Saturday 13 December 2014

17 dead, 91 missing in landslide





  • At least 17 dead, 91 missing after Friday landslide in Indonesia's Java island

  • At least 105 houses in Sampang village were buried, state news agency reports

  • Video shows water still rushing along landslide path Saturday




Jakarta, Indonesia (CNN) -- Dozens of men stood in fresh mud in an Indonesian valley laid waste just hours before by sliding earth, one by one struggling to pass what appeared to be a body bag up a hill.


Volunteers, police and rescuers sifted through smashed homes and other debris in the mountainous, central portion of Java island on Saturday, one day after a landslide that authorities said killed at least 17 people.


Heavy rains in recent days triggered a rush of mud, rocks and trees from the mountains overlooking Java's Banjarnegara District on Friday evening. At least 91 people were missing, the country's disaster management agency said.


Another 15 people were injured, 11 of them seriously. The landslide buried at least 105 houses in and near Sampang village, the Antara state news agency reported.


Video from local television showed muddy water still rushing along paths of the landslide Saturday. A wall of newly fallen earth -- at least 15 feet tall, judging by the men standing at the base -- blocked a paved road.


Elsewhere, people tried to gather belongings from a wooden house that had been torn open by the debris.


Still more footage showed dozens of people, some crying, gathered Friday night at a hospital where injured had been taken.


The military, local Red Cross officials, police, volunteers, and the national search and rescue agency joined in a rescue mission in the affected area, the disaster management agency said. But it was later suspended due to pouring rain.


Friday's landslide came a day after two other slides killed two people in or near Banjarnegara District, Antara reported. One of Thursday's slides, in Banjarnegara's Wanayasa area, displaced more than 350 people, according to the state news outlet.


Landslides and flash floods are seasonal occurrences in the Southeast Asia archipelago, where mountainous terrain and heavy rains make for prime slide conditions.


Satellite data appears to show parts of central Java have received about 200 millimeters (7.9 inches) of rain so far this month. That would be roughly the amount that the area gets on average the entire month of December.


More showers are expected in the area in the next three days.


It wasn't clear exactly how much rain fell Friday in Banjarnegara District. But about 95 kilometers (60 miles) to the southwest, some 108 millimeters (4.25 inches) of rainfall was reported in the Java port city of Cilicap on Friday.


Fury of rain moves rocks, mud in Southern California, burying homes


CNN's Kathy Quiano reported from Jakarta and Jason Hanna reported and wrote from Atlanta. CNN Meteorologist Judson Jones and CNN's Ben Brumfield contributed to this report.



Rape story triggers turmoil at UVA





  • A Rolling Stone story about a reported gang rape roiled the University of Virginia

  • That sparked weeks of turmoil on campus

  • The magazine later admitted flaws with the story




Charlottesville, Virginia (CNN) -- The University of Virginia school year began with a terribly sad story.


The disappearance of one of its most vulnerable — a student embarking on the rest of her life -- rocked the campus and attracted national news coverage.


Investigators say a man they have now connected to several heinous crimes against women abducted and killed Hannah Graham, an 18-year-old accomplished athlete and straight-A student. Her death sucked the carefree joy out of college life, especially for those who had just arrived for their first term.


The crime was a blunt reminder that campus is not a utopia of safety. It began a change in late-night behavior on and near campus -- the grounds, as they are called here. Some students said they started looking out for each other a bit more, checking to make sure friends got home safe.





New questions arise in UVA rape story




Campus rape accusations and civil rights




Student council pres.: I believe Jackie




Greek System Wants UVA Apology

So a few weeks later, on November 19, emotions were still raw on campus when Rolling Stone published a lengthy piece detailing the brutal gang rape of a woman on campus. It portrayed the university as cold, tolerant of awful behavior -- certainly not safe for women.


National news crews descended on the university again, but things were different this time. This story did not bring the community together, as had Graham's disappearance and death. This story divided the campus, as can happen when something catches a group of people and their way of life off guard.


Bombshell article rocks campus


On an unusually warm day in late November, the campus seemed unusually solemn.


There were no impromptu quad sport pickup games in sight, even though almost everyone was in shorts.


The most noise on the quaint and historic grounds came from a protests on the steps of the main administration building, where students held signs with slogans such as "She trusted you to do the right thing" and "UVrApe." Inside, the university's governing board discussed what to do in light of the damning Rolling Stone story.


At a bagel shop around the corner, the story dominated a quiet conversation among three young women -- one defensive, one unsure and a third, silent.


"This will blow over in two weeks," one said.


Some at the bagel shop bristled at the idea that their university posed more danger to women than any other college.


"The article made it seem like it was a UVA-only problem and that people were accepting of it," said Sam Mirzai, a first-year who had just finished eating breakfast with a friend. "I think that's blatantly untrue."


Others said they felt the university had for too long ignored an obvious problem by never expelling a single student for assault, even when they admitted to it. Graffiti showed up near Rugby Road, where the fraternity houses are. A concrete barrier reads "Save the party, end rape." Someone vandalized the fraternity house of Phi Kappa Psi, where the allegedly gang rape purportedly happened.


The university administration reacted to the article swiftly.


First, the university suspended Greek life for the rest of the semester. Suddenly there were no more fraternity parties on Friday and Saturday night. The college demanded that police investigate.


University President Teresa Sullivan announced a zero-tolerance policy toward sexual assault.


"There's a piece of our culture that is broken and I ask you to come together as a strong and resilient community and to fix it," she said.


As students moved into Thanksgiving break, it seemed like things might calm down. Police worked their case. Advocates on campus were grateful for attention they felt was long overdue. Students studied for final exams and got ready for a break after the tumultuous semester.





Rolling Stone alters apology for story




Rolling Stone editors reviewing mistakes




Is 'Rolling Stone' blaming rape victim?

Then Rolling Stone shocked everyone -- again.


The ripple effects of sloppy journalism


Two weeks after publishing the chilling account of a student's rape in a fraternity house, Rolling Stone apologized under pressure from the Washington Post, which was scrutinizing its reporting methods.


The magazine admitted that its writer had not contacted the man who allegedly orchestrated the attack on Jackie -- the woman who said she was assaulted. It said the writer didn't contact any of the men that Jackie claimed participated in the attack for fear that they would retaliate against her.


"In the face of new information, there now appear to be discrepancies in Jackie's account, and we have come to the conclusion that our trust in her was misplaced," Rolling Stone said.


That last line -- "our trust in her was misplaced" -- sparked complaints that Rolling Stone was blaming the victim. The magazine amended its apology to say this: "These mistakes are on Rolling Stone, not on Jackie."


Advocates for victims of sexual violence feared that inaccuracies in one woman's story would taint the credibility of all sexual assault victims, that it would make it harder than it already is for victims to come forward.


"Honestly I was terrified when I first heard the news," said Ashley Brown, president of the campus survivor's group, OneLess. She said she feared this would set back the cause "30 years."


Those fears reverberated across the country.


"I've had a lot of our members, especially sexual assault survivors, emailing me, asking if this is going to distract from the broader, bigger problem of sexual assault on campus," said Monika Johnson-Hostler, president of the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence. "They're worried that fallout from one story is going to give people a reason to believe campus sexual assault isn't a real problem or it's been over-hyped."


Jackie's supporters noted that victims sometimes don't remember things in linear terms, that details sometimes come back in pieces.


The fraternity at the center of the storm, meanwhile, fought back with its own set of facts.


It said that the man Jackie claimed had lured her to a dark room was never a member of the frat. Phi Kappa Psi also cited records showing it did not have a party on the night Jackie says several men attacked her. And the fraternity said its house doesn't have a side staircase -- important because Jackie described descending such a staircase as she left, bloodied and broken.


"It's not part of our culture. It's just not true," said Phi Psi's attorney, Ben Warthen, of the allegations.


Yet the university administration did not budge when national Greek groups demanded an apology for shutting down fraternity activities.


And a university council that governs Greek life calmed the fears of some advocates with a pledge to remain focused on the very real problem of campus of sexual assault.


"We remain committed to being leaders in the campaign for long-term change," its statement said. "We ask that our community does not become mired in the details of one specific incident..."


Opinion: Rape culture? It's too real


Dredging up painful memories


The attention surrounding the Rolling Stone story dredged up painful memories for some women who say they were not at all surprised by the tone of the original piece.


Lyra Bartell recalled a friend who she said took advantage of her while she was drunk and upset a few years ago. She reported it to the university, asking for a no-contact order and then a formal campus investigation.


"I was having panic attacks on campus. I was literally covering my face with a hood and running from class to class because I was so fearful of running into the person who had hurt me," she said.


Then, she lost all of her friends, who sided with the accused instead of her.


Bartell graduated in May but drove back to Charlottesville at night after the Rolling Stone story. She asked students and others to write messages of support to rape survivors on a white board -- and more than 200 did in just a few days.


She recalled friends who believed someone had given them a date-rape drug.


"I remember having girlfriends roofied in frats and we would carry them out, and it was just another Friday night," she said. "People use words like, 'Oh, that's the rape-y frat.'"


Another student, Emily Powell, said friends doubted her after she said a man assaulted her during her third year on campus.


"I was really sick. I was vomiting. I felt horrible whenever I stood," she said. "I asked ... a friend of the person who had assaulted me to take me to the hospital because she had a car. And she told me that she would take me in a week, once I had calmed down, which very much felt to me like, you know, she thought I was making this up."


Later, when Powell mentioned she might file a police report, "they (friends) threatened that they would tell the police that I was — obsessed with the idea of rape and that — I would accuse anyone of rape, and they would say that I was mentally unstable."


All but one of a handful of people who told CNN they were sexually assaulted at UVA did not report the assault to the university. Bartell did. She said she dropped her case after getting an apology from the man she accused.


They all said the process is long and stressful. They also said it requires a woman to tell her story several times, including to fellow students, a prospect that made them nervous; a U.S. Senate report on campus sexual assault recommends against having students help adjudicate sexual misconduct allegations.


The university said that, last year, 38 women reported to the University of Virginia that they were sexually assaulted by another student, but only nine opted for a formal investigation, and only four stuck it out.


Advocates: Rolling Stone controversy a distraction from rape problem


Uncertainty about the past -- and the future


Jackie's supporters initially were shocked after the Rolling Stone apology. Some stumbled for the right words. Some said they wanted an explanation.


After a few days, most said they believe something bad did happen on September 28, 2012, the night Rolling Stone reports she was attacked. Yet many also believe it's possible some of the graphic and disturbing details in Rolling Stone were wrong.


Sarah Roderick, a student who knows Jackie, said Jackie was terrified before the Rolling Stone article because she feared the retaliation. She acknowledged that "there do appear to be holes in her story" but said few rape victims give "a straight linear account" of their attack.


Another friend and peer advocate, Annie Forrest, said that, after the apology, Jackie was overwhelmed and that she never expected the fallout to be so bad. Forrest said the account Jackie gave to Rolling Stone is consistent with what Jackie told her about the incident.


Meanwhile, as investigators try to sort out varying versions of events, unanswered questions swirl around campus and beyond, as students start a month-long winter break.


Jackie has not spoken publicly since Rolling Stone published its story. Her lawyer recently told the news media that Jackie would like some privacy.


Next month, when classes resume, life could look a little more normal. Greek life will no longer be suspended. Barring major updates, TV news vans should be out of the much-coveted parking spots.


Students, many unsure exactly what to think, hope for a much less eventful new year.


Report: Non-student females face more sexual assault than students



Man held for pro-ISIS Twitter posts





  • NEW: Police commissioner says the suspect had an impact on English-speakers

  • Mehdi Masroor Biswas, 24, is suspected of running the pro-ISIS Twitter account

  • He said he expected to be arrested and believes he's done nothing wrong

  • Police describe him as an ISIS "sympathizer"




New Delhi (CNN) -- A man suspected of running a pro-ISIS Twitter account was arrested Saturday, the police chief for Bangalore said.


Mehdi Masroor Biswas reportedly confessed to operating the ISIS-friendly @ShamiWitness account before it was recently shut down.


The 24-year-old was charged with waging a war or abetting the waging of war against powers friendly to India, police commissioner M.N. Reddi said.


He is also charged under prevention of unlawful activities and anti-cyber-crime laws, Reddi said.









A Syrian Kurdish refugee child from the Kobani area holds laundry on a cold morning at a camp in Suruc, on the Turkey-Syria border, on Monday, November 17. Kobani, also known as Ayn Arab, has been under assault by extremists of the Islamic State group since mid-September and is being defended by Kurdish fighters. ISIS has been advancing in Iraq and Syria as it seeks to create an Islamic caliphate in the region.A Syrian Kurdish refugee child from the Kobani area holds laundry on a cold morning at a camp in Suruc, on the Turkey-Syria border, on Monday, November 17. Kobani, also known as Ayn Arab, has been under assault by extremists of the Islamic State group since mid-September and is being defended by Kurdish fighters. ISIS has been advancing in Iraq and Syria as it seeks to create an Islamic caliphate in the region.



Smoke rises from the Syrian town of Kobani following airstrikes by the U.S. led coalition on the Turkey-Syria border on November 17.Smoke rises from the Syrian town of Kobani following airstrikes by the U.S. led coalition on the Turkey-Syria border on November 17.



A Syrian Kurdish refugee child from the Kobani area holds on to a fence at a camp in Suruc, on the Turkey-Syria border, on Sunday, November, 16. A Syrian Kurdish refugee child from the Kobani area holds on to a fence at a camp in Suruc, on the Turkey-Syria border, on Sunday, November, 16.



People in Suruc, Turkey, watch smoke rise near the Syrian border during clashes between ISIS members and armed groups on Thursday, November 13. ISIS has been advancing in Iraq and Syria as it seeks to create an Islamic caliphate in the region.People in Suruc, Turkey, watch smoke rise near the Syrian border during clashes between ISIS members and armed groups on Thursday, November 13. ISIS has been advancing in Iraq and Syria as it seeks to create an Islamic caliphate in the region.



A bomb (upper left) falls on an ISIS position in Kobani, Syria. during an airstrike by the U.S.-led coalition on Saturday, November 8. ISIS militants and Syrian Kurdish fighters have been battling for control of the city near the Turkish border, and the United States and several Arab nations have been bombing ISIS targets to take out the group's ability to command, train and resupply its fighters.A bomb (upper left) falls on an ISIS position in Kobani, Syria. during an airstrike by the U.S.-led coalition on Saturday, November 8. ISIS militants and Syrian Kurdish fighters have been battling for control of the city near the Turkish border, and the United States and several Arab nations have been bombing ISIS targets to take out the group's ability to command, train and resupply its fighters.



Iraqi military forces take up position in Jurf al-Sakher, south of Baghdad, on November 8. Iraqi military forces take up position in Jurf al-Sakher, south of Baghdad, on November 8.



Fire and smoke rise from the Syrian city of Kobani following airstrikes against the ISIS militant group on Thursday, October 30. Fire and smoke rise from the Syrian city of Kobani following airstrikes against the ISIS militant group on Thursday, October 30.



Iraqi special forces search a house in Jurf al-Sakhar, Iraq, on October 30 after retaking the area from ISIS.Iraqi special forces search a house in Jurf al-Sakhar, Iraq, on October 30 after retaking the area from ISIS.



Smoke rises during fighting in Kobani on Monday, October 27.Smoke rises during fighting in Kobani on Monday, October 27.



ISIS militants stand near the site of an airstrike near the Turkey-Syria border on Thursday, October 23.ISIS militants stand near the site of an airstrike near the Turkey-Syria border on Thursday, October 23.



An explosion rocks Kobani during a reported car-bomb attack by ISIS militants on Monday, October 20.An explosion rocks Kobani during a reported car-bomb attack by ISIS militants on Monday, October 20.



People watch Kobani from a hill near the Turkey-Syria border on October 20.People watch Kobani from a hill near the Turkey-Syria border on October 20.



Kurdish fighters walk to positions as they fight ISIS forces in Kobani on Sunday, October 19.Kurdish fighters walk to positions as they fight ISIS forces in Kobani on Sunday, October 19.



A U.S. Air Force plane flies above Kobani on Saturday, October 18.A U.S. Air Force plane flies above Kobani on Saturday, October 18.



Heavy smoke rises in Kobani following an airstrike by the U.S.-led coalition on Saturday, October 18.Heavy smoke rises in Kobani following an airstrike by the U.S.-led coalition on Saturday, October 18.



Cundi Minaz, a female Kurdish fighter, is buried in a cemetery in the southeastern Turkish town of Suruc on Tuesday, October 14. Minaz was reportedly killed during clashes with ISIS militants in nearby Kobani.Cundi Minaz, a female Kurdish fighter, is buried in a cemetery in the southeastern Turkish town of Suruc on Tuesday, October 14. Minaz was reportedly killed during clashes with ISIS militants in nearby Kobani.



Turkish police officers secure a basketball stadium in Suruc on October 14. Some Syrian Kurds have been held there since crossing from Syria into Turkey. Tens of thousands of people have fled Kobani, known in Arabic as Ayn al-Arab, to escape ISIS.Turkish police officers secure a basketball stadium in Suruc on October 14. Some Syrian Kurds have been held there since crossing from Syria into Turkey. Tens of thousands of people have fled Kobani, known in Arabic as Ayn al-Arab, to escape ISIS.



Kiymet Ergun, a Syrian Kurd, celebrates in Mursitpinar, Turkey, after an airstrike by the U.S.-led coalition in Kobani on Monday, October 13.Kiymet Ergun, a Syrian Kurd, celebrates in Mursitpinar, Turkey, after an airstrike by the U.S.-led coalition in Kobani on Monday, October 13.



Smoke rises from Kobani on Sunday, October 12.Smoke rises from Kobani on Sunday, October 12.



Syrian Kurds from Kobani stand outside the grounds of a refugee camp in Suruc on Saturday, October 11. Syrian Kurds from Kobani stand outside the grounds of a refugee camp in Suruc on Saturday, October 11.



Alleged ISIS militants stand next to an ISIS flag atop a hill in Kobani on Monday, October 6. Alleged ISIS militants stand next to an ISIS flag atop a hill in Kobani on Monday, October 6.



In this photo released by the U.S. Air Force on Saturday, October 4, a U.S. Navy jet is refueled in Iraqi airspace after conducting an airstrike against ISIS militants.In this photo released by the U.S. Air Force on Saturday, October 4, a U.S. Navy jet is refueled in Iraqi airspace after conducting an airstrike against ISIS militants.



A Kurdish Peshmerga soldier who was wounded in a battle with ISIS is wheeled to the Zakho Emergency Hospital in Duhuk, Iraq, on Tuesday, September 30.A Kurdish Peshmerga soldier who was wounded in a battle with ISIS is wheeled to the Zakho Emergency Hospital in Duhuk, Iraq, on Tuesday, September 30.



Iraqi Shiite militiamen aim their weapons during clashes with ISIS militants in Jurf al-Sakhar on Sunday, September 28.Iraqi Shiite militiamen aim their weapons during clashes with ISIS militants in Jurf al-Sakhar on Sunday, September 28.



Syrian Kurds wait near a border crossing in Suruc as they wait to return to their homes in Kobani on Sunday, September 28. Tens of thousands of people have fled Kobani, known in Arabic as Ayn al-Arab, to escape ISIS.Syrian Kurds wait near a border crossing in Suruc as they wait to return to their homes in Kobani on Sunday, September 28. Tens of thousands of people have fled Kobani, known in Arabic as Ayn al-Arab, to escape ISIS.



Syrian Kurds wait behind border fences to cross into Suruc on September 28.Syrian Kurds wait behind border fences to cross into Suruc on September 28.



Tomahawk missiles, intended for ISIS targets in Syria, fly above the Persian Gulf after being fired by the USS Philippine Sea in this image released by the U.S. Navy on Tuesday, September 23.Tomahawk missiles, intended for ISIS targets in Syria, fly above the Persian Gulf after being fired by the USS Philippine Sea in this image released by the U.S. Navy on Tuesday, September 23.



Turkish Kurds clash with Turkish security forces during a protest near Suruc on Monday, September 22. According to Time magazine, the protests were over Turkey's temporary decision to close the border with Syria.Turkish Kurds clash with Turkish security forces during a protest near Suruc on Monday, September 22. According to Time magazine, the protests were over Turkey's temporary decision to close the border with Syria.



Syrian Kurds fleeing ISIS militants wait behind a fence in Suruc on Sunday, September 21.Syrian Kurds fleeing ISIS militants wait behind a fence in Suruc on Sunday, September 21.



A elderly man is carried after crossing the Syria-Turkey border near Suruc on Saturday, September 20.A elderly man is carried after crossing the Syria-Turkey border near Suruc on Saturday, September 20.



A Kurdish Peshmerga fighter launches mortar shells toward ISIS militants in Zumar, Iraq, on Monday, September 15.A Kurdish Peshmerga fighter launches mortar shells toward ISIS militants in Zumar, Iraq, on Monday, September 15.



An ISIS flag flies on the other side of a bridge at the front line of fighting between ISIS and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters in Rashad, Iraq, on Thursday, September 11.An ISIS flag flies on the other side of a bridge at the front line of fighting between ISIS and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters in Rashad, Iraq, on Thursday, September 11.



U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry reads on a flight en route to Iraq on Wednesday, September 10. Kerry traveled to the Mideast to discuss ways to bolster the stability of the new Iraqi government and combat ISIS.U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry reads on a flight en route to Iraq on Wednesday, September 10. Kerry traveled to the Mideast to discuss ways to bolster the stability of the new Iraqi government and combat ISIS.



Kurdish Peshmerga fighters fire at ISIS militant positions from their position on the top of Mount Zardak, east of Mosul, Iraq, on Tuesday, September 9. Kurdish Peshmerga fighters fire at ISIS militant positions from their position on the top of Mount Zardak, east of Mosul, Iraq, on Tuesday, September 9.



An Iraqi fighter jet flies over Amerli, Iraq, on September 3. Amerli had been under siege by ISIS militants.An Iraqi fighter jet flies over Amerli, Iraq, on September 3. Amerli had been under siege by ISIS militants.



Iraqi volunteer fighters celebrate breaking the Amerli siege on Monday, September 1. ISIS militants had surrounded Amerli, 70 miles north of Baquba, Iraq, since mid-June.Iraqi volunteer fighters celebrate breaking the Amerli siege on Monday, September 1. ISIS militants had surrounded Amerli, 70 miles north of Baquba, Iraq, since mid-June.



Kurdish Peshmerga forces stand guard at their position in the Omar Khaled village west of Mosul on Sunday, August 24. Kurdish Peshmerga forces stand guard at their position in the Omar Khaled village west of Mosul on Sunday, August 24.



Kurdish Peshmergas fight to regain control of the town of Celavle, in Iraq's Diyala province, on August 24.Kurdish Peshmergas fight to regain control of the town of Celavle, in Iraq's Diyala province, on August 24.



Peshmerga fighters stand guard at Mosul Dam in northern Iraq on Thursday, August 21. With the help of U.S. military airstrikes, Kurdish and Iraqi forces retook the dam from ISIS militants on August 18. A breach of the dam would have been catastrophic for millions of Iraqis who live downstream from it.Peshmerga fighters stand guard at Mosul Dam in northern Iraq on Thursday, August 21. With the help of U.S. military airstrikes, Kurdish and Iraqi forces retook the dam from ISIS militants on August 18. A breach of the dam would have been catastrophic for millions of Iraqis who live downstream from it.



Displaced Iraqis receive clothes from a charity at a refugee camp near Feeshkhabour, Iraq, on Tuesday, August 19.Displaced Iraqis receive clothes from a charity at a refugee camp near Feeshkhabour, Iraq, on Tuesday, August 19.



A fighter with Kurdish Peshmerga forces battles ISIS militants near Mosul on Monday, August 18.A fighter with Kurdish Peshmerga forces battles ISIS militants near Mosul on Monday, August 18.



Peshmerga fighters inspect the remains of a car that reportedly belonged to ISIS militants and was targeted by a U.S. airstrike in the village of Baqufa, north of Mosul, on August 18.Peshmerga fighters inspect the remains of a car that reportedly belonged to ISIS militants and was targeted by a U.S. airstrike in the village of Baqufa, north of Mosul, on August 18.



Kurdish Peshmerga fighters fire at ISIS in Khazair, Iraq, on Thursday, August 14. Kurdish Peshmerga fighters fire at ISIS in Khazair, Iraq, on Thursday, August 14.



Volunteers of the Iraqi Red Crescent Society unload boxes of goods before distributing them August 14 to families who fled from ISIS.Volunteers of the Iraqi Red Crescent Society unload boxes of goods before distributing them August 14 to families who fled from ISIS.



From the flight deck of the USS George H.W. Bush, which is in the Persian Gulf, two U.S. fighter jets take off for a mission in Iraq on Monday, August 11. U.S. President Barack Obama authorized airstrikes against Islamic militants and food drops for Iraqis who are trapped by the militants.From the flight deck of the USS George H.W. Bush, which is in the Persian Gulf, two U.S. fighter jets take off for a mission in Iraq on Monday, August 11. U.S. President Barack Obama authorized airstrikes against Islamic militants and food drops for Iraqis who are trapped by the militants.



Aziza Hamid, a 15-year-old Iraqi girl, cries for her father while she and some other Yazidi people are flown to safety Monday, August 11, after a dramatic rescue operation at Iraq's Mount Sinjar. A CNN crew was on the flight, which took diapers, milk, water and food to the site where as many as 70,000 people were trapped by ISIS. But only a few of them were able to fly back on the helicopter with the Iraqi Air Force and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters.Aziza Hamid, a 15-year-old Iraqi girl, cries for her father while she and some other Yazidi people are flown to safety Monday, August 11, after a dramatic rescue operation at Iraq's Mount Sinjar. A CNN crew was on the flight, which took diapers, milk, water and food to the site where as many as 70,000 people were trapped by ISIS. But only a few of them were able to fly back on the helicopter with the Iraqi Air Force and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters.



Thousands of Yazidis are escorted to safety by Kurdish Peshmerga forces and a People's Protection Unit in Mosul on Saturday, August 9.Thousands of Yazidis are escorted to safety by Kurdish Peshmerga forces and a People's Protection Unit in Mosul on Saturday, August 9.



Iraqi Shiite volunteers who have joined government forces to fight ISIS take part in a training session near Basra, Iraq, on Thursday, August 7. Iraqi Shiite volunteers who have joined government forces to fight ISIS take part in a training session near Basra, Iraq, on Thursday, August 7.



Thousands of Yazidi and Christian people flee Mosul on Wednesday, August 6, after the latest wave of ISIS advances.Thousands of Yazidi and Christian people flee Mosul on Wednesday, August 6, after the latest wave of ISIS advances.



A Baiji oil refinery burns after an alleged ISIS attack in northern Selahaddin, Iraq, on Thursday, July 31.A Baiji oil refinery burns after an alleged ISIS attack in northern Selahaddin, Iraq, on Thursday, July 31.



A Syrian rebel fighter lies on a stretcher at a makeshift hospital in Douma, Syria, on Wednesday, July 9. He was reportedly injured while fighting ISIS militants.A Syrian rebel fighter lies on a stretcher at a makeshift hospital in Douma, Syria, on Wednesday, July 9. He was reportedly injured while fighting ISIS militants.



Iraqis who fled fighting in the cities of Mosul and Tal Afar try to enter a temporary displacement camp in Khazair on Wednesday, July 2.Iraqis who fled fighting in the cities of Mosul and Tal Afar try to enter a temporary displacement camp in Khazair on Wednesday, July 2.



Peshmerga fighters check cars at the entrance of a temporary displacement camp in Khazair on Thursday, June 26. Peshmerga fighters check cars at the entrance of a temporary displacement camp in Khazair on Thursday, June 26.



Kurdish Peshmerga take their positions behind a wall on the front line of the conflict with ISIS militants in Tuz Khormato, Iraq, on Wednesday, June 25.Kurdish Peshmerga take their positions behind a wall on the front line of the conflict with ISIS militants in Tuz Khormato, Iraq, on Wednesday, June 25.



Peshmerga fighters clean their weapons at a base in Tuz Khormato on June 25.Peshmerga fighters clean their weapons at a base in Tuz Khormato on June 25.



New army recruits gather in Najaf, Iraq, on Wednesday, June 18, following a call for Iraqis to take up arms against Islamic militant fighters. New army recruits gather in Najaf, Iraq, on Wednesday, June 18, following a call for Iraqis to take up arms against Islamic militant fighters.



An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter lands on the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush in the Persian Gulf on Tuesday, June 17.An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter lands on the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush in the Persian Gulf on Tuesday, June 17.



Newly recruited Iraqi volunteer fighters take part in a training session in Karbala, Iraq, on June 17.Newly recruited Iraqi volunteer fighters take part in a training session in Karbala, Iraq, on June 17.



Members of ISIS prepare to execute soldiers from Iraq's security forces in this image, one of many reportedly posted by the militant group online. CNN cannot independently confirm the authenticity of the images.Members of ISIS prepare to execute soldiers from Iraq's security forces in this image, one of many reportedly posted by the militant group online. CNN cannot independently confirm the authenticity of the images.



Iraqi men chant slogans outside of an army recruiting center to volunteer for military service Thursday, June 12, in Baghdad.Iraqi men chant slogans outside of an army recruiting center to volunteer for military service Thursday, June 12, in Baghdad.



Kurdish Peshmerga forces, along with Iraqi special forces, deploy their troops and armored vehicles outside of Kirkuk, Iraq, on June 12.Kurdish Peshmerga forces, along with Iraqi special forces, deploy their troops and armored vehicles outside of Kirkuk, Iraq, on June 12.



Children stand next to a burnt vehicle during clashes between Iraqi security forces and ISIS militants in Mosul on Tuesday, June 10.Children stand next to a burnt vehicle during clashes between Iraqi security forces and ISIS militants in Mosul on Tuesday, June 10.



Civilians from Mosul escape to a refugee camp near Irbil, Iraq, on June 10. Civilians from Mosul escape to a refugee camp near Irbil, Iraq, on June 10.







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Photos: The ISIS terror threatPhotos: The ISIS terror threat



Biswas is expected to appear in court in 24 hours. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison, according to the police official.


An electrical engineer by training, Biswas was working as an executive in a food company until this week, Reddi said. He described Biswas as an ISIS "sympathizer."


However, Reddi told CNN that Biswas' efforts on Twitter had been of greater significance outside India than within his native country.


"The effect of what he was doing, the impact of what he was doing was really not about India, nor was he provoking or promoting people within India to align or sympathize with ISIS," he said.


"It was more about how he could manage to anglicize the conversations of ISIS and that led to a huge impact from what I can understand in the European world, particularly in the UK. Therefore the interest was very high in the UK to track and trace him and he incidentally happened to be in Bangalore."


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The exposure this week in UK media of the identity of the man behind the prolific Twitter feed captured headlines worldwide.


The suspect told CNN's UK affiliate ITN that he expected to be arrested even though he believed he had done nothing wrong.


Fearing that the police might kill him during that operation, he also insisted to ITN that he would not resist arrest and was unarmed.


He said he had been overwhelmed by the frenzy of media attention since the identity behind @ShamiWitness was revealed.


"I thought it would die down within the first one or two hours but it's still raging. I can't believe this," he said.


Asked why he thought the persona had provoked such interest, he replied: "I think Shami Witness is the first person who really reached the people who like to wage war with the so-called war on terror."


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CNN's Harmeet Shah Singh reported from New Delhi and Laura Smith-Spark wrote in London. CNN's Christine Theodorou contributed to this report.