SHAFAQNA

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) -- one of the most dismal is that the idea of two states, Israeli and Palestinian, co-existing peacefully side by side is dead and should be buried. In the past four years on Barack Obama’s watch it has certainly been moribund. The Palestinian leadership has been divided, with Fatah in the West Bank weak and hesitant and Hamas in Gaza unyielding and occasionally violent. But most of the blame falls on Israel’s prime minister, Binyamin…

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) -- The episode, which was filmed in 2001, was shown on the BBC before 0900 GMT. In the scene, the character Max appeared in a blonde wig, wearing Savile's trademark tracksuits and using his accent and catchphrases. Police say DJ and presenter Savile sexually abused hundreds of people during 60 years in entertainment. The BBC said: "This morning CBeebies broadcast a repeat of an episode of the Tweenies, originally made in 2001, featuring a character…

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) -- Investigators will perform a second autopsy on Urooj Khan in an inquiry into his death at 46. Khan died in July before he could collect the $425,000 (£267,000) payout. His death was initially attributed to natural causes. But after a concerned relative contacted authorities, tests showed he had been poisoned and police launched a homicide investigation. On Friday morning helicopters hovered over a cemetery as the exhumation got under way. Several trucks, police cars…

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) -- This may be the strangest twist in a tale overflowing with strangeness. Manti Te'o's deceased girlfriend tweeted late Wednesday night. On a Twitter account -- not verified, naturally -- the "girlfriend" said the "myths" about the story that have sports fans scratching their heads will be addressed Thursday. The Twitter account appears to have deleted all the previous messages sent to Te'o and seems to have been created Thursday. It is unclear if the same person…

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) -- Defense Secretary Leon Panetta fired off a strong defense of gun control legislation Thursday, in front of a decidedly skeptical audience. Speaking to about 150 members of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Panetta said steps can be taken to protect kids in school without undermining the Second Amendment. "Who the hell needs armor-piercing bullets except you guys in battle?" Panetta told the soldiers at the U.S. Army Garrison Vicenza in northern Italy. "For the…

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) --  The organization is working to protect young couples who are threatened by family and community members over differing religions and social statuses. The Love Commandos taking couples in at a string of shelters, saving them from honor killings, which still happen in India www.shafaqna.com/English  

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) --  The baby expected by Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, is due in July, St. James' Palace announced Monday. "Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to confirm they are expecting a baby in July," the palace said in a statement. “The duchess' condition continues to improve since her stay in hospital last month,” it added. The former Kate Middleton was admitted to London's King Edward VII Hospital…

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) --  South Korea's most prestigious music awards show takes place later in Malaysia. Psy, who had the worldwide hit "Gangnam style", will be performing. The South Korean government is hoping his success will help sell more of the country's music across the globe. www.shafaqna.com/English

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) --  The court in Milan also decided they did not need to hear testimony from Moroccan club dancer Karima El Mahroug. Mr Berlusconi's lawyers requested the trial be halted during elections, where he is standing for prime minister. Both he and Ms Mahroug have denied ever having sex. Sex with a prostitute who is under 18 is a crime in Italy. Mr Berlusconi is standing in the election, after stepping down from a third term…

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) --  It reads like the plot of a whodunit – a lottery winner poisoned so skilfully that the death is not viewed as suspicious, until a mysterious caller urges the medical examiner to look again. Urooj Khan was an immigrant success story, an Indian who came to the United States and started a small chain of dry-cleaning businesses in Chicago. He also dabbled in real-estate, renting out a number of condominiums he owned, but struggled with…