January 2025 - Page 13 of 23

Jan162025 by News DeskNo Comments

Hamas thanks Iran, Hezbollah and Resistance Front for ceasefire in Gaza

INTERNATIONAL

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has expressed gratitude towards Iran and the regional Resistance Front following the recent ceasefire agreement, marking the end of a 15-month-long Israeli assault on Gaza. In a speech on January 15, 2025, Khalil al-Hayya, deputy head of Hamas' Political Bureau, praised the steadfastness of Palestinians in Gaza and thanked allies such as Iran, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Yemen's Armed Forces, and Iraqi resistance groups for their support during the conflict. Al-Hayya highlighted Hezbollah's sacrifices, including the loss of hundreds of fighters, and acknowledged their contributions to the liberation efforts in al-Quds (Jerusalem). The ceasefire follows widespread retaliatory actions from resistance groups across the region, including operations ...

Jan162025 by News DeskNo Comments

Srinagar police busts major counterfeit, arrests fraudulent goldsmith from Bijbehara

REGIONAL

Police in Srinagar have arrested a goldsmith accused of selling counterfeit gold ornaments, busting a major fraud. A police spokesperson, in a statement issued to news agency JKNS, said, "On 09/01/2025, a written complaint was lodged at Police Station Nowhatta by Nisar Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Bindoo Kokernag currently residing in Srinagar and working as a storekeeper at Lalmandi. He reported purchasing gold ornaments from Mehraj Din Qazi, the proprietor of M/S Soliya Ornaments in Bijbehara, which upon inspection turned out to be fake." Subsequently, an FIR (No. 02/2025) was registered under relevant sections of law at Police Station Nowhatta. Acting promptly, the investigation team arrested the accused shopkeeper, identified as Mehraj Din Qazi, son of Gh Mohammad Qazi, a residen...

Jan162025 by News DeskNo Comments

Sikh family donates land for mosque in Punjab

INDIA

In a heartwarming example of communal unity, a Sikh family in Malerkotla district, Punjab, has donated land to the local Muslim community for building a mosque. Sukhjinder Singh Noni, the former Sarpanch of Umarpura village, and his brother Avninder Singh contributed 5.5 biswas of prime land for the mosque, valued at approximately Rs 7–8 lakh, as reported by The Indian Express. Malerkotla holds historical significance as the only district in Punjab with a notable Muslim population that remained in India after the 1947 Partition. The region's unique bond with Sikhs stems from its Nawab's opposition to the execution of the two younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, in 1704, fostering a tradition of mutual respect and protection between the communities Sukhjinder ...

Jan162025 by News DeskNo Comments

After 15-months of bloodshed, Ceasefire to begin in Gaza on Sunday

INTERNATIONAL

In a significant breakthrough, Qatar announced on Wednesday that Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza, set to begin on Sunday, alongside a phased exchange of hostages and prisoners. This tentative deal offers a glimmer of hope to a region devastated by 15 months of relentless violence that has left over 38,000 Palestinians dead, including more than 15,000 children, and displaced the majority of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents. Entire neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble, with nearly 90% of schools damaged or destroyed, disrupting education for over 625,000 students, while thousands of mosques, churches, homes, and cultural landmarks have been obliterated. Less than half of Gaza’s hospitals remain operational, exacerbating a humanitarian crisis marked by acute shor...

Jan152025 by News DeskNo Comments

5-year-old girl dies of dog bite in Rajouri

REGIONAL

In a tragic incident, a five-year-old girl from Upper Shadra area of Rajouri district died after sustaining severe injuries from a dog bite on Wednesday, officials said. An official told the news agency JKNS that a five-year-old girl from Rajouri died after sustaining severe injuries from a dog bite. He said the deceased, identified as Samreen Kouser (05), daughter of Mohammad Shafayet, was soon taken to the hospital in an unconscious state after suffering major cut marks leading to acute blood loss, where doctors declared her brought dead on arrival. Meanwhile, BMO Thanamandi, Dr. Ruksana, confirmed to JKNS that the child was declared dead on arrival. Moreover, proceedings have been initiated.—(JKNS)

Jan152025 by News DeskNo Comments

A year of despair: Father’s quest to find son missing in Russia-Ukraine war

INTERNATIONAL

Over a year has passed since Mohammad Amin Sheikh, a resident of Hajinar Karnah in Kupwara district, began his heartbreaking journey to locate his son, Zahoor Sheikh. According to KNS, Zahoor went missing after being reportedly deceived into joining the Russian army and sent to the Russia-Ukraine warzone. Despite relentless efforts, Sheikh's appeals to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Russian Embassy, and other authorities have yielded no answers. Zahoor, 27, last contacted his family on December 31, 2023, informing them he was about to start training and would be unavailable for three months. Soon after, rumors about Indian men dying in the war began circulating. Attempts to reach Zahoor failed, leaving his family in a state of despair. “He wanted a better life. ...

Jan152025 by News DeskNo Comments

‘Peace and Unity needed’: MMU condemns insulting remarks in Mushaira

REGIONAL

The Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) Jammu Kashmir has strongly condemned recent derogatory remarks reportedly made against the revered companions and Khulafa-e-Rashideen (may Allah be pleased with them), describing them as deeply offensive and an affront to the sentiments of the Muslim community. The organization expressed grave concern over such divisive statements, which it believes are deliberate attempts to disrupt communal harmony and the longstanding tradition of unity in the region. The MMU emphasized the exalted status of the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) companions in Islam and stated that any disrespect towards them is contrary to Islamic teachings and the values of mutual respect upheld by the people of Jammu Kashmir. Such remarks, the MMU stated, are not only hurtful but al...

Jan152025 by News DeskNo Comments

‘Old stones, New shine’: Officials continue probe into Srinagar’s Smart City Project

REGIONAL

Investigations about corrupt practices under the Srinagar Smart City Limited Project are now in full swing, with ground reports exposing questionable activities in several areas, including Bohri Kadal, Zaina Kadal, Maharaj Ganj, Aali Kadal, Saraf Kadal, and Gada Kocha. At Gada Kocha, the allegations are particularly striking. Divari stones previously erected under earlier projects were reportedly chiseled or polished to give them the appearance of newly installed material. In some cases, plaster was applied over Divari stones to manipulate bills and extract payments for work that had already been completed in the past. Reports also reveal that existing materials such as tin sheets and wooden logs were replaced under the guise of upgrading infrastructure. However, the replaced m...

Jan152025 by News DeskNo Comments

Six booked in Srinagar for inciting sectarian hate, Police issue stern warning

REGIONAL

The Srinagar Police have detained six individuals at the Central Jail under Sections 126 and 170 of the BNSS Act for allegedly inciting sectarian unrest through derogatory remarks. The accused were charged with actions aimed at disrupting public harmony and sowing discord among communities. In a statement, the police emphasized their zero-tolerance policy toward activities that threaten communal peace. "The public is hereby warned that any individual found engaging in similar unlawful activities, including posting or sharing sectarian content with the intent to create division or disturb public harmony, will meet the same fate," the statement read. The authorities have assured strict monitoring of activities, particularly on social media platforms, and urged citizens to refrain...

Jan152025 by News DeskNo Comments

KPDCL announces power shutdown schedule in Kashmir from January 15-22

REGIONAL

The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has announced a series of scheduled power shutdowns across various parts of Kashmir between January 15 and 22. The outages are intended to facilitate essential infrastructure upgrades, including the augmentation of conductors, dismantling of poles, and testing of critical equipment. On January 15, the 33/11KV Receiving Stations at Chanapora and Bone & Joint will remain off, affecting power supply to Chanapora, Natipora, and B&J Baghat between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM. During the same hours, the shutdown of the Bagh-i-Mehtab line will disrupt power to Bagh-i-Mehtab, Kralpora, and Gopalpora. To augment conductors along the 33KV Nehalpora (Pattan)-Markundal line, outages are scheduled on January 16 and 18. This will...