Today's Top Islamic News (DAILY)

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IEA expert says peak oil nearing: report
Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:51:38 GMT
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IEA whistleblowers claim that world's oil production figures have been distorted by US pressure.
Whistleblowers at the International Energy Agency (IEA) claim the world is closer to a peak in crude oil supply than what the world agency announced.

"We have [already] entered the 'peak oil' zone," an unidentified former IEA official told British newspaper The Guardian. "I think that the situation is really bad."

The Paris-based IEA, which advises 28 industrialized countries on energy policy, is scheduled to release Tuesday its annual "World Energy Outlook" report for 2009.

Its 2008 Outlook predicted that world oil supply would reach 106 million barrels per day in 2030.

"Many inside the organization believe that maintaining oil supplies at even 90 million to 95 million barrels a day would be impossible, but there are fears that panic could spread onto the financial markets if the figures were brought down further," the Guardian quoted another IEA's whistleblower as saying.

"And the Americans fear the end of oil supremacy because it would threaten their power over access to oil resources," the Guardian source added.

Fatih Birol, the IEA's chief economist told The Australian newspaper last week that "The reality of peak oil is fast approaching."

Birol also admitted that the rate of fall in worldwide crude oil production, which was stated by the IEA in 2007 as being 3.7%, was in fact 6.7% and would lead to what he described as a “temporary supply crunch."

MVZ/SC/DT

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Korean navies clash off west coast
Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:54:24 GMT
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South Korean warships are leaving to patrol near South Korea's western Yeonpyong Island, near the disputed sea border with North Korea.
North and South Korean navies have engaged in an exchange of fire off their west coast, leaving a North Korean naval boat severely damaged.

The clash took place at 11.28 am (0228 GMT) near Daechong island when a South Korean warship shot at a North's navy boat that crossed the disputed western sea border on Tuesday morning.

A North Korean patrol boat crossed the border and sailed south for about 0.7 miles (1.1 kilometers), Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement.

It said the North's craft held its course despite several warning signals from a South Korean high-speed naval boat, which resorted to firing warning shots.

But "the North's side opened fire, directly aiming at our ship. Then our ship responded by firing back, forcing the North Korean boat to return to the north," the statement added.

"There were no casualties on our side. We are on the lookout for any further provocations by the North."

A JCS spokesman said the North Korean boat was considerably damaged by heavy cannon fire, while a navy source said the boat was half-destroyed when it was forced to sail back to the North.

South Korea's YTN television quoted military sources as saying the North's boat crossed the border while trying to stop illegal fishing by Chinese boats in the rich crab-fishing grounds.

The JCS also held an emergency session following the incident to decide whether or not the border crossing was a deliberate provocation.

In October, Pyongyang's naval force accused South Korea of sending warships across the border to stir tensions, warning the 'reckless military provocations' could trigger armed clashes.

The disputed border in the Yellow Sea, known as the Northern Limit Line (NLL), was the scene of fierce naval conflicts in 1999 and 2002.

The NLL, drawn up unilaterally by United Nations at the end of the Korean War in 1953, has been rejected by Pyongyang, that wants it drawn further to the south.

MRS/SC/DT

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Taliban deny links with Pakistan militants
Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:15:02 GMT

The Taliban have denied any links with the outlawed Tehrik-e-Taliban militants based in the lawless tribal belt in northwestern Pakistan.

"They have their own policies and agenda in Afghanistan and the TTP (Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan) has no links with al-Qaeda," Taliban's top commander in Afghanistan Abdul Manan told a local TV channel.

Afghan Taliban leaders have not crossed the border, they are not hiding in Pakistan, but they are targeting coalition and NATO forces from Afghanistan only, said the militant leader, also known as Mulla Toor jan.

"Our mission is to eradicate from Afghanistan the US and allied forces … who had invaded our homeland. We have no influence over Pakistani Taliban based in the tribal belt."

Mulla Toor Jan went further to criticize the TTP's bombings and terrorist activities for taking lives of 'innocent people', adding al-Qaeda fighters only targeted foreign occupiers in Afghanistan.

The commander also condemned US drone attacks in both Afghan and Pakistani territories, warning Washington "has to pay the price for the blood of innocent civilians."

The statement comes shortly after the US called on Islamabad to mediate direct talks with the Taliban as insurgency hikes in Afghanistan.

MRS/DT

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Koreas exchange accusations, demand apology
Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:05:02 GMT

After a naval confrontation between the two Koreas each side has accused the other of "armed provocation" and has demanded the other to make an apology.

"South Korean military authorities should make an apology to the North for the armed provocation and take responsible measures against the recurrence of any future provocation," the military supreme command said on Tuesday.

According to the North Korean Central News Agency, a North military report has said that South Korean warships chased a North Korean boat and opened fire on it while it was sailing back to the North.

It went on to say the North's craft "lost no time in returning a prompt retaliatory blow at the provokers," driving the 'flurried' group of warships of the South Korean forces back into the waters of their side.

In Seoul, Prime Minister Chung Un-Chan responded by accusing the North of making a 'direct attack' on South Korean forces.

The South's military also demanded an apology for the border crossing, claiming the North's boat fired 50 rounds at a South Korean high-speed patrol boat, which had sent warning shots after several warning signals.

"We express our strongest protest to North Korea and urge it to prevent a recurrence of such incidents," said Brigadier-General Lee Ki-Sik of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, saying the North breached the Koreas' disputed Yellow Sea border 22 times this year.

Lee said the two sides exchanged fire for two minutes from a distance of 3,200 meters (3,500 yards), during which 15 rounds hit the South Korean boat. Officials, however, said no South Koreans were hurt while the North's boat was set ablaze under heavy cannon fire and sailed back.

The incident does not seem to spark a serious stand-off, given Pyongyang's relatively mildly-worded statement and its recent reconciliatory moves toward the South, following months of cross-border tensions.

South Korea's President Lee Myung-Bak called an emergency meeting of security ministers on Tuesday, describing the clash as unplanned and urged people to stay calm.

MRS/SC/MMA

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Palin gets paranoid over 'coin conspiracy'
Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:38:13 GMT

Former US vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin's latest comments have raised eyebrows again.

In her latest appearance at a pro-life gathering in the northern state of Wisconsin, the 45-year-old former Alaska governor called attention to a “disturbing” propensity to conspiracy by referring to newly minted dollar coins that have the motto “In God We Trust” on their edges rather than in the center.

Palin's reportedly discursive oration touched on unspecified conspiratorial powers in the US, which 'call the shots.'

“Who makes a decision like that?” the US media have quoted her as saying in reference to the design of the new US dollar coins.

“Who calls a shot like that?” she rhetorically asked a crowd of around 5,000 people who were not allowed to carry mobile phones and other recording devices.

“It's a disturbing trend,” added Palin.

She also spoke about her opposition to President Barack Obama's recently endorsed healthcare system overhaul plan, which she said purportedly provides selective health service to US citizens.

“In order to save government money, government healthcare has to be rationed... [so] then this elderly person that perhaps could be seen as costing taxpayers to pay for a non-productive life? Do you think our elderly will be first in line for limited healthcare?” Politico.com quoted the 2008 Republican vice presidential contender as saying.

US media outlets also reported on Monday that she attacked Obama's healthcare system revamp, which is meant to offer a public plan for the 47 million uninsured Americans, in her communications on the social networking website Facebook, accusing the president's so-called public insurance option of creating 'death panels' for the elderly and the infirm.

“We had been told there were no 'death panels' in the bill either,” she wrote.

“But look closely at the provision mandating bureaucratic panels that will be calling the shots regarding who will receive government healthcare.”

GHN/HGL

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Best Haj services urged
P.K. Abdul Ghafour | Arab News


JEDDAH: Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal on Monday urged government officials and private agencies involved in this year’s Haj operation to work as one team in order to provide the best possible services to the guests of God.

Speaking to reporters after an inspection tour of the Haj Terminal at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport, Prince Khaled said Saudi Arabia considered its services to pilgrims a great honor.

Prince Khaled, who was accompanied by Jeddah Gov. Prince Mishaal bin Majed, inspected expansion projects at the terminal to accommodate the increasing number of pilgrims who come for Haj and Umrah.

During his tour, Prince Khaled received a group of pilgrims who had arrived at the airport. He gave them commemorative gifts and wished them a rewarding Haj. More than 2.5 million Muslims from across the world are expected to perform Haj this year.

The governor’s inspection tour covered the offices and facilities of the Health Ministry, Haj Ministry, Passport Department, Customs and United Agencies.

He urged government officials to receive pilgrims nicely and provide them with excellent services.

Prince Khaled highlighted the gigantic projects being carried out by the government to ensure the welfare and security of pilgrims. He also referred to the efforts Haj agencies, including Tawafa organizations, were making to improve their services.

In a related development, Saudi Arabian Airlines said its Haj plan was aimed at providing excellent services to the guests of God and transport even more pilgrims from all over the world. The national carrier has set up a special working team to supervise its Haj operation.

Director General of Saudia Khaled Al-Molhem said the airline would operate additional flights to different regions of the Kingdom for domestic pilgrims. Saudia will bring pilgrims from 81 international hubs including 23 in Europe and Africa and 22 each in Asia and Middle East.

“We expect to carry nearly one million pilgrims by operating more than 2,000 flights,” Al-Molhem said, adding that 308,000 international pilgrims would be flown directly to Madinah. Saudia will carry the largest number of 457,000 pilgrims from Asia. “Saudi Arabian Airlines offers a bouquet of services to the guests of God including advance issuance of boarding passes for return flights,” the director general said. “We also appoint crew members who speak the different languages of pilgrims and supply a variety of dishes that suit their tastes.” The airline shows in-flight Haj documentaries to educate pilgrims.

Al-Molhem urged all Saudia officials to be present in the field in order to ensure that the guests of God were “well received, well treated and well served.”

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Riyadh metro: Construction work begins
Ghazanfar Ali Khan | Arab News


RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has started construction of an ambitious light-rail project exclusively for the capital city, where 36 stations will be built in the first phase.

This project is aimed at reducing congestion in a city where 87 percent of the population uses private cars as the primary mode of transport.

“This Light Transit Railway (LTR) project for the capital city, as it is called, comes under the jurisdiction of Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA),” Mohammed Abu-zaid, a spokesman for the Saudi Railways Organization (SRO), said on Monday.

Abuzaid also pointed out that the SRO would receive eight train cars within 36 months from now from the Spanish company CAF.

“The total cost of these eight train units is about SR612 million,” said Abuzaid.

CAF signed a contract with the SRO for the supply of the trains and a four-year maintenance project.

Asked about the details of the LTR system in Riyadh, an ADA source said the final preparations to implement the project have already been made.

“The construction works have started on the two railway routes of the city,” said the source, adding that 23 stations will be built on the first route, while 13 stations will be constructed on the second rail link.

“The frequency of the services will be higher during peak hours,” said an ADA report obtained by Arab News.

“The electric metro system in Riyadh is part of the ADA’s efforts to make the public transport system more effective and popular.”

The first phase will involve the construction of a 25-km north-south route. It will extend from the northern side of the ring road to Olaya and Batha streets up to the southern ring road.

The second phase will involve a 14 km route extending from the eastern side of the ring road across King Abdulaziz Road up to King Khaled Road in the west. It is expected that the first phase of the project will cover 30 districts of the city.

Distances between stations will be 600 meters in highly populated areas and 1,100 meters to 2,000 meters in less populated areas of the city.

The rail system is expected to serve 1,500 passengers per hour per track initially and then up to 8,000 passengers per hour. Riyadh’s population has grown to over 6.5 million.

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Zero tolerance for intruders: Cabinet
Arab News


RIYADH: The Council of Ministers declared on Monday that it would not show any leniency toward those who violated the Kingdom’s territorial sovereignty. “We have the absolute right to take appropriate measures against intruders to protect our citizens, land and borders,” it said.

In a statement following the meeting, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, the Cabinet said the Kingdom would take measures to prevent a repeat of the intrusion carried out by Yemeni rebels that killed a Saudi border guard.

The Cabinet meeting expressed its appreciation of the efforts being made by various departments and agencies to safeguard the Kingdom’s security and stability. It conveyed its condolences to the families of Saudis who died during the military operation. The Cabinet thanked Egypt, Kuwait, Bahrain, Morocco, Jordan and other countries and organizations for denouncing the rebel attack and expressing solidarity with the Kingdom.

The Cabinet reiterated that the Saudi armed forces were sent to the Jabal Dukhan area in order to flush out the rebels. “They carried out their operations inside Saudi territory,” it said, refuting allegations by rebels that Saudi forces entered Yemeni territory.

Meanwhile, Saudi forces and Border Guards continued cleanup operation of the Jabal Dukhan border post on Monday. Residents said the border areas in Jazan were relatively calm on Monday. Maj. Gen. Ahmed Qazzaz, director of police in the province, told Arab News that the security situation throughout Jazan was excellent.

He said security forces provided assistance to evacuees. Several security agencies were conducting a joint campaign against visa overstayers and other illegals. During the past four days, 4,014 illegals have been arrested.

Social Affairs Minister Yousuf Al-Othaimeen told his officials in Jazan to provide people with all humanitarian and social services. Salim Al-Basahi, director of social insurance in Samta visited the refugee camps along the border. Miteb Al-Shalhoub, governor of Uhd Masaraha, said displaced people would be accommodated in furnished apartments. The Civil Defense has provided housing for 500 families. Displaced families are expected to receive at least SR2,000.

Culture and Information Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja said the Cabinet authorized the transport minister to sign the code of conduct concerning the repression of piracy in the Western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden.

The meeting also referred to the opening of a massive joint petrochemical project between SABIC and Sinopec in Beijing and another joint venture between Saudi Aramco and Sumitomo Chemical in Rabigh, saying the projects reflected the Kingdom’s strong relations with China and Japan. The Cabinet hoped these ventures would lead to establishing more joint projects.

The Cabinet inducted the chairman of Saudi Red Crescent onto the Civil Defense Council. It also decided to sign an agreement with Bosnia for scientific and educational cooperation. The meeting agreed to set up a permanent committee at the Pensions Fund to look into the issues of Saudi workers in public corporations that have been privatized. The committee should complete its work within a year.

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Iranian pilgrims to abide by regulations, says Mujarredi
Arab News


MADINAH: The head of the Iranian Haj delegation, Masood Mujarredi, has said that his delegation has obeyed all Saudi rules and regulations and striven to win the Kingdom’s appreciation.

“There may be differences between the two countries, but the differences do not stand in the way of organizing the Haj. We cooperate for the common benefit of all Muslims. We commend and trust the Saudi authorities’ efficient organization of the pilgrimage,” Mujarredi told Al-Madinah newspaper in an interview published on Monday.

Dismissing reports by international news agencies that some Iranian officials had called on Iranian pilgrims to hold demonstrations during the Haj as false, Mujarredi said, “If such reports were published in the Iranian media I would readily reply in my capacity as the representative of the Iranian government and the head of the Haj delegation. But I affirm that none of our newspapers have carried such reports. I also assert that the report is untrue. Iranian pilgrims are committed to following instructions issued by the Saudi authorities.”

He also denied that the behavior of Iranian pilgrims at the Al-Baqi cemetery is contrary to rules laid by the Saudi authorities. “The leaders of our Haj groups prohibit pilgrims from entering the cemetery with placards or exhibiting other sentimental displays. We also tell them not to be in a state of mourning when they visit the cemetery. We remind them of the Saudi regulations regarding behavior in cemeteries,” he said.

He affirmed that Iranian pilgrims do not have ulterior motives in moving around in groups. “They move about in systematic groups as part of their well-organized travel plan. They go everywhere in groups because that is their practice from the time they leave their home for the Kingdom. This is only a reflection of their organized behavior. There is no other motive. The Iranians, unlike people from other countries, are systematic in everything they do,” he added.

He also said that Iranian pilgrims are instructed, while in Madinah, to pray at the Prophet’s Mosque in congregation and not to pray at other mosques unless they have a genuine reason that prevents them from reaching the mosque, such as crowding or traffic. “However, there can be exceptions in a few cases as all pilgrims cannot be expected to be educated and refined, as is the case with pilgrims from other countries,” he added.

Regarding some controversial placards that have been carried by Iranian pilgrims in the past and the slogans they used to shout, Mujarredi said this has been stopped for the past three years.

“You cannot see anything of that sort now. We respect Saudi regulations. Show me at least one such slogan or placard with any of our pilgrims and I will take action straightaway. The placards carried by our pilgrims are just for identification purposes and indicate the names of their groups, their logos and the names of their group leaders,” he said.

The Iranian official also justified pilgrims carrying books with them. “I would like to say that the books used by our pilgrims contain only supplications approved by the Ministry of Information and the Ministry of Haj,” he added.

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US marine slain by fellow soldier at N Carolina base
Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:09:16 GMT

A US marine has been killed by a fellow soldier in Camp Lejeune, military investigators at the Marine base in North Carolina have found.

Private Jonathan Law, 21, "is in the custody of military authorities... for the alleged homicide of Corporal Joshua E. Hartzell, 22, early Friday morning," said Captain Timothy Patrick, base public affairs officer on Monday, reported AFP.

"The victim did not die from a gunshot wound," Patrick said. "But other than that, we don't have any other information."

Patrick said that Law was taken to a hospital for attempted suicide and was sent to the camp's jail after receiving treatment at a civilian hospital "for self-inflicted wounds."

Law, a supply administration clerk, enlisted in the Marines in August 2006 and served in Iraq between August 2007 and March 2008 and has won several awards, including the Iraqi Campaign Medal.

The victim was a maintenance technician specializing in fixing night vision equipment. He joined the Marines in September 2006 and has also won numerous awards, including the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

It was not immediately known whether the two soldiers knew each other before the incident.

RB/MB