Evening NEWS DIGEST
26 Jan.2017: 27 Rabius Sani 1438: Vol:8, No:99
INDIA
'Derailing' the attempt to cook up terror links: TOI
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/police-derail-attempt-to-cook-up-terror-links/articleshow/56788914.cms
Mumbai: A man from Mumbai who surrendered, claiming to have been hired by extremists to derail trains, has now admitted under questioning that he concocted the story for a reward or a job in the railways.Vasant Kumar Yadav, originally from UP, confessed before the UP ATS that he lied. On Dec.29, Yadav had walked into BJP's Mumbai office in Kurla, and met railway activist Subhash Gupta. Yadav told Gupta he knew about a gang recruiting youth for sabotage. Gupta alerted the RPF, which then questioned Yadav. He told them a Bihar ring had trained him in subversive activities, which raised fears about his links to the recent derailments near Kanpur. Maharashtra ATS was roped in. "We quizzed him early this month and found several loopholes," said ATS chief Atul Kulkarni. The ATS then allowed Yadav to go. When UP ATS took Yadav into custody for questioning, it found he had lied to get a job or a reward from the PM. UP ATS took Yadav to the places he mentioned as `training spots', but did not find any evidence. Moreover, they found he was in his UP village at the time and not in Mumbai as claimed. He is likely to be subjected to a lie detector test now.Yadav had said the Bihar gang was led by one Suresh.When questioned by Mumbai police, he said the group lured unemployed youths by paying them Rs 70,000 each. Cops were startled by his claim that two men from his training camp had carried out an operation after being paid the amount. Yadav told police these details at a time when Bihar police had already busted a ring, which may have received funds from the ISI to derail trains in the country.
NIA to probe sabotage angle in train derailments in Kanpur, Andhra
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-nia-to-probe-sabotage-angle-in-train-derailments-in-kanpur-andhra-2296427
New Delhi: NIA will probe the sabotage angle in the recent train derailments in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur and Andhra Pradesh's Kuneru area.The agency has taken over the probe in these cases following an order from the Home Ministry, official sources said today. An NIA team has already conducted an inspection of the site in Vizianagaram near Kuneru where Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Hirakhand Express went off the track to ascertain if it was an "act of terror" as the railway suspected sabotage. 39 people were killed in the accident that took place on Saturday. The role of Pakistan's snooping agency ISI in the derailment of Indore-Patna train on November 20 last year in Kanpur in which 150 people lost their lives is also being looked into. Three persons arrested by Bihar Police in this connection had claimed sabotage by the ISI.PTI
Govt has explained position on triple talaq in SC: Law Minister
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/%E2%80%98Government-has-explained-position-on-triple-talaq-in-SC%E2%80%99/article17096274.ece
Udupi:Reacting to a query on triple talaq on Wednesday, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the Union govt had explained its position in the Supreme Court. “Our position is that triple talaq is bad on the grounds of gender justice, gender dignity and gender equality. Our constitution respects women’s dignity and triple talaq in that way is unconstitutional,” he said. Mr. Prasad said that triple talaq had been regulated in 20 Islamic countries, including Pakistan.“If Islamic countries could regulate triple talaq without being voilative of shariat, how can such an argument be made in case of India, which is a secular country,” he said.thehindu
Will respect religious sentiments, if they are constitutional: Ravi Shankar Prasad
http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2017/jan/26/will-respect-religious-sentiments-if-they-are-constitutional-ravi-shankar-prasad-1563674.html
Indira Gandhi persuaded Zia-ul-Haq to join regional strategy during Afghan crisis: CIA
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/indira-gandhi-persuaded-zia-ul-haq-to-join-regional-strategy-during-afghan-crisis-cia-4492727/
New Delhi:Worried over Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi tried to persuade then Pakistan President Zia-ul-Haq in 1980 to join an Indian-sponsored regional strategy to effectively deal with the “occupation”, according to a declassified CIA report. The report said Indira sought to form a regional grouping to exert diplomatic pressure on the Soviets to confine their “activities” to Afghanistan.The Pakistani establishment was also concerned that India might take advantage of the tension along the Af-Pak border to intimidate Pakistan or that India might launch a preemptive strike against its nuclear facilities. According to the report declassified last week, in the wake of the invasion, Pakistani leadrship was also apprehensive about the potential for Soviet and Indian efforts — separate or joint– to undermine Pakistan’s stability.“Immediately after the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Indira Gandhi — who had just returned to power–tried to persuade President Zia’s government to adopt an Indian-sponsored regional approach to the Soviet occupation,” the report said. Rejecting India’s proposal, the Pakistani officials characterised the plan to the US diplomats as “hegemonistic” and instead accepted American offers of arms to counter the Soviet threat from Afghanistan.In response to Indian arguments that Pakistan’s acquisitions of US arms threatened India, Zia in 1981 had proposed a non-aggression pact with New Delhi. The report said New Delhi continued to parry Pakistani initiatives on the pact. Talking about various issues involving Indo-Pak ties, the CIA said Islamabad feared that India’s desire for “regional pre-eminence threatens Pakistan’s survival”.PTI
Zia assured Reagan Pakistan wouldn't acquire n-bomb: CIA papers
http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/world/zia-assured-reagan-pakistan-wouldn-t-acquire-n-bomb-cia-papers/239721.html
Pakistan asks world to hold India ‘accountable for its crimes’ in Kashmir
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pakistan-asks-world-to-hold-india-accountable-for-its-crimes-in-kashmir/story-KKrn6eGiSSF52BGQ3eBE5L.html
Islamabad: Pakistan on Thursday asked the world community to hold India “accountable” for its “crimes against humanity” in Kashmir, as it demanded justice for the families of 25 Kashmiris allegedly killed by Indian security in 1990.Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said in a statement that Jan.25 reminds Pakistan about the alleged “massacre of more than 25 innocent defenceless Kashmiris” in Handwara by Indian security forces 27 years ago.He alleged that the “horrific massacre was committed by the Indian forces” just 3 days after they had reportedly killed more than 50 Kashmiris in Gawkadal.“On both the occasions the Indian forces had unleashed terror on peaceful protesters. The perpetrators of the two massacres that I mentioned are yet to face justice while victims’ families have been suffering from the unforgettable and unbearable pain for 27 years,” Zakaria alleged.PTI
10 soldiers killed, many missing after avalanche hits army camp in Kashmir
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/one-officer-dead-after-avalanche-hits-army-camp-in-kashmir-say-police/story-VVIN6fpXAcozsjJFHW5iNK.html
Srinagar: At least 10 soldiers were killed and several others are missing after avalanches hit an army camp and a patrol team in north Kashmir’s Bandipora, officials said on Thursday, the latest casualties in the Valley swamped by heavy snowfall.The twin incidents came barely few hours after an Army major was killed Ganderbal district, also in an avalanche.An army spokesperson said ten bodies have been recovered since an avalanche struck the camp in the Gurez sector on Wednesday night and a patrol team was buried under a separate avalanche earlier.HT
J&K: 10 soldiers killed, several missing as two avalanches hit Gurez Sector, says Army
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/six-soldiers-killed-as-two-avalanches-hit-gurez-sector-in-kashmir-several-missing-4492574/
Gallantry award for three soldiers for gunning down Burhan Wani
http://www.firstpost.com/india/gallantry-award-for-three-soldiers-for-gunning-down-burhan-wani-3222066.html
Srinagar: Tucked away in the remote hills of south Kashmir, it is jubilation all around at the Rashtriya Rifles unit as 3 of its personnel have been awarded Sena Medal for having gunned down Burhan Wani whose killing plunged the valley into a welter of violence that lasted for months.As details of the 8 July operation last year emerge, it transpires that young Major Sandeep Kumar, who led the crack team following "actionable" intelligence input that Sartaj Aziz and two other militants were hiding in a house in Bumdoora village, showed nerves of steel and exemplary restraint in the face of extreme provocation in neutralising them.PTI
Alexander Kadakin, Russian envoy and ‘friend of India’, dies of heart failure
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/russian-ambassador-to-india-alexander-kadakin-passes-away/story-xe7zlKCmPgKuGDOArwrXpO.html
New Delhi: Alexander Kadakin, Russian ambassador to India, died of cardiac arrest at a New Delhi hospital on Thursday. He was 68.A press release from the Russian embassy stated that Kadkin, who has been heading the Russian diplomatic mission in New Delhi since November 2009, passed away after a brief illness.HT
Sleeping picture of defence minister Parrikar ‘napping’ during Republic Day parade has gone viral
http://indianexpress.com/article/trending/trending-in-india/this-picture-of-defence-minister-manohar-parrikar-napping-during-republic-day-parade-has-gone-viral-4492912/
Union defence minister Manohar Parrikar paid tribute to the martyrs at Amar Jawan Jyoti before the commencement of Republic Day parade at Rajpath, but that’s not what caught people’s attention on social media. Unfortunately, minister was clicked at the moment when his eyes were shut while the proceedings were underway. Twitterati’s given the verdict that he was taking a nap as he had to wake up early in the morning for the ceremony.Parrikar’s picture has gone viral on social media and jokes are abound. Some are even furious because and want to remind him of all the statements about always keeping in mind the sacrifice of the soldiers. indianexpress
Find out why Modi couldn’t understand what UAE crown prince said
http://www.siasat.com/news/video-find-modi-couldnt-understand-uae-crown-prince-said-yesterday-1117734/
New Delhi: PM Modi could not understand what UAE crown prince said yesterday in Joint Press Conference. Short speech of Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan was in Arabic.The translator-on-duty held up in traffic jam yesterday and hence could not reach the spot on time.In the beginning of his speech, Sheikh, India’s Republic Day guest greeted with formal greeting, ‘Assalamu alaikum’. After the greeting, there was silence in the room as Crown Prince continued his speech for about 3 minutes in Arabic.However, written translation of his speech was made available to press reporters. Siasat
Burj Khalifa glows with tri-colour to mark R Day
http://www.thehindu.com/news/Burj-Khalifa-glows-with-tri-colour-to-mark-India%E2%80%99s-R-Day/article17096570.ece?homepage=true
NSG’s ‘Black cats’ debut at Republic Day parade
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/nsgs-black-cats-debut-at-republic-day-parade/
Demonetisation
Demonetisation: People may get another chance to deposit Rs 500, Rs 1000 notes
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/relief-from-demonetisation-people-may-get-another-chance-to-deposit-old-notes-in-banks/story-HBdwWW6qK5gkd6ry7cdoxN.html
New Delhi: RBI may allow citizens another chance to deposit the scrapped Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 banknotes but the exchange would be for a limited sum, sources in the govt and banking sector said on Wednesday. The central bank has been flooded with queries and requests from people who failed to deposit all their money by the December 30 deadline, seeking relief, sources said.“The amounts are as small as Rs 2,000… the issue is being looked into and the advice would be to hold on to those notes as we are examining (opening) another window for these genuine people,” source said.HT
Demonetisation: Cannot disclose preparedness to handle cash crunch says RBI press
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/demonetisation-cannot-disclose-preparedness-to-handle-cash-crunch-says-rbi-press/story-5A4W915LkBvaTTMeTOQDZL.html
Demonetisation: Withdrawal restrictions likely to go away by Feb-end
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/demonetisation-withdrawal-restrictions-likely-to-go-away-by-february-end-4492613/
New Delhi:With the cash crunch situation easing, Reserve Bank may do away with the weekly withdrawal limits from banks as well as ATMs by the end of next month, bankers said. The RBI had recently raised the ATM withdrawal limit to Rs 10,000 a day but maintained the weekly cap at Rs 24,000 for saving account and Rs 1 lakh for current account holders.PTI
Increase cash withdrawal limit of candidates in 5 states to Rs 2 lakh: EC requests RBI
http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report-increase-cash-withdrawal-limit-of-candidates-in-5-states-to-rs-2-lakh-ec-requests-rbi-2296146
New Delhi:Election Commission has requested RBI to enhance the weekly withdrawal limit from Rs 24,000 to Rs 2 lakh for candidates contesting election polls The EC on Wednesday requested the RBI to enhance the weekly cash withdrawal limit of candidates contesting polls in five states to Rs 2 lakh from Rs 24,000 imposed post demonetization as they would find it difficult to meet their campaign expenditure. DNA
Demonetisation may have caused lasting damage to economy: political economist Barbara Harriss-White
https://scroll.in/article/827546/demonetisation-may-have-done-permanent-damage-to-india-political-economist-barbara-harriss-white
Barbara Harriss-White is an Emeritus Professor at the University of Oxford, with decades of experience studying India’s vast informal economy. It was this part of the economy that was most hit by the decision to demonetise higher denominations of currency, announced on Nov.8.In an interview with the Madras Courier, she paints a comprehensive picture of what demonetisation has done to democracy, agriculture, the “black economy” and society.
OTHERS
Mohsin Shaikh murder case: Quash bail of HRS men, city lawyers urge HC
http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/mohsin-shaikh-murder-case-quash-bail-of-hrs-men-city-lawyers-urge-bombay-hc-4491749/
Pune: A Pune-based legal group “Advocacy Association” has filed an application before the chief justice of the Bombay High Court (HC), seeking quashing of the bail order passed by Justice Mrudula Bhatkar in Mohsin Shaikh murder case. In an order dated Jan.12, 2017, Justice Bhatkar had granted bail to accused Vijay Rajendra Gambhire, Ganesh, alias Ranjeet Shankar Yadav, and Ajay Dilip Lalge. Those granted bail are among the 21 Hindu Rashtra Sena (HRS) activists, besides their leader Dhanajay Jayram Desai alias Bhai, who were arrested for the alleged murder of Mohsin — a Muslim techie who worked for a firm in Pune. On June 2, 2014, Mohsin was heading home with a friend, Riyaz Ahmed Mubarak Shendure, after offering prayers at a masjid in Hadapsar around 9.15pm, when he was allegedly attacked by the accused who were protesting against the circulation of objectionable pictures of Shivaji Maharaj and Bal Thackeray. The accused had allegedly attended a meeting prior to the incident, in which Desai had allegedly delivered a ‘provoking’ speech.Advocate Tosif Shaikh, president of Advocacy Group, said, “We are not against the court granting bail to the accused. But we are against the observations given by the judge. We believe that such decision by courts will create an unhealthy precedence in the country. It goes against constitutional morality, criminal jurisprudence and human values. So we have filed an application on Jan.24 demanding the chief justice to intervene suo moto and quash the bail order.” indian express
Bhopal Jailbreak: MP CM Chouhan calls 8 dead men as 'dreaded terrorists' for second time
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bhopal-jail-break-mp-cm-shivraj-singh-chouhan-calls-the-eight-dead-simi-men-as-dreaded-terrorists-for-the-second-time/1/867277.html
Bhopal:Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has once again called the eight SIMI activists who were gunned down in an encounter after they allegedly broke the Bhopal Central Jail during the intervening night of Oct.31 and 31, 2016 as 'dreaded terrorists'.Chouhan used the term 'dreaded terrorists' for the second time on Friday while congratulating Bhopal police for the encounter over which many serious questions have been raised.Chouhan's second reference to the 8 men as terrorists comes at a time when the one-man judicial commission headed by Justice SK Pandey is still conducting its investigation. Several human rights bodies and fact-finding teams have already alleged the encounter was fake. indiatoday
Aurangabad arms case: HC issues notices to Abu Jundal, 11 others
http://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/aurangabad-arms-case-hc-issues-notices-to-abu-jundal-11-others/story-IfKTlZ6XOc5WrpLlKjGx1J.html
The Bombay high court on Wednesday issued notices to Abu Jundal and 11 other people, convicted in the 2006 Aurangabad Arms Haul case earlier last year, after the Maharashtra government challenged the special court’s decision to drop the stringent charges of MCOCA against the 12 men. hindustantimes
Uttar Pradesh polls: Mukhtar Ansari, kin rejoin BSP
http://indianexpress.com/elections/uttar-pradesh-assembly-elections-2017/mukhtar-ansari-bsp-mayawati-family-uttar-pradesh-elections-4492895/
New Delhi:Mukhtar Ansari, his brothers, Sibgatulla and Afzal, and son Abbas joined Bahujan Samaj Party on Thursday. Announcing their induction into the party at a press conference, BSP chief Mayawati defended the move saying that the allegations against the jailed leader have been not been proven so far. “In par lage aarop abhi tak saabit nahi kar paaye iss baat ko dhyaan mein rakh kar aaj party mein wapas liya (The allegations against him haven’t been proven so far; keeping that in mind, we have inducted him once again into the party),” said Mayawati. Ansari will once again contest from Mau Sadar and his son Abbas from Ghosi in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh elections. “There have not been any criminal elements in BSP, but if some people want to improve under the BSP umbrella, we give them a chance,” Mayawati added. indianexpress
Disgruntled Mulayam loyalists seek refuge in Sunni Barelvi cleric’s party
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bareilly/disgruntled-mulayam-loyalists-seek-refuge-in-sunni-barelvi-clerics-party/articleshow/56784759.cms
Bareilly: As many as 3 Mulayam loyalists who were denied tickets by the new Samajwadi Party leadership have jumped ship to join Ittehad-ul-Millat Council (IMC) the party floated by a Sunni Barelvi cleric, which has a dominant presence in at least four constituencies in Bareilly where Muslims are gamechangers.It is expected that the final list might include more such defectors from top parties.Though Mulayam had given a ticket to Shaila Tahir from Nawabganj, Akhilesh had announced that the ticket for the seat would go to his close aide and sitting MLA Bhagwat Saran Gangwar, due to which Tahir left the SP and joined the IMC floated by prominent Sunni Barelvi cleric Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan. timesofindia
Another minority commission member demits office, panel strength reduced to two
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/another-minority-commission-member-demits-office-panel-strength-reduced-to-two/articleshow/56782527.cms?prtpage=1
New Delhi:One more National Commission for Minorities (NCM) member demitted office today on account of completing his tenure, reducing strength of the panel to just two vis-a-vis the mandated seven. Praveen Davar, who was appointed to the Commission during the UPA-II regime, demitted office after completing his three- year stint with the body. Davar's term technically ends tomorrow which is a public holiday. Four members of the panel had retired between Sept.9, 2015 and Dec.1, 2016.Posts continue to remain vacant. PTI
WORLD
Ramallah warns of a religious war over Jerusalem
http://www.dnaindia.com/world/report-ramallah-warns-of-a-religious-war-over-jerusalem-2296271
Jerusalem:Jerusalem is the heart of Israel and Palestine and it beats at Temple Mount as Jews call it or Haram esh-sharif as Muslims refer to it. Now, Donald Trump says he will move American Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, which in effect is America’s strongest acknowledgment of Jerusalem being Israel’s capital. Jerusalem doesn’t belong to Israel says Abel Taqz, a member of the Palestinian Peoples Party which played a big role in the first Palestinian intifada.Both Fatah and Hamas agree that there will be violence if the US takes this step. Russia has already been trying to bring the two Palestinian factions- Fatah in Ramallah and Gaza strip rulers of Hamas -together.Fayez Warda, a Hamas leader who has been arrested several times both by the Israelis and Fatah, says, “Our view of Russia is different from America. We look at Russia as a friend and they are holding reconciliation between Hamas and Fateh.”AFP
Council of Europe calls for lifting of Gaza blockade
http://aa.com.tr/en/europe/council-of-europe-calls-for-lifting-of-gaza-blockade/735031
Strasbourg, France:Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on Wednesday called on Israel and Egypt to lift the blockade on Gaza which has since 2007 remained under a crippling Israeli embargo.Approving a report prepared by Swedish politician Eva-Lena Jansson, the Assembly said the situation in Gaza had "worsened significantly" since the 2014 Israeli military operation in the blockaded strip. Anadolu agency
Islamic authority decries Jewish ‘rituals’ at Al-Aqsa
http://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/islamic-authority-decries-jewish-rituals-at-al-aqsa/734179
Jerusalem’s Authority for Islamic Endowments has condemned increasingly frequent visits to Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli settlers who often perform religious rituals at the site.Almost daily visits to Al-Aqsa by Jewish settlers, the authority said in a statement, constituted "violations of the sanctity" of Al-Aqsa Mosque. Anadolu
Israel detains 9 Palestinians in W. Bank raids: Army
http://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/israel-detains-9-palestinians-in-west-bank-raids-army/735451
Jerusalem:Israeli troops conducted a number of raids throughout occupied West Bank early Thursday morning and detained nine Palestinians, the Israel army said in a statement. According to the statement, troops raided a handful of Palestinian refugee camps in the West Bank, including the Dheisheh, Aida, Askar, Al-Azza camps, among others.Anadolu agency
Muslim leaders hold emergency rally on eve of Donald Trump’s Muslim ban
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/muslim-leaders-cair-donald-trump-president-ban-rally-emergency-new-york-a7546581.html
Hours before President Trump enforces a Muslim ban and hours after he ordered federal agents to start building the wall along the Mexican border, Muslim leaders held an emergency rally to protest the executive orders. In Washington Square Park, hundreds of people held signs, with “No human is illegal” and “Every Muslim I’ve ever known is a better American than Donald Trump”. At least 5 helicopters swirled overhead, and hundreds of cell phones, lit up, created a white wall opposite the iconic arch in the park."No bans, no walls, this is our New York!" they shouted. Independent
Trump defends restricted entry for Muslims
http://www.worldbulletin.net/headlines/183742/trump-defends-restricted-entry-for-muslims
NY demonstrators slam Trump's anti-immigration tack
http://www.worldbulletin.net/headlines/183735/ny-demonstrators-slam-trumps-anti-immigration-tack
Trump is bombing 4 of the 7 Muslim countries from where he's restricting immigration
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-bombing-four-seven-counttries-immigration-restrictions-middle-east-north-africa-syria-a7544906.html?cmpid=facebook-post
‘I stand ready to register as Muslim’: Ex-US secretary of state Madeleine Albright
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/i-stand-ready-to-register-as-muslim-ex-us-secretary-of-state-madeleine-albright/story-pyvBk5bFMTK5IB6TuXGmDO.html
Washington: Former US secretary of state Madeleine Albright has said she is ready to “register as Muslim” in solidarity amid reports that President Donald Trump will legally require all Muslims living in America to register in a database.Last week, feminist icon Gloria Steinem also said she would register as a Muslim if such a registry were required. “If you force Muslims to register, we will all register as Muslims,” Steinem said during a speech at the Women’s March in Washington on Saturday.HT
Trump says US backs Syrian safe zones
http://www.worldbulletin.net/headlines/183758/trump-says-us-backs-syrian-safe-zones
US President Donald Trump late Wednesday backed the creation of safe zones in Syria in his first media interview since his inauguration.“Now I'll absolutely do safe zones in Syria for the people,” he said when asked about refugees in an interview for broadcaster ABC.w. Bulletin
Mexican president: We will not pay for a wall
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/01/mexican-president-pay-border-wall-170126040315455.html
Mexico's leader Enrique Pena Nieto has condemned US President Donald Trump's move to build a border wall , and insisted that his country has no intention of paying for it."I regret and condemn the decision of the United States to continue construction of a wall that, for years, has divided us instead of uniting us," President Pena Nieto said in a brief televised message on Wednesday. "Mexico does not believe in walls. I have said it time and again: Mexico will not pay for any wall," he said, referring to Trump's vow to make his southern neighbour pay for the barrier.Trump's plan has also been roundly condemned by other Latin American leaders. aljazeera
Time to leave Afghanistan, Taliban tell Trump
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/01/time-leave-afghanistan-taliban-donald-trump-170125205524201.html
Taliban has called on President Donald Trump to withdraw US forces from the "quagmire" of Afghanistan, saying nothing has been achieved in 15 years of war except bloodshed and destruction.In an open letter to the new US president published on one of its official web pages, Taliban said US had lost credibility after spending a trillion dollars on a fruitless entanglement. "So, the responsibility to bring to an end this war also rests on your [Trump's] shoulders," it said. Afghanistan was invaded by US in 2001 and has become Washington's longest military intervention since Vietnam. Taliban justify their ongoing insurgency in the letter, claiming that the group's "Jihad and struggle was legitimate religiously, intellectually, nationally and conforming to all other lawful standards".So far, Trump has had little to say publicly about Afghanistan, where around 8,400 US troops remain as part of NATO-led coalition's training mission to support local forces as well as a separate US counterterrorism mission.Taliban, however, warned Trump against relying on kind of "unrealistic" reports presented to former presidents by their generals, saying: "They would emphasise continuation of war and occupation of Afghanistan because they can have better positions and privileges in war."Calling the ongoing violence as illegal, ineffective, and aimless, the group claimed " Afghans, as a nation ravaged by war for 38 long years, sincerely want to bring this war to an end"."However, they know, despite whatever reasons for previous wars, the principle cause for the ongoing conflict is the presence of foreign occupying forces in our independent country," the letter added. "You have to realise that Afghan Muslim nation has risen up against foreign occupation." Aljazeera
Harsh winter kills 27 kids in Afghanistan in 1 week
http://aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/harsh-winter-kills-27-children-in-
Trump may reinstate secret CIA ‘black site’ prisons -US officials
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170126-trump-may-reinstate-secret-cia-black-site-prisons-us-officials/
President Donald Trump may order a review that could lead to bringing back a CIA program for holding terrorism suspects in secret overseas “black site” prisons where interrogation techniques often condemned as torture were used, two US officials said on Wednesday.The black sites were used to detain suspects captured in President George W. Bush’s “war on terrorism” after the 11 Sept,2001, attacks and were formally closed by former President Barack Obama.Any return to the Bush administration’s initial anti-terrorism tactics – including secret prisons and interrogation methods considered torture under international law – would likely alienate key US allies in the fight against militant groups like al Qaeda and Daesh.The officials said Trump is expected to sign an executive order in the next few days. It would call for a high-level review into “whether to reinitiate a program of interrogation of high-value alien terrorists to be operated outside the United States” and whether the CIA should run the facilities, according to a copy of the draft published by the Washington Post.middleeastmonitor
UN accused of suppressing Middle East report
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/01/accused-suppressing-middle-east-report-170126082322738.html
US has rejected suggestions that it suppressed a report critical of the way governments in the Middle East treat their citizens.The report was meant to be released this month by the UN's Economic and Social Commission for West Asia, or ESCWA.According to a draft obtained by Al Jazeera, the report outlines a number of issues already discussed in popular media, including the suicide of fruit-seller Mohamed Bouazizi - that launched protests in Tunisia, and across the Arab world, in 2011 - and women in Saudi Arabia protesting about their country's ban on female drivers.But the UN has yet to officially release the report.Several countries in the Middle East, such as Egypt, Israel and Saudi Arabia, have objected to its findings.Egypt has reportedly disputed that President Mohamed Morsi was overthrown in 2013 in a military coup, while Israel has taken issue with the report's descriptions of its treatment of occupied Palestinians. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has argued against the report having any mention of its execution of Shia Muslim leader Nimr al-Nimr in Jan.2016. Aljazeera
Iran official, pro-Tehran lobbyist hosted by Obama’s White House 33 times
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170126-iran-official-pro-tehran-lobbyist-hosted-by-obamas-white-house-33-times/
Two high-level Iranian government backers, including a former Islamic Republic official and another accused of lobbying on Tehran’s behalf, were hosted at the Obama White House for more than 30 meetings with top officials at key junctures in the former administration’s contested diplomacy with Iran, according to White House visitor logs exposed by Washington Free Beacon (WFB) earlier this week.Seyed Mousavian, a former Iranian diplomat and head of its national security council, was hosted at the White House at least three times, while Trita Parsi, a US-based pro-Iran advocate long accused of hiding his ties to the Iranian government, met with Obama administration officials some 33 times, according to WFB.Citing sources familiar with the nature of the meetings, WFB reported that both Parsi and Mousavian helped the White House craft its pro-Iran messaging and talking points that helped lead to the controversial nuclear agreement with Iran. middleeastmonitor
Iraq PM slammed for sectarian abduction of Sunnis near Baghdad: middleeastmonitor
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170126-iraq-pm-slammed-for-sectarian-abduction-of-sunnis-near-baghdad/
Iraqi PM has been criticised by one of Iraq’s three vice presidents for abduction and forced disappearance of dozens of Sunni Arab civilians from their homes in the township of Tarmiyah, north of the capital Baghdad.Vice President Ayad Allawi, who also heads the Iraqi National Accord parliamentary bloc, slammed Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi’s govt, calling on the authorities to end its silence over the abduction of around 50 men from Sunni villages in the Tarmiyah district. Meanwhile, the Iraqi premier admitted that a “part of a unit” from Iran-backed Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), an official part of the Iraqi military, was responsible for the attacks on Tarmiyah and sectarian targeting of Sunni villagers.
IS fighters redeploy in west Mosul after Iraqi forces take east: Reuters
http://in.reuters.com/article/mideast-crisis-iraq-idINKBN1591ZS
Baghdad: Islamic State fighters have taken up sniper positions in buildings on the west bank of the Tigris river ahead of an expected government offensive into that side the city, locals said on Wednesday. PM Haider al-Abadi said on Tuesday his forces had taken complete control of eastern Mosul, and the commander of the campaign to retake ISs last major stronghold in Iraq has said preparations to cross the Tigris are under way.IS fighters have moved in recent days into Mosul's main medical complex made up of a dozen buildings located between two of the city's 5 bridges - positions that can be used for observation and sniper fire, local residents told Reuters. The tallest is seven storeys, one resident said, asking not to be identified as the militants execute those caught speaking with the outside world. Some 750,000 people live in western Mosul, according to the US which has voiced grave concerns for civilians in an area beyond the reach of aid organisations. It took 100,000 Iraqi troops, members of regional Kurdish security forces and Shi'ite Muslim paramilitaries, backed by air and ground support from a US-led coalition, almost 100 days to retake eastern Mosul in what has become the biggest battle in Iraq since the US-led invasion of 2003.Reuters
US-led coalition strikes airport in Daesh-held Mosul
http://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/us-led-coalition-strikes-airport-in-daesh-held-mosul/735496
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 7:11 PM)
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