DR Congo rebuked the African Union on Friday over its calls to suspend the announcement of final results from the presidential election, insisting that the Constitutional Court assessing the vote's legality was impartial.

The court is examining a dispute over the December 30 election to choose a successor to President Joseph Kabila, with runner up Martin Fayulu claiming he was cheated of victory by fraud.

"The court is independent, both of us and the African Union," government spokesman Lambert Mende said.

"I don't think it is the business of the government or even of the African Union to tell the court what it should do."

At a meeting on Thursday in Addis Ababa, AU heads of state and government agreed to send a high-level delegation to Kinshasa help solve the crisis.

AU commission chief Moussa Faki Mahamat and Rwanda's President Paul Kagame, currently the AU chairman, are expected to fly in on Monday.

The summit also said there were "serious doubts" about the provisional results of the vote and called for the final announcement to be suspended -- a matter which now lies in the hands of the Constitutional Court.

Mende, who is also minister of communication and the media, added bluntly: "I don't know if there are countries where people can interfere like that in a legal procedure.

"The court will do what is right for showing the truth. We should all trust it," he said.

Appeal

On January 10, DR Congo's electoral commission declared opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi the provisional winner of the December 30 vote with 38.57 per cent against Fayulu's 34.8 per cent.

But Fayulu declared the result to be an "electoral coup" forged by Tshisekedi and Kabila, and filed an appeal with the Constitutional Court a day later.&nbsp;

He claims he won with 61 per cent of the vote.

The Financial Times and other foreign media have reported seeing documents that confirm Fayulu as the winner.

The court's ruling, and the announcement of the final results have to be completed by next Tuesday when the new president is scheduled to be sworn in.&nbsp;

Fears of violence

The dispute has raised fears that the political crisis that began when Kabila refused to step down at the end of his constitutional term in office two years ago, could turn into a bloodbath.

The vast and chronically unstable country lived through two regional wars in 1996-97 and 1998-2003, and the previous two elections in 2006 and 2011, were marred by bloody clashes.

The AU has taken the firmest line of all major international bodies with regard to the post-election crisis.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC), a bloc that includes Angola and South Africa, initially called for a recount and a unity government.

But in a later communique, it made no mention of those demands, instead of calling on Congolese politicians to "address any electoral grievances in line with the Democratic Republic of Congo's Constitution and relevant electoral laws".

Kagame's visit as part of the AU delegation could complicate matters, analysts say.

Rwanda backed the 1997 ouster of dictator Mobutu Sese Seko by Kabila's father, Laurent-Desire Kabila, but then changed allies. Sporadic clashes occurred last year on the border between the two neighbours.

DR Congo rebuked the African Union on Friday over its calls to suspend the announcement of final results from the presidential election, insisting that the Constitutional Court assessing the vote's legality was impartial.

DR Congo rebuked the African Union on Friday over its calls to suspend the announcement of final results from the presidential election, insisting that the Constitutional Court assessing the vote's legality was impartial. The court is examining a dispute over the December 30 election to choose a successor to President Joseph Kabila, with runner up Martin Fayulu claiming he was cheated of victory by fraud. "The court is independent, both of us and the African Union," government spokesman Lambert Mende said. "I don't think it is the business of the government or even of the African Union to tell the court what it should do." At a meeting on Thursday in Addis Ababa, AU heads of state and government agreed to send a high-level delegation to Kinshasa help solve the crisis. AU commission chief Moussa Faki Mahamat and Rwanda's President Paul Kagame, currently the AU chairman, are expected to fly in on Monday. The summit also said there were "serious doubts" about the provisional results of the vote and called for the final announcement to be suspended -- a matter which now lies in the hands of the Constitutional Court. Mende, who is also minister of communication and the media, added bluntly: "I don't know if there are countries where people can interfere like that in a legal procedure. "The court will do what is right for showing the truth. We should all trust it," he said. Appeal On January 10, DR Congo's electoral commission declared opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi the provisional winner of the December 30 vote with 38.57 per cent against Fayulu's 34.8 per cent. But Fayulu declared the result to be an "electoral coup" forged by Tshisekedi and Kabila, and filed an appeal with the Constitutional Court a day later. He claims he won with 61 per cent of the vote. The Financial Times and other foreign media have reported seeing documents that confirm Fayulu as the winner. The court's ruling, and the announcement of the final results have to be completed by next Tuesday when the new president is scheduled to be sworn in. Fears of violence The dispute has raised fears that the political crisis that began when Kabila refused to step down at the end of his constitutional term in office two years ago, could turn into a bloodbath. The vast and chronically unstable country lived through two regional wars in 1996-97 and 1998-2003, and the previous two elections in 2006 and 2011, were marred by bloody clashes. The AU has taken the firmest line of all major international bodies with regard to the post-election crisis. The Southern African Development Community (SADC), a bloc that includes Angola and South Africa, initially called for a recount and a unity government. But in a later communique, it made no mention of those demands, instead of calling on Congolese politicians to "address any electoral grievances in line with the Democratic Republic of Congo's Constitution and relevant electoral laws". Kagame's visit as part of the AU delegation could complicate matters, analysts say. Rwanda backed the 1997 ouster of dictator Mobutu Sese Seko by Kabila's father, Laurent-Desire Kabila, but then changed allies. Sporadic clashes occurred last year on the border between the two neighbours.

DR Congo slaps down Africa Union call to suspend final vote result

The United Nations (UN) called for restraint in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/jatiya-oikya-front-lost-due-to-criminal-activities-sheikh-hasina-187627">Bangladesh after the elections</a> stirred violence and claimed 19 lives and injured around 200 people.

"The UN is aware of violent incidents and reports of irregularities in Bangladesh`s election...Violence and attacks on people and property are not acceptable" the Office of the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General said on Monday (local time).

"We regret the loss of life and injuries sustained by candidates and voters during the electoral campaign and<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/voting-held-in-peaceful-manner-says-sheikh-hasina-supporting-ec-rejecting-vote-rigging-complaints-187553"> on election day</a>," an official statement underscored.

The Spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, further said, "We welcome the participation of the opposition in elections for the first time in 10 years. We call on all sides to exercise restraint and ensure a peaceful post-electoral environment, where people can maintain their right to assembly and expression."

"We encourage the parties to address electoral complaints in a peaceful manner and through legal means," the statement concluded.

At least nine people have been arrested in relation to over 25 incidents of violence in the nation.

At least nine people have been arrested in relation to over 25 incidents of violence in the nation.

The United Nations (UN) called for restraint in Bangladesh after the elections stirred violence and claimed 19 lives and injured around 200 people. "The UN is aware of violent incidents and reports of irregularities in Bangladesh`s election...Violence and attacks on people and property are not acceptable" the Office of the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General said on Monday (local time). "We regret the loss of life and injuries sustained by candidates and voters during the electoral campaign and on election day," an official statement underscored. The Spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, further said, "We welcome the participation of the opposition in elections for the first time in 10 years. We call on all sides to exercise restraint and ensure a peaceful post-electoral environment, where people can maintain their right to assembly and expression." "We encourage the parties to address electoral complaints in a peaceful manner and through legal means," the statement concluded. At least nine people have been arrested in relation to over 25 incidents of violence in the nation.

Bangladesh: UN condemns deaths, calls for calm after violence-marred polls

Voting in a tense election to choose a new government in Bangladesh ended on Sunday with at least 17 people killed in poll-related violence amid allegations of manipulation by the ruling Awami League led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

According to the Election Commission, 1,848 candidates are contesting for 299 out of 300 Parliament seats. The polls are being held at 40,183 polling stations. Voting was suspended in one seat due to the death of a candidate.

While Hasina is seeking re-election for a fourth term as the prime minister, her chief rival, ex-premier and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief Khalida Zia, who is reportedly partially paralysed, faces an uncertain future in a Dhaka jail.

The voting started at 8 AM (local time) and ended at 4 PM.

"The eight-hour long voting has ended as per schedule...Preparedness is underway to start the counting," an Election Commission (EC) spokesman said.

The unofficial results were expected by Monday morning which would be announced by the commission headquarters in the capital, he said.

The EC officials said they have received over a hundred complaints from candidates throughout the country amid reports of violence.&nbsp;

At least 17 people, including a member of a security agency, have been killed in eight districts in poll-related violence, the Daily Star newspaper reported, with dozens injured. The build-up to the election has already been marred by violence.

Reports said most of the dead were ruling party activists while others were workers of opposition BNP or its allies.

Prime Minister Hasina appeared as the first voter in Dhaka centre from where her nephew and party candidate Fazle Nur Taposh was a contender.

"I'm always confident about our victory in the elections... I trust my people and I know that they will choose us so that they can get a better life in future," she said after casting her vote.

Schools and colleges across Bangladesh were turned into makeshift polling centres for the day while people had begun to line up to cast their vote even before the election opened.

At least 10 candidates - mostly BNP nominees - announced to stay off the polls alleging that their agents were ousted from polling centres by the ruling party workers.

BNP's Ruhul Kabir Rizvi alleged that polling centres are being occupied across the country, the party's agents are being driven out and that its supporters and activists are facing violence.

"From the picture we have received, this is a violent election. We are seeing a one-sided election environment conducted at the whims of the government. This paints a clear picture that they want to ensure a favourable result through a one-sided contest," Rizvi told a media briefing at the party office.

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told the media from his northwestern Thakurgaon constituency that some of their candidates stayed off the vote in their "personal decisions" but "we will announce our party stance at 4 PM when the voting will end".

No announcement, however, came despite the end of voting.

Veteran lawyer Kamal Hossain, who leads main opposition alliance National Unity Front (NUF) with BNP being its key partner, however, said "the overall environment is not bad" with a huge turnout of voters.

"But every minute I receive calls saying 'Kamal Bhai (brother), it has already happened overnight. It began in the evening. I have gotten so many reports.

These reports are concerning. It's sad and shameful," he said.

The Jatiya Oikya Front or NUF is a coalition of four parties - Gono Forum, BNP, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-JSD, Nagorik Oikya and Krishak Sramik Janata League - led by Hossain.

Over 600,000 security personnel including several thousand soldiers and paramilitary border guards were deployed across the country to help conduct the election in which 10.41 crore people were eligible to vote.

According to the eyewitnesses, posters bearing the ruling party's "boat" symbol outnumbered those of the main opposition's "sheaf of paddy". 
BNP earlier said intimidation and police harassment kept their activists away from the campaign and polling process.

"Barring some unwanted incidents, the polling so far was smooth and peaceful...We could tell you at the end of the day if the election was participatory," Chief Election Commissioner Nurul Huda told reporters.

Citing security reasons, authorities temporarily blocked mobile data services and slowed down the internet.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh's private Jamuna TV has been taken off the air.&nbsp;

Channel's chief news editor Fahim Ahmed said private cable operators stopped broadcasting their transmission without giving any reason and "so no one in Bangladesh now can see our channel due to the blackout." 
An online newspaper quoting cable operators, however, reported that they stopped Jamuna's broadcast due to technical glitches as "we are not getting their signal".

The channel is owned by an independent candidate in the polls with an influential businessman from the ruling party being her rival.

The 11th parliamentary poll is the first fully competitive general election in a decade since 2008 while it is widely expected to be won by the Awami League of Hasina, who is likely to be the country's first premier for a fourth term.

Zia, serving a 10-year prison term on graft charges, has been barred from contesting the polls while her son Tarique Rahman is living in London in self-exile.

Voting in a tense election to choose a new government in Bangladesh ended on Sunday with at least 17 people killed in poll-related violence amid allegations of manipulation by the ruling Awami League led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Voting in a tense election to choose a new government in Bangladesh ended on Sunday with at least 17 people killed in poll-related violence amid allegations of manipulation by the ruling Awami League led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. According to the Election Commission, 1,848 candidates are contesting for 299 out of 300 Parliament seats. The polls are being held at 40,183 polling stations. Voting was suspended in one seat due to the death of a candidate. While Hasina is seeking re-election for a fourth term as the prime minister, her chief rival, ex-premier and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief Khalida Zia, who is reportedly partially paralysed, faces an uncertain future in a Dhaka jail. The voting started at 8 AM (local time) and ended at 4 PM. "The eight-hour long voting has ended as per schedule...Preparedness is underway to start the counting," an Election Commission (EC) spokesman said. The unofficial results were expected by Monday morning which would be announced by the commission headquarters in the capital, he said. The EC officials said they have received over a hundred complaints from candidates throughout the country amid reports of violence. At least 17 people, including a member of a security agency, have been killed in eight districts in poll-related violence, the Daily Star newspaper reported, with dozens injured. The build-up to the election has already been marred by violence. Reports said most of the dead were ruling party activists while others were workers of opposition BNP or its allies. Prime Minister Hasina appeared as the first voter in Dhaka centre from where her nephew and party candidate Fazle Nur Taposh was a contender. "I'm always confident about our victory in the elections... I trust my people and I know that they will choose us so that they can get a better life in future," she said after casting her vote. Schools and colleges across Bangladesh were turned into makeshift polling centres for the day while people had begun to line up to cast their vote even before the election opened. At least 10 candidates - mostly BNP nominees - announced to stay off the polls alleging that their agents were ousted from polling centres by the ruling party workers. BNP's Ruhul Kabir Rizvi alleged that polling centres are being occupied across the country, the party's agents are being driven out and that its supporters and activists are facing violence. "From the picture we have received, this is a violent election. We are seeing a one-sided election environment conducted at the whims of the government. This paints a clear picture that they want to ensure a favourable result through a one-sided contest," Rizvi told a media briefing at the party office. BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told the media from his northwestern Thakurgaon constituency that some of their candidates stayed off the vote in their "personal decisions" but "we will announce our party stance at 4 PM when the voting will end". No announcement, however, came despite the end of voting. Veteran lawyer Kamal Hossain, who leads main opposition alliance National Unity Front (NUF) with BNP being its key partner, however, said "the overall environment is not bad" with a huge turnout of voters. "But every minute I receive calls saying 'Kamal Bhai (brother), it has already happened overnight. It began in the evening. I have gotten so many reports. These reports are concerning. It's sad and shameful," he said. The Jatiya Oikya Front or NUF is a coalition of four parties - Gono Forum, BNP, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-JSD, Nagorik Oikya and Krishak Sramik Janata League - led by Hossain. Over 600,000 security personnel including several thousand soldiers and paramilitary border guards were deployed across the country to help conduct the election in which 10.41 crore people were eligible to vote. According to the eyewitnesses, posters bearing the ruling party's "boat" symbol outnumbered those of the main opposition's "sheaf of paddy". BNP earlier said intimidation and police harassment kept their activists away from the campaign and polling process. "Barring some unwanted incidents, the polling so far was smooth and peaceful...We could tell you at the end of the day if the election was participatory," Chief Election Commissioner Nurul Huda told reporters. Citing security reasons, authorities temporarily blocked mobile data services and slowed down the internet. Meanwhile, Bangladesh's private Jamuna TV has been taken off the air. Channel's chief news editor Fahim Ahmed said private cable operators stopped broadcasting their transmission without giving any reason and "so no one in Bangladesh now can see our channel due to the blackout." An online newspaper quoting cable operators, however, reported that they stopped Jamuna's broadcast due to technical glitches as "we are not getting their signal". The channel is owned by an independent candidate in the polls with an influential businessman from the ruling party being her rival. The 11th parliamentary poll is the first fully competitive general election in a decade since 2008 while it is widely expected to be won by the Awami League of Hasina, who is likely to be the country's first premier for a fourth term. Zia, serving a 10-year prison term on graft charges, has been barred from contesting the polls while her son Tarique Rahman is living in London in self-exile.

Voting ends in Bangladesh election; 17 killed in poll-related violence 

The United States and the United Nations on Thursday raised concerns over the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-leaders-are-trying-to-meddle-upcoming-bangladesh-elections-rab-chief-186855">looming general election in Bangladesh</a> as the opposition said hundreds more activists had been arrested and attacked.

The South Asian nation's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina used the last full day of campaigning to call for a record fourth term from Sunday's vote.

The opposition, whose main leader Khaleda Zia is in jail, said the election would not be free and fair.

The US ambassador to Bangladesh Earl Miller said opposition parties have been the target of most of the deadly violence that has tarnished the campaign. He raised US worries in a meeting with election commission chief, KM Nurul Huda.

"I asked for this meeting because the United States is concerned by the high level of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-election-campaign-marred-by-violence-ends-with-opposition-fearing-unfair-voting-186839">campaign violence</a> over the last two weeks. All parties have been victims of violence, including minorities and female candidates," Miller said in a statement.

"However, it appears opposition party candidates have borne the brunt of most violence."

Miller said he had questioned the election commission on its security plans for voting day.

Everyone in Bangladesh must be able to vote "without harassment, intimidation, or violence", added the ambassador, whose country called off an election observer mission that it financed because visas were not given. Bangladesh has denied that it refused permission.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also appealed for calm.

Guterres "calls on all stakeholders to ensure an environment free of violence, intimidation and coercion before, during and after the elections, so as to enable a peaceful, credible and inclusive poll", said a spokesman for the UN chief.

Bangladeshis "must feel safe and confident in exercising their right to vote", he added.

Thousands of flag-waving supporters of Hasina's ruling Awami League marched in Dhaka and other cities bringing the traffic-choked streets of the capital to a standstill ahead of the official close of campaigning early Friday.

The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party said it had been prevented from holding its closing rally in Dhaka. Thousands of its supporters were allowed to march through the northern city of Sylhet, however.

The BNP said eight of its supporters had been killed in election clashes, while police said two from the Awami League had also been killed since the campaign opened on November 8.

The opposition party said hundreds more of its supporters were detained Thursday.

'Blind' opposition

The BNP and its Islamist ally Jamaat-e-Islami now say more than 12,800 of their followers have been arrested and thousands of activists, including candidates, injured in attacks by ruling party followers.

Hasina has shrugged off opposition complaints of authoritarianism and said she needs more time to implement ambitious economic plans.

Amid a flurry of late campaign appearances on Wednesday, Hasina said the "BNP-Jamaat alliance carried out bomb attacks in 88 constituencies".

"There is no doubt that the people will surely reject them," she said.

Hasina focused her final speeches on Bangladesh's impressive economic growth over the past decade.

She has promised to increase annual growth to 9.0 per cent from the current 7.8 per cent, expand electricity coverage and put the country on course to raise average income to more than $5,400 by 2030.

Hasina slammed the opposition for failing to recognise her achievements. "They are blind despite having eyes," she said.

The Awami League leader won a landslide victory in 2008 and the BNP boycotted the 2014 election -- saying it was not free and fair -- gifting her a return to power.

But since her last victory, civil society and rights groups have accused Hasina's government of silencing dissent and muzzling the press.

BNP leader Zia, longstanding arch-rival of the prime minister, was jailed for 17 years this year on graft charges.

"The election process has turned into a farce," BNP spokesman Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, adding that attacks on party activists were "sponsored by the state itself".

The United States and the United Nations on Thursday raised concerns over the looming general election in Bangladesh as the opposition said hundreds more activists had been arrested and attacked.

The United States and the United Nations on Thursday raised concerns over the looming general election in Bangladesh as the opposition said hundreds more activists had been arrested and attacked. The South Asian nation's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina used the last full day of campaigning to call for a record fourth term from Sunday's vote. The opposition, whose main leader Khaleda Zia is in jail, said the election would not be free and fair. The US ambassador to Bangladesh Earl Miller said opposition parties have been the target of most of the deadly violence that has tarnished the campaign. He raised US worries in a meeting with election commission chief, KM Nurul Huda. "I asked for this meeting because the United States is concerned by the high level of campaign violence over the last two weeks. All parties have been victims of violence, including minorities and female candidates," Miller said in a statement. "However, it appears opposition party candidates have borne the brunt of most violence." Miller said he had questioned the election commission on its security plans for voting day. Everyone in Bangladesh must be able to vote "without harassment, intimidation, or violence", added the ambassador, whose country called off an election observer mission that it financed because visas were not given. Bangladesh has denied that it refused permission. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also appealed for calm. Guterres "calls on all stakeholders to ensure an environment free of violence, intimidation and coercion before, during and after the elections, so as to enable a peaceful, credible and inclusive poll", said a spokesman for the UN chief. Bangladeshis "must feel safe and confident in exercising their right to vote", he added. Thousands of flag-waving supporters of Hasina's ruling Awami League marched in Dhaka and other cities bringing the traffic-choked streets of the capital to a standstill ahead of the official close of campaigning early Friday. The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party said it had been prevented from holding its closing rally in Dhaka. Thousands of its supporters were allowed to march through the northern city of Sylhet, however. The BNP said eight of its supporters had been killed in election clashes, while police said two from the Awami League had also been killed since the campaign opened on November 8. The opposition party said hundreds more of its supporters were detained Thursday. 'Blind' opposition The BNP and its Islamist ally Jamaat-e-Islami now say more than 12,800 of their followers have been arrested and thousands of activists, including candidates, injured in attacks by ruling party followers. Hasina has shrugged off opposition complaints of authoritarianism and said she needs more time to implement ambitious economic plans. Amid a flurry of late campaign appearances on Wednesday, Hasina said the "BNP-Jamaat alliance carried out bomb attacks in 88 constituencies". "There is no doubt that the people will surely reject them," she said. Hasina focused her final speeches on Bangladesh's impressive economic growth over the past decade. She has promised to increase annual growth to 9.0 per cent from the current 7.8 per cent, expand electricity coverage and put the country on course to raise average income to more than $5,400 by 2030. Hasina slammed the opposition for failing to recognise her achievements. "They are blind despite having eyes," she said. The Awami League leader won a landslide victory in 2008 and the BNP boycotted the 2014 election -- saying it was not free and fair -- gifting her a return to power. But since her last victory, civil society and rights groups have accused Hasina's government of silencing dissent and muzzling the press. BNP leader Zia, longstanding arch-rival of the prime minister, was jailed for 17 years this year on graft charges. "The election process has turned into a farce," BNP spokesman Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, adding that attacks on party activists were "sponsored by the state itself".

US, UN raise concerns over violence ahead of Bangladesh election

Thousands rallied in Belgrade on Saturday&nbsp;in protest against President Aleksandar Vucic's policies and demanding an end to political violence as well as fairer reporting from the country's public broadcaster.

It was the third large protest held in the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/serbia-encourages-childbirth-couples-show-unwillingness-182797">Serbian capital </a>since an assault on Borko Stefanovic, leader of the small Serbian Left party on November 23.

Opposition activists say Vucic is an autocrat and brand his Serbian Progressive Party as corrupt. They also claim that he has control over much of the Serbian media, which gives him an unfair advantage.

Vucic's approval ratings have slipped somewhat since he won a 2016 presidential vote by a landslide, but he remains the country's most popular political leader and his ruling coalition has a comfortable majority of 160 deputies in the 250-seat parliament.

Opposition protests have been relatively rare in Serbia since the popular unrest that ousted former strongman Slobodan Milosevic in 2000.

Vucic, a nationalist firebrand during the violent collapse of the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s, later embraced European values and set Serbia's membership in the European Union as the country's strategic goal. He also maintains close ties with Russia and China.

Thousands rallied in Belgrade on Saturday in protest against President Aleksandar Vucic's policies and demanding an end to political violence as well as fairer reporting from the country's public broadcaster.

Thousands rallied in Belgrade on Saturday in protest against President Aleksandar Vucic's policies and demanding an end to political violence as well as fairer reporting from the country's public broadcaster. It was the third large protest held in the Serbian capital since an assault on Borko Stefanovic, leader of the small Serbian Left party on November 23. Opposition activists say Vucic is an autocrat and brand his Serbian Progressive Party as corrupt. They also claim that he has control over much of the Serbian media, which gives him an unfair advantage. Vucic's approval ratings have slipped somewhat since he won a 2016 presidential vote by a landslide, but he remains the country's most popular political leader and his ruling coalition has a comfortable majority of 160 deputies in the 250-seat parliament. Opposition protests have been relatively rare in Serbia since the popular unrest that ousted former strongman Slobodan Milosevic in 2000. Vucic, a nationalist firebrand during the violent collapse of the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s, later embraced European values and set Serbia's membership in the European Union as the country's strategic goal. He also maintains close ties with Russia and China.

Thousands of Serbians march demanding fairer media, end to political violence

Riot police were deployed in Buenos Aires in the early hours of Monday (December 10) morning after disturbances were reported during celebrations for River Plate's win over Boca Juniors in the Copa Libertadores final second leg.

Reuters video showed revellers throwing objects in the direction of police. Officers responded with tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Soccer fans celebrated River Plate's 3-1 win against Boca Juniors in Madrid after violence had seen the original game postponed.

Soccer violence is commonplace in Argentina. The Copa Libertadores final game was controversially moved 10,000 kilometres away from River's Monumental stadium to Madrid as Boca's team bus had been ambushed before the originally scheduled game, leaving several Boca players injured from the impact of the smashed windows and from tear gas that had been fired by police.

Riot police were deployed in Buenos Aires in the early hours of Monday (December 10) morning after disturbances were reported during celebrations for River Plate's win over Boca Juniors in the Copa Libertadores final second leg.

Riot police were deployed in Buenos Aires in the early hours of Monday (December 10) morning after disturbances were reported during celebrations for River Plate's win over Boca Juniors in the Copa Libertadores final second leg. Reuters video showed revellers throwing objects in the direction of police. Officers responded with tear gas to disperse the crowd. Soccer fans celebrated River Plate's 3-1 win against Boca Juniors in Madrid after violence had seen the original game postponed. Soccer violence is commonplace in Argentina. The Copa Libertadores final game was controversially moved 10,000 kilometres away from River's Monumental stadium to Madrid as Boca's team bus had been ambushed before the originally scheduled game, leaving several Boca players injured from the impact of the smashed windows and from tear gas that had been fired by police.

Argentina's Libertadores' celebrations descends into violence

Pakistan's parliament on Monday unanimously passed a resolution condemning the alleged violence against people in Kashmir by the Indian security forces.

The resolution was presented in the National Assembly, the lower house of the parliament, by Pakistan's Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Ali Amin Gandapur.

The house said in the resolution that Kashmir issue should be resolved in light of United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Pakistan's parliament on Monday unanimously passed a resolution condemning the alleged violence against people in Kashmir by the Indian security forces. The resolution was presented in the National Assembly, the lower house of the parliament, by Pakistan's Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Ali Amin Gandapur.

Pakistan's parliament on Monday unanimously passed a resolution condemning the alleged violence against people in Kashmir by the Indian security forces. The resolution was presented in the National Assembly, the lower house of the parliament, by Pakistan's Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Ali Amin Gandapur. The house said in the resolution that Kashmir issue should be resolved in light of United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Pakistan parliament passes resolution condemning 'violence' against Kashmiris

The films "Sueño en Otro Idioma" (I Dream in Another Language) and "La region Salvaje" (The Savage Region) were the big winners at the 60th edition of Mexico's Ariel awards in this capital. 
 
Tuesday night's red carpet outside Mexico City's Palace of Fine Arts was lined with ribbons that read "It's not just three, it's all of us," alluding to the three film students kidnapped and allegedly murdered in Tonala, a city in western Jalisco state last March. 
 
The stage was later taken over by speakers demanding that authorities halt the wave of violence scourging the country and giving reminders of the thousands of forced disappearances and murders happening each year throughout Mexico. 
 
Ernesto Contreras' "I Dream in Another Language" was nominated for 16 awards and took home six statuettes, including Best Picture, Best Sound, Best Original Score, Best Original Screenplay, Best Photography and Best Actor, which went to Eligio Melendez. 
 
Amat Escalante's "The Savage Region" was awarded Best Special Effects, Best Visual Effects, Best Editing, Best Direction and Best Actress in a Minor Role, going to Bernarda Trueba. 
 
Karina Gidi took home the Ariel for Best Actress for her role in the film "Los adioses" (The Goodbyes) and Andres Almeida was awarded Best Actor in a Minor Role for "Tiempo compartido" (Timeshare). 
 
As many as 114 contenders participated in the latest edition of the Ariel awards, including 58 feature films and 73 shorts, as well as 13 Ibero-American films. 
&nbsp;

The stage was taken over by speakers demanding that authorities halt the wave of violence

The films "Sueño en Otro Idioma" (I Dream in Another Language) and "La region Salvaje" (The Savage Region) were the big winners at the 60th edition of Mexico's Ariel awards in this capital. Tuesday night's red carpet outside Mexico City's Palace of Fine Arts was lined with ribbons that read "It's not just three, it's all of us," alluding to the three film students kidnapped and allegedly murdered in Tonala, a city in western Jalisco state last March. The stage was later taken over by speakers demanding that authorities halt the wave of violence scourging the country and giving reminders of the thousands of forced disappearances and murders happening each year throughout Mexico. Ernesto Contreras' "I Dream in Another Language" was nominated for 16 awards and took home six statuettes, including Best Picture, Best Sound, Best Original Score, Best Original Screenplay, Best Photography and Best Actor, which went to Eligio Melendez. Amat Escalante's "The Savage Region" was awarded Best Special Effects, Best Visual Effects, Best Editing, Best Direction and Best Actress in a Minor Role, going to Bernarda Trueba. Karina Gidi took home the Ariel for Best Actress for her role in the film "Los adioses" (The Goodbyes) and Andres Almeida was awarded Best Actor in a Minor Role for "Tiempo compartido" (Timeshare). As many as 114 contenders participated in the latest edition of the Ariel awards, including 58 feature films and 73 shorts, as well as 13 Ibero-American films.

Violence in focus at the Mexican Film Awards

The wife of Superintendent Police (city) Mukul Dwivedi, who was killed during clashes in Mathura on June 2, 2016, is upset at the treatment given by the Yogi Adityanath government to the slain officer.

"Neither we got justice nor respect from the Yogi government," said Archana Dwivedi. She said BJP leaders had promised support when their government was not in power, but so far "nothing has come from them".

"Even Jawahar Bagh has not been named after my husband who sacrificed his life," Archana Dwivedi said.

At least 29 people, including Mukul Dwivedi and Farah police station officer Santosh Yadav, were killed in the clashes during a drive to evict illegal occupants of Jawahar Bagh in Mathura by activists, believed to be of Azad Bharat Vidhik Vaicharik on June 2, 2016.

The CBI is investigating the case following orders of the Allahabad High Court.

Uttar Pradesh Minister for Power Srikant Sharma admitted that the CBI investigation in the case was moving slowly but said that Jawahar Bagh would be renamed soon.

Archana Dwivedi said none of the promises made by the Yogi Adityanath have been kept.

The wife of Superintendent Police (city) Mukul Dwivedi, who was killed during clashes in Mathura on June 2, 2016, is upset at the treatment given by the Yogi Adityanath government to the slain officer. "Neither we got justice nor respect from the Yogi government," said Archana Dwivedi. She said BJP leaders had promised support when their government was not in power, but so far "nothing has come from them". "Even Jawahar Bagh has not been named after my husband who sacrificed his life," Archana Dwivedi said. At least 29 people, including Mukul Dwivedi and Farah police station officer Santosh Yadav, were killed in the clashes during a drive to evict illegal occupants of Jawahar Bagh in Mathura by activists, believed to be of Azad Bharat Vidhik Vaicharik on June 2, 2016. The CBI is investigating the case following orders of the Allahabad High Court. Uttar Pradesh Minister for Power Srikant Sharma admitted that the CBI investigation in the case was moving slowly but said that Jawahar Bagh would be renamed soon.

Mathura violence: Slain police officer's wife disappointed with Yogi Adityanath's government

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that the United Nations had "collapsed" in the face of events in Gaza where Israeli forces killed 60 Palestinian protesters on Monday as the United States relocated its Israel embassy to Jerusalem.

Turkey has been among the most vocal critics of the Israeli use of deadly force against protesters at the Gaza border and of the US&nbspdecision to open its new embassy in Jerusalem. It called for an emergency meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul on Friday.

Speaking at a dinner on the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Erdogan said the majority of the international community had failed to react to the events in Gaza.

The events in Gaza have also sparked a diplomatic row between Turkey and Israel, with both countries expelling each other's senior diplomats on Tuesday.

The dispute appears to mark the worst diplomatic crisis between the two regional powers since Israeli marines stormed an aid ship to enforce a naval blockade of Gaza in 2010, killing 10 Turkish activists and prompting a downgrade in diplomatic ties that lasted until 2016.

Erdogan, who described Monday's bloodshed as genocide earlier this week, said Turkey had launched initiatives to get the issue onto the UN&nbspGeneral Assembly's agenda. He said Ankara was pressing members of the UN&nbspSecurity Council to be more active.

The events in Gaza have also sparked a diplomatic row between Turkey and Israel

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that the United Nations had "collapsed" in the face of events in Gaza where Israeli forces killed 60 Palestinian protesters on Monday as the United States relocated its Israel embassy to Jerusalem. Turkey has been among the most vocal critics of the Israeli use of deadly force against protesters at the Gaza border and of the US&nbspdecision to open its new embassy in Jerusalem. It called for an emergency meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul on Friday. Speaking at a dinner on the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Erdogan said the majority of the international community had failed to react to the events in Gaza. The events in Gaza have also sparked a diplomatic row between Turkey and Israel, with both countries expelling each other's senior diplomats on Tuesday. The dispute appears to mark the worst diplomatic crisis between the two regional powers since Israeli marines stormed an aid ship to enforce a naval blockade of Gaza in 2010, killing 10 Turkish activists and prompting a downgrade in diplomatic ties that lasted until 2016. Erdogan, who described Monday's bloodshed as genocide earlier this week, said Turkey had launched initiatives to get the issue onto the UN&nbspGeneral Assembly's agenda. He said Ankara was pressing members of the UN&nbspSecurity Council to be more active.

Turkey's Erdogan says UN has 'collapsed' in the face of Gaza violence

Massive violence has been reported from West Bengal, where panchayat elections are being held today.&nbsp;

ANI reported that a TMC worker named Arif Gazi was shot dead in the Kultali area of South 24 Parganas district.

ANI added that a BJP candidate from Bilkanda was injured in a&nbsp;knife attack, allegedly by TMC workers. ANI identified the BJP candidate as Raju Biswas and said he is undergoing treatment at Panihati State General Hospital.

At least 20 people were injured in a crude bomb explosion in Amdanga's Sadhanpur in North 24 Parganas.

And five local journalists were injured in violence following booth capturing in Birpara, allegedly by TMC workers.

In another incident, a CPM worker and his wife were charred to death in North 24 Parganas after their house was allegedly burnt down on Sunday night.&nbsp;

The Election Commission meanwhile reported a 56% voter turnout till 3 pm.

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Overall 56% polling recorded till 3 pm in West Bengal <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PanchayatElection?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PanchayatElection</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/995975141887651840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The elections are being held after a series of court cases and reports of foul play by workers of the ruling Trinamool Congress.&nbsp;

Earlier, a record 34 per cent seats has been won unopposed by the Trinamool Congress, but the Supreme Court stayed the notification of the results.

The court said elections have to be held "in absolute fairness".&nbsp;

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Not surprised by all the incidents that are happening since morning. Bengal govt is a shameless govt, you cannot expect them to follow any kind of constitutional behaviour. I demand President's Rule in WB: Babul Supriyo, Union Min on violence in various during <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PanchayatElection?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PanchayatElection</a> <a href="https://t.co/ElEr4OSbaf">pic.twitter.com/ElEr4OSbaf</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/995927330366226433?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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There are minor incidents taking place, no major incidents have been reported. Administration is active in places where such clashes have taken place. Voting is being conducted peaceful. I strongly condemn the attack on journalists: Partha Chatterjee, TMC <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PanchayatElection?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PanchayatElection</a> <a href="https://t.co/SXwjExlQRH">pic.twitter.com/SXwjExlQRH</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/995930017505820672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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As many as 20 people were injured in fresh clashes which broke out between two groups here in Cooch Behar on Monday morning, amid the ongoing panchayat polls in the state.

As per a local, a number of individuals had gone to cast their vote at a polling station here, when they were attacked with sticks by a group of All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers. Subsequently, the injured were admitted to MJN Hospital for treatment.

"A group of us had gone to cast our vote at a polling booth. We were attacked by a group of TMC workers with lathis (sticks)," an injured local told ANI.

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporter Sujit Kumar Das was slapped by West Bengal Minister Rabindra Nath Ghosh at Cooch Behar`s booth no. 8/12 in the presence of police.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: On being identified, BJP supporter Sujit Kumar Das, was slapped by <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestBengal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WestBengal</a> Minister Rabindra Nath Ghosh (in purple kurta) at Cooch Behar's booth no. 8/12 in presence of Police. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PanchayatElection?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PanchayatElection</a> <a href="https://t.co/9S2gyAoNQt">pic.twitter.com/9S2gyAoNQt</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/995884416554577920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Incidents of violence were also reported from Bhangar, where a media vehicle was torched and a camera broken, after which media was prohibited from entering the area.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: Alleged TMC workers barring voters from entering Booth No. 14/79 in Birpara. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestBengal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WestBengal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PanchayatElections?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PanchayatElections</a> <a href="https://t.co/S3OR83QfHp">pic.twitter.com/S3OR83QfHp</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/995874967714590720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Furthermore, Bhangar locals blocked the roads, alleging that TMC workers were capturing the polling booth.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: Road blocked by locals in Bhangar. They allege TMC workers of capturing the booth. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestBengal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WestBengal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PanchayatElections?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PanchayatElections</a>. <a href="https://t.co/4KyJ8WWXgR">pic.twitter.com/4KyJ8WWXgR</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/995884423651381248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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On the other hand, a TMC worker, Anarul Mita, suffered bullet injuries in an attack in Cooch Behar`s Dinhata on late Sunday night, after which he was admitted to the hospital in a critical condition.

The Trinamool Congress was quick to respond to the allegations of violence by its workers. It blamed a section of the media for biased reporting:&nbsp;

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Why is <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ANI</a> spreading rumours and amplifying a few, sporadic, local incidents? We learn that local ANI reporters and stringers getting direct instructions from their bosses in Delhi to shame <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bengal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bengal</a>. Agenda driven news-gathering: Derek O'Brien <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PanchayatElection?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PanchayatElection</a>
— AITC (@AITCofficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/AITCofficial/status/995932119229644802?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The victim has alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers are behind the attack. On a related note, the voting, which began at 7 a.m. on Monday morning, will continue till 5 p.m. in 621 zilla parishads, 6157 panchayat samitis, and 31,827 gram panchayats. The counting will take place on May 17.

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In a joint operation, troops of CRPF's 193 Battalion & <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jharkhand?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jharkhand</a> Police recovered 482 gelatin sticks, 889 detonators, wires etc in Eats Singhbhum's Digri. <a href="https://t.co/zYCf4JprIz">pic.twitter.com/zYCf4JprIz</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/995882377699250176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

(With inputs from ANI)

News reports said at least four people had been killed and scores, including journalists, injured in violence

Massive violence has been reported from West Bengal, where panchayat elections are being held today. ANI reported that a TMC worker named Arif Gazi was shot dead in the Kultali area of South 24 Parganas district. ANI added that a BJP candidate from Bilkanda was injured in a knife attack, allegedly by TMC workers. ANI identified the BJP candidate as Raju Biswas and said he is undergoing treatment at Panihati State General Hospital. At least 20 people were injured in a crude bomb explosion in Amdanga's Sadhanpur in North 24 Parganas. And five local journalists were injured in violence following booth capturing in Birpara, allegedly by TMC workers. In another incident, a CPM worker and his wife were charred to death in North 24 Parganas after their house was allegedly burnt down on Sunday night. The Election Commission meanwhile reported a 56% voter turnout till 3 pm. Overall 56% polling recorded till 3 pm in West Bengal #PanchayatElection — ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2018 × The elections are being held after a series of court cases and reports of foul play by workers of the ruling Trinamool Congress. Earlier, a record 34 per cent seats has been won unopposed by the Trinamool Congress, but the Supreme Court stayed the notification of the results. The court said elections have to be held "in absolute fairness". Not surprised by all the incidents that are happening since morning. Bengal govt is a shameless govt, you cannot expect them to follow any kind of constitutional behaviour. I demand President's Rule in WB: Babul Supriyo, Union Min on violence in various during #PanchayatElection pic.twitter.com/ElEr4OSbaf — ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2018 × There are minor incidents taking place, no major incidents have been reported. Administration is active in places where such clashes have taken place. Voting is being conducted peaceful. I strongly condemn the attack on journalists: Partha Chatterjee, TMC #PanchayatElection pic.twitter.com/SXwjExlQRH — ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2018 × As many as 20 people were injured in fresh clashes which broke out between two groups here in Cooch Behar on Monday morning, amid the ongoing panchayat polls in the state. As per a local, a number of individuals had gone to cast their vote at a polling station here, when they were attacked with sticks by a group of All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers. Subsequently, the injured were admitted to MJN Hospital for treatment. "A group of us had gone to cast our vote at a polling booth. We were attacked by a group of TMC workers with lathis (sticks)," an injured local told ANI. Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporter Sujit Kumar Das was slapped by West Bengal Minister Rabindra Nath Ghosh at Cooch Behar`s booth no. 8/12 in the presence of police. #WATCH: On being identified, BJP supporter Sujit Kumar Das, was slapped by #WestBengal Minister Rabindra Nath Ghosh (in purple kurta) at Cooch Behar's booth no. 8/12 in presence of Police. #PanchayatElection pic.twitter.com/9S2gyAoNQt — ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2018 × Incidents of violence were also reported from Bhangar, where a media vehicle was torched and a camera broken, after which media was prohibited from entering the area. #WATCH: Alleged TMC workers barring voters from entering Booth No. 14/79 in Birpara. #WestBengal #PanchayatElections pic.twitter.com/S3OR83QfHp — ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2018 × Furthermore, Bhangar locals blocked the roads, alleging that TMC workers were capturing the polling booth. #WATCH: Road blocked by locals in Bhangar. They allege TMC workers of capturing the booth. #WestBengal #PanchayatElections. pic.twitter.com/4KyJ8WWXgR — ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2018 × On the other hand, a TMC worker, Anarul Mita, suffered bullet injuries in an attack in Cooch Behar`s Dinhata on late Sunday night, after which he was admitted to the hospital in a critical condition. The Trinamool Congress was quick to respond to the allegations of violence by its workers. It blamed a section of the media for biased reporting: Why is @ANI spreading rumours and amplifying a few, sporadic, local incidents? We learn that local ANI reporters and stringers getting direct instructions from their bosses in Delhi to shame #Bengal. Agenda driven news-gathering: Derek O'Brien #PanchayatElection — AITC (@AITCofficial) May 14, 2018 × The victim has alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers are behind the attack. On a related note, the voting, which began at 7 a.m. on Monday morning, will continue till 5 p.m. in 621 zilla parishads, 6157 panchayat samitis, and 31,827 gram panchayats. The counting will take place on May 17. In a joint operation, troops of CRPF's 193 Battalion & #Jharkhand Police recovered 482 gelatin sticks, 889 detonators, wires etc in Eats Singhbhum's Digri. pic.twitter.com/zYCf4JprIz — ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2018 × (With inputs from ANI)

West Bengal panchayat polls: 56% polling recorded amid massive violence

According to reports, a group of Kashmiris was allegedly thrashed in Delhi's Sunlight Colony last night. The group included five people, including four women, who were beaten up by a mob of nearly 30 people.&nbsp;

The victims maintain that they were targeted because they were Kashmiri.&nbsp;

"My sisters were abused and beaten up. I have a broken left hand and one of my guests who had come to visit us was also attacked. It was a planned attack and the accused were carrying hockey sticks," said one of the victims.

Those targeted reported that the mob kept shouting, 'Kashmiri terrorists should be sent back' while attacking them.

According to a PTI report, the victims had shared that they were attacked twice previously and had been living in fear in the colony.

Another version of the episode, according to reports, suggests that a woman was confronted for regularly feeding stray dogs.&nbsp;

Colony members maintain that the woman started beating herself and they had to stop her while others were carrying sticks to brave the stray dogs.

A police probe has already been initiated and investigations are underway.

(With inputs from PTI)

The Kashmiris said the mob kept shouting 'Kashmiri terrorists should be sent back' as they attacked them

According to reports, a group of Kashmiris was allegedly thrashed in Delhi's Sunlight Colony last night. The group included five people, including four women, who were beaten up by a mob of nearly 30 people. The victims maintain that they were targeted because they were Kashmiri. "My sisters were abused and beaten up. I have a broken left hand and one of my guests who had come to visit us was also attacked. It was a planned attack and the accused were carrying hockey sticks," said one of the victims. Those targeted reported that the mob kept shouting, 'Kashmiri terrorists should be sent back' while attacking them. According to a PTI report, the victims had shared that they were attacked twice previously and had been living in fear in the colony. Another version of the episode, according to reports, suggests that a woman was confronted for regularly feeding stray dogs. Colony members maintain that the woman started beating herself and they had to stop her while others were carrying sticks to brave the stray dogs. A police probe has already been initiated and investigations are underway. (With inputs from PTI)

'Terrorists should be sent back': Kashmiris, including 4 women, allegedly beaten in Delhi

A deadline for Afghans to register to vote in the October 20 legislative elections has been extended, officials said Friday, as figures show hundreds of civilians have already been killed or wounded in poll-related violence.

Enrolment for the long-delayed parliamentary and district council elections began on April 14 and was originally scheduled to finish in mid-June.

By Thursday, just over 1.5 million adults had signed up to vote, a spokesman for the Independent Election Commission (IEC) told AFP -- a fraction of the 14 million it had hoped to register during the two-month process.

"The election commission of Afghanistan has extended the voting registration process for one month," the IEC said in a statement, without explaining the reason for the decision.

There are fears that a low turnout could erode the credibility of the elections, which are seen as a test run for next year's presidential poll.

The vote was supposed to be held in 2015 but has been repeatedly pushed back due to security fears and logistical issues within the fragile unity government.

The decision came as UN figures released Thursday showed 86 civilians had been killed and 185 wounded in 23 election-related security incidents since registration began.

Most of the casualties happened on April 22 when a suicide bomber blew himself up outside a voter registration centre in Kabul, killing 60 and wounding 138, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said.

The majority of the casualties were women and children, the report said. It added that 26 civilians also had been abducted.

"I am outraged by these attacks deliberately targeting civilians seeking to exercise their constitutional right to vote," Tadamichi Yamamoto, the UN secretary general's special representative for Afghanistan, said.

Yamamoto urged the Taliban to take up Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's February offer of peace talks "to put an end to the suffering of the Afghan people".

The Taliban and Islamic State groups have made clear their intentions to disrupt the elections.

Meanwhile, the IEC said it would allow voters to use a copy of their national identification certificate, or tazkira, to register.

There had been concerns that a sticker placed on people's tazkira when they signed up could put those in restive districts at risk of being targeted by militants.

Stickers will now be placed on the copy, but voters will be required to bring their original tazkira when they cast their ballot, the IEC said.

The Taliban and Islamic State groups have made clear their intentions to disrupt the elections

A deadline for Afghans to register to vote in the October 20 legislative elections has been extended, officials said Friday, as figures show hundreds of civilians have already been killed or wounded in poll-related violence. Enrolment for the long-delayed parliamentary and district council elections began on April 14 and was originally scheduled to finish in mid-June. By Thursday, just over 1.5 million adults had signed up to vote, a spokesman for the Independent Election Commission (IEC) told AFP -- a fraction of the 14 million it had hoped to register during the two-month process. "The election commission of Afghanistan has extended the voting registration process for one month," the IEC said in a statement, without explaining the reason for the decision. There are fears that a low turnout could erode the credibility of the elections, which are seen as a test run for next year's presidential poll. The vote was supposed to be held in 2015 but has been repeatedly pushed back due to security fears and logistical issues within the fragile unity government. The decision came as UN figures released Thursday showed 86 civilians had been killed and 185 wounded in 23 election-related security incidents since registration began. Most of the casualties happened on April 22 when a suicide bomber blew himself up outside a voter registration centre in Kabul, killing 60 and wounding 138, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said. The majority of the casualties were women and children, the report said. It added that 26 civilians also had been abducted. "I am outraged by these attacks deliberately targeting civilians seeking to exercise their constitutional right to vote," Tadamichi Yamamoto, the UN secretary general's special representative for Afghanistan, said. Yamamoto urged the Taliban to take up Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's February offer of peace talks "to put an end to the suffering of the Afghan people". The Taliban and Islamic State groups have made clear their intentions to disrupt the elections. Meanwhile, the IEC said it would allow voters to use a copy of their national identification certificate, or tazkira, to register. There had been concerns that a sticker placed on people's tazkira when they signed up could put those in restive districts at risk of being targeted by militants. Stickers will now be placed on the copy, but voters will be required to bring their original tazkira when they cast their ballot, the IEC said.

Afghanistan extends deadline for voter registration amid violence

District and Sessions court on Monday acquitted six persons charged with rioting and snatching at Hafed Chowk — the epicentre of violence on August 25 last year after the arrest of Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

Charges were pressed against the accused of rioting, snatching and instigating violence at Hafed Chowk where protests turned violent in August last year after the arrest of Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

According to reports, the prosecution failed to prove the charges against the accused.&nbsp;

On August 30, a case was filed under Sections 148 (rioting), 149 and 379-A (snatching) of the IPC.

The main accused, spokesperson of Dera Sacha Sauda Aditya Insan, is still reported to be at large.&nbsp;

The Dera chief was jailed in August last year after he was convicted of raping two of his women disciples.&nbsp;

After his conviction Guru Ram Rahim's followers went on a rampage in Panchkula and Sirsa, leaving 38 people dead and over 260 injured.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court had ordered the Haryana government to make arrangements at the district jail in Sunaria for the judge to pronounce the quantum of sentence.

The high court had directed that necessary arrangements be made for the security and safe transport by air of the judicial officer and two of his staff members.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

According to reports, the prosecution failed to prove the charges against the accused.

District and Sessions court on Monday acquitted six persons charged with rioting and snatching at Hafed Chowk — the epicentre of violence on August 25 last year after the arrest of Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. Charges were pressed against the accused of rioting, snatching and instigating violence at Hafed Chowk where protests turned violent in August last year after the arrest of Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. According to reports, the prosecution failed to prove the charges against the accused. On August 30, a case was filed under Sections 148 (rioting), 149 and 379-A (snatching) of the IPC. The main accused, spokesperson of Dera Sacha Sauda Aditya Insan, is still reported to be at large. The Dera chief was jailed in August last year after he was convicted of raping two of his women disciples. After his conviction Guru Ram Rahim's followers went on a rampage in Panchkula and Sirsa, leaving 38 people dead and over 260 injured. The Punjab and Haryana High Court had ordered the Haryana government to make arrangements at the district jail in Sunaria for the judge to pronounce the quantum of sentence. The high court had directed that necessary arrangements be made for the security and safe transport by air of the judicial officer and two of his staff members. (With inputs from agencies)

Dera Sacha Sauda violence case: Court acquits all six charged with rioting, snatching

Pope Francis on Sunday expressed his sadness over the ongoing protests in Nicaragua and called for an end to the violence.

At least six people have been reported dead in protests fueled against unpopular changes in social security.

While speaking to people at St. Peter's Square during his Sunday address, the Pope wished for "an end to every form of violence and to avoid the useless shedding of blood."

He also expressed that differences must be "resolved peacefully and with a sense of responsibility".

On Saturday, after four days of protests, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, facing the biggest crisis of his leadership, said he was ready to consider changing an unpopular social security overhaul. The measures increase worker contributions and lower pensions.

Meanwhile, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega said on Saturday he was ready to consider changing an unpopular social security overhaul that has sparked days of deadly protests and one of the biggest crises of his leadership.

At least six people have died since Nicaraguans began demonstrating on Wednesday against measures that increase worker contributions and lower pensions, in an unusually direct challenge to Ortega, a former Marxist guerrilla.

Late on Saturday, local media said a reporter was shot and killed during a live broadcast from Bluefields, a town on Nicaragua's Caribbean coast that has been hit by the violence.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Pope also expressed that differences must be 'resolved peacefully and with a sense of responsibility'

Pope Francis on Sunday expressed his sadness over the ongoing protests in Nicaragua and called for an end to the violence. At least six people have been reported dead in protests fueled against unpopular changes in social security. While speaking to people at St. Peter's Square during his Sunday address, the Pope wished for "an end to every form of violence and to avoid the useless shedding of blood." He also expressed that differences must be "resolved peacefully and with a sense of responsibility". On Saturday, after four days of protests, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, facing the biggest crisis of his leadership, said he was ready to consider changing an unpopular social security overhaul. The measures increase worker contributions and lower pensions. Meanwhile, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega said on Saturday he was ready to consider changing an unpopular social security overhaul that has sparked days of deadly protests and one of the biggest crises of his leadership. At least six people have died since Nicaraguans began demonstrating on Wednesday against measures that increase worker contributions and lower pensions, in an unusually direct challenge to Ortega, a former Marxist guerrilla. Late on Saturday, local media said a reporter was shot and killed during a live broadcast from Bluefields, a town on Nicaragua's Caribbean coast that has been hit by the violence. (With inputs from Reuters)

Nicaragua protests: Pope calls for end to deadly violence

When a Rohingya refugee boat capsized on the Bangladesh coastline, photographer Damir Sagolj rushed to the scene and saw locals collecting the drowned and arranging their bodies next to the road.&nbsp;

In the torrential night-time rain, the sheets that covered them clung to the bodies.&nbsp;

"You couldn't see how many were under the sheets, but what I could see was that most were children," Sagolj said.&nbsp;

The photo he captured was one of a series awarded the Pulitzer Prize for feature photography on Monday, described by the judging committee as "shocking photographs that exposed the world to the violence Rohingya refugees faced in fleeing Myanmar."&nbsp;

The latest crackdown by authorities and Buddhist civilians against the Rohingya population in Myanmar’s Rakhine state created a mass exodus of over 600,000 Rohingya children, women and men who fled their homes at the end of 2017.&nbsp;

The refugees have reported killings, rape and arson on a large scale, and senior United Nations officials have described the violence against the Muslim Rohingya population as a "textbook example of ethnic cleansing."&nbsp;

Myanmar has denied ethnic cleansing or systematic human rights abuses, saying it waged a legitimate counter-insurgency operation. The army has said its crackdown was provoked by the attacks of Rohingya militants on more than two dozen police posts and an army base last August.

Reuters has covered the plight of the Rohingya since 2012, but in 2017 it became clear that the scale of this exodus was far larger than previous migrations.&nbsp;

For the next several months, a team of photographers, including Sagolj, Cathal McNaughton, Danish Siddiqui, Soe Zeya Tun, Adnan Abidi, Mohammad Ponir Hossain, and Hannah McKay, working under the direction of Asia Pictures Editor Ahmad Masood, documented the journeys of refugees by sea on rickety fishing boats and over land through barbed wire and along other routes.&nbsp;

They also visited refugee camps to tell the stories of the new lives the Rohingya built and the scars they brought with them.

While the size of camps expanded, one thing that never changed was the stories the refugees brought with them.&nbsp;

"The same horror stories of killings and rape and massacres that we were hearing when the first refugees started crossing in August and September, the exact same – if not worse – stories were being told three months after that," Sagolj said.&nbsp;

Even as the team captured images of the refugees at their most vulnerable – mourning mothers, scarred children, survivors of violent attacks – the journalists found that the refugees were surprisingly open. The photographers experienced almost no resistance from refugees as they photographed the refugees and asked about their experiences.&nbsp;

"I had the impression that these people want everybody to know what happens to them," Sagolj said. "They all really wanted their story to be told."&nbsp;

In 2017 it became clear that the scale of this exodus was far larger than previous migrations

When a Rohingya refugee boat capsized on the Bangladesh coastline, photographer Damir Sagolj rushed to the scene and saw locals collecting the drowned and arranging their bodies next to the road. In the torrential night-time rain, the sheets that covered them clung to the bodies. "You couldn't see how many were under the sheets, but what I could see was that most were children," Sagolj said. The photo he captured was one of a series awarded the Pulitzer Prize for feature photography on Monday, described by the judging committee as "shocking photographs that exposed the world to the violence Rohingya refugees faced in fleeing Myanmar." The latest crackdown by authorities and Buddhist civilians against the Rohingya population in Myanmar’s Rakhine state created a mass exodus of over 600,000 Rohingya children, women and men who fled their homes at the end of 2017. The refugees have reported killings, rape and arson on a large scale, and senior United Nations officials have described the violence against the Muslim Rohingya population as a "textbook example of ethnic cleansing." Myanmar has denied ethnic cleansing or systematic human rights abuses, saying it waged a legitimate counter-insurgency operation. The army has said its crackdown was provoked by the attacks of Rohingya militants on more than two dozen police posts and an army base last August. Reuters has covered the plight of the Rohingya since 2012, but in 2017 it became clear that the scale of this exodus was far larger than previous migrations. For the next several months, a team of photographers, including Sagolj, Cathal McNaughton, Danish Siddiqui, Soe Zeya Tun, Adnan Abidi, Mohammad Ponir Hossain, and Hannah McKay, working under the direction of Asia Pictures Editor Ahmad Masood, documented the journeys of refugees by sea on rickety fishing boats and over land through barbed wire and along other routes. They also visited refugee camps to tell the stories of the new lives the Rohingya built and the scars they brought with them. While the size of camps expanded, one thing that never changed was the stories the refugees brought with them. "The same horror stories of killings and rape and massacres that we were hearing when the first refugees started crossing in August and September, the exact same – if not worse – stories were being told three months after that," Sagolj said. Even as the team captured images of the refugees at their most vulnerable – mourning mothers, scarred children, survivors of violent attacks – the journalists found that the refugees were surprisingly open. The photographers experienced almost no resistance from refugees as they photographed the refugees and asked about their experiences. "I had the impression that these people want everybody to know what happens to them," Sagolj said. "They all really wanted their story to be told."

Violence against Rohingyas exposed in 'shocking photos'

The Union Home Ministry has issued an advisory to all states to take precautionary measures in view of calls on social media for "Bharat Bandh" on April 10 by some groups, an official said on Monday.

The Ministry of Home Affairs also said the districts magistrates and SPs will be personally held responsible for any violence in their area of jurisdiction.

The missive came a week after a similar protest saw massive violence in different parts of the country leading to the death of about a dozen people.

An official of the MHA said the ministry has issued an advisory to all states to take necessary precautionary measures in view of the calls on social media for Bharat Bandh on April 10 by some groups.

"The MHA has advised the states to beef up security and make appropriate arrangements to prevent any untoward incident, including the issue of prohibitory orders, if necessary," the official said.

The states have been asked to intensify patrolling in all sensitive locations so as to prevent any loss of life or damage to property.

"The advisory stressed that district magistrates and superintendents of police be made personally responsible for ensuring that law and order situation remains firmly under control in the areas of their jurisdiction," the official said.

While the April 2 Bharat Bandh was called by groups opposing the alleged dilution of SC/ST (prevention of atrocities) Act by a Supreme Court order, tomorrows protest is being reportedly called by people opposed to caste-based reservations in jobs and education.&nbsp

(With inputs from Agencies)

The missive came a week after a similar protest saw massive violence in different parts of the country leading to the death of about a dozen people.

The Union Home Ministry has issued an advisory to all states to take precautionary measures in view of calls on social media for "Bharat Bandh" on April 10 by some groups, an official said on Monday. The Ministry of Home Affairs also said the districts magistrates and SPs will be personally held responsible for any violence in their area of jurisdiction. The missive came a week after a similar protest saw massive violence in different parts of the country leading to the death of about a dozen people. An official of the MHA said the ministry has issued an advisory to all states to take necessary precautionary measures in view of the calls on social media for Bharat Bandh on April 10 by some groups. "The MHA has advised the states to beef up security and make appropriate arrangements to prevent any untoward incident, including the issue of prohibitory orders, if necessary," the official said. The states have been asked to intensify patrolling in all sensitive locations so as to prevent any loss of life or damage to property. "The advisory stressed that district magistrates and superintendents of police be made personally responsible for ensuring that law and order situation remains firmly under control in the areas of their jurisdiction," the official said. While the April 2 Bharat Bandh was called by groups opposing the alleged dilution of SC/ST (prevention of atrocities) Act by a Supreme Court order, tomorrows protest is being reportedly called by people opposed to caste-based reservations in jobs and education. (With inputs from Agencies)

Bharat Bandh on April 10: Centre issues advisory, asks states to beef up security

Six persons were killed and several others, including policemen, sustained injuries in violent protests in Madhya Pradesh during the nationwide bandh called today by Dalit outfits against the alleged dilution of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Curfew was clamped in three districts including Bhind, where the Army was called in to control the situation.

"Two people were killed in Gwalior while one person each died in Bhind and Morena districts during the violence," Inspector General (law and order) Makrand Deoskar told PTI.

Three&nbsp;other people were killed in the protests, two in Uttar Pradesh, and one in Alwar, Rajasthan, taking the total toll to nine.&nbsp;

Incidents of stone-pelting, arson and loot were also reported from several parts of the state during the protest, he said, adding that further details are awaited. 
 
A student leader, identified as Rahul Pathak, died in firing in Morena district, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Umesh Shukla told PTI.

Pathak was allegedly shot by agitators and he succumbed to injuries enroute to hospital, he said.

As the violence escalated, curfew was imposed in the entire city, Shukla said.

The protesters also stopped a train in Morena, the police said.

Curfew was also imposed in Gwalior and Bhind districts following violence, officials said.&nbsp;Gwalior Commissioner B M Sharma said, "Curfew has been imposed in several parts of the Gwalior city following violence during the protest."

The Tahtipur, Gola Ka Mandir, Hazira and Morar police station areas in Gwalior were brought under the purview of the curfew, a senior official said.

Curfew was also imposed in Bhind city, and Mehgaon, Lahar, Gohad and Machand areas of the district, Bhind Superintendent of Police Prashant Khare said.

The Army has been called in Bhind to control the situation, Khare said.

A person, identified as Mahavir Singh (32), died in the firing in Bhind district where while two others suffered serious injuries and were referred to a hospital in Gwalior, Bhind's chief medical and health officer J P S Kushwaha said.

In Jhabua, protesters looted shops during the agitation, triggering tension in the tribal town.

Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan appealed to the protesters to maintain peace in the state as the Centre has filed a review petition in the Supreme Court.

Protests were also held in the state capital Bhopal with agitators blocking a road on the Board Office Square near the statue of Dalit icon Dr B R Ambedkar.

More than two dozen vehicles were damaged, several of them torched by the protesters, eyewitnesses said.

In Morena district, the Chhattisgarh Express was stopped by protesters and was till at the station, they said.

The Supreme Court had on March 20 diluted certain provisions of the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, in a bid to protect 'honest' public servants discharging bona fide duties from being blackmailed with false cases under the Act.

The verdict is being widely criticised by the Dalits and the Opposition, who claim that dilution of the Act will lead to more discrimination and crimes against the backward community.&nbsp;

The deaths took place in Madhya Pradesh where curfew was clamped on three districts, in one of which the army was called in to control the situation

Six persons were killed and several others, including policemen, sustained injuries in violent protests in Madhya Pradesh during the nationwide bandh called today by Dalit outfits against the alleged dilution of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Curfew was clamped in three districts including Bhind, where the Army was called in to control the situation. "Two people were killed in Gwalior while one person each died in Bhind and Morena districts during the violence," Inspector General (law and order) Makrand Deoskar told PTI. Three other people were killed in the protests, two in Uttar Pradesh, and one in Alwar, Rajasthan, taking the total toll to nine. Incidents of stone-pelting, arson and loot were also reported from several parts of the state during the protest, he said, adding that further details are awaited. A student leader, identified as Rahul Pathak, died in firing in Morena district, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Umesh Shukla told PTI. Pathak was allegedly shot by agitators and he succumbed to injuries enroute to hospital, he said. As the violence escalated, curfew was imposed in the entire city, Shukla said. The protesters also stopped a train in Morena, the police said. Curfew was also imposed in Gwalior and Bhind districts following violence, officials said. Gwalior Commissioner B M Sharma said, "Curfew has been imposed in several parts of the Gwalior city following violence during the protest." The Tahtipur, Gola Ka Mandir, Hazira and Morar police station areas in Gwalior were brought under the purview of the curfew, a senior official said. Curfew was also imposed in Bhind city, and Mehgaon, Lahar, Gohad and Machand areas of the district, Bhind Superintendent of Police Prashant Khare said. The Army has been called in Bhind to control the situation, Khare said. A person, identified as Mahavir Singh (32), died in the firing in Bhind district where while two others suffered serious injuries and were referred to a hospital in Gwalior, Bhind's chief medical and health officer J P S Kushwaha said. In Jhabua, protesters looted shops during the agitation, triggering tension in the tribal town. Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan appealed to the protesters to maintain peace in the state as the Centre has filed a review petition in the Supreme Court. Protests were also held in the state capital Bhopal with agitators blocking a road on the Board Office Square near the statue of Dalit icon Dr B R Ambedkar. More than two dozen vehicles were damaged, several of them torched by the protesters, eyewitnesses said. In Morena district, the Chhattisgarh Express was stopped by protesters and was till at the station, they said. The Supreme Court had on March 20 diluted certain provisions of the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, in a bid to protect 'honest' public servants discharging bona fide duties from being blackmailed with false cases under the Act. The verdict is being widely criticised by the Dalits and the Opposition, who claim that dilution of the Act will lead to more discrimination and crimes against the backward community.

Bharat Bandh protests: Death toll rises to 9 as violence sweeps across India

By S. Suresh*

It is not easy to write about gun violence and gun-related deaths in America. Even before the ink is dry, more shootings will bring more deaths somewhere in the country. As I wrote this article, the nation had to contend with the heartbreaking loss of the lives of three women at the hands of a gunman in the small town of Yountville, California.

Presenting a frightful perspective on gun deaths in America, The New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof asserted in 2015 that, “More Americans have died from guns in the United States since 1968 than on battlefields of all the wars in American history.” &nbspThis statistic has been verified more than once by PolitiFact.

The Gun Violence Archive, a non-profit organization that keeps track of gun violence in America, not only provides a sad commentary on the senseless loss of lives from gun violence, but its records also demonstrate why Kristof’s astute observation will stay true for the foreseeable future in America. Studies show a direct correlation between gun ownership and gun-related injuries and deaths. In an analysis of gun ownership across 50 US states, those with more guns tend to have more gun-related deaths. In a similar study of developed countries, America, which has 42% of civilian-owned guns in the world, stands in a league of its own when it comes to gun-related deaths in comparison with countries like Japan, UK and the Netherlands, where gun ownership is low.

I have unequivocally stated that guns have no place in a civilized society, and that America has to engage in a debate on the relevance of the Second Amendment rather than gun control. In the wake of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, it is alarming to see the dialogue shift toward the arming of teachers and school staff.

Armed Teachers? 

During the Republican primaries, President Donald Trump opined that the country’s response to gun violence ought to be more civilians with guns. “I am a Second Amendment person,” Trump said. “If we had guns in California on the other side where the bullets went in the different direction, you wouldn’t have 14 or 15 people dead right now. If even in Paris, if they had guns on the other side going in the opposite direction, you wouldn’t have 130 people plus dead.”

America’s delusional president wants to turn the entire country into a war zone, including schools, which are a gun-free zone today. Despite strong evidence that more guns would mean more gun-related deaths, Trump loves the idea of “bullets going in the other direction” and believes in the myth that more good guys with guns ought to be the nation’s answer to mass shootings. At a White House meeting on school safety, Trump stated that “certain highly adept people, people who understand weaponry and guns,” ought to be allowed to carry guns inside schools. He is not talking about soldiers or mercenaries, but about teachers. The president went as far as to suggest that teachers willing to carry guns should be paid bonuses.

Not surprisingly, Trump’s repeated call to arm teachers drew mixed reactions after the shooting in Parkland, Florida. The National Rifle Association (NRA) and some teachers are in favor of Trump’s call to arms, while many teachers’ unions, parents and educators have overwhelmingly rejected the idea. As with any aspect of the gun debate, the nation is polarized on the topic of arming schoolteachers. The strong divide was amply evident in Florida lawmakers’ knee-jerk response to the Parkland shooting.&nbsp

Reacting to the school shooting, Florida passed a bill on March 7 that has a provision for additional funding for arming school staff. While the bill has positive aspects, including raising the minimum age to purchase firearms, a three-day waiting period and restrictions on the sale of assault-style weapons, it also includes the provision to arm school teachers. Florida’s Senate narrowly passed a modified version of the bill to create a school marshal program with the additional funding earmarked for arming non-teaching school staff. Defying the NRA, Florida Governor Rick Scott, a self-professed proponent of common-sense gun laws, signed the bill into law on March 9. The final scene will play out in the federal court where the NRA has filed a lawsuit contesting that the new Florida law violates the Second Amendment constitutional rights of people under the age of 21 to bear arms.

Watershed Moment

Taking the step of arming school staff will, unfortunately, negate the benefits of other aspects of Florida’s rnew law. Schools are a place of learning. They are sacred institutions that impart knowledge to students. Nelson Mandela believed that “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Teachers have the unenviable job of shaping the next generation of responsible citizens, creating in them a desire to learn and equipping them with the skills needed to change the world for the better.

Teachers are referred to in Sanskrit as gurus. A guru is a revered mentor who enlightens the minds of students and molds their values. A guru dispels the darkness that is ignorance by guiding students to the path of knowledge and wisdom. It is inconceivable that the very fabric of what a place of learning ought to be is getting ripped apart by the ill-conceived ideas of the most pedestrian president America has seen in recent times. With school marshals, armed school staff and teachers, America will create an indelible image in the impressionable minds of its young learners that guns and violence they bring are a normal way of life. In the process of making violence the norm in society, America is failing in its duties as a nation to nurture its next generation.

The year 2018 has the potential to be a watershed moment in the war against guns in America. Drawing the wrath of the NRA, retailers like Dick’s Sporting Goods, Walmart and Kroger have taken a stand and stoped selling assault-style rifles and guns to anyone under the age of 21, federal and state laws notwithstanding. Students are taking to the streets and staging protests against gun violence. Even a Republican governor with an A+ rating in the NRA’s grading system took the unexpected step of signing into law a gun-control bill that might improve Florida’s standing with the Giffords Law Center.

With the midterm elections looming in November 2018 can and should become a referendum on where America stands on guns today and how much power the NRA wields in American politics.&nbsp

*S. Suresh is a product executive with more than 25 years of experience in enterprise software.&nbsp

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

By arming teachers, America will cause lasting damage in a society already rife with gun violence

By S. Suresh* It is not easy to write about gun violence and gun-related deaths in America. Even before the ink is dry, more shootings will bring more deaths somewhere in the country. As I wrote this article, the nation had to contend with the heartbreaking loss of the lives of three women at the hands of a gunman in the small town of Yountville, California. Presenting a frightful perspective on gun deaths in America, The New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof asserted in 2015 that, “More Americans have died from guns in the United States since 1968 than on battlefields of all the wars in American history.” &nbspThis statistic has been verified more than once by PolitiFact. The Gun Violence Archive, a non-profit organization that keeps track of gun violence in America, not only provides a sad commentary on the senseless loss of lives from gun violence, but its records also demonstrate why Kristof’s astute observation will stay true for the foreseeable future in America. Studies show a direct correlation between gun ownership and gun-related injuries and deaths. In an analysis of gun ownership across 50 US states, those with more guns tend to have more gun-related deaths. In a similar study of developed countries, America, which has 42% of civilian-owned guns in the world, stands in a league of its own when it comes to gun-related deaths in comparison with countries like Japan, UK and the Netherlands, where gun ownership is low. I have unequivocally stated that guns have no place in a civilized society, and that America has to engage in a debate on the relevance of the Second Amendment rather than gun control. In the wake of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, it is alarming to see the dialogue shift toward the arming of teachers and school staff. Armed Teachers? During the Republican primaries, President Donald Trump opined that the country’s response to gun violence ought to be more civilians with guns. “I am a Second Amendment person,” Trump said. “If we had guns in California on the other side where the bullets went in the different direction, you wouldn’t have 14 or 15 people dead right now. If even in Paris, if they had guns on the other side going in the opposite direction, you wouldn’t have 130 people plus dead.” America’s delusional president wants to turn the entire country into a war zone, including schools, which are a gun-free zone today. Despite strong evidence that more guns would mean more gun-related deaths, Trump loves the idea of “bullets going in the other direction” and believes in the myth that more good guys with guns ought to be the nation’s answer to mass shootings. At a White House meeting on school safety, Trump stated that “certain highly adept people, people who understand weaponry and guns,” ought to be allowed to carry guns inside schools. He is not talking about soldiers or mercenaries, but about teachers. The president went as far as to suggest that teachers willing to carry guns should be paid bonuses. Not surprisingly, Trump’s repeated call to arm teachers drew mixed reactions after the shooting in Parkland, Florida. The National Rifle Association (NRA) and some teachers are in favor of Trump’s call to arms, while many teachers’ unions, parents and educators have overwhelmingly rejected the idea. As with any aspect of the gun debate, the nation is polarized on the topic of arming schoolteachers. The strong divide was amply evident in Florida lawmakers’ knee-jerk response to the Parkland shooting. Reacting to the school shooting, Florida passed a bill on March 7 that has a provision for additional funding for arming school staff. While the bill has positive aspects, including raising the minimum age to purchase firearms, a three-day waiting period and restrictions on the sale of assault-style weapons, it also includes the provision to arm school teachers. Florida’s Senate narrowly passed a modified version of the bill to create a school marshal program with the additional funding earmarked for arming non-teaching school staff. Defying the NRA, Florida Governor Rick Scott, a self-professed proponent of common-sense gun laws, signed the bill into law on March 9. The final scene will play out in the federal court where the NRA has filed a lawsuit contesting that the new Florida law violates the Second Amendment constitutional rights of people under the age of 21 to bear arms. Watershed Moment Taking the step of arming school staff will, unfortunately, negate the benefits of other aspects of Florida’s rnew law. Schools are a place of learning. They are sacred institutions that impart knowledge to students. Nelson Mandela believed that “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Teachers have the unenviable job of shaping the next generation of responsible citizens, creating in them a desire to learn and equipping them with the skills needed to change the world for the better. Teachers are referred to in Sanskrit as gurus. A guru is a revered mentor who enlightens the minds of students and molds their values. A guru dispels the darkness that is ignorance by guiding students to the path of knowledge and wisdom. It is inconceivable that the very fabric of what a place of learning ought to be is getting ripped apart by the ill-conceived ideas of the most pedestrian president America has seen in recent times. With school marshals, armed school staff and teachers, America will create an indelible image in the impressionable minds of its young learners that guns and violence they bring are a normal way of life. In the process of making violence the norm in society, America is failing in its duties as a nation to nurture its next generation. The year 2018 has the potential to be a watershed moment in the war against guns in America. Drawing the wrath of the NRA, retailers like Dick’s Sporting Goods, Walmart and Kroger have taken a stand and stoped selling assault-style rifles and guns to anyone under the age of 21, federal and state laws notwithstanding. Students are taking to the streets and staging protests against gun violence. Even a Republican governor with an A+ rating in the NRA’s grading system took the unexpected step of signing into law a gun-control bill that might improve Florida’s standing with the Giffords Law Center. With the midterm elections looming in November 2018 can and should become a referendum on where America stands on guns today and how much power the NRA wields in American politics. *S. Suresh is a product executive with more than 25 years of experience in enterprise software. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Teachers are educators, not mercenaries

By S. Suresh*

It is not easy to write about gun violence and gun-related deaths in America. Even before the ink is dry, more shootings will bring more deaths somewhere in the country. As I wrote this article, the nation had to contend with the heartbreaking loss of the lives of three women at the hands of a gunman in the small town of Yountville, California.

Presenting a frightful perspective on gun deaths in America, The New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof asserted in 2015 that, &ldquo;More Americans have died from guns in the United States since 1968 than on battlefields of all the wars in American history.&rdquo; &nbsp;This statistic has been verified more than once by PolitiFact.

The Gun Violence Archive, a non-profit organization that keeps track of gun violence in America, not only provides a sad commentary on the senseless loss of lives from gun violence, but its records also demonstrate why Kristof&rsquo;s astute observation will stay true for the foreseeable future in America. Studies show a direct correlation between gun ownership and gun-related injuries and deaths. In an analysis of gun ownership across 50 US states, those with more guns tend to have more gun-related deaths. In a similar study of developed countries, America, which has 42% of civilian-owned guns in the world, stands in a league of its own when it comes to gun-related deaths in comparison with countries like Japan, UK and the Netherlands, where gun ownership is low.

I have unequivocally stated that guns have no place in a civilized society, and that America has to engage in a debate on the relevance of the Second Amendment rather than gun control. In the wake of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, it is alarming to see the dialogue shift toward the arming of teachers and school staff.

Armed Teachers? 

During the Republican primaries, President Donald Trump opined that the country&rsquo;s response to gun violence ought to be more civilians with guns. &ldquo;I am a Second Amendment person,&rdquo; Trump said. &ldquo;If we had guns in California on the other side where the bullets went in the different direction, you wouldn&rsquo;t have 14 or 15 people dead right now. If even in Paris, if they had guns on the other side going in the opposite direction, you wouldn&rsquo;t have 130 people plus dead.&rdquo;

America&rsquo;s delusional president wants to turn the entire country into a war zone, including schools, which are a gun-free zone today. Despite strong evidence that more guns would mean more gun-related deaths, Trump loves the idea of &ldquo;bullets going in the other direction&rdquo; and believes in the myth that more good guys with guns ought to be the nation&rsquo;s answer to mass shootings. At a White House meeting on school safety, Trump stated that &ldquo;certain highly adept people, people who understand weaponry and guns,&rdquo; ought to be allowed to carry guns inside schools. He is not talking about soldiers or mercenaries, but about teachers. The president went as far as to suggest that teachers willing to carry guns should be paid bonuses.

Not surprisingly, Trump&rsquo;s repeated call to arm teachers drew mixed reactions after the shooting in Parkland, Florida. The National Rifle Association (NRA) and some teachers are in favor of Trump&rsquo;s call to arms, while many teachers&rsquo; unions, parents and educators have overwhelmingly rejected the idea. As with any aspect of the gun debate, the nation is polarized on the topic of arming schoolteachers. The strong divide was amply evident in Florida lawmakers&rsquo; knee-jerk response to the Parkland shooting.&nbsp;

Reacting to the school shooting, Florida passed a bill on March 7 that has a provision for additional funding for arming school staff. While the bill has positive aspects, including raising the minimum age to purchase firearms, a three-day waiting period and restrictions on the sale of assault-style weapons, it also includes the provision to arm school teachers. Florida&rsquo;s Senate narrowly passed a modified version of the bill to create a school marshal program with the additional funding earmarked for arming non-teaching school staff. Defying the NRA, Florida Governor Rick Scott, a self-professed proponent of common-sense gun laws, signed the bill into law on March 9. The final scene will play out in the federal court where the NRA has filed a lawsuit contesting that the new Florida law violates the Second Amendment constitutional rights of people under the age of 21 to bear arms.

Watershed Moment

Taking the step of arming school staff will, unfortunately, negate the benefits of other aspects of Florida&rsquo;s rnew law. Schools are a place of learning. They are sacred institutions that impart knowledge to students. Nelson Mandela believed that &ldquo;Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.&rdquo; Teachers have the unenviable job of shaping the next generation of responsible citizens, creating in them a desire to learn and equipping them with the skills needed to change the world for the better.

Teachers are referred to in Sanskrit as gurus. A guru is a revered mentor who enlightens the minds of students and molds their values. A guru dispels the darkness that is ignorance by guiding students to the path of knowledge and wisdom. It is inconceivable that the very fabric of what a place of learning ought to be is getting ripped apart by the ill-conceived ideas of the most pedestrian president America has seen in recent times. With school marshals, armed school staff and teachers, America will create an indelible image in the impressionable minds of its young learners that guns and violence they bring are a normal way of life. In the process of making violence the norm in society, America is failing in its duties as a nation to nurture its next generation.

The year 2018 has the potential to be a watershed moment in the war against guns in America. Drawing the wrath of the NRA, retailers like Dick&rsquo;s Sporting Goods, Walmart and Kroger have taken a stand and stoped selling assault-style rifles and guns to anyone under the age of 21, federal and state laws notwithstanding. Students are taking to the streets and staging protests against gun violence. Even a Republican governor with an A+ rating in the NRA&rsquo;s grading system took the unexpected step of signing into law a gun-control bill that might improve Florida&rsquo;s standing with the Giffords Law Center.

With the midterm elections looming in November, 2018 can and should become a referendum on where America stands on guns today and how much power the NRA wields in American politics.&nbsp;

*S. Suresh is a product executive with more than 25 years of experience in enterprise software.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

By arming teachers, America will cause lasting damage in a society already rife with gun violence.

By S. Suresh* It is not easy to write about gun violence and gun-related deaths in America. Even before the ink is dry, more shootings will bring more deaths somewhere in the country. As I wrote this article, the nation had to contend with the heartbreaking loss of the lives of three women at the hands of a gunman in the small town of Yountville, California. Presenting a frightful perspective on gun deaths in America, The New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof asserted in 2015 that, “More Americans have died from guns in the United States since 1968 than on battlefields of all the wars in American history.” This statistic has been verified more than once by PolitiFact. The Gun Violence Archive, a non-profit organization that keeps track of gun violence in America, not only provides a sad commentary on the senseless loss of lives from gun violence, but its records also demonstrate why Kristof’s astute observation will stay true for the foreseeable future in America. Studies show a direct correlation between gun ownership and gun-related injuries and deaths. In an analysis of gun ownership across 50 US states, those with more guns tend to have more gun-related deaths. In a similar study of developed countries, America, which has 42% of civilian-owned guns in the world, stands in a league of its own when it comes to gun-related deaths in comparison with countries like Japan, UK and the Netherlands, where gun ownership is low. I have unequivocally stated that guns have no place in a civilized society, and that America has to engage in a debate on the relevance of the Second Amendment rather than gun control. In the wake of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, it is alarming to see the dialogue shift toward the arming of teachers and school staff. Armed Teachers? During the Republican primaries, President Donald Trump opined that the country’s response to gun violence ought to be more civilians with guns. “I am a Second Amendment person,” Trump said. “If we had guns in California on the other side where the bullets went in the different direction, you wouldn’t have 14 or 15 people dead right now. If even in Paris, if they had guns on the other side going in the opposite direction, you wouldn’t have 130 people plus dead.” America’s delusional president wants to turn the entire country into a war zone, including schools, which are a gun-free zone today. Despite strong evidence that more guns would mean more gun-related deaths, Trump loves the idea of “bullets going in the other direction” and believes in the myth that more good guys with guns ought to be the nation’s answer to mass shootings. At a White House meeting on school safety, Trump stated that “certain highly adept people, people who understand weaponry and guns,” ought to be allowed to carry guns inside schools. He is not talking about soldiers or mercenaries, but about teachers. The president went as far as to suggest that teachers willing to carry guns should be paid bonuses. Not surprisingly, Trump’s repeated call to arm teachers drew mixed reactions after the shooting in Parkland, Florida. The National Rifle Association (NRA) and some teachers are in favor of Trump’s call to arms, while many teachers’ unions, parents and educators have overwhelmingly rejected the idea. As with any aspect of the gun debate, the nation is polarized on the topic of arming schoolteachers. The strong divide was amply evident in Florida lawmakers’ knee-jerk response to the Parkland shooting. Reacting to the school shooting, Florida passed a bill on March 7 that has a provision for additional funding for arming school staff. While the bill has positive aspects, including raising the minimum age to purchase firearms, a three-day waiting period and restrictions on the sale of assault-style weapons, it also includes the provision to arm school teachers. Florida’s Senate narrowly passed a modified version of the bill to create a school marshal program with the additional funding earmarked for arming non-teaching school staff. Defying the NRA, Florida Governor Rick Scott, a self-professed proponent of common-sense gun laws, signed the bill into law on March 9. The final scene will play out in the federal court where the NRA has filed a lawsuit contesting that the new Florida law violates the Second Amendment constitutional rights of people under the age of 21 to bear arms. Watershed Moment Taking the step of arming school staff will, unfortunately, negate the benefits of other aspects of Florida’s rnew law. Schools are a place of learning. They are sacred institutions that impart knowledge to students. Nelson Mandela believed that “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Teachers have the unenviable job of shaping the next generation of responsible citizens, creating in them a desire to learn and equipping them with the skills needed to change the world for the better. Teachers are referred to in Sanskrit as gurus. A guru is a revered mentor who enlightens the minds of students and molds their values. A guru dispels the darkness that is ignorance by guiding students to the path of knowledge and wisdom. It is inconceivable that the very fabric of what a place of learning ought to be is getting ripped apart by the ill-conceived ideas of the most pedestrian president America has seen in recent times. With school marshals, armed school staff and teachers, America will create an indelible image in the impressionable minds of its young learners that guns and violence they bring are a normal way of life. In the process of making violence the norm in society, America is failing in its duties as a nation to nurture its next generation. The year 2018 has the potential to be a watershed moment in the war against guns in America. Drawing the wrath of the NRA, retailers like Dick’s Sporting Goods, Walmart and Kroger have taken a stand and stoped selling assault-style rifles and guns to anyone under the age of 21, federal and state laws notwithstanding. Students are taking to the streets and staging protests against gun violence. Even a Republican governor with an A+ rating in the NRA’s grading system took the unexpected step of signing into law a gun-control bill that might improve Florida’s standing with the Giffords Law Center. With the midterm elections looming in November, 2018 can and should become a referendum on where America stands on guns today and how much power the NRA wields in American politics. *S. Suresh is a product executive with more than 25 years of experience in enterprise software. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

&nbsp;Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced the withdrawal of all cases, except for serious ones,&nbsp;in connection with the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/the-battle-of-bhima-koregaon-and-its-significance-28406" target="_blank">Bhima-Koregaon violence</a>.

He also said that his government would compensate for the loss of Rs 13 crore incurred during the violence.

He said that their government will not spare anyone found responsible for the violence.

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Will not spare anyone found responsible for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BhimaKoregaon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BhimaKoregaon</a> incident. Government is giving financial assistance to those who suffered losses. Appointed Inquiry Committee headed by Retd Chief Justice J.N.Patel: CM Devendra Fadnavis (file pic) <a href="https://t.co/who6NgrARo">pic.twitter.com/who6NgrARo</a>
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Fadnavis added that the Maharashtra government would form a committee under Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) to examine serious offenses committed during the violence. The committee will submit recommendations to a cabinet sub-committee within three months&nbsp;deciding on the cases that should be withdrawn.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/one-killed-3-injured-in-clashes-at-koregaon-bhima-battle-anniversary-in-pune-28313" target="_blank">One killed, 3 injured in clashes at Koregaon Bhima battle anniversary in Pune</a>

Out of the total 622 cases registered in the violence, 350 were serious offenses, the CM said.&nbsp;

He added that as many as 1,119 people were arrested after the violence. Seventeen cases were registered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and 2,053 people were taken into preventive custody.

The chief minister also clarified that the government will not withdraw the cases against history-sheeters who took advantage of the situation and indulged in a shooting.&nbsp;

The chief minister also denied Opposition&#39;s allegation that the government did not take immediate action against Milind Ekbote, chief of Samasta Hindu Ekta Aghadi. He also said that those responsible for negligence will be dealt with strictly.

Fadnavis announced that the state government will take control of the Samadhi (memorial) of Chhatrapati Sambhaji at Vadhu dismissing the allegation that Ekbote&#39;s organisation had taken control of the Samadhi.

An inquiry will also be conducted to examine the harassment against women&nbsp;during the combing operations in Aurangabad (to arrest rioters). 
 
To mark the 200th anniversary of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/the-battle-of-bhima-koregaon-and-its-significance-28406" target="_blank">battle of Koregaon</a>, several Dalits on January 1 gathered around the victory pillar erected by the British at Koregaon-Bhima - 40 kilometres from Pune. The gathering was to commemorate the&nbsp;victory of&nbsp;British East India Company over the army of Peshawa Bajirao II.&nbsp;&nbsp;It is widely believed that the Mahar community - then considered untouchable - played a key role in East India Company&#39;s win.

Soon, violence broke out and many vehicles were torched <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/one-killed-3-injured-in-clashes-at-koregaon-bhima-battle-anniversary-in-pune-28313" target="_blank">leading to the death of one youth</a>.

Incidents of violence were reported from many parts of Maharashtra, including Ahmednagar, Jalgaon, Nagpur, Dhule, Beed, Akola, Nashik, Pune, Solapur, Thane and Palghar as Dalits protested against Monday&#39;s incidents in Koregaon-Bhima.

Many prominent Dalit outfits, including Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh, a party headed by BR Ambedkar&#39;s grandson Prakash Ambedkar, called for a &#39;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-tense-after-pune-violence-28374">Maharashtra bandh</a>&nbsp;(shutdown)&nbsp;to express anger over violence.

(With input from agencies)

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced the withdrawal of all cases, except for serious ones, in connection with the Bhima-Koregaon violence

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced the withdrawal of all cases, except for serious ones, in connection with the Bhima-Koregaon violence. He also said that his government would compensate for the loss of Rs 13 crore incurred during the violence. He said that their government will not spare anyone found responsible for the violence. Will not spare anyone found responsible for #BhimaKoregaon incident. Government is giving financial assistance to those who suffered losses. Appointed Inquiry Committee headed by Retd Chief Justice J.N.Patel: CM Devendra Fadnavis (file pic) pic.twitter.com/who6NgrARo — ANI (@ANI) March 13, 2018 × Fadnavis added that the Maharashtra government would form a committee under Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) to examine serious offenses committed during the violence. The committee will submit recommendations to a cabinet sub-committee within three months deciding on the cases that should be withdrawn. Also read: One killed, 3 injured in clashes at Koregaon Bhima battle anniversary in Pune Out of the total 622 cases registered in the violence, 350 were serious offenses, the CM said. He added that as many as 1,119 people were arrested after the violence. Seventeen cases were registered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and 2,053 people were taken into preventive custody. The chief minister also clarified that the government will not withdraw the cases against history-sheeters who took advantage of the situation and indulged in a shooting. The chief minister also denied Opposition's allegation that the government did not take immediate action against Milind Ekbote, chief of Samasta Hindu Ekta Aghadi. He also said that those responsible for negligence will be dealt with strictly. Fadnavis announced that the state government will take control of the Samadhi (memorial) of Chhatrapati Sambhaji at Vadhu dismissing the allegation that Ekbote's organisation had taken control of the Samadhi. An inquiry will also be conducted to examine the harassment against women during the combing operations in Aurangabad (to arrest rioters). To mark the 200th anniversary of the battle of Koregaon, several Dalits on January 1 gathered around the victory pillar erected by the British at Koregaon-Bhima - 40 kilometres from Pune. The gathering was to commemorate the victory of British East India Company over the army of Peshawa Bajirao II. It is widely believed that the Mahar community - then considered untouchable - played a key role in East India Company's win. Soon, violence broke out and many vehicles were torched leading to the death of one youth. Incidents of violence were reported from many parts of Maharashtra, including Ahmednagar, Jalgaon, Nagpur, Dhule, Beed, Akola, Nashik, Pune, Solapur, Thane and Palghar as Dalits protested against Monday's incidents in Koregaon-Bhima. Many prominent Dalit outfits, including Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh, a party headed by BR Ambedkar's grandson Prakash Ambedkar, called for a 'Maharashtra bandh (shutdown) to express anger over violence. (With input from agencies)

Bhima-Koregaon violence: Maharashtra government to withdraw minor cases

India&#39;s representative at the United Nations, Syed Akbaruddin, on Thursday said that those who support terrorists have been undeterred despite international community&#39;s efforts.&nbsp;

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Despite international community&#39;s efforts, those supporting terrorists affecting Afghanistan haven&#39;t deterred.There are still those who provide sanctuaries to support dark agenda of Taliban, Haqqani network,ISIS, Al Qaeda, LeT, Jaish-e-Mohammed: Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin at UNSC <a href="https://t.co/PhXSuVRFie">pic.twitter.com/PhXSuVRFie</a>
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&quot;Despite international community&#39;s efforts, those supporting terrorists affecting Afghanistan haven&#39;t deterred. There are still those who provide sanctuaries to support dark agenda of Taliban, Haqqani network, ISIS, Al Qaeda, LeT, Jaish-e-Mohammed,&quot; he said while talking about countering terrorism at the United Nation Security Council meeting.&nbsp;

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Indeed the challenges posed by cross border terrorism emanating from safe havens &amp; sanctuaries to Afghanistan and to our region must be addressed: Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin, India&#39;s Permanent Representative to the United Nations at UNSC <a href="https://t.co/HHFdKm19nq">pic.twitter.com/HHFdKm19nq</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/971942627552743429?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Akbaruddin also talked about the challenges posed by cross-border terrorism &quot;emanating from safe havens and sanctuaries&quot;.

&quot;Indeed the challenges posed by cross-border terrorism emanating from safe havens &amp; sanctuaries to Afghanistan and to our region must be addressed,&quot; he added further.&nbsp;

India&#39;s ambassador to UN also reiterated the continued stance of &#39;zero-tolerance&#39; &quot;for those who continue violence&quot;.&nbsp;

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It should be clear to the armed opposition that there would be no tolerance for those who continue violence. Any violence needs a robust response.The irreconcilable guns need to be silenced:Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin,India&#39;s Permanent Representative to the United Nations at UNSC
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/971942631767977985?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&quot;It should be clear to the armed opposition that there would be no tolerance for those who continue the violence. Any violence needs a robust response.The irreconcilable guns need to be silenced,&quot; he shared.&nbsp;

India on Thursday <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-highlights-human-rights-violations-by-pakistan-at-un-35150">highlighted human rights violations by Pakistan </a>at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

India&#39;s response came after Pakistan raised the issue of human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir.

Mini Devi Kumam, Second Secretary, India&#39;s Permanent Mission at UNHRC stated that &quot;Pakistan has long been attempting to mask its territorial ambitions and use of terrorism as a state policy under the guise of concern for human rights&quot;.

The Indian representative also told the UNHRC that Pakistan was committing grossest violation of human rights by exporting terrorism to Jammu and Kashmir.

India also urged the UNHRC to call on Pakistan to end cross-border infiltration, to dismantle special terrorist zones, safe havens and sanctuaries, and to take verifiable actions, including on terror financing.

(With inputs from ANI)

Akbaruddin also talked about the challenges posed by cross-border terrorism 'emanating from safe havens and sanctuaries'

India's representative at the United Nations, Syed Akbaruddin, on Thursday said that those who support terrorists have been undeterred despite international community's efforts. Despite international community's efforts, those supporting terrorists affecting Afghanistan haven't deterred.There are still those who provide sanctuaries to support dark agenda of Taliban, Haqqani network,ISIS, Al Qaeda, LeT, Jaish-e-Mohammed: Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin at UNSC pic.twitter.com/PhXSuVRFie — ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2018 × "Despite international community's efforts, those supporting terrorists affecting Afghanistan haven't deterred. There are still those who provide sanctuaries to support dark agenda of Taliban, Haqqani network, ISIS, Al Qaeda, LeT, Jaish-e-Mohammed," he said while talking about countering terrorism at the United Nation Security Council meeting. Indeed the challenges posed by cross border terrorism emanating from safe havens & sanctuaries to Afghanistan and to our region must be addressed: Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin, India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations at UNSC pic.twitter.com/HHFdKm19nq — ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2018 × Akbaruddin also talked about the challenges posed by cross-border terrorism "emanating from safe havens and sanctuaries". "Indeed the challenges posed by cross-border terrorism emanating from safe havens & sanctuaries to Afghanistan and to our region must be addressed," he added further. India's ambassador to UN also reiterated the continued stance of 'zero-tolerance' "for those who continue violence". It should be clear to the armed opposition that there would be no tolerance for those who continue violence. Any violence needs a robust response.The irreconcilable guns need to be silenced:Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin,India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations at UNSC — ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2018 × "It should be clear to the armed opposition that there would be no tolerance for those who continue the violence. Any violence needs a robust response.The irreconcilable guns need to be silenced," he shared. India on Thursday highlighted human rights violations by Pakistan at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). India's response came after Pakistan raised the issue of human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir. Mini Devi Kumam, Second Secretary, India's Permanent Mission at UNHRC stated that "Pakistan has long been attempting to mask its territorial ambitions and use of terrorism as a state policy under the guise of concern for human rights". The Indian representative also told the UNHRC that Pakistan was committing grossest violation of human rights by exporting terrorism to Jammu and Kashmir. India also urged the UNHRC to call on Pakistan to end cross-border infiltration, to dismantle special terrorist zones, safe havens and sanctuaries, and to take verifiable actions, including on terror financing. (With inputs from ANI)

No tolerance towards those supporting violence: Syed Akbaruddin at UN

Despite Supreme Court order on Padmaavat, protest turned violent in Gujarat on Sunday over the screening of Sanjay Leela Bhansali&#39;s upcoming controversial film.&nbsp;

The situation turned grim after protestors burned buses and resorted to violence in Gandhinagar, Mehsana and Ahmedabad districts.

To avoid any untoward incident, the Ahmedabad Police Commissioner issued a notification stating that those protesting near multiplexes, malls will be booked under section 308 of IPC (attempt to commit culpable homicide).&nbsp;

However, some multiplex owners have already indicated they might not screen the film over continuous threats of vandalism by Karni Sena and other similar groups.&nbsp;

Slated to hit theatres on January 25, the film has been witnessing backlash from fringe groups, including Shri Rajput Karni Sena, in various states.

The BJP governed state was one among the four which banned the film from releasing before the Supreme Court&rsquo;s order.

Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana were the other three states to earlier ban the film&#39;s release.&nbsp;

Protestors resorted to violence in Gandhinagar, Mehsana and Ahmedabad districts

Despite Supreme Court order on Padmaavat, protest turned violent in Gujarat on Sunday over the screening of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming controversial film. The situation turned grim after protestors burned buses and resorted to violence in Gandhinagar, Mehsana and Ahmedabad districts. To avoid any untoward incident, the Ahmedabad Police Commissioner issued a notification stating that those protesting near multiplexes, malls will be booked under section 308 of IPC (attempt to commit culpable homicide). However, some multiplex owners have already indicated they might not screen the film over continuous threats of vandalism by Karni Sena and other similar groups. Slated to hit theatres on January 25, the film has been witnessing backlash from fringe groups, including Shri Rajput Karni Sena, in various states. The BJP governed state was one among the four which banned the film from releasing before the Supreme Court’s order. Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana were the other three states to earlier ban the film's release.

Padmaavat: Protesters set buses ablaze in Gujarat demanding ban on film

The world of Latin American football is often criticized as one in which violence against women is tolerated, and now there is a new case to further soil its reputation.

Two top players -- Colombians Edwin Cardona and Wilmar Barrios -- who play for one of Argentina&#39;s storied teams, Boca Juniors, are accused of assaulting and threatening two women.&nbsp;

However, they are not the first men to face such controversy.

The region has already been rocked by cases such as that of Brazilian international Robinho who was convicted last year in Italy of taking part in a gang rape.

The former coach of the Colombian national team, Hernan Dario Gomez, had to resign after hitting a woman as he left a bar in Bogota in 2011.&nbsp;

There have been other cases in Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Guatemala and elsewhere.&nbsp;

In Latin American football women &quot;are seen as things, or prey, but not as partners,&quot; said sports psychologist Oscar Mangione, who used to be on the staff of Boca Juniors.

- Winning is everything -

In the new case, the women accuse Cardona and Barrios of putting them in situations of &quot;physical and verbal violence.&quot;&nbsp;

These include an alleged ordeal in an elevator in which one of the players was wielding a knife, said Juan Cerolini, the plaintiffs&#39; lawyer.

The players were initially suspended but they were back playing last weekend, just days after their trial started and with no verdict yet returned.

The complaint seems to have been almost forgotten at their stadium, called La Bombonera.

&quot;If what they did is wrong, they had better pay. But there is always something shady going on. I want Boca to win. What can I say?&quot; said one female fan, aged in her 20s, who gave her name only as Luciana as she headed to the game in which the players returned to action.

&quot;What matters above all is the issue of usefulness in terms of the value of winning or the economic investment the team has made in a player,&quot; said Mangione.

&quot;There is no institutional policy. A kid joins the world of football at age 12 and might retire in his 30s. And in all that time he is only trained to be a football player. And this is an important span of time to train him as a man in every sense of the word,&quot; he added.

At the same time players, &quot;like it or not, are role models. And their behaviour enables a certain kind of behaviour which is not good,&quot; Mangione added.

- Cultural change -

In&nbsp;Argentina, a woman is killed every 29 hours, according to the Observatory for Violence against Women, which recorded 298 such killings last year.

That stands in sharp contrast to legislation in which &quot;Argentina is a pioneer&quot; in laws to protect women, said Ada Rico, head of an NGO called Casa del Encuentro.

&quot;You can have as many laws and measures as you want. But we are not going to get anywhere without a cultural change,&quot; she added.

Analia Fernandez, a journalist and amateur football player, said what is most common is to &quot;treat the player as the victim and not take the word of the accuser.&quot;

Right now, men&#39;s football &quot;is a place that legitimizes violence against women,&quot; she told AFP.

&quot;Our task is to begin to transform that kind of football. Here out on the field we women are changing things,&quot; Fernandez said from the pitch of her team in Buenos Aires.

&nbsp;

In Latin American football women "are seen as things, or prey, but not as partners," said sports psychologist Oscar Mangione

The world of Latin American football is often criticized as one in which violence against women is tolerated, and now there is a new case to further soil its reputation. Two top players -- Colombians Edwin Cardona and Wilmar Barrios -- who play for one of Argentina's storied teams, Boca Juniors, are accused of assaulting and threatening two women. However, they are not the first men to face such controversy. The region has already been rocked by cases such as that of Brazilian international Robinho who was convicted last year in Italy of taking part in a gang rape. The former coach of the Colombian national team, Hernan Dario Gomez, had to resign after hitting a woman as he left a bar in Bogota in 2011. There have been other cases in Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Guatemala and elsewhere. In Latin American football women "are seen as things, or prey, but not as partners," said sports psychologist Oscar Mangione, who used to be on the staff of Boca Juniors. - Winning is everything - In the new case, the women accuse Cardona and Barrios of putting them in situations of "physical and verbal violence." These include an alleged ordeal in an elevator in which one of the players was wielding a knife, said Juan Cerolini, the plaintiffs' lawyer. The players were initially suspended but they were back playing last weekend, just days after their trial started and with no verdict yet returned. The complaint seems to have been almost forgotten at their stadium, called La Bombonera. "If what they did is wrong, they had better pay. But there is always something shady going on. I want Boca to win. What can I say?" said one female fan, aged in her 20s, who gave her name only as Luciana as she headed to the game in which the players returned to action. "What matters above all is the issue of usefulness in terms of the value of winning or the economic investment the team has made in a player," said Mangione. "There is no institutional policy. A kid joins the world of football at age 12 and might retire in his 30s. And in all that time he is only trained to be a football player. And this is an important span of time to train him as a man in every sense of the word," he added. At the same time players, "like it or not, are role models. And their behaviour enables a certain kind of behaviour which is not good," Mangione added. - Cultural change - In Argentina, a woman is killed every 29 hours, according to the Observatory for Violence against Women, which recorded 298 such killings last year. That stands in sharp contrast to legislation in which "Argentina is a pioneer" in laws to protect women, said Ada Rico, head of an NGO called Casa del Encuentro. "You can have as many laws and measures as you want. But we are not going to get anywhere without a cultural change," she added. Analia Fernandez, a journalist and amateur football player, said what is most common is to "treat the player as the victim and not take the word of the accuser." Right now, men's football "is a place that legitimizes violence against women," she told AFP. "Our task is to begin to transform that kind of football. Here out on the field we women are changing things," Fernandez said from the pitch of her team in Buenos Aires.

Latin American football seen as rife with violence against women

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge brought up the Maharashtra caste violence that had broken out on Monday in Bhima-Koregaon near Pune. One person had died in the clashes.&nbsp;

Kharge added that Prime Minister Modi would have to speak on the issue. He is a &quot;mauni baba on such issues,&quot; Kharge said.&nbsp;

&quot;Who instigated and interfered in this event?&quot; Kharge asked in the Lok Sabha.&nbsp;

Kharge answered his question himself. &quot;Samaaj mein division karne ke liye, kattar Hindutvavaadi, jo wahan RSS ke log hain...iske peecha unka haath hai. Unhone ye kaam karwaya hai,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

Kharge also asked for a Supreme Court judge to be appointed to look into the matter.&nbsp;

Live updates: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-updates-maharastra-tense-after-pune-violence-28382">Maharashtra bandh today; Dalit protesters block roads, occupy railway tracks, stop metros</a>

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-tense-after-pune-violence-28374" target="_blank">Maharashtra on edge after Bhima-Koregaon violence, protests</a>

Kharge was replied to by Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar.

&quot;Congress divide and rule ki policy use kar rahe hain. Aur sabka saath, sabka vikaas karke Narendra Modi ji desh ko saath le rahe hain,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

&quot;Aag ko bujhaane ke bajaaye, bhadkaane ka kaam Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi aur Congress party kar rahi hai. Ise desh bardasht nahin karega,&quot; Kumar added.&nbsp;

Bhima-Koregaon is where the last of the three Anglo-Maratha wars was fought on January 1, 1818.&nbsp;

The English, who had beaten the Peshwas in the war, had had a large number of Dalit soldiers in their army.&nbsp;

It was BR Ambedkar who had first referred to the war, and the beating of the Peshwa Brahmins, as an example of caste assertion by the Dalits.&nbsp;

The Dalits have ever since commemorated the anniversary of what they see as their &quot;victory&quot; in the last of the Anglo-Maratha wars.&nbsp;

The commemoration of the anniversary this year was reportedly opposed by Hindu groups.&nbsp;

The violence had broken out thereafter.&nbsp;

Mallikarjun Kharge also asked for a Supreme Court judge to be appointed to look into the matter

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge brought up the Maharashtra caste violence that had broken out on Monday in Bhima-Koregaon near Pune. One person had died in the clashes. Kharge added that Prime Minister Modi would have to speak on the issue. He is a "mauni baba on such issues," Kharge said. "Who instigated and interfered in this event?" Kharge asked in the Lok Sabha. Kharge answered his question himself. "Samaaj mein division karne ke liye, kattar Hindutvavaadi, jo wahan RSS ke log hain...iske peecha unka haath hai. Unhone ye kaam karwaya hai," he said. Kharge also asked for a Supreme Court judge to be appointed to look into the matter. Live updates: Maharashtra bandh today; Dalit protesters block roads, occupy railway tracks, stop metros Also read: Maharashtra on edge after Bhima-Koregaon violence, protests Kharge was replied to by Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar. "Congress divide and rule ki policy use kar rahe hain. Aur sabka saath, sabka vikaas karke Narendra Modi ji desh ko saath le rahe hain," he said. "Aag ko bujhaane ke bajaaye, bhadkaane ka kaam Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi aur Congress party kar rahi hai. Ise desh bardasht nahin karega," Kumar added. Bhima-Koregaon is where the last of the three Anglo-Maratha wars was fought on January 1, 1818. The English, who had beaten the Peshwas in the war, had had a large number of Dalit soldiers in their army. It was BR Ambedkar who had first referred to the war, and the beating of the Peshwa Brahmins, as an example of caste assertion by the Dalits. The Dalits have ever since commemorated the anniversary of what they see as their "victory" in the last of the Anglo-Maratha wars. The commemoration of the anniversary this year was reportedly opposed by Hindu groups. The violence had broken out thereafter.

As Maharashtra comes to standstill, Congress demands statement from PM on Bhima-Koregaon violence

President Donald Trump will recognize Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital Wednesday, upending decades of careful US policy and ignoring dire warnings of a historic misstep that could trigger a surge of violence in the Middle East.

A senior administration official said Trump would make the landmark announcement -- which flies in the face of warnings from America&#39;s allies across the region and the world -- at 1 pm (1800 GMT) from the White House.

&quot;He will say that that the United States government recognizes that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel,&quot; a senior administration official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

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&quot;He views this as a recognition of reality, both historic reality,&quot; the source added, &quot;and modern reality.&quot;

Plunging further into a bitter centuries-old argument between Jews, Muslims and Christians, Trump will also order planning to begin on moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

&quot;It will take some time to find a site, to address security concerns, design a new facility, fund a new facility and build it,&quot; the official said, indicating that the move will not be immediate.

&quot;It will be a matter of some years, it won&#39;t be months, it&#39;s going to take time.&quot;

The status of Jerusalem is a central issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with both sides claiming the city as their capital, and expectations of Trump&#39;s announcement have roiled the combustible region.

In a frantic series of calls on its eve, the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the EU, France, Germany and Turkey all warned Trump against the move.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-tells-mideast-leaders-he-will-move-embassy-to-jerusalem-breaking-with-us-policy-25980" target="_blank">Also read: Trump tells Arab, Israeli leaders he plans to move embassy to Jerusalem</a>

Anticipating widespread demonstrations, US government officials have been ordered to avoid Jerusalem&#39;s Old City and the West Bank.

But Trump&#39;s move comes close to fulfilling a campaign promise and will delight his political donors and the conservative and evangelical base that is so vital for the embattled president.

&#39;Red line&#39; 
Most of the international community does not formally recognize Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital, insisting the issue can only be resolved in final status negotiations.

US officials talk of &quot;threading the needle&quot; -- fulfilling Trump&#39;s campaign pledge, while keeping the peace process on the rails.

The White House argues that such a move would not prejudge final talks and would represent the reality that west Jerusalem is and will continue to be part of Israel under any settlement.

&quot;President Trump remains committed to achieving a lasting peace agreement between the Israelis and the Palestinians and is optimistic that peace can be achieved,&quot; a second official said.

&quot;President Trump is prepared to support a two State solution... If agreed to by the two parties.&quot;

But critics say Trump&#39;s approach is more like &quot;splitting the baby&quot; and could also extinguish his own much-vaunted efforts to broker Middle East peace while igniting the flames of conflict in a region already reeling from crises in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Qatar.

The armed Islamist Hamas movement has threatened to launch a new &quot;intifada&quot; or uprising.

Saudi Arabia&#39;s King Salman warned his close ally that moving the US embassy was a &quot;dangerous step&quot; that could rile Muslims around the world.

&quot;Mr Trump! Jerusalem is a red line for Muslims,&quot; Turkey&#39;s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a raucous televised speech, echoing alarm expressed by Palestinian and Arab leaders.

&#39;Embassy Act&#39; 
Israel seized the largely-Arab eastern sector of Jerusalem during the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed it, claiming both sides of the city as its &quot;eternal and undivided capital.&quot;

But the Palestinians want the eastern sector as the capital of their future state and fiercely oppose any Israeli attempt to extend sovereignty there.

Trump was pushed to act on the embassy as a result of the 1995 Jerusalem Embassy Act, which stated that the city &quot;should be recognized as the capital of the State of Israel&quot; and that the US embassy should be moved there.

An inbuilt waiver has been repeatedly invoked by successive US presidents, postponing the move on grounds of &quot;national security&quot; once every six months, meaning the law has never taken effect.

Several peace plans have unravelled over the issue of how to divide sovereignty or oversee sites in the city that are holy for Christians, Jews and Muslims.

The decision upends decades of US policy and risks fuelling violence in the Middle East

President Donald Trump will recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital Wednesday, upending decades of careful US policy and ignoring dire warnings of a historic misstep that could trigger a surge of violence in the Middle East. A senior administration official said Trump would make the landmark announcement -- which flies in the face of warnings from America's allies across the region and the world -- at 1 pm (1800 GMT) from the White House. "He will say that that the United States government recognizes that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel," a senior administration official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. He views this as a recognition of reality, both historic reality and modern reality' × "He views this as a recognition of reality, both historic reality," the source added, "and modern reality." Plunging further into a bitter centuries-old argument between Jews, Muslims and Christians, Trump will also order planning to begin on moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. "It will take some time to find a site, to address security concerns, design a new facility, fund a new facility and build it," the official said, indicating that the move will not be immediate. "It will be a matter of some years, it won't be months, it's going to take time." The status of Jerusalem is a central issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with both sides claiming the city as their capital, and expectations of Trump's announcement have roiled the combustible region. In a frantic series of calls on its eve, the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the EU, France, Germany and Turkey all warned Trump against the move. Also read: Trump tells Arab, Israeli leaders he plans to move embassy to Jerusalem Anticipating widespread demonstrations, US government officials have been ordered to avoid Jerusalem's Old City and the West Bank. But Trump's move comes close to fulfilling a campaign promise and will delight his political donors and the conservative and evangelical base that is so vital for the embattled president. 'Red line' Most of the international community does not formally recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, insisting the issue can only be resolved in final status negotiations. US officials talk of "threading the needle" -- fulfilling Trump's campaign pledge, while keeping the peace process on the rails. The White House argues that such a move would not prejudge final talks and would represent the reality that west Jerusalem is and will continue to be part of Israel under any settlement. "President Trump remains committed to achieving a lasting peace agreement between the Israelis and the Palestinians and is optimistic that peace can be achieved," a second official said. "President Trump is prepared to support a two State solution... If agreed to by the two parties." But critics say Trump's approach is more like "splitting the baby" and could also extinguish his own much-vaunted efforts to broker Middle East peace while igniting the flames of conflict in a region already reeling from crises in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Qatar. The armed Islamist Hamas movement has threatened to launch a new "intifada" or uprising. Saudi Arabia's King Salman warned his close ally that moving the US embassy was a "dangerous step" that could rile Muslims around the world. "Mr Trump! Jerusalem is a red line for Muslims," Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a raucous televised speech, echoing alarm expressed by Palestinian and Arab leaders. 'Embassy Act' Israel seized the largely-Arab eastern sector of Jerusalem during the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed it, claiming both sides of the city as its "eternal and undivided capital." But the Palestinians want the eastern sector as the capital of their future state and fiercely oppose any Israeli attempt to extend sovereignty there. Trump was pushed to act on the embassy as a result of the 1995 Jerusalem Embassy Act, which stated that the city "should be recognized as the capital of the State of Israel" and that the US embassy should be moved there. An inbuilt waiver has been repeatedly invoked by successive US presidents, postponing the move on grounds of "national security" once every six months, meaning the law has never taken effect. Several peace plans have unravelled over the issue of how to divide sovereignty or oversee sites in the city that are holy for Christians, Jews and Muslims.

Trump to recognise Jerusalem as Israel capital

The young Egyptian imam who survived the Sinai mosque massacre that killed 305 people vowed Sunday from his hospital bed to go back and resume the sermon he never finished.

Mohammed Abdel Fattah, 26, was delivering the Friday sermon at the North Sinai Rawda mosque when blasts erupted.

&quot;I was only two minutes into my sermon when I heard two explosions outside the mosque, and then I saw worshippers running in horror,&quot; he said.

&quot;Then people entered the mosque and began firing at everyone who was still standing,&quot; the preacher said from his hospital bed in the Nile Delta town of Al-Husayniya.

Abdel Fattah -- who has been imam for two years at the Rawda mosque frequented by Sufis -- said his sermon on that tragic day was about &quot;Mohammed, the prophet of humanity&quot;.

The imam fell from the raised minbar, or pulpit when the attack broke out and was trampled by worshippers who tried to flee the carnage.

And when he hit the ground, people stepped over him, before the bodies of those shot by the attackers piled on top of him, pinning him down and preventing him from lifting his head to see what was going on.

&quot;As soon as the shooting started I fell. I didn&#39;t see or feel anything except for the two or three bloodied bodies that fell on top of me,&quot; he said.

Among the first casualties was 62-year-old Fathy Ismail, the mosque&#39;s muezzin who called the faithful to prayer.

Authorities said up to 30 militants in camouflage clothing and flying the black banner of the Islamic State group surrounded the mosque and opened fire on the faithful during the main weekly prayers.

Abdel Fattah suffered bruising, but his health appears to be improving and he hopes to be back on his feet to continue the sermon that was brutally interrupted.

&quot;If my health allows it, I will return next Friday week (to Rawda mosque) and finish my sermon,&quot; he said.

A frame bearing Koranic verses hangs above his hospital bed.

The imam said it was a gift he received from a visiting delegation of Coptic Christians the day after Friday&#39;s attack.

The attack is thought to have been carried out by the jihadist Islamic State group because the mosque is associated with followers of the mystical Sufi branch of Sunni Islam.

IS has branded Sufis heretics for seeking the intercession of saints.

&quot;About a year ago, we heard rumours concerning threats against people who organise celebrations for the birth of Prophet Mohammed,&quot; Abdel Fattah said on Sunday.

The imam declined to say whether he, himself, belonged to the Sufi community.

&quot;I am a servant of God and his Prophet,&quot; he said when asked about his faith.

Five members of his family were by his bedside, including his 65-year-old father Abdel Fattah Mahmoud, a retired sheikh from Cairo&#39;s Al-Azhar, Egypt&#39;s highest institution of Sunni Islam.

Mahmoud said he had tried to persuade his son from going to work in North Sinai, a restive region, but then he recalled a Koranic verse that says no one will die unless it is God&#39;s will.

Egypt&#39;s North Sinai-based IS branch has killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers, as well as civilians accused of working with the authorities, since the July 2013 ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.

&quot;Not only is Sufism under threat, but all of Islam and the whole of the Arab region is under threat,&quot; said Mahmoud.

His son&#39;s survival &quot;is a blessed miracle&quot;, he added.

Mohammed Abdel Fattah, 26, was delivering the Friday sermon at the North Sinai Rawda mosque when it was attacked

The young Egyptian imam who survived the Sinai mosque massacre that killed 305 people vowed Sunday from his hospital bed to go back and resume the sermon he never finished. Mohammed Abdel Fattah, 26, was delivering the Friday sermon at the North Sinai Rawda mosque when blasts erupted. "I was only two minutes into my sermon when I heard two explosions outside the mosque, and then I saw worshippers running in horror," he said. "Then people entered the mosque and began firing at everyone who was still standing," the preacher said from his hospital bed in the Nile Delta town of Al-Husayniya. Abdel Fattah -- who has been imam for two years at the Rawda mosque frequented by Sufis -- said his sermon on that tragic day was about "Mohammed, the prophet of humanity". The imam fell from the raised minbar, or pulpit when the attack broke out and was trampled by worshippers who tried to flee the carnage. And when he hit the ground, people stepped over him, before the bodies of those shot by the attackers piled on top of him, pinning him down and preventing him from lifting his head to see what was going on. "As soon as the shooting started I fell. I didn't see or feel anything except for the two or three bloodied bodies that fell on top of me," he said. Among the first casualties was 62-year-old Fathy Ismail, the mosque's muezzin who called the faithful to prayer. Authorities said up to 30 militants in camouflage clothing and flying the black banner of the Islamic State group surrounded the mosque and opened fire on the faithful during the main weekly prayers. Abdel Fattah suffered bruising, but his health appears to be improving and he hopes to be back on his feet to continue the sermon that was brutally interrupted. "If my health allows it, I will return next Friday week (to Rawda mosque) and finish my sermon," he said. A frame bearing Koranic verses hangs above his hospital bed. The imam said it was a gift he received from a visiting delegation of Coptic Christians the day after Friday's attack. The attack is thought to have been carried out by the jihadist Islamic State group because the mosque is associated with followers of the mystical Sufi branch of Sunni Islam. IS has branded Sufis heretics for seeking the intercession of saints. "About a year ago, we heard rumours concerning threats against people who organise celebrations for the birth of Prophet Mohammed," Abdel Fattah said on Sunday. The imam declined to say whether he, himself, belonged to the Sufi community. "I am a servant of God and his Prophet," he said when asked about his faith. Five members of his family were by his bedside, including his 65-year-old father Abdel Fattah Mahmoud, a retired sheikh from Cairo's Al-Azhar, Egypt's highest institution of Sunni Islam. Mahmoud said he had tried to persuade his son from going to work in North Sinai, a restive region, but then he recalled a Koranic verse that says no one will die unless it is God's will. Egypt's North Sinai-based IS branch has killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers, as well as civilians accused of working with the authorities, since the July 2013 ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi. "Not only is Sufism under threat, but all of Islam and the whole of the Arab region is under threat," said Mahmoud. His son's survival "is a blessed miracle", he added.

Egypt mosque massacre: Imam vows to return to finish sermon

In the middle of the protests against the film &quot;Padmavati&quot;, comes Vice President Venkaiah Naidu statement that giving violent threats and announcing rewards for physical harm is not acceptable in a democracy.

The vice-president, who was speaking at a literary festival in New Delhi, referred to the bounty that was offered for killing the film&#39;s actors Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and said one could not give violent threats and undermine the rule of law.

&quot;Whether these fellows have that much money or not, I doubt. Everyone is announcing Rs one crore reward. Is it so easy to have Rs one crore? (Also Read:<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/country-is-witnessing-hyper-nationalism-alarming-shabana-azmi-on-padmavati-row-25130"> Country is witnessing hyper-nationalism, alarming: Shabana Azmi on &#39;Padmavati&#39; row</a>)

&quot;This is not acceptable in a democracy. You have the right to protest in a democratic manner, go to the appropriate authorities...You cannot physically obstruct and can&#39;t give violent threats. Let us not undermine the rule of law,&quot; he said.&nbsp;(Also Read - <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmavati-row-no-shooting-for-15-minutes-across-india-tomorrow-25112">&#39;Padmavati&#39; row: No shooting for 15 minutes across India tomorrow</a>)

&quot;You have no right to take laws into your own hands. At the same time, you don&#39;t have the right to hurt the sentiments of others&quot;, Venkaiah Naidu said.

Various fringe groups led by the Rajput Karni Sena, and states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have protested against the film&#39;s release alleging that it distorts historical facts.

Venkaiah Naidu stressed that he was not talking about a particular film but about films and art in general. He read out names of previously banned films like &quot;Garam Hawa&quot;, &quot;Kissa Kursi Ka&quot; and &quot;Aandhi&quot;.

The vice president said there was a new problem over some films where people feel that they have hurt the sentiments of some religions or communities and that has led to protests.

The vice president also warned against selective condemnation and said it was wrong to link it with religion.

He said there was a difference between religion and culture. While religion was a way of worship, culture was a way of life, he said.

On incidents of dissent, Naidu said while dissent was agreeable, disintegration is not.

He said these incidents, taking place in the country, need to be identified, isolated and dealt with firmly and that according to him was a &quot;challenge&quot;.

He said people have to live together irrespective of caste, creed sex, religion and added that India was one despite the differences.

&quot;This is India&#39;s speciality and we have to uphold this speciality in young minds through literature, caricature, cinema, through art...The central theme (of all these) should be the well-being of all,&quot; he said

&quot;You have to accept majority...Tolerance has to be there for the people&#39;s mandate.&quot;

(With inputs from PTI)

 
&nbsp;

Amid the Padmavati row, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, at a literary festival warned against undermining the rule of law in the country

In the middle of the protests against the film "Padmavati", comes Vice President Venkaiah Naidu statement that giving violent threats and announcing rewards for physical harm is not acceptable in a democracy. The vice-president, who was speaking at a literary festival in New Delhi, referred to the bounty that was offered for killing the film's actors Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and said one could not give violent threats and undermine the rule of law. "Whether these fellows have that much money or not, I doubt. Everyone is announcing Rs one crore reward. Is it so easy to have Rs one crore? (Also Read: Country is witnessing hyper-nationalism, alarming: Shabana Azmi on 'Padmavati' row) "This is not acceptable in a democracy. You have the right to protest in a democratic manner, go to the appropriate authorities...You cannot physically obstruct and can't give violent threats. Let us not undermine the rule of law," he said. (Also Read - 'Padmavati' row: No shooting for 15 minutes across India tomorrow) "You have no right to take laws into your own hands. At the same time, you don't have the right to hurt the sentiments of others", Venkaiah Naidu said. Various fringe groups led by the Rajput Karni Sena, and states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have protested against the film's release alleging that it distorts historical facts. Venkaiah Naidu stressed that he was not talking about a particular film but about films and art in general. He read out names of previously banned films like "Garam Hawa", "Kissa Kursi Ka" and "Aandhi". The vice president said there was a new problem over some films where people feel that they have hurt the sentiments of some religions or communities and that has led to protests. The vice president also warned against selective condemnation and said it was wrong to link it with religion. He said there was a difference between religion and culture. While religion was a way of worship, culture was a way of life, he said. On incidents of dissent, Naidu said while dissent was agreeable, disintegration is not. He said these incidents, taking place in the country, need to be identified, isolated and dealt with firmly and that according to him was a "challenge". He said people have to live together irrespective of caste, creed sex, religion and added that India was one despite the differences. "This is India's speciality and we have to uphold this speciality in young minds through literature, caricature, cinema, through art...The central theme (of all these) should be the well-being of all," he said "You have to accept majority...Tolerance has to be there for the people's mandate." (With inputs from PTI)

Violent threats not acceptable in democracy: Venkaiah Naidu on 'Padmavati' row

The&nbsp;Israeli air force on Monday attacked a&nbsp;Syrian&nbsp;anti-aircraft battery that&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;said had&nbsp;fired&nbsp;a missile at&nbsp;its&nbsp;planes&nbsp;as they were on a reconnaissance mission&nbsp;over neighbouring&nbsp;Lebanon.

No&nbsp;Israeli&nbsp;planes&nbsp;were hit in the&nbsp;Syrian&nbsp;launch,&nbsp;Israeli military spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Jonathan Conricus said, adding that the counter-strike took place two hours later and &quot;incapacitated&quot; the anti-aircraft&nbsp;unit&nbsp;located 50 km (30 miles) east of Damascus.

&quot;We know according to our intelligence it was a battery controlled by the&nbsp;Syrian&nbsp;regime and we hold the&nbsp;Syrian&nbsp;regime responsible for the fire,&quot; Conricus said.

There was no immediate comment from Syria which, while an old enemy of&nbsp;Israel, has rarely traded blows with it directly since a 1974 ceasefire ended their last conventional war.

Monday&#39;s incident was additionally unusual given&nbsp;its&nbsp;publication by&nbsp;Israel, which rarely gives details on&nbsp;its&nbsp;air force activities&nbsp;over&nbsp;Lebanon&nbsp;and Syria to foil suspected arms transfers to Iranian-backed Hezbollah guerrillas.

Such missions in Syria have increased dramatically during the country&#39;s civil war,&nbsp;Israeli official says, adding that all efforts are made to avoid accidental clashes with Russian forces helping Damascus beat back rebels.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu was due to begin a visit to&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;later on Monday. Conricus said the&nbsp;Israeli military informed Russia of&nbsp;its&nbsp;Syria strike &quot;in real time or immediately before&quot; it took place and would brief Shoigu.

Conricus said a&nbsp;Syrian&nbsp;attack on&nbsp;Israeli air force&nbsp;planes&nbsp;over&nbsp;Lebanon&nbsp;was unprecedented.&nbsp;Syrian anti-aircraft missiles were launched at&nbsp;Israeli warplanes&nbsp;over&nbsp;Syria in March. They were unscathed but one of the missiles, on&nbsp;its&nbsp;descent, was intercepted by&nbsp;Israel&#39;s Arrow air defence system.

According to Conricus, the&nbsp;Syrian&nbsp;battery struck on Monday had carried out the launch against the&nbsp;Israeli&nbsp;planes&nbsp;in March.

No?Israeli?planes?were hit in the?Syrian?launch,?Israeli military spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Jonathan Conricus said, adding that the counter-strike took place two hours later and "incapacitated" the anti-aircraft?unit?located 50 km (30 miles) east of Damascus

The Israeli air force on Monday attacked a Syrian anti-aircraft battery that Israel said had fired a missile at its planes as they were on a reconnaissance mission over neighbouring Lebanon. No Israeli planes were hit in the Syrian launch, Israeli military spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Jonathan Conricus said, adding that the counter-strike took place two hours later and "incapacitated" the anti-aircraft unit located 50 km (30 miles) east of Damascus. "We know according to our intelligence it was a battery controlled by the Syrian regime and we hold the Syrian regime responsible for the fire," Conricus said. There was no immediate comment from Syria which, while an old enemy of Israel, has rarely traded blows with it directly since a 1974 ceasefire ended their last conventional war. Monday's incident was additionally unusual given its publication by Israel, which rarely gives details on its air force activities over Lebanon and Syria to foil suspected arms transfers to Iranian-backed Hezbollah guerrillas. Such missions in Syria have increased dramatically during the country's civil war, Israeli official says, adding that all efforts are made to avoid accidental clashes with Russian forces helping Damascus beat back rebels. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu was due to begin a visit to Israel later on Monday. Conricus said the Israeli military informed Russia of its Syria strike "in real time or immediately before" it took place and would brief Shoigu. Conricus said a Syrian attack on Israeli air force planes over Lebanon was unprecedented. Syrian anti-aircraft missiles were launched at Israeli warplanes over Syria in March. They were unscathed but one of the missiles, on its descent, was intercepted by Israel's Arrow air defence system. According to Conricus, the Syrian battery struck on Monday had carried out the launch against the Israeli planes in March.

Israel attacks Syrian?anti-aircraft unit

Whether all insurgencies are acts of terrorism (or not) is an issue that has many facets: from political to moral, conceptual to propaganda. The political and moral angles tend to get a greater share of attention in public discourse. For instance, according to the official Indian version, Kashmiri militants are the Jihadi terrorist but to many others, they are freedom fighters. Another example is Palestinian militants, who are treated polar opposite ways by Israel and the Arab countries. UK and Spain see IRA and Basque separatists as a terrorist, whereas many Irish and Basque countrymen differ.&nbsp;

There are hundreds of such examples, where one category of interest groups or countries view certain activities as terrorism and others don&#39;t. Those who don&#39;t, often consider it as a legitimate armed political act called &lsquo;insurgency&rsquo;. The insurgency can evolve into a war for independence or greater political power. This can also transform into a civil war.&nbsp;

While both insurgents and terrorists advocate violence as a form of political act, there are fundamental differences between the two. The most important difference lies in the target of violence; security forces employed against the insurgents as well as physical structures and facilities related to security operation are widely considered to be the legitimate target for insurgents.&nbsp;

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<h5>While both insurgents and terrorists advocate violence as a form of political act, there are fundamental differences between the two.</h5>
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Insurgents live within their focus community like a fish in the water and often aim to graduate their struggle to a full-fledged war of independence or autonomy through the attrition of authority&rsquo;s military and administrative strength. Political scientists and security experts consider insurgency, to a considerable extent, as a natural outcome of long or intensive oppression of a community. In that sense, insurgents enjoy the support and political legitimacy to a certain extent.&nbsp;

Unlike the insurgents, however, the terrorists also target civilians and their properties. Jihadi terrorists bring in a new angle in the complexity. They aim to establish a regressive Islamic theocracy in their targeted land.&nbsp;

An insurgency is a natural tool of political bargain and rearrangements. But insurgency, with the basic principle of not targeting civilians, remains till date a legitimate and sometimes essential instrument of political wish, particularly in constrained and difficult environments. Centralised powers of a preexisting state tend to resist the formation of new political units by their own logic, propaganda and even force; yet widespread and spontaneous insurgencies do represent people&rsquo;s will where there are no other fair channels of its surfacing. In fact, there are recent examples of de facto states or political units achieved through armed struggle doing relatively better for its people e.g. Somali Land, Iraqi Kurdistan, Abkhazia etc.&nbsp;

&nbsp;In spite of the existing distinctions, sometimes, it is difficult to distinguish between insurgency and terrorism. This mistake in categorisation happens when a well-known insurgent group or isolated fractions of such a group carry out terror attacks, killing innocent civilians. While, it&#39;s important to judge them by their acts, picking a few incidents rather than a trend to make a conclusive judgment about a group could be a big mistake.&nbsp;

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Often it so happens that because of their semi-formal and loose command structure, insurgent groups fail to exercise required control over all its dispersed components. Sometimes, they make ideological mistakes and later correct themselves. Premature de-legitimisation of an insurgent group and branding it as a terror outfit is unfair and dangerous as it might still want to be a regular insurgent group and not a terrorist outfit. It might keep receiving support from its population. Wrong and mistimed ascribing into categories may push it towards full-fledged terrorism. Even allowing terrorists to come back to the regular fold, with conditions and if they demonstrate enough commitment, should not be off the table as it might prevent further violence on civilians. &nbsp;

Neutral and liberal media and civil society have a great responsibility in promoting the truth and fair assessments. Governments in developing world often tend to adopt a narrative that suits their conservative and uninformed vote bank. That brings more bad than good. Mistreatment of a complex matter often engenders other related problems and issues.&nbsp;

Indian media and civil society vis-&agrave;-vis Rohingya are a case in point on the matter. While Indian government and the right-wing elements of Indian society and media are hastily linking the entire two million strong Rohingya population to terrorism, reputed media houses are asking difficult yet legitimate questions about the principles behind India&rsquo;s policy towards Rohingya struggle and refugee.&nbsp;

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<h5>Were all the Tamils who took refuge in India terrorists?</h5>
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Were all the Tamils who took refuge in India terrorists? Didn&rsquo;t India negotiate with the LTTE to find out a political settlement? What about harbouring and arming Bangladeshi freedom fighters of 1971? On the other hand, some big-name journalists are showing cracks in their resolve and giving into the official Myanmar line with regards to Rohingya. For instance, Praveen Swami of the Indian Express visited Cox&rsquo;s Bazar and wrote an article to establish remote, unsure and weak terror links of Rohingya insurgents, ignoring completely the several decades long intense political and economic persecution of these people. Rohingyas are an utterly disorganised community for these reasons.&nbsp;

The deprivation of Rohingya was so high in Rakhine that they were not given admission beyond primary schools. If one has noticed how the BBC exposed the raw theatrics of Burmese military even in that stage-managed tour of journalists in northern Rakhine, the viewers would know that the Myanmar authority is the most doubtful source of any credible information. They are also trying to take advantage of the global anti-Jihadi sentiment caused by the events in the Middle-East and the Af-Pak region.&nbsp;

Making a category swap between a terrorist and an insurgent carries a dangerous trap. It can lead us to forget how oppression breeds insurgency. In our bid to focus on the violence, we forget the oppression part and the need to ameliorate such suffocating situation so that insurgencies don&#39;t transform itself into violent acts of terrorism.

&nbsp;

While both insurgency and terrorism advocate violence as a form of political act, there are fundamental differences between the two.

Whether all insurgencies are acts of terrorism (or not) is an issue that has many facets: from political to moral, conceptual to propaganda. The political and moral angles tend to get a greater share of attention in public discourse. For instance, according to the official Indian version, Kashmiri militants are the Jihadi terrorist but to many others, they are freedom fighters. Another example is Palestinian militants, who are treated polar opposite ways by Israel and the Arab countries. UK and Spain see IRA and Basque separatists as a terrorist, whereas many Irish and Basque countrymen differ. There are hundreds of such examples, where one category of interest groups or countries view certain activities as terrorism and others don't. Those who don't, often consider it as a legitimate armed political act called ‘insurgency’. The insurgency can evolve into a war for independence or greater political power. This can also transform into a civil war. While both insurgents and terrorists advocate violence as a form of political act, there are fundamental differences between the two. The most important difference lies in the target of violence; security forces employed against the insurgents as well as physical structures and facilities related to security operation are widely considered to be the legitimate target for insurgents. While both insurgents and terrorists advocate violence as a form of political act, there are fundamental differences between the two. × Insurgents live within their focus community like a fish in the water and often aim to graduate their struggle to a full-fledged war of independence or autonomy through the attrition of authority’s military and administrative strength. Political scientists and security experts consider insurgency, to a considerable extent, as a natural outcome of long or intensive oppression of a community. In that sense, insurgents enjoy the support and political legitimacy to a certain extent. Unlike the insurgents, however, the terrorists also target civilians and their properties. Jihadi terrorists bring in a new angle in the complexity. They aim to establish a regressive Islamic theocracy in their targeted land. An insurgency is a natural tool of political bargain and rearrangements. But insurgency, with the basic principle of not targeting civilians, remains till date a legitimate and sometimes essential instrument of political wish, particularly in constrained and difficult environments. Centralised powers of a preexisting state tend to resist the formation of new political units by their own logic, propaganda and even force; yet widespread and spontaneous insurgencies do represent people’s will where there are no other fair channels of its surfacing. In fact, there are recent examples of de facto states or political units achieved through armed struggle doing relatively better for its people e.g. Somali Land, Iraqi Kurdistan, Abkhazia etc. In spite of the existing distinctions, sometimes, it is difficult to distinguish between insurgency and terrorism. This mistake in categorisation happens when a well-known insurgent group or isolated fractions of such a group carry out terror attacks, killing innocent civilians. While, it's important to judge them by their acts, picking a few incidents rather than a trend to make a conclusive judgment about a group could be a big mistake. It is difficult to distinguish between insurgency and terrorism. This mistake in categorisation happens when a well-known insurgent group or isolated fractions of such a group carry out terror attacks. × Often it so happens that because of their semi-formal and loose command structure, insurgent groups fail to exercise required control over all its dispersed components. Sometimes, they make ideological mistakes and later correct themselves. Premature de-legitimisation of an insurgent group and branding it as a terror outfit is unfair and dangerous as it might still want to be a regular insurgent group and not a terrorist outfit. It might keep receiving support from its population. Wrong and mistimed ascribing into categories may push it towards full-fledged terrorism. Even allowing terrorists to come back to the regular fold, with conditions and if they demonstrate enough commitment, should not be off the table as it might prevent further violence on civilians. Neutral and liberal media and civil society have a great responsibility in promoting the truth and fair assessments. Governments in developing world often tend to adopt a narrative that suits their conservative and uninformed vote bank. That brings more bad than good. Mistreatment of a complex matter often engenders other related problems and issues. Indian media and civil society vis-à-vis Rohingya are a case in point on the matter. While Indian government and the right-wing elements of Indian society and media are hastily linking the entire two million strong Rohingya population to terrorism, reputed media houses are asking difficult yet legitimate questions about the principles behind India’s policy towards Rohingya struggle and refugee. Were all the Tamils who took refuge in India terrorists? × Were all the Tamils who took refuge in India terrorists? Didn’t India negotiate with the LTTE to find out a political settlement? What about harbouring and arming Bangladeshi freedom fighters of 1971? On the other hand, some big-name journalists are showing cracks in their resolve and giving into the official Myanmar line with regards to Rohingya. For instance, Praveen Swami of the Indian Express visited Cox’s Bazar and wrote an article to establish remote, unsure and weak terror links of Rohingya insurgents, ignoring completely the several decades long intense political and economic persecution of these people. Rohingyas are an utterly disorganised community for these reasons. The deprivation of Rohingya was so high in Rakhine that they were not given admission beyond primary schools. If one has noticed how the BBC exposed the raw theatrics of Burmese military even in that stage-managed tour of journalists in northern Rakhine, the viewers would know that the Myanmar authority is the most doubtful source of any credible information. They are also trying to take advantage of the global anti-Jihadi sentiment caused by the events in the Middle-East and the Af-Pak region. Making a category swap between a terrorist and an insurgent carries a dangerous trap. It can lead us to forget how oppression breeds insurgency. In our bid to focus on the violence, we forget the oppression part and the need to ameliorate such suffocating situation so that insurgencies don't transform itself into violent acts of terrorism.

Rohingyas: Insurgents or Terrorists

Thailand&#39;s&nbsp;junta&nbsp;and a Malay Muslim separatist faction have&nbsp;blamed each other for a delay in setting up a &#39;safety zone&#39; as a confidence-building measure towards ending a decades-old insurgency.

Talks on the zone ended last week in Malaysia without full agreement to be followed by bombings that killed a soldier and a policeman in the&nbsp;Thai&nbsp;south, where more than 6,500 people have been killed since 2004.

No group claimed responsibility for the latest attacks.

On Monday, the Mara Patani faction said that implementing a safety zone had been &quot;a little delayed&quot;, because some details, &quot;especially from the&nbsp;Thai&nbsp;side&quot;, had not been satisfactorily addressed, but that did not mean talks had failed.

&quot;The correct approach is to continue dialogue, not walking away from it,&quot; Abu Hafez Al-Hakim, a leader of the group, said in a statement.

At the weekend,&nbsp;Thailand&#39;s chief negotiator had said the insurgents were not ready for the safety zone, despite the sincerity of the&nbsp;Thai&nbsp;government.

&quot;If the dissidents are not ready, then people&#39;s participation in the process will be delayed,&quot; General Aksara Kerdphol said, adding that talks would continue.

The proposed safety zone would be jointly administered by&nbsp;Thai&nbsp;authorities and the&nbsp;separatists&nbsp;in a district of the three southern provinces that formed part of a Malay Muslim sultanate until being annexed by the mostly Buddhist&nbsp;Thai&nbsp;kingdom in 1909.

Within the safety zone, neither side would attack the other.

&quot;If you want to create&nbsp;peace&nbsp;you have to work with your enemy,&quot; Al-Hakim told Reuters, saying he was hopeful a safety zone could be set up within three to six months.

But the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) group, which has greater control&nbsp;over&nbsp;combatants than other factions, has not joined talks. A leader of the group told Reuters last week that the current negotiations were doomed.

Pak Fakih said in a rare interview that safety zones could be &quot;a trick by the military in trying to uncover&nbsp;the insurgent networks&quot;.

The BRN neither claims nor denies responsibility for any specific attack, but says it is continuing to fight to send a signal to the government.

The leader of another insurgent group, Patani United Liberation Organization (PULO), also said he was uneasy about the government&#39;s safety zone plan, but would go along with it in the spirit of cooperation.

Violence would continue for now as the only way to get the government to listen, Kasturi Mahkota told Reuters.

Talks on the zone ended last week in Malaysia without full agreement to be followed by bombings that killed a soldier and a policeman in the?Thai?south, where more than 6,500 people have been killed since 2004.

Thailand's junta and a Malay Muslim separatist faction have blamed each other for a delay in setting up a 'safety zone' as a confidence-building measure towards ending a decades-old insurgency. Talks on the zone ended last week in Malaysia without full agreement to be followed by bombings that killed a soldier and a policeman in the Thai south, where more than 6,500 people have been killed since 2004. No group claimed responsibility for the latest attacks. On Monday, the Mara Patani faction said that implementing a safety zone had been "a little delayed", because some details, "especially from the Thai side", had not been satisfactorily addressed, but that did not mean talks had failed. "The correct approach is to continue dialogue, not walking away from it," Abu Hafez Al-Hakim, a leader of the group, said in a statement. At the weekend, Thailand's chief negotiator had said the insurgents were not ready for the safety zone, despite the sincerity of the Thai government. "If the dissidents are not ready, then people's participation in the process will be delayed," General Aksara Kerdphol said, adding that talks would continue. The proposed safety zone would be jointly administered by Thai authorities and the separatists in a district of the three southern provinces that formed part of a Malay Muslim sultanate until being annexed by the mostly Buddhist Thai kingdom in 1909. Within the safety zone, neither side would attack the other. "If you want to create peace you have to work with your enemy," Al-Hakim told Reuters, saying he was hopeful a safety zone could be set up within three to six months. But the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) group, which has greater control over combatants than other factions, has not joined talks. A leader of the group told Reuters last week that the current negotiations were doomed. Pak Fakih said in a rare interview that safety zones could be "a trick by the military in trying to uncover the insurgent networks". The BRN neither claims nor denies responsibility for any specific attack, but says it is continuing to fight to send a signal to the government. The leader of another insurgent group, Patani United Liberation Organization (PULO), also said he was uneasy about the government's safety zone plan, but would go along with it in the spirit of cooperation. Violence would continue for now as the only way to get the government to listen, Kasturi Mahkota told Reuters.

Thai junta, separatists trade blame over peace steps

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