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Monday, April 01, 2013

Monday Links Part 1

From Ian:

PA, Jordan Ink Deal to 'Defend' Jerusalem Against 'Judaization'
Jordan, PA sign agreement confirming their "common goal to defending" Jerusalem and their opposition to so-called "Judaization" of city.
Jordan's King Abdullah II and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmud Abbas signed an agreement on Sunday confirming their "common goal to defending" Jerusalem and their opposition to efforts to “Judaize” the eternal capital of Israel.
What the Guardian didn’t tell you about Palestinian youths arrested in Hebron
The Guardian reader – as well as those who came across the story on B’Tselem’s YouTube Channel, and at other news sites which reported the story - would be forgiven for believing that Israeli security forces arbitrarily arrested innocent Palestinian children on their way to school.
However, here’s the rest of the story – the full picture which the Guardian will likely never report:
Report: Mashaal re-elected chief of Hamas Political Bureau
According to media reports earlier this year Mashaal did not intend to stand for re-election for the chairman position because he was eyeing the presidency of the PLO, currently chaired by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
‘Israel tracked Russian navy in Syria’
Espionage equipment hidden on an island across from the Syrian city of Tartus was being used to monitor Russian naval movements and Syrian troop movements, The Sunday Times reported on Sunday.
The devices were discovered earlier this month by fishermen on Ant Island, near a naval base Russia considers a strategic asset.
Kuwaiti man jailed for 2 years for "insulting" tweets
A Kuwaiti man has been sentenced to two years in prison for "insulting tweets" by Kuwait’s lower court. Hamad Al Khalidi, known as an "opposition tweeter" was given two years in jail on charges of insulting the Gulf state’s ruler, The Commentator has learned.
“Al Khalidi has been sentenced to two years in jail with immediate effect,” the director of the Kuwait Society for Human Rights, Mohammad Al Humaidi, said on his Twitter account. The story swiftly follows the news that a Palestinian man was sentenced to six months in prison for an insulting Facebook "like" directed at Palestinian Authority officials.
Saudi Arabia may try to end anonymity for Twitter users
Saudi Arabia may try to end anonymity for Twitter users in the country by limiting access to the site to people who register their identification documents, the Arab News daily reported on Saturday.
Last week, local media reported the government had asked telecom companies to look at ways they could monitor, or block, free internet phone services such as Skype.
Saudi Arabia beheads murderer… and then CRUCIFIES his body
The execution, in the southern city of Jizan, was followed by crucifixion, a punishment used by the ultra-conservative country for serious crimes.
Iran blames Turkish soaps for divorce rise
Iran blamed steamy Turkish dramas for rising divorce rates in the country, saying that the TV shows have eroded the taboos surrounding divorce and have “destabilized the institution of family.”
According to The Sunday Times, Iran has the fourth-highest divorce rate in the world. In 2013 alone, the British newspaper said, Tehran saw a rise of 6% in couples who decided to call it quits.
The racist menace? Muslims declare victory in fight over ‘anti-Islamic’ Lego
Danish toy giant agrees to cease production of ‘Jabba’s Palace’ building set in light of complaints
Austria’s Turkish community claimed a victory in its fight against Danish toy giant Lego yesterday after the firm agreed to withdraw a Star Wars toy set featuring a mosque-like building inhabited by an obese, hookah–smoking alien, following complaints that it was anti-Muslim.