December 2024 - Page 4 of 21

Dec262024 by News DeskNo Comments

Kashmiri teenage musical star honored by President Murmu for artistic talent

FEATURED

President Droupadi Murmu conferred the prestigious Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar on Ayaan Sajad, a 12-year-old musical sensation from south Kashmir’s Anantnag district. Recognized for his exceptional contribution to art and culture, the young singer was honored at a grand ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on December 26, 2024. Ayaan rose to fame with his rendition of the Kashmiri classic Be Dard Dadi Chane, a song penned by 17th-century Sufi poet Shamas Fakeer. His innovative take, blending traditional Sufi melodies with modern pop and rap elements, struck a chord with millions, making him a household name in the Valley. His journey began humbly, singing at family gatherings and local events, until radio jockey RJ Umer recognized his talent Speaking to media outlets, ...

Dec262024 by News DeskNo Comments

Mutton, vegetables, and staples soar in price as Kashmir’s markets remain unchecked

BUSINESS

A sharp spike in food prices has left Kashmiri households reeling, following the government’s decision to remove regulatory oversight on essential commodities. The removal of government controls on essential commodity prices has plunged Kashmir into a food price crisis, leaving households struggling to keep up with the soaring cost of basic necessities. The deregulation has handed full control to vendors and traders, resulting in a chaotic market where prices vary wildly and essentials become increasingly unaffordable. Vegetable prices have surged beyond previous highs, with peas now at Rs 180 per kg, tomatoes at Rs 80, and potatoes at Rs 50. Mutton, a dietary staple in Kashmir, has reached Rs 700 per kg, forcing families to reconsider their food choices and cut down on consumptio...

Dec262024 by News DeskNo Comments

4834 kanal of land set to be transferred for construction of NIT Srinagar campus

REGIONAL

The Deputy Commissioner’s office in South Kashmir’s Pulwama has initiated the transfer of 4,834 kanals and 19 marlas of state land to establish a new campus for the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar in Hazratbal. In an official communication, the district administration announced the formation of a team to expedite the preparation of necessary revenue documents. The team includes officers and officials from various tehsils, including Naib Tehsildars from Newa and Kakapora, as well as revenue staff such as Girdawars and Patwaris from Trich, Parigam, Patalbagh, Kangan, and Newa. These officials have been instructed to report to the office of the Assistant Commissioner (Revenue), Pulwama to begin their work. The office of the Deputy Commissioner has also circulated t...

Dec262024 by News DeskNo Comments

Kashmiri scientist discovers potential cure for lung fibrosis

EDUCATION

Dr. Muzamil Majid Khan, a scientist from Hanjiwera Bala, Baramulla, has identified dextromethorphan, a common cough suppressant, as a potential treatment for lung fibrosis, a life-threatening condition with no cure. Published in the December 2024 issue of Science Translational Medicine, the study reveals how the drug inhibits collagen buildup, reducing scarring in lung tissues. The findings, validated through advanced techniques like proteomics and microscopy, showed promising results in human lung cells, 3D-cultured tissues, and mouse models. Dr. Khan, based at EMBL Heidelberg in Germany, collaborated with leading research centers to advance the discovery toward phase II clinical trials. “Hard work never goes in vain,” he said, encouraging aspiring scientists in Kashmir to persev...

Dec262024 by News DeskNo Comments

Srinagar shivers at -7.0°C: Frozen taps and power cuts disrupt daily life across Kashmir

REGIONAL

Srinagar and other parts of the Kashmir Valley are experiencing an intense cold wave, with minimum temperatures plummeting to record lows. Daily life has been severely disrupted as freezing conditions have frozen water taps and pipelines, causing widespread water shortages. Adding to the hardship, frequent power cuts have left residents struggling to cope with the harsh winter. According to data compiled by Kashmir Weather, Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of -7.0°C, while Pulwama, Shopian, and Anantnag reported the coldest temperatures at -9.3°C. Pahalgam also witnessed bone-chilling cold at -8.6°C, with Bandipora recording -7.3°C and Baramulla -6.1°C. The coldest spot was Zojila, plunging to an extreme -25.0°C. Manan Khan, a resident of Lal Bazar, shared his frustra...

Dec262024 by News DeskNo Comments

‘Cancer rising in Kashmir’: SKIMS alone registered 5,200 cases in 2024

REGIONAL

Kashmir’s leading tertiary care hospital, Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura, has registered over 5,200 cases of cancer this year alone, while over 50,000 cases have been recorded at the institute since 2014. According to details obtained by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a total of 5,200 new cancer registrations have been made at SKIMS Soura this year so far. Since 2014, the institute has documented 50,302 cases of cancer. The annual breakdown of cases shows 3,940 cases registered in 2014, 4,417 in 2015, 4,320 in 2016, 4,352 in 2017, 4,816 in 2018, 4,337 in 2019, 3,814 in 2020, 4,727 in 2021, 5,271 in 2022 and over 5,200 cases this year. Officials said there has been a steep rise in cancer cases in Kashmir. Among men, lung cancer is the mo...

Dec252024 by News DeskNo Comments

‘Influencers against promoting fraudulent schemes’, Cyber Police warns

REGIONAL

The Cyber Police Kashmir has issued a stern warning to social media influencers and YouTubers, urging them to refrain from promoting betting apps, fraudulent investment schemes, and fake work-from-home job offers. Authorities have emphasized that endorsing such platforms is not only misleading but also a punishable offense under the law. The police, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stated that they are closely monitoring these activities and will take strict legal action against individuals found advertising or supporting such fraudulent initiatives. "Attention Social Media Influencers & YouTubers: Refrain from promoting betting apps, fraudulent investment schemes, or fake work-from-home job offers. Such actions are punishable under the law," the post read. The Cyber Poli...

Dec252024 by News DeskNo Comments

22 years later, high court acquits man in twin child murder case

REGIONAL

The Jammu Kashmir High Court has overturned the conviction of Kamal Jeet Singh, who had been serving a life sentence for the rape and murder of two young sisters in 2002. The verdict, delivered by Justices Atul Sreedharan and Javed Iqbal Wani, questioned the integrity of the evidence presented during the initial trial, leading to Singh's acquittal after over two decades. The case dates back to October 3, 2002, when two sisters, aged six and three, went missing after school. A community search led to the discovery of their bodies in the home of Jagdesh Singh, a relative of the accused. Investigations alleged that the girls had been sexually assaulted and murdered. Singh was arrested shortly afterward, with police claiming he confessed to the crime. The case against him relied on...

Dec252024 by News DeskNo Comments

Nearly 3 million tourists, including 47,000 foreigners, visited Kashmir in 2024: Officials

REGIONAL

Kashmir is all set to achieve a significant tourism milestone, with Director Tourism, Raja Yaqoob Farooq stating that the tourist footfall is touching 3 million till Dec 20, amidst the growing foreign tourist arrival. Speaking on the sidelines of an event at Gulmarg, the Director as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that the region is expected to host 3 million visitors by the end of 2024, a 10% increase compared to last year's 2.7 million. He revealed that foreign visitors to Kashmir have already reached 43,000 this year, compared to 37,000 in the same period last year. “Last year, we had around 37,000 foreign tourists in Kashmir. This year, we have already recorded 43,000 foreign arrivals as of December 20, including 1,000 in just the past four days,” he said....

Dec252024 by News DeskNo Comments

One child killed every hour in Gaza: UN Agency

INTERNATIONAL

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has reported that one child is killed every hour in the Gaza Strip. In a statement, the UNRWA said, "No place for children. Since the beginning of the war, 14,500 children have been reported killed in Gaza according to UNICEF. One child gets killed every hour. These are not numbers. These are lives cut short." The agency emphasized that the killing of children cannot be justified. "Those who survive are scarred physically and emotionally. Deprived of learning, boys and girls in Gaza sift through the rubble," it said. "The clock is ticking for these children. They are losing their lives, their futures, and mostly their hope," the statement added. Meanwhile, Gaza-based health authorities an...