Madrasa Students Raze ‘Un-Islamic’ Alauddin Museum

 

Oldest Catholic Monastery In Iraq Is Razed

Taliban militants storm Pakistan University near Peshawar, killing 25 

South Asia

Daesh Commander Including Five Killed In Airstrike in Nangarhar

President Ghani Hails Removal of Sanctions on Iran as In Best Interest of the Region

High ranking police officers sacked for failing to prevent attacks in Kabul

Uniting to Prevent Violent Extremism: Ban Ki-moon

Mi-25 gunships supplied by India to officially join Afghan Air Force today

CEO Abdullah: Enemies had named 2015 as the ‘year of collapse’ for government

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Arab World

Oldest Christian Monastery in Iraq Razed

Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Nayef, Meets Tribal Leaders Secretly to Destabilize Saudi Arabia

IRGC Commander: Al-Saud Playing as "Defense Shield" for Israel

Islamic State frees 270 of 400 people kidnapped from Syria's Deir al-Zor

IS confirms death of 'Jihadi John' in Syria drone strike

US Officers Killed in Yemeni Missile Attack Saudi Coalition

ISIL's Senior Commander Killed by Syrian Army West of Deir Ezzur

British Officer Killed in Yemen

Egypt on Alert Ahead Of Uprising Anniversary

Russian, Syrian Fighter Jets Raid ISIL Centers Southeast of Homs Province

Syrian Army Targets Militants' Convoy in Dara'a Province

Syria: Top Terrorist Leader Killed Southwest of Hama

Syrian Army Continues to Crush Militants across Aleppo Neighborhoods

China offers support for Yemen government as Xi visits Saudi Arabia

Iran Arrests Over 150 for Embassy Raid

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India

Madrasa Students Raze ‘Un-Islamic’ Alauddin Museum

15,000-Strong ‘Dharma Sena’ In Uttar Pradesh Readies for War with Islamic State

Cops Foil Terror Strikes In NCR, Haridwar by Global Outfit

Pathankot attack: Two out of six attackers may be 'insiders', says NIA

‘Doctor Medicine lekar jayega’: IB’s January 23 alert on terror

India goes to Interpol to trace Dawood Ibrahim’s aide

Riots rape clip triggers tension in Muzaffarnagar

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Pakistan

APS Mastermind Claims Bacha Khan University Attack, 21 Killed

Pakistan Successfully Tests Ra’ad Cruise Missile: ISPR

Pak University attack: TTP claims responsibility

Will Pakistan see more school attacks?

'Tashfeen was framed!' — and other anti-US conspiracy theories

Pakistan not joining any anti-Iran coalition, Asif tells NA

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Europe

'No Means No': Norway Sends Migrants on Anti-Rape Courses

Canada Excluded From Anti-Islamic State Coalition Meeting

French Institute unveils Ottoman dictionary in French

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North America

Sikh Man, 3 Muslims Kicked Off US Flight; Appearance Made Pilot Uneasy

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Southeast Asia

Indonesia Has Figured Out How to Block ISIS

Indonesian Police Receive Terrorist Threat Targeting Bali

Muslims, not Christians, targeting natives, Sabah group tells Hadi

Indonesian shipyard launches frigate

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Mideast

Turkish-US Mistrust on Syria Intensifies Ahead of Biden’s Visit

Turkey Ends Anti-PKK Operation in Southeastern Town

Crime boss faces new probe over bloodbath threats against academics

Hate speech marked wall by İstanbul synagogue

10,000 Turks have left Russia since jet crisis

Iran's Khamenei warns against US 'deceit' in nuclear deal

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Africa

Libya Not another Iraq, Lord Hague Tells MPs

A last chance for peace in Libya

Inside Islamic State's new stronghold in Libya: 'Isil beheaded my friend for witchcraft - he did acupuncture'

Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau

URL: http://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/new-age-islam-news-bureau/madrasa-students-raze-‘un-islamic’-alauddin-museum/d/106058

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Madarsa Students Raze ‘Un-Islamic’ Alauddin Museum

20 January 2016 | Manash Ghosh | Dhaka

Over a thousand rampaging students of Jamia Islamia Yunisia Madrasa on Monday burnt down the legendary music maestro Bharat Ratna Ustad Allauddin Khan’s more than a century-old ancestral home in Brahmanbaria, about 200 km east of Dhaka. Destroyed in the process were some of the priceless exhibits like two sarods, one sitar, two violins, one santoor, one sarengi and one banjo, which were once the maestro’s favourite musical instruments along with 25 original letters written by him to world leaders.

Also destroyed were two exclusive Persian carpets presented to him by Maharaja of Maihar late Brijnath Singh, sitting on which “Baba”, as he was fondly referred to in the music world, used to do his riyaaz (music practice) every morning.

Also reduced to ashes were over 1,000 rare photographs shot with various Indian and world dignitaries. The ancestral home had been turned into a museum-cum-school of music, dance and art, named Sangitayan where Indian classical, vocal and musical instruments were taught and art and dance classes were regularly held.

The school had over 400 students on its roll and was attracting people mostly from the town’s Muslim middle class families. Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, the son of the maestro, was a frequent visitor to this ancestral home when he was alive.

While officials of Sangitayan claim that the damage to the home-cum-museum was well over taka 10 crores, the priceless exhibits destroyed in the blaze could not be quantified in monetary terms as they were irreplaceable.

Burning down of the ustad’s ancestral home has robbed Bangladesh of the rich cultural legacy bequeathed by Baba. The madrasa students while making a bonfire of the musical instruments were shouting slogans like, “There is no place for dance, music and art in a Muslim majority Bangladesh where Sharia laws will reign supreme. Hindu art and culture has no place in an Islamic society.”

 Although Ustad Allauddin Khan was a devout Muslim who offered namaz (prayers) five times a day, the Sangitayan had long been a target of Muslim fundamentalists for popularising and promoting “un-Islamic” culture in Bangladesh.

Brahmanbaria has for long been a hotbed of Islamic radicals. It had returned Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader Khaleda Zia’s nominee belonging to Islami Oikya Jote, Fazlul Haque Amini to Parliament. It was Amini who had coined the infamous slogan: “We all shall become Taliban, shall turn our land into another Afghanistan.”

Sangitayan was not the only target which incurred the wrath of the students. There are other numerous cultural organisations whose premises were also located in the neighbourhood that were targeted by the students. For instance, Dhirendranath Datta language and cultural centre was also first vandalized and later reduced to ashes.

Datta was the first Member of Parliament in Pakistan’s National Assembly who in 1950 had demanded that Bangla and not Urdu should be made the national language of Pakistan because Bangla-speaking people were more numerous than Urdu speaking residents. Only a few days before the attack, the language centre was the venue of a massive Bangla cultural festival.

The incident has outraged many Bangladeshis and Dhaka dailies have carried headlines screaming against the outrage like “Burning smell in maestro’s music world”.

Abdul Mannan, secretary, Sangitayan said: “What these fanatics have done is that they have destroyed the rich cultural heritage of Bangladesh forever. It can never be rebuilt.”

His lament has been echoed by other noted cultural personalities of Bangladesh who have demanded exemplary punishment for the culprits. They have regretted that while the attack was on, the police present there in sizable strength chose to be a silent spectator. They sought to know from Sheikh Hasina’s Government whether it wanted to turn Brahmanbaria into a Pakistani enclave.

http://www.dailypioneer.com/todays-newspaper/madarsa-students-raze-un-islamic-alauddin-museum.html

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Oldest Christian Monastery In Iraq Razed

Associated Press By MARTHA MENDOZA, MAYA ALLERUZZO and BRAM JANSSEN

IRBIL, Iraq (AP) — Satellite photos obtained by The Associated Press confirm what church leaders and Middle East preservationists had feared: The oldest Christian monastery in Iraq has been reduced to a field of rubble, yet another victim of the Islamic State group's relentless destruction of heritage sites it considers heretical.

St. Elijah's Monastery stood as a place of worship for 1,400 years, including most recently for U.S. troops. In earlier millennia, generations of monks tucked candles in the niches, prayed in the chapel, worshipped at the altar. The Greek letters chi and rho, representing the first two letters of Christ's name, were carved near the entrance.

This month, at the request of the AP, satellite imagery firm DigitalGlobe tasked a high resolution camera to grab photos of the site, and then pulled earlier images of the same spot.

Before it was razed, a partially restored, 27,000-square-foot stone and mortar building stood fortress-like on a hill above Mosul. Although the roof was largely missing, it had 26 distinctive rooms including a sanctuary and chapel. One month later photos show "that the stone walls have been literally pulverized," said imagery analyst Stephen Wood, CEO of Allsource Analysis, who pinpointed the destruction between August and September 2014.

"Bulldozers, heavy equipment, sledgehammers, possibly explosives turned those stone walls into this field of gray-white dust. They destroyed it completely," he said from his Colorado offices.

On the other side of the world, in his office in exile, in Irbil, Iraq, Catholic priest Rev. Paul Thabit Habib, 39, stared in disbelief at the before- and after- images.

View galleryThis combination of two satellite images provided by …

This combination of two satellite images provided by DigitalGlobe, taken on March 31, 2011, top, and …

"Our Christian history in Mosul is being barbarically leveled," he said in Arabic. "We see it as an attempt to expel us from Iraq, eliminating and finishing our existence in this land."

The Islamic State group, which now controls large parts of Iraq and Syria, has killed thousands of civilians in the past two years. Along the way, its fighters have destroyed whatever they consider contrary to their interpretation of Islam.

St. Elijah's joins a growing list of more than 100 religious and historic sites looted and destroyed, including mosques, tombs, shrines and churches. Ancient monuments in the cities of Nineveh, Palmyra and Hatra are in ruins. Museums and libraries have been pillaged, books burned, artwork crushed — or trafficked.

U.S. troops and advisers had worked to protect and honor the monastery, a hopeful endeavor in a violent place and time.

"I would imagine that many people are feeling like, 'What were the last 10 years for if these guys can go in and destroy everything?'" said U.S. Army reserve Col. Mary Prophit, who was deployed there in 2004 and again in 2009.

Built in 590, tragedy struck at St. Elijah's in 1743, when as many as 150 monks who refused to convert to Islam were massacred by a Persian general. In 2003 St. Elijah's shuddered again — this time a wall was smashed by a tank turret blown off in battle. Iraqi troops had already moved in, dumping garbage in the cistern. The U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division took control, painting over ancient murals and scrawling their division's "Screaming Eagle," on the walls. Then a U.S. military chaplain, recognizing its significance, began a preservation initiative.

Roman Catholic Army chaplain Jeffrey Whorton, who celebrated Mass on the monastery's altar, was grief-stricken at its loss.

"Why we treat each other like this is beyond me," he said. "Elijah the prophet must be weeping."

At the Vatican, spokesman Rev. Federico Lombardi, noted that since the monastery dates back to the time Christians were united, before the break with Orthodox and Catholics, the place would be a special one for many. He said it was the first news he had had of the destruction.

"Unfortunately, there is this systemic destruction of precious sites, not only cultural, but also religious and spiritual. It's very sad and dramatic," Lombardi told the AP.

Mendoza reported from Santa Cruz, Calif., Alleruzzo reported from Cairo. Associated Press writer Frances D'Emilio in Rome contributed to this report.

http://news.yahoo.com/only-ap-oldest-christian-monastery-073600243.html

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Breakthroughs Made In Identifying Bacha Khan University Attackers: DG ISPR

DAWN.COM 20 January  2016

PESHAWAR: Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Asim Bajwa on Wednesday said major breakthroughs had been made in identifying the terrorists who attacked the Bacha Khan University in Charsadda earlier in the day.

The ISPR chief said the terrorists' phone calls had been traced and analysed, and that two cell phones had also been recovered from them.

"Their call logs were analysed and an intelligence picture was established, with most data having been collected," said Lt Gen Bajwa.

Bajwa also said forensics and fingerprints of the attackers had been shared with the National Database Registration Authority (Nadra), adding that "an intelligence picture is also being created with input from Nadra."

"We have gathered almost all relevant data on who they (attackers) were, from where they came and who supported them."

But the ISPR chief said the information is "sensitive" and is being "processed and updated," which will be shared with the public later.

Bajwa said terrorists were getting instructions from outside and were receiving calls.

"They (terrorists) are targeting symbols of progress. We are fighting a war against faceless bastards (terrorists)."

http://www.dawn.com/news/1234231/breakthroughs-made-in-identifying-bacha-khan-university-attackers-dg-ispr

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South Asia

Daesh commander including five killed in airstrike in Nangarhar

By Khaama Press - Wed Jan 20 2016

Five fanatics of the the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) which is also known by its Arabic name Daesh have been killed in an airstrike in eastern Nangarhar province.

Colonel Hazrat Hussain Mashriqiwal, spokesperson for the police headquarters of Nangarhar says the terrorists were targeted in Deh Sarak area of Achin District around 03:00 PM on Tuesday.

According to Col. Mashriqiwal, one of those killed was Sajid, a commander of the group.

Another report from Nangarhar suggest that police siezed several bombs, ammunition and drugs during separate raids in Behsood District.

A pestol was confiscated along with three home made bombs from Ajmal’s house in Buland Ghar area of the district.

A huge quantity of hashish was also recovered from a vehicle in Samarkhil area.

Driver of the vehicle has been arrested for interrogation.

http://www.khaama.com/daesh-commander-including-five-killed-in-airstrike-in-nangarhar-4498

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President Ghani off to Switzerland for World Economic Forum

By Khaama Press - Wed Jan 20 2016

President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has left Kabul for Davos-Klosters, Switzerland to take part in the annual meeting of World Economic Forum from 20 to 23 January, a meeting that brings together some 2,500 top business leaders, international political leaders, selected intellectuals, and journalists to discuss the most pressing issues facing the world.

“Pres.@AshrafGhani left #Kabul this morning at the head of a senior delegation to attend World Economic Forum Meeting in #Davos, Switzerland,” stated a post on the official twitter account of the Presidential Palace “ARG” this morning.

Reports suggest that President Ghani will also hold a separate meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz Sharif and U.S. Vice President Joe Biden at the sideline of the forum.

As per the report of the Voice of America (VOA), the meeting would take place at 11:00 am (local time) in Davos on Thursday.

Although, further details regarding the meeting have not been released but it is likely that Afghanistan’s reconciliation process with Taliban would be center of the discussions.

http://www.khaama.com/president-ghani-off-to-switzerland-for-world-economic-forum-4498

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High ranking police officers sacked for failing to prevent attacks in Kabul

By Khaama Press - Wed Jan 20 2016

Following investigation into two security incidents in Kabul city, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) has sacked some high ranking police officers for negligence in their duties.

MoI says the decision was taken to remove police chief of 12th district for failing to prevent attack on a girls’ school in Arzan Qimat area.

Besides damages, watchman of Ahmad Shah Baba School also lost life when it came under the attack and set on fire by unidentified miscreants few days ago.

Also, chief of 8th Police District has been sacked for failing to prevent rocket attacks on the city.

One of the two rockets, believed to have been fired from 8th Police District, had landed near the embassy of Italy.

According to the ministry, the police chiefs would be taken under interrogation.

http://www.khaama.com/chiefs-of-two-police-districts-sacked-following-attack-on-school-in-kabul-4499

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Uniting to Prevent Violent Extremism: Ban Ki-moon

By Khaama Press - Wed Jan 20 2016

Violent extremism is a direct assault on the United Nations Charter and a grave threat to international peace and security.

Terrorist groups such as Daesh, Boko Haram and others have brazenly kidnapped young girls, systematically denied women’s rights, destroyed cultural institutions, warped the peaceful values of religions, and brutally murdered thousands of innocents around the world.

These groups have become a magnet for foreign terrorist fighters, who are easy prey to simplistic appeals and siren songs.

Full report at: http://www.khaama.com/uniting-to-prevent-violent-extremism-0023

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Mi-25 gunships supplied by India to officially join Afghan Air Force today

By Khaama Press - Wed Jan 20 2016

Three Mi-25 gunship helicopters supplied by India will officially join the Afghan Air Force today, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) said.

The gunships were delivered late in the month of December last year and ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kabul.

According to MoD, the gunships were undergoing through assembly process after they were delivered and will officially join the Air Force after the work has been done.

The decision for the delivery of Mi-25 gunship helicopters was concluded during the recent visit of Afghan National Security Adviser Mohammad Hanif Atmar to New Delhi.

Full report at: http://www.khaama.com/mi-25-gunships-supplied-by-india-to-officially-join-afghan-air-force-today-0022

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CEO Abdullah: Enemies had named 2015 as the ‘year of collapse’ for government

By Khaama Press - Tue Jan 19 2016

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abdullah Abdullah has said that the enemies of Afghanistan had named 2015 as the ‘year of collapse’ for government but they failed.

CEO Abdullah expressed these comments during a press conference organized by the Afghanistan Investment Support Agency (AISA) to assess the investment circumstances in capital Kabul.

He said 2015 was a very tough year in which even police went to the frontline.

“This made the government to concentration more on security compare to other spheres,” the CEO added.

His comments come as a rapid raise was recorded in the number of casualties suffered by the security forces in 2015.

At least 7,000 security men embraced martyrdom and 12,000 others wounded in 2015 which showed a 26 percent increase over the total number of dead and wounded in all of 2014.

http://www.khaama.com/ceo-abdullah-enemies-had-named-2015-as-the-year-of-collapse-for-government-4497

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Arab World

Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Nayef, Meets Tribal Leaders Secretly to Destabilize Saudi Arabia

Jan 20, 2016

TEHRAN (FNA)- A prominent Saudi media activist revealed that Crown Prince and Interior Minister Mohammed bin Nayef has held secret talks with the country's tribal leaders to heighten internal conflicts and prevent empowerment of Mohammed bin Salman.

"After news reports said that the Saudi king has decided to leave the power to his son, the Saudi crown prince has held some meetings with the tribal leaders to destabilize domestic conditions in Saudi Arabia," the activist who called for anonymity for security reasons told FNA on Tuesday.

Noting that the details of these meetings are not known, he said it seems that Mohammed bin Nayef sees himself entitled to the throne, and he, thus, seeks to spark internal problems and insecurity with the help of certain tribes to stir crisis and prevent the deputy crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman from ascending to the throne.

Full report at: http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13941029001367

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IRGC Commander: Al-Saud Playing as "Defense Shield" for Israel

Jan 20, 2016

TEHRAN (FNA)- Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari expressed deep regret that the Saudi officials have turned into Israel's regime against the Islamic Revolution.

"Today, the enemies have resorted to proxy wars and using other Muslim world capacities, instead of direct confrontation, against the Islamic Revolution and its example can be seen in what Saudi Arabia is doing," Jafari said, addressing a ceremony in Tehran on Tuesday.

"Today, the al-Saud has turned into a defense shield for the Zionists," he added.

Jafari, meantime, underlined that the enemies' plots are being foiled one after another by the vigilant Iranian and regional nations.

Full report at: http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13941029001128

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Islamic State frees 270 of 400 people kidnapped from Syria's Deir al-Zor

Reuters | Jan 20, 2016

BEIRUT: Islamic State on Tuesday released 270 of an estimated 400 civilians, most of them women and children, kidnapped at the weekend when its fighters attacked Syrian government-held areas in the eastern city of Deir al-Zor, a monitoring group said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also said, however, that the ultra-hardline group rounded up another 50 men on Tuesday during raids on houses in areas seized during four days of fighting in Deir al-Zor, the provincial capital.

Rami Abdulrahman, the Observatory's head, said that the group has kept male prisoners between the ages of 14 and 55 for more questioning.

"Those who they see have ties with the regime will be punished and those who (do) not must undertake a religious course based on the group's interpretation of Islam," he said.

The civilians released will remain in Islamic State-run villages in the province of Deir al-Zor, which links the group's de facto capital in Raqqa with territory controlled by the militant group in neighbouring Iraq.

The group, which controls of most of the province, has laid siege since last March to remaining government-held areas in the city of Deir al-Zor.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Islamic-State-frees-270-of-400-people-kidnapped-from-Syrias-Deir-al-Zor/articleshow/50647458.cms

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IS confirms death of 'Jihadi John' in Syria drone strike

AFP | Jan 20, 2016

FILE PHOTO: This still image from undated video released by Islamic State militants on Oct. 3, 2014, purports to show the militant known as Jihadi John.FILE PHOTO: This still image from undated video released by Islamic State militants on Oct. 3, 2014, purports ... Read More

BEIRUT: The Islamic State group confirmed on Tuesday the death of British jihadist "Jihadi John", saying he was killed in a drone strike in their Syrian stronghold of Raqa in November. Born Mohammed Emwazi, he was known as the executioner of the jihadist group appearing masked in a string of videos showing the beheadings of Western hostages.

In its online magazine Dabiq, the group said Emwazi was killed on November 12 "as the car he was in was targeted in a strike by an unmanned drone in the city of Raqa, destroying the car and killing him instantly".

The US military had said at the time that it was "reasonably certain" he had been killed in the strike.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/IS-confirms-death-of-Jihadi-John-in-Syria-drone-strike/articleshow/50646567.cms

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US Officers Killed in Yemeni Missile Attack Saudi Coalition

Jan 20, 2016

TEHRAN (FNA)- The Yemeni army and popular forces' missile attack on a Saudi-led command center in Ma'rib killed over 120 mercenaries, including the Saudi, UAE and US officers.

"The Yemeni army missile unit fired a Tochka missile at the operations room of the Saudi-led forces in Ma'rib (on Sunday) and killed over 120 mercenaries with different nationalities," Ali al-Houthi, an Ansarullah Movement Leader, told FNA on Tuesday.

"46 Saudi mercenaries, 11 UAE and 9 Saudi officers and 11 foreign commanders of the US Blackwater company were among those killed in the attack," he added.

Houthi said that 6 Apache and 4 Black Hawk helicopters and 4 drones armed with missiles were also destroyed in the attack.

The command room of communications with the spying satellites and airplanes was also destroyed completely.

Al-Houthi had also on Sunday said that the missile had 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 on Sunday.

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.

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13941029000403

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ISIL's Senior Commander Killed by Syrian Army West of Deir Ezzur

Jan 20, 2016

TEHRAN (FNA)- One of the senior security commanders of the ISIL terrorist group was killed in the Syrian Army attack in al-Baqaliyeh West of Deir Ezzur on Tuesday.

"Ebrahim Hossein al-Da'yeri was killed in clashes with the Syrian army in al-Sho'eitat region," several independent sources said.

"In the meantime, the ISIL strongholds near the villages of al-Khassan and al-Janiniyah in the Western side of Ayyash came under massive bombardments of the Syrian fighter jets, which ended in the destruction of the militant group's military hardware," the sources said.

On Monday, the Syrian army continued to hunt the ISIL terrorists in at least three neighborhoods of the Eastern city of Deir Ezzur.

The Syrian army troops stormed the ISIL gatherings in the neighborhoods of al-Roshdiyeh, al-Jabileh and al-Mowadhefin, killed or wounded many of the terrorists and destroyed their weapons and military equipment.

"The ISIL left behind scores of the dead and injured members and fled the battlefields to evade more casualties," a source in the city said.

"The army also continued to advance against the ISIL in the village of al-Baqaliyeh and pushed the militant back from al-Ruwad residential units," he added. 

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13941029000836

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British Officer Killed in Yemen

Jan 20, 2016

TEHRAN (FNA)- A Saudi-hired British officer who worked for the Blackwater company was killed by the Yemeni army and popular forces in Southwestern Taiz province.

"A British officer of Blackwater security firm was killed in al-Wazaya region in Taiz province," a Yemeni army source said on Tuesday.

The source declined to reveal any further details.

Elsewhere in Yemen, over 120 mercenaries, including the Saudi, UAE and US officers, were killed in the Yemeni troops' missile attack on the command center of the Saudi-led coalition in Ma'rib.

"The Yemeni army missile unit fired a Tochka missile at the operations room of the Saudi-led forces in Ma'rib (on Sunday) and killed over 120 mercenaries with different nationalities," Ali al-Houthi, an Ansarullah Movement Leader, told FNA on Tuesday.

"46 Saudi mercenaries, 11 UAE and 9 Saudi officers and 11 foreign commanders of the US Blackwater company were among those killed in the attack," he added.

Houthi said that 6 Apache and 4 Black Hawk helicopters and 4 drones armed with missiles were also destroyed in the attack.

Full report at: http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13941029001398

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Egypt on alert ahead of uprising anniversary

January 20, 2016

Cairo: In a televised sermon last week, Mohammad Jumaa, one of Egypt’s key state clerics, warned against staging anti-government protests, calling them un-Islamic.

“Demonstrations on January 25 is a complete crime,” Jumaa, the minister of Waqf (religious endowment), said, referring to the anniversary of a 2011 uprising that forced former president Hosni Mubarak to step down. “Such demonstrations are aimed at involving Egyptians in violence and terrorism to the benefit of enemies. This is prohibited in Islam.”

The Ministry of Waqf, which is in charge of mosques in Egypt, has in recent weeks instructed preachers around the predominantly Muslim country to admonish worshippers against responding to calls by the now-outlawed Muslim Brotherhood to protest on the anniversary of the anti-Mubarak revolt.

Full report at: http://gulfnews.com/news/mena/egypt/egypt-on-alert-ahead-of-uprising-anniversary-1.1656850

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Russian, Syrian Fighter Jets Raid ISIL Centers Southeast of Homs Province

January 20, 2016

TEHRAN (FNA)- The Russian and Syrian warplanes, in at least 15 joint combat sorties, targeted the ISIL strongholds in the Southeastern territories of Homs province, inflicting major losses on the militant group, army announced minutes ago.

"The ISIL positions near the ancient city of Palmyra (Tadmur) were massively bombed by the Syrian and Russian jets, which claimed the lives of tens of terrorists," the army said.

"The Syrian army, for its part, stormed the ISIL defense lines near Tuloul al-Soud region in the Southeastern part of the province, killed or wounded dozens of the terrorists and destroyed their military equipment," the army added.

Full report at: http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13941029001212

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Syrian Army Targets Militants' Convoy in Dara'a Province

January 20, 2016

TEHRAN (FNA)- The Syrian Army attacked a column of the militant groups' vehicles driving on a road from the East towards one of the Southern neighborhoods of Dara'a city, informed sources said Tuesday, adding the convoy sustained major damage in the attack.

"The Syrian army troops opened fire at an approximately long convoy of the militant groups' vehicles driving on the road connecting al-Naymah in the Southeast part of Dara'a and Dara'a al-Balad in the Southern side of Dara'a city, destroying at least four of the vehicles, loaded with weapons and ammunition," the sources said.

"Two of the vehicles, mounted with mortar-launching pads, were also destroyed in the attack," the sources said.

Full report at: http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13941029000950

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Syria: Top Terrorist Leader Killed Southwest of Hama

January 20, 2016

TEHRAN (FNA)- A senior commander of the militant groups alongside 24 of his comrades were killed in the Syrian Army's ambush Southwest of Hama province, army said Tuesday.

"Abdulrahman al-Mustafa, leader of al-Morabetin Battalion terrorist group, and at least 24 of his forces were killed after the army attacked them in an ambush operation near the village of Talf," the army said.

Full report at: http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13941029000672

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Syrian Army Continues to Crush Militants across Aleppo Neighborhoods

January 20, 2016

TEHRAN (FNA)- The Syrian Army announced on Tuesday that its soldiers engaged in heavy clashes with the militant groups in at least five neighborhoods of the Northern city of Aleppo and inflicted major losses on the terrorists.

"The militant groups' strongholds in the neighborhoods of al-Lairamoun, Bustan al-Basha, the Old City, al-Jaberiyeh and al-Sheikh Saeed came under attacks of the Syrian army, which not only left tens of the militants killed or wounded but destroyed their military hardware," the army said.

Full report at: http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13941029000974

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China offers support for Yemen government as Xi visits Saudi Arabia

Reuters | Jan 20, 2016

BEIJING: China has signalled its support for Yemen's government, which is fighting an Iran-allied militia, on the first day of a visit to Saudi Arabia by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who will also be heading to Tehran later in the week.

A Saudi-led coalition began a military campaign last year against the Iranian-allied Shi'ite Houthi movement in Yemen, which has seized the capital, Sanaa. The government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi is now based in the southern city of Aden.

Riyadh sees the Houthis as a proxy for bitter regional rival Iran to expand its influence in the impoverished Arabian Peninsula nation. The Houthis deny this and say they are waging a revolution against a corrupt government and Gulf Arab powers beholden to the West.

Full report at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/China-offers-support-for-Yemen-government-as-Xi-visits-Saudi-Arabia/articleshow/50650539.cms

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Iran Arrests Over 150 for Embassy Raid

Reuters | Jan 20, 2016

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Deputy Interior Minister for Security and Law Enforcement Affairs Hossein Zolfaqari announced that a sum of 154 suspects have been detained or summoned to the judicial system in relation to the recent storming of the Saudi embassy in Tehran.

"Almost 154 individuals have been arrested and summoned, while some others are in custody as well," Zolfaqari told FNA on Tuesday.

He said that the interior ministry's latest report on incidents which happened during the storming of the Saudi mission by angry protestors after the execution of prominent Sheikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr was also sent to the relevant officials today.

In relevant remarks earlier this month, Commander of Iran's Law Enforcement Police Brigadier General Hossein Ashtari voiced suspicion over the recent violent acts against the Saudi embassy in Tehran.

General Ashtari said that he is not sure but suspicious of the way the Saudi missions were attacked.

Full report at: http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13941029001345

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North America

Sikh man, 3 Muslims kicked off US flight; appearance made pilot uneasy

PTI | Jan 19, 2016

An American Airline jet. (Pic courtesy American Airline twitter handle)An American Airline jet. (Pic courtesy American Airline twitter handle)

NEW YORK: A Sikh man along with his four friends, who were kicked out from an American Airlines flight because their appearance made the captain uneasy has filed a USD 9 million lawsuit against the airline.

Shan Anand, a Sikh, along with three other friends - Faimul Alam besides a Bangladeshi Muslim and an Arab Muslim -- all young US citizens, were ordered off the flight 44718 from Toronto to New York last month based upon their perceived race, colour and ethnicity, CNN reported on Tuesday.

The Bangladeshi Muslim and Arab Muslim were identified only by their initials W.H. and M.K.

Full report at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/Sikh-man-3-Muslims-kicked-off-US-flight-appearance-made-pilot-uneasy/articleshow/50640620.cms

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India

Madrasa Students Raze ‘Un-Islamic’ Alauddin Museum

Wednesday, 20 January 2016 | Manash Ghosh | Dhaka

Over a thousand rampaging students of Jamia Islamia Yunisia Madrasa on Monday burnt down the legendary music maestro Bharat Ratna Ustad Allauddin Khan’s more than a century-old ancestral home in Brahmanbaria, about 200 km east of Dhaka. Destroyed in the process were some of the priceless exhibits like two sarods, one sitar, two violins, one santoor, one sarengi and one banjo, which were once the maestro’s favourite musical instruments along with 25 original letters written by him to world leaders.

Also destroyed were two exclusive Persian carpets presented to him by Maharaja of Maihar late Brijnath Singh, sitting on which “Baba”, as he was fondly referred to in the music world, used to do his riyaaz (music practice) every morning.

Also reduced to ashes were over 1,000 rare photographs shot with various Indian and world dignitaries. The ancestral home had been turned into a museum-cum-school of music, dance and art, named Sangitayan where Indian classical, vocal and musical instruments were taught and art and dance classes were regularly held.

The school had over 400 students on its roll and was attracting people mostly from the town’s Muslim middle class families. Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, the son of the maestro, was a frequent visitor to this ancestral home when he was alive.

While officials of Sangitayan claim that the damage to the home-cum-museum was well over taka 10 crores, the priceless exhibits destroyed in the blaze could not be quantified in monetary terms as they were irreplaceable.

Burning down of the ustad’s ancestral home has robbed Bangladesh of the rich cultural legacy bequeathed by Baba. The madrasa students while making a bonfire of the musical instruments were shouting slogans like, “There is no place for dance, music and art in a Muslim majority Bangladesh where Sharia laws will reign supreme. Hindu art and culture has no place in an Islamic society.”

Although Ustad Allauddin Khan was a devout Muslim who offered namaz (prayers) five times a day, the Sangitayan had long been a target of Muslim fundamentalists for popularising and promoting “un-Islamic” culture in Bangladesh.

Brahmanbaria has for long been a hotbed of Islamic radicals. It had returned Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader Khaleda Zia’s nominee belonging to Islami Oikya Jote, Fazlul Haque Amini to Parliament. It was Amini who had coined the infamous slogan: “We all shall become Taliban, shall turn our land into another Afghanistan.”

Sangitayan was not the only target which incurred the wrath of the students. There are other numerous cultural organisations whose premises were also located in the neighbourhood that were targeted by the students. For instance, Dhirendranath Datta language and cultural centre was also first vandalized and later reduced to ashes.

Datta was the first Member of Parliament in Pakistan’s National Assembly who in 1950 had demanded that Bangla and not Urdu should be made the national language of Pakistan because Bangla-speaking people were more numerous than Urdu speaking residents. Only a few days before the attack, the language centre was the venue of a massive Bangla cultural festival.

The incident has outraged many Bangladeshis and Dhaka dailies have carried headlines screaming against the outrage like “Burning smell in maestro’s music world”.

Abdul Mannan, secretary, Sangitayan said: “What these fanatics have done is that they have destroyed the rich cultural heritage of Bangladesh forever. It can never be rebuilt.”

His lament has been echoed by other noted cultural personalities of Bangladesh who have demanded exemplary punishment for the culprits. They have regretted that while the attack was on, the police present there in sizable strength chose to be a silent spectator. They sought to know from Sheikh Hasina’s Government whether it wanted to turn Brahmanbaria into a Pakistani enclave.

http://www.dailypioneer.com/todays-newspaper/madarsa-students-raze-un-islamic-alauddin-museum.html

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15,000-strong ‘dharma sena’ in Uttar Pradesh readies for war with Islamic State

TNN | Jan 20, 2016

DASNA/RORI/MEERUT: From the outskirts of India's capital to the Uttarakhand border, an outfit known as Hindu Swabhiman is raising and training what it calls a "dharma sena" to wage war against the so-called Islamic State (ISIS), which it believes will occupy western UP by 2020. Its leaders claim there are already 15,000 "soldiers" who are ready to die to safeguard their faith.

A TOI team, over the course of a week, visited four such camps spread around the communally sensitive belt of western UP and found that the outfit has even enlisted child soldiers, some of them as young as eight years old. All were being taught to use swords and firearms. The leaders of the outfit, headquartered at a temple at Dasna in Ghaziabad district, claim their ranks are swelling by the week. Of the 50 known training camps, some are clandestine and others, like those at Bamheta and Rori, are openly teaching men and women, boys and girls, to be ready "for when the enemy strikes".

There are three known training camps in Meerut city and five in Muzaffarnagar district alone.

One of the Hindu Swabhiman's leaders, Chetna Sharma, who is also a member of the VHP's Durga Vahini, told TOI on Monday: "Our mottois simple — catchthem young. We have over 50 training centres all over western UP. Our students are from ages eightto 30. We don't give guns and swords to children straight away. For the first six months, we train them mentally. We teach them verses from the Gita. Hindus must not be afraid of death because we are reborn. The children here are fearless." Seema Kumari (name changed), 8, said, "I am learning to fight because our mothers and elder sisters are threatened. I have to protect them as well as myself."

A nine-year-old boy echoed her sentiments.

'Forced to take up arms as government's failed'

Militant attacks on India provide ideologues of the Hindu Swabhiman an opportunity to indoctrinate young minds. Parminder Arya, an ex-serviceman who trains children at one of the Hindu Swabhiman camps in Rori village near Modinagar, said, "Our training is simple. We apprise youngsters about terrorist activities taking place in the country."

Pathankot, for instance, was a major issue discussed with these children, he said. "That is how they are made to understand the ugly face of Islamic fundamentalism which is a rising threat to us Hindus. I was posted in Kashmir during my army days. Half the Indian army is posted in the Valley and yet they could not prevent the exodus of the Kashmiri Pandits. This is something we have to do on our own."

All of this is happening under the nose of the administration. But IG Meerut Zone, Alok Sharma, confessed he had no idea of the operation. "We do not have any report on such activity taking place. I will certainly look into the matter," he told TOI on Monday.

Anil Yadav, a former professional wrestler and martial artist who runs an akhara in Ghaziabad's Bamheta village, said the "work" will not stop now, come what may.

"We run most of these camps as akharas and it is not illegal to do so. However, we prefer to run some camps in secret. We don't want the police to shut them down. My students follow a strict regime and are trained in the martial arts. They are also trained in the use of firearms. Even if a child wants to learn how to use a gun, we teach them. Within six months, a student can branch out and start a training camp on his own. Within two years, we have trained 15,000 kids. Imagine what we can achieve in five."

Swami Narsinghanand Saraswati, the Hindu ascetic whose ideology fuels the outfit's work, stays in the temple where a board proclaims, "Yeh teerth Hinduon ka pavitra sthal hai. Musalmanon ka pravesh varjit hai. Aadesh Mahant Baba Narsinghanand Saraswati." (This temple is a holy place of Hindus. Entry of Muslims is prohibited. By order of head priest Baba Narsinghanand Saraswati). Once known as Deepak Tyagi, Saraswati was a member of the Samajwadi Party till 1995 and was a "huge fan" of Mulayam Singh Yadav. Twenty years ago, after a woman from his community committed suicide over a sex racket, he changed his allegiance and became an ascetic.

Today, his hero is Veer Savarkar, who coined the term "Hindutva" in 1923. Kamlesh Tiwari, the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha leader whose controversial remarks triggered riots in West Bengal's Malda, was a student of Saraswati's. Saraswati believes that the Darul Uloom in Deoband, UP, is the ideological fountainhead of the ISIS and "war has already begun".

So intense is his hatred for the ISIS that Saraswati has no qualms in stating, "I think an extremist outfit, like the ISIS, should exist for the Hindus. The only answer to the ISIS is an HS — a Hindu State. We want to match their level of extremism and fight fire with fire. I don't have the means to build an organisation of that scale but with the help of Hindus, who believe in my cause, I will achieve it soon. We have pistols and they have rocket launchers. We need better weapons so that our army can be trained. That is how the ISIS got so big. Local business leaders helped them. Hindus from all over the country will help us too."

Saraswati says they have started a mass contact programme. "We have been addressing two panchayats per month, on average. At the panchayats, I ask my Hindu lions to be brave and make sure they keep weapons with them at all times. During the Muzaffarnagar riots, we went to the ground and asked people to be armed. All these politicians, who claim credit for saving Hindus, are lying."

He points to a slogan on the wall and reads, "Hindu Sheron, shaan se jeena hai toh shaan se marna seekho. (Hindu lions, if you want to live with pride then learn to die with pride). I am preparing my people for civil war. Neither the state government nor Narendra Modi can stop the civil war from coming. It is better to die fighting to protect our loved ones."

Told about the Hindu Swabhiman's reaction to Deoband, Maulana Abul Qasim Nomani, vice-chancellor of Darul Uloom Deoband, said, "Our gates are open throughout the day. Anyone can come in and go out at will. Every syllabus and every academic discipline is an open book. Our institution is visited by one and all including IB officials, LIU (local intelligence unit), senior police and government officials. In the last 150 years of the history of this university, not once has any of its teachings come under criticism. It is an open challenge to any individual or agency to investigate in whatever way they want to, because we have nothing to hide. Regarding ISIS, whatever information we have about this organization, it is through media reports and nothing else."

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/15000-strong-dharma-sena-in-Uttar-Pradesh-readies-for-war-with-Islamic-State/articleshow/50646587.cms

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Cops foil terror strikes in NCR, Haridwar by global outfit

Rajshekhar Jha | TNN | Jan 20, 2016

NEW DELHI: Indian intelligence agencies and Delhi Police's special cell have busted the first ever module of a global terror outfit and arrested at least three operatives from north India, in the process thwarting a major strike being planned by the group, sources said.

One of the arrested operatives was identified as Akhlaq by a source. TOI is withholding more information as the operation is ongoing.

The outfit was in the end stage of executing multiple strikes in the capital, as well as at a mall in NCR and the Ardh Kumbh in Hardwar, highly placed sources in Roorkee police told TOI.

TOI could not confirm if the plan was to target the Republic Day parade, where French President Francois Hollande is scheduled to be the chief guest.

National security adviser Ajit Doval is closely monitoring the developments, TOI has learned.

The operatives were in touch with some people in Syria through VOIP. Their locations were traced to Uttarakhand and UP.

Since Sunday, the agencies and the special cell were conducting multiple raids in Roorkee, Hardwar and two other places. Sources said the operatives had conducted four to five recces in Delhi and Noida.

The Delhi Police brass and special cell remained tight-lipped about the operation. However, the arrests were confirmed by sources in intelligence agencies and UP police.

Akhlaq was arrested from Roorkee's Bhagwanpur area, a source said.

TOI had reported on Tuesday that the French president's visit to India had attracted the attention of the ISIS and al Qaida. The latter's plans were foiled in the earlier operation conducted in Sambhal (UP), Delhi, Odisha and Bangalore. The crackdown against al-Qaida was first reported by TOI.

The current operation is being considered the biggest achievement of the agencies and Delhi Police in the past few years. Police commissioner B S Bassi confirmed the developments but refused to divulge details.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Cops-foil-terror-strikes-in-NCR-Haridwar-by-global-outfit/articleshow/50646752.cms

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Pathankot attack: Two out of six attackers may be 'insiders', says NIA

Rahul Tripathi | ET Bureau | Jan 20, 2016

NEW DELHI: Two of the six terrorists killed by security forces at the Pathankot airbase could have been "insiders", top officials of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) told ET. These officials did not want to be identified.

The forensic report due next week, examination of call logs of phones recovered from the attack sites in the airbase and a close scrutiny of personnel at the air force station will help determine the identity of the "insiders", NIA officials said.

Government statements after the January 2-3 terrorist strike on the Pathankot airbase had mentioned six intruders, but only four of them were identified as having been outsiders who crossed the Punjab border with Pakistan.

NIA officials said the possibility that two of those killed by security forces could be insiders is strengthened by the recovery of only four AK-47 guns. These were used by four Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists. The black corner notice to be issued by Interpol is also against only four suspects killed by Indian forces.

NIA officials said that to establish the identity of the two insiders they were looking at all personnel present at the airbase, as well as locals. There were around 3,500 people, including family members of those employed, at the Pathankot airbase during the attack.

Close scrutiny is on to identify the two people who may not be JEM terrorists. Clearer answers will be available after the agency receives the forensic report next week. The Central Forensic Science Laboratory is preparing the forensic report. NIA officials said the report will also help nail the exact number of attackers. NIA Director-General Sharad Kumar told ET, "So far, we have recovered only four weapons and forensic reports of samples are awaited."

NIA has collected these samples from the debris of the airbase building that was blasted to kill two suspected terrorists. The agency also established that the four militants entered the airbase on the morning of January 1 by scaling the 11 feet wall and cutting the concertina wire. Investigators say the JEM terrorists had booby-trapped the part of the airbase they were hiding in. The call by one of the terrorists to his mother in Pakistan was made from inside the airbase.

NIA officials also said the four terrorists inside the airbase may have panicked after the Indian Air Force conducted an aerial survey following an alert from Punjab Superintendent of Police Salwinder

Singh. Singh had been abducted by the JEM terrorists on their way to the airbase, but he was let go before the terror group reached their target area.

Salwinder underwent lie detection test on Tuesday and the procedure will continue on Wednesday. NIA D-G Kumar said: "He (Singh) has been interrogated many times. He is also a suspect. We are conducting a polygraph test on him." There will also be other tests, including one that helps establish Singh's personality profile.

Polygraph tests will also likely be conducted on Singh's cook Madan Gopal and the caretaker of the Somraj shrine, which is near the airbase. Salwinder's jeweller friend Rajesh Verma will be interrogated immediately after he is discharged from hospital, NIA officials said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Pathankot-attack-Two-out-of-six-attackers-may-be-insiders-says-NIA/articleshow/50648997.cms

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‘Doctor medicine lekar jayega’: IB’s January 23 alert on terror

Rohan Dua | TNN | Jan 20, 2016

CHANDIGARH: Three weeks after the Pathankot terror attack, an Intelligence Bureau (IB) intercept of a Bangladeshi mobile number has sent security agencies into a tizzy. The coded phrase — "doctor medicine lekar jayega" — was intercepted on January 15 twice by IB sleuths on a telecom gateway. Gateway alerts Indian authorities of all incoming calls from Pakistan and Bangladesh based on a specific area or series of numbers.

The alert, sent to all state police chiefs on Monday, says that Bangladesh-based Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir (HuT) is planning to carry out terror strikes at 23 locations across India, including Gurdaspur and Pathankot. "The group is planning bomb and suicide attacks on January 23," it reads. "In view of this, the field staff must be sensitized to take all necessary preventive and precautionary measures including review and strengthening of security of Army, Air Force, BSF and other vital installations."

It adds that this time malls, bazaars and educational institutes could be on the group's radar. According to the alert, HuT, which has a significant presence in Pakistan and Bangladesh, is planning these strikes with assistance from Jaish-e-Muhammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

The alert hints at growing strength of HuT's armed wing called Harakat ul-Muhojirinfi Britaniya that trains its cadres in chemical, bacteriological, and biological warfare.

Punjab Police officers are taking this alert seriously for multiple reasons. For starters, it gives specific details. Also officials had recently found a GPS device outside the barracks of the Railway Police Force (RPF) office in Ferozepur — another district of Punjab that shares a border with Pakistan — which had Bangladesh time pre-fed in it. Bangladesh time is half an hour ahead of India. The device has sent to Forensic Science Laboratory, Chandigarh.

"This may me just coincidental but our men were surprised to find an abandoned device with Bangladesh time," said a senior Punjab Police cop. This is the second high alert after the December 27 IB note that warned of a "spectacular" attack by at least 15 terrorists of JeM and LeT just ahead of the Pathankot strike.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Doctor-medicine-lekar-jayega-IBs-January-23-alert-on-terror/articleshow/50646981.cms

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India goes to Interpol to trace Dawood Ibrahim’s aide

Neeraj Chauhan | TNN | Jan 20, 2016

NEW DELHI: Aiming to take up Pakistan on its word that it will assist India on matters related to security, the National Investigation Agency has approached Interpol to trace Dawood Ibrahim's close aide Javed Patel alias Javed Chikna in Pakistan, arrest him and hand him over to India.

The anti-terror probe agency has got Interpol to issue a red corner notice against Chikna, with his latest photograph, and another D Company member based in South Africa - Zahid Miyan Sheikh alias 'Jao', in its probe into the conspiracy to attack BJP and RSS leaders last year, said a source.

Chikna is among the list of 48 most wanted criminals including Hafiz Saeed, Dawood Ibrahim etc shared with Pakistan and whose arrest India has sought several times in the past.

Sources say that a Letter Rogatory, a judicial request seeking investigation assistance, is also being sent to Pakistan in few days to get details about Javed Chikna.

According to NIA probe so far, Javed Chikna and South Africa based Zahid Miyan had masterminded the conspiracy to kill Hindu leaders and a list of BJP/RSS members was also prepared. As part of the conspiracy, two Bharuch (Gujarat) based right-wing leaders - Shirish Bangali and Pragnesh Mistry - were killed by D Company sharpshooters on November 2 last year.

Zahid Miyan, as per the conspiracy, had contacted Yunus Shaikh alias Manjaro in Bharuch and Javed Chikna's brother Abid Patel to identify RSS and BJP leaders after which a list was shared with Zahid in South Africa through emails and chats. Sources say that a list of 15 leaders was prepared initially.

For the murder of Bangali and Mistry, the contract killers were paid Rs 50 lakh. Initially Gujarat police probed the matter but it was handed over to the NIA as government found a 'larger conspiracy' hatched in Pakistan to kill the leaders.

The NIA, sources say, is also preparing to send a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) request to the US and South Africa seeking details of emails and chats on which conspirators interacted while planning and executing the murders.

The agency also plans to approach Dubai at a later stage.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-goes-to-Interpol-to-trace-Dawood-Ibrahims-aide/articleshow/50647535.cms

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Riots rape clip triggers tension in Muzaffarnagar

TNN | Jan 19, 2016

Representative TOI illustration.Representative TOI illustration.

MEERUT: One of UP's most restive districts is on the boil again after a rape clip, of a woman getting violated during the riots of 2013 in Muzaffarnagar, went public earlier last week. BJP leaders, some of them accused in the riots, have jumped into the fray, threatening to hold mahapanchayats if the tormentors of the woman are not slapped with cases under the Nation Security Act (NSA).

The police, meanwhile, have a different version. They told TOI on Tuesday that it was not "rape" and the "act" was consensual. The only criminality, cops said, was the distribution of the video, coming as it did just as the state was gearing up for assembly polls next year.

The woman on Saturday had given a chilling statement in court, narrating how she was gang-raped and filmed by six men in 2013, and for three years after that repeatedly blackmailed into submission.

According to her, she kept suffering in silence all through her ordeal, which did not end even after she got married though she begged her alleged rapists to leave her alone. She told the court that her abuse continued, culminating in the rape video being released on WhatsApp by them, which immediately got widely shared. Having "lost my marriage and honour", she finally filed an FIR against two accused in the Khatauli police station last Thursday. Later, four more names were added after her appearance in court on Saturday.

Though police have arrested two of the accused, there is growing anger in the district. Local BJP leader Virendra Singh visited the village to show solidarity with the survivor's family and said, "They (the accused) have destroyed a woman's life and kept playing with her honour for three years. They should be slapped with NSA. If that does not happen, we'll call a mahapanchayat soon."

BJP MLA from Shamli, Suresh Rana, who is one of the accused in the Muzaffarnagar riots case, said that he will raise the gangrape issue in the state assembly. "The way the state machinery is handling the case clearly reflects a sympathetic tilt towards a specific community whose members are involved in the heinous crime and in the circulation of the video. What can you expect from a chief minister who immediately after the Muzaffarnagar riots came in front of the media wearing a skull cap?"

IG (Meerut zone) Alok Sharma said the police have already arrested and jailed the two main accused "merely" on the woman's complaint. "The case does not stand even in the first stage of investigation," he added. "As per my information, the video clearly reflects that it was consensual sex and not a forced one. But yes, circulation of the video was certainly wrong."

Khatauli police station in-charge, Sanjay Sharma, said, "Earlier, an FIR was registered against the two accused under sections 376(2)G (gang rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC. Later, during the recording of statement in court, the woman added four more names. Section 384 (extortion) of IPC and section 67 IT Act 2000 (punishment for publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form) were also included."

The administration has deployed heavy police force to ensure that the simmering tension doesn't spiral into a full-fledged law and order situation.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/Riots-rape-clip-triggers-tension-in-Muzaffarnagar/articleshow/50644678.cms

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Pakistan

APS mastermind claims Bacha Khan University attack, 21 killed

PESHAWAR: Unidentified gunmen entered Bacha Khan University in Khyber Pakhtunkha’s Charsadda town Wednesday and opened fire on students and faculty members as they gathered at the school for a poetry recital to commemorate the death anniversary of the activist and leader whom the school is named after.

The mastermind of the APS Peshawar attack, Omar Mansoor, of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Geedar group has claimed the attack through a post on his Facebook page, adding that four attacker were sent to the university.

However, a spokesperson from the TTP Mohammad Khorasani issued a conflicting statement shortly after Mansoor's claim, in which Khorasani condemned the attack, terming it "against Shariah".

Full report at: http://www.dawn.com/news/1234200/aps-mastermind-claims-bacha-khan-university-attack-21-killed

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Pakistan successfully tests Ra’ad cruise missile: ISPR

Dawn.com | Mateen Haider — January 20th, 2016

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan on Tuesday conducted a successful flight test of the indigenously developed Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) – Ra’ad – said the military’s media wing in a statement.

The flight test of the cruise missile, which is also known as Hatf VIII, was the seventh since it was first tested in 2007.

It is essentially a flying bomb, generally designed to carry a large conventional or nuclear warhead many hundreds of miles with high accuracy. Modern cruise missiles can travel at supersonic or high subsonic speed.

These guided missiles are self-navigating and fly on a non-ballistic very low altitude trajectory in order to avoid radar detection.

The most common mission for cruise missiles is to attack relatively high value targets such as ships, command bunkers, bridges and dams. The modern guidance system permits precise attacks.

The Inter-Services Public Relations said Ra’ad, with a range of 350km, “enables Pakistan to achieve air delivered strategic standoff capability on land and at sea.” The missile is approximately five metres long and could weigh up to 1,000kg.

Special “terrain hugging low level flight maneuvers enable it to avoid detection and engagement by contemporary air defence systems,” the statement added.

Cruise technology is extremely complex and has been developed by only a few countries in the world.

The president and the prime minister congratulated the scientists and engineers behind the development for their outstanding achievement on the successful flight test of Ra’ad.

Director General Strategic Plans Division, Lt Gen Mazhar Jamil, termed the success a major step towards complementing Pakistan’s deterrence capability.

He said achievement of “this milestone will surely enhance strategic stability and contribute to peace in the region.”

Pakistan today conducted a successful Flight Test of the indigenously developed Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) “Ra’ad”. The Ra’ad ALCM, with a range of 350 Km, enables Pakistan to achieve air delivered strategic standoff capability on land and at sea.

http://www.dawn.com/news/1234015/pakistan-successfully-tests-raad-cruise-missile-ispr

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Pak University attack: TTP claims responsibility

ANI | Jan 20, 2016, 12.57 PM IST

ISLAMABAD: Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the attack on Bacha Khan University Charsadda district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province where at least seven people have been killed so far and 12 others injured.

TTP commander, Omar Mansoor, said that the attack was carried out by four attackers.

Meanwhile, Director-General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said four terrorists have been killed so far.

All buildings and roof tops have been taken over by the Army, he added.

Around 90 percent of the buildings have been cleared on campus.

Army operation is underway as over 3,000 students are reported to be inside premises, Express Tribune reports.

In total, 11 blasts have been reported till now and a state of emergency has been declared in the hospitals.

An Edhi volunteer said he has seen the bodies of at least 15 persons, Dawn tweeted.

At the time of attack, an event regarding the death anniversary of Pashtun politician Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, known as Bacha Khan, was being attended by a large number of students inside the university.

Armed assailants scaled the university walls and opened fire in the morning today.

Extensive firing continues in the area and heavy contingents of elite force have been deployed, including aerial support given by the Army choppers.

The attack is reminiscent of the deadly Army Public School attack in Peshawar in 2014.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Pak-University-attack-TTP-claims-responsibility/articleshow/50651701.cms

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Will Pakistan see more school attacks?

Rana Muhammad Usman — January 20th, 2016

What types of weapons have been used in terror attacks on educational institutions across the globe? Which region has seen the most violence?

Most importantly, are such attacks likely to increase?

The answer to that last question is sadly, yes. Terrorist attacks on places of learning around the world have risen to alarming levels; higher than any point in more than 40 years. It’s a global phenomenon that is increasing at an exponential rate.

The Global Terrorism Database (GTD) at the University of Maryland is an open-source database on terrorist events around the world. From the database, covering 1970 to 2014, I extracted data on terror attacks on educational institutions to study the patterns of such terrorism.

Full report at: http://www.dawn.com/news/1222915/will-pakistan-see-more-school-attacks

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'Tashfeen was framed!' — and other anti-US conspiracy theories

Zaid Noorsumar — January 20th, 2016

The other day, my brother had an animated argument with a relative of ours who thinks that Tashfeen Malik was innocent, and that she had been “set up” and just happened to be in the “wrong place at the wrong time”.

My relative, who holds a Master's degree and resides in the US, believes that Tashfeen was not even a religious person and did not wear the hijab, as "photoshopped" pictures in the media inform us.

Soon after this incident, I received a forwarded WhatsApp message that had a similar crux: There is a conspiracy afoot to target Muslims in the US.

Anyone familiar with the Muslim world would tell you that propagating conspiracy theories is a popular pastime of ours, especially if the intent is to incriminate the West in unfairly targeting Muslims.

Full report at: http://www.dawn.com/news/1232463/tashfeen-was-framed-and-other-anti-us-conspiracy-theories

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Pakistan not joining any anti-Iran coalition, Asif tells NA

Khawar Ghumman — January 20th, 2016

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif assured the National Assembly on Tuesday that Pakistan under no circumstances would join a military alliance against Iran, contrary to speculations doing the round because of the country’s support for a Saudi-led coalition of 34 Muslim nations aimed at curtailing the spread of extremism and terrorism in the region.

Mr Asif, who looks after the key portfolios of water and power as well as defence, said in a policy statement before the house: “After Iran, Pakistan has the second largest Shia population in the world, so how can we even think of joining an anti-Shia military alliance.”

Full report at: http://www.dawn.com/news/1232463/Pakistan-was-framed-and-other-anti-us-conspiracy-theories

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Europe

'No means no': Norway sends migrants on anti-rape courses

AFP | Jan 20, 2016

HA, NORVEGE: "She kissed him - it's an invitation to have sex." The asylum seeker's answer hangs in the air. The instructor's smile falters, and an explanation is required.

In Norway, migrants are being given courses to prevent violence against women, especially rape, and to teach them how to interpret customs in a country that may seem surprisingly liberal to them.

The courses were introduced several years ago, but have become particularly topical after complaints of mass sexual assault on New Year's Eve in the German city of Cologne, by a crowd of mostly Arab and North African men.

This particular morning at the Ha reception centre in southwestern Norway, a dozen Syrian and Sudanese asylum seekers fidget in their seats in a small room as their group discussion starts.

Full report at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/europe/No-means-no-Norway-sends-migrants-on-anti-rape-courses/articleshow/50642579.cms

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Canada excluded from anti-Islamic State coalition meeting

AP | Jan 20, 2016, 09.52 AM IST

TORONTO: Canada has been excluded from a meeting of defense ministers in Paris this week to discuss the fight against Islamic State militants. The apparent snub follows new Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's vow that he would remove the country's six fighter jets from the anti-IS coalition and at a time the US is looking for its allies to step up their contributions.

US defence secretary Ash Carter didn't mention Canada last week in a speech in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, when he said he would meet defence ministers from nations who are playing a "significant role" in the coalition.

Defense minister Harjit Sajjan tried to suggest it wasn't a big deal on Tuesday, saying this isn't the only meeting.

Full report at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/Canada-excluded-from-anti-Islamic-State-coalition-meeting/articleshow/50649122.cms

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French Institute unveils Ottoman dictionary in French

January 19, 2016

Leading historians gathered at the French Institute in İstanbul on Monday evening to discuss and celebrate the release of the “Dictionnaire de L'empire Ottoman - XVe-XXe siècle” (Dictionary of the Ottoman Empire - 15-20th centuries).

The piece of work includes words that offer insight into different elements of life regarding games, music and clothing as well as other subjects. The dictionary also offers insight for some Armenian and Kurdish terminology, in addition to Ottoman words.

The piece of work is over a thousand pages and was published by the Paris-based Fayard publishing house.

Full report at: http://www.todayszaman.com/national_french-institute-unveils-ottoman-dictionary-in-french_410023.html

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Southeast Asia

Indonesia has figured out how to block Isis

20 January 2016

A banner that reads ‘Reject Terrorist’s Body’ hangs over the entrance to the home village of Ahmad Muazan, one of the militants responsible for last week’s attack in Jakarta, in Kedungwungu, Indramayu, West Java, Indonesia in this photo taken by Antara Foto. – Reuters pic, January 20, 2016.A banner that reads ‘Reject Terrorist’s Body’ hangs over the entrance to the home village of Ahmad Muazan, one of the militants responsible for last week’s attack in Jakarta, in Kedungwungu, Indramayu, West Java, Indonesia in this photo taken by Antara Foto. – Reuters pic, January 20, 2016.In the wake of last week’s attacks in Jakarta, which killed seven people, fears are growing that the largest Muslim-majority nation in the world is going to be hit by a wave of Islamic State of Syria and Iraq-linked bombings and shootings.

Full report at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/indonesia-has-figured-out-how-to-block-isis

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Indonesian Police Receive Terrorist Threat Targeting Bali

January 19, 2016 7:14 AM

JAKARTA—In Indonesia there are growing concerns that more deadly attacks could follow last week’ bombings in Jakarta by Islamist militants.

Bali police Tuesday say they received an anonymous letter warning that the resort Island will be the next target for a terrorist assault.

"The letter was sent by an anonymous individual to Buleleng district, and the police are still conducting an investigation, and trying to find out who sent the letter. But again, I urge people in Bali not to be afraid, but they should stay alert," said Bali Police Chief Sugeng Priyanto.

Authorities say they've increased security at shopping malls and other locations that draw crowds in Bali.

Full report at: http://www.voanews.com/content/indonesian-police-receive-terrorist-threat-targeting-bali/3152458.html

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Muslims, not Christians, targeting natives, Sabah group tells Hadi

20 January 2016

PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang alleges that Christian missionaries are offering money to natives to induce them to convert. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, January 20, 2016.PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang alleges that Christian missionaries are offering money to natives to induce them to convert. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, January 20, 2016.A Sabah Christian group, Perpaduan Anak Negeri Sabah (PAN), has hit out at PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang for his remarks against Christian missionaries, saying it was Muslim dakwah groups, not Christians, baiting their targets with money and other forms of aid.

Full report at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/muslims-not-christians-targeting-natives-sabah-group-tells-hadi

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Indonesian shipyard launches frigate

By Richard Tomkins   |   Jan. 19, 2016 at 1:21 PM

VLISSINGEN, Netherlands, Jan. 19 (UPI) -- Indonesia's PT PAL shipbuilding has launched the first of two Dutch-designed guided missile frigates for the Indonesian Navy.

The SIGMA 10514 Perusak Kawal Rudal, built in collaboration with Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding, or DSNS, is nearly 345 feet long and displaces 2,365 tons. It is of a modular design -- four built in PT PAL's shipyards and two built by DSNS in the Netherlands.

The vessel has a speed of 28 knots and can sail up to 5,000 nautical miles at a speed of 14 knots.

The ship will be operated by the Indonesian Navy in anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare, and anti-submarine warfare roles, as well as in search-and-rescue, patrol, and humanitarian support operations.

"The Launching of PKR1 is a great momentum for the development of the Indonesian shipbuilding and maritime industry," said Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Rizal Ramli. "This has shown that Indonesia has the human resources and skills to develop naval vessels.

"However, we must still improve our technology and knowledge in order to compete internationally. Certainly, this is what we hope to achieve from our partner DSNS."

The SIGMA 10514 PKR frigate was a project initiated in August 2010 by the Indonesian Ministry of Defense.

http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2016/01/19/Indonesian-shipyard-launches-frigate/4181453224172/

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Mideast

Turkish-US mistrust on Syria intensifies ahead of Biden’s visit

January 19, 2016

With only a few days until the scheduled visit of US Vice President Joe Biden to Turkey, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has indicated that there are widening differences between Turkey and the US over the developments in Syria that may prompt mutual distrust and harm the region.

Although the different objectives and interests of the US and Turkey with regards to Syria have been clear since the beginning of the Syrian conflict, Davutoğlu's recent remarks to the journalists traveling with him to London have signaled that the gap is widening.

In his remarks published by several pro-government media outlets on Tuesday, Davutoğlu said what is important for the region is to get Turkey and the US on the same page over the developments in Syria.

Full report at: http://www.todayszaman.com/diplomacy_turkish-us-mistrust-on-syria-intensifies-ahead-of-bidens-visit_410066.html

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Turkey ends anti-PKK operation in southeastern town

January 19, 2016

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has announced that military operations against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants have ended in one mainly Kurdish southeastern town. The military is still fighting militants linked to PKK, in two other urban areas.

Ahmet Davutoğlu told reporters during a visit to London that the operation in Silopi, near the border with Iraq, has ended "successfully," that a 24-hour curfew has now been eased and reconstruction efforts would soon begin.

Full report at: http://www.todayszaman.com/national_turkey-ends-anti-pkk-operation-in-southeastern-town_409994.html

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Crime boss faces new probe over bloodbath threats against academics

January 19, 2016

Mafia boss Sedat Peker is facing another investigation for threatening remarks he made to academics who signed a declaration calling for an end to violence in Turkey's Southeast, saying he would bathe in their blood.

In a statement published on his website last week, Peker, a notorious figure who has been convicted of charges of organized crime, vowed that the blood of the academics who signed a statement calling on the government to end ongoing curfews and violence in the country's Southeast will be spilled.

The crime boss labeled the academics "so-called intellectuals," and went on to say: "You should be thanking the police and military that you have tried to discredit. If those terrorists achieve the mission of causing the Muslim Turkish state to fail, then it will the beginning of frightening times for you. At that moment, the bell will toll for you all. ... I would like to say it again: We will spill your blood, and we will shower in it!"

Full report at: http://www.todayszaman.com/national_crime-boss-faces-new-probe-over-bloodbath-threats-against-academics_410040.html

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Hate speech marked wall by İstanbul synagogue

January 19, 2016

Hate speech was recently spray painted on a wall outside the İstipol Synagogue in İstanbul's Balat neighborhood; the synagogue opened for a prayer service for the first time in 65 years earlier this month.

The writing on a brick wall just outside the place of worship read “Terrorist Israel, there is Allah [God]!” The writing has since been painted over.

The Jewish house of worship opened for a one-time Tefilah, a prayer performed three times a day, on Jan. 8.

İvo Molinas, the editor-in-chief of the Jewish community's weekly newspaper Şalom, expressed his frustration over the ongoing anti-semitic rhetoric that appears in Turkey as well as of people's linking the local Turkish-Jewish community to Israel.

“I don't know what to think, other than that people insist on connecting us to Israel. Of course there are some connections between our community and Israel; members of our community have family that live there and might have emotional connections but we have nothing to do with their political policies,” Molinas explained in a phone interview to Today's Zaman.

Full report at: http://www.todayszaman.com/national_hate-speech-marked-wall-by-i-stanbul-synagogue_410027.html

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10,000 Turks have left Russia since jet crisis

January 19, 2016

Nearly 10,000 Turkish nationals have left Russia since November of last year, when relations between Moscow and Ankara sharply deteriorated after Turkey shot down a Russian fighter jet.

The incident sparked a row between the two countries, prompting Russia to place a raft of economic sanctions against Turkey along with the suspension of visa-free travel for Turkish citizens.

The Russian Federal Migration Service (FMS) has announced that the number of Turkish nationals living in Russia has dropped by 11 percent. Currently, nearly 77,000 Turkish citizens live in Russia. FMS Director Konstantin Romodanovsky said in November at the time when the jet crisis broke out that 86,800 Turks were living in Russia.

Of those currently in Russia, 69,309 are male, while 8,066 are female. The FMS has also said that more than 3,000 Turkish children live with their families in Russia.

http://www.todayszaman.com/diplomacy_10000-turks-have-left-russia-since-jet-crisis_410049.html

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Iran's Khamenei warns against US 'deceit' in nuclear deal

Reuters | Jan 19, 2016

DUBAI: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday welcomed the lifting of international sanctions against Iran, but warned that Tehran should remain wary of its old enemy the United States.

State television reported that Khamenei wrote to President Hassan Rouhani to congratulate him on implementing the nuclear deal, which resulted in US, European Union and United Nations sanctions being lifted over the weekend.

In his first comments since the deal took effect, Iran's highest authority made clear that Washington should still be treated with suspicion. He made no mention of a surprise prisoner exchange that also took place this weekend.

Full report at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Irans-Khamenei-warns-against-US-deceit-in-nuclear-deal/articleshow/50642358.cms

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Africa

Libya not another Iraq, Lord Hague tells MPs

19 January 2016

The UK did not repeat the mistakes of the Iraq war with its intervention in Libya, former foreign secretary Lord Hague has said.

It was "different" because there was no lack of planning following the ousting of Colonel Gaddafi in 2011.

"We had plenty of planning but no power to implement the plans," he told the foreign affairs committee.

He said Colonel Gaddafi was to blame for the "sorry state" state of the country now.

"The responsibility for the state of Libya today rests with Colonel Gaddafi - in power for 40 years, with hollowed out institutions and no proper system of government under a tyrannical dictatorship," he told the committee.

Full report at: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-35352919

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A last chance for peace in Libya

Tue Jan 19 2016

True story: when the panic took hold in Benghazi five years ago as Muammar Qadhafi’s armour bore down toward the epicentre of the fledgling Libyan rebellion, cynicism was quick to follow.

“It’s all because of the oil,” one desperate Libyan hospital administrator told me in fury as the outside world watched the uprising implode without acting. The plea for foreign military aid for the rebel cause was going unanswered. The West’s love of oil would keep Qadhafi in power. The Libyan version of the Arab Spring was about to become a living hell, freezing over.

But then came intervention, under last-minute UN Security Council Resolution 1973. France dropped the first bombs, with a nanosecond to spare. Benghazi was saved. The tide turned. And I hitched a ride back to Egypt for a handover to incoming colleague Rosie Dimanno.

Full report at: http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2016/01/19/a-last-chance-for-peace-in-libya.html

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Inside Islamic State's new stronghold in Libya: 'Isil beheaded my friend for witchcraft - he did acupuncture'

By Colin Freeman, Misrata

19 Jan 2016

Sitting in the shabby parlour of his temporary home, Haaji Mohammed can barely bring himself to watch the Isil video playing on his mobile phone. The film was made just last month – yet the horrific scenes it shows could be from 500 years ago.

Kneeling before a masked executioner are two men in orange jumpsuits, charged under a statute that drags even the medieval barbarity of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant to new depths. The pair are accused of “sorcery”, and just as in witchcraft trials of old, justice is swift, brutal and dispensed to the sound of a baying mob.

As the executioner beheads them with a four-foot scimitar, a crowd of men and boys scream “Allahu Akhbar”, jostling each other for a closer look.

Full report at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/12106859/Inside-Islamic-States-new-stronghold-in-Libya-Isil-beheaded-my-friend-for-witchcraft-he-did-acupuncture.html

URL: http://www.newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/new-age-islam-news-bureau/madrasa-students-raze-‘un-islamic’-alauddin-museum/d/106058

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