Foreign envoys will assess the development work and the security situation in the union territory.
The delegation will also travel to Srinagar and Jammu during their two-day visit.
Their visit comes in the wake of District Development Council (DDC) and Block Development Council (BDC) elections and the revival of mainstream politics.
Border Roads Organisation has reopened Zoji La (pass), the main obstacle in Ladakh's lifeline via Srinagar, for vehicular traffic after 35 days of being under.. IndiaTimes
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to make a significant visit to Srinagar, marking his first trip to Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370. The Prime Minister is expected to address a public meeting and unveil multiple development projects worth more than Rs 6,400 crore.
#NarendraModi #Srinagar #J&K #JammuAndKashmir #ModiInSrinagar #ModiInJ&K #ModiInKashmir #ViksitBharatViksitJammuKashmir #Article370 #PMModi
~HT.178~PR.151~ED.101~GR.122~
Former Chilean President Sebastián Piñera , Killed in Helicopter Crash.
Piñera and three other people were traveling by helicopter in southern Chile on Feb. 6, CNN reports. .
Piñera and three other people were traveling by helicopter in southern Chile on Feb. 6, CNN reports. .
The helicopter crashed into a lake, and Piñera died from "asphyxiation due to submersion," according to autopsy results.
He was 74 years old. .
The three other passengers survived.
The cause of the crash is not known, though "there was widespread rainfall in the area," CNN reports. .
Piñera was president of Chile from
2010 to 2014 and 2018 to 2022.
Chilean Minister of Interior Carolina Tohá said that the
government "expresses its shock due to this tragedy,
extends its hug in solidarity to the former president’s
family, to those close to him, but also to all Chileans.".
Chilean Minister of Interior Carolina Tohá said that the
government "expresses its shock due to this tragedy,
extends its hug in solidarity to the former president’s
family, to those close to him, but also to all Chileans.".
Chilean President Gabriel Boric
said that Piñera "genuinely sought what
he thought was best for the country.".
Chilean President Gabriel Boric
said that Piñera "genuinely sought what
he thought was best for the country.".
For example, when he took on the
reconstruction of the country after the
February 27, 2010, earthquake, or when he
took risks … to rescue the 33 miners from the
San Jose mine, and more recently, in managing
the pandemic in times of global uncertainty, Chilean President Gabriel Boric, via statement.
For example, when he took on the
reconstruction of the country after the
February 27, 2010, earthquake, or when he
took risks … to rescue the 33 miners from the
San Jose mine, and more recently, in managing
the pandemic in times of global uncertainty, Chilean President Gabriel Boric, via statement.
Chile will observe
three days of mourning for Piñera.
His funeral will be held on Feb. 9.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Scientists Warn of , Climate Calamity , Following Hottest January Ever.
'The Guardian' reports that scientists have warned the
world is not prepared for coming climate disasters as
global warming continues to break temperature records. .
Following the hottest year ever recorded, marine
scientists have been shocked by prolonged, intense
temperatures at the surface of the world's oceans. .
Following the hottest year ever recorded, marine
scientists have been shocked by prolonged, intense
temperatures at the surface of the world's oceans. .
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2024 has a one-in-three
chance of being even hotter than 2023. .
Higher global temperatures increase
the risk of both fires and flooding. .
Higher global temperatures increase
the risk of both fires and flooding. .
In Chile, President Gabriel Boric has declared a two-day period
of national mourning following the country's deadliest
recorded wildfire which killed 120 people in the Valparaíso region.
In the United States, California declared
a state of emergency amid an "atmospheric river"
which has resulted in unprecedented amounts of rain. .
Fuelled by extreme weather
and climate extremes, the frequency
of climate-related disasters has
dramatically risen in recent years, Raul Cordero, climate professor at the University of
Groningen and the University of Santiago, via 'The Guardian'.
Fuelled by extreme weather
and climate extremes, the frequency
of climate-related disasters has
dramatically risen in recent years, Raul Cordero, climate professor at the University of
Groningen and the University of Santiago, via 'The Guardian'.
In some regions of the world,
we are facing climate-fueled
disasters for which we are not
prepared, and it is unlikely that we
will be able to fully adapt to them, Raul Cordero, climate professor at the University of
Groningen and the University of Santiago, via 'The Guardian'.
In some regions of the world,
we are facing climate-fueled
disasters for which we are not
prepared, and it is unlikely that we
will be able to fully adapt to them, Raul Cordero, climate professor at the University of
Groningen and the University of Santiago, via 'The Guardian'.
Richard Betts of the Met Office’s Hadley Centre urged
global leaders to take action to reverse direction
on the world's path toward a climate calamity. .
We can still limit the extent to
which extremes get worse if we
urgently reduce greenhouse gas
emissions to net zero – but with
global emissions still rising, it’s hard
not to be increasingly concerned about
how we will deal with what’s coming, Richard Betts, Met Office’s Hadley Centre, via 'The Guardian'
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Tragedy struck Chile on Tuesday as former President Sebastian Pinera met an untimely end in a helicopter crash in the southern town of Lago Ranco. The nation, still grappling with the shock, mourns the loss of a leader who left an indelible mark on Chilean history.
#SebastianPinera #Chile #RIPSebastianPinera #SebastianPineraPassesAway #ChilePresident #LagoRanco #CarolinaToha
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Chile’s President Gabriel Boric warned that the number of victims might rise as rescue services go through the homes that have collapsed because of the flames.
Credit: euronews (in English) Duration: 01:15Published
The Cuban government has called upon the US ambassador, Benjamin Ziff, to attend a meeting at its foreign ministry, alleging that Washington played a role in fueling a protest that unfolded in the streets of Santiago de Cuba, the island’s second-largest city.
#CubaProtests #RareProtests #FoodShortages #ElectricityShortages #CubaCrisis #PublicDissent #SocialUnrest #HumanRights #GovernmentResponse #EconomicCrisis #PoliticalTensions #CivilUnrest #ProtestMovement #SocialJustice #CitizenRights #FreedomOfExpression #CubanGovernment #InternationalAttention #GlobalConcerns #SocialMediaCoverage
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Vladimir Putin Secures 5th Term , as Russia’s President.
On March 18, Russia's Central
Election Commission confirmed that
Putin won reelection by a landslide.
He reportedly received over 87% of the vote.
Countries that congratulated him include
Cuba, Honduras, Nicaragua, North Korea,
Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Venezuela.
However, critics say that Putin
didn't have any credible opposition,
and free speech against him was stifled.
For example, Alexei Navalny, a fierce opponent of Putin's, died last month in an Arctic prison, and his other critics have either been jailed or exiled, 'USA Today' reports. .
For example, Alexei Navalny, a fierce opponent of Putin's, died last month in an Arctic prison, and his other critics have either been jailed or exiled, 'USA Today' reports. .
Independent media outlets
have also been shuttered. .
The elections took place in an
ever-shrinking political space, which
has resulted in an alarming increase
of violations of civil and political rights.., Josep Borrell, the European Union's
top foreign policy official, via statement.
... and precluded many candidates
from running, including all those opposed to
Russia’s illegal war of aggression, deprived
Russian voters of a real choice and heavily
limited their access to accurate information, Josep Borrell, the European Union's
top foreign policy official, via statement.
The United States referred to the
vote as "neither free nor fair," while
Germany called it a "pseudo-election.".
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Putin is "sick with power and is doing everything in his power to rule forever.".
Putin is currently Russia's "longest-serving leader since Joseph Stalin," 'USA Today' reports.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
In an uncommon display of dissent, hundreds of people in Santiago, Cuba's second-largest city, took to the streets in a rare public protest on Sunday. Social media and official reports highlighted the event, prompting Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel to appeal for dialogue amidst what he termed as an "atmosphere of tranquillity and peace."
#CubaProtests #RareProtests #FoodShortages #ElectricityShortages #CubaCrisis #PublicDissent #SocialUnrest #HumanRights #GovernmentResponse #EconomicCrisis #PoliticalTensions #CivilUnrest #ProtestMovement #SocialJustice #CitizenRights #FreedomOfExpression #CubanGovernment #InternationalAttention #GlobalConcerns #SocialMediaCoverage
~HT.97~PR.152~ED.194~
Crisis in Haiti , Could Drive Another Wave of , Illegal Immigration in the US.
'Newsweek' reports that the United States
could be facing another wave of illegal
immigration driven by refugees fleeing Haiti.
On March 11, President Ariel Henry said
he would resign amid widespread gang
violence and a breakdown of law and order.
An estimated 80% of Port-au-Prince,
the Haitian capital, are under
the control of armed gangs.
An estimated 80% of Port-au-Prince,
the Haitian capital, are under
the control of armed gangs.
We are alert to that possibility.
The driving conditions in Haiti
could very well press
more people [to migrate], Rebecca Zimmerman, Department of Defense official,
via 'Newsweek'.
Thomas Gift, the head of the Centre on U.S. Politics
at University College London, warned that
a deepening immigration crisis would pose
a serious challenge for the Biden administration.
Fair or unfair, anything that
highlights the immigration
crisis is a net negative
for Biden at the moment, Thomas Gift, the head of the Centre on U.S. Politics
at University College London, via 'Newsweek'.
To the extent that the tragedy
in Haiti puts a new refugee story
in the headlines, it will only make
the immigration issue more
salient for American voters. , Thomas Gift, the head of the Centre on U.S. Politics
at University College London, via 'Newsweek'.
At the same time, Biden's
hands will no doubt be tied
by progressive groups who
will insist that the White House
not repatriate refugees back to
Haiti given the huge political
instability in the country, Thomas Gift, the head of the Centre on U.S. Politics
at University College London, via 'Newsweek'.
According to a Monmouth University survey,
84% of voters in the U.S. consider illegal
immigration a "serious" or "very serious" issue.
In 2021, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared
a state of emergency after hundreds of
migrants from Haiti and Cuba arrived by boat.
An estimated 146,000 Haitian migrants
were encountered at the U.S. border
between October 2020 and May 2023
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
These Are the Happiest Countries , on Earth in 2024.
The World Happiness Report
was released on March 20.
It was compiled using global survey data based on life evaluations from 2021 to 2023.
Six key variables were considered:
"GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity and
perceptions of corruption," CNN reports. .
The 10 happiest countries in the world are:.
Australia.
Switzerland.
Luxembourg.
Norway.
Netherlands.
Israel.
Sweden.
Iceland.
Denmark.
Finland.
The United States dropped to No. 23.
The lowest-ranked countries for
happiness are Congo, Sierra Leone,
Lesotho, Lebanon and Afghanistan. .
The lowest-ranked countries for
happiness are Congo, Sierra Leone,
Lesotho, Lebanon and Afghanistan. .
The lowest-ranked countries for
happiness are Congo, Sierra Leone,
Lesotho, Lebanon and Afghanistan. .
The lowest-ranked countries for
happiness are Congo, Sierra Leone,
Lesotho, Lebanon and Afghanistan. .
The lowest-ranked countries for
happiness are Congo, Sierra Leone,
Lesotho, Lebanon and Afghanistan.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Delhi Is the ‘Most Polluted’ , Capital City in the World.
The capital of India was found to be the
world's most polluted capital city in 2023,
according to air-quality monitoring group IQAir.
India was also ranked as the
third-most polluted country after
Bangladesh and Pakistan, BBC reports.
In 2022, India was the
eighth most polluted country. .
According to the report, the average level
of fine particulate matter PM2.5 in India's
air was 54.4 micrograms per cubic meter. .
Delhi's air quality had a PM2.5 reading
of 92.7 micrograms per cubic meter.
Air that is considered safe to breathe
typically has 12 to 15 micrograms per
cubic meter of PM2.5, BBC reports. .
Levels higher than 35 micrograms per
cubic meter are thought to be unhealthy. .
Only seven countries were within
the World Health Organization's yearly
PM2.5 guideline, an "average of 5 micrograms per cubic meter or less," BBC reports. .
Those countries are Australia, Estonia, Finland, Grenada, Iceland, Mauritius and New Zealand.
Those countries are Australia, Estonia, Finland, Grenada, Iceland, Mauritius and New Zealand.
In 2023 air pollution remained a global health
catastrophe, IQAir’s global data set provides
an important reminder of the resulting
injustices and the need to implement the
many solutions that exist to this problem. , Aidan Farrow, senior air quality scientist at
Greenpeace International, via 'The Guardian'
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
The presidents of France and Brazil - both wearing white open-necked shirts - have been pictured smiling warmly at each other and embracing, with social media.. Sky News
The launch is part of a Prosub program launched by French president Nicolas Sarkozy and Lula da Silva in 2008. Macron and his Brazilian counterpart also announced a plan to invest 1 billion euros in the Amazon rainforest.
Credit: euronews (in English) Duration: 01:24Published
NATO Planning Baltic , Defensive Line Aimed at , Preventing Russian Invasion.
'Newsweek' reports that NATO's
front-line states that border Russia are
preparing for a potential war with Moscow.
'Newsweek' reports that NATO's
front-line states that border Russia are
preparing for a potential war with Moscow.
In January, defense ministers agreed to a new plan to build extensive fortifications meant to stop a potential Russian incursion which has been feared across northeastern Europe. .
Estonia, one of the countries included in the plan,
shares a 210-mile border with Russia and will install
some 600 bunkers meant to prevent an invasion.
The war in Ukraine has shown
that taking back already conquered
territories is extremely difficult and
comes at great cost of human lives,
time and material resources, Susan Lilleväli, undersecretary for defense readiness
at the Estonian Defense Ministry, via 'Newsweek'.
Susan Lilleväli, the undersecretary for defense readiness
at the Estonian Defense Ministry, discussed the
$64.7 million project during a February 8 press conference.
In addition to equipment,
ammunition and manpower,
we need physical installations
to defend our countries efficiently, Susan Lilleväli, undersecretary for defense readiness
at the Estonian Defense Ministry, via 'Newsweek'.
According to Lilleväli, the planned Baltic defensive
line is part of NATO's updated "forward defense
posture and deterrence by denial" approach.
These installations serve, first,
the purpose of avoiding military
conflict in our region, as they could
potentially change the enemy's calculus, Susan Lilleväli, undersecretary for defense readiness
at the Estonian Defense Ministry, via 'Newsweek'.
Counter-mobility and fortification
measures have played a significant
role in wars in our region in history,
for example in Finland, and as the
war in Ukraine has demonstrated they
are perfectly valid also in this century, Susan Lilleväli, undersecretary for defense readiness
at the Estonian Defense Ministry, via 'Newsweek'.
'Newsweek' reports that prototypes for the bunkers
are currently being constructed, with testing set to
commence this year and installation beginning in 2025
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
External affairs minister S Jaishankar praised Malaysian Indians as a vital 'living bridge' and highlighted Malaysia's role as a 'reliable partner' for closer.. IndiaTimes
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External affairs minister S Jaishankar's visit to Kuala Lumpur concludes his three-nation tour, engaging in discussions with Malaysian counterpart Mohamad bin.. IndiaTimes
LG of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha interacted with foreign envoys in Srinagar on February 18 where he said, "Delimitation process is on. The Prime Minister and the Home Minister have assured the..
As envoys from 24 nations are visiting Jammu and Kashmir to take stock of the situation in the region, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut has mocked the visit. The Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP said that they..
Credit: HT Digital Content Duration: 02:02Published
A batch of foreign envoys arrived in Srinagar on February 17 for a two-day visit to the Union Territory of JandK with aim to assess the on-ground situation. Srinagar Municipal Corporation Mayor Junaid..