Nasheman

India's largest selling Urdu weekly, now also in English

You are here: Home / 2016 / Archives for February 2016

Archives for February 2016

Canada to end ISIL air strikes within weeks

by

Ottawa to pull jets from Syria and Iraq but instead will triple number of special forces training Iraqi Kurdish forces.

As well as training Kurdish forces, Canada will arm them with weapons such as assault rifles, machine guns and light mortars

As well as training Kurdish forces, Canada will arm them with weapons such as assault rifles, machine guns and light mortars

by Al Jazeera

Canada is to end its participation in air strikes against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group in Syria and Iraq within two weeks, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced.

Following up on campaign promises he made last year to withdraw Canada’s jets, Trudeau said on Monday that his country’s contribution to the fight against ISIL would be extended until the end of March 2017 – but would be “a non-combat mission”.

“It is important to understand that while air strike operations can be very useful to achieve short-term military and territorial gains, they do not on their own achieve long-term stability for local communities,” Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa.

“We will be supporting and empowering local forces to take their fight directly to ISIL so that kilometre by kilometre they can reclaim their homes, their land and their future.”

Training support

Trudeau said Canada will triple the number of special forces deployed to train Iraqi Kurdish forces on the ground over the next two years.

As well as training them, Canada will also arm the Kurdish forces with light weapons such as assault rifles, machine guns and light mortars, as well as optical systems for the weapons and ammunition.

The number of elite Canadian commandos helping to train Kurdish Peshmerga fighters in northern Iraq will also jump from 69 to 230, bringing the total of Canadian soldiers deployed in the region from about 650 to about 830.

Canada will also provide $CAD840m ($609m) in humanitarian assistance over three years, and has allocated  $270m to “build local capacity” in Jordan and Lebanon, which are hosting more than two million Syrian refugees.

While the country will pull its six CF-18 Hornet fighter jets from the bombing mission, it will keep its aircrew and support personnel for one CC-150 Polaris aerial refuelling aircraft and up to two CP-140 Aurora spy planes.

‘Step backward’

The US had asked coalition members to boost their military contributions in Iraq and Syria against ISIL after the deadly attacks in Paris in November. However, Trudeau, who was sworn in last November, had already promised to withdraw his jets during his election campaign.

Trudeau promised to put the new policy to a debate in parliament when the House of Commons resumes next week.

Rona Ambrose, leader of the official opposition and interim leader of the Conservative Party, denounced the plan to withdraw the fighter jets as “a step backwards for Canada”.

Helene Laverdiere, foreign affairs spokesperson for the left-wing New Democratic Party, said Canada should focus on stopping the flow of arms, funds and foreign fighters, including improving anti-radicalisation efforts at home.

“We are concerned that the Liberal government has chosen to place Canadian Forces personnel deeper into an open-ended combat military mission in Iraq – a mission that fails to even define what success would look like,” Laverdiere said.

US President Barak Obama “welcomed Canada’s current and new contributions to coalition efforts and highlighted Canada’s leadership in the coalition”, the White House said in a statement without specifically mentioning Canada’s decision to halt air strikes.

58,000 children ‘facing death’ in drought-hit Somalia

by

UN calls for urgent support for tens of thousands of children amid severe drought exacerbated by a strong El Nino.

Nearly 305,000 children under the age of five are acutely malnourished, according to the UN [Reuters]

Nearly 305,000 children under the age of five are acutely malnourished, according to the UN [Reuters]

by Al Jazeera

More than 58,000 children in drought-hit Somalia will starve to death if they do not receive urgent support, the United Nations has warned.

The situation in the country, where dry conditions are exacerbated by an exceptionally strong El Nino weather pattern, is “alarming and could get worse”, the UN said on Monday.

It added that an estimated 4.7 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance and some 950,000 people “struggle every day to meet their food needs”.

“The level of malnutrition, especially among children, is of serious concern, with nearly 305,000 children under the age of five years acutely malnourished,” said Peter de Clercq, the UN aid chief for Somalia.

“We estimate that 58,300 children face death if they are not treated,” he added

The warnings, based on the latest data collected by the UN, come four years after intense drought and war sparked a famine killing more than 250,000 people.

Northern Somali areas, including self-declared independent Somaliland along the Gulf of Aden and semi-autonomous Puntland, are especially hard-hit.

“We are deeply concerned … with severe drought conditions intensifying in Puntland and Somaliland, many more people risk relapsing into crisis,” the UN said, calling for $885m in aid.

The warning comes as neighbouring Ethiopia struggles to combat its worst drought for 30 years.

At least 10.2 million people need food aid in Ethiopia, a figure the UN has warned could double within months, leaving a fifth of the population to go hungry.

In South Africa, five of the country’s nine provinces have been declared disaster zones in what has been described as the worst drought in 20 years.

El Nino is triggered by a warming in sea surface temperatures in the Pacific. It can cause unusually heavy rains in some parts of the world and drought elsewhere.

Headley was tasked with recruiting spies from Indian Army

by

Mumbai: Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist-turned-approver David Coleman Headley on Tuesday described how he was assigned to gather military intelligence in India and recruit spies from the Indian Army.

On the second day of his deposition through video conferencing from a US jail before the Special TADA Court here, Headley said he was tasked with luring spies from the Indian Army to work for Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

In his response to questions posed by Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, Headley admitted to working both for the LeT and the ISI.

Headley on Monday revealed that the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks were planned over a year in Pakistan.

Detailing the planning for the 26/11 strike, Headley said in November-December 2007 he had attended a meeting in Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-administered Kashmir along with his LeT contact Sajid Mir and Abu Khafa, in which they asked him to conduct a recce of the Hotel Taj Mahal Palace and other locations in Mumbai.

At the meeting, the LeT leaders gave information about a conference of Indian defence officials and scientists at the luxury hotel opposite Gateway of India which they wanted to hit, Headley told the court of Special Judge G.A. Sanap.

He was specifically asked by his handlers to survey and videograph the second floor of the hotel which he did along with his wife Faiza, selected the landing site for the vessels which would sneak in from the Arabian Sea at Colaba, and discussed everything with Major Iqbal of the Pakistan Army.

Besides Hotel Taj, Headley made videos of Leopold Cafe, Colaba Police Station, the local markets and restaurants in Colaba, the naval and air force stations, the Maharashtra Police headquarters, Hotel Trident-Oberoi, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Shahid Bhagat Singh Road, and the Siddhi Vinayak temple in Prabhadevi.

“Sajid Mir and Major Iqbal were satisfied with the videos and photos of the hotel which I gave them,” Headley said, adding that the plan to target Hotel Taj conference hall was later scrapped for “logistics reasons”.

All the data and locations were stored in a GPS device for future uses, he added.

Headley unravelled before the Special Court how the LeT and Al-Qaeda, which he termed a “terrorist organisation”, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Hizbul Mujahiddeen and other groups in Pakistan function under the “United Jihad Council” and were working against India.

He said the LeT and ISI have a close nexus with the ISI providing the “financial, military and moral support”, Nikam later told media persons.

Admitting that he served both the LeT and ISI, he said Hafez Sayeed was LeT’s “spiritual leader,” Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi was its “operational commander” and worked with the sole aim of spreading terror in India.

Headley said that in 2003, he was present at a LeT meeting when Maulana Masood Azhar made a guest speech about his anti-India activities and his release from India (in December 1999 in exchange for passengers of the hijacked Indian Airlines flight IC-814).

Headley’s deposition will resume again on Wednesday, Nikam told media persons.

(Agencies)

Soldier found alive at Siachen glacier

by

Siachen

Jammu: One of the ten army soldiers buried alive under an avalanche in Siachen glacier area of Ladakh region has been rescued alive, the rest are confirmed dead.

“The ongoing rescue operation at Siachen, Lance Naik Hanamanthappa was found alive, all the other soldiers are regrettably no more with us,” GOC northern command Lt General D.S.Hooda said in an official statement on Tuesday.

The medical condition of Hanamanthappa was said to be critical, but attempts were being made to evacuate him to the hospital.

“We hope the miracle continues. Pray with us,” Hooda added.

Ten soldiers were buried under tons of avalanche debris in Siachin glacier on February 3 after an avalanche hit their post.

Massive rescue operations had been going on by the army and the Air Force since then to trace the missing soldiers.

(IANS)

Small Screen Celebrities at Valentine Special Screening Of Breakfast At Tiffany’s

by

Gaurav Chopra,Shibani Kashyap and Rajeev Roda

1018mb, Saumya Tandon’s entrepreneurial venture has created quite a buzz amongst the audience since its inception a few months ago. This unique online platform gives viewers a chance to watch the movie they want, when they want & where they want, all this with the like – minded people.

Living up to what they stand for, 1018mb brought back one of the most romantic & stylish film of Hollywood, Breakfast At Tiffany’s”. The celebrities came to the screening dressed as a tribute to Audrey Hepburn. Those who attended included – Shweta Tiwari, Ragini Khanna, Shantanu Moitra, Shilpa Rao, Shibani Kashyap, Gaurav Chopra, Karan Vohra, TJ Sidhu, Simple Kaul et al.

Saumya Tandon, who dressed up in a stunning little black dress, made famous by the movie said, “With 1018Mb.com we aim to democratize movie viewing in the country, starting with Mumbai. Our platform will give movie aficionados an opportunity to watch their favorite film on the big screen at a time, date & theatre of their choice with an audience. Being able to organize a screening of film which is a personal favourite, is a great feeling”.

Post Chalk N Duster Jayant Gilatar is ready with two more scripts

by

Jayant Gilatar

Jayant Gilatar is one happy man these days since the release of his latest film Chalk N Duster which has not only won a lot of critical acclaim but also the audience appreciation too. That apart the film has also received tax exemption in some territories.

What was the overall response of Chalk N Duster?

For our entire team of Chalk N Duster the overall response of the film was beyond expectations. Our film Chalk N Duster proved to be every critic’s delight. I was also surprised that the film won a lot of critical appreciation even from the hardcore critics too.

How well was the film received by the audience?

Oh! It was just wonderful. The film had a universal appeal. The emotional quotient of the film was really liked by the audience of all ages. We all love our teachers and it was like an eye opener for the present day students too. It took a good opening in many centres and has sustained its place at the box office turnstiles since the last 3 weeks. In fact we had aimed the film at the target audience and our expectations were more than fulfilled and even the other audiences liked & appreciated the film very much.

What else would you like to add regarding this?

One more interesting thing that I would like to add is that recently the Governor of Maharashtra Shri. Vidyasagar saw the film and expressed some very high opinion about Chalk N Duster. That apart the film has also got tax exemption especially in territories like Delhi – UP, Gujarat & Rajasthan.

So what’s your next target of filmmaking after Chalk N Duster?

I am planning to launch one more film very soon and it’s titled as Jihad By Ekta. Right now its scripting work is over. Actually speaking my friend Jiten Purohit, who is a film maker in his own right and also the dean of Star Film Institute of India, has penned down its script. It is the story based in present times and we are in talks with Nawazuddin Siddiqui to star in it. That’s all I can say about this film.

It seems you have 1 more plan tucked up your directorial sleeves. Right?

Yes you are right. My next film to go on the floor will be Krishnaji – The Warrior. It will be a film based on the novella written by Anant Sawant. It is based on the backdrop of the mutiny of the year 1727. That’s it. Right now I am not in a position to reveal anything more about the film.

Sikh American actor barred from flight for refusing to remove turban

by

Waris Ahluwalia

Washington: Sikh American actor and designer Waris Ahluwalia says he was barred from boarding a flight home to New York from Mexico because he refused to remove his turban during a security check.

Ahluwalia, according to the New York Times, said Monday he checked in at the Aeroméxico counter at Mexico City’s international airport about 5:30 a.m. and was given his first-class boarding pass with a code that he said meant he needed secondary security screening.

When he showed up at the gate to board Flight 408 to New York City, Ahluwalia said, attendants told him he needed to step aside and wait for other passengers to board.

After they did, his feet and bag were searched and swabbed, he was told to remove a sweatshirt and he was patted down. Then, he said, he was asked to take off his turban.

“I responded matter-of-factly that I won’t be taking off my turban,” he was quoted as saying in an interview from the airport in Mexico City. “And then they talked amongst themselves and they said, ‘O.K., then you are not getting on the flight.'”

He said he was told by another airline security official that he would not be boarding any other Aeroméxico flight until he met their security demands.

“It is a symbol of my faith,” Ahluwalia said, explaining why he would not remove the turban. “It is something that I wear whenever I am in public.”

A statement released by the airline Monday said that Ahluwalia’s screening was in compliance with Transportation Security Administration protocol and that the airline had offered him alternatives to “reach his destination as soon as possible.”

Ahluwalia, 41, who grew up in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, is an actor and a designer based in Manhattan known for his House of Waris jewellery line and other design work.

(IANS)

Worship parents on Valentine’s Day: Asaram Bapu’s ads in Delhi Metro

by

bapu

New Delhi: This February 14, worship your parents instead of celebrating Valentine’s Day, say a series of billboards put up at Delhi Metro stations by a religious group, which also endorsed police action against couples.

The advertisements, put up across 35 stations by an organisation of self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, advocating ‘Matri Pitri Pujan Diwas’ has left many commuters enraged, prompting Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to order the matter to be examined. Asaram is lodged in jail in connection with a sexual assault case.

The ads bear two contrasting pictures; one showing two kids worshipping their parents and the other showing a young couple holding each other’s ears as policemen stand nearby.

“Police take strong action against those indulging in degenerate activities by celebrating Valentine’s Day in broad daylight. Don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day,” the message in the posters say.

“The ads were displayed by a private contractor as all the ad space inside the Delhi Metro premises are allotted to specialised agencies who in turn allot them to interested advertisers. The matter is being thoroughly examined and taken up with the concerned contractor for necessary action,” DMRC chief spokesman Anuj Dayal said.

When contacted, a functionary of ‘Bal Sanskar Kendra’, the organisation behind the posters, said the objective of the ad campaign was to make youngsters “aware” that Valentine’s Day was “against Indian culture”.

“The picture depicts the plight of a couple who were caught celebrating Valentine’s Day in a public park at Raipur where the state government officially celebrates ‘Matri Pitri Pujan Diwas’. We want other state governments to come up with similar orders,” Manish Goswami, the functionary said.

The posters also made a few wonder about the advertising policy of DMRC. “I guess Delhi Metro will put up just about anything if you pay them enough money,” Govind RS posted on Facebook.

A DMRC executive said the company follows the Delhi Outdoor Advertising Policy, 2008 and does not have its own policy in this regard.

Unlike DMRC, Transport for London, which runs the vast London subway train service, has its own advertising policy.

“Technology wise we compete with west, #mentality wise we compete with 19th century !!” one Hamraj Singh posted on Twitter, while a tweet by one Shalu Dyani reads, “Asaram Bapu’s ads in Delhi Metro threatening couples celebrating Valentines! DMRC has some serious explaining to do.”

(PTI)

SDPI vice president Samkutty Jacob passes away

by

Samkutty-Jacob

New Delhi: SDPI National President A. Sayeed expressed his condolence for the sudden demise of party vice president Samkutty Jacob.

In a statement the party said, “the sudden demise of our party vice president Mr. Samkutty Jacob is a big loss for our party and we express our deep condolence for his demise. He was a sincere and loyal public worker without any taint of any kind either in personal or public life. He was a pure secularist and socialist who spent most of his life for the realization of his political ideology. I hope that Social Democratic Party of India will recover from the loss of this Samaritan leader.We pray Almighty God to give strength and patience to his family to bear his demise. Along with National President A.Sayeed the Former National President of SDPI E. Abubakkar and Other National Office bearers had expressed their deep Condolence for Party National Vice President Samkutty Jacob’s demise.”

“Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road completes successful 50 Sunday Conversations”

by

3000 citizens benefited from the health educative forum since inception

Fortis

Bengaluru: Fortis Hospitals, Bannerghatta Road in their journey of providing continuous quality healthcare services is happy to announce their yet another milestone – successful 50 Sunday conversations; providing health education to over 3000 people in a span of two years. An initiative that began with an aim of bridging the doctor and community relationship by educating the public over various topics on health received tremendous response from the citizens. Various topics on Cardiology, Bone & Joint, Neurology, Pediatrics, Women Care, Emergency Care, Urology and many other clinical specialties were covered during these sessions.

The 50th Sunday conversation on “Cardiac Diseases, Joint Pain & Urology – Risks & Management” witnessed participation of over 100 people. Eminent doctors including Dr. Venkatesh S – Consultant, Interventional Cardiologist, Dr, Narayan Hulse – Add. Director, Dept. Of Bone & Joint Surgery and Dr. Mohan Keshavamurthy – Director, Urology, Andrology & Transplant Surgery shared their insights and inputs with the participants.

“It’s indeed an exciting moment for as we complete the 50th Sunday Conversation at Fortis Hospitals, Bannerghatta Road. Giving back to the community is what we always believe in and this initiative was a humble effort from our end towards the same. The Sunday Conversations has turned out to be a trusted forum among the public and we are glad to have played a small yet significant role in imparting knowledge on healthcare to our people,” said Mr. Vijayarathna, Zonal Director, Fortis Hospitals, Bannerghatta Road.

“The topics covered in the Sunday conversation are very relevant and informative. This has given me insights on various problems which we often tend to see in our family, neighbours or colleagues. Also these sessions have been helpful in clearing myths and increasing awareness,” said 76 year old Mr. Kulkarni Swasahaya, a regular attendee of Sunday Conversation and ex-employee of Karnataka Administration Service (KAS).

KNOW US

GET INVOLVED

PROMOTE

Archives