News and Analysis (9/13/13)

With the American public demanding a diplomatic solution in Syria, Reagan’s advice, “Trust but verify,” applies to both goose and gander:

• Kerry Calls Syria Chemical Weapons Talks ‘Constructive’ (BBC)
• John Kerry Rejects Syria’s Demand to Drop Threat of Military Force (abc News)
• Syria Says Now Full Member of Chemical Arms Pact, Doubts Persist (Reuters)
• U.S. Total of Syrian Gas Deaths Could Include Bomb Casualties – Sources (Reuters)

Last time it ended up being extended for over three decades:

• Egypt Extends State of Emergency by Two Months (Reuters)

“The Council on American-Islamic Relations wrote a letter this week to Walmart executive William S. Simon expressing hope that the retail giant will accept an apology from the employee, Terry Earsing, “and if possible provide him employment’”:

• Muslim Groups Asks Walmart to Re-hire Manager Fired over Facebook Posting  (Buffalo News)

A judge reverses himself on face veils in court and Birmingham Metropolitan College reverses itself on face veils in the school:

• Judge Allows Muslim Woman to Wear Niqab in London Court (Guardian)

• College Drops Ban on Muslim Students Wearing Religious Veils After Public Outcry (Daily Mail)

“Amid an international outcry over [officially denied] reports that an eight-year-old girl died of internal bleeding on the night she wed a 40-year-old man”:

• Yemeni Minister Seeks Law to End Child Marriage (BBC)

“El-Heni’s lawyer … said the detention order was issued without hearing her client’s side of the story. El-Heni said on TV that the prosecutor himself should be charged for detaining someone without basis”:

• Tunisian Journalist Detained for Critical Comment (AP / abc News)

A “day after the funeral of a 22-year-old protester whose death at a protest has reignited anti-government anger in Turkey” clashes have spread from Hatay to “parts of Ankara and Istanbul”:

• Turkey Police Clash With Protesters for 3rd Night (AP / abc News)

“The MNLF signed a peace agreement with the government in 1996 that led to the creation of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. But some of its members continued to fight, claiming Manila did not hold up its end of the deal to develop the impoverished, rural region”:

• Philippine Muslim Rebels Attack 2nd Province  (VoA)

“Rouhani, who was elected in June, has said Iran will be more transparent and less confrontational in talks with the six powers – the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany. But he made clear earlier on Friday he is only ready to go so far, indicating Iran would not give up its right to enrich uranium”:

• Iran’s Rouhani Says Wants Nuclear Issue Resolved, but Draws Lines (Reuters)

ImadadDean