NEWS
DIGEST, Afternoon
20 March 2019: 12 Rajab 1440:Vol: 11, No:155
INDIA
NIA court acquits main accused Aseemanand, 3
others in Samjhauta blast case
Panchkula:A special NIA court today acquitted
4 people including Swami Aseemanand, the main accused in 2007 Samjhauta train
bombing case.Advocate Mukesh Garg, one of the counsel for accused Swami
Aseemanand, told reporters that court has acquitted all the accused as NIA was
not able to prove the allegations.“The court has said that NIA has not been
able to establish any charges against the accused and hence all accused are
acquitted,” said Mr. Garg. Former RSS member Aseemanand was the prime accused
in the case. The blasts on the Samjhauta Express, near Panipat, on Feb.18,
2007, and the subsequent fire in the coaches killed 68 passengers and injured a
dozen. The other three accused who have been acquitted are Kamal Chauhan, Rajinder
Chaudhary and Lokesh Sharma. Earlier, the court dismissed the application filed
by a Pakistan woman in connection with the Samjhauta train bombing case.Momin
Malik, counsel for the Pakistan woman told reporters that the court has
dismissed the application of Rahila Wakeel to get her statement recorded as
witness in the case.“We will now approach the High Court to challenge the
decision,” he said.Rahila Wakeel, a Pakistan national and daughter of one of
the victims of the blast had on March 11, filed a petition through advocate
Momin Malik, to get her statement recorded as witness in the twelve-year-old
case.thehindu
Samjhauta blast: NIA court acquits Aseemanand,
Lokesh Sharma, Kamal Chauhan, Rajinder
Samjhauta blast: NIA Court rejects plea for
deposition of Pak witness
UK:Nirav Modi denied bail, to stay in jail
till March 29
London: He will now be produced before a
District Judge at Westminster Magistrates Court.Fugitive billionaire jeweller
Nirav Modi was arrested on behalf of Indian authorities on Tuesday afternoon in
London and was produced before a judge at the Westminster Magistrates Court on
Wednesday.He was denied bail, and will stay in jail till the next hearing on
March 29.The arrest follows the warrant issued last week, after Home Secretary
Sajid Javid referred India’s extradition request for Mr. Modi — wanted in
connection with the ₹13,000 crore PNB fraud case — to the Westminster
Magistrates Court for approval by a judge earlier this month. Modi was arrested
by officers from the Met Police’s extradition unit and would remain in custody
until the hearing at which the granting of bail would be determined.thehindu
Goa CM Pramod Sawant wins trust vote
Panaji:Goa's new BJP-led coalition government
of Pramod Sawant on Wednesday won a vote of confidence on the floor of the
Legislative Assembly during a specially convened session. While the government
got 20 votes, the Opposition secured 15 in the 36-member truncated House of 40.
Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo was in the chair as Sawant resigned from the
Speaker's post to become the Chief Minister.While the treasury benches
comprised of 11 members of the BJP, th3ree each of MGP and Goa Forward and 3
independents, Opposition had 14 members of the Congress and one from
NCP.thehindu
Arunachal : 8 BJP MLAs, including 2 ministers,
switch to NPP
8 sitting MLAs, including two ministers, of ruling
BJP in Arunachal Pradesh joined National People’s Party led by Conrad Sangma,
ANI reported. A total of 18 BJP leaders joined the party on Tuesday, according
to Northeast Now.NPP General Secretary Thomas Sangma said that Home Minister
Kumar Waii and Tourism Minister Jarkar Gamlin have joined the party. “National
People’s Party will not form alliance with anyone,”ANI quoted Sangma as saying.
“BJP’s ideology is not right. It is not a secular party.”Sangma said the party
would try to field candidates for at least 30 to 40 seats in the 60-member
Assembly. “We will form our own government if we win in the seats,” he said,
according to NDTV.scroll.in
India signals to boycott China’s Belt and Road
Forum for 2nd time
Beijing :India today signalled that it will
boycott China’s second Belt and Road Forum for a second time, saying no country
can participate in an initiative that ignores its core concerns on sovereignty
and territorial integrity. India boycotted the first Belt and Road Forum (BRF)in
2017 after protesting to Beijing over controversial China-Pakistan Economic
Corridor (CPEC) which is being laid through PoK overriding New Delhi’s
sovereignty concerns.Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently said that next month
China plans to hold a much bigger, second BRF which will also be attended by
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan.Speculation is rife whether India would
attend the second BRF as China has deepened its commitment to expand the USD 60
billion CPEC, which aims to connect China’s Xinjiang province with Pakistan’s
Gwadar port with a host of road, rail, gas and oil pipelines.China has also
undertaken a host of energy projects under the aegis of the CPEC.PTI
Boycott call for Chinese goods: How do we stop
their sale, 90% market runs on them, say traders
New Delhi:“90 per cent of the market here runs
on Chinese goods. How will it function if we call for a boycott?,” says a local
shopkeeper in New Delhi’s Sadar Bazar, popular for items manufactured in the
neighbouring country.Even as the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) gave
a call to burn and boycott Chinese goods across 1,500 places on Tuesday, local
markets registered minimal participation as shopkeepers and hawkers continued
to sell Chinese pichkaris (water guns) among other items ahead of Holi. Despite
a demonstration by the union, locals refused to put on hold the sale of Chinese
products, citing the Centre must stop importing items from Beijing.“We are
selling Chinese goods. They were stocked up earlier. If India is importing
items from China, we have no choice but to sell them. We will continue to sell
them as per demand,” says Vikas, a worker at a local shop.indianexpress
National male workforce shrinking, says labour
report that Govt buried
New Delhi:For the first time since 1993-94,
the actual size of India’s male workforce, or men who are working, has shrunk.
Data from NSSO’s Periodic Labour Force Survey 2017-18, reviewed by The Indian
Express, account for 28.6 crore employed male in the country. This is the first
instance of a drop in the male workforce that steadily swelled from 21.9 crore
in 1993-94 to 30.4 crore in 2011-12 when the last NSSO survey was conducted.
This suggests fewer men were employed in 2017-18 compared with five years
ago.The decline in actual numbers occurred, again for the first time since
1993-94, in both rural and urban male workforce (see chart). The slide is
steeper — 6.4% — in the rural areas compared to a 4.7% setback observed in the
urban sector. The yet -to-be-released PLFS report put the unemployment rate for
male in urban and rural segments at 7.1 per cent and 5.8 per cent,
respectively. Experts, who did not wish to be named, said the data requires
deeper study, but clearly points to job losses, and fewer fresh employment
opportunities. NSSO report, based on the PLFS conducted between July 2017 and
June 2018, is yet to be released by the government. The Acting Chairperson of
the National Statistical Commission P C Mohanan and another member, J V
Meenakshi, quit January-end this year after the government withheld the release
of the report that was approved by the commission in Dec. 2018.indianexpress
Under Modi rule, male workforce shrinks for
first time in 25 Yrs
US State Dept. names Amit Shah, says uncertain
future for 4 million in Assam
New Delhi:US State department has taken note
of uncertain future of 4 million individuals in Assam who were not included in
the draft NRC. A 55-page report that includes reference to BJP leadership and
government ministers, has detailed description of human rights abuses in India
targeting minority communities and vulnerable sections of society.“On Sept.24,
ruling BJP party president Amit Shah called Bangladeshis who may be in Assam
“termites” who will be struck from the list of citizens,” stated the report
highlighting that four million residents of Assam who were excluded from the
draft NRC face uncertain citizenship status .It also documented that refugees
and internally displaced persons need more effective legal safeguards to
prevent human rights abuse.The report stated that Muslims, Dalits and Adivasis
compose 53 percent of prisoners awaiting trial in jails and said that prison
conditions in India remain “life threatening” due to a combination of unhealthy
condition and absence of accountability.It documented the death of cattle
trader Rakbar Khan on last 22 July in police custody in Rajasthan, and hinted
that criminal charges were not pressed against the arrested individuals even
after three months.The report also pointed out lack of accountability for human
rights abuses by security forces in states like Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and
Jammu and Kashmir. It said that Indian police has continued to arrest citizens
arbitrarily violating the law of the land.the hindu
Lokpal is in:Prez Kovind appoints chief, 8
members
New Delhi:The first Lokpal, the national
anti-corruption ombudsman, has been officially set up with President Ram Nath
Kovind Tuesday appointing former Supreme Court judge Justice P C Ghose as its
chairperson, and eight members, including an equal number of judicial and
non-judicial names. According to an official communique, 4 judicial members
appointed by the President are former Allahabad High Court Chief Justice Dilip
Babasaheb Bhosale, former Jharkhand High Court Chief Justice Pradip Kumar
Mohanty, former Manipur High Court Chief Justice Abhilasha Kumari and current
Chief Justice of Chhattisgarh High Court Justice Ajay Kumar Tripathi. The non-judicial
members are Maharashtra Chief Secretary Dinesh Kumar Jain, retired IPS officer
and ex-DG of Sashastra Seema Bal Archana Ramasundaram, retired IRS official
Mahender Singh and retired IAS officer I P Gautam, who is currently the full
time managing director of Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC)
Limited.indianexpress
Custodial Death of School Principal, a Jamaat
Islami Activist, Triggers Kashmir Protests
Pulwama:A school principal who was detained by
J&K police for questioning in a “militancy related case” died in police
custody in Srinagar, triggering protests and clashes across Kashmir.Rizwan Asad
Pandit, a resident of Awantipora in Pulwama district, was picked up by the
police late March 17 during a raid at his family home, his father Asadullah
Pandit, a retired govt employee, told The Wire.Early this morning, reports
started circulating on social media that 30-year old Rizwan had died in police
custody during the previous night. A statement issued by police confirmed death
on Tuesday afternoon. “In pursuance of a militancy case investigation, one
suspect Rizwan Pandit of Awantipora was in police custody. The said person died
in police custody,” the police statement tersely noted.It, however, didn’t
mention the cause of death or provide any further details. At the time of
publication, the family was yet to see or receive the Rizwan’s body. A shattered Pandit alleged that when a
contingent of J&K police raided their house at around 10.30 pm on Sunday,
the family was warned not to tell anybody about Rizwan’s arrest.“They took away
my son, assuring us he would be released the next morning. But today I got a
call from the police that my son has died. It is cold-blooded murder. How could
they kill my son and then ask me to take the body home?” asked Pandit, who is a
rukun of the Jama’at-e-Islamia. Rizwan was also associated with Jama’at,
according to his family.His elder brother Mubashir said the victim was the
principal at a local private school. Condemning what they called a “custodial
killing”, both mainstream and separatist politicians demanded a time-bound
probe into incident and exemplary punishment to the accused.“I had hoped
custodial deaths were a thing of our dark past. Exemplary punishment must be
handed out to the killers of this young man,” former chief minister Omar
Abdullah said.Separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said that “custodial
killing” of the teacher has once again exposed the “helplessness” of the people
of Kashmir. “Distraught at the brutal custodial killing of young Rizwan.Brutal killing
once again exposes the, helplessness, vulnerability and insecurity of the lives
of Kashmiri’s as impunity to the authorities keeps rising,” Mirwaiz wrote.
While the “custodial killing” triggered protests and shutdowns in several parts
of Kashmir, angry young men outside Rizwan’s house raised pro-azadi slogans and
pelted stones on a contingent of the
police and CRPF that was deployed to prevent them from marching towards the
local police station.thewire
J&K school principal dies in police
custody, family alleges murder
Religious figure among 11 detained in Pulwama
Pulwama:Intensifying their crackdown on
religious leaders and dissenters, government forces on Monday night detained
eleven persons including a prominent cleric in south Kashmir's Pulwama
district. The cleric was however released later.A police official said that
Moulana Muhammad Amin Shah was detained by police from his residence in
Dangarpora village. However, according to the official, Shah was released after
a few hours. Another police official said that 10 persons were picked up by the
forces from their residences during a string of overnight raids in Kakapora
area.greaterkashmir
Terror-funding case: Delhi court allows ED to
quiz Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s son-in-law
New Delhi :A Delhi court Wednesday allowed ED
to quiz Altaf Shah, son-in-law of separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, and
others in connection with a terror-funding case. Special judge Rakesh Syal
allowed the agency to question Shah, Zahoor Watali, influential businessman who
has allegedly friendship with Pakistani leaders and Kashmiri separatists, and
Naval Kishore Kapoor, a UAE-based businessman. The court said the ED would get 3
days between March 24 and April 5 to quiz Shah, Watali and Kapoor, who were
arrested by NIA in terror-funding case and are lodged in Tihar jail.PTI
ED attaches 13 assets of Hizb chief Salahuddin
Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday attached 13
assets located in Jammu and Kashmir in a terror financing case against Syed
Salahuddin. Salahuddin is the chief of the banned Hizbul Mujahideen outfit, as
well as United Jehad Council.The properties, worth Rs 1.22 crore, were attached
under Prevention of Money Laundering Act, PTI reported. Enforcement Directorate
said they belong to a person called Mohammad Shafi Shah, a resident of
Bandipora, and 6 other residents of J&K, who allegedly work for Hizbul
Mujahideen.scroll.in
Pak woman who entered J&K with Kashmiri
husband gets 5 years jail
Jammu:She was sentenced with imprisonment for
a further 2 years and fined Rs 10,000 more under provisions of the Passport Act
for entering India without a valid passport, with the judge stating that the
two sentences shall run concurrently.A 27-year-old woman, who in 2012 allegedly
accompanied her husband and their three minor children on his return to Jammu
and Kashmir from PoK under a scheme for the return and rehabilitation of former
militants, was on Monday sentenced to 5 years’ jail and fined Rs 20,000.In
2005, Sheraz Ahmed alias Shakir married Faiza Begum in PoK and the couple
travelled to J&K with their 3 minor children in 2012 via Nepal. Indianexpress
Godhra train carnage case: SIT Court gives
convict Yakub Pataliya life sentence
Ahmedabad: A special SIT court in Gujarat today
sentenced a man to life imprisonment in the 2002 Godhra train carnage case.The
court of Special SIT judge HC Vora convicted Yakub Pataliya based on
submissions made earlier in the case by 5 other accused. Pataliya was arrested
by Godhra Police in Jan.2018, nearly 16 years after being booked in connection
with the incident. His trial was held at a special court set up at the
Sabarmati Central Jail in Ahmedabad. Earlier, the special SIT court convicted
31 people in the case. It later awarded death sentence to 11 of them and life
imprisonment to 20 others. the hindu
Ishrat Jahan killing: Gujarat won’t let us
prosecute Vanzara and Amin, CBI tells court
Ahmedabad:Gujarat government has declined
sanction for the prosecution of retired police officers D G Vanzara and N K
Amin in the alleged fake encounter case of Ishrat Jahan and three others in
2004, the CBI informed a special court Tuesday.This was the only information
made public by the CBI which handed the Gujarat government’s response in a
sealed cover to special court judge J K Pandya. Vanzara and Amin are seeking
discharge from proceedings and the matter will be heard next on March 26.
Special public prosecutor R C Kodekar, representing CBI, later said : “The
letter was in a sealed cover and only the last part where prosecution was not
granted to both (Vanzara and Amin) was made public.”Kodekar said it was now up
to the court to take a decision. “The court can either agree with the
government, or it can disagree, or it may ask us to make a submission on this
aspect,” he said.Vanzara said: “The contents of the government report will be
made public only on March 26, and then we will decide the future course of
action.”indianexpress
‘Don’t use places of worship, activities of
defence forces for propaganda,’ poll body tells parties
Election Commission has asked political
parties and religious leaders to refrain from using places of worship for
propaganda during the campaign for Lok Sabha elections, reported PTI. The poll
body’s statement came a few days after the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Delhi unit
requested it to appoint special observers at mosques to prevent alleged
attempts to influence Muslim voters.“As per the Model Code of Conduct, the use
of caste and religion during the election campaign is strictly prohibited,”
said a statement issued by the Delhi’s chief electoral officer. It said
political and religious leaders should not indulge in activities that
“aggravates existing differences or cause tension between different caste or
communities, religious or linguistic”.scroll.in
EC mulls action against Hindi papers for code
violation after carrying full page ads for film on Modi
Election Commission will send notice to at
least two newspapers that ran full page advertisements for Vivek Oberoi-starrer
film on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. EC has taken a dim view of the code
violation by the two Hindi newspapers.Two newspapers that carried the full page
ads are Dainik Bhaskar and Dainik Jagran. While Bhaskar has given full page
space to the advertisement on the film, Jagran too has carried a full page ad,
but not on the front page. The full page ad for Narendra Modi’s film in Jagran
has appeared in its supplementary page for Noida.A source in the EC told Janta
Ka Reporter, “While we will take a call on whether the film should be allowed
to release next month when the Model Code of Conduct is in force, we’ve decided
to send notices to the two newspapers, who carried the ad on Modi film, for the
code violation.”jantakareporter
Delhi HC stays order holding EVMs as
information under RTI
Delhi High Court has stayed a Central
Information Commission (CIC) order which held that EVMs come within definition
of 'information' under the provisions of RTI Act.The court was hearing a plea
on Monday filed by the Election Commission challenging a CIC order dated
February 12 which held that EVMs are within the definition of
"information" under Section 2 (f) of RTI Act of 2005.Justice V
Kameswar Rao has sought a response from the CIC and RTI applicant Razaak K
Haidar, who had sought access to information related to EVMs maintained by the
poll panel.Haidar's application was rejected by the Central Public Information
Officer after which Haider filed an appeal with the CIC.IANS
Delhi HC stays order holding EVMs as
information under RTI
Delhi High Court has stayed a Central
Information Commission (CIC) order which held that electronic voting machines
(EVMs) come within definition of 'information' under the provisions of RTI
Act.The court was hearing a plea on Monday filed by the Election Commission
challenging a CIC order dated February 12 which held that EVMs are within the
definition of "information" under Section 2 (f) of (RTI Act of
2005.Justice V Kameswar Rao has sought a response from the CIC and RTI
applicant Razaak K Haidar, who had sought access to information related to EVMs
maintained by the poll panel.Haidar's application was rejected by the Central
Public Information Officer after which Haider filed an appeal with the CIC.IANS
Congress, NC forge alliance in J&K for LS
polls
National Conference and Congress on Wednesday
sealed an alliance for three Lok Sabha seats in Jammu and Kashmir and decided to
go for friendly contests on three other seats. The state sends six MPs to the
Lok Sabha. Congress will not field any candidate against NC president Farooq
Abdullah from Srinagar while the regional party left the seats of Jammu and
Udhampur for Congress.Leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad
and chairperson coordination committee for elections, Ambika Soni arrived in
Jammu on Wednesday morning and finalized the deal with NC president, Farooq
Abdullah after other senior leaders of the two parties ironed out the
differences during a meeting Tuesday meeting.HT
Haryana: Hindutva goons assault Muslim father,
son; forcefully shave their beard
Gurgaon: In an outrageous incident occurred in
Charkhi Dadri, Haryana, some communal elements harassed Muslims. The miscreants
beat up a father and son in Sanjarwas village and forcefully shaved their
beard.The goons not only assaulted the father and son duo but threatened to
kill them. Victims belong to Bulandshahr. On the complaint of the local
Muslims, police registered a complaint on charges of inciting religious
sentiments. According to sources, Idrees and his son Mohsin, residents of
Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, were going to Sanjarwas village on March 14.
According to them, when they reached Sanjarwas bus stand, 4 youth asked their
name and then assaulted them. They bullied the Muslim men and forcefully shaved
their beard.Police station in charge Rakesh Kumar confirmed that he has
received the complaint.siasat
Increase spending on education to 8 % of
GDP:SIO
Udupi :Students Islamic Organisation of India
has sought an increase in spending on education to 8 % of GDP.Addressing
presspersons here, Afwan Hoode, president of the district unit of Students
Islamic Organisation of India, said that the increase in funding for education
was one of the many demands in the organisation’s Students Manifesto being
released across the State.Education under the Right to Education Act should be
provided till a child attains 18. Quality education should be provided in the
mother-tongue or the regional language. Student council elections should be
held in all colleges and universities.the hindu
Proceedings Against Prof Apoorvanand In A Case
Alleging 'Offending Religious Sentiments':HC
In a temporary relief to well known
commentator and academic Professor Apoorvanand Jha of Delhi University, Punjab
and Haryana High Court has stayed proceedings in furtherance of a FIR
registered against him for allegedly offending religious sentiments and
promoting communal disharmony by writing an article. The single bench of
Justice Shekher Dhawan stayed the proceedings while issuing notice on the
petition filed by Jha under Section 482 of Code of Criminal Procedure for
quashing FIR.FIR was registered for offences under Sections 153A and 295A of
IPC based on a complaint by a Yamunangar resident who alleged that Apoorvanand
Jha's article titled 'Gujarat Loses Battle With Itself' published by 'The
Tribune' offended religious sentiments and promoted communal disharmony.
livelaw.in
MP: Parents of Dalit girl who was raped and
decapitated fear boycott
Sagar:The parents of a 12-year-old Dalit girl
who was raped and decapitated allegedly by three of her brothers and an uncle
are in shock and grief and are concerned that they may face a social
boycott.The minor girl went missing on March 13 from her home and her body was
found the following day in a field outside the village in Sagar district. The
accused were arrested on Monday. “I still cannot believe that my sons and
brother could do such a thing. I was out that day and returned to learn my
daughter was missing. I dialled 100 from a neighbour’s phone. My three sons and
brother were with me all this time, but they were silent,” the father said,
shaking his head and choking on his words.HT
Fatwas against Ram Janmabhoomi film; clerics
asks actor Nazneen Patni to 'revive' her faith in Islam
Bhopal: A body of clerics in MP has issued two
'fatwas' asking Muslims to avoid watching the film "Ram Janmabhoomi"
and its woman actor to "revive" her faith in Islam. All India Ulama
Board (AIUB) demanded the central and MP governments to prevent film's release,
alleging it was "an instrument to create hatred between two communities of
society".It said the movie was being released to "vitiate" the
atmosphere at a time when efforts were being made to resolve Ram
Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute in Ayodhya through mediation. UP's Shia
Waqf Board head Syed Waseem Rizvi has written and produced the film. It is set
for release on April 29.AIUB MP unit vice president Noor Ullah Yousuf Zayi
shared two fatwas, signed by AIUB MP chapter head Qzai Syed Anas Ali Nadwi,with
reporters. One of the fatwas appealed to Muslims to avoid watching TV shows and
movies which spread obscenity, communalism and portray Islam in poor light, and
also films like "Ram Janmabhoomi".Another fatwa was issued against
the film's actor Nazneen Patni, advising her to "revive her belief in the
light of Shariat". PTI
Old video and images shared as several converting
to Islam after Christchurch massacre: altnews
On March 15, at least 49 people were killed in
a horrific massacre at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. 2 days later,
a claim started circulating on social media that 350 people have converted to
Islam, after the Christchurch massacre, in New Zealand. “Did you know? The
terrorist attack in #Christchurch killed 51 Muslims, today approximately 350
people have converted/reverted back to #Islam in New Zealand. Stop
fearing/hating Islam, please try to understand it.”, tweeted Zain Khan, a
broadcast journalist based in UAE, on March 18. The tweet included three
pictures of women wearing a hijab.Multiple people on Twitter have shared the
claim based on a blog published on March 17, 2019. “50 Muslims were killed on
Friday in New Zealand & 350 people accepted Islam today in New Zealand”,
states the title of a blog according to which 350 people have converted to
Islam after the mass shooting in Christchurch. The blog also carried a
photograph of a couple, where the woman was seen donning a hijab. It has garnered
close to 3.8 lakh shares on Facebook alone. The video now viral on social media
with a narrative that 350 people have been proselytized to Islam in New Zealand
is at least 10 years old and unrelated. It was posted on YouTube on Sept.27,
2009, while the video stated that it dates back to 2007.Alt News found that the
photographs shared as those of proselytized individuals are several years old
and are not related to the claim. altnews.in
WORLD
3 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in
occupied West Bank
Israeli forces killed three Palestinians in 2
separate incidents on Tuesday night, Palestinian health ministry and emergency
services said.Omar Abu Leila, 19, was suspected of carrying out a deadly
stabbing-and-shooting attack in the occupied West Bank 2 days earlier.Abu
Leila, who was on the run, was found in a house in the village of Abwein, north
of Ramallah. He was killed after he opened fire at Israeli forces who had come
to arrest him, the Israeli Shin Bet security service said. The Palestinian health
ministry confirmed a person had been killed in the clash, but provided no
further details.Protests in the village then broke out between Palestinian
youth and the army. According to Palestinian Red Crescent, nine men were
injured, including two with live ammunition. In a separate incident, the
Palestinian health ministry said two more Palestinians were shot dead by
Israeli soldiers in the West Bank.aljazeera
Israeli forces may have committed war crimes:
UN
Israeli forces committed violations against
Palestinian protesters in Gaza last year that may amount to war crimes, a UN
report said.A UN Independent Commission of Inquiry found that Israeli soldiers
used live ammunition against unarmed protesters, killing at least 189
Palestinians during protests near the separation fence between Israel and Gaza
last year. "Israeli Security Forces committed violations of international
human rights and humanitarian law," said UN Commissioner Kaari Betty
Murungi. "Some of those violations may constitute war crimes or crimes
against humanity, and must be immediately investigated by Israel."252-page
report scrutinises the Israel Defence Forces' directives for snipers' use of
lethal force against Palestinian protesters, who have been regularly
demonstrating along the separation fence.aljazeera
Israel begins construction of 840 new illegal
settlement units in West Bank
Israeli Minister of Construction and Housing
Yoav Galant along with Mayor of Ariel Eli Shaviro yesterday laid the
cornerstone of new a settlement project comprising 839 settlement units in the
illegal settlement, Arab48 reported.The new project is expected to attract
hundreds of young settler families to the second largest Israeli settlement in
the occupied West Bank.According to Arab48, the project includes new malls,
education facilities, parks and attraction sites serving the new illegal Jewish
community.Shapiro said that this settlement project came in response to the
killing of an Israeli soldier and a settler near the illegal settlement, which
is built on the occupied land of the Palestinian city of Salfit.However, the
project was approved two years ago, according to the Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu, who visited the area on Monday.“Tomorrow, as the mayor of
Ariel told me, we are beginning construction of some 840 housing units in a new
neighborhood, a neighborhood that I approved two years ago,” Haaretz reported
Netanyahu saying.MEMO
Israel demolishes school building in a refugee
camp
Israeli bulldozers demolished today an
under-construction building belonging to a Palestinian school in Shufat refugee
camp of occupied East Jerusalem. Dozens of Israeli soldiers escorted bulldozers
into the refugee camp, surrounded the al-Razi School and went up rooftops of
surrounding buildings as drones flew overhead; Israeli bulldozers then began to
demolish the school’s building.Israeli forces fired rubber-coated steel bullets
towards locals in refugee camp.Muhammad Alqam, owner of the school building,
told Ma’an that the Israeli authorities had issued a demolition order against
the building last November, pointing out that he had headed to the Israeli
Jerusalem Municipality before the construction of the building to issue necessary
permits, however, he was told that the area belongs to UNRWA. Principal of the
school, Saleh Alqam, pointed out that the demolition was carried out without a
prior notice.maannews
Palestine protests Hungary over Jerusalem
office
Ramallah: Palestinian Authority on Wednesday
summoned Hungarian ambassador Shaba Rada to protest the opening of a diplomatic
trade office in Jerusalem. In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said the
diplomat was summoned to express “indignation and anger” over the Hungarian
move to open the office in the occupied city. The ministry described the
Hungarian step as an “aggression against all Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims
around the world”. “This move is a violation of international law and a
violation of the EU position to the city of Jerusalem,” Assistant Foreign
Minister for European Affairs Amal Jado said. The Palestinian official warned
that the Hungarian move “threatens bilateral relations between the two
countries and will have serious repercussions at all levels". Anadolu
Agency
Egypt tightens restrictions on media, social
networks
Egypt's top media regulator put into effect
tighter restrictions that allow the state to block websites and social media
accounts with over 5,000 followers, if they are deemed a threat to national
security. The move, implemented on Tuesday, is latest step by govt of President
Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to suppress dissent.In recent years, Egypt has launched an
unprecedented crackdown on reporters and the media, imprisoning dozens and
occasionally expelling some foreign journalists. New regulations allow the
Supreme Media Regulatory Council to block websites and accounts for "fake
news," and impose stiff penalties of up to 250,000 Egyptian pound, all
without having to obtain a court order. Prominent journalists have called the
measures unconstitutional, saying they grant far-reaching powers to authorities
to censor the media, in violation of basic press freedoms. Chief regulator
Makram Mohammed Ahmed refused to comment. Mohamed Abdel-Hafiz, a board member
of journalists' union, said govt was threatening journalists with "vaguely
defined national security violations, as well as vaguely defined political, social
or religious norms".aljazeera
Ex-Egypt VP slams restrictions on Brotherhood
leader El-Beltagy
Former Egyptian Vice-President Mohamed
ElBaradei has decried crippling restrictions imposed by the Egyptian
authorities on jailed Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed el-Beltagy."I have
never met with el-Baltagy in my life and I believe that I differ with him in
many things, but I do not understand at all what is happening to him and other
prisoners," ElBaradei said on Twitter. ElBaradei said el-Beltagy and other
Egyptian prisoners have been deprived of their "fundamental rights."
"This is not Egypt I know, nor Egypt which we want to see," he said.
His comments came shortly after el-Baradei's family called for providing urgent
treatment to him after his health deteriorated in prison. Anadolu
Prosecution detains suspects believed to be
involved in Muslim Brotherhood protest calls
The Supreme State Security Prosecution has
detained 10 new suspects for 15 days pending investigations into a recent call
to protest by Muslim Brotherhood leaders on March 1.The prosecution charged
them with using social media sites to spread false news and calling for
demonstrations against law.According to investigations carried out by NSA’s
officers, suspects participated in a call to demonstrate on March 1, urging
others to join in and carry out the orders of Muslim Brotherhood leaders. The
suspects were represented by lawyers, who demanded that the suspects be
released because of invalid procedures regarding the investigations and
arrest.They denied the accusations against them, saying they had not
participated in any demonstrations and that a number of them had been arrested
from their homes and from the streets.Al-Masry Al-Youm
Egypt extends pretrial detention of Qaradawi’s
daughter for 14th time
An Egyptian court had extended the detention
of the daughter of prominent Muslim scholar Yusuf Al-Qaradawi and her husband
for 45 more days, bringing the period they have spent in pretrial detention to
630 days.This is the 14th time Ola Qaradawi and her husband Hossam Khalaf have had
their detention extended. The couple is accused of belonging to the Muslim
Brotherhood.They deny the charges. Qaradawi’s family issued a statement calling
for Ola to be admitting to a hospital and provided medical care, and for the
couple’s immediate release. Yusuf Qaradawi’s granddaughter: ‘It never crossed
our mind they would detain my mother because of my grandfather’. MEMO
HRW calls on Egypt to uncover whereabouts of
‘missing’ ex-MP
HRW called on Egyptian authorities to locate disclose
the whereabouts of ex MP Mostafa Al-Nagar who has been missing “for nearly five
months”.“The Egyptian authorities should exert serious efforts to find and
reveal the whereabouts of Mostafa Al-Nagar,” HRW said.The rights organisation
pointed out that the Egyptian govt had denied playing a role in Al-Nagar’s
arrest, describing the accusations as “false rumours.”middleeastmonitor
‘Azaan’ to be broadcast nationally in
solidarity with Muslims: NZ PM
Christchurch: New Zealand Prime Minister
Jacinda Ardern on Wednesday said Azaan (the call to prayer) will be broadcast nationally
along with a two minutes’ silence this Friday to show support to the Muslims
community, RNZ reported.Speaking to media on her second visit to Christchurch
since the terror attack, she said there would be a memorial service on
Friday.“While it will be in Christchurch we want to involve the rest of New
Zealand. There is a desire to show support to the Muslim community as they
return to Mosques, particularly on Friday.”“To acknowledge this there will be a
two minutes’ silence on Friday. We will also broadcast nationally, via TVNZ and
RNZ, the call to prayer.”arynews.tv
New Zealand Parliament Session Starts with
Recitation of Holy Quran After Mosques Massacre
The first Parliament session in New Zealand,
after the deadly attack in Christchurch on the Muslim community during Friday
prayers by a far-right terrorist, commenced with the recitation from the Holy
Quran, according to reports.Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, addressing the
Parliament, also greeted the gathering with “Assalamo alaikum” and expressed
unity with the families of the victims and also vowed on Tuesday never to utter
the name of the twin-mosque gunman.“ Families of the fallen will have justice,”
said Ardern during her address, adding she would never mention gunman’s
name.caravandaily
N Zealand FM 'to confront' Erdogan over mosque
attack comments
New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern said on
Wednesday that her foreign minister will travel to Turkey to
"confront" comments made by President Tayyip Erdogan on the
Christchurch mosque shootings that killed 50 people.Erdogan, while campaigning
for March 31 local elections, said on Tuesday that Turkey would make the
suspected attacker pay if New Zealand did not.He presented the attack as part
of an assault on Turkey and Islam and warned anti-Muslim Australians would be
"sent back in coffins" like their grandfathers at Gallipoli - a
blood-drenched World War I battle. Australian PM Scott Morrison summoned Turkish
envoy over Erdogan's speech but dismissed the "excuses"
offered.aljazeera
'I Still Love You': New Zealand Mosques Attack
Survivor Forgives His Wife's Killer
Christchurch: A wheelchair-using worshipper
who survived the slaughter at Christchurch's Al Noor mosque, but whose wife was
killed, has offered an olive branch to the gunman, saying he would like to meet
him and telling him "I still love you.""I want to give the
message to the person who did this, or if he has any friends who also think
like this: I still love you," Farhid Ahmed, 59, told Reuters at his house,
as mourners arrived to offer condolences for his wife, Husna."I don't
agree with what you did … you took a wrong decision, a wrong direction, but I
want to believe in you. That you have great potential in your heart," he
said.Reuters
New Kazakh president: Astana should be renamed
to 'Nursultan'
Kazakhstan's newly sworn-in President
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has proposed renaming the country's capital in honour of
former leader Nursultan Nazarbayev, a day after the longtime ruler's shock
resignation."I propose ... naming the country's capital Astana in honour
of the first president," Tokayev said on Wednesday, suggesting the new
name be "Nursultan"."The opinion of [Nazarbayev] will be of
special, one can say priority, importance in the development and adoption of
strategic decisions," the new leader added.Tokayev, a career diplomat who
had been senate speaker, can serve the remainder of Nazarbayev's term ahead of
scheduled elections next year. Nazarbayev surprised many by announcing in a
televised address on Tuesday that he would step down after nearly 30 years,
making Tokayev only the second president in country's independent history. Nazarbayev
attended Tokayev's inauguration on Wednesday, entering to lengthy applause from
assembled dignitaries before taking a seat on a podium above and behind the
lectern where Tokayev gave an address.aljazeera
Pompeo starts of Middle East tour
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has called
for unity in the Gulf region, as he kicked off his Middle East tour with a stop
in Kuwait City for the third US-Kuwait strategic dialogue session. Pompeo will
seek to strengthen cooperation on defence, cybersecurity and trade, during his
stop in Kuwait, his spokesperson Robert Palladino said. Al Jazeera's Jamal
Elshayyal said the US top diplomat would also focus on creating "a
breakthrough in finding a resolution to the GCC crisis" describing
Pompeo's visit to Kuwait as "the most challenging part of his
trip".aljazeera
US air attacks killed or wounded civilians in
Somalia: Amnesty
There is credible evidence that US military
air raids in Somalia have killed or wounded nearly 2 dozen civilians in the
past two years, an international human rights group said on Tuesday, suggesting
that the Pentagon is not adequately investigating potential casualties.US
Africa Command officials immediately disputed the allegations laid out in a
report by Amnesty International and insisted that the military has investigated
18 cases of possible civilian casualties since 2017 and found that none were
credible.The report came the same day that a Somali intelligence official and
two local residents said a US drone attack on Monday killed civilians.aljazeera
Bangla top security adviser accused of
abductions
Most senior security and defence figure in
Bangladesh has been accused of using military intelligence agents to abduct and
interrogate people to settle a business dispute involving his wife.The
allegations have been made against Major General Tarique Ahmed Siddique, Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina's security adviser who has effective control over the
country's armed forces and intelligence agencies. Siddique is considered one of
the most influential members of Sheikh Hasina's Awami League government and a
very close personal ally; his brother is married to the Prime Minister’s
sister, Sheikh Rehana. His niece is UK Labour member of parliament, Tulip
Siddique.The claims against General Siddique are being made by a former army
officer and one-time business associate, Colonel Shahid Uddin Khan who is
currently living in self-exile in the UK.aljazeera
Flash: views &
NEWS
Makkah Masjid, Hyderabad to Masjid Al Noor,
New Zealand – Muslims becoming target of terrorism
Egypt's Morsi: The Final Hours
Rumour of missing Najeeb Ahmed joining ISIS
recirculates on social media:Arjun Sidharth
Instagram sensation shamed for Islamophobic
comments and calling Sikhs 'a type of Muslims'
For scholars, faith and evidence of
historicity are two separate matters: Romila Thapar
Economic data: Fact vs fiction: Surjit S
Bhalla
J&K: Ruled Article 370 is permanent
provision of Constitution
If I Had Got More Than a Minute to Speak: Arun
Shourie on Rafale Proceedings in SC
Compiled and edited by
Anwarulhaq (Released at: 7:58 PM)
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