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US to sale 10,000 APKWS Systems to Israel, 500 Patriot missiles to Qatar

WASHINGTON, May 2: The US State Department has approved the possible sale of 10,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS) and related equipment to Israel for a total of $992.4 million.
“The U.S. Department of State has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Israel for its purchase of Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) and related equipment. The estimated total cost is $992.4 million,” the State Department said in a statement.
The US State Department has also approved the possible sale of 500 Patriot air defense missiles of various modifications and related equipment to Qatar for a total of $4.01 billion.
“The U.S. Department of State has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Qatar for its purchase of PATRIOT Air and Missile Defense replenishment services and related equipment. The estimated total cost is $4.01 billion,” the State Department said in a statement.
It said the Government of Qatar has requested to buy 200 Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept On Target (PATRIOT) Advanced Capability-2 (PAC-2) Guidance Enhanced Missile-Tactical and 300 PATRIOT Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement.
On February 28, the United States and Israel launched strikes on targets in Iran, causing damage and civilian casualties. Iran responded by striking Israeli territory and US military facilities in the Middle East. (UNI)

Takeaways from AP report on Trump  administration’s defiance of lower court orders

ATLANTA (US), May 2:  Federal judges around the country have raised alarms in recent months about the Trump administration’s failure to follow their orders in individual immigration cases.
An Associated Press review of court records shows Trump officials have also racked up an extraordinary record of defiance in a much broader set of lawsuits dating back to the first days of President Donald Trump’s second term.
Since February 2025, district court judges have ruled the Republican administration was violating an order in at least 31 lawsuits over a wide range of issues, including cuts in federal funding, mass layoffs, deportations, and immigration practices.
These violations are in addition to more than 250 instances of noncompliance judges have recently highlighted in individual immigration petitions – from failing to return property to keeping immigrants locked up past court-ordered release dates.
Though Trump officials eventually backed down in about a third of the 31 cases, legal experts say their treatment of court orders damages the constitutional system of checks and balances.
“The federal government should be the institution most devoted to the rule of law in this country,” said David Super, a constitutional law scholar at Georgetown University. “When it ceases to feel itself bound, respect for the rule of law is likely to break down across the country.”
Here are some key takeaways from AP’s report on these cases:
Trump’s aggressive policy moves spark a barrage of lawsuits
———————————————————————
The administration has already faced more than 700 lawsuits.
The AP reviewed hundreds of pages of court documents in noncompliance cases compiled by nonpartisan government watchdogs. It found additional cases by scouring media reports of violations and then verifying the findings with court records.
An unprecedented level of defiance
——————————————
District courts have also found previous administrations in violation of their orders.
But legal scholars and former federal judges said they could recall at most a few cases over the full four-year terms of other recent presidents – including the first Trump administration and Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama.
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said district court judges were making “unlawful” rulings against Trump officials.
“President Trump’s entire Administration is lawfully implementing the America First agenda he was elected to enact,” she said in a written statement.
In court filings, Justice Department attorneys have generally disputed accusations that the government was not complying. They have argued over the meaning of words, cited favourable appellate court rulings and said they were acting outside the scope of the court’s order, among other legal manoeuvring.
Outside of court, Trump and White House officials have railed against federal judges, and Vice President JD Vance has even suggested the president could ignore court orders.
The effects have been far-reaching
——————————————
The groups that say they’ve been harmed by the administration’s failure to comply with court orders are varied and include immigrants, nonprofits and journalists.
Among other instances of noncompliance, judges found the White House defied rulings when it deported scores of accused gang members to a notorious prison in El Salvador, withheld billions of dollars in foreign aid and failed to restore programming at the Voice of America. The three cases date to the first few months of the new administration, but judges have continued to find violations since then, including in two cases in April.
Higher courts often sided with the White House
——————————————————-
In 15 of the 31 lawsuits the AP reviewed, an appellate court or the Supreme Court either allowed the administration’s underlying policy, limited the district court’s efforts to correct or punish the noncompliance, or both.
Those decisions show lower court judges are overreaching, said Will Chamberlain, senior counsel with the conservative legal advocacy group The Article III Project.
Trump officials are “generally complying, appealing and winning,” he said. “If they were defying orders left and right, they’d be losing them.”
Critics say the higher courts are excusing noncompliance.
“This is not the first time the Court closes its eyes to noncompliance, nor, I fear, will it be the last,” Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in June in a dissent joined by the court’s two other liberal justices. “Yet each time this Court rewards noncompliance with discretionary relief, it further erodes respect for courts and for the rule of law.” (AP)

Two IRS Officers Posted As Commissioners In Jammu And Kashmir

JAMMU, May 2: Two Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officers have been posted as Commissioners in Jammu & Kashmir.
As per an order, Mahesh Chand Bhardwaj has been appointed as Commissioner, Audit, Jammu, GST and Central Excise, while Samaya Murali has been posted as Commissioner (Appeals), Jammu, GST and Central Excise.

 

Rain, Gusty Winds To Continue In J&K Till May 4; MeT Warns Of Thunderstorms, Hail

Srinagar, May 2: The Meteorological Department on Saturday said that changing weather patterns will persist across Jammu and Kashmir over the next few days, bringing rain, thunderstorms and strong winds to several areas of the Union Territory.
Director MeT Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad said that on May 2, scattered places are likely to receive intermittent light rain and thundershowers, mainly during the afternoon, accompanied by gusty winds.
He said that during May 3 and 4, the weather is expected to remain generally cloudy with intermittent spells of light to moderate rain or thundershowers at many places. Thunderstorms, hailstorms and strong winds with speeds of 40–50 kmph may occur at a few locations during different parts of the day.
The department further said that on May 5, brief spells of light rain or thundershowers are likely at scattered places, mainly in the afternoon hours. From May 6 to 9, weather conditions are expected to improve, with mostly dry weather likely, although isolated showers may occur.
From May 10 to 12, the weather is likely to remain largely dry, with chances of brief light rain at isolated places during afternoon hours.
Meanwhile, the MeT Department has issued an advisory warning of possible hailstorms and gusty winds in parts of Central and North Kashmir, as well as some areas of Jammu division. It advised suspension of boating and shikara activities during afternoon to evening hours on May 3 and 4.
Residents have been advised to avoid standing near weak structures, electric poles and overhead wires, while farmers have been urged to suspend agricultural activities between May 3 and 5 in view of the expected adverse weather conditions. (KNC)

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Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak Booked In Punjab

CHANDIGARH, May 2: Punjab Police is learnt to have booked Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak, who recently defected to the BJP, sources said on Saturday.
Two FIRs have been lodged against Pathak under non-bailable sections, they said.
No further details about the FIRs have been disclosed yet.
Pathak was among the seven Rajya Sabha MPs who had quit the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and joined the BJP.
On April 24, the AAP suffered a jolt when seven of its 10 Rajya Sabha MPs — Pathak, Raghav Chadha, Ashok Mittal, Harbhajan Singh, Rajendra Gupta, Vikramjit Sahney and Swati Maliwal — quit, alleging that Arvind Kejriwal’s party had strayed from its principles, values and core morals.
Six of the seven MPs were from Punjab.
Later, Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan officially accepted their merger with the BJP, reducing AAP’s strength in the Upper House to three. (Agencies)

Gold Loan Rates Explained for First-Time Borrowers

A gold loan is a short-term loan. You pledge your gold to the lender and receive funds based on the gold’s value. You get your gold back once you repay the loan. But while the gold stays with the lender, you pay interest, which is decided based on the rate you agree to.

If you are planning to take a gold loan for the first time and wondering how exactly does the gold loan rates work, this guide is for you. Understanding these rates helps you decide how much you pay back and how costly the loan will be over time.

What are Gold Loan Rates?

Gold loan rates mean the percentage of interest charged on the gold loan. Note that these rates change based on the lender and loan amount. Some lenders offer flat rates, while others give lower rates for larger amounts.

Moreover, gold loan rates are not fixed for all. Besides the value of your gold, it also depends on the loan plan you choose. Some people may choose interest-only plans, while others may prefer EMI plans.

Why the Gold Loan Rate Matters?

The rate decides the final amount you will repay to get your pledged gold back. If the rate is high, you will pay more. Conversely, if the rate is low, you will save more. This makes a big difference for first-time borrowers who are watching their cash flow.

Further, gold loan rates are always shown before the loan is confirmed. You can easily compare and decide on the best deal.

Factors that Affect Gold Loan Rates

Many things affect gold loan rates. These are the main ones:

  • Quality and weight of the gold
  • Loan amount selected
  • Repayment plan chosen
  • Type of lender
  • Ongoing offers or rate plans

Simply put, the better your gold, the better your offer.

How to Find the Best Gold Loan Rates?

When you apply for a gold loan online, you can check and compare the gold loan rates on the website or application of the selected provider.

With a gold loan interest calculator, you can even adjust the loan amount and see what your monthly or total interest will be. This helps you stay in control and find the right offer without having to visit branches.

Below are some useful tips to compare and find the best gold loan rates:

Use a Gold Loan Interest Calculator

This tool is key for first-time users. A gold loan interest calculator lets you see:

  • The gold loan rate applied
  • The monthly interest is on the EMI plan
  • The full interest is paid at the end
  • The cost of early or late payment
  • The total payable amount

You can try different amounts, test different terms to decide which rate suits you best. The calculator is simple to use and offers nearly accurate results if it is from a reliable provider.

Do Not Choose Based on Rate Alone

Some loans may offer lower rates but add extra charges later. Thus, always check the full cost, which includes processing fees, handling charges, and penalties.

Remember, a gold loan must be clear. As a first-time borrower, ask for all details in writing and check the terms before pledging your gold.

Repayment Style Can Change Cost

Gold loans come with many repayment methods. Some let you pay only interest every month. Some let you pay the full amount later. Some let you pay fixed EMIs.

Each option has a different cost and affects your gold loan rate. You should pick based on your earnings.

Conclusion

If you are applying for a gold loan for the first time, your chosen rate will affect your entire journey. Make sure you check, compare, and plan your repayment smartly. Most importantly, connect with RBI-registered NBFCs like Manappuram Finance, which provides gold loans with transparent gold loan rates.

*Terms & conditions applied.

Doda-Kishtwar Road Blocked After Major Landslide At Gatsoo; Traffic Movement Suspended

Srinagar, May 2: Traffic movement on the Doda–Kishtwar road has been suspended following a major landslide at Gatsoo near Pul Doda, officials said on Saturday.
A traffic police official said, the landslide occurred early morning, leading to complete blockage of the road and halting vehicular movement on the vital stretch.
Official said that men and machinery have been pressed into service and efforts are underway to clear the debris. However, restoration of traffic is likely to take some time due to the magnitude of the landslide.
Commuters have been advised to avoid travel on the Doda-Kishtwar road until it is fully cleared and traffic movement is restored.
Authorities said further updates will be issued as the situation develops. (JKNS)

Overground Worker Of Terrorists Arrested In J&K’s Pulwama

SRINAGAR, May 2: Security forces on Saturday arrested an overground worker (OGW) of terrorists in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.
The OGW was identified as Umar Malik, a resident of the Kachipora area of the south Kashmir district, they said.
According to the officials, a star pistol, two rounds of ammunition, a magazine, a Chinese grenade, a Pakistani grenade, and a mobile phone were recovered from Malik.
Further details are awaited.

Bridge Collapse In Jammu: 3 Bodies, 1 Injured Pulled Out From Rubble; Probe Ordered

SDRF conducts rescue operations after a portion of an under-construction bridge collapsed in the Bantalab Thathar area in Jammu

Jammu, May 2: Rescue workers pulled out three bodies and an injured person from the debris of a partially collapsed old bridge during a 12-hour search operation on the outskirts of Jammu, officials said on Saturday.
One injured worker was rescued on Friday, shortly after a portion of the bridge collapsed in the Thuther area of Bantalab.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary rushed to the spot at midnight and ordered the suspension of two engineers. The government has also constituted a committee to probe the incident.
According to the officials, labourers were carrying out retaining wall and foundation-laying work on the bridge, which was damaged in flash floods last year, when a portion of it gave way, trapping four of them.
Police, Army, National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, and fire and emergency department immediately launched a rescue operation. The rescue teams first pulled out a labourer, who was identified as Tarsem Lal, the officials said.
“The search and rescue operation concluded this morning. Three bodies have been recovered from the spot. Two others have been rescued in injured condition,” a senior officer told PTI.
The bodies were recovered during the 12-hour search operation, which went on through the night under floodlights, the officials said.
Among the two injured was Divisional Fire Officer, Fire and Emergency Services Department, Mohammad Jaffar, who was hit by a boulder during the rescue operation. The injured have been hospitalised.
Deputy Chief Minister Choudhary was briefed about the incident after he reached the spot at midnight.
“I have ordered the suspension of the assistant executive engineer and the junior engineer. I have also issued directions to the engineer-in-chief for attachment of the executive engineer,” he told reporters at the spot.
Choudhary ordered a probe into the incident and directed the authorities to complete it in five days.
Following his order, Assistant Executive Engineer Sahil Verma and Junior Engineer Sajad Mir were placed under suspension, pending inquiry into their conduct, the officials said.
The government has also constituted a three-member inquiry committee headed by Purshotam Kumar, Secretary Technical (Engineer-in-Chief), Public Works (R&B) Department, they said.
Superintendent Engineer, Public Works (R&B), Circle Jammu South, Arit Gupta, and Executive Engineer, Public Works (R&B) Satwari division, Rajan Mengi are members of the panel, they said. (Agencies)