Submariners World News SitRep

Pakistani police arrest suspects in shooting of activist schoolgirl

Pakistani police arrested suspects connected to the shooting of 14-year-old Malala Yousafzai, who was attacked by the Taliban after publicly promoting education for women. At least three suspects, between 17 and 22 years of age, reportedly spoke about the man who organized the Tuesday attack that also injured two other young girls. That man is still at large, police said. On Friday, Pakistanis nationwide observed a day of prayer for Yousafzai’s recovery. She was transferred to a military hospital in Rawalpindi on Thursday, and doctors said her progress over the next few days will be “critical.”

Somali pirates claim Greek-owned ship freed on $5.7mln ransom

Somali pirates released the Greek-owned bulk carrier Free Goddess and its 21 Filipino crewmembers after holding the vessel hostage for more than eight months. Andrew Mwangura, the secretary general of the Seafarers Union of Kenya, announced on Friday that the pirates’ ransom demand was air-dropped onto the vessel on October 10. The Liberian-flagged ship is heading to Salalah, Oman, for fuel, fresh water and a change of crew, Mwangura told Reuters. The pirates, who reportedly held the ship at their haven in Garad, Puntland, claimed they “took [a] $5.7 million ransom,” a figure that was not independently confirmed.

Netanyahu denies Golan pullout peace agreement

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied a report on Friday claiming he had agreed in principle to hand back the Golan Heights, which the country annexed from Syria. The Yedioth Ahronoth daily newspaper quoted unidentified US documents purporting that Netanyahu had expressed readiness two years ago to do so. Netanyahu's office said the suggested withdrawal was a US initiative that Israel never accepted, Reuters reported. Syria has long set a complete withdrawal from the Golan Heights as a condition for peace with Israel. The Jewish state captured the strategic plateau in a 1967 war, and annexed it in 1981.

Iraq buys 28 Czech training jets for $1 billion

Iraq will buy 28 Czech-made L-159 training jets valued at a total of $1 billion, a Czech defense ministry spokesperson said on Friday. The deal included 24 new planes and four older army surplus aircraft, spokesperson Jan Pejsek told AFP. The agreement was finalized this week during Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki’s two-day visit to Prague.

Egyptian judges back prosecutor despite Morsi’s call for his removal

On Friday, an influential group of Egyptian judges backed state prosecutor Abdel Maguid Mahmud's refusal to resign, despite President Mohamed Morsi’s call for his removal. Morsi relieved Mahmud of the top prosecution job on Thursday and appointed him ambassador to the Vatican to allay public anger over the acquittals of Mubarak-era officials, AFP reported. Ahmed al-Zind, head of the Judges' Club, said the judiciary was backing Mahmud to demonstrate “the sovereignty of the law and the principle of separation of powers.” The judges plan to hold an emergency meeting “to confront the current crisis that aims at harming the judiciary.”

Iran army prepared ‘to deter any invasion’ – supreme leader

The Iranian military is prepared to counter any “thoughts of invasion” by its adversaries, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Friday. Iran would never “give in” to foreign attacks or any “act of aggression,” state TV quoted him as saying. During a visit to an army base in northeast Iran, Khamenei also said that Tehran’s readiness has limited its enemies’ “appetite for attacking Iran.”

Tunisia leaves blasphemy clause out of new constitution

A proposal by Tunisia’s Islamist ruling party to outlaw blasphemy in the country’s new constitution will be dropped from the final text, Assembly speaker Mustapha Ben Jaafar said on Friday. The agreement between the three parties in the ruling coalition must be approved by the committees drafting the constitution, AFP said. In July, the party announced a plan to criminalize attacks on religious values. Civil society groups and national media warned the move could lead to new restrictions on freedom of expression.

Japan’s TEPCO admits Fukushima nuclear crisis was avoidable

Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO), the Japanese utility service behind the nuclear disaster in 2011, acknowledged for the first time that it could have avoided the Fukushima crisis. TEPCO said on Friday it knew safety improvements were needed before last year's tsunami triggered three meltdowns, but hesitated to implement them due to “the political, economic and legal consequences,” the AP reported. The company has defended its preparedness and crisis management protocols in the wake of the March 2011 disaster.

Botswana High Court allows women to inherit family home

The Botswana High Court ruled to allow women to inherit family homes, overturning the country’s traditionalist laws. The previous law contradicted the country’s constitution, which defends equality between men and women, the court said. The verdict was rendered following a complaint from Edith Mmusi and her three sisters, after their nephew attempted to inherit their house. Similar prohibitions against female inheritances are now being outlawed in other African states.

Deal proposed in S. African trucking strike

South Africa’s Road Freight Employers Association may settle with the more than 20,000 truckers who went on strike last month. The Transport and Allied Workers' Union called the deal “a possibility,” as strikers are demanding a 12 percent pay raise, the AP said. If signed, the agreement would end a strike that could disrupt the country’s supplt of consumer goods and gas.

Qatar calls on UN to back Syria no-fly zone, denies arms

On Friday, Qatar’s foreign minister denied that his country is supplying Syrian rebels with arms or funds to buy weapons. Khalid Bin Mohammad al-Attiyah also urged the UN to create a buffer or no-fly zone over Syria, the AP said. The minister, currently visiting Tokyo, said that Qatar is providing Syrian rebels with food and medicine. Qatar and Saudi Arabia earlier called for an international effort to arm and assist rebels in Syria.

US ‘creates obstacles’ in 6-state Iran talks – Tehran

Nuclear talks between Tehran and a six-nation group have been hindered by the US, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ramin Mehmanparast said. “The US… only creates obstacles in the progress of negotiations between Iran and P5+1,” Mehmanparast said during a Thursday meeting on the sidelines of the tenth Eurasian Media Forum (EAMF) in Astana, Kazakhstan. The group includes Britain, China, France, Russia, the US and Germany. The official claimed that Washington obstructed the negotiations whenever they yielded positive results, Press TV reported. Mehmanparast also noted that the US possesses a huge stockpile of nuclear weapons.

S. Africa’s Zuma under fire for lavish home renovations

South African President Jacob Zuma has become embroiled in controversy over costly renovations to his private rural residence in a country where millions lack adequate living conditions. The additions reportedly included new security fences, a medical clinic and firefighting services, the AP said. The government did not disclose the cost of the work on Zuma's countryside home, but local reports estimated it at around $23 million. Zuma's standing was also shaken by the recent police killings of 34 striking platinum miners.

Earthquake rocks eastern Japan, no tsunami warning

An earthquake that registered at magnitude 5 in preliminary estimates hit eastern Japan on Friday, NHK reported. No injuries or damage was reported, and authorities did not issue a tsunami warning.

Two foreigners kidnapped in Afghanistan

­Taliban militants abducted a man and a woman, reportedly American and Canadian citizens, in Afghanistan’s Ghazni province, Pajhwok news agency said. Afghan authorities believe the two were traveling by car to the country’s capital Kabul when their vehicle was stopped in the Saidabad district. A Taliban warlord operating in the province confirmed the capture of two foreign nationals, but did not reveal their identities. The head of Saidabad’s public health department, Baz Mohammad Khimat, told Pajhwok that the unidentified body of a woman in her twenties dressed in Afghan clothes was found not far from where the kidnapping took place.

Chavez rival Capriles launches Miranda governorship reelection bid

Venezuelan opposition leader Henrique Capriles has launched a reelection bid for his state governor post after losing to Hugo Chavez in the country’s presidential election. Capriles is running as the incumbent against Chavez’s former vice president, Elias Jaua, in Miranda state’s December 16 elections. Capriles told supporters on Thursday that his government showed “efficiency and transparency,” and alleged his opponent would bring corruption, the AP said. Capriles also said that no one should feel “pessimistic” after his loss in the presidential election.

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Ashanti crown jewels stolen in Norway

­The Ashanti crown jewels have been stolen from the West African people's king in Norway. Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II of the Ashanti Kingdom claims that the inherited jewels had been stolen from him in the lobby of the downtown Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel on Thursday. The monarch is in Norway to take part in a business conference. Police have classified the theft as a high priority case. The Ashanti Empire in western Africa has ceased to exist in the late nineteenth century due to European colonization. Today the Ashanti monarchy continues as a constitutionally protected, sub-national traditional state in Akanland, which is now Ghana.

Sixteen children injured in California bus crash

­Sixteen children and the bus driver have been injured after a school bus carrying 40 children overturned after colliding with a U-Haul truck in Victorville, California. Two of the children suffered "serious but non-life threatening" injuries and were taken to Loma Linda University Medical Center, a California Highway Patrol spokesman said. Ten others were also transported to hospitals, while another four were treated at the scene. The incident happened shortly after 2 pm as the children going home from school.

Strong earthquake shakes Indonesia, small possibility of tsunami

­A 6.7-magnitude earthquake has shaken eastern Indonesia. Authorities said there was a small possibility of a tsunami. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

Thousands march in Mali in support of foreign military intervention

­Several thousand people have marched in Mali's capital Bamako to call for an armed intervention by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to wrest the country’s northern region from militant Islamists. The demonstrators carried banners supporting the Malian army, Prime Minister Cheick Modibo Diarra and the ECOWAS, which is preparing to send its troops to to the country. Meanwhile, French President Francois Hollande said on Thursday that he wants a draft Security Council resolution proposed by France to lay the groundwork for an intervention in northern Mali by African forces. A March 22 coup allowed Islamists, who are applying hardline Islamic sharia law, to take control of Mali's northern cities.

Seven Royal Marines arrested in murder inquiry

­Seven British Royal Marines have been arrested by the Royal Military Police on suspicion of murder following an incident which occurred after "an engagement with an insurgent" in Afghanistan in 2011, the Ministry of Defence said. “There were no civilians involved,” the statement said. “The investigation will now be taken forward and dealt with by the service justice system.” The arrests prove the determination of the Department and the Armed Forces to ensure all UK personnel act in accordance with “their rules of engagement and our standards,” the ministry’s spokesman said. He refused to give any other comments while the investigation is underway.