Evening NEWS DIGEST
18 Dec.2016: 18 Rabiul Awwal 1438: Vol:8, No:65
INDIA
Political war over appointment of Army chief: Opposition calls it ‘unfortunate’
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/army-chief-bipin-rawat-bjp-congress-dalbir-singh-suhag-politics-opposition/
New Delhi: The govt’s decision to appoint Lt General Bipin Rawat as the new Army chief has unleashed a fierce round of battle between the govt and the opposition, over the nature of the decision to appoint a junior officer, superseding two higher positions. Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi, the Commander-in-Chief of the Eastern Command, and Lt Gen P Mohamed Ali Hariz was were widely expected to take over as the next chief. However, the govt surprised all by appointing Rawat to the top post.Lt. Gen Rawat is currently the Vice Chief of Army Staff and would take over as Army Chief after Gen Dalbir Singh retires on Dec.31. Lt. Gen Rawat is an Infantry officer, having been commissioned in the Fifth Battalion of the Eleven Gorkha Rifles.Soon after the appointment of the new Army Chief, the Congress and the Left questioned the govt on its motive behind the appointment of Lt. Gen Rawat superseding two positions. Citing the dynamics and hierarchy embedded in every institution, Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said that “With all due respect to Gen Rawat’s professionalism and no personal animus towards anybody, there is a legitimate question that why has that supersession taken place.” “Did the government have anything against them? Was their professionalism in question? What was the reason and I guess the army being a public institution the country deserves those answers,” asked Tiwari.CPI leader D. Raja also questioned govt on the controversial appointment, terming it as “very unfortunate.” “Appointments in army have become controversial, the appointments in the judiciary are already controversial, appointments of CVCs, CBI director and to CIC, all these top-level appointments are becoming very controversial,” he said adding further that there needs to be transparency. The last time such an instance of supersession had taken place was in 1983 under the Indira Gandhi led govt when Gen A S Vaidya became Army Chief side superseding Lt Gen S K Sinha. indianexpress
Controversy Over Army Chief's Appointment, Congress, Left Raise Questions
http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/controversy-over-army-chiefs-appointment-congress-left-raise-questions-1639098?google_editors_picks=true
In surprise move, Lt. Gen. Bipin Rawat appointed next Army Chief
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/In-surprise-move-Lt.-Gen.-Bipin-Rawat-appointed-next-Army-Chief/article16896802.ece?homepage=true
Lt Gen Bipin Rawat is next Army chief: Govt has superseded two of the best senior officers:
http://www.firstpost.com/india/lt-gen-bipin-rawat-is-next-army-chief-govt-has-superseded-two-of-the-best-senior-officers-3161636.html
Was Ajit Doval the man behind Gen Bipin Rawat’s appointment as army chief? jantakareporter
http://www.jantakareporter.com/india/doval-general-bipin-rawats/85429/
Uttarakhand: Muslim govt employees get special break for Friday prayers
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/uttarakhand-muslim-govt-employees-get-special-break-for-friday-prayers-4433763/
Dehradun: A special 90-minute break will be given to the government employees from the Muslim community in Uttarakhand for Friday prayers, official sources said. A cabinet meeting on Saturday, chaired by Chief Minister Harish Rawat, decided that a special break from 12:30pm till 2:00pm will be given to the employees from the community, they said.The Congress government made other decisions like consent for a detailed project report for metro which has been given to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). The state government also posed a penalty of Rs 2 crore and Rs 2.5 crore for PG doctors for violating bond of 5 years with the state for essential service. The state goes to poll next year.PTI
Curfew in Manipur's east Imphal district as buses burnt, clashes break out
http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/curfew-in-manipurs-east-imphal-district-as-buses-burnt-clashes-break-out-1639162
Imphal: Violence erupted in Manipur's capital Imphal this afternoon when protesters angry over the ongoing economic blockade in the state and a series of terrorist attacks on security forces earlier this week, resorted to violence. An indefinite curfew has been imposed in the Imphal East district. Protesters attacked vehicles coming from the Naga-dominated hill districts towards Imphal. Several vehicles have been set on fire and vandalised. One bus was pushed into a river. There have not been reports of any casualties.Earlier, taking note of the tensions in the capital following three blasts on Thursday and an attack on the oldest Baptist church in Manipur on Friday, the state government decided to shut down internet services in the Imphal West district.NDTV
Manipur blockade: Mobile data services banned in Imphal West
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2016/dec/18/manipur-blockade-mobile-data-services-banned-in-imphal-west-1550524.html
Centre, state governments failed to curb atrocities against SCs, STs: Supreme Court
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/centre-state-governments-failed-to-curb-atrocities-against-scs-sts-supreme-court/articleshow/56043833.cms
New Delhi:Expressing concern over Scheduled Casts and Scheduled Tribes still facing discrimination and atrocities, the Supreme Court has slammed the Centre and state govts for their failure to protect these communities and bring them into the national mainstream.A bench of Chief Justice TS Thakur and Justices DY Chandrachud and L Nageswara Rao said that oppressive practices against the SCs and STs are still prevalent despite the Constitution prohibiting discrimination on the basis of caste while abolishing untouchability. The court said although state governments are responsible for carrying out the provisions of the Act, the Centre cannot abdicate its responsibility to ensure implementation of the law. It said the evil practice of atrocities against Dalits still exists in society despite the law being passed by Parliament in 1989 and directed the governments to ensure its strict implementation.
Pathankot attack: NIA to give clean chit to Gurdaspur's ex-SP
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/nia-to-give-clean-chit-to-gurdaspurs-ex-sp/articleshow/56042982.cms
New Delhi: Senior Punjab Police officer Salwinder Singh can breathe easy as NIA, which is to file a chargesheet in the Pathankot IAF base terror attack case next week, will officially give him a clean chit.The agency, top sources said, would not mention anything about the former Gurdaspur SP's questioning in connection with his abduction by attackers on the night of Dec.31, 2015, or his suspected links with drug peddlers across the border in the chargesheet.It will only detail his statement in the FIR that while he was driving with his cook and a jeweller friend in his SUV, men wearing fatigues and armed with AK-47s stopped his car, gagged him and his cook and abandoned them. The attackers dumped the jeweller some way ahead and drove off in Singh's car. Timesofindia
Malayalam writer Kamal arrested for Facebook post allegedly insulting national anthem
http://scroll.in/latest/824514/malayalam-writer-kamal-chavara-arrested-accused-of-sedition-for-allegedly-insulting-national-anthem
Malayalam writer and theatre activist Kamal C Chavara alias Kamalsy Prana was arrested in Kerala on Sunday and charged with sedition for allegedly insulting the national anthem in a Facebook post. The case was registered after activists of the Yuva Morcha, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s youth wing, filed a complaint against his post at the Karunagalapalli police station in Kollam a few days ago, Indian Express reported.People close to Chavara told Manorama that the post was an excerpt from his novel Smashanangalude Nottupustakam. He was arrested even as he was in the process of approaching a court for anticipatory bail. Social media users have said that his arrest was a violation of freedom of expression.Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said, “The protests are initiated on communal motives. There is communal intolerance in the way the Sangh Parivar activists are labelling him [Chavara] as a Muslim anti-national,” New Indian Express reported. Scroll.in
National Anthem row: Kerala CM Pinarayi comes to the support of filmmaker Kamal
http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2016/dec/18/national-anthem-row-kerala-cm-pinarayi-comes-to-the-support-of-filmmaker-kamal-1550547.html
Kozhikode: Expressing his solidarity to Kerala Chalachitra Academy chairman and filmmaker Kamal and coming down heavily against Sangh Parivar, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday said that the Saffron Brigade's efforts were aimed at communalising the national anthem row. newindianexpress
Why should I prove my patriotism:Pawan Kalyan slams SC order on national anthem
http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/why-should-i-prove-my-patriotism-pawan-slams-sc-order-on-national-anthem-4433486/
Bengaluru:Tollywood actor and Jana Sena party leader Pawan Kalyan engaged in a Twitter tirade targeting BJP-led government over the issue of patriotism. He also took an exception to the Supreme Court order, which made playing the national anthem at all cinema theatres in the country, compulsory.Pawan questioned as to whom he should prove his patriotism and why film theatres are turned into a testing ground for testing one’s love for the country. “True patriotism will come into experience when an individual or political party goes beyond caste, creed, class, religion, region, ethic n linguistic differences,”he posted on his Twitter page.“Patriotism cannot be seen through as one party’s perspective or ideals. The meaning of true patriotism is deeply rooted in human value and it’s holistic nature,” he added.He also noted that in a democracy differing with the government’s opinion cannot be called anti-national and he even invoked the JNU controversy. “Even if they want to take such extreme view about their opponents, first let them hear out ..without stifling their voice, then take the needed action. In haste, if they take any action it will only backfire as it did in JNU students sedition case and it was proven that the tape was doctored,” he tweeted.indianexpress
EC seeks ban on anonymous contributions above Rs 2,000 to political parties
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ec-seeks-ban-on-anonymous-contributions-to-parties-above-rs-2000/articleshow/56047488.cms
New Delhi: Seeking to stem the flow of black money in polls, the Election Commission has urged the government to amend laws to ban anonymous contributions of Rs 2,000 and above made to political parties.There is no constitutional or statutory prohibition on receipt of anonymous donations by political parties. But there is an "indirect partial ban" on anonymous donations through the requirement of declaration of donations under section 29C of The Representation of the People Act, 1951. But, such declarations are mandated only for contributions above Rs 20,000.PTI
No estimation of black money either before or after Nov 8:FM
http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/current-affairs/no-estimationblack-money-either-before-or-after-nov-8-fm_8126901.html?google_editors_picks=true&utm_source=ref_article
There is no official estimation of black money either before or after Nov.8 -- the day govt announced scrapping of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said today. "There is no official estimation of the amount of black money either before or after the govt's decision of Nov.8, 2016 declaring that bank notes of denominations of the existing series of the value of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 shall cease to be legal tender with effect from Nov.9," he said in a written reply in Lok Sabha. Money control
Gujarat: Assets worth Rs.12 crore seized from a tea vendor-turned-money lender
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Assets-worth-Rs.12-crore-seized-from-a-tea-vendor-turned-money-lender-in-Surat/article16899408.ece
Ahmedabad:Income Tax authorities in Surat have seized alleged unaccounted assets worth Rs12 crore from a tea seller-turned-money lender after raids were conducted at his premises as part of the nationwide crackdown against black money post demonetisation of high value currency bills in the country.I-T department sleuths conducted the search operations at tea seller’s house on Saturday, recovered Rs 1.45 crore in cash, which included new currency of Rs 1.05 crore. the hindu
‘I get pension, don’t need anyone else’s money’: Face of cash woes refuses help
http://www.hindustantimes.com/gurgaon/i-get-help-don-t-need-anyone-else-s-money-face-of-cash-woes-refuses-help/story-XD17VKAN8EOsSE65WTLWTL.html
Gurgaon:A 78-year-old retired army man, who stirred the conscience of a country reeling under a cash crunch after being photographed crying in a bank queue, refused all assistance despite offers pouring in on Friday.Instead, Nand Lal – a veteran of the 1971 India-Pakistan war -- wanted bank authorities to let him withdraw his legitimate pension without further hassle.“I get pension. I do not want anyone else’s money,” he said. “I don’t want alms, let me withdraw my money.”A photograph of Lal sobbing after losing his spot outside a Gurgaon bank was published in HT on Wednesday and went viral, with thousands sympathising with the ex-soldier who stood in a line for three days without success.Shortly afterwards, people from all cross sections of society -- including his relatives -- started visiting his rented room in Bhim Nagar to lend him money.HT
AP: Move to demolish Madrasa resisted
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/Move-to-demolish-Madrasa-resisted/article16897420.ece
Kurnool: People from the Muslim community assembled in large number and resisted attempts of the Kurnool Municipal Corporation officials to demolish a madrasa in Jammichettu street in Kurnool old city on Saturday, to widen the road.The madrasa was instituted about 60 years ago to impart education in Urdu medium to Muslim children, and its demolition would be countered, Muslim elders said after Kurnool Municipal Commissioner S.Ravindra Babu visited the area and told officials that madrasa would be demolished as part of road widening.Rayalaseema Parirakshana Samithi president Byreddy Rajasekhara Reddy rushed to the madrasa and criticised the officials for trying to demolish the madrasa and hurt the sentiments of minorities. Govt had demolished several temples at Amaravati a few months ago, without considering the religious sentiments of Hindus, he said. thehindu
UP: 60 booked for waving ‘Pak flag’ in Badaun
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/uttar-pradesh-60-booked-for-waving-pakistani-flag-in-badaun-4432985/
Lucknow: Police registered a case against a group of 60 people moving in a religious procession on charges of waving “Pakistani flag” and causing tension in Bisauli area in Badaun district on Dec.12. FIR was lodged on Thursday after a video showing the alleged incident went viral on social media after Dec.14 and local BJP workers staged protest demanding action. Police said that, according to the video, it seemed that a 14-year-old boy was initially holding up the flag and passed it onto others in the procession.SHO, Bisauli police station, Lokendra Pal Singh said that taking cognisance of the video they registered a case against unidentified people under IPC section 295-A.“Boy was identified as son of a local tailor. During questioning, the father claimed that the boy, who is learning tailoring, had himself fashioned the flag but had not intended it to look like the Pakistan flag,” said the SHO.TOI
UP: 18 including SI hurt in clash over graveyard
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/18-including-si-hurt-in-clash-over-graveyard/articleshow/56040332.cms
Bijnor: At least 18 people including a police sub-inspector were injured in a clash between two groups of Muslims on Saturday evening in Kiratpur town here, after a long-standing dispute over a graveyard erupted in violence. Heavy police force has been deployed to maintain law and order.According to police officials, there is a graveyard on 25 bighas of land in Ahmed Khail Mohalla of Kiratpur town. For a long time, a dispute has been going on over the land. While members of the Qureshi community claim it to be theirs, members of the Raen Muslim community claim that 5 bighas of the land belongs to them.On Saturday evening, people of both groups confronted each other over this issue when some Qureshis allegedly prevented some Raens from entering the graveyard, leading to violence. Both groups hurled stones and attacked each other with bladed weapons, resulting in injuries to 10 Qureshis and seven Raens. Seven of the injured are in serious condition, officials said.TOI
13 RSS activists found guilty for murder of CPM activist
http://twocircles.net/2016dec17/1481996911.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29#.WFaDAPB97IU
Thiruvananthapuram: 13 RSS activists in Kerala have been found guilty by the Additional Sessions Court for the murder of local CPM leader Vanchiyur Vishnu.Judge TK Unnimol will announce the punishment on Dec19.In one of the most controversial clashes between CPM and RSS in Kerala, the 34-year-old Vishnu was hacked to death in front of Regional Passport Office at Kaithamukku in Thiruvananthapuram in broad daylight in April, 2008.TCN
SIO delegation urges crackdown on drug mafia in Dakshina Kannada
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangaluru/students-islamic-organisation-of-india-delegation-urges-crackdown-on-drug-mafia-in-dakshina-kannada/articleshow/56037593.cms
Mangaluru: Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIOI) has urged the district administration to take stringent steps to check the menace of drugs among the youths in Dakshina Kannada. Expressing concern over what it termed is the entry of drugs mafia inside educational campuses, a SIOI delegation that met DC KG Jagadeesha on Saturday urged him to treat this as a major issue and also implement a 9-point charter of demands to address the problem. Muhammad Irshad Venoor, media secretary, DK unit of SIOI in a release stated that the delegation urged DC to direct the authorities concerned to go to the bottom of the network that supplies drugs and keep them under check. Noting that there is an active network of middlemen who supply drugs to educational institutions on the outskirts of the city, Irshad said the police should deal with such networks and middlemen effectively and in a legally harsh way as possible. Timesofindia
MP university V-C Tariq Zafar tells NIFT girls to wear 'decent' clothes: TOI
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/mp-university-vice-chancellor-tells-nift-girls-to-wear-decent-clothes/articleshow/56048835.cms
Bhopal:The vice-chancellor of Madhya Pradesh Bhoj Open University, Tariq Zafar, has advised the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) to issue a directive to its women students to wear "decent" clothes. NIFT rents its premises on the campus of Bhoj Open University.When contacted by TOI, Zafar admitted he had suggested as much to the NIFT director."In the name of modern or Western clothes, students can't be allowed to come in clothes which do not look good in classes on the university campus. There are students of Bhoj University as well as Atal Bihari Vajpayee Hindi University on the campus," said Zafar.Asked for his definition of "decent" and "indecent" clothes, the V-C replied: "I am not objecting to anyone's clothes. I am also not asking for any dress code. It is a suggestion keeping in mind other students who feel odd because of some students dressing up indecently."In the same letter, addres sed to the NIFT director, Zafar has asked him to be strict about smoking on campus. "Being an educational campus, it is a no-smoking zone. I have asked the director to take proper action in this regard," Zafar said. timesofindia
India, Pakistan should resolve issues through peaceful means: Russia
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-pakistan-should-resolve-issues-through-peaceful-means-russia-4432703/
Islamabad:Russia wants India and Pakistan to resolve all their differences, including the Kashmir issue, through peaceful means, the Russian envoy said in Islamabad on Saturday. Replying to a question, Russian Ambassador to Pakistan Alexey Y Dedov said his country wants Pakistan and India to resolve all differences, including the Kashmir issue, through peaceful means. He said Pakistan and Russia are also closely cooperating in efforts for restoration of peace in Afghanistan, Radio Pakistan reported.PTI
Turkey honours Allama Iqbal with “Dost Award” for “Service to Islam”
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/turkey-honours-allama-iqbal-award-for-service-to-islam/
Konya:Allama Muhammad Iqbal has been honoured in Turkey, through the conferment of the “Dost Award” for “Service to Islam.”Iqbal’s grandson, Walid Iqbal, received the award on behalf of the family of the national poet from Turkish Minister for Culture and Tourism Nabi Avci.The ceremony for the prestigious Dost Awards, usually conferred on one Turkish national and one international personality, was held in Konya. dailypakistan
Militants not involved in bank robberies: Hizb
http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/kashmir/story/236454.html
Srinagar:Hizbul Mujahideen has made clear that the militants were not involved in bank robberies. A statement issued by the deputy chief, Saifullah Khalid of the outfit said it was the handiwork of Indian agencies and armed forces.Khalid said the militants were offering supreme sacrifices for freedom and Islam and they can never indulge in such cheap acts. “In fact anti-Islamic and anti-freedom elements are involved in bank robberies,” he said. greaterkashmir
BJP President Amit Shah talks of triple talaq, questions silence of opp parties over the issue
http://ummid.com/news/2016/December/17.12.2016/amit-shah-on-triple-talaq-note-ban.html
Shahjahanpur:Taking a dig at the opposition, BJP chief Amit Shah on Saturday asked why they are crying hoarse over demonetisation but silent on the issue of triple talaq."Congress, SP, BSP, Kejriwal are crying hoarse over demonetisation. I cannot understand why they are so worried, what harm has demonetisation done to them?" Shah said while addressing a Parivartan Rally here."After demonetisation, faces of Mayawati, Akhilesh Yadav, Netaji (Mulayam), Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal and Mamata Banerjee look drawn. They are looking 10 years older than their age," he added.Raking up the issue of triple talaq, Shah said the practice should end, as it denies equal rights to women."The Supreme Court hearing a petition over triple talaq recently asked the central government's stand on the issue. Our government instantly replied that whatever the religion, women's rights must be protected, the practice of triple talaq should end," Shah said."Muslim women must get their rights," he added.IANS
WORLD
Aleppo evacuation set to begin under new deal
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/12/aleppo-161218045722651.html
The evacuation of thousands of increasingly desperate Syrian civilians and fighters stranded in besieged east Aleppo is set to resume after a new deal was reached between rebel and the Syrian govt. Buses started entering several neighbourhoods on Sunday under the supervision of the Red Crescent and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), state news agency SANA said.A source in Aleppo told Al Jazeera that as part of the latest deal, a total of 4,000 people will evacuate the Shia-majority towns of Fua and Kefraya in Idlib province, which are currently besieged by opposition fighters.The source, who wanted to remain anonymous, said 1,500 people in the govt-besieged towns of Madaya and Zabadani as well as everyone in eastern Aleppo will also be allowed to evacuate as part of this deal.Buses and Red Crescent vehicles arrived at the entrance to the two towns on Sunday, al-Manar TV, run by the Lebanese Hezbollah group, said on Sunday.Mohammed Shakiel Shabir, an aid worker based in rebel-held Idlib province, said approximately 100 buses were being prepared to collect the civilians from Khan al-Asl, a suburb of Aleppo city."We are taking several ambulances, food and medicines and approximately 100 coaches to Khan al-Asl," he told Al Jazeera. Reports differ on how many people remain in eastern Aleppo, with numbers ranging from 15,000 to 40,000 civilians, along with an estimated 6,000 fighters.The evacuation of eastern Aleppo was suspended on Friday after rebels and government forces accused each other of violating an earlier deal.According to UN, more than 4 million people live in besieged or hard-to-reach areas in Syria, with limited or no access to food or medical supplies.UNSC is to expected to discuss the possible deployment of observers to Aleppo later on Sunday and vote on a resolution demanding immediate and unconditional access for UN staff to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid. The draft resolution, obtained by the AP, calls on Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to immediately redeploy UN staff already on the ground to carry out "neutral monitoring" and "direct observation and to report on evacuations". It stresses that evacuations of civilians "must be voluntary and to destinations of their choice". aljazeera
Aleppo residents wait for safe exit as world protests their situation
http://news.sky.com/story/aleppo-residents-wait-for-safe-exit-as-world-protests-their-situation-10700753
Syria rebel group blames Iran for evacuation suspension
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/12/syria-rebel-group-blames-iran-evacuation-suspension-161217195652352.html
Russia's Lavrov discusses Syria with Turkish, Iranian ministers: Reuters
http://in.reuters.com/article/mideast-crisis-syria-russia-lavrov-idINKBN1460GQ
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held phone calls with the foreign ministers of Turkey and Iran on Saturday to discuss the Syria crisis, the Russian foreign ministry said.The ministers stressed the importance of joint efforts by the international community to provide humanitarian aid in Syria and facilitate a political resolution of the conflict, the ministry said in a statement, adding that the calls were made on Russia's initiative.3 ministers agreed to meet in the near future, it said.
Idlib likely to be Syria's next bloody theatre after Aleppo:AP
http://nation.com.pk/international/18-Dec-2016/idlib-likely-to-be-syria-s-next-bloody-theatre-after-aleppo
Beirut: The battle for Aleppo has gripped the world, but it is hardly the only active front across war-torn Syria. One of the next targets for the forces of Syrian President Bashar Assad will probably be the heartland of rebel territory, the neighboring province of Idlib.The province west of Aleppo is a stronghold of al-Qaida's Syria affiliate and is now also packed with tens of thousands of rebels, many of them evacuated from other parts of the country, making it likely to be an even more bloody theater than Aleppo.Idlib has direct links to the Turkish border, and is located only a few kilometers north of Hama, a central province and key point for defending Assad's coastal strongholds and nearby Russian military bases.Asked where he will turn to next, Assad has suggested his first priority, after fortifying the area around Aleppo city, would be Idlib.
Palmyra strikes by US-led coalition kill 38 IS militants: monitor
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/palmyra-strikes-us-led-coalition-kill-38-islamic-state-militants-monitor-says-233457315
At least 38 IS militants were killed in US-led coalition air strikes this week near Syria's ancient city of Palmyra, a monitor said on Saturday.US-led coalition aircraft destroyed heavy weaponry seized by the militants when they retook the city, the coalition said. middleeasteye
CIA apologises to Turkey over ‘false claims’ of links to Daesh
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20161217-cia-apologises-to-turkey-over-false-claims-of-links-to-daesh/
Diplomatic sources said that the US main intelligence service, CIA, had apologised to Turkey in a written statement for making “false claims” about alleged oil trading between Turkey and Daesh, Turkish newspaper Daily Sabah reported yesterday. Turkish paper said that high-level Turkish diplomatic sources said that the CIA and the US Secretary of State John Kerry had apologised to Turkey following a report provided by the Turkish intelligence service which proved that the US claims were wrong in early 2015.According to Daily Sabaha, Turkish National Intelligence Agency (MIT) officials revealed that the geographic locations in the document that allegedly showed where Daesh’s oil trade was conducted in Turkey in fact showed an asphalt plant in Kilis in southeast Turkey. Following the MIT investigation of the CIA’s documents, CIA apologised for the mistaken allegations at the end of 2015. “We have seen no evidence to support such an accusation. Turkey plays a vital role in the counter-ISIL coalition,” a statement by the CIA said.Although Turkey is a member of US-led anti-Daesh coalition, allegations claiming that Turkey has been smuggling oil with Daesh take place in the international press from time to time. Middleeastmonitor
Turkey blames Kurdish militants after bomb kills at least 13, wounds 56
http://in.reuters.com/article/turkey-blast-idINKBN14605C
Ankara: A car bomb killed at least 13 soldiers and wounded 56 when it ripped through a bus carrying off-duty military personnel in the central Turkish city of Kayseri on Saturday, an attack President Tayyip Erdogan blamed on Kurdish militants.The blast near a university campus comes a week after deadly twin bombings targeted police in Istanbul and may further infuriate a public smarting from multiple attacks by Islamic and Kurdish militants this year, and a failed coup in July. It could also increase tension in the mainly Kurdish southeast, where militants from the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) have waged a three-decade violent insurgency that has seen some of the worst fighting in the last year. Reuters
Outgoing UN chief supports ending Gaza siege
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20161217-outgoing-un-chief-supports-ending-gaza-siege/
Outgoing UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon reiterated on Friday that there is no alternative to the two-state solution and ending the Israeli imposed siege on the Gaza Strip, Turkish state-run Anadolu reported.In his last briefing to the UN Security Council as the UN chief, Ki-Moon stressed the need for “bold and concrete steps by both Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) that would pave the way for meaningful peace negotiations.”He said that “Gaza, the West Bank and east Jerusalem have been under military occupation since 1967,” noting that “these lands comprise the future Palestinian state, ultimately to be agreed by the parties through direct negotiations.”Ki-Moon also criticised Israeli settlement activities in occupied Palestinian territories, reiterating Israeli settlement is illegitimate under international law.He noted that the number of Israeli settlers is currently up to 600,000. Middleeastmonitor
Hamas blames Israel for assassination of drone chief
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/12/hamas-blames-israel-assassination-drone-chief-161217174004082.html
Hamas blamed Israel for the killing of its "commander" Mohammed al-Zawari, an aviation engineer who worked on the development of unmanned aerial vehicles, and vowed to take revenge. Zawari, 49, had been in Tunisia only a few days when he was shot dead outside his home by multiple gunshots while in his car near Sfax, 270km southeast of Tunis, on Thursday. TV footage aired on local media showed a black Volkswagen with its windows shot out.4 rental cars were used in the killing and two handguns and suppressors were seized, Tunisia's interior ministry said. aljazeera
Ousted Yemen president travels secretly to Egypt
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20161217-ousted-yemen-president-travels-secretly-to-egypt/
Ousted Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh has recently paid a secret visit to Cairo and spent at least a day meeting with Egyptian officials, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported yesterday. According to senior Egyptian diplomatic sources, Saleh met with Egyptian officials during his visit, which was kept secret because it came during a time of tense relations between Cairo and Riyadh. Diplomatic sources said that Saleh discussed the Yemeni crisis and how to reach a deal agreed by all sides, while pushing for Egypt to continue to oppose the Yemeni Muslim Brotherhood, allegedly supported by Saudi Arabia.The sources did not identify the names or levels of Egyptian officials who met Saleh.Saleh’s visit to Cairo came amidst sanctions imposed on his funds and travel by the UNSC due to undermining the political process in Yemen. middleeastmonitor
ISIL claims killings of 49 soldiers in Yemen's Aden
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/12/aden-yemen-suicide-bombing-161218064509921.html
ISIL has claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing that left up to 49 Yemeni soldiers dead at a military base in Aden, a week after a similar attack that also killed dozens of troops in the southern port city.Military officials and medics told the AFP early on Sunday that the suicide bomber detonated his explosives as a group of soldiers were gathering to collect their salaries at the al-Solban base in the city's northeast.Aden al-Ghad, a local news website, said several people were wounded in the blast as thousands of men queued up at the entrance of the base.The attack happened just eight days after a bombing claimed by ISIL killed 48 soldiers and wounded 29 others. aljazeera
Saddam Hussein warned Iraq invasion would fail, reveals CIA analyst who interrogated him
http://www.catchnews.com/world-news/saddam-hussein-warned-iraq-invasion-would-fail-reveals-cia-analyst-who-interrogated-him-1481956332.html
In his new book, a former CIA analyst, John Nixon, who was part of the effort to find Saddam Hussein in 2003 details his encounter with him.According to Nixon, Saddam Hussein had warned that occupation of Iraq wouldn't be as much of a "cakewalk" as Washington's neoconservatives assumed at the time.Nixon, who was also the first to debrief Hussein after his capture in Dec.2013, wrote for the Time's website."When I interrogated Saddam, he told me: 'You are going to fail. You are going to find that it is not so easy to govern Iraq.' When I told him I was curious why he felt that way, he replied: 'You are going to fail in Iraq because you do not know the language, the history, and you do not understand the Arab mind'," he wrote in Time. After more than a decade following Saddam's execution and ISIS' flags waving in parts of Iraq, Nixon raises some provocative questions. He asks, "What would have happened if we had just kept Saddam in his box or if the successor Iraqi government had shown mercy and commuted his death sentence to life imprisonment?Now, he also believes that a ruthless leader like Hussein was necessary to "maintain Iraq's multi-ethnic state" and keep both Sunni extremism and the power of Shiite-led Iran, a Hussein foe, at bay."Saddam's leadership style and penchant for brutality were among the many faults of his regime, but he could be ruthlessly decisive when he felt his power base was threatened, and it is far from certain that his regime would have been overthrown by a movement of popular discontent," he wrote. catchnews
10 years after execution, CIA agent who grilled Saddam Hussein reveals shattering truth... that everything US thought it knew was wrong
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4044216/CIA-agent-grilled-Saddam-Hussein-says-thought-knew-man-WRONG.html#ixzz4TALsi1AT
Thousands of Muslims donate 10 tonnes of food to help homeless Londoners at Christmas
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/thousands-of-muslims-donate-10-tonnes-of-food-to-help-homeless-londoners-a7481256.html?cmpid=facebook-post
Muslim Londoners have donated 10 tonnes of food to help homeless people this Christmas. Thousands of people attended a food drive at East London Mosque in order to make and collect donations. An estimated 7,500 people attended in total, London Evening Standard reports.After they attended Friday prayers volunteers gathered the supplies, which include rice, pasta, cereal, tinned goods and other items. Donations came from local businesses, colleges, schools and universities. The donations will now be given to local people in need, including those who are living on the streets. More than 90 per cent of the food will be given to people who are not of the Muslim faith. independent
Google, Apple, Uber, IBM Say They Would Not Help Build A Muslim Registry
https://www.buzzfeed.com/nitashatiku/google-muslim-registry-trump?utm_term=.huk9DN2ja#.mj3oGWLXQ
In response to questions from BuzzFeed News, Google, Apple, and Uber clarified their positions on President-elect Donald Trump’s comments about a possible Muslim registry. “In relation to the hypothetical of whether we would ever help build a ‘muslim registry’ - we haven’t been asked, of course we wouldn’t do this and we are glad - from all that we’ve read - that the proposal doesn’t seem to be on the table,” a spokesperson for Google told BuzzFeed News in an email message. BuzzFeed News asked the companies whether they would help build or provide data for a Muslim registry. An Apple spokesperson said: “We think people should be treated the same no matter how they worship, what they look like, who they love. We haven’t been asked and we would oppose such an effort.”BuzzFeed News
No one wants to help Donald Trump build a registry of Muslims
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/microsoft-ibm-muslim-registry-donald-trump-google-apple-facebook-uber-a7482401.html
Facebook, Google, Apple, Uber, IBM deny Trump help to build Muslim registry
http://www.dhakatribune.com/around-the-web/2016/12/18/facebook-google-apple-uber-ibm-deny-trump-help-build-muslim-registry/
Heart attack risk double in less qualified people:new study
http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/heart-attack-risk-double-in-less-qualified-people-116121800317_1.html
Washington: Education matters for healthy living, as people who leave school without a school certificate are more than twice as likely to have a heart attack or stroke compared to those with a university degree, reveals a new study.The results were published in the International Journal for Equity in Health. "The lower your education, the more likely you are to have a heart attack or a stroke -- that's the disturbing but clear finding from our research," said lead researcher Dr Rosemary Korda from Australian National University."Our study found that in adults aged 45-64 years, heart attack rates among those with no educational qualifications were more than double (around 150 percent higher) those of people with a university degree. The risk was around two-thirds (70percent) higher among those with non-university qualifications," Korda added.ANI
Azerbaijan to buy Israeli Iron Dome system
http://www.worldbulletin.net/headlines/181868/azerbaijan-to-buy-israeli-iron-dome-system
Defense Industry Minister Yavar Jamalov announced Saturday that Azerbaijan will purchase Israeli "Iron Dome" air defense system."There is an agreement between Azerbaijan and Israel on the procurement of this system," Jamalov told reporters.World Bulletin
2016: Refugees arrivals fall as deaths hit record
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/12/refugees-mediterranean-161218084101126.html
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