Historic mosque bombed in southern India
A bomb exploded in a historic mosque in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad. At least five people have been killed and fifteen injured in the Mecca Mosque, where over one thousand people had gathered for Friday prayers. Hyderabad is a historically Muslim-dominated city.
Mumbai bombings sentencing begins
An Indian court has begun sentencing 100 alleged terrorists for their involvement in the deadly blasts in Mumbai in 1993, which killed 257 people. The first five were handed three year jail terms. The attack was carried out by elements of Mumbai's murky underground crime world, then dominated by Muslims who sought revenge for communal flare-ups. Also facing sentencing is Sanjay Dutt, a Bollywood film star who had in his possession fire-arms belonging to the organisers of the blast. Dawood Ibrahim, the suspected mastermind of the blast, has eluded capture; Indian officials accuse Pakistan of harbouring him, a charge that Islamabad vehemently denies.
"Al-Qaida in Afghanistan?"
Messages left by the suicide bombers who attacked a hotel in the Pakistani city of Peshawar earlier this week have led Pakistani investigators to trace responsibility for the blasts to a little known group called "The Base of Holy War from the place of Khurasan", or "Al-Qaida in Afghanistan".
A suicide bomber struck the convoy of the governor of the Afghan province of Kandahar, injuring dozens and killing at least three civilians.
Pardon for former Taliban ally
A Pashtun border warrior, formerly tied to the Taliban, has "renounced terrorism" and pledged loyalty to the Pakistani government. Maulvi Faqir Mohammed played a large part in recent offensives against Uzbek militants sheltering in the rugged border areas of northwest Pakistan. His alliance with Islamabad is part of Pakistan's broader strategy of allowing Pashtun tribes a degree of autonomy in the hope that they'll sever links with foreign terrorist and militant groups.
After enduring a weekend of bloodshed reminiscent of the dark days of the 1990s, residents of the coastal Pakistani metropolis of Karachi are worried that growing internal tensions in Pakistan will manifest in continued local violence. Karachi is divided roughly along "ethnic" lines, divisions which have bred a history of strain and strife.
Outrage over sentence change
Turkish commentators have expressed outrage over the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the 40 year sentence on two paramilitary officers, guilty of setting of bombs in the largely Kurdish city of Semdlini. The bombing is viewed by many as evidence of Turkey's "deep state"; even without the direct sanction of the government, elements affiliated with the state apparatus take it upon themselves to flex the arm of the state. Deploring the court's decision, one critic laments, "If there is a military uniform involved, there can't be 'terrorism'".
Two major Turkish secular parties, the Republican People's Party and the Democratic Left Party, have joined forces in a coalition aiming to defeat the ruling, moderate "Islamist" Justice and Peace party. Secularists have staged mass rallies across Turkey in recent weeks protesting against the ruling party's perceived "Islamist" agenda.
Niger rebel group rages against state neglect
After a spate of attacks in recent weeks, a largely ethnic Tuareg rebel group has claimed responsibility and defended its actions by accusing the government of the world's poorest country of neglect and corruption. Defence analysts in the west have expressed concern that instability in the Sahara is allowing the creation of Islamist havens in the desert.
Lebanon: haven for militants?
Lebanon is suffering a crippling breakdown of security that is allowing foreign Islamist militants of all stripes to take shelter in the country. Residents and analysts fear that the increasing presence of such militants may return Lebanon to the dark days of its long and bloody civil war.
Israeli aircraft killed 7 Palestinians in attacks on Gaza.
OIC urges Gaza UN intervention
The transnational Muslim body the Organisation of the Islamic Conference has demanded UN intervention in Gaza to end the internecine strife between Fatah and Hamas fighters, and to prevent further Israeli attacks on the Palestinian territory.
Low turnout in Algerian elections
Algeria witnessed the lowest election turnout in its history - just over 36% - which was even lower than the previous record low set in 2002. Voter apathy is on the rise in Algeria as the country faces a rise in Islamist violence.
Blast in the Philippines
Dozens were injured when a bomb ripped through a bus terminal in the southern Philippines in the city of Cotabato. The south of the country has endured a spate of violence in recent weeks between the military and a number of Islamist groups.
Zimbabwe points finger at Australia
Zimbabwean officials have accused Australia of supporting anti-government <"terrorists" and interfering in Zimbabwe's internal affairs. Australia funds aid organisations working in southern Africa.
Policeman escapes nine year FARC captivity
A Colombian policeman has managed to escape nine years of captivity in the custody of leftist guerrillas FARC.
