QATAR COURT COMMUTES DEATH SENTENCES OF 8 INDIAN NAVY VETERANS

In a huge relief to eight Indian Navy veterans on death row, an appellate court in Qatar has commuted their sentence.

"We have noted the verdict today of the Court of Appeal of Qatar in the Dahra Global case, in which the sentences have been reduced," the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement on Thursday. The ministry didn't specify what was the 'reduced' punishment and said a detailed judgment was awaited.

"Due to the confidential and sensitive nature of proceedings of this case, it would not be appropriate to make any further comment at this juncture," the ministry said and added that it was in close touch with the legal team as well as the family members to decide on the next steps.

The appellate court verdict is also seen as a big diplomatic win for India as it comes weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on the sidelines of the COP28 Summit in Dubai. After the meeting on December 1, Modi said they discussed the well-being of the Indian community in Qatar.

The Indian nationals, who were working with Doha-based Al Dahra Global Technologies, were taken into custody in August 2022 in an alleged espionage case.

While the charges against them were not made public by Qatari authorities, they were sentenced to death by Qatar's Court of First Instance in October this year.

India had moved the Court of Appeal in Qatar against the death sentence last month.

'Our Ambassador to Qatar and other officials were present in the Court of Appeal today, along with the family members. We have stood by them since the beginning of the matter and we will continue to extend all consular and legal assistance. We will also continue to take up the matter with the Qatari authorities,' the ministry statement said.

RAHUL GANDHI ADDRESSES ‘HAIN TAYYAR HUM’ RALLY IN NAGPUR

Choosing Nagpur, the RSS backyard, for its ‘Hain Tayyar Hum’ rally, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi sounded the poll bugle on Thursday and said that the battle with the BJP is of two different ideologies and that the INDIA alliance will win in the upcoming elections. Rahul also reiterated his party’s commitment to hold a caste census once voted to power at the Centre.

Speaking at the ‘Hain Tayyar Hum (We are ready)’ rally in Nagpur to mark the party’s 139th foundation day, Rahul termed the BJP government as one of ‘ghulami’ (slavery).

“The foundation of the battle for political power is ideology and the Congress’s objective is to hand over power to the common man,” he said.

While the party leaders claimed that there was a crowd of several lakh, top police officials in Nagpur confirmed that the rally was attended by around 60,000 people from across the state.

Sharpening the attack against Modi, who is going to be the BJP’s mascot for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Rahul said, “A former Congress MP who is now in the BJP told me ‘BJP mein gulami chalti hai…’ This leader went on to explain how all decisions in the BJP come from the top. Whether one likes it or not, one has to obey and enforce them,” he said.

In comparison, Rahul said, “In the Congress the voice comes from the grassroots. Party workers can walk up to me and say that they don’t endorse what I did or said. I give them full audience and they can speak freely. At times I tell them I may not agree with their views,” he said.

Equating the Modi-led BJP to an era when there was rule of kings, Rahul said, “Before Independence there were 500 to 600 kings… British rule. It was the Congress which gave people voice and dignity through the Constitution… the right to vote.”

J&K CIVILIAN DEATHS: GOVT MOVED FAST TO CONTROL DAMAGE

Four days after a video surfaced of suspected Indian Army personnel torturing civilians in Jammu, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met the families of the three civilians who died allegedly in Army custody and the five men who were injured. He not only assured them justice but during his interaction with the Army also instructed it to avoid mistakes and win the hearts of local people.

In a region with a history of custodial deaths since the early 1990s, it was rare for a Defence Minister to reach out to the families of civilians and admit to mistakes. Following the incident, sources said Home Minister Amit Shah too established immediate contact with the J&K administration and ensured an FIR was registered and compensation given to the civilians and their kin.

The developments underline the alacrity with which the government acted after the video came to the fore last week. Sources in the security establishment said while courts of inquiry are instituted and FIRs are registered in every case of encounter or suspected custodial death, the Jammu case was peculiar because of the video that generated instant public reaction and the attention of the international press.

The civilians belong to a community that has been traditionally considered a friend of the Indian armed forces and helped security forces neutralise militancy in the region in the past. Losing the trust of the Gujjar-Bakarwal community, to which the civilians belonged, will be detrimental to security operations in the region.

Sources said immediately after this the Army announced a Court of Inquiry into the matter and the decision was taken to shift out the commanding officers under whose watch the deaths occurred. Army chief General Manoj Pande, too, visited Jammu on Monday and told soldiers to conduct operations in a “professional manner”.

A day before Singh visited Rajouri to meet the injured civilians, senior Army officers were dispatched to meet them. Brigadier M P Singh, Commander of Sector 6 Rashtriya Rifles and Commanding Officer of the 16 Rashtriya Rifles, visited the families of the deceased around 4 pm on Tuesday and assured strict action against those responsible. They also assured the families that the Army was with them. “The Defence Minister also met the injured, which was not part of the plan but an impromptu decision of the minister after reaching there,” said a Defence Ministry official.

EXTRADITE 26/11 MASTERMIND LET CHIEF HAFIZ: INDIA TO PAK

The Indian government recently again asked Pakistan in a formal communication to extradite Lashkar-e-Taiba chief and Mumbai attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed to India.

India doesn’t have an extradition treaty with Pakistan and Islamabad has done little to bring Saeed to justice. However, India has in the past too sent a letter rogatory to Pakistan for assistance in the investigation in Mumbai terror attacks, including against Saeed and his associates. Pakistan has never responded.

Asked about India’s request for Saeed’s extradition, the Pakistani foreign ministry chose not to comment, only saying the question was based on “speculative reporting’’.

India has repeatedly called upon Pakistan for a successful conclusion of the trial against Mumbai attack accused like Saeed and Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi in Pakistan. “It has been conveyed that the conspiracy for the Mumbai terror attack took place in Pakistan and, therefore, it is the responsibility of Pakistan to present all necessary evidences to the trial court,’’ the government had told Parliament earlier.

A Pakistani court had ordered a jail term of 31 years for Saeed last year on charges of terror financing. The court’s order came amid efforts by the then Pakistan government to avoid blacklisting by the global terror watchdog Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

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STATE OF MAINE BARS TRUMP FROM BALLOT

Maine's Democratic secretary of state on Thursday removed former president Donald Trump from the state's presidential primary ballot under the Constitution's insurrection clause, becoming the first election official to take action unilaterally in a decision that has potential Electoral College consequences.

While Maine has just four electoral votes, it's one of two states to split them.

The decision by Secretary of State Shenna Bellows follows a December ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court that booted Trump from the ballot there under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. Colorado is a Democratic-leaning state that is not expected to be competitive for Republicans in November.

Bellows found that Trump could no longer run for his prior job because his role in the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol violated Section 3, which bans from office those who engaged in insurrection.

Bellows won't have the final word on Trump's political career. Her decision can be appealed to Maine's courts. The US Supreme Court is expected to make a final decision on whether Trump can still run for president early next year.

The Maine decision shows the potential perils to Trump if the issue is decided on a state-by-state basis. He lost Colorado by 13 percentage points in 2020 and does not need it to win the presidency. But Maine divides its electoral votes by congressional districts, and Trump has twice won the state's second congressional district.

If he's not on the ballot there, he would start his 2024 campaign down one Electoral College vote.

The secretary of state's office said it's not aware of the office previously striking a presidential candidate from the ballot, but other candidates for lower offices have been removed that way.

US TRIES TO PERSUADE SHIPPERS TO SAIL RED SEA DESPITE HOUTHI ATTACKS

The US military is trying to reassure shipping companies that a multinational force is making it safe to sail through the Red Sea and Suez Canal even though attacks from Yemen-based Houthi rebels show no sign of stopping.

The Pentagon is "engaged with industry on a near-daily basis to gauge needs and provide reassurance that the international community is there to help with safe passage," Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Bryon McGarry, a Defense Department spokesperson for the Middle East and Africa, said Thursday in an emailed response to questions.

So far, that's not proving enough for most shipping lines to gamble that a drone or missile aimed at their vessels won't be one that gets past the defenses.

"It will take a little while for shippers to get a sense about the security situation," said Mark Cancian, a retired Marine officer and senior adviser with the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. "If it turns out that the US and the coalition can maintain safe passage, then I think they'll come back. But right now they really can't be sure."

The Houthis, who are backed by Iran, have said they're targeting ships linked to Israel to show support for Palestinians, though ships without direct links to Israel also have been hit.

Half of the container-ship fleet that regularly transits the Red Sea and Suez Canal is avoiding the route now because of the threat of attacks, according to new industry data.

THE REST

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PEGASUS USED RECENTLY TO TARGET PHONES OF 2 JOURNALISTS SAY AMNESTY, WASHINTON POST

A forensic investigation by Amnesty International’s Security Lab in partnership with The Washington Post has claimed that two Indian journalists were among those “recently targeted with Pegasus spyware on their iPhones”. Pegasus is an invasive spyware developed by Israeli surveillance firm NSO Group.

The NSO Group has always maintained it deals only with governments and that too after intense scrutiny.

Calling the publication’s findings “half facts, fully embellished”, Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “…it is for Apple to explain if their devices are vulnerable and what triggered these notifications… Apple was asked to join the enquiry with @IndianCERT and meetings have been held and enquiry is ongoing.”

The two journalists who Amnesty International claimed were targeted with Pegasus are Siddharth Varadarajan, Founding Editor of The Wire, and Anand Mangnale, South Asia Editor, Organised Crime and Corruption Report Project (OCCRP). The two had, along with several politicians from Opposition parties, received a threat notification from Apple In October. Following this, the two had provided their devices to Amnesty International for testing.

In October 2021, the Supreme Court had set up a three-member technical committee and ordered a probe headed by former SC judge R V Raveendran to look into the allegations of unauthorised surveillance using Pegasus. The panel found no conclusive evidence on use of the spyware in phones examined by it but noted that the Central Government “has not cooperated” with the panel.

ACTOR-POLITICIAN VIJAYAKANTH DIES AT 71, HAD TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID

DMDK founder-leader and popular yesteryear Tamil actor Vijayakanth died in Chennai on Thursday following an illness. He was 71 years old.

Earlier in the day, the party informed through a post on its official X handle that Vijayakanth was admitted to a hospital and put on ventilator support after he complained of breathing problems.

Earlier, in November, Vijayakanth was admitted to MIOT Hospital in Chennai as his health deteriorated. Suffering from cough and throat pain, he was under the observation of doctors for 14 days.

Widely known as 'Captain', Vijayakanth's life is marked by a successful career in the Tamil film industry. He featured in 154 movies before venturing into politics.

His death has given rise to anxieties about the impact of the latest sub-variant, JN.1, on those living with co-morbidities. He was reportedly on ventilator support before his death. The actor was 71 years old, was living with diabetes.

Altogether 702 cases and six deaths with COVID-19 have been reported across the country, according to government data. The current uptick in cases is likely due to the new variant JN.1 and an increased surveillance since its detection.

Although several countries have reported an increase in the number of JN.1 cases, none has reported an increased severity yet. The WHO in its risk evaluation of JN.1 says that it is low as of now.

ED CHARGESHEET MENTIONS ’05-06 LAND DEALS OF PRIYANKA, ROBERT

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has been mentioned in a chargesheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with its probe into an allegedly dubious purchase of land in Haryana from a Delhi-based real estate agent, who was also hired by CC Thampi, an aide of fugitive arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari, and is also a close associate of Priyanka’s husband Robert Vadra.

While Robert Vadra’s name has surfaced in the ED chargesheet filed against CC Thampi and Sumit Chadha, who are the co-accused in the money laundering case against fugitive arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari, it is Priyanka’s mention which is likely to provide a lot of political gunpowder to the BJP ahead of the General Election.

The chargesheet also explains in detail the close association between Robert and Thampi.

However, neither Priyanka nor Robert have been listed as accused in the matter.

NINA SINGH BECOMES 1ST WOMAN TO HEAD CISF, ANISH DAYAL NEW CRPF CHIEF

The Centre on Thursday appointed Nina Singh as the Director General of CISF, making her the first woman to head this elite force. Apart from her, the Centre has also appointed ITBP chief Anish Dayal Singh as the Director General of the CRPF.

Nina Singh was the first woman IPS officer allocated to the Rajasthan cadre where she served in many important assignments across the state. She also worked as Joint Director in the CBI during 2013-18 where she supervised many high-profile cases having national and international ramifications.

She has been working in the CISF since 2021, first as ADG and then as Special DG, and DG in-charge since August 31, 2023.

Anish Dayal Singh, a 1988-batch Manipur-cadre IPS officer, was holding the additional charge of the CRPF following the retirement of incumbent S L Thaosen on November 30.

"SITA MATA HAS WITHDRAWN HER CURSE": 'KING' OF AYODHYA ON CITY REVAMP

The administration has received over 100 applications for permission to build five-star hotels in Ayodhya, which did not have a proper hotel even a few years back, the man widely known as 'King of Ayodhya' told NDTV weeks ahead of the grand consecration event of the Ram Temple.

Bimlendra Mohan Pratap Mishra is a member of Ayodhya royal family that goes back to King Darshan Singh, believed to have ruled the kingdom sometime in the 19th century. Referred to as Raja Saheb in the city, he has been involved with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement since it began.

Ayodhya is undergoing a massive revamp in the run-up to the grand event on January 22. The city is getting a new airport and its railway station is being given a new look and facilities that will help crores of pilgrims visiting the holy town.

Looking at the all-round development, Mr Mishra said, "it appears that Mata Sita has withdrawn her curse". Ayodhya, according to local legend, had been cursed by Sita when she was banished from the city by Lord Ram over rumours.

CENTURIAN TEST: INDIA LOSE WITHIN 3 DAYS

South Africa shredded through the Indian batting line-up to claim victory by an innings and 32 runs in the first Test on Thursday, securing the win inside three days and ensuring their proud home record against the tourists remains intact.

The home attack dismissed India for 131 in their second innings after South Africa had earlier scored 408 for a 163-run first innings lead at Centurion.

Only Virat Kohli (76 off 82, last man out) provided any resistance in an alarming collapse as debutant Nandre Burger took four wickets, Marco Jansen three and Kagiso Rabada two.

With only two Tests being played, South Africa cannot lose the series and remain the only country where India have yet to win an away series.

The second Test will be played at Newlands in Cape Town from January 3-7.

Scores India 245 & 131; South Africa 408

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Humanity has advanced, when it has advanced, not because it has been sober, responsible, and cautious, but because it has been playful, rebellious, and immature. - Tom Robbins

OFF TRACK

On their 50th wedding anniversary, a couple summed up the reason for their long and happy marriage.

The husband said, "I have tried never to be selfish. After all, there is no "I" in the word 'marriage.'"'

The wife said, "For my part, I have never corrected my husband's spelling."