Posts
Evening NEWS DIGEST
25 Jan.2017: 26 Rabius Sani 1438: Vol:8, No:98
INDIA
Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince, Modi's Republic Day friend, is worth $75 billion
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/56777101.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
New Delhi: Not for nothing Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, will be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade tomorrow. Sheikh Zayed has committed $75 billion to develop infrastructure in India—an under-developed sector in dire need of investment.India needs over $1.5 trillion in investment in the next 10 years to bridge infrastructure gap as the govt intends to connect seven hundred thousand villages with roads by 2019 as part of a massive modernisation plan, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had said last year in Beijing. Infrastructure in India—railways, roads, ports, airports, etc.—is already inadequate and has now been burdened by fast growth. Since banks alone cannot fund the infrastructure gap, the govt had devised innovative alternatives such as public-private partnerships. Foreign investment is also a major source of funding. In March 2016, the govt cleared a MoU between India and the UAE to explore opportunities for mobilisation of up to $75 billion long-term investment in the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund. Govt has yet to set up the mechanism to activate the investment. economic times
UAE one of most valued partners,a close friend: PM Modi
http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/uae-one-of-the-most-valued-partners-and-a-close-friend-says-pm-modi-117012500467_1.html
India, UAE sign 14 pacts on enhancing ties; an MoU to check human trafficking:UNI
http://www.uniindia.com/india-uae-sign-14-pacts-on-enhancing-ties-an-mou-to-check-human-trafficking/india/news/760430.html#ZgiKATmkAMQVxX7E.99
India signs pact with UAE to build strategic oil reserves
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-signs-pact-with-uae-to-build-strategic-oil-reserves/articleshow/56779668.cms
Crown Prince, Talks in New Delhi: India to raise OIC on Kashmir with UAE
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/crown-prince-sheikh-mohammed-india-to-raise-oic-on-kashmir-with-uae-4490166/
New Delhi: AS PM Narendra Modi received visiting Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the airport on Tuesday — for the second time in less than a year, signalling warmth in ties — New Delhi is looking to raise the issue of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)’s repeated statements on Kashmir with the visiting leader.Sources in the govt told The Indian Express that UAE is an influential voice in OIC, and India wants to impress upon the country’s top leadership that its statements on Kashmir are “counter-productive” and boosts morale of terror groups and pro-militant elements in the Valley.“We want to impress upon them during the visit that the same elements which were responsible for killing 5 of their (UAE’s) diplomats in Kandahar on earlier this month (January 10) are (also) responsible for the violence and terrorist activities in Kashmir,” a top govt source said. “Through our conversations, we will tell them that such OIC declarations only strengthen the hands of those forces, which disrupt peace in the country.“We understand some of these diplomats were friends and relatives of some of the members of the delegation…we hope they will be receptive to our concerns.” India had last year raised the issue of OIC’s stand on Kashmir when Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, whose country is also a key OIC member, visited India. But there has not been any visible change in Egypt’s stance at the OIC so far, officials said.indian express
Abu Dhabi crown prince as the R-Day guest suggests India’s renewed West Asia focus
http://www.hindustantimes.com/editorials/the-abu-dhabi-crown-prince-as-the-r-day-guest-suggests-india-s-renewed-west-asia-focus/story-sG8awXF4jMCw9VQPDes8tK.html
Conversation with Donald Trump was warm, invited him to India:PM Modi
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/conversation-with-donald-trump-was-warm-invited-him-to-india-pm-narendra-modi-tweets-after-leaders-talk-over-phone/articleshow/56771317.cms
New Delhi:After US President Donald Trump told PM Narendra Modi India is "a true friend" and invited him to visit the US, Modi tweeted today to say their conversation+ was "warm" and that he also urged the US President to visit India."Had a warm conversation with President Donald Trump late last evening. President Trump and I agreed to work closely in the coming days to further strengthen our bilateral ties. Have also invited President Trump to visit India," PM tweeted. Trump's call to Modi came four days after he was sworn in as the US's 45th President+ . It was also only his fifth call since then to a world leader - ahead of calls to Russia, China or Japan - underscoring the importance of India in US foreign policy.Late last night, the White House said the two leaders discussed several issues including trade, defence and terrorism."They also discussed security in the region of South and Central Asia. President Trump and PM Modi resolved that the US and India stand shoulder to shoulder in the global fight against terrorism," the White House said in a readout of the call.Trump also emphasised that the US considers India "a true friend and partner in addressing challenges around the world," the White House readout added.TOI
UP ATS busts international call racket spying on Army units, 11 arrested:TOI
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/uttar-pradesh-ats-busts-international-call-racket-spying-on-army-units-11-arrested/articleshow/56781030.cms
Lucknow: ATS of UP police on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday arrested 11 people from different parts of UP and NCR for abetting war against the country.The group used to help callers based in Pakistan, Nepal, UAE and Bangladesh eavesdrop on military operations in J&K using 'interconnect bypass fraud.' That means they allegedly helped these groups conceal their identities by sending call made through the internet to a SIM box capable of redirecting VoIP traffic to mobile networks.The kingpin of the group has been identified as Gulshan Sen a resident of Delhi's Mehrauli. Gulshan, who is in mid 30s, teaches at FIITJEE. The group also allegedly caused financial losses to the govt through illegal activities in telecom sector.UP ATS acted on an input provided by the J&K Military Intelligence unit two months back, and was asked to probe two dozen internet call logs."Military officials posted in vital locations in J&K were receiving calls from landline and mobile numbers. Identifying themselves as senior Army officers, the unidentified callers asked for specific information. UnsuspectingArmy personnel shared the required information," said inspector general ATS Asim Arun.The 3 locations were raided on Tuesday night in sector J Aliganj, Lucknow, Hardoi and Sitapur. 10 persons including Rahul Rastogi, Shivendra Mishra, Harshit Gupta, Vishal Kakkad, Rahul Singh, Vinit Dikshit, Rishi Hora, Shyam Babu, Uttam Shukla and Vikas Verma were arrested from the 3 districts. Gulshan was also arrested and was being brought to Lucknow for a further probe.
JNU Chief Proctor probing Najeeb case resigns
http://www.dnaindia.com/delhi/report-jnu-chief-proctor-probing-najeeb-case-resigns-2295927
JNU Chief Proctor AP Dimri, who was heading inquiries into several incidents of indiscipline in the campus, including the case of missing student Najeeb Ahmed, resigned, reportedly over “differences” with the varsity administration.Dimri is the second Chief Proctor to have resigned since the new V-C, Jagadesh Kumar, took over in January last year. He had taken over as Chief Proctor in March 2016, after his predecessor Krishna Kumar resigned following February 9 incident, wherein anti-national slogans were allegedly raised in the campus. The incident had snowballed into a big controversy, leading to the arrest of three students, including the then Students’ Union President Kanhaiya Kumar.Meanwhile later on Tuesday, the varsity appointed Vibha Tandon, a professor at the Special Centre of Molecular Medicine in JNU, as the new Chief Proctor.Dimri was leading the proctorial committee inquiring the involvement of ABVP members in the Najeeb case. He had recently sent showcause notices to at least four ABVP members for allegedly assaulting Najeeb a day before he went missing. The first-year MSc student has been missing since Oct.15 last year, following an altercation with ABVP activists the night before.The reason behind Dimri’s sudden resignation could not be ascertained. While some varsity officials said he resigned due to “differences” with the administration, others are saying he was overburdened with work. Dimri himself refused to comment over the issue and his resignation letter did not mention any reason as well.“He was heading an inquiry into several cases, including Najeeb’s mysterious disappearance and suspension of eight varsity students for disrupting the Academic Council meeting. He had some differences with the administration,” said a senior varsity official.Meanwhile, Students’ Union members claimed that this was yet another attempt by the varsity administration to curb the voice raised against Najeeb’s assaulters. DNA
JNU chief proctor, who led probe in missing student Najeeb Ahmad’s case, resigns
http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/jnu-chief-proctor-who-led-probe-in-najeeb-ahmad-case-resigns/story-xMyTqbkTbKJKkeBtZUA7cL.html
Sources of 69% income of political parties untraceable
http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/sources-of-69-income-of-political-parties-untraceable-117012401416_1.html
New Delhi:As much as 69 % of the total income of political parties over a period of 11 years came from unknown sources, said a report released on Tuesday by an NGO working towards electoral reforms.According to the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), while the total income of 48 national and regional political parties between 2004-05 and 2014-15 stood at Rs 11,367 crore, the sources of as much as Rs 7,833 crore of it were untraceable. Trilochan Sastry, Founder Member of ADR, said: "The income from known donors was Rs 1,835 crore (16 %) and income through other known sources, such as sale of assets, membership fees, bank interest, sale of publications and party levy, was Rs 1,698 crore(15% )." "However, the remaining income of Rs 7,833 crore, which works out to 69% of the total income, does have sources to attribute," he added.The ADR said that the unknown sources are income declared in the Income Tax (IT) returns but without giving source of income for donations below Rs 20,000.According to the report, the BSP was the only party to declare zero donations above Rs 20,000 between 2004-2015, thus 100 % of party's donation came from unknown sources. Among national parties, the Congress' income through unknown sources was 83% (Rs 3,323 crore) of total income while the BJP's share of income from unknown sources found out at 65 % (Rs 2,126 crore) "Among the regional parties, 94 % (Rs 766 crore) of total income of the Samajwadi Party and 86 % (Rs 88 crore) of the total income of the Shiromani Akali Dal came from unknown sources," reads the report.IANS
J&K : ‘Youth’ arrested under PSA is only 13 years old, school record shows
http://twocircles.net/2017jan24/403447.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
Independent MLA from Langate, Engineer Rasheed, left the J&K govt in a tight spot after producing the birth certificate of a ‘juvenile’, Sahil Ahmed Malik, who is presently under the notorious Public Safety Act in Kot Bhalwal jail, Jammu.On Jan,21, the Parliamentary affairs minister of J&K Abdul Rahman Veeri had said that the age of ‘juvenile’ was ascertained by the District Magistrate, Srinagar.“As per that report, his age is 20 to 22 years,” the minister had informed the members when Er.Rasheed had raised the issue in the legislative assembly.Rasheed had refused the govt report and had asked for considering school records to seek his release. But the speaker suspended him for two days which was later revoked.“10 days ago I went to Kot Bhalwal jail, where people from my constituency had informed me about a boy lodged under PSA, who kept crying. I met him and felt that he was just a 12-15-year old child,” Er. Rasheed said.Following the case, MLA Rasheed on Monday produced the birth certificate of ‘juvenile’ in the house issued by the Govt Middle School which reads that the boy Sahil Ahmad Malik son of Ghulam Mohiuddin Malik is a resident of Pamposh Colony and is aged 13.“I asked his parents to get birth certificate from school. It clearly states that he will be 14 this March,” he said.TwoCircles
Irshad Ali acquitted of terror charges after 11 yrs, moves Delhi HC against cops
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/informer-moves-hc-against-cops-after-clean-chit/articleshow/56766836.cms
New Delhi:2 men, acquitted of terror charges 11 years after being framed by Delhi Police's Special Cell, want departmental action against the officers who framed them. One of them, Irshad Ali, has approached the Delhi high court seeking directions to the police to conduct a departmental inquiry under direct supervision of the police commissioner.Justice A K Pathak on Monday issued a notice to the police seeking an explanation why there should be no action against the officers for "falsely implicating" the duo who worked as informers. Irshad, along with another person, was slapped with "very serious charges of waging war against the state", stated the petition filed by advocate Sufiyan Siddiqui. After the matter reached the high court, CBI was asked to probe and it sought action against the erring police officials for fabricating evidence to implicate the petitioner, it added.The plea informed the high court that despite CBI filing a closure report against the accused, the trial court went ahead with the prosecution but found them to be innocent in December after examining all evidence. "It is now incumbent upon the respondent to fix the accountability of the erring police officials involved in the present FIR by conducting a departmental inquiry followed by departmental action, as may be appropriate against the erring police officials in compliance with the Supreme Court' directions," the plea added.According to the FIR, the police apprehended Ali and Qamar from the Mukarba Chowk bus stand in northwest Delhi on Feb.9, 2006.TOI
After acquittal, Irshad Ali moves HC, seeks action against officers
http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/irshad-ali-moves-delhi-high-court-seeks-action-against-officers-4490081/
The trials and tribulations of Irshad Ali: DNA
http://www.dnaindia.com/delhi/report-the-trials-and-tribulations-of-a-police-informer-2295924
Charges to be framed against Areeb Majeed on Feb.7
http://www.asianage.com/metros/mumbai/250117/charges-to-be-framed-against-areeb-majeed-on-february-7.html
Mumbai:Posecution and defence on Tuesday completed arguments on framing of charges against Kalyan youth, Areeb Majeed, arrested for joining ISIS in Syria. The court has now posted the matter for framing of charges on Feb 7.Prosecution on Tuesday withdrew section 38 (person concerned in criminal act may be guilty of different offence) of IPC but argued that all other charges pressed against him by NIA should be framed against Majeed and he should be tried for all these charges. On the other hand, Majeed’s lawyer, Mubin Solkar, claimed that no case had been made out against his client and hence, he should be discharged from the case.ASIAN AGE.
ED issues second summon to Zakir Naik
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ed-issues-second-summon-to-zakir-naik-and-first-to-naiks-brother/1/866451.html
Mumbai:Zakir Naik is giving initial bumps to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) before investigation picks up pace.The first summons sent by the ED to Naik has returned back after his residence was found locked in Mumbai. Thus the agency has issued another summon to Naik with an instruction to remain present at Mumbai office by the month-end.This time, the second summon was handed over to IRF's legal advisor Shaukat Jamati personally, who had visited Mumbai ED office on Tuesday for recording his statement.ED has issued summon to IRF manager for Jan.24 in the money laundering case against IRF and Zakir Naik. Jamati represented himself before the ED team and was questioned for at least six hours by the officials.Jamati admitted that he has received the summons in hand and will soon inform Naik who is living in Saudi Arabia now. "I will inform him about the summons, but whether he would come to India or not, that remains uncertain," Jamati said.Meanwhile, knowing that Naik may not come to India the ED has also summoned Naik's brother Mohammad Naik for the first week of Feb. Among 5 brothers and sisters, Mohammad is the eldest. He is also the founder and trustee of IRF.The ED has also sought bank statements and income tax returns of IRF and Naik's family members of last 10 years from Jamati. india today
Bhopal encounter: Probe panel’s term ends this month; govt yet to frame service conditions
http://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/bhopal-probe-panels-term-ends-this-month-govt -yet-to-frame-service-conditions/1008124
Bhopal:Tenure of single-member judicial probe commission, headed by judge AK Pandey and constituted by the state govt to investigate into the death of 8 men in an encounter with the state police, is ending on Jan.31. Though the tenure of the Commission is near completion but the general administration department (GAD) has not yet framed its service conditions.It is the GAD, which decides the service conditions whenever a judicial probe commission is setup. The service conditions include facilities, office and staff. freepressjournal
Demonetisation
Demonetisation: RBI may not relax cash withdrawal limit for 3 weeks to a month
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/demonetisation-rbi-may-not-relax-cash-withdrawal-limit-for-3-weeks-to-a-month/story-LJzVyAzNqsh0RPBwUXjYGI.html
New Delh:Your weekly cash withdrawal limit of Rs 24,000 is likely to continue for another three weeks to a month before the RBI finally decides to relax the cap.The central bank, however, could double the daily withdrawal limit at the ATMs after a detailed analysis of transaction patterns and payment modes, sources said.The RBI has increased the withdrawal limit at the ATMs thrice since the announcement of the demonetisation of bank notes of Rs 500 and 1000 denominations on Nov. 8. But the weekly limit has been maintained at Rs 24,000.HT
No final decision on taxing cash transactions above Rs 50,000: Govt
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/no-final-decision-on-taxing-cash-transactions-above-rs-50-000-govt /story-u0HrqZvXTTUB0PcOWVcKFO.html
New Delhi: Finance Ministry on Wednesday clarified that a final call on the recommendations of the panel of CMs, which includes a tax on cash transactions above Rs 50,000, is yet to be made.“The recommendations of the committee (on digital payments, headed by AP CM N. Chandrababu Naidu) will be carefully examined and appropriate decisions will be taken in due course,” the ministry said.“The committee has submitted an interim report to the govt. Govt has not yet taken any final view on the recommendations of the committee.”The panel said the govt must tax cash transactions above Rs 50,000, abolish banks’ interest on credit card transactions, give tax refund to consumers on digital payments and extend Rs 1,000 subsidy on smart phones to non income-tax payees to promote a less-cash digital economy.IANS
Impose tax on cash withdrawal above Rs 50,000, panel on digital payments suggests to PM Modi
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/56764884.cms?google_editors_picks=true&google_editors_picks=true&utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
Give Rs 1,000 subsidy to buy smartphones: CM panel to Modi govt
http://ummid.com/news/2017/January/24.01.2017/cm-panel-to-govt.html
Note ban will hit property sales by 20-30% this year: Fitch
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/note-ban-will-hit-property-sales-by-20-30-this-year-fitch/story-ien1XWt2JAYvFJlapF5LoI.html
Mumbai:Disruptions caused by demonetisation and the general caution on the part of buyers will hit property sales in India by at least 20-30 % in 2017, Fitch Ratings said in its latest report. “We expect home prices also to decline this year because demand for residential property has weakened significantly in fourth quarter of 2016, following demonetisation move.last year,” said the ratings agency.“Worst downturn in home sales is likely to occur in the first half of 2017. Demand is likely to recover moderately in the second half as festive season approaches, and because banks have cut interest rates on home loans by 50-60 basis points over the last 12 months to multi-year lows,” it said.IANS
Chinese daily calls Modi’s demonetisation move a ‘big failure’
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/chinese-daily-calls-modi-s-note-ban-a-big-failure/story-KwcWyE9wPWc4cKU3d2KzOP.html
Beijing:An influential Chinese daily on Wednesday said India’s demonetisation drive was “a big failure” and has put the country’s economy back by at least a decade.PM Narendra Modi’s Nov.8 announcement to scrap Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes was akin to “promising homeless people houses on Mars in one month’s time”, said an op-ed in Global Times.“The demonetisation ...has turned out to be a big failure,” it said. “This facade of demonetisation is like promising homeless people houses on Mars in one month’s time.“Unfortunately, the reality is that demonetisation has put the Indian economy back by at least a decade, leading to job losses,” the newspaper said.“Furthermore, it resulted in severe mental and physical trauma for older citizens who spend hours in bank queues, where some have even died.”IANS
President Pranab Mukherjee: Demonestisation brought temporary slowdon, but will improve transparency
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/president-pranab-mukherjee-address-to-the-nation-live-republic-day/
New Delhi:In his address to the nation before India’s 68th republic Day, President Pranab Mukherjee spoke on range of issues including demonetisation, women safety and govt policies. Mukherjee said that demonetisation has resulted in the temporary slowdown of the economy but “as more and more transactions become cashless, it will improve the transparency of the economy. indianexpress
Demonetisation has pushed the country into recession: Economist Prof Arun Kumar
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/demonetisation-has-pushed-the-country-into-recession-economist?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=emailemail&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Indiatomorrownet+%28IndiaTomorrow.net%29
New Delhi:"Demonetisation has affected investment in the country. It has increased unemployment and production has come down. These three are called recessionary conditions," said eminent economist Prof Arun Kumar while speaking. He said the stated objectives - check on black money, fake currency and terror financing -- behind demonetisation have not been achieved."Our wealth is a set of portfolios in which cash occupies only 1% space. Even in black wealth, there is just 1% cash. There is black economy of Rs 93 lakh crore and if it generated wealth in the last 30-40 years three times -- that is Rs 300 lakh crore and only Rs 3 lakh crore of it was cash.This demonetisation was to attack this small amount that is just 1% of the black wealth and there was no attack on the rest 99% and it has not affected generation of black income either. So this demonetisation had no link with black economy," said Prof. Kumar, former faculty of Jawaharlal Nehru University while delivering a lecture on Demonetisation and Its Impacts, organized by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind on Saturday.Prof. Kumar said that thanks to demonetisation, a period of recession has begun in our country."Our economy has two important parts. One is organized sector and another is unorganized sector. While unorganized sector has 94% employment and organized sector has just 6% employment. The note ban affected the unorganized sector first. As the cash got shortaged the sector was unable to purchase raw materials and to pay salaries to employees and so it was shut down. And the effect on unorganized sector also affected the organized sector. Our economy was already in trouble and it was growing by just 1% for the last one and half years. The capacity utilization was 75% and with sudden move of demonetisation it came down to 50%.And in that situation you can't invest more." indiatomorrow
OTHERS
UP election: Why the Samajwadi Party-Congress marriage could be brief and rocky
http://www.hindustantimes.com/assembly-elections/up-election-why-the-samajwadi-party-congress-marriage-could-be-brief-and-rocky/story-KC9aCc8qo9GW8zSXrU4pyN.html
New Delhi: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s decision to field his sister Priyanka to negotiate an alliance with the Samajwadi Party might have caught eyeballs in UP , but this marriage of convenience between traditional rivals looks set to be brief and rocky. For one, their objective is limited to keeping the BJP out of power in UP, with the hope of setting the momentum for 2019 general elections. If BJP gets the better of the two on March 11 when the results are declared, the SP and the Congress could part ways almost immediately-- until another opportunity arises to bury their differences once again in the name of secularism.If they manage to foil the BJP’s bid for power in UP and form the govt , it would be on edge right from the beginning. Peaceful coexistence of the two traditional rivals could be possible at the cost of one or the other only.In Bihar, the Congress rode piggyback on the parties that were responsible for its annihilation in the state to be on the winning side. “BJP got the maximum number of seats in UP (71) and also in Bihar (22). If there is any hope for us to topple it in 2019, it has to start from the Hindi heartland,” a general secretary of Congress told HT, explaining the reason for the party’s desperation for alliances in these two states. He maintained that these tactics were limited to states only.HT
BJP’s 3rd list of 67 candidates for UP:no Muslim names yet
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-up-elections-2017-third-list-of-67-candidates-announced-by-bjp-no-muslim-names-yet-2295792
New Delhi: BJP released its third list of 67 candidates for UP assembly polls on Tuesday, which includes the name of former BSP leader Swamy Prasad Maurya, who had recently defected to the saffron party. With this, the party has so far announced the names of 370 candidates with no Muslim nominee among them. The election to the 403-member Assembly will take place in seven phases, starting Feb.11.PTI
JD(U) opposes uniform civil code
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/jdu-opposes-uniform-civil-code/articleshow/56766402.cms
Patna: JD (U) has decided to oppose the Centre's uniform civil code (UCC) proposal. CM and JD (U) boss Nitish Kumar said on Tuesday said a formal letter in this regard would be sent to the Centre on Wednesday.Centre has sought suggestions from various stakeholders, including all state govt s and political parties on UCC, which is a part of the directive principles of the Constitution of India. timesofindia
AIMIM first list for Mumbai civic polls has 18 names including 02 non-Muslims
http://ummid.com/news/2017/January/24.01.2017/mim-first-list-for-mumbai-polls.html
Mumbai: In yet another attempt to clear the myth that the AIMIM represenst Muslims alone, the party has included two non-Muslims in the first list of candidates for the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election.The AIMIM which will be contesting the all powerful Mumbai civic elections for the first time has released the names of 18 candidates in the first list released Monday.The two non-Muslim candidates who will contest the BMC election to be held on Feb.21 are Sujata Ramesh Bhale and Pushpa Balraj.While Sujata has been fielded from Ward No 189, Pushpa Balraj will contest the ensuing election from Ward No 188, Dharavi. ummid
High-level committee deliberates on minority universities
http://indianexpress.com/article/education/high-level-committee-deliberates-on-minority-universities-4491465/
New Delhi:The high-level committee formed by the govt to look into modalities of setting up 5 universities for minorities met here on Wednesday with its members deliberating whether the institutions would carry minority tag or not and about offering 40 % reservation to girl students. According to sources, Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, who chaired the meeting, was of the view that the proposed institutions should impart education to students from both minority and non-minority, communities. indianexpress
Last date of Haj application form submission extended up to Feb. 06
http://ummid.com/news/2017/January/24.01.2017/haj-commitee-extends-last-date-of-submission.html
Mumbai:Haj Committee of India, the apex body responsible for Hajj operations in India, has decided to extend the last date of submission of online and offline Haj Application Forms (HAF) till Feb.06, 2017.The decision is taken after requests were made to Central Haj Committee by several State Haj Committees, and other Muslim groups and individuals. ummid
Tamil Nadu traders not to sell Coca Cola, Pepsi from March 1: Reports
http://indianexpress.com/article/business/companies/tamil-nadu-traders-not-to-sell-coca-cola-pepsi-from-march-1-reports-4490523/
New Delhi:Seeking to push Indian brands, a section of Tamil Nadu trader organisations have reportedly asked their members to stop selling popular soft drinks and mineral water made by multinational companies from March 1 including Coca Cola and Pepsi products. According to a report in The Hindu newspaper, Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangangalin Peramaipu President AM Vikramaraja was of the opinion that the trade associations will spend the entire month of February in educating the traders regarding the “evils” of these foreign brands. “They cause more harm than good to the body. Only recently, one of the brands had admitted to the fact that it was not suitable for children and that it contained certain harmful chemicals,” Vikramaraja told to The Hindu.A report in News Minute earlier said that during the recent Jallikattu protests at Marina Beach, several agitators had demanded a ban on these products claiming these companies were using the state’s water bodies to manufacture aerated drinks. indianexpress
Now Women approach Gujarat HC for entry in dargah
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/women-approach-gujarat-high-court-for-entry-in-dargah-4491322/
\Ahmedabad:Gujarat High Court today issued notices to the state govt, Waqf Board and trustee of the Hazrat Moulana Mehabub Ki Dargah on a PIL by two women seeking women’s entry to the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine. The division bench of Chief Justice R Subhash Reddy and Justice VM Pancholi issued notices to the respondents on a PIL filed by two women — Deepika Shinde and Alifia Lacewala — seeking direction by the court to the respondents to allow entry of women to the dargah which has been denied to them.PTI
Indian Women’s Press Corps: Controversial clause for bookings sparks debate
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/indian-womens-press-corps-controversial-clause-for-bookings-sparks-debate-4490227/
New Delhi:The recent inclusion of a controversial clause in the booking rules of the Indian Women’s Press Corps (IWPC) premises has sparked a debate among its members, prompting a rethink on the matter. After the election of the new committee and office bearers last year, a fresh draft of rules for booking the premises for events, mainly press conferences and seminars, was made. It requires a member to give an undertaking that “nothing will be said which will be anti-national, question the integrity of the country, amount to sedition or cause harm to the reputation to the club’’.The clause has triggered outrage and stiff opposition from IWPC members and sparked a debate on stifling of “freedom of expression ironical for a press club’’. indianexpress
5, including Army officer, killed in Kashmir avalanches
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/Five-including-Army-officer-killed-in-Kashmir-avalanches/article17092323.ece
WORLD
Israel approves for 2,500 new settler homes in W. Bank
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/01/israel-approves-plan-2500-settler-homes-170124134719735.html
Israel has approved a plan to construct 2,500 new settlement homes in the occupied West Bank, two days after the country accepted building permits for more than 500 settler homes in occupied East Jerusalem.Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said on Tuesday that he and PM Benjamin Netanyahu agreed on the approval "in response to housing needs". It is the largest recent settlement building plan announced by Israel, which came as the country's govt feels emboldened by US President Donald Trump, who is not critical of illegal settlement activity, as opposed to his predecessor Obama.Lieberman said the majority of the housing units will be built in existing settlement blocs, areas where most settlers live and which Israel wants to keep under its control under any future peace deal with Palestinian officials.Palestian officials have condemned Israel's latest plan for settlements, which are illegal under international law.A spokesman for Mahmoud Abbas said it deals a new blow to attempts to bring peace to the region and will promote extremism. aljazeera
Emboldened by Trump, Israel approves a wave of West Bank settlement expansion
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/24/world/middleeast/israel-settlement-expansion-west-bank.html?_r=0
Israel announces 2,500 settlement homes in West Bank
http://www.siasat.com/news/israel-announces-2500-settlement-homes-occupied-west-bank-1117372/
UN condemns huge Israeli settlement plan
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/01/condemns-huge-israeli-settlement-plan-170125041616025.html
UN has denounced recent Israeli initiatives to accelerate settlement construction in occupied Palestinian territory, stressing that "unilateral actions" are an obstacle to peace based on a two-state solution."For the secretary-general there is no plan B for the 2-states solution," UN chief Antonio Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric said."In this respect any unilateral decision that can be an obstacle to the two-state goal is of grave concern for the secretary-general."Israel approved a plan to build 2,500 new settlement homes in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, two days after it accepted building permits for more than 500 settler homes in occupied East Jerusalem. aljazeera
Arab League condemns settlements in Palestine
http://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/arab-league-condemns-settlements-in-palestine/734303
Catholic development agencies slam Israel’s forced displacement of Palestinians: middleeastmonitor
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170125-catholic-development-agencies-slam-israels-forced-displacement-of-palestinians/
Leading Catholic development agencies have condemned the “forced displacement” of Palestinians by Israeli authorities in the occupied Palestinian territory (OPT), and inside Israel’s pre-1967 lines.The new report, ‘No Place Like Home’, is published this week by International Cooperation for Development and Solidarity (CIDSE), an alliance of Catholic development agencies, and “examines the forced displacement of Palestinians as a central issue in the Palestinian and Israeli conflict.”“Half a century after Israel seized control of the West Bank including East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip”, states CIDSE, “forced displacement of Palestinians is making them poorer and keeping them in misery and despair, according to a group of Catholic development agencies.”
Rabbis believe Trump will fulfil Torah prophecies: ex minister
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170125-rabbis-believe-trump-will-fulfil-torah-prophecies-says-ex-minister/
Israel’s former Interior Minister Uzi Baram has said that the current govt’s religious right-wing is relying on the role of US President Donald Trump to help destroy the Dome of the Rock Mosque. The religious right believes that the mosque’s presence is hindering the fulfilment of Jewish salvation represented by the construction of Third Temple.In an article published by Haaretz, Baram said that the Jewish religious references and their political representatives in the Knesset and govt believe that Trump will help in fulfilling Torah prophecies and fulfil the ideological religious visions of Gush Emunim, the far-right movement responsible for the settlement project in the occupied West Bank. Middleeastmonitor
Hamas warns Trump on moving embassy to Jerusalem
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/01/hamas-warns-trump-moving-embassy-jerusalem-170125094624942.html
Hamas spokesman Osama Hamdan has warned US President Donald Trump not to add "more oil on the fire" by moving the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Hamdan's comments came in response to promises made by Trump and his administration to make the move - a decision that would effectively recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital. The eastern sector of Jerusalem was occupied in 1967 in an act that was not recognised by any other country in the world.Trump's press secretary said last week that the new administration was in " beginning stages" of discussing a possible relocation."[Trump] has to make a choice whether he wants to create peace in the region or he wants to add more oil on the fire," Hamdan said.
Jerusalem embassy move ‘war on Islam’: Iraq’s Sadr
http://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/jerusalem-embassy-move-war-on-islam-iraq-s-sadr/734484
Baghdad:Iraq’s firebrand Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has denounced US President Donald Trump’s plans to relocate the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, saying the move would amount to a “declaration of war on Islam”.“If the embassy is relocated, this will be a declaration of war on Islam,” al-Sadr said in a statement on Tuesday. If so, “this will necessitate the formation of a force to liberate Jerusalem,” he said without elaborating.Anadolu agency
Israeli colonisation of Jerusalem:new infographic series
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170125-israeli-colonisation-of-jerusalem-focus-of-new-infographic-series/
Trump plans to ban on immigration from Muslim countries
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/56775393.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
Washington: US President Donald Trump is set to sign several executive orders, including one on building a border wall with Mexico, this week to crack down on immigrants - one of his central campaign promises - and could suspend immigration from some Muslim nations, media reports have said. Trump is expected to order the construction of the border wall with Mexico, the first in a series of actions to bolster national security, NYT reported. His actions would also include slashing the number of refugees who can resettle in US and blocking Syrians and others from "terror prone" nations from entering, at least temporarily. He and could move to suspend some immigration from Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, either temporarily or "indefinitely," sources familiar with the plans that have been under consideration were quoted as saying by the ABC news. PTI
Trump facing backlash and possible legal challenges over Muslim immigration ban
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-muslim-ban-refugees-national-security-mexico-wall-executive-orders-latest-a7545046.html
Americans do not support Trump’s ban on Muslim immigration
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2017/01/25/americans-dont-support-trumps-ban-on-muslim-immigration/?utm_term=.76c2856ef4fb
Grand Mosque of Paris pulls out of France-sponsored Muslim foundation
http://gazette.com/grand-mosque-of-paris-pulls-out-of-france-sponsored-muslim-foundation/article/1595077
Abdul Basit, Pak's envoy to India may become foreign secretary?
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/abdul-basit-pakistans-envoy-to-india-may-become-foreign-secretary/articleshow/56778369.cms
Kuwait hangs a royal family member among 7 prisoners in mass execution:AP
http://indianexpress.com/article/world/kuwait-hangs-7-prisoners-including-a-royal-family-member-in-mass-execution-4491084/
Iraqi diaspora silenced with violence after criticising Shia militias
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170125-iraqi-diaspora-silenced-with-violence-after-criticising-shia-militias/
Goldmoney adds Shariah-compliant methods to boost investment from Islamic markets
http://www.ibtimes.co.in/goldmoney-adds-shariah-compliant-methods-boost-investment-islamic-markets-713394
British PM vows to publish Brexit plan in White Paper amid pressure
https://www.newsghana.com.gh/british-pm-vows-to-publish-brexit-plan-in-white-paper-amid-pressure/
Brexit Judgment Highlights Paradox of Popular Will and Parliamentary Sovereignty: Abraham Joseph
https://thewire.in/102703/brexit-supreme-court-uk-parliament/
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 8:23 PM)
