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Jun122025 by News DeskNo Comments

Delhi court rejects Shabir Shah’s bail application

REGIONAL

The Delhi High Court on Thursday dismissed the bail plea of Kashmiri separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah in connection with a terror funding case being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). A division bench comprising Justices Navin Chawla and Shalinder Kaur pronounced the verdict, affirming the trial court’s decision of July 7, 2023, which had denied bail to Shah. "The present appeal is dismissed,” the bench stated briefly, adding that a detailed order will be issued later. Shabir Shah, currently in judicial custody, had moved the high court in August 2023 challenging the trial court’s refusal to grant him bail. His counsel had argued that the case lacked substantial material evidence and that the charges were politically motivated. However, the NIA had stro...

Jun122025 by News DeskNo Comments

US acts on intel of Israeli preparations to strike Iran’s nuclear sites; evacuates staff from key West Asia bases

INTERNATIONAL

Amid escalating tensions in West Asia, the United States has begun withdrawing non-essential personnel from multiple military and diplomatic installations across the region, including Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan. The move, reported by CNN and confirmed by US officials, reflects rising fears of a potential military conflict involving Iran and Israel. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) is closely monitoring what officials describe as “developing tensions in the Middle East.” Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has authorized the voluntary departure of military dependents, citing safety concerns. “The safety and security of our service members and their families remains our highest priority,” a Pentagon official said. CENTCOM commander Gen. Michael Kurilla has also postpo...

Jun122025 by News DeskNo Comments

Three Muslim workers assaulted by Hindutva mob, thrashed by mob in Jharkhand

INDIA

On June 6, in the Namkum area of Ranchi, Jharkhand, three Muslim labourers were violently assaulted by a mob of over 30 individuals allegedly associated with Hindutva groups. The victims say they were targeted solely because of their religious identity. According to a video circulating on social media platform X, the men said the attack occurred during their lunch break near their worksite, shortly after they had returned from offering namaz at a mosque. “They asked us, ‘Who are you? What are your names? What are you doing here?’” one of the victims told local reporters. “When we told them our names and they saw our kurta-pyjamas, their tone changed.” The mob, upon learning the men were Muslims, allegedly told them to vacate the area. As tensions escalated, the crowd grew to over ...

Jun122025 by News DeskNo Comments

‘She couldn’t open her eyes’: Class 3 girl allegedly beaten by teachers at private school in Srinagar

EDUCATION

Just weeks after the tragic case at Kashmir Harvard School, another disturbing incident has surfaced at Presentation Convent Higher Secondary School, where a Class 3rd student, Ayaat Altaf, daughter of Mohammad Altaf Dar, was allegedly subjected to severe corporal punishment by her teachers, leading to serious health complications. As per a report by locals news agency Kashmir Bulletin, Ayaat was reportedly beaten within the school premises, yet no immediate medical attention was provided. Her parents were informed late, and upon arrival, they found her vomiting, unconscious, and unable to open her eyes. Doctors at JVC hospital advised a CT scan, but due to the unavailability of CT scan services, her treatment has been delayed. Ayaat’s father, Mohammad Altaf Dar, voiced his distre...

Jun112025 by News DeskNo Comments

‘I should’ve come back sooner’: An elegy to a forgotten Kashmiri house

WRITE-UPS

Dr. Shabir Hussain When I stepped inside the house last month, I could still hear the echoes. Not voices, no. But echoes. Of wooden slippers clacking on the staircase. Of my grandfather’s slow cough before Fajr. Of my mother singing in the kitchen while scraping dried turnips with a blunt knife. The house, even in its ruin, remembered everything. I grew up here in Tral. Back then, we didn’t call it “rural.” We just called it home. There was no electricity in winter. We kept our milk in clay pots, tucked near the earthen walls to stop it from freezing. My sister and I would scrape ice from the inside of the windows and draw crooked hearts with our fingers. Outside, the sky was heavy with snow. But inside, there was warmth—not just from the fire, but from people. Especially durin...

Jun112025 by News DeskNo Comments

UAPA being illegally weaponized to silence critics, says Congress

REGIONAL

The Congress on Wednesday accused the Modi government of using draconian laws like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) to suppress dissent and intimidate critics, calling it part of a wider assault on democratic freedoms. Pawan Khera, head of the party’s media and publicity department, cited data showing that between 2014 and 2022, only 2.55% of 8,719 UAPA cases led to convictions. “This exposes how the law is weaponized to target students, journalists, academics, and activists,” Khera posted on X. Among those named were Anand Teltumbde, Nodeep Kaur, and Mahesh Raut, arrested in the Bhima Koregaon case. Teltumbde spent three years in jail before being released; Kaur, who got bail the same year, alleged custodial abuse. Raut has been in jail since 2018. Student activist...

Jun112025 by News DeskNo Comments

Centre approves additional 25 Crore compensation for houses damaged in cross-border shelling

REGIONAL

The Centre on Monday approved an additional amount of Rs 25 crore as compensation for houses damaged in the border areas of Jammu and Kashmir due to Pakistani shelling during Operation Sindoor. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently announced the additional compensation amount for the houses damaged by Pakistani shelling. As a special case, Modi said an additional compensation amount of Rs 2 lakh will be given for each fully-damaged house and Rs 1 lakh for each partially-damaged house. Following the prime minister's announcement, Union Home Minister Amit Shah ensured swift action by facilitating an additional provision of Rs 25 crore from the Ministry of Home Affairs for 2,060 houses, an official statement said. A similar compensation amount will also be provided in the border a...

Jun112025 by News DeskNo Comments

‘Deal is done,’ Trump announces after rare agreement with China

INTERNATIONAL

China and the US have agreed to what Donald Trump described as a “done deal,” pending final approval from Chinese President Xi Jinping. The agreement, reached after two days of talks in London, includes China supplying rare earths and allowing more Chinese students to study in the US. “Our deal with China is done, subject to final approval with President Xi and me,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Full magnets, and any necessary rare earths, will be supplied, up front, by China. Likewise, we will provide to China what was agreed to, including Chinese students using our colleges and universities (which has always been good with me!).” Trump added, “We are getting a total of 55 per cent tariffs, China is getting 10 per cent. Relationship is excellent!” Negotiators described the meetin...

Jun112025 by News DeskNo Comments

Heatwave alert issued in Kashmir for 3 days as temperatures soar

REGIONAL

Director of the Meteorological Department, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, on Wednesday predicted continued hot and dry conditions across Jammu Kashmir, with a brief spell of relief expected later this week. He said, “From June 11 to 13, generally hot and dry weather will prevail across the region. From June 14 to 17, there may be brief spells of light rain or thundershowers at isolated to scattered places, possibly accompanied by thunder and gusty winds. The outlook for June 18 to 20 suggests a return to generally hot and dry conditions.” The MET Centre Srinagar has also issued a heatwave advisory, warning of severe heat at several locations in J-K over the next three days. Citizens have been advised to consume plenty of fluids, remain indoors during peak heat hours (12 noon to 4 p.m.), and avoi...

Jun112025 by News DeskNo Comments

Reservation sub-committee report to be tabled in coming few days, says CM Omar

REGIONAL

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that the report compiled by the cabinet sub-committee on reservation will be tabled in the cabinet within days. Speaking to reporters in Aligarh, CM Omar, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the cabinet meeting is held twice in a month. “So far, the meeting has not taken place. The meeting will take place in the next few days and the recommendations by the CSC will be tabled and will be looked into,” he said. He also said Jammu and Kashmir needs maximum development. “No matter how much development happens, it’s not enough. The way our neighbouring country is trying to deteriorate the situation, we need to ensure that maximum development takes place in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said—(KNO)