G7 leaders amps up pressure on China, Russia

HIROSHIMA, MAY 20 (AGENCIES): Group of Seven leaders on Saturday warned China over its “militarization activities,” but also sought to win Beijing’s support for pressing Russia to halt its invasion of Ukraine, as the war-torn country’s leader arrived in Hiroshima for the G7 summit.

A joint communique by G7 leaders a day ahead of the summit’s conclusion called on Beijing to adhere to international norms, including addressing “nonmarket policies and practices,” refraining from “unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion” and respecting human rights, including in Tibet and Xinjiang.

But G7 countries, many of which have economies that are deeply intertwined with China, also held out an olive branch— despite some views that the world has already entered a new Cold

Power outage in parts of Dimapur

DIMAPUR, MAY 20

(NPN): In view of the construction of 11kV Trunk line to strengthen the 11kV feeders along main roads in Dimapur Town, power department has informed that there would be scheduled shutdown of power supply for 11kV airport, Purana Bazaar and veterinary feeders on May 22, 23, 25, 26 and 27 from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m.

Informing this in a press note, SDO (Elec No. II) Er. Chubatemsu Ao said that the affected areas include-- Burma Camp, Purana Bazaar, parts of Walford, Naharbari, Darogajan, Padumpukhuri, Darogapathar and its adjoining areas. Therefore, consumers of the affected areas have been requested to extend cooperation and bear with the inconvenience during the shutdown period.

India logs 782 Covid cases NEW DELHI, MAY

20 (PTI): India on Saturday recorded a single-day rise of 782 COVID-19 infections, while the number of active cases came down to 8,675, according to Union health ministry data.

With the fresh cases, the country’s COVID-19 tally climbed to 4.49 crore (4,49,85,705). The death toll increased to 5,31,824 with six deaths, including three reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated.

The active cases now comprise 0.02 per cent of the total infections, while the national recovery rate

War between the U.S.-led West and China. “We stand prepared to build constructive and stable relations with China, recognizing the importance of engaging candidly with and expressing our concerns directly to China,” the G7 leaders said.

“We call on China to press Russia to stop its military aggression, and immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw its troops from Ukraine,” the G7 leaders said. “We encourage China to sup - port a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on territorial integrity and the principles and purposes of the U.N. Charter, including through its direct dialogue with Ukraine.”

Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida also invited prime ministers of India and Australia and convened them for the Quad meeting, which originally was scheduled early next week in Sydney but was preempted by negotiations in Washington to avoid a

U.S. default and raise the country’s debt ceiling.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday highlighted the importance of Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, a group of four countries – US, Australia, India, and Japan) while addressing concerns over Chinese assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific.

Addressing Quad leaders US President Joe Biden, Australian PM Anthony Albanese and Japanese PM Fumio Kishida, Modi said, “There is no doubt at all about the fact that the IndoPacific region is the engine for global trade, innovation and development. We agree that the security and success of the Indo-Pacific is important, not just for this region, but, for the entire world.”

“With united efforts, we are giving practical dimension to our vision for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific,” he said.

Will do ‘whatever we can’ on Ukraine crisis: Modi to Zelensky

India will do “whatever we can” to resolve the Ukraine crisis, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged Saturday as he met President Volodymyr Zelensky for the first time since Russia’s invasion.

“I understand your pain and the pain of Ukrainian citizens very well,” Modi said, as the pair met on the sidelines of the Group of 7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan.

“I can assure you that to resolve this India and, me personally, will do whatever we can do,” Modi said. It was the pair’s first in-person meeting since Russia’s invasion began 15 months ago, which New Delhi has pointedly resisted criticizing. India to host Quad summit next year: India will host the United States, Australia and Japan next year for a summit of the group of regional powers known as the Quad, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday.

JPMT calls for peace in Manipur NCD appeals to Kuki and Meitei communities

DIMAPUR, MAY 20

(NPN): The Joint Peace Mission Team (JPMT)

North East India, Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF) and Concerned Citizens for Peace in the region have expressed deep anguish and pain over the over the recent incidents of violence in Manipur.

In a joint statement, Archbishop Emeritus of Guwahati and Chairman JPMT Thomas Menamparampil and JPMT spokesperson Allen Brooks appealed all for peace and to stop the violence against people and places of worship.

“In solidarity we grieve with our brothers and sisters who have fallen victims to violence and have immensely suffered in consequence,”

JPMT said while conveyed deepest condolences to all those who have lost their near and dear ones to this human carnage.

JPMT said that the situation in Manipur was greatly frightening and escalating to proportions of a huge humanitarian crisis.

Recognising the difficulties in the prevalent situations, JPMT called upon members of the different communities in tensions to explore constructive ways of easing the circumstances and moving forward.

WSKH resolution on ILP

DIMAPUR, MAY 20

(NPN): Western SümiKükamiHoho (WSKH) has resolved to support the government on ILP in Dimapur, Chümoukedima and Niuland districts.

This was resolved at a joint executive meeting of area chaimen and WSKH advisers on May 19 at Western Sumi Hoho office, Chekiye.

WSKH president PhushitoAyemiand general secretary KughatoAwomi said that the house after deliberation, resolved to support the state government’s order to implement ILP in Dimapur, Niuland and Chümoukedima districts.

With regard to Niuland district, WSKH reminded the concerned authority that there were still many issues regarding implementation of ILP in the bordering district as there are villages under the district that needed proper boundary demarcation with Assam.

Therefore, WSKH has appealed to the administration to consult the leaders and people of the region and look into the matter properly and study the facts.

In this regard, WSKH has requested the concern authority for relaxation of ILP rules or extend some period for implementation of ILP in the region in order let people get enrolled for ILP.

“We hope that they would be able to find ways of settling the differences and hold on to the values of the distant past where models of collaborative conduct and inter-community engagement prevailed with the knowledge that the destinies of all our human communities are intertwined with each other,” JPMT stated. The mission also hoped that the people would be able to find wisdom, courage and sacrifice so that the future generations would be thankful for the sobriety and balanced intervention manifested now even in the midst of distress and grief.

Centre moves SC for review

DIMAPUR, MAY 20 (NPN): Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) has appealed to Kuki and Meitei communities of Dimapur to uphold the “familial bond of mutual co-living in Dimapur as before”.

NCD president Etsungmomo Kikon and general secretary LK. Peter Anal said “no inimical or avenging feelings” should be given a chance between the two communities following the clash between the two communities in Manipur state. NCD reminded that Dimapur is a metropolitan city where different communities live in harmony and peace. NCD cautioned that “no external hate influence/ force should be allowed to create unwanted situation” in Dimapur.”

NCD further appealed Manipur government and the Meitei and Kuki communities to restore normalcy in the state at the earliest. It also called for resuming all learning activities, so that the displaced students from other states, particularly Nagaland, return to their respective institutions in Manipur to complete their studies and save their future careers peacefully.

Siddaramaiah sworn in 24th CM of Karnataka

BENGALURU, MAY 20

(PTI): Siddaramaiah was sworn in as chief minister (24th CM) for the second term, along with state Congress president D K Shivakumar as deputy chief minister, and eight legislators as ministers on Saturday, exactly a week after the party swept the Assembly polls in Karnataka.

Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot administered the oath of office and secrecy to the chief minister and his cabinet at Sree Kanteerava Stadium here, where Siddaramaiah had taken oath in 2013, when he became chief minister for the first time.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra attended the swearing in ceremony, while former Congress president Sonia Gandhi was absent.

Chief Ministers of Congress ruled states and several top party leaders were also in attendance. The event seemed to be a show of strength for opposition parties amid unity efforts to take on the ruling BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin, Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, NCP president Sharad Pawar, NC supremo Farooq Abdullah among others attended the event.

A beginning of New India: NPCC

DIMAPUR, MAY 20

(NPN): Nagaland Pradesh

Congress Committee president S Supongmeren Jamir has said that the thumping victory of Karnataka assembly election was the beginning of “New India”. Supongmeren,who attended the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected Karnataka government, said that the thunderous applause and the slogans of victory engulfing the streets of Karnataka was the deserving result of the blood, sweat and tears of the supporters, the party workers and its leadership on all levels.

“The people of Karnataka have shown that they will no longer accept gover- nance on the narratives of divisional politics and corruption. When every strata of society comes together there is nothing that cannot be achieved,” he stated. Supongmeren asked “if we Nagas could take a page of learning from the Karnataka chapter?”, adding that the people have witnessed a positive change which would kick off a chain reaction to work towards the change that was needed.

Meanwhile, NPCC congratulated the central leadership, chief minister Siddaramaiah and deputy CM DK Shivkumar whose actions have inspired all to dream more, learn more, do more and become more.

NSCN/GPRN (Niki) warns antisocial elements

DIMAPUR, MAY 20 (NPN): NSCN/GPRN (Niki) has expressed serious concerned over rampant rise of illegal activities including drug trafficking and scams of various forms, duping innocent Naga public, destroying the Naga society.

In a press note issued by the MIP, the group observed that all such antisocial elements, taking toll in Nagaland are being boldly practiced allegedly “under the nose of occupational state police force and are also harbored by its personnel and organized groups.”

MIP said that the

NSCN/GPRN authority was “committed and hard bent to curb all such activities and shall initiate stern action against anyone found involved in antisocial activities.”

MIP, therefore, warned that the NSCN/ GPRN “shall not be responsible or answerable for occurrences of any unfavorable consequences due to hindrance caused by any individual, group or occupational state police in the efforts of the NSCN/ GPRN to contain antisocial elements.”

NSCN/GPRN said it firmly believed that it was the responsibility of every