Photo: ISIS reguarly uses children in its propaganda videos.
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Arab World
ISIS Is Brainwashing Children to Murder Their Own Parents
Airstrike Targets Police Facility in Yemen's Capital, At Least 20 People Killed
Tens of Saudi-Led Forces, Senior Commander Killed in Yemen's Tochka Missile Attack
Tens of Foreign Terrorists Killed in Idlib Mountains
Senior Nusra Militant Commander Killed by Gov't Forces in Syria's Idlib
Gov't Forces Capture Strategic Heights in Deir Ezzur Province
Syrian Fighter Jets Pound ISIL Centers East of Aleppo Province
Syria: Militant Groups Retreating from Northern Lattakia
Militants Withdraw From More Heights North of Syria's Lattakia Province
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Africa
In Libya, U.S. Courts Unreliable Allies to Counter ISIS
Uganda Agrees To Fresh Probe into 1979 Muslim Massacre
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Mideast
Turkey Welcomes Iran Deal, Needs To Readjust Its Policies toward Tehran
Iranians Welcome Deal with Satisfaction and Caution
Sceptics of Iran nuclear deal 'all proven wrong', says president Rouhani
Iran receives $400m frozen funds along with $1.3bn interest
1 killed, another wounded as rocket hits Turkish school near Syrian border
CHP leader faces investigation for calling Erdoğan ‘tinpot dictator’
16 referred to court for arrest over suspected links to Sultanahmet bomber
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South Asia
Rocket Lands near Italian Embassy in Afghan Capital Kabul
Five Bangladesh Militants Jailed For 2005 Blasts
Afghan Taliban Flex Muscles With New Telecom 'Tax'
Australia increasing its troops number in Afghanistan
2nd preparatory meeting for peace talks with Taliban kicks off in Kabul
Afghan Air Force to receive more equipment in next 6 months: Stanikzai
Afghanistan to hold delayed parliamentary elections in October
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Pakistan
Five Security Personnel Killed In Quetta IED Blast
HRW Urges Pakistan To Extend Afghan Refugee Status Through 2017
PM Nawaz, Gen Raheel arrive in Riyadh to mediate in Saudi-Iran row
Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti murder case: Anti-terrorism court acquits Pervez Musharraf
YouTube to be unblocked within 48 hours: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority
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India
Suspicious Glitter: Pathankot Jewellers under Probe Agencies' Lens
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Europe
Muslims ‘Impossible To Integrate’ In Europe, Says Czech Leader
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North America
U.S. Embassy in Baghdad Confirms Reports Of ‘Several’ Americans Missing
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
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Arab World
ISIS Is Brainwashing Children to Murder Their Own Parents
John Hall | The Independent | Jan 18, 2016
London: The extent to which ISIS is brainwashing children in its self-declared Islamic caliphate has been revealed by a young escapee who claimed commanders told him he had to murder his parents.
Identified only by his first name Nasir, the 12-year-old told CNN that he was one of 60 children being trained to operate as a suicide bomber in the terror group's de facto capital Raqqa.
After being taken captive, the would-be child soldiers - which included boys as young as five - were told that ISIS commanders cared for them more than their own parents.
"The scariest times for us all were when the airstrikes happened. They'd lead all of us underground into the tunnels to hide. They told us the Americans, the unbelievers, were trying to kill us but they, the fighters, they loved us. They would look after us better than our parents," Nasir said.
"When they were training us they would tell us our parents were unbelievers and that our first job was to go back to kill them," he added.
Nasir - who was forced to appear in one of ISIS' sickening propaganda videos - said that even the youngest boys in the group were not allowed to cry as they underwent suicide bomber training at the terror group's Al Farouq Institute in Raqqa
The militants have trumpeted Al Farouq as something of a child solider factory and have repeatedly released harrowing clips showing young boys preparing for war, clearly terrified of the captors.
Thankfully Nasir managed to escape ISIS' control and make his way to a refugee camp where he was reunited with his family. "When we escaped and I saw my mother again, it was like coming back to life," he said.
Nasir's ordeal was revealed as it emerged a notorious 20-year-old ISIS militant named Ali Saqr al-Qasem publicly executed his own mother after accusing her of apostasy.
The activist group Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RIBSS) said 20-year-old jihadi Ali Saqr al-Qasem shot his mother Lena, 45, in the head with an assault rifle in front of a large crowd.
Lena al-Qasem is understood to have been accused of apostasy - a crime that usually means leaving one's religion but in practise is used by ISIS as a justification for murdering anybody who doesn't support or speaks out against the terror group.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/ISIS-is-brainwashing-children-to-murder-their-own-parents-child-soldier-who-escaped-from-Raqqa-reveals/articleshow/50626446.cms
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Airstrike Targets Police Facility in Yemen's Capital, At Least 20 People Killed
AP | Jan 18, 2016
SANAA: Security officials in Yemen say at least 20 people have been killed or wounded in an airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition targeting a building used by police in the capital, Sanaa.
The officials, who are loyal to anti-government Shiite rebels known as the Houthis, say several people are believed to be still trapped under the debris.
The building was partially used as a gathering point for security forces.
The airstrike happened shortly before midnight on Sunday, according to the officials, who had no further details. Reporters were barred from approaching the facility, they said, speaking on Monday on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.
The Saudi-led coalition began airstrikes against the Houthis and their allies in March 2015, siding with the internationally recognized government.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Airstrike-targets-police-facility-in-Yemens-capital/articleshow/50623794.cms?
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Tens of Saudi-Led Forces, Senior Commander Killed in Yemen's Tochka Missile Attack
Jan 18, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- A Yemeni Tochka missile hit the Saudi-led coalition's command center in Ma'rib province, killing tens of coalition servicemen, including a senior Saudi commander.
A Commander of Yemen's Ansarullah Movement, Ali al-Houthi, confirmed firing of the ballistic missile at the Saudi position in Ma'rib in Central Yemen, and told FNA on Sunday that the missile hit al-Bairaq military base which hosts the headquarters of the Saudi army's operations.
"The Tochka missile hit the target with high precision and killed tens of the Saudi-led forces, including a senior Saudi commander, who had arrived at the base just yesterday," he said.
Houthi added that in addition to the heavy toll, a large volume of state-of-the-art weapons and military equipment were destroyed in the attack.
He described the missile attack against the Saudi's headquarters in Ma'rib as a major intelligence and military achievement for the Yemeni army and popular forces.
In a relevant development on Saturday, the Yemeni army and popular forces killed 4 mercenaries and 5 marines of the Saudi Arabia.
The 4 Saudi mercenaries, including a UAE officer, were killed in al-Amri region of Taiz, Southwestern Yemen.
Also, five Saudi marines were killed in Najran province's al-Makhrouq military base in Southern Saudi Arabia.
Also earlier this week, military sources in Yemen declared killing of 25 Saudi mercenaries loyal to fugitive President Mansour Hadi.
"25 forces loyal to Mansour Hadi who sought to advance in al-Zahra region, al-Bayda province, were killed in clashes against the Yemeni army and popular committees' forces," a military source said on Tuesday.
Al-Bayda is a Southern province of Yemen.
Also on Wednesday, a Saudi military serviceman succumbed to injuries he sustained earlier during clashes with the Yemeni army and popular forces in Kingdom's Asir province.
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13941027000800
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Tens of Foreign Terrorists Killed in Idlib Mountains
Jan 18, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- The Syrian army and popular forces' attacks on the hideouts of Jeish al-Fateh terrorist group in Idlib killed tens of militants, including foreigners.
In Idlib province, the army’s operations during the past 24 hours were concentrated on targeting hideouts of Jaish al-Fateh terrorist organization in Kafr Sijneh village and al-Arbaeen Mountain in the Southern countryside.
Tens of terrorists, including foreign nationals, were reported dead in al-Arbaeen Mountain. Among those were the terrorists Abu Samara from Turkestan, Abu Ayoub al-Ansari from Turkey, Abu al-Walid from Chechnya, Abu Muslem from Tunisia, Abu al-Ward from Iraq and the Saudis Wael al-Hamad and Ghaleb al-Husseini.
Full report at: http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13941028000281
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Senior Nusra Militant Commander Killed by Gov't Forces in Syria's Idlib
Jan 18, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- The Syrian Army announced on Monday that at least 23 terrorists of al-Nusra Front, including a notorious commander, were killed and many more were wounded in the joint offensive of the army and its popular allies in the Southern part of Idlib province.
"The Syrian army troops and the National Defense Forces hit the positions of the al-Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front in the Southwestern part of Maarat al-Nu'aman near the village of Kafr Sijneh and killed 23 terrorists, including Nusra field commander Abdul Qader al-Sbeih," the army said.
"The Syrian fighter jets, meantime, bombed the Takfiri terrorists' positions near the village of Maarat Dibseh in Saraqib region in the Southern territories of the province," the army added.
Also on Sunday, a senior commander of Liwa al-Ansar terrorist group was killed in the Syrian Army attack in Jisr al-Shughour in the Southern part of Idlib province.
"Samer Hajj Najib, a leader of Liwa al-Ansar, was killed alongside several of his forces in the Syrian army's offensive in the Southern battlefields of the province of Idlib," the sources said.
"In the meantime, at least 17 Takfiri militants were killed and many more were wounded in the Syrian armed forces' assaults near the village of Faylun South of Idlib city," the sources added.
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13941028000377
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Gov't Forces Capture Strategic Heights in Deir Ezzur Province
Jan 18, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- The Syrian Army announced on Monday that its troops alongside popular forces have pushed back the ISIL from more territories in the Eastern province of Deir Ezzur and retook full control over more strategic heights after a heavy battle.
"The ISIL withdrew forces from its positions near al-Ruwad heights after the army and the National Defense Forces stormed them and killed many of the terrorists," the army said.
"Al-Ruwad heights and its surroundings are now under full control of the Syrian government forces," the army added.
The Syria armed forces have been heavily pounding the ISIL positions across the province in recent weeks.
On Sunday, the Syrian army announced that its troops tracked and targeted an ISIL explosive-laden armored vehicle in the Western part of Deir Ezzur province before the terrorist group could blast it.
"The ISIL had managed to hit a government position near the village of Ayyash with an armored vehicle, loaded with huge quantities of explosive materials, but the army soldiers targeted the car before the terrorists group could explode it," the army said.
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13941028000687
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Syrian Fighter Jets Pound ISIL Centers East of Aleppo Province
Jan 18, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- The Syrian warplanes targeted ISIL's defense lines near at least four villages in the Eastern territories of the province of Aleppo, inflicting major losses on the terrorists, provincial sources said Monday.
"The Syrian air fleet targeted the ISIL concentration centers near the villages of Tal Hatabat, Qatar, Ein al-Jahsh and Rasm al-Sarhan, which not only claimed the lives of many terrorists but also destroyed many machinegun-equipped vehicles," the sources said.
"Meantime, the Syrian army and its popular allies stormed the bombed defense lines of the ISIL in the Eastern battlefields of Aleppo province, killed or wounded several militants and destroyed the military hardware," the army further added.
In relevant developments on Saturday, the Syrian warplanes, in several combat flights, targeted the militant groups' centers heavily in the Northern battlefields of Aleppo province.
"At least four members of the militant groups were killed and their military vehicles were destroyed as a result of the Syrian air force's attack in the Ma'arasta al-Khan region," the army said.
"In the meantime, the pro-government forces, who captured al-Ajouziyeh village in the Eastern part of the province on Friday, are carrying out mop-up operation in the region," the army further added.
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13941028000428
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Syria: Militant Groups Retreating from Northern Lattakia
Jan 17, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- The Syrian Army and popular forces continued to push the militant groups back from more territories in the Northern parts of Lattakia province and won back two more villages after hours of fierce clashes, the army announced Monday.
"The Syrian army troops and the National Defense Forces stormed the militant concentration centers near the villages of Ra'as al-Qazal and Ra'as al-Kabir and drove them back from the battlefield after inflicting a heavy death toll on the terrorists," the army said.
The Syrian army and its allies have had very good records of rapid victories against the militant groups in Lattakia province in the recent weeks.
On Sunday, the Syrian forces pushed back the militants from more villages and heights following hours of heavy clashes.
"The militant groups withdrew forces from the villages of al-Skriyeh and al-Kandisiyeh and Jabal al-Khanadiq after their defense lines came under massive attacks of the Syrian army," the army said.
"The militants sustained a heavy death toll in the attacks," the army added.
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13941028000275
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Militants Withdraw From More Heights North of Syria's Lattakia Province
Jan 18, 2016
TEHRAN (FNA)- The Syrian Army announced minutes ago that its troops and their popular allies won back more heights in the Northern part of Lattakia province near the border with Turkey following hours of heavy clashes.
"The heavy attacks of the Syrian Army and the country's National Defense Forces (NDF) forced the militant groups to retreat their fighter from the positions near Jabal Kazbar and Jabal Sandiyan in Rabi'ah region in the coastal province of Lattakia," the army said.
"The pro-government forces are now in full control of Jabal Kazbar and Jabal Sandiyan and their surroundings," the army added.
"Scores of the militants were killed or wounded in the battle," the army went on to say.
In relevant development on Saturday, the Syrian army announced that its troops pushed back the militant groups from more territories Northeast of Lattakia and imposed full control over two more villages.
"The army and the NDF won back the villages of Duweirkeh and Ruweisat al-Nimr in the Northeastern part of the coastal province of Lattakia after hours of heavy battle," the army said, adding, "The pro-government forces killed or wounded many terrorists."
"In the meantime, the government forces retook a solar-powered satellite broadcasting station used by Takfiri terrorists, and a long tunnel extending from Ruweisat al-Nimr to al-Ruweisat al-Jadideh to transfer their weapons, ammunition and evacuating their injured members," the army added.
"Engineering units also combed the liberated territories in search of explosive devices and landmines," the army went on to say.
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13941027000653
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Africa
Uganda agrees to fresh probe into 1979 Muslim massacre
17th Jan 2016
By Halima Athumani
KAMPALA, (AA): The Ugandan government has finally agreed to investigate the murders of 67 Muslims massacred 37 years ago.
“The government has set up a team to carry out a thorough verification exercise of all the claims by victims of the 1979 Muslim massacre and report back within three weeks,” Ugandan Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda said in a statement Saturday.
The massacre referred to took place in April 1979 after the fall of Ugandan President Idi Amin, when gunmen attacked two villages in Sheema district in western Uganda and killed 67 Muslims before dumping their bodies in River Rwizi.
Rugunda said the team led by Uganda’s solicitor general will start its work immediately.
The prime minister’s move came after Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s directive this week, which said that victims’ families should be verified and compensated.
Hajji Nsereko Mutumba, spokesman of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, welcomed the move. “Innocent Muslims were murdered and others were forced to flee their rightful homes and villages,” Mutumba said.
Full report at: http://muslimnews.co.uk/news/human-rights/uganda-agrees-to-fresh-probe-into-1979-muslim-massacre/
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In Libya, U.S. Courts Unreliable Allies to Counter ISIS
JAN. 18, 2016
TRIPOLI — The American Special Operations forces expected a warm welcome when they landed at the Libyan air base where an allied militia was stationed. Instead, armed men from another militia at the base threatened to detain the commandos, forcing the Americans to evacuate.
The episode, on Dec. 14, highlighted the difficulties faced by the Obama administration as it engages in a search across Libya to find armed groups that can act as a ground force against the country’s increasingly potent branch of the Islamic State.
American and Libyan officials said that the sudden departure of the group of 20 American commandos from the Al Watiya air base last month was the result of a miscommunication between the militias stationed there. But the episode laid bare the lack of central authority in Libya, with no single government in charge and an army barely able to exert control over groups nominally under its command.
Full report at: Full report at: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/19/world/middleeast/in-libya-us-courts-unreliable-allies-to-counter-isis.html?_r=0
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Mideast
Turkey welcomes Iran deal, needs to readjust its policies toward Tehran
January 17, 2016
Turkey has welcomed Iran's landmark nuclear deal with six major world powers, lifting the economic sanctions and shifting the balance in the region in favor of Tehran, while analysts agree that Ankara will have to readjust its policies toward Iran if it wants to benefit from lifting the sanctions as much as other countries.
"Turkey has always been defending the idea that the only solution to Iran's nuclear program is through diplomacy and negotiations," wrote Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu on his Twitter account on Sunday.
Full report at: http://www.todayszaman.com/diplomacy_turkey-welcomes-iran-deal-needs-to-readjust-its-policies-toward-tehran_409850.html
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Iranians welcome deal with satisfaction and caution
Reuters | Jan 18, 2016
DUBAI/ANKARA: The lifting of sanctions set off scenes of jubilation in Iran's parliament: Supporters planted kisses on the forehead of Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and jostled to take selfies.
For pragmatic politicians like him, the nuclear deal that reconnects Iran to the world marks a victory over rival factions at home as much as a diplomatic coup overseas.
There was also optimism among ordinary Iranians.
"I cannot wait ... We deserve to be part of the international community again," said elementary school teacher Ziba Ghafouri, 35, in the northern city of Babolsar.
But many others reacted cautiously, in contrast to widespread elation six months earlier, when Iranians poured into the streets to celebrate the signing of the nuclear deal that made possible the lifting of most economic curbs.
Full report at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Iranians-welcome-deal-with-satisfaction-and-caution/articleshow/50618823.cms
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Sceptics of Iran nuclear deal 'all proven wrong', says president Rouhani
AFP | Jan 17, 2016, 07.25 PM IST
TEHRAN: President Hassan Rouhani said on Sunday that sceptics who said a nuclear deal with world powers would not bring benefits to Iran "were all proven wrong".
"Within a few hours" of the nuclear deal being implemented and sanctions lifted "1,000 lines of credit were opened by various banks," Rouhani told reporters in Tehran.
"This showed that those who used to say, 'do not believe' were mistaken," he said, stressing the deal would now make it easier for Iranian businesses to operate after years of being frozen out of the international financial system.
"Today we are in an atmosphere where we can have political, economic and legal interaction with the world to the benefit of our national interests," the president said.
"We believe in our national strength. We believe in our nation's success," he added.
The remarks were a riposte to doubters who say that the diplomatic success of the nuclear deal will not translate into concrete economic benefits for Iran's economy.
Rouhani staked his presidency on the nuclear talks, deepening the diplomacy which involved Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States plus Germany after taking office in August 2013.
Only last week he said Iranians should look forward to a "year of prosperity" after sanctions are lifted.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Sceptics-of-Iran-nuclear-deal-all-proven-wrong-says-president-Rouhani/articleshow/50614867.cms
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Iran receives $400m frozen funds along with $1.3bn interest
January 18th, 2016
WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama confirmed on Sunday that the United States had lifted certain nuclear-related sanctions from Iran after the Islamic Republic successfully implemented a deal signed in July last year.
At the same time he announced a settlement between the US and Iran at The Hague, in which Iran received $400 million in funds frozen since 1981 plus $1.3 billion in interest. This, he said, would save US money and time, as there was no point in dragging out this dispute and continuing to pay interest on the money.
Full report at: http://www.dawn.com/news/1233733/iran-receives-400m-frozen-funds-along-with-13bn-interest
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1 killed, another wounded as rocket hits Turkish school near Syrian border
January 18, 2016
One female school employe was killed and a female student was wounded after a mortar shell which appeared to have been fired from Syria struck a school in Turkey's southeastern border province of Kilis on Monday, the Kilis governor's office said.
Turkish army radar showed shots were fired into the border province of Kilis from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) outposts inside Syria, military sources operating in the area told Reuters, adding that the army had retaliated "in kind".
In a statement released on its website, the Kilis governor's office said two of three mortar shells believed to be fired from Syria landed in an empty field, while the third mortar shell hit a school. A janitor working at Nazlı Ömer Çelit Primary School was killed and a female student was wounded during the incident, the statement said. The wounded student was taken into surgery.
Full report at: http://www.todayszaman.com/latest-news_1-killed-another-wounded-as-rocket-hits-turkish-school-near-syrian-border_409891.html
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CHP leader faces investigation for calling Erdoğan ‘tinpot dictator’
January 18, 2016
The Ankara Chief Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation into main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu for calling President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan a "tinpot dictator" last Saturday, the Habertürk daily reported on Monday.
Speaking at his party's congress on Saturday, Kılıçdaroğlu used strong language to criticize President Erdoğan, calling him a “tinpot dictator” and vowing to resist his efforts to introduce a presidential system of governance to replace the current parliamentary system.
As a member of Parliament the CHP leader is subject to immunity from prosecution while serving as a deputy in the legislative body, but investigations have been carried out in the same manner against other deputies in the past.
During his speech Kılıçdaroğlu also slammed the detention of dozens of academics which occurred after they signed a statement last week which criticized curfews and military operations in the predominantly Kurdish southeastern districts and called for the resumption of peace talks. The detentions occurred after the president vowed the intellectuals would be punished.
http://www.todayszaman.com/latest-news_chp-leader-faces-investigation-for-calling-erdogan-tinpot-dictator_409889.html
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16 referred to court for arrest over suspected links to Sultanahmet bomber
January 17, 2016
Sixteen suspects have been referred to court for arrest for having links to the suspected Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) suicide bomber who killed 10 tourists and injured 15 in an attack on İstanbul's Sultanahmet Square on Tuesday.
Two of the 16 suspects who were referred to the İstanbul Courthouse on Sunday are reported to have undergone extensive training in bomb-making, according to the Turkish media.
A suicide bomber, identified in the Turkish media as 28-year old Saudi-born Syrian national Nabil Fadli, a member of ISIL who had entered Turkey as a refugee from Syria, blew himself up among tourists visiting İstanbul's popular sights on Tuesday morning while standing in front of a historical obelisk. Fifteen people, mostly foreigners, were also wounded in the attack.
Full report at: http://www.todayszaman.com/national_16-referred-to-court-for-arrest-over-suspected-links-to-sultanahmet-bomber_409818.html
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South Asia
Rocket lands near Italian embassy in Afghan capital Kabul
Reuters | Jan 17, 2016
KABUL: A rocket landed near the Italian embassy in Kabul on Sunday, a police official said, a day before a meeting of Afghan and international officials aimed at laying the groundwork for possible peace talks with the Taliban.
The official, who asked not to be named, said there was no immediate word on any casualties or damage from the blast, which followed a series of suicide attacks in Kabul earlier this month.
It was not immediately clear whether the embassy, which is located near other foreign missions, was specifically targeted.
Following talks in Islamabad last week, officials from Afghanistan, Pakistan, the United States and China are due to resume meeting in Kabul on Monday to try to agree a roadmap for a negotiated settlement with the insurgents.
The Taliban, increasingly successful on the battlefield since international troops ended most combat operations in 2014, have yet to agree to take part in the process.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/Loud-explosion-rocks-Kabul-Reports/articleshow/50617002.cms?
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Five Bangladesh militants jailed for 2005 blasts
Jan 17, 2016
DHAKA: A Bangladesh court Monday sentenced five Islamist militants to 10 years in prison for carrying out explosions in 2005 as part of a deadly nationwide bombing campaign that shook the nation.
A court in the southeastern district of Rangamati convicted the five members of banned group Jamayetul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) over two explosions in the area, police Inspector Mominul Islam said.
“Six JMB militants were charged with the bombings. One was acquitted and five others were sentenced to ten years in jail,” Islam said.
The twin blasts were part of synchronised bombings carried out on August 17, 2005 across all Bangladesh cities and almost all districts that left two people dead.
Full report at: http://www.dawn.com/news/1233785/five-bangladesh-militants-jailed-for-2005-blasts
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Afghan Taliban flex muscles with new telecom 'tax'
AFP — Published about 4 hours ago
KANDAHAR: The Taliban have demanded a hefty new “protection tax” from Afghan mobile phone companies, industry and militant sources told AFP, as the resurgent group tightens its stranglehold on a rare successful business in a slumping war economy.
At a secret meeting which is said to have taken place last month near the Pakistani city of Quetta, the Taliban's central leadership formally demanded the tax from representatives of four cellular companies in exchange for not damaging their sites or harming their employees.
The edict was motivated by an Afghan government announcement in October that it had amassed a windfall of 78 million Afghani ($1.14 million) within days of imposing an additional 10 per cent tax on operators, according to two telecom company officials who attended the meeting and a third industry executive privy to the information.
“They want us to pay the same amount paid to the government,” one of the officials who was at the gathering told AFP.
Full report at: http://www.dawn.com/news/1233767/afghan-taliban-flex-muscles-with-new-telecom-tax
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Australia increasing its troops number in Afghanistan
By Khaama Press - Mon Jan 18 2016
Australia has announced increasing the number of its troops in Afghanistan.
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull who made a surprise visit to Kabul on Sunday announced that more than 20 Australian soldiers would join those already serving under the NATO’s Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan.
The addition of 20 soldiers would bring the number of Australian troops serving in Afghanistan to 270. The country has so far lost 41 soldiers during its over-a-decade mission in Afghanistan.
Full report at: http://www.khaama.com/australia-increasing-its-troops-number-in-afghanistan-4496
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2nd preparatory meeting for peace talks with Taliban kicks off in Kabul
By Khaama Press - Mon Jan 18 2016
The second preparatory quadrilateral meeting for peace talks with Taliban has kicked off in Kabul.
Before the meeting started, Afghanistan’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abdullah Abdullah told the Council of Ministers that this is a follow up meeting of the Islamabad quadrilateral and will focus on the roadmap for peace.
He further said that a joint statement addressing the outcomes of the meetings would be released later today.
Full report at: http://www.khaama.com/2nd-preparatory-meeting-for-peace-talks-with-taliban-kicks-off-in-kabul-4495
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Afghan Air Force to receive more equipment in next 6 months: Stanikzai
By Khaama Press - Sun Jan 17 2016
The Afghan Air Force (AAF) will receive additional equipment in the next six months as part of the modernization efforts by the Afghan government in cooperation with it’s international allies.
Acting Minister of Defense Masoom Stanikzai said Sunday that majority of the equipment in the Afghan Air Force inventory would be renovated in the coming six months while some additional surveillance equipment would be delivered that would help to provide reconnaissance to the Afghan security forces to prevent casualties.
He was speaking during a ceremony to celebrate the graduation of 1,400 Afghan National Army (ANA) cadets from Kabul military academy.
Stanikzai further added that there have been commitments by the international community to support the Afghan national security forces and further decisions in this regard are expected during the NATO Warsaw summit in mid 2016.
Full report at: http://www.khaama.com/afghan-air-force-to-receive-more-equipment-in-next-6-months-stanikzai-0015
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Afghanistan to hold delayed parliamentary elections in October
Jan 17, 2016
KABUL: Afghanistan will hold postponed parliamentary elections in October, the top election official said on Monday, after last June's deadline to choose a new assembly was missed because of political squabbling.
Parliament's five-year term expired last June, but elections were postponed because of security fears and disagreements on how to ensure a fair vote after a bitterly disputed presidential election in 2014.
President Ashraf Ghani issued a decree last year extending parliament's mandate until a vote could be held, a decision criticised by Afghans, who questioned whether the extension was legal.
Full report at: http://www.dawn.com/news/1233788/afghanistan-to-hold-delayed-parliamentary-elections-in-october
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Pakistan
Five security personnel killed in Quetta IED blast
January 18th, 2016
QUETTA: At least five security personnel were killed and two others wounded in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast in Quetta's Margut area on Monday.
A security officer who declined to be named told DawnNews that unidentified militants targeted a vehicle of security personnel through a remote-controlled bomb in Margut.
He said five security personnel were killed on the spot whereas two sustained injured. The injured were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The blast damaged the vehicle carrying security personnel.
Soon after the explosion, Frontier Corps personnel reached the site as an investigation into the incident went underway. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least developed province, has remained under the grip of violence for over a decade which has claimed thousands of lives.
http://www.dawn.com/news/1233779/five-security-personnel-killed-in-quetta-ied-blast
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Human Right Watch urges Pakistan to extend Afghan Refugee Status through 2017
By Khaama Press - Sun Jan 17 2016
Human Right Watch (HRW) has urged Pakistan to reduce rights violations against Afghan refugees by extending their legal residency status until at least December 31, 2017.
According to the HRW report released on Saturday, the uncertain residency status of Afghan refugees in Pakistan has encouraged police harassment, threats, and extortion of Afghan refugees, particularly since the December 2014 attack on a Peshawar school by the Pakistani Taliban.
HRW says that the six months extension of Afghan refugees’ Proof of Residency (PoR) cards would reduce insecurity against registered refuges but a two-year extension would send a message that they are not pressured to go home.
Full report at: http://www.khaama.com/hrw-urges-pakistan-to-extend-afghan-refugee-status-through-2017-4498
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PM Nawaz, Gen Raheel arrive in Riyadh to mediate in Saudi-Iran row
DAWN.COM | IRFAN HAIDER — 18 01 16
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif arrived in Riyadh on Monday to mediate between Saudi Arabia and Iran amid growing fears that a prolonged confrontation could have serious consequences for the region.
After their arrival, General Raheel Sharif held a meeting with the Saudi defence minister.
The premier and army chief, earlier today traveled to Saudi Arabia in the same plane, and will later visit Tehran in an attempt to persuade the two rivals to de-escalate and resolve their disputes diplomatically.
They are accompanied by National Security Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Nasser Janjua and Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi.
The prime minister will meet Iran's President Hassan Rouhani on Jan 19 at the Presidential Palace, said a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office.
On the same day, the statement said, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will travel to Zurich to attend the World Economic Forum being held in Davos.
Full report at: http://www.dawn.com/news/1233773/pm-nawaz-gen-raheel-leave-for-riyadh-to-mediate-in-saudi-iran-row
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Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti murder case: Anti-terrorism court acquits Pervez Musharraf
PTI | Jan 18, 2016
KARACHI: Pakistan's former military ruler General Pervez Musharraf was on Monday acquitted by an anti-terrorism court in the murder case of Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti.
The court in Balochistan's provincial capital Quetta acquitted former president Musharraf, ex-provincial home minister Mir Shoaib Nosherwani and Qaumi Watan Party chief and member of National Assembly Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao.
After the announcement of the decision by Judge Jan Muhammad Gohar, the lawyer representing Bugti's son Jamil Bugti, Sohail Rajput, announced his decision to challenge the judgment of the court, the Dawn reported.
Full report at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Nawab-Akbar-Khan-Bugti-murder-case-Anti-terrorism-court-acquits-Pervez-Musharraf/articleshow/50625220.cms
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YouTube to be unblocked within 48 hours: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority
Jan 18, 2016
ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Information Technology on Monday issued a directive to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to restore YouTube service within 48 hours.
The Ministry of Information Technology Spokesman Sagheer Anwar Wattoo and PTA officials confirmed that the directive has been issued.
The service is still not accessible on some internet service providers without the use of a secure (https) protocol or VPN/proxy, which means the website remains blocked for the time being.
Full report at: http://www.dawn.com/news/1233783/youtube-to-be-unblocked-within-48-hours-pta
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India
Suspicious glitter: Pathankot jewellers under probe agencies' lens
Raghav Ohri | ET Bureau | Jan 18, 2016
PATHANKOT: When Gurdaspur SP Salwinder Singh disclosed the presence of a jeweller "friend" in his vehicle on the night of December 31 — hours before the Pathankot airbase attackers "abducted" the duo along with Singh's cook — it led to raised eyebrows. But what surprises even more is the proliferation of jewellers in a small district like Pathankot, which doesn't have any big industry or avenues to attract investment.
Here are the numbers: there are nearly 450 jewellers in the entire district with a population of 6.5 lakh.
Pathankot city alone — with a population of around 2 lakh — has over 200 jewellers. The popular Androon Bazaar (inner market) of Pathankot city has over 100 jewellery shops.
The Pathankot Vikas Manch — a local organisation — lists over 70 jewellers in its official diary.
Full report at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Suspicious-glitter-Pathankot-jewellers-under-probe-agencies-lens/articleshow/50620415.cms
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Europe
Muslims ‘impossible to integrate’ in Europe, says Czech leader
January 18th, 2016
PRAGUE: Czech President Milos Zeman, known for his fiery anti-migrant comments, said on Sunday that it was almost impossible to integrate the Muslim community into European society. “The experience of Western European countries which have ghettos and excluded localities shows that the integration of the Muslim community is practically impossible,” Zeman said in a televised interview.
“Let them have their culture in their countries and not take it to Europe, otherwise it will end up like Cologne,” he added, referring to the mass New Year’s Eve assaults on women in Germany and elsewhere.
Full report at: http://www.dawn.com/news/1233744/muslims-impossible-to-integrate-in-europe-says-czech-leader
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North America
U.S. Embassy in Baghdad confirms reports of ‘several’ Americans missing
By Khaama Press - Mon Jan 18 2016
The United States Embassy in Iraq has confirmed that ‘several’ Americans have gone missing in Baghdad.
Reports suggest that at least three Americans went missing while on their way to airport in southern Baghdad on Sunday.
An Iraqi police colonel told AFP on condition of anonymity that three Americans and an Iraqi translator were kidnapped in southern Baghdad by militiamen wearing military uniforms.
Full report at: http://www.khaama.com/u-s-embassy-in-baghdad-confirms-repots-of-several-americans-missing-4494
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