International

Oil prices jump after US strikes on Iran, Hormuz tensions escalate

TOKYO — Oil prices climbed nearly 2% on Wednesday after the U.S. military launched airstrikes against Iran and reimposed crude sales sanctions, raising fears their fragile truce was unravelling and Middle East supplies could be disrupted again. The U.S. airstrikes were in response to Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels that were transiting the Strait […]

Politics

Over 150 civil society representatives adopt resolution seeking J&K statehood restoration

SRINAGAR — More than 150 civil society representatives unanimously adopted a resolution on Tuesday, urging the Centre to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir without further delay. The resolution was adopted at a meeting convened by National Conference president Farooq Abdullah at Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) here. “More than 150 representatives from various sections […]

Sports

Former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran passes away at 38

NEW DELHI — Former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran died on Tuesday, a ​day short of his 39th birthday, ‌after reportedly undergoing treatment for a rare severe immune system disorder at a ​New Delhi hospital. “With profound grief ​and deep sorrow, the Afghanistan Cricket ⁠Board mourns the passing of ​former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran,” […]

Politics

Mehbooba Mufti targets Rashid’s AIP, says only PDP speaking up for jailed youths

SRINAGAR — People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday asserted that only her party advocates the resolution of Kashmir issue and speaks about the youths “languishing in jails”. She targeted jailed Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid’s Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), saying a person in jail is contesting elections, while a poor person’s family is […]

Kashmir

Mirwaiz calls for dialogue on Waqf bill amendments, seeks time from Parliament panel

SRINAGAR — Umer Farooq, the Mirwaiz of Kashmir and head of the Mutahida Majlis-E-Ulema, has expressed grave concern over the proposed amendments to the Waqf Act, saying they threatened the interests of the Muslim community and violated fundamental rights. In a two-page correspondence to Jagdambika Pal, who chairs the joint committee of Parliament examining the […]

Kashmir

Minor found dead under mysterious circumstances in Budgam, family alleges murder

BUDGAM — The body of a minor boy was found under mysterious conditions at Kechwari area of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district while the family has alleged murder. Official sources told the news agency Kashmir News Observer, that during the intervening night of Monday-Tuesday, a minor boy was found dead under mysterious conditions with some marks […]