Faisal Edhi, the chief of the non-profit social welfare organisation Edhi Foundation has been tested positive for the COVID-19 in Islamabad, confirmed Mohammad Bilal, spokesperson for the Edhi Foundation.

Faisal Edhi is the son of Abdul Sattar Edhi who was a Pakistani social worker who founded the Edhi Foundation, which runs one of the world's largest volunteer ambulance network.

The Edhi Foundation representative said that&nbsp;the test was conducted two days ago at the Al-Shifa hospital in Islamabad.

Meanwhile, Pakistan reported 16 more deaths from the coronavirus, taking the country's toll to 192, while the number of confirmed spiked to over 9,000.&nbsp;

The Minister of National Health Services reported that 16 people died during the last 24 hours, taking the total toll to 192.&nbsp;

The total number of confirmed cases reached 9,216 after 796 new infections were reported.

(With inputs from agencies)

Faisal Edhi, the chief of the non-profit social welfare organisation Edhi Foundation has been tested positive for the COVID-19 in Islamabad, confirmed Mohammad Bilal, spokesperson for the Edhi Foundation.

Faisal Edhi, the chief of the non-profit social welfare organisation Edhi Foundation has been tested positive for the COVID-19 in Islamabad, confirmed Mohammad Bilal, spokesperson for the Edhi Foundation. Faisal Edhi is the son of Abdul Sattar Edhi who was a Pakistani social worker who founded the Edhi Foundation, which runs one of the world's largest volunteer ambulance network. The Edhi Foundation representative said that the test was conducted two days ago at the Al-Shifa hospital in Islamabad. Meanwhile, Pakistan reported 16 more deaths from the coronavirus, taking the country's toll to 192, while the number of confirmed spiked to over 9,000. The Minister of National Health Services reported that 16 people died during the last 24 hours, taking the total toll to 192. The total number of confirmed cases reached 9,216 after 796 new infections were reported. (With inputs from agencies)

Pakistani social worker Faisal Edhi tests positive for coronavirus

A policeman was killed and two others wounded Tuesday by a roadside bomb aimed at polio vaccination workers in Pakistan's restive northwest, officials said. The attack came a day after Islamabad launched a nationwide anti-polio drive, aiming to immunise tens of millions of children in Pakistan - one of only three countries, along with Afghanistan and Nigeria, where the crippling disease remains endemic.

A policeman was killed and two others wounded Tuesday by a roadside bomb aimed at polio vaccination workers in Pakistan's restive northwest, officials said. The attack came a day after Islamabad launched a nationwide anti-polio drive, aiming to immunise tens of millions of children in Pakistan - one of only three countries, along with Afghanistan and Nigeria, where the crippling disease remains endemic. Opposition to inoculations grew after the CIA organised a fake vaccination drive to help track down Al-Qaeda's former leader Osama Bin Laden in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad. According to Captain Wahid Mehmood, a district police chief, a police van monitoring the polio team was hit on the outskirts of the northwestern city of Dera Ismail Khan. "It was an IED (improvised explosive device) explosion in which one of our policemen got martyred while two others were wounded", Mehmood told reporters. Also Read: Pakistan approaches international community over Kashmir but commits genocide in Balochistan: Baloch leader adaqat Khan, a local police official, confirmed the toll. There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but the Pakistani Taliban and other militants have targeted polio vaccinators in the past. The nationwide polio vaccination campaign aims to vaccinate some 39 million children. Tuesday's attack follows a devastating year in Pakistan's long fight against polio, with at least 17 cases reported in 2020 so far. In 2019, the number of polio cases jumped to 144 from just 12 in 2018. Even as Pakistan has tried to eliminate polio, a new challenge has emerged in the form of a growing global movement against vaccinations. The phenomenon has attracted adherents worldwide, fuelled by medically baseless claims and proliferated on social media resulting in a resurgence of once-eradicated, highly contagious diseases.

Pakistan policeman killed as blast hits polio vaccine team

A Pakistani Journalist Wahid has been put under 3-day remand by Lahore court after getting accused of putting anti-national posts on Facebook.

Pak Journalist under 3-day remand, accused of putting anti-national posts on Facebook

A Pakistani court Friday sentenced a man to five years jail and hard labour for a blasphemous Facebook post, in what is believed to be one of the first such cases under controversial cybercrime laws.

Sajid Ali was charged with posting blasphemous and derogatory content against revered Islamic figures on the social network in 2017.

Blasphemy is a hugely sensitive issue in conservative Pakistan, where the laws can carry a potential death sentence for anyone deemed to have insulted Islam. Even unproven allegations have led to mob lynchings and murder.

Prosecutor Munam Bashir Chaudhry told AFP Ali's case is the first to be tried under a section of the cybercrime laws, which were passed in 2016, pertaining to hate speech.

There have been other cases of prosecution against "online blasphemy" in Pakistan, including one in 2017 that saw a man sentenced to death for sharing what the court said was blasphemous content on social media.

However, none of the previous convictions have come under the cybercrime laws, according to Chaudhry.

Shahzad Ahmad, of the digital rights group Bytes for All, said he also believed it was the first such case -- but warned that more are being registered.

He called the development "very worrying".&nbsp;

"Most concerning is the misuse and abuse of this law," he told AFP, adding that he fears it could be used as a tool of further repression in cases of blasphemy and religion-based hate speech.

Pakistani authorities say they have registered about 500 cases in total under the cybercrime laws since they came into effect.

Critics of the laws say they are open to abuse by government agencies to restrict freedom of expression in a country where activists have long warned of a shrinking space for dissent.

In 2017 the Islamabad High Court ordered the government to open an investigation into "online blasphemy", threatening to ban social media platforms that failed to censor content insulting Islam and its values.

Pakistan famously blocked Facebook for two weeks in 2010 over blasphemous content.

It also blocked Youtube from 2012 to 2016 because of a film about the Prophet Mohammed that led to violent protests across the Muslim world. 
&nbsp;

A Pakistani court Friday sentenced a man to five years jail and hard labour for a blasphemous Facebook post, in what is believed to be one of the first such cases under controversial cybercrime laws.

A Pakistani court Friday sentenced a man to five years jail and hard labour for a blasphemous Facebook post, in what is believed to be one of the first such cases under controversial cybercrime laws. Sajid Ali was charged with posting blasphemous and derogatory content against revered Islamic figures on the social network in 2017. Blasphemy is a hugely sensitive issue in conservative Pakistan, where the laws can carry a potential death sentence for anyone deemed to have insulted Islam. Even unproven allegations have led to mob lynchings and murder. Prosecutor Munam Bashir Chaudhry told AFP Ali's case is the first to be tried under a section of the cybercrime laws, which were passed in 2016, pertaining to hate speech. There have been other cases of prosecution against "online blasphemy" in Pakistan, including one in 2017 that saw a man sentenced to death for sharing what the court said was blasphemous content on social media. However, none of the previous convictions have come under the cybercrime laws, according to Chaudhry. Shahzad Ahmad, of the digital rights group Bytes for All, said he also believed it was the first such case -- but warned that more are being registered. He called the development "very worrying". "Most concerning is the misuse and abuse of this law," he told AFP, adding that he fears it could be used as a tool of further repression in cases of blasphemy and religion-based hate speech. Pakistani authorities say they have registered about 500 cases in total under the cybercrime laws since they came into effect. Critics of the laws say they are open to abuse by government agencies to restrict freedom of expression in a country where activists have long warned of a shrinking space for dissent. In 2017 the Islamabad High Court ordered the government to open an investigation into "online blasphemy", threatening to ban social media platforms that failed to censor content insulting Islam and its values. Pakistan famously blocked Facebook for two weeks in 2010 over blasphemous content. It also blocked Youtube from 2012 to 2016 because of a film about the Prophet Mohammed that led to violent protests across the Muslim world.

Pakistani man jailed for blasphemous Facebook post

Wion Exclusive: Pakistan's First Female Astronaut Namira Salim Hails ISRO's Attempt To Land On The South Pole Of The Moon.

Gravitas: Pakistani Astronaut Lauds ISRO: A Giant Leap For South Asia

Pakistan PM Imran Khan seems to have dug a hole for himself. He has asked every Pakistani to come out on the streets to express solidarity with Kashmiris.

WION Gravitas: Kashmir Hour: Pitfalls of Imran Khan's grandstanding

The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Thursday arrested three people and detained two others of a gang, which was allegedly involved in terror funding, from Madhya Pradesh's Satna.

According to ATS, 13 Pakistani phone numbers have recovered from the accused people. They were allegedly in contact with Pakistan through these numbers.

The four accused persons have been identified as Sunil Singh, Shubham Tiwari, Balram Singh Patel, Bhagvendra Singh Patel. The name of the fifth member is yet to be ascertained.

Earlier also, the ATS had arrested Balram, but he was later granted bail around two years ago. After that, Balram again started the business of terror funding by using Sunil Singh as a pawn. Now Balram and Singh along with other accused are in police custody.

The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Thursday arrested three people and detained two others of a gang, which was allegedly involved in terror funding, from Madhya Pradesh's Satna.

The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Thursday arrested three people and detained two others of a gang, which was allegedly involved in terror funding, from Madhya Pradesh's Satna. According to ATS, 13 Pakistani phone numbers have recovered from the accused people. They were allegedly in contact with Pakistan through these numbers. The four accused persons have been identified as Sunil Singh, Shubham Tiwari, Balram Singh Patel, Bhagvendra Singh Patel. The name of the fifth member is yet to be ascertained. Earlier also, the ATS had arrested Balram, but he was later granted bail around two years ago. After that, Balram again started the business of terror funding by using Sunil Singh as a pawn. Now Balram and Singh along with other accused are in police custody.

Five arrested for terror funding in Madhya Pradesh, 13 Pakistani numbers recovered

Two Brutal Attacks In Two Days As Afghanistan Remains In The Grip Of Violence.

WION Gravitas: Suicide blast in Kabul kills 63 people

Leading an official ceremony held on the Defence Ministry compound in Kabul to mark the country's 100th Independence Day, Ghani called the attackers cowardly and weak. Watch this video to know more.

WION Dispatch: Afghan president Ashraf Ghani condemns Kabul terror attack

Islamic State terror group has claimed the responsibility of the deadly blast in Afghanistan's Kabul which claims lives of 63 & 182 got injured. An I.S. fighter blew himself up in a wedding hall. The suicide bomber was a Pakistani National. Watch this video to know more.

Kabul tragedy: IS terror group claims responsibility, suicide bomber was Pakistani

People are flocking to makeshift cattle markets in Karachi to purchase sacrificial animals ahead of the upcoming Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, which begins on 12 August in Pakistan.

Eid preparations begin in Pakistan

Five people including two policemen were killed and 27 injured in a blast near a police station in southwestern Pakistani city of Quetta on Tuesday evening, a week after a similar blast that killed two people, police said.

An explosive rigged motorcycle was detonated to target a police van parked outside the police station in the heart of Quetta’s busy shopping area, the city police chief said.

“Five people have been killed, including two policemen,” Abdul Razzaq Cheema, Quetta police chief told Reuters. Two women and a child are among the 27 injured in the blast, he added.

In a similar blast last Tuesday two people were killed and 16 were injured when an explosive-rigged motorcycle went off outside a store in Quetta.

Violence in the Baluchistan province, which borders Afghanistan and Iran, has fuelled concern about the security of investments, in particular an energy link planned to run from western China to Pakistan’s southern port of Gwadar.

Five people including two policemen were killed and 27 injured in a blast near a police station in southwestern Pakistani city of Quetta on Tuesday evening, a week after a similar blast that killed two people, police said.

Five people including two policemen were killed and 27 injured in a blast near a police station in southwestern Pakistani city of Quetta on Tuesday evening, a week after a similar blast that killed two people, police said. An explosive rigged motorcycle was detonated to target a police van parked outside the police station in the heart of Quetta’s busy shopping area, the city police chief said. “Five people have been killed, including two policemen,” Abdul Razzaq Cheema, Quetta police chief told Reuters. Two women and a child are among the 27 injured in the blast, he added. In a similar blast last Tuesday two people were killed and 16 were injured when an explosive-rigged motorcycle went off outside a store in Quetta. Violence in the Baluchistan province, which borders Afghanistan and Iran, has fuelled concern about the security of investments, in particular an energy link planned to run from western China to Pakistan’s southern port of Gwadar.

Blast in Pakistani city Quetta kills five: Police

A top UN agency on Wednesday demanded justice for a freelance Pakistani journalist who was murdered earlier this month, as activists warned of a shrinking space for dissent and threats to freedom of speech.

Muhammad Bilal Khan, a social media activist, blogger and freelancer with tens of thousands of followers across Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, was stabbed to death in Islamabad on June 16.

The motive for the killing is not known, but Bilal cast a wide net with his criticism, with the powerful military, politicians, sportsmen, religious figures and even fellow journalists coming in for their share.

Local police said on the day of his death he received a phone call from an unidentified person, who took him to a nearby forest and killed him.

"I condemn the killing of Muhammad Bilal Khan," UNESCO chief Audrey Azoulay said in a statement, calling for "authorities investigating this crime to bring its perpetrators to trial".

The statement came after an earlier condemnation by the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), which asked Pakistani authorities to "swiftly investigate the killing to determine the motive and hold the perpetrators to account".

"Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right that must be preserved for everybody, regardless of individuals' religious or political opinion," Azoulay said.

Censorship is already rife among the country's once-riotous mainstream media, with the CPJ noting last year that the military had "quietly but effectively" imposed strict limits on reporting.

Platforms such as Facebook and Twitter were regarded as the last holdouts of dissenting voices, but now even that has changed.

In February, authorities announced the creation of a new enforcement arm to root out social media users accused of spreading "hate speech and violence" as part of the crackdown.

Pakistan routinely ranks among the world's most dangerous countries for media workers, and reporters have frequently been detained, beaten and even killed for being critical of the government or powerful military.&nbsp;

A top UN agency on Wednesday demanded justice for a freelance Pakistani journalist who was murdered earlier this month, as activists warned of a shrinking space for dissent and threats to freedom of speech.

A top UN agency on Wednesday demanded justice for a freelance Pakistani journalist who was murdered earlier this month, as activists warned of a shrinking space for dissent and threats to freedom of speech. Muhammad Bilal Khan, a social media activist, blogger and freelancer with tens of thousands of followers across Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, was stabbed to death in Islamabad on June 16. The motive for the killing is not known, but Bilal cast a wide net with his criticism, with the powerful military, politicians, sportsmen, religious figures and even fellow journalists coming in for their share. Local police said on the day of his death he received a phone call from an unidentified person, who took him to a nearby forest and killed him. "I condemn the killing of Muhammad Bilal Khan," UNESCO chief Audrey Azoulay said in a statement, calling for "authorities investigating this crime to bring its perpetrators to trial". The statement came after an earlier condemnation by the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), which asked Pakistani authorities to "swiftly investigate the killing to determine the motive and hold the perpetrators to account". "Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right that must be preserved for everybody, regardless of individuals' religious or political opinion," Azoulay said. Censorship is already rife among the country's once-riotous mainstream media, with the CPJ noting last year that the military had "quietly but effectively" imposed strict limits on reporting. Platforms such as Facebook and Twitter were regarded as the last holdouts of dissenting voices, but now even that has changed. In February, authorities announced the creation of a new enforcement arm to root out social media users accused of spreading "hate speech and violence" as part of the crackdown. Pakistan routinely ranks among the world's most dangerous countries for media workers, and reporters have frequently been detained, beaten and even killed for being critical of the government or powerful military.

UN condemns murder of Pakistani journalist

Pakistan`s army has sentenced a general to life imprisonment for spying and ordered the death penalty for a brigadier and a civilian officer convicted in the same case, a military statement said on Thursday.

Following a closed-door military trial, army chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa endorsed the sentences on the three for "espionage (and) leaking sensitive information to foreign agencies in detriment to national security," the statement said.

Retired Lieutenant General Javed Iqbal was jailed for a life term, meaning he will serve 14 years in prison under Pakistani law. Retired Brigadier Raja Rizwan was sentenced to death alongside Wasim Akram, a civilian doctor employed by an army organization.

The army did not give further details about the information that was allegedly leaked by the three men or say to whom it was disclosed. It was not clear if the two military officers had already retired from service before the case against them began.

Pakistan`s army has its own laws and courts, and military officers accused of wrongdoing are always tried behind closed doors. Rulings can only be challenged or reviews in accordance with military procedures.

Pakistan`s army has sentenced a general to life imprisonment for spying and ordered the death penalty for a brigadier and a civilian officer convicted in the same case, a military statement said on Thursday.

Pakistan`s army has sentenced a general to life imprisonment for spying and ordered the death penalty for a brigadier and a civilian officer convicted in the same case, a military statement said on Thursday. Following a closed-door military trial, army chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa endorsed the sentences on the three for "espionage (and) leaking sensitive information to foreign agencies in detriment to national security," the statement said. Retired Lieutenant General Javed Iqbal was jailed for a life term, meaning he will serve 14 years in prison under Pakistani law. Retired Brigadier Raja Rizwan was sentenced to death alongside Wasim Akram, a civilian doctor employed by an army organization. The army did not give further details about the information that was allegedly leaked by the three men or say to whom it was disclosed. It was not clear if the two military officers had already retired from service before the case against them began. Pakistan`s army has its own laws and courts, and military officers accused of wrongdoing are always tried behind closed doors. Rulings can only be challenged or reviews in accordance with military procedures.

Pakistani army general given life sentence on spying charges

Thousands of Pakistanis clad in white gathered in the central city of Jhang Friday to make a human image of Christchurch's Al Noor mosque, where 50 people were killed by a white supremacist four weeks ago.

Drone images showed worshippers standing in formation, their snow-white traditional shalwar kameez and prayer caps in stark contrast to the emerald green of a public field, as a second group formed the words "Islam is peace" nearby.

Huge New Zealand and Pakistani flags were also displayed along with a giant banner which read: "Solidarity with the martyrs of Christchurch from Pakistan".&nbsp;

The tribute was organised by the Muslim Institute, a non-government organisation aimed at promoting peace and stability in the Muslim world, which also released the drone footage.

Brenton Tarrant, a 28-year-old Australian and self-avowed white supremacist, has been charged with 50 counts of murder and 39 of attempted murder after opening fire at the Linwood and Al Noor mosques on March 15.

Nine of the victims were of Pakistani origin. One, Naeem Rashid, was posthumously given an award for bravery by Pakistan after he apparently tried to tackle the gunman before being shot.&nbsp;

Tribute organisers praised the New Zealand government after what had been a "very tough time" for Muslims in the country -- especially Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.&nbsp;

Her response "not only soothed the wounds of Muslims but also assured them that Muslims in their country are safe," Sahibzada Sultan Ahmad Ali, a religious scholar and one of the organisers, told AFP.

"We worked really hard to make this model," one participant, Noor Hassan, told AFP of the tribute.&nbsp;

"It was so pleasant that we were ready to stand like this for the whole day," he added.&nbsp;

Thousands of Pakistanis clad in white gathered in the central city of Jhang Friday to make a human image of Christchurch's Al Noor mosque, where 50 people were killed by a white supremacist four weeks ago.

Thousands of Pakistanis clad in white gathered in the central city of Jhang Friday to make a human image of Christchurch's Al Noor mosque, where 50 people were killed by a white supremacist four weeks ago. Drone images showed worshippers standing in formation, their snow-white traditional shalwar kameez and prayer caps in stark contrast to the emerald green of a public field, as a second group formed the words "Islam is peace" nearby. Huge New Zealand and Pakistani flags were also displayed along with a giant banner which read: "Solidarity with the martyrs of Christchurch from Pakistan". The tribute was organised by the Muslim Institute, a non-government organisation aimed at promoting peace and stability in the Muslim world, which also released the drone footage. Brenton Tarrant, a 28-year-old Australian and self-avowed white supremacist, has been charged with 50 counts of murder and 39 of attempted murder after opening fire at the Linwood and Al Noor mosques on March 15. Nine of the victims were of Pakistani origin. One, Naeem Rashid, was posthumously given an award for bravery by Pakistan after he apparently tried to tackle the gunman before being shot. Tribute organisers praised the New Zealand government after what had been a "very tough time" for Muslims in the country -- especially Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Her response "not only soothed the wounds of Muslims but also assured them that Muslims in their country are safe," Sahibzada Sultan Ahmad Ali, a religious scholar and one of the organisers, told AFP. "We worked really hard to make this model," one participant, Noor Hassan, told AFP of the tribute. "It was so pleasant that we were ready to stand like this for the whole day," he added.

Thousands of Pakistanis form human chain in image of Christchurch mosque

Two Pakistani nationals were killed in the terror attack on two <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-mosque-shootings-kill-49-in-what-pm-calls-terrorist-attack-203560">mosques</a> in New Zealand and one of them died while he was attempting to stop the shooter during the attack, according to a media report. 
 
Naeem Rashid, succumbed to his wounds while under treatment following the attack and was identified as the individual who rushed at the right-wing terrorist attacking the mosque in Christchurch city, the Express Tribune reported. 
 
Rashid, hailing from Abbottabad, received bullet wounds as he tried to overpower the shooter as he entered one of the mosques in Christchurch, the daily said. His son, Talha Rashid also lost his life in the same attack that left at least 49 dead and many others wounded. &nbsp; 
 
A number of other Pakistan citizens were also present in the mosques during the time of the attack. 
 
Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal on Saturday released a list of nine Pakistani citizens missing after the mosque attacks. 
 
The Foreign Office spokesperson said that Pakistan's Mission in New Zealand is trying to ascertain further details. 
 
Earlier the FO had said that four Pakistani nationals were injured, while five were still missing after the horrific terrorist attacks. 
 
Australia-born, 28-year-old Brenton Tarrant, live-streamed footage of himself going room-to-room, victim to victim, shooting the wounded from close range as they struggled to crawl away. 
 
He also published a racist 'manifesto' on social media before the attack, featuring conspiracy theories about Europeans being 'displaced'&nbsp;by immigrants and details of two years of preparation and radicalization leading up to the shootings. 
 
His two targets were the Masjid al Noor mosque, where 41 people died, and a second, smaller mosque in the suburb of Linwood, where seven more died. The remaining victim succumbed in hospital. 
 
The survivors included 17 members of Bangladesh's cricket team, whose game against New Zealand on Saturday has been canceled, and a Palestinian man who fled for his life after seeing someone being shot in the head. 
 
The attack has shocked New Zealanders, who are used to seeing around 50 murders a year in the entire country of 4.8 million and pride themselves on living in a secure and welcoming place. 
 
Did police warn Muslims all over the country not to visit mosques? anywhere in New Zealand? in the wake of the Christchurch attacks.

Two Pakistani nationals were killed in the terror attack on two mosques in New Zealand and one of them died while he was attempting to stop the shooter during the attack, according to a media report.

Two Pakistani nationals were killed in the terror attack on two mosques in New Zealand and one of them died while he was attempting to stop the shooter during the attack, according to a media report. Naeem Rashid, succumbed to his wounds while under treatment following the attack and was identified as the individual who rushed at the right-wing terrorist attacking the mosque in Christchurch city, the Express Tribune reported. Rashid, hailing from Abbottabad, received bullet wounds as he tried to overpower the shooter as he entered one of the mosques in Christchurch, the daily said. His son, Talha Rashid also lost his life in the same attack that left at least 49 dead and many others wounded. A number of other Pakistan citizens were also present in the mosques during the time of the attack. Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal on Saturday released a list of nine Pakistani citizens missing after the mosque attacks. The Foreign Office spokesperson said that Pakistan's Mission in New Zealand is trying to ascertain further details. Earlier the FO had said that four Pakistani nationals were injured, while five were still missing after the horrific terrorist attacks. Australia-born, 28-year-old Brenton Tarrant, live-streamed footage of himself going room-to-room, victim to victim, shooting the wounded from close range as they struggled to crawl away. He also published a racist 'manifesto' on social media before the attack, featuring conspiracy theories about Europeans being 'displaced' by immigrants and details of two years of preparation and radicalization leading up to the shootings. His two targets were the Masjid al Noor mosque, where 41 people died, and a second, smaller mosque in the suburb of Linwood, where seven more died. The remaining victim succumbed in hospital. The survivors included 17 members of Bangladesh's cricket team, whose game against New Zealand on Saturday has been canceled, and a Palestinian man who fled for his life after seeing someone being shot in the head. The attack has shocked New Zealanders, who are used to seeing around 50 murders a year in the entire country of 4.8 million and pride themselves on living in a secure and welcoming place. Did police warn Muslims all over the country not to visit mosques? anywhere in New Zealand? in the wake of the Christchurch attacks.

Pakistani man dies trying to overpower New Zealand mosque attacker

Sources: Indian Army shoots down Pakistani drone in Rajasthan

Madhya Pradesh police on Friday claimed to have busted an online cheating racket running from Pakistan with the arrest of six Indian nationals in Madhya Pradesh.

Pushpendra Singh (27), Manish Bhalse (23), Nagendra Singh (28), Sujeet Singh (22), Kiran Singh (22) and Brijendra Singh (25) were arrested for allegedly cheating people in India while working for a Pakistani gang, said Indore police's Special Task Force chief Jitendra Singh.

Pushpendra Singh, hailing from Satna district and currently living in Indore, was allegedly the kingpin of the gang in India, he said.

The accused were associated with a Pakistani gang which cheated people through the `lottery scam', he said.

The accused sent emails to people, saying they had won the lottery but would need to pay some money to get the award amount.

The victims would be asked to transfer the money through Internet banking.

While the accused arranged opening of bank accounts where the money would be transferred, their handlers in Pakistan withdrew the money. The accused were given seven per cent commission, Singh said.

"We are scrutinising the bank accounts from which the money was withdrawn," he added.

Madhya Pradesh police on Friday claimed to have busted an online cheating racket running from Pakistan with the arrest of six Indian nationals in Madhya Pradesh.

Madhya Pradesh police on Friday claimed to have busted an online cheating racket running from Pakistan with the arrest of six Indian nationals in Madhya Pradesh. Pushpendra Singh (27), Manish Bhalse (23), Nagendra Singh (28), Sujeet Singh (22), Kiran Singh (22) and Brijendra Singh (25) were arrested for allegedly cheating people in India while working for a Pakistani gang, said Indore police's Special Task Force chief Jitendra Singh. Pushpendra Singh, hailing from Satna district and currently living in Indore, was allegedly the kingpin of the gang in India, he said. The accused were associated with a Pakistani gang which cheated people through the `lottery scam', he said. The accused sent emails to people, saying they had won the lottery but would need to pay some money to get the award amount. The victims would be asked to transfer the money through Internet banking. While the accused arranged opening of bank accounts where the money would be transferred, their handlers in Pakistan withdrew the money. The accused were given seven per cent commission, Singh said. "We are scrutinising the bank accounts from which the money was withdrawn," he added.

Six Indians working for Pakistani online cheating racket held

The Army on Monday warned Pakistan to restrain the terrorists operating from its soil, a day after killing two heavily-armed Pakistani "intruders" in a gunfight in Sunderbani sector of Jammu on Sunday, official sources said.

They said the Army has also asked the Pakistan military to take back bodies of the two "intruders", who were wearing combat uniforms and believed to be members of Pakistani Border Action Team, they said.

Two heavily armed Pakistani intruders and three Army soldiers were killed Sunday in the gunfight after the Army foiled an infiltration bid along the LoC in Sunderbani sector.

The sources said Pakistan Army has been informed, through established communication channels, to take possession of the bodies of the "hostile Pakistani nationals" and that a "stern warning" was also conveyed to the military of the neighbouring country to restrain the terrorists operating from its soil.

The incident on Sunday took place at around 1:20 PM.

The sources said five to six Pakistani intruders crossed the LoC and fired on Indian Army patrol in the Sunderbani sector.

Three soldiers of Eight Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI), Havildar Kaushal Kumar of Nowshera (Rajouri), lance naik Ranjeet Singh of Doda and rifleman Rajat Kumar Basan of Pallanwala (Jammu), were killed while rifleman Rakesh Kumar of Samba suffered injuries in the gunfight.

The sources said since the talks between DGMOs (Director General of Military Operations) of the two countries on May 29, the Indian Army has been maintaining "utmost restraint" to uphold the ceasefire pact along the LoC despite regular provocative actions from across the border.

However, Pakistan Army has been vigorously attempting to send terrorists across the LoC and seven infiltration bids have been foiled by the Indian Army since May 30, in which 23 terrorists have been killed.

Reports suggest a concentration of a large number of terrorists in launch pads across the border, desperate to infiltrate into India before the onset of winter.

Sources said the Army was ready to deal with any challenge along the LoC which has been witnessing frequent incidents of cross-border firing since January.

The Indian Army has been adopting a "tough" approach in dealing with ceasefire violations and terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir in the last one year.

The Army on Monday warned Pakistan to restrain the terrorists operating from its soil, a day after killing two heavily-armed Pakistani "intruders" in a gunfight in Sunderbani sector of Jammu on Sunday, official sources said.

The Army on Monday warned Pakistan to restrain the terrorists operating from its soil, a day after killing two heavily-armed Pakistani "intruders" in a gunfight in Sunderbani sector of Jammu on Sunday, official sources said. They said the Army has also asked the Pakistan military to take back bodies of the two "intruders", who were wearing combat uniforms and believed to be members of Pakistani Border Action Team, they said. Two heavily armed Pakistani intruders and three Army soldiers were killed Sunday in the gunfight after the Army foiled an infiltration bid along the LoC in Sunderbani sector. The sources said Pakistan Army has been informed, through established communication channels, to take possession of the bodies of the "hostile Pakistani nationals" and that a "stern warning" was also conveyed to the military of the neighbouring country to restrain the terrorists operating from its soil. The incident on Sunday took place at around 1:20 PM. The sources said five to six Pakistani intruders crossed the LoC and fired on Indian Army patrol in the Sunderbani sector. Three soldiers of Eight Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI), Havildar Kaushal Kumar of Nowshera (Rajouri), lance naik Ranjeet Singh of Doda and rifleman Rajat Kumar Basan of Pallanwala (Jammu), were killed while rifleman Rakesh Kumar of Samba suffered injuries in the gunfight. The sources said since the talks between DGMOs (Director General of Military Operations) of the two countries on May 29, the Indian Army has been maintaining "utmost restraint" to uphold the ceasefire pact along the LoC despite regular provocative actions from across the border. However, Pakistan Army has been vigorously attempting to send terrorists across the LoC and seven infiltration bids have been foiled by the Indian Army since May 30, in which 23 terrorists have been killed. Reports suggest a concentration of a large number of terrorists in launch pads across the border, desperate to infiltrate into India before the onset of winter. Sources said the Army was ready to deal with any challenge along the LoC which has been witnessing frequent incidents of cross-border firing since January. The Indian Army has been adopting a "tough" approach in dealing with ceasefire violations and terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir in the last one year.

Indian Army asks Pakistan to take back bodies of intruders killed in Sunderbani sector

Two in three Pakistanis or 67 per cent of the country's population have said that they support the imposition of Sharia as the only law, suggesting that Pakistan has become increasingly radicalized.&nbsp

According to a joint poll prepared and carried out by Gallup Pakistan and the Gilani Research Foundation, seven years ago, only 51 percent of those surveyed had said that the Sharia should be the only law applicable to their society.&nbsp

Today, only five percent of those surveyed this year have said that they are not in favour of the Sharia being imposed on society.&nbsp

The Gallup Pakistan-Gilani Research Foundation survey said that they asked a nationally representative sample of men and women from all four provinces of Pakistan (Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtukhwa) what described their understanding of Sharia and its implementation in Pakistan, and 67 percent said that the Sharia should be the only law, 24 percent said that the Sharia should be the law, but not the only law (that is other legislation is also possible, while five percent said Sharia should not be the law of the land, while four percent said they had no opinion on the matter.&nbsp

In 2010, 51 percent said Sharia should be the only law, 30 percent said Sharia should not be the only law applicable, eight percent said Sharia should not be the law of the land and 11 percent said they had no opinion or view on the matter.&nbsp

If a comparison is done over the change in the mindset of Pakistanis, then the poll finds that there is a 16 percent increase in the proportion of Pakistanis who have become more radicalized and believe that Sharia should be the only law, while there is a six percent decrease in the proportion of Pakistanis who say Sharia should not be the only law. The survey was carried out recently.&nbsp

Around 1846 men and women took part in it, and they were from both rural and urban areas in all four provinces. The margin of error in the survey was approximately ± 2-3 per cent at 95 per cent confidence level.&nbsp

Pakistan's current population is 196,397,041 as of Friday, June 2, 2017, based on the latest United Nations estimates. . Pakistan population is equivalent to 2.62 percent of the total world population. . Pakistan ranks sixth in list of countries (and dependencies) by population. The population density in Pakistan is 255 per Km2 (661 people per mi2). The Shia population is pegged at least 16 million, while the Sunni population is a majority of 95 to 97 per cent.

Pakistan's total land area is 770,998 square kilometers or 297,684 square miles . About 39.2 percent (77,107,125) of the population is urban . The median age in Pakistan is 22.7 years. The Gilani Research Foundation is headed by Dr. Ijaz Shafi Gilani, a pioneer in the field of opinion polling in Pakistan. He is also the Chairman of Gallup Pakistan.

In 2010, 51 percent said Sharia should be the only law, 30 percent said Sharia should not be the only law applicable, eight percent said Sharia should not be the law of the land and 11 percent said they had no opinion or view on the matter.

Two in three Pakistanis or 67 per cent of the country's population have said that they support the imposition of Sharia as the only law, suggesting that Pakistan has become increasingly radicalized. According to a joint poll prepared and carried out by Gallup Pakistan and the Gilani Research Foundation, seven years ago, only 51 percent of those surveyed had said that the Sharia should be the only law applicable to their society. Today, only five percent of those surveyed this year have said that they are not in favour of the Sharia being imposed on society. The Gallup Pakistan-Gilani Research Foundation survey said that they asked a nationally representative sample of men and women from all four provinces of Pakistan (Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtukhwa) what described their understanding of Sharia and its implementation in Pakistan, and 67 percent said that the Sharia should be the only law, 24 percent said that the Sharia should be the law, but not the only law (that is other legislation is also possible, while five percent said Sharia should not be the law of the land, while four percent said they had no opinion on the matter. In 2010, 51 percent said Sharia should be the only law, 30 percent said Sharia should not be the only law applicable, eight percent said Sharia should not be the law of the land and 11 percent said they had no opinion or view on the matter. If a comparison is done over the change in the mindset of Pakistanis, then the poll finds that there is a 16 percent increase in the proportion of Pakistanis who have become more radicalized and believe that Sharia should be the only law, while there is a six percent decrease in the proportion of Pakistanis who say Sharia should not be the only law. The survey was carried out recently. Around 1846 men and women took part in it, and they were from both rural and urban areas in all four provinces. The margin of error in the survey was approximately ± 2-3 per cent at 95 per cent confidence level. Pakistan's current population is 196,397,041 as of Friday, June 2, 2017, based on the latest United Nations estimates. . Pakistan population is equivalent to 2.62 percent of the total world population. . Pakistan ranks sixth in list of countries (and dependencies) by population. The population density in Pakistan is 255 per Km2 (661 people per mi2). The Shia population is pegged at least 16 million, while the Sunni population is a majority of 95 to 97 per cent. Pakistan's total land area is 770,998 square kilometers or 297,684 square miles . About 39.2 percent (77,107,125) of the population is urban . The median age in Pakistan is 22.7 years. The Gilani Research Foundation is headed by Dr. Ijaz Shafi Gilani, a pioneer in the field of opinion polling in Pakistan. He is also the Chairman of Gallup Pakistan.

Sharia should be the only law, say 67% of Pakistanis

The CIA continues to be very concerned about potential contacts between Pakistani nuclear scientists and extremist groups and is monitoring them, US President Donald Trump's nominee to head the agency has said.

Gina Haspel, if confirmed by the Senate, would be the first female director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).&nbsp

"There was very deep concern about potential contacts, and we continue to monitor this very closely, between extremists and Pakistani nuclear scientists," Haspel told the members of the Senate Select Intelligence Committee during her confirmation hearing yesterday.&nbsp

She was responding to a question from Senator John Cornyn.

Cornyn cited a book that reminded him that post-9/11, the then president George W Bush was concerned about reports that Osama bin Laden and al Qaida were meeting with the Pakistani officials connected with their nuclear programme to gain access to a nuclear device that they might then use for a follow-on attack against the cities like Washington DC.

"Without divulging classified information, can you confirm that there were concerns about follow-on attacks using nuclear devices, biological weapons, other weapons of mass destruction that might have killed more innocent Americans as happened on 9/11? Was that the environment in which you and the country were operating in at the time?" Cornyn asked Haspel.

There were very grave concerns on that front, Haspel answered.

"And indeed, al Qaida had those kinds of programmes, efforts to acquire crude, dirty bombs, efforts to develop -- they had a programme -- a biological weapons programme. I remember the operative who was in charge of that," Haspel said.&nbsp

'There was very deep concern about potential contacts, and we continue to monitor this very closely, between extremists and Pakistani nuclear scientists,' Haspel told members of the Senate Select Intelligence Committee during her confirmation hearing

The CIA continues to be very concerned about potential contacts between Pakistani nuclear scientists and extremist groups and is monitoring them, US President Donald Trump's nominee to head the agency has said. Gina Haspel, if confirmed by the Senate, would be the first female director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). "There was very deep concern about potential contacts, and we continue to monitor this very closely, between extremists and Pakistani nuclear scientists," Haspel told the members of the Senate Select Intelligence Committee during her confirmation hearing yesterday. She was responding to a question from Senator John Cornyn. Cornyn cited a book that reminded him that post-9/11, the then president George W Bush was concerned about reports that Osama bin Laden and al Qaida were meeting with the Pakistani officials connected with their nuclear programme to gain access to a nuclear device that they might then use for a follow-on attack against the cities like Washington DC. "Without divulging classified information, can you confirm that there were concerns about follow-on attacks using nuclear devices, biological weapons, other weapons of mass destruction that might have killed more innocent Americans as happened on 9/11? Was that the environment in which you and the country were operating in at the time?" Cornyn asked Haspel. There were very grave concerns on that front, Haspel answered. "And indeed, al Qaida had those kinds of programmes, efforts to acquire crude, dirty bombs, efforts to develop -- they had a programme -- a biological weapons programme. I remember the operative who was in charge of that," Haspel said.

CIA concerned about potential contacts between Pak nuclear scientists and extremists: Haspel

More than 70 films and documentaries focusing on diverse themes of women's issues, gay rights, terrorism and youth will be showcased at the New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF) in the month of May.&nbsp;

Bringing together artists and filmmakers from the Indian subcontinent to American audiences, the 18th annual NYIFF will run from May 7 to 12 and will showcase 78 films, documentaries and shorts in 11 languages - English, Hindi, Marathi, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Tulu, Konkani, Bengali and Assamese.&nbsp;

The films will "focus on the themes of women's issues, lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgender (LGBT), terrorism and children and teenagers grappling with realities of life," Aroon Shivdasani, an Executive and Artistic Director of the not-for-profit arts organisation Indo-American Arts Council, which organises the film festival, told PTI in an interview.&nbsp;

Aseem Chhabra, NYIFF Director and author of veteran actor Shashi Kapoor's biography "Shashi Kapoor: The Householder, the Star", said the festival gives an opportunity to audiences in New York to experience cinematic excellence emanating from the subcontinent. "I am very excited with the line-up this year. There are some wonderful new directors that we have discovered and whose work we will be showcasing this year. The festival is an opportunity for people to experience some brilliant new work coming out of India," and the subcontinent, he said.

The festival will open with the US premiere of Ravi Jadhav's Marathi language film "Nude" and close with the New York premiere of director Hansal Mehta's Rajkummar Rao-starrer biopic on Islamic fundamentalist Omar Saeed Sheikh, "Omerta".

Other highlights of this year's festival include a tribute to late actor Sridevi and Shashi Kapoor, who passed away in 2017 and a retrospective of the films by producer Ismail Merchant and director James Ivory.&nbsp;

Panel discussions on the film and television market in India and shooting films in New York state have also been planned.&nbsp;

Also premiering at the festival is "Breaking the Bee", a documentary which focuses on the rise and dominance of Indian-American children in spelling bees.&nbsp;

It follows four second-generation NRI children, ages 7 to 14, over the course of a year, or "bee season", as they train to reach and win the 2017 Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Chhabra, who travels extensively to film festivals across the world, said the NYIFF showcases films that may sometimes get lost and not reach audiences. "It is exciting to get a new crop of films that we have discovered over the months and bring it to the festival," he said.

The festival will also showcase Pakistani, Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi films.&nbsp;

Shivdasani added that the festival has always aimed at being inclusive and diverse, showcasing a variety of work from artists hailing from India and other nations. "The NYIFF was initially an Indian diaspora film festival but it has grown over the years to become a larger festival. We hope to continue showing more relevant films from the subcontinent? on pressing issues to audiences in New York," he said.

Shivdasani called for more government support and financial assistance, in India and the US, for such film festivals, to enable the NYIFF to bring in more artists and movie makers from across the world and help them showcase their work to a global audience. 
&nbsp;

The 18th annual NYIFF will go on from May 7 until May 12. Along with Indian movies, the festival will also showcase Pakistani, Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi films.

More than 70 films and documentaries focusing on diverse themes of women's issues, gay rights, terrorism and youth will be showcased at the New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF) in the month of May. Bringing together artists and filmmakers from the Indian subcontinent to American audiences, the 18th annual NYIFF will run from May 7 to 12 and will showcase 78 films, documentaries and shorts in 11 languages - English, Hindi, Marathi, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Tulu, Konkani, Bengali and Assamese. The films will "focus on the themes of women's issues, lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgender (LGBT), terrorism and children and teenagers grappling with realities of life," Aroon Shivdasani, an Executive and Artistic Director of the not-for-profit arts organisation Indo-American Arts Council, which organises the film festival, told PTI in an interview. Aseem Chhabra, NYIFF Director and author of veteran actor Shashi Kapoor's biography "Shashi Kapoor: The Householder, the Star", said the festival gives an opportunity to audiences in New York to experience cinematic excellence emanating from the subcontinent. "I am very excited with the line-up this year. There are some wonderful new directors that we have discovered and whose work we will be showcasing this year. The festival is an opportunity for people to experience some brilliant new work coming out of India," and the subcontinent, he said. The festival will open with the US premiere of Ravi Jadhav's Marathi language film "Nude" and close with the New York premiere of director Hansal Mehta's Rajkummar Rao-starrer biopic on Islamic fundamentalist Omar Saeed Sheikh, "Omerta". Other highlights of this year's festival include a tribute to late actor Sridevi and Shashi Kapoor, who passed away in 2017 and a retrospective of the films by producer Ismail Merchant and director James Ivory. Panel discussions on the film and television market in India and shooting films in New York state have also been planned. Also premiering at the festival is "Breaking the Bee", a documentary which focuses on the rise and dominance of Indian-American children in spelling bees. It follows four second-generation NRI children, ages 7 to 14, over the course of a year, or "bee season", as they train to reach and win the 2017 Scripps National Spelling Bee. Chhabra, who travels extensively to film festivals across the world, said the NYIFF showcases films that may sometimes get lost and not reach audiences. "It is exciting to get a new crop of films that we have discovered over the months and bring it to the festival," he said. The festival will also showcase Pakistani, Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi films. Shivdasani added that the festival has always aimed at being inclusive and diverse, showcasing a variety of work from artists hailing from India and other nations. "The NYIFF was initially an Indian diaspora film festival but it has grown over the years to become a larger festival. We hope to continue showing more relevant films from the subcontinent? on pressing issues to audiences in New York," he said. Shivdasani called for more government support and financial assistance, in India and the US, for such film festivals, to enable the NYIFF to bring in more artists and movie makers from across the world and help them showcase their work to a global audience.

New York Indian Film Festival to pay tribute to Sridevi, Shashi Kapoor

One of the UK&rsquo;s leading state-funded schools which had hit the headlines as one of the first to impose a ban on the hijab for girls under eight has been forced to reverse its decision after widespread criticism.

St Stephen&rsquo;s School in Newham, east London, had been planning to extend the ban to girls under 11 later this year but has chosen to withdraw the plans.

&ldquo;The school&rsquo;s uniform policy is based on the health, safety and welfare of our children. The school has taken the decision to make changes to this policy with immediate effect and this follows on from conversations with our school community,&rdquo; the school said in a statement.

&ldquo;We will work with our school community to continue to review this policy going forward in the best interests of our children,&rdquo; it adds.

Arif Qawi, the chair of governors of the school who had recently called on the UK government to take a firm stand on young children wearing the hijab and fasting during Ramadan, resigned from his post on Friday.

According to The Sunday Times, the resignation followed offensive messages posted on social media against him and the school&rsquo;s Indian-origin principal Neena Lall.

&ldquo;Now the head-teacher needs to go. Kick her out and force her to wear hijab. Let her see what forcing means,&rdquo; one of the messages against Lall reads.

Under the UK&rsquo;s Department for Education guidelines, uniform policy is a matter for individual head-teachers and their governing bodies.

The school, with a majority of pupils from Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi backgrounds, had urged the UK government to issue clear guidelines on the issue of hijab-wearing and religious fasting relating to very young pupils to prevent a backlash from parents.

&ldquo;The department should step up and take it out of our hands and tell every school this is how it (fasting) should be... the same for the hijab, it should not be our decision. It is unfair to teachers and very unfair to governors. We are unpaid. Why should we get the backlash,&rdquo; Qawi had said.

Amina Lone, co-founder of the UK&rsquo;s Social Action and Research Foundation who has campaigned for young girls not to have to wear the hijab, warned that after his resignation other schools in the country would find themselves under pressure if the Department for Education did not issue clear guidelines.

&ldquo;These issues are not going away,&rdquo; she said.

The Department for Education said it is a matter for individual schools to decide how to &ldquo;accommodate children observing Ramadan, and to set uniform policies&rdquo;.

&ldquo;But we would expect them to consider the needs of their pupils, and to listen to the views of local parents,&rdquo; a spokesperson said.

In November 2017, St Stephen&rsquo;s School had topped a prestigious primary schools league table published by The Sunday Times annually. It was listed as the best school in England in the Schools Guide 2018 for a strong teaching record.

St Stephen’s School in east London has a majority of pupils from Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi backgrounds, and had urged the UK govt to issue clear guidelines on hijab-wearing and religious fasting for pupils

One of the UK’s leading state-funded schools which had hit the headlines as one of the first to impose a ban on the hijab for girls under eight has been forced to reverse its decision after widespread criticism. St Stephen’s School in Newham, east London, had been planning to extend the ban to girls under 11 later this year but has chosen to withdraw the plans. “The school’s uniform policy is based on the health, safety and welfare of our children. The school has taken the decision to make changes to this policy with immediate effect and this follows on from conversations with our school community,” the school said in a statement. “We will work with our school community to continue to review this policy going forward in the best interests of our children,” it adds. Arif Qawi, the chair of governors of the school who had recently called on the UK government to take a firm stand on young children wearing the hijab and fasting during Ramadan, resigned from his post on Friday. According to The Sunday Times, the resignation followed offensive messages posted on social media against him and the school’s Indian-origin principal Neena Lall. “Now the head-teacher needs to go. Kick her out and force her to wear hijab. Let her see what forcing means,” one of the messages against Lall reads. Under the UK’s Department for Education guidelines, uniform policy is a matter for individual head-teachers and their governing bodies. The school, with a majority of pupils from Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi backgrounds, had urged the UK government to issue clear guidelines on the issue of hijab-wearing and religious fasting relating to very young pupils to prevent a backlash from parents. “The department should step up and take it out of our hands and tell every school this is how it (fasting) should be... the same for the hijab, it should not be our decision. It is unfair to teachers and very unfair to governors. We are unpaid. Why should we get the backlash,” Qawi had said. Amina Lone, co-founder of the UK’s Social Action and Research Foundation who has campaigned for young girls not to have to wear the hijab, warned that after his resignation other schools in the country would find themselves under pressure if the Department for Education did not issue clear guidelines. “These issues are not going away,” she said. The Department for Education said it is a matter for individual schools to decide how to “accommodate children observing Ramadan, and to set uniform policies”. “But we would expect them to consider the needs of their pupils, and to listen to the views of local parents,” a spokesperson said. In November 2017, St Stephen’s School had topped a prestigious primary schools league table published by The Sunday Times annually. It was listed as the best school in England in the Schools Guide 2018 for a strong teaching record.

UK school reverses ban on hijab after criticism

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/maldives-army-on-alert-as-president-yameen-refuses-to-reinstate-opposition-leaders-31784">Maldives army on alert as President Yameen refuses to reinstate Opposition leaders</a>

The Maldives army has been placed on high alert after President Abdulla Yameen refused Supreme Court order to reinstate Opposition leaders including former president Mohamed Nasheed. The government of the Maldives is seeking to block attempt by the Supreme Court to impeach President Abdulla Yameen for disobeying its order last week to release jailed opposition leaders sparking a constitutional crisis.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/un-budget-cuts-lead-to-altering-of-strategy-in-congo-31775">WION in Congo: UN budget cuts lead to altering of strategy in Congo</a>

Budget cuts are universal but the cut in the budget of United Nations has led to altering of tactical strategy by security forces deployed under the United Nations charter in Congo. The Indian military is in charge of 15 odd bases in Congo which down from 21 because of the budget cut made by the UN. For this reason, a battalion had to be sent back last year which reduced the number of Indian troops around 3000 to 3700. Every penny is paid by the UN, while countries make contribution to the UN Peace Keeping Mission depending upon availability of the troops.

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At least 32 Pakistani nationals were aboard the ship that had recently capsized off the coast of Libya, Pakistan&#39;s Foreign Office said on Sunday. &quot;There were 32 Pakistanis among 80 to 90 people aboard the boat,&quot; Foreign Office spokesman Dr Mohammad Faisal said in a statement. On Saturday, Faisal confirmed that 16 Pakistani nationals, out of the 90 people had died in the shipwreck.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/bcci-website-restored-after-facing-blooper-31794">BCCI website restored after &#39;Lalit Modi&#39; blooper</a>

World&#39;s richest cricket board (BCCI), faced a major embarrassment on Saturday after a blooper on its official website - www.bcci.tv. The website went down for almost a day. The problem occurred due to failure in renewing the domain name. The domain was valid from 2-2-2006 to 2-2-2019. The renewal was due on or before February 3, 2018. The board&#39;s website was acting up until Sunday evening even as the senior national men&#39;s team was playing the second ODI against South Africa at the Centurion.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jk-84-schools-in-rajouri-closed-after-ceasefire-violation-by-pakistan-31793">J&amp;K: 84 schools in Rajouri closed after ceasefire violation by Pakistan</a>

All schools in Jammu and Kashmir&#39;s Rajouri district have been closed as a precautionary measure following the ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops in the state. schools in the district have been closed as a precautionary measure. A top official of the district said 84 schools had been closed as a precautionary measure and emergency evacuation teams had been pressed into action.

Maldives army on alert as President Yameen refuses to reinstate Opposition leaders The Maldives army has been placed on high alert after President Abdulla Yameen refused Supreme Court order to reinstate Opposition leaders including former president Mohamed Nasheed. The government of the Maldives is seeking to block attempt by the Supreme Court to impeach President Abdulla Yameen for disobeying its order last week to release jailed opposition leaders sparking a constitutional crisis. WION in Congo: UN budget cuts lead to altering of strategy in Congo Budget cuts are universal but the cut in the budget of United Nations has led to altering of tactical strategy by security forces deployed under the United Nations charter in Congo. The Indian military is in charge of 15 odd bases in Congo which down from 21 because of the budget cut made by the UN. For this reason, a battalion had to be sent back last year which reduced the number of Indian troops around 3000 to 3700. Every penny is paid by the UN, while countries make contribution to the UN Peace Keeping Mission depending upon availability of the troops. 32 Pakistan nationals among 90 migrants feared dead in boat capsize off Libya At least 32 Pakistani nationals were aboard the ship that had recently capsized off the coast of Libya, Pakistan's Foreign Office said on Sunday. "There were 32 Pakistanis among 80 to 90 people aboard the boat," Foreign Office spokesman Dr Mohammad Faisal said in a statement. On Saturday, Faisal confirmed that 16 Pakistani nationals, out of the 90 people had died in the shipwreck. BCCI website restored after 'Lalit Modi' blooper World's richest cricket board (BCCI), faced a major embarrassment on Saturday after a blooper on its official website - www.bcci.tv. The website went down for almost a day. The problem occurred due to failure in renewing the domain name. The domain was valid from 2-2-2006 to 2-2-2019. The renewal was due on or before February 3, 2018. The board's website was acting up until Sunday evening even as the senior national men's team was playing the second ODI against South Africa at the Centurion. J&K: 84 schools in Rajouri closed after ceasefire violation by Pakistan All schools in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district have been closed as a precautionary measure following the ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops in the state. schools in the district have been closed as a precautionary measure. A top official of the district said 84 schools had been closed as a precautionary measure and emergency evacuation teams had been pressed into action.

WION news brief, February 5, 2018

Old Bailey, the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales heard a case of a &quot;sexually obsessed&quot; British Pakistani builder Mujahid Arshid on Wednesday.

The 33-year-old&nbsp;man is allegedly charged with&nbsp;kidnapping, raping and murdering his 21-year-old niece.

After killing the girl he chopped her body and stuffed it into the freezer.

Arshid kidnapped his niece, Celine Dookhran,&nbsp;along with another woman from a property in southwest London on July 19, 2017.

He raped both the women, however, failed to kill the other. She later alerted the police about the gruesome crime.&nbsp;

The police then investigated and found the body of Celina in the freezer.&nbsp;The alleged culprit was also arrested in Folkestone, Kent. The police recovered the keys of the freezer from him.

He was accompanied by another man, Vincent Tappu, in the kidnapping of both the girls.&nbsp;

The 21-year-old victim was born in the UK to a British Indian mother and a Caribbean father. Her mother later married a&nbsp;Pakistani man after separating from her father. The girl was not in good terms with her family because of the choice of her boyfriend. Her stepfather wanted her to be with a Pakistani boy.&nbsp;

Arshid has denied all the charges against him.&nbsp;

A 33 year old man is allegedly charged for kidnapping, raping and murdering his 21-year-old niece. After killing the girl he chopped her body and stuffed it into the freezer.

Old Bailey, the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales heard a case of a "sexually obsessed" British Pakistani builder Mujahid Arshid on Wednesday. The 33-year-old man is allegedly charged with kidnapping, raping and murdering his 21-year-old niece. After killing the girl he chopped her body and stuffed it into the freezer. Arshid kidnapped his niece, Celine Dookhran, along with another woman from a property in southwest London on July 19, 2017. He raped both the women, however, failed to kill the other. She later alerted the police about the gruesome crime. The police then investigated and found the body of Celina in the freezer. The alleged culprit was also arrested in Folkestone, Kent. The police recovered the keys of the freezer from him. He was accompanied by another man, Vincent Tappu, in the kidnapping of both the girls. The 21-year-old victim was born in the UK to a British Indian mother and a Caribbean father. Her mother later married a Pakistani man after separating from her father. The girl was not in good terms with her family because of the choice of her boyfriend. Her stepfather wanted her to be with a Pakistani boy. Arshid has denied all the charges against him.

British Pakistani man rapes, kills niece; puts body in freezer

An Oslo court on Wednesday jailed two jihadists of Pakistani and Chechen origin for six and seven and a half years, respectively, for joining the&nbsp;Islamic State&nbsp;in Syria. 
 
Adam Idrisovich Magomadov, a 23-year-old Russian of Chechen origin, and Hasan Ahmed, a 46-year-old Norwegian of Pakistani origin, were convicted of belonging to IS and of &quot;terror conspiracy&quot;. 
 
The two men, who had been living in Southeastern Norway, travelled together to Syria in August 2014, a little more than a month after the IS declared a caliphate in an area straddling Iraq and Syria. 
 
While there, the two took part in IS training programmes, vowed allegiance to the group, and bore weapons in its name, the court found. Magomadov was handed a heavier sentence because he stayed in Syria longer. 
 
The court found it likely that he had taken part in combat, that he had maintained ties with IS after returning to Norway, and that he, like his co-accused, planned to return to Syria. 
 
Ahmed, whose son Ishaq was also sentenced to eight years in prison in Norway last year for joining IS, will appeal the conviction, while Magomadov had not yet decided, their lawyers told public broadcaster NRK. Their sentences were in line with those requested by the prosecution. 
 
(AFP)

The two took part in IS training programmes, vowed allegiance to the group and bore weapons in its name

An Oslo court on Wednesday jailed two jihadists of Pakistani and Chechen origin for six and seven and a half years, respectively, for joining the Islamic State in Syria. Adam Idrisovich Magomadov, a 23-year-old Russian of Chechen origin, and Hasan Ahmed, a 46-year-old Norwegian of Pakistani origin, were convicted of belonging to IS and of "terror conspiracy". The two men, who had been living in Southeastern Norway, travelled together to Syria in August 2014, a little more than a month after the IS declared a caliphate in an area straddling Iraq and Syria. While there, the two took part in IS training programmes, vowed allegiance to the group, and bore weapons in its name, the court found. Magomadov was handed a heavier sentence because he stayed in Syria longer. The court found it likely that he had taken part in combat, that he had maintained ties with IS after returning to Norway, and that he, like his co-accused, planned to return to Syria. Ahmed, whose son Ishaq was also sentenced to eight years in prison in Norway last year for joining IS, will appeal the conviction, while Magomadov had not yet decided, their lawyers told public broadcaster NRK. Their sentences were in line with those requested by the prosecution. (AFP)

Pakistani and Chechen-origin jihadists jailed in Norway

Spanish police arrested three brothers of Pakistani nationality suspected of spreading Islamic extremist propaganda via social media networks. 
 
Officers detained the men, aged between 25 and 31, in an early morning raid on their home in the northeastern city of Lleida, a police spokesman said. 
 
The brothers operated several social media accounts to upload videos praising group executions carried out by Islamic State, the Taliban and other Pakistan-based extremist groups, police said in a statement. 
 
Police said the brothers had attracted a large number of followers in their attempts to spread jihadist ideology. 
 
The raid comes three days after a gun attack by a suicide bomber at Istanbul&#39;s Ataturk airport killed 44 people and which Turkish officials said appeared to have been carried out by the Islamic State group. 
 
(AFP)

The brothers used social media profiles to upload videos in support of executions by Islamic State, Taliban and other extremist groups

Spanish police arrested three brothers of Pakistani nationality suspected of spreading Islamic extremist propaganda via social media networks. Officers detained the men, aged between 25 and 31, in an early morning raid on their home in the northeastern city of Lleida, a police spokesman said. The brothers operated several social media accounts to upload videos praising group executions carried out by Islamic State, the Taliban and other Pakistan-based extremist groups, police said in a statement. Police said the brothers had attracted a large number of followers in their attempts to spread jihadist ideology. The raid comes three days after a gun attack by a suicide bomber at Istanbul's Ataturk airport killed 44 people and which Turkish officials said appeared to have been carried out by the Islamic State group. (AFP)

Spain arrests 3 Pakistani brothers for propagating Islamic extremism

Motorcycle-borne gunmen shot dead an acclaimed Pakistani singer on Wednesday in the busy port city of Karachi, police said. This comes two days after masked men kidnapped the son of a top provincial judge. &nbsp; 
 
Karachi, a metropolis of about 20 million, is home to Pakistan&#39;s stock exchange and central bank and is plagued by political, ethnic and sectarian violence. &nbsp; 
 
Amjad Sabri, 45, was one of South Asia&#39;s most popular singers of the &#39;qawwali&#39;, Sufi devotional music that dates back more than 700 years.&nbsp; 
 
Officers said two gunmen shot at the windscreen of Sabri&#39;s car as it drove off a bridge in the congested Liaquatabad area of the southern city, and a relative travelling with him was also injured.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Two attackers riding a motorcycle intercepted his car and targetted Amjad Sabri who was driving,&quot; Sindh police chief Allah Dino Khawaja told Reuters.&nbsp; 
 
There was no immediate claim of responsibility.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Amjad Sabri died on the way to the hospital,&quot; police surgeon Rohina Hasan said. &quot;He was shot three times.&quot; Police gave no further details.&nbsp; 
 
Violence is common in Karachi despite a sharp decline in murders since the Pakistani military launched a crackdown two years ago against suspected militants and violent criminals.&nbsp; 
 
On Monday, a lawyer, the son of Sindh High Court Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, was abducted outside a city supermarket. The motive for the kidnapping was not immediately clear, authorities said.&nbsp; 
 
In May, gunmen shot dead prominent Pakistani rights activist Khurram Zaki, known for his outspoken stance against the Taliban and other radical Islamist groups, in the central part of the city.&nbsp; 
 
In April last year prominent activist Sabeen Mahmud was shot and killed while travelling in her car.&nbsp; 
 
(Reuters)&nbsp;

Sabri's murder comes close on the heels of the abduction of a provincial judge's son two days ago

Motorcycle-borne gunmen shot dead an acclaimed Pakistani singer on Wednesday in the busy port city of Karachi, police said. This comes two days after masked men kidnapped the son of a top provincial judge. Karachi, a metropolis of about 20 million, is home to Pakistan's stock exchange and central bank and is plagued by political, ethnic and sectarian violence. Amjad Sabri, 45, was one of South Asia's most popular singers of the 'qawwali', Sufi devotional music that dates back more than 700 years. Officers said two gunmen shot at the windscreen of Sabri's car as it drove off a bridge in the congested Liaquatabad area of the southern city, and a relative travelling with him was also injured. "Two attackers riding a motorcycle intercepted his car and targetted Amjad Sabri who was driving," Sindh police chief Allah Dino Khawaja told Reuters. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. "Amjad Sabri died on the way to the hospital," police surgeon Rohina Hasan said. "He was shot three times." Police gave no further details. Violence is common in Karachi despite a sharp decline in murders since the Pakistani military launched a crackdown two years ago against suspected militants and violent criminals. On Monday, a lawyer, the son of Sindh High Court Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, was abducted outside a city supermarket. The motive for the kidnapping was not immediately clear, authorities said. In May, gunmen shot dead prominent Pakistani rights activist Khurram Zaki, known for his outspoken stance against the Taliban and other radical Islamist groups, in the central part of the city. In April last year prominent activist Sabeen Mahmud was shot and killed while travelling in her car. (Reuters)

Karachi: Pakistani Sufi singer Amjad Sabri shot dead

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