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Showing posts from June 1, 2014

Somali pirates release crew after nearly four years in captivity

Exclusive:  Seamen on board MV Albedo freed after horrific ordeal in which pirates used torture and crewmates were executed and drowned Sailors on a ship hijacked by Somali pirates nearly four years ago were finally released on Saturday, the longest-running Somali piracy case to have been brought to an end. The 11 crew members of the MV Albedo were facing their first hours of freedom after three years and seven months as hostages, during which their pirate captors often used torture. Related Articles The men escaped with the help of some of their pirate captors in the early hours of Friday morning and fled to a nearby village where they were taken in by government-affiliated milita, a senior Somali anti-piracy official told The Telegraph. "Few of them had shoes, some had only their underclothes, but they managed to escape through a window and reach a place of safety," said Omar Sheikh Ali Osoble, counter-piracy focal point for the Galmudug regional administration. "We co

Ukraine mufti tells Muslims to stay out of civil war

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Muslim World 15:43, 07 June 2014 Saturday “Muslims in Ukraine are an integral part of the country, part of its common history. We feel like home in Ukraine. It is our homeland,” Mufti Said Ismagov said. World Bulletin / News Desk The Muslim leader of Ukraine, Said Ismagov, has urged Muslims to stay out of the Ukraine crisis amid reports of the developing civil war attracting both pro-Russian and pro-Ukrainian fighters from around the world. Ismagoc, who is the head mufti of the Committee of Muslims of Ukraine, wrote on Facebook, “Just take your ‘soldiers of fortune’ by hand and say strictly: There is nothing to do in Ukraine!” “Everything is good in Ukraine, you cannot even imagine how well things are here! We all find a place in the sun and ground under our feet. We never faced any Muslim massacres, murder of imams or ethnic cleansing. We built mosques anywhere we wanted and they were never destroyed,” he added. “The Holy Quran and its translations were never banned. We published Musl

Chechen leader denies sending fighters to Ukraine

"If a person voluntarily leaves (Russia), we have no right to stop him. This is his own decision," Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov said. World Bulletin / News Desk The Kremlin-backed leader of Chechnya has denied sending fighters to support pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine, but said some could have gone of their own accord. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry raised concerns with Moscow this week about reports of Chechens and other fighters crossing into Ukraine from Russia to join the rebellions against the leadership in Kiev. Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, who fought Russian troops in the North Caucasus province in the 1990s, echoed Moscow's denials of involvement but said he had recognised some of the fighters in pictures from Ukraine. "We did not send them. They are absolutely not our staff," he said in an interview to be shown on Russian television on Saturday. "If a person voluntarily leaves (Russia), we have no right to stop him. This is his own decis

Convicted murderer of Chechen War colonel turns to ECHR

16: 57 05/06/2014 MOSCOW, June 5 (RAPSI)  – Defense of Yusup Temerkhanov, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the murder of retired Colonel Yury Budanov, turned to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), attorney Daria Trenina told RAPSI. The sentence took effect on May 7, 2013. The attorneys asked to vacate the judgment and remand the case for a new trial. “We filed a complaint against violation of Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights guaranteeing the right to a fair trial,” Trenina said.  Earlier, the defense filed a complaint against violation of Article 3 which prohibits torture of detainees, she added. Budanov was convicted of war crimes in Chechnya in July 2003. A military court found him guilty of abuse of power in connection with the kidnapping and the murder of 18-year-old Chechen Elza Kungayeva. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison and deprived of his rank, his medals and the chance to hold official positions for three years after his release. In

Kadyrov says 74,000 Chechens 'ready to go to Ukraine'

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov denied sending Chechens to fight in Ukraine, but said he had 74,000 ready to go if an order is given. World Bulletin / News Desk The president of the Republic of Chechnya in Russia's Caucasus region, Ramzan Kadyrov, has denied claims that he sent Chechen soldiers to fight for Russian interests in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk, but said he had 74,000 men at his disposal if he was planning such an attack. Speaking to Russia's REN television channel, Kadyrov said that so far only 14 Chechen volunteer fighters had gone to Donetsk, but he denied any role in sending them. On the contrary, Kadyrov said he was actually stopping volunteers from going to Ukraine. Saying that there were many Chechens willing to volunteer to fight in Ukraine, Kadyrov said 'If we hadn't stopped them, there would not be 14 Chechens in Ukraine, there would be 400 or even 4,000,' he said. 'I am saying this on record, I haven't even sent one Chechen sold

Call for World Mobilization for Peace in Colombia

Prensa Latina News Agency -  Bogota, Jun 7 (Prensa Latina) Colombians living abroad called for a mass mobilization on June 10 in different cities of the world, to support the peace process of the Government and FARC-EP taking place in Havana, Cuba. Under the slogan "Speak Out for Peace," the proposal was accepted on Thursday by different groups and political forces supporting the dialogue promoted by President Juan Manuel Santos to end a conflict that has persisted in the country for more than 50 years, noted the El Tiempo newspaper. Those attending the mobilizations will be able to send a message to the peace negotiators, to be collected and then sent to the dialogue table in Havana. The organizers invite Colombians to follow the initiative on the web site www.facebook.com/movilizateporlapaz According to El Tiempo, the mobilization in Barcelona, Spain will be held at 19:00 local time in the Plaza Sant Jaume, with the participation of several Colombian associations, including

A vote for peace : Colombia Peace process

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Colombia’s presidential election To stop the killing, Colombians should re-elect Juan Manuel Santos Jun 7th 2014 IN MAY 1964 the Colombian army launched an attack on a small group of communist sympathisers in the village of Marquetalia. Fifty years and tens of thousands of deaths later, the conflict with the guerrillas of the self-styled Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) is still not over. But the chance of a lasting peace is in sight—if voters give Juan Manuel Santos, the current president, a second term on June 15th. That outcome of the election is far from certain. In the first round of voting on May 25th Mr Santos trailed Óscar Iván Zuluaga, a former finance minister whose bid is backed by Álvaro Uribe, Mr Santos’s charismatic predecessor as president. Both candidates expect to inherit supporters from rivals who have now left the race. Neither has electrified the contest: turnout in the first round was dismal. The two men are running neck-and-neck in the latest opinion

#BringBackOurGirls GIRLS TRICKED INTO PKK RECRUITMENT RESCUED

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HAKKARİ  — Security   forces stopped a car in the Yüksekova district of Hakkari in southeastern Turkey. Two women accused of recruiting members for the terrorist organization were captured in the car, along with S.B. (16), Z.T. (17) and F.K. (22), three teenagers who had been persuaded to join the terrorist group. The raid was conducted on a tip-off by Sacit Buz, the father of S.B. who had called her father and told him she had been "abducted" along with two other girls and was held in a house. Tracing the telephone number the girl used, security forces located and rescued them. Buz and his wife Binnaz had arrived in Diyarbakır upon learning of the sit-in protest. The poor couple had to spend a night at a bus station when they arrived in Diyarbakır as they had no money. "All I want is to get back my daughter. She was not only my daughter, she was my friend too. I call on the prime minister, I call on Selahattin Demirtaş to help me and other mothers here for God's sak

SOLDIER INJURED IN PKK ATTACK DURING OPERATIONS

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DIYARBAKIR  — A specialist sergeant was injured when the supporters of the terrorist organization, PKK opened fire on security forces attempting to disperse them Thursday in the southeastern Turkish province of Diyarbakır.  Since Wednesday, security forces have been carrying out operations against the youth wing of the PKK, which set up roadblocks between Diyarbakır and the province of Bingöl. A group of PKK members opened fire and hurled Molotov cocktails at security forces who tried to dismantle tents set up by the rioting group in the Lice district yesterday, injuring the unidentified soldier in the leg.  Tensions are high in the region where the PKK is attempting to assert control by setting up checkpoints and blocking roads. Turkish security forces mostly abstain from exchanging fire with the group, who occasionally opens fire to harass them. Source  http://www.dailysabah.com/nation/2014/06/05/soldier-injured-in-pkk-attack-during-operations

1,000 firearms sold to NPA with unwitting aid of top cops

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New People’s Army. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines–More than 1,000 high-powered firearms worth P52 million have been sold to communist insurgents since 2011 with the unwitting assistance of 19 senior police officials at Camp Crame, police said on Thursday. The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) discovered the irregularity by investigating President Aquino’s disclosure in December last year that a cache of AK-47 assault rifles disappeared after its papers were being processed by the Philippine National Police. Director Benjamin Magalong, CIDG chief, said that among those to be charged is Chief Supt. Raul Petrasanta, the director of the Central Luzon police who is touted to be the likely successor of PNP Director General Alan Purisima. A 1984 graduate of the Philippine Military Academy, Petrasanta used to head the Presidential Security Group team assigned to the residence of the President’s family in Quezon City. Magalong said two more active police directors, an a

Four wanted Maoists surrender

KORAPUT: Four wanted Maoists, including an area committee member and a woman cadre, carrying cash reward of Rs 1 lakh each on their heads, surrendered before police at Koraput on Friday. While the area committee member was identified as Krishana Praska, the other Red rebels were Raju Hikoka, Kosai Wateka alias Nirmala and Durjana Mandingi - all belonging to Srikakulam-Koraput divisional committee of the outlawed CPI (Maoist). "Motivated by Maoist ideology we had joined the organization. After being disillusioned by anti-tribal policies of the ultras, we decided to surrender and join the mainstream," said police, quoting a surrendered Maoist. Police said Praska joined the Maoist organisation in 2010 and was recently promoted to the rank of area committee member. Hikoka was heading the technical team. "Nirmala was leading the cultural wing known as Jana Natya Mandali and closely working with extremist leaders. Mandingi was an expert in preparing and planting explosives. Al

'Trojan Horse': Ministers 'incompetent' on extremism risk

The shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt has accused government ministers of "incompetence" in the face of allegations made in 2010 about so-called "Trojan Horse" schools in Birmingham. Speaking on the Today programme, Mr Hunt added: "I don't think the inspection criteria is fit for purpose, in the kind of schooling we want." "You can't run all these schools from behind a desk in Whitehall so we need local systems of oversight and accountability." And the former Respect Party councillor in Birmingham, Salma Yaqoob, explained: "I'm a Birmingham mum, I don't want to see extremism in Birmingham, I don't want to see any extremism in schools, yet I have still to find any shred of evidence what extremism plot was going on." Source  http://bbc.com/news/uk-27746984

Labour: Govt 'Negligent' On School Extremism

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Labour has accused the Government of "gross negligence" for failing to address the issue of extremism in schools. Shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt will make the claim ahead of the publication of an inquiry into claims that Islamist extremists tried a so-called "Trojan Horse" takeover of more than 20 schools in Birmingham. And his comments were echoed by shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper, who said the affair showed the Government did not have a proper strategy to deal with extremism. Appearing alongside Michael Gove at an education debate hosted by the Policy Exchange think tank in London on Saturday, Mr Hunt demanded the Education Secretary appear in the House of Commons on Monday to answer questions on why he apparently did not act on warnings over the schools. Mr Gove has denied there is a Government rift over extremism "Michael Gove's gross negligence comes at the cost of our children's education," Mr Hunt said. "For years he has

China Gets Tough on Terrorism

China-Xinjiang:  Update.  Chinese media reported that local courts in six cities or prefectures in western China sentenced 81 people for terrorism-related acts in 23 cases. Twelve people were sentenced to death, but three received a two-year reprieve. The crimes included organizing, leading or participating in terrorist organizations; murder; illegal manufacture or storage of explosives; and making and distributing audio and video tapes on terrorism, inciting hatred and teaching criminal behavior. Comment:  This indicates the crackdown continues. The harsh punishments are intended to serve as a lesson and a deterrent. China-Philippines:  The Philippine government told the press that it has confirmed that China is engaged in land reclamation operations on 2 more reefs in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. The 2 reefs -Gavin Reef and Cuateron Reef -- are close to Johnson South Reef, where the Philippines reported Chinese reclamation activity in May. A Philippine military spokesm

Paying for terrorism: Where does Boko Haram gets its money from?

If there was an exact moment that the international community understood the breadth of Boko Haram’s evil, it came last month, when the group’s leader grinned and announced that he would sell more than 200 kidnapped schoolgirls in his “market of selling human beings”. Behind Abubakar Shekau, a man who rose to the top of Boko Haram through unmatched brutality and religious fanaticism, loomed several armoured vehicles. Local experts said the video was likely to have been filmed in the remote Sambisa forest in north-eastern Nigeria. The juxtaposition between rural land and advanced  machinery made a jarring contrast. Despite the poverty of northern Nigeria – where 70 per cent of people live on less than 60p a day – the Boko Haram terrorist group has at its disposal a seemingly limitless amount of heavy weaponry, vehicles, bombs and ammunition that it uses to kill with unfathomable wantonness. The Islamic militants, masquerading as members of the military, raided three villages in north-ea

Obama’s views on Muslim terrorism fly in the face of reality: Report

Threat of Islamic terrorism isn't waning at all, but appears to be growing by leaps-and-bounds By  Jim Kouri    June 7, 2014  Despite President Barack Obama and his minions claiming the strength of the world’s radical Islamist network is waning and the threat to the United States minimal, a study released on Wednesday by a well-respected and highly-regarded think-tank contradicts what many call Obama’s myopic view of the terrorist threat to the United States, the American people, and U.S. interests throughout the world, according to Joel Kaplan, a former members of a police special operations team. Source  http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/63618

Friend of Lee Rigby's killer jailed for disseminating pro-terrorism lectures

The "best friend" of Woolwich killer Michael Adebolajo has been jailed at the Old Bailey for encouraging terrorism in lectures he broadcast over the internet. Ibrahim Abdullah Hassan and his co-accused, Shah Jalal Hussain, were sentenced after pleading guilty to disseminating a lecture called The Dust Will Never Settle, by Anwar al-Awlaki, an al-Qaida ideologue based in Yemen, in which he said the burning of flags, demonstrating and boycotting was "more befitting the followers of Ghandi than Mohammed". Sentencing Hassan to two three-year sentences to run concurrently and Hussain to three years and 28 months to run consecutively, Nicholas Hilliard QC, the common serjeant of London, said: "One piece of material like this on the internet is one piece too many. A particularly aggravating factor, and in my view, a significant one, is that this is the second time you have been before a court for an offence under the Terrorism Act. I am quite sure both of you knew you

White House War-Pushers and Gutless Generals: The Real Villains of the Bergdahl Tale

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President Obama standing with Vice President Biden, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and General David Petraeus. Photo Credit: Talk Radio News/Flickr For me, the Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl affair brings back angry memories of how, in 2009, President Barack Obama caved in to be-medaled and be-ribboned generals like David Petraeus and ordered a modified-limited-hangout-type “surge” of 33,000 troops into Afghanistan. Consequential cowardice at work – trading lives for political advantage – as bad as it gets. Bergdahl was quick to discern that he and his comrades were pawns of a policy doing far more harm than good in terms of helping the Afghans. Emailing from Afghanistan in late June 2009, Bergdahl pointed out the main problem in these words: “In the US army you are cut down for being honest… but if you are a conceited brown nosing shit-bag you will be allowed to do what ever you want.” But how far up the line did this behavior go? Did it include Petraeus, described by CENTCOM commander Admiral Wi

Militants Attack Police Party in Kashmir, Six injured

At least six persons, including four policemen, were injured today after a police party was attacked by militants in Shopian district of Kashmir. A police team from District Police Lines was on a routine check to a minority guard picket in Bonpara village of Shopian when militants opened fire at them, police said. Four policemen and two civilians were injured in the attack, police said. Source  http://www.outlookindia.com/news/article/Militants-Attack-Police-Party-in-Kashmir-Six-injured/843594

Autonomy, a 'futile attempt' by Tibetan govt-in-exile: China

Beijing: The "middle-way" proposed by the Tibetan government-in-exile seeking autonomy is a "futile attempt" to gain "legitimacy", the Chinese official media said today.  The self-proclaimed "Tibetan government-in-exile" headed by Lobsang Sangay has no legitimacy at all, a commentary by state-run Xinhua news agency said a day after the Chinese Foreign Ministry called Sangay a "secessionist and the ringleader of the Tibetan government in exile".  The back and forth debate over Autonomy as a solution for the vexed Tibetan issue between the exiled government started ahead of Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi's visit to New Delhi tomorrow to establish contact with the Modi-led government.  Wang is due to meet Modi, External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj and other top officials of the new government during the two-day visit.  The Chinese Foreign Ministry, shot down the move yesterday, a day after Sangay proposed the autonomy at Dhramas