NEW DELHI TIMES R.N.I. No 53449/91 DL-SW-1/4124/20-22 (Monday/Tuesday same week) (Published Every Monday) New Delhi Page 24 Rs. 7.00

28 September - 4 October 2020 Vol - 30 No. 35 Email : [email protected] Founder : Dr. Govind Narain Srivastava ISSN -2349-1221 Israel is no Misery is not what happens to us, but how more a pariah we react to it! From 1967, when Israel fought the combined As we as all know that life is full of good might of the Arabs in Yom Kippur War and and bad times; even though we claim that won, it has been the public enemy number we want to be happy, we often end up one for the Arabs. The Arab-supported pursuing things and the ways of life that Palestinians resorted to militancy of all cut us down. We invite misery into our kinds to get back their land and the Arab- lives and then endure sufferings. Israel relations have touched no banks hence. Now, things are changing... We, as a genus, like to imagine that... By Dr. Ankit Srivastava Page 3 By Dr. Pramila Srivastava Page 24

By NDT Special Bureau Page 2 Hotels in Switzerland are on the Beware Pakistan; Gilgit- It’s not just ‘leftists’ who brink of economic meltdown Baltistan is Indian Territory support a basic income

Switzerland is considered a dream destination of tourists In 1947, Pakistan occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) from My column last week endorsing a guaranteed basic income globally. People consider it as the ‘Heaven on the Earth’ India through a combination of deceit and force and has triggered a surprising denunciation by many as a “left- and indeed it is true to the core as once you visit... held on to its 73000 sq.km territory for seven decades... wing” writer with quite a few accusing... By Sujay Dhawan Page 20 By Himanshu Sharma Page 5 By Tarek Fatah Page 2 For critical insights One Year* Five Year* Subscribe Rs. 350 Rs. 1500 For more information Contact : +91-9999 337 800 To Subscribe E-Paper Whatsapp +91 9999 478 735 * Details on Page 21

1 twitter@NewDelhiTimes facebook.com/newdelhitimes www.NewDelhiTimes.com 2 28 September - 4 October 2020

Opinion NEW DELHI TIMES Civilising the Taliban: Second Home Coming or Apocalypse? The Taliban committed in the Doha Deal of February 29, not to allow any terrorist individual or group to use Afghan soil against the US and its allies made it mandatory for foreign militants to Accords, 1995, among Bosnia, Croatia and incapable of providing any financial, ◆ By NDT Special Bureau register themselves with full identification Serbia. Around 5000 foreign fighters had politico-ideological or operational support. @NewDelhiTimes with them. They must pledge not to recruit entered Bosnia between 1992 and 1994 to The TTP could also accept surrender-and- new fighters, stay in their designated places, fight along with the Bosnian civil defence reconciliation with Pakistan but has refused [email protected] and inform about their movements. This will forces. The Dayton Agreement required such offers in the past. If it unifies to fight modulate the Taliban’s relationship with these fighters to leave the Balkans but against Pakistan it would lose the Afghan he intra-Afghan dialogue between the foreign militants in Afghanistan. The TTP majority stayed there. Many fighters got Taliban’s patronage. T Taliban and Afghan Government for has reportedly rejected these terms while integrated as a separate battalion within political reconciliation in Afghanistan has talks continue. the Bosnian Armed Forces and a third were Al Qaeda has rather shown more flexibility to commenced in Doha. The stakeholders are granted Bosnian citizenship. the Taliban conditions. During the US-Taliban very optimistic of the outcome but concerns talks at Doha, the Taliban had even consulted remain on the patchy and lengthy process The Taliban’s potential offer may not work Al Qaeda’s leadership before signing the deal involving multiple conflicting interests. The for all foreign militants. Pakistan doubts presumably within the US knowledge. participants will need to review the status that the TTP won’t accept to live peacefully and revise their stance from time to time. under the Afghan Taliban’s patronage. The The US, Afghanistan and NATO countries Bosnia experiment had produced mixed wont object seriously if Al Qaeda guarantees The Taliban committed in the Doha Deal results at best as some still continued with to live peacefully in Afghanistan. Al Qaeda of February 29, not to allow any terrorist their militant activities and post- 9/11, the Chief Zawahiri’s recent statement on individual or group to use Afghan soil Bosnian authorities revoked more than 1,000 September 11, 2020, did not mention the US against the US and its allies. That’s one citizenships. The Taliban could experience and Afghan Taliban deal probably under the factor critical to both the US-Taliban deal the same thing. Taliban pressure. It would remain calm till

and the intra-Afghan dialogue. The Afghan PC : Getty Images it finds another place to relocate and won’t Taliban’s relationship with foreign militants The TTP won’t abandon its stance against sabotage the Afghan peace process and the in Afghanistan is pivotal. Thankfully, the Pakistan or relocate to Pakistan without Taliban’s rise to power. Taliban have begun a review process to effectively holding any territory inside address this concern of Afghan and external The Afghan Taliban issuing such instructions Pakistan. It could strategize and split into No other religious community carries the stakeholders. to foreign militants is understandable. small cells which will weaken its long-term guns to achieve their political goals, the way The foreign militants’ issue will definitely organisational structure, create internal Muslims do and it has painted a picture that A former Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) come under discussion in the intra-Afghan differences within the rank and file and there is something fundamentally wrong Spokesperson tweeted that an Afghan dialogue at some point, and the Afghan energize sectarian fights for supremacy. somewhere with Islam, but it is not true. Taliban delegation was negotiating new Taliban could plan something like granting No religion teaches extremism, nor does terms with the TTP for the latter’s stay in foreign militants’ citizenship, provided The TTP staying in Afghanistan to operate as Islam. It is the fault of the extremists who Afghanistan. The Taliban has framed 27 they commit to live there peacefully. The a proxy of nations hostile to Pakistan could have portrayed Islam in the negative light. rules for foreign militant groups - Al Qaeda, Taliban’s recent conditions for foreign complicate its relationship with the Afghan Afghanistan has never been at peace with Islamic State (IS) and the TTP included - militants indicate such a possibility. Taliban. Even the TTP’s nexus with the IS in itself for centuries and never will be unless forbidding use of Afghan territory against Afghanistan would not create a big impact, it abandons its tribal mind-set. Same thing other countries. The Afghan Taliban have The Taliban’s proposal echoes the Dayton as the Islamic State is a weak organisation can be said about Pakistan, Syria and Iraq. It’s not just ‘leftists’ who support a basic income 3. The United Church of Canada believes, “A that found the top 1% of wealthy Canadians [basic income] program would help provide account for more than a quarter of the ◆ By Tarek Fatah an adequate living level for everyone and country’s wealth, while the bottom 40% Author & Columnist, Canada address the persistent inequities within our account for a measly 1%. @TarekFatah country.” [email protected] It is that bottom 40% that seems most 4. Pope Francis, who wrote after the hostile to the basic income idea along with M y column last week endorsing a coronavirus pandemic, “This may be the the ideological ultra-right, who massage the guaranteed basic income triggered a time to consider a universal basic wage … egos of the working class to fight against its surprising denunciation by many as a “left- that would ensure and concretely achieve own interests. wing” writer with quite a few accusing me the ideal, at once so human and so Christian, of pushing a “Communist “agenda. of no worker without rights.” Thus, when the Toronto Star reported that If that diatribe were not enough, the millionaire Maple Leafs Darcy Tucker 5. The Anglican Church of Canada. In May, and Shayne Corson were being accused of unemployed, homeless, disabled and people 41 bishops of the Anglican and Evangelical out on their luck who stood to regain their participating in a ‘sham’ to avoid paying Lutheran Church in Canada wrote to Prime their fair share of taxes, don’t be surprised dignity as fellow Canadians, were depicted Minister Justin Trudeau: “We recommend [a as lazy and a drain on the country’s resources. if it generates no anger among the ‘petit- basic income], not just as an astute financial bourgeois’. policy, but also because it marks our identity Added to this was the perennial argument as a country who cares for one another.” and question that is always brought up If evidence was needed of how this group whenever Western societies have move Some middle-class Canadians seem holds our governments and institutions in moved toward egalitarianism — “who will traumatized at the thought, that their contempt, it came with the leaking of 25,000 pay for this largesse?” documents on Monday that listed the money working-class low-income fellow citizens PC : Getty Images laundering of two trillion dollars from right So, allow me to list a few ‘leftists’ who would get “free money.” But the same under the nose of the US Treasury and with Two books may help those who find the have endorsed the idea of such a guaranteed people who feign concern over Canada’s the tacit involvement of big banks in U.K., concept of economic equity offensive. Both income. deficits, seem to have no problem with Canadian billionaires making a killing while the U.S., Germany and then disappearing are titled “Capital”, one by Karl Marx and 1. Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. COVID-19 was killing people. into secret bank accounts in China. That is the other by Thomas Piketty. It took me a Musk suggests it will become necessary $2,000 billion. year – as an 18-year-old in a prison cell – to as automation eliminates jobs, while the During an economic crisis that has left understand Marx, but less than a month to Facebook CEO sees it as a way to give people millions of Canadians out of a job, Canada’s Even Fox News host Tucker Carlson absorb Piketty. a safety net to support entrepreneurship. top 20 billionaires collectively have become expressed outrage at the billionaire class who $37 billion richer. he termed as “a threat to our democracy.” Read both. It’ll make you realize the homeless 2. 100 Canadian CEOs, who in 2018 urged and the disabled are better deserving of your Premier Doug Ford to rescue Ontario’s basic We all need to pay attention to a report from Not a bird chirped in protest at the stolen solidarity than the billionaire class you seem income project. the Parliamentary Budget Officer this year trillions. so desperate to please. www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

28 September - 4 October 2020 3

Editor’s Desk NEW DELHI TIMES Israel is no more a pariah rom 1967, when Israel fought the the champion of Palestinian rights, has democracy. The Middle Eastern countries F combined might of the Arabs in Yom permitted commercial flights over the need to accept the past and present realities ◆ Dr. Ankit Srivastava Kippur War and won, it has been the public Kingdom to shorten the Israel-UAE flying on the ground. Turkey has an embassy in Chief Editor enemy number one for the Arabs. The Arab- time. Israel but wants no other Islamic country to @AnkitNDT supported Palestinians resorted to militancy have it there! What a duplicitous regime! [email protected] of all kinds to get back their land and the The recent agreements with Israel just drag Arab-Israel relations have touched no banks into the open what has been running under “If you can’t beat them join them” is the hence. cover for years. Jordan and Egypt have had traditional wisdom. The embassies in Tel Aviv for decades, so had Middle East countries Now, things are changing fast. Two-Arab Turkey. are now tuning countries - the United Arab Emirates and towards this mantra. Bahrain - normalised relations with Israel. Turkish President’s loud protest against People need peace Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994 had other’s recognition of Israel is a day-light and development already done that. Some hard-core Arab fraud on the Muslim psyche. Whether much more than countries still grimace, driven by visceral Islamists like it or not, there is a growing hard-core religious hatred than any sound logic. The peace movement towards normalisation of ideology bordering deals of Israel with the UAE and Bahrain ties with the Zionist state. The younger on fanaticism. have heralded a new era in the Middle generation of Arabs want job opportunities East. and peace, not a perpetual state of war with a powerful neighbour. The Middle East is still debating the merits and demerits of relations with Now around five lakh Israelis live Israel but similar things are happening in settlements in the West Bank with in the Balkans too. Kosovo and Serbia support of a hawkish, right-wing which have by far refused to recognise government. Even when Netanyahu is Israel, have now fallen in the line. defeated, the consensus in Israel is that they need the West Bank for security. The world in general and the Arab world in particular is heaping The Palestinians proved to be their praises for Trump as he initiated own worst enemies. Jimmy Carter was the ‘socialisation’ of Israel into the the friendliest and Bill Clinton tried Arab league after long “rustication.” his best to push an agreement through, America has done lots of heavy but the PLO’s rigidity blocked any lifting in both the regions. rapprochement. Trump’s pro-Israel policies tilted the scale in Israel’s The quid pro quo promised to favour. Kosovo and Serbia are still unclear, but Serbia which has Hard-core Islamic countries’ head-in- thus far refused to recognise its the-sand attitude towards Israel has neighbour has done so now! not helped the Palestinians. Moreover, the oil-rich Middle East states became The Middle East feels too tired of paying cash regularly to suffocated in its seventh the corrupt administrations in the century desert mind-set and is West Bank and Gaza, and Pakistan. struggling to wriggle out of it Dwindling oil revenues made at the earliest. Religion cannot subsidy to perpetual beggars more feed your empty stomach unaffordable. (Pakistan realised it too late); technology and developments The Palestinians have now quit their can (Israel is the example). rotating chairmanship of the Arab League. Palestine was supposed to chair Greater trade, fear of Iran, and the Arab League meetings for the next six Israeli high-tech weaponry months, but Foreign Minister Riyad al- drove the UAE to transform Maliki said that it no longer wanted the its covert ties with Israel into position. a full-blown relationship. Additionally, the UAE can “Palestine has decided to concede its right now access the American F-35 to chair the League’s council [of Foreign jet fighters, denied thus far due Ministers] at its current session. There is to Israeli objections. no honour in seeing Arabs rush towards normalisation during its Presidency,” American policy - now enacted Maliki said. as law - mandates that Israel must maintain a “qualitative military Islamists cry for Palestinians, but are edge” over its neighbours. The shamefully silent on the persecution and deal fetched Netanyahu’s consent de-Islamising tortures of Chinese Muslim PC : Getty Images to the sale of the F-35. The radar- Uyghurs which lay bare their moral evading and intelligence-gathering bankruptcy on the plight of the wretched technology makes F-35 special. Uyghurs. Israel did not want its secrets to fall into the hands of its foes. Great to see that the Arab world is moving forward though many Islamic nations Iran is Palestine’s bulwark against will choose to ignore this inevitable fact. Israel. But ironically, Iran is driving Sacrificing own interests for Palestine Sunni Arab countries in hordes into sounds noble but it no more finds takers. the US-Israel camp. The fear of Iran Trump’s efforts to establish peace deserves grows bigger as the US withdraws from him the Nobel prize. the region following its reduced dependence on the Arab oil. Even Saudi Arabia, once Accepting Israel will be like accepting

India’s only International Newspaper www.NewDelhiTimes.com 4 28 September - 4 October 2020

International NEW DELHI TIMES Harassment of Shias in Pakistan The state perpetuated Islamization created a sectarian rift between the Sunnis and Shias in the country and the attacks on Shias were also increased under Zia’s regime least 42 persons were killed and more than ◆ By NDT Bureau 100 wounded when a religious procession @NewDelhiTimes of Shia Muslims was attacked by Sunni extremists at Liaquat Bazaar in Quetta. [email protected] While another sectarian violence in the year 2006 snatched 300 lives. he Islamic Republic of Pakistan, T which means a “sacred land”, was The list is endless, but the bottom line is that created on the religious ground and now the persecution of the community is still on, has lost its path after achieving autonomy but barely any human rights body speaks for as a state. Muhajirs, Baloch or the minority them. Shias of Gilgit-Baltistan have time and communities divided on the sectarian again raised voices for India’s intervention grounds, especially the Shias, has been and support and wants the government to facing heavy bloodshed since the creation shield them from Pakistan’s persecution. of Pakistan. Shias and Ahmadiyya Muslims face continuous persecution and systematic A state constructed on the religious ground harassment by the Pakistani government became an anathema for all the linguistic and since 1948. Pakistan likely has around 16 sectarian minorities residing in Pakistan; either million Shias, which constitutes nearly it is Muhajirs, Baloch, Ahmadi Muslims or 10-20% of the total Muslims, while the the Shias who have been systematically remaining 80% to 90% practice Sunni Islam.

PC : Getty Images harassed and exploited by the dominating radical Islamist who invisibly rules over Pakistan took the first initiative towards both the communities had different opinions recurring feature of every Muharram. In the being an Islamic State with the Objectives the country and enjoys a great autonomy which do not suit the radicals. Meanwhile year 1988, one of the horrible incidences took over the State. Resolution of 1949 which was passed in in 1974, after decades of agitation by anti- place in Gilgit when a radical Sunni tribal led the Senate after heavy objections from the Ahmadiyya Islamists, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto by Osama bin Laden massacred and raped Shia Opting of a state on religious ground during religious and sectarian minorities of the declared them to be Constitutionally non- civilians after being inducted by the Pakistan country. Later, the Objectives Resolution partition might be a blessing for the privileged Muslims and with that, the harassment of Army to quell a Shia uprising in Gilgit. Sunni Muslims belonging to the powerful was incorporated into the Pakistani Shia Muslims began. Constitution and has since become a fixed families, but it proved to be a curse for the feature of the Pakistani Constitutional law. Under Zia’s regime, the Shias who came religious, linguistic and sectarian minorities. The state perpetuated Islamization created a back from pilgrimages in Iran or Iraq, were The resolution gave autonomy to the sectarian rift between the Sunnis and Shias detained and harassed under the pretense of In comparison to their counterparts, radical Islamists who often decide on in the country and the attacks on Shias were being “fighters”. Even after General Zia’s religious minorities in India are enjoying a the qualifications on being a Muslim and also increased under Zia’s regime. In the regime, the sectarian-based persecution much cordial atmosphere with the concept whose interpretation of Shariah has been year 1983, Pakistan witnessed the heavy continued and by the 1990s it took a horrific of equality and freedom enshrined in the deemed by them as superior. In the wake bloodshed between Shias and Sunnis in turn. In 2003, a prominent Shia Mosque was Constitution. Time to pay gratitude to our of the ongoing political shuffling, Shia and Karachi which also spread to Balochistan and attacked in Quetta resulting in the killing predecessors for their decision to stay in Ahmadiyya sects were being targeted, as Punjab province and such violence became a of 53 worshippers. On March 2, 2004, at India. International Political Scenario of the Week the automatic allocation of jobs to graduates. ◆ By NDT Bureau On September 22, Benjamín Hernández @NewDelhiTimes Gutiérrez, Secretary General of CNTE teachers’ unions said that protesters in [email protected] Maravatío, Pátzcuaro, Múgica and Uruapan freed the railway tracks when confronted by Algeria the police.

On September 15, an appeal court in Algiers “Colleagues in Maravatío told us that police sentenced journalist Khaled Drareni to arrived not with an attitude of peace but a two-year prison sentence for inciting with batons in their hands; aggression was unarmed assembly and undermining imminent,” he said. The protests by the national unity. The verdict has led to outrage CNTE is likely to continue in the coming as the journalist’s conviction is being seen days if the demands are not met by the as a flagrant attack on press freedom in government. Algeria. In a statement, prominent Algerian media networks stated that “this sentence is Thailand a serious attack on the freedom of the press On September 24, Thailand’s Parliament that nothing can justify. voted to delay deciding on whether it will protest leaders face charges relating to their endangering a neighbour with his shots. The It is intolerable that journalists are targeted amend the country’s Constitution, and anti- actions at the protests, like breaking the two other officers involved in the raid were because of their professional activity”. In government protesters continued the daily emergency decree back in July for holding not indicted. The judicial indictment led total 31 human rights groups have issued a demonstrations they have been staging for a large public gathering, as well as violating to an eruption of protests in Chicago, Los joint statement against Algerian authorities’ more than two months, calling for more the lèse majesté law for criticising or Angeles, Philadelphia, New York, Seattle, relentless prosecution and harassment democracy and reform of the monarchy. insulting Thailand’s King or members of the Washington, DC, and Portland. of civil society and journalists which royal family. undermines human rights as the country The decision is expected to delay the process There were reports of altercations between undertakes its democratic transition process, by another month, agitating the thousands USA protesters and police, who responded using ahead of a Constitutional referendum to be of protesters who gathered outside the pepper balls and flash bangs to disperse the held on November 1. Parliament to put pressure on lawmakers Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old woman, crowd. Protests in Louisville turned violent, to implement Constitutional changes and was fatally shot by Louisville Metro and a gunman shot and wounded two police Mexico remove Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha, Police Department (LMPD) officers officers. a former junta leader, from office. While Jonathan Mattingly, Brett Hankison, and Teachers and teaching students known recent protests remain largely peaceful, Myles Cosgrove on March 13, 2020. On The protests will continue in the coming days as normalistas have blocked railroads in the Thai Government and army are likely September 23, a state grand jury indicted and the possibility of violent confrontations Michoacán in recent weeks to demand the to adopt more heavy-handed measures Hankison not for Taylor’s death, but on between the protestors and the police cannot payment of bonuses and scholarships and in future protests. Currently, a number of three counts of wanton endangerment for be ruled out. www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

28 September - 4 October 2020 5

International NEW DELHI TIMES Beware Pakistan; Gilgit-Baltistan is Indian Territory There are rumours of China building its military base in Gilgit-Baltistan and has reportedly offered Islamabad to barter Gilgit-Baltistan for the CPEC loans! Legislative Assembly, whose five-year term Constitutional status whether before or after Of late, China is pressurizing Pakistan By Himanshu Sharma ◆ of the PML-N government ended on June 24, the elections. to politically reclaim Gilgit-Baltistan. @_Himansh_ were scheduled earlier for August 18, but Thousands of Chinese have flocked into the COVID-19 had it postponed. region in recent months and settled there to [email protected] the consternation of locals who fear being The opposition parties regard any move to overwhelmed by the Chinese presence. n 1947, Pakistan occupied Gilgit- interfere in the elections in Gilgit-Baltistan I Baltistan (G-B) from India through as sensitive. The 26-point declaration issued There are rumours of China building its a combination of deceit and force and has at the conclusion of the September 20 military base in Gilgit-Baltistan and has held on to its 73000 sq.km territory for multiparty conference also reflected their reportedly offered Islamabad to barter seven decades now. In 1963, it ceded 5180 concerns. With pressing for “free, fair and Gilgit-Baltistan for the CPEC loans! sq.km of Saksham Valley to China. Pakistan transparent elections in Gilgit-Baltistan India vehemently objects to Pakistan’s treated Gilgit-Baltistan as a colony and which has already become a flashpoint in machinations in Gilgit-Baltistan and advises vastly altered its demographics by settling the region and many countries are eyeing it PC : Getty Images Islamabad to stay away from the region Islamic militants there from other regions of to get benefit”, PML-N leaders had stated which is India’s land. Pakistan should not Pakistan. Traditionally treated as Pakistani in July that any attempt to rig the elections The opposition regarded any such move provoke PM Modi. Imran once provoked colony, Gilgit-Baltistan has recently there would be against the national interest before the elections as a ‘pre-poll rigging’ PM Modi on J&K and the rest is history. morphed into a Chinese colony. and national security of Pakistan. It indicated with ramifications like disturbing Pakistan’s The people of Gilgit-Baltistan have not been stance on the Kashmir dispute. PPP said that Recently, Pakistan Government and to the national institutions that the federal given their rights and have always been changing the Constitutional status of Gilgit- opposition parties almost reached a consensus government should “refrain from horse- betrayed despite standing with Pakistan. Baltistan was a “sensitive matter.” on granting “provisional provincial status” trading and interference [in the polls].” The Gilgit-Baltistan is a shining jewel in the to strategically-located Gilgit-Baltistan China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) After India’s abrogation of Article 370 crown of undeserving Pakistan, which has after the elections to its legislative assembly has become a “jugular vein” and imparts great on August 5, 2019, that changed the exploited its resources for the benefit of scheduled in November, 2020. Political significance to Gilgit-Baltistan which is a Constitutional status of Kashmir for good, other provinces like Punjab to the detriment parties had discussed the move prior to their “sensitive area” and a flashpoint in the region. Pakistani PM Imran Khan lacked the of locals who have been grossly deprived meeting with the Army Chief. Opposition In a recent meeting, Pakistani Government courage to attend briefings on the Kashmir and humiliated. Nobody asked them what parties objected to any move in the region and opposition parties including PPP and issue with the political party leaders! Army they want. Gilgit-Baltistan people now before election as pre-poll rigging and the PML-N assured the Army Chief of their Chief himself had to brief political parties demand independence from Pakistan! Government admitted to having such plan support to the “provisional provincial status” on the situation as Imran hid in the adjacent on its agenda! of Gilgit-Baltistan, but the issue had to be chamber! Opposition parties talked about Pakistan has no rights to reclaim Gilgit- The PML-N promised the people of Gilgit- taken up and discussed only after Gilgit- granting Gilgit-Baltistan “provisional Baltistan. It should never try to merge it Baltistan Constitutional rights in its party’s Baltistan elections. General Bajwa had provincial status” only after elections as as a province. Gilgit-Baltistan as a part of manifesto, albeit without affecting Pakistan’s left it on political leadership to decide the any such move initiated now would impart erstwhile Ladakh constitutes an integral part stance on the Kashmir dispute. The elections timing of the implementation of the decision undue political advantages to PTI in the of India. Pakistan should cease to meddle in for 24 general seats of the Gilgit-Baltistan about change in the Gilgit-Baltistan’s upcoming elections. Gilgit-Baltistan affairs. US brings UN sanctions back but Iran plays waiting game In 2015, Iran signed the JCPOA so as not to build nuclear weapons and sanctions were lifted but the US withdrew from this nuclear deal in 2018, and re-enforced the sanctions sanctions, but the international community and are strategic American partners but also internet domains used in the attacks. ◆ By NDT Bureau feels otherwise.Iran criticised the snapback, maintain ties with Tehran. American military @NewDelhiTimes viewed Washington as “isolated” and “on strike killed Qasem Soleimani, the Iranian Sanctions apart, America indicted Iranian the wrong side of history”, and called upon Commander overseeing Tehran’s proxy hacking groups and sent aircraft carrier [email protected] the international community to stand against forces across the Middle East. America Nimitz into the Persian Gulf for a blamed Iran of planning assassinations of training deployment to pressurize Iran uring the Shanghai Cooperation American diplomats, hacking indictments, to avoid provocative actions against the D Organisation meeting in Moscow, both and interfering in ensuing elections. But new sanctions. The US blames Iran for Defence Minister and Foreign Minister of Iran abandoned the long-planned attacks on infiltrating Trump’s election campaign, and India had stop-overs in Tehran. Strategists the Persian Gulf shipping or Middle Eastern using social media to criticize handling of speculated some thawing of the US- oil production to hurt Trump’s chances of re- the coronavirus pandemic and highlighting Iran relations, through Indian initiatives. election and wisely chose a path of restraint social unrest. America also highlighted President Trump had indicated some as such strikes would rally Trump’s base and Iranian threats against American diplomats good news on Iran. Against this trend, US trigger American military retaliation. Tehran to retaliate for General Soleimani’s killing Secretary of State Mike Pompeo unilaterally settled for only covert cyber-attacks. which Iran dismisses as propaganda aimed proclaimed on September 19, that all at increasing tensions before the election. previously terminated United Nations PC : Getty Images Iran perceives America and Israel running Iran’s subversion of Trump’s re-election sanctions against Iran will be back in force these actions. The American announcement operations against it but held back major pales before Russia’s robust divisive effective from September 20, 2020. caused “huge destabilising fallout” with retaliation for the July explosion by Israel campaigns in American election operations. its European partners. France, Britain at its Natanz nuclear facility making In 2015, Iran signed the JCPOA so as not Iran’s sophisticated cyber-capability is and Germany issued a joint statement that centrifuges that pulled back its nuclear to build nuclear weapons and sanctions were nothing compared to Russia. It has neither Pompeo’s “notification” was “incapable of program. Iran sensed it as a trap to incite lifted but the US withdrew from this nuclear the experience nor the infrastructure to having any legal effect”. retaliation of American or Israeli military deal in 2018, and re-enforced the sanctions. response. mount the kind of campaign Russia is The US proposal in mid-August to extend Russia said that the “illegitimate initiatives capable of. Iran is interfering on behalf of the embargo on sale of conventional and actions” of Washington cannot have Israeli attacks on Iranian forces in Syria and Joe Biden. weapons to Tehran, due to expire in October, international legal consequences for other the Natanz blast prompted the new Chief got defeated at the UN Security Council. countries. of Iran’s Quds Force to urge Khamenei to Iran may not be able to effectively influence sanction response but he blocked any large- the US elections. Getting caught and Pompeo criticised France, Britain and Pompeo said at the Atlantic Council that scale response except for small cyber-attacks suffering the blowback could be costly. Any Germany for “siding with Iran’s Ayatollahs,” Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia and the against Israel. action to undermine Trump could backfire as America unilaterally announced the United Arab Emirates see Iran as the and not be worth the risk. That explains snapback on August 20, thinking that the arms “primary destabilizing force in the Middle An Iranian hacking group called Phosphorous why Iran is exercising caution, patience, embargo has been extended “indefinitely” East,” hence favour Trump’s hard-line unsuccessfully attempted to hack the and sticking to low-level cyber operations. and Tehran’s nuclear and ballistic missile policy against Iran. But this could irritate accounts of Trump’s officials and campaign Iran feel that Biden’s victory is more likely, programs has been put under international Iraq and Qatar which host American troops staff. Microsoft has seized the group’s 155 hence just playing a waiting game.

India’s only International Newspaper www.NewDelhiTimes.com 6 28 September - 4 October 2020

International NEW DELHI TIMES CAMM Air Defence Missile gains ground in air-defence sector The Common Anti-Air Modular Missile (CAMM), is the next generation air defence missile designed for land, sea and air environments to be integrated into new or existing naval ◆ By NDT Bureau combat systems. @NewDelhiTimes The initial opportunity for the CAMM-ER [email protected] interceptor remains in Italy, where it was identified as a fifth-generation medium- he Common Anti-Air Modular Missile range missile solution to replace the Aspide T (CAMM), developed by MBDA 2000 missile in service with the Italian Missiles System is gaining ground in the Army’s Skyguard System and the Italian Air air-defence sector. CAMM is the latest Force Spada System. generation air defence missile designed for land and sea in the Ground-based Air Defence In January 2016, the governments of Italy (GBAD) and Naval-based Air Defence and the UK signed a Statement of Intent (NBAD) domain selected to date, according to formalise industrial collaboration on to manufacturer MBDA, by six nations – CAMM-ER, and regulate the exchange of with other potential export opportunities sensitive information, transfer of technology, pending near term. The MBDA adds that the and other aspects relating to the system’s PC : Getty Images CAMM solution is a rare flagship success security. for the United Kingdom defence companies in the international missile acquisition In May 2017, CAMM-ER was authorised programmes. by the Italian MoD for direct, single- by conventional wheeled vehicles. The soft CAMM is capable of providing protection source procurement to replace the Aspide/ The Common Anti-Air Modular Missile launch technology provides a true 360° air from aircraft, anti-ship cruise missiles, and Spada systems. In November 2019, the (CAMM), is the next generation air defence capability and a weapon system other highly sophisticated threats. Italian Parliament’s Defence Committee defence missile designed for land, sea and that can be easily concealed and quickly finally approved funding to complete air environments. CAMM has an active deployed without the need for dedicated Installed with advanced technologies, the the development of CAMM-ER, and its RF seeker that provides true all-weather search radars. missile offers protection against known subsequent integration into the Italian performance with excellent clutter rejection and expected air targets. The missile is services new short-to-medium range air- capabilities. The CAMM munition offers The CAMM solution provides for an operational with the UK Royal Navy as part defence systems. land-based forces a highly effective and insensitive munition (IM)-compliant of the Sea Ceptor weapon system aboard the easily deployable, local area air defence interceptor that is 3.2 Type 23 frigates. Sea A possible near-term export opportunity for system, as part of the Enhanced Modular m long, 166 mm in The missile is operational with Ceptor can operate CAMM exists with Poland’s NAREW short- Air Defence Solutions (EMADS), capable diameter, and weighing the UK Royal Navy as part of from the SYLVER range air-defence (SHORAD) requirement. of operating as either a standalone unit or 99 kg. Powered by and Mk41 launchers integrated within a battle space network. a Roxel-developed the Sea Ceptor weapon system using a quad-pack In February 2017, MBDA signed a low signature solid aboard the Type 23 frigates. configuration to Strategic Partnership Agreement for missile The use of third-party target information fuel rocket motor, maximise packing technology with Polish Armaments Group from the wider battle space network allows enabling intercept speeds up to Mach density and for optimum installation on (Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa/PGZ) – a the system to engage targets that are non- 3 (1,020 m/s), the missile has a stated smaller ships. The Soft Vertical Launch holding company established by the Polish line-of-sight from the local launcher or minimum operational range of less than 1 km technology reduces system weight and government to unite Polish state-owned sensors. The light weight and compact and a (conservatively stated) maximum provides flexible installation. The weapon’s defence companies – for co-operation on designs allow multiple missiles to be carried range greater than 25 km. Command and Control system is designed missile technologies and programmes. US Army funded study looks into the impact of sleep deprivation on soldiers removal – are synchronized with the master ◆ By NDT Bureau internal clock that regulates the sleep-wake @NewDelhiTimes cycle. [email protected] The glymphatic system, first discovered by the URMC Nedergaard lab in 2012, consists new study funded by the United States of a network that piggybacks on the brain’s A (US) Army aims to probe the effects of blood circulation system and is comprised sleep deprivation, which can greatly affect of layers of plumbing, with the inner blood soldiers on the battlefield. vessel encased by a ‘tube’ that transports According to the information available on cerebrospinal fluid. The system pumps the the official page of the US Army (army. fluid through brain tissue primarily during mil), research conducted at the University of sleep, washing away toxic proteins and other wastes.

Rochester Medical Center and funded by the PC : Getty Images Army Research Office (ARO), an element of Dr. Frederick Gregory, a program manager that offset the deleterious effects of sleep play in the glymphatic system’s function the Army Combat Capabilities Development for ARO’s neurophysiology of cognition deprivation and addresses future multi- and the chemical signalling that occurs Command’s Army Research Laboratory, initiative stated, “Establishing a role for domain military operation requirements for in the brain to turn the system on and off. suggests that people who rely on sleeping communication between astrocytes and the soldiers to sustain performance over longer during daytime hours are at greater risk for significant impacts of circadian timing on They have also shown how disrupted sleep periods without the ability to rest.” developing neurological disorders. glymphatic clearance dynamics represent a or trauma can cause the system to break The study, published in Nature Communications, major step in understanding the fundamental The information on army.mil further states down and allow toxic proteins to accumulate details how the complex set of molecular and process of waste clearance regulation that the research team and others have in the brain, potentially giving rise to a fluid dynamics that comprise the glymphatic in the brain. This knowledge is crucial shown the role that blood pressure, heart number of neurodegenerative diseases, such system – the brain’s unique process of waste to developing future countermeasures rate, circadian timing, and depth of sleep as Alzheimer. www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

28 September - 4 October 2020 7

International NEW DELHI TIMES Global Military Market for GNSS anti-jamming systems to witness a spike As the threat of GNSS signal interference increases, there has been a corresponding increase in demand for the GNSS anti-jamming systems increased so that the vessel’s GNSS receiver ◆ By NDT Bureau tracks the false signals which can then be @NewDelhiTimes manipulated to report a different location to the genuine signals. Spoofing GNSS [email protected] signals with the aim of not being detected is a military grade technology, and is currently lobal Navigation Satellite System unlikely to be seen in peacetime. G (GNSS) refers to a constellation of satellites providing signals from space Intentional interference of GNSS is called that transmit positioning and timing data as jamming. Intentional jamming is to GNSS receivers. The receivers then designed to overpower the very weak GNSS use this data to determine location. By signals receiver. Besides military jammers, definition, the GNSS provides global strategies such as Personal Protection coverage. Examples of GNSS include Devices (PPD) are frequently used. These Europe’s Galileo, the USA’s NAVSTAR are readily available and inexpensive but Global Positioning System (GPS), Russia’s forbidden in majority of the countries. Global’naya Navigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema (GLONASS) and China’s BeiDou As the threat of GNSS signal interference Navigation Satellite System. increases, there has been a corresponding increase in demand for the GNSS anti- As the GNSS technology gains prominence, jamming systems. According to the Global it is also faced with the threat of interference. Military GNSS Anti-Jamming Systems This interference can be of three types– Market - Analysis and Forecast 2020-2025, accidental interference, spoofing and the global military GNSS anti-jamming intentional interference or jamming. systems market is anticipated to grow at PC : Getty Images Accidental interference may occur from a a robust Compound Annual Growth Rate programs, and rising cross-border conflicts expected due to the impact of COVID-19 nearby transmission in an adjacent frequency (CAGR) of 7.94% based on market value are some of the factors due to which various pandemic across the globe. Defence sector band, which bleeds into the GNSS frequency and 10.09% based on volume during the countries are investing for military GNSS has been also experiencing disruption in because of a drifting oscillator or imperfect forecast period from 2020 to 2025. anti-jamming systems. Moreover, increasing supply chain and manufacturing process due band pass filter at the transmitter. benefit of miniaturization of military GNSS anti- to lockdown imposed to combat the spread According to the report, the rising jamming systems is another major factor which is of COVID-19 in all major economies of Spoofing, is an intelligent form of intentional and unintentional activities of expected to boost the demand for military GNSS North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. interference which makes the receiver GNSS signals jamming and interference anti-jamming systems in future. Furthermore, believe it is at a false location. During a across the globe generates a substantial fulfilling the criteria of 2% of GDP on defence Additionally, expected decline in the defence spoofing attack a radio transmitter located demand for GNSS anti-jamming systems. spending by NATO countries is also boosting the budget may delay the current and defer the nearby sends fake GPS signals into the target The jamming activities make military forces demand for electronic warfare systems including proposed defence projects. The impact of receiver. One common form of a GNSS more vulnerable toward mission failures, military GNSS anti-jamming systems. COVID-19 is also expected in the market spoofing attack, commonly termed a “carry- therefore the demand for military GNSS of military GNSS anti-jamming system in off attack”, begins by broadcasting signals anti-jamming systems is the need of the The report further states that the demand 2020 and 2021. The revival in the market synchronised with the genuine signals future. Additionally, growing deployment for military GNSS anti-jamming systems of military GNSS anti-jamming systems is observed by the target receiver. The power of unmanned military platforms, increasing by value and volume is expected to decline expected during the post COVID-19 duration of the counterfeit signals is then gradually expenditure on next-generation satellite 6.11% and 6.03% in 2020. This decline is from 2022 to 2025 with a significant rate. Fortem Technologies upgrades SkyDome System software ◆ By NDT Bureau @NewDelhiTimes [email protected]

ortem Technologies has announced F advancements to its SkyDome System software that allow the Fortem DroneHunter to autonomously shift into one of three various modes to best defeat a threatening drone. DroneHunter is an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven interceptor drone, PC : fortemtech.com that autonomously determines whether to anticipating its approach. Once in range, of Fortem Technologies. “Its autonomous premier drone interceptor, with over 4000 chase, attack or defend against the threatening DroneHunter fires the NetGun precisely as capabilities allow security professionals captures. DroneHunter’s deep integration drone depending on the drone’s size, speed the target attempts to pass. to defeat dangerous drones safely, day and with onboard TrueView radar makes and trajectory. These advancements allow night, miles from a protected venue. autonomous detect, pursuit, and capture of DroneHunter to pursue and safely capture an The defensive mode position also facilitates drones possible. even wider range of drone threats including a radically faster detect-to-capture-time, as The System is particularly useful when faster fixed wing drones. the time previously required to get behind jamming or electronic defeat fails to stop Built with safety at its core, DroneHunter the target is now eliminated. “The Fortem drones that are pre-programmed from an captures and tows away dangerous or When in defence mode, the DroneHunter SkyDome System is the AI needed to stop iPad with malicious intent.” Custom built malicious drones with no collateral manoeuvres in front of the target drone, terrorist drones,” said Timothy Bean, CEO for speed and agility, DroneHunter is the damage.

India’s only International Newspaper www.NewDelhiTimes.com 8 28 September - 4 October 2020

International NEW DELHI TIMES US-based centre aims to become a global focal point in Red Teaming research

◆ By NDT Bureau @NewDelhiTimes [email protected]

ed Teaming can be defined as a full- R scope, multi-layered attack simulation designed to measure how well networks, applications and physical security controls can withstand an attack from a real-life adversary.

In November 2019, the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity (CEHC) launched the Center for Advanced Red Teaming (CART) at the State University of New York at Albany with Gary Ackerman as its Director.

The specific objectives of CART are: PC : University at Albany, State University of New York Albany, PC : University at 1. Employing interdisciplinary research and analysis techniques to advance the art adversary decisions or behaviours, where for Security Studies and CART executed a technologies, even relatively inexpensive and science of Red Teaming in support outputs are measured and utilized for the realistic wargaming exercise that highlighted techniques and approaches that could affect of national security, cybersecurity and purpose of informing or improving defensive a natural disaster in the Philippines in 2027. a multibillion-dollar system. emergency preparedness. capabilities.” The event explored the challenges, The centre is working to offer more training 2. Serving as the locus for a joint scholarly Thus far, CART has released two quarterly considerations, and opportunities that and education in Red Teaming through a and practitioner community, including acting newsletters, ‘The Red Siren’. In the first government and military leaders need to be university-accredited programme that would as a clearinghouse for Red Teaming best quarterly newsletter, Ackerman mentioned cognizant of in their decision making in an be available to military operators and other practices and as an advocate for scientific that CART had completed a report for the environment in which information has been users. It would also offer other forms of approaches to Red Teaming. US Central Command and conducted a Red weaponized by our adversaries. A mention accreditation and training, Ackerman said. Teaming exercise at the National Defense of this was made by Ackerman in the second 3. Educating and training the next generation of University on the spread of Weapons of issue of ‘The Red Siren’. The CART hopes to help build a more Red Teaming practitioners and emphasizing Mass Destruction (WMD). scientific approach to Red Teaming in the the strengths that diversity brings to the Red Ackerman has also stated that he has worked coming years, Ackerman said. It could Teaming enterprise. In the first issue of ‘The Red Siren’, Lt. with the Defense Advanced Research consider a variety of areas, such as who Col. Whit Johnson, US Military Command Projects Agency (DARPA) in the past makes the best Red Teamers – for example, 4. Facilitating the recognition and implementation (USMC) wrote that the key to Red Teaming on Red Teaming that looked at how an could students of the university be as of Red Teaming results into defence policy starts with organisation and stressed the role adversary might react to a new technology effective as counterterrorism professionals and practice. of planning. being deployed by the United States. or not? It could also look at the effects of factors like age, gender, or ethnicity, and The CART defines Red Teaming as “any On July 1, 2020, the US Army Mad Scientist Red Teaming can be useful to establish consider whether Red Teaming can be done activities involving the simulation of Initiative, Georgetown University, Center potential vulnerabilities of such new remotely in more instances. CERBAIR announces completion of Chimera C-UAS the wireless communications information ◆ By NDT Bureau signature shared between the threat and @NewDelhiTimes its operator. The C2 interface is used to classify and identify the target. [email protected] While in 2018, anti-drone rifles became rench company CERBAIR has flagship products, CERBAIR quickly F announced the completion of its new identified a flaw in this approach. If the anti-drone solution, the Chimera man- rifle can jam, and therefore neutralize, portable counter-unmanned aircraft system what about detection? If the operator has (C-UAS), which is designed to address to spot the hostile drone with the naked small-UAS (sUAS) threats. Chimera anti- eye, the power of the optronic sensors drone solution is composed of two systems, on board this type of aircraft can be a backpack carrying the detection and more than enough to collect sensitive characterization capacities, and a jammer information and therefore expose the rifle. soldier.

The system comprises an 8 kg antenna box The French company then decided to equipped with an omnidirectional very high work on the development of a complete frequency (VHF) antenna, electronics, and solution and was thus able to present a Bren-Tronics rechargeable lithium-ion demonstrator, after six months of R&D. battery, which powers a 60 cm-long, 5 kg PC : CERBAIT effector equipped with a directional antenna. The challenge was to be able to integrate a the threat more precisely and to detect the which accompanies the unit where it detection brick into these jammer guns and position of the operator,” explains Charlie moves, with the possibility of detection and The antenna box is used to detect sUAS to communicate the systems in order to be Pinedo, Director of Operations at CERBAIR. neutralization out of sight. threats via an omnidirectional analysis of the able to optimize the mission. surrounding radio frequency spectrum. This “This approach thus makes it possible to This also makes it possible to ensure the method enables the operator to visualise “The idea was also to be able to locate create a mobile anti-drone combat bubble, discretion of the forces,” he added. www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

28 September - 4 October 2020 9

International NEW DELHI TIMES USSOCOM boosts subsurface insertion capabilities pounds more. The Dry Combat Submersible ◆ By NDT Bureau (DCS) is a type of SDV which has a dry @NewDelhiTimes interior to allow the SEALs to arrive at their target fresher than the usual wet-sub where [email protected] they have to wear their diving gear at all times. pecial Operation Forces (SOF) and S defence manufacturers are increasingly At the virtual SOF Industry Conference collaborating to explore emerging concepts (SOFIC) held in mid-May 2020, James of operations (CONOPS); tactics, techniques, Smith, Acquisition Executive, USSOCOM, and procedures; and technological advances said that the DCS is close to twelve months in sub-surface insertion to boost the naval from Initial Operating Capability (IOC) for capabilities. Sub-surface technologies the Navy SEALs. approach a target in a clandestine manner, while retaining maximum levels of lethality, The USSOCOM is also seeking to launch survivability, and connectivity. and recover DCS and SDV MK11 platforms from the Navy’s Dry Deck Shelter (DDS) The United States Special Operations Technology. The DDS is a shelter module Command (USSOCOM) has a variety of that attaches to the hull of a specially sub-surface capabilities. The SEAL Delivery configured submarine to provide the Vehicles (SDVs) are employed by US Navy submarine with the capability to launch SEAL operators. They are small free- and recover special operations personnel, flooding submersibles that can transport up vehicles, and equipment while submerged. to six combat-equipped SEAL. Modern-day SDVs are powered by lithium-ion batteries The dry deck shelter provides a working and boast state-of-the-art navigation, environment at one atmosphere for the communication, life-support systems, and special operations element during transit and weapons-delivery system capabilities. has structural integrity to the collapse depth They can also be transported, launched, and of the host submarine. recovered from surface ships. Prime contractor Oceaneering International- The Dry Combat Submersible (DCS) is mission. Naval Special Warfare is in the two of these Mark 11s have already arrived, Marine Services Division is midway through a type of SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) process of taking delivery of the new Mark allowing SEAL SDV operators to begin the a five-year contract that is due to run through which has a dry interior to allow the SEALs 11 SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) in Pearl familiarization process. to September 2023 with an emphasis on to arrive at their target fresher than the usual Harbour, Hawaii. DCS modernisation and upgrades. The wet-sub where they have to wear their diving The Mark 11 will replace the older Mark USSOCOM is expected to retire its first gear all the time. The combat swimmers Captain Kate Dolloff, USSOCOM Maritime 8 SDV. This new version is slightly larger, generation of six DCS platforms between lock out of the submersible to carry out their Executive Program Officer announced that measuring 22 feet in length; it weighs 4,000 2042 and 2051. UK Royal Air Force to upgrade its Eurofighter Typhoon with Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) AESA-equipped Typhoons will be delivered ◆ By NDT Bureau in 2022 for test and evaluation, while Initial @NewDelhiTimes Operating Capability (IOC) is planned to begin from 2025. [email protected] According to the UK Ministry of Defence n September 3, the United Kingdom (MoD’s) Defence Equipment & Support O Defence Minister Jeremy Quinn (DE&S), the continued development will announced the Defence Procurement, see the BAE Systems and Leonardo carry Research, Technology & Exportability out the work, securing more than 600 (DPRTE) 2020 event that the UK would highly-skilled jobs across the UK, including invest £317m in upgraded radars for the more than 300 at Leonardo’s Edinburgh Royal Air Force’s (RAF) fleet of Eurofighter site. This maintains a highly-specialized, Typhoon. Quinn said, “It is vital that our world-leading industry base that will ensure armed forces are equipped with the latest the UK remains at the forefront of radar technology to counter emerging threats from technology development, which is essential our adversaries. for the Future Combat Air System (FCAS).

“Today we announce the investment in The Active Electronically Scanned Array the latest in radar technology for our (AESA) radar, known as European Common fighter jets and pioneering new defence

Radar System (ECRS) Mk2, will have an PC : Getty Images systems to counter threats from drones. electronic warfare and electronic attack This demonstrates our commitment to capacity, in addition to ‘traditional’ radar maintaining security in the air whilst capabilities, to locate, identify and then Combat Air at DE&S, said, “I am delighted formidable leading-edge capability, whether supporting highly-skilled jobs across the suppress enemy air defences using high- with the announcement of the contract for it be for the continued evolution of Typhoon UK.” Quinn also announced that the RAF powered, wide-band jamming. the development of the next generation as a world-class combat air platform or in counter-drone technology has successfully radar capability for Typhoon. It is a product years to come as part of Future Combat been deployed operationally. The advanced sensor technologies of of persistent hard work from the Typhoon Aircraft System”. the AESA equipped ECRS Mk2 will not Enterprise in the UK, working with our The Royal Air Force signed a £317 million only ensure the UK Typhoon maintains a colleagues in the European Partner Nations, DE&S CEO Sir Simon Bollom said, “This (about USD 421 million) contract with capability edge in the increasingly contested to cement the agreements to progress the continued development is the culmination of Leonardo and BAE Systems to continue the battlespace it will face in future years, but development of the ECRS Mk2 design years of collaborative work with industry to development of the Active Electronically they are also central to the longer term and through to a prototype radar. deliver cutting edge radar capability to the Scanned Array (AESA) European Common FCAS. RAF. It will sustain hundreds of highly-skilled Radar System Mark 2 (ECRS Mk 2) for This project has strong ties to the Combat jobs across the UK industry and is central to the Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4. The first Air Vice Marshall Keith Bethell, Director Air Strategy and promises to deliver a the UK’s future combat air strategy.”

India’s only International Newspaper www.NewDelhiTimes.com 10 28 September - 4 October 2020

International NEW DELHI TIMES Al-Qaeda leader calls Islamic countries supporting the Middle East Peace Deal as ‘Slaves of the West’ Zawahiri’s message does not appear to have forces to fight under the auspices of NATO By NDT Bureau ◆ been recorded recently, seeing that he does regional security alliances in Afghanistan @NewDelhiTimes not address any of the momentous events of and Somalia,” he said. 2020. The events mentioned by Al-Zawahiri [email protected] himself can be dated to the Al-Jazeera The MEMRI report mentions that Al- documentary from September 2019, and the Zawahiri posed three questions: how can n the occasion of 19th anniversary of Peace to Prosperity conference which took Muslims identify their enemies? How can O 9/11, the Al-Sahab Media Foundation, place in Manama, Bahrain, in June 2019. they revive the doctrine of al-Wala wal-Bara the media department of the Sunni militant (loyalty to Muslims and disassociation from Islamist group Al-Qaeda, released a nearly Zawahiri then continues to describe the non-Muslims) as a way of life? And whom 43-minute-long video message in Arabic historical “struggle between the Muslims and should Muslims seek guidance from and with English subtitles from the group’s Emir, the Crusaders,” and claims that the interests follow? He then offered his answers, saying Ayman al-Zawahiri. The video message, of these two groups lie in diametrically that at the top list of the Muslims’ enemies PC : Getty Images however, did not contain any reference to opposite domains. He then criticises the are “America and its hirelings among the the 9/11 attacks and focusses mainly on the local rulers, Russia, China, India, and Iran.” of America, Israel, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the leaders of the treacherous Muslim States UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Russia, and Egypt ... recent peace deals signed by the Middle who “build mosques, encourage the Eastern countries with Israel. Zawahiri then accuses Al-Jazeera News and so on. They accuse us of being Takfeeris, memorisation of the Qur’an, and support Channel for its 2019 documentary on Murjiah, extremists, and hardliners. They The Middle East Media Research Institute the needy and immigrants across the Islamic the anniversary of September 11, titled say that we are after money and power; that (MEMRI), in its Jihad and Terrorism Threat world”, but who are, in reality, allies of and ‘La’iboon bil Naar’ and calls it slanderous we are unrealistic, treacherous and disloyal; Monitor section, dated September 11, slaves to the West. Countries like the United and deceptive. The documentary was in a and that those among us who were killed in writes that the 45-minute video is the first Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia form of undercover reporting and suggested Waziristan with their women and children instalment in a series titled ‘The Deal of have renegaded on the Palestine issue and that Bahraini intelligence services hired were traders of heroin who were bombed the Century or the Crusade of the Century.’ abandoned the larger cause of Islam. Al-Qaeda members to assist in the violent by America, and so on. We seek our reward It was released on the anniversary of Al- crackdown on Bahrain Shia Muslim from Allah for being patient in the face of “Some of them maintain secret ties with Qaeda’s terror attacks on the U.S in 2001, demonstrators during the ‘Arab Spring’. these accusations. although it does not deal with the attacks Israel, while others do so openly and Zawahiri denied that individuals interviewed directly. Al-Zawahiri addressed U.S. normalize their relations with Israel in full for the documentary were either Al-Qaeda However, here I would like to warn the President Donald Trump’s peace plan for the view of the world. Ironically, some of these members or members of Sunni militant honorable and free viewers against this Middle East in the first part of the video, and states claim to support and defend the Arab Islamist groups allied with Al-Qaeda and its distortion. If one wants to judge us, one then went on to refute allegations made in Revolutions and the Palestinian cause, network of groups. should see the message of Al-Qaeda, which a documentary aired in September 2019 on while in reality they are fully submerged is the most precious thing we possess. The Al-Jazeera regarding cooperation between in the swamp of their security agreements “The Al-Qaeda organization has been unjustly reception and acceptance of this message his organization and official elements in the with Israel, and their lands are occupied accused of relations with intelligence agencies by the Ummah is our real victory,” he Arab countries. It should be noted that Al- by American bases. They even send their and states. They accuse us of being agents concluded. Roke completes development China lays emphasis on deploying of its VIPER and RESOLVE Armoured vehicle-launched bridging (AVLB) systems electronic support measures China is now marketing another Type 84 ◆ By NDT Bureau AVLB with a slightly different horizontally @NewDelhiTimes launched bridge on a more recent MBT, with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 38.5 [email protected] tonnes.

n armoured vehicle-launched bridge The China Harzone Industry Corporation, a A (AVLB) is a combat support vehicle, subsidiary of China Shipbuilding Industry sometimes regarded as a subtype of military Corporation (CSIC), has developed the HZ engineering vehicle, designed to assist Tank-Launched Armoured Bridge family militaries in rapidly deploying tanks and that can be installed on a variety of MBT other armoured fighting vehicles across platforms. According to documents released gap-type obstacles, such as (and primarily) by Warzone, the two scissors-type versions rivers. The AVLB is usually a tracked vehicle of the HZT are designated HZT26 and converted from a tank chassis to carry a HZT21. folding metal bridge instead of weapons. PC : roke.co.uk The HZT26 bridge weighs 10.5 tonnes, has code; 3-D mapping and 3-D position fix; China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) an overall length of 26 m when deployed, so ◆ By NDT Bureau single software suite to deliver the end-to- has laid emphasis on deploying Armoured it can typically be used to cross a gap of up @NewDelhiTimes end electronic warfare cycle (current ops & vehicle-launched bridge (AVLB) with an to 24 m, and can take platform up to Military plans; execution; analysis & reporting; and increased load-carrying capability. For Load Class (MLC) 70. According to the [email protected] future ops) and dynamic live track overlay a long time, the only AVLB deployed company, it takes five minutes to deploy and of targets to deliver Common Operational by China was the Type 84, based on the eight minutes to recover. oke, a part of the Chemring Group, Picture sharing. Type 69 main battle tank (MBT) – this R has completed the development was originally marketed by China North The HZT21 weighs 6.6 tonnes and has an of its VIPER and RESOLVE electronic RESOLVE is an integral solution for Industries Corporation (Norinco) but more overall length of 21 m when deployed, which support measures (ESM). VIPER allows advancing electronic warfare and recently it has also been marketed by Poly means it can typically span a gap of up to 19 m for the large amount of data captured to be surveillance. Technologies. and take platforms up to MLC 50. It needs six intuitively visualised, with powerful search minutes to deploy and eight minutes to recover. and filtering capabilities. Its major specifications are a frequency of The Type 84 AVLB is essentially a Type 69 The third member of the family is the HZT22, 40MHz intercept bandwidth; a scalability MBT with its turret removed, fitted with a which is launched horizontally over the front This enables the operator to quickly extract of mounted or dismounted configurations; a bridge-launching mechanism. When opened of the platform and weighs 10.5 tonnes. It is critical spectrum events and quickly support software Prefix for laptop or Tacfix for tablet out, the bridge, which is launched over the 22 m long, which means it can typically span effective command decision making. and compatibility with a wide range of third- front of the vehicle, is 18 m long, can span a gap of up to 20 m, and is added to MLC 70. Major specifications of VIPER include party software for reporting and specialist gaps of up to 16m and take tracked and This bridge also takes six minutes to deploy integrated signal classification and de- signals analysis. wheeled vehicles weighing up to 40 tonnes. and eight minutes to recover. www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

28 September - 4 October 2020 11

International NEW DELHI TIMES US Army funded project develops Vibration- The succession scenario of Kuwait’s Monarchy Enhanced Underground While Sheikh Nawaf is slated to become the next Emir, there is widespread speculation that Sensing (VENUS) System his ascendancy will be challenged by other family members

◆ By NDT Bureau ◆ By NDT Bureau @NewDelhiTimes @NewDelhiTimes [email protected] [email protected] he United States Army Research Office O n September 14, Major-General T (ARO), an element of the Army Combat Sheikh Salem Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- Capabilities Development Command’s Sabah, the son of Kuwaiti Deputy Emir and (CCDC) Army Research Laboratory, in Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad, collaboration with Vadum Inc., North Carolina was appointed as the Head of the State (NC) State University and the Georgia Security Bureau. Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Institute of Technology has developed the is the half-brother of the Emir of Kuwait, Vibration-Enhanced Underground Sensing Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Since (VENUS) system, a new method for landmine July 23, 2020, Kuwait’s 91-year-old ruler identification that will greatly reduce false Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah alarm rates. The Night Vision and Electronic has been in the United States for his medical Sensors Directorate of the U.S. Army CCDC treatment and the designated successor C5ISR Center supported the research as a Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmed part of an Army Small Business Technology temporarily has taken over some of the Transfer award managed by the ARO. ruler’s Constitutional duties. Many political observers also contend that the Crown Prince Most conventional landmine detectors are is currently the de-facto ruler of Kuwait. based on detecting the electromagnetic PC : Getty Images signature of the mine itself, which can easily While Sheikh Nawaf is slated to become the be confused with other buried metal objects next Emir, there is widespread speculation force behind “Silk City”, one of Kuwait’s pandemic and the collapse in global oil or wet or magnetic soil patches. that his ascendancy will be challenged mega projects with investments estimated at prices. Nawaf Al-Ahmad securing the line of by other family members. As such, the more than US$100 billion. succession increases the probability that the appointment of his son as the Head of the Kuwaiti government will pass an emergency Nasser Sabah currently heads the Supreme State Security Bureau is viewed by many decree to pass a debt law following the Council for Planning. His economic ideas analysts as a signal to consolidate his conclusion of the National Assembly at the end find resonance with the Kuwaiti businessmen. position in the Kuwait power hierarchy. of September, before the legislative elections. On the other hand, Nawaf Al-Sabah is more Nawaf Al-Sabah is also Deputy Commander conservative in his views and has not shown of the armed forces, and three of his other Nawaf Al-Sabah is known to favour a less much interest in large scale reforms. sons also occupy senior positions in the radical programme of economic development military or security services. If Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al Sabah and has not publicly championed wide-scale is appointed as the next Crown Prince, economic or social reforms.

PC : www.arl.army.mil/ In November 2019, the Emir removed his economic diversification will likely be eldest son, Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al accorded a greater priority in light of the The subsequent appointment of Nasser With this new technology, published in the Sabah, who was then serving as Deputy fact that Kuwait recorded a USD46-billion Sabah Al-Ahmad as Crown Prince would proceedings of the 2020 SPIE Defense & Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, budget deficit for the 2020-21 financial year, also continue the current pattern of favouring Commercial Sensing Conference, the small over allegations of graft. Nasser Sabah Al- a 52% increase over the initial projected the Al Jaber branch of the Al Sabah family metal parts inside the landmine are stimulated Ahmad Al Sabah is seen as the main driving deficit before the effects of the COVID-19 that was established under the current Emir. to vibrate using a pulsed magnetic field. Most other buried objects don’t respond to the magnetic pulse and those that do have very different vibrational characteristics. IS increases offensive in Iraq The vibrations are detected by a unique high dynamic range vibrometer that can distinguish closely-spaced low-frequency vibrations. as US troops withdraw by the Terrorism Research and Analysis “New concepts are rare in the area of ◆ By NDT Bureau Consortium (TRAC), the ISIS claimed 100 landmine detection,” said Dr. James Harvey, @NewDelhiTimes attacks across Iraq in the month of August. Program Manager, ARO. “This advance has The TRAC underscored that the attacks were [email protected] the potential to be a game changer.” primarily concentrated in “areas previously deemed liberated” from the presence of the Professor Michael Steer, a NC State research n August 2020, the United States radical outfit. partner remarked, “This new capability I President, Donald Trump, tweeted that resulted from combining exciting results the US was planning to cut military presence On September 12, an ISIS sniper killed an from several previous ambitious research in Iraq. On September 9, Marine General Iraqi soldier participating in an ISF security projects and is an outstanding example of Frank McKenzie, Commander of the operation near al-Udheim, north of Baqubah, the transition from university basic research Central Command, said that the number of Diyala province. On September 16, another PC : Getty Images to new military and commercial technology U.S. forces in Iraq would drop from 5,200 to ISIS attack in al-Udheim wounded two capabilities. The mathematical algorithms 3,000 before the end of September. General Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) fighters. suburbs across Iraq. The IS has also behind the detection depend on understanding McKenzie said that the decision of troop The ISIS militants also destroyed a number increased its information network having a the details of the interaction of magnetic fields, withdrawal was reflective of the confidence of water pumps and electrical transformers greater knowledge of troop movements and radar pulses, and vibrating components within of Trump administration in the capabilities during the attack. On September 17, the also identifying more bases through which it the landmine as well as with the properties of of the US trained Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) IS militants targeted a PMF (Brigade 16) can launch terror attacks. various soil and clutter objects. Advancing to counter the threat of the Islamic State (IS). convoy near the Sami al-Asi village in Taza, university physical models and analysis south of Kirkuk with an IED and small The IS militants have also taken advantage continue to support the improvement of the The withdrawal of the US troops in Iraq is arms fire. The attack killed four of the PMF of the COVID-19 lockdown. The IS has detection algorithms.” likely to impact the counter IS campaign. fighters. mentioned the coronavirus in its propaganda Dr. Josh Wetherington, principal Vadum At this juncture, the IS does not exercise and urged its supporters to take advantage researcher said, “Because conventional metal territorial control in Iraq and its cells The resurgence of the Islamic State can of governments’ distraction to scale up the detectors and ground penetrating radar rely continue to operate within the country’s also be attributed to a weakened Iraqi attacks. In an audio recording released in on similar same fields, it should eventually rural as well as urban zones. However, the government along with an administrative late May, IS Spokesperson Abu Hamza al- be possible to upgrade conventional systems US announcement of troop withdrawal and security vacuum in the country. Reports Quraishi encouraged the IS insurgents and with VENUS technology to maximize comes at a time when the IS has escalated have suggested that the IS has increased sympathizers to increase their activities detection capability”. its attacks. According to an assessment its presence significantly in villages and against the Iraqi government targets.

India’s only International Newspaper www.NewDelhiTimes.com 12 28 September - 4 October 2020

National NEW DELHI TIMES Triple Talaq & Islam And when you divorce women and they have [nearly] fulfilled their term, either retain them according to acceptable terms or release them according to acceptable terms, and do not keep them, intending harm, to transgress [against them] (Quran 2:31). Qais was a renowned Shaba but that didn’t afterward until (after) she marries a divorcing a Muslim woman. Islam is a sea ◆ By NDT Bureau stop the Prophet from allowing her wife to husband other than him” (The Quran of knowledge and wrong interpretation may @NewDelhiTimes separate from him. The Hadith emphasizes 2:230). result in dangerous outcomes. that if a wife does not like the man, no one [email protected] can force her to continue her marital life. This is the Islamic way to divorce which Islam has always paid high attention to has often been misquoted and distorted by he relationship between husband and rights of women in a married life. Islam also uninformed Muslims leading to innumerable T wife is an eternal knot and considered gives right to men to divorce his wife but hardships for the women. Instant Talaq is a divine bond, but attitude, notion, lifestyle, by following a particular process. He should accepted in some sects of Islam but is not family differences, different food, culture, give Triple Talaq over a period of three verified by authentic sources. As per Sahih sects and tradition create contradiction months when the wife is in tohur (out of Hadith, if a husband says three talaq in and conflict between them. In desperate menses). Triple Talaq does not mean written, one sitting than the same will be counted moments, they try to resolve the problems whatsapp, email and mobile call talaq in one as one, and in one talaq the wife is lawful but sometimes the efforts do not bear fruits sitting, the husband has to wait three months to husband, they have two more months to and they intend to separate themselves. to divorce in Islamic ways as Quran said: think and reconcile as clarified in the Sahih Islam permits Talaq (divorce) but this is Hadith: highly detestable. Islam imposes certain O Prophet, when you (Muslim) rules and regulation for giving Talaq and divorce women, divorce them for (the “Divorce, a divorce with three (issuance) receiving it. In the terms of conditions of

commencement of) their waiting period, in the time of the messenger of Allah (peace PC : Getty Images Talaq, both persons are allowed to grant and and fear Allah, your Lord. Do not turn be upon him) and Abu Bakr and two years take Talaq, a woman can get Khula (divorce them out of their (husbands’) houses, nor of caliphate of ‘Umar was (counted as) The present government has passed the by wife), the condition being to return Mahr should they (themselves) leave (during the one”. (Sahih Muslim). Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on (bridewealth) which the woman received period) unless they are committing a clear Marriage) Act, 2019 that protects Muslim from her husband at the time of marriage. immorality...” (Surah Talaq 1). The check and balances provided in Islam to women’s right in India that have been violated for years by giving instant Triple Once, wife of Thabit bin Qais (a renowned check the instances of Talaq is to safeguard Talaq through mobile, email and letter Shaba like by Prophet Muhammad) came to The verse declared that the woman will stay the interest of women. If the provision of though it is unlawful in Islamic doctrine the Prophet and said, “O Allah’s Apostle! at the husband’s house, no one can force Triple Talaq was made lawful many persons and principles. Divorced Muslim women I do not blame Thabit for defects in his her to leave it before three months. Second would have invited trouble for himself and have been enduring a lot of difficulties as character or his religion, but I, being a talaq should be pronounced in the same his wife as a person may give three Talaq in they have to face Halala, marginalisation, Muslim, dislike to behave in an unislamic manner as instructed in the Quran. “Then, anger or in a drunk situation. rejection and loneliness. manner (if I remain with him), on that either keep (her) in an acceptable manner or Allah’s Apostle said to her, “Will you give release (her) with good treatment” (2:229). This misunderstanding would have put back the garden which your husband has Similarly, third Talaq will be pronounced women in a more difficult position as The bill provides Muslim women safety. All given you (as Mahr)? She said, yes, then only when the woman is in Tohur, after Halala (contract marriage and divorce) is Muslims must study Triple Talaq Act properly the Prophet said to Thabit, ‘O Thabit which the wife is not lawful for the husband a necessary conjunction after divorce for in the light of Islamic doctrine and principles accept your garden, and divorce her once” unless she marries other man according to the first husband to marry her wife again to protect themselves from jail sentence and (Sahih Al-Bukhari- Divorce). her choice and leave the man once again and which would have been illegal, immoral and imprisonment as well as to save hardships in remarries the first as described: devastating for a woman. Little knowledge the afterlife due to wrong interpretation of the The Hadith gives an insight into the is always dangerous for health. It is the Quranic injunctions. As George Bernard Shaw importance of the willingness of a woman “And if he has divorced her (for the responsibility of the Ulemas to correctly once said- “Islam is the Best Religion; Muslims to stay in the bond of marital life. Thabit bin third time), then she is not lawful to him interpret the procedures involved in are the Worst Followers.” Time to introspect! Irrelevance of Ummah The growth of multiculturalism in a globalized post-modern world is slowly diluting this concept of Ummah ◆ By NDT Bureau modern state with its frontiers, centralised irreparable blow to it. In a post-colonial to the Communists, significantly never tax systems and bureaucratic administrations and post-Khilafat world, the Universalist imposed centralist control of the Bolshevik @NewDelhiTimes which broke ties of scholarship, mystical idea of the Muslim Ummah encounters the kind on its members. The world today [email protected] orders, and trading groups that had existed particularistic entity of new and emerging contains more than fifty Muslim-majority nation-states. countries, in which strong nationalist and slam is a worldwide faith; Muslims use patriotic sentiments flourish which is often I the term Ummah for the worldwide In contemporary India, where neo-liberal directed against fellow Muslims (Iranians/ community of Islam. The term Ummah globalization has facilitated the increasing Iraqis, Sudanese/Egyptians, Uzbeks/Tajiks, means that all Muslims, regardless of role of multinational actors in the realm of to name a few). geographical boundaries across the world, both political economy and culture, the Indian are members of a worldwide faith which Muslims have given an almost nationalist Today, the Ummah may not be as stateless, binds them together into a single body. To response to such globalization of economy fluid or international as it appears. An Indian be a Muslim is to believe the Shahadah-a and culture thereby marginalising the concept Muslim’s search for equality and social Muslim’s profession of faith (there is no god of Ummah. The Indian Muslim is struggling justice is conceptually contradictory to the but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger with its own ideological contradictions concept of Ummah because the Muslim of Allah), and to try and live as a practising between choosing the Ummah as the universal community of believers is itself split into Muslim. PC : Getty Images emancipatory actor, or the Nation as a universal privileged and underprivileged sections. political actor. The former excludes the non- This difference can only be addressed Anybody following the above principle for centuries. The growth of multiculturalism Muslims, whereas the latter ideally includes through the concept of equality and freedom qualifies to be a part of the Ummah. As an in a globalized post-modern world is the body of all citizens. enshrined in the Constitution. effective tool of political mobilization, the slowly diluting this concept of Ummah. A universal concept of Ummah is absolutely national consciousness based on a culturally Those favouring the concept of Ummah This Constitutional right can only be crucial in the Islamist political ideology. homogenous population has forced the age- transgressing national boundaries must exercised while being the citizen of this In the Islamist politics, the Ummah acts as old concept of Ummah to lose its integrative know that the textual sources available to a country. The concept of citizenship is against an ‘empty signifier’ around which different potential at the expense of growing diverse Muslim allow for national loyalties. A verse the notion of Ummah. Those advocating particularities are organized to claim a complex societies. in the Quran, after all, proclaims that Allah for a global body of Ummah must realise common universal identity. has created different tribes and peoples, so that the post-globalisation world favours Despite the historical existence of the that they should get to know each other, and the nationalistic fervour, and any attempt Transnational activities of a commercial and Islamic Ummah in different forms across Prophet Muhammad is accredited with saying to disturb the order may prove disastrous, financial as well as political and religious various political governments, the modern that with love of homeland comes faith. The especially for Muslims given the fact that kind have been common in the Muslim world based on the concept of nationalism Muslim Brotherhood, established in Egypt there is no strong Muslim state on whose world for centuries. It is the recently created fuelled by globalisation has dealt an in 1928, the nearest Islamic equivalent call Muslims can unite. www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

28 September - 4 October 2020 13

THIS DAY | THAT YEAR | NEW DELHI TIMES

September 28, 1887 Yellow River or Huáng Hé brought floods in China, which became one of the deadliest natural disasters in history killing between 900,000 and 2 million people, on this day that year.

September 29, 1911 Italian airships bombed Turkish positions and the Italo-Turkish War was the first conflict to feature aerial bombardment which started on this day that year.

September 30, 1965 In an attempted coup in Indonesia, six senior Indonesian Army Generals were murdered and the next morning, Indonesians woke up to find an organization calling itself the ‘Thirtieth of September Movement’ in control of Indonesia on this day that year.

October 1, 1888

National Geographic magazine got published for the first time on this day that year.

October 2, 1187 After ruling Jerusalem for 88 years, the Crusaders, led by Balian of Ibelin, surrendered the city to General Saladin Al Ayubi, following a siege that extended from September 20 to October 2 on this day that year.

October 3, 1932 In 1920, Britain had seized Iraq from the Ottoman Empire during the Mesopotamian campaign in the World War I and later Iraq won independence on this day that year.

October 4, 1927

Gutzon Borglum began sculpting Mt. Rushmore, for which he worked till 1941, on this day that year.

India’s only International Newspaper www.NewDelhiTimes.com 14 28 September - 4 October 2020

Delhi/NCR NEW DELHI TIMES Former Union Minister IMF applauds Indian PM Modi’s and BJP stalwart Jaswant Singh no more

Aatmanirbhar Bharat Initiative ◆ By NDT Bureau in the whole world. He noted that the world @NewDelhiTimes ◆ By NDT Bureau trusts that India has a lot to contribute @NewDelhiTimes towards the development of the entire [email protected] humanity. [email protected] aswant Singh, one of the most revered Indian The Indian Prime Minister has insisted that J leaders, passed away on September 27 in T he International Monetary Fund (IMF) self-reliant India will stand on five pillars Delhi at the Army Hospital (Research & Referral). has praised the Aatmanirbhar Bharat viz. Economy, which brings in quantum He was 82. Jaswant Singh held some of the most initiative of the Indian Prime Minister jump and not incremental change; significant Cabinet portfolios at various times such Narendra Modi. Infrastructure, which should become the as Finance, External Affairs and Defence. identity of India; System, based on 21st “The economic package under this self- A retired officer of the Indian Army, Jaswant reliant India initiative, which was announced Century technology driven arrangements; Vibrant Demography, which is the source Singh was one of the founding member of the in the aftermath of the coronavirus shock, has Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He was one of supported the Indian economy and mitigated of energy for a self-reliant India; and Demand, whereby the strength of demand India’s longest serving Parliamentarians, having significant downside risks, so we do see been a member of one or the other house almost that initiative as having been important,” and supply chain should be utilized to full capacity. continuously between 1980 and 2014. He was Gerry Rice, Director, Communications PC : Getty Images elected on a BJP ticket to the Rajya Sabha five Department, IMF, said. He also underlined the importance of times (1980, 1986, 1998, 1999, 2004) and to the including through trade, investment and Responding to a question on Modi’s call for strengthening all stakeholders in the supply Lok Sabha four times (1990, 1991, 1996, 2009). technology,” Rice said. an “Aatmanirbhar Bharat”, he said, looking chain to increase, as well as fulfil, the Jaswant Singh served as Leader of Opposition in ahead, as the Prime Minister has said, for The Indian Prime Minister has said that demand. The Indian PM has stated that self- the Rajya Sabha from 2004 to 2009. India to play a more important part in the definition of self-reliance has undergone reliance will prepare the country for tough Expressing condolence over the death of Jaswant global economy, pursuing policies that a change in the globalized world and competition in the global supply chain, and Singh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: stimulate by improving the efficiency and clarified that when the country talks about it is important that the country wins this “Jaswant Singh ji served our nation diligently, first competitiveness of the economy is critical. self-reliance, it is different from being self- competition. as a soldier and later during his long association centred. “To achieve the stated ‘Make for The World’ The same has been kept in mind while with politics. During Atal ji’s Government, he goal in India, the priority is to remain He said that India’s culture considers the preparing the package. It will not only handled crucial portfolios and left a strong mark focussed on policies that can help further world as one family, and progress in India increase efficiency in various sectors but in the worlds of finance, defence and external integrate India in the global value chain, is part of, and also contributes to, progress also ensure quality. affairs. Saddened by his demise.” First look of Delhi-Ghaziabad- Meerut RRTS unveiled

PC : Press Information Bureau, Government of India in Meerut. The entire rolling stock for Delhi- ◆ By NDT Bureau Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor will be @NewDelhiTimes manufactured at Bombardier’s Savli plant in Gujarat. The 82 km long Delhi–Ghaziabad– [email protected] Meerut Corridor is the first RRTS corridor being implemented in India. The corridor he Ministry of Housing and Urban will bring down the travel time between T Affairs (MoHUA) has unveiled the Delhi to Meerut by around 1/3rd. first look of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS). The commute time from Delhi to Meerut will Infrastructure is one of the five pillars of be reduced to less than an hour from 3-4 hours Atmanirbhar Bharat envisioned by our by road at present. Civil construction work on Hon’ble Prime Minister and it is a matter about 50-km long section between Sahibabad of great pride that these high-speed, high- and Shatabdi Nagar, Meerut is in full swing frequency commuter trains for RRTS are including the construction of four stations - entirely being manufactured under the Ghaziabad, Sahibabad, Guldhar and Duhai. government’s ‘Make in India’ policy, said The priority section of the corridor is targeted Shri Durga Shanker Mishra, Secretary, to be commissioned in 2023, while the entire MoHUA and Chairman, National Capital corridor will be commissioned in 2025. The Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC). other two Phase-I RRTS corridors are Delhi- According to an official press release, Gurugram-SNB and Delhi-Panipat. the prototype is scheduled to roll off the Pre-construction activities are in full swing production line in 2022 and will be put into for Delhi-Gurugram-SNB corridor and its public use after extensive trials. DPR is under active consideration of the The NCRTC will procure 30 train sets of 6 Government of India for sanction. The DPR cars each for operating regional rail services of the Delhi to Panipat RRTS corridor is also on the entire corridor and 10 train sets of 3 under active consideration of the respective cars each for operating local transit services State Governments for approval. www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

28 September - 4 October 2020 15

National NEW DELHI TIMES Concept of Hijrat & its modern interpretation And whoever emigrates for the cause of Allah will find on the Earth many [alternative] locations and abundance. And whoever leaves his home as an emigrant to Allah and His Messenger and then death overtakes him - his reward has already become incumbent upon Allah. And Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful. (Quran 4:100) ceremonies, and celebrate their festivals ◆ By NDT Bureau that are constituted vividly in the Indian @NewDelhiTimes Constitution. In the prevailing scenario and in the light of Islam, Indian Muslims should [email protected] not emigrate to another country for joining radical groups and people who falsely claim ijrat is a mammoth sacrifice and deed to protect Islam. H that is solely undertaken for the sake of Islam. Hijrat is defined as emigration from home or place to another land or place for the Extremists name this as emigration for jihad sake of Allah. Its context and cause however, which is not even remotely related to the are different and should be understood original Hijrat. Hijrat for doing Jihad has deeply and minutely. Hijrat during the time a flawed notion as armed jihad can only be of Prophet (PBUH) was circumstantial due announced by a ruler of an Islamic nation. to unbearable cruelties and obstacles made by Mushrekeen-e-Mecca (Non-believer Hijrat as a concept cannot be applied in in Mecca). Also, Prophet Muhammad did toto with the present scenario of the world not emigrate. Prophet was compelled to PC : Getty Images as Prophet’s Hijrat had different context and era. Thousands of wars occurred and emigrate as he had the responsibility to emigrate therein?” For those, their refuge constituted in Islam. On the other hand, were fought in all religions and countries protect Islam- being the last Prophet (PBUH) is Hell - and evil it is as a destination. some people migrate from their peaceful historically with varied circumstances to be bestowed upon humanity. Today, the (4:97) country to join extremist and radical groups and compulsion which resulted in mass concept of Hijrat is not applied on anyone to kill innocent people in the name of jihad emigration, however, almost all the according to authentic Islamic principles The verse motivates people who are being and safety of Islam; they try to compare their emigration had different reasons and were and doctrines. Those migrating to Syria or oppressed and deprived to emigrate from emigration with that of Prophet’s emigration circumstantial and limited to geographical Iraq for joining the ISIS must realise that their places and houses to the land which which is an absolute misunderstanding and boundaries. by doing so they are not performing Hijrat is peaceful and prosperous, a place where erroneous comprehension. but committing great sin. After migrating, they can earn their livelihood properly and they kill innocent people which is strictly respectfully. As far as Indian Muslims are concerned, Similarly, Hijrat in Islam had dissimilar forbidden in Islam. their ancestors opted to stay in India as meaning and context in the 7th Century and However, this phenomenon in modern they knew that their religion, culture, creed, today. All Indian Muslims should study the Indeed, those whom the angels take [in terminology is referred to as globalisation. home, land and livelihood are entirely safe meaning of Hijrat and Jihad rationally and death] while wronging themselves - [the People migrate from their countries to other in India; though they did have choice to proficiently for making their community angels] will say, “In what [condition] were countries in search of livelihood, prosperity, emigrate to Pakistan at the time of partition. prosperous and safe. By doing this they will you?” They will say, “We were oppressed in peace and better facilities. In search of At the present time, all Indian Muslims enjoy be able to defend their own motherland India the land.” The angels will say, “Was not the livelihood and better life, migration from equal rights, justice, liberty and fraternity, rather than joining extremist people with earth of Allah spacious [enough] for you to one place to another place is permitted and worship their Allah, observe all religious violent mind sets. The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act 2019 A necessary push towards development of an all-inclusive society to belittle the woman. This is the opposite ◆ By NDT Bureau of what Islam actually permits. The society @NewDelhiTimes at large must applaud the courage and grit of Shah Bano, Shayara Bano, Sameena Begum [email protected] and many others like them who surface every now and then to fight despite heavy he Muslim Women (Protection of odds. Fifteen years ago, a division bench of T Rights on Marriage) Act, finally the Supreme Court had held Triple Talaq to passed by the Indian Parliament at the end be invalid in the Shamim Ara case but the of July, 2019 has already been the subject real justice was meted out with the passage of several legal challenges from the Muslim and enaction of “The Muslim Women religious organisations, which see the law as (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act” in disproportionate and a political move against 2019. the minorities. But the Act has also received positive response among Indian women’s The act must have been enacted earlier and organisations and progressive the political parties at power Muslim groups in particular. The society at large must be blamed for this delay They agree that Triple Talaq must applaud the because they simply didn’t is anti-woman, un-Quranic courage and grit of have the balls to do it and and unconstitutional. feared some non-existent Shah Bano, Shayara backlash just for the sake of History has proved that Bano, Sameena votes. ignorant and patriarchal set Begum and many up of the society are one of Those taking it as a the major reasons for Bidah others like them transgression in Muslim

(incorrect innovations) which who surface every Personal Laws (like that of PC : Getty Images allows practice like Triple now and then to All India Muslim Personal Law Board) may be made lot is yet to be done to empower the Muslim women empowerment and ensuring basic Talaq to flourish. As has fight despite heavy been reported, most Triple aware that only instant Triple women by imparting them higher education education for all. Triple Talaq is already illegal Talaq cases appear to happen odds. Talaq, or “talaq-e-bidat”, is so that they can stand on their own feet and under the Islamic law, its widespread practice over petty fights, including banned. Muslim men in India lose their dependence on the men for their is a sign of ignorance of law, not lack of it. complaints that the wife “did not make the can still divorce using two other forms of survival. perfect roti”, did not “obey” her husband, talaq that have a three-month cooling off Muslims, rather than believing roadside “woke up late” etc., and the husband, in a fit period- the best form of practicing talaq as Need of the hour is not more laws, but a Maulana with little understanding of the of anger, pronounces instant talaq. mentioned in the Quran. If a Muslim man change in the attitude of society, which can religion, should focus on reading and give three Talaq on a gap of three months only happen once more women are educated understanding the Quran and various Sahih The woman’s family-both sides-mostly each, such Talaq shall still be legal. Hence, and more men sensitised about their rights. Hadiths which would eventually teach them blame her for “provoking” the husband, not it would be pertinent to say that the Act is a about rights of women and behaviour in a realising that the man misused his religion small step in the right direction. However, a This can only be achieved with focus on pluralistic society. India’s only International Newspaper www.NewDelhiTimes.com 16 28 September - 4 October 2020

Neighbourhood NEW DELHI TIMES Nepal introduces ordinance Bhutan issues first sovereign to punish acid attackers bond to meet fiscal financing needs in COVID-19 recovery to capitalize on a proven idea to support ◆ By NDT Bureau a sustainable and resilient recovery from @NewDelhiTimes COVID-19,” said United Nations Under- Secretary-General and Executive Secretary [email protected] of ESCAP Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana.

he Government of Bhutan has Gerald Daly, the United Nations Resident T announced its first sovereign bond to Coordinator in Bhutan, said, “I congratulate support the economy in recovery from the Bhutan on the issuance of its first-ever COVID-19 pandemic while diversifying sovereign bond and ESCAP on providing its financial sources. The new financing successful technical support to assist instrument is supported by the United the Royal Government in this important PC : Getty Images Nations Economic and Social Commission work. With this bond, Bhutan has helped burnt (in case of females); or if both hands for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). ◆ By NDT Bureau and legs are burnt completely; or if there are According to a press release by the UN @NewDelhiTimes partial burns on the head and the spinal cord. ESCAP, the Royal Government of Bhutan has [email protected] Similarly, the ordinance has a provision for recently completed the offering of a 3-year imprisonment of five to ten years along with bond Series RGOB001 of Nu. 3,000 million he Government of Nepal has Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 500,000 in fines if any of (or US$ 41 million) at an annual coupon introduced an ordinance to punish T the body parts get disfigured. rate of 6.5 per cent to support financing those guilty of perpetrating acid attacks. The fiscal needs in responding to COVID-19 ordinance has a provision of a jail term of According to the ordinance, legal action pandemic. The transaction was well- 20 years and a fine of Rs. 1 million against will be taken against the perpetrator like in received and resulted in oversubscription of anyone throwing acid on anyone or using a murder case if the victim dies after some more than 100 per cent. The issuance was others to do so, resulting in the loss of vision time due to the acid attack. mainly dominated by financial institutions, due to serious harm to both eyes; or loss while non-bank institutions such as pension of hearing due to burn in both ears; or the The offender will also be slapped a jail and insurance companies as well as civil face getting disfigured due to severe burns; term of up to 10 years and a fine of up to society organization also participated. The PC : Getty Images or both breasts are burnt and completely Rs. 500,000 even if the attack doesn’t cause allotment will be based on a pro-rata basis. damaged (in case of females); or burns in any harm. demonstrate how a capital market can be the genitals. “Policymakers are tackling difficult choices created in a small economy. A new ordinance issued by Prime Minister over how to prioritize development spending, Similarly, the acid attacker will be fined KP Sharma Oli administration also has while continuing to expand their squeezed The UN system stands ready to further Rs. 700,000 to Rs. 1 million in addition to a ensured free of cost treatment for victims fiscal space. Exploring sustainability- support Bhutan in its efforts to mobilize jail term of 10 to 20 years if one of the two of acid attack and also has put a ban on oriented bonds and innovative financing financial resources and build resilience eyes or ears is burnt; or if there is partial burn collecting funds in the name to help the instruments options for SDG investment during the COVID-19 pandemic and on the face; or if one of the two breasts are victim. should be explored further. Now is the time beyond.” Owner of fire-stricken ship to Bangladesh Christian Association pay $1.8M for Sri Lankan help (BCA) asks Pakistan to repeal he owner of a large oil tanker that in the Attorney General’s Department, said T caught fire off Sri Lanka’s coast has the owner agreed to pay the claim in full. controversial Blasphemy laws agreed to pay $1.8 million to the island She said the Attorney General is expected to nation for its help in extinguishing the blaze, present another claim of about half a million an official said. dollars for additional services rendered to the ship. MT New Diamond, which was carrying nearly 2 million barrels of crude oil, was She said an interim report on environmental damaged by two fires over a week in early damage has also been submitted to the September. ship’s owner, and that a separate claim for that will be presented after the final report is complete. The owner’s agreement to pay came nearly a week after a Sri Lankan court ordered the ship’s Greek captain to appear in court on September 28 after the Attorney General directed police to name him a suspect in the fire. on Christians, including other minority Experts have been working to salvage the ◆ By NDT Bureau communities in Pakistan, including

PC : AP Photo AP PC : ship, which remains in Sri Lankan waters. @NewDelhiTimes harassment, torture-extraction and death The tanker was transporting crude oil from penalty. Last week, Attorney General Dappula de [email protected] the port of Mina Al Ahmadi in Kuwait to Livera submitted an interim claim of $1.8 In the memorandum addressed to the Prime the Indian port of Paradip, where the state- million for services provided by the Sri angladesh Christian Association Minister of Pakistan, the BCA said, it is owned Indian Oil Corp. has a refinery. Lankan Navy, Air Force, ports authority and B (BCA), the largest Christian human aggrieved and concerned at incidents of Marine Environment Protection Authority The initial fire killed one Filipino crew rights association of Bangladesh submitted persecution of Christians in Pakistan under since the ship caught fire on September 3. member and injured another, while 21 other a memorandum to the Pakistan Embassy its draconian anti-blasphemy law. crew members escaped uninjured. The 21 in Dhaka demanding to end persecution It pointed out that a Pakistani Christian Greece-based Porto Emporios Shipping Inc. crew members, including the Captain, are and harassment of Christians and other named Asif Parvez was given the death is the registered owner of the 20-year-old staying in a coronavirus isolation centre for minorities. sentence by the sessions court Lahore in vessel. seafarers. The memorandum has urged the immediate September for misusing his phone to send a Nishara Jayaratne, the coordinating officer Credit : Associated Press (AP) abolition of the so-called Blasphemy law derogatory message. www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

28 September - 4 October 2020 17

North America NEW DELHI TIMES US Department of Defence seeks to expand the role of AI and best practices in harnessing AI for their use of responsible AI in defence, ultimately highest ethical expectations,” Esper said. ◆ By NDT Bureau respective and shared defence missions. strengthening our cooperation and improving “Technology may constantly change, but our @NewDelhiTimes The two-day dialogue focused on AI the interoperability of our militaries.” commitment to our core values does not.” ethical principles for defence, including [email protected] defining principles and best practices for A joint statement issued by the AI PfD stated The US Department of Defense had adopted implementing principles into the AI delivery that the initiative brings together like-minded ethical principles for the use of AI-based on rtificial Intelligence (AI) has become pipeline. nations to promote the responsible use of AI; core values, such as transparency, reliability A a major area of research for the advance shared interests and best practices and governability earlier in the year. US defence sector. The Joint Artificial “The dialogue provides meaningful exchange on AI ethics implementation; establish According to information on the JAIC blog, Intelligence Center (JAIC) is the focal point as the United States and participating nations frameworks to facilitate cooperation; and DoD’s AI ethical principles encompass five for carrying it out. The JAIC was established make the transition from hardware centric coordinate strategic messaging on AI policy. major areas: in 2018 by the DoD to seize upon the forces to software centric and data focused “This multilateral forum seeks to provide transformative potential of AI technology militaries that are AI ready. Ultimately, a values-based global leadership in defence “1. Rsponsible: DoD personnel will exercise for the benefit of America’s national security. strong coalition of AI ready militaries will for policies and approaches in adopting AI. appropriate levels of judgment and care, Given the broad impact of AI and the rapid while remaining responsible for the pace of AI development, the Partnership development, deployment, and use of AI creates a unique ecosystem by which to capabilities. collaborate on responsible AI,” the joint 2. Equitable: The Department will take deliberate statement concluded. steps to minimize unintended bias in AI The AI PfD initiative comes at a time when capabilities. the US Department of Defense is seeking an 3. Traceable: The Department’s AI capabilities increasing role of AI in the defence sector. will be developed and deployed such that On September 8, the US Defense Secretary relevant personnel possess an appropriate Dr. Mark T. Esper remarked at a virtual understanding of the technology, JAIC symposium that AI has the potential development processes, and operational to change the battlefield, and the country methods applicable to AI capabilities, that’s first to field it will have enormous including with transparent and auditable advantages over competitor. “History methodologies, data sources, and design informs us that those who are first to harness procedure and documentation. once-in-a-generation technologies often

PC : Getty Images have a decisive advantage on the battlefield 4. Reliable: The Department’s AI capabilities for years to come,” Esper said. will have explicit, well-defined uses, and the On September 15 and 16, 2020, the Joint enable the United States and its allies and safety, security, and effectiveness of such “Unlike advanced munitions or next- Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC) of the partners to realize the potential of emerging capabilities will be subject to testing and generation platforms, artificial intelligence US Department of Defense hosted the first technology to strengthen global security, assurance within those defined uses across is in a league of its own, with the potential ever Artificial Intelligence (AI) Partnership deter shared threats, and respond more their entire life-cycles. for Defence (PfD) with military and defence efficiently together to natural disasters and to transform nearly every aspect of the delegations from 13 nations- Australia, other international contingencies,” the JAIC battlefield, from the back office tothe 5. Governable: The Department will design Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, stated. front lines,” he emphasised. “That is why and engineer AI capabilities to fulfil their Israel, Japan, Norway, the Republic of we cannot afford to cede the high ground intended functions while possessing the Korea, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. “We want the Partnership for Defence to to revisionist powers intent on bending, ability to detect and avoid unintended be an enduring forum for dialogue among breaking or reshaping international rules consequences, and the ability to disengage According to a press release by the like-minded partners to advance our and norms in their favour - to the collective or deactivate deployed systems that JAIC, the PfD is envisioned to serve as a shared interests in artificial intelligence detriment of others.” Esper called for demonstrate unintended behaviour.” recurring forum for like-minded defence and help shape the future of our defence increasing the ethical use of AI in defence. partners to discuss their respective policies, cooperation for the digital era,” said “We approach AI as we have other high-tech These principles will apply to both combat approaches, and challenges in adopting AI- Stephanie Culberson, Head of International breakthroughs throughout our Department’s and non-combat functions and assist the enabled capabilities. During the inaugural AI Policy for the JAIC. “Together we can history - with rigorous standards for U.S. military in upholding legal, ethical and PfD, representatives shared lessons learned commit to the design, development, and testing and fielding capabilities and the policy commitments in the field of AI. Mexico homicide rate remains Indigenous rights at issue in high at 29 per 100,000 Canadian lobster ruckus oyal Canadian Mounted Police are that non-Indigenous fishermen had cut their R helping to maintain an uneasy peace lobster traps and fired flares at them when between Indigenous and non-Indigenous they tried to retrieve the traps. fisherman in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia after a dispute over centuries-old Police also report investigating shots fired treaty rights spilled over into violence and and threats, and Mi’kmaq communities have vandalism. been sharing on social media threatening or racist social media posts from nearby The trouble began after Mi’kmaq non-Indigenous communities. Activists communities from the Sipekne’katik First have reported that some supply stores have Nation began fishing for lobster in the Bay stopped selling to Indigenous fishermen. of Fundy during a period that is out of

PC : Getty Images season for other lobstermen. “When you see that in our waters, our question is what is Canada going to do about exico’s homicide rate remained at 2018. The numbers released by the statistics The Mi’kmaq argue the fishing is permitted that?” asks Susan Levi-Peters. A former M historically high levels of 29 killings institute are generally higher than monthly by treaties with European colonizers from chief of the Elsipogtog First Nation, Levi- per 100,000 inhabitants, according to the figures given by prosecutors, in part because the 1700s and by a 1999 decision of the Peters ran for office in provincial politics in National Statistics Institute. the institute reviews death certificates and Canadian Supreme Court. However the the neighboring province of New Brunswick. other sources of information nationwide. action angered the region’s non-Indigenous By comparison, there were about 5 murders However, murders appear to be on the rise fishermen, who fear the Mi’kmaq are seeking “You see these huge vessels going after small per 100,000 people in the United States in again in 2020. In the first eight months of the to establish an off-season commercial fishery little boats. I’m just hoping there’s going to 2018, the latest year for which comparable year, there have been 24,116 homicides in that will endanger lobster stocks they all rely be a peaceful resolution before there’s any data is available. Mexico, an increase of about 1.5% over the on for a livelihood. casualties, anything like that, because it’s 23,760 in the same period of 2019. going to get dangerous,” Levi-Peters said. Mexico saw 36,476 homicides in 2019, only Two people have been arrested after a tiny decline from the 36,685 registered in Credit : Associated Press (AP) incidents in which the Mi’kmaq charged Credit : Voice of America (VOA)

India’s only International Newspaper www.NewDelhiTimes.com 18 28 September - 4 October 2020

Africa NEW DELHI TIMES Assessing the threat of Islamic insurgency in Tunisia Tunisia’s transition to democracy has been marred by Islamist extremist attacks had served prison terms for terrorism-related ◆ By NDT Bureau crimes but were later released. @NewDelhiTimes Tunisia’s transition to democracy has been [email protected] marred by Islamist extremist attacks. Dozens n September 6, 2020, attackers with of people were killed in two attacks in 2015, O knives killed a Tunisian National Guard at the noted Bardo Museum outside Tunis, officer and wounded another in the tourist and at a luxury beach hotel near Sousse, in district of the coastal city of Sousse. The the east. The Islamic State affiliated Ansar attackers had first rammed the officers of the Al-Shari’a In Tunisia (AAS-T) and Al- Tunisian National Guard with a vehicle, the Qaeda-affiliated Katibat Uqba ibn Nafi have Interior Ministry said. After the knife attack, been responsible for the sporadic attacks. security forces pursued the assailants, who had taken the officers’ guns and vehicle, The IS has also released videos that give through the district of El Kantaoui, National a clarion call for Jihad. On July 16, 2019, Guard Spokesman Houcem Jebabli said. a video shared by the IS supporters online showed armed men purportedly in Kairouan, On September 7, the Islamic State (IS) central Tunisia, proclaiming their allegiance PC : Getty Images claimed responsibility for the attack. In a to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and urging people written statement sent out via its propaganda described as “microbes”. Security forces further details, noting only that whoever to conduct terror attacks in the country. arm Amaq on the Telegram messenger responding to the incident surrounded the was responsible has planned the operation service, the IS said that its “fighters” had militants following a short pursuit through poorly. However, both these groups have a very carried out the attack in Sousse. the city’s El Kantaoui tourist district, which insignificant number of recruits. In January is currently largely deserted because of the This was the second major terrorist attack 2019, the United Nations estimated that Mokhtar Ben Nasr, Former Head of the COVID-19 pandemic, and killed three of that took place in the country this year. In Katibat Uqba ibn Nafi employs only National Counter-Terrorism Commission the militants during an armed confrontation. March, an attacker targeted the US embassy about 50 fighters, with activities limited also subscribed to the view that in all Reports added that the security forces in the Tunisian capital Tunis causing an to the mountainous areas of Kasserine and probability, the knife attack in Sousse was recovered the vehicle and two pistols that explosion and injuries among police before Jendoub and a relatively inactive group of carried out by the IS militants. “Photos show the assailants had stolen. being killed. approximately 30 fighters affiliated to the that one of the attackers was wearing a T-shirt ISIL is present in the mountainous region. with a specific inscription to Daesh (ISIS),” Speaking at the scene of the attack later the The attackers blew themselves up when he remarked. Tunisian Prime Minister same day, Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi a police patrol stopped them to ask where The overall risk of a major insurgency Hichem Mechichi promised to “eradicate reported that the police has subsequently they were going. Although the Tunisian remains low despite the fact that these two terrorists as soon as possible”. Mechichi, in arrested a fourth suspect who has allegedly law enforcing officials refused to divulge groups may seek to take advantage of the a statement from his office, urged Tunisians been in the vehicle that has been driven the identity of the attackers, local media high rate of unemployment to recruit more “not to be afraid” of assailants, whom he into the checkpoint. Mechichi provided no released the names and said that the two men fighters. At UN, Africa urges fiscal help Commonwealth Summit against virus ‘apocalypse’ frican nations came out swinging on Teodoro Obiang of Equatorial Guinea said in Rwanda postponed to A the third day of the United Nations the victors of World War II “had conflicting annual gathering of world leaders, calling for interests but were able for a moment to unite dramatic fiscal measures to help economies and were able to place the salvation of the June 2021 survive the coronavirus pandemic — which world above their own interests.” one leader called the “fifth horseman of the Now, the world is nearing 1 million ◆ By NDT Bureau apocalypse.” confirmed COVID-19 deaths - though @NewDelhiTimes experts believe the real toll is likely higher- [email protected] and untold others are dying from other diseases and hunger. he President of Rwanda Paul Kagame Debt cancellation is needed to free up more T and Commonwealth Secretary- resources to tackle the crisis, African heads General Patricia Scotland announced the of state said. Meanwhile, Africa has tilted new date for the Commonwealth Heads of into its first recession in a quarter-century, Government Meeting (CHOGM, which stalling years of success that saw several was scheduled to take place in June 2020 countries among the world’s fastest-growing but was postponed because of the impact of economies. COVID-19. The President of one of them, Ivory Coast, The new date agreed with member countries PC : AP Photo AP PC : called for the extension of a G-20 debt will be the week of June 21, 2021, and the moratorium beyond the end of this year and meeting will take place in Kigali. PC : Getty Images Africa’s 54 countries estimate they need the issue of special drawing rights at the President Kagame said, “CHOGM Rwanda forward to Commonwealth leaders coming $100 billion in support annually for the next International Monetary Fund. 2021 will be an exceptional occasion together to take practical action on the three years, pointing out that it’s a fraction of to deliberate together on the enormous critical issues we all face. Our meetings in the trillions of dollars some richer countries “I call on all Africa’s partners to take bolder technological, ecological, and economic Rwanda will give us a real opportunity to are using to revive their economies. measures,” Alassane Ouattara said, noting that the fight against COVID-19 and its challenges and opportunities facing the focus on our post COVID recovery, but we As some world powers go their own way economic effects has represented 5% of the Commonwealth, particularly our young also know that the pandemic has not reduced during the crisis — what Zimbabwean country’s GDP. people, and which are all the more pressing the urgency with which global challenges President Emmerson Mnangagwa called as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. such as climate change, the global economy, “the blind pursuit of narrow interests” — In fact, reforms of Bretton Woods Rwanda looks forward to welcoming all trade and sustainable development need to the African nations that make up more than institutions like the IMF and World Bank delegates and participants to Kigali next be dealt with decisively through multilateral a quarter of U.N. members are leaning hard might be needed to “usher in a fairer year for a safe and productive meeting.” cooperation and mutual support.” into multilateralism. international order,” Gabon President Ali The Commonwealth Secretary-General The Kigali meeting, also the 26th edition, Bongo Ondimba said. Reminding fellow leaders of what brought said, “At this historic CHOGM, the first to will be the first one to be held in Africa in the U.N. to life 75 years ago, President Credit : Associated Press (AP) be held in Africa this millennium, we look this millennium. www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

28 September - 4 October 2020 19

South America NEW DELHI TIMES Virus disrupting Rio’s Carnival Wave of massacres signals new for first time in a century chapter in Colombia’s conflict cloud of uncertainty that has hung vulnerable population during the pandemic. A over Rio de Janeiro throughout the Samba schools suspended float construction, Coronavirus pandemic has been lifted, costume sewing, dance rehearsals, and also but gloom remains — the annual Carnival social projects. The Mangueira school’s parade of flamboyant samba schools won’t program in the favela near downtown Rio be held in February. that teaches music to children — keeping And while the decision is being characterized them away from crime, and cultivating the as a postponement of the event, no new date school’s future drummers — hasn’t held has been set. classes since March. Rio’s League of Samba Schools, The pulse of entire suburban Rio cities like PC : AP Photo AP PC : LIESA, announced that the spread of the Nilopolis, whose population of 160,000 Coronavirus has made it impossible to cheers the Beija-Flor samba school, has ose Manuel Mancilla was taking guerrillas and the state, violence in rural safely hold the traditional parades that are a faded, Simas said. Some performers resorted J a break from his job at a local gold Colombia is now marked by a patchwork cultural mainstay and, for many, a source of to odd jobs and gigs. Diogo Jesús, the lead mine. So he gathered with friends at a of local feuds between criminal groups that livelihood. “Carnival is a party upon which dancer referred to as “master of ceremonies” hillside home in his village of Munchique, fight over drug routes, illegal mines and where about 20 people were drinking and even gasoline smuggling routes. staging cockfights. These groups are less ideological than The 19-year-old’s life ended abruptly when the leftist guerrillas of the Revolutionary hooded men began to shoot at the improvised Armed Forces of Colombia, a movement cockfighting arena with machine guns and known as the FARC that made peace with threw at least two grenades at the terrified the government in 2016 after five decades crowd. Six men in all, aged 16 to 28, lost of conflict that killed 250,000 people and their lives during the attack on the western chased millions from their homes. Colombian village, which is surrounded by small gold mines and coca fields. The new groups can be just as violent, however. Hours later, four people were killed in a similar attack in Colombia’s southern “There is less direct confrontation now between armed groups and the government,” PC : AP Photo AP PC : province of Narino. Video shared on social media showed men with assault rifles said Juan Carlos Garzon, an expert on many humble workers depend. The samba in the Mocidade school, couldn’t make rent shooting at corpses floating on a pond. Colombia’s conflict at the Ideas for Peace schools are community institutions, and the without his income from private events. Foundation. “But what you see are many parades are just one detail of all that,” Luiz He started driving for Uber and sewing “With all that has been happening in attacks against civilians who are perceived Antonio Simas, a historian who specializes facemasks to sell at a fair. Colombia it’s hard to expect any justice for to be part of the support structure of a rival in Rio’s Carnival, said in an interview. “An these crimes,” said Edilson Adrono, a town group.” “It was a blow. We live Carnival all entire cultural and productive chain was council member in Munchique who lost two year round, and many people when they Garzon said this struggle for territorial disrupted by COVID.” cousins in that town’s massacre. “We’ve control could explain attack at the realized everything would stop wound up been left alone here, as if we didn’t exist on Munchique cockfighting arena. No suspects Rio’s City Hall has yet to announce a getting sick or depressed,” Jesus said in an the map.” decision about the Carnival street parties interview inside his house in Madureira, a have yet been captured. that also take place across the city. But its neighborhood in northern Rio. “Carnival is Alarms are sounding in Colombia over a The village lies in a corridor that connects tourism promotion agency said in a statement our life.” rising tide of violence. More than 230 people to The Associated Press on September 17 that coca fields in Colombia’s central mountain The last year Rio’s Carnival was suspended have been slain in massacres this year. without a Coronavirus vaccine, it is uncertain range with the Pacific Ocean, where cocaine was 1912, following the death of the foreign when large public events can resume. is loaded onto fast boats that take the drug to relations minister. The mayor of Rio, at The deaths signal a new chapter in the Central America and Mexico. Brazil’s first confirmed Coronavirus case the time Brazil’s capital, postponed by two country’s long history of bloodshed. Rather was February 26, one day after this year’s months all licenses for the popular dance than the previous national dispute between Credit : Associated Press (AP) Carnival ended. As the number of infections associations’ Carnival parties, according grew, the samba schools that participate in to Luís Cláudio Villafañe, a diplomat and the glitzy annual parade halted preparations author of the book “The Day They Delayed Argentine lawmaker suspended for the 2021 event. Carnival.” The mayor also voiced opposition to unregulated celebrations, but many Rio Nearly all of Rio’s samba schools are closely for conduct in virtual session residents partied in the streets anyway. linked to working class communities. n Argentine lawmaker was suspended expedite his expulsion. The proposals were Their processions include elaborate floats Revelers were undeterred during World War II. A for inappropriate conduct with a endorsed. accompanied by tireless drummers and And they poured into the street every year during woman during a virtual session of congress, costumed dancers who sing at the top of their more than two decades of military dictatorship, when he appeared on camera touching his Ameri, from Salta province, said he did not lungs to impress a panel of judges. Tens of until 1985, with government censors reviewing wife as she sat on his lap. realize he was still connected. thousands of spectators pack the bleachers costumes, floats and song lyrics. “I’m very ashamed, very bad,” Ameri told of the arena, known as the Sambadrome, Then came Coronavirus. During the broadcast of the virtual session while tens of millions watch on television. of Argentina’s Lower House, the images of Con Vos de Buenos Aires radio. “We must await the coming months for legislators participating appeared in boxes Before the schools began competing in the “It’s not that I was having sex with my wife. definition about if there will be a vaccine or in rows on the screen. As other legislators 1930s, Carnival was celebrated in dance It was a 10-second circumstance,” he said. not, and when there will be immunization,” debated bills, deputy Juan Emilio Ameri halls and haphazardly on the streets, Simas “She came out of the bathroom and I saw LIESA’s president, Jorge Castanheira, told of the ruling Peronist party could be seen said. The parades entered the Sambadrome her. I told her let’s see how it is because reporters in Rio. “We don’t have the safety pulling down the shirt of his wife and kissing in the 1980s, and have become Rio’s conditions to set a date.” she’d had an implant put in a few days ago.” quintessential Carnival display. one of her breasts. The 2020 Coronavirus already forced Rio’s He said he was convinced he didn’t have The immense labor required for each show City Hall to scrap traditional plans for its House president Sergio Massa interrupted an internet connection but was reconnected was already stymied by restrictions on second-biggest party, New Year’s Eve, which the session to report “a serious offense by automatically. gatherings that Rio’s governor imposed in draws millions of people to Copacabana a deputy.” March. Even with those measures, Rio’s beach for dazzling fireworks. Earlier this “We are going to listen to the explanations metropolitan region, home to 13 million month, the city’s tourism promotion agency “There was a situation that has nothing to of the deputy, but we cannot admit that people, so far has recorded more than 15,000 Riotur announced that main tourist spots do with the normal decorum and operation this type of behavior occurs in a body of deaths from COVID-19. will instead display light and music shows of this house,” he said and called for the representatives in a democracy,” Massa said. Beneath the Sambadrome’s bleachers, to be broadcast over the internet. immediate suspension of Ameri and the the city created a homeless shelter for the Credit : Associated Press (AP) creation of a five-member commission to Credit : Associated Press (AP)

India’s only International Newspaper www.NewDelhiTimes.com 20 28 September - 4 October 2020

Opinion NEW DELHI TIMES John Turner-an Appreciation the highlight of his political career. Serving as Minister of Finance from 1972 ◆ By David Kilgour until 1975, his challenges included the 1973 Author & Lawyer oil crisis, collapse of the Bretton Woods trading system, a global recession, soaring inflation and growing federal deficits. In 1975, he resigned from the Cabinet and as ohn Turner’s peaceful passing at the an MP on issues of principle and growing J age of 91 unleashed much praise from differences with Trudeau. In a 2013 all sides of Canada’s political, linguistic interview, Turner confirmed his resignation and regional spectrums. The myriad and from the Cabinet was a direct result of often submerged challenges he faced in refusing to implement wage and price public life were mostly put aside and his controls sought by Trudeau after the party honourable dealings throughout his political had campaigned against them in 1974. and professional career were celebrated. Leaving politics from 1975 to 1984 to practise PC : Getty Images Many memories surface from the almost law in Toronto, he returned when Trudeau and implemented the agreement. Afterwards, he actively continued his 60 years we knew each other, including finally resigned and handily won the 1984 dedication to democracy and the engagement our first late supper meeting in Montreal in I simply don’t know whether John foresaw leadership contest over Jean Chretien on the of citizens in their institutions. mid-1962. He was then in the midst of his the drastic consequences of NAFTA, which second ballot. Days after becoming Prime first race for Parliament in the city-aided in came into effect in 1994, for Canadian Turner’s affection for young people was Minister, he obtained a dissolution of the data management by my sister, Jill-yet was manufacturing, especially in the auto well-known. Indeed, at his 90th birthday Parliament and began the election campaign, the soul of courtesy on learning that the sector, because of the much lower wages party he singled them out, along with his running personally for a seat in Vancouver’s visitor from Prairie Canada was an active in Mexico. A new book, The Expendables, family, saying in part, “We don’t inherit this Quadra riding because he wanted to Progressive Conservative. Fortunately, by economist Jeff Rubin chronicles the sad country; we borrow it from our children… rebuild the Liberals in Western Canada. the romance continued; they married the tale of losing some 600,000 manufacturing (with young people) as the stewards of following year. jobs in Canada since 2000. It also notes that Canada’s future, she is in good hands!” The 1988 campaign was fought largely over barely two in ten Canadian workers are still a Mulroney-proposed free trade agreement In short, as a gentleman statesman, he was In 1968, after a vigorous run for the party employed in making things. Roughly half of (FTA) with the United States. Studying without equal. leadership, Turner entered Pierre Trudeau’s millennials, now the largest segment of our it carefully, Turner concluded it posed a David Kilgour, a lawyer by profession, Cabinet as Justice Minister. He added much- labour force, have a second job to pay their major threat to Canada’s sovereignty. His served in Canada’s House of Commons for needed rights for the accused at trial and bills, often including student debts. funded the first legal aid programmes of the television debate success won many voters, almost 27 years. In Jean Chretien’s Cabinet, provinces, ensured that high quality judges but more than $6 million in pro-FTA ads Turner announced he was standing down he was secretary of state (Africa and Latin were appointed to courts across the country, slowed his momentum. The NDP opposition from the party leadership in May 1989, America) and secretary of state (Asia- and brought in the Official Languages Act, to the FTA split the opposition votes to it. officially resigning in June 1990. He Pacific). He is the author of several books which while controversial to some has Although more Canadians voted for parties continued to represent Vancouver Quadra and co-author with David Matas of “Bloody helped to maintain fragile national unity. He opposed-the Liberals won 83 seats; the NDP in the House of Commons for another few Harvest: The Killing of Falun Gong for later cited his reforms as Justice Minister as 43, the Tories were returned with 169 seats years before retiring in the 1993 election. Their Organs.” Hotels in Switzerland are on the brink of economic meltdown Geneva, being the headquarters for of all reputed international organizations such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, the Red Cross, etc. has been hit the worst has been hurt the most. The travel restrictions By Sujay Dhawan ◆ have led to a meltdown of the hotel industry. Editor Famous uber luxurious hotels like Beau @SujayDhawan Rivage, where once Charlie Chaplin used to [email protected] reside, President Wilson, Four Seasons and Richemond have all been hit very hard. witzerland is considered a dream S destination of tourists globally. People Indian Movie stars like Shahrukh Khan, consider it as the ‘Heaven on the Earth’ Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Anushka and indeed it is true to the core as once you Sharma, and like have been seen enjoying visit the Swiss Alps and other cities like vacations in Switzerland several times. Geneva, Zurich, Interlaken, etc., you would Ranveer Singh, famous Indian Movie artist, not be able to resist yourself from getting is the first Indian brand ambassador of awestruck. Switzerland Tourism.

Summers are generally the most profitable Tourists from around the globe usually visit season for all the hotels in the country due to Switzerland in the month of April, May and the massive influx of international tourists. June for skiing and other sports, but this year To get confirmed hotel bookings, one has to they have not shown up due to lockdown. book at least two to three months prior to Economic crunch could be very well seen in the visit or else the room rates skyrockets for the eyes of the hotel owners. even a small 2-star apartment hotel. Recently, Geneva Hotel Association held a meeting to discuss the current situation The year 2020 has brought the world to a stop the shutting down of the country. With to be a major place of travel for diplomats and suggested several measures to the standstill. All the vacation plans are off lockdown being imposed, all the hotels were and International businessmen. Huge Government to ease the travel restrictions. the charts until the world finds a vaccine. also closed. The year 2020 has brought the corporations around Perhaps, we have passed that dark pandemic the world like big It is high time that the Swiss Government stage where every person had to stay indoors With no tourist world to a standstill. All the cosmetic and luxury consider giving bailout package to the hotel and would fear for life if he has to step out bookings this year, vacation plans are off the charts brands house their industry of Switzerland or help it in any for any reason whatsoever, but the threat still Geneva alone is until the world finds a vaccine. head offices in other manner deem necessary. looms. expected to have Geneva itself. It is only 25 percent considered to be the heart of Europe because It is also imperative to note that even the Switzerland reported around 51,000 room bookings for the year 2020. Geneva, being of being a major investment hub. Government has risked and lost lot of COVID-19 positive cases and approximately the headquarters for of all reputed international economic opportunities. But whatever it 1700 deaths, still the position in the country organizations such as the United Nations, the But the situation of hotel and tourism does, it has to be done on urgent basis or is far better than neighboring countries like World Trade Organization, the Red Cross, industry in Geneva is grim. Due to clientele else bankruptcies, permanent closures of the Italy and France. But the smaller toll did not etc. has been hit the worst. Geneva is said of Geneva hotels being rich and famous, it hotels, etc., are not far away. www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

28 September - 4 October 2020 21

Sports NEW DELHI TIMES UN and partners stress the role of sport in Former Australia preventing violent extremism and radicalisation batsman Dean The UNOCT recognizes that sport is a powerful vector to facilitate integration and supports Jones dies in efforts aimed at preventing and countering violent-extremism and radicalization Events, and Promotion of Sport and its Values Hanzab, Chairman of the ICSS, urged all India aged 59 ◆ By Dr. Pawan Mathur as a Tool to Prevent Violent Extremism,” the the stakeholders to work together and stay ean Jones, a flamboyant Australian @PawanMathur UNOCT, on September 18, 2020, convened committed to international cooperation and D cricketer and colorful personality a High-Level Meeting in partnership with the multi-stakeholder partnerships within the [email protected] who later forged a respected career in co-implementing partners of the programme, framework of the United Nations’ agenda broadcasting, died of an apparent heart the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations with the aim of promoting the use of sport he role of sport as an influential tool attack while in India working as a TV analyst (UNAOC), the United Nations Interregional as a powerful tool to address the root causes T for promoting youth empowerment on the Indian Premier League. He was 59. Crime and Justice Research Institute of violent extremism and as a soft-power and supporting efforts aimed at preventing (UNICRI), and the International Centre for resting on its ability to instil the values of Cricket Australia and Indian television and countering violent-extremism and Sport Security (ICSS). The participants in the tolerance and inclusiveness, and to create network Star Sports announced Jones’ death. radicalization is increasingly being High-Level meeting underlined the role that opportunities for the most vulnerable targets recognised. This is on account of the fact Jones represented Australia in 52 tests and sport can play in combating violent extremism in the high-risk communities. that extremists tend to misuse sporting 164 one-day internationals and was known and radicalization. platforms either for carrying out violent Apart from the UNOCT , the United Nations for his shot-making, his speed and his activities - such as the attack on the Sri Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has fielding. Lankan cricket team in Pakistan in 2009 - or stressed that sport can be a powerful tool “Dean Jones was a hero to a generation of for disseminating their vitriolic propaganda. and an apolitical mechanism for recognizing cricketers and will forever be remembered and challenging beliefs or behaviours that as a legend of this great game,” Cricket In February 2020, representatives from threaten human rights or feed manifestations Australia chairman Earl Eddings said. international sporting federations such as the of discrimination, prejudice or violence “Anyone who watched cricket in the 1980s International Olympic Committee (IOC), that translate into restrictions of personal and 1990s will fondly recall his cavalier various National Olympic Committees, freedom. the FIFA and the private sector joined the approach at the crease and the incredible Ambassadors at the UN Headquarters in PC : Getty Images In July 2020, the UNODC published a energy and passion he brought to every New York to launch the United Nations guide document on “Preventing Violent game he played. Vladimir Voronkov, Under-Secretary-General of Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) Extremism Through Sports” which states the UNOCT, delivered the opening statement. Global Programme on “Security of Major that sport can serve as an effective platform He remarked, “In today’s particularly Sporting Events, and Promotion of Sport to address the ideologies and root causes of volatile world, sport is a critical shelter for and its Values as a Tool to Prevent Violent violent extremism by strategically providing young and vulnerable people. Sport helps Extremism.” The initiative aims to harness a tool to create ideal conditions for learning, children and teenagers across the globe the positive values that sports promote to social participation and the meaningful to build the psychological and emotional help crackdown on the spread of violent and positive engagement of youth within strength to be better, more tolerant and extremism, particularly among young communities. respectful citizens. Sport equips them with people. the right tools to resist terrorist propaganda.” The UNODC guide provides a comprehensive The UNOCT recognises the role of “Defeating terrorism and violent extremism guidance on how sport and sport-based sports in the dissemination of positive is a marathon. Let’s join forces to further programmes can be effectively used to values throughout the world and across enhance our determination to cross the finish prevent violent extremism and form part of civilizations and cultures, particularly for line,” Voronkov concluded. comprehensive responses and interventions youth. According to the UNOCT, “Sport is that aim to engage young people. The a powerful vector to facilitate integration, Miguel Ángel Moratinos, High Representative guide identifies five areas of intervention PC : Getty Images promote gender equality, encourage youth of the UNAOC, referred to sports as an through sports, namely safe spaces, social empowerment and supports efforts aimed engine for positive change and a viable tool inclusion, education, empowerment and “This is a truly sad day. Deano’s loss will be at preventing and countering violent- for inclusiveness and diversity. Antonia resilience; to prevent radicalization and felt not just at home in Australia, but across extremism and radicalization”. Marie De Meo, Director of UNICRI, violent extremism among youth. The guide stressed the role of sports in promoting also provides guidance on strengthening the the globe. Our thoughts and best wishes are Within the framework of the Global trust, inclusivity, respect for diversity, and design, implementation and monitoring and with his wife, Jane, and daughters, Isabella Programme on “Security of Major Sporting cross-cultural engagement. Mohammed evaluation of sport-based initiatives. and Phoebe.” Earlier, Star Sports said Jones died from a cardiac arrest at a hotel in Mumbai, where Martínez heads Bayern past he was remotely covering the IPL. The lucrative Twenty20 league is being played in the United Arab Emirates this season Sevilla to win Super Cup because of coronavirus restrictions in India.

avi Martínez is Bayern Munich’s Mr. Rummenigge told German media last month Former Australian opening batsman J Super Cup. that the versatile defensive player was Michael Slater, who is in Dubai for the IPL, seeking to leave. confirmed that ex-fast bowler Brett Lee had Seven years after scoring an extra-time goal done CPR on Jones in an attempt to revive to help Bayern win its last UEFA Super “When i play in a Bayern shirt I want to give him. Cup, Martínez netted the winner in the 104th everything, 100%, and I showed that today,” minute as the German club beat Sevilla 2-1 Martínez told broadcaster Sky, leaving a Photo AP : PC Credit : Associated Press (AP) in the European curtain raiser in a stadium question about his future open. “I just want partially filled with fans. to celebrate today with my colleagues, the whole team.” Martínez rose above a crowd of players to head in the rebound when Sevilla goalkeeper Playing extra time was far from ideal for Yassine Bounou parried David Alaba’s either team in a season which has started speculative shot. later than normal and will have a more congested calendar amid the coronavirus Bayern midfielder Thomas Müller hailed pandemic. Martínez as “Mr. Super Cup,” recalling the 2013 goal which sent a game against Chelsea For both Bayern and Sevilla it was the start to a penalty shootout which Bayern won. of a run of four games in 11 days and came barely a month after Bayern beat Paris Saint- It could be one of Martínez’s last games Germain in the Champions League final. for Bayern after eight years and eight German league titles. Chairman Karl-Heinz Credit : Associated Press (AP)

India’s only International Newspaper www.NewDelhiTimes.com 22 28 September - 4 October 2020

Technology & Health NEW DELHI TIMES Weird eating practices showcase Humans cannibalistic nature In China, the country that gave the world the corona virus because of its filthy eating habits, there are restaurants that specialise in animal penises and testicles ◆ By Smt. Maneka during bullfighting. Spaniards consider that Sanjay Gandhi eating the testicles of prized bulls is a great way to show their bravery and masculinity. @ManekaGandhiBJP Bulls testicles, pink with red veins running through them, called “Ngầupín” in hen Indian elephants meet African Vietnamese (which means electric battery) W elephants, they recognise that they are are common in supermarkets all over the both elephants. So do Indian tigers meeting world. Most of these testicles are from Siberian ones. But, I have great difficulty young animals whose private parts are recognising that I am of the same species as simply sliced off without anaesthesia while a person who attends a Wildfoods festival they live in pain for another few months/ in New Zealand to drink shots of bull and years till they are killed. horse semen taken fresh from animals that Another great favourite is penises. Bull penis have had humans masturbate these animals. of the Golden Buddha,” “Phoenix Rising,” chewsticks for snacking on in front of the cooked with bananas is a traditional dish in “Jasmine Flowers with 1,000 Layers,” “Look TV. I suppose that if you eat meat it makes Jamaica and is considered an aphrodisiac. for the Treasure in the Desert Sand,” “Head very little difference whether you eat the China and Korea eat them too to increase crowned with a Jade Bracelet,” and “Dragon If you can eat the private parts of animals, head, the shoulders or the anus. But there their own manliness. Chinese at the 2008 in the Flame of Desire.” The restaurant also you can drink them as well. In Iceland, they seems something so savagely primitive and Summer Olympics munched on deer penises sells stewed deer faeces, sheep foetus and sell a beer called Hvalur made from smoking ugly about people celebrating at testicle all the time. It reminds me of certain tribes in peacock claws. whale testicles with sheep dung. Fin whales “festivals” held across America in which Africa who several hundred years ago used are an endangered species and it is illegal to the testicles of turkey, pigs, to eat parts of Christian They sell a hotpot of all these different male kill them. But testicle dung beer is evidently bulls and lambs are fried Seal penises are eaten missionaries in order to genitalia in one dish in order to boost the more essential to the wellbeing of these and served. In the Middle imbibe their “goodness”. in Canada and the Fur human libido. After all what could be more humans. A beer is made from Bull testicles East, grilled testicles are Institute of Canada energizing for a small thin Asian “man” than in the US as well. Sex Organ soup is popular served to honoured guests There is no medical in 2015 announced to eat the penises of every other animal? If in Hong Kong made from testicles, scrotum, (along with eyes). In New evidence that eating penises you need to celebrate your great manhood, penis and labia. Dick Soups (bull penises) Zealand, they go one better: they were going to kill has any health benefit but you can eat tiger penises soaked in water are common in Malaysia. the young lambs on a farm 1,40,000 grey seals to they are frozen, dried and with herbs. It is officially banned in China are routinely castrated to sold as Pizzles in the United boost the seal penis along with Rhino horns, but served openly. What a horrible species we are. Even make them fatter and their States and eaten in diets that market. These penises researching and writing this piece has made testicles are cooked and promote low cholesterol Seal penises are eaten in Canada and the me feel sick and disheartened about the eaten for lunch at the farm are also dried and sold and high protein, minerals Fur Institute of Canada in 2015 announced future of our planet. But for a meat eater it in front of the animals. as sexual enhancement and hormones. they were going to kill 1,40,000 grey is not such a difficult thing to imagine. After products. seals to boost the seal penis market. These all, if you eat the other parts of a slaughtered Rocky Mountain oysters In China, the country that penises are also dried and sold as sexual animal, its genitalia are no big deal. or prairie oysters are the name for the gave the world the corona virus because of its enhancement products. They sell a beverage Canadian/American delicacy made from filthy eating habits, there are restaurants that called Dalishen Oral Liquid to Asians, made And from animals the next step would be bulls’ testicles. They are known as huevos specialise in animal penises and testicles. from seal penis and testicles. humans. On the internet, there is someone de toro (bulls’ eggs) in Latin America and A restaurant called Guolizzhuang, which who has eaten human testicles. This is what Spain, “ox treasures” in China, and in started in 1956, states that eating the penis Cow and pig uteruses are grilled and eaten he says about the taste- “The testicles were Greece you call them “unmentionables”. from the head goat of a Mongolian herd in Vietnam by pregnant women and by hard on the outside and soft and glutinous In Scotland they eat the testicles of deer. will make women more beautiful and men everyone else in Japan. The Pig uterus in the middle, with a fishy or gamey taste.” In Syria baidghanam or sheep testicles are more vigorous. It advertises the genitals of dish is called Ringeru. In Taiwan pregnant grilled in lemon juice and garnished in “horses, oxen, chicken, donkeys, dogs, deer, women eat deer penises which are kept and To join the animal welfare movement parsley. Bull fries, are floured and breaded goats, sheep, and snakes.” The dishes are fermented in large jars. Chicken ovaries are contact [email protected], testicles prepared from the animals killed given poetic names such as “The Essence yellow and full of veins and make excellent www.peopleforanimalsindia.org How can I tell the difference Warming shrinks Arctic Ocean between the flu and COVID-19? ice to 2nd lowest on record ow can I tell the difference between the ce in the Arctic Ocean melted to its play as well as the warming from the burning H flu and COVID-19? I second lowest level on record this of coal, oil and natural gas. Temperatures for It’s impossible to tell without a test. summer, triggered by global warming along much of the year were 14 to 18 degrees (8 Influenza and COVID-19 have such similar with natural forces, U.S. scientists reported. to 10 degrees Celsius) above normal in the Siberian Arctic. symptoms, you may need to get tested to The extent of ice-covered ocean at the North know what’s making you miserable. Pole and extending further south to Alaska, Body aches, sore throat, fever, cough, Canada, Greenland and Russia reached its shortness of breath, fatigue and headaches summertime low of 1.4 million square miles are symptoms shared by the two. Photo PC :AP (3.7 million square kilometers) last week before starting to grow again. Arctic sea ice One difference? People with the flu typically treatment. It’s also possible to be infected reaches its low point in September and its feel sickest during the first week of illness. with both viruses at the same time, said high in March after the winter. With COVID-19, people may feel the worst Dr. Daniel Solomon, an infectious diseases This year’s melt is second only to 2012, during the second or third week, and they expert at Brigham and Women’s Hospital when the ice shrank to 1.3 million square may be sicker for a longer period. and Harvard Medical School in Boston. miles (3.4 million square kilometers), Photo AP PC : Another difference: COVID-19 is more Whether you get tested for one or both according to the National Snow and Ice Data likely than the flu to cause a loss of taste viruses may depend on how available tests Center, which has been keeping satellite “Absolutely we’re seeing climate change at or smell. But not everyone experiences that are and which viruses are circulating where records since 1979. work because the warm summers become symptom, so it’s not a reliable way to tell the you live, he said. warmer and the cold winters aren’t as cold In the 1980s, the ice cover was about 1 viruses apart. as they were,” he said, noting there’s been “Right now we are not seeing community million square miles (2.7 million square a downward trend over the last decade, with That leaves testing, which will become more transmission of influenza, so widespread kilometers) bigger than current summer slight jumps up and down due to natural important as flu season ramps up this fall in testing for the flu is not yet recommended,” levels. Data center director Mark Serreze forces. the Northern Hemisphere. Doctors will need Solomon said. said a Siberian heat wave last spring and a to know test results to determine the best Credit : Associated Press (AP) natural Arctic climate phenomenon were at Credit : Associated Press (AP) www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper

28 September - 4 October 2020 23

Entertainment & Lifestyle NEW DELHI TIMES Disney delays “Black Widow,” Salman Khan ropes in Spielberg’s ‘West South Indian stars to Side Story’

he Walt Disney Co. has further postponed T its next mega-movies from Marvel, give his upcoming movie including “Black Widow,” while also postponing Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” a full year in the company’s latest a pan-India appeal recalibration due to the pandemic. fter showcasing Bollywood’s much-loved cop Chulbul Pandey, Ten of Disney’s top films shuffled release “Dabangg 3” (2019) was profoundly foreseen as it marked the dates, uprooting several of the company’s A on-screen association of Salman Khan and Kannada star Kichcha major fall releases. The Scarlett Johansson Sudeep. Sudeep’s presence in the film had created an incredible Marvel movie “Black Widow,” last set for buzz in the south market. November 6, heads to May 7 of next year. Instead of opening next month, Kenneth Branagh’s Salman Khan, in his upcoming movie “Radhe: Your Most murder mystery “Death on the Nile” moves Wanted Bhai,” has again roped in a few south actors and to December 18. That was the date set for technicians to expand the pan-India appeal in his film. “West Side Story,” but Spielberg’s musical will instead debut in December 2021. Tamil star Bharath Srinivasan, who has been featured PC : Getty Images in many hit films including “Kaadhaal” (2004) and Disney didn’t entirely abandon the season. “Kanden Kadhalai” (2009), will be seen playing the The Pixar release “Soul” remains on the role of an undercover cop in the movie “Radhe” and calendar for late November. “The Empty has shot significant action scenes with Salman. Man,” a horror release from the former 20th Century Fox, is moving up from December Meanwhile, Disha Patani will be playing the love interest to October 23. of the superstar. Megha Akash, who was lately seen in Rajinikanth’s movie “Petta” (2019), will be playing Salman’s colleague. Those acquainted with Narra Srinu’s work have all reason to cheer as the comedian will be seen in Bollywood with the actor.

Khan’s keenness for Kollywood isn’t confined to actors, action director Anbu-Arivu, who won the National Award for “KGF: Chapter 1” (2018) and is consistently positively influencing the Hindi entertainment world, has planned the hand-to-hand combat sequence in the film.

Beside south stars, the movie “Radhe” also stars Randeep Hooda and Jackie Shroff in pivotal roles.

The action movie was supposed to hit the theaters on the occasion of Eid this year. But it has been postponed for an indefinite period

PC : AP Photo AP PC : due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But the delays of Disney’s upcoming By NDT Bureau blockbusters reinforce the growing exodus from 2020 among the blockbusters that hadn’t already uprooted to next year. Following tepid ticket sales for Warner Bros.’ Hrithik donates to “Tenet” in a U.S. theatrical marketplace where about 30% of cinemas remain closed, Warner Bros.’ “Wonder Woman 1984” moved from October to Christmas and E-rickshaw driver’s son Universal Pictures’ “Candyman” postponed to next year. to fulfill his Ballet dreams Given the interconnected nature of Marvel any celebrities of B-town approached the needy to help in this difficult time. The most releases, the latest delay of “Black Widow” M recent addition to the list is of actor Hrithik Roshan who became the center of attention had a domino effect on other films. Destin because of his humanitarian act. Daniel Cretton’s “Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” starring Simu Liu as the “Super 30” actor has provided a helping hand to an aspirant ballet dancer to get into the martial arts hero, is now slated for July 9, 2021, dance school he has always wished to join in. instead of May 7. Chloé Zhao “Eternals,” PC : Getty Images with Angelina Jolie, Gemma Chan and HRX Films (Hrithik’s production company) has given Rs. 3 lakh to a Kumail Nanjiani, moves from February to 20-year-old student, Kamal Singh. Kamal is the son of an e-rickshaw November 5, 2021. driver who lives in Delhi’s VikasPuri. However, regardless of his “Marvel made the right and responsible monetary status Kamal has a huge dream. decision,” Nanjiani said on Twitter. “There’s He has always wanted to join The English National Ballet School of a pandemic. Nothing is more important than London, England. With Hrithik’s little assistance, Kamal dream will health and lives. I can’t tell people to go to a soon turn into reality. movie theater until I feel safe going to one.”

The Ben Affleck-Ana de Armas thriller The actor was in the news for his charity work earlier also as he “Deep Water” was also pushed from had helped background dancers amid the pandemic by transferring November until August next year. money directly into their accounts.

Credit : Associated Press (AP) By NDT Bureau

India’s only International Newspaper www.NewDelhiTimes.com 24 28 September - 4 October 2020

Think - Tanks NEW DELHI TIMES Misery is not what happens to us, but how we react to it! Epictetus rightly said that “it is not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters” Few habits that make a person miserable and things around us has a decent method horrendous they become. of causing us to feel better in the shallowest ◆ By Dr. Pramila Firstly, being miserable and remaining Thus, when we are excessively critical, ways; however, it also has a strange way of Srivastava miserable is apathetic, and it distorts our negative and decline to see the positive disconnecting us and making us much sadder. @PramilaBK perspectives. While we may feel shrewd or qualities in individuals and circumstances, experienced due to our affliction, we in fact we drive away the things that matters and [email protected] Thirdly, miserable individuals are often are self-disrupting; anticipating ourselves as fixated on financial loss, be that perceptible detached ourselves. Our negative emotion a troubled, grievous and shallow individual often fortifies our negative convictions, which s we as all know that life is full of good or realistic. They focus on this fear, make it in a world that already has more than enough. strengthen our negative behavior. Therefore, and bad times; even though we claim a priority in their life and groan constantly A it is necessary to assesses who we are and that we want to be happy, we often end up about how broken they are - regardless of make sure that we don’t make thing worse. pursuing things and the ways of life that cut even if they aren’t that insolvent. The First Noble Truth of Buddhism stated us down. We invite misery into our lives and Fourthly, misery generates wretchedness that “suffering is inevitable. All living beings then endure sufferings. and a miserable individual loves to assume struggle their way into existence and survive We, as a genus, like to imagine that misery is that everybody around them is likewise with pain, physical and psychic, until they die. the aftereffect of external impacts; however, miserable. Regardless of how the individuals To escape this cycle is impossible, but if we a significant part of the misery in our lives around them act or what their inspirations make peace with the process, then we are also originates within us. are, they will consistently expect worst of able to appreciate the difficult adventure.” those around them. Misery has a method of causing individuals In other words, when something happens, the to feel sorry for us, and that thought can Fifthly, wretchedness makes people selfish only thing in our power is our attitude towards be comforting if we are battling or bored. and such people are only centered around it; we can either accept it or resent it, and to

We get a sense of power when we see that PC : Getty Images one thing i.e. their very own benefit. deal a miserable situation one should embrace our emotional states affect others, and this and accept being miserable. It is nothing And lastly, miserable individuals miss a power can get addictive in various manners. Remaining miserable takes quite a toll and more than true happiness and it would help in ton of the positivity in their lives since they a ton of ability is required. Each miserable healing a miserable person’s heart, mind and It further has a means of numbing us to are too occupied in focusing on everything individual isn’t the same; they are all involved can change his or her life forever. the truth of our everyday life. When we’re wrong across the globe, regardless of in a sharpened set of abilities that go far in miserable, we have no expectation, and whether it has nothing to do with them. To experience genuine happiness and to live keeping them stuck, pitiful and despondent. when that happens, we can’t be disheartened They’ll examine their conduct, the conduct a positive life, one must experience an entire or disappointed. Things don’t hurt as Secondly, being extremely critical is a of others, the stars in the sky and the manner range of feelings. Rather than holding them, terrible as we already anticipate them to be deviation and a way of dealing with stress. in which the planets move. They generally one should embrace and accept that misery unpleasant. It may appear to be a cunning When somebody is extremely critical, it is concentrate on themselves, yet they will and numerous other negative feelings often way to see things, but it is most certainly not. a signal that things aren’t working out in a keep their eye on others as well. To a happen as a connection to the past or the It’s poisonous, and it leads to more issues for good way in their own lives. Anticipating our miserable person, everything is considered future, and right attitude towards it is the key us in the future. pessimistic encounters onto the individuals to be a burden and more it lingers, the more to happiness. The Sustainable Forest Management Framework for Africa conservation, water retention and climate Management. The SFMF identifies five ◆ By International Institute for Non - Aligned Studies moderation. priority areas of action. Priority 1 is the enhancement of the value of forests and @iinsNAM In line with Agenda 2063, and to contribute the sustainable production, processing, to the vision for forests articulated above, the [email protected] marketing’s and trade for forest products and Sustainable Forest Management Framework ecosystem service. Priority 2 is the capacity on-Aligned Movement recognises the (SFMF) for Africa has been formulated. The first development and knowledge management role of forests and sustainable forest phase of the SFMF time frame is 2020-2030. N for sustainable forest management. management in sustainable development and The vision of the SFMF was collaboratively has called upon the international community, developed with the active participation of AU Priority 3 is to develop a political and and in particular the developing world, Member States and the Regional Economic institutional framework for sustainable forest to conserve and manage their biological Communities under the coordination of the management which entails adaptation and resources including all types of forests on a African Union Commission. harmonization of national and sub-regional sustainable basis. forest policies and regulatory frameworks According the preamble of the framework, in African nations. Priority 4 is to reduce An important initiative for sustainable Africa’s forest sector is faced with many

deforestation, forest and land degradation PC : Getty Images challenges that limit its capacity to provide forest management in the developing world and restore forests and landscapes for meaningful and sustainable ecosystem services is the Sustainable Forest Management enhancing resilience and sustainable Commission, as the secretariat, in including contributing to socio-economic Framework for Africa 2020-2030 launched livelihood. Priority 5 is to establish strong collaboration with the Expert Working development. The challenges include weak by the African Union (AU). Extending over partnerships and collaboration for mobilizing Group will collate sub regional reports and forest and land-use policies, unsustainable 624 million hectares (ha), covering 20.6 resources through a robust information and prepare them for submission to the STC forest management practices; competition for percent of the continent’s land area and communication system. for endorsement. The report will then be representing 15.6 percent of the world’s land from the agriculture, mining, livestock, submitted to the higher organs of the African forest cover, Africa’s forests have a unique energy sector and settlements. The objectives The SFMF also calls for a creation of Union for adoption and further guidance. role in contributing to the attainment of the of the SFMF are to: an Expert Working Group to provide technical oversight for its implementation. (in arrangement with aspirations of the Agenda 2063, the Africa 1) Provide strategic guidance to Member We Want, which envisages a prosperous Established reporting processes and News from Non-Aligned World) States and Regional Economic Communities channels of the African Union will be used. www.iins.org continent with the means to drive its own on Sustainable Forest Management; development through the sustainable, long- The Regional Economic term stewardship of its resource. 2) Facilitate Africa-wide monitoring and Communities will provide Contact New Delhi Times reporting on Sustainable Forest Management; regional synthesized Forests also underpin key sectors of many reports to the African African countries, including energy, 3) Facilitate harmonization of policies and Union Commission on For Complaints & Suggestions forestry, agriculture, tourism and water, and legal frameworks across Africa; regular basis in line with +91-9999331600 support the livelihoods of millions of people. 4) Serve as a basis for coordinating the sessions of the Special Forests and trees in Africa offer considerable A-2/59, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi-110029 knowledge management, exchange of best Technical Committee support to agriculture, serving, for example, practices and information and (STC) on Agriculture, as reservoirs of land for the expansion Rural Development, Visit us at : twitter@NewDelhiTimes of agriculture and providing supporting 5) Facilitate establishment of partnerships Water and Environment. facebook.com/newdelhitimes ecosystem services such as pollination, soil and investments in Sustainable Forest The African Union 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. 35 Editor : Dr. Ankit Srivastava www.NewDelhiTimes.com India’s only International Newspaper