REGIONAL

The minimum temperatures have plummeted further in Kashmir while Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu Kashmir recorded coldest night of the season at minus 1.8 degree Celsius. The night temperature has recorded further dip in Kashmir while the weatherman here has predicted dry weather conditions for the next 24 hours, news agency Kashmir News Observer reported. In Qazigund, the mercury settled at minus 1.0 degree Celsius while in Gulmarg, a minimum temperature of 0.6 degree Celsius was recorded. Pahalgam, a famous tourist place recorded a low of minus 3.3 degree Celsius while Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded a minimum temperature of minus 1.4 degree Celsius. The sub zero temperature is being witnessed amid the foggy weather conditions, which according to meteorological dep...

The Jammu Kashmir administration on Wednesday terminated four government employees for their alleged links with militancy. As per news reports, the administration dismissed four government employees, including a doctor, a police constable, a teacher, and a lab bearer in the higher education department, over their alleged involvement in militancy activities. Among those those terminated are Dr. Nissar-ul-Hassan( doctor), Salam Rather (laboratory bearer in Higher Education department), Abdul Majeed Bhat (constable ) and Farooq Ahmad Mir (teacher). As per this provision, the terminated employees can solely seek recourse through the High Court to challenge their dismissal. The dismissal occurred after the Lt. Governor reviewed the facts and circumstances of the cases and, upon bein...

The lieutenant governor of Jammu Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, on Tuesday announced that the union territory has secured business proposals in the industry sector worth over ₹86,000 crore, with concerted efforts in progress to bring these plans to reality. Speaking at an Engineering Export Promotion Council event, Sinha highlighted the secure business climate in the region and called for new investments. He said that the United Arab Emirates' Emaar Group's intent to build a shopping mall and an IT tower in Srinagar. Sinha pointed to the union territory's robust agriculture sector, noting its position as a major producer and exporter of apples, cherries, and walnuts. He invited industry players to capitalize on the myriad opportunities across various sectors, citing more attractive ince...

In a pivotal legal move, journalist Fahad Shah, editor of The Kashmir Walla, was granted bail by the Jammu Kashmir High Court, a decision accompanied by severe criticism directed at the government's revival of a 2011 case against him despite two previous bail grants. Shah, in detention since February 2022, faced accusations from the government related to an article published in 2011 titled "The shackles of slavery will break," allegedly glorifying militancy. The court's bail order emphasized the absence of substantial evidence linking Shah's writings to acts of militancy over the past 11 years, stating no record proving the article's provocation towards militancy existed. Expressing concern over the government's actions, the court highlighted the sequence of Shah's custody shifts ...

Jammu Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) has postponed several exams scheduled in the ongoing month (November) and December. “In continuation to this office notice dated 9-11-2023 and dated 16-11-2023 this is for the information of all the concerned candidates that the Written Examination(s)/Departmental Examination(s) which were scheduled to be held on 26-11-2023, 04-12-2023, 10-12-2023, 12-12-2023 and 17-12-2023 are hereby postponed till further notice”, reads a notice, a copy of which lying with GNS. “The candidates in their own interest are also advised to be prepared for the exam which can be scheduled at a short notice on the direction of the Commission”, reads the notice further. (GNS)

The police in Jammu city on Tuesday claimed to have busted a gambling network in the city and arrested five individuals involved in the crime. A senior police officer told News Agency Kashmir Scroll that, acting on specific information, a raid was conducted at a prominent hotel on Residency Road. The officer said that a team of police headed by SHO apprehended six gamblers on the spot. The officer identified all gamblers as Javaid Ahmed of Doura, Hazratbal Srinagar, Khalid of Hazratbal Srinagar, Farooq Ahmed of Soura, "Tankipur" Srinagar, Hilal Ahmed of Tankipur Srinagar, Aijaz Ahmed Mir of Soura Srinagar, and Feroz Ahmed of Rambag Srinagar. He said a case in this regard has been registered, and further investigation has been initiated. (KS)

Kashmir woke up into an early morning foggy and cold weather conditions as the minimum temperature in the valley dropped below the freezing point at several places, including the Srinagar city on Tuesday. The Meteorological Centre in Srinagar predicts dry weather for Jammu Kashmir, with isolated morning fog likely to persist in the Kashmir division over the next 24 hours. In Srinagar, dry conditions and a cloudy sky contribute to atmospheric haze, leading to reduced visibility. Dense fog continues to pose challenges for vehicles during the early morning and evening hours. "Morning flight at Srinagar Airport was delayed due to foggy conditions. Flights scheduled in the morning will take off once the fog lifts," an official informed the Kashmir News Service (KNS). Kashmir weather...

Artificial intelligence (AI) systems have been introduced by the authorities in Kashmir to identify possible cases of tuberculosis (TB) in order to improve surveillance and work towards TB-free status for the division. Quoting a State Tuberculosis official, KNO reported that an artificial intelligence system has been implemented in districts that have achieved tuberculosis-free status in order to maintain increased surveillance and ultimately eradicate the disease. Although artificial intelligence algorithms are capable of effectively detecting possible cases of tuberculosis, the official suggested a thorough clinical assessment and additional testing. “Use of AI results in fewer patients needing extensive testing, which improves the effectiveness and affordability of resource all...

Air traffic was hit in the valley as foggy conditions continued for the second day, resulting in delaying the morning flights. An airport official told News Agency Kashmir Scroll that, due to foggy conditions, the flights scheduled to take off have been delayed. "The flights will take off once the fog vanishes out in and around the airport", the official said. Notably, weather conditions have been grim for almost a week, with foggy conditions largely prevailing across the valley. (KS)

The consumers across Kashmir have been complaining of a worse power scenario for the past couple of weeks, stating that it is for the first time that the power cuts with such intensity are being witnessed. The news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), received phone calls from the consumers, hailing from different parts of Kashmir, saying that the power schedule is not being adhered to, thus pushing them to the wall. “We are being forced to reel under darkness. The power cuts are being mostly witnessed in morning and evening hours. There seems no schedule in place as the electricity is being snatched after every hour,” a consumer from Srinagar’s Old City area, said, adding that such a situation is being witnessed at a time when the government has come up with the smart meters and prom...