Articles

he choice of Pakistan's new army chief has the chattering classes in a tizzy. Who will get the nod: will it be Lt Gen Haroon Aslam, Lt Gen Rashad Mahmood, Lt Gen Tariq Khan or Lt Gen Raheel Sharif? In less than 10 days, people will find out but the question on everyone's mind though not uttered is whether the new chief would keep out of politics.

The third round of talks between Iran and the sextet started in Geneva today amid guarded optimism that there may be an interim deal at last. It is still too early to tell but all signs point to progress. The next two days will show what can be expected.

The main terrorist sponsors in the Middle East--Saudi Arabia and zionist Israel--collaborating closely with each other, appear to be behind the twin suicide attacks earlier today in Beirut. Their target was the embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Lebanon. At least 23 people have been killed and 146 injured according to Lebanese health ministry officials.

An updated list of Guantanamo Bay detainees' list has been released by the Pentagon but it does not include the name of Aamer Shakir, the British detainee. Instead, the US has provided a second list of detainees who will not be released. They will also not be charged with any offence but since the US considers itself above the law, it claims it can do what it likes.

There is immense suffering in Gaza, the tiny Strip that is sandwiched between Israel, the Red Sea and Egypt. The zionist regime has blockaded the tiny Strip with its 1.5 million inhabitants from all sides (including the sea), the Egyptian regime is also collaborating with the zionists adding to the suffering of the people of Gaza. Raw sewage flows in the streets forcing people to walk through it (photo). 90 percent of Gaza's water is undrinkable.

Pakistan's Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan announced in Islamabad today that the government would press treason charges against General Pervez Musharraf. The charges relate to Musharraf's suspension of the constitution, imposition of a state of emergency and the sacking of judges that refused to provide legal cover to his illegal moves in 2007. Most people, however, are skeptical about whether Musharraf would be punished.

Afghans are adamant that they are completely against the presence of US troops in their country. This was confirmed again today when thousands of angry Afghans protested in the eastern city of Jalalabad. They are also totally opposed to the immunity clause the Americans are demanded for their troops if they stay in Afghanistan past the 2014 deadline.

There are clear signs that Turkey is making important changes in its policies that had led to serious disagreements with many of its neighbours. These primarily related to its policy on Syria where the AKP government had made the overthrow of Bashar al-Asad a central plank of its policy. This has failed and Turkey is changing course. It is also taking steps to reduce sectarian tensions. These are welcome developments.

Toronto--and by extension--Canada had a good reputation. No more. A child pornographic ring has just been busted in Toronto as well as several other countries. The pornographic company was based in Toronto. These revelations come on the heels of scandals involving Toronto Mayor Rob Ford (shown in photo) who has admitted to taking illegal drugs, and drunk driving. He refuses to resign.

Zionist provocations at Masjid al-Aqsa and the Haram al-Sharif are likely to lead to another intifadah in Palestine. The zionist occupying regime is discussing a draft law that would provide access for zionist Jews to set foot on the Haram al-Sharif and pray there. Muslims consider this to be an extreme provocation. Muslim reaction is likely to be strong and widespread. Perhaps this is what the zionists want.