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A huge crowd of anti-US protesters took to the streets in Karachi to denounce the killing of two motorcycle riders in the city of Lahore by a US consular official. Pakistani police have charged the diplomat with double murder. According to a provincial minister, the US official believed the two intended to rob him. A pedestrian was also killed by a speeding car from the US consulate. These demonstrators are protesting against the recent killings in Lahore by the US diplomats and for the immediate release of Afia siddiqui, an American-educated neuroscientist who was sentenced to 86 years in jail in the US after being convicted of trying to kill an American soldier. Anti-US sentiments run high in Pakistan. American drone attacks are another source of growing anger at the US and its policies. Over one thousand civilian have been killed so far in these attacks. Pakistani media speculate that the consulate official charged with the murder of two Pakistani citizens is an agent of the notorious US private security firm, XE (Zee) services formerly known as Blackwater. Muhammad Aslam Tarin, Lahore Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) says the men who were shot dead had no previous criminal records, adding that none of them had robbed or fired at the diplomat. The US embassy in Islamabad confirmed that Davis was a consular worker but said it was still trying to work out with the police what had happened. What does US government say? Washington is apparently wary of the rising anti-American sentiment in Pakistan given its strategic partnership with Islamabad, but analysts remain skeptical about the strength and future of US ties with regional nations. After all, many Pakistanis say they view the United States with suspicion or outright enmity because of what they call Washington's interfering policies in the Muslim world.

The US official identified by police as Raymond Davis shot dead two men riding on a motorcycle in Lahore on Thursday in what he claimed was self-defense during an attempted robbery. A third Pakistani was run over and killed in the incident after being hit by a US consulate vehicle rushing to the scene to the American's aid. The US embassy in Islamabad has confirmed the man involved was a consular official and says it is carrying out an investigation. Trying to avoid an anti-American reaction, US State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said Thursday that Washington will fully cooperate with Pakistani authorities and will explain about the incident to the Pakistani people. Pakistani media say the US embassy official charged with the murder of two Pakistani citizens is an agent for the notorious security firm, Blackwater.

This was the last footage we received of Press TV correspondent Hassan Ghani reporting from the Freedom Wave, two boats led by groups from Canada and Ireland, attempting to break the siege on Gaza and get aid to the impoverished strip. Several hours later, Hassan tells us the boat is being surrounded. As we wrap up the conversation just 5 minutes later, the situation intensifies. That's the last we heard from Hassan. Israel raided the flotilla, and arrested those on board. They are now in Israeli jail. We spoke to Hassan's father Haq for the latest he's heard from his son. Hassan was also aboard the Mavi Marmara that was attacked by the Israeli Military, leaving nine people dead. He was arrested and warned never to return. This time he was on-board with former press TV journalist Jihan Hafiz who was reporting for U-S based democracy now and other journalists too. Gazan journalist and activist Sameh Habeeb says the Israeli action is all a part of the siege strategy. Israel had called the freedom wave a provocation and a threat to its national security. We contacted the foreign office who told us that a consular officer will be visiting Hassan again Sunday morning, that all detainees were moved quickly through the port and immigration to a detention center and that Hassan had called his arrest “extremely objectionable in principle”. They say it is very likely that Hassan will be deported from Israel soon. But for now he remains a journalist in an Israeli prison for no other reason than doing his job. And the status of those on board with him remains unclear.

[13 Sept 2012] Iranian diplomats return home from Canada - English

Britain\'s foreign secretary says bilateral relations with Iran are improving and that the UK plans to continue the expansion of ties provided that it remains reciprocal. William Hague added that Tehran and London are working together to make it easier for Iranian and British citizens to obtain consular and visa services. However, the foreign secretary said sanctions against Tehran would remain intact and will be enforced robustly. On nuclear negotiations between Iran and the P5+1, Hague said last week\'s talks were constructive. He said the two sides plan to meet monthly with the next round of talks due in Vienna mid-March.