(19 Nov) By Arun Kumar, Washington, Nov 19 : While more than eight in ten Indians consider religious freedom as very important, surprisingly fewer than half deem honest competitive elections as important in the world’s largest democracy, according to a new survey. There is broad support around the world for many of the basic tenets of democracy, according to the Washington based think tank Pew Research Centre’s survey of 40,786 adults in 38 countries from April 5 to May 21, 2015. Majorities in nearly all the countries polled say it is at least somewhat important to live in a country with free speech, a free press and freedom on the internet. And across the 38 countries, global medians of 50 percent or more consider these freedoms very important. In all 38 nations surveyed, majorities say it is at least somewhat important to live in a country with religious freedom, a free press, free speech and competitive elections. Freedom of religion emerge as an especially significant principle. Across the countries polled, a median of 74 percent say it is very important for people to be free to practice their religion. Americans are also among the most supportive of religious freedom with 84 percent in the US saying it is very important. “Overall, this right is highly valued in the Asia-Pacific region as well,” the survey noted, “with more than eight-in-ten Pakistanis, Indians and Indonesians describing religious freedom as very important, compared with just 24 percent in Japan, the lowest share among the countries surveyed.” Elections are clearly considered a central component of democracy, and across the 38 nations in the study, a median of 61 percent think it is very important to have honest, competitive elections with the choice of at least two political parties. “However, there are five nations where fewer than half deem this very important: India, Tanzania, Pakistan, Indonesia and Vietnam,” the survey found. In terms of broad support for fundamental democratic principles, 83 percent Indians consider it very important that people can practice their religion freely as against a global median of 74 per cent. Nearly three in four Indians (71 percent) believe women have the same rights as men as against a global median of 65 percent. Half (49 percent) think honest elections are held regularly with choice of at least two parties compared to a global median of 61 percent.

About 44 percent Indians believe people can say what they want without censorship as against a global median of 56 percent, while 41 percent think media can report news without censorship compared with a global median of 55 percent. About 38 percent Indians believe people can use the internet without censorship as against a global median of 50 percent. Overall, global attitudes toward freedom of speech and freedom of the press are quite similar. A 38-nation median of 56 percent believe it is very important to live in a country where people can say what they want without government censorship. And 55 percent think it is very important that the media can report the news without being censored. Opposition to internet censorship is also common around the world. A global median of 50 percent say an uncensored internet is very important. (Arun Kumar can be contacted at [email protected])-IANS

India has frozen assets worth Euro 3 lakh (over Rs 2.12 core) of over three dozen entities on charges of terrorist financing and money laundering of illicit funds, a latest report by global anti-financial terror body FATF has said. The body has conducted a mid-session review of various countries and economic powers of the world in the wake of the increased activities of dreaded terrorist group, ISIS, around the globe. The banned group has also been held responsible for the recent terror attacks in Paris which killed 129 people. As part of India’s initiative against suspect funds and those related to terrorism, the FATF report said the country has frozen assets to the tune of Euro 3 lakh belonging to 37 entities till August 15 this year.

India is a full-member of this reputed global body, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), along with other nations like the US, France, Germany and the United Kingdom. “In light of the growing threat of ISIL (Islamic State of in Iraq and the Levant) and other terrorist groups, the FATF has taken a renewed focus on the global threat of terrorist financing and terrorism and conducted a fact-finding initiative to determine whether all jurisdictions in the global anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing network have implemented key measures to cut off terrorism-related financial flows, in accordance with the FATF recommendations.

“This report sets out the results of that exercise,” a report prepared in this regard for the perusal by G20 leaders said. The G20 nations, including India being represented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Turkey’s Antayla, last week had resolved to seek urgent and united global efforts to combat terrorism as the gruesome Paris attacks, war in Syria and the fight against Islamic State militants overshadowed the deliberations at the Summit. The FATF is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 and it is mandated to set global protocols and standards to combat money laundering and other financial crimes with direct ramifications to terrorist acts across the globe.

19 Nov) MUMBAI : A fire broke out on the weather shed of the parking area of Gaiety Galaxy cinema at Bandra on Wednesday afternoon. No one was injured in the incident. The mishap occurred at around 3.30pm, when a show of the movie “Prem Ratan Dhan Payo” was on. Eight fire engines and water tankers were rushed to the spot, which reportedly brought the fire under control within 20 minutes. According to the patrons and some locals, the sudden fire created panic among the people. Apparently, the garbage that had accumulated on the weather shed had caught fire. There were not many vehicles parked in the area and the fire was doused within half an hour before it spread, said sources.

(19 Nov) New Delhi: The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) has reportedly started an online petition for school children studying in around 18 Guru Harikrishan Public Schools in New Delhi to generate support for banning Sikh jokes, as also involve them in constructive community service. The campaign for banning Sikh jokes started some days back, and the online petition has so far received over 13,000 signatures in the ten days since the launch of the Change.org website “The petition is gathering momentum, and what we’re seeing from the nearly 13000 comments, is that people from various sections of society, including non-Sikhs, have welcomed the chance to protest against these jokes which hurt the feeling of Sikhs and shows them in poor light DSGMC president Manjit Singh G.K said, “It was decided to start the online petition by the student community and to actively involve around 25000 students studying in Sikh minority education institutions in the “Ban Sikh Jokes” movement under the aegis of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee after a sikh women advocate Mrs. Harvinder Choudhary had filed a petition in the supreme Court seeking a ban on sikh jokes for hurting religious sentiments of the community.” Manjit Singh G.K further said that both teachers and students have been asked to meet the target of one lakh online signatures within the timeline of four weeks. He said that the DSGMC will provide all technical and logistic support to the schools for facilitating the signature drive. He added that the committee has also given options to school teachers to get signatures on separate sheets of paper for students who do not have e-mail ids and do not use online accounts for one reason or the other. He said that students will also be encouraged to get the signatures of their parents and also the signatures of non-sikh students so to as to generate mass support among all sections of society.

He said the DSGMC will also provide publicity material like posters,visiting cards that will be displayed in each classroom to generate awareness among students about the movement so as to emotionally integrate and involve them with the cause. Manjit Singh GK exhorted both parents and teachers to be positive and get involved in constructive community service for the country. “It is generally seen that ignorants are bullying Sikh children with ’12 baj gaye’ and other taunts. Our children should use positive dialogue like Guru Nanak used five centuries ago, and remind them of the historic significance of ’12 baj gaye’ when Sikhs at this time freed thousands of Indian girls and women from the clutches of Ahmed Shah Abdali,” he said.

“We all have to be proud Indian citizens with a global outlook. We should seek and mobilise support on all social media platforms for this campaign. The need of the hour is to let Indian society know that we love humour but not racism. We are proud Indians and the country has benefitted from our contributions in almost every field. It is time that Sikh children should not face bullying or insults in the name of casual fun,” he said. Enthused children took a pledge to generate support for the petition from all quarters and bring an end to the bullying and taunts that they are subjected to.

(19 Nov) Even as his wife blows herself up in gun battle with French police; group was planning simultaneous attacks with AK-47s and bombs on Paris Charles de Gaulle airport and a popular shopping centre. Paris : More than 100 armed officers stormed a flat in Saint-Denis, a suburb of Paris, on Wednesday in the belief that Paris carnage mastermind Abdelhamid Abaaoud, 27, was holed up inside with six other terrorists, online media reports said. A female terrorist believed to be Abaaoud’s jihadi bride blew herself up with a suicide vest and another jihadi was killed by a grenade during the six-hour siege in which five people were taken alive and arrested. However, the French authorities were not forthcoming on whether Abdelhamid Abaaoud was there or if he is alive or dead. However, the French Ambassador in India told NDTV, “I have information that leads us to suspect that he has committed suicide. I do not have indication we have received,” Ambassador Francois Richier said. He added in the same breath,

“We, however, need to wait for confirmation of the outcome of the operation.” Sate broadcaster France 2 claimed that the group inside the flat was a ‘fourth unit’ apart from the three that killed 129 on Friday and were planning simultaneous attacks with AK-47s and bombs on Paris Charles de Gaulle airport and the Quatre Temps shopping centre in the city’s business district. Security services hunting for Abaaoud had spent days watching flats and tapping phones; Wednesday’s storming was a culmination of this extensive search. A woman ‘with long blonde hair’ is said to have fired her AK-47 at police before blowing herself up as the assault squad stormed their hideout, online reports added. A seven-year-old sniffer dog called Diesel, which was sent into the block to look for booby traps, was killed in the blast. The stand-off ended as a bloodied and half-naked suspect was dragged out of the apartment close to the Stade de France. Witnesses told MailOnline there were periods of intense machinegun fire and at least seven large explosions, which turned their street ‘into a warzone.’ The man who rented the flat to ‘two Belgians’ has been arrested and claims: ”I didn’t know they were terrorists. It was a favour.” Paris prosecutor Francois Molins said authorities are still working to determine the fate of Abaaoud and identify those killed and arrested. He confirmed three suspected jihadis were held in the flat and two more ‘as they tried to hide in the rubble’ of the block. Saint-Denis is one of France’s most historic places. French kings were crowned and buried through the centuries in its famed basilica, a majestic Gothic church that towers over the area. Crossing borders at will The mastermind of the Paris massacres previously bragged about travelling across Europe at will to plot atrocities. Belgian extremist Abdelhamid Abaaoud, despite being on wanted lists, has shuttled between Syria and Europe, exploiting the migrant crisis on EU borders. The 27-year-old has been able to plan two atrocities and brainwash hundreds of young men into joining the Islamic State, including his 13-year-old brother. Abaaoud attended one of Brussels’ most prestigious schools – Collège Saint-Pierre – but he fell into trouble with the law and was jailed for theft. It is claimed he was then radicalised in the Saint Gilles prison and went to Syria to join IS. A forensic scientist searches for evidences in the apartment raided by the French Special Forces on Wednesday.

In a bonanza for central government employees, the 7th Pay Commission is likely to recommend on Thursday a 22-23% jump in their salary and allowances, according to sources.

The Pay Commission headed by Justice A K Mathur has suggested a 15% increase over the basic salary plus DA for the central government staff, they said, adding that an increase in allowances like HRA has also been recommended.

The total increase will be 22-23% of the gross salary (basic plus DA plus allowances), the sources said.

The recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission are scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2016.

Besides Chairman, other members of the commission are Vivek Rae, a retired IAS officer of 1978 batch, and Rathin Roy, an economist. Meena Agarwal is secretary of the commission.

The central government constitutes the pay commission every 10 years to revise the pay scale of its employees and often these are adopted by states after some modifications.

The Commission was set up by the UPA government in February 2014 to revise remuneration of about 48 lakh central government employees and 55 lakh pensioners.

The Union Cabinet had extended the term of the panel in August by four months, till December. The 6th Pay Commission was implemented with effect from January 1, 2006.

A charter passenger flight flight LLP 1120 flying from Warsaw to Egyptian resort of Hurghada has made an emergency landing at Bulgaria’s Burgas after a bomb threat emerged.

Hurghada is a beach resort town stretching some 40km along Egypt’s Red Sea coast. It’s renowned for scuba diving, and has numerous dive shops and schools in its modern Sekalla district. There are many restaurants and nightclubs catering to an international crowd, while the old town, El Dahar, is home to traditional Egyptian coffee shops and souks.

The bomb threat was made by a 64 year old drunk passenger and was not based on any fact.The passenger who alerted crew about a possible bomb admitted on questioning to having consumed alcohol, a police spokeswoman said.

This is a typical example on how serious a reaction can be by an airline pilot after a major air disaster. Egyptian tourism deserves better.

No bomb on any flight to Hurghada – this should be the message.

LOT said the flight was operated by a charter airline and has no connection with the Polish national carrier.

(8 Nov) Mumbai is changing rapidly. Roads, buildings, shopping arcades, places of entertainment are all changing. No wonder if the city’s people are also changing and some of them are not able to make head or tail of the changes the city’s topography is undergoing, be it south Mumbai or distant suburbs. Recently as people streamed all over the city roads, trying to recognize the landmarks which had undergone several changes there was an animated discussion among them on new and old landmarks. Look at the crowds moving near the famous Mahalaxmi temple. People could only inch forward.

“We can’t miss the Mahalxmi temple,” snapped one of the visitors dressed in saffron. “Ha, where has it disappeared. One of the landmarks here is Mumbai Central station and of course, there was a cinema theatre. I am not bothered about the theatre but the temple is a must. It was Swami Adityanath, a grim-looking MP from UP, known for his strong views on propagating Hindutva. They walked ahead in some silence and were suddenly engulfed in the a huge crowd. It was not the usual, pious temple going crowd but was full of young, dashing college going kids dressed in the latest and dancing to the hot tunes, mostly from the latest films. The youngsters wore wedding costumes and occupied large sections of the road. “The undisciplined ruffians should be chased off the road, such a big nuisance, blocking the roads and delaying the darshan. Pausing to listen carefully the swami observed, ‘Jairamjiki, not this song again, the wedding march from that never-ending bore of the film ‘dilwale dulhaniye …’

We are in power for more than a year but had not banned the film or its cheap songs.” His companion was shocked. “But swamiji, the film almost completed more than a Yug, a super duper hit. And the songs..they hit the roof tops and the roof fell off the roof. “What do you know of such pure hindutva films?” snapped the BJP swami. “Glorious Hindu, Punjab culture, observing all Hindu traditions and rituals: fasting. karva chauth, fasting for the husband, devotion for would-be husband, I have not seen such a film.” His companion protested. “Swamiji, in the end love triumphs. That 420 is Raj boozes beer all the time, makes fun of all rituals. DJLJ makes fun of all Hindu tradition, though the Hindutva dad is an exception he should have been sent to London as our High Commissioner.” “But the boy chosen for kajol is a drunk and violent,” pointed the Hindu Swamiji’s friend, “boozing, shooting pigeons, rash driving, resembled a Punjabi thug. I don’t know how the film ended up a hit. Yogi Adityanath frowned. “We cannot check all these faults. But Shah Rukh was the major flaw in the film. Let us begin an agitation to ban DDLJ with retrospective effect. If Raj wants to romance Simran and fool around with our culture, let him go to Pakistan. The film will not run for a day, Raj and Simran will be ordered to be stoned to death.

By ANI, 17 Nov 2015 11:01 AM
(17 Nov) Washington D.C, Nov. 17 (ANI): In a new video released by the ISIS, the terrorists have issued a warning saying that Washington should brace itself for an attack similar to the Paris carnage. The Washington Post reports that the terrorists were seen lauding the Paris shootings, however, the authenticity of the video could not be immediately confirmed but it bears close resemblance to the former videos released by the ISIS. The video which lasts for 11 minutes, reportedly showed clips of the aftermath following the airstrikes on the ISIS stronghold by French President François Hollande A man identified as “Al Karar the Iraqi”, threatened the ‘crusader’ nations who are fighting together against the ISIS and the U.S capital was specifically singled out, according to the daily.

“We say to the states that take part in the crusader campaign that, by God, you will have a day, God willing, like France’s and by God, as we struck France in the center of its abode in Paris, then we swear that we will strike America at its center in Washington,” the man says in the video. Another man in the video warned the European nations of Paris-style attacks. He was seen saying that the terror outfit was heading their way with ‘booby traps, explosives, and gun silencers’ and that they will be unstoppable as they have never been this strong before, the daily said. The Washington Post’s Metro section reported that the FBI’s Washington Field Office declined to comment about the purported video threat on Monday, but did refer to a statement it released in the wake of the Paris attacks on Friday. The ISIS claimed responsibility for the 13/11 carnage in Paris which has left at least 132 dead. France later carried out a massive retaliatory attack and dropped 20 bombs in an airstrike on Raqqa, Syria which is touted as the ISIS de facto capital.