ISLAMABAD - Pakistan and India have agreed to immediately cease military hostilities in disputed Kashmir by restoring a 2003 truce to deescalate tensions between the nuclear-armed South Asian rivals. The two nations said in a joint statement Thursday their top military commanders spoke “over the established mechanism of hotline contact” and reviewed in a “free, frank and cordial atmosphere” the situation along the Line of Control that splits Kashmir between India and Pakistan. “Both sides agreed for strict observance of all agreements, understandings and cease firing along the LOC and all other sectors, with effect from midnight 24/25 February 2021,” according to the text of the statement issued by the Pakistan army. It went on to say that in “the interest of achieving mutually beneficial and sustainable” peace, the two sides “agreed to address each other’s core issues/concerns, which have propensity to disturb peace and lead to violence.” It did not elaborate further. The Indian and Pakistani military commanders in their conversation reiterated the need to utilize existing bilateral arrangements, including meetings between their border security officials, to resolve “any unforeseen situation or misunderstanding.” Thursday’s communication between the two militaries through their so-called hotline contact came after months because of worsening relations between Pakistan and India. Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi hailed the understanding as an “important step” for promoting regional peace. “It can be a good beginning, but India will have to sincerely implement the arrangement,” Qureshi said. Analysts in India also welcomed the move. "It’s a good development and should have happened a long time ago,” said Amit Baruah, Delhi resident editor at The Hindu newspaper. “India and Pakistan may not see eye-to-eye, but contact is always good for the sake of the people living on either side of the Line of Control,” Baruah told VOA. ...
New aircrafts in indian air force
As Major Storm Heads Towards Tri-State Area, Suburban Communities Are Gearing Up
VERNON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (CBSNewYork) – From Long Island to New Jersey, towns say they’re preparing for whatever the storm brings their way. As CBS2’s Vanessa Murdock reports, Monday brought snow for some and rain for more. The messy mix was but an appetizer, before the main course and dessert Wednesday into Thursday. READ MORE: Former Aides Karen Hinton, Lindsey Boylan Accuse Gov. Andrew Cuomo Of Bullying, Sexual Harassment A mere coating of snow captured through the lens of Drone Force 2 turns Vernon, NJ into a postcard. The scene in Leonia was not so picturesque – cold rain warranted pulling up your hood. CHECK THE LATEST FORECAST “You got your snow shovel, you’re ready to go, you excited?” Murdock asked. “Um, no,” a Leonia resident named Annette said. At Moore’s Hardware, ice melt and shovels were poised for purchase. “This is all routine,” said owner John DeSimone. “Not going to run out?” Murdock asked. “No, I don’t think so. Hope not,” DeSimone said. More : Major Storm Could Bring More Than A Foot Of Snow To Parts Of Tri-State Wednesday Night Up NJ 208 from Leonia, rain changed to snow near Wyckoff, but nothing was sticking. Salt trucks manned by Daniel Fernandes and Rodrigo DaSilva sit at the ready alongside the highway. READ MORE: FEMA Vaccination Sites Open For Brooklyn And Queens Residents At Medgar Evers And York Colleges “Atarted filling the trucks before daybreak, on call since,” Fernandes said. “We’re getting ready for Wednesday, so it’s like a prep.” Fernandes implores people: Show some respect when you see salt truck wheels in motion. “Give us space, please,” he said. Better yet? “Stay home, enjoy the family,” DaSilva said. There was similar sentiment from Gov. Phil Murphy Monday. “This has the potential to be a real whopper,” he said. In Oyster Bay on Long Island, the town’s snow fighting crew is ready to clear up whatever Mother Nature puts down. “Our snow fighting crew is at the ready and ...
Haaland courts moderates during tense Senate confirmation hearing
Interior secretary nominee Deb Haaland Deb Haaland Biden's picks face peril in 50-50 Senate OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Key vote for Haaland's confirmation | Update on oil and gas leasing | SEC update on climate-related risk disclosure requirements Manchin will back Haaland's confirmation MORE sought to court moderates while facing tough questions during her Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday. Haaland, a progressive House Democrat from New Mexico who has expressed support for the Green New Deal and opposition to a controversial oil and gas extraction method called fracking, emphasized her bipartisan record in making her case. She was introduced on the first of two days of question-and-answer sessions by Rep. Don Young Donald (Don) Edwin Young Haaland courts moderates during tense Senate confirmation hearing OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Haaland courts moderates during tense confirmation hearing | GOP's Westerman looks to take on Democrats on climate change | White House urges passage of House public lands package Haaland courts moderates during tense confirmation hearing MORE (R-Alaska), who noted that he disagreed with her on fossil fuels but stressed that “she will listen to you.” ADVERTISEMENT Haaland faced forceful opposition from Republicans who questioned her on fracking, fossil fuels and a past tweet in which she said Republicans don’t believe in science. She repeatedly noted that she will be implementing President Biden Joe Biden Klain on Manchin's objection to Neera Tanden: He 'doesn't answer to us at the White House' Senators given no timeline on removal of National Guard, Capitol fence Overnight Defense: New Senate Armed Services chairman talks Pentagon policy nominee, Afghanistan, more | Biden reads report on Khashoggi killing | Austin stresses vaccine safety in new video MORE ’s agenda, not her own. Biden has said he doesn’t support the Green New Deal, and he opposes bans on ...
‘Dear Britain, We Envy You!’: Top German Newspaper Congratulates UK Vaccine Rollout
Europe’s best-selling tabloid Bild has congratulated the British government on its coronavirus vaccine rollout, stating that Germany “envies” the United Kingdom. The newspaper’s print edition ran the headline “Dear Britain, WE ENVY YOU!” emblazed on top of a Union Jack on the front page of the newspaper’s February 24th edition. It noted the timeline given by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, which aims to lift all coronavirus restrictions in England by June 21st at the earliest. Bild , which has the highest circulation of any newspaper in Europe, compared the daily vaccination rates of the United Kingdom — which is presently giving shots to an average of 360,000 people per day — to that of Germany, which has managed an average of just 140,000 per day. “While the British are already planning their summer holidays, Germany is stuck in the lockdown,” the newspaper wrote. Germany’s Vice-Chancellor Olaf Scholz has reportedly criticised European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s vaccine programme, calling it “really shit”. https://t.co/K6krcnYBzF — Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) February 6, 2021 Chancellor Angela Merkel has not made mention of reopening the country in the spring or the summer but has instead focused on warning of another potential wave of infections. Helge Braun, head of the Federal Chancellery, warned that March, April, and May could be “difficult months” and opening up the country in March could lead to a “sharp increase” in new coronavirus infections. The headline comes after weeks of severe criticism of the European Union and German federal government, as it became clear the extent to which they were lagging behind newly-free Brexit Britain. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen even compared the United Kingdom to a “speedboat” in remarks on the scandal, for which she has personally taken significant criticism. Britain Leads the World: Harshest Lockdown in West, But Significant Death Rates ...
Music Industry Leaders Pledge to Participate in ‘Blackout’ to Show Solidarity with the Black Community
Leaders of the music industry have pledged to "disconnect" from business to support communities fighting against racial inequality as part of "Black Out Tuesday." In response to a massive wave of outrage following the death last week in Minneapolis, Minnesota, of George Floyd in police custody, major record labels denounced racial injustice on social media. They are calling for a "day of action" on June 2 to reflect and promote accountability, contemplation and change. "We stand together with the black community against all forms of racism, bigotry, and violence. Now, more than ever, we must use our voices to speak up and challenge the injustices all around us," Ron Perry, chairman of Columbia Records , a subsidiary of Sony Corporation America, said Thursday night. Warner Records made a similar announcement, pledging that activity at their labels will not continue to operate as usual, and committing to help Black Lives Matter and other organizations battling injustice. Universal Music, part of Vivendi, said on its Twitter account that they "stand with the black community," under the hashtag #TheShowMustBePaused. Interscope Geffen A&M, part of the Universal group, said it would release no new music this week. #TheShowMustBePaused pic.twitter.com/Qf15vCbMQU — Universal Production Music US (@UniversalPM_US) June 1, 2020 Universal Music Group CEO Lucian Grainge issued a memo to staff over the weekend outlining plans for a task force to "accelerate our efforts in areas such as inclusion and social justice." "This week, yet again, we saw our society's most painful realities about race, justice, and inequality brought — cruelly and brutally — into the harsh light of day," he wrote in the note, according to Reuters. Protests were ignited by a video showing white police officer Derek Chauvin suffocating Floyd, a black 46-year-old man, by kneeling on his neck for nearly nine minutes shortly before his death May 25. Chauvin has been fired ...
