Nasheman

Climate crusading former Maldives leader arrested, dragged into court

February 24, 2015 by Nasheman

‘The conduct of the courts, police and President Yameen’s administration has been reprehensible,’ says Mohamed Nasheed’s lawyer

Maldives police on Monday night denied allegations of brutality against former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed, seen here being dragged into court on Monday. (Photo: Haveeru/Mohamed Sharuaan)

by Deirdre Fulton, Common Dreams

Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed, the renowned climate and human rights crusader who was ousted in a military coup in 2012, was arrested Sunday on charges of terrorism and then forcibly dragged by police into criminal court on Monday.

Nasheed, the first democratically elected leader of the island nation, was charged under tough anti-terrorism laws that carry a penalty of more than 10 years in jail. According to news sources, the case relates to Nasheed’s 2012 decision to arrest Abdulla Mohamed, chief judge of the Criminal Court.

The New York Times reports that Nasheed, now leader of the country’s main opposition party, “is accused of using the military to arrest the senior judge when it had no authority to do so…He also is accused of detaining Mr. Mohamed for weeks without trial or legal counsel and ignoring a Supreme Court order to release him.”

But according to Agence France-Presse, the Maldivian Democratic Party “has argued that his arrest on ‘trumped-up charges of terrorism’ is an attempt to shut down growing opposition to the government of President Abdulla Yameen before a planned protest rally on Friday.”

Nasheed’s top legal adviser, Hissan Hussein, told AFP the charges against Nasheed were “blatantly politically motivated” and condemned authorities for refusing him legal access. “This arrest and detention is completely arbitrary,” Hussein said. “The conduct of the courts, police and President Yameen’s administration has been reprehensible.”

After Nasheed, 47, was detained on Sunday, hundreds of party activists took to the streets shouting anti-government slogans.

Their cries grew louder on Monday, following a scuffle between Nasheed and police officers outside court in the capital of Malé. Video shows Nasheed stopping to talk to journalists and police dragging him away. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs described the police conduct as “manhandling.”

According to journalists on the scene, Nasheed’s shirt buttons were missing and he appeared in pain following the altercation. The BBC reported that Nasheed, who was denied bail, “was later seen with his arm in a sling.”

The Maldivian daily newspaper Haveeru caught the scene on film:

Outraged by the incident and arrest, thousands protested in Malé on Monday, calling for Nasheed’s release and Yameen’s resignation.

Nasheed’s supporters also took their message to Twitter:

Tweets about #FreeNasheed OR #NasheedUnderArrest

“As president, Nasheed had become one of the world’s most outspoken figures in the struggle against climate change, given the impending impact of rising sea levels on his country’s survival,” Stephen Zunes wrote in 2012. “A journalist by training, Nasheed was repeatedly jailed and tortured for his writings exposing government corruption and other abuses under the Gayoom regime. He eventually found himself leading a campaign of nonviolent protests and civil disobedience which eventually brought an end to a thirty-year dictatorship which had facilitated corruption, drug trafficking and human rights abuses.”

Zunes continued: “[R]egardless of the circumstances surrounding Nasheed’s resignation, it seems clearer every day that the regime that replaced his government has little regard for human rights or the democratic process. Indeed, the real test of a government’s legitimacy is its tolerance of freedom of expression and freedom of assembly.”

'Citizenfour' triumphs: Snowden documentary nabs Oscar

February 24, 2015 by Nasheman

‘Thank you to Edward Snowden for his courage and for the many other whistleblowers,’ says director Laura Poitras

Laura Poitras (second from left) speaks after accepting the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature for “Citizenfour” at the 87th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California February 22, 2015. The others, from left to right, producer Dirk Wilutzky, journalist Glenn Greenwald, Snowden’s girlfriend Lindsay Mills, and producer Mathilde Bonnefoy. (Photo: Reuters/Mike Blake)

by Jon Queally, Common Dreams

Citizenfour, the film chronicling the decision made by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden to expose wrongdoing to the world by leaking details of the agency’s top-secret global surveillance operation to journalists, was awarded the Best Documentary Film award at Sunday night’s Academy Award.

The award was accepted by the film’s director Laura Poitras alongside its producers, Mathilde Bonnefoy and Dirk Wilutzky. Joining them on stage was journalist Glenn Greenwald and Snowden’s girlfriend Lindsay Mills, both of whom are featured in the film.

“Thank you to Edward Snowden for his courage and for the many other whistleblowers,” Poitras said as she accepted the award.

“The disclosures that Edward Snowden revealed don’t only expose a threat to our privacy but to our democracy itself,” she added. “When the most important decisions being made affecting all of us are made in secret, we lose our ability to check the powers that control.”

Snowden himself, of course, was not at the ceremony as he remains in Russia where he has lived since 2013 under protective asylum. However, through his attorneys at the ACLU, Snowden did release an official statement in reaction to the Oscar win.

“When Laura Poitras asked me if she could film our encounters, I was extremely reluctant,” Snowden stated. “I’m grateful that I allowed her to persuade me. The result is a brave and brilliant film that deserves the honor and recognition it has received. My hope is that this award will encourage more people to see the film and be inspired by its message that ordinary citizens, working together, can change the world.”

In a congratulatory post on the blog of the digital freedom advocacy group Electronic Frontier Foundation, Rainey Reitman, the group’s director of activism, said the award “recognizes not only the incredible cinematography of Poitras, but also her daring work with a high-stakes whistleblower and the journalism that kick-started a worldwide debate about surveillance and government transparency.”

Describing why the Oscar victory has import beyond the prestige of the trophy, Reitman continued:

This award means that more people will be no doubt be watching CITIZENFOUR, and thus learning about both Snowden’s sacrifice and the surveillance abuses by the United States government. For those watching the movie for the first time, there’s often a sense of urgency to get involved and fight back against mass untargeted surveillance. Here are some suggestions for getting started:

Tell President Obama to amend Executive Order 12333, which is the primary legal authority the NSA uses to engage in surveillance of people worldwide.

Start using encryption when communicating digitally.

Speak out against reauthorization of a much-abused section of the Patriot Act which is set to expire this summer.

Israeli claims about Iran nuclear program denied by own spy agency

February 24, 2015 by Nasheman

Leaked internal assessment, obtained by Al Jazeera and the Guardian, contradicts Netanyahu’s claim in 2012 that Iran was within a year of possessing an atom bomb

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to reporters at his office in Jerusalem. (Photo: Reuters)

by Sarah Lazare, Common Dreams

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claim three years ago that Iran was within close reach of possessing a nuclear bomb was denied by his government’s own spy agency, Mossad, a top secret document obtained by Al Jazeera and the Guardian reveals.

In a September 2012 address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Netanyahu claimed that Iran was 90 down the road to developing an atomic weapon and would do so within the year. “By next spring, at most by next summer, at current enrichment rates, they will have finished the medium enrichment and move on to the final stage,” he stated.

However, the leaked internal documents paint a much different picture.

On October 22, 2012—less than a month after Netanyahu’s speech—Mossad sent a classified assessment to South Africa, stating that Iran was “not performing the activity necessary to produce weapons” and “doesn’t appear to be ready to enrich uranium to the higher levels needed for a nuclear bomb.”

“That view tracks with the 2012 U.S. National Intelligence estimate,” Al Jazeera notes, “which found no evidence that Iran had thus far taken a decision to use its nuclear infrastructure to build a weapon, or that it had revived efforts to research warhead design that the US said had been shelved in 2003.”

Israel, on the other hand, is the only nuclear weapon state in the Middle East, illegally in possession of at least 80 warheads, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

The prime minister has used claims that Iran is close to producing a nuclear bomb to justify military escalation and argue against ongoing diplomatic talks between Iran and the p5+1 countries: the U.S., Russia, China, United Kingdom, France, Germany.

At the invitation of the Republican Party, Netanyahu will make a controversial address to Congress on March 3rd, in what is expected to be another attempt to sabotage talks. The planned speech has garnered widespread opposition, from within Washington as well as grassroots movements, and a push for lawmakers to boycott the address has already gained considerable traction.

Jamal Abdi of the National Iranian American Council told Common Dreams that the latest revelations make Netanyahu’s motives transparent. “It is very clear that he is opposed to any deal,” said Abdi. “The adage has been that no deal is better than a bad deal, but it is clear that for Netanyahu, no deal is better than a good deal if he can’t even agree with the assessments of his own security establishment.”

Make Jayalalithaa my CM, says fan as he crucifies himself

February 24, 2015 by Nasheman

Chennai: A karate expert and supporter of AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa ‘crucified’ himself on Monday as he demanded the leader’s return as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister.

Shihan Hussaini’s aides nailed him on a wooden cross, where he remained hanging for more than six minutes. A video shows Hussaini’s aides digging 6-inch nails into his hand and feet as dozens of AIADMK workers looked on.

Shihan was on cross for 6 minutes and 7seconds to commemorate Jayalalithaa’s upcoming 67th birthday.

“There is no Indian who has crucified himself for some cause. There is no one across the globe who has done this. I love Madam and whenever we went to her, she had always helped us. I just did this for her long life and for her to come back as the chief minister,” Hussaini told PTI.

“I am big admirer of her (Jayalalithaa). I was laughed at for this event. I was told it was an AIADMK stunt. No AIADMK Minister was here when I crucified myself today,” he said.

On why he undertook crucification, Hussain said he is an expert in karate, a martial art form where pain, tolerance and self-control are major components of training.

“I strongly feel prayers are heard and the Cross is a powerful symbol,” he said.

Hussaini who did his schooling in Christian institutions, said his family did not support him when he informed them about the event.

“My wife was apprehensive and my sister said she would even file a police complaint. But I know my body and went ahead with my proposal,” he said.

Doctors from Global Hospitals and Fortis Malar accompanied Hussaini during the event. “I was taken to the hospital and now I am alright. There is no major injury to nerves or bones,” he said.

Jayalalithaa resigned from the chief minister’s post after she was arrested and jailed in a disproportionate assets case.

(Agencies)

Conversion to Christianity was Mother Teresa's main objective, says RSS chief, gets slammed by Kejriwal

February 24, 2015 by Nasheman

New Delhi: Conversion to Christianity was the main objective behind Mother Teresa’s service to the poor, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat said Monday February 23rd.

“Mother Teresa’s service would have been good. But it used to have one objective, to convert the person, who was being served, into a Christian,” he said while speaking at a function organised by NGO Apna Ghar near here.

“The question is not about conversion but if this (conversion) is done in the name of service, then that service gets devalued,” he said.

“But here (at the NGO), the objective is purely service of poor and helpless people,” added Bhagwat.

The RSS Chief was addressing a function in village Bajhera, near 8 kms from here, where he inaugurated ‘Mahila Sadan’ and ‘Sishu Bal Grah’ in the NGO for helpless women and children.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Tuesday criticised RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat for his comments on Mother Teresa, saying she was a “noble soul” and should be spared.

“I worked wid Mother Teresa for a few months at Nirmal Hriday ashram in Kolkata. She was a noble soul. Pl spare her,” Kejriwal tweeted.

(Agencies)

Ruckus in Parliament over land acquisition bill, Opposition up in arms

February 24, 2015 by Nasheman

A file picture of Parliament House in New Delhi. Photo: V.V. Krishnan.

New Delhi: Ruckus erupted in Parliament on the second day of budget session as Opposition parties upped the ante against the government over a contentious land bill.

The Narendra Modi government will introduce the land acquisition amendment bill 2015 to replace the ordinance in Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

Before that, finance minister Arun Jaitley invoked the first Nehru government and said it introduced 77 oridinances, amid an uproar triggered by the Opposition in Rajya Sabha.

“Ordinances are bypassing Parliament is not a valid argument,” he said.

The Opposition has remained firm that the ordinance, along with five more, would not be allowed to go through Parliament. These ordinances would expire on March 20, if not passed during this budget session.

President Pranab Mukherjee had set the tone for the government to push for the tweaked land law on Monday amid resistance from the Opposition and rights groups, prompting the BJP to discuss ways to get the controversial legislation passed in Parliament.

The law has been suitably refined to protect farmers’ interests during land acquisition for crucial public projects, Mukherjee told a joint sitting of Parliament that launched the budget session.

“My government attaches paramount importance to safeguard the interest of farmers and families affected by land acquisition,” the President said, trying to allay fears the land act would benefit only industries without a consent clause from landowners which the Modi government had enacted through an ordinance.

The ruling coalition would introduce the bill to replace the land ordinance in Lok Sabha on Tuesday, where it enjoys a brute majority but the problem lie in Rajya Sabha.

Rural development minister Chaudhary Birender Singh will introduce the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Amendment) Bill, 2015.

It will replace the ordinance promulgated by the government in December last year, which had brought changes in the earlier bill passed in 2013 by the UPA government.

The government had promulgated the ordinance making significant changes in the land act including removal of consent clause for acquiring land for five areas — industrial corridors, PPP projects, rural infrastructure, affordable housing and defence.

The Congress has already given a notice for suspension of question hour in the Upper House to discuss the ordinance. Party chief Sonia Gandhi said the President’s speech had nothing new but was a rehash of UPA policies.

The ruling BJP also has its hands full after rights activist Anna Hazare on Monday started a protest against the “anti-farmer” land law.

He got support from old associates Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, the chief minister of Delhi and his deputy whose Aam Aadmi Party had routed the BJP in the national capital’s assembly polls. They will join Hazare in his protest on Tuesday.

“This is land grab by the government … This is what the British used to do. To cater to industrialists, how can you betray farmers?” Hazare said before his dharna at Jantar Mantar.

Given the heat generated by the land law before the NDA government’s presents its first full-year budget on February 28, fear mounted within the BJP of a possible Parliament washout in the face of the Opposition’s belligerent stand.

Barring Prime Minister Modi, top BJP leaders closeted on Monday evening to see if the bill to be place before Lok Sabha could be further refined to pacify the protesters.

There were hints that the government might consider the demands when Parliament debates the bill.

“We discussed all issues, including land acquisition. We discussed issues farmers have raised. Twenty-seven farmer organisations have met home minister Rajnath Singh,” Union minister Ananth Kumar said.

“We will consider what is on farmers’ minds. The Prime Minister has said at an all-party meet we will welcome suggestions.”

The prime objection to the land acquisition ordinance has been that it removed the need for written consent from 70% of landowners for joint public-private projects.

To make matters worse, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)-affiliated Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) has also raised objection to the ordinance, seeing in it a reason for the BJP’s drubbing in Delhi.

The government tried its hand to bring the Opposition on board as PM Modi said dialogue and discussion were an essential part of democracy and hoped for a positive outcome of the budget session.

He walked up to the opposition benches with folded hands after entering Lok Sabha on Monday morning — a first by the Prime Minister in almost nine months since taking charge.

Meanwhile, setting in motion the process of replacing ordinances relating coal mines, e-rickshaws and FDI in insurance with fresh bills, the government has listed for the withdrawal of old bills in Rajya Sabha.

Union ministers Arun Jaitley, Nitin Gadkari and Piyush Goyal will move for withdrawal of these bills.

The government is racing against time to convert the six ordinances into bills in the first part of the Budget session, which comes to an end on March 20.

The government will also introduce a bill in Lok Sabha to amend the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, which will replace the ordinance promulgated on the issue recently.

(Agencies)

In gesture of solidarity, Norwegian Muslims form 'Ring of Peace' around Oslo synagogue

February 23, 2015 by Nasheman

‘There are many more peace mongers than war mongers,’ an organizer said.

Muslims and Jews in Norway formed a ‘ring of peace’ around Oslo’s one functioning synagogue in a show of solidarity. (Photo: EPA)

by Nadia Prupis, Common Dreams

More than 1,000 Muslims in Norway joined together in sub-zero temperatures on Saturday to form a protective circle around Oslo’s sole functioning synagogue as a gesture of solidarity with the city’s Jewish community following last week’s attacks on a synagogue in neighboring Denmark.

Chanting “No to anti-Semitism, no to Islamophobia,” the group, made up of both Muslim and Jewish participants, stood in what they called a “ring of peace” around the building. The gesture comes shortly after the attacks on Charlie Hebdo magazine headquarters in Paris, which left 17 people dead, as well as the more recent shooting at a free speech event at a Copenhagen synagogue.

“There are many more peace mongers than war mongers,” Zeeshan Abdullah, one of the organizers of the event, said on Saturday. “There’s still hope for humanity, for peace and love, across religious differences and backgrounds.”

Another organizer, Hajrah Arshad, said the gathering also shows that “Islam is about love and unity.”

Ervin Kohn, one of the leaders of the country’s small Jewish community, said the vigil “fills us with hope… particularly as it’s a grassroots movement of young Muslims.” He added, “Working against fear alone is difficult and it is good that we are so many here together.”

Abdullah continued, “We want to demonstrate that Jews and Muslims do not hate each other. We do not want individuals to define what Islam is for the rest of us.”

Mysuru Royal family adopts Yaduveer Gopal Raj Urs as new heir

February 23, 2015 by Nasheman

A view at Kalyana Mantapa in Mysuru Palace, where Yaduveer Gopal Raj Urs was adopted on Monday. Photo: M.A. Sriram, The Hindu

Mysuru: Twenty two-year-old Yaduveer Gopal Raj Urs was, on Monday, formally adopted as the heir to Wadiyar dynasty, the erstwhile rulers of Mysuru.

Yaduveer, grandson of Princess Gayathri Devi, is the eldest daughter of the last Maharaja of Mysuru Sri Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar, is pursing his BA at Boston in United States.

He was rechristened Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar at the hour-long adoption ceremony, which began at 1.15 p.m.

The next Mysuru king, Yaduveer Gopal Raj Urs got lessons in the adoption procedure and rituals on Sunday from Maharani Pramoda Devi and will be formally adopted by the Queen on Monday-a pre-requisite for him ascending the famed Mysuru throne.

Yaduveer visited his grandfather Madan Gopal Raj Urs’ residence in Lakshmipuram where his parents Swarup Anand and Tripurasundari performed arthiakshathe ritual, a send-off for their son making him eligible for adoption.

The adoption ceremony, which was a private affair, was conducted in the presence of the royal family’s friends and relatives.

Apart from Home Minister, K.J. George and Housing Minister, M.H. Ambareesh, a host of senior officials of the district administration including Deputy Commissioner, C. Shikha and City Police Commissioner, M.A. Saleem attended the adoption ceremony.

(Agencies)

Petroleum ministry leak: Fresh arrest exposes new espionage racket

February 23, 2015 by Nasheman

New Delhi: The Delhi Police Monday confirmed it had arrested another person in the case relating to the leak of petroleum ministry documents which, an officer said, has helped in busting another espionage racket.

“We have arrested one more person, Lokesh, who used to provide stolen documents of coal and petroleum ministry to some corporate houses. His arrest led us to burst another racket,” police chief B.S. Bassi told the media.

Lokesh, in his 30s, has been a former member of the multi-tasking staff (MTS) at Shastri Bhavan in the past.

Police said that a second FIR has been registered against Lokesh and some other people as they were found to be part of another racket in which they used to provide classified documents related to petroleum, energy and some other ministries.

Sources said that the crime branch got information about Lokesh during the ongoing probe into the petroleum ministry leak that was unearthed on the night of Feb 17, with the arrest of two former MTS employees of Shastri Bhavan.

Lokesh was connected with some other people, who had relations with corporate houses who used the stolen documents provided by the accused to them, police said.

He was taken to Shastri Bhawan Monday to recreate the crime scene.

Lokesh, who went missing a day after the espionage case came to light, was detained a day before his arrest Sunday. He will be produced in a Delhi court after 2 p.m., Monday.

On Monday, the Delhi Police team, meanwhile, detained more than eight people working with different ministries including coal, petroleum and energy from Shastri Bhawan.

Police sources also said that they were on the lookout for one Rajiv Singh, a coal ministry employee and also some of Lokesh’s associates.

Earlier, police arrested 12 people, including a former journalist and five corporate officials, in connection with the case.

(IANS)

Karnataka health minister U T Khader escapes unhurt as his car falls into gorge

February 23, 2015 by Nasheman

Mangaluru: Karnataka Health Minister and local MLA U T Khader escaped unhurt when his car fell into a 15-feet deep gorge in the wee hours today, police said.

Khader’s car fell into a gorge at Kalkatta, 15 kms from here around 12.45 AM when the driver apparently lost control over the vehicle, police said.

The Minister and his personal assistant, who were returning to the city after taking part in a programme in Manjanady near here, escaped unhurt while the driver was admitted to a to a private hospital with minor injuries.

The car was badly damaged and was lifted from the gorge using a crane.

Khader later told reporters that he was fine and did not make any changes in his programme for the day.

(PTI)

Climate crusading former Maldives leader arrested, dragged into court

'Citizenfour' triumphs: Snowden documentary nabs Oscar

Israeli claims about Iran nuclear program denied by own spy agency

Make Jayalalithaa my CM, says fan as he crucifies himself

Conversion to Christianity was Mother Teresa's main objective, says RSS chief, gets slammed by Kejriwal

Ruckus in Parliament over land acquisition bill, Opposition up in arms

In gesture of solidarity, Norwegian Muslims form 'Ring of Peace' around Oslo synagogue

Mysuru Royal family adopts Yaduveer Gopal Raj Urs as new heir

Petroleum ministry leak: Fresh arrest exposes new espionage racket

Karnataka health minister U T Khader escapes unhurt as his car falls into gorge

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