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US Urges Pakistan to Avoid Civilian Harm Amid Airstrikes

Calling loss of civilian life “troubling and heartbreaking” to the US, Vedant Patel stressed that the US wants to ensure that perpetrators are being held to account and that civilians are not affected during these operations…reports Asian Lite News

Reacting to Pakistan’s airstrikes in Afghanistan, the US has called on Taliban to ensure that terrorist attacks are not launched from Afghan soil while urging Islamabad to exercise restraint and ensure civilians are not harmed in their counter-terrorism efforts, US Department of State Principal Spokesperson Vedant Patel said on Tuesday (local time).

While addressing a press briefing on Tuesday, Patel urged the Taliban to ensure that terrorist attacks are not launched from Afghan soil. He stressed that the US remains committed to ensuring that Afghanistan does not become a safe haven for terrorists who wish to harm the US and its allies.

Asked about Pakistan’s airstrikes in Afghanistan, Vedant Patel responded, “We have seen the reports that Pakistan carried out airstrikes in Afghanistan in response to the attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan on Saturday at a military post. We deeply regret the loss of life and injustices sustained during the attack in Pakistan and the loss of civilian lives during the strike in Afghanistan.”

“We urge the Taliban to ensure that terrorist attacks are not launched from Afghan soil and urge Pakistan to exercise restraint and ensure civilians are not harmed in their counter-terrorism efforts and we urge both sides to address any differences. We remain committed to ensuring that Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for terrorists who wish to harm the United States and our partners and allies,” he added.

Vedant Patel’s statement comes after Pakistan carried out airstrikes in Khost and Paktia provinces of Afghanistan which claimed the lives of eight people including children and women. Taliban asserted that such airstrikes are a clear violation of Afghanistan’s territory, Afghanistan-based TOLO News reported.

In response to a question about whether the US is helping Pakistan in the operations and intelligence sharing, Patel said, “We are in regular communication with Pakistani leaders to discuss Afghanistan in detail, including through our counter-terrorism dialogue and other bilateral consultations.”

Calling loss of civilian life “troubling and heartbreaking” to the US, Vedant Patel stressed that the US wants to ensure that perpetrators are being held to account and that civilians are not affected during these operations.

On being asked whether Pakistan should not have carried out airstrikes in Afghanistan, he said, “Any loss of civilian life is troubling and heartbreaking to us. so we want to make sure that when some of these operations are being conducted that every step possible is being taken that it’s the perpetrators that are being held to account and that it’s not civilian who is are being impacted.”

Pakistan’s Foreign Office has confirmed that Pakistan carried out “intelligence-based anti-terrorist operations” inside the border regions of Afghanistan, Pakistan-based Dawn reported. According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office press release, the prime targets of the operation carried out on Monday were terrorists belonging to the Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group.

It said that Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group along with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), was responsible for multiple terrorist attacks inside Pakistan, resulting in “deaths of hundreds of civilians and law enforcement officials”, according to Dawn report. Pakistan’s Foreign Office said that the latest attack of such an instance took place at a security post in North Waziristan’s Mir Ali on Saturday, which claimed the lives of seven Pakistani soldiers.

After Pakistan’s airstrikes, Taliban-led Ministry of Defence stated that any violation of the country’s sovereignty would have bad consequences, according to TOLO News report.

“Once again, Pakistani military and reconnaissance jets have entered Afghanistan’s territory and bombarded the homes of civilians in Barmal of Paktika and Spera of Khost,” the Taliban said in a statement.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid warned that any infringement on Afghanistan’s sovereignty would have dire repercussions.(ANI)

ALSO READ-The Barely Acknowledged Child Abuse Crisis in Pakistan

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Niger Breaks Off Military Deal With US

The pact played a central role in the US military’s operations in Africa’s Sahel region and is home to a major airbase….reports Asian Lite News

In a blow to the US security presence in Niger, the latter has suspended its military agreement with the former “with immediate effect”, Al Jazeera reported quoting the Niger’s ruling military spokesman, Colonel Amadou Abdramane.

The agreement that allowed US military personnel and civilian defence staff to operate from Niger lost its existence a week after senior US officials, led by Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee and US Africa Command head General Michael Langley, visited the West African country earlier this week to discuss democratic transition.

The pact played a central role in the US military’s operations in Africa’s Sahel region and is home to a major airbase.

Speaking on local television, Abdramane said the US delegation did not follow diplomatic protocol, and that Niger was not informed about the composition of the delegation, the date of its arrival or the agenda, Al Jazeera reported.

“Niger regrets the intention of the American delegation to deny the sovereign Nigerien people the right to choose their partners and types of partnerships capable of truly helping them fight against terrorism,” Abdramane said.

The US military had some 650 personnel working in Niger in December, according to a White House report to Congress. The US military operates a major airbase in the Niger city of Agadez, some 920km (572 miles) from the capital of Niamey, using it for manned and unmanned surveillance flights and other operations.

According to the Al Jazeera report, a drone base known as Air Base 201 near Agadez was built at a cost of more than USD 100 million. Since 2018 the base has been used to target ISIL (ISIS) fighters and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate, in the Sahel region.

Reporting from Washington, DC, Al Jazeera correspondent Shihab Rattansi said the move is “a huge blow to the US”.

“Niger is the centre of US operations in west and north Africa, notably at its Air Base 201, the most expensive construction project ever undertaken by the US government. It’s there for war on terror operations but it’s really there also for great power projection against countries like Russia and China.”

Last October, Washington officially designated the military takeover as a coup. But in December, the top US envoy for Africa, Phee, said the US was willing to restore aid and security ties if Niger met certain conditions.

The military said the delegation had accused Niger of partnering with Russia and Iran on “secret” deals, which the government denies. Officials also said the US had “threatened” action against Niger if the Niamey fails to cut ties with both countries.

The military government “forcefully denounces the condescending attitude accompanied by the threat of retaliation from the head of the American delegation towards the Nigerien government and people”, spokesman Abdramane added.

Niger has been under military rule since July 2023 when an elite guard force led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani detained President Mohamed Bazoum and declared Tchiani ruler.

Like the military rulers in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso, Niger has also kicked out French and other European forces. Both Mali and Burkina Faso have turned to Russia for support. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Biden opposes plan to sell US Steel to Japanese firm

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Biden roasts Trump

One candidate is too old and mentally unfit to be president. The other one is me, says Biden at the Gridiron Club dinner, a Washington tradition that began in the 1880s…reports Asian Lite News

President Joe Biden has joked about former President Donald Trump’s mental fitness during a speech at the Gridiron Club dinner, a Washington tradition that began in the 1880s.

“One candidate is too old and mentally unfit to be president. The other one is me,” Biden said on Saturday in front of more than 650 guests who included the Taoiseach of Ireland Leo Varadkar, Amazon founder and Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos, and TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, whose US business could be banned by Biden.

“Don’t tell him, he thinks he’s running against Barack Obama, that’s what he said,” said Biden, 81, who also quipped that he was staying up way past his bedtime.

Trump’s campaign did not respond, though the 77-year-old Republican leader has also questioned Biden’s mental capacity to be president. The Democratic leader has deflected ongoing criticism that his memory is hazy and he appears confused.

It was the first time Biden had attended the traditional dinner during his presidency, and comes as the 2024 election looms and the November rematch between Biden and Trump heats up.

Biden’s appearance at the dinner, in which politicians and journalists trade humorous barbs in a white-tie formal affair, was the first time a president has attended in person since Trump himself came in 2018.

Biden reinforced the importance of the press, which he said is not “the enemy of the people”, in stark contrast to previous remarks by Trump about the news media.

He also spoke about the war in Ukraine with Estonia’s Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, who attended Saturday’s dinner. “We will not bow down, they [Ukrainians] will not bow down and I will not bow down,” Biden said.

After his speech, Biden descended to the floor and took selfies with reporters and called one guest’s mother.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, representing the Democratic Party at the event, also spoke, as well as Utah Governor Spencer Cox, representing the Republican Party.

Cox, 48, joked that he was announcing his candidacy for the presidency “in 2052, when I still will be younger than both President Biden and President Trump”.

Trump tears into Biden administration

Meanwhile, Trump came out heavily against the Biden administration over the ‘heavy influx’ of migrants from the border and migrant crimes, while announcing that he will terminate every ‘open border policy’ if he comes to power, Fox News reported.

He was addressing a rally in the Dayton suburb of Vandalia, Ohio, during which he also mentioned the death of University of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley.

The former President further attacked Biden, blaming him for “allowing millions of migrants,” including, “violent gang members and gangsters,” into the US.

“Not one more American life should be lost to migrant crime. We can’t have another Laken…When I’m President of the United States, we will demand justice for Laken on day one. My administration will terminate every open border policy of the Biden administration,” Trump said at the rally.

He added, “The fastest way to reverse every single Biden disaster is to very simply put me back in office.”

Emphasising on the situation at the US-Mexico border, Trump said, “We’re going to fix it again.”

“Among my very first actions will be to stop the invasion of our country and send Joe Biden’s illegal aliens back home,” the former President added.

Further, during his Ohio speech, the former president warned of a ‘bloodbath’ in the country if he does not get elected in the polls set to be held later this year, Politico reported.

“Now, if I don’t get elected, it’s gonna be a bloodbath. That’s going to be the least of it.” He said, “It’s going to be a bloodbath for the country.”

Trump often showcases a dark image of the nation to present his case against US President Joe Biden ahead of the presidential elections that are likely to be held in November. During his campaign events, Trump frequently brings up the events of January 6, as he still denounces the 2020 elections that he lost.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump secured the Democratic and Republican presidential nominations, respectively, setting up a rematch with each other.

‘Trump wants another Jan 6’

Meanwhile, Biden’s campaign spokesperson, James Singer, said in a statement that former President Donald Trump “wants another January 6” after Trump on Saturday said that there would be a ‘bloodbath’ in the country if he lost the upcoming polls, reported CNN.

Condemning his statement, Singer emphasised that the US people would not make him win the presidential elections.

“American people are going to give him another electoral defeat this November because they continue to reject his extremism, his affection for violence, and his thirst for revenge,” Singer said.

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Trump says he will free Capitol rioters if reelected

Trump has made previous comments about his hypothetical first day in office, vowing during a televised town hall in December not to act as a dictator except “other than day one…reports Asian Lite News

Donald Trump pledged to free people jailed for taking part in the 2021 attack on the US Capitol as one of his first actions if reelected, calling them “hostages.”

The rioters — egged on by the then-president and fueled by his false claims of voter fraud — stormed the seat of US democracy on January 6, 2021, in a bid to halt the transfer of power to Joe Biden.

Around 1,358 defendants have been charged in the 38 months since then, according to the latest figures from the Justice Department released last week. About 500 have been sentenced to prison terms.

Trump posted the comments on his Truth Social website, additionally promising to shut down the border with Mexico as part of his first acts if reelected, without providing details. “My first acts as your next President will be to Close the Border, DRILL, BABY, DRILL, and Free the January 6 Hostages being wrongfully imprisoned!” he wrote late Monday.

Trump has made previous comments about his hypothetical first day in office, vowing during a televised town hall in December not to act as a dictator except “other than day one.”

Nor is it the first time Trump has called his imprisoned supporters “hostages” or suggested they should be freed. In January, he implored President Biden to “release the J6 hostages, Joe” during a campaign rally in Iowa.

Trump faces four criminal indictments, including two — one federal and one in Georgia — stemming from his attempts to overturn the election results after losing to Biden. Trump is virtually assured of being the Republican presidential nominee now that his last remaining rival, Nikki Haley, dropped out of the race following his overwhelming wins in the primaries.

Trump insists that the support he enjoys among his Republican base has been enhanced, not hurt, by his many legal woes.

Trump warns of bloodbath

Trump told a rally in Ohio on Saturday that November’s presidential election will be the “most important date” in US history, painting his campaign for the White House as a turning point for the country.

Days after securing his position as the presumptive Republican nominee, the former president also warned of a “bloodbath” if he is not elected — though it was not clear what he was referring to, with the remark coming in the middle of comments about threats to the US auto industry.

“The date — remember this, November 5 — I believe it’s going to be the most important date in the history of our country,” the 77-year-old told rally-goers in Vandalia, Ohio, repeating well-worn criticisms that his rival, President Joe Biden, is the “worst” president.

Criticizing what he said were Chinese plans to build cars in Mexico and sell them to Americans, he stated: “They’re not going to be able to sell those cars if I get elected.

“Now if I don’t get elected it’s going to be a bloodbath for the whole, that’s going to be the least of it, it’s going to be a bloodbath for the country. That’ll be the least of it. But they’re not going to sell those cars.”

Earlier this month Trump and Biden each won enough delegates to clinch their party nominations in the 2024 presidential race, all but assuring a rematch and setting up one of the longest election campaigns in US history.

Among the issues, Trump is campaigning on is sweeping reform of what he calls Biden’s “horror show” immigration policies, despite successfully pressuring Republicans to block a bill in Congress that included the toughest border security measures in decades.

On Saturday he invoked the border again as he reached out to minorities who have traditionally voted Democrat.

He said Biden had “repeatedly stabbed African-American voters in the back” by granting work permits to “millions” of immigrants, warning that they and Hispanic Americans “are going to be the ones that suffer the most.”

ALSO READ: Pence Won’t Endorse Trump For President

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Biden backs Senator, calls for fresh polls in Israel

The Democratic president did not repeat Schumer’s appeal for Israel to hold elections, a step that would likely end Netanyahu’s tenure because of mounting discontent with his leadership. ..reports Asian Lite News

President Joe Biden expressed support for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer after the senator called for new elections in Israel, the latest sign that the U.S. relationship with its closest Middle East ally is careening toward fracture over the war in Gaza.

Schumer, a Jewish Democrat from New York, sent tremors through both countries this week when he said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has “lost his way” and warned that “Israel cannot survive if it becomes a pariah” as the Palestinian death toll continues to grow.

“He made a good speech,” Biden said in the Oval Office during a meeting with Ireland’s prime minister. “I think he expressed serious concerns shared not only by him but by many Americans.”

The Democratic president did not repeat Schumer’s appeal for Israel to hold elections, a step that would likely end Netanyahu’s tenure because of mounting discontent with his leadership. But Biden’s comments reflect his own frustration with an Israeli prime minister who has hindered efforts to expand humanitarian assistance in Gaza and opposed the creation of an independent Palestinian state.

The latest point of friction has been Israel’s goal of pursuing Hamas into Rafah, a city in southern Gaza where 1.4 million displaced Palestinians have fled to avoid fighting in the north. Netanyahu’s office said Friday that it approved a military operation that would involve evacuating civilians, but U.S. officials are concerned about the potential for a new wave of bloodshed.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking from Vienna, said, “We have to see a clear and implementable plan” to safeguard innocent people from an Israeli incursion.

“We have not seen such a plan,” he said.

However, Blinken said tough conversations between Israeli and American leaders do not mean the alliance is fraying. “That’s actually the strength of the relationship, to be able to speak clearly, candidly and directly,” he said.

It’s possible that an attack on Rafah could be avoided. Negotiations over a cease-fire and the release of hostages are underway in Qatar, where Netanyahu agreed to send a delegation to continue talks.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. would not have its own team at the negotiations but will remain engaged in the process.

He also said it’s “up to the Israeli people to decide” whether there should be elections. Asked about why Biden praised Schumer’s speech, Kirby said the president appreciated the senator’s “passion.”

Biden’s rhetoric on the war has evolved since the conflict began on Oct. 7, when Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis in a surprise attack. The president immediately embraced Netanyahu and Israel while also warning against being “consumed” by rage.

Since then, Israel has killed more than 30,000 Palestinians in Gaza. And while Biden continues to back Israel’s right to defend itself, he’s increased his criticisms of Netanyahu.

After his State of the Union speech earlier this month, Biden said that he needed to have a “come to Jesus” conversation with Netanyahu. He also accused Netanyahu of “hurting Israel more than helping Israel” with his leadership of the war.

ALSO READ: Russia threatens troop deployment along Finland border  

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Pence Won’t Endorse Trump For President

Mike Pence’s statement marks a significant departure from his previous alignment with his former running mate and the president he served alongside.

Former Vice President Mike Pence made a surprising declaration on Friday (local time), stating that he “cannot in good conscience,” endorse presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump, CNN reported.

This statement marks a significant departure from his previous alignment with his former running mate and the president he served alongside.

“Donald Trump is pursuing and articulating an agenda that is at odds with the conservative agenda that we governed on during our four years. That’s why I cannot in good conscience endorse Donald Trump in this campaign,” Pence said on Fox News.

Pence articulated his stance during an appearance on Fox News, expressing concern over the disparity between Trump’s current agenda and the conservative principles they upheld during their four years in office.

Although Pence refrained from endorsing any candidate in the 2024 Republican primary following the end of his own presidential bid in October, he had previously committed to supporting the eventual GOP nominee. Trump had urged Pence to endorse him after the former vice president withdrew from the race, emphasising his role in elevating Pence to the vice presidency.

“I chose him, made him vice president. But … people in politics can be very disloyal,” Trump had said.

While Pence expressed pride in the accomplishments of the Trump-Pence administration, he highlighted areas where he believes Trump has deviated from conservative principles. He cited Trump’s positions on abortion, the national debt, and the recent reversal on TikTok as examples of this departure.

“During my presidential campaign, I made it clear there were profound differences between me and President Trump on a range of issues. And not just our difference on my constitutional duties that I exercised January 6th,” Pence said on ‘The Story with Martha MacCallum’.

“As I have watched his candidacy unfold, I’ve seen him walking away from our commitment to confronting the national debt. I’ve seen him starting to shy away from a commitment to the sanctity of human life. And this last week, his reversal on getting tough on China and supporting our administration’s efforts to force a sale of ByteDance’s TikTok,” he added, as reported by CNN.

Addressing his own voting intentions in the 2024 general election, Pence opted to keep his choice private, stating, “I’ll keep my vote to myself.” He affirmed that he would not support President Joe Biden and indicated a reluctance to endorse a third-party candidate.

Pence’s break with Trump extends beyond policy differences. Notably, Pence declined to overturn the 2020 election results while presiding over Congress’ certification of Biden’s victory on January 6, 2021. He later criticised Trump for his role in inciting the violence that unfolded at the Capitol that day, asserting that Trump’s “reckless words” endangered lives.

Throughout his own presidential campaign, Pence cautioned against the allure of populism embodied by Trump and his followers. Recently, Pence’s advocacy group, Advancing American Freedom, announced a USD 20 million initiative aimed at promoting conservative policies, CNN reported. (ANI)

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Starship Will Be On Mars In 5 Years: Musk

Musk’s aerospace company SpaceX this week successfully launched the third test flight of its 400-foot-tall Starship rocket, along with the Heavy booster.

Elon Musk on Saturday said that the huge starship Starship rocket, that aims to help land astronauts on the Moon in 2026, will be on Mars within five years.

Musk’s aerospace company SpaceX this week successfully launched the third test flight of its 400-foot-tall Starship rocket, along with the Heavy booster.

“Starship will be on Mars within 5 years,” the billionaire posted on X. The Tesla CEO also posted some images of the Starship rocket, saying “wild that this is a real picture”.

“Pretty much anything that you can do on the ground should be done on the ground. But for warming up Mars, reflectors made on Phobos & Deimos (Mars’ two moons) could be a good way to go,” he further said.

Starship is the world’s most powerful rocket and will be used to send humans to the Moon and then eventually to Mars.

Starship consists of a giant first-stage booster called Super Heavy and a 50 metres upper-stage spacecraft known as Starship.

Musk eventually plans to shift at least one million people to Mars. “We are mapping out a game plan to get a million people to Mars,” Musk wrote in a recent post on X.

“Civilisation only passes the single-planet Great Filter when Mars can survive even if Earth supply ships stop coming,” he added. “One day, a trip to Mars will be like a flight across the country”. He also aims to build a base on the Moon.

“Humanity should have a moon base, cities on Mars and be out there among the stars,” the X owner said.

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India Dismisses US Criticism of CAA, Calls it Misguided

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that there are no grounds for any concerns or treatment of minorities…reports Asian Lite News

India on Friday rejected the US State Department’s “concerns” regarding the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), and termed it as “misplaced, misinformed, and unwarranted”

Asserting that the CAA is about giving citizenship and not about taking it away, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “Lectures by those who have a limited understanding of India’s pluralistic traditions and the region’s post-partition history are best not attempted”.

“As regards the US State Department statement on the implementation of CAA and comments made by several others, we are of the view that it is misplaced, misinformed, and unwarranted,” Randhir Jaiswal said, addressing a weekly media briefing.

“Partners and well-wishers of India should welcome the intent with which this step has been taken,” Randhir Jaiswal said in response to questions on the Act.

He added that the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 is an internal matter of India, and is in keeping with India’s inclusive traditions and its long-standing commitment to human rights.

The Act grants a safe haven to persecuted minorities belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist chant Parsi and Christian communities from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh, who have entered India on or before December 31, 2014.

Randhir Jaiswal further said that there are no grounds for any concerns or treatment of minorities, adding that “vote bank politics should not determine views about a laudable initiative to help those in distress”.

India’s tough response came after US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the US is “concerned about the notification of the CAA’s rules in India”.

Miller said that the US is closely monitoring how this act will be implemented.

The Central government on Monday implemented CAA, paving way for citizenship to undocumented non-Muslim migrants from neighbouring nations who entered India before December 31, 2014.

Critics have argued that the law undermines secular principles enshrined in the Indian Constitution by excluding Muslims from its purview.

ALSO READ: India’s New E-Vehicle Policy Targets Global Manufacturers

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Environment Environment and WIldlife USA

Power Outages Hit Thousands in Colorado Snowstorm

Over 53,000 customers lost power in Colorado on Thursday, mainly in metro Denver and the Front Range, reported poweroutage.us….reports Asian Lite news

Colorado faced a significant snowstorm on Thursday, causing flight cancellations and the closure of a crucial highway linking Denver to ski resorts. Concurrently, severe weather struck other regions, with Kansas and Missouri experiencing hailstorms and possible tornadoes.

Over 53,000 customers lost power in Colorado on Thursday, mainly in metro Denver and the Front Range, reported poweroutage.us.

The storm, commencing Wednesday night, brought heavy, wet snow typical of March, particularly impacting the Front Range region. Accumulations reached up to 3 feet in higher elevations by Thursday, with Denver receiving around 9 inches.

Interstate 70, a primary east-west route, shut down due to stranded vehicles, primarily trucks lacking tire chains. Though no injuries were reported, the closure may extend to passenger vehicles as the storm escalates.

Motorists were advised to carry essential supplies in case of prolonged closures. Despite benefiting the ski industry, the storm prompted closures of schools and government offices. Several ski resorts ceased operations, exacerbating disruptions caused by the extreme conditions.

Matt Inzeo, spokesperson for the Colorado Department of Transportation, assured continuous efforts to maintain open roads amidst the challenging weather. While the storm was a boon for skiing enthusiasts, it posed significant challenges to residents and travelers across the region.

The aftermath of the storm underscores the importance of preparedness and resilience in facing such extreme weather events.

ALSO READ: Biden opposes plan to sell US Steel to Japanese firm

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Israeli General Makes Uncommon Rebuke of Leadership

Goldfus urged politicians to prioritise unity during the Gaza conflict and emphasised the need for accountability….reports Asian Lite News

An Israeli general leading troops in Gaza publicly criticised the country’s political leadership, demanding they match the soldiers’ dedication.

Brig. Gen. Dan Goldfus, head of the 98th division in Gaza, faced backlash for his remarks, breaking the taboo of military officers getting involved in politics.

Goldfus urged politicians to prioritise unity during the Gaza conflict and emphasised the need for accountability.

He also called for inclusive military service, addressing the exemption of ultra-Orthodox Jews, a contentious issue.

While some lawmakers supported Goldfus, others criticised his political statements. Neither Netanyahu nor the Defence Minister responded publicly.

Meanwhile, Israel has reportedly received Hamas’ response to a new ceasefire deal proposal from Qatari mediators.

David Barnea, chief of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, received the written response from Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Xinhua news agency reported, citing an Israeli official.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office issued a statement, saying Hamas “continues to fortify itself with unfounded demands”.

The Prime Minister’s office added that the wartime Cabinet is expected to convene on Friday to discuss the proposal.

Hamas confirmed in a statement that it has presented a “comprehensive vision” of a truce that includes a ceasefire and the release of hostages held in Gaza since the group launched its deadly attack on Israel on October 7 last year.

Families of hostages meet Netanyahu

Prime Minister Netanyahu on Thursday met the families of hostages who are held captive in the Gaza Strip.

Liat Bell Sommer, the spokesperson of Hostages Families Forum Headquarters, said in a statement that the Prime Minister met with 20 families at his residence along with his wife Sara.

The families told the Prime Minister that these meetings with him and members of the War Cabinet are vital for them.

They emphasized that the timing is now critical for the release of the hostages, and the Prime Minister must not miss the current opportunity on the table.

According to the statement, the families urged Netanyahu that they must be seen as an integral part in defining the steps that will lead to an agreement for the immediate release of their family members.

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