Posts
Evening NEWS DIGEST
29 Oct, 2015: 15 Muharram 37: Vol:7, No: 12
INDIA
Muslim Personal Law Board to oppose any move to alter family laws of Muslims
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/all-india-muslim-personal-law-board-to-oppose-uniform-civil-code/story-ZqGaZBbX1713soXrX7U67N.html
New Delhi : All-India Muslim Personal Law Board, an organisation that lobbies for Shariah or Islamic law in family matters, has said it would oppose any move to alter family laws of Muslims as it stands and would approach the Supreme Court to be made a party in case such as move was afoot. “If any move is being planned by the judiciary, we will obviously be a party and appear before the court. On the face of it, I would say we can never accept any tinkering of Muslim personal laws,” Maulana Wali Rahmani, acting general secretary of the influential law board, told HT. India allows communities to be governed by their religious norms in family matters such as like marriage, inheritance and divorce. For Muslims, the Shariah Act of 1937 applies. One general concern is that some of these laws are discriminatory towards women. Two judges of the apex court sought to set up a bench to examine parts of Islamic law applicable to areas such as marriage and succession of property with a view to ensure gender equality.HT
SC to examine validity of Muslim divorce, polygamy
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Supreme-Court-to-examine-validity-of-Muslim-divorcepolygamy/articleshow/49574737.cms?
Polygamy in Muslim community to be examined by SC: report
http://www.nagpurtoday.in/polygamy-in-muslim-community-to-be-examined-by-sc/10291538
Law on equal right for daughters over property is prospective: Supreme Court
http://www.livelaw.in/law-on-equal-right-for-daughters-over-property-is-prospective-sc/
No decision yet on SC’s poser to Centre on Uniform Civil Code
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/No-decision-yet-on-SCs-poser-to-Centre-on-Uniform-Civil-Code/articleshow/49574757.cms
New Delhi: The law ministry is yet to firm up its stand on the Uniform Civil Code. Any decision is unlikely before the conclusion of campaigning of the final phase of Bihar assembly elections. The govt is facing a deadline to respond to a Supreme Court poser on its stand on a common code. Though the NDA govt is in favour of a Uniform Civil Code, it is not in a hurry to articulate its stand. A senior official said the govt will initiate a wider consultation with all stakeholders, including all major political parties and personal law boards. As for its affidavit to the SC, law minister Sadananda Gowda is likely to hold a consultation with PM Narendra Modi and other senior Cabinet colleagues in the first week of Nov.before finalizing the Centre's stand.TOI
Kerala House beef row: Rajnath placates Chandy, says ready to express regret
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kerala-house-beef-row-rajnath-placates-chandy-says-ready-to-express-regret/1/509974.html
New Delhi:2 days after the Delhi Police raid on Kerala House over beef exploded into a full blown war between the Kerala govt and the Centre, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday finally broke his silence and said he was willing to express his regret to Kerala CM Oomen Chandy. Singh said that he would meet Chandy after his return from poll-bound Bihar.In an exclusive interview to India Today, the Home Minister said, "I have advised Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi to take stringent action against Hindu Sena leader Vishnu Gupta and have asked Bassi and his team to be careful while acting out on such complaints in future."IndiaToday
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah says he will start eating beef from now on
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/i-will-start-eating-beef-from-now-says-karnataka-cm-siddaramaiah/1/510213.html
Bengaluru: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah has joined the beef row contending that unnecessary issues are being raked under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi."So far, I have not eaten beef. But I will start eating beef from now onwards. So what's wrong in it? Who are you to question me?" he said referring to the BJP leaders' objection to beef consumption while interacting with the media in Bengaluru. Admitting that the situation across the country had turned "insecure" with the kind of issues taking centre stage, he said the focus of the Union govt should be on development of the nation. Indiatoday
RSS should be banned for fanning a sense of fear: Top Scientist Bhargava, preparing to return his Padma Bhushan in protest
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/worried-top-scientist-pm-bhargava-to-return-padma-bhushan/story-vKxC7MSMlZJWeXxJc1rERK.html
Chennai: Eminent scientist PM Bhargava, who is preparing to return his Padma Bhushan in protest, has called for a ban on the RSS alleging it is against minorities and dalits.“ RSS should be banned for fanning a sense of fear among minorities and dalits,” Dr Bhargava said on Thursday.The 87-year-old scientist, who is set to courier his plaque to Delhi next week, received many congratulatory phone calls, and also a few abusive ones, after he announced his decision.“The RSS chief and other Hindu organisation leaders make dangerous statements from time to time that reveal a dangerous design to rewrite the history of the country and also change the country in a manner that is not acceptable to many people,” he said adding “the RSS should be banned just like some minority organisations that engineer communal strife.” Hindustan Times
Modi govt, RSS trying to dictate what we eat and do: Scientist Bhargava
http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/dont-want-democracy-to-be-replaced-with-religious-dictatorship-scientist-bhargava-on-returning-padma-bhushan_1815901.html
Scientist Bhargava latest to return Padma Bhushan, protests against ‘attack on rationalism, reasoning’
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/scientist-p-m-bhargava-to-return-padma-bhushan-to-protest-govts-attack-on-rationalism-reasoning/#sthash.DUQvAu0J.dpuf
Dadri lynching: Month after Akhlaq murder, cops yet to file chargesheet
http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/dadri-lynching-month-after-akhlaq-murder-cops-yet-to-file-chargesheet/
Noida: It has been a month since Akhlaq was beaten to death by a mob, over rumours of consuming and storing beef, at his house in Bisara village in Dadri district. Despite the arrest of some suspects, the police are yet to file a chargesheet in the case.According to officials associated with the probe, the statement of Akhlaq’s son Danish, the “prime witness” in the case, was crucial for the chargesheet.So far, police have arrested 10 suspects in connection with the case, including a juvenile. However, the chargesheet in the case hinges on Danish’s recovery, said the police.“Danish is a prime witness in the case…According to his doctors, he is not yet in a position to speak. But his statement is important to file the chargesheet,” said Anurag Singh, circle officer, Dadri. Danish’s recovery has been slow, his brother Sartaj said, adding, “Doctors have told us that his recovery has been 70%; it will take between 6 months and one year for him to fully recover”. Indian Express
Sangeet Som charge-sheeted for disturbing peace in Dadri
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/sangeet-som-chargesheeted-for-disturbing-peace-in-dadri/article7815265.ece
Meerut: UP police filed a charge sheet on Wednesday in the case against controversial BJP leader Sangeet Som for allegedly violating prohibitory orders imposed in Bishahra village in Dadri in the aftermath of lynching of Akhlaq earlier this month.Som, MLA from Sardhana in Meerut, was booked under Section 188 of the IPC for alleged violation of the prohibitory orders in the first week of October. “The charge sheet has been filed and the law will take its own course,” NP Singh, DM of Gautam Buddh Nagar said. the hindu
Haryana education dept magazine says beef source of iron: TOI
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Haryana-education-dept-magazine-says-beef-source-of-iron/articleshow/49574245.cms
Chandigarh: A chapter in a magazine issued by the Haryana education department has cited beef as one of the best sources to enhance the body's iron absorption. Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar is the chief patron of the magazine while education minister Ram Bilas Sharma is the patron. Incidentally, the state was the first in the country to pass a law mandating a 10-year jail term for cow slaughter. The September issue of the monthly 'Shiksha Sarthi', in a chapter titled 'Iron: Vital for Strength', has a list of iron enhancers and inhibitors, which "directly affect the absorption of iron", on page 48. The magazine, published by the education department, is circulated among students and teachers of all govt schools in the state. It also covers issues related to school-children, food and nutrition, teaching methodology, database, motivational stories and periodic activities and achievements of various schools. According to the education department, there are around 14,500 govt schools in Haryana and the magazine is circulated among most of them. Teachers from various schools across the state and freelancers ar the main contributors to 'Shiksha Sarthi'. Times of India
Mangalore: Riot breaks out after Muslim barber refuses to shut shop on Tuesday
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/riot-breaks-out-after-muslim-barber-refuses-to-shut-shop-on-tuesday/story-TdTFCBmvWPDpOaM1ZczHsO.html
Bengaluru:A Muslim barber refused to shut shop “as per custom”, triggering a riot by indignant members of the Hindu community at Nelliyadi village, 70km from Mangalore, in Karnataka on Tuesday. Though the violence was brought under control a few hours after it erupted around 4 pm, dozens of people were injured and property worth lakhs destroyed in the melee. Bajrang Dal leader Ravi Ballya told HT that the trouble started when the barber, Salman, refused to “respect local sentiments” and keep his shop shut on Tuesdays. “It is well-known that Hindus don’t cut their hair on Tuesdays. Salman was initially a nice boy. He used to respect our wishes and close his shop then. But in the last few weeks, he stopped doing that because some PFI leaders filled his head with poison,” Ballya said.Kempi Mustafa, the head of the local masjid, said this was not the first time Kumar and Ballya had stoked communal tension in the area. Alleging that both are accused in criminal cases, he said this was just the latest in a string of incidents aimed at disrupting the communal harmony of coastal Karnataka. Meanwhile, the situation continued to be tense in at least 4 villages near Nelliyadi – Kokkada, Patrame, Golithottu and Ballya. The police have so far arrested 9 men from both communities, and imposed curfew in the area. HT
Supreme Court Judgement on Quota Draws Wrath
http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/Supreme-Court-Judgement-on-Quota-Draws-Wrath/2015/10/29/article3102887.ece
Kochi: Supreme Court’s direction to scrap reservation in higher education has elicited sharp reactions with activists and community organisations pointing out that the court was overstepping its limits.Lashing out at the Supreme Court observations on reservation, Dr Fazal Gafoor, chairman of the Muslim Education Society (MES), said that they are nonsensical and amounts to playing with fire. “The judge was quoted as saying that ‘some privilege remained unchanged 68 years after Independence,’ which is totally wrong. They should read history more. In the case of OBCs, national level reservation was implemented only in 2005,” the MES chairman pointed out. “The judgement deceives ‘class thinking’ of the judiciary,” the MES chairman observed.M Geetanandan of Adivasi Gotra Mahasabha, said that the judgment, apart from being an unconstitutional one, would further strengthen the Sangh Parivars’ Fascist ideology on reservation. New indian express
Over 50 Leading Historians Speak Out Against 'Highly Vitiated Atmosphere' in India: outlook
http://www.outlookindia.com/news/article/over-50-leading-historians-speak-out-against-highly-vitiated-atmosphere-in-india/918589
After writers, artists, filmmakers and scientists, over 50 historians today came out strongly against PM NarendraModi for not making any reassuring statement following concerns over "highly vitiated atmosphere" prevailing in the country.A total of 53 historians including leading names like Romila Thapar, Irfan Habib, KN Pannikar and Mridula Mukherjee have in a joint statement released by Sahmat raised their serious concerns over recent developments."Differences of opinion are being sought to be settled by using physical violence. Arguments are met not with counter arguments but with bullets," the statement said referring to the Dadri lynching incident and recent ink attack on Sudheendra Kulkarni during a book launch function in Mumbai.
Academic historians express serious anguish at prevailing conditions
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/academic-historians-express-anguish-at-prevailing-intolerance/article7817979.ece
Filmmakers join protest against ‘intolerance’; Dibakar Banerjee, 11 others return national awards
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/dibakar-banerjee-nine-other-filmmakers-return-national-award-to-protest-rising-intolerance/#sthash.gvnr7RCg.dpuf
New Delhi: Students at the FTII Wednesday ended their 140-day-old strike — but the protest was taken forward by 12 filmmakers, who announced that they would return their National Awards over the unresolved FTII issue and the “rising intolerance” in the country.The students, too, said they would return to classes but “continue to protest and resist the current appointments in whatever peaceful and non-violent form we are able to”.Students had gone on an indefinite strike on June 12 following the appointment of TV actor and BJP member Gajendra Chauhan as president of the FTII Society and chairman of its Governing Council.They also expressed discontent over four other “political” appointees who, they alleged, lacked the artistic and cinematic expertise to secure a place in the FTII Society. Filmmakers who have decided to return their National Awards are Dibakar Banerjee, Anand Patwardhan, Paresh Kamdar, Nishtha Jain, Kirti Nakhwa, Harshavardhan Kulkarni, Hari Nair, Rakesh Sharma, Indraneel Lahiri and Lipika Singh Darai. Earlier, in Pune, 2 FTII alumni, Pratik Vatsa and Vikrant Pawar, made a similar announcement.At a press conference in Mumbai, the filmmakers read out a joint statement and said they had decided to join protesting writers and Sahitya Akademi winners who had returned their awards. Some of them also brought their National Award medals with them. indian express
Urdu writers at lit fest join protest, slam `fascist forces'
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Urdu-writers-at-lit-fest-join-protest-slam-fascist-forces/articleshow/49580396.cms
New Delhi: Writers at the first International Urdu Literary Festival in Udaipur on Wednesday pledged solidarity with authors and filmmakers who've been protesting against the free run to "fascist forces" in the country and blamed the Centre for being soft towards such elements. Urdu literary figures at the event, held under the aegis of Anjuman Tarraqui Urdu(Hind), said that the 125-year old nationalist institution espousing the cause of Urdu should take the initiative to ensure participation of Urdu authors and writers in the ongoing struggle against rising intolerance. JNU professor Khwaja Ikramuddin said all writers have to be progressive in the circumstances simply because it's no longer possible for any Urdu writer worth his salt to remain indifferent. "Being otherwise would be against Urdu's DNA," Ikramuddin said. General secretary of the Anjuman, Ather Farouqui, said no Urdu writer must remain silent in the prevailing atmosphere even though there might be different ways of registering protest. TOI
Azamgarh youth lands in jail for posting pro-Pakistan slogan on facebook 6yr back
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/A-youth-lands-in-jail-for-posting-pro-Pakistan-slogan-on-facebook/articleshow/49569523.cms
Varanasi: A youth in Azamgarh district landed in jail for posting pro-Pakistan slogan and flag on his facebook. He was booked under section 66H of IT Act and relevant section of cyber terrorism. According to reports, a youth Jaish Azmami, native of Dalaltola in Maharajganj police station area of Azamgarh district had posted Pakistani flag and slogan 'Pakistan Zindabad' about 6 years back. He had also tagged some other people with this post. Taking note of it the cyber crime cell of police started collecting information about the youth. "youth was arrested on Oct.26," Maharajganj SO KD Tripathi told TOI over phone adding that the youth was booked under sections of IT Act and cyber crime, and sent to jail. TOI
Haryana: CBI registers case in burning of 2 dalit kids
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/CBI-registers-case-in-killing-of-two-dalit-children-in-Haryana/articleshow/49581241.cms
Faridabad/New Delhi: CBI has registered a case of murder against 11 persons in connection with the killing of two infants of a dalit family in an alleged arson attack in Sunped village in Haryana on Oct.20.CBI sources said as per the laid down procedure, the agency has taken over the investigation in the FIR registered by the local police which had named 11 persons in the case.A team of agency officials reached the crime scene on Thursday and collected forensic evidence.The team headed by a DIG level officer is in the process of understanding the circumstances of the incident.PTI
Crimes against Dalits rising in Haryana: Bhupinder Hooda
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/49582284.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
Owaisi arrested for Model Code violation, gets bail
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/aimim-chief-asaduddin-owaisi-arrested-for-model-code-violation-gets-bail/#sthash.BVddN5aq.dpuf
Purnia: Asaduddin Owaisi was on Wednesday arrested on charge of violation of Model Code of Conduct and later released on bail in Bihar’s Purnia district, an official said.Owaisi was allegedly making an election speech at a religious place when a police team from Baisi police station arrested him and brought to the respective police station where he was booked in a case for holding public meeting without prior permission from the authorities and under loudspeaker act, DM Balamurugan D confirmed. Owaisi, however, denied that he had gone to the place for canvassing and claimed he went there only to offer prayers and not for campaigning.PTI
BJP in Bihar: balancing between Hindutva development
http://indianexpress.com/article/explained/bjp-in-bihar-tough-balancing-between-hindutva-and-development/#sthash.oT7BM81d.dpuf
BJP’s poll calculations for Bihar have changed quite swiftly. Now it believes that its development plank has not worked because Nitish Kumar is a major challenge as a symbol of ‘vikas’ in Bihar and the party has failed to convince voters of their “development agenda”. So party is struggling with various alternative caste formulae – upper castes with EBC + section of OBC or Upper Castes with MBC+ section of Dalits. indianexpress
Akhilesh Sacks 8 ministers, reshuffles 9 others
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/UP-CM-Akhilesh-Yadav-Sacks-8-ministers-reshuffles-9-others/articleshow/49580757.cms
Lucknow: CM Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday sacked five cabinet ministers and three ministers of state from his council of ministers, and withdrew existing portfolios of 9 other ministers. This is first drastic shake up of the council of ministers since Akhilesh was sworn in as CM in March 2012, and is seen as a decision in line with Samajwadi Party govt's poll preparations for the 2017 assembly elections. New portfolio allotment and swearing in of a fresh batch of ministers will be done on Saturday, Oct.31. Among cabinet ministers shown the door after Akhilesh's meeting with UP Governor Ram Naik on Wednesday,include stamp and registrations minister Mahendra Aridaman Singh, Ambika Chaudhary, who was serving as minister for backward and handicapped welfare, textile minister Shiv Kumar Beria, food and civil supplies minister Narad Rai and technical education minister Shivkant Ojha. Ministers of state sacked by Akhilesh on Thursday include Alok Kumar Shakya (technical education), Yogesh Pratap Singh (basic education) and Bhagwat Sharan Gangwar (with independent charge of small and medium scale industries. Times of India
Indigo passenger not allowed on flight over short dress
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Indigo-passenger-not-allowed-on-flight-over-short-dress/articleshow/49582783.cms
WORLD
Pakistan sold Iran nuke tech in 1980s, ex-President Rafsanjani reveals: Praveen Swami's story
http://indianexpress.com/article/world/world-news/pakistan-sold-iran-nuke-tech-in-1980s-former-president-rafsanjani-reveals/
New Delhi: Ex-Iranian president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has confirmed that his country received nuclear technology from Pakistan. The assertion, made in an interview published on Thursday, undermines Islamabad’s long-standing claims that its supply of technology and material to Iran, Libya and North Korea was the work of a rogue network run by the country’s former nuclear czar, Abdul Qadeeer Khan.In an interview published by website Iran’s Nuclear Hope, Rafsanjani says “Abdul Qadeer Khan believed that the Islamic world had to have a nuclear bomb… The Pakistanis agreed to help us somewhat”.“We were at war, and we wanted to have such an option for the day our enemies wanted to use nuclear weapons. This was our state of mind,” said the former Iranian president.The AQ Khan network is suspected to have supplied Iran with designs for its P1-type aluminium-rotor centrifuges, during a visit the scientist made to its Bushehr nuclear facility in 1986, Later, in between 1994 and 1996, Iran received components for 500 centrifuges, a deal that was followed up with designs for the more advanced P2 centrifuges, which began operating from 2002.Iran’s now-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Ali Khamenei, who has held the position since 1989, also travelled to Pakistan without success, Rafsanjani added.The timeline revealed by Rafsanjani confirms reports that Iran-Pakistan nuclear cooperation was sanctioned by military ruler General Zia-ul-Haq, who held power until his assassination in 1988. Indian Express
US, world powers save space for Iran at Syria talks
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/world/us-world-powers-save-space-for-iran-at-syria-talks/article7813389.ece
Washington: Iran could join international talks over Syria’s future for the first time later this week, as the United States declared itself ready to engage its long-time foe, if it might helps halt Syria’s four-year civil war. Washington still waits to hear if Tehran will attend the next round of discussions, expected to start Thursday and continue till Friday in Vienna.Secretary of State John Kerry, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and several top European and Arab diplomats will be attending, familiar cast that up to now hasn’t included any Iranian representatives. State Dept. spokesman John Kirby said that the arrangements for Vienna were still being finalized, but that “we anticipate that Iran will be invited to attend this upcoming meeting.”While the US doesn’t approve of Iran’s “destabilizing activities” in Syria, Kirby said American officials “always have recognized that at some point in the discussion, moving toward a political transition, we have to have a conversation and a dialogue with Iran.” On the other hand, all previous international efforts have done nothing to stop the fighting, and Kerry is trying to unite all sides with influence in the Arab country around a common vision of a peaceful, secular and pluralistic Syria governed with the consent of its people. President Barack Obama and Saudi King Salman spoke about cooperating closely to fight the Islamic State and “establish the conditions for a political transition in Syria,” according to a White House statement. They vowed to build on recent diplomatic efforts. AP
Syrian opposition, rebels not invited to Vienna talks
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/29/us-mideast-crisis-syria-opposition-idUSKCN0SN10920151029
Syria's main political opposition body and representatives of the armed opposition have not been invited to international talks on the country's war, an opposition politician and a rebel leader said.The Syrian govt in Damascus has meanwhile yet to issue any official comment on the meeting in Vienna on Friday that will bring together about a dozen countries including Saudi Arabia and Iran, which back opposing sides in the conflict.The Syrian opposition has objected to Iran's participation in the talks - the first time it has attended such a meeting on Syria - because of its military support for President Bashar al-Assad.George Sabra, a member of the Syrian National Coalition, told Reuters the failure to invite Syrians showed a "lack of seriousness". Asked whether the coalition had been invited to the talks, he said: "That didn't happen."REUTERS
Iranian newspaper criticises Iran’s military intervention in Syria, pro Assad policies
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/news/middle-east/21975-iranian-newspaper-criticises-irans-military-intervention-in-syria
Iranian newspaper Bihar has for the first time criticised the Iranian intervention in Syria, noting that the accelerated developments in the Syrian battlefields have increased the number of deaths among Iranian military leaders, Arabi21.com reported on Wednesday.“Iranian military leaders went to Syria for military consultations,” the Iranian newspaper said, “but we see that most of the Iranian military leaders were killed in the battlefields in Aleppo.”The newspaper said that Russian interference is playing a basic role in reinforcing the axis between Russian, Hezbollah, Iran and Syria, but that the large number of casualties among Iranians proves that the Syrian opposition is receiving arms and logistical support from other players.It also expected that the Syrian crisis would not be resolved soon, criticising the Iranian strategy based on simply protecting Al-Assad. “If Iran needs to protect its interests in the region, and for this must protect the Syrian regime, Iran could support a new regime without Al-Assad,” the newspaper said.The newspaper criticised the red lines imposed by Iran regarding the Syrian issue. “Putting red lines on the Syrian crisis closes the road towards a political solution and makes [Iran] an obstacle in the face of the political solutions,” the newspaper added.The newspaper concluded that it is impossible to adopt the policy of supporting Al-Assad forever, because this logic complicates the situation. middleeastmonitor
500 billion dollars stolen under Maliki rule in Iraq: official
http://www.dailysabah.com/mideast/2015/10/28/500-billion-dollars-stolen-under-maliki-rule-in-iraq-official
Istanbul: Iraqi Commission of Integrity (CoI) spokesman Adil Nouri has claimed that half of the govt 's oil income and funds for reconstruction were 'stolen' and 'vanished' from Iraq during the 8-year period of office of former President Nouri Maliki.Speaking at the Iraqi Parliament, Nouri said that around 500 billion dollars from govt coffers has "disappeared" and is perhaps the greatest corruption in history.Underlining that Iraq's oil income between 2006 and 2014 alone was only $ 822 billion, he said that the Maliki govt had also received more than $250 billion in funds from many countries, namely the US, used to pay the salaries and pensions of Iraqi govt workers and for reconstruction projects.Within the scope of corruption investigations carried out by the CoI, Nouri stated that former defense minister Hazm Shalan, former trade minister Abdul-Fatah Sudani and former electricity minister Aiham al-Sammarae were involved in graft during their tenures and charged of corruption. Along with 53 other officials, a prosecution against the Iraqi Red Crescent authorities was also brought and is still continuing.Daily Sabah
Saudi Price Talal supports Israel against Palestinians
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/news/middle-east/21971-al-waleed-bin-talal-supports-israel-against-palestinians
Saudi multibillionaire Al-Waleed bin Talal has said that he would stand with Israel against the Palestinians if a new uprising was ignited, Kuwaiti media reported on Tuesday. According to the AWD news website, bin Talal told the Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Qabas: “I will side with the Jewish nation and its democratic aspirations in case of outbreak of a Palestinian Intifada.”He also added: “I shall exert all my influence to break any ominous Arab initiatives set to condemn Tel Aviv, because I deem the Arab-Israeli entente and future friendship necessary to impede the dangerous Iranian encroachment.”Regarding the foreign policy of Saudi Arabia, bin Talal said that “[Saudi] must reconsider its regional commitments and devise a new strategy to combat Iran’s increasing influence in the Gulf States by forging a Defence pact with Tel Aviv.” Middleeastmonitor
JK Rowling Criticises Israel Over Palestine Issue, Calls It 'Brutal', 'Unjust': outlookindia
http://www.outlookindia.com/news/article/jk-rowling-criticises-israel-over-palestine-issue-calls-it-brutal-unjust/918510
London: Harry Potter author JK Rowling today publicly criticised Israel for its "brutal" and "unjust" treatment of the Palestinian people, but opposed a "cultural boycott" of the Jewish state as it would "silence" voices that need to be heard. Rowling, one of Britain's most successful female writers said she was opposed to a wider cultural boycott of Israel after a number of her fans used her Harry Potter characters to argue in favour of a total cultural boycott of the nation.She wrote on Twitter: "Palestinian community has suffered untold injustice and brutality. I want to see the Israeli govt held to account for that injustice and brutality."Boycotting Israel on every possible front has its allure. It satisfies the human urge to do something, anything, in the face of horrific human suffering," the 50-year-old author said. Rowling further said that Harry Potter fans had used her characters to make points about the boycott.She said some readers pointed out that "talking" did not stop the "Wizarding war" in her popular novels and drew parallels between Harry Potter plot-lines and the conflict in the Middle East. Author stressed: "What sits uncomfortably with me is that severing contacts with Israel's cultural and academic community means refusing to engage with some of the Israelis who are most pro-Palestinian, and most critical of Israel's govt.
Online campaign slams BBC's 'bias' against Palestine
http://www.dailysabah.com/europe/2015/10/28/online-campaign-slams-bbcs-bias-against-palestine
Istanbul:BBC has come under criticism with an online campaign over its coverage of Israel's aggravation against Palestinians. The campaign by the NGO "The Friends of Al Aqsa" (FAO) -- launched on Twitter with the hashtag #BBsee -- has asked the BBC a series of questions about the news organization's "biased" coverage from the region."Why do you highlight Israeli injuries and ignore the killing of Palestinian children, youth and women?" was one of the questions of the campaign, which quickly became a trending topic on the social media platform.Campaigners asked, "Israeli forces killed 57 Palestinians and injured more than 2000! Why aren't you reporting this?" and "There is concrete video evidence of Israelis beating innocent Palestinians, why don't you show it #BBSee?"Another tweet asked the media organization, "When will you report the facts #BBSee?" Daily Sabah
Israeli forces accused of killing unarmed Palestinian in Hebron
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/palestinian-unarmed-man-shot-dead-hebron-he-looks-nice-shoot-him-1027566184#sthash.Pzy5T2sA.dpuf
A Palestinian man was shot multiple times near the Kiryat Arba settlement in Hebron on Wednesday.Israeli sources said that the Israeli army managed to "neutralise" a Palestinian man near Kiryat Arba after a stabbing attempt.However, eyewitnesses quoted by International Solidarity Movement (ISM) based in Hebron disputed the army’s version of events. According to the quoted eyewitness, Ibeidu was searched by Israeli soldiers by the checkpoint and released, before orders were given to execute him. middleeasteye
Why Netanyahu Became a Holocaust Revisionist: Josh Ruebner, Policy Director, US Campaign to End Israeli Occupation
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/josh-ruebner/why-netanyahu-became-a-ho_b_8391730.html?ir=India&adsSiteOverride=in
Newsnight editor 'concerned' over seizure of BBC journalist's laptop under UK's anti terror law
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-34666281
Newsnight editor Ian Katz has spoken of his concern over the seizure of a BBC journalist's laptop by police acting under the Terrorism Act. Secunder Kermani handed over the computer after officers secured a judge's order, BBC has confirmed.They were responding to communications between Kermani and a man in Syria who was publicly identified as an Islamic State extremist. The man was not a confidential source, a BBC spokesman said. Katz said police use of the act to access information shared between journalists and sources could cause problems when reporting about Islamic State (IS)."While we would not seek to obstruct any police investigation, we are concerned that the use of the Terrorism Act to obtain communication between journalists and sources will make it very difficult for reporters to cover this issue of critical public interest," Katz said.BBC
Sydney most hostile to Muslims in Australia, claims survey
http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/sydney-most-hostile-to-muslims-in-australia-claims-survey-115102900424_1.html
Sydney :A new survey of national attitudes released on Thursday by the Monash University in Australia has revealed that the city of Sydney is the most hostile to Muslims, while Melbourne is seen as the most tolerant towards members of that community.The survey, which appears in the Sydney Morning Herald, further states that among a majority of Australians, the spirit of multi-culturalism prevails and that there is barely any support for calls from far-right groups to officially discriminate or reject would-be migrants on the basis of religion or ethnicity.The survey identified broad support for multiculturalism in mainland capital cities, but with differences most pronounced in sentiment towards Muslims.Only 16 % of Melburnians reported a negative view of Muslims, compared with 27 % in Sydney.The findings in Sydney are closely matched in Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane. Canberra is the only city close to Melbourne with 16.1 % negative.ANI
IS shuts down women's clinics in Raqqa to prevent male gynaecologists treating female patients: The Independent
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/ISIS-shuts-down-womens-clinics-in-Raqqa-to-prevent-male-gynaecologists-treating-female-patients/articleshow/49582811.cms
ISIS is believed to have ordered the closure of all women's clinics supervised by male doctors in its Syrian heartlands, in the latest assault on the health and rights of women in the territories controlled by the militant group. According to activists, ISIS has drastically restricted the work of male gynaecologists in accordance with its leaders' belief that men and women should be kept apart at all costs.Sources told the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights that all women's clinics in Raqqa state overseen by men had been shut down. Gynaecologists working in the province's larger hospitals had their involvement in operations "confined".
Pakistan loses UN Human Rights Council election
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Pakistan-loses-UN-Human-Rights-Council-election/articleshow/49579301.cms
UN: Pakistan failed to win a re-election to the top UN human rights body, garnering just 105 votes in the 193-member General Assembly. General Assembly elected 18 members of UN Human Rights Council through a secret ballot.New members, who will start their 3-year terms beginning Jan.1 next year, are Belgium, Burundi, Cote d'Ivoire, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Georgia, Germany, Kenya, Panama, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Togo, Slovenia, Switzerland, UAE and Venezuela.PTI
Myanmar's 'Muslim-free' election
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2015/10/myanmar-muslim-free-election-151024182312301.html
Myanmar's main opposition party, led by the Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, deliberately bypassed Muslim candidates ahead of the November election, a senior party member told Al Jazeera's Investigative Unit.Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the source said Suu Kyi ordered an "Islamic purge" in the NLD to appease growing anti-Muslim sentiment fuelled by hardline Buddhist nationalists.Not one of the NLD's 1,151 candidates standing for regional and national elections is Muslim, despite there being around five million Muslims - or between 4 and 10 percent of the population - in the country.aljazeera
China ends one-child policy, allows couples 2 kids
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/China-ends-one-child-policy-allows-couples-2-kids/articleshow/49581887.cms
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 7:51 PM)
