Evening NEWS
DIGEST
INDIA-CHINA PAK & J&K
Around 40% of ammunition types used by Indian Army will run out in 10
days: CAG report
Even as the Indian Army faces off with the Chinese Army at Doka La,it
has been hit by a scathing report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)
who has raised issues of critical shortages in ammunition. The CAG has slammed
the state-run Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) and said that of the 152 types of ammunition
used, 40 % would run out in less than 10 days, according to NDTV.Another 55 % of
the ammunition was below the Minimum Acceptable Risk Level (MARL). MARL is the
minimum amount of ammunition which has to be maintained at all times using
which the army can fight for 20 days, said another report in Economic Times.In
the report which was tabled in the Parliament on Friday, CAG also criticised
the OFB for inadequate quality of ammunition supplied to the Army since March
2013.It also pointed out that the stock of fuzes for the artillery ammunition
was at 17%, according to Indian Express.
Fuze is considered to be the brain of the artillery ammunition which is
fitted to shell just before assembly/firing. This deficiency means that 83% of
the high caliber artillery ammunition held by the army will be useless in an
operation. Indian Express report further said that according to Govt orders in force, the army is supposed to have
ammunition for 40 days of intense war fighting. However, the report shows that
as of Sept.2016, only 20%, i.e.31 out of 152 types of ammunition will last in a
40-day war.CAG said despite serious concerns highlighted in a high-level report
on 'Ammunition management in Army' in 2015, no significant improvement took
place in the critical deficiency in the availability of ammunition and quality
of ammunition supplied by the OFB. "Shortfall in meeting the production
target by OFB continued. Further, a majority of the procurement cases from
other than OFB which were initiated by Army headquarters during 2009-13 were
pending as of Jan.2017," the CAG said in the report.The federal auditor
also lambasted defence research organisation (DRDO) for import a balloon
costing Rs 6.20 crore under a project for development of aerostat surveillance
system, saying it lacked rationale. "Further, the project itself did not
achieve its objective despite an expenditure of Rs 49.50 crore,"CAG
observed. Talking about safety aspects, CAG said ammunition depots with a
shortage of fire-fighting staff and equipment remained accident prone. The
report also highlighted alleged irregularities and inefficiencies by various
other entities relating to defence services. firstpost
No 'Significant' Progress In 3 Yrs: auditor on army ammunition shortage
Army ammunition stock faces critical shortfall to sustain 10 days of war
fighting: CAG report
CBI finds fake Chinese parts in India-made Dhanush gun; case filed
against Delhi company for conspiracy
China-made parts camouflaged as 'Made in Germany' found their way to the
production line of indigenised Bofors guns used by the army, prompting the CBI
to file a case against a Delhi-based company.Besides Sidh Sales Syndicate, CBI
also registered a case against unidentified officials of Guns Carriage Factory
(GCF), Jabalpur, under criminal conspiracy, cheating and forgery for supplying
fake and cheap China-made spares passing off as Made in Germany for Dhanush
guns, FIR alleged.Dhanush is the indigenised version of the Bofors artillery
guns which performed exceedingly well during the Kargil conflict in 1999.CBI
alleged that the supplier entered into criminal conspiracy with the
unidentified GCF officials to supply duplicate spare parts (bearings) used in
the manufacture of Dhanush guns.PTI
Doklam stand-off: Pentagon tells China, India to engage in direct
dialogue
India and China should engage in direct dialogue free of any “coercive
aspects” to reduce the tension over a military standoff in Dokalam, Pentagon
has said.Chinese and Indian soldiers have been locked in a face-off in Doklam
area in the southernmost part of Tibet in an area also claimed by Indian ally
Bhutan for over a month after Indian troops stopped the Chinese army from
building a road in the disputed area. “We encourage India and China to engage
in direct dialogue aimed at reducing tensions and free of any coercive
aspects,” Gary Ross, Defence Dept spokesman said. Ross, however, refused to
take sides on the issue.“We refer you to Govt s of India and China for further
information...We are not going to speculate on such matters,” Ross said when
asked if the Pentagon fears the tension may escalate between India and
China.PTI
Don't bank on US and Japan, you'll lose: Chinese daily warns India over
Doklam standoff
New Delhi;State-guided Chinese daily Global Times today issued yet
another threat that if India doesn't withdraw its forces from Doklam, China may
get prepared for a military confrontation and resolve the conflict through
non-diplomatic means. Paper reminded India as to how it had underestimated
Beijing in 1962 and cautioned not to repeat the 'same mistake'. Global Times'
strongly-worded editorial came a day after Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj told
the Parliament that there was no question of pulling Indian forces back from
the Doklam territory unless China does the same. Swaraj also stated that all
other countries support India's stand on the current stand-off. However,Global
Times writes that, "She (Sushma Swaraj) was lying to the
parliament."Global Times also termed India's act on the border as
incursion. It said: "First, India's invasion of Chinese territory is a
plain fact. New Delhi's impetuous action stuns the international community. No
other country will support India's aggression. Second, India's military
strength is far behind that of China. If the conflict between China and India
escalates to the intensity where their row has to be resolved through military
means, India will surely lose."Chinese daily also refused to agree on the
withdrawal of forces from the both sides, an idea that Sushma Swaraj put
forward to begin the diplomatic talk. The editorial said:"India should
abandon the fantasy of a long-term standoff at Doklam. China will by no means
agree to the withdrawal of troops from both sides in order for talks to be
held.Doklam is Chinese territory. The withdrawal of Indian troops must be a
precondition for talks and China will not compromise on this stance." In
what could be called a warning to New Delhi, it further said that "If
Indian troops continue trespassing into China's territory, what Beijing may do
next is to get prepared for a military confrontation and resolve conflict
through non-diplomatic means."businesstoday
Pak envoy Abdul Basit wades into Doklam row, meets China and Bhutan
ambassadors: indianexpress
New Delhi:A month into the border standoff between India and China at
the tri-junction with Bhutan, Pakistan’s envoy Abdul Basit has waded into the
Doklam row. The High Commissioner is learnt to have met the Chinese and
Bhutanese envoys in New Delhi this week. While it is not unusual for the envoys
to meet in New Delhi, the timing of these meetings has raised eyebrows in South
Block.The meeting between Basit, who is likely to leave for Islamabad soon, and
Chinese ambassador Luo Zhaohui took place Wednesday, sources said. The meeting
was at the request of Basit. A day later, on Thursday, the Pakistan High
Commissioner met Bhutan’s ambassador Major General Vetsop Namgyel. This meeting
too was at Basit’s request.While all three are tightlipped on the meetings, one
of them told The Indian Express Friday, “What (is the) issue? Diplomats meet
routinely.” Asked if the Doklam issue was discussed at the meeting, he said,
“We discuss all issues.”
Pak’s Turkey envoy Sohail Mahmood set to replace Basit soon
Farooq wants US, China help to resolve Kashmir issue
New Delhi:Farooq Abdullah has suggested third party mediation to resolve
the Kashmir issue, saying India should take the help of "friends" and
that dialogue was the only solution.Ex-CM of J&K also asked, "Till what time should we
wait?" and wondered how many more wars will India and Pakistan fight."The
way out is through dialogue.Use your friends...Use them for dialogue to resolve
the issue," he told reporters outside Parliament. Asked if he meant that a
"third party" should be involved, Abdullah said,"(US President)
Donald Trump has said he wants to settle the Kashmir problem. We did not ask
him for it (help). China has also said it wants to mediate in Kashmir ...We are
not saying (that we) hand over things to them."He stressed that taking
help does not mean "we should hand over" the affairs to
"friends". "You haven't spoken for 70 years... 4 wars have
happened," he said when reminded by a reporter about India's stand that
Kashmir was a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan."Till what time
should we wait?Should we wait for a thousand years? You have to take the bull
by the horns. You have to do it sometimes.They (Pak) have atom bomb, so have
you. How many people will you kill? This is not the way," he said.midday
Kashmir would become Syria if America intervenes: Mufti
Anantnag:J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti has rebuked NCpresident Farooq
Abdullah’s remarks on Kashmir issue and said that the situation in Kashmir
Valley would be same as Syria and Afghanistan if America starts
intervening.‘China, America should mind their own business, we all know what is
the situation of the countries wherever they intervened be it Afghanistan,
Syria or Iraq,” Mehbooba said. CM said
only bilateral talks between India and Pakistan can help resolve the Kashmir
issue.“As Vajpayeeji said in the Lahore deliration, India and Pakistan should
hold talks to resolve Kashmir issue,” she said, and questioned: Does Farooq
know what happened in Syria and Afghanistan?
No third parties: Mehbooba rejects Farooq idea of US, China role in
talks with Pak on J&K
Modi Govt policies are burning
Kashmir: Rahul Gandhi
New Delhi: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi reiterated his charge
that Modi Govt's policies are “burning” J&K , asserting that no third party
intervention was required to resolve India’s internal matters.“ hindustantimes
Kashmir: Troops kill young tailor amid protests
Indian army shot and killed a man and wounded another while firing at a
group of protesters in the Kashmir region.Police on Friday accused the group of
throwing rocks at soldiers, but residents said the army was shooting
indiscriminately and only a few rocks were hurled - and none hit soldiers. The
slain man, a tailor in his mid-20s, was hit by multiple bullets and died on the
way to a hospital. The injured man was reported to be in a stable condition.Soldiers
fired after some rocks hit iron shutters of shops that were closed owing to a
general strike in Kashmir, witnesses said. Police claimed that patrolling
soldiers were pelted with stones near the main mosque in western Beerwah town
where worshippers gathered to offer Friday prayers.A firecracker was hurled at
the soldiers, who mistook the loud noise for a grenade and retaliated, police
claimed in a statement.Friday's killing triggered widespread protests.Aljazeera
Kashmiri Pandits part of our society, must return: Geelani
Srinagar: Chairman of Hurriyat Conference(G) Syed Ali Geelani has said
Kashmiri Pandits are a part of the society and “we have always urged them to
return to their homeland.” According to a Hurriyat (G) spokesman, a delegation
of Kashmir Pandits met Geelani here and enquired about his health and discussed
various issues related to return of Kashmiri Pandits. greaterkashmir
India protests US reference to PoK as ‘Azad Kashmir’ in terror report
New Delhi: India has lodged a strong protest with the US over the state
department's "Country Report on Terrorism 2016", released on
Wednesday, referring to PoK as "Azad J&K " even as it states that
the area is being used by terrorist groups to target India.Indian Govt approached
US authorities after the release of the report. An official spokesperson of the
external affairs ministry said, "Govt has seen the mention of the term 'Azad J&K
' in the US state dept's country report on terrorism for 2016. We have raised
the matter with the US authorities and lodged our protest."This is the
first time the US has referred to PoK as "Azad J&K " despite the
fact that the region is closely controlled by the Pakistan military in the face
of Indian protests.Till recently, the US has used the nomenclature
"Pakistan-administered Kashmir". The report, however, praises India's
efforts to combat terrorism. timesofindia
Army jawans 'beat up' policemen on Amarnath yatra duty
srinagar: Over 6 policemen on the Amarnath duty were injured as a group
of Army jawans in plain clothes allegedly thrashed them “for being stopped at a
nakka” on the Srinagar-Baltal route in Ganderbal.According to the police, over
30 personnel of the Army’s 24 Rashtriya Rifles in civvies were travelling
during the intervening night of July 21-22 in four different vehicles on the
Baltal-Srinagar route.“These vehicles escaped forcibly from a nakka point
established by the police station Sonamarg at Poney Stand. These vehicles were
returning from the Yatra. Due to the already issued cut-off timing and present
circumstances, it was not feasible to allow yatris after the cut-off time,”
said the police.The police said the vehicles were again stopped by a police’s
nakka party of the Gund Ganderbal police station.“ASI Ghulam Rasool stopped the
vehicles as per the directions. However, the personnel without showing any
identification came down from vehicles and started thrashing the on-duty
officer and other officials, resulting injuries to the officer,” alleged the
police. the hindu
Canada strips NGO of charity status for suspected links to Hizb:
IndiaToday
New Delhi:A few weeks before US declared Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed
Salahuddin a global terrorist, two NGOs were quietly stripped of their charity
statuses in Canada over suspicion that they had links to the terrorist group.
The two NGOs - ISNA (Islamic Society of Northern America) Islamic Services of
Canada and the Canadian Islamic Trust Foundation - were former affiliates of
the ISNA-Canada, group that Canadian authorities began auditing in 2011.According
to a Global News report, which carries letters written by the Canada Revenue
Agency to ISNA Islamic Services, from
this week, Canadian authorities suspect that the NGO helped route funding from
the country to a purported Pakistani charity whose armed wing is widely
believed to be Hizbul Mujahideen. Canadian authorities informed ISNA Islamic
Services in March this year that they intended to revoke the NGO's charity
status for "not complying" with the Canadian law and for failing to
demonstrate that it used its funding for charitable purposes. The Canada
Revenue Agency further went on to say that they had been able to uncover links
between ISNA Islamic Services and Jamaat-e-Islami, a Pakistan-based political
group that is widely considered to be the parent organisation of the Hizbul
Mujahideen.CRA found that the Jami Mosque in Toronto was involved in collecting
funds for which it issued ISNA Islamic Services tax receipts. The funding was
then routed to the Relief Organization of Kashmiri Muslims (ROKM), via the ISNA
Development Foundation, which itself lost its charity status four years
ago.ROKM, the CRA said, is the charitable arm of Jamaat-e-Islami that
"actively contests (sic) the legitimacy of India's governance over the
state of J&K ."
OTHER
SC asks Centre,states not to protect any kind of vigilantism
The Supreme Court has asked the Centre and the states not to protect any
kind of vigilantism and sought their response on violent incidents of cow
vigilantism.A bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra was informed by the Centre
that law and order is a state subject but it does not support any kind of
vigilantism in the country.“You say that law and order is a state subject and
states are taking actions as per law. You don’t protect any kind of
vigilantism,” the bench, also comprising AM Khanwilkar and MM Shantanagoudar,
said.It also sought the assistance of the Centre and states for removing
violent content related to cow vigilantism uploaded on social media.“Law and
order is a state subject and Central Govt does not have any role into it. However, Union
of India is of the view that no vigilante group has any space in the country as
per procedures of law. It does not support any kind of vigilantism by private
persons,” Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar said.Counsel appearing for BJP-ruled
Gujarat and Jharkhand informed the court that appropriate action has been taken
against those involved in violent activities related to cow vigilantism.The
bench recorded their submission and asked the Centre and other states to file
their report regarding to the violent incidents in 4 weeks time and posted the
matter for further hearing on Sept.6.PTI
We don’t back violence in name of cow protection: Centre
Handling cow vigilantism is under states' jurisdiction, Centre tells
Supreme Court
'Virulent Intolerance' Threatening India's Secular Foundation: US Media
New York: Criticising the Modi govt, an editorial in a New York daily
said there has been an "alarming rise" in mob attacks in India since
he took office and "virulent intolerance" has been unleashed under
his leadership, threatening the foundation of the secular nation.“Narendra
Modi's landslide victory as PM of India
in 2014 was borne on his promises to unleash his country's economic potential
and build a bright future while he played down the Hindu nationalist roots of
his BJP,” an editorial in New York Times titled ‘India's Turn Toward
Intolerance’ said. PMO did not offer any comment when its attention was drawn
to the editorial by PTI for a response. The editorial noted that under Modi's
leadership "growth has slowed, jobs have not materialised, and what has
actually been unleashed is virulent intolerance that threatens the foundation
of the secular nation envisioned by its founders." It added that since
Modi took office, there has been an "alarming rise" in mob attacks
against people accused of eating beef or abusing cows and most of those killed
have been Muslims.The editorial also referred to India's film censor board's
decision regarding a documentary on Nobel Prize- winning economist Amartya Sen.
The board ruled that the documentary cannot be screened unless the director
cuts the words "cow", "Hindu India", "Hindutva view of
India" and "Gujarat", where Modi was the CM at the time of anti-Muslim riots in
2002."This might seem like merely a farcical move by Hindu fanatics, if it
were not so in line with much else that is happening in Modi's India, and if
the implications for India's democracy weren't so chilling. But this is where
Modi has brought the nation as it prepares to celebrate 70 years of
independence on August 15," it said.PTI
Modi’s election, like Trump’s, has unleashed violence against
minorities:Martin Luther King III
Bengaluru:Drawing parallels between US President Donald Trump and Indian
PM Narendra Modi, Martin Luther King
III, the son of American civil rights movement icon Martin Luther King Jr, said
here on Friday that both have limited regard for the poor and for law and
order. King III, a human rights advocate and community activist was speaking at
the inauguration of the three-day conference “Quest for equity - Reclaiming
social justice, revisiting Ambedkar”, in which around 300 scholars, activists
and policymakers will discuss the ideas of Dr BR Ambedkar.“Like Donald Trump’s
campaign, the election of Narendra Modi has unleashed a ferocious animosity
against minorities,” King said drawing unflattering parallel between the two
leaders.Govt has consistently denied
that there is any intolerance in the country.“We must find a way to bring
together the best minds in the world to find solutions,” he stressed.Nobel
laureate Kailash Sathyarthi said it was a great testament to the continuing
power of Dr Ambedkar that India’s presidential elections was a contest between
2 Dalits, Ramnath Kovind and Meira Kumar.Prakash Ambedkar, grandson of Dr
Ambedkar took on the current dispensation at the Centre, saying that it was
needed to reclaim Ambedkar because some ground on the social justice front had
been lost over the past three years.“Dr Ambedkar had warned that every
revolution will have a counter revolution, and we are seeing that counter
revolution take shape,” Ambedkar said. There is a need to rethink the concept
of social justice, Ambedkar said, “because the very idea implies a giver and
receiver of social justice, thereby cementing two classes.”HT
This is a general crackdown on anybody critical of govt: Amnesty
International head
Salil Shetty, Secretary General of the London-headquartered Amnesty
International, is one of the most influential voices on human rights issues
today. During his recent visit to India, The Hindu caught up with him for
discussions on the rise of illiberal democracies, especially the plight of the
country’s democratic institutions. Shetty has warned that India was headed
towards heightened global scrutiny and possible repercussions over its
selective crackdown on NGOs. Shetty said,said, "In case of cow vigilantes,
you know when the senior-most leaders of this country are silent when things
like this happen. That is not acceptable. It is your [senior leaders’]
responsibility to stop others from speaking up. This country has so many
serious human rights issues — attacks on Dalits, women, Adivasis, which are
ongoing historic issues, and nothing to do with the BJP rule. Why don’t they
focus on those issues? Why are they creating these new unnecessary ones?"
He added, "We have had 10 deaths since April [by way] of lynchings or
public killings. I think the Junaid Khan killing was a kind of tipping point,
it has hit the international media more. This is a Govt that came to power with a massive popular
majority, with all sorts of promises. They should focus on the right things. Internationally,
slowly, eyebrows are being raised. I think they have managed the international
narrative for now, but you cannot do it forever." the hindu
Delhi Muslim doctor thrashed in road rage incident
A 45-year-old doctor, on his way back home from work, was thrashed by a
group of men, after his car “brushed against theirs”, as reported to the
police. This incident of road rage took place on Wednesday night at Malviya
Nagar in south Delhi.After the incident, the doctor complained of “becoming
hard of hearing”, said the police. “He had bought some items for his home from
a market close to his home and was leaving when his car brushed past the other
car. The owner of that car who was standing there with some friends, beat him
up with a baseball bat, while others also joined in.”Later, the police informed
that the victim identified as Dr. Asif was rushed to a private hospital with
the help of the locals. Police registered a case and several persons were arrested.
Jantaka Reporter
UP Police Shuts Down Non-Vegetarian Dhabas In Greater Noida For Kanwar
Yatra
Ban on non-vegetarian food is something that is not unheard of in India,
and in the latest case of clamping down on non-vegetarian food, the Greater
Noida SHO has said that roadside non-vegetarian food vendors in Dadri have been
removed because of the 'Kanwar Yatra'.Ram Sen Singh told Times of India,
"We have also removed vendors serving non-vegetarian food. They will be
off the road till the religious season of kanwar yatra is on."Kanwar Yatra
is a yearly event devotees of Lord Shiva carry water from the River Ganga to
local shrines in their states in the month of Sawan or Shravan. And while
Haridwar is one of the places where the largest number of Kanwarias (the ones
who take the pilgrimage) visit, the step has been taken because allegedly the
number of pilgrims returning from Haridwar to Greater Noida has gone
up.However, because of this move fish, chicken, eggs and mutton will be
unavailable in the area, making it difficult for people whose staple diet is
non-vegetarian.HuffPost India
Eating cow meat leads to loss of thinking power, says Congress religious
cell convener
Mumbai: Dhyanyogi Omdasji Maharaj, the convener of the new religious
cell formed by the Congress in Mumbai and a Kundalini yoga guru, who is also
the trustee of the Hanuman Siddhapith Mutt, has a mission in mind as Congress’
religious cell head. “Under the leadership of the Congress, everyone must come
together to build a golden temple of Maa Sita in Sitamarhi (Bihar). It is the
birthplace of Maa Sita. This is where Lord Janak had found Maa Sita in a golden
pitcher. The land isn’t under any dispute today. Before it is encroached by
members from other communities, a temple must be constructed there,” he said.On
July 2, Mumbai Congress chief and former party MP Sanjay Nirupam, who is
considered close to party Vice President Rahul Gandhi, formed the Mumbai Sant
Mahant Congress to “resolve the problems the Hindu temples and mutts and their
priests were facing in the city”.He claimed while the Congress party believed
in a secular ideology, the perception that it was “anti-Hindu” was incorrect.
But the move invited criticism within the party. indian express
RSS distances itself from mob lynchings, says Sangh shouldn't be
'defamed' for stray instances of violence
At a time when Congress and the Opposition are going hammer and tongs
after the Narendra Modi Govt in
Parliament on issues of cow vigilantism and mob lynching, the RSS has made it
clear that cow protection has been part of India's tradition for
decades."Cow protection has been going on for years in India. But the
Sangh does not support any kind of violence, and strict action should be taken as
per law against those who commit violence," said RSS Akhil Bhartiya
Prachar Pramukh, Manmohan Vaidya in Jammu on Thursday. He further insisted that
the Sangh shouldn't be "defamed" for these stray incidents of
violence. firstpost
Threats from communal elements to Haj pilgrims, Govt. of India instructs
special security arrangements
J. Alam, Joint Secretary,Dept. of Minority Affairs, Govt. of India wrote
a confidential letter addressed to all the Chief Secretaries of the States
instructing them to provide special security to the pilgrims going for Haj. It
is the first time that Ministry of Minority Affairs issued such a letter. It
may be mentioned that recently, a BJP MLA from UP had threatened that in case
Ram Temple is not constructed, the disturbance would be created for the Haj
pilgrims.In the wake of the increasing activities of the Gau Rakshaks and also
keeping in view the delicate situation, Ministry identified 6 items on which
instructions were issued for providing special security.The letter indicates
that special arrangements should be made for the protection of Haj pilgrims
while going from Haj House to the airport. Special arrangements must also be
made during the stay of Haj pilgrims in Haj House, at the embarkation point at
the airport and also in the parking areas of Haj House and airport. Ministry also
instructed the State Govts to issue entry passes to the volunteers and the
members of Haj Committee after their thorough scrutiny to ensure that unwanted
persons should not get these passes. Unconcerned persons should be kept away
from Haj House and airport areas.Siasat
Reconstituted Delhi Minority Commission Takes Serious Note of Mob
Violence
New Delhi:Just a day after assuming charge, the full team of
reconstituted Delhi Minorities Commission called a press conference here on
Friday to say that the panel was deeply concerned at the rise in mob violence
in the country’s capital and would keep an eye on such incidents to take
immediate and proper action.In their first media interaction at Commission’s
office, panel headed by renowned scholar and senior journalist Dr Zafarul Islam
Khan assured the minorities in the capital that they would work for their
safety and to protect their constitutional rights.“Our aim is that the
minorities can live with dignity and don’t face the problems that are occurring
in other parts of the country. We want that there should be peace everywhere in
the capital, so everybody can feel safe,” said Dr Khan.The Commission expressed
its special concern over the increase in cases of mob violence and said it
would be keeping an eye over such incidents.In the last three months, at least
four incidents of mob violence in the name of cow or beef have taken place in
Delhi.Informing about the two latest steps taken by the commission this week,
he said, “We have taken notice of two recent cases. In one case, activist
Shabnam Hashmi was given death threat over phone allegedly by a Delhi
policeman. And the second is a case of mob violence where three men were beaten
up by a mob in Bara Hindurao area in two different incidents on 14th July only.
Though an FIR was registered in the case on Thursday, no arrest has yet been
made.”“Notices to Police Commissioner of Delhi have been sent,” he
told.IndiaTomorrow
Minority Commission notice to Delhi top cop over threat to Shabnam
Hashmi
Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid row: SC to decide on early hearing of disputed
Ayodhya site
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday said it will decide on a plea for
an early hearing of appeals challenging the Allahabad High Court order
directing the splitting of the disputed site at Ayodhya. "We will take a
decision on it," said a bench of Chief Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar and
Justice DY Chandrachud as BJP Rajya Sabha member Subramanian Swamy sought early
hearing of the matter pending before the court for seven years.IANS
Protect transgenders from Section 377: parliamentary Panel led by BJP MP
New Delhi: A parliamentary panel has suggested that the Centre exempt
the transgender community from the ambit of the law criminalising
homosexuality, noting that welfare of this socially marginalised group requires
an initiative in this direction.In its report on the Transgender Persons
(Protection of Rights) Bill, the standing committee on social justice and
empowerment has said, "Transgender persons remain at the risk of
criminalisation under Section 377. The bill must at the very least recognise
the rights of transgender persons to partnership and
marriage."Interestingly, the panel, comprising members from different
ideological schools and headed by senior BJP MP Ramesh Bais, has made a bold statement
in support of homosexuality. TOI
Thousands of Lingayats gather in Karnataka, demand independent religion
status, delinking from Hinduism'
The movement for independent minority religion status for the Lingayats
has gathered momentum once again in Karnataka. On Wednesday, over one 50,000
Lingayats from Karnataka, Telangana and Maharashtra had gathered at Bidar’s
Nehru Maidan for a massive rally, demanding they be granted a separate
'religious minority' status.The rally was organised by Lingayat Dharma Samanvaya
Samithi, an body comprising various Lingayat religious heads and elected
representatives. The leaders of several Lingayat mutts, who had gathered at the
rally, said that a memorandum, in this regard, has been submitted to CM Siddaramaiah.“We have urged the CM to take up
the matter with Central Govt and push
for our cause of being declared an independent religion,” Basava Dharma Peeta
head,Mate Mahadevi said. thenewsminute
Badush prison in Iraq where 39 Indians were ‘last seen’ lies in ruins
Badush, Iraq: The prison near the Iraqi city of Mosul described by the
Indian Govt as the last known location
of 39 Indians kidnapped by the Islamic State 3 years ago is today a desolate
and abandoned structure that has been unoccupied for weeks, if not months.The
roofless building, mostly turned into rubble, is located in an area riddled
with landmines. Sleeper cells of the IS are still active in the region though
fighting in Badush village ended a few months ago, says Brig Abdul Amin Al
Kazraji of the Golden Division, the elite US-trained Iraqi counter-terror force
that has been leading the fight against Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s terror group.“I
have no information about the abducted Indians but there is nothing at the
prison anymore,” he said.This correspondent travelled to the prison in Badush
in a Humvee provided by Kazraji along with armed Iraqi soldiers.The vehicle
made its way from Mosul, a city destroyed by the IS and air strikes by
coalition forces, to Badush, a distance of about 25 km, via the Syria Road.Near
the prison, two armed soldiers walked ahead in the rough terrain in
temperatures of more than 50 degrees Celsius, looking for mines.On July 16,
external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj had said that information gathered by
minister of state VK Singh during a recent visit to Iraq suggested the 39
Indians kidnapped in June 2014 were possibly being held in the Badush prison.
She said she was hopeful of getting more information about the Indians when her
Iraqi counterpart Ibrahim Al-Jaafari visits New Delhi on July 24.“ISIS has been
controlling Mosul for the last few years. There is no information on the
Indians or anyone else. Of course, we hope we spot the Indians one day and they
return home safely,” Sadiq said, adding the Red Crescent HQRS in Baghdad could
have more information.There have also been reports that the IS may have decided
to use the kidnapped Indians as leverage, but signs on the ground suggest
otherwise. Since the US-backed offensive began in Oct, IS released many
hostages.HT
SC questions reappointment of Gujarat cops involved in ‘fake encounters’
The reappointment by the Gujarat Govt of two cops, allegedly involved in fake
encounter cases, has come under the Supreme Court scanner.A bench headed by
Chief Justice JS Khehar on Friday issued notice to the state on a petition
filed by retired IPS officer, Rahul Sharma, who claimed the appointments are in
violation of the law laid down by the apex court in the police reforms case.
Sharma’s plea was not entertained by Gujarat high court following which he
moved the SC.The two cops are NK Amin and Tarun Barot. Amin was accused in the
Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case but was discharged. He is yet to get a
clean chit for allegedly killing Ishrat Jehan in a staged encounter.After
remaining in jail for 8 years, Amin was released on bail in Aug.2015, was
promoted, and posted to the sensitive post of SP, Mahisagar district.On his
superannuation on August 31, 2016, Amin was reappointed at the same post on a
contractual basis for a year. hindustantimes
Malegaon blast case: Mumbai court refuses to send Purohit to Army’s
custody
Mumbai:A Mumbai court on Friday dismissed the plea of Lt Col Prasad
Purohit, an accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, to hand over his custody
to the Army.“The court dismissed Purohit’s application,” said Special Public
Prosecutor Avinash Rasal.An Army officer arrested in the case, Purohit is
presently lodged in Arthur Road jail here.He had said in his application that
the jail houses several gangsters and there was a threat to his life, so he
should be transferred to “military jail.”The prosecution, however, opposed his
plea. Advocate Rasal told the court that Purohit had not filed any such
complaint with the jail authorities who were taking sufficient care of him.If
his custody was handed over to the Army, it would be difficult to bring him to
the court for every hearing and it would delay the trial, Rasal argued.PTI
Railways food unfit for eating: CAG
New Delhi:The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has hit out at
Indian Railways for serving food “unfit for human consumption” such as
recycled, contaminated and expired items and unauthorised water brands.In a
joint inspection conducted in collaboration with officials of Indian Railways
at 74 stations and 80 trains between July and Oct.2016, the country’s top audit
body observed grave deficiencies in the food hygiene standards. Here are 5
things the CAG said about the substandard food served to train passengers:1. An
iron nail was found in a plate of cutlets offered to a passenger on the
Lucknow- Anand Vihar double decker in 2016.2.Fungal growth was found around
petha (sweets) served to passengers.3.Cockroaches, rats, insects and dust was
noticed in pantry cars of the premier Duronto trains.4.Around 100 unsold
parathas were found in the base kitchen of the North Central Railways for reuse
and recycling, while uncovered food items were found on the floor at the Chapra
station in Bihar5.Buckets of drinking water and beverages were found in the
vestibule near the toilet area in the Paschim Express. HT
Muslim boys from Bihar detained, handed over to Child Welfare Committee
Mangaluru:13 boys from Bihar, who
arrived here to pursue Madrasa education, were detained at the central railway
station here by police as they did not have valid documents and came
unaccompanied by caretakers. Police said there were 47 boys were in the group,
of whom 34 had valid documents and letters from their parents. They were also
accompanied by caretakers and were headed to the Madrasa at Jamiya Masjid at
Kudroli. The remaining 13 boys without documents were handed over to the Child
Welfare Committee after registering a case. The boys were heading for Udayavar
Jammat Masjid near Udupi. Police checked the group on suspicion of child
trafficking. indianexpress
Court acquits man who married 17-yr-old convert to Islam
New Delhi:Stating that a 17-year-old minor had ‘converted’ from Hinduism
to Islam when she performed ‘nikah’ with an adult man last year, a Special
Court in Delhi has acquitted the man of rape and kidnapping charges.“Under
Muslim law, the girl can perform marriage when she attains puberty, which is
generally attained at the age of 14-15 years. After conversion of the religion,
even if the victim was 17 years of age, (she) becomes competent to perform
marriage with a Muslim boy,” Additional Sessions Judge Ashwani Kumar Sarpal
said while pronouncing the judgment on July 18. The judge cited two previous
judgments — Delhi vs Umesh at the Delhi High Court, decided on July 21, 2015,
and Shyam Kumar vs State in a lower court, decided this year. In both cases, it
was established that the minor girls left their parents’ house and entered into
a relationship with the accused, hence ‘no offence’ of kidnapping or sexual
assault could be made out. indianexpress
Clarify nature of residence of Mukesh Ambani Antilia case, Bombay HC
tells Wakf board
Mumbai: Bombay high court on Friday issued a notice to state Wakf board
to clarify the nature of the case that is pending before the Supreme Court
concerning the south Mumbai residence of Reliance company chief Mukesh Ambani,
Antilia. The court was hearing a 2007 petition filed by Jalna resident Abdul
Mateen, who is a school teacher, alleging that Antilia was built on Wakf land.
A division bench of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice Nitin Jamdar was
hearing a PIL filed by Abdul Matin, a schoolteacher and resident of Jalna
district of Maharashtra. In 2007, Matin had read a news article about the sale
of property and file petition in the HC.Initially,
the land belonged to Currimbhoy Ebrahim Khoja orphanage trust, which runs an
orphanage for Muslim children. In 2005, Ambani’s company Muffin-Antilia
Comm-ercial Private Limited purchased the property.Matin’s lawyer Adocate M.S.
Choudhry on Friday argued before the court that the object of his main petition
is to show mismanagement of Wakf board and the errant sale of all its
properties. asianage
Zakir Naik's IRF in HC against tribunal's order upholding ban;Acting
Chief Justices recuse from hearing plea
New Delhi: Zakir Naik's IRF has moved the Delhi High Court challenging a
tribunal's order upholding the Centre's decision to ban the organisation under
UAPA. The matter came up for hearing before a bench headed by Acting Chief
Justice Gita Mittal, who recused herself and directed that IRF's appeal be
listed before another bench.The matter has now been listed before another bench
on July 27.While seeking setting aside of the ban imposed on it, the IRF in its
plea has contended that the "tribunal erred in observing that there is
material indicating communal riot because of the speech made by Naik".IRF
sought setting aside of the May 11 verdict and said that the tribunal has
wrongly decided the question on the liability of the organisation in view of
the alleged action of Naik and his aide Arshi Qureshi."It failed to
appreciate that it was undisputed position that Naik is the president of the
IRF, but the same could not reflect upon the action carried out by him in his
individual capacity," IRF's plea filed through advocate S Hari Haren
said.The organisation said that actions done by individuals named in the FIRs
cannot reflect on the organisation and will affect the charitable and
educational work being done by it. Judicial Tribunal was set up to look into the
ban on controversial preacher's NGO.PTI
Don’t know if Dalits, Muslims can survive with dignity: Mamata Banerjee
at Martyr’s Day rally
New Delhi:West Bengal CM Mamata
Banerjee lashed out at the Centre on Friday saying the Govt is not allowing state Govt s to work. While
addressing Martyr’s Day rally in Kolkata commemorating 1993 Kolkata firing,
Mamata also said:“Even Hindus cant survive the fake Hinduism. Don’t know if
Dalits, Muslims can survive with dignity,” she was quoted as saying by NDTV
while criticising Modi-led Govt .Her party Trinamool Congress has been at
constant loggerheads with NDA Govt over various issues like the Saradha scam
and Gorkhaland protests. While addressing Friday’s rally, she said she “doesn’t
need character certificate from Centre.” indianexpress
Nitish Kumar meets Rahul Gandhi amid alliance trouble, will meet PM Modi
later
New Delhi :Amid ongoing tensions between the JD(U) and its allies in
Bihar, CM Nitish Kumar on Saturday met
Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi at the latter’s residence in New Delhi on
Saturday. According to reports, Kumar will also attend a dinner hosted by PM Narendra Modi for outgoing President Pranab
Mukherjee.The meeting has come at a time when trouble is brewing within the
Grand Alliance in Bihar after corruption charges were leveled against RJD
leader Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family members, including Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav. Tensions have also escalated
between Congress and Nitish Kumar in recent days, after the Bihar CM lent his support to NDA’s presidential
candidate and now president-elect Ram Nath Kovind. Congress’ vocal support to
Lalu Prasad and his claims that he is being subjected to a political vendetta
at the hands of Centre, has also reportedly created tiff between the two
parties.
Vaghela’s exit could spell trouble for Sonia’s confidant Ahmed Patel in
Rajya Sabha poll
Gujarat Congress stalwart Shankarsinh Vaghela’s decision to quit the
party may cast a shadow on the prospects of Sonia Gandhi’s confidant Ahmed
Patel’s re-election to Rajya Sabha. According to party sources, Vaghela has
support of around a dozen MLAs, and if they follow suit, it may put into
jeopardy Patel’s chances of securing a fourth Rajya Sabha term from his home
state.Patel is Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s political secretary.Congress
has 57 MLAs in Gujarat and its candidate would require votes of 47 of them to
get elected.PTI
Modi’s false promises on crop MSP exposed, Agriculture Minister Radha
Mohan Singh makes a u-turn in Lok Sabha
Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh has again misled the
country by making a completely false statement by claiming that PM Narendra Modi had never promised to offer a
minimum support price to farmers but had instead promised to give a profit of
50% to farmers on the production cost.All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination
Committee (AIKSCC) has said that not only is this a completely false statement,
but the agricultural minister also did not clarify how the farmers can gain a
profit of 50% without having an MSP in place.Defying Singh’s claim, social
activist and founder of Swaraj Abhiyan Yogendra Yadav tweeted a video dated
April 4, 2014. The video clearly shows that Modi had promised to fix the crops’
MSP at above 50% of the production cost.TwoCircles
Maharashtra Collector Confirms EVM Tampering in RTI Reply, Votes Went To
Lotus Symbol
Contrary to the claim by Election Commission of India (ECI), an RTI
response from Maharashtra’s Buldhana district collectorate has confirmed malfunctioning
of EVM, reported IANS. Buldhana collectorate's election department has replied
to an RTI query confirming that votes of an independent candidate had gone to
BJP’s lotus symbol. “EVM fraud” happened during Feb.16 polls to Buldhana Zilla
Parishad from Lonar, at a polling station in Sultanpur village of the district,
said RTI activist Anil Galgali."Everytime the voter pressed a symbol of
Coconut, allotted to a candidate, the LED lamp of the BJP's Lotus used to
flash. This was reported to the District Collector by the Returning Officer
(RO) in his inquiry report and furnished under an RTI query,” he said.Galgali
filed his RTI query on June 16, after learning about the complaint by
Independent candidate Asha Arun Zore who met with the "EVM fraud”.He
demanded details of the probe report submitted by the RO.Outlook / IANS
aL aQSA mosque &
PALESTINE
Al-Aqsa: UN slams Israel killings of young Palestinians
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he "deeply
deplores" the killings of three Palestinians - one of whom was shot by a
settler - as anger boiled over increased Israeli restrictions at Jerusalem's
al-Aqsa compound. Guterres condemned the killings and called for an
investigation early on Saturday, hours after mass protests by Palestinians
around the holy site turned deadly. He urged Israeli and Palestinian leaders to
refrain from actions that could further escalate the volatile situation in
Jerusalem's Old City, saying that religious sites should be spaces for
reflection, not violence.Citing Guterres, UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said
the organisation understands "legitimate security concerns, but on the
other hand it is important that the status quo at the site be
retained".Israeli security forces violently clamped down on Friday's
demonstrations, firing live ammunition, tear gas and rubber-coated bullets at
crowds of Palestinians protesting against the new measures, which include the
barring of Muslim men under the age of 50 from the holy site and the
installation of metal detectors. Israeli forces killed 3 Palestinian youth.
According to the Red Crescent, there were 450 wounded by Israeli forces during
the protests in Jerusalem and the West Bank, with at least 215 injuries caused
by tear gas inhalation. Police say a Palestinian attacker also killed 3
Israelis at a West Bank settlement.Palestinian Prisoners Club said that at
least 21 Palestinians were arrested at Friday's protests in the West Bank,
including at least 10 from Jerusalem. Several countries have condemned Israel's
increased control, including Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and
Lebanon.Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas announced the suspension of all
contact with Israel "until it cancels its measures at al-Aqsa Mosque and
preserves the status quo".Al Jazeera
3 Palestinians killed as protests rage over al-Aqsa
At least three Palestinians have been killed, according to local media,
and hundreds more injured amid mass protests over new Israeli security measures
at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound.In the first incident, an Israeli settler killed
an 18-year-old Palestinian man in the Ras al-Amud neighbourhood in occupied
East Jerusalem, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.The death of
Muhamd Mahmoud Sahraf was confirmed by Israeli security and the Red
Crescent. A second Palestinian was also
confirmed killed by live fire during the demonstrations that followed Friday
prayers, officials at a hospital in Jerusalem told AP. aljazeera
Israel bars Muslim men below 50 years from conducting Friday prayers in
Jerusalem
Hamas: Abbas’s decision to freeze contacts with Israel “meaningless”
Gaza, (PIC) Hamas has said that Palestinian Authority (PA) chief Mahmoud
Abbas’s decision to freeze contacts with Israel in response to its recent
measures at the Aqsa Mosque is “meaningless without ending his security
collaboration with it.”In Twitter remarks, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri also
said that Abbas’s decision would be “pointless” without backtracking on his
punitive measures against Gaza and giving Palestinian resistance in the West
Bank a free hand to defend its own people.Abbas announced on Friday the
suspension of his authority’s contacts with Israel to pressure it to revoke its
recent security measures at Aqsa Mosque.However, Abbas did not state if his
step would include the security cooperation between PA and Israel in the West
Bank.
Qaradawi: Defending Jerusalem is Islamic affair
Doha(PIC)Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, head of the World Union of Muslim
Scholars, said that Jerusalem is not a Palestinian issue but an Islamic
affair.We have to clearly declare that Jerusalem is an Islamic affair.
Defending Jerusalem is not a Palestinian or Arab issue but the battle of all
Muslims all over the world, he said on his twitter account.
Israel stops European delegation from reaching Aqsa
O.Jerusalem(PIC) Israeli police prevented on Friday a European
parliamentary delegation from approaching the gates of al-Aqsa Mosque on the 2nd
day of their visit to O. Jerusalem. Delegation, composed of Lee Rhiannon, a
senator of the Australian Greens Party, and Paul Monaghan, a leader of the
Scottish National Party, visited the Old City of Jerusalem and were briefed on
the Judaization and settlement activities in the area.They conducted another
visit to Shu'fat refugee camp and were detailed on the tough conditions facing
its residents in light of the severe overcrowding, the lack of infrastructure
and the Israeli municipality's negligence of their basic needs.
Israel closes Old City and arrests Jerusalemite officials
Israeli occupation forces closed the Old City in occupied Jerusalem and
Al-Aqsa Mosque today with metal doors and barriers, blocking all entrances and
gates.The measure was taken after the Govt decided to keep metal detectors at the
entrances to the mosque leading for calls for mass protests. Local sources told
Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that occupation forces brought in more metal barriers and
spread them across the Old City and near Al-Aqsa Mosque’s gates in order to
prevent demonstrations in support of Al-Aqsa.middleeastmonitor
South Africans stand in solidarity with Al-Aqsa
Haaretz: UAE FM held secret meeting with Netanyahu
UAE Foreign Minister, Abdullah Bin Zayed, met with Israeli PM , Benjamin
Netanyahu, “secretly” in New York in Sept. 2012, Haaretz reported.The newspaper
quoted two Western diplomats, who asked not to be named, saying that the
meeting occurred on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting in New
York a day after Netanyahu gave his “red line” speech in which he said that the
international community must stop Iran’s uranium enrichment programme. The
diplomats stated that the meeting took place at the Regency Hotel in New York,
and Bin Zayed was accompanied by his country’s ambassador to Washington, Yousef
Al-Otaiba. They were ushered into the hotel discretely through the underground
parking lot and were taken upstairs to Netanyahu’s suite in a service
elevator.According to the diplomats, “Netanyahu and Bin Zayed saw eye to eye on
the Iranian nuclear issue,” but that the “foreign minister told Netanyahu his
country could not warm up its relations with Israel as long as there was no
progress in the peace process with the Palestinians.”
WORLD
Qatari Emir : Any talks must respect Qatar sovereignty
Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has said that his country is
ready for dialogue to resolve a diplomatic crisis with a Saudi-led group, but
stressed that any solution to the crisis must respect his country's sovereignty."We
are open to dialogue to resolve the outstanding problems [so long as Qatar's]
sovereignty is respected," Al Thani said in a televised address on Friday,
his first since Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE and Egypt cut ties with the
peninsula. Qatar has been targeted by the unprecedented campaign, he said,
adding that he valued Kuwait's mediation and the support of US, Turkey and
Germany for their efforts to resolve the crisis. Aljazeera
US praises Qatar’s fight against terrorism and calls for blockade to be
lifted
US Secretary of State said on Friday that America is satisfied with
Qatar’s efforts to implement an agreement signed last week which aims to combat
the financing of terrorism. Rex Tillerson also called on Arab countries to lift
the “land blockade” imposed on Doha.Tillerson has visited a number of Gulf
States to persuade them to help solve the worst regional political crisis in
years, but he left without any clear signs that a resolution is on the way.
Nevertheless, he did sign the agreement with Qatar in an attempt to ease the
crisis, although those opposed to Doha said that this was “not enough” to
dispel their fears. middleeastmonitor
Egypt court sentences 28 to death over 2015 prosecutor killing
A Cairo criminal court on Saturday sentenced to death 28 people over the
2015 killing of Egypt’s top prosecutor after the death penalty was approved by
the country’s top religious authority, and it also jailed 15 others for 25
years each.Public prosecutor Hisham Barakat was killed in a car bomb attack on
his convoy in the capital, an operation for which Egypt blamed the Muslim
Brotherhood and Hamas. Both groups have denied having a role.The court had in
June recommended passing the death penalty to Egypt’s top religious leader, Grand
Mufti, who can approve or reject the recommendation. Mufti’s guidance is required when a court
seeks the death penalty but his decision is not binding.The sentences,
confirmed by the court in Saturday’s hearing, can be appealed.“Verdicts were
shocking today,” said one of the defence lawyers, Ahmed Saad. “Others who had
nothing to do with the assassination of martyr Hisham Barakat received life
sentences. They had nothing to do with the incident.” middleeastmonitor
Panama papers: Pakistan PM Sharif's defence minister to replace him in
case of conviction?
Lahore: Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday emerged as
the "most potential candidate" to replace beleaguered PM Nawaz Sharif if he is disqualified by the
Supreme Court for alleged graft and money laundering in the sensitive Panama
Papers case.Asif is most likely to become the interim PM for 45 days till 67-year-old Sharif's wife
Kalsoom or brother Punjab CM Shahbaz
Sharif is elected on a National Assembly seat to lead the Govt for the remaining term, according to a top
PML-N leader.He said it was discussed during back-to-back consultative meetings
held by Sharif with his legal team and close aides after the apex court
reserved its verdict yesterday.During a high-level meeting, it was decided that
one of the three PML-N leaders could be made premier for '45 days'.The other 2
candidates shortlisted are National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and
Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.PTI
US: Denial of $350 million aid to Pak reality, not a policy
US defence secretary Jim Mattis has said that his refusal to give
certification to Congress that Pakistan was taking action against Haqqani
network is not a reflection of a new tougher policy against Islamabad, but
simply an assessment of the current state of play.Pentagon spokesman Adam Stump
said on Friday that the Trump administration will not provide $350 million in
coalition support funds to Pakistan after US defence secretary said he cannot
certify that Islamabad has taken "sufficient actions" against the
dreaded Haqqani network.TOI
Mosul morgue workers struggle to cope with ‘river of blood’:Reuters
Mosul: The fridges are nearly full at the morgue in Mosul where the
casualties of war with Islamic State are stored.So many bodies are brought in
that the morgue workers struggle to identify and bury the dead fast enough to
make space for the next batch that arrives with grim regularity, as the city’s
residents clear up after nine months of urban warfare.The battle for Mosul is
over, but the task of sorting out the dead is only just beginning.“A lot of
blood has been shed,” said an employee at the morgue, who asked not to be
named. “Iraq used to have two rivers: the Tigris and the Euphrates. Now we have
a third: the river of blood.”The full scale of the losses may never be known.
Morgue and rescue workers said they were now receiving bodies at a rate of at
least 30 to 40 per day — most of them killed by air strikes that helped
dislodge the militants.Inside one of the fridges, black body bags stacked to
the side contain the remains of civilians who were methodically gunned down by
IS snipers, behind a soft-drinks factory as they fled towards Iraqi security
forces in June.
World’s lack of outrage over tens of thousands of civilian deaths in
Mosul is shameful: The Independent
Bar re-opens in Iraq town previously overrun by ISIS:Reuters
Pentagon chief says he thinks Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is alive
Pentagon chief Jim Mattis said on Saturday that he believes Islamic
State chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is still alive, following various claims he
was dead. “I think Baghdadi’s alive… and I’ll believe otherwise when we know
we’ve killed him,” Mattis told Pentagon reporters.“We are going after him, but
we assume he is alive.” There have been persistent rumors that Baghdadi has
died in recent months. Britain-based
Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a longtime conflict monitor, last week
said it had heard from senior IS leaders in Syria’s Deir Ezzor province that
Baghdadi was dead.AFP
US air raid kills 16 Afghan policemen in Helmand
An errant US air raid has killed Afghan police in the southern province
of Helmand, US military and local officials said. The aerial attack on a
compound took place on Friday afternoon after Afghan police had retaken a
checkpoint captured by the Taliban a day earlier in Gereshk district, north of
the provincial capital Lashkar Gah."16 Afghan policemen were killed
including two commanders. Two other policemen were wounded," Omar Zwak, a
spokesman for the governor of Helmand, told Al Jazeera."It was most
probably a miscommunication or the coordinates were not correct, which resulted
in the US air strikes. An investigation has been launched."A statement
from the US military confirmed the killings, saying, "aerial fires
resulted in the deaths of the friendly Afghan forces who were gathered in a compound."US
has carried out 52 air raids in Helmand over the past 5 days, including 10 in
Gereshk on Thursday, according to the US military headquarters in Kabul.On
Thursday, the son of Taliban leader Mullah Haibatullah Akhunzada died after
driving a vehicle laden with explosives into an Afghan military base in the
town of Gereshk, Qari Yousaf Ahmadi, the Taliban's main spokesman for southern
Afghanistan, said.Ahmadi said Abdur Rahman had been a student of an Islamic
school but had wanted to carry out a suicide attack. "He succeeded in his
mission last Thursday," he said.Taliban fighters drove three captured
Humvee vehicles into checkpoints during heavy fighting around Gereshk.
Aljazeera
Philippines extends martial law in Mindanao until 2018
Philippine Congress voted to extend martial law on the southern island
of Mindanao until the end of the year, giving President Rodrigo Duterte extra
time to quell fighters allied with the ISIL group. In a special joint session
of the House and the Senate on Saturday, the overwhelming number of 261
legislators, accounting for more than two-thirds of Congress membership of more
than 300, agreed to extend military rule in Mindanao region until Dec.31.Just
18 voted against the motion.Opposition dragged out the debate, questioning why
martial law was needed for the whole of Mindanao when the fighting was limited
to only one city."I fear that the plan to extend the martial law in
Mindanao will pave the way for a Philippines-wide martial law," Senator
Risa Hontiveros told AFP ahead of the vote. aljazeera
UN envoy complains of state surveillance in Myanmar
Activists and journalists in Myanmar continue to be followed and
questioned by state surveillance agents, a UN envoy said on Friday, at the
conclusion of a visit she said was beset by official snooping and access
restrictions.Special Rapporteur Yanghee Lee told a news conference at the
conclusion of her 12-day visit that she faced "increasing restrictions"
on her access. aljazeera
FLASH: NEWS & VIEWS
Modi & Zionism: The Hindu right wing’s admiration for Israel and the
Zionist ideology is born out of its antipathy to Muslims: A G NOORANI,
Frontline
EPW's editor resignation: On Gautam Adani’s alleged scam, it’s now Left
vs Left
Adani Has the Last Laugh: Public Intellectuals Deal a Body Blow to Free
Journalism:SEEMA MUSTAFA
Clueless scientists look for HIV cure in cows, get shock of their
lives:Financial express
PM Modi, Who Claimed Ganesh Had Cosmetic Surgery, Is Unhappy With
India's Scientists: Somak Ghoshal, Editor, HuffPost India
Madrasas a bane for Muslims:Balbir Punj
Cow provincialism:Janaki Nair
Modi’s BJP may be alienating the vyapari as it courts Big Capital and
the underclass:Harish Damodaran
33 % of world’s child brides are in India: Report based on last Census
Netanyahu accidentally reveals why Modi did not visit Palestine during
Israel trip
What Netanyahu said on Modi that journalists accidentally heard
10 lakh students in UP to be tested on RSS ideology
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 5:50 PM)
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