Posts
Evening NEWS DIGEST
14 Dec.2016: 14 Rabiul Awwal 1438: Vol:8, No:62
INDIA
Hindus least educated religious group in world: survey
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/hindus-least-educated-religious-group-in-world-says-survey/story-7tNNhrRn958MlSXZdTPzjM.html
Hindus continue to have the lowest level of educational attainment among all the major religions of the world despite having made strides in the sector, a Pew study said on Wednesday.“Hindus have made substantial educational gains in recent decades. Hindu adults (ages 25 and older) in the youngest generation analysed in the study, for example, have an average of 3.4 more years of schooling than those in the oldest generation,” Pew said.However, Hindus still have the lowest level of educational attainment of any major religious group in this study, which is topped by Jews.Globally, the average is 5.6 years of schooling, and 41% of Hindus have no formal education of any kind. One in ten have post-secondary degrees, the report said.At the same time, despite large gains by Hindu women across generations, Hindus still have the largest educational gender gap of any religious group, said the report titled ‘Religion and Education Around the World Large’ released by Pew Research Center.In its report, running into 160 pages, Pew said Jews are more highly educated than any other major religious group around the world, while Muslims and Hindus tend to have the fewest years of formal schooling. Drawing on census and survey data from 151 countries, the study also finds large gender gaps in educational attainment within some major world religions.PTI
Hindus, Muslims make big advances in educational attainment: Pew Research
http://www.livemint.com/Politics/ZlbeKZwypHK1RgBkbTUqCK/Hindus-Muslims-make-big-advances-in-educational-attainment.html
Muslims and Hindus tend to have the fewest years of formal schooling, while Jews are more highly educated than any other major religious group around the world, according to a Pew Research Center global demographic study that shows wide disparities in average educational levels among religious groups.According to the study, these gaps in educational attainment are partly a function of where religious groups are concentrated throughout the world.For instance, the vast majority of the world’s Jews live in the US and Israel—2 economically developed countries with high levels of education overall. And low levels of attainment among Hindus reflect the fact that 98% of Hindu adults live in the developing countries of India, Nepal and Bangladesh.Formal education is especially low among Hindu women, who have 4.2 years of schooling on average, compared with 6.9 years among Hindu men.Yet many of these disparities appear to be decreasing over time, as the religious groups with the lowest average levels of education—Muslims and Hindus—have made the biggest educational gains in recent generations, and as the gender gaps within some religions have diminished, according to the analysis.About one-in-5 adults globally—but twice as many Muslims and Hindus—have received no schooling at all. Education levels vary a great deal by religion. About 4-in-10 Hindus(41%) and more than one-third of Muslims(36%) in the study have no formal schooling. In other religious groups, the shares without any schooling range from 10% of Buddhists to 1% of Jews, while a majority of Jewish adults (61%) have post-secondary degrees.The study finds the religious groups with the lowest levels of education are also the ones that have made the biggest gains in educational attainment in recent decades. Muslims, meanwhile, registered a 25-point increase, from 46% among the oldest Muslims to 72% among the youngest. Christians, Buddhists and religious “nones” have made more modest gains in basic education, but they started from a higher base.Among the oldest generation in the study, large majorities of these three religious groups received at least some formal education; among the youngest Christians, Buddhists and religious “nones,” more than nine-in-ten have received at least some schooling.The share of Jews with at least some schooling has remained virtually universal across generations at 99%.In some religious groups, the gender gaps in acquiring any formal education are particularly large. For example, just over half of Hindu women (53%) have received no formal schooling, compared with 29% of Hindu men, a difference of 24 percentage points. livemint
Religion Jews are world's most educated religious group, study finds
http://www.hsunews.com/2016/12/14/religion-jews-are-worlds-most-educated-religious-group/
Hindus are most educated religious group in US, Jews most educated in World, study reveals
http://northbridgetimes.com/hindus-are-the-most-educated-religious-group-in-the-us-jews-the-most-educated-in-the-world-study-reveals/19454
Ireland’s Muslims more educated than general population
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/ireland-s-muslims-more-educated-than-general-population-1.2904661
Home Ministry faux pas: Renews then cancels FCRA licence of Greenpeace India, Teesta Setalvad's NGO
http://www.firstpost.com/india/home-ministry-faux-pas-renews-then-cancels-fcra-licence-of-greenpeace-india-teesta-setalvads-ngo-3155654.html
Union Home Ministry renewed Greenpeace India's registration under the(FCRA 2010 after permanently cancelling its licence in September 2015.Greenpeace India's executive director Ravi Chellam, speaking to The Times of India said that they had applied for the renewal of the licence in March 2016 and it was renewed with effect from 1 Nov., 2016.The Islamic Research Foundation's licence, Zakir Naik's organisation was also mistakenly renewed in August because the FCRA software doesn't have a provision to flag pending inquiries or adverse intelligence reports against NGOs under scanner.Even, the licence of activist Teesta Setalvad’s NGO, Citizen for Justice and Peace (CJP) was renewed, reported The Indian Express. The NGO was under for alleged misuse of grants.According to CNN-News 18, the MHA has ordered an enquiry and cancelled the renewal. According to The Times of India, the ministry only noticed the erroneous renewal of Greenpeace India's licence after 1 November, 2016.The organisation was under the ministry's scanner which cited that Greenpeace India was receiving "mixed foreign and domestic funds" and had "not disclosed the movement of funds properly," according to a report in The Indian Express. Times of India report said that Greenpeace India had cancelled the licence on grounds of affecting public interest and economic interest. firstpost
Day after renewal, Home Ministry cancels FCRA renewal license of Teesta Setalvad’s NGO
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/day-after-renewal-home-ministry-cancels-fcra-renewal-license-of-teesta-setalvads-ngo/
Assam to get its own population policy; 7 districts formed amid opposition from Naga groups: The Wire
http://thewire.in/86719/northeast-dispathc-assam-population/
Assam: BJP govt in Assam has decided to bring out its own population policy early next year. Among other things, the policy plans to deny jobs to those who have more than two children. Though according to the state gov , the decision has been taken keeping in mind “Assam’s unique social, economic, ethnic and geographical diversity”, senior commentators and political experts in the state have termed it a policy aimed at mainly addressing the rising population of the Bengali-speaking Muslim migrants residing in the chars or sand bars.“The proposed policy is obviously meant to target people in the whole of Assam. But, to put it bluntly, the state govt must be concerned about the large family sizes among the Muslim community of migrant origin who are mostly concentrated in the chars or the sandbars in the Brahmaputra and its tributaries.The districts where people of this community are largely settled for decades now are Barpeta, Dhubri, Goalpara, Darrang, Bongaigaon, Hailakandi, and Nagaon,” wrote senior journalist Wasbir Hussain in a recent article in the Guwahati-based daily The Sentinel.As per the 2011 Census, Assam registered the highest rise in Muslim population, from 30.9% of the state’s three crore population in 2001 to 34.2% in 2011. Nine districts have been declared Muslim majority, out of which three – Darrang, Bongaigaon and Morigaon – were not so as per 2001 census. The 2011 census report has made Assam the second most Muslim populated state in the country after Jammu and Kashmir (68.3%).
SC seeks report from Centre about use of pellet guns in Kashmir
http://risingkashmir.com/news/sc-seeks-report-from-centre-about-use-of-pellet-guns-in-kashmir
Srinagar: The Supreme Court Wednesday asked the Central govt to submit the report prepared by an Expert Committee regarding the use of pellet guns by armed forces in Kashmir, reports said.In a petition filed by Jammu & Kashmir High Court Advocates Association, a Bench of Chief Justice TS Thakur and Justice DY Chandrachud asked the Centre to file the report prepared by the Expert Committee constituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs.The petition is an appeal against a decision of the J&K High Court, which had dismissed the case. Bench asked the Centre to file the report and posted the matter for hearing in the last week of January. Risingkashmir
Militants and their families are not same: J&K CM Mehbooba on ex-gratia to Burhan Wani’s kin
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/mehbooba-mufti-burhan-wani-brother-compensation-bjp-pdp-govt -4426570/
New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir CM Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday said one needed to differentiate between militants and their families. “We have to differentiate between militants and their families. (We) cannot look at both in the same manner,” she said. Mehbooba’s statement comes after various political leaders, including BJP, the ruling ally in the state, condemned the govt’s decision to approve compensation for Khalid Muzaffar Wani’s family. Khalid was the brother of slain Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani who was killed by the security forces on July 8. “BJP will oppose it because we are of the firm opinion that he was a terrorist. There is no provision for grant of ex-gratia or compensation to the family of a slain terrorist,” said Sunil Sethi, advocate and chief spokesperson of the BJP in J&K. indianexpress
Survey reveals myopic view of Hindi journalists on Kashmir issue
http://risingkashmir.com/news/survey-reveals-myopic-view-of-hindi-journalists-on-kashmir-issue-
New Delhi:Not to speak of the common citizens of India, even a vital section of journalists has no thorough and objective idea about Article 370 of the Constitution, which details the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. This was revealed in a survey conducted by the Delhi-based Media Study Group (MSG) recently which focuses on trends and reportage in the Indian media. The survey findings are astonishing as these give an ample idea about the Hindi media’s “prejudicial” coverage of Kashmir issue. A large percentage of journalists in the Hindi media, as per the survey, neither have much idea about the provisions of Article 370, nor are they interested in getting the first-hand knowledge about its salient features.According to the survey, around 46% Hindi journalists have got information about this controversial constitutional provision through newspapers. 11% journalists have been enlightened about this by their teachers. Speeches have enabled another 11% of them to get knowledge on this topic. But 16% Hindi journalists have come to know about this Article just during an interaction with someone.Group’s Director and noted journalist Anil Chamadia said the Hindi speaking belt is the largest region in the country and Hindi newspapers, magazines etc play a key role in shaping the public opinion of a particular kind on Kashmir. In this backdrop, the group carried out this survey to study the background of the portrayal of a certain image of Kashmir through Hindi media tools, he added. Jan Media, Hindi publication of MSG, has published this online survey in detail in its December issue. Conducted during September 16 to 22 October 2016 and analysed by the journal’s editors, the survey tries to understand the layers of relationship which Hindi journalists share with Kashmir. The survey also decodes many startling facts about Hindi journalists and their approach towards Kashmir.In the survey, 80 % Hindi journalists claim they are aware of the political background of Article 370 and have read about it. However, 20 % of them conceded that they were completely ignorant about it.Around 67 % Hindi journalists admitted that their source of knowledge about Kashmir was a newspaper. risingkashmir
International Federation of Journalists condemns restrictions on media in Kashmir
http://risingkashmir.com/news/ifj-passes-resolution-on-kashmir
Srinagar: A meeting of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) held in Kathmandu, Nepal expressed solidarity with the journalists of Kashmir and strongly condemned the attacks and restrictions on media reporting of the Kashmir conflict. Journalists from around the world, who attended the IFJ meeting, condemned the attacks on Kashmir media and passed a resolution on Kashmir.“We condemn the restrictions on the use of internet and mobile phones in the conflict-affected Kashmir valley, which affects newsgathering and dissemination,” said the resolution, which also called urgently for peace and regretted the firings by police, troops and paramilitary forces on unarmed people, including the use of pellet guns that have blinded many civilians, including children. Journalists and union activists from 14 countries participated in the meeting organized by the IFJ together with the South Asia Media Solidarity Network (SAMSN) and South East Asia Journalist Unions (SEAJU). risingkashmir
Assam Muslim bodies defy order to keep madrassas open on Fridays, govt not amused: firstpost
http://www.firstpost.com/india/assam-muslim-bodies-defy-order-to-keep-madrassas-open-on-fridays-govt-not-amused-3154706.html
New Delhi: The recent notification issued by the Assam govt to keep all schools open on Fridays has resulted in a stand-off between the education department and Islamic organisations of the region.The stand-off has provided the Congress with an opportunity which has been seen trying its best to flare the issue up by infusing secular versus communal debate.A meeting held among Islamic leaders at Badarpur in Assam last Sunday, decided to defy the order that they perceive as infringing upon the rights of Muslims. The meeting decided to keep madrassas closed on Fridays and open on Sundays in contravention to govt order on the weekly holiday of schools. Govt of Assam in an order issued last week said that all schools under the state govt are to remain open on Fridays and closed on Sundays in a bid to bring in uniformity in the weekly holiday system in all the schools under the govt.The order on holidays did not go down well with the Islamic organisations as madrassas have been following the tradition of remaining closed on Fridays to perform mass prayers.Ataur Rahman Majharbhuyan, secretary of North East India Naduwa Tu Tamir, said that meeting decided that madrassa students will not attend classes on Fridays and will sit in classes on Sundays.In the sidelines of the meeting, some students of a madrassa in Badarpur on Sunday flung open doors of Deorail Title Madrassa marking the beginning of the movement. Siddek Ahmed, former Congress minister, who was also present at the meeting threatened to take the issue to the high court if the govt of Assam did not roll back its decision. Maulana Fazlul Karim, leader f Jamiyat Ulema E Hind said that BJP-led Assam govt has issued this blanket order in violation of existing rule which says that madrassas will remain closed on Fridays.
Chopper deal now haunts BJP! Rajasthan govt 'wanted' only Agusta's helicopter for Vasundhara Raje
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Chopper-deal-now-haunts-BJP-Rajasthan-govt-wanted-only-Agustas-helicopter-for-Vasundhara-Raje/articleshow/55972982.cms
New Delhi: Rajasthan’s BJP-ruled govt has flown right into the AgustaWestland row, although Vasundhara Raje’s officials insist there’s nothing wrong with their decision.The state govt floated a tender on November 21 for a helicopter for Raje, the tender specified the govt only wants AgustaWestland’s AW169 helicopter. The deal is estimated to be worth over Rs 50 crore. The tender doesn’t, as is the norm, specify performance criteria and seating capacity. It asks for AW169, therefore, making AgustaWestland the only company qualified to supply helicopter. Arijeet Banerjee, secretary (information and public relations) in Rajasthan govt, said: “I do not have details but it (the tender) is under a buyback process in which the company has to purchase the helicopter (that) the state has.ET
Ruckus over Kiren Rijiju, demonetisation: Lok Sabha adjourned for the day
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/lok-sabha-adjourns-amid-opposition-din-over-kiren-rijiju-demonetisation-issues-4426491/
DEMONETISATION
Note ban has caused 'huge collateral damage', finance ministry to blame:BJP's Subramanian Swamy
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Note-ban-has-caused-huge-collateral-damage-finance-ministry-to-blame-says-BJPs-Subramanian-Swamy/articleshow/55973895.cms
New Delhi: BJP MP Subramanian Swamy tweeted today that his PM's move to scrap high-value notes has led to "huge collateral damage". Of course, Swamy didn't blame PM Narendra Modi for the "damage" caused by demonetisation. His target was, as usual, finance minister Arun Jaitley for whom he has no love lost.To be sure, the Rajya Sabha MP did say the high-value currency ban was "desirable", but he added that the finance ministry - and by logical extension, Jaitley - messed it up with " poor contingency planning+ ". A "good contingency plan would have provided for (a) soft landing", he added. BJP MP said that he gave one suggestion "thru a well wisher" to remedy the cash crunch situation but the finance ministry "modified it beyond recognition so that it was still profitable to go to the dalal". He was referring to agents who are reportedly taking hefty commissions to 'convert' black money to white. Swami also acknowledged that black money was being "redistributed 75 to 25". timesofindia
Rahul Gandhi to media: I have information proving personal corruption of PM Modi
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/rahul-gandhi-tells-media-i-have-information-proving-personal-corruption-of-pm-modi-4426373/
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi said he has information proving PM Narendra Modi’s personal involvement in corruption.He made the statement while briefing the media along with a delegation of opposition party leaders at the Central Hall in Parliament.He alleged govt is not allowing him to speak in Parliament and said the PM is terrified of the same.“We are pretty much unconditionally ready for a debate in Parliament.Govt is not allowing me to speak. I have personal information about PM Modi’s corruption.He is personally terrified. He cannot run away from the House,” said Gandhi.
Minorities panel seeks info on cash allotment in Hyderabad old city
http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/minorities-panel-seeks-info-on-cash-allotment-in-hyderabad-old-city/474220/
Hyderabad: The State Minorities Commission today said it has sought information from the RBI and different banks following a complaint that the old city area of Hyderabad is being discriminated in allotment of cash following demonetisation. “We have framed about four questions. One, whether the same amount is being allotted to the branches in old city and the new city area; whether the ATMs are being filled up at the same intervals and the same amount of cash; how many ATMs are working and how many are not working and the calibration has been done or not? and all other RBI norms are being followed or not,” Commission Chairman Abid Rasool Khan told PTI.PTI
None of mobile payment apps in India fully secure:Qualcomm
http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/none-of-mobile-payment-apps-in-india-fully-secure-qualcomm-1637544?fb
New Delhi: While the govt is pushing for digital payments through mobile phones, chipset maker Qualcomm said that wallets and mobile banking applications in India are not using hardware-level security which can make online transactions more secure."You will be surprised because most of the banking or wallet apps around the world don't use hardware security. They actually run completely in Android mode and users password can be stolen. Users use fingerprint which might be captured ... in India that is the case for most of all digital wallets and mobile banking apps," Qualcomm Senior Director Product Management Sy Choudhury said here.PTI
Rs 1 lakh crore: Fall in bank credit growth in fortnight after Nov 8
http://indianexpress.com/article/business/banking-and-finance/demonetisation-banking-loan-growth-rbi-bank-affected-4425986/
Mumbai:Struggling to cope with bad loans and the aftermath of the demonetisation decision, Indian banks have taken a hit on lending. Loan growth plunged by Rs 1 lakh crore in the fortnight that ended Nov.25, according to estimates. According to RBI data, credit or loan growth for the fortnight that ended Nov.25 declined to 6.6 % from 7.9 per on a year-on-year basis in the previous fortnight.“Credit growth fell by around Rs 65,000 crore from Nov.11 to Nov.25. At the same time last year, credit growth rose by Rs 38,000 crore and the year before last, the growth was around Rs 30,000 crore during the same fortnight. The average credit growth in a fortnight is around Rs 30,000-35,000 crore. Compared to the previous years, this means overall credit growth has declined by Rs 100,000 crore during the first fortnight after the withdrawal of notes,” Udit Kariwala, Analyst, Financial Institutions, India Ratings & Research, said. indian express
On demonetisation,Modi may have already lost plot:thewire
http://thewire.in/86764/prime-minister-modi-lost-plot-demonetisation/
Modi’s 50-day deadline for re-monetisation set to fail: indiaspend.com
http://www.indiaspend.com/cover-story/modis-50-day-deadline-for-re-monetisation-set-to-fail-72789
Demonetisation has set in motion the beginning of the end of Modi regime:By Apoorva Pathak
http://www.jantakareporter.com/blog/end-of-modi-regime/84064/
Old Rs 500 notes not acceptable from Dec.15 mid-night
http://indianexpress.com/article/business/banking-and-finance/old-rs-500-notes-not-acceptable-from-dec-15-mid-night-arun-jaitley-4426629/
OTHERS
HC orders JNU search by sniffer dogs to find Najeeb
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/hc-orders-jnu-search-by-sniffer-dogs-to-find-missing-student/articleshow/55982281.cms
New Delhi: Concerned over continued disappearance of a JNU student for nearly two months, Delhi high court on Wednesday directed the police to "scan" the entire campus, including hostels, classrooms and rooftops, of the varsity by using sniffer dogs.A bench of justices GS Sistani and Vinod Goel also asked Delhi Police to take all necessary steps without further loss of time to trace out the student — Najeeb Ahmed, saying there has been delay in recording statements of some students suspected of thrashing him a day before his disappearance. JNU and its student union, JNUSU, were asked by the bench to file affidavits in two days stating they have no objection to the "thorough search" and that all assistance would be provided to the police.The court also said the police was free to search Jamia Millia University also, if required. In case of any resistance or objection to it from the varsity or its students, the agency could approach the court for permission.The bench said it was not concerned about which students union did what and it was not on a fact-finding mission regarding what JNU did wrong or right. "We are only concerned with where he has vanished," it said.PTI
India may face unrest, frustration if youths are jobless: President Pranab Mukherjee
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-may-face-unrest-frustration-if-youths-are-jobless-president-pranab-mukherjee-4426910/
Chhindwara:President Pranab Mukherjee today said there may be “unrest and frustration” in the country if youth remains unemployed, while stressing on the need to equip them with skills. Mukherjee said with jobs the young workforce can be anasset. Most graduates produced by colleges and universities are “unemployable”, he said.“India, with the second largest population in the world, will face a major challenge in the coming years. Half of its population will be below 25 years of age,” he said. “Our young workforce will be an asset if they have jobs. But, if the country is unable to provide jobs, there will be unrest and frustration,” Mukherjee said while addressing the annual day function of CII Skill Training Centre here.PTI
Modi a ‘good reformist’: Malaysian PM Najib Razak
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/narendra-modi-a-good-reformist-malaysian-pm-najib-razak-4426905/
Kuala Lumpur:Malaysian PM Najib Razak Wednesday praised PM Narendra Modi for being a “good reformist”, saying he has attempted something that “lesser mortals would not.” During a brief exchange between the two leaders through video conferencing at the ‘Economic Times Asian Business Leaders Conclave 2016’ here, Razak praised Modi for the demonetisation move aimed at curbing black money.“I must congratulate you for being a good reformist. You have done what lesser mortals would not have attempted,” Razak said, addressing Modi. “If you are courageous enough to implement reforms, you will reap the rewards,” he added.He is expected to visit India next year as both countries continue to strengthen bilateral ties, following Modi’s visit to Malaysia last year.PTI
Wakf board gets its first nomination from a woman; govt to take final call
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Wakf-board-gets-its-first-nomination-from-a-woman-govt -to-take-final-call/articleshow/55973392.cms
Charminar: In a first, the Telangana State Wakf Board has received a nomination from a woman. Activist Lubna Sarwath told TOI on Tuesday that she has sent her nomination.It was earlier reported in these columns that an amendment to the Wakf Act of 1995 now mandates that the board of 10 must have two women."I have sent across my nomination to Minorities Welfare Department secretary Syed Omer Jaleel, CM and chief executive officer of the Wakf Board. If I get successfully nominated, we will have to make sure that Muslim community benefits directly from wakf properties, especially women and weaker sections.Also, all girls should be provided pre-marital counselling by Wakf Board through its agency Qazath.They should be counselled on nikah and divorce as well. This will make a lot of difference," she said. timesofindia
Aurangabad arms haul case accused absconded, not murdered: SIT
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/aurangabad-arms-haul-case-accused-absconded-not-murdered-sit/
Mumbai: A SIT on Wednesday informed the Bombay High Court that suspected LeT terrorist Shaikh Abdul Naeem Karim, an accused in the 2006 Aurangabad arms haul case, has not been murdered but has absconded in connivance with West Bengal Police. The HC had in Sept. directed setting up of the SIT under the Joint Director of CBI Chhattisgarh, DGP Chhattisgarh and West Bengal and Maharashtra ATS chief to probe the allegations of murder.The court was hearing a petition filed by Naeem’s mother Qamar Nasreen Karim, who refuted claims of Chhattisgarh Police that her son had absconded and alleged he was killed in custody. Advocate Hiten Venegaonkar, appearing for the SIT, today submitted a probe report to the court. “According to the probe by SIT, the accused is alive and had absconded in connivance with the West Bengal Police. An offence has been registered against the police officers concerned. Further probe is on,” he said.Naeem’s family, however, claimed that he was suffering from a kidney ailment that made him “physically weak” and thus, it was very unlikely that he managed to escape.PTI
Gujarat: Activists to probe cause of frequent clashes
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vadodara/Activists-to-probe-cause-of-frequent-clashes/articleshow/55969576.cms
Vadodara: Rights activists in the city will form a committee to probe the frequent communal riots in the sensitive Fatehpura and nearby areas. The area has been witnessing frequent clashes since the last couple of years.Activists argue that while other areas have remained calm barring exceptions, that was not the case with Fatehpura. They propose to rope in prominent persons who have worked during riots in the past and visit the area to meet people there."We need to understand the situation there and identify the causes of these incidents," said activist Shaukat Indori.Leaders of Muslim community including an MLA from Ahmedabad met city police commissioner Manoj Sashidhar on Tuesday and urged him to be fair in the Fatehpura riots probe. The community members asked the police to not arrest innocent persons during the investigations. Women from Koyli Faliya too met Sashidhar and requested him to not nab such people from their area.TOI
Efforts on to make Hindi an official language at UN:Sushma
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Efforts-on-to-make-Hindi-an-official-language-at-UN-Sushma/article16805012.ece?homepage=true
Efforts are on to make Hindi one of the official languages of the UN and popularise the language the world over, the govt said on Wednesday.“Govt continues its efforts in popularising Hindi worldwide and for the acceptance of Hindi as one of the UN official languages. In this regard, one significant achievement has been UN broadcasting its programmes on the UN Radio website in Hindi language also,” External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.PTI
India sees 50% surge in renal failure deaths in less than a decade: Lancet
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-sees-50-surge-in-renal-failure-deaths-in-less-than-a-decade-Lancet/articleshow/55978366.cms
Lucknow: Deaths due to renal failure in India have doubled in less than a decade, according to a study published in the current issue of Lancet Global Health.While in 2001-03, 2.2% of all deaths in the 15-69 years age-group were from renal failure, the proportion rose to 3.2% in 2010-13. Researchers, who concluded that renal failure is a growing cause of premature deaths in India, blamed poorly treated diabetes as the most probable reason for increase. timesofindia
Indo-Oman ties can be a model for bilateral partnership: MJ Akbar
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/indo-oman-ties-can-be-a-model-for-bilateral-partnership-mj-akbar/
Muscat:Bilateral trade and investment are key pillars of Indo-Oman ties, Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar said as he sought to strengthen economic and strategic ties with the oil-rich Gulf nation. “India and Oman have a relationship that can be a model: we are maritime neighbours across the Indian Ocean. The historical maritime trade and cultural exchanges, spanning over 5000 years, have evolved over the past 7 decades into a strategic partnership between India and Oman,” Akbar said at the 5th India-Arab Partnership Conference.PTI
Plea in SC demands CBI probe into Jayalalithaa's 'mysterious death'
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/Plea-in-SC-demands-CBI-probe-into-Jayalalithaas-mysterious-death/article16805391.ece?homepage=true
New Delhi:A writ petition was filed in the Supreme Court seeking a CBI investigation into the “mysterious death” of, Jayalalithaa. Family members, eminent persons and political personalities are “raising doubts” about the circumstances of the popular leader's demise, the petition said. Thehindu
AAP sweeps Delhi APMC polls
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/aam-aadmi-party-sweeps-delhi-apmc-polls/articleshow/55963905.cms
Muslims may bequeath a third of the property by Will:Marylou Bilawala
http://www.livemint.com/Money/pPiv9diXWtTHVevocYfssO/Muslims-may-bequeath-a-third-of-the-property-by-Will.html
Hindus distribute sweets, drinks for Muslims during Eid ul Milad in Kerala
http://twocircles.net/2016dec13/1481569428.html#.WFD2MPB97IU
WORLD
Airstrikes, shelling in east Aleppo as Syrian rebels and civilians 'blocked from leaving' by pro-Assad militias
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/12/14/syrian-rebels-civilians-blocked-leaving-aleppo-pro-assad-militias/
Heavy clashes broke out in Aleppo on Wednesday as the evacuation of rebel-held districts was delayed after Iran was said by opposition officials to have imposed new conditions. Iran, one of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's main backers in the battle for Aleppo, wanted a simultaneous evacuation of wounded from the villages of Foua and Kefraya that are besieged by rebels, according to rebel and UN sources.The clashes came amid claims by an opposition official that pro-Damascus Shia militias were obstructing the departure of people.A pro-opposition TV station said planned evacuation could now be delayed until Thursday.Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged all sides to abide by the ceasefire agreement - even as the deal is rapidly unravelling.Erdogan said in televised remarks that the cease-fire was "perhaps the last hope for the innocents" of eastern Aleppo and appealed for the immediate opening of a humanitarian corridor "without any obstruction or sabotage" so people can safely leave the area.He blamed President Bashar Assad's forces for the violence today.Erdogan said "not even a few hours had passed since the agreement was reached that the regime forces broke the ceasefire and once again started to attack civilians. "Erdogan added that "Assad's regime is clearly committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Aleppo. Everybody needs to see this reality including those who give him support."Erdogan said he would hold talks scheduled with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in the evening. Nearly 1,000 people evacuated from Aleppo overnight are being held at an Iranian militia checkpoint outside the city, Anadolu has quoted the head of Turkish Red Crescent as saying.telegraph
Reports: Daughters ask fathers to kill them before being raped by Assad forces
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20161214-reports-daughters-ask-fathers-to-kill-them-before-being-raped-by-assad-forces/
A number of tweets have appeared on social media showing the grisly horror of the situation unfolding in Aleppo.Tweets were being circulated about fathers in Eastern Aleppo asking religious scholars if it was permissible to kill their daughters before they are captured and raped by Assad, Hezbollah, and Iranian militias. There was also Facebook posts about girls facing the prospect of being raped by the Syrian army wanting to commit suicide instead.Videos and tweets flooded in as Syrian regime forces and sectarian militias trapped 50,000 people in eastern Aleppo. The UN described the situation as “a complete meltdown of humanity” as reports of massacres came through. Middleeastmonitor
Aleppo Woman Says She Will Choose Suicide Over Rape, Even If 'Islam Doesn't Allow It'
http://www.indiatimes.com/news/world/aleppo-woman-says-she-will-choose-suicide-over-rape-even-if-islam-doesn-t-allow-it-267384.html
Aleppo evacuation may be delayed till Thursday; 6,000 civilians left in 24 hrs:Reuters
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/aleppo-evacuation-may-be-delayed-till-thursday-6-000-civilians-left-in-24-hrs/story-5XZOpqChxKbYjCnTCn7WIP.html
Syria: Nearly 1,000 people held at Iran checkpoint outside Aleppo, says Turkey's Anadolu
http://www.dnaindia.com/world/report-syria-nearly-1000-people-held-at-iran-checkpoint-outside-aleppo-says-turkey-s-anadolu-2282823
Aleppo’s people are being slaughtered. Did we learn nothing from Srebrenica?Nedžad Avdić
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/dec/13/aleppo-people-slaughtered-srebrenica-genocides-atrocities-syria
Former Iran diplomat: Aleppo victory ‘short lived’
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20161214-former-iran-diplomat-aleppo-victory-short-lived/
Aleppo evacuation falters as Iran-backed Shia militias press for slaughter
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20161214-aleppo-evacuation-falters-as-iran-backed-shia-militias-press-for-slaughter/
Social media users express anger over 'silence' on Aleppo
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/what-have-arabs-done-aleppo-754570222
IS manufacturing arms on industrial scale: Report
http://indianexpress.com/article/world/islamic-state-manufacturing-arms-on-industrial-scale-report-4426244/
Irbil:An arms research group says Islamic State militants have been manufacturing weapons in and around Mosul on an industrial scale, with products largely purchased in bulk from Turkey. The report by the London-based Conflict Armaments Research was released on Wednesday. It’s based on the study of IS weapons found at manufacturing facilities and on the battlefield during the Iraqi operation to retake Mosul.AP
Israeli Supreme Court to hear petition on excavations under Muslim Quarter
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20161214-israeli-supreme-court-to-hear-petition-on-excavations-under-muslim-quarter/
Israel’s Supreme Court, sitting as the High Court of Justice, has agreed to hear a petition on why sensitive excavations taking place under Jerusalem’s Muslim Quartet have been declared a holy site for Jews only, and not for Muslims or Christians. The petition was filed by Emek Shaveh, “a group of archaeologists seeking to prevent politicisation of archaeology”, and came in response to a statement by a Religious Services Ministry legal adviser, who said the tunnels were “governed by the regulations preserving Jewish holy sites.”The petition notes that “the tunnels run through, under, over and alongside religious sites holy to Judaism, Islam and Christianity.” middleeastmonitor
Egyptian Military court jails 141 Brotherhood supporters over 2013 unrest
http://in.reuters.com/article/egypt-brotherhood-trial-idINKBN142274
A military court sentenced 141 supporters of Muslim Brotherhood to up to 15 years in prison on Tuesday for ransacking public facilities and rioting, the defendants' lawyers told Reuters. The Assiut military court sentenced 96 of them to 15 years in absentia. Forty-two of those in detention were sentenced to seven years in prison and three of those detained to five years. 45 detained were each also fined 20,000 Egyptian pounds, said lawyers Khaled al-Koumy and Mohamed Samir.The case dealt with events in August 2013 in the city of Malawi in the Province of Minya which were among a wave of unrest after the army removed elected Islamist president Mohamed Mursi from power, following mass protests against his rule.Suspects in security and terrorism-related cases are often sent to the military courts in Egypt. Reuters
Egypt court adjourns trial of 494 protesters to January
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20161214-egypt-court-adjourns-trial-of-494-protesters-to-january/
Egyptian, Jordanian ambassadors criticise Saudi, Turkey
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20161214-egyptian-and-jordanian-ambassadors-criticise-saudi-arabia-and-turkey/
The ambassadors of Egypt and Jordan in the US have shared their views on regional states with regards to “combatting terrorism”, the New Khalij has claimed. Saudi Arabia and Turkey came in for particular criticism, according to an “official document” seen by the newspaper.The document claims that the Jordanian Ambassador in Washington, Dina Kawar, submitted the details of the meeting to an official for onward transmission to the foreign minister in Amman. In her account of the meeting, Kawar stresses that it was held at the request of the Egyptian ambassador, who showed an interest in knowing the most prominent issues discussed during Jordanian King Abdullah’s recent visit to the US capital.T
China’s one-child policy relaxed, millions of women get contraceptives removed
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/china-s-one-child-policy-relaxed-millions-of-women-get-contraceptives-removed/story-HweyY29Tqeh0PzonXH5H9N.html
US downplays Iran’s move to develop nuclear-powered vessel
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-downplays-iran-s-move-to-develop-nuclear-powered-vessel/story-DyAI76F1YbFeiMqi65Q6WM.html
Popular Chinese Muslim Website Down After Letter Critical To Xi Jinping Posted On Its Forum
http://www.ibtimes.com/what-china-muslim-net-popular-chinese-muslim-website-down-after-letter-critical-xi-2460193
Indra Nooyi joins Trump's advisory council
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/article16805544.ece?homepage=true
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 8:20 PM)
