Hi there, !
Today Sun 02/24/2013 Sat 02/23/2013 Fri 02/22/2013 Thu 02/21/2013 Wed 02/20/2013 Tue 02/19/2013 Mon 02/18/2013 Archives
Rantburg
531690 articles and 1855967 comments are archived on Rantburg.

Today: 64 articles and 151 comments as of 11:53.
Post a news link    Post your own article   
Area: WoT Operations    WoT Background    Non-WoT    Opinion        Main Page
Bombing in Indian Hyderabad, at least 11 killed
Today's Headlines
Headline Comments [Views]
21:08 8 11:33 Frank G []
19:25 1 22:05 Raj [1]
15:47 3 21:58 Skidmark []
15:33 5 22:27 Zhang Fei []
15:03 0 []
14:40 6 21:57 Skidmark [2]
12:09 2 17:05 Shipman []
11:32 6 21:58 JosephMendiola [] 
10:59 1 14:45 lord garth []
10:52 4 22:04 JosephMendiola [1]
10:23 2 16:12 Steve White [1]
08:55 2 15:15 Zhang Fei [1]
08:48 0 []
07:49 4 15:38 49 Pan []
07:43 0 []
07:26 0 []
07:19 1 09:15 Rob Crawford [1]
06:07 1 07:26 Dale []
01:50 2 08:17 Frank G [1]
00:00 0 []
00:00 0 []
00:00 7 19:15 Alaska Paul []
00:00 3 16:30 Shipman []
00:00 0 []
00:00 4 06:46 Besoeker []
00:00 0 []
00:00 22 23:02 trailing wife []
00:00 0 []
00:00 0 []
00:00 10 16:37 Shipman [1]
00:00 1 00:54 JosephMendiola []
00:00 0 []
00:00 1 18:00 Dopey Sinatra9196 [1]
00:00 1 06:58 Besoeker []
00:00 10 19:13 Alaska Paul [] 
00:00 1 00:15 JosephMendiola []
00:00 0 []
00:00 5 21:35 Capsu78 [] 
00:00 8 20:07 DepotGuy [1] 
00:00 5 21:40 Pappy [1]
00:00 0 []
00:00 3 20:30 Frank G []
00:00 0 [1]
00:00 1 07:35 Redneck Jim []
00:00 1 06:12 Bobby []
00:00 1 19:10 SteveS []
00:00 0 []
00:00 1 08:18 Frank G []
00:00 0 []
00:00 0 []
00:00 0 []
00:00 0 []
00:00 2 23:32 trailing wife [1]
00:00 3 17:50 Dopey Sinatra9196 []
00:00 0 []
00:00 0 []
00:00 0 []
00:00 1 00:26 JosephMendiola []
00:00 0 []
00:00 0 []
00:00 0 []
00:00 2 16:28 Shipman [1]
00:00 0 []
00:00 10 18:38 JohnQC []
Afghanistan
The Great Game's new wrinkle: Railroads from Afghanistan to *stan and Bandar-Abbas

United States plans to link the countries of Central Asia by new rail lines with Afghanistan. At the same time, Washington opposes neither the construction of a railway corridor from Central Asia through Iran, nor Chinese extensions of its national rail system into the area. Nevertheless, according to analysts at the Moscow Strategic Culture Foundation, these overlapping transportation development projects threaten to spark a new "railroad war" in the Central Asian region--one that in the absence of counter-efforts by the Russian Federation is likely to result in a sharp reduction of Moscow's influence over the countries there.

Washington's plan is the most far-reaching, at least immediately, the Foundation suggests. According to the just-released quarterly report prepared by the US special inspector for reconstruction projects in Afghanistan, the United States is currently promoting the creating of a new railway network in that country, one that will link with the national railroad systems of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. These countries will, as a result, be able for the first time to ship their products through the Iranian port of Bandar-Abbas via a corridor that, in the words of the report, "will be free from Russian influence"

The US-backed Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation effort calls for the construction of approximately 2,000 kilometers of new railways in Afghanistan, a project to be paid for by the Asian Development Bank, the United Nations, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, as well as by contributions from interested neighboring countries such as India and Pakistan.

A year ago, the Moscow foundation continues, the leaders of Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Iran agreed on the need for cooperation in order to accelerate the construction of a railroad from Iran to Tajikistan through Afghanistan, according to Western news reports. And Washington reportedly approved "this initiative" because it fits in with the US "Silk Road" program and reinforces the Northern Distribution Network (NDN) that North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces have been using as a supply route to Afghanistan.

Instead, the Foundation's analysts suggest, the US has a broader and, from Moscow's point of view, more threatening purpose: "to cut off Central Asia from Russia in the transportation and communication sectors."

Beijing's plans to link the Central Asian countries with China's national rail system.
Posted by: Water Modem || 02/21/2013 21:08 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Yuuuuppp.

Looks like the USA hasn't forgotten POTUS Teddy "Bully" Roosevelt after all???

What does the D ***NG-IT-WE-VOTED-FOR-YOU-OBAMA future OWG AFL-CIO, etc. get $$$-wise on these Projects from the BAMMER ADMIN, espec as per new Global/International-based New Union setups???

Or are they going to remain most unhappy wid the Bammer???

["JIMMY HOFFA FOR PRESIDENT" 2016 here].
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 02/21/2013 0:12 Comments || Top||

#2  Railroads destroy easily, think about it.
In "Boomerstan" where can you go.
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 02/21/2013 0:44 Comments || Top||

#3  The Germans built railroads as fast as the Allies could bomb them. It's hard to keep a rail line closed for long.
Posted by: gromky || 02/21/2013 6:12 Comments || Top||

#4  gromky... no... they repaired them nearly as fast... somewhat different.

But yes, a fine new rail line is exactly what is needed, maybe throw in a telegraph link.
Posted by: Shipman || 02/21/2013 7:05 Comments || Top||

#5  And blow it up whenever you get "Holy" and upset.
That'll be once a week or so, Preferably when a fully loaded train passes over, loaded with women and children, I won't ride one.
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 02/21/2013 7:41 Comments || Top||

#6  Glad to see Zero is following through on his infrastructure jobs spending to help unemployment.



Do I need the /sarc tag?
Posted by: Alanc || 02/21/2013 9:02 Comments || Top||

#7  Got to get the money first.....then build them out of Reardon Metal....
Posted by: Alaska Paul || 02/21/2013 11:07 Comments || Top||

#8  be nice to remove the Pak chokehold on supllies
Posted by: Frank G || 02/21/2013 11:33 Comments || Top||


Britain
George Galloway: 'I don't debate with Israelis' - video
Per Raj's request:
Posted by: tipper || 02/21/2013 19:25 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Leotard pic, please...
Posted by: Raj || 02/21/2013 22:05 Comments || Top||


Home Front: WoT
CAIR Director Calls for Death Penalty for Blasphemers Against Islam
Posted by: tipper || 02/21/2013 15:47 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  "I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man."
--Thomas Jefferson

And yeah, he was looking at you, Faizen, when he said it.
Posted by: SteveS || 02/21/2013 16:30 Comments || Top||

#2  prosecutions can only take place in the Muslim world.

But executions can take place anywhere so it seems.
Posted by: JohnQC || 02/21/2013 18:42 Comments || Top||

#3  This is Bama's buddy?
Posted by: Skidmark || 02/21/2013 21:58 Comments || Top||


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Syria says at least 53 killed in Damascus car bomb
A massive car bomb exploded near Syria's ruling party headquarters in Damascus on Thursday, killing at least 53 people and scattering mangled bodies amid the smouldering wreckage.

Syrian state media put the toll at 53 with more than 200 wounded. However, anti-regime activists said 59 died, which would make this the deadliest attack in the capital since the Syrian uprising began nearly two years ago. In May, a double suicide bombing killed 55 people in Damascus.

Three straight days of mortar attacks on the centre of Damascus after recent rebel advances in the suburbs marked the most sustained rebel challenge in the heart of President Bashar Assad's seat of power.

Within hours of the car bombing, two other bombs went off elsewhere in the city and a mortar attack struck the army's central command. Thirteen people were killed by the other two bombs, activists said.

While no group has claimed responsibility, the attacks suggest that rebel fighters who have gotten bogged down in their attempts to storm the capital are resorting to guerrilla tactics to loosen Assad's grip on the capital.

Posted by: tipper || 02/21/2013 15:33 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  After the big boom in Damascus today - right next to the Ruskie Emb. - Ruskie TV (RT) is going nuts about the FSA threatening to attack Hezbully in Leb for invading Syria and helping Assad.
FSA has some sort of ULTIMATUM (TM).
Posted by: Water Modem || 02/21/2013 17:06 Comments || Top||

#2  Oh, Free _Syrian_ Army. For a sec I thought it meant Free S&#% Army.
Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain || 02/21/2013 17:18 Comments || Top||

#3  Dont' despair mighty Alawite warriors the Hizzboys are on the way!
Posted by: Shipman || 02/21/2013 17:39 Comments || Top||

#4  The terrorist Assad regime bears the most responsibility for all the crimes that happen…

You gotta be Fuckin kiddin me. The fact that the SNC can’t even admit that this is the work of radical Islamic savages speaks volumes.
Posted by: DepotGuy || 02/21/2013 19:58 Comments || Top||

#5  You gotta be Fuckin kiddin me. The fact that the SNC can't even admit that this is the work of radical Islamic savages speaks volumes.

This kind of stuff is routine Arab BS. Expecting these guys to abide by any rules is simply magical thinking. Opponents like these are why nukes were invented.
Posted by: Zhang Fei || 02/21/2013 22:27 Comments || Top||


Iran installing new Natanz centrifuges, says IAEA
Iran has begun installing advanced centrifuge machines for enriching uranium at its nuclear plant at Natanz, says the UN's nuclear watchdog.

The US said if confirmed it would be "another provocative step".
Can't be that much of a provocation; after all we're not doing anything about it.
The Natanz facility, in central Iran, is at the heart of the country's dispute with the UN's watchdog.

The IAEA released a report each quarter detailing its progress at monitoring Iran's nuclear development. The BBC obtained a copy of the latest report, which has not yet been officially released. It concludes: "The director general is unable to report any progress on the clarification of outstanding issues including those relating to possible military dimensions to Iran's nuclear programme."

It adds that despite intensified dialogue with Iran, no progress has been made on how to clear up the questions about Iran's nuclear work.
Posted by: tipper || 02/21/2013 15:03 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:


-Short Attention Span Theater-
Urban Texans Being Given Free 20 Gauge Shotguns in High Crime Areas
HOUSTON (CBS HOUSTON) -- A University of Houston graduate student says he's conducting a study to hopefully answer the question being asked across the country, "Do more guns reduce crime or not?"

Kyle Coplen, who founded the Armed Citizens Project, is giving away 20-gauge single-shot shotguns to residents in mid- and high-crime neighborhoods to test whether or not the weapon will help reduce crime in the area, according to the group's website. Coplen says the weapons are not of much value to criminals, but are especially useful for citizens looking to protect themselves from criminals.
Let us hope the results are conclusive. Smart man, putting his education to good use!
Posted by: Dino Shomomp7692 || 02/21/2013 14:40 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  I love it.

An RPG-7 might be even better.
Posted by: Shipman || 02/21/2013 16:38 Comments || Top||

#2  Not familiar with the 20 g, but it looks a handy gun. As are all shotguns, I suppose.
Posted by: Grunter || 02/21/2013 17:06 Comments || Top||

#3  I got a 404 for the link. Try this. http://tinyurl.com/avx4thw
Posted by: tipover || 02/21/2013 18:40 Comments || Top||

#4  I got a 404 for the link. Try this. http://tinyurl.com/avx4thw

Thank you for the heads up, tipover. :-) It should work now, of I did it right.
Posted by: trailing wife || 02/21/2013 20:26 Comments || Top||

#5  If Dick Cheney has taught us nothing else, it's that you can't kill a Texan with a 20 Gage.
Posted by: regular joe || 02/21/2013 21:38 Comments || Top||

#6  Better than a paint gun for marking a face.
Posted by: Skidmark || 02/21/2013 21:57 Comments || Top||


China-Japan-Koreas
Japan vows to continue whale hunt after clash with Sea Shepherd activists
Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 || 02/21/2013 12:09 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  So the Sea Shepherd Activists don't taste as good or satisfy hunger as much as whales?
i.e. they make scrawny sushi?
Posted by: Water Modem || 02/21/2013 15:49 Comments || Top||

#2  The first warning for WWIII will be a lack of signals from SeaSheep and their like.
Posted by: Shipman || 02/21/2013 17:05 Comments || Top||


Fifth Column
Budget cuts to force Navy to shutter four active aircraft carriers
Posted by: Water Modem || 02/21/2013 11:32 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Panic, panic, panic!!!
Next the National Park Service will close the Washington Monument.

When the Admirals and Generals start resigning/retiring in droves [maybe getting back to the ratio we had in WWII between flag officers and enlisted], call me.

Maybe, just maybe, there should be some serious consideration about, you know, entangling alliances and missions that really shouldn't be supported anymore, that are nothing more than military welfare for the rest of the world.

Posted by: Procopius2k || 02/21/2013 12:12 Comments || Top||

#2  Passive-aggressive douchebaggedness is the New Virtue.
Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain || 02/21/2013 12:30 Comments || Top||

#3  Washington monument "is" closed. Washington was flopping in his tomb over Obama and the monument cracked....
Posted by: 49 Pan || 02/21/2013 13:41 Comments || Top||

#4  Super Power no more. Going to write my Red State Governor to recommend spending our budget surplus on beefing up the State Guard. Might need it now that Hussein is buying billions in bullets for himself while shutting down our military.
Posted by: Dino Shomomp7692 || 02/21/2013 15:02 Comments || Top||

#5  Shut down four carriers, call back the Gold Crews, cut the number of LCS's by ummmm..... 1, ground all ASW and scream like a shit hound in power point heaven.

Posted by: Shipman || 02/21/2013 17:37 Comments || Top||

#6  The DemoLefties wanna take away our guns, aka our ability to defend ourselves, + leave us in a state of much-reduced National Security.

Which bears my next question - how proficient is the Mexican, Canadian, + Greenland Army in militarily stopping the Motherly Commie Airborne = PLA, etc???

Whats that dey say - the Congresscritters deserve another huge Salary/Pay increase for leaving Amerika broke + defenceless wid a massive debt-ridden Welfare-Nanny State in the name of good OWG-NWO that no American = Amerikan was been asked to vote on - WELL ALRIGHTY THEN.

BECAUSE YA KNOW, ANTI-NATIONALISM + ANTI-SOVEREIGNTY + ANTI-CONSTITUTIONALISM + ANTI-REPUBLICANISM + .... @ETC. ARE JUST NOT PROPER ISSUES TO DISCUSS WID THE ELECTORATE OR MAINTREAM, LET ALONE SEEK THEIR APPROVAL???
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 02/21/2013 21:58 Comments || Top||


Britain
Three British Muslims found guilty of plotting 'another 7/7' with team of eight suicide bombers
o Irfan Naseer, 31, Irfan Khalid, 27, and Ashik Ali, 27, wanted 'to rival 9/11'
o Ringleaders spent years travelling to Pakistan for 'terror training'
o Al-Qaeda backed group made videos to play after they blew themselves up
o Terror cell raised funds by posing as bogus charity workers in street
o Plotted 'spectacular campaign' from grotty Birmingham headquarters
o But bugs planted in their safe house and car recorded their deadly plot
o Police then found explosives in Midlands when plan was at advanced stage

This article starring:
Irfan Naseer
Posted by: tipper || 02/21/2013 10:59 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  another bullet could have been

- muslim community knew of terror training but didn't tell police
Posted by: lord garth || 02/21/2013 14:45 Comments || Top||


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Photos of Iran's Ballistic Missile base with bio-warheads.
A missile base in Iran’s Semnan Province to which the Islamic regime has moved missiles armed with microbial warheads.

The Badr base, a center for air defense which has about 50 underground missile silos housing Iran’s Shahab 3 ballistic missiles, serves as Iran’s second-largest missile-launching site, and is under the control of the Revolutionary Guards.

The base, in the deserts of Semnan far from any city, has many underground tunnels connecting to the silo launching pads, according to a source in the Revolutionary Guards intelligence unit.

The base’s command and control are connected to other bases in Noje, Hamdan, Shahid Doran in Shiraz and the country’s air traffic control centers in Tehran, Birjand and Bandar Abass.

Claim: "it has developed eight microbial agents, including anthrax, plague, smallpox and SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome)"

Iran has 170 missiles targeted at Tel Aviv from underground silos, some of which are armed with biological warheads, according to another source who served in Iran’s Intelligence Ministry and who recently defected.
Posted by: Water Modem || 02/21/2013 10:52 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Future Bombing range for Israel? They sur are providing a lot of good training to the Israelies..
Posted by: 49 Pan || 02/21/2013 11:31 Comments || Top||

#2  I'd think bio/chem would quickly lead to nuke returns
Posted by: Frank G || 02/21/2013 11:35 Comments || Top||

#3  Google Earth. Brings satelite imagery to every mans commputer.
Posted by: Dino Shomomp7692 || 02/21/2013 14:53 Comments || Top||

#4  IMO Israeli PM Benji wants to see what POTUS Bammer = USA is gonna do after his own March deadline agz Iran passes, espec given looming "sequestration" cutbacks.

Ditto CHINA oer in NE Asia.

FYI China's ships have begun violating Japan's de facto territorial waters around the Senkakus.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 02/21/2013 22:04 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
Blasts rip through crowded areas of Dilsukhnagar in Hyderabad, at least 11 killed, many injured
At least 11 people were killed Thursday in a pair of explosions, third suspected, in the busy commercial city of Hyderabad in the Dilsukhnagar area, police said.

Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde says he has informed PM Manmohan Singh and spoke to Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Kiran Kumar Reddy.

Home minister says Andhra CM is at the spot.

Tellingly, HM says that govt had received information about a terror plot and that security had been stepped up.

HM says that no specific information had been received about a terror strike in Hyderabad that it was general in nature.

The information had been received by govt 2 days ago.

When specifically asked whether it was a failure of intelligence, the Home Secretary R K Singh refused to answer directly.

PM Manmohan Singh strongly condemned the blasts in Hyderabad and said This is a 'dastardly attack', and the guilty will not go unpunished.
Posted by: tipper || 02/21/2013 10:23 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Who, oh who, could it be?
Posted by: Frank G || 02/21/2013 11:31 Comments || Top||

#2  Ruritanians, of course...
Posted by: Steve White || 02/21/2013 16:12 Comments || Top||


Africa Subsaharan
Nigerian Forces Surround Kidnappers of French Tourists
Nigerian security forces have surrounded the kidnappers of seven French tourists in the northeast of the country and are working to free the hostages, a security official in Borno state said.

Members of the Nigerian army and police Joint Task Force found the group in an area between Dikwa and Ngala, about 780 kilometers (485 miles) northeast of the capital, Abuja, the official said by phone today from Maiduguri, the state capital. He declined to be identified because he's not authorized to speak to the media about the operation.

The tourists, including four children, were seized on Feb. 19 at the village of Dabanga in neighboring Cameroon before being taken across the border. French security forces have helped Cameroonian authorities hunt for the abductors, said Awah Fonka Augustine, governor of Cameroon's Far North Region.

BFMTV, a French broadcaster, reported earlier today that the hostages had been released, citing unidentified people in the Cameroonian military. Cameroonian authorities have yet to confirm that information, Defense Ministry spokesman Didier Badjeck said in a phone interview from Yaounde, the capital.

Cameroon government spokesman Issa Tchiroma declined to comment on the Nigerian operation.

"It's a top state secret to discuss in detail security cooperation between nations," he said in an interview in the capital, Yaounde.
Posted by: tipper || 02/21/2013 08:55 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Nigeria as a vacation destination? I think I'd prefer the Costa del Sol...
Posted by: Muggsy Mussolini1226 || 02/21/2013 10:52 Comments || Top||

#2  Then they're as good as dead. The tourists, I mean.
Posted by: Zhang Fei || 02/21/2013 15:15 Comments || Top||


Britain
3 British men convicted in terrorist bomb plot
Three young British Muslims were convicted Thursday of plotting terrorist bomb attacks that prosecutors said were intended to be bigger than the 2005 London transit bombings.

A London jury found 27-year-old Irfan Khalid, 31-year-old Irfan Naseer and Ashik Ali, 27, guilty of being central figures in the foiled plot to explode knapsack bombs in crowded areas - attacks potentially deadlier than the July 2005 attacks on Underground trains and a bus which killed 52 commuters.

Prosecutors said the men, fired up by the sermons of a US.-born al-Qaida preacher, hoped to cause carnage on a mass scale. Their plot was undone by mishaps with money and logistics, and ended in a police counterterrorism swoop in 2011.

Prosecutors said targets and other details had not been finalized when the men were arrested.

The three had pleaded not guilty to charges of preparing for terrorism

But the jury at Woolwich Crown court agreed with prosecutors that the trio were the senior members of a home-grown terror cell inspired by the anti-Western sermons of U.S.-born Muslim cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, who was killed in Yemen in September 2011.

The suspects convicted Thursday were among 12 people arrested in September 2011 in counter-terrorism raids in Birmingham, central England.

Several other suspects have pleaded guilty to offenses related to the plot.
tipper, you forgot to paste in the article URL. Please supply it in the comments.

Thanking you for the moderators,
trailing wife at 12:17 pm ET
Posted by: tipper || 02/21/2013 08:48 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:


Home Front: WoT
Henninger: Hollywood Forgets 9/11
Posted by: tipper || 02/21/2013 07:49 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Soon we'll have 'Denyers' claiming it never happened.
Posted by: Skidmark || 02/21/2013 10:33 Comments || Top||

#2  Cowards.
Posted by: 49 Pan || 02/21/2013 13:33 Comments || Top||

#3  Hey, 49 Pan. It is typical self-absorbed Hollywood. Remember this: the Academy Awards is just a trade show. Full of persona and glitter, like the Hollywood stars who feed off it. Bunch of self absorbed people with their pet projects and charities. The best thing to do with them is to not attend their movies. Do not feed the beast, and do not get upset over a bunch of narcissists. Live a good life and throw no money their way.
Posted by: Alaska Paul || 02/21/2013 15:23 Comments || Top||

#4  There are a number of actors and directors whose product, movies are a commercial product to me, are not allowed in my home. I vote with my wallet.
Posted by: 49 Pan || 02/21/2013 15:38 Comments || Top||


Africa North
What is wrong with this picture?
What is wrong with this picture? Morsi, Egyptian Muslims Brotherhood president, not only he freed from prison the most dangerous terrorists including the brother of Al-Zawahiri, Al Qaeda leader, and the killers of Sadat, he met with them at the presidential palace.

"Sadat knew the Brothers were bad news, but -- much like today's geopolitical big thinkers -- he hubristically believed he could control the damage, betting that the Muslims Brotherhood would be more a thorn in the side of the jilted Nasserite Communists than a nuisance for the successor regime. Brotherhood eventually murdered Sadat in a 1981 coup attempt -- in accordance with a fatwa issued by Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman. Does US think what Anwar Sadat thought: Hey, we can work with these guys" Andrew C. McCarthy

Morsi also called upon United States to release a well-known terrorist, Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman who is serving life in prison for plotting a series of bombings and assassinations and his role in planning the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center in New York City.

What, it might be wondered, will President Obama say about all this when he meets Morsi in March? Will United States continue sending American taxpayers money to regime that clearly support terrorism.
As long as President Obama is running things, absolutely.
Posted by: tipper || 02/21/2013 07:43 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:


Home Front: WoT
NY developer: Airline reneging on 9/11 promise
A World Trade Center developer asked a judge Wednesday to disqualify American Airlines from using an "act of war" defense to dodge property liability resulting from the Sept. 11 attacks.

Lawyers for the developer, Larry Silverstein, filed papers in U.S. District Court in Manhattan to urge rejection of American Airlines' claim that the 2001 terrorist attack was an act of war that should shield the airline from liability. They called the claims proof of "breathtaking cynicism."

The lawyers said the airline and its insurance carriers promised Congress, regulators and the American people after the attacks that the defense would not be used. In return, the lawyers said, the aviation industry got a massive federal bailout that protected their businesses after the attacks.

"Defendants now renege on those promises and press an act of war defense," the lawyers wrote.

American Airlines spokesman Sean Collins said Silverstein's claims have "no factual or legal support."

"American Airlines has defended itself with all defenses available at law against the baseless attempt by the Silverstein entities to hold American responsible for the terrorist attacks of September 11," he said.

Silverstein has been aggressive in the courts to try to collect as much money as possible to rebuild the trade center after the Sept. 11 attacks demolished two 110-story towers. He included the airline in his claims for damages after American Airlines Flight 11 from Boston to Los Angeles struck the north tower of the trade center, killing 86 passengers and crew members, along with the hijackers.

He originally filed separate claims for $7 billion, or two full payouts under the $3.5 billion worth of insurance coverage he took out on the trade center complex, arguing that the towers were destroyed by separate attacks by planes hijacked by terrorists.

In two civil trials, it was determined he was eligible for more than $4 billion in insurance payouts
Posted by: tipper || 02/21/2013 07:26 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:


Fla. imam claims extremist talk was all lies
In combative testimony, a Muslim cleric on trial on charges he provided financial support to the Pakistani Taliban insisted Wednesday that he repeatedly lied about harboring extremist views to obtain $1 million from a man who turned out to be an FBI informant.

Hafiz Khan, the 77-year-old imam at a Miami mosque, said he was deceptive only because the man he knew as Mahmood Siddiqui promised him money he could use to help the poor and victims of war and natural disasters in Pakistan's Swat Valley. What Khan didn't know at the time was that their discussions were being recorded by the FBI.

Still, Khan insisted his motives were pure in praising Taliban violence on the recordings.

"In front of God, I did the right thing. In front of my tribe, I did the right thing," Khan testified in Pashto through an interpreter. "It was all lies, and it was all because of the money."

Khan spent a second day on the witness stand in his own defense on charges of funneling at least $50,000 to the Pakistani Taliban beginning in 2008. He previously testified that money he sent overseas was for the poor, for his extended family and for a religious school, or madrassa, he owns in the Swat Valley. He insisted he has never supported the Taliban.

The imam repeatedly clashed during cross-examination with Assistant U.S. Attorney John Shipley, who pressed Khan on whether the FBI recordings represented his true beliefs on terrorism. Among other things, the recordings have Khan praising the attempted bombing in 2010 in New York's Times Square and hoping that Americans would die trying to capture former al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.

In taped conversations with the informant Siddiqui, Khan answered, "There are many times I am agreeing with him, but that does not mean that I mean it. I didn't want to harm anyone."

Shipley, however, pointed out that Khan made similar comments in telephone conversations with friends and family members that were also intercepted by the FBI. Among them, the prosecutor said, was that it was justifiable to kill Pakistani police and government officials because they had supposedly committed killings and atrocities themselves.

"What you are suggesting is exactly what the Taliban and al-Qaida have suggested for years. And we heard it in this courtroom," Shipley said.


This article starring:
Hafiz Khan
Posted by: tipper || 02/21/2013 07:19 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1 
In front of God, I did the right thing. In front of my tribe, I did the right thing


By which he means he supported jihad.
Posted by: Rob Crawford || 02/21/2013 9:15 Comments || Top||


Europe
Cyprus Bomb-Plot Suspect Admits Hezbollah Ties
[Jpost] Lebanese-Swede accused of July terror plot against Israeli tourists in Cyprus sheds light on Hezbollah activities in court testimony.
Lots of hyphenated Lebanese lads getting in trouble all of a sudden...
Hossam Taleb Yaacoub, one of the suspects in a thwarted terrorist attack against Israelis in Cyprus in July, admitted on Wednesday in court that he is a member of Hezbollah.

Yaacoub, a 24-year old Lebanese-Swedish citizen, faces eight charges in the criminal court in the city of Limassol. The Cypriot authorities charged him with membership in a criminal organization whose aim is "carrying out missions in any part of the world, including the Cyprus Republic, against Israeli citizens," among seven other crimes -- reduced from an original 17 terrorism-related charges.

The Jerusalem Post has learned that Yaacoub said under oath on Wednesday that while he came to Cyprus without Hezbollah connections, he met with an operative named Ayman from the Lebanese terrorist group. Yaacoub said he knew how to use weapons but that the purpose of his visit to Cyprus was business.

It is unclear if Yaacoub's meeting with the Hezbollah operative took place in Cyprus, Leb or Sweden.

The New York Times
...which still proudly displays Walter Duranty's Pulitzer prize...
reported on Wednesday that Yaacoub told the court, "I never saw the face of Ayman because he was always wearing a mask," and that Ayman picked Yaacoub up in a van. Yaacoub conducted surveillance of places where Israelis would visit, including a "parking lot behind a Limassol hospital and a hotel called the Golden Arches," the Times reported.

Magnus Ranstorp, a Hezbollah expert at Sweden's National Defense College, told the Post on Tuesday that Hezbollah uses "talent scouting" to recruit operatives for its activities abroad. Though Hezbollah had no "overt presence" in Sweden, he said, its members from Sweden keep "popping up regularly."

Last year, Thai authorities charged Atris Hussein, a Hezbollah operative and a Swedish-Lebanese citizen, with planning to use explosives to strike against American and Israeli citizens.

The Cypriot prosecution is slated to cross-examine Yaacoub on Thursday, and the case may run until March 7, with a verdict anticipated in mid-March.

"I'm only trained to defend Leb," the Times quoted Yaacoub as saying. It noted that "he was jugged
Drop the rod and step away witcher hands up!
in July with the license plates of buses ferrying Israelis written in a small red notebook."

He "said that he wrote them down because one of the license numbers, LAA- 505, reminded him of a Lamborghini sports car, while the other, KWK-663, reminded him of a Kawasaki cycle of violence," the Times wrote.

The Cypriot paper Simerini reported last week that Yaacoub "apologized" for his role in the planned attack.

According to the Greek-language newspaper's report, Yaacoub's attorney asked for a week-long postponement of the trial in order to prepare in writing the avowed apology of his client. The court determined that there is evidence for a prima facie case against Yaacoub.

La Belle France, Germany and Sweden have resisted including Hezbollah in the EU terror list, but a conviction in Cyprus might be a tipping point toward sanctioning the Lebanese militia.

Bulgarian Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov announced earlier this month that Hezbollah operatives were responsible for the July kaboom in Burgas that killed five Israelis and their Bulgarian bus driver, which occurred several weeks after Yaacoub's arrest.

Tsvetanov announced the two suspected Burgas perpetrators "were members of the beturbanned goon wing of Hezbollah," and added that Sherlocks have found information "showing the financing and connection between Hezbollah and the two suspects."

The suspects in the Burgas case observed the Black sea resort town -- a popular destination for Israeli vacationers -- from late June to July 18, when the attack took place.

Yaacoub is believed to have engaged in a similar method of surveillance of Israeli tourists in Cyprus.

Yaacoub is not married and lived in the Swedish town of Lidköping, where his father runs a pottery business. The Post could not confirm a report that when Yaacoub was arrested he was studying journalism in Leb.

Ranstorp told the Post there was a pattern by Hezbollah "to use individuals to bypass Israeli security," citing the example of the two Burgas bombing suspects using Australian and Canadian passports to enter Bulgaria and plan their terrorist attack.

"Hezbollah and Iran are two sides of the same coin," Ranstorp said. "They form a nexus, sometimes more overt, sometimes less. That Hezbollah is involved in terrorism with Iranian intelligence is what makes them so dangerous. One should not take them lightly," he said.

"With Burgas, Hezbollah has crossed a rubicon," because the attack was on European soil, said Ranstorp, adding that "now it is easy to close the door on Hezbollah" because there have been too many such incidents.
Also, two pages of details from the New York Times, including this tidbit:
Mr. Yaacoub’s testimony offered unaccustomed insights from an active Hezbollah member into the militant group’s secret operations. But it carried potentially greater significance for the European Union, which has thus far resisted following Washington’s lead in declaring the group a terrorist organization. Experts say that a conviction here would substantially raise the pressure on the bloc for such a designation.

“Foreign ministries around Europe are watching this quite closely because many Europeans, particularly the Germans, have laid such a stress on courtroom evidence being the basis for a designation,” said Daniel Benjamin, until December the top counterterrorism official at the State Department, who visited Cyprus last year after the arrest.
Posted by: trailing wife || 02/21/2013 06:07 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: Hezbollah

#1  Cyprus has been so quite these days. With the Turks and the gas fields at issue. Syria must be a tremendous distraction for the Turks. Economic drain as well. Historical hot spot Cyprus is and will be one day again. I suspect he was on the Turkish side of Cyprus doing his business whatever that was. The Turks are shrewd business people.
Posted by: Dale || 02/21/2013 7:26 Comments || Top||


Olde Tyme Religion
One of those nice lads from GitMo killed in Syria.
A former Guantanamo detainee named Slimane Hadj Abderrahmane has reportedly been killed while fighting in Syria.

Abderrahmane, who was born to a Danish mother and an Algerian father, was detained while fleeing Afghanistan in late 2001 and transferred to the Guantanamo detention facility, where he was held until early 2004.

According to a leaked Joint Task Force Guantanamo (JTF-GTMO) threat assessment dated Dec. 6, 2003, US officials deemed Abderrahmane a "high" risk "threat to the US, its interests, or its allies."

JTF-GTMO also recommended that Abderrahmane be retained in the Defense Department's custody. However, less than three months later, on Feb. 24, 2004, he was transferred to his home country of Denmark.

Abderrahmane also said that Danish officials may be legitimate targets for terrorist attacks given their support of the Iraq War.

Despite his controversial remarks, Abderrahmane was given a job at the postal service. He was "convicted of stealing credit cards" while working as a postman in 2007,

He was a well-connected member of the GSPC.

JTF-GTMO found that Abderrahmane "was recruited to be a courier" for the GSPC, and "transported equipment, money and false documents between the United Kingdom (UK), Algeria, Germany, Spain, Mali, and Denmark."

JTF-GTMO further alleged that Abderrahmane "was involved with the highest leadership of the GSPC while conducting his courier duties."

Several well-known al Qaeda-linked jihadists are listed as Abderrahmane's associates in the JTF-GTMO file.

One of them is Abu Hamza, the former imam of the Finsbury Mosque in London who was arrested by British authorities in 2004 and extradited to the US in October 2012 to stand trial on terrorism charges. Abu Hamza has well-known ties to al Qaeda. JTF-GTMO alleged that he was a "close associate" of Abderrahmane.

A second jihadist listed in the file is Jaffar al Jazeeri, an al Qaeda facilitator. And a third jihadist listed in the file is Bensayah Belkacem, the leader of the so-called "Algerian Six."

American officials detained the six and transferred them to Guantanamo in 2002. Five of the six ultimately had their habeas corpus petitions granted by a DC District Court judge and were transferred.

the JTF-GTMO file reads: "[Abderrahmane] is also associated with many GSPC members that are also associated with the Al Qaeda Zarqawi network."

It is likely he died fighting for Al Nusrah or one of the other al Qaeda-linked groups in Syria, such as the Muhajireen Brigade, which includes leaders and fighters from the Islamic Caucasus Emirate
Posted by: Water Modem || 02/21/2013 01:50 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [1 views] Top|| File under:


#2  at least he's rehabilitated....now
Posted by: Frank G || 02/21/2013 8:17 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
Hazara killings: ISI resubmits report in SC
[Dawn] The Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) resubmitted its report in the Supreme Court during Wednesday's hearing of the suo motu
...a legal term, from the Latin. Roughly translated it means I saw what you did, you bastard...
notice taken in the aftermath of the recent blast in Quetta, DawnNews reported.

The court also expressed its dissatisfaction over a report submitted by the Governor of Balochistan.
...the Pak province bordering Kandahar and Uruzgun provinces in Afghanistan and Sistan Baluchistan in Iran. Its native Baloch propulation is being displaced by Pashtuns and Punjabis and they aren't happy about it...

According to the report the intelligence agencies had provided prior intimation regarding an imminent terrorist attack.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad giving his remarks said that if there was information available about an attack on the Hazara Community on Jan 27 then it was the duty of the police and FC to act for the prevention of such an incident.

The deputy attorney general informed the court that the cabinet secretary would appear in court on Feb 21 for the hearing of the case pertaining to the Hazara killings.

The court also summoned the Director General FC, CCPO Quetta, Balochistan's home secretary and the secretary of interior and defence for the next hearing which was adjourned until Feb 21.

Earlier the court had rejected a report of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) submitted by Defence Secretary Asif Yaseen Malik, DawnNews reported.

A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, was hearing the case.

Interior Secretary Khwaja Siddiq Akbar and the defence secretary were present during today's hearing.

The court rejected the ISI report which was submitted by the defence secretary and ordered for it to be re-submitted after amendments.

The chief justice remarked that the court's queries were not answered and that reports were sought from other agencies as well.

The defence secretary said that Military Intelligence (MI) has no role in this case and he further said that if the MI comes across any information only then it shares it with the ISI.

Earlier on Tuesday, Chief Justice Iftikhar had said that the responsibility for Saturday's deadly bombing that claimed 87 lives fell on the federal government.
Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan


Raw material for Quetta kaboom came from Lahore
ISLAMABAD — The raw material for explosives used in Saturday’s deadly bombing in Quetta was bought from a market in Lahore, Express News TV channel reported on Wednesday.

The raw material was bought from a chemicals shop in Akbari Mandi. Police have arrested the owner of the shop for questioning. The records stated that in the last two months 15 boxes of raw materials had been sent to Quetta in the name of Daad Khan. The police have confiscated the records.

Earlier, the security forces had nabbed 170 suspects in their operations across the Quetta city. Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira told reporters in Quetta on Tuesday night that security forces killed four men and arrested seven others accused of killing Shias. Among those arrested was an alleged mastermind of a devastating bomb attack that killed 89 people, he said.

The operation was carried out on the outskirts of Quetta, where thousands of people staged a sit-in for three days to demand army protection and refused to bury the victims of Saturday’s bomb attack on the ethnic Hazara community.
Posted by: Steve White || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:


Policeman shot dead in Charsadda
[Dawn] A policeman was killed when unidentified persons attacked a checkpost in Kula Dher area on Charsadda-Mardan Road on Tuesday morning.

The assailants opened firing on constables Azmat, who was manning the checkpost, sources said. He was killed on the spot, they added.

Constable Ibad said that he was on the other side of the road to perform duty when a car stopped at some distance from the checkpost and picked up two men, who came out of the nearby fields of sugarcane.

They drove the car towards the security post, he said, adding as soon as they reached near the post they opened firing on Azmat, abruptly ejecting him from the gene pool. Ibad said that he retaliated but the assailants managed to escape.DPO Mohammad Nisar Ali Marwat, DSP Arif Khan and City SHO Rokhan Zeb reached the spot soon after the incident. Police cordoned off the area and launched a search operation.

SHO Rokhan Zeb told Dawn that a suspected person was incarcerated
Youse'll never take me alive coppers!... [BANG!]... Ow!... I quit!
in the operation.

The funeral prayers of Azmat were offered at Charsadda Police Lines that were attended by DPO and other coppers. Guard of honour was presented to the killed policeman.

Later his body was dispatched to his native town Umarzai where he was laid to rest at his ancestral graveyard.

Azamt was the lone bread earner of his family. He left behind a widow and two sons to mourn his death.
Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: TTP


-Lurid Crime Tales-
Jackson Jr: 'I Am Guilty, Your Honor'
[CHICAGO.CBSLOCAL] An emotional former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. pleaded guilty in federal court in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday to misusing $750,000 in campaign funds.

In a separate hearing in the afternoon, a tearful Sandi Jackson, Jesse Jackson's wife, pleaded guilty to a tax fraud charge. Sandi Jackson is accused filing six years of false federal income tax returns.

"It's not a proud day," Jackson Jr said has he left court with his wife. "I really am sorry I let everybody down."

That has been his only public statement since he was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder last summer.

CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine reports Jackson was subdued but spoke in a clear voice, telling U.S. District Judge Robert Wilkins that he accepts responsibility for his actions. He formally pleaded guilty to a felony count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, mail fraud and false statements.
Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Things happened, I was kinda there, a part. I'm sorry bad things happened. We should learn from this. I pledge to form a yoof group to keep this from happening again to our people.

Posted by: Shipman || 02/21/2013 7:18 Comments || Top||

#2  Yup, I'm caught, It's a Black thing,I'm sorry you caught me, and I promise to not let it happen again,(You won't catch me).

Weasel, Weasel.
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 02/21/2013 7:23 Comments || Top||

#3  Who'd he let down? Didn't everybody know he was as crooked as a dog's hind leg?
Posted by: Muggsy Mussolini1226 || 02/21/2013 10:56 Comments || Top||

#4  It's not a proud day

Dat’s nuttin…wait ‘till they confiscate your shoelaces bub.
Posted by: DepotGuy || 02/21/2013 20:02 Comments || Top||

#5  How is filing 6 years of untruthful taxes equal "a" tax fraud charge? Isn't that 6 times/crimes you signed off on bogus numbers?
Posted by: Capsu78 || 02/21/2013 21:35 Comments || Top||


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
FSA Chief of Staff Reiterates Warning of Shelling Hizbullah Positions in Leb
[An Nahar] The rebel Free Syrian Army on Wednesday threatened to shell positions of Hizbullah in Leb after accusing it of firing across the border into territory it controls.

"In the past week... Hizbullah has been shelling into villages around Qusayr from Lebanese territory, and that we cannot accept," General Selim Idriss, the FSA's chief of staff, told Agence La Belle France Presse on the phone, adding that the rebels have given Hizbullah a 48-hour deadline to stop the attacks.

"Hizbullah has long been sending combatants into Syria to fight alongside Bashir al-Assad's forces, and we just fight them on our territory," said Idriss.

"But what we cannot accept is that Hizbullah is abusing Lebanese illusory sovereignty to shell Syrian territory and Free Syrian Army positions," said the rebel commander.

Specifically, he accused Hizbullah of shelling villages and rebel positions around the thug-held town of Qusayr, which is located in the central Syrian province of Homs.

Idriss said that Hizbullah had fired into villages around Qusayr from the border village of Zeita, a Hizbullah stronghold in the Bekaa valley of Leb.

"As soon as the ultimatum ends, we will start responding to the sources of fire," he said.

While fighters in the Qusayr area would fire back, Idriss also said the FSA would "mobilize fighters equipped with long-range weapons from other areas."

Three Lebanese Shiites have been killed in fighting in Syria, a Hizbullah official said Sunday, as the Syrian opposition accused the Lebanese group of intervening on the side of the regime.

He said they were acting in "self-defense," without specifying if they were Hizbullah members.

Just hours earlier, the main bloc of the Syrian opposition accused the Damascus
...Capital of the last remaining Baathist regime in the world...
ally of having intervened "militarily" on the side of the regime, and warned this posed a threat to ties between neighbors Syria and Leb.

Hizbullah has systematically denied sending fighters into Syria, though its leader Hasan Nasrallah acknowledged in October 2012 that party members had fought Syrian rebels but said they were acting as individuals and not under the group's direction.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the three slain Lebanese were members of pro-regime militias who had been trained by Hizbullah.

Louay al-Meqdad, front man for the Supreme Council of the Free Syrian Army, has accused Hizbullah of shelling Syrian territory with artillery and rocket launchers from bases inside Leb.
Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: Hezbollah


Arabia
Bahrain says terror cell has links to Iran
Bahrain has wagged a finger at Teheran for allegedly training and mentoring a terror cell it busted last weekend and said the Iranian Revolutionary Guards were actively involved in stoking trouble in the kingdom.

Major-General Tariq Al Hassan, Chief of Public Security, said eight suspects, who were rounded up last month, were receiving orders from the Revolutionary Guards in Iran and had targeted sensitive locations and public figures in Bahrain. Four members of the squad are on the run. He said the group comprised both Bahrainis and outsiders and the arrests were made in Oman and Bahrain.

Investigations showed that the armed group used the name, ‘Army of the Imam’, Major General Al Hassan told a Press conference on Tuesday night. “The Bahrainis were recruited to collect information on public figures and take photographs of sensitive locations.”

Its members were also trained in the use of weapons and explosives, gathering more members, writing surveillance reports and monitoring senior officials. “They were trained by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards and the Lebanese Hezbollah in Iraq’s Karbala and Baghdad,” Major-General Al Hassan said.

He claimed an Iranian operative going by the name of Abu Nasser paid the men a sum of $80,000 to spread violence in the kingdom.

Major-General Al Hassan claimed the suspects travelled to Iran, Iraq and Lebanon and avoided taking direct flights to and from Bahrain. “The suspects confessed to having been recruited through two Bahrainis nicknamed Mirza and Aqeel who were based in Qom, Iran,” the official said. Ali Al Samahiji, the first suspect who was arrested, was recruited to join the group when he was in Iran. “He handled the recruitment of more Bahrainis under the supervision of Mirza and Aqeel.”

He said security agencies are continuing their investigation into the case which has been referred to the public prosecutor. On Saturday, Bahraini Interior Minister Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa said a ‘terrorist cell’ linked to Iran, Iraq and Lebanon had been dismantled.
Posted by: Steve White || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:


India-Pakistan
'Intelligence agencies had a role in Lal Masjid operation'
[Dawn] Testifying before the Lal Masjid Commission on Tuesday, a witness presented new information about the perceived role of intelligence agencies in the events leading up to the 2007 operation.

He suggested that the government had not given due support to those working to avoid a military confrontation.

Nadeem Ahmad is the chairman of Khubaib Foundation, a Turkish-funded relief organization that took part in rescue and relief operations during and after the Lal Masjid operation.

He told the court that before the military operation, he had tried to convince Ghazi Abdul Rasheed -- the brother of Maulana Abdul Aziz, the Khateeb of Lal Masjid -- to avoid a confrontation with the government, and Ghazi Rasheed told him that an intelligence agency had given its support to the mosque administration.

According to Mr Ahmad's testimony, Ghazi Rasheed felt that, with the support of an intelligence agency, the Lal Masjid administration would be able to "topple" Pervez Perv Musharraf
... former dictator of Pakistain, who was less dictatorial and corrupt than any Pak civilian government to date ...
's government and enforce Sharia law in Pakistain.

However,
you can observe a lot just by watching...
Mr Ahmad reports that Maulana Fazalur Rehman, the chief of the JUI-F, claimed that the intelligence agencies were deceiving the holy mans and playing them false.

The Maulana alleged that a "dispute" between two spy agencies was behind the matter.

Justice Shahzado Sheikh, the lone judge on the Federal Shariat Court's Lal Masjid Commission, also took statements from government representatives, although former president Pervez Musharraf and prime minister Shaukat Aziz failed, for the third time, to appear before the court.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been asked to serve them notices yet again through the embassies.

Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed, who was the federal railways minister in 2007, cited his unrelated portfolio and "not very cordial" relationship with Shaukat Aziz when telling the court he "had had no mandate" to influence the government on the situation.

He claimed, since the matter was not brought into the federal cabinet, he did not know who ordered the military operation.

Abdul Shakoor Tahir, then-Chief Coordinator for PTV, told the commission that he had planned the "special transmission" on the Lal Masjid operation.

He said, however, that the interview with a burqa-clad Maulana Aziz had not been his initiative. Justice Shahzado Sheikh turned finally to Shanaz A. Riaz, Director-General of the Federal Directorate of Education.

The court asked her to suggest possible reforms, including scientific education, that could help influence madressah culture and reduce the likelihood of such incidents in the future.
Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan

#1  The Maulana alleged that a "dispute" between two spy agencies was behind the matter.

I can't even imagine such a thing.
Posted by: Besoeker || 02/21/2013 6:58 Comments || Top||


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Mortars Kill Footballer at Damascus Stadium as Rebels Down Warplane
[An Nahar] A Syrian footballer was killed and four others maimed on Wednesday when two mortars smashed into a stadium in central Damascus
...Capital of the last remaining Baathist regime in the world...
, a sports official told Agence La Belle France Presse, as activists said rebels downed a warplane over a Damascus suburb.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity
... for fear of being murdered...
, named the dead footballer as Youssef Suleiman, aged 23, and said he played for the Homs-based al-Wathba team.

Four other footballers were maimed, he said, adding that they played for al-Nawair team, from the central city of Hama.

Al-Wathba was training for a match in Damascus against al-Nawair, said the official.

Suleiman, a striker, was killed and the others were maimed when they were hit by shrapnel from the mortars that landed outside their rooms, the official said.

State news agency SANA blamed "terrorists", the regime's term for rebels fighting Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneck al-Assad
Lord of the Baath...
's regime, for the strikes.

Suleiman, like his team, was from the central city of Homs, which has been ravaged by violence since early on in Syria's conflict nearly two years ago.

Professional Syrian sports players have not been spared in the country's raging violence.

Last month, unidentified gunnies killed the country's race-walking team's official coach, a silver medalist in the West Asia cup.

Because of the violence that has left some 70,000 people dead since March 2011, some 60 of Syria's top footballers have moved to teams in neighboring countries.

Syria's football championship has not been interrupted, but al-Futwa, one of the 16 participating teams, could not take part this year due to the precarious security situation in the city of Deir Ezzor, in eastern Syria.

Championship teams are divided into two groups, taking turns at playing each other. The final stage will see face-offs between the four top teams.

On Tuesday, rebels grabbed credit for launching mortar rounds at one of Assad's palaces in Damascus.

Later on Wednesday, rebels downed a warplane over the Damascus provincial town of Hammuriyeh, shortly after an air strike killed at least nine people and maimed dozens more there, a watchdog and activists said.

Amateur video shot by activists and distributed by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights showed a warplane firing from the sky and then going down in flames after apparently being hit.

"It's gone up in flames! holy shit! Allahu akbar (God is greatest)! The (rebel) Free Syrian Army air defense battalions have hit a MiG warplane!" cried the amateur cameraman shooting the video.

Lacking sophisticated weaponry, rebels fighting the regime of President Bashir al-Assad have frequently used heavy machineguns to shoot down warplanes deployed to strike jihad boy enclaves across the country.

"The shelling and bombardment in Eastern Ghuta province on Wednesday was fierce," Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman told Agence La Belle France Presse.

Elsewhere, troops fought rebels around several air bases and the international airport in the northern city of Aleppo, the Observatory said.

"The festivities around Kwayris military airport were fierce today, and there were also intermittent battles around Aleppo international airport and Nayrab military air base," Abdel Rahman said.

Rebels launched an assault last week to seize several air bases and the Aleppo airport, in a bid to stop warplanes from taking off and to seize ammunition.

In the past week, rebels have captured air bases at al-Jarrah, Hassel and Base 80, as well as an important checkpoint near the international airport.

Wednesday's violence came a day after some 100 people were killed across Syria, according to the Observatory.
Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [1 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Syria

#1  Playing "football" in the middle of a war zone -- whose their coach, Lt Col Bill Kilgore?
Posted by: Dopey Sinatra9196 || 02/21/2013 18:00 Comments || Top||


Three Hizbullah Members Killed in Nusra Front Attack on Border Town
[An Nahar] Three Hizbullah members have been killed on Wednesday in an attack by the Islamist al-Nusra Front in a border town between Leb and Syria, the Turkish state-run Anadolu agency reported.

"The attack targeted a Hizbullah patrol in (the Bekaa border town of) Zeeta, killing three of the party's members," informed sources told Anadolu.

The sources revealed: "The party had an agreement with the Free Syria Army to neutralize these towns from the ongoing Syrian conflict".

"But Hizbullah has since the attack readied to deploy members in eight frontier villages".
Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  sweeet. Let's you and him fight
Posted by: Frank G || 02/21/2013 8:18 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
Banned outfits involved in terrorism, Malik tells Senators
[Dawn] Interior Minister Rehman Malik
Pak politician, Interior Minister under the Gilani government. Malik is a former Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) intelligence officer who rose to head the FIA during Benazir Bhutto's second tenure. Malik was tossed from his FIA job in 1998 after documenting the breath-taking corruption of the Sharif family. By unhappy coincidence Nawaz Sharif became PM at just that moment and Malik moved to London one step ahead of the button men. He had to give up the interior ministry job because he held dual Brit citizenship.
Wednesday said proscribed organizations are involved in the massacre of Paks and there is no dispute between any religious sects in the country.

Concluding the debate on Quetta killings in the Senate, he said as many as 31 placed in durance vile
... anything you say can and will be used against you, whether you say it or not...
culprits of banned religious outfits have admitted in Bloody Karachi
...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It is among the largest cities in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous...
'>Bloody Karachi that they were on mission to destabilize the country.

Spokesman of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistain (TTP) Ehsanullah Ehsan is working for someone else, he said, adding that Lashkar-e-Jhangvi
... a 'more violent' offshoot of Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistain. LeJ's purpose in life is to murder anyone who's not of utmost religious purity, starting with Shiites but including Brelvis, Ahmadis, Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Rosicrucians, and just about anyone else you can think of. They are currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of al-Qaeda ...
(LeJ), Jaish-e-Mohammad
...literally Army of Mohammad, a Pak-based Deobandi terror group founded by Maulana Masood Azhar in 2000, after he split with the Harkat-ul-Mujaheddin. In 2002 the government of Pervez Musharraf banned the group, which changed its name to Khaddam ul-Islam and continued doing what it had been doing before without missing a beat...
and Sipah-e-Sahaba are involved in large scale killings in various areas of the country.

Lashkar-e-Jhangvi is involved in 80 per cent terror incidents in the country, said Malik.

Afghans are involved in 30 per cent crimes in the country. With the closure of illegal mobile SIMS, 80 per cent crimes could be checked. The interior minister said he had suspended mobile service on five occasions and not a single terrorism incident occurred across the country during the mobile closure period.

He said chief ministers of all four provinces should be summoned in Senate to inquire about the measures taken for the security of their people as interior ministry had warned them about looming terror threats.

"Only Punjab government played good role in countering the conveyed threats," he added.

The minister said he had warned the relevant authorities that carnage will occur in Quetta and Bloody Karachi, but the provincial governments did not enhance the security.

Under the 18th constitutional amendment federation can only warn the province about the looming threats and it is the duty of the provinces to take preventive measures to avoid the threats, he said.

Prior to Saturday's Quetta killings, the federal government had informed the provincial government about the looping threat to Hazara tribe people. Federal government has so far issued five terror alerts to government of Balochistan
...the Pak province bordering Kandahar and Uruzgun provinces in Afghanistan and Sistan Baluchistan in Iran. Its native Baloch propulation is being displaced by Pashtuns and Punjabis and they aren't happy about it...
, said Malik.

He said the KP government was also informed about threats to members of the Bilour family. If the provinces do not act promptly, it should not be considered as fault of the federal government and the agencies, he said.

"The federation must not be blamed for the faults of provinces. The law enforcement agencies were working excellently," he said and urged the parliamentarians to help overcome terrorism and pass anti-terror bill pending with the parliament for last three years.

The minister said he had never stated that Taliban do not exit. Taliban are very much there but recent activities were executed by paid killers of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Jesh-e-Muhammad and Sipah-e-Sihaba. Head office of LeJ is in Punjab while sub head office is working in Bloody Karachi, he said.

Taliban has so far killed 40,000 Paks but they are not involved in Bloody Karachi killings, he said.

A complete strategy has been handed over to Inspector General of FC to control terrorism in Balochistan while it has been decided to declare Saryab road Quetta as red zone.
Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [1 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan

#1  What do their clothes have to do with it?
Posted by: Skidmark || 02/21/2013 21:55 Comments || Top||

#2  Cute, Skidmark. :-)
Posted by: trailing wife || 02/21/2013 23:32 Comments || Top||


Arabia
Police Arrest South Yemen Separatist Leaders
[An Nahar] Police incarcerated
Book 'im, Mahmoud!
two separatist leaders in south Yemen, ahead of planned rival rallies to mark the first anniversary of ex-president President-for-Life Ali Abdullah Saleh
... Saleh initially took power as a strongman of North Yemen in 1977, when disco was in flower, but he didn't invite Donna Summer to the inauguration and Blondie couldn't make it...
's ouster, a security official and activists said on Wednesday.

Qassem Askar, a leader of the hardline faction of the separatist Southern Movement, was arrested early in the morning in the southern port city Aden, activist Yasser al-Yafie told Agence La Belle France Presse. "He was taken to an unknown location."

Southern holy man Hussein bin Shouaib was arrested late Tuesday after he chaired a meeting urging protests in Aden, the ex-capital of the formerly independent south, a security official said.

The arrests come on the eve of the first anniversary Thursday of the uncontested election of President Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi which ended Saleh's 33-year autocratic rule, following a year-long deadly uprising to topple the former president.

Supporters and opponents of Hadi, himself a southerner, have said they will hold rival rallies on Thursday, prompting fears of possible festivities in Aden -- a stronghold of southern separatists.

The Islamist Al-Islah (reform) Party has called for a pro-Hadi rally in Aden's Khor Maksar district.

"We believe that the wise ones among the Southern Movement will not use violence against a peaceful and civilised gathering," said Abdullah al-Alimi, a youth activist linked to al-Islah.
Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: Arab Spring


Africa North
Jama'a al-Islamiyah condemns SCC elections ban it says targets Islamists
[Egypt Independent] Members of Jama'a al-Islamiyah and it political arm criticized the Supreme Constitutional Court Wednesday for upholding a ban preventing certain citizens from running for public office.

On Monday, the SCC said five articles in the draft elections law were unconstitutional, and tasked the Shura Council to amend the legislation. The court also said candidates must prove they were exempted or denied military service because they were the only son, were the sole financial provider for their family or had a physical or mental condition preventing them from enlisting.

The Islamist group said the decision undermines the rights of thousands of citizens who were not allowed to serve in the military under Hosni Mubarak
...The former President-for-Life of Egypt, dumped by popular demand in early 2011...
due to their religious political affiliation. Some were unfairly imprisoned by the state over supposed national security concerns, while others did not register for military service over fear they would be targeted by police for their Islamist leanings.

Military service is mandatory and dodging it is against the law.

Essam Derbala, head of Jama'a al-Islamya's Shura Council, was quoted by privately-owned Al-Mesryoon newspaper Wednesday saying the elections law article in question discriminates against people wrongfully tossed in the calaboose
I ain't sayin' nuttin' widdout me mout'piece!
or persecuted for belonging to Islamist groups during the Mubarak era.

He added that the dissolved State Security Investigation Services kept close tabs on those it considered security threats and compiled reports and watch lists. These reports were then used against citizens to deny them the right to serve in the military or force their imprisonment.

Although some Islamist groups have radical roots, most have renounced violence in recent years and distanced themselves from bully boy groups operating in the region.

In a statement Wednesday, Jama'a Islamiya said the SCC decision undermines citizens who opposed the Mubarak government or were questioned, tortured or tossed in the calaboose
I ain't sayin' nuttin' widdout me mout'piece!
on politically motivated charges by intelligence officers.

It added that the ban represents a danger for opposition groups and parties since it infringes on political expression freedoms.

The organization called on the National Human Rights Council, the Shura Council and president's office to renege the ruling it described as a "blatant violation" of the rights of thousands of citizens.

Meanwhile,
...back at the barn, Bossy had come up with a new idea, one that didn't involve blasting caps...
Sobhi Saleh of the Moslem Brüderbund told Al-Jazeera
... an Arab news network headquartered in Qatar, notorious for carrying al-Qaeda press releases. The name means the Peninsula, as in the Arabian Peninsula. In recent years it has settled in to become slightly less biased than MSNBC, in about the same category as BBC or CBS...
Mubasher Misr on Tuesday that the Brotherhood has no problem with the ruling of the SCC.
Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:


Home Front: WoT
U.S. Senator Says 4,700 Killed in Drone Strikes
[An Nahar] A U.S. senator has said an estimated 4,700 people, including some civilians, have been killed in bombing raids conducted under America's secretive drone war, local media reported Wednesday.

The toll from hundreds of drone-launched missile strikes against suspected al-Qaeda beturbanned goons in Pakistain, Yemen and elsewhere has remained a mystery, as U.S. officials refuse to publicly discuss any details of the covert campaign.

But Republican Senator Lindsey Graham
... the endangered South Carolina RINO...
, a staunch supporter of drone use, openly cited a number that exceeds some independent estimates of the toll.

"We've killed 4,700," Graham was quoted as saying by the Easley Patch, a local website covering the small town of Easley in South Carolina.

"Sometimes you hit innocent people, and I hate that, but we're at war, and we've taken out some very senior members of al-Qaeda," Graham reportedly told the Easley Rotary Club.

Despite criticism from some politicians and rights advocates who have questioned the secrecy and the legality of the drone attacks, Graham defended President Barack Obama
The campaign's over, John...
's reliance on the unmanned, robotic aircraft.

"It's a weapon that needs to be used," Graham said. "It's a tactical weapon. A drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle that is now armed."

It was not clear if Graham was referring to the U.S. government's own estimate of casualties from drone strikes. His office was not immediately available for comment.
"I can say no more!"
Using press reports and other sources, several organizations have tried to calculate how many beturbanned goons and civilians may have been killed in the drone strikes, which have been expanded dramatically under Obama's administration.

The Washington-based New America Foundation says there have been 350 U.S. drone strikes since 2004, most of them during Obama's presidency. And the foundation estimates the corpse count at between 1,963 and 3,293, with 261 to 305 civilians killed.
Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [1 views] Top|| File under: al-Qaeda

#1  HHHHMMMMM, HHHMMMMMM, wehell, iff Pak Foreign Secretary Jilani claim that 80% of those killed in US Drone Strikes were terrorists holds true, applying that 80%-age to Senator Graham's number would mean that 3,760 = under 3800 of the 4,700 were likely terrorists.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 02/21/2013 0:31 Comments || Top||

#2  Doing "body counts" again are we? Certainly was effective in Vietnam.
Posted by: Besoeker || 02/21/2013 6:54 Comments || Top||

#3  Doing "body counts" again are we? Certainly was effective in Vietnam.

Yep.
No word on how many the frog smitted in darkest Africa as of yet.
Posted by: Shipman || 02/21/2013 7:10 Comments || Top||

#4  Body counts only work if you count enough bodies. I don't think 3800 is anywhere close to enough. x10^4, maybe.
Posted by: Glenmore || 02/21/2013 8:11 Comments || Top||

#5  Goober's gonna get primaried. He's putting on his "tough guy independent-thinking conservative" costume
Posted by: Frank G || 02/21/2013 10:27 Comments || Top||

#6  For a perspective, how about French civilian deaths from allied 'strategic' bombing during WWII. The total number of civilians killed was 68,778 men, women and children. Remember for critics, perfection is the only standard, except for themselves.
Posted by: Procopius2k || 02/21/2013 12:17 Comments || Top||

#7  One day at the ahirdresser I overheard a man telling that during his eraly teens he lived in Normandy and how happy he was of seeing German soldiers sh.g in their pants during an Allied bombardment.
Posted by: JFM || 02/21/2013 12:32 Comments || Top||

#8  some drone attacks are made by USAF and some by the CIA and some by US and perhaps some by others
Posted by: lord garth || 02/21/2013 12:38 Comments || Top||

#9  Doing "body counts" again are we? Certainly was effective in Vietnam.

That worked out pretty well. Westmoreland was just a scapegoat for not bringing North Vietnam to the peace table quickly enough. In a war where you don't have the manpower to control the borders, locals are sympathetic to the enemy and you can't take it to the enemy's capital, attrition is the only game in town. Creighton Abrams, like Petraeus in Iraq, was the beneficiary of years of meatgrinder activity. It's kind of funny how Petraeus tried his hearts and minds program from the git go, and we're still fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan. They're rationalizing it by saying that Afghans are too illiterate, relative to Iraqis, for that approach to work. I think we just haven't killed enough Pashtuns.
Posted by: Zhang Fei || 02/21/2013 15:13 Comments || Top||

#10  I just want to say that I'm damn happy JFM is on our side, and deh visa versa.

Posted by: Shipman || 02/21/2013 16:37 Comments || Top||


Europe
Greece braces for 24-hour general strike
[Egypt Independent] Greece braced for a 24-hour general strike called by the two main unions in protest against austerity measures, ahead of a scheduled audit by the country's international creditors.

Doctors, lawyers and teachers are among several professions expected to abstain from their duties on Wednesday in the strike organized by private sector union GSEE and public sector union ADEDY.

"We are fighting for collective bargaining agreements, for measures to be finally taken against unemployment and to ensure our democratic and working rights," GSEE said in a statement released on Monday.

Communist-affiliated union Pame was the first to call the strike.

Although most public transport will be operating, buses and train services will suffer problems because of planned work stoppages during the day.

Air traffic will also be disrupted with cancellations and alterations in flight schedules.

Ships will remain docked throughout the day, disrupting ferry services to the islands, as the Panhellenic Seamen's Union is participating in the strike.

Greece's conservative-led, three-party coalition government insists there is no alternative to the harsh austerity program demanded by the country's creditors in return for vital loans.
Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  See also WAFF > [Debt/Poverty-STRICKEN] GREEKS EYE TO SETTLE IN TURKEY, SAYS PATRIARCHATE.

Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 02/21/2013 0:25 Comments || Top||

#2  Agreed I think Joseph, we need a damn Generals strike, the obvious question is would it be noticed?
Posted by: Shipman || 02/21/2013 17:06 Comments || Top||

#3  will they strike in 7 - 3hr shifts?
Posted by: Frank G || 02/21/2013 20:30 Comments || Top||


Africa North
Lawyers' group demand Abu Islam's prosecution
[Egypt Independent] The Egyptian Female Lawyers Initiative staged a vigil outside the Supreme Court Complex Wednesday against Salafi preacher Sheikh Ahmed Abdallah, known as Abu Islam, for his comments that women participating in demonstrations were fair game for sexual assault.

A protester said the group also filed a lawsuit against Abu Islam before the State Council, charging him with defamation of Egyptian women. On Tuesday, the group submitted another complaint against him with the Public Prosecution.

According to the group, Abu Islam made the comments on a show aired by his satellite TV channel al-Umma.

The group said that Abu Islam defamed female protesters by claiming women purposefully went to protests to be sexually harassed. Khaled Abu Kreisha, the group's legal advisor, said 26 of his clients were demanding an investigation into the comments.

Members of the initiative also called for a protest Wednesday outside of the Public Prosecution's offices.

The prosecutor general has already issued a summons for the hardline preacher charged with contempt of religion.

Naguib Gabriel, head of the Egyptian Federation for Human Rights, and activists filed a complaint against Abu Islam, accusing him of calling Coptic women hookers.

The complaint also said the country's Copts are bitter over the absence of justice regarding contempt of Christianity, as Abu Islam appeared in scenes humiliating Christ and the Virgin Mary.

It requested that the preacher be brought to a speedy trial so that Copts feel they are equal citizens, and that all religions are safeguarded.

Abu Islam is already on trial for tearing up a Bible during a protest outside the US Embassy in Cairo. He had been demonstrating against a short, amateur film made in the US that was widely seen as an insult to Prophet Mohamed.

Egyptian law forbids contempt of religion, and anyone convicted of such an act can face three years in prison. Several Copts in recent years have been brought to court on charges of contempt of religion.
Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: Salafists


Africa Subsaharan
France pledges to confront terrorists after kidnapping
[Guardian Ng] FRENCH Minister Laurent Fabius has vowed that La Belle France would not give in to "terrorists" after the kidnapping of seven members of a French family in northern Cameroun, according to agency reports.

Fabius, ostensibly trying to exclude the possibility of paying a ransom, told the National Assembly: "We must do the maximum (to free the hostages) but nothing would be worse than yielding. We will not yield to terrorist groups."

Also, the ministry has urged its citizens to leave northern Cameroun after seven members of a French family were seized in a kidnapping operation that officials linked to Nigerian Islamist group, Boko Haram
... not to be confused with Procol Harum, Harum Scarum, possibly to be confused with Helter Skelter. The Nigerian version of al-Qaeda and the Taliban rolled together and flavored with a smigeon of distinctly Subsaharan ignorance and brutality...
The family -- a couple, their children aged five, eight, 10 and 12 and an uncle -- were snatched in northern Cameroun by six gunnies on three cycle of violences on Tuesday and officials said that they had been taken across the border into Nigeria.

Continuing, Fabius said: "There is every indication they were kidnapped to Nigeria. Everything also indicates that the perpetrators of this abduction" were Boko Haram.

"This adds to the other hostage-takings. Sadly La Belle France is one of the countries that is perhaps most affected by this."

And with the latest abduction, Agence La Belle France Presse (AFP) stated that La Belle France had overtaken the United States as the country with the most number of hostages held abroad, with 15 nationals in captivity against nine Americans.

However,
some people are alive only because it's illegal to kill them...
President Francois Hollande
...the Socialist president of La Belle France, and a fine job he's doing of it...
condemned the seizure as an "odious" act, saying: "This is the first time that children have been taken hostage in this manner."

"We are doing everything with the help of authorities in Cameroun and Nigeria to find our compatriots," government spokeswoman, Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, quoted Hollande as telling a cabinet meeting.

Moreso, the French foreign ministry, in a notice, urged citizens in the far north "to leave the area as quickly as possible" and advised against travel to areas bordering Nigeria until further notice.

French authorities have launched a preliminary investigation into the "kidnapping staged by a terrorist organization," a judicial source said. Such cases are routinely opened when crimes are committed against French citizens abroad.

The ministry could not say how many French citizens were believed to be in the north, but 6,200 in total were registered as living in Cameroun.
Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: Boko Haram

#1  some people are alive only because it's illegal to kill them...

And some people just don't care about the law, You're dead anyway. (US Military)
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 02/21/2013 7:35 Comments || Top||


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Military Court Demands Death Penalty for Samaha, Mamlouk
[An Nahar] The Military Tribunal issued on Wednesday an indictment against former Minister Michel Samaha and a Syrian official on charges of planning to carry out terrorist attacks in Leb.

First Military Investigation Judge Riyad Abu Ghida indicted Samaha and Syrian security official Ali Mamlouk on terrorism charges.

They may face the death penalty if convicted.

Abu Ghida also approved a request made last week by State Commissioner to the Military Court Judge Saqr Saqr to issue a search warrant to identify a Syrian colonel known only by his first name Adnan who plotted for the bombings with the other suspects.

Saqr requested Tuesday that Samaha and Mamlouk be tried on counts of terrorism.

He also recommended that both suspects be indicted for preparing explosives, and transporting them from Syria to Leb to carry out attacks and liquidation attempts to provoke sectarian strife at the behest of the Syrian regime.

Samaha was placed in durance vile
Drop the rosco, Muggsy, or you're one with the ages!
in August, but Mamlouk remains free.
Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Syria


China-Japan-Koreas
White House dismisses North Korea video showing Obama, troops in flames
[Washington Post] The White House on Wednesday shrugged off a new North Korean web video depicting President B.O. and U.S. troops in flames, arguing that anti-American propaganda is less worrisome than the totalitarian state's "continuing defiance of its international obligations."

Asked at Wednesday's press briefing about the video, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told news hounds that he had read about it but hadn't seen it.

"I would simply say the provocative propaganda is far less concerning to us and to our allies than provocative actions that violate North Korea's commitments to the United Nations
...an idea whose time has gone...
and the international community, its flagrant violations of its commitments when it comes to its nuclear weapons program," Carney said.
Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: Commies

#1  "Sink the Georgie, Sink the Georgie".

D *** NG IT, NORTH KOREA HAD BETTER NOT FERGIT WHAT CHINA NEVER TOLD IT!

So there.

lol.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 02/21/2013 0:15 Comments || Top||


Good morning
Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Ashley Greene[Filmography](age 26)



Paddle, sans Creek


Posted by: GolfBravoUSMC || 02/21/2013 2:27 Comments || Top||

#2  WTF? There was plenty of san there, it could only have been the product of intelligent design.
Posted by: Shipman || 02/21/2013 16:28 Comments || Top||


-Short Attention Span Theater-
New app to keep you tweeting after death
[RT] A new application will soon allow users to keep posting Twitter updates from beyond the grave, independently using intricate knowledge of your online character to create a virtual continuation of your personality after you die.
I promise I won't try and communicate from the Great Beyond when I've pegged out.
"When your heart stops beating, you'll keep tweeting," says the new application's tagline.
When my heart stops beating you'll have to get by without my opinion.
'LivesOn' will let users pursue 'life after death' on their social media profiles, letting the deceased communicate with loved ones. LivesOn will keep posting after you kick the bucket, following the example of the DeadSocial platform.
Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Ya, sounds great, but does it work like "Hi, I'm unable to come to the phone right now, but if you leave a message, I'll get right back to you as soon as I can...promise. And oh by the way its hot as Hell down here, but don't worry I'm staying at your new place, which is under final construction right now, they are doing the putch list...see you next Thursday. Chaio!"
Posted by: Lampedusa Lumumba8350 || 02/21/2013 1:55 Comments || Top||

#2  Big deal. The GOP has been operating this way for nearly three decades.
Posted by: Pappy || 02/21/2013 15:34 Comments || Top||

#3  Is this similar to the Democrat Dead Voter App?
Posted by: warthogswife || 02/21/2013 16:18 Comments || Top||

#4  Is this similar to the Democrat Dead Voter App?

One most sincerely hopes not, warthogswife -- that is decidedly creepy.
Posted by: trailing wife || 02/21/2013 20:51 Comments || Top||

#5  Thing is, the Democrat Dead Voter App works.
Posted by: Pappy || 02/21/2013 21:40 Comments || Top||


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Rebels down Syria warplane
Syrian rebels downed a warplane over Hammuriyeh on Wednesday, shortly after an air strike killed at least 14 people and wounded dozens more in the Damascus province town. Amateur video shot by activists and distributed by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights showed a warplane firing from the sky and then going down in flames after apparently being hit.

“It’s gone up in flames! Allahu akbar (God is greatest)! The (rebel) Free Syrian Army air defence battalions have hit a MiG warplane!” cried the cameraman filming the video.

Lacking sophisticated weaponry, rebels fighting President Bashar al-Assad’s regime have frequently used heavy machineguns to shoot down warplanes deployed to strike insurgent enclaves across the country.
The old 'golden BB'. Only takes one to ruin your day...
“The shelling and bombardment in Eastern Ghuta province on Wednesday was fierce,” Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP, adding that the warplane was shot down as it was bombarding the town.

The air strike killed 12 men, a woman and a child, said the Britain-based watchdog which relies on a network of activists, medics and lawyers on the ground for its information.

A video filmed by activists in Hammuriyeh and distributed on Facebook showed residents in the aftermath of the strike pouring water on a burning corpse on the ground, and another two in destroyed vehicles. The video, which AFP is unable to verify, also showed a lorry on fire and widespread destruction in the area.
Posted by: Steve White || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Over running the airfields looks like a winning strategy too.
That might be just me tho.... YMMV.
Posted by: Shipman || 02/21/2013 7:03 Comments || Top||

#2  I'm surprised these guys are flying low enough to be shot down with machine guns.
Posted by: Zhang Fei || 02/21/2013 16:11 Comments || Top||

#3  Landing pattern?
Posted by: Shipman || 02/21/2013 16:30 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
BB murder site washed off on SP's order: witness
[Dawn] A key witness in Benazir Bhutto
... 11th Prime Minister of Pakistain in two non-consecutive terms from 1988 until 1990 and 1993 until 1996. She was the daughter of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, founder of the Pakistain People's Party, who was murdered at the instigation of General Ayub Khan. She was murdered in her turn by person or persons unknown while campaigning in late 2007. Suspects include, to note just a few, Baitullah Mehsud, General Pervez Musharraf, the ISI, al-Qaeda in Pakistain, and her husband, Asif Ali Zardari, who shows remarkably little curiosity about who done her in...
's murder case on Wednesday informed an anti-terrorism court that the site (along with vital evidence) was washed off immediately after the incident on orders from the then Superintendent Police of the area.

District Emergency Officer Dr Abdul Rehman appeared before the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC-I) and repeated his earlier statement that washing of the murder site was performed after receiving order from SP Rawal Town Khurram Shahzad.

"The murder site of Benazir Bhutto was washed out under the order and direct supervision of Superintendent of Rawal Town Police Khurram Shahzad," the officer said ratifying his earlier statement recorded under Section 164 of Pakistain Penal Code (PPC).

Special Judge of the ATC Chaudhry Habibur Rehman read out his statement containing seven pages and asked the witness to confirm his statement given before Magistrate Kamran Cheema, besides thumb impression and signature.

After hearing the statement, Dr Abdul Rehman endorsed its contents and said that he stood by his statement about hosing down the scene of the crime after receiving orders from SP Khurram Shahzad under his supervision.

The court adjourned the hearing till February 21 and summoned the prosecution witnesses, including Dr Abdul Rehman, Ghulam Muhammad Naz and Magistrate Ahmed Masood Janjua for cross-questioning.

The Pakistain People's Party (PPP) chairperson and the former prime minister was assassinated in a public gathering in a park in Rawalpindi on Dec 27, 2007.

Earlier on Feb 13, the Lahore High Court had directed the ATC to complete the Benazir Bhutto murder case trial in three months.

The court issued the order on a petition filed by the FIA on Jan 5. The FIA had earlier filed three petitions for daily trial and the LHC had directed the ATC for expeditious disposal of the case.

The high-profile case has lingered on in courts for more than five years now.
Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan

#1  Call me a conspiracy loon, but I still think BB was whacked. And at least N people were in on it.
Posted by: SteveS || 02/21/2013 19:10 Comments || Top||


Africa North
Sources claim Brotherhood mired by dissent over Salafi tensions
[Egypt Independent] Sources close to the Moslem Brüderbund's guidance bureau said tensions between the Brotherhood and Salafi groups are continuing to rise.

The sources, who preferred to remain anonymous, said they witnessed a serious dispute Wednesday morning amid Brotherhood officials over whether to attempt reconciliation with the Salifi Dawah movement and the Nour Party.

The majority were in favor of seeking reconciliation immediately with both in order to present a united from before parliamentary elections.

However,
today is that tomorrow you were thinking about yesterday...
dissenters made their voices heard and pushed for the strengthening of ties with other Islamist groups instead.

The relationship between the Brotherhood and Nour Party has soured recently aftert the president's office dismissed Khaled Alam Eddin, the presidential advisor for environmental affairs, for allegedly abusing his position for personal gain.

However,
the hip bone's connected to the leg bone...
Alam Eddin struck back in a presser this week and said he was dismissed due to his criticism of the president and his refusal to be a puppet.

In an interview with Al-Masry Al-Youm, Mahdi Akef, the Brotherhood's former supreme guide, said the relationship between Salafis and his organization must triumph over any dispute.

Brotherhood Secretary General Mahmoud Hussein and media spokesperson Yasser Mehrez refused to comment on the matter.

Despite the conflict within the Brotherhoud, the sources still expect reconciliation meetings with Salafi groups to be held within days.

Brotherhood spokesperson Ahmad Aref told Al-Masry Al-Youm that the group is reaching out to the Nour Party to resolve the crisis and is "eager not to cut contact with it. The fact that some statements attacked the president or group doesn't mean losing our relationship."

However,
there's more than one way to stuff a chicken...
Aref described recent statements by Nour Party members criticizing the Brotherhood as "irresponsible."

He also denied accusations made by Salafi figures that the Brotherhood is unduly influencing the president, adding, "These accusations will continue for the next three years until the people understand the meaning of democracy."

Nour Party head Younes Makhion said Wednesday that the issue of Alam Eddin's dismissal is between his party and the president's office and not the Freedom and Justice Party.
Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: Arab Spring

#1  The Secularism taint the same.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 02/21/2013 0:26 Comments || Top||


Africa Subsaharan
Police Says 3 Nigerians Arrested for Spying for Iran
[An Nahar] Nigerian secret police on Wednesday paraded a 50-year-old Islamic holy man and two accomplices who they alleged were spying on prominent individuals and targets in the west African nation for Iran.

Abdullahi Mustapha Berende, presented as a leader of the Shiite sect in the central city of Ilorin, was jugged
Drop the gat, Rocky, or you're a dead 'un!
last December "for his active involvement in espionage and terrorist activities," state security service spokeswoman Marilyn Ogar said.

Investigations revealed that Berende, accused of establishing a "terrorist cell" in Nigeria's southwest, with a particular emphasis on Lagos, recruited the two other suspects for the task, Ogar said.

Berende underwent his training in Iran and his Iranian sponsors requested him "to identify and gather intelligence on public places and prominent hotels frequented by Americans and Israelis to facilitate attacks," she said.

He allegedly gave to his Iranian handlers the names of former dictator Ibrahim Babangida, and ex-supreme leader of Moslems in Nigeria, Ibrahim Dasuki, as targets for attacks that could "unsettle the West," she added.

His accomplices conducted surveillance and gathered data on the targets, ahead of the attacks, she alleged.

Berende denied involvement in espionage or terror-related activities but admitted seeking information about some individuals and institutions.

The institutions included USAID and the Jewish Cultural Center (Chabad) in Lagos, Ogar said.

The suspects will soon be charged in court, she stated.
The Jerusalem Post adds:
Iran has yet to respond to the allegations.

Berende, who will now be charged in court, admitted spying for Iranian counterparts to news hounds on Wednesday.

"As for surveillance, that one is true ... It is a regrettable phenomenon I shouldn't be proud of it," he said as he was paraded by the SSS in their Abuja offices.

He received $30,000 to carry out operations, the SSS said.

Berende first traveled to Iran in 2006 where he studied at an Islamic university, before returning in 2011 for weapons and explosives training, the SSS said.
Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iran


India-Pakistan
Little audience for Zero Dark Thirty in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD — Pakistan stars in Zero Dark Thirty, from early scenes at a detention site to the dramatic closing minutes as Navy SEALs assault the hideout of Osama bin Laden. But the Academy Award-nominated film about hunt for the Al Qaeda leader has sparked a controversy here about its portrayal of the country, and it will likely not be shown on the local big screen anytime soon.

Partly, the film taps into national discomfort that Bin Laden was found to be living for years near Pakistan’s equivalent of West Point, and anger over the US decision to enter its airspace and raid the compound without giving advance notice. Doubts about whether Bin Laden was really hiding out for years in Abbottabad are also common across Pakistan, a country where conspiracy theories often have more weight than fact.

But Pakistanis who have seen the film on DVD or Internet downloads are also making much of what they say are factual errors.

Nadeem F. Paracha, a columnist for the English language newspaper Dawn and a cultural critic in Pakistan, noted that in some scenes characters speak Arabic,
Because Osama and a number of his henchmen were from Saudi-controlled Arabia...
whereas Pakistanis in fact speak Urdu or Pushto or one of the tens of other languages found here.

In other scenes protesters get right up to the US Embassy gates when in reality the embassy is situated in an enclosed diplomatic enclave that demonstrators can’t access. Some scenes that were supposed to show Peshawar looked more like 19th century Delhi in India.

“How can you make a Hollywood blockbuster, put in so much money and get simple things wrong?” Paracha asked. “Instead of the film being taken seriously, it became a joke among Pakistanis.”

The movie traces the arc of the CIA’s decade-long hunt for Bin Laden through the eyes of a young female analyst, who spends most of her time ostensibly in Pakistan. Screenwriter Mark Boal visited Pakistan to do research, but the movie scenes were not shot here.
There's a reason why...
One scene that also raises questions shows a vaccination worker going to the compound door as part of the American plan to get DNA samples from the Bin Laden family. The US did in fact run a fake hepatitis campaign, but in the movie it’s portrayed as an attempt to vaccinate against polio. This could add suspicion to polio workers already facing attacks by militants in the tribal agencies.
Troubling to be sure, but the polio workers have been targeted for quite a while already...
Pakistan has only a few movie theatres that show English-language films, and none so far has aired Zero Dark Thirty. All films shown at cinemas must be approved by a board of censors, and the head of the censor board, Dr Raja Mustafa Hyder, said no distributor has applied for permission to show the film.
No, really?
Whether or not it would actually make it past the censor board is another question, considering that a representative of the powerful Pakistani military sits on the board.

After it came out that Bin Laden had been living in Abbottabad and that the military failed to detect the American raiding party coming to get him, the once-revered Pakistan army found itself on the defensive. The film also highlights the cooperation between the CIA and Pakistan’s intelligence agency during the early years after the September 11, 2001 attack on the United States, a potentially embarrassing topic in a country with such vehement anti-American sentiment. Jamshed Zafar, one of the leading importers and distributors of foreign films in Pakistan, said he decided after discussions with friends that it wasn’t worth importing Zero Dark Thirty.

“If you get into such controversy, you not only lose money but your reputation is also at stake,” he said.
And your life, he didn't add...
Any distributor or movie house that showed the movie might also be courting trouble with the public. Last year during demonstrations against an anti-Islam film crowds of religious activists burned some movie houses.

The fact that neighbouring India — Pakistan’s arch rival — substituted for many of the Pakistani street scenes has also raised concerns, said Rashid Khawaja, a Lahore-based film producer and distributor.

Until recently it was possible to purchase a DVD of the film in Islamabad. But at least two stores in the capital said in recent days that they stopped selling it because of rumours it had been banned. Another store was still selling the movie — albeit under the counter.

In Abbottabad, the DVD is available at local video stores but hasn’t sold particularly well.

“This movie is about Osama and Abbottabad, and still I honestly say people living here are not showing much interest in it,” said Akhtar Hussain.
Rather keeping their heads down, aren't they...
Posted by: Steve White || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  They'll watch it on pirated DVDs, like everything else.
Posted by: phil_b || 02/21/2013 1:03 Comments || Top||

#2  "Instead of the film being taken seriously, it became a joke among Pakistanis."

We think its a comedy too.
Posted by: Skidmark || 02/21/2013 1:46 Comments || Top||

#3  Because Pakistan supported ALQ and Taliban more than Afghanistan ever did.

The WOT must involve the following three countries in order of importance Pakistan,Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Posted by: Mad Eye Tingle2712 || 02/21/2013 6:43 Comments || Top||

#4  They helped write the script, why go see the movie.
Posted by: Besoeker || 02/21/2013 6:46 Comments || Top||


Africa North
Egypt court allows policemen to grow beards
An Egyptian court ruled on Wednesday that policemen may grow beards, ending a decades-old convention barring them from making what is often seen here as a display of Islamic piety. Dozens of police officers were suspended from work in February for breaking the de facto ban on beards introduced under deposed President Hosni Mubarak. They had protested outside the Interior Ministry, calling on Islamist President Mohamed Mursi - who is bearded himself - to secure their reinstatement.

Cairo’s High Administrative Court rejected a request by the Interior Ministry to let it suspend officers who defied the unwritten rule. “The court ruled ... that police officers have the right to grow beards,” judge Maher Abu el-Enin said.

Mubarak used the police to crush Islamist groups he saw as enemies of the state. During his rule, sporting any kind of beard precluded Egyptians from holding senior government posts.

Wednesday’s decision backed a similar ruling by a lower court and the decision makes the verdict final. The Interior Ministry’s spokesman was not immediately available to comment.

Men across Egyptian society wear beards, including many leftists, but the pressure for ending the police ban came from religious officers who wish to emulate the Prophet Muhammad.

The ruling is correctly expected to raise worries among minority Christians, liberal-minded Muslims and others who fear that emboldened Islamists will try to force their beliefs and customs on society.

Mursi said during his campaign for the presidency that he had no objection to members of the security forces growing beards.
Of course he didn't...
Posted by: Steve White || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:


Economy
Detroit's financial crisis now in governor's hands
[NEWS.YAHOO] The fiscal crisis plaguing bankrupt, increasingly impoverished, reliably Democrat, Detroit
... ruled by Democrats since 1962...
is now in the hands of Michigan's governor after a state-appointed review team determined the city was in a financial emergency with "no satisfactory plan" to resolve it.

Republican Gov. Rick Snyder has 30 days to decide if Detroit needs an emergency manager to take charge of its finances and spending, and come up with a new plan to get the city out of its financial mess.

After spending weeks looking at the city's books, the independent review team released a report Tuesday saying Detroit's deficit could have reached $900 million last fiscal year had it not borrowed enormous amounts of money. The city's long-term liabilities, including underfunded pensions, are more than $14 billion.

The report also said the city's bureaucratic structure makes it difficult to solve the financial problems.

Some fiscal experts believe the city's only way out may be municipal bankruptcy, but state Treasurer Andy Dillon said answers could be found if the city and state work together.

"It's our hope at the state level that this is a partnership. It doesn't have to be adversarial," said Dillon, a member of the review team. "A lot of the ingredients for the turnaround of the city are in place. Now we just need to execute. I do believe strongly that Detroit is fixable."

But over the last nine months, that relationship has been strained. Detroit Mayor Dave Bing and the nine-member City Council entered into a consent agreement with Snyder in April that allowed some state oversight and help with Detroit's finances -- short of cash infusions -- in return for certain fiscal reforms. However,
a poor excuse is better than no excuse at all...
the city often missed deadlines and benchmarks.

The ongoing cash crisis has threatened to leave the city, which has a current budget deficit of $327 million, without money to pay its workers or other bills. Dillon said the city has been running deficits since 2005, and masking over them with long-term borrowing.

Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  "It's our hope at the state level that this is a partnership. It doesn't have to be adversarial," said Dillon

Diplomacy - the art of looking for a rock while saying "Nice doggie!" Based on the last 50 years of strained relations between the city and the rest of the state, I'd say you are going to need a lot of rocks, Mr. Dillon.
Posted by: SteveS || 02/21/2013 0:42 Comments || Top||

#2  ...Oh, this is gonna be payback time for the state. Detroit has been the tail wagging the dog for far too long, and the pols in Lansing have long memories.

Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski || 02/21/2013 5:34 Comments || Top||

#3  Republican Gov. Rick Snyder has 30 days to decide if Detroit needs an emergency manager (Non-Democratic)to take charge of its finances and spending,

I'd ssay g>YES
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 02/21/2013 7:26 Comments || Top||

#4  "A lot of the ingredients for the turnaround of the city are in place. Now we just need to execute. I do believe strongly that Detroit is fixable."


haahaha! Can I have some crack to?

Posted by: Broadhead6 || 02/21/2013 10:37 Comments || Top||

#5  I don't understand why Snyder would want to be involved. The Detroit situation is hopeless, but Snyder will be blamed for everything if he appoints a manager.

Better to let Detroit's voters and lenders stew in their own juices until they decide to make a change.
Posted by: DoDo || 02/21/2013 10:50 Comments || Top||

#6  What voters? The ballot boxes come pre-loaded from Demonrat HQ.
Posted by: Silentbrick - Schlumberger Squishy Mud Division || 02/21/2013 11:09 Comments || Top||

#7  the fact that detroit is donk controlled and union dominated and that entitlements (pensions) and govt spending and regulation has caused this mess should be in the lead of every news outlet reporting this

however, most news outlets will downplay or ignore all of these
Posted by: lord garth || 02/21/2013 15:03 Comments || Top||

#8  If the State of Michigan gets into the running of the city as an appointed manager, the STATE will own the problem, i.e., the albatross is on the State's neck.

You got $14 billion, Michigan, to bail these people out????? You want to take on that kind of responsibility????

The only way the state could do that is to take total charge, with no crap from the City Council, the unions, etc, etc. That will not happen.

The State needs to dump it on the City. It is a huge Excedrin migraine with no end in sight. Let Detroit be an example of what happens when the entitlement mentality runs its self destructive course.
Posted by: Alaska Paul || 02/21/2013 15:31 Comments || Top||

#9  Just dissolve the city. Let new villages emerge with new frameworks.
Posted by: Water Modem || 02/21/2013 15:59 Comments || Top||

#10  Take lots of pictures in the next couple of years to show how Detroit returns back to the prairie.

Yep. Detroit has come a long ways since FORT DETROIT.
Posted by: Alaska Paul || 02/21/2013 19:13 Comments || Top||


Africa Subsaharan
Bomb blast kills three in Maiduguri
[Guardian Ng] THERE may be no end to the orgy of violence in Borno State, as barely 48 hours after the torching of a cop shoppe and killing of an inspector, a kaboom Wednesday rocked Maiduguri, killing three persons, including a suspected bomber, and injuring two others.

In a related development, the Federal High Court Wednesday remanded seven persons in prison custody for allegedly robbing some banks in Bauchi State in 2011 for the purpose of raising funds to support the fiery
...a single two-syllable word carrying connotations of both incoherence and viciousness. A fiery delivery implies an audience of rubes and yokels, preferably forming up into a mob...
Islamic sect, Boko Haram
... not to be confused with Procol Harum, Harum Scarum, possibly to be confused with Helter Skelter. The Nigerian version of al-Qaeda and the Taliban rolled together and flavored with a smigeon of distinctly Subsaharan ignorance and brutality...
Meanwhile,
...back at the sandwich shop, Caroline's mayonnaise had erupted in flames again...
the State Security Service (SSS) has tossed in the slammer
Drop the heater, Studs, or you're hist'try!
a 50-year old Iran-trained Nigerian, Abdullahi Mustapha Berende, for alleged espionage and terrorist activities.

The Maiduguri blast is coming on the heels of confirmation yesterday by the Police of Sunday's abduction of six sailors of a foreign vessel by armed pirates in Brass and Southern Ijaw councils of Bayelsa State. Police sources also confirmed that the kidnappers have demanded $1.3 million as ransom.

Also, following Tuesday's kidnap of seven Frenchies at a Camerounian border town with Nigeria, the Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS), the Police and JTF have been placed on alert, NIS Acting Comptroller-General, Rilwanu Bala Musa, has disclosed.

And, irked by what they called neglect, some erstwhile gunnies in Imo State yesterday protested in Owerri. Specifically, the youths in large numbers, led by one Mr. Andrew, marched through the streets of Owerri asking that they be considered in compliance with the agreement reached with the Federal Government under the late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua.

According to the Joint Task Force (JTF), the Improvised Explosive Devise (IED) was targeted at its vehicle while on patrol of the Maiduguri Monday Market (MMM) and General Hospital areas. JTF Spokesman, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, added in a statement that besides the loss of lives, the patrol vehicle was damaged by the blast.

The seven accused persons, who were arraigned before Justice Abubakar Mohammed on a 13-count charge, did not enter their plea owing to lack of legal representation for them. The accused are Usman Sani, Abdulrahman Musa, Mahmud Mohammed, Kabir Mohammed, Umar Danjuma, Ibrahim Musa Abba and Abdullahi Lawan.

According to the SSS authorities, two of his accomplices, Sulaiman Olayinka Saka and Saheed Aderemi Adewumi, and a third, Bunyamin Yusuf, now on the lam, would be charged to court, and "there is conclusive evidence that Berende, in collaboration with his Iranian handlers, were involved in grievous crimes against the national security of this country."

The Police said: "Three of those kidnapped are from Ukraine, two are Indians and a Russian. And one of the kidnappers called to demand the sum of N200 million (one million euros, $1.3 million). We have deployed intelligence personnel in search of the six workers."

Bala disclosed this yesterday in Maiduguri when he paid a courtesy visit to Governor Kashim Shettima Borno.
Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [1 views] Top|| File under: Boko Haram


India-Pakistan
Failure to lead
[Dawn] IT is an indication of the state of the nation today that when a politician names the perpetrators of a series of brutal attacks -- perpetrators who have already named themselves -- it is hailed as an impressive move. Imran Khan
... aka Taliban Khan, who who convinced himself that playing cricket qualified him to lead a nuclear-armed nation with severe personality problems...
has at long last directly spoken out against a bad turban organization. But the fact that his remarks stood out from those of other politicians yesterday reflects one of the main reasons why we are where we are today: the cowardice of our civilian leaders. There is no particular bravery or leadership in vaguely condemning sectarian attacks or in saying terrorism is a bad thing; that is the least politicians can possibly get away with in Pakistain today. But how often do our parliamentarians and other political figures -- particularly the leaders of religious parties -- name and shame those responsible, whether it is the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi
... a 'more violent' offshoot of Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistain. LeJ's purpose in life is to murder anyone who's not of utmost religious purity, starting with Shiites but including Brelvis, Ahmadis, Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Rosicrucians, and just about anyone else you can think of. They are currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of al-Qaeda ...
, the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistain or any other bad turban organization? Instead, they get together at multiparty conferences and even at this point prioritise talking to beturbanned goons without making any mention of military action, failing to appreciate two things: that at this point talks will probably not solve the problem, and that in the democratic system they claim to value, any military operation will be a non-starter without their support.

Perhaps they should learn a thing or two from the community leaders, both Shia and Sunni, who have courageously condemned the violence and, without pitting one community against the other, named those carrying it out. The Hazaras have been particularly impressive in their restraint, arguing that the country's Shias and Sunnis are not at war and that the problem lies with the ideology of the particular bad turban groups behind the attacks. So far their level-headedness has helped unite the country rather than exacerbate its divisions, but if leaders at the national level do nothing to look beyond political and other fears, the conflict could also spread beyond Bloody Karachi
...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It is among the largest cities in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous...
'>Bloody Karachi and Quetta to several other parts of the country.

Thankfully, the people of Pakistain haven't given up yet. The bloodshed of the last several years means they have become accustomed -- perhaps desensitised -- to most of the violence that takes place. But the collective outrage they expressed on Monday across the country and across sects and religions means they can recognise when things have gone too far. And their speaking out has achieved some changes, however insufficient, including the imposition of governor's rule last month, the prime minister's call for targeted operations in Quetta and the removals and transfers of some senior coppers. Their protests, and especially the bravery of Hazaras and others protesting in dangerous areas, have put our politicians to shame.
Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan

#1  Oh. I assumed this was going to be about a "leader" about 25 miles north of me - me being just inside the DC Beltway, at the moment.
Posted by: Bobby || 02/21/2013 6:12 Comments || Top||


Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia
24 radical Salafi organizations present in Kazakhstan
The National Security Committee counted 24 radical Salafi organizations in Kazakhstan, according to the Central Communications Service under President of Kazakhstan with reference to the committee.
Only 24?
"According to the NSC, currently, there are 24 radical Salafi organizations with 495 members operating in Kazakhstan," a statement said.
If you know who all 495 are then you don't need to 'educate' the population. There's a simpler solution. Just sayin'...
In accordance with the newly introduced legal regulations, the focus on terrorism prevention increases. This refers to identification, study, elimination of causes and conditions conducive to the emergence and spread of terrorism. Preventive "anticipatory" activities of the government agencies will be enhanced with introduction of new amendments to the anti-terrorism legislation of Kazakhstan.

"It is becoming clear that combating terrorism requires not only coercive measures, it is necessary to deal with the causes and factors, generating it", the Deputy Chairman of the NSC Kabdulkarim Abdikazimov said.

The report states that as of this year the main preventive work will be carried out from the perspective of anti-terrorism commissions, created in Astana, Almaty, regions and cities of regional importance. These commissions will be joined by community organizations, religious groups and the media.

"The preventive work should turn into a significant counterweight to the radical ideology propaganda carried out by international terrorist and extremist religious organizations", the NSC said.
Posted by: Steve White || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:


-Short Attention Span Theater-
U.S. Postal Service to Launch Fashion Line
[An Nahar] The U.S. Postal Service is looking to fashion as it struggles financially.

The agency, which prides itself on delivering almost 40 percent of the world's mail, announced it plans to launch a clothing and accessories line and has signed a licensing deal with apparel company Wahconah Group, Inc.

"This agreement will put the Postal Service on the cutting edge of functional fashion," corporate licensing manager Steven Mills said in a statement Tuesday.

"The main focus will be to produce Rain Heat & Snow apparel and accessories using technology to create 'smart apparel' -- also known as wearable electronics."

USPS tripled its losses in 2012, losing $15.9 billion as the state-owned enterprise faces tough competition and what it calls onerous and unfair retirement funding requirements.

It has also said it will stop delivering mail on Saturdays to save money.

Wahconah, based in the U.S. state of Ohio, is setting up a showroom in New York City's garment district to showcase its creations to the fashion industry, USPS said.

The products -- to eventually be sold in "premier department and specialty stores" -- will at first be available only for men but a women's line is planned down the road.
Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Iff you're wondering why Mom said she "bought it from the POst Office", WELL WONDER NO MORE!
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 02/21/2013 0:19 Comments || Top||

#2  So a troubled business focuses on it's core competencies - not delivering the mail, men's fashion, and wearable electronics. I'd love to meet the genius that thought this was a good idea.
Posted by: SteveS || 02/21/2013 0:20 Comments || Top||

#3  Next they will do what Australia Post has done is fill offices with all kinds of retail stuff, from kids toys to cooking books to electronics. None of which I have ever seen them sell.
Posted by: phil_b || 02/21/2013 1:08 Comments || Top||

#4  I want some of those shorts.
Posted by: Skidmark || 02/21/2013 1:51 Comments || Top||

#5  Let me just cut to the damn chase here:

USPS tripled its losses in 2012, losing $15.9 billion as the state-owned enterprise faces tough competition and what it calls onerous and unfair retirement funding requirements.


$49 dollars in shoe money ain't gonna help.
Posted by: Shipman || 02/21/2013 7:14 Comments || Top||

#6  The lines were already long enough, now we have to wait for the guy in front of me to try clothes in the dressing room?
Posted by: Dino Shomomp7692 || 02/21/2013 9:29 Comments || Top||

#7  NEWMAN
Posted by: Beavis || 02/21/2013 9:38 Comments || Top||

#8 

Reminds me of the old Wendys commercial about Socialism.
Posted by: Dino Shomomp7692 || 02/21/2013 10:04 Comments || Top||

#9  Don't order your shorts to be delivered on a Saturday.
Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2013 13:22 Comments || Top||

#10  Finally, a line of socks which you expect to get lost.
Posted by: swksvolFF || 02/21/2013 15:22 Comments || Top||

#11  So.. will they job out actual mail delivery to one of the commercial mail companies?
Posted by: Water Modem || 02/21/2013 15:52 Comments || Top||

#12  I had socks once, but they went away. Now I make do with Red Army Surplus feetie wraps.

Posted by: Shipman || 02/21/2013 17:03 Comments || Top||

#13  Check behind the dryer. That's where mine hide.
Posted by: Muggsy Mussolini1226 || 02/21/2013 17:22 Comments || Top||

#14  Haven't tried the feetie wraps, but those Red Army Sponge Bob Underoos look pretty nifty.
Posted by: SteveS || 02/21/2013 17:38 Comments || Top||

#15  I always fear too look behind the dryer. I have this awful feeling that I put in socks and next week I get uncertain kittens is or is not coincidental.
Posted by: Shipman || 02/21/2013 17:44 Comments || Top||

#16  Red Army does Sponge Bob:
Posted by: trailing wife || 02/21/2013 17:47 Comments || Top||

#17  The above proves, beyond any doubt, that America has succeeded in the cultural imperialism that was our first step in conquering the world.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!
Posted by: trailing wife || 02/21/2013 17:52 Comments || Top||

#18  Try this line
Posted by: European Conservative || 02/21/2013 17:52 Comments || Top||

#19  We finally really did it.
You Maniacs! You weaponized Spongebob! Damn You!


What y'all need is the USPS "Trendy Mail" line of socks. If they go missing, they are at the Kansas City hub.
Posted by: swksvolFF || 02/21/2013 18:02 Comments || Top||

#20  UPS and Fed Express don't do junk mail.
UPS and Fed Express don't have cute stamps.

What is it about "CORE" biz that the U S Post Office doesn't understand?

If junk mail was profitable the private companies would offer it.

If cute stamps were profitable...

How many shoppers are going to wait in line for an hour to buy a designer dress?
Posted by: Water Modem || 02/21/2013 18:27 Comments || Top||

#21  OK campers, let me fess up that while I have never worked for the USPS, I have spent 30 years in the "business mail industry". I have spent a lot of time looking at the business of mail.
The USPS fiscal problems have to do a lot with governmental oversite, from the calculation for pension thresholds to a government mandated service level. Yet they are the finest cheapest "postal service" in the world.
"Every address, every day" down to the last igloo on the Alaskan isles, last shack up the Bayou, most gun infested street in Chicago.... six days a week.
If anyone thinks UPS and Fed Ex are going to run the full route, you are mistaken. Fed Ex and UPS RELY on the USPS to deliver tons of deliveries every day to whats know as "the last mile"
If the USPS were cut free to make business decisions based upon todays logistical and business realities, a first class letter could deliver at a profit for .40. Also lots of "not for profit" discounts are used to fundraise for organizations that handle a lot of cash.
Posted by: Capsu78 || 02/21/2013 21:14 Comments || Top||

#22  A very useful perspective, Capsu78. Thank you.
Posted by: trailing wife || 02/21/2013 23:02 Comments || Top||


Africa Subsaharan
Two Dead in Ivory Coast Clashes between Army, Locals
[An Nahar] Clashes between soldiers and residents left two dead and three injured in southeastern Ivory Coast, the government said Wednesday.

Locals clashed with troops from the Republican Forces of Ivory Coast (FRCI) on Sunday and Monday "causing the death of two people and injuring three" in the village of Affery, said a statement from the council of ministers.

Affery is near the town of Akoupe, around 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the economic capital Abidjan.

Local media reported that the two people killed were civilians.

Police would be sent to replace troops in the area, the government said, adding that the situation was now calm.

Tensions have regularly flared in Affery and in regions home to supporters of ex-president Laurent Gbagbo
... Former President-for-Life of Ivory Coast from 2000 to 2011. Laurent lost to Alassane Ouattara in 2010 but his representtive tore up the results on the teevee and he refused to vacate the presidential palace. French troops assisted the Oattara forces in extricating him from his Fuhrerbunker...
, currently held in The Hague where he faces charges of war crimes.

A source that wished to remain anonymous said that locals in Affery were regularly forced to hand over money and goods to soldiers despite a government crackdown on corruption.
Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:


Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: Photos renew accusations that 12-year-old was executed
[LATIMES] Facing continued pressure over alleged wartime abuses, Sri Lankan officials rejected renewed accusations that a 12-year-old boy was executed in the final throes of its bloody civil war.

Questions surrounding the death of Balachandran Prabhakaran, the young son of the leader of the Tamil Tiger rebels, were stirred up again by photographs from an upcoming film, "No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka." The documentary, slated to screen next month at a Geneva human rights
When they're defined by the state or an NGO they don't mean much...
film festival, includes photos purporting to show the boy being held by the military shortly before his death.

More photos show the boy lying dead on the ground, bullet wounds to his chest. U.K. filmmaker Callum Macrae said digital analysis showed the images of the boy before and after his death were taken within two hours using the same camera, evidence that goes further than the footage of the slain boy released last year.
Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:


Africa North
Alexandria court bans unofficial fatwas
[Egypt Independent] The Alexandria Administrative Court banned Wednesday the issuance of religious edicts or fatwas from organizations with the exception Al-Azhar and Dar al-Iftaa.

The court also prohibited the use of mosques as partisan tools to promote political objectives.

"The mosque is the heart of the Moslem community," said the court, presided over by Judge Mohamed Abdel Wahab Khafagi. "Therefore, imams shall not use mosques in achieving the political or partisan goals, since mixing of religion and politics is not acceptable."

The Moslem Brüderbund and other religious groups have been harshly criticized over the past two years by secular opponents, who claim Islamists use mosques to further their political interests.

A recent fatwa was issued by Al-Azhar scholar Mahmoud Shabaan calling for the murder of National Salvation Front members during a program on the satellite chanel Al-Hafez.

The fatwa was officially condemned by the president's office, opposition parties and some Islamist groups.
Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: Arab Spring


Tunisia seeks new premier to escape political crisis
[REUTERS] Tunisian leaders began the search for a new prime minister on Wednesday to try to lead the North African nation out of its gravest political crisis since an uprising that inspired a wave of Arab revolts two years ago.

Rached Ghannouchi, the powerful head of the main Islamist Ennahda party, said the group had not named anyone to replace Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali, who resigned on Tuesday, but that he expected a new government to emerge this week.

"We need a coalition government with several political parties and technocrats," Ghannouchi told news hounds after talks with secular President Moncef Marzouki.

Jebali quit after his plan for an apolitical technocrat cabinet to prepare for elections failed. He had proposed it after the liquidation of opposition leader Chokri Belaid on February 6 shocked Tunisia and widened Islamist-secular rifts.
Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: Arab Spring


Hamas accuses Egypt of flooding Gaza tunnels
They catch on quick, don't they...
GAZA CITY — The Hamas rulers of Gaza and local smugglers on Tuesday accused Egypt of flooding cross-border tunnels with sewage water in order to halt a thriving smuggling trade that has propped up the local economy for the past five years.

Flooding the dozens of tunnels that run along the short Gaza-Egypt border was a rare act of tension between the Hamas government and their ideological parent, the Muslim Brotherhood, which now dominates Egypt’s government. The Egyptian effort appears to be aimed at closing down the illegal routes to better control what is going in. It follows an Egyptian-brokered deal that eased Israeli restrictions on building material going into Gaza.

Yousef Rizka, an adviser to the Hamas prime minister, urged Egypt to allow the tunnels to operate until restrictions on imports to Gaza are lifted.

Residents rely on the tunnels to get vital goods that are otherwise difficult to obtain in Gaza, such as weapons construction materials and rocket parts cheap fuel. The tunnels have kept a modest construction boom flowing in Gaza that employs thousands of people, while an estimated 2,000 men and boys work in some 250 border tunnels. But the tunnels are also easy conduits for weapons and militants to pass in and out of Gaza and the nearby lawless Sinai desert peninsula. From Sinai, militants have launched attacks against Egyptian and Israeli forces. Smugglers said Egyptian military forces were digging water wells and pumping wastewater toward the smuggling area for the past two days.

One smuggler said he had to halt operations and rush his workers out after his tunnel filled with sewage.
Heh, not just flooded, with flooded with sewage. Nice touch there, Egyptians...
Posted by: Steve White || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  It takes a thief sometimes.
Posted by: Shipman || 02/21/2013 7:07 Comments || Top||

#2  Don't lick your fingers, Gazooks
Posted by: Frank G || 02/21/2013 9:57 Comments || Top||

#3  Better sanitize it by pumping in alcohol then.
Posted by: gorb || 02/21/2013 12:16 Comments || Top||

#4  Shame on you gorb---unless you meant methanol.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 02/21/2013 15:51 Comments || Top||

#5  Gasoline would be better. Just enough to mix with the oxygen, then drop in a lighted match. Running away would also be a very good idea.
Posted by: Old Patriot || 02/21/2013 15:57 Comments || Top||

#6  Hai OP!
Posted by: Shipman || 02/21/2013 16:32 Comments || Top||

#7  Yes, Frank. Good olde Fecal Fingers Yousef.
Posted by: Alaska Paul || 02/21/2013 19:15 Comments || Top||


Caribbean-Latin America
Rantburg Tactical Note: Mexican top cop killed from 60m away by sniper using Barrett 0.50 caliber rifle
You gotta wonder why they use such a powerful rifle from such a short distance away. A competent rifleman could make that shot over open sights using a smaller caliber modern rifle.

Reading dozens of seized weapons reports in Mexico over the years, the only dedicated rifle that could be used as a sniper weapon that is available to both the cartels and Mexico's military is the Barrett 0.50 caliber rifle. Mexican road patrols in the south and central regions mount Barretts on their patrol vehicles.

Los Zetas are known to use Barretts and have used them in the shootouts in Reynosa against their Gulf Cartel enemies during 2010 and 2011, as well as the 2010 intergang firefight in Tubutama in Sonora, which killed 24.

This is the first report I have seen of a dedicated hit using the Barrett. Cartels usually prefer drive by shootings to get Mexican police top dawgs.

Police found one spent cartridge casing and a tripod mount about 60 meters away. Presumably only one shot was fired.
Posted by: badanov || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Was the target in an armored car? If so, that could explain the use of a Barrett.
Posted by: tipover || 02/21/2013 1:08 Comments || Top||

#2  You use what you got.
Over the top is good.
Posted by: Skidmark || 02/21/2013 1:48 Comments || Top||

#3 
A competent rifleman could make that shot over open sights using a smaller caliber modern rifle.


Hell, I could make the shot at 60m, which means an INCOMPETENT rifleman could do it.
Posted by: Rob Crawford || 02/21/2013 9:17 Comments || Top||

#4  At that range, it would literally tear the body apart. I think the ballistic effect, rather than accuracy, is what they were looking for.

Al
Posted by: Frozen Al || 02/21/2013 9:38 Comments || Top||

#5  sounds like an Elmer Fudd cartoon. Where you could look through the hole and see the landscape on the other side
Posted by: Frank G || 02/21/2013 10:35 Comments || Top||

#6  Olympic shooting is done at 50m with a .22. The 10-ring is 10.4mm across.
Posted by: Iblis || 02/21/2013 11:04 Comments || Top||

#7  Because he could?
Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 || 02/21/2013 11:24 Comments || Top||

#8  At 60 meters a .50 cal shot would make a very messy scene that would not be easily washed away and long remembered. Los Zetas dont just kill their enemies, they cut their head and hands off, disembowl them and other ugly events to show they dont play games. To shoot someone with a AR15 would leave a hole, some flesh and blood. Shooting a guy with a .50 at that range will leave a giant mess, message to the world sent.
Posted by: 49 Pan || 02/21/2013 13:39 Comments || Top||

#9  The "Z" are not known for their .... z-ubtlety.
Posted by: Raider || 02/21/2013 13:47 Comments || Top||

#10  Wonder where the Barrett came from?
Posted by: JohnQC || 02/21/2013 18:38 Comments || Top||


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Aleppo Bishop Says Syrian Christians in Danger but Not Targeted
[An Nahar] Christians in strife-torn Syria face the same sort of dangers as their Moslem counterparts but are not being specially targeted in the conflict, a Chaldean bishop from the Syrian city of Aleppo said on Wednesday.

Antoine Audo, who is attending a three-day regional conference of the Catholic charity Caritas in Jordan, told Agence La Belle France Presse that Christians in Syria are also not being forcibly displaced but are trying to find refuge elsewhere due to instability in the country.

"I do not think Syrian Christians are targeted although they are in danger, just like our Moslem brothers who are suffering," said Audo, who also heads the Syrian branch of Caritas which has provided aid to more than 25,000 people in Syria.

"Syrian Christians are not being displaced but because of the unrest in Syria, they try, just like other people, to seek refuge in safe places."

Syrian Christians, who form five percent of the country's 23 million population, have remained neutral in the conflict which according to the United Nations
...When talk is your weapon it's hard to make yourself heard over the artillery...
has left at least 70,000 people dead in the past 23 months.
Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Syria

#1  I hope the good Bishop is correct, given ...

* TOPIX, DEFENCE.PK/FORUMS > SALAFIST LEADER: FIRST WE TAKE DAMASCUS, THEN TEL AVIV, to liberate their fellow Paleo Muslims from Israeli tyranny.

Abed Shihadeen, leader in Jordan's Radical Salafist Movement, whom also repor supports the chastisement + removal of any + all Non-Muslim = Infidel believers from Muslim lands.

and

* DEFENCE FORUM INDIA > US WARNS [mostly Muslim]ALBANIA OVER[stoking Ethnic, Theo-] NATIONALIST FERVORS THAT COULD DESTABILIZE THE REGION, i.e. the Balkans.

The Albanians are coming, the Albanians are coming???

versus

* TOPIX > IRAN CONCERNED ABOUT "CERTAIN GOVERNMENTS" SUPORT OF TERRORISM IN SYRIA.

* SAME > [Independent.UK] RUSSIA'S DOUBLE-DEALING ON ARMS TO ASSAD REGIME HAS ISOLATED UK OVER SYRIA.

Russia's seeming "betrayal" of UK-brokered deal for Nations to remain neutral + keep arms from Assad regime has made UK look very bad at the UN such that the UK is receiving little support from Internationl community to counter Russia's wily dastardly move by arming the anti-Assad Rebels = FSA + SNC???

* SAME > [Real Clear World = WAPO] IRAN GROUPING AN "IRAQI HEZBOLLAH".
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 02/21/2013 0:54 Comments || Top||


Brahimi Agrees to Extend His Syria Peace Mission
[An Nahar] International Syria peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi has agreed to extend his mission for at least six months, diplomats said Wednesday.

Brahimi's first six-month contract with the United Nations
...an organization whose definition of human rights is interesting, to say the least...
and Arab League
...an organization of Arabic-speaking states with 22 member countries and four observers. The League tries to achieve Arab consensus on issues, which usually leaves them doing nothing but a bit of grimacing and mustache cursing...
, in place of Kofi Annan
...Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh and so far the worst Secretary-General of the UN. Annan and the UN were the co-recipients of the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize for something or other that probably sounded good at the time. In December 2004, reports surfaced that Kofi's son Kojo received payments from the Swiss company Cotecna, which had won a lucrative contract under the UN Oil-for-Food Program. Kofi Annan called for an investigation to look into the allegations, which stirred up the expected cesspool but couldn't seem to come up with enough evidence to indict Kofi himself, or even Kojo...
, ends on Friday.

"Brahimi has agreed a six month extension," a U.N. diplomat said on condition of anonymity. "He clearly feels that there is some life in his mission," added a second diplomat confirming the deal.
Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Syria


Caribbean-Latin America
Mayhem in Monterrey: 8 die

For a map, click here For a map of Nuevo Leon state, click here. For a map of Monterrey, click here

By Chris Covert
Rantburg.com

Six individuals were shot to death, including four members of a family in an attack in northern Monterrey Wednesday afternoon, according to Mexican news accounts.

A story posted on the website of Milenio news daily said that armed suspects dismounted from a Ford Explorer SUV, entered a scrap metal dealership near the intersection of Avenida Camino Real and Calle Fresno in Villa San Angel at around 1345 hrs, and started shooting.

According to the report, the business was across the street from a farmers market where vendors heard about 20 shots fired.

Unofficially, the dead were identified in the news report as Alfredo Flores, 34, owner of the business, Juana Maria Villegas, 32, José Alfredo Flores Villegas, 15 and Osiris Michelle Flores Villegas, 8. Two other unidentified male victims were killed, and a seventh victim was wounded and taken for medical attention.

Two other individuals were murdered in ongoing drug and gang related shootings in the Monterrey metropolitan area.
  • A top Nuevo Leon state police commander was shot to death near his home in Apodaca municipality in Nuevo Leon Wednesday night. Gustavo Gerardo Garza Saucedo, commander of Nuevo Leon's Agencia Estatal de Investigaciones (AEI), was shot from sixty meters away by a sniper using a Barrett 0.50 caliber rifle at around 0200 hrs near the intersection of calles Hacienda Santa Clara and Hacienda del Rosario in Hacienda del Carmen colony. The news item speculated that a sniper was used because Hacienda del Carmen is a gated community. Garza Saucedo had been under unspecified death threats in 2012.

  • An unidentified man was found shot to death in Escobedo municipality Wednesday morning. The victim was found near the intersection of Calle Raul Salinas and El Libramiento. The news report said the victim was shot then dumped at the location.

Chris Covert writes Mexican Drug War and national political news for Rantburg.com.
Posted by: badanov || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under:


Africa Subsaharan
France Urges Citizens to Leave North Cameroon
[An Nahar] La Belle France on Wednesday urged its citizens to leave northern Cameroon after seven members of a French family were seized in a kidnapping officials suspect was carried out by Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram
... not to be confused with Procol Harum, Harum Scarum, possibly to be confused with Helter Skelter. The Nigerian version of al-Qaeda and the Taliban rolled together and flavored with a smigeon of distinctly Subsaharan ignorance and brutality...
The family -- a couple, their children aged five, eight, 10 and 12 and an uncle -- were snatched in northern Cameroon by six gunnies on three cycle of violences on Tuesday and officials said they had been taken across the border into Nigeria.
Update: They've been found in northern Nigeria, and are safe in the custody of the Nigerian authorities.
Update #2: French minister says he cannot officially confirm Cameroon hostages were freed.
The French foreign ministry in a notice urged citizens in the far north "to leave the area as quickly as possible" and advised against travel to areas bordering Nigeria until further notice.

The ministry could not say how many French citizens are believed to be in the north but 6,200 in total are registered as living in Cameroon.

French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian pointed the finger at Boko Haram but said it was not clear whether the kidnapping was linked to La Belle France's intervention against Salafist tough guys in Mali.

"We believe that the Boko Haram sect carried out this kidnapping, but we don't yet have a claim of responsibility," Le Drian told La Belle France 2 television.

"These are groups that claim the same fundamentalism, who use the same methods, whether it's in Mali, Somalia or Nigeria," he said.
Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: Boko Haram


India-Pakistan
Blast at religious rally near Jacobabad kills one
[Dawn] A blast at a religious rally near Jacobabad killed one and injured at least 12 people on Wednesday, DawnNews reported.

According to reports, the kaboom, which police said was a remote-controlled kaboom, injured 12 people including the Pir of Qambar Sharif, Syed Hussain Shah.

Shafiq Hussain Shah, Shah's grandson, was killed in the kaboom, while another grandson was among those injured.

Police said the bomb, which was planted on the side of a road, was remotely detonated when a vehicle carrying Shah and his grandsons passed by.

The situation in Jacobabad became tense following the incident, while the Sunni Tehrik
...formed in Karachi in 1992 under by Muhammad Saleem Qadri. It quickly fell to trading fisticuffs and assassinations with the MQM and the Sipah-e-Sahaba, with at least a half dozen of its major leaders rubbed out. Sunni Tehreek arose to become the primary opposition to the Deobandi Binori Mosque, headed by Nizamuddin Shamzai, who was eventually bumped off by person or persons unknown. ST's current leadership has heavily criticized the Deobandi Jihadi leaders, accusing them of being sponsored by Indian Intelligence agencies as well as involvement in terrorist activities...
(ST) has called for a province-wide strike in Sindh on Thursday.

Meanwhile,
...back at the pool hall, Peoria Slim swung his cue at Hurley's head...
Muttahida Qaumi Movement
...English: United National Movement, generally known as MQM, is the 3rd largest political party and the largest secular political party in Pakistain with particular strength in Sindh. From 1992 to 1999, the MQM was the target of the Pak Army's Operation Cleanup leaving thousands of urdu speaking civilians dead...
(MQM) leader Altaf Hussain also condemned the attack, calling on the president to take immediate notice of the incident.
Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: Lashkar e-Jhangvi

#1  Jacobabad --- settled by Jacobins?
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 02/21/2013 0:51 Comments || Top||

#2  That must be it. They were all the rage a few years back.
Posted by: Shipman || 02/21/2013 6:59 Comments || Top||

#3  Just a grapeshot away from Robespierrabad.
Posted by: Dopey Sinatra9196 || 02/21/2013 17:50 Comments || Top||


Home Front: Politix
Debate Commission Co-Chair: Yeah, Candy Crowley Was A 'mistake'
[BREITBART] In a lecture to conservatives at the Las Vegas Country Club, Frank Fahrenkopf, co-chair of the Commission on Presidential Debates, admitted that the selection of CNN's Candy Crowley to moderate the second presidential debate between President Barack Obama
The Cambridge police acted stupidly...
and Governor Willard Mitt Romney
...former governor of Massachussetts, the Publican nominee for president in 2012. He is the son of the former governor of Michigan, George Romney, who himself ran for president after saving American Motors from failure, though not permanently. Romney has a record as a successful businessman, heading Bain Capital, and he rescued the 2002 Winter Olympics from the midst of bribery and mismanagement scandals....
in October 2012 had been a "mistake."

Crowley stirred controversy by intervening in the town hall-style debate to support Obama's contention that he had referred to the Sep. 11, 2012 attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi as a terrorist attack the day after it had occurred. In fact, as Crowley herself later admitted, Obama had not done so, referring only to "acts of terror" in general. In a CBS interview taped the same day, Obama declined to refer to the attack as a terrorist act, and subsequently supported a false story about a protest over an anti-Islamic video that never took place.

After Crowley backed up the president, some members of the audience burst into applause, in violation of the rules. The effect was not lost on the audience, which scored the debate as an Obama win--nor was it lost on Romney, who was sufficiently chastened that he refused to bring up the Benghazi issue again in the third presidential debate, even though that debate was specifically focused on foreign policy and national security.

Though it was likely not the only factor, or even the major factor, in Romney's defeat, Crowley's error slowed the new momentum that Romney had enjoyed since defeating Obama soundly in the first presidential debate. Her intervention also reinforced the media lack of interest in pursuing the Benghazi issue with the president.
Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Crowley stirred controversy by intervening in the town hall-style debate to support Obama's contention that he had referred to the Sep. 11, 2012 attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi as a terrorist attack the day after it had occurred.

No "controversy" involved. It was pretty obvious she set Mitts up for a slam dunk by the Champ, and it worked!

[Champ] "Look at the transcripts, look at the transcripts", which she was conveniently clutching in her fat fingered hand.
Posted by: Besoeker || 02/21/2013 6:52 Comments || Top||

#2  The mistake was and continues to be made in giving any credence to culture (MSM) that is nothing more than on operative of the opposing party. They have no credibility - both the MSM and the RINO establishment that panders to them.
Posted by: Procopius2k || 02/21/2013 8:49 Comments || Top||

#3  play hardball. Candy is no longer considered a journalist by the GOP and she is out of the rotation - forever. Demand acceptable moderators or no debates
Posted by: Frank G || 02/21/2013 9:47 Comments || Top||

#4  A mistake that will eagerly be made again by all involved...
Posted by: Iblis || 02/21/2013 11:05 Comments || Top||

#5  Examples need to be made, her and the Debate Commission.
Posted by: Omuting Jomoper3377 || 02/21/2013 12:33 Comments || Top||

#6  No more moderators. Sit them down and let them talk.
Posted by: Grunter || 02/21/2013 13:10 Comments || Top||

#7  Of course it is considered a journalist by the GOP and that is half of the problem.
Posted by: Phaith Grique4599 || 02/21/2013 16:26 Comments || Top||

#8  That’s what you get when you hire an air-head babe just to get ratings.
Posted by: DepotGuy || 02/21/2013 20:07 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
Explosive material seized: three held
[Dawn] Railways Police claim to have recovered a huge quantity of kaboom from three Afghan nationals.

A front man said on Tuesday that during a routine checking of Quetta-bound 305-Down train at Chaman station, a police party found three suspicious Afghan nationals.
"LeGume, there is something suspicious about those Afghan nationals!"
"Inspector! How can you tell?"
"Did you notice each of them was carrying a bomb?"

On search, the police recovered 50 anti-personnel mines, 100 fuses, 30 detonators and 33-foot wire from their luggage.
"They're for personal use!"
Identified as Abdul Rehman, Abdul Jalil and Abdul Samad, the accused were booked under sections 4 and 5 of the Explosive Act.
"Book 'em under sections 4 and 5 of the Explosive Act, Danno!"
Meanwhile,
...back at the pie fight, Bella grabbed the cocoanut cream...
Railways Police Inspector-General Syed Ibne Husain directed the Quetta SP to award commendation certificates to police party members.
"SP!"
"Yes, Your Excellency?"
"Give them certificates or something. Whatever."
"Yes, Your Excellency!"
Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: al-Qaeda in Pakistan


Arabia
Fears for Health of 30 Jailed Oman Hunger Strikers
[An Nahar] A member of Oman's consultative council voiced concern Wednesday for the health of 30 jugged
Yez got nuttin' on me, coppers! Nuttin'!
activists who have been on hunger strike for the past 12 days, as activists said some of them were in hospital.

"We are concerned, as are their families, about the deterioration of the health conditions of the detainees after 12 days on hunger strike," said Malek al-Abri, a member of Oman's elected Majlis al-Shura (consultative council).

The council "is in contact, at all levels" with the government to allow a delegation to visit Samayl central prison, 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of Muscat, to "inquire about the situation of the hunger strikers," Abri told Agence La Belle France Presse.

The hunger strike was first launched by 17 cyber activists in protest at delays in their appeals after they were jugged
Yez got nuttin' on me, coppers! Nuttin'!
for between six to 18 months for "unlawful assembly and violating the Cyber Law."

They were later joined by 13 other prisoners protesting their conditions of detentions, according to activists.

Their appeals will be considered by the Supreme Court on February 25 and a final decision will be made on March 4, according to Abri.

An activist, who requested anonymity, said that "some of the hunger strikers were hospitalized after they lost consciousness".

Two of them -- Saeed al-Hashmi and Abdullah al-Arimi -- were still in hospital, the activist said.

Several groups of activists are on trial on charges of defaming or using Internet social media networks to insult Sultan Qaboos, who has ruled the Gulf sultanate for 42 years.

The appeals court has upheld the jail terms of many already sentenced.

Others have been tried after taking part in protests demanding political reforms that shook usually calm Oman in 2011.
Posted by: Fred || 02/21/2013 00:00 || Comments || Link || E-Mail|| [0 views] Top|| File under: Arab Spring



Who's in the News
38[untagged]
5Govt of Pakistan
5Arab Spring
4Govt of Syria
3Boko Haram
2Hezbollah
1Salafists
1TTP
1al-Qaeda
1al-Qaeda in Pakistan
1Commies
1Govt of Iran
1Lashkar e-Jhangvi

Bookmark
E-Mail Me

The Classics
The O Club
Rantburg Store
Comments Spam
The Bloids
The Never-ending Story
Thugburg
RSS Links
Gulf War I
The Way We Were
Bio
Sink Trap

Alzheimer's Association
Day by Day
Counterterrorism
Hair Through the Ages







On Sale now!


A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.

Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.

Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has dominated Mexico for six years.
Click here for more information

Meet the Mods
In no particular order...
Steve White
Seafarious
tu3031
badanov
sherry
ryuge
GolfBravoUSMC
Bright Pebbles
trailing wife
Gloria
Fred
Besoeker
Glenmore
Frank G
3dc
Skidmark

Two weeks of WOT
Thu 2013-02-21
  Bombing in Indian Hyderabad, at least 11 killed
Wed 2013-02-20
  French nationals kidnapped in northern Cameroon
Tue 2013-02-19
  Mortars land near Syrian presidential palace
Mon 2013-02-18
  Five killed in attack at government office in Peshawar
Sun 2013-02-17
  Egyptian police publicly beat to death man suspected of killing officer
Sat 2013-02-16
  Bomb kills at least 20 in Pakistani city
Fri 2013-02-15
  Meteorite Hits Urals, Up to 500 Injured
Thu 2013-02-14
  Pakistan asks Taliban to announce 30-day cease-fire for talks
Wed 2013-02-13
  Syrian rebels say they captured military air base near Aleppo
Tue 2013-02-12
  KCNA confirms: Pudgy sets off a nuke
Mon 2013-02-11
  Seven killed, 11 injured in attacks across southern Thailand
Sun 2013-02-10
  Syrian troops, rebels clash over Damascus highway
Sat 2013-02-09
  India Executes Man Convicted in 2001 Attack on Parliament
Fri 2013-02-08
  Suicide bomber hits north Mali, troops clash in capital
Thu 2013-02-07
  Syrian Army Launches 'All-Out Attack' on Capital Region

Better than the average link...



Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
54.145.82.104
Paypal:
WoT Operations (19)    WoT Background (29)    Non-WoT (7)    Opinion (5)    (0)