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Evening NEWS DIGEST
26 Feb.2017: 28 Jamadiul Awwal 1438: Vol:8, No:126
INDIA
NEET 2017: SC lists Urdu plea by SIO on March 3
http://www.ndtv.com/education/neet-2017-supreme-court-lists-urdu-plea-by-sio-on-march-3-1663733
New Delhi: Supreme Court of India on Friday allowed the petition filed by Students Islamic Organisation (SIO) to include Urdu in the upcoming National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) for the Academic Year 2017-18. The court will hear the plea on March 3. SIO of India filed a Petition before Supreme Court saying leaving out Urdu as a medium not only deprives a large number of students studying science in Urdu Medium of equal opportunity, but is also a violation of right to life, being denied the opportunity to pursue a career in Health Sciences and shape their lives as per their choice and interest.Regarding reports emerged in some section of media suggesting the Supreme Court refused to hear the plea filed by SIO, National Secretary of the organization, Syed Azharuddin told NDTV that, the plaintiff requested SC to hear the plea of urgency motion as March 1, 2017 is the deadline to fill the NEET application but the court refused the plea of urgency and listed the case to March 3."Urdu should be added as a language or as a medium in the NEET," SIO lawyer Ravindra S. Garia told ANI on Friday.'SIO feels that exclusion of Urdu as medium is highly detrimental to students across the country who received their secondary and higher secondary education in Urdu language. They are suddenly confronted with having to either appear in language which they did not undertake their secondary education in or not appear at all', the organization said in an earlier press release.March 1 is the last date for the NEET online application and the exams will be conducted on May 7. ndtv
Shift NEET registration dates so that SC can hear plea to include Urdu tests: Students
http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/shift-neet-registration-dates-so-that-sc-can-hear-plea-to-include-urdu-tests-students/story-pAC8Yg0aelP0DsM80JAaGP.html
NIA likely to give clean chit for Pakistani boys accused of guiding Uri attackers:HT
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/nia-clean-chit-for-pakistani-boys-accused-of-guiding-uri-attackers/story-5woXDPXQTdPA130wjC716L.html
NIA is likely to give a clean chit to the two Pakistani boys who were arrested on charges of guiding the Uri Army camp attackers across the LoC as they had just strayed across the border.But the agency has not filed a closure report in the court so far. “We have not filed any closure report in the case. We will file a report soon,” the NIA spokesman said.The boys, Faisal Husain Awan and his school friend Ahsan Khursheed, will get a formal reprieve only after the court is told about the findings of the probe and the court accepts the findings of the agency. Only then, the process of sending them back to Pakistan will be initiated.The duo was first picked up by villagers in Uri who found their movements suspicious and beat them up before handing them to the BSF and the Army on September 21, three days after the suicide attack on 12 Infantry Brigade’s headquarters in which 19 soldiers were killed.Contrary to initial suspicion of the boys being guides for JeM, NIA didn’t find any evidence of their links with the Pakistan-based terror outfit.In fact, the agency is yet to find evidence suggesting that JeM carried out the Uri attack. After comparing the food items and arms and ammunition recovered from the Uri attackers with the recoveries made during the previous attacks in the Valley, the agency believes that the attack was carried out by operatives of another Pakistani terrorist outfit, LeT.NIA investigators found that the villages of the boys, Pitha Jandgran and Khiyana Khurd in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK), are very close to the LoC.Details of their family members and the school in PoK, given by the boys, have been found to be correct, sources said.Awan and Khursheed were very initially scared of being beaten up in custody if they “didn’t confess their crime” and had even “identified” one of the dead attackers. But once their apprehension of being beaten up in custody was proved wrong, the boys told the investigators that they have no links with the JeM and had strayed across the LoC while taking a “short cut” to their villages.
Denied video conferencing, Zakir Naik requests questionnaire from ED
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/260217/denied-video-conferencing-zakir-naik-requests-questionnaire-from-ed.html
New Delhi: Despite the Enforcement Directorate (ED) having expressed its desire to not conduct proceedings via video conferencing or e-mail, Zakir Naik has sought a questionnaire from the agency, fearing his arrest if he lands in India.ED is unwilling to accept the proposal of Zakir Naik seeking to record statement and respond to summons via video conferencing or e-mail, sources told ANI earlier.The letter, which was written by Naik's lawyer Mahesh Mule on his behalf, sought the submission of detailed questionnaire and list of documents that the department requires. "Our apprehension regarding the probe stood fortified with the arrest of Aamir Gazdar which we are afraid shall also be the fate of our Client in case of personal appearance.The fact that the arrest has taken place despite NIA having possession of all documents leaves much to be desired," the letter read. Lawyer further asserted that it has been placed on the agency's record that till date he has not been served with any summon in a manner contemplated under law." My client is willing to furnish all evidence and material that you may desire through email or telephonic conversation in case of urgency,"he added.ANI
In a first, Gujarat ATS arrests two brothers with alleged IS links: the hindu
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/In-a-first-Gujarat-ATS-arrests-two-brothers-with-IS-links/article17371291.ece?homepage=true
Ahmedabad: Gujarat’s ATS has arrested two persons, claiming they are associated with the Islamic State (IS) group and were on a mission to carry out “serial blasts to target some religious place in the State.”The duo was identified as Waseem and Naeem Ramodiya. While Waseem was arrested from Rajkot, his brother was arrested from Bhavnagar.According to ATS DSP K.K. Patel, the two were under the squad’s watch for more than a year. He claimed that they were allegedly in contact with IS operatives overseas through social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook and Telegram, an encrypted messaging app.
Arrogant for 'minority govt' to use term 'anti-national': Amartya Sen
http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/arrogant-for-minority-government-to-use-term-anti-national-amartya-sen-1663530
New Delhi: Public reasoning is critical for a democracy, economist and Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen said today, launching into sharp criticism of PM Narendra Modi's government. In an interview to NDTV at the launch of his book 'Collective Choice and Social Welfare: Expanded Edition', Dr Sen condemned the violence on the campus of Delhi University's Ramjas college, calling it "wholly anti-democratic"."To say we can't discuss a certain point of view even before the discussion begins is highly dangerous," he said.After clashes between students on Wednesday over an invitation to JNU student Umar Khalid, accused of sedition over an event last year where anti-India slogans were allegedly raised, junior Home Minister Kiren Rijiju said colleges cannot be allowed to become "hub of anti-national activity"."Anti-national is a peculiar term to come from a minority government. It shows that there is a level of arrogance there. A 31 per cent vote share certainly does not allow you to label remaining 69 per cent to be anti-national," Dr Sen said, referring to BJP's vote share in 2014 general elections. ndtv
Democracy is damaged when people are afraid to speak out: Amartya Sen
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/opinion/interviews/democracy-is-damaged-when-people-are-afraid-to-speak-out-amartya-sen/articleshow/57348767.cms
Professor beaten up by ABVP mob has ribs broken, severe internal injuries
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/abvp-clash-ramjas-college-delhi-university-professor-prasanta-chakravarty/1/891763.html
New Delhi:For Professor Prasanta Chakravarty, February 22 was like any normal Wednesday. He was in the Arts Faculty, Delhi University, and then at Ramjas College to support the students protesting the cancellation of talks by JNU scholars Shehla Rashid and Umar Khalid. A clash between the AISA and ABVP students broke out that afternoon.Soon, the clash took a violent turn, with students being beaten up everywhere. ABVP has been accused of orchestrating the attacks on the students in Ramjas on February 22. This mob beat up Prof Chakravarty, pushed him to the ground, kicked him repeatedly. A guy also tried to strangle Chakravarty with his muffler. The Delhi Police, meanwhile, allegedly, watched this entire incident play out in front of them. Some policemen and women, onlookers alleged, even joined the ABVP in attacking the other faction of students present on campus that day. indiatoday
ABVP cannot decide nationalism and anti-nationalism: Umar Khalid
http://www.news18.com/news/india/abvp-cannot-decide-nationalism-and-anti-nationalism-umar-khalid-1353316.html
New Delhi: Days, after violent clashes broke out in Delhi University's North Campus between members of the ABVP and the AISA, JNU's Umar Khalid, spoke to CNN-News18 about entire episode.Maintaining his position on the nationalism debate, he accused ABPV of indulging in ‘goondagardi’ (hooliganism) on campus. Questioning the authority of ABVP, Umar Khalid accused RSS-backed student wing of attacking the fundamental rights of students. “How fair is the attack on us by ABVP, kind of sensationalisation of anything that we do and them branding us as anti-nationals,” Umar said.It was an invite for a seminar to Umar, who was charged with sedition last year, that triggered the violence at Ramjas College. After violent objections by the ABVP, the college was forced to rescind its invite on Tuesday. A protest march organised by AISA and JNU students the next day led to violent clashes when ABVP activists tried to stop them. Along with Umar, an invite to ex-JNU students union leader Shehla Rashid was also withdrawn. Clarifying that there was nothing in the paper prepared by him which could incite violence at the campus, Umar said that his paper dealt with the poor and oppressed of Chhattisgarh.“People who are living in Chhattisgarh are the poorest of the poor and the most oppressed people in this country.And, if we do not stand up for the oppressed at this moment, when they are facing a massive assault on their rights, then what kind of nationalism are we propagating,”he questioned.News18
2002 Godhra riots: ‘There were 20 Muslim families in the village, one by one they all left’
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/2002-godhra-riots-there-were-20-muslim-families-in-the-village-one-by-one-they-all-left-4543950/
The grill doors of Haji Pir Ki Dargah are half open. Two women are sitting inside on rusty chairs that are held together by gunny sacks, soaking in the Saturday morning sun. Noticing visitors, one gets up to fetch a cot from a corner of the house.The dargah and its scanty furniture comprise the entirety of Sakina Fakir and sister Hasinaben’s world. After the post-Godhra riots, they are the only two Muslims left in Paliyad village of Gandhinagar district.On Jan.31, following a prolonged trial, an additional district court in Kalol acquitted all the 26 accused in the case. The order said most of the eyewitnesses had turned hostile and a “compromise was struck between the accused and the victims”. While no written documents were submitted, the court accepted the oral information given “about the amount (not mentioned in the order) of compensation given to the victims by the accused”.The accused had been booked for “rioting, attacking Muslims, burning their houses and destroying properties” and for insulting “their religion by damaging the (Haji Pir Ki) dargah”.One of the eyewitnesses who the court said had turned hostile was Sakina, who is in her early 60s. She denies this, and both she and Hasinaben, who is a few years younger, say they are still fighting the case. “Woh log 10-20 hazaar de kar samjhauta karna chahte the. Maine mana kar diya (The accused wanted us to compromise by giving usRs 10,000-20,000. I refused),” Sakina says, adding that while she has also heard there has been a compromise, she doesn’t know of anyone accepting money to settle the case.The dargah was one of the places attacked by rioters on the night of February 28, 2002, a day after the fire on the Sabarmati Express at Godhra railway station. Sakina and Hasinaben’s home was destroyed. While the two sisters shifted to the dargah, their brother left Paliyad with his family and their father took shelter at a relief camp, where he later died.“A mob of 500 to 1,000 men barged in. They thrashed my brother. They destroyed all the houses and robbed this dargah,” Sakina says. “Bees ke kareeb ghar the Musalmanon ke, dheere-dheere sabne gaon chhod diya (There were around 20 families of Muslims in the village, one by one they all left).”Now the sisters look after the dargah and live on the alms offered by the stray visitors. Hasinaben has difficulty speaking since a paralytic attack some years ago.Sakina says they are determined to stay. “All our relatives and people from our community left the village soon after the riots. This is our land, our village. We are just trying to keep this place intact. We won’t go anywhere,” she says.‘Accused No. 1’ in the riot case, Natvarbhai Kalidas Patel, who is among the 26 acquitted, is now the village sarpanch. When The Sunday Express visited, Patel was not at the village.
Hindus speak up for silent mosque in Ahmedabad
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/hindus-speak-up-for-silent-mosque/articleshow/57350576.cms
Ahmedabad: The call to prayer from the mosque near Bakri Pol in the communally sensitive Kalupur area is no ordinary azaan. Heard for the first time in 30 years in March 2016, it signifies the voice of compassion and respect drowning out hatred. Kalupur, a patchwork of Hindu and Muslim ghettos, was bloodied by communal riots in 1984. Since the nearly 100-year-old mosque is located in a Hindu locality — near Ramji, Nagdalla Hanuman, and Shesh Narayan temples — Muslims began to avoid it to avert troubles. Polarization intensified during the riots that broke out after the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1993. By then the Kalupur mosque was overrun with foliage and had begun to crumble.Paradoxically, after the communal riots of 2002, which had riven Gujarat, residents around the mosque were moved by a collective, voluntary desire to save it. Hindus reached out to their Muslim brethren, cleared the wild foliage, and contributed resources for repairs. The mosque reopened in March 2016. A year later, people in the neighbourhood affirm that the reconstruction effort has cemented bonds between communities. So much so, one set of keys to the mosque has been entrusted to Hindus."One set of keys is with Poonam Parekh and Kaushik Rami who sell flowers near the mosque," said Aziz Gandhi, social worker in Dariapur. Rami said he lights incense sticks twice a day near the mosque. "We are happy that the mosque that was closed for over three decades is now filled with devotees," he said. The priest of the Nagdalla Hanuman Temple, Chandrakant Sharma, said: "With Haji Usmangani Mansuri and other trustees of the mosque, we renovated the structure." He said that previously Muslim youths had to go to other mosques to offer namaaz. "Now, they they don't have to venture out of their locality," Sharma said. Hamidullah Shaikh, a Dariapur resident, said: "Our Hindu brothers helped us bring labourers to renovate the mosque." It appears a major breach in society has been lovingly repaired.TOI
Muslim literacy rises to 80.8 % in 10 years, says Gujarat Education Minister Chudasama
http://indianexpress.com/article/education/muslim-literacy-rises-to-80-8-in-10-years-says-gujarat-education-minister-bhupendrasinh-chudasama-4544099/
Stating that the literacy percentage among Muslims in Gujarat increased from 74.5 per cent in 2001 to 80.80 per cent in 2011, State Education Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama said here on Saturday that the sharp increase in literacy among Muslims was the result of the enrolment drive initiated by the state govt when Narendra Modi, now PM, was the state chief minister.Speaking at a felicitation function organised by the Gujarat State Wakf Board for 11 Muslim students having won gold medals in their respective examinations conducted by the Gujarat University in 2015-16, Chudasama said that the students worked hard to win the gold medals. He added that the state government’s policy of ensuring 100 per cent enrolment in schools raised the literacy percentage among Muslims too and motivated these students to work hard and win the gold medals.“These gold medalists have not brought pride to their community only. They are a pride to the entire state also,” said the minister. Indianexpress
Collision of bikes stirs Muzaffarnagar communal pot again, 6 injured, 200 booked
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/collision-of-bikes-stirs-muzaffarnagar-communal-pot-again-6-injured-200-booked/articleshow/57348596.cms
Meerut: Hundreds of men and women from both the communities came face-to-face and pelted stones at each other in a locality of community-sensitive Muzaffarnagar city on Friday night over collision of two bikes. A similar collision of motorcycles had led to large-scale riots in Muzaffarnagar and neighbouring districts in 2013.The Friday's incident occurred in Mohalla Khadarwala of the city and left at least six persons injured.It started when youth of two communities got involved in a verbal dual after their bikes accidentally hit each other in the morning.The situation was handled by the elders of both the communities and the youth went their homes, police said. However, in the night, one of the youths, along with his friends, allegedly attacked the other leaving him injured.Soon, crowd from both sides swelled and they started pelting stones at each other within no time.Police had a tough time dealing with the situation. According PP Singh, station in-charge of Kotwali police station, "It took some time to control the situation, but we reached on time with heavy police force and had to use mild force to disperse the mob. We have also taken the custody of both the bikes, and an FIR has been registered against 200 unknown people." Meanwhile, an FIR has been filed against two named and 200 others under more than a dozen sections of IPC including 307 (attempt to murder), 147 (punishment for rioting), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 427 (causing damage). No one has been arrested so far. Timesofindia
In Ayodhya, 1st Muslim candidate talks Islam teachings: timesofindia
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/in-ayodhya-1st-muslim-candidate-talks-islam-teachings/articleshow/57351747.cms
Faizabad: "Ye Islam ki aur uske Nabi ki seekh hai ke tum sachche Musalmaan nahi agar khud aaram se khana kha kar so jao aur tumhara padosi bhookha reh jae (This is the teaching of Islam and its Prophet that you're not a Muslim if you go to bed satiated while your neighbour goes hungry)," blares the microphone as Bazmi Siddiqui, the only Muslim candidate this year and the first one ever to be fielded by a mainstream national party to contest the religiously significant and politically controversial Ayodhya seat, makes his speech.It is evening and BSP's Siddiqui is addressing a mix crowd of Dalits and Muslims at the Mahobra Bazar crossroad at one of the many back-to-back jan sabhas. Under a faint white light, Siddiqui seeks votes on brotherhood, peace and unity with references to Islam's teachings.Amid claps and frequent acknowledgements of 'sahi baat hai', Siddiqui continues his address, first in Awadhi, forming an instant connection, and then moves to Urdu and Hindustani, calling himself the 'beta' and 'bhai' of the mixed gathering.
Hit by demonetisation, Muslim weavers appreciate Akhilesh: timesofindia
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/uttar-pradesh/news/hit-by-demonetisation-muslim-weavers-appreciate-akhilesh/articleshow/57349497.cms
Azamgarh: Despite the palpable anger of Muslims against the ruling Samajwadi Party in Azamgarh district, the constituency represented by Mulayam Singh Yadav in the Lok Sabha, weavers of the famous Banarasi sarees in Mubarkapur, majority of them belonging to the minority community, are appreciative of the developmental works undertaken by Akhilesh Yadav in the area and also his strong anti-demonetisation stand, which has hurt them badly.The village, which is famous for manufacturing Banarasi sarees, has about 25,000 weavers, who work on daily wages. Their livelihood has taken a hit, ever since demonetisation, as there has been an almost 40 per cent decline in production.TOI
Govt aims for passage of enemy property bill in RS
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/govt-aims-for-passage-of-enemy-property-bill-in-rajya-sabha/articleshow/57351491.cms
New Delhi: The govt is set to press for passage of the enemy property bill in the Rajya Sabha when Parliament reconvenes on March 9. The bill seeks to provide ownership of properties worth more than Rs 1 lakh crore. The law, which has become part of the heated poll rhetoric in Uttar Pradesh, has seen BJP accuse the opposition of shying away from passing a bill intended to ensure that enemy property vests with the govt.TOI
Saffron activists gheraoed Moulvi’s house after Hindu girls stayed with Muslim friend: siasat
http://www.siasat.com/news/saffron-activists-gheraoed-moulvis-house-hindu-girls-stayed-muslim-friend-1139942/
Puttur: Communal clash erupted at Koila village in Puttur taluk after Saffron activists objected staying of three girls belonging to another religion in the house of a Muslim cleric.The incident happened 21 February evening when the Hindutva activists gheraoed the cleric’s house and questioned the Hindu girls stay.According to Time Of India reports, Mohammed, who is a cleric at a local mosque was not at home at the time of the incident.The cleric’s daughter Sameena, and her class-fellow Riya, Reena and Soniya (names changed) from GSSS Institute of Engineering and Technology for Women, Mysuru had come to Dakshina Kannada on holiday.3 girls decided to stay at Sameena’s house.As soon as right-wing activists learned about this, they created ruckus and also spread rumours on social media that Hindu girls were confined by Muslims in the house. They accused the family of kidnapping the girls.
Promote moderate J&K maulvis, crackdown on anti-India separatists, suggest Experts:TOI
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/promote-moderate-jk-maulvis-crackdown-on-anti-india-separatists-experts/articleshow/57351935.cms
New Delhi: Tough action against religious leaders known for anti-India "hate sermons" along with promoting "nationalist" content in moderate madarsas are part of hard and soft options the Centre is weighing in the context of Jammu & Kashmir.As the Centre considers measures to reduce alienation, apparent during the protests following the death of Burhan Wani, the view in official circles is that a tough line is needed towards political and religious hardliners who repeatedly play a disruptive role and are unlikely to be impressed by any peace outreach.The hardening of stance against separatists is seen as a political signal that the government is firm about dealing with elements it sees as trouble-makers and obstructionists and feels are usually aligned with Pakistan's interests. This political line is in sync with Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat's statement that locals who attempt to disrupt anti-terrorist operations by stone pelting will be treated as abettors of terrorism and is a signal to the valley and Pakistan.On the other hand, exposing madrasa students to "nationalist" content and message of unity as well as opportunity could be part of the way ahead and the suggestions are part of a set of actionable points likely to be put up before the political leadership. Demonstrative legal action against leaders who spew anti-India rhetoric and radicalise the youth is high on the list as the government is keen to check radical maulvis from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir or from within India.As part of an attempt at social inclusion, it has been suggested that NGOs promote Sufi culture that was a strong element of the state's cultural ethos before the rise of religious extremism and jihadi terrorism. Rallies in areas like Rajouri and Doda may be held to promote a sense of being Indian and highlight the traditions of Gujjars, Bakarwals and Pahadis.Suggesting a crackdown on hardline separatists, experts have backed legal action by keeping a track of cases pending against them to ensure proper prosecution. The measures on the table also include engaging more moderate separatist through talks. Also, in what could really hurt the separatists, the experts have suggested that state security extended to them by the Centre or the J&K govt be withdrawn.
WORLD
Hijab-wearing White House staffer quits Trump administration in 8 days
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/hijab-wearing-white-house-staffer-quits-trump-administration-in-8-days/articleshow/57359784.cms
Washington: A bold Hijab-wearing Muslim ex-White House staffer of Bangladeshi-origin has said she quit her job after US President Donald Trump announced his controversial travel ban, lasting just eight days in the new administration.Rumana Ahmed was hired in 2011 to work at the White House and eventually the National Security Council (NSC)."My job there was to promote and protect the best of what my country stands for. I am a hijab-wearing Muslim woman I was the only hijabi in the West Wing and the Obama administration always made me feel welcome and included," she wrote in an article published in The Atlantic.Ahmed said that like most of her fellow American-Muslims, she spent much of 2016 watching with "consternation" as Trump "vilified our community"."Despite this or because of it I thought I should try to stay on the NSC staff during the Trump Administration, in order to give the new president and his aides a more nuanced view of Islam, and of America's Muslim citizens."I lasted eight days. When Trump issued a ban on travellers from 7 Muslim-majority countries and all Syrian refugees, I knew I could no longer stay and work for an administration that saw me and people like me not as fellow citizens, but as a threat," she said.PTI
Trump national security adviser wants to avoid term 'radical Islamic terrorism', sources say
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/feb/25/hr-mcmaster-national-security-radical-islamic-terrorism-trump?CMP=fb_gu
Donald Trump’s new national security adviser has told staff at the White House he does not wish to use the term “radical Islamic terrorism” to describe the terrorist threat the US faces, according to multiple sources.HR McMaster, a respected army lieutenant general, struck notes more consistent with traditional counterterrorism analysts and espoused consensus foreign-policy views during a meeting he held with his new NSA staff on Thursday. Some in the meeting left with questions about whether McMaster’s evident disagreements with Trump and his key aides portend further turbulence for the key national security and foreign policy decision-making forum.Participants tell the Guardian that they were struck by the contrast between McMaster’s worldview and that of the president, who has repeatedly used a phrase that Muslims in the US and globally feel portrays them as threats to be confronted. A participant, paraphrasing McMaster, said: “He said he doesn’t want to call it radical Islamic terrorism because the terrorists are, quote, ‘un-Islamic’.”McMaster, participant said, indicated that the phrase castigates “an entire religion” and “he’s not on board”. The Guardian
Pakistan Rangers arrest 600 terror suspects in 200 operations in Punjab
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/pakistan-rangers-arrest-600-terror-suspects-in-200-operations-in-punjab/articleshow/57359014.cms
Pakistan Rangers have killed four terrorists and detained 600 terror suspects during over 200 search operations in Punjab province under the recently launched nation-wide military operation 'Radd-ul-Fasaad'.The Pakistan army last week launched 'Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad' an Arabic word which translates roughly to 'elimination of discord' - across the country, to eliminate terrorists and consolidate gains of its counter-terrorism operations, days after a wave of suicide attacks that killed more than 125 people, including 91 at a Sufi shrine in Sindh.PTI
Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Haibatullah encourages people to plant trees
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/taliban-leader-encourages-people-to-plant-trees/articleshow/57359967.cms
Kabul: Springtime in Afghanistan usually brings a spike in violence as the Taliban takes advantage of the thaw to launch a wave of fresh attacks. But the Taliban's leader has just issued a statement calling on Afghans to plant more trees.In a public letter issued Sunday in four languages, including English, Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada said that, "the Mujahideen and beloved countrymen must join hands in tree planting."The statement does point out that the Taliban remain, "actively engaged in a struggle against foreign invaders and their hirelings" - a reference to the Kabul government that the militant group seeks to overthrow.Most of Afghanistan's big cities, including the capital Kabul, are over populated and there are few public green spaces or parks. According to officials from the Afghan Public Health Ministry, up to 4000 citizens die each year in Kabul due to illnesses brought on or exacerbated by air pollution.Wahid Muzhda, a political analyst in Kabul, said that announcements like this - and other statements where they claim to be building roads and bridges - could be part of a Taliban campaign to show that they would provide enlightened leadership in areas of country that they control.Akhunzada's statement cites Islamic tradition and the words and deeds of the Prophet Muhammed to reinforce its environmental message."Tree planting plays an important role in environmental protection, economic development and the beautification of the earth.Allah Almighty has interconnected the lives of human beings with plants," it says."Plants live off soil while humans and animals live off plants. If the plants and trees are eradicated, life itself would be put in peril, Allah Almighty says."AP
Syrian army advances against Daesh near Aleppo; blocks Turkish-backed FSA’s advance
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170226-syrian-army-advances-against-daesh-near-aleppo-blocks-turkish-backed-fsas-advance/
The Syrian army and its allies made a sudden advance on Saturday and Sunday into areas held by Daesh in northwest Syria, a war monitor said, as the militant group retreated after losing the city of al-Bab to Turkey-backed rebels on Thursday.On Sunday, the army also took the town of Tadef, just south of al-Bab after Daesh withdrew from it, state television reported. Earlier this month, a senior Russian official said Tadef marked an agreed dividing line between the Syrian army and the Turkey-backed forces.The eastwards advance in an area south of al-Bab has extended Syrian army control across 14 villages and brought it within 25km of Lake Assad, the stretch of the Euphrates above the Tabqa dam.Daesh’s holdings in northwest Syria have been eviscerated over recent months by successive advances by 3 different, rival forces: Syrian Kurdish groups backed by US, the Turkey-backed rebels, and the army.By taking Daesh territory south of al-Bab, the army is preventing any possible move by Turkey and rebel groups it supports to expand southwards, and is moving closer to regaining control of water supplies for Aleppo.middleeastmonitor
Palestinian diaspora holds first global conference
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/02/palestinian-diaspora-holds-global-conference-170225164908067.html
Istanbul:Thousands of Palestinians representing diaspora communities from 50 countries have gathered in the Turkish city of Istanbul to discuss establishing a political structure that will represent them better. Palestine Abroad Conference, whose opening events were attended by more than 5,000 people on Saturday, is the first of its kind in terms of inclusivity. Many of the speakers and attendees said they no longer have faith in the Palestinian leadership in the occupied territories because of their failure to deliver tangible outcomes as a result of decades of peace negotiations with Israel.aljazeera
Egypt MP seeks end to constitutional restrictions on presidential terms: middleeastmonitor
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170226-egypt-mp-seeks-end-to-constitutional-restrictions-on-presidential-terms/
An Egyptian lawmaker started collecting signatures on Sunday for a motion to extend presidential terms and lift restrictions on re-election – a year before general-turned-president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s first term is due to expire.As defence minister, Sisi overthrew elected President Mohammed Morsi, a Muslim Brotherhood official, in mid-2013 following mass protests against his rule and launched a crackdown on the organisation and it’s supporters.Sisi, now 62, went on to win a presidential vote in 2014. He has not said whether he will seek re-election when his current term ends in 2018, but has made much of his popular mandate and promised to respect the will of Egyptians.
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 8:56 PM)
