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Dua Adun PKR Perak letak jawatan
Dengan itu, Sivakumar mengisytiharkan kerusi DUN Behrang dan Changkat Jering telah kosong dan dua pilihanraya kecil akan diadakan tidak lama lagi.
Menurutnya, beliau akan memaklumkan mengenai kekosongan tersebut kepada Suruhanjaya Pilihanraya (SPR) esok.
Pilihanraya kecil bagi kedua-dua kerusi tersebut mesti diadakan dalam tempoh 60 hari.
Kedua-dua Adun PKR itu telah hilang sejak lima hari lalu, dan mencetuskan spekulasi bahawa mereka telah melompat menyertai Barisan Nasional. [read more ]
Erdogan urges world to recognize Hamas
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Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for recognition of Hamas which won a landslide victory in Palestinian elections.
In an interview with The Washington Post published Saturday, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said isolating Hamas is the reason for the ongoing tensions in the region.
He criticized world leaders for failing to respect the political will of the Palestinian people who voted for the Palestinian resistance movement.
Erdogan said Hamas would have been in a different situation if the world had given it a chance in politics after winning elections.
The Turkish prime minister said Hamas would not be able to change the situation as long as Palestine was "an open air prison".[read more]
Iran denies secret US 'negotiations'
 A badly damaged seal sits on the former US embassy, known as the den of spies, in Tehran. |
Iran says there would be no negotiations between Tehran and Washington unless the US changes its aggressive policies towards the country.
"To date, there have been no official negotiations with the Americans,” Iran's intelligence Minster, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejeie, said referring to media reports that that top Obama advisers and Iranian officials have been negotiating over the past year.
The head of Pugwash Conferences, a nongovernmental group devoted to promoting international understanding, claimed that top Obama advisers and Iranian officials have over the past year met each other for several times.
Pugwash chief, Jeffrey Boutwell said three meetings were held in the Netherlands and the final one in Vienna.[read more]
Israeli warlord vows face-off with Iran
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Israeli election frontrunner Benjamin Netanyahu says his first mission if elected prime minister would be to 'thwart the Iranian threat'.
In an interview with Israel's Channel 2 TV late Saturday, Netanyahu said he fully intends to sabotage Tehran's nuclear efforts once and for all.
"[Iran] will not be armed with a nuclear weapon… It includes everything that is necessary to make this statement come true," said Israel's leading candidate for prime minister.
Israel, the sole nuclear power in the Middle East, accuses Tehran of seeking nuclear weaponry while the UN nuclear watchdog, in its Sept. 15 report on Iran, declared that it could not find any "components of a nuclear weapon" or "related nuclear physics studies" in the country.
Netanyahu, who is currently facing war crime charges in Gaza, claimed the Islamic Republic's uranium enrichment is the greatest danger to Israel and humanity. [read more]
In an interview with Israel's Channel 2 TV late Saturday, Netanyahu said he fully intends to sabotage Tehran's nuclear efforts once and for all.
"[Iran] will not be armed with a nuclear weapon… It includes everything that is necessary to make this statement come true," said Israel's leading candidate for prime minister.
Israel, the sole nuclear power in the Middle East, accuses Tehran of seeking nuclear weaponry while the UN nuclear watchdog, in its Sept. 15 report on Iran, declared that it could not find any "components of a nuclear weapon" or "related nuclear physics studies" in the country.
Netanyahu, who is currently facing war crime charges in Gaza, claimed the Islamic Republic's uranium enrichment is the greatest danger to Israel and humanity. [read more]
US: Israel must probe war crimes
 The US envoy to the United Nations says Israel must investigate allegations that its army violated international law during the war in Gaza. |
The new US envoy to the UN says Israel must investigate the allegations that its army has committed war crimes during the war on Gaza.
"We expect Israel will meet its international obligations to investigate", Ambassador Susan Rice said in her debut speech before the UN Security Council.
The use of controversial chemical white phosphorous shells and depleted uranium munitions, indiscriminate firing during the offensive in the densely-populated coastal sliver, the shelling of a UN school turned refugee camp, as well as the question as to whether other Israeli military tactics were in breach of humanitarian laws are among the issues Tel Aviv has been charged with. [read more]
Rockets hit Israel as Gaza siege continues
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Two Palestinian Qassam-type rockets fired from the besieged Gaza Strip have hit western Israel's Negev, according to Israeli media reports.
The two rockets were launched at around 6:50 am. One landed in the Sdot Negev Regional Council and the other hit the Eshkol Regional Council. There were no reports of injuries or damage.
On Saturday morning, a Grad rocket exploded in an open area south of Ashkelon. There were no injuries in this incident as well, according Israeli media.[read more]
The two rockets were launched at around 6:50 am. One landed in the Sdot Negev Regional Council and the other hit the Eshkol Regional Council. There were no reports of injuries or damage.
On Saturday morning, a Grad rocket exploded in an open area south of Ashkelon. There were no injuries in this incident as well, according Israeli media.[read more]
Turkish demonstrators support coup generals' trial
Jody Sabral , Press TV, Istanbul
Price of gold predicted to double by summer
Stand by for the biggest gold rush since the Klondike. The price of the precious metal is set to soar as investors becoming increasingly gloomy about the global economy.Citigroup forecasts gold will top $2,000 an ounce, the price more than doubling by the summer. It currently trades at about $901, having already come up from $777 since Lehman went bust last September. [read more]
Ismail Haniya's letter to Iran
 Ismail Haniya |
To the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei
"Peace be unto you and so may the mercy of Allah and His blessings"
It is with great honor that I extend the appreciation of the government and the nation of Palestine as well as the wounded but victorious Gaza to your Excellency for your courageous and exceptional stance which indicated the wisdom of Islamic Iran's leadership and the compassion of the Iranian nation.
The people of Palestine and especially Gazans are now in dire need of political and non-political as well as popular support in order to reconstruct Gaza.
The Palestinian nation desires a life of freedom and dignity, a life free of occupation and blockades. In order for us to achieve this, aside from divine assistance, the continuum of your Excellency's and the Iranian nation's support is required to enable us to stand against the US and the criminal Zionist regime.
Once again, I would like to extend the Palestinian nation and my own appreciation to your Excellency and the nation of Iran. [read more]
Your brother Ismail Haniya,
Prime Minister
The Palestinian nation desires a life of freedom and dignity, a life free of occupation and blockades. In order for us to achieve this, aside from divine assistance, the continuum of your Excellency's and the Iranian nation's support is required to enable us to stand against the US and the criminal Zionist regime.
Once again, I would like to extend the Palestinian nation and my own appreciation to your Excellency and the nation of Iran. [read more]
Your brother Ismail Haniya,
Prime Minister
Iran sets ban, fine on trade with Israel
 An Iranian woman holds a placard bearing western brand names and writing in Farsi and English that reads "boycott Israel." |
Iran has moved to issue an executive order to clamp sweeping sanctions on all investment activities and trade with Israeli entities.
Following the heavy death toll from the 23-day Israeli assault on Gaza and with international pressure mounting on Tel Aviv, Iran made a decision on Saturday to introduce a bill banning business transactions with Israeli companies -- entities and persons.[read more]
Maliki, Obama praise Iraqi polling
Iraq provincial election ends with high turnout
Sat, 31 Jan 2009 22:50:02
Wisam Al-Bayati, Press TV, Baghdad
Iraq election one step closer to democracy?
Sun, 01 Feb 2009 00:59:38
Zhiar Sarkawt, Press TV, Arbil
Sun, 01 Feb 2009 01:55:02 GMT | PressTV
The prime minister said that the vote 'is a victory for all the Iraqis,' after casting his ballot in the highly fortified Green Zone in Baghdad. [read more]
Wisam Al-Bayati, Press TV, Baghdad
Iraq election one step closer to democracy?
Zhiar Sarkawt, Press TV, Arbil
Sun, 01 Feb 2009 01:55:02 GMT | PressTV
 The voting ended late Saturday |
Iraqi Premier Nuri al-Maliki hails Iraq's provincial elections, as millions of Iraqi voters cast their ballots in a largely violence-free poll.
The prime minister said that the vote 'is a victory for all the Iraqis,' after casting his ballot in the highly fortified Green Zone in Baghdad. [read more]
Livni to Cypriot FM: Confiscate weapons from Iranian ship
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni spoke to her Cypriot counterpart Markos Kyprianou by phone and requested that he act toward confiscating weapons aboard the ship that were allegedly on their way from Iran to Syria.
Livni emphasized that the passage of the weapons is in contravention of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1747 that prohibits trade in weapons with Iran because of its ongoing nuclear program.
The saga of a ship suspected of carrying arms from Iran to Gaza grew more complicated Saturday as Cypriot authorities searched the ship, then backed away from previous assertions that it was violating United Nations resolutions. Authorities will now conduct a second search, the Cypriot foreign minister said. [read more]
Livni emphasized that the passage of the weapons is in contravention of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1747 that prohibits trade in weapons with Iran because of its ongoing nuclear program.
The saga of a ship suspected of carrying arms from Iran to Gaza grew more complicated Saturday as Cypriot authorities searched the ship, then backed away from previous assertions that it was violating United Nations resolutions. Authorities will now conduct a second search, the Cypriot foreign minister said. [read more]
Secret Israeli database reveals full extent of illegal settlement
The use of private lands to establish or expand them.
The painstakingly amassed data was labeled political dynamite.
The defense establishment, led by Defense Minister Ehud Barak, steadfastly refused to publicize the figures, arguing, for one thing, that publication could endanger state security or harm Israel's foreign relations. Someone who is liable to be particularly interested in the data collected by Spiegel is George Mitchell, President Barack Obama's special envoy to the Middle East, who came to Israel this week for his first visit since his appointment. It was Mitchell who authored the 2001 report that led to the formulation of the road map, which established a parallel between halting terror and halting construction in the settlements.
The painstakingly amassed data was labeled political dynamite.
The defense establishment, led by Defense Minister Ehud Barak, steadfastly refused to publicize the figures, arguing, for one thing, that publication could endanger state security or harm Israel's foreign relations. Someone who is liable to be particularly interested in the data collected by Spiegel is George Mitchell, President Barack Obama's special envoy to the Middle East, who came to Israel this week for his first visit since his appointment. It was Mitchell who authored the 2001 report that led to the formulation of the road map, which established a parallel between halting terror and halting construction in the settlements.The official database, the most comprehensive one of its kind ever compiled in Israel about the territories, was recently obtained by Haaretz. Here, for the first time, information the state has been hiding for years is revealed. An analysis of the data reveals that, in the vast majority of the settlements - about 75 percent - construction, sometimes on a large scale, has been carried out without the appropriate permits or contrary to the permits that were issued. The database also shows that, in more than 30 settlements, extensive construction of buildings and infrastructure (roads, schools, synagogues, yeshivas and even police stations) has been carried out on private lands belonging to Palestinian West Bank residents. [read more]
Up to 150 US academics boycott Israel
 Professor of English at the University of Southern California, David Lloyd |
An increasing number of American university professors have joined a US Campaign for the Academic & Cultural Boycott of Israel.
Earlier in January, a group of American university professors launched a national campaign calling for an academic and cultural boycott of Israel, as the regime began its deadly military campaign in the Gaza Strip.
As Operation Cast Lead dragged on - killing over 1,330 Palestinians and ended without any achievements on the Israeli side - the number of US academics who had joined their colleagues exceeded 150.[read more]
Earlier in January, a group of American university professors launched a national campaign calling for an academic and cultural boycott of Israel, as the regime began its deadly military campaign in the Gaza Strip.
As Operation Cast Lead dragged on - killing over 1,330 Palestinians and ended without any achievements on the Israeli side - the number of US academics who had joined their colleagues exceeded 150.[read more]
Zimbabwe Opposition to Form Unity Govt Next Month .
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Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai said Friday his party will join a unity government with President Robert Mugabe next month, heeding a call by Southern African leaders.
"We are unequivocal, we will go into this government," Tsvangirai told reporters following a meeting of the national council of his Movement for Democratic Change party in Harare. "The SADC (Southern African Development Community) has decided and we are bound by that decision." [ read more ]
"We are unequivocal, we will go into this government," Tsvangirai told reporters following a meeting of the national council of his Movement for Democratic Change party in Harare. "The SADC (Southern African Development Community) has decided and we are bound by that decision." [ read more ]
Israel denies Gaza access to clean water
Israel has refused to allow a French-made water purification system into Gaza amid a drinking water crisis in the Palestinian strip.
The French Foreign Ministry said Friday that Tel Aviv had blocked the entry of a much-needed water purification station into Gaza and had forced its repatriation.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Eric Chevallier said the move has sparked an outcry in the Elysée, prompting it to summon the Israeli ambassador to Paris to explain why the system was denied access. [read more]
Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar Iran has successfully manufactured a smart 100mm anti-aircraft gun as part of a campaign to boost the countr
 Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar |
Iran has successfully manufactured a smart 100mm anti-aircraft gun as part of a campaign to boost the country's defense capabilities.
"The Defense Industries Organization has completed the wholly domestic task of manufacturing the 100mm anti-aircraft gun and its necessary ammunition to counter aerial threats posed by enemy fighters, helicopters and cruise missiles," Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar said during the system's Sunday inauguration ceremony.
"One of the most important features of this weapon is its smart system which can track down the target and fire at it automatically," he added.[read more]
Bolton: Iran defeated US
 Former US envoy to the UN John Bolton says Washington has lost its battle with Iran. |
Former US envoy to the UN John Bolton says Washington has suffered a humiliating defeat in its drive against Iran's nuclear activities.
In a Friday interview with BBC Persian, Bolton said Washington's efforts to curb Tehran's nuclear achievements have come to naught as Tehran has successfully managed to defend its national interests.
In my view, we lost the fight. Tehran has emerged the ultimate winner in maintaining its nuclear program, he added.
In my view, we lost the fight. Tehran has emerged the ultimate winner in maintaining its nuclear program, he added.
Bolton claimed that if Washington had settled on a military option against Iran's nuclear infrastructure beforehand, "the threat of Iranian nuclear weapons would not have existed in the world today".[read more]
Rocket hits Israel as Gaza still under siege
Israel continues Gaza stranglehold amid humanitarian crisis
Fri, 30 Jan 2009 21:50:30
Mike Mazzocco, Press TV, United Nations
Palestinians at Yarmouk Camp protest Gaza siege
Fri, 30 Jan 2009 23:01:12
Samer Dadaa, Press TV, Damascus
Mike Mazzocco, Press TV, United Nations
Palestinians at Yarmouk Camp protest Gaza siege
Samer Dadaa, Press TV, Damascus
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A rocket fired from Gaza has struck near the Israeli city of Ashkelon amid protests to the continuous Israeli siege on the Gaza Strip.
Israeli army said that a Palestinian Grad rocket exploded in Ashkelon on Saturday morning.
Israeli army said that a Palestinian Grad rocket exploded in Ashkelon on Saturday morning.
The rocket fired from the north of the Gaza Strip and landed in a field near the city of Ashkelon, but there were no casualties or damage reported, the Israeli army said. [read more]
Gazans pour to streets to back Hamas
Gazans express support for Hamas
Sat, 31 Jan 2009 00:32:53
Tarek Al-Farra, Press TV, Khan Younis
Tarek Al-Farra, Press TV, Khan Younis
 Palestinians wave red Turkish and green Hamas flags in a rally in support of Hamas and its call for democracy, Jan 31, Khan Younis, Gaza |
Thousands of Palestinians have poured to the streets of Gaza to show their support for Hamas and its call for a new democratic authority.
Across the Gaza Strip, thousands took to the streets in support of Hamas and its leader Khalid Mashaal who called for the creation of an alternative representative authority to replace the Fatah-run Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), Press TV's correspondent Tarek al-Farra reported from Khan Younis on Saturday.
The protesters, who were chanting slogans in support of the resistance movement, waved Turkey's red flag alongside green Hamas banners, after Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan stormed out of the World Economic Forum in support of Gaza. [read more]
'Mousavi would overturn Iran politics'
 A comeback by Mousavi may have an overwhelming effect on Iranian politics. He served as prime minister during a time of crisis -- the Iraq-imposed war on Iran. |
Former Iranian prime minister Mir-Hossein Mousavi's candidacy would overturn Iran's political balance, an Iranian politician says.
Sources close to Mousavi have revealed that he would join the race if former president Mohammad Khatami refrains from running in the upcoming election.
A senior member of Kargozaran, a centrist party with Reformist views, told ILNA that it is 'very unlikely' that Mousavi would opt to return to the political arena.
Hedayat Aqayi, who sits on the Kargozaran head council, added that should Mousavi enter Iran's 10th presidential election, he would enjoy the support of both the Reformists and the Principlists.[read more]
Hedayat Aqayi, who sits on the Kargozaran head council, added that should Mousavi enter Iran's 10th presidential election, he would enjoy the support of both the Reformists and the Principlists.[read more]
US envoy warns of setbacks ahead in Mideast Talks
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U.S. President Barack Obama's Middle East envoy said Friday that the new administration's push for ‘Israeli-Palestinian peace’ after the war in the Gaza Strip faced big hurdles and he warned of setbacks ahead.
The somber assessment by former U.S. Senator George Mitchell followed two days of talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders on shoring up a shaky ceasefire following Israel's 22-day war against Gaza.
In the talks, Israel has balked at fully reopening Gaza's border crossings to allow reconstruction.
The somber assessment by former U.S. Senator George Mitchell followed two days of talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders on shoring up a shaky ceasefire following Israel's 22-day war against Gaza.
In the talks, Israel has balked at fully reopening Gaza's border crossings to allow reconstruction.
Mitchell said consolidating the truce and "immediately" addressing the humanitarian needs of Gaza's 1.5 million residents were the U.S. administration's top priorities. [ read more ]
Voting Starts in Iraq's Landmark Election
Iraqis to head to polls to elect provincial councilors
Fri, 30 Jan 2009 22:40:55
Wisam Al-Bayati, Press TV, Baghdad
31/01/2009 | Al Manar
More than 14,400 candidates are vying for a seat in today's poll in Iraq including 3,900 women. There are 440 seats up for grabs, across 14 of Iraq's 18 provinces. 300,000 local and international observers will monitor the poll in provincial elections on Saturday in a crucial test for the nation struggling to emerge from years of sectarian strife and strengthen its fledgling democracy.
About 15 million eligible Iraqis have been called to cast ballots at thousands of voting centers that opened at (0400 GMT) and will close at (1400 GMT). [ read more ]
Fri, 30 Jan 2009 22:40:55
Wisam Al-Bayati, Press TV, Baghdad
31/01/2009 | Al Manar
More than 14,400 candidates are vying for a seat in today's poll in Iraq including 3,900 women. There are 440 seats up for grabs, across 14 of Iraq's 18 provinces. 300,000 local and international observers will monitor the poll in provincial elections on Saturday in a crucial test for the nation struggling to emerge from years of sectarian strife and strengthen its fledgling democracy.
About 15 million eligible Iraqis have been called to cast ballots at thousands of voting centers that opened at (0400 GMT) and will close at (1400 GMT). [ read more ]
“Attack on Gaza a ‘Pre-introduction’ to Attack Iran”
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After ordering a cameraman to turn off his camera, Israeli Ambassador to Australia Yuval Rotem engaged in a very frank discussion about the recent Israeli war in the Gaza Strip, calling it “a pre-introduction” to an attack on Iran that Israel apparently expects within the year. [ read more ]
Top U.S. Official Meets with Ahmadinejad Aide
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U.S. Defense Secretary William J. Perry held a series of previously undisclosed meetings with a senior aide to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, according to a report published on Friday in The Washington Times.
The Washington Times quoted an unnamed source as saying the talks took place with Ahmadinejad adviser Mojtaba Samareh Hashemi.
The report added that the meetings were "discussions, not negotiations" about Iran's nuclear program that aimed to clarify the two sides' positions.
It was not clear from the report whether Mr. Perry was acting at the behest of the Bush administration or others. [read more]
The Washington Times quoted an unnamed source as saying the talks took place with Ahmadinejad adviser Mojtaba Samareh Hashemi.
The report added that the meetings were "discussions, not negotiations" about Iran's nuclear program that aimed to clarify the two sides' positions.
It was not clear from the report whether Mr. Perry was acting at the behest of the Bush administration or others. [read more]
Egyptian Parliamentarians delegation refused entry to Gaza
Sat, 31 Jan 2009 21:28:26
Heba Fahmi, Press TV, Cairo
Sat, 31 Jan 2009 21:28:26
Heba Fahmi, Press TV, Cairo
Saudi Leadership Crisis Looms; Health of Crown Prince Falters
After months of speculation about the health of the designated successor to King Abdullah, Crown Prince Sultan, Saudi officials are now openly talking about Sultan's ill health. The kingdom -- a close U.S. ally, the self-professed leader of the Islamic world, the world's largest oil exporter, and most recently the much-needed source of financial capital for the world's struggling economy -- is heading for a period of changing leadership. The identities of the future kings, however, are so far unknown and largely unpredictable.Sultan Undergoing Treatment
Crown Prince Sultan, who is also the kingdom's long-serving defense minister, is currently in Morocco after six weeks of treatment in New York City. Last week, his son Khaled, the assistant defense minister, said in a briefing of Saudi armed forces commanders that his father would be returning to the United States in a month for more tests and treatment. Although Khaled said his father was "getting better and his health condition is progressing," analysts have recalled that in 2005 Sultan was operated on for colon cancer and in April 2008 flew to Geneva for what were claimed to be routine medical tests. [read more]
Opposition religious figure new Somalia president
 Somalia's new President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmad |
Somali lawmakers have elected opposition leader Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmad as the new president of their war-ravaged country.
During a run-off vote in neighboring Djibouti, Sheikh Sharif, 44, recevied the necessary majority of votes, 213, just before 4 AM local time (0100 GMT) Saturday 31, during an all-night session of parliament under a UN-brokered plan to forge a unity government in the Horn of Africa country.
This leaves him now in charge of a fragile peace process aimed at ending 18 years of civil conflict.
This leaves him now in charge of a fragile peace process aimed at ending 18 years of civil conflict.
Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein had pulled out after the first round coming in third opening way for Sheikh Sharif.[read more]
US Army Suicides Hit Record High
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The rate of suicides among soldiers in the US army has risen to a record level for the second year in a row. The army said there were 128 confirmed suicides in 2008, with a further 15 deaths still under investigation.
Military officials said they did not know why the number has kept increasing but that the stress of conflicts overseas had had a significant impact. The army has said it is committed to addressing the issue and has introduced training to raise awareness. [read more]
Military officials said they did not know why the number has kept increasing but that the stress of conflicts overseas had had a significant impact. The army has said it is committed to addressing the issue and has introduced training to raise awareness. [read more]
Geagea: Sayyed Nasrallah Fighting "Others'" Electoral War
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Less than 24 hours after the press conference held by Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah in which his eminence called the Lebanese government and the Lebanese Forces to reveal the fate of the four Iranian missing diplomats, Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea held a press conference, in which he sought to respond to Sayyed Nasrallah but failed to give firm answers to the questions raised.
"I don't know who kidnapped the four Iranian diplomats," Geagea said, adding that he wasn't part of the intelligence apparatus within the LF at the time. "Calling upon the LF to determine the fate of the four Iranian diplomats is rejected," he simply added, expressing at the same time "readiness" to help in any issue that security and judicial authorities inquire about. "Sayyed Nasrallah is trying to falsely link the file of Iranian diplomats to the LF party," Geagea claimed.
The four Iranian diplomats were abducted at a Lebanese Forces checkpoint north of Lebanon in the 1980's. Their fate was never known amid reports that Geagea had handed them to his Israeli allies during the war. Geagea is accused of handing Israel Lebanese and non-Lebanese prisoners he used to abduct on LF checkpoints. [ read more ]
The four Iranian diplomats were abducted at a Lebanese Forces checkpoint north of Lebanon in the 1980's. Their fate was never known amid reports that Geagea had handed them to his Israeli allies during the war. Geagea is accused of handing Israel Lebanese and non-Lebanese prisoners he used to abduct on LF checkpoints. [ read more ]
Spanish FM: We'll act to prevent war crimes probes against Israel
Haaretz Correspondent | By Barak Ravik
Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Moratinos informed Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni on Friday of Spain's plan to amend legislation that granted a Spanish judge the authority to launch a much-publicized war crimes investigation against senior Israeli officials.
Judge Fernando Andreu launched an investigation Thursday into seven current or former Israeli officials over a 2002 bombing in Gaza that killed a top Hamas militant, Salah Shehadeh, and 14 other people, including nine children.
The judge acted under a doctrine that allows prosecution in Spain, and other European countries, to reach far beyond national borders in cases of torture or war crimes. The universal jurisdiction ruling sparked outrage in Israel and elsewhere.
Spanish state television TVE quoted government sources as saying the possibility of a legal "adjustment or modification" would not be retroactive and would not affect the case before the courts. [read more]
Judge Fernando Andreu launched an investigation Thursday into seven current or former Israeli officials over a 2002 bombing in Gaza that killed a top Hamas militant, Salah Shehadeh, and 14 other people, including nine children.
The judge acted under a doctrine that allows prosecution in Spain, and other European countries, to reach far beyond national borders in cases of torture or war crimes. The universal jurisdiction ruling sparked outrage in Israel and elsewhere.
Spanish state television TVE quoted government sources as saying the possibility of a legal "adjustment or modification" would not be retroactive and would not affect the case before the courts. [read more]
Peres thinks Israel kills for democracy
Israeli President Shimon Peres says the war on Gaza was not "an ugly story", insisting that the global condemnation of Tel Aviv is unjust."They try to make the Israeli policy an ugly story," a frustrated Peres was quoted by the Associated Press at a session of the World Economic Forum on Thursday night.
He explained that his outburst was the result of repeated criticism over Israel's Gaza operation. [read more]
Israeli checkpoints halting WFP's aid to Gaza
Fri, 30 Jan 2009 03:19:46
Michael Mazzocco, Press TV, UN
Blair: Hamas should be part of peace process
By Haaretz Service and Reuters
Hamas should be part of the Middle East peace process, said Tony Blair, former British prime minister and envoy to the region of the international quartet of powers, in comments published on Friday.
"I do think it is important that we find a way of bringing Hamas into this process, but it can only be done if Hamas are prepared to do it on the right terms," Blair said in an interview with the Times of London newspaper, published on its Web site.
Blair is the Middle East envoy for the quartet of Middle East peace negotiators - the United States, the United Nations, Russia and the European Union. [ read more ]
"I do think it is important that we find a way of bringing Hamas into this process, but it can only be done if Hamas are prepared to do it on the right terms," Blair said in an interview with the Times of London newspaper, published on its Web site.
Blair is the Middle East envoy for the quartet of Middle East peace negotiators - the United States, the United Nations, Russia and the European Union. [ read more ]
Netanyahu: I'm not bound by Olmert pledges, won't evacuate settlements
Haaretz | By Mazal Mualem
Likud Party Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said he would not be bound by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's commitments to evacuate West Bank settlements and withdraw from the territories.
"I will not keep Olmert's commitments to withdraw and I won't evacuate settlements. Those understandings are invalid and unimportant," Netanyahu said.
Together with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Olmert arrived at these understandings in final status talks with the Palestinians, which included settlement evacuation, dividing Jerusalem and returning to 1967 borders.
After Netanyahu and senior Likud officials blasted Olmert and Livni's "promises" and accused Livni of agreeing to divide Jeruslem, she was forced to disassociate herself from the understandings. [read more]
"I will not keep Olmert's commitments to withdraw and I won't evacuate settlements. Those understandings are invalid and unimportant," Netanyahu said.
Together with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Olmert arrived at these understandings in final status talks with the Palestinians, which included settlement evacuation, dividing Jerusalem and returning to 1967 borders.
After Netanyahu and senior Likud officials blasted Olmert and Livni's "promises" and accused Livni of agreeing to divide Jeruslem, she was forced to disassociate herself from the understandings. [read more]
Egypt Regime: “Nasrallah is Iran’s Agent”
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An Egyptian regime source on Friday accused Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah of being an “agent to the Iranian regime” and that he takes his orders from Tehran.
In an official statement received by AFP, a “senior Egyptian official” said that Sayyed Nasrallah’s comments Thursday, “which included transgression and criticism to Egypt, undoubtedly prove once again his clear collaboration with the Iranian regime and his compliance with Tehran’s orders.”
Talk of Gaza ghetto draws Egyptian ire
In an official statement received by AFP, a “senior Egyptian official” said that Sayyed Nasrallah’s comments Thursday, “which included transgression and criticism to Egypt, undoubtedly prove once again his clear collaboration with the Iranian regime and his compliance with Tehran’s orders.”
Talk of Gaza ghetto draws Egyptian ire
 At least 1,330 Gazans were killed and at least 5,450 others were hospitalized as a result of the 23-day Israeli onslaught. |
Egypt hurls a new broadside against Iran and Hezbollah as criticism continues to mount on Cairo for its passive stance on the Gaza crisis.
In a Friday statement, the Egyptian government accused the leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement, Hassan Nasrallah, of acting as an 'agent provocateur' for Tehran.
"Hassan Nasrallah's criticism of Egypt confirms once more that he is nothing more than an agent of the Iranian regime and takes his orders from Tehran," reads the Egyptian government statement.
[ read more ]
In a Friday statement, the Egyptian government accused the leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement, Hassan Nasrallah, of acting as an 'agent provocateur' for Tehran.
"Hassan Nasrallah's criticism of Egypt confirms once more that he is nothing more than an agent of the Iranian regime and takes his orders from Tehran," reads the Egyptian government statement.
[ read more ]
Erdogan Spat with Peres.
Is this the transcript of Peres' call to Erdogan following Davos spat?
Haaretz Correspondent | By Barak Ravik
Hamas Hails Erdogan
Haaretz Correspondent | By Barak Ravik
President Shimon Peres called Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday following Thursday's spat at the World Economic Forum in Davos, in efforts to soothe the tensions.
On Thursday, Erdogan stormed off the stage after he was cut off by the forum moderator and barred from responding to Peres' defense of Israel's 22-day offensive in the Gaza Strip.
On Thursday, Erdogan stormed off the stage after he was cut off by the forum moderator and barred from responding to Peres' defense of Israel's 22-day offensive in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas Hails Erdogan
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The Palestinian Resistance movement Hamas on Friday hailed Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his spat with the Zionist entity over its assault on the Gaza Strip.
"Hamas pays tribute to the courageous stand of Turkey's prime minister who in Davos directly defended the victims of the criminal Zionist war against our children and women in Gaza," said spokesman Fawzi Barhum. [ read more ]
"Hamas pays tribute to the courageous stand of Turkey's prime minister who in Davos directly defended the victims of the criminal Zionist war against our children and women in Gaza," said spokesman Fawzi Barhum. [ read more ]
Hamas Can 'Never' Seize West Bank: Abbas
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Palestinian president, whose term has ended on January 9, Mahmud Abbas said on Friday his Hamas rivals will "never" be able to take over the West Bank "as they did the Gaza Strip." [read more]
In America, Speaking the Truth Is Career-ending Event
“The evidence is sitting on the table. There is no avoiding the fact that this was torture.”
These are the words of Manfred Nowak, the UN official appointed by the Commission on Human Rights to examine cases of torture. Nowak has concluded that President Obama is legally obligated to prosecute former President George W. Bush and former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
If President Obama’s bankster economic team finishes off what remains of the US economy, Obama, to deflect the public’s attention from his own failures and Americans’ growing hardships, might fulfill his responsibility to prosecute Bush and Rumsfeld. But for now the interesting question is why did the US military succumb to illegal orders?
In the December 2008 issue of CounterPunch, Alexander Cockburn, in his report on an inglorious chapter in the history of the Harvard Law School, provides the answer. Two brothers, Jonathan and David Lubell, both Harvard law students, were politically active against the Korean War. It was the McCarthy era, and the brothers were subpoenaed. They refused to cooperate on the grounds that the subpoena was a violation of the First Amendment. [read more]
Israel mulling over more Gaza raids
Fri, 30 Jan 2009 05:58:36 GMT | PressTV
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Israel is planning to launch more strikes on the Gaza Strip after failing to achieve goals in the three-week long deadly onslaught in the region.
Citing Israeli officials, the daily Haaretz reported Friday that Tel Aviv would continue strikes on the populated territory after violating a unilateral ceasefire it declared on a three-week long offensive in the tiny sliver.[ read more ]
Citing Israeli officials, the daily Haaretz reported Friday that Tel Aviv would continue strikes on the populated territory after violating a unilateral ceasefire it declared on a three-week long offensive in the tiny sliver.[ read more ]
Egypt Firms Supplied Israel Army with Food During War?
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An Egyptian newspaper revealed a local Egyptian firm was regularly supplying the Israeli occupation army with food supplies via the “Oja” crossing, throughout the war on Gaza, at a time the Rafah crossing was closed for aids and medical supplies for injured Palestinians. [ read more ]
Iranian aid ship arrives in Lebanon
An Iranian ship carrying aid for the people in Gaza has been forced away from Egypt after Cairo prohibited the unloading of the ship. For two weeks, the Iran Shahed carrying two-thousand tons of medical and food supplies was held 50km off the coast of Gaza by Egyptian authorities. The Iran Shahed arrived in the Lebanese capital port city of Beirut at 7:14 pm (17:14 GMT) local time, a Press TV correspondent reported on Thursday [read more] |
Second day of riots in Bahrain
 Masked Bahraini protesters burn tires in Jidhafs,Manama. |
Police fired tear gas at rioters in Bahrain after they burned tires and trash cans and hurled stones, causing traffic jams outside the capital Manama.
The riots continued for the second day on Tuesday, with several people injured, but the police declined to give a specific number.
The riots continued for the second day on Tuesday, with several people injured, but the police declined to give a specific number.
The riots erupted Monday after three opposition activists were arrested for supposedly ignoring summons by the public prosecutor for questioning linked to arrests last month of 14 Bahrainis for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government in Manama. [read more]
Hamas offers long-term truce for Gaza freedom
 Hamas leader Ghazi Hamad |
"We want to be part of the international community. I think Hamas has no interest now to increase the number of crises in Gaza or to challenge the world," Hamas official Ghazi Hamad told AP.
Hamas leaders in the past have spoken about a long-term truce with Israel, saying they want international recognition as much as an end to the blockade of the impoverished Gaza Strip.[ read more ]
Iraq shows door to Blackwater
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Iraq has informed the US embassy in Baghdad that the operating license of private military company Blackwater will not be renewed.
Iraqi Interior Ministry spokesman Major General Abdel Karim Khalaf said, "The contract is finished and will not be renewed by order of the Minister of the Interior ... It is because of the shooting incident in 2007."
An investigation revealed that 17 Iraqis were killed and 20 others were injured when Blackwater guards escorting a US diplomatic convoy in Baghdad opened fire on civilians in 2007.[ read more ]
Muagbe Party Endorses New Zimbabwe Timeline
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President Robert Mugabe's party has endorsed plans put forward by southern African leaders for a unity government to be installed in Zimbabwe by mid-February, state media reported Thursday.
The ZANU-PF politburo met Wednesday in Harare to discuss the plan set out this week by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) following marathon talks at a summit in Pretoria. "ZANU-PF is fully behind this resolution and the politburo has endorsed it," party spokesman Nathan Shamuyarira said in the government mouthpiece Herald newspaper after the meeting.
"President Mugabe is now expected to start rolling out the process to implement the agreement according to recommendations of the regional bloc." [ read more ]
"President Mugabe is now expected to start rolling out the process to implement the agreement according to recommendations of the regional bloc." [ read more ]
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