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,” […]

India

Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind slam Waqf Bill; urge govt to withdraw it, engage detailed consultations

NEW DELHI — Prominent Muslim bodies on Thursday hit out at the The Waqf (Amendment) Bill that was introduced in Lok Sabha and urged the government to withdraw the proposed amendments and engage in a detailed consultation with all stakeholders, including religious leaders. Both factions of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind (Arshad Madani and Mahmood Madani) slammed […]

Politics

Security agencies, local administration might be apprehensive about holding Assembly polls in J&K: Iltija Mufti

SRINAGAR — PDP leader Iltija Mufti expressed apprehension on Thursday that security agencies and the local administration might be apprehensive about the conduct of Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir, saying the Election Commission ceding space to them would reinforce the notion of the Union Territory being a “police state”. “Easy to hazard a guess […]

Kashmir

NIA charge sheets four persons including Pak-based militant in Srinagar civilian killings

SRINAGAR — The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday chargesheeted four persons, including a Pak-based militant, for the killing of two non-local civilians by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and its offshoot The Resistance Front (TRF), in Kashmir in February this year. The NIA said that the accused, Adil Manzoor Langoo, Ahran Rasool Dar @ Tota, Dawood, and […]

Politics

“Violation of Freedom of Religion”: Asaduddin Owaisi shreds Waqf Bill

NEW DELHI — Asaduddin Owaisi of AIMIM (All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen) ripped into the Waqf Amendment bill presented in parliament today, calling it “discriminatory” and “arbitrary”. The bill, he said, interferes with the fundamental Right to Freedom of Religion enshrined in the constitution, and would help the government take over not only Waqf properties but […]

Politics

Political parties demand immediate assembly elections during meeting with Election Commission

SRINAGAR — Immediate assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir was the dominant demand of all political leaders from the Union Territory who met the visiting Election Commission (EC) team here on Thursday. The team led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar arrived here in the morning and met with representatives of registered political parties, including […]