India Advises Its Citizens To Avoid All Non-Essential Travel To Lebanon

Home

International

by Hemanta Pande

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Indian Embassy in Lebanon has advised Indians to avoid all non-essential travel to Lebanon.

Beirut, August 1: Amid escalating tensions in the region, Indian Embassy in Lebanon has advised Indians to avoid all non-essential travel to Lebanon. They have been advised to exercise caution, restrict movements and remain in contact with Indian Embassy in Beirut.

Taking to X, the Indian Embassy in Lebanon stated, "In view of the recent escalations in the region, Indian nationals are advised to avoid all non-essential travel to Lebanon. All Indian nationals in Lebanon are advised to exercise caution, restrict their movements and remain in contact with Embassy of India in Beirut through their email id: cons.beirut@mea.gov.in or the emergency phone number +96176860128."

Tensions have further escalated after the rocket attack at Golan Heights, allegedly fired by Hezbollah killed 12 children. In response to the attack at Golan Heights, The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said that top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr was killed in the Israeli strike in southern Lebanon on Tuesday (local time).

Fuad Shukr, the "most senior Hezbollah military commander," was killed in the Israeli strike, the IDF said in a statement. Shukr sat on the Jihad Council, Hezbollah's top military body, and was considered to be the head of its strategic division.

Since the October 7 attack by Hamas, he has been managing Hezbollah's attacks against Israel, including the deadly strike in Majdal Shams over the weekend that killed 12 children, according to the military.The IDF says Shukr was "responsible for the majority of Hezbollah's most advanced weaponry, including precise-guided missiles, cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles, long-range rockets, and UAVs" and for the terror group's "force build-up, planning, and execution of terror attacks against the State of Israel," as reported by The Times of Israel.

"Eliminated: Fuad Shukr "Sayyid Muhsan," Hezbollah's Most Senior Military Commander and Hassan Nasrallah's Right-Hand Man," the IDF said in a post on X.

"Shukr has directed Hezbollah's attacks on the State of Israel since October 8th, and he was the commander responsible for the murder of the 12 children in Majdal Shams in northern Israel on Saturday evening, as well as the killing of numerous Israelis and foreign nationals over the years. He was also responsible for the majority of Hezbollah's most advanced weaponry, including precise-guided missiles, cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles, long-range rockets and UAVs," it added.

Houthis and Hamas have both condemned the Israeli strike in separate statements, CNN reported.

"While we affirm our solidarity with Lebanon and its resistance in the face of Zionist arrogance, we appreciate the great role of Hezbollah in supporting the Palestinian people and triumphing over their oppression, at a time when the Arab regimes have abandoned their role and responsibility in defending the Palestinian people and confronting crimes," a statement read from the Houthi political wing, also known as Ansar Allah.

In another statement, Hamas declared "full solidarity with our brotherly Lebanon and the brothers in Hezbollah."

Hamas also said it considers the Israeli strike a "dangerous escalation."Israel had blamed Hezbollah for the rocket attack at Golan Heights on Sunday. However, Hezbollah has denied responsibility for the attack. (ANI)

Read More International News

NCPCR Chief Announces Launch Of Baal Swaraj Portal For 'Children In Conflict With The Law'

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

New Delhi, Oct 3: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) chief Priyank Kanoongo on Thursday announced the launch of 'Baal Swaraj - CCL portal' for ensuring the rehabilitation and reintegration of the 'Children in conflict with the law' (CCLSs).

The portal has been designed to uphold the rights and entitlements of CCLs and facilitate their reintegration into society.

In a letter to Principal Secretaries to all the States and Union Territories (UTs) on Thursday, the NCPCR chief said the Commission has developed an online platform to ensure that the CCLs receive their basic legal entitlements, including education, vocational training, psychological support and free legal aid.

While announcing the launch of the CCL portal, he also admitted several existing deficiencies and inadequacies in the system, including lack of timely legal aid, delays in granting bail and more.

"There have also been failures in securing legal entitlements for rehabilitation and restoration of Children in Conflict with the Law (CCLs), despite clear norms provided under the Juvenile Justice Act," NCPRC chief said.

The NCPCR chief has asked the Principal Secretaries (Department of Women and Child Development) to pass on the instructions to concerned departments i.e. District Child Protection Units (DCPUs) to immediately start utilising the Baal Swaraj – CCL portal for uploading and updating new cases, from now onwards.

The Baal Swaraj CCL. Portal will function as a comprehensive digital interface, enabling real-time monitoring of CCLs by relevant stakeholders to ensure timely interventions.

The data entered by DCPUs will be systematically analysed quarterly and the annual reports will be generated by the Commission. It will then be submitted to the Parliament to maintain transparency and accountability in the management of CCLs.

"It is imperative to note that once a child has been successfully enrolled in school or in the NIOS, and this information is duly submitted by the DCPU on the portal, confirming that the child is receiving regular education, their ID and details will automatically be removed from the portal upon completion of the trial," said the letter.

--IANS

Dussehra In Cuttack: HC Asks CMC To Repair Roads, Street Lights In 7 Days

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

Dussehra In Cuttack: HC Asks To Repair Roads, Street Lights In 7 Days

Cuttack, Oct 3: The Orissa High Court Thursday expressed displeasure over the Cuttack Municipal Corporation's dillydallying attitude in repairing street roads and lights despite its order.

The High Court asked the CMC to repair roads in all wards within seven days. The Court warned that a contempt of court case would be filed if wrong reports vis-a-vis repair work is submitted.

The HC issued these orders while hearing a related public interest litigation (PIL) today.

The HC also instructed the CMC to repair all street lights, which have been inoperational, well before Dussehra.
On the other hand, the CMC apprised the court that local police station IICs and the district nodal officer have inspected various Durga Pendals and made it clear that 'Torans' (Gates) have been constructed without blocking roads.

The city police assured that sound boxes if found creating sound above 65 decibels would be seized. More sound-measuring apparatuses will be brought and put to use during Dussehra, said the DCP.

The CMC Commissioner, City Engineer, Health Officer, R&B Engineer, DCP, and ADMO were present during the hearing.

Last Rites Of Kerala Soldier, Who Died In 1968 Crash, To Be Held On Friday

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 3: The funeral of Thomas Cherian, a Malayali soldier who died in a plane crash 56 years ago, will be held on Friday.

An army official said that Cherain’s mortal remains will be taken home from Ilanturchanta Junction with a military escort while the third order of the funeral service will be held at the house under the patronage of Metropolitan Kuriakos Mar Clemis.

In 1968, Cherian joined the Indian Army at the age of 22 and after finishing his training, was asked to join his posting at Leh. However, the ill-fated Indian Air Force Antonov-12 aircraft went missing on February 7, 1968, while on a flight from Chandigarh to Leh which was carrying 102 personnel, including IAF officers, soldiers, and civilians.

After encountering severe weather conditions near Rohtang Pass, the aircraft lost contact and vanished in the harsh, snowbound terrain.

For decades, the wreckage remained hidden until 2003 when mountaineers from the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering stumbled upon parts of the plane, igniting a series of recovery missions.

However, by 2019, after several expeditions only five bodies had been retrieved.

Last week, the remains of Cherain were discovered by a joint team comprising personnel from the Dogra Scouts of the Indian Army and the Tiranga Mountain Rescue as part of the ongoing Chandrabhaga mountain expedition.