31 March 2017
Daily The News
(Pakistan)

President of Pakistan, Mamnoon Hussain on Friday has given his assent to Constitution's 28th Amendment bill 2017.

The said bills have already got nod from the parliament. After getting signed from the President, the bills have become Act now.

Under Constitution's 28th Amendment, military courts have been extended for another two years.

Military courts were disbanded on January 7, 2017, after a sunset clause included in the legal provisions under which the tribunals were established, expired.

English daily 'Dawn' reports that till recently, the government and the opposition had struggled to reach a consensus on reviving the courts despite frequent discussions.

The primary concern of critics was the mystery surrounding military court trials: no one knows who the convicts are, what charges have been brought against them, or what the accused's defence is against the allegations levelled.

Proponents say said the courts had acted as an "effective deterrent" for those considering violent acts.

The National Assembly on Tuesday evening passed the 28th Constitutional Amendment Bill to reinstate military courts with 255 votes in favour and four against, surpassing the two-thirds majority required for the measure.

Karachi
Daily The News

A Rs.50 coin was unveiled at the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Friday to commemorate the services of late Abdus Sattar Edhi.

A statement issued by the Central Bank said that Faisal Edhi, son of Abdus Sattar Edhi,was also present on the occasion.

Governor State Bank, Ashraf Mahmood Wathra, presented the commemorative coin to Faisal Edhi.

Governor SBP paid tribute to the late Abdul Sattar Edhi and informed the audience that Pakistan had issued only five commemorative coins highlighting personalities including Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Allama Muhammed Iqbal, Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, and now Abdus Sattar Edhi.

Edhi is the only social worker who has been honored with a commemorative coin, he said.

He stated that in July 2016, the State Bank had organized a condolence gathering to pay homage to Edhi, where the commemorative coin announcement was made.

On the recommendation of the State Bank, the Prime Minister had decided to issue a coin to commemorate Edhi's services at national level.

The wide scope of Edhi Foundation's services reflects the late philanthropist's deep insight into various social issues, he said,adding that in rendering his services Edhi made no distinctions of geographical limits, color, race, nationality and religion.

The best way to pay tribute to Edhi Sahib is to espouse his cause and cooperate in all philanthropic activities, he added.

Faisal Edhi thanked the SBP and the government of Pakistan for issuing the coin commemorating Edhi's services to the humanity.

PARACHINAR, Pakistan
31 Mar 2017
(Reuters)

A bomb apparently targeting a mosque in Pakistan's northwestern city of Parachinar killed at least 22 people on Friday and wounded dozens in an attack claimed by the Pakistani Taliban.

The explosion in a remote area bordering Afghanistan came as people gathered for Friday prayers near the women's entrance of a Shia mosque in the central bazaar, the latest in a series of attacks across Sunni-majority Pakistan this year.

The local political agent, Ikramullah Khan, said the death toll had reached 22, with 70 wounded.

Sajid Hussain, a parliamentarian from Parachinar, said gunfire preceded the blast, which he described as a suicide attack. The city is located in an area with a large Shia population.

"The attack took place in a busy area and a women's mosque appears to be the target," he said.

The banned Islamist militant group Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), often referred to as the Pakistani Taliban, said the blast was part of its operation Ghazi, named after a radical Islamist leader killed by Pakistani security forces in 2007.

Following a string of earlier incidents this year, the latest attack adds to fears of an increase in sectarian violence in Pakistan, a nuclear-armed state of some 200 million people.

Last month, more than 80 people were killed and dozens wounded in an attack on a crowded Sufi shrine in southern Pakistan that was claimed by Islamic State.

In January, at least 21 people were killed when an explosion hit a vegetable market in Parachinar, capital of the Kurram tribal region, where Pakistani security forces have battled militant groups for years.

That attack was claimed by the TTP and a branch of another militant group, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi Al Alami.

Authorities said a military rescue helicopter had been sent to the scene to help evacuate the injured.

Mumtaz Hussain, a doctor at the Agency Headquarters Hospital in the region, said five bodies, including a woman and two children, and more than three dozen wounded had been brought to the hospital and an appeal for blood donors had been made.

"Patients are being brought to us in private cars and ambulances and we have received over three dozen patients so far," Hussain told Reuters.

The attacks have shattered hopes that Pakistan may have come through the militant violence that has scarred its recent history and increased pressure on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's government to show it was improving security.

Sharif condemned Friday's attack and said the government would keep up efforts to "eliminate the menace of terrorism".

In a statement, he said: "The network of terrorists has already been broken and it is our national duty to continue this war until the complete annihilation of the scourge of terrorism from our soil."

In the wake of last month's attack in southern Sindh province, security forces launched a major crackdown across Pakistan, killing or detaining hundreds of suspected militants and closing off the border with Afghanistan for several days.

New Delhi
'Indian Express'
29 March 2017

Following a candlelight protest march for a 17-year-old who died Saturday, four Nigerian students were attacked and severely injured, as locals alleged that the boy died after the Nigerians forced him to inhale drugs.

“I got off the auto rickshaw and seconds later a mob attacked me. They beat me up with sticks. I don’t know what they were saying. I lost consciousness for sometime and vaguely remember how police brought me to the hospital,” said Imran. Imran is among at least four of the nationals who were attacked allegedly by a mob at Pari Chowk and the adjoining Ansal Plaza mall.

Union Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj who immediately ordered a probe into the matter and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath have assured of a fair and impartial investigation into the matter.

The incident of beating up Nigerian residents and vandalising their cars has led to outrage amongst Africans within India and raised the issue of ‘hate crime’ in the country.

In the wake of the incident, advisories were issued for African students to stay indoor and heavy security was deployed in the area in order to prevent further cases of violence.

The Ministry of External Affairs, on Tuesday, condemned the attack on the Nigerian nationals. The MEA issued a statement on Tuesday saying: “MJ Akbar spoke to the Acting High Commissioner of Nigeria, apprised him of steps being taken by local authorities for safety of Nigerian nationals,” adding that the incident is deplorable.

Samuel Jack, President of Association of African Students said that these incidents created an issue of safety concerns for African students who may not want to come to India for further studies anymore.

The police have filed cases against 600 unnamed persons and 44 named residents of the area. While in order to build trust among resident Africans, the senior police officers took out a flag march from Kasna police station to various parts of Greater Noida. The District Magistrate also held a meeting with representatives from Africans residing in the area, Resident Welfare Association, Bar Association.

Yahoo News
31 mar 2017
(BGR)

It’s only been a few days since one of the photos sent back by NASA’s Juno probe took our breath away, but now even more of the craft’s stellar photography is coming to light. Juno is currently making its way around Jupiter, and taking lots and lots of photos along the way. The images are sent back to Earth without much color, meaning that photography gurus here on our planet need to spruce them up a bit to make them look more “real.”

Fujairah (UAE)
30 March 2017
Daily 'The Nation'
Abu Dhabi

Hundreds of mourners attended funeral prayers for Sheikh Hamad bin Saif Al Sharqi, Deputy Ruler of Fujairah, on Thursday after his death on Wednesday.

Funeral prayers held at Sheikh Zayed Grand Masjid in Fujairah to pay tribute to Sheikh Hamad. Three days of mourning were declared by the President, Sheikh Khalifa, and flags flew at half-mast.

Sheikh Khalifa mourned the Sheikh Hamad’s death and prayed that Allah would rest his soul in eternal peace.

Present on the occasion included Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, Crown Princes of RAK and Ajman, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development.

Sheikh Mohammed received condolences from King Salman bin Abdulaziz AlSaud of Saudi Arabia. A

Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah, received condolences at Al Remailah Palace from Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, and Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain.

Kuwaiti prime minister Sheikh Nasser Al Ahmed Al Sabah and his delegation, and GCC ambassadors, also passed on their condolences.

Among residents participated were Ismail Aziz 32, and Ihsanallah Ali, 43, Irani nationals living in Fujairah since last 16 years at the funeral said Sheikh Hamad helped low-paid workers.

"Sheikh Hamad is well known," said Mr Aziz, who runs a tyre shop. "He has overseen a lot of the projects that developed this emirate."

"He is well known to us, especially for those who have been living here for a long time. Attending the funeral is the least we can do for this great man."

Ali, a lorry driver at the public works department said 'Sheikh Hamad ensured that workers had good living conditions'.

"He used to talk to a lot of the workers at the department and make sure that if we faced any problems, he would do what he could to help us," he said.

Ghasan Balkis, who had known Sheikh Hamad bin Saif since late 1970s, said: "In the beginning it was a working relationship, but he used to come daily to the showroom after asr [afternoon] prayers and we used to pray maghrib [sunset] together.

"He was like my father. He was helpful and solved many of the emirate’s problems. He had a lot of good in him."

Balkis met Sheikh Hamad bin Saif who arrived in Fujairah and joined as Managing Director of Ahmed Zayani and Sons car showroom says ' I was talking to his son on WhatsApp at 10.29 PM yesterday and then I received the news of his death at midnight," he said.

Emirati Majid Abdullah, 32 said Sheikh Hamad was a humble and kind man. "He is known in the emirate as a man of good deeds and kind, always helping others in need," Majid Abdullah said. It was a shocking news for his father and himself.

"We heard early in the morning the news of his death," said Mr Abdullah, a government employee. "I came with a few of my co-workers to pray for his soul, may he rest in peace."

Everyone in the emirate was sad to have lost a loved and admired person, said Emirati Abdulrahman Al Kaabi, 47.

"He is loved by both Emiratis and residents of the emirate – you can see that by the amount of people who left their jobs and closed their businesses to attend the funeral prayers and burial."

Doha
31 March 2017
(QNA)

Al-Gharafa Basketball team won Friday Qatar Cup after defeating Al Rayyan 104-91 in the final.

It is the third time that Al Gharafa wins the cup after winning it in 2013 and 2015, when it defeated Al Rayyan and Al Jaish. This year's winner dominated Qatar in the semi-final 98-59. Al Rayyan defeated Al Araby 73-59.

Al Gharafa was the most dominant team in the competition this year, beating Shamal and Al Jaish on their way to the semi-final.

The match was really competitive as the quarters went back and forth between the two teams. Al Gharafa took the first quarter, winning 35-23. Al Rayyan then won the next two 26-18 and 27-25. Despite winning two consecutive quarters, Al Rayyan trailed 76-78 in the fourth quarter. The players seemed consigned to defeat and lost the final quarter 26-15.

Al Gharafa did not find it difficult to win the competition this year and hardly found a worthy opponent. They defeated Al Khor 106-47. They then defeated Al Jaish 65-57 before facing Qatar in the semi-final. Al Rayan was also head and shoulders above the competition and in a way this was the final between the best two teams in the league this season.

HH the Emir Cup competition will begin on Tuesday with two matches. The first match will see Al Rayan face Al Wakra. The second will be between Al Sadd and Al Ahli. There are two groups in the competition, the top four from each will reach the quarter-finals. (

Doha
31 Mar 2017
(QNA)

Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Al-Thani qualified Friday to the second round of the Equestrian World Cup (FEI World Cup), which is taking place in the City of Omaha, State of Nebraska in the US.

Sheikh Ali riding his horse Carolina cleared all the obstacles without making any mistake in 64:61 seconds and got third position. 15 riders were qualified in round two. Riders carry over their errors all the way to the final round of the competition.

McLain Ward riding on his horse HH Azure got first position with time 59:27 seconds with no errors.

Sweden's Henrik von Eckermann and Mary Lou finished second. Steve Guerdat and Bianca from Switzerland finished third. HH Azur is a 2006 Belgian Warm blood mare owned by Double H Farm & Francois Mathy.

Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Al-Thani is participating in the competition that features some of the world's best riders in Jumping competition.

Riders from 17 countries are participating in competition this year.

Doha
30 March 2017
(MOI)

A two days workshop on “the legal prospects for asylum” held recently in Doha. The workshop was organized by Human Rights Department at the Ministry of Interior and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Officers from the Ministry of Interior, representatives from Qatar Red Crescent, National Human Rights Committee and Qatar Social Work Foundation attended the workshop.

Among the participants attended opening session of the programme included Brig. Abdullah Saqr Al Mohannadi, Director of Human Rights Department, UNHCR’s GCC Regional Representative, Khalid Khalifa and Head of the International Organization of Migration Kuwait office Eman Erekat.

Brig. Abdullah Saqr Al Mohannadi said that the workshop was organized as a result of joint efforts between the Ministry of Interior and the Regional Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the GCC. He emphasized the importance of building up the capacity of police personnel in the field of human rights and to establish effective partnerships with regional and international bodies to achieve this goal highlighting the connection between the themes of the workshop and the Arab Human Rights Day on importance of peaceful coexistence as it is related to the human rights of refugees.

He pointed out that peaceful coexistence includes in its broad meaning the countries, individuals and groups on the basis of acceptance of diversity and difference as the fundamental pillar of societies at all political, economic, social and cultural levels. Any tensions at these platforms will constitute a serious challenge to peace and social security, as well as a major source of conflict and crisis-producing phenomena of asylum and displacement.

Khalid Khalifa, UNHCR’s GCC Regional Representative said that the workshop comes as part of extended partnership and cooperation between the UNHCR Regional Representative and the Ministry of Interior Qatar in order to contribute its responsibility to raising awareness and knowledge about asylum issues and to contribute to the building of national cadres, exchanging experiences and finding the best ways to cooperate with them.

Hajar Musa, Senior protection officer at the Regional office the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the Gulf Cooperation Council, Dr. Yousif Al Daradkeh, protection officer at the Regional office atUNHCR in the Gulf Cooperation Council, Dr. Khalid Diyab from Qatar Red Crescent, Dr. Osama Al Alousi from Human Rights Department, Naha Maarof from the protection office at the Regional office at UNHCR are among the participants in the workshop.

Yahoo News
30 March 2017
(AP)

Three civilians were killed and 28 other people were injured in anti-India protests that erupted yesterday following a gunbattle between rebels and government forces that killed a rebel in disputed Kashmir, police and witnesses said.

The gun battle began after police and soldiers cordoned off the southern town of Chadoora following a tip that at least one militant was hiding in a house, said Inspector-General Syed Javaid Mujtaba Gillani.

As the fighting raged, hundreds of residents chanting anti-India slogans marched near the area in an attempt to help the trapped rebel escape.

Witnesses said intense clashes between rock-throwing protesters and government forces erupted just a few hundred meters (yards) from the besieged house, with police and paramilitary soldiers firing shotgun pellets and tear gas to stop the protest.

However, clashes spread to multiple places in the area.

Later, government forces fired into the crowd, killing three civilians, including a teenager, and injuring at least 20 others, police said, adding that eight police and soldiers were also injured in the clashes