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Chicago terrorism suspect charged in Mumbai attack

Andy — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 09:31:02 +0000

U.S. prosecutors have alleged new acts of terrorism against two Pakistan-born Westerners, who now stand accused of playing a role in the Mumbai massacre.

David Headley, a 49-year-old Pakistani-American, was formally charged Monday with conspiring to bomb and murder Indians and Americans, following trips he made to India. During each visit, he allegedly used a video camera to conduct reconnaissance of targets – hotels, cafés, train stations and a synagogue – that were ultimately attacked by the terrorists who killed 170 people last year.

Implicated, but not indicted, in this same conspiracy is a Canadian-Pakistani businessman. The FBI alleges that Tahawwur Hussain Rana, 48, knowingly provided Mr. Headley with a means of masking his terrorist intent by helping him pose as an immigration consultant.

A Year After Mumbai Attack, Militants Thrive

Andy — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:03:52 +0000

The Islamist militant group behind the deadly attack in Mumbai one year ago remains a potent force determined to strike India and the West, and a source of acrimony between South Asia’s nuclear-armed rivals, say officials and members of the militant faction.

Indian officials and experts say at least six new plots against Mumbai by the Pakistan-based group, Lashkar-e-Taiba, have been disrupted in the 12 months since 10 gunmen wrought three days of havoc on India’s financial capital, killing 166 people.

Former Mumbai police commissioner: Cops refused to take on terrorists during 26/11 attack

Andy — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:53:21 +0000

Shunted out after his leadership came under fire in the fight against the 26/11 attackers, former Mumbai Police Commissioner Hasan Gafoor has broken his silence only to ruffle a lot of feathers.

In a scathing attack ahead of the first anniversary of the Mumbai attacks, Gafoor told a magazine that some of his top officers dithered while responding to the situation and that there was a dearth of eagerness on their part to be on the ground during those days. FULL COVERAGE: 26/11- A YEAR LATER

The magazine claims the former Mumbai top cop said a section of senior police officers refused to be on the ground and take on the terrorists. By doing so, they chose to ignore the need of the hour.

The magazine claims he named four officers.

Burmese Junta Takes on rebels, puts rebel stronghold on alert

Andy — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:56:30 +0000

Conquering armies of centuries past avoided this remote, mountainous area along the present-day border with China, a place once described by a British colonial official as “an unpenetrated enclave of savage...

Just kill him, desperate father told his son’s kidnappers

Andy — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 09:41:08 +0000

By the third day of negotiating with his son’s kidnappers, Rasul Amoore had sold his car, withdrawn his bank savings and borrowed money from his siblings and friends to raise funds for the six-year-old’s release.

Even then he was able to gather only $8,000 (£5,000) of the $50,000 demanded by Ahmed’s captors. The kidnappers eventually dropped their ransom to $20,000 — still more than twice the amount at the disposal of Mr Amoore — after the confectionery shop owner in east Baghdad pleaded that their information about his supposed wealth was untrue

Israel warns of threats to India

Andy — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:45:39 +0000

Israel is warning that Islamist militants are preparing attacks in India similar to those in Mumbai last year, media and officials have said.

Israel’s counterterrorism unit said the group that launched the Mumbai attacks was planning to target Western or Israeli tourists, AFP news agency said.

Israeli television also reported that a travel advisory would warn Israelis against travelling to India.

India has blamed Pakistan-based group Lashkar-e-Taiba for the Mumbai attacks.

“The terrorist group that carried out the serious Mumbai attack in India is planning to carry out a number of attacks across India, particularly against concentrations of Western or Israeli tourists,” AFP quoted the counterterrorism unit as saying.

Sri Lankan Fishermen Reap Benefits of War's End

Andy — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 12:31:29 +0000

It was just after dawn and the fish market beneath this port city’s clock tower was humming. Fishermen shouldering baskets laden with the night’s catch tipped their Spanish mackerel, tuna and prawns onto the slick concrete floor for buyers. Sweaty men with clipboards and wads of cash leaned in close to inspect with crinkled noses, squinting eyes and prodding fingers.

Homosexuality, medicine and psychiatry

Andy — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 04:23:36 +0000

There are many theories on the origins of homosexuality, its social and personal meanings and its implications. The American Psychiatric Association in 1973, and the World Health Organisation in 1992, officially accepted it as a normal variant of human sexuality. Many countries have decriminalised homosexual behaviour and some have recognised same-sex civil unions and marriage.

Indian politician jailed for saying Dalit Queen ought to be raped

Andy — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 06:22:20 +0000

A leading member of India’s ruling Congress party was arrested and her house set on fire after she suggested a rival politician – Mayawati, the so-called Dalit Queen – ought to be raped so that she better understood the trauma faced by victims of sexual assault.

In a dramatic series of events that highlight the tense political rivalry in India’s most populous state, Rita Bahuguna Joshi, Congress’s leader in Uttar Pradesh state, was placed in custody for 14 days after she made a speech in which she criticised chief minister Mayawati’s policy towards rape victims. Her house in the state capital, Lucknow, was set ablaze, apparently by members of Mayawati’s own party.

Bloggers ordered to drop cloak of secrecy

Andy — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 04:12:49 +0000

What an irony that in a week when Iranian protesters were being hailed (not least by the British media) for harnessing the power of Internet through anonymous blogs and “tweets” bloggers in Britain were stripped of their right to anonymity after a shock court verdict.

In a judgment that, many believe, strikes at the heart of free speech and sets a dangerous precedent, the High Court ruled that bloggers could not expect to operate behind a cloak of secrecy because blogging was not a “private activity.”

Bloggers are furious and some have gone as far as to liken the ruling to a form of covert censorship arguing that it would “kill off” independent voices and take the fun out of blogging as people would be careful about what they write.