Swarnkar Sangh bats for public awareness about shops’ closure
Jammu, Jun 13: The Swarnkar Sangh Jammu West Friday stressed the need for public awareness about closure of shops for summer vacation to facilitate customers to plan their purchases accordingly.
While addressing a press conference here, Lovekesh Gondi, additional general secretary of Swarnkar Sangh Jammu province urged the public to complete any necessary purchases either before June 18 or after June 22 as (jewellers’) shops would remain closed during this period.
Raj Kumar, senior vice president Jammu West and Vimal Verma, cashier accompanied Gondi during the press conference.
“Our aim is to empower our patrons with timely information, allowing them ample opportunity to complete their purchases without any inconvenience as we value our customers and their trust immensely,” Gondi said.
He also appealed to all the shopkeepers (jewellers) in Jammu to keep their shops closed from June 18 to 22, 2025 and enjoy vacation with their families.
CM has full administrative authority: Ashok Koul
Srinagar, Jun 13: BJP General Secretary Ashok Koul on Friday said that Omar Abdullah being the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir has full administrative authority.
He rejected Omar’s recent remarks that he functions as a “Union Territory CM” without authority, reports KNS.
Koul said that no one has curtailed the chief minister’s powers and that Omar continues to have full administrative authority. “He is our chief minister. He has equal power. No one’s power has been cut,” Koul said, addressing media in Srinagar.
Responding to Omar Abdullah’s claim that he was being prevented from working effectively, Koul said that such statements indicate an unwillingness to work. “Saying that he is not being allowed to work means he does not want to work,” the BJP leader said.
Koul also referred to infrastructure developments in Jammu and Kashmir over the last decade, including the 395-meter-high bridge over the Chenab River and a rope bridge. He said freight trains are now running from Srinagar to other cities.
Koul also said the Prime Minister has assured that statehood will be restored to Jammu and Kashmir. “There are so many departments in the administration. If the chief minister runs these departments, the state will progress,” he said.
Judge blocks Trump’s deployment of California National Guard to Los Angeles, calls move illegal
New Delhi, Jun 13: A federal judge has halted the Trump administration’s controversial deployment of the California National Guard to Los Angeles, declaring the move illegal and ordering that authority over the troops be returned to Governor Gavin Newsom. The ruling, however, has been temporarily stayed until Friday afternoon, pending an appeal by the federal government. The dispute arose after President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 U.S. Marines to Los Angeles amid ongoing protests against his administration’s immigration crackdown.
The federal order bypassed the usual protocol of obtaining a state governor’s consent before activating National Guard units. The administration argued the deployment was necessary to restore order and ensure the safety of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents operating in the area.
State authorities, including Governor Newsom, objected to the intervention, asserting that local law enforcement was managing the protests effectively and that the situation did not warrant federal military involvement. California filed a lawsuit on Monday challenging the legality of the president’s actions.
The protests began earlier this week following reports of intensified immigration raids across Southern California, with demonstrators rallying against what they described as the militarisation of immigration enforcement and racial profiling. Downtown Los Angeles has seen clashes between protesters and law enforcement, leading to more than 300 arrests. A citywide curfew remains in effect for the third consecutive night, as officials work to prevent further unrest and maintain public safety.
U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer ruled that the president had exceeded his constitutional authority by seizing control of California’s National Guard without the governor’s approval. He stated that the law requires compliance with conditions laid out by Congress when federalizing state troops—a requirement the administration failed to meet.
The Trump administration has invoked a federal statute allowing the president to call up the National Guard in cases of rebellion or extreme civil unrest. However, California argued that the recent demonstrations, which included a temporary shutdown of a major freeway, did not amount to an insurrection or rebellion and therefore did not justify the president’s emergency powers.
The ruling emphasized the constitutional limits of presidential authority over the National Guard, distinguishing between routine military command and exceptional federal interventions. The judge referenced the historical precedent that National Guard units typically operate under state command and are activated federally only in cases of national emergencies with clear legal justification.
While the order returns command of the California National Guard to Governor Newsom, the stay allows federal control to continue temporarily, giving the Trump administration time to pursue legal recourse through higher courts. This marks the first instance in over five decades where a president has deployed the National Guard over a state’s objections, recalling tensions from the civil rights era. The case underscores ongoing constitutional debates over federal authority, states’ rights, and the militarization of domestic law enforcement in politically charged contexts.
GSI hosts workshop on landslide challenges, mitigation measures in J&K, Ladakh
Jammu, Jun 13: The Geological Survey of India (GSI), Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh unit Friday organised a one-day workshop on “Landslide challenges and mitigation measures in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh” in Jammu.
A key highlight of the event was a panel discussion focussing on landslide disaster management in the Ramban area of Jammu and Kashmir, encouraging open dialogue and sharing of best practices. Presentations by GSI experts and other stakeholders emphasized the role of scientific data, early warning systems and collaborative strategies in enhancing regional disaster management.
As per the expert participants, this workshop was a crucial step for promoting inter-agency coordination and adopting evidence-based approaches to mitigate landslide risks in the Himalayan region.
The workshop aimed to address the increasing frequency and impact of landslides in the region, which is characterized by complex geological structures and vulnerable climatic conditions. It highlighted that landslides pose significant threats to life, infrastructure and ecological balance that needed a coordinated response and strategic planning on the part of different stakeholders.
The event witnessed participation from several institutions including the State Disaster Management Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Department J&K; National Institute of Hydrology Jammu; Central University of Jammu; University of Jammu; University of Kashmir; Cluster University Jammu; Department of Geology and Mining Jammu and the Central Ground Water Board Jammu. The workshop also featured insights from defence and law enforcement personnel. Brigadier Anuraj Tyagi of the Northern Command and Dr Mohd Haseeb Mughal, DIG Traffic Police Department, shared practical challenges encountered on the ground in landslide-prone zones. Virtual attendees included representatives from GSI-GHRM Cell Kolkata; GSI state units from Lucknow and Uttarakhand and GSI Srinagar Office.
Officials from NHIDCL, CVVP and the Kiru-Kishtwar Hydro Project, along with academicians from various institutions across Jammu and Kashmir, also contributed to the proceedings. The workshop was conducted under the chairmanship of Rajinder Kumar, Additional Director General and Head of Department, Northern Region, GSI, Lucknow in the presence of Sanjiv Kumar, Deputy Director General. The event was convened by Dr P S Misra, Deputy Director General, J&K and Ladakh, GSI, with valuable contributions from several retired senior officers of the organisation.
India’s forex reserves surge by $5.17 bn to reach $696.6 bn
Mumbai, June 13: India’s foreign exchange reserves surged by $5.17 billion to $696.66 billion for the week ended June 6, data released by the RBI on Friday showed.
The sharp rise during the week has brought the country’s forex kitty close to the historic high of $704.885 that was scaled at the end of September 2024. A strengthening of the country’s foreign exchange kitty also helps bolster the rupee vis-a-vis the US dollar.
For the week ending on June 6, foreign currency assets, a major component of the reserves, increased by $3.47 billion to $587.69 billion. Expressed in dollar terms, the foreign currency assets include the effect of appreciation or depreciation of non-US units like the euro, pound, and yen held in the foreign exchange reserves.
The gold component of the forex reserves increased by $1.6 million to $85.89 billion during the week. Central banks worldwide are increasingly accumulating gold as a safe-haven asset in their foreign exchange reserves amid uncertainty created by geopolitical tensions. The gold reserves currently amount to $83.582 billion. The share of gold maintained by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in its foreign exchange reserves has almost doubled since 2021.
The special drawing rights in the forex kitty were up $102 million to $18.67 billion, the central bank said. India’s reserve position with the IMF was also up $14 million at $4.4 billion in the reporting week, according to the RBI figures.
India’s foreign exchange reserves stood at $691.5 billion in the preceding week that ended on May 30 and are sufficient to fund more than 11 months of goods imports and about 96 per cent of external debt outstanding, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said last week after the monetary policy review.
The RBI Governor said: “Overall, India’s external sector remains resilient as key external sector vulnerability indicators continue to improve. We remain confident of meeting our external financing requirements.”
An increase in the foreign exchange reserves reflects strong fundamentals of the economy and gives the RBI more headroom to stabilise the rupee when it turns volatile.
A strong forex kitty enables the RBI to intervene in the spot and forward currency markets by releasing more dollars to prevent the rupee from going into a free fall.
DPS Srinagar clinches U-14 football title
Srinagar, Jun 13: Displaying dominance, discipline, and dazzling footwork, Delhi Public School Srinagar lifted the Inter-School U-14 Football Tournament title, outplaying Burn Hall School 4–0 in a one-sided final held at Polo Ground.
Organised by the Youth Services and Sports Department (Amirakadal Zone), the four-day tournament, as per a statement, saw DPS remaining unbeaten, overpowering every opponent.
The tournament witnessed the participation of 14 teams, with intense competition and promising young talent on display. DPS Srinagar kicked off their campaign in dominant fashion, thrashing Candid HSS in a one-sided encounter with a staggering scoreline of 15–0.
The momentum continued in their second match against Model High School Rajbagh, where DPS maintained complete control throughout the game and secured a 10–0 victory.
In the semi-final, DPS faced the Tyndale Biscoe School in what was a closely contested clash. Both teams exhibited disciplined football, but it was DPS Srinagar that held greater ball possession and composure. The match was decided by a single goal, with DPS edging past Biscoe 1–0 to book a place in the final.
The final showdown saw DPS Srinagar take on Burn Hall School. From the opening whistle, DPS displayed superior skill, coordination, and tactical execution.
Principal DPS Srinagar Shafaq Afshan congratulated the boys for their outstanding performance and also lauded the efforts of the Sports Department of DPS Srinagar for their continuous dedication and guidance.
5 lakh fish seed stocked in Wular Lake, other water bodies across Baramulla: Fisheries Deptt
Sopore, Jun 13: The Fisheries Department Baramulla Friday carried out a large-scale fish seed stocking drive across Asia’s largest freshwater lake Wular Lake and adjoining water bodies in different areas like Sopore, Pattan, Rafiabad, Watlab, Jahama, Ningli, and other important points of the district.
According to reports, over five lakh seeds of Carp and Schizothorax varieties were released under the supervision of Assistant Director Fisheries Baramulla, Showkat Ahmad, in the presence of fieldwork teams from Sopore and other areas.
Speaking to the media, Assistant Director Showkat Ahmad said the stocking was done as part of the departmentís annual replenishment drive to support aquatic biodiversity and enhance livelihood opportunities for thousands of local fishermen.
ìThis annual exercise involves the release of at least 5 lakh fish seed in Wular and adjoining water bodies including stretches of River Jhelum. Our objective is to maintain the ecological balance and boost fish production for the benefit of fishermen who are entirely dependent on Wular,î he said.
Ahmad said that Wular Lake alone is home to over 20 fish varieties, including Trout and Carp, which are important for both ecological and economic reasons.
ìMore than 10,000 families are either directly or indirectly dependent on Wular for their livelihood,î he said.
Ahmad highlighted that 100 private fishery units have already been set up under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) to support young entrepreneurs in fish farming.
ìAwareness drives are regularly conducted and youth are also being sent on exposure visits to improve their understanding of modern fishery techniques,î he said.
The local fishermen community expressed their satisfaction and gratitude to the Fisheries Department.
ìAs this department is very vital for us. We are happy they came here, involved us, and showed concern for our future. We hope the coming season brings prosperity for the entire fisherman community,î they said.
India calls for de-escalation, dialogue
New Delhi, Jun 13: As Israel conducted strikes at Iranís nuclear, missile, and military complex, mounting tension in West Asia, India on Friday said it is “deeply concerned” over the recent developments between the countries and is “closely monitoring” the evolving situation, even as New Delhi urged both nations to avoid any escalatory steps.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also said that all Indian nationals in the region are advised to exercise caution, stay safe and follow local security advisories.
The MEA issued the statement as tensions between Iran and Israel escalated following the strikes.
Israel on Friday launched Operation Rising Lion to strike at Iran’s nuclear, missile and military complex, which left key military commanders and nuclear scientists dead.
The Israeli Army also released a video from one of the strikes which has been reported in the media. According to international reports, Israel has carried out strikes at various places in Iran.
“We are deeply concerned at the recent developments between Iran and Israel. We are closely monitoring the evolving situation, including reports related to attacks on nuclear sites,” the MEA said in the statement.
As the situation in West Asia escalated, India urged “both sides to avoid any escalatory steps”.
The MEA said, “existing channels of dialogue and diplomacy should be utilised to work towards a de-escalation of the situation and resolving underlying issues”.
India asserted that it enjoys “close and friendly relations” with both countries and “stands ready to extend all possible support”.
“Our Missions in both countries are in contact with the Indian community. All Indian nationals in the region are advised to exercise caution, stay safe and follow local security advisories,” the statement said.
Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said that the strikes “improve the freedom of action in the air” for the Israeli Air Force.
Earlier Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel struck at the heart of Iran’s nuclear enrichment programme.
Reacting to Israel’s strikes, the Iranian armed forces general staff in a statement said, there were “no limits” in their response.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Israel will face “severe punishment” for the attacks.
The Indian embassies in Israel and Iran issued advisories on its X handles given the situation.
“Advisory: Given the prevailing situation in the region, all Indian nationals in Israel are advised to stay vigilant and adhere to the safety protocols as advised by the Israeli authorities and home front command ( Please exercise caution, avoid unnecessary travel within the country and stay close to safety shelters,” the Indian Embassy in Israel posted on the social media platform.
“ADVISORY In view of the current situation in Iran, all Indian nationals and persons of Indian origin in Iran are requested to remain vigilant, avoid all unnecessary movements, follow the Embassy’s Social Media accounts and observe safety protocols as advised by local authorities,” the Indian Embassy in Iran posted on X.
Farooq Abdullah urges MEA to ensure safety of Kashmiri students in Iran
Srinagar, June 13: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Friday urged the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure the safety of Kashmiri students in Iran, which was attacked by Israel.
Israel carried out strikes early Friday that took out top military officers and hit nuclear and missile sites in Iran, raising the potential for an all-out war between the two bitter Middle East adversaries. It appeared to be the most significant attack Iran has faced since its 1980s war with Iraq.
The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister also called on Israel and Iran to exercise restraint and avoid any further escalation.
“Every step must be taken to ensure the safety and well-being of Kashmiri students studying in Iran. Their families are deeply worried, and we stand with them in this difficult time,” he said.
Abdullah emphasised the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving tensions between the two nations.
“Both sides must refrain from taking any escalatory steps. Existing channels of dialogue and diplomacy should be utilised to work towards de-escalation and address the underlying issues,” the NC president said in a statement.
Earlier in the day, the external affairs ministry said India is “deeply concerned” over the recent developments between Iran and Israel and is “closely monitoring” the evolving situation.
