Proposal calls for limits on Iran's nuclear production
Iranian and American officials on Monday ended a round of high-level nuclear talks, resulting in a proposal that would place severe limits on Iran's capability to produce nuclear material for 10 years. The proposal, however, calls for the restrictions to be gradually phased out after the 10-year period expires. The proposal has been interpreted by some as a measure to appease critics of the talks in both countries. While some members of the American Congress have objected to an agreement that would expire in less than 10 years, hard-line members of the government in Tehran have voiced their opposition to a deal that would force Iran to halt nuclear production for a whole generation.
Pakistan arrests militant suspected of taking part in Peshawar attack
The Pakistani military on Monday arrested a militant suspected of taking part in the attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar in December last year. Spokespersons for the army claimed that the man, Taj Muhammad, was one of the Taliban commanders who had orchestrated the assault, and was captured in a camp for internally displaced people in the Pawaka area of Peshawar. Authorities believe that 27 militants were involved in the attack, which left a 133 children dead during a siege which lasted over eight hours. A Taliban faction later claimed responsibility for the attack, saying that it was carried out in revenge for the army's offensive on the group in North Waziristan. While all the gunmen who stormed the school were killed, the army is still on the lookout for the other remaining militants.
Leaked cables show Mossad findings on Iran nuclear programme contradicted Netanyahu's claims
According to leaked cables from 2012, Israel's intelligence service Mossad had believed that Iran was "not performing the activity necessary to produce weapons". The assessment of the intelligence agency directly contradicted the statements made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had claimed in the same year in the United Nations' General Assembly that Iran was 70% of the way to completing its "plans to build a nuclear weapon". In a cable sent to South Africa, Mossad had said that Iran's scientists had been working to close gaps in areas that appeared "legitimate", including enrichment of uranium for reactors. Netanyahu is expected to warn the United States against the nuclear compromise currently being negotiated between Iran and other countries during his address to members of the Congress on March 3.
Egypt postpones retrial of Al Jazeera journalists to March 8
Egyptian authorities on Monday postponed the retrial of two Al Jazeera journalists to March 8. The postponement was announced after a brief hearing involving the two journalists took place. The two, Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed, who had been freed earlier in the month, had been charged with helping the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, as well airing falsified footage with the intention to damage Egyptian national security. Egypt has since last year been cracking down on the supporters of ousted President Muhammad Morsi. Earlier, Peter Greste, a journalist belonging to the network who had also been arrested, was deported to his home country of Australia.
Muslim leaders in Australia react angrily to Tony Abbott's comments on extremism
Muslim leaders in Australia on Monday reacted angrily to Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott's suggestion that the Muslim community had not done enough to stamp out extremism. Abbott had on Monday said that even though Western leaders described Islam as a "religion of peace", he wished that more Muslim leaders would say the same more often, and mean it. Randa Kattan, the head of the Arab Council of Australia, said that Abbott's comments were promoting hatred and "inflaming racism", and that they labeled the entire community as being responsible for the actions of a few. Meanwhile, Zaahir Edries, president of the Muslim Legal Network said that the group would boycott a government consultation session on deradicalisation programmes over Abbott's remarks.
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Iranian and American officials on Monday ended a round of high-level nuclear talks, resulting in a proposal that would place severe limits on Iran's capability to produce nuclear material for 10 years. The proposal, however, calls for the restrictions to be gradually phased out after the 10-year period expires. The proposal has been interpreted by some as a measure to appease critics of the talks in both countries. While some members of the American Congress have objected to an agreement that would expire in less than 10 years, hard-line members of the government in Tehran have voiced their opposition to a deal that would force Iran to halt nuclear production for a whole generation.
Pakistan arrests militant suspected of taking part in Peshawar attack
The Pakistani military on Monday arrested a militant suspected of taking part in the attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar in December last year. Spokespersons for the army claimed that the man, Taj Muhammad, was one of the Taliban commanders who had orchestrated the assault, and was captured in a camp for internally displaced people in the Pawaka area of Peshawar. Authorities believe that 27 militants were involved in the attack, which left a 133 children dead during a siege which lasted over eight hours. A Taliban faction later claimed responsibility for the attack, saying that it was carried out in revenge for the army's offensive on the group in North Waziristan. While all the gunmen who stormed the school were killed, the army is still on the lookout for the other remaining militants.
Leaked cables show Mossad findings on Iran nuclear programme contradicted Netanyahu's claims
According to leaked cables from 2012, Israel's intelligence service Mossad had believed that Iran was "not performing the activity necessary to produce weapons". The assessment of the intelligence agency directly contradicted the statements made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had claimed in the same year in the United Nations' General Assembly that Iran was 70% of the way to completing its "plans to build a nuclear weapon". In a cable sent to South Africa, Mossad had said that Iran's scientists had been working to close gaps in areas that appeared "legitimate", including enrichment of uranium for reactors. Netanyahu is expected to warn the United States against the nuclear compromise currently being negotiated between Iran and other countries during his address to members of the Congress on March 3.
Egypt postpones retrial of Al Jazeera journalists to March 8
Egyptian authorities on Monday postponed the retrial of two Al Jazeera journalists to March 8. The postponement was announced after a brief hearing involving the two journalists took place. The two, Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed, who had been freed earlier in the month, had been charged with helping the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, as well airing falsified footage with the intention to damage Egyptian national security. Egypt has since last year been cracking down on the supporters of ousted President Muhammad Morsi. Earlier, Peter Greste, a journalist belonging to the network who had also been arrested, was deported to his home country of Australia.
Muslim leaders in Australia react angrily to Tony Abbott's comments on extremism
Muslim leaders in Australia on Monday reacted angrily to Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott's suggestion that the Muslim community had not done enough to stamp out extremism. Abbott had on Monday said that even though Western leaders described Islam as a "religion of peace", he wished that more Muslim leaders would say the same more often, and mean it. Randa Kattan, the head of the Arab Council of Australia, said that Abbott's comments were promoting hatred and "inflaming racism", and that they labeled the entire community as being responsible for the actions of a few. Meanwhile, Zaahir Edries, president of the Muslim Legal Network said that the group would boycott a government consultation session on deradicalisation programmes over Abbott's remarks.
