Evening NEWS DIGEST
17 Nov. 2016: 16 Safar 1438: Vol: 8, No:38
Israel 'using Indian tax
money to oppress' Palestinians, says group of Indian activists: Aljazeera
A group of Indian activists
has denounced Israel's "undemocratic and exclusionary regime of
apartheid" towards Palestine, as India welcomed Israeli President Reuven
Rivlin for a weeklong state visit. "India’s economic linkage with Israel,
channels our public money through military deals to Israeli arms companies that
transform these funds in to lethal military technology applied in the
oppression, colonisation and ethnic cleansing, of the Palestinian people,"
the group of 70 individuals and 30 organisations said."We are shocked that
Israel, with its lawless conduct has emerged as role model for the Indian
nation-state, born in the struggle against colonialism and committed to
peaceful relations in the neighbourhood."The criticism coincided with a
welcome speech given by Indian President Shri Pranab Mukherjee in a state
dinner hosted for Rivlin on Tuesday.Rivlin is the first Israeli president to
visit India in 20 years, and it comes as the two countries celebrate 25 years
of diplomatic relations. The group of activists also warned against Indian PM
Naredra Modi's reported visit to Israel, saying "there is nothing to
celebrate" about the relationship, "neither for the Palestinian
people now for Indian citizens who cherish human rights, democracy and
peace."The group said that Israel is "using" the Indian market
and tax money "to finance its crimes and to promote world views built on
walls, wars, and exclusion." aljazeera
Visit to pave way for
India-Israel FTA: Rivlin
New Delhi: India is a
"top trading partner", Israeli President Reuven Rivlin said,
expressing hope that his visit here will pave way for free trade pact (FTA)
that will foster economic growth in both the nations. Rivlin's assertion could
provide fresh momentum to the conclusion of FTA, which has remained elusive
despite negotiations having begun more than six years ago. First round of
negotiation was held here on 26 May, 2010. "I express here today an
official Israeli hope that this visit to India will open the way to a full free
trade agreement between our two countries and I am sure that the free trade
agreement will boost our economies," Rivlin said. PTI
10% foreign students in
Israel are Indians: Rivlin
Events in Kashmir 'hurt our
conscience': Erdogan
Islamabad: Here on a 2-day
visit, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan today raked up Kashmir issue twice,
expressing concern over the violence saying events there continue to "hurt
our conscience". Erdogan, whose country shares a warm and traditional
relationship with Pakistan, also offered Turkey's cooperation in resolving the
issue while he felt the resolution of the dispute lies in dialogue between
India and Pakistan. "The events in Kashmir continues to hurt our
conscience," he said in his address to a joint session of the Pakistan
Parliament which was attended PM Nawaz
Sharif, Army chief Gen Raheel Sharif besides CMs of Punjab, Sindh among others.
"We
are aware of the distress and suffering of our Kashmiri brothers and sisters.
We are deeply concerned about the increase of tension," he said. He said the
situation in Kashmir once again demonstrated the importance and the urgency of
the solution of this issue. The resolution of this dispute lies in dialogue
between Pakistan and India for which Turkey is ready to extend any cooperation,
he added. He said the international community should exert further efforts in
order to solve this issue, which has political and humanitarian dimensions,
according to justice and law. Earlier, after extensive talks with PM Sharif, Erdogan held a joint press conference
wherein he said that they talked about the situation in Kashmir. "Our
brothers and sisters in Kashmir are suffering because of escalating tensions
along LoC and Kashmir, which can no longer be ignored," Erdogan said. He
stressed on the importance of dialogue to address the thorny issue. "The
Kashmir issue needs to find a resolution for itself following a dialogue
between Pakistan and India." PTI
‘Kashmir issue can't be
ignored; India, Pak need to talk’
Kashmiris suffering due to
Indo-Pak tensions: Erdogan
Iran overtakes Saudi Arabia
as top oil supplier to India: Reuters
New Delhi:Iran overtook political rival Saudi Arabia as India's top oil supplier
in Oct., shipping data showed, just ahead of a producers' meeting this month to
hammer out the details on output cuts aimed at reining in a global glut.Iran
used to be India's second-biggest oil supplier, a position it ceded to Iraq
after tough Western sanctions over its nuclear development programme limited
Tehran's exports and access to finance.
India has briefed OIC
members about Pakistan's role in terror: Govt in Rajya Sabha
New Delhi:India has, at a
high level, briefed its interlocutors in several countries including in member
states of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) about Pakistan's role in
aiding and abetting terrorism in J&K, Rajya Sabha was informed today. Replying
to a written question on whether the Pakistan govt has sent 22 special envoys
to world capitals to talk on the Kashmir issue, Minister of State in External
Affairs MJ Akbar said according to Pakistan media sources, PM Nawaz Sharif
designated 22 'special envoys' to apprise the world about the alleged
"human rights abuses committed by Indian forces in Jammu &
Kashmir". These special envoys visited Belgium, China, France, Russia,
Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, UK, US and UN (New York and Geneva), he
said.PTI
Jamaat censures govt over
IRF ban, calls it witch-hunt
New Delhi: Jamaat-e-Islami
Hind has condemned the decision of the govt to ban Dr. Zakir Naik’s IRF under
the UAPA. The Secretary General of Jamaat, Muhammad Saleem Engineer said,”Jamaat considers the ban to be a political witch-hunt aimed at
silencing the voice of all who wish to exercise their constitutionally
guaranteed right to profess and propagate religion. It is a signal and a
warning to all minorities and especially Muslims not to espouse and propagate
their religion in this country. This draconian move will not only weaken the
secular nature of our polity but also deal a body blow to religious rights
enshrined in our Constitution”. The JIH General Secretary continued, ” it
should be noted that State Home Department of Maharashtra had recently drawn a
blank and closed its probe against IRF for alleged FCRA violations. The
Bangladeshi newspaper retracted its report which blamed Dr. Naik for inspiring
terrorists. All prominent Muslim organizations including a close aide of the PM
have recently condemned the crackdown on Dr. Naik, Peace TV and IRF. Jamaat
therefore demands that govt should immediately roll back its decision to ban
IRF and concentrate on easing the discomfort of citizens due to demonetization
and solving basic issues plaguing our country like eradication of poverty,
improving education and healthcare. We are confident that the ban on IRF will
not stand up to judicial scrutiny and will be dismissed by the courts as
completely baseless and devoid of concrete evidence”.
Maharashtra govt seeks
consultation on educational institutes run by Zakir Naik's IRF
Mumbai: Maharashtra govt will
be consulting its law and judiciary department on the future of educational
institutions run by outlawed IRF, promoted by Zakir Naik.IRF Educational Trust
of Naik runs the Islamic International School (IIS) at Mazgaon in Mumbai, which
also has a branch in Chennai. Sources in the state education department said
that the first step would be banning the trustees of IRF and other key persons
associated with it from involving in the school's day-to-day functioning and
management.The options being considered by govt include the appointment of a
full-time administrator or putting in place some other arrangement that would
avoid intervention by the banned trust's directors, they said.Govt will come up
with a legal solution as the state cannot compromise with the future of the
students, sources added.PTI
Geelani denounces ban on
IRF run by Dr Zakir Naik
Srinagar: Syed Ali Geelani has strongly condemned the ban on IRF, run by Dr Zakir
Nayak, saying “the contours of Hindu Rashtra are being unfolded with these
actions. greaterkashmir
India: Ban on Islamic Scholar’s NGO Criticized
CURRENCY
crunch
Demonetisation: Mamata,
Kejriwal demand rollback in 3 days, warn of revolt and unrest
The govt felt the heat on
the demonetisation issue as a united Opposition upped its ante against the
currency ban on Thursday. Launching a multi-pronged protest agenda, the
opposition parties created ruckus in the Lok Sabha, urging the Speaker to
suspend Lok sabha proceedings for day. Rajya Sabha also had to be adjourned
four times till the time of writing this article. Meanwhile, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee took the front outside the
house, addressing a joint rally at the Azadpur vegetable wholesale market in
New Delhi.The duo, lashing out at the government, cried foul over the move to
demonetise higher currency notes and alleged that there was a covert
understanding between the govt and big shot industrialists who were splurging
billions on weddings and yet were nowhere to be seen in the serpentine
queues.Referring to mining baron Janardhan Reddy's daughter's wedding which saw
many prominent politicians in attendance,Kejriwal took a dig at the govt,
asking why he should not think that the govt was hand in glove with powerful
industrialists. "While on one hand, they are offering the common man an
alm of 2.5 crore for their children's wedding, Reddy splurged Rs 500 Crore on
his daughter's wedding," Kejriwal said of the glittering affair that took
place in the sprawling Palace Grounds in Bengaluru on Wednesday. "Who
exchanged his notes worth of crores,"Kejriwal wondered. Demanding that govt
take back the demonetisation decision in 3 days, he threatened of a
simmering discontent amid people that will he said will soon take the shape of
a revolt by the common man.firstpost.com
Mamata, Kejriwal warn of revolt
over demonetisation
No rollback of currency
ban, some CMs spreading panic:Jaitley
New Delhi:The govt ruled
out on Thursday any rollback of a sudden recall of high-value banknotes, saying
that the rush of frenzied customers at banks had steadily decreased over the
past few days.In an interview to ANI, finance minister Arun Jaitley said there
was no shortage of currency in the country to deal with the millions lined up
outside banks and ATMs to withdraw, deposit or exchange old notes of Rs 500 and
Rs 1000 withdrawn last week.ANI
Relief for farmers,
agri-traders, families celebrating weddings
New Delhi:With cash crunchfollowing
demonetisation impacting agriculture sector, govt on Thursday announced a slew
of measures aimed at smooth sowing season ahead, including permission to
farmers to withdraw up to Rs 25,000 per week from their bank accounts.This
apart, for families that have an upcoming wedding, one member of the household
can withdraw up to Rs 250,000 one-time, subject to furnishing an undertaking
that no other individual will be availing such a concession for the purpose and
also upon giving the PAN card details. However, the amount of money that an
individual can exchange from banks by handing over the old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000
notes has been lowered to Rs 2,000 from Rs 4,500 with effect from Friday. Use
of indelible ink for such withdrawals will continue."Crop loans are
sanctioned by various bank to farmers. The govt has allowed Rs 25,000 per week
for farmers to draw in cash, subject to the limit of which crops they are
sowing. This cash can also be taken from their Kisan credit card,"economic
affairs secretary Shaktikanta Das said. "Farmers who sell their produce in
mandis, against the payments they receive by way of cheque or RTGS method
(electronic transfers into their bank accounts), they can draw up to Rs 25000
per week from their own account," he said.TOI
Rs 2.5 lakh withdrawal
limit set for households celebrating weddings
10% of ATMs to be
recalibrated today, no Rs 1000 note for now: Jaitley
Cash exchange limit reduced
from rs 4,500 to Rs 2,000
A week after the govt’s
currency ban, new regulations were announced on Nov. 17 to deal with the chaos
that the cash shortage has brought on.The Economic Times reported that more
curbs were introduced, with the limit for bank exchange for old Rs 500 and Rs
1000 notes being reduced from Rs 4,500 to Rs 2,000, effective from Nov. 18. The
curb comes four days after the counter exchange limit was raised from Rs 4,000
to Rs 4,500 to coincide with the launch of the new Rs 500 rupee note, as NDTV
had reported. thewire
Demonetisation day 8: ATMs
run dry, exchange limit lowered to Rs 2,000 from tomorrow
Gujarat govt staff caught
taking Rs 4 lakh bribe in new Rs 2000 notes
Ahmedabad:Gujarat police
have arrested 2 govt employees for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 4 lakh in
Rs 2000 notes, a crime that has perplexed investigators because of a limit set
by govt on withdrawal of new currency.Anti-Corruption Branch officials say they
nabbed 2 Kandla Port Trust
officials in Kutch -- superintendent engineer Shrinivasu and sub-divisional
officer Kumtekar – by laying a trap for Rudreshwar Sunamudi, who allegedly came
to collect the bribe on behalf of the duo.But police are at a loss to
understand how the money was procured because the govt has imposed a Rs 20,000
weekly limit on withdrawal of currency.Police say Sunamudi was allegedly the
middleman who was to pay Shrinivasu Rs 2.5 lakh and Kumtekar Rs 1.5 lakh. All 3
have been arrested.HT
‘Ambani, Adani Knew of
Currency Ban’: BJP MLA Caught on Tapel: The Quint
Video footage of a BJP MLA
saying that top businessmen such as the Adanis and the Ambanis knew about
demonetisation prior to its implementation, has been doing the rounds on social
media. Originally posted by a self-proclaimed Congress supporter, video footage
which appears to be shot discreetly, shows Bhawani Singh Rajawat, BJP MLA from
Rajasthan, claiming that the top class businessmen had already sorted out their
black money.It could have been a step by step move. The govt could have given
people some time to get things in order. Adanis and Ambanis already knew about
it and sorted their money in advance.Bhawani Singh is not new to controversies.
Previously he demanded criminal background check for Bihari students in Kota
and adviced bikers not to wear a helmet, arguing that it was uncomfortable and
caused baldness.
Day 8: Demonetisation Death
Toll Rises To 47
8 days into demonetisation,
the death toll has reached 47. These are confirmed deaths reported in the
national media. The number of unreported deaths may be higher. While most
deaths are of the elderly waiting in long bank queues, there are quite a few
suicides, especially of housewives."It was a long queue and he was said to
have been waiting for hours," said a govt official on the death of a
septuagenarian, Ram Chandra Paswan who died in a bank queue in Palamu,
Jharkhand. In Ballia, UP, Suresh Sonar died of a heart attack after failing to
exchange currency notes despite spending hours at the bank. In rural Pune, a
bank peon, Tukaram Tanpure, 53, died of a massive heart attack. His colleagues
said he, like everyone else, was stressed handling large crowds and working 12
hours a day. In Maharashtra's Nanded district, Digambar Kasbe, 60, died after
collapsing in a bank queue. He had been standing for hours.Lavkush, 20, died in
Jharkhand's Bokaro district because of the economic stress caused by
demonetisation. His daily wager father had been unable to get work because of
demonetisation. When Lavkush's grandmother Lakshmi, 70, heard of her grandson's
death, she died of shock. In Siddipet district of Telangana, Balaiah, a
45-year-old farmer, died after he mixed pesticide in his food. He had been
trying to sell his agricultural land but was stressed because its price came
down from ₹6-7 lakh per acre to ₹2-3 lakh after demonetisation. He was under
debt. In the incident in Siddepet above, Balaiah's 65-year-old father Galaiah
also died. Balaiah's wife and son are in hospital. Saud Ur Rehman, 48, died in
a bank queue in old Delhi after waiting for hours. It was his second day of
trying to exchange old notes. "He would reach the branch around 5am and
wait for hours in queue, but by the time his turn would come, either the bank
went out of cash or the counters closed," said a family member. Khaliq
Hasan, 56, collapsed and died in a bank queue in Bareilly. His family members
said he was stressed due to demonetisation.Deepak Shah, 60, died after collapsing
in a bank queue in Mumbai. Sanjay Prajapat, 23, collapsed and died after
rushing home to fetch his father's Aadhaar card so he could exchange old notes
at the bank. Vijaya Lakshmi, 70, died in Krishna district of AP as she entered
a bank to exchange her ₹500 notes. Dharani Kanta Bhowmik, a 56-year-old teacher
in West Bengal's Cooch Behar district, died after queuing up for 3 consecutive
days to exchange currency notes. Huffington
post
Demonetisation: Nearly 50
people dead, but Modi govt views it as 'minor' inconvenience
Bank manager in Rohtak dies
in office after spending three days at work
Write-off: Will SBI's play
on words help recover loans?
Another set of rules: Govt
limits bank exchange from Rs 4,500 to Rs 2,000
Incidents of violence at
ATMs, banks in UP
Lucknow: The restive
serpentine queues outside banks and ATMs for cash transactions are now becoming
a cause of concern for the administration in most parts of UP , with people
resorting to vandalism out of frustration.In the past 24 hours, there have been
at least a dozen big and small incidents of irate mobs targeting bank property
and clashing with police.IANS
Doctor throws Rs 500 note,
tells patient to go to PM for treatment, plaint to police
Bhopal: A doctor allegedly
threw Rs 500 currency note when it was offered to him by a patient in
Gwalior.Besides, he is accused of having asked the patient to go to the PM Narendra Modi in order to get himself
treated.The incident occurred in Shinde Ki Chhaoni locality in Gwalior. Upset,
the patient's kin have approached the police.They contend that it is disrespect
to Indian currency and action must be taken against the doctor. The
complainant, RK Shivhare, had taken his son along for treatment to Dr Mukesh
Changulani's clinic.Shivhare alleges that the doctor refused to take Rs 500
currency note (old) and threw it, saying that, 'jao Narendra Modi se ilaj karwa
lo' (Go, get PM Modi treat you).NewsBits.in
Modi’s note scapping move
could become costly political joke: Chinese media
Legal questions on
demonetisation find no answer in SC
OTHERs
Bulandshahr gangrape: Azam
Khan offers unconditional apology after SC order
New Delhi: UP Minister and Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan on Thursday offered to
tender an unconditional apology to the Bulandshahr gangrape victims for saying
it was a political conspiracy. A bench of Justice Dipak
Misra and Justice Amitava Roy said Khan would file an affidavit saying that he
had never intended to hurt the victims but if they felt hurt or insulted he
would offer unconditional apology.IANS
Bulandshahr gangrape case:
SC asks Azam Khan to apologise for alleged remarks
UP Polls: There may be no Muslim MLA if you don’t vote for BSP, warns
Naseemuddin Siddiqui
Rae Barel: BSP general
secretary Naseemuddin Siddiqui on Wednesday cautioned that there may be no
Muslim MLA in the state Assembly if the minority community doesn’t support the
BSP in the upcoming polls, and implored them to unitedly support BSP
candidates. “Behen Mayawatiji had urged
you not to waste your votes on Congress or Samajwadi Party in Lok Sabha polls,
but you didn’t listen. So, not a single Muslim MP was elected. Now if your
votes are divided again this time, it may happen that no Muslim MLA will get
elected,” he told a gathering at Muslim-majority Bahai village near Lalganj in
Sareni Assembly segment of Rae Bareli. indian express
Traced auto driver who took
missing JNU student to Jamia: Police
New Delhi: Delhi Police on
Wednesday claimed to have traced an auto rickshaw driver who picked up missing
JNU student Najeeb Ahmed from the varsity campus and took him to Jamia Millia
Islamia."We have traced the driver of the auto-rickshaw who Ahmed hired on
Oct.15 from JNU to reach the campus of Jamia Millia Islamia," JCP(Crime) Ravindra Yadav told reporters here.The officer however, refused
the share the identity of the auto driver and said that police are questioning
him.IANS
Hyderabad: Human Rights
Commission issues notice to Commissioner of Police for arresting Muslim youths
Hyderabad: Police
registered cases against MBT activists who were protesting against the
objectionable post on Social media. Human Rights Commission issued notice to
Commissioner of Police of Hyderabad to submit his report before 5th December.
This was the result of a representation made by Amjadullah Khan Khalid,
spokesman of MBT who made a complaint to HRC. D. Subramanyam, Secretary of HRC
issued this notice.In the complaint, it was stated that a group consisting of
500 Muslim youth protested in front of ACP Office, Santosh Nagar and protested
against the sub-Inspector of Police of Santosh Nagar, Praveen Kumar for not
taking action against the objectionable post on time. Some youths have shouted
slogans and pelted stones. Habeeb, an activists of MBT who was not present on
this occasion was also arrested. In fact, he was in his house located that Moin
Bagh, Riyasat Nagar. In his complaint, Habeeb pointed out the names of South
Zone Police Officials and task force officials who registered cases against him
at the instance of MIM. In his petition, he mentioned that there is a danger to
his life. He has been receiving threatening telephone calls. siaSAT
Union minister cites Mewat
riots, seeks RAF centres in region
Rewari:Union minister Rao
Inderjeet Singh on Wednesday cited the communal riots in Haryana’s Mewat two
years ago while demanding that a training institute for Rapid Action Force be setup in the region to prevent violence in
the future.“Log kehte hain jab BJP sattaseen hoti hai toh Hindu bekabu ho jaata
hai.. (People say that whenever BJP comes to power, Hindus commit excesses).
But when our party formed the govt (in 2014), within two months Mewat witnessed
riots,’’ he said in Rewari in the presence of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh
and Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar. Indianexpress
2 Muslim outfits of
Madrassa teachers & students to support BJP in Assam by-poll: PTI
Guwahati: All Assam
Madrassa Teachers Workers Association and All Assam Madrassa Students Union
will extend their support to BJP nominees in the Nov.19 by-election to Lakhimpur parliamentary and Baithalangso Assembly
seats in the state. The organisations extended
their support to BJP in a meeting with the Assam unit of BJP Minority Morcha
here today, Morcha’s general secretary Mahiruddin Ahmed said.Both the madrassa
organisations thanked CM Sarbananda
Sonowal for the Cabinet decision for solving the issues concerning the madrassa
school teachers, a release by the Morcha general secretary said.Madrassa
Students Union’s president Kamrul Haq and general secretary Najrul Islam,
Teachers Workers Association representatives Suleman Ali Mogul and Abdul Kasim
Khan were among those who participated in the meeting, it added.PTI
Arrested suspect lost job
due to radical mind: NIA
New Delhi: Abdul Wahid
Siddibapa, IM suspect, was forced to
leave his job as a driver at a Dubai company due to his "radical
mentality", according to the NIA.NIA on Tuesday filed a supplementary
chargesheet, along with the statement of Mohammad Ubaid Kola, the owner of Kola
Enterprises -- a toy company in Dubai that had hired Siddibapa, and other
employees of the company.Kola, whose business is to import toys from China and
India and distribute in the local market at Oman, Dubai and other places, in
his statement said his father in 2009 offered Siddibapa a job as driver with a
salary of 2,500 Dirham."During my conversation with Siddibapa, it appeared
to me that he was a radicalised person, as he used to quote certain verses of
the holy Quran, which were related to the Jihad in Islam," Kola said in
his statement.TCN
Bhopal Exclusive:
Questionable Encounter and Now a ‘Fixed’ Report: The Quint report
World
Trump's team 'discussing
plans for Muslim registration system': Independent UK
Donald Trump’s policy
advisers are discussing plans to establish a registry for Muslim immigrants in
the US, a man believed to be a key member of the President-elect's transition
team has revealed.Kris Kobach, the secretary of state for Kansas, said the
President-elect’s advisers were looking at how to implement a proposal
suggested by the billionaire businessman that would force immigrants from Muslim
countries to register on a database. Kobach, who helped devise
tough immigration laws in a number of US states and claims to have participated
in regular conference calls with Mr Trump’s immigration advisers, also said Trump
administration could push ahead rapidly on construction of a US-Mexico border
wall without seeking immediate congressional approval.
Saudi warns Trump on
blocking oil imports
Saudi Arabia has warned
Donald Trump that the incoming US president will risk the health of his
country’s economy if he acts on his election promises to block oil imports.In a
sign of the difficulties Trump faces over his campaign pledges to create
“complete American energy independence” from “our foes and the oil cartels”,
Saudi Arabia’s energy minister pointedly reminded the president-elect that the
US “benefits more than anybody else from global free trade”, adding, “energy is
the lifeblood of the global economy”.“At his heart President-elect Trump will
see the benefits and I think the oil industry will also be advising him
accordingly that blocking trade in any product is not healthy,” Khalid
al-Falih, who is also chairman of Aramco, the state-run oil company, told the
Financial Times in Marrakesh, where he is leading Saudi Arabia’s delegation in
UN climate talks.Financial Times
Israeli Defence Minister urges
agreement with Trump over ‘settlement blocs’
Israeli Defence Minister
Avigdor Lieberman has urged the government to seek an understanding with a
Donald Trump administration whereby Israel freezes construction in isolated
West Bank settlements, in exchange for unhindered building in so-called
settlement blocs.Lieberman said:“We’ve been receiving official messages from
Trump’s team. They’re expecting us to act modestly. There are people in his
close circle that we know well, they’re telling us ‘wait. Don’t set facts on
the ground’.”“I hope that we will have enough common sense to stop with the
public jubilation. It causes untold damage,” he added . middleeastmonitor
'Global warming doesn’t
care about the election': Nasa scientist warns Trump over interference
A senior Nasa scientist has
told Donald Trump he is wrong if he thinks climate change is not happening and
warned the President-elect that govt scientists are “not going to stand” for
any interference with their work.Trump has described global warming as a “hoax”
perpetrated by China, vowed to unratify the landmark Paris Agreement and
appointed a renowned climate-change denier to a senior environmental position
in his transition team.The science community and environmental campaigners in
the US have already begun efforts to persuade Trump that climate change is
actually real before he takes office next year. Independent UK
437 hate crime incidents
recorded against minorities since Trump’s victory
Israeli bid to turn down
mosque prayer calls blocked by ultra-Orthodox Jews
Jerusalem: A govt-backed
Israeli bill to limit the volume of calls to prayer at mosques has been blocked
by an unlikely source -- the country's ultra-Orthodox Jews. PM Benjamin Netanyahu had backed the
controversial bill, which govt watchdogs had called a threat to religious
freedom.It had been due to get its first reading in parliament this week until
Health Minister Yaakov Litzman, a member of the ultra-Orthodox United Torah
Judaism party, stepped in.Litzman appealed the bill Tuesday night, saying it
could affect similarly loud Jewish prayers, Israeli media reported.The bill,
proposed by members of the far-right Jewish Home party, was adopted by a
ministerial committee on Sunday and was due to go through three readings in
parliament before becoming law. Bill will now be put on hold until a
ministerial committee holds a 2nd vote. AFP
‘Azaan’ in Israeli
parliament to protest against ‘anti-Azaan’ bill
Bangladesh SC to hear plea
challenging Islam as state religion on Mar 19
The Supreme Court today
fixed March 19 next year for hearing an appeal challenging a High Court order
that had justified the constitutional provision giving Islam the status of
state religion of Bangladesh.A full bench of the Appellate Division of the SC
will hold hearing on the appeal filed by SC lawyer Advocate SM Goswami.Chamber
Judge of the Appellate Division of the SC Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain set the
date after a brief hearing on the appeal. the daily star
Arrest warrant against
Khaleda Zia for celebrating ‘birthday’ on August 15
Dhaka:A local court issued
an arrest warrant on Thursday against Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief
Khaleda Zia over her controversial birthday celebration on August 15, which is
observed as National Mourning Day in the country in memory of the assassination
of founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members in
1975.Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina is
Rahman’s daughter.“(Zia) was summoned by the court but she did not appear
during three previous hearings... So the magistrate issued the arrest warrant
in line with legal procedure,” a court official told PTI.PTI
Syria war: Aleppo pounded
by air strikes for second day
Air strikes and artillery have pounded rebel-held districts of eastern
Aleppo for a second day, killing dozens of people, damaging medical facilities
and flattening residential buildings.Sources told Al Jazeera on Wednesday that
at least 84 people had been killed and dozens wounded in and around Aleppo city
over the past 48 hours, as air raids launched by Syrian jets rained down on
rebel-held areas amid a new govt offensive.The Syrian Observatory for Human
Rights said at least 21 people, including five children and an emergency
worker, were killed on Wednesday in the al-Shaar, al-Sukkari, al-Sakhour and
Karam al-Beik neighbourhoods. Aljazeera
HRW slams Houthis for
arbitrary detention of civilians
Human Rights Watch has
condemned the Houthi rebels for their arbitrary detention of opposition
activists this morning.The rights group documented two deaths and 11 cases of
alleged forms of ill-treatment by the Houthi militia forces. They also
documented the abuse of a child.“The authorities should free those wrongfully
held immediately, end detention without access to lawyers or family members,
and prosecute officials responsible for mistreatment,” Human Rights Watch said
in a statement. middleeastmonitor
Amnesty: Iran executing
Sunni men after forced confessions
A major international human
rights organisation has accused Iran today of “boasting of mass killing” after
the Iranian regime repeatedly broadcast the mass execution of 25 Sunni
Kurdish-Iranian men that occurred last August.Amnesty International said that Iranian
authorities were “broadcasting injustice” after they put the Kurdish men to
death, and forced them to participate in “confession” videos that Amnesty says
was designed to “dehumanise” the men. “Iran’s justice system
blatantly violated the men’s right to a fair trial, including their rights to
access a lawyer, not to be subjected to torture and other ill-treatment, to
remain silent, to have their cases heard in public hearings, and to have a
meaningful review of their sentences.” Middleeastmonitor
Turkey to scrap PM in new
system: Minister
Istanbul: Turkey is to
scrap the office of the PM in a historic
switch under a government-backed proposal for a new presidential system, a
cabinet minister said on Thursday. Forestry and water affairs minister Veysel
Eroglu said there would be one and possibly two vice presidents under President
Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the new format, which is expected to be submitted to a
referendum next year.AFP
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 7:55 PM)
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