Indian Sub-continent

MUZAFFARABAD, Aug 12 (APP): Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Monday urged the Pakistani diaspora living across the world to come out zealously on August 15 (Indian Independence Day) declared as Black Day by Pakistan to protest Indian oppression in occupied Kashmir.

MUZAFFARABAD, Aug 12 (APP): Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Monday said that a unified message from the political leadership and activation of Kashmiris were a must to forcefully contest the case of Kashmir at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Addressing a press conference here, the foreign minister said Pakistan had decided to take the Kashmir issue in UNSC and China had assured its support which was essential as it had entered a critical stage.

12 August 2019; AFP: Indian troops clamped tight restrictions on mosques across Kashmir for Monday's Eid al-Adha festival, fearing anti-government protests over the stripping of the Muslim-majority region's autonomy, according to residents.

The Himalayan region's biggest mosque, the Jama Masjid, was ordered closed and people were only allowed to pray in smaller local mosques so that no big crowds could gather, witnesses said.

12 Aug 2019; MEMO: Hundreds of Jewish settlers on Sunday forced their way into Jerusalem’s flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, according to a Palestinian official, Anadolu reports.

“Since the morning, over 1,729 Jewish settlers have entered the compound,” Firas al-Dibs, a spokesman for Jerusalem’s Religious Endowments Authority said in a statement.

“The settlers incursions were backed by Israeli police officers,” he said.

New Delhi, Aug 12 (PTI) The customary exchange of sweets between the BSF and Pakistan Rangers along the International Border did not take place on Monday on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, officials said.

The unilateral withdrawal of diplomatic ties by Pakistan with India in the wake of the Modi government's decision to revoke provisions of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir is being seen as a reason for the non-conduct of the ceremony.

New Delhi, Aug 11 (PTI) The government is working on a proposal to allow 100 per cent FDI in contract manufacturing with a view to attract overseas investments, sources said.

According to the existing foreign investment policy, 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) is permitted in the manufacturing sector under the automatic route. A manufacturer is also allowed to sell products manufactured in India through wholesale and retail channels, including through e-commerce, without government's approval.

New Delhi, Aug 11 (PTI) The country's coal imports increased by 28.7 per cent to 24.14 million tonnes in June on the back of softening of non-coking coal prices in the international markets.

The country had imported 18.75 million tonnes of coal in the corresponding month of the previous fiscal, according to a provisional compilation by mjunction services, based on monitoring of vessels' positions and data received from shipping companies.

Kolkata, Aug 12 (PTI) A day after slamming the Centre for highest unemployment rate in the country in 45 years, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday urged the youngsters to raise questions on growing joblessness.

Banerjee assured support to the youth on the occasion of the International Youth Day.

New Delhi, Aug 12 (PTI) CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury on Monday alleged that the people of Kashmir have been kept "imprisoned" in their own homes and warned the government that the impact of changing Jammu and Kashmir's status would be felt in other states with special status.

While greeting people on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, Yechury, who along with CPI general secretary had been denied entry into Srinagar on Friday, said he still didn't know the condition of his party colleagues in Kashmir.

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 11 (PTI) The death toll in the monsoon fury in Kerala rose to 59 on Sunday with two bodies being recovered while there was a slight let up in the rains in some regions in the state, officials said.

According to official sources, one body each was recovered this morning from Kozhikode and Alapuzha districts, which are among the badly hit by the torrential rains since last week.