Evening NEWS DIGEST
19 Feb.2017: 21 Jamadiul Awwal 1438: Vol:8, No:120
INDIA
UP Commission for Child Rights asks PM Modi to prove ‘he was adopted in UP’ or tender apology
http://twocircles.net/2017feb18/404932.html
Two days after PM Narendra Modi called himself as ‘ádopted son’ of UP in an election rally, the UP State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has sought legal documents from Modi to substantiate his claim of adoption by someone in UP. The commission has given seven days time for submitting the papers failing which an apology has been sought from Modi. Further, if legal documents are not submitted the adoption will be deemed illegal and against the spirit of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.Member, UPSCPCR, Nahid Lari Khan has also sent copies of the notice to Election Commission of India.In the notice, Khan has mentioned that commission has taken suo-motto cognizance of Modi’s statement from media wherein he has mentioned that he has been adopted by UP. Khan has termed the statement a direct violation and against the spirit of The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015, Chapter 8 Section 56 to 73. In these section the constitution has defined the process of adoption.Khan has stated that Prime Minister has mocked the sanctity of the Act, protected by the constitution and passed by the Parliament. She also stated that sentiments of all those poor children who have been abandoned and also those people who have to go through a process, in accordance with the law to adopt a child.The commission has asked for submitting legal documents that Modi has been legally adopted by someone in the state of UP, failing which his adoption will be deemed illegal and against the spirit of The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.The commission has also sought an apology from Modi as it has hurt the sentiments of children waiting for adoption and parents. Modi has also been requested to visit any such centre and feel the pain and sufferings of the children.Earlier, according to reports during an election rally at Barabanki, PM Modi has stated—“Lord Krishna was born in UP and made Gujarat his karmbhoomi (land of work). I was born in Gujarat and UP has adopted me … UP is my mai baap. I am not the son who would betray his mai baap. You have adopted me and it is my duty to work for you.” Twocircles
‘Prove your adoption’ asks UP commission for child rights to PM Modi
http://en.nationaldastak.com/prove-adoption-asks-commission-child-rights-pm-modi/
Modi’s ‘adopted son of UP’ statement backfires; Panel asks him to produce docs or tender apology
http://en.southlive.in/india/2017/02/18/up-child-rights-commission-asks-modi-to-prove-he-was-adopted-in-up
PM Modi in Fatehpur: If there is electricity during Ramzan, it should be available in Diwali too
http://indianexpress.com/elections/uttar-pradesh-assembly-elections-2017/uttar-pradesh-elections-2017-pm-modi-fatehpur-rally-ramzan-diwali-sp-congress-bjp-no-discrimination-4532942/
New Delhi: Addressing an election rally in UP’s Fatehpur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said no government should discriminate the public on the lines of religion and caste. “Sabka saath, sabka vikas is our mantra”, PM Modi said. “Ramzan me bijli athi hai tho Diwali me bhi ani chahiye; Bhedbhav nhi hona chahiye (If there is electricity during Ramadan then it must be available during Diwali too; there shouldn’t be any discrimination)” the prime minister added.Taking a dig at SP-Congress alliance, PM Modi said that the ruling party entered into an alliance with the fear of losing power and reiterated that SP has “insulted” their ideologue Ram Manohar Lohia by joining hands with a party that has “looted the country”. “Those born with silver spoon in mouth realised that the situation is not in their favour,” he said while referring to Congress. indian express
UP election: 61.16% voter turnout in Phase 3
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/uttar-pradesh/news/up-assembly-election-61-16-voter-turnout-in-phase-3/articleshow/57235651.cms
Lucknow: A 61.16 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the third phase of the seven-phase Uttar Pradesh polls which concluded by and large peacefully.As many as 69 Assembly constituencies in the Yadav heartland, considered crucial for the ruling Samajwadi Party in the state, went to the polls in this phase."Turnout of voters was 61.16 per cent when polling drew to a close at 5pm," UP chief electoral officer T Venkatesh said.He said the exercise was held by and large peacefully in this phase, adding that tight security arrangements were put in place at all the 25,603 polling booths.PTI
Stir in Kolkata over missing dalit Student of Jadavpur University
http://www.ndtv.com/kolkata-news/stir-in-kolkata-over-missing-dalit-student-of-jadavpur-university-1660981
Kolkata: Memory of Rohith Vemula is casting a shadow over Jadavpur University in Kolkata. Since Feb.2, a Dalit student is missing after he was accused by a fellow student on social media of molesting her. A police complaint has been filed but 16 days later, there has been little progress in the case and protesters have taken to the streets. As the mystery of his disappearance deepens, political storm clouds are gathering over the issue.Not just students but a Dalit group too is demanding he be traced immediately. So is an Islamic students' body that has combined that demand with the case of missing JNU student Najeeb.Shouting slogans of "jai bhim" and carrying the blue flags, members of the Dalit Bahujan Solidarity Movement joined a rally by Jadavpur University students on Saturday from the campus to the Golpark area."After the social media post, Sushil was very depressed. He said, if I was not a Santhal, if I had Rs. 30-40 lakh in my bank, I would not be treated like this," said Jubi Saha, Jadavpur University student and a Radical union member.Also agitated, Saradindu Uddipan, head of the Dalit Bahujan Solidarity Movement, said, "Sushil is part of the Dalit Bahujan society. He was taking forward our dreams. He is now lost." Students Islamic Organisation linked to Jamaat-e-Islami Hind claimed both Susil Mandi and JNU's missing Najeeb Ahmed are "victims of a discriminatory system". SIO president Mahas Nala, said, "Minorities of the nation face lot of problems in higher education institutions." S Masum, member, SIO, said, "For Hyderabad University, Mamata Banerjee was very vocal. But she has not said a word on Najeeb or on the Jadavpur case. This is unfortunate." NDTV
JNU Row: Student Union Meets Pranab Mukherjee; Administration Files FIR Against Protesters
http://www.ndtv.com/education/jnu-row-student-union-meets-pranab-mukherjee-administration-files-fir-against-protesters-1661104
New Delhi: JNU filed an FIR against students who have been protesting against the seat cut in the administration block accusing them of 'wrongfully restraining the university officials from performing their duties". Meanwhile, Student Union president Mohit K Pandey and Vice President Amal Pullarkkat met President of India, Pranab Mukherjee who is also the visitor to the university on Friday evening and demanded his intervention in the ongoing issues in the campus. The students have been blockading and occupying the administrative building since Feb.9 and have not allowed the staff to enter the building.In another appeal to the protesting students yesterday, the administration asked the entire JNU Community to proactively offer its good offices to convince the striking students that their mode of protest is highly undemocratic and extremely harmful to the cause of "social justice" and that administration must be allowed to function normally. Ndtv
UP: Ravi Shankar Prasad asks Congress, SP, BSP to clarify stand on triple talaq
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/190217/up-ravi-shankar-prasad-asks-congress-sp-bsp-to-clarify-stand-on-triple-talaq.html
Allahabad: Triple talaq is a ‘pernicious social practice’ that has been ‘banned or restricted’ in many Islamic countries, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said on Sunday and demanded that the Congress, SP and BSP clarify their stand on the issue."There has been a lot of controversy over the stand of the BJP and the Narendra Modi government on the triple talaq issue. Let me point out that the debate was not initiated by us”, he said.“A large number of women belonging to the minority community had moved the Supreme Court in protest against the practice. We have supported their cause," he continued.The Union Minister for Law and Justice said that in the affidavit filed on behalf of the Union government, it was underscored that triple talaq was an issue relating to women's right to gender justice, dignity and equality."We had also submitted that the right to freedom of religion granted by the Constitution does not mean allowing a pernicious social practice," he said.PTI
Minister Naqvi calls triple talaq unconstitutional
http://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/2017/feb/18/minister-calls-triple-talaq-unconstitutional-1572137.html
New Delhi: As the latest minister speaking against the Triple Talaq, Minister of Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the practice is against the values of gender equality enshrined in the Constitution. He asserted the government is working within ambit of the Constitution and hinted it is working towards building a consensus on the Uniform Civil Code. Naqvi talks to Ritu Sharma about Uniform Civil Code, Triple Talaq and the need for higher education for the minority community. Newindianexpress
NGO Majlis Manch allowed to assist SC in final hearing on Triple Talaq
http://twocircles.net/2017feb18/404906.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
Mumbai-based NGO Majlis Manch, which has been working for legal rights of women and provides support to victims of domestic violence, especially Muslim women, moved the Supreme Court seeking permission to intervene and assist the court in the triple talaq case. “Instant and arbitrary talaq is invalid both as per Quran and court rulings. The Quran stipulates that divorce (talaq) is the least preferable solution in the eyes of God and it should be used only as the last resort, when all efforts of reconciliation have failed,” the application filed by the NGO said, while opposing practice of triple talaq.
Govt waging civil war in name of code: AIMPLB member Fakhira Ateeq
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/govt-waging-civil-war-in-name-of-code/articleshow/57227394.cms
Panaji: Member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) Fakhira Ateeq has taken a strong objection to the central govt's initiative to have a Uniform Civil Code across the country."The government has waged a civil war in the country in the name of Uniform Civil Code. There is so much diversity in the country and the civil code will hamper national integrity," Ateeq said, adding that the move is a case of aping the West where the social system is already collapsing.Saying that the misuse of triple talaq is un-Islamic, Ateeq defended that conveying it through social media is fine. "It is okay and allowed. It gives equal power to the woman also to convey her decision through the medium," Ateeq said, adding that before banning a socio-religious norm like triple talaq, state should also ban 'unhealthy' practices like extra-marital affairs, live-in and homosexual relationships. timesofindia
Discussion on UCC gets no common view
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/discussion-on-uniform-civil-code-gets-no-common-view/articleshow/57227406.cms
No nikah in houses without toilets:Mahmood Madani
http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/no-nikah-in-houses-without-toilets-maulana-mahmood-a-madani/557743/
Guwahati:No toilet, no nikah. Maulvis and muftis in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab have decided not to solemnise marriage in a house where there is no toilet. Maulana Mahmood A Madani, Secretary General of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind said having a toilet has been made a mandatory condition for Muslim marriage in the three states and will be soon be applied in all other states in the country. “Maulvis and muftis in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana have decided that they will not solemnise the ‘nikah’ or Muslim marriage in a house where there are no toilets,” he said. Madani, who is also a former Rajya Sabha MP, stated this during the inauguration of Assam Conference on Sanitation (ASCOSAN) 2017 conducted here in Khanapara last week. “I feel that all religious leaders from all the religion throughout the country should decide that they will not conduct any rituals in houses where there are no toilets,” he said.Emphasising on cleanliness and sanitation, he asked people to use toilets and also to make not only Assam, but the country as a whole clean. PTI
Jat stir: Amid push for Digital India, internet services suspended in Haryana districts
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/jat-stir-amid-push-for-digital-india-internet-services-suspended-in-haryana-districts/story-qJd3T25cra1KiShqKN5HeO.html
Rohtak: Even as the BJP govt has been pushing for digital India after its move of demonetisation, it could not find any alternative to shutting down internet services in Haryana districts for maintenance of law and order during the ongoing Jat agitation.After Sonepat, district administration of Rohtak on late Saturday night shut all mobile internet services.They include 2G, 3G, 4G, GPRS, pocket WiFi etc. Some broadband network subscribers too complained that their services had been working slow. Internet services in Jhajjar district were suspended earlier around the Jat dharna spot. However, they were restored soon. Officials had earlier maintained that internet services will not be affected this time. Last year, during 2 rounds of Jat agitations in February and June, internet was suspended for over 2 weeks. This time, however, the trouble could be even more after a lot of residents and businesses have turned digital. Though it has been over 100 days since Modi led govt scrapped old Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes, maximum ATMs in Rohtak and adjoining districts have remained shut till now.“More than 50% of our payments are done via mobile wallets. Such move will not only affect our business but also shake our trust in going digital,” said Pankaj Chawla, who runs a bakery shop in Rohtak.HT
Nagaland chief minister TR Zeliang resigns amidst political turmoil:TOI
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kohima/nagaland-chief-minister-tr-zeliang-resigns/articleshow/57236128.cms
Guwahati: Embattled Nagaland chief minister TR Zeliang on Sunday announced his resignation from the top post, days after party legislators withdrew their support to break the deadlock between agitating tribal groups and the government."I have decided to step down from office and to select a new consensus leader to succeed me, I hereby call for an emergency meeting of the NPF legislature party meeting at 10 AM tomorrow," Zeliang said in a public statement.Nagaland has been in a state of turmoil ever since the Nagaland Tribal Action Committee began their agitation demanding the resignation of Zeliang over his decision to conduct civic bodies' elections with 33 per cent reservation for women.
Maharashtra gets HC notice in terror case
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/aurangabad/state-gets-hc-notice-in-terror-case/articleshow/57227436.cms
Aurangabad: Aurangabad bench of Bombay high court has issued a notice to the state govt, following an application by an Islamic State accused stating that he was never produced in an appropriate court. Naser bin Abu Bakr Yafai (34), who was arrested by Maharashtra ATS from Parbhani district last year, cited "Generalia Specialibus Non Derogant",a Latin term meaning special laws will prevail over general laws.Yafai, through his lawyer TW Pathan, submitted that a judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) has no jurisdiction to carry out remand proceedings, which was done in his case."The offence committed under the UAPA, 1967 is a scheduled offence under NIA Act, 2008. JMFC neither has jurisdiction nor is a duly constituted court formed by central govt or the state govt under NIA Act. Hence, JMFC taking cognizance and acceptance of the chargesheet in a scheduled offence is in violation of the special law, which supersedes all the general laws of the land," the application states.Taking cognizance of his application, a division bench comprising justices SS Shinde and KK Sonawne on Thursday issued the notice to state govt, returnable on Feb.24.The accused contested that the FIR was registered at Nanded unit rather than at ATS police station in Mumbai. He further contested that the express provisions of NIA Act have been violated by obtaining his remands from the magistrate's court, which lacks the jurisdiction in scheduled offence and said that the proceedings in his case have been carried out by an assistant public prosecutor (PP) rather than a special PP. timesofindia
Students with PoK degrees left in the lurch
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-miscellaneous/tp-others/students-with-pok-degrees-left-in-the-lurch/article17328121.ece
Over 30 students from J&K have been left at a crossroads after the Medical Council of India (MCI) refused to recognise the MBBS degrees acquired from medical colleges located in PoK. Speaking to The Hindu from Muzaffarabad, Capital of PoK, an MBBS student said, “I enrolled at the Azad Jammu Kashmir Medical College in 2012. After completing my degree, I applied to the MCI for degree validation and entry examination. I was disallowed to write the examination.”The student, a resident of Srinagar, was informed by MCI officials that only MBBS degrees from Pakistan, but not PoK, were recognised.“I am a meritorious student. I secured an MBBS seat in Pakistan against my Class X (94%) and Class XII (92%) marks. Those who landed us in this situation should be held accountable,” the student added. There are 3 medical colleges in PoK —Azad Jammu and Kashmir Medical College in Muzaffarabad; Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Medical College in Mirpur; and Poonch Medical College in Rawalakot. All were set up after 2011.For years now, about 20 students are sent to medical colleges in Pakistan annually on the recommendation of separatist leaders and relatives of divided families in the Kashmir Valley. The children of slain militant commanders are also offered seats in Pakistani medical colleges.PoK-based medical colleges, which are affiliated to both the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and the Pakistan Medical & Dental Council, have reserved 6% seats for students on this side of the LoC. Over 50 students from J&K are pursuing medicine in PoK currently.The Hindu
22 militants killed in two months in J&K, highest since 2010
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/22-militants-killed-in-two-months-in-jammu-and-kashmir-highest-since-2010/story-GADR1lnblmxyv61N2Y9tNM.html
The army has lost 26 soldiers in J&K in first 2 months of 2017, while the security forces have stepped up the heat against militants and killed 22 extremists in 50 days -- the highest since 2010. While 20 armymen, including an officer, lost their lives in avalanches in the Valley, six soldiers were killed during counter-insurgency operations across the state that led to the killing of 22 militants as well, security officials said in Srinagar.PTI
There is anger among youth in Kashmir, engage with them…It is not rocket science: Lt Gen DS Hooda
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/there-is-anger-among-youth-in-kashmir-engage-with-them-it-is-not-rocket-science-lt-gen-d-s-hooda-4532062/
New Delhi: Lieutenant General D S Hooda (retd) in an interview on Kashmir issue with the Indian Express journalists, said, " As far as the issue of the majority of the population not wanting to be with India is concerned, I am not sure that is true, unless you are only referring to the Kashmir Valley and some elements there. It definitely doesn’t hold true for Jammu, Ladakh, Poonch, Rajouri districts etc. Yes, there is anger and a certain amount of angst among the youth. See, the answers are not difficult and it is not rocket science to understand what needs to be done. There is need for engagement, particularly with the youth. I think 70 per cent of the population there is below 30 years of age. They don’t have opportunities. They are also reluctant to come out of the state. There is enough scope for generating employment. There is scope for talking to these guys, understanding what they need. We need to talk to the traders, taxi owners, people in the tourism industry, students, we need to talk to everyone.I think there is a little lack of confidence in terms of what can be done. If you ask me, there are many opportunities within J&K. There is a huge tourism industry, there is horticulture, local handicrafts, but how do we utilise it? Ultimately, everyone wants a peaceful life. I don’t think anyone wants this turmoil.” Indian express
Centre needn’t consult judiciary on introducing Hindi, languages in courts: Panel
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/centre-needn-t-consult-judiciary-on-introducing-hindi-languages-in-courts-panel/story-8Had5m4EpuDrExu10vm6zN.html
New Delhi: Centre need not consult the judiciary on introducing Hindi and regional languages in higher courts, a parliamentary panel has said despite the Supreme Court’s objection to the move that could trigger a controversy.Parliamentary Committee on Personnel, Law and Justice, in its report tabled in both the Houses earlier this month, said Article 348 of the Constitution is clear on the matter.“The consultation process with judiciary is not required as the Constitutional provisions are amply clear on the use of Scheduled Languages in the High Courts and accordingly, the use of Scheduled Languages should be decided as per mandate of Article 348,” the panel said.The recommendation goes against a 51-year-old convention adopted by the Centre through a cabinet decision that says the Chief Justice of India must be consulted on the matter.Proceedings are held in all 24 high courts across the country and the Supreme Court in English. Hindustantimes
Shahabuddin brought to Delhi, lodged in Tihar jail
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/shahabuddin-brought-to-delhi-lodged-in-jail-2-of-tihar-prison-4532930/
New Delhi:Controversial RJD leader Shahabuddin, brought to Delhi by train early this morning, has been lodged in jail number 2 of Tihar prisons amid foolproof security. On a Supreme Court order, a Bihar Police team brought Shahabuddin from Siwan Jail by Sampoorna Kranti Express which reached Delhi around 8AM.The team with Shahabuddin reached Tihar Jail around 8.30AM where he was medically examined then shifted him to jail number 2, whose other notable inmates include gangster Chhota Rajan. “Shahabuddin reached Tihar Jail around 8.30AM and he was medically examined by doctors at the prison hospital before being lodged in the jail number 2 for convicts,” DG of Tihar Jail Sudhir Yadav said.PTI
Ex-CJI Altamas Kabir passes away in Kolkata
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/altamas-kabir-chief-justice-of-india-dies-kolkata-court-of-calcutta/1/886344.html
New Delhi:Hailed as one of the brilliant judges of the Supreme Court, former Chief Justice of India, Justice (Retired) Altamas Kabir passed away today after prolonged illness. He was 68. Justice Kabir was unwell for quite some time. He breathed his last today in Kolkata, where he spent many years as lawyer. Justice Kabir practised in the District Court of Calcutta and later in the Calcutta High Court.In March 2005, Justice Altamas Kabir was apponted as the Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court before being elevated as a judge in Supreme Court in Sept.the same year.Justice Altamas Kabir appointed as the Chief Justice of India on Sept.29 in 2012. He held the office till July 18, 2013.IndiaToday
Women want closure of wine shop, say it's threat to their safety
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/women-want-closure-of-wine-shop-say-its-threat-to-their-safety
New Delhi: While the central and state governments are campaigning to make Delhi safer for women, some 80 women have been holding sit-in here for seven days protesting against a state entity that they say have longed posed threat to their safety, but none from the two governments in National Capital have come out to hear them.In the Sector 3 of Dwarka area in West Delhi, several incidents from eve-teasing to molestation to domestic violence have been reported in the recent past. For all this, the protestors hold the entity - a government-run wine shop - responsible and so they demand its closure. They also say that the shop violates the neighbourhood norms of the government itself - shop is located within 60-70 meters of a govt school.indiatomorrow
WORLD
Erdogan eyes strong alliance with Trump:AFP
http://indianexpress.com/article/world/turkish-president-recep-tayyip-erdogan-eyes-strong-alliance-with-donald-trump-4532656/
Ankara:Turning a blind eye to multiple policy differences, Turkey is seeking a tighter alliance with Washington under President Donald Trump but the road to a rapprochement may not be easy. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s relationship with the White House worsened drastically in the final months of the Barack Obama administration, mired in rows on issues from Syria to the extradition of the preacher Fethullah Gulen, Turkish leader’s arch-foe. But Turkish officials repeated none of the gloom that some European Union (EU) leaders expressed after Trump’s election, instead hoping that he would open a new page in relations. Trump’s administration has a “good opportunity to make bold moves” in his foreign policy after previous administration’s “disregardful” attitude, Ayse Sozen Usluer, head of international relations at the Turkish presidency, told AFP. She added the new administration would assess anew its relationship with Turkey regarding trade, military, the fight against terror among other issues and “take new steps to improve relations”. So could a potential bromance now be brewing between two men who have made macho politics a trademark?
Turkey proposed US Spl Forces in northern Syria
http://www.worldbulletin.net/headlines/185048/turkey-proposed-us-special-forces-in-northern-syria
Turkey proposed that the U.S. should send its own Special Forces to northern Syria to back moderate opposition forces fighting against ISIL, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Sunday.In his address to the Munich Security Conference, Cavusoglu called on the U.S. and other allies to end their support for the terrorist PKK's Syrian offshoot, PYD, and instead support the moderate opposition forces in a stronger way."Two days ago [U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff] Gen. [Joseph] Dunford was in Ankara to discuss all these technical issues. Yes, we proposed to the U.S. to put their Special Forces on the ground to support the local moderate forces,” he said.World Bulletin
Saudi, Israel present de facto united front against Iran: reuters
http://in.reuters.com/article/mideast-crisis-iran-idINKBN15Y0LA
Munich:Saudi Arabia and Israel both called on Sunday for a new push against Iran, signalling a growing alignment in their interests, while US lawmakers promised to seek new sanctions on the Shi'ite Muslim power. Turkey also joined the de facto united front against Tehran as Saudi and Israeli ministers rejected an appeal from Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif for Sunni Gulf Arab states to work with Tehran to reduce violence across the region.While Saudi Arabia remains historically at odds with Israel, their ministers demanded at the Munich Security Conference that Tehran be punished for propping up the Syrian government, developing ballistic missiles and funding separatists in Yemen.Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir called Tehran the main sponsor of global terrorism and a destabilising force in the Middle East. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also criticised what he called an Iranian "sectarian policy" aimed at undermining Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. "Turkey is very much against any kind of division, religious or sectarian," he said. "It's good that we are now normalising our relations with Israel."Zarif opened Sunday's session with the call for dialogue to address "anxieties" in the region. This followed a visit by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to Oman and Kuwait last week to try to improve ties, his first visit to the Gulf states since taking power in 2013.
Syria: Regime shelling kills 17 in eastern Damascus
http://www.worldbulletin.net/todays-news/185039/syria-regime-shelling-kills-17-in-eastern-damascus
At least 17 people were killed and scores injured in regime shelling in eastern Damascus late Saturday, according to local sources.Regime forces shelled Qaboun neighborhood in eastern Damascus for the second day,killing 4 people, sources said.As mourners paid tribute to the 4 dead people, regime forces shelled the area again, killing 13 other people, sources added anonymously due to security reasons.World Bulletin
350,000 children trapped in west Mosul
http://www.worldbulletin.net/headlines/185040/350000-children-trapped-in-west-mosul
Around 350,000 children are trapped in western Mosul, Save Children warned on Sunday as Iraqi forces launched a fresh offensive on extremists defending the strategic city."Iraqi forces and their allies, including US and UK, must do everything in their power to protect children and their families from harm, and avoid civilian buildings like schools and hospitals as they push deeper into the city," said the London-based charity's Iraq country director, Maurizio Crivallero.World Bulletin
US-led coalition praises 'militias' fighting in Iraq
http://www.worldbulletin.net/todays-news/185033/us-led-coalition-praises-militias-fighting-in-iraq
US-led coalition assisting Iraqi forces in their war on the ISIL group on Sunday praised the militias involved in the fighting, despite some of those groups' links to Iran.But the commander of the coalition battling IS in Iraq and Syria, Lieutenant General Stephen Townsend, had rare words of praise for them in a statement coinciding with the launch on Sunday of an offensive on the west bank of Mosul.World Bulletin
More than 160,000 march in Barcelona to demand Spain takes in more refugees
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/barcelona-march-refugees-protest-spain-more-160000-people-thousands-catalan-a7587996.html
At least 160,000 protesters have marched in Barcelona to demand that Spain's conservative-led government increase its efforts to take in refugees from war-torn countries like Syria.Spain has accepted just 1,100 refugees of the over 17,000 it has pledged to take in. Marchers held a large banner and signs in Catalan with slogans 'Enough Excuses! Take Them In Now!' and 'No More Deaths, Open The Borders!' as they made their way through the city centre to its Mediterranean coast. Barcelona police said 160,000 people took part in the march, while organisers said it reached 300,000 participants. independent
Egypt’s ‘Blind Sheikh’ dies in prison in the US
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170218-egypts-blind-sheikh-dies-in-prison-in-the-us/
The spiritual leader of the Egyptian Islamist militant group Al-Gama’a Al-Islamiyya Omar Abdel-Rahman has died in his US prison after serving more than 20 years for seditious conspiracy to commit murder.Abdel-Rahman, also known as the “Blind Sheikh”, was serving a life sentence in the United States for his role in masterminding the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, Saudi-owned Al Arabiya reported.Reuters news agency reported Abdel-Rahman’s son confirming the death, while his daughter Asmaa Abdel-Rahman also confirmed the news on Twitter saying in an Arabic language tweet that “Allah has taken the soul of Sheikh Omar”. 78-year-old spiritual leader of Al-Gama’a al-Islamiyya, or the Islamic Group, was revered within militant circles in Egypt during the 1980s and 1990s. He was charged on suspicion of involvement in the 1981 assassination of Egyptian leader Anwar Sadat, which he was acquitted of involvement later. middleeastmonitor
Kuala Lumpur rally calls for stricter Islamic law
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/02/politicians-push-stricter-islamic-law-malaysia-170218143651583.html
Kuala Lumpur - A massive rally in the heart of Kuala Lumpur in support of proposals to allow Islamic courts to impose more severe punishments has raised fears of growing division in Malaysia's multicultural society.The amendments to Act 355, expected to be discussed in parliament when it sits next month, will allow the Islamic courts, which rule on religious matters and family law for Muslims, to impose a jail sentence of as long as 30 years, as many as 100 strokes of the cane and a fine of more than $22,000.Currently, the maximum punishments are a three-year jail term, 6 strokes of the cane and a fine of more than $1,100.Saturday's rally was mostly attended by supporters of Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), which is pushing the amendments, saying the changes will enhance the status of the Islamic courts and deter wrongdoing. aljazeera
Death of Muslim scientists puts spotlight on Israel’s Mossad
http://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/death-of-muslim-scientists-puts-spotlight-on-israel-s-mossad/753224
Istanbul: The assassination late last year of a Tunisian aviation engineer with alleged links to Palestinian group Hamas has put the spotlight on Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency suspected of killing Israel’s enemies. Mohamed al-Zawari was shot dead in December outside his home in Tunisia’s southeastern city of Sfax. Hamas swiftly blamed Israel for the murder, saying the slain engineer had overseen the group’s drone program.Al-Zawari was the latest in a number of Muslim scientists and activists the self-proclaimed Jewish state is widely believed to have killed in the past.AA
US and Israel join forces to bury Palestinian statehood: Daoud Kuttab
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2017/02/israel-join-forces-bury-palestinian-statehood-170217122644006.html
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 8:21 PM)
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