India's anti-terror agency has arrested an activist from the disputed Kashmir region, leading to criticism from rights groups.
Khurram Parvez, 46, was already in jail when he was formally arrested by the National Investigation Agency on Wednesday on a charge of funding terrorism.
The programme co-ordinator with Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society, a non-profit organisation in Kashmir, has been in prison since November 2021 over charges of supplying sensitive military information to Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based militant group.
His arrest comes two days after the NIA detained his close associate Irfan Mehraj, a journalist from Srinagar.
Mr Mehraj was arrested under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, which gives police powers to hold suspects, question them and search properties without judicial mandate. Under the act, police can jail people for six months without bail, and without any charges being filed against them.
“Investigation revealed that the JKCCS was funding terror activities in the [Kashmir] valley and had also been in the propagation of a secessionist agenda in the valley under the garb of protection of human rights,” the NIA said.
“NGOs, both registered as well as unregistered, have come to notice collecting funds domestically and abroad under the cover of doing charity and various welfare … but some of these organisations have developed links with proscribed terrorist organisations, such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hizbul Mujahideen.”
The arrests of Mr Parvez and Mr Mehraj led to angry comments on social media.
“I stand with Khurram Parvez. I stand with Irfan Mehraj. In solidarity,” author Angana P Chaterrji wrote on Twitter.
Anwar Ali, a social activist, tweeted: “The crackdown by the state on Kashmiri journalists and activists must be seen as a concerted effort to suppress any and every dissenting voice that dares."
The Press Club of India said it opposed the use of the act for arresting journalists and activists.
“The misuse of this draconian law by NIA in randomly arresting Irfan Mehraj, a journalist from Kashmir, ominously points towards a violation of freedom of speech and expression," it said. "We demand his immediate release.”
Six journalists have been jailed under the act, the Committee to Protect Journalists said.
Four of them are from Kashmir, where militants have been fighting against Indian rule for more than three decades. They include Aasif Sultan, who has been in prison for more than four years.
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ICC Awards for 2021
MEN
Cricketer of the Year – Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)
T20 Cricketer of the Year – Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)
ODI Cricketer of the Year – Babar Azam (Pakistan)
Test Cricketer of the Year – Joe Root (England)
WOMEN
Cricketer of the Year – Smriti Mandhana (India)
ODI Cricketer of the Year – Lizelle Lee (South Africa)
T20 Cricketer of the Year – Tammy Beaumont (England)
Stormy seas
Weather warnings show that Storm Eunice is soon to make landfall. The videographer and I are scrambling to return to the other side of the Channel before it does. As we race to the port of Calais, I see miles of wire fencing topped with barbed wire all around it, a silent ‘Keep Out’ sign for those who, unlike us, aren’t lucky enough to have the right to move freely and safely across borders.
We set sail on a giant ferry whose length dwarfs the dinghies migrants use by nearly a 100 times. Despite the windy rain lashing at the portholes, we arrive safely in Dover; grateful but acutely aware of the miserable conditions the people we’ve left behind are in and of the privilege of choice.
What's in the deal?
Agreement aims to boost trade by £25.5bn a year in the long run, compared with a total of £42.6bn in 2024
India will slash levies on medical devices, machinery, cosmetics, soft drinks and lamb.
India will also cut automotive tariffs to 10% under a quota from over 100% currently.
Indian employees in the UK will receive three years exemption from social security payments
India expects 99% of exports to benefit from zero duty, raising opportunities for textiles, marine products, footwear and jewellery
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
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Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
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Credit Score explained
What is a credit score?
In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.
Why is it important?
Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.
How is it calculated?
The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.
How can I improve my score?
By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.
How do I know if my score is low or high?
By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.
How much does it cost?
A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.
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Date of launch: 2014
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31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views
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Abdul Jabar Qahraman was meeting supporters in his campaign office in the southern Afghan province of Helmand when a bomb hidden under a sofa exploded on Wednesday.
The blast in the provincial capital Lashkar Gah killed the Afghan election candidate and at least another three people, Interior Minister Wais Ahmad Barmak told reporters. Another three were wounded, while three suspects were detained, he said.
The Taliban – which controls much of Helmand and has vowed to disrupt the October 20 parliamentary elections – claimed responsibility for the attack.
Mr Qahraman was at least the 10th candidate killed so far during the campaign season, and the second from Lashkar Gah this month. Another candidate, Saleh Mohammad Asikzai, was among eight people killed in a suicide attack last week. Most of the slain candidates were murdered in targeted assassinations, including Avtar Singh Khalsa, the first Afghan Sikh to run for the lower house of the parliament.
The same week the Taliban warned candidates to withdraw from the elections. On Wednesday the group issued fresh warnings, calling on educational workers to stop schools from being used as polling centres.
Wayne Rooney's career
Everton (2002-2004)
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Manchester United (2004-2017)
- Appearances: 496
- Goals: 253
England (2003-)
- Appearances: 119
- Goals: 53