Fresh skirmishes break out in London

A man walks past a damaged shop window on Brixton High street following riots in south London, on August 8, 2011. Police said Monday they had arrested 100 people in a second night of rioting in London, condemning it as “copycat” disorder following weekend unrest sparked by the death of a man in a police shooting. — AFP Photo
LONDON: Riot police faced off with youths in fresh violence in London on Monday in the third day of disorder after some of the worst rioting in the British capital in years at the weekend.

Scores of young people gathered in a main street in the eastern district of Hackney, smashing up buildings and breaking into a truck that became stranded in the middle of the road, pulling out its contents, the pictures showed.

Several parked cars were also set on fire until police in riot gear arrived to push back the youths, an AFP reporter at the scene said.

The trouble began when police tried to carry out a stop and search operation, the BBC said, but a police spokesman could not immediately confirm the report.

Hackney is several miles (kilometres) from Stratford in east London, where the 2012 Olympics will take place in a year’s time.

Police were also called to Lewisham in south London, where a handful of cars were set alight and several shops were looted.

In Peckham, a poor area in the south of the capital, TV pictures showed a business premises on fire, with flames threatening to spread to neighbouring properties.

Youths also tried to set fire to a double decker bus, which was left badly scorched.

The riots broke out in the north London district of Tottenham on Saturday night, following a protest against the death of a local man in a police shooting last week, and the violence spread to other parts of the city on Sunday.

Police said they had made 215 arrests since the riots began. The youngest person arrested was an 11-year-old boy.

The districts worst hit by the violence at the weekend — Tottenham, Brixton in south London, and now Hackney — are multi-ethnic areas which have high rates of unemployment.

Somalia, Pakistan most at risk from terror attacks

LONDON: Somalia is most at risk from terrorist attack, followed by Pakistan, Iraq and Afghanistan and the new nation of South Sudan, according to a ranking by global analysts Maplecroft.

The consultancy’s latest Terrorism Risk Index also assesses threats to be rising in Yemen, Iran, Uganda, Libya, Egypt and Nigeria.

A Maplecroft statement said increased dangers seen in Yemen and Uganda were caused by al Qaeda-associated violence, those in Iran stemmed from attacks by rebel group Jundullah and those in Egypt and Libya originated in terrorist and criminal attempts to exploit Arab Spring political unrest.

Nigeria is beset by militant raids in the Niger Delta, by sectarian violence and by Islamist attacks in the north.

The top four rankings were unchanged from Maplecroft’s previous survey issued in November 2010 but South Sudan, which came into being last month on secession for the north, replaced the Palestinian Territories at number five due to the high average number of people killed per attack in violence there.

The UK-based company’s index rates 198 countries on the number, frequency and intensity of terrorism attacks, plus the likelihood of mass casualties occurring. While based on historical data, it is intended as a forward-looking assessment.

The survey’s reporting period of April 2010 to March 2011, partly overlaps with the June 2009 to June 2010 data used in its previous ranking.

It defines terrorism as the calculated and purposeful use of violence employed to influence the attitudes and behaviour of people and governments, and takes its raw data from the US.

Maplecroft sees 20 states at `extreme risk’. Apart from the top five, these are Yemen 6, Palestinian Territories 7, Democratic Republic of Congo 8, Central African Republic 9, Colombia 10, Algeria 11, Thailand 12, Philippines 13, Russia 14, Sudan 15, Iran 16, Burundi 17, India 18, Nigeria 19 and Israel 20.

There was an increased risk from regional offshoots of Al Qaeda, including Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, the survey said, adding that a spate of revenge attacks by militants in Pakistan following the killing of Osama bin Laden there in May showed his death had not led to a short-term fall in militancy.

On Somalia, Maplecroft said that despite suffering some losses in Mogadishu, the militant group Al Shabaab continued to hold much of south and central Somalia and “launch some of the most devastating attacks in the capital” in its fight against a western-backed interim government.

South Sudan got its rating “primarily due to the intensity of terrorist attacks, with an average of 6.59 fatalities per terrorist incident, almost three times that of Somalia at 2.23.”

Terrorism Risk Index 2011: Somalia Tops Global Ranking By Maplecroft (PHOTOS)

LONDON, Aug 3 (Reuters) - Somalia is most at risk from terrorist attack, followed by Pakistan, Iraq and Afghanistan and the new nation of South Sudan, according to a ranking by global analysts Maplecroft.

The consultancy's latest Terrorism Risk Index also assesses threats to be rising in Yemen, Iran, Uganda, Libya, Egypt and Nigeria.

A Maplecroft statement said increased dangers seen in Yemen and Uganda were caused by al Qaeda-associated violence, those in Iran stemmed from attacks by Sunni Muslim rebel group Jundollah and those in Egypt and Libya originated in terrorist and criminal attempts to exploit Arab Spring political unrest.

Nigeria is beset by militant raids in the Niger Delta, by sectarian violence and by radical Islamist attacks in the north.The top four rankings were unchanged from Maplecroft's previous survey issued in Nov. 2010 but South Sudan, which came into being last month on secession for the north, replaced the Palestinian Territories at number five due to the high average number of people killed per attack in violence there.

The UK-based company's index rates 198 countries on the number, frequency and intensity of terrorism attacks, plus the likelihood of mass casualties occurring. While based on historical data, it is intended as a forward-looking assessment.

The survey's reporting period of April 2010 to March 2011, partly overlaps with the June 2009 to June 2010 data used in its previous ranking.

It defines terrorism as the calculated and purposeful use of violence employed to influence the attitudes and behaviour of people and governments, and takes its raw data from the U.S. National Counter-terrorism Center's Worldwide Incidents Tracking System.

QAEDA OFFSHOOTS SEEN STOKING RISKS

Maplecroft sees 20 states at "extreme risk". Apart from the top five, these are Yemen 6, Palestinian Territories 7, Democratic Republic of Congo 8, Central African Republic 9, Colombia 10, Algeria 11, Thailand 12, Philippines 13, Russia 14, Sudan, 15, Iran 16, Burundi 17, India 18, Nigeria 19 and Israel 20.

There was an increased risk from regional offshoots of al Qaeda including Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, the survey said, adding that a spate of revenge attacks by militants in Pakistan following the killing of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden there in May showed his death had not led to a short-term fall in militancy.

On Somalia, Maplecroft said that despite suffering some losses in Mogadishu, the Islamist militant group al-Shabaab continued to hold much of south and central Somalia and "launch some of the most devastating attacks in the capital" in its fight against a Western-backed interim government.

South Sudan got its rating "primarily due to the intensity of terrorist attacks, with an average of 6.59 fatalities per terrorist incident, almost three times that of Somalia at 2.23."

At least seven rebel militias are fighting the new government's forces which are trying to establish stability after winning separation as part of the climax to a 2005 peace deal ending decades of civil war with Khartoum.

NORWAY LOW DOWN THE SCALEDespite its elevated risk ranking, the statement said, "South Sudan's death toll of 211 from terrorist attacks pales in comparison to the top four countries. Over the same period Somalia suffered 1,385 deaths, Pakistan 2,163 deaths, Iraq 3,456 deaths and Afghanistan 3,423 deaths, which together account for over 75 percent of the world's 13,492 fatalities.

Iran continued to experience a small but lethal number of mass-casualty attacks including a twin suicide bombing in Zahedan in July 2010, which collectively killed at least 28.

One of the largest changes in rankings was Uganda, which jumped 20 places to 22 following bombings in Kampala in July 2011 that killed 79 people. The attack marked the first strikes on foreign soil by al Shabaab.

The only Western European country seen at high risk was Greece, assessed at 27, down from 24, due to violent left-wing groups. The next most at risk was Britain, rated at 38, up from 46, while France was at 45, barely changed from 44.

The survey period did not cover an attack in Norway by anti-Muslim zealot Anders Behring Breivik, who killed 77 people in Oslo and a nearby island.

After the attack, some analysts argued that terrorism monitoring had been skewed towards the threat of violence from Muslim groups, ignoring the danger posed by far right westerners.

The survey rated Norway at a lowly 112

Famine In Africa: U.S. Eases Terrorism Rules To Speed Aid To Somalia

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration sought to assure aid groups Tuesday that they can deliver desperately needed food to famine-stricken parts of Somalia without fear of prosecution, even if some assistance is diverted to al-Qaida linked extremists blamed for helping deliver hundreds of thousands of people to the brink of starvation.

Administration officials said the U.S. has issued new guidelines on laws prohibiting material assistance to al-Shabab, which have been criticized by humanitarian organizations as a contributing factor the crisis. Charities must only pledge their best efforts to combat attempts by al-Shabab to hoard aid or collect taxes on supplies, they said.

The officials briefed reporters on condition of anonymity because details of the changes haven't been finalized.

Drought has left some 12 million people in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia needing help, though official famine zones are only in Somali areas controlled by al-Shabab. That has challenged aid groups because of al-Shabab's hostility to them and the perceived threat of American prosecution in cases of inadvertent support for a U.S.-designated terrorist body.

No U.S. law specifically prevents aid to southern and central Somalia, where the U.N. food agency says it cannot reach 2.2 million Somalis in areas under al-Shabab's control and fears that tens of thousands may have already perished. But bribes, tolls and other typical of costs of doing business in the largely lawless and chaotic country could have been punishable, even if extracted under coercion, after the State Department officially declared al-Shabab a terrorist organization in 2008.The officials said the focus now should be on getting food to those in need as fast as possible. While some al-Shabab officials have suggested that relief groups are welcome to return, one official said it was unlikely that any "grand bargain" could be struck that would open up all of Somalia for operations with U.S. government-funded aid. Targeted, piecemeal interventions are more likely, directed toward areas where the level of security and acquiescence of local authorities is deemed acceptable.

The shift could allow more U.S. aid to be directed toward the World Food Program's operations in Somalia. The U.N. said Tuesday that unless it sees a massive increase in donations, the famine will spread inside Somalia. It called for another $1.4 billion in support.

Somalia has been mired in conflict since 1991 when dictator Siad Barre was overthrown by warlords who then turned on each other. Islamist militants led by al-Shabab are trying to overthrow the weak U.N.-backed government that is being propped up by about 9,000 African Union peacekeepers from Uganda and Burundi.

US plans Middle East religious rights envoy

WASHINGTON: The US House of Representatives has voted to establish a US envoy to protect the rights of religious minorities in the Middle East and South Asia, amid rising concern over Egypt, Iraq and Pakistan.

While a marathon debate continued Friday on how to avoid US debt default, the House voted 402 to 20 to require President Barack Obama to set up the envoy post.

The Senate must follow suit, but senators from both parties have voiced support.

The envoy will be tasked with pressing minority rights in a broad region covering the Arab world, Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent. But the bill asks the envoy to prioritize Egypt, Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Lawmakers voiced concern for the safety of Egypt’s Coptic Christians during the transition following the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak. At least two dozen people died in religion-related violence in Egypt in March and May.

Representative Chris Smith of New Jersey called the fate of Egypt’s ancient Christian community — which makes up 10 percent of the population — “the bellwether of the rights for religious minorities in the Middle East.”

“As the largest and one of the oldest minorities, they are suffering and their escalating agony portends suffering throughout the region,” Smith, a Republican and devout Catholic, said on the House floor.

Smith said he heard accounts that Coptic women and girls as young as 14 “are being systematically lured from their families or kidnapped off the street corners and forced to change their religion and forced to marry outside of their community.”

Lawmakers also voiced worries over the treatment of Christians in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Ahmadiyah Muslim minority in Pakistan, Bahais in Iran and Hindus in Bangladesh.

“In Afghanistan and Pakistan, countries where the United States has invested its treasure and the lives of countless brave American soldiers, persecution of Christians runs rampant,” said Representative Frank Wolf, a Republican from Virginia who sponsored the bill.He pointed to the case in Pakistan of Aasia Bibi, a Christian mother of five who was sentenced to death for allegedly insulting the Prophet Mohammad, and the assassination this year of two politicians who defended her.

All 20 lawmakers who voted against the bill were Republicans, mostly hawks against government spending. The legislation authorized $1 million a year for the envoy and staff through 2015.

Rain likely to hit Lahore today

LAHORE - Scattered thunderstorm and rain with isolated showers are likely to hit Lahore, Zhob, Kalat, Dera Ghazi Khan, Dera Ismail Khan, Sargodha and Bannu today (Tuesday). Thunderstorm and rain might hit Peshawar and Gilgit-Baltistan. A widespread thunderstorm with rain and isolated showers might hit Hazara, Malakand, Kohistan, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). Rain might also hit southern Sindh while hot and humid weather is expected in other parts of the country.
The humidity level was 81 percent on Monday morning in Lahore while it dropped to 52 percent in the evening. The maximum temperature reached 37 degrees Celsius whereas the minimum temperature was 26 degrees Celsius in the city. The maximum temperature in the country was recorded at Turbat, 46 degrees Celsius. The Met Office said that the weather remained hot and humid in most parts of the country but isolated rain, dust and thundershowers hit Malakand, Hazara, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala and AJK on Monday.

Dhoni pleased with display after Zaheer Khan injury

"A lot of things went wrong, but overall I am quite happy and hopefully the second Test will be more interesting than this."

At one point wicketkeeper Dhoni had to bowl, such were his limited options in the attack, but he did not believe that the laws should be changed so he could bring in another bowler in such circumstances.

"It's part of the strategy," he added. "If you are playing with four bowlers and something like this happens you have to accept what happens rather than crying about it.

"I don't think the law really needs to change. It was a courageous attempt by the bowlers still to put pressure on England. They did a really good job."

If Khan fails to be fit in time for the second Test India could bring in Sreesanth or Munaf Patel as a fast-bowling replacement.

India captain Mahendra Dhoni said he was relatively pleased with his team's first Test defeat by England after losing one of his key bowlers.

Zaheer Khan's hamstring injury meant the tourists were reduced to three bowlers for much of the match, while Sachin Tendulkar also had a fever.

Dhoni said his star batsman should be fit for the second Test at Trent Bridge on Friday but was not sure about Khan.

"Sachin should be fine but [on] Khan we are not 100% sure," he said.

"Let's hope for the best and see over the next couple of days, hopefully he will be fit."

England bowler Jimmy Anderson took five wickets on the final day to dismiss India for 261 in their second innings, thereby earning the hosts a 196-run victory.

Only VVS Laxman (56) and Suresh Raina (78) offered any real resistance, while Tendulkar was one of Anderson'svictims for a mere 12 runs.

"I am a bit disappointed, but over five days - the cricket we played - we got a lot out of it," Dhoni told BBC Test Match Special.

"In the first innings we lost Zaheer Khan so we were playing with three bowlers, two fast bowlers and one spinner.

"It was very difficult to manoeuvre our bowling attack and it put pressure on our fast bowlers. They had to bowl around 60 overs each which was very tough. Then Tendulkar had a viral fever.

"A lot of things went wrong, but overall I am quite happy and hopefully the second Test will be more interesting than this.""A lot of things went wrong, but overall I am quite happy and hopefully the second Test will be more interesting than this."

At one point wicketkeeper Dhoni had to bowl, such were his limited options in the attack, but he did not believe that the laws should be changed so he could bring in another bowler in such circumstances.

"It's part of the strategy," he added. "If you are playing with four bowlers and something like this happens you have to accept what happens rather than crying about it.

"I don't think the law really needs to change. It was a courageous attempt by the bowlers still to put pressure on England. They did a really good job."

If Khan fails to be fit in time for the second Test India could bring in Sreesanth or Munaf Patel as a fast-bowling replacement.

Major issues between old rivals India and Pakistan

The two South Asian nations have fought three wars since they became free nations in 1947, and remain deeply distrustful of each other. - Photo by ReutersNEW DELHI: India’s and Pakistan’s foreign ministers hold talks in New Delhi on Wednesday, the latest in a series of high-level meetings between the nuclear armed countries aimed at bringing peace to the world’s most dangerous region.

PML-N won’t attend govt's reception

LAHORE: Members of Pakistan Muslim League-N have decided not to attend the diner reception being hosted in the honour of parliamentarians by Pakistan People’ Party’s Chief Whip Khursheed Shah, Geo News reported.

The decision was made in protest of the President Asif Ali Zardari’s statement against PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif during the former’s address in Naudero on the occasion of Ms Benazir Bhutto’s birth anniversary.

Syed Khursheed had invited the parliamentarians including those of PML-N to attend the dinner reception on the occasion of approval of the Federal Budget today. PML-N members had a plan to attend the reception but decided otherwise following the speech of President Zardari in Naudero.

Khusheed Shah had been informed about the PML-N’s decision

US money 'being funnelled to the Taliban'

Millions of pounds of American taxpayer funds were funnelled into supporting the Taliban by trucking companies paying protection money a US military study has reportedly found.

Half the main freight companies ferrying food, fuel and building materials to American troops were involved in a "criminal enterprise or support for the enemy" it suggests.

Details of the military-led investigation followed a separate report which found America had squandered £21 billion of taxpayers' money on private sector contracts during a decade of war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The investigation found trucking contracts were riddled with profiteering, money laundering and kickbacks to Afghan strongmen – often through a labyrinth of subcontractors.

The Nato allies spend vast sums ferrying materiel through deserts and mountains prone to attack by bandits and insurgents. America prefers to use Afghan hauliers and security firms to free up its own troops for fighting and to stimulate the Afghan economy.