Massive Strike in India, High Political Cost for Government
Tens of millions of Indians took to the streets today to challenge the government’s decision to increase the price of diesel fuel and allow foreign multinationals into retail commerce.
In an unusual confluence of opinion, leaders and supporters of both left and right parties, and even political forces allied with the government, obeyed the call for a national strike that was felt in varying degrees in all major cities.
Service and production companies, businesses, governmental offices and even schools were closed, while passenger service by bus and rail became totally or partially paralyzed in most states, including Haryana, which surrounds the capital.
In addition, in many places protesters blocked roads, burning tires and other barriers, and took over train stations.
The secretary general of the Confederation of Indian Merchants, Praveen Khandelwal, told reporters that the protests involved about 50 million business owners and street hawkers.
The Confederation of Indian Industry estimated the damages in the areas of production, trade and services in general at more than two billion dollars.
French Muslims to Take Legal Action Against Prophet Cartoons
A French Islamic organization will sue satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo over the publication of cartoons mocking Prophet Mohammed, local media reported Thursday.
The Union of Islamic Organisations of France announced it would take legal actions “against the weekly, probably for incitement to racial hatred,” Radio France Internationale said in its website report.
The French magazine on Wednesday portrayed the Prophet naked in cartoons, a move that could fuel further Muslims furor over the broadcast of a U.S. anti-Islam movie that triggered deadly protest in some Muslim countries.
French police arrested a young Islamist who intended to attack the satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo for publishing the offensive cartoons.
Muslim academic Tariq Ramadan called for calm on Thursday. He told Europe 1 radio that “the only worthy attitude faced with the provocation of those who want to spread Islamophobia in France or with Charlie Hebdo, which wants to ride this wave, is to ignore these attacks and look beyond them, saying we’re French we are for the future of France.”
French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault on Wednesday pointed out that “anyone really offended in their beliefs” could take legal action if they feel the law has been broken, but he also stressed that “freedom of express is guaranteed” in France.
European Affairs Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said those who benefit from free speech should also have a spirit of ethics and responsibility.
Local media reported that French police have banned demonstrations against the cartoons and the controversial film Innocence of Muslims as a precautionary measure after calls circulated on social networks to protest over the movie.
Authorities also ordered the closure of its diplomatic offices and schools in 20 countries on Friday, fearing violent demonstrations after Muslim prayers.
In November 2011, the French satirical weekly’s office was set on fire after publishing a caricature ridiculing Prophet Mohammed. Muslims consider any representation of Allah or Prophet Mohammad as highly offensive.
14 Dead, More Injured in Mogadishu Bar Suicide Attack
At least 14 people were killed including three journalists and a number of Somali government officials and many others injured in two suicide attacks on a bar on Thursday in the Somali capital Mogadishu, officials and witnesses said.
“So far we know that 14 people are dead and many many more are injured. We are working to help get the injured to the hospital. The number can increase,” Mohamed Harun, a police officer at the site of the explosion, told reporters.
Witnesses said two suicide bombers came to the site with one armed with a gun and sprayed bullets at the customers at the Village Cafe before detonating his explosives. Another detonated his explosives in another part of the Cafe.
The bar in the Hamarweyne district is frequented by Somali government officials and journalists.
The three slain journalists include Liban Ali Nur, a prominent figure with Somalia’s National Television and Radio Mogadishu. Seven more were injured in the blast at the heart of Somali capital.
This is the second attack since new President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud was elected on Sept. 10. So far no group has claimed responsibility for the blast, which is similar to many by Al- Shabaab rebels against government targets.
Mogadishu has been relatively stable since Al-Shabaab was forced to pull out in August 2011 in the aftermath of major offensives by African Union peacekeeping troops and Somali government forces.
The Al-Qaida affiliated radical group has launched a series of suicide attacks in the capital Mogadishu even since.
Via PL