A possible fundraising drive for Jihadists Without Borders. “Terror: Al-Qaeda ‘planning N. Africa kidnapping wave of Westerners’,” from AdnKronos International, November 29 (thanks to Kenneth): Algiers, 29 Nov. (AKI) – Algeria’s secret service agency believes a branch of Al-Qaeda is planning a wave of abductions of Westerners in North Africa, according to a local news […]
Nigeria: At least 45 Christians reported killed in recent weeks by Muslim herdsmen and soldiers
This story popped up briefly in the mainstream media around the time of the incidents in rather vague reporting: a bunch of people died in another round of violence for which the alliterative “sectarian strife” has become a stock media phrase. Here, finally, is more of the story. “At Least 45 Christians Killed in Plateau […]
U.K.: Foreign secretary warns of jihadists without borders in Africa
More fallout from Libya, along with the now-standard concerns about al-Qaeda’s potential cooperation with al-Shabaab and Boko Haram. “U.K. warns of growing al-Qaeda risk in North Africa,” from the Associated Press, November 28 (thanks to Kenneth): LONDON (AP) — Britain’s Foreign Secretary William Hague says there is a risk mercenary fighters driven out of Libya […]
Libya: 250 Muslim leaders meet to demand Sharia
They’re not in it for just a little Sharia. They’re in it for the package deal. Even Imam Rauf knows that Sharia does not lend itself to selective compartmentalization. “Islamists want new Libya based on Shariah law,” from the Associated Press, November 28: TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) “” Dozens of Libyan imams and other religious leaders […]
Iran moves to expel British ambassador; legislators chant “Death to England”
Britain is now also officially “worse than the devil,” according to the resolution that legislators passed, with some lawmakers threatening a reprise of the 1979 hostage crisis. “Tehran votes to expel Britain’s ambassador,” by Adrian Blomfield for the Telegraph, November 27 (thanks to Alan): Iran erupted in a fresh frenzy of animosity towards its old […]
U.K.: Muslim students, including trainee doctors, walking out on lectures on evolution
The collective action is an attempt to bully universities into modifying their curricula, or at least to secure an exemption on Islamic grounds from knowing and being tested on what every other biology student has to study. That is a slippery slope, with lives at stake where prospective future doctors would selectively reject basic coursework. […]
Iran: Celebratory pat on the rear between soccer players results in long suspensions and $30,000 fines for “immoral” act
Sharia meets the wide world of sports, just to drive home the point that “there are no homosexuals in Iran.” None. Ahmadinejad said so. “Long suspensions, heavy fines for Iran soccer players’ fanny pat,” from the Los Angeles Times, November 29: REPORTING FROM TEHRAN AND BEIRUT — Long suspensions and $30,000 fines. That’s what Iran’s […]
NATO “braces for reprisals” from Pakistani-backed jihadists in retaliation for airstrike
“This will come back at us, and at a time and a place of their [the ISI’s] choosing.” “Nato braces for reprisals after deadly air strike on Pakistan border post,” by Julian Borger and Saeed Shah for the Guardian, November 27: Nato forces in Afghanistan were braced on Sunday for possible reprisals from Pakistani-backed insurgents […]
Afghan officials: “Forces were retaliating for gunfire from two Pakistani army bases”
This account supports a senior Western official’s statement that the airstrikes were a defensive measure, and suggests another case of curiously close proximity between jihadists and Pakistani military posts. U.S. officers reportedly also believed the Pakistani military was providing cover for jihadists in a firefight in late October, along with other recent allegations of jihadists’ […]
Nigeria: Four dead, eight churches burned in latest round of attacks in northeast
These attacks appear to be a continuation of an earlier rampage by Boko Haram in Nigeria’s Yobe state. An update on this story. “4 dead, churches burned in north Nigeria attack,” from the Associated Press, November 27: MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP) “” Witnesses and authorities say at least four people died in an apparent attack on […]