Trump in India – Assessing the Current Trajectory of Indo-US Ties

Donald Trump, right, with Indian Prime Minister Modi at a rally in Ahmedabad, India © Money Sharma/AFP/Getty

The last few days saw India pulling out all the stops for President Trump’s first official visit to the country. High on optics and bollywoodesque fanfare, the trip despite serving as a vital political boost to both leaders remained shy of any concrete agreements. At least that is what the initial consensus amongst key analysts and media pundits seems to point towards in this visit’s immediate aftermath.

This for instance was evident in the absence of a signed trade deal that would address the contentious issue of tariffs that has dogged US-India relations particularly under the Trump presidency. Similarly, while the signing of the $3bn arms deal comprising of US attack helicopters and other US military equipment was also formalized, it still pales in comparison to India’s arms deals with Russia – a country that accounts for more than half of India’s defense imports worth $15bn just in the last three years. Thus, considering the timing of Mr. Trump’s Presidential visit within the context of the looming US elections, as well as the political fallout being faced by PM Modi following his violent crackdown in Indian Occupied Kashmir and the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act, it is perhaps unrealistic to compare the strategic significance of this visit with other key US presidential visits from the past. Such as for instance, the landmark civil nuclear agreement that was signed when President George W. Bush had visited PM Manmohan Singh in Delhi in 2006.

Nevertheless, considering the trajectory of Indo-US ties since the signing of the 2006 nuclear deal, both countries’ strategic interests have converged on several key issues. The most salient of which remains their need to contain a rising China which in addition to its growing economic influence has increasingly come to challenge both the US and India’s ability to project power within South and South-East Asia. President Trump’s references to the Indo-Pacific and the ‘quad’ during this visit stand as a clear case in point. So does his mentioning of the need to have a secure 5G wireless network, a clear reference to the US’s misgivings regarding the international role and overarching influence of Chinese tech giant, Huawei.



Yet, while the indirect references to China, however veiled were still apparent, there was a conspicuous silence on key things Russia. For example, questions over whether India would face US sanctions over its $5.5bn deal with Russia over five squadrons of the S-400 Air Defense System still remain unaddressed. Last month’s statements from US State Department officials regarding whether India would face sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversary’s Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) had cast even further ambiguity on the matter. The US position as it was reported then stands that while the US was unwilling to degrade India’s defense capabilities, there was no blanket waiver offered to India for the S-400 purchase. China has already been sanctioned by the US for purchasing the S-400 under CAATSA with similar threats having been levied on NATO ally Turkey just last year.

If this issue of sanctions or a waiver had been discussed between PM Modi and President Trump in the last few days, it was not made public. In fact, according to recent reports, India in walking a diplomatic tightrope between the US and Russia seems to have instead delayed the procurement of its five S-400 missile batteries by up to another year. Whereas, earlier reports had indicated that India would take delivery of the S-400 System by October this year, more recent developments have suggested that deliveries of this system are expected to be made instead by the end of 2021. Based on this, it is likely that India may be biding some time for a possible change of heart in the US while ensuring it does not antagonize its long-standing relationship with Russia. Similarly, Russia too may have agreed to delay the delivery in order to ensure that its decades old and highly lucrative inroads within India’s military industrial complex remain intact. Especially at a time when India by flexing its economic muscles and amid a military modernization spree stands as one of the most lucrative markets for defense exporters across the world.

Based on these developments, while President Trump may have surreptitiously avoided bringing up issues directly pertaining to Russia, there is no denying that there is considerable impetus in Washington towards gaining a larger slice of India’s military-industrial pie. Hence, the inroads being made by the likes of Boeing and Lockheed Martin are likely to serve as important stepping stones for not only more lucrative deals and technology transfer agreements in the near future, but also for developing a robust strategic alliance centered on the quad framework. Hence, whereas both India and the US have embarked on this strategic partnership particularly in view of China’s expanding influence in the region, the implications of this move on Russian interests both in India and as well as the wider region may demand a lot more serious attention than what appears to have been given at the present. Especially considering how India’s historic penchant for preferring a non-aligned foreign policy runs counter to the US’s more hands-on and involved approach to international relations.

Coronavirus: Did COVID-19 leak from Chinese or US lab?

A sensational claim by Frances Boyle, the man who drafted the first multilateral disarmament treaty banning biological warfare, says that COVID-19 is a bio-weapon which was accidentally leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, a level four biosafety laboratory seven miles from the epicentre of the outbreak.

Even though former Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had the same view that the virus originated from a bio lab though he did not name any country. He said, “It is clear to the world that the mutated coronavirus was produced in a lab.”

However, some Japanese and Taiwanese epidemiologists and pharmacologists are of the view that  coronavirus almost certainly originated in the US since that country is the only one known to have all five types – from which all others must have descended. The one in Wuhan in China is only one of those types, which leads to the analogy as a kind of “branch” which cannot exist by itself but must have grown from a “tree”. And in this case, the “tree” is the United States of America.

Taiwanese physicians claim that in 2019 US had a flurry of lung pneumonias or similar cases which they blamed on vaping from e-cigarettes. The symptoms of those patients however, could not be explained by e-cigarettes. Warning letters were sent to US saying that the symptoms of those patients were similar to those of coronavirus. However, those warnings landed on deaf ears.

The interesting thing is that, immediately prior to these coronavirus like outbreak, US Center for Disease Control shut down its Military’s main bio-lab at Fort Detrick, Maryland, due to what they termed as, “absence of safeguards against pathogen leakages”. It was immediately after this closure that the e-cigarette epidemic arose.

However, despite these two opposing theories about the origin of the new strain of coronavirus. Most of the epidemiologists believe it not to be the case and that it did mutate from animals.

Avicii’s sudden death stuns everyone

Avicii, the world-famous producer and DJ, has been found dead in Oman. He was 28.
Born as Tim Bergling, Avicii was a pioneer of Electronic Dance Movement.

He was in Muscat, Oman at the time of his passing, his publicist Diana Baron told reporters in a statement.

“It is with profound sorrow that we announce the loss of Tim Bergling, also known as Avicii,” Baron said. “He was found dead in Muscat, Oman this Friday afternoon local time, April 20th. The family is devastated and we ask everyone to please respect their need for privacy in this difficult time. No further statements will be given.”

The reason of his death has not immediately been revealed but there are rumors of a drug overdose.

During his career, Avicii had worked with Madonna, Lenny Kravitz and many other artists from around the globe. He was considered one of the most successful DJs in the electronic music industry and had won two MTV Music Awards, one Billboard Music Award and two Grammy nominations.

Canadian Singer Shania Twain caught in the crossfire over Trump comment

Famous Canadian singer Shania Twain seems to have been caught in the crossfire after her comment praising US President Donald Trump during an interview with Guardian News. She later apologized after mounting criticism from her liberal fans. However, the apology didn’t go well with her conservative fan following and they started criticizing her.

To a question about the US election, Shania reportedly told Guardian News, “Do you want straight or polite? Not that you shouldn’t be able to have both. If I were voting, I just don’t want bulls**t. I would have voted for a feeling that it was transparent. And politics has a reputation of not being that, right?”

The singer, however, issued a series of tweets apologizing on the same day her interview got published. The singer said that her statement “didn’t mean any sort of endorsement.”

“I would like to apologize to anybody I have offended,” Twain tweeted. “The question caught me off guard. As a Canadian, I regret answering this unexpected question without giving my response more context.”

“My answer was awkward, but certainly should not be taken as representative of my values nor does it mean I endorse him (Trump). I make music to bring people together,” Twain continued.

The Canadian said she does not “hold any common beliefs with the current President.”

Her apology later ignited anger among Shania’s conservative fans contending that she was supposed to stick to her statements as this was her right to speak her mind.

Climate change is real but our efforts aren’t

The Federal minister’s inability to answer a simple question regarding NDCs relevance to Pakistan and insistence upon giving his five-minute long written speech at COP23 conference sums up our seriousness towards climate change. The COP23 conference at Bonn was in fact used as an excuse to visit Germany by officials from different departments. It is clear from the way they represented their country. The whole world watched how ill-prepared they were and how serious they took the conference.

While talking to DW (Urdu), the federal minister again found himself in an embarrassing situation when the host asked him about his ministry’s performance since its inception in 2012. He had nothing else to mention except a list of the policies and plans they have made on paper. He regarded deforestation as a routine affair and didn’t seem bothered by the ongoing deforestation in the country. He could have mentioned the billion tree tsunami by the KP province but his political affiliation did not allow him to do so.

Earlier this year, on the eve of the environment day, where other parts of the world seemed to have been observing it with new promises, unfortunately in Pakistan, Ministry of Climate Change remained silent. There was not a single activity arranged the ministry in the Capital city, Islamabad, or any in other city of the country which shows how disinterested the ministry was, in regards to this day. One wonders, if the ministry of climate change has not achieved anything concrete so far, then why it exists.

Ministry was climate change appeared on scene in 2012 when the ministry of national disaster management was renamed the ministry of climate change. In July 2013, two months after coming to power, the PML-N government demoted it to a division. Now, not too long after, the same government has upgraded it again, not because they were concerned about the environmental degradation but to create vacancy for a minister and bureaucrats. It is a common practice in Pakistan. Ministries often come about not so much because they are needed but to accommodate large cabinets and a burgeoning bureaucracy.

Unfortunately in our country, no government has given priority to the issue, even though climate change is considered a major challenge at the global level. But it is such an issue which we cannot ignore for long. Geographically, Pakistan is located in a region that is likely to be affected most by climate change. As per vulnerability to climate change determined by Germanwatch (which compiles a climate change performance index), Pakistan is among the top 10 vulnerable countries in the world. Another study has included Pakistan in the eight countries most vulnerable to the consequences of climate change despite the fact that Pakistan is 135th among carbon emitting countries and contributes only 0.8 per cent to global carbon emissions.

Several scientific studies and reports have warned us regarding the threat posed by climate change. In fact, climate change poses a greater security threat than terrorism because it can affect temperatures, the environment, the economy and the future policies of the country. Moreover, 70 to 80 per cent of Pakistan’s water from glaciers, but in the next 30 to 40 years, there, may be no more water in the Indus River because the glaciers will have all melted.

A recent study conducted in Chakwal and Attock districts by Intercooperation, a Swiss non-governmental organisation, predicts horrible consequences of climate change. The report predicts that the region is going to lose its spring and autumn seasons and stated that there will be only two seasons: summer and winter. The summers are going to be wet while the winters are turning into a dry season as we are facing an increase in summer rains and a decrease in winter rainfall. Due to the decrease in winter rains, the chances of the wheat crop failing are increasing while the crop has also become more prone to getting infested with weeds. The increase in summer rains means more soil erosion, more land degradation and more floods.

The agriculture sector, which is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, is going to suffer badly. The change in the weather pattern is already having an impact on crops. This sector is vulnerable to both temperature and rainfall. The rise in temperature is hampering the per acre yield of the wheat and maize crops. There is also a serious impact on fruit and vegetables. The net farm revenue, as gauged from farming business, is the lowest in the region which is substantially attributed to climate change given all the other factors. There is an element of micro-climate change in the Barani region. It has been observed that some insects have started attacking livestock, thereby reducing the growth of animals and milk production. The frost phenomenon is also shaking the very fabric of plantation in some regions.

Earlier this month, smog disrupted life activities in different parts of the country. Thousands of people were hospitalized as well. Meteorologists say the pollution surge was triggered by vehicle exhaust fumes and dust. Levels of Particulate Matter (PM 2.5) have been touching 500mg per cubic meter in the last several days in parts of Pakistan where the normal upper limit is 150mg. The particles, if inhaled deep into the lungs, can cause heart attacks, strokes, lung cancer, severe allergies and respiratory diseases. Different parts of the country experienced long drought as well which affected agricultural production. These events are enough to open our eyes and take necessary steps to counter climate change.

We need to reduce our reliance on fossil fuel and make a transition to renewable energy. All the provinces and other federating units need to follow KP billion tree tsunami keeping aside the political differences. Although reforestation and climate change is primarily the responsibility of provincial governments but due to the importance of the issue, the federal government should take steps and resolve such problems, adding that most of the local industry did not even know about carbon credits.

Climate change is real. We cannot afford to ignore it for long. It should one of our top priorities. We need to a strong commitment on the part of government and concerned departments.

Circular Economy – using and re-using instead of using up

We have plundered our planet’s resources at such a high rate during the last few decades that it has endangered the very existence of all living beings on earth. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) had warned us about this fact a long time ago. The ever increasing human population along with rising per capita income has led to high consumption of innumerable commodities.

With the coming of the Industrial Revolution, humans were able to advance further into the 21st century. Technology developed rapidly, science became advanced and the manufacturing age came into view. With all of these came one more effect, industrial pollution.

Earlier, industries were small factories that produced smoke as the main pollutant. However, since the number of factories were limited and worked only a certain number of hours a day, the levels of pollution did not grow significantly. But when these factories became full scale industries and manufacturing units, the issue of industrial pollution started to take on more importance. Industries around the world produce over 1.5 billion tons of wastes annually.

Water Pollution and soil pollution are often caused directly due to inefficiency in disposal of waste. Long term exposure to polluted air and water causes chronic health problems, making the issue of industrial pollution into a severe one. It also lowers the air quality in surrounding areas which causes many respiratory disorders. Although the “proper” treatment of the industrial waste is often stressed by the relevant international organizations but due to lack of resources, skills, manpower and willpower huge quantities of wastes are disposed of into the environment haphazardly.

The concept of circular economy has gained prime importance in the recent past. Unlike the traditional linear economy system, which is based on “take  make  dispose” production model, circular economy is a continuous development process which does not end at the waste disposal. It reprocesses the wastes produced as a result of production process and regenerate new products. It promotes sustainability and minimizes risk of total collapse of the system. So, the disposal step of the linear economy is replaced by recycling. Hence, a continuous system is developed which also minimize the unwanted substance flow into the environment. The Club of Rome – a global think-tank reported that circular economy could bring 70% reduction in carbon emissions by 2070.

Circular economy revolves around the idea that wastes do not exist. Rather, these are used as resource. However, in order to achieve this objective, the products may be designed in such a way that waste flow is minimized. It means, we need to use more and more recyclable material in the production systems.

The European Union (EU) is making some progress in this regard. Businesses across Europe are making the society and environment more resilient. In the coming years, it could go on to save billions of Euros, create jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to a greater extent. The EU target is to recycle municipal and packaging wastes by 65% and 75% respectively by 2030. Similarly, the United States and other developed regions are making efforts to switch from a linear to circular economy.

The developing countries are lagging behind which is understandable. However, the international organizations have recognized the potential for circular economic models in some of the developed countries. Like in Pakistan, the textile industry is one of the major industries and produces millions of tons of wastes annually. These wastes can be recycled and can serve as raw material for other related industries. It can not only strengthen the economy but also reduces the adverse environmental impact of the textile industry.

Circular economy provides fully renewable and recyclable resource inputs that underpin circular production and consumption systems. It maximizes the economic value of product return flows. In the face of runaway resource scarcity and rising demand for more sustainable products, it is the need of the hour to change our production patterns.

US stands isolated on declaring Jerusalem as capital of Israel

United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, addresses the General Assembly prior to the vote on Jerusalem. Credit: EDUARDO MUNOZ ALVAREZ/AFP

A UN general assembly resolution condemning US decision of declaring Jerusalem as the capital of Israel has been passed with an overwhelming majority. A total of 128 states voted in favor of the resolution, 9 voted against it, while 35 abstained.

Before the vote on the resolution, Nikki Haley the U.S. Permanent Representative at UN, warned nations of consequences if they voted against US. “The vote will not have any affect on the US decision but we will remember those who voted against us”, she said.

Representatives of various nations derided US President Trump’s decision of declaring Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. They said such a decision is against the resolutions of United Nations and it would harm the peace process in the Middle East.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Maleeha Lodhi also criticized US decision in strong terms saying, “The US should know that the world community is not for sale.”

Challenging the Saudi Crown Prince: Alwaleed bin Talal toughs it out

Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. Credits: Fahad Shadeed | Reuters

Incarcerated for almost two months in a gilded cage in Riyadh’s luxurious Ritz Carlton Hotel, Saudi billionaire businessman Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal appears to be putting up a fight that could challenge Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s assertion that his two month-old purge of scores of members of the ruling family, senior officials, and businessmen constitutes a campaign against corruption.

Many of those detained in Prince Mohammed’s purge, dubbed by critics as a power and asset grab dressed up as an anti-corruption effort, have bought their release by agreeing to surrender significant assets. The government has said it hopes to recover up to $100 billion in allegedly illegitimately acquired funds and assets.

Prince Mutaib bin Abdullah, a favoured son of the late King Abdullah who was deposed as commander of the National Guard in a bid to neutralize the Saudi crown prince’s most potent rival, secured his release by agreeing to pay $1 billion and signing a document in which he confessed to charges of corruption.

In what appears to be the largest settlement demand, Prince Al-Waleed has, according to The Wall Street Journal, resisted pressure by the government to hand over $6 billion.

Instead, the prince has reportedly offered the government a significant stake in his Riyadh-listed Kingdom Holding that has invested in blue chips such as Citibank, Twitter, Four Seasons hotels, and Disney, and operates a media and entertainment empire. Kingdom Holding has lost 14 percent of its $8.7 billion market value since Prince Al-Waleed’s detention. The prince has also insisted that he retain a leadership position in his conglomerate.

With a fortune estimated by Forbes at $16.8 billion, Prince Al-Waleed reportedly believes that the cash settlement demanded by the government would put his empire at peril and amount to an admission of guilt.

That may indeed be the purpose of the exercise. A social reformer, who already years ago implemented within his own company changes of women’s status announced in recent months by Prince Mohammed, is Saudi Arabia’s most prominent entrepreneur who is continuously welcomed around the world by heads of state and government and business moguls.

The son of Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz, a liberal nicknamed the Red Prince, who in the 1960s and again in the first decade of the 21st century publicly criticized his family’s rule, Prince Al-Waleed is believed to have no political ambitions.

In resisting Prince Mohammed’s demands, Prince Al-Waleed is challenging an opaque and seemingly arbitrary process in which despite assertions by the government that it has conducted extensive investigations and collected substantial evidence of corruption, bribery, money laundering and extortion, there has been little, if any, discernible due process and no proof publicly presented.

Quoting sources close to Prince Al-Waleed, The Wall Street Journal reported that the businessman was demanding a proper investigation and was willing to fight it out in court. “He wants a proper investigation. It is expected that al-Waleed will give MBS a hard time,” the Journal quoted a person close to Prince Al-Waleed as saying. The person was referring to Prince Mohammed by his initials.

A court battle would put the government’s assertions of due process to the test and would also shine a spotlight on the integrity of Saudi Arabia’s judicial system. The risk involved in a legal battle is that the charges levelled against Prince Al-Waleed and others were common practice in a kingdom in which there were no well-defined rules governing relationships between members of the ruling family and the government as well as ties between princes and princesses who wielded influence and businessmen.

There is little doubt that Prince Mohammed’s purge is popular among significant segments of the population, half of which is classified as low- or middle-income families, that has long resented the elite’s seemingly unbridled perks.

Prince Mohammed has so far been shielded against questions of the source of his own wealth and that of his tack of the ruling family. Several immediate relatives of Prince Mohammed were last year identified in the Panama Papers leaked from the files of a law firm in the Central American nation that handled offshore business and transactions by the world’s mega-rich.

Media reports have since suggested that the prince had spent in recent years $1.25 billion on a $500 million yacht, a $300 million mansion in France, and a $450 million Leonardo da Vinci painting. Prince Mohammed has denied buying the art work that was acquired by a close associate of his allegedly on behalf of the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism.

Shining the spotlight on the anti-corruption campaign in a legal battle with Prince Al-Waleed would come at a time that the government is unilaterally rewriting the kingdom’s social contract that involved a cradle-to-grave-welfare state in exchange for surrender of political rights and acceptance of Sunni Muslim ultra-conservative and Bedouin moral codes.

The government this week paid $533 million into a newly established social welfare fund to help families offset the cost of the imminent introduction of a five-percent value-added tax on goods including food, and services, as well as subsidy cuts that would substantially raise the price of electricity and gasoline. The government was forced earlier this year to reverse a freeze on public sector wage increases and perks and slowdown its austerity program because of anger and frustration expressed on social media.

Labor and Social Development Minister Ali al-Ghafees told the state-run Saudi Press Agency that approximately three million families or 10.6 million beneficiaries had already been paid the maximum relief of 938 Saudi riyals ($250) out of the newly created fund.

The government, moreover, this month announced a $19bn stimulus package that includes subsidised loans for house buyers and developers, fee waivers for small businesses and financial support for distressed companies. It also presented its new budget involving record spending in which funding of defense outstrips that of education in a country with a 12.7 percent unemployment rate. A Bank of America Merrill Lynch report predicted last year that youth unemployment could jump from 33.5 to 42 percent by 2030.

Prince Mohammed is banking on continued public support for his economic and social reforms, and on the fact that once the dust has settled foreign investors will forget whatever misgivings they may have had about the lack of due process and absence of rule law in the anti-corruption crackdown. Foreign diplomats in the kingdom noted that the businesses of those detained or penalized continued to operate and that no foreign interests were caught up in the purge.

However, to maintain his popularity, Prince Mohammed will have to manage expectations, deliver jobs, continue to massage the pain of austerity and the introduction of a new social contract, and ensure that the public continues to perceive his purge as an anti-corruption campaign in which the high and mighty are no longer above the law.

A legal battle with Prince Al-Waleed that publicly puts to the test the government’s assertions could upset the apple cart. That may be the leverage Prince Al-Waleed hopes will work in his favour as he negotiates his settlement from the confines of the Ritz Carlton.

Stephen Paddock, a ‘lone wolf’ white terrorist

The killing of 59 innocent people in Las Vegas by Stephen Paddock, a white male, has reignited the issue of who gets to be called a terrorist. Again, reading the headlines of most of the western media houses gives us the impression that a white person can only be a lone-wolf or might have some mental issues if he ruthlessly kills dozens of innocent people.

The rule is simple, for the same or even less severe crime, a Muslim perpetrator is automatically termed a terrorist, unless proven otherwise. While for white males it is the other way around.

Stephen Paddock opened indiscriminate fire on a large crowd gathered for an outdoor festival in Las Vegas, killed 59 and injured 529 others, but he was instantly humanized in the mainstream media by terming him a country music lover. Despite committing the most deadliest mass shooting incident in American history, Mr. Paddock escapes the title of being called a terrorist, thanks to his white blood.

Witnesses described the massacre as “nonstop gunfire” as around 22,000 panicked crowd started to run to save their lives. A truly terrorizing and bone-chilling tale of terror. However, since no Muslim is involved, many are afraid of calling it an act of terrorism.

A total of 23 weapons were found in Paddock’s hotel room which included a handgun, around 20 rifles and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. A federal law enforcement official stated that many rifles were used during the attack by Mr. Paddock. He did intend to cause maximum damage and kill as many has possible.

The need of the hour is that we call a spade a spade. A terrorist is a terrorist no matter what his religion or color. Stephen Paddock was a terrorist and he happened to be a christian of white color.

White House Website: Reason Why Pages Like LGBT were Removed

Recent Screenshot of the WhiteHouse.Gov Website
Recently, various media networks reported that soon after Trump’s inauguration, his administration took down pages related to Civil Rights, LGBT, Abortion, Climate Change and Spanish language content from the White House website. The news sent shockwaves among many who were already wary of President Trump’s various controversial pledges during his campaign.

However, contrary to the misleading reports, in fact every new administration is handed over a fresh version of White House website where they showcases their own policies. The old website is wiped clean with every new presidency.

The content of the old website are archived. For example all Obama-era material of the White House website have been archived and are available at Obama whitehouse.gov.

Similarly, the official twitter handle of the United State President @POTUS was also wiped clean and handed over to the new incoming president. At the time of this writing, there were only 19 tweets from President Trump.

All tweets of Barack Obama were archived at @POTUS44. The same was done to the twitter handle of the former first lady Michele Obama.

Trump’s Ban on Seven Muslim Countries is For 90 Days Only

Nonetheless, thousands of people have been affected by this decision which came as a surprise to many despite Trump’s explicit resolve to do so during his campaign.US President Trump’s executive order to ban immigrant and non-immigrant entry into the United States from seven Muslim countries has been met with serious criticism. However, one important part of the ban which has been not been properly reported is that the ban is only for 90 days.According to the executive order’s text, the current visa process will be assessed and loopholes identified so that a uniform screening standard and procedure is developed during this 90-day ban.As the ban came into effect, seven migrants were stopped from boarding Cairo flight to New York and two Iraqis were detained at New York’s JFK airport.Not only does the ban affects immigrant and non-immigrant visa holders, but it also blocks green-card holders from entry into the United States. The so-called green card makes an individual a legal permanent US resident and blocking them entry into the United States has raised many eye brows among the legal community.Hamaseh Tayari, a UK resident who holds an Iranian passport, was on holiday in Costa Rica and was due to fly back to Glasgow, but was denied entry onto the flight because her flight went via New York and she would need a transit visa, which was revoked.Ms. Tayari, who works as a vet in UK, was shocked at this sudden development. She said: “This has really shocked me. We just discovered [what Trump did] at the airport when we went to check-in. I want people to know that this is not just happening to refugees. I am a graduate and I have a Phd. It has happened to a person who is working and who pays tax.”There are nearly 500,000 such Legal U.S. Residents who can not enter into the United States during these 90 days.

Will China Replace the US as Global Climate Leader?

People ride along a street on a smoggy day in Daqing, Heilongjiang province. REUTERS/Stringer

China and the United States are the top two biggest global carbon emitters. China has not taken drastic measures to curb carbon emissions until recent past, the US was playing a lead role in devising environmental policies and the Obama administration took several measures to minimize the impact of climate change. Former US President Obama had put a stop to the 1,179-mile Keystone XL Pipeline, which would have carried crude from Alberta tar sands to the Gulf of Mexico.

In Obama’s view, the environmental cost was too much for a relatively modest supply of oil, and would have been at odds with this nation’s commitment to join a global pact to reduce greenhouse gases. He solidified his environmental legacy by putting an end to oil drilling in large areas of Atlantic and Arctic oceans during his last days as President.

During the last two weeks, we saw a contrasting approach by the US and China to climate change issue. Chinese government started working on a comprehensive plan for the control of Greenhouse Gas emission. Main objective of the work plan is to reduce carbon emission intensity up to 20.5% by the year 2020. Moreover the Beijing administration announced plans to set up an environmental police force responsible for enforcing pollution restrictions across the capital in a bid to improve the city’s air quality.

China has also closed several coal-fired power plants and high-polluting factories, as well as imposed vehicle restrictions. The government also aims to close 500 polluting factories and revamp over 2,500 others to meet higher pollution treatment standards. On the other hand, the new US government has taken several measures during the last few days which show a complete departure from the previous government’s environmental legacy. The new US administration has turned its back on the Paris Climate Agreement.

The new US President Donald Trump on the other hand, has signed executive directives to advance two controversial proposed oil pipelines inviting TransCanada to resubmit its application for Keystone XL Pipeline. He insisted that the pipeline will be built with American steel. The President also ordered the Army Corps of Engineers to expedite approval of the Dakota Access pipeline, which would extend from the Dakotas to Illinois.

This pipeline was opposed by environmental scientists and Standing Rock Sioux Tribe who expressed their concerns about water contamination. Moreover, the President has also ordered for fast-track environmental review of major infrastructure projects. The proposed wall on Mexican border is also seen as threat to wildlife migrations and may also affect the flow of transboundary water between the two countries.

Keeping in view the contrasting approached to the climate change by the two countries, it can be predicted that China will play a lead role in addressing the issue of climate change in near future. However, the potential and the role of the US cannot be ignored in this regard. It is the duty of global community and international organizations to voice their concerns to the US government and propose alternatives for the recently signed projects.

The aftermath Mosul liberation and confirmation of al-Baghdadi’s death

Since the day Daesh [Arabic acronym for ISIS] captured Mosul in June 2014, the group has defended the city by putting civilians as human shield and hiding in places like hospitals, schools and busy neighborhoods. Thousands of the Iraq’s displaced from Mosul have lost their loved ones or were injured on their way out as a result.

The liberation of Mosul comes at a time when Daesh has to deal with the death of their leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the self-proclaimed caliph of the Muslim world. According to latest reports, Daesh has confirmed the death of their leader.

What does the liberation of Mosul and the death of al-Baghdadi mean for the people of Iraq, Syria and more importantly ISIS itself?

Nothing much is left for the living in Mosul after the year-long heavy fighting between Iraqi forces and ISIS. The city has been destroyed into rubble. According to UN estimates, building the bare-minimum and most important infrastructure of the city will cost almost $1 billion.

While the defeat of ISIS is a good news, for many people of Mosul who bore the collateral damage of the war, reality presents a different picture.

They had to leave their homes and lose their loved ones while walking away from, what many termed as “a literal hell on earth”. Being ruled by ISIS, Mosul civilians have described a life of terror, with children killed for minor misdemeanors, public floggings and regular disappearances of people.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi arrived in Mosul on Sunday and congratulated Iraqi Army for taking the city from the Islamic State. The coalition celebrated with the ISF for retaking the city. However, security officials have warned that there still might be fighters hiding under the rubble and explosive devices left behind.

Now, they have to return to their home, a home of rubble. The biggest challenge to the Iraqi government and its partners will be rebuilding the city back from the ground up.

On the other hand, Islamic State is on the back foot on all fronts. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has also confirmed to Reuters that it has undeniable proof that the group’s leader al-Baghdadi is dead.

The confirmation of the death of ISIS leader is a major blow to the group that was already losing ground both in Iraq and Syria. With their leader now dead and losing Mosul, Daesh is now fighting for its last stronghold Raqqa, their de facto capital in Syria.

However, Raqqa too has been been surrounded by US-backed fighters and all routes in and out of the city have been blocked. The group is essentially now fighting for its survival.

While Iraq’s Army and its people celebrate the win over Mosul, the question remains as to how long will it take for the city to be livable again. More importantly, whether the al-Abadi’s government has any strategy to counter the resurgence of ISIS in future?

First Muslim Gay Marriage: Choice or Rebellion?

Image: Caters News Agency

Two men in UK made history by becoming the first gay Muslim couple of the country. Jahed Chaudhry, 24, married Sean Rogan, 19, in a closed event in West Midlands.

The two met while Jahed was out in a park trying to kill himself because of the criticism and bullying he was facing due to his sexuality. Sean found him stranded and comforted him. Two years later they both said their vows and married in a typical Bangladeshi attire with only their families present.

Jahed’s open confession about his sexuality did not go well with his family and relatives. Most of his relatives though stayed quiet but cut all ties with his family. Some however, gave them death threats. He was even assaulted by fellow Muslims on the street where he lived and the word “fag” was sprayed on his front door.

Jahed says, after being bullied, banned from his local mosque and treated like the “black sheep” of his Bangladeshi community, he tried to change his sexuality and also went on religious pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh but it didn’t work. All this pressure however, made him suicidal and he tried taking his own life.

The cultural stigma associated with homophobia is often times the reason for its most harsh form of opposition. The fear of what people would think is usually greater than the fear of Islamic injunctions against homophobia.

Many would point finger towards Jahed and say what he did was “haram”, but after reading his story and getting to know his past, the blame can be shared on both sides. The reason people like Jahed tend to take such radical decision is mostly due to community’s hateful behavior towards them.

Honor Killing: Christian man killed daughter over a relationship with Muslim

Henriette, 17, was found dead in her parents home with stab wounds to the neck in the Central town of Ramle, Israil on June 13. According to Jerusalem Post, the father, Sami Karra, believed Henriette’s actions “damaged the honor of the family and made him feel ashamed.”

The local news source reported that the killing sparked a wave of outrage from Israeli-Arab Members of Knesset and community leaders accusing the police of not properly protecting the teenager despite her complaints against her family.

The victim left home two weeks before her murder after her family used violence against her to try to end her year-long relationship with a Muslim man. After the abuse she feared for her life and hid from her family in a number of places.

On June 11, the police summoned Henriette and her parents for a joint meeting after which she returned home on her parents request. On June 13, the day of her death, she deposited 400 Shekels (113 dollars) in her Muslim boyfriend’s prison canteen account – who was jailed at the time on charges unrelated to the indictment.

When she came home she told her relative that her boyfriend would be released from prison at the end of the week and that she was planning on converting to Islam. The relative informed her father of her plans, after which her father killed her with a knife, according to the indictment.

Sami Karra, 58, denies his daughter’s murder and refused to answer any questions from the police. There is no direct evidence that he committed this murder and no forensic evidence, says the lawyers who are representing the defendant.

According to her friends, Henriette was someone who loved life. She had a good character and had lots of friends. She wanted to do a lot of things in life.

Honor Killing is a worldwide phenomena. According to United Nations facts and figures, each year an estimated 5,000 honor killings occur in different countries of the world. Most of them in Islamic countires of South Asia, North Africa and the Middle East.

According to USA Today, the Department of Justice estimated in its 2014 report that 23 to 27 honor killings occurred in the country each year.

The end of Linkin Park: RIP Chester Bennington

Chester Bennignton, the lead singer of one of the most celebrated band in the rock world, Linkin Park, is no more as the rock star allegedly took his own life by hanging himself.

His body was discovered at 9 am Thursday at the Palos Verdes Estates in Los Angeles.

Chester, 41, was the lead singer of Linkin Park. He joined the band in 1999 giving two successful albums called “The Hybrid Theory” and “Meteora”. Overall he made seven albums with the band and was currently on a tour for his latest album.

Bennington’s best friend Chris Cornell also committed suicide few months back. He performed on his funeral to pay tribute to his best friend.

According to some reports, Chester also suffered from drug abuse and had alcohol addiction.

Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda also took to twitter to express his shock. Other names from the industry such as Rihanna, Nikki Sixx also termed Chester’s death as an irreparable loss to the music industry.

World’s beautiful tourist destination on fault line

Did you know which of the world’s beautiful islands is on the fault line?

Kos island in Greece, the main center for tourists and famous for its long beautiful beaches and vibrant nightlife is one of the most quake-prone places.

Kos hosts around 700,000 tourists, mainly British, during the summer season each year. Neighboring islands of Kos are Pserimos, 4 km North,  Kalimnos, 12 km North, Nysiros, 12 km South, Astypalaia, about 43 km to the West.

On July 21st, 2017, a powerful overnight earthquake of 6.7 magnitude shook several Greek islands and Turkey’s Aegean coast, injuring more than 300 people and leaving two people dead on the Kos island. The two revelers at a bar were crushed in a building collapse.

Earthquakes in the region are not uncommon. Intersecting fault lines make Greece, Turkey and islands in the Aegean sea one of the most quake-prone regions in the world.

There is significant movement in the Eurasian and African plates. There is a smaller plate between these two larger ones called the Aegean Plate, adding to the risk of both earthquakes and volcanoes.

Here’s a timeline of recent earthquakes in Greece and Turkey.

12th June 2017: 15 people injured and significant damage in 6.3 magnitude earthquake on island of Lesbos

17th November 2016: 6.5 magnitude quake on island of Lefkada

24th May 2014: 6.9 magnitude earthquake in Limnos

1st July 2009: 6.4 magnitude earthquake in Crete

15th July 2008: 6.4 magnitude earthquake in the Dodecanese region

8th June 2008: 6.5 magnitude earthquake in Peloponnese region

8th January 2006: 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Kythira

7th September 1999: 6.0 magnitude earthquake in Athens

15th June 1995: 6.5 magnitude earthquake in Aigio

13th May 1995: 25 people injured and significant damage after 6.6 magnitude earthquake hit western Macedonia.

UK bans stereotypical advertisements

We have grown accustomed to the idea of women being featured in washing powder ads while men shown making mess in various energy drink ads. Apparently UK is breaking this tradition by banning all such stereotypical advertisements.

The controversy started when an advert for Aptamil baby milk formula showed a girl predicting herself as future ballerina while the boy was imagining to become a scientist.

Another advert of Gap clothing was also criticized for showing a girl becoming a social butterfly while a boy becoming more academic.

The topic of advertisements spreading various stereotypes was under discussion since 2015 when Protein World placed sexist ads and billboards that showed people an unrealistic image of a “perfect beach body”.

Backlash on these advertisement apparently took a serious turn and the authorities have now taken serious steps about it.

According to a research by the Advertising Standard Authority (ASA), these stereotypes can boost “unfair outcomes” especially for younger generation of community as they are more prone to get affected by such advertisements and may develop m

We have grown accustomed to the idea of women being featured in washing powder ads while men shown making mess in various energy drink ads. Apparently UK is breaking this tradition by banning all such stereotypical advertisements.

The controversy started when an advert for Aptamil baby milk formula showed a girl predicting herself as future ballerina while the boy was imagining to become a scientist.

Another advert of Gap clothing was also criticized for showing a girl becoming a social butterfly while a boy becoming more academic.

The topic of advertisements spreading various stereotypes was under discussion since 2015 when Protein World placed sexist ads and billboards that showed people an unrealistic image of a “perfect beach body”.

Backlash on these advertisement apparently took a serious turn and the authorities have now taken serious steps about it.

According to a research by the Advertising Standard Authority (ASA), these stereotypes can boost “unfair outcomes” especially for younger generation of community as they are more prone to get affected by such advertisements and may develop more gender biased personalities.

The report: Deceptions, Perceptions and Harm, suggested more stringent rules against advertising stereotypical ideas.

The ban will not exactly ban all kind of stereotype but there are certain categories for it.

This ban is a hot topic in many advertising companies as females are taking lead in many of these companies. They want to put an end to the stereotype of women cleaning all the mess and doing all the chores at home while men are only shown to be making mess or relaxing.

However, the idea of woman cleaning on her own while men doing DIY tasks are acceptable according to the ASA.

This stereotypical mentality in our society is also blamed on the marketers for propagating such ideas through their advertisements. Many psychologists suggest introducing strict regulations on the marketing strategists who knowingly or unknowingly spread such stereotypical ideas.

The ban will be in effect from 2018 and any advertisement that does not abide the law will be banned.ore gender biased personalities.

The report: Deceptions, Perceptions and Harm, suggested more stringent rules against advertising stereotypical ideas.

The ban will not exactly ban all kind of stereotype but there are certain categories for it.

This ban is a hot topic in many advertising companies as females are taking lead in many of these companies. They want to put an end to the stereotype of women cleaning all the mess and doing all the chores at home while men are only shown to be making mess or relaxing.

However, the idea of woman cleaning on her own while men doing DIY tasks are acceptable according to the ASA.

This stereotypical mentality in our society is also blamed on the marketers for propagating such ideas through their advertisements. Many psychologists suggest introducing strict regulations on the marketing strategists who knowingly or unknowingly spread such stereotypical ideas.

The ban will be in effect from 2018 and any advertisement that does not abide the law will be banned.

Palestinians celebrate and clash with Israeli police after removal of controversial security measures on Al-Aqsa gates

An injured woman is being carried on a stretcher after clashes broke out inside Al-Aqsa Mosque’s compound [Ahamd Gharabli/AFP]

After a two-week protest and praying outside of the Al-Aqsa mosque, Israeli authorities yielded to the Muslim protesters and removed all controversial security devices installed at the entrance of the compound.

Israeli police had installed security cameras and metal detectors on the Muslim entrances of the compound leading to Al Aqsa after two Israeli policemen were killed by a Palestinian gunman on July 14th. The Israeli authorities also stated that anyone below the age of 50 was not allowed to offer Friday prayers in the mosque.

The move was severely criticized by Muslim religious and political leaders alike and they refused to pray inside the compound until the coercive security measures were taken back.

Thousands of Muslims worshiped on the streets outside Al Aqsa mosque in protest and clashed with Israeli police which resulted in the killing of at least six Palestinians, with as many injured.

Palestinians celebrated the decision of Israeli authorities to take back the controversial security measures. They danced and sang in front of the police personnel who removed cameras, metal detectors and steel barriers that were installed.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met Jerusalem Mufti, Mohammed Hussein, in Ramallah and called it a victory for Palestinians.

‘’We will be able to offer prayers inside the compound,” said Abdel-Azeem Salhab, director of the Islamic Waqf Council which administers al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

“The Israeli occupation forces have been trying for decades to violate Al Aqsa Mosque compound. Now, you are living in the new era of victory. We totally appreciate the masses who have been gathering”.

The protests have also been noted to have given the Palestinians living in the west wing of Jerusalem, which is occupied by Israel, a certain air of unity and hope. However, violent clashes broke out between Israeli police and Palestinians celebrating the removal of the controversial security devices.

Israeli police used stun grenades to disperse thousands of Muslims gathered to offer prayers inside the Al Aqsa mosque. The Palestinian Red Crescent said as many as 120 Palestinians were hurt as a result, including some by rubber bullets and beatings.

“Several people suffered broken bones”, they said.

Fire and fury between North Korea and USA

Trump’s warning has gone unnoticed in Pyongyang.

Thousands in North Korea held a massive rally to protest the new UN sanction on their country. The rally was held at Pyongyang’s Kim Il-sung square. Citizens marched through the square holding various placards against the sanctions.

Tensions between United States and North Korea have grown due to the Pyongyang’s new missile tests. Kim Jong-un, North Korea’s notorious supreme commander, said his country was examining a potential strike on areas around Guam which is an American territory. Pyongyang has also threatened attacking the same territory through some of its previous propaganda videos.

Guam is one of the 14 unincorporated US territories with a population of 160,000 people. It is a self-governing territory and is part of the Mariana Islands close to japan and Philippine. Its inhabitants are American citizens.

Pyongyang’s intermediate-range missile is planned to be fired east and over Japan landing around 30 to 40 kilometers (18 to 25 miles) off the coast of Guam, according to state-run KCNA. Guam is almost 3,000 kilometers from North Korea.

The US government harshly reacted to these threats with Donald Trump stating “North Korea best not make any more threats to the United States; they will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen.”

North Korea state-run media termed Trump’s “fire and fury” as nonsense and despite his warning, released its plan to strike Guam. It also stated “sound dialogue is not possible with such a guy bereft of reason and only absolute force can work on him.”

North Korea has been on top of the list of Trump administration foreign-policy agenda since Pyongyang tested two intercontinental ballistic missiles last month that are said to be capable of hitting United States mainland.

US Defense Secretary James Mattis backed Trump’s remarks saying “DRPK should cease any consideration of actions that would lead to the end of regime and destruction of its people.”

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson urged Americans to sleep well at night and not to worry as the situation was not a new story.

(CORRECTION: A previous version of this article mistakenly said there were 15 unincorporated territories of the United States. The mistake has been corrected. There are only 14 unincorporated territories of the United States.)