05 NOV. PRIME TIME: NEWS BULLETIN

INDIA-NEWS

Bombay HC refuses interim relief to Arnab Goswami, arrested in suicide case; to hear plea tomorrow

Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami, who has been sent to 14 days judicial custody in 2018 abetment to suicide case, failed to get any interim relief from the Bombay High Court. The division bench of Justice S S Shinde and Justice M S Karnik, which was hearing the case, said it would will hear both the sides and pass an appropriate order tomorrow.The bench asked Goswami to add informant Akshata Naik, other informant and Central as party to his plea and also asked him to serve copy of the plea to the central government. The bench said it will also hear tomorrow a plea by Adnya Anvay Naik, daughter of late interior designer Anvay Naik, seeking reinvestigation of A-summary report filed in connection with the FIR of her father’s suicide case.Senior Counsel Harish Salve for Goswami sought ad-interim release in urgency and argued, “Will heavens fall in Maharashtra if he is released on interim bail? When liberties of a citizen are involved procedures sometimes have to be dealt with.”Goswami, who was sent to 14 days judicial custody by an Alibaug court, wants the charges quashed and questioned his ‘illegal arrest’ by Maharashtra Police on Wednesday in connection with the case. Anvay Naik, managing director of Concorde Designs Private Limited, and his mother Kumud Naik were found dead in their home in Kavir village of Alibaug. A suicide note by Naik accused Goswami and two others – Feroz Shaikh and Niteish Sarda – of not paying dues worth Rs 5.40 crore.

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/arnab-goswami-arrested-bail-hearing-alibaug-bombay-high-court-6956681/

 

Arnab Goswami arrest: NCP calls for making Devendra Fadnavis co-accused in abetment to suicide case

Senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis should be made a “co-accused” in the abetment to suicide case against Arnab Goswami, NCP spokesperson Umesh Patil said, reported The Indian Express.“From the press conference of Naik’s family, it has become clear that pressure was...put on them to sign papers related to closure of the suicide case,” NCP spokesperson said. “Since at that time, the Home ministry portfolio was with then chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, he should be made a co-accused in the case. The police officials who tried to pressure Naik family should also be made co-accused.”Patil said the way BJP ministers and political leaders have come out in support of Goswami clearly revealed that the journalist “is a BJP worker”. In Uttar Pradesh, when a journalist wrote an article she was booked under the Atrocities Act, Patil highlighted, adding that several journalists have been arrested in the country but the saffron party has never supported them.

https://scroll.in/latest/977701/arnab-goswami-arrest-ncp-calls-for-making-devendra-fadnavis-co-accused-in-abetment-to-suicide-case

 

 

Amid BJP Attacks Over Arnab Goswami Arrest, Sena Cites Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh

Mumbai: Shiv Sena today slammed BJP for describing the arrest of Arnab Goswami in an abetment to suicide case as "black day" and an "attack on the freedom of press".An editorial in Sena mouthpiece ''Saamana'' said it was surprising that central ministers along with state BJP leaders should say there was an "Emergency-like situation" in Maharashtra due to Mr Goswami's arrest.The editorial in ''Saamana'' alleged that the previous state government "covered up" Mr Naik's suicide case to protect Mr Goswami.It further claimed that a journalist was arrested in Gujarat for writing against the state government, while in Uttar Pradesh, journalists have been killed.

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/amid-bjp-attacks-over-arnab-goswami-arrest-shiv-sena-cites-gujarat-uttar-pradesh-2320936?pfrom=home-topstories

 

 

Karnataka will put an end to religious conversion in the name of ‘love jihad’: CM Yediyurappa

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Thursday said the government would take strong measures to put an end to religious conversion in the name of “love jihad.” The remarks come days after Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai and Tourism Minister C T Ravi said the government was considering a law against religious conversion for the sake of marriage.“Young girls of the state are being lured in the name of love and money and are being converted to other religions, we have considered it seriously. After thorough review, we will take a strong measure,” said Yediyurappa.Addressing the BJP state executive meeting in Mangaluru, the CM said his government was mulling taking strong steps against such activities.

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/karnataka-will-put-an-end-to-religious-conversion-in-the-name-of-love-jihad-cm-yediyurappa-6961299/

 

 

Will Prioritise CAA Implementation Before Bengal Elections: BJP's Kailash Vijayvargiya

Kolkata: Setting his sights on 2021 Bengal polls, BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya has said citizenship law implementation will get priority ahead of the elections, as both his party and the Centre were keen on ending the woes of the state’s refugee population.Asserting that free and fair polls were not possible without the imposition of President’s Rule in the state, Vijayvargiya, who is the BJP’s Bengal minder, stated that the party, however, is unlikely to raise the matter during Union home minister Amit Shah’s two-day visit from November 5.The state unit, nevertheless, would convey its grievances over the recent “political killings” in Bengal and the “politicisation and criminalisation” of some police officers, Vijayvargiya maintained.Noting that “NRC exercise was not up for discussion and consideration” as of now, he said BJP, at the moment, is looking forward to granting citizenship to the persecuted refugees from neighbouring countries.

https://thewire.in/politics/caa-bengal-elections-bjp-kailash-vijayvargiya

 

Bihar elections | Nitish Kumar hits out at Yogi Adityanath over CAA remark

PATNA:Hours after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said in a public meeting in Bihar that through CAA, those who try to breach the security of the country would be thrown out, the BJP’s alliance partner and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar asked, “Who utters all this nonsense? No one has the courage [to drive people out]”.“Kaun kisko is desh se bahar karega…ye kisi ke paas dum nahi hai...sab Hindustan ke hain…kaun kisko bahar karega? [Who will drive out whom from this country…no one has the courage…everyone is from India…who will throw out whom?)”, asked Mr. Kumar, while addressing a public meeting on Wednesday at Muslim-dominated Kochadhaman in Kishanganj district of northeast Bihar.“Who does all this malicious campaigning? Who utters all this faltu baat [nonsense]?”, thundered Mr. Kumar, who is facing a strong anti-incumbency mood among voters. “It is our religion to take everyone along…this has been our culture...when everyone will walk along, Bihar would progress”, Mr. Kumar further tweeted.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bihar-assembly-elections-nitish-kumar-hits-out-at-yogi-adityanath-over-caa-remark/article33027959.ece

 

 

No Muslim will be deported: Nitish Kumar

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar reached out to voters in Muslim dominated Kishanganj district on Wednesday, assuring them that there was no need to fear about deportation in the event of implementation of the new citizenship laws.“No power can oust or shift the people of minority from the country. There is no strength in us to take our people out of the country,” he said at an election rally in Kochadhaman constituency while seeking votes for JDU’s sitting MLA Mujahid Alam. Muslims comprise 68% of the total population of 16,96,400 in Kishanganj which goes to voting in the third phase of election on Nov.7. Without naming Asaduddin Owaisi on the issue of CAA and NRC, Nitish accused vested interests of misleading the people of minority.  “Some people are making such false statement that people will be shifted out of the country. There is no power in anyone to get our people (Muslim) out of the country.”PTI

https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/nov/05/no-muslim-will-be-deported-nitish-2219605.html

 

This is my last election, says Nitish Kumar as Bihar heads for final phase of polls

New Delhi : 3-time chief minister Nitish Kumar signed off the last day of the campaign by announcing that 2020 Bihar assembly elections would be his last polls while addressing a rally in Purnia district. This is the first time that 69-year-old Nitish Kumar has hinted at retirement in his rallies.“Today is the last day of campaigning and day after tomorrow is the election. This is my last election…aant bhala to sab bhala,” Nitish Kumar said while addressing a gathering in Purnia district’s Dhamdaha constituency.

https://indianexpress.com/elections/nitish-kumar-this-is-my-last-bihar-assembly-election-6962395/

 

 

Bihar Election: Nitish In A Tight Spot As Discontent Rises In BJP Ranks, LJP Plays Spoiler

In Bihar’s Darbhanga (rural) constituency, which went to the polls on Tuesday, Faraz Fatmi, Janata Dal (United)’s assembly candidate, barely received any support from his party’s ally, BJP. BJP MP from the region, Gopal Jee Thakur, did not visit Darbhanga to ask people to vote for Fatmi. And instead of campaigning for the JD(U) candidate, local BJP workers flocked towards former party leader Pradeep Thakur, who is contesting from LJP.The development did not come out of the blue, people familiar with the matter told HuffPost India. In September, in a meeting held by Ram Kumar, the RSS’s Prant Pracharak for north Bihar, some BJP leaders and workers had told him that they should not be forced to support candidates such as Fatmi and Mukesh Sahani of the Vikassheel Insaan Party, who had opposed the CAA. Fatmi, a former MLA, had been expelled by RJD in August.Darbhanga (rural) is not the only constituency where cracks between allies BJP and JD(U) are out in the open. In Bhagalpur, RSS workers campaigned for LJP candidates. In Jamui, which voted in the first phase last week, LJP workers vociferously campaigned for BJP’s Shreyasi Singh, even as JD(U) leaders withdrew from the campaign.

https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/bihar-election-nitish-kumar-bjp-ljp-chirag-paswan_in_5fa16014c5b63dc9a5c0c440

 

For power, Nitish Kumar will even bow before Tejashwi Yadav after Bihar results, says Paswan

LJP leader Chirag Paswan on Thursday said that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will bow before Opposition chief ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav, if necessary after the declaration of Assembly election results on November 10, ANI reported. Paswan has been relentlessly criticising Kumar during the campaign for the Assembly elections and the latest attack came ahead of the final phase of polling. Paswan told reporters in Patna that Kumar is “greedy for power” as JDU fights for a fourth straight term in Bihar. “Now you [Nitish Kumar] are bowing before the same prime minister whom you used to unabashedly criticise,” he added. “Post November 10, if needed he may be seen bowing before Tejashwi Yadav.”

https://scroll.in/latest/977739/for-power-nitish-kumar-will-even-bow-before-tejashwi-yadav-after-bihar-results-says-paswan

 

 

Till Constitution is There, No Hindu-centric or Muslim-centric Nation: Justice Kemal Pasha

Justice Kemal Pasha, who retired from Kerala High Court in 2018, opined that as long as Article 25 and Article 26 are in force and the Indian Constitution is valid there is no question of a Hindu-centric or a Muslim-centric nation.He said this in a brief chat with IANS.Justice Pasha said that the Indian nation is based on the Constitution of the country and added that there will not be any problem for Muslim community or for that matter any other community as the Constitution is the basis of running the country.“In the Constitution the country is addressed as India and Bharat,.”Taking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the former judge said people like Modi address the country as “Hindustan”.“This type of addressing the country may be a deliberate attempt to create a subtle impact on the subconscious mind of the people. As long as the Constitution is the driving force such addresses should not be made,” added Pasha.He pointed out that the living conditions of the backward class communities including Muslims have improved manifold owing to education.

https://clarionindia.net/till-constitution-is-there-no-hindu-centric-or-muslim-centric-nation-justice-kemal-pasha/

 

Congress MLA Arif Masood’s Property Demolishes, Case Registered for anti-Macron protest in Bhopal

Bhopal :The administration in Bhopal on Thursday demolished Congress leader Arif Masood’s building claiming that it was illegally constructed.A case has been filed against Masood and “construction carried out as encroachment” near the university named after Congress MLA has been demolished.Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led MP govt has taken action against Masood, who had recently held an “anti-Macron” protest march at the Iqbal Maidan in the Madhya Pradesh capital. A few days ago, a protest march led by Arif Masood was taken out by nearly 2,000 people, including clerics, at Iqbal Maidan against French President Emmanuel Macron’s stand after a teacher was killed in France for showing a cartoon on Prophet Mohammed in his class. Macron’s comments after the incident caused widespread protests in several Muslim countries and also in France.Narendra Yadav, Bhopal Youth Congress President said, “We assembled here because the administration is conducting an activity from the backdoor. We condemn this activity. This is being done to suppress the voice of Congress MLA Arif Masood.”AK Sahani, Assistant Engineer, Building Permission Section told ANI: “The honourable district court had, in 2005, issued a stay on the main building here. The construction was done on 12,000 square feet without the permission of the municipal corporation.”Earlier today, an FIR was lodged against Masood and others under Section 153 at Talaiya Police Station of Bhopal for allegedly hurting religious sentiments during a protest organised by him at Iqbal ground.

https://indiatomorrow.net/2020/11/05/congress-mla-arif-masoods-property-demolishes-case-registered-for-anti-macron-protest-in-bhopal/

 

Education has Given Tolerance, Patience to Indian Muslims: Film Director Kamaludeen

Popular award winning Malayalam film director Kamaludeen, popularly known as Kamal, opined that education has uplifted the Muslim community, which has largely led to the tolerance and patience of the community even in the extremely adverse conditions in which they are moving ahead.Kamal who turns 63 later this month in a career that began in 1986, has by now directed over 40 films and has bagged four national and numerous state awards.Presently, the chairman of the state run Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, Kamal said he is a Muslim and a proud Indian. They have been living in this country for generations and don’t have any contact with Pakistan or Afghanistan.“After Independence, the policies of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in promoting educational institutions like AMU and Jamia Millia Islamia has led to educating Muslims in large numbers leading to a revolution in the community,” said Kamal.Kamal said that education is the tool for liberation and added that Muslim youngsters are doing extremely well in education. He gave the examples of even Muslim girls cracking major competitive examinations in the country including the civil services, IIT, NEET and other such exams.IANS

https://clarionindia.net/education-has-given-tolerance-patience-to-indian-muslims-film-director-kamaludeen/

 

 

Delhi Court Raps Jails Over Treatment of Riots Accused, 'Physical Inspection if No Improvement'

New Delhi:  Several accused in the riots in north-east Delhi lodged in jails here have complained they were not being given basic things like warm clothes for the winter prompting a city judge on Tuesday to warn prison authorities he would go and inspect the situation physically if things do not improve. Expressing his displeasure over the response by jail authorities to address “basic and important” issues, the judge directed DG of Delhi Prisons to look into the grievances of all the 15 accused, booked under the UAPA in the case, and order that somebody who can take a call inspect the situation at Mandoli and Tihar prisons.“This has to end. DG (Prisons) is directed to take stock of the situation; to order someone, who can take a call, to look into the grievances. If things do not improve, I would go for a physical inspection myself. And the lawyers may accompany me too,” Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat said in his order.The court also asked the authorities to apprise the court of the status on November 23.PTI

https://thewire.in/rights/delhi-court-raps-jails-over-treatment-of-riots-accused-physical-inspection-if-no-improvement

 

 

Delhi Riots: Don’t Have Funds To Give Hard Copies Of Chargesheet To Accused, Says Delhi Police

Delhi Police has challenged the order that Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat of the Karkardooma district court passed on 21 October, telling the police to provide hard copies of the 18,325 chargesheet in the conspiracy case of the Delhi riots to the accused.Delhi Police has arrested 21 people in FIR 59/2020, the conspiracy case of the Delhi riots, and charged 15, including students and activists who led the movement against CAA, with terrorism, murder and conspiracy. The Delhi Police, which reports to the Home Ministry in the Narendra Modi government, filed an application before the Delhi High Court on 3 November, calling Judge Rawat’s order “mechanical,” “ex-facie erroneous” and “devoid of any merits.”The application also said the investigating agency — in this case, the Delhi Police — does not have any funds for getting copies of the chargesheet prepared, and has “limited resources.”

https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/delhi-riots-don-t-have-funds-to-give-hardcopies-of-chargesheet-to-the-accused-says-delhi-police_in_5fa16febc5b67617e64b5768

 

 Delhi Police has no intention to determine truth behind Delhi violence: Zafarul-Islam Khan

Zafarul-Islam Khan, former chairperson of Delhi Minorities Commission, has been under continued police scrutiny following the anti-Muslim violence that swept the national capital in February this year. In end April, Delhi Police special cell registered an FIR against the 72-year-old Khan for sedition, two days after he posted on social media thanking the Kuwait government for “standing with Indian Muslims.” This did not prevent him from indicting Delhi Police and BJP leaders in a fact-finding report into the violence. The findings were submitted in July by a ten-member committee constituted by Delhi Minorities Commission.Khan discussed eyewitness testimonies from his visits to the Rajdhani school which clearly contradicted the police’s narrative. Pulling no punches, Khan said the Delhi Police could easily determine the truth if it so chose, but that it was instead acting under instructions to fulfil a false narrative.caravanmagazine

https://caravanmagazine.in/crime/delhi-police-has-no-intention-to-determine-truth-behind-delhi-violence-zafarul-islam-minorities-commission

 

 

State Must be Circumspect in Invoking Sedition Laws, Says Punjab&Haryana HC; Grants Bail to Person Arrested for Anti-govt Posts on Social Media

Punjab and Haryana High Court has said the State needs to be more tolerant and circumspect while invoking laws pertaining to sedition and religious disaffection. The observations came in the backdrop of a bail application filed by one Jasbir who has been in jail for six months after being accused of making statements against the unity and integrity of the nation and aiming at causing communal disaffection.Granting bail to the accused, Justice Sudhir Mittal said on Oct.30 that the accused was unhappy with the lockdown imposed due to the corona virus and the way the pandemic was being handled by the Government of India as well as the Punjab Government. He had criticized the functioning of the said Governments.Intemperate and abusive language had definitely been used against high officials of the Govts as well as against the elected representatives, but the same does not amount to inciting disaffection towards the Govt established by law or to inciting hatred against it, the judge said.

https://www.newsclick.in/State-Circumspect-Invoking-Sedition-Laws-Punjab-Haryana-HC-Grants-Bail-Person-Arrested-Anti-government-Posts-Social-Media

 

Local BJP leader recites 'Hanuman Chalisa' at mosque in UP's Baghpat

BAGHPAT: A local BJP leader recited 'Hanuman Chalisa' at a mosque here, the second such case in recent days after a group of people offered namaz on the premises of a temple in Mathura.Police had arrested four men on Tuesday for chanting Hanuman Chalisa at an Idgah on Goverdhan-Barsana road, about 20 km from Mathura, a day after a man named Faisal Khan was arrested and sent to 14 days in judicial custody for offering namaz on the premises of a Mathura temple. However, Khan's organization, Delhi-based Khudai Khidmatgar, claimed that he offered prayers in the temple complex only with the permission of the priests there.On Tuesday, BJP leader Manupal Bansal recited Hanuman Chalisa at a mosque in Vinaypur village under Kekda Police Station area in Baghpat and also posted a video of the incident on Facebook.The local police is investigating the matter, SP, Baghpat, Abhishek Singh said on Wednesday, adding that Bansal visited the mosque often and had taken the permission of the mosque's maulvi -- Ali Hassan -- so a case could not be lodged.Besides Hanuman Chalisa, Gayatri Mantra was also chanted, Bansal added.Talking to media persons, Hassan said he allowed Bansal to recite the Hindu prayers as there is nothing wrong in it and everyone needs to work to promote brotherhood. Earlier, a local leader of VHP had announced that he would recite Hanuman Chalisa at Fuiswali Masjid in Badaut area of Baghpat during Friday prayers after which the police are on a high alert.PTI

https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/nov/05/local-bjp-leader-recites-hanuman-chalisa-at-mosque-in-ups-baghpat-2219479.html

 

Manusmriti not in circulation, discussion on it unnecessary, says Kamal Haasan

Chennai:Even as the ‘Manusmriti’ row snowballs into a political slugfest in Tamil Nadu, actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan on Thursday said there was no point discussing the ‘not-relevant’ issue.“Manusmriti is not in circulation now and so is not relevant. There is no pointing in discussing it,” Makkal Needhi Maiyam’s Kamal Haasan said.The Manusmriti is an ancient text on codes of conduct for society. It has often been criticised for being a proponent of the caste system. A row erupted in Tamil Nadu after a video clip of Lok Sabha MP and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) founder Thol Thirumavalvan went viral in which he had purportedly used a word linking it to Manusmriti.It triggered a controversy with Hindu outfits alleging that Thirumavalavan's comment denigrated women and went against Hinduism.

https://www.indiatoday.in/cities/chennai/story/kamal-haasan-manusmriti-circulation-discussing-relevant-1738254-2020-11-05

India slams Pakistan's decision to transfer management of Kartarpur Sahib gurudwara to trust

India on November 5 described Pakistan’s decision to transfer the management of the Kartarpur Sahib gurudwara from a Sikh body to a separate trust as "highly condemnable", saying it runs against the religious sentiments of the Sikh community.Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India received representations from the Sikh community expressing grave concern over the decision to transfer the management and maintenance of the gurudwara from the Pakistan Sikh Gurudwara Prabhandhak Committee to the administrative control of the Evacuee Trust Property Board, a non-Sikh body.

https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/india-slams-pakistans-decision-to-transfer-management-of-kartarpur-sahib-gurudwara-to-trust-6070941.html

 

J&K govt to construct transit camps for Kashmiri pandit employees in 6 districts across Valley

Jammu and Kashmir administration has approved the construction of transit accommodation for Kashmiri migrant employees at six locations in the Valley under prime minister’s development package for the community. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 201.60 crore, the government said.The locations include Marhama-Bijbehara in Anantnag district, Wandhama-Lar in Ganderbal district, Fatehpora in Baramulla district, Allowpora-Keegam in Shopian district, Odina-Sumbal in Bandipora district and Khullangam Bagh in Kupwara district.A total of 1,680 units would be constructed to accommodate the migrant employees. The highest of these – at 480 – would come up in Bandipora, followed by 336 in Baramulla, 288 in Kupwara and 192 each in rest of the three districts.

https://scroll.in/latest/977735/j-k-government-to-construct-transit-camps-for-kashmiri-pandit-employees-in-6-districts-across-valley

 

 

19 PDP leaders refuse to sign bonds asking them not to take part in ‘anti-national activity’

Srinagar: As many as 19 members of PDP, who were detained last week for trying to protest against the new land laws of J&K, Thursday refused to sign surety bonds, asking them to refrain themselves from taking part in “unlawful anti-national activities”.PDP members, including some senior leaders, appeared before the executive magistrate in Srinagar where they were asked to sign the bonds.According to government officials, the members refused to sign the undertaking, following which the magistrate fixed 24 November as the next date to hear the case.  The surety bond stated: “That we are permanent residents of the J&K UT. That a case under section 107/151 stands against us in the Hon’ble court of Tehsil office south Srinagar. That we will not indulge myself in any unlawful anti-national activities. That incase if we will be found again including myself in any unlawful anti-national activities then I shall be liable to face any action as per law.”

https://theprint.in/india/19-pdp-leaders-refuse-to-sign-bonds-asking-them-not-to-take-part-in-anti-national-activity/537856/

 

 

India faces challenges on borders, will defend territorial integrity: Rajnath

In a clear message to China, just ahead of talks to resolve border issue, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday that India is facing challenges on its borders and will defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity."India is a peace-loving country and that peace can only be ensured through the ability to deter war," Singh said while speaking at a webinar celebrating the Diamond Jubilee to mark 60 years of the National Defence College in Delhi.The webinar theme was on 'India's National Security - Decade Ahead' and it started with a keynote address by Rajnath Singh.IANS

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/india-faces-challenges-on-borders-will-defend-territorial-integrity-rajnath

 

 

 

Everything is fine in Kashmir: Amit Shah denies claims of violence over Article 370 in UT

Kolkata:Union Home Minister Amit Shah is on a two-day trip to West Bengal's Bankura district. The trip comes six months ahead of the 2021 Bengal assembly elections where the BJP will be facing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress on the one side and the Congress-Left alliance on the other.In an exclusive conversation with India Today, Amit Shah answered several key questions. Responding to a question about the Abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, the Home Minister said, "All development is going on there (J&K). All claims of violence etc. fall flat now.""Sab kuch theek chal raha hai (everything is going fine)," Shah said in reference to Jammu and Kashmir.

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/everything-is-fine-in-kashmir-amit-shah-denies-claims-of-violence-over-article-370-in-ut-1738298-2020-11-05

 

 

Jammu and Kashmir: District Polls to Be Held in 8 Phases From November 28

New Delhi: J&K poll panel on Wednesday announced an eight-phase election to 20 district development councils (DDCs) in the Union Territory beginning Nov.28, which will conclude on December 22. This will be the first major electoral exercise in J&K since the reading down of Article 370 in August last year.The government had in October amended the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act to provide for setting up of DDCs in each district which will have directly elected members, marking the implementation of the entire 73rd constitutional amendment in Union Territory.State election commissioner K.K. Sharma told a press conference in Jammu that by-elections to vacant panchayat and municipal seats will be held simultaneously.

https://thewire.in/politics/jammu-and-kashmir-district-polls-eight-phases-november-28

 

TRP scam: Centre appoints four-member committee to review rating guidelines

Information and Broadcasting Ministry has constituted a 4-member committee to review the guidelines on television rating agencies, The Hindu reported. The panel, headed by Prasar Bharati Chief Executive Officer Shashi Shekhar Vempati, was formed after Mumbai Police’s investigations revealed that a few news channels had rigged their ratings.Shalabh, Professor of Statistics from Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, C-Dot Executive Director Rajkumar Upadhyay, and Professor Pulak Ghosh of Decision Sciences Centre for Public Policy are the other members of the committee.

https://scroll.in/latest/977717/trp-scam-centre-appoints-four-member-committee-to-review-rating-guidelines

 

 

Jio will not share user data with any third party, Reliance tells parliamentary panel: Reports

Reliance Industries on Wednesday told a joint parliamentary committee on the Personal Data Protection Bill that it does not have any data sharing mechanism with any third party such as Google and Facebook even though they are among the company’s investors, NDTV reported.Representing Jio Platforms on the subject of data privacy, Ravi Gandhi submitted a written reply to the panel headed by BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi, saying that the company supports localisation of data, according to TOI.

https://scroll.in/latest/977714/jio-will-not-share-user-data-with-any-third-party-reliance-tells-parliamentary-panel-reports

 

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund invests Rs 9,555 crore in Reliance Retail

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Ltd’s retail arm on Thursday raised Rs 9,555 crore from Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, taking total fundraise in last two months to Rs 47,265 crore.PIF will take a 2.04 per cent stake in Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd (RRVL), the Indian firm said in a statement.The investment values RRVL, the retail arm of Reliance Industries Ltd, at a pre-money equity value of Rs 4.58 lakh crore.PTI

https://indianexpress.com/article/business/companies/saudi-arabia-public-investment-fund-invests-rs-9555-crore-in-reliance-retail-reliance-industries-ril-6961718/

 

Ahmedabad: At least 12 labourers killed, nine injured in blast at chemical warehouse

At least 12 labourers were killed and nine were injured on Wednesday after a portion of a chemical warehouse collapsed following a huge explosion on Piranha-Piplaj Road, an industrial area located on the outskirts of Ahmedabad city, NDTV reported.A powerful explosion in the warehouse in the morning destroyed the structure and triggered a blaze in adjacent godowns where labourers were packing ready-made garments, officials told PTI.

https://scroll.in/latest/977699/ahmedabad-at-least-12-labourers-killed-nine-injured-in-blast-at-chemical-warehouse

 

Uttar Pradesh: Mob lynches man in Bareilly accused of killing child

A 26-year-old man, who had been accused of sodomising, killing and hanging a four-year-old from a tree in July, was lynched by the victim's family in Bareilly.The accused was on the run since he committed the crime and the local police had announced a reward of Rs 25,000 for any information about him. Posters with photos of the accused were also put up in several places by the police.The relatives of the child, however, caught the accused, Prempal, on Wednesday evening and beat him to death with rods and bricks even before the police could reach.After he was attacked, Prempal was rushed to a hospital where doctors declared him brought dead.SSP of Bareilly, Rohit Singh Sajwan, told reporters, "Prempal, who was wanted in the sexual assault and murder of a 4-year-old boy, was beaten to death by a few people in Aonla area on Wednesday. We have arrested two persons in the lynching case and both of them are the relatives of the boy. An FIR has been registered against two identified and several unidentified people for the murder."

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/uttar-pradesh-mob-lynches-man-in-bareilly-accused-of-killing-child

 

UP is governed by mafia and smugglers, says state Congress chief Ajay Kumar Lallu

President of Uttar Pradesh Congress Ajay Kumar Lallu on Thursday launched a blistering attack on the Yogi government and said that the state is run by mafia and smugglers.Attacking the Yogi government over hooch tragedies that occurred all over the state, Lallu said Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has talked a lot in the Assembly, initiated an SIT probe but mafias were saved by the people sitting in Home Department. Incidentally, CM Adityanath holds the charge of the Home Department.Referring to a statement made by state minister Jagdish Mishra alias Balti Baba, Lallu said, “In the name of action against hooch trade, a lot has been said in the Assembly but the end result is that more people died due to the poisonous liquor. Now the state minister in the Yogi government has accepted it.”

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/up-is-governed-by-mafia-and-smugglers-says-state-congress-chief-ajay-kumar-lallu

 

 

Farmers in Punjab, Haryana block roads as part of nationwide protest against farm laws

Farmers in Punjab and Haryana on Thursday put up road blockades at many places as part of a nationwide 'chakka jam' agitation in protest against three central farm laws, and demanded that these be withdrawn.The call for the nationwide 'chakka jam' from 12 noon to 4 pm was given by the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee.Protesting farmers owing allegiance to different outfits blocked state and national highways at several places, causing inconvenience to commuters.Though police authorities diverted traffic at many places, yet the commuters faced traffic snarls.Farmers slammed BJP-led government at the Centre for bringing the "black laws" and expressed fear that these legislations would destroy the farming community and would only "benefit" big corporate houses.Punjab farmers' bodies also lashed out at the Centre for suspending goods trains in the state that has affected supply of coal, fertiliser and other essential items.Bharatiya Kisan union (Ekta Ugrahan) general secretary Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan said they have put up road blockades at 35 places, including Sangrur, Bathinda, Mansa, Barnala, Patiala, Ludhiana, in Punjab as part of the 'chakka jam' protest.PTI

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/farmers-in-punjab-haryana-block-roads-as-part-of-nationwide-protest-against-farm-laws

 

 

At 42%, stubble burning’s share in Delhi pollution soars to season’s high

The share of stubble burning in Delhi's air pollution rose to 42 percent on Thursday, the maximum so far this season, as city's residents woke up to air quality in severe category, according to a central government's air quality monitoring agency.On Wednesday, stubble burning had contributed only five percent to Delhi's pollution, 10 percent on Tuesday and 16 percent on Monday and 40 percent a day before. Last year, the farm fire contribution to Delhi's pollution had peaked to 44 percent on November 1.IANS

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/at-42-stubble-burnings-share-in-delhi-pollution-soars-to-seasons-high

 

 

CORONA

 

Global Economic Fallout of Covid Will Continue to Remain a Challenge: Foreign Secretary Shringla

The global economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic will continue to remain a challenge and India has been looking at it not as constraints but as an opportunity for its economy as well as rebalancing of the international system, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said on Thursday. In an address at a virtual seminar, Shringla also said India is committed towards working for a rules-based international order underpinned by rule of law, transparency, freedom of navigation, respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, and peaceful resolution of disputes.The comments came in the backdrop of China's growing expansionist behaviour in eastern Ladakh, South China Sea and Indo-Pacific region. "Our objective remains advancing the security and economic interests of all countries," he said at the seminar organised by the National Defence College.PTI

https://www.news18.com/news/business/global-economic-fallout-of-covid-19-will-continue-to-remain-a-challenge-shringla-3046472.html

 

 

India reports highest one-day jump in covid cases in about two weeks, tally at 83.64 lakh

With a jump of 50,209 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, the country's overall coronavirus case numbers touched 83,64,086, Health Ministry data shared on Thursday shows.The death toll rose to 1,24,315 after 704 more fatalities were reported in a span of 24 hours.Active cases in the country now stand at 5,27,962 after a decrease of 5,825 in the last 24 hours.A total of 77,11,809 people have recuperated from the infection with 55,331 new discharges.

https://www.livemint.com/news/india/india-reports-spike-of-50-209-new-coronavirus-cases-in-last-24-hours-tally-at-83-64-lakh-11604548116117.html

 

 

Delhi can soon become ‘corona capital’, AAP govt going haywire on pandemic: HC

Delhi High Court Thursday expressed displeasure over the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the national capital and observed that the city could soon become ‘corona capital of the country’.A bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Subramonium Prasad said the Delhi government has gone completely ‘haywire’ on the pandemic. The bench said the AAP government took the health of citizens for a ride and it will deal with it separately.PTI

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-can-soon-become-corona-capital-aap-govt-going-haywire-on-pandemic-hc-6969461/

 

COVID situation is deteriorating in Delhi due to rising air pollution: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said the COVID-19 situation is deteriorating in the city due to rising air pollution and appealed to people to avoid bursting firecrackers this Diwali.Addressing an online media briefing, Kejriwal said he along with his cabinet ministers will perform 'Lakshmi Puja' at 7.39 pm at some place and urged Delhiiites to join them from their homes by watching it on television.PTI

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/covid-19-situation-is-deteriorating-in-delhi-due-to-rising-air-pollution-kejriwal

 

Covid: 262 students, 160 teachers test positive after schools reopen in Andhra

Three days after schools reopened in Andhra Pradesh, at least 262 students and around 160 teachers have tested positive for Covid-19.All government schools and colleges in the state reopened from November 2 for classes 9, 10 and intermediate.According to the statistics provided by the state education department, there are 9.75 lakh students registered for Class 9 and 10 in the state out of which 3.93 lakh attended, out of 1.11 lakh teachers, over 99,000 thousand attended the educational institutions on Wednesday. Out of these 262 students and 160 teachers have tested positive for Covid-19.The government has, however, said that the situation is not alarming.

https://www.indiatoday.in/coronavirus-outbreak/story/covid-19-262-students-160-teachers-test-positive-after-schools-reopen-in-andhra-pradesh-1738262-2020-11-05

 

India-made COVID-19 vaccine could be launched as early as Feb: ICMR scientist

New Delhi :An Indian government-backed COVID-19 vaccine could be launched as early as February – months earlier than expected – as last-stage trials begin this month and studies have so far showed it is safe and effective, a senior government scientist told Reuters.Bharat Biotech, a private company that is developing COVAXIN with the government-run ICMR, had earlier hoped to launch it only in the second quarter of next year.“The vaccine has shown good efficacy,” senior ICMR scientist Rajni Kant, who is also a member of its COVID-19 task-force, said at the research body’s New Delhi headquarters on Thursday.

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-made-covid-19-vaccine-could-be-launched-as-early-as-february-says-icmr-scientist-6960744/

 

Citing Covid Concern, China Temporarily Suspends Entry of Indians With Valid Visas or Residence Permits

China has temporarily suspended the entry of foreign nationals in India holding valid Chinese visas or residence permits due to the coronavirus pandemic. A statement by Chinese Embassy in India said Chinese embassy or consulates in India will not stamp Health Declaration Forms for holders of the above-mentioned categories.The embassy said foreigners holding Chinese diplomatic, service, courtesy and C visas will not be affected by the decision. "Foreigners with emergency or humanitarian needs to visit China can submit visa application to the Chinese embassy/consulates in India. The entry into China with visas issued after November 3, 2020, is not affected," it said.

https://www.news18.com/news/india/china-temporarily-suspends-entry-of-indian-nationals-citing-coronavirus-pandemic-3046595.html

 

Saudi Removes Controversial Restrictions On Foreign Workers

Saudi Arabia will remove several controversial restrictions on foreign workers in a labor policy overhaul that officials hope will attract overseas talent and reduce citizen unemployment.Non-Saudis will no longer need their employer's permission to change jobs, travel abroad or leave the country permanently, according to Sattam Alharbi, a deputy minister at the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development."Runaway" reports that employers can file against foreign workers who stop showing up to their jobs -- effectively rendering them fugitives -- will be abolished and replaced with a procedure for ending their contract, Alharbi said in an interview Wednesday.

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/saudi-arabia-removes-controversial-restrictions-on-foreign-workers-2320908?pfrom=home-topstories

 

 Vijayawada In Shock After Former TT Player And His Family Of 3 Died Of COVID-19 On Consecutive Days

Bengaluru: In just a span of two weeks, Sultan Moosavi (61), a retired state level table tennis player, eminent lawyer, and sports administrator of Vijayawada, has lost his entire family due to COVID-19 and he himself passed away on Saturday. Sultan’s daughter, Heena, is the only survivor from the family who stays in Australia and did not come in contact with any of family members who contracted the disease. Sultan was originally from Machilipatnam in AP.Sultan’s elderly mother first contracted the disease about three weeks back, soon after Sultan, his wife, and his son too tested positive for the COVID-19. Sultan’s mother passed away two weeks back, even as Sultan was mourning the death of his mother, his wife, Lubna Moosavi, succumbed to the disease on Friday. A day later, Sultan himself became the victim of the deadly disease. The tragedy did not stop here, and on the very next day, Sultan’s young son, Javeed (25), too breathed his last leaving the entire city into disbelief and utter shock. Javeed had celebrated his birthday on 18 October. Sultan, Lubna, and Javeed lost their lives on consecutive days when they were being treated in Manipal Hospital in Vijayawada.India Tomorrow

https://indiatomorrow.net/2020/11/05/vijayawada-in-shock-after-former-tt-player-and-his-family-of-3-died-of-covid-19-on-consecutive-days/

 

 WORLD

Protests, legal suits mars US election: Biden with 264 Electoral College votes closer to finish line, needs one battleground state to become President, Trump with 214 votes needs all 4 states

Democrat Joe Biden is pushing closer to the 270 Electoral College votes needed to carry the White House, securing victories in the "blue wall" battlegrounds of Wisconsin and Michigan, and narrowing President Donald Trump's path. With just a handful of states – Arizona, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina and Alaska – yet to be called, Trump has tried to press his case in court in some key swing states. It was unclear if any of his campaign's legal maneuvering over balloting would succeed in shifting the race in his favour.  With 264 projected electoral college votes, Biden needs just six more to win the race to the White House. AP has called the race for Michigan and Wisconsin in favour of Biden and he also holds an edge in Arizona and Nevada, but the results are unlikely to come until the weekend. US President Donald Trump, who is leading the states of Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia, currently has 214 electoral votes, according to AP’s projected tally. However, what isn’t good news for Trump campaign is that Biden is narrowing the gap in Georgia and Pennsylvania. In an early morning press conference, Trump accused the Biden campaign of election fraud and vowed to move the US Supreme Court over the results. Despite drawing criticism, Trump’s campaign went ahead to confirm it would formally request a Wisconsin recount, citing “irregularities in several Wisconsin counties.” It also filed lawsuits in Pennsylvania and Michigan before the projections were made, laying the groundwork for contesting the outcome in these key battleground states. The Trump campaign has filed lawsuits to halt the vote count in Pennsylvania, Georgia and Michigan. It also said it will ask for a recount in Wisconsin.Vote counting continued in Atlanta, Georgia – one of a handful of states that is still yet to be declared following the election on Tuesday.There was a narrow margin between Trump and Biden in Georgia, a close race in a state that has not backed a Democrat for president since 1992. There is no automatic recount, but a candidate can request one if the margin is within 0.5 percent.Unlike in previous years, states are contending with an avalanche of mail ballots driven by the global pandemic.

https://indianexpress.com/article/world/us-election-2020-results-live-updates-donald-trump-joe-biden-president-white-house-inauguration-supreme-court-6927086/

https://interactive.aljazeera.com/aje/live-results-us-election-day-2020/index.html?utm_campaign=widget&utm_medium=internal&utm_source=aljazeera

 

 

‘Count Every Vote’: Protests over ballot tallies sweep through US cities

Calling on election officials to “count every vote,” protesters marched through the streets of several American cities Wednesday in response to President Donald Trump’s aggressive effort to challenge the vote count in Tuesday’s presidential election.In Minneapolis, protesters blocked a freeway, prompting arrests. In Portland, hundreds gathered on the waterfront to protest the president’s attempted interventions in the vote count as a separate group protesting the police and urging racial justice surged through downtown, smashing shop windows and confronting police officers and National Guard troops.New York Times

https://indianexpress.com/article/world/count-every-vote-protests-over-ballot-tallies-sweep-through-us-cities-6962927/

 

US elections: About 69 percent American-Muslims vote for Biden, says exit poll survey

NEW YORK: Nearly 69 percent of Muslim voters cast their ballot for Democratic Presidential nominee Joe Biden while 17 percent supported President Donald Trump, according to a survey conducted by Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization in the US. Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, released the results of its 2020 Muslim Voters Presidential Election Exit Poll on Tuesday.CAIR's poll of 844 registered Muslim voter households found a high Muslim turnout with 84 percent reporting that they voted in the US election, with 69 percent voting for Biden and 17 percent for Trump.CAIR said more than one million American Muslim voters turned out in "record-breaking" numbers this election cycle.CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said the "Muslim community's significant ability to impact the results of numerous races across this country - including the presidential election - was recognized nationally."PTI

https://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2020/nov/04/us-elections-2020-about-69-percent-american-muslims-vote-for-biden-saysexit-poll-survey-2219227.html

 

 

Trump allegations ‘undermined trust in democracy’: OSCE observer

An international observer mission to the US elections has criticised President Donald Trump’s allegations of election rigging, saying he undermined trust in democracy.The mission of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), which monitors elections throughout Western nations and the former Soviet Union, said there was no evidence of election fraud in Tuesday’s vote which was “competitive and well managed”, despite challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/5/osce-observer-says-trump-allegations-on-vote-harm-public-trust

 

 

‘What a spectacle!’: Iran’s Khamenei mocks US democracy in tweet

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has mocked the rancorous aftermath of Election Day in the United States, saying the vote has exposed the reality of its democracy.More than 24 hours after the last polling stations closed in the US state of Alaska, the battle for the White House remains undecided.“What a spectacle!” Khamenei tweeted late on Wednesday. “One says this is the most fraudulent election in US history. Who says that? The president who is currently in office.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/5/what-a-spectacle-irans-khamenei-mocks-us-democracy

 

 

 

UN official: Israel’s largest demolition in the occupied West Bank for years

Humanitarian Coordinator ad interim for the occupied Palestinian territory, Yvonne Helle, said on Wednesday that the Israeli authorities have carried out their largest demolition operation in years against Palestinian structures in the occupied West Bank.“So far in 2020,” explained Helle, “689 structures have been demolished across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, more than in any full year since 2016, rendering 869 Palestinians homeless.” She said that the lack of Israeli-issued building permits “is typically cited as a reason, even though, due to the restrictive and discriminatory planning regime, Palestinians can almost never obtain such permits.”Demolitions, added Helle, are a key means of creating an environment designed to coerce Palestinians to leave their homes.UN official pointed out that the latest demolitions took place on Tuesday in the occupied Jordan Valley.

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201105-un-official-israels-largest-demolition-in-the-occupied-west-bank-for-years/

 

Israel bans deputy director from Al-Aqsa Mosque

Israeli occupation police have banned the deputy director of Al-Aqsa Mosque from the sanctuary compound, Quds Press has reported. Sheikh Najeh Bkeerat was handed the banning order on Wednesday.Last week, also on Wednesday, the police raided Bkeerat’s office in Al-Aqsa and detained him. They banned him for a week and told him to report to the intelligence services in occupied Jerusalem after seven days.He duly reported to the intelligence services and was detained again. “They detained me and then gave me a banning order for six months but gave no reason for it,” he explained.According to Sheikh Bkeerat, Israel has crossed the red lines in its aggression towards Al-Aqsa. “It is planning to empty the holy site of employees and worshippers as part the occupation’s targeting of the sanctuary’s Islamic and Palestinian identity.”

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201105-israel-bans-deputy-director-from-al-aqsa-mosque/

 

Israel detains scores of Palestinians in night raids

TULKARM:Israel detained dozens of Palestinians in overnight raids in the occupied West Bank, a local organization said on Thursday.A statement by the Palestinian Prisoners Society did not mention the number of people picked up, but said most of them are individuals who have previously been detained by Israeli forces.Local sources told Anadolu Agency that the Israeli raids targeted activists of the Islamic Jihad group.Israeli forces frequently storm cities in the occupied West Bank to detain Palestinian activists they claim are “wanted” individuals.According to organizations monitoring the situation, at least 4,400 Palestinians are currently languishing in Israeli prisons, including 39 women and some 155 children.Anadolu Agency

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/israel-detains-scores-of-palestinians-in-night-raids-/2033085

 

PA calls on ICC to probe Israel’s ‘execution’ of Palestinian man

Palestinian Authority (PA) has  condemned killing of a Palestinian man by Israeli soldiers at a military checkpoint south of the occupied West Bank city of Nablus, Quds Press has reported. The authority called on International Criminal Court to open an investigation into this “execution” and other Israeli crimes without delay.“We condemn the brutal execution of Bilal Adnan Rawahbeh, 29, by the Israeli occupation forces at Huwwara checkpoint, south of Nablus, on Wednesday at midday,” said the PA Foreign Ministry. “The silence of the international community regarding such crimes, the absence of sanctions against the occupation state or investigations and holding the killers and criminals accountable encourages more crimes.”

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201105-pa-calls-on-icc-to-probe-israels-execution-of-palestinian-man/

 

Israel to recognise 18-year south Lebanon occupation as an official campaign

Israel’s armed forces will recognise its 18-year occupation of southern Lebanon as an official military campaign, the Times of Israel reported.The occupation, which will be known as “Security Zone in Lebanon Campaign”, will be considered the same as Israel’s other wars and multi-year military campaigns.The decision was made by Israeli forces’ Chief of Staff Aviv Kohavi based on a recommendation from a committee headed by Lieutenant General Shaul Mofaz, who commanded the military during part of the occupation.The decision has now passed to Defence Minister Benny Gantz for approval. Gantz has already indicated that he will support Kohavi’s decision and praised the military chief of staff for accepting the committee’s recommendation.

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201105-israel-to-recognise-18-year-south-lebanon-occupation-as-an-official-campaign/

 

UAE's flydubai to start direct Israel flights this month

UAE's airline flydubai on Wednesday said it would start direct flights to Israel this month with twice-daily services between Dubai and Tel Aviv, Reuters reports.The announcement comes after the Middle East states in August agreed to establish formal ties, including launching direct flights between the two countries.Dubai state-owned flydubai will operate 14 weekly services between UAE’s and Israel’s financial capitals from Nov 26, it said on its website.Tickets for those flights were now on sale.

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201104-uaes-flydubai-to-start-direct-israel-flights-this-month/

 

 

Saudi to US: Don’t use universal jurisdiction to prosecute crown prince

Saudi Arabia told the US “not to use the principle of universal jurisdiction” to prosecute Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Salman as the royal was summoned a part of a lawsuit into an alleged assassination attempt of a Saudi dissident.Nida Abu- Ali, the First Secretary and Member of the Kingdom’s Permanent Delegation to the United Nations, said during UN General Assembly Sixth Committee meeting that her country calls “not to use the principle of universal jurisdiction in order to undermine the principle of state sovereignty and interfere in their internal affairs and immunity”.“Any attempt to implement universal jurisdiction without giving consideration to these fundamentals is an excuse and an entry point for politicising the judiciary in countries,” Abu- Ali said, adding that “resorting to jurisdiction must be in certain cases of serious crimes, and in cases where the states in which the crimes were committed are unwilling or unable to exercise their jurisdiction.”

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201105-saudi-to-us-dont-use-universal-jurisdiction-to-prosecute-crown-prince/

 

France condemns Erdogan over Islam row, threatens sanctions

France on Thursday condemned what it said were “declarations of violence” by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, and raised the possibility of new sanctions against Ankara.Erdogan has been feuding bitterly with French President Emmanuel Macron on a number of geopolitical flashpoints and, more recently, France’s fight against what it calls “radical” Islam.“There are now declarations of violence, even hatred, which are regularly posted by president Erdogan which are unacceptable,” French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told Europe 1 radio.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/5/france-condemns-erdogan-over-islam-row-threatens-sanctions

 

 

Austria calls for European front in ‘war on Islamism’

Austria’s chancellor has called for a European front in a “war on Islamism” after four people were killed in a terror attack in Vienna on Monday night.Sebastian Kurz, 34, said he would seek to form a continent-wide alliance against political Islam at the next summit of EU leaders later this month.The Austrian chancellor told German newspaper Die Welt: “I expect an end to the misconceived tolerance and for all the nations of Europe to finally realise how dangerous the ideology of political Islam is for our freedom and the European way of life.”“Islamist extremism wants to divide our society. This hatred should not be given space. The enemy are extremists and terrorists, not immigrants. There must be no tolerance of intolerance.”

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201105-austria-calls-for-european-front-in-war-on-islamism/

 

 

Azerbaijan: Armenia continues incessant attacks on civilians

Armenian forces continue incessant cross-border attacks on Azerbaijani civilian settlements 40 days after the first clashes broke out. Despite several cease-fires, Armenian side on Thursday morning opened fire on the civilian settlements of Goranboy and Tartar regions, Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said.Also, four shells landed in the Giyameddinli village of Azerbaijan's Aghjabedi region in the morning hours, said the statement.Armenian military units also fired at the positions of Azerbaijani army with mortars and howitzers."Starting from the evening hours on November 4 to 04:50, the positions of our military units located in Tovuz, Gadabay and Dashkesan regions of Azerbaijan were fired intermittently by the enemy from direction of Berd, Chambarak and Vardenis regions of Armenia," ministry said.The combat operations continued overnight with varying intensity, mainly in the Aghdere and Khojavend regions, it added.The Azerbaijani troops are monitoring the situation on the ground, the statement added, noting the Armenian troops were forced to retreat in some places.The ministry also rejected the claims of the Armenian side about the alleged renewed shelling of Khojavand and Shusha by the Azerbaijani army, adding that it was an "absolute lie".Earlier, Hikmet Hajiyev, the assistant to Azerbaijani president, said on Twitter that Armenian forces targeted Azerbaijani civilians with white phosphorus missiles.Anadolu Agency

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/azerbaijan-front-line/baku-armenia-continues-incessant-attacks-on-civilians/2033104

 

 

Afghanistan violence jumps 50 percent amid peace talks: US Watchdog

Violent attacks in Afghanistan have surged by 50 percent over recent months, even as the Kabul government and the Taliban launched unprecedented peace talks in September, a US watchdog warned on Thursday. Despite brief lulls provided by two temporary ceasefires over the summer, fighting has raged across the country as the Taliban launched devastating attacks on provincial capitals and security installations, with fears the violence may jeopardise negotiations.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/5/afghanistan-violence-jumps-50-percent-amid-peace-talks-watchdog

 

 Children among seven killed in Syria rebel enclave shelling

Rescuers and activists said the Syrian government shelled the last rebel enclave in the country’s northwest on Wednesday, killing at least seven people, including four children.The attack, on a day of heavy rain, targeted Idlib city and two towns, to the north and south.A child was killed when a shell landed near a weekly market in the city of Idlib, according to the Syrian Civil Defence, a volunteer rescue team also known as the White Helmets, and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor.The shelling in Idlib and surrounding areas wounded 17, according to Ahmed Sheikho, a spokesman for the White Helmets.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/4/shelling-in-syria-rebel-enclave-kills-seven-including-children

 

 OPINIONS-EDITORIALS-VIEWS

 What is the suicide case in which Republic TV’s Arnab Goswami has been arrested by Maharashtra Police?

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/what-is-the-case-in-which-arnab-goswami-has-been-detained-by-the-maharashtra-police-6937501/

 

Love jihad is a campaign to curb inter-faith marriages:Ram Puniyani

https://enewsroom.in/love-jihad-women-freedom-communal-politics/

 

How (Not) to Defend Arnab Goswami: Aunohita Mojumdar

https://thewire.in/media/arnab-goswami-arrest-defence-television-journalism

 

Diving Into the Privatisation Push in India's Power Sector:K. Ashok Rao

https://thewire.in/energy/india-power-sector-privatisation

 

 

Response to Hathras, contrasted with other cases of rape/murder, suggests ‘varna’ values are being upheld by state:Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd

https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/hathras-rape-case-dalit-police-reform-uttar-pradesh-6949265/

 

Absence of a charismatic Dalit leader opens up space in poll-bound Bihar:Badri Narayan

https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/bihar-politics-elections-dalits-6948672/

 

The French Are Yelling ‘Fire’, And We Must Heed Their Warning:Fahad Zuberi

https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/opinion-the-french-are-yelling-fire-and-we-must-heed-their-warning/363632

 

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