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US Muslim groups launch fundraiser to help rebuild burned black churches

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At least eight predominantly black churches have burned since Charleston shooting; Ramadan fundraiser aims to help

Photo: AFP

Photo: AFP

by Al Jazeera

A coalition of Muslim groups has launched an online fundraiser to help rebuild predominantly African-American churches damaged in a recent spate of fires across the South.

At least eight churches have suffered fire damage since a shooting on June 17 at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, left nine black parishioners dead.

The church burnings took place within just 10 days of one another, and three are being investigated as possible arson cases.

“To many, it is clear that these are attacks on black culture, black religion and black lives,” the coalition wrote on the campaign’s LaunchGood page.

“It’s Ramadan, and we are experiencing firsthand the beauty and sanctity of our mosques during this holy month. All houses of worship are sanctuaries, a place where all should feel safe,” it added.

The coalition — which consists of U.S. organizations Muslim Anti-Racism Collaborative and the Arab American Association of New York as well as digital startup Ummah Wide — has so far raised over $23,000 in five days. After the campaign ends on July 18, the money will be given to pastors of the burned churches that need it most, the groups said.

Like black communities in the United States, the coalition wrote, American Muslims are also vulnerable to intimidation, though not to the same extent as African-Americans.

“The American Muslim community cannot claim to have experienced anything close to the systematic and institutionalized racism and racist violence that has been visited upon African-Americans,” organizer Imam Zaid Shakir wrote on the campaign’s website.

However, Muslims can understand the “climate of racially inspired hate and bigotry that is being reignited in this country,” he wrote, saying the American Muslim community should stand in solidarity with African-Americans.

Just 65 miles north of the church where professed white supremacist Dylann Roof allegedly killed nine people, investigators took samples from the charred rubble of Mount Zion AME Church. Authorities said last week they were assessing whether accelerant was used to fuel the blaze at the church, which the Ku Klux Klan burned to the ground two decades ago.

Two other church burnings — God’s Power Church of Christ in Macon, Georgia, and College Hill Seventh Day Adventist in Knoxville, Tennessee — were also suspected arson attacks and are being investigated.

Authorities have not classified any of the fires as hate crimes.

With wire services

Gaza still in ruins, a year after the war

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Besieged territory struggles to recover from last summer’s war with Israel, as pledges of aid fail to materialise.

Many families in Gaza have been living in the ruins of their homes [EPA]

Many families in Gaza have been living in the ruins of their homes [EPA]

by Al Jazeera

The people of Gaza are marking a year since the Israeli air raids that heralded the start of a war that left 2,251 Palestinians dead and thousands more wounded.

The anniversary on Wednesday of last summer’s war comes as the besieged territory struggles to rebuild its infrastructure, and tens of thousands of its people struggle to access basic amenities.

Al Jazeera spoke to Palestinians who said little was being done to help them recover and go on with their lives.

One survivor, Ibrahim Abdeldaem, lost his legs in an Israeli air strike while his family was sheltering at a UN school in Gaza City. His father and brother were killed in the attack and one year later he said he had no hope that his life would get any better.

“I am completely destroyed. I’ve lost my legs. I’ve lost my job. I can’t leave Gaza because we are under siege on all sides. All I want is at least one artificial limb to feel like a normal person again,” Abdeldaem said.

Continuing siege

More than 12,000 homes were destroyed in the war and 100,000 damaged.

International donors including the US and Arab Gulf countries have pledged more than $5bn to help rebuild Gaza.

The director of The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Robert Turner, criticised the blockade, calling on Israel to end immediately.

“The blockade remains in place and its crippling effect on Gaza is undeniable, inexcusable,” Turner said during a press conference in the territory on Wednesday.

“I see a real willingness on the part of Israel to address some of its worst impact.”

Israel’s economic siege, which has lasted for years, means badly needed construction materials like cement have not been allowed in, despite offers by the United Nations to oversee the process.

Around 20,000 Palestinians still live in temporary shelters ranging from cargo containers to makeshift tents in what is left of their bombed-out homes.

Two-thirds of the 1.8 million population are recipients of UN aid in one form or another.

Turner said that help is needed for more than 7,000 homes to be rebuilt.

The UN official said payments would be issued for the first time on Wednesday for a limited number of families whose homes were destroyed, while repairs for damaged houses have occurred.

Seventeen hospitals, 56 primary health facilities, and 45 ambulances were either damaged or completely destroyed during the conflict, costing Gaza’s healthcare system an estimated $50m.

In addition to the Palestinian casualties, at least 73 people, including 67 soldiers, were killed on the Israeli side of the conflict.

Israel said it was conducting the campaign to put an end to rocket attacks launched by Hamas and other Palestinian factions, which together fired 4,881 rockets and 1,753 mortars during the war.

Now, Hema Malini holds girl’s father responsible for fatal car mishap

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Sonam

New Delhi: A week after her speeding luxury car crashed into a Maruti Alto killing a four-year-old girl and critically injuring her parents in Dausa, the BJP MP Hema Malini has indirectly blamed the father of the girl for the accident.

The actor-turned-politician took to Twitter and expressed how sorry she was about the death of a four-year-old girl.

But, she also tweeted saying that it could have been averted if the girl’s father “followed traffic rules”. “How I wish the girl’s father had followed the traffic rules – thn this accident could have been averted & the lil one’s life safe!” said the veteran actress on Twitter.

The accident happened last week when the Mercedes she was travelling in (according to a few eye-witnesses she was driving) rammed into another car in Dausa.

A four-year-old girl was killed in the accident and five others were injured. Hema was immediately taken to a hospital, but the family of the deceased alleged that the little girl could have been saved had she been taken to the hospital along with the BJP MP.

Hema’s driver was arrested, but was released on bail within hours. Hema also tweeted that her “heart goes out to the child who unnecessarily lost her life”. She thanked all her well wishers and said that her recovery would not have been so quick without their support. The MP had undergone a surgery and was also treated for a minor fracture on her nose.

(Agencies)

Vyapam scam: MBBS student Namrata’s death was homicide, reveals Autopsy

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Namrata Damor

Ujjain: MBBS student Namrata Damor, whose body was found near rail tracks in Ujjain district in 2012 after her name figured in the Vyapam scam, had died a “homicidal” death caused by “violent asphyxia as a result of smothering” and nail injuries were found on her face.

As Madhya Pradesh Police decided to reopen the case of her death, the doctors who conducted the post-mortem said they never mentioned in their report that it was a case of suicide.

Earlier police had registered a “murder” case in this regard and later termed the incident as an “accident” and closed the case, a police official said.

The post-mortem report, a copy of which is with PTI, describes Namrata’s cause of death, as “asphyxia (violent asphyxia)…as a result of smothering.”

The findings were suggestive of the death being “homicidal”, as per the autopsy report issued on January 9, 2012.

The post mortem report was signed by Dr B B Purohit (Forensic Medicine), Dr O P Gupta (Medical Officer) and Dr Anita Joshi (Gynaecologist).

Dr Purohit told PTI that “the panel of doctors that conducted the post-mortem has never mentioned in their short PM report as well as the detailed PM report that it was a case of suicide.”

“We also found nail injuries at three places on her face,” he said.

When the body was brought for postmortem, at that time it was unidentified, Dr Purohit said.

The report also advised for “histopathological examinations to rule out any sexual intercourse prior to death.”

The autopsy was conducted at district hospital in Ujjain.

Namrata’s body was found near railway tracks under Kaytha police station limits in Ujjain.

Her case came back to focus after the sudden death of TV journalist Akshay Singh in Jhabua district’s Meghnagar town recently after he interviewed Namrata’s father.

Ujjain District’s Superintendent of Police Manohar Singh Varma said, “We have ordered a review of the death of Namrata Damor. Sub Divisional Officer of Police (SDOP), Tarana, R K Sharma will reopen the case.”

Namrata was studying at the Government MGM Medical College in Indore and it was suspected that she took admission with the help of the racket involved in the high-profile Vyapam scam that is said to have claimed 45 lives so far.

Shiv Sena wants Muslims to realise the necessity of family planning

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uddhav thackeray

Mumbai: In controversial remarks, the Shiv Sena said the increasing population of Muslims in the country will cause language and geographical imbalance and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that Muslims accept the necessity of family planning.

The Sena said that increasing the Hindu population to counter Muslims is not the solution and that the “Sangh” should pressurise the government to strictly impose family planning on all religions.

“From 2001-2011, Muslim population increased by around 24 per cent and must have increased by another 5-10 percent till 2015. The increasing population will cause language, geographical and sentimental imbalance and will create cracks in the unity of the country,” the Sena said in an edit in mouthpiece Saamana.

“The Prime Minister should clearly tell Muslims to obey the law of the land and accept the necessity of family planning. The PM promised to address their issues even if they knock his doors midnight. But, will Muslims similarly run to help the country?” it questioned.

“More than Lokpal, the country needs a Common Civil Code in place,” it said.

“Whoever wants to try Ghar Wapsi can do so. We do not oppose it. But this is not the solution to stop Islamic onslaught on the country. Pakistan has an Islamic government. Even countries like Iraq have an Islamic government. But in those countries, human lives there do not have much dignity.

On the contrary, countries like Turkmenistan, that have adopted modern technology are in the race with Europe and America. Modi government should knock the doors of Muslims and apprise them with this fact,” the Sena said.

(PTI)

Siddaramaiah puts onus on Governor to remove Justice Bhaskar Rao

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KARNATAKA JOINT SESSION

Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday distanced himself from the efforts being made by the Opposition for removal of Lokayukta Justice Y Bhaskar Rao by saying that Governor Vajubhai Vala should take a decision on the matter.

The governor is understood to be in consultation with legal experts on the growing demand for Justice Rao’s removal.

Vala has reportedly sought a detailed report from the State government on the recent developments in the anti-corruption watchdog, including charges against Justice Rao’s son, Ashwin.

An attempt by the Opposition parties, the BJP and the JD(S), to move a motion in both Houses of the Legislature seeking removal of the Lokayukta, is unlikely to materialise.

100 signatures

Advocate General K Ravivarma Kumar has reportedly told the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting attended by leaders of all political parties that signatures of minimum 100 MLAs and 50 MLCs are required to submit a memorandum seeking to move the motion, as per the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.

The memorandum submitted by the Opposition parties last week to the presiding officers of the Assembly and the Council had signatures of 57 MLAs and 33 MLCs.

The BAC meeting was convened at Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi to take a decision on the memorandum. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Jagadish Shettar were among the leaders who attended the meeting.

The presiding officers have reserved their ruling. The need for amending the Karnataka Lokayukta Act, 1984, to enable the State government to intervene and take appropriate steps to protect the dignity of the institution was also discussed at the BAC meeting.

(Agencies)

3rd Test: Pakistan clinch historic win after extraordinary turnaround

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Misbah-ul-Haq with the series trophy. — AFP

Misbah-ul-Haq with the series trophy. — AFP

by Dawn

Pallekele: Younis Khan steered his team towards a historic victory over Sri Lanka as Pakistan chased down a mammoth 377 on the final day to clinch the third Test and the three-match series on Wednesday.

Pakistan sealed their highest run chase and the second highest in the sub-continent with the win. It was also sixth highest successful chase in history.

Shan Masood fell for 125 but Younis Khan continued from where he left off on the fourth day as Pakistan achieved the target for the loss of just three wickets at the Pallekle International Stadium.

Younis was unbeaten on 171 with skipper Misbah-ul-Haq (59) at the other end as the visitors registered a remarkable win.

Off-spinner Tharindu Kaushal drew Masood out of his crease with flight and beat him with turn to have him stumped but not before the opener had added 242 runs with Younis to turn the match on its head.

Even after Masood departed after scoring 125, Younis played with characteristic fluency, hitting 18 boundaries in his unbeaten 271-ball knock.

Pakistan entered the final day’s play needing a further 147 runs with eight wickets in hand on a wearing, but easy-paced Pallekele pitch.

It was the first time a visiting team scored more than 300 runs in the fourth innings to win a Test on Sri Lankan soil.

Pakistan’s previous highest successful chase was 314, made against Australia in Karachi in 1994.

Pakistan won the first Test in Galle by 10 wickets and Sri Lanka took the second in Colombo by seven wickets.

The tourists finally ended a long streak of not winning in Sri Lanka where they lost the last three series in 2009, 2012 and 2014.

Brief scores: Sri Lanka 278 and 313; Pakistan 215 and 382/3

Saudi authorities arrest two over Kuwaiti mosque bombing

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Kuwaiti police cordon off the mosque after the suicide bombing. (AFP/File)

Kuwaiti police cordon off the mosque after the suicide bombing. (AFP/File)

by Press TV

Saudi security forces have reportedly identified three Saudi brothers suspected of orchestrating the recent bomb attack at a Shia mosque in Kuwait, arresting two of them.

Spokesman for the Saudi Interior Ministry Major General Mansour al-Turki announced on Tuesday morning that the three suspects had been detained following close cooperation and exchange of information between law enforcement authorities in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

He added that two of the brothers were born in Kuwait, while the third was born in Saudi Arabia. A fourth brother has also joined the ranks of Daesh operating in Syria.

Turki further said that one of the brothers was recently captured in Kuwait, and will be handed over to Saudi security officials within the next few days.

Saudi forces captured the second suspect in the city of Taif in Mecca Province, while the third was arrested following an exchange of gunfire with Saudi troopers in the town of Ras al-Khafji on the border between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

On June 26, at least 27 people lost their lives and 227 others sustained injuries when an explosion ripped through Imam Sadiq (PBUH) Mosque in al-Sawabir, a busy residential and shopping district of Kuwait City.

A bomber reportedly blew himself up in the mosque where worshippers had gathered for Friday prayers.

Later in the day, Daesh claimed responsibility for the attack. Daesh had also carried out two bomb attacks at Shia mosques in eastern Saudi Arabia a month earlier.

Twin attacks reported in Afghan capital Kabul

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Taliban gunmen clash with government troops, hours after suicide bomber rams foreign convoy.

Police officers told Al Jazeera that an armoured vehicle carrying non-uniformed international advisers was targeted [AFP]

Police officers told Al Jazeera that an armoured vehicle carrying non-uniformed international advisers was targeted [AFP]

by Al Jazeera

Gunfire and explosions have been reported in Afghanistan’s capital Kabul, hours after a Taliban suicide bomber rammed a vehicle into a convoy belonging to foreign forces, security officials said.

Police spokesman Ebadullah Karimi said that armed men entered a building close to an installation used by Afghanistan’s intelligence agency on Tuesday afternoon.

Al Jazeera journalists in Kabul reported that the attack took place at a compound in Kabul’s District Eight, and gunmen had taken up positions within it.

Gunfire at the scene of the explosion was ongoing, and the Afghan government had deployed specialist troops to end the clashes.

Earlier, police officials told Al Jazeera that at least three Afghan civilians were wounded in the Shah Shaheed district of Kabul when, also in the city’s east, a Taliban fighter drove a car bomb in to a NATO convoy.

Al Jazeera’s Jennifer Glasse, reporting from Kabul, said the first attack, which was claimed by the Taliban, took place a few kilometres east of the centre of the city and plumes of smoke could be seen after the attack.

“Police told us that the target was a convoy, a car carrying international advisers who were not in military uniform, an armoured car,” Glasse said.

The attack follows a car bomb attack on NATO soldiers last week, which killed two Afghan civilians and injured 26 others, including women and children.

NATO said none of its troops were killed or injured in last week’s attack, which was also claimed by the Taliban.

A fortnight earlier, the armed group launched an attack on Afghanistan’s parliament, killing five people and losing another seven of its own members.

The Taliban launched its annual spring offensive in April.

A surge in attacks has taken a heavy toll on civilians, according to the UN Assistance Mission to Afghanistan.

In the first four months of 2015, civilian casualties jumped 16 percent from the same period last year, it said.

Greek banks running out of cash as EU leaders meet

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Cash reserves start to run dry as ECB tightens controls and Greek PM Tsipras meets with EU creditors.

Greek banks are starting to run out of cash, with the ECB raising charges on collateral the banks require to present for funds [Reuters]

Greek banks are starting to run out of cash, with the ECB raising charges on collateral the banks require to present for funds [Reuters]

by Al Jazeera

Greece’s banks are quickly running out of cash, as Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras takes his latest bailout proposal to the country’s eurozone creditors, days after Greek voters overwhelmingly rejected their latest bailout offer.

Officials on Monday announced that the banks would remain closed until Thursday, as the European Central Bank (ECB) slowly tightened a noose on its funding.

The daily withdrawal limits were to remain unchanged at 60 euros ($66) per account daily.

Al Jazeera’s John Psaropoulos, reporting from Athens, said Greek banks were now operating “under siege”, with one major Athens bank only able to keep its ATMs open on Monday after two major companies deposited their payrolls in cash.

“The banks are living day-to-day and hand-to-mouth,” Psaropoulos said.

“They believe they have enough to keep going until Wednesday, possibly Thursday, but only under the capital controls (withdrawal limits).”

The ECB has maintained its emergency liquidity lifeline for Greek banks, however it raised charges on collateral the banks require to present for funds, effectively devaluing the banks’ assets and making them less able to borrow against their collateral.

“The situation is becoming financially worse, not just more politically difficult,” our correspondent said.

Greece last week defaulted on a $1.8bn repayment to the International Monetary Fund, and on Sunday, in a referendum, the Greek people voted to say “no” to Europe’s bailout deal.

Rapid negotiations

Tsipras on Tuesday must persuade Europe’s other 18 leaders, many of whom are exasperated after five years of the Greek crisis, to open rapid negotiations for a major new loan to rescue his country.

He spoke to German Chancellor Angela Merkel regarding the new proposals ahead of Tuesday’s hastily arranged emergency summit of the eurozone countries in Brussels.

Germany and France, whose economies together account for nearly half of the eurozone, on Monday asked Greece to make detailed proposals to revive bailout talks, a day after the referendum that decisively rejected creditors’ demands for further austerity.

Late on Monday, a Greek government source said that Tsipras had spoken to ECB chief Mario Draghi in efforts to reopen banks with assistance from the Frankfurt-based lender.

Tsipras also spoke to IMF chief Christine Lagarde “on the need to find a viable solution dealing with the real problems of the Greek economy”, the source said.

Lagarde said the IMF was “ready to assist Greece if requested to do so”, despite the June 30 default.

European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker said on Tuesday that while he did not want Greece to leave the eurozone, in a so-called Grexit, the Greek people had voted on a deal that “no longer existed”.

“We have to put a very large ego away and deal with the situation we face,” Juncker said.

Tsipras insists that instead of a Grexit, Greece’s creditors will now finally have to talk about restructuring the country’s massive 240 billion euro ($267bn) debt to them.

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