Iraqi Forces Moving Response

Iraqi forces and tribes moving south of Mosul 

Arbil  Monday, June 13, 2016 (01:00 - GMT)

Backed Iraqi forces launched an attack on the tribes south of Mosul and has made progress towards the control of the town of Qayyarah, spare organization «Daash» toward Salahuddin, Kirkuk supply lines. It came at a time Search senior US delegation in Erbil «edit Mosul plans» and «Nineveh management mechanism after Daash.»

And eventually reached the Makhmour headquarters «Joint Special Operations Command», additional military reinforcements is an armored brigade, boats and floating bridges to be used in crossing the Tigris River all the way to Qayyarah hand which has a helipad in order to be used for logistical support base before the launch of the restoration of Mosul process. The process also will provide a wall isolates organization for control of areas in the north-west of Tikrit and Kirkuk.

And it announced «Ninawa Operations Command», in a statement yesterday, «starting a new page editing process more areas on the eastern side of Qayyarah», adding that «the army managed to free the ruins of the village of algebra, and surrounded the village of Haj Ali». The statement «four wheels bomb destroyed and killed 25 terrorists, while international airline alliance destroyed the nests of the organization in the village of Haj and laboratories for the manufacture of containers and car bombs».

The leadership said in an earlier statement that the air strikes of the coalition on Saturday affected the rocket launchers and a large store of ammunition, missiles near the drunk and the town of Qayyarah. The Kurdish military source pointed out that «Iraqi forces were able to cut the strategic road link between Qayyarah and the village of Haj Ali». «Reuters» and quoted its part, officers of the participants in the process that the Iraqi forces advanced in tanks and armored vehicles toward the village of Haj Ali, about 60 kilometers south of Mosul «under the cover of air strikes and artillery fire alliance». An Iraqi officer from the ruins of the village adjacent to the village of Jabr al-Haj Ali which took control Finally, the elements «Daash» resisted at first, but when they saw the force withdrew.

For his part, the governor of Nineveh Nofal Hammadi Sultan stressed that «the new process differs from previous operations, especially after the post Armored Brigade, which finally arrived».

Commented the former governor troop commander «National crowd» Liberation of Iraq through his account in «Facebook» saying: «I see the promise of the first page of the battle to liberate Mosul toward the east side of Qayyarah, I expect a unique international alliance of this battle in support, while the willingness of the rest of the forces of themes continue the other toward Mosul»

The Minister of Defense Khalid al-Obeidi, yesterday during a press conference held at the headquarters of the leadership of the South of Tikrit, Samarra operations, that «the operation, which was launched in the district of drunken resulted in the freeing large areas bordering the Tigris River from the eastern side of the crack, and we will open a new axes to fight al Daash in Tikrit».Obeidi's remarks came simultaneously with the arrival of an armored brigade to Tikrit in preparation for a recovery operation, spend Shirqat north of the province (south of Qayyarah).

On the other hand, reported «military media cell» that «Iraqi planes dropped thousands of leaflets in the center of hand Alkwyr of the town drunk, calls on citizens all prepare for the reception of Iraqi security forces and move away from the headquarters and communities organize Daash terrorist as they would be targets for our troops», explained that «publications identified safe ports for the exit of civilians and how to use security card when you go to security forces. »

A statement by the presidency of the Kurdistan region, said yesterday that the «delegation headed by US Ambassador to Iraq Stuart Jones and Gen. MacFarland commander of coalition forces in Iraq briefed President (Massoud) Barzani, the US plans to destroy Daash sites in Iraq and Syria, and the liberalization of the city of Mosul and the mechanism of Nineveh province administration after the expulsion of the organization (of it). » The US Embassy said in a statement indicated that the «Jones discussed (with Barzani) political situation and plans for economic reform, humanitarian and military aid the US's $ 480 million, including more than $ 65 million was spent on food, fuel, ammunition and medical supplies provided to the Peshmerga in the past month

Response: 

I found this article competely unique simply because of the perspective from which it's written. I pulled it off of an Egyptian news page, and translated the arabic into english. Therefore it is a bit tricky to understand, but it offers a new, north African view, on the issue of Iraqi troops. It discusses the movements of Iraqi forces as they progress towards a logical base in order to better recruit followers and attack opposers. With this in mind, It was a bit more difficult to see the bias, paritally because of the translation, but paritally because it's difficult to know Egypt's stance on this subject. So in conclusion, I think it efficently reviews Iraq's actions to inform Egyptians as to what is going on and the dangers involved. They may just be looking out for their citizens, but I also think there is a bit of frustration and hopelesness involved. I agree with the article in that Iraq did make a logical step in moving there, but I don't agree with their methods of recuriting or their other destructive actions.

Citation:

Arbil. "Iraqi Forces and Tribes Moving South of Mosul."
Al Hayat. Miles 33, 13 June 2016. Web. 13 June 2016. <http://www.alhayat.com/Articles/16052091/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%82%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B4%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%B1-%D8%AA%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%AF%D9%85-%D8%AC%D9%86%D9%88%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B5%D9%84>.

Ramadan for Chinese Muslims Response

Chinese Muslims embrace Ramadan amid summer heat

Source: Xinhua | 2016-06-07 16:35:49 | Editor: huaxia

URUMQI, June 7 (Xinhua) -- Muslims around China finished their first day of Ramadan after a long day without food and drink on Monday.

For many in Kashgar, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, it is customary after a day's fasting to have a glass of "doc," a milk drink mixed with yogurt, honey and ice.

"Nothing is better than doc for breaking fast. Both thirst and fatigue disappear after a glass," said Abdokrim Ismail, a resident of Kashgar's old town.

This year's Ramadan, which lasts from Monday to July 6, coincides with the hottest part of the year in Kashgar. Going without drinking in temperatures consistently over 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) is quite a challenge.

"Ramadan is an occasion for us to experience starvation and learn endurance. No matter how hard it is, I will keep fasting for the holy month," Abdokrim said.

Muslims are not allowed to eat or drink between sunrise and dusk during the Islamic holy month of fasting and spiritual reflection. The practice is widely observed by ethnic minorities in China, including Uygur, Hui, Kazakh, Uzbek, Tajik and Kyrgyz.

But for Mayis Hagei, a Muslim hotcake cook from Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture in Gansu Province, work continues.

Mayis Hagei, his wife and daughter got up at about 4 a.m. as usual. After morning prayer, the family began a busy working day.

"Ramadan is good for us Muslims to purify the heart, strengthen the mind and contemplate over doctrine," he said. "But non-Muslim residents of the neighborhood also need our cakes and service."

"I have sworn to stick it out until the Eid al-Fitr (festival of breaking of the fast)," he added.

While Mayis Hagei was making cakes for his customers, Eprhan Abdokadhre, a housewife in Kashgar, was also busy preparing food before the sunrise: mutton, lamb pilaf, fruits, desserts, bread, milk, tea and honey -- plentiful enough for the whole family to endure the day.

"We believe in a light supper and a heavy breakfast," Eprhan said.

After grabbing a bite in the dusk, the men in her home went to a nearby mosque for the fourth prayer of the day, and women performed the ritual at home.

According to Hamit Aisha, assistant general manager of Xinjiang Arman halal food company, sales usually double during Ramadan, as demand for finished and semi-finished food soars.

Hermit Parati runs a carpet factory in Artux City of Xinjiang's Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture. He is thinking of shortening working hours by three to four hours per day for Muslim employees.

On Monday, about 20,000 people visited Dongguan Mosque in Xining, capital of Qinghai Province, almost double the usual number. Qinghai is home to more than a million Muslims, or about one fifth of the province's total population.

Wang Shaofeng, an imam at the mosque, leads tours for visitors. "Not drinking water for the whole day is quite a challenge for people like me, who talk a lot, but many people are quite considerate, and they did not ask many questions today," he said.

After sunset, young girls distributed dates at the gate of the mosque and some believers brought milk tea and melons to share.

Ma Jian, a middle-aged Muslim, left the mosque after he finished his prayer sessions for the day. "My family have prepared noodles and desserts for the night. After a day of fasting, the delicacies are a great joy," he said.

China has about 20 million Muslims.

Response:

For a religious twist, this article discusses the difficulties and benefits of participating in the Ramadan fast, a period of fasting which lasts from sunup to sundown. It discusses the struggles of not being able to eat or drink for long hot hours in the intense heat, but being able to feast for breakfast and dinner. I think the article accomplishes a number of things, including informing readers what the Muslim holiday is about and the difficulty level of what they are doing. You can tell it is written by an outside source, one that may not be too knowledgeable of what they are doing, but not slighted towards Christians who might be reading it as well. But they do promote the Chinese Muslims' actions, because they see them as being beneficial and rewarding. It also does a good job of personally connecting the reader by walking in the footsteps of someone who is actually doing the fast. I partially agree and partially disagree to sum it up. 

Citation:

Huaxia. "Chinese Muslims Embrace Ramadan amid Summer Heat."
New China. Xinhua, 7 June 2016. Web. 7 June 2016. <http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-06/07/c_135419726.htm>.

How do you stop a wildfire Response

How do you stop a wildfire?

Emine Saner Monday 9 May 2016 18.31 BST

As wildfires tear through Alberta, Canada, experts reveal how to stop the flames spreading – and explain how water bombers aren’t the only solution

Environmental disaster … a total of 40 wildfires are burning across Alberta, Canada.

Just over a week in, the wildfire that is ravaging Alberta in Canada has already burnt through 600 sq miles of land, and 20% of houses in the city of Fort McMurray; all its 88,000 residents were evacuated. Over the weekend, the flames did not spread as much as had been feared, and one minister said firefighters may be turning a corner in the fight against it. But how do you put out a wildlife the size and intensity of the one that is ravaging Alberta?

Bruce Malamud, professor of natural and environmental hazards at King’s College London says: “To stop a wildfire, you need to remove one of the following: the heat of the fire, the fuel that feeds the fire [such as vegetation] or the oxygen that allows the combustion to take place.”

Fire can spread a large distance away from the firefront by burning embers carried on the wind, which then start other fires elsewhere. You can actively work on preventing parts of the fire going in certain directions, says Malamud, “but this requires resources, such as [starting] prescribed burns, using fire suppressant, or water bombers.”

John Thomson, forest district manager at Forest Enterprise Scotland says wind, fuel and the slope of the land are all vital factors. “You can’t do very much about the first one,” says Thomson. “The firefighters in Alberta will be paying attention to weather conditions. In an ideal world, the wind would force the flames back on to ground that has already been burned.”

Fuel – tinderbox-dry vegetation on the ground and the trees themselves – can be managed in several ways, such as bulldozing it out of the way or starting controlled fires to burn it off so it can’t feed the main fire. The topography of the land can help: “Fires burn much more aggressively going uphill than they do downhill,” says Thomson. “You don’t want to try to fight a fire going uphill. The firefighters will be looking very carefully how they deploy their personnel and equipment on a downhill side of a slope.”

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In a fire that is still relatively small, and moving downhill, you can launch a direct attack, which can involve firefighters physically beating the flames out with special tools. “You would come in behind the fire, so you’re not face to face with flames coming towards you. The ground has already been burned, so there’s no chance of the fire suddenly changing direction and overrunning your team. But what is far more likely in Alberta at the moment is an indirect attack – getting out in front of the fire and establishing fire control lines, using something like a highway or river course.”

The water bombers – planes that can dump vast quantities on water – you see aren’t just flying over the top of the fire and dousing it, but will be part of a careful plan, usually to pre-wet fuel (vegetation) ahead of the fire, or along its flanks to squeeze it in on itself. “You’re not going to put that fire out just by dropping water on the top of it,” says Thomson.

Response:

Citation:

Saner, Emine. "How Do You Stop a Wildfire?"
The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 09 May 2016. Web. 09 May 2016. <http://www.theguardian.com/world/shortcuts/2016/may/09/wildfire-alberta-canada>.

Tanzania Refugees Response

Tanzania: Refugees On the Edge of Two Worlds

By Anne Kidmose Jensen

When Ahmed* takes his cap off a thin layer of black hair appears. With an almost apologetic smile he says that it must be because of stress. He puts the cap back on top of the missing hair and asks "How old do you think I am?" It is a tricky question. "I am only 20 years old," he says as if it surprises him too.

Ahmed has lived most of his life in the city of Aden in Yemen, but today he is a refugee in Tanzania. He arrived in the international airport in Dar es Salaam almost two years ago.

His future in Yemen was running towards a brick wall - the level of education was poor and the country was on the brink of an armed conflict. His school had split the classes in morning, afternoon and evening classes, and he was on the evening team. Some evenings the noise from shootings in the street would interrupt the class and make the students hurry home.

"It was like fear for us to live in Yemen. I was scared. At that time there were so many signs of war, the petrol prices went up and there was no electricity," Ahmed remembers.

So Ahmed decided to leave and the most obvious place was Tanzania, where his grandfather lived. He was his only relative outside of Yemen and Ahmed had never been to Tanzania before. He left his mother and older brother alone and came to Dar es Salaam to see if they all three could make a life here. But after a few months the shooting in Yemen got worse.

In early 2015 a political conflict escalated into civil war when Houti rebels loyal to the former President Ali Abdullah Saleh attempted to overthrow the government of President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi.

At that time Ahmed's mother and brother still lived in Aden. They decided that they should follow after him and come to Tanzania. Ahmed had only been in Dar es Salaam for five months, but now there was no way back. When his mother and brother arrived, they all three applied for asylum in Tanzania.

Refugee status

Ahmed and his family are not the only asylum seekers from Middle Eastern countries to arrive in Tanzania. Recently more asylum seekers from countries like Syria and Yemen have arrived, The Citizen reported last month. According to Charles Mkude who is a National Project Officer at the International Organisation for Migration, the origin of the refugees is new. He mentions that as Europe tightens its borders, more refugees will seek a safe haven elsewhere. When someone faces personal prosecution or live in a country of armed conflict, he or she can apply for international protection under the Geneva Convention anywhere.

Last month Ahmed and his family's application for asylum in Tanzania was granted and they now live as refugees. They live four people in the grandfather's town apartment, but the space for movements is little.

"Now we can move freely in Dar es Salaam. But I don't feel like I'm free yet. I can't study and I can't find work," says Ahmed who has only finished his first year of high school.

His older brother is mentally unwell and can't speak English, while his mother has only very basic education from Yemen. She used to provide for the family by taking cleaning jobs, but now Ahmed has to take over the role of the provider.

Transit in Tanzania

He is not yet allowed to work or study, and often the family relies on food they get from their neighbours. The grandfather is old and sometimes Ahmed thinks he would rather they left. Ahmed can't see, how he will be able to create a life in Tanzania. He does not feel at home in the streets of Dar es Salaam, as if he is pushed into a corner between his dreams and reality.

"We had a hope that the local Muslim community here would accept us, but they didn't. Now I hope to move to another country where I can study and live and where my brother can get medical care. My mother is also getting old. This is a developing country and there are not many services that can help us. And I can't go anywhere without worrying," he says.

In the mosque he prays alone and people don't greet him on the streets. "I think it is because we are different. We are refugees," he says.

The number of Middle Eastern asylum seekers who have arrived in Tanzania is still rather low, and the reasons to seek refugee status in Tanzania are many.

Reza* came to Tanzania from Iran last year, but he never planned to stay in East Africa. He wanted to go to the US, Sweden or Canada, but on his way westwards he passed through Tanzania on a fake passport and was not allowed to go any further.

He applied for refugee status, but he hasn't got his answer yet. Now he waits for the Tanzanian authorities to decide where he should go next. Iran is not an option.

"This country is easy, but Iran is strict. There you cannot abide from the line and a lot of people have gone into hiding," he says.

Reza crossed that line and was caught. He converted to Christianity and one day when he went to church he was reported to the police. He has been to prison for his religion and he is desperate to go somewhere to build his life. With a fake passport it was his plan to obtain a European Schengen visa or an American visa, but now he is temporarily in Tanzania.

"People here are good, I appreciate it, but this is more like a transit. I can't stay here. I will like to come back and visit, but this was not my plan," Reza says.

Like Reza, Ahmed can't imagine to go back. Yemen has been in a state of armed conflict for many years, he explains, and the hope that future leaders will change the fate of the country seems almost utopian.

Among his identity papers is a certificate with Arabic letters. At the bottom appears a name and the year 1997. It is his father's death certificate. He was executed by a fraction of the army after he refused to fight in the 1994 civil war, Ahmed explains. He looks at it for a long time.

"At least there is no war here," he says.

*The names have been changed

Response: 

This article has slightly changed my perspective as to the struggles refugees to Tanzania face and the difficulties they must overcome in order to escape even more hardship and chaos. You would think Tanzania would be a bit more welcoming to those who are in dire need of help, but instead a church even turned him in to the police. This displays absolutely no hospitality. It contradicts itself, saying the people there are warm and easy to sneak by, but at the same time it offers no refuge towards those who most need it. Instead they are sought out and purposefully rejected. This issue is major for not only Tanzania, but also many others around the globe. People aren't willing to exit their comfort zone to make foreigners seem at home. The article does target those against the fleeing of people from their birthplace, but I believe they do it to inform bystanders of the situation at hand and maybe equip them with some background on what is happening around the world to those who are attempting escape. I agree with the publisher in that maybe Tanzanians should loosen up a bit, but as for the government, they are fairly relaxed in the amount of refugees they allow inside the country. All in all, it was very informative and eye-opening to the persecution and tribulations refugees are facing in African countries such as Tanzania.

Citation:

Jensen, Anne Kidmose. "Tanzania: Refugees On the Edge of Two Worlds."
All Africa. The Citizen, 1 May 2016. Web. 2 May 2016. <http://allafrica.com/stories/201605020864.html>.

Zuma Upbeat Response

Zuma upbeat after Iran visit

TMG Digital | 25 April, 2016 19:36

President Jacob Zuma’s state visit to Iran ended on a high note with the signing of several agreements to take economic and trade relations to greater heights‚ following the lifting of sanctions in Iran‚ the presidency announced on Monday.

Zuma‚ who undertook the state visit to Iran on Sunday and Monday‚ was upbeat about his discussions with Iranian President Hasan Rouhani.

South Africa viewed Iran as a strategic trading partner within the Middle East and Central Asian regions.

While the countries had maintained good relations over the years‚ total trade had been falling over the past decade owing to‚ among others‚ the non-existence of banking relations between the two countries and the various sanctions imposed by the West.

As of 2015‚ total trade between the two countries stood at R358 million.

Zuma said this figure did not reflect the optimal capabilities of the two economies.

The two presidents undertook to take cooperation in the fields of trade‚ education and skills development‚ science and technology‚ energy‚ including petrochemical gas exploration and refining capacity‚ agriculture‚ mining and mineral beneficiation‚ infrastructure development and transport‚ finance‚ banking and insurance and tourism.

They also witnessed the signing of a number of agreements

These included a memorandums of understanding and cooperation in the fields of trade and industry‚ agricultural cooperation.

The two leaders also discussed the regional and global threat of terrorism.

They agreed to strengthen intelligence cooperation on strategic regional security and stability issues to combat international terrorism.

They also agreed to intensify the call for the reform of the United Nations especially the UN Security Council‚ as the interests of the developing world needed to be protected.

Rouhani has accepted an invitation from Zuma to undertake a state visit to South Africa.

Response:

Whilst reading this article, I see a proper example of what peace and cooperation is supposed to look like internationally. They looked at the potential of the two countries, and stuck the two together, creating even more opportunities. Iran and South Africa looked into each countries strengths and weaknesses and decided to help each other by coming together even more strongly, making available more peace chances in the future. The bias is kind of obvious, considering how excitedly the publisher expressed this meeting and how they recounted the events. It is a happy event in the eyes of Iran, South Africa, and their allies. But for everyone else in the picture, it might not be so fortunate of an event. I agree with them in that it is a good opportunity for leadership, as these countries can model what a good partnership is. But again, other areas may not like this as it may hurt their economy. In conclusion, it's encouraging to read this recounting and realize how, amidst the chaos, peace is being founded, even if its minor.

Citation:

TMG Digital. "Zuma Upbeat after Iran Visit."
Times Live. Times Media Group, 25 Apr. 2016. Web. 25 Apr. 2016. <http://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2016/04/25/Zuma-upbeat-after-Iran-visit>.

Two Dead After Stand-off Response

Two dead after Sydney armed stand-off

March 7, 2016 4:26pm, AAP

Three men have been shot, one fatally, and a gunman remains holed up inside a Sydney business.

Two people are dead after a six-hour police stand-off in a Sydney industrial estate which ended with the gunman taking his own life.

Tactical response officers swarmed Ingleburn signage business Inline around 10.45am on Monday after three brothers were shot, one fatally, over what's believed to be a business dispute.

The gunman, who was thought to be armed with an assault rifle, holed up in the factory unit as negotiators tried to get him to give himself up.

Nearby local businesses and surrounding streets were sent into lockdown, with police telling people not to go near windows.

Three hostages were released from the factory building in Heald Street just after 5pm and officers then found the gunman's body.

"(Police) located three persons, factory workers, hiding in that unit," Acting Commander Mark Brett said.

"A further search of that unit located a male deceased.

"It's believed that person died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound."

He would not say when the man died, and said this was now a matter for the homicide squad, though it's understood he may have died several hours before police entered the building.

Police have also not confirmed his identity, though he is believed to be a 33-year-old who some media are naming as Finks bikie gang associate Wayne Williams.

"We have a suspect in mind and that's all I'm prepared to say at this time," Mr Brett said.

The victim of the shooting on Monday morning is believed to be 43-year-old Michael "Mick" Bassal, and the injured men his two brothers.

The surviving brothers are being treated at Liverpool Hospital, where distraught family have gathered.

One of the men required emergency surgery, while the other suffered superficial injuries to his lower body.

A person of interest was arrested earlier in the day at the industrial estate and led away in handcuffs, allegedly for hindering the police operation.

Streets remain shut around the second generation, family-owned business and traffic is being diverted away from the area, which is still being treated as a crime scene.

Staff at neighbouring businesses had been told to stay in their factory warehouses, but police allowed a number of cars to leave the factories mid-afternoon before the end of the stand-off.

"Police told us not to go near windows," an employee at one local business told AAP.

Another said the area was usually quiet and without incidents.

"I'd never really noticed the business before today," he said.

"Nothing happens here."

Response:

Its kind of pitifully sad, reading this article. You think of all the securities we think we have, and then realize that nothing is ever really "safe". We have the mentality that nothing could harm us, but just like these men, we could die anytime. The victims of this homicide were unfortunately targets, and the article clearly addresses the issue and how the government is planning on solving it. There is of course a bias towards the dead and wounded, but almost everyone who reads the article would agree with their side, considering it was only a business matter. AAP does efficiently acknowledge the series of events and provide awareness for local citizens. Overall, it was a disappointing incident, but is being quickly and decently addressed by leaders. 

Citation:

AAP. "Two Dead after Sydney Armed Stand-off."
Herald Sun. Herald and Weekly Times, 7 Mar. 2016. Web. 7 Mar. 2016. <http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/doubleshooting-in-southwest-sydney/news-story/915368e0af9efb03b37bc28ff9739555>.

Kenyan Teen Shot Response

Kenyan teen fighting for his life after being shot three times by police in the US

By Reuters | Monday, Feb 29th 2016 at 11:08

Protesters threw rocks at police in Salt Lake City after officers shot a black teenager who was attacking a man late on Saturday, authorities said.

Relatives of the teenager identified him as Abdi Mohamed, 17, and told the local Fox 13 television news channel he was in a coma at a hospital after being shot three times. Police said he was in critical condition.

The Salt Lake City Police Department said he was shot after officers in the downtown Rio Grande area saw two people attacking a male victim with metal objects and ordered the pair to drop their weapons.

"One of the males complied and dropped the weapon, the other continued to advance on the victim and was shot by officers," the department said in a statement on Sunday.

The shooting came as police departments across the United States face increased scrutiny over allegations of excessive force against black people and other minority groups. High-profile killings of unarmed African-American men by police led to national protests and spawned the "Black Lives Matter" civil rights movement.

One man who said he was a witness, Selam Mohammad, 19, told reporters his friend, the teenager who was shot, was holding a broomstick and had been fighting with an older man before the officers arrived.

"He barely even turned around. ... My friend didn't do anything," Mohammad told the Deseret News newspaper.

Scores of police, some of them carrying riot shields, responded to the scene where crowds of angry onlookers hurled abuse, rocks and bottles at the officers. Authorities said four people were arrested for civil disorder.

The department said two officers were involved in the shooting and that both had been placed on routine administrative leave pending the investigation.

It said both officers were wearing body cameras, but that the footage was not being released yet because of the probe led by the Unified Police Department.

Fox 13 quoted relatives as saying Mohamed moved to Utah from Kenya about 10 years ago and lived in West Valley City with his girlfriend and their son.

His girlfriend, Becca Monson, told the channel he was a "really caring, good, loving" boyfriend and father.

Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski said in a statement that while the investigation continued, "there is no doubt what happened is a tragedy for all involved and for our entire city."

Response:

This fascinating incident is a probably a more commonly seen happening, but it is eye opening all the same. Even though we repetitively see these things on TV or in the news, we pass by them like just another shooting. Despairingly, these "just shootings" are now a common occurrence and we passively address them.



Citation: Reuters. "Kenyan Teen Fighting for His Life after Being Shot Three times by Police in the US." Standard Difital. The Standard Group Limited, 29 Feb. 2016. Web. 29 Feb. 2016. <http://www.sde.co.ke/article/2000193338/kenyan-teen-fighting-for-his-life-after-being-shot-three-times-by-police-in-the-us/>.

5 Tanzanians Arrested Response

5 Tanzanians Arrested After British Pilot Killed: President

World | Agence France-Presse | Updated: February 02, 2016 13:36 IST

DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA: Tanzanian president John Magufuli has condemned the killing of a British conservationist after his helicopter was shot down while he chased suspected poachers, saying five people have been arrested.

Briton Roger Gower, 37, was killed when his helicopter was gunned down by suspected poachers during a patrol of the Maswa Game Reserve in northern Tanzania, close to the world famous Serengeti National Park, on January 29.

Gower, who worked for the Friedkin Conservation Fund, had been tracking poachers after spotting the carcasses of recently killing elephants.

"This is a sad incident that must be strongly condemned," Magufuli said in a statement, ordering all those involved to be "aggressively pursued and brought to justice."

The statement said five suspects have been arrested and were being questioned by police.
Magufuli vowed to boost efforts to protect wildlife.

"I personally support the fight against poaching in our game reserves and national parks... let us join hands against the poachers," added Magufuli.

Photographs of the crashed helicopter show twisted metal, as well as apparent bullet holes in the fuselage, and smears of blood on the pilot's seat.

Gower's South African colleague, safari guide Nicky Bester, survived the helicopter crash.

Tanzania's National Parks spokesman, Pascal Shelutete, said that poachers can be "heavily armed with sophisticated military weaponry."

Ivory is sought out for jewellery and decorative objects and much of it is smuggled to China, where many increasingly wealthy shoppers are buying ivory trinkets as a sign of financial success.

It is estimated that more than 30,000 elephants are killed for their tusks every year across Africa.

Citation:

Agence France-Presse. "5 Tanzanians Arrested After British Pilot Killed: President." NDTV.com. NDTV Convergence Limited, 2 Feb. 2016. Web. 02 Feb. 2016. <http://www.ndtv.com/world-news/5-tanzanians-arrested-after-british-pilot-killed-president-1272708>.

Egypt Anniversary Response

Egypt silently marks revolt anniversary, police kill 3 militants Source: Xinhua 2016-01-26 CAIRO, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Egypt looks so quiet on Monday as the country marks the national Police Day that coincides with the fifth anniversary of the Jan. 25 protests that toppled former long-time leader Hosni Mubarak in 2011. Prepared for the big day, the Egyptian police in cooperation with the armed forces have been intensifying security presence in vital squares and outside state institutions nationwide, particularly at Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo where the anti-Mubarak protests erupted five years ago. President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi took office in mid-2014 after he, as then the military chief, led the removal of former Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in mid-2013 in response to mass protests against Morsi's one-year rule and his now-blacklisted Muslim Brotherhood group. Crackdown on Morsi's loyalists following his removal left over 1,000 killed and thousands more in custody, while anti-government terror activities in Sinai and other provinces nationwide left hundreds of police and military men dead. The Brotherhood is the only group that called for anti-government protests on the fifth anniversary of the Jan. 25 protests, but they failed to mobilize rallies as few marshes with tens of protesters have easily been dispersed by police in Cairo, Giza and Alexandria. "I hear sometimes calls for a new revolution. Why? Why do you want to ruin the country?" Sisi said in a speech in December. "If any of these calls represent the will of the Egyptians, you needn't protest to realize it." On Monday, Cairo streets looked unusually quiet and free from vehicles and people, as if there was a curfew, except for few people gathering in a rainy afternoon at Tahrir Sqaure carrying flags of Egypt and Sisi's posters to mark the anniversary. Policemen, deployed everywhere with many armored vehicles, exchanged chocolates and flowers with the celebrating people in Tahrir, where the underground metro station was temporarily closed for security reasons. The cabinet's operation room said that the day was going smoothly, with neither clashes nor blasts reported. Meanwhile, the Egyptian police killed on Monday three men in Giza's districts of Kirdasa and 6 October near the capital Cairo, saying they were terrorists, also Brotherhood members, who opened fire at the security forces during their arrest. On the eve of the Police Day, militants on three motorbikes gunned down two policemen and a civilian and wounded four others as they assaulted a checkpoint in the Delta province of Sharqiya north of the capital Cairo. Earlier on Thursday, at least seven policemen and three civilians were killed and several others injured in a massive explosion after police broke into an apartment used by militants for making explosive devices. Although the Jan. 25 protests are referred to in Egypt's new constitution as a great revolution, most of Sisi's supporters and Mubarak loyalists look at it as a conspiracy to ruin the country and accuse its supporters of treason. Besides the Islamists behind bars, many liberal young men who spearheaded the 2011 revolt are currently in prison for taking part in anti-government marshes and violating the anti-protest law. Response: Fascinatingly, it seems as if peace, even if only partially and temporarily, has come to Cairo, Egypt. Yes, the militants are still active and injuring to the government, but at least the major fights and protests are completed and there was a day of quiet. The police and military still do have to be really cautious and on edge, because the inconsistency of attacks should keep everyone aware of their surroundings. I see a bias against the militants or the Brotherhood, considering they are the ones terrorizing the people and actively fighting the government. But considering this article was not written from a western perspective, it did a decent job summarizing the history and then present situations. As for myself, I tend to incline towards the publisher as well, realizing that most people prefer peace over conflict. Although informative, this article also gave a perspective and viewpoint that not everyone experiences. Citation: Xinhua. "Egypt Silently Marks Revolt Anniversary, Police Kill 3 Militants." African News. Africa Xinhuanet, 25 Jan. 2016. Web. 25 Jan. 2016. <http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-01/26/c_135044283.htm>.

Poland- Factors to Watch Response

Poland - Factors to Watch Jan 11

Mon Jan 11, 2016 12:42pm IST

Following are news stories, press reports and events to watch that may affect Poland's financial markets on Monday. ALL TIMES GMT (Poland: GMT + 1 hour):

DIPLOMACY

Poland's foreign minister on Sunday summoned the German ambassador to a meeting over what his department called "anti-Polish comments by German politicians," the conservative Warsaw government's latest broadside at Berlin.

Poland's justice minister dismissed an EU commissioner's criticism of new media regulations as "silly" in a confrontational letter that marked a low in the new government's relations with the bloc and the commissioner's home Germany.

CENTRAL BANK

Polish central bank net profit likely amounted to around 8 billion zlotys ($2.00 billion) in 2015, Dziennik Gazeta Prawna said without naming its sources.

The 2016 budget assumes the profit at 3.2 billion zlotys. Ninety five percent of the profit is transferred to the state budget.

EMF

Private equity funds Bridgepoint and Mid Europa Partners as well as the businessman Maciej Dyjas, have submitted initial bids to buy Smyk, a children's apparel and toy store chain owned by Empik Media & Fashion (EMF), Puls Biznesu daily said quoting its sources.

Smyk is valued at 0.8-1.0 billion zlotys, Puls Biznesu said.

FORTUM, DUON<DUOP.WA.

Finnish state-controlled utility Fortum said on Friday it has launched a public tender offer worth up to 106 million euro ($115 million) for Polish electricity and gas seller Duon.

DEFICIT

Finance minister Pawel Szalamacha told W Sieci weekly that 2016 budget deficit will not exceed 3 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) thanks to bank and supermarket tax and dividends.

Response:

These factors to watch in Poland are slightly interesting, considering you don't see a list like this all the time. Not only is it informative to Polish citizens, but it might be useful to foreign businesses and countries. I couldn't really say there was a bias, considering there weren't really sides to take on this subject. But there was definitely a purpose to them giving this update. The five topics addressed provide the country with updates on their country and things that are going on that the average person may not see. Therefore, I don't hold a stance on this topic besides thinking that it is unique and unusual.

Citation:

"Poland - Factors to Watch Jan 11." Reuters India. Thompson Reuters, 11 Jan. 2016. Web. 11 Jan. 2016. <http://in.reuters.com/article/poland-factors-idINL8N14U0IE20160111>.

Egypt's Revolution Response

Egypt's 2011 revolution against Mubarak attacked by some in new parliament

Gamal Essam El-Din , Sunday 10 Jan 2016

Independent and party-based MPs in Egypt's new parliament seized its opening session Sunday to direct attacks against the revolution which forced president Hosni Mubarak to cede power in 2011

In its inaugural session held on Sunday, Egypt's new parliament saw a number of independent and party-affiliated MPs attacking the 25 January revolution that ousted president Hosni Mubarak in 2011.

By contrast, MPs heaped praise on the mass protests of June 30, 2013, which led to the removal of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi from office and ended the one-year rule of the Muslim Brotherhood.

The attacks against the anti-Mubarak revolution began when independent MP Mortada Mansour said he has so far not been able to "digest" it, and as a result cannot take the national oath because the preamble of the country's new constitution praises the 18-day revolt.

"The preamble of this constitution says that it reflects the principles of the 25 January revolution and the 30 June revolution, and I only believe in the second revolution," said Mansour.

Mansour also attacked Article 104 of the new constitution on the grounds that "it obliges MPs to pledge support for a part of the constitution we do not believe in."

In his speech after being elected parliament speaker, Constitutional law professor Ali Abdel-Al called on MPs to observe a minute of silence in respect for the "martyrs of both the 25 January and 30 June revolutions, as well as those among the police, military and judiciary.
Fierce critic
After Mubarak left office on 11 February 2011, Mansour faced charges that he had hired"armed thugs" to attack pro-democracy protesters at Tahrir Square on the first of February in what came to be known as "the Battle of the Camel."

Mansour and others, mostly leading officials who were affiliated with Mubarak's now-defunct ruling National Democratic Party (NDP), were acquitted of the charges in 2013. Since then, however, Mansour has been a fierce critic of the anti-Mubarak revolution.

Although Mansour was forced by Bahaaeddin Abu-Shoqa, an appointed MP who chaired the parliament's opening procedural sitting, to read out the oath completely and verbatim, his negative remarks about the anti-Mubarak revolution struck a chord with a lot of MPs.

Tawfik Okasha, an independent MP and owner of the private TV channel Al-Faraeen, also insisted that the new parliament "represents the 30 June revolution only".

Okasha, who submitted a bid for the post of parliament's speaker, said "it is a big honour for me to be one of those who urged people to revolt on 30 June and as a result the new parliament should represent the 30 June revolution only."

"I decided to run for the speaker's post because I was one of those who were about to sacrifice their life during 30 June and because this parliament represents its principles."

Okasha was an MP in 2010's parliament, which was dissolved after Mubarak's ouster. He used his Faraeen channel to defend the ruling military junta that took over in Egypt after Mubarak was ousted and to attack president Morsi.

One MP, Mohamed El-Itmani, was silenced by his peers when he attempted to defend the 25 January revolution.

Mansour and Okasha, alongside other MPs, intervened to prevent El-Itmani, a young MP affiliated with the pro-government bloc entitled The Pro-Egyptian State Coalition, from speaking about the 25 January revolution.

El-Itmani, who was introducing himself as a nominee for the speaker's post, said "we are here to represent the two great revolutions of 25 January and 30 June." No sooner had El-Itmani uttered the words when Okasha and Mansour led a chorus of MPs in attacking him.

El-Itmani defended himself by saying, "I, as a young man, had the honour of participating in the 25 January revolution, but I admit that the 30 June revolution came to correct the mistakes of 25 January revolution."

"But nobody can forget the people who sacrificed their lives in 25 January to build a more democratic Egypt and we have to respect their souls."

Egypt's new parliament includes a large number of MPs who were members of Mubarak's ruling party and who insist that the January uprising was a conspiracy led by the United States.

Saeed Sadek, a political analyst and a professor of sociology with the American University in Cairo, told Ahram Online that "early attacks against the anti-Mubarak revolution in Egypt's new parliament come as no surprise" to him.

"This parliament includes a large number of former Mubarak ruling party MPs who have a grudge against the Muslim Brotherhood and America, taking both to task for spreading chaos in Egypt in the past four years," said Sadek.

"It is not good for Egyptian MPs to begin their work by alienating a big sector of the Egyptian society who believe in the January revolution."

The opening procedural sitting of Egypt's new parliament comes one day after the Court of Cassation – the country's highest judicial authority – upheld the conviction of Mubarak on corruption charges. 

Citation:

El-Din, Gamal Essam. "Egypt's 2011 Revolution against Mubarak Attacked by Some in New Parliament." Politics. Ahram Online, 10 Jan. 2016. Web. 12 Jan. 2016. <http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/180611/Egypt/Politics-/Egypts--revolution-against-Mubarak-attacked-by-som.aspx>.

Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Their Hate Response

5 reasons Saudi Arabia and Iran hate each other

Gregg Zoroya, USA TODAY 1:07 p.m. EST January 4, 2016

The bitter faceoff between Iran and Saudi Arabia over the Saudis' execution of an Iranian-aligned cleric is the latest flash point in a long-simmering conflict between two Middle East powers, and it threatens to add more turmoil to an already unstable region.

Saudi Arabia announced Sunday that it was severing ties with Iran, hours after Iranian protesters set fires in the Saudi embassy compound in Tehran to protest the execution the day before the Shiite cleric, Sheik Nimr al-Nimr.

At the root of their rivalry is Islam's centuries-old schism between Sunni Muslims, who make up the majority in the oil-rich Saudi Kingdom, and Shiites who dominate Iran. Their enmity has exacerbated conflicts in the Middle East and U.S. efforts to bring peace to the region.

Sunni-dominated Saudi Arabia is home to Islam's holiest city of Mecca, where millions of the faithful journey for the annual Hajj. Iran, the world's leading Shiite powerhouse, is governed by radical clerics.

Both are vying to extend their influence across the volatile Middle East. Here are five sources of new collisions between the two:

THE UNITED STATES

As America's closest Arab ally in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia has enjoyed massive U.S. military aid and has long influenced American foreign policy. An added bonus for the Saudis has been America's estrangement from Iran since the 1979 revolution there that toppled the U.S.-backed shah.

The power balance shifted in 2015, however, when President Obama reached a historic agreement with Iran that limits Iran's ability to acquire nuclear weapons. In return for Iran's compliance with the terms of the deal, the U.S. and other world powers must lift crippling economic sanctions on Iran, something likely to occur this year.

The Saudis fear Iran will use the tens of billions of dollars in frozen assets and new business opportunities to support Shiite rebel groups in the region to destabilize Sunni-led governments, as well as use the new revenue to buy weapons in support of its expansionary goals. The Saudis also fear Iran will cheat on the nuclear deal, fueling a Mideast nuclear arms race.

YEMEN

Saudi Arabia's poverty-stricken southern neighbor at the foot the Arabian Peninsula has become the closest example of a proxy war between the Saudis and Iran.

The Saudi Kingdom is leading a local military coalition aimed at defeating Shiite-dominated Houthi rebels who are threatening to unseat the government. The Houthis have received direct military aid from Iran.

SYRIA

Iran is backing Syrian President Bashar Assad's embattled regime in his nearly 5-year-old civil war by providing both financing and fighters from Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed Shiite militant group based in Lebanon. Assad, a longtime Iranian ally, received a boost in 2015, when Russia sent in military forces to assist him.

Saudi Arabia, along with the United States and Turkey, is backing Sunni rebel groups opposed to Assad. The U.S. is concerned that some of those groups are too extreme and might team up with the Islamic State, the Sunni radical group that a U.S.-led coalition is trying to repel from Syria and Iraq.

IRAQ

Although the population is mostly Shiite, Iraq had been ruled for decades by Saddam Hussein and his Sunni minority until the U.S.-led invasion in 2003 ousted Saddam's regime. The current, predominantly Shiite government has been heavily influenced by Iran, which has provided support for powerful Shiite militias in Iraq. Saudi Arabia is wary of the Iraqi government and is sympathetic to Sunnis who feel alienated by the government. Some of those Sunni residents are backing the Islamic State militant group.

OIL

As the leading global exporter of oil, Saudi Arabia has refused to cut production in the face of plummeting oil prices to defend its market share. As a result, the world is now awash in cheap oil. The drop in prices already has forced the kingdom to slash its government budget.

The glut may soon worsen — and the value of Saudi Arabia's virtually sole source of revenue further diminish — once sanctions against rival Iran are eased under the nuclear weapons deal. Iran, estimated to have the fourth largest oil reserves on the planet, is ready to export 500,000 barrels a day once it is given access to the world market. That figure could grow as Iran rehabilitates its aging oil industry infrastructure.

Response:

This article was particularly tough to read. When I saw what each side is doing to each other, it was easier to take a neutral standpoint and process the conflict. It almost seems as if Iran is becoming desperate and is seeking out help from each and every one of its neighbors. Meanwhile Saudi Arabia is attempting to protect itself and "fight off" Iran's allies. Saudi Arabia does have a strong country backing them though. Considering the US is willing to help and fight along their side, it balances out the scales a bit. You could tell the article was written from a western perspective, due to the slight bias towards Saudi Arabia. But the author did a pretty good job of  writing without showing his own views and opinions on the situation. Although anyone could read this and see it as informative, I think it was directed more towards the western world. It might have been for their own knowledge, or to show people that the conflict isn't really getting any better. But despite the intentions of Zoroya, I was captivated and informed after reading this article.

Citation:

Zoroya, Gregg. "5 Reasons Saudi Arabia and Iran Hate Each Other."
USA Today. Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc., 4 Jan. 2016. Web. 4 Jan. 2016. <http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2016/01/04/five-flash-points-between-mortal-enemies-saudi-arabia-and-iran/78230580/>.