Miami 08 Sept. 2017 (Washington Post)
Hurricane Irma’s deadly fury threatened to swamp low-laying islands of the Bahamas with a possible 20-foot storm Friday as the monster storm moved toward Florida’s doorstep packing the potential to ravage the state with destruction not seen in a generation.
The window to escape the path of Irma in Florida was rapidly closing. Forecasters said Irma — now about 500 miles southeast of Miami — could make landfall early Sunday somewhere in the wide band between densely populated Atlantic coast and the 120-mile string of islands from Key Largo to Key West, before veering to the north possibly toward more population centers up the Eastern Seaboard.
“This storm has the potential to catastrophically devastate our state,” Gov. Rick Scott (R) said Thursday. Earlier, he implored people to evacuate. “If you live in any evacuation zones and you’re still at home, leave.”
Fleeing to safer ground was not an option for many in the Caribbean, where Irma had claimed at least 11 lives and had the prime minister of tiny Barbuda grasping for a word to describe the devastation. The island, said Gaston Browne, was now “rubble.” France’s minister for overseas territories, Annick Girardin, described “scenes of pillaging” on St. Martin as looters cleaned out stores and roamed the streets in search of food and water.
Irma’s maximum sustained winds subsided slightly to about 155 mph. The difference, however, meant little. The hurricane center described Irma as “extremely dangerous” Category 4 storm whose massive punch included surging seas.
A swell of up to 20 feet above high tide was expected in the Turks and Caicos and Bahamas — enough to cover huge portions of an archipelago where the highest point is just over 200 feet above sea level. And another powerful hurricane was following in Irma’s wake.
Hurricane Jose, now packing winds of 125 mph as a Category 3 storm, was expected to bring up to 10 inches of rain and “life-threatening flooding” to islands already left reeling by Irma, including Barbuda to Anguilla, the hurricane center said.
In Florida, the crush to leave had millions of people on the move. Highways were jammed, gas was scarce, airports were packed deluged and mandatory evacuations began to roll out as the first official hurricane watches were issued for the region, which could face destruction not seen since Hurricane Andrew in 1992.
Miami-Dade County ordered some mandatory evacuations, including for Key Biscayne and Miami Beach, as well as for areas in the southern half of the county that are not protected by barrier islands.
“EVACUATE Miami Beach!” Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine tweeted, later noting in a news release that once winds top 40 mph, first responders will no longer be dispatched on rescue missions here.
Other evacuation zones were in place across much of South Florida. States of emergency also were declared in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina in anticipation of Irma’s path early next week.
Scott, the Florida governor, ordered that all state offices, public schools, state colleges and state universities be shut down from Friday through Monday “to ensure we have every space available for sheltering and staging.”
Still, it was unclear where Irma will make landfall.
“The wild card here is the turn. Anytime a hurricane makes a turn, it introduces uncertainty,” Mark DeMaria, acting deputy director of the National Hurricane Center in Miami, told The Washington Post in the center’s headquarters in west Miami-Dade County.
DeMaria noted that the computer models have fluctuated modestly, with adjustments in the consensus track of 50 miles or so every day. “But 50 miles onshore versus right of the coast makes a huge difference in impact,” he said.
The combination of Florida’s geography, the pattern of urban settlement in narrow bands along the coasts and the projected northerly path of the hurricane presents a particularly ominous picture.
“This is a large storm coming from the south,” said Dennis Feltgen, spokesman for the hurricane center. “That’s the worst-case scenario, because it takes in the entire Gold Coast population, and you have the greatest impact from storm surge from that direction.”
At the National Hotel on Miami Beach, a manager announced Thursday in four languages — English, Spanish, Portuguese and French — that guests needed to evacuate because of a city order. At the front desk, guests were given a sheet listing the locations of emergency shelters, none of which were likely to be as nice as the beachfront Art Deco hotel, which was restored a few years ago.
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St. Petersburg/ Sant’Agata Bolognese
07 Sept. 2017
"Lamborghini. Design Legend” is opening at the Erarta Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in St. Petersburg. The exhibition tells the story behind the design tradition of the House of the Raging Bull, from its founding to the present day.
Visitors will be able to view some of the most iconic models from the brand’s history, displayed alongside paintings created by the Lamborghini Centro Stile, immersing themselves in a journey through an evolution of forms and styles that were not only ahead of their time, but also set a new standard for the automotive world.
Lamborghini design is a highly innovative language, which flowed from the pen and the creative genius of great masters of design such as Marcello Gandini.
Stefano Domenicali, Chairman and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini said, “We are truly pleased to have received this invitation from the Erarta Museum. An exhibition dedicated to our design confirms the extraordinary contemporary nature and revolutionary scope of Lamborghini's stylistic language. We wish Erarta much success for this exhibition, reflecting the success our vehicles are enjoying in the world. We are glad that a noble and beautiful city such as St. Petersburg, imbued with an Italian flavor thanks to Palladio, can serve as the backdrop for it.”
Ekaterina Atoyan-Milyukova, Erarta’s Director of Communications, stated, “Lamborghini's design evolution and technological innovations have become not only a part of the history of the automotive world, but a part of the history of art itself. Each Lamborghini model, with its cultural significance and authenticity, has the quality of a true work of art. The Erarta Museum is therefore pleased to welcome the prestigious Italian car company Lamborghini, whose exhibition is further proof of our ongoing commitment to exhibiting the finest examples of contemporary art.”
The company’s history is told through 5 vehicles and 6 style models, illustrating the journey from the aristocratic elegance of its beginnings (perfectly embodied by a 400 GT with a 1965 body by Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera) to the 1966 revolution in taste and technology represented by the Miura (the first Gandini masterpiece with a body by Carrozzeria Bertone). A Centenario, created in 2016 by Centro Stile Lamborghini under the guidance of Mitja Borkert, provides the link to the Lamborghini design of today.
The exhibition is further enriched by the presence of two large-scale canvases (5x2 m), one depicting the Countach and the other the Centenario, executed by one of Lamborghini’s designers.
The exhibition also features engines, including the one that was the ten-time winner of the World Powerboat Championship, and the company’s contemporary racing activities represented by a rare Diablo GT and a Gallardo Super Trofeo.
The exhibition, which will be the first held in a newly opened wing of the museum, will run from 8 September to 17 December.
Jakarta 06 Sept 2017
The Middle Eastern retail major, LULU Group opened its 2nd hypermarket at BSD City, Tangerang, Indonesia today. Located at the QBig, the new Lulu hypermarket was inaugurated by Himawan Hariyoga, Chairman of Investment Board of Indonesia.
Present on the occasion were Dr. Sutisno Rawita, Deputy Governor of Banten Province, Walid Darwish Al Raeesi, UAE Embassy in Jakarta, Yusuff Ali MA, Chairman of Lulu Group, dignitaries and guests.
LuLu , which opened its first hypermarket and department store in the capital city of Jakarta last year in 2016, is firm on its planned investment of US$500 million as part of its expansion and intends to set up 10 hypermarket and department stores in the next three years in the country.
Speaking to media Yusuffali MA, Chairman of LULU Group said “the tremendous response for our first LULU Hypermarket opened last year in Cakung has encouraged us to further expand our operations in Indonesia and we plan to open another 8 new hypermarkets in coming years”.
The first LuLu Hypermarket and Department store in the country, was inaugurated by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.
Its high-quality products, vast product range and competitive pricing has made highly popular shopping destination for residents in and around East Jakarta.
“With an initial investment of $300 million in the first phase, we plan to open 10 hypermarket and department stores by the end of 2018 and a central logistics and warehousing facility in Jakarta. These projects are likely to generate more than 5,000 job opportunities for Indonesians,” said Yusuf Ali MA, chairman of LuLu Group,.
“We also plan to set up contract farming to ensure continuous supply of high-quality products and to support the Indonesian agriculture sector,” he added.
With an area of over 200,000 sq. ft., the new store has got wide aisles for easy shopping with a range of world-class products and brands which includes Fresh Food, Hot food, Bakery, Roastery, Grocery, Household, Electronics, Appliances, etc. A special section is devoted for promoting local products and agricultural sector.
“Our new hypermarkets will come up in Sentul & Jababeka and will generate new employment opportunities for atleast 3000 Indonesians.
Apart from setting up hypermarkets, Lulu group has also invested substantially in contract farming to increase their procurement from Indonesia for their global operations across the Middle East, Africa and India.
Manila 07 Sept 2017 (PNA)
The 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Ministers’ Meeting (AEM) formally opened in Pasay City Thursday.
Trade ministers of the regional bloc's 10 member states have convened here to move forward action plans for the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).
In his opening statement, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Ramon Lopez said ASEAN economic ministers decided to strengthen five characteristics of the AEC Blueprint 2025.
These are making ASEAN a highly integrated and cohesive economy; a competitive, innovative, and dynamic ASEAN; enhanced connectivity and sectoral cooperation; a resilient, inclusive and people-oriented, people-centered ASEAN; and a global ASEAN through the operationalization of key action lines in Consolidated Strategic Action Plan (CSAP).
Lopez, who is also the AEM chair, also called on fellow ASEAN ministers to work towards facilitative measure to address long-standing issues, which range from ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement, implementation of National Single Window initiatives linked to the ASEAN Single Window and improving customs integration procedures, and reducing non-tariff barriers.
He likewise stressed that the ASEAN will maintain an open and outward-oriented perspective through free trade agreements (FTAs) with China, Japan, South Korea, India, Austalia, and New Zealand as well as maintaining cooperation mechanisms with dialogue partners such as Canada, Russia, United States, and the European Union.
“As ASEAN economic ministers, we are gathered today to send a positive signal amid a backdrop of rising trade policy uncertainties. We need to reaffirm the importance of integrating ASEAN into the regional and global economy,” the AEM chair noted.
“Through our collective efforts, we will continue to deepen the regional economic integration,” he added.
He mentioned that in the last 50 years, ASEAN has withstood numerous threats of economic instability, growing protectionism sentiments, and political uncertainties.
Lopez also highlighted that the region has achieved critical mass to further increase and develop its economy.
By 2050, ASEAN gross domestic product is expected to reach USD9.2 trillion, making the region the fourth largest economy in the world.
“Nevertheless, there is still a lot of work to be done. Looking at 2017 and beyond, ASEAN should be cognizant of the changing geostrategic landscape that presents both opportunities and challenges,” Lopez said.
“The region has to remain transformative and proactive in the face of global economic conditions,” he noted
Beijing 07 Sept. 2017 (Xinhua)
It is necessary to learn lessons from the recent incident to safeguard peace in the border area, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said when asked to comment on China-India relations.
India has withdrawn personnel and equipment from Dong Lang (Doklam) after a military stand-off lasting from mid June to late August.
"The two sides should properly settle differences and issues on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence," Wang said.
The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, namely mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence, were endorsed by China and India in the 1950s, and have been widely accepted as norms for relations between countries.
Wang said that the two sides should implement consensus reached by leaders of the two countries to ensure healthy and stable development of China-India ties.
Wang said the two sides should strengthen mutual trust and treat each other as development opportunities and partners, not opponents and threats.
"Peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation is an inevitable choice and correct direction of China-India ties," he said.
Indian army chief Bipin Rawat said on Wednesday that his country must be prepared for war and accused China of "testing our limits."
"I'm not sure if his remarks have been authorized, and whether the remarks were impromptu speech or representing the position of the Indian government," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said, noting even the Indian media considered his remarks shocking.
Geng urged certain Indian military officials to clearly view the historical trend and make remarks and deeds conducive to China-India ties.
Kabul, Afghanistan 07 Sept 2017 (Anadolu Agency)
Thousands of Afghans took to the streets on the second consecutive day Thursday to denounce ongoing violence in Myanmar’s Western Rakhine state.
A string of protest demonstrations by the devotee Muslim nation in various cities erupted since Wednesday.
Fresh violence erupted in Rakhine nearly two weeks ago when security forces launched an operation against the Rohingya community.
It triggered a fresh influx of refugees to neighboring Bangladesh, which already hosted around 400,000 Rohingya.
According to the UN refugee agency, 164,000 Rohingya had crossed into Bangladesh by Thursday. Tens of thousands have been forced from their homes and remain in Myanmar.
In the capital Kabul, the demonstrators gathered outside the United Nations Assistance Mission for Afghanistan office. They chanted slogans against the Myanmar authorities, urging the human rights organizations and the UN to play their due role in stopping the “genocide”.
Hundreds of protesters also held a rally at the Eidgah Mosque in downtown Kabul to condemn the mistreatment of Rohingya Muslims.
Attaullah Faizani, an organizer of the demonstration, told Anadolu Agency on the occasion that the purpose of protest is to express solidarity with the Muslims in need.
Demonstrations in other cities
“Despite all the troubles and insecurity here [in Afghanistan], we can at least raise our voices for the poor and oppressed people of Myanmar, and urge the international community to intervene to resolve the crisis”, he said.
Similar demonstrations were attended by a large number of protesters in eastern Jalalabad and northern Sheberghan cities Thursday.
On Wednesday, the country’s third largest city Herat bordering Iran, and northern city Mazar-e-Sharif bordering Uzbekistan, witnessed citizens taking to the streets to condemn the Myanmar’s authorities.
The country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already condemned the “massacre” of Rohingya Muslims.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs while very strongly condemning the brutal and anti-human attacks by the country's [Myanmar] military against its Muslims population very strongly, calls upon the United Nations and the human rights institutions of the world to take serious notice of the genocide and massacre of Muslim and oppressed people in Burma [Myanmar]”, it said in a statement on Monday.
Rakhine has seen simmering tension between its Buddhist and Muslim populations since communal violence broke out in 2012.
A security crackdown launched last October in Maungdaw, where Rohingya make up the majority, led to a UN report on human rights violations by security forces that indicated crimes against humanity.
The UN documented mass gang-rape, killings -- including babies and children -- brutal beatings and disappearances. Rohingya representatives have said approximately 400 people were slain during the crackdown.
Ukhia, Bangladesh 07 Sept 2017 Anadolu Agency
Turkey’s First Lady Emine Erdogan handed out aid to Rohingya Muslim refugees during a visit to a camp near the Myanmar border on Thursday.
“It is impossible not to be touched by this as a human being,” she said after passing boxes to desperate refugees at the camp at Kutupalong, which lies within sight of the frontier.
“I hope the world gives some thought to this subject and helps them with both humanitarian assistance and politically,”
According to the UN’s refugee agency, 164,000 Rohingya have crossed the border since Aug. 25, when Myanmar security forces launched a security operation against Rohingya militants.
However, refugees have said the crackdown had been used to mask widespread killing, looting and the burning of Rohingya villages by the military and Buddhist mobs.
Erdogan, who was accompanied by her son Bilal and Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, called for the international community to halt the violence, which she described as an “unbelievable tragedy in this age”.
On Tuesday, Myanmar agreed to allow the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency to enter Rakhine state to deliver 1,000 tons of aid.
UN meeting
“We want to show the world this situation here,” Cavusoglu said. “We are making efforts to stop this. We will have a meeting in Astana with the Islamic world and will have another meeting in New York, hopefully to find a permanent solution to the issue in Arakan [Rakhine].”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has promised to raise the plight of Rohingya at the UN General Assembly on Sept. 19.
Bangladesh, which already hosted around 400,000 Rohingya refugees, has faced a fresh influx of refugees since the security operation was launched.
Rohingya, described by the UN as the world’s most persecuted people, have faced heightened fears of attack since dozens were killed in communal violence in 2012.
Last October, following attacks on border posts in Rakhine’s Maungdaw district, Myanmar security forces launched a five-month crackdown in which, according to Rohingya groups, around 400 people were killed.
The UN documented mass gang rapes, killings -- including infants and young children -- brutal beatings and disappearances committed by security personnel.
In a report, UN investigators said the human rights violations indicated crimes against humanity.
Before the fresh operation, the military had boosted its presence in Maungdaw after a wave of deadly attacks claimed by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, which said it had acted in response to raids, killings and looting by soldiers.
Doha, Qatar 06 Sept 2017 (AlJazeera News)
A Qatari shipping company is set to launch what it calls the fastest direct service between Doha and the Pakistani port city of Karachi this week, as the Gulf state seeks to establish new trade routes amid a land, air and sea blockade from its Arab neighbours.
Maritime conglomerate Milaha is overseeing the venture, with the first vessel due to arrive at the newly-inaugurated Hamad Port outside the Qatari capital on September 11 following a transit time of four days - compared with the usual six-to-seven-day journey.
"We have been vigorously ramping up our operations between Qatar and key Asian markets in response to growing demand from traders, importers, and exporters on both sides," said Abdulrahman Essa Al-Mannai, Milaha president and chief executive officer, in a statement in the run-up to the launch.
The move comes as Qatar counters the economic blockade imposed by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt three months ago.
The four Arab nations severed all diplomatic and trade ties with Qatar on June 5 over allegations of supporting "terrorism". Qatar strongly denies the claims.
Before the dispute, most of Doha's shipments to and from Pakistan docked at Dubai's Jebel Ali port - a regional hub.
But with the Emirati port now out of bounds as a trans-shipment centre, Qatari companies are increasingly exploring alternative links to penetrate the Asian market effectively.
Besides the direct route, Qatar and Pakistan are also trading via Oman's Sohar port.
"We used to trade via Jebel Ali in Dubai, but because of the restrictions and the ongoing Gulf situation, we are now going direct, so Qatar can capture Pakistan's market," Babar Rauf, sales and marketing manager of Rahmat Shipping, Milaha's Pakistani agent, told Al Jazeera.
Earlier in August, Qatar Ports Management Company, Mwani, also kick-started its direct shipping line between Doha and Karachi operated by the Asian firm Wan Hai.
'Win-win'
Milaha's new service, called PQX, will mainly bring perishable products and other food items, such as seafood, fruits and vegetables, from Pakistan.
The outbound vessels from Hamad Port will transport petrochemicals to Karachi.
Analysts described the new trade links as a "win-win" situation for both countries, especially Pakistan, whose remittances from Qatar dropped by almost 10 percent in July compared with the previous fiscal year, according to the latest government figures.
"Pakistan needs a market for perishable items, and this business venture will provide fast and secure solutions for importers and exporters from both countries within a short transit time," Arhama Siddiqa, a research fellow at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, told Al Jazeera.
Pakistani traders in Qatar say importing food items directly from Pakistan will help business.
"This is a great step," said Malik Mudassar, a Pakistani national and shop owner of Al Muzammil Sweets in Doha. "I was using air cargo earlier for vegetables and fruits, but if I can get them through sea in four days or earlier, I can save money with the shipping cost."
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said last week that Qatar has acted effectively in protecting its economy against the Gulf sanctions, in part because of rerouting trade and establishing new sources of food supply.
In the first quarter of 2017, Qatar imported goods and services worth $20m from Pakistan and had exports worth 358m.
Most of Qatar's exports to Pakistan have been in the form of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) after the two countries signed a landmark 15-year deal in February 2016.
In an attempt to boost trade between the two nations, business delegations from the Qatar Chamber and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry have exchanged visits over the last two months.
"Trade between the two countries has been growing steadily, and we believe that this new shipping service will enable more growth by increasing options for traders in Pakistan to attract Qatar and other Arabian Gulf markets," noted Rahmat's Rauf from Karachi.
'Saudi consent'
Analysts believe that given Pakistan's history with Saudi Arabia - the two countries enjoy strong economic and strategic ties - it is unlikely that Riyadh's reaction would not have been taken into consideration before such a move.
"Pakistan embarking on this project does not mean it is snubbing Saudi Arabia in any way," Siddiqa said.
"The fact that Pakistan is undertaking this project [with Qatar] means that the Saudi reaction had been taken into account already."
Saudi Arabia tops the list of nations sending remittances to Pakistan at $4.52bn in the current fiscal year, according to Pakistan's central bank.
Pakistan's government has offered to help with mediation efforts in the Gulf dispute but stayed clear of taking any sides in the matter.
Nawaz Sharif, the removed prime minister, visited the Saudi city of Jeddah in June to hold high-level talks with officials, including King Salman bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud.
Some argue furthering trade with Qatar is Pakistan's way of playing "good cop" during the regional tensions.
"Pakistan doesn't want the situation or turmoil in the region to spill over to a dead end, so it is giving some breathing space to Qatar in the form of launching this service," said Ahmad Saffee, a Middle East expert based in Islamabad.
A view of Pakistan's Exports & Imports (Source: State Bank of Pakistan - June 2017/AlJazeera News)
Country Exports Imports
China US $ 1.36 b 7.8 b
Qatar 42.6 m 864 m
Saudi Arabia 300 m 1.9 b
USA 3.01 b 1.65 b
UAE 852 m 5.8 b
New Delhi, India 06 Sep 2017 (PTI)
Slain journalist Gauri Lankesh was today held up as a symbol of free speech and dissent, as journalists and activists warned against treating her killing as an isolated incident.
The murder of the editor of Kannada publication 'Gauri Lankesh Patrike' should be seen in the context of a climate of "hate and intolerance" in the country, speaker after speaker said at a condolence meeting attended by hundreds at the Press Club of India here.
Voices in the nearly two-hour-long meeting
also expressed concern over the reaction in social media from a section that greeted Lankesh's chilling murder with glee and tasteless jibes at the political views she held.
"The voices that were celebrating Lankesh's killing are products of the political climate that has been created. We have created a society where it smiles around your corpse," said television journalist Ravish Kumar.
Members of the media fraternity, including the Editor's Guild, as well as rights organisations and student actvists, condemned the incident, describing it as a brutal assault on the freedom of the press.
The press club meet also saw the presence of CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, CPI national secretary D Raja, Dipankar Bhattacharya of the CPI (ML), Aam Aadmi Party's Ashutosh and Sanjay Singh, Congress's Shobha Oza and former JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar, among others.
Veteran journalist H K Dua said it had to be kept in mind that Lankesh was killed as she dissented against the "prevailing philosophy" and fought for the right to free speech and the right to report.
The issue of celebratory tweets after Lankesh's killing by social media hate mongers, who were followed on Twitter by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was also repeatedly flagged by the speakers.
They also criticised the Congress government led by Siddaramaiah in Karnataka for having "failed" to bring the assailants of rationalist scholar M M Kalburgi to book till date and also referred to the lack of progress in cracking the murder cases of CPI leader Govind Pansare and rationalist Narendra Dabholkar in Maharashtra.
Pansare's daughter Megha, who was among the speakers, said the probe into her father's death picked up a little only when the Bombay high court intervened and directed the CBI to redouble its efforts to trace the culprits.
Yechury called for a larger campaign against the "eerie pattern" of assaults and killings while Raja said the incident pointed towards the emergence of "fascism" in India.
The presence of politicians triggered some unease among a section of journalists with television anchor Rajdeep Sardesai stressing the need to ensure that netas should not "hijack" such events.
His view found takers among many others, though there were some who believed that if politicians had come to support the cause of journalists, they should be welcomed.
Kanhaiya, who said Lankesh was a mother-fgure to him, referred to the slander campaign against her on the social media, where she has been described by many as a Maoist ideologue.
"Today those who proudly proclaim their allegiance to a brand of hyper-nationalism should remember that in future they can also be in the line of fire," he said, while political activist Yogendra Yadav held that Lankesh was silenced as she stood for a "culturally rooted secularism".
An outspoken critic of Hindutva politics, Lankesh, 55, was shot dead by unidentified assailants at the entrance of her residence in Rajrajeshwari Nagar in Bengaluru last evening.
Lawyer Vrinda Grover, who was present at the protest meet, expressed her horror over the killing, and said, "We are living in very dangerous times".
"This was not a one-off, random case. Lankesh was killed because she stood and fought for ideas of justice and values enshrined in our Constitution -- liberty, equality," she said.
Many spoke about the urgent need to fight intolerance.
"This is not good. We cannot go on gathering at condolences," Ravish Kumar rued.
Student leader Kanhaiya stressed that the times were difficult for journalists and activists.
"But bullets cannot kill ideas," he said.
English Daily 'The Hindustan Times' reports Karnataka Police is tracing the killers of senior Kannada journalist, Gauri Lankesh, a critic of Hindu extremism, who was shot dead at her house in Bengaluru on Tuesday evening.
“The three special teams set up to crack the case are on the lookout for the suspected assailants. We are taking the movements of people and vehicles at check posts and inter-state borders,” deputy commissioner of police (West) M N Anucheth told IANS in Bengaluru.
According to the police, at least three suspects were involved and Lankesh was found dead on her verandah around 8pm with bullet wounds to her head and chest. Television reports said seven bullets were fired at her and three hit her.
Lankesh, 55, was the daughter of famous poet-turned-journalist P Lankesh. She was the editor of Gauri Lankesh Patrike, writing often against Sangh organisations and communal violence in the country.
GHQ, Rawalpindi 06 Sept. 2017 (Daily Dawn)
Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of Pakistan called on the world to "do more" against terrorism at a tribute to the martyrs of the 1965 war on Pakistan's 52nd Defence Day at General Headquarters on Wednesday.
"Despite all our efforts, our countless sacrifice and over decades of war, we are being told that we have not done enough against terrorism," the army chief said, referring to recent criticism by United States (US) President Donald Trump over Pakistan's alleged inaction against terrorist 'safe havens'.
"If Pakistan has not done enough in this war, then no country in the world has done anything," he asserted.
"Only Pakistan has seen this level of success with such limited resources. From Operation Sher Dil, to Rah-i-Rast, Rah-i-Nijat, Zarb-i-Azab and now Radd-ul-Fasaad, we have paid for each inch [of gains] with our blood."
"And now, I say that the world must do more."
"We don't want aid, we want your respect and confidence," the COAS said, responding to US claims that they had given "billions and billions of dollars" in aid to Pakistan. "Our actions and sacrifices should be appreciated."
"We will encourage actions by America and Nato that will bring peace to Afghanistan specifically and the region at large. But we also wish for our security concerns should also be resolved," he added.
"We have tried to help Afghanistan beyond our capabilities, but Afghanistan's war cannot be fought in Pakistan. We have made well-intentioned eforts for talks and peace in Afghanistan. However, Afghanistan is a self-sufficient country that is free to make its own decisions. If even today they veer towards war, then we cannot be a part of this war," the army chief maintained.
"We wish to have mutually respectful relations with all countries. If other countries cannot help us fight against terrorism then they should at least not hold us responsible for their own failings."
"Let us create a Pakistan where the use of strength is in accordance with the law and Constitution and is in the hands of the state."
"I would like tell misguided people that whatever you are doing is not jihad but fasaad. Your country and your people are being hurt the most by your actions," the army chief cautioned.
"Not only is the entire country paying the price of the fire of you have set, but our enemies are also taking advantage of the situation... A monopoly over violence should only be the prerogative of the state."
"We are keeping a close watch on the designs of our enemies especially as they attempt to destroy the peace in Balochistan," he cautioned.
"I would like to tell all anti-state elements that we are ready to combat their terrorism and malicious intentions. And whether we are Punjabi, Pathan, Sindhi, Kashmiri, Gilgiti or Balti, we are ready to sacrifice for Balochistan the way the sons of Balochistan have sacrificed for Pakistan. We have pride in the people of Balochistan who have rejected terrorism and separatism."
"Pakistan is a peace-loving country, and Pakistanis have, despite 40 continuous years of discord, retained their identity and unity. Larger countries with more resources than us have broken," he said.
"India should realise that the peaceful struggle of hundreds of thousands of youth in Kashmir does not need interference from Pakistan or Azad Jammu and Kashmir. It is in India's favour that they prioritise political and diplomatic solutions for sustainable resolution of the Kashmir issue instead of insulting Pakistan and using force against Kashmiris."
"Pakistan is a responsible nation. We did not bring nuclear weapons to South Asia. And even now these weapons are simply a guarantee of peace in answer to a neighbouring country which is high on power. It is this country which has brought unconventional war to the South Asian region," he said.
"Since 1971 Pakistan has remained a victim of terrorism. We have paid the price for the wars started by super powers in the form of terrorism, extremism and economic loss. We are abiding by our policy that we will not allow our soil to be used against any country, and expect the same of other countries."
"For our complete success in the war against terrorism, we need the nation's passion and cooperation," he told the audience.
"Although the army can end terrorism, to gain control over terrorism and extremism it is necessary that every citizen is a soldier of Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad," he maintained.
He reminded the audience that the war against terrorism is also an ideological war.
"We are proud of both the green and the white of our flag. Our beliefs, our faith and our traditions don't need a stamp of approval from anyone. National unity is the need of the hour, and we will not tolerate anyone shaking our foundations on the basis of religious, sectarian or caste differences."
The army chief also paid tribute to Pakistan's martyrs and their families, and vowed to take the war against terrorism to its logical conclusion.
Former army chief Raheel Sharif was in attendance at the ceremony, alongside prominent politicians including Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, National Assembly (NA) Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, and Leader of the Opposition in the NA Khursheed Shah. Well-known athletes and entertainers were also present at the event.
Sheheryar Munawar, Sana Javed, Farooq Hassan and Sadia Afzal were among the celebrities hosting the event.Singer Atif Aslam opened the ceremony with a patriotic song, as a video paying tribute to the armed forces played in the background.
A short film showing the families of martyred soldiers remembering their sons left members of the audience in tears. Activist and motivational speaker Muniba Mazari was among those who spoke at the ceremony.
Other entertainers also took the stage as the night progressed, and a series of short films and videos were shown to the audience.
Earlier today, Defence Day was commemorated with traditional fervour and solemnity across the country, beginning with special prayers for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan.
Change of guard ceremonies were held at the mausoleums of Allama Iqbal in Lahore and Quaid-i-Azam in Karachi, and a ceremony at the Pakistan Navy headquarters in Islamabad.
Former army chief retired Gen Raheel Sharif reached Lahore's Miani Sahib graveyard, where he laid a floral wreath on the grave of his brother Maj Shabbir Sharif who lost his life during the 1971 war on Dec 6 in the Sulemanki Sector.
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