Posts
Evening NEWS DIGEST
19 Aug. 2017: 26 Zulqidah 1438:Vol:8, No:259
INDIA
350 dead, crores of people affected in floods in Bihar, Assam, Bengal
http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/350-dead-crores-affected-in-floods-in-bihar-assam-bengal-10-points-1739515
New Delhi: A spate of floods in states across the country have claimed hundreds of lives and displaced crores. Bihar, Assam, UP and West Bengal have faced a huge challenge in dealing with floods that have ravaged the countryside. In Bihar, floods have claimed 153 lives and a staggering one crore people have been affected by the floods. In Assam, 144 people have died because of multiple waves of floods consistently striking the state. In Uttar Pradesh, the state administration has asked the army to help in rescue and relief operations. While north Bengal is slowly recovering, floods there have claimed 52 lives until now. With 153 people dead across 17 districts, Bihar has been the among the worst hit. The number of affected in Bihar is also at highest at around 1.08 crore people marooned.28 National Disaster Response Force teams with 1,152 personnel have been deployed to help with rescue and relief operations in Bihar. 1,765 community kitchens care catering to around 3.44 lakh people in the flood-ravaged districts.Even though the situation in Assam is getting better, with lesser rain, around 60 lives were lost this week, taking the number of dead to 144, next only to Bihar. Morigaon district in Assam was the worst affected, with 2,210 villages being submerged and 1.23 lakh hectares of crop becoming damaged as well.The floods also hit Kaziranga National Park, killing over 140 animals. 22 districts in eastern UP adjoining Nepal, with over 14 lakh people have been affected. Over 1,217 villages have been marooned by the floods.In West Bengal, the flood situation improved slightly, with no rainfall reported for the past 24 hours. The floods took at least 52 lives in north Bengal, which was hit by the floods. About 15 lakh people in Coochbehar, Dakshin Dinajpur, Jalpaiguri and other districts in W. Bengal have been affected since July 21.Rail operations in most of the flood-affected states have been hit.NDTV/PTI
Bihar flood: Over 150 dead, 1 crore people in 17 districts affected; ETF deployed for rescue ops
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/bihar-flood-over-150-dead-1-crore-people-in-17-districts-affected-4803734/
Assam: Brahmaputra water level recedes, toll rises to 150
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/assam-floods-death-toll-rises-to-150-northeast-rail-link-cut-off-for-seventh-day/
Floods affect 16 million in Nepal, India, Bangladesh:Red Cross
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/08/floods-affect-16-million-nepal-india-bangladesh-170818084524219.html
More than 16 million people have been affected by monsoon flooding across the South Asian countries of India, Nepal, and Bangladesh - putting huge numbers at risk of disease, hunger, and death.One-third of Bangladesh and Nepal have been flooded, said Martin Faller, deputy regional director for Asia Pacific at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. "This is fast becoming one of the most serious humanitarian crises this region has seen in many years, and urgent action is needed to meet the growing needs of millions of people affected by these devastating floods," Faller said."Millions of people across Nepal, Bangladesh, and India face severe food shortages and disease caused by polluted flood waters," he added.According to officials, more than 400 people have died in the three countries over the last seven days, with India accounting for 239 fatalities, 128 dying in Nepal, and 39 in Bangladesh."More than one-third of Bangladesh and Nepal have been flooded and we fear the humanitarian crisis will get worse in the days and weeks ahead," Faller said.In India, 168 deaths were reported in Bihar and Assam states, the worst-hit by the floods. Officials said the situation remains grim with the weather bureau forecasting more heavy rain in the region over the coming days.
Flash floods in South Asia kill 600, displace 1,00,000 as rescue and relief operations continue
http://www.firstpost.com/world/flash-floods-in-south-asia-kill-600-displace-100000-as-rescue-and-relief-operations-continue-3949683.html
Modi tweets condoling Nepal flood victims, but no tweets for hundreds of deaths in India
http://www.jantakareporter.com/india/modi-tweets-nepal-flood/143685/
PM Narendra Modi was recently condemned for his Twitter sabbatical after he refused to comment on the children’s massacre in Gorakhpur, where more than 100 children have died due to the administrative lapses so far.Modi’s silence reignited the debate over his politics of opportunism and his glaring hypocrisy. Unfazed by widespread condemnation, Modi chose not comment on Gorakhpur tragedy even in his IndependenceDay speech.He simply made passing reference to children’s deaths.His critics had slammed him for tweeting on the forest fires in Portugal but not caring to comment on the loss of lives of his own citizens, most of who had elected him as the PM .Three days later, Modi once again proved his critics right when he posted not one but 2 tweets expressing his condolences for the victims of Nepal floods.He wrote, “Spoke to Nepal PM, Rt. Hon. Sher Bahadur Deuba. Expressed condolences on the loss of lives due to flooding in Nepal. India stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of Nepal & is ready to provide all possible relief assistance.”Janta Ka Reporter
20 die, 34 injured as 13 bogies of Utkal Express, derailed in Muzaffarnagar
http://www.news18.com/news/india/utkal-express-live-at-least-20-dead-34-injured-as-train-derails-in-muzaffarnagar-1496105.html
At least 20 people have lost their lives and 34 sustained injuries when 13 bogies of the Utkal Express, which runs on the Puri-Haridwar-Kalinga route, derailed on Saturday evening in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar. The local administration officials have rushed to the spot, and the railway officials are fearing casualties. Anand Kumar, ADG Law and Order, told CNN-News18 that he was not in a position to comment on the reason behind the derailment. news18
20 Killed, 40 injured as Kalinga Utkal Express derails in UP
http://kalingatv.com/latestnews/20-killed-40-injured-as-puri-kalinga-utkal-express-derails-in-up/
Muzaffarnagar train accident: 10 killed, about 40 injured after Utkal Express derails
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/live-utkal-express-derailment-at-least-5-killed-rescue-efforts-underway-in-muzaffarnagar/story-B3u7ipfSG9zxOI0zxgn78K.html
Gujarat: 10 more die of swine flu, toll rises to 230
https://scroll.in/latest/847620/gujarat-ten-more-die-of-swine-flu-toll-rises-to-230
10 people died of swine flu in Gujarat, taking the toll in the state this year to 230, PTI reported on Friday. “Out of 10, 3 died in Ahmedabad city while 1 each died in Amreli, Rajkot city, Kutch, Junagadh city, Rajkot district, Anand and Sabarkantha,” said daily health bulletin issued by the state Govt.Around 177 new cases of flu were also registered in Gujarat on Friday.scroll
'Gau Rakshaks' beat up 7 Muslims in Bihar on beef rumours, police arrests victims for 'hurting sentiments'
http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2017/08/18/gau-rakshaks-beats-up-7-muslim-men-in-bihar-on-beef-rumours-police-arrests-victims-for-hurting-religious-sentiments_a_23151613/
In another incident of cow vigilantism, it is being reported that seven Muslim men were thrashed by self-appointed gau rakshaks or cow vigilantes in Bihar. New Indian Express reports that a mob of more than 50 people at Bihar's Dumra village barged into the home of Mohammad Shahabuddin on Thursday to check if he had beef.They alleged that Shahabuddin had killed a cow and eaten beef the night before. Dumra village is located in the West Champaran district.This incident comes close on the heels of an incident where three men were beaten up in the state on suspicion of transporting beef.The newspaper reports that Shahabuddin and his neighbours and other people from the community in the village were locked up in a room inside Shahabuddin's home and beaten up with sticks.Another report by NDTV says that when the police arrived stones were thrown at them, but the people who were arrested were the victims.Police officers handling the case have said that the victims have been arrested for hurting religious religious sentiments.Sanjay Kumar Jha, one of the police officers, told NDTV, "Initially our main task was to defuse the situation and it was due to large deployment of police force that no untoward incident took place as mobs were descending from other villages also."The news channel reports that the attackers were not arrested because there was no complaint registered against them.At a time when vigilante mobs have been attacking Muslim men across the country for carrying beef, it has also become a trend for the victims to be arrested. Thursday's incident is the second such incident since BJP-JD(U) Govt came to power in the state. huffingtonpost
Almost one cow-related attack every week in 2017 thus far
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/almost-one-cow-related-attack-every-week-in-2017-thus-far/story-ZtdQuV7GBGFBJ7yUcWga5O.html
In the 33rd week of 2017, India reported its 30th incident of cow-related violence in the country–the most in eight years–in the West Chamaparan district of Bihar where seven Muslims were attacked by cow vigilantes for allegedly eating beef in their homes, the IndiaSpend database of such violence shows. So far we have recorded 75 incidents of bovine-related violence across India since 2010. hindustantimes
Held after 200 cows starve to death in his gaushala, BJP leader blames own Govt
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/chhattisgarhs-durg-district-held-after-cows-starve-to-death-in-his-gaushala-bjp-leader-blames-own-govt-4803289/
Durg: Main gate of Shagun Gaushala, in Chhattisgarh’s Durg district, has the lotus emblazoned on it. Inside, amid the stench of death, hundreds of cows stand, weak and hungry, their ribs showing. Then, there are the carcasses of those that died over the week. Some are rotting in the fields and many in the rows of trenches dug to dispose of the remains being torn apart by stray dogs.At the centre of it all is the man in charge of the gaushala in Rajpur village — Harish Verma, BJP’s vice president in the nagar panchayat of Jamul, 30 km away. On Friday, he was arrested by police on charges of “breach of trust and negligence”.Rajpur residents and state officials blame Verma for the deaths of the cows over the last week. But the BJP leader claims his party’s own Govt let him down by not releasing annual grants for maintaining such gaushalas in a state where cow slaughter is banned.Residents say “at least 200 cows” have died over the last week, while veterinary doctors confirm they have conducted 27 post mortems in the two days. On Friday, Indian Express came across 30 fresh carcasses strewn across the length of the gaushala. Residents say they first noticed “something wrong” on Wednesday evening, when they spotted JCBs digging trenches, and tractors taking away carcasses. “Before this, they never let anyone into the gaushala. But when we heard of this, we entered and saw bodies upon bodies of dead cows. The surviving ones had no food to eat, no water to drink. They were left in the fields to die,” said Shiv Ram Sahu, sarpanch pati of Rajpur. Following an uproar over the deaths, there has been a constant influx of officials and doctors from the state veterinary department here over the last two days. “We are investigating the case and action will be taken as per rules. I cannot give you a clear number of the dead cows. But prima facie, it seems that they have died due to a lack of fodder and water. We have now arranged for food and water,” said Rajesh Patre, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Dhamdha.Responding to the charges, Verma said, “I have been running this gaushala since 2010. I can’t respond to unsubstantiated allegations, but only 16 cows have died in the last two days. The cows sent here are old and infirm, and there is no shortage of food or water. I have done nothing wrong. It rained two days ago and a wall collapsed, which is why they died.”Indian Express
200 cows die of starvation at a shelter run by BJP leader in Chhattisgarh
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/200-cows-die-of-starvation-at-a-shelter-run-by-bjp-leader-in-chhattisgarh/story-C1fxj4Pj4DgOcGAtmbBdTN.html
Suspicion of skin-bone smuggling in mass cow deaths at Gaushala of BJP leader in Chhattisgarh
http://www.newsbits.in/suspicion-of-skinbone-smuggling-in-mass-cow-deaths-at-gaushala-of-bjp-leader-in-chhattisgarh
Extortion in the name of cow vigilantism in Navi Mumbai?
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/extortion-in-the-name-of-cow-vigilantism-in-vashi/articleshow/60128256.cms
Navi Mumbai: 3 persons claiming to be journalists have been arrested for intercepting a tempo near the Vashi toll plaza on the Sion-Panvel highway on Thursday night on suspicion that it was transporting beef, which is banned in Maharashtra.A similar incident exactly a month ago has got the cops thinking.They suspect an extortion racket is running under the garb of "cow vigilantism".On July 17, five persons, including two claiming to be journalists, were arrested for waylaying the same tempo. It was found to be transporting buffalo meat on both occasions. Keeping in mind the recent series of attacks over beef or mistreatment of cows, the first incident was initially believed to be another instance of "cow vigilantism". After Thursday's case, the cops are piqued by two similarities: most of the people are from Dombivli and they claim to be journalists. The cops believe these people are trying to blackmail meat transporters/dealers in this atmosphere of fear to make a quick buck, said sources.On Thursday, the police arrested Suresh Palav, 34, his wife Shweta alias Krutika Palav, 32, and their aide Vaibhavi Shirke, 38. timesofindia
Sacrifice of camels during Bakrid banned in Lucknow; tagged it as a ‘prohibited animal’
http://en.southlive.in/india/2017/08/19/sacrifice-of-camels-during-bakrid-banned-in-lucknow-tagged-it-as-a-prohibited-animal
In an attempt to protect the decreasing number of camels in the city, Lucknow district administration on Friday banned the sacrifice of camels on the occasion of Bakrid, calling it a “prohibited animal”.Police force will ensure not a single of the humped animal will be sold or bought in the city. District magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma also asked intelligence units to keep an eye on groups of camels brought in from Rajasthan, and ensure that they are not sold within city limits. “The police must ensure that these groups pass through Lucknow smoothly without selling a single animal,” the district magistrate directed.“Lucknow doesn’t have a history of sacrificing camels on the occasion of Bakrid, and nowhere in the district administration’s record is anything like this mentioned. Hence, it should be ensured that activities of this sort are not carried out within district limits,” said the district magistrate.During the weeks before Bakrid, many traders move in and out of Rajasthan with camels meant for sale in East UP. southlive
MP Husain Dalwai questions govt animal slaughter policy
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/rs-mp-husain-dalwai-questions-govt-animal-slaughter-policy/articleshow/60125354.cms
New Delhi: Husain Dalwai, MP, in a letter to PM Narendra Modi, expressed concern that even though the Supreme Court had stayed the Regulation of Livestock Market Rules, 2017, the existence of these rules could give police and anti-social elements a chance to harass people engaged in cattle trade. "Even in the condition of stayed suspension, the Rules could be misused by police and anti-social elements,"a press release from the office of the MP on Friday said.Dalwai said laws that require permission for cattle to be transported between different states also exposed traders to risk, as they were often left waiting long before being allowed entry. He commented on instances where cooked food was taken for testing on suspicion that it was beef. This is "extremely humiliating", he said, about the intrusion of the state into people's homes.TOI
Dalit woman’s nose ‘cut’, husband beaten up in MP village
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/dalit-womans-nose-cut-husband-beaten-up-in-madhya-pradesh-village-4801491/
Sagar:A 35-year-old Dalit woman’s nose was allegedly slashed and her husband was beaten up by two members of an upper caste family at Renvjha village in Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh. Narendra Singh (32) and his father Sahab Singh beat up the woman’s husband on Monday when he refused to go to their house and do some work, inspector R S Bagri of Surkhi police station said.When the woman was taking her husband to a hospital, Narendra and Sahab attacked her too, the police officer said. Madhya Pradesh Women’s Commission (MPWC) chairperson Lata Wankhede claimed that the woman’s nose was cut.Inspector Bagri said that she had sustained an injury to the nose, and police were waiting for the medical report. incident came to light on Wednesday when the woman went to a camp organised by the MPWC in the area to hear complaints of violation of women’s rights, and narrated her ordeal to Wankhede.MPWC chief told reporters that the accused, who wanted to make the woman and her husband “bonded labourers”, had cut the woman’s nose. Indian express
Woman lynched in Jharkhand on suspicion of involvement in braid-chopping
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/woman-lynched-in-jharkhand-on-suspicion-of-involvement-in-braid-chopping/story-mdeRkF4di4ViWd4Yv4hz2N.html
Ranchi:A mob in Jharkhand allegedly lynched a woman on Saturday on suspicion of her involvement in chopping off a local girl’s braid, the second such death this month because of a mass hysteria that has gripped north India.Police said villagers in Sahibganj district’s Radhanagar attacked a group of four beggars – including the woman and a nine-year-old boy – roughly a week after a local girl’s braid was cut. They pelted stones at the woman, said to be in her late 40s, and others on suspicion that they were involved in witchcraft. The boy is critically injured.“We have beefed up security in the area. For now, superstition seems to be the cause of the attack, we are still investigating,” said Sahibganj superintendent of police P Murugan. He said an eyewitness informed police, who spent an hour trying to control the mob. By the time the victims were rushed to the hospital, the woman was dead. hindustantimes
Court acquits 13 accused of murdering 3 of family during 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/muzaffarnagar-court-acquits-13-accused-of-murdering-three-of-family-during-the-2013-riots/articleshow/60109072.cms
Bareilly: For ‘lack of evidence’, the court of additional district judge in Muzaffarnagar has acquitted 13 people accused of murdering three members of a family in Shamli after communal riots broke out in Muzaffarnagar in 2013. A mob had burnt one Abdul Wahid and his daughter-in-law Rahisa alive and later killed his son Tahir as he tried to flee. As many as 15 people were jailed in the case, 2 of whom died in prison, while 11 others were granted bail a month after the incident.On Wednesday, all 13 accused were acquitted.The unrest followed by communal clashes in Muzaffarnagar extended to the neighbouring districts of Shamli, Baghpat and Saharanpur. As many as 61 people from two communities were killed and hundreds of others were injured. The riots lasted for two long months and left scores of people homeless.In one of the incidents, a family belonging to a particular community was targeted in Shamli’s Lank village. Three people were brutally killed and Abdul Wahid’s brother Akhtar had lodged an FIR in the case. timesofindia
Portal launched for online registration of madrasas in UP
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/portal-launched-for-online-registration-of-madrasas-in-up/story-CmsLd2BpI0Sa3HD5u6B6wM.html
Lucknow:In a bid to check “irregularities in madrasas”, the UP Govt on Friday launched a portal of UP madrasa board for online registration of all such Islamic institutions.“There were a number of complaints of irregularities in madrasas and it was decided to make the registration online so that details of all madrasas, their management, teachers, etc are available online,” UP Waqf Minister Mohsin Raza said.This is a step towards digitisation which is on the priority of Yogi Govt, he said. The move will bring transparency as all the details of the madrasa will be available online, he said.“Madrasa education should also be modern like in other educational institutions. With modernisation, students of madrasas will be able to get technical education and they will get better job opportunities,” Minority Welfare cabinet minister Lakshmi Narain Chowdhury said at the programme where portal was launched. There are over 19,000 recognised and 560 aided madrasas in the state, he said, adding that the new portal will help in improving the quality of madrasa education.Attacking the previous non-BJP Govts, Chowdhury alleged that they used madrasa for “appeasement” and as vote banks and there was no record of teachers, students, payments, registrations and other schemes maintained by them.“Our govt’s priority is to give better and job- oriented education to all youths so that doctors and engineers are produced from these madrasas,” he said.Asked later about action likely to be taken against madrasas where national anthem was not sung on Independence Day, he said such madrasas “lack patriotism” and action against them is justified.“Reports are coming from madrasas... We are looking into the matter,”he said but did not elaborate on action likely to be taken against such madrasas. PTI
Pathribal encounter: SC notice to Centre, CBI, army on plea by victims’ families
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pathribal-encounter-sc-notice-to-centre-cbi-army-on-plea-by-victims-families/story-Pus6gnxvrVl4F3Wes0PZBK.html
New Delhi: The Supreme Court issued on Friday notice to the Centre, CBI and army on a petition challenging an order of the J&K high court which had dismissed a petition against the military’s decision to close proceedings against 5 officers involved in March 2000 Pathribal encounter.A bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra gave six weeks to the respondents. Filed by the families of the 5 men killed in the encounter, the petition said forensic tests had exposed army’s claim that those killed were Pakistani militants. A CBI probe also established this.“The dead men are kin of the petitioners as the DNA examination by CDFD Hyderabad and CFSL Kolkata reveal. Therefore the case is one of cold blooded murder as found by CBI,” it said.Those killed were local villagers, the petition said, and alleged that the “fake encounter” was staged by the army to “save face in the view of public criticism of their operational efficiency and lack of control in area in the wake of Chittisinghpora massacre.”
India runs on Constitution, not on shariat; triple talaq should be outlawed: Naqvi
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/triple-talaq-supreme-court-modi-Govt -mukhtar-abbas-naqvi/1/1029186.html
New Delhi:Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Friday he wants the practice of triple talaq to be abolished as it infringes upon the right to equality of women and puts them at a severe disadvantage. Naqvi was speaking at the first edition Mail Today's Femail Summit, a conclave dedicated to the women of the nation."I am not a talaq specialist. I have never done talaq and I don't intend to do it ever," Naqvi said in a light-hearted way to begin with, coming to the more serious aspects of the instant divorce custom that Modi Govt has promised to do away with, an attitude that has caused consternation among the more conservative sections of Muslim society and the clerics in particular."Our Constitution guarantees gender equality and a sweeping equality for all: high and low, man and woman. This right to equality must be held sacrosanct for all and all must respect it. This nation runs on a Constitution, not on shariat or any other religious textbook. This practice is inhuman, unconstitutional and is a social evil," Naqvi said.The minister put forth before the audience a kind of "secular" argument in favour of the abolition of this "social evil" as he called it. "This country has not seen socio-religious reforms for the first time. Child marriage was abolished. Even then naysayers had cried 'religion in danger' and that it was tinkering with the religious sentiments of the people. They said it must not be abolished as it was part of established tradition dating back to hundreds of years, but it happened. Similarly, when sati was abolished, a section said it was an attack on religious sentiments of people. A big campaign too was launched against the move, but it was made illegal. In same way, triple talaq too must be abolished and a positive step should be taken towards social reform."Mail today
Banaras Hindu University defying reservation rules by appointing upper caste students overnight
http://twocircles.net/2017aug18/415334.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
The administration at Banaras Hindu University is at the centre of controversy after allegedly defying the reservation rules in appointments of teaching staff in University. Various groups have come forward after seeing BHU’s stubborn response to the Allahabad Court’s orders. University put out a recruitment notification for the academic year 2016-17 inviting applications for the posts of Professor, Assistant Professor and Associate professor. As soon the notification came out, students and University’s teachers realised that administration was ignoring the reservation guidelines.According to guidelines, institutes and universities should apply reservations quota on seats in every department of every faculty separately. But instead, the BHU administration clubbed all the vacant seats present in every department and then applied the reservation quota over all clubbed seats.For example, the post of Assistant Professor had a total 1,139 seats, out of which 225 seats were vacant. University clubbed these 225 vacant seats of Assistant Professor together. Similarly, it clubbed all 191 vacant seats of Associate Professor and 116 vacant seats for the post of Professor together.TwoCircles
Haryana police officer suspended over inaction in complaint filed JNU student who alleged mob tried to rape, called ‘cattle thieves’
http://en.southlive.in/india/2017/08/19/haryana-police-officer-suspended-over-inaction-in-complaint-filed-jnu-student-who-alleged-mob-tired-to-rape-and-called-cattle-thieves
A sub-inspector of Haryana Police division has been suspended for failing to take action on the complaint filed by a JNU student who alleged she was threatened to rape by the locals when she and a group of her male friends went for an outing near Bhardwaj Lake in Asola.In the complaint the girl filed to Vasant Kunj (North) police, woman, who claimed to be a JNU student, had gone to Surajkund with six of her friends on August 15. While she was on a motorcycle with two of her friends, an inebriated man asked them to stop.“Sub-inspector Suresh Kumar has been suspended for not taking cognisance of the complaint by the woman and necessary action. We have zeroed in on some suspects and arrests are likely to be made soon,” Surajkund police station in-charge Pankaj Kumar said, reports HT."When we threatened to call police, they pulled me inside a temporary shed, tore my clothes, molested me, and tried to gang-rape me, but I resisted their attempts. They also tried to tie us up with a rope and threatened to cut us into pieces and dump in the lake," the JNU student adds. southlive
BJP received Rs 705.81 crore in donations from corporates, over Rs 150 crore without PAN details
http://www.jantakareporter.com/india/bjp-rs-705-81-crore-donations/143442/
Corporate houses have donated a total of Rs 956.77 crore to national parties between 2012-13 and 2015-16,constituting 89% of the total contribution from known sources, with BJP receiving the maximum Rs 705.81 crore, says a report.Among the national parties, BJP received the maximum donations of Rs 705.81 crore from 2,987 corporate donors followed by INC (Indian National Congress) which received Rs 198.16 crore from 167 corporate donors, the report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) said today, citing filings of political parties made to the Election Commission.NCP received Rs 50.73 crore, followed by CPM (Rs 1.89 crore) and CPI (Rs 0.18 crore).BSP was not considered for analysis in the report as the party has declared that it received no voluntary contributions above Rs 20,000 from any donor between 2012-13 and 2015-16.“Between 2012-13 and 2015-16, 5 national parties received a total of Rs 1,070.68 crore via voluntary contributions above Rs 20,000 out of which 89% of Rs 956.77 crore was from corporates/business houses,” ADR said.According to an earlier report by ADR, various business houses donated a total of Rs 378.89 crore to national parties, constituting 87 % of the total contribution from known sources in eight years, between financial years 2004-05 and 2011-12.PTI
Make Aadhaar Mandatory For Entry At Garba Venues, Demands Hindu Outfit in Bhopal
http://www.india.com/news/india/make-aadhaar-mandatory-for-entry-at-garba-venues-demands-hindu-outfit-in-bhopal-2413297/
Bhopal: A 125-year-old Hindu outfit, identified as Hindu Utsav Samiti (HUS), has appealed the Bhopal Collector to issue a directive making Aadhaar mandatory for entry at all Garba venues in district.The demand, raised by Hindutva group, is aimed at restricting the entry of non-Hindus at the Garba pandals. HUS president Kailash Begwani, in a meeting with Collector Sudama Khade, said Aadhaar would be effective in preventing the entry of members of other religious groups to the garba pandals.“india.com
Rs 1000-Crore Srijan Scam Rocks Bihar; Nitish, Sushil Modi Under Fire: caravandaily
http://caravandaily.com/portal/rs-1000-crore-srijan-scam-rocks-bihar-nitish-kumar-sushil-modi-under-fire/
New Delhi: Srijan Scam has embarrassed Nitish Kumar Govt of Bihar, with the opposition alleging direct involvement of the CM and his deputy Sushil Kumar Modi. The scam is about alleged transfer of Govt funds to an NGO Srijan Mahila Sahyog Samiti in Bihar’s district Bhagalpur. NGO used to earn a high rate of interest on the Govt funds while keeping the principal amount intact. It is believed the ambit of the case may go beyond Bhagalpur to other districts of the state.NGO carried out this fraud for a period of seven years between 2007 and 2014. Its operations were hit last year after the death of its founder Manorama Devi in Feb. Her son Amit Kumar and daughter-in-law Priya Kumar have been arrested.Several reports peg the total worth of the scam to be over Rs 500-crore. According to IANS, scam could be worth over Rs 1000-crore, while Indian Express reported on August 15 that the scam is suspected to be worth over Rs 700 crore. On August 14, HT published the modus operandi of the scamsters unraveled by investigators probing into the case. According to the report, the NGO was working in cahoots with bankers and treasury officials to secretly divert Govt funds into its account and earn interest on the principal amount, while leaving it as it is. For this, NGO used to write its account number on the reverse side of cheques issued by district treasuries to several Govt departments. Scamsters had also developed a system to generate fake e-statement of the bank to avoid getting caught. These fake statements were regularly sent to Govt offices for record keeping.Moreover, NGO also used to allegedly offer loans to people at very high rates of interest. NGO also prepared fake passbooks and escaped Govt audit between 2007-14, according to HT.Investigators have seized the laptop, which was used for running the fake banking software, printer, pen drives and alleged copies of bank e-statements. 9 people have also been arrested in connection with the case.
Congress seeks SC-monitored probe into Rs 50K-crore power scam linked to Adani Group
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/congress-seeks-sc-monitored-probe-into-rs-50k-power-scam-linked-to-adani-group/story-O0mskURvRNkgZrirLBgbJK.html
New Delhi:Congress demanded on Friday a Supreme Court-monitored CBI probe into an alleged Rs 50,000-crore scam engineered by a subsidiary of the Adani Enterprises and some shell companies by over-invoicing imported power plant equipment that resulted in inflated electricity tariffs.The main opposition party also insisted that it will soon file a petition before Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) on the issue.Congress spokesperson Ajay Maken cited a 97-page Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) report, which was first published by The Guardian, to attack PM Modi.HT
Democracy under threat from pseudo-nationalism, right-wing fanaticism:Goa Church periodical
http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/democracy-under-threat-from-pseudo-nationalism-right-wing-fanaticism-117081900364_1.html
Panaji: Indian democracy is under threat from "pseudo-nationalism" and "right-wing fanaticism masquerading as nationalism", a column published in Renovacao, a Goa Church periodical, has said."Quo Vadis India?" by Father Savio Fernandes in the latest edition of the pastoral bulletin of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, also bemoans efforts to make India a Hindu Rashtra by 2020 and rues the "political rhetoric" which is triggering hate crimes against dalits and members of the minority community."Competition for political and economic power has encouraged pseudo-nationalism, which uses religion as a tool to gain acceptance," Fernandes said in the column.He heads the Council for Social Justice and Peace, the social arm of Goa's influential Roman Catholic Church, which is the religious and spiritual leader of more than 26 % of the state's Catholic population."This is an important turning point in India's politics, because after being dominated for several decades by Left-leaning policies, the political space is now being rapidly cornered by Right-wing fanaticism masquerading as anationalism'."From the much talked about pluralism and diversity being the hallmark of the Indian nation, there are attempts to impose one culture, one religion, one language ideology - a Hindu Rashtra by 2020 which marks 75th anniversary of our nation's independence," the column stated . Magazine's contents have triggered interest in Goa, where CM Manohar Parrikar is contesting Panaji by-poll on Aug 23.IANS
Will quit NDA if BJP does anything that amounts to fascism: Goa Forward Party
https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Will-quit-NDA-if-BJP-does-anything-that-amounts-to-fascism-Vijai-/119104.html
Panjim: Goa Forward Party (GFP) President Vijai Sardesai on Friday said, his party would quit the NDA led by the BJP, if the latter does anything that amounts to fascism.Sardesai was responding to the article published in the pastoral periodical of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, ‘Renewal Novsornni Renovocao’, which has compared the current NDA rule to Nazism.Sardesai, who is also the Town and Country Planning Minister in the Manohar Parrikar-led Govt , said that the writer is exaggerating the issue.“If NDA govt does something which actually amounts to fascism, we are not here permanently glued to the BJP. We are glued to an individual. We are saying that in the present circumstances (Manohar) Parrikar is in the best position to deliver and also to protect secularism and communal harmony,” he stated.Herald
Rajasthan human rights panel chief calls live-in relationships ‘social terrorism’: indianexpress
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/rajasthan-human-rights-panel-chief-calls-live-in-relationships-social-terrorism-4803817/
Jaipur:Rajasthan Human Rights Commission chairperson Prakash Tatia has called live-in relationships “social terrorism”, saying the institution was infecting society. Justice Tatia, a retired chief justice of the Jharkhand High Court and ex-judge of Rajasthan High Courts, said status of women ‘abandoned’ from a live-in relationship was ‘worse than divorced women’.“What sort of freedom is this…without notice (people) start living in with someone else, then a third person…this is infecting the society,” he told a local daily in Jaipur. Justice Tatia called for a law to regulate live-in relationships, by way of registrations like in the case of marriage.“2 consenting adults don’t have the right to end the dignity of the entire society…live-in relationships need to be registered like a marriage….terminating the marriage also should go through a legal process,” he said. The rights panel chief said he had asked for suggestions on live-in relationships earlier this year in February.“Some very painful stories emerged…a woman who was 50 years old, struggling with cancer. She had been living in with her partner for 10 years after her divorce. When she was diagnosed with cancer, her live-in partner left her. She asked the HRC about her human right. Now, what should she be told…that’s what the country has to decide,” he said.
Jharkhand Christian outfits oppose anti-conversion Bill
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/jharkhand-christian-bodies-political-parties-submit-memorandum-to-governor-against-anti-conversion-bill-4802896/
Ranchi;6 days after the anti-conversion Bill was passed in the Jharkhand Assembly, Christian organisations under banner of Rashtriya Isai Mahasangh (RIM) on Friday submitted a memorandum to the Governor against the Bill, alleging that the proposed law is “aimed at harassing the church and missionaries”. Questioning the need for such a Bill, RIM asked in its memorandum, “If there is large-scale conversion going on, why did the Govt not invoke Section 295(A) of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with the same thing? Also, what is the basis of the Govt ’s claim about information about large-scale conversion?”IPC Section 295(A) deals with “deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings”, and entails imprisonment of up to four years, or a fine, or both.The RIM memorandum pointed out that Section 5 of the Bill makes it mandatory to get permission from the deputy commissioner in advance before performing any conversion. Christian organisations said this was against Constitutional provisions of the right to privacy and right to practise one’s religion.The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, the main Opposition party in the BJP-administered state, and the Congress have already submitted memorandums in this regard. The Opposition parties have also argued against the proposed amendments in the land acquisition Act, 2013, which was passed alongside the anti-conversion Bill on August 12. Indianexpress
Kerala Love Jihad case: She embraced Islam before I met her says man facing NIA probe
http://www.oneindia.com/india/kerala-love-jihad-she-embraced-islam-before-i-met-her-says-man-facing-nia-probe-2525172.html
The decision to marry a girl who converted to Islam has brought upon a NIA probe against Shafin Jahan. The man who is facing probe in a suspected Love Jihad case by NIA and his advocate tell OneIndia why they believe that Hadiya and Jahan's fundamental rights are being violated by none other than the judiciary. "The conversion was done in January 2016. She was officially converted in an institution Therbiyathul Islam Sabha in Kozhikode. The certificate of conversion has been submitted in the Kerala High court which led to the quashing of the first Habeas Corpus case. In January 2016, she also joined an Islamic institution (Sathya Sarani) to study and did a two-month course and completed in March 2016. Jahan met her only after she had already converted. Where is the Love Jihad here?," asked Naseer, Jahan's advocate.
Kerala govt yet to submit report on religious conversions: Union Minister Ahir
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/kerala-yet-to-submit-report-on-conversions-hansraj-ahir-4804008/
Hyderabad:Kerala Govt is yet to submit an inquiry report sought by the Centre on alleged religious conversions taking place in Malappuram district, Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said. “There is a big centre…that centre is in Malappuram district (in Kerala),” the minister said alleging, “Conversions take place there. In a month, about 1,000 people are converted. There is a report that Hindus and Christians are made Muslims.”“I went there in May. I had a meeting with DG, … Chief Secretary. I told them, what is this centre that 1,000 (people) are converted in a month. On what basis? Do they take advantage of poverty, give warnings, talk about employment. What do they do? Find out. The matter is coming out,” Ahir said. The minister was responding to a query on the NIA indicating a “pattern” vis-a-vis issue of ‘love jihad’ in the Supreme Court while dealing with the matter. Ahir, however, did not comment on the issue, noting that it is sub-judice.PTI
Gorakhpur tragedy: Allahabad HC asks govt to submit inquiry findings
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/gorakhpur-hospital-tragedy-allahabad-hc-asks-govt-to-submit-inquiry-findings/
Allahabad:The Allahabad High Court on Friday directed UP Govt to submit the findings of its own inquiry into the recent deaths of more than 60 children at Gorakhpur’s B R D Medical College and Hospital while maintaining that it will set up an alternate judicial inquiry into the matter only if it is not satisfied with the Govt ’s findings.The court was hearing five PILs urging for a judicial probe into the deaths of 30 children between August 10 and August 11 because of a possible disruption of liquid oxygen supply at the hospital among other fatal cases.2-member bench asked the state Govt to submit the reasons behind the deaths and what it had done to control the situation. “…respondents are directed to file short counter affidavits, indicating the steps taken by them so far in respect of the death of children in the said hospital,” the bench comprising Chief Justice D B Bhonsale and Justice Yashwant Varma told state Additional Advocate General Manish Goel. It asked the Govt to place before court on August 29, the findings of its inquiry committee, if any constituted so far. indianexpress
Babri mosque cannot be relocated nor its land be used for something else: Shia cleric Kalbe Jawad
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/babri-mosque-cannot-be-relocated-nor-its-land-be-used-for-something-else-shia-cleric-kalbe-jawad/articleshow/60120658.cms
Lucknow: Senior Shia cleric and general secretary of Majlis-E-Ulema-E-Hind, Maulana Kalbe Jawad on Friday said that only a mosque can be constructed on land earmarked for a mosque, while referring to the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi dispute.He also said that those crying out loud about shifting of the Babri Masjid to another spot making way for the Ram Mandir to be built in place, should instead give up their personal property for the purpose.Lashing out strongly the Maulana said, "Those suggesting giving up of the Babri Masjid land for the temple have only the right to donate their own land and not stake claim on a land earmarked for a mosque. What is not your own, does not give you the right to make decisions for it. These people favouring the shift should instead give up their house and property for it."TOI
Zakir Naik to Interpol: I am targeted for being Muslim, never supported terror
http://kashmirreader.com/2017/08/19/zakir-naik-interpol-i-targeted-muslim-never-supported-terror/
New Delhi: Zakir Naik has contested NIA’s request to Interpol for a red-corner notice, the Times of India reported.The Mumbai-based preacher who is currently abroad has alleged that the case against him is linked to “religious persecution of minorities in India”.According to sources told TOI, Naik, in his plea to Interpol, has submitted that for the past 25 years, he had been delivering speeches and lectures on Islam across multiple countries and was respected and welcomed in these countries. Naik, who has been accused of spreading hatred by his provocative speeches said that lectures had only promoted peace and nowhere they incite Muslim to commit terrorist acts nor it support terror.In his report, a medical doctor-turned preacher has alleged that Indian agencies unfairly targeting him because he was a Muslim.They banned his NGO IRF and prevented him from delivering speeches on Islam, thereby violating his freedom of expression.In his plea, he also cited that Indian prisons were in “poor condition” and there were “human rights violations”. He would be subjected to any abuse if he were to be sent to an Indian jail.PTI /TOI / Kashmir reader
Malegaon case: NIA seeks stay on spl court order on UAPA sanction
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/2008-malegaon-case-nia-seeks-stay-on-special-court-order-on-uapa-sanction-4803226/
Mumbai:NIA has sought a stay on the special court’s order passed last week in the Malegaon 2008 case for production of documents pertaining to sanction under the UAPA.Special public prosecutor Avinash Rasal has submitted before the court that the NIA is in the process of filing an appeal against the August 9 order. has submitted before the court against the August 9 order.The court had issued summons to the Director of Prosecution under Section 45 (2) of the UAPA, 2008, for production of the review or recommendation report given by it to the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad. Accused retired major, Ramesh Upadhyay and Lt Colonel, Prasad Purohit, through advocate Shrikant Shivade objected to the stay.The accused submitted before the court that it could not review its own order and that the NIA had “no intention” to file an appeal since they are yet to seek a certified copy of the order from the court.The stay was sought since the summons were expected to be responded to by the authority this week.The court is likely to decide on the stay order by next week. indianexpress
Protest rally against killing of ABMSU president Lafiqul Islam at Assam's Kokrajhar
http://sentinelassam.com/story/news/14/protest-rally-against-killing-of-abmsu-president-at-kokrajhar/2017-08-19/1/317617#.WZhDTD4jG1u
Kokrajhar: A huge rally was brought out at Kokrajhar town on Friday under the aegis of All Bodoland Minority Students’ Union (ABMSU) where 13 different student organizations joined the rally demanding the arrest of real culprits involved in assassination of Lafiqul Islam Ahmed.Student organizations include AAMSU, ABMSU, ABSU, AKRSU (Hiteswar), AKRSU (Pradip Ray), ABBYSF, AASU, Chirang district KMSS and AJYCP. Kokrajhar MP Naba Kr. Sarania also joined the rally.The students gathered at Rajmela field in the midst of Kokrajhar town and moved towards DC office via RN Brahma Road, JD Road and returned to the same place connecting Shantinagar. The student activists shouted slogans against the failure of state Govt to nab the culprits even after 18 days of killing. General secretary of ABMSU, Shahkamal Khandakar said that it has been 18 days since the killing of Lafiqul Islam but the state Govt has failed to nab the real culprits involved in the incident. He said the SIT has been investigating the incident but the progress is being kept secret. “There has been report of arrest of three more persons but the Govt has been tight-lipped due to reason best known to them,” he said adding that ‘some force’ could have been used through ‘someone’ in elimination of Lafiqul. He also said that ABMSU has been demanding the suspension of existing SP of Kokrajhar as his entangle with the incident cannot be ruled out. He further said the Govt failed to transfer the SP despite demand from various quarter.
BJP has come to power not for 5 or 10 years but for 50 years: Amit Shah
http://en.southlive.in/india/2017/08/19/bjp-has-come-to-power-not-for-5-or-10-years-but-for-50-years-amit-shah
BJP Amit Shah has said his party has not come to power for mere 5 or 10 years, but at least 50 years and called upon workers to strengthen the party and take it to every part of the country.Shah also said that though the BJP appears to be at its peak with a majority Govt at the Centre and 1,387 MLAs in states the workers feel the party has still a long way to go."Today, we have a majority Govt at the Centre with 330 MPs, and also have 1,387 MLAs in different states. The party appears to be at its peak, but dedicated workers feel we have a long way ahead," a BJP release on Saturday quoted Shah as saying at a meeting with partymen. southlive
Nitish’s JD(U) formally joins NDA, may get cabinet berths at Centre
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/nitish-kumar-jdu-nda-amit-shah-sharad-yadav-executive-meet-4803711/
New Delhi:Nitish Kumar on Saturday passed a resolution to join the NDA during the JDU ’s national executive meeting chaired by leader and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar. Party general secretary KC Tyagi confirmed that JD(U) under Nitish will become part of the NDA. The move comes weeks after Kumar broke ties with the Grand Alliance parties, Congress and RJD, in the state and re-formed the Govt with the support of the BJP. The trio had initially come together ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections in 2015 to counter the BJP.Security has been beefed up outside Kumar’s residence where the meeting is being held, as supporters of Sharad Yadav and the RJD gather holding placards and shouting slogans against the CM . There were even reports of clash between supporters of rival JD(U) factions outside CM’s residence. indianexpress
‘If you kill one, ten militants will stand up’ Mirwaiz addresses after 57 days at grand mosque
http://kashmirwatch.com/if-you-kill-one-ten-militants-will-stand-up-mirwaiz-addresses-after-57-days/
Srinagar: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq addressed Friday gathering at Jamia Masjid in Old City after 57 days of house arrest. Addressing the gathering, Mirwaiz said people of J&K are waiting for the final resolution to put an end to the uncertainty, destruction and hatred among people of the subcontinent. He said that the resolution of the issue can always be reached provided there is willingness to accept the facts and compassion, humanity and mutual respect among the parties involved while addressing the problem and a keenness to work towards real peace by all.He said aggression and repression can never resolve anything but only aggravate it. kashmirwatch
Will solve terror, naxalism, Kashmir issue by 2022:Rajnath
http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/will-solve-terror-naxalism-kashmir-issue-by-2022-says-home-minister-rajnath-singh-1739354
Home Minister Rajnath Singh is setting one tough goal after another for his Govt. To his earlier target of sealing country's borders by Bangladesh by mid-2018, Mr Rajnath Singh added a few more on Friday.Speaking at a programme on building a 'new India', the Home Minister declared that the Govt would, by 2022, find a solution to the Kashmir problem, terrorism, naxalism and insurgency in the Northeast, problems that have festered for more than 5 decades."There are a lot of problems - terrorism, naxalism, Kashmir problem. Much is not needed to be said about these problems. But I can assure you this much that by 2022, we have pledged to create a 'new India'... So a solution will be found to all these problems before 2022. We want to assure the countrymen on this,"he said. NDTV/PTI
WORLD
UN: Saudi coalition to blame for 51% of Yemen’s child casualties
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170818-un-saudi-coalition-to-blame-for-51-of-yemens-child-casualties/
Saudi Arabia-led military coalition is responsible for an “unacceptably high” 51% of child deaths and injuries in Yemen last year, according to a draft UN report.The draft report on children and armed conflict, which still has to be approved by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and is subject to change, blamed the Saudi-led coalition for more than 680 child casualties and three-quarters of the attacks on schools and hospitals in Yemen.“Attacks carried out by air caused over half of all child casualties, with at least 349 killed and 333 injured,” the draft report found. middleeastmonitor
Civilians in Yemen targeted, reveal leaked emails
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170819-civilians-in-yemen-have-been-targeted-reveal-leaked-emails/
A new set of leaked emails sent by UAE ambassador in Washington, Yousef Al-Otaiba, have revealed that Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen has targeted civilian sites, and that such attacks are damaging his country’s image in America. In an email sent to officials in the Govt of UAE 2 years ago, Al-Otaiba expressed his concern about the continued targeting of civilians in the war-torn country and its repercussions on the Gulf state’s relationship with Washington, describing situation as a nightmare.At the time, he explained,Obama administration was still showing its support reluctantly and pointed out that the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen was damaging the reputation of the US and thus putting the UAE – an active and enthusiastic partner in the coalition – in an awkward position. Memo documenting Al-Otaiba’s concerns was sent in Sept. 2015 to a wide range of decision makers in the UAE, including the Assistant Secretary-General of Supreme National Security Council, Ali Al-Shamsi and the Crown Prince’s Undersecretary, Mohammed Mubarak Al-Mazrouei. Middleeastmonitor
Egypt reassures Israel of Saudi’s vow to uphold peace treaty: middleeastmonitor
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170818-egypt-reassures-israel-of-saudis-vow-to-uphold-peace-treaty/
Egyptian media revealed yesterday that three letters were exchanged between the Egyptian foreign minister and Israel’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu over Riyadh’s commitment to the existing arrangements regarding Tiran Strait and Red Sea islands of Tiran and Sanafir which Egypt recently ceded to Saudi Arabia.In April 2016, during a visit by Saudi King Salman to Cairo, Egyptian Govt signed an agreement with Saudi stipulating the handover of the two islands to Saudi sovereignty, which sparked public outrage and rare street protests. Deal’s opponents accused Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi of selling the islands to Saudi in return for Saudi aid, but Al-Sisi defended the deal in a number of speeches and public statements.Yesterday, official gazette published the full text of Al-Sisi’s decree ratifying the maritime demarcation agreement. The presidential decree is dated 24 June 2017. Appendices to decree included 3 letters signed by Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukryand addressed to Netanyahu.The letters were dated 8 May 2016 and 18 and 19 Dec.2016, respectively, and they stressed Riyadh’s commitment to “existing arrangements regarding the strait and the 2 islands”.
Syria: 30 civilians killed in coalition bombing on Raqqa
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170818-syria-30-civilians-killed-in-coalition-bombing-on-raqqa/
The international coalition’s planes yesterday committed a massacre against civilians, killing at least 30 in Raqqa, Syria, according to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently campaign. The group said international coalition planes killed 30 civilians in a new massacre committed after the homes of civilians near Muawiya Ibn Abu Sufyan School in Al Mala’ab Al-Aswad area in Raqqa city were bombed. Middleeastmonitor
Lebanese army, Hezbollah declare offensives on Daesh at Syrian border: middleeastmonitor
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170819-lebanese-army-hezbollah-declare-offensives-on-daesh-at-syrian-border/
Lebanese army launched an offensive on Saturday against a Daesh enclave on the northeast border with Syria as the Lebanese Shia group Hezbollah announced an assault on the militants from Syrian side of the frontier.Lebanese army operation got underway at 5am, targeting Daesh positions near the town of Ras Baalbek with rockets, artillery and helicopters, a Lebanese security source said. The area is the last part of the Lebanese-Syrian frontier under insurgent control.
Israel demolishes Palestinians homes to expand settlements
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170818-israeli-occupation-forces-demolish-homes-and-razes-lands-to-expand-settlements/
Israeli bulldozers yesterday demolished 3 houses belonging to Arab citizens near Negev desert under pretext of unlicensed construction.Palestinian sources reported to Quds Press that the demolitions included a house in the village of Umm-Qabu near Tall Al-Sabe village as well as two others in the villages of Al-Atrach and Al-Sayyed that are not recognised by the Israeli occupation authorities.An Arab deputy in the Israeli Knesset, Said Al-Kharoumi, claims that the demolition campaign is just one in a series of recent fierce campaigns that aim mainly at harassing citizens and forcing them out of the area.Al-Kharoumi told Quds Press that Israeli authorities have been trying to impose forced solutions, demolitions and destruction on the inhabitants of Negev. middleeastmonitor
400 Palestinian children held in Israel’s prisons
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170818-400-palestinian-children-held-in-israels-prisons/
The number of Palestinian children held in Israeli occupation jails has reached 400, the director of the Commission for Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs has revealed.middleeastmonitor
Steve Bannon out as Trump's top strategist: White House
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/08/steve-bannon-trump-top-strategist-white-house-170818170120625.html
Steve Bannon, US President Donald Trump's chief strategist, has become the latest high-profile figure in the administration whose role has come to an abrupt end.White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders confirmed that Bannon would no longer be showing up to work."White House Chief of Staff John Kelly and Steve Bannon have mutually agreed today would be Steve's last day," Sanders said. "We are grateful for his service and wish him the best." aljazeera
Actors, writers quit White House committee over Trump
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/08/actors-writers-quit-white-house-committee-trump-170818164820524.html
Actors and prominent arts figures in the US have resigned from an advisory committee to the White House following President Donald Trump's reaction to deadly white supremacist violence last weekend in Charlottesville.In a joint letter addressed to Trump, members of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities (PCAH) condemned the president's insistence in equating the actions of both white supremacists and those protesting against them during the far-right rally on Aug 12.A 32-year-old anti-racist protester,Heather Heyer, was killed and several people were wounded in a car ramming attack. Trump repeatedly blamed "both sides" for the deadly violence. "Reproach and censure in the strongest possible terms are necessary following your support of the hate groups and terrorists who killed and injured fellow Americans in Charlottesville," said letter, which was signed by all members but one of the 17-person committee. "The false equivalencies you push cannot stand."Actor Kal Penn, photographer Chuck Close, author Jhumpa Lahiri and Jill Cooper Udall, wife of Senator Tom Udall were among those who signed the resignation letter."We cannot sit idly by, the way that your West Wing advisors have, without speaking out against your words and actions," the members wrote. aljazeera
Spain declares 3 days of mourning after deadly attack
http://www.aljazeera.com/video/news/2017/08/spain-declares-days-mourning-deadly-attack-170819061006880.html
3 days of mourning have been declared for the victims of what appears to be another coordinated attack in another European country. Police in Spain continue to investigate deadly attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils, which left at least 14 people dead and more than 100 injured. 4 suspects arrested. aljazeera
Smallpox vaccine might actually have come from horses, not cows: Study
http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/smallpox-vaccine-might-actually-have-come-from-horses-not-cows-study-117081900131_1.html
Washington:A new study suggests that the smallpox vaccine might actually have come from horses, not cows.Smallpox is an infectious disease caused by variola virus that has killed millions of people over the centuries. Disease is characterized by the growth of innumerable bumps that cover the entire body of the patient. Research suggested that the smallpox vaccine might actually have come from horses, not cows, which would mean we should perhaps be talking about 'equination' and 'equines'.A researcher Clarissa Damaso from Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil conducted research. ANI
FLASH: VIEWS & NEWS
Breaking the siege mentality:Reviving J&K’s trade links with Central Asian economies will undo the damage caused by artificial borders:Iftikhar Gilani , DNA
http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-breaking-the-siege-mentality-2533347
Map of New India:PM needs to ask himself why under his watch this country has become a fearful place:Pamela Philipose
http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/the-map-of-new-india-narendra-modi-gorakhpur-tragedy-una-dalits-communalism-casteism-kashmir-issue-4801753/
Muslims and India’s Freedom Struggle: Pain That Hurts Inside Pours Out into Laments:Maulana Nadeemul Wajidi, Urdu Media Monitor , Daily Jadid Khabar
https://www.urdumediamonitor.com/2017/08/18/muslims-indias-freedom-struggle-pain-hurts-inside-pours-laments/
Gorakhpur is what happens when a communal agenda is passed off as ‘good governance’:Swati Chaturvedi
https://thewire.in/167971/adityanath-modi-gorakhpur-deaths/
Election Commissioner speaks out: ‘Winning at all cost, without ethics, is new normal in politics’: Ritika Chopra
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/winning-at-all-cost-without-ethics-is-new-normal-in-politics-ec-speaks-out-gujarat-rajya-sabha-elections-4801871/
Modi taking India to a dangerous place:Prem Shankar Jha
https://thewire.in/168526/narendra-modi-india-bjp-shah/
Interview: The surprising links between casteism, open defecation and high infant mortality in India:Swagata Yadavar, Indiaspend.com
https://scroll.in/article/847117/interview-the-surprising-links-between-casteism-open-defecation-and-high-infant-mortality-in-india
RSS continues to defy India’s Flag code even 70 years after Independence:National Herald
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/eye-on-rss/rss-continues-to-defy-indias-flag-code-even-70-years-after-independence
UP CM’s encouragement of religious displays in police stations is troubling:Aakash Joshi
http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/a-thana-coloured-saffron-yogi-adityanath-police-stations-up-cms-encouragement-of-religious-displays-in-police-stations-is-troubling-4803148/
Analysts: Jordan vote win tests Brotherhood popularity
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170819-analysts-jordan-vote-win-tests-brotherhood-popularity/
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 9:00 PM)
