2,100 Syrians tortured to death in regime prisons

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said on Friday that 2,100 Syrians had died in the prisons of the Syrian regime in 2014. The signs of torture appeared on many of their bodies, the observatory said.

The London-based SOHR stressed that the real number is much more than the 2,100 because that figure is only of those families who received bodies and death certificate from prisons.

UN investigators said in last March that they suspected there are war criminals in the units of the Syrian regime army and the armed militants involved in the ‘civil war.’

They added that they were investigating reports of torture, killing and the starvation of prisoners inside the prisons of the Syrian regime. They said there were top intelligence officers on the list suspected perpetrators.

SOHR said that 76,000 Syrians were killed in the war during 2014, while the UN said that more than 200,000 have been killed since the beginning of the conflict.

A group of former war crimes prosecutors commissioned by Qatar to investigate possible war crimes in Syria reported in November 2014 that they had proof of systematic torture and killing of 11,000 Syrians inside the regime’s prisons

Hamas: US criticism of Meshaal’s visit to Turkey ‘shameless’

Palestine’s Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, described on Friday the American criticism of the visit by its top leader Khalid Meshaal to Turkey as “shameless position.”

Anadolu News Agency reported Hamas Spokesman in Gaza Sami Abu-Zuhri saying in a press release: “The United States is a real enemy of the Palestinian cause.”

Abu-Zhuri reiterated that Turkey would not be affected with such a “shamefully racist position.”

Meshaal visited Turkey at the end of the last week and attended the annual conference of Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party.

On Thursday, US State Department Spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters that Washington was concerned about relations between Hamas and Turkey.

“We have urged the Government of Turkey to press Hamas to reduce tensions and prevent violence,” Psaki said. She added that Washington’s position toward Hamas has not changed and classifies the Palestinian group as a “designated foreign terrorist organization that continues to engage in terrorist activity.”

Meshaal salutes people of Konya for defending Jerusalem

The Head of the Hamas Political Bureau, Khaled Meshaal, surprised supporters of Turkey’s governing Justice and Development Party this week by participating in the party’s conference held in the city of Konya, the birthplace of current Prime Minister Ahmed Davutoglu. For Hamas, Meshaal’s visit had several dimensions, including an emphasis on the fact that the movement is taking balanced action after a Hamas delegation visited Tehran and a spokesman thanked Iran for its support for the Palestinian resistance.

The visit was a message to all who are pressuring Hamas for having relations with major regional powers such as Turkey and Iran. At the same time, as Meshaal’s host, Turkey also sent a powerful message that it continues to support Hamas.

Although there are now rumours that Meshaal is leaving his base in Qatar, I do not believe them. As far as I am concerned, that’s merely wishful thinking by those hostile to Hamas, most notably Israel.

Meshaal’s speech at the Konya conference was brief. He stressed a number of important points, including Turkey’s continued support for the Palestinians and its historical support for Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa Mosque and the resistance. The Hamas leader did not forget to praise Turkey for its slogan “Turkey is strong” as part of its strategic vision. “A democratic, stable and developed Turkey is a source of power for all Muslims,” he insisted.

What caught my attention the most while listening to Meshaal’s speech was his reference to a historic event: “In 1980, when Jerusalem was at risk from the Zionists, the [people of the] city of Konya protested and expressed their anger.” He chose his words carefully, prompting cheers and touching the hearts of the Turks who attended the conference. He linked history, geography and human beings in a single sentence.

The date Meshaal referred to, 1980, was before the establishment of Hamas in 1987, which emphasises the fact that the Turkish people support the rights of the Palestinian people and not a particular movement or faction. He also noted that Turkish hearts are connected directly to Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque. The message that the cause of Jerusalem and Palestine is superior to any other dispute or conflict should be understood by all Arab regimes.

When Israel declared Jerusalem to be its “undivided” capital in 1980, Turkey’s National Salvation Party, one of the Justice and Development Party’s main predecessors, organised the “Save Jerusalem” demonstration in Konya. Nearly half a million people participated, chanting against Israel and carrying a large three-dimensional model of Al-Aqsa Mosque. They were led by Necmettin Erbakan, and chanted “There is no god but Allah”, the declaration of faith uniting those involved in jihad.

Although the Konya demonstration for the sake of Jerusalem was followed by a military coup which led to the imprisonment of the protest organisers, the spark of desire to defend the Palestinians did not die. This provides us with some hope, which is perhaps why, 35 years later and from the podium of their governing party, Meshaal went to Konya to salute the people of the city who rose up in 1980 and who are still doing their bit for the Palestinian struggle for freedom and justice.

Translated from Al-Sharq, 8 January, 2015

Gaza child whose home was bombed by Israel dies in freezing weather

GAZA CITY (Ma’an) — A Palestinian infant fell ill and died due to severe cold in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on Friday, as winter storm Huda pummeled the region for a third day.

Gaza Ministry of Health spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra said that two-month-old Rafah Ali Abu Assi died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as a result of the severely cold weather affecting the region.

Ashraf al-Qidra said that the infant was taken to the Gaza European Hospital early Thursday for treatment but was pronounced dead at noon on Friday.

The infant’s family lives east of Khan Younis in an area that was heavily damaged during Israel’s offensive on Gaza over summer.

Her family reportedly continued living in their damaged home despite the destruction. Due to lack of alternative shelter, many of the nearly 110,000 Palestinians left homeless by Israeli bombardment have done the same, including many living in just tents.

Temperatures in Gaza have been hovering only a few degrees above freezing in recent days as a freezing winter storm buffeted the region, flooding some areas in the small coastal enclave.

The situation is aggravated by the lack of fuel for electric power, meaning that power is available roughly eight hours a day, with occasional cuts on top of that.

The lack of fuel is a result of Israel’s eight-year-old blockade of the Strip, which limits Palestinians’ ability to import fuel for the electric power station in Gaza as well as for domestic needs

Seven killed as blast hits Shia mosque in Pakistan

A powerful bomb blast has hit a Shia mosque in Pakistan’s northern city of Rawalpindi, killing at least seven people.

The blast took place in the garrison city of Rawalpindi in the Potohar region of the northern Punjab Province, located 14 kilometers south of the capital Islamabad, on Friday.

“I can confirm death of seven people and injuries to 15 others. This number may go up,” Sajid Zafar Dall, a senior administration official told reporters.

The explosion triggered chaos at the mosque, where Shia Muslims had gathered to celebrate the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).

“There were 100 to 150 people in the mosque at the time of the attack,” Dall added.

According to eyewitnesses, the blast was so powerful that it shattered windows in its vicinity.

Local police said rescue efforts were hampered by the narrow and congested area where the incident took place.

As of yet no group has claimed responsibility for the blast.

Tensions have been on the rise in Pakistan since a group of pro-Taliban militants stormed an army-run school in the city of Peshawar and killed about 150 people, including 132 students, last month.

Following the Peshawar attack, Pakistan lifted the moratorium on the death penalty in place for about six years.

On Wednesday, Pakistan executed two more men over terrorism, bringing the number of executions to nine since the country lifted the death penalty suspension.

SRK/AS/SS

View: Paul Telford joins The Gazette's Camera Club

VIEW GALLERY

Every day The Gazette features the very best of pictures sent to us from readers around Teesside.

We’ve been so impressed we launched Camera Club, a regular feature in which we profile different photographers, find out a bit more about them and share a selection of their latest shots.

To have your pictures featured visit http://ift.tt/1oEfB6I

Name : Paul Telford

Where are you from ? Redcar

Tell us a little bit about yourself : I am 52, and my main like is photography. My camera is always with me. I have two children and I am divorced.

What do you like taking pictures of ? Anything that will make an interesting photograph.

To be featured in Camera Club click on this link

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Boko Haram massacre toll possibly 2,000

Hundreds of bodies remain strewn in the bush in Nigeria amid an ongoing attack described by Amnesty International as the “deadliest massacre” by Boko Haram.

Mike Omeri, the government spokesman, said fighting continued on Friday for Baga, a town on the border with Chad where Boko Haram fighters seized a key military base on January 3 and attacked again on Wednesday.

“Security forces have responded rapidly, and have deployed significant military assets and conducted air strikes against militant targets,” Omeri said in a statement.

District head Baba Abba Hassan said most victims are children, women and elderly people who could not run fast enough when fighters drove into Baga, firing rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles on town residents.

For More:

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US Marines returning to Afghanistan: Report

US officials have revealed that Marines are heading back to war-torn Afghanistan, days after President Barack Obama announced to end the Afghan war.

This week, the Marines Corps Times outlined that preparations for the Afghan deployment are being made by the second Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company in North Carolina.

According to the news release, US Marines will be responsible for security operations in Afghanistan.

They have been trained to react to different situations such as counter explosive device patrols as well as investigating the origin of enemy fire.

The company recently tested its Supporting Arms Liaison Team Alpha’s readiness for the upcoming deployment to Afghanistan, the report said.

According to the release, the training included unloading from CH-53E Super Stallion heavy lift helicopters, handling Afghan village leaders, and countering ambushes and sniper attacks.

The Marines were “tested on their reaction to different insurgency situations such as counter improvised explosive device patrols and investigating the origin of enemy fire,” the release states.

Military officials have refused to provide information about the time of deployment.

The United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan in October 2001 as part of Washington’s so-called war on terror. The offensive removed the Taliban from power, but the country remained insecure despite the presence of thousands of foreign troops.

In a statement on December 28, Obama argued America is safer and more secure after the Afghan war, which was not worth the cost, a great majority of Americans believe, according to recent polls.

Obama said about 10,000 troops remaining in Afghanistan would only be involved in training Afghan forces.

However, Obama has secretly signed an order that allows US troops to be involved in combat operations in Afghanistan throughout 2015, according to The New York Times.

The order will authorize American forces to continue their missions against the Taliban and other militant groups in the Asian country. The new authorization will also let US jets, bombers, and drones be used to aid ground troops.

GJH/GJH

Recap: Reading v Boro at the Madejski Stadium

Boro lost ground in a double-edged December in which they only lost one game but suffered a strategic set-back to major promotion rival Ipswich.

They took 10 points from 15 in December but still found themselves slipping back to fourth place and four points off the Tractor Boys in second.

Reading have showed the first signs of a Royals revival under new boss Steve Clarke.

The ex-West Brom chief arrived after Nigel Adkins was axed following a 6-1 thumping at lowly Birmingham, a fourth defeat in six that left them 16th, 10 points shy of the play-offs.

Shin Bet thwarts operation to bomb Al-Aqsa

The Israeli intelligence service Shin Bet have thwarted an operation to blow up the Dome of the Rock Mosque, in the Al-Aqsa compound, by an American Jewish extremist, Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper revealed today.

According to the paper, Adam Everett Livvix, a Christian who is wanted in the United States for questioning on drug-related charges, was charged by the Netanya Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday for illegal possession of arms and for outstaying his visa.

Shin Bet arrested the 30-year-old on November 19. He tried to evade capture by jumping out of his seventh floor window and was apprehended on the balcony beneath.

According to the indictment, Livvix had told his acquaintances “about his negative opinions toward the Arab population in Israel and his desire to cause harm to Islamic holy sites in Israel through the use of explosive devices.”

Livvix was found in possession of weapons, ammunition and explosives kept in a storage shed next to his flat in Tel Aviv. His accomplice and flatmate, an Israeli soldier who cannot be named for legal reasons, was also arrested.

The soldier is accused of supplying Livvix with the means of combat and explosives stolen from the military base where he served. These included 1.4 kilogrammes of explosive bricks, six stun grenades as well as tear gas canisters and smoke grenades.

He supplied Livvix with an explosive brick and the grenades in exchange for 2,500 shekels ($634). However, he was only paid a down payment of 500 shekels ($127), the indictment states.

During questioning, Livvix admitted to being involved in various fraud schemes, as well as the initial stages of planning terror attacks on Islamic holy sites in Israel.

According to the Shin Bet, Livvix, while living in the occupied West Bank prior to his arrest, was approached about assassinating US President Barack Obama during his visit to Israel, though the suspect refused to take part in the plan.

Livvix is reported to have arrived in Israel on March 7, 2013, as a tourist, and outstaying his visa.

UN chief defends Palestinian right to join ICC

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon yesterday defended the State of Palestine’s right to join the International Criminal Court in the Hague, the Anadolu Agency reported.

Ban told reporters after an informal meeting of the UN General Assembly in New York: “The Palestinians have the right to join the International Criminal Court, having acquired the status of non-member State of the United Nations.”

The United Nations General Assembly voted by a majority in the November 29, 2012, to grant Palestine a non- member state of the UN.

He said: “The Palestinians status at the United Nations allows them to join the International Criminal Court. It is their right. The statute will enter into force on April 1, 2015.”

“This step is a separate step from the peace process. We are talking about a comprehensive peace process, and I call upon the Palestinian and Israeli sides to cooperate and sit together and discuss the root causes of conflict.”

The UN chief warned of a “tragic accident” between the two sides if the current situation continued. “I believe that if the current situation continues, we will witness a tragic incident such as the one that took place between the two sides last summer,” in reference to the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip which claimed the lives of more than 2,000 Palestinians, including nearly 500 children

Live: Reading v Boro at the Madejski Stadium

Boro lost ground in a double-edged December in which they only lost one game but suffered a strategic set-back to major promotion rival Ipswich.

They took 10 points from 15 in December but still found themselves slipping back to fourth place and four points off the Tractor Boys in second.

Reading have showed the first signs of a Royals revival under new boss Steve Clarke.

The ex-West Brom chief arrived after Nigel Adkins was axed following a 6-1 thumping at lowly Birmingham, a fourth defeat in six that left them 16th, 10 points shy of the play-offs.

Israeli settlers chop down 45 olive trees south of Hebron

HEBRON (Ma’an) — Israelis from the Jewish-only settlement on Friday raided Palestinian land and chopped down 45 olive trees outside of Yatta, south of Hebron in the southern West Cank.

Coordinator of a local popular committee, Rateb al-Jubour, said that the settlers raided lands belonging to local farmers in the area of Shaab al-Butm, chopping down dozens of olive trees at least three decades old.

He identified the farmers whose lands were raided during the attack as Jibril and Khaled Muhammad Abu Arram.

Al-Jubour condemned the settlers’ constant assaults on Palestinians in and around Yatta that he said aimed to Palestinian residents from the area.

Settler outposts in the south Hebron hills have an adverse effect on local Palestinian communities through a combination of physical violence and restrictions on movement.

Located in Area C of the West Bank which is under full Israeli military control, Palestinians in the south Hebron hills suffer from extreme electricity and water shortages and face violent intimidation from the Israeli army and radical settlers.

Less than 1 percent of Area C has been planned for Palestinian development, while some 135 settlements and over 100 outposts for Jews have been built in the same area

Charlie Hebdo shooting suspect defended by classmates on Twitter

Classmates of an 18-year-old accused of being the getaway driver in the deadly attack on Charlie Hebdo magazine offices in Paris on Wednesday have defended him on Twitter, saying he was in class when masked gunmen opened fire.

Mourad Hamyd turned himself in to police in his home town of Charleville-Mézières, near the Belgian border, after he was named as one of three suspects in the attack, which killed 12, and saw his name on social media.

Soon afterwards, people claiming to be his classmates started tweeting under the hashtag #MouradHamydInnocent. “He’s in my class, and he was there for lessons this morning,” wrote @babydroma. Her account has been active since 2012, and before Wednesday was full of chatter about teachers and lessons, with a picture of film star James Franco as wallpaper.

Apparently frustrated by journalists and others questioning her identity and motive, a couple of hours later she added: “I swear to you I haven’t spoken to Mourad more than five times, but I felt obliged to help him.” She later clarified that they had been in a philosophy class at the time of the attack.

Others also joined in on the same hashtag: “Imagine that you went to class with your mate, and then in the evening he is accused of [taking part in] the attack. Please retweet #MouradHamydInnocent,” said @_neednobody. The 18-year-old, called Laura, has a longstanding account with tens of thousands of tweets and says she is studying for a BTS, a vocational qualification.

Another teenager, @AnyceDz, who said Hamyd was a friend and the two had spent the morning together, changed his profile name to #MouradHamydInnocent. He tweeted that school officials had advised him to stop giving interviews about his friend

http://ift.tt/1DsZyj1

Teesside hospital trusts cancel operations due to winter pressures

Teesside hospitals have been forced to cancel operations as winter pressures continue to take hold.

Both South and North Tees NHS Foundation Trusts have confirmed that they have had to cancel pre-planned operations in recent days.

For the week-ending Tuesday, January 6, South Tees cancelled 14 operations, categorised as operations cancelled in previous 24 hours, and were also forced to postpone other elective operations planned for more than a day ahead.

North Tees has not confirmed the number of operations they have postponed but said the figure for this week is “small”.

The news comes as figures released yesterday showed Teesside hospital trusts again failed to meet A&E waiting time targets last week.

Hospital trusts are expected to see 95% of patients within four hours of their A&E attendance.

But both South and North Tees have been missing the target.

Up to the week ending January 4, South Tees, which operates James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough and the Friarage in Northallerton, hit 91.7%.

North Tees achieved 91.8%.

South Tees has now missed the target for the eighth week running, and North Tees for a fourth.

Both trusts said the figures reflect the pressures which have been put on their emergency departments.

In response to postponed operations, a spokesman for South Tees NHS Foundation Trust said: “We appreciate this is distressing for patients and their families – and it is frustrating for staff – but we are trying to keep any disruption to our elective (planned) programme to a minimal.

“We’re working hard to get patients back into hospital for their surgery as soon as beds become available.”

Chief operating officer and deputy chief executive of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust Julie Gillon said: “The whole of the trust has been under intense pressure for a number of weeks now. This week a small number of planned operations have been postponed. However, no urgent or cancer procedures have been cancelled. All patients were given notice and their operations will be rescheduled at the earliest possible date.

“The decision to cancel any operation is not taken lightly and we are very sorry for those patients who are affected by this.”

Wish: Middlebeck Juniors hope for help in getting kitted out for the winter

A group of young footballers showed they think of others as well as helping their teammates when they raised cash.

Middlebeck Juniors took part in last year’s Gazette Wish campaign but made sure they were not the only ones to benefit from the fundraising bid.

For while they spend half of the money they received by collecting tokens from the Gazette they gave the rest of the cash to the Help the Heroes charity.

Now they have signed up for this year’s Wish campaign hoping to raise funds for the club - and they are hoping Gazette readers will help.

John Poole, from the club, said: “We are a local junior football team trying to keep kids off the streets and to enjoy football and keep active.

“We are hoping to raise money this year to buy sports equipment and tracksuits for the kids for the upcoming cold weather.

“Last year it went on football equipment and half went to Help the Heroes.”

Every year the Gazette’s Wish campaign gives away thousands of pounds to not-for-profit groups organisations benefiting the Teesside community.

Each registered group will be guaranteed a share of our £40,000 fund.

The more tokens a group collects, the bigger its share of the prize pot.

Tokens are now appearing daily in The Gazette. The last token will appear on January 21.

Submissions for tokens will close at 5pm on Monday, February 23.

To help Middlebeck Juniors send your tokens to them at: 15 Kimberly Drive, Pallister Park, Middlesbrough, TS3 8QL.

Billingham Stars up for cup and league derby double header this weekend

Billingham Stars face two very different encounters this weekend as they travel to English Premier League leaders The Tigers for their final British Challenge Cup fixture this afternoon, followed by a National Ice Hockey League (North) Moralee Division One clash with Whitley Warriors at the Forum tomorrow night.

While the priority for Billingham is undoubtedly the league, the Ultimate Windows Stars intend to ice the strongest squads possible.

The team is on the road to wellness after a bout of flu hit them hard in last weekend’s 5-4 defeat at Solway Sharks, however the Teessiders will still be without key players.

Jamie Pattison and Garry Dowd have still not fully recovered from their shoulder and hand injuries and will not play, while Andy Finn and Andy Munroe are both unavailable for today’s game in Telford.

Mark Watson returns to the squad, and young Under-18s defenceman Will Robson will be called up to partner the experienced Richie Thornton at the back.

Billingham general manager Allen Flavell is expecting an action-packed weekend.

“Our last Challenge Cup fixture couldn’t be tougher – taking on the Tigers on their own ice when we’re short at the back will require a massive effort.

“But we have already shown on many occasions this season that we’re more than capable of putting up a good performance against them.

“Tomorrow is another story entirely – we need the league points and so do Whitley.

“The league table is very tight at the top with six out the seven teams still fighting it out.

“It’s sure to be a typical blood-and-thunder derby with plenty of action on and off the puck.

“The guys are returning to fitness after our illness troubles and everyone is up for a battle royal.”

The Tigers recently dropped their home town of Telford from their moniker and are running away with the EPL this season under new owners Red Touch Media.

The Shropshire outfit are also sitting pretty at the top of the Cup standings, and will remain so regardless of today’s result.

The Tigers expect to welcome back defenceman Dan Scott to their line-up after a goalmouth collision during a tie with Sheffield Steeldogs in early December left him with concussion.

Tyneside neighbours Whitley visit the Forum for the first time this season tomorrow evening with the league clash vital to both sides.

Just three points separate second from second-bottom, the tightest league competition for many years, and with the play-offs looming every point is critical.

The Warriors have started to find some form, coinciding with the return of prolific forward Adam Reynolds from injury, and saw off defending champions Solway Sharks 5-3 at Hillheads last Sunday.

Today’s cup game in Telford is a 5.30pm face-off, while tomorrow’s league derby starts at 6.30pm.

Tickets for the Whtiley game can be bought from Billingham Forum box office from 5.30pm on game night priced £8 adults, £5.50 concessions and £25 family (2+2).

Charlie Hebdo Suspects Killed, Market Shooter Dead

Two brothers believed behind Wednesday’s attack on the offices of French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo were killed on Friday, Agence France Presse reported, culminating a dramatic day in which France was shaken by two simultaneous hostage crises.

Police cornered brothers Cherif and Said Kouachi on Friday inside a printing house in the town of Dammartin-en-Goele near Charles de Gaulle International Airport, where the suspects had been holed up since Friday morning.

A hostage taken by the brothers in Dammartin-en-Goele was released before the siege. An employee at the printing house who was hiding in the building’s cafeteria was freed by police after the raid

A government source told Reuters that the Kouachis were killed after stepping out of the building and opening fire. The brothers had a loaded M82 rocket launcher, two Kalashnikov assault rifles and two automatic pistols, according to Paris prosecutor Francois Molins.

Police also raided a kosher supermarket in Paris, where a gunman identified as Amedy Coulibaly opened fire and took several people hostage. Molins said the gunman killed four people when he entered the supermarket. Four more were injured, officials said. An Israeli official said the police raid freed 15 hostages, according to The Associated Press. The gunman himself was killed in the police assault. Coulibaly was found with a Kalashnikov assault rifle and a Skorpion military pistol, according to Molins.