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Area: WoT Operations    Non-WoT    Opinion        Politix   
Israel pounds Hamas after 15 injured in rocket barrage
Today's Headlines
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Page 6: Politix
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-Land of the Free
More than 700K foreign nationals overstayed visas in 2017, DHS says
Posted by: Skidmark || 08/08/2018 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Another reason to support abolishing ICE, right?
Posted by: magpie || 08/08/2018 11:52 Comments || Top||

#2  That would save the cost of tracking them down, legal proceedings and export fees, MP. [/sarc]

No only are 50,000 illegals/month being apprehended, this is an additional 60,000 legal visa conversions/month.

How many are getting in unobserved?
Posted by: Skidmark || 08/08/2018 16:28 Comments || Top||


Afghanistan
Afghanistan's recent economic recovery may be at risk, warns World Bank
[KhaamaPress] The World Bank released its latest twice-a-year report regarding the development update in Afghanistan and warned that the country’s recent economic recovery may become at risk.

The report states that following the economic shock of the withdrawal of international troops, the associated decline in aid and deterioration in security, and the period of political instability after the 2014 elections, the Afghan economy has slowly regained momentum as reforms have been implemented and confidence restored, with the GDP growing from a low of 1.5 percent in 2015, to 2.3 percent in 2016, and reached 2.7 percent in 2017.

However,
corruption finds a dozen alibis for its evil deeds...
the report states that this trend now appears to be at risk, with increasing election-related violence, declining business confidence, worsening drought conditions, and apparent slowing of economic activity.

According to the World Bank report, growth is projected at 2.4 percent in 2018, with substantial downside risks arising from the prospects of political instability around upcoming parliamentary and district council elections and presidential and provincial council elections, scheduled for October 2018 and April 2019 respectively.

"At the current juncture, the most important priority for the government and its international partners is to maintain public confidence to support growth and job creation," said Shubham Chaudhuri, World Bank Country Director for Afghanistan. "More than half of Afghans now live in poverty. We cannot afford to see the current momentum lost."

According to the World Bank, government macroeconomic policies remain appropriate in the current conditions. The fiscal deficit for 2017 was low at around 0.5 percent of GDP, and a similar deficit is expected in 2018. The deficit will be financed largely from cash reserves, which remain at comfortable levels. Revenues remain strong, with domestic revenues reaching a new high of 12.3 percent of GDP in 2017. Consumer price inflation remained moderate in 2017, at around 3.1 percent, and is expected to remain at moderate levels through 2018.

According to Chaudhuri, sustaining the recent recovery will require enhanced government efforts to improve the business environment and catalyze private investment and job creation while ensuring smooth election processes. He noted that the international community also has a key role to play: "Sustaining international support is critical to overall confidence and underpins the capacity of the government to implement the reforms we all view as vital."

The World Bank states in its report that it is projecting a gradually accelerating growth over coming years, assuming a relatively smooth election process, no further deterioration of the security environment, and the absence of political instability that followed 2014 elections.

According to World Bank, growth is expected to reach 2.8 percent in 2019 before accelerating gradually to 3.6 percent in 2021.

Chaudhuri noted that much faster rates of growth would be required to make a substantial impact on poverty. "Significantly faster growth could be achieved by mobilizing investment in extractives, energy and connectivity, building and harnessing the skills of Afghanistan’s youth and women, and taking steps to realize the job-creation potential of agriculture and agribusinesses" he said.
Posted by: trailing wife || 08/08/2018 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Well yeah!
See 1.8 tons of narcotics seized in countrywide operations

Who's gonna pay for that?
Posted by: Skidmark || 08/08/2018 18:45 Comments || Top||


Afghan amputee marchers embark on gruelling peace trek
[DAWN] Twenty Afghan amputees, some in wheelchairs and others on crutches, began a gruelling trek of hundreds of kilometres across Afghanistan on Tuesday, demanding an end to the war that cost them their limbs.

The "peace convoy" began its journey in the western city of Herat
...a venerable old Persian-speaking city in western Afghanistan, populated mostly by Tadjiks, which is why it's not as blood-soaked as areas controlled by Pashtuns...
and will finish on the other side of the country in the capital Kabul, running the gauntlet of turbans, roadside kabooms and blistering temperatures.

"We are taking this journey of more than 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) to Kabul to tell the world to stop the war," Mohammad Musa, 40, who lost both legs in a landmine kaboom, told AFP.

"The war has brought nothing except destruction." Abubaker Qaderi, whose right leg was blown off by a roadside kaboom 15 years ago, called for a "permanent ceasefire" in the latest conflict, which began with the 2001 US-led invasion.

"War must stop, we want peace," the 50-year-old told AFP before setting off towards Kabul.

"For the sake of the next generation, they should stop fighting," another protester called Khan Zai told AFP.

Posted by: Fred || 08/08/2018 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:


Britain
Boris Johnson Asked to Apologize over Attack on Burqas
[AnNahar] British Prime Minister Theresa May backed calls Tuesday for her former foreign minister Boris Johnson to apologize for disparaging comments he made about Moslem women wearing burqas.

May said his remarks "have clearly caused offense" and agreed with the chairman of her Conservative party, Brandon Lewis, who had asked Johnson to apologize.

"I do think that we all have to be very careful about the language and terms we use. And some of the terms Boris used describing people's appearance obviously have offended," the prime minister said.

"What's important is do we believe people should have the right to practice their religion and, in the case of women and the burqa and niqab, to choose how they dress."

In a column in Monday's Daily Telegraph newspaper, Johnson said women wearing the full face veil looked like "bank robbers" or "letter-boxes", prompting accusations of Islamophobia
...the irrational fear that Moslems will act the way they usually do...
But the former top diplomat, who has a reputation for causing controversy and quit May's cabinet last month in protest at her Brexit plan, refused to back down.

"It is ridiculous that these views are being attacked - we must not fall into the trap of shutting down the debate on difficult issues," a source close to Johnson told news hounds.

"We have to call it out. If we fail to speak up for liberal values then we are simply yielding ground to reactionaries and myrmidons."

- 'Dog-whistle tactics' -
In his article, Johnson said he opposed a ban on face-covering veils, but added that it was "absolutely ridiculous that people should choose to go around looking like letter-boxes."

His remarks drew condemnation from former colleagues.

Junior foreign minister Alistair Burt told the BBC: "I would never have made such a comment, I think there is a degree of offense in that, absolutely right."

Conservative peer Sayeeda Warsi, a former party chairwoman, accused Johnson of adopting the "dog-whistle" tactics of right-wing firebrand
...firebrands are noted more for audio volume and the quantity of spittle generated than for any actual logic in their arguments...
Steve Bannon, U.S. President Donald Trump
...New York real estate developer, described by Dems as illiterate, racist, misogynistic, and what ever other unpleasant descriptions they can think of, elected by the rest of us as 45th President of the United States...
's former top aide.

Johnson has been in direct communication with Bannon in recent months, according to media reports.

Warsi said Johnson was hoping to attract support from right-wing Conservatives for an eventual leadership bid, and called for an independent inquiry into Islamophobia in the party.

"It is crass and it must stop, and it must be condemned by the leadership right from the prime minister down."

But Johnson received support from some quarters, with Conservative MP Nadine Dorries saying he "did not go far enough."

"Any clothing a woman is forced to wear which hides both her beauty and her bruises should be banned and have no place in our liberal, progressive country," she said.
Posted by: trailing wife || 08/08/2018 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Moslem Colonists

#1  "Oooooh - I'm so offended - to the fainting couch!"
Posted by: Raj || 08/08/2018 0:23 Comments || Top||

#2  Let's see if he has more backbone than wind.
Posted by: Skidmark || 08/08/2018 1:07 Comments || Top||

#3  I'm disgusted with what Boris said.

Letter boxes are British, attractive and useful totally unlike a walking bomb factory in a burka.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 08/08/2018 17:24 Comments || Top||


Europe
Syrian refugee: Austrians should take refugees in their homes and give them their money
[VoiceofEurope] Aras Bacho also suggested that as taxes paid by citizens to support refugees are not donations, that is compulsory, therefore Germans and Austrians should pay voluntary donations to be ‘truly humane’, citing Jesus from the Bible to emphasise his suggestion.

“All Christians should naturally know that Jesus said ‘give men in need your home and all your money.’ As you can see, not all Christians adhere to this guideline,” Bacho insists.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 08/08/2018 05:01 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  After your conversion to Christianity. See - Spain, 1492. Worked better than we got today. Not likely though.
Posted by: Procopius2k || 08/08/2018 6:37 Comments || Top||

#2  Simply "give them their money"....?

Our local gov't solution here is a bit more subtle. Adjusting the property tax millage rage upward by 45% should provide for the care and feeding of the illegals as well as a handsome pay raise for all of those leaning on shovels.
Posted by: Besoeker || 08/08/2018 6:43 Comments || Top||

#3  Well, this is their long term plan, right? Or at least the net effect.
Posted by: ed in texas || 08/08/2018 7:05 Comments || Top||

#4  “All Christians should naturally know that Jesus said ‘give men in need your home and all your money.’

Most Europeans these days are atheists, Mr. Bacho, so that is not a useful argument. Separately, Hafez al Assad has sent word for Syrians to return home to rebuld their country now that the war is just about over. It is time for you to go back, willingly or no.

Did Jesus really say that? Or is that yet another distortion of the Old and New Testaments to be found in Koran, Hadiths and the accumulated teachings of Islam used to justify shearing the dhimmi sheep?
Posted by: trailing wife || 08/08/2018 7:40 Comments || Top||

#5  Sounds like home invasion and grand theft. Austria and Germany need a castle doctrine.
Posted by: AlanC || 08/08/2018 7:58 Comments || Top||

#6  Should have never stopped the Serbs from doing their thing in the 90's.
Posted by: Chris || 08/08/2018 8:10 Comments || Top||

#7  Not a chance in hell, skippy.
Posted by: DarthVader || 08/08/2018 9:03 Comments || Top||

#8  How about they invite you into their homes, then sell your organs to the chinese? Or they can sell your women to brothels and castrate or kill all the boys? What? You don't like receiving what you do to others?
Posted by: Silentbrick || 08/08/2018 9:48 Comments || Top||

#9  "They cut up a whore!" "Did they, sonny?"
"And murdered your pigs, Mr. Munny!"
"All right, hold this stirrup."
Once more he saved Europe,
Then prospered in dry goods. Life's funny.
Posted by: Zenobia Floger6220 || 08/08/2018 10:34 Comments || Top||

#10  ^:-)
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 08/08/2018 10:53 Comments || Top||

#11  I’m with #6.
Posted by: jvalentour || 08/08/2018 11:08 Comments || Top||

#12  I believe the term is jizyah.
Posted by: Abu Uluque || 08/08/2018 11:47 Comments || Top||


Netanyahu: EU stops funding anti-Israel NGO
The European Union will immediately stop funding an NGO "operating in Israel which undermines the State of Israel’s right to exist and seeks to defame it around the world," the Prime Minister’s Office announced Tuesday evening.

According to the statement, the decision to stop funding the Freedom Protection Council came as a result of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s "diplomatic efforts.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 08/08/2018 02:47 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:


Great White North
Canada to ask allies to help cool Saudi dispute
[ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] Canada plans to seek help from the United Arab Emirates and Britannia to defuse an escalating dispute with Soddy Arabia
...a kingdom taking up the bulk of the Arabian peninsula. Its primary economic activity involves exporting oil and soaking Islamic rubes on the annual hajj pilgrimage. The country supports a large number of princes in whatcha might call princely splendor. When the oil runs out the rest of the world is going to kick sand in the Soddy national face...
, sources said on Tuesday, but close ally the United States made clear it would not get involved.

The Saudi government on Sunday recalled its ambassador to Ottawa, barred Canada’s envoy from returning and placed a ban on new trade, denouncing Canada for statements about "civil rights activists". Riyadh accused Ottawa on Tuesday of interfering in its internal affairs.

One well-placed source said the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau planned to reach out to the United Arab Emirates.

"The key is to work with allies and friends in the region to cool things down, which can happen quickly," said the source, who declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the situation.

Another source said Canada would also seek help from Britannia. The British government on Tuesday urged the two nations to show restraint.

The United States, traditionally one of Canada’s most important friends, stayed on the sidelines. US President Donald Trump
...New York real estate developer, described by Dems as illiterate, racist, misogynistic, and what ever other unpleasant descriptions they can think of, elected by the rest of us as 45th President of the United States...
- who criticized Trudeau after a Group of Seven summit in June - has forged tighter ties with Riyadh.
Pretty Boy Trudeau made his bed, now he gets to lie in it.
Posted by: Fred || 08/08/2018 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Saudi Arabia

#1  Actions have consequences, even when it's virtue preening? Who knew?
Posted by: Frank G || 08/08/2018 10:33 Comments || Top||

#2  For the umpteenth time . . . . . this is so bloody embarrassing!
Posted by: Canuckistan sniper || 08/08/2018 11:13 Comments || Top||

#3  You want real "embarrassment" try Obama for 8 yrs. In
Posted by: Besoeker || 08/08/2018 11:19 Comments || Top||

#4  You want real "embarrassment" try Obama for 8 yrs. In
Posted by: Besoeker || 08/08/2018 11:19 Comments || Top||

#5  The United States, traditionally one of Canada’s most important friends, stayed on the sidelines.
Trudeau seems to be a particularly inept version of the Classic Francophone 'Canadien' PM: spend all his efforts jetting to Europe trying to blend in with their Elites, as they have time for a mere Colonial that can't speak civilized French like a Parisian (*contemptuous Sniff!*)
He should ask his buddies Macron and Merkel for help, first!
Posted by: magpie || 08/08/2018 16:13 Comments || Top||

#6  Was that two terms, B?
Posted by: Skidmark || 08/08/2018 16:29 Comments || Top||


Home Front: WoT
Muslim group plans to sue US over terror watch list system
A Muslim civil rights organization said Tuesday it plans to file a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the federal government's terror watch list system, including a newly disclosed program in which air marshals have secretly monitored air passengers with no known terrorism links.

Gadeir Abbas, senior litigation attorney with the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said the group will file the lawsuit Wednesday in federal court in Greenbelt, Maryland, on behalf of more than 10 Muslim travelers who allege they faced harassment at airports and suffered other consequences because of being placed on a terror watch list. The plaintiffs are from Maryland, Florida, Michigan, Oregon, Kansas, New Jersey and Washington, DC.

Abbas said the defendants named in the lawsuit will include the Department of Homeland Security, the Transportation Security Administration and other government agencies.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 08/08/2018 02:32 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Discovery — of the plaintiffs’ background and connections, I mean —will no doubt be interesting, especially since CAIR (the senior branch of the Muslim Brotherhood in America) is involved. I don’t doubt some of those on the list ought not be, and I understand that there is, or at least used to be, no way to challenge one’s inclusion on it. But as I recall, CAIR was an unindicted co-conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation terror funding trial, making their involvement suspect.
Posted by: trailing wife || 08/08/2018 7:51 Comments || Top||

#2  Yeah they are all pissed because the US taxpayer will not spring for the JEWEK ENCRUSTED PLATINUM ROLEX APPLE WRIST WATCH STAR TREK COM LINK SYSTEM ! Like I said Obama gave them FREE CELL PHONES and was BLACK and poor so they expect a WHITE RICH TRUMP to do better!
Posted by: Jack Chaiter7913 || 08/08/2018 10:08 Comments || Top||

#3  Leaving this up so everyone can savor the with and wisdom of Hemingway
Posted by: Frank G || 08/08/2018 10:17 Comments || Top||

#4  Discovery — of the plaintiffs’ background and connections, I mean —will no doubt be interesting

That depends on who is in charge of the investigation.
Posted by: gorb || 08/08/2018 13:14 Comments || Top||

#5  Leaving this up so everyone can savor the with and wisdom of Hemingway

Heh, as the professor says.
Posted by: trailing wife || 08/08/2018 21:45 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
MMA names Fazl's kid as nominee for NA deputy speaker post
[DAWN] The Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) has reached a consensus regarding its nominee for the post of deputy speaker of the National Assembly, the party's front man Shah Owais Noorani announced on Tuesday.

Noorani said that during a party meeting held under the chairmanship of MMA chief Fazlur Rehman it was agreed upon that Fazal's son Asad Mehmood should be nominated for the position. He was recently elected as a member of National Assembly from Tank constituency.

During a multi-party conference held in Islamabad on August 2, it was decided that the prime minister nominee shall be named from the PML-N, the speaker of National Assembly from the PPP and the deputy speaker from the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA).

PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb on Monday said that all opposition parties have unanimously accepted PML-N Chairman Shahbaz Sharif
...Pak dynastic politician, brother of PM Nawaz Sharif, chief minister of Punjab...
as their nominee for the office of prime minister.

Posted by: Fred || 08/08/2018 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Jamaat-e-Ulema Islami


Raheel Sharif did not obtain NOC from cabinet for heading Saudi military alliance, SC told
[DAWN] The Supreme Court was informed by the attorney general on Tuesday that former army chief Gen Raheel Sharif
...Former Pak chief of army staff, meaning he pulls the strings on the Nawaz Sharif puppet to make it dance and sing and not do much at all....
did not obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the federal cabinet before leaving for Soddy Arabia
...a kingdom taking up the bulk of the Arabian peninsula. Its primary economic activity involves exporting oil and soaking Islamic rubes on the annual hajj pilgrimage. The country supports a large number of princes in whatcha might call princely splendor. When the oil runs out the rest of the world is going to kick sand in the Soddy national face...
to head a 41-nation military alliance.

During the hearing of a suo motu
...a legal term, from the Latin. Roughly translated it means I saw what you did, you bastard...
case regarding dual nationality of civil servants and judges, Attorney General Khalid Jawed Khan said that as per the law, the NOC is issued by the federal government to government officers willing to join service in foreign lands. It is required for the NOC to be approved by the federal cabinet under government service rules, he added.

The attorney general presented the legal perspective after defence secretary retired Lt Gen Zamirul Hassan informed the court that it was the defence ministry which had granted NOC to the ex-chief of army staff after General Headquarters (GHQ) cleared him to accept the post of Commander of Islamic Military Counterterrorism Coalition in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Speaking about Lt Gen Ahmad Shuja Pasha, the secretary told the court that the former ISI director general has informed in his reply that he is currently unemployed.

After hearing all sides, a three-judge bench of the SC headed by Chief Justice of Pakistain (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar ordered authorities that the matter of Sharif's appointment be placed before the federal cabinet for a regular approval (or disapproval).

"We have to proceed according to the law," the CJP said during the hearing, observing that the authority of the federal government is controlled by the cabinet. He said the matter at hand was of an urgent nature.

Posted by: Fred || 08/08/2018 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan


Shahbaz Sharif's son-in-law declared 'proclaimed offender'
[DAWN] An accountability court in Lahore on Tuesday declared PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif
...Pak dynastic politician, brother of PM Nawaz Sharif, chief minister of Punjab...
's son-in-law, Imran Ali Yousaf, a proclaimed absconder on the request of National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Yousaf is accused of receiving graft in excess of Rs12 million from Ikram Naveed, the former CEO of the Punjab
1.) Little Orphan Annie's bodyguard
2.) A province of Pakistain ruled by one of the Sharif brothers
3.) A province of India. It is majority (60 percent) Sikh and Hindoo (37 percent), which means it has relatively few Moslem riots....

Power Development Company (PPDC), and is the subject of a NAB probe.

He appeared before NAB Sherlocks in April but has since missed his scheduled hearings and left the country for London.

The bureau, which last month requested the interior ministry to extradite Yousaf via Interpol, today told the accountability court that "warrant of arrest against the accused has been issued by NAB chairman".

"As per IO (investigation officer), the accused has gone underground and is not traceable."

In the light of this, the bureau asked the court to declare Yousaf a proclaimed absconder ‐ a request that was accepted.

In its notice to Yousaf, NAB had said: "In the inquiry against Ikram Naveed it has been revealed that you are in possession of evidence which relates to the commission of the said offences. You are also required to record your statement with respect to amounts transferred by Ikram Naveed to you."

According to a source, the then CM’s son-in-law was also accused of "getting Naveed appointed as PPDC CEO who allegedly committed massive corruption. NAB is quizzing Yousaf on the information provided about him by Ikram Naveed."

Posted by: Fred || 08/08/2018 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan


JI expels 20 shura members after election debacle
[DAWN] The Jamaat-e-Islami
...The Islamic Society, founded in 1941 in Lahore by Maulana Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, aka The Great Apostosizer. The Jamaat opposed the independence of Bangladesh but has operated an independent branch there since 1975. It maintains close ties with international Mohammedan groups such as the Moslem Brotherhood. the Taliban, and al-Qaeda. The Jamaat's objectives are the establishment of a pure Islamic state, governed by Sharia law. It is distinguished by its xenophobia, and its opposition to Westernization, capitalism, socialism, secularism, and liberalist social mores...
, who was routed in the July 25 election, has expelled several senior members of the district Shura (executive council) and terminated their basic membership for violating its constitution.

In a statement issued by the JI provincial headquarters here on Monday, secretary general of the party Abdul Wasi said investigations had been launched against those, who reportedly violated the party’s policies and discipline during the recent election.

He said JI provincial chief Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan had expelled Shura members in Beautiful Downtown Peshawar
...capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa administrative and economic hub for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan. Peshawar is situated near the eastern end of the Khyber Pass, convenient to the Pak-Afghan border. Peshawar has evolved into one of Pakistan's most ethnically and linguistically diverse cities, which means lots of gunfire.
and Lower Dir districts on the recommendation of the relevant party units.

Mr Wasi said the basic party membership of those members had also been terminated.

The JI, a major member of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal, had suffered the worst electoral defeat on July 25 by securing only one seat from Upper Dir district. Party chief Senator Sirajul Haq
...current head of the Pak Jamaat-e-Islami. Siraj was born in 1962 and entered politics shortly after that...
, who had contested the July 25 election in home district Lower Dir’s NA-7 constituency had also lost seat to the Pakistain Tehrik-e-Insaf
...a political party in Pakistan. PTI was founded by former Pakistani cricket captain and philanthropist Imran Khan. The party's slogan is Justice, Humanity and Self Esteem, each of which is open to widely divergent interpretations....
Dir is considered to be the JI stronghold, which is also referred as its ’Granada’. However,
facts are stubborn; statistics are more pliable...
the party suffered defeat apparently due to internal differences. The JI candidates had contested election for 39 seats of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and only Inayatullah Kahn retained his seat from Upper Dir.

The statement said inquiry committees had been constituted at the district level to review organizational matters from top to bottom.

Posted by: Fred || 08/08/2018 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Jamaat-e-Islami


TLP to contest by-polls, continue protests: Rizvi
[DAWN] Converting most of his speech into prayers and cursing those who opposed "deen" (faith) in the recent elections ‐ meaning thereby the opponents of Tehrik-e-Labaik Pakistain ‐ the party chief, Khadim Hussain Rizvi, on Monday vowed to fight "for mandate of his party, which was stolen in the polls."

Addressing a protest rally on The Mall, cut short by rain in the afternoon, Mr Rizvi, using his choicest Punjabi expletives, said that those who thought the TLP could be scared into submission were wrong in their calculations. "We are here (to stay) and would continue to fight till the end."

Explaining the TLP strategy, which gave clues to things to come, he said the party knew that its mandate had been stolen and would act on two prongs to get its due right back; contest by-elections and continue to protest on the roads.

"It (TLP) would not leave the field open for anyone. It would take part in by-elections and would do so better prepared," he announced. He asked the party workers to go and prepare for the by-elections.

On the second prong, the TLP was convinced that the result transmission system (RTS) never crashed but was "made to crash" for stealing its mandate.

"The LP would continue protesting till the end. It would take out a rally on August 12 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...
and would return to the Lahore roads on August 14. Next protest plan would be announced after Karachi event and it will surely come," Mr Rizvi said.

He demanded that the Election Commission should upload all Form 45 and 46 on its website so that people knew what had exactly happened in their constituencies. "It is also time for the election commissioner to either quit himself or be thrown out because he has failed to conduct free and fair elections."

Posted by: Fred || 08/08/2018 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan


Notices issued on father’s plea for transfer of Naqeeb murder case
[DAWN] The Sindh High Court on Monday issued notices to suspended Malir SSP Rao Anwar and others in a petition seeking transfer of Naqeeb murder case and another case to some other antiterrorism court.

The then SSP Malir along with his subordinates has been facing trial before the ATC-II for allegedly killing Naseemullah, better known as Naqeebullah Mehsud, and three others in a staged encounter on Jan 13 in a Malir locality.

He has also been facing charges pertaining to framing the four men in explosives and illicit weapon cases.

Naqeeb’s father Mohammad Khan, through his lawyer Faisal Siddiqui, moved the SHC stating that he had no confidence in the judge of the ATC-II who was hearing both cases.

He submitted that the trial court was allegedly giving undue benefits to the suspects by not passing orders on his objections and he had reasonable apprehension that the presiding officer of the trial court would not be able to act fairly and impartially while deciding the cases.

The petitioner further submitted that the trial court had developed a bias in favour of Rao Anwar and his subordinates and the bias was apparent since to date the presiding officer had failed to consider and pass any order on the applicant’s written objections.

He maintained that it was a settled principle that while hearing a bail application a court should not go into deeper appreciation of evidence.

Posted by: Fred || 08/08/2018 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan


Iraq
Iraq to reluctantly comply with US sanctions on Iran: PM
[DAWN] Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said Tuesday he would reluctantly comply with renewed US sanctions on neighbouring Iran, but recalled his country's 12 years under international embargo.

"We don't support the sanctions because they are a strategic error, but we will comply with them," he said.

"In general, sanctions are unjust."

Iraq is the second-largest importer of Iranian non-hydrocarbon products, buying some $6 billion (5 billion euros) worth of goods from its eastern neighbour in 2017.

It also buys in Iranian-generated electricity in efforts to deal with chronic power cuts that have been a key factor sparking mass protests in recent weeks.

"We are committed to protecting our people and their interests," Abadi said.

Baghdad is allied with Washington, a strategic partner in the war that saw Iraq declare "victory" over Islamic State
...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear the pols talk they're not really Moslems....
jihadists in late 2017.

Posted by: Fred || 08/08/2018 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iran

#1  Keep an eye out for Ho Chi Minh Trail V2.0.
Posted by: gorb || 08/08/2018 13:17 Comments || Top||

#2  "In general, sanctions are unjust."

Because they work?
Posted by: Skidmark || 08/08/2018 18:47 Comments || Top||


Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Spearhead of Gaza border protests says ‘We’ve lost battle for public opinion’
[IsraelTimes] Activist who sparked weekly 'March of Return' calls on Paleostinians 'to reexamine all our tactics and to invent new ones,' citing high number of casualties.

A Paleostinian activist widely held to be the inspiration behind weekly protests and riots on the Israel-Gazoo border fence in recent months, which have greatly increased tensions, has called for a "tactical withdrawal" since the practice has become "too costly."

"We have lost the battle for public opinion," Ahmed Abu Artema, a political activist and journalist who is now a front man for the so-called "March of Return," said in a TV broadcast last week. A Facebook post he published earlier this year calling for peaceful protest ultimately mushroomed into large-scale, often violent, Friday demonstrations.

Since March 30, weekly festivities have taken place on the Gazoo border. Israel accuses terror group Hamas, the well-beloved offspring of the Moslem Brotherhood,, which rules Gazoo, of using the demonstrations as cover for attacks and attempts to breach the security fence.

Abu Artema had originally called for the marches to be mass, peaceful protests seeking an end to the siege on Gazoo and a return to what Paleostinians call their ancestral homes in Israel. They have instead become hotbeds of violence.

The March of Return "has been an attempt to create a certain model," the 33-year-old said on August 1, in remarks broadcast by Al Jazeera and translated Monday by the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI). "We tried to associate this form of struggle with images of life and beauty. This is the philosophy of peaceful struggle... [Israel] is trying to present us in an image of death and terrorism."

But, he said, "unfortunately we have lost the battle for public opinion in the March of Return, when it became associated in people’s minds with blood and the loss of limbs," he said. "This is very scary."

At least 160 Paleostinians have been killed by Israeli fire and thousands have been maimed since the protests began, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Hamas, a terror group that has vowed to destroy Israel, has acknowledged that dozens of those killed were its members.

One Israeli soldier was rubbed out by a Paleostinian sniper.

The March of Return protests have also seen Paleostinians fly airborne incendiary devices toward Israeli territory nearly daily, sparking hundreds of fires in southern Israel and causing millions of shekels in estimated damages. Hundreds of rockets and mortars have been launched toward Israeli towns.

Domestic pressure on the military to halt the burning flying objects has intensified, leading to Israel carrying out warning Arclight airstrikes and increasing the possibility that violence could escalate.

Speaking at a symposium titled "The Paleostinian Cause ‐ Proposals on the Table" organized by Hamas, Abu Artema said, "The images of torn limbs, maimed people, blood and deaders are very painful, and must drive us to reexamine all our tactics and to invent new ones."

"This is not an attempt to water down the March of Return, but it is okay, from time to time, to engage in a tactical withdrawal, if you sense that your path has become too costly," he suggested. "There is nothing wrong with a tactical withdrawal, which will preserve the original idea. We want to save the idea itself from death."

Paleostinians say the demonstrations are aimed at the return of refugees and their descendants to their former and ancestral homes in Israel, and to bring about the lifting of Israeli restrictions on the movement of people and goods into and out of the coastal enclave.
Posted by: trailing wife || 08/08/2018 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Hamas

#1  "Unfortunately, people saw through our lies and saw our actions"
Posted by: Frank G || 08/08/2018 11:08 Comments || Top||

#2  No, really, keep it up. I think public opinion will turn around any minute now.
Posted by: gorb || 08/08/2018 13:18 Comments || Top||

#3  actually, Ahmed Artema is probably ticked at the less than enthusiastic attendance of Paleo civilians at the "March..."

most of the attendees were Hamas or family of Hamas or coerced lackeys
Posted by: lord garth || 08/08/2018 18:43 Comments || Top||


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Iranian Revolutionary Guards: We asked Houthis to attack Saudi oil tankers
[ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] An Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander admitted that the Houthi
...a Zaidi Shia insurgent group operating in Yemen. They have also been referred to as the Believing Youth. Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi is said to be the spiritual leader of the group and most of the military leaders are his relatives. The Yemeni government has accused the Houthis of having ties to the Iranian government, which wouldn't suprise most of us. The group has managed to gain control over all of Saada Governorate and parts of Amran, Al Jawf and Hajjah Governorates. Its slogan is God is Great, Death to America™, Death to Israel, a curse on the Jews ...
attack that targeted the two Saudi oil tankers in Bab al-Mandeb Strait was carried out as per a request from the Revolutionary Guards.

According to the Iranian news agency Fars, the Revolutionary Guards Commander Nasser Shabani said: "We asked the Yemenis to attack the two Saudi oil tankers, so they did it."

The Fars News Agency deleted the article, which is considered a blatant admission by Iran of supporting the Houthi militias, minutes after publishing it.

Shabani also said that the Houthi militias in Yemen
...an area of the Arabian Peninsula sometimes mistaken for a country. It is populated by more antagonistic tribes and factions than you can keep track of. Except for a tiny handfull of Jews everthing there is very Islamic...
and Lebanese Hezbollah militias "represented Iran’s depth in the region."
Posted by: Fred || 08/08/2018 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Houthis

#1  'asked'?
Posted by: Skidmark || 08/08/2018 18:42 Comments || Top||


Iran dismisses US talks offer as Trump reimposes sanctions
[DAWN] Iran dismissed a US offer to renegotiate a historic 2015 nuclear deal signed with other major powers as President Donald Trump
...New York real estate developer, described by Dems as illiterate, racist, misogynistic, and what ever other unpleasant descriptions they can think of, elected by the rest of us as 45th President of the United States...
reimposed crippling sanctions on Tuesday.

Trump's withdrawal from the agreement in May has infuriated European partners who were determined to keep it alive and now find their businesses operating in Iran faced with the threat of US legal penalties.

The sanctions that went into effect on Tuesday target Iranian access to US banknotes and key economic sectors including cars and carpets.

Much of the damage has already been done, with Trump's aggressive rhetoric fuelling a run on the rial in recent months, while worsening inflation has stoked public protests against the government's management of the economy that have intensified over the past week.

Posted by: Fred || 08/08/2018 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iran


Terror Networks
Hamza bin Laden married daughter of another al-Qaeda leader, not 9/11 hijacker
[ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] In an article published on Sunday, British newspaper The Guardian reported that Hamza Bin Laden, the son of the late al-Qaeda leader, married the daughter of Mohammed Atta, the lead hijacker in the 9/11 terror attacks.

Research undergone by Al Arabiya English has found this to be false.

Hamza bin Laden is, however, confirmed to have married the daughter of al-Qaeda’s second-in-command, Abdullah Ahmad Abdullah, who is deputy to current leader Ayman al-Zawahri.

Abdullah is nicknamed "Abu Mohammed al-Masri," as mentioned in a report by Al Arabiya English in January.

This information was obtained from al-Qaeda archives that were confiscated from the hiding place of the late Osama bin Laden
... who used to be alive but now he's not...
in Abottabad.

Earlier this year, in January, Al Arabiya English received footage and details surrounding Hamza’s wedding. The ceremony took place in Iran when he was 17 years old.

The man who married the couple was Mohammed Shawki al-Islambouli, the brother of Khalid al-Islambouli, assassinator of former Egyptian President Anwar Sadat.

The video shows Hamza sitting next to Mohammed al-Islambouli, while on his other side sits Abu Mohammed al-Masri.

Bin Laden’s three other sons also attended the wedding with a number of his grandsons.

During the wedding, Islambouli carried out the ceremony, in which the identity of Hamza’s wife was revealed as Maryam Abdullah Ahmad Abdullah.
Posted by: Fred || 08/08/2018 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: al-Qaeda

#1  Research undergone by Al Arabiya English has found this to be false

Until he takes wife #2 maybe.
Posted by: Mullah Richard || 08/08/2018 11:43 Comments || Top||

#2  Well, maybe #3.

Don't forget the goat!
Posted by: Mullah Richard || 08/08/2018 11:44 Comments || Top||



Who's in the News
30[untagged]
7Islamic State
6Govt of Pakistan
3Hamas
2Govt of Iran
2Govt of Saudi Arabia
2al-Qaeda
2Taliban
1Boko Haram (ISIS)
1Houthis
1TTP
1Jamaat-e-Islami
1Jamaat-e-Ulema Islami
1Moslem Colonists
1Govt of Pakistain Proxies
1Commies
1Narcos

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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.
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Meet the Mods
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Two weeks of WOT
Wed 2018-08-08
  Israel pounds Hamas after 15 injured in rocket barrage
Tue 2018-08-07
  11 Children Rescued From New Mexico Compound Run by Army Muslim Extremists
Mon 2018-08-06
  Saudi Arabia declares Canadian ambassador persona non grata, orders him to leave in 24 hours
Sun 2018-08-05
  Iran protesters attack religious school in province near Tehran
Sat 2018-08-04
  Death Toll Rises To 30 In Bombings On Paktia Mosque
Fri 2018-08-03
  Jordan army clashes with Islamic State militants fleeing Syrian forces
Thu 2018-08-02
  Egypt police kill five members of terrorist group Hasm in Nile Delta shootout
Wed 2018-08-01
  Man arrested after suspected homemade explosive device found at Vereeniging, South Africa mosque
Tue 2018-07-31
  It was terrorism: Iran denies any role in deadly Tajikistan attack
Mon 2018-07-30
  2 killed in Gaza blast during attempted launch of projectile toward Israel
Sun 2018-07-29
  Duterte invites the Abu Sayyaf to peace talks
Sat 2018-07-28
  Police enter Al-Aqsa Mosque, clash with worshipers in Temple Mount riots
Fri 2018-07-27
  Imran to be next PM
Thu 2018-07-26
  Houthis send missiles at tankers transiting from the Red Sea
Wed 2018-07-25
  Russian Air Force launches more than 40 airstrikes over southwest Syria

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