Sirajuddin Haqqani, Taliban Interior Minister Mediates Peace Talks between Pakistan and Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan to End Two-Decades of Militancy in Pakistan
New
Age Islam News Bureau
05
November 2021
A
Taliban fighter stands guard at the military hospital in Kabul
-----
• Pakistan
PM Enlightens Ambassadors of Muslim countries on Rehmat ul-lil-Alameen
Authority Following the Fundamental Precepts of Riasat-e-Madina Concept
• Spearheaded
by Jordan's Prince El Hassan Bin Talal Christian, Muslim Leaders Launch Appeal
To Protect Places of Worship
• 'Climate
of Fear' Prevails For Human Rights Defenders in Afghanistan: UN Expert
• Saudi
Ex-Spy Chief Warns Allies' Trust in US Waning After Failure in Afghanistan
South Asia
• Turkey
not in hurry to recognize Taliban govt in Afghanistan: FM
• Kabul
Hospital Attack Undermines Taliban Security Pledges
--------
Pakistan
• Foreign
Minister Says Govt Committed To Making Country Safe for All Minorities
• FATF
Asked to Probe India’s Role in Keeping Pakistan on Grey List by Former Pakistan
Interior Minister
• Lahore
police top brass changed over TLP March ‘mishandling’
• LHC
disposes of plea against TLP chief Saad Rizvi’s detention
--------
Mideast
• Vatican
urges peace talks as Palestinian President Abbas meets Pope Francis
• Israeli
forces demolish Palestinian mosque, other structures in occupied West Bank
• NAM
Stresses Removal of Unilateral Sanctions against Countries
• Ahead
of nuclear talks resumption, Iran says it doubled stock of enriched uranium
--------
Europe
• France
leaves door open for IAEA action against Iran
• Germany
calls for immediate end to hostilities in Ethiopia
• UNICEF
Plans To Directly Fund Afghan Teachers
--------
North America
• US
approves sale of $650 mln in air-to-air missiles to Saudi Arabia: State
Department
• Washington
Teen Charged With Right-Wing Terror Offence
• US
lawmakers call on Biden admin. To designate Muslim Brotherhood as terror group
--------
Arab World
• Islamic
State Attack Sparks Sectarian Bloodletting in Iraq’s Diyala
• Report:
Jewish-American group visits Saudi Arabia to advance Israeli normalization
• Hezbollah:
Saudi should apologize for its actions concerning Lebanon
• Rights
organizations warn of deteriorating health condition of imprisoned Saudi
dissident
• Russia:
White Helmets plotting false-flag chemical attack in Syria’s Idlib to accuse
Damascus
--------
India
• Post-Taliban
Takeover of Afghanistan: Security Forces, Civilians Killings Go Up In Jammu and
Kashmir
• India’s
Own FATF Assessment Pending Since 2019; Sectors Vulnerable To Terrorist
Funding, Laundering Under Lens
• Reconstruct
Both the Demolished Telangana Secretariat Mosques Immediately: Deccan Waqf
Protection Committee
• Cops
recover 'tiffin box bomb' hidden in fields near India-Pakistan border in Punjab
• India
Requests Pakistan to Allow Srinagar-Sharjah Flight to Use Its Airspace
• Muslims
Split, Namaz Spots Set to Shrink in Gurgaon; Muslim representative Accused RSS-
• Backed Muslim Rashtriya
Manch of “Sabotaging” The Talks
• Jammu
and Kashmir Shines In the Latest Prestigious NEET Examination
--------
Southeast Asia
• Police
Acknowledge Legal Gaming Centres in Private Clubs, But Say Muslims Not Allowed
• Opposition
MPs head four out of nine Parliamentary Select Committees
• Abdul
Hadi returned unopposed as PAS president
--------
Africa
• Sudanese
Talks Make Progress, Source Says, As International Pressure Grows
• Tunisia
issues international arrest notice against ex-leader Marzouki
• Sudan's
army chief Burhan orders release of four ministers
• Turkey
strongly condemns 'heinous terrorist attack' in Niger
• Somalia
asks envoy of African Union Commission to leave country
• Tanzania's
unique experiment of using schools to fight graft
Compiled
by New Age Islam News Bureau
--------
Sirajuddin
Haqqani, Taliban Interior Minister Mediates Peace Talks between Pakistan and
Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan to End Two-Decades of Militancy in Pakistan
A
Taliban fighter stands guard at the military hospital in Kabul
-----
ANI
/ Nov 5, 2021
PESHAWAR:
Acting interior minister in the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan,
Sirajuddin Haqqani is reportedly playing a role of a mediator between Pakistan
and the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to reach a "broader"
"peace agreement" to bring an end to the two-decades of militancy in
Pakistan, local media reported.
Pakistan
has reached a possible understanding with the TTP after the "direct,
face-to-face" talks between the two sides that are being held in
South-western Khost province of Afghanistan for almost two weeks, reported Dawn
citing the sources.
However,
it is not clear who on the Pakistan side is negotiating with the TTP.
The
understanding includes the declaration of a nationwide truce and the release of
some TTP terrorists based on certain conditions, as part of confidence-building
measures.
However,
the TTP has yet not confirmed or denied the possible understanding reached
between the two sides.
The
number of terrorists who are to be released was not clear, however, the
newspaper reported citing the sources that the number of such terrorists would
not be more than two dozen.
"These
are foot soldiers (terrorists), not senior or mid-level commanders. We are
testing the ground. We are cautious. The truce will come into effect once the
prisoners are released," Dawn quoted the sources as saying.
"Talks
are being held directly between senior officers and senior TTP leadership. The
TTP includes all groups without exception. There are several proposals on the
table and both sides are working to hammer out a workable solution," Dawn
quoted the source as saying.
However,
Dawn reported citing the source that it is clear that no tribal intermediaries
were being engaged in talks with the TTP leadership at the moment.
The
strong resurgence of Pakistani Taliban's terror activities soon after the
Taliban's takeover in Afghanistan is raising new concerns about Pakistan's
overall stability, including the security of its nuclear arsenal, said a
Canada-based think tank.
According
to an article in International Forum for Rights and Security (IFFRAS), Pakistan
efforts to pressurise the Taliban to ensure that the TTP is not allowed any
sanctuary in Afghanistan, have failed to yield any visible results.
In
recent times, the Pakistani Taliban has carried out multiple attacks in
Pakistan.
A
ceasefire between Pakistan's government and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)
announced on October 1 has fallen apart in days as fears rise about the al
Qaeda-linked group's true agenda, the think tank said.
Source:
Times of India
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click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
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Pakistan
PM Enlightens Ambassadors of Muslim Countries on Rehmat ul-lil-Alameen
Authority Following the Fundamental Precepts of Riasat-e-Madina Concept
November
05, 2021
PM Imran Khan Shared His Vision to Establish Rehmatul-lil-Alameen Authority with Envoys of Muslim Countries (Photo: ACE News)
------
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Imran Khan Thursday held an interactive session with the
ambassadors of Muslim countries, and enlightened them about the concept of
establishment of the Rehmat ul-lil-Alameen Authority.
Stressing
that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was a blessing for all humanity, the PM
underscored the appeal of Islam’s universal message and the bounties of
following the fundamental precepts of Riasat-e-Madina, including, in
particular, the principles of justice, rule of law, welfare of the people and
an unswerving focus on the acquisition of knowledge.
To
achieve real social welfare and progress, the prime minister termed it
imperative that the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) are fully
understood and emulated by Muslims in their daily lives.
The
PM elucidated that the prime objective of establishing the Rehmatul-lil-Alameen
Authority was to develop a deeper understanding of the Sunnah through
collaborative research and to provide essential tools to the youth to preserve
their Islamic identity, values and culture in the face of diverse social and
digital media influences.
He
said that the Authority was mandated to coordinate with Islamic scholars around
the globe to discuss contemporary issues faced by the Muslim youth and to
present a coherent and logical intellectual response to modern challenges, in
particular Islamophobia.
PM
Imran Khan laid emphasis on teaching ethics in schools in order to help build
character of the Muslim youth, in accordance with the principles and the true
spirit of Islam. In this regard, he also highlighted the importance of the role
of print, digital and electronic media and the influence of their content on
the lifestyle and personality development of the young generation.
During
the session, the PM invited constructive ideas from the envoys and hoped for
active collaboration among Muslim countries, at governmental level as well as
through interaction among scholars and academia.
Several
envoys of the Muslim countries appreciated the initiative of the prime minister
and shared the ideals of his endeavour. They also acknowledged PM’s vocal
support for causes of the Muslim Ummah at every international forum, and
promised all possible cooperation.
Meanwhile,
Special Assistant to Prime Minister Sardar Yar Muhammad Rind called on Prime Minister
Imran Khan here. Matters related to PTI’s provincial party organisation, and
Balochistan’s development issues were discussed in the meeting.
Source:
The News Pakistan
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click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
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Spearheaded
by Jordan's Prince El Hassan Bin Talal Christian, Muslim Leaders Launch Appeal
To Protect Places of Worship
A
guard walks through the ancient archaeological site of Ur, Iraq, Feb. 18, 2021.
The site is the birthplace of Abraham. Mideast Christian and Muslim leaders
have launched a global initiative to protect places of worship and worshippers.
(Credit: Alaa Al-Marjani/Reuters via CNS.)
-----
November
05, 2021
Spearheaded
by Jordan's Prince El Hassan Bin Talal, a group of Arab and international
scholars, thinkers and religious figures — Muslim and Christian — have launched
a global appeal to protect worshippers and places of worship.
"In
the face of what we see as the continuation of repeated attacks on places of
worship and on the souls of safe worshipers in several places in this world,
and based on a common human and moral responsibility, we call upon a group of
religious leaders, scholars and thinkers ... to urge all people to reject all
forms of extremism, hatred and painful practices against the spirit of faith
and human dignity," the more than 40 signatories said in their Nov. 2
appeal.
They
stressed that "hate speech and polarization that provokes hatred and
justifies bloodshed continues to escalate" and is accompanied by some who
resort to "the misuse of religions and beliefs as a pretext for violence,
exclusion and discrimination."
The
Muslim and Christian signatories continued: "These abhorrent targets also
include historical and archaeological sites and architectural heritage,
including museums, libraries and manuscripts, which is an erasure of the memory
that preserves the civilizations of peoples and their value core from
extinction."
"There
is no doubt that the attack on places of worship and their sanctity at a time
when worshippers perform prayer and religious rites in their premises is the culmination
of these atrocities. This leads us to a legitimate question: Isn't it time to
consider the issue of freedom of worship as an integral part of the right to
life and to consider the value of human heritage in relation to culture and
identity?" they stated.
The
Jordanian prince chairs the Arab Thought Forum and also the Board of the Royal
Institute for Inter-Faith Studies.
The
signatories included Father Rifat Bader, director of the Catholic Center for
Studies and Media in Jordan; retired Bishop Salim Sayegh of Jerusalem; Nayla
Tabbara, president and co-founder of the interfaith Adyan Foundation in
Lebanon; and Gabriel Said Reynolds, professor of Islamic studies and theology
at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana.
Source:
UC News
Please
click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
--------
'Climate
Of Fear' Prevails For Human Rights Defenders In Afghanistan: UN Expert
Nov
4, 2021
(Representative
Image) 'Climate of fear' prevails for human rights defenders in Afghanistan
-----
NEW
YORK: Human rights defenders in Afghanistan have reported that they are now
enduring a "climate of fear", threats, and becoming increasingly
desperate over conditions in the country, an independent UN expert said on
Wednesday.
Stating
that "the threat is very real", defenders, called for an urgent
coordinated response from the international community.
"Defenders
tell me of direct threats, including gendered threats against women, of
beatings, arrests, enforced disappearances, and of defenders being killed. They
describe living in a climate of constant fear", she said.
Those
most at risk are people documenting alleged war crimes, women, in particular
criminal lawyers, cultural rights defenders, especially those working in banned
sectors such as musical performance, and others from minority groups.
Some
told Lawlor that they have erased their online data history to evade
identification, and that the Taliban are using other ways to find them. One of
them, for example, was identified by an injury to his leg.
According
to her, the Taliban have raided offices of human rights and civil society
organisations, searching for names, addresses and contacts.
"Many
defenders are well known in their local communities, in particular in rural
areas, and have left for the anonymity of the cities, but even there, they are
forced to constantly change locations," the UN expert said. "Most
have also lost their source of income, further limiting their options to find
safety." Lawlor called for immediate international support, including an
urgent plan for the evacuation of those at high risk, along with their
families.
She
also said these are the people who have been fighting for 20 years to advance
human rights in the country.
"Many
say they feel abandoned. States who have supported their work for the past two
decades must do more to provide visas, travel documents and routes to asylum
for the hundreds of defenders left behind and at risk."
Source:
Times of India
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click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
--------
Saudi
Ex-Spy Chief Warns Allies' Trust In US Waning After Failure In Afghanistan
04
November 2021
(Representative
Image: Photo Fars News Agency)
----
A
Saudi former spy chief has warned US President Joe Biden that the Kingdom’s
trust in Washington was waning as two decades of military interventions in Iraq
and Afghanistan resulted in failure.
Prince
Turki bin Faisal — also a former ambassador to the United States — said on
Tuesday that Washington’s “failed experience in Afghanistan, and I would say
semi-failed experience in Iraq, are responsible for the perceived failure or
defeat, if you like, of a great power, the United States.”
As
a result, he said, “doubts” about the US were “accumulating” and causing
“strategic regional confusion.”
He
also warned that this strategic confusion in Washington’s reliability, risks
“more conflicts and crises” in the Middle East.
“No
region in the world fears the danger of this strategic confusion more than the
Middle East region," he added.
Al-Faisal
also warned US President Joe Biden to “weigh [the issues] carefully” before
taking “any steps ... that impact this historical bond” between Washington and
its allies in the Middle East.
He
had previously described US chaotic pullout from Afghanistan as a combination
of “incompetence, carelessness, [and] bad management.”
The
US completed the chaotic withdrawal of its forces from Afghanistan by the end
of August, in what observers saw as a botched exit after a futile military
adventure lasting 20 years.
The
US-led NATO alliance invaded the South Asian country in 2001 under the pretext
of ‘war on terror’, to decimate the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. None of the goals
were achieved despite massive investment.
Al-Faisal
also raised concern that the stockpile of weapons and military tech that had
been left behind could end up being used against Saudi Arabia.
In
separate remarks, al-Faisal had even said, in addition to US assistance, the
kingdom would seek “other support” to bolster its defenses against alleged
missile and drone attacks.
The
US deployed two Patriot missile artillery batteries in the kingdom, following
attacks on Saudi oil facilities, in 2019.
Riyadh
enjoyed cordial relations with the US under former president Donald Trump, who
inked hefty arms deals with the kingdom despite worldwide outcry over Riyadh’s
war on Yemen and its human rights violations, including the murder of the
journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Source:
Press TV
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click the following URL to read the text of the original story:
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South Asia
Turkey
not in hurry to recognize Taliban govt in Afghanistan: FM
NOV
04, 2021
Turkey
is not in a hurry to recognize the Taliban-led administration in Afghanistan,
Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said Thursday, adding there is gradual
engagement between Ankara and the new government in Kabul.
Çavuşoğlu
presented the 2022 budget of the Foreign Ministry and related institutions at
the Planning and Budget Committee of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey
(TBMM).
Regarding
Turkey's foreign policy toward the Afghan crisis, he said that Turkey cannot
remain indifferent to Afghanistan.
"In
addition to our historical ties, we have common ancestry, investments and a
presence in many fields. Terrorism, migration and drug threats must be
eliminated at their source, economic collapse and humanitarian crisis must be
prevented," he said.
Noting
that if the crisis is not managed where it is located, its consequences will
directly affect everyone, Çavuşoğlu said: "For these reasons, we follow a
gradual engagement with the Taliban, support in humanitarian issues and active
diplomacy in the international arena. Moreover, the international community, in
general, applies a policy of gradual engagement with the Taliban. We are not in
a hurry, we follow the practices in the field."
Çavuşoğlu
said that when he met with the acting deputy minister of Foreign Affairs of the
interim Taliban government in Afghanistan, he emphasized the importance of establishing
an inclusive and representative government for permanent stability.
A
high-level delegation led by Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting foreign minister of
Afghanistan’s interim Taliban government, visited Turkey last month to hold
talks with senior Turkish officials.
This
marked the first high-level contact between Turkey and the new administration
in Afghanistan after the Taliban took power on Aug. 15.
Speaking
to reporters after the meeting, Çavuşoğlu said that recognizing the Taliban and
engaging with them are two different things. He added that Turkey reiterated
the need for an inclusive government and voiced its expectations regarding the
security of Kabul Hamid Karzai International Airport.
"They
asked us for humanitarian aid and the continuation of investments there,"
Çavuşoğlu also said and added that the Turkish side once again shared its
advice on girls' education and women's employment in business life.
"The
Taliban leadership said they would give their best support if they (Afghan
migrants) wanted to return to their country," he also said.
President
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan recently highlighted the importance of an inclusive
government in Afghanistan, as he said it was crucial in reaching a deal
regarding the operation of the Kabul airport. Turkey has been working with
Qatar to reopen the airport in the Afghan capital of Kabul for international
travel. However, repairs are needed before commercial flights can resume.
Erdoğan
also said at a virtual meeting between the Group of 20 most powerful economies
that the international community should keep the channels of dialogue with the
Taliban open, to “patiently and gradually steer” them toward establishing a
more inclusive government.
He
said Turkey, which already hosts more than 3.6 million Syrians, cannot bear an
influx of migrants from Afghanistan, warning that European nations would also
be affected by a new wave of migrants.
The
Taliban say they want international recognition. They warn that weakening their
government will affect security and spark an even bigger exodus of migration
from the country. Taliban officials previously noted that they want Turkey to
provide aid and support to the Afghan people and called on Turkey to be the
first country to formally recognize the new administration in Afghanistan.
Source:
Daily Sabah
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
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Kabul
Hospital Attack Undermines Taliban Security Pledges
November
04, 2021
Kabul:
Just a few months after the Taliban took charge in Kabul and promised to
restore peace in Afghanistan, many Afghans still fear an invisible enemy: the
Islamic State.
The
local chapter of the jihadist group is replicating the very tactics that the
Taliban used to successfully destabilise the now-ousted US-backed government,
including bombings against symbolic targets.
"The
Taliban called us infidels. Now, they are getting killed by people who call
them infidels," a shopkeeper said near the scene of the latest carnage --
a gun and suicide bomb attack on a military hospital on Tuesday.
"And
they have no chance of winning this war," he told AFP.
The
day after the attack, a cleaner passed by with a hose to rinse blood from the
pavement and a Taliban fighter pointed with his Kalashnikov to where human
remains dangled from the perimeter's razor wire.
Nineteen
people were killed in the attack claimed by Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K), the
local chapter of the group.
The
operation gave the Taliban a chance to launch its feared Badri special forces
and deploy a team from a helicopter in a show of force as they confronted the
militant attack squad.
But
the commander of the force, Kabul's security chief Hamdullah Mokhlis, and at
least three Taliban comrades were killed as they battled the militants.
A
member of the hospital's medical staff said they warned the Taliban to manage
the traffic outside the building, which had been targeted in the past.
"They
didn't listen to us," he told AFP on condition of anonymity.
"They
don't know how to handle the situation. Four cars burst into flames after the
second explosion. They didn't even think of calling the firemen. We had to do
it ourselves. They don't have the number."
The
hospital was last attacked in 2017, in another operation claimed by IS-K. A
six-hour gun battle erupted and militants went room to room, slaughtering
patients.
One
doctor said the Islamic State are the Taliban, but worse.
"I
can't tell the difference between them. They have the same facial hair, the
same clothing. For me they are the two ears of the donkey."
Motorcycle
bomber
For
some, IS-K is more deadly than the Taliban were when they were fighting for
control. They see a more sophisticated strategy, with multiple bombings and
more complex tactics.
On
Tuesday, a motorcycle suicide bomber hit the main gate of the hospital and
gunmen stormed their way in behind him.
As
Taliban special forces were arriving on the scene 20 minutes later, a car bomb
-- which witnesses say looked like a taxi -- exploded.
"I
have seen all this before, the same exact tactics," another doctor said.
"I
know these tactics so well that, after the first explosion, even when I saw
people lying injured, I knew I couldn't go to treat them, because the second
explosion would happen soon, and it happened."
Source:
ND TV
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/kabul-hospital-attack-undermines-taliban-security-pleges-2599520
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Pakistan
Foreign
minister says govt committed to making country safe for all minorities
Imtiaz
Dharani
November
5, 2021
MITHI:
Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that Pakistan
Tehreek-i-Insaf government is committed to make the country safe and secure for
all minority communities and faiths in the light of vision of Qauid-i-Azam
Mohammad Ali Jinnah and other founding fathers.
Qureshi
said at a public gathering held to mark Diwali festival here on Thursday that
he had arrived in Thar to join in festivities with his Hindu friends and
supporters and celebrate the festival of lights with them.
He
said that at a time when people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir were facing the
worst atrocities and barbarism by Indian forces people in Thar belonging to all
Hindu communities were enjoying equal rights without feeling any
discrimination.
“All
religious minorities enjoy equal rights in Pakistan and freely practice their
religious obligations unlike Indian states where people from marginalised
communities are subjected to the worst type of atrocities and discrimination,”
he said.
He
asked Indian rulers to mend their ways and stop committing brutalities against
Muslims and other minority communities. Thar lagged far behind other regions of
the country but people had been living here peacefully with great communal
harmony.
He
warned that no one would be allowed to spoil peaceful environment in Thar for
petty interests or political mileage. Pakistan Peoples Party rulers in Sindh
had unleashed a reign of terror against their political opponents, especially
PTI workers in Umerkot and Tharparkar districts for the past three years, he
said.
He
said that people of both the districts were subjected to the worst political
victimisation during by-polls when PTI had decided to field its candidates to
contest elections in both the districts.
Qureshi
deplored that PTI supporters and voters were harassed and implicated in bogus
cases at the behest of PPP leaders and warned police officials to stop acting
like puppets in the hands of rulers.
He
made it clear that from then onwards they would not tolerate political
victimisation of supporters and voters of the party and asked the police officials
to act and behave like true public servants.
He
said that some powerful people affiliated with the ruling party in Sindh had
been given free rein to commit atrocities against general public. They were
openly occupying peoples’ land and other properties but there was no law to
protect the poor from such cruelties, he said.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
FATF
Asked To Probe India’s Role In Keeping Pakistan On Grey List By Former Pakistan
Interior Minister
Iftikhar
A. Khan
November
5, 2021
ISLAMABAD:
Former interior minister Rehman Malik has written a letter to FATF President Dr
Marcus Pleyer, seeking a probe into India’s role in keeping Pakistan on the
grey list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)
He
has also written a letter to Prime Minister Imran Khan urging him to file a
petition in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against FATF’s
discrimination and continued victimisation of Pakistan.
In
his letter to the FATF president, Mr Malik, who is also chairman of the
Institute of Research and Reforms, called for investigating the confessional
statement of the Indian foreign minister by a special team of FATF to expose
the truth.
He
said India was behind keeping Pakistan in the grey list, adding FATF was not
taking Pakistan out of the grey list due to political pressure and influence by
some countries.
In
his confessional statment, the Indian foreign minister stated: “Bhartiya Janata
Party (BJP) government led by Narendra Modi ensured that Pakistan remained on
the ‘grey list’ of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Due to us, Pakistan
is under the lens of FATF and it is kept on the grey list.”
Mr
Malik said the confession by the Indian foreign minister had raised a big
question on the integrity and transparency of FATF and confirmed the Indian
involvement in pushing Pakistan into the grey list.
“Unfortunately,
FATF has not yet moved any action against Indian minister to prove the
neutrality of FATF,” he said.
“Despite
clear evidence of involvement in terror financing, money laundering and even in
heinous crimes of nuclear proliferation, India is being spared and no legal
action is being initiated against it by FATF,” the letter added.
He
noted that some inimical countries were using FATF as a tool to put Pakistan
under pressure with ulterior motives.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1656024/fatf-asked-to-probe-indias-role-in-keeping-pakistan-on-grey-list
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Lahore
police top brass changed over TLP march ‘mishandling’
Asif
Chaudhry
November
5, 2021
LAHORE:
The government on Thursday transferred the entire police high command of the
provincial capital in a massive reshuffle in the wake of their “mishandling of
the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan’s violent rally.”
Several
regional police officers (RPOs) and district police officers (DPOs) have also
been reshuffled in Punjab.
The
government has posted Punjab Additional IG Investigation Fayyaz Ahmad Dev as
new Lahore capital city police officer vice Ghulam Mahmood Dogar. Mr Dogar has
been transferred and posted as Punjab Additional IG Logistics & Procurement
vice Shahid Hanif who has been posted as Additional IG Punjab Highway Patrol.
Similarly,
Rawalpindi City Police Officer Ahsan Younas has been transferred and posted as
Lahore DIG Operations vice Sohail Chaudhry who has been transferred and posted
as DIG Technical Procurement Punjab.
This
is yet another shake-up in Punjab in recent times.
Lahore
DIG Investigation Shariq Jamal has been made officer on special duty (OSD) and
directed to report to the Services & General Administration Department for
further order.
The
government has made a mutual transfer of Lahore SSP Operations Ismail Kharrak
and Mianwali District Police Officer retired Capt Mustansar Feroze.
Also
read: Punjab govt releases more than 800 TLP workers two days after agreement
DIG
Headquarters (Punjab) Shahzada Sultan has been transferred and posted as a new
DIG Investigation Lahore. Additional IG police crime investigation branch has
been given look after charge of additional IG Investigation Punjab.
Punjab
DIG Establishment-I Sher Akbar has been transferred and posted as Bahawalpur
Regional Police Officer vice Zubair Dareshak who has been transferred and
posted as Punjab DIG Headquarters.
Awaiting
posting, DIG Munir Ahmad Sheikh has been transferred and posted as Punjab
Special Branch VVIP Security DIG Lahore vice Mirza Faran Baig who has been
transferred and posted as Punjab DIG Establishment-I.
Punjab
Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Logistics Athar Ismail Amjad has been
transferred and posted as new Rawalpindi CPO.
DG
Khan RPO retired Capt Mohammad Faisal Rana has been transferred and posted as
Sargodha RPO vice Ashfaq Ahmad Khan who has been transferred and posted as new
Rawalpindi RPO from where Imran Ahmar has been transferred and posted as
Gujranwala RPO against an existing vacancy.
Awaiting
posting, Iqbal Dara has been transferred and posted as Punjab Information
Technology DIG vice Waqas Nazeer who has been appointed new DG Khan RPO.
Awaiting
posting, Qamaruz Zaman has been transferred and posted as South Punjab DIG
Administration and Establishment against an existing vacancy.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1655981/lahore-police-top-brass-changed-over-tlp-march-mishandling
--------
LHC
disposes of plea against TLP chief Saad Rizvi’s detention
November
5, 2021
LAHORE:
The Lahore High Court on Thursday disposed of a petition challenging the
detention of Hafiz Saad Rizvi, the chief of proscribed Tehreek-i-Labbaik
Pakistan (TLP), for being infructuous.
Chief
Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti, heading a division bench, observed that the
impugned notification of the detention had expired.
Petitioner’s
counsel Burhan Moazzam Malik also conceded that the petition had become
infructuous as the notification under challenge stood elapsed and there was no
new order for the detention of Rizvi.
The
counsel said he would not press the petition and intended to withdraw the same.
Additional
Advocate General Akhtar Javed also supported the view of the bench.
At
this, the bench disposed of the petition for being infructuous and observed
that the petitioner could approach the court again if felt aggrieved by any new
order of the government. Rizvi’s paternal uncle Ameer Hussain had filed the
petition.
The
Supreme Court had suspended the operation of a LHC single bench’s order whereby
the detention of Rizvi was annulled and remanded the case for a fresh decision
by a division bench.
Source:
Dawn
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1655982/lhc-disposes-of-plea-against-tlp-chief-saad-rizvis-detention
--------
Mideast
Vatican
urges peace talks as Palestinian President Abbas meets Pope Francis
04
November ,2021
Palestinian
president Mahmud Abbas held a private audience with Pope Francis Thursday and
met with top Vatican officials, who emphasized the importance of resuming peace
talks with Israel.
Abbas,
who has met the pontiff several times before, held talks with Secretary of
State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and de facto foreign minister Paul Gallagher on a
trip to Rome that also included a meeting with Italian premier Mario Draghi.
The
Vatican later said, “it was stressed that it is absolutely necessary to
reactivate direct dialogue in order to achieve a two-state solution, also with
the help of more vigorous effort on the part of the international community.”
It
“reiterated that Jerusalem must be recognized by all as a place of encounter
and not of conflict, and that its status must preserve its identity and
universal value as a Holy City for all three Abrahamic religions.”
The
Israeli coalition led by new hardline nationalist prime minister, Naftali
Bennett, has no common position on ending the decades-long Palestinian
conflict, complicating any formal diplomatic negotiations.
But
recent visits to Abbas by three Israeli cabinet ministers indicate both sides
are keen to promote stability and improve ties, even if peace talks remain off
the table for now.
At
the Vatican Thursday, the pope and Abbas exchanged gifts and then held hands as
Abbas wished the pope good health and strength going forward, according to
footage released by the Vatican.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Israeli
forces demolish Palestinian mosque, other structures in occupied West Bank
04
November 2021
Israeli
authorities have razed a Palestinian mosque and other structures in the
occupied West Bank, as the regime’s land grab policy in the occupied
Palestinian territories continues unabated.
Israeli
bulldozers, escorted by troops, demolished the mosque early Thursday after
raiding the town of Duma south of the occupied West Bank city of Nablus,
Palestine's official Wafa news agency reported.
Ghassan
Daghlas, who monitors Israeli settlement activities in the northern West Bank,
told Wafa that the mosque located east of the town had been attended by
worshipers for the past two years.
He
added that Israeli forces also razed agricultural roads in the southern part of
Duma.
In
a statement, the Palestinian Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs
lambasted the mosque demolition as a clear act of aggression against Muslims’
holy sites and an act of provocation against Muslim sentiments, the report
added.
According
to a report by the Palestinian Information Center, Duma’s town council made
efforts to halt the demolition measures through legal channels, but all to no
avail.
Last
month, Israeli authorities razed parts of the al-Yusufiya Cemetery to pave the
way for building a biblical national park on the site of the graveyard, which
was located outside the al-Asbat Gate of al-Quds’s Old City.
Palestinian,
Jordanian, and Iraqi people martyred by Israeli militias during the 1967 war in
Palestine were buried in the al-Yusufiya Cemetery, which is one of the most prominent
Islamic landmarks in al-Quds.
Source:
Press TV
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2021/11/04/669931/Palestine-Israel-mosque-demolition-Duma-West-Bank
--------
NAM
Stresses Removal of Unilateral Sanctions against Countries
2021-November-4
Deputy
Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations
Zahra Ershadi made the remarks in a speech before the Sixth Committee of the
76h Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Agenda item 84 on behalf
of the Non-Aligned Movement on Wednesday
"The
Movement also expresses its deep concern regarding the imposition of laws and
other forms of coercive economic measures against developing countries,
including unilateral sanctions, which violate the Charter of the United Nations
and undermine international law as well as the rules of the World Trade Organization,"
she said.
"Furthermore,
the Movement calls on countries that have imposed unilateral sanctions to put
an end to such sanctions immediately," Ershadi added.
The
full text of the NAM statement is as follows:
While
the Non-Aligned Movement continues to attach great importance to the work of
the Special Committee on the Charter of the United Nations and on the
Strengthening of the Role of the Organization, it can also play a key role in
the current reform process of the United Nations, as mandated in Resolution
3499(XXX) of 15 December 1975.
Over
the years, the Committee has worked diligently to produce various documents in
the form of declarations and resolutions, such as the Manila Declaration.
Negotiated and adopted by the Charter Committee in 1982, the Manila Declaration
is only one of the many major achievements of the Committee. Such a body of
work demonstrates the Committee’s strengths as an effective forum to clarify
and promote general international law and charter provisions. The Special Committee
has been also instrumental in the preparation of the Handbook on the Peaceful
Settlement of Disputes, which needs to be updated in light of the new
developments as well as the practices of Member States in this regard.
The
Non-Aligned Movement is of the view that the United Nations is a central and
indispensable forum dedicated to addressing issues relating to international
cooperation, economic development and social progress, peace and security,
human rights and the rule of law based on dialogue, cooperation and
consensus-building among States. In this context, the Movement attaches great
importance to the strengthening of the role of the United Nations and
recognizes the efforts taken to develop its full potential.
The
Non-Aligned Movement also reiterates its concern over the continuing
encroachment by the Security Council on the functions and powers of the General
Assembly and those of the Economic and Social Council through addressing issues
which fall within the competence of the latter organs, and the attempts to
enter areas of norm-setting and establishing definitions which fall within the
purview of the General Assembly.
The
Non-Aligned Movement reaffirms that the reform of the Organization should be
carried out in accordance with the principles and procedures established by the
Charter of the United Nations while preserving the legal framework of this
constitutional instrument. For this purpose, the Special Committee on the
Charter of the United Nations and on the Strengthening of the Role of the
organization can contribute to the examination of the legal matters in this
process.
Madame
Chairperson,
The
Charter Committee provides an opportunity for Member States to hear from the UN
Secretariat regarding all aspects of the Introduction and implementation of
sanctions imposed by the United Nations, in accordance with the guidelines
contained in the Annex to General Assembly resolution 64/115 of 16 December
2009.
It
is important to note that this document is the product of the Charter Committee
and provides a comprehensive as well as balanced approach to the issue of UN
sanctions. As such, we expect that the briefing by the Secretariat will
preserve such a balanced approach. In particular, we are interested in hearing
more about the perceived objective assessments of the short-term and long-term
socio-economic and humanitarian consequences of sanctions by the Security
Council’s Sanction Committees, including the methodology used for the
assessment of the humanitarian implications of sanctions. We also expect the
information on the humanitarian consequences of the introduction and
implementation of sanctions to be presented, including those which that have a
bearing on the basic living conditions of the civilian population of the target
State, on its socio-economic development and on third States which have
suffered or may suffer as a result of their implementation. We also call on the
UN Secretariat to develop its capacity on the proper assessment of the
unintended side effects of sanctions imposed by the Security Council.
We
note that the capacity of the Secretariat has not been sufficiently developed
in the past in order to adequately and fully assess the short-term as well as
long-term socio-economic and humanitarian consequences of UN sanctions. In this regard, there is a dire need to
enhance the expertise and capacity of the UN Secretariat in order to enable its
ability to properly assess the unintended consequences of the UN sanctions on
civilian populations.
The
Security Council’s imposed sanctions still remain an issue of serious concern
to the Member Countries of the Non-Aligned Movement. It is the Movement’s view
that the imposition of sanctions should be considered as a last resort.
Furthermore, targeted sanctions may be imposed only when there exists a threat
to international peace and security or an act of aggression, in accordance with
the Charter. They are not applicable as a preventive measure in any and all
instances of violation of international law, norms or standards.
Sanctions
are blunt instruments, the use of which raises fundamental ethical questions as
to whether the suffering inflicted on vulnerable groups in the target country
is a legitimate means of exerting political pressure. The objectives of
sanctions are not to punish or otherwise exact retribution on the populace.
Sanctions
regimes should avoid triggering unintended consequences in the target State or
third States which may lead to violations of human rights and fundamental
freedoms. They should also avoid hindering humanitarian assistance from
reaching the civilian population.
In
this regard, the objectives of sanctions regimes should be clearly defined
based on tenable legal grounds, and their imposition should be for a specified
timeframe. Lastly, such sanctions should be lifted as soon as the objectives
are achieved. The conditions demanded of the State or party on which sanctions
are imposed should also be distinctly outlined and be subject to monitoring its
impacts and periodic review.
The
Movement also expresses its deep concern regarding the imposition of laws and
other forms of coercive economic measures against developing countries,
including unilateral sanctions, which violate the Charter of the United Nations
and undermine international law as well as the rules of the World Trade
Organization. Furthermore, the Movement calls on countries that have imposed
unilateral sanctions to put an end to such sanctions immediately.
Madame
Chairperson,
The
NAM fully supports all efforts aimed towards promoting the peaceful settlement
of disputes based on provisions of international law and the Charter of the
United Nations. In this regard, the annual thematic debates on the means for
the settlement of disputes is an important initiative highlighted by the NAM to
the Charter Committee. A constructive and informative debate was held this year
on States’ practices regarding the use of arbitration under the agenda item on
peaceful settlement of disputes. Building upon the information presented within
the debate, we are looking forward to discussing other means as well in order
to work towards better understanding and progress. The Movement maintains that
these annual thematic debates on means of dispute settlement can contribute to
more efficient and effective use of such peaceful means while promoting a
culture of peace among Member States. Moreover, when the Committee exhausts
discussions on all means of dispute settlement reflected in article 33 of the
UN Charter, the input and materials collected by this process can provide a
valuable basis for further consideration by the Committee with an aim towards
achieving concrete and result-oriented outcomes.
Source:
Fars News Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/14000813000464/NAM-Sresses-Remval-f-Unilaeral-Sancins-agains-Cnries
--------
Ahead
of nuclear talks resumption, Iran says it doubled stock of enriched uranium
04
November ,2021
Iran
has doubled its stock of enriched uranium in less than a month, Atomic Energy
Organisation of Iran (AEOI) spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said weeks ahead of
the resumption of talks with the US and Western allies to revive the abandoned
2015 nuclear deal.
“Our
stock is now more than 210 kilograms of uranium enriched to 20 percent, and
Iran has 25 kilograms at 60 percent, a level that no country apart from those
with nuclear weapons are capable of producing,” state news agency IRNA quoted
Kamalvandi as saying.
The
head of AEOI, Mohammed Eslami had said in October that Iran has more than 120
kilograms of 20-percent enriched uranium.
Under
the abandoned 2015 nuclear deal, Iran was only allowed to enrich uranium up to
3.67 percent, way below the 90 percent required for weapons-grade uranium.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Europe
France
leaves door open for IAEA action against Iran
04
November ,2021
France
said on Thursday it could still act with its partners against Iran at an
upcoming meeting of the UN nuclear watchdog's board after Tehran said it would
return to nuclear talks with world powers at the end of November.
Western
powers scrapped plans in September for a resolution criticizing Iran at the
International Atomic Energy Agency after Tehran agreed to prolong monitoring of
some nuclear activities and invited IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi to
Tehran for talks on key outstanding issues.
For
the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
The
decision by the US, France, Britain and Germany not to push for a resolution by
the IAEA's 35-nation board of governors avoided an escalation with Iran that
could have killed hopes of resuming wider talks in Vienna on reviving the 2015
nuclear deal.
Iran
and the European Union, which coordinates those negotiations, said on Wednesday
that all sides had agreed to return to the Austrian capital on Nov. 29.
Western
states have increasingly become frustrated that Iran has failed to fully honor
a monitoring agreement with the IAEA, continues to breach its 2015 accord, and
has yet to allow Grossi to come to Tehran for high-level talks that had been
promised in September. It has also not properly addressed outstanding questions
on past nuclear activities.
“Iran
must resume dialogue and cooperation with the agency without delay to make
progress on outstanding issues,” French Foreign ministry spokeswoman Anne-Claire
Legendre told reporters in a daily briefing.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Germany
calls for immediate end to hostilities in Ethiopia
Ayhan
Şimşek
04.11.2021
BERLIN
Germany
on Thursday called for an immediate cease-fire in Ethiopia amid an escalated
fighting between government forces and Tigrayan rebels.
“All
parties involved must immediately cease hostilities,” German Foreign Minister
Heiko Maas said in a statement. “The Tigray People’s Liberation Front and its
allies, including the Oromo Liberation Army, must end their offensive without
delay."
Maas
also called on the Ethiopian government to stop its airstrikes, and refrain
from calls to mobilize the population.
“Together
with its international partners, Germany will continue to work toward
negotiations and a peaceful solution to the conflict,” he stressed.
Maas
warned that the human suffering in the Tigray, Amhara and Afar regions has
reached catastrophic proportions as a result of the mounting humanitarian
emergency.
“Now,
more than ever, humanitarian aid workers need unhindered access in order to do
their life-saving work,” he said.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/germany-calls-for-immediate-end-to-hostilities-in-ethiopia/2412184
--------
UNICEF
plans to directly fund Afghan teachers
04
Nov 2021
The
United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund has announced that they
will be funding Afghan teachers directly and without involving the de-facto
authorities, the Taliban.
The
International community has presently blocked money to the Taliban-led
administration and has announced that they are setting up a system to fund the
teachers without giving money to the Taliban.
UNICEF’s
Afghanistan Chief of Education Jeannette Vogelaar in her latest interview with
Reuters said that they would begin registering teachers of public schools in
order to put them in the system.
“The
best way to support the education of girls in Afghanistan is to continue
supporting their schools and teachers. UNICEF is calling upon donors not to let
Afghanistan’s children down” said Vogelaar.
Source:
Khaama Press
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.khaama.com/unicef-plans-to-directly-fund-afghan-teachers-8657657/
--------
North America
US
approves sale of $650 mln in air-to-air missiles to Saudi Arabia: State
Department
04
November ,2021
The
US State Department said Thursday that it was approving the $650 million sale
of air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM) and related equipment to Saudi Arabia.
“The
State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military
Sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of AIM-120C Advanced Medium Range
Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and related equipment for an estimated cost of
$650 million,” a statement from the Pentagon read.
For
the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
The
announcement comes after Riyadh requested to buy 280 AIM-120C-7/C-8 Advanced
Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and 596 LAU-128 Missile Rail
Launchers (MRL), according to the Pentagon.
“We’ve
seen an increase in cross-border attacks against Saudi Arabia over the past
year. Saudi AIM-120C missiles, deployed from Saudi aircraft, have been
instrumental in intercepting these attacks that also US forces at risk and over
70,000 US citizens in the Kingdom at risk,” the State Department said.
Thursday’s
deal also includes weapon support, spare and repair parts, US government and
contractor engineering, technical and logistical support services.
“This
proposed sale will support US foreign policy and national security of the
United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that
continues to be an important force for political and economic progress in the
Middle East,” the Pentagon said.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Washington
teen charged with right-wing terror offence
04
November ,2021
A teenager
charged with a terror offence targeted police stations, drag queens and
"Muslim rape gangs" in a plot to kill, a court heard.
Luke
Skelton appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court earlier charged with
intending to commit acts of terrorism.
The
18-year-old, of Oxclose, Washington, Tyne and Wear, was remanded in custody.
Source:
BBC News
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-tyne-59164048
--------
US
lawmakers call on Biden admin. to designate Muslim Brotherhood as terror group
04
November ,2021
US
lawmakers have reintroduced a bill calling on the State Department to designate
the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization.
“It’s
high time we join our allies in the Arab world in formally recognizing the
Muslim Brotherhood for what they truly are—a terrorist organization,” Senator
Ted Cruz said in a statement.
Cruz
and Congressman Mario Diaz Balart introduced the Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist
Designation Act.
Cruz
said he was proud to reintroduce the bill urging the Biden administration to
make the move, and to “advance our nation’s fight against radical Islamic
terrorism.”
“We
have a duty to hold the Muslim Brotherhood accountable for their role in
financing and promoting terrorism across the Middle East,” Cruz said.
Source:
Al Arabiya
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Arab World
Islamic
State attack sparks sectarian bloodletting in Iraq’s Diyala
Shelly
Kittleson
November
4, 2021
An
Islamic State (IS) attack against members of a prominent Shiite-majority tribe
in Iraq’s eastern region of Diyala in late October was followed by retaliatory
violence against local Sunnis, sparking fears of a return to the years of
massive sectarian bloodshed.
An
operation conducted by Iraqi security forces Nov. 3 as well as additional
security forces sent to the area have failed to quell widespread concerns and
indignation.
At
least 11 people from the Bani Tamim tribe were killed Oct. 26 in the village of
al-Rashad and over a dozen injured. Reportedly three (some reports state two)
men were abducted and killed first, followed by more of their relatives after
they had been called to collect the bodies.
Armed
men subsequently attacked the nearby Sunni-majority village of Nahr al-Imam,
reportedly killing people and burning and destroying homes and farms in an act
of retaliation for assumed “collusion” by the entire local Sunni community with
IS.
Both
members of the tribe and men receiving government salaries as part of the
Shiite-led Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) allegedly took part in the
violence. Some media associated with Iran-backed groups that have brigades
within the PMU reported calls for burning down the orchards in the area that
the attackers are thought to have used to hide in.
Massive
displacement of Sunnis followed, fostered by echoes of the terror that
civilians from the same area had faced during the years of the battle against
IS and frequent sectarian killings for years before that. Many on social media
claimed large numbers of revenge killings and displacement of hundreds of
families; precise numbers, however, were not immediately available.
Homes
and orchards, which many local inhabitants rely on for their livelihoods, were
burnt. It is unclear when — or whether — many of the Sunni inhabitants who fled
to protect their lives and families will be able to return.
Concerns
have long been voiced in several Sunni rural areas of Iraq — especially
Tarmiya, some 50 kilometers (31 miles) north of Baghdad in the southern part of
Salahuddin governorate — that burning down orchards will be a way to induce
forced displacement with the excuse of “preventing terrorism” originating from
these areas.
In
early 2015, as the fight against IS raged across the country, this journalist
interviewed several people in a camp for internally displaced persons in
neighboring Kirkuk province who had fled their homes in Diyala’s al-Muqdadiyah,
where the recent attacks occurred, during the fight against IS. Many recounted
horrific stories of being targeted by sectarian militias at that time as well
as by airstrikes.
The
province of Diyala was never entirely taken by IS, but some areas were under
their control.
One
Sunni family from al-Muqdadiyah said they had been shelled by government forces
and that some of their male relatives had been "disappeared" by
Shiite militias.
Four
of the children had been killed by Iraqi government airstrikes in the fall of
2014, the father told Al-Monitor, against alleged IS positions in the area. His
three remaining sons had removed shirts and pulled up trousers in the tent that
they were living in to show ragged scars, noting that shrapnel remained lodged
inside their bodies and that they had no way to get proper medical treatment.
Diyala
province, which stretches from the Iranian border to just north of the capital,
Baghdad, is crossed by the Hamrin mountain chain, infamous for its longstanding
use as a hideout for insurgent groups even before IS existed.
It
was east of the provincial capital of the region, Baquba, that the
Jordanian-born leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq at that time, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi,
was killed in a 2006 airstrike.
IS
fighters in Diyala, which borders Iran, have in recent years filmed themselves
in parts of the province using Iranian weapons. A Diyala security officer told
Al-Monitor in April 2020 that Iran-linked PMU had abandoned some of their
positions in the province the previous month, allegedly due to concerns about
being targeted by US drone strikes, and that weaponry left behind had then been
taken by IS fighters.
One
of the towns in Diyala long known as being troublesome and a flashpoint for
sectarian tensions is Jalawla. This journalist reported from the frontline with
peshmerga forces during the fight to retake Jalawla from IS in September 2014.
Peshmerga forces won it back in late November 2014, but Iraq's central
government forces took both Kirkuk and Jalawla away from the peshmerga in
October 2017, after a referendum on independence of the Kurdistan Region of
Iraq (KRI) that Baghdad had been opposed to.
Many
in the area are still unhappy with the security forces in the area, while
security officials have claimed that some tribes — such as the Karwi — still
have many IS affiliates among them.
Kirkuk
and Diyala have areas that are claimed by both the central government in
Baghdad and the KRI. Tensions between the KRI and Baghdad over territory and
other issues continue to result in security gaps and a lack of coordination
susceptible to exploitation by insurgent groups.
In
recent years, Diyala has been one of the Iraqi provinces with the highest
number of attacks by IS cells and has seen attacks using similar methods to the
most recent one.
As
this journalist reported in October 2020, “A Shiite sheikh from the Bani Kaab
tribe who was reportedly active in the fight against IS near Khailaniyah in the
Muqdadiyah area of Diyala was killed” and “beheaded, while his body was rigged
with explosives that then killed those who had come to retrieve him.”
Source:
Al Monitor
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Report:
Jewish-American group visits Saudi Arabia to advance Israeli normalization
05
November 2021
A
Jewish-American group has visited the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recently in order
to advance the normalization of ties between the kingdom and the Israeli
regime, with a member of the group predicting a deal in the coming months or
year.
The
delegation, consisting of 20 Jewish-American leaders, met with senior Saudi
officials, including at least six government ministers and top representatives
of the Saudi royal house, according to the Israeli media.
The
visit came at the invitation of the Saudis and with the support of the Biden
administration, after a visit to the UAE – the first Arab country that
normalized its relations with Israel in 2020 – in order to strengthen bilateral
ties.
“The
Saudis are preparing their citizens for normalization with Israel,” said
Jewish-American businessman Phil Rosen, a member of the delegation, the Israeli
Ynet news website reported.
Rosen
also said he “would not be surprised if we see normalization between Saudi
Arabia and Israel in the coming months or year.”
Under
US-pushed normalization deals, a number of Arab countries, including the UAE,
Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco, have agreed to establish official diplomatic ties
with Israel.
The
normalization accords, however, have been denounced by Palestinians the people
of the region as “treacherous”, and sparked protests in the countries that
signed them.
In
recent weeks, Israel has approved plans for more than 1,700 new illegal units
in the East al-Quds settlements of Givat Hamatos and Pisgat Zeev.
In
a statement on Wednesday, UN experts condemned the regime’s illegal expansion
of settlements in the West Bank and East al-Quds as “the engine of the
occupation” and hold Israel responsible for a wide range of rights violations
against the Palestinian people.
‘Saudis
waiting for right moment’
According
to Rosen, Riyadh has been holding covert talks with Washington about joining
the so-called Abraham accords and without the kingdom’s blessings, the UAE and
Bahrain would not have agreed to normalize their relations with the regime in
Tel Aviv.
He
said the Saudis are taking various “small steps” towards normalization and are
“waiting for the right moment.”
Meanwhile,
Saudi Arabia has officially stated that it will not normalize its relations
with Israel without progress in talks between Israelis and Palestinians.
Source:
Press TV
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
--------
Hezbollah:
Saudi should apologize for its actions concerning Lebanon
05
November 2021
The
Lebanese resistance movement of Hezbollah says Saudi Arabia should apologize
for its actions concerning Lebanon, referring to the diplomatic war that Riyadh
and its allies have initiated against Beirut.
"Saudi
Arabia has initiated a war against Lebanon," Sheikh Naim Qassem, the
movement's deputy secretary-general, told Lebanon's al-Manar television network
on Thursday.
"Riyadh
should apologize to Lebanon for this incorrect and immoral measure that does
not fit with any standard," he added.
Saudi
Arabia recalled its ambassador from Lebanon and expelled the Lebanese envoy to
Riyadh late last month.
The
move came after George Kordahi, currently Lebanon's information minister, said
during a television program that the 2015-present Saudi-led war on Yemen was an
act of aggression by Riyadh and the United Arab Emirates, the kingdom’s most
significant ally in the military campaign.
He
called the war “absurd,” saying it had to stop because he was opposed to wars
between Arabs. The minister also said the Yemeni army forces and their allied
fighters from the Popular Committees were “defending themselves... against an
external aggression.”
The
war has killed tens of thousands of Yemenis and pushed the entire Yemen close
to the brink of outright famine.
The
UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait have, however, followed in Saudi Arabia's footsteps by
severing their diplomatic ties with Lebanon.
Despite
Riyadh and its allies' insistence on deepening the diplomatic crisis with
Lebanon, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib called on Monday for
initiation of talks with Saudi Arabia as part of efforts aimed at resolving the
ongoing dispute.
The
Hezbollah official put Riyadh's actions concerning Lebanon down to the Saudi
kingdom's failure to influence the Lebanese politics "despite the money
that it has paid to its supporters [in Lebanon]."
Source:
Press TV
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2021/11/05/669955/Lebanon-Saudi-Arabia-Hezbollah-Yemen
--------
Rights
organizations warn of deteriorating health condition of imprisoned Saudi
dissident
04
November 2021
Human
rights organizations have warned of the deteriorating health condition of an
imprisoned Saudi political dissident and demanded his immediate and
unconditional release, as the Riyadh regime shows no restraint on its brutal
crackdown against opposition figures.
The
rights group Prisoners of Conscience, which is an independent non-governmental
organization seeking to promote human rights in Saudi Arabia, stated in a post
on its official Twitter page that Saudi authorities have tortured and violently
beaten Dr. Saud Mukhtar al-Hashimi.
“Saudi
officials have refused to provide the Saudi activist with medical services and
medicines,” it added.
The
rights group noted that Hashimi has been subjected to severe torture, and fears
are growing that he might face a fate similar to that of former university
professor Musa al-Qarni, who died last month after his health deteriorated
while serving a 15-year prison sentence.
The
Prisoners of Conscience called on international human rights organizations and
advocates to pressure Saudi officials to release Hashimi, holding the
authorities fully responsible for his life.
Separately,
the human rights organization Together for Justice has expressed its deep
concern about the deteriorating health condition of the Saudi political
prisoner, stating that Hashimi is in a difficult situation due to medical
negligence and deprivation of health care.
The
organization, citing informed sources, said officials at Dhahban Prison in the
southern Saudi port city of Jeddah have transferred Hashimi to a very cold
solitary cell, without providing him with any blankets or winter clothes to
further abuse him.
The
sources added that the transfer took place after he was beaten, tortured and
abused verbally.
Dr.
Saud Mukhtar al-Hashimi, a professor of family medicine at the Faculty of
Medicine at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, is among the most prominent
political prisoners in Saudi Arabia.
He
was arrested in February 2007 along with a number of intellectuals, scientists
and academics for meeting to discuss how to establish democratic governance in
the country.
Last
September, a human rights organization expressed serious concern about the
deliberate medical negligence against political dissidents being kept in
detention centers across Saudi Arabia.
Sanad
human rights organization, which defends political and civil rights in Saudi
Arabia and monitors human rights violations and exposes them to public opinion
as well as international organizations, said Saudi prison authorities
deliberately deprive inmates of medical treatment as part of their policy of
abusing and killing them silently.
While
all governments are obliged under the international law to protect human beings
against rights violations and ensure their freedom and dignity, the repressive
policy of Saudi officials against jailed activists has significantly undermined
such principles, Sanad noted.
Source:
Press TV
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Russia:
White Helmets plotting false-flag chemical attack in Syria’s Idlib to accuse
Damascus
04
November 2021
The
Russian Defense Ministry has warned that members of the so-called civil defense
group, White Helmets, are planning to mount yet another false-flag chemical
attack against civilians in Syria’s northwestern province of Idlib in order to
incriminate the Damascus government.
“The
Center for the Reconciliation of Opposing Sides in Syria has received
information that members of the so-called humanitarian organization White
Helmets are plotting a provocation with the aim of accusing government forces
of launching indiscriminate strikes at ordinary people and civilian
facilities,” Deputy head of the center, Rear Admiral Alexander Vadim Kulit,
said on Thursday.
He
added that people have been hired in the Kafr Kermin and Sarmada districts of
Idlib province to take part in fake a video report.
“It
is planned to be covered by reporters of English-language networks, who have
arrived in Idlib de-escalation zone for that reason,” Kulit noted.
The
White Helmets group, which claims to be a humanitarian NGO, is known for its
coordination with terror outfits in Syria to carry out staged chemical attacks
in order to falsely incriminate Syrian government forces and fabricate pretexts
for military strikes by a US-led military coalition present in Syria since
2014.
On
April 14, 2018, the United States, Britain, and France carried out a string of
airstrikes against Syria over a suspected chemical weapons attack on the city
of Douma, located about 10 kilometers northeast of the capital Damascus.
That
alleged attack was reported by the White Helmets group, which published videos
showing them purportedly treating survivors.
Washington
and its allies blamed Damascus for the Douma attack, an allegation strongly
rejected by the Syrian government.
The
Western media and governments have repeatedly accused the Syrian government of
using chemical weapons against its own citizens in the war against terrorists.
This
is while Syria surrendered its stockpile of chemical weapons in 2014 to a joint
mission led by the United States and the Organization for the Prohibition of
Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which oversaw the destruction of the weaponry. It has
also consistently denied using chemical weapons.
Syrians
stage rally in Aleppo to condemn Turkish forces’ occupation
Meanwhile,
dozens of people staged a demonstration in Syria’s northwestern province of
Aleppo on Thursday to condemn the presence of Turkish occupation forces in the
Arab country and call for their complete withdrawal from the Syrian soil.
Syria’s
official news agency, SANA, reported that residents of al-Ziyarah town, which
lies in the northern flank of the province, rejected the deployment of Turkish
troops and their allied militants in the area.
The
participants waved national Syrian flags, condemned the brutal crimes being
perpetrated by Turkish soldiers and their allies against civilians, and
demanded an end to their illegitimate presence.
Turkey
has deployed forces in Syria in violation of the Arab country's territorial
integrity.
Ankara-backed
militants were deployed to northeastern Syria in October 2019 after Turkish
military forces launched a long-threatened cross-border invasion in a declared
attempt to push fighters of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) away
from border areas.
Source:
Press TV
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India
Post-Taliban
Takeover of Afghanistan: Security Forces, Civilians Killings Go Up In Jammu and
Kashmir
05th
November 2021
By
Fayaz Wani
SRINAGAR: After the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan in
mid-August, there has been a surge in the killings of security forces and
civilians and drop in militant casualties in Jammu and Kashmir.
According
to statistics, from August 15 till October end, 16 security men and 15
civilians lost their lives to militancy in J&K.
During
the same period, 39 militants, including some top militant commanders, were
also killed in encounters.
“In
October, 12 security men, 20 militants and 12 civilians were killed, while in
September, three security men, eight militants and one civilian were killed. In
the 15-day period from August 15 to August 31, one security man, 11 militants
and two civilians were killed,” reveals the statistics.
The
Taliban militants gained control of Kabul on August 14.
And
immediately afterwards, security experts had been cautioning that the violence
level in J&K would go up as Taliban win against the US would be a “morale
booster” for the militants.
The
data of the last two and a half months suggests that security forces and
civilian killings have gone up, while the militant casualties have gone down.
There
were eight security force casualties from June 1 to August 14.
During
the same period, 52 militants were killed in encounters with security forces in
different parts of the Valley. Twelve civilians also lost their lives.
Of
the 15 civilians killed in a two and a half months period in J&K after
Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, six were migrant skilled and unskilled
labourers and three minority community members.
Source:
New Indian Express
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India’s
Own FATF Assessment Pending Since 2019; Sectors Vulnerable To Terrorist
Funding, Laundering Under Lens
Pradeep
Thakur
Nov
5, 2021
NEW
DELHI: A national risk assessment (NRA) is currently underway in which central
agencies, including the Reserve Bank of India, have been tasked with evaluating
sectors that are vulnerable to money laundering and terror financing.
The
exercise has begun just ahead of India’s mutual evaluation of the Financial
Action Task Force (FATF), the Paris based inter-governmental body that had
recently retained Pakistan on its ‘Grey List’ following its non-compliance in
taking actions against banned terrorist outfits and UN-designated terrorists,
denying them access to its financial institutions and banks.
India’s
own FATF assessment has been pending since 2019 and postponed twice. An
internal assessment earlier had found lack of convictions in a large number of
cases related to money laundering. Following this, the government had asked the
ED and CBI to file charge sheets in a time-bound manner and ensure convictions
in cases where prosecution complaints have been filed.
The
Central Economic Intelligence Bureau (CEIB), an arm of the finance ministry,
has been closely coordinating with all the intelligence and enforcement
agencies, including the RBI, to further improve the inter-agency cooperation
and boost actions against suspicious entities engaged in money laundering.
The
real estate and gems and jewellery sectors in particular are more prone to
money laundering and have been high on the government’s agenda to prevent
organised crime syndicates using its financial institutions to launder money
and endanger the economy. Lakhs of shell firms have been deregistered by the
government in the last few years after they were found engaged in money
laundering with no real business activity involved.
Source:
Times of India
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Reconstruct
Both the Demolished Telangana Secretariat Mosques Immediately: Deccan Waqf
Protection Committee
By
Mohammed Hussain Ahmed
5th
November 2021
Hyderabad:
The President Deccan Waqf Protection Committee Osman bin Mohammed Al Hajri
demanded that the government of Telangana must reconstruct both the demolished
secretariat mosques immediately without further delay.
The
state government announced the reconstruction of these mosques for the past two
years and have declared various dates for commencement of the work. “The
governments delaying tactic is leading to disquiet among the Muslim community”,
Al Hajiri said
Al
Hajri reminded the state government its promise to start the reconstruction of
the mosques immediately after the Huzurabad election. The state government had
already released the building plan for the mosques. Now the state government
must start the reconstruction of the mosques without further delay.
“Before
the reconstructions of the mosque the government must take the Muslim scholars,
intellectual, public representatives and activists to review the new location
of the mosques”, Al Hajri demanded.
Source:
Daily Siasat
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Cops
recover 'tiffin box bomb' hidden in fields near India-Pakistan border in Punjab
Nov
4, 2021
CHANDIGARH:
The Punjab Police has said it foiled a possible attempt of a terror attack
after it recovered an explosive-filled tiffin box hidden in an agricultural
field near the Indo-Pak border in Ferozepur district on the eve of Diwali.
The
recovery was made in Ali Ke village on Wednesday following interrogation of
three people arrested earlier this week in connection with the Jalalabad blast
case.
Director
General of Police (DGP) Iqbal Preet Singh Sahota said the Ludhiana Rural police
on Monday had arrested two persons for allegedly providing shelter and
logistical support to Ranjeet Singh alias Gora, an accused in the Jalalabad
blast case being investigated by the NIA.
The
two people arrested were Jaswant Singh alias Shinda Baba, a resident of village
Jhugge Nihanga Wale in Ferozepur, and Balwant Singh of village Walipur Khurd in
Ludhiana. Ranjeet Singh alias Gora too has been arrested, the DGP said.
According
to an official statement, one "tiffin bomb", two pen drives and Rs
1.15 lakh in cash were recovered from the trio earlier.
During
the course of investigation of the case, it came to light that the accused were
in possession of another "tiffin bomb" which they had kept concealed
in agriculture fields.
"Following
revelations of the accused persons, a joint search operation was carried out by
teams of Counter Intelligence (of Punjab Police), Ferozepur and Ludhiana and
CIA (crime investigation agency) Jagraon at village Ali Ke in Ferozepur on
Wednesday and the tiffin bomb was recovered,” the DGP said.
An
FIR has been registered under relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code
(IPC) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) at Sidhwan Bet Police
Station in Ludhiana Rural.
Additional
Director General of Police (Internal Security) R N Dhoke said that further
investigation in the case is on and more arrests are expected to be made soon.
The
National Investigation Agency (NIA) had on Monday conducted searches at four
locations in Fazilka and Ferozepur districts of Punjab in connection with the
explosion in a two-wheeler near a Punjab National Bank branch in Jalalabad of
Fazilka.
Balwinder
Singh alias Bindu of village Jhugge Nihanga Wale died in the motorcycle blast
on September 15.
Tiffin
bombs have also been recovered in Amritsar Rural, Kapurthala, Fazilka and Tarn
Taran in the past few months.
Source:
Times of India
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India
requests Pakistan to allow Srinagar-Sharjah flight to use its airspace
Nov
4, 2021
NEW
DELHI: India has requested Pakistan through diplomatic channels to allow Go
First's Srinagar-Sharjah flight use its airspace keeping in mind the larger
interest of common people who have booked the tickets on this service,
government officials said on Thursday.
The
development came after Pakistan on Tuesday had not allowed the Srinagar-Sharjah
flight to use its airspace, forcing it to take a longer route and fly over
Gujarat to reach its destination in the UAE.
Go
First, previously known as GoAir, had started direct flights between Srinagar
and Sharjah from October 23 and the service was inaugurated by Union Home
Minister Amit Shah during his visit to the Valley last month.
According
to the officials, till October 31, the Srinagar-Sharjah-Srinagar service was
going through Pakistan airspace.
However,
Pakistan on Tuesday did not allow the flight to pass through its airspace, and
therefore, the service had to take a longer route, going over Gujarat, adding
around 40 minutes to the flight time on the onward journey as well as the
return journey, they said.
Longer
route means higher fuel consumption, which may push the airline to increase the
ticket prices or turn this non-stop service to one-stop service.
Therefore,
the officials said that India has requested Pakistan through diplomatic
channels to grant the overflight clearance to this flight keeping in mind the
larger interest of common people who have booked the tickets on this service.
The
Pakistan government is yet to give any specific reason for refusing the
permission to the flight, they said.
According
to the officials, the flight, which operates four times a week, did not face
any issue when it used Pakistan airspace between October 23 and October 31.
Go
First has not issued any statement or comment on this matter as yet.
The
airline's Srinagar-Sharjah-Srinagar service is the first service between Jammu
and Kashmir and the UAE after 11 years. Air India Express had started a
Srinagar-Dubai flight in February 2009 but it was discontinued after some time
due to low demand.
Reacting
to Pakistan's action, former J&K chief minister and National Conference
leader Omar Abdullah on Wednesday had tweeted "very unfortunate. Pakistan
did the same thing with the Air India Express flight from Srinagar to Dubai in
2009-2010. I had hoped that @GoFirstairways being permitted to overfly Pak
airspace was indicative of a thaw in relations but alas that wasn't to
be".
Blaming
the Centre, PDP chief and former J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti in a
tweet had said, "Puzzling that GoI didn't even bother securing permission
from Pakistan to use its airspace for international flights from Srinagar. Only
a PR extravaganza without any groundwork."
Inaugurating
the flight, Shah had said that the commencement of Srinagar-Sharjah services
would boost tourism.
"There
are many people from Srinagar and Jammu who are settled in the Gulf countries.
There are many tourists who want to come from the Gulf countries to Jammu and
Kashmir. The tourism of J&K is going to get a big boost with the
commencement of Srinagar-Sharjah flights," he added.
The
officials said the Srinagar-Sharjah flight takes around 3 hours and 40 minutes,
while the return flight takes approximately 3 hours to reach the capital of
Jammu and Kashmir if Pakistan airspace is used.
Source:
Times of India
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Muslims
Split, Namaz Spots Set to Shrink in Gurgaon; Muslim representative Accused
RSS-Backed Muslim Rashtriya Manch of “Sabotaging” The Talks
Pheroze
L. Vincent
05.11.21
Friday
prayers by Muslims at public spaces are likely to be restricted further to only
21 spots in Gurgaon after Muslim representatives failed to put up a united
front at tripartite talks with the district administration and Hindutva groups
as well as residents’ associations opposed to the practice.
A
meeting on Wednesday between representatives of the Muslim community and Hindu
residents, chaired by deputy commissioner Yash Garg, ended without a resolution
of the month-long protests by local people led by Hindutva groups at Jumma
namaz sites in public spaces.
The
district administration, which has been providing police protection to namaz at
sites where Hindu activists have faced off with Muslim worshippers, is said to
have withdrawn consent for eight of the 37 such sites in the city.
After
Wednesday’s talks, Hindu groups under the banner of Sanyukt Hindu Sangharsh
Samiti said in a statement: “In a joint meeting called to resolve the dispute,
the Muslim community demanded that the mosques which are illegally occupied
should be restored so that they can carry out their prayers. This demand was
supported by the Hindu representatives by saying that it is not proper to
occupy anyone’s property or land…. The number of places for the coming Friday
will be decided after mutual consultation.”
But
a key Muslim representative accused the RSS-backed Muslim Rashtriya Manch of
“sabotaging” the talks.
Hindutva
groups and residents’ welfare associations have held protests over the past
month — particularly at grounds in Sectors 47 and 12A — during Namaz on Friday.
The
Samiti is set to organise a Govardhan Puja at the site in Sector 12A on
November 5, Friday, to which it has invited provocative Hindutva leaders Kapil
Mishra of the Delhi BJP and Yati Narsinghanand of Ghaziabad’s Dasna Devi
temple.
Haji
Shahzad Khan, who leads the Muslim Ekta Manch — one of the parties to the talks
— told this newspaper on Thursday: “We have agreed with our Hindu brothers to
offer the Jumma namaz at 21 public grounds from tomorrow, in addition to 26
Muslim institutions. We will not pray on the grounds in Sectors 47 and 12A.”
He
added: “We have requested the administration to free up 19 waqf properties
where large gatherings have been curbed because some from our community had
used loudspeakers beyond the sound limit and parked vehicles on thoroughfares.
We have been assured that this will gradually be done after the festive
season.”
In
2018, disruptions of Friday namaz by Hindutva groups had led to a curtailment
of the gatherings from 106 public places to 37 designated by the district
administration. Three of these spots are mosque premises.
The
Gurgaon Nagrik Ekta Manch, which promotes inter-faith harmony, has underlined
that the newer parts of Gurgaon — an industry hub with thousands of workers —
has only two mosques. This compels the Muslim workers to use public spaces like
unoccupied government and private land.
After
Wednesday’s meeting, community leader Altaf Ahmad who had participated in it
said in a statement: “Today’s meeting at DC office was sabotaged by Right-wing
group representatives & Muslim Rashtriya Manch (RSS wing) representative
Khurshid Rajak who are driving their one-point agenda of suppressing Muslims.
“The
Muslim community is shocked to know that administration has cancelled 8 points
from the 37 spots of Juma namaz agreed upon in 2018. The administration (is)
certainly under pressure from threats issued publicly by the Right-wing
groups.”
DC
Garg did not respond to calls or WhatsApp messages from this newspaper.
After
a meeting of Muslims led by Ahmad on Thursday, former Rajya Sabha MP Mohammad
Adeeb told reporters that many of the representatives called by the
administration represent neither Hindus nor Muslims.
Source:
Telegraph India
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/muslims-split-namaz-spots-set-to-shrink/cid/1837363
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Jammu
and Kashmir Shines In the Latest Prestigious NEET Examination
News
Kashmir Analysis
The
prestigious National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) or NEET
(UG), formerly the All India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT), is an all India
pre-medical entrance test for students who wish to pursue undergraduate medical
(MBBS), dental (BDS) and AYUSH (BAMS, BUMS, BHMS, etc.) courses in government
and private institutions in India and also, for those intending to pursue
primary medical qualification abroad.
The
exam is conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA), which provides the results
to the Directorate General of Health Services under Ministry of Health and
Family Welfare and State Counselling Authorities for seat allocation.
Jammu
and Kashmir has shined in the latest NEET exam results.
Jammu
boy Tanmay Gupta, scored the All India first rank in the National Eligibility
Cum Entrance Test (NEET) 2021, he said that continuing with his hobbies helped
him focus on studies.
Tanmay
is one of the three students who scored 720 marks. The other two are Mrinal
Kutteri and Karthika G Nair.
It
is really great that Eighteen-year-old Tanmay Gupta from Jammu has created
history by becoming the first from Jammu and Kashmir to be the national topper
of NEET 2021.
Many
boys and girls too from Kashmir valley shined with flying colours in the NEET
results. Ansab Moonisa, a resident of Tral has secured 670 points and got 1586
AIR.
Similarly,
Maleeha Zahoor, a student from Kangan has secured 662 points. Another
successful candidate, Suhail Ashraf from Kuzwera Chadoora in Budgam district
has secured 615 points.
While
speaking to ANI in Jammu, Tanmay said,
"I started preparing in standard 11 and studied 4 to 5 hours a day. I
continued my hobbies with my studies. If you continue your hobbies, you will
have more interest in studies."
The
students from Jammu and Kashmir successfully crossing the NEET exams is a news
to cherish for all of us .
On
the otherhand, Unlike many toppers who claim to have studied for 12-14 hours a
day, NEET 2021 All India Rank 1 holder Mrinal Kutteri told News18.com in an exclusive
interview that he could not follow a fixed routine and took breaks every 45
minutes. He claims to have binged sitcoms on Netflix and Amazon Prime during
the 2.5 years he spent in NEET preparation. The TV shows, said the topper, kept
him motivated during grim times.
One
hopes the students from Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country make
us proud by taking forward their NEET achievements to develop a positive
society for one and all.
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Southeast Asia
Police
acknowledge legal gaming centres in private clubs, but say Muslims not allowed
04
Nov 2021
KUALA
LUMPUR, Nov 4 — Some private clubs in the country included licensed gaming
centres among their facilities, the police said.
However,
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk Seri Abd
Jalil Hassan stressed during a press conference yesterday that such gaming
facilities were expressly prohibited to Muslim members and patrons.
The
senior police official also explained that hosting a licensed gaming centre did
not preclude these clubs from offering other services and facilities that were
accessible to Muslims.
Source:
Malay Mail
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Opposition
MPs head four out of nine Parliamentary Select Committees
05
Nov 2021
BY
RADZI RAZAK
KUALA
LUMPUR, Nov 5 — Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun announced today
that four out of the nine Parliamentary Select Committees (PSC) will be headed
by the Opposition MPs.
The
decision followed the Parliamentary restructuring and reform after the signing
of the Memorandum of Understanding on Transformation and Political Stability
signed between the federal government and Pakatan Harapan (PH) on September 13.
“The
chairman of the Select Committee is also divided between the government and the
opposition in a ratio of 5:4,” he said in a statement.
The
statement also listed the chairman of each Select Committee:
Government
MPs:
*
Fundamental Freedoms and Rights under the Constitution: Datuk Seri Azizah Mohd
Dun (Bersatu-Beaufort)
*
Finance and Economic: Datuk Seri Hasan Arifin (Umno-Rompin)
*
Agencies under the Prime Minister’s Department: Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman
(PAS-Kuala Krai)
*
Infrastructure Development: Yusuf Abd Wahab (GPS-Tanjong Manis)
*
Women and Child Affairs and Social Development: Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said
(Umno-Pengerang)
Opposition
MPs:
*
Security: Datuk Johari Abdul (PKR-Sungai Petani)
*
Agriculture and Domestic Trade: Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (PKR-Kulim
Bandar Baru)
*
Education: Maszlee Malik (Independent-Simpang Renggam)
*
Health, Science and Innovation: Dr Kelvin Yii (DAP-Bandar Kuching)
Azhar
also said that there will be another Select Committee to be established — the
Select Committee on International Affairs, bringing the total number of Select
Committees to 10.
“The
Select Committee is currently in the process of selecting members.
Source:
Malay Mail
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Abdul
Hadi returned unopposed as PAS president
04
Nov 2021
KUALA
TERENGGANU, Nov 4 — Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang was returned unopposed as PAS
president at the 67th PAS Muktamar (annual general assembly) for the 2021-2023
term.
PAS
secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim
Tuan Man was also returned unopposed as the party’s deputy president.
“Hussin
Ismail and Kamal Ashaari were returned unopposed as permanent chairman and
deputy permanent chairman,” he told a press conference in conjunction with the
annual general assembly here today.
Meanwhile,
Takiyuddin said four candidates would contest in the elections for the post of
vice-presidents, namely Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious
Affairs) Idris Ahmad; Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar;
Kelantan Deputy Mentri Besar Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah and PAS Central
Working Committee member Mohd Zuhdi Marzuki.
He
said Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, who was previously
nominated for the party’s vice-presidential post, had withdrawn, while for
Central Committee members, 36 candidates would be contesting for the 18 seats.
Takiyuddin
said the 67th PAS Muktamar would be held on Saturday and Sunday here in a hybrid
format that involves the physical attendance of 694 delegates while 852
delegates would be attending the assembly virtually.
Source:
Malay Mail
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Africa
Sudanese
talks make progress, source says, as international pressure grows
05
November ,2021
Talks
between Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and the leaders of an Oct. 25
military coup are making progress, a source close to Hamdok said on Thursday as
the US and UN pressed for a solution.
A
second source said Sudan could set up a new 14-member sovereign council soon in
a first step by the military towards forming new transitional institutions.
In
the latest sign of increasing international pressure, UN Secretary-General
Antonio Guterres spoke to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan on Thursday and
urged him to restore constitutional order and the transitional process.
For
the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
In
a phone call with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday, Burhan
agreed on the need to accelerate the formation of a government, Burhan's office
said.
“The
two parties agreed on the need to maintain the path of the democratic
transition, the need to complete the structures of the transitional government
and to speed up the formation of the government,” his office said.
The
US State Department said Blinken in the call urged Burhan to immediately
release all political figures detained since the coup and “return to a dialogue
that returns Prime Minister Hamdok to office and restores civilian-led
governance in Sudan.”
The
United Nations has been trying to mediate an end to the political crisis that
followed the coup in which top civilian politicians were detained and Hamdok
was placed under house arrest.
The
U.N. special envoy for Sudan, special representative Volker Perthes, said talks
had yielded the outline of a potential deal on a return to power-sharing,
including the ousted premier's reinstatement.
But
he urged an agreement in “days not weeks” before both sides' positions harden.
Hamdok
has demanded the release of all detainees and the reversal of the coup as
conditions for any further negotiations with the military.
The
country's highest authority, the joint civilian-military Sovereign Council, had
been dissolved by Burhan along with the civilian-led cabinet.
Burhan,
who says he is committed to a transition to democracy and elections, said after
the coup that a new Sovereign Council and cabinet would be appointed.
Late
on Thursday, state TV said Burhan had ordered the release of four civilian
members of Hamdok's cabinet who had been detained.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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Tunisia
issues international arrest notice against ex-leader Marzouki
04
November ,2021
Tunisia
has issued an international arrest notice against former president Moncef
Marzouki, state news agency TAP reported on Thursday, a month after he called
on France to end support for the current administration.
There
were no mention of what charge Marzouki faced, but current President Kais Saied
last month ordered an inquiry into what he said were allegations that Marzouki
had conspired against state security.
For
the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
Said
has faced mounting criticism abroad since he assumed executive authority in
July, then brushed aside most of the constitution to seize near total power in
moves his critics called a coup.
Said
unveiled a new government in October and has promised a national “dialogue”,
but has yet to lay out a detailed plan to restore normal constitutional order
as donors demand.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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Sudan's
army chief Burhan orders release of four ministers
04
November ,2021
Sudan's
General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan on Thursday ordered the release of four
ministers detained since he led a military power grab last week, state-run
television said.
The
releases came as the army said the formation of a new government was
“imminent”.
“The
Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces has ordered the release of Hashem Hassab
Alrasoul, Ali Geddo, Hamza Baloul, Youssef Adam,” Sudan TV said.
For
the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
Alrasoul
is telecommunications minister, Geddo heads the trade ministry, Baloul is
information minister, and Adam holds the youth and sports portfolio.
Burhan
-- Sudan's de facto leader since the 2019 ouster of autocratic president Omar
al-Bashir -- last week dissolved the government, detained the civilian
leadership and declared a state of emergency.
Sudan's
army said earlier Thursday that a new government was on the way.
“We
are considering all internal and external initiatives to serve the national
interest,” Burhan's media advisor Taher Abouhaga said. “The government
formation is imminent.”
The
ministers' release came shortly after a phone call between Burhan and UN chief
Antonio Guterres, who personally appealed to the military chief to restore the
democratic transition.
Guterres
encouraged “all efforts toward resolving the political crisis in Sudan and
urgently restoring the constitutional order and Sudan's transitional process”,
a United Nations statement said.
Sudan
has since August 2019 been ruled by a joint civilian-military council as part
of the now derailed transition to full civilian rule.
Source:
Al Arabiya
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Turkey
strongly condemns 'heinous terrorist attack' in Niger
Jeyhun
Aliyev and Fatma Esma Arslan
05.11.2021
Turkey
on Thursday strongly condemned a "heinous terrorist attack" on
Niger's border with Mali which left at least 69 people dead.
"We
are deeply saddened to receive the news that more than 60 people lost their
lives during an attack perpetrated in a village located in the Tillaberi region
of Niger on 4 November 2021," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a
statement.
The
ministry also extended its sincere condolences to the families of those who
lost their lives and to the "friendly and brotherly" people and
government of Niger and wished a speedy recovery to the wounded.
Speaking
on state television, Niger's Interior Minister Alkache Alhada said the village
of Adab-Dab in the Tillaberi region was attacked by members of an armed
terrorist group.
Alhada
noted that 69 people, including the mayor of Banibangou district, to which the
village is affiliated, lost their lives in the attack.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/turkey-strongly-condemns-heinous-terrorist-attack-in-niger/2412432
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Somalia
asks envoy of African Union Commission to leave country
Magdalene
Mukami
04.11.2021
MOGADISHU,
Somalia
Somalia
on Thursday asked the African Union Commission (AUC) representative in the
country to leave within a week after declaring him persona non grata.
Simon
Mulongo, the AUC's deputy special representative in Mogadishu, is no longer
welcome in the Horn of African country due to his alleged activities that are
not under the country's laws, the country's Foreign Ministry said in a
statement.
He
has seven days to leave Somalia, it added, without giving any further reasons
for why the official is ordered to leave the country.
“The
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Federal
Republic of Somalia presents its compliments to the African Union Commission
and has the honor to inform the commission that the individual listed below
(Simon Mulongo) is designated ‘persona non grata’ and ordered to leave Somalia
within seven days for engaging in activities (that are) incompatible with
AMISOM’s (African Union Mission in Somalia) mandate and Somalia’s security
strategy,” the ministry statement said.
According
to the African Union, AMISOM forces first arrived in Somalia in March 2007.
Since then, the AMISOM military component has aided the Somali National
Security Forces in driving out the al-Qaeda-affiliated terror group Al-Shabaab
from most of the major cities and towns of southern Somalia.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
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click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
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Tanzania's
unique experiment of using schools to fight graft
Kizito
Makoye
04.11.2021
BABATI,
Tanzania
A
relentless campaign over the past few years to use school children to combat
graft in the government and society has helped the East African country of
Tanzania to improve its ranking in the global transparency index.
In
2015, Tanzania began experimenting with involving school children to campaign
against corruption.
Speaking
to Anadolu Agency, Holle Makungu, a senior official at the country’s Prevention
and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) said the anti-corruption clubs set up
in schools and institutes of higher learning have helped to cultivate the
culture of integrity among students.
Tanzania
which ranked 99nd out of 180 countries in Transparency International’s 2018
corruption perceptions index (CPI) was at 96th place in 2019, gaining four
points.
The
global watchdog has also acknowledged that Tanzania’s scores have been steadily
improving since 2015.
“The
clubs are aimed to nurture appropriate value and positive attributes among
students to enhance their knowledge of ethics and integrity thus promoting
their ethical behavior,” said Makungu.
He
added that these clubs are not only creating awareness but also working to
inculcate moral uprightness in the younger generation.
Benedicta
Mrema, a program officer with HakiElimu – a voluntary group working in the
education sector -- said the anti-corruption clubs in schools have helped
promote integrity.
“When
children are taught to reject corruption when they are still very young, they
are likely to uphold the highest degree of ethical conduct when they grow up,”
she told Anadolu Agency.
But
many experts believe that fighting corruption in the East African country is an
uphill struggle, which requires hard decisions.
The
anti-corruption clubs in primary and secondary schools also teach the values of
open and responsible governance.
Effective
in spreading awareness
According
to Makungu, these anti-corruption clubs comprising students have not only
proved effective in spreading awareness but are also working as watchdogs to
report incidents of graft.
“We
have been receiving hundreds of calls through our hotline numbers, where people
report about corruption. We investigate them and many times have prosecuted
those involved in bribery,” he said.
Around
7,788 such clubs with 555,770 members have been set up in many primary and
secondary schools across the country so far, said Sultan Ngaladizi, the head of
the public education desk at the PCCB.
Source:
Anadolu Agency
Please
click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/tanzanias-unique-experiment-of-using-schools-to-fight-graft/2411606
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