Mohammad, the Messenger of God, Impresses Worldwide Audience
Iranian Film Mohammad, the Messenger of God
Arab World
Mohammad, the Messenger of God, Impresses Worldwide Audience
Imbued With Hubris: US, Turkey Create ‘ISIL Zone’ in Syria
Over 100 Nusra Militants Killed in Syrian Airstrike in Dara'a
Israeli, Jordanian Officers Killed among Tens of Other Al-Nusra Commanders in Airstrike in Southern Syria
2 killed as police forces, armed men clash in northern Egypt
Syrian refugee photographed selling pens to feed family receives over $80,000 in donation in 24 hours
Pentagon confirms militant killed in U.S. air strike in Syria was recruiter
Army Destroys ISIL's Hideouts in Homs Province
Kurdish forces free 7 villages in Iraq from ISIS
12 backers of Daesh get death in Egypt
Kurdish forces liberate seven Iraqi villages from Daesh
Al-Qaeda-led forces advance on Syria airbase
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Mideast
Persisting Saudi Aggression Kills 31 Yemenis
Syrian Opposition Figure Asks for Iran-Saudi Arabia Talks over Syrian Crisis
U.S. urges Iran to release Hekmati from ‘unjust detention’
Leader's Representative: Fighting Israel Remains Iran's Immutable Policy
Iran to Unveil 2 New Home-Made Radar Systems Tuesday, Stage Massive Air Defense Drills Late Fall
German, Chinese Companies Eager to Enhance Aerospace Cooperation with Iran
Yemen army recruits 4,800 southerners
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India
Verses from Quran Helped Capture Pak Militant: Police
Islamic State Flags Waved In Srinagar after Friday Prayers
Rakshabandhan: When Rabindranath Tagore used the festival as expression of solidarity between Hindu, Muslim
Pakistan wanted foreign secretaries to talk on Kashmir on the fringes of NSA-level dialogue
Govt plans ordinance to grant citizenship to Hindu refugees from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan
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South Asia
ISIS in Afghanistan Nothing but a Movement Formed By Pakistani Militants
Kabul Police Say Blasts Were Controlled Detonations
Taliban Kill 7 ‘Uprising’ Civilians in Ghazni’s Andar District
Urozgan’s Ulema council chief, senior police officer killed in militant attacks
India rebuffs Afghanistan to meet on Strategic Partnership Agreement
6 Bangladeshis dead in Libya capsize
Ganajagaran Mancha Demands Quick Execution of Salauddin Quader, Mujahid
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Pakistan
Pakistan Bans Islamic State Militant Group
India Sabotaging Regional Peace, Pakistan Tells UK
FIA to send team to Multan for former Prime Minister Gilani's arrest
Pakistan rejects ‘baseless’ report on nuclear arsenal
PML-N to move court to ‘set record straight’; fresh PTI sit-in feared
CM Shah Calls it ‘invasion of Sindh’, lashes out at NAB, FIA
Contract awarded to US company for helicopters sale
Three lose their lives during bid to plant bomb on rail tracks
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Africa
Nigeria Says Uncovers Boko Haram Spy Ring at Abuja Airport
Ten Al Shabab Fighters Killed In Hudur Battle
Muslims Peace Convoy Tours Kenya
UN to host new round of Libyan peace talks next week
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Europe
Plans Unveiled For New Mosque in Burton That Will Be 'Biggest and Best' In Europe
Dividing the Arabs: America and Europe's Double Game
2 journalists arrested for bid to blackmail Moroccan king
Bendigo mosque: Anti-Islam and anti-racist protester face off in counter rallies
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Southeast Asia
After Party Name Rejected, Harapan Baru Says Fighting For Inclusive Islam
Why Malaysians Are Disillusioned With Najib Razak
Turkish suspect arrested in Bangkok with bomb making materials
To prove critics wrong, Muslims pray at Bersih 4 rally
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North America
Scott Walker Vows To Defeat Islamic State, Reduce Iran’s Influence
Virginia journalists shooter ‘identified with 9/11 attacks’
U.N. chief urges stronger response to migration crisis
Teen gets more than 11 years for helping Islamic State
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
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Arab World
Mohammad, the Messenger of God, Impresses Worldwide Audience
TEHRAN, Aug 29, 2015 (FNA)- Mohammad (PBUH), The Messenger of God, a film produced by renowned Oscar-nominated Iranian director Majid Majidi, garnered positive reactions from the audience across the globe.
According to the latest ratings of film websites, Mohammad has gained a 8.7% rating out of 10 after being displayed for less than a week.
Iran's most expensive movie which chronicles the childhood of the prophet of Islam opened nationwide on Thursday, winning praise from early audiences.
IMDb, a popular and authoritative source for movie, TV and celebrity content, shows that the audience have received the large-budget film well.
Directed by Majid Majidi, the 171-minute, visually stunning film cost around $40 million (36 million Euros) and took more than seven years to complete.
Mohammad (PBUH), which stars many top Iranian actors, premiered on Thursday in 143 theatres throughout Iran, the day before it opened the Montreal Film Festival.
Several audiences who are users of the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) underlined their pleasure with the film by writing comments on the website.
"8 years after his last film, once again Majid Majidi has done it. This time with the cooperation of some big names behind the camera he has made a great film about the childhood of the holy Prophet, Muhammad," a user wrote.
"The cinematography is one of the best I have ever seen. It seems that the camera flies everywhere along with the young hero. Watching this film is just like watching beautiful paintings in a gallery," the user added.
Also another user from Canada wrote on the IMDb that "Majidi is a king within the realm of art film, and he sure faced immense challenges managing the first Iranian cinematic project of this scale. The film immerses the audience in an orchestra of beautiful colors, Majidi's specialty, and an outpouring of sublime tunes. Juxtaposed with masterful cinematography of Storaro (although occasionally overdone), Majidi delivers imagery that satisfies aesthetic palates superbly".
Majidi has said that the aim of his work, the first part of a trilogy, is to reclaim the rightful image of Islam, which he said extremists have distorted.
"Unfortunately at this time the impression of Islam is of a radical, fanatical and violent religion, which is not what it's about," he said in Montreal, where "Mohammad" had its international premiere, hours after screening back home.
"The barbaric acts of terrorism conducted by terrorist groups under the guise of Islam are not related to Islam," he said, alluding to beheadings and destruction of cultural treasures by the ISIL Takfiri militants in Syria and Iraq.
"Islam is a religion of peace, friendship and love, and I tried to show this in the film."
"I think this film can be a starting point of research for those who don't know Islam," he said.
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940607001040
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Imbued With Hubris: US, Turkey Create ‘ISIL Zone’ in Syria
TEHRAN, Aug 28, 2015 (FNA)- No one is surprised to hear that ISIL gains are “reportedly” mounting in northern Syria - with hardly a fight.
Imbued with hubris, the United States and Turkey are creating a “safe zone” in the area only to hand it over to ISIL. Of course, tactical details from the new phase in war on Syria are hard to come by. Still, only a fool would believe this is not deliberate. They are instrumental in the ISIL takeover:
In recent days, the terrorist group has managed to conquer a major chunk of the Aleppo Province at the behest of Washington and Ankara. The truth is more basic and it’s something ISIL doesn’t want to admit — they are not acting alone.
This area was a key part of the 100 kilometer “safe zone” the regime changers intended to carve out of northern Syria - which they claimed would be “ISIL-free.” It is now “ISIL Zone” and it is largely the fault – rather the core ambition - of the “Assad must go” gang to split Syria and affect regime change in Damascus.
To this point, the standoff was between ISIL, al-Qaeda, Kurdish fighters, and Damascus. Now there is a broad coalition of interventionists with a simplistic and triumphalist mindset too; mainly the United States, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, who have been plotting against the government of Assad for years before ISIL's rise provided the chance to strike.
The involvement of these parties who are not living in a reality-based universe can be felt through the way they treated anti-ISIL Kurdish forces in the area. It’s a point echoed by the way Turkey started bombing their positions few weeks earlier. As a result, the area fell so quickly to ISIL, with little fighting from Kurdish forces. They weren’t there!
All this and more gives a pretty good sense of what’s really going on in northern Syria. With Turkey on board, Washington no longer values the Kurdish fighters and separatist Kurdistan Workers’ Party or PKK as its most effective allies against Damascus.
Conventional wisdom has it that the advent of the opportunistic group is a natural event considering the security vacuum resulting from political and military disputes. But there is more to the story.
The takeover cannot be easily explained in so casual a way as a terrorist group seeking inroads in a politically divided country. That calculated takeover happened within a specific political context that can explain the rise of ISIL more convincingly in other parts of the region as well, mainly in Iraq.
The plan for establishing and enforcing a de facto “safe zone” in Syria is politically motivated. The “Assad must go” gang are foolishly hoping that it would empower their “moderate” terrorists to widen their control over the country, in addition to strengthening their own political positions in any future UN-mediated peace deal.
International law says safe zones should be neutral areas that are free of combatants and where civilians are guaranteed protection. The out of touch Americans and Turks insist, however, that the zone will be a staging ground for their “moderate” terrorists battling the Syrian government.
For the Washington and Ankara this may be the dispiriting irony, but there are now pointed signs that the “buffer zone” has practically become “ISIL Zone”. One indication is that ISIL is there and that’s one prophecy that has proved to be true.
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940606000847
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Over 100 Nusra Militants Killed in Syrian Airstrike in Dara'a
TEHRAN, Aug 28, 2015 (FNA)- Military sources said on Friday that over 100 militants of al-Nusra Front were killed in the Syrian fighter jets' operations in the Southern province of Dara'a.
The sources said that, over 100 terrorists, most of them from al-Nusra Front, were killed in a series of army airstrikes that targeted their gatherings in Dael town in the countryside of the southern Dara'a city.
On Thursday, the Syrian army troops killed 46 terrorists in military operations in Aleppo city.
The terrorists were killed in al-Sayyed Ali area.
Meanwhile, the army killed terrorists of al-Nusra Front, and destroyed their arms at the Western neighbourhood of Bosra al-Sham in the Eastern countryside of Dara'a.
Syria has been grappling with a deadly crisis since March 2011. The violence fuelled by Takfiri groups has so far claimed the lives of over 230,000 people, according to reports.
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940606000614
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Israeli, Jordanian Officers Killed among Tens of Other Al-Nusra Commanders in Airstrike in Southern Syria
TEHRAN, Aug 29, 2015 1:41 (FNA)- The Syrian air force killed a large number of Takfiri militant commanders, including senior Israeli and Jordanian officers, in airstrikes on terrorists' positions in the Southern province of Dara'a.
At least 42 Al-Nusra Front Takfiri terrorist commanders, including 3 Israeli and Jordanian officers, were killed in the Syrian warplanes' air raids in Dara'a.
Military sources said that the Syrian airstrikes on al-Nusra Front positions incurred heavy losses on the Takfiri terrorists.
In similar operations on Friday, over 100 militants of al-Nusra Front were killed in the Syrian fighter jets' operations in Dara'a.
The sources said that, over 100 terrorists, most of them from al-Nusra Front, were killed in a series of army airstrikes that targeted their gatherings in Dael town in the countryside of the southern Dara'a city.
On Thursday, the Syrian army troops killed 46 terrorists in military operations in Aleppo city.
The terrorists were killed in al-Sayyed Ali area.
Meanwhile, the army killed terrorists of al-Nusra Front, and destroyed their arms at the Western neighbourhood of Bosra al-Sham in the Eastern countryside of Dara'a.
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940607000669
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2 killed as police forces, armed men clash in northern Egypt
Aug 28, 2015
At least two people have been killed when clashes broke out between security forces and a group of anti-government armed men in the country’s northern central province of Faiyum, Press TV reports.
Major General Younes al-Gaher, the Faiyum security head, said two supporters of the opposition Muslim Brotherhood movement were killed as they engaged in a firefight with Egyptian police in the village of Tamia, situated more than 100 kilometers (62 miles) southwest of the capital, Cairo, on Friday.
More death verdicts
Meanwhile, an Egyptian court has handed down preliminary death sentences to twelve defendants on charges of plotting attacks against police and army forces.
The court in the northern Egyptian province of Sharqiya issued the verdicts on Thursday and then sent the papers to Shawki Ibrahim Abdel-Karim Allam, Egypt’s Grand Mufti, to review the decisions.
This file photo shows the Supreme Constitutional Court in downtown Cairo, Egypt.
The opinion of the mufti is not binding to the court, but Egyptian law makes it necessary for judges to seek a religious point of view on any death sentence.
The court will deliver its final verdict in the case on September 12.
The defendants are accused of “recruiting youths and sending them to Syria and Iraq to receive training [on militancy] and how to use weapons.” Six of the defendants are being tried in absentia.
Mohamed Morsi, Egypt's first democratically-elected president, was toppled in a military coup led by Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Egypt’s current president and the then army commander, in July 2013.
Since Morsi’s removal, thousands of anti-government protesters, mostly Brotherhood supporters, have been sentenced to jail. Hundreds of the ex-president’s supporters, including Morsi himself, have also been sentenced to death.
http://www.presstv.in/Detail/2015/08/28/426721/Egypt-Faiyum-Cairo-Morsi-Muslim-Brotherhood
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Syrian Refugee Photographed Selling Pens To Feed Family Receives Over $80,000 In Donation In 24 hours
By ZABIHULLAH MOOSAKHAIL - Sat Aug 29 2015
Abdul-and-ReemA Norway-based activist posted the picture of a Palestinian-Syrian refugee selling blue pens on the streets of Lebanon’s capital Beirut, with his 4-year-old daughter Reem sleeping in his arms with her head resting on his shoulder.
Founder of Conflict News, Gissur Simonarson’s this move triggered an outpour of support for the refugees’ plight.
Simonarson, who is originally from Iceland, was overwhelmed by requests to help this refugee.
Simonarson got in touch with local activists, located the man in the picture, and launched the campaign along with a Twitter account, #BuyPens.
“Within 30 minutes, I was pointed to a person that lived right by where he usually hung out selling pens,” Simonarson told the Star. In 24 hours, nearly 3,000 people had raised more than $80,000 dollars for him.
Full report at:
http://www.khaama.com/social-media-helped-syrian-refugee-start-a-new-life-3842
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Pentagon confirms militant killed in U.S. air strike in Syria was recruiter
29 August 2015
A militant hacker who was killed this week in a U..S air strike in Syria was actively recruiting Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) sympathizers to carry out lone wolf attacks in the west, the Pentagon said Friday.
Colonel Patrick Ryder, a spokesman for the U.S. Central Command, said Junaid Hussain was specifically targeted in an air strike that killed him August 24 in Raqqa, Syria.
He declined to confirm reports that a drone was used to kill Hussain, but he said the British-born militant and propagandist was the sole casualty of the air strike.
“He was involved in actively recruiting ISIL sympathizers in the West to carry out lone wolf style attacks,” Ryder said, using an alternative acronym for the ISIS group.
Hussain was believed to be behind a number of cyberattacks, including on Central Command websites and Twitter accounts.
Ryder said he was responsible for “releasing personally identifying information of approximately 1,300 U.S. military and government employees and specifically sought to direct violence against U.S. service members and government employees.”
“This individual was very dangerous,” said Ryder. “He had significant technical skills.”
Still, a U.S. defense official said that as a hacker Hussain was not in the top ranks.
The information he posted about U.S. military personnel was cobbled together from open sources on the Internet, and was not obtained by penetrating Pentagon computers, the official said.
Full report at:
https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/08/29/Militant-hacker-killed-in-U-S-air-strike-in-Syria-was-recruiter.html
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Army Destroys ISIL's Hideouts in Homs Province
Aug 29, 2015 1
The ISIL terrorists were killed in the Syrian warplanes airstrikes in the city of al-Qaryatain in Homs province.
Tens of terrorists were killed and dozens more injured in the Syrian airstrikes on their positions in al-Qaryatain city.
Meantime, a Syrian army unit targeted a convoy of vehicles used by the ISIL in the area surrounding al-Zakara valley in Palmyra’s countryside, destroying a number of vehicles and killing and injuring a number of terrorists.
Also in the past 24 hours, a high-profile hacker and recruiter for the ISIL terrorist group was killed in the province of Reqqa.
Junaid Hussein was killed in an airstrike on the ISIL's gas station in Reqqa.
Hussein, a key computer expert was responsible for the recent release of personally identifying information on about 1,300 US military and government employees and sought to inspire violence against US service members.
Hussain was a Pakistani-born hacker who lived in Birmingham, England before fleeing to join the ISIL in Syria.
Also, informed sources in the Northern province of Aleppo said that the rebel groups' massive assault on the Syrian army's positions in Aleppo failed and the rebels fled the battlefront after leaving at least 20 members killed.
The sources said that Al-Nusra Front rebels and their affiliates attempted to break-through the Syrian Armed Forces’ frontline at the Al-Zahra Association Quarter for the third time in four days; however, their assault proved unsuccessful and costly, as the Syrian Armed Forces repelled the attack and killed over 20 terrorists.
In the meantime, military sources said that the Syrian Army defended its positions against large-scale offensive of the rebel groups in the nearby areas of Bashkoy, and killed almost 70 terrorists in its counter-attack.
The sources disclosed that massive attacks of the Fateh Halab rebel group, led by Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham and Harakat Nour Al-Deen Al-Zinki, were confronted by the Syrian army men, who killed approximately 70 militants in the fighting.
Elsewhere, the foreign-backed militants were targeted in Syrian air raids in many areas across the Northern Province of Idlib on Thursday.
The air strikes targeted positions of terrorists of the so-called "Jeish al-Fath" in the countryside of Idlib.
Full report at:
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940607000535
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Kurdish forces free 7 villages in Iraq from ISIS
29 August 2015
Western-backed Kurdish fighters freed seven villages from the clasps of ISIS in northern Iraq in recent days, the U.S.-led coalition battling the militants said Friday.
But the extremists still control broad swathes of land in the war-torn country, where ISIS has waged a terrifying offensive of forced religious conversions and beheadings.
Bolstered by coalition airstrikes, the Peshmerga fighters wrestled back more than 200 square kilometers (80 square miles) near the town of Tuz since August 26, the Combined Joint Task Force said.
Planes and drones conducted a total of 25 strikes, helping the Kurdish forces in “liberating seven villages,” a statement said.
Elsewhere in Iraq, the situation remains more static, a spokesman for the U.S. military’s Central Command (Centcom) said.
In Ramadi, capital of the key battleground province of Anbar, Iraqi forces continue to try and isolate the city, which fell into IS hands in May.
“It remains a challenging fight” said Centcom spokesman Colonel Patrick Ryder.
Meanwhile in the Baiji area north of Baghdad, where fierce fighting has lasted for months, Iraqi forces “continue to hold their ground” at an oil refinery that has been scene of much fighting.
Full report at:
https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/08/29/Kurdish-forces-free-seven-villages-in-Iraq-officals-.html
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12 backers of Daesh get death in Egypt
29 August 2015
CAIRO: An Egyptian court sentenced to death 12 members of Daesh for planning attacks against police and soldiers in the country, a judicial official said.
Six of those who were on trial are behind bars, while the rest are still at large, the official said.
They were convicted of having joined Daesh and of plotting to attack members of Egypt’s police force and military. In Egypt, death sentences are forwarded to the country’s grand mufti, the official interpreter of Shariah, who then issues a non-binding opinion.
The sentences issued will either be confirmed or commuted on Sept. 12 by the court in the northern province of Sharkia, a court official said.
Full report at:
http://www.arabnews.com/middle-east/news/798476
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Kurdish forces liberate seven Iraqi villages from Daesh
Aug 29, 2015
Kurdish Peshmerga fighters have managed to retake seven villages in the northern part of Iraq from Takfiri Daesh militants as they continue to push the terrorists back from the area.
The US-led Combined Joint Task Force, in a statement released on Friday, said Peshmerga fighters have taken full control of more than 200 square kilometers (80 square miles) near the town of Tuz Khurmatu, situated 175 kilometers (110 miles) north of the capital, Baghdad, since August 26, “liberating seven villages.”
In a separate development, more than a dozen Takfiri Daesh militants have been killed in infighting over the distribution of property stolen during attacks in Iraq’s embattled northern city of Mosul.
The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) spokesman in Mosul, Saeed Mamouzini, told Arabic-language al-Sumaria satellite television network on Friday that members of the Daesh-linked Abu Abdulrahman al-Ofri and Abu Janah al-Mosuli terrorist groups turned on each other following disagreement over property and money in the Baaj district west of militant-held Mosul, situated some 400 kilometers (248 miles) northwest of the capital, Baghdad.
This file photo shows Daesh Takfiri militants in an undisclosed location in Iraq.
Mamouzini said the terrorists then exchanged heavy gunfire, resulting in the death of 17 militants.
Full report at:
http://www.presstv.in/Detail/2015/08/29/426783/Iraq-Kurdish-Peshmerga-Tuz-Khurmatu-Baghdad-Mosul-
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Al-Qaeda-led forces advance on Syria airbase
28 August 2015
Syria’s Al-Qaeda offshoot and other rebel groups advanced on Friday towards a military airport that is the last remaining government-held facility in the northwestern province of Idlib, a monitor said.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that Al-Qaeda-affiliated Al-Nusra Front and other armed Islamist groups “seized the entrance” to the Abu Duhur airport after carrying out several suicide bombings on motorbikes and “seizing several positions on its outskirts.”
Syrian state television said the army had “killed a large number of Al-Nusra terrorists and destroyed their arms and equipment” at the facility.
The Observatory said air strikes were launched in response to the onslaught, and that 16 Syrian soldiers and 18 rebels were killed in the fighting.
Full report at:
https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/08/28/Qaeda-led-forces-advance-on-Syria-airbase.html
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Mideast
Persisting Saudi aggression kills 31 Yemenis
Aug 29, 2015
At least 31 Yemenis have died and 25 others sustained injuries in Saudi Arabia's latest acts of military aggression against the impoverished nation.
The warplanes pummeled southwestern Yemen on Friday, killing eight civilians and injuring four others in Al Bayda Province.
Airstrikes against the city of Ibb took the lives of nine people, mostly women and children, and wounded 18 more, while two civilians died after the fighters targeted the Taiz Province.
Pounding northwestern Yemen, Saudi aerial attacks claimed the lives of three grocery store workers in the city of Dhahyan, killed five and injured two others in the Razeh district, and wounded a child elsewhere in the Sa’ada Province.
The bombardment of the Al Hawak district in the Al Hudaydah Province, located in the west, also claimed the lives of three people.
Yemeni retaliation
Returning Saudi strikes, the Yemeni army and popular committees fired rockets at two military bases in the Zahran and Najran regions in the kingdom’s southwest.
Army forces also neutralized Saudi efforts to retake an outpost in the southwestern Jizan region and destroyed two Saudi tanks.
Saudi Arabia began its military aggression against Yemen on March 26 – without a UN mandate – to restore power to fugitive former Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, a staunch ally of Riyadh, and to undermine the Houthi Ansarullah movement.
Smoke billows into the sky following airstrikes in the Yemeni capital, Sana'a, on August 20, 2015 (AFP photo).
Full report at:
http://www.presstv.in/Detail/2015/08/29/426805/Saudi-Arabia-Yemen-Bayda-Saada-Jizan-Najran
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Syrian Opposition Figure Asks for Iran-Saudi Arabia Talks over Syrian Crisis
Aug 29, 2015
"Iran and Saudi Arabia are two main poles in the region that should closely work on resolving the regional crises, including the Syrian crisis, because an understanding between these two countries will leave positive influence on others," the Arabic-language Suriya al-Aan news website quoted Manna as saying on Saturday.
He asked Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to directly hold talks with Saudi Arabia, and said, "The region is currently in a volatile situation and it needs Tehran and Riyadh governments to hold talks at the highest levels."
Iran is submitting a new peace plan to the United Nations in favor of a political settlement in Syria.
Full report at:
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940607000804
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U.S. urges Iran to release Hekmati from ‘unjust detention’
28 August 2015
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday urged Iran to free Amir Hekmati, an American who served as a U.S. Marine, from four years of “unjust detention.”
Saturday marks the fourth anniversary of Hekmati’s imprisonment on what Kerry called “false espionage charges” while Hekmati was visiting relatives in the Islamic republic.
“We repeat our call on the Iranian government to release Amir on humanitarian grounds,” Kerry said in a statement.
“This is a milestone no family wants to mark, and the Hekmati family has shown inspiring perseverance in the face of this injustice,” he added.
“And as befits a former Marine, Amir has shown tremendous courage in the face of this unjust detention.”
Kerry reiterated his government’s call for Iran to release two other Americans.
These include pastor Saeed Abedini, who was arrested in 2012 and sentenced to eight years in jail for gathering a group of people to study the Bible, and Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian.
Full report at:
https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/08/28/U-S-urges-Iran-to-release-Hekmati-from-unjust-detention-.html
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Leader's Representative: Fighting Israel Remains Iran's Immutable Policy
Aug 29, 2015
"Fight against the illegal Zionist regime is one of the immutable policies of Iran which has always been maintained," Leader's representative at Shahid Beheshti University Hojjatoleslam Seyed Mahmoud Nabavi told FNA on Saturday.
He blasted Hammond's comments, and said, "Such words are incorrect since one of the driving goals of the Islamic Revolution has been campaign against the arrogant powers."
"We haven’t recognized the Zionist regime since the beginning of the Islamic Revolution and such a policy will continue," Nabavi said.
After reopening the British embassy in Tehran on Sunday following four years of strained relations between the two countries, Hammond claimed in an interview with the British media that the current Iranian government had displayed a more nuanced approach than its predecessor to a long-running conflict with Israel.
In relevant remarks on Wednesday, the Iranian foreign ministry rejected Hammond's recent remarks, stressing that the Zionist regime had no place in diplomatic talks between Tehran and London.
Full report at:
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940607000667
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Iran to Unveil 2 New Home-Made Radar Systems Tuesday, Stage Massive Air Defense Drills Late Fall
Aug 29, 2015
"Bina and Nazir radar systems will be unveiled in two mountainous and plain areas on September 1 concurrently with Air Defense Day (in Iran)," Esmayeeli told reporters in a press conference in Tehran on Saturday.
He also said that massive air defense drills will be staged late fall.
The commander also said that the long-range 'Fath 14' radar system which has been designed with semiconductor technology will also be launched in one of the air defense points.
Elaborating on other achievements, he said Talash missile defense system for tracking and intercepting the mid- and high-altitude targets has been manufactured in cooperation with the defense ministry.
In relevant remarks in August, General Esmayeeli underlined that Iran's radar, electronic and missile systems were always awake to monitor and show reaction to the slightest hostile moves of the enemies.
"The air defense is always ready for mission and its radar, electronic, missile and monitoring systems are not turned off under any conditions and they are always under operation," Esmayeeli said, visiting the existing defense systems in the Southwestern parts of Iran.
He said that the air defense system is constantly monitoring and providing coverage for every inch of the country's airspace.
Esmayeeli also said that radar stations have stretched in 3,600 points across the country, adding that the intensity of this monitoring depends on the type of threats and presence of trans-regional states in the region.
Also in July, Esmayeeli announced that Iran would unveil its new strategic radar system in September which would cover a range of over 1,000 kilometers.
"This is a strategic radar system with a range of about 1,000 kilometers and it will be unveiled on September 1," Brigadier General Esmayeeli told reporters last month.
He noted that Khatam ol-Anbia's new radar system will be deployed in a strategic region of the country.
Brigadier General Esmayeeli reiterated that Iran has the safest airspace in the Middle East, and said, "Today the number of passing flights has increased to 1,300 in every 24 hours as compared with 900 flights three months ago."
Also in July, Brigadier General Esmayeeli announced that the country would unveil new missile defense systems early in September.
"Missile systems with the capability to stand against electronic warfare and mid-range and long-range radars will join the integrated air defense system on September 1," Esmayeeli said in the Northeastern city of Semnan.
Full report at:
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940607000497
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German, Chinese Companies Eager to Enhance Aerospace Cooperation with Iran
Aug 29, 2015
A number of Chinese companies visited the booth of Iran's Sharif Hamrah Pazhouhan Science and Technology Co. at the MAKS 2015 air show in the town of Zhukovsky near Moscow and voiced preparedness to cooperate with Tehran in the space field.
Also the authorities of Germany's Lufthansa airline held a meeting with the officials at the Islamic Republic of Iran's booth at the exhibition and underlined their eagerness to cooperate with Iranian companies.
Also on Friday, head of an Iranian private sector company participating in the MAKS-2015 Air Show in Moscow said that the Russians had asked for Tehran's technical help in the drone sector, adding that Iran had been invited to take part in the upcoming France Air Show.
"One of the noteworthy points of MAKS-2015 Air Show was Russia's request for purchase of engines of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from Iran," Farhad Khalouzadeh, the managing director of an Iranian company attending the MAKS-2015 Air Show in Moscow, said.
He noted that the manager of the Paris Air Show also invited the Iranian aviation firms to take part in the upcoming air show in the French capital.
Khalouzadeh underlined that despite the US efforts to isolate Iran, the world countries are seeking Iran's cooperation, and said, "In the same exhibition, the Russians showed their interest in Iran's presence and they even helped Iran to set up it pavilion MAKS because we insisted to be in the same exhibition hall that major foreign companies such as Boeing and Airbus are present."
On Thursday, Iranian Vice President for Science and Technology Sourena Sattari and Head of the Russian Space Agency Igor Kamarov in a meeting in Moscow discussed ways for broadening of mutual cooperation in the aerospace field.
Full report at:
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940607000227
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Yemen army recruits 4,800 southerners
Aug 29, 2015
ADEN — The Yemeni army has recruited 4,800 southern fighters following a presidential decision to integrate loyalist militiamen who helped push Iran-backed rebels out of second city Aden, a military official has said.
"This brigade has 4,800 fighters, including soldiers and officers. Most of the recruits are former fighters of the Popular Resistance" pro-government militia, Col. Fadel Mohammed Hassan told AFP at a military base in Aden.
Full report at:
http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20150829254834
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India
Verses from Quran Helped Capture Pak Militant: Police
By Mir Ehsan
Aug 29, 2015
Pakistani militant Sajjad alias Ubaidullah was surrounded by Special Operation Group (SOG) personnel of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, even as four other terrorists had been killed. He later told his interrogators that his accomplice Usman, who was one of those killed, had said “the only way left now is to attain martyrdom”. But the SOG team slowly approached his hiding place and started reciting verses from the Quran. “Even after we had killed the other four militants, Sajjad was putting up resistance. Some SOG policemen recited verses from the Quran and told the militant that they are also Muslim and will not kill him if he lays down his weapon,’’ said a top police officer who interrogated the arrested militant. “After that he didn’t show any resistance and was captured.’’
Full report at:
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/verses-from-quran-helped-capture-pak-militant-police/
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Islamic State flags waved in Srinagar after Friday prayers
Aug 28, 2015
After Friday prayers, IS flags were again waved outside city’s Grand Mosque Jamia Masjid. Some youths also displayed the pictures of Hizb ul Mujahideen commander, Burhan Wani. This is the first time when posters of Burhan Wani were displayed in the old city. Soon after the Friday prayers ended at city Grand Mosque – Jamia Masjid some youth held protests and displayed the flags and pictures of IS and Hizb ul Mujahideen commander South Kashmir, Burhan Wani. A big poster of Wani in army fatigues along with pictures of former ISI chief Hamid Gul, Hurriyat chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani were also displayed by the protestors.
Full report at:
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/islamic-state-flags-waved-in-srinagar-after-friday-prayers/
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Rakshabandhan: When Rabindranath Tagore used the festival as expression of solidarity between Hindu, Muslim
By Mohammed Uzair Shaikh
August 29, 2015
On this auspicious day of Rakshabandhan, when the sacred relation between a brother and sister is celebrated, it is worth taking a nostalgic visit of Bengal in 1905. In the wake of first partition of the state, this festival of inseperable bond was observed in a unique manner to mark a symbolic protest.
There is no other record of a festival being used to send a signal to the British who were out to divide India.
110 years ago, when the country was gripped under the control of British imperialists, the colonial rulers came up with a nefarious game plan to divide the growing harmony between Hindus and Muslims, who were soon adopting a national identity in the politically advanced state of Bengal. To break-up the harmonious co-existence, the then viceroy of India, Lord Curzon ordered the partition of Bengal based on religious grounds. (ALSO READ: Rabindranath Tagore Tribute: Listen to Rabindranath Tagore’s melodious voice in rare video!)
The Muslim dominated region of Assam and Syhlet (now Bangladesh) were to be separated from the Hindu majority region of West Bengal, Bihar and Orrissa. According to the British government, the rationale behind the move was purely administrative. However, the real motive behind the partition was to further their policy of divide and rule. This fact is validated by the meeting held by Lord Curzon with a delegation of Muslims in Assam in June, 1905. Curzon attempted to convince the Muslims that they need a separate state to preserve their “Mohammedian” identity.
The orders of partition were passed in August 1905 and came into effect on October 16 of the same year. Co-incidentally, the date of separation collided with the Purnima (full-moon) of Hindu calendar month of Shravan. The day is celebrated as Rakshabandhan. However, in order to mark a symbolic protest, the backbone of Indian freedom struggle – Rabindranath Tagore, decided to observe the festival in a distinguished manner and send a strong message to the British Raj.
Full report at:
http://www.india.com/news/india/rakshabandhan-when-rabindranath-tagore-used-the-festival-as-expression-of-solidarity-between-hindu-muslim-524238/
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Pakistan wanted foreign secretaries to talk on Kashmir on the fringes of NSA-level dialogue
Sachin Parashar
Aug 29, 2015
NEW DELHI: After India and Pakistan publicly sparred over Hurriyat and accused each other of tampering with the Ufa agenda, Islamabad has now alleged it was the failure to ensure a meeting between its foreign secretary Aizaz Chaudhry and his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar which? finally put paid to any hope of holding the NSA-level dialogue.
On August 21, three days before the scheduled meeting between NSA Ajit Doval and? his counterpart Sartaj Aziz, India officially conveyed to Pakistan that a meeting between the foreign secretaries was not possible. Indian officials said a meeting between the foreign secretaries wasn't part of the understanding the two sides arrived at in the Ufa meeting between PM Narendra Modi and Nawaz Sharif on July 10.
According to India, the meeting was suggested as an afterthought and after it had become evident that Pakistan wasn't interested in holding NSA talks, going by the delay on the part of Islamabad in confirming the dates for talks.
Pakistan had proposed the meeting, on the sidelines of NSA dialogue, to discuss modalities for further discussions on what it describes as the core issue of Kashmir.? This was apparently important for Sharif himself as he was keen to convey at home that the issue remained as significant as ever for Pakistan, after he allowed India to not mention J&K in the Ufa statement. The Ufa statement did not mention any meeting between the foreign secretaries.
Pakistan believes that the NSA talks were taking place after two crucial back-to-back concessions by Sharif-led civilian government to India. Sharif backtracked in Ufa after initially insisting that J&K be mentioned in the statement read out jointly by the foreign secretaries.
This was after India insisted that the mention of "all outstanding issues" in the statement was enough to convey Pakistan's focus on the Kashmir issue in the meeting between Sharif and Modi. Sharif relented, as top sources confirmed to TOI, in a decision which was completely his own.
Indian officials and the BJP were quick to project no mention of J&K and condemnation of terrorism "in all its forms" in the Ufa statement as a victory for India.
The second concession, claims Pakistan , is the fact that Aziz agreed to come to India for a dialogue with Doval despite the latter's relatively junior status in the government. As adviser to Sharif on foreign and security affairs, Aziz is effectively the foreign minister of Pakistan and enjoys the status of a cabinet minister. Doval is a secretary rank official.
Full report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Pakistan-wanted-foreign-secretaries-to-talk-on-Kashmir-on-the-fringes-of-NSA-level-dialogue/articleshow/48718033.cms
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Govt plans ordinance to grant citizenship to Hindu refugees from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan
Mohua Chatterjee
Aug 29, 2015
NEW DELHI: The government is working on an ordinance to amend the Citizenship Act to grant citizenship to "persecuted" Hindu refugees from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
While the ordinance will cover refugees from three nations, it is primarily aimed at Hindu migrants from Bangladesh who have crossed over into Assam and West Bengal in large numbers. Assembly polls are due in both eastern states next year and the BJP hopes the move will brighten its electoral prospects.
The government is working on a policy paper on the modalities of granting natural citizenship to the refugees. The complicated and contentious part, according to sources involved in the process, is to work out who to include and on what basis to include them as citizens. A task force set up by the home ministry is also working on how to grant citizenship to the scores of Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists and Chakma refugees.
Even though the government anticipates the legislation to stir a controversy and face opposition in Parliament, it may bring a bill in the winter session to send a message to Bangladeshi refugees living in Assam for years without proper documents that it intends to include them in the system.
The winter session is the only window for the government to bring up this issue as the verification process is long and tedious and elections are due by April-May next year.
The process of including Hindu Bengali refugees in Assam starts with verifications to update the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state that begins soon. NRC is applicable only in Assam.
Full report at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Govt-plans-ordinance-to-grant-citizenship-to-Hindu-refugees-from-Bangladesh-Pakistan-Afghanistan/articleshow/48717599.cms
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South Asia
ISIS in Afghanistan Nothing But A Movement Formed By Pakistani Militants
By MIRWAIS ADEEL - Sat Aug 29 2015
Despite a slowdown in the activities of the affiliates of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group in Afghanistan, a newly-recorded audio has emerged online claiming to belong to a commander of the group’s Khurasan province.
The speaker who has been identified as Sheikh Jalaluddin claims he is a commander of the Islamic State Wilayat Khurasan (Khurasan province).
Sheikh Jalaluddin claims that the group started war against the US, Europe, Afghan and Pakistani governments and said the ISIS affiliates were not the ones who started clash with the Taliban group in Afghanistan.
Giving the examples of inter-Muslims fighting in the 7th century, Sheikh Jalaluddin claimed that the group has basis to fight against the Taliban militants, calling them puppets of Pakistan’s military intelligence – Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) and apostate of Iran.
In parts of his provocative speech Sheikh Jalaluddin called on Sunni Muslims to stand against the Shia Iran, accusing it of supporting certain Taliban elements to eliminate the ISIS affiliates.
Although, the authenticity of the audio could not be ascertained, what makes it interesting is the accent of the speaker who use the same accent widely used in tribal regions of Pakistan and in the areas where Pashtu is mostly spoken.
Using the words such “Soch” meaning think in Urdu and “hospital” a term widely used in Urdu language and numerous others terms, further supports the statement by the Taliban that mostly Pakistani nationals are fighting for the ISIS terror group in Afghanistan.
“People under the name of Daesh are currently only operating in one or two districts of Nangarhar who are mostly Pakistani nationals with a very small number of young locals,” Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujaihid said.
He also ruled out that the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) terrorist group is based in Afghanistan, insisting that the militant groups are fighting under the flag and policy of Taliban in Afghanistan.
Full report at:
http://www.khaama.com/isis-in-afghanistan-nothing-but-a-movement-formed-by-pakistani-militants-1453
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Kabul police say blasts were controlled detonations
By KHAAMA PRESS - Sat Aug 29 2015
Kabul police arriving at light explosion site Two big booms were heard in the eastern part of Kabul city on Saturday afternoon.
The blasts spread panic in police districts eight and nine for few moments but Kabul police say they were controlled detonations.
The explosive materials were reportedly collected by a de-mining company and blasted in the area.
This comes as Kabul residents are still in shock from the recent suicide bombings in the city that left dozens of people killed and hundreds of others wounded.
Last Saturday a suicide bomber targeted a vehicle of foreigners in Macroryan 4 area leaving 12 people, including 3 US contractors, killed and around 80 others wounded.
Full report at:
http://www.khaama.com/breaking-news-explosion-reported-in-3rd-macroryan-area-of-kabul-city-3841
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Taliban kill 7 ‘uprising’ civilians in Ghazni’s Andar District
Aug 29 2015
Taliban militants have killed seven ‘uprising’ civilians in two coordinated attacked in Ghazni province.
Mohammad Ali Ahmadi, deputy governor of Ghazni province said that the incident took place in Minar area of Andar District last night.
He said that Taliban attacked a security post of ‘uprising’ civilians killing five of them. He added that when Abdullah, commander of the armed civilians, receives information about it he leaves his home to in order to assist his people in the check post. Ahmadi further said that Abdullah’s vehicle ran over a Taliban-planted landmine on his way to the security post leaving him and his driver killed.
Full report at:
http://www.khaama.com/taliban-kill-7-uprising-civilians-in-ghaznis-andar-district-3839
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Urozgan’s Ulema council chief, senior police officer killed in militant attacks
Aug 29 2015
Head of the Ulema council of Urozgan province and a senior police commander lost lives in two militant attacks.
Maulawi Lal Mohammad, head of the Ulema council was on his way from Urzogan to neighboring Kandahar province when he came under the militant attack this morning.
Dost Mohammad Nayab, spokesman for the governor of Urozgan province said three people including Maulawi Lal Mohammad lost lives in the attack.
He identified the other two as Ahmad Shah Khan and driver of the vehicle. He said the vehicle they were driving in actually belonged to the deputy police chief (Rahimullah).
Rahimullah is the brother of Urozgan’s former police chief Matiullah Khan who had a tough strategy against Taliban. He embraced martyrdom in a militant attack in capital Kabul in March.
Full report at:
http://www.khaama.com/urozgans-ulema-council-chief-senior-police-officer-killed-in-militant-attacks-3840
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India rebuffs Afghanistan to meet on Strategic Partnership Agreement
Aug 29 201
The government of India is rebuffing invitations by Kabul to hold a meeting on Strategic Partnership Agreement signed between the two nations in 2011, it has been reported.
New Delhi has reportedly rebuffed another invitation by Kabul recently with local media reports suggesting the Indian government is stung by Afghanistan’s security and strategic shift towards Pakistan in the past year.
The Indian government has also conveyed its inability to hold the meeting that would be chaired by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Afghan counterpart Salahuddin Rabbani “due to prior commitments”, diplomatic sources at the highest level quoted by The Hindu newspaper said.
According to the paper, Ms. Swaraj will also not attend the upcoming Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan (RECCA) in Kabul on September 3 and 4.
Despite senior government officials from Pakistan and Iran would attend the conference, India has opted to send Sujata Mehta, Secretary, Multilateral and Economic Relations to the conference.
Full report at:
http://www.khaama.com/india-refusing-afghanistan-to-meet-on-strategic-partnership-agreement-1451
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6 Bangladeshis dead in Libya capsize
august 29, 2015
At least six Bangladeshis, including two children, died after two boats carrying around 500 migrants capsized off Libya early Thursday.
A Bangladesh Embassy team currently stationed at the scene confirmed the number to the Dhaka Tribune and said 46 more Bangladeshis were rescued, while two remained missing.
“There were 54 Bangladeshis on one of the boats. Among them, six died, two of whom were children. Two are still missing, and 46 survived because they were wearing life jackets,” Ashraful Islam, labour counsellor at the embassy, told the Dhaka Tribune over phone yesterday.
He, however, could not say if there were more Bangladeshis on the other boat.
The accident happened off the Libyan coastal town of Zuwara, located around 300km west of Tripoli, as the boats were crossing the Mediterranean Sea towards Italy.
The Bangladesh Embassy team, led by Ashraful, is coordinating medical and humanitarian support, the UNB reported.
The migrants were rescued by the Libyan Coast Guards and extended treatment facilities. The rescued Bangladeshis were all admitted to hospital and released after first aid, the UNB quoted a Foreign Ministry note.
The Reuters reported that at least 105 bodies washed ashore as the boats sank, and the Libyan authorities rescued at least 198 people, according to Red Crescent officials at work in Zuwara, when this report was filed last night.
However, the United Nations refugee agency, the UNHCR, are fearing that as many as 200 people from the boats may be dead.
Full report at:
http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2015/aug/29/6-bangladeshis-dead-libya-capsize
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Ganajagaran Mancha demands quick execution of Salauddin Quader, Mujahid
2015-08-29
The activists of the platform marched after a sit-in at Shahbagh on Friday afternoon to rally for the demand.
Mancha spokesperson Imran Sarker expressed his indignation over ‘delay’ in publishing the Appellate Division’s full verdicts sealing the death sentences of BNP leader Chowdhury and Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mujahid.
“Now we’ll see how long the executions will be delayed in the name of review,” he said.
The Appellate Division on July 29 upheld the death sentence of Chowdhury for the crimes against humanity he committed during the Liberation War in 1971.
Wartime force Al-Badr commander Mujahid’s death sentence was upheld on June 16.
The Supreme Court is yet to publish the full copies of the verdicts.
The condemned war criminals will be able to file petitions seeking review of the verdicts.
If the review petitions are rejected, they can seek presidential mercy.
Sarker demanded that the process be completed fast.
Full report at:
http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2015/08/29/ganajagaran-mancha-demands-quick-execution-of-salauddin-quader-mujahid
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Pakistan
Pakistan Bans Islamic State Militant Group
Aug 29, 2015
Pakistan has banned the Islamic State militant group that has overrun vast stretches of Iraq and Syria after repeatedly denying the dreaded outfit's presence within its territory.
"The Islamic State or Daesh has been banned in Pakistan," an Interior Ministry official said today.
The decision was taken on recommendation of the Foreign Office, which regularly updates the Pakistan government about international militant groups banned by the United Nations.
Banners and graffiti in support of Islamic State (IS), also known as Daesh in Arabic, have often appeared in Pakistan but the government has until now rejected its presence inside the country.
However, the official said the outfit has been declared a proscribed entity.
The group -- which is banned under a UN sanctions regime -- is believed to have gained a foothold in the border regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Full report at:
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/497982/pakistan-bans-islamic-state-militant.html
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India sabotaging regional peace, Pakistan tells UK
August 29, 2015
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan told Britain on Friday that India was trying to sabotage efforts for peace on one pretext or the other and putting regional security and stability at stake.
Pakistan government has a very clear view regarding peace in the region and on establishing friendly relations with neighboring countries, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said in a meeting with British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond in London. Nisar, who is on an official trip to the UK, regretted that unfortunately the other side had not reciprocated the same. It was strange that India did not want to discuss the core issue of Kashmir, nor wanted Pakistan to hold consultations with Kashmiri leaders, a press release issued in Islamabad quoted him as saying. This, he said, was “unacceptable to Pakistan” and labeled it a major hurdle in efforts towards peace in the region.
Speaking on Afghanistan, Nisar said Pakistan’s government and its security institutions had made the impossible possible by facilitating dialogue for peace in Afghanistan.
“But we are concerned over regional countries’ and international community’s lack of a positive response towards our efforts,” he said, adding that unjustified and unnecessary criticism on Pakistan was “not acceptable to us.” The minister said Pakistan would continue its efforts for peace in the region but would never accept any hegemony or dominance. He said other countries need to avoid blaming Pakistan for their own “weaknesses and negligence.”
Similarly, India must understand that the dialogue process cannot proceed further without discussions on the issue of Kashmir. “Without furthering dialogue there can be no peace in the region.”Nisar said the government and the people of Pakistan desired peace and appreciated cooperation from the international community, especially friendly countries, in this regard.
Pakistan greatly valued its friendly ties with the United Kingdom and desired to further strengthen them, he said. The interior minister said Pakistan and the UK shared policy on various issues and there exists multifaceted cooperation between both countries.
Pakistan High Commissioner in the United Kingdom and senior officials from the British Foreign Office were also present during the meeting.
Full report at:
http://nation.com.pk/national/29-Aug-2015/india-sabotaging-regional-peace-pakistan-tells-uk
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FIA to send team to Multan for former Prime Minister Gilani's arrest
August 29, 2015
KARACHI: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has decided to send a team to Multan to arrest former Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani as per the court directives.
The FIA presented charge sheets against Makhdoom Ameen Fahim and Gilani in as many as 12 corruption cases in the court. The court, while accepting the Challans, ordered the agency to present the both on September 10.
Full report at:
http://nation.com.pk/national/29-Aug-2015/fia-to-send-team-to-multan-for-gilani-s-arrest
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Pakistan rejects ‘baseless’ report on nuclear arsenal
August 29, 2015
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan yesterday strongly rejected a report published by a US think tank, which claimed that Pakistan has the fastest growing nuclear arsenal in the world.
“The report is utterly baseless,” said Qazi Khalilullah, the spokesperson for the Foreign Office (FO).
“Such reports have the effect of diverting attention from the exponential increase in India’s fissile material stockpiles,” added the spokesperson.
He also added that India’s stockpiles have grown as a result of deals with Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) countries which will have destabilising consequences for the region.
The spokesman stated that as a nuclear state, Pakistan’s policy is characterised by utmost restraint and responsibility.
“Pakistan strictly abides by the concept of credible minimum deterrence and our nuclear programme is only aimed at maintaining peace and stability in South Asia.
Pakistan has no desire to engage in nuclear arms race,” stated Khalilullah.
It was also said that Pakistan remains committed to the global objective of disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation.
Full report at:
http://nation.com.pk/national/29-Aug-2015/pakistan-rejects-baseless-report-on-nuclear-arsenal
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PML-N to move court to ‘set record straight’; fresh PTI sit-in feared
SYED IRFAN RAZA
Aug 29, 2015
ISLAMABAD: Rejecting the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) demand to remove four members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the PML-N said on Friday that the party would contest the by-elections on three recently-vacated seats of the National Assembly in Punjab.
The PML-N added that it would also move the Supreme Court to set the record straight.
The PML-N led government fears that the PTI may initiate another countrywide agitation campaign to secure the removal of four ECP members and has decided to block every move aimed at destabilising the government.
“The demand to remove four members of the election commission is tantamount to sabotaging local government elections in Punjab and other provinces. We cannot accept it,” said PML-N leader Daniyal Aziz at a joint press conference.
He added that the Punjab government had announced the schedule for local government (LG) polls and if any member of the ECP was removed, it would sabotage the entire LG election process.
The PTI chairman Imran Khan has shown complete mistrust in all members of the ECP except the chief election commissioner (retd) Justice Sardar Mohammad Raza Khan. The PTI chief recently called for removal of four ECP members before by-elections for NA-122 (which was won by Sardar Ayaz Sadiq), NA-125 (of Khawaja Saad Rafiq) and NA-154 (of Siddique Baloch).
Mr Aziz said the PTI chief sought removal of ECP members who conducted the LG elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in May, cantonment elections throughout Pakistan in April and 36 by-elections on national and provincial assemblies’ seats. “Why did Imran Khan not question the credibility of these members when they conducted these elections?” asked Mr Aziz.
He claimed that the KP government was involved in corruption worth billions of rupees. “Under the [hydel] project, the KP government had to install 3,260MW hydel power facility, but only a 19MW plant has been set up so far,” he said.
Federal Commerce Minister Khurram Dastagir, who was also present at the press conference, told Dawn that the government hoped the PPP would not field its candidate in the by-election in NA-122.
Regarding the PTI’s demand to remove ECP members, he said the party should follow the right and constitutional way to meet its demands instead of maligning the institutions.
Privatisation Commission Chairman Mohammad Zubair said the PTI should take its case to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) to get the ECP members removed. He, however, added: “Imran Khan will not be able to provide credible evidences against these members to substantiate his demand.”
Another PML-N leader Maiza Hameed claimed that the PTI government in KP had failed to deliver and only 23 per cent of last year’s development budget was utilised while the rest of the money was returned to the centre.
Full report at:
http://www.dawn.com/news/1203593/pml-n-to-move-court-to-set-record-straight-fresh-pti-sit-in-feared
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CM Shah calls it ‘invasion of Sindh’, lashes out at NAB, FIA
HABIB KHAN GHORI
Aug 29, 2015
KARACHI: In an uncharacteristic outburst of anger, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah said on Friday that interference by federal agencies in the provincial government’s affairs amounted to “invasion of Sindh” and that he had already lodged a protest with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
This was his first reaction after the arrest of Dr Asim Hussain, the Chairman of Sindh’s Higher Education Commission.
“The arrest of Dr Asim is a major incident. It is unfair and regrettable that the agencies concerned, which are legally bound to take me into confidence before arresting the person of such a calibre, did not inform me,” he told reporters after inaugurating the Begum Nusrat Bhutto underpass on Sharea Faisal near Mehran Hotel.
Answering a question, he said he had protested to the federal government when the FIA and NAB raided the Civic Centre and took away files of record in a truck. He said he had raised the issue with Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and then with the prime minister at a recent meeting of the apex committee.
“The prime minister told me that he was not aware of the action and assured me of addressing our grievances, but even then raids on the Civic Centre are continuing,” he added.
Mr Shah, who is also President of PPP Sindh, said that soon after the arrest of Dr Asim he had spoken to the corps commander and the director general of Rangers who told him that there were serious complaints against him. “But when they sent me details of the complaints against Dr Asim I found them to be of general nature and without any concrete substance.”
He said the DG Rangers had met him earlier in the day (Friday) and briefed him on the complaints. “I told him that I should have been informed about the complaints, but this was not done,” he said, adding that the Rangers chief had assured him that he would be informed before taking such actions in future and the issue would be resolved.
The chief minister said that after his talks with the DG Rangers he was optimistic about the release of Dr Asim “with due respect” soon.
He said the complaints against Dr Asim should have been properly investigated before arresting him. “This procedure was not followed. This is not fair and it has invited the wrath of my party,” he said.
He said his party was angry with him over the action taken against Dr Asim and held him responsible because he was the chief executive of the province. “Being an elected chief minister and head of the provincial apex committee I should have been consulted,” he added.
KARACHI OPERATION: The chief minister said that as far as the Karachi operation was concerned the DG Rangers and IG police were under his command because he was responsible for the operation.
Over the past two years there had been a sharp decline in incidents of target killings, extortion, kidnapping for ransom and terrorist activities. This was conceded also by the army chief during his recent visit to Karachi when he expressed satisfaction over the law and order situation in the city.
The chief minister said that several major projects in Sindh were about to be completed and work on many others was about to be initiated.
Full report at:
http://www.dawn.com/news/1203581/cm-shah-calls-it-invasion-of-sindh-lashes-out-at-nab-fia
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Contract awarded to US company for helicopters sale
ANWAR IQBAL
Aug 29, 2015
WASHINGTON: The US Department of Defence has awarded a $57 million contract to Bell Helicopter to provide Ah-1Z Viper attack helicopters to Pakistan.
The deal is part of a larger $581 million contract, most of which goes to the US Navy. The contract covers the manufacture and delivery of 15 Lot 12 UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters, 19 Lot 12 AH-1Zs, one Lot 13 UH-1Y, and 21 auxiliary fuel kits for the government of Pakistan. Some of these initial helicopters will be delivered by the end of August 2018.
Although Pakistan had requested the sale of 15 AH-1Z helicopters in April, it is not clear how many of the 15 helicopters have been signed for at this stage.
Full report at:
http://www.dawn.com/news/1203596/contract-awarded-to-us-company-for-helicopters-sale
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Three lose their lives during bid to plant bomb on rail tracks
Aug 29, 2015
QUETTA: Three suspected militants were killed on Thursday after a bomb they were planting on the main railway track, exploded near Metheri area of Sibi, linking Quetta with other parts of the country.
Security officials said the militants were blown up by a powerful blast when they were trying to plant bombs at the main railway line to target passenger trains.
The railway line was also slightly damaged but movement of trains remained unaffected.
“They planted a bomb on the track and the other two bombs were being planted when one of the bombs exploded,” a senior Levies official said, adding that the powerful explosion left the three militants dead. The blast rocked Metheri and its adjoining areas and caused panic among villagers.
Full report at:
http://www.dawn.com/news/1203324/three-lose-their-lives-during-bid-to-plant-bomb-on-rail-tracks
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Africa
Nigeria says uncovers Boko Haram spy ring at Abuja airport
Aug 29, 2015
Nigeria has uncovered a spy cell run by militant Islamist group Boko Haram at the international airport in the capital Abuja apparently aimed at selecting targets for attack, the country's national security agency said.
In a statement late on Friday, the Department of State Services (DSS) said it discovered the ring on Monday and was working with aviation authorities to pre-empt any attack.
President Muhammadu Buhari has made halting Boko Haram's six-year-old insurgency a priority, but a Reuters tally shows the jihadist group has killed more than 700 people in Nigeria in bomb attacks and shootings since he came to office on May 29.
The DSS said it had arrested a 14-year-old boy who said he had been instructed to spy on the airport's security procedures, including passenger screening and boarding processes, and report what he had learned.
It said the man who directed the boy had not been located.
"The service, in liaison with the aviation security of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, disrupted a spying network mounted by the Boko Haram terrorists," DSS spokesman Tony Opuiyo said in the statement.
"The service is working closely with major aviation stakeholders, especially the Aviation Security Department, to forestall any possible attack and to ensure adequate security at the airports."
Full report at:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/08/29/us-nigeria-spy-cell-idUSKCN0QY06020150829
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Ten Al Shabab fighters killed in Hudur battle
AUGUST 28, 2015
The government troops, along with African Union (AMISOM) forces clashed with Al Shabaab fighters in Hudur town in Bakol region.
At least ten Al Shabab members were killed and several others wounded said, Mustaf Aden a deputy head of political and security affairs for Hudur town.
Mr. Aden Hussein says that government troops backed by African Union mission for Somalia (AMISOM) killed 10 militants.
Full report at:
http://www.mareeg.com/ten-al-shabab-fighters-killed-in-hudur-battle/
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Muslims Peace Convoy Tours Kenya
28 August 2015
NAIROBI – Spreading a message of peace and tolerance, Kenyan Muslim leaders have launched a caravan that aims to combat radicalization among Muslim youth in the eastern African country.
"Islam means peace and whosoever is compromising it, does not uphold the true values and teachings of the religion," Ibrahim Abdullahi, the leader of Nairobi Muslim Clerics (NMC), told Standard Digital on Friday, August 28.
Abdullah was speaking during the launch of the NMC campaign in Nairobi’s Eastleigh.
The peace initiative, that was launched on Thursday, August 27, aims to reach out to vulnerable youth in 47 counties in Nairobi and Mombasa.
Condemning terrorism in the African country, the Muslim leader said that extremist groups are emphasizing the negative stereotypes and stigmatizing the Muslim community.
Meanwhile, he raised alarm over the disappearance of the Muslim youth and recruitment by terror groups.
"Their families have been insinuating that there are security agents who have a hand in their disappearance and therefore we ask the government to come out and look into this matter," Abdullahi said.
Full report at:
http://www.onislam.net/english/news/africa/492751-muslims-peace-convoy-tours-kenya.html
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UN to host new round of Libyan peace talks next week
Aug 29, 2015
The United Nations says it will host a fresh round of peace talks among different Libyan factions in Geneva next week.
On Friday, the UN said the next round of talks would be held on September 3 and 4, aimed at completing talks over the finalization of the Libyan Political Agreement.
The announcement was made after two days of talks in the Moroccan city of Skhirat.
The statement added that those taking part in the recently concluded talks in Morocco were “aware of their responsibilities... to work for a peaceful settlement to the political and military conflict ravaging Libya and threatening its unity, the participants agreed that it is high time to conclude the talks."
It added the agreement was a matter of "extreme urgency."
Meanwhile, the UN envoy to Libya Bernardino Leon has told all sides to the Libyan conflict that they must reach an agreement in the next two weeks.
United Nations envoy to Libya Bernardino Leon
He added that the situation in Libya was worsening as a result of an ongoing migrant crisis, which has claimed the lives of thousands of people trying to gain entry to Europe, since last year.
Full report at:
http://www.presstv.in/Detail/2015/08/29/426793/Libya-United-Nations-Tobruk-Geneva-Bernardino-Leon
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Europe
Plans Unveiled For New Mosque In Burton That Will Be 'Biggest And Best' In Europe
August 29, 2015
THE Mail can today exclusively reveal plans to build Europe's 'biggest' mosque in Burton.
Religious leaders hope the new building will allow a minimum of 1,500 people to pray at the same time.
This would make it double the current capacity of 700 which can currently worship at one time at the Uxbridge Street site.
Around £200,000 of the £1 million needed has already been raised.
Architects' drawings show it will be constructed in the car park of the current mosque, as well as in a neighbouring industrial building already owned by the mosque.
The plan will then see the current mosque demolished to make way for a car park. It is not yet known the exact size of the building, and planning permission is yet to be applied for and granted.
The mosque's chairman Mohammad Riaz, 61, said: "We will try to make it the biggest and best in Europe if Allah wills it.
"I don't think there will be any issues with planning permission.
"It will bring a good image for this area as well, and be a big boost for the community.
"We hope we can start building as soon as possible."
Mr Riaz said the building would be a community-funded project.
He added: "It is a lot of money, but once we start, a lot of wealthy businessmen will help.
"I am looking forward to it – we have been trying to do this for a very long time.
"There are always lots of new people, from Somalia and North Africa coming to our mosque, so now was the time to build it."
Full report at:
http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/Burton-s-new-mosque-biggest-best-Europe/story-27695929-detail/story.html
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Dividing the Arabs: America and Europe's Double Game
by Bassam Tawil
August 29, 2015
Iran is on its way in a few years to having nuclear weapons capability. The breakout time, according to President Obama, would effectively be "zero." Iran could then make as many bombs as it would like, along with intercontinental ballistic missiles to delver them to major American cities, directly from Iran, from South America, or -- making identification and retaliation impossible -- from submarines submerged off the U.S. coast.
Obama with one hand allows Iran to glide to nuclear capability and encourage the Muslim Brotherhood and similar Islamist terrorist organizations such as the Islamic State in the Sinai Peninsula -- while with the other hand, he claims to support Israel.
Qatar's role is duplicitous. It plays host to U.S. military bases at the same time that it funds and supports ISIS.
Hamas, since last year's war, has chosen to use its scant resources to rebuild its kidnapping tunnels and war capability, instead of developing businesses and turning the Gaza Strip into a magnificent Arab Riviera, as Dubai has become. Hamas's failure does not come from a lack of resources; it comes from a deliberate choice of how to use them.
The Iranians, in opposing American policy, which is a tissue of amateur plans and plots, are flexible and exploit Islam's taqiyya [dissimulation] -- religious approval to lie in the cause of Allah and to further Islam. However, they are not even bothering with that, they are telling the truth: "Death to America; Death to Israel."
The United States is playing a double game in the Middle East: empowering Shiite Iran, while at the same time enabling Sunni ISIS to overthrow the moderate Arab regimes, as if to stop Iran.
The Americans are well aware that the Sunni Arab countries around Iran will now have to arm themselves to the teeth, thereby gutting the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
America, despite its power and the image it projects of working against ISIS in Iraq, does not touch ISIS in its real headquarters, Syria, where ISIS actually could actually be hurt. So nothing really changes, and both Iran and ISIS continue to strengthen.
Even as the members the UN Security Council, eager do business with Iran, voted to allow Iran to build nuclear weapons, the Iranians continue to fund Hezbollah, Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip -- all Iranian proxies -- in order to split the Arab ranks.
In other words, the hypocritical Obama administration, in backing the Iranians, keeps trying to sabotage the Arabs and provoke dissension.
The U.S. "divide-and-conquer" policy can also be seen in America's ongoing support for Turkey and Qatar, both loyal to the Muslim Brotherhood. Turkey and Qatar, however, do nothing but foment incitement and support terrorist organizations. Both countries have totally abandoned the real existential interest of the Arab nation: its historic battle against Iran.
Qatar's role is duplicitous. It plays host to U.S. military bases at the same time that it funds and supports ISIS, which is working against the West and against moderate Arab regimes.
The worst, however, is Turkey, which supports ISIS -- the enemy of the West -- despite Turkey being a member of NATO. Turkey also expends inordinate efforts at retaining its control of occupied Cyprus. Above all, its hypocrisy is scandalous. While it claims to care about the independence and human rights of the Palestinians, Turkey is really nothing but a radical Islamist country now denying independence and human rights to its own Kurdish citizens. At the same time, it supports Hamas and Iran in their effort to crush the unity of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the PLO as the only legitimate representatives of the Palestinian people.
Turkey, like many other nations, including the countries that negotiated with Iran, is just waiting for the sanctions to be lifted from Iran, so that its dubious military and economic relations with the Mullahs will finally be acceptable.
Full report at:
http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/6352/dividing-arabs
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2 journalists arrested for bid to blackmail Moroccan king
29 August 2015
PARIS: The Paris prosecutor’s office and a lawyer for Morocco’s King Mohammad VI say two French journalists have been arrested in France for allegedly trying to blackmail the monarch.
The prosecutor’s office said the two, Eric Laurent and Catherine Graciet, remained in detention Friday.
Eric Dupont-Moretti, a lawyer for the king, told RTL radio Thursday that Laurent claimed he and Graciet were writing a compromising book about the monarch and demanded 3 million euros ($3.4 million) to keep it unpublished.
Full report at:
http://www.arabnews.com/featured/news/798591
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Bendigo mosque: Anti-Islam and anti-racist protester face off in counter rallies
Aug 29, 2015
Frontline police trying to keep rival protest groups apart were forced to use pepper spray as tensions boiled over high about 3.20pm.
Officers deployed the capsicum spray after anti-racism protesters set fire to an Australian flag, triggering a furious reaction from rivals.
An anti-racism protester hurls a pot plant at United Patriot Front protesters. Picture: J
An anti-racism protester hurls a pot plant at United Patriot Front protesters. Picture: Jake Nowakowski
But Victoria Police spokeswoman Clair White said no arrests were made at the demonstrations.
“Police used OC spray to separate a few minor scuffles,” she said.
“The crowd of approximately 400 protestors has now started to disperse, but police will maintain a presence in the area for the rest of the evening.”
Hundreds of United Patriots Front protesters gathered in Hargreaves Mall from 1.30pm in a stance against the $3 million mosque, which was given planning approval earlier this month.
The anti-Islam demonstrators argue 85 per cent of the town’s residents don’t support the mosque being built.
No Room For Racism demonstrators charged towards the group soon after calling them “Nazi scum” and chanting “Muslims are welcome, racists are not”.
A strong police contingent, including officers on horseback, managed to keep the opposing groups at bay as they shout racial slurs and abuse at each other over barriers keeping them apart.
Full report at:
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/national/bendigo-mosque-anti-islam-and-anti-racist-protester-face-off-in-counter-rallies/story-fnihslxi-1227503953987
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Southeast Asia
After party name rejected, Harapan Baru says fighting for inclusive Islam
August 29, 2015
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 ― PAS splinter group Harapan Baru (HB) said it will continue its struggle for a universal and inclusive Islam, even after the Registrar of Society (RoS) rejected its application to register a party with the word “Islam” in its name.
HB secretary Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the group wanted the new party to be known as “Progressive Islamic Party” so nobody can accuse it of being afraid to carry the name of the religion.
“It is important that the Islam that we fight for is no more a phobia among the non-Muslims. Meanwhile, the Muslims are comfortable with an inclusive Islam that presents fairness and wellbeing for all races, religions and cultures in this country.
“At once, Islam is no longer monopolised by any party,” Dzulkefly said in a statement.
Despite that, Dzulkefly said an announcement on the party scheduled for August 31 will still go on, ahead of its launch on September 16.
Full report at:
http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/after-party-name-rejected-harapan-baru-says-fighting-for-inclusive-islam
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Why Malaysians are disillusioned with Najib Razak
28 August 2015
A massive street rally will be held in Malaysia this weekend calling for Prime Minister Najib Razak to step down over a financial scandal.
The story so far is that the prime minister received close to $700m (£455m) in his bank account from a generous Middle East donor or donors.
Some of his ministers have made astonishing defences as to how that money was used. One Muslim official suggested that their party needed the funds to counter the "Jewish threat" in the last general election, while another said the donation was a gift for Malaysia's efforts in fighting terrorism.
The answers raised more questions and left some Malaysians calling for him to resign.
Things were not always this bad for Mr Najib. The British-educated economist began his tenure in 2009 with a promising start, by pledging a raft of reforms long championed by the opposition.
Here are some of the major promises Mr Najib made:
1Malaysia
This was a national unity campaign to rebrand his Malay-Muslim dominated Barisan Nasional coalition as one that cared for Malaysians of all faiths and ethnicities.
He pledged to roll back affirmative action policies that favoured the ethnic Malay majority over other races, to make the economy more transparent and based on merit.
Malaysian police cordon off an area during a protest against Prime Minister Razak in Kuala Lumpur - 1 August 2015
Image caption
There have been regular protests against the prime minister in recent months
His message was welcomed even by supporters of the political opposition, but there were concerns over whether he could make the old guard in his party accept the idea.
Today, ethnic minorities say they are no closer to meritocracy, especially in the enrolment of government universities.
Mr Najib's carefully cultivated image as a champion of national unity was shattered after he blamed his coalition's weaker majority on the lack of ethnic Chinese votes, calling it a "Chinese tsunami".
More civil liberties
Prime Minister Najib encouraged the public to reach out to him through social media. He is active on Twitter and on Facebook and he even has a Chinese language Facebook page to communicate with Malaysian Chinese voters. For the first time in Malaysian history, the public could voice their concerns directly to the prime minister.
However, as public anger built against him, the authorities blocked access to news sites that covered the 1MDB scandal extensively and vowed to move against "rumour mongers".
One of the laws frequently used against government critics is the sedition act, which Mr Najib had initially promised to abolish but instead strengthened without explanation.
He did get rid of a raft of security laws that allowed for detention without trial, including the Internal Security Act. But activists said their replacements were just as bad.
Malaysia was also criticised for jailing opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim for sodomy, which was widely perceived as a politically trumped-up charge.
Fiscal reforms
Mr Najib promised to take Malaysia from a country dependent on cheap exports and raw materials, to a high-income economy.
To invest in these projects, he needed more revenue by pushing through two key reforms that had been stalled for years.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak addresses delegates during the annual congress of his ruling party in Kuala Lumpur - 27 November 2014
Image caption
Mr Razak has been accused of alienating his country's religious minority groups
He cut back food and fuel subsidies and implemented a broad-based consumption tax called the GST, despite fierce opposition from within his own party.
Full report at:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-34089324
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Turkish suspect arrested in Bangkok with bomb making materials
August 29, 2015
Police arrested a Turkish man at a rented room in Bangkok's Nong Chok district Saturday afternoon and found a lot of bomb making tools and materials.
The arrest took place at Poon-anand apartment in Nongchok district in eastern Bangkok. A large quantity of explosive-making materials were found at the apartment.
The arrest was made after about 100 police and troops surrouned the apartment at at 1:30 pm.
Among things found were 0.5 cm diametre ball bearing similar to those found at the bomb sites at Ratchaprasong Intersection and Sathorn pier. The Ratchaprason attack happened on August 17.
Police and troops surrounded the apartment building on Soi Chuamsamphan 11 for about two hours before making the raid.
Several senior police officers joined the raid, including Metropolitan Police Commissioner Pol Lt Gen Sriwarah Rangsitpramkul and Crime Suppression Division Commander Maj Gen Akkaradej Pimolsri.
Full report at:
http://www.thedailystar.net/world/turkish-suspect-arrested-bangkok-bomb-making-materials-134536
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To prove critics wrong, Muslims pray at Bersih 4 rally
BY SYED JAYMAL ZAHIID AND MAYURI MEI LIN
August 29, 2015
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 — Malay-Muslim participants of the Bersih 4 rally today performed their zohor prayers in front of the Sogo shopping centre here in an apparent bid to disprove claims that the movement appealed only to non-Malays.
Initiating the move was PKR vice-president and Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli, who said the public prayers were important to “break” the attempt by political rivals to paint the Malays as uninterested in the demands by organisers Bersih 2.0 for political reform.
“The [Malay: non-Malay] ratio is likely 50-50, whereas the previous ones the ratio was maybe 70-30 or 60-40,” Rafizi told Malay Mail Online.
Under the scorching sun, about 100 Malay-Muslims clad in Bersih 4 yellow tees performed their prayers on a huge yellow Bersih banner spread on the pavement, right before the main entrance of the Sogo shopping centre.
The prayers were accompanied by a silent show of respect by the Chinese and Indian protesters at the Bersih 4 rally.
Thousands dressed in yellow, Bersih’s signature colour, have started marching towards Dataran Merdeka here, holding up placards with the words “Turun Najib” [Najib, step down] and “I support a vote of no confidence”, referring to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
PAS, which previously brought in their Malay-Muslim supporters from all over the country to Bersih rallies in the past, has opted to sit out the Bersih 4 rally, citing the inappropriateness of the timing of the demonstration so close to Merdeka Day on Monday.
The Islamist opposition party appears to have distanced itself from polls reform group Bersih 2.0 after the conservatives swept to victory in the recent party election.
Around 100 Muslims hold their afternoon zohor prayers in front of Sogo shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur August 29, 2015, ahead of the Bersih 4 rally. — Picture by Syed Jaymal Zahiid
Around 100 Muslims hold their afternoon zohor prayers in front of Sogo shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur August 29, 2015, ahead of the Bersih 4 rally. — Picture by Syed Jaymal Zahiid
Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, secretary of PAS splinter group Harapan Baru (HB), said other Malays would be joining the Bersih 4 rally soon, although he noted that PAS members were not present at the demonstration this time around.
“These Malays are either from PKR or HB, as well as silent majority Malays,” Dzulkefly told Malay Mail Online.
Full report at:
http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/to-prove-critics-wrong-muslims-pray-at-bersih-4-rally
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North America
Scott Walker vows to defeat Islamic State, reduce Iran’s influence
August 28, 2015
GOP presidential hopeful Scott Walker said Friday the United States is at war with radical Islam, calling it a “generational struggle” while vowing to defeat the Islamic State and curb Iran’s influence in the world. The Wisconsin governor sought to convince voters that he has the national security chops to serve as the next commander-in-chief.
Full report at:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/aug/28/scott-walker-vows-defeat-islamic-state-reduce-iran/
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Virginia journalists shooter ‘identified with 9/11 attacks’
29 August 2015
The gunman who killed two Virginia television journalists on air carried out a well-planned assault and identified with mass murderers and the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, authorities said on Friday.
The shooter, Vester Flanagan, gave no sign of his destination or next move when he fled after gunning down the journalists from Roanoke station WDBJ7 on Wednesday, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
“It is evident that Wednesday morning’s attack was well-planned and premeditated” and Flanagan apparently acted alone, the statement on the shooting investigation said.
Flanagan, a former station employee, fired 17 rounds from a 40 caliber Glock pistol when he attacked reporter Alison Parker and cameraman Adam Ward as they were conducting a live interview at Smith Mountain Lake in southwest Virginia, the statement said.
Flanagan shot himself during a police chase in northern Virginia and died. The woman who was being interviewed was wounded and hospitalized.
Evidence and his writings show that Flanagan “closely identified with individuals who have committed domestic acts of violence and mass murder, as well as the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the U.S.,” said the statement. Almost 3,000 people were killed in the 9/11 attacks.
The statement said two Glock pistols were recovered from Flanagan’s rental car. No other firearms have been found.
The on-air killings have brought renewed calls for gun control in the United States and in Virginia, where the National Rifle Association gun lobby is headquartered.
Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, a Democrat, vowed to press ahead with legislation on background checks for gun buyers, although the Republican-led legislature has rejected his gun control efforts.
Citing a federal law enforcement source, USA Today said Flanagan had legally bought the handguns. He passed a background check despite his apparent emotional problems, it reported.
Full report at:
https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/world/2015/08/29/Man-who-shot-Virginia-journalists-identified-with-9-11-attacks-sheriff-.html
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U.N. chief urges stronger response to migration crisis
29 August 2015
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appealed Friday to governments to step up their response to Europe’s migrant crisis following more drownings at sea and the discovery of migrant bodies in an abandoned truck in Austria.
Ban praised leaders and communities who were taking action to cope with the flow of migrants, but added: “Much more is required.”
“I appeal to all governments involved to provide comprehensive responses, expand safe and legal channels of migration and act with humanity, compassion and in accordance with their international obligations,” he said.
The U.N. chief said he was “horrified and heartbroken” by the loss of lives in the Mediterranean and the grim discovery of more than 70 bodies crammed inside a truck that was abandoned near the Austrian border with Hungary.
Indications are that many of the victims were Syrian refugees, including children.
Rescuers pulled 76 bodies from the Mediterranean after two boats carrying 500 migrants sank, the latest tragedy in a series at sea.
More than 300,000 people have crossed the Mediterranean so far this year, a large increase from last year, the U.N. refugee agency said.
“The Mediterranean Sea continues to be a death trap for refugees and migrants,” said Ban in a statement.
Full report at:
https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/world/2015/08/29/U-N-chief-urges-stronger-response-to-migration-tragedies-.html
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Teen gets more than 11 years for helping Islamic State
August 28, 2015
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A northern Virginia teenager was sentenced Friday to more than 11 years in prison for helping another teen travel to Syria to join Islamic State militants and for providing other aid to the group.
U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton said during sentencing in federal court in Alexandria that he considered 17-year-old Ali Shukri Amin's age and lack of a criminal record in deciding the sentence.
With his parents, stepfather, grandmother and other family watching, Amin told the judge that he was taking responsibility for his actions and wouldn't "ask for or expect sympathy."
"I have not attempted to deny or explain away anything I have done," said Amin, who wore a blue jail jumpsuit with the pants bottoms rolled for his 5 foot 10 inch, 105 pound frame.
Amin, who has cooperated with law enforcement, said in a letter to the judge ahead of the hearing that he denounces the Islamic State group for "its violence and the way it twists the core tenants of Islam." He also talked in court about his Muslim faith, saying his "spiritual journey has only just begun." He said in court and in his letter that in his early teens, when he was seeking to deepen his faith and make sense of what he was reading about in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria, he turned to the "adults in my life," including imams, but they "could not provide adequate answers" or seemed too "busy to try." He said he got answers through contact with others on the Internet who urged him to "advocate violent jihad."
Though juveniles rarely face charges in the federal system, Amin pleaded guilty in June to conspiring to provide material support to terrorists. As part of his plea, Amin acknowledged using Twitter to provide advice and encouragement to the Islamic State group and its supporters. Through his Twitter handle Amreekiwitness - Amreeki translates to "American" - Amin provided instruction on how to use Bitcoin, a virtual currency, to mask funds going to the group and helped supporters seeking to travel to Syria to fight with the group, court documents said.
Amin also admitted that he helped a classmate, 18-year-old Reza Niknejad, travel to Syria to join the group in January. After taking Niknejad to the airport, Amin delivered a letter and thumb drive to Niknejad's family informing them that they would likely never see him again.
Amin's attorney Joseph Flood had argued that a sentence of about six years was appropriate because of Amin's age. Flood said Amin had been manipulated by older radicals and argued that Niknejad would likely have traveled to Syria even without any assistance from his client. Flood said that Amin's Twitter account may have had several thousand followers but that: "His influence was actually very small." Flood said other than Niknejad, prosecutors can't identify anyone influenced by Amin to travel to join the Islamic State group.
Full report at:
http://www.stripes.com/news/us/teen-gets-more-than-11-years-for-helping-islamic-state-1.365136
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