Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar AbdullahOn Monday, he strongly advocated against a bill brought by his own party’s MLA, which seeks to give land owners the right to cut walnut trees on their property.Omar said the passage of the bill will damage the country’s largest nut economy, of which Kashmir accounts for about 90 per cent, and will take away an important part of Jammu and Kashmir’s identity.The bill, introduced by National Conference MLA from Pahalgam Altaf Ahmed Wani, sought to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Specific Trees Preservation Act, 1969, to allow felling of walnut trees on private land.Under the 1969 law, no person is allowed to cut a walnut tree, whether on private or state land, without prior permission of the competent authority, and any violation of the law can attract a fine ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 10,000.Defending his bill, Wani said that the law is creating a big problem for land owners because walnut trees occupy significant space, about three trees per kanal (0.05 hectare), and they do not give proper revenue to land owners.He said walnut was once a major source of income in Kashmir, but most of the trees have grown old and stopped yielding. Wani said that felling is largely done by the owners themselves, and over the years, many people have been injured and died due to falling from trees during felling. He advocated high density plantation in place of old trees.Wani said, “It is a strange law where I am not allowed to cut a tree standing on my own land. One has to knock on many doors to get permission, which has become a source of corruption.”However, Omar defended the restrictions, saying the law serves the broader objective of preserving walnut and poplar trees. He said that about 3.5 lakh metric tonnes of walnuts are produced annually in Jammu and Kashmir, which is about 90 percent of the total production of the country.The CM said walnut wood is integral to the handicraft industry, especially wood carving, and expressed concern that allowing felling of walnut trees could lead to concrete buildings being built in their place. “I am sure that once the walnut trees are cut down, the owners will build houses or other structures there,” Omar said. He said the government can consider changes only if walnuts are cultivated on the same land in place of the trees cut.Although the walnut industry faces competition from soft-shelled varieties from areas like California, Chile, Kashmiri walnuts are valued for their superior taste. Major export destinations of Kashmir walnut include UAE, Turkey, Iraq, Singapore, Algeria, Qatar, Bhutan, Kuwait, Seychelles and Nigeria.

Lucknow: A full-scale emergency was declared at Lucknow’s Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (CCSIA) on Monday evening after a May Day alert was issued following suspicious smoke inside the plane on an Air India Express flight from Bagdogra to Delhi.The flight, IX 1523, was flying 36,000 feet above the Ghaghra river in Ambedkar Nagar district at around 4.58 pm when the pilots claimed they detected smoke emanating from the aircraft’s avionic panel in the cabin and immediately informed air traffic control.“As a precautionary measure, the crew declared a May Day, triggering the deployment of oxygen masks and causing panic among a section of passengers,” a source familiar with the incident said.Several passengers later said that the sudden drop of oxygen masks along with the May Day announcement caused fear and confusion inside the plane. Some passengers reported that concern spread quickly as cabin crew rushed to reassure passengers and calmly guide them on how to use masks while the plane prepared for diversion.Following the alert, the aircraft was diverted towards Lucknow and made a safe precautionary landing at CCSIA at 5.17 pm. Emergency response teams, including airport fire and medical services, were deployed in advance as part of standard protocol for such situations.All 148 passengers and crew were safely disembarked and taken to Terminal 3. Officials said no injuries were reported. A detailed inspection of the aircraft was conducted by the airport fire department and technical teams, but no visible signs of smoke or fire were found.Despite the absence of any immediate findings, the aircraft has been grounded as a safety measure and will return to service only after a comprehensive technical assessment and formal certification of airworthiness.The incident caused frustration among some passengers due to delays and uncertainty about onward travel. A traveler named Hemeron Michael shared a photo of this oxygen mask The posting on social media sought clarity on revised travel arrangements that led to delays of more than two hours.According to Lucknow International Airport Limited officials, the passengers were initially brought to Terminal 3. Many of them were accommodated on alternative flights to Delhi, while others were provided overnight hotel accommodation and assured priority booking on the next available flights.Airport officials reiterated that the emergency procedures adopted during the incident ensured passenger safety, noting that it is standard practice to divert aircraft and ground aircraft as a precautionary measure when potential technical problems are reported mid-flight.

head of united nations for office disaster risk Shortage Mami Mizutori says Pradeep Thakur Covax is making progress toward providing 2 billion doses by the end of 2021, which should be enough to protect high-risk and vulnerable people. Excerpts from the interview: world bank It is estimated that 150 million people will fall into extreme poverty due to COVID-19 in 2021. How can India reduce the impact?First of all, I would like to express my sincere condolences to the people and government of India on the tragic loss of lives across the country. All major disasters affecting low- and middle-income countries result in massive economic losses, which have detrimental effects on their ability to eradicate poverty and meet other basic needs, including access to health services and education. In the case of COVID-19, we have seen how it has pushed millions of people into extreme poverty globally, and contributed to rising levels of hunger in many parts of the world, where the informal economy on which poor people depended has been destroyed. For all Member States, poverty eradication cannot be achieved without reducing disaster risks and improving prevention because nothing undermines development like disasters.The US and some other countries have reserved enough shots for their citizens. Should India have done the same?Much of the world looks to India for vaccine supplies, but the pharmaceutical supply chain is very complex and specialized to such an extent that serving a population the size of India has always been a difficult task. India already has a high number of vaccinations but it will take time to produce enough doses to reach more than a billion people.How much success did the United Nations’ Covax program achieve?The COVAX Facility portfolio administered by Gavi currently includes agreements related to eight vaccines, including vaccines in development Serum Institute of India. Coordinated by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Epidemic Preparedness Innovation Coalition and WHO, COVAX is making steady progress towards providing 2 billion doses by the end of 2021, which should be enough to protect high-risk and vulnerable people, as well as frontline health workers.The second wave of Covid-19 in India has led to more deaths. Where did it go wrong?COVID-19 demonstrates the systemic nature of disaster risk, how a biological threat can devastate all spheres of life, from public health to all socio-economic aspects of our society. Unfortunately, many countries, including India, are learning the hard way that containment requires more patience than before and, in the case of biological threats, a longer plan. WHO has warned that when there are large-scale gatherings, more contagious variants emerge and vaccination coverage is still low, it could create a perfect storm for the virus to spread in any country. India has done a commendable job in using technology and communication to ensure effective early warning for prompt action in case of cyclones. The challenge now for the government is to communicate effectively on the continued need for face masks, social distancing and avoiding mass gatherings, as well as roll out an effective vaccination programme.Your view on the ‘global response to future pandemics’ and vaccine distribution?If global preparedness for this pandemic had matched the warnings, the impact could have been reduced to a great extent. An adequate level of pandemic preparedness would cost billions and trillions, not the trillions it is costing now. The loss of life and economic disruption could have been significantly reduced if we had been adequately prepared from the moment biological threats were included in the Sendai Framework in 2015. Given the cross-border nature of biological threats, it is clear that a global response plan is needed for future pandemics. The patchwork response is not working for COVID-19, and it will not work against any new emerging diseases and viruses in the future. It is not acceptable that developing countries have to wait so long for COVID vaccines. This inequality and lack of solidarity to access affordable vaccines only fuels the spread of the virus, allowing the emergence of new variants and prolonging the pandemic. None of us are safe until we are all safe.With Covid disruptions, can countries like India meet UN demands? sustainable development goals Target?It is clear that the number of deaths and economic losses from COVID-19 means that the Sendai Framework’s goals of reducing mortality, the number of people affected by disasters, and economic losses have been dealt a major blow. However, we are still making significant progress on other goals. Asia and the Pacific are not on track to achieve any of the SDGs.

Hyderabad: A single dose of Covid-19 vaccine enough for infected person According to one, there was a greater antibody response than people who had no previous infection Study Released by AIG Hospitals on Monday.
City-based AIG Hospitals recently published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases (a peer-reviewed journal) a study conducted on 260 healthcare workers who were vaccinated between January 16 and February 5.
This study was designed to assess the immunological memory response in ALL patients.
given to all patients Covishield vaccine.
The study also said that memory T-cell responses elicited by a single dose of the vaccine were significantly higher in the previously infected group compared to those with no prior infection.
Commenting on the impact this study has on the overall vaccine administration strategy, Dr. D Nageshwar ReddyPresident of AIG Hospitals and one of the study’s co-authors, said the results suggest that people who have been infected with COVID-19 do not need to take two doses of the vaccine because one dose can develop as strong an antibody and memory cell response as two doses for people who have not had the infection.
Dr. Reddy said that this will be of great help at a time when there is a shortage of vaccines in the country and more people can be covered by using the saved doses.
He further said, once the required number of people are vaccinated to achieve herd immunity, these patients who have been infected and have received only one dose can take the second dose of the vaccine.
At this point, all our strategies should be directed at wide distribution of available vaccines and covering maximum people with at least one dose, Dr Reddy said.

Chennai: The AIADMK On Monday, the party warned of disciplinary action against those in the party if they interacted with the ousted leader. VK SasikalaIt even expelled 17 members, including party spokesperson V Pugazhendhi.Most of those expelled are said to have spoken to ousted former interim general secretary VK Sasikala.A meeting of AIADMK MLAs held at the party headquarters here unanimously passed a resolution warning of strict action, with party coordinator O Panneerselvam elected as the deputy leader of the opposition in the assembly.AIADMK co-coordinator and former Chief Minister Palaniswami Elected as Leader of the Opposition on June 10.In the meeting that lasted for about three hours, the AIADMK MPs discussed in detail the issue of ‘leaked phone calls’ allegedly involving Sasikala with some AIADMK workers on social media.She reportedly said that she would return to the party in the near future.“After announcing her stay away from politics before the Assembly elections, Sasikala now wants to take charge of the party after witnessing its spectacular growth. This is evident from media reports of her interactions with some party members,” the resolution moved by Panneerselvam and Palaniswami said.Calling for immediate removal of all those who spoke to Sasikala over phone, the resolution said an earlier warning had been given through a statement on May 23 that strict action would be taken against those involved in anti-party activities.Dismissing Sasikala’s alleged telephone conversation with her party members as “drama”, the AIADMK said the party can never be destroyed for the “desires of one family”.“We have successfully completed Jayalalitha’s rule by disappointing those who thought there would be more chaos,” he said Tamil Nadu (After Jayalalithaa’s demise) – The AIADMK-led alliance won 75 seats, defeated conspiracies and won the support of the people,” the resolution said.As the main opposition party, AIADMK has 66 MLAs, she said and condemned Sasikala’s efforts to reach out to some members in the party.It said, “She is trying to take over the party and is doing a strange drama by talking to some people on the phone.”Later, in a statement, the AIADMK announced the expulsion of 17 party workers for anti-party activities.At the meeting, Panneerselvam was elected the deputy leader of the opposition in the assembly, while former minister SP Velumani was elected the party whip.According to a release issued by party leaders, S Ravi has been elected deputy whip, former minister Kadambur C Raju as treasurer, former minister KP Anbalagan as secretary and PH Manoj Pandian as deputy secretary.Post-polls, apart from sitting in the opposition after a decade of rule, the AIADMK is dogged by the issue of alleged leaked audio tapes containing conversations between Sasikala, who took charge of the party after the demise of J Jayalalitha in 2016, and some AIADMK members.After the merger of the two factions led by Panneerselvam and Palaniswami, the AIADMK ousted Sasikala.

New Delhi: In a surprising turn of events, Chirag PaswanHis father late. President of Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) founded by Ram Vilas Paswanwas informally removed as the party leader in the Lok Sabha on Monday.
Chirag, who took charge of the party in 2020 after the death of Ram Vilas Paswan, is completely isolated at the top within his party.
Five of the six LJP MPs rebelled against Chirag in an overnight coup and elected his uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras as the party’s new leader in the Lok Sabha.
Apart from Pashupati Paras, the rebel group includes Chirag’s cousin Prince Raj, Chandan Singh, Veena Devi and Mehboob Ali Kaiser.
This group has already met the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla So that they can be informed about the changes in the party. In the coming days, the rebels may claim to represent the real LJP in the Election Commission and may also take steps to remove Chirag from the top post of the party.

‘You reap what you sow’
Nitish KumarHis party, Janata Dal (United), reacted with vengeance to the developments within the LJP.
Chirag had led an aggressive anti-Nitish Kumar campaign in the 2020 assembly elections and dealt a huge political blow to the ruling Janata Dal (United) in the process.

Bihar.
Chirag walked out of the NDA in the state and contested the assembly elections against Nitish Kumar’s party. They fielded their candidates against all the JD(U) candidates, some of whom were BJP rebels.
As a result, JD(U) lost many seats due to triangular contest and for the first time it became the junior partner of BJP in Bihar NDA.
It is no surprise that Nitish Kumar’s party reacted sarcastically to the developments within the LJP.
JDU national president RCP Singh accused Chirag of doing negative politics and said, “You will reap what you sow.”
Singh said, “Chirag Paswan has made a lot of mistakes in recent times. Whatever he did during the Bihar Assembly elections, the people of Bihar and his party workers and leaders were not happy. Now the result of this is coming out in the form of disunity in the party.”
Given the bitter political rivalry between the two parties since the 2020 assembly elections, sources close to Chirag Paswan blamed JDU for causing a split in the LJP.
On the other hand, JD(U) blamed the negative politics of Chirag Paswan for the rift within its party.
The only LJP MLA in Bihar Assembly has already left the party and joined JDU.
Chirag tries to meet Paras, but fails
As the developments unfolded on Monday, Chirag Paswan visited his uncle’s residence in the national capital to meet him and Prince Raj.
Paswan, who has been unwell for some time, waited for more than 20 minutes in his car before entering the house and then left after spending more than an hour inside.
He left without saying a single word to the waiting media persons.
It is believed that neither of the two rebel MPs met him. A domestic help said that both were not at home when the LJP chief arrived.
How will BJP react?
It will be interesting to see how BJP reacts to the latest developments in this game of dominance between JDU and LJP in Bihar.
Chirag Paswan has always maintained a pro-BJP and pro-PM Modi stance and has announced before the assembly elections that he is working for the BJP government in Bihar.
On the other hand, Pashupati Paras is considered a Nitish Kumar supporter.
Paras today praised Nitish Kumar as a good leader and “development man”.
With talk of a Union Cabinet reshuffle, it will be interesting to see if the BJP decides to include Chirag Paswan to ensure that he is not completely marginalized in his own party.
JDU has refused to comment on speculations about one or more rebel LJP MPs being included in the Union Cabinet from the party quota or adjusted in the state cabinet.
However, it reiterated the party’s stance that all NDA allies should get a “respectable” stake at the Centre.
‘I saved the party’
Pashupati Paras, who has been MP from Hajipur, a seat represented by Ram Vilas Paswan for many years, alleged that 99 per cent of LJP workers were unhappy with Chirag Paswan’s leadership in Bihar.
When asked about the development, Paras said, “There are six MPs in our party. It was the wish of the five MPs to save our party. Therefore, I have not broken the party. I have saved it. Chirag Paswan is my nephew as well as the national president of the party. I have no objection to him.”
Paras said his group would remain part of the BJP-led NDA, and added that Paswan could remain in the organisation.
On rumors of LJP joining Janata Dal (United) in Bihar, the Hajipur MP said, “LJP will continue to exist, we are not joining JDU. We will fulfill the ambition of late Ram Vilas Paswan.”