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Remembering the Sacrifices: LG Honors Pulwama Attack Martyrs on Anniversary

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Pulwama

Srinagar, Feb 14: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha paid a heartfelt tribute to the martyrs of the 2019 Pulwama attack, emphasizing that their sacrifices in defense of the nation will always be honored.

In a statement on the micro-blogging platform X (formerly Twitter), LG Sinha wrote, “Paying my deepest respects to the brave martyrs of the tragic Pulwama attack. Their ultimate sacrifice in the service of the nation will be remembered forever. The bravery and selfless dedication of these heroes will continue to inspire future generations.”

The devastating attack took place on February 14, 2019, when a suicide bomber struck a convoy of soldiers at Lethpora Pulwama, located on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.

This tragic incident resulted in the loss of 40 soldiers’ lives, while more than 35 others sustained injuries, marking it as one of the deadliest terror attacks in the history of Jammu and Kashmir.

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Prize Pool of USD 2.24 Million for Winning Team

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prize

Dubai, Feb 14: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a significant increase in the prize money for the upcoming Champions Trophy, with the total prize pool rising by 53%. The winning team will receive USD 2.24 million, while the runners-up will take home USD 1.12 million.

The total prize pool for the tournament has been raised to USD 6.9 million (approximately INR 60 crore), reflecting the ICC’s commitment to investing in the sport and elevating the global stature of its events.

Prize Distribution:

  • Winner: USD 2.24 million (INR 19.3 crore)
  • Runner-up: USD 1.12 million (INR 9.72 crore)
  • Losing Semi-finalists: USD 560,000 (INR 4.86 crore) each
  • Group Stage Win: USD 34,000 (INR 30 lakh) per match victory
  • Fifth & Sixth Places: USD 350,000 (INR 3 crore) each
  • Seventh & Eighth Places: USD 140,000 (INR 1.2 crore) each
  • Participation Fee: USD 125,000 (INR 1.08 crore) for all teams

ICC Chairman Jay Shah highlighted that the increased prize money demonstrates the organization’s continued focus on supporting the growth and prestige of international cricket.

The much-anticipated tournament will begin on February 19 in Pakistan and the UAE.

India and U.S. Strengthen Strategic Alliance for a Prosperous Future: Joint Statement

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U.S.

New Delhi, Feb 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald J. Trump reaffirmed the India-U.S. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, emphasizing their shared interests, mutual trust, and active citizen engagement. The two leaders gathered in Washington, D.C., for a significant meeting that marked a new era of collaboration in defense, trade, energy, and technology.

Defense Cooperation: A New Era of Strategic Ties

The U.S. and India launched the “U.S.-India COMPACT (Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) for the 21st Century,” focusing on strengthening military cooperation. A ten-year framework for the U.S.-India Major Defense Partnership is set to be finalized, enabling deeper interoperability and industrial cooperation.

Both nations highlighted the integration of U.S.-origin defense items into India’s inventory, including C-130J Super Hercules, C-17 Globemaster III, P-8I Poseidon aircraft, and Apache helicopters. New procurements for Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missiles and Stryker Infantry Combat Vehicles were also announced, with plans to finalize the acquisition of six more P-8I Maritime Patrol aircraft.

In an effort to streamline defense trade and technology exchanges, the U.S. and India will review arms transfer regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). The leaders also launched the Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA), encouraging collaboration between Anduril Industries and Mahindra Group on advanced technologies.

Trade and Investment: Setting Ambitious Goals

Prime Minister Modi and President Trump set an ambitious target for bilateral trade, aiming to reach $500 billion by 2030 under the “Mission 500” initiative. This goal will be pursued through improved market access, reduced tariffs, and increased integration of global supply chains.

The leaders welcomed tariff reductions on key American exports to India and expressed a mutual commitment to expanding the trade of industrial and agricultural goods. Additionally, Indian investments in the U.S. have surpassed $7.35 billion, creating thousands of high-quality jobs.

Energy Cooperation: Securing a Sustainable Future

Recognizing the importance of energy security, both leaders re-committed to expanding the U.S.-India Energy Security Partnership. They emphasized stable energy markets and the shared goal of safeguarding economic stability through strategic petroleum reserves. The U.S. expressed support for India’s membership in the International Energy Agency and further collaboration on civil nuclear technology, including the advancement of U.S.-designed nuclear reactors in India.

Technology and Innovation: Advancing Collaboration in Key Sectors

The U.S.-India TRUST (Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology) initiative was introduced to accelerate cooperation in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum computing, and biotechnology. A roadmap will be developed to enhance AI infrastructure, alongside the INDUS-X defense partnership and the INDUS Innovation Bridge.

India and the U.S. also have plans for a collaborative space mission in 2025, which includes an Indian astronaut visiting the International Space Station through a NASA-ISRO partnership. The leaders also announced the joint NISAR mission for Earth observation.

Regional and Global Security: A Joint Commitment to Peace

The U.S. and India reiterated their commitment to ensuring a “free, open, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.” As part of the Quad partnership, India will host the Quad Leaders’ Summit, focusing on initiatives for disaster response and maritime security. Both leaders launched the “Indian Ocean Strategic Venture” to enhance economic connectivity and global security.

In the area of counter-terrorism, the U.S. approved the extradition of Tahawwur Rana to India, signaling continued collaboration in bringing justice to the perpetrators of the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

People-to-People Ties: Strengthening Mobility and Education

The two leaders highlighted the impact of the 300,000-strong Indian student community in the U.S. and emphasized their efforts to expand educational partnerships. Initiatives include increasing dual-degree programs and establishing offshore campuses of U.S. institutions in India.

They also committed to improving legal mobility for students, professionals, and business travelers while tackling illegal immigration and human trafficking networks.

A Vision for the Future: Sustaining High-Level Engagement

With a shared vision for long-term prosperity, President Trump and Prime Minister Modi affirmed their commitment to advancing the India-U.S. partnership. Their focus remains on mutual prosperity, global stability, and a free and open Indo-Pacific. Through sustained engagement, they aim to contribute to a prosperous future and serve the global good.

Saqib Mahmood Confident of England’s Strong ODI Comeback Against India

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Saqib Mahmood

New Delhi, Feb 8: England fast bowler Saqib Mahmood is optimistic that his team can still clinch the ODI series against India if they secure victories in their remaining two matches in Cuttack and Ahmedabad.

Following a 1-4 defeat in the T20I series and a four-wicket loss in the opening ODI in Nagpur, Mahmood expressed confidence in England’s ability to bounce back.

“While the results so far haven’t gone as we’d hoped, it’s important for us to stay focused on our approach and stick together as a team. If we keep doing the right things, we can turn things around,” Mahmood said.

He acknowledged the difficulty of playing against India in India, calling it one of the toughest challenges in cricket. “Competing in India is incredibly challenging, but if we fight hard in the upcoming matches, we could still win the series,” Mahmood explained.

He stressed the importance of looking forward and not letting past setbacks affect their mindset. “It’s crucial to move on from previous results, or else they’ll weigh you down and impact your performance in the next match,” he added.

On the subject of Jofra Archer, Mahmood commented on the pacer’s performance, noting that Archer hasn’t had much luck with wickets in this series. He highlighted that India’s batsmen have been using his pace to their advantage. “Sometimes in formats like T20, numbers don’t fully reflect the bowler’s skill. Jofra has been bowling excellently, running in at full pace and swinging the ball. It’s just a matter of crediting the batters for their efforts,” Mahmood said.

He further expressed confidence in Archer’s role, describing him as a match-winner and a key asset for the team. “Jofra is our X-factor, and within the team, everyone is pleased with his performance,” he added.

Mahmood also spoke about the advantages of playing in India ahead of the Champions Trophy. “Competing against India on these challenging pitches will definitely help sharpen my skills and prepare us for the Champions Trophy. It’s an important tournament, and with the experience here, we’ll be better prepared when we face Pakistan in the group stages,” he concluded.

Massive Blaze Engulfs Sonamarg Market in Kashmir, Firefighters Deployed from Multiple Regions

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Sonamarg

A large fire broke out in the main market area of the Sonamarg tourist destination on Saturday evening, causing significant damage.

Multiple fire tenders were immediately dispatched to the scene, where the blaze damaged over two dozen shops. Initial reports suggest the fire originated from a hotel within the market area, though a full investigation is yet to confirm the cause.

Firefighters from nearby locations including Sonamarg, Gund village, and Kangan rushed to the site in an effort to contain the flames. However, due to the severity of the fire, additional fire tenders from Ganderbal and Srinagar were called in.

The blaze reportedly began on the second floor and quickly spread to the ground level. On the first floor, 20 commercial establishments were severely impacted, while around a dozen shops on the ground floor suffered partial damage.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed his condolences to those affected and assured full government support. “I am deeply saddened by the devastating fire in Sonamarg’s market. My office is in constant communication with the local authorities to ensure that all necessary assistance reaches those affected. My thoughts and prayers are with the families and businesses impacted by this incident. We stand with you and will provide all possible support in your recovery,” he said.

BJP Clinches Majority in Delhi, Wins 38 Out of 70 Assembly Seats

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BJP

New Delhi, Feb 8: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has secured a decisive victory in the Delhi Assembly elections, winning 38 out of 70 seats, as per the latest data from the Election Commission.

The party is also leading in 10 additional seats, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has won 17 seats and is ahead in five more.

Key AAP leaders, including party chief and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Saurabh Bharadwaj, and Satyendar Jain, faced defeats in their respective constituencies. Kejriwal lost the New Delhi seat to BJP’s Parvesh Verma by a margin of 4,089 votes.

This victory marks BJP’s return to power in Delhi after 26 years, with the party currently leading in 48 constituencies, compared to AAP’s 22.

Former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia also suffered a narrow defeat, losing by 675 votes to BJP’s Tarvinder Singh Marwah in Jangpura.

Parvesh Verma, son of former Delhi Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma, credited his victory to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and the trust of Delhi’s voters.

Omar Abdullah Emphasizes Jammu & Kashmir-Ladakh Unity, Urges Awareness on Student Quotas

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Omar Abdullah

Srinagar, Feb 8: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah emphasized the enduring historical ties between Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, asserting that administrative restructuring would not weaken their connection. He also called on Ladakh’s leadership to raise awareness about student quotas in J&K, highlighting that many reserved seats remain unfilled due to lack of information.

During a meeting with a delegation from the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Kargil, Abdullah addressed key concerns affecting Ladakhi students, patients, and residents in Jammu & Kashmir. To enhance healthcare accessibility, he assured the delegation that a help desk managed by Ladakh administration staff would be established at SKIMS and other super-speciality hospitals in Kashmir to assist patients from Kargil and Leh.

The delegation, led by LAHDC Kargil Chairman Mohd Jaffer Akhoon and Ladakh Member of Parliament Haji Mohd Haneefa Jan, discussed crucial issues such as appointing nodal officers for Ladakh patients in J&K hospitals, expanding student hostels in Srinagar and Jammu, and increasing Ladakhi student admissions in J&K colleges. They also proposed tourism promotion initiatives for Kargil through collaborative events in Srinagar.

Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary and Minister for Jal Shakti Javed Ahmed Rana assured that infrastructure concerns related to roads, water supply, and essential services would be addressed on priority.

The delegation expressed appreciation for the J&K government’s proactive stance in improving facilities and opportunities for Ladakh residents.

Pakistan Government Extends New Proposal for Talks to Imran Khan’s Party

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Government

Islamabad, Feb 7: The Pakistani government has once again extended an invitation to Imran Khan’s political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), for fresh discussions just ahead of its planned protest against alleged election manipulation from the previous year.

PTI has claimed that it won the general elections held on February 8, 2024, but accuses the government of robbing its mandate through widespread rigging, allegations which have been denied by both the government and election authorities.

This dispute over election results has led to tensions between PTI and the government, resulting in several protests in the past year, destabilizing the political environment. However, in December, both parties agreed to enter negotiations to resolve the ongoing political impasse and address the opposition’s concerns.

Unfortunately, after three rounds of talks, discussions broke down over PTI’s demands for the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the protests that took place on May 9, 2023, and November 26, 2024. As the talks stalled, PTI returned to its protest politics, with its imprisoned leader, Khan, urging followers to rally against the alleged rigging on the first anniversary of the elections.

This prompted National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, who had previously facilitated the talks, to announce a new opportunity for negotiations, stating that the door for talks had never been fully closed.

Sadiq emphasized that PTI had remained in contact with the government and expressed his respect for Khan’s strong leadership, acknowledging the challenges of dealing with the opposition.

Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif proposed the formation of a parliamentary committee, involving members from both the government and PTI, to discuss the matter, but no progress had been made.

Meanwhile, PTI’s spokesperson, Hamid Raza, shared a statement on social media claiming the opposition’s negotiation committee had been dissolved following Khan’s orders.

Before engaging in fresh talks, PTI is seeking to mobilize its support base through protests. The party has announced plans for a large rally in Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on February 8 to mark what it calls a “black day” in reference to its alleged stolen mandate from the February 2024 elections. Smaller protests will also take place across other regions of the country, as directed by Khan.

PTI also claimed that the Punjab government had denied permission for a rally at the iconic Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore, and alleged that police raids were underway to arrest PTI leaders and disrupt their protest plans.

Violence broke out during protests on May 9, 2023, following Khan’s arrest by paramilitary forces at the Islamabad High Court. PTI workers vandalized military properties, including the Jinnah House and the ISI office in Faisalabad. Khan contended that he was being politically targeted in the aftermath of those protests.

In November, Khan called for a “final push” with nationwide protests on November 26, demanding the restoration of PTI’s electoral mandate and the release of party members. His call saw thousands of supporters gathering in Islamabad, but they were met with a police crackdown, resulting in over 1,400 arrests.

Er Rashid Hospitalized at RML as Indefinite Hunger Strike Reaches Eighth Day

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Rashid

Srinagar, Feb 7: The health of Member of Parliament (MP) from North Kashmir’s Baramulla constituency, Er Rashid, has worsened as he continues his indefinite hunger strike, which has now entered its eighth day.

Due to his deteriorating condition, Er Rashid has reportedly been transferred to the RML Hospital in New Delhi for urgent medical attention.

Inam Un Nabi, Chief Spokesperson for the Awami Ittihad Party (AIP), expressed deep concern over his condition. He stated, “The current health situation of Er Rashid is extremely worrying. Despite his serious state, his call for justice remains resolute.”

Un Nabi urged the authorities to give immediate priority to his medical treatment, ensuring he receives the necessary care without delay.

The AIP spokesperson also highlighted the grave issue of Er Rashid’s prolonged detention and worsening health. “We strongly appeal to the government and concerned authorities to address this matter urgently. Justice must be served, and it must be seen to be served,” he said.

AIP continues to rally for both public and political support for Er Rashid, reinforcing its unwavering faith in the judicial system and calling for fair treatment and an expedited resolution of his case.

NHPC Ltd Recruitment 2025, Medical Officer and Field Engineers

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NHPC

NHPC Limited, a Government of India Navratna enterprise, is the leading organization for hydropower development in the country. It possesses the expertise to handle all aspects of hydroelectric projects, from initial conceptualization to final commissioning.

In addition to its core business in hydropower, NHPC has expanded into solar and wind energy development, among other areas. For a comprehensive overview of the company, please feel free to visit our official website: www.nhpcindia.com.

NHPC Limited is currently inviting applications from qualified and experienced medical professionals and field engineers for Fixed Tenure positions. The initial engagement period will be one year, with the possibility of extending up to an additional two years, based on the company’s policies. The available vacancies and reservation requirements are as follows:

Positions Available:

  • Medical Officer: 04
  • Field Engineer (Civil): 06
  • Field Engineer (Electrical): 03
  • Field Engineer (Mechanical): 03

Total Vacancies: 16

For a detailed advertisement, including position-specific information, eligibility criteria, and instructions on how to apply online, candidates are encouraged to visit the Careers Section on the NHPC website: http://www.nhpcindia.com. Only online applications will be accepted.

Key Dates:

  • Online portal opening date: 28th January 2025 (10:00 AM)
  • Online portal closing date: 18th February 2025 (05:00 PM)

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