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United Nations, April 4 (IANS) While appealing for international help to quake-ravaged Myanmar, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for transforming the “tragic moment” into an opportunity to end the brutal civil conflict.

He asked the international community to immediately step up vitally needed funding to match the scale of this crisis.

And to the government and people of Myanmar, he said, “as they unite in grief, it’s also time to unite behind a political solution to end the brutal conflict”.

“There must be an end to the violence and human rights violations across the country and a pathway for democracy to take root,” he said while speaking to reporters at the UN on Thursday.

Guterres announced that he was rushing Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher to Myanmar and his Special Envoy Julie Bishop will visit the country "to reinforce our commitment to peace and dialogue”.

India had already launched “Operation Brahma” immediately after the earthquake, flying relief supplies and personnel to Myanmar, which was the epicentre of the March 28 earthquake.

Guterres said, “The death toll is now 3,000 and climbing – with thousands injured, and many trapped under the rubble. This disaster has laid bare the deeper vulnerabilities facing people throughout the country,” he said.

He added that as communities across Myanmar unite in grief, it’s also time to unite behind a political solution to end the brutal conflict.

Welcoming the temporary ceasefire between the military government and the rebels in the civil war, he said, “This is essential to help aid flow and let rescuers do their jobs. But an end to fighting must quickly lead to a beginning of a serious political dialogue and the release of political prisoners.”

He said that the ceasefire should lead to an inclusive political process where all the people of Myanmar feel represented.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that the quake has affected more than 17 million people.

Myanmar is ruled by the military, which overthrew the democratically elected government in 2021.

The regime has not been recognised and the representatives of the civilian government continue to hold Myanmar’s seat at the UN.

--IANS

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Islamabad, April 3 (IANS) Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced a major relief for domestic consumers of electricity, reducing per unit price by Rs 7.41 while promising more relief for the citizens in the coming days. The announcement has been welcomed as it brings the much-needed relief to consumers who have been suffering due to high inflation, inflated electricity bills and soaring fuel prices.

Sharif also announced a reduction in commodity prices of industrial units by Rs 7.59 during a special event attended by cabinet members and business community on Thursday.

The announcement comes a month after the government negotiated and convinced the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for reduction in electricity prices, which was later on approved by the country's National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA). The IMF allowed Pakistan to reduce utility rates by Rs 1 per kilowatt.

"When we took office, the country was on the brink of default and the IMF was unwilling to negotiate. Our government faced numerous obstacles and worked tirelessly to prevent Pakistan from defaulting. However, today, the time has come to fulfill the promises made in the party's manifesto," the Pakistan PM said.

Interestingly, Shehbaz Sharif thanked the Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir and the military establishment for extending full support in bringing the country's economy to shore.

Talking about his government's performance, the PM said Pakistan continues to have the lowest petroleum prices in the region, adding that during his government's tenure, the interest rates dropped from 22 per cent to 12 per cent, while inflation had dropped from 38 per cent to single digit.

"Pakistan's economy is moving from darkness to light. Economic stability has been achieved, and now it's time for Pakistan to rise. Without a reduction in power costs, progress in industry, trade, and agriculture would not be possible. The IMF initially refused to allow a reduction in electricity prices, but we insisted that instead of lowering petrol prices, relief should be provided through electricity," he said.

Talking about another major challenge the country faces with regard to the circular debts, Shehbaz Sharif said that a strategy and plan has been formulated to address the matter.

"This debt will no longer keep circulating – it will be eliminated once and for all. It would be completely eradicated within the next five years," he said.

--IANS

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Naypyidaw, April 1 (IANS) Myanmar on Tuesday observed a one-minute silence to honour the victims of the devastating earthquake that has claimed over 2,000 lives.

A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake, followed by a 6.4 magnitude aftershock minutes later, struck Myanmar’s Mandalay region on Friday, causing massive casualties and damage.

Myanmar announced on Monday a week-long mourning period following the earthquake that struck Myanmar, which wrought widespread destruction, Xinhua News Agency reported.

As the earthquake left entire communities in ruins, reports suggest that concerns have arisen about the potential for Myanmar’s military junta to direct humanitarian funds to affected areas. It is stated that supplies are driven to the areas the junta favours rather than those most in need of help.

Meanwhile, the United Nations and international aid organisations are struggling to respond to the devastating earthquake, which destroyed several cities such as Mandalay, Sagaing, and Naypyitaw, and displaced tens of thousands of people. The hospitals are trying to cope with the high influx of patients.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) has begun to organise relief efforts, deploying emergency teams to assess damage and facilitate aid distribution, a statement from the office said.

“Following the earthquake that hit Myanmar and the region, we are seeing massive impacts across multiple states and regions across the country,” said Annette Hearns, UNOCHA’s Deputy Head of Office in Yangon.

She added that time is running out for those still trapped, making rescue efforts more urgent by the hour.

She further said that people are growing desperate, with some even sleeping on the streets with nowhere safe to go while essential supplies run dangerously low.

However, the United Nations, the US, India, the European Union, and several other nations and international organisations have sent aid and rescue efforts for earthquake victims in Myanmar.

The Indian Army and Navy mobilised their resources with unwavering resolve, providing both immediate rescue support and long-term aid to the affected communities.

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 1 (IANS) Israel on Tuesday claimed that Hamas continues to push for war while also refusing to release the hostages.

“Hamas continues to push for the renewal of the war, refusing to release our hostages, and refusing to disarm,” said Foreign Affairs Minister of Israel Gideon Sa’ar during a media briefing.

He added that Hamas ignores the will and the rage of the citizens of Gaza, claiming that their interest is the “end of the war”.

“But instead of listening to its citizens, Hamas oppressed them brutally. Hamas murdered, after torturing, demonstrators from the Gaza Strip this week,” he claimed.

Sa’ar claimed that recently, the British Parliament published the most complete report in the UK on the October 7th massacre, revealing chilling details: among them, about the horrifying sexual crimes committed by Hamas on October 7th.

“This is not a report from Israel. It is a report from the British Parliament. I recommend reading it,” he said.

He also said that Israel expects that Lebanon will take action to uproot terrorist organisations acting within its borders against Israel

“What we saw here is cooperation between Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas on the soil of Lebanon, in order to initiate terrorist attacks against Israelis. Early this morning, IDF fighter jets struck a Hezbollah terrorist in Beirut. Lebanon has been directing Hamas terrorists and assisting them in an attempt to carry out a major imminent attack against Israeli civilians,” he claimed.

Sa’ar further said that the terrorist posed a real and immediate threat to Israel. “What we call a ticking bomb. Therefore, we had to eliminate the threat. Israel will continue to remove any threat to our citizens,” he said.

Sa’ar said that he will also visit Paris to discuss the challenges and threats of the radical axis in this region, mainly Iran.

“Once again, its leader, only yesterday, declared his will to eliminate the State of Israel,” he said.

--IANS

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Jammu, Jan 12 (IANS) The Horticulture Department in Jammu organised an exposure visit programme, where farmers were provided with information about various government schemes and support related to agriculture.

Officials present at the exposure visit programme stated that the department is committed to ensuring that every farmer, whether male or female, fully benefits from these schemes.

Local farmers, speaking to IANS, expressed their gratitude towards the Central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They showered praise on PM Modi and the government’s policies in this regard.

Speaking to IANS, Veena said: "We really need these kinds of programmes, because without proper knowledge, if we plant crops, they won't be as profitable. I am grateful to the officials who made us aware of this through a programme in our block."

She further added, "Today, we were trained on what things to keep in mind while sowing crops. They explained that if the yield is higher, the profits will also be greater. If we work on all these aspects, we will benefit in the future. I live in a border area, and we don't have another source of income, so this is a great initiative. I thank PM Modi for thinking about us."

Local resident Noor Alam said, "Today, we received information about farming during the exposure visit program. We have informed other farmers who came with us about this program. Officials mentioned that if someone owns land or a garden, they can benefit from it."

During the programme and interactions, officials of the horticulture department and experts of the field informed that for agricultural products like pickles, jams, and dragon fruit, the government provides a 60% subsidy for women and 50% for men.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 12 (IANS) India, which achieved a 7.93 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2020 compared to 2019, is demonstrating its commitment to a sustainable, climate-resilient future, the government said on Sunday.

The country pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070 at the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP 26) in 2021, said the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in a statement.

India’s 4th Biennial Update Report (BUR-4) highlighted a 7.93 per cent reduction in GHG emissions in 2020 compared to 2019. The country submitted BUR-4 to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on December 30, 2024.

“Excluding Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry (LULUCF), India’s emissions were 2,959 million tonnes of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent, a way to measure the impact of GHG),” the report mentioned.

Including LULUCF, net emissions were 2,437 million tonnes of CO2e. The energy sector was the largest contributor, accounting for 75.66 per cent of emissions, along with other land use, sequestered approximately 522 million tonnes of CO2, equivalent to reducing 22 per cent of the country’s total emissions.

"These efforts reflect India's commitment to combating climate change while addressing its national circumstances, based on equity and the principles of the Paris Agreement," the ministry emphasised.

India, despite contributing minimally to global warming, faces significant challenges due to its large population and developmental needs. The country is committed to low-carbon development and building climate resilience while addressing its unique circumstances.

India’s historical share of cumulative global GHG emissions is annual 4 per cent, despite having around 17 per cent of the world’s population between 1850 and 2019.

"India’s annual primary energy consumption per capita in 2019 was 28.7 gigajoules (GJ), considerably lower than both developed and developing countries," according to the report.

The country has devised Long-Term Low Greenhouse Gas Emission Development Strategies (LT-LEDS) to chart a sustainable path forward in addressing climate change, which includes low-carbon development of electricity systems consistent with the development of an integrated, efficient, inclusive low-carbon transport system.

It also includes promoting adaptation in urban design, energy and material efficiency in buildings & sustainable urbanisation, promoting economy-wide decoupling of growth from emissions and development of an efficient, innovative low-emission industrial system and enhancing forest and vegetation cover consistent with socio-economic and ecological considerations.

"India is implementing key initiatives like its Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy and the Miyawaki tree planting at Maha Kumbh 2025. These efforts ensure balanced growth and environmental responsibility, paving the way for a climate-resilient future," said the ministry.

—IANS

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Kolkata, Jan 12 (IANS) The Border Security Force (BSF) claims to have thwarted a major infiltration attempt by Bangladeshis and Rohingyas in the districts of North 24-Parganas and Nadia in West Bengal on Saturday.

Troops of the BSF, South Bengal Frontier, claim that they drove back 20 Bangladeshis and two Rohingyas after they entered through an unfenced portion of the Indo-Bangladesh Border (IBB) in North 24-Parganas. Four Bangladeshis were allegedly driven back from Nadia.

"When they were questioned, the Bangladeshis and Rohingyas claimed that they were on their way to Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad to work as labourers and housekeeping staff. Our troops were successful in driving them back across the IBB. Such attempts are taking place despite flag meetings with Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on the issue. Attempts to smuggle drugs and cattle were also thwarted along the IBB by the BSF during the day," said N K Pandey, DIG and spokesperson, BSF, South Bengal Frontier.

On Saturday, BSF troops also seized three kilograms of Ganja, 2,900 strips of Quinine Sulphate tablets, 700 ampoules of Quinine Dihydrochloride and 1,200 ampoules of Artemether. In addition to this, 11 cattle heads were freed from the clutches of smugglers, the DIG said.

"On Saturday, information was received of possible attempt to smuggle drugs across a riverine section of the border. All boat nakas were on alert. Late in the evening, jawans of C S Khali Border Outpost spotted a man moving across the embankment of the river on the Indian side. A jawan moved forward and challenged him. The man fled, taking advantage of the dense foliage and fog. A boat naka had also arrived by then. A search led to the seizure of two packets of narcotics that the smuggler had dropped," Pandey said.

According to him, troops of the 119 Battalion BSF posted at the Mahadipur, Gopalnagar, Sabdalpur and Nawada BOPs in the Malda district seized 565 bottles of Phensedyl from their respective areas of responsibility. Troops of the 88 Battalion BSF rescued eight cattle heads in the jurisdiction of the Pannapur BOP, while personnel of the 115 Battalion prevented three cattle heads from being smuggled across the Indo-Bangladesh Border (IBB).

The seized items have been handed over to concerned agencies for processing while the bovines have been sent to the Dhyan Foundation Gaushala after e-tagging, he said, adding that the BSF is taking strict measures to stop smuggling along the IBB and is alert to foil any infiltration attempt.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 12 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday announced Mohan Singh Bisht as its candidate for the Mustafabad seat in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections to be held on February 5. This was part of the BJP's third list of candidates, with Bisht being the only name included.

In fact, the veteran BJP leader, currently representing Karawal Nagar in the Delhi Assembly, had voiced strong dissatisfaction with the party’s decision to field Kapil Mishra from his constituency. Bisht, who had won the Karawal Nagar seat in the 2020 Delhi elections, had slammed the BJP's move, calling it a "big mistake."

The controversy began when the BJP replaced Bisht with Mishra, a former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, as the party’s candidate for Karawal Nagar. Bisht, who has been a key figure in Karawal Nagar politics since 1998, did not take kindly to the decision. In an outspoken statement, he declared that he would not accept the party’s decision to field Mishra and refused to contest elections from any other constituency. Instead, he vowed to file his nomination from Karawal Nagar, asserting that he would be contesting from the seat before January 17.

The decision to replace Bisht with Kapil Mishra was announced in the BJP's second list of 29 candidates, and it generated significant backlash, particularly from Bisht's supporters. The veteran leader has contested and won multiple elections from the Karawal Nagar constituency, further fueling his discontent with the sudden shift in party strategy.

Kapil Mishra, who had represented the Karawal Nagar seat on an AAP ticket in the 2015 elections, defeated Bisht back then. After his stint as a minister in the AAP government, Mishra was suspended from the party in 2017 following allegations of corruption within AAP. His dramatic exit from AAP marked a turning point, and in 2019, he joined the BJP where he made headlines with his controversial remarks regarding anti-citizenship law protests, calling protest sites "mini Pakistans".

--IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 12 (IANS) Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva celebrated his birthday on Sunday with residents of the Nehru Camp in the Patparganj constituency during the BJP’s slum outreach campaign, guaranteeing a house for every homeless person in the city.

Speaking at the event in the presence of campaign coordinator Vishnu Mittal, he assured the residents, saying: "If the BJP comes to power, we will make this Nehru Camp a model slum with regard to sanitation by January 2026."

At a press conference held in the Nehru Camp, Sachdeva said that in 10 years, AAP leader and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal allowed 50,000 flats, built under the Rajiv Awas Yojana in areas like Narela, to turn into ruins by not allotting even one flat to any slum dweller.

He remarked that it is ironic that, despite being in power for over 10 years, Kejriwal’s party has done nothing to transform slum clusters into model settlements or improve the living standards of the residents.

"The last 10 years bear witness to the fact that Arvind Kejriwal can only provoke people but cannot improve their lives," Sachdeva added.

He also questioned Kejriwal, stating: "You have been in power for over a decade. Please explain what your government, the DUSIB, or any other departments have done for the rehabilitation of slum dwellers."

The Delhi BJP President said Kejriwal claims to provide free electricity to the poor, but residents of the Nehru Camp in former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia’s constituency, Patparganj, are receiving monthly electricity bills ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 8,000. Additionally, they are forced to purchase drinking water.

"It is unfortunate that, despite Arvind Kejriwal’s various claims, the income of Delhi’s poor slum-dwelling families is consumed entirely by electricity bills and water costs," he said.

Every poor person knows that PM Modi has provided not just lakhs but crores of houses across villages and cities, which is why every slum dweller today looks to the BJP, he said.

Sachdeva made the following guarantees on behalf of the BJP to Delhi’s poor: Slum dwellers who wish to stay in their current areas will be allowed to remain there; DUSIB/DDA will provide alternative houses or flats to slum dwellers and every homeless person in Delhi will get a house under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

--IANS

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