Eritrea has denied reports that it has been supplying Islamists in Somalia with weapons and ammunition. The Eritrean ambassador to the UN, Araya Desta, told the BBC that the claims were "totally false".
"He's lying."
"How can you tell?"
"His lips are moving. And they're still attached."
Both the US and the UN Security Council have voiced concern over reports of Eritrean involvement. Meanwhile the British ambassador to the UN, John Sawers, has said that the UN Security Council has not ruled out the idea of a UN peacekeeping force in Somalia, but has not decided to commit one as yet.
Since they don't have any effective peacekeeping troops available, holding off on a commitment seems like a good idea. Unless the Mighty Uruguayans can be found.
Earlier on Saturday, President Barack Obama's top official on Africa, Jonnie Carson, told the BBC that there had been "credible" reports that Ertirea had been supplying weapons and munitions to Somali hardline Islamist group al-Shabaab.
But envoy Araya Desta told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme that such claims were "rubbish... this is totally false".
"Why do we have to support factions in Somalia?" he said. "This accusation is always cooked by some neighbouring countries and some big powers in order to defame Eritrea."
He added that it would be very complicated for Eritrea to transport the weapons into Somalia, given the heavy presence of Western troops in Djibouti, which lies between the two countries. "How do they know that Eritrea has sent weapons to Somalia, through which areas have [they] flown these planes?
"As you know the American army are in Djibouti, the French are in Djibouti and they control everything in the sea as well as in the land."
Mr Carson, the US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, said there had been a number of reports of foreign fighters, with possible links to al-Qaeda, fighting alongside hardline Islamists of al-Shabaab and Hisbul-Islam. He said these included people of South Asian and Chechen origin.
Somalia's President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has appealed to Islamist insurgents to negotiate as intermittent fighting continues in Mogadishu.
But his former ally and Islamist spiritual leader Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys has rejected his overture. Sheikh Aweys returned to Somalia last month after two years of exile in Eritrea. While he was out of the country he broke ranks with Sheikh Ahmed, a moderate Islamist, and his return seems to have triggered a new escalation in fighting, correspondents say.
The Somali authorities control only one major road in Mogadishu, with the assistance of about 4,350 African Union troops.
Posted by: Steve White ||
05/17/2009 02:04 ||
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Fourteen suspected pirates detained on board an European naval ship operating off the coast off Somalia were handed over to the Kenyan authorities in Mombasa Saturday.
The EU and Kenya on 6 March signed an agreement enabling suspected pirates to be prosecuted in Kenya. Up to 52 suspected pirates have been captured till now by the EU naval forces patrolling the Gulf of Aden and the Somali Basin.
Rear Admiral Philip Jones, Commander of Operation off Somalia called EU NAVFOR- Operation Atalanta - thanked the Kenyan authorities for "their excellent cooperation in taking over these suspected pirates for prosecution and trial in the Kenyan courts." This is the fifth transfer of pirates under the EU-Kenya agreement.
Wonder how much baksheesh aid is being paid to Kenya for "expenses" of hosting and prosecuting the dirtbags? And, in a petty moment, how many of O's relatives are involved?
#3
Be fair. They are kin to the father that abandoned him and his mother. Why should he care what happens to them? It's not as though they lifted a finger for him or his mother when they were in need, nor even sent any letters full of family news and moral support.
Sudan said Saturday it did not intend to sever diplomatic relations with its western neighbor Chad following the latter's three air raids on Sudanese areas over the last two days.
"There is no tendency among the Sudanese government to recall our ambassador from N'djamena unless the Chadian government decides to the contrary," Sudan's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ali Al-Sadeq told reporters here. "Today our ambassador is there and he has not been notified of any decision by the Chadian authorities," Al-Sadeq confirmed.
He made the remarks three hours after the third air raid launched by the Chadian Air Force some 60 km deep inside the Sudanese territories. The Chadian authorities said the attacks targeted the bases of Chadian rebels in Sudan in response to the last week rebel offensive on Chadian forces.
Sudan did not lodge a complaint to the United Nations Security Council about the Chadian aggression but preferred at this stage to brief the foreign ambassadors and representatives of the international organizations based here on the aggression.
The political leaders and the Ministry of Defense have the final say on any further step in response to the Chadian aggression, the spokesman made clear. "Sudan has committed herself to the provisions the Qatari-brokered Doha agreement on normalization of relations with Chad as well as the previous understandings. Yet, Sudan reserves her right to react in the appropriate time, place and manner," the spokesman cautioned.
However, he excluded that possibility of waging a war against Chad at the time being.
Al-Sadeq attributed Chad's reluctance to normalize the relations with Sudan on the misconception that Sudan backs the Chadian rebel movements. "If Chad had any evidence about Sudan's involvement in backing up the Chadian opposition movements, it should promptly produce such evidence to the international organizations. Sudan, on the contrary, has a lot of evidence about Chad's support to the rebel Justice and Equality Movement and other rebel groups in Darfur, west Sudan," he revealed.
The Doha agreement, signed on May 3, provides for military cooperation between the two neighbors to prevent cross border infiltration by armed groups opposed to the governments of both N'djamena and Khartoum as prelude to normalization of relations.
#1
Now that is a double-good whammy against the Islamics.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
05/17/2009 16:57 Comments ||
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For about 20 years now, around the world, there has been a slow and steady introduction of women into parliamentary governments. And once in, they tend to stay in.
It can be viewed as a quiet revolution, because they tend to have a different way of doing things than male politicians. But don't assume that means squishy. They often win by being more efficient. Think Lady Thatcher.
It is a pleasure to report that Kuwait had a well-attended, non-violent series of Parliamentary elections that wrapped up on Saturday. It is rare that we get to report good news and therefore I'm linking to their "pat on the back" from Kuwait state media. Congratulations, Kuwait! Well done.
Today, Saturday May 16, 2009, constitutes a new bright point in the history of democracy of the State of Kuwait, which began before the establishment of the modern country and was then crowned with the issuance of Kuwait's constitution in 1962.
With the closing of doors of polling stations for the 13th legislative term of the National Assembly, a distinguished stage of this democratic festival which began almost a month ago.
The distinguished organization of this democratic event has been highly praised by all thanks to justices, counselors and media personnel who were present today for the best interest of Kuwait.
Everyone was satisfied today, especially the judiciary who ran the electoral process or security bodies who supervised organization of the elections as today did not witness any obstacle.
And with the closure of the polling stations, candidates and their voters headed back to their electoral headquarters for a temporary rest from a hectic day, to be followed by another strenuous stage while waiting for results which may come out the next morning.
Today was also distinguished when HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah was greeted by hundreds of voters while touring some polling stations early this morning.
Kuwait will anxiously witness hard moments till vote counting ends and results are announced by the judges.
Home affairs minister Sahara Khatun on Saturday said the Awami League-led alliance government is always against any extrajudicial killings, but the law enforcers should have the right to save their lives when they come under attack.
Even when the attackers vanish back into the mists of their secret lair in the upazaila ...
Her remarks came against the backdrop of continuing killings of people in incidents of crossfire. The ruling Awami League in its election manifesto pledged not to allow any extrajudicial killings during their tenure.
Incidents of extrajudicial killing occur only when members of the law enforcing agencies come under attack, Sahara said.
The home minister said the government would identify the funding sources of the militant outfits and would take tough action against the militancy. Responding to a query whether it would be possible to curb militancy during Awami League governments tenure, Sahara said it would not be possible to curb militancy within any fixed timeframe.
"It depends how many times our brave RAB boys have to defend themselves in the upazailas. At 3 am."
Posted by: Steve White ||
05/17/2009 01:29 ||
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CID police on Saturday arrested two former chiefs of the National Security Intelligence (NSI) for their alleged involvement in a arms haul suspected linked to Indian separatist United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), official sources said.(BSS, Dhaka)
"We have arrested (retired) major general Rezzakul Haidar Chowdhury and (retd) brigadier general Abdur Rahim for their involvement in the country's biggest arms haul at Chitagong in 2004," a top official of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) police told BSS. "The two former generals were arrested from their Dhanmondi and Baridhara new DOHS residences respectively in the early hours of today following the confessional statement of retired wing commander and former director of NSI Shahbuddin."
Are we sure they weren't actually agents of the ISI? Everyone else seems to be these days.
A senior official of the CID told BSS that a strong contingent of CID police led by ASP Ismail Hossain, a former Investigation Officer (IO) of the case, cordoned off the residence of major general Rezzakul Haider Chowdhury at Dhanmondi residential area after midnight of Friday. While Mohammad Moniruzzaman, another ASP of CID currently the IO of the case, cordoned off the 6/c Baridhara new DOHS residence of brigadier Rahim almost at the same time.
Both the officers arrested the former generals within two to three hours and finally brought to the CID headquarters at Malibagh at about 4 am. They were taken to two separate rooms located on the third floor of the CID building and interrogated them thoroughly. Special security measures were taken to the CID headquarters despite holiday.
After the initial interrogation, both the generals were sent to Chittagong under heavy police guard, the scene of the weapon haul where security forces had seized 10 trucks of weapons, believed to be destined to ULFA hideouts in north-eastern India five years ago.
Five years? Isn't that an awfully long transit time?
Rahim was the NSI chief during the seizure of the weapons while Haidar succeeded him as both served as the top boss of the main intelligence agency during the past BNP-led four-party rule. The name of both the generals were mentioned as the 'mastermind' of the country's biggest arms haul in the confessional statements of Shahabuddin Ahmed.
Chowdhury, however, was removed and sent to forced retirement after the proclamation of the state of emergency on January 11, 2007.
Police sources said, the arrested NSI officials allegedly played a key role alongside some police officials in the planned transportation of the weapons from the port city to Assam but the case was shelved for years after the apparently "accidental" seizure of the weapons. The past government of chief adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed ordered a reinvestigation last year amid allegations that there was a deliberate attempt on the part of the then BNP administration to suppress facts to weaken it.
Oh. The arms were seized five years ago, but the the two generals were just re-arrested... I think.
The 10 truck loads of weapons included over 27,000 grenades, 150 rocket launchers, over 11 lakh ammunitions and 1,100 sub machine guns were unloaded at a government jetty on April 2004 but seized by security agencies despite the alleged involvement of several police and intelligence officials in the smuggling bid.
Investigators earlier said two other major accused indicated involvement of political bigwigs in the weapon deal five years after the seizure as they so far questioned 26 navy officials, who were serving at that time in Coastguard on deputation along with several other witnesses.
"We have got the leads from confessional statements (of the suspects) that the weapon consignment was meant for ULFA," public prosecutor Kamal Uddin told newsmen earlier this year. The ULFA reportedly had planned to smuggle in the weapons using the Bangladesh territory earlier at a Bangkok Hotel.
The long-awaited Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) report into the suicide bombings which left 52 people dead and hundreds injured in July 2005 will effectively clear MI5 and the police of failing to prevent the attacks. Sources have revealed that the report, to be published on Tuesday, will state that no new intelligence has emerged since the publication of the first report in May 2006.
ISC report is said to be the most detailed ever compiled by the committee and will contain accounts of the tactics used by MI5 and the police during the monitoring of suspected terrorists.
The document will also reveal that MI5 monitored meetings in early 2004 between Mohammed Siddique Khan and Shehzad Tanweer, who planned the 7/7 attacks, and Omar Khyam, the ring leader of a plot to blow up shopping centres and nightclubs. Details of their conversations will appear in the report but sources have said that there was no intelligence to suggest that the London bombings were being planned at that time.
The ISC document will show that MI5 knew that Siddique Khan and Tanweer were planing to travel to Pakistan to take part in Jihad, or holy war, in either Kashmir or Afghanistan, and that the two men were also involved in fraud to fund their activities. But, crucially, the report will show that at no time did MI5 obtain any intelligence that the 7/7 ring leaders were planning the attacks.
An intelligence source said: "MI5 had to put its resources into those suspects who represented a threat to life. It was known that Khyam was planning to carry out bomb attacks. That was not the case with Tanweer and Siddique Khan. Difficult decisions had to be made and those two men, although of interest, were not a prime threat. They were just two of many associates of Khan, and neither MI5 or the police had the capability to monitor them all."
The report's findings are unlikely to satisfy the survivors and family of those who died, especially if key questions remain unanswered. The investigation into the bombings cost £100 million, the biggest inquiry in modern times, yet it failed to yield a single conviction.
The police and MI5 have conceded that it is now unlikely that anyone will be brought to justice for the attacks even though intelligence officials believe that 20 people were involved in the attacks. Last month the only three men to be charged in connection with the suicide bombings were acquitted.
A teenager has revealed how he was recruited by Al-Qaeda-inspired extremists and groomed to carry out suicide attacks in Britain. In the first insider account of how radicals are preying on vulnerable Muslim youths, the teenager describes being approached by Islamists at a mosque in south London that was used by the failed 21/7 bombers, and indoctrinated at a secret network of squats. Aged 15, he was the youngest of about 50 recruits who were shown martyrdom videos and encouraged to travel to Pakistan to receive terrorist training.
The youth, who is called Adam, told The Sunday Times: They showed us a jihadist video with the martyrdom flags behind the guy speaking, and the message I got was that I should prepare myself for martyrdom. I know a few of the others accepted that they would go [for training in Pakistan]. Some of the young people said, Im going to go. That was the ultimate purpose of what these men were doing: what they were doing was training people up to carry out operations in the UK.
Adam, who is now 18, quit the group after a year. The whereabouts of most of the other recruits is unknown. It was quite shocking to me, he said. I started to think, Well, hold on a second, I dont want to kill anybody. Yeah, Ive got anger inside me, but this isnt the right way to deal with this. Adam, whose real name is being withheld to protect his safety, is now enrolled in a rehabilitation programme for would-be terrorists. The scheme is a blueprint for a nationwide detoxification programme backed by the Home Office and police chiefs to which 200 people some as young 13 have been referred.
When Adam fell under the spell of extremists at the Stockwell mosque in Lambeth in 2005, he was floundering at school, had few friends and was desperately in need of some direction. He was the eldest of seven children whose Algerian father had died when he was just eight, and his new friends talk of Muslim brotherhood seemed to offer the stability he craved. A lot of people think that terrorists are recruited in special recruiting grounds, but the truth is that it actually goes on in mosques a lot of the time, said the gangly south London teenager. Youll go to pray and therell be small groups of people just away from the main group in the mosque having their own discussion, talking about jihad and all these types of things. They started talking to me about whats going on in Iraq and about how all the people are dying and then they started inviting me to religious talks.
The Stockwell mosque had previously been attended by Muktar Ibrahim and Hussain Osman, two of the four men who failed in their attempt to carry out suicide bombings on Londons transport network on July 21, 2005 two weeks after the 7/7 attacks which killed 52 commuters. Adams new mentors were Mohammed Hamid, a preacher with links to the 21/7 bombers who called himself Osama Bin London, and Atilla Ahmet, a former aide to Abu Hamza, the hook-handed cleric of Finsbury Park mosque in north London.
A month after Adam was approached at the mosque, he was invited to the first of many meetings at a rundown squat in south London. It was here and in similar buildings that the real process of indoctrination went on, with exposure to violent videos, including footage of beheadings. They would show us videos of people bragging about 7/7 and 9/11 and they made it clear that they approved of it, said Adam, who was one of two 15-year-old recruits, the youngest out of a group of 15-20 men. They werent as blunt as to say, Yes, we did this or We did that. They were more aware than anyone that theres a chance that someone in that room could be recording them.
Adam was told that more advanced recruits had been sent on training exercises to the Lake District and the New Forest in Hampshire, as well as paintballing sessions in the home counties. At Ibrahims trial it emerged that several of these training camps were the subject of police surveillance.
Adam said Ahmet and Hamid, who helped to radicalise some of the 21/7 bombers at his east London home, often distorted quotes from the Koran to back their arguments. For example, the Koran says killing innocents is one of the biggest sins, but they would say that the innocents were just collateral damage and it was therefore okay, said Adam. Unlike Ibrahim, Adam never travelled to Pakistan. Hamid and Ahmet were arrested in a south London restaurant in September 2006 with seven other followers. The pair were jailed for terrorism offences last year.
Adam and about 45 other young men are now being rehabilitated through a training programme run by an education centre attached to Stockwell mosque. Designed and run by Toaha Qureshi, a mosque trustee, the programmes intensive courses combine religious and social mentoring with sports activities and business training. One former would-be suicide bomber has recently set up his own car-washing business with the Stockwell centres help. We have another young man who has been with us for almost nine months, said Qureshi. He spent time in prison on terrorism charges, but now works here, as well as completing his foundation course in business. We are working here to protect the community by re-engaging these young men into productive activity.
In 2003, when Qureshi first complained about extremists inciting racial and religious hatred at Stockwell mosque, police took little action. Now the authorities are showing a keen interest in the success of his detox programme. Indeed, it is virtually a blueprint for a controversial national rehabilitation scheme called the Channel Project. Set up by the Home Office in 2007 with pilot schemes in Lambeth and Lancashire, the project has since been expanded to 11 sites across the UK, and there are plans for a further 15.
More than 200 people including two 13-year-olds and some individuals as old as 50 have been identified as vulnerable to radicalisation and offered support via the Channel Project. The programme relies on teachers, parents and other community figures to be vigilant for signs indicating an attraction to extremist views. Commander Craig Denholm, the police officer responsible for overseeing Channel, denied that it amounted to spying on the Muslim community.
Reflecting on his indoctrination and the prospect of becoming a suicide bomber, Adam admitted last week: I feel very grateful that I didnt go down that road. Now I want an office job.
The Telegraph has a story about the Channel Project here.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says she hopes the June trial date set for two American journalists held by North Korea is a sign they may soon be released.
Our clueless SoS weighs in ...
The two young women journalists have been detained since mid-March. The Obama administration has been pursuing quiet diplomacy on behalf of the two journalists and Clinton says the fact a trial date has been set may be a sign that a process leading to their release is underway.
It seems to me this isn't the kind of thing North Korea would have a pre-existing process for. It's not like the Americans planning out the invasion of Canada... or North Korea.
American reporters Euna Lee and Laura Ling were arrested along the border between North Korea and China March 17 as they were working on a story about North Korean refugees in China for a San Francisco-based U.S. broadcaster. North Korean media reports have said they are accused of so-called hostile acts and illegally entering the country, and Pyongyang announced Thursday they would stand trial June 4.
At a press appearance with Malaysia's foreign minister, Clinton cast the announcement as, potentially, good news. "Actually the trial date being set we view as a welcome time frame," said Hillary Clinton. "We believe that the charges are baseless and should not have been brought, and that these two young women should be released immediately. But the fact that they are going to have some process we believe is a signal that there can be, and I hope will be, a resolution as soon as possible."
Process = a show trial. Boggle.
Clinton's comment came just a few days after Iran released an Iranian-American journalist it had held for three months. Roxana Saberi had been convicted of spy charges and sentenced to eight years in prison, but an Iranian appeals court suspended the sentence and she was freed.
Iran is a good deal saner than North Korea.
The Secretary of State also sounded a conciliatory note on the issue of North Korea's nuclear program, saying the door is open to Pyongyang's return to Chinese-sponsored six-party negotiations which North Korea quit last month after United Nations criticism of its long-range missile firing.
Sure, it's okay that you're going to stage a show trial for two of our citizens that you pinched at the border. More importantly, how much oil and food can we give you so that you may con us again?
However Clinton said North Korea should not expect better terms in the negotiations. "The ball is in the North Korean court," she said. "And we are not concerned about chasing after North Korea, about offering concessions to North Korea. They know what their obligations are. They know what the process is, and we are all urging that they return and begin once again to act with us to move the agenda forward."
If that's the case, why the public announcement?
Clinton said a recent mission to the region by U.S. envoy on North Korea Stephen Bosworth showed that other parties to the talks -- Japan, South Korea, Russia and host China -- agree with Washington on a patient approach toward Pyongyang.
Posted by: Steve White ||
05/17/2009 00:00 ||
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Posted by: john frum ||
05/17/2009 9:39 Comments ||
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I have to take issue that that cartoon, John.
Their real thoughts would involve a burkha and a beheading sword.... >:-(
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
05/17/2009 9:44 Comments ||
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I tll you what, Hillary, If you're so damn upset, you're a lawyer, go amd defend them yourself.
Or STFU.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
05/17/2009 12:00 Comments ||
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Well, as it appears that we gave Iran back four of its operatives captured in Iraq in exchange for the NPR reporter, I'm sure NorKor is smacking its lips at what it can get for a "two-fer"....
#6
Uncle Phester, got a source other than Debka for that?
Posted by: ed ||
05/17/2009 13:43 Comments ||
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Just have to pay their bail is all.
Posted by: Abu Uluque ||
05/17/2009 16:04 Comments ||
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I say keep em, that should be a shining example to the other paster eaters that North Korea is NOT a nice country and we should act accordingly. They were probably hoping to talk to some genuine commies that think just like they do. Unfornately they found some.
A Buddhist monk believes a suspected arson at a temple in Scarborough is related to the ongoing conflict in Sri Lanka. The fire sent three monks running for safety from the building on Kingston Rd. just south of Military Trail Rd., at about 4:30 a.m. after its east emergency entrance was found burning. Police and the Ontario Fire Marshal's Office are investigating.
Nalaka, a resident monk, said he believes the incident is connected to the war in Sri Lanka. He also said the monks have been threatened in the last week. The incident has caused upset across Toronto's Sinhalese community.
Fire investigator James Gillespie estimates damage at $20-30,000. Police are looking at two bottles found near the door which may have been filled with accelerant, he said.
Members of the Sinhalese Buddhist community gathered outside the temple this afternoon said they had no doubts about who was responsible: Canadian Tamil Tigers supporters. Bundula Jayasekara, Sri Lanka's Consul General in Toronto, said the Sinhalese Sri-Lankan residents in Toronto have been threatened for years.
"There is a Mafia," Jaysekara said, speaking of some Toronto Tamils who he said support the Tigers. "People don't feel safe here and this is a G8 country."
Bundara Seneviratne, vice president of the Toronto Buddhist Centre, said the temple has received threatening phone calls for weeks. A note posted to a door about two weeks ago referred to the ongoing Tamil protest downtown.
"I suspect this may be the beginning of some worse things," he said.
Senthan Nada, a spokesperson for the Coalition to Stop the War in Sri Lanka, said today Canadian Tamils do support the Tamil Tigers because they represent the "aspirations of the Tamil people." But Nada stressed local Tamils have been interested solely in peaceful protests and trying to engage Canadian politicians, not in violence.
"It's a police inquiry," he said, adding that any accusations Tamils are responsible for setting the fire would be "false allegations." Nada said: "This is not something the community is interested in doing."
But at the fire scene, Kumar Gunasekera, 32, said members of Toronto's Tamil community have been indoctrinated by the Tamil Tigers.
"They're calling Prabakharn their leader," he said, referring to the leader of the Tamil Tigers, a wanted terrorist.
The fire comes less than a week after the main Buddhist temple of the Sri Lankan Buddhist community in France was attacked on May 10. Extensive damage was caused during the incident. The Asian Tribune is reporting monks and community leaders believe it was organized by the international network of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.
There are more than 1,900 registered madrassas for girls in Pakistan. And the female madrassas are expanding at a dramatic rate, educating almost a quarter of a million girls and providing more than half of the candidates taking the graduate-level examinations every year.
The madrassas are experiencing a boom thanks to the failures of the public education system and an increasing appetite in the lower middle class for traditional Islamic values.
The boom in female madrassas has led to the funding of a project to examine their impact. An Oxford academic, Dr Masooda Bano, has received more than £400,000 from the Economic and Social Research Council to study their appeal and their students.
According to the latest statistics, nearly 236,000 girls are studying in the madrassas. The girls exceed males in academic achievement so that a greater number register for graduate examination. They also have a higher pass rate.
The madrassas charge fees. The number of unregistered madrassas could be much higher. Bano said, Parents who send their daughters to madrassas are lower middle class. The girls who enter are aged between 16 and 20. Most say it was their choice. There is an emergence of a very conservative value system. Madrassas promote traditional roles for women and students feel confident about their position in society. You cannot associate this phenomena with poverty.
She says the madrassas give women economic and social opportunities.
As part of her research, she will explore the links between the growth of female madrassas and religious militancy. Part of her work will focus on Jamia Hafsa, attached to the Red Mosque in Islamabad. daily times monitor
Posted by: ed ||
05/17/2009 10:41 ||
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Is this true knowledge, or will we be facing a swarm of female boomers?
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
05/17/2009 16:23 Comments ||
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LAHORE - Editor-in-Chief The Nation and Chairman Nazria Pakistan Trust, Majid Nizami, has said we cannot claim even after 62 years that Pakistan is a happy and prosperous state in the wake of ongoing military operation in Swat, Dir and Bonair.
He was addressing a concluding session of two-day Quaid-e-Azam Youth Conference on Saturday. He said that some 1.5 million people had migrated after the Pak army started shelling their houses. Apparently the army is chasing Taliban but it would have been better to convince them to fight in Kashmir if they are Mujahideen, he added.
Majid Nizami said that he had asked the prime minister in the recent meeting of editors with the former to invite Taliban or Mujahideen and ask them to go to Held Kashmir for jehad. But he found no answer in the meeting as the leaders avoided saying anything on Held Kashmir, perhaps restrained by America from doing the same, he added.
Nizami further said that generation of his age created Pakistan as he himself took part in the Pakistan Movement but the subsequent generations let the country tear into two pieces. The situation in Balochistan and NWFP is not satisfactory, he said, and asked the nation to pray for the prosperity of Pakistan.
Chief Justice (r) Federal Shariat Court Justice Mian Mahboob Ahmad who presided over the first and third session, said the Quaid was a great leader of Islam and if he would have lived more he would have united the Muslim world.
Posted by: john frum ||
05/17/2009 08:53 ||
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Editor-in-Chief The Nation and Chairman Nazria Pakistan Trust,
Besides their newspapers, magazines and TV, the trust also runs schools.
Posted by: john frum ||
05/17/2009 10:22 Comments ||
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I think we have been shown the center of the infection (that should be removed)
LAHORE: The Turkish Ambassador in Pakistan Rauf Engin Soysal called on Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif at his Raiwind residence on Saturday.
Still trying to act important ...
The ambassador discussed the current international situation and problems being faced by the Muslim Ummah. He conveyed the best wishes of the government and people of Turkey. Nawaz said Turkish President Abdullah Gul had earlier telephoned him and expressed his affection for the people of Pakistan. Honourary Concul General of Turkey Tajamal Hussain accompanied the ambassador.
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05/17/2009 00:00 ||
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LAHORE: The United States is sending special forces teams to Balochistan as part of a push to accelerate training of the Pakistani military and enhance its counterinsurgency capabilities, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday.
Looks like General Kayani didn't get the memo ...
Senior US officials told WSJ that 25 to 50 special forces personnel were deploying to two new training camps in Balochistan. The US personnel will focus on training Pakistan's Frontier Corps, the officials told the journal. But the trainers would not be taking part in active operations with Pakistani forces.
So they'll have plenty of free time to explore the beauties of the countryside?
The paper said a senior US military officer hoped that Islamabad would gradually allow the US to expand its training footprint inside Pakistan's borders, while another former US official familiar with the plans said the deployments would "get more American eyes and ears" into the strategically important region.
The project, which draws on proposals first discussed under the Bush administration, is a joint effort with the United Kingdom, senior US officials were quoted by the paper. The UK plans to help fund the training, but it was unclear if British military personnel would directly assist in the training.
Posted by: Steve White ||
05/17/2009 00:00 ||
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army has developed a full range of counter-insurgency training facilities tailored to train troops for low-intensity conflicts, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Kayani said on Saturday.
Never occurred to you to have any counter-insurgency troops before, did it Your Immensity?
Therefore, except for very specialised weapons and equipment and [advanced] technology, no generalised foreign training is required, he said. The army chief said Pakistan Army was fully capable of handling any situation and that outside advice or comments would be counter-productive.
So take a hike, you ebil furriners! You and your ebil drones, too!
He said strategic decisions regarding where, when and how many troops are deployed in each operation or sector was always a Pakistani decision based on objective analysis and our full understanding of threat spectrum.
"We're perfectly capable of losing our country without foreign influence!"
Posted by: Steve White ||
05/17/2009 00:00 ||
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will retain its nuclear deterrence at all costs and the government will not compromise on Pakistans security interests, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said in a statement on Saturday.
We are determined to retain nuclear deterrence at all costs... No amount of coercion, direct or indirect, will ever force Pakistan to compromise on its core security interest, he said.
"And they'll be safe, too, just ask the jinns."
He rejected reports in the international media regarding concerns over the safety of Pakistans nuclear weapons.
"Pshaw. Who are you going to believe, a bunch of filthy infidel reporters or me?"
Posted by: Steve White ||
05/17/2009 00:00 ||
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Pakistan on Saturday termed as 'mere fiction' an American TV report that the U.S has a plan to infiltrate Pakistan and take out its nuclear warheads.
Ev'ryone knows the nukes are safe in Pakistain. They have special jinns for that sort of thing, you know.
Plus the Special Ops Efreets in the unlikely event the jinns call for backup.
Fox News reported that U.S. Joint Special Operations Command which has units now in Afghanistan will take action to secure Pakistan nuclear arsenal if it is about to fall under the control of the Taliban, al-Qaeda or other Islamic extremists.
The Foreign Office spokesman said that Pakistan's multi-tiered and robust command and control structure is operational. "We are also fully capable of safeguarding our nuclear assets against any kind of threat," he said in a statement.
There, there. Of course you are, FO Spokesman dear. Now drink up all your warm milk like a good boy, and you can play with your toys for a little while before bedtime.
I really miss Sherry Rehman ...
"This is a sensitive matter which should not be subject to conjectures or miscalculations, reflecting wishful thinking of some self-styled experts on Pakistan's nuclear capabilities," the Spokesman added.
But if you have a temper tantrum you will go to bed Right Now. Your choice, my dear.
#1
i like how they always want too guard their nuclear secrets but AQ Khan sold them too the highest bidder all over the world, not too mention if yall have did it do you think we haven't thought it up too?
The MSM party line is that Bibi is going to Washington to 'bridge differences'. Pah. He's going to let Bambi know that he won't be pushed around, and that he, not Bambi, will decide when the Iranians get taken out.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is unlikely to state support for the establishment of a Palestinian state when he meets with U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House Sunday, an aide to the prime minister said. However, in a bid to soften edgy relations with Washington, Netanyahu will propose that joint teams draft a new road map for the Palestinian peace process and a new strategy on Iran.
At the meeting with Obama, Netanyahu intends to emphasize his intention to resume the peace talks with the Palestinians soon, but with the participation of the moderate Arab states. Establishing diplomatic relations between Israel and the moderate Arab states could significantly advance the peace process with the Palestinians, he will say.
Obama is expected to support this concept, but will ask Netanyahu to start out with a gesture toward the Palestinians and to halt all construction in the West Bank settlements. Obama will also ask Netanyahu to declare Israel's support for the "two state for two people's" principle.
A senior Jerusalem source said Saturday that the visit was intended to present only preliminary positions. "At the next stage the teams will try to reduce the differences between the sides and examine ways of advancing the peace process and strategic matters," the source said.
Netanyahu's aides said the preparation talks before the meeting were effective and no conflict was expected at the dialogue with Obama.
President Shimon Peres spoke to Netanyahu a few times last week and impressed on him the importance of avoiding an overt confrontation with Obama at any cost. This could have disastrous implications on Israel's national security, Peres said.
I dunno, the pattern already is that one does better as Obama's adversary than friend ...
Netanyahu will ask Obama to tighten the coordination between the two administrations in defense and state affairs, and to set up communication channels and joint work teams on the Iranian and Palestinian issues, a source in the prime minister's bureau said.
Contrary to Netanyahu's aide, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Saturday that the prime minister was ready to declare his support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "I believe Netanyahu is ready for a process whose end is two states for two peoples," Barak, who is also chairman of the Labor party, told Channel 2 shortly before Netanyahu left for Washington. "Even Netanyahu understands that the ultimate end of the process is two peoples living side by side in peace and security," he said.
But since Hamas will never let that happen there's no point in going any further.
However, an aide of the prime minister's said Netanyahu is unlikely to display flexibility on the "two states for two nations" principle. He will tell Obama that any agreement would oblige the Palestinians to recognize Israel as a Jewish nation-state.
Which Hamas has already said it will never do; all they'll grant, begrudgingly, is a hudna. Hamas will never extend diplomatic recognition of a Jewish nation-state.
Netanyahu is expected to tell the American president that he objects to halting construction in the settlements completely, but is willing to take steps to dismantle the illegal outposts, an aide said.
Which will be as effective as past efforts ...
He will tell Obama that the outposts are a legal matter which Barak has been negotiating with the settlers, in order to reach an agreement.
Netanyahu will also tell Obama that without dealing with Iran it would be difficult to advance the peace process with the Palestinians. He will ask Obama to coordinate the American-Iranian dialogue with Israel, and stress the importance of acting firmly against Iran should this dialogue fail.
Ahead of Netanyahu's trip, meanwhile, senior Obama administration officials said in a press briefing Saturday that Middle East peace agreements were in U.S. national interests. They also noted that Obama and Netanyahu would discuss the issue of West Bank settlement building.
"The meeting on Monday is a continuation of a very close relationship between the U.S. and Israel - very close friendship and cooperation on many issues," said one official. "This is [the president's] first opportunity to take the next step to deepen and expand this cooperation. And I'm quite sure it will be the first of many such conversations."
Posted by: Steve White ||
05/17/2009 00:00 ||
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#1
"the pattern already is that one does better as Obama's adversary than friend"
Posted by: Frank G ||
05/17/2009 8:33 Comments ||
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#4
Bambi may unfortunately be the POTUS (or, in his case, pout-us) right now, but nothing he's done so far remotely resembles America or regular Americans' goals or desires. >:-(
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
05/17/2009 9:24 Comments ||
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#5
WTOP (the leading news/weather/traffic radio station in DC) reported joyfully all day yesterday that Bibi was arriving with a two-state declaration in his suitcase. Already signed and notarized by him, with the keys to Jerusalem in a ceremonial case. And another ceremonial case for Syria with a very fine pair of binoculars.
IOW, the media was preparing its battlespace to set Netanyahu up for abject failure.
#6
Netanyahu and Lieberman are nuts. Obama is right to attempt to reign them in- one thing is for sure, the Israeli government is not bluffing about any of its intentions. Within the year Israel will bomb Iran- the theocracy there will respond by attacking US military bases in Iraq. The Shite population will rise up against US forces enmasse in southern Basra. Iranian-terrorist cells in the mainland US will attack soft targets in response- then the White House will be pulled into a major geopolitical conflict..... the US will then, at great cost, wipe Tehran off the map. Unfortunately- I believe this scenario will prove likely inevitable.
#7
"Netanyahu and Lieberman are nuts smarter than Bambi by a lot more than half."
Fixed that for ya', bg.
"Within the year Israel will bomb Iran"
Do you really think it will take that long?
As for "attempt[ing] to reign rein them in" - what right does Bambi have to do that? Israel is a sovereign nation. Bambi wants to rein somebody in, he can start with himself and his cronies.
(You'll notice I'm not holding my breath....)
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
05/17/2009 20:26 Comments ||
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#8
wow, bgrebel!I see a non-selling book deal in your future. Better get hard working on that! No time to comment on websites, ya know?
Posted by: Frank G ||
05/17/2009 20:38 Comments ||
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Useful background article on recent Israeli settlement efforts. They continue to create 'facts on the ground' in their effort to ring Jerusalem and nearby areas with settlements that simply will not be dismantled on the day that a 'two-state' solution is signed, assuming that ever happens. Doesn't look like the Israelis have any intention of giving up East Jerusalem. And Obama won't budge them.
Figures released recently by the Central Bureau of Statistics cast doubt on government officials' claims of housing shortages for young couples living in West Bank settlements - the central argument Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intends to present to U.S. President Barack Obama against freezing settlement construction.
Figures for 2006-07 reveal that the housing shortage in settlements stems largely from "migration" from Israel proper to communities beyond the Green Line, as well as the addition of new immigrants from abroad.
What about transferrees from the Gaza Strip? You know, the ones who were evicted when Israel made Gaza Judenrein?
The data show that in 2007, natural growth accounted for 63 percent of settlement population growth, whereas internal migration accounted for 37 percent. The previous year, they show an addition of roughly 5,600 residents (which accounted for those who arrived minus those who had left) across West Bank settlements. For every 10 residents leaving settlements that year, 15 others arrived.
President Shimon Peres told Obama in their meeting earlier this month that "It is unacceptable that children born in Judea and Samaria will not have a place to live. We can't put them on the roofs." Similar remarks were made to U.S. Mideast envoy George Mitchell when he headed the fact-finding commission examining the causes for the outburst of the Second Intifada. In the report he submitted to then-president George W. Bush in 2001, Mitchell rejected Jerusalem's assertion that Jewish construction in the West Bank was aimed merely at housing natural population growth.
Instead, the commission largely accepted the Palestinian claim that there is no difference between the creation of new settlements and expanding existing ones, and determined that Israel should cease all building in the settlements, even that intended for what Israeli officials described as "natural growth."
That demand was contained in the Road Map, an outgrowth of the Mitchell Report, presented to Israel in 2003. A letter sent from Dov Weisglass, then-prime minister Ariel Sharon's diplomatic adviser, to Bush that same year includes an explicit commitment to freezing settlement building, particularly in those outside the "settlement blocs" or east of the separation fence.
U.S. diplomats said their government rejected the argument that Israel must allow every young couple raised in the settlements to find suitable housing in the West Bank.
The diplomats said they had obtained a copy of a classified Defense Ministry report compiled by IDF Brig. Gen. (Res.) Baruch Spiegel attesting that unauthorized building had occurred at about 75 percent of settlements, and that significant infrastructure projects had been initiated at more than 30 of them - including roads, schools, synagogues, yeshivas and even police stations - on privately-owned Palestinian land.
At a press conference last week, the chair of the Yesha council of West Bank settlements, Danny Dayan, and council secretary Pinhas Wallerstein said every year a "quiet eviction" was taking place in the West Bank of young couples raised in settlements who were unable to find housing there. They said 1,600 young couples of the 2,100 who marry annually are forced to find accommodations outside of the communities in which they grew up. Dayan and Wallerstein called on Netanyahu to change construction policy to allow such young people to erect homes in close proximity to those of their parents.
Most legal analysts around the world, including U.S. State Department jurists, view the construction of settlements in the West Bank as a violation of international law relating to war and conquered territories. The Fourth Geneva Convention prohibits states from moving their own citizens into conquered land.
A response from Peace Now to the remarks made by the Yesha council officials, said the "bluff of natural growth is just one of the tricks the government is using to keep it from fulfilling its obligation to freeze settlement building. It is a shame that the president is perpetuating that lie."
Posted by: Steve White ||
05/17/2009 00:00 ||
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China criticized the London Times article that said the Hambatota harbour which China is helping Sri Lanka to build as a refueling and docking station for Chinas navy as distortion of facts.
China categorically called the Hambantota Port project as normal commercial activity despite how it is described by Londons Murdoch owned newspaper.
Any attempt to distort the facts would be invalid, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu in a statement issued in Beijing. He was commenting on a report by the Times of London, which said in report published on May 2 that China was building a port in south Sri Lanka as a refueling and docking station for its navy. Well, we had tons of chances to help Sri Lanka, but all the West was interested in was harping on human rights and sending money to the Tamil Tigers. Can't blame the Lankans for inviting in the Chinese. The base will be a part of their "string of pearls" across the Indian Ocean to protect their supply lines from the Persian Gulf and Suez Canal.
The spokesman said Chinas relationship with Sri Lanka is based on the five principles of peaceful co-existence.
He described establishing social stability , economic development and national reconciliation as fundamental Sri Lankan aspirations. The Chinese will pay good money for their naval base, and the Sri Lankans will be happy to build it for them. It looks like the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Hambantota Port project is a major development scheme started by the present government with the target of improving the island nations shiping, transshipping , ship building that would simultaneously beef up trade facilities also at Colombo.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
05/17/2009 12:06 Comments ||
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China categorically called the Hambantota Port project as normal commercial activity despite how it is described by Londons Murdoch owned newspaper.
Of course, another name for this would be a "Lilly Pad". Sail in a couple of logistic ships, or sub tenders, and presto- a forward naval base.
I'm starting to realy dislike these short-sighted human rights twits.
Posted by: N guard ||
05/17/2009 15:42 Comments ||
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#3
IIRC CHINESE MILITARY FORUM > HUI MOSLEMS PROTEST CHIN/PLAN NAVAL BASE [on HAINAN ISLAND vee perceived Chin = PLA/PLAN desecration of an ancient Muslim cemetery'.
* ION SAME > PRC'S STATE SUPPORT [despotic] OF HAN-TURKIC MARRIAGES > Artic alleges that BEIJING severely punishes any Turkic = non-Han/Chin local woman whom seek divorce from their Han-Chin mates, or whom refuse to have children, etc. in order to promote and ensure pro-HAN/CHIN socio-ethnic domination and control over ethnic minorities???
* WORLD MIL FORUM > CHINA MUST USE ANY MEANS NECESSARY, INCLUDING WAR = MIL FORCE, TO ENSURE ACCESS INTO THE WESTERN PACIFIC, espec vee the SOUTH CHINA SEAS OCEAN CORRIDORS. US IMPERIALIST STRATEGY, besides for the [Islamist-MilTerr]BREAKUP OF CHINA AND MAINLAND ASIA, IS TO KEEP CHINA'S PLA MIL OPERATIONALLY CONTAINED OR LIMITED TO ITS "FIRST ISLAND CHAIN" [Arc of Japan-Philippines-Taiwan, etc] AND UNABLE TO CHALLENGE US DOMINATION.
#4
PAKISTANI DEFENCE FORUMS > seems INDIA has successfully test-fired its SUB-LAUNCHED BALLISTIC MISSLE, and now plans to test-fire its new AGNI II LAND-BASED IRBM.
RUSS wants access to MONGOLIA, CHIN wants access to NORTH KOREA, and INDIA wants INDONESIA > everybody loves SE ASIA = SOUTH CHINA SEA/SOPAC this Monday??? VIETNAM + PAKISTAN want to extend maritime sovereignty to their offshore geologic CONTINENTAL SHELFS > PAKIS is repor willing to allow AFGHANISTAN use of its new GWADAR PORT in exchange for CARRS rights ala proposed new regio transit trade route.
A strike on Iran would be 'insane,' Mohamed ElBaradei, chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said in a German magazine interview released on Saturday. Tehran should engage with the United States and negotiate over its nuclear program, he said.
"It would be completely insane to attack Iran," ElBaradei said. "That would turn the region into one big fireball, and the Iranians would immediately start building the bomb - and they could count on the support of the entire Islamic world." "Well, support from me and the IAEA at least - that should count for something." Boy howdy, I guess that means the Iranians aren't working on a bomb now. Who knew?
US President Barack Obama is actively seeking to engage Iran on a series of issues, from its nuclear program to Afghanistan.
"I advise my Iranian negotiating partners: grasp the hand that Obama is extending to you," ElBaradei told Der Spiegel . Asked what he meant exactly, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog added: "I think Freeze for Freeze is the next realistic step. The Iranians would install no more centrifuges, the West would forego further sanction measures. During this time, there would be intensive negotiations." "And the sprites on my personal staff will sprinkle happy dust."
The United Nations Security Council has imposed three rounds of sanctions on Iran for refusing to halt enrichment. Obama's administration has made clear that any overtures to Iran will be accompanied by ramped up sanctions if there is no cooperation.
#2
the Iranians would immediately start building the bomb
Kind of tough to do when your nuclear facilities, many of the nuclear scientists, and perhaps most of Qom are smoking radioactive craters.
Posted by: Rambler in Virginia ||
05/17/2009 1:19 Comments ||
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The icing on top of this cake-of-insanty is the fact that ElBaradei is in the position he is in. The rest I understand, even though it is irrational.
#5
Oooo, Rambler - that description just makes my heart go pitter-pat. :-D
From your keyboard to the Israelis' jets....
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
05/17/2009 9:20 Comments ||
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#6
Yes, it would be insane. And it would throw the region into an even bigger uproar than already exists. But is that worse than what you get with an Iran equipped with nukes? Note that not just the Israelis, but the Egyptians and Saudis are concerned about nuclear mullahs in Iran.
In the real world, your choices are not always between good and bad outcomes. More often, it is between worse and worser.
#7
"It would be completely insane to attack Iran," ElBaradei said.
Wonner wat he has to say about the endless drone and chant of the Mooslim world for the.... attack and destruction of the State of Israel? Is that an "insane" concept as well?
#8
No, Besoeker, because that is just calling for killing Juices and Juicesses, which is ok these days.
Posted by: Rambler in Virginia ||
05/17/2009 15:37 Comments ||
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#9
ISRAELI MIL FORUM > ISRAEL: IRAN CLOSE TO DEVELOPING NUCLEAR ARMS. It has the capacity to do so, within one year or less, but is no quick/immediate rush to do so at this time.
The Lebanese Army said situation was back to normal in the Bekaa region after an explanation to the locals over the arrest of a former municipal official. A statement said once the locals were given the reasons for the arrest, they re-opened a motorway they had blocked in protest. The Lebanese authorities are constantly following leads and arresting people for involvement with Israel and taking the arrestees to court.
"Da Juice dunnit! Just like always! So put those bricks down, dammit!"
Former municipality chairman Ziad Humsi was arrested Saturday after a raid on his home by the Lebanese Army, causing the locals to block the international motorway connecting Beirut and Zahle with bricks and tents. Local media reported that the residents of the towns of Saad Nael and Talbaya fired shots into the air and went out in protest upon the news.
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.
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.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says she hopes the June trial date set for two American journalists held by North Korea is a sign they may soon be released. 
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army has developed a full range of counter-insurgency training facilities tailored to train troops for low-intensity conflicts, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Kayani said on Saturday.
Pakistan on Saturday termed as 'mere fiction' an American TV report that the U.S has a plan to infiltrate Pakistan and take out its nuclear warheads.
A strike on Iran would be 'insane,' Mohamed ElBaradei, chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said in a German magazine interview released on Saturday. Tehran should engage with the United States and negotiate over its nuclear program, he said.
