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Today: 64 articles and 262 comments as of 12:07.
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DOJ Review of Russia Probe Origins Is Now Criminal Investigation
Today's Headlines
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Page 4: Opinion
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Page 6: Politix
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Arabia
Yemeni government, South Transitional Council reach agreement
[ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] An agreement has been reached between the 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...
i government and the Southern Transitional Council, Asharq al-Awsat newspaper reported citing sources.

The pan-Arab newspaper said that the deal between the two Yemeni sides ‐ dubbed the Riyadh Agreement ‐ includes the establishment of a joint commission to be led by the Arab Coalition to enforce the treaty.

The agreement stipulates the creation of a government made up of 24 ministers to be shared between the north and south of Yemen.

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...
has hosted indirect talks between the Yemeni government and the STC to rebuild the coalition fighting against the Iran's Houthi sock puppets
...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 legitimate Yemeni government has accused the them of having ties to the Iranian government. Honest they did. 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 They like shooting off... ummm... missiles that they would have us believe they make at home in their basements. On the plus side, they did murder Ali Abdullah Saleh, which was the only way the country was ever going to be rid of him...
movement that expelled Hadi’s government from the capital Sanaa five years ago.
Posted by: Fred || 10/25/2019 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Saudi Arabia


Cyber
ISIS has begun using teenage app TikTok to post clips of victims being beheaded - sparking battle to delete the accounts
[Daily Mail, where America gets its news]
  • The Islamic State has taken to the popular short video app TikTok to spread their extremist agenda, it was revealed this week

  • Some of the videos depicted the grisly beheadings and murder of captives

  • The clips featured TikTok filters and lighthearted heart and peace sign stickers

  • The videos were reported this week and have since been removed by TikTok

  • Officials say the videos started to emerge as late as three weeks ago

  • Using TikTok was likely a strategic choice by ISIS militants as it's the third most installed app in the world

  • About 30 percent of the users are under the age of 18 and it is predominantly used to share dance and music videos
Posted by: trailing wife || 10/25/2019 00:18 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Islamic State


Europe
Denmark approves stripping IS fighters of citizenship
[DW] The bill was fast-tracked amid concerns imprisoned IS fighters may escape during a Ottoman Turkish offensive against Syrian Kurdish forces.

Denmark's parliament approved legislation on Thursday that allows people with dual citizenship who fought for the "Islamic State
...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that they were al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're really 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 western pols talk they're not really Moslems....
" (IS) group in Syria and Iraq to be stripped of their Danish nationality.

Lawmakers fast-tracked the bill amid concerns that IS fighters imprisoned by Syrian Kurdish forces could escape amid fighting with the Ottoman Turkish military and its proxy rebel force.

"There is a risk that the Kurdish-controlled IS camps in the border area will collapse, and that imported muscle with Danish citizenship will seek to return to Denmark," Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said last week. "These are people who have turned their backs on Denmark and fought with violence against our democracy and freedom. They pose a threat to our security."

The legislation allows the minister for immigration and integration to revoke the Danish citizenship of dual national IS fighters without a trial. Individuals stripped of their citizenship will have four weeks to appeal against the decision.

A majority of parties in parliament backed the bill after it was amended to include a "sunset clause," meaning it would expire in July 2021 unless parliament decided otherwise.

Syrian Kurds flee their homes, fearing Islamic krazed killers

INSTABILITY IN SYRIA
Around one-fifth of the 10,000 IS fighters imprisoned by Syrian Kurdish forces in northeast Syria are Europe
...the land mass occupying the space between the English Channel and the Urals, also known as Moslem Lebensraum...
an.

Danish authorities estimate at least 158 people from Denmark traveled to Iraq or Syria to join IS since 2012. About 27 are believed to still be in the conflict zone and 12 imprisoned. It is unclear how many are dual nationals.

Other European states have said they intend to strip dual nationals of citizenship despite the United States pressuring them to repatriate their citizens who joined IS.
Posted by: trailing wife || 10/25/2019 02:20 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Islamic State

#1  As always, the Danes are full of surprises.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 10/25/2019 3:37 Comments || Top||

#2  Oh, I'm going to enjoy roasting them for Islamophobia. They so easily fling epithets at others.
Posted by: Herb McCoy || 10/25/2019 3:51 Comments || Top||

#3  When you pledge yourselves to ISIS you voided any claim on citizenship to any other country. I know that concept is a bit too dense for many (particularly those in robes).
Posted by: Procopius2k || 10/25/2019 8:49 Comments || Top||

#4  Countries should just issue jihad passports and be done with it. Once you are out, you are O U T.
Posted by: M. Murcek || 10/25/2019 8:56 Comments || Top||

#5  Hold on there, Kemo Sabe:

A majority of parties in parliament backed the bill after it was amended to include a "sunset clause," meaning it would expire in July 2021 unless parliament decided otherwise.

So the jihadis just need to bide their time still they come back to Denmark and resume head-hacking. Nice.
Posted by: Lex || 10/25/2019 9:30 Comments || Top||

#6  Eurine thinking: Your bad deeds have a statute of limitation. Your travel documents are forever.
Posted by: M. Murcek || 10/25/2019 9:43 Comments || Top||

#7  Keep them the hell out of the U.S.
Posted by: JohnQC || 10/25/2019 13:02 Comments || Top||

#8  So the jihadis just need to bide their time still they come back to Denmark and resume head-hacking.

I read that as anyone they don’t strip of citizenship immediately probably will get to keep it, not that those stripped will get it back. So Al Nusra, et al members are safe.
Posted by: trailing wife || 10/25/2019 16:07 Comments || Top||


Germany to end anti-'Islamic State' mission in March
It seems fair — time for them to devote attention to problems closer to home, not to mention restocking bullets and a large variety of long-needed spare parts.
[DW] The German parliament on Thursday voted to end the Bundeswehr's anti-"Islamic State
...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that they were al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're really 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 western pols talk they're not really Moslems....
" (IS) mission in Syria and Iraq after March 31, 2020.

The Christian Democrats (CDU) and Social Democrats (SPD) have been in a tussle over extending the mission's mandate, with the SPD demanding the German military end its role in the international coalition.

The SPD has opposed extending the military mission, arguing that former Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen had promised parliament to terminate the anti-IS mandate.

The mandate was set to expire at the end of October and would normally have been extended by a year.

Germany has four Tornado reconnaissance jets, an AWAC aircraft and an in-flight refueling tanker based in Jordan carrying out missions as part of a US-led international coalition.

Lawmakers also voted to extend the Bundeswehr's military training mission in Iraq for one year.

The decision to end Germany's participation the anti-IS mission comes as Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer has suggested the creation of an international security zone in northeast Syria.

The United States has urged Germany to continue its participation in the anti-IS mission.
Posted by: trailing wife || 10/25/2019 02:20 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Islamic State


India-Pakistan
India accuses Pakistan of setting up ‘Kashmir cells’ in missions around the world
[HindustanTimes] The allegation, made by external affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar during a weekly news briefing, came against the backdrop of heightened tensions between the two sides over the Kashmir
...a disputed territory lying between India and Pakistain. After partition, the Paks grabbed half of it and call it Azad (Free) Kashmir. The remainder they refer to as "Indian Occupied Kashmir". They have fought four wars with India over it, the score currently 4-0 in New Delhi's favor. After 72 years of this nonsense, India cut the Gordian knot in 2019, removing the area's special status, breaking off Ladakh as a separate state, and allowing people from other areas to settle (or in the case of the Pandits, to resettle) there....
issue and reports of Pakistain’s involvement in organising anti-India protests in Western capitals.

India on Thursday accused Pakistain of setting up "Kashmir cells" in its missions around the world that posed the threat of radicalising people in other countries through "false propaganda".

The allegation, made by external affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar during a weekly news briefing, came against the backdrop of heightened tensions between the two sides over the Kashmir issue and reports of Pakistain’s involvement in organising anti-India protests in Western capitals.

Kumar also dismissed as "drama" Pakistain’s decision to take diplomats to areas along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir, where the Indian Army said it had recently targeted terrorist camps. "In the past too, Pakistain has done similar naked propaganda. When they take diplomats on such visits, they try to project a different type of reality," he said in response to questions.

Kumar further said: "We are all aware the government of Pakistain has set up Kashmir cells across all their missions in the world. The main objective of these cells is to incite the local population...The objective also is to radicalise them through false propaganda."

He added, "We hope countries where these Kashmir cells have been opened, they do realise that it is very dangerous for such cells which are openly inciting violence. (They) should be closed and all countries should take appropriate action against such cells operating from their soil."

Referring to the Indian Army’s recent actions, Kumar said it was public knowledge that there were terrorist launch pads near the LoC in Pakistain and Pakistain-Indian Kashmire that are used to infiltrate turbans into India.

"If Pakistain is serious and wants to project a positive image to the world, they should take diplomats and show them how terrorist infrastructure is being destroyed...and how credible, irreversible and verifiable action is being taken against this infrastructure instead of this drama," he said.

Kumar reiterated India’s position that comments by the leadership of Malaysia and The Sick Man of Europe Turkey
...Qatar's satrapy in Asia Minor...
on the Kashmir issue are "unacceptable" and "not factually accurate". He said Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s remarks on Tuesday defending his criticism of India’s handling of the Kashmir issue were "unacceptable and not in keeping with the facts".

Asked about reports that Indian importers had decided to stop buying palm oil from Malaysia, Kumar said a decision to "import any commodity is the prerogative of importing companies but at the same time they are not impervious to the state of affairs between any two countries".
Posted by: trailing wife || 10/25/2019 02:20 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistain Proxies

#1  Pakistan Malaysia Turkey article which is ok but not worth a post
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 10/25/2019 2:54 Comments || Top||


Minister says over 700 ‘terror financing’ cases are near completion
[DAWN] Just days after Pakistain escaped being blacklisted by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the government has disclosed that as part of the global watchdog’s action plan, more than 700 under-investigation suspected terror financing cases are near adjudication.

Addressing a news conference on Wednesday, Minis­ter for Economic Affairs Hammad Azhar, who was the chief negotiator on behalf of the country at the Gay Paree-based FATF last week, eulogised the success of his government in dealing with terror financing and money laundering issues. "We have initiated these terror financing cases in the last six months," he said, claiming that Islamabad’s efforts on that account were highly appreciated at the meeting. But the minister did not elaborate the number of cases nearing "conviction".

The FATF demand from Pakistain’s executive, according to Mr Azhar, is to investigate cases of terror financing and gather information. "Prosecution and conviction is the domain of the judiciary," he said, adding that he did not want to comment on it as the "judiciary is independent" in Pakistain. "The ball is now in the judiciary’s court," he said.

The minister, however, believed the government would improve its prosecution in the coming days.

He set June 2020 as an indicative target for compliance with all 27 actions plan to come out of the grey list. Pakistain will submit its report to the International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG) of the FATF in January 2020, which will include all actions being taken since September 2019.

The minister said that on average the countries placed on grey list took two and a half years to three years to come out of grey list.

Posted by: Fred || 10/25/2019 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan

#1  I don't know why the FATF bothers with this facade.

India should be shutting off their water supply from our rivers by Dec. We expect a lot of hot air from the UN over that. Watch them play the 'Paki children are thirsty during Christmas' gimmick then.
Posted by: Dron66046 || 10/25/2019 10:07 Comments || Top||

#2  Ministers need funding too let's take all their stuff.
Posted by: jpal || 10/25/2019 10:41 Comments || Top||


Maryam sent back to jail despite being unwell: PML-N spokesperson
[DAWN] PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz was sent back to Kot Lakhpat jail early on Thursday morning, hours after she was admitted to Services Hospital Lahore, said PML-N leaders.Condemning the move, PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb said that Maryam was sent back to the jail at 5am, adding that the PML-N vice president was unwell at the time when she was sent to Kot Lakhpat jail.

On Wednesday night, Maryam was admitted to the hospital after a meeting with her ailing father. According to a document, issued by the Services Hospital Lahore Accident and Emergency Services, Maryam was admitted at 10:03pm in VVIP II.

She met her father, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif
...served two three non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf, then by the courts...
, at the same hospital after 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....

government accepted her request in this respect. Nawaz was admitted to the hospital late on Monday night after his personal physician, Dr Adnan Khan, had raised an alarm about his critical condition in the National Accountability Bureau's (NAB) custody.



Posted by: Fred || 10/25/2019 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan


ATC acquits all suspects in Sahiwal encounter case
[DAWN] A special anti-terrorism court in Lahore on Thursday acquitted all suspects in the Sahiwal encounter case giving them the benefit of doubt.

The court announced the verdict after the suspects' lawyers completed a cross-questioning of the testimonies of government witnesses.

ATC-I Judge Arshad Hussain Bhutta heard the case.

During hearings of the case, the court had recorded statements of 49 witnesses, including close relatives of a victim Zeeshan and another victim Mohammad Khalil. During the proceedings, all the suspects appeared before the court.

The injured witnesses [children of Khalil who were accompanying the victim when he was targeted] had not identified the suspects nor were the suspects identified during photogrammetric tests. The court added that the official who had provided the suspects with the weapons said he was returned all the weapons and bullets.

In January, Mohammad Khalil, his wife and their three children were travelling in a car, with their neighbour Zeeshan behind the steering wheel, when Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel stopped the vehicle and opened fire on the passengers suspecting them to be terrorists. Khalil’s two children Umair and Muneeba had survived the attack.

The suspects said that they had information that Zeeshan had links with a terrorist outfit. They also claimed that all the victims were killed in an 'encounter' which turned out to be false after the two minor children narrated facts of the incident to the public.

Initially, the trial was conducted in Sahiwal, however, the Lahore High Court on June 17 shifted the proceedings to Lahore allowing an application filed by the victims' family. The petitioners contended that they had been facing problems while attending trial proceedings in Sahiwal. They also cited security reasons and asked the court to shift the trial proceedings from Sahiwal to Lahore.

Posted by: Fred || 10/25/2019 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan


Treason case against Musharraf adjourned till November 19
[DAWN] A special court in Islamabad adjourned the hearing of a high treason case against former president retired Gen Pervez Perv Musharraf
... former dictator of Pakistain, who was less dictatorial and corrupt than any Pak civilian government to date ...
till November 19, after the absconder's counsel requested the court to do so.

Earlier this month, the court had declared that it would hear the case on a daily basis with effect from October 24 (today). In a previous hearing in September, the court had also passed the same order saying the proceedings in the treason trial would resume on a daily basis from October 8.

While hearing the case today, a three-member bench headed by Justice Waqar Ahmad Seth summoned the interior secretary in the next hearing.

At the onset of the hearing, an application was submitted on behalf of Musharraf's counsel Raza Bashir for the deferment of the hearing due to his health. According to the plea, Bashir was unable to appear in the court because of dengue fever. The plea was granted.

Posted by: Fred || 10/25/2019 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan


'Bring the PM's resignation with you,' Fazlur Rehman tells govt committee due to meet opposition
[DAWN] JUI-F head Maulana Fazlur Rehman
...Deobandi holy man, known as Mullah Diesel during the war against the Soviets, his sympathies for the Taliban have never been tempered by honesty...
on Thursday told the government's negotiation committee ‐ due to hold talks with the opposition tomorrow on its anti-government protest ‐ to "bring the prime minister's resignation letter" with them when they come.

Rehman said that his anti-government protest ‐ dubbed by the party as 'Azadi March' ‐ is on schedule for October 31 and no change is on the cards. "A decision to take it back will only be made, if at all, by the Rehbar Committee," he said, addressing a presser in Sukkur after a meeting between JUI-F members.

He, however, downplayed the possibility of such an outcome, expressing complete confidence that the march will take place with full participation and endorsement by the nation.

The JUI-F chief reiterated the opposition's plans of showing solidarity with Kashmiris on October 27 ‐ observed across the world by Kashmiris as Black Day. "Special programmes will be held throughout the country and a large gathering will be held 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...
on the occasion," he said.

Posted by: Fred || 10/25/2019 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under: Jamaat-e-Ulema Islami


Interior ministry notifies ban on JUI-F's ‘militant wing’
[DAWN] The interior ministry on Thursday issued a notification announcing a ban on the "militant wing" of the Jamaat Ulema-e-Islam
...the political wing of the Pak Taliban...
-Fazl (JUI-F).

The proscription of Ansar-ul-Islam, which the ministry referred to as a "private militia/Razakar Force" of the JUI-F, comes days before the Maulana Fazlur Rehman
...Deobandi holy man, known as Mullah Diesel during the war against the Soviets, his sympathies for the Taliban have never been tempered by honesty...
-led party is slated to lead an anti-government 'Azadi March'.

According to the notification, the federal government had "reasons to believe that Ansar-ul-Islam is capable of functioning as a military organization, in violation of the prohibition contained in Article 256 of the Constitution".

The ban was imposed after approval by the federal government and obtaining the consent from all four provincial governments under Article 146(1) of the Constitution, which allows the federal government to delegate any of its powers to the provinces, conditionally or unconditionally, with the consent of the provincial governments.

Through the notification, the federal government through the Ministry of Interior has "entrust[ed] the provincial governments the power to take appropriate actions under Section 2 of the Private Military Organisations (Abolition and Prohibition) Act, 1974, against Ansar-ul-Islam".

The authority will include, among others, "the power to abolish/ban the said organization and take further steps against them on ground" in order to complete the action, the notice said.

A summary seeking a ban on Ansar-ul-Islam was approved by the federal cabinet earlier this week, sources in the cabinet division had said.

Posted by: Fred || 10/25/2019 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Jamaat-e-Ulema Islami


Iraq
For Kurdish smugglers, Iran sanctions are a boon
Video at link.
[Jpost] Decades of crippling US sanctions against Iran
...a theocratic Shiite state divided among the Medes, the Persians, and the (Arab) Elamites. Formerly a fairly civilized nation ruled by a Shah, it became a victim of Islamic revolution in 1979. The nation is today noted for spontaneously taking over other countries' embassies, maintaining whorehouses run by clergymen, involvement in international drug trafficking, and financing sock puppet militias to extend the regime's influence. The word Iran is a cognate form of Aryan, the abbreviation IRGC is a cognate form of Stürmabteilung (or SA), the term Supreme Guide is a cognate form of either Shah or Führer or maybe both, and they hate Jews Zionists Jews. Their economy is based on the production of oil and vitriol...
have made the rough terrain along the Iraq-Iran border an active smuggling scene. Now, as still more American restrictions are imposed on the Islamic Theocratic Republic, trafficking in illegal goods remains a brisk business.

The Media Line’s Middle East bureau chief, Mohammad al-Kassim, travelled from the city of Sulaymaniyah in Iraqi Kurdistan toward the village of Tawalla, near the border with Iran, and came back with this video report.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: trailing wife || 10/25/2019 01:07 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iran

#1  Keep this in mind the next time you're tempted to adore the Kurds.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 10/25/2019 3:38 Comments || Top||


Replicas of Assyrian statues smashed by ISIS unveiled in Mosul
[ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] Two high-tech replicas of iconic Assyrian statues destroyed by ISIS
...embracing their inner Islamic Brute...
in northern Iraq were unveiled on Thursday at the University of djinn-infested Mosul
... the home of a particularly ferocious and hairy djinn...
The real "lamassu" -- massive statues of winged bulls with human faces -- had adorned a royal throne room in the ancient city of Nimrud for centuries, and one was later exhibited in the Mosul Museum.

But ISIS murderous Moslems destroyed the originals after they swept across northern Iraq in 2014, blowing up Nimrud and filming themselves taking hammers to pre-Islamic artifacts they deemed heretical.

Iraqi troops recaptured Mosul in mid-2017, but the museum has remained shuttered and the lamassu in ruins.

Using 3D recordings of lamassu fragments, the Spanish Factum Foundation created copies, erected this week outside the student library at the University of Mosul.

"This gift is a message of hope that Mosul has returned to normal and its people must build their city," Spanish Ambassador Juan Jose Escobar said at the statues' unveiling.

Ahmad Qassem, a professor of history at the University of Mosul, said the lamassu's hybrid figure is highly symbolic.

"The head symbolizes wisdom, the wings speed, and the body -- a mix of a bull and a lion -- represent strength," he told AFP.

And Factum founder Adam Lowe told AFP the replicas now had their own meaning.

"We want them to be here as a symbol, a demonstration of what's possible with technology when people work together to share cultural heritage, share understanding, and share our historical culture that links us all together," he said.

"Now they're sitting in front of the entrance to the student building and I hope they'll guard everyone for many years to come," said Lowe.

University student Ilaf Muhannad said she was elated to see her university house them.

"I'm so happy today to see the lamassu statues placed here, because it represents the civilization and heritage of Mosul. We demand the Iraqi government work on returning everything stolen from Mosul," she said.

Posted by: Fred || 10/25/2019 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Islamic State

#1  Proof that technology is eeeevil. If you are a 7th century throwback hysteric.
Posted by: M. Murcek || 10/25/2019 14:38 Comments || Top||

#2  "What a fuckin' waste." -Robocop II (1990) I think...
Posted by: Dron66046 || 10/25/2019 15:21 Comments || Top||


Iraqis gather in Baghdad ahead of planned mass protests
[ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] Dozens of Iraqi protesters shouting slogans against the head of Iran’s Quds Force have been making their way toward Baghdad's iconic Tahrir Square, Al Arabiya’s correspondent reported.

It is expected that Friday will witness demonstrations in a number of Iraqi cities against the economic conditions being faced by citizens in the country.

The official front man of Iraq’s Ministry of Interior said in a statement that security forces would be placed on high alert ahead of planned protesters to provide the "means for citizens’ movement and the protection of public property."

Late on Thursday, the governor of the Diyala province in Iraq said an overnight curfew would be imposed due to security situations, according to the Iraqi News Agency.

Iraq witnessed widespread protests earlier this month with civilian deaths being blamed on excessive force, according to the government's report into the protests released on Tuesday.

Posted by: Fred || 10/25/2019 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iraq


Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Israel, Jordan mark 25 years of imperfect peace
NAHARAYIM PARK, Israel (AP) ‐ The Naharayim park was established 25 years ago as a symbol of the landmark peace agreement between Israel and Jordan. Now, as the two countries mark a quarter century of official relations, the park and its "Island of Peace" are being shuttered.

It is a fitting reflection of the Israeli-Jordanian relationship ‐ one that began with great promise, but which has been plagued by mistrust, disappointment and missed opportunities. While the peace agreement remains intact, there is a sense on both sides that it should have delivered much bigger dividends.

"I am not certain that we gave it our full attention," said retired Supreme Court Justice Elyakim Rubinstein, who was Israel’s chief negotiator for the peace deal.

Speaking on Israeli public radio, Rubinstein said there were things Israel could do "to lend a better atmosphere" and suggested Israel show more "respect" for its eastern neighbor. He declined to elaborate.

It is a far cry from the heady times of the peace agreement, signed at an emotional ceremony on Oct. 26, 1994, attended by Israel’s then-prime minister, Yitzhak Rabin, the late King Hussein and President Bill Clinton.

Following up on a historic interim peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians a year earlier, all three leaders delivered moving speeches promising warm relations and a better future.
Posted by: Besoeker || 10/25/2019 04:32 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  "Peace is the name of the ideal we deduce from the fact that there have been interludes between wars." - Jerry Pournelle
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 10/25/2019 5:44 Comments || Top||

#2  Jordan realized it could get more by working with Israel and the US (and losing less land) than by continuing the futile wars.
Posted by: DarthVader || 10/25/2019 8:56 Comments || Top||

#3  Jordan works with Israel on security issues, but in the end the Jordanians deeply resent Jewish independence and want as little to do with it as possible.
Posted by: trailing wife || 10/25/2019 23:16 Comments || Top||


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Lebanon’s President Aoun refuses to step down, blames corruption for crisis
[ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] Leb’s President Michel Aoun
...president of Leb, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hizbullah...
refused to step down
...Hell no! The money's too good!...
and said on Thursday that sectarianism and corruption had destroyed the country, in his first address to the nation since the outbreak of nationwide anti-government demonstrations last week.

"I heard many calls for the change of government; government cannot be changed overnight. It must happen through constitutional reforms," said Aoun, who blamed corruption across all political parties and sectarianism for the "destroying" the country.

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri
...Second son of Rafik Hariri, the Leb PM who was assassinated in 2005. He has was prime minister in his own right from 2009 through early 2011. He was born in Riyadh to an Iraqi mother and graduated from Georgetown University. He managed his father's business interests in Riyadh until his father's assassination. When his father died he inherited a fortune of some $4.1 billion, which won't do him much good if Hizbullah has him bumped off, too....
said he welcomed Aoun's call for the need to review the current government through existing constitutional mechanisms in a tweet on Thursday.

Lebanese Druze leader Walid Wally Jumblat
...Druze politician, head of the Progressive Socialist Party, who's been on every side in Leb at least four times. He'll sell you his friends for a dollar, but family comes higher because of shipping and handling...
said on Thursday in a tweet that the best solution out of mass protests triggered by an economic crisis is to speed up a government reshuffle as proposed by Aoun.

"I have taken Leb to a place of safety and stability," claimed Aoun, after saying that "sectarianism and corruption have destroyed the country."

Aoun pointed to corruption across all the political parties as causing the crisis.

"Politicians must return embezzled funds. The corruption has no religion or sect ... Let’s expose the corrupt and leave the matter in hands of judiciary," says Lebanese President Michel Aoun, addressing Leb after a week of anti-government protests.

"All political parties are responsible for protecting public funds from being stolen," he added.

Aoun pointed to the reforms proposed by the government under Prime Minister Saad Hariri as the solution to the crisis.

"The reforms that have been passed are the first step to saving Leb," he said, listing a number of reforms including a bill which would remove political immunity from parliamentarians and government officials.

Aoun linked the reforms’ success to the Lebanese people, saying "freedom of expression is a right respected and cherished by all people," and calling on citizens to monitor the reforms to ensure their success.

The Lebanese president ended his speech by refusing to step down and instead calling for dialogue as the solution. "Let’s initiate a constructive dialogue where practical measures are taken to reach the best results. Dialogue is the best way to solution," he stated.

"I am ready to meet your representatives ... to hear your demands."

Crowds gathered in Jal El Deeb Square to watch the speech on a giant screen, reported Leb's National News Agency (NNA).

Posted by: Fred || 10/25/2019 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Protest-hit Lebanon’s banks to stay shut until calm returns
[ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] Banks in Leb will remain closed until stability is restored out of safety concerns, the banking association said on Thursday, as protests raged demanding the government resigns.

President Michel Aoun
...president of Leb, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hizbullah...
said he was ready for dialogue with protesters, who blame the political elite for economic hardship and corruption. He suggested a government reshuffle was possible.

The rallies have gone on for a week despite the government announcing reforms to try and defuse them and win over Western donors.

Banks have shut their doors for six working days.

In a statement, carried on the state news agency, Leb’s Association of Banks said they would remain closed on Friday to protect customers, employees and properties.

It urged a political solution to the crisis and "reassured citizens that the banks are ready to resume their work as soon as the situation stabilizes." Bank operations will be limited to providing month-end wages via ATMs, the statement added.

The emergency reform plans announced this week include halving ministers’ salaries and long-delayed steps to fix the finances of the state drowning in debt.

This has so far failed to appease discontent or prod Western donors to go ahead with pledged financing.

Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri also said the banking sector would shell out 5.1 trillion Lebanese pounds ($3.4 billion) to help cut the 2020 budget deficit, including through a tax hike on profits.
Posted by: Fred || 10/25/2019 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Syria ceasefire holding ahead of Constitutional Committee: UN envoy
[ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] A ceasefire in northeast Syria seems to be holding "by and large," as major powers gather in Geneva ahead of the first meeting of Syria’s Constitutional Committee next week, the UN Special Envoy told Rooters on Thursday.Geir Pedersen said that envoys from seven Arab and Western states backing the opposition, known as the "small group", which includes the United States, are due to meet in the Swiss city on Friday.

Senior officials from the so-called Astana three ‐ Russia, Iran, and The Sick Man of Europe Turkey
...Qatar's satrapy in Asia Minor...
‐ were expected in the coming days, but he awaited confirmation.

The major powers would not participate directly in the "Syrian-owned, Syrian-led" constitutional effort, or the opening public ceremony, but they supported the process, he said.

Talks are on track despite Turkey’s cross-border offensive launched on October 9 after President Donald Trump
...His ancestors didn't own any slaves...
ordered US forces out of northeast Syria. Turkey and Russia, the Assad government’s main ally, have agreed on a peace plan calling for Kurdish forces to withdraw more than 30 km from the Ottoman Turkish border.

"It seems that by and large that the ceasefire is holding. That of course doesn’t mean that there will not be challenges," Pedersen said in an interview in his UN office.

He had reports that some of the 160,000 people who fled the incursion are starting to return to their homes.

Convening the Constitutional Committee, the first tangible progress since the Norwegian diplomat took up the UN job in January, is seen as key to paving the way for political reforms and new elections in the country wracked by eight years of war that have killed hundreds of thousands and forced millions to flee.

"No one believes that the Constitutional Committee in itself will solve the conflict. But if it is understood as part of a broader political process, it could be a door-opener and a very important of course symbolic beginning of a political process," Pedersen said.
Posted by: Fred || 10/25/2019 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Sublime Porte



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Two weeks of WOT
Fri 2019-10-25
  DOJ Review of Russia Probe Origins Is Now Criminal Investigation
Thu 2019-10-24
  California authorities seize enough fentanyl to make 4 million lethal doses
Wed 2019-10-23
  Senior ISIS leader surrenders to Afghan forces in Nangarhar province
Tue 2019-10-22
  Mexico sends in troops after failed 'El Chapo' son arrest
Mon 2019-10-21
  Spokesman: Governor of Wardak Survives Car Bomb
Sun 2019-10-20
  Kurdish politician appeals to Israel for help in northern Syria
Sat 2019-10-19
  Blasts collapse roof at Afghan mosque, killing at least 62 at Friday prayers
Fri 2019-10-18
  Heavy fighting between Turkish/SNA and YPG/SDF
Thu 2019-10-17
  Pence announces ceasefire at the US Embassy in Turkey.
Wed 2019-10-16
  Spain, Sweden, Canada, UK halting sales of military material to Ankara
Tue 2019-10-15
  Notre-Dame plot: Five women jailed over foiled car bomb attack
Mon 2019-10-14
  Trump tells Pentagon to begin withdrawing remaining troops from northern Syria
Sun 2019-10-13
  Syria now considers itself at war with Turkey!
Sat 2019-10-12
   Palestinians riot on Gaza border; 49 said wounded
Fri 2019-10-11
  Orange Man confirms bomb maker and terrorist Ibrahim al-Asiri is Tango Uniform

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