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Noor Mukaddam murder shakes Pakistan

The incident has erupted the social media, with many expressing their anger and disgust with demands of justice to the Imran Khan-led government….reports Hamza Ameer

 Noor Mukaddam, the daughter of a former Pakistan diplomat, was brutally killed when she was at the house of her boyfriend Zahir Jaffer on July 20, who not only tortured Mukaddam, but inhumanely beheaded her at his residence, located in the posh vicinity of Islamabad.

The murder of Mukaddam has now sparked a widespread uproar, protest and outrage among the masses, who have started to raise serious questions over what they call deliberate ignorance of the government towards increasing cases of rape, sexual assault and murder, which have overlapped the whole society, from the poor to the privileged elite.

As per the investigation details of the case, Jaffer and Mukaddam were friends and were close.

“Jaffer lured Mukaddam to his home, held her for two days and then brutally murdered her,” investigation into the case has revealed.

“The status of the families involved, especially the family of Zahir Jaffer, and of course Noor’s father being a former ambassador, and this happening within the elite circles of Islamabad… all of that combined definitely has brought more attention to this case,” said Nida Kirmani, associate professor of sociology at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS).

Pakistan police

The incident has erupted the social media, with many expressing their anger and disgust with demands of justice to the Imran Khan-led government.

Protests have also been staged in major cities of not only Pakistan, but also abroad in support and solidarity with Mukaddam’s family.

The uproar and anger against Jaffer’s family has prompted them to post a full-page advertisement in newspapers, distancing themselves from the murder and echoing public demand for justice.

The cases of rape and murder have become a daily routine news in Pakistan with victims ranging from infants to adults, from men to women and from poor to the rich.

ALSO READ: India slams Pakistan for holding polls in PoK

This has spread fear among every single female, who say they fear of their safety from the men around them.

“Every woman I have spoken to after Noor’s case speaks about feeling a heightened sense of fear from the men around them,” said Benazir Shah, a journalist.

Women’s rights organisations are demanding a landmark bill meant to tackle domestic violence in order to lessen some anger that prevails in the masses.

The bill, they demand, should streamline the process of obtaining retraining orders, define violence broadly and to include emotional, psychological and verbal abuse.

On the other hand, government lawmakers met with the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) to seek their opinion on whether the legislation adhered to Islamic principles.

However, religious leaders have raised some reservations over what they call ambiguous language, which they said is unacceptable in the society.

“Does this mean that a daughter or wife can complain when a father or husband stops them from going outside the house? This may not be acceptable to all Pakistanis,” said Qibla Ayaz, chairman of CII.

“We all agree on the goal of stopping violence against women. But our sense is that this bill might actually cause new social tension and lead to more domestic violence,” he added.

ALSO READ: PROXY WAR IN AFGHANISTAN: Pakistan in a fix as GCC, West flex muscles

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-Top News China India News

India, China end 12th round of border talks

India and China have already disengaged from the banks of Pangong lake after extensive talks and the Gogra Heights and Hot Springs areas are left to be resolved as these friction points were created post-Chinese aggression last year…reports Asian Lite News.

The 12th round of Corps Commander level talks between India and China concluded at 7.30 pm in Moldo on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control, the Army sources informed on Saturday.

According to the sources, in the nine-hour-long meetings, both sides discussed issues to resolve the ongoing military standoff along with the Eastern Ladakh sector.

“12th round of Corps Commander level talks between India and China concluded at 7.30 pm in Oldi on the Chinese side of Line of Actual Control. In the nine-hour-long meetings, both sides discussed issues to resolve the ongoing military standoff along with the Eastern Ladakh sector,” said Army sources.

India and China have already disengaged from the banks of Pangong lake after extensive talks and the Gogra Heights and Hot Springs areas are left to be resolved as these friction points were created post-Chinese aggression last year.

The two countries have been engaged in a military standoff for almost a year but disengaged from the most contentious Pangong lake area last month after extensive talks at both military and political levels. The credit for the disengagement was given to all stakeholders by Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane who also talked about the country benefitting from the inputs given by the National Security Advisor Ajit Doval during the crisis.

Earlier, India and China held 11 rounds of talks at the Corps Commander level to reach the arrangement to disengage from the Pangong lake area. (ANI)

ALSO READ-India, China to hold military talks to resolve border issues

READ MORE-Plan to build routes to China via PoK likely to irk India

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-Top News USA

Biden names Indian-American as first Muslim envoy for religious freedom

If approved by the Senate, Rashad Husain will be the first Muslim to head US diplomacy for advancing religious liberties, reports Arul Louis

President Joe Biden has nominated an Indian-American, Rashad Hussain, as the Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, and if approved by the Senate he will be the first Muslim to head US diplomacy for advancing religious liberties.

Making the announcement on Friday, the White House said that Biden is appointing a Pakistani American Khizr Khan to be a member of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USICRF), along with two others.

The USICRF publishes the annual report of religious freedom around the world as it advocates for religious freedom around the world and designates violators of religious liberties.

Hussain is the Director for Partnerships and Global Engagement at the National Security Council has worked as a Senior Counsel in the Justice Department’s National Security Division.

Rashad Hussain

Like many Biden appointees, Hussain is an alumnus of President Barack Obama’s administration in which he served as the US special envoy to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the US special envoy for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications.

“Rashad also spearheaded efforts on countering antisemitism and protecting religious minorities in Muslim-majority countries,” the White House said.

Hussain, who has a law degree from Yale University and a master’s in Arabic and Islamic Studies from Harvard University, has also worked with the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee.

The position of Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom was set up by the Congress within the State Department with the mandate to “advance the right to freedom of religion abroad, to denounce the violation of that right, and to recommend appropriate responses by the US Government when this right is violated.”

Khan is a lawyer who is the founder of the Constitution Literacy and National Unity Project.

ALSO READ – US lawmakers form bipartisan Caucus to address Uyghur plight

His son, US Army Captain Humayun Khan, was killed in action in Iraq.

As one of the speakers at the Democratic Party’s National Convention that nominated Hillary Clinton as the party’s nominee for president in 2016, Khan criticised the Republican Party candidate Donald Trump saying he “consistently smears the character of Muslims.”

Trump made a snide comment suggesting that because of that religion, the captain’s mother did not speak at the convention and it evoked strong criticism for attacking “Gold Star” parents e as the parents of military personnel killed in action are reverentially called in the US.

An Indian American, Anurima Bhargava, is a member of the USICRF as one of the three members appointed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Three others are appointed by the leader of the Senate.

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-Top News Asia News China

PLA using machine guns, rocket launcher to train troops in Tibet

As per media reports, in the hinterland of the plateau, a certain brigade of the Tibet Military Region is training troops, reports Asian Lite News

The Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) of China is using heavy machine guns, a rocket launcher and mortar bombs to train troops in the Tibet region.

As per media reports, in the hinterland of the plateau, a certain brigade of the Tibet Military Region is training troops.

Reportedly, the officers and soldiers have crossed the muddy mountains to reach the target area.

They utilised weapons such as heavy machine guns, bazookas, and mortars for the battle scenario training.

More than 10,000 China, Russia soldiers to attend joint drill in Ningxia, SCMP reported.

The announcement from Beijing comes amid deteriorating relations between both countries and the US.

The exercise, scheduled for early August, will ‘consolidate cooperation’ and ‘maintain regional peace’.

Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Wu Qian said on Thursday that the exercise in China’s Ningxia Hui autonomous region would take place in early August.

The move comes as both countries face a deteriorating relationship with the US.

“The purpose of this exercise is to consolidate and develop a comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation between China and Russia,” Wu said during a regular press briefing in Beijing.

Chinese President makes surprise visit to Tibet (pic credit httpssavetibet.org)

“It will also further demonstrate the determination and ability of both sides to combat terrorist forces and jointly maintain regional peace and security.”

The report said Wu said Chinese troops will come mostly from the Western Theatre Command, China’s largest military area, which oversees regions including Xinjiang and Tibet. Russian troops will be from the Eastern Military District.

A joint command centre will be established and exercises will focus on aircraft, artillery and armoured equipment.

There will also be training to improve joint reconnaissance, early warnings, electronic and information attacks and joint strikes.

ALSO READ – India, China hold 12th round of border talks

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Wednesday after a meeting in Tajikistan with his Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe that Russia had accepted an invitation from China to take part.

“We have found new forms of cooperation through joint efforts and continued to carry out effective cooperation,” he said, according to Russia’s state-owned news agency Sputnik.

Shoigu and Wei met on the side-lines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting.

ALSO READ – China lashes out at Blinken’s meeting with Tibetan monk

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-Top News China India News

India, China hold 12th round of border talks

Indian military delegates are discussing disengagement at friction areas like Hot Springs, Gogra and 900 square km Depsang plains, reports Asian Lite News

The twelfth round of top commanders-level talks between India and China are underway at Moldo on the Chinese side in the Ladakh region on Saturday.

The talks are happening after a gap of three months. Indian military delegates are discussing disengagement at friction areas like Hot Springs, Gogra and 900 square km Depsang plains.

Indian delegation is led by Leh-based XIV Corps chief Lt Gen P.G.K. Menon and Additional Secretary (East Asia) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Naveen Srivastava.

The Chinese military delegation is led by Commander of the PLA’s Western Theatre Command Xu Qiling, who was appointed earlier this month.

Indian Army Chief visits Siachen, Ladakh; reviews operational operational preparedness

The build-up in Depsang was not being considered part of the current standoff that started in May last year as escalation here took place in 2013. India has insisted during recent military commander meetings to resolve all issues across the Line of Actual Control.

“The initial attempt will be to resolve Gogra and Hot Springs. Finding a solution to Depsang might be tricky and take longer,” said the officer.

In April, during 11th round of Corps Commander level talk, the focus was disengagement on friction points at Gogra, Hot Springs and Depsang. On February 20, Indian and Chinese militaries held 10th round of dialogue to de-escalate tension at the Line of Actual Control.

Till now, apart from 11 round of Corps Commanders-level talks, the two forces have also held 10 Major Generals level, 55 Brigadiers-level talks and 1,450 calls over the hotlines.

China has been enhancing military infrastructure across the Line of Control.

Looking at it, India has changed its posture towards China, unlike its previous defensive approach that placed a premium on fending on Chinese aggression, India is now catering to military options to strike back and has reoriented its military accordingly.

Disengagement in south of Pangong Lake

India has reoriented around 50,000 troops whose main focus will be the disputed border with China. The reorientation comes when China is refurbishing its existing air-fields in Tibetan Plateau that will allow twin-engines fighter aircraft to be stationed, sources said.

In addition, China has also brought troops from the Tibet Military region to the Xinjiang region that passes through Karakoram range down south Uttarakhand.

Further, they have deployed larger numbers of long range artillery and are rapidly building infrastructure in the Tibetan Plateau.

So far, the troops of two Himalayan giants have disengaged from both the banks of Pangong Tso in February this year.

ALSO READ – China lashes out at Blinken’s meeting with Tibetan monk

ALSO READ – Is China driving Japan to unshackle its military?

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-Top News Asia News USA

US, Japan defence chiefs discuss situation in East and South China sea

Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin underscored American support for the US – Japan Alliance and emphasized its role in maintaining a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, reports Asian Lite News

Japanese Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi and US Defence Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III held a telephonic conversation on Friday and exchanged views over the current situation in the East and South China seas, where China is expanding its military presence.

Speaking to reporters, Kishi said he and the US defence chief agreed to further strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the bilateral alliance in light of the increasingly severe security environment, Kyodo News reported.

The talks, held at the request of the United States, came as Austin wrapped up his trip to Singapore, Vietnam, and the Philippines from Monday.

According to Pentagon Press Secretary John F Kirby, Austin underscored American support for the U.S.-Japan Alliance and emphasized its role in maintaining a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.

Japan
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin (Photo: @SecDef/Twitter)

Austin’s trip to the Southeast Asian countries “clearly shows that the United States will deeply commit to this region’s security and is very significant,” Kishi said.

Secretary Austin congratulated Minister Kishi on a successful opening ceremony for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games and discussed his trip to Southeast Asia.

Secretary Austin and Minister Kishi “concurred on the need to continue strengthening U.S.-Japan Alliance cooperation to address an increasingly uncertain regional security environment”, said the statement.

They further agreed to build on the momentum generated by their March “2+2” meeting to build closer defense cooperation in the months to come.

Indo-Pacific region is largely viewed as an area comprising the Indian Ocean and the western and central Pacific Ocean, including the South China Sea.

China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea and its efforts to advance into the Indian Ocean are seen to have challenged the established rules-based system.

China has been increasing its maritime activities in both the South China Sea and the East China Sea over the past few months, partly in response to Beijing’s concerns over the increasing US military presence in the region because of escalating Sino-US tensions.

Recently, tensions between China and Japan have escalated amid increased activity by Beijing in the disputed East China Sea.

This comes after Beijing implemented a new law that allows the country’s quasi-military force to use weapons against foreign ships that China sees as illegally entering its waters. (ANI)

ALSO READ – Annual Indo-Pacific Business Forum to be held on Oct 28-29

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-Top News COVID-19 World

Global Covid-19 Cases Top 197.2 Mn

The Covid-19 outbreak first detected in the Chinese city of Nanjing has now spread to five provinces and Beijing, with state media calling it the most extensive contagion after Wuhan, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk

The overall global Covid-19 caseload has topped 197.2 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 4.20 million and vaccinations soared to over 4.04 billion, according to the Johns Hopkins University.

In its latest update on Saturday morning, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload, death toll stood and vaccination tally stood at 197,276,917, 4,207,236 and 4,042,614,173, respectively.

The US continues to be the worst-hit country with the world’s highest number of cases and deaths at 34,943,203 and 613,006, respectively, according to the CSSE.

In terms of infections, India follows in the second place with 31,572,344 cases.

Covid-19
A view from Bryant Park in New York, the United States. (Xinhua/Wang Ying/IANS)

The other worst countries with over 3 million cases are Brazil (19,880,273), France (6,166,592), Russia (6,161,985), the UK (5,857,558), Turkey (5,704,713), Argentina (4,919,408), Colombia (4,776,291), Spain (4,447,044), Italy (4,343,519), Iran (3,851,162), Germany (3,774,918) and Indonesia (3,372,374), the CSSE figures showed.

In terms of deaths, Brazil comes second with 555,460 fatalities.

Nations with a death toll of over 100,000 are India (423,217), Mexico (239,997), Peru (196,214), Russia (155,180), the UK (129,877), Italy (128,047), Colombia (120,432), France (112,011) and Argentina (105,586).

‘New outbreak worst since Wuhan’

A Covid outbreak first discovered in the Chinese city of Nanjing has spread to five provinces and Beijing, with state media calling it the most extensive contagion after Wuhan, the BBC reported.

Almost 200 people have been infected since the virus was first detected at the city’s busy airport on 20 July.

All flights from Nanjing airport will be suspended until 11 August, according to local media. Officials also began city-wide testing amid criticism for their “failure”.

All 9.3 million of the city’s residents – including those visiting – will be tested, said state-controlled Xinhua news.

Posts on social media show long lines of people queuing, and authorities have reportedly urged people to wear masks, stand one metre apart and avoid talking while they wait.

Officials said the highly contagious Delta variant of the virus was behind the infections, adding that cases had spread further because of how busy the airport is.

Ding Jie, a health official in Nanjing, told reporters the cases were linked to cleaners who worked on a flight from Russia that arrived in the city on 10 July.

The cleaners did not follow strict hygiene measures, Xinhua News reported.

The airport management has been rebuked, with a senior disciplinary body of the Communist Party saying it had “problems such as lack of supervision and unprofessional management”.

Testing has shown that the virus has now spread to at least 13 cities including Chengdu and the capital Beijing.

However, experts quoted by the Global Times said they believed the outbreak was still at an early stage and could be controlled.

Local officials in Nanjing said that seven of those infected were in critical condition. The new spike in cases has led some on Chinese social media to speculate about whether the Chinese vaccines were working against the Delta variant.

Central Chinese cities close tourist sites

Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture in central China’s Hunan Province said it would close its major tourist sites starting Friday.

The move came after the prefecture reported one confirmed Covid-19 case Friday, the Xinhua news agency reported.

nepal delta covid variant

In the past days, several cities in Hunan reported a spike in Covid-19 infections.

The city of Zhuzhou on Friday closed cinemas, entertainment venues, and tourist sites after it had reported six asymptomatic cases since Thursday.

Also, on Friday, the city of Zhangjiajie closed all its tourist sites and upgraded 11 neighbourhoods to medium-risk areas for Covid-19. The city, known for its scenic mountains, reported one confirmed case of Covid-19 on Thursday.

ALSO READ – Covid-19 jabs save 60,000 lives in England: PHE

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-Top News China USA

US lawmakers form bipartisan Caucus to address Uyghur plight

This Caucus will give new power to voices in Congress who have championed the Uyghur cause….reports Reena Bhardwaj

US lawmakers Tom Suozzi and Chris Smith on Thursday announced the creation of the Congressional Uyghur Caucus that they said would raise awareness of the Chinese Community Party’s (CCP) “systemic human rights violations against the Uyghur people in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.”

“Put simply, we’re talking about the largest coordinated human rights abuse campaign of the 21st century being perpetrated by the Chinese Communist Party,” said Representative Suozzi. “Not only as Members of Congress, but as human beings we have a responsibility to uphold the values of fundamental human dignity and religious freedom abroad,” the lawmaker added.

“The ongoing genocide and mass internment of Uyghurs and other predominantly-Muslim ethnic minorities like the Kazakhs are egregious crimes perpetrated by the Chinese Communist Party,” said Representative Chris Smith.

Speaking to ANI, Rushan Abbas, executive director for the Campaign for Uyghurs, praised the creation of the caucus. “The Congressional Uyghur Caucus represents a strong recognition of the brutal Uyghur genocide and bipartisan support from the US lawmakers to stop it. When we made the request to Representative Tom Suozzi to establish the caucus, we knew that we were trying to organize a coalition that will represent Uyghur human rights within the democratic system in the United States and with the leadership of Reps Suozzi and Chris Smith, we have paved the road for that journey,” Abbas added.

Uyghur

The activist strongly believes that the newly formed coalition will give new power to voices in Congress who have championed the Uyghur cause. She says it is encouraging to see organising at this level, with real and practical implications for policy moving forward.

This Caucus will allow them to bring in more elected officials who aim to enact policy in support of the Uyghur people. Support within Congress has already helped the Senate pass the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, and now the Caucus will be able to assure its swift passage in the House of Representatives as well.

“The United States cannot be silent as Xi Jinping tortures and seeks to eradicate an entire population. In solidarity with the oppressed, the Uyghur Caucus will call attention to the Communist Chinese government’s atrocious human rights violations in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and work to end one of the world’s worst human rights tragedies,” Smith added.

United Nations human rights experts believe that “Uyghur Genocide” continues to devastate East Turkistan, while more nations come to the conclusion that the atrocity must be addressed.

Activists are of the opinion that the recent hearing on corporate sponsors for the Olympics is proof that there needs to be even more pressure from governments in the absence of any material effort on the part of corporations to ethically regulate themselves. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Netherlands’s Arnhem cuts ties with Wuhan over Uyghur genocide

ALSO READ: Blinken meets Uyghur internment camp survivors

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-Top News USA

US economy grows at annualised 6.5% in Q2

The increase in real GDP in the second quarter reflected increases in personal consumption expenditures (PCE), non-residential fixed investment, exports…reports Asian Lite News

The US economy grew at a lower-than-anticipated annual rate of 6.5 per cent in the second quarter, marking the return to an above pre-pandemic level of overall economic activity, the Commerce Department reported.

However, the 6.5 per cent gain was considerably less than the 8.4 per cent Dow Jones estimate. In the first quarter, real GDP increased by 6.3 per cent, 0.1 percentage point less than previously reported, according to the latest data issued by the Department on Thursday.

The increase in real GDP in the second quarter reflected increases in personal consumption expenditures (PCE), non-residential fixed investment, exports, and state and local government spending that were partly offset by decreases in private inventory investment, residential fixed investment, and federal government spending, the Commerce Department report showed.

Imports, which are a subtraction in the calculation of GDP, increased.

The GDP data was released a day after the Federal Reserve signaled that it was inching closer to tapering its asset purchases amid concerns over surging inflation and the rapid spread of the Covid-19 Delta variant.

In the latest update to its World Economic Outlook, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday projected the US economy would grow by 7.0 per cent this year, up 0.6 percentage point from its April projection.

The upward revision reflects the anticipated legislation of additional fiscal support in the second half of 2021 and improved health metrics.

In 2022, the US economy is expected to grow by 4.9 per cent, according to the IMF.

ALSO READ: US mission in Afghanistan failed: Russia

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Annual Indo-Pacific Business Forum to be held on Oct 28-29

It will take place this year as a fully online event on October 28-29, 2021, with a schedule that ensures participants from across the Indo-Pacific can all participate…reports Asian Lite News

The fourth annual Indo-Pacific Business Forum (IPBF) will be held virtually on October 28-29, 2021, informed the United States Department of State on Thursday.

The United States, in partnership with the Government of India, the US Chamber of Commerce, the Confederation of Indian Industry, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC), is sponsoring the fourth annual Indo-Pacific Business Forum (IPBF), a statement from the Department of State said.

It will take place this year as a fully online event on October 28-29, 2021, with a schedule that ensures participants from across the Indo-Pacific can all participate, it added.

The IPBF advances a vision for an Indo-Pacific region that is free, open, and inclusive. Government and business leaders from the United States, India, and across the Indo-Pacific region will exchange ideas through interactive discussions organised around three broad themes: Economic Recovery and Resilience; Climate Action; and Digital Innovation.

Attendees will also be able to explore regional government and business partnerships and commercial opportunities.

The IPBF will showcase high-impact private sector investment and government efforts to support market competition, job growth, and high-standard development for greater prosperity and economic inclusion in the Indo-Pacific.

The event will be conducted via a secure online conferencing platform, the statement added. (ANI)

ALSO READ: India against military takeover of Afghanistan: Jaishankar tells RS