Iran and the six powers finally agreed on the wording of an interim agreement in Geneva over Tehran's nuclear program. The deal is for six months during which Iran will not expand its nuclear program. In return, it would get relief of about $4.2 billion in oil revenue sales. Relief on medicines and import of gold and metals would also be provided.
People's anger over continued US drone strikes was evident in the massive rally organized by the Pakistan Tehreek-e Insaf (PTI) party led by Imran Khan. Tens of thousands blocked the ring road in Peshawar leading to Torkham border with Afghanistan. They demanded an immediate end to drone strikes that have killed thousands of people in Pakistan since they were first launched in 2004.
President Hamid Karzai wants American troops to stay in Afghanistan beyond the 2014 deadline and he has agreed to all their terms but he does not want to take responsibility for the deal. He is trying to be clever by asking the Loya Jirga to take responsibility while at the same time he has said its signing should be postponed until after the presidential elections next April.
General Sisi wants to be the president of Egypt. His zionist cousins in Tel Aviv would be pleased. They have been waiting for this for 65 years. Now they have a great opportunity with one of their own taking direct control in Egypt, arguably the most important country in the Arab world.
The House of Saud is in panic mode. Its policies are unravelling both at home and abroad. Its long standing ally and protector, the US, is no longer as keen to lend a helping hand or ear, as it used to. The Saudis can read the writing on the wall. They see their end coming soon. What will come first: King Abdullah going to his grave--he is 90 years old--or the collapse of the Nejdi clan?
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.
In a stunning disclosure, lawyers read a statement from ousted President Mohamed Mursi who said he was kidnapped by the military on July 2, a day before it carried out the coup. He said he plans to sue the coup perpetrators for treason. Yesterday, an administrative court in Cairo announced that the state of emergency imposed since August 14 has been lifted.
Repeated polls have shown that Americans have complete contempt for Congress. The latest Gallup poll shows that only 9% of Americans approve of Congress. This means a massive 91% disapprove of the legislative body. Americans are also beginning to realize that its members are corrupt, and morally bankrupt. So much for American democracy that it wants to export to the rest of the world using cruise missiles.
While former US vice president Dick Cheney is universally despised and considered a war criminal, the elite consider him their hero. The Toronto chapter of the International Economic Forum of the Americas has invited him to speak in Toronto tomorrow. Massive protests are planned to denounce Cheney as a war criminal. the International Lawyers group has called for his arrest. It will be an interesting Halloween night in Toronto.
Is Turkey under Prime Minister Recep Tayip Erdogan going ahead with the missile defence deal with China? There has been strong reaction in Western capitals against the proposed deal by a Nato member with a serious rival of the West. What is Erdogan thinking and why is he so upset with the US and Nato to go elsewhere?
