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Saudi Arabia executes 47, including Shia cleric Nimr

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Interior ministry says executed ‘terrorists’ took part in attacks against residential and government buildings.

Nimr-al-Nimr

by Al Jazeera

Saudi Arabia has executed 47 “terrorists”, according to the interior ministry, including Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr and al-Qaeda-affiliated Faris al-Zahrani.

In a press release read on state TV on Saturday, the ministry listed the names of all those it said were already convicted on charges of terrorism.

The death sentence of Nimr al-Nimr, who led anti-government protests in the country’s east, was confirmed by the Supreme Court in October.

Al-Zahani, once considered one of Saudi Arabia’s “most wanted terrorists”, was detained in 2004 while allegedly in possession of weapons.

Among those executed were an Egyptian citizen and a Chadian citizen, the ministry said.

It added that those convicted had participated in attacks against residential compounds and government buildings.

The announcement comes just days after Amnesty international said that Saudi Arabia executed at least 151 people in 2015, the most beheadings in 20 years.

“The Saudi Arabian authorities appear intent on continuing a bloody execution spree,” Amnesty’s report released on Monday said, quoting James Lynch, deputy director at the Middle East and North Africa programme.

It is the most people put to death in the kingdom in one year since 1995, when 192 executions were reportedly carried out.

Amnesty said the large number of executions shed further light on what the London-based human rights group referred to as unfair judicial proceedings, with a disproportionate imposition of capital punishment on foreign nationals.

“Of the 63 people executed this year for drug-related charges, the vast majority, 45 people, were foreign nationals,” the report said.

Khalid al-Dakhil, a Saudi political commentator based in Riyadh, challenged “the integrity” of Amnesty’s report, saying it failed to mention Iran’s execution record.

“Iran executes far more people a year than Saudi Arabia, but it does not get the negative publicity Saudi Arabia has. This is something that must be addressed,” Dakhil told Al Jazeera.

Saudi Arabia, Iran, China, the United States, and Iraq are the top five countries with the most executions.

Man rams car into soldiers protecting mosque in France

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Soldiers shoot and injure perpetrator during second attack attempt while elderly man is struck by stray bullet.

Soldiers have been protecting sensitive places in France including official buildings and religious sites since the Paris attacks [Bilalmstory/Twitter]

Soldiers have been protecting sensitive places in France including official buildings and religious sites since the Paris attacks [Bilalmstory/Twitter]

by Al Jazeera

A soldier and an elderly man were injured when a man drove his car at troops protecting a mosque in Valence in southern France, officials said.

The injured passerby was a 72-year-old man who was hit in the calf by a stray bullet shot by the soldiers on Friday, Valence mayor Nicolas Daragon told the iTELE news channel.

“The four soldiers were in front of the mosque, a moderate, quiet mosque, in between two prayer sessions, at a time when many worshippers arrived,” Daragon said. “A car drove at them.”

The driver was seriously wounded when the soldiers shot at him during his second attempt at ramming into them, but his injuries are not life-threatening, the government said in a statement.

He is said to be 29 years old, from a suburb of Lyon which is about an hour’s drive from Valence, and was not previously known to intelligence services.

The imam of the mosque, Abdullah Imam Dliouah, said in a statement posted toFacebook: “The mosque officials and worshippers are deeply shocked by this act. The soldiers protecting the mosque are appreciated by the worshippers and we condemn this agression towards those who ensure our safety.

“We wish to reiterate that this act, despite its gravity, will not dampen our resolve to promote us living together, as we have always done.”

France has been on high alert since the November 13 attacks in Paris in which 130 people were killed by armed attackers who claimed they were linked to the Islamic State of Syria and the Levant (ISIL) group.

Soldiers are protecting sensitive places across the country, including official buildings and religious sites.

Karnataka: Milk prices to shoot up by Rs 4

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Nandini_Milk

Bengaluru: The state government announced the consent of the Chief Minister to hike the price of Nandini milk by Rs 4 per litre, it is learned.

The initial demand by milk federations was to up the prices by Rs 5 per litre, it is said. Minister for co-operation H S Mahadeva Prasad and minister for animal husbandry A Manju took the proposal to the chief minister and discussed it.

Now that the Chief Minister has given his nod, the announcement will follow shortly.

Presently, the milk price is Rs 29 per litre. With the price hike, it will be available at Rs 33.

It is expected that the KMF will make the announcement within a day and the price hike will come into effect from January 5.

Minister A Manju said that 75% of the money from the hike will go to the farmers while the remaining money will be spent for administrative expenses of the federations.

(Agencies)

Odd-even scheme starts in Delhi, overwhelmed by ‘success’, says Kejriwal

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delhi-traffic-pollution-cars

New Delhi: Each time an even-numbered vehicle was flagged down here, the offending motorist was offered a rose — and some counselling about the rising pollution levels in the national capital.

The scene was a busy traffic intersection near Noida where a number of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) volunteers were assisting Delhi Police personnel in keeping a tab on vehicles following the launch on Friday of the odd-even scheme for restricting movement of cars.

There were no police barricades near the Delhi-Noida border in the morning and the volunteers tried to ensure a smooth flow of traffic on the road. The volunteers, however, flagged down a few even-numbered four-wheelers and went up to the driver to present a rose, reflecting a Gandhian spirit.

They also counselled the motorists to follow the Delhi government’s odd-even plan and asked them to return. While some vehicle owners followed the instructions, others gave their reasons for not being able to comply with the plan.

Shiv Kumar Sharma, a civil defence volunteer from Geeta Colony circle in east Delhi, said his group was able to persuade some motorists to turn back. “We are here since 7 a.m. We are giving roses to people and couselling them about the odd-even formula. So far, we have persuaded around a dozen people to turn back,” he said.

“Some people said they were going to hospital or there was an emergency. We did let them go.”

The roses were provided by the area district magistrate’s office.

Another civil defence volunteer, who did not wish to be named, said his group refrained from entering into any argument with the violators and requested them to comply with the rule.

“We cannot prosecute people. The police will do that,” he said, adding that the police were cooperating with them.

There were a few commuters who stopped by to cheer the volunteers. “This is a very good initiative. The volume of traffic has come down,” said Dinesh Singhal, a biker.

The odd-even scheme that allows odd- and even-numbered private vehicles to ply on the city roads on alternate days aims at reducing air pollution levels. The scheme started here on Friday on a trial basis and will end on January 15.

(IANS)

Terror attack in Punjab’s Pathankot; two militants killed

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Pathankot

Pathankot: A group of terrorists today struck at the Air Force base here in Punjab, triggering an encounter in which two attackers were killed, police said.

Firing is still on near the Air Force base Chakki river. The terrorists, believed to be 4-5 in number, launched the attack at the base in the wee hours.

Gun fire shots can be heard from the both sides, SSP R K Bakshi said, adding that two suspected militants were killed in the battle. Meanwhile, authorities said the helicopters and other equipment in the Air base was safe.

An unknown number of militants have launched an attack on the army and police personnel after a combing operation was launched yesterday in the area between installation and Chakki river, police said.

The entire area has been cordoned off, police said. The attackers, who had abducted an SP yesterday, had also made calls to Pakistan, police said.

The attack comes days after PM Narendra Modi’s unscheduled visit to Pakistan.

It is the second big terror attack in Punjab within less than a year as last year three militants stormed a police station in Diana Nagar before being eliminated after 12 hour gun battle.

Yesterday, five suspected militants abducted an SP and two others and thrashed them before dumping them from vehicle.

After the incident a combing operation was launched in the border areas of Pathankot and Gurdaspur districts.

(Agencies)

Singer Adnan Sami becomes Indian citizen, says no intolerance

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Adnan Sami

New Delhi: There is no intolerance in India, says Pakistan-born singer Adnan Sami after becoming an Indian citizen today.

A smiling Sami also sang his famous song – “Teri oonchi shaan hai maula…Mujhko bhi to lift kara de”- after he received a citizenship certificate from Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju at North Block here in the presence of his wife Roya.

Asked about concerns expressed by actors Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan about alleged growing intolerance in India, the 46-year-old singer said everyone was entitled to his or her own opinion and their remarks were perhaps based on their own experience.

“Had there been intolerance, I would not have taken Indian citizenship. I have never experienced intolerance. There is no intolerance in India,” he said.

The singer said he was very happy after becoming Indian citizen and grateful to the government.

“I am grateful to the government of India for giving me this beautiful gift,” he said.

Asked how he felt after becoming an Indian citizen, Sami said there was no difference as the taste of ‘biryanis’ was same in both the countries. “And I have had enough of ‘biryanis’ in both Pakistan and India,” he said.

The singer said there was mixed reaction in Pakistan on his taking Indian citizenship but his family understands his love for India and its people.

Asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Lahore, Sami said he was very happy that Modi had visited Pakistan and was making efforts to improve relations with the country.

“I personally believe in the philosophy of ‘love thy neighbour’,” he said. Home Ministry officials said Sami has been given Indian citizenship following his request to the Centre to legalise his status in the country on humanitarian grounds.

The singer, who has made India his home for the past few years, had made a representation to the Home Ministry on May 26 this year requesting that he be allowed to stay in India on humanitarian grounds.

Sami had first arrived in India on March 13, 2001 on a visitor’s visa with the validity of one year which was issued by the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.

His visa was extended from time to time. His Pakistani passport issued on May 27, 2010 expired on May 26, 2015 and his passport was not renewed by the Pakistan government which led him to approach the Indian government with the request to legalise his stay in India.

Sami’s two songs from the album, ‘Kabhi To Nazar Milao’ and ‘Lift Kara De’, whose music video starred actor Govinda, were a sensation in the early 2000s.

This year the singer tasted success with his song ‘Bhar Do Jholi meri’ in Salman Khan-starrer ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’.

(PTI)

Hundreds evacuated after fire engulfs Dubai tower

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No casualties caused by blaze at the Torch in Marina district, which was brought under control after several hours.

The fire reportedly started on the 50th floor of the Torch, a skyscraper in Dubai's Marina district [AP]

The fire reportedly started on the 50th floor of the Torch, a skyscraper in Dubai’s Marina district [AP]

by Al Jazeera

A huge fire engulfed one of the world’s tallest residential towers in Dubai’s Marina district, sending bright yellow flames several stories high, but there were no reports of casualties, civil defence officials said.

The fire broke out at about 2am on Saturday in the 86-storey Torch tower on the northeast end of the densely populated district, which is packed with multi-storey skyscrapers.

High winds whipped through the area and debris from the fire cluttered nearby streets after the blaze appeared to be extinguished.

The civil defence officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said there were no reports of deaths or injuries.

The cause of the fire was not immediately clear.

The Marina area is home to dozens of towering apartment blocks and hotels, many of them built over the past decade. The apartments are popular with Dubai’s large number of expatriate professionals.

Police blocked off areas around the 336 metre-high Torch tower, which still had power. Lights were on in many of the apartments inside and multiple fire trucks and police vehicles were on the scene.

Residents of at least one neighbouring tower were told to evacuate as a precaution because of strong winds, but they were later allowed back inside.

One witness said the fire started in the middle of the tower before spreading down, describing it as like “the Titanic going down”. Flaming material falling from the initial fire then set a lower part of the building ablaze, witnesses said.

Rescue efforts

Torch tower resident Steve Short, 53, of Liverpool, England, praised the work of firefighters who arrived quickly. He said fire alarms alerted residents to the blaze and building management sent workers knocking on doors to ensure residents got out.

Resident RJ Morlock, 33, of Houston, shot video on his phone that showed bright yellow flames reaching what appeared to be several storeys on two separate parts of the building. He said residents were nervous coming out but fire crews were able to bring the situation under control.

“I was really surprised they got it under control pretty quickly,” he said. “It looked like it was going to go up.”

As daylight broke, residents waiting across the street to be allowed back home were able to see the extent of the blaze: External cladding on the corner of more than two dozen storeys from roughly the 50th floor to the top were mangled and charred black.

Cleanup crews dressed in orange uniforms swept up pieces of shattered glass and other debris covering the street outside the building.

Amazon donates proceeds from song by anti-Muslim group

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Online giant promises to pass on its share of profit to NGOs helping refugees from the hit song by anti-Islam group.

Pegida is a far-right movement in Germany against Muslim immigration [EPA]

Pegida is a far-right movement in Germany against Muslim immigration [EPA]

by Al Jazeera

Online retailer Amazon has promised to donate its share of profit from sales of a song by German anti-Islam group Pegida to help thousands of refugees who have fled conflict seeking safety in Europe.

Customers planning to buy the single on Thursday were greeted by a message telling them the German subsidiary of the US-based online giant would donate its profit to NGOs dealing with the refugee crisis – the worst since World War II.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has welcomed hundreds of thousands of refugees, mainly from Syria, drawing a backlash from far-right groups such as Pegida, which has held frequent protests against government policies that it says encourage immigration.

The track, titled Together we are strong, sits atop Amazon’s German chart having pushed British singer Adele’s Hello into second place.

The song selling for $1.40 was released on December 21 and it is not clear how many have been downloaded in total.

More than 370 reviews have been written for the release, with the vast majority of people leaving one-star ratings – the lowest that can be given.

Many of those commenting left sarcastic quips or expressed their embarassment.

“What can I say? Stupid, embarrassing, irrelevant, a little reminiscent of a poorly made copy of the Henry Maske song,” said one reviewer, referring to the cinematic score used as entrance music by the German boxer.

Many of the five-star reviews were equally critical of the song itself, but thanked Amazon for donating its share of revenue towards the refugee crisis.

Pegida, which is a German acronym of Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of the West, is a far-right movement in Germany and other European states that positions itself against Muslim immigration and the movement of refugees into the continent.

The organisation has been accused of far-right sympathies by its detractors and has been condemned by Chancellor Merkel.

PAN to be mandatory for transactions above Rs 2 lakh

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PAN-card

New Delhi: In yet another bid to curb generation of black money, quoting of the income tax Permanent Account Number (PAN) would be mandatory for cash transactions above Rs.2 lakh from January 1, 2016.

“The government received numerous representations from various quarters regarding the burden of compliance this proposal will entail. PAN will be required for transactions above Rs.2 lakh, regardless of the mode of payment,” the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said in a statement on Thursday.

The finance ministry has also rationalised the monetary limits for certain transactions requiring mandatory quoting of PAN.

The monetary limit for sale or purchase of immovable property has been doubled to Rs.10 lakh, and that for hotel and restaurant bills to Rs.50,000.

“In dealing with domestic black money, transactions dealing with cash of more than Rs.2 lakh will require submission of PAN details,” Finance Minister Arun Jaitley told the Lok Sabha earlier this month while presenting his ministry’s supplemetary demands for grants.

(Agencies)

Odd-even scheme starts in Delhi, overwhelmed by ‘success’, says Kejriwal

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delhi-traffic-pollution-cars

New Delhi: Delhi government’s odd-even scheme on car movement to curb pollution in the national capital started on Friday.

As per the rule, cars with odd-number registration would be allowed to ply on Friday.

Those not abiding the rule would be fined Rs.2,000.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said he was “overwhelmed” by the response of people towards the odd-even scheme here.

“I am truly overwhelmed by the response we have received so far. There are very less even-numbered cars on the roads. The plan seems to have been successful,” he told media.

He said the people of Delhi accepted the scheme “whole-heartedly”, adding “I am confident that in next five years people will show the way to rest of the country”.

“Delhi has done it! Reports so far very encouraging. Delhiites! You give me hope that you are capable of achieving big challenges,” Kejriwal said in a tweet.

“I am pooling my car and going to office with two ministers, my personal secretary and my joint secretary,” he said.

Mooted by the Delhi government, the odd-even scheme that allows odd and even-numbered private vehicles on the city roads on alternate days aims at reducing air pollution levels in the national capital.

(IANS)

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