Evening NEWS DIGEST
03 Dec.2017: 13 Rabial Awwal 1439:Vol:9, No:63
INDIA
UP Civic Polls:Confusion cleared! It’s not BJP who won maximum seats; but independent candidates
http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/up-civic-polls-2017-results-confusion-cleared-its-not-bjp-who-won-the-maximum-seats-data-proof-here/958366/
BJP has been celebrating its success after UP Civic Polls 2017 Results but it is NOT saffron party who bagged the maximum number of seats in the electoral battle. BJP is happy because of the party’s victory in 14 of the 16 mayoral seats but in fact, as far as data shows, it is the Independent candidates who have won the maximum number of seats in the UP Civic Polls 2017. Independent candidates have left the saffron party far behind in nagar panchayats and nagar palika parishads.Out of the total 5,433 seats of nagar panchayats members, Independents have bagged 3,875 seats i.e. 71.31% of total seats. On the other hand, BJP won only 664 seats i.e 12.22% of the total seats. Samajwadi Party won 453 seats i.e. 8.34% of the total seats. Moreover, BSP won 218 seats i.e. 4.01% while Congress bagged 126 seats. There are total 438 seats of chairpersons in nagar panchayats. Independent candidates have won 182 seats i..e 41.55% while BJP has won 100 i.e. 22.83.Independents have fared much better than other parties in nagar palika parishads. Out of 5,260 wards in 198 nagar palika parishads, Independents have won 3,380 i.e. 64.25 % while BJP bagged 922 wards i.e 17.53 % .Out of total chairpersons of 198 nagar palika parishads, BJP has won 70 and SP 45, Independent candidates bagged 43 seats.Out of 1,299 seats of municipal corporators, BJP emerged victorious in 596 but independents clinched 224 seats. Noteworthy, Independents here too won more than SP, BSP and Congress. Congress has alleged tampering of EVMs in the UP civic polls, leading to the victory of the ruling BJP in 14 of the 16 mayoral seats. While the mayoral poll was held through EVMs, ballot papers were used for elections to Nagar Palika Parishads and Nagar Panchayats. BJP swept the UP civic polls bagging 14 mayoral seats, while Mayawati-led BSP won the mayoral posts in Aligarh and Meerut towns in western UP. financialexpress
Of 12644 UP Civic Posts non-BJP Candidates Win 10,278 And Yet Media Insists Rout is Victory: SANDEEP PANDEY
http://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/2/12423/Of-12644-UP-Civic-Posts-non-BJP-Candidates-Win-10278-And-Yet-Media-Insists-Rout-is-Victory
Civic body results show that BJP will fail to get majority in UP if assembly elections are held today: Amaresh Misra
http://www.jantakareporter.com/india/civic-body-results-show-bjp-will-fail-get-majority-uttar-pradesh-assembly-elections-held-today/162665/
Behind the Publicity Smog: Significant Losses for BJP in UP Since Assembly Polls: VAGRAJ BADARAYAN
http://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/2/12419/Behind-the-Publicity-Smog-Significant-Losses-for-BJP-in-UP-Since-Assembly-Polls
Reality check: BJP’s ‘landslide win’ in UP civic polls is yet another lesson for the Opposition:Dhirendra K Jha
https://scroll.in/article/860063/reality-check-the-bjps-landslide-win-in-up-civic-polls-and-a-lesson-for-the-opposition
11 Muslims win municipal polls in temple town of Ayodhya
http://caravandaily.com/portal/11-muslims-win-ayodhya-municipal-corporation-election/
Lucknow:Known as the temple town, Ayodhya has played a key role in the rise and rise of BJP in the last three decades. However, despite being the heart of its communal rhetoric, the saffron party could not paint the whole city saffron. The results of the Ayodhya Municipal Corporation elections are the latest proof. 11 Muslim candidates, mostly on Samajwadi Party tickets, have emerged victorious and they will enter the newly-constituted Ayodhya Municipal Corporation.Interestingly, among the Muslim winners is a close relative of one of the oldest litigants of Babri Masjid case. Asad Ahmed, nephew of Haji Mahboob, has won from the Ward 18 that is known as Pramhans Ram Mangal Das ward. Haji Mahboob lives just 200 meters from place where Babri Masjid once stood.However, lone Muslim candidate fielded by saffron party was defeated by an Independent Muslim candidate.Despite massive campaigning by BJP leaders including CM Yogi Adityanath, who had even kicked off the statewide urban civic body election campaign from here, the party won only half of the total seats of Ayodhya Municipal Corporation.BJP won 30 out of 60 seats in the newly constituted corporation – Ayodhya was upgraded to Municipal Corporation by the Yogi Govt in May this year.The rest 30 seats were won by 18, BSP 2, Congress 1 and Independents 9.Caravan News
UP Civic polls: Opposition alleges tampering of EVMs
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/up-civic-polls-opposition-alleges-tampering-of-evms/story-hKT2BlQUU6saCgqLp0jfcM.html
Lucknow: A day after the BJP feted itself for winning 14 of the 16 mayoral seats in the state, allegations of bungling in voter lists and manipulation of EVMs arose from the opposition parties. BSP supremo Mayawati said “with full confidence” that saffron party would lose the general elections in 2019 if ballot papers are used, instead of EVMs.She was speaking to reporters after paying tribute to Buddhist monk Bhadant Pragyanand, who died on Nov.30. “If the BJP claims that they enjoy the mandate of the people, and the entire country is with them, then they should set aside the EVMs and hold the elections through ballot paper. And, I can say with full confidence that if the 2019 Lok Sabha polls are held by ballot paper, (BJP) will not come to power,” she declared.Elsewhere, Akhilesh Yadav, president of Samajwadi Party, took to Twitter to point to a discrepancy in the BJP’s voteshare. “BJP has only won 15% seats in Ballot paper areas and 46% in EVM areas,” he tweeted.At many places like Meerut, Kanpur and Lucknow, there have been reports of candidates who voted for themselves ending up with zero votes, raising questions about the process.“EVMs have been tampered with to ensure victory of BJP candidates. This is clear from results of seats where ballot papers were used. BJP’s performance on EVMs and ballot papers is different,” claimed senior Congress leader Pradeep Mathur.Even AAP, a first time entrant into the UP civic polls, has raised doubts on BJP’s results.Vaibhav Maheshwari, the party’s state spokesman said BJP should definitely be worried as the urban body polls have not been “exactly in their favour”, as the party was claiming. hindustantimes
Where ballot papers were used, BJP votes down:Akhilesh
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/where-ballot-papers-were-used-bjp-votes-down-says-akhilesh-yadav-4965455/
UP civic polls EVM tampering allegations: CEC AK Joti says body has no role to play in local elections
http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/up-civic-polls-2017-evm-tampering-allegations-cec-ak-joti-says-body-has-no-role-to-play-in-local-elections/958922/
New Delhi: CEC on Sunday sought to downplay the allegations of a number of opposition parties alleging that BJP had won 14 of the 16 mayoral seats because of EVM tampering in the UP civic polls. Speaking to reporters CEC AK Joti said that the local bodies elections are under the jurisdiction of state election commissions and the country’s premiere election body has no role in it. “Local body election is under the jurisdiction of state election commissions & CEC plays no role in that. We lend them M1 EVMs if they ask for it. We never lend M2 EVMs, currently used by CEC. M1 EVMs have not been used by CEC since 2006”, he said.Joti added that if any candidate thinks EVMs have been tampered with, the person can complain to the returning officer.“If a candidate thinks EVM malfunctioned, he can complain about it to the Returning Officer. RO can refer to the slip by VVPAT Machines”. financialexpress
SC took care of all concerns: Minister on Muslim leaders' objection to draft triple talaq law
http://www.uniindia.com/cms/gall_content/2017/12/2017_12$largeimg02_Dec_2017_204008560.jpg
New Delhi:Minister of State for Law and Justice PP Chaudhary today dismissed some Muslim leaders’ objection to Govt’s proposed move to bring in a legislation in the winter session of Parliament to effect the Supreme Court order on triple talaq.The community leaders said the Govt should have drafted the law in consultation with the community as had been the practice in the past.‘’The govt would bring any law only in the light of the Supreme Court order which has taken into account all concerns,’’ Chaudhary told UNI over phone from Gujarat where he is campaigning for Assembly elections when asked about Muslim leaders' reaction to the reports about the Govt having readied a draft law on instant triple talaq.UNI
Draft law to end triple talaq ready; Muslim leaders say not consulted
http://www.uniindia.com/cms/gall_content/2017/12/2017_12$largeimg02_Dec_2017_172017040.jpg
New Delhi: Govt move to bring in a legislation in the winter session of Parliament providing for three years of jail term for those giving instant triple talaq has evoked objections from some Muslim leaders. Dr Syed Zafar Mehmud, who was also OSD to Sachar Committee set up to report on the social, economic and educational backwardness of Muslims, said it would have been better if the Govt had consulted a cross section of community leaders in the drafting of the law.UNI
Penalizing for Triple Talaq, a direct interference in Shariah: Jamaat
http://theindianawaaz.com/penalizing-for-triple-talaq-a-direct-interference-in-shariah-jamaat/
New Delhi:Jamaat-e-Islami Hind has termed the reported Govt move to enact law to penalize those giving Triple Talaq as ‘direct interference in Shariah’ and infringement of fundamental rights of Muslims. JIH President Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umari and Vice President of AIMPLB said: “Most of the Islamic scholars accept pronouncement of triple talaq in one sitting as leading to a final and irrevocable divorce. However if a person pronounces triple talaq in one sitting but says that he intended only a single divorce, then it will be treated likewise”. On reports that Govt is planning to come up with a law that penalizes those who give triple talaq, He said that it will be a direct interference in Shariah Law and an infringement of our fundamental rights guaranteed by Constitution’’. theindianawaaz
Owaisi opposes triple talaq bill, calls for Muslim unity to protect ‘shariat’
https://www.siasat.com/news/owaisi-opposes-triple-talaq-bill-calls-muslim-unity-protect-shariat-1271129/
Hyderabad:Strongly opposing the proposed legislation on triple talaq, MIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday called for unity among Indian Muslims to protect the ‘shariat’.Stating that the Supreme Court verdict on the issue is confusing and nobody can say if uttering talaq thrice in one sitting annuls marriage or it is considered only one talaq, he wondered how the Govt can bring a bill in the Parliament.MP asked the Modi Govt if it would provide financial aid to women if their husbands were sent to jail for three years.Addressing a public meeting at MIM HQRS Darussalam on the occasion of Milad-un-Nabbi, he warned that the legislation could lead to a new problem of husbands abandoning their wives. He criticised Modi for speaking about the rights of Muslim women but ignoring “Hindu sisters”. Claiming that “20 lakh Hindu women are abandoned by their husbands”, Owaisi asked Modi if he would come to their rescue as well.He said the Sangh Pariwar shows sympathy for Muslim women but was not allowing a film to be released.“When you can’t allow a film (‘Padmavati’) to be released, how can you interfere in my shariat,” Owaisi asked.“If Muslims can unite to strengthen country and to save shariat, we can definitely do something,” he added.MP said the community should also learn lessons from Patels, Gujjars, Jats and Marathas who came together to fight for their rights and for reservation.“You have to see the symbols of our forefathers,” he remarked while also referring to the other dinner hosted at Golconda Fort for delegates of Global Entrepreneurship Summit this week. In the civic polls in UP, we won 32 seats but Congress got only 19 seats and could not win a single seat in Amethi,” he added.IANS
Bharatiya Mahila Andolan welcomes draft law on triple talaq; demands ban on polygamy, mut’ah
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/bmma-welcomes-draft-law-on-triple-talaq-demands-ban-on-halala-polygamy-4965055/
New Delhi: An NGO spearheading the movement against triple talaq on Saturday welcomed the draft law prepared by the Centre to curb the practice, but demanded that it should also prescribe arbitration before divorce as well as ban ‘halala’ and polygamy. According to the draft law, giving instant triple talaq will be illegal and void and will attract a jail term of three years for the husband.The bill also proposes social security and other safeguards for victims, besides giving options to the wife to seek custody of minor children and demand maintenance for herself and dependent children.“While we welcome the provisions (of the draft law), glimpses of this bill as appearing in press, leave a lot to be desired. While the bill pronounces triple talaq as an offense, it has not given an alternative method for divorce,”Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA), one of the petitioners before the Supreme Court on the issue of triple talaq, said in a statement.Along with triple talaq, other discriminatory practices like halala, mut’ah marriage and polygamy must also be addressed in the bill, it demanded. Halala refers to a practice where a woman has to consummate her marriage with another man before she can return to her former husband.Mut’ah marriage is regarded as a temporary marriage which is only for a specified duration. “Mut’ah marriage, which has an inbuilt divorce provision, must also be struck down as there cannot be any automatic divorce.“If polygamy is not struck down, we may see a spike in polygamy as men will resort to polygamous marriages without resorting to divorce, or giving a staggered divorce over 3 months and then remarrying,” the NGO argued. indianexpress
Instant triple talaq non-bailable offence, 3 yrs jail, fine for guilty: Draft law
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/instant-triple-talaq-non-bailable-offence-3-years-jail-fine-for-guilty-says-draft-law-4964063/
Draft on triple talaq not fair to Muslim women:clerics in UP
https://www.nyoooz.com/news/bareilly/975769/draft-on-triple-talaq-not-fair-to-muslim-women-says-clerics-in-up/
Bareilly: With the Centre all set to table the draft law on triple talaq in upcoming session of Parliament beginning Dec. 15, prominent Muslim clerics in UP on Saturday demanded that the BJP-led Govt should discuss the niceties of the proposed legislation with them before turning it into a law. Central Govt has sent the draft to states for a feedback before tabling it in the winter session of Parliament.Prominent Barelvi clerics here on Saturday said that the draft was not fair to Muslim women. Mufti Mohammed Salim Noori, spokesperson of Dargah Aala Hazrat , told TOI, "According to the draft law, if a man gives instant talaq, he will be sent to jail. The law says that this form of divorce is illegal, As Reported By TOI. According to the Newspaper,But, it is against Shariat and also not practical. Due to the fear of legal action, the couple will be forced to live together in a house even after triple talaq. It is not fair. TOI
No out-of-court settlement of Babri Masjid dispute, says Jamaat-e-Islami Hind
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/dec/03/no-out-of-court-settlement-of-babri-masjid-dispute-says-jamaat-e-islami-hind-1717045.html
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) on Saturday rejected any possibility of an out-of-court settlement of the Babri Masjid dispute. At its monthly press meet in Delhi,JIH chief Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umari said that the community is committed to resolve the issue, but an out-of-court settlement is not acceptable to Muslims. Though JIH did not name any outfit or individual, it took a dig at people who have been advocating an out-of-court settlement for the dispute.JIH’s secretary general Muhammad Salim Engineer said, “There have been attempts by people and organisations to intervene in the Babri Masjid dispute by becoming self-appointed mediators. All India Muslim Personal Law Board and JIH await the court judgment and are committed to abide by it.” newindianexpress
Babri Masjid case: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind rules out possibility of out-of-court settlement: caravandaily
http://caravandaily.com/portal/babri-masjid-case-jamaat-e-islami-rules-possibility-court-settlement/
Should hear demolition case first, then title suit: Ayodhya probe judge Liberhan
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/should-hear-demolition-case-first-then-title-suit-says-ayodhya-probe-judge-liberhan-4964068/
New Delhi: Justice Manmohan Singh Liberhan, whose commission of inquiry held that the demolition of the Babri Masjid on Dec.6, 1992 was “meticulously planned”, has said that the Supreme Court should have heard the Ayodhya title suit case only after the demolition case has been cleared.His remarks come days before the Supreme Court starts final hearings in the title suit case from Dec 5.Speaking to the Indian Express, Liberhan, who submitted his report in June 2009 indicting Atal Bihari Vajpayee along with L K Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, said:“the SC’s decision to hear the appeal in the matter of the Ayodhya title suit (the decision of the Allahabad High Court in 2010) on a day-to-day basis from December 5 will adversely affect the demolition suit. What is the point of doing this? If it is decided that it is Wakf property, then one side is established as guilty of demolition. And if the Hindu sides get it, then the act of demolition becomes seen as ‘justified’ — to reclaim own property. This demolition is known to people alive and must be decided first. They can take a few weeks or months to do it.”The “demolition suit” he is referring to relates to the criminal conspiracy case currently being heard in Lucknow against Advani, Joshi,Uma Bharti and others. Critiquing the decision of Allahabad High Court which ended up partitioning the land into three instead of deciding on the suit, he said: “Allahabad HC decision is not the answer. A decision had to be made on the title suit of the property and they went and partitioned the land.”Liberhan says that the current political dispensation, ruling parties as well Opposition, are both indifferent to the circumstances under which the Masjid was torn down and its larger implications;“None of the political parties today want to do something or even genuinely feel like they should do something on the demolition of Babri Masjid. They just want to encash it in their own ways. In the present political environment, even the philosophical idea of imagining the so-called secular society is not there, it is just limited to sloganism.”He said: “Muslims’ faith in the judicial system must be restored. The problem is there are not many civil society organisations who are actively engaged on this subject.” Liberhan is also critical of the way the judiciary ruled on the instant triple talaq case: “What business is it of the Supreme Court to decide on personal laws, habits and rituals people practice? I am also opposed to judges deciding who is a Sikh, how Parsis should conduct themselves or their rituals etc.” “Courts have started intervening in matters they cannot control which are not in their domain,” said Liberhan.Indian Express
Activists to SC: Refrain from ruling in favour of any one community in Babri Masjid case
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/activists-to-sc-refrain-from-ruling-in-favour-of-any-one-community-4964099/
New Delhi:A group of social activists and intellectuals, including Shyam Benegal, Aparna Sen, Teesta Setalvad, Aruna Roy, Medha Patkar, Kumar Ketkar and Anand Patwardhan have approached Supreme Court, seeking to implead themselves in the Babri Masjid demolition case.They urged the court to treat the case not merely as one of land dispute and refrain from adjudicating in favour of either Hindus or Muslims, saying an order favouring either community may lead to violence. The application said, “It is the apprehension of the Applicants that if the Hon’ble Court adjudicates the present Civil Appeal/s in favour of either (of) contesting communities, it is bound to forge extreme opinion amongst the communities on both sides which may result in aggravated incidents of violence as had been perpetuated earlier by the involvement of various political parties posing a serious threat to the secular fabric of the country.”The applicants submitted that “the only situation lies today in each of us Indians rising above narrow confines of class, caste, community and gender and dedicate the spot that has come to signify conflict to a constructive non-religious purpose”.Referring to 2010 verdict of Allahabad HC, which ordered division of the disputed land among Ram Lalla, Nirmohi Akhara and Sunni Wakf Board, it said “The judgment gives an impression that it is more of a political solution adopted by a court, not a decision-based, as it should have been, strictly on facts and law.” The application said successive Govt s abandoned obligations to uphold the rule of law and made it the judiciary’s responsibility.“The implications of the HC’s attempt at placating all parties is unsettling for other reasons as well. It can be interpreted to mean that it is perfectly all right to demolish an old structure and to lay claim on the basis of some real or imaginary right, and to do so even by taking the law into your own hand,” it said. The SC will hear appeals against the HC verdict from Dec 5. indianexpress
Refrain From Deciding Babri Masjid/Ram Janmabhoomi Case In Favor Of Any Particular Community: Activists File Intervention Application In SC
http://www.livelaw.in/refrain-from-deciding-babri-masjid-ram-janmabhoomi-case-in-favor-of-any-particular-community-activists-file-intervention-application-in-sc/
Will celebrate forthcoming Diwali in Ram temple: Swamy
http://www.indiatvnews.com/politics/national-ayodhya-dispute-will-celebrate-forthcoming-diwali-in-ram-temple-says-subramanian-swamy-415052
Ahead of Dec.5 hearing of Babri Masjid case in the Supreme Court, firebrand BJP leader Subramanian Swamy has reiterated that the construction of Ram Mandir at the disputed site in Ayodhya will begin soon and that devotees will start visiting the temple to offer prayers to Lord Ram by next Diwali. While delivering a lecture on 'Ramrajya' here on Saturday, the senior BJP leader noted that the Allahabad High Court has “already went deep in the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case, so there is nothing remaining with the Sunni Waqf Board for rebuttal”. "We will celebrate the forthcoming Diwali in Ram temple," he said just days ahead of the 25th anniversary of the demolition of the medieval-era structure. indiatvnews
RSS chief’s comment is a way of influencing the Supreme Court on Ayodhya dispute: Justice AM Ahmadi
https://scroll.in/article/859843/rss-chiefs-comment-is-a-way-of-influencing-the-supreme-court-on-ayodhya-dispute-justice-am-ahmadi
Obama says India needs to 'cherish, nurture and cultivate' its Muslim population
http://www.firstpost.com/india/barack-obama-says-india-needs-to-cherish-nurture-and-cultivate-its-muslim-population-4239389.html
New Delhi: India needs to "cherish and nurture" its Muslim population, which is integrated and considers itself Indian, ex-US president Barack Obama said on Friday. It is an idea that needs to be reinforced, he emphasised at the HT Leadership Summit in New Delhi. Obama touched on a host of topics, including his relationship with Narendra Modi and Manmohan Singh, terrorism, Pakistan, hunt for Osama bin Laden and his love for Indian dal and keema, during his address and the question-answer session that followed.Obama, the first African American president of the US, said he had emphasised the need for religious tolerance and the right to practice one's own faith during closed door talks with PM Narendra Modi during his last trip to India in 2015. Obama had made similar comments during a public interaction on the last day of his 2015 visit, which had come against backdrop of controversy over religious conversions. Responding to questions during the interactive session, Obama said his comments then were general in nature and he had repeated it in the US as well as in Europe. "There's a counter narrative taking place, at all times, but it's particularly pronounced now...You are seeing it in Europe, you are seeing it in the US and sometimes you see it in India where those old tribal impulses reassert themselves under leaders who try to push back those impulses and under leaders who try to exploit them," Obama said. Obama said it is necessary to make sure that voices which talk about working together are encouraged. Replying to an India-specific question, Obama spoke of India's "enormous Muslim population", which is successful, integrated and thinks of itself as Indian. That is unfortunately not always the case in some other countries, Obama added. Referring to India, he said, "And that is something that needs to be cherished and nurtured, cultivated. It's important to continue reinforcing it."Asked about Modi's response when he emphasised the need for religious tolerance and the right to practice one's own faith, Obama said he would not like to share the details.To a separate question, he said Modi's "impluse" was to recognise the importance of Indian unity."I think he firmly believes the need for that in order to advance to the great nation status," Obama said.Referring to Osama bin Laden's presence in Pakistan, he said the US had no evidence that Islamabad was aware of the presence of Osama in its territory. Questioned on his equation with Modi, who often referred to him as "my friend Obama", the former US president noted that he also shared great rapport with Manmohan Singh."I like him (Modi) and I think he has the vision for the country. But I was also great friends with Dr (Manmohan) Singh."He lauded the steps taken by Singh to modernise the economy that launched the "foundation of modern Indian economy".PTI
Obama: ‘India should cherish, nurture its large Muslim population that thinks of itself as Indian’
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/barack-obama-india-narendra-modi-ht-leadership-summit-4963009/
Told PM Modi Privately That Country Shouldn't Be Divided On Religious Lines: Obama
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/told-pm-modi-privately-that-country-shouldnt-be-divided-on-religious-lines-barack-obama-1782394
Obama praises Manmohan, says he told Modi country shouldn’t be divided on religious lines
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/told-modi-privately-that-country-shouldnt-be-divided-on-religious-lines-obama
Centre withdraws rules to regulate fish, aquarium markets but clarifies makes no changes in cattle trade for ban order
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/centre-withdraws-ban-on-sale-of-cattle-for-slaughter/story-mMUv0hAtl49DKZpW3AZFDN.html
The environment ministry has withdrawn rules made earlier this year relating to the regulation of fish market and aquarium in a bid to ensure aquatic creatures are kept in hygienic conditions. An environment ministry official, however, clarified on Sunday that Govt had made no change to its May 26 order banning the sale of cattle for slaughter. “We will take some time to withdraw the rules,” the official who wished to remain unnamed told HT. Under the rules that now stand withdrawn, aquarium owners and their establishments were required to register themselves and follow certain standards to keep fish healthy. The Govt has withdrawn the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Aquarium and Fish Tank Animal Shop) Rules, 2017, notification issued on Nov.30 said. Following representations, Govt made amendments to withdraw the May order.HT
First phase of Chabahar port opens, to boost trade between India and Iran
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/iran-president-hassan-rouhani-inaugurates-new-extension-to-the-chabahar-port/story-l41xXrMCqszv4oMpM6CDUM.html
Tehran:The first phase of the Chabahar port was inaugurated on Sunday by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, opening up a new strategic transit route between Iran, India and Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan.The port in Sistan-Balochistan province on the energy-rich nation’s southern coast lies outside the Persian Gulf and is easily accessed from India’s western coast and is considered as a “gateway to golden opportunities” for trade with central Asian countries.The first phase of the Chabahar port project is known as the Shahid Beheshti port and it was inaugurated by Rouhani in the presence of representatives of several countries of the region.According to the ministry of external affairs, minister of state for shipping Pon Radhakrishnan represented India at the inauguration.“The routes of the region should be connected on land, sea and air,” Rouhani said at the inauguration ceremony, according to his office.The port is likely to ramp up trade between India, Afghanistan and Iran in the wake of Pakistan denying transit access to New Delhi for trade with the two countries. India has been closely working with Afghanistan to create alternative, reliable access routes, bypassing Pakistan.PTI
Sushma's surprise stopover at Tehran ahead of inauguration of Chabahar port
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/sushmas-surprise-stopover-at-tehran-ahead-of-inauguration-of-chabahar-port/articleshow/61899092.cms
New Delhi: In a surprise visit, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday stopped over in Tehran for a short lunch meeting with her counterpart Javad Zarif. The meeting comes a day before Iran President Hassan Rouhani is expected to inaugurate the first phase of the Chabahar port.Swaraj was returning from the Russian city of Sochi where she attended the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. "Reinforcing our traditionally close and civilisational linkages, EAM @SushmaSwaraj had a luncheon meeting with the Foreign Minister of Iran Dr Javad Zarif in #Tehran. Both sides discussed issues of mutual interest," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted. timesofindia
Doklam is in our area, says China
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/doklam-is-in-our-area-says-china/article21236107.ece?homepage=true
Beijing: Chinese military has hinted at maintaining sizeable presence of its troops near the area of Doklam standoff during winter, asserting that the region is in Chinese territory.India and China resolved 73-day tense standoff on Aug.28 at Doklam after People’s Liberation Army stopped building a strategic road close to India’s narrow Chicken Neck area connecting north-eastern States.Bhutan also claims the Doklam area to be its part.India objected to the road building by PLA, saying that it endangered the security of the narrow corridor. According to official accounts, both China and India in the past used to withdraw troops from the advanced regions of that area during the winter which is harsh.PTI
Scholars, civil society groups discuss property rights of half-widows in Kashmir
http://twocircles.net/2017dec02/418726.html
Srinagar: A consultative meeting of Islamic scholars representing different schools of thought and civil society members on Thursday, was organised by a Valley-based civil society group–Ehsaas–over the property rights of half-widows.During the day-long deliberations between religious scholars, educationists, and civil society members, property rights of half-widows were discussed and a signature campaign endorsing the memorandum on property rights to be submitted to J&K govt was also started.“I have been working in a factory, a bookshop, and a school to educate my child. There is a need to help half-widows who have been left to raise three to four children on their own,”Safiya Azad, a half-widow said during the meeting. Another half-widow Shamima said she had been left to fend for her two children after her husband was subjected to enforced disappearance in 2000. She said she had rejected the ex-gratia relief offered to her and instead sought the whereabouts of her husband that to this day she did not know.Presiding over session, Chairperson of Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APD), Parveena Ahanger said the property issue of the half-widows was more important than their marriages.“Even if some of these women take the ex-gratia relief, they only get Rs 12,500 of the Rs 1 lakh while the children get Rs 70,000 and the parents of the disappeared persons the rest,” Ahanger said. She added that there had been cases of in-laws harassing half-widows.Muslim Khawateen Markaz (MKM) chairperson Anjum Zamruda Habib said there was a need to share the pain of half-widows.TCN
HC refuses to restrain Republic TV and Arnab Goswami on Sunanda Pushkar coverage
http://www.jantakareporter.com/india/high-court-refuses-restrain-arnab-goswami/162679/
Delhi High Court has refused to restrain Republic TV’s Arnab Goswami and his channel from broadcasting programmes and debates on the death of Congress MP Shashi Tharoor’s wife Sunanda Pushkar. Justice Manmohan, who delivered a 61-page judgement, however, said that the coverage on Sunanda Pushkar’s death has to be “tempered and balanced”.The judgement also said that Congress MP from Kerala had a “right to silence” under the Constitution and “no person can be compelled to give testimony or answer questions which may incriminate him”.It said that Republic TV must give Tharoor a written notice, by electronic mode, before running any story on Pushkar’s death.The order said, “If the plaintiff (Tharoor) refuses or does not reply within a reasonable time, he will not be compelled to speak and the story will be aired with the disclosure that he has refused to speak to the defendants (TV channel and Goswami).” jantakareporter
Telangana waqf board fails to produce title deeds in court
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/waqf-board-fails-to-produce-title-deeds-in-court/article21250883.ece
Following the High Court directive to Telangana State Waqf Board to digitise records within six weeks, the Muslim endowments body is grappling with the issue of locating documents of institutions.While senior board officials maintained that gazette notifications are available, the problem is that they are not able to locate link papers, which are considered as title documents. These include the waqfnama (deed of waqf) and muntakhab (book of endowment).Sources said that the unavailability of these documents has not augured well for the Telangana State Waqf Board. There are at least two judgements related to land parcels, which the board claims are endowed to waqf institutions, that have not come in the board’s favour in the past year.Speaking on the issue, Telangana State Waqf Board member Syed Akbar Nizamuddin Hussaini said, “There are at least two cases the board has lost in past one year.These include a land parcel of approximately 4.5 acres endowed to Masjid-e-Karodgiri in Karwan and another of similar size endowed to the Qutb Shahi Masjid in Attapur. While documentation is available for other properties, it is very important to dig out waqfnamahs and muntakhabs of several other properties as they are title documents.” Thehindu
McDonald’s forced to apologise after video of security guard asking a Muslim woman to remove hijab goes viral
http://indianexpress.com/article/trending/trending-globally/watch-mcdonalds-uk-forced-to-apologise-after-video-of-security-guard-asking-a-muslim-woman-to-take-off-hijab-goes-viral-4964966/
New Delhi:In a shocking incident, a 19-year-old student was asked to remove her hijab or leave at a McDonald’s outlet in London. The bizarre demand made by a security guard at the outlet riled the girl so much that she has vowed not to enter the fast-food chain ever again. Incident took place at McDonald’s restaurant on Seven Sister’s Road in Holloway, London and she and her friends were appalled by the discrimination.After the security guard kept pestering her to take off her headscarf, she decided to film the incident. To the query of the Muslim woman why she can’t stand in line at the eatery, the man wearing a security ID card, can be heard on the video saying, “It’s just a matter of taking it [hijab] off.” As he gestures his hand over his head to ask so, woman retaliates, “It’s not just a matter of taking it off. I wear this for religious reasons and I’m not ashamed of it, and I will stand in line and I will get the food I want because this isn’t OK.”As one of the fellow bystanders decided to support the girl and stop the guard, he is seen telling him to mind his own business. When she is irked further and tries to get to the bottom of things and ask on whose orders such a “hate crime” is being implemented, another staff at outlet asks her to stop filming which she denies.indianexpress
Speakers express concern over attempts to distort history for political gains
http://www.risingkashmir.com/news/speakers-express-concern-over-attempts-to-distort-history-for-political-gains
Chennai: In the backdrop of raging political controversy over the fiction film Padmawati, distinguished academics, historians and intellectuals on Saturday expressed concern over the attempt by the present dispensation to institutionalize the distortions of the Indian history for political gains. Speaking at the 2-day national seminar on “Towards Equality, Justice and Fraternity in Contemporary India – Creating a Better Tomorrow through History” here, they warned of dangerous consequences of playing with the history.Dr K Saleem Ali, IPS (Retd) who is also a historian of repute and ex-DGP of Tripura, dealt upon the historiography in the country saying that India is under threat from the historians who only focused on five subjects Timor, Mughal emperors Babur and Aurangzeb, Pig and Cow and DNA of the Gandhi family to create fissures in the society. He said maintain neutrality is very tall order for any historian. The seminar was organized IOS with the collaboration with the New College, Chennai. In his presidential remarks IOS chairman Dr Manzoor Alam said history is being manufactured to vilify the Muslim rule in the country. On the occasion, former judge of Madras High Court, Justice GM Akbar Ali said it is unfortunate that India failed to achieve the desired socio-economic equality in the last 67 years. In his key note address, Prof Kapil Kumar underlined that Muslim contribution was ignored in the history books. risingkashmir
No fingers or iris for Aadhaar, Bengaluru woman Sajida loses pension
http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2017/dec/02/no-fingers-or-iris-for-aadhaar-bengaluru-woman-loses-pension-1716448.html
Bengaluru: Sajida Begum, 65, has been living at the Leprosy Hospital on Magadi Road for the past 10 years. Her family left her at the hospital years ago and does not come to visit. This leprosy patient’s only sustenance is Rs 1,000 pension that she gets every month. Three months ago, this was stopped for the lack of an Aadhaar card.Sajida has lost her fingers and also her sight to the debilitating disease. In August this year, she got a letter from the deputy tahsildar’s office in Rajajinagar that her pension would stop in seven days if she failed to link it with her Aadhaar card. Sajida has no card. Fingerprint and iris scan are mandatory for Aadhaar verification, but Sajida doesn’t have those biometrics.Dr Ayub Ali Zai, administrative medical officer, Leprosy Hospital, said, “She buys clothes and meets her meagre needs with that money. But since August she hasn’t received pension. She is totally blind in both the eyes, has no fingers or toes. I don’t know how her biometric identification can be done.” Zai wrote a letter to UIDAI officials requesting them to exempt her from biometric verification considering her problem. “We don’t know if this is just an administrative delay in sending pension or if they have stopped it,” he added.Sajida sobs inconsolably when asked about her family. “I don’t know where my daughter and son-in-law are. Nobody comes to see me. Please give me my money,” she cried. newindianexpress
Jodhpur tense after two groups clash
http://www.hindustantimes.com/jaipur/jodhpur-tense-after-two-groups-clash/story-7bVK7xxEiSu7aCrHtcvA9I.html
Communal tension prevailed in Soorsagar area of Jodhpur after a clash between two groups, police said on Saturday.The police have arrested 11 people for the Friday night clash, said Sameerkumar Singh, the deputy commissioner of police (West). Additional police force has been deployed in the area to maintain peace, he added.According to a senior police official, trouble began after a young man was beaten up by some miscreants.The man later returned with others to take revenge, but by the time they reached, the miscreants had fled the scene. The angry group then set a shop on fire, which resulted in stone pelting from both sides. The clashing groups also set on fire two cars and six motorcycles parked on the road.When police arrived, they too came under the attack of stone pelters.After two hours of ruckus, the police, along with a team of the Rajasthan Armed Constabulary, managed to bring the situation under control, the official said.HT
Bhopal gas tragedy: 33 yrs on survivors still await adequate payout
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/33-yrs-on-gas-tragedy-survivors-still-await-adequate-payout-4965742/
Bhopal: 33 years after the Bhopal gas tragedy, survivors are still fighting for adequate compensation and proper medical treatment for ailments caused by the toxic leak.Families of the deceased and people who bore the brunt of the industrial disaster are now signing a petition, to be sent to the Supreme Court, requesting it to start hearing a curative petition of the Govt filed in December 2010 for more compensation.US company which then owned the chemical plant here, from where the poisonous gas leaked in 1984, has not yet adequately compensated the victims, a Madhya Pradesh minister said.The victims of the “world’s worst disaster” had not been paid adequately by US-based Union Carbide Corporation now owned by Dow Chemicals, MP’s Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Vishwas Sarang told PTI.PTI
Muslims recall Prophet’s message of love and peace
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/muslims-recall-prophets-message-of-love-and-peace/articleshow/61897702.cms
Mumbai: Processions and playing of devotional songs marked Eid-e-Milad, the celebrations of Prophet Muhammad's birthday on Saturday. Flags and banners decorated mosques, mausoleums and many Muslim homes as the community recalled the Prophet's message of love and peace.All India Khilafat Committee took out its procession from the iconic Khilafat House in Byculla. But before priests and many politicians jumped on an open jeep to lead a cavalcade of delightfully decorated trucks, some of them sermonized to a sizeable gathering at the venue. "Think of the sacrifice the social system has made at the altar of politics. This day should also remind us why the oppressed must get united," said Dalit leader and Dr B R Ambedkar's grandson Prakash Ambdekar, the ceremony's chief guest.TOI
Blood donation, feeding poor on Milad-un-Nabi in Telangana:TOI
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/blood-donation-feeding-poor-on-milad-un-nabi/articleshow/61889252.cms
Hyderabad: With several Islamic scholars calling on the Muslims to contribute to society on Milad-un-Nabi, the birthday of Prophet Mohammad, many people have come forward to organise social service programmes in Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana.Milad-un-Nabi was celebrated on Saturday. Poor-feeding and blood donation programmes are being held all over the city. A few prisoners, who have obtained bail but could not be released for want of money as surety, will be paid the necessary amount for their release. Large-scale tree plantation will also be taken up in the city and elsewhere in Telangana. Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH), Telangana and Odisha unit, is holding a fortnight long "Seerat campaign" highlighting the life and preachings of Prophet Mohammad. It is organising the campaign in Telangana from Dec. 3 to 17, said JIH Telangana president Hamid Mohammad Khan. He said JIH would distribute literature, leaflets, and booklets in Telugu and English on the life of the Prophet.TOI
Mangaluru woman, muslim man made to split over ‘love jihad’: thequint
https://www.thequint.com/news/india/hindu-group-forces-hindu-woman-to-break-up-with-muslim-man-in-mangaluru
Following sustained pressure from a right-wing group, a 20-year-old Hindu woman was forced to break off her relationship with a Muslim man in Mangaluru recently.Members of Durga Vahini, women’s wing of VHP, “counselled” woman, Priya*, alleging that her boyfriend Naveed* was a drug peddler.The inter-faith relationship came to light after photographs of Priya and Naveed were circulated on social media over the past few days, reported Daijiworld. Members of Durga Vahini came across the photographs and sought to meet the woman in order to convince her against pursuing her relationship.After managing to track Priya and her parents, the group reportedly arranged counselling sessions for her and allegedly told her that Naveed had run-ins with the police. They also alleged that he had recently been caught by the crime branch of city police for trafficking ganja. Durga Vahini members also claimed that Priya had become addicted to the drug.A video released appears to show that the woman had yielded to the pressure from the members of the organisation. Some reports say that the man was previously arrested for drug peddling, though police were not ready to confirm or deny same.An unverified audio doing the rounds in Mangaluru, a woman can be heard asking what is wrong if she’s in a relationship with a Muslim man, as her previous relationships with Hindu men had failed.
WORLD
Trump recognition of Jerusalem as Israeli capital would fuel violence:Arab League
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171203-trump-recognition-of-jerusalem-as-israeli-capital-would-fuel-violence-arab-league/
Any move by the US to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital would fuel extremism and violence, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said on Saturday.He spoke a day after a senior US administration official said US President Donald Trump was likely to make the announcement next week.The Palestinians want Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, and the international community does not recognise Israel’s claim on all of the city, home to sites holy to the Jewish, Muslim and Christian religions. middleeastmonitor
Hamas Threatens 'Intifada' Over US Moves on Jerusalem
http://www.news18.com/news/world/hamas-threatens-intifada-over-us-moves-on-jerusalem-1593143.html
Gaza City: Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas which controls Gaza called Saturday for a new "intifada" if Washington recognises Jerusalem as the capital of Israel or moves its embassy to the disputed city.Reports in Washington have suggested US President Donald Trump may on Monday fulfil a campaign pledge on the American embassy, which like all other foreign missions is currently located in the coastal city of Tel Aviv."We warn against such a move and call on the Palestinian people to revive the intifada if these unjust decisions on Jerusalem are adopted," Hamas said in a statement.Any decision to move its embassy there would be "a flagrant attack on the city by the American administration" and give Israel "a cover for continuing its crime of Judaising the city and emptying it of Palestinians," it said. Status of Jerusalem is a key issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.Both Israelis and Palestinians claim the city as their capital and previous peace plans have stumbled over debates on whether, and how, to divide sovereignty or oversee holy sites.The last Palestinian intifada, or uprising, which claimed the lives of some 3,000 Palestinians and 1,000 Israelis, was sparked by right-wing opposition leader Ariel Sharon's visit to the city's flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound in 2000. AFP
Trump likely to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital next week: Reports
http://indianexpress.com/article/world/donald-trump-jerusalem-israel-capital-4964186/
Palestinians warn Trump against Jerusalem embassy move
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/12/palestinians-warn-trump-jerusalem-decision-171201221202489.html
Palestinian president's office and senior officials have warned of the potentially destructive effects of any move denying their claim to occupied East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state.The warnings come as US President Donald Trump is due to decide as early as the next week whether to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.Saeb Erekat, secretary-general of PLO Executive Committee, says he has spoken to Arab leaders, who have relayed the same message "that Jerusalem is a red line, not just for Palestinians but for Arabs, Muslims and Christians everywhere".Erekat said:"Everyone has informed US administration that Jerusalem isn't just a Palestinian question, it's an Arab, Islamic and Christian question."US administration understands the enormity of the subject.In a statement to the official Palestinian Wafa news agency, Nabil Abu Rudeina, spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, said US recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and the transfer of the US embassy to Jerusalem would be equally dangerous for the fate of the peace process, and threaten to push the region into instability. aljazeera
Egypt confiscates property of 14 people linked to Brotherhood
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171202-egypt-confiscates-property-of-14-people-linked-to-brotherhood/
Egyptian authorities decided on Friday to confiscate property belonging to 14 individuals due to their links with the Muslim Brotherhood, Almesryoon.com has reported. The property in question is said to be owned by close relatives of members and officials of the movement, which has been banned in Egypt since the 2013 military coup brought Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi to power. The committee assigned by the authorities to carry out this measure said that it includes the confiscation of all moveable and immoveable property, whether it is directly or indirectly owned by the Muslim Brotherhood officials.It added that the owners of these properties are banned from operating their bank accounts, deposits, bonds, banknotes and anything related to financial services under the sovereignty of Central Bank.It is worth mentioning that Egyptian authorities have decreed that confiscated property of any Muslim Brotherhood official or member will not be released to his heirs unless they are definitely not part of the movement. middleeastmonitor
Cairo University dismisses six ‘opposition’ lecturers
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171202-cairo-university-dismisses-6-pro-democracy-teachers/
Cairo University has dismissed six lecturers who are opponents of the current regime in Egypt,for absenteeism and membership of the Muslim Brotherhood. Amr Hamzawy, assistant professor at the Faculty of Economics and Political Science, was among those dismissed. The university justified his dismissal by his absence from work without permission. Quoting anonymous sources, Al Watan said that Hamzawy exceeded the official absence period, having been away from work since 1 July, 2016 after an attachment period at American University in Cairo. The lecturer then travelled to the US without the permission or approval of Cairo University, where he remains, apparently for his own safety. The sources added that Hamzawy had asked Cairo University to approve his attachment at a US institute. However, the request was rejected in November last year, when he was told of the need to return to work in Cairo, something about which he was warned three times.Hamzawy is known for his liberal views and usually writes articles against the ruling regime in Egypt. Since he left for America, he has not returned to his home country, even though he has not been named in any of the cases where political detainees are put on trial. middleeastmonitor
Egypt’s Ex-premier Shafiq arrested in UAE, being deported to Egypt
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171202-egypts-ex-premier-shafiq-arrested-in-uae-being-deported-to-egypt/
Former Egyptian PM Ahmed Shafiq, who last week announced his intention to run for the presidency in 2018, has been arrested at his home in the UAE and is being deported to Egypt, a source close to his family told Reuters on Saturday. Shafiq’s daughter could not immediately be reached for comment. A spokesman for Egypt’s foreign ministry did not immediately answer a call seeking details. Middleeastmonitor
Saleh forces deny Houthi claims over control of Sanaa
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/12/saleh-forces-deny-houthi-claims-control-sanaa-171203063622865.html
Forces loyal to Yemen's former President Ali Abdullah Saleh have denied claims by Houthi rebels who say they have gained control of most of the country's capital, Sanaa, according to an official in Saleh's Republican Guard.Iranian-backed Houthi fighters say they had regained control of three military bases, the diplomatic district and other neighbourhoods around the area. They also said they had taken over the city of Dhamar, south of Sanaa, as well as its surrounding regions.Sanaa has been shaken by escalating violence between Saleh's supporters and Houthi rebels. At least 40 people have reportedly been killed since Wednesday amid ongoing fighting between the two sides, with residents now fearing a new front in an already devastating war.Though clashes subsided on Saturday night, residents in Sanaa told local media outlets that fighting resumed on Sunday. aljazeera
Yemen’s Saleh says ready for ‘new page’ with Saudi-led coalition
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171202-yemens-saleh-says-ready-for-new-page-with-saudi-led-coalition/
Ex-Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh said he was ready for a “new page” in relations with the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen if it stopped attacks on his country. The call came as his supporters battled Houthi fighters for a fourth day in the capital Sanaa while both sides traded blame for a widening rift between allies that could affect the course of civil war. Together they have fought the Saudi-led coalition which intervened in Yemen in 2015 aiming to restore the internationally recognised Govt of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi after the Houthis forced him into exile.
Rohingya women sold as sex slaves in Bangladesh
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/12/rohingya-women-sold-sex-slaves-bangladesh-171203075517252.html
Rohingya girls and women in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar are being sold as sex slaves, according to a victim and aid agencies. 15-year-old Khartoun* told Al Jazeera she was sold into sex slavery after she arrived in Bangladesh by boat to escape a brutal military crackdown. She was alone - her mother, father and sister had been killed by a mortar shell fired by the Myanmar military during a sweeping crackdown against Rohingya people. Upon Khartoun's arrival in Sept,2 women approached her on the beach and told her they would help her."They told me if I went with them they would look after me and help me find a husband," Khartoun said.Instead, she was locked up for three weeks and sold to a Bangladeshi man, who she said, raped her and sexually abused her for 12 days."He said 'I will choke you, I will stab you. I will kill you … Do you want to be killed the way the military kill people in Myanmar? I won't let you go,'" Khartoun said.Olivia Headon of the International Organisation for Migration said urgent action was required to keep women and girls safe in Bangladesh's refugee camps.A local aid agency that led Al Jazeera to Khartoun said its staff working with trafficking victims have received death threats from criminal gangs.The organisation, which did not want to be named for fear of reprisal, said some girls as young as 13 have been abducted by the traffickers. aljazeera
Qatar-GCC crisis: 'Loyalties can shift overnight'
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/11/qatar-gcc-crisis-loyalties-shift-overnight-171119112005567.html
6 months into the Qatar-GCC crisis, which has opened an unprecedented rift among the Gulf countries, the opposing sides appear no closer to a resolution.Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, along with Egypt, continue to enforce a blockade against neighbouring Qatar, which has refused to comply with a controversial list of demands.The blockading countries accuse Doha of supporting "terrorism", allegations that Qatar vehemently denies. The dispute has put this month's Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit in jeopardy, with Bahrain even calling for a freeze of Qatar's membership. Aljazeera
Thousands rally in Hanover against anti-Islam AfD party
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/12/thousands-rally-hanover-anti-islam-afd-party-171202162331260.html
Thousands of people have rallied in the German city of Hanover against the far-right Alternative for (AfD) party, which elected its new leadership in the city.The demonstrators on Saturday shouted slogans and carried placards reading "Hanover against Nazis" and "Stand up to racism".Some of the protesters staged sit-ins to block access to the venue holding the congress of the anti-Islam, anti-migrant party, delaying its start by nearly an hour."We are ashamed that AfD was voted [in Germany's last election], and we don't want them to be in our town and our congress hall," female protester said. AlJazeera
Assad regime airstrikes kill 8 civilians in East Ghouta
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171203-assad-regime-airstrikes-kill-8-civilians-in-east-ghouta/
At least 8 civilians were killed Saturday when forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad in Syria attacked residential areas in Eastern Ghouta, a Damascus suburb, Anadolu Agency correspondents reported from Damascus.The regime airstrikes targeted Haresta, Madyara, Arbin and Misraba areas, the correspondents said, adding six civilians were killed in Arbin, while two women were killed in Haresta.
Syria's Jaafari quits Geneva talks over Assad's future
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/12/syrias-jaafari-quits-geneva-talks-assads-future-171203061728864.html
The head of the Syrian government delegation, Bashar al-Jaafari says there can be no progress in talks to end the fighting, if the opposition keeps demanding President Bashar al-Assad step down.Its delegation has returned to Damascus and says it hasn't decided whether to go back to Geneva when talks resume on Tuesday.The talks were originally based around a UN-backed goal of a transitional government body, but the Syrian government, backed by their Russian allies, and UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura have backed away from the plan. aljazeera
FLASH: VIEWS & NEWS
Imposition of Exemplary Costs on Petitioner Reignites Controversy Over Supreme Court’s Role: THE WIRE
https://thewire.in/201445/imposition-exemplary-costs-reignites-controversy-supreme-courts-role/
Gujarat Model, AWOL:It is missing from the BJP’s campaign for the state. What might replace it?Seema Chishti
http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/gujarat-model-awol-elections-narendra-modi-bjp-4963869/
BOOK EXCERPT:‘People’s judge’: Gauri Lankesh on the unmatched judgments of Justice Ajit Prakash Shah
https://scroll.in/article/859865/the-peoples-judge-gauri-lankesh-on-the-unmatched-judgments-of-justice-ajit-prakash-shah
If UP Civic Poll Results Reflect Nation’s Mood, It’s Good News For the Opposition: MK VENU
https://thewire.in/201507/uttar-pradesh-civic-polls-amit-shah/
Gujarat polls: Triple talaq ruling apart, Muslim women don't seem to buy BJP's saviour narrative: Sharanya Gopinathan
http://www.firstpost.com/india/gujarat-elections-triple-talaq-ruling-apart-muslim-women-dont-seem-to-buy-the-bjps-saviour-narrative-4238317.html
Ex-Judges Of Higher Judiciary PB Sawant, BG Kolse-Patil Demand An Independent Inquiry Into Death Of Judge Loya
http://www.caravanmagazine.in/vantage/video-former-judges-higher-judiciary-pb-sawant-kolse-patil-demand-independent-enquiry-death-judge-loya
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 7:50 PM)
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