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Major arrests at New York University campus as Gaza protests spread

The demonstrations come amid sweeping debates over Israel’s assault on Gaza, following Hamas’s deadly invasion on October 7….reports Asian Lite News

More than 130 people were arrested overnight during pro-Palestinian protests at the New York University campus, as student demonstrations gather pace in the United States over the Israel-Hamas war.

Some of America’s most prestigious universities have been rocked by protests in recent weeks as students and other agitators take over quads and disrupt campus activities.

The demonstrations come amid sweeping debates over Israel’s assault on Gaza, following Hamas’s deadly invasion on October 7.

Such bastions of higher education — Harvard, Yale, Columbia and others — are grappling for a balance between students demanding free speech rights and others who argue that campuses are encouraging intimidation and hate speech.

On Tuesday, the New York Police Department told AFP that 133 people had been arrested at NYU and released after being issued with court summons, as protests also intensify at Yale, Columbia University and other campuses.

As the holiday of Passover began Monday night, police began detaining demonstrators at an encampment at NYU who had earlier refused orders to disperse.

A New York University spokesman said the decision to call police came after additional protesters, many of whom were not thought to be affiliated with NYU, suddenly breached the barriers erected around the encampment.

This “dramatically changed” the situation, the spokesman said in a statement on the school’s website Monday, citing “disorderly, disruptive and antagonizing behavior” along with “intimidated chants and several antisemitic incidents.”

“Given the foregoing and the safety issues raised by the breach, we asked for assistance from the NYPD. The police urged those on the plaza to leave peacefully, but ultimately made a number of arrests.”

The spokesman said the school continues to support freedom of expression and the safety of students.

But protests have grown large and disruptive enough — New York Police Department spokesmen have spoken of their officers facing violence when confronting protesters at NYU — to draw the attention of President Joe Biden and his administration.

“Anti-Semitic hate on college campuses is unacceptable,” US Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona posted on X on Tuesday, expressing concern about the unrest.

The protests began last week at Columbia University, also in New York, with a large group of demonstrators establishing a so-called “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” on school grounds.

But more than 100 protesters were arrested after university authorities called the police onto Columbia’s campus Thursday, a move that seemingly escalated tensions and sparked a greater turnout over the weekend.

Social media images late Monday appeared to show pro-Palestinian Jewish students holding traditional seder meals inside the protest areas on campuses including at Columbia.

There were also demonstrations at MIT, the University of Michigan, UC Berkeley and Yale, where at least 47 people were arrested Monday after refusing requests to disperse.

ALSO READ: Jordan Armed Forces Send Gaza Aid Convoy

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Crime Politics USA

Prosecution alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Trump trial

Assistant District Attorney Matthew Colangelo described the case as a “criminal conspiracy and a cover-up

Prosecutors at the criminal trial of former US President Donald Trump accused him of engaging in “election fraud” by paying hush money to a porn star just days before the 2016 White House vote.

Assistant District Attorney Matthew Colangelo described the case as a “criminal conspiracy and a cover-up,” alleging that Trump orchestrated a scheme to corrupt the 2016 presidential election, according to AFP report.

According to Colangelo, Trump falsified business records to silence Stormy Daniels, a porn star, about a 2006 sexual encounter that could have impacted his bid for the presidency.

During the trial, Trump, dressed in a dark blue suit, sat at the defense table while his lawyers listened to the prosecutor’s opening remarks. The case poses significant risks to Trump’s political future, as it unfolds less than seven months before his potential rematch with Democratic President Joe Biden in the November election.

Prosecution witnesses are expected to include Stormy Daniels and Trump’s former fixer, Michael Cohen, who allegedly arranged the payment to the adult film actress. However, Trump’s attorney, Todd Blanche, maintained that Trump did not commit any crimes and criticized the Manhattan DA’s decision to bring the case, labeling it a “Biden witch hunt.”

The trial will keep Trump in court for four days a week over a potentially six-to-eight-week period. He faces 34 counts of falsifying business records related to reimbursements made to Cohen for the $130,000 hush money payment to Daniels.

Blanche attacked the credibility of Cohen and Daniels, highlighting Cohen’s past convictions and Daniels’ financial gain from the situation. Trump has separately been indicted on charges related to the 2020 election results and hoarding secret documents after leaving office, although those cases have faced delays due to legal challenges.

Judge Juan Merchan has maintained a tight schedule for the trial, and Trump has criticized the case and a partial gag order imposed by Merchan. Security measures have been heightened after a man set himself on fire outside the courthouse last week.

ALSO READ: Biden administration passes bill that could lead to TikTok ban

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Foreign Nationals Narrowly Escape Suicide Bombing in Karachi

Police officers inspect a damaged police van at an explosion site in Peshawar, northwestern Pakistan, July 30, 2021. (Photo by Saeed Ahmad/Xinhua)

The incident occurred when the convoy enroute to the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) was passing through the Malir Sharif Goth police station limits….reports Hamza Ameer

 Five foreign nationals had a narrow escape on Friday after their convoy was attacked by two suicide bombers in Landhi’s Mansehra Colony in Karachi.

“At least two terrorists were killed in a suicide attack targeting a convoy of foreign nationals, crossing through Mansehra colony in Karachi’s Landhi area. At least two security guards and a passer-by were among the injured,” police said.

The incident occurred when the convoy enroute to the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) was passing through the Malir Sharif Goth police station limits.

Eyewitnesses said they heard a loud explosion followed by gunfire.

Police officials present on duty told IANS that one of the attackers blew himself up while the other was neutralised after being confronted by them.

“One of the two attackers detonated his suicide vest while the other assailant was killed in the firing by police. He was also wearing a suicide vest. All foreign nationals were safe,” said one of the police officials.

“Two security guards who were accompanying the convoy were injured in the attack,” said the police officer.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Malir Tariq Masoi confirmed that the attack on the foreign national’s convoy was a suicide attack.

“The vehicle was targeted in a suicide attack but it was thwarted as two terrorists were killed. The police have also find a bag filled with grenades from the crime scene. The foreign nationals were safe. However, their two guards and a passerby were injured and shifted to the hospital”, he said.

Police also confirmed that the second attacker, shot dead by the police, was also wearing a suicide vest.

Police confirmed that the attacked convoy consisted of at least two vehicles, which were carrying the Managing Director of a company while four other foreign nationals were traveling in the following van.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. But this is the second targeted attack on foreign nationals, which has raised serious concerns among the security forces and government authorities.

Earlier, in March this year, at least five Chinese engineers were targeted and killed as an explosive-laden vehicle rammed into the bus carrying the engineers to the Dasu Hydropower Dam.

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori has condemned the suicide attack and has said that terrorism in the city would never be tolerated.

“Terrorism will not be tolerated in the city under any circumstances,” he said.

ALSO READ: Challenges Loom as Pakistan FM Eyes India Trade Resumption

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New York Capitol hit by cyberattack, budget deal delayed

A man types on a computer keyboard in this illustration picture February 28, 2013. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/Illustration/File Photo

With regard to the state budget, which was due at the end of March, legislators are already 17 days behind schedule….reports Asian Lite News

The computer infrastructure of the New York State Legislature appeared to be the target of an alleged cyberattack overnight on Tuesday, delaying the already weeks-overdue state budget negotiations, reported The Hill.

New York Governor Kathy Hocul stated that the cyberattack took place in the early hours of Wednesday, prompting a quick response from cybersecurity officials.

However, as of now, the exact reason behind the attack is unknown.

The hardest hit, according to Gothamist, a New York City-centric blog website operated by New York Public Radio, was the legislature’s bill drafting office, which is in charge of deciding on the state budget’s final wording.

With regard to the state budget, which was due at the end of March, legislators are already 17 days behind schedule. The bill drafting office is responding to the attack by using a computer file system that was replaced more than 20 years ago, which dates back to 1994, The Hill reported.

“Our understanding right now is that it will take a little bit longer to deal with the legislative side of it because a lot of data is included in the computers,” Hochul said of the budget process in a WNYC radio appearance with Brian Lehrer on Wednesday, according to The Hill.

Hochul announced on Monday that negotiations on a USD 237 billion budget proposal had been agreed upon by parliamentarians and that this week’s proceedings were anticipated to proceed.

According to The Hill, the members of Congress are concerned about the growing prevalence of cyberattacks and the possible hazards they pose to businesses and governments, which has centred attention on Washington in recent months.

A particular warning for state water and wastewater systems was issued by the Biden administration last month, alerting people to the possibility that attacks could be launched against vital infrastructure. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Biden renews Ukraine aid plea as Czech PM visits

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Indian warship seizes 940 kgs of narcotics in Op Crimson Barracuda

The Navy said that INS Talwar seized 453 kg of methamphetamines, 416 kg of hash and 71 kg of heroin from a dhow as part of Focused Operation Crimson Barracuda…reports Asian Lite News

The Indian Navy on Tuesday said that they have seized around 940 kg of contraband narcotics in the Western Arabian Sea as part of Combined Task Force 150 led ‘Focused Operation Crimson Barracuda’.

“The Indian Navy Ship INS Talwar, operating in support of the Canadian-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, conducted its first interdiction of illicit narcotics and seized 940 kg of contraband narcotics,” the Navy said.

The Navy said that INS Talwar seized 453 kg of methamphetamines, 416 kg of hash and 71 kg of heroin from a dhow as part of Focused Operation Crimson Barracuda.

“The drugs are being disposed of as per CMF SOPs,” the Navy said.

The Indian Navy joined the CMF in November 2023.

“I commend the crew of INS Talwar for their efforts throughout this Focused Operation and their hard work has paid off with this seizure of 940 kg of drugs,” said Royal Canadian Navy Capt. Colin Matthews.

CTF 150 is one of five task forces under Combined Maritime Forces, the world’s largest international naval partnership.

CTF 150’s mission is to deter and disrupt the ability of non-state actors to move weapons, drugs and other illicit substances in the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman.

ALSO READ: ‘My name is Kejriwal and I’m not a terrorist’ 

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New testimony links pvt contractor to Abu Ghraib abuses


Retired general Antonio Taguba informed jurors that contractor Steven Stefanowicz attempted to intimidate him during his investigation of the Abu Ghraib abuses….reports Asian Lite News

An Army general who investigated the abuse of prisoners 20 years ago at Iraq’s infamous Abu Ghraib prison testified Tuesday that a civilian contractor instructed prison guards to “soften up” detainees for interrogations.

The retired general, Antonio Taguba, told jurors that the contractor, Steven Stefanowicz, even tried to intimidate the general as he investigated the Abu Ghraib abuses.

“He would lean on the table staring me down. He did not answer questions directly,” Taguba said. “He was trying to intimidate me.”

Taguba’s testimony was the strongest evidence yet that civilian employees of the Virginia-based military contractor CACI played a role in the abuse of Abu Ghraib inmates.

Three former inmates at the prison are suing CACI in federal court in Alexandria, alleging that the company contributed to the tortuous treatment they suffered. The trial, delayed by more than 15 years of legal wrangling, is the first time that Abu Ghraib inmates have been able to bring a civil case in front of a US jury.

The lawsuit alleges that CACI is liable for the three plaintiffs’ mistreatment because the company provided civilian interrogators to the Army who were assigned to Abu Ghraib and conspired with the military police who were serving as prison guards to torture the inmates.

In a report Taguba completed in 2004, he recommended that Stefanowicz be fired, reprimanded and lose his security clearance for “allowing and/or instructing” military police to engage in illegal and abusive tactics.

“He clearly knew his instructions equated to physical abuse,” Taguba’s report concluded.

In testimony Tuesday, Taguba said he personally questioned Stefanowicz for about an hour as part of his investigation.

“He was a very coy type of personality,” Taguba said of Stefanowicz, often referred to as “Big Steve” by Abu Ghraib personnel.

Taguba said his investigation was focused on military police, and his probe of civilian interrogators’ role was limited. But he felt obligated to delve into it, he said, because he received credible testimony from the military police that the civilians were playing an important role in what occurred.

The MPs told Taguba that they weren’t getting clear instructions from within their own military chain of command, and that Stefanowicz and other civilian personnel ended up filling the void. Taguba said the military chain of command was unclear, and that various commanders were not cooperating with each other, all of which contributed to a chaotic atmosphere at the prison.

Taguba said he was several weeks into his investigation before he even understood that civilians were carrying out interrogations at Abu Ghraib. He said he and his staff heard multiple references to CACI but initially misunderstood them, believing that people were saying “khaki” instead.

On cross-examination, Taguba acknowledged the limits of his investigation. A second report, completed by Maj. Gen. George Fay, looked more directly at the role of military intelligence and civilian contractors at Abu Ghraib.

Taguba also acknowledged that his report contained several errors, including misidentifying a CACI employee as an employee of another contractor, and another civilian contractor as a CACI employee.

CACI’s lawyers emphasized that Stefanowicz was never assigned to interrogate any of the three plaintiffs in the case.

ALSO READ: Trump’s historic trial raises election questions

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Crime India News Legal

SC dismisses voter breathalyser test plea

Judges deemed the plea as more of a publicity stunt than a genuine legal concern…reports Asian Lite News

The Supreme Court recently rejected a plea advocating for breathalyser tests of voters queued at polling booths during elections. The petition, presented by the Andhra Pradesh unit of the Janavahini Party, argued that voters should not be permitted to cast their ballots under the influence of alcohol, especially given the imposition of the model code of conduct.

However, Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta deemed the plea as more of a publicity stunt than a genuine legal concern, echoing the Andhra Pradesh High Court’s earlier decision to dismiss the petition.

The bench expressed skepticism towards the petition’s motives, asserting that the demand for breathalyser tests appeared to be aimed at garnering attention rather than addressing a substantial issue.

They pointed out the existing measures on polling days, such as the enforcement of dry laws and the deployment of police personnel across voting precincts, as sufficient deterrents against alcohol-related interference in the voting process.

Initially filed in the high court, the plea failed to convince the judiciary of its legal merits. The court noted the absence of specific legal provisions obligating the Election Commission of India to implement breathalyser tests at polling booths.

The Janavahini Party’s representation, issued on January 6, urged the Election Commission to adopt such measures to ensure that only sober voters exercised their franchise. However, the high court found this representation lacking in legal grounds.

The Janavahini Party persisted in challenging the Election Commission’s inaction, seeking a court order mandating the deployment of breathalyser devices at polling booth entrances. Their objective was to restrict voting rights to individuals unaffected by alcohol consumption, thereby safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process

 Despite their efforts, both the high court and the Supreme Court ultimately dismissed the plea, underscoring the absence of legal mandates compelling such measures and considering the existing election day protocols as adequate safeguards against alcohol-related disruptions.

‘No anonymous political hoardings’

 The Election Commission of India (ECI) has cracked down on anonymous political hoardings while issuing directions for disclosure of publishers and printers on them for traceability and accountability.

The ECI on Wednesday directed all states and Union Territories to make it mandatory for all parties to clearly publish the identification of the printer and publisher on printed election-related material.

According to the ECI, the directions will be implemented on all political hoardings, ensuring accountability and transparency in the campaign communications.

The decision was taken by the Commission consisting of Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, and Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu after representations were received in the poll panel stating that in advertising spaces controlled by Municipal authorities, hoardings without the identity of the printer or publisher had been noticed.

The poll panel said that the Representation of the People Act, 1951, unequivocally prohibits the printing or publishing of election pamphlets, posters, placards, or banners without prominently displaying the name and address of the printer and publisher.

This requirement of disclosing the identity of publishers serves as a cornerstone for regulating campaign financing and fixing of responsibility in case content is found unbecoming of the framework of Model Code of Conduct or the statutory provisions, the ECI official added.

It may be recalled that CEC Rajiv Kumar highlighted addressing the issue of misinformation as one of the challenges, along with money and muscle power, for a level playing field.

With this directive, the Commission now has put the accountability on printers, publishers, licensees, contractors of Urban Local Bodies renting out outdoor advertising space for political advertisements published on outdoor media.

This is in continuation of the ECI’s recent advisory vide press note dated 02.04.2024 to editors of all newspapers to be cautious while publishing political advertisements in newspapers.

ALSO READ: DMK has first copyright on corruption: Modi

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Policeman Killed, 12 Injured in Quetta Mosque Blast

Pakistan: Security forces arrive at the blast site in Quetta, Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province, on April 21, 2021. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua/IANS)

The 12 people who were injured, included five security personnel….reports Asian Lite News

A policeman was killed, whereas 12 people sustained injuries in a blast near a mosque in Quetta on Monday, reported ARY News.

The 12 people who were injured, included five security personnel.

Following the blast, the injured were rushed to nearby medical facilities for immediate treatment.

Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies cordoned off the area and started an investigation into the case to determine the nature and cause of the blast that took place, according to ARY News.

This is not the first such explosion in the region. The province has witnessed a surge in terrorism activities lately.

In February, according to ARY News, at least 12 people were killed and 25 were injured in a blast outside a political party’s office in Balochistan’s Pishin region.

Similarly, at least 12 people were killed and several injured in a blast that occurred near the JUI-F election office in Balochistan’s Qila Saifullah. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Balochistan Politician Protests Pakistan Coast Guard’s Exploitation

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Scandal Rocks Pakistan’s Aviation Authority Over Corruption

It should be noted that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) notified a permanent closure of the Walton airport in the year 2021…reports Asian Lite News

In a major expose of corruption scandal in the sale of land of Walton Airport in Pakistan’s Lahore cantonment area; the Aircraft Owners & Operators Association (AOOA) has written a letter to the Federal Aviation Minister detailing the illegal sale of Walton airport’s land worth Rs 350 billion in exchange of rural land and Rs 50 million.

“Selling of the land of Walton Airport, Lahore is a perfect case of violation of rules, regulations and proceeds done through deception. The land of Walton airport is evaluated to be worth 350 Billion PKR or more which has been sold against the written rules and regulations/laws of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in exchange of a rural land at Mureedke and 50 billion PKR,” the letter from Capt Wg Cdr (Rtd) Muhammad Nawaz Asim, General Secretary AOOA Pakistan to Federal Ministry of Aviation/Defense stated.

“The worst thing is that our of 50 billion PKR only one billion PKR is received in the account of PCAA (Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority). Where has the rest of the money gone? Who is the beneficiary, and who has been used as a rubber stamp to facilitate such corruption?” the letter added.

AOOA also highlighted the historical value of the Walton Airport, terming it a national asset as the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, landed at this airport in 1947.

“The national asset and valuable historical airport has been reportedly destroyed by land mafias colluding with the DG CAA and Government officials. The destruction of the national asset where Quaid-e-Azam landed in 1947 is a clear case of systematic collapse through the greed of a few,” read AOOA’s letter to Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.

“The Walton gate scandal is a symbol of mala fides on the part of the CAA officials and this is how the Aviation industry is being ruined as the Walton Airport was a hub of General Aviation in Pakistan, which requires Judicial intervention and NAB investigation,” the letter added.

It should be noted that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) notified a permanent closure of the Walton airport in the year 2021.

Taking note of the AOOA letter, the CAA has notified all flying clubs to ground their planes, shutting down the airport for all operations.

ALSO READ: Chinese Workers in Pakistan Face New Realities

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Six Killed, Including Five Chinese, in Pakistan Suicide Blast

China’s Gezhouba Group Company is involved in the construction of a major hydroelectric dam in the Dasu area, which has been a target in the past as well….reports Asian Lite News

In a suicide attack, six people, including five Chinese nationals, were killed after the vehicle in which they were travelling was targeted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Besham city in Shangla district, media reports said.

Police said the attackers crashed their vehicle full of explosives into the car carrying Chinese engineers who were going to Dasu camp in Kohistan from Islamabad, the Geo News reported on Tuesday.

The car’s driver, who was a Pakistani national, succumbed to his injuries during treatment in a hospital.

A search operation was launched in the area for the suspects after a heavy contingent of security personnel arrived at the site and cordoned off the area.

China’s Gezhouba Group Company is involved in the construction of a major hydroelectric dam in the Dasu area, which has been a target in the past as well.

A bus explosion in 2021 in the region had killed 13 people, including nine Chinese nationals.

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari condemned the incident and expressed solidarity with the families of the deceased.

A statement issued by PPP’s media cell on X said that Bilawal extended condolences to the Chinese government and called for severe punishment for those involved in the attack.

The safety of Chinese workers has long been an area of concern in Pakistan with a convoy of Chinese engineers attacked in Balochistan province by armed rebels last year.

Dasu is the site of a major hydroelectric dam, under construction by the China Gezhouba Group Company, and the area has been attacked in the past.

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