Month: October 2024

Moscow and Tehran are solidifying their alliance through economic and military cooperation, heightening tensions as Israel contemplates a strike against Iran. On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Putin expressed the close alignment between the two nations, stating, "We actively work together in the international arena, and our assessments of current events in the world are often very close," according to the TASS news agency. Pezeshkian echoed Putin's sentiment, emphasizing their complementary strengths. "Our positions in the world are much closer to each other than to others," he told the Russian leader, as reported by Iran’s IRNA news agency. Putin also highlighted the growing economic ties between...

The Kashmir Valley is witnessing a return of cold nights, as temperatures dip significantly across various regions. The sharp decline in temperatures marks the beginning of a chilly season that the valley is accustomed to. According to the latest data compiled by Kashmir Weather Forecast, the coldest temperatures were recorded in Union Territory (UT) Ladakh, with Nyoma freezing at -5.0°C, followed by Padum at -2.8°C and Tangtse Durbuk at -2.3°C. Drass, often referred to as the 'coldest inhabited place in India,' recorded a temperature of -1.3°C. In Kashmir, Shopian experienced the coldest night with temperatures dropping to 1.9°C, while Sonamarg and Bandipora recorded temperatures of 3.9°C. Other parts of the valley, including Pulwama, Anantnag, Baramulla, and Budgam, saw te...

The National Conference (NC)-Congress alliance Friday staked the claim to form government in Jammu and Kashmir as chief minister-designate Omar Abdullah called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha here. During his meeting with Sinha, Abdullah presented the letters of support from the coalition partners, hours after Congress extended its support to the NC vice president. Abdullah was unanimously elected as the leader of NC legislature party on Thursday, paving the way for his second term as the chief minister of J&K. His first tenure as the chief minister was also as the head of the NC-Congress coalition government from 2008 to 2014. The NC won 42 of the 90 seats for which elections were held in three phases with the alliance partner Congress bagging six seats. Although the tw...

Mrwaiz-e-Kashmir and Chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, today addressed the Friday congregation at Jama Masjid Srinagar, highlighting the significance of the recently concluded Jammu and Kashmir elections. He stated that the people have sent a clear message through their votes, rejecting the unilateral changes imposed in August 2019, which led to their systematic disempowerment and suppression. He urged the newly elected government to respect the voters' mandate and prioritize the restoration of the rights and legal safeguards that were removed in 2019. "The ownership of our land and resources, constitutional commitments, and our very identity and dignity have been undermined," he said, adding that it is essential for the new administration to fu...

Jammu Kashmir is set to form a new government early next week, marking the end of six years of direct central rule. The National Conference (NC), expected to lead the government, may prioritize reinstating holidays such as July 13 (Kashmir Martyrs’ Day) and December 5 (Sheikh Abdullah’s birth anniversary), which were removed following the 2019 abrogation of Article 370, Deccan Chronicle reported. Pertinently, the administration led by Satya Pal Malik, had cancelled July 13 as an official event, marking an end to the function observed for decades since 1948, When Sheikh Abdullah was the Prime Minister of Jammu Kashmir. In a bid to maintain harmony with Jammu’s residents, the NC is also likely to keep holidays established by the Lieutenant Governor’s administration on October 26 (Ma...

Jammu Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief Tariq Hameed Karra on Friday said that the party will give a letter of support to the National Conference (NC) by this evening to form the government Jammu Kashmir, Kashmir News Observer reported. Karra mentioned that they have scheduled a legislature party meeting today at 3 pm to pass a resolution. “The resolution will then be sent to the party high command in New Delhi. We have six members, and the party high command will decide who will get what in the coalition government with the National Conference,” he said. He added that currently, they have no demands and will put them forth after forming the government. “We will give a letter of support to NC by today in the evening after the conclusion of our legislature party m...

Tensions have escalated in Bijbehara, Kulgam, following accusations of post-poll violence leveled by People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti against National Conference (NC) workers. Dr. Bashir Veeri, the NC MLA for Bijbehara, has issued a strong response, hinting at potential legal action against Mufti for her claims. Iltija Mufti accused NC supporters of engaging in "hooliganism" and "vandalism" after the party's recent electoral victory. During a press conference, she alleged that NC workers had been involved in violent acts, including breaking into PDP members’ homes, setting fire to cow sheds, and stealing livestock. She cited specific incidents, including a video showing property destruction in Wagama, and claimed that NC workers disrupted prayers by setting o...

Mehbooba Mufti, president of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), congratulated the National Conference (NC) on its victory in the Jammu Kashmir Assembly elections and called on the Centre to respect the outcome. She urged the government to refrain from interfering in the affairs of the upcoming NC-Congress alliance, stating, "The Centre should take a lesson from the decisive verdict of the Jammu Kashmir Assembly polls and not meddle in the affairs of the government." Speaking at a press conference, Mufti praised the people of J&K for voting for stability. "I congratulate the NC leadership for its spectacular win. I also want to congratulate the people of J-K for voting for a stable government and not a hung assembly because the people faced several problems, especially after Aug...

National Conference (NC) president Dr. Farooq Abdullah announced today that the party’s Legislature Party (LP) meeting reached a unanimous decision to appoint Omar Abdullah as the Chairman of the LP, confirming him as the NC's Chief Ministerial candidate. According to party procedures, Omar Abdullah is expected to secure a letter of support from the Congress and all NC legislators before presenting his claim to form the government to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha by Saturday. Speaking at the party’s headquarters, Nawa-e-Subh complex, Dr. Farooq Abdullah confirmed Omar’s selection as LP Chairman but refrained from providing further details due to the large media presence and background noise at the event. A senior NC leader, who requested anonymity, told NVI that Omar Abdullah is...