Bandipora, Jul 10 (GNS): In a worrying development, water from the Naz Nallah Channel of Walur lake has started entering residential areas in village Chinpazpora of Ajas in Bandipora district.
A local Parvaiz Ahmad told GNS that the main cause of concern for them is the dysfunctional state of the Zadwa gauge – a crucial gate controlling the water levels from Wular Lake.
“Due to this malfunction, the water has started to seep into the residential areas of Chinpazpora village,” he said.
Worried villagers expressed apprehensions that if the gauge is not restored and closed promptly, the water may eventually submerge their homes in the coming days even as the link road is already partially submerged.
The residents expressed their disappointment over WUCMA’s failure to live up to its assurances’ of increasing the water holding capacity of Wular Lake. They claimed that a substantial amount of funds has been spent on this endeavor, but the situation on the ground tells a different story.
The villagers have appealed to the WUCMA authorities and the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Bandipora to urgently intervene and address the imminent issue to mitigate the threat posed by the surging water levels.
When contacted, Coordinator WUCMA Irfan Rasool said that he will look into the matter.
It remains to be seen how the authorities will tackle this situation and provide relief to the residents of Chinpazpora. (GNS)
Jerusalem: Israel has said it was “following with concern” the fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan.
“Israel wants stability and security for Sudan,” the Israeli Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lior Haiat wrote on Twitter, Xinhua news agency reported.
“Israel calls on all parties to refrain from violence and to return to the path of internal reconciliation, in order to conclude the process of governmental transition with a large consensus,” the spokesman wrote.
The armed clashes that erupted in Khartoum on Saturday left at least 97 people dead and hundreds of others injured.
The conflict is expected to postpone the signing of a deal to normalize ties between Israel and Sudan, which is expected to take place after the transfer of power in Sudan to a civilian government, according to commentators on state-owned Kan TV news.
Sudan first agreed to normalise ties with Israel in 2020. After paying a visit to Sudanese capital of Khartoum in February, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said the final normalization deal is expected to be signed by the end of 2023.
Investigations Going On to Identify Culprits: DFO Shopian
Umer Rashid
Srinagar, Apr 16 (GNS): Concerned over the alleged relentless felling of trees in local forest area, the population in Keller area in south Kashmir’s Shopian district has sought an immediate intervention from Lieutenant Governor’s office to check the trend and stop the wanton loot of green gold.
A delegation of locals told GNS that the activity of illegal felling of trees has been going on unabatedly in Compartment number 27 and 28, which according to them, is posing a grave threat to the ecology and nature of the area. “The jungle smugglers have been cutting the trees with absolute impunity to nature and disdain for the laws, while the authorities concerned seem to be least bothered about it”, they said.
“If this trend continues, we may god forbid see serious repercussions for no fault of ours at all”, they said. A senior citizen, identifying himself as Mohammad Yakoob Gutto, while talking to GNS expressed his serious concern about the wanton loot of green gold.
“I alongside few other residents recently checked on to the claims made by few locals and we were witness to the fact that the felling of trees has taken place and many the stumps have been deliberately hidden with mud”, Gutto said adding the things indicate that this activity is going pre-planned and as such needs to be investigated thoroughly.
He emphasized that the forest department should prioritize the protection of old trees instead of just showing off their plantation drives.
Gutoo, alongside several other locals, urged LG office to take strict action against the smugglers and officials, if at all found involved, in deforestation.
When contacted, the District Forest Officer (DFO) concerned told GNS that they are already investigating the matter.
“Our teams are on the ground and once we identify the culprits appropriate action will be taken against them,” he said.
When asked about the reason for such incidents, he explained that some poor and unemployed individuals who have no other source of income sometimes cut down trees for money, which results in harm to the environment and ecosystem.
The DFO further stated that they have taken action against such individuals in the past several months. “So far this year, we have slapped 15 individuals with PSA and whenever and wherever we come to know regarding any such incidents we act immediately”, he said.
While the investigation is ongoing in the particular incident, the locals have expressed hope that the authorities will take swift action to prevent further deforestation in the area.
“Hope the district administration acts as per its mandate to take strict measures to protect the environment and nature in the region”, they said. (GNS)
Abu Dhabi: The UAE has called upon all concerned parties in Sudan to exercise restraint, and to de-escalate and work towards ending this crisis through dialogue.
The UAE Embassy in Khartoum is following with great concern the developments in Sudan and has reaffirmed the UAE’s position on the importance of de-escalation, and working towards finding a peaceful solution to the crisis between the concerned parties.
Furthermore, the embassy stresses the importance of efforts aimed at supporting the political process and achieving national consensus towards the formation of a government.
Cairo: Countries in the Middle East have expressed concerns over the ongoing conflicts between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and called for an immediate ceasefire and resolution of differences through dialogue.
The fight erupted on Saturday morning in the capital Khartoum and adjoining cities. At least three civilians have been killed, according to the Sudan Doctors’ Committee. The RSF announced that they have taken control of key locations, including Khartoum Airport and the Merowe military base in northern Sudan.
The latest armed conflict in Sudan has raised concerns among Middle Eastern countries, including those in the Arab League, prompting them to condemn the ongoing armed conflicts and call for de-escalation, Xinhua news agency reported.
In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry conveyed deep concern about the violence in Sudan and called on Sudan’s military and political leaders to prioritise dialogue, restraint, and wisdom, and unite to complete the consensus that has been achieved, including the framework agreement.
The UAE also urged Sudan’s conflicting parties to exercise restraint and resolve the crisis through dialogue. In a statement, the UAE Embassy in Khartoum expressed deep concern and reaffirmed the importance of de-escalation and finding a peaceful solution through dialogue. It also emphasised the need to support the political process in Sudan and achieve national consensus for the formation of a government.
Qatar, Libya and Jordan also joined in urging Sudan’s conflicting parties to immediately stop fighting and resolve their differences through dialogue.
On Saturday, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit on Saturday expressed his shock and condemnation of the armed fighting, especially during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan.
The Secretary-General also stressed the responsibility of the warring parties to preserve the security and safety of Sudanese civilians in the fighting areas and throughout the country, adding that the Arab League General Secretariat is ready to intervene with the warring parties to end the fight.
Meanwhile, the Egyptian Armed Forces called for the maintenance of security and safety for Egyptian forces training in Sudan. In a statement, the Egyptian Army’s spokesman noted that joint Egyptian forces are present in Sudan for training purposes and are closely following the events. Coordination is underway with the concerned authorities to ensure the security of the Egyptian forces.
Iran also expressed concern about the developments and tensions in Sudan, inviting the conflicting sides to resolve their differences through dialogue.
Major disagreements have recently emerged between the Sudanese Army, led by Chairman of Sudan’s Sovereignty Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, led by al-Burhan’s deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, especially over the RSF’s integration into the army, as stipulated in a framework agreement signed between the military and civilian leaders on December 5, 2022.
Two pastors from Meghalaya belonging to the Laitumkhrah Presbyterian Church were harassed by Bajrang Dal members while they were on a congregation mission to meet evangelists close to Patna in Bihar.
The incident took place on Tuesday. The pastors – Reuben G Laloo and T Nongkhlaw – were harassed by the Hindutva organisation. They were taken to a nearby police station.
However, following the intervention of Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, the matter was brought to the attention of Bihar authorities amid the outcry.
Sangma took his official Twitter handle and wrote, “Condemn the incident in Bihar where our elders from Presbyterian Church were manhandled by miscreants. Instructed Meg police to be in touch with Bihar police who are helping our elders, their statements are being taken to file FIR against those miscreants. @officecmbihar(sic).”
Condemn the incident in Bihar where our elders from Presbyterian Church were manhandled by miscreants. Instructed Meg police to be in touch with Bihar police who are helping our elders, their statements are being taken to file fir against those miscreants. @officecmbihar
Lajja Ram Bishnoi, the Meghalayan director general of police (DIG) spoke to the superintendent of police (SP), Patna City, who said that the criminals were allegedly Bajrang Dal supporters.
“I spoke with the Patna SP who said there was an altercation between the Bajrang Dal and pastors. The right-wing workers mistreated the pastors. However, the matter is now under control,” Bishnoi stated.
United Christian Forum North East India (UCFNEI) expressed concern over the harassment.
“We express deep shock and concern. The pastors who belonged to the Presbyterian Church of India were falsely accused of converting Hindus to Christianity, while on their visit to Bihar at the invitation of the Church for post-Easter celebrations among the faithful,” a spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills SP Sylvester Nongtnger said, “Bihar Police has provided security and protection for the onward journey of pastors to Shillong, and have escorted them to the aeroplane. Legal action has been taken by Bihar Police against the miscreants.”
Three people who have visited with the senator in recent weeks or been briefed on her status say her diagnosis appears to have taken a heavy toll on her. Other confidants, including two who have seen or spoken with the senator, underscored that they are still hopeful she could serve out the nearly two years that remain in her term. But neither of those people, who addressed the sensitive matter on condition of anonymity, indicated they were confident she would be able to do so from Washington.
Indeed, aides and confidants are currently offering up no firm timeframe for her return to a chamber where Democrats are sorely missing her vote. And Feinstein’s own spokesperson Adam Russell said that there was no update on her expected date to return to Washington, though at least one associate to the senator said she’s “making good progress in her recovery.”
Feinstein’s absence has already forced her party to change how they run the Senate, where Democrats can’t move President Joe Biden’s judicial picks without her vote. And in California, the emerging race to succeed Feinstein is in a holding pattern of its own thanks to the uncertainty about her future — and persistent chatter about whether Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom might be forced to disrupt the contest by appointing her successor.
The senator, an iconic presence in the party who passed up its top spot on the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2020 amid speculation about her mental acuity, has kept word of her condition hush-hush. Her staff has been reticent to talk about her health even with other members of the California delegation, according to six Democrats familiar with the conversations.
It’s a delicate dynamic, one made even tougher by Senate Democrats’ 51-vote majority. And speculation about Feinstein’s future ratcheted higher after the recent departure of her chief of staff, David Grannis, who left for a new role at the Commission on the National Defense Strategy. James Sauls, a longtime aide on the Senate Intelligence Committee, has stepped into the chief of staff role, according to Russell.
While her illness has kept Feinstein from voting in the Judiciary panel to approve Biden’s nominees for the federal bench, effectively stalling those confirmations for now, it’s also being felt on the Senate floor. The California Democrat has missed nearly 60 votes since her shingles diagnosis in mid-February.
That lengthy absence has strained Democrats’ 51-49 majority in the chamber, with Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) also absent for weeks while in treatment for depression.
Vice President Kamala Harris has broken several ties to confirm judicial nominees on the floor, but committee action has been postponed on multiple nominations in her absence. There are currently 14 pending judicial nominees who have had hearings but have not gotten a vote in committee.
“I’m anxious, because I can’t really have a markup of new judge nominees until she’s there,” said Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the party’s No. 2 and the Senate Judiciary Committee chair told POLITICO late last month.
Durbin took the top Democratic spot on the panel in late 2020 after Feinstein ceded it following a firestorm of liberal fury with her cordial treatment of the GOP — and then-Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett.
Since then, pressure has mounted on Feinstein from some fellow Democrats to end her storied career on her own terms. Just this week, liberals began reupping their nudges for her to step aside; Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) retweeted a post appearing to call for Feinstein to retire, though it’s not clear whether the move amounted to an endorsement of that stance. And on Wednesday, shortly after this item was posted, Rep. Ro Khanna of California, did the same.
The longest-serving woman in Senate history eventually said in February she would not seek another term but vowed to complete her current one.
Days after that announcement, the shingles sidelined Feinstein.
The race to replace the trailblazing California political giant is already crowded, with House Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff, Katie Porter and Barbara Lee battling for the seat that hasn’t been vacant in more than 30 years. Complicating their emerging rivalry is Newsom’s 2021 commitment to nominating a Black woman for the Senate should Feinstein resign.
If he sticks to that promise, it would put a finger on the scale for Lee — who, if appointed to serve out the rest of Feinstein’s term, could run for a full term next year with the advantage of incumbency.
California is one of the 36 states that allow the governor to appoint a senator to hold the seat until the next regularly scheduled statewide election. However, should an appointment happen too close to March 2024, experts said the Senate election could not be consolidated with the primary.
Nicholas Wu, Sarah Ferris and Daniella Diaz contributed to this report.
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( With inputs from : www.politico.com )
Hyderabad: The menace of bike races and stunts is back on the Chanchalguda – Malakpet road striking fear in the common road commuters during morning hours.
On Sunday, a group of youngsters were spotted driving scooters and motorcycles at high speed and performing dangerous stunts like wheeling.
Some road users captured the acrobatics of the youngsters on their mobile phones and shared in social media terming it as an act of ‘stupidity in Ramzan’.
Sources said the youngsters from Yakutpura, Dabeerpura, Malakpet, Chaderghat, Edi Bazaar, Madannapet and Noor Khan Bazaar are gathering on the road and performing all dangerous stunts.
“It is very scary. A slight misjudgment or mistake could lead to harm for other motorists. Such mindless acts should not be allowed on the roads,” Abdul Shukhoor, a teacher from Chanchalguda appealed to the Hyderabad police.
The videos went viral on social media and some citizens tagged it to Hyderabad police who assured to take strict action.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, formerly the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, is an international organization founded in 1969, consisting of 57 member states
The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has followed with ‘deep concern’ the acts of violence and vandalism targeting the Muslim community in several states in India during the Ram Navami processions, including the burning of a madrasa and its library by an extremist Hindu mob in Bihar Sharif on 31 March 2023, a press release said.
The OIC General Secretariat denounced such provocative acts of violence and vandalism, which are a vivid manifestation of ‘mounting Islamophobia’ and ‘systemic targeting’ of the Muslim community in India, OIC said.
The OIC General Secretariat called upon the Indian authorities to take firm action against the instigators and perpetrators of such acts and to ensure the safety, security, rights, and dignity of the Muslim community in the country.
Indian government hits back
India on Tuesday slammed the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for its ‘communal mindset’ and ‘anti-India’ agenda.
India’s strong reaction came after the OIC secretariat issued a statement alleging the targeting of the Muslim community in several states in India during Ram Navami processions.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi condemned the statement issued by the OIC.
“We strongly condemn the statement issued by OIC Secretariat today regarding India. This is one more example of their communal mindset and anti-India agenda,” Bagchi said.
“The OIC only does its reputation damage by being consistently manipulated by anti-India forces,” the statement said.
The White House in statement added that Biden “underscored his belief that democratic values have always been, and must remain, a hallmark of the U.S.-Israel relationship, that democratic societies are strengthened by genuine checks and balances, and that fundamental changes should be pursued with the broadest possible base of popular support.”
“The President offered support for efforts underway to forge a compromise on proposed judicial reforms consistent with those core principles,” the statement said.
Netanyahu said Sunday the legal changes would be carried out responsibly while protecting the basic rights of all Israelis. His government — the country’s most right-wing ever — says the overhaul is meant to correct an imbalance that has given the courts too much power and prevented lawmakers from carrying out the voting public’s will.
Critics say it will upend Israel’s delicate system of checks and balances and slide the country toward authoritarianism. Opponents of the measure have carried out disruptive protests, and has even embroiled the country’s military, after more than 700 elite officers from the Air Force, special forces, and Mossad said they would stop volunteering for duty.
The conversation followed a Sunday meeting in Egypt between Israeli and Palestinian officials in which they pledged to take steps to lower tensions ahead of a sensitive holiday season. Administration officials praised the outcome of the summit in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. A joint communique said the sides had reaffirmed a commitment to de-escalate and prevent further violence.
Biden in the call “reinforced the need for all sides to take urgent, collaborative steps to enhance security coordination, condemn all acts of terrorism, and maintain the viability of a two-state solution,” according to the White House.
The Israeli and Palestinian delegations met for the second time in less than a month, shepherded by regional allies Egypt and Jordan, as well as the United States, to end a yearlong spasm of violence.
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( With inputs from : www.politico.com )
