
A homecoming for 3 PDP turncoats in J&K
Shut down unauthorised websites: Govt to depts
In view of growing cyber attacks, the J&K government has asked its departments to shut down all their privately hosted and unauthorised departmental websites. An order issued in this regard by the Commissioner Secretary to Government highlighted the risks associated with unauthorised digital platforms, outdated hardware or software infrastructure and a rise in incidents of phishing. The directive stated that no future departmental websites be developed or hosted on non-government domains. It further stressed that, no official communication shall be made or responded to if transmitted from non-government email accounts.

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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Mirwaiz allowed to deliver Friday sermon after two weeks; says frequent house arrest will not change facts
SRINAGAR: Hurriyat Conference chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq , was allowed to deliver the Friday sermon at Srinagar's historic Jamia Masjid after two weeks, and he used the occasion to ask the J&K administration to desist from preventing people from exercising their fundamental rights with regard to religious practices. In a statement issued after the prayers, Mirwaiz, who was placed under house arrest on the past two Fridays, said: 'Repeatedly preventing me from coming to the Jamia Masjid on Fridays is completely uncalled for. It is a direct interference in the religious rights of people, which alienates them further, serving no other purpose.' Such restrictions 'don't change historical facts', he asserted. Authorities had barred Mirwaiz Farooq from leading the Friday prayers earlier this month, allegedly to stop him from making any reference to the killing of 22 people during an uprising against Maharaja Hari Singh on July 13, 1931, in his sermon. The date holds historical significance in Kashmir. 'I have always asked that people be allowed to freely practice their fundamental rights, which includes the right to offer prayers and listen to Friday sermons,' Mirwaiz said. 'I hope these arbitrary restraints are stopped, and I am allowed to visit Jamia Masjid without hindrance.' In his sermon, he also focused on the situation in Palestine and expressed solidarity 'with the oppressed people of Gaza'. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Many Are Watching Tariffs - Few Are Watching What Nvidia Just Launched Seeking Alpha Read More Undo 'We gather here in peace, but our hearts bleed for our brothers and sisters in Gaza, who are facing an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe and starvation. Innocent civilians, especially children, are being relentlessly bombarded even as they search for food and safety. Starvation is being used as a weapon of war,' he said. Since his release in Sept 2023, after being under house arrest for four years following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, Mirwaiz has frequently faced restrictions, with police often detaining him at home on Fridays without offering any explanation.

New Indian Express
3 hours ago
- New Indian Express
President returns West Bengal's Aparajita Bill, flags harsh rape penalties
KOLKATA: In what appears to be a setback for the West Bengal Government, President Droupadi Murmu has recently sent the 'Aparajita Bill', passed in the West Bengal State Assembly last year, back to Raj Bhavan, Kolkata, after raising a few questions, sources said on Friday. Subsequently, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose sent back the bill to the office of the Assembly Speaker. Governor of West Bengal Dr CV Ananda Bose had reserved 'The Aparajita Women and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, 2024' for the consideration of the Hon'ble President of India. The Government of India has since conveyed its observations on certain amendments proposed to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 through this Bill, highly placed sources in Raj Bhavan informed. 'One of the proposed amendments seeks to enhance the punishment for rape under Section 64 of the BNS, 2023, raising it from the existing minimum of 10 years to life imprisonment for the remainder of one's life or death. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has termed this change as excessively harsh and disproportionate,' sources said. Another proposed amendment seeks to delete Section 65 of the BNS, 2023. 'Thereby it is removing the distinction in punishment for rape of women under 16 and 12 years of age. The MHA has observed that the removal of such classification violates the principle of proportionality in sentencing,' sources revealed.


Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Explained: What is the J-1 visa and why is Harvard's use of it under scrutiny?
Trump opens new investigation into Harvard's use of international visa programs. The J-1 visa, once a symbol of educational exchange and soft diplomacy — is now at the center of a growing political battle between the US government and one of its most prestigious universities. As the State Department launches an investigation into Harvard's compliance with the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, international students and academics around the world are watching closely. Here's what the J-1 visa is, how it works, and why it's being politicised now. What is the J-1 visa and who uses it? The J-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa issued by the United States to foreign nationals participating in approved cultural and educational exchange programs. It was created in 1961 under the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act, also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act. The program aims to promote mutual understanding between the US and other countries through academic, research, and cultural experiences. It is used by: Visiting scholars and postdoctoral researchers University students on short-term exchanges Professors and lecturers Medical trainees Teachers, interns, au pairs, and summer workers In 2024 alone, over 300,000 exchange visitors entered the US on J-1 visas. Why does Harvard use the J-1 visa program? Harvard, like many top US universities, relies heavily on the J-1 visa to host international scholars, researchers, and visiting faculty. These individuals often come to the university for: Academic fellowships Joint research projects Global think tank collaborations Guest lectures or temporary teaching positions Many graduate students, especially in the sciences and humanities, also participate in short-term academic exchanges using the J-1 visa. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Even Beautiful Women Have Their 'Oops' Moments Read More Undo For Harvard, the visa program is crucial to maintaining its global academic networks and upholding its identity as an international research powerhouse. Why is the US government investigating Harvard? On Wednesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the State Department had launched a formal investigation into Harvard's sponsorship of J-1 visa holders. The department will assess whether Harvard has complied with regulations governing the Exchange Visitor Program and whether its actions undermine US foreign policy objectives or compromise national security. In May, the Trump administration abruptly terminated the university's certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), a move that was quickly overturned by a federal judge. This was followed by a presidential proclamation aimed specifically at Harvard, seeking to restrict the entry of foreign students associated with the university. Around the same time, the administration froze more than $2 billion in federal research grants to Harvard, further escalating tensions. These measures were set against the backdrop of Harvard's refusal to comply with the demands of a federal task force, which had proposed government oversight of its admissions and hiring practices. The university has strongly pushed back, calling the investigation politically motivated and a violation of its First Amendment rights. How does this affect international students? While the immediate investigation is limited to Harvard, the implications are broader. If the university's sponsorship privileges are suspended or restricted, thousands of students and scholars could lose their visa status, face travel disruptions, or be barred from entering the US. It also creates uncertainty for future applicants considering the US as a destination for education, research, or career growth. For now, Harvard is continuing to support its international community and helping students prepare for the fall semester. The bigger picture: Education, politics, and global talent This isn't just a visa issue, it's a reflection of a larger battle over academic freedom, immigration, and national identity. With the Trump administration taking a harder stance on elite universities, particularly those perceived as politically or culturally oppositional, visa programs have become part of the leverage. International education advocates worry that this could lead to a chilling effect on US higher education, driving top global talent to countries like Canada, Australia, or Germany. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!