باسمہٖ تعالیٰNEWS DIGEST, MID-DAY
10 Sept. 2018: 29 Zilhajj 1439: Vol: 10, No:104
INDIA
SC seeks report from trial judge in Babri demolition case involving BJP veterans Advani. Joshi, Uma within April 2019 deadline
https://thewire.in/politics/sc-seeks-report-from-trial-judge-in-babri-masjid-demolition-case
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday sought a report from a sessions judge in a Lucknow court on how he intends to complete the trial in the Babri Masjid demolition case involving BJP veterans L.K. Advani, M.M. Joshi and Uma Bharti within April 2019 deadline. A bench of Justices R.F. Nariman and Indu Malhotra also sought the Uttar Pradesh government’s response on a plea of trial court judge S.K. Yadav, whose promotion was stayed by the Allahabad high court on the ground that the apex court had directed him to complete the trial.The court asked for the report in a sealed cover.On April 19, 2017, the apex court had said BJP stalwarts Advani, Joshi and Uma Bharti would be prosecuted for serious offence of criminal conspiracy in the politically sensitive 1992 Babri Masjid demolition case and ordered a day-to-day trial to be concluded in two years, ie April 19, 2019.The apex court dubbed the demolition of the medieval era monument a “crime” which shook the “secular fabric of the Constitution” and allowed CBI’s plea on the restoration of a criminal conspiracy charge against the VVIP accused.“There shall be no de novo (fresh) trial. There shall be no transfer of the Judge conducting the trial until the entire trial concludes. The case shall not be adjourned on any ground except when the sessions court finds it impossible to carry on the trial for that particular date,” the apex court had said.There were two sets of cases relating to the demolition of the disputed structure on Dec.6, 1992. The first involved unnamed ‘karsevaks’, the trial of which is taking place in a Lucknow court, while the second set of cases relate to the leaders in a Rae Bareli court.PTI
Babri Masjid demolition case: How will you complete probe by April 2019, SC asks trial judge
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/babri-masjid-demolition-case-ayodhya-supreme-court-lucknow-probe-status-5348347/
Alwar lynching case: SC agrees to hear plea seeking to transfer trial out of Rajasthan
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/alwar-lynching-case-supreme-court-agrees-to-hear-plea-seeking-to-transfer-trial-out-of-rajasthan-5348256/
New Delhi :The Supreme Court Monday agreed to hear next week a plea seeking to transfer the trial in connection with the Alwar lynching case out of Rajasthan. The plea, filed by the victim’s family, also sought a court-monitored probe in the case.Rakbar, a 32-year-old cattle trader, was allegedly beaten to death by villagers in Lalwandi while he was transporting cows on foot in July. The mob suspected him to be a cattle thief.Last week, the Rajasthan police filed chargesheet in the case in an Alwar court against the three accused who had been arrested. The 25-page chargesheet names Dharmendra, Paramjeet, and Naresh, who were arrested following Rakbar’s death.indianexpress
New UN rights chief slams India for inaction on rights violations report in Kashmir
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/united-nations-michelle-bachelet-kashmir-human-rights-violation-5348990/
New Delhi :In her first address to United Nations Human Rights Council, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Monday praised the Supreme Court for decriminalising same-sex relations between consenting adults but slammed India for lack of any “meaningful improvement” on addressing issues highlighted in the UN report on human rights violations in Kashmir. Ex-Chilean president succeeded Zeid Raad al Hussain as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights this month. In her opening remarks at the 39th session of the UN Human Rights Council, Bachelet said the people of Kashmir had the same rights to justice and dignity as people all over the world. “The people of Kashmir have exactly the same rights to justice and dignity as people all over the world and we urge authorities to respect them,” she said.Bachelet also reiterated the UNHRC’s request for unconditional access to Kashmir on either side of LoC. “Office of HRC continues to request permission to visit both sides of the LoC, and in the meantime, will continue its monitoring and reporting,” she said.In his report to the UN Human Rights Council in June, Bachelet’s predecessor Zeid Hussain had sought an “establishment of a commission of inquiry to conduct a comprehensive independent international investigation into allegations of human rights violations in Kashmir” and asked the governments of India and Pakistan to “fully respect the right of self-determination of the people of Kashmir as protected under international law”.However, India reacted sharply to the report, calling it “fallacious, tendentious and motivated”, and lodged a strong protest with the UN. The new UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called the Donald Trump administration’s now-scrapped policy of separation of migrant families “unconscionable” and urged Europe to create a dedicated search and rescue operation for migrants in Mediterranean.Raising concerns about persecution of Rohingyas in Myanmar’s Rakhine, Bachelet called on the Council to create “an independent international mechanism to collect, consolidate, preserve and analyse evidence of the most serious international crimes, in order to expedite fair and independent trials in national and international courts”.“I urge the Council to pass a resolution, and refer the matter to the General Assembly for its endorsement so that such a mechanism can be established,” AFP quoted her as saying.indianexpress
NIA court sends Syed Salahuddin's 2nd son to 30-day judicial custody
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/nia-court-sends-syed-salahuddins-second-son-to-30-day-judicial-custody/articleshow/65757054.cms
New Delhi: A NIA court on Monday sent Shakeel Yousuf, son of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin, to 30 day judicial custody.He was arrested on August 30 by the NIA in connection with a 2011 terror funding case for allegedly receiving money from his father. Shakeel is the second son of Salahuddin, who has been arrested by the NIA. Earlier in June this year, his another son, Shahid, who was working in the agricultural department of J&K Govt, was arrested in the same case.NIA alleged Shakeel used to receive funds through a US-based international wire transfer company from Aijaz Ahmed Bhat, another accused in the case who is absconding and based in Saudi Arabia.NIA has so far filed two charge sheets against six people including G M Bhat, a close aide of Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mohammed Siddiq Ganai, Ghulam Jeelani Liloo and Farooq Ahmed Dagga. All 4 are in judicial custody.TOI
2007 Hyderabad twin blasts case: 2 sentenced to death, third awarded life imprisonment
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/hyderabad-twin-blasts-case-verdict/article24914350.ece?homepage=true
Hyderabad: A special court in the Cherlapally Central Prison in Hyderabad today sentenced Anik Shafique Syeed and M.Akbar Ismail Chowdhari to death in the 2007 Hyderabad twin blasts case. Third convict Tarik Anjum was sentenced to life imprisonment. Earlier in the day, the court convicted Anjum for harbouring the perpetrators of the blasts in New Delhi and other places. Anjum, a civil engineer from New Delhi and a native of Bihar, was arrested in 2011 on the charge of providing shelter to blasts culprits, including Riyaz Bhatkal and his brother Iqbal Bhatkal.Last week, Second Additional Metropolitan Sessions Court Judge (in-charge)T. Srinivas Rao pronounced Anik Shafique Syeed and Mohammed Akbar Ismail Chowdhari — close associates of Riyaz Bhatkal — guilty in the case.2 other accused, Farooq Sharfuddin Tarkash and Mohammed Sadiq Israr Ahmed Shaik, were acquitted for want of enough evidence. All the 4 hail from Maharashtra and have been involved in other cases in Pune and Mumbai.thehindu
No terror link in ISIS sex slave case, matter of marital discord, NIA tells home ministry
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/no-terror-link-in-isis-sex-slave-case-matter-of-marital-discord-nia-tells-home-ministry-1336109-2018-09-09
New Delhi:Several months ago, a Hindu woman based in Gujarat (name withheld) had accused her Muslim husband from Kerala of conspiring to sell her off to ISIS jihadi. After months of investigation, NIA has not been able to find evidence against 27-year-old Mohammed Riyaz. Sources said that NIA has last week moved the file to Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) apprising them of no terror link being found in the case. Though top officer of NIA said that the agency could eventually file a closure report, a senior officer associated with the case said, "Once the file returns from Home Ministry, we will be informing the Kerala court and police of our finding that this is a case of marital discord and should be investigated by the local police under relevant sections." NIA had arrested Riyaz on Feb.3 from the Chennai airport after his return from Jeddah, Saudi. His wife had alleged that he blackmailed her into converting to Islam using a recording of their sexual encounter and also pressured her into marrying him. She had also alleged that she was taken to Saudi , from where Riyaz tried to sell her off to ISIS terrorists.She has also alleged that she was taken to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia by the accused person with the intention of further transporting her to Syria. The case had made headlines then, but 7 months after the husband was arrested, NIA has officially moved a file to say "no terror link" found.indiatoday
In Kashmir, Police adopts Israeli strategy to ‘nab’ protesters?TCN report
http://twocircles.net/2018sep09/425807.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
Srinagar: In a strange turn of events, officials of the J&K Police disguised themselves among protesters at Jamia Masjid in Srinagar in an attempt to arrest stone pelters after Friday prayers, drawing comparisons with Israeli forces who indulge in similar activities.The place where this incident took place on Friday is known as a hub of anti-India protest. The people usually after Friday congregation prayers take part in the protest outside the historic mosque.After the Friday prayers this week, a group of youth started pelting stones at police and CRPF personnel but there was no retaliation this time and not even a single teargas shell was lobbed or baton charge initiated by the law enforcing force, according to sources. As the crowd swelled to over 100 people and two stone pelters started leading the agitation, the first tear gas shell was lobbed at the mob dispersing them. However, the protesters were left stunned when the two stone-pelters who were leading the mob were grabbed by policemen covertly placed in the crowd and whisked away in waiting vehicles. twocircles
Sohrabuddin ‘fake’ encounter: Ex Gujarat DIG Vanzara, 5 others’ discharge upheld by Bombay HC
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sohrabuddin-shaikh-fake-encounter-former-gujarat-dig-vanzara-five-others-discharged-by-bombay-hc-5348373/
Mumbai :Bombay High Court has upheld the discharge granted by a CBI court to 6 policemen, including ex Gujarat DIG D G Vanzara and IPS officers Dinesh M N and Rajkumar Pandiyan, in 2005-2006 encounter case of suspected gangster Sohrabuddin Shaikh, his wife Kausar Bi and their aide, Tulsiram Prajapati. The court has also allowed the discharge application of Gujarat IPS officer Vipul Aggarwal.The six applications include three filed by Sohrabuddin’s brother Rubabuddin, challenging the discharge of Vanzara, Dinesh, Pandiyan; two others filed by CBI challenging the discharge of Rajasthan Police constable Dalpat Singh Rathod and Gujarat Police officer N K Amin; and one filed by Gujarat IPS officer Vipul Aggarwal challenging his discharge orders rejected by the trial court.Justice A M Badar, who began hearing all 6 applications from July 4, reserved judgment in Aug.During the first hearing, Rubabuddin’s lawyer Gautam Tiwari began by arguing against the discharge granted to Pandiyan by the lower court on Aug.25, 2016.As Tiwari referred to the statement of a key witness who is a police driver, advocate Raja Thakare, representing Dinesh MN, told the court that the key witness has turned hostile in the lower court. Tiwari responded by saying that the court was at a stage of framing charges against Pandiyan, and therefore the conduct of witnesses in the trial court should have no bearing on the present case.indianexpress
HRD ministry pitches for national madarsa board
https://indianexpress.com/article/education/hrd-ministry-pitches-for-national-madarsa-board-5349145/
New Delhi: Members of HRD Ministry’s NMCME have pitched for capturing details of unregistered madarsas in the country and setting up a national-level madarsa board with a suitable system for accreditation to ensure their academic standards. In a recent meeting of the National Monitoring Committee for Minorities’ Education (NCME), panel member Afzar Shamsi recommended that the data of unregistered madarsas be captured. “There are two types of madarsas, one which are ‘registered’ which are roughly 20%and the other one are ‘unregistered’ which are around 80%. All the data which the government is having is based on registered madarsas,” the minutes of the meeting quoted Shamsi as saying. “There is a need to capture the details of the unregistered madarsas and bring them within the ambit of registration so that a clear picture is available,” he said. Another member Jamshid Khan said, “Madarsa boards in some states are defunct. While some states have these boards, some like Maharashtra do not have any madarsa board”.“It is suggested that there should be an all-India level madarsa board with suitable system for accreditation to ensure academic standards,” he said. “Madarsa should be linked with skill development council. In order to facilitate the spread of information amongst the madarsas besides making it available on the website, there should also be a move to spread an awareness campaign in their areas in which we members can contribute,” another panel member Suman Kumar said. NCME is chaired by Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar and consists of nominees from state governments, Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, academics, activists, administrators concerned with minority issues and HRD Ministry officials.The main function of NMCME is to monitor minority education and ongoing schemes of the Ministry targeted at the community. It also makes recommendations to address the issues related to recognition and affiliation of minority institutions.PTI
Congress and Oppn hold protests, BJP a presser: All that happened during Bharat Bandh against fuel price hike
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bharat-bandh-congress-opposition-petrol-diesel-prices-narendra-modi-government-5348553/
New Delhi :Protest march led by Congress president Rahul Gandhi with support from Opposition parties, suspension of public transport services in Kerala, disruption of train services in Odisha and Bihar, detention of Congress and Opposition workers in several states, and sporadic incidents of violence in some parts of the country. This is largely what marked the six-hour nationwide shutdown called on Monday by Opposition parties led by Congres against the rising fuel prices. While schools, offices and business establishments remained closed in some parts of the country, normal life remained unaffected. Protests that took place in New Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Goa, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh were largely peaceful.Twenty-one parties, besides a number of chambers of commerce and traders’ association, participated in the stir and demanded the inclusion of petrol and diesel under the Goods and Services Tax, which would make oil prices drop by about Rs 15 to Rs 18.Rahul Gandhi, who joined the agitation immediately after his return from Kailash Mansarovar, questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence over the rising fuel prices. Addressing a protest rally with various opposition parties at the Ramlila grounds in the national capital, Gandhi alleged that the country is being divided and expressed confidence that the united opposition will defeat BJP in 2019 Lok Sabha polls.In states like Kerala, Karnataka, Bihar, Odisha and Arunachal Pradesh life was hit by the shutdown.In Odisha, train services were disrupted in many places as Congress workers blocked railway tracks to enforce the bandh. At least 10 trains were cancelled. Vehicle movement also came to a grinding halt in many places as Congress workers blocked roads. Buses, taxis and autorickshaws stayed off the roads.indianexpress
Fuel prices set a new record: Petrol at Rs 80.73/litre in Delhi, Rs 88.12/litre in Mumbai
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/petrol-diesel-fuel-prices-september-10-5347876/
Bharat bandh live updates | Prohibitory orders clamped in Udupi as Congress, BJP workers clash
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bharat-bandh-live-updates/article24913109.ece?homepage=true&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=FB-bharatbandh
Rajiv Gandhi assassination case: Release all convicts, Tamil Nadu to tell Governor
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rajiv-gandhi-assassination-case-release-all-convicts-tamil-nadu-to-tell-governor-5347789/
TAMIL Nadu govt resolved Sunday to recommend the release of all seven life convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case to Governor Banwarilal Purohit under Article 161 of the Constitution. All the seven convicts have served over 27 years in prison.“The Governor, who is the executive authority of the state, will execute the decision taken by the government,” D Jayakumar, State Fisheries Minister, told reporters after a Cabinet meeting headed by CM E K Palaniswami.indianexpress
PDP to boycott local body polls in J&K, cites Article 35A row
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/pdp-to-boycott-local-body-polls-in-jk-cites-article-35-a-row-5348642/
Srinagar :PDP Monday has formally decided to boycott the upcoming municipal and panchayat polls in Jammu-Kashmir. It became the second mainstream political party after NC to distance itself from the poll process amid the row over Article 35A.“The situation created by linking panchayat polls with the case pending in Supreme Court about Article 35A has created apprehensions in the minds of the people, who genuinely see an assault on the special constitutional position of the state.” PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said after a party meet in Srinagar. indianexpress
Omar rules out any alliance with BJP in J&K
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/omar-abdullah-rules-out-any-alliance-with-bjp-in-jk-5348656/
Srinagar :National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah Monday ruled out any alliance with BJP for formation of government in Jammu and Kashmir, saying such reports were “fake news” and “some psy-ops plan” designed to “unsettle” his party cadre.He said in a Twitter post that no alliance with BJP is happening.PTI
Hyderabad: Effort on to use communal hatred in polls says Umar Khalid
https://deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/100918/hyderabad-effort-on-to-use-communal-hatred-in-polls-says-umar-khalid.html
Hyderabad: A major effort is underway to project the 2019 elections as a fight between Hindus and Muslims but the people must ignore it as the major problems were about ‘mazdoor, kisan, yuva, Dalit, Muslim and the poor,” said student activist Dr Umar Khalid.PhD scholar from JNU was speaking at the Telangana state conference of the Students Islamic Organisation of India. The conference dealt with the issues of campus democracy, failure to conduct elections on campuses, how the government had failed to create jobs for youth and how lynch mobs were not only on the streets but also as anchors on TV channels.Dr Khalid said, “The government is deliberately talking about Hindus and Muslims and not willing to address the actual problems which are faced by the nation. The diversionary tactics of the Modi government will not work. The people are aware that they are being divided to make them fight. We as people have to stress on the real problems that we continue to face, of food, jobs and poverty.”Hitting out at media trials that he said were being carried out every day,Dr Khalid said most of the hatred was being spread through television channels. He said, “There are letters which were first given to the press and not to the court. Why are they doing this? Earlier the government tried to gain sympathy by saying that the Hindu was in danger and now they are doing the same by saying Modi is in danger.”He asked why the government was not looking at the problem of drought in different states. “Whom are they protecting? Are they scared that the insurance companies will have a huge bill to settle the claims? Are they protecting the insurance sector,” Dr Khalid asked. SIO leaders who spoke at the conference lamented over the attitude of the government which was terming dissent as anti-national. Sohaib Ahmed, SIO secretary for Telangana state, said, “In the last four years, students are doing the job of the Opposition. Questions which are to be raised in Parliament are being addressed in universities.”University of Hyderabad Students Union leader Sreerag Poickadan said, “Campus democracy is under seige and campus democracy can’t work without addressing problems of caste, community and religion. The elections of 2019 requires the people of India to give a fitting reply to the Narendra Modi government as the lives of the common people are being made worse than ever it has been.”Deccan Chronicle
Massive protest held by Muslim Muk Morcha demanding 5% reservation in jobs & education
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/city/mumbai/massive-protest-held-by-muslim-muk-morcha-demanding-5-reservation-in-jobs-education/videoshow/65742637.cms
The Muslim community took out a massive protest in Maharashtra’s Pune on Sunday, amid reservation demands by Maratha Kranti Morcha and other communities. The protest was held under the flagship of Muslim Muk Morcha. The protestors were demanding 5 per cent reservation for the community in jobs and education sector, among other demands. However, OBCs and upper castes have revolted this month against the amended Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, alleging that the Act is being misused. Jat and Maratha communities have also raised their voice for reservation. TOI
Tension in Haryana village after residents try to stop burial of Muslim man
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/gurgaon/tension-in-village-after-residents-try-to-stop-burial-of-muslim-man/articleshow/65746884.cms
Rohtak:There was tension in Titoli village of the district on Sunday when a few women from the area tried to prevent the burial of a Muslim man at a local graveyard, forcing the minority community to seek protective cover for the last rites.On August 22, a calf was allegedly killed by a Muslim man, Yaseen, which led to tension in the Jat-dominated village. The accused was arrested and his family had to leave the village. Villagers buried the calf near the graveyard and objected to Muslims living in the place for centuries, using village land as a graveyard.Jaivir Khokkar, 45, a resident of the village was killed in a road accident in Gurugram on Saturday. He was taken to the village for burial but faced stiff opposition from a section of villagers.The protesters argued that a calf was buried near the graveyard and the deceased could not be buried there. The body of the deceased was taken to the graveyard under police protection and last rites were conducted with the intervention of the administration and village elders.Sources said a panchayat had been called in the wake of the dispute over the graveyard but it was cancelled after the death of Jaivir Khokkhar. DSP Narayan Chand said a few village residents objected to the burial of a Muslim man but the matter was resolved and last rites were performed at the graveyard. TOI
Nepal gets access to all Chinese ports, ending dependence on India for trade
https://indianexpress.com/article/world/nepal-gets-access-to-all-chinese-ports-ending-dependence-on-india-for-trade-5345954/
Kathmandu :Kathmandu and Beijing have finalised a transit protocol that will give Nepal access to Chinese ports for trade with China and beyond. This will bring to an end Nepal’s heavy dependence on Indian ports for trade with other countries.Officials of the two governments signed the protocol after a marathon meeting on Thursday night, giving final shape to the framework treaty signed between the two countries when Nepal Prime Minister K P Oli visited China in March 2016 in the wake of economic blockade by India.An official release said the formalisation of the agreement allows the transit of goods from other countries to Nepal via all of China’s ports, including Tianjin, Shenzhen, Lianygang, Zhanziang and dryports that include Lhanzin, Lhasa and Shigatse.Overland trade to and from Nepal is now routed mainly through Kolkata which takes up to three months, officials said. New Delhi has also opened the southern port at Vishakhapatnam for Nepali trade.indianexpress
WORLD
Trump administration to close PLO office in Washington, DC
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/09/trump-administration-close-plo-office-washington-dc-180910064915646.html
US will shut the Palestine Liberation Organisation's diplomatic office in Washington, DC, over the Palestinian government's refusal to enter into US-led negotiations with Israel."We have been notified by a US official of their decision to close the Palestinian mission to the US," PLO Secretary-General Saeb Erekat said in a statement on Monday."This is yet another affirmation of the Trump administration's policy to collectively punish the Palestinian people, including by cutting financial support for humanitarian services including health and education."According to a draft text of a speech seen by the Wall Street Journal and Reuters, Trump's national security adviser, John Bolton, will also reportedly threaten the International Criminal Court (ICC) with sanctions if it carries out investigations into the US and Israel. "The United States will always stand with our friend and ally, Israel," Bolton is expected to say in his speech to the Federalist Society, a conservative group, in Washington, DC."The Trump administration will not keep the office open when the Palestinians refuse to start direct and meaningful negotiations with Israel."The speech is also expected to say that the Trump administration "will fight back" if the ICC formally proceeds with opening an investigation into alleged war crimes committed by US service members and intelligence professionals during the war in Afghanistan. The action against PLO, which serves as the main entity representing the Palestinian people, is the latest in a series of measures by the Trump administration against Palestinian leadership.aljazeera
US aid cut to East Jerusalem hospitals ‘catastrophic'
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/us-aid-cut-to-east-jerusalem-hospitals-catastrophic/1251137
Jerusalem:Palestinian hospital officials on Monday decried a U.S. decision to cut funding for hospitals in the occupied East Jerusalem, warning the move will have “catastrophic” consequences on the health sector. The decision will have “a major negative impact on the clash flows to these hospitals and will lead to delays in the provision of vital medical services,” Basem Abu-Lebda, head of Makassed Hospital in Jerusalem, told a press conference held at Augusta Victoria hospital in the city. “In a nutshell, this decision will negatively impact the lives of five million Palestinians,” he said. Anadolu
Children killed as Syria regime bombs school in Idlib
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180910-children-killed-as-syria-regime-bombs-school-in-idlib/
Syrian regime has resumed bombardment on the south of Idlib province this morning, targeting a school in Jarjanaz town, killing at least nine civilians, mostly children, news sources from the ground have confirmed.Heavy artillery and shelling has also taken place in the towns of Al-Heesh and Al-Teh as well as Qalaat Al Madeeq and Al-Janabra in the north of Hama province since yesterday afternoon, with a continuous barrage of missiles sending civilians fleeing further north towards the Turkish border. The intense bombing has prevented the White Helmets civil defence unit from confirming the total death toll, but the death of a baby girl, Ummaya Al-Riz, was confirmed after her body was rescued from the rubble.middleeastmonitor
Syria: Rebel-held areas bombed as Turkey reinforces outposts
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/09/syria-rebel-held-areas-bombed-turkey-reinforces-outposts-180909183342824.html
UN voices concern over military operations in Idlib
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/un-voices-concern-over-military-operations-in-idlib/1251128
UN's Human Right Council on Monday expressed concerns over "the ongoing military operations" and their impact on millions of civilians in Syria’s northwestern Idlib province.In the keynote speech at the 39th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said: "We remind all parties to the conflict that they must adhere strictly to all relevant principles of international humanitarian law in the conduct of operations."Anadolu
Muslim minority in China’s Xinjiang face ‘political indoctrination’ – Human Rights Watch
https://indianexpress.com/article/world/muslim-minority-in-chinas-xinjiang-face-political-indoctrination-human-rights-watch-5347873/
Beijing:Turkic mostly Muslim Uighur minority in China’s Xinjiang region face arbitrary detentions, daily restrictions on religious practice and “forced political indoctrination” in a mass security crackdown, Human Rights Watch said on Monday.United Nations human rights panel said in August that China is believed to be holding up to 1 million ethnic Uighurs in a secretive system of “internment camps” in Xinjiang,in China’s far west, where they undergo political education.Beijing has denied that such camps are for “political education” and says they are instead vocational training centres, part of government initiatives to bolster economic growth and social mobility in the region.China has said that Xinjiang faces a serious threat from Islamist militants and separatists who plot attacks and stirup tensions between Uighurs who call the region home and the ethnic Han Chinese majority.Uighurs and other Muslims held in camps are forbidden from using Islamic greetings, must learn Mandarin Chinese and sing propaganda songs, according to a report by Human Rights Watch based on interviews with 5 ex camp detainees. Reuters
China detaining Muslims in vast numbers. The goal: ‘Transformation.’ New York Times
https://indianexpress.com/article/world/china-is-detaining-muslims-in-vast-numbers-the-goal-transformation-5346903/
Ex-wife of Qatar-based prominent cleric Qaradawi condemns Saudi paper over slanderous article
https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2018/9/9/ex-wife-of-cleric-qaradawi-condemns-saudi-newspaper-for-slander
The Algerian ex-wife of Qatar-based cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi has categorically denied comments attributed to her in a Saudi paper about the former couple's love life.Asma bint Qaddah said on Saturday that an article published this week in al-Riyadh was "blatant slander" and "completely devoid of truth". "I am being subjected to a defamation campaign by a Moroccan journalist who is a mercenary and hypocrite," Qaddah said, according to The New Arab's Arabic-language service."He is trying to exploit my name and put me in a conflict that has nothing to do with me," she said, referring to an ongoing regional feud with Qatar. Qaddah said she would take legal action against Abdel Haqq al-Sinaibi and stressed that she has never met with or spoken to the journalist. Saudi daily published Sinaibi's article this week that claimed Qaddah had revealed lurid details of her sex life with prominent cleric Qaradawi.The story claimed Qaradawi forced his ex-wife to watch pornographic films and encouraged her to have lesbian relations with the couple's housemaid.Qaddah said the journalist had a "sick imagination" and urged him to seek professional help.The attack on Qaradawi and his ex-wife comes amid a Saudi-led blockade of Qatar, where the Egyptian-born cleric has been based for decades.Since the start of the crisis media outlets in the Saudi-led bloc have led a smear campaign against Qatar and prominent figures in gas-rich emirate.Saudi-led bloc has placed Qaradawi on a "terror list" and the Saudi-backed Muslim World League booted cleric from the organisation.alaraby.co.uk
UN Human Rights Chief Urges Egypt to Overturn Mass Death Sentences
https://thewire.in/world/un-human-rights-chief-urges-egypt-to-overturn-mass-death-sentences
Geneva: United Nations human rights chief Michelle Bachelet on Sunday urged Egypt’s appeals court to overturn mass death sentences handed down by a lower court after what she said was an “unfair trial”.The former Chilean president, who took office as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights last week, criticised a law giving immunity from future prosecution to senior military officers.An Egyptian court on Saturday delivered death sentences to 75 people, including prominent Islamist leaders Essam al-Erian and Mohamed Beltagi, over a 2013 sit-in that ended with security forces killing hundreds of protesters.If carried out, the sentences “would represent a gross and irreversible miscarriage of justice”, Bachelet said in a statement.Egypt rejected Bachelet’s comments and said they were influenced by “terrorist Muslim Brotherhood lies”, the foreign ministry said in a statement late on Sunday.Defendants were denied the right to individual lawyers and to present evidence, while “the prosecution did not provide sufficient evidence to prove individual guilt”, she said.“I hope that the Egyptian Court of Appeal will review this verdict and ensure that international standards of justice are respected by setting it aside,” Bachelet said.The sentencing, which included jail terms for more than 600 others, concluded a mass trial of people accused of murder and inciting violence during the pro-Muslim Brotherhood protest at Rabaa Adawiya square in Cairo. Decision can be appealed within 60 days.Reuters
US authorises $1.2bn in military aid to Egypt
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180910-us-authorises-1-2bn-in-military-aid-to-egypt/
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has authorised the release of $1.2 billion in military aid to Egypt, overriding previous human rights concerns that had held up funding.The figure includes $1 billion for the current 2018 budget year and $195 million earmarked for 2017 which would have been returned to the treasury had it not been spent by the end of month.State Department informed Congress of the move on Friday; congressmen have 15 days to contest the national security waivers allowing the money, known as foreign military financing (FMF), to be delivered.middleeastmonitor
Turkey, Russia, Iran to replace US dollar with local currency in trade
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180910-turkey-russia-iran-to-replace-us-dollar-with-local-currency-in-trade/
Turkey, Russia and Iran have agreed to use their local currencies in trade, instead of the US dollar, the Anadolu reported .The agency quoted the Governor of the Iran’s Central Bank, Abdul-Nasser Hemmati as saying that commercial transactions would be conducted using specific exchange rates.The governor expected to meet with directors of the central banks of Turkey and Russia in the near future, expressing hope that the agreement will enter into force quickly.Iran is working to counter the effects of US sanctions which will come in to affect in Nov.following America’s unilateral withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear treaty which saw sanctions removed from Tehran in return for controls on its nuclear power activities.middleeastmonitor
Afghanistan: Taliban kill over 50 security personnel
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/afghanistan-taliban-kill-over-50-security-personnel/1251266
Kabul:In a string of coordinated armed assaults in Afghanistan, the Taliban killed more than 50 security personnel while the government forces killed at least 150 militants, officials and local media confirmed on Monday. Amruddin Danishjo, member of the Jawzjan provincial council, said Taliban overran a number of security check points in Khamaab district of the province, killing 10 security personnel. Taliban have also surrounded 50 security personnel in the district center, cutting their supply lines.A number of ex pro-govt militants have joined the Taliban in Jawzjan, he added. According to local Tolo News, Taliban have created check points on the main highway linking Jawzjan with neighboring Sar-e-Pul province, posing a grim threat to the provincial center.Meanwhile, officials in Madian Wardak province confirmed on Monday scores of security personnel were killed in multiple raids on check points by Taliban in Daimurad district since Sunday.Anadolu
Taliban kills dozens of Afghan forces in attacks
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/09/taliban-kills-dozens-afghan-troops-multiple-attacks-180910083943608.html
US 'threatens ICC judges with sanctions'
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/09/threatens-icc-judges-sanctions-180910113100340.html
US has said it will adopt an aggressive posture against the International Criminal Court (ICC), and threatened sanctions against ICC judges if they proceed with an investigation into alleged war crimes committed by Americans in Afghanistan.President Donald Trump's national security adviser, John Bolton, is set to make the announcement in a speech to the Federalist Society, a conservative group, in Washington on Monday."US will use any means necessary to protect our citizens and those of our allies from unjust prosecution by this illegitimate court," Bolton will say, according to a draft of his speech seen by Reuters.aljazeera
Pakistan and China to Extend CPEC to Afghanistan
https://thewire.in/south-asia/pakistan-and-china-to-extend-cpec-to-afghanistan
Beijing: China and Pakistan have decided to speed up and extend the USD 50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor towards Afghanistan during Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s recent visit to Islamabad, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Monday.Wang, designated as China’s top diplomat as he is also the State Councillor – a higher rank in the Chinese political hierarchy – visited Pakistan from Sept.7 to 9 and held talks with the new government headed by cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan.His visit was mainly aimed at exchanging views with the new government and compare notes with Pakistan on cooperation in all areas, thus making “our bilateral cooperation to get off under the new circumstances”, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told media briefing here.Asked whether any new economic package by China has been discussed as Pakistan is currently facing serious economic crisis, he said the two sides have agreed to extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) towards west to enable more people to benefit from it.“The two sides will advance the CPEC in the light of Pakistan’s economic and social development and people’s needs.“We will identify the pathways and cooperation for the CPEC. we will accelerate the industrial cooperation and the projects of the people’s livelihoods and extend the CPEC to the western area and make the people gets benefits from it,” Geng said.India has protested over CPEC, a flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as it traversed through the PoK.PTI
'Dozens killed' in Hodeidah attacks after Yemen peace talks collapse
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/09/killed-hodeidah-fighting-peace-talks-collapse-180909150115830.html
Dozens of people have reportedly been killed in clashes and air raids around the Yemeni city of Hodeidah following the collapse of UN-sponsored peace talks between the internationally recognised government and Houthi rebels.A Saudi-UAE coalition backing government forces launched an offensive in June to retake the strategic port city - the main gateway for imports of relief supplies and commercial goods - from rebel fighters who have held it since 2014. Aljazeera
FLASH VIEWS & NEWS
Judiciary has become another institution where Muslims are more and more under-represented:Christophe Jaffrelot
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/muslims-in-prison-india-judiciary-supreme-court-5347728/
1 Yr, 160 Arrests: In Run up to 2019, NSA Is Latest Weapon Against Muslims in UP:Neha Dixit
https://thewire.in/rights/in-adityanaths-up-the-national-security-act-is-latest-weapon-against-muslims
A Citizens Tribunal Should Look into the Failed Gamble of Demonetisation:Madhav Godbole
https://thewire.in/government/demonetisation-failure-black-money-citizens-tribunal
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 8:02 PM)
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