This 6 year old child was beaten unmercifully after accidently stepping on her teachers prayer rug while he was kneeling. When he finished his prayer he did what every other loving, peaceful, caring teacher of children would do, and beat the hell out of her.

Islam, the religion of peace, tolerance and compassion.

Translated by Google - Tétouan: a imam attacks a young girl

A scandalous business with Tétouan shakes the local public opinion and the mediums of teaching. Nihad Afroun, a six years little angel, was victim, last week, of physical violence, made by its teacher at the school Sidi Ahmed El Bekkal, located with the district Jbel Darssa. In addition to the psychological effects, this violence had serious physical consequences on the small girl. The face tumefied, Nihad present of the bruises at the eye-level and fractures at the level of the nose.

"the business goes back to Wednesday April 19. At 15 hours, the school invited me to announce to me that my daughter fell. When I arrived, it bled. I then asked him what arrived to him. She told me that at the time when the pupils entered in class at 13 hours 30 mn, the teacher made his prayer of the "Dohr". Without paying attention, it put the foot on its carpet ", affirms Fatima Ouled Abdelwahhab, mother of Nihad. And to add: " After having finished his prayer, the teacher gave a violent blow to my daughter so much so that it fell while knocking the face against the ground. One did not opinion me that nearly two hours after the incident ".

Religion of Peace brings this to light.

Thousands of anti-war protesters along side of many community leaders marched through the streets of Manhattan yesterday demanding an immediate withdrawal of all U.S. troops from Iraq.


Fox News:

Cindy Sheehan, a vociferous critic of the war whose soldier son also died in Iraq, joined in the march, as did actress Susan Sarandon and the Rev. Jesse Jackson.

"End this war, bring the troops home," read one sign lifted by marchers on the sunny afternoon, three years after the war in Iraq began. The mother of a Marine killed two years ago in Iraq held a picture of her son, born in 1984 and killed 20 years later.

One group marched under the banner "Veterans for Peace."

Confederate Yankee has a great post today.
Show Me How

You know what? I want this war over, too.

I want all the fighting to stop, for our troops to come home. I want to never again fear the sound of jet engines carried upon the wind under bright blue skies. I want to never again turn on the news to see that a suicide bomber in an Tel Aviv or Bali or London or Poughkeepsie make widows and widowers and orphans for his bloodthirsty god. I want to be able to do without these concerns.

Show me how.

Show me how to stop bin Laden's planes and Zarqawi's swords with Peace and Love and warm squishy visions of Equality and Justice. Show me how a hug can stop an IED. Explain how constantly apologizing for simply being will stop their lust for killing me for simply wanting to exist.

Read Full Post

As well they should...
The fact that illegals are looking over their shoulders worrying about law enforcement is a good thing. They must know America is a country of laws that must be respected.

Raid Rumors Spark Fear Among Immigrants

Rumors of immigration roundups have prompted thousands of illegal immigrants to stay home this week and are making some afraid to participate in a national immigration protest planned for Monday.

Though federal immigration officials said they were unfounded, rumors of random sweeps were rampant from coast to coast Friday, prompting thousands of immigrants to stay home from work, take their children out of school and avoid church.

The absences caused the rumors to build, as some thought their missing friends and co-workers had been arrested. Construction and agriculture were among the industries most affected.

"Everybody's edgy," said Chris Ruske, owner of a southern New Jersey nursery. "People are worried, and we're worried. There's an awful lot of rhetoric, and you wonder what's true. You wonder if the immigration Gestapo are coming to get you."

The agency said its policy is not to discuss potential operations. "ICE will continue to operate as it does every day of the year," Boyd said.

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An Arabic international daily has laid out Iran's secret plan to attack American interest across the Arab region if America strikes at Iranian Nuclear facilities.

London, Asharq Al-Awsat

Eight fundamentalist Islamist organizations have received large sums of money in the last month from the Iranian intelligence services, as part of a project to strike U.S military and economic installations across the Middle East Asharq Al-Awsat has learned.

The plan, which also includes the carrying out of suicide operations targeting US and British interests in the region, as well as their Arab and Muslim allies, in case Iran is attacked, was drawn up by a number of experts guerilla warfare and terrorist operations, and was revealed by a senior source in the Iranian armed forces' joint chief of staff headed by the veterinary doctor Hassan Firouzabadi,

The source added that the forces of the Revolutionary Guards’ al Quds Brigades, under Brigadier General Qassim Suleimani is responsible for coordinating and providing logistical support for the groups taking part in the execution of the plan, codenamed al Qiyamah the Islamic word for "Judgment Day".

The source also said that the military training camps of the Guards were opened for the fighters of the Mehdi army in Iran to receive the necessary training. Iran had also increased its financial assistance to Moqtada al Sadr to more than 20 million dollars.

The same applied to Islamic Jihad in Palestine which has received large sums of money, large quantities of arms and military training for its cadres in Isfahan, including street fighting methods.

According to Iran, the latest military plan includes:

1- A missile strike directly targeting the US bases in the Persian Gulf and Iraq , as soon as nuclear installations are hit.

2- Suicide operations in a number of Arab and Muslim countries against US embassies and missions and US military bases and economic and oil installations related to US and British companies. The campaign might also target the economic and military installations of countries allied with the United States .

3- Launch attacks by the Basij and the Revolutionary Guards and Iraqi fighters loyal to Iran against US and British forces in Iraq , from border regions in central and southern Iraq .

4- Hezbollah to launch hundreds of rockets against military and economic targets in Israel .

According to the source, in case the US military attacks continue, more than 50 Shehab-3 missiles will be targeted against Israel and the al Quads Brigades will give the go-ahead for more than 50 terrorists cells in Canada, the US and Europe to attack civil and industrial targets in these countries.

What about the last stage in the plan?

Here, the Iranian source hesitated before saying with worry; this stage might represent the beginning of a world war, given that extremists will seek to maximize civilian casualties by exploding germ and chemical bombs as well as dirty nuclear bombs across western and Arab cities.

Does the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad actually think Iran will survive any retaliation from the U.S. and/or Israel, if they were to actually set off germ, biological or chemical weapons in the United States or any other western country?

Referring to a "World War", he must be willing to sacrifice a very large number of Iranian citizens with this plan.

There should be no doubt by now, by anyone, that this Iranian madman is on a mission of evil and destruction, with Israel in it's sights. It's unfortunate that the UN and others are in essence, dragging their feet when it comes to doing something about him. Russia and China are obviously, yet unbelievably, taking sides with Iran for financial reason and it appears that Mr Ahmadinejad is banking on them holding their course.

Iran nuclear plan 'irreversible'

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has again vowed never to give up Iran's nuclear programme.

Mr Ahmadinejad said the pursuit of peaceful nuclear technology was Iran's "absolute right... our red line".

A senior Iranian official meanwhile has said Iran will allow snap checks to resume if the council drops the case.

Mohammad Saeedi, deputy head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation, said UN experts could conduct snap inspections of its nuclear facilities if the issue was returned to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

However the BBC's Frances Harrison in Tehran says this is unlikely to happen , so the offer seems rather academic.

The destruction and devastation that would occur if this idiot ever sets off a Nuclear weapon in the middle east would be, to say the least, unimaginable.

All Things Beautiful, as usual, has a great take on this madman's agenda. Iran's Deadly Agenda

The Rolling Barrage has this about the acquisition of missiles by Iran from North Korea. Europe Should Wake Up and Take Note

The Egyptian militant Ayman al-Zawahri not wanting to be out done by the latest bin Laden and Abu Musab al Zarqawi Video's, has come up with one of his own. This just released video has the same basic theme as the bin laden tape.

Al-Qaida Leader: U.S. 'Broken' in Iraq

The U.S. military has only seen "loss, disaster and misfortune" in Iraq, al-Qaida's No. 2 said, in a video message that a U.S. official deemed part of a propaganda campaign to demonstrate the terror network's relevancy.

Al-Zawahri, an Egyptian militant believed to be hiding in Afghanistan or Pakistan, also denounced the leaders of Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Iraq as "traitors" and called on Muslims to rise up to "confront them."

He said that U.S. and British forces in Iraq had bogged down in Iraq and "have achieved nothing but loss, disaster and misfortune."

Al-Qaida in Iraq "alone has carried out 800 martyrdom operations (suicide attacks) in three years, besides the sacrifices of the other mujahedeen, and this is what has broken the back of American in Iraq," al-Zawahri said.

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The common theme with this desperate blitz of propaganda videos is an attempt by al-Qaida to galvanize moderate Muslims to support, what they call, the "Zionist war on Islam."

More on this:
Not Just a River in Egypt
Ayman al-Zawahri Continues Propaganda Offensive

Bush is standing like most Americans, against the Spanish version of our national anthem.

President Bush said Friday the national anthem should be sung in English — not Spanish — in a blunt rejection of a new Spanish-language version. He also expressed opposition to a national work stoppage called for Monday to dramatize the importance of immigrants to the U.S. economy.

"I'm not a supporter of boycotts," Bush said, while restating his support for a comprehensive overhaul of immigration laws.

Bush made his comments at a Rose Garden news conference as a Spanish-language version of "The Star Spangled Banner," hit the airways featuring artists such as Wyclef Jean, hip-hop star Pitbull and Puerto Rican singers Carlos Ponce and Olga Tanon.

Called "Nuestro Himno" — "Our Anthem" — the Spanish version rewrites some of the English version. For instance, the second stanza says, "My people keep fighting. It's time to break the chains."

"I understand how difficult this issue is for some people here in Washington and around the country," Bush said. His approach calls for a temporary guest worker program, tougher enforcement of laws against hiring illegal immigrants and stricter border controls.

Acknowledging that it has become a highly charged topic, Bush said, "One of the things that's very important is when we debate this issue that we not lose our national soul."

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Immigrants who want to become Americans and live in America should learn the English language, learn the U.S. National Anthem and learn to respect America and Americans. They should become legal immigrants and contribute to society for the good of America, not just for the money to send home to Mexico.

Large groups of Muslims are supporting the Mexican immigrants and the push for amnesty for all illegal immigrants.

Hot Air has this "Mr. Moonbat Reconquistador". You have got to see this video.

In a last-minute effort to tone down the report by the International Atomic Energy Agency due to the UN this week, Iran has handed over additional information about their nuclear program.

Too little, too late? Probably, however no one really expects the UN to stand up and do the right thing anyway. A mere admonishment to Iran is likely in my opinion.

AP

The United States, France and Britain, however, say if Tehran does not meet the deadline, they will make the enrichment demand and other conditions compulsory and they want punitive measures to stay on the table.

Iran remained defiant, with its U.N. ambassador, Javad Zarif, saying Tehran will refuse to comply with any Security Council resolution aimed at halting its nuclear enrichment program because its activities are legal and peaceful and pose no threat to international peace and security.

U.S. Ambassador John Bolton already has said he plans to introduce a resolution requiring Tehran to comply with the council's demand to stop its enrichment program. The resolution would not call for sanctions now, but it would be introduced under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter, which allows for sanctions and is militarily enforceable.

Asked how Iran would respond to such a resolution, Zarif replied: "Well if the Security Council decides to take decisions that are not within its competence, then Iran does not feel obliged to obey."

He also said Tehran was prepared to return to discussions of the offer it made in negotiations with the Europeans last year if Security Council action is frozen and the international community agrees to "stop this nonsense, pressure tactic."

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UPDATE: Watchdog: Iran defies UN

VIENNA (Reuters) - The world's nuclear watchdog said on Friday Iran has flouted a U.N. Security Council call to suspend uranium enrichment and is speeding up its programme instead, spurring Western powers to urge tougher U.N. action.

President Bush said he wanted peaceful persuasion to prevail. Iran's president has vowed to spurn any U.N. resolution to stop its professed quest for fuel for atomic power stations -- a front for bomb-making in Western eyes.

Iran said the report by Mohamed ElBaradei, director of the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), was not negative and it would keep working with the agency, but Britain said it would ask the Security Council to crank up pressure on Tehran.

For me, the Spanish version of our National Anthem that was released yesterday may have been the straw that broke the camel's back.

At this point, I can only say Adiós, Muchachos. Good Bye, Boys.

All Things Beautiful says it all with: Shut Up And Put Up

Well let me tell you what I would say to the illegals in this country, if it were up to me: I would get them by the scruff of their neck and tell them to sling their hook, before they get a chance to tell me again that Spanish will become my first language. It was a mistake to have allowed them to stand in the streets countrywide protesting and in turn sticking their finger up at us, and our naive idea of democracy, in dire need of a hard reboot. This is how they treat their own, so it should not come as a great shock to anyone, other than Ted Kennedy who is petrified to lose fertile ground for desperate votes.

Whilst in one of my previous posts, I let my emotions get the better of me, today, my middle finger is firmly up, the immigration chip is back and I am being called a xenophobe.

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Today I have to join Alexandra, with my middle finger firmly up, the immigration chip securely on my shoulder and my appearance as a xenophobe proudly spewing from every pore. And so I scream "Shut up and put up!"

This song so infuriates me, I can barely compose my thoughts. This despicable act of trying to re-write our National Anthem just shows that these people don't have a clue what being an American means. This is an absolute disgrace. Is there another country on this earth that would tolerate this?

This simply shows that they have no respect for Americans or our culture. They don't understand the meaning of the words of our National Anthem, or what the anthem means to an American.

Let's be honest... the only reason they are here is for the money. They have no plans of integrating into our society. They speak as if they do, only because it's the politically correct thing to do.

These Mexicans think they are showing solidarity with Illegal immigrants by butchering our National Anthem. What they are doing is alienating themselves even further. It just gives more credence to the argument for deportation of all illegals and for support of the Minutemen.

I think this song will justly impassion more Americans against the argument for amnesty because it shows no respect for America.

What next? Maybe we should re-write the 'Constitution' or the 'Bill of Rights' in Spanish, how about the 'Declaration of Independence'? or should I say 'La declaración de la Independencia'?

Hear the full-length version of the 'Nuestro Himno' here:

That's right, someone stole $450,000 from the PA foreign minister's hotel room in Kuwait.

I believe him... don't you? Yeah, I believe him. Hell... Doesn't everyone walk around with $450,000 on them. Especially those who are out begging for money. Maybe he just scored a cool half million, but didn't get a chance to put it in the bank.

Haaretz Service

Palestinian Foreign Minister Mahmoud al-Zahar has had $450,000 stolen from his hotel room during his current visit to Kuwait, the Itim news agency quoted the Kuwaiti media as saying Wednesday.

According to the report, al-Zahar had asked the Kuwaiti authorities to keep the theft under wraps, but the incident was confirmed by a security official at the hotel.

The foreign minister, a senior member of Hamas, is on a tour of Arab and Muslim countries to drum up funds after Israel suspended the transfer of tax revenues to the Palestinian Authority and Western donors cut off aid to the Hamas-led government.

He obviously did not do a very good job at "keeping it under wraps."

Well, no surprise here. Everyone should have seen this coming.
A great pick if you ask me, Tony has great communication skills and experience which will lean in his favor when it comes to dealing with the likes of the MSM and the press corps.

AP: Bush Taps Snow As New Press Secretary

President Bush on Wednesday named conservative commentator Tony Snow as White House press secretary, putting a new face on a troubled administration.

Snow, a Fox news pundit and former speechwriter in the White House under Bush's father, replaced Scott McClellan who resigned in a personnel shuffle intended to re-energize the White House and lift the president's record-low approval ratings.

"My job is to make decisions and his job is to help explain those decisions to the press corps and the American people," Bush said, with Snow and McClellan at his side in the White House briefing room.

Snow's appointment is notable in a White House that has a reputation for not suffering criticism. He has had some harsh things to say about Bush.

All Things Beautiful has "The White House Snow"

"Further to our 'Helen Thomas Reloading' comes the latest in the White House Press Corps series, 'The White House Gladiator', Tony Snow"

Well one thing is for sure Tony Snow, the new White House Press Secretary, will give Helen Thomas a good run for her money. I don't think the Press room will be the 'quick sand terrain', that it proved to be during the McClellan reign. Snow is certainly a more eloquent and forthright speaker, as well as having extensive experience not only in speech writing which he did for Bush senior in '91, but debate at short notice , requiting a different skill altogether. He will stand his ground and fight back with a calm and cool demeanor, certainly in a way the MSM have not been used to of late.

Snow, 50, served as a weekend news anchor and political analyst for the Fox News Channel, which he joined in 1996. He also hosted the Tony Snow Show on Fox News Radio. To have given up a lucrative career he would have had to have been assured by the Administration "that the next three years would bring policy efforts for which he could have great enthusiasm".

After thanking Bush for the job Snow told reporters, "Believe it or not, I want to work with you."

Are you Kidding?

Dubai International is about to take over a British precision-engineering company that makes engine parts for U.S. military aircraft and tanks.

U.S. to clear Doncasters for Dubai

The US administration will approve this week the $1.2 billion sale of British engineering group Doncasters to Dubai International Capital after initial national security fears, said a report.

The Royal Bank of Scotland wants to sell it to DIC which is controlled by Dubai’s new ruler Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Makhtoum.

The US Committee on Foreign Investments (CFIUS) will conclude its investigation on Thursday, and is in favour of the deal, according to the businessonline website.

Doncasters is involved in the future stealth vertical take-off Joint Strike Fighter, but it is understood not to be involved in the design and manufacturing of classified stealth parts.

Tammy Bruce has the story: US Approves Second Dubai Deal

Just days after an audio-tape was released of Osama bin Laden saying the west was conducting a "crusader war" against Islam, comes this new high quality, professionally made video from Abu Musab al Zarqawi. On this video he bashes the US military and warns that “worse” attacks are to come.

***UPDATE*** (05/04/2006) NEW BLOOPER VIDEO

Reuters

The leader of al Qaeda in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, said mujahideen were fighting on despite a three-year "crusader" war, according to a rare video of him posted on the Internet on Tuesday.

A statement from the al-Qaeda affiliated Mujahideen Council, accompanying the tape said it was the first "video of the leader of al Qaeda in Iraq".

"Your mujahideen sons were able to confront the most ferocious of crusader campaigns on a Muslim state. They have stood in the face of this onslaught for three years," Zarqawi said on the video.

"When the crusader enemy entered Iraq, he intended to control the Islamic nation and supported the Zionist state," said Zarqawi, who was clad in black and a green vest with an assault rifle by his side.

Zarqawi, who has earlier issued his messages via audio recordings, was also shown training with a group of masked men outdoors.

The Jawa Report has the full run down on this new video release.

Analysis by the Counterterrorism Blog

Michelle Malkin's new "Hot Air"

***UPDATE*** (05/04/2006) NEW BLOOPER VIDEO

Iran today threatened to leave the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and to hide it's nuclear program from the International Atomic Energy Agency, if it were hit with sanctions from the United Nations.

Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also said today that they were ready to share all their Nuclear technology with other countries.

Iran Threatens to Hide Nuclear Program

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Iran threatened Tuesday to begin hiding its nuclear program if the West takes any "harsh measures" against it - Tehran's sharpest rebuttal yet to a U.N. Security Council deadline to suspend uranium enrichment or face possible sanctions.

Iran's supreme leader, meanwhile, said in a meeting with the president of wartorn Sudan that Tehran was ready to transfer its nuclear technology to other countries.

Iran's warning to the U.N. watchdog agency, the International Atomic Energy Agency, came from Tehran's top nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani. They were the strongest words of defiance yet ahead of a Friday deadline, set by the Security Council, for Iran to suspend enrichment of uranium, a process that can produce fuel for nuclear reactors or material for warheads.

Reuters Today

Iran said on Tuesday it would freeze ties with the U.N. nuclear watchdog and speed up its atomic program if it were hit by international sanctions.

"If you impose sanctions, Iran will suspend its relations with the (IAEA) agency," chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani told a conference on nuclear issues in Tehran.

"Suspension means we will accelerate our activities."

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who like other Western leaders accuses Iran of having a secret program to build nuclear weapons, said in Greece: "I suppose the Iranians can threaten, but they are deepening their own isolation."

The verbal sparring preceded an influential report on Iran that International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) head Mohamed ElBaradei is to deliver to the U.N. Security Council on Friday.

More on this: Gateway Pundit | Little Green Footballs

In a separate operation then the ICE-led crackdown on employers who hire illegal immigrants, federal agents round-up and arrest dozens of illegal criminals.

MIAMI - Federal immigration authorities arrested 183 fugitives and other illegal immigrants in Florida alone last week, the state's largest roundup in a single week, officials said Monday.

The arrests included people convicted of sex offenses, child abuse, cocaine trafficking and weapons violations. They were originally from 26 countries and most eventually will be deported.

"Anybody who is a fugitive from justice is a danger to the community," said Michael Rozos, the field director in Miami of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's "Operation Phoenix" effort to find and deport fugitive illegal immigrants.

"These operations have been going on for years, but they have become more focused," he said.

Of the 183 arrested, 130 were fugitives who had already been ordered deported by an immigration judge. The remaining 53 were also illegal immigrants who happened to be present when fugitives were taken into custody, Rozos said.

In a new audiotape broadcast yesterday by Al Jazeera, Osama bin Laden urged his followers to prepare for a long drawn-out conflict with the Western world. He blamed ''the Crusader-Zionist war" for a long list of attacks on Islam in places from Darfur to Denmark.

He called on his jihadists to go to the embattled Darfur region of western Sudan to fight international peacekeepers, who he claims are there to steal its oil under the cover of maintaining security.

Hamas, Sudan reject bin Laden support

The Palestinian Islamic militant group Hamas and the Sudan government distanced themselves from purported support and warfare offered by terrorist leader Osama bin Laden.

Bin Laden accused the United States and Europe of supporting a "Zionist" war on Islam by cutting off funds to the Palestinian government.

His call for violent jihad in Sudan and other Muslim states was quickly disowned by both the Sudanese government and Hamas. US intelligence said the audio tape was genuine, the al-Qaeda leader's first message since January.

The White House said it was proof he was on the run and under pressure. US opposition politicians said it showed up the Bush administration's failure to capture Bin Laden.

"We are not concerned with any mujahideen or any Crusade or any war with the international community," said Jamal Mohammed Ibrahim, Sudanese foreign ministry spokesman.

"Sudan has nothing to do with such statements."

Hamas official spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters news agency his organisation was "interested in good relations with the West".

"We call on the Western countries to reconsider their stance towards the Palestinian cause and the Muslim nation," he added.

Bin Laden described the situation in Iraq and Sudan's troubled Darfur region as evidence of a "Zionist-Crusader war against Islam", referring to Israel and Christian states.

Osama's lonely game.

Perhaps Polimom's missing something (won't be the first time), but from where I'm sitting this morning, the biggest reaction to Osama bin Laden's latest tape is from the West. Polimom wonders whether Osama has spent just a tad too long in his cave - because he's looking somewhat out of step.

Hamas does not share his goals (al-Jazeera):

Commenting on bin Laden's message shortly afterwards, Sami Abu Zuhri, a spokesman for Hamas, said the group's ideology was "totally different" from that of bin Laden and al-Qaeda.

"What Osama bin Laden said is his opinion, but Hamas has its own positions which are different to the ones expressed by bin Laden," he said.

Sudan does not share his goals (Sudan Tribune):

One of Darfur’s two main rebel groups rejected Al-Qaeda supremo Osama bin Laden’s call on Muslims to fight the "crusaders" in the western Sudanese region, warning it could encourage Khartoum to step up its repression.

[snip]

"His words are completely disconnected from the reality in Darfur. Bin Laden is still preaching the theory of an American-Zionist conspiracy when the real problem comes from Khartoum, which is a Muslim government killing other Muslims," Hussein said.

Evidently, even Iraq does not share his goals, since he barely referred to them at all (Tigerhawk):

Apart from the list's comic aspects, it is fascinating for its omissions. Why didn't bin Laden talk about Iraq?

Read Full

More here: Same Old Song
Here's Who's Listenings: Al Jazeera gives 24 hour coverage to Bin Laden

Terrorist bomb an Egyptian hotel in Dahab on Monday, killing scores of vacationers.

Three Explosions Rock Sinai Resort Town

CAIRO, Egypt — Three explosions Monday night rocked the Egyptian resort city of Dahab at the height of the tourist season, killing at least 18 people and wounding more than 150 at just one hotel, according to the doctor who runs Egypt's Sinai Peninsula rescue squad.

Dr. Said Essa said he was headed to the scene of the blasts and that his casualty figures were for victims at the el-Khaleeg Hotel only. He said there were casualties at the scene of the other blasts, but he had no details.

Al-Jazeera television said one of the explosions hit a restaurant.

There have been a string of attacks in Egypt's Sinai peninsula over 18 months, including deadly Al Qaeda-style bombings in the Egyptian resorts of Taba and Ras Shitan in October 2004 and in Sharm el-Sheik in July.

Groups claiming links to Al Qaeda took responsibility for those attacks, and Egyptian authorities say new Islamic militant groups have arisen in the peninsula -- but they are still trying to determine if they have any real connection to Al Qaeda or other international terrorists.

This is high tourist season in the region, and hotels all along the Egyptian coasts could be expected to be at near capacity.

More with: TERROR IN EGYPT | Egyptian Sinai Resort Town Rocked

The Russians have began delivering advanced S-300SP SAMs (Surface to Air Missiles) to Belarus on Friday. Belarusian Defense Minister Leonid Maltsev denies these SAM's are destined for Iran however Jane’s Intelligence Digest reported earlier this month that they had information about this covert transfer of missiles to Iran.

The Associated Press: Russia Delivers Missiles to Belarus

MINSK, Belarus -- Russia began delivering advanced anti-aircraft missiles to Belarus on Friday, the Belarusian defense minister said.

Russia and Belarus signed an agreement last year on the delivery of the latest and most advanced version of Russia's S-300SP surface-to-air missile system, capable of shooting down targets some 90 miles away.

Belarusian Defense Minister Leonid Maltsev denied a report in the British defense journal Jane's Intelligence Digest that Belarus agreed to transfer the S-300SP missiles to Iran to defend against any possible U.S. or Israeli air strikes designed to derail what many in the West allege are its efforts to develop nuclear weapons.

Russia has already agreed to supply sophisticated Tor-M1 air defense missile systems to Iran.

"I have no intention of commenting on this nonsense," Maltsev said. "Under the contract for the delivery of the S-300s from Russia, Belarus does not have the right to transfer these systems anywhere else."

Iranian Commerce Minister Masud Mir-Kazemi, who headed a trade delegation that traveled to Minsk, also denied that Tehran wanted to acquire the Russian S-300 missiles.

Jane’s Intelligence Digest: Belarus: Lukashenka courts Tehran

Jane’s Intelligence Digest probes the covert links between Minsk and Tehran.

A recent JID probe has indicated that Belarus may be preparing to export sensitive Russian military technology to Iran. Since early 2005, Minsk has been negotiating with Moscow for the purchase of the latest and most advanced version of the S-300SP surface-to-air missile system. According to well-informed sources, a contract for an unspecified number of S-300SP missiles was signed between Minsk and the Kremlin during the summer of 2005, with delivery scheduled to take place either later that year or else in early 2006.

Our investigations suggest that the real reason for Belarus' deal with the Kremlin may lie several thousand kilometres to the southwest. In January a high-level military and political delegation from Tehran paid a low-key visit to Minsk.

According to well-informed JID sources, the main reason for the visit was to make arrangements for the future transfer of the S-300SP SAMs from Belarus in order to help the embattled Iranian regime bolster its defences against possible US or Israeli air strikes designed to de-rail its efforts to develop nuclear weapons.

While the Kremlin remains a major supplier of nuclear technology for Iran's nuclear programme, President Vladimir Putin would face serious problems if he had to explain to the rest of the world how the Islamic Republic had acquired the most recent generation of S-300PSs. For this reason, Belarus and its increasingly isolated regime could provide an alternative supply route and one that would offer Moscow the cover of 'plausible deniability' once the missile transfer has been effected.

Russia has so far not shown to be much of an Ally to the U.S. when it comes to arming Iran with sophisticated weapons.

This sound exactly like something Putin would do to continue supplying arms and weapons to the enemies of America.

The United States accused Iran of sending fighters into Iraq and of providing bomb making materials to insurgent groups to be used against U.S. and Iraqi forces. Iran has denied the accusations, but has amassed thousands of troops on the Iran / Iraq border.

Foreign Troop Presence Worries Iraq Leader

BAGHDAD, Iraq - President Jalal Talabani expressed his concern Sunday over reported Iranian and Turkish troop concentrations on those countries' borders with Iraq.

Turkey has moved thousands of troops to the border region in what its military said was an offensive against Turkish Kurd guerrillas.

Iran also reportedly has moved forces to the border, and last week shelled a mountainous region inside Iraq used by Iranian Kurd fighters for infiltration into Iran, according to Iraqi Kurd officials. No casualties were reported from Friday's artillery and rocket barrage.

Talabani said that so far Iranian and Turkish forces have stayed on their sides of the border.

But "I have expressed my concern over these concentrations ... Iraq is a sovereign independent nation that won't let other nations interfere in its internal affairs," he said at a press conference with U.S. ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad in the northern city of Irbil.

Turkey, while building up it's forces on the Iraqi border, has requested the U.S. do something about rebel Kurdish bases in northern Iraq. But so far the U.S. has shown no interest in interfering there. U.S. forces are busy fighting insurgents elsewhere in Iraq.

Iran shells Iranian Kurdish positions in Iraq: PUK

Are the Palestinian's on a road to civil war?

GAZA (Reuters) - Tensions between the Hamas-led government and President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah faction flared into a shootout at the Palestinian Health Ministry on Sunday, despite pledges to calm an eruption of internal fighting.

At least four people were wounded after dozens of gunmen from Fatah's al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades stormed into the ministry, where they were confronted by Hamas guards.

The guards from Hamas's Izz el-Deen al-Qassam brigades chased off most of the Fatah intruders and captured four of the gunmen, tying them up and putting them into a police car as people in the street cheered, witnesses said.

"The time has passed when our institutions and our police can be attacked. Whoever holds a gun against one of our institutions, or one of our policemen, opens himself for death," said Khaled Abu Hillel, spokesman for the Interior Ministry.

Shoot-out at Palestinian ministry

Bodyguards of the Hamas health minister and gunmen suspected to be linked to Fatah have exchanged fire at the health ministry in Gaza City.

Three people were injured in the confrontation. It seems the gunmen were seeking better treatment for a hospital patient, a BBC correspondent says.

Although it appears this was not a political matter, the clash comes at a time of heightened tension in Gaza.

On Saturday there were clashes between rival supporters of Hamas and Fatah.

Several people were hurt in those clashes. Talks continued late into the night on Saturday, from which representatives of the two parties emerged to say that they were determined to calm the situation.

Hamas has just taken control of the government but the presidency is still in Fatah's hands.

The clash comes a day after Mr Naim said he was cutting the health budget amid a severe financial crisis which has gripped the Hamas-led government since it took office last month. Western nations have frozen aid.

Tension between the two factions were also exacerbated when the head of Hamas' political wing Khaled Meshaal accused the president of treachery, sparking angry demonstrations.

Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas has ordered his Fatah security forces to cancel a mass rally Sunday against Hamas. The fears are of further inflaming tensions between the two groups.
Among other things, Hamas is not happy with the fact that their President condemned the suicide attack of April 17th in Tel Aviv killing 9 Israeli's, as Hamas leaders condoned it.

LGF - Palestinian Civil War Watch