Jerusalem, May 23 (IANS) The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have issued an urgent call for residents in the northern Gaza Strip to evacuate ahead of an expected intensification of its military offensive.
The evacuation order issued on Thursday covered the towns of Beit Lahia and Jabalia, the Jabalia refugee camp, and northern neighbourhoods of Gaza City, areas that Israel has already carried out heavy airstrikes in recent days, killing scores and forcing the local population to flee for the third time or more, Xinhua news agency reported.”The IDF will significantly expand its military operations in your areas,” said Avichay Adraee, a spokesman for the IDF, in a post on X, claiming that militants were operating in the targeted zones.”The areas you are in are considered dangerous combat zones… For your safety, evacuate immediately to the south,” he added.Israel has rejected international calls to halt the war and reach a hostage release deal with Hamas.On Saturday, it launched Operation Gideon’s Chariots, significantly escalating its 19-month offensive.Israeli officials said the aim is to defeat Hamas and secure the return of 58 hostages held in Gaza.The operation includes seizing control of the entire Gaza Strip, maintaining military control over the territory, and displacing the population to the south, according to Israeli sources.The Palestinian death toll has reached 53,655 since October 2023, according to the Gaza health authorities.The Israeli military on May 19 instructed residents of Khan Younis to evacuate as it prepares for what it describes as a major offensive in southern Gaza.The IDF told civilians to move towards al-Mawasi, a coastal area in western Gaza, warning that Khan Younis and surrounding areas would become a “dangerous combat zone”.In a statement, IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee said, “Terrorist organisations have brought you disaster. For your safety, evacuate immediately.”The order, one of the largest in recent months, also covers Bani Suhaila and Abasan.The offensive is part of what the IDF has named Operation Gideon’s Chariots, which began on May 17.According to hospitals in Gaza, more than 100 people have been killed in the past 24 hours.–IANSint/khz

Madrid, May 22 (IANS) Athletic Bilbao defender Oscar de Marcos gave an emotive final press conference on Thursday before he plays the final game of his long career at home to FC Barcelona on Sunday.The 36-year-old announced several months ago that he was hanging up his boots at the end of the campaign after 16 seasons and 572 first-team appearances. His record sees him as the outfield player with the most matches for the Basque club, with only goalkeeper Jose Angel Iribar ahead of him.Sunday will see De Marcos play his 573rd and final game, but in a press conference held with current and former team-mates, the defender insisted he stuck by his decision to retire, reports Xinhua.”I’m not here to say goodbye, I’m here to say ‘thank you’. I’d been thinking about retiring for a while and I tried to find the best moment,” he admitted, explaining that he had announced his decision previously because “I saw that the team could achieve important things, and as time went by, it would become less understandable that I wouldn’t continue.”He highlighted the values of the club – which still only fields players born or brought up in the Basque region of northern Spain and southwestern France – saying Athletic was “not just a name, a club, it’s the tip of a huge iceberg where the most important thing is what you can’t see. It’s the loyalty of a people that goes with you, the fidelity that is not negotiable,” said De Marcos.His career saw him form part of the side that won last season’s Copa del Rey after a 40-year wait, while this season Athletic will finish fourth in La Liga and play in next season’s Champions League.”I’m saying goodbye, but I’m not leaving completely. Even if your body leaves, you leave roots, and a part of me will always remain.””I came here as a boy and now I’m a family man,” said the defender, adding he was “leaving as the person I am now, because of what they taught me here.”–IANSbsk/

Nottingham, May 22 (IANS) Experienced batter Joe Root scored 34 on the opening day of the lone Test against Zimbabwe and in the process became the fastest batter to reach 13,000 runs in red-ball cricket here on Thursday.Root reached the milestone of 13,000 runs, becoming only the fifth batter ever to do so in his 153rd Test, scoring 13,006 runs in 279 innings at an average of 50.80. He has scored 36 hundreds and 65 half-centuries with a highest score of 262.Root is fifth in the list of most run scorers in the history of the game behind Sachin Tendulkar (15921), Ricky Ponting (13378), Jacques Kallis (13289) and Rahul Dravid (13288). The 34-year-old Root is the highest scorer for England in red-ball cricket, with Alistair Cook second with 12472 runs in 134 matches.Root’s contribution was a small part of England’s massive score of 498/3 in 88 overs at the stumps. The hosts rode on centuries by Zak Crawley (124), Ben Duckett (140), and Ollie Pope (169 not out) and piled on a huge score at the end of the first day of proceedings against a Zimbabwe bowling that looked totally outclassed.Crawley and Duckett gave England a superb start with a 231-run partnership for the opening wicket as England scored at a break-neck pace. They went for lunch at 130 for no loss in 26 overs.Duckett stormed to a run-a-ball century, reaching the milestone in 100 balls, his knock laced with 15 boundaries. Crawley reached his century next, off 145 balls, hitting 12 fours in the process. The evening session saw Ollie Pope reach his hundred in just 109 balls, hitting 14 fours and one six. He shared a 137-run partnership for the second-wicket partnership as England piled on the runs.Crawly was trapped lbw by Sikandar Raza and Root, who came in next, failed to make merry of a wicket good for batting as he could manage only 34 runs before top-edging to Sean Williams, undone by the extra bounce off Blessing Muzarabani. Pope was batting on 169 at stumps on Day 1, with Harry Brook 9 not out.Brief scores:England 498/3 in 88 overs (Ollie Pope 169 not out, Zak Crawley 124, Ben Duckett 140; Wessly Madhevere 1-34, Sikandar Raza 1-93) against Zimbabwe.–IANSbsk/

Patna, May 22 (IANS) The Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) held its Bhojpur district workers’ conference at the district headquarters in Ara on Thursday, where party workers gathered in large numbers and unanimously resolved to ensure the victory of the INDIA Bloc in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.

VIP Chief and former Bihar minister Mukesh Sahni, addressing the enthusiastic crowd, emphasised the importance of forming a government that represents the marginalised and the poor.“When we have our own government, we won’t have to struggle for our rights and entitlements,” said Sahani, urging workers to rally behind candidates who represent their community and interests.Highlighting the long-standing demand for reservations for the Nishad community, Sahani pointed out that while states across India have granted reservations, the Bihar government has lagged behind.He strongly criticised the BJP, accusing it of buying four VIP MLAs after his party supported Nitish Kumar for the Chief Minister’s post in a previous alliance.“I had taken a pledge to make 40 MLAs. That time has come now. If our people unite, no one can stop us,” Sahani declared, reinforcing his commitment to empowering the Nishad community.Sahani issued a clarion call to VIP workers, especially in constituencies where the INDIA Bloc lacks representation, to prepare for the electoral battle and work tirelessly to defeat the NDA.“The destination is near. Let’s ensure that the next government belongs to us – a government that will solve our problems without delay,” he concluded.The conference marks a significant moment in VIP’s election campaign strategy and signals intensifying efforts by the INDIA Bloc partners to consolidate support among backward and marginalised communities ahead of the October-November 2025 Bihar Assembly elections.The INDIA Bloc comprises six parties, and the RJD is the biggest alliance partner. Besides RJD, Congress, CPI-ML, CPI, CPI (M) and VIP are the other constituent parties of the INDIA Bloc.–IANSajk/dan

Bhopal, May 22 (IANS) On May 25, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, former Madhya Pradesh chief minister and current Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, is set to embark on another “padyatra” — a foot march dedicated to interacting with farmers and evaluating the impact of government schemes. Scheduled for May 25-26 in his Vidisha Parliamentary constituency, this initiative underscores his commitment to resolving agricultural challenges, improving economic sustainability, and reinforcing India’s goal of self-reliance. At the Annual Conference of Vice-Chancellors of Agricultural Universities and Directors of ICAR Institutes on May 20, 2025, Shivraj Chouhan hailed the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan as a transformative movement in agriculture. He emphasised the need to empower farmers, enhance their livelihoods, and strengthen India’s grain reserves to establish the nation as a global food supplier. His guiding principle, “One Nation, One Agriculture, One Team,” reflects a unified strategy for advancing the agricultural sector. The Union Minister has consistently relied on yatras as a means of engaging with the public, solidifying his vision, and strengthening his political presence. His belief that a journey can bridge the gap between governance and the grassroots has shaped his approach to leadership. Between December 2016 and 2017, Shivraj Chouhan undertook five major yatras — the Narmada Seva Yatra, Jan Vishwas Yatra, Madhya Pradesh Vikas Yatra, Kisan Sandesh Yatra, and Adivasi Vikas Yatra. These journeys were not mere political exercises but efforts to directly connect with citizens and address their concerns. In 2018, as Assembly elections approached, he launched the Jan Ashirwad Yatra, a fifty-five-day tour aimed at reinforcing his ties with voters. The padyatra will span 20 to 25 km daily, allowing Shivraj Chouhan to engage with villagers, discuss welfare programmes, and provide direction for resolving challenges. Initially focused on Vidisha, it will later extend to other Lok Sabha constituencies, broadening its reach. During this journey, Shivraj Chouhan will highlight key schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, Digital India, rural development projects, health services, education, sanitation, and self-employment programmes. He aims to ensure that these initiatives effectively benefit rural communities. This padyatra is not just about raising awareness but about direct dialogue with beneficiaries and ensuring local participation. Officials from relevant ministries, Panchayat representatives, self-help groups, farmers’ organisations, and women’s collectives will contribute to its success. With a focus on agricultural diversification and sustainability, Shivraj Chouhan envisions a modern yet balanced approach that integrates scientific advancements with traditional farming knowledge. His padyatra signifies a steadfast commitment to rural development, bridging policy decisions with the realities of India’s agricultural heartland. –IANSsktr/pgh

Bhubaneswar, May 22 (IANS) The Odisha Vigilance Department, on Thursday, arrested one police official in Cuttack district for accepting bribe to facilitate the settlement of a dispute between the complainant and a fellow villager under Tigiria police station area.

The accused police officer, identified as Pradeep Kumar Behera, was posted at the Tigiria police station in Cuttack as an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), caught red handed.”Counter FIRs were submitted on the dispute by both the opposing parties, following which the dispute was ended in compromise. However, after the compromise, the accused ASI was demanding a bribe from the complainant to not take any action against him on the counter FIR filed against the complainant. Finding no other means, the complainant approached before Vigilance authorities,” said a senior Vigilance official.On Thursday, the Vigilance Department laid a trap and caught Behera red handed while receiving the bribe amount from the complainant.Following the trap, simultaneous searches have been launched on the official residential quarter of Behera at Dhenkanal Town police station house at his native village of Nutanapatana Sahi in Dhenkanal and the quarter at Tigiria police station.In another significant case, the Vigilance sleuths on Thursday arrested four government officials for misappropriating government funds to the tune of Rs 20 lakh under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme in Rayagada district.The accused officials, Rajendra Nath Naik, Assistant Project Director-cum-Project Implementing Agency (APD-cum-PIA) (Class-1); Jogendra Khosla, Soil Conservation Overseer; Deepak Kumar Sahoo, Soil Conservation Overseer; and Srikumar Nayak, Soil Conservation Extension Worker, are posted at the office of Watershed Project Director in Rayagada district.The accused persons in collusion embezzled Rs 20 lakh without excavation of 23 number of farm ponds under MGNREG Scheme in different villages of Kashipur block in Rayagada district.The policemen arrested the accused persons after registering a case under various sections of Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act.–IANSgyan/khz