Human Rights

28 Oct 2019; MEMO: US President Donald Trump’s suggestion on Sunday that Exxon Mobil or another US oil company operate Syrian oil fields drew rebukes from legal and energy experts, Reuters reports.

“What I intend to do, perhaps, is make a deal with an ExxonMobil or one of our great companies to go in there and do it properly … and spread out the wealth,” Trump said during a news conference about the US special forces operation that led to the death of Daesh leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

Mau, Oct 27 (PTI) A youth was allegedly beaten to death by some people in the Sarai Lakhansi area of this Uttar Pradesh district, police said on Sunday.

The incident took place Saturday night, Circle Officer (city) Rajkumar said.

Shahid, 20, was beaten up by some people weilding clout in the area. He sustained serious injuries and was rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead, he said.

New Delhi, Oct 28 (PTI) A delegation of over 25 European Union MPs on Monday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval ahead of their planned visit to Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, sources have said.

The delegation was briefed about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and cross-border terrorism emanating from across the border, they said.

The delegation of EU members of parliament will meet Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Monday evening.

26 Oct 2019; MEMO: The Executive Council of the Episcopal Church in America has decided to withdraw its investments in Motorola Solutions, Caterpillar and the Israel Discount Bank for benefiting from the Israeli occupation, media agencies reported on Friday.

27 Oct 2019; MEMO: Russia’s defence ministry on Saturday attacked US plans to maintain and boost the American military presence in eastern Syria as “international state banditry” motivated by a desire to protect oil smugglers and not by real security concerns, Reuters reports.

US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Friday Washington would send armoured vehicles and troops to the Syrian oil fields in order to prevent them from falling into the hands of Islamic State militants.

New Delhi, Oct 26; GANASHAKTI - CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Saturday termed as "preposterous", Prime Minister Narendra Modi's claim that the turnout in the recently held Block Development Council (BDC) elections in Jammu and Kashmir was an indication of the region's faith in democracy.

Yechury said this is no sign of "normalcy" and the prime minister is resorting to "falsehoods and propaganda".

Islamabad, Oct 27; GANASHAKTI: Pakistan observed black day on Sunday in support of Kashmiris, with Prime Minister Imran Khan reaffirming his country's "unflinching moral, political and diplomatic support" to the people of Kashmir.

Khan said the black day being observed in Pakistan and across the world on Sunday is distinct from the past and demanded immediate lifting of the curfew and communications blackout in Kashmir.

He reaffirmed Pakistan's "unflinching moral, political and diplomatic support" to the people of Kashmir.

Srinagar, Oct 26 (PTI) National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, who is currently in detention under the Public Safety Act (PSA) has been greeted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 82nd birthday, NC sources said on Saturday.

The sources said Abdullah, who turned 82 on October 21, received a letter from the Prime Minister greeting him on his birthday.

Jammu, Oct 26 (PTI) The National Conference on Saturday hoped that Lt Governor- designate Girish Chander Murmu would appreciate the "sentiment and sensitivity" of the people and would accord priority to the restoration of the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir.

It also hoped the change of guard in the Raj Bhavan would usher a new era of confidence for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Srinagar, Oct 27 (PTI) The shutdown in Kashmir, following the abrogation of Article 370, has crippled the valley's economy as the business community has suffered losses amounting to over Rs 10,000 crore in three months, a trade body said here.

The deadlock in Kashmir, after the Centre announced the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, completed 84 days on Sunday with the valley in shutdown as the main markets continued to remain shut and public transport off the roads.