Recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, 128 nations including India, defy Trump at UN

India joined an overwhelming majority of UN member countries to vote for a resolution criticising the United States for recognising Jerusalem of Israel bucking an international consensus lasting decades. The resolution was adopted with the support of 128 countries, with nine voting against and 35 abstaining. The United States faced complete isolation and humiliation in the world body, which disregarded Trump’s threat of cutting US aid to countries that backed it, a move that brought the United States further criticism for “bullying”. India has long held an “independent and consistent”…

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Wearing Off the Ikhwan Taint

A defiant populace and new crop of militants are challenging the might of the State. The phenomenon of Ikhwan-ul-Muslimeen (Muslim brotherhood), a paradoxically named militia propped up by the State in the mid 90s across Kashmir to fight militancy, is permanently imprinted on the landscape of Hajin area of Bandipora district. So much so that nearly all the recent media analyses have been linking the resurgence of militancy in Hajin to the dark era of Ikhwan. Local residents also have been saying that they risk their lives to save militants…

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Move to impound taxis operating from batamaloo leaves drivers, commuters in a spot

The ongoing drive to impound taxis operating from the entry and exit points of the erstwhile Batamaloo bus stand and other parts of the city has increased the problems for commuters. In the absence of any alternative modes of transport to the city centre, passengers are stranded, particularly during evenings when public transport disappears from Srinagar roads. Lateef Ahmad, who drives a taxi from the city to other districts, said the decision to not allow taxis into the city and the impounding of vehicles by the traffic authorities had hit…

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Tassaduq Mufti can be MLC, PDP-led govt sticks to stand

The Mehbooba Mufti government has replied to the queries raised by Governor NN Vohra regarding the nomination of Chief Minister’s younger brother Tassaduq Mufti’s nomination to the Legislative Council. It has asserted that there was no bar in nominating Tassaduq as he was a creative artist of international fame. Official sources told Kashmir Post that a redraft recommending the nomination of Tassaduq had been sent to the Governor. Regarding the case of the previous nominations of 2015 pending in a court, the government submitted that these were two “separate issues.”…

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Faarukh Usmaan, Kashmiri skier questions WGFI’s move to keep his status in disputed list

The national gold medal winning skier from Kashmir, Faarukh Usmaan, has questioned Winter Games Federation of India (WGFI) over keeping his status in the disputed list. “Federation International Skiing (FIS) races are going to be held in India for the first time and according to FIS rules only top Indian players will be participating in such an event. WGFI has stopped me from participating in the race as they have kept my status as disputed,” Usmaan said in his grievance. Usmaan sees WGFI move as discriminatory since he had filed…

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Discarded Walnut Shells can be used to make batteries

Sodium-ion batteries are significantly cheaper than lithium-ion varieties ashmir’s lofty mountains and majestic slopes, together with the temperate are ideally suited for walnut production, and it is no wonder that Kashmiri walnuts are famous worldwide for their superior taste. Naturally, a lot of organic waste, by way of walnut shells, is also generated. A team of scientists from the Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research (IISER), carried out a study and found that 63,000 hectares of land is used for walnut cultivation in Kashmir. Of the total 36,000 tonnes…

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Harissa is a hot favourite in freezing Kashmir

The 40-day harshest spell of winter, locally called the Chillai Kalan, began in the Kashmir Valley on Thursday, with locals queueing up outside traditional shops selling harissa, the sizzling breakfast mutton dish. Nazeer Ahmad, 64, a resident of the old city’s Naid Kadal area, has been selling harissa for the past four decades. His shop, which remains shut during the summer months, has reopened with the winter setting in. “Chillai Kalan is the period when harissa-gaers (harissa-makers) do brisk business. People line up at the crack of dawn in freezing…

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‘Chillai Kalan – 40 day harshest winter period’ arrives on milder note

The first day of the 40-day harshest winter period ‘chillai kalan’ witnessed slight rain and an increase in temperature. ‘Chillai kalan’, which began today, will end on January 30. During this time, people keep their eyes on the mercury as life slows down and is dependent on the whims of the weather. The use of ‘kangris’ and generators is frequent during ‘chillai kalan’ as electricity is erratic and activity comes to a near-standstill. In villages, people use traditional methods to keep themselves warm. They cook on firewood and eat dried…

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Swine Flu : With 5 more deaths at SKIMS toll rises to 21

Five more patients have died of H1N1 influenza at Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura, taking the death toll of people killed by the Swine Flu to 21. Confirming the deaths, official sources at SKIMS told Kashmir Post that three patients have died in last three weeks. “Two women – an 80-year-old and another 90 years of age — both residents of Budgam were cases of comorbidities. Both were admitted in the hospital and died. A 41-year-old mail patient of Ganderbal also died,” they said. Sources said two more…

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Industry body supports levy of toll tax at Lakhanpur

A delegation of Association of Industries led by its president Rattan Dogra met Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu and urged him that the levy of toll at Lakhanpur barrier must be continued so as to safeguard and protect the industry. The association submitted that the toll was never intended to be covered and subsumed under the GST. It said toll was levied in many states and National Highway Authority of India continued to collect it even at many points in J&K and elsewhere in the country. The minister promised the association…

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