Evening NEWS DIGEST
22 Jan.2017: 21 Rabius Sani 1438: Vol:8, No:95
INDIA
Why Trump's 'Buy American, Hire American' campaign will hit Indian IT companies hard
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/56714370.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
Donald Trump''s maiden presidential address on Friday could not but have been unnerving for India's biggest export industry -IT services. Close to 75% of the industry's $150 billion revenue comes from exports, 60% of which are to one country -the US. Worse, Trump's `Buy American, Hire American' campaign has the potential to hit the industry on both fronts. It could persuade US companies to slow down their IT outsourcing to foreign (primarily Indian) companies.And given that Indian IT services companies have built their entire model on the basis of moving most of the work in a contract to India -what's called offshoring -`hire American' policies could force them to substantially rework that model. And that will not happen without a sharp squeeze in profit margins. Tom Reuner, managing director of US-based IT advisory firm HfS Research, said the timid hopes that Trump would moderate his views as President have evaporated. “The centrepieces of his inauguration speech were jingoism and protectionism,“ he said. economictimes
HRD Ministry rejects RTI plea for sharing report on Rohit Vemula’s death
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/hrd-ministry-rejects-rti-plea-for-sharing-report-on-rohit-vemulas-death-4486069/
New Delhi: Human Resource Development Ministry has rejected an RTI appeal for making public a panel’s report on the death of research scholar Rohith Vemula in University of Hyderabad. Replying to an RTI query, the ministry had said that the file concerned was “under submission” and a copy of the report cannot be provided. Aggrieved at the response, an appeal was filed with the First Appellate Authority of the ministry.“As such I do not find any infirmity with the reply of the Central Public Information Officer (given earlier) and your appeal stands disposed of as far as the answering Appellate Authority is concerned,” the HRD Ministry said in reply to the appeal filed by PTI. HRD Ministry had in February last year appointed a Commission of Inquiry under Justice (retired) Ashok Kumar Roopanwal to look into the events at University of Hyderabad, culminating in the suicide by Vemula.It was also tasked with reviewing the existing grievance redressal mechanism for students at the university and to suggest improvements. The Commission was asked to submit its report within three months of its formation. After the panel submitted its report to the Ministry, media reports had claimed that the Commission had raised questions on Vemula’s Dalit status and attributed his suicide to personal reasons.PTI
Exempt us from following national anthem guidelines, say differently-abled in response to MHA advisory
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/disabled-community-unhappy-with-mhas-anthem-advisory/1/863432.html
New Delhi:The latest guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) regarding conduct while the national anthem is played at movie theatres have left differently-abled people ill at ease.Separate guidelines for the disabled, which say that they must remain still during the anthem, have only added to the fears."It is impossible for me to stay still when the anthem plays," says Pankaj Kapoor, who is suffering from cerebral palsy. Kapoor works as a receptionist with rights body Action for Ability Development and Inclusion (AADI). MHA order states that when a physically challenged or handicapped person goes to the movie theatre, he need not stand up,if he is incapable to stand. "However, he must show such conduct which is commensurate with respect for the national anthem," the advisory reads."A person with polio or a partially paralysed body will have to put in extra efforts - more than the body allows - to stand for the anthem and hold the body still. People with disabilities anyway have to put in extra efforts to sit straight, unlike a perfectly normal human being. Will it be wrong to demand complete exemption for the disabled?" Pankaj argues. india today
UP polls: SP-Congress alliance sealed, Akhilesh concedes 105 seats
http://indianexpress.com/elections/uttar-pradesh-assembly-elections-2017/uttar-pradesh-polls-alliance-between-samajwadi-party-congress-sealed/
New Delhi: After days of negotiation, an alliance between the Samajwadi Party and the Congress has finally been sealed, news agency ANI reported. The Congress party will be allotted 105 seats in the upcoming elections. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and SP president Akhilesh Yadav also released his party’s maninfesto but is yet to make an announcement on the alliance. At the manifesto release, Akhilesh hit out at the BJP government over its promise to bring in achche din, saying three years have passed but the BJP government was yet to deliver on its promises. From pressure cookers, to smart phones to old age homes, Akhilesh announced a manifesto filled with freebies, hoping to secure a second term. Interestingly, despite saying all is well in the SP, party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav was not present at the event.On the seat-sharing agreement, Congress leader Ahmed Patel said discussions between the two parties took place at the highest level. “It was wrong to to suggest lightweights were dealing on behalf of Congress. Discussion was at highest level between CM(UP), General Secretary, Congress in-charge and Priyanka Gandhi.”indianexpress
Alliance confirmed! Samajwadi Party to contest 298 seats, Congress 105 in UP Assembly polls
http://zeenews.india.com/uttar-pradesh/alliance-confirmed-samajwadi-party-to-contest-298-seats-congress-105-in-uttar-pradesh-assembly-polls_1969647.html
Exclusive | UP polls: BJP state president Keshav Prasad Maurya says Muslim candidates may not be included in next list of candidates too
http://www.newsnation.in/india-news/exclusive-uttar-pradesh-polls-up-bjp-president-keshav-prasad-maurya-says-muslim-candidates-may-not-be-included-in-next-list-of-candidates-article-158602.html
BJP releases second list of candidates for 155 seats; Rajnath Singh’s son to contest from Noida
http://www.financialexpress.com/elections/uttar-pradesh-assembly-elections-2017/up-elections-bjp-releases-second-list-of-candidates-for-155-seats-rajnath-singhs-son-pankaj-to-contest-from-noida/518085/
UP polls: Mayawati appeals to Muslim voters to exercise their right to vote wisely
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-up-election-2017-mayawati-appeals-muslim-voters-to-exercise-their-right-to-vote-wisely-2294689
Lucknow: BSP chief Mayawati on Saturday urged the Muslim voters to cast their votes in favour of her, and not in support of the ruling Samajwadi Party, in order to defeat the BJP. "Muslims should vote for BSP, instead of SP, in order to defeat BJP," said Mayawati while addressing the media here.Taking a potshot at the BJP, Mayawati said even the workers of the saffron party know that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not fulfilled even the one-fourth of promises he made during 2014 Lok Sabha elections.ANI
Ram Vilas Paswan takes a dig at RSS over quota remarks
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/ram-vilas-paswan-takes-a-dig-at-rss-over-quota-remarks/articleshow/56718159.cms
New Delhi: BJP ally and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan today took a swipe at RSS over controversial comments by its publicity chief on reservation, wondering why it makes such remarks during elections, noting a similar row had cost NDA heavily in the Bihar polls. Paswan, the most prominent Dalit face in the Narendra Modi government, said his party LJP will oppose "tooth and nail" any attempt to subvert the existing quota system. He said it was natural for people to get confused by the kind of comments RSS spokesperson and its all-India publicity chief Manmohan Vaidya made about reservation recently. "Last time RSS had made similar comments during the Bihar assembly polls and now it has said so during the Uttar Pradesh polls. What I cannot fathom as to why does it make such comments during elections? PTI
1992 Bara killings: President sets aside MHA advice, commutes death of 4 to life term
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/1992-bara-killings-president-sets-aside-mha-advice-commutes-death-of-4-to-life-term-4485871/
New Delhi: Setting aside the advice of the Home Ministry to reject the mercy petitions of the four convicts in the Bara caste massacre case, President Pranab Mukherjee has commuted their death sentences to life imprisonment. 25 years ago, in 1992, 34 upper-caste Bhumihars were killed in Bara village near Gaya, Bihar, allegedly by members of the Maoist Communist Centre (MCC, now CPI-Maoist) – one of several caste killings in the area in 1990s. 3 of the 4 convicts in the Bara case are Dalits.Earlier this month, the President set aside the advice of the ministry as there were concerns about the decision unleashing a fresh round of caste skirmishes in Bihar and also because of the ‘inordinate delay’ by the state Governor in deciding on the mercy petitions, said sources.Home Ministry’s recommendation for a rejection of the mercy petitions came in August 2016, after Bihar Governor Ramnath Kovind, acting on the advice of the state government, rejected the mercy pleas in Feb.2016. 1992 Bara massacre followed a string of massacres in 1990-91, in which 59 Scheduled Caste men were killed. In 1997, the upper caste militia, Ranvir Sena, allegedly carried out a ‘revenge attack’ for Bara, leaving 58 Dalits dead in Laxmanpur Bathe. In 2013, Bihar High Court acquitted all 26 people accused of the Laxmanpur Bathe massacre, sparking off an outcry from the civil society. Other caste massacres around the same time in the state included those in Bathani Tola, Haibasppur, Shankar Bigha and Lakhisarai. indianexpress
We fully support India in countering terror: UAE
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/we-fully-support-india-in-countering-terror-uae/
New Delhi:UAE on Sunday pledged total support to India in combating terrorism, as it looked towards elevating bilateral defence and security ties and inking a Strategic Cooperation Agreement during the visit of Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan here from Tuesday. The pacts are part of the 16 agreements to be signed between the two countries after the talks on January 25 between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Al Nahyan, who will be the Chief Guest at this year’s Republic Day Parade, UAE Ambassador Ahmed Al Banna told PTI here.PTI
Kashmiri Pandiths are welcome, separate colonies a game plan: J&K Jamaat
http://dailykashmirimages.com/Details/129849/kps-are-welcome-separate-colonies-a-game-plan-jei
Srinagar: Jamaat-e-Islami J&K (JeI) has said that, Kashmiri pandits have every right to return and live without any fear from their Muslim neighbors as they used to live before leaving “at the behest of the then governor Jagmohan.”In a statement JeI said that no Kashmiri will oppose their return to their native land and restarting their routine life.The statement said that Pandits need not to worry at all but the mainstream politicians, raising this issue have no real sympathy for Pandits. “Jama’at-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir welcomes the return of the displaced Pandit community to Kashmir and appeals them not to be swayed away by the false propaganda of these opportunists who want to secure the political goal from this issue,” the statement said. dailykashmirimages
Rs. 40 crore for Islamic Center and other grants for Muslims – Telangana CM announced
http://www.siasat.com/news/rs-40-crore-islamic-center-grants-muslims-cm-announced-1115006/
Hyderabad: CM of Telangana State, Mr. KCR sanctioned Rs. 40 crore of the construction of Islamic Center and Convention hall at kondapur. He has also written a letter to PM for allowing the candidates to write NEET exam in Urdu. Rs. 21 crore has also been sanctioned for the construction of Anees-ul-Ghura orphanage. Makkha Masjid gets Rs. 8.48 crore for its renovation. Vacant posts of Urdu teachers in Govt. schools would be filled up through special DSC. siasat
Amritsar is sharing most child porn, Delhi 2nd
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/amritsar-is-sharing-most-child-porn-delhi-2nd/articleshow/56710566.cms
New Delhi: Arrest of American linguistics expert James Kirk Jones last week for possessing and sharing nearly 30,000 files of child pornography had jolted Hyderabad. Recent government data shows the rot runs deeper: alongside metros, many of India's tier-II cities are among the worst lot on surfing and sharing of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Amritsar, Lucknow, Alappuzha and Thrissur were among the 10 worst cities where CSAM was shared on multiple occasions in the past 6 months. Amritsar took top place with more than 4.3 lakh "files of interest" — code for child porn — shared between July 1, 2016 and Jan.15, 2017. Delhi was second, followed by Lucknow. timesofindia
AP: Death toll in Vizianagaram train tragedy rises to 41: The Hindu
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/Death-toll-in-Vizianagaram-train-tragedy-rises-to-41/article17076351.ece?homepage=true
Visakhapatnam/Berhampur: 41 passengers were killed and 50 injured when 9 bogeys of Jagdalpur–Bhubaneswar Hirakhand Express derailed near Kuneru Railway Station in Komarada mandal of Vizianagaram district around 11.30pm on Saturday.Railway minister Suresh Prabhu, who visited the accident site at Kuneru, said ₹2 lakh will be given to the kin of the dead, ₹50,000 to critically injured and ₹25,000 to the ones with minor injuries. He also added that an independent inquiry will be ordered into the accident. The toll could go higher as many are believed to be trapped in S-8 and S-9 coaches, which were badly damaged in the accident.
JNU student accused of disrupting meeting goes on hunger strike
http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/jnu-student-accused-of-disrupting-meeting-goes-on-hunger-strike-4485661/
New Delhi: Dileep Yadav, one of the nine students suspended by Jawaharlal Nehru University for “disrupting” an Academic Council (AC) meeting, has gone on an indefinite hunger strike demanding that interview marks be reduced and weightage be given to entrance tests in the admission process for MPhil and PhD programmes.The University’s Executive Council (EC) had earlier approved the adoption of the May 2016 UGC gazette notification, which makes interview the sole criterion in MPhil and PhD admissions. The EC contended that the agenda was passed in a previous AC meeting.This prompted 34 AC members to counter the claim. The JNU Teachers’ Association also said it would request President Pranab Mukherjee to annul the EC meeting. As of now, JNU follows a 70:30 formula for written test and viva-voce. However, arguing that viva-voce marks lead to discrimination, students across the board have been demanding that the marks be reduced.
Two killed, 57 injured in Pudukkottai Jallikattu
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/Jallikattu-protests-day-6/article17077690.ece?homepage=true
Schools and Colleges in T.N. to function tomorrow; Protests force CM Panneerselvam to leave without inaugurating jallikattu in Alanganallur; protests across the State for a 'permanent solution' continuesJallikattu began in parts of Tamil Nadu today, including Tiruchirappalli district, with traditional fervour even as protests continued at Alanganallur in Madurai, where people refused to hold the famous sport seeking a “permanent solution“.Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, who had yesterday said that he would inaugurate the event at Alanganallur, is now expected to do so in neighbouring Dindigul district.The bull taming sport began at Manapparai in Tiruchirappali district with thousands witnessing the event as bulls roared out into the sporting arena. - PTI
One arrested from UP for demanding ransom in JNU missing student case
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-one-arrested-from-up-for-demanding-ransom-in-jnu-missing-student-case-2294919
New Delhi: In a new twist in the missing JNU student Najeeb Ahmed's case, the Delhi Police on Saturday evening arrested a man accused of making a ransom call to Ahmed's family.Police sources said that the accused had demanded Rs 20 lakh from Ahmed's family and was arrested from Maharajganj in UP.The source added that the accused had made the ransom call to Ahmed's relatives living in UP and is now being brought to Delhi for further questioning."The call was received a few days back, and the accused claimed that he had Ahmed in his custody. The accused had even threatened of grave consequences to Ahmed if the payment was not made to him immediately," said a police official.The official added, "It is yet to be ascertained whether it was a hoax call made to take advantage of the grieving family or he actually had knowledge of Ahmed. He will be brought to Delhi by Sunday early morning and we will seek his remand for interrogation," said an official.DNA
2 acquitted after 11-yr trial in terror case: No logs, no fingerprints, court points to lapses in police probe
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/irshad-ali-maurif-qamar-acquitted-after-11-year-trial-in-terror-case-no-logs-no-fingerprints-delhi-court-points-to-lapses-in-police-probe-4485672/
New Delhi: While acquitting Irshad Ali and Maurif Qamar, arrested on terror charges in 2006, a Delhi Sessions Court has pointed to discrepancies in the probe carried out by the Delhi Police Special Cell, while stating that the prosecution had been “unable to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt”.The court also said that “no crime team was called to the spot” and that “no efforts” were made by the Special Cell “to lift any fingerprints from the ammunition seized” from the accused.The Indian Express had first reported about the court order, acquitting Ali and Qamar of terror charges after an 11-year trial, on Dec.22, 2016.The Special Cell had maintained that the duo were arrested with arms and ammunition on Feb.9, 2006, from Mukarba Chowk in Delhi, minutes after they got off a bus from Jammu. In a detailed order passed by Additional Sessions Judge Reetesh Singh, the court pointed out at least five crucial aspects of the probe, in view of which it said the “prosecution has been unable to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt”. The court said the Special Cell’s “site plan” of the place from where the duo were apprehended “does not contain full material particulars”.The court also said, “No written order of any senior police official regarding assignment of investigation was produced by the prosecution.” indianexpress
Release our kids, demands family of Pakistani teen held for Uri attack: Praveen Swami’s story
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/release-our-kids-family-of-pak-teen-held-for-uri-attack-4485837/
New Delhi: The brother of one of two Pakistani teenagers held on suspicion of facilitating a terrorist attack on the 12 Infantry Brigade’s headquarters in Uri, in which 19 soldiers were killed, has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to order a review of the case, saying he hopes Islamabad’s decision to release Indian soldier Chandu Babulal Chavan will clear the way for his sibling to be sent home too.“Faisal Awan, my brother, is just a schoolchild trapped in the politics of two nations,” said Ghulam Mustafa Tabassum, a medical practitioner in Lahore. “He is innocent, but we have no means whatsoever to help him. We feel like we are living in a bad film. I hope Prime Minister Modi hears our appeal.” Tabassum’s appeal comes amid delicate behind-the-scenes diplomatic contacts between India and Pakistan, aimed at lowering tensions which flared in September following the Uri attack and India’s counter-strikes on terrorist outposts across the LoC. indianexpress
Hyderabad youth arrested in Saudi for organising Zakir Naik meeting
http://www.siasat.com/news/hyderabad-youth-arrested-saudi-organising-zakir-naik-meeting-1115173/
Hyderabad:Syed Zaker Raheem, a Hyderabad man who was allegedly involved in a conspiracy to assassinate Hindu right-wing leaders, has been given permanent exit from Saudi Arabia and was brought to Hyderabad on Friday.According to reports, Raheem was among those who organised meetings of Indian Muslims in Saudi Arabia involving IRF founder Zakir Naik. Intelligence sources have reportedly found evidence of this in the form of photographs of Raheem and others with Zakir Naik.Another Hyderabad Salam Zubedi together with Raheem working closely in Saudi Arabia towards terror activities.“These two Hyderabadis used to informally organise Darsga and call preachers to motivate and, if possible, recruit persons for clandestine terror activities. We came to know that on one or two occasions, Naik was invited and he gave his discourse at Salam’s residence. Raheem admitted meeting Zakir Naik and taking photographs, but denied organising the meetings. We have our doubts that Raheem or Salam would have organised it,” TOI quoted an anonymous source as saying.Raheem, a resident of Saidabad and is the brother-in-law of Farhathullah Ghori, who is the accused in a 2012 terror case in Hyderabad, and has been absconding. Ghori had reportedly fled to Pakistan, from where he was promoting the Islamic State. Siasat/ians
'Hyderabad man organised Naik's Saudi meetings'
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/hyderabad-man-organised-naiks-saudi-meetings/articleshow/56711821.cms
Islamic Media & Muslim Public Spheres in India: Case of Naik’s Peace TV:Saad Ahmad: Milli Gazette
http://www.milligazette.com/news/15375-islamic-media-and-the-muslim-public-spheres-in-india
2 Pakistanis among 3 LeT men sentenced to death
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-2-pakistanis-among-three-let-terrorists-sentenced-to-death-2294913
Kolkata: A fast-track court of Bongaon in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal on Saturday sentenced 3 LeT men to death on charges of waging a war against the state. Of them, two are Pakistani nationals. The 3 – Mohammed Yunus, Mohammed Abdullah and Muzaffar Ahmed Rathore – have been convicted under Sections 121 and 121A. 4 accused were arrested by the BSF in 2007 from Petrapole on Bangladesh border when they were trying to infiltrate into India. Arms and ammunition were seized from them. The fourth accused, SK Nayeem alias Sameer, who was the alleged link, is a resident of Maharashtra. He had escaped while on transit and is absconding. Nayeem had been interrogated by the ATS of Mumbai Police regarding his alleged involvement in the Mumbai train blast. In 2013 while he was in transit to Maharashtra for his appearance at a court, he had jumped off a moving train and escaped. He had been absconding since then. “The case was being handled by CID. They have been sentenced to death by Bongaon Court today,” said Nishat Parvez, DIG (CID-Operations).While Yunus and Abdullah are residents of Karachi in Pakistan, Ahmed hails from Anantnag in Kashmir.DNA
After Jan 25, Minorities Commission will be left with just 2 members
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/after-jan-25-minorities-commission-will-be-left-with-just-2-members-4486645/
New Delhi:The strength of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) will be reduced to just two as against the mandated seven after one more member completes his tenure next week, raising questions over its potential to do justice. Captain Praveen Davar, appointed as a member during the Congress-led UPA-II govt, will completes his 3-year term on Jan.25. 4 other members had retired between Sept.9, 2015 and Dec.1, 2016.PTI
Demonetisation puts probe agencies in a fix
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/demonetisation-puts-probe-agencies-in-a-fix/
New Delhi:Probe agencies like CBI and NIA have found themselves in a piquant situation following demonetisation of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes and have been taking varying stands in different courts on whether to keep the seized crime money with them to safeguard evidence or deposit the currency to save them from becoming worthless. The dilemma is simultaneously bothering the accused as well, as they have to accord consent in courts that the seized crime money may be deposited by probe agencies.PTI
Provisions in Enemy Property Ordinance against principle of natural justice, settled laws: Adv. Gupta
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/provisions-in-enemy-property-ordinance-against-principle-of-natural-justice-settled-laws-legal-expert?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=emailemail&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Indiatomorrownet+%28IndiaTomorrow.net%29
New Delhi: In an exclusive interview, senior Supreme Court lawyer Adv. Niraj Gupta spoke about the legal and social perspectives of Enemy Property Ordinance 2016. He said the proposed amendments in Enemy Property Act 1968 are against the principle of natural justice as well as the settled laws by courts. Gupta, said,” Adv. Niraj Gupta: The ordinance which the government has brought in respect to Enemy Property law is to amend the Enemy Property Act 1968 with effect from 1968. Some important aspects of the ordinance are here:1-As per the provisions in the ordinance, the vesting under the enemy property bill will be permanent from 1968 though the provision earlier was the vesting is only for the purpose of reservation, management and control. By way of this operation, the government is trying to take away the fundamental right of those people who had right between 1968 and 1979.2-The government has stopped the customary rights and rights to inherit the property which is also not correct since when somebody dies the estate is to be inherited by his or her legal heirs or successors.3-Any properties might have been transferred between 1968 to 2016-17, those transfers will be null and void without any opportunity of hearing the person or without any notice to that person which is completely against the principle of natural justice as well as the settled law by the courts.The definition itself has been amended retrospectively where now even Indian citizen will also be covered under the definition of enemy which is very objectionable. You can't treat Indian citizen as enemy of the country.IndiaTomorrow
WORLD
After Trump, Israel approves permits for 566 settler homes
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/01/israel-approves-permits-566-settler-homes-170122111203317.html
Israeli authorities have approved building permits for 566 settler homes in occupied East Jerusalem, according to local officials, a move that has drawn condemnation from Palestinian leaders.The approval of the building plan on Sunday came two days after the inauguration of Donald Trump in the United States, with Israeli official saying the permits had been held up until the end of Barack Obama's administration, which had been critical of Israeli settlement activity. "The rules of the game have changed with Donald Trump's arrival as president," Meir Turgeman, Jerusalem's deputy mayor, told AFP news agency."We no longer have our hands tied as in the time of Barack Obama. Now we can finally build."Turgeman said that city officials approved the plans that had been previously postponed at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request following a UN Security Council resolution in Dec. against Israeli settlement building.New permits are for homes in the settlement neighbourhoods of Pisgat Zeev, Ramot and Ramat Shlomo, according to Turgeman, who also heads the planning committee that approved them. Turgeman said plans for about 11,000 other homes were also in process in East Jerusalem, though he did not say when they could proceed.Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are considered illegal under international law and have been major stumbling blocks in negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis.Netanyahu said on Sunday that he was to speak with Trump later in the day, their first conversation since the billionaire businessman took office.Trump has pledged strong support for Israel and vowed during his campaign to recognise Jerusalem as the country's capital despite the city's contested status. Aljazeera
As Trump takes office, Israel pushes ahead with settlements
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/As-Trump-takes-office-Israel-pushes-ahead-with-settlements/article17077859.ece?homepage=true
Netanyahu to Iranians: 'We are your friend, not enemy'
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/01/netanyahu-plans-discuss-iran-threat-trump-170122044132486.html
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he wants to talk soon to the new US president to "counter the threat" from Iran's government, which he accused of threatening its citizens' freedom."I plan to speak soon with President [Donald] Trump about how to counter the threat of Iranian regime which calls for Israel's destruction," Netanyahu said in a video message posted on his Facebook on Saturday.In the video, Netanyahu also addressed the people of Iran in English, with Persian subtitles."We are your friend, not your enemy," he said."The regime is cruel - the people are not; the regime is aggressive - the people are warm ... You have a proud history. You have a rich culture. Tragically, you are shackled by a theocratic tyranny," he said. aljazeera
Worldwide protest: Women's March on Washington draws massive crowds
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/01/women-world-protest-president-trump-170121134424671.html
Hundreds of thousands of people poured into the US capital on Saturday to march in opposition to President Donald Trump, a day after the Republican took office, as sister demonstrations took place in cities across Africa, Asia and Europe.Women and men of all ages took to the streets of Washington, DC, rallying around issues like women's rights, reproductive rights and immigration. Demonstrations against Trump's discriminatory rhetoric were also held in Australia, the UK, Germany, Japan and France, and others.In Kenya, hundreds of protesters in Nairobi's Karura Forest waved placards and sang American protest songs.In Sydney, Australia's biggest city, about 3,000 men and women gathered for a rally in Hyde Park before marching on the US consulate downtown, while organisers said 5,000 people rallied in Melbourne.In Japan, hundreds of people joined protests in Tokyo, including many American expatriates.aljazeera
Syria talks set to begin in Astana as ceasefire holds
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2017/01/syria-talks-set-astana-ceasefire-holds-170122053710819.html
Astana- Key players in the war in Syria are due to meet on Monday in Astana to begin talks aimed at consolidating a nationwide ceasefire and potentially paving the way towards a political settlement.The talks, organised by Russia, Turkey and Iran, come weeks into a countrywide ceasefire brokered by Moscow and Ankara that has largely held despite incidents of violence across the country.The negotiations, expected to last several days, will bring together representatives from the armed opposition, along with delegates from the Syrian government, Russia, Turkey, Iran and the United Nations, and are to be followed by a UN-mediated meeting in Geneva on February 8. Aljazeera
Syrian army and allies take village from Daesh
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170122-syrian-army-and-allies-take-village-from-daesh-militants/
The Syrian army and its allies on Sunday drove Daesh from the village of Soran, east of Aleppo, state media and a military media unit run by Hezbollah reported, bringing them closer to territory held by Turkey-backed rebels.Several overlapping conflicts are being fought in Syria, dragging in regional and global powers as well as the government and local groups, complicating the battlefield in the north of the country and raising the risk of an escalation in the war.The main struggle in Syria’s civil war is between President Bashar al-Assad, backed by Iran, Russia and Shia militias including the Lebanese Hezbollah, against rebels that include groups backed by Turkey, Gulf monarchies and the US. middleeastmonitor
Mosul Op: Iraq troops execute 3 Sunni teens in sectarian violence
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170121-mosul-op-iraq-troops-execute-3-sunni-teens-in-sectarian-violence/
More footage of Iraqi soldiers committing war crimes by killing unarmed teenagers in Mosul has emerged on social media, as the fourth month in the battle to recapture Iraq’s second largest city from Daesh extremists begins in bloody fashion.MEMO has seen graphic footage that shows armed Iraqi men who are part of the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) executing three teenage boys after subjecting them to brutal violence. According to Al Jazeera, the men are said to be from the Iraqi Federal Police Force, who are fighting side-by-side with other ISF units and Shia militias in the fight to force Daesh out of Mosul. middleeastmonitor
Iraqi general’s tour suggests tough fight ahead in west Mosul:Reuters
http://indianexpress.com/article/world/iraqi-generals-tour-suggests-tough-fight-ahead-in-west-mosul-4485971/
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 8:34 PM)
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