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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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New Delhi, Jan 12 (IANS) The Delhi BJP plans to approach the Election Commission to legally verify the sources of funds for AAP candidates or any other nominee claiming to raise money through crowd funding.

Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva said AAP candidates may raise funds from force inimical to India and asked the poll panel to ensure that the information about the source of funds should be disclosed before the elections.

Earlier in the day, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri also mocked the AAP gimmick of crowd funding its candidates’ campaign. “Why do they need crowd funding, has the liquor scam funding been exhausted in Goa election?” he asked.

He said the AAP’s claim on crowd funding is “laughable”. “First, they mislead overseas people of Indian origin. Then they receive money from forces inimical to India go and live in the homes of their sympathisers during Punjab election,” he said.

Sachdeva said the AAP, which has been contesting elections since 2013, is now participating in its ninth election and, suddenly, the narrative being pushed by AAP leaders about raising election funds through crowd funding has left the people of Delhi surprised.

“The public is wondering if this crowd funding is a way to disguise the money saved from the liquor scam and the Goa election scandal, or if it is a ploy to convert money extorted through pressure on industrialists and officials in Punjab into political donations,” he said.

The Delhi BJP President added that it is highly suspicious that first Manish Sisodia, then Durgesh Pathak, and now Chief Minister Atishi are claiming to raise election funds through crowd funding.

Sisodia is an accused in the liquor scam, and reports revealed that a significant portion of the funds from the liquor scam were utilised in the Goa elections, where first Durgesh Pathak and later Atishi served as the election in-charges for AAP, Sachdeva said.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 12 (IANS) Accusing AAP of indulging in illegal activities, former Union Minister Smriti Irani on Sunday said evidence has come to light regarding the creation of fake Aadhaar cards, voter IDs, and PAN cards for illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators in south Delhi's Sangam Vihar area.

She said the illegal activity was being facilitated by AAP MLAs and that the party’s members were deeply involved in this fraudulent operation.

Irani stated that due to the actions of AAP, there has been an unlawful encroachment on the rights of Delhi and the country, which has become a matter of serious concern.

She said complaints about the issuance of fake Aadhaar cards, PAN cards and voter IDs led to the filing of a case at the Sangam Vihar police station in Delhi in December 2024. During the investigation, it was discovered that fake Aadhaar cards were being produced through a shop in Sector 5, Rohini, Delhi.

She said the shop owner revealed that the establishment had been facilitating the creation of Aadhaar cards for illegal infiltrators and Bangladeshis.

The investigation further found that the accused, Ranjeet and his associate, Afroz, were issuing fake birth certificates through an authorised centre, which were then used to generate fraudulent Aadhaar cards, she said.

The former Union minister stated that after the arrest of the accused, Ranjeet and Afroz, the investigation revealed a disturbing truth through the analysis of data from seized laptops.

A total of 26 Aadhaar update forms were found, bearing the signatures and stamps of AAP officials. Among these forms, the stamps and signatures of AAP Rithala MLA Mohinder Goyal and Bawana MLA Jai Bhagwan, were discovered, she said.

During questioning, 15 individuals admitted that they had obtained fake Aadhaar cards and had secured the signatures and stamps of these MLAs on their updated forms, she said.

Additionally, 10 people revealed that they personally went to MLA Goyal's office and had his staff assist them in obtaining the signatures and stamps on their forms, she said.

Irani highlighted that the Delhi Police had served two notices to AAP MLAs and their staff members for investigation, but there has been no response from the Aam Aadmi Party so far.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 12 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday visited an exhibition at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, which was part of the ‘Developed India Young Leaders Dialogue 2025’ event held on the occasion of National Youth Day, celebrating Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary. During the event, he interacted with young people from across the country. The youth expressed their joy after meeting PM Modi.

Talking to IANS, Sudarshan, who attended the event, said, "I thank Prime Minister Modi for inviting me to this programme. Puducherry, in the southern part of India, has a rich cultural heritage and history. The diversity and cultural identity of the region are the strengths of our country. I also express my gratitude to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for making this important initiative possible."

Niranjan Kumar said, "PM Modi motivated us very effectively. After spending time with him, our self-confidence has increased significantly. The way he speaks and the energy he exudes is truly inspiring. We should always try to learn something from him."

Himani Durg Pal said, "We had the great opportunity to see Prime Minister Modi up close, listen to him, and learn from him. He told us that we should set a goal and work with full dedication and effort to achieve it. I sincerely thank Prime Minister Modi for this."

Simran Ansari said, "I am extremely grateful to Prime Minister Modi for the Developed India Young Leader Dialogue. We are very fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet and converse with him at Bharat Mandapam. He shared many important thoughts and emphasised that the India of his dreams will be shaped by the youth because they are the future of the nation. As youth, we felt immense pride during this occasion."

Manav Ghosh said, "It is said that big dreams, when accompanied by a strong resolve, lead to great power and character. Embracing this character, all of us youth have set the goal of making India a developed nation by 2047, as shown by our Prime Minister Narendra Modi."

Priyanka Bisht pointed out, “Our presentation at the Developed India Young Dialogue was great. We shared with Prime Minister Modi how we can preserve our heritage while also progressing. He has provided a platform for youth, for which we are thankful. He motivated us a lot, and this will help us in our future."

Trifash Pandey said, "PM Modi explained how we can make India developed by 2047. He also spoke about connecting different sectors together to contribute towards making our nation prosperous."

Ayushi Singh shared, "Prime Minister Modi talked about how we can promote our heritage arts and involve the youth in Indian-themed games. He also shared important thoughts on green energy and artificial intelligence."

Yash Somani said, "We told Prime Minister Modi how artificial intelligence has become an integral part of our generation's life. However, we must not rely too much on it as it may affect our natural thinking."

Akshay Garia said, "The youth asked many questions to Prime Minister Modi. He gave us direction and guidance on how we can contribute to building a new India."

Nidhi Nitin mentioned, "We talked to Prime Minister Modi about how we can strengthen our economy while preserving our heritage, so that our soft power can be showcased to the world."

Arindam Shataranjan Paul shared, "We told Prime Minister Modi how we can make infrastructure sustainable by connecting it with nature and climate, and what new plans can be developed for this."

Manish Kumar Soni said, "I discussed with Prime Minister Modi women's empowerment, economic and social independence, and also talked about his contributions to water, nature, and environmental conservation."

Ghanshyam Sahu said, "We discussed with Prime Minister Modi the importance of food security and agriculture. He emphasised promoting organic farming so that farmers can double their income."

Ridrakshi said, "We believe that if every youth works for their community and solves small problems, we can achieve a developed India even before 2047."

Shubhasheesh said, "Prime Minister Modi mentioned that science will play a crucial role in making us developed by 2047. The campaign for a tuberculosis-free India will also support our development."

Jagannath Das said, "I secured the second position in my drawing and had the honour of having lunch with PM. It was a proud moment for me."

Swati Nautiyal said, "I presented my folk song, and Prime Minister Modi shared with us the path from resolution to achievement on the occasion of Youth Day."

Hemant Kumar Ayush said, "We discussed improving India's infrastructure with Prime Minister Modi. It was an inspiring experience to hear his thoughts along with 3,000 other youth."

--IANS

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