NEWS
DIGEST, Afternoon
05 Feb. 2019: 29 Jamadiul-I 1440:
Vol:11, No:120
INDIA
SC says no coercive action against Kolkata
police chief, issues notice to Bengal govt over CBI plea
New Delhi: The Supreme Court today issued
notice to the Mamata Govt on CBI’s plea that its officers investigating chit
fund scam cases were “held hostage” by state police when they went to the
residence of Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar.A bench of CJI Ranjan
Gogoi and Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna also asked Kumar to make
himself available before CBI at a “neutral place” for probe and fixed Shillong
for this.The SC, however, directed that no coercive action including arrest be taken
against the Commissioner.The SC asked State Chief Secretary, DGP and Kumar to
file their replies to CBI’s contentions by Feb.18.It said that their personal
presence may be needed at next date of hearing and added the court will decide
on this after going through their replies.indianexpress
Win for us: Mamata, BJP after SC passes order
on CBI petition against Kolkata police chief
MHA tells Mamata govt to take disciplinary
action against Rajeev Kumar
New Delhi :A day after West Bengal Governor
Keshari Nath Tripathi sent a report to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on prevailing
situation in Kolkata, Home Ministry asked Mamata Govt to initiate disciplinary
proceedings against Kolkata Police commissioner Rajeev Kumar for indiscipline
and violation of All India Services (Conduct) Rules.In a letter to West Bengal
chief secretary, Home Ministry said that Kumar violated All India Services
(Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1969, by sitting on a dharna along with some
police officers and CM in Kolkata.indianexpress
CBI pressure eased off on 2 in Saradha after
they joined BJP
While CBI has turned the heat on Kolkata
Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar in the Saradha scam, its probe against ex-Railway
Minister and ex-Trinamool Congress vice president Mukul Roy, which started in
2015, went cold within months. Similar is the case with Assam minister Himanta
Biswa Sharma. In connection with alleged payoffs, he was summoned by the
agency, his home was raided, but he was not named in any chargesheet. Roy was
being probed for his alleged role in Saradha’s news operations and for his
association with Saradha chairman SudiptaSen.CBI had a statement of Sen’s
driver giving details of how Roy allegedly helped Sen flee Kolkata.CBI summoned
Roy in 2015 after allegations by TMC MP Kunal Ghosh.indianexpress
Alleged Mukul Roy-Kailash Vijayvargiya Audio
Clip Casts New Cloud Over CBI's Autonomy
New Delhi: Even as Centre-West Bengal standoff
over CBI’s action against the Kolkata police commissioner aggravated on Monday,
an audio tape alleged to be a phone conversation between senior BJP leaders
Kailash Vijayvargiya and Mukul Roy started making the rounds on social media
again – casting a new cloud over the independence of the CBI.First published by
Bengali daily Ananda Bazaar Patrika in Oct.2018, in the clip, senior BJP leader
Mukul Roy can be allegedly heard telling BJP’s Bengal in-charge Kailash
Vijayvargiya to get 2 central Govt officials transferred to Bengal to act
against 4 IPS officers.Then Vijayvargiya asks Roy if he has anything to tell
the “adyaksha” (president) as he was supposed to meet Amit Shah soon.thewire
You're Hell Bent on Destroying NRC: SC Fumes
at Centre for ‘Not Cooperating at All’ in the Process
New Delhi:The Supreme Court today reproached
the Centre to seek suspension of NRC updation in Assam, observing that Govt seems
to be "hell bent on destroying NRC". A bench comprising CJI Ranjan
Gogoi and Justice Rohinton F Nariman refused to suspend the process of deciding
claims and objections of those who were left out of first draft of National
Register of Citizens. The court's strictures have come at a time when BJP,
through its top leaders, has been talking about its commitment to implement NRC
in Assam, and has also sought to take some credit of the process in their
political speeches. "We are very
disappointed with your request. We are sorry to say but Ministry of Home
Affairs (MHA) is delaying NRC work. We are left anguished. MHA seems hell bent
on destroying NRC," remarked CJI.The observations came after Attorney
General KK Venugopal, representing the central government, made a request for
suspension of NRC work in the wake of the upcoming general elections.Attorney
General urged the bench to put NRC process in abeyance for the period between notification
of the polls and two weeks after the votes are cast. But submission left the
bench anguished. "We just say that Govt of India is not cooperating. When
it wants to do something, it can come up with one thousand ways of doing
something. But in this case, you don't want to cooperate," it retorted.
The court said it would contemplate summoning Union Home Secretary for an
explanation over “not cooperating at all.” The bench further said:
"Elections are definitely to be held peacefully but NRC must also have to
keep going. Elections and NRC must go together. Both the exercises are
important for the country." The bench made it clear that it would not
extend the deadline of July 31, 2019 for publication of the final list of NRC
in Assam. In its order, the bench directed Assam Govt to keep adequate number of
officials free for NRC work. Election Commission should also examine exemption
of officers to carry on NRC work during the polls, it added. "Least
interference should be made in NRC work," maintained the bench,
reiterating that deadline for final NRC remains July 31. The court will hear
the case next in the first week of March.news18
MHA wants to destroy NRC process: SC raps govt
over request to withdraw troops for poll duty
Rohingya row at India-Bangladesh border: 8
women, 17 children released from jail
Agartala: A Rohingya Muslim group of 8 women
and 17 children, who were arrested after being stuck at India-Bangladesh border
last month, was on Monday released from jail following deposit of bail bonds by
Rohingya Refugee Community.Judicial Magistrate, SL Tripura Monday ordered for
releasing them from jail after the bail bonds of Rs 5,000 for each of them were
deposited. Magistrate also granted bails for 6 Rohingya men, also of the same
stranded group, during the day on condition that Rs 30,000 is to be deposited
per person. Advocate Prasenjit Debnath, who moved the bail petition for the
Rohingyas men, said if the bail bonds are deposited on Feb.8, when they would
be produced in the court again, they would be freed.Meanwhile, Md Shaqir, a
member of Rohingya Refugee Community, who came from Delhi for depositing the
bail bonds, told reporters that he would talk to his community for gathering
the money for bail bonds for the 6 men, who were again taken to jail as bail
bonds could not be deposited.PTI
Assam Govt gives 2 different figures on number
of foreigners
Guwahati: Assam Govt today gave 2 different
figures in the state Assembly on the number of foreigners detected in the
state.The issue was pointed out by BJP MLA Numal Momin as Point of Order
immediately after the Question Hour and he urged the Speaker to take strict
action against the "callous officials".Parliamentary Affairs Minister
Chandra Mohan Patowary said a total of 1,03,764 people were declared as
foreigners from 1985 to Aug.2018.A question on this was raised by the ruling
party MLA Binanda Kumar Saikia and was taken up for discussion during the
Question Hour.In a separate query, Patowary gave a different figure and said
94,425 foreigners were detected from 1985 to August 2018.PTI
AGP Slams BJP in Assembly for Attempting to
'Nullify' Assam Accord
New Delhi: AGP, a former ally of ruling BJP in
Assam, on Monday slammed the state Govt for its alleged attempt to nullify the
1985 Assam Accord and staged a walkout in the assembly.The state govnt,
however, said implementation of the accord is a priority and CM Sarbananda Sonowal is holding regular
discussions with the Centre on the issue.During the question hour, AGP MLA
Ramendra Narayan Kalita charged the Centre with trying to nullify the accord by
bringing in the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.AIUDF member Mamun
Imdadul Haque Chawdhury said that while the Assam Accord spoke about Assamese
people, the present Govt is using the term indigenous people.“From where has
this come? Even the governor’s speech talked about indigenous people. How come
has this happened? A wrong signal should not go from here,” he added. Congress’s
Rakibul Hussain said the clause 6 talks about land and political rights for
people till March 24, 1971, while the Bill is self-contradictory in this
case.PTI
In PIL against Citizenship bill, Assamese intellectuals
say it violates constitution
Guwahati: A PIL filed in the Supreme Court by
leading Assamese intellectuals argues that Union home ministry notifications
for granting citizenship to a section of refugees and migrants from the
neighbouring countries contravenes not only some articles but the very “basic
structure” of the Constitution.85-page petition, submitted by the Hiren
Gohain-led Forum Against Citizenship Act Amendment Bill makes a case for the declaration
of the three notifications by the ministry as “illegal and invalid, being,
ultra-vires the Constitution of India.”thewire
No proposal to scrap sedition law: Govt tells LS
New Delhi: Govt on Tuesday informed the Lok
Sabha that there is no proposal to scrap sedition law, under which the maximum
punishment is life imprisonment.“No such proposal is under consideration of the
govt,” Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said while replying to a
written question on whether the Govt is mulling to scrap the colonial-era
sedition law. Ahir said amendments in criminal laws are a continuous process
and are made in consultation with various stakeholders, including the state govts.
Modi Govt has faced criticism in the past for imposing sedition act against
dissenting voices. As many as 245 sedition cases were registered across 17
districts of Assam since BJP-led alliance came to power in the state in
2016.indianexpress
Under BJP Govt, 245 sedition cases filed in Assam
MP: NSA invoked against 3 accused for cow
slaughter in Khandwa
Bhopal: NSA has been slapped against 3 persons
after they were arrested for cow slaughter in communally sensitive Khandwa town
of MP, first such action under Congress govt.Moghat Police arrested Raju alias
Nadeem and Shakeel from Kharkali village early on Friday. Azam, 3rd accused
who had managed to escape, was nabbed on Monday.Khandwa SP said that NSA has
been slapped against the accused. indian express
EWS quota: Jamia Millia Islamia cites minority
tag
New Delhi: Jamia Millia Islamia will not
implement 10% quota for economically weaker section (EWS) candidates, citing
its minority status. The university, in its academic council (AC) meeting on
Monday, decided that it won’t send UGC its seat matrix requirements and
infrastructure needs. The registrar will communicate to UGC that Jamia will
issue its admission notice based on the existing structure. On Jan.17, Union
HRD ministry had asked central institutions to implement EWS quota from the
2019-20 session. The institutions were told to furnish the programme-wise seat
matrix along with possible financial requirements by Jan.31. JNU sent it on
Feb.1 while DU is still collating data from its colleges. “We found that as we
are a minority institution, EWS quota won’t be applicable to us,” said an AC
member on the condition of anonymity. “UGC has already said certain institutes
and minority institutions will not come under this new system,”he claimed,
adding that Jamia had also not implemented OBC expansion quota.TOI
Student Body Releases ‘Students’ Manifesto’,
Demands 10% quota For Minorities
New Delhi:A student body today released a
'Student Manifesto' demanding 10 % reservation in jobs and educational institutes
for Muslims and five % for other
minorities. Students Islamic Organisation (SIO) of India, which released the
manifesto ahead of the general elections, urged political parties to include
the demands in their manifestos. The section on education in the manifesto
sharply criticizes the central and state governments for their poor
implementation of Right to Education Act,and makes a number of recommendations
to improve efficiency and transparency. The manifesto demanded an increase in
the stipend of Maulana Azad National Fellowship and Rajiv Gandhi National
Fellowship. It demanded reservation in educational institutions as per the
recommendations of the Sachar Committee report. It also demanded that Arabic
and Islamic studies chairs be opened in all universities.In the education
sector, it also demanded to enact Rohit Act -- to ensure legislative protection
for students from marginalised communities in higher educational institutions
-- and to establish AMU off campus centres in minority concentrated districts..
"Govt should ensure that the minority status of AMU and Jamia Millia
Islamia (JMI)," was another demand. At the launch, Labeed Shafi,
President, SIO of India said that students and youth are the biggest
constituency of this country and political parties must specially cater to
their needs when seeking for votes.ndtv
Students' body demands 10 % quota for Muslims
Bhima-Koregaon case: Dr. Anand Teltumbde won’t
be arrested till Feb 12, Pune Police tells HC
Pune police informed the Bombay High Court today
that it will not arrest writer and Dr.Anand Teltumbde, accused in Bhima
Koregaon violence,till Feb.12 midnight. A single bench of Justice N.W. Sambre
was hearing a petition filed by Dr. Teltumbde seeking anticipatory bail in the
case through senior counsel Mihir Desai.He was arrested on Feb.2 at 3.30am at
Mumbai airport despite having interim protection from arrest from Supreme Court
till Feb.11.Additional public prosecutor Aruna Kamat Pai appearing for Pune
police told the court that a petition which was filed by him seeking to quash
FIR against him was dismissed by a division bench of HC therefore this petition
too should be dismissed.The court however rejected this plea and directed her
to give an undertaking as a condition for securing time to file an affidavit by
Feb.9 opposing this petition. The matter will be heard on Feb.12.the hindu
Teltumbde moves HC to apply for pre-arrest
bail
Delhi blasts: HC hears plea against acquittal
of 2
New Delhi: Delhi high court on Monday began
hearing the prosecution’s appeal challenging the acquittal of 2 people in the
2005 Diwali eve serial blasts that left 67 dead. The HC however, indicated that
the prosecution will have to show evidence in support of its claim of the men
being involved in a conspiracy. The court
remarked that mere suspicion can’t be the ground to allow the appeal filed by
the police challenging the acquittal of 3 people in the blast, and gave a day’s
time to the state to bring out from the evidence the role of the accused in the
blasts in the capital’s Sarojini Nagar area and other places.Delhi Police has
sought to set aside the trial court’s verdict where it acquitted M.Rafiq Shah,
Mohammad Hussain Fazili and Tariq Ahmed Dar. TOI
50% matching of EVM results with VVPATs may
not be possible in coming LS polls: Ex-CEC
Election Commission (EC) may not to be in a
position to meet the demand of opposition parties that 50 % of EVM results should be cross-checked with
VVPATs before declaring final Lok Sabha election results, indicated a former
CEC on Tuesday.Leaders of 23 political parties had met EC on Monday and
demanded matching of results of 50 % EVMs with VVPATs before it declared the results.When asked for
his response, the ex Chief Election Commissioner T S Krishnamurthy opined that EVMs
are credible even without VVPATs.”I think EC has already indicated that they
will increase the VVPATs verification gradually depending upon the machines
that they get”, he told PTI. “Overnight, they may not be able to do it (50 % VVPATs verification)”.PTI
23 opposition parties ask EC for auditing 50
pc of EVMs before declaring 2019 election results
Shiv Sena targets Modi govt over West Bengal
govt-CBI face-off
Mumbai: Shiv Sena Tuesday attacked Modi Govt over
the face-off between the West Bengal Govt and CBI, alleging that it was
"orchestrated" for political gains in upcoming Lok Sabha polls.Sena,
in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana', said what was happening in
Kolkata was a "threat to democracy". Sena said the Centre could have
acted against the Kolkata Police chief two months back and the CBI should have
carried proper summons before visiting his house to question him.The Sena
claimed that the BJP was going to fall short of 100 Lok Sabha seats from north
India to Maharashtra (in the west) in the Lok Sabha polls.PTI
Once ‘close’ to Mamata, ex-IPS officer Bharati
Ghosh joins BJP
New Delhi:Retired IPS officer Bharati Ghosh,
once considered close to West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, joined the BJP on Monday at
the party headquarters in the national capital. Indian Express had first
reported about Ghosh’s plans of joining politics to take “revenge” against TMC Govt
in the state. “I will definitely join a political party soon. When I followed
their (TMC’s) instructions, I was hailed as an honest officer. The moment I
started putting my foot down on things I thought were inappropriate, they
initiated criminal cases against me. I am determined to give them (TMC) a
befitting reply,’’ Ghosh had said.indianexpress
BJP used Lokpal agitation to come to power,
now allergic to it:Anna Hazare
Pune :Social activist Anna Hazare, who is
sitting on a hunger strike at his village Ralegan Siddhi over non-appointment
of Lokpal by the central government, said BJP came to power “using Lokpal
agitation” and now seems to have developed an “allergy” towards the
term.“What’s the use of coming here and meeting me when nothing is being done
to appoint Lokpal? It only sends across a wrong message to people. I have asked
them to clear their stance on Lokpal first,” said Hazare. He further said BJP
govts in the Centre and the state had “misled” him over the past few years.
indianexpress
A-G files contempt petition against Bhushan
Attorney General of India KK Venugopal has
approached the Supreme Court, seeking initiation of contempt proceedings
against Advocate Prashant Bhushan over his tweets in connection with the
hearing on a petition challenging M Nageswhar Rao’s appointment as CBI interim
director.The plea referred to the hearing before a bench of Justices Arun
Mishra and Navin Sinha on Feb.1 when the petition filed by NGO Common Cause
came up — Bhushan had represented the NGO at the hearing.indianexpress
Telangana; Jamaat-E-Islami Hind Drive to
restore family values
Hyderabad: Telangana and Odisha president of
Jamaat-E-Islami Hind (JIH) has said that the disappearing family system is one
of the key reasons for all societal problems. Speaking on the group’s 10-day
campaign on ‘ideal family system’ being held in the city, Hamid Mohammed Khan
said that it was aimed at restoring family values among people. As part of the
campaign that will end on Feb.10, activities including seminars and street
plays are being organised to help people resolve family issues peacefully.
Counselling sessions are also being held under the guidance of expert
counsellors. TOI
Hyderabad: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind to introduce
course for brides and bridegrooms
Jharkhand Opposition protests against removal
of burqa, black dupattas in Assembly
Opposition parties protested in the Jharkhand
Assembly on Monday, against the forced removal of burqas and black dupattas
worn by women during an event attended by CM Raghubar Das in Giridih district.Jhobha
Manjhi, a JMM MLA, spoke on the incident that took place on Sunday, when the
House met at 11 am. Supporting her protest, JVM-P MLA Pradeep Yadav said:"CM
needs to answer on this issue.This is serious."Later, Geeta Kodfa, a
Congress MLA, said: “On one hand, state Govt is launching many schemes related
to the well being of women, and on other hand, it also humiliates them. In
reaction, ruling BJP MLA Biranchi Narayan asked: "Until the burqa is not
removed, how can it be ascertained whether it is a woman or a terrorist?"IANS
Agra: Will give financial aid if Hindu man
marries Muslim girl on Valentine’s Day, says Hindu out
Agra:Right-wing outfits are usually known to
stage protests - which are sometimes violent in nature - and harass young
couples in public spaces on Feb.14 every year, on the occasion of Valentine's
Day.However, this year, a right-wing outfit has claimed that it is ready to
celebrate Valentine’s Day, albeit with certain conditions. Agra unit of the
Hindu Kalyan Mahasabha has declared that it will protect and offer monetary
benefits to couples "if a Hindu man ties the knot with a Muslim woman on
Feb.14', TOI reported. Convenor of the group, Sanjay Jat, said that that
decision was a "counter move" by the outfit to "save Hindu
girls" from being cheated by men from "other community" who
"disguise themselves as Hindu men."He said,"Right-wing bodies
are always targeted for protecting Hindu girls from falling prey on Valentine's
Day.But this year, we have decided to welcome the occasion and will also offer
protection and monetary benefits of Rs 51,000 to such couples."TOI
Uttarakhand: Dalit group gives ultimatum:
Absolve ‘innocents’ in riot case, trace body of youth
Dehradun:Members of a Dalit rights body staged
a ‘silent protest’ at Parade Ground on Monday for booking few Dalits, who they
claimed to be innocent, in a riot incident at Vikasnagar last month. The riots
were triggered after locals protested over the delay in recovery of a youth’s
body. As per the family members of the victim Moti, he was murdered and his
body was dumped in Shakti canal. Following the complaint, police filed a
kidnapping case on Jan.18 and launched a search operation, but could not locate
the body. Violent protests had ensued on Jan.21 over the alleged delay in
recovery of Moti’s body.Protesters had also blocked Delhi-Yamunotri highway,attacked
policemen and vandalised several stores in Vikasnagar. Meanwhile, members of
the Dalit group, Uttarakhand Samvaidhanik Adhikar Sanrakshan Manch have given a
15-day ultimatum to the police to trace the body and also withdraw the cases
against few Dalits who staged protests on Jan. 21. TOI
Switzerland set to transfer details of Indian
account holders in HSBC
New Delhi:The transfer of banking details of
accounts held by Indians in HSBC (Suisse) by Swiss authorities has become
imminent with account holders receiving a communication from Swiss Federal Tax
Administration (FTA) to provide their written consent and a Swiss address to
receive notices.It was in 2011 that French authorities had given India a list
of 628 Indians who held accounts in HSBC Private Bank (Suisse) and in 2015,
Swiss Leaks, an investigation done by Indian Express with International
Consortium of Investigative Journalists and French newspaper Le Monde had
expanded the list to 1195 Indian accounts holding balances totalling Rs 25,420
crore for the year 2006-07.The investigation had revealed there were 276 Indian
account holders with at least $1 million in their balance of whom 85 are
residing in the country.indianexpress
UK Home Secretary signs Mallya extradition
order
New Delhi:Less than 2 months after a UK court
ordered fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya’s extradition to India, British Home
Secretary Sajid Javid has signed the order for completing the process. India
was quick to “welcome” the decision, with Govt sources saying that they “await”
the early completion of the legal process. Mallya said he would appeal against
the order — he has 14 days to do so.A UK Home Office spokesperson confirmed
that the minister had signed Mallya’s extradition order on Sunday. Javid had to
make a decision within 2 months of the day the case was sent to him.“On Feb.3,
Secretary of State,having carefully considered all relevant matters, signed the
order for Vijay Mallya’s extradition to India. Mallya is accused in India of
conspiracy to defraud, making false representations and money laundering
offences,”spokesperson said.indian express
2002 Gujarat Best Bakery case: 2 accused
charged with rioting, murder
Mumbai :A sessions court has framed charges
against 2 persons in 2002 Best Bakery case. Harshad Solanki and Mafat Gohil
will face trial for charges including murder, attempt to murder, rioting and
other sections of IPC for the communal violence in Vadodara in 2002.During the
violence in the bakery, 14 persons were killed. A total of 19 accused faced
trial earlier, nine of whom were sentenced to life imprisonment by the trial
court in 2006. They then challenged the order in Bombay High Court, which confirmed
the life term of four, while acquitting 5 in 2012. Solanki and Gohil were named
as absconding accused at that time and were brought before the trial court only
after their arrest in 2013.indianexpress
Indian Media Barred from Conference Addressed by
Pak Foreign Minister in UK Parliament
London: Indian media was not allowed entry
into a global conference, which was projected as an 'open' event, addressed by
Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in a committee room in UK House
of Commons complex on Monday.International Conference on Kashmir was billed as
an event to express "solidarity" with the people of Kashmir. Chaired
by Rehman Chishti, a PoK-born Conservative Party MP,event was organised by All Party
Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Pakistan. There was restricted access allowed
into what had been projected as an open conference.India had registered strong
opposition over Qureshi being allowed to address such a meeting within the
British Parliament complex. The event was attended by Pakistani-origin British
MPs and peers, including Khalid Mahmood and Baroness Sayeeda Warsi. British
Sikh Labour Party MP, Tan Dhesi, was among the few Indian-origin
parliamentarians seen entering the room.In response, the UK Govt had said
Qureshi was not an official guest as he was on a private visit to Britain.UK
event coincided with "Kashmir Solidarity Day", observed by Pakistan
on Feb.5. PTI
Pakistan observes Kashmir Solidarity Day
1 killed, 6 injured in communal clashes in
UP's Muzaffarnagar
Muzaffarnagar:One person was killed and 6
others were injured after members of two communities clashed at Chatela village
here, police said today.The clash broke out after 2 men -- Rajkumar and Shavaiz
-- entered into an argument following a quarrel between their children, SP,
Rural, Alok Sharma, said.On Monday, members of the two groups attacked each
other with sticks, leaving 6 injured and one dead, police said. Rajkumar was
declared dead at a hospital here.2 people have been arrested and a search has
been launched to nab the remaining accused, Sharma said.PTI
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi to meet party
minority cells across nation
Congress president Rahul Gandhi is going to
address representatives of the party's Minority Congress, the party's minority
cell, from all blocks around the country in Delhi on Feb.7, during its annual
convention. During the day-long convention, which will take place at the
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, issues of 6 communities that the cell represents --
Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Parsis and Jains -- will be taken up.
Also in attendance will be senior leaders including Ahmed Patel, Oscar
Fernandes, Navjot Singh Sidhu, among others. AICC in-charge of the minority
cell, Nadeem Javed, said that the focus will be the challenges that minorities
across the country face.dnaindia
WORLD
Trump pushes withdrawal from
"endless" Afghanistan, Syria wars
Washington:Pushing back against Republican
opposition, US President Donald Trump reaffirmed his determination to pull US
troops out of "endless wars" in Syria and Afghanistan, in an
interview. But he said they would stay in Iraq to watch Iran.Trump cited the
high cost in blood and money after years of fighting in Afghanistan, in arguing
for a US withdrawal from the place where 9/11 attacks were hatched."It's
time," he said in the interview with CBS's "Face the Nation."
"And we'll see what happens with the Taliban. They want peace. They're
tired.Everybody's tired."Trump's comments come in face of warnings by US
intelligence chiefs that a hasty US withdrawal from Afghanistan and Syria could
allow a resurgence by Al-Qaeda and ISIS.On Thursday, US Senate voted
overwhelmingly for a measure sponsored by Mitch McConnell, the majority leader
of Trump's Republican party, warning against a "precipitous
withdrawal" from either country.But Trump appeared unmoved by the rare
Republican pushback, noting that his promises to bring US troops home was "a
big part" of the reason he was elected. AFP
Senate rebukes Trump over withdrawal plans
Erdogan: 'No satisfactory plan' with US on
Syria safe zone
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan says he has
not yet seen an acceptable plan for the creation of a "safe zone" in
northeastern Syria, three weeks after US President Donald Trump suggested move."There
is no satisfactory plan that is put before us concretely yet," Erdogan
told a parliamentary meeting of his AK Party."Of course, we are loyal to
our agreements, our promise is a promise. But our patience is not
limitless."Trump proposed setting up a "safe zone" for Kurds
after announcing he was pulling out all 2000 US troops in northern
Syria.aljazeera
Kabul 'regrets' Taliban-Afghan opposition
talks in Russia
Afghan Govt has criticised talks in Russia
between Taliban and opposition figures - including ex president Hamid Karzai -
as regrettable while politicians attending described gathering as the
continuation of peace efforts.The discussions starting today in Moscow come 10
days after peace negotiations between US and the Taliban in Qatar ended with
signs of progress towards the withdrawal of thousands of foreign troops from
Afghanistan and an end to over 17 years of war. Fazel Fazly, chief adviser to
President Ashraf Ghani, expressed "regret" that politicians who
previously led Afghanistan's democratic transition were to meet Taliban leaders
over 2 days. Ghani's office criticised the meeting saying Afghan politicians
attending were doing so "in order to gain power".Along with Karzai,
many of 38 delegates from Kabul have held prominent Govt positions. Also on list
are powerful commanders-turned-politicians and ex Taliban fighters who
reconciled with the Kabul administration.Moscow gathering is likely to further
isolate Ghani who has been irked by US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad's direct
talks with Taliban, as well as his successive rounds of talks in regional
countries. Moscow-based Council of Afghan Society, an organisation of the
Afghan diaspora in Russia, organised the meeting.It said the participants will
discuss a range of issues, including a ceasefire, ways to support Khalilzad's
initiatives and a path to ensure a "powerful and democratic central
govt" in Afghanistan.aljazeera
58 die in clashes between Taliban, Afghan forces
Kabul:At least 36 members of the Afghan
security forces and 22 Taliban rebels have been killed in fresh clashes in the
country’s north, officials and local media confirmed Tuesday.The renewed
fighting coincides with a two-day round of peace talks now underway in Moscow
between Taliban representatives and several Afghan officials.
Iran's first Prez Bani-Sadr says Khomeini
betrayed 1979 Islamic revolution: Reuters
France:Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini betrayed principles
of the Iranian revolution after sweeping to power in 1979, his first president
told Reuters, leaving a “very bitter” taste among some of those who had
returned with him to Tehran in triumph.Abolhassan Bani-Sadr, a sworn opponent
of Tehran’s clerical rulers ever since being driven from office and fleeing
abroad in 1981, recalled how 40 years ago in Paris, he had been convinced that religious
leader’s Islamic revolution would pave the way for democracy and human rights
after the rule of the Shah. “When we were in France everything we said to him
he embraced and then announced it like Koranic verses without any hesitation,”
Bani-Sadr, now 85, said in an interview at his home in Paris.“We were sure that
a religious leader was committing himself and that all these principles would
happen for the first time in our history,” he said.Bani-Sadr, son of a senior
Shi’ite Muslim cleric and a former student of economics in Paris, had close
family ties with Khomeini and helped him move to France after periods in Turkey
and Iraq, becoming one of his closest aides.For Western observers, at least,
Khomenei appeared to endorse a more modern interpretation of Islam in which
religion and politics were kept separate and Iran would move away from Shah’s
dictatorship, Bani-Sadr said.“It was when he came down the steps from the plane
in Iran where he changed ... The mullahs got a hold of him and gave him a new
destiny, which is the dictatorship we see today,” he said. Bani-Sadr was
elected president on Feb. 5, 1980, in a popular vote,but under the new Islamic
Republic’s constitution, Khomenei wielded the real power - a situation that has
continued since his death in 1989 under his successor, Ali Khamenei.
Constitutional proposals could allow Sisi to
stay in power till 2034
Cairo:Constitutional amendments proposed by
Egyptian lawmakers would allow President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to stay in power
for up to 12 years beyond his current term and boost his control of the
judiciary, according to a draft seen by Reuters.The proposed amendments were
submitted to the speaker of parliament on Sunday. Any changes need approval by
two-thirds of parliament members, followed by a referendum.In recent months,
speculation has been building that his supporters would seek to amend a
constitutional clause according to which he should step down at the end of his
second four-year term in 2022.The amendments submitted on Sunday include an
extension of the presidential term to six years from 4 in article 140 of the
constitution, and a "transitional" clause that would reset clock,
potentially allowing Sisi to stay in power until 2034.Reuters
Egypt's ElBaradei slams proposed charter
changes
Egyptian opposition figure Mohamed ElBaradei
has criticized proposed constitutional amendments to increase the president's
term from four to six years. "The constitution is a consensual contract
between all parties and not a contract of consent imposed by one party to
another," ElBaradei said. Citing that the struggle to change the
constitution since 2011 was a reason for "catastrophe" in Egypt,
ElBaradei said "non-consensual constitution usually hastens the departure
of its owner."
Israel settlers threaten Palestinian workers
over cooperation with human rights groups
Israeli settlers in the southern occupied West
Bank have “posted flyers warning Palestinian labourers not to cooperate with
Israeli human rights activists or bodies if they want to keep their jobs”,
reported +972 Magazine. “Do you wish to keep working in the settlements? Do you
want to provide a living for your families from Jews? Whoever cooperates with
any one of these individuals and organizations (Ta’ayush and Rabbis for Human
Rights) will never be allowed to enter the settlements for work. Be
warned!”Settlers based in the so-called Gush Etzion bloc “have been posting
these intimidating flyers around Palestinian villages nearby”, stated the
article. “Flyers threaten to ban Palestinians who cooperate with human rights
groups from working in settlements there.”The flyer includes photos and names
of prominent Israeli and Palestinian activists, and singles out Ta’ayush and
Rabbis for Human Rights, “2 bodies that accompany and protect Palestinians in
the occupied West Bank from threats of settler violence”, +972 Magazine
reported.middleeastmonitor
Israelis to turn historic mosque into museum
Israeli authorities in Tiberias have broken
into the historic Al-Bahr Mosque in order to start turning it into a museum,
Al-Resalah reported. Move violates a 2000 agreement between the authorities and
the Palestinian community in Israel to maintain the status quo at the mosque,
which has been closed ever since. One fifth of all Israeli citizens are
Palestinians, the so-called “Arab-Israelis”, and face institutionalised
discrimination at the hands of the state.Israel has demolished hundreds of
Palestinian mosques, cemeteries and other religious sites since the state’s
creation in 1948. Dozens have been turned into bars and night clubs in Jaffa,
Lod, Al-Ramla, Ashkelon and other cities with no regard for their religious
significance.According to Arab48.com, the deal reached in 2000 has been
violated several times, with attacks on the building, including arson. Largely
left unguarded, it has been used by drug addicts.“We have to go to Tiberias and
stop the desecration of the holy site which aims to erase any Palestinian
symbols in the city,” insisted Mohammad Baraka, the Chairman of the High
Committee for Arab Citizens.He said that Arab citizens in Israel would never
accept such a move and pledged to protect the mosque and other holy places.MEMO
Saudi, UAE gave US arms to al-Qaeda-linked
groups in Yemen: report
Saudi Arabia and its coalition partner in
Yemen, UAE transferred US-made weapons to al-Qaeda-linked groups and a Salafi
militia whose commander who once "served with"Yemeni branch of ISIL,
a CNN investigation has found. Corroborating an earlier report by Al Jazeera, CNN
investigation said that the weapons had also made their way into the hands of
Houthi rebels who are battling against the coalition for control of the
country.Saudi and UAE entered Yemen's war in 2015 leading a military coalition
to try and restore the internationally recognised Govt of President Abd-Rabbu
Mansour Hadi.2 Gulf countries wanted to restore Hadi Govt after a civil war
broke out between Hadi's supporters and those loyal to the Houthis.But
according to CNN, coalition was using US-manufactured weapons "as a form
of currency to buy the loyalties of militias or tribes, bolster chosen armed
actors, and influence the complex political landscape," local commanders
and analysts said.Citing the situation in the flashpoint city of Taiz, CNN said
that al-Qaeda had forged "advantageous alliances with pro-Saudi militias
they fought alongside".It said Abu al-Abbas Brigade possessed US-made
Oshkosh armoured vehicles that were paraded through city in a 2015 show of
force. Aljazeera
N. Korea trying to protect nuke,missile
capability: UN
North Korea has maintained its nuclear and
ballistic missile programmes and is looking for ways to ensure those
capabilities cannot be destroyed by any military strikes, according to a
confidential report by UN sanctions monitors.The report to a 15-member UN
Security Council sanctions committee, seen by Reuters, comes before a second
planned summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim
Jong Un later this month.aljazeera
Tunisia: Ghannouchi announced his intention to
run for upcoming presidential elections
A source close to the Tunisian Ennahda told
Quds Press that the head of the movement, Rached Ghannouchi, plans to run for
the presidential elections scheduled for the end of this year.The source, who
asked not to be named, said that Ghannouchi consulted with some Ennahda leaders
and public figures in Tunisia about running for the upcoming elections.He
pointed out that Ennahda leader “has already decided, and will raise the issue
during the next Shura Council meeting of the movement.”He noted that Ghannouchi
spoke with former Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki to ensure his support and
the absence of conflict between the two parties, “but Marzouki rejected the
idea and confirmed that he would run for elections even if Ghannouchi ran for office.”middleeastmonitor
US sanctions on Venezuela to hurt world oil
market
US sanctions on Venezuelan oil company PDVSA
will affect the global market negatively, the oil minister said Monday. Manuel
Quevedo, also president of the oil company, commented on US sanctions imposed
last week on PDVSA and its US subsidiary Citgo. Quevedo said US sanctions and
trade wars will affect oil prices in 2019."What happened to Citgo is
totally illegal, a robbery, which was attempted through sanctions," he
said. Venezuelan has been rocked by protests since Jan.10 when President
Nicolas Maduro was sworn in for a 2nd term following a vote
boycotted by the opposition. Tensions rose when opposition leader Juan Guaido
declared himself acting president on Jan. 23, a move which was supported by the
US and many European and Latin American countries.Anadolu Agency
Pope Francis holds first Papal Mass in Abu
Dhabi
Pope Francis has held the first Papal Mass at
a stadium in Abu Dhabi, the first time the pontiff visited the Arabian
Peninsula.About 135,000 Catholics attended the mass today with some carrying
Vatican flags and banners as the pope drove into Zayed Sports City Stadium,
where an altar with a large cross was set up for the open-air service.Francis,
who has made outreach to Muslim communities a cornerstone of his papacy, is on
an historic three-day visit to UAE.The mass celebration is being billed as the
largest show of public Christian worship on the Peninsula.The mass celebration
comes a day after making a broad appeal for Christian and Muslim leaders to
promote peace and reject war.At an interfaith meeting on Monday, Pope Francis
and Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb - the grand imam of Egypt's Al-Azhar - signed a joint
statement on "human fraternity" and their hopes for world peace.
Francis said that faith leaders have a duty to reject war as he called for
religious freedom in the Muslim-majority region.aljazeera
Ex- lawmaker from far-right Dutch party PVV
becomes Muslim after writing anti-Islam book
A former far-right Dutch politician announced
on Monday that he has converted to Islam.Writing a book on Islam changed the
views of Joram van Klaveren, 39, on the religion, and he converted, local media
reported. Van Klaveren served as a member of parliament for the far-right and
anti-Muslim Freedom Party (PVV) from 2010 to 2014.He resigned after PVV leader
Geert Wilders' racist remarks about Moroccans and set up his own party, but
failed to win a seat in the 2017 national elections, and quit politics.
Klaveren's about-face follows in footsteps of Arnoud Van Doorn, another ex PVV
member who converted to Islam.Van Doorn praised van Klaveren on Twitter, saying
he never thought that he would see so many converts from his former party. Anadolu
Agency
Rights groups seek UN inquiry into China’s
mass detention of Muslims
Human rights groups have called for a UN
investigation into China’s mass detention of Muslims in the western region of
Xinjiang, seeking to galvanize an international response to allegations of
widespread abuses.The rights organizations, presenting the issue as a test of
the UN Human Rights Council’s credibility, urged it to set up an international
fact-finding mission during its session that starts at the end of Feb.“The
magnitude of abuses allegedly occurring in Xinjiang demand uncompromising
scrutiny,” Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch, said in a
statement released at a news conference in Geneva. New York Times
US state dept says 129 detained Indian students
committed crime wilfully
Washington: All 130 foreign students,
including 129 Indians who were detained for enrolling in a fake university,
were aware that they were committing a crime to fraudulently remain in US, the
state department has said, days after India issued a demarche to the American
embassy in New Delhi.Foreign students were arrested last week by US Department
of Homeland Security for enrolling at University of Farmington, allegedly to
remain in America.thewire
flash: views & NEWS
Centre Is Duty Bound to Maintain Status Quo in
Ayodhya:Aftab Alam, professor AMU
Pope visit to UAE: Secularism comes to
Arabia?C. Raja Mohan
Zee News, News18 Misquote Bhim Army Chief
Chandra Shekhar Aazad
In Assam, Inmates of Detention Camp Continue
to Demand Parole:Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty
As Kashmir Politicians Debate PSA, Data Show
North Kashmir Worst Affected:Azaan Javaid
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