This morning’s key headlines from GenerationalDynamics.com.

* Pakistan threatens to sue BBC over documentary on helping Taliban

* Taliban essentially confirm support from high Pakistan officials

* Pakistan: American drone attacks are war crimes

* U.N. Security Council ends mandate for international military operations in Libya

* Iran’s chess champ expelled from tournament for refusing to play Israeli

Pakistan threatens to sue BBC over documentary on helping Taliban



The BBC’s recent investigative reports, involving interviews with Taliban commanders who claim that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency has been actively helping the Taliban conduct terrorist attacks against Americans in Afghanistan, has been strongly denied by a Pakistani army spokesman, who said that the ISI had itself suffered at the hands of al-Qaeda and its affiliates, saying about 300 officials had died in attacks. “You think it is sane for any intelligence operator to harbor people who’ll attack its own men?” he said. He also claimed that Pakistan was being used as a scapegoat for the situation in Afghanistan, and he threatened legal action against the BBC. BBC

Taliban essentially confirm support from high Pakistan officials

The Taliban in Afghanistan have issued an unprecedented condolence statement on the death of Maulana Abdul Ghani, a top right-wing Pakistani politician, who died in a car crash on Wednesday. Ghani was an influential figure in Pakistan’s government, but the Taliban statement said that he was a “martyr for the cause of jihad” and that it would be difficult to replace him. the Taliban’s top leadership was in attendance at his funeral, along with hundreds of local citizens and Taliban foot soldiers. Later, a Taliban spokesman said that Maulana Ghani had shown what he called great courage in supporting the movement after the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. He added that the Maulana’s services and commitment for the cause of jihad would never be forgotten. BBC


Pakistan: American drone attacks are war crimes

As we recently reported, U.S. and Nato are shifting hundreds of troops, heavy arms and helicopter gunships to the Afghan border Pakistan, at the Waziristan tribal area. New media reports say that U.S. and Nato forces have completely sealed the border along North Waziristan, risking a major confrontation with Pakistan’s army. A large segment of Pakistan’s population believes that America is at war with Pakistan, and many believe that the American drone attacks that kill civilians are war crimes. Pakistan Observer

U.N. Security Council ends mandate for international military operations in Libya

The Security Council on Thursday ordered the end to authorized international military action in Libya, more than seven months after allowing United Nations member states to take “all necessary measures” to protect civilians during a popular uprising against the country’s former regime. The 15-member UN body unanimously passed a resolution ending the UN mandate allowing military intervention and terminating a no-fly zone over Libya that had also been imposed in March. The authorization will end on October 31. UN News Center

Iran’s chess champ expelled from tournament for refusing to play Israeli


Iran’s chess Grandmaster Ehsan Qaem Maqami

Iran’s policy that the “occupying Zionist regime of Israel” is not recognized has resulted in the expulsion of Iran’s chess champ, Grandmaster Ehsan Qaem Maqami, for refusing to play against Israeli player Ehud Sachar in an international tournament. Iranian athletes refuse to play against Israeli opponents in other sport fields as well. The 26-year old Qaem Maqami was named by the World Chess Federation as the most active and promoting player in 2004. Press TV (Tehran)