of the organization, Quazi Ahle Sunnat w Mufti e Azam Mohammad Mian Samroo said, “It is the religious duty of all the Muslims to secure and protect the honour and dignity of the Prophet (pbuh) and for this Ghulaman e Mustafa (Servants of the Prophet) cannot desist from paying even the highest price. Muslims sentiments have got wounded by the cheek of the publisher’s act of shame and ungodliness. Several speakers demanded immediate arrest of the said publisher and banning of the “blasphemous” issue of Diamond Comics. These were: Maulana Shaikh Abu Bakr Ahmad Quadri, Jamia Markaz Saquaft us Sunniya, Kerala, Quari Mohammad Mian Mazhari, Maulana Shah Al Hameed, Syed Mohammad Quadri, President, SMO, and Amanullah Khan, the one who have lodged an FIR in Jamia Nagar Police Station. This demonstration was attended by the Member of Delhi Legislative Assembly, Mr. Shoaib Iqubal, various Sajjada Nasheens, Mashaikh and respected citizens of the town other than Peerzada Bashir Naqushbandi, Maulana Abdul Quadir Rizvi, Maulana Farogh Ahmad, Maulana Rafiuddin Quadri, Maulana Kaleem Reza, Maulan Mohammad Intezar Ahmad, Maulana Ahmad Naeemi, President, All India Mashaikh w Ulema Board and many advocates along with thousands of public. Mr. Amanullah Khan said he contacted all the Milli organisations in this connection but the so called leaders of the community do not come forward on this burning issue concerning Islam. He added, ‘’ Today I am very happy to see this large gathering and have once again got confirmed that there is no lack of the servants of the Prophet. Almost all the speakers demanded a ban on the publication and cancellation of the registration of the Diamond Comics and arrest of the publisher and said that the demonstrations and agitation will continue till their demand is accepted and the blasphemer is sent behind bars. -------- Inclusion of Khan in most wanted list a ''mistake'': Chidambaram May 17, 2011 New Delhi, May 18 (PTI) Accepting it as a "mistake" and taking "responsibility", Home Minister P Chidambaram today said the inclusion of terror accused Wazhul Kamar Khan in the list of most wanted fugitives given to Pakistan was a "genuine error" by Mumbai Police and "oversight" by the Intelligence Bureau. Addressing a press conference a day after the goof up was exposed in the media and facing attack, he contended that it was not such a "monumental mistake" of "calamitous consequence" and said he was prepared to face some "political exchanges" on the issue. Full report at: http://in.news.yahoo.com/inclusion-khan-most-wanted-list-mistake-chidambaram-124900277.html -------- Saif al-Adel named new al-Qaida leader: Report 18 MAR 2011 WASHINGTON: Al-Qaida has chosen a former Egyptian Special Forces officer as interim leader of the violent extremist group in the wake of Osama bin Laden's death earlier this month, CNN reported on Tuesday. Saif al-Adel, a top Al-Qaida strategist and senior military leader , has been tapped as "caretaker" chief of the group, CNN reported, citing former Libyan militant Noman Benotman, who has renounced al-Qaida's ideology. Full report at: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/saif-al-adel-named-new-al-qaida-leader-report/articleshow/8409551.cms -------- Sharjah Islamic Bank plans $400m sukuk May 17, 2011 DUBAI: Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB) plans to issue a $400 million Islamic bond, which will price on Wednesday, according to a document by the arranging banks. Order books are above $2 billion with pricing on the five-year, dollar-denominated issue expected to be 287.5 basis points above midswaps, according to the document seen by Reuters. Full report at: http://arabnews.com/economy/article410827.ece -------- Rana trial to spill ISI links in 26/ 11 18 MAY 2011 AS THE trial of Pakistani- Canadian Tahawwur Hussain Rana began in a Chicago court on Tuesday, the United States demanded Pakistan’s response on its alleged involvement in the 26/ 11 Mumbai terror attack. “ We have asked the Pakistani government to address the allegations in the past, state department spokesman Mark Toner replied when asked about the alleged involvement of Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence ( ISI) in the Mumbai terrorist attacks. Full report at: http://epaper.mailtoday.in/epaperhome.aspx?issue=1852011 -------- Pak journalists calls for countrywide protest on Saturday 18 MAY 2011 Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has given a country-wide protest call for Saturday (May 21) against the government’s failure to arrest the attackers of journalist Nasrullah Afridi who was killed when a remote-control device planted in his car exploded in Peshawar on May 10. In a statement, PFUJ Secretary-General Amin Yousuf blasted the government for not being serious enough to investigate the attacks on journalists. In the last two months, a number of journalists have been targeted by various groups. Despite assurances the government has not been able to trace and arrest the culprits.Mr Yousuf said the government was paying no heed to the rising incidents of attacks on journalists. The Khyber Union of Journalists and Tribal Union of Journalists met police officials and stressed on them to expedite investigations into Afridi’s killing and take necessary steps to arrests the perpetrators of the crime, but so far no investigation has been initiated. Nasrullah Afridi is survived by his wife and six children, three of whom are special. He was the only bread winner of the family. It may be mentioned here that in April, Naveed Kamal from Metro One TV and Abdullah Bhittani from Afghanistan’s Benawa News Agency and Independent News Pakistan were shot and injured by unknown gunmen in Karachi and Rawalpindi, respectively. It has been over a month but the attackers still remain at large -------- Pak PM Gilani stress on dialogue for global harmony, progress 18 MAY 2011 SUZHOU: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday called upon the international community to engage in dialogue for a mutual harmonious relationship and said the cultural and civilization contacts could do wonders in ensuring global peace. Full report at: http://www.thenews.jang.com.pk/NewsDetail.aspx?ID=15668 -------- Security review at Saudi mission after assassination By GHAZANFAR ALI KHAN May 18, 2011 RIYADH: The Saudi government is reviewing the security of the Saudi mission in Pakistan and has asked all officials there to be vigilant, curtail unnecessary travel and venture out only with adequate security detail. “The Ministry of Interior is ready to study and reevaluate the security of Saudi diplomatic missions in Pakistan with a view to ensuring adequate protection to diplomats, staff and their dependents,” Interior Ministry spokesman Mansour Al-Turki said in a statement. Full report at: http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article410848.ece -------- Slain Saudi diplomat's family to get SR500,000 for housing May 18, 2011 RIYADH: On behalf of Prince Naif, second deputy premier and minister of interior, Maj. Gen. Muhammad Al-Omani, commander of special forces, visited the family of the slain Saudi diplomat Hassan Al-Qahtani at their residence, and conveyed the condolences of Prince Naif and his deputy Prince Ahmed. He also handed over a check for SR100,000 as emergency assistance to the family. Full report at: http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article411055.ece -------- Mixed reaction over Egyptian 'swap deal' By GALAL FAKKAR May 18, 2011 CAIRO: Egyptian expatriates in the Kingdom expressed mixed reaction on Tuesday as their ousted president Hosni Mubarak’s wife was released after handing over her assets worth $4 million to the Egyptian state. “I am sure most Egyptians would not approve her release,” said Abdul Aziz Awad, a legal expert. Full report at: http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article410834.ece -------- US troops face increasing dangers in southern Iraq By REBECCA SANTANA May 17, 2011 BAGHDAD: American forces are facing an increasingly dangerous environment in southern Iraq, where Shiite militias trying to claim they are driving out the US occupiers have stepped up attacks against bases and troops. The uptick in violence serves as a warning about what American forces could face if US and Iraqi officials come to an agreement about keeping more US troops in the country past Dec. 31. “We’re very concerned about it,” said Col. Reginald Allen, who commands the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment that operates in five, predominantly Shiite provinces. “This environment is very fluid, but in general our planning assumptions and our precautions are based on the worst case, that levels of violence will continue to increase.” Full report at: http://arabnews.com/middleeast/article409867.ece -------- SC rejects appeals of 7 PCO judges 18 MAY 2011 ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court rejected the intra-court appeals filed by the dysfunctional judges of the superior courts who took oath under the Provisional Constitution Order (PCO) against its judgment of February 2. The SC on April 04 had reserved its judgment in the intra-court appeals filed by the judges. Full report at: http://www.thenews.jang.com.pk/NewsDetail.aspx?ID=15669 -------- Pakistan probing Osama's life, death: Kerry 18 MAY 2011 WASHINGTON: Pakistan has launched four separate probes into Osama bin Laden's life and death on Pakistani soil, US Senator John Kerry said on Tuesday, adding that Pakistan's intelligence chief has promised to tell him if it turns out someone in his agency knew bin Laden was there. Kerry, just back from a trip to Pakistan, said there were four Pakistani investigations into the circumstances of the death of bin Laden Kerry did not know when the probes might produce results, and noted that the United States was also sifting through evidence that could indicate whether Pakistan knew of bin Laden's whereabouts before his death. "I do know this, that the head of Pakistani intelligence told me that if someone at their lower level knew it, they will find out," Kerry told reporters outside the Senate. Full report at: http://www.thenews.jang.com.pk/NewsDetail.aspx?ID=15662 -------- US senator rules out Pakistan aid cuts 18 MAY 2011 WASHINGTON: US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Tuesday played down talk of cutting aid to Pakistan in the wake of Osama bin Laden's death, saying now was the time to "withhold judgment," not money. "Right now, we're at a very difficult time. We need to see if we can improve the relationship," the Democratic lawmaker told reporters, stressing: "This isn't the time to start flexing our muscles." Full report at: http://www.thenews.jang.com.pk/NewsDetail.aspx?ID=15663 -------- CIA used stealth drones to monitor Osama: report 18 MAY 2011 WASHINGTON: The CIA flew new stealth drone planes on dozens of secret missions deep into Pakistan to monitor Osama bin Laden's compound before US commandos killed him, The Washington Post reported Tuesday. Full report at: http://www.thenews.jang.com.pk/NewsDetail.aspx?ID=15667 -------- Yemen NGO wants repatriation of Osama widow 18 MAY 2011 SANAA: A Yemeni human rights organisation said on Tuesday that it is working to repatriate the youngest widow of Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, Amal Abdulfattah, a Yemeni who is detained in Pakistan. The National Organisation for Defending Rights and Freedoms (HOOD) is acting "on behalf of the family of Amal," part of the Al-Sada tribe of Ibb province, southwest of the capital Sanaa, lawyer Abdulrahman Baraman said. US intelligence services have reportedly interrogated three of bin Laden's widows who were picked up in the US commando raid north of Islamabad in which the Al-Qaeda leader was killed. Full report at: http://www.thenews.jang.com.pk/NewsDetail.aspx?ID=15646 -------- Nisar assails new `secret` agreement with US By Amir Wasim 18 MAY 2011 ISLAMABAD: Opposition Leader in the National Assembly and PML-N stalwart Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan rejected on Tuesday new “terms of engagement” agreed with the United States and urged the government to take parliament into confidence over the issue. “The PML-N will not allow the government to hold secret meetings and make agreements with the US without taking parliament into confidence,” he told a news conference. Full report at: http://www.dawn.com/2011/05/18/nisar-assails-new-secret-agreement-with-us.html -------- US contests claims of terror war expenses 18 MAY 2011 NEW YORK: The United States has rejected over 40 per cent of the claims submitted by Pakistan as expenses to fight Al Qaeda and other terrorists along the Afghanistan border, the Wall Street Journal said in a report on Tuesday. According to internal Pentagon documents, the report said, the US, increasingly suspicious of what it saw as Islamabad`s mixed record against militants, had been quietly rejecting more than 40 per cent of the claims submitted by Pakistan as compensation for military gear, food, water, troop housing and other expenses. Those records detail $3.2 billion in expense claims submitted to the US for operations from January 2009 through June 2010. Full report at: http://www.dawn.com/2011/05/18/us-contests-claims-of-terror-war-expenses.html -------- US cuts down troops to placate Pakistan 18 MAY 2011 THE RELATIONS between Pakistan and the US continue to see- saw between being normal and hostile in the aftermath of Osama bin Laden’s killing. On Tuesday, media reports in Pakistan suggested that Washington — under pressure from Islamabad — had reduced the number of its soldiers providing training to their Pakistani counterparts. The US also announced a series of high- level visits by senior officials of the Barack Obama administration to Pakistan to clam the frayed nerves there. Karachi- based English language daily Express Tribune quoted a senior Pakistan army official as saying that the US has reduced its military presence in Pakistan. According to the newspaper, the US military personnel have been training the paramilitary Frontier Constabulary force in Warsak, Peshawar, Tarbela and Shahbaz Airbase. Full report at: http://epaper.mailtoday.in/epaperhome.aspx?issue=1852011 -------- Two detained for attack on Dawood Ibrahim's brother 18 MAY 2011 MUMBAI: Two more people were detained on Wednesday in connection with the sensational attack on businessman Iqbal Kaskar, the younger brother of India's most wanted mafia don Dawood Ibrahim, police here said. Syed Bilal Mustafa Ali and Inderlal Bahadur Khatri were detained in connection with the probe into the Tuesday night attack that left Iqbal's driver-cum-bodyguard Arif Syed Abubaker dead and another bodyguard injured. Two people, who carried out the attack, were nabbed by the police late Tuesday, soon after the incident. Full report at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Two-detained-for-attack-on-Dawood-Ibrahims-brother/articleshow/8411139.cms http: http://www.newageislam.com/NewAgeIslamIslamicWorldNews_1.aspx?ArticleID=4661