UNITED NATIONS, July 21: The UN Security Council today called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, even as UN chief Ban Ki-moon met Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Qatar in the first leg of his Middle East tour which aims to end the escalating conflict that has killed 501 Palestinians and 20 Israelis.
The powerful 15-nation Council held a late-night emergency meeting here yesterday and expressed serious concern about the escalation of violence in and around Gaza.
The Palestinian death toll today rose to 501 after bodies of 16 people who were killed in an Israeli air strike on a house in the south of the Gaza Strip were found this morning.
Israel has said its 18 soldiers have been killed since the ground operation began last week, the largest number of Israeli soldiers killed in combat since the 2006 Lebanon war.
“The members of the Security Council express serious concern about the growing numbers of casualties,” said Rwandan Ambassador Eugene Richard Gasana, whose country holds the 15-member Security Council’s rotating presidency for July.
“The members of the Security Council call for an immediate cessation of hostilities based on the November 2012 ceasefire agreement” reached between Israel and Hamas, he said.
The Council also emphasized the need to improve the humanitarian situation, including through humanitarian pauses, such as the five-hour truce brokered last week by the Secretary-General’s Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Robert Serry.
The emergency UNSC meeting came even as Ban is in the region as part of a visit aimed at expressing solidarity with Israelis and Palestinians and help bringing about a ceasefire.
He met with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.
“As I travel the region, I will continue to press for an (immediate) ceasefire – an immediate end to the Israeli military operation in Gaza and the rocket fire by Hamas and Islamic Jihad,” Ban said earlier at a press conference alongwith Qatari Foreign Minister Khaled al-Attiya.
He reiterated his demand that all sides respect international humanitarian law and stop the ongoing violence.
“While I was en route to Doha, dozens more civilians, including children, have been killed in Israeli military strikes in the Shejaiyah neighborhood in Gaza,” Ban said.
“I condemn this atrocious action. Israel must exercise maximum restraint and do far more to protect civilians,” he added. (PTI)
UNSC calls for immediate ceasefire as Gaza toll rises to 501
Backstreet Boys postpone Tel Aviv concerts
NEW YORK, July 21: Pop band Backstreet Boys have postponed three upcoming concerts in Israel, citing “security” concerns in the wake of Operation Protective Edge.
This marks the third series of shows pushed back in light of rising tensions and hostilities in the Middle East. Paul Anka and Neil Young and Crazy Horse have also cancelled or postponed their scheduled performances in the country, reported the Huffington Post.
The “Larger Than Life” hitmakers took to their website to announce about the postponement of the concert to their fans.
“Our dear BSB fans, We are very sorry to inform you that the BSB concerts planned for July 29-30-31 at the Raanana Amphitheater have been postponed.
“This is a major disappointment for the band and fans as this was to be our first visit to Israel and we looked forward to meeting our fans. We’re already working with the producers on new dates during Spring 2015 and will notify everyone about this as soon as possible. Sending lots of love to everyone,” they wrote. (PTI)
Senior Advocate, Mohinder Bhardwaj addressing a public meeting at Rehal in Bishnah.
Senior Advocate, Mohinder Bhardwaj addressing a public meeting at Rehal in Bishnah.
Shahnaz Hussain inaugurating painting exhibition of Shree Kant Dubey at Lalit Kala Academy, New Delhi.
Shahnaz Hussain inaugurating painting exhibition of Shree Kant Dubey at Lalit Kala Academy, New Delhi.
Nickel futures decline 0.19% on global cues
NEW DELHI, July 21: Nickel prices softened by 0.19 per cent to Rs 1,127 per kg in futures market today as speculators indulged in trimming positions on a weak overseas trend amidst low demand from alloy-makers in the spot market.
At the Multi Commodity Exchange, Nickel for delivery in August traded lower by Rs 2.10, or 0.19 per cent, to Rs 1,127 per kg in a business turnover of 30 lots.
On similar lines, the metal for delivery in July weakened by Rs 1.30, or 0.12 per cent, to Rs 1,120.70 per kg in 700 lots.
Analysts said apart from subdued demand from alloy-makers in the domestic spot markets, the metal’s continued slide overseas after Indonesia resumed some exports of metal ore concentrates and as stockpiles tracked by the London Metal Exchange (LME) surged to a record, weighed on nickel futures prices.
At the LME, the metal for delivery in three months fell 0.6 per cent to USD 18,542 a metric tonne. It had lost 3.7 per cent last week, the biggest drop since June 13.
Meanwhile, LME inventory for the metal rose to a record 311,088 tonnes on July 18, according to bourse data. (PTI)
Speaker Legislative Assembly Mubarak Gul addressing public gathering at Srinagar on Monday.
Speaker Legislative Assembly Mubarak Gul addressing public gathering at Srinagar on Monday.
Self-certification provision
Sir,
It would indeed be a great relief to citizens of India in case Governments both State and Central do away with the necessity of filing affidavits or getting documents particularly school certificates attested by a gazetted officer and a notary.
It is a cumbersome problem for students to run from pillar to post to get his certificates signed by a gazetted officer. At times these officers sign document unwillingly, and other time they try to avoid people on one pretext or the other. At times, money is also involved in it. Now when the Administrative Reforms Commission has suggested self certification provision, the Central or State Governments shall have no hesitation in adopting the same.
The citizen friendly move will not only save lot of money of the people, but will also save time.
The State Government shall have no hesitation in introducing self certification process in the State to give relief to people.
Yours etc…
Nisha Mahajan
Udhampur
Former Minister and PCC leader R S Chib talking to border villagers in R S Pura.
Former Minister and PCC leader R S Chib talking to border villagers in R S Pura.
Mentha oil futures up 0.81% on rising demand
NEW DELHI, July 21: Mentha oil prices rose 0.81 per cent to Rs 721.80 per kg in futures trade today as speculators enlarged positions amid rising demand from consuming industries in the spot market.
Besides, tight stocks in the physical market due to restricted arrivals from producing regions further fuelled the uptrend.
At the Multi Commodity Exchange, mentha oil for delivery in July moved up by Rs 5.80, or 0.81 per cent, to Rs 721.80 per kg in a business turnover of 301 lots.
Similarly, the oil for delivery in August traded higher by Rs 5.30, or 0.73 per cent, to Rs 735.20 per kg in 144 lots.
Market analysts said the rise in mentha oil at futures trade was due to a pick-up in demand from consuming industries in the spot market against restricted arrivals from Chandausi in Uttar Pradesh. (PTI)
Accused alongwith stolen bike in police custody.
Accused alongwith stolen bike in police custody.