22 June 2017: 26 Ramazan 1438: Vol: 8, No:224
Meira Kumar is Opposition's pick to fight NDA's Ram Nath Kovind in presidential election
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/meira-kumar-is-opposition-s-pick-to-fight-nda-s-ram-nath-kovind-in-presidential-election/story-JM4BRLMW7qjn2tdXXnT8MI.html
New Delhi: The opposition parties on Thursday chose former Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar as their candidate to take on NDA's presidential nominee Ram Nath Kovind for the next month's election.Born in Bihar's Arrah district, Meira Kumar is the daughter of prominent Dalit leader and former deputy PM Jagjivan Ram, and freedom fighter, Indrani Devi. Meira Kumar, like Kovind, belongs to the Scheduled Caste.In 2004, Meira Kumar was inducted into the Manmohan Singh cabinet, as minister of social justice and empowerment, in Congress-led UPA Govt . She then assumed charge as the Union minister for water resources in UPA Govt in 2009. Meira Kumar was elected Speaker of Lok Sabha in 2009, becoming the first woman speaker of the country. She served as the speaker till 2014.The candidature of Meira Kumar, a Dalit leader from Bihar, could put JD(U)'s Nitish Kumar in a spot after his party announced on Wednesday that they would support Kovind. Bihar CM , who skipped the opposition meeting today, may now have to find a justification to back Kovind, who is from UP , and not the former Lok Sabha Speaker. HT
No question of going back to NDA: JD(U)
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/no-question-of-going-back-to-nda-jdu/article19125959.ece
Patna:A day after backing Ram Nath Kovind's candidature for the president's post, the JD (U) on Thursday said that there was no question of going back to the National Democratic Alliance and it continued to be an integral part of the united Opposition."The decision to back Kovind's candidature is an isolated incident... we'll never go back to the NDA-fold again," the JD(U) national spokesperson K.C. Tyagi said over phone from Delhi.PTI
Presidential elections: Will appeal Nitish to rethink, won't break alliance, says Lalu
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/meira-kumar-lalu-yadav-presidential-elections-nitish-kumar-ram-nath-kovind/
New Delhi: RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav on Thursday urged his alliance partner and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar to rethink his decision to support NDA's presidential election nominee Ram Nath Kovind. After the opposition meeting that deliberated upon former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar as the candidate for the presidential elections, Yadav said, "Nitishji called me and said that it is his personal decision. I would appeal to him to rethink. Won't break the alliance."indianexpress
Did Ram Nath Kovind say "Islam and Christianity are alien to the nation"? Altnews
https://www.altnews.in/ram-nath-kovind-say-islam-christianity-alien-nation/?utm_content=bufferdfe1a&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Sedition charge dropped against 15 arrested in MP for celebrating Pakistan win
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sedition-charge-dropped-against-15-arrested-in-mp-for-celebrating-pakistan-win/story-z6Km1OLY233r05aMemafSK.html
Bhopal: MP Police on Thursday dropped sedition charges against 15 people arrested in Burhanpur district for allegedly celebrating Pakistan's victory in the ICC Champions Trophy final, raising slogans in Pakistan's favour and bursting crackers. Following a complaint and an FIR, police found during investigation that these people should be booked under section 153A of IPC and not under 120B (punishment for criminal conspiracy) and 124A (sedition), Burhanpur SP RRS Parihar told HT over phone."So we have dropped these charges and booked them for disrupting communal harmony in the area," he said from Burhanur, around 350 km from state capital Bhopal.Section 153A is imposed for "promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc, and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony". Sources said the action followed outcry from several sections of people on how such serious charges could be slapped for cheering for another team during a cricket match.They said Shahpur area, where the incident allegedly took place, also happens to be the home turf of state BJP president Nand Kumar Singh Chauhan.As Muslims are in substantial numbers in the area, BJP didn't want to annoy them or get in their bad books, the sources added.hindustantimes
MP: Men held for sedition after cheering Pak, families write to President
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/madhya-pradesh-men-held-for-sedition-after-cheering-pakistan-families-write-to-president-4716083/
Kin of youth arrested in MP on sedition charges demand probe by independent agency
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/jun/22/kin-of-youth-arrested-in-madhya-pradesh-on-sedition-charges-demand-probe-by-independent-agency-1619417--1.html
Sedition charges on 5 in Bikaner, many booked across India for celebrating Pak win
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/after-mp-5-slapped-with-sedition-charges-in-bikaner-dozens-booked-across-india-for-celebrating-pak-victory/story-bCImqVc0XMWXpucypJJ5zO.html
Bikaner/ Thiruvananthapuram: 5 people were slapped with sedition charges in Rajasthan on Wednesday for allegedly celebrating Pakistan's shock victory over India in the Champions Trophy final in London, police said.They were among at least three dozen people, including 3 minors, booked in three different states over similar allegations.Critics accuse the BJP-led Govt at the Centre of allegedly misusing the harsh law to target anyone suspected of showing dissent. Muslims organisations say the community is often targetted on trumped-up charges that doubt their patriotism.Police said the 5 people of Bikaner were first arrested on lesser charges after residents of the Subhashpura area accused a group of Muslims youth of beating drums and shouting "Pakistan zindabad" slogans to celebrate the neighbouring country's shock victory on Sunday. They were arrested and remanded in judicial custody.However, the right-wing Hindu Jagran Manch and other organisations submitted memoranda to the district collector and SP, demanding stringent action against the accused.HT
Those cheering Pakistan can go there: Minorities panel chief Ghayorul Hasan Rizvi
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/those-cheering-pakistan-can-go-there-minorities-panel-chief-ghayorul-hasan-rizvi-4716033/
New Delhi;National Commission for Minorities chairman Ghayorul Hasan Rizvi has said that those who support Pakistan by celebrating their sporting achievements should cross the border and go to that country, "or better still, be deported there".Rizvi made the comments while attending an iftar party in Meerut on Tuesday. He said, "I was asked about people, including those in Kashmir, who celebrated Pakistani win (in the Champions Trophy final). I said these are people whose mind and heart are actually in Pakistan, just their bodies are here, so they too should go there. Or better still, they should be deported across the border."Rizvi's comments were in response to reports of celebrations in Kashmir following Pakistan's victory over India in the final. Separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani had congratulated Pakistan on the win, while Mirwaiz Umar Farooq had tweeted, "Fireworks all around, feels like an early Eid here.IndianExpress
Kerala youth did burst crackers but it was not to celebrate Pakistan's victory, says panchayat head
https://scroll.in/article/841336/kerala-youth-did-burst-crackers-but-it-was-not-to-celebrate-pakistans-victory-says-panchayat-head
2 days after Pakistan defeated India in the Champions League final, residents of Kumbadaje, a sleepy village in Kerala's Kasargod district woke up to the news that the police had filed cases against 23 young men for allegedly celebrating Pakistan's win.The men were charged with unlawful assembly, rioting, intent to cause riot and under the section relating to "negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance".Sub Inspector Ambadi of Badiyadka police station said cases have been registered against Razak Chakkula, Mashood and Siraj and 20 other "unknown persons" based on the complaint filed by a local BJP official named Rajesh Shetty.He said the police are now trying to ascertain the veracity of the complaint. "There is no eyewitness to the incident," Ambadi said. "It is not clear whether the crackers were burst to celebrate Pakistan's victory or for some other purpose. Moreover, no one heard slogan shouting." Fathimath Suhara is president of the grama panchayat of Kumbadaje. It has no history of communal violence but the BJP is determined to change that, alleged Suhara, and Shetty's complaint is proof of that. "I enquired about the incident in my personal capacity," she said. "It is true that a group of youngsters burst crackers that night. But it was not to celebrate Pakistan's victory. Youngsters in Kasargod get together on Ramzan nights and start bursting firecrackers a few days before Eid."Suhara added, "It is a lie they raised anti-India slogans. The BJP is trying to vitiate the atmosphere and polarise the society communally."She also claimed that one of the accused men, Razak Chakkula, "was not even present" in the village when the incident supposedly took place. "He is working in the Gulf," she said. scroll
No bail for Karnataka men caught bursting crackers after Pak cricket win
http://www.ndtv.com/karnataka-news/no-bail-for-karnataka-men-caught-bursting-crackers-after-pakistan-win-in-champions-1715530
Bengaluru: 3 men arrested in Karnataka's Kodagu district for bursting crackers to celebrate Pakistan's victory in ICC Champions trophy, have been accused of attempting to hurt religious sentiments. The police said they will not get bail, since the offence comes under a non-bailable section.The arrests in communally-sensitive Kodagu were made on Monday after two BJP workers lodged a complaint with the police. A senior police officer of Kodagu, Rajendra Prasad, said the men had been bursting crackers on the highway between Kushalnagar and Sontikoppa. "There was a possibility of it leading to communal tension so they were arrested," he said. The men - Zaheer, Riyaz, Abdul Sammad-- are currently in jail. A fourth man, Muneer, is absconding. NDTV
Section 144 in Mangaluru for 5 days after SDPI activist hacked to death in broad daylight
http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/section-144-mangaluru-5-days-after-sdpi-activist-hacked-death-broad-daylight-64055
Mangaluru:After the brutal murder of an SDPI activist in Dakshina Kannada district's Bantwal on Wednesday, the Mangaluru City Police have imposed prohibitory orders under section 144 within the city limits as well."Prohibitionary orders have been imposed in Mangaluru limits too from June 22 to June 27 midnight," Mangaluru City Police Commissioner T R Suresh said.The top cop said that the orders were issued in the wake of the tensions prevailing in Kalladka and nearby regions despite the existence of prohibitory orders in the area."Prohibitory orders were issued in Bantwal till June 21 after communal clashed between the two communities, which took place on June 13. Despite this, an SDPI activist was hacked to death. To ensure that communal violence does not erupt, prohibitory orders have been imposed in Mangaluru city limits as well," Commissioner Suresh added.More than three people cannot assemble together in public places, the Commissioner said.On Wednesday, tension erupted in Bantwal taluk after a 30-year-old SDP) leader, Kalaai Ashraf, was hacked to death by 6 assailants near an engineering college at Benjanapadavu, located 23 km from Mangaluru. SDPI Ammunje zone president Kalaai Ashraf, an auto driver, was on his way to buy beedis when the assailants attacked him, Dakshina Kannada police said."Ashraf ran into a nearby house for refuge but the attackers dragged him out and hacked him up with machetes," a senior police official said."Ashraf was going to buy beedis after the SDPI's Foundation Day Programme, when he was attacked by the assailants. Statements of the eyewitnesses have been recorded but the culprits are still absconding," P Harishekaran, IGP (Western Range), who is arrived in Bantwal, told media persons.After news about Ashraf's death spread, SDPI workers gathered in large numbers to protest in bantwal and police had to resort to lathicharge to disperse the crowd. thenewsminute
Bhopal: 21 alleged SIMI activists kin submit memo, evidences to NHRC
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/simi-men-kin-submit-memo-evidences-to-nhrc/articleshow/59260213.cms
Bhopal: Counsel representing kin of 21 alleged SIMI activists, who are lodged in Bhopal Central Jail, handed over a memorandum and submitted evidences, on Wednesday.NHRC team has come to look into complaints of relatives of SIMI suspects. Their relatives alleged detainees are being tortured, not given ample food and water, denied medication and forced to chant anti-Islamic slogans.The statements of advocates were also recorded by the NHRC team. On June 20, NHRC officials recorded statements of some of the alleged SIMI activists and their kin on the first day of 3-day investigations in Bhopal Central Jail."Apart from giving statements, we also submitted a memorandum in which we provided the NHRC with all orders given by court and the applications moved by the alleged SIMI activists before the court since April last year. The undertrials are being kept in solitary confinement, which is not legal. Not only human rights, but even legal rights of these people are being violated," alleged advocate Sahid Ali, who is representing some of the accused. Another advocate, who is representing the accused, advocate Parvez Alam said, "We first requested the NHRC to record our statements in the absence of officials, to which the NHRC representatives agreed. We gave our memorandum along with supporting documents and were assured by the NHRC to investigate the issue and submit its report." timesofindia
NHRC team starts recording statements of SIMI suspects
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/jun/21/nhrc-team-starts-recording-statements-of-simi-suspects-1619286.html
'Kidnapped' by police, presented as an IM operative: Story of Saddam Hussein, a scrap dealer from Bhatkal:TCN
http://twocircles.net/2017jun21/411728.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Twocirclesnet-IndianMuslim+%28TwoCircles.net+-+Indian+Muslim+News%29
Saddam Hussein has a unique, albeit unwanted record: he remains the only Bhatkali who has been arrested from Bhatkal for terror-related charges. He was a scrap dealer from Bhatkal, who, according to eyewitnesses, was abducted by police in plain clothes and taken away. His family, which can barely make ends meet, has met him just twice in over two years and given that his trial is yet to begin even after 30 months, it seems that the pain of the family is far from over. In the third of the nine-part series, Amit Kumar meets the family of Saddam and spoke to them about how they were coping without their breadwinner.On January 8, 2015, Saddam Hussein, a 25-year-old scrap dealer, left home early morning with a friend to buy a few things. His cousin was supposed to get married in ten days and it was a joyous occasion for him and his family. Less than three weeks ago, his wife had given birth to their third child, a daughter, and although money was tight he had all the reason to be upbeat. His home in Sherguli, Bhatkal was connected to the main road via a 200-metre long mud track and he asked a friend to offer him a lift. The friend agreed and together, about two minutes later they reached the main road. A white Sumo was waiting there, and one of the occupants asked Hussein for directions. He took a step towards the car and even before he could indicate which way to go, they caught hold of his hand, pulled them inside and were off. His friend was left stunned.
Pathankot Airbase Ex-Chief resigned before inquiry began
https://www.thequint.com/india/2017/06/21/pathankot-terror-attack-ex-air-chief-dhamoon-resigned
Air Commodore JS Dhamoon, who was the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Pathankot airbase commanding officer when four terrorists attacked it on 1 Jan.2016, resigned from the air force just before the much-delayed Court of Inquiry (CoI) formally got underway in March 2017.This assumes significance in the backdrop of reports in a section of the press that Dhamoon resigned after the CoI indicted him for security lapses at the airbase that led to the attack in which seven security personnel, including a NSG lieutenant colonel, were killed in the gun battle that lasted nearly 20 hours. thequint
Maharashtra: BJP MLA compares Dalits with pigs, courts controversy: indiatoday
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/maharashtra-bjp-mla-compares-dalits-with-pigs-courts-controversy/1/696137.html
Mumbai:BJP MLA from Dombivli, Ravindra Chavan, was seen drawing comparison between Dalits and pigs in a video clip from an inaugural function by the Smart City Program in Thane. The comparison went awry and has the landed the BJP leader in big trouble after the video went viral on social media.The opposition did not let go of the opportunity and vehemently criticised the BJP MLA and demanded an apology.While speaking at the function at Kalyan in Thane, Ravindra Chavan went on to embarrass the CM Devendra Fadnavis with his weird comparison. Chavan while addressing the crowd cited the example of Abraham Lincoln narrating a story where Lincoln picked up a piglet from a drain and cleaned. Chavan went to state that similarly PM Narendra Modi and CM Devendra Fadnavis too are working hard to uplift dalits. The bizarre comparison has angered many. Dalit organisations have demanded an apology from the MLA.
Shia Waqf Board to move HC against Yogi Govt's dissolution order
http://www.news18.com/news/india/shia-waqf-board-to-move-high-court-against-yogi-Govt s-dissolution-order-1440519.html
Lucknow: A week after the Yogi Adityanath Govt gave its nod for the dissolution of Shia and Sunni Waqf Boards in the state, members of the Shia Waqf Board have decided to move the High Court against the decision. While two members have already resigned from their posts, the others held a meeting called by the Shia Central Waqf Board President Waseem Rizvi in Lucknow, where they decided to challenge the Govt order. The members had been nominated by the Akhilesh Yadav Govt .Maulana Azim Hussain Zaidi, member of the Board, says that it is unconstitutional to remove nominated members before the term of the board ends.Rizvi alleged the action was retribution by the Govt . "This is a reaction of the action I took on Mohsin Raza, who is now a Minister of State in the current Yogi Adityanath Govt . We received complaints against Mohsin Raza and found that he has sold waqf properties and enemy properties."News18.com
Yogi Adityanath booked after nude picture of tribal women shared on his fanpage:TCN
http://twocircles.net/2017jun21/411725.html
An Adivasi woman from Assam, Laxmi Orang, has filed a case against Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Aditynath and Ram Prasad Sarma, Lok Sabha MP from Assam for sharing her nude photo on social media. The image was taken ten years ago during a protest in Guwahati.The photograph in question was shared over a facebook page of Yogi Adityanath which is being managed by his supporters. The original post claimed that a 'Hindu woman' was stripped naked by Congress workers when she raised slogans in support of BJP and PM Modi. The post claimed that the event happened in Bengal and it also asked readers to 'share it widely'.Laxmi Orang, the tribal women in the photograph. filed the complaint in the court of sub-divisional judicial magistrate court under various sections of IPC and IT Act. The original photo was taken during an agitation by All Adivasi Students Association of Assam (AASAA) at Beltola in Guwahati on November 24, 2007. Adityanath's Facebook page shared the photo with misleading text without blurring the face and the private parts of the women. Moreover, Lok Sabha MP Sarma was booked for sharing the same post on his social media page.Laxmi told media, "Yogi Adityanath, without knowing any fact, commented in the social media that the rally was on behalf of the BJP and the Congress workers attacked it."Moreover she told Press Trust of India, "When PM Narendra Modi is campaigning for Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao at the same time his party CM (Adityanath) is doing this type of work. Is this democracy?"
UP Cop Asks 37-YO Gang Rape Victim To Have Sex With Him Before Registering FIR
http://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/up-cop-asks-37-yo-gang-rape-victim-to-have-sex-with-him-before-registering-fir-324342.html
A 37-year-old woman, who had been raped by two men earlier this year, had gone to the investigating officer (IO) at Rampur's Ganj police station for help. She said her rapists are roaming around freely and she fears for her life. She begged for her tormentors to be arrested.The officer instead allegedly asked her to first have sex with him before he takes action against the accused. When the woman refused, there was another shock waiting for her. The sub-inspector, Jai Prakash Singh, filed a closure report. Helpless and with nowhere to go, she then approached the officer again, only this time recording her conversations with him. TOI has a copy of the recording. Armed with evidence, she went to the SP on Wednesday, who has now ordered an inquiry against the IO.The rape survivor told TOI, "My ordeal began soon afterwards. Whenever I approached SI Jai Prakash Singh seeking arrest of the accused, he would say he first wanted to have sex with me. He even called up on my mobile phone and invited me to visit him in his room alone. When I turned him down, he filed a closure report in the case a fortnight ago."indiatimes.com
Jhansi tense after 2 men killed by gunmen belonging to another community
http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/six-year-old-raped-killed-in-aligarh.html
In Jhansi, communal tension flared up after two persons belonging to a community were shot dead by gunmen from another community on Tuesday night. Heavy police force reached the spot and somehow defused the situation after assuring early arrest of the accused. Reports said that Sabbir (40) of Sahiryar Gate area of Kotwali police station area had a money-related dispute with Bihari, a resident of Orcha area of Jhansi. The dispute took an ugly turn on Tuesday night, when Bihari alongwith Nanda and other aides accosted his rival and opened indiscriminate fire killing Sabbir and 25-year-old Naushad. The perpetrators later fled the scene of crime.The news of killing of Sabbir and Naushad spread and hundreds of members of their community gathered and raised slogans against the police. Later senior officers rushed to the site and got a case registered and pacified the residents by assuring early arrests. The police raided several places to nab the killers. dailypioneer
Darjeeling unrest: Sikkim CM Chamling extends support for separate Gorkhaland state
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/darjeeling-unrest-sikkim-cm-pawan-chamling-extends-support-for-separate-gorkhaland-state/
In a fresh development, Sikkim CM Pawan Chamling on Thursday extended his support for a separate Gorkhaland state even as the GJM-sponsored shutdown in Darjeeling hills entered the eighth day today. In fact, on Tuesday, Sikkim's ruling party SDF had extended its support to the demand for a separate Gorkhaland. In a meeting conducted by the SDF leadership earlier on Tuesday, it was decided that they will extend support for a separate state at the same time expressed its opposition to the "illegal, undemocratic and unconstitutional" acts committed in Darjeeling. indianexpress
'Gorkhaland agitation turning into mass movement, hill parties not in control'
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gorkhaland-agitation-turning-into-mass-movement-hill-parties-not-in-control/story-3GJjvzDfpfR5PYW1POtEuO.html
Darjeeling: The call for a separate Gorkhaland state, comprising the northern hills of West Bengal, is fast turning into a people's movement as thousands from all walks of life are joining the agitation spontaneously and demanding for a "final push".The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), which started the agitation and remains at the forefront, appears to be giving in to aspirations of the common people. And, nobody is quite sure how the movement will develop in the coming months.Ajit Lama, a tea garden worker, whose daily life points to the hand-to-mouth existence that people in this region face, said hundreds of people are carrying their own water and food from home every day just to join the rallies."Common people from far-flung areas are spending their hard-earned wages to join rallies. After watching one movement after another fail over the past few decades they are now determined to give the final push," the 45-year-old resident of Nehore Balasan, about nine km from Sonada, said."They have not been asked by any political party or leader to do so," added Lama. hindustantimes
In veiled attack on Pakistan, India raises question of terror funding at UN
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/in-veiled-attack-on-pakistan-india-raises-question-of-terror-funding-at-un/story-57LJoh1h8Uag6qP474eOCP.html
In a veiled reference to Pakistan, India has asked the UN member states to find the source from where the "anti-Govt elements" in Afghanistan were getting weapons, training and funds to fight one of the biggest collective military forces in the world."We see a growing tendency of treating violence in Afghanistan as a routine occurrence. Brutalities by terrorist and criminal networks are ignored under the label of anti- Govt elements or a consequence of a civil and political conflict. In doing so, we appear to be failing in asking some crucial questions," India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin said on Wednesday.PTI
UN has a 'responsibility' to resolve Kashmir issue: Pak
http://indianexpress.com/article/pakistan/un-has-a-responsibility-to-resolve-kashmir-issue-pakistan-4717244/
Islamabad:Pakistan said on Thursday that the UN has a "responsibility" to resolve the Kashmir issue, days after UN chief Antonio Guterres stated that he is engaged in bringing about an Indo-Pak dialogue to resolve the matter. Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria, at his weekly briefing, said Kashmir is an "internationally recognised" dispute and is outstanding on the UN Security Council agenda."UN has a responsibility by virtue of these UN Security Council Resolutions to resolve the issue and call upon India to immediately stop bloodshed of Kashmiris," he said. Zakaria lamented that the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions on the Kashmir dispute, which promise Kashmiris their right to self-determination in accordance with their wishes and aspirations, remain unimplemented.PTI
Poonch encounter: Pakistan forces attack Army patrolling party, two jawans killed; intruders gunned down
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/poonch-encounter-two-jawans-killed-in-attack-on-patrolling-party-intruders-gunned-down-kashmir-pakistan-border-action-team/
New Delhi:2 Army jawans were killed in an attack on patrolling party by Pakistan's Border Action Team along with the LoC in Poonch district of Jammu & Kashmir, according to an Army official. The official said that two intruders were killed in retaliatory firing. The operation is underway. This happened hours after 5 militants were killed in separate encounters with the security forces in Kupwara and Pulwama. 3 local LeT militants were gunned down by security forces in the early hours today in Kakapora area in Pulwama district in South Kashmir. The encounter between the militants and forces began at around 6 pm on Wednesday evening. indianexpress
1 dies in security forces' crackdown on Pulwama protesters hurling stones: thehindu
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/clashes-in-pulwama-after-let-militants-were-gunned-down/article19124479.ece?homepage=true
Srinagar:After the killing of three local Lahkar-e-Taiba men in an encounter at Kakapora on Wednesday night, clashes broke out between locals and security forces in parts of Pulwama on Thursday. One person was killed in security forces' action on Thursday against demonstrators who pelted stones in protest against the killing of 3 local LeT members in south Kashmir's Pulwama district on Wednesday night. Their charred bodies were recovered on Thursday morning.Preliminary reports said clashes broke out between locals and security forces in parts of Pulwama as the encounter at Kakapora ended. The protesters resorted to pelting of stones and the security forces, in an attempt to chase away the protesters, used force.The deceased was declared brought dead at a local hospital.
Muslim-majority Arab countries join yoga day celebrations
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/nri/middle-east-news/muslim-majority-arab-countries-join-yoga-day-celebrations/articleshow/59268761.cms
Cairo/Dubai: Muslim-majority countries Egypt and the UAE joined the world in celebrating the third International Yoga Day with a large number of people performing yogic asanas which have gained popularity in the two Arab countries over the years.In Egypt, the most populous Arab country, a large number of people gathered before Iftar at the Baron Palace, a distinctive historic Indian-inspired mansion in Heliopolis, to practice yoga with professional trainers.In his speech during the celebration, India's Ambassador to Egypt Sanjay Bhattacharyya thanked the local authorities and Ministry of Antiquities for their support in organising the event.PTI
Yoga Day : Mumbai's minority institutes hold yoga sessions for students not on fast for Ramzan
http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/international-yoga-day-2017-mumbais-minority-institutes-hold-sessions-for-students-not-on-fast-for-ramzan-4716035/
Mumbai:Even as many students in the city started their day with a yoga session on Wednesday, some Muslim minority institutes either skipped the Yoga Day celebrations or asked students to perform basic exercises as they were fasting for the holy month of Ramzan. Some of the institutes conducted yoga sessions for students who were not fasting. With students keeping fast, schools and colleges were worried the physical exertion could lead to dehydration, they said.Nasheman Urdu School in Bhandup held a morning session only for students who were not fasting. Husnara Khan, principal of the school, said, "We celebrated Yoga Day with a morning session as per Govt directions. Students not fasting took part."Anjuman-i-Islam Girls' High School at Kurla saw students perform basic yogasanas. indianexpress
Wanted for rioting, UP neta shares yoga stage with minister, DM, SSP: timesofindia
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/wanted-for-rioting-up-neta-shares-yoga-stage-with-minister-dm-ssp/articleshow/59261101.cms
Bareilly: Facing non-bailable warrants (NBWs) for their alleged role in communal clashes, BJP Saharanpur MP Raghav Lakhanpal Sharma's brother Rahul Lakhanpal and the party's city president Amit Gagneja performed yoga sitting near UP agriculture minister Surya Pratap Shahi, the district magistrate, SSP and other officials at Ambedkar stadium in the city on Wednesday. This came even as UP has launched a campaign to bring all those with NBWs against them to jail.On the occasion of the third International Yoga Day, around 5,000 people performed yoga at Ambedkar stadium in Saharanpur where Shahi, who is also in-charge of the district, participated. Divisional commissioner Deepak Agrawal, district magistrate Pramod Kumar Pandey, SSP Babloo Kumar and other senior police and administrative officials were present at the venue.
Unable to buy books, uniform, indebted farmer's son Arbaz kills self
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/unable-to-buy-books-uniform-indebted-farmers-son-kills-self-4717200/
Mumbai: The last thing the 13-year-old Arbaz Nabilal Attar wanted before ending his life were new textbooks and school uniform.Arbaz hanged himself from a tamarind tree as his father, a debt-ridden farmer in Osamanabad district of Maharashtra, was unable to buy him new textbooks, notebooks and school uniform, police said.The incident took place at Bavi village in Vashi tehsil on June 20, police said.Arbaz, a class 9th student, had told his father Nabilal Mohammad Attar that he needed new notebooks, textbooks and school uniform at the start of new academic year.As Nabilal expressed inability because of lack of funds, an upset Arbaz went to the family's farm and committed suicide by hanging himself from a tamarind tree, police said. indianexpress
Gujarat: 9 held for rioting in Valsad town
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/9-held-for-rioting-in-valsad-town/articleshow/59258484.cms
Surat: 2 groups from different communities clashed over a petty issue in Nana Parsiwad of Khadki Bhagda in Valsad town. 9 people were arrested and produced before court that granted them bail.The clash was reported around midnight on Tuesday. Members of the two groups attacked each other allegedly with swords, iron rods and wooden blunt objects. Both the groups lodged complaint against each other early on Wednesday. Police booked the accused for unlawful assembly and rioting.Police said Prakash Patel alias PC and four associates attacked Sadiq Shaikh (34), a resident of Nani Pardiwad in Khadki Bhagda. Shaikh was talking on the phone near his residence when Prakash, who was playing carom with others, asked him to talk slowly. It led to an argument and ultimately they attacked each other with weapons. Two persons suffered minor injuries and were hospitalised for treatment. After discharge police arrested them.Prakash (50), an auto-rickshaw driver, also lodged a complaint against Sadiq and his two associates Riyaz and Azmat. Prakash claimed that when he asked Sadiq to talk slowly over phone the latter used abusive language. When Prakash asked him to stop, Sadiq attacked him along with his friends. timesofindia
Delhi teen Umar Sheikh killed after stunt goes wrong on KTM bike that family gave as gift
http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/delhi-teen-killed-after-stunt-goes-wrong-on-ktm-bike-that-family-gave-as-gift/story-xxbmtYdY9gaNl1BP0MCi4I.html
Performing stunts on his new KTM Duke bike claimed life of a 15-year-old boy and left his 19-year-old neighbour critically injured in northeast Delhi's Shastri Park on Sunday evening.Police said eyewitnesses told them that the teenager was performing stunts when he lost control and the two fell off. They were taken to a nearby hospital where the rider succumbed to his injuries during treatment on Monday.A police officer said that the boy's parents had purchased the bike only a fortnight ago. His neighbours told police that a youth in the boy's neighbourhood had purchased a KTM bike a couple of months, which costs more than Rs 1.5 lakh in India. The boy liked the motorcycle and wanted to get one for himself. He had been requesting his family members to get him a similar racing bike too. And because of his persistence his family got it for him as a gift, said police. hindustantimes
Striving against casteism, SIO holds iftar with Chakliyar community
http://www.milligazette.com/news/15684-striving-against-casteism-students-islamic-org-holds-iftar-with-chakliyar-community
Calicut: The state council of Students Islamic Organization conducted iftar meet at Muthalamada Ambedkar colony in solidarity with the Chakliyar community, where casteism is practised against the lower castes in every nuance of daily lives. Rupesh Kumar, famous novelist and activist, in his inaugural address stated that their struggle for equality and acceptance has helped bring more discriminations in limelight. He asked the Govt to take adequate steps immediately to bring forth the educationally and socially backward communities.Chakliyar community which consists of 133 families reside at Ambedkar colony in Muthalamada of Palakkad district. They have been struggling to ward off the caste discrimination and untouchability for years. Casteist events by the upper cases of Ambedkar Colony had created a media furore 15 years ago and led the Govt to take steps to curb down the inhumane practices. However the latest incidents prove that they are not stories of bygone years. They continue to haunt the downtrodden even today. The upper castes and lower castes use different taps to draw water and even use different glasses in a tea shop.Milli Gazette
25 Muslim families of Tripura barred from entering mosque after joining BJP
http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20170621/3130057.html
Agartala: CPI-M in Tripura was accused of stopping the entry of a few Muslim families to local mosque in remote location of South Tripura under Shantirbazar sub-division after they joined in BJP recently, which triggered tension in the locality ahead of Idul-Fitar. However, district administration today said they have also been informed about the incident but no formal communication is yet to reach from the deprived family. If anybody is found interfering other's right of religion for whatever issue, the administration will take appropriate step to secure citizens' fundamental right, said DM of South Tripura C K Jamatia. Meanwhile, BJP Minority Morcha President Md Jasimuddin stated that the matter was informed to SP (South) detailing the threats and intimidations by the CPI-M cadres. He said about 200 minority people of 25 families residing in Madhyatilla hamlet of Shantirbazar had deserted CPI-M and joined in BJP last month despite strong prevention from the ruling party cadres. "The families were initially warned for social isolation and stop Govt facilities. Later, they were stopped from offering MGNREGS work and other Govt facilities as soon as they joined BJP. Finally, a week ago CPI-M party mobilised muslim religious leaders to stop those families there," Jasimuddin alleged.UNI
Allowing mosquitoes to breed akin to culpable homicide, Delhi HC slams MCD, asks why can't you clean Delhi
http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx
New Delhi:The Delhi high court rapped the city's municipal corporations on Wednesday, saying "heads must roll" for not clearing garbage and allowing mosquitoes that spread dengue, chikungunya and malaria to breed.Letting vector-borne diseases to shoot up is equal to penal offences such as culpable homicide, said a bench of acting chief justice Gita Mittal and justice C Hari Shankar.The court was hearing two petitions, seeking directions to the corporations to prevent spread of mosquito-borne diseases. The corporations listed preventive measures against mosquito breeding before the onset of monsoon. But the court was unimpressed."You are giving excellent fiveyear plans with lots of chai and samosa ... First, set your house in order. See if your staff are doing their job," the bench said.The bench order came after it watched a TV news report inside the courtroom on the corporations' failure to keep the city clean. The report contradicted the civic agencies' affidavit about their cleanliness drive, which the court described as hogwash.The HC directed additional solicitor general Sanjay Jain to take action against corporation officials."This is a callous disregard of the rights of the citizens ... Take action against the officers who are responsible... and it can't be the safai karamcharis on the ground," the bench said. City of over 20 million grapples with thousands of cases of dengue and chikungunya during the monsoon season. The worst outbreak was in 2010, when dengue killed eight and affected more than 6,000 people.Chikungunya, an illness that causes high fever and joint pain, is less deadly.Dengue symptoms are similar but the disease causes severe complications and sudden death from uncontrolled bleeding.
Half of Delhi's 1,000 water bodies vanished due to garbage dumping, encroachments
http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/half-of-delhi-s-1-000-water-bodies-vanished-due-to-garbage-dumping-encroachments/story-2zqIpkq6N0eVqdKx97Le2L.html
Israel calls for Saudi Arabia ties and state visits
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/israel-calls-saudi-arabia-ties-state-visits-170622082111519.html
Israel's intelligence and transportation minister has called on Saudi Arabia's King Salman to invite PM Benjamin Netanyahu to Riyadh to establish full diplomatic relations. Speaking at a conference in Herzliya on Thursday, Yisrael Katz also asked King Salman to send newly appointed crown prince Mohammed bin Salman to Tel Aviv after describing shared interest in countering rival Iran."I call upon Salman, the King of Saudi Arabia, to invite the PM of Israel, Netanyahu, to visit Saudi Arabia," Katz said the annual Herzliya Conference, where Israeli leaders present national strategy initatives."We saw what a wonderful host you can be ... when President Trump was there. You can also send your heir, the new one, Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He's a dynamic person. He is an initiator. And he wants to break through."Exactly this way ... they know who Iran is. They know we have to create an access vis-a-vis Iran. You can send him for a meeting in Israel and I promise you, he's going to be a very welcome guest," Katz said.Avigdor Lieberman, Israel's defence minister, also called for establishing "full diplomatic and economic relations" with Arab states.In his speech at the conference, Lieberman said a peace deal must be reached with what he referred to as "moderate Arab Sunni countries" before a peace agreement could be made with the Palestinians."The only light at the end of the tunnel is a complete regional agreement," Lieberman, who has previously advocated paying Palestinians to leave Palestine, said. "Full diplomatic and economic relations. Not under the table, but on the table."I saw research on what the result of a regional agreement and full economic relations would mean between Israel, the Gulf countries and Saudi Arabia. This would mean an additional revenue of $45bn for Israel. That's the potential. We have to clearly say what our priorities are." Mustafa Barghouti, who heads the Palestinian National Initiative, said it was unlikely that Saudi Arabia or other Arab countries would follow suit."I don't think Saudi Arabia or other Arab countries will accept to normalise relations with Israel," Barghouti said." aljazeera
Israeli Ministers to Saudi King: Invite Netanyahu to Riyadh
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israeli-ministers-saudi-king-invite-netanyahu-riyadh-1340877182
Israeli Minister: There are covert ties between Israel, Saudi
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170622-mk-there-are-covert-relations-between-israel-saudi-arabia/
Israeli Minister of Communications Ayoob Kara has revealed that Tel Aviv and Saudi Arabia have been in indirect talks to launch diplomatic relations, Arabi21 reported. Reporting the Israeli newspaper Makor Rishon, Arabi21 said that the Israeli minister also expected his country to forge full diplomatic relations with all Arab states, starting with Saudi Arabia."There is a very good possibility to have relations with the countries we call the Saudi coalition," Kara told the Israeli newspaper. The Israeli minister expressed his joy as the official Arabic behaviour "shows that the Palestinian issue is the third priority on the agenda of the Arab world."He noted that Saudi and the other countries impacted by it are "interested in encountering Iran and the Sunni terror," giving these two issues priority over the Palestinian cause.Kara also revealed that American mediators are currently working to propose a framework for the overt diplomatic relations between Tel Aviv and Riyadh. Amongst the plans are ways to allow Israeli businessmen and firms to work inside Saudi, Kara explained. middleeastmonitor
Promotion of bin Salman dubbed 'soft coup' by Iran
https://www.dawn.com/news/1340935/promotion-of-mohammed-bin-salman-dubbed-soft-coup-by-iran
Iran's state media has criticised changes to regional rival Saudi Arabia's royal line of succession announced on Wednesday calling them a "soft coup."The move sparked critical coverage in Iran, where state TV ran a headline calling the move a "soft coup".The semi-official news agency Fars dubbed it a "political earthquake" and wrote that Nayef had been "ousted". dawn
Turkey, Saudi discuss efforts to end Qatar rift
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/turkey-saudi-arabia-discuss-efforts-qatar-rift-170622052845003.html
Turkish President ayyip Erdogan has spoken with Saudi Arabia's King Salman and its new crown prince over the phone and they agreed to increase efforts to end tension related to Qatar, sources from Erdogan's office said.Turkey has offered support to Qatar after Saudi Arabia and several other nations severed ties with Doha over accusations of funding terrorism and fomenting regional instabilityErdogan spoke with the Saudi leaders on Wednesday evening and "agreement was reached on increasing efforts towards ending tension in the region related to Qatar", the sources said in a statement. aljazeera
Saudi deports Qatari camels, sheep after diplomatic feud
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/saudi-arabia-qatar-diplomatic-tensions-camels-sheep-livestock-deported-a7800776.html
At least 12,000 Qatari-owned camels and sheep have been ordered out of Saudi Arabia as both sides in the Gulf diplomatic crisis refuse to back down. Temporary shelters, water and food have been set up for 7,000 camels and 5,000 sheep forced to trek back to the kingdom across the desert border, Qatari newspaper The Peninsula reported on Tuesday, while website al-Raya put the figure at 25,000. Ministry of Municipality and Environment said that more permanent accommodation was being prepared.Qatar is home to around 22,000 camels, which are raised for racing as well as for meat and milk, but many herdsmen in the tiny kingdom rent pastures in much larger neighbouring Saudi Arabia.The latest move from Riyadh has triggered angry reactions among Qatari farmers. independent
UAE running 'informal detention centres' in Yemen, Eritrea; children among detainees: HRW
http://www.firstpost.com/world/uae-running-informal-detention-centres-in-yemen-eritrea-children-among-detainees-hrw-3734465.html
Beirut: UAE runs at least 2 "informal detention facilities" in Yemen and has reportedly transferred detainees to a base in Eritrea, HRW said on Thursday.UAE is a key member of a Saudi-led military coalition that entered Yemen's conflict in 2015 to battle on the Govt 's side against Iran-backed Huthi rebels.HRW said UAE officials appeared to have "moved high-profile detainees outside the country" including to a base in Eritrea.The rights group said it had documented 49 cases, including those of four children, who had been "arbitrarily detained or forcibly disappeared" - at least 38 of them by UAE-backed forces. The group said the UAE also runs detention facilities in southern provinces home to Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and a local affiliate of the Islamic State group. Children are among those detained in the centres, it said. WHO estimates more than 8,000 people have been killed in two years of conflict in Yemen, which also faces a deadly cholera outbreak and the threat of famine.AFP
Trump's senior adviser & son-in-law Kushner meets Abbas, Netanyahu in bid to restart talks
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/kushner-meets-abbas-netanyahu-bid-restart-talks-170622040217406.html
US President Donald Trump's senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner has held meetings with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, the White House said.Kushner, accompanied by Trump's Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt, is attempting to broker a deal to restart negotiations between Israel and Palestine, which were frozen since US-led talks collapsed in 2014.Kushner travelled to Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank, on Wednesday for talks with Abbas where, according to Abbas' spokesperson, all major issues at the heart of the conflict were discussed. "Kushner and Greenblatt discussed with President Abbas priorities for the Palestinians and potential next steps, acknowledging the need for economic opportunities for Palestinians and major investments in the Palestinian economy," a White House statement said. Aljazeera
US-led army says ISIL blown up Mosul mosque where al-Baghdadi declared caliphate but ISIL blames US air raid
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/iconic-grand-al-nuri-mosque-iraq-mosul-blown-170621193402284.html
The landmark Grand al-Nuri Mosque of Mosul and its leaning minaret have been blown up, with the Iraqi army blaming ISIL for its destruction and the armed group accusing a US-led coalition air raid. In recent days Iraqi forces have pushed deeper into the last remaining areas held by the ISIL group in the centre of Iraq's second-largest city. "Our forces were advancing toward their targets deep in the Old City and when they got to within 50 metres of the Nuri mosque, Daesh committed another historical crime by blowing up the Nuri mosque," Staff Lieutenant General Abdulamir Yarallah, the overall commander of the Mosul offensive, said in a statement late Wednesday.In a statement on its Amaq website, ISIL blamed US aircraft for destroying the mosque.Grand al-Nuri Mosque was where ISIL's leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi made a rare appearance in June 2014 and gave a speech while standing at a pulpit to proclaim the creation of a "caliphate".Iraqis lovingly call the minaret Al-Hadba, or "the hunchback". The mosque is named after Nuruddin al-Zanki, a noble who fought the early crusaders from a fiefdom that covered territory in modern-day Turkey, Syria and Iraq. The mosque was built in 1172-73, shortly before his death, and housed an Islamic school.Al Jazeera's Bernard Smith, reporting from Erbil, said Iraqis were expressing their anger and outrage over the bombing on social media."This is one of Iraq's most important, historical symbols. Enormous anger here," Smith said.Iraqi forces earlier on Wednesday said they had started a push towards the mosque. aljazeera
Khamenei ordered missile strikes on IS targets in Syria- Guards
http://www.firstpost.com/world/irans-khamenei-ordered-missile-strikes-on-islamic-state-targets-in-syria-guards-reuters-3732685.html
Beirut:Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ordered weekend missile strikes on Islamic State targets in Syria, Revolutionary Guards said, contradicting a previous report that they were authorised by the country's security council.The Guards fired six mid-range surface to surface missiles from western Iran into Syria's Deir al Zour province on Sunday night, the first attack of its kind carried out by the Islamic Republic in years.The Guards statement, published on Wednesday by Sepah News, ran counter to a statement by President Hassan Rouhani who said earlier that the strikes were authorised by the Supreme National Security Council, which includes the heads of the three branches of Govt as well as the head of the Guards and other ministers.Reuters
Muslims 'absolutely' the group most victimized by global terrorism, researchers say
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/muslims-absolutely-group-victimized-global-terrorism-researchers/story?id=48131273
This week's terrorist attack targeting people leaving a London mosque after Ramadan prayers is part of a wider phenomenon, in which Muslims are the most affected by terrorism around the world, researchers told ABC News.While attacks by Muslims against non-Muslims in Europe have dominated headlines recently, researchers from National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START), a research and education center at the University of Maryland, believe that Muslims are in fact the most likely victims of terrorism worldwide.START Executive Director William Braniff and his team studied the causes and human consequences of terrorism, compiling details about attacks like the one that took place in London on Monday. What they found is that — although they did not always have information about the religious beliefs of the victims — Muslims were the most affected overall."In the Middle East, Muslims are the most likely victims of both terrorism and counterterrorism efforts," Braniff told ABC News.
"Unlawful" sukuk threaten Dubai's Islamic finance ambitions:Reuters
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/international-business/unlawful-sukuk-threaten-dubais-islamic-finance-ambitions/articleshow/59252906.cms
Dubai/Sydney; Dubai's ambitions to become a global hub for Islamic finance may have been dented by the decision of Dana Gas to declare $700 million of its Islamic bonds "unlawful", and thus suspend payments on the debt.Building on its success in conventional banking, Dubai announced in 2013 a drive to promote sharia-compliant business in the financial industry and other sectors.The city state wants to become a centre for sukuk issuance, challenging the global dominance of Malaysia, as well as a centre for other Islamic financial transactions and Islamic finance scholarship.These goals could become harder to achieve if the Dana Gas case is not resolved in a way that reassures a broad spectrum of investors that the UAE' sukuk market is safe.UAE company is arguing that since its sukuk were issued in 2013, they have become invalid under UAE law "due to the evolution and continual development of Islamic financial instruments and their interpretation". Some investors fear this approach could make sukuk in general more risky, by allowing issuers to avoid honouring their obligations simply by claiming religious standards had changed.
UNICEF: 5m children need urgent humanitarian aid in Iraq
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170622-unicef-more-than-5-million-children-need-urgent-humanitarian-aid-in-iraq/
More than 5 million children are in urgent need of aid in Iraq, the United Nations said on Thursday, describing the war on Daesh as "one of the most brutal" in modern history."Across Iraq, children continue to witness sheer horror and unimaginable violence," UNICEF said in a statement."They have been killed, injured, abducted and forced to shoot and kill in one of the most brutal wars in recent history."International organizations estimate that more than 100,000 civilians, of whom half are children, are trapped in extremely dangerous conditions in the Old City centre, the last district still under the militants' control in Mosul. middleeastmonitor
US calls for UNSC to blacklist Hamas: middleeastmonitor
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170622-us-calls-for-unsc-to-blacklist-hamas/
American Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley asked the UN Security Council to blacklist Hamas, accusing it of being a "terrorist" organisation that puts the lives of people "at risk". Briefing the council on the situation in the Middle East, Haley said: "Hamas is one of these forces of terror."She dedicated most of her briefing to prove that Hamas is a terrorist organisation that puts the lives of both Palestinians and Israelis at stake."Hamas remains a terrorist organisation bent on Israel's destruction… Its goal is to defeat Israel by force. It will use all the resources it can to continue the fight," she said. Calling for the UNSC to act against Hamas, she said: "This Security Council must stand up to condemn Hamas' terror. Hamas represents yet another regional threat that this council far too often ignores."She added: "Security Council must unite to say that enough is enough. We need to pressure Hamas to end its tyranny over the people of Gaza. We should condemn Hamas in this council's resolutions and statements."
Hamas slams US call for UNSC to list it as a 'terror organisation'
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170622-hamas-slams-us-call-for-unsc-to-list-it-as-a-terror-organisation/
Atleast 29 killed as car bomb hits Afghan security forces waiting for salary
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/at-least-20-killed-50-wounded-as-car-bomb-hits-bank-in-south-afghanistan/story-dYZxZdtFKXu4NgyA8W3kZO.html
At least 29 people were killed Thursday when a powerful car bomb struck a bank in Afghanistan's Lashkar Gah city as people were queueing to withdraw salaries, the latest bloody attack during the holy month of Ramadan.At least 50 wounded people were rushed to hospital after the bombing at New Kabul Bank which upturned vehicles, left the area littered with charred debris and sent a plume of smoke rising in the sky.No group has claimed responsibility for the brazen attack, but it comes as the Taliban ramp up their nationwide spring offensive despite Govt calls for a ceasefire during Ramadan."The blast killed 20 people and left 50 others wounded, both civilians and military officials,"Govt spokesman Omar Zwak said, warning that the toll could rise.HT
US: Thousands attend slain Muslim teen Nabra Hassanen's funeral in Virginia
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-thousands-attend-slain-muslim-teen-nabra-hassanen-s-funeral-in-virginia/story-zBKjnmF26KhezqJM2z3GSM.html
Thousands of mourners left their cars as traffic overflowed and walked more than a mile to reach Wednesday's funeral of a 17-year-old Muslim girl whose beating death, blamed by police on road rage, has some in her community fearing for their safety. Nabra Hassanen was remembered as a shining example of kindness and openness during the services, where about 5,000 people gathered to show their solidarity."There is nothing like losing a child, especially in the way that we lost Nabra," said Imam Mohamed Magid, the leader of the All Dulles Area Muslim Society. He said he sought to comfort the victim's mother by telling her that a person who dies is such a manner "will enter paradise, with not any question asked."AP
Central African Republic: 100 killed in fierce clashes
https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/22/06/2017/Central-African-Republic-100-killed-in-fierce-clashes
Some 100 people were reportedly killed in intense fighting that broke out Tuesday in the Central African Republic (CAR), local media and officials said Wednesday.The Central African Republic's news agency, Le Nouveau Centrafrique (LNC), said 110 people had been killed in clashes between the Christian militant group Anti-balaka and a faction of former Seleka fighters, a collection of mainly Muslim rebel groups.
FLASH: NEWS & VIEWS
Saudi's New Crown Prince Is Good News for Israel,US; Bin Salman agrees with US on Russia, Assad, Iran and ISIS, he's also met with top Israeli officials:Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz
http://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/.premium-1.797007
The end of Kanpur's leather industry and the slow collapse of the city's economy: Sharjeel Usmani,TCN
http://twocircles.net/2017jun21/411734.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook
'Cow economics' are killing India's working class:Afroz Alam, HoD Pol.Science Dept, MANUU
https://theconversation.com/cow-economics-are-killing-indias-working-class-79274
US: Don't tell me Nabra Hassanen, Muslim girl who was kidnapped outside a mosque and murdered, was a victim of road rage:Azmia Magane
https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/nabra-hassanen-islamophobia-ramadan-murdered-hate-crime-road-rage-a7800126.html?utm_content=bufferce292&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Not a masterstroke: BJP picked Kalam for president after 2002 riots, Kovind after attacks on Dalits: Ajaz Ashraf
https://scroll.in/article/841342/not-a-masterstroke-bjp-picked-kalam-for-president-after-2002-riots-kovind-after-attacks-on-dalits
Amartya Sen interview: The President should be a voice for sanity and fairness
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/interview/the-president-should-be-a-voice-for-sanity-and-fairness/article18724441.ece
Abbas has joined the siege of Gaza, but with what objectives and results?Mahmoud Al-Ajrami, Felesteen,
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170621-abbas-has-joined-the-siege-of-gaza-but-with-what-objectives-and-results/
What Killed Half a Million Indians?Pranay Sinha, Scott K. Heysell, NYT
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/21/opinion/india-tuberculosis.html?smid=fb-share&referer=android-app%3A%2F%2Fm.facebook.com
Web links: Muslims are using social media to build solidarity networks and counter Hindutva Can they be effective, though?Aparna Kalra
https://scroll.in/article/841120/getting-online-muslims-are-using-social-media-to-build-solidarity-networks-and-counter-hindutva
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