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9 - 15 November 2020 Vol - 30 No. 41 Email : [email protected] Founder : Dr. Govind Narain Srivastava ISSN -2349-1221

Pakistan befriended It’s not about China, now dreads what you have but Indo-US proximity how you use it On October 26, India and the United States signed a Basic In history, wise or insightful individuals have contended Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) to boost that people need to live simpler by restricting external their bilateral defence and military ties. This could not have come at... wealth to achieve inner... By Dr. Ankit Srivastava Page 3 By Dr. Pramila Srivastava Page 24

By NDT Special Bureau Page 2 What’s happening around the ‘Friend’ America confronts ‘predator’ Trump’s warnings about election World? China in Indian Ocean islands fraud may prove true

We witnessed World War I, World War II; followed by United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo brought As early as April this year, U.S. President Donald Trump decades of Cold War, where the whole world was... the Trump administration’s anti-China campaign... raised the danger of “fraud” taking place if postal... By Sujay Dhawan Page 4 By Himanshu Sharma Page 5 By Tarek Fatah Page 2 For critical insights One Year* Five Year* Subscribe Rs. 350 Rs. 1500 To Subscribe E-Paper Whatsapp +91 9999 478 735 * Details on Page 21

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Opinion NEW DELHI TIMES How Pakistan illegally annexed Gilgit-Baltistan Dogra rulers, while the British controlled Khan polarised Muslim soldiers of Kashmir India raised Kashmir issue before the UN, ◆ By NDT Special Bureau military and security matters. For protecting Army for revolt against the Dogra rule that was declined and the whole state of @NewDelhiTimes borders, the British formed a paramilitary and attacked the Sikh soldiers. Governor Kashmir - including GB - became disputed force (Gilgit Scouts); trained, equipped and Ghansara Singh could not hold. Gilgit got territory. Even after 73 years of illegal [email protected] led them. In 1935, the British took over separated from the Kashmir Dogra rule. The occupation, Pakistan struggles to integrate the Gilgit Agency administration from the n November 1, Pakistani Prime Dogra ruler on a 60-year lease. Baltistan O Minister Imran Khan declared Gilgit- remained under Kashmiri rule. Baltistan (GB) as Pakistan’s fifth province. The integration coincided with separation of Two weeks before Indian independence, Gilgit from the erstwhile Kingdom of Jammu the British abruptly cancelled the lease & Kashmir. Earlier, India has protested and asked Maharaja of Kashmir to take Pakistan displaying Gilgit-Baltistan-whose over Gilgit. Maharaja appointed Brigadier status has yet to be determined-in Pakistan’s Ghansara Singh as Governor of Gilgit. On map. India has also objected strongly to the August 1, Ghansara took charge of the Gilgit latest Pakistani move. The history of GB Agency from the British political agent. And describes vividly how Pakistan conspired to Gilgit came under the Kashmiri rule. annex GB. Abrupt cancellation of the lease and transfer GB was part of the State of Jammu and of power to the Dogras created existential Kashmir that was created in 1846 after crisis for the Gilgit Scouts. Rumours floated so-called revolutionary government acceded the region. The recent announcement the treaty between the British and Gulab that their privileged cadre will be replaced to Pakistan and on November 16, 1947 the of provincial status has brought Gilgit- Singh of the Dogra Dynasty. During the by the Kashmir Army. Subedar Major Babar political agent of Pakistan took charge. Baltistan under the spotlight again but first Anglo-Sikh war (1845-1846), Gulab Khan presented demands to Ghansara Singh Baltistan had no local force. After conspired Pakistan can’t bring this disputed territory Singh-the then ruler of Jammu in the Sikh to elevate Scouts’ status to that of Kashmir accession of Gilgit by Scouts with Pakistan, under its Constitution. Pakistan clarifies that empire-remained neutral to help the British Army in training, salaries and facilities. Muslim ruler of Rondu incited the people GB would “be included in the plebiscite the East India Company. The Britishers sold Kashmir’s accession to India or Pakistan was to fight the Sikh troops and later invited the day the plebiscite happens” but only after Kashmir to Gulab Singh for 7.5 million not decided yet. The regions of Gilgit and Gilgit Scouts to separate Baltistan from the the people of Gilgit-Baltistan desire full rupees making him the first Maharaja of Baltistan were dotted with small kingdoms Dogra Raj. integration with Pakistan. Jammu and Kashmir. The State had four of Rajas and Mirs under the dual British- units: the province of Jammu, the province Dogra administrative control. Their ruling “Pakistan has illegally occupied GB. of Kashmir, the district of Gilgit and the elites had officers’ ranks in the Scouts and Pakistan annexed GB but didn’t have the Pakistan is going to make it a province district of Ladakh (which included Baltistan wielded influence in the future settlement. competence or courage to administer and now,” reiterated Defence Minister Rajnath in its Skardu tehsil). formally incorporate GB into its territory. Singh stating that “GB, along with the Jinnah utilised India’s funds to send militants Pakistan tagged GB with Kashmir to gain entire Pakistan occupied Kashmir, is an The region was geo-strategically important from 22 Pakhtun tribes to invade Kashmir on more votes in a possible plebiscite for integral part of India.” GB is connected to due to probable Russian invasion from October 22, 1947. That forced Maharaja Hari Kashmir. India historically before Islamist fighters Central Asia. The British created the ‘Gilgit Singh to declare the accession of Kashmir conspired to illegally merge it with Pakistan. Agency’ with the British-Dogra dual to India on October 27, 1947 leaving Gilgit GB’s integration into Pakistan is complicated Can India get the territory back from the control. Civil administration remained with uncertain about its future. Mirza Hasan as India and Pakistan both claim it. When clutches of Islamists? If yes, when? Trump’s warnings about election fraud may prove true who has been a lifelong leftist, and had I been American would have cheered Senator ◆ By Tarek Fatah Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Tulsi Author & Columnist, Canada Gabbard, I find the new millionaire Marxists @TarekFatah of America repugnant. [email protected] The working man and woman are too boring s early as April this year, U.S. President to deserve their attention. Greta and the A Donald Trump raised the danger of Greens are a priority; damn the blue-collared “fraud” taking place if postal balloting workers who built America. Both he and the was permitted. Speaking to media at the nation he built as well as the U.S. flag he White House, Trump said “mail-in voting is fought under, deserved to be set alight, in horrible, it’s corrupt.” their minds. Then on Aug. 5, the President stated The entire U.S. mainstream media led by explicitly that “mail-in votes in Nevada and CNN and The New York Times worked just other states will lead to widespread fraud.” like the newspaper Izvestia laboured for the The President also identified Arizona as Soviet Communist Party leaders Khrushchev another state where these votes may be and Brezhnev. They reversed the role and

cause for concern. PC : Getty Images targeted Trump with hostility and bias that I have not witnessed as a journalist for 50 the exasperated woman expresses alarm: who run the Chinese Communist Party were His words from August sound prophetic years, some of those years under military “How come? They have already called my thrilled at the prospect that no one will ever today as we have witnessed both Arizona rule. and Nevada struggling to come up with a State” to which one of the men wearing blame them for the catastrophe they have result as of Thursday evening. masks informs her, “they are postal ballots.” inflicted on the world — COVID-19, which Then we had the pollsters who lied through Trump as referred to as the “China Virus.” their teeth and tried to excite the bourgeoisie It’s unclear what’s really going on in that Potential fraud by voters voting more than China will never have to face the wrath of into believing that the ‘blue wave’ would video, but seen in the context of how the once or even dead people voting has been the world, now that the Democrats have wipe out the Reds into oblivion. Has entire system had been geared to defeat raised by Trump’s lawyers who are seeking managed to lay the blame for the pandemic anyone admitted that all their predictions, Donald Trump, it would make anyone intervention in the courts at many levels. situation in the United States squarely at extrapolations, and statistical analyses were suspicious. Anecdotal evidence was rife on social media Trump’s feet. bogus? yesterday. One showed a video of two postal It seems those who wanted Trump out of If one were to hear the Democrat propaganda The Republicans retained the Senate workers emptying a large container on a city their way were leaving no stone unturned to machine, it was as if all the COVID-19 and added to their count in the House of street. Watching it would make any ordinary get rid of him and replace him with former deaths in the world – Russia and France, Representatives by not just women, but person believe that something fishy was Vice President Joe Biden, who had a cloud South Africa and Somalia – were Trump’s minority women. taking place. In the video, a passerby asks of alleged corruption scandals hanging over fault. the two men what they were doing. On being him, thanks to his son Hunter. As the world Trump was expected to drown in the blue informed that they were collecting ballots, watched in disbelief, I can imagine the men Getting back to postal voting: As someone wave, but that crashed as surf on the beach. www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

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Editor’s Desk NEW DELHI TIMES Pak befriended China Now dreads Indo-US proximity The US-China superpower rivalry has All are happy, except Pakistan! 300 million in funding to Islamabad over been brewing for a decade but Pakistan what it calls the government’s failure to take ◆ Dr. Ankit Srivastava consciously sided with China in 2016. Now, Pakistan’s misleading arguments action against terrorists. Chief Editor Pakistan is a protectorate and a vassal state notwithstanding, the US has already factored @AnkitNDT of China! So, Pakistan’s current trepidation all these into its strategic calculations to On October 24, 2020, Republican politician [email protected] over India-US exchange of military data forge a response to Chinese aggression. Nikki Haley remarked that President Donald and entreating America to weigh the Washington understands the region very Trump has stopped providing “billion n October 26, India and the United complexities of interstate regional dynamics well; it can wriggle out of misleading Pak- dollars” in military aid to Pakistan as it O States signed a Basic Exchange and in Asia has no takers. Pakistan should have narrative. harbours terrorists who were trying to kill Cooperation Agreement (BECA) to boost American soldiers. “We were giving a billion their bilateral defence and military ties. This dollars in military aid to Pakistan, who was could not have come at a better time for India turning around harbouring terrorists, that are when it is facing the Chinese aggression in trying to kill our American soldiers. We do Ladakh and for America in its stand-off with American Secretary of State Mike not give that billion dollars,” the former US China in the South China Sea along with the Envoy to the United Nations said. on-going trade-war. Pompeo and Defence Secretary India and the US share the vision of a world American Secretary of State Mike Pompeo free from terrorism. India seeks its rightful and Defence Secretary Mark Esper flew to place under the sun. It is getting stronger New Delhi for the 2+ 2 dialogue to sign the Mark Esper flew to New Delhi for under Modi’s stewardship and well on its BECA which is the last of a series of four way to become a global influencer. The strategic pacts between India and the US. the 2 + 2 dialogue to sign the BECA US is India’s strategic partner. Pakistan’s The BECA will be highly useful to India as iron brother China is getting cornered and it grants access to classified geospatial data increasingly isolated with company of and critical information of military import. which is the last of a series of four only two countries-Pakistan and Turkey-in Pompeo discussed India’s border tensions the entire world. Provoking India became with China and expressed solidarity with strategic pacts between India & US China’s Himalayan blunder. New Delhi. The US officials’ tour itinerary Threatening that the region is a hotspot included visits to Sri Lanka and the Maldives and could flare up at any time, Pakistani to counter growing Chinese influence there. Prime Minister Imran Khan urged the US realised this while cosying up to China. All Pompeo’s visit rattled China which warned Pakistan thinks of itself as the geostrategic to be even-handed, with respect to India, sermonising by the terror state cuts no ice America not to bully Colombo and urged fulcrum of the world. For decades it punched especially on the Kashmir issue. The self- with regional neighbours. China developing to “stop sowing discord” between China much above its weight. Now is the time of professed wise man and big talker Imran the Gwadar port for military advantage and regional countries. China blamed that reckoning. The super power US has already totally disregards the US calculations that has adversely impacted the power balance. Pompeo’s accusations reflected his “Cold measured terror state Pakistan’s reduced India can contain China. BECA could set it right. War mentality”. Pompeo retaliated calling salience. Hard lessons will help Pakistan Pompeo during his latest India visit said China a “predator”. America is blocking mature fast. Sermonizing the USA to follow As expansionist designs of China unfolds, that the US and India will work together to Chinese influence in South Asia and Africa a policy in South Asia that will be fair to its true colours reveal to neighbours. confront the threat China posed to security to save the world. Countries in the region, China-Pakistan combine is simply a waste Beijing’s incremental annexation and and freedom of countries in the region and tormented by Beijing’s imperialist designs, of efforts, energies and time. The US, like regular threats has made life hell for all beyond. are happy with the American its 16 neighbours. The US has come to China, has its own political cum economic move. the rescue of regional neighbours by interests in the region. China created this America will help India to ensure that China resisting Chinese advancement. Enhancing mess and will have to face the consequences no more remains the powerful monster it is India’s military capabilities can effectively too. now to continue to torment its neighbours. counter an aggressive China. The US-India Pakistan will get what it deserves, not what For too long, Pakistan managed agreement will ensure peace in South Asia. it wants. Respect cannot be demanded, not to extract billions of dollars from begged; it has to be earned. the US on the pretext of fighting a ‘war on terror’. Yet, what sort of ‘war’ it was fighting, remained for the whole world to see. Pakistan, using those very funds it appropriated to fight terror, became the epicentre of global terrorism producing terrorists of every shades and hues. Credit must be given to the administration of Donald Trump for calling out the bluff of Pakistan. In 2018, Trump administration suspended USD

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International NEW DELHI TIMES What’s happening around the World? We cogitated of getting above our differences and treat each other equal but today there are more differences among each other ◆ By Sujay Dhawan we would be flying to space like we fly to other countries. Instead of land freeways Editor we will have sky highways. Most of the @SujayDhawan population would be living in skyscrapers [email protected] high enough to touch space. e witnessed the World War I, the W World War II; followed by decades We would even be in direct connection with of the Cold War, where the whole world another life form or alien beings from some was divided into two blocs and the world other star system or galaxy. But here we superpowers competing with each other in are in year 2020, learning how to wash our every field in recent times. It won’t be wrong hands properly, facing a world pandemic, to say that end of 19th Century and the start choking with deadly levels of air pollution of 20th Century, although being the most and for sure global warming and climate destructive, still witnessed the advancements change. in the field of science and technology. What We have come a long way. Now we can’t PC : Getty Images the world achieved from the years 1870 to even think without our smart phones and are facing unrest due to poverty such as most all over the world then one thought which 1970, was never achieved in more than 1000 other technological equipment. They have of the African countries. provokes our minds is that whether we years before that. become the way of our lives. Even living have a shadow world government? A deep thousand miles apart, we are still connected Every other major democracy in the world is state within the states? Who is after this Just assume you are in year 1850, if someone with each other. facing civil unrest presently. Some countries civil unrest? Who is stopping humanity showed you a phone, or a camera or a car you like Pakistan have even went back in time to overcome differences and gain peace However, the world is falling apart. More will be shocked and of course if someone and started ethnic cleansing of their citizens. and development? We all for sure are in than 40% of the countries in the world are showed you a spacecraft then an instant heart What has gone wrong with the thought quandary. facing civil unrest. And yes, it is indeed a attack. But voila, we achieved all these feats process? Instead of peace, the world is thing to worry. in the time span of 100 years. Humanity rose opting for violence. If we look back in the past, the world to another level of consciousness with onset We cogitated of getting above our differences was divided into dynasties or kingdoms. of genius minds like Tesla, Edison, Einstein, and treat each other equal but today there Syria is one example where from a decade Slowly and gradually democracy prevailed. C.V. Raman, etc. Not only science but in are more differences among each other. a civil war is going on and the people are Therefore, is it that instead of pluralist every other field like medicine, engineering, Somewhere, people are fighting with the leaving the country and immigrating to other democracy we require majoritarian etc., we reached new heights; be it Madam government like in Belarus, some countries states. Is it the 4th Century dark ages again? democracies now? Do we require dictators Curie or Louis Pasteur or Enzo Ferrari, we are facing internal unrest like most of the As per the Global Peace Index, around 58% to govern us? Without a lease and a whip, we excelled in every damn field. South American countries, some states are countries faced violent protests in year 2019 are too rigid to stay civilized and decent? Or facing religious extremism like France, alone. Still if we give a thought to reasons as do we require a Gilgamesh to resuscitate the Once people dreamt that in the 21st Century, Germany, Britain, etc., and some countries to why such unrest are there in the societies corpse of humanity? International Political Scenario of the Week capital. The announcement was made in a ◆ By NDT Bureau joint press conference by Integration Minister @NewDelhiTimes Susanne Raab and Interior Minister Karl Nehammer. The suspect behind the deadly [email protected] attack was identified as 20-years-old Kujtim Fejzulai, an Islamic State sympathizer who Algeria was arrested last year after trying to head to Syria to join the group. According to Raab, The 2020 Algerian Constitutional after his release, he “had repeatedly visited referendum was held on November 1, 2020. two Vienna mosques.” Austrian leaders The subject of the referendum was a revision have also called for reforming the country’s of the Algerian Constitution, and it follows domestic intelligence agency after the a series of protests known as Hirak. Fewer Vienna terror attacks. The Head of the main than one in four Algerian voters took part in domestic intelligence agency for the city of the Constitutional referendum, officials said, Vienna, the Vienna Provincial Office for the despite government efforts to encourage Protection of the Constitution and Counter- high turnout as part of a strategy to turn Terrorism (LVT), was stepping down the page on last year’s political unrest. temporarily while an investigation was This was Algeria’s lowest ever turnout, carried out, Interior Minister Karl Nehammer ruling party of the restive Tigray region on government has announced a four-day with many in the opposition “Hirak” street told a news conference. “Obvious and from a camp housing federal troop. The military lockdown, a day after the election results are protest movement opposing the referendum our point of view intolerable mistakes were campaign in the north has “clear, limited announced. Around 4 million Jordanians are and the vote taking place amid a global made,” Nehammer said. and achievable objectives,” Abiy wrote on eligible to vote. There is a large possibility pandemic. Said Salhi, Deputy President of Twitter. The operations sought “to restore that electoral turnout may be low on account the Algerian Human Rights League, hailing Ethiopia the rule of law and the Constitutional order, of the COVID-19 pandemic. Minister of the low turnout as a “victory for the Hirak and to safeguard the rights of Ethiopians to Political and Parliamentary Affairs Musa movement”, in a tweet said that the regime Ethiopia stands on the brink on a civil lead a peaceful life wherever they are in the Al-Maaytah has urged young people to go of current President Abdelmadjid Tebboune war. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has told country.” Ethiopia’s war preparations have to the polls, saying, “They are the ones able must now “take note of its failure and the nation that his government carried out dashed international hopes of averting a to direct their peers to actively participate in reconsider the roadmap.” He also stressed airstrikes against the forces of the country’s conflict between Abiy’s government and the the elections during the remaining few days. that the “only solution is the process of well-armed Tigray region, asserting that powerful Tigray People’s Liberation Front democratic transition”. The Hirak protests strikes in multiple locations “completely (TPLF). They are the ones who should choose those will continue against the referendum in the destroyed rockets and other heavy weapons” who represent them, with programmes coming days. and made a retaliatory attack impossible. Jordan and ideas.” Some 4.65 million voters are The operation will continue “until the junta eligible to participate in the upcoming Austria is made accountable by law,” Abiy said. General elections are scheduled to be held elections. However, many political analysts He warned the Tigray population stating, in Jordan on November 10, 2020. The contend that despite authorities and officials’ The Austrian authorities have announced “In order to avoid unexpected peril, I elections will be held at a time when Jordan appealing for greater participation in the that they were shutting two Vienna mosques advise that you limit group movements in is struggling to cope with the COVID-19 elections, voting will be low by the citizens frequented by a man who shot four people cities.” Abiy Ahmed, had earlier ordered pandemic with as many as 3,000 persons who are outraged with how the government dead in a terrorist attack in the Austrian a military response to an “attack” by the per day coming down with the virus. The has handled the virus. www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

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International NEW DELHI TIMES ‘Friend’ America confronts ‘predator’ China in Indian Ocean islands Chinese debt trap is a reality. Hambantota Island of Sri Lanka is the example push back against increasing Chinese Chinese company for 99 years! Party System of China can unleash on By Himanshu Sharma ◆ assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific. Warning other countries. Though late, America is In early October, Beijing offered a @_Himansh_ similar threat posed by China to India, the exposing the “predatory” nature of Chinese $90-million grant to Sri Lanka for rural US signed military pact BECA with India on investments. Chinese debt trap is a reality. [email protected] development, after President Rajapaksa October 26. Hambantota Island of Sri Lanka is the sought help from a visiting Chinese example. The predatory nature of the CPEC nited States Secretary of State delegation to prove that China-funded The development and infrastructure projects and Chinese investment will be manifested U Mike Pompeo brought the Trump megaprojects are not “debt traps”. benefit China more than the recipient in Pakistan very soon. Sri Lanka and many administration’s anti-China campaign to two Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka denounced countries. Pompeo repeated the message to African countries learnt it the hard way. Indian Ocean island nations – Sri Lanka and Pompeo’s Colombo visit, criticized America Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Gunawardena. Predator is the right word to define China. Maldives – which are highly vulnerable to Pompeo hailed Sri Lanka as “a beacon” urging Sri Lanka “to make difficult but Chinese exploitation through debt-traps. of freedom and democracy in the region necessary decisions to secure its economic That’s why most countries are now turning provided it retained its “full sovereignty”. independence for long-term prosperity,” and their backs on China. The more Pakistan “That is quite a contrast to what China chided the US for Pompeo’s visit during the suffers, more benefits to China to trap it. The seeks,” Pompeo said. “The Chinese corona times. The US-China tug-of-war is only countries wiling to submit to China now Communist Party is a predator. The United playing on. are the ones under massive Chinese debt. States comes in a different way. We come as As in Sri Lanka, Pakistan will be forced to part a friend and a partner,” he said. Sri Lankan government is backsliding on democratic reforms. President Rajapaksa used Gilgit-Baltistan for repayment. The US move However, Gunawardena professed equidistance Constitutional amendments to reverse previous is not anti-China but intends to prevent China and expressed willingness to cooperate government’s efforts to curb authoritarianism. from robbing the world. The fall of China is with all friendly countries. “Sri Lanka is a Now Rajapaksa can hold Ministries, appoint inevitable. The US should not rest until it gets PC : Getty Images neutral, non-aligned country committed to and sack Ministers, and be the appointing rid of the Chinese Communist Party. authority of the elections, public service, Pompeo visited Sri Lanka and the Maldives peace,” he said. He expressed the “hope to Pompeo is visiting Sri Lanka–a sovereign nation police, human rights, and bribery or corruption to press the two countries to be on guard continue relations with the United States and and not Pakistan-a satellite state of China. India investigation commissions. Pompeo’s meeting against potential predatory lending and with other parties.” helped Sri Lanka to tide over its foreign payment with Rajapaksa “stressed the importance investments by China. He was making the crisis. With a ‘benevolent’ neighbour like India, Sri Lanka is a critical link in China’s massive of strengthening democratic governance, point that President Trump feels that his rival Colombo does not need China. China is getting “Belt and Road” global infrastructure human rights protections, and of fundamental Joe Biden is weak on China and beholden to isolated more and more. building initiative. China has loaned freedoms to ensure long-term stability and it. billions of dollars to Sri Lanka through prosperity”. International relations do not work on Even before Pompeo arrived in Sri Lanka, building projects - seaport, airport, port-city, emotions or passion but on tangible China had retorted back at the US message, highways and power stations - which are China continues bullying small island deliverables. The US has the power and accusing Washington of bullying smaller financially unviable and difficult to repay. nations which the US took too long to knows how to wield them too. China is only nations. Pompeo also visited the Maldives In 2017, loan burden forced Colombo to understand. The US grossly underestimated to be blamed for pushing its neighbours into and Indonesia to press those nations to lease out Chinese-built Hambantota port to the extent of agony the undemocratic One- the American lap. Kerala’s hand-chopping to Paris beheading Role of home grown radical outfits about maintaining peace and harmony. sentiments of the students. Responding to the there is a requirement of a Christianity type ◆ By NDT Bureau There is a greater need to understand that situation violently, a young Muslim chopped “enlightenment.” @NewDelhiTimes individual acts of violence should not cast off teacher’s hand in fury. Is this the way of the whole community as extremist and our Prophet who always advocated peace [email protected] thereby violent. Moreover, there should be over violence? The point to expedite here precedence in place prohibiting defamatory is that if anyone disrespects or discredits very human expression counts, be that characterisations of minority communities. Prophet Muhammad in any way, be that E in the form of ‘ideas’ or the physical through caricatures or other means, it does acts, like violence. Sometimes the inter- Such characterisations foster defensive not in any way devalue his exalted position. reliability between these two is paramount mentality along with a sense of subjugation. and sacrosanct. Ideas if employed in an Though Muslims might feel a sense From Kerala’s Professor to French appropriated and vested manner, are bound of disrespect and disregard, and feels beheading incident, the convicts acted in to breed violence. The recent Paris incident compelled to respond; yet, the response their own capacity and had nothing to do is a referral that teaches us that there is a should be rooted in Islam while drawing with the religion. Islam would have taught growing need to inculcate tolerance and inspirations from the teachings and deeds of them to be more tolerant, progressive and respect for sentiments the Prophet. open-minded. primarily associated with There is a greater The response should be religions amongst the need to understand If they at all had understood Islam properly, social sections. in the form of rejection it would have taught them that it is better that individual acts of such intimidating to educate people about the Prophet and In particular, Muslims narratives, including of violence should his dealings with those people who used to PC : Getty Images around the world need to the violence inflicted on malign him and had a difference of opinion understand the growing not cast the whole innocent civilians. It may with him during his lifetime. challenges they face; community as count as a disrespect to Islam has a somewhat different public therefore, any action of the honour of the Prophet Thereby, Muslims need to learn to live manifestation, but to associate it with theirs will be observed, extremist and thereby if a faithful Muslim as an example of their beloved Prophet parochialism and fundamentalism is to judged and interpreted violent. inflicts violence on any by spreading the exact message of peace, scapegoat and compromise the social according to set standards individual. The incidents prosperity and harmony through inclusive existence of its practitioners. of the communities they live in. France has like this have a history and will continue forbearance. a long history of freedom of expression to happen in future. In the state of Kerala, To reiterate it, individual acts do not count and secularism. Muslims there need to an incident of the same nature took place At the same time, the world must understand for the whole community or for that matter be more accommodative and tolerant in 2010. A professor’s internal question the distinctiveness of the religion Islam, as their religion. Instead, the executor should be prescribing to Islamic edicts and Prophets paper which allegedly insulted Prophet it is a complete code of living. It is a gross held responsible even if he chants religious Muhammad’s (S.A.W) sayings/teachings Muhammad (S.A.W) hurted the religious misunderstanding that it is in “crises” or slogans while perfoming radical deeds.

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International NEW DELHI TIMES Hand in Glove: China’s new marionette - Sultan Erdogan language, its culture and its people. The President Erdogan avoid seeking financial pure and unadulterated megalomania. silence has become part of a political assistance from Western-dominated China takes advantage of Turkey’s NATO strategy. Since 2010, Turkey has been institutions and they have also helped him ◆ By Henri Malosse membership and its strategic position at the increasingly seeking to improve ties with avoid asking the International Monetary @MalosseHenri crossroads of three continents with a vast China. Growing economic deterioration Fund (IMF) for loans which would have market for infrastructure, energy, defence in the country linked to domestic political required Turkey to commit to reforms and technology and telecommunications. Turkey challenges have forced Turkey to look in other measures that could have undermined is an essential piece in China’s Belt and resident Erdogan of Turkey has accused the direction of China and reconstruct its the President’s control over the economy. Road Initiative (BRI). Its foothold in the P French President Emmanuel Macron political and policy agenda. Similarly, Erdogan’s AKP and China’s of “Islamophobia”. Erdogan has not offered Mediterranean Sea presents road, rail, air Communist Party (CCP) have been support to the French people in dealing Where Erdogan used to critique China, and sea access to the heart of the Europe. increasingly criticised by the Western with the terrorists arriving as migrants, and as he does France, he is now offering New rail infrastructure which connects Kars, countries for their anti-democratic has not condemned the violent and horrific China a free hand to commit atrocities in East Turkey, to Baku, through Georgia, practices and human rights violations. Both extremist attacks on French soil but has against ‘fellow’ Muslims, in exchange for Central Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and countries have also managed to alienate instead chosen to critic the French President. economic returns. Indeed, even within China is a symbol of its greater designs for his own country, Erdogan has persecuted themselves from their regional neighbours the BRI. However, China’s blue print also Macron has been strong in his recent Muslims. Previous supporters of Erdogan’s in general through their aggressive actions. includes removing the old colonial Russian convictions to address the increasing attacks Justice and Development Party (AKP), the Furthermore, as Turkey becomes more and influence across from Islamist extremists in the country. Gülenists, were hunted down, imprisoned more intrusive in the region, particularly Additionally, Macron has also refused to and assassinated. In order to remain in power in Armenia, Libya, Cyprus, Syria; its Central Asia and this means it will require denounce the French values of freedom and target any opposition, the AKP formed previously cherished relationship with full access to countries such as Turkmenistan, of speech and freedom of expression - an alliance with the country’s Nationalist Russia is now showing cracks as the ever- Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan - all something that is oppressed in Turkey. Movement Party (MHP). astute Vladimir Putin distances himself from Turkish influenced lands. But Erdogan does not stop with Macron. ties with Erdogan and his Islamic ideological China has already implanted its footprint Following the radical jihadist attacks in ambitions for domination in the region. Vienna this week, Erdogan has gone as far in Turkey - Huawei is the largest IT The new and strengthening alliance as warning the Austrian Prime Minister, company, whilst military and intelligence between Turkey and China presents many Sebastian Kurz, about a possible “religious cooperation have also strengthened between new opportunities for both parties which war”, leaded by himself, if Kurz continues the two authoritarian regimes. China’s toxic Erdogan has summaries in his vision for to close Mosques linked to radicalisation in investment tentacles means it has secured the future - proposing a new paradigm for Austria. investments of 65% in the largest container Turkey and China as “the world’s most port of Kumport, near Istanbul; 51% of Erdogan is not alone in his warnings to ancient civilisations” to pursue a multipolar the famous Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge the Europeans seeking to address radical world order where Turkey and China have of Istanbul, connecting Asia to Europe; PC : Getty Images Islam. Look carefully and it is obvious “a responsibility to contribute to building and it has contributed $1.7 billion for the that there is a competition between two Turkey has little, if any, chance of attaining this new system”. construction of the Hunutlu Thermal Plant aggressors who both seek to be the leaders the European Union membership and as a China’s investments in Turkey are also not coal electricity plant by the Mediterranean of the new Islamic world - Recep Tayyip result the country and its leadership have without calculation. Having antagonized Sea. Erdogan in the West and Imran Khan in distanced themselves further and further and possibly exhausted the patience of the East, can be considered as today’s most Neither Turkey nor China have shied away from Europe and European values. It is said strategic relationships with the US, India, fundamentalist Islamic leaders. Calling for from conflict nor controversy to achieve that Turkey has even considered joining Australia and the EU, it finds itself, like an end to French products is just the start, their ambitions. Nonetheless, Turkey does the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Turkey, becoming further isolated. China both have an objective to lead the Islamic not have the financial resources nor the alongside China and Russia. The art of is happy to turn a blind eye to Turkey’s terrorist movements, whilst at the same time political clout to enforce its dominance on manipulating strategic relations is the forte Islamic ambitions, in the same way that it supplying the world with Chinese products! the world in the same way as China has of an ambitious dictator. has done with Islamic Republic of Pakistan, done but it has not stopped the aspirations Both Turkey and China, under Erdogan and and likewise both Turkey and Pakistan have Note China’s silence on the terrorist attacks of Erdogan. In his haste to kowtow to China, Xi Jinping, share a resistance to rule-of- remained silent on China’s “genocide” of in France and Austria, and then note the Erdogan has willingly made himself a pawn law reforms and an anti-Western discourse the Uyghur. One should remember that silence of both Turkey and Pakistan, and in China’s strategy. Turkey will pay the price and at a time when Erdogan’s regime and both Turkey and Pakistan have harboured, indeed the majority of Muslim states, on as it becomes more and more dependent on Turkey’s economy are in crisis, China’s trained, nurtured and funded terrorists and the persecution of the Uyghur Muslims China, and Erdogan will only ever become hand-outs have become a welcomed relief sent them to the other parts of the world in in China. Both Erdogan and Khan have the next Sultan of a new Ottoman Empire to fund infrastructure and to maintain a order to inflict violence and destabilisation, remained silent on the well documented as a marionette of Xi Jinping - until he gets veneer of development. Whilst the Chinese from Syria, Lebanon, Armenia, Afghanistan, ethnic cleansing of a Muslim population bored and moves on to his next unsuspecting investments to Turkey have been much India to Europe. This makes China’s double in China, violations which include torture, victim whilst tossing his old toys in the smaller than the aid given by its European game even more obvious; it blames the imprisonment, murder, rape and forced dustbin as he no longer needs them! organ harvesting amongst their human neighbours, the China-Turkey relationship Uyghur for being Islamic terrorists on its rights abuses and all under the banner of has profited from substantial prosperity in own territory whilst supporting its Islamists Henri Malosse: “re-education” to annihilate the Uyghur other ways. Chinese investments have help allies. This is not political diplomacy; this is European Expert, Political Advisor, Author. Pakistan’s politics on Gilgit-Baltistan is meaningless, people should awry: Qadri in the past, the Pakistan Embassy in He is also blaming India for the ongoing Riyadh also expressed displeasure over an Shia-Sunni terrorism in the country, but he ◆ By Shujaat Ali event organized for Kashmir. It is a state is forgetting that the Pakistan government Quadri of frustration for Pakistan over Gilgit- should look into its poverty by failing to stop Baltistan. After this situation, due to the terrorism prevailing in the country. Qadri internationalization of Kashmir in world reminded that on the 8th of last month, the akistan’s politics on Gilgit-Baltistan diplomacy, Pakistan has been doing foolish Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front and the P has no meaning. It should act for things. Student Liberation Front have staged a the development of its country and stop massive protest against the Government of terrorism in the valley without interfering Qadri said that Pakistan should understand Pakistan in the city of Muzaffarabad. Both in the internal affairs of India. This was that the issue of Kashmir Valley, Gilgit and these organizations are also opposing the said by the President of Muslims student’s Baltistan is two-way and should sit with grant of separate statehood status to Gilgit- also passes through Gilgit-Baltistan. organization Shujaat Ali Qadri. India and try to resolve the issues of the Baltistan. He exhorted Pakistan that Kashmir was fully region by mutual agreement. Qadri said that Gilgit-Baltistan is a part merged with India in 1919 and Pakistan The national president of the MSO said that of India and Pakistan is creating more should terminate its occupation from He reiterated that Pakistan has increased its Pakistan is doing all this under pressure trouble for itself by giving the region Kashmir, Gilgit and Baltistan, acting on problems by giving State status to Gilgit- from China because Gilgit-Baltistan of statehood. Pakistan has been overwhelmed India’s demand. by successive diplomatic defeats over Baltistan. Qadri said that protests are going Pakistan occupied Kashmir meets China and the Kashmir Valley, Gilgit and Baltistan. on in Pakistan against Prime Minister Imran China wants that it can make an impact in Shujaat Ali Quadri: Recently, Saudi Arabia removed Gilgit- Khan. In such a situation, he is politicizing the region by giving a separate identity to National President (Muslim Students Baltistan from the map of Pakistan and Gilgit-Baltistan to divert public attention. Kashmir. China’s ‘One Belt Road Initiative’ Organization of India) www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

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International NEW DELHI TIMES Latest issue of ISIS propaganda magazine again calls for Jihad in India Issue 9 of the magazine calls upon Muslims to take up arms and wage ‘jihad’ to take revenge against the Indian establishment for the Babri Masjid incident Of Judgment” seeks to give legitimacy to Hudaibiyyah while they actually promised Jihad in India. On April 21, 2020, the third ◆ By NDT Bureau Jihad. The excerpts of the article are cited in the Kuffar a permanent peace in the name edition called on the IS supporters to prepare @NewDelhiTimes a report by the Middle East Media Research of Abraham Accords, the Doha deal, etc. Do for a ‘ghazwa’-battles associated with the Institute (MEMRI) dated October 30. “All not be deceived by their misinterpretations expansion of Muslim territory in the region. [email protected] praises belong to Allah, who ordained jihad and fabrications and remember despite The cover of the newsletter reflects its areas upon his truthful slaves and assists them their treacherous deals, jihad upon Tawheed of prioritisation, which include Afghanistan, hrough the propaganda magazine in every era against the treacherous kuffar against the Kuffar and the murtadeen Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Pakistan, T ‘Voice of Hind’, the Islamic State [unbelievers]. Allah says in the Koran, ‘And [apostates] shall continue. and Sri Lanka. is trying to gain a foothold in India by those who do jihad for us, we will surely eulogizing Jihad and violent extremism. guide them to our ways. And indeed, Allah Jihad wasn’t abandoned when the apostates “If your freedom of Thus far, nine issues of the magazine have is with Muhsinun’. rose in the era of [first Islamic Caliph] Abu been published by the pro-Islamic State Bakr as-Siddiq, neither shall it be abandoned expression doesn’t stop you (ISIS) group Ansarul Khilafah in Hind (The To begin with, indeed, jihad is one of the today when those who misinterpret sharia from criticizing Prophet Aiders of the Khilafah in India). They are greatest blessings given by Allah almighty (Islamic) rulings because of their lowly Muhammad PBUH [peace be circulated through dark web. to the truthful Mujahedeen [Islamic desires and thus promised the permanent upon him], then our swords monotheists]. It is through jihad that the peace to the Kuffar after fighting bloody religion of truth gets established and the battles against them for so long. They want will not stop defending laws of Allah are implemented on this to extinguish the light of Allah with their the honour of Prophet Earth. [19th Century Saudi scholar] Shaykh mouths, but Allah refuses except to perfect Muhammad PBUH.” Muhammad Bin Abdul Lateef said, ‘Jihad is his light, although the disbelievers dislike a part of Islam without which Islam cannot it.” be established and without which it is not Voice of Hind, Issue 9 possible to uphold the laws of sharia’. Allah The magazine concludes by referencing has ordained jihad fi sabeelillah [jihad in the the execution of Samuel Paty in France, The mention of Kashmir, India, also path of Islam] in his book and praised the praising violence against those who defame solidifies the notion that the IS considers mujahedeen and referred to them as Urwatul the Prophet Muhammad. A poster forming the region fertile ground for future Islamic Wusqa (firm handhold) because jihad is the the last page of the issue reads: “If your State conversion due to perpetual unrest in peak of Islam”, the article states. freedom of expression doesn’t stop you the disputed territories and there being a from criticizing Prophet Muhammad PBUH precedent of state-sponsored terrorism. The article also condemns the peace deals [peace be upon him], then our swords will Issue 9 of the magazine calls upon Muslims signed by some Middle Eastern countries not stop defending the honour of Prophet The fourth and fifth edition of the magazine to take up arms and wage ‘jihad’ to take with Israel and states, “Do not be deceived Muhammad PBUH.” was published in May and June 22, revenge against the Indian establishment by those who were misled by the Iblees respectively that further glorified the IS for the Babri Masjid incident. An article (Satan) into concluding the anti-Islamic This is not the first time ‘Voice of Hind’ ideology and made calls for jihad against the titled “Jihad Will Continue Till The Day deals and falsely equating them with Al- has called on the Indian Muslims to launch Indian state. Erdogan miffed with French crackdown on radicalism Erdogan has also made slanderous personal comments against French President Emmanuel Macron that in no way suits remarks made by any Head of State millions of people living in his country who the highest level of the Turkish State. This ◆ By NDT Bureau are members of a different faith?” he added. conduct is unacceptable, especially from @NewDelhiTimes “The person in charge of France has lost his an allied nation. The French ambassador to way,” Erdogan said. On Twitter, Turkish Turkey has been recalled and is returning to [email protected] government Spokesman Fahrettin Altun France”. also criticized the Macron administration’s n October 26, Turkish President Tayyip “anti-separatist” law, writing, “This is about Responding to the calls for boycott of O Erdogan told Turkish citizens to intimidating Muslims and reminding them French made goods, the French Foreign boycott French goods in response to what he that they are welcome to continue to make Ministry said that its diplomats were says is France’s “anti-Islam” agenda. “I call Europe’s economy work, but that they will mobilizing to ask countries where boycotts on our people to never buy French products,” never be a part of it.” Altun added that this were being organized or hate calls issued not Erdogan said at the opening ceremony of a policy is “eerily familiar,” noting that it to back them, and to provide assurances that week in the capital Ankara honouring the recalls “the demonizing of European Jews in French citizens would be safe. “In numerous birth of the Prophet Muhammad. “Never the 1920s.” countries of the Middle East, calls to boycott give credit to French-labelled goods, don’t French products ... and more generally, calls buy them,” Erdogan said. He also called Clearly, Erdogan is miffed with the French to demonstrate against France, in sometimes PC : Getty Images on the leaders of Europe to end the hate crackdown on radical Islam in the wake of hateful terms, have been relayed on social campaign against Muslims. “Muslims are the recent instances of attacks by Islamic media,” the French Foreign Ministry said. now subjected to a lynch campaign similar extremists in France that included the killing It added that such calls “denature” France’s to that against Jews in Europe before World of a teacher in Paris suburbs and then a positions on freedom of expression and War II,” Erdogan added. stabbing incident in Nice. Turkey’s products are being boycotted in the conscience. UAE and Saudi Arabia. Morocco has also Erdogan has also made slanderous personal France has decided to recall its Ambassador, restricted goods manufactured in Turkey comments against French President Hervé Magro, from Turkey. A communique Turkey maintained a conspicuous silence and Turkish supermarket chains, as well as Emmanuel Macron that in no way suits from the French Foreign Ministry read, when Samuel Paty was killed or when the hiking taxes on imported Turkish goods by remarks made by any Head of State. “What “In the absence of any official token knife attacks in Nice took place. The attacks 90 percent. problem does this person called Macron of condemnation or solidarity from the by Erdogan against the French President are have with Muslims and Islam? Macron Turkish authorities after the terrorist attack not accidental. Tayyip Erdogan has found his Turkey’s own exports have fallen by 20%. needs treatment on a mental level,” Erdogan in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine now comes “scapegoat” to thwart his quest to emerge as Turkey’s own economy is in dire straits. The said in a speech at a provincial congress of hateful and slanderous propaganda against the ubiquitous protector of Muslims. price of the dollar shot up to more than 8.3 his AK Party in the central Turkish city of France in recent days, expressing a will to liras in the last week of October, surging Kayseri. “What else can be said to a head stir hatred against us and in our midst, as However, Erdogan’s calls for a boycott about 46% over a year. Consumer inflation of state who does not understand freedom well as direct insults against the President will at the best have a mild effect on the is 12% while unemployment is estimated at of belief and who behaves in this way to of the French Republic, expressed from French economy. Further, at the same time, 30%.

India’s only International Newspaper www.NewDelhiTimes.com 8 9 - 15 November 2020

International NEW DELHI TIMES Al-Qaeda releases statement condemning Arab nations for peace deal with Israel The statement of Al Qaeda comes after a ◆ By NDT Bureau month the group released a nearly 43-minute- @NewDelhiTimes long video message in Arabic with English subtitles from the group’s Emir, Ayman al- [email protected] Zawahiri. The video focussed mainly on the recent peace deals signed by the Middle n October 13, Al-Qaeda’s main media Eastern countries with Israel. O wing, Al-Sahab Media Foundation released a two-page statement titled, “Statement on the Normalization of Ties Al-Zawahiri addressed U.S. President with Israel by Arab Zionists”. The statement Donald Trump’s peace plan for the Middle has been released in Arabic and English East in the first part of the video, and then and minces no words in condemning those went on to refute allegations made in a countries of the Arab world that have signed documentary aired in September 2019 on the deal for normalisation of ties with Israel. Al-Jazeera regarding cooperation between his organization and official elements in the According to the Middle East Media Arab countries. It should be noted that Al- Research Institute (MEMRI), in its Jihad and Zawahiri’s message does not appear to have Terrorism Threat Monitor section, Al-Qaeda been recorded recently, seeing that he does begins the statement by condemning the not address any of the momentous events of deal saying, “The complete sell-out of the 2020. The events mentioned by Al-Zawahiri Palestinian cause by the rulers of the Gulf himself can be dated to the Al-Jazeera documentary from September 2019, and the statelets and the normalization of political, PC : Getty Images economic and diplomatic relations with the Peace to Prosperity conference which took Zionist state that occupies Jerusalem and the place in Manama, Bahrain, in June 2019. slaves to the West. Countries like the United in the swamp of their security agreements Masjid Al-Aqsa, the destination of the night Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia with Israel, and their lands are occupied journey of the Prophet (peace be upon him), Zawahiri then continues to describe the have renegaded on the Palestine issue and by American bases. They even send their should hardly surprise anyone.” historical “struggle between the Muslims and abandoned the larger cause of Islam. forces to fight under the auspices of NATO the Crusaders,” and claims that the interests regional security alliances in Afghanistan The group further said, “This is what was of these two groups lie in diametrically “Some of them maintain secret ties with and Somalia,” he said. precisely expected from the rulers of the opposite domains. He then criticises the Israel, while others do so openly and Gulf statelets who are spearheading the leaders of the treacherous Muslim States normalize their relations with Israel in full Al-Qaeda condemnation of the Arab Crusade in the Arabian Peninsula. Nor who “build mosques, encourage the view of the world. Ironically, some of these countries normalising ties with Israel is should it surprise anyone that their Crusader memorisation of the Qur’an, and support states claim to support and defend the Arab nothing but its agenda of spreading the master, [U.S. President Donald] Trump, the needy and immigrants across the Islamic Revolutions and the Palestinian cause, seeds of extremism and fundamentalism in exposed their treachery.” world”, but who are, in reality, allies of and while in reality they are fully submerged the name of religion. Iraq takes major steps towards early elections

◆ By NDT Bureau @NewDelhiTimes [email protected]

n November 5, the Iraqi President O Barham Salih ratified a new election law. The new law allows political independents a greater chance of winning elections and seats in the Parliament. The new law changes each of the country’s 18 provinces into several electoral districts and prevents parties from running on unified lists, which has in the past helped them easily sweep all the seats in a specific province. Instead, the seats would go to whoever gets the most votes in the electoral districts.

The ratified election law meets a key demand of the protestors in Iraq that have been calling for political reform and ending the corruption. “The law was passed after a long debate. The reform of the electoral law was a national demand to secure Iraqis’ right

to choose their representatives without fear PC : Getty Images of forgery, manipulation and the exertion of pressure on voters,” said Salih. had the potential to enable future reforms. He enable Iraqis from all walks of life to vote provide its needs,” al-Kadhimi remarked in called for the quick fulfilment of remaining and to participate in elections, God willing, a televised speech. “I ask the Parliament to “I call upon all state institutions to swiftly conditions required to hold elections, including without the historical problems of forgery, send the electoral law to the Presidency for fulfil the required conditions for conducting biometric voter registration and reforming the manipulation and pressure.” approval, and that the Electoral Commission early fair and free elections,” he added. electoral commission. to enjoy full independence, in addition to that “Electoral corruption is a serious scourge the elections to be held under international “We have to create a political climate which On July 31, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al- that threatens the peace and stability of observers,” al-Kadhimi further said. our community as well as the country’s will help alleviate this suffering, as well as Kadhimi set June 6, 2021, as the date for the economic viability.” ensuring justice and integrity during the early elections. “I announce that June 6, 2021, choosing of a strong government,” Saleh will be the date for the early Parliamentary The previous Parliamentary elections were The Iraqi President said that although the new said in a speech “This is what we aspire elections and we will do our best to give held on May 12, 2018, and the next elections law was not perfect, it signalled progress and to, through an electoral law which will success to this election by protecting it and were supposed to take place in 2022. www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

9 - 15 November 2020 9

International NEW DELHI TIMES Reaction to Blasphemy: Who is Right? We are perfectly okay with extremely hurtful acts or speech, as long as those that are hurt have been successfully demonized in our minds

◆ By NDT Bureau @NewDelhiTimes [email protected]

housands of people have been calling T for a boycott of France in response to the remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron due to recent Paris attacks. The sheer magnitude of the protests asks for a case study in cognitive dissonance. Nobody can deny that the sentiments of millions of Muslims are hurt when the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is insulted, and this constitutes a valid ground for limiting freedom of speech.

If we accept this line of reasoning and take it to its logical conclusion: People’s

sentiments shouldn’t be hurt, right? What PC : Getty Images about the following: books be banned because they promote (let’s say) gays and other communities. The in the Quran where he smashes all idols and “And we’ve cast among [the Jews] hate and murder of various communities whole thing isn’t really about the Prophet; then put the axe around the largest one’s animosity and hatred until the Day of in idealized conditions. Shouldn’t the same he isn’t with us anymore. It’s the sentiments neck. When questioned by his townspeople, Resurrection ... they strive throughout the courtesy be extended to others? After all, of his followers that’s the real issue, and it’s he pointed to the one remaining idol, and land causing corruption.” (Quran 5:64) the cartoonists aren’t calling for the murder these sentiments that protection is being said, “Well, why don’t you ask him?” We all of a particular people, unlike the scriptures demanded for. Imagine if disbelievers started laughed at this in childhood. Here was the If you’re a Jew, won’t your sentiments be quoted above. But here’s the thing. As soon demanding protections for their sentiments. great Abraham, teaching stupid pagans how hurt by this? What if you demanded the as you read this, your mind desperately idiotic it was to worship idols who could Quran be banned because it insults Jews? wants to find excuses as to how all this Let’s talk more about the oft-cited Quranic neither speak not protect themselves. Never What about the Hadiths that talk about doesn’t fit your particular case. You scramble verse that urges Muslims to refrain from did we pause to think how hurtful it is for killing gays in an ideal Islamic state? Or to find ways to project insult of the Prophet insulting gods worshipped by other people. anyone to see his gods desecrated like that. those that mandate murder of ex-Muslims as a completely different category of hurt. Not long after the above verse was revealed, We revelled in the triumph of “right” over in a similar setting. Isn’t it far worse than And you’ll succeed, of course. It’s not very God commanded the Prophet to annihilate “wrong”, without sparing a thought about mocking them? What if Jews, gays or ex- difficult to come up with arbitrary categories all pagan temples in Arabia, and raze their the pagans whose beloved gods were being Muslims around the world start demanding supported by post-hoc justifications. But idols to the ground. so violated and defiled. a ban on the teaching of Islamic scriptures know that it’s special pleading. because their sentiments are hurt? All of this just shows how our unexamined The argument can go on endlessly. The world You want to insulate the Prophet from insult, intuitions of what constitutes hurt are so populace especially Muslims must introspect You understand the problem now? The and instead of thinking of a genuine principle tied to the culture we grew up in. We are if “their” definition of insult is in consonance rationale for allowing the recitation of the that protects everyone’s sentiments, you’re perfectly okay with extremely hurtful acts or with the “others”. We live in a pluralistic Quran and the teaching of Hadiths is that coming up with principles that protects your speech, as long as those that are hurt have society governed by various laws. Any they’re protected under freedom of speech. particular notion of hurt, while allowing been successfully demonized in our minds. reaction to a situation must be looked through Nobody can come and demand that these you to teach and recite books that hurt The famous incident of Abraham is narrated the lens of laws and customs of the land. Prophet’s response to Blasphemy And when you see those who trifle with our signs then turn thou away from them until then engage in a discourse other than that and if Satan cause thee to forget then sit not, after recollection, with the unjust people. (Ch.6: V.69) Abdullah bin Ubayyee (Chief of the ◆ By NDT Bureau hypocrites) continuously abused the Prophet @NewDelhiTimes (PBUH), and opposed him severely in Madinah. When he passed away, the Prophet [email protected] (PBUH) stood to offer his funeral prayers but was asked by one of his companions, o punishment is prescribed in the N Holy Quran, or in any of the authentic traditions of the Prophet Muhammad “O Allah’s Apostle! Do you offer the prayer (PBUH) for blasphemy. Islam says that if for this man although he said so-and-so on somebody uses foul language against any such-and-such-a day?” and “that he is a holy person or teaching, it is advised to hypocrite!” The Prophet (PBUH) ignored keep away from such people as stated in the his statements and continued to offer the above verse of the Quran. funeral prayers of the dead man. (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 6, Book 60, Number 192). The purpose of any religion is to spread peace, tolerance and mutual understanding, The above example along with numerous with Islam being its torch bearer. However, other examples prove that Prophet the meaning of Islam-submission to the will Muhammad never ordered any punishment of God-has been steadily corrupted by a for anyone who insulted or abused him.

handful of misguided radical elements from Prophet Muhammad always forgave people PC : Getty Images within the community. Instead of spreading in spite of facing innumerable atrocities peace, the religion has been abused by and remained compassionate towards them. Would they or their tribe members have freedom of conscience and of belief. A fanatics and made as an excuse for violence Instead of declaring them blasphemous, he done the same if Prophet reacted violently? mutual approach based of inter-religious and the spread of terror, both inside and showed so much love towards them that a understanding is the key to the future of the outside the faith with recent Paris attacks majority of them understood the true value The future of mankind depends on the mankind. Let us not destroy it by fanning bearing a witness to it. of Islam and accepted it with their heart. intrinsic values of love, tolerance, and hatred and communally hurting sentiments.

India’s only International Newspaper www.NewDelhiTimes.com 10 9 - 15 November 2020

International NEW DELHI TIMES US sanctions Dutch PM Rutte Hezbollah-allied condemns threats Lebanese Christian to teacher over politician cartoon he U.S. Treasury slapped sanctions utch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said T on Lebanon’s former foreign minister D that threats that forced a teacher in the and a leading Christian political ally of port city of Rotterdam to go hiding after the militant Hezbollah group, singling some students objected to a political cartoon him out for what it said was his role in Photo AP PC : displayed in his classroom must not be corruption. tolerated. Gebran Bassil, a lawmaker who leads the Rutte spoke hours after Rotterdam police largest bloc in parliament and a son-in-law said they had arrested an 18-year-old girl of President Michel Aoun, has emerged on suspicion she posted a message on social as a major target of Lebanese protesters media that “incited others to commit crimes” who thronged streets in an uprising last an effective government that serves the Bassil, a major power broker in Lebanon, directed at the school and teacher. year over endemic corruption and state Lebanese people,” said U.S. Treasury would further complicate Hariri’s mission. “The fact that at this moment teachers are mismanagement. Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin. being threatened because they paid attention Bassil has held several high-level posts in in their lessons to the discussion around The Treasury designation did not mention Immediately after the designation, Bassil the Lebanese government, serving as the Bassil’s alliance or links to Hezbollah, but cartoons is absurd and we must not tolerate tweeted that the sanctions do not frighten minister of telecommunications, energy it,” Rutte said. the sanctions targeting him appeared to be him. “I have gotten used to injustice and and water and as foreign minister at various part of the Trump administration’s maximum learned from our history: It is our fate in intervals over the past two decades. He also Dutch lawmakers have reacted angrily to pressure campaign against Iran and its allies this Orient to carry our cross every day ... in heads the Free Patriotic Movement, the reports that the teacher, who has not been in the region. order to survive,” he tweeted. Christian party founded by Aoun, and is a publicly identified, came under threat top advisor to the president. because of a cartoon that reportedly had been U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in Hezbollah called it a purely political decision on display for five years at his classroom at a statement, said Bassil contributes to a and blatant interference in Lebanese affairs. The Treasury designation described him the Emmauscollege in Rotterdam. prevailing system of corruption and political It said the U.S., “which supports and as being “at the forefront of corruption” in Police tweeted Nov. 3 that the teacher had patronage in Lebanon that has “aided and sponsors corrupt dictatorial states around the Lebanon, accusing him of being involved been threatened and that they were treating abetted Hezbollah’s destabilizing activities.” world, is the last country that has the right to in approving several projects that would the case “extremely seriously.” Police did speak of fighting corruption.” have steered Lebanese government funds to not elaborate on the nature of the threats. The United States has been sanctioning individuals close to him through a group of Hezbollah officials for years, and recently The announcement came as the world front companies, while minister of energy in began targeting politicians close to the anxiously awaited the result of U.S. elections 2014. group. In September, the Treasury imposed and Donald Trump’s pathway to reelection sanctions on two former Lebanese Cabinet appeared to shrink. Bassil was targeted under the Magnitsky ministers allied with the militant group in a Act, passed by Congress in 2012 initially strong message to Hezbollah and its allies It also comes as Prime Minister-designate in response to the death of Russian lawyer who control majority seats in Parliament. Saad Hariri is struggling to form a new Sergei Magnitsky, who died in prison after government in Lebanon, which has been hit exposing a tax fraud scheme involving PC : AP Photo AP PC : The announcement is a major expansion of by the worst economic and financial crisis in Russian officials. the scope of sanctions targeting Hezbollah’s its modern history. Hariri’s government was political partners in Lebanon. toppled by the anti-corruption protests in The law named after him was expanded and November last year but he has recently been allows the U.S. to target any foreigner accused The threat comes weeks after French teacher “The systemic corruption in Lebanon’s tasked by Aoun to form a new government. of human rights violations and corruption. Samuel Paty was beheaded outside his political system exemplified by Bassil school in a Paris suburb Oct. 16 by a teenage has helped to erode the foundation of There have been concerns that sanctioning Credit : Associated Press (AP) refugee of Chechen origin for showing the caricatures in a civics class. German police raid homes of 4 In a statement posted on its website, the Rotterdam school said it is “completely unacceptable that a discussion between men linked to Vienna attacker teachers and students is hijacked by olice in Germany raided the homes and the men whose premises were searched were people from outside who use this to make P businesses of four men linked to the believed to have met the attacker in Vienna unfounded threats.” Islamic State sympathizer who carried out this summer. A third man had contact with The cartoon, titled “Immortal” was drawn a deadly shooting in the Austrian capital of him online, while the fourth had no direct in the aftermath of the deadly 2015 attack Vienna this week. contact to the attacker but was in touch with on the offices of the French satirical weekly people who knew him. Prosecutors said they Austria, meanwhile, announced the newspaper. The cartoonist, Joep Bertrams,

were trying to collect possible evidence Photo AP PC : told Dutch daily Trouw this week that it is not temporary removal of several officials over during the searches and that nobody was a depiction of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad. errors made before the attack and ordered arrested. convictions and several others also had the closure of two Vienna mosques that had criminal records. The drawing won a Dutch prize as the best been visited by the gunman. Authorities in Austria have identified the political cartoon of the year in 2015. attacker as 20-year-old Kujtim Fejzulai, Eight of them have now been ordered held German police, including members of the Police and authorities have not detailed the a dual national of Austria and North in custody pending possible formal charges, anti-terrorism unit GSG9, searched premises exact circumstances of the case and why it Macedonia who had a previous conviction while six have been released, news agency in the central city of Kassel, Osnabrueck in escalated. Education Minister Arie Slob told for trying to join IS in Syria and had been APA reported. Authorities in neighboring the northwest and in Pinneberg county near broadcaster NOS earlier this week that there given early release in December. Switzerland also took two people into was a discussion about the cartoon “that Hamburg. custody this week. An investigation has been launched into took on its own dynamic because of things Police said that while the men weren’t why Austria didn’t put Fejzulai under that went on social media.” currently suspected of involvement in the Amid concerns that authorities missed observation despite being tipped off by shooting, there was evidence that they had warnings signs leading up to the attack, The school said that just as important as Slovakian authorities that he had tried to links to the attacker. officials said that the head of the Vienna increasing the knowledge of students, it “is purchase ammunition at a shop in Bratislava regional anti-terrorism agency has stepped our task to guide them to a place in society Four people were killed in the attack, and the in July. aside from his post and several other officials where they can find their way in freedom gunman also died. Twenty others, including involved in the investigation are also being and with respect for each other. Teachers a police officer, were wounded. Austrian authorities detained 16 people in replaced. the country in connection with the attack. discuss this with students every day.” German federal prosecutors said that two of Four of them had previous terror-related Credit : Associated Press (AP) Credit : Associated Press (AP) www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

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International NEW DELHI TIMES Assad blames Pandemic heaps new fears and Friday prayers Syria’s current trauma on war-scarred Bosnians held in newly economic woes on opened Athens Lebanese banks yrian President Bashar Assad said mosque S much of his country’s current economic distress is a direct result of the banking crisis riday prayers were held for the first in neighboring Lebanon, where many Syrian F time in the Greek capital’s first state- businessmen have traditionally kept their sponsored mosque, which opened this week money. after years-long delays.

Assad said that between $20 billion and $42 The project to build a mosque in Athens billion held by Syrians are estimated to be took about 14 years and was dogged by tied up in Lebanese banks. He spoke during Photo AP PC : protests, political controversy and delays a tour of a trade fair in Damascus with his in this heavily Orthodox Christian country. wife. Parliament eventually approved construction emories of the Bosnian War are are reminiscent of the war: being trapped in August 2016. M shaping Zdenka Sutalo’s perception of indoors, seeing public spaces as dangerous, the coronavirus. concern over getting food and separation The mosque, located in a mainly industrial from family and friends. area of the capital, was intended to provide The 58-year-old unemployed woman an official place of worship for the city’s attends group therapy sessions to work On top of that, pandemic fatigue is setting Muslim community, which largely consists through the trauma of the 1992-95 conflict. in. of migrants and visitors. Muslims in Athens As a young woman in Sarajevo, she endured Setic said he is sees a growing number of had been using informal prayer rooms bombardment, hunger, electricity shortages people, including many without diagnosed set up in places such as unused stores and and was forced to break off her university mental disorders, who complain of extreme basements, which sometimes led to tension studies for good. Today she sometimes has irritability and physical exhaustion. That and protests from other local residents. to be reminded to see the novel virus as a fatigue is also leading some young Bosnians serious risk. Members of the Muslim community said the without memory of the war to be cavalier new mosque, while far from perfect, was at “The war was my most difficult experience about the risk of a virus that has infected least a start.

PC : AP Photo AP PC : in life,” she said after a recent therapy nearly 56,000 people and killed more than session that included painting pinecones and 1,350 in the country. “All this time we have been praying exercising in a Sarajevo park with others. “During the past seven to eight months, our underground. This is a great day for us,” “As for the pandemic, the world survived population in general has grown exhausted said Anna Stamou, a representative of the plague and cholera and those are now just out of an abundance of information, so they Muslim Association of Greece. She said the water under the bridge.” are starting to resist,” Setic said. mosque had “many disadvantages and issues “This number for an economy like Syria is that have to be solved,” including a small a scary number,” Assad said, according to As coronavirus cases surge in Bosnia, In some ways, Bosnia is better equipped capacity, “but this is a very solid start.” a recording published by SANA, the state the pandemic is heaping more trouble on than some other countries to handle the news agency. an impoverished nation that has never challenges. recovered economically or psychologically Because of the trauma from the war, the past- from a war that killed 100,000 people and Lebanon is experiencing a serious banking quarter century of recovery has included forced 2.2 million from their homes. crisis, which has led to the introduction of creating psychological support networks for informal capital controls to combat capital Bosnian health authorities estimate that a traumatized population. flight and prop a flailing local currency. about half of the the Balkan nation’s nearly Thanks in part to initially abundant financial Depositors are unable to make foreign 3.5 million people have suffered some support from Western governments and transfers and there is a limit on how much degree of trauma resulting from the war. they can withdraw. international organizations, some 70 Mental health professionals fear that the community-based mental health centers Lebanese banks had offered a lifeline pandemic will now exacerbate mental health were established throughout the country. to the Syrian economy, which under the problems and other health risks, and are “It is a fact that we have a lot of relevant Assad family rule faced decades of Western speaking of a surge of new patients coming experience ... and that we’ve learned many sanctions that often targeted individual into their practices in recent months. lessons that we could share,” said Goran businessmen and cut off Syrian banks. Tihana Majstorovic, a Sarajevo psychologist Cerkez, the assistant health minister in the However, Assad did not blame the sanctions who led the pinecone-painting session, larger of Bosnia’s two highly autonomous for the ongoing crisis as most government said the war experience was leading some regions. Photo AP PC : Bosnians to downplay the threat of the officials do. “When the banks in Lebanon Cerkez, who led a post-war effort to reform closed, we paid the price. This is the essence pandemic, increasing the risk of its spread. Bosnia’s mental health care system, noted Stamou estimated Athens’ Muslim of the problem,” he said. “People who survived the war perceive that people from the neighboring nations population at around half a million people, danger differently. Often, if they are not of Serbia and Croatia — also born from Low oil prices and poor access to the and said the new mosque’s capacity, at 300 hungry, cold or have mortars exploding the bloody breakup of ex-Yugoslavia — Kurdish-held northeast of Syria, where men and 50 women, was too small. over their heads, they do not feel they are have been calling Bosnian hotlines set up much of the country’s wheat is grown, also in danger,” said Majstorovic, who works to help people deal with pandemic-related “But this is like a symbolic foundation played a part, he said. for Menssana, a non-governmental mental stress. and establishment that is an official one,” health group in Sarajevo. Stamou said. It will not provide the services Syria’s economy is in shambles and the nine- Based on his experiences, he expects the for everybody, we already know that. But year civil war has killed more than 400,000 It has made them prone to “downplaying psychological impact of the coronavirus this is a good start.” and displaced half the country’s population. the threat, to behaving less responsibly than pandemic, both in his country and globally, The local Syrian currency crashed in recent they should,” Majstorovic said. “It is not at to be longer and more severe than its The number of people allowed in all places months making it more difficult for many all a healthy mechanism for adapting to a immediate medical impact. of worship in Greece currently have been Syrians to buy food. More than 80% of the world threatened by an invisible virus.” Syrian population live in poverty, according “Many (collective) traumatic experiences restricted due to the coronavirus pandemic. to U.N. Remzija Setic, a clinical psychologist, said have some things in common,” Cerkez said. he, too, sees war survivors “recklesslessly” “They produce a sense of hopelessness and Lockdown-type measures are being imposed The spread of coronavirus in the war-torn downplaying the risks of the virus. insecurity, a sense of uncertainty because it nationwide, which will mean churches and country has further restricted economic is impossible to predict how long they will mosques only can hold services without the But he also has patients who are suffering presence of the faithful. activities and increased unemployment. from heightened anxiety because some last.” Credit : Associated Press (AP) aspects of living through this pandemic Credit : Associated Press (AP) Credit : Associated Press (AP)

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Interational NEW DELHI TIMES Disabled hold rally in Belarus to demand President step down ore than 200 disabled people rallied in U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo M Belarus’ capital, continuing a nearly noted that the OSCE report provides the three-month wave of protests triggered Belarusian authorities with a roadmap out by the disputed reelection of the country’s of the crisis, including an end to violence, authoritarian leader. the release “of all those who have been unjustly detained” and engagement in a They demonstrated in Minsk’s central national dialogue with the opposition. avenue chanting “Go away!” and “Your time “We remain inspired by the resilience and is over!” to demand President Alexander dignity of the Belarusian people,” Pompeo Lukashenko’s resignation. Several people said in a statement. were detained. Daily protests in Belarus have continued More than 15,000 people have been arrested despite arrests and intimidation by the since the protests erupted after Lukashenko’s government. Authorities also detained reelection to a sixth term in the Aug. 9 several musicians who had played concerts election, which was widely seen as rigged. in courtyards around the capital in a show of Most served short jail terms or were fined, solidarity with protesters. but 100 have remained in jail, described as political prisoners by human rights groups. Protests have reached peak numbers, attracting crowds of 100,000 or more, but The United States and the European Union the most recent protest saw a turnout of have rejected the Belarusian vote as neither only about 20,000 as police toughened free nor fair and introduced sanctions their response, blocking streets and against Belarusian officials accused of dispersing groups of demonstrators. involvement in vote-rigging and the post- Authorities also launched criminal election crackdown. Photo AP PC : proceedings against more than 230 participants in protest. Lukashenko’s main challenger in the vote, by the Organization for Security and The report presented urged Belarusian Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, met in Vienna Cooperation in Europe’s rapporteur authorities to annul the vote results, call “We want to see the country as it was before with Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz. Wolfgang Benedek pointed at “massive and a new presidential election, release all the election,” Lukashenko said at an award Tsikhanouskaya, who moved to Lithuania systematic” human rights abuses, including political prisoners and “immediately cease ceremony. “And it shall remain like that for after the vote under pressure from Belarusian “well-documented cases of torture and ill- all violence, in particular torture and ill- as long as I’m president.” authorities, has pushed for Lukashenko’s treatment in the crackdown by the security treatment against peaceful protesters and resignation and a new election. A report forces on political dissent.” opponents.” Credit : Associated Press (AP) China’s October exports accelerate, Malaysia to raise boosted by US demand 2021 spending to counter virus impact hina’s export growth accelerated in 20.5% growth. Imports of American goods C October, boosting the total so far this jumped 33.4% to $12.5 billion, an increase alaysia’s government proposed a larger year back above pre-coronavirus levels for from September’s 24.5% growth. M national budget in 2021 to help the the first time. coronavirus-hit economy rebound by up to China’s monthly global trade surplus 7.5% and provide increased handouts for the Exports in October rose 11.4% over a swelled 35.8% over a year earlier to $58.4 poor. year earlier to $237.2 billion, up from billion, one of its biggest on record.

September’s 9.9% gain, customs data The budget is the first by the unelected Photo AP PC : showed. Imports rose 4.7% by value to The politically sensitive trade gap with the government of Prime Minister Muhyiddin $178.7 billion, decelerating from the United States expanded 18.5% to $31.4 Yassin, who took power in March after billion. China is on track to become the previous month’s 13.2% surge, though initiating the collapse of the former reformist The budget includes cash handouts for only major economy to grow this year while volumes of some goods increased. government. poor families and front-line workers in the activity in the United States, Europe and coronavirus crisis, wage subsidies and funds Japan shrinks. It is a key test of support for Muhyiddin, who to create new jobs and train workers. Various has a slim two-seat majority in Parliament China’s economy shrank by 6.8% from incentives and subsidies are also provided and faces challenges from allies in his a year earlier in the first three months of for farmers, fishermen and industries to coalition and opposition parties. 2020 after factories, shops and offices boost productivity and woo investors. were shut down to fight the virus. Growth Finance Minister Zafrul Aziz told rebounded to 3.2% in the second quarter A small income tax cut will benefit 1.4 Parliament that the expansionary budget PC : AP Photo AP PC : and accelerated to 4.9% in the three months million taxpayers, and Malaysians can has the people’s welfare in mind during the ending in September. withdraw some savings from the pension pandemic and will raise spending to a record fund to tide themselves over during the Automakers and other large manufacturers 322.5 billion ringgit ($78.1 billion), up 2.5% crisis. China’s exporters have benefited from the from this year. relatively early reopening of the second- are back to normal activity, helping to drive Domestic demand is expected to rebound largest global economy and demand for demand for imported iron ore, copper and That includes a sharp rise in development 6.9% after falling 3% this year. Exports are masks and other medical supplies. That has other industrial materials. Retail sales have spending to 69 billion ringgit ($1.7 billion) seen expanding 2.7% after contracting 5.2% allowed them to take market share from rebounded to above pre-virus levels, rising as well as 17 billion ringgit ($4.1 billion) for in 2020. Unemployment is projected to drop foreign competitors that are hampered by 0.5% over a year earlier in the quarter ending a COVID-19 fund. to 3.5% in 2021, with inflation seen at 2.5%. anti-disease controls. in September. Zafrul said the economy could grow 6.5%- Imports have fallen by value after weak James Chin, head of Asian studies at Exports for the first 10 months of 2020 rose 7.5% in 2021, from a projected 4.5% demand caused prices of oil and other Australia’s Tasmania University, said the 0.5% over the same period a year earlier contraction this year. The fiscal deficit commodities to plunge. But volumes of increased spending to boost the economy is to $2 trillion, the first positive year-to-date is projected to narrow to 5.4% of gross foreign food and other goods bought by much like what the rest of the world is doing. figure. Exports have been bigger than the domestic product, down from a projected Chinese factories and consumers have risen. same month a year earlier since April, but 6% this year, “I would call it a conservative budget. The after the first quarter’s 13.3% contraction, Imports of crude oil rose 10.6% by volume additional spending is small compared to “We can argue and disagree on secondary total growth for 2020 was in negative over a year earlier in the first nine months of this year. If you look at countries around the issues but we should unite to agree on territory until now. 2020 but fell 24.5% by value, according to world they are spending more,” Chin said. principle ... let this budget be the canon of customs data. Grain imports rose 28.5% by He said he expected spending to be raised In October, exports to the United States in our unity for the welfare of the people,” volume but only 21% by value. over the year. October gained 22.5% over a year ago to Zafrul said as he appealed for support for $43.8 billion, up from the previous month’s Credit : Associated Press (AP) the proposed spending. Credit : Associated Press (AP) www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

9 - 15 November 2020 13

THIS DAY | THAT YEAR | NEW DELHI TIMES

November 9, 1980 Iraqi President Saddam Hussein declared Holy War against Iran on this day that year. PC : Getty Images

November 10, 2019 Iranian President Hassan Rouhani announced the discovery of a new oil field with an estimated 53 million barrels of oil in PC : Getty Images Khuzestan province on this day that year.

November 11, 2004

Yasser Arafat’s death through unidentified causes was confirmed by Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Mahmoud Abbas was elected the PLO Chairman minutes later this day that year. PC : Getty Images

November 12, 1966 Buzz Aldrin took the first ‘space selfie’, a photo of himself

PC : Getty Images performing extravehicular activity in space during the Gemini program on this week that year.

November 13, 1839

Last bull run in Britain took place as the Stamford bull run ended after 700 years on this day that year.

November 14, 1994

First trains for public ran in Channel Tunnel under English Channel on this day that year. PC : Getty Images

November 15, 2017

The Zimbabwean Army detained Robert Mugabe and the first family and appointed sacked Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa as Interim President on this day that year. PC : Getty Images

India’s only International Newspaper www.NewDelhiTimes.com 14 9 - 15 November 2020

Delhi/NCR NEW DELHI TIMES No posters outside residence Uber adds e-rickshaw to its of COVID-19 patients: Delhi fleet in Delhi ◆ By NDT Bureau Government tells Delhi High Court @NewDelhiTimes [email protected] ◆ By NDT Bureau @NewDelhiTimes ide hailing major Uber has announced R that 100 e-rickshaws have been added [email protected] to its fleet and they will be available at 26 metro stations. The vehicles have been deployed he Delhi Government has told the Delhi across 26 Delhi Metro stations, offering riders T High Court that no posters would be sustainable mobility solutions for better first stuck outside the residences of COVID-19 and last mile connectivity as well as short positive patients in the National Capital and distance commutes, a statement said. officials have been instructed the same. Riders will be able to book the micro mobility Posters will also not be pasted outside the product on the Uber app and the service will residences of those those who are in home be available at stations on Delhi Metro’s isolation. The previously pasted posters will blue line, including Ashok Park Main, Dabri also be removed. Mor, ESI Basaidarapur, Janakpuri East and The Delhi Government was responding to Uttam Nagar East, among others. a plea which had contended that posters outside houses of COVID-19 patients was a “As millions of Indians begin moving serious infringement of the right to privacy, PC : Getty Images again, Uber aims to make urban commutes an intrinsic part of the right to life and more affordable, efficient and eco-friendly, personal liberty as enshrined under Article Government to issue a circular, where the No.1/GNCTD shall issue a circular to all helping cities ‘Build back better’. With 21 of the Constitution. authorities are ordered not to circulate the the Home Isolation Nodal Officers directing multimodal service offerings like micro names of COVID-19 patients, especially with them not to share the personal details of the mobility and public transit options, all in the A two-member HC division bench, members of Resident Welfare Associations COVID-19 patients with their neighbours, Uber app, Delhi residents will now be able comprising Justices Hima Kohli and (RWAs) or other social media group. “It or the Managing Committees of the RWAs to complete their journey seamlessly,” the Subramonium Prasad, directed the Delhi is, however, directed that the respondent of various localities,” the bench said. statement said. Indian airlines can operate maximum 60 per cent of their pre-COVID domestic passenger flights till February 24, 2021

◆ By NDT Bureau @NewDelhiTimes [email protected]

he Civil Aviation Ministry of India has

T said that Indian airlines can operate PC : Getty Images maximum 60 per cent of their pre-COVID domestic passenger flights till February 24 On October 29, the Ministry issued a next year due to the prevailing coronavirus new order clarifying that the September 2 situation. order “shall remain in force until 2359 hrs on February 24, 2021 or until further The Ministry had informed the airlines about orders” due to the “prevailing situation of the 60 per cent limit through an official order COVID-19”. On June 26, the Ministry had on September 2, but it had not told them the allowed the airlines to operate a maximum period for which the cap would remain in of 45 per cent of their pre-COVID domestic place. flights.

issued multiple directives, including Bursting crackers regulation on production, storage and sale of crackers for Diwali. Firecrackers with will be allowed from low-emission, sound and light that produces 8-10pm on Diwali particulate matter less than 30-35% from other crackers and significantly releases less ◆ By NDT Bureau NOx and SO2 are allowed. @NewDelhiTimes Even those crackers which have already [email protected] been produced, having high emission, are not allowed to be sold in Gurugram. s per the order passed by Gurugram Manufacturers of green crackers will be A district administration, Bursting of publicised by the district administration green crackers will be allowed between 8pm for easy access. Owing to the air and noise and 10pm in the district on November 14, on pollution caused by high emission crackers the occasion of Diwali festival. and the solid waste generated by it, multiple steps are being taken. In compliance with the Supreme Court order to reduce air and sound pollution Closely monitoring of the air quality and from bursting of firecrackers, the Deputy data will be collated on pollution caused by commissioner of Gurugram, Amit Khatri, the bursting of firecrackers. www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

9 - 15 November 2020 15

National NEW DELHI TIMES Why Indian Ulema are silent on the wrong practice of Love Jihad? Al-Hasan al-Basree (d. 110H)- rahimahulah said: “Indeed when this Fitnah first approaches, every ‘Aalim (Scholar) already knows about it and when it passes by, then every Jaahil (Ignorant person) comes to know of it.” Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdillah Bilal Hussain al-Kashmire Reported by Ibn Sa’d (7/166) whether they are young or old; they have no ◆ By NDT Bureau right to force any person to accept Islam. It @NewDelhiTimes also clarifies that right will be distinguished from wrong. Islam is not transient and [email protected] moveable things that can be pasted and penetrated but it is followed by purified ne of the most highlighted and soul and heart. Who has given right to the O broadcasted news is love jihad in the transgressors to spread Islam by forcing it? recent days in different casting platforms From where they got the idea of forcing a though the term has been invented in the Non-Muslim girl to accept Islam? What recent past. The term has been defined here, kind of people are these who tell lie in the “When a Muslim male/female marries a name of Islam? So, Indian Muslims should non-Muslim and converts them” (Urban understand true spirit of Islam and study the Dictionary). The issue of love jihad has Quran and Hadiths that will guide and lead generated communal violence in India; so them straight forward; protect them from Indian Ulema should not keep themselves destruction and shame in the world. Today, the silent. Due to their silence, eruptions and world becomes one home by Internet, Media devastations have advanced in different and computer; the Indian Ulema should stand cities and towns; they should explain the up on all the social platform to spread true term rationally and figuratively to stop message of Islam for the safety of Muslim Muslim youngsters who have been throwing PC : Getty Images community, especially Muslims youngsters themselves in the destruction. They should who are being entrapped by dirty films and speak vividly that love jihad is not permitted A perfect Muslims never cheat, lie and kill Muslim young generations to teach them videos that stain their true faith. They should by Islamic law. No Muslim can force any one anyone, particularly in the name of Islam. Islamic education otherwise they will be be awaked about Islamic doctrines. to accept Islam in any case and condition. punished legally. These Muslims youngsters As far as love with a Muslim or non-Muslim They should portray the Prophet Muhammad are influenced by dirty films and videos “The duty of the messenger is only to girl in Islam is absolutely prohibited. A lot (PBUH)’s ideal character who did not compel to do love and die for love that is really convey (the message). Allah knoweth what of Quranic Verses and Hadiths moralize any person in his period to accept Islam and unethical and Haram in Islam. They have no ye proclaim and what ye hide.” (Quran Muslims to keep down their eyes while girls never ordered his follower to impose any knowledge of converting their beloved from 5:99) and women are passing by for protecting thing on any person who belongs to different their religion into Islam. their faith and from fitnah of love. religion, caste and creed to accept Islam. If The Verse is the most explicit message for some ignorant people, try to practice it in a rational person that the Almighty God While they are prohibited to observe and Indian Ulema must step forward to expound India; they must be informed and taught; and has not commanded to force any person chase a girl and woman; how they can talk the love jihad that has no space in Islamic its solely responsibility goes to Muslim Ulema. to accept Islam except to preach Islamic to a strange girl; starts loving her and calling concept. If some people or organization have knowledge and information to others. While her at night? Indeed, today’s love is beyond been trying to do so, their commitments are “There shall be no compulsion in the Prophet (PBUH) was not allowed to do social barrier that leads both of them to touch unlawful and illegal according to the Islamic [acceptance of] the religion. The right so how can common Muslim carry on such each other and have physical relationship and Indian Constitution. course has become clear from the wrong. illegal and illogical willing. Sometimes, sometimes. So, touching, calling and So whoever disbelieves in Taghut and lack of knowledge leads person to death irritating a girl whether Muslim or Non- Those people will dare to violate the law believes in Allah has grasped the most and punishment. In fact, there are thousands Muslim is entirely Haram (Forbidden) in and order, they will be lethally punished. trustworthy handhold with no break in of people who claimed to be Muslims Islam. Obviously, those Muslims have been So, all Muslim youngsters are urged to it. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.” but their commitment and deeds must be committing Haram deeds for years; the purify themselves from wrong deeds and get (Quran 2:256) checked whether they are Muslims only for great questions arise, whether they can call married if they are really in proper age that namesake. A Muslim is justified by Allah them Muslims or are Kafirs. All the things is true Islamic perspective; it will protect The Quranic Verse directs all Muslims by his honest commitment and true deed. must be elaborated by the Indian Ulema to them religiously and physically. Popular Front of India and Paris Attacks: Time to Introspect Verily, the messenger of Allah gave me what he gave me, and he was the most hated of people to me. He did not cease in giving them to me until he became the most beloved of all people to me…. Muslim 2313. these PFI cadres went on committing many ◆ By NDT Bureau serious crimes (all under investigation) like @NewDelhiTimes killing of an NSG Commando, promotion of love jihad, murder of political activists to [email protected] claim political space, playing an active part in Delhi riots, etc. he Sahih Hadith acts as the guiding T light for all the believers to act and Every intelligent believer has condemned behave on the post Prophetic era. Prophet the Paris attacks all over the world. Many Muhammad (PBUH) showed that even the Islamic countries including the land of two greatest of the enemies could be won through Holy Sanctuaries i.e., Saudi Arabia, severely love and compassion. Why the followers of condemned these actions. such a peace-loving Prophet have become so much intolerant today? A similar condemnation is required for (transgressing against them by committing) charges of blasphemy. The perpetrators were organizations like the PFI not only from Paris attacks (beheading of a teacher and this heinous serious atrocity. so much radicalized that after they were abroad but also from the peaceful Indian attack on a church) were heinous criminal caught, they didn’t even show any remorse. Muslims. Be it Paris attacks or hand chopping acts. It is not ever possible that Islam The same principles apply to every believer incident, any criminal violent act in the sanctions this nor anyone truthful from irrespective of boundaries. We as Indians Finding similarity with Paris attackers? The name of Islam deserves to be condemned by mankind, who believes in Allah, the exalted. must be alarmed with the rise of radicals only difference between the Paris attacks and every believer and every intelligent person. This is because, acts like these represents which ultimately leads to violence. A couple attack on Kerala professor is that the former We must pray to the God, the exalted and evil, deceit and treachery causing fear and of years ago, Paris like act was carried out by received worldwide attention as it happened highest, to thwart the actions of the people terror. It involves harming those who have one of the most violent radical organizations in a Western European country while the later of evil and helpers off violence and their no connection to foreign politics and policy of India named Popular Front of India (PFI). went unnoticed as the ever-tolerant Indians leaders-the people of deceit and treachery, such as women and children and those The PFI cadres chopped off the hands of a discarded it as a standalone incident. Is it? to thwart their actions immediately, without who are incapable or may not be incapable Kerala professor named T J Jospeh on the Emboldened by the lack of public reaction any delay for, the world is watching.

India’s only International Newspaper www.NewDelhiTimes.com 16 9 - 15 November 2020

Neighbourhood NEW DELHI TIMES Facing pandemic Sri Lankan Navy, economic woes, volunteers rescue at least 100 stranded Nepal reopens to Pilot Whales adventurers he Sri Lanka Navy and other groups T rescued more than 100 short-finned dventurers looking to scale Nepal’s pilot whales after the whales beached A Himalayan peaks and trek its mountain themselves on the nation’s southwestern trails can finally do so for the first time in coastline. seven months, as the country reopens to Photo AP PC : foreigners even as the coronavirus pandemic The pod of pilot whales washed ashore at has left it short of hospital beds. are not taking any changes or any risks,” a government campaign declaring 2020 as Tamang said. “We did a test run just recently Visit Nepal year. Panadura Beach, about 25 kilometers south Foreign visitors are a major source of income with a foreign expedition team and now of Colombo. for Nepal and the closure has impacted the have good idea how to manage the adventure People in the mountains have been the estimated 800,000 people who work in the tourists.” hardest hit. They normally work these spring The navy, Sri Lanka coast guard lifesaving tourism industry. and fall seasons to make enough money to teams, police lifesavers, volunteers, Spring is the mountaineering season when last them all year. lifeguards and residents took part in the For now the reopening will come with foreign climbers come to Nepal to attempt rescue mission. restrictions and mainly be limited to those scale the highest peaks, while the fall is The prospect of trekkers and mountaineers seeking to to climb or trek its famous peaks. popular for trekkers who come to hike the returning to the mountain has been a Some villagers defied a coronavirus curfew Nepal is home to the eight of the 14 highest mountain trails. The spring mountaineering welcome piece of news for those in the to join the navy and coast guard, wading into mountains in the world, including the tallest, season was canceled in March when the industry. the breaking surf to push the small whales Mount Everest. scale of the pandemic became clear and was “We in the adventure tourism industry back into the water. followed by the country mostly closing its “We are not opening the country for are very excited that the country is finally borders to outsiders. all visitors and only mountaineers and open, and we are beginning to get many Jet skis provided by a local water sports club trekkers who have taken prior permit will Nepal has reported 176,500 coronavirus calls and inquiries from foreign clients,” also were used to pull the whales back into be allowed to come to Nepal,” said Rudra infections since the pandemic began and said Ang Tshering of the Asian Trekking in the ocean. Singh Tamang, director general of Nepal’s 984 deaths. The nation of 30 million people Kathmandu. Department of Tourism. “We are opening is running short on hospital beds and the to a sector of visitors who we know we can government has asked patients with less He said there is particular interest in the handle and manage.” than life threatening symptoms to stay at spring 2021 climbing season, especially for home in isolation. Mount Everest. Still, with the virus still surging in many Rather than a visa on arrival, visitors now Earlier in the fall season, a team of mountaineers from Bahrain was given parts of the world, it will take time to for need to get prior approval, give details things to return to normal. of their itinerary, hire a local outfitting special permission to scale Mount Lobuche and Mount Manaslu. They were made company and have health insurance that On a recent day in the tourist hub of Thamel to follow all the new rules placed by the covers COVID-19 treatment. They are in Kathmandu, most of the shops, restaurants, government and reported no problems. required to take a coronavirus test before pubs and hotels remained closed. The shops leaving their home country, stay for a week The success of the expedition was celebrated normally selling down jackets, tents, hiking in quarantine at a hotel in Kathmandu and by the mountaineering community in Nepal, boots and survival equipment were mostly then take another coronavirus test before as was the government decision to reopen closed and those that were open had few if being allowed to go up the mountains. to all qualified mountaineers and trekkers in any customers. October. Local guides, porters, cooks and helpers who “We have not seen any customer since will be part of any mountaineering support “We need to give small ray of hope to the March in my shop,” said Bir Lama, who sells team will be required to take coronavirus people in the adventure tourism industry hiking and mountaineering gear. “While I tests and prove they have been living in areas that there is still a future somewhere to look am paying rent, draining my savings, I am with no infections for the past two weeks. forward to,” Tamang said. keeping the shop open only to keep myself from going insane.” “We are trying to revive the tourism industry The pandemic hit as Nepal was preparing to that was badly hit by the pandemic, but we double the number of tourist arrivals with Credit : Associated Press (AP) PC : Getty Images

Pakistani bank guard The rescue teams managed to move at least 100 whales back into the ocean. At least two kills manager over injured whales had already died and were alleged blasphemy buried. The French News Agency reports Sri Lanka’s Imran Hanif denied he had committed Marine Environment Protection Authority blasphemy, insisting he loved the prophet. ((MEPA)) confirmed the stranding was the largest of its kind in the south Asian country. Blasphemy is a controversial issue in Pakistan, where people convicted of the Officials were prepared for mass deaths as crime can be sentenced to life in prison or seen in Australia’s island state of Tasmania the death penalty. in September when about 470 pilot whales were stranded and only about 110 could be Crowds and individuals often take the law saved after days of rescue efforts. It was one into their own hands to target those they of the largest ever such mass strandings. perceive as perpetrators of the offense. Pilot whales — actually a large species of A Punjab governor was killed by his own guard dolphin that can grow up to six meters long in 2011 after he defended a Christian woman, and weigh a ton — are highly social. Asia Bibi, who was accused of blasphemy. Pakistani guard shot and killed the for the prophet. It drew the attention of local The causes of mass strandings remain A manager of a local bank in eastern Islamists who rushed to the scene and started She was acquitted after spending eight unknown, despite decades of study by Punjab province after accusing him of hugging the guard in support. years on death row in a case that drew scientists. Some believe the extreme social insulting Islam’s Prophet Mohammad, international attention. Faced with threats nature of the species will bring the entire police said. Later, Islamists surrounded the police station from extremists, she later flew to Canada to pod of whales to the assistance of a single where Nawaz was being held in the town join her daughters. whale in trouble. As the guard, Ahmad Nawaz, was being of Khusab, to express their support for the arrested, he started chanting slogans of love guard. The family of eh slain bank manager Credit : Associated Press (AP) Credit : Voice of America (VOA) www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

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North America NEW DELHI TIMES Hundreds march in Haiti after outrage over student’s slaying undreds of protesters – many dressed in Nerley Charles, 21, a protester. “We need H school uniforms – marched through the justice and an end to impunity.” streets of Haiti’s capital to demand answers after the kidnapping and killing of a young Police have not released details about the woman that has incensed the nation. crime, but a local justice of the peace told the newspaper Le Nouvelliste that she had been High school senior Evelyne Sincère was beaten to death. A video showing Sincère’s found in a trash heap after relatives said sister wailing as the corpse was discovered they were unable to pay the large ransom sparked outrage on social media. demanded by her captors. Human rights groups contend the incident highlights the She said kidnappers demanded $100,000, far nation’s worsening security crisis. more than the family could raise. “I begged for mercy and said I’d bring the money,” “I am worried,” said Katy Jean-Joseph, 19, Enette Sincère told reporters. Several high- who marched while carrying a photo of profile radio hosts announced they were Sincère. “What happened to Evelyne could cancelling their shows to protest the crime, have happened to me.” and politicians have joined in the demand for justice. Moise called on police to “put Haiti has been rocked by street protests the bandits out of harm’s way.” demanding President Jovenel Moise’s ouster on allegations that he mismanaged “Normally children bury their parents – only the economy and failed to hold accountable in times of war should a parent bury their those who siphoned billions in international Photo AP PC : child,” Prime Minister Joseph Jouthe wrote aid into bank accounts overseas. Now the in a country that has struggled to buoy its said. Nearly 2,000 protesters gathered in on Twitter. “But in Haiti we are not at war.” Caribbean nation is also grappling with weak national police force. a neighbourhood known as a hotspot for growing concern over Moise’s decision to kidnappings and marched to the Ministry The crime comes two months after a delay legislative elections and instead insist of Justice. Many carried photographs of first on a constitutional referendum. The UN envoy for Haiti painted a grim prominent lawyer, Monferrier Dorval, was picture to the U.N. Security Council last Sincère while chanting phrases like, “If we shot to death at his home. La Lime said had a government, Evelyne would not have International leaders including the Trump month, saying that the nation is “once Dorval’s death “epitomizes for many the died.” administration and the Organization of again struggling to avert the precipice of weak state of rule of law in the country.” American States are pressuring Moise to set instability.” Helen La Lime added that the a date for a vote. Haitian National Police would need at least The protest ended after police used tear gas Civil society groups have recorded 162 10,000 well trained and equipped officers to disperse the crowd. “I want to be able to kidnappings this year, including 21 in Meanwhile, the United Nations (UN) and to meet international standards. “Gangs succeed in my country, without fear, and October. Fifty-five of the kidnapping victims rights groups in Haiti are warning about continue to challenge the authority of the have a normal life — not wake up in the were reported to be women. a rising tide of violence by armed gangs state, especially in the more populous morning and hear about a crime like what whose crimes are largely going unpunished neighbourhoods of Port-au-Prince,” she happened to Evelyne on the news,” said Credit : Associated Press (AP) Struggling Mexican airline Guatemala official resigns over Planned Parenthood row Interjet resumes its flights uatemala’s Interior Minister resigned a decision of this administration, and much G after his decision to allow the group less of the President.” Planned Parenthood to operate in the country despite conservative President Alejandro Giammattei, a 64-year-old physician, also Giammattei’s fierce opposition to abortion. opposes gay marriage. The President said he had accepted the resignation of Oliverio García Rodas and Former Interior Minister Francisco Jiménez told a local radio station he would overturn noted this was not the only decision by PC : AP Photo AP PC :

roubled Mexican airline Interjet routes, failures to pay employees, the T resumed flights and pledged to pay suspension of its license to operate back wages owed its employees, after the international air service to Canada and carrier suspended flights for three days, tax liens on its bank accounts, assets and citing cash flow and maintenance issues. brands.”

Interjet has said it has suffered because of a The company pledged to bring its tax drop-off in revenues due to the coronavirus payments up to date “by the end of the year.” pandemic. In a statement, the company pledged to pay back wages “as soon as The agency said it had registered 1,542 possible.” complaints so far this year on Interjet, mainly regarding flight cancellations. In April, the The government consumer protection agency agency cited Interjet for not having enough issued an alert warning about “the risk of planes to meet its obligations. PC : Getty Images establishing commercial relationships” with the airline, noting “repeated failure While the company says it has offered to García Rodas’ decision to approve the Garcia Rodas that had been reversed. to comply” with its responsibilities. The replace tickets for passengers on cancelled group, whose clinics sometimes provide agency said the carrier “for the last several flights with new tickets, the agency said abortion services. Garcia Rodas recently created a special months has faced various problems in that in the past many passengers were office to analyse threats or attacks against operating its business.” unable to redeem such vouchers because the The President said he had been “surprised” human rights activists, but three days later replacement flights were cancelled. by the decision and as soon as the approval he cancelled the effort. The agency said Interjet had been plagued was made public, “I immediately called by “the suspension of various international Credit : Associated Press (AP) religious leaders ... to tell them this was not Credit : Associated Press (AP) India’s only International Newspaper www.NewDelhiTimes.com 18 9 - 15 November 2020

Africa NEW DELHI TIMES Another step towards peace in Libya On October 23, an attempt at restoring peace and stability in Libya took place with the signing of the ceasefire between the two warring parties on November 9, in Tunisian capital ◆ By NDT Bureau Tunis, according to the UNSMIL. “The @NewDelhiTimes resumption of the LPDF comes at time of an overwhelming sense of hope emerged [email protected] in Libya after the signing of a permanent, countrywide ceasefire agreement between ibya has been roiled by division and Libyan parties, on October 23 in Geneva. L conflict, since the overthrow of former Consultative meetings UNSMIL conducted dictator, Muammar al-Gaddafi, in 2011. with various Libyan constituencies in The internationally-backed Government of past months have paved the way for the National Accord (GNA) and Haftar’s self- PC : Getty Images resumption of the Libyan Political Dialogue described Libyan National Army (LNA) Forum”, a statement by the UNSMIL said. militias are the two major warring factions October 23. It also calls for the suspension of very much hope that future generations of in Libya. Based in the capital city of Tripoli, all training of troops domestically and abroad Libyans will celebrate today’s agreement, However, some caution is still needed the GNA is led by Prime Minister Fayez al- as well as international defence agreements. as it represents that decisive and courageous despite the signing of the ceasefire due to the Serraj and controls parts of the country’s The JMC also agreed on the formation of a first step towards a comprehensive settlement interests of foreign actors in the Libyan crisis. west. The Benghazi-based Libya National Joint Operations Room for a joint police and of the Libyan crisis that followed.” Turkey joined the Libyan war officially in Army (LNA), a force of some twenty-five military force. The agreement also agreed January 2020. On January 2, 2020, Turkish thousand fighters, is led by Khalifa Haftar, on the identification and categorization UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres Parliament passes a bill that approved a one- a former General. Conflict has ensued of all militias and a mechanism for their tweeted, “I welcome the signing of a year mandate to deploy troops in support of between the warring factions for months. reintegration (DDR). The agreement also ceasefire agreement by the Libyan parties the Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj agreed confidence-building measures by in Geneva under the auspices of the @UN. led recognised Government of National On October 23, an attempt at restoring resuming travel between west and east This is a fundamental step toward peace & Accord (GNA) against an ongoing offensive peace and stability in Libya took place with Libya, ending hate speech, exchanging stability. Too many people have suffered for led by Eastern Libya Commander Khalifa the signing of the ceasefire between the two prisoners, and reorganizing the Petroleum too long. Too many men, women & children Hafter under the banner of the LNA. warring parties. The UN Support Mission in Facilities Guards (PFG). have died as a result of the conflict.” the country (UNSMIL) has led the mediation At an ideological level, Turkey hopes that the efforts that led to the peace agreement “I would like to salute you, because what The Libyan Political Dialogue Forum triumph of the GNA over Haftar could establish between the two sides. The agreement was you have accomplished here takes a great (LPDF) has also been resumed. The a government in Tripoli that is ideologically negotiated within the framework of the 5+5 deal of courage,” said UNSMIL Chief, and LPDF is a fully inclusive intra-Libyan conservative and in line with Ankara’s ruling Joint Military Commission (JMC) with talks Acting Special Representative, Stephanie political dialogue established by the Berlin Justice and Development Party. facilitated by the UN on the basis of Security Williams, at a press conference in Geneva. Conference Outcomes, which were endorsed Council Resolutions 2510 and 2542. “You have gathered for the sake of Libya, by Security Council Resolutions 2510 and for the sake of your people, to take concrete 2542. It represents a variety of different Hafter is supported by Egypt, the United The agreement calls for the withdrawal of steps to end their suffering”. On October 23, constituencies, based on the principles of Arab Emirates and Russia. It may be a all forces from fighting fronts and all foreign the UNSMIL Head said that the agreement inclusivity, fair geographic, ethnic, political, possibility that foreign actors in the Libyan mercenaries and forces from Libya within 90 “represents an important distinguishing tribal, and social representation. The game may not want an end to the conflict for days from the signing of the agreement on mark for Libya and the Libyan people. I direct, in-person meetings will commence their own strategic interests. US removes Sudan from State Sponsors of Terrorism list The removal of Sudan from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list is a major landmark of the transitional government in the country will lift Sudan from the State Sponsors of list and said in a statement that he hoped ◆ By NDT Bureau Terrorism list. At long last, JUSTICE for the to complete the deal in a “timely manner”. @NewDelhiTimes American people and BIG step for Sudan!”. “We very much look forward to your official [email protected] On October 26, Trump formally notified the notification to Congress rescinding the Congress of his decision to remove Sudan designation of Sudan as a State-Sponsor of from the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism Terrorism, which has cost Sudan too much,” fter Sudan became the third Arab and stated that “the Government of Sudan he said. A country – following the line of the has not provided any support for acts of United Arab Emirates and Bahrain - to international terrorism during the preceding The Sudanese Justice Ministry has said normalize ties with the Jewish state of Israel, 6-month period” and “the Government of that it has signed an agreement with the the United States President Donald Trump Sudan has provided assurances that it will U.S. that could effectively stop any future announced that Sudan would be removed not support acts of international terrorism in compensation claims being filed against the from the US State Sponsors of Terrorism the future”. African country in the US courts. Sudanese list. Justice Minister Nasredeen Abdulbari said The Congress now has 45 days to pass that the agreement will allow Sudan “to The US Secretary of State designated Sudan a resolution rejecting Sudan’s delisting, resolve historical liabilities, restore normal as a State Sponsor of Terrorism in 1993 for otherwise, it will become definitive by relations with the United States, and move supporting international terrorist groups, the end of this delay in December 2020. forward toward democracy and better including the Abu Nidal Organization, The lawmakers also must pass legislation economic times.” Palestine Islamic Jihad, Hamas, and restoring Sudan’s sovereign immunities, to Hizballah. At the time when, Omar al- protect Sudan against new lawsuits for terror The removal of Sudan from the State Bashir ruled Sudan, his government briefly attacks. Sponsors of Terrorism list is a major hosted Osama bin Laden and other wanted landmark of the transitional government in militants. Sudan was also believed to have Sudan has agreed to put $335 million in an the country. To avoid new lawsuits, Sudan PC : Getty Images served as a pipeline for Iran to supply escrow account to be used to compensate needed its sovereign immunity restored, into the world financial and political system. weapons to Palestinian militants in the Gaza American victims of terror attacks. The which it lost as a designated sponsor of “It was necessary for us to bring Sudan back Strip. attacks include the 1998 bombings of the terrorism. The designation made it difficult into the global system,” he said. U.S. Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania for its transitional government to access On October 19, 2020, Donald Trump by the Al-Qaida network while its leader, urgently needed debt relief and foreign The signing of the agreement with the US tweeted, “GREAT news! New government Osama bin Laden, was living in Sudan. financing as it fights an economic crisis. will further smoothen Sudan’s transition to of Sudan, which is making great progress, Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok General Abdel-Fattah Burhan, head of the democracy, following a popular uprising last agreed to pay $335 MILLION to U.S. terror thanked Trump for signing the executive ruling sovereign council said that both deals year that led the military to overthrow long- victims and families. Once deposited, I order to remove Sudan from the terrorism will open the door for Sudan to be integrated time autocrat Omar al-Bashir. www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

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South America NEW DELHI TIMES Peru’s President to face a 2nd Brazil President’s senator impeachment vote in Congress son charged with crimes or the second time in less than two impeachment proceedings into a “custom.” F months, opposition members in Peru’s rosecutors in Brazil’s Rio de congress persuaded legislators to adopt The latest motion to proceed to an P Janeiro state have charged a motion that requires President Martin impeachment debate and vote received 60 a son of President Jair Bolsonaro Vizcarra to face an impeachment vote. votes in favour and 40 against, while 18 with commanding a criminal members of Congress abstained. organization and laundering money when he was a state lawmaker The President’s critics would need 87 between 2007 and 2018. votes to remove Vizcarra from office. The President will be allowed to answer The charges were levelled against questions in congress, or send a lawyer to Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro and 16 represent him. others on October 19, according to a statement the public prosecutors’ Vizcarra was Peru’s Vice President from office posted to its website. 2016 to 2018 and took office when President Prosecutors allege the Senator had Pedro Pablo Kuczynski was impeached people on his government-funded amid a corruption scandal. payroll who weren’t required to work and who had to return part of Vizcarra’s Presidency has been marked by their salaries to him. clashes with congress, which he dissolved

PC : Getty Images last year in a bid to stamp out corruption. A The Senator denied having new congress was elected in January, but the committed any crime and said he PC : AP Photo AP PC : The President survived a similar proceeding president still lacks congressional allies. was confident that courts wouldn’t in September when his congressional accept the charge, according to a that the president had sought to intervene opponents accused him of obstructing an The President however maintains some message he posted to his verified Instagram inappropriately in the federal police. investigation into a $50,000 contract for an popularity, with more than three-fourths of account. The accusation is “inviable because Prosecutors also charged Fabrício Queiroz, obscure singer hired to give motivational Peruvians saying in a recent Ipsos poll that it is devoid of any hint of proof. It’s nothing Sen. Bolsonaro’s former driver, who was talks to public employees. he should be allowed to finish his term. more than a macabre and badly engineered arrested in June. Queiroz is a long-time tale,” one of his four lawyers, Rodrigo Roca, friend of President Bolsonaro, who said last Vizcarra is now being accused of taking Vizcarra, whose term ends in the middle of said in a statement. year that the two hadn’t spoken since the $670,000 in bribes from a construction next year, is the fifth Peruvian President to allegations surfaced. company while he served as governor of be investigated for allegations of corruption Jair Bolsonaro was elected in 2018 on a Peru’s southern state of Moquegua in 2011- this decade. His predecessors have been put wave of anti-corruption sentiment and with Police found Queiroz hiding out at a home 2014. under house arrest and one of them killed promises to root out crime. His crimefighting belonging to a man who was previously himself as police prepared to arrest him at bona fides have faced scepticism in light a lawyer for both the President and Sen. The President has denied the allegations home. of the investigation into his sons, as well Bolsonaro. and said that his opponents are bent on as the resignation of his former Justice destabilizing the country by turning these Credit : Associated Press (AP) Minister Sergio Moro, who quit and alleged Credit : Associated Press (AP) US case against Venezuela’s Oil Chile will host third set of Minister hits another snag clinical trials he prosecution of Venezuela’s Oil against Ali Sadr Hashemi Nejad. Prosecutors T Minister Tareck El Aissami for in June abruptly dropped charges against the for Coronavirus violating United States sanctions has run Iranian businessman after he was convicted, into another snag after a federal judge citing what they described as “disclosure- vaccine allowed one of his co-defendants to related issues” that would have altered withdraw a guilty plea over allegations that his defense. In one instance, a prosecutor hile will host a third set of clinical US attorneys withheld evidence in the case. suggested to a colleague that they “bury” C trials for a vaccine against the a document that should have been handed coronavirus. Federal prosecutors in Manhattan said they over to the defence.

don’t object to Victor Mones withdrawing Photo AP PC : President Sebastian Pinera announced that, When trying a case, prosecutors are required his guilty plea, but refused to concede they AstraZeneca’s trial would follow a U.S.- a defendant to withdraw his guilty plea- to hand over any evidence that could help violated rules requiring them to turn over all based Johnson & Johnson trial that is already something Mones’ attorney had not been defendants prove their innocence and can exculpatory evidence to the defendant. underway and a third by China’s Sinovac, seeking but did following the Oct. 29 face disciplinary action if they do not. hearing-follows the arrest of the key whose first vaccine doses arrived in Chile. Mones, a Florida-based businessman, informant against El Aissami, Alejandro As a result of the revelations, Judge pleaded guilty almost a year ago to arranging Marin, for lying to federal investigators. Alison Nathan ordered prosecutors Pinera said Sinovac laboratory is going chartered flights to Russia and elsewhere and their supervisors in the New York to conduct trials jointly with the Catholic for El Aissami and his alleged frontman, Southern District’s international terrorism Like Mones, Marin owns a flight charter University and the Milenio Institute of Venezuelan businessman Samark Lopez. and narcotics unit to provide a written company that allegedly arranged flights for Immunology and Immunotherapy. explanation of their actions. But a year later, prosecutors in the case have El Aissami and Lopez. He was not charged in the case but was arrested in September AstraZeneca is developing its COVID-19 yet to finish handing over abundant evidence, The same unit is prosecuting El Aissami, in Miami for allegedly lying to his handlers vaccine with the University of Oxford. something that Judge Alvin Hellerstein said who has celebrated the prosecutorial about the equivalent of $140,000 that went “concerns” him. setbacks. “The web of smears and false missing from a package of 1.3 million Pinera said Chile has been working for evidence is collapsing,” Aissami tweeted “Obviously this late production by the euros he transported by private jet to the several months to ensure that Chileans have in September after The Associated Press government is a chunk of evidence that you U.S. in 2018 at the direction of U.S. law access to coronavirus vaccines. reported on Marin’s surprise arrest. “Not have not had an opportunity to consider,” enforcement. even the media at service of imperialism Hellerstein said in a hearing last week. “So, can hide the gravity of the accusations based Pinera hopes to first make the vaccine if you wish to withdraw your plea, I will Mones’ attorney, Christine Chung, said on LIES, CRIMINALS and PROTECTED available to the groups most at risk in the allow it.” in court filings that the late production of MERCENARIES.” first few months of next year. evidence against her client mirrors problems The rare move by a federal judge inviting detected in the high-profile sanctions case Credit : Associated Press (AP) Credit : Voice of America (VOA)

India’s only International Newspaper www.NewDelhiTimes.com 20 9 - 15 November 2020

Opinion NEW DELHI TIMES Poppies and Pandemics In the century between the two lethal pandemics, the world learned about viruses, cured various diseases, made effective ◆ By David Kilgour Author & Lawyer vaccines, developed instant communications and created elaborate public-health networks.

he year 1918 was horrific for most Like COVID-19, the 1918 pandemic came T involved in the World War I, but, from a respiratory virus. Social distancing, as it was ending, another deadly enemy hand-washing and masks were leading emerged. A novel virus [H1N1] attacked control measures then - just as they are now. an unsuspecting world, causing widespread Medical advice from 1918 resonates today. suffering. Young adults bore its brunt, just as The marked difference between the viruses they had during the war. of 1918 and 2020 is that the 1918 virus was Approximately ten million persons died PC : Getty Images particularly dangerous to healthy people during the World War I; the misnamed physician from Guelph, Ontario, serving in Wimereux near Boulogne, France, he died aged 20 to 40 - the prime generation of “Spanish flu” pandemic killed more than the Canadian field artillery. at the age of 45. military service. The battlefield was the lung. 50 million from 1918 to 1920, including McCrae’s close friend, Alexis Helmer, 22, approximately 50,000 Canadians. For many Since Confederation, more than 118,000 had been killed by a German shell as he Canadians have sacrificed their lives Lest we forget the lessons we have learned young adults, it brought sudden deterioration left his dug-out in May, 1915. The day after from the wars and the two pandemics. followed by death. serving in uniform. This year marks the he was buried, McCrae began scribbling 75th anniversary of the end of the Second Commemorating Remembrance Day during Ironically, the WW1 helped to facilitate the first draft of ‘In Flanders Fields’ as he World War and the 95th anniversary of the this pandemic will be unusual and difficult, the pandemic, largely through the mass looked at the small cemetery, with wild Royal Canadian Legion. Although it is more but we should all do our utmost to support movement of people, which helped spread flowers growing between the crosses and important than ever to pay homage to our the Legion’s poppy campaign, remembering the virus. birds singing overhead. He composed from veterans, we are hindered from doing so by McCrae’s words: “If ye break faith with us the back of an ambulance overlooking who die, we shall not sleep, though poppies th the current COVID-19 pandemic. Woodrow Wilson, the 28 American thousands of crosses marking the hastily dug grow In Flanders’ fields.” President, chose to focus on the battlefronts graves of soldiers who had died on the battle At the Remembrance Day ceremony at of Europe, virtually ignoring the disease that *Kilgour is a grandson of Col. John fields of Flanders, Belgium. the National War Memorial in Ottawa on ravaged the home front and killed about 675, McCrae’s sister, Geills. November 11 this year, there will be no 000 Americans. Similarly, Donald Trump, His words gave us the symbolism of the veterans’ parade, no Armed Forces parade, David Kilgour, a lawyer by profession, the 45th President, also chose to downplay poppy as a remembrance of the war dead in and no members of the cadets or junior served in Canada’s House of Commons for the current pandemic, which has already Canada, the member nations and colonies of rangers present. For the first time, spectators almost 27 years. In Jean Chretien’s Cabinet, killed 233,560 (Nov. 5) in the U.S. the British Commonwealth and the United will be discouraged from attending. The he was secretary of state (Africa and Latin States. It also symbolizes new growth amidst During the HINI pandemic, the person colour party will be reduced, and wreaths America) and secretary of state (Asia- the devastation of war. whose poem created our primary symbol will be pre-positioned so that no wreath Pacific). He is the author of several books of remembrance of the tragedy of war - the McCrae didn’t live to see his contribution bearers or assistants will be required. The and co-author with David Matas of “Bloody poppy-died of pneumonia and meningitis. to the remembrance and recognition of the smaller number of people participating will Harvest: The Killing of Falun Gong for Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae was a ‘lost generation’. On January 28, 1918, at be masked and be two metres apart. Their Organs.” Is “Uyghur model” the only way to tackle Islamists? Islam has multiple strains in France, from moderate to Salafist to outright radical upstarts is the second religion in France that has France, which has killed hundreds of people twice, nay hundred times, before allowing ◆ By NDT Bureau five million Muslims-the largest Muslim since 2015. Islam justifies beheadings Muslim immigrants. @NewDelhiTimes population in Western Europe. of innocents but wonders why there is Islamophobia! As Muslim immigrants pose [email protected] In the US, the immigrants from India contribute threat to host nation’s security, diversity immensely to its medical profession, IT sector, is no more cherished in liberal democratic rance has raised the security alert to politics and economy, integrating into the nations! F the highest level. In January 2015, US society truly and faithfully but Pakistani immigrants are Muslim first, then a Pakistani Islamists massacred 12 people after Charlie The UN should adopt the motto “One and never an American. Hebdo published caricatures of the Holy Country One Religion” to minimise conflicts Prophet. On September 25, a young Pakistani and internal strife. Muslims can leave

PC : Getty Images refugee injured two people outside Charlie France and migrate back to their country of Muslim immigrants in Europe remain Hebdo’s prior office in Paris. A month origin-Pakistan or Syria-to practice religion Muslim for ever, alien to cultural ethos of Macron seeks overhaul of the Islamic later, a teenage refugee of Chechen origin without any hindrance. the host country. World needs balanced, organisation in France by training Imams beheaded teacher Samuel Paty for showing kind, and visionary leaders like Trudeau, in France instead of bringing them in Prophet’s caricatures. Within few days of the Islamic countries are hyper-reactive to Jacinda, Merkel and Macron; not the uncouth from Turkey, Morocco or Algeria. The beheading incident, a young Tunisian man French condemnation but can’t improve the Islamist leaders like Erdogan and Imran who management of Muslim associations is killed three people at a Catholic church in life of citizens who seek asylum in Europe as flared up Muslim world in no time. Nice, beheading one woman. Muslims in being tuned to protect secularism. Muslims economic migrants. The attackers hail from France are showing their colours through came to France after the World War II and Tunisia, Pakistan, Algeria and Morocco worked in car factories, construction, and Islam currently has the second largest these acts of extremist violence and which are afflicted with dictatorship, followers in the world and could be the beheadings to unnerve Paris. Pressure is other sectors. Islam has multiple strains in corruption, lawlessness, censorship, oppression, France, from moderate to Salafist to outright largest religion in world. And that is a mounting on President Macron to rid France and terrorism. Pursuing political Islam their horrifying news for the civilised world! of extremists and Islamic separatism. radical upstarts. The ideological offensive of citizens migrate to Europe and not to any political Islam has reduced Islam to a fear. Islamic county!!! Why blame the West? The From South Asia to the Mid-East, the Today, a veiled woman generates shock. West needs to frame a strategic immigration For long, the civilised world criticised Muslim world is up against Macron’s That’s what Muslims have earned. policy, otherwise America will suffer same the inhuman, de-Islamising concentration clampdown with protests and boycotts of fate very soon. camps of Uyghurs in China. Islamic French products. Muslims line up for French France promulgated the secularism law of fundamentalism in France has proved that immigration but later subvert its cherished 1905 to satisfy the powerful Roman Catholic The extent and intensity of Islamic Chinese way could be the only effective way values of secularism, freedom of expression clergy. Since the 1990s, it has restricted fundamentalism has shocked the world. It’s for de-radicalisation of Muslims. Painful and religious freedom. French society Muslim religious signs. Headscarves in a lesson for all civilised, freedom loving lessons!!! The migrants should be grateful to could not sense the presence of Islam till classrooms were banned in 2004 and face- people of the world. Religious bigots like France for accepting them as their citizens. Mosques and Muslim schools multiplied. coverings in 2010. Even before the current Erdogan and Imran Khan have the expertise In a globalised world, everyone must respect Islam’s gradual rise went unnoticed until it killings, Macron had promised a tough to convert any conflict into an Islam-Kafir other’s feelings. France and Muslims must challenged the French identity. Now, Islam campaign against Islamist radicalism in binary. Now civilised societies need to think learn to respect each other’s values. www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

9 - 15 November 2020 21

Sports NEW DELHI TIMES International Hockey Federation Doctor says Diego Maradona (FIH) approves reviewed Gender doing well after surgery Equality Policy iego Maradona was recovering after an “Diego, all the force in the world. My D operation for bleeding in his skull, his family and I want to see you well as soon The FIH recognises that good governance is contingent upon ensuring gender personal doctor said. as possible,” the country’s most famous equality at the management level. In 2019, at 37.5%, the FIH boasted the highest current player, Leonel Messi, said in a social representation of women in 10 of the biggest sporting federations Maradona had a subdural hematoma, which media post accompanied by a photo of him is an accumulation of blood between a Integrity Code, ‘Covered Persons’ include alongside Maradona. membrane and his brain, said Dr. Leopoldo ◆ By Dr. Pawan Mathur athletes, athlete support persons such as any Luque, a neurologist who performed the @PawanMathur coach, trainer, manager, agent, team staff, operation. official, medical, paramedical personnel, [email protected] parent or any other person or entity working “He has no type of complication associated with, treating or assisting an athlete, and with the operation,” said Luque, who ender inequality is one of the foremost hockey officials and committee members described the postoperative developments G issues in sports that needs to be associated with the FIH. as “excellent.” addressed by all stakeholders. According to the UN Women, the world of sports remains The FIH has taken a series of measures to Luque said the problem likely was caused by plagued by many of the same gender promote gender equality, some of which an accident, but Maradona said he doesn’t Photo AP PC : inequalities that we see more broadly in the include the amendment of the FIH Statutes remember the event. society such as unequal pay, gender-based to require that of the 8 elected ordinary violence, a lack of targeted investment and FIH Executive Board members, 4 must be Luque was cautious about when Maradona Maradona’s attorney, Matía Morla, said the reproduction of negative stereotypes men and 4 must be women, encouraging might be able to leave intensive care at the Argentine President Alberto Fernández, and social norms. In recent years, women and promoting a gender-aware and gender private clinic in La Plata on the outskirts of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and sports have made substantial progress and responsible organisational culture within the Buenos Aires, saying that progress was “day other politicians had contacted him to ask about audiences have demonstrated a rapidly FIH, the Continental Federations (CFs) and to day.” Maradona’s health. He discounted the idea that growing interest in women sport. There have Maradona might return to Cuba, where he has the National Associations (NAs), ensuring a But he said Maradona “laughed and grabbed been developments across various sports in been treated in the past for problems including balance of applications for women and men my hand” when he removed a drain. the field of gender equality that present an for nomination to the FIH Committee and cardiac issues and substance abuse, saying optimistic picture. providing an opportunity for more women Maradona, the star of Argentina’s 1986 “Diego has his head in Gimnasia (y Esgrima),” to attend yearly coaching courses organised World Cup champions, turned 60 last the Argentine club he now coaches. by the FIH. In 2019, at 37.5%, the FIH week. He was hospitalized for reported At a game, Maradona appeared to have boasted the highest representation of women dehydration, anemia and depression. Friends trouble walking and left before the end of of in 10 of the biggest sporting federations, said he had not wanted to eat. the first half, which raised questions about including football, cricket, tennis, cycling his health. and the IOC. Best wishes flowed in from all sides for the country’s most honored soccer player. Credit : Associated Press (AP) Apart from these, the FIH also strives to create a coherent succession Policy within the FIH to make it attractive for both women Luke Ronchi PC : Getty Images and men to take the step up from athlete or official to a management position, install an One prominent example is the Gender award for the best performing Continent, appointed Equality Policy of the International Hockey the so called Equally Amazing Award, and Federation (FIH), which took place in effect to organise webinars focused on gender from November 2017 and was updated and equality in hockey, by the FIH Women in New Zealand approved on October 22, 2020. The review Sports Committee in collaboration with had been conducted by the FIH Women in the Continental Federations, through the PC : Getty Images batting coach Sports Committee, chaired by FIH Executive FIH Academy. Another laudable provision Board Member and European Hockey of the FIH Gender Equality Strategy is the ual international wicketkeeper Luke coaching staff at last year’s ICC World Federation President Marijke Fleuren, commitment to allow transgender athletes D Ronchi has been appointed batting Cup in England and was confirmed as New who is also a member of the International the ability to compete at the highest level. coach of the New Zealand cricket team, Zealand’s fulltime batting coach, taking Olympic Committee (IOC) Women in Sport starting with its imminent home series over from Peter Fulton. Commission. The FIH Gender Equality Policy recognises against the West Indies. that discrimination in any form, direct “I’m absolutely pumped,” he said. “I’ve The Gender Equality Policy of the FIH is or indirect, on the grounds of gender, is Ronchi was born in New Zealand but first really enjoyed being back with the team in in accordance with Article 1.4 (a) of the unacceptable. Any breach of this policy in played international cricket for Australia, recent seasons and it’s exciting to be given FIH Statute which calls for the promotion the form of discrimination, victimization appearing in four one-day and three the opportunity full-time this summer. and development of hockey at all levels or bullying whilst carrying out duties on Twenty20 internationals in 2008. throughout the world, in accordance with behalf of the FIH or otherwise acting as a “Getting the chance to continue working the rights and freedoms of the Olympic representative of the FIH shall result in He returned to New Zealand and played four with our batsmen is a great honor and I’m Charter, and without discrimination of any disciplinary proceedings. All those who are tests, 81 one-day internationals and 30 T20s looking forward to seeing how I can help kind, such as race, colour, gender, sexual involved with Hockey, irrespective of their between 2013 and 2017, when he retired improve their games and best prepare them orientation, language, religion, political gender, shall be treated in an equal, fair, from international cricket. to perform at the highest level.” or other opinion, national or social origin, open and respectful manner. Therefore, all property, birth or other status. Covered Persons have a responsibility to Ronchi was part of the New Zealand Credit : Associated Press (AP) follow, respect and advocate the aims of the The FIH Gender Equality Policy has Gender Equality Policy. two broad aims. First, the policy aims to encourage gender balance within the FIH. The Gender Equality Policy will be The FIH recognises that good governance reviewed by the FIH every 2 years or is contingent upon ensuring gender equality earlier to the extent that there is a request at the management level and thus strives for from the FIH Executive Board or change in fifty percent men and fifty percent women legislation that merits an amendment before participation at this level. Second, the FIH the 2-year period. The FIH has established Gender Equality Policy aims to ensure the mechanisms to ensure that its Directors prevention of any unlawful discrimination or are held accountable for their department’s other unfair treatment, whether intentional progress towards gender equality. In or unintentional, direct or indirect, against addition, individual performance objectives ‘Covered Persons’ on the grounds of gender shall also take into account the progress that that may preclude them from participating is being made on achieving gender equality, fully in any aspect of hockey. As per the FIH where possible.

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Technology & Health NEW DELHI TIMES Vegan Diet: Breaking the health stereotypes Do plant eaters lack muscular strength and have a protein deficiency? had normal body mass indexes, and active of young, active women – except make it in the control group. lifestyles. The researchers wanted to make better! How else does a vegan diet help the A study was done by Barnard, N.D. et al., sure that they were making fair comparisons body? An analysis of 11 studies was done ◆ By Smt. Maneka on the effects of a low fat, plant based, diet between groups so they could pinpoint diet by Wang, F. et al., ‘Effects of Vegetarian/ Sanjay Gandhi on body weight, metabolism and insulin as the key factor. Five measures were taken: Vegan Diets on Blood Lipids: A Systematic sensitivity (The American Journal of @ManekaGandhiBJP estimated VO2 max which is the maximum Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Medicine, 2005) of 64 overweight middle- rate of oxygen consumption measured Controlled Trials’ (Journal of the American aged females, who followed either a low-fat he more meat-eaters are pushed onto during exercise of increasing intensity, Heart Association, 2015). vegan or a low-fat meat diet for 14 weeks. T the back foot by the thousands of people upper body muscle strength, lower body This included 832 participants, and seven Participants in the vegan group lost an turning vegan every day, the harder they are muscle strength, body composition, and of the studies were on vegans. The studies average of 5.8 kg compared to 3.8 kg) in lasted from 3 weeks to 18 months. The those on the control diet. Changes in BMI researchers evaluated changes in total and waist circumference were also greater in cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) the vegan groups. “bad” cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein A low-fat vegan diet improves Glycemic (HDL) “good” cholesterol, non-HDL Control and Cardiovascular Risk Factors cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The with Type 2 Diabetes, according to a study results showed that vegan/vegetarian diets printed in Diabetes Care, 2006. 99 people effectively lowered all cholesterol levels. divided into two groups, one vegan, the other In another study, done by Macknin, M. et al. low-fat meat. In the vegan group, HbA1c or (The Journal of Pediatrics, 2015), 30 children blood sugar levels fell by 0.96 points. This with obesity and high cholesterol levels and was 71% more than the other group. In their parents followed either a vegan diet, or addition, LDL (bad) and total cholesterol an American Heart Association (AHA) diet levels fell by 10.1–13.6 mg/dL more in the which contained meat/fish/eggs, for four vegan groups than in the ADA group. PC : Getty Images weeks. Children following the vegan diet Nicholson, A. S. et al., (Preventive Medicine, fighting back. Meat is no longer called meat. submaximal endurance (a way of estimating lost 3.1 kg during the study period. This was 1999). Eleven people with Type 2 diabetes It is called protein, and a variety of myths “aerobic fitness”). Researchers also asked 197% more than the weight lost by those in followed either a low-fat vegan diet or a are spread about plant eaters; that they have participants to keep a journal of their food the AHA group. Parents in the vegan groups conventional low-fat diet for 12 weeks. In less muscle mass and worse endurance than intake. Vegans were chosen if they had been had an average of 0.16% lower HbA1c level, the vegan group, fasting blood sugar levels their meat-eating counterparts. on a plant-based diet for several years. a measure of blood sugar management. fell by 28%, compared with a 12% decrease They also had lower total and LDL (bad) in those following the conventional low-fat What were the results? Good news for cholesterol levels than those on the AHA Do plant eaters lack muscular strength and diet. People on the vegan diet also lost an vegans – as I expected. They found that, diet. have a protein deficiency? There is a popular average of 7.2 kg over 12 weeks. Those on in terms of body composition, both groups belief that a vegan diet may be associated The GEICO study printed in the European the conventional diet lost an average of 3.8 were of similar body weight, body mass with a lower exercise performance, due to Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2013, had kg. index, total fat percentage, and total lean the lack of certain nutrients in vegans. 291 participants from the GEICO corporate body mass. Estimated VO2 max, a measure I could go on forever because there have offices. They followed either a vegan diet or of endurance, was higher and better in the been thousands of studies and each one says So, a major study was done by Boutros, a meat-based diet for 18 weeks. Participants vegan group than in the omnivore group. the same thing: a vegan diet will help you Landry–Duval, Garzon and Karelis, who followed the vegan diet for 18 weeks Vegans also performed significantly higher lose weight, bring your blood sugar and and published in the European Journal lost an average of 4.3 kg, compared with on the submaximal endurance test. There cholesterol down and improve your muscle of Clinical Nutrition in April 2020, to 0.1 kg in the control group. Total and LDL were no differences observed for general strength and stamina. You need to take your determine whether a vegan diet was (bad) cholesterol levels dropped by 8 mg/dL physical activity or in lower body muscle body’s health seriously. It is the only one you detrimental to endurance and muscle in the vegan group, compared to almost no strength. Researchers also found that vegans will ever have. See the film that can change strength. The researchers recruited 56 young change in the control groups. HDL (good) ate much more Vitamin C, dietary fibre, iron, your life- ‘The Game Changers’. women, half vegan and half meat eating, to cholesterol and triglyceride levels both magnesium and much less saturated fat. come to a lab to have their physical health increased more in the vegan groups than in To join the animal welfare movement tested. All women in the study were between The results show that a vegan diet does not the control group. HbA1c levels dropped by contact [email protected], 18 and 35 years old, were healthy, lean, affect the endurance and muscle strength 0.7% in the vegan group, compared to 0.1% www.peopleforanimalsindia.org US among top University of California, Davis. Airbnb Is it safe to stay will require hosts to commit to enhanced contributors to Ocean cleaning by Nov. 20. plastic pollution in hotels during he United States contributes much more T to ocean plastic pollution than previously the pandemic? estimated, according to a new study. PC : Getty Images s it safe to stay in hotels during the “Plastic pollution is … one of the three major Empire State Building,” said Leonard. I pandemic? threats to the future health of the oceans,” A previous study by the same research said George Leonard, chief scientist at group ranked the U.S. as the 20th-biggest In a recent travel update, the U.S. Centers Ocean Conservancy and a co-author of contributor to ocean plastic, but they for Disease Control and Prevention makes the study. “Plastics are basically finding considered littering the sole source of this it clear: Staying home is the best way to their way into the entirety of the marine pollution. Including two other sources of protect yourself against the coronavirus. food web — everything from the smallest pollution — illegal dumping and waste phytoplankton at the base of the food web that’s shipped abroad for recycling, but If you do travel, the CDC says, sharing right up through the fish that we eat to the ultimately ends up in the environment — the a rental home with people from your own largest marine mammals and seabirds and new study boosts the U.S. to third place for household is safer than staying with friends sea turtles.” worst plastic-polluting nations. or family who aren’t from your household

or staying at a hotel where you would Photo AP PC : The U.S. generated a staggering 42 million “This paper is really good because it puts the encounter more people. The riskiest option, metric tons of plastic waste in 2016 — U.S. back at the top of the list and says ‘Hey, it says, is a hostel or other dorm-like lodging That includes scrubbing floors and other more than any other country in the world, wait, the U.S. is a major source of plastic with shared sleeping areas. surfaces with soap and water; washing linens according to the analysis. pollution,’” said Jan Dell, chemical engineer on high heat; disinfecting high-touch items and founder of The Last Beach Cleanup, Up to 2.2 million metric tons of this waste Try to find a rental that guarantees a 72-hour like door knobs; and ventilating rooms. ended up in the ocean. If piled on the White who did not contribute to the research. buffer between guests, says Dr. Natascha House lawn, it “would soar as high as the Credit : Voice of America (VOA) Tuznik, an infectious disease expert at the Credit : Associated Press (AP) www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

9 - 15 November 2020 23

Entertainment & Lifestyle NEW DELHI TIMES Seeking inclusion, Grammys Yami Gautam change name of a music category says women should get prominent roles in commercial cinemas also ollywood actress Yami Gautam has said PC : AP Photo AP PC : B that apart from ‘offbeat’ parallel cinema, he Grammy Awards have changed the best urban contemporary album category to women should also get prominent roles in T name of their best world music album best progressive R&B album. mainstream commercial cinemas. category to the best global music album, an attempt to find “a more relevant, modern and It also follows a similar recent step made “There are not many comedy roles written inclusive term.” by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts for women. Sridevi ma’am was perhaps the and Sciences, which changed the name of only one in recent times who did commercial The Recording Academy said in a statement its best foreign language film Oscar to best cinema, intense roles and comedy. I hope that the new name “symbolizes a departure international feature film. more such roles are given to women, not just from the connotations of colonialism, folk in offbeat films”, Gautam said. In the last few years, the winners of the and ‘non-American’ that the former term now-global music album category include embodied.” “Then in the most righteous way we can Angelique Kidjo’s “Celia,” Soweto Gospel talk about women empowerment in our Choir’s “Freedom” and Ladysmith Black “As we continue to embrace a truly global industry, with better roles and more Mambazo’s “Shaka Zulu Revisited.” mindset, we update our language to reflect focus to add substance. Even if it’s a commercial film, it’s important to have a more appropriate categorization that seeks The Academy said the newly named something substantial to do”, she to engage and celebrate the current scope of category ”will continue to provide a home added. music from around the world,” the statement for influential music from all parts of the said. globe yet bringing with it a fresh perspective Gautam came to prominence after fueled by authenticity, diversity and direct starring in a series of Fair & Lovely The step comes some five months after the inclusion into our process.” commercials. She later starred in Academy made changes to several Grammy television shows such as “Chand Awards categories, including renaming the Credit : Associated Press (AP) Ke Paar Chalo” (2008–2009) and “Yeh Pyar Na Hoga Kam” Drake bests Aretha Franklin, (2009–2010). Following this, she appeared in several South Wonder to set Billboard record Indian films. st Gautam made her Hindi arning his 21 Drake’s “Laugh Now Cry Later,” featuring film debut in 2012 with E No. 1 hit on rapper Lil Durk, reached the No. 1 spot on the comedy “Vicky Donor”, Billboard’s R&B/ the chart this week. Wonder and Franklin, which was a critical and Hip-Hop songs who died in 2018, each have had 20 songs commercial success. chart, Drake has top the chart. bested a record For her performance, she Of Drake’s 21 No. 1 hits on the R&B/Hip- previously held received praise as well as Hop songs chart, 12 include him in the by icons Aretha nomination for Filmfare Award leading role, including “God’s Plan,” “In Franklin and for Best Female Debut. She My Feelings,” “Hotline Bling,” “Hold On, Stevie Wonder. went on to star as a young wife We’re Going Home” and “Best I Ever Had,” in the crime film “Badlapur” his first major hit released in 2009. (2015), and a blind woman in Nine of his No. 1 successes are the thriller “Kaabil” (2017). songs he co-starred on, including “Work” with Rihanna, “Moment In 2019, she starred as 4 Life” with Nicki Minaj, “Fall an intelligence officer in for Your Type” with Jamie the war film “Uri”: The Foxx and “I Invented Sex” Surgical Strike (2019), with Trey Songz. one of the highest- grossing Indian films, Earlier this year, and garnered critical 34-year-old Drake acclaim for playing made Billboard a TikTok star in the chart history when satire “Bala” (2019). he set a new record for most songs on She followed it up the Hot 100 chart with this year’s — Billboard’s “Ginny Weds main songs chart Sunny”, which that includes all released on music genres. Netflix last month. Credit : Associated PC :AP Photo PC :AP Press (AP) By NDT Bureau PC : Getty Images

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Think - Tanks NEW DELHI TIMES It’s not about what you have but how you use it For a wise person, even a spoonful of water is enough to bathe! unknown person, or expressions of empathy. individual who lives a basic life can prompt what is generally significant. For instance, ◆ By Dr. Pramila We disregard to appreciate the seemingly a more joyful life. For example, when when an individual has a glut of material Srivastava small things in life. individuals from a family have a basic belongings, they want to secure them and occupation and way of life, they can stress them. Nonetheless, a simple-minded @PramilaBK coexist better with each other. This person is one that doesn’t have this dread. [email protected] is because they can abandon any This individual can maintain a pleasing life pressure they may feel in the working without the worries and constant uneasiness n history, wise or insightful individuals environment and spend quality time that fills the individual’s materialistic life. I have contended that people need to with one another. In our current reality, This materialistic individual is spurred by live simpler by restricting external wealth where the value of family keeps the idea of moving on from a top college and to achieve inner wealth. A successful road to on disintegrating, it is particularly straight away earning great million dollars happiness isn’t really through encountering imperative to sustain this sort of every year. big events; instead, it is the small and often relationship with those he/she lives However, the odds are thin that they will unforeseen joy in life that can help build with. actually discover the situation to be totally more meaningful lives. different. At the same time, a wise simple- Satisfaction is likewise an outcome of minded man gets the occasion to eliminate However, the word ‘small’ connotes simple living with small things. When the layers and connect with what is generally that something is minor or not of much an individual isn’t worried about significant, and the significant is the way significance, but rather ‘small’ can be a buying each and every new electronic commendable life is. ‘wonderful thing’. In the present expeditious, gadget that launches in the market or progressive world, it is easier to forget any material possession, such people Thus, when a person acknowledges how about small things in life. Individuals get so has the ability to feel thankful for what simple it is, and how much more joyful it is overwhelmed by the enormous house, the is in the possession. In contrast, those to carry on with an eccentric way of life, he/ striking vehicle, and the million-dollar dream that live with a worldly demeanor she will be more open to change, ambiguity, that they neglect to savor the joy that the will never feel that they serve an and better approaches for improving life easily overlooked small things bring in life. essential purpose. These people will and the experiences around oneself. These Often, we become fixated on accomplishing become fixated on acquiring more small things in life will, in general, have an huge goals in life. Nonetheless, we fail and probably overlooking the most undulate impact. Thereby it is appropriately PC : Getty Images to notice that those large goals consist of significant essentials. said that for a wise man, even a spoonful of many little choices that lead to the outcome. water is enough to bathe. In other words, it We belittle the power of a small gesture of Nonetheless, living with small can be Living with small isn’t a venture in isn’t about how much you have; it is about graciousness, a caring hug, a smile from an advantageous for many reasons. An affliction, yet rather an approach to find how well you can make the most out of it. India-Angola ties: An Ideal Deal of Development taking the ties further ahead on economical, Joint Commission Meeting through video- developments of mutual interest. The India- ◆ By International Institute for Non - Aligned Studies commercial and financial front. conferencing. Held on September 7, 2020. Angola Joint Commission also noted that the The meeting was co-chaired by External development cooperation between the two @iinsNAM Both nations, being the Member States Affairs Minister of India S. Jaishankar and sides could be further fostered through lines [email protected] of the Non-Aligned Movement, have acknowledged each other’s participation, Minister of External Relations of the Republic of credit and buyer’s credit arrangements in of Angola Ambassador Tete Antonio. Both order to enhance the capacity of Angolan nderpinned by a vibrant energy unadulterated and permanent support on the leaders, in order to foster the bilateral ties entities. partnership, the bilateral ties between various levels and smooth economic and U between the two nations, comprehensively India and Angola, one of the major oil political ties which come out as manifestation reviewed the entire spectrum to diversify producers in Africa, date back to pre- of their warm and friendly relations since their the trade basket, and discussions in the independence era of Angola when India, in establishment. The ideal deal of development, areas of political, economic, defence and an act of solidarity with the latter, supported which India and Angola have been a security and development cooperation Angolan freedom struggle against the manifestation of, encompasses the real motive were held. Apart from this, both the nations Portuguese colonial rule till its attainment of the very foundation of inception of the Non- discussed cooperation in health, agriculture, of independence in 1975. The ties between Aligned Movement. digitisation, telecom, pharmaceuticals and the two nations have been nurtured and Be it the high-profile visits that include food processing. brought up with a firm commitment the much-remembered trip by the then towards each other. Since then, India has Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to Angola in The signing of 3 pacts between India and retained robust ties across decades with the May 1986 or it having been reciprocated Angola, including agreement on visa Overall, the Joint Session between India and reigning political establishment in Angola, by President José Eduardo dos Santos exemption for holders of diplomatic, official Angola is quite a manifestation of the efforts i.e., MPLA (Popular Movement for the in April 1987 or Angola’s rich resource and service passports, cooperation between needed in line with NAM’s ideology to Liberation of Angola). base including petroleum, diamonds, iron the Ministry of External Relations of Angola boost mutual interests and enhance respect and Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign towards each others’ territorial integrity Reiterating their commitment to achieving ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold, Service and cooperation in the field of while ensuring the peaceful co-existence new heights in bilateral ties between the two bauxite, uranium to form a strong energy Health, are a clear stance of both the nations with the Member States and the world. sides, the governments and people of both the partnership or India sharing its technology being in cooperation with each other towards nations have been contributing their strong expertise to form a multi-layered economic (in arrangement with promoting investment and trade ties. Also, will and efforts in various fields, including cooperation, both the nations have provided News from Non-Aligned World) both the nations have agreed to cooperate political, economical and commercial. With a host of opportunities for each other. All in the field of space so as to extend benefit www.iins.org their strong and unwavering commitment these instances of advanced expertise and to the Angolan health and towards nurturing the ties between them, opportunities are a manifestation of the education sectors. both the nations have maintained a strong and unwavering commitment India Contact New Delhi Times friendship and solid cooperation in various and Angola hold towards one another. Since Having acknowledged fields, including, regional as well as those the time when Prime Minister Narendra the excellent bilateral For Complaints & Suggestions in concern with the international agenda Modi and President João Lourenço met cooperation between +91-9999331600 while on the other hand, mutual sympathy on the sidelines of the BRICS summit at the two nations, the two towards each other is highly visible in the Johannesburg in July 2018, the two sides had Ministers reaffirmed their A-2/59, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi-110029 efforts incorporated by India and Angola. acquired a renewed push in their bilateral commitment towards The Non-Aligned Movement, since its exchanges. countering terrorism and Visit us at : twitter@NewDelhiTimes inception, has been an epitome of mutual In a move to take these robust ties to newer also exchanged views facebook.com/newdelhitimes efforts and mutual cooperation ideology in heights, India and Angola held the first on regional and global Printer and Publisher: Dr. (Mrs.) Pramila Srivastava, on behalf of Dr. Ankur Srivastava, Printed at Sudhir Printers, 151, Desh Bandhu Gupta Market, Karol Bagh, Delhi - 110005, Published at A-2/59 Safdarjung Enclave New Delhi-110029. Ph.: 26102520, 26105846 Fax: 26196294 Email: [email protected], Vol. 30, No. 41 Editor : Dr. Ankit Srivastava www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper