Germany, Brazil propose anti-spying UN resolution

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Germany and Brazil have proposed a UN General Assembly resolution calling on member countries to protect the right to privacy guaranteed under international law.

Two countries on Friday submitted a draft resolution on the protection of privacy in the digital age to the assembly’s Third Committee, which deals with human rights issues.

The submission came amid international criticism of US surveillance of other countries.

The US National Security Agency is reported to have eavesdropped on foreign leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.
Without naming the United States, the draft resolution says the illegal collection of personal data, including online, infringes on the protection of communications stipulated in human rights conventions.

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Japan, Russia agree on security cooperation

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 Japan and Russia have agreed to expand bilateral cooperation in security affairs, including joint military exercises against terrorism and piracy.

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera of Japan met their Russian counterparts Sergei Lavrov and Sergei Shoigu in Tokyo on Saturday under the so-called 2-plus-2 framework.

At a news conference after the talks, Kishida said Saturday’s talks opened a new page for stepping up Japan-Russia cooperation in security and defense.

He added the latest move would have a positive influence on negotiations toward signing a bilateral peace treaty.

Lavrov said the two countries confirmed that closer bilateral relations would help resolve various issues, including those relating to the Korean Peninsula, territorial disputes, and terrorism. He said that would be in the interest of the two countries.

In the talks, the two sides agreed to have joint exercises between Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Russian navy.

They also agreed to hold working-level talks on ways to counter cyber attacks.Media agencies 

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International Intel as it is

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Two killed outside Golden Dawn offices in Athens

At least two people have been killed in a drive-by shooting outside the offices of Greece’s far-right Golden Dawn party in Athens, police said Friday. The attack took place as the Greek government continues to crack down on the party – Greece’s third most popular – after one of its sympathizers stabbed an anti-fascism rapper to death in September. The victims were 20- and 23-years-old, according to the Golden Dawn website. However, police have not yet verified their identities and further details of the shooting are not yet available, Reuters reported.

Bulgarian students demand government ouster

Around 2,000 Bulgarian students have rallied in the capital of Sophia to demand the resignation of the socialist-backed government. The demonstration, springing forth from a gathering commemorating 18th and 19th century intellectuals and revolutionaries, took place against a backdrop of protests and occupations in universities around the country, AFP reported. Several hundred students have been occupying Sofia’s largest university for a week, causing the cancellation of classes. Chants such as “Wake up,” “Resign,” and “Mafia” resounded in the crowd that gathered to support the young people who were calling for an end to corruption and for a new election. Clashes erupted between protesting students and police in the city center, as demonstrators blocked street intersections, letting only ambulances through their barricade, according to Sofia news agency Novinite.

Dozens arrested in Egypt amid clashes ahead of Morsi trial

At least 45 supporters of ousted Egypt’s president Mohammed Morsi have been arrested in Alexandria, the country’s second largest city, as they clashed with local opponents in Sidi Beshr neighborhood. Police fired tear gas to calm down the clashes, reports Al Ahram. Unrest erupted on Friday afternoon when local residents attacked the pro-Morsi march in response to the protesters blocking a road, shouting chants against the army and police, with rocks being thrown. This comes as thousands of pro-Morsi demonstrators are rallying across the country in protest against the upcoming trial that the deposed Islamist president is to stand along with 14 other senior members of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Moscow Metro vending machine to sell tickets for 30 squats

The Moscow Metro will set up a ticket vending machine that will sell tickets to passengers on a single trip for 30 squats rather than for rubles. The number of squats will be counted by a special device, the press service of the Russian Olympic Committee said on Friday. The first such ticket machine will be launched on November 8 at the Vystavochnaya station.

Netherlands to send 380 peacekeepers to Mali

The Dutch government has agreed to send about 380 peacekeepers to Mali as part of a United Nations led mission, a government spokesman said on Friday. Further details are due to be announced later on Friday at the Dutch Prime Minster’s weekly press conference, Reuter’s reports. The Dutch troops will gather and analyze intelligence for the UN mission and will contribute four Apache attack helicopters. Prime Minister Mark Rutte said that it was important to participate in preventing an unmanageable situation developing in Mali, which had become a base for Islamist extremists until they were driven out by French-led forces earlier this year.

Indonesians demand salary hikes in nationwide strike

Tens of thousands of workers went on strike across Indonesia on Friday for a second day, calling for huge salary hikes. However, the turnout was lower than the millions unions had promised. A further blow came when the Indonesian capital said it would raise the minimum wage by just 11 percent next year, AFP reported. The wage in Jakarta will go up from 2.2 million rupiah (around $200) to around 2.4 million – a rise of just 11 percent next year. This year, workers in the capital got a 44 percent rise.

4 killed by US drone strike in Pakistan

A US drone strike targeting a rebel compound killed at least four militants in Pakistan’s tribal region near the Afghan border on Friday, officials said. The strike took place in the Dandey Darpakhel area, five kilometers north of Miranshah, the main town of the North Waziristan tribal region, a stronghold for Taliban and Al-Qaeda linked militants, AFP reported. A US drone fired two missiles on a militant compound, killing four rebels, a senior security official said.

McDonald’s Japan apologizes as outlet posts homeless ban

McDonald’s Japan issued an apology on Friday after it was revealed that one of its outlets had posted a notice banning homeless people, AFP said. The notice, posted more than a year ago, had triggered an online debate, with some saying that staff at the west Tokyo branch “would refuse entry to people deemed improper,” citing poor hygiene and homelessness. The global fast food giant said that following complaints, the sign had been replaced.

Plans to create 2 vast ocean sanctuaries in Antarctica fail

Plans to create two vast ocean sanctuaries in Antarctica to protect the pristine wilderness reportedly failed on Friday for a third time. The proposals for two huge Marine Protected Areas were on the table at the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) meeting in Hobart. “Russia and China wanted more details, more time,”AFP reported, citing participants. The sanctuaries required the support of all 25 members of CCAMLR to be passed.

S.African man gets 2 life sentences for rape, murder

A South African court sentenced a man to two life terms on Friday for the rape, mutilation and murder of a teenager in a case that shocked the nation, Reuters reported. Johannes Kana confessed to raping 17-year-old Anene Booysen before she was dumped at a building site in Bredasdorp, 130km east of Cape Town, in February. Booysen’s murder sparked some of the biggest anti-rape campaigns in South Africa in years.

Egypt military arrests members of Sinai radical militant group

The Egyptian army said on Friday its forces have captured 36 “terrorists” in North Sinai, including the leader of radical Islamist group, Al-Takfir Wal Hijra, and one of his associates. The army captured Abd El-Fattah Salem in the Al-Kharouba area describing him as “one of the most significant terrorist leaders currently wanted,” Ahram Online reported. Also 25 “extremists”, accused of attacking army and police sites in the restive peninsula, were detained, in addition to eight people suspected of involvement in terrorist crimes.

UN envoy Brahimi hopes for Syria peace conference within weeks

The UN envoy to Syria said on Friday he hoped a long-delayed peace conference could still be held in the next few weeks despite obstacles. Lakhdar Brahimi, speaking in Damascus after a trip to shore up support for the talks, said he would go to Geneva to meet US and Russian representatives, Reuters reported. Brahimi said the UN preferred that Iran attend the Geneva 2 conference, but there had been no agreement on this yet. The envoy also hopes that just one delegation would represent the opposition.

Fuel runs out in Gaza, Hamas reports outage

A shortage of fuel halted the production of electricity across the Gaza Strip on Friday, according to the energy authority of the Islamist movement Hamas. “We have completely stopped the operation of [Gaza's sole] power plant this morning at 6am (04:00 GMT) because we don’t have a single liter of fuel,” AFP quoted Fathi el-Sheikh Khalil, the authority’s deputy chairman, as saying. The electricity supply has been cut off across most of the territory. Khalil blamed the power outage on Egypt’s destruction of tunnels used for bringing fuel to Gaza and said the Palestinian Authority charged Hamas too much for its fuel.

Fire kills 10 at firecracker factory in southern India

At least 10 people were killed and 10 others sustained severe burn injuries in a major fire in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu on Friday, Xinhua reported, citing officials. Fire broke out following a sudden explosion at a firecracker factory. Several employees were at work at the cracker manufacturing unit when the mishap happened.

Russian, Japanese foreign ministers to discuss peace treaty in January-February

The foreign ministers of Russia and Japan have scheduled peace treaty consultations for late January – early February 2014, the Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said. “The precise date of the consultations will be set in a working agenda,” Interfax quoted him as saying after negotiations with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The Russian and Japanese deputy foreign ministers held the first round of peace treaty consultations in August.

All 30 Greenpeace activists charged with hooliganism in Arctic Sunrise incident

Hooliganism charges have been brought against all thirty Greenpeace activists who were aboard the Arctic Sunrise and were detained near the oilrig Prirazlomnaya on September 19. “The Investigations Committee has filed formal hooliganism charges against all thirty Greenpeace activists,” Greenpeace press officer, Maria Favorskaya, told Interfax. “However, the initial piracy charges have not 

Syrian chemical weapons to be destroyed in Albania 

Syrian chemical weapons stockpiles might be destroyed in Albania. The possibility was first reported by US e-daily ‘Global security newswire’. Experts describe transportation of chemical warfare agents from Syria to Albania for subsequent destruction as “an increasingly likely” development. The US is also reportedly in talks with Belgium and France over the issue.

Japan scrambles fighter jets to intercept Russian plane – 

Japan scrambled F2 fighter jets to intercept a Russian Air Force plane as it flew over the Sea of Japan on Friday, the Japanese Defense Ministry said. No violations of Japanese air space have been registered, Itar-Tass reported, citing a ministry statement. A Russian Ilyushin Il-20 electronic reconnaissance aircraft reportedly flew over the islands of Oki and Takeshima/Tokto. Japan and South Korea have long been contesting the sovereignty of the islands.

22 female Islamists detained in Egypt before Morsi trial

Egypt has detained 22 women who are members of the Muslim Brotherhood, a security official said on Friday. The move came days before deposed President Mohamed Morsi and 14 other leaders of the Islamist group go on trial. The charges against the women include using force to disrupt traffic during protests, membership of an outlawed group and distributing illegal leaflets, Reuters said. Security forces rarely detain female Islamists.

US hurt by evidence of ‘cynical’ spying – Medvedev

The US faces a tough task undoing the damage inflicted by allegations it has spied on leaders of allied countries, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has said. “It’s not very pleasant when you are spied on… so the leaders are angry. I understand them,” he told Reuters in an interview. Such spying was not unusual, Medvedev suggested, adding that “it is assumed that it is not done in such an absolutely cynical way.” Medvedev said, “What can you say in this situation? ‘Sorry, we won’t do it anymore’ or ‘We won’t try to listen in on you?’ Nobody will believe it.”

2 killed in court building blast in Russia’s Kurgan

Two people were killed and another two were injured on Friday after a grenade exploded in a court building in the city of Kurgan, the Russian Interior Ministry has said. A visitor exploded a hand grenade in the building of a magistrate court, killing two people and injuring two others, Interfax reported. Investigators do not rule out the incident was a terrorist act.

Russia supplies 12 Mi-17V-5 military helicopters for Afghanistan

Russia’s Rosoboronexport delivered 12 Mil Mi-12V-5 military transport helicopters to the Afghan national army in October under an additional contract with the US government in 2012. “In all, 63 Mi-12V-5 helicopters will be supplied for the under Russia-US agreements,” the state-run arms trader said. Rosoboronexport and the US government signed the main contract on the delivery of 21 helicopters on May 26, 2011, and the contract was fulfilled by the middle of 2012, Interfax reported. Additional agreements on the delivery of another 12 Mi-17V-5 helicopters were signed in 2012.

Police detain accomplice of Volgograd bomber’s armed group

Police in the Russian North Caucasus Republic of Dagestan have reportedly arrested an accomplice of a gang which included a suicide female bomber that recently killed six people and wounded 37 others in the city of Volgograd. The detained man, identified as Ramil A., 28, is suspected of assisting several members of the armed group in Makhachkala, Itar-Tass reported. He was arrested in Dagestan’s town of Kaspiysk.

Drug ‘supertunnel’ unearthed under US-Mexican border

US and Mexican authorities have unearthed another ‘supertunnel’ used to smuggle drugs beneath their common border, AFP reported, citing officials. The third since 2011, the newly-constructed tunnel zigzags for a third of a mile beneath the border between San Diego and Tijuana. It was equipped with an electric-powered rail system to carry the drugs, as well as ventilation. For the first time, agents seized cocaine intended to be smuggled through the tunnel as well as more than eight tons of marijuana. This indicates that Mexican drug cartels are getting increasingly “desperate,” officials said.

Russian police find suicide belt in southern Stavropol Territory

Police in the southern Russian Stavropol Territory said Friday that they had found a suicide belt during a sweep and have detained its suspected owner. Police officers used sniffer dogs while inspecting a horticultural reserve outside the city of Stavropol, RIA Novosti reported. The belt was examined and its owner later arrested. The suspect is said not to be a resident of Stavropol.

China blames Uyghur Islamist terror group for deadly Beijing crash

A suicide attack which took the lives of five people in the Chinese capital of Beijing was organized by the militant East Turkestan Islamic Movement, AP cited China’s top security official as saying. Chief of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the ruling Communist Party, Meng Jianzhu, announced the revelation during an interview with Hong Kong-based Phoenix Television while in Uzbekistan. “The violent terrorist incident that happened in Beijing is an organized and plotted act. Behind the instigation is the terrorist group East Turkestan Islamic Movement entrenched in central and west Asian regions,” Meng said. The alleged terrorist group did not claim responsibility for the attack. The attack involved an SUV which crashed into bystanders before bursting into flames in the center of Beijing, killing three people in the car and two tourists. Dozens of people were injured in the incident.

Officials uncover huge drug ‘super tunnel’ at US-Mexico border

Authorities in the US and Mexico have uncovered a “super tunnel” which was intended to be used to smuggle drugs across the border between San Diego and Tijuana. According to officials, the sophisticated tunnel runs for a third of a mile, and is even equipped with an electric-powered rail system, ventilation, and hydraulically-controlled steel doors, AFP reported. Construction of the underground operation – the third such tunnel discovered since 2011 – likely took over a year, and was shut down before it became operational. “Their traditional routes are failing at this point. They’re very desperate. They’ll do anything they can to get into the US,” said Bill Sherman, head of the Drug Enforcement Administration in San Diego. Three people were arrested in connection with the bust, and authorities also seized more than eight tons of marijuana.

Russia ready to donate $2mn to Syrian chemical weapons destruction

Russia could contribute US$2 million to the destruction of chemical weapons in Syria, Kommersant newspaper reported on Friday, citing a diplomatic source. According to the Russia-US backed plan to avert military intervention in Syria, all chemical weapons in the country must be destroyed by mid-2014. The source also stated that Russia could provide transportation of the weapons arsenal to Albania, where the stockpiles could be eliminated. More details are expected to be discussed Friday in Moscow during talks between Special Coordinator of the UN-OPCW mission in Syria, Sigrid Kaag, and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov. Syria has met the November 1 deadline and “functionally destroyed the critical equipment which is needed to run their chemical weapons production facilities. All of that has now been rendered inoperable,” Michael Luhan, spokesman for the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, told RT on Thursday.

US Defense Secretary denounces states’ refusal to issue ID cards to same-sex couples

US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel denounced nine US states Thursday for their refusal to issue identification cards to same-sex couples at National Guard facilities. The refusal, a violation of Pentagon policy, comes after the Defense Department began issuing the ID cards to government employees so they could begin receiving the same work-related benefits that heterosexual couples do. Texas was the first state to refuse the order, a senior defense official said, followed by Indiana, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and West Virginia. General Frank Gass, head of the National Guard, will meet with adjunct generals in the respective states, Hagel said. “Not only does this violate the states’ obligation under federal law, their actions have created hardship and inequality,” he added.

Federal court restores contentious Texas abortion restrictions

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday to restore most of the Texas abortion restrictions, just three days after another court determined that at least one of the restrictions had no medical purpose. Yet the federal court said Thursday that the law requiring doctors to have admitting privileges at an area hospital in order to perform abortions may remain in place while the lawsuit against it is argued. Other controversial aspects of the new law prohibit abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy and only allow the procedure to take place in surgical centers. Planned Parenthood and other pro-choice advocates have said the changes, if deemed constitutional, would shut down all but six of Texas’ abortion clinics.

Media agencies 

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Michelle Obama to lead Diwali celebrations in White House:

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US First Lady Michelle Obama would lead this year’s Diwali celebrations the White House, which is expected to be attended by lawmakers, senior administration officials and eminent Indian Americans. 

 

“The First Lady will provide remarks at the White House Diwali celebration,” the White House announced on Friday. A media advisory said the festival of lights would be observed on November 5.

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FIR filed against Srinivasan and Meiyappan

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Complying with a local court order, Rajasthan Police registered an FIR against BCCI president N Srinivasan and his son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan on allegations of fixing an IPL VI match between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur on 12th May.

On a complaint filed by former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi’s legal counsel Mehmood Abdi, who is also president of Sri Ganganagar District Cricket Association, the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Satish Chandra Godara ordered the Jyoti Nagar Police station in Jaipur to lodge the FIR. ACP-Ashok Nagar Mahendra Singh Harsana told that the case was filed under sections 420 and 120-B of IPC for cheating and dishonesty. The FIR was registered after receiving the complaint and probe will begin appropriately, the ACP said. Abdi filed the complaint in the court of appropriate jurisdiction in Jaipur on 26th October and the learned court of the additional Chief judicial Magistrate-8 on 28th October issued directions to Jaipur Police to investigate into the allegations. In his complaint, Abdi alleged that Srinivasan and CSK Team Principal Meiyappan had used their substantial influence to ensure that CSK underperform, in order for the accused to gain financial benefits through illegal match-related betting activities. He further alleged that pre-match rumours suggested that Chennai Super Kings would deliberately underperform and score around 130 to 140 runs to ensure a Rajasthan Royals victory. CSK scored 141 and the Royals chased down the target in 17 overs.

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Modi visits Bihar

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Modi tours families of six persons killed in serial bomb blasts during Modi Hunkar rally in Patna .The chief minister in all the six districts he is visiting, police sources . Within a week, Narendra Modi has returned to Bihar to pay condolence to the family of six  victims from six villages near Patna, namely Kaimur, Gopalganj, Supaul, Begsuarai and Nalanda districts. This exercise  to console the family is seen by the political opponent a political  drama in time of elections. Modi security has been beefed-up keeping in view of intelligence intel inputs of three radical organization planning assassination bid.

However the home grown terrorist IM has failed in their nefarious design to create panic by blasting low intensity bombs in the rally returning to stampede easy way to damage and injure hundreds but repeated announcements from the rostrum not to take any notice of firecrackers. Leaders continuity with their schedule kept the crowd in check with rapt attention towards the leaders is being appreciated both in political and experts on this averted mishap with presence of mind.

Modi first headed for Gaurichak in old Patna locality to convey his condolences to the son of village Azeemchak resident Raj Narain Singh,  who had died in the serial blasts.

 Modi BJP’s PM Candidate  garlanded the photograph of Singh, sat on the floor as he consoled the family and handed them a cheque of Rs five lakh on behalf of the party, said spokesperson of , BJP.

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Shooting in US airport kills 1 security officer, injures many

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Updated on : 02-11-2013 01:41 AM

A security official was killed and several others injured in an unprovoked shooting incident at Los Angeles International Airport, one of the busiest in the US, prompting authorities to evacuate two terminals and ground all planes.

A suspect has been shot and is in police custody after the shooting incident, reports said. The suspect was carrying a high-powered rifle.  A Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agent shot at the airport is dead, CNN reported quoting intelligence sources.  The gunfire and the airport’s announcement of the incident provoked chaos among travellers.  Los Angeles Airport Police Chief Patrick Gannon said the gunman is believed to be the “lone shooter” in the incident.  “At this point, we believe, he was a lone shooter. We have done security sweep of the entire airport,” said Gannon.  “Investigations still going on,” he said. He said multiple victims have been shot and they have been shifted to a hospital. Authorities believe the event is not widespread and is over.  “We believe this to be static situation now,” Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said.  Meanwhile, some media reports claimed that the shooter was killed. However, law enforcement officials are yet to confirm or deny the reports.  According to another account, the suspect is being treated at a hospital.  Earlier, media reports said a person with a firearm at the airport approached a checkpoint at Terminal 3 and opened fire at a TSA agent. The gunman entered the terminal wearing military-like clothing.  The Federal Aviation Authority grounded all planes at the airport following the shooting incident. The White House said President Barack Obama was briefed about the incident.  “The President has been briefed on the incident at Los Angeles International Airport by Alyssa Mastromonaco, his deputy chief of staff, and he will be regularly updated on unfolding events there,” White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters in Washington.

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Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud buried in Pakistan

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Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan chief Hakimullah Mehsud, who was killed in a CIA-operated drone strike in the country’s restive North Waziristan, was on Saturday buried at an unknown location, a media report said.

Hakimullah, his uncle, driver and other aides who fell prey to the US drone attacks were buried at different places in the North Waziristan on Saturday morning, a news channel reported.According to the sources, TTP’s Markazi Majlis-e-Shura (Central Advisory Committee) would appoint a new chief soon.

Umar Khalid, Maulana Fazlullah and Khan Said alias Sajna are under consideration for the top slot, the report said quoting sources.

There was no official word on the killing of Hakimullah.

Hakimullah’s killing is the latest in a string of setbacks for the top leadership of Taliban and al-Qaeda, who have been repeatedly targeted by US drones in the tribal belt.

Pakistani and international media had reported Hakimullah’s death several times in the past but he had surfaced after lying low for some time.

The drone strike came days after US special forces captured TTP deputy chief Latif Mehsud in Afghanistan.

This was the second drone strike in two days. Three suspected militants were killed in an attack on Thursday.

It was also the second drone strike since Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited the US last month.

Sharif had raised the issue of drone strikes during his meeting with President Barack Obama in Washington and demanded the US to halt the attacks.

The Taliban has been waging a bloody campaign against Pakistani forces and has carried out a series of bombings and suicide attacks that killed thousands across the country.

Hakimullah was first named Jamshed, but when he became the spokesperson for Baitullah Mehsud, the former TTP chief, he was known as Zulfiqar Ali.

After Baitullah was killed in a drone strike in August 2009, he became known by his birth name Hakimullah Mehsud and took over the reins of power, News paper reported.

He belonged to the Ishangi, the sub-tribe of Mehsud, and was the eldest of three brothers.

The TTP chief was fond of cricket and used to play the sport.

His hobbies included speeding and firing, before and after he joined the TTP.