“We believe that the act of official recognition of the government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will give impetus to the development of productive bilateral cooperation between our countries in various fields,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement
Srinagar, Jul 3: The ongoing Kashmir Cup 2025 witnessed contrasting thrillers at TRC Ground on Thursday, with Sultan Warriors Baramulla powering to a resounding eight-wicket win, while Royal Goodwill Cricket Club survived a batting collapse to edge past Valley Fresh Cold Chain by two wickets.
Sultan Warriors Baramulla vs Sopore Stallions
As per a statement issued, in the day’s opening clash, Sultan Warriors delivered a dominant all-round performance to register an emphatic 8-wicket victory over Sopore Stallions. After electing to field, the Warriors conceded 175/7 as the Stallions put up a strong total, led by Fayaz Sarwar (45 off 34) and a blistering 42 off 19 balls from Sonu Singh.
However, Sultan Warriors made a mockery of the target with a thunderous reply. Opener Asim Bashir smashed an unbeaten 90 off just 36 balls, including 11 towering sixes. He was ably supported by wicketkeeper-batter Waseem Kachur, who hammered 70 off only 20 deliveries, featuring 9 fours and 5 sixes. The duo’s explosive hitting helped chase down the target in just 11.3 overs, finishing the game with an astonishing run rate of 15.65.
The second encounter of the day proved to be a low-scoring thriller as Royal Goodwill Cricket Club held their nerve to defeat Valley Fresh Cold Chain by two wickets. Batting first, Valley Fresh could only muster 121 runs in 19.1 overs despite efforts from Amir Tukroo (27) and Danish Muzaffar (21). Royal Goodwill bowlers, led by Amir Aziz (3/18), Syed (3/36), and Meeran Yousuf (2/11), did the bulk of the damage.
Chasing 122, Royal Goodwill wobbled at various intervals, losing wickets at regular stages. Asif Rasool’s 41 off 32 kept them in the hunt, while Amir Aziz once again stepped up, remaining unbeaten on 38 off 30 to guide his team home in 17.3 overs. Despite a spirited fightback by Valley Fresh bowlers led by Amir Tukroo (2/30) and skipper Arif Mir (2/15), Royal Goodwill held on to secure a crucial victory.
New Delhi, Jul 3: The 23rd Regional Meeting of National Authorities of States Parties in Asia to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) opened in New Delhi this week, bringing together 38 delegates from 24 Asian nations to deepen regional cooperation and build capacity for effective implementation of the global treaty that bans chemical weapons.
Organised by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and hosted by India’s National Authority Chemical Weapons Convention (NACWC), the three-day meeting began on July 1 at Vanijya Bhawan. Senior officials from the OPCW, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Cabinet Secretariat were present at the inaugural session, alongside representatives from countries across Asia and the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (UNRCPD).
In his remarks, an OPCW official highlighted the importance of such regional engagements, calling them “vital to sharing knowledge, overcoming national implementation challenges, and enhancing cooperation.” The sessions focused on legislative frameworks, chemical safety and security, industry engagement, and the potential role of artificial intelligence in future compliance mechanisms.
India, an original signatory to the CWC since it came into force in 1997, plays a key role in the implementation of the Convention in the region. “Through NACWC, India continues to demonstrate its commitment to global disarmament and chemical weapons non-proliferation.”
The OPCW, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013 for its efforts to eliminate chemical weapons globally, currently has 193 Member States. Its annual regional meetings, such as this one, are designed to promote best practices and enhance cooperation among national authorities. Notably, India’s leadership in this domain received international recognition in 2024 when the Indian Chemical Council (ICC), the country’s oldest chemical industry association, became the first industry body globally to be awarded the prestigious OPCW-The Hague Award. The award recognised ICC’s contributions in promoting chemical safety, compliance with the Convention, and improving security practices across India’s chemical sector. “This award is not just an honour for ICC but a moment of pride for the country,” said an official. “It reflects the growing synergy between regulatory bodies and the industry in ensuring the peaceful use of chemicals.”
India also mentored Kenya’s national authority in 2024 under the OPCW’s Mentorship/Partnership Programme, further cementing its status as a regional leader in CWC implementation.
The meeting was attended by 38 delegates from 24 States Parties (countries) from the Asia region including Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Cambodia, Iraq, India, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Myanmar, Maldives, Philippines, Oman, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam along with officials from the OPCW and the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (UNRCPD).
The ongoing regional meeting provides a platform for participating countries to discuss the integration of UN Security Council Resolution 1540 with CWC obligations and to explore avenues for further mentorship and technical support. As the discussions continue, delegates are expected to formulate actionable outcomes that reinforce regional implementation and compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention and to strengthen networks that uphold international peace and chemical disarmament.
Udhampur, Jul 3: Deputy Commissioner Udhampur, Saloni Rai Thursday chaired a meeting with officers from various line departments to review the status of the Good Governance Index in the district.
At the outset, DSEO, Darshan Kumar, presented an overview of the District Good Governance Index through a detailed PowerPoint presentation.
He outlined the objectives of the index and its role in monitoring district-level performance across key developmental sectors.
New Delhi, Jul 3: Russia has confirmed the death of Major General Mikhail Gudkov, deputy head of the Russian Navy, near the Ukrainian border in the western Kursk region.
The Russian defence ministry said Gudkov was killed during “combat work,” but provided no further details, BBC reported.
His death marks one of the highest-profile military losses for Moscow since the beginning of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Gudkov, appointed to the senior naval post by President Vladimir Putin in March this year, was reportedly killed alongside ten others, according to Oleg Kozhemyako, governor of Russia’s Primorsky region. In a Telegram post, Kozhemyako described Gudkov as a dedicated officer who died “carrying out his duty.”
The BBC, citing unconfirmed reports from Russian and Ukrainian military-linked Telegram channels, said the deaths may have resulted from a Ukrainian missile strike on a Russian command post near the town of Korenevo, roughly 30 km from the Ukrainian border.
Jammu, Jul 3: Massive Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) Thursday continued for the second day to hunt down terrorists with whom security forces established contact on July 2 in dense forests of Kanzal Mandu area in Chhatroo belt of Kishtwar district.
“Anti-terrorist operation is in progress,” PRO Defence Lt Col Suneel Bartwal said, when asked about the latest status of the encounter that erupted between security forces and hiding terrorists in Kanzal Mandu forests on Wednesday evening.
According to the White Knight Corps of the Indian Army, based on specific intelligence about the presence of terrorists, a joint search operation was launched in the Kanzal Mandu forest stretch of Kishtwar on July 2 evening. During the search operation, contact of security forces was established with the terrorists thus ensuing heavy exchange of fire.
Security forces laid down a strict cordon to hunt down the hiding terrorists and for the purpose, additional reinforcements were rushed to the encounter site. Exchange of intermittent fire continued throughout the night.
On Thursday morning, the operation resumed with the help of drones and sniffer dogs and searches continued till last reports poured in.
On June 18 also, a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) was launched in and around Singhpora forest area of Chhatroo following reports of suspicious movement.
Earlier on May 22, 2025, one army soldier was killed and two others were injured in the same area, in an exchange of fire with a group of terrorists, who managed to escape. Following exchange of fire, a massive joint combing operation in Singhpora-Chhatroo and adjoining areas was launched by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of J&K Police, Indian Army, and other paramilitary forces including CRPF, to track the hiding terrorists with additional mobilisation of troops well equipped with surveillance equipment.
But no contact could be established with the terrorists thereafter. On April 11-12 this year, three terrorists were neutralized in the same area besides recovery of a huge cache of arms and ammunition.
Jammu, Jul 3: Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson and former MLC Girdhari Lal Raina Thursday stated that the decision by LG Manoj Sinha to address the issues concerning families of terror victims brutally killed by the terrorists was a welcome step in the right direction yet responsibility should be fixed at the highest level for justice.
“Complete and real justice is possible only after all those responsible, including the political masters, in power are identified, apprehended and punished in accordance with the Law of the land. It is therefore essential to inquire into the role played by those at the helm of affairs also,” he said, in a statement issued to the press.
He said, “The commitment to deliver justice and comprehensive support to the affected families; reopen cases that were deliberately buried; to ensure that FIRs are registered and to provide government jobs to the Next of Kin (NoK) on priority is also appreciable. So are the instructions issued to initiate immediate measures to reclaim properties and land that had been illegally occupied by terrorists or their sympathisers.”
In the same breath, Raina said that people had been demanding a high-powered enquiry commission to look into the rise of separatism and its transformation into full blown terrorist violence and the role played by the rulers of that era both directly and indirectly by abdicating their constitutional responsibility.
“Pakistan-sponsored terrorists who imposed their writ on Kashmir by unleashing death and destruction under a concerted plan”- neatly executed by local terror groups. The state government at that time abdicated its constitutional duties, not only created a socio-political vacuum but actually left people’s life and liberty at the mercy of looters and terror groups,” BJP leader asserted.
He alleged that death and destruction that took place over a period of time was the result of a sustained process of separatism and cultivation of anti-India sentiment. “Those in power rewarded, instead of punishing these elements involved in fostering separatism and secessionism. Known terrorists trained in Pakistan and arrested by law enforcement agencies were released in the name of goodwill gesture,” Raina recalled.
“Bringing real culprits to book is possible by a high powered commission as has been done in case of 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Such a commission should be constituted without any further delay and those found guilty should be given exemplary punishment as per the law,” he demanded.
“FIRs that have not been acted upon by the state should be clubbed and given to the NIA for a comprehensive probe leading to a time bound charge sheet,” Raina suggested and also demanded the publishing of white paper on this entire issue.
Moscow, July 03: US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed Iran, Ukraine and other issues by phone on Thursday, the Kremlin said, in their sixth publicly disclosed chat since Trump returned to the White House.
While discussing the situation around Iran, Putin emphasised the need to resolve all issues by political and diplomatic means, said Yuri Ushakov, his foreign affairs adviser.
The United States struck three sites in Iran on June 22, inserting itself into Israel’s war aimed at destroying Tehran’s nuclear programme.
On the conflict in Ukraine, Ushakov said Trump emphasised his push for a quick halt to the fighting, and Putin voiced Moscow’s readiness to pursue talks with Kyiv.
At the same time, the Russian leader emphasised that Moscow will seek to achieve its goals in Ukraine and remove the “root causes” of the conflict, Ushakov said.
Putin has argued he sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022 to fend off a threat to Russia posed by Ukraine’s push to join NATO and protect Russian speakers in Ukraine — arguments rejected by Kyiv and its allies. He insisted that any prospective peace deal must see Ukraine abandon its NATO bid and recognise Russia’s territorial gains.
Thursday’s call follows the Pentagon’s confirmation that it’s pausing shipment of some weapons to Ukraine as it reviews US military stockpiles. The weapons being held up for Ukraine include air defence missiles, precision-guided artillery and other equipment.
The details on the weapons in some of the paused deliveries were confirmed by a US official and former national security official familiar with the matter. They both requested anonymity to discuss what is being held up as the Pentagon has yet to provide details.
Ushakov said a suspension of some US weapons shipments to Ukraine wasn’t discussed in the Trump-Putin call.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in Denmark after meeting with major European Union backers that he may talk to Trump in the coming days about the suspension of US weapons deliveries.
“I hope that maybe tomorrow, or close days, these days, I will speak about it with President Trump,” he said.
Asked about his expectations from the Trump-Putin call, he said that “I’m not sure that they have a lot of common ideas, common topics to talk (about), because they are very different people.”
The previous publicly known call between Trump and Putin came June 14, a day after Israel attacked Iran.
The resumed contacts between Trump and Putin appeared to reflect both leaders’ interest in mending US-Russian ties that have plummeted to their lowest point since the Cold War amid the conflict in Ukraine.
On Tuesday, Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron held their first direct telephone call in almost three years.
Shopian, July 3: A meeting of the District Level Implementation Committee (DLIC) under Mission YUVA was held today under the chairmanship of District Development Commissioner (DDC) Shopian, Shishir Gupta.
The meeting aimed to review and approve applications received under the Mission YUVA initiative, designed to foster youth entrepreneurship and self-employment.
A total of 148 applications verified by the SBDU were presented for consideration.
Following a comprehensive evaluation based on eligibility, business viability and the applicant’s socio-economic background, all applications were approved for financial assistance and handholding support under the Mission YUVA framework.
Addressing the committee, DDC emphasized the vital role of self-employment in empowering youth, instructing all departments to ensure timely fund disbursement, monitoring and mentoring to guarantee the sustainability of the supported ventures.
During the meeting, Gupta underscored the importance of expanding outreach activities, organizing awareness camps and conducting mobile registration drives to ensure the benefits of Mission YUVA reach every eligible youth in the district.
The meeting was attended by ADDC, Dr. Nasir Ahmad Lone, General Manager DIC, Shurjil Naikoo, AD Employment, Lead District Manager, DDM NABARD, Advance Manager Cluster office JKB, District Officer JKEDI, Advance Manager, DDM NABARD, Employment & Counselling officer DECC Shopian.
New York/Washington, July 03: Operation Sindoor conveyed to the world with great clarity that India will act against terrorism, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in a statement in line with the UN Security Council calling for those responsible for the Pahalgam attacks to be brought to justice.
“What is important for us in the Quad statement, as also the statement that the Security Council had issued on April 25, is that the perpetrators of terrorism must be held accountable. They must be brought to justice,” Jaishankar said during a press conference in Washington on Wednesday.
“And that’s important because we then have to communicate to the world what we did. On May 7, the objective of Operation Sindoor is that if there are terrorist attacks, we will act against the perpetrators, the supporters, the financiers, and the enablers. So that message, I think, was conveyed with great clarity,” he said.
A joint statement issued by Quad Foreign Ministers — Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Foreign Minister of Australia Penny Wong, and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya — unequivocally condemned all acts of terrorism and violent extremism in all their forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism.
The Quad foreign ministers condemned in the “strongest terms” the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which left 26 people dead.
“We call for the perpetrators, organisers, and financiers of this reprehensible act to be brought to justice without any delay and urge all UN member states, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant UNSCRs (UN Security Council resolutions), to cooperate actively with all relevant authorities in this regard,” the joint statement said.
The UN Security Council press statement condemned the Pahalgam attack, with members of the Security Council underlining the need to hold perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of this reprehensible act of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice.
The council members stressed that those responsible for these killings should be held accountable.
India had launched Operation Sindoor targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the Pahalgam attack, whose responsibility was claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a front for Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
Jaishankar said he shared with his counterparts, in the Quad as well as globally, the nature of the terrorism challenge that India faces and has confronted over multiple decades, and “that we are very resolved today to respond to it very firmly and that we have the right to defend ourselves”.
Apart from the Quad discussions, Jaishankar said he had a good bilateral meeting with Rubio and the two leaders “essentially did a stock-taking of the last six months” and the path looking ahead.
“This included a discussion on trade and investment, technology, defence and security, energy and on mobility,” he said, adding that he had separate meetings with Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth and Energy Secretary Chris Wright.
To a question on the US plan to impose a 500 per cent tariff on imports from countries buying Russian oil under a bill by Senator Lindsey Graham, Jaishankar said that any development happening in the US Congress is of interest to India “if it impacts our interest or could impact our interest”.
The Indian Embassy and officials have been in touch with Graham over the issue, he said.
“I think our concerns and our interests in energy security have been made conversant to him. So we’ll then have to cross that bridge when we come to it, if we come to it,” Jaishankar said.
