Human Rights

RIYADH, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia announced on Thursday that an investigation has been launched into Turkey's information indicating the murder of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was "planned," Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

The announcement was made by the General Attorney in a statement carried by SPA, which said the Turkish information was sent through the Joint Working Team between the two countries.

Srinagar, Oct 25; GANASHAKTI:  CPI(M) MLA from Jammu and Kashmir M Y Tarigami on Thursday accused the Centre of contributing to the cycle of violence in the state with its use of disproportionate force to quell unrest.

He said the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre is making the situation in the state worse by subduing people's political aspirations instead of holding a credible dialogue.

By Lalit K Jha

Washington, Oct 25 (PTI) An influential Republican lawmaker on Wednesday urged the Trump administration to bring an end to discrimination against Asian-American students applying for admission to higher educational institutions in the US.

Congressman Dana Rohrabacher wrote a letter in this regard to the Education Secretary Betsy DeVos in the wake of the ongoing court case against the prestigious Harvard University.

Srinagar, Oct 25 (PTI) Two militants were killed Thursday in a gunbattle with security forces in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said.

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Kreeri area in the early hours following information about presence of militants there. Militants opened fire towards security forces, and two ultras were killed in the ensuing gunbattle, a police official said.

"The encounter at Kreeri in Baramulla is over. Two militants have been killed," the official said.

SANAA, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- At least 15 people were killed in a fresh Saudi-led coalition airstrike on a popular market in Yemen's Red Sea port city of Hodeidah on Wednesday evening, medics and residents told Xinhua.

RAMALLAH, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian youth was shot dead during clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians in the West Bank, Palestinian medical sources said Wednesday.

Mohammad Besharat, 21, was fatally shot by Israeli gunfire in the chest during the clashes, said the Palestinian Red Crescent Society.

Several others were wounded by live ammunition and rubber coated bullets and suffocated by tear gas, it added.

Witnesses said clashes broke out after Israeli forces raided the village of Tamoun, located near Tubas in the West Bank's Northern Valleys.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday denounced Saudi handling of the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, calling it the "worst cover-up ever", as Washington was revoking visas of Saudi officials involved in the case.

Trump told reporters at the White House that the incident was poorly managed by the Saudi authorities. "Somebody really messed up. And they had the worst cover-up ever," he said.

Later in the day, Trump described the killing and the following cover-up as "a total fiasco."

STRASBOURG, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- European Council President Donald Tusk said here on Wednesday that all details of the killing of Saudi journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, shoud be revealed regardless of "who is behind it".

"This was such a horrible crime, that even the slightest trace of hypocrisy would bring shame on us," Tusk said in a speech to the European Parliament.

"It is not my role to state who wants to protect whose interests here. But I know one thing: the only European interest is to reveal all the details of this case, regardless of who is behind it," he said.

Srinagar, Oct 24 (PTI) National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah Wednesday said granting autonomy is the only "pragmatic solution" to the decades-old problem of Jammu and Kashmir.

It is high time for the Government of India to implement the resolution of autonomy (passed by state legislative assembly in 2000).

Srinagar, Oct 24 (PTI) Two Hizbul Mujahideen militants, including an reportedly M.Phil degree holder, were killed in an encounter with security forces in Nowgam area of the city on Wednesday.

The slain militants have been identified as Sabzar Ahmad Sofi and Asif Ahmad, an official said.

According to media reports, Sofi was pursuing PhD in Botany from Jamia Millia Islamia New Delhi, and had joined the militant ranks in the aftermath of killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in July 2016.