31 Jan. 2017

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has accused Washington of risking regional security by constructing 'permanent arms depots' in his country, and threatened to scrap a bilateral deal that allows US forces to use Philippine military bases and pre-position materiel.

In a televised news conference Duterte told reporters on 29 January that the United States is bringing weapons into Palawan, Cagayan de Oro, and Pampanga to be stored permanently, which he said is in violation of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) signed by both countries in April 2014.

"They're unloading arms in the Philippines, now I'm serving notice to the armed forces of the United States, President Duterte announced.

Meanwhile, US ambassador to the Philippines said today at a forum "We are not building a weapons depot anywhere in the Philippines," he was attending an event organised by influential Makati Business Club. He said that facilities due to be built were to store equipment for disaster response.

He said the United States could not build anything on Philippine bases against the consent of the Philippine government, and its facilities are "not related to weapons".

Sung said he had several lengthy discussions with top security officials including the defense minister, and promised to address some concerns. He said the alliance remained robust.

Duterte's spokesman, Ernesto Abella declined to say what the president's source of information was when he said American armories were being built.

"I cannot tell you that but he seems to be privy to some sort of information," Abella told a news briefing.

"He may have come up on other confirmation that may have affected those comments', Abella is quoted saying.

IHS Jane
Yonhap News Agency
27 Jan. 2017

The Republic of Korea Army (RoKA) has put into service all of the 36 AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters ordered from Boeing in 2013 as part of a USD 1.6 billion contract under the US Foreign Military Sales program, a South Korean military official was quoted by Yonhap news agency as saying on 27 January.

The AH-64E has a sophisticated Longbow fire control radar that can track up to 256 targets simultaneously within a 55 km2 area.

It can be armed with up to 16 Hell fire missiles and also has a 30 mm gun, according to IHS Jane's World Armies.

Washington
31 Jan 2017

Yahoo News referring AP News Agency reported today that US President Donald Trump fired Sally Yates, Acting Attorney General of United States of America on charges of betrayal and insubordination.

Sally Yates has refused to defend controversial refugee and immigration ban, an executive order issued by US President Donald Trump.

The dramatic public clash between the new president and the nation's top law enforcement officer laid bare the growing discord and dissent surrounding Trump's executive order, which temporarily halted the entire U.S. refugee program and banned all entries from seven Muslim-majority nations for 90 days.

The firing came hours after Yates directed Justice Department attorneys not to defend the executive order, saying she was not convinced it was lawful or consistent with the agency's obligation "to stand for what is right."

Trump soon followed with a statement accusing Yates of having "betrayed the Department of Justice by refusing to enforce a legal order designed to protect the citizens of the United States."

Trump named the federal prosecutor Dana Boente, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, as Yates' replacement. Boente was sworn in privately late Monday, the White House said.

He promptly order Justice Department lawyers to "do our sworn duty and to defend the lawful orders of our President."

Boente said Trump's executive order was "both lawful on its face and properly drafted."

Statement Issued By White House

“The acting Attorney General, Sally Yates, has betrayed the Department of Justice by refusing to enforce a legal order designed to protect the citizens of the United States. This order was approved as to form and legality by the Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel.

Ms. Yates is an Obama Administration appointee who is weak on borders and very weak on illegal immigration.

It is time to get serious about protecting our country. Calling for tougher vetting for individuals travelling from seven dangerous places is not extreme. It is reasonable and necessary to protect our country.

Tonight, President Trump relieved Ms. Yates of her duties and subsequently named Dana Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, to serve as Acting Attorney General until Senator Jeff Sessions is finally confirmed by the Senate, where he is being wrongly held up by Democrat senators for strictly political reasons.

Doha
Bazm-e-Alig, Alumni Association of Aligarh Muslim University, Qatar Chapter elected a new executive Committee to carry out its social and educational programs for the next two years. Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) is one of the prestigious educational institutions of India. A large number of AMU Alumni are working in State of Qatar.

The program started by the recitation of verses from Holy Quran by Nadeem Mahir. Nadeem Jafar, Out-going General Secretary briefed on the performance of his committee during their tenure.

Irshad Faridi, Out-going President of Bazm-e-Alig, presented the financial report and the achievements of his term. A very healthy and fruitful discussion was held among all the members to further improve the performance and strengthen the Bazm.

Mohammed Amir, Election Officer appointed by the Advisory Committee carried out smoothly election process.

However, contestants for the next term were elected unopposed. Out-going President Irshad Faridi thanked all the members of the forum for their valuable support in their tenure. While handing over the charge to newly elected President Afroz Alam and his team , he assured his full support and wished them all success.

Following are the Office Bearers of newly elcted Executive Committee ;
Afroz Alam President
Dr. Saad Mahi Vice President
Khushnoor Khan General Secretary
Osama Shamsi Joint Secretary
Faraz Ahmad Treasurer

Executive Members:
Shakil Quadri, Arshad Firoz, Shahzad Shamsi, Zulfiquar Hasan Khan, Nadeem Mahir, Aqil Mahmoud, Nadeem Jafar, Adnan Haq, Uzair Sherwani, Faisad Asad, Abrar and Waseem Ahmad

Islamabad
31 Jan 2017 (APP):

CPEC project would provide employment opportunity to over 700,000 people, Dr.Zubair Iqbal Ghauri, Member Development and Communication, of Pakistan Planning Commission said on Monday.

In an interview with Radio Pakistan, he said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project was not only confined to building roads but it is comprehensive project for socio-economic development of the country.

He said energy projects costing over US $ 35 billion were part of the corridor project which will help country overcome energy crisis.

Construction of deep sea port, international airport at Gwadar, and setting up of industrial zones along CPEC are hallmark of this ambitious project. Dr. Zubair Iqbal said technical training institutes are also being set up along the CPEC route as well as in Gwadar to provide skilled workers to industry.

He said Gwadar is being upgraded as big international city and all facilities are being provided there.

Two dams are being constructed to meet water requirements of the city.

To a question, he said “we want all regional countries to join this game-changer project but those pulling our legs cannot be welcomed”.

Islamabad
01 Feb. 2017 (APP):

Mahmoud Abbas, President of Palestine on Wednesday concluded his three-day official visit to Pakistan during which he held talks with Pakistani leadership.

President Mamnoon Hussain bid farewell to his Palestinian counterpart at the Nur Khan Airport.
President Abbas was presented a photo album about his visit to Pakistan.

During his stay, President Mahmoud Abbas held formal round of talks with Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.

The two leaders also inaugurated the newly constructed building of the Palestinian Embassy complex.
President Mamnoon Hussain also hosted a state banquet in his honour.

The Foreign Office said in a statement that the relations between Pakistan and Palestine had traditionally been strong. Pakistan consistently supported the creation of an independent, viable and contiguous Palestinian state, with pre-1967 borders and Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

Pakistan had also extended support to the Palestinian struggle for their independent homeland,
at all international forums, it added.

Islamabad
30 Jan. 2017 (APP):

The Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz, Monday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to regional cooperation under the umbrella of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) for acceleration of economic and commercial growth.

Talking to a delegation of SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) led by President of the SCCI , Suraj Vaidya who called on him here the Adviser recognized the efforts of the SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry in promoting economic, trade and investment linkages across the region.

He underscored Pakistan’s support for enhancement of trade and business amongst the countries of the SAARC region.

The President of SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry appreciated the positive approach Pakistan has been following to strengthen regional cooperation under the SAARC process. He assured the commitment of SAARC Chamber of Commerce in further strengthening the SAARC.

The SCCI delegation is visiting Lahore and Islamabad for Pakistani component of its 68th Executive Committee Meeting after having met in Amritsar on January 26-27,2017.

Islamabad
30 Jan. 2017 (APP):

Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain n Monday accorded his consent on a summary moved for the appointment of Muhammad Zubair as Governor of Sindh.

The President has signed the summary moved in that regard. The post of governor Sindh was lying vacant since the demise of late Governor, Justice (Retd) Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui who had passed away on January 11.

Muhammad Zubair, who holds portfolio of Minister of State for Privatization/Chairman Privatization Commission, meanwhile talking to different TV channels expressed his willingness to work for the
speedy development and welfare of the province in collaboration with the provincial government of Pakistan Peoples Party.

About his new assignment, he said it would be a huge responsibility and resolved that he would work to promote good governance in the province.

Muhammad Zubair observed that Karachi was an economic hub of Pakistan and further efforts would be made to turn it into a trajectory for economic activities in the whole region. He said situation in Karachi had improved to a great extent in the last two and half years. The economic activities in Karachi
always had massive impact upon the overall business concerns of the country and all efforts would be made to give a spur to such activities.

Secretary General of PML-N Sindh Chapter and Convener of Senate’s Sub-Committee on Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Nihal Hashmi hailing the appointment of Muhammad Zubair as Sindh governor said: “This is a very good choice.”

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Faisal Wadha told a TV channel that Muhammad Zubair was an educated person and enjoyed good repute. Another PTI central leader Asad Umar, also felicitated Zubair
on being appointed the next Sindh governor.

30 Jan. 2017
Quebec City, Canada

Reuters News Agency reported six people were killed and eight wounded when gunmen opened fire at a Quebec City mosque during Sunday night prayers, in what Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called a "terrorist attack on Muslims".

Police said two suspects had been arrested, but gave no details about them or what prompted the attack.
Initially, the mosque president said five people were killed and a witness said up to three gunmen had fired on about 40 people inside the Quebec City Islamic Cultural Centre. Police said only two people were involved in the attack.

"Six people are confirmed dead - they range in age from 35 to about 70," Quebec provincial police spokeswoman Christine Coulombe told reporters, adding eight people were wounded and 39 were unharmed.

The mosque's president, Mohamed Yangui, who was not inside when the shooting occurred, said he got frantic calls from people at evening prayers. "Why is this happening here? This is barbaric,” he said.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement: "We condemn this terrorist attack on Muslims in a center of worship and refuge". “Muslim-Canadians are an important part of our national fabric, and these senseless acts have no place in our communities, cities and country."

The shooting came on the weekend that Trudeau said Canada would welcome refugees, after U.S. President Donald Trump suspended the U.S. refugee program and temporarily barred citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States on national security grounds.

A Canadian federal Liberal legislator, Greg Fergus, tweeted: "This is an act of terrorism -- the result of years of sermonizing Muslims. Words matter and hateful speeches have consequences!"

The premier of Quebec province, Philippe Couillard, said security would be increased at mosques in Quebec City and Montreal.

"We are with you. You are home," Couillard said, directing his comments at the province's Muslim community. "You are welcome in your home. We are all Quebecers. We must continue together to build an open welcoming and peaceful society".

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said police were providing additional protection for mosques in that city following the Quebec shooting. "All New Yorkers should be vigilant. If you see something, say something," he tweeted.

"The terrorists wanted to attack the spirit of peace and tolerance of the citizens of Quebec," Hollande said in a statement on Monday. "France stands shoulder to shoulder with the victims and their families".

Like France, Quebec has struggled at times to reconcile its secular identity with a rising Muslim population, many of them from North Africa.

In June last year, a pig’s head was left on the doorstep of the cultural center.

"We are not safe here," said Mohammed Oudghiri, who normally attends prayers at the mosque in the middle-class, residential area, but did not on Sunday. Oudghiri said he had lived in Quebec for 42 years but was now "very worried" and thinking of moving back to Morocco.

Mass shootings are rare in Canada, which has stricter gun laws than the United States, and news of the shooting sent a shockwave through mosques and community centers throughout the mostly French-language province.

"It’s a sad day for all Quebecers and Canadians to see a terrorist attack happen in peaceful Quebec City," said Mohamed Yacoub, co-chairman of an Islamic community center in a Montreal suburb.
"I hope it’s an isolated incident."

Incidents of Islamophobia have increased in Quebec in recent years. The face-covering, or niqab, became a big issue in the 2015 Canadian federal election, especially in Quebec, where the majority of the population supported a ban on it at citizenship ceremonies.

In 2013, police investigated after a mosque in the Saguenay region of the province was splattered with what was believed to be pig blood. In the neighboring province of Ontario, a mosque was set on fire in 2015, a day after an attack by gunmen and suicide bombers in Paris.

Zebida Bendjeddou, who left the Quebec City mosque earlier on Sunday evening, said the center had received threats.

"In June, they'd put a pig's head in front of the mosque. But we thought: 'Oh, they're isolated events.' We didn't take it seriously. But tonight, those isolated events, they take on a different scope," she said.

Bendjeddou said she had not confirmed the names of those killed, but added: "They're people we know, for sure. People we knew since they were little kids."

30 Jan 2017
QNA

Emir of State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani met Monday with President of Yemen Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi and the accompanying delegation at the Emiri Diwan in Doha.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed bilateral relations and a host of issues of common concern.

President Hadi briefed the Emir on the latest developments in Yemen and the international efforts for supporting legitimacy in the Yemen, expressing thanks and appreciation to the Emir and the State of Qatar for generously contributing to realizing security and stability in Yemen, especially supporting the electricity sector.

Emir of State of Qatar affirmed that the State of Qatar will continue its efforts to resolve the Yemeni crisis, and its support for the legitimate government as well as its keenness on Yemen's unity and stability.

A number of cabinet ministers were also present on the occasion.