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Former Pakistan Ambassador to Indonesia had sold off embassy building, was protected by govt because he was related to Musharraf’s wife

OpIndia Staff
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Former Pakistan Ambassador to Indonesia had sold off embassy building, was protected by govt because he was related to Musharraf’s wife

The anti-corruption body of Pakistan – National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has found one of country’s former ambassador guilty for illegally selling the embassy building in the Indonesian capital Jakarta.

According to the reports, the National Accountability Bureau of Pakistan has filed a reference in court against former Pakistan Ambassador to Indonesia Major General (retd) Syed Mustafa Anwar stating that Anwar had sold the Pakistani embassy building in Jakarta at a throwaway price during 2001-2002.

The country’s graft body also alleged that the illegal sale of the embassy building had cost a loss of USD 1.32 million to Pakistan’s exchequer. According to NAB, the former ambassador Anwar was determined to sell the embassy building immediately after his appointment as an Ambassador to Indonesia.

The former Ambassador was in such a hurry to sell the embassy building that he had authorised an advertisement for the sale without even prior approval from the Pakistan Foreign Ministry, reports said. The accused was appointed as an Ambassador at Jakarta by the then General Pervaiz Musharraf administration.

No approval from Pakistan foreign ministry

As per the National Accountability Bureau’s court filing, Major General (retd) Syed Mustafa Anwar had only sent a proposal to the foreign ministry only after the commencement of the process of the sale began. The Foreign Ministry had, in turn, rejected the sale of the embassy building in Jakarta and communicated the same to Anwar in multiple letters.

Pakistani media has reported that Gen Anwar, flouting all rules, had sold the embassy building located at a prime location in Jakarta and had initiated the process of buying a new property for the embassy that was located at a distant, low-priced area.

Following the irregularities, the NAB has found Major General (retd) Syed Mustafa Anwar guilty under Section 9 (A) 6 of Pakistan’s National Accountability Ordinance for misuse of powers.

Interestingly, the then President of Pakistan General Musharraf, instead of proceeding against the former envoy for irregularities, had taken action against an officer who had complained to the Foreign Office of the alleged fraud.

As reported in Pakistani media, Musharraf had made the officer as an OSD till his retirement in 2007-08, only to keep him away from the foreign office. Musharraf had also given a further extension to Major General (retd) Syed Mustafa Anwar because he was a relative of his wife.

AAP leader Amanatullah Khan appeals for police protection for IB officer Ankit Sharma murder and Delhi riots accused Tahir Hussain’s family

OpIndia Staff
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AAP leader Amanatullah Khan appeals for police protection for IB officer Ankit Sharma murder and Delhi riots accused Tahir Hussain’s family

Aam Aadmi Party MLA Amanatullah Khan posted on his official twitter account and urged LG Delhi to protect the family of Tahir Hussain. He claimed that Tahir’s children approached him and informed him that they are facing a lot of problems since Hussain is currently in jail. He said that the children are unable to pay school fees as Hussain’s accounts are seized.

Charge sheet filed by Delhi Police has revealed that Tahir Hussain orchestrated the anti-Hindu riots in February 2020 in the national capital. He is also accused of leading a mob from his house and masjid which led to IB officer Ankit Sharma’s murder.

Khan was actively involved in giving speeches during anti-CAA protests in Delhi from December to February. He was spotted leading protests in Delhi in December that later turned violent. He had also claimed that Hussain is being framed as he is a Muslim.

Tahir Hussain’s involvement in Delhi Riots

In his confession, Tahir Hussain has said that he was involved in planning and executing of Anti Hindu Delhi Riots of February 2020. He said in his statement to the police that extremist Islamic group Popular Front of India (PFI) helped him in the planning and arranging funds. Tahir Hussain is also the main accused of the murder of IB officer Ankit Sharma.

It is alleged that he, along with his followers, threw stones, acid packs, petrol bombs and more from the roof of Hussain’s house at the crowd. Since his name appeared as one of the accused in the riots, the left-leaning media is trying hard to clear his name and prove him innocent. However, the charge sheets filed by Delhi police mention there is enough proof against him.

‘Jesus Christ has returned to earth in form of Chinese woman’, claims The Church of Almighty God: Read how banned Chinese cult making inroads in India

OpIndia Staff
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‘Jesus Christ has returned to earth in form of Chinese woman’, claims The Church of Almighty God: Read how banned Chinese cult making inroads in India

The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) has issued a warning to the leaders of the Church in northeast India that a Chinese cult is spreading its roots in the state. The Church of Almighty God is an infamous cult for China that believes Jesus has returned and living as a Chinese woman. It is alleged that the Church of Almighty God actively participates in spreading false teachings and false Gospel.

NBCC General Secretary Zelhou Keyho issued a letter to all executive secretaries and directors of Baptist associations. He wrote that he is concerned about the Church of Almighty God from China as they are making inroads in northeast India. He added, “The Church of Almighty God or Eastern Lightning cult is a well-organised group, aggressively moving forward with publications and creating many Facebook pages and colourful artwork that appears biblical and enticing.” The letter was sent on 19th August to issue a warning against the said church.

According to news agency IANS, the letter said, “Let us beware of this dangerous cult as they are actively spreading a false Gospel and false teachings. Let us research them and expose them and take every measure to shield our respective congregations from such false religion.” Keyho said that the Church is teaching that God is speaking through a woman and they refer her sayings as revelations from God. They are publishing and promoting her teachings through books, videos, computer-generated movies and other forms of media.

While talking to reporters, Keyho said “We are trying to create consciousness in our churches through different associations and even through the media.” He added that over 5.5 million Christians are living in Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Manipur. A large number of Christians lives in other northeastern states like Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura. According to him, such violent cult poses a threat to the Christians who disagree with them.

The strange story of the Church of Almighty God

The history of the Church of Almighty God alias the Eastern Lighting goes back to 1991. The cult believes that Jesus has come back to earth in the form of a Chinese woman named Yang Xiangbin. There is not a lot of information available about the woman, but it is believed that she was born in northwestern China.

The cult has a violent history and has been associated with more than 100 cases of violence. The Chinese government had to impose a ban on the cult as they started to pose a threat to the general public. The group was created in 1990 by a former physics teacher Zhao Weishan. They claimed Jesus was reincarnated in the form of a woman named Yang Xiangbin and called her Lightning Deng.

It operates from the US but has branches in over 35 countries including India. The founders Zhao Weishan and Yang Xiangbin took political asylum in the US and started their operations. They started with spreading the church’s teachings in China and added followers from other nations. Soon they realized the power of social media, and now they regularly post movies, religious content and audio lectures on the website and social media platforms.

During the 1960s and 1970s, there was a Church named Shouters gaining popularity. Li Changshou, alias Witness Lee led it. The Church of Almighty God was formed after Zhao left Shouters. A lot of teachings that the Church follows came from Shouters. The former members of the Church claim that it started as a normal next-door Church group. However, as time passed by, the leaders of the Church began to push people to bring more followers even if they have to indulge in violence to achieve the targets.

Notable cases of the violent history of the Church of Almighty God

While the content on the Church’s website does not give away their violent behaviour in the first glance, the controversies attached to the Church are more than enough to raise questions on their intentions.

  • In 2002, the members of the Church of Almighty God allegedly kidnapped 35 church leaders of China Gospel Fellowship. They held them hostage for two months and tried to convert them.
  • In 2012, the church took the “Mayan Prophesy” of doomsday quite literally and used the scenes of the movie “2012” to scare people that the doomsday is coming. They used propaganda videos, pamphlets and other material to lure people so that they join their cult. The result of their fear-mongering was widespread riots in China and several notable incidents including the stabbing of a woman and 23 students in Henan province. More than 100 members of the cult were arrested.
  • In 2014, the cult members killed a 37-year-old woman in McDonald’s in China when she refused to give her number. The cult members claimed that a demon-possessed her.
  • In 2019, the church members tried to influence elections in Isreal that led to the suspension of hundreds of account posting political messages in the Hebrew language.

The Chinese government has imposed a ban on the Church. However, the members of the Church are extensively working on spreading their cult to different parts of the world.

AAP may give ticket to Delhi riots mastermind Tahir Hussain’s wife: Report

OpIndia Staff
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AAP may give ticket to Delhi riots mastermind Tahir Hussain’s wife: Report

Current affairs publication Kreatly has reported that Aam Aadmi Party may give ticket for next elections to Tahir Hussain’s wife. Tahir Hussain is accused of orchestrating the riots in NorthEast Delhi in February this year and murder of IB officer Ankit Sharma. The article was also shared by BJP leader Kapil Mishra.

As per the report, AAP leader Amanatullah Khan conveyed it to the family that Tahir Hussain’s wife will be contesting the elections. The report further states that it was conveyed to his family that Tahir Hussain will get VVIP treatment in prison.

Tahir Hussain masterminded Delhi riots

As per the charge sheet filed by the Police, Tahir Hussain was the mastermind behind the February 2020 Delhi riots which claimed dozens of lives including that of Head Constable Ratan Lal and IB officer Ankit Sharma. You can read his disclosure statement here.

‘4 drops in tea, give it 30-40 mins to kick in’: Drug usage, dealing link emerges from Rhea Chakraborty’s deleted chats, say reports

OpIndia Staff
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‘4 drops in tea, give it 30-40 mins to kick in’: Drug usage, dealing link emerges from Rhea Chakraborty’s deleted chats, say reports

As the Sushant Singh death case gets extensive media coverage and constant updates, in a latest development, it has been reported that the Bollywood actress Rhea Chakraborty, may have had been links with narcotics dealings and usage.

According to Times Now report, a new drug angle has emerged in the case of the 34-year-old actor’s suspicious death after the Enforcement Directorate accessed WhatsApp chats of the actress, which alleged “usage and dealing” of drugs.

A series of WhatsApp messages which was allegedly sent from Rhea Chakraborty’s mobile phone revealed Rhea’s occasional use of drugs like MDMA, marijuana, etc, claimed the report. The chats were deleted and have been retrieved for the investigation, as per reports.

In one of the conversations, reported by Zee News, Rhea had allegedly spoken to a drug dealer named Gaurav, saying “Incase we speak about hard drugs, I haven’t been doing too much. Tried MDMA once” and goes on to ask “You have MD?”

The conversations have been reportedly retrieved from deleted WhatsApp messages of Rhea.

Similarly, in another conversation, a contact named Miranda in Rhea’s phone informs the actress “Hi Rhea, the stuff is almost over.” Miranda then asks Rhea “Should we take it from Showik’s (Rhea’s brother) friend? But he has just hash & bud.”

The next conversation between Rhea and her friend Jaya Shah, released by Times Now, has some interesting details. Talking to Rhea on November 25, 2019, Jaya advises, “Use 4 drops in tea or water and let him sip it… Give it 30-40 minutes to kick in”. Thank you so much,” Rhea texts Jaya Saha, as Jaya replies to Rhea saying “No problem bro, hope it helps”.

Sushant Singh Rajput’s sister calls for immediate action

Sushant’s sister Shweta Singh, reacting to the drug angle to the case, demanded immediate action from the CBI. Taking to Twitter, she wrote, “This is a CRIMINAL OFFENSE!! An immediate action should be taken by CBI on this. #RheaDrugsChat”.

Following the disclosure, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) may also likely initiate investigations in the case after the emergence of the ‘drug conspiracy’ in the death case.

Meanwhile, Rhea’s lawyers have dismissed the reports saying, “Rhea has never consumed drugs in her life ever. She is ready for a blood test”.

Telangana: 2 cases of COVID-19 reinfection detected, experts to probe if it is caused by different strains of coronavirus

OpIndia Staff
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Telangana: 2 cases of COVID-19 reinfection detected, experts to probe if it is caused by different strains of coronavirus

On Tuesday, Telangana reported two cases of suspected reinfection of coronavirus among the frontline medical professionals, causing a major concern about the virus. Now the health authorities are probing if there are two different strains of coronavirus that have caused COVID-19. 

Even as India is grappling with the raging coronavirus pandemic, cases of reinfection has raised alarms in the country’s fight against the novel contagion. The news of coronavirus reinfection was shared by none other than Health Minister of Telangana Eatala Rajender who remarked that there is no guarantee of the virus not affecting those who had been affected before. 

“The virus is new and we are still learning about it daily. There is no surety that the coronavirus won’t strike those who were infected before. Those who are not developing enough antibody to combat the virus stand the chance of being reinfected. Courage is the main drug for taming the pandemic,” Rajender said in media. 

The Director of Public Health, Telangana, Dr G Srinivasa Rao while talking to Times of India revealed that the reinfected patients’ RT-PCR tests have come back positive, suggesting that they are suffering from COVID-19. He also added that the patients were asymptomatic initially and that they might have been afflicted by a new strain of coronavirus. The reinfection took place within a span of one and a half months. However, Rao cautioned that they will look whether false positive was recorded in these cases. 

Media reports claim that the medical professionals who are reportedly down with coronavirus reinfection worked in ICU and isolation wards of private hospitals and were continuously exposed to the virus. About 2000 cases of coronavirus cases have been reported in the state so far. 

The coronavirus cases in Telangana are steadily on the rise. The daily spike of the cases are now clocking over 2,500, taking the total number of infected patients above 1,08,000 mark. There are about 23,737 COVID-19 positive cases in the state and 17,226 people are under home or institutional quarantine in the state.

First confirmed case of reinfection detected in Hong Kong

The first confirmed case of reinfection was reported from Hong Kong, sending alarm bells ringing across the world over the potency of the coronavirus and its ability to infect people who have seemingly developed antibodies against it. A 33-year-old man was detected suffering from coronavirus after recuperating from the initial bout of ccoronavirus earlier in April. 

Researchers at the University of Hong Kong used genomic sequence to determine that the man was affected by a different strain of coronavirus in the second time. However, he did not develop any grave symptoms from the reinfection, leading researchers to believe that the subsequent infections may be milder as compared to the primary one.

Read how PM Modi ensured Maharashtra girl Swapnali Sutar who had to climb top of the hill for internet connectivity does not miss her online classes

OpIndia Staff
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Read how PM Modi ensured Maharashtra girl Swapnali Sutar who had to climb top of the hill for internet connectivity does not miss her online classes

Prime Minister Modi’s office came to the rescue of Swapnali Sutar, a resident of Dariste village in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra to ensure that she does not miss her online classes due to Internet connectivity. Few days back, an image had gone viral where a young girl was sitting inside a makeshift shed on top of a hill with her books. She had to climb the hill to get internet connectivity so she does not miss her online class.

Due to the Chinese coronavirus lockdown, schools and colleges are shut and most classes are being taken online. Because of lack of connectivity inside her house, Swapnali could not attend online classes conducted by the Mumbai Veterinary College. Her brothers then helped her build a shed on top a hill two kilometres away so that her mobile could catch the signal and she could attend her online classes. 

Originally, it was reported on social media that she is one Sunita who is preparing for MBBS, but later it was clarified that her name is actually Swapnali Sutar.

As reported by All India Radio, when PMO got to know of Sutar’s ordeal, officials of the Ministry of Electronics and IT and Bharat Net reached her village and laid down required cables from gram panchayat directly to her home.

Journalist urges people to use Hindu religious book as toilet paper, netizens demand arrest over image of Teej Vrat book kept in toilet

OpIndia Staff
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Journalist urges people to use Hindu religious book as toilet paper, netizens demand arrest over image of Teej Vrat book kept in toilet

Journalist Sushmita Sinha is being criticized over social media. It is not about the left-leaning content she has posted but about a video that she made against fasting on Teej. In a video that she uploaded on her Youtube channel, she was heard saying, “I have spent Rs.15 of this piece of garbage (referring to a book on the story of Teej Vrat).  Now you tell me how I should use it? As a tissue paper or toilet paper?”

According to a tweet posted by Hindu IT Cell, she posted an Instagram story in which she showed the book hanging in her toilet in place of the toilet paper.

It is notable here that Haritalika Teej is a Hindu festival widely celebrated in North Indian states and Nepal where women observe a day’s fast and pray to God for the wellbeing of their family.

This is not the first time she has posted anything against the Hindu faith and practices. On 6th August, she posted an image on her Twitter account and said, “Those who are alive didn’t get it, but a mere stone got it.” She was referring to the Ram Mandir as ‘the house for a stone’.

After her video was posted on social media, #ArrestSushmitasinha started to trend on Twitter, and several complaints were filed against her. Sushmita Sinha is a journalist with Bolta Hindustan which is a portal run by alumni of JMI. While the portal claims to post unbiased news, it is filled with anti-BJP content.

Screengrab from Bolta Hindustan Video in which Journalist Sushmita Sinha is reporting.

Sinha tries to play victim

After demands of her arrest spiked on social media platforms, Sushmita posted a video on Twitter trying to play the victim card. She said that she only read what was written in the book of Teej fast and there was nothing wrong in what she did. She completely missed out the fact that she had used the book with photos of Hindu Gods as toilet paper that caused the controversy. She alleged that since her video went viral, she has been receiving a threat against her life and rape threats. She also said that people are threatening to burn down her house.

Many social media users have been demanding her arrest. Some users have also filed online complaints with cyber cells against the journalist for the blatant Hinduphobia and deliberate insult to the faith of Hindus by placing the Teej Vrat book on her toilet and sharing images of it.

This is an ongoing story. We will update it later with more information.

North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un ‘resurrects’ again after reports of him being dead or in coma surface

Shashank Bharadwaj
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North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un ‘resurrects’ again after reports of him being dead or in coma surface

A day after reports had emerged claiming that the North Korea authoritarian dictator Kim Jong Un was dead or probably in a coma, North Korea has released images of leader Kim Jong-Un as a response to unending speculation over his state of health.

According to the reports by state-controlled Korean Central News Agency, the North Korean dictator was shown chairing a meeting of the politburo of the Workers Party recently.

Reportedly, on Wednesday Jong-un had gathered the politburo to call for prevention efforts against the coronavirus and to discuss an impending typhoon. The meeting was held to assess some defects in the anti-epidemic work for checking the inroads of the malignant virus, said KCNA in a statement.

According to Reuters, the meeting was held to discuss the state emergency measures on preventing crop damage and casualties from Typhoon Bavi, which is expected to hit the country within days. The heavy rains and flooding have raised concern about food supplies in North Korea.

Reports claimed that North Korean leader was dead

Recently, Roy Calley, an expert who has extensively travelled in North Korea, has claimed that the authoritarian dictator Kim Jong Un is dead. The claims were made amidst the recent reports that the North Korea leader was in a coma.

Calley added that North Korea is increasingly evasive over the health complications suffered by Kim could be because of the major operational changes being made in the country.

It is pertinent to note that just a few weeks ago, reports of North Korean leader’s death had started surfacing after he was not seen in public for a few weeks. Several news organisations and “experts” had then opined that Kim Jong Un was dead and that his sister, the legitimate heir apparent to the throne of North Korea, would soon assume the leadership and announce the death of the leader.

Devika Rotawan, the youngest witness to testify against Ajmal Kasab, moves Bombay HC seeking compensation from Maharashtra govt

OpIndia Staff
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Devika Rotawan, the youngest witness to testify against Ajmal Kasab, moves Bombay HC seeking compensation from Maharashtra govt

Devika Rotawan, one of the youngest survivors and key eyewitnesses of the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks has moved to the Bombay High Court seeking compensation from the Maharashtra government, which had promised her of providing a house under EWS Scheme.

According to the reports, Rotawan has filed a petition in the Bombay High Court on August 21 seeking direction to Maharashtra government to allot residential premises for her family and also to provide for her to continue education.

Devika Rotawan, now 21 years old, was the youngest witness to testify against Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Ajmal Kasab for his involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Rotawan, who who was around ten years old at the time of terrorist attacks and had reached the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), along with her father and brother to travel to Pune.

The young girl was shot in her leg at the CST on the fateful night of 26/11. As she was shot, she fell unconscious and was taken to St George’s hospital, where she underwent six surgeries within two months and was bed-ridden for nearly six months. Months later, she also testified against terrorist Ajmal Kasab, making her the youngest witness in the Mumbai terror attack case.

No money to pay rent, may have to vacate existing house, says Rotawan

In her petition, Rotawan expressed fear that her family will have to vacate their current residence as they have not been able to pay monthly rent for their room in Mumbai’s Bandra due to acute financial constraints.

Due to several issues, she added that her father and brother could not find any job, resulting in failure to pay their monthly rental payments. Rotawan, who had joined for an undergraduate course in humanities at Chetana College in Bandra, has plans to pursue a career in civil services.

The plea also stated soon after attacks, she was promised accommodation under Economically Weaker Section (EWS) quota by several representatives of the central and state government. However, according to her plea, despite writing several letters seeking relief, no help has reached her.

“I am facing problems especially following the lockdown period. I seek support from the Maharashtra government. I was told by the government that I will be given a house and all assistance but it has not happened yet. I had received the help of Rs 10 Lakhs from former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, it was used for my treatment for Tuberculosis (TB). I am thankful for that but the promises made to me before that have not been met yet,” Devika Rotawan said.

Last month, Rotawan said she wrote to the chief secretary of Maharashtra seeking residential accommodation under EWS quota. She further added that all the government assistance received by her was spent on her treatment and post-operative care and it was insufficient for her education.

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