Mahmoud al-Mabhoud, the founder of the militant wing of Hamas and a central go-between with Iran has been assassinated in a Dubai hotel. Mr. Mabhouh allegedly organized the capture and killing of two Israeli soldiers during the 1980s and had been imprisoned a number of times by Israel.Police in Dubai issued a statement saying that a "professional criminal gang" had been tracking Mr. Mabhoud since before his arrival in Dubai, traveled on European passports and left the country before the body was discovered. Reports of how Mr. Mabhoud was killed vary and include electrocution, suffocation and poison.
Hamas officials have indicated that they will retaliate against the state of Israel "in a suitable time and place."
______The Iranian flip-flop comes after Washington announced its commitment to upgrade missile defense in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. Late last week, the German multinational Siemens announced they would not seek future contracts within Iran under amplified U.S. pressure.
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U.S. drone strikes kill at least 17 and wounded scores more in the Dattakhel village in the Degan region of North Waziristan on Tuesday. Al-Jazeera's Kamal Hyder reported 19 missiles fired in coordination.
He said, "This would be the first time you get a coordinated attack by such a large group of drones since the attacks inside Pakistan began.
"Seventeen people have been reported killed. However, there is mounting fear that the death toll could be at least over two dozen or even cross 30."
The Long War Journal reports that five unmanned strike aircraft (Reapers and Predator drones) were involved in the attack. There are no estimates of civilian casualties.
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A portion of Ghandi's ashes were scattered into the sea off the coast of South Africa today by his family. The ceremony was attended by roughly 200 people on boats to mark the 62nd anniversary of the icon's death.
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