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Evening NEWS DIGEST
25 Dec.2016: 25 Rabiul Awwal 1438: Vol:8, No:71
INDIA
Modi govt to commission study to find out causes behind high dropout rate of Muslim students’
http://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/2016/dec/24/survey-to-study-muslim-students-dropout-rate-1552768.html
New Delhi: Central government will commission a study to ascertain reasons for high dropouts of Muslim students in India. According to 2006 Sachar Committee Report, “1-4th of Muslim children aged between 6-14 have either never attended school or are dropouts”. The data collected by the Ministry of Minority Affairs will be used to frame “policy programmes” to contain the dismal trend. Parliamentary Panel on Social Justice and Empowerment has noted that no special committee, including the Sachar Committee—commissioned in 2005 by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to prepare a report on the social, economic, and educational conditions of Indian Muslims—has given reasons behind the dropout rates. Successive govts have been rolling out populist scholarship schemes without studying the community’s requirements.Lok Sabha Standing Committee headed by Chhattisgarh MP Ramesh Bais tabled its report in Parliament on Dec.16, directing the ministry to conduct the study “immediately” and apprise the committee within three months. The ministry has provided the govt data culled from National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) on the number of people per 1,000 from different religions who have never enrolled in school. Muslims top the list at 134. Christians have the highest enrollment at 39, followed by Sikhs at 48. 89 of 1,000 Hindus surveyed have never been enrolled in any educational institution. news indian express
Misconceptions regarding Muslim personal law should be removed: AIMPLB
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/misconceptions-regarding-muslim-personal-law-should-be-removed-aimplb/341634.html
Aurangabad: Misconceptions regarding Muslim Personal Laws need to be removed both among the Muslims as well as non-Muslims in the country, said secretary of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), Khaled Saifullah Rehmani."A few elements are trying to divide the communities by spreading misconception," said Rehmani during a press conference here today. He added, “They (community members) are comfortable with the existing law and it should not be changed."Rehmani and by his UP counterpart Zafaryab Jilana were in the city to address the two-day workshop on Muslim Personal Law.Jilana said, “Shariyat includes everything from nikah (marriage), divorce, wakf and other important subjects. Some people are spreading fake rumours related to personal laws and dividing the nation."He said, "It is a misconception that a Muslim can have four wives without any reason. Till there is love and affection in the relation the marriage subsists, but once there is hatred and despite repeated efforts there are no chances of reconciliation only then the option of talaq is exercised.”Rehmani appealed to various sects of Muslim community to unite to allay misconceptions of Personal Law among others. PTI
Even Jamat-e-Islami, holds function on soldiers, should be welcomed: Sareshwala at RSS event for retd generals
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Retd-generals-share-dais-with-sadhus-and-RSS-chief/articleshow/56158802.cms
Nagpur: Veterans like ex-army chief General NC Vij, ex-IAF vice-chief Air Marshal Bhushan Gokhale and Lt General Syed Ata Hasnain, whose name figured in the race to become J&K governor, shared the dais with RSS head Mohan Bhagwat and a host of seers at the Dharma Sanskruti Mahakumbh here on Saturday. The event held by RSS had sadhus delivering fiery speeches on Hindutva."Do you know who is with the soldiers guarding the Siachen glacier — the Naga Sadhus. Both soldiers and sadhus lead a strict life in service of the nation and hence should get equal respect," said Amravati-based Jitendra Maharaj, whose devotees include alleged conmen Prashant Wasankar, Sameer Joshi and others now behind the bars for running Ponzi schemes.Vij is the director of Vivekananda International Foundation which is a think-tank affiliated to RSS. Hasnain is one of the visiting fellows. The agenda of the programme to highlight that both soldiers and sadhus do the same job serving the society while going through different rigours life.Others to speak were Shankaracharya Vasudevanand Saraswati and Zafar Sareshwala, chancellor of Maulana Azad University, better known as Modi's PR man in the Muslim world.Hinting at the Muslim reign in the country, Bhagwat said that in the last 1000 years, "the people of this country did not get a chance to rule, when that should have been the case in a democracy".Talking to TOI at the function's sidelines, Vij said it would be wrong to term the event an attempt to saffronise the army. "The good things from organisations like RSS can be adopted," he said. Hasnain said that saffronisation is a wrong term used for any kind of "patriotic appeal".Said Sareshwala: "It was I who had moved the International Court of Justice against Narendra Modi, but I also went against my community supporting him later. For how long can we remain alienated. Initially, when the RSS invited me for the function I was apprehensive but then I realized that we are the same people."He added that whenever any organization, "even the Jamat-e-Islami", holds such a function on soldiers, it should be welcomed.TOI
Can’t a Muslim become Chief of the Armed forces in India? Shahnawaz Ahmad, MuslimMirror
http://muslimmirror.com/eng/cant-a-muslim-become-chief-of-the-armed-forces-in-india/
Hindu, Muslim minors assaulted for singing Christmas carols by RSS man
http://www.indiasamvad.co.in/Metros-States/hindu-muslim-minors-assaulted-by-rss-man-christmas-carols-18961
Kollam: A group of minors was assaulted because they were non-Christians and still singing Christmas carols. A Kerala man has been booked for allegedly assaulting the minors.A group of 13 teenagers aged between 14 and 16 years from Chadayamangalam visited the house of Jayakumar to sing carols on Friday night.16-year-old Abdullah who was a part of the group told The News Minute that Jayakumar questioned them what religion they belonged to. When the children said they hailed from Hindu and Muslim families, Jayakumar asked why a non-Christian group was out singing Christmas carols."We reached his house around 8.30 pm and after we sang carols and played drums, Jayakumar asked us to which religion we belong to. There were no Christians in the group and he shouted at us saying that Christmas should be celebrated only by Christians and not people from other religions. We then left his house," Abdullah said. indiasamvad
Does your child really need all the prescribed vaccines?
http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31804&articlexml=Does-your-child-really-need-all-the-prescribed-25122016011016
The biggest association of paediatricians in India is heavily dependent on funding from vaccine manufacturers. The influence allegedly leading to immunisation guidelines being tweaked to include products of the funding companies. Technical committee members deciding the guidelines being on the board of vaccine manufacturers and getting paid by them. Hefty margins on vaccines being given to paediatricians administering the vaccines. These and several others skeletons came tumbling out of the cupboard of the Indian Academy of Paediatricians (IAP) when the convenor of its Advisory Committee on Vaccines and Immunization Practices (ACVIP) wrote an open letter to the association's president.The revelations raise the question whether all vaccines recommended by your paediatrician are actually required or are they pushed to favour vaccine companies that reward the association and its members generously? The controversy was sparked off by the IAP's recommended Immunisation Schedule 2016 being removed from the website of its journal Indian Paediatrics after being approved by the advisory committee, the IAP office bearers, its executive board and the editorial board of the journal. It was uploaded on August 27 and removed on Sept.3.Convener of ACVIP , Dr Vipin Vashishtha, wrote to IAP president Dr Anupam Sachdeva seeking an explanation and raising doubts whether it had been done at the behest of the industry . timesofindia
DEMONETISATION
Restrictions on cash withdrawals may continue beyond Dec.30
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/restrictions-on-cash-withdrawals-may-continue-beyond-december-30/articleshow/56166926.cms
NEW DELHI: Restrictions on withdrawal of cash from banks and ATMs are likely to continue beyond Dec.30 as currency printing presses and RBI have not been able to keep pace with the demand of new currency notes.As 50-day deadline for completion of demonetisation process draws near, there is a growing consensus among bankers that the restrictions on withdrawal would have to continue even in the New Year so as to maintain orderly working at the banks.Banks at many places are not in a position to disburse even the current limit of Rs 24,000 per week due to cash crunch and are rationing the valid currency depending on cash availability.If this limit is withdrawn for individual and businesses from Jan.2, it is unlikely that banks would be able to disburse the higher demand for valid currencies given the current cash position."Most of us think that the withdrawal limit would not be completely withdrawn. It is a possibility that it could be relaxed if the cash situation improves," said a senior public sector bank official.At a time when banks are struggling to meet the demand of individual customers, it would be impossible to service MSME and big corporates which requires cash in large quantity, the official said, the practical way would be to relax it gradually.PTI
Law against 'benami' properties to be operationalised soon: PM Modi
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/law-against-benami-properties-to-be-operationalised-soon-pm-modi/articleshow/56167015.cms
New Delhi:Vowing to carry forward the war against corruption and black money post-demonetisation, PM Narendra Modi on Sunday said the government will soon operationalise a strong law to effectively deal with 'benami' properties and this was just the beginning.Making his last monthly address this year in his "Mann ki Baat" programme, he defended the frequent changes in the rules of demonetisation, saying these have been done to reduce the people's problems and defeat such forces who are out to thwart his government's fight against black money and corruption.PTI
A U-turn! Manohar Parrikar says cashless Goa neither possible nor desirable
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/56159083.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
PANAJI: In a U-turn, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Saturday said it was neither possible nor desirable to make Goa a fully cashless state. Parrikar said the state government aimed to make only up to 50 per cent transactions in Goa cashless. "Fully cashless is not possible, nor desirable, nor intended; what is intention is to reduce the extent of use of cash. Wherever possible, start doing transactions through a digital mode for which we intend to take it to 50 per cent from about 15 to 20 per cent as early as possible. There are so many difficulties, which are being surmounted now," he told reporters. IANS
‘Cashless? That’s a joke’: Indian Express
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/demonetisation-lanura-jammu-and-kashmir-cashless-thats-a-joke-4443782/
Around noon on a Thursday, there is no electricity in Lanura. A sudden gust of wind had snapped the power lines and they now lie listlessly over the tree tops. Sitting in his rundown grocery shop, Ghulam Mohammad Dar says, “This is how it is here. We barely get electricity for six hours a day. And when we do, it is in spurts. We can never plan our day.”Welcome to Lanura, J&K’s first officially declared “cashless” village. Here, most villagers haven’t seen or even heard of credit cards; the Internet doesn’t work and when it does, is frustratingly slow; and electricity is often at the mercy of the elements.“Of course, our village is cash-less,” says Ghulam Hassan Sheikh, the former sarpanch of the village, barely hiding his sarcasm. “We are a village of daily-wage labourers. We earn a few thousands a month and now they say we must learn to live without cash. So yes, we are cashless,” he says sitting on his haunches outside one of the shops in the centre of the village.
Demonetisation on a shoestring: How UP leather industry is hit by cash crunch
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/demonetisation-on-a-shoestring-how-up-leather-industry-is-hit-by-cash-crunch-4443645/
Skinners are out of jobs, slaughter-houses are either shutting down temporarily or are laying off workers in large numbers, tanneries are running out of hide, and manufacturing units are unable to meet export orders.As demonetisation hits the home stretch of the 50-day deadline set by the Prime Minister, the simmering discontent in the leather and shoe-making industry boiled onto the streets on December 14, when labourers from the leather sector — one of the largest export industries of Uttar Pradesh — blocked the Agra-Delhi highway for over two hours.Radhe Shyam’s one-room brick house is among a dozen similar dwellings, mostly built of mud, at the farthest end of Amaniganj village in Malihabad area. All these houses are occupied by Dalit families. His house has no door; a cot is placed against the entrance when Radhe Shyam is out skinning animals in over 70 surrounding villages. indianexpress
OTHERS
IRF spokesperson passes away
http://www.asianage.com/metros/mumbai/251216/islamic-research-foundation-spokesperson-passes-away.html
Mumbai: Manzoor Shaikh, spokesperson and manager of the India operations of the banned IRF, passed away late on Friday evening. 83-year-old was associated with IRF, which is owned by televangelist Zakir Naik, since its inception and was considered a close aide of Naik. Shaikh, who suffered from heart ailments, was found dead in his Kalyan house. According to an IRF employee, Shaikh had been bed ridden for a month. “He was tending to his official duties till a month ago but after that had to discontinue since his health started deteriorating,”said Aarif Malik, IRF spokesperson. Shaikh handled the Indian operations of the IRF and, since the ban on the organisation a month ago, he was “co-operating with the National investigative Agency”.Sources in the IRF revealed that Shaikh had appeared before the NIA during the time IRF’s offices in Dongri were raided and locked down. “His statement was also recorded and he gave the NIA all the necessary documents and details they wanted as part of their investigation,” said an IRF employee.ASIAN AGE
Hyderabad: Tension over prayers at mosque
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/Tension-over-prayers-at-mosque/article16939263.ece
Hyderabad:Objections by locals over offering prayers at a mosque in Uppuguda of Old City, which had reportedly been out of use for nearly past 2 decades, triggered tension on Friday night. Police rushed to the spot and dispersed members of two communities preparing for a showdown. Situation was under control on Saturday. Police posted pickets at the mosque and other sensitive places.After discussions in the presence of South zone DCP V. Satyanarayana representatives of the 2 communities agreed not to fight over the matter. “Prayers would be offered in the afternoon till Jan.30, 2017. Till then, status quo would be maintained without any group resorting to encroachment or disturbances,” DCP said.Prayers were not being offered at Mohammadiya mosque in Uppuguda of Chatrianaka police station area after communal riots had broken out during early 90s. There was a chillah on the front side and a mosque adjacent to it, DCP said.The premises were under the custody of Wakf board which eventually rented out 3 structures in the front of the mosque to 3 persons who were running shops from there. Of late, some residents of near-by Poolbagh got the mosque renovated, whitewashed it and started offering prayers.“This was being objected to by members of another community stating that there could be trouble when locals organise religious events or celebrated festivals on a large scale,” Satyanarayana said.the hindu
Dilsukhnagar blast convicts will be moved from Hyderabad to Tihar:Sunday Guardian
http://www.sundayguardianlive.com/news/7784-dilsukhnagar-blast-convicts-will-be-moved-hyderabad-tihar
Hyderabad: 5 death convicts —Yasin Bhatkal, Zia Ur Rahaman, Asadullah Akhtar, Tahseen Akhtar and Ajaz Shaik—will soon be taken to the high security Tihar prison in New Delhi. The NIA, which arrested them and ensured their conviction, will move a transit petition before the special court to this extent and they will be in New Delhi after Christmas. sundayguardianlive
Kerala Police to review UAPA cases
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/Police-to-review-UAPA-cases/article16938595.ece
The State police on Saturday said it will review hitherto uncharged cases registered under the UAPA in Kerala. The terse statement was apparently prompted by widespread criticism that the police had mindlessly applied the hard provisions of the law against writers, human rights activists, free thinkers, and cinema enthusiasts who sported contrary political views.thehindu
Bengaluru: 3 suspects back in custody
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Three-terror-suspects-back-in-custody/article16939538.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication
Bengaluru: The investigations of the NIA court into the blasts in different court complexes in AP, Kerala and Mysuru is now pointing towards a person in Madurai. The man is suspected to have radicalised Abbas Ali, one of the 5 arrested early in November from Madurai and Chennai.In Nov.— Dawood Suleiman, Abbas Ali, Samsum Karim Raja, Shamsudeen and Ayub Ali were arrested for their alleged involvement in the low-intensity blast at the toilet in Mysuru Court Complex on Aug.1 and in court complexes in AP and Kerala. Following that, they were taken into NIA custody and interrogated. “Our investigations show that one person in Madurai has radicalised Abbas Ali, who ran a library in the same city. We have to check if he has done the same to other youngsters,” said a police source.3 days ago, NIA took Dawood Suleiman, Abbas Ali and Samsum Karim Raja for further interrogation. On Saturday, they were produced before the NIA court and sent back to 15-day judicial custody. the hindu
Pakistan objects to World Bank pausing processes under Indus Water Treaty
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/pakistan-objects-to-world-bank-pausing-processes-under-indus-water-treaty/articleshow/56169972.cms
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has asked the World Bank to "fulfil its obligations" regarding the Indus Water Treaty as it objected to the body pausing two concurrent processes related to Indo-Pak dispute over Kishenganga and Ratle project.Pakistan finance minister Ishaq Dar in a letter to World Bank President Jim Yong Kim said the Treaty does not provide for a situation wherein a party can "pause" performance of its obligations under the accord.Dar said the World Bank's decision to pause the process of empanelment of the Court of Arbitration will seriously prejudice Pakistan's interests and rights under the Indus Waters Treaty 1960.PTI
Time is right to open talks in Kashmir, says Yashwant Sinha
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Time-is-right-to-open-talks-in-Kashmir-says-Sinha/article16939451.ece?homepage=true
NEW DELHI: With street protests ebbing in the Kashmir Valley and the winter set in, the former Union Minister, Yashwant Sinha, has called the current period the “right time” for the Central and State governments to open dialogue with all stakeholders, including the Hurriyat. Speaking to The Hindu, Sinha, who along with four other eminent citizens visited Kashmir twice in the last couple of months, said while the situation had the appearance of normality, things were unsettled beneath the surface.The former information commissioner, Wajahat Habibullah, chief executive of the Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation (CDR), Sushobha Barve, the former Air Vice-Marshal, Kapil Kak, and senior journalist Bharat Bhushan were the other members of the group. The group, which has paid for arrangements on its own and neither sought nor received any security cover for the visit, is clear that it is not acting on behalf of any government or party. “We are not even acting under the aegis of CDR, but as a group of concerned citizens,” Sinha said. thehindu
J&K Govt decides to lifts ban on ‘Kashmir Reader’
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/jk-government-decides-to-lifts-ban-on-kashmir-readerv-4444664/
New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to revoke its ban on Srinagar-based daily Kashmir Reader and allow it to resume publication after shutting it down for three months.“The newspaper had made a representation before the government seeking permission to resume its publication.The case was examined and the government was satisfied that there is no further need to disallow its publication,’’ Director Information, J&K government Shahid Iqbal Choudhary told The Indian Express. “A formal order in this case will be issued in a day or 2”. In her interview with Indian Express last week, JK Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had said that her government would lift the ban on the paper. Indianexpress
Has Najeeb Jung resigned to become new VC of AMU?Janta Ka Reporter
http://www.jantakareporter.com/india/jung-amu-vc/87474/
The shock announcement of his resignation by Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung has left both his political rivals and analysts stumped. With the central government on his side, nobody expected Jung to quit.While explaining the reason for his resignation, Jung’s office said that it was on personal grounds and he wanted to return to academia.Many suspected that Jung may have resigned after not getting favourable assurances from the Centre’s BJP government over his ‘wish’ to be appointed as the next Vice President of India, Congress Party alleged that he was forced to quit after he decided to make Shunglu Committee report public. Delhi Congress chief, Ajay Maken, told reporters, “It seems the deal was struck between the BJP and AAP not to make public the Shunglu Committee report as it would have exposed irregularities in 200 files of Delhi government.” Najeeb Jung’s mid-term demission of the office of Delhi’s LG has left the theorists nonplussed, with most of them trying to wrap their heads around Jung’s parting shot – his desire to return to academics. However, new reports emerging suggest that Jung may have resigned after he was reportedly assured of the VC post for AMU. jantakareporter
Shah Rukh to be conferred honorary doctorate by Maulana Azad University
http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/shah-rukh-khan-to-be-conferred-honorary-doctorate-by-hyderabad-based-varsity-4444472/
New Delhi: Shah Rukh Khan is slated to be conferred with honorary doctorate by Maulana Azad National Urdu University tomorrow.President Pranab Mukherjee would be the chief guest at the sixth convocation of the university where nearly 48,000 students will be awarded degrees. Telangana and AP Governor ESL Narasimhan would be the guest of honour at the event to be presided over by the varsity’s Chancellor, Zafar Sareshwala.Along with Shah Rukh Khan, Urdu aficionado and founder of Rekhta Foundation Rajiv Saraf would be given ‘honorius causa’ for their contribution in the promotion of Urdu language and culture, a release from the varsity said.indian express
In Delhi schools, 3-language formula may tilt the balance in favour of Sanskrit
http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/three-language-formula-may-force-delhi-schools-to-learn-sanskrit/story-kzagTtcSviSE73rVVMm2VJ.html
Delhi:Sanskrit may end up being the only choice for students in the national capital under the three-language formula, which aims at promoting regional languages.Currently, most private schools in Delhi offer Sanskrit along with foreign languages. Schools say most students choose a foreign language and Sanskrit remains only an option. But with the 3-language formula coming into place, the students will only be left with Sanskrit.In its governing body meet on Tuesday, CBSE recommended that all schools follow a “three-language formula”. Under the National Education Policy, the formula means that students in Hindi-speaking states should learn a modern Indian language (22 languages under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution) — apart from Hindi and English — and in non-Hindi-speaking states, they should learn Hindi along with the regional language and English. hindustantimes
Hyderabad: Another education official held in madrassa scam
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/another-edu-official-held-in-madrassa-scam/articleshow/56161676.cms
Charminar: Central Crime Station (CCS) sleuths on Saturday arrested an official of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) in relation to the madrassa funds scam case. This marks the second arrest in a period of two days.Cops identified the accused as Nagaraju, who is a filed officer with the SSA's Hyderabad district office. He is alleged to have taken a bribe of Rs 1 lakh from the prime accused Mohammed Zubair, an MBA student who runs a seminary in the Old City."We picked up Nagaraj after the accused number 1, Zubair, revealed his name in the confession and explained his role in the scam. The matter is under investigation and we are probing all angles," said investigating officer B Ravindra Reddy.TOI
Allahabad High court: Unaided minority institutions cannot admit students of their choice
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/allahabad/HC-Unaided-minority-institutions-cannot-admit-students-of-their-choice/articleshow/56129441.cms
Allahabad: The Allahabad high court has held that unaided minority institutions cannot admit students of their choice by adopting a mechanism of their own while ignoring any policy or regulation framed by the government.Dismissing a writ petition filed by Sankalp Institute of Education, a minority institution affiliated with the Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, Juatice Suneet Kumar gave this decision after hearing both sides.TOI
Unaided minority institutions cannot admit students of their choice by adopting a mechanism of their own: Allahabad HC
http://www.livelaw.in/unaided-minority-institutions-cannot-admit-students-choice-adopting-mechanism-allahabad-hc/
I saw death right at my doorstep during Jat reservation agitation: Haryana opener Nitin Saini
http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/nitin-saini-ranji-trophy-2016-17-haryana-cricket-jat-riots-agitation-violence-4443628/
Long before the Babri Masjid, architectural reuse was an intrinsic part of Indian history
http://scroll.in/article/823917/long-before-the-babri-masjid-architectural-reuse-was-an-intrinsic-part-of-indian-history
How the Govt Is Abusing a Wartime Law to Grab ‘Enemy’ Property: Pallavi Prasad
https://www.thequint.com/deqoded/2016/12/23/how-the-govt-is-abusing-a-wartime-law-to-grab-enemy-property-muslim-discrimination
WORLD
Russian military plane carrying 92 on board crashes en route to Syria, report says ‘no sign of survivors’
http://indianexpress.com/article/world/russian-military-plane-with-91-passengers-aboard-missing-over-black-sea-4444077/
Moscow: A Russian military plane with 92 people on board has crashed into the Black Sea on its way to Syria, Russian news agencies reported on Sunday, and it was unlikely there would be any survivors. Russian agencies, citing unnamed security sources, said the TU-154 aircraft had crashed in the sea near the southern Russian city of Sochi after disappearing from radar screens.The plane was carrying Russian servicemen and members of a renowned military choir and dance ensemble, the Alexandrov Ensemble, who were being flown into Russia’s Hmeymim air base in Syria to entertain military personnel in the run-up to the new year, the RIA news agency quoted the Defence Ministry as saying.Russia’s Defence Ministry regularly flies musicians into Syria to put on concerts for military personnel. The base they were heading for, Hmeymim, is in Latakia province. It is from there that Russia flies air strikes against Syrian rebels. Reuters
'No survivors' as Syria-bound Russian jet crashes
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/No-survivors-as-Syria-bound-Russian-jet-crashes/article16941651.ece?homepage=true
Russian military plane crash: All 92, including 60 from Red Army Choir, killed:Reuters
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/russian-military-plane-crash-all-92-including-60-from-red-army-choir-killed/story-0HGTxaNa2vcrVmkQWwTp3N.html
Putin orders probe into military plane crash: AFP
https://news.google.co.in/nwshp?hl=en&tab=wn&ei=JAJ6U-n1N6XLsQSb9YHABA&ved=0CAsQqS4oCA
Military plane crashes into Black Sea near Sochi
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/12/russian-military-plane-disappears-radar-161225045201828.html
Russian jets step up raids on rebel-held Idlib and rural Aleppo
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20161225-russian-jets-step-up-raids-on-rebel-held-idlib-and-rural-aleppo/
Russian jets stepped up strikes on several towns in Syria’s rebel-held Idlib province and rural Aleppo two days after the evacuation of rebels from their last pocket in the northern city of Aleppo, rebels and residents said on Saturday.They said at least eight strikes targeted Binish, Saraqeb and Jisr al Shaqour – main towns in the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib. There were reports of several casualties, mainly among civilians. middleeastmonitor
Israel summons 14 ambassadors after UN settlement vote
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/12/israel-summons-14-ambassadors-settlement-vote-161225105044485.html
Israel has summoned the ambassadors of UN Security Council member states that voted in favour of a resolution condemning settlement activity, a foreign ministry spokesman said.By way of rebuke of the vote, Israel's Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman also announced on Sunday that Israel was cutting civilian coordination with Palestinians. Foreign ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon said that the 14 envoys of UN Security Council members will visit the ministry in Jerusalem throughout the day. US envoy was not summoned. aljazeera
Pakistan defence minister threatens to nuke Israel over fake news
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/pakistan-defence-minister-israel-nuclear-attack-fake-news-4444055/
New Delhi: It appears like the Pakistan defence minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, fell victim to a fake news article on Israel threatening to launch a nuclear strike against Pakistan. Asif immediately countered the news story, without realising it to be fake, by tweeting that Israel must not forget that Pakistan is capable of mounting a similar attack. “Israeli def min threatens nuclear retaliation presuming pak role in Syria against Daesh.Israel forgets Pakistan is a Nuclear state too AH,” he wrote.Israel’s Ministry of Defence handle, however, clarified that the report referred by Asif was “entirely false”. “@KhawajaMAsif The statement attributed to fmr Def Min Yaalon re Pakistan was never said,” it wrote. The fake article, which first appeared on awdnews.com, even attributed a fictitious statement to a former Israeli defence minister, instead of the incumbent. The story ran under the headline: “Israeli Defense Minister: If Pakistan send ground troops into Syria on any pretext, we will destroy this country with a nuclear attack (sic).” Indianexpress
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 8:04 PM)
