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Today in Palestine! ~ Headlines ~ |
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Land Theft and Destruction
Jerusalem mayor to raze 200 Palestinian homes
Jerusalem's mayor threatened last week to demolish 200 homes in Palestinian
neighborhoods of the city in an act even he conceded would probably
bring long-simmering tensions over housing in East Jerusalem to a boil.
His uncompromising stance is the latest stage in a protracted legal
battle over a single building towering above the jumble of modest homes
of Silwan. Jonathan Cook reports from Jerusalem.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11061.shtml
Effort To Retroactively Approve Illegal Jerusalem Settlement Backed By Interior Minister
A
seven-story building constructed by right-wing Israeli settlers on
Palestinian land, in East Jerusalem in 2004, is moving toward receiving
'retroactive approval,' with the unexpected support of Israel's
Interior Minister, Eli Yishai. This support adds an air of legitimacy
to the settler's illegal maneuver.
http://www.imemc.org/index.php?obj_id=53&story_id=57902
Netanyahu's government tries to save settler house (AP)
AP - The Israeli government has stepped in to save a house built illegally
by Jewish settlers in a volatile Palestinian neighborhood in east
Jerusalem, complicating already troubled U.S. efforts to renew Mideast
peacemaking.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100209/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_israel_palestinians
Activism/Solidarity/Boycott,
Sanctions and Divestment
Activist for detainees detained herself
Saed Bannoura and Ghassan Bannoura - IMEMC - The 45-year old Montaha Taweel
- an activist who works to defend the rights of the Palestinian
detainees, and is the wife of the mayor of al-Bireh - was among 16
Palestinians caught in last night`s army sweep of the Palestinian West
Bank communities. In the past week there were 19 invasions, in which 51
civilians are known to have been taken off to detention.
http://www.kibush.co.il/show_file.asp?num=38203
Report to UN on suppression of Palestinian human rights activism
Addameer
- (...) those who are charged with offenses in the Israeli military
courts face almost certain conviction and imprisonment by a military
justice system that is heavily biased against them; those who are not
charged are nonetheless often levied with administrative detention.
http://www.kibush.co.il/show_file.asp?num=38202
Shots fired as activists test Gaza 'exclusion zone'
Gaza
– Ma'an – A few dozen Palestinian and international protesters
approached Gaza's northern-most area on Sunday, drawing fire from
Israeli forces operating an "exclusion zone" inside the coastal
enclave's borders. Israeli armed forces fired four gunshots when the
group approached an area near the Erez crossing, said Saber Az-Za'anin,
coordinator of Local Initiative, a Beit Hanoun-based organization
seeking to reclaim some 300 meters of privately owned farmland.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=259955
International activists to accompany Gazan farmers
On
Tuesday the 9th February 2010, ISM Gaza volunteers will be accompanying
farmers from the village of Khuza’a near Khan Younis to their land near
the border with Israel where soldiers fired at the farmers recently on
several occasions.
http://palsolidarity.org/2010/02/11271
Americans
for Peace Now, Arab American Institute, B'Tselem, Churches for Middle
East Peace, Foundation for Middle East Peace, J Street, Rabbis for
Human Rights, "Mr. President, Help Lift Gaza Closure Now!"
We are aware that Israel links its closure to a cease-fire and release
of Gilad Shalit, which Egypt has been pursuing with Hamas.
Nevertheless, we urge that, while supporting these efforts, the U.S.
should oppose holding Gazans' right to food, shelter, healthcare,
education, and travel hostage to these issues. The crisis in Gaza will
become even more dire if Egypt completes its plan to shut down the
tunnels under its border with Gaza, which are now a life-line for
Gazans.
http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/2010/gaza080210.html
Twelve arrested in U.S. for disrupting Israel ambassador
Police
intervene after hecklers scream "killers" during speech by Michael Oren
at California university. California reportedly police made 12
arrests on Monday after a speech by Israel's U.S. Ambassador Michael
Oren descended into chaos. Hecklers interrupted Oren's lecture at
Irving University in Los Angeles over 10 times, shouting "killers" and
"how many Palestinians did you kill?" Oren took a 20 minute break after
the fourth protest, only to be interrupted again by young men yelling
at him every few minutes, local press reported.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1148561.html
Egypt soccer boss: I'd rather starve than coach Israelis
Veteran trainer Hassan Shehata ends speculation over cross-border move in bluntest possible terms.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1148577.html
United solidarity with Gaza
Once
the Gaza Freedom March arrived in Cairo I repeatedly heard
justification that organizers did not want to put Egyptian protesters
at risk. Yet, Egyptians regularly protest in Egypt despite the risks.
For a group of outsiders to justify the exclusion of our involvement
without asking our opinion -- in spite of the good intentions of
"protecting" us -- felt paternalistic and demeaning. Philip Rizk
comments for The Electronic Intifada.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11060.shtml
British academics urge Elton John to cancel Israel concert
A group of British academics have called on singer Elton John to cancel his scheduled performance in Israel this June.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1148571.html
Khudari hails Turkish support for Gaza steadfastness
MP
Jamal Al-Khudari on Monday described the Turkish government,
institutions and people as an honorable model of unlimited support for
the Palestinian people.
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/
Violence and Aggression
http://www.imemc.org/index.php?obj_id=53&story_id=57908
IOF troops storm house of Hamas leader in W. Bank
The
IOF stormed the house of Palestinian citizen Ismail Abu Tamie, one of
the political leaders of Hamas in Jenin city, north of the West Bank,
on Monday, local sources revealed.
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/
Retaliation
Israel army: Pipe bomb tossed at military vehicle
Bethlehem
– Ma'an – A Palestinian tossed a pipe bomb at Israeli forces operating
in the central West Bank late Monday, the army said. There were no
reports of injury. An Israeli military spokesman said forces were
operating in the area to track down the attacker. Amid the search,
dozens of soldiers along with several military vehicles shut down two
key routes from Bethlehem to areas near Hebron.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=260058
Detainees
The Israeli Military Detained 16 Palestinian Civilians From The West Bank
The
Israeli military detained 16 Palestinian civilians during invasions
targeting West Bank communities, late Monday night and Tuesday at
dawn. The Israeli army radio announced that all those detained today
were on its “wanted list.” The radio added that all detainees were
moved to military camps for questioning.
http://www.imemc.org/index.php?obj_id=53&story_id=57906
Human rights group: IOA escalating detention of Palestinian women
A
Palestinian human rights group has charged the IOA with escalating the
targeting of Palestinian women in a bid to spread fear among the
Palestinian people and to humiliate them.
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/
Israeli police disperse prisoner's homecoming rally in Jerusalem
Jerusalem
– Ma'an – Israeli police used violent force to disrupt a celebratory
rally marking the release of Ahmad Mahmoud Abu Al-Hawa from Israeli
prison after serving 10 years in various facilities.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=259981
Human Rights/Humanitarian Issues/Siege
UN says needs $100 in 2010 for Palestinian refugees (AFP)
AFP
- The cash-strapped UN agency for Palestinian refugees said on Tuesday
it needs at least 100 million dollars this year to continue its
services for millions of refugees in the Middle East.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100209/wl_mideast_afp/mideastconflictunrefugeesjordan
No Treatment in Gaza, No Security Risk, but Israel Prevents a Seriously ill Man from Getting Treatment
Gisha
press release - The State refuses to allow Issam Hamdan out of Gaza
based on its claim that he may settle in the West Bank after treatment
[Sic!] -- Gisha and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel appealed to the
Supreme Court.
http://www.gisha.org/index.php?intLanguage=2&intItemId=1692&intSiteSN=113
Gaza: Cases of abandoned children on the rise
Don't
be surprised if one day you find a crying infant thrown in front of a
children's hospital, left by a sidewalk, or a trash can in the streets
of Gaza. It is an "infant of unknown parentage." Salim is a young man who works at a dumpsite called Juhr Al Deek in
eastern Gaza. He described to Palestine Note how one day he found a
piece of cloth in one of the trash bags. When he opened it, he found a
"beautiful, angel-like infant." "When I saw the baby, I was shocked and
said, 'Praise Be to God,' who wanted for this baby to live. I took him
to the police who took him to the hospital," said Salim.
http://palestinenote.com/cs/blogs/news/archive/2010/02/08/
gaza-cases-of-abandoned-children-on-the-rise.aspx
Gaza's recycled rubble
Palestinians
are finding new ways to rebuild houses destroyed during the war on Gaza
a year ago.That's because an Israeli blockade is preventing
construction materials from getting into the Strip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIR8Ibvkcik&feature=youtube_gdata
Israeli Injustice
Settler teens suspected in West Bank mosque arson freed from custody
The
Jerusalem Magistrate's Court on Thursday released from custody three
teenaged settlers who were arrested for allegedly torching a West Bank
mosque. A disagreement in the State Attorney's Office in the central
district has delayed indictments against those suspected in the arson
in the Yasuf village last month, Haaretz has learned.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1145648.html
War Criminals and their Enablers
Israel supreme court chief backs inquiry into Gaza war (AFP)
AFP
- Israel's supreme court president, Dorit Beinish, on Monday came out
in favour of a commission of inquiry into the Gaza war as called for by
the United Nations in its Goldstone report.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100208/wl_mideast_afp/mideastisraelpalestiniansgazaconflictun
UK assures Ayalon he won't be arrested
Deputy
foreign minister addresses International Institute for Strategic
Studies in London on Mideast issues. He attempts to ease tensions with
Syria, says Israel will maintain good relations with Turkey, but 'will
react to dangerous rhetoric emanating from our neighbors'.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3846172,00.html
The Victims
A mother's grief
Nejoud
al-Ashqar is a 30-year-old mother from the northern Gaza Strip town of
Beit Lahiya. Two of her sons, Bilal, 5, and Mohammad, 6, were killed
during Israel's invasion of Gaza last winter. Al-Ashqar also lost her
right arm in the assault. EI contributor Rami Almeghari writes from
Gaza about the hardships endured by the al-Ashqar family since the
Israeli invasion.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11062.shtml
Number of cancer patients in Gaza on the rise
The
Palestinian health ministry in the Gaza Strip has announced that the
number of cancer patients in the beleaguered Strip had increased to
1899 including 770 women and 220 children.
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/
Arab Collaborators
Haniyeh: Egypt wall won't break our will
Gaza
– Ma'an – De facto Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said on Monday that
the blockade and walls surrounding Gaza would not force Palestinians to
submit to external control. He was speaking at a reception honoring
the Interior Ministry in Gaza City. "Gaza is surrounded on three
sides; north, east, and south; to make it raise a white flag," Haniyeh
said, insisting that Egypt's underground wall would not have the
desired effect.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=260002
Palestinian force makes gains in West Bank (AP)
AP
- The security men brandished their weapons and ordered the suspicious
car to halt, forcing the occupants to get out and put their hands in
their air. The suspects were quickly handcuffed, frisked and made to
kneel on the ground as the vehicle was swept for explosives.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100209/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_palestinians_security_challenge
Collaborators Judging Collaborators: Palestinian military court delivers 7 year sentence to collaborator
Hebron
– Ma'an – The southern West Bank Military court in the southern
convicted a youth of collaborating with Israel last week, but overruled
the death penalty in favor of a seven-year sentence because the accused
was a minor, court officials said.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=260097
Will he, won't he, join the dance?
Under
the guidance of an American general, Keith Dayton, hundreds of PA
security forces have fanned out across Palestinian towns, co-ordinating
with Israeli forces to swat Palestinian dissent. Though human-rights
groups say the torture of dissidents has dipped, the number of arrests
is sharply up.
http://www.economist.com/world/middleeast-africa/displaystory.cfm?story_id=15403099
Political Developments/Diplomacy
Bardawil: Hamas may allow Fatah to reopen Gaza HQ
Gaza
– Ma’an – Hamas leader Salah Al-Bardawil said on Monday that Hamas is
"studying the possibility" of allowing Fatah members to move freely,
and may reopen the party's headquarters in Gaza. Al-Bardawil told
Ma'an that the Islamic movement is "hoping that the security services
in the West Bank will take the necessary measures to stop violations
against Hamas leaders and supports, particularly in regard to political
arrests and the closure of institutions."
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=260026
Palestinians to hold local elections in July (AFP)
AFP
- The Western-backed Palestinian Authority said on Monday it would hold
local elections in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and the Hamas-ruled
Gaza Strip on July 17.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100208/wl_mideast_afp/mideastpalestinianpoliticsvote
Hamas rejects Palestinian Authority call for July elections
The
West Bank-based Palestinian government on Monday called local elections
for July, in a move the Hamas Islamist group said was illegitimate.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1148368.html
Hamas sees `no prospects' for Mideast peace (AP)
AP
- The leader of Hamas said Monday he sees "no prospects' for a Mideast
peace settlement, a stand that could reduce Russia's chances of holding
a Middle East peace conference that includes the Palestinian militant
group.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100208/ap_on_re_eu/eu_russia_israel_hamas
Hamas leader says U.S. blocking Palestinian unity
* Shunned by West, Meshaal gets a hearing in Moscow
* Blames outside forces for stalled unity efforts
* Sees no chance of peace under Israel's leadership
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LDE6170VY.htm
Palestinians seeks U.S. clarification on proposal to renew Mideast talks
Palestinian
leaders have not set specific terms on which they would accept a U.S.
offer to mediate indirect peace talks with Israel, and expect
clarification on such talks in a week, President Mahmoud Abbas.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1148567.html
Other News
Gaza journalists win PJS elections
Jerusalem
– Ma'an – The results of the controversial Palestinian Journalists
Syndicate elections were announced late Sunday evening, revealing that
journalists in Gaza received the highest number of votes.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=259753
How Much Military Aid to Israel......Do You Provide?
Between
2009-2018, the United States is scheduled to give Israel--the largest
recipient of U.S. aid--$30 billion in military aid. Through its illegal
42-year military occupation of the Palestinian West Bank, East
Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip, Israel misuses U.S. weapons in violation of
U.S. law to kill and injure Palestinian civilians, destroy Palestinian
civilian infrastructure, blockade the Gaza Strip, and build illegal
settlements in West Bank and East Jerusalem. How much of this total
will your community provide? Is this a good use of your tax dollars?
What else could your taxes be used for in your community? Find out on
the interactive map below.
http://www.aidtoisrael.org/
Fabulous Nablus
Look
through the Rough Guide to Israel & the Palestinian Territories and
you will find barely 20 pages devoted to Palestine. From that the city
of Nablus receives just a few skinny paragraphs and a map, reinforcing
the popular perception that the 7000 year old city stands for little
more than the violence and occupation that has scarred it.
http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/spip.php?article1259
Bronner Watch
L'affaire Ethan Bronner, As`ad Abukhalil
By the way, this is an exchange between Bronner and me before
the Israeli war on Gaza. Now, I have received another tip on Bronner
(from another source). And I should say this: I will never reveal my
sources who provide me tips (although I am not a journalist), although
I only post items from reliable persons whose credibility and
reliability can be ascertained. Many are people in mainstream life in
the US (or in the Middle East): government officials, journalists, and
academics. Some of them supply me with tips and information but ask me
to not use it on the blog. I have not revealed identities of people who
wrote to me in criticism without obtaining their permission. Yesterday,
a very well-known (mainstream) Western reporter in the Middle East (who
shall remain unnamed although he/she is known by all of you) sent me
this (I cite, of course, with his/her permission): "Comrade as'ad: here
is some background on our pal Ethan bronner. After the gaza massacre
last year your beloved taghreed al khuddari told me that when bronner
finally was allowed into gaza by the israelis he was utterly
indifferent to accounts of the hardships endured by the people of gaza
during the war. She told me he would turn his back and walk away when
people tried to tell what had happened. His only real interest, she
said, was how hamas had used them as "human shields". Only then, she
said, would he pay attention. I know you have a low opinion of taghreed
(which I don't completely share) but she had real problems with
bronner. Bronner's predecessor, Steve Erlanger, was a decent chap who
didn't feel comfortable with what he was covering. Bronner, on the
other hand, always seemed to have no qualms. Now if you are going to
use the above please be vague identifying the source."
[end]
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2010/02/laffaire-ethan-bronner.html
Defending Bronner’s conflict, the Times has proved too much
The
arguments by Keller, Goldberg, Avishai, etc. in defense of retaining
Ethan Bronner at his post in spite of the conspicuous conflict of
interest, show how hard it is for us to judge Israel by the standard we
apply to other countries.The sympathy/kinship/affinity runs too deep.
Imagine a Times reporter on the Zapatista rebellion of the 1990s whose
son enlisted in the Mexican army that fought to crush the rebellion.
Would Keller write a personal defense of the decision to keep that
reporter as his leading source of information on Mexico?
http://mondoweiss.net/2010/02/defending-bronners-conflict-the-times-has-proved-too-much.html
Analysis/Op-ed/Human
Interest
Abunimah: Jews can report on Palestinians, but the other way ’round?, Ali Abunimah
I
have been of course following all the absurd defenses and excuse-making
from Jeffrey Goldberg, Ron Kampeas, Andrew Sullivan, Joe Klein, etc for
Ethan Bronner and the New York Times, as well as your recent comments.
They insist that there is no bias in Bronner’s reporting and that his
son’s service in the occupation army presents no conflict of interest.
Here are the issues they seem to avoid...
http://mondoweiss.net/2010/02/abunimah-
jews-can-report-on-palestinians-but-the-other-way-round.html
Goldberg is neo-segregationist, Phillip Weiss
Goldberg seems to want Palestinians covering Palestine, Jews covering
Israel. Once again, Zionism drags the Jewish discourse backwards,
demanding that the smartest writers rationalize Jim Crow. The whole
point of the Bronner case is that Bronner’s coverage is blindered. We
need diversity. It’s time to have people from other societies engage
with Israel and Palestine. It’s the only way.
http://mondoweiss.net/2010/02/goldberg-is-neo-segregationist.html
Raid Khoury – Christian Arabs remain the best situated to combat the demonization of Islam
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves…" Matthew 7:15.
According
to Christian tradition the above quote is attributed to Jesus of
Nazareth by Matthew as part of the famous Sermon on the Mount, a
compilation of Jesus' sayings epitomizing his moral teachingindus.
Speaking in the setting of his time, Jesus was understood to be
discussing false prophets, but a more general and timeless
understanding of this warning is vigilance against deception and false
messages of all types.
http://palestinethinktank.com/2010/02/09/raid-khoury-
christian-arabs-remain-the-best-situated-to-combat-the-demonization-of-islam/
The Middle East No Longer Matters
As
the Obama administration gears up for additional commitments to
Afghanistan and elsewhere in the Middle East, it is good to remind
ourselves that in spite of the overheated rhetoric of the past few
years, the region is of very little, if any, strategic value to the
United States. Although we have sacrificed our national honor, our
fortune, and the lives of our military personnel to bring security and
stability from Lebanon to Pakistan, the fact remains that our presence
is as ill-conceived as it is unnecessary: ill-conceived because the
interjection of American power feeds the anger of those who would harm
us, and unnecessary because there is nothing there we need. While it
may be the case that portions of the Middle East are of significant
humanitarian interest, such is not synonymous with our strategic
national interests except in the very broadest terms that humanitarian
help implies.
http://original.antiwar.com/jay-hatheway/2010/02/08/the-middle-east-no-longer-matters/
Iraq
Monday: 9 Iraqis Killed, 6 Wounded
Although
attacks were light today, the controversial election ban that could
spur sectarian violence on continues to dominate the headlines.
Overall, at least nine Iraqis were killed and six more were wounded.
http://original.antiwar.com/updates/2010/02/08/monday-9-iraqis-killed-6-wounded/
Iraq panel reinstates election ban amid Shi'ite ire
An
Iraqi appeals panel that angered Shi'ite leaders by suspending a ban on
candidates accused of links to Saddam Hussein's Baath party until after
an election reversed its decision on Sunday, politicians said.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100207/wl_nm/us_iraq_politics_baath'
Reopening the old sectarian wounds
IN
THE run-up to a general election due on March 7th, Iraq’s authorities
seem to be taking a page out of Iran’s illiberal electoral rule book by
barring candidates they dislike. One of the competing parties, the
Iraqi National Congress, led by Ahmed Chalabi, a longtime Shia exile
who helped persuade George Bush to invade Iraq in 2003, has persuaded
the election’s overseers to ban some 500 candidates deemed too close in
the past to Saddam Hussein’s Baath party. After the invasion the
Americans put Mr Chalabi, then their closest Iraqi ally, in charge of
“deBaathification”, but he later fell out with them, so he turned for
succour to Iran. Now, with a view to winning more votes for himself, he
is using his long-dormant post to accuse his foes of having supported
the deposed dictator. Though the list contains many Shias, Iraq’s
minority Sunnis, who ruled the roost under Mr Hussein, are outraged,
seeing a plot to discriminate against them. The episode could badly
tarnish the poll.
http://www.economist.com/world/middleeast-africa/displaystory.cfm?story_id=15401903
I don't mean to say I told you so, but...
Probably the most controversial claim in my work with John
Mearsheimer on the Israel lobby is our argument that it played a key role in
the decision to invade Iraq in 2003. Even some readers who were generally sympathetic to our overall position
found that claim hard to accept, and some left-wing critics accused us of
letting Bush and Cheney off the hook or of ignoring the importance of other
interests, especially oil. Of
course, Israel's defenders in the lobby took issue even more strenuously,
usually by mischaracterizing our arguments and ignoring most (if not all) of
the evidence we presented.
http://walt.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/02/08/i_dont_mean_to_say_i_told_you_so_but
Will there be a coup d’état in Iraq? (5)
Iraqis were shocked twice in recent times. The first, the experience
they went through under one party system for 35 years – the era of
Saddam Hussein’s Baath party.
http://www.azzaman.com/english/index.asp?fname=news%5C2010-02-08%5Ckurd.htm
Lebanon
Hezbollah Statement: Mossad Agents Involved In Massacre On Ashura & Arbaeen
Hezbollah
condemned the cowardice acts of terrorism that claimed hundreds of
lives of innocent and peaceful mourners in Karachi Pakistan and in
Karbala and Baghdad (Iraq).
http://www.abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&id=178235
Sheikh Qassem: Israel Knows Hezbollah Fulfills Promises
Hezbollah
Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem said on Monday that
Hezbollah will vote in favor of the bill to lower the voting age at the
Parliament, stressing that the issue would not create a conflict within
the opposition, adding that no tension would take place in the case the
bill was withdrawn under the request of the Free Patriotic Movement.
Speaking to Al-Intiqad website, Sheikh Qassem stressed that the
opposition was strong and consistent, stressing that remaining firm was
in the interest of the opposition's various constituents. His eminence
confirmed that Hezbollah was sparing every possible effort to reduce
tension between the opposition members, noting that differences in
points of view were normal. "The important is to agree on the majority
of issues and causes and to agree on a mechanism to prevent any
political conflict," his eminence added.
http://www.almanar.com.lb/NewsSite/NewsDetails.aspx?id=123551&language=en
U.S.
and
Other World News
School bombing exposes Obama’s secret war inside Pakistan
The
discovery of the dead US soldiers revealed that America’s shadowy war
in Pakistan not only involves drones but also small cadres of special
operations soldiers.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article7017929.ece
Yemen rebels say Saudi strikes killed 2 children
Yemen's
Shi'ite rebels said on Monday Saudi rockets had killed two children,
while state media reported new clashes between Yemeni forces and
northern insurgents.
http://snipurl.com/uayy7
U.S. Senator Lieberman: Impose sanctions on Iran or attack it
Lieberman
is the influential chairman of the Senate committee on homeland
security. He was speaking a day after Iranian Foreign Minister
Manouchehr Mottaki said that his country was ready to accept an
international swap of uranium, but only under certain conditions.
http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1147872.html
Iran's uranium enrichment push draws fresh sanctions calls
Iran
has formally told the United Nation's atomic watchdog it will begin
producing higher grade nuclear fuel and it is inviting UN inspectors to
monitor the process. In response, the US and France have been leading
calls for what would be a fourth round of international sanctions
against Iran over its nuclear programme. Tehran says it is frustrated
because of what it calls the unwillingness of the US and its allies to
consider amendments to a UN backed nuclear fuel proposal. Al Jazeera's
Nazanine Moshiri reports from the Iranian capital. (09 Feb 2010)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxBAJ4ScAes&feature=youtube_gdata
Egypt families protest deserter's torture death
MANSOURA,
Egypt, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Around 80 people protested outside a Mansoura
hospital on Monday after the authorities released the body of an army
deserter, whose family say he was tortured to death in prison. Tamer
Mohamed Emara, 20, was eight months into a two year sentence for
desertion at Mansoura General Prison when he died.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LDE6172DD.htm
Rights group: Bahrain has resumed torturing detainees
The
Gulf kingdom of Bahrain resumed torturing detainees in 2007 after about
a decade of not engaging in the "scourge," US-based Human Rights Watch
(HRW) said in a report released Monday.As of late 2007, "torture is
back in the repertoire of Bahrain's security services" the
international watchdog said in the report.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id=111601
Expect modest US gains from thaw with Syria: analysts (AFP)
AFP
- The Obama team may get modest benefits from ending a five-year chill
with Damascus but will find it hard, if not impossible to peel Syria
way from hardline ally Iran and break the Arab-Israeli stalemate,
analysts said.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100208/pl_afp/mideastussyriadiplomacy
Riyadh moves to regulate net news
Internet bloggers fear Saudi's plans to licence online news sites will eventually spread to them too.
http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100209/FOREIGN/
702089866/1042/rss
Saudi rights commission seeks divorce for child bride
Saudi
Arabia's human rights commission has hired a lawyer to help a
12-year-old girl divorce her 80-year-old husband, the lawyer said, a
move activists hope will lead to a ban on child marriages.Saudi Arabia,
a patriarchal society that applies an austere version of Sunni Islam,
has no minimum legal age for marriage.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id=111598
Turk accused of burying daughter alive faces life
Prosecutors
in Turkey are seeking life in jail for the father and grandfather of a
girl who was buried alive for befriending boys, local judicial sources
said Monday.The pair were arrested after the body of 16-year-old Medine
Memi was found in a sitting position with her hands tied, in a hole in
a chicken pen outside her house in Kahta town, Adiyaman province, 40
days after she went missing.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id=111602
Swastikas and racist graffiti smeared on French mosque
Swastikas
and racist and anti-Moslem graffiti were discovered Monday on the Great
Mosque of the city of Saint-Etienne, French media reported.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1148370.html
Iran cuts ties with British Museum
Iran
has cut ties with the British Museum over the loan to the Islamic
republic of an ancient Persian treasure. Tehran says officials at the
museum failed to meet a final deadline for the transfer of the Cyrus
Cylinder and have ruled out further visits by British archaeological
teams to Iran. Matthew Moore reports from London. (Feb 07, 2010).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYQIcgziD20&feature=youtube_gdata
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