IBTimes
Elections 2026Bollywood / IBTimes
Priyanka Chopra visited Mumbai's iconic Siddhivinayak Temple on Monday to seek blessings, accompanied by her sister Mannara Chopra. Despite heavy rains, Priyanka was seen walking barefoot. Her daughter Malti Marie did not accompany them for the temple visit.
Govinda has responded to wife Sunita Ahuja's past allegations of infidelity with a cryptic 'mithai ki dukaan' remark. Saying he was innocent until the age of 34, the actor's comments have sparked fresh speculation about whether he was indirectly addressing Sunita's repeated claims about his alleged affairs.
Liverpool FC has joined the viral Ravi Kishan meme trend, using his famous Jaldi the late interview clip in an Instagram video featuring players running through a corrido. Ravi Kishan says he is enjoying the memes and believes Gen Z has accepted him for his imperfections and honesty.
Actor Vijay Deverakonda joined Hyderabad's Bonalu festivities on August 9 and offered prayers at the Sri Simhavahini Mahankali Temple in Lal Darwaza. Accompanied by his brother Anand Deverakonda and director Sandeep Reddy Vanga, he performed special pujas and sought blessings.
Nikita Rawal was left visibly caught off guard when a female fan unexpectedly kissed her on the lips during a red-carpet interaction. After posing for a selfie, the fan kissed Nikita on the cheek before pulling her closer for the lip kiss.
Priyanka Chopra wished her Varanasi co-star Mahesh Babu on his birthday, sharing an unseen picture from the film's South Africa safari shoot. The actors were seen twinning in olive outfits, with the picture offering a glimpse of their camaraderie from the film's Africa schedule.
Besides Sohail's fellow contestants from the show, his brothers Salman- Arbaaz Khan also attended the get-together. Other celebrities, including Kunal Kemmu, Daisy Shah, Zaid Darbar, Gauahar Khan, Soha Ali Khan, also joined the party last night.
A video of Mrunal and Yashasvi's appearance went viral on social media, sparking speculation about a possible relationship. Mrunal dismissed the rumours, questioning why people assumed they were together simply because they were spotted at the same location.
Kaisi Yeh Yaariaan fame Charlie Chauhan has married KKR cricketer Ramandeep Singh in a traditional Sikh ceremony at a Gurudwara. The couple shared their first wedding photos on Instagram, with Charlie dressed in a red and golden bridal lehenga and Ramandeep in an ivory sherwani and red turban.
Over Rs 62,683 crore remains unclaimed in Public Sector Banks across India as of June 30, 2026, according to the Union Government. To help depositors, nominees and legal heirs recover their money, the Centre and the RBI have introduced a series of measures, including simplified claim procedures, special outreach drives, the UDGAM portal, and the nationwide Your Money, Your Right campaign.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha announced the launch of the first-ever Rehabilitation and Socio-Economic Reintegration Scheme for Drug Abuse Victims, 2026. The pilot project will begin in the two worst-affected districts of Jammu and Kashmir, focusing on treatment, counselling, skill development, employment, and long-term reintegration of drug abuse victims.
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh reviewed the implementation roadmap of the Ujh Multipurpose Project in Jammu and Kashmir, saying it will generate up to 212 MW of electricity, irrigate nearly 90,000 hectares across J&K and Punjab, supply drinking water to Kathua, and strengthen water security, agriculture and border management.
The Crime Branch's Economic Offences Wing has chargesheeted a former ICICI Prudential Life Insurance employee for allegedly siphoning off over 10.75 lakh by fraudulently surrendering an insurance policy using forged documents and a fake SBI account. The investigation found evidence of forgery, cheating and attempted fraud involving multiple insurance policies, with the case now before a Jammu court.
Thousands of residents reportedly boycotted the first phase of PoJK Assembly elections as JAAC-led protests intensified, with demonstrators calling the polls a sham and demanding political rights.
The Union Government informed the Rajya Sabha that it has launched the National Mental Health Survey-2 to assess mental health disorders, including those linked to prolonged conflict, natural disasters and substance abuse in Jammu and Kashmir. It said the Union Territory has around 120 psychiatrists, 40 clinical psychologists, 21 addiction treatment facilities and expanded Tele-MANAS services as part of efforts to strengthen mental healthcare across all districts.
The Centre informed the Rajya Sabha that 35 workers lost their lives and three others suffered serious injuries at NHPC and CVPPL hydropower projects in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district over the past five years. It also stated that compensation has been paid in most cases, safety audits are being conducted regularly, and there is no evidence that project-related blasting or tunnelling has caused damage to nearby houses or structures.
Mehbooba Mufti's remarks at Jantar Mantar on Kashmir protests have triggered a political storm, with the NC, Apni Party and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah demanding a public apology.
The Jammu and Kashmir Sarnarthi Action Committee (JKSAC) has demanded a high-level probe into the alleged misappropriation of lakhs of kanals of evacuee land meant for the rehabilitation of families displaced from PoJK. The demand comes after the ACB unearthed a major Custodian land scam and registered multiple FIRs against revenue officials and beneficiaries.
FASTag-based toll collection on National Highways reached a record 70,278.18 crore in 2025-26, marking a steady rise over the past three years, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari informed the Rajya Sabha. The Centre said it has reviewed the toll pricing mechanism to reduce the burden on commuters through measures such as an annual pass, rationalised toll charges and lower penalties for UPI payments.
The Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway Corridor has come under the spotlight after official data tabled in the Rajya Sabha revealed that 58 of J&K's 73 identified black corridors are located in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts, through which the mega highway project passes.
The Union Territory of Ladakh will host India's first-ever Global Black-necked Crane Festival from August 10 to 14 across Leh, Tso Kar and Hanle to promote wildlife conservation, sustainable tourism and community participation. Dedicated to the Black-necked Crane, Ladakh's state bird and the world's only alpine crane, the festival aims to showcase the ecological and cultural significance of the Changthang wetlands.
Jammu and Kashmir Police has executed a court proclamation against Pakistan-based designated terrorist Mohammad Qasim alias Sulliman, directing him to appear before a designated court in Jammu by August 21. Qasim, who carries a Rs 10 lakh reward, is accused of involvement in the Katra and Narwal blasts and of operating a terror network in Rajouri and Poonch.
A Kashmiri youth was allegedly lured to Cambodia with a promise of a lucrative computer operator job but was instead forced into online scamming activities. The Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Kashmir, has filed a chargesheet against the accused in the overseas job fraud case registered in April.
The NIA Special Court in Jammu rejected the 20-day interim bail plea of former DySP Davinder Singh, accused in a high-profile terror-linked case, but granted him five days of custody parole on humanitarian grounds to attend his late father's religious rituals in Srinagar. The court held that with his regular bail already rejected and an appeal pending in the High Court, there was no ground for interim bail.
The Shri Amarnath and Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimages resumed on Saturday after a nearly week-long suspension caused by adverse weather and security concerns. Over 6,200 Amarnath pilgrims left Jammu's Bhagwati Nagar base camp for Kashmir, while around 2,000 devotees registered for the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage in Katra as authorities closely monitored weather and safety conditions.
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said the first International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK) would herald a new era in the Union Territory's partnership with the film industry and help restore Kashmir's historic status as a preferred filmmaking destination. Speaking at the curtain-raiser event, he outlined the government's vision to create a filmmaker-friendly ecosystem, promote local talent, and position IFFJK as a globally recognised annual film festival.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured the family of martyred Jammu and Kashmir Police Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi of the government's full support after speaking to his son over the phone. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha visited the bereaved family in Budgam, paid tributes to the fallen policeman, promised continued assistance, and reaffirmed the administration's commitment to dismantling the terror ecosystem and eliminating terrorism from Jammu and Kashmir.
The sleuths of the ED conducted raids at nine locations in J&K and Punjab as part of a money laundering investigation into an alleged Pakistan-linked narco-terror funding network. The probe revealed a cross-border heroin smuggling racket with suspected links to Hizbul Mujahideen, leading to the seizure of incriminating documents and the freezing of bank accounts containing approximately 49.9 lakh.
The Shri Amarnath and Mata Vaishno Devi yatras remained suspended for the sixth consecutive day due to adverse weather conditions, leaving more than 15,000 pilgrims stranded at various locations across Jammu and Kashmir. The Shiv Khori and Machail Mata pilgrimages also remained suspended as authorities continued to monitor the weather and assess the safety of the routes before allowing the yatras to resume. So far, over 3.9 lakh devotees have paid obeisance at the Holy Cave Shrine during the ong
A political controversy erupted in J&K after security forces demolished the houses of two Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists following the targeted killing of Police Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi in Anantnag. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti criticised the action as unconstitutional and counterproductive, while security agencies intensified anti-terror operations and detained thousands of suspects across the Kashmir Valley.
At Hyatt Centric Sector 17, a hidden speakeasy, destination-led dining and immersive heritage walks make a compelling case for Chandigarh as more than a stopover
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti joined protesting students at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, backing their demands while reviving the debate over the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35-A. Calling the August 5, 2019 decision unconstitutional, she accused the Centre of undermining democracy, demanded the resignation of the minister concerned, and said India's youth would play a decisive role in safeguarding the Constitution.
The killing of Police Head Constable Aashiq Hussain Qureshi in Anantnag has triggered one of the largest anti-terror operations in Kashmir in recent years. Security forces have detained over 2,000 terror associates, intensified surveillance across the Valley, and demolished the houses of two Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists as investigations point to possible cross-border involvement.
Amid incessant rains and the threat of flash floods and landslides, the Jammu and Kashmir government has identified 1,017 vulnerable locations with over 10 lakh people at risk. Chairing a high-level review meeting, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah directed officials to strengthen rescue and relief measures, restore essential services on priority and maintain round-the-clock preparedness across the Union Territory.
A Jammu and Kashmir Police head constable, Ashiq Hussain, was martyred after terrorists opened fire on security forces during a cordon and search operation in Anantnag district on Tuesday. The operation, launched on specific intelligence inputs, remains underway as security forces have intensified the cordon to prevent the terrorists from escaping. Unconfirmed reports suggest that The Resistance Front (TRF) has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Nature's fury continued across the Jammu division as three more people died in rain-related incidents, pushing the death toll beyond 23 in three days. Poonch witnessed the worst devastation, with three families nearly wiped out in separate cloudburst and landslide tragedies, while Rajouri issued a flood advisory amid forecasts of more heavy rainfall and ongoing rescue operations.
A devastating cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district reduced Mohammad Latief's home to rubble within minutes after he stepped out to move his car. Eight members of his family were killed or remain buried under debris, while nearby villages also suffered heavy casualties and widespread destruction in the flash floods.
The National Conference and Congress staged a protest in New Delhi, demanding the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood after being prevented from reaching Jantar Mantar. Omar Abdullah accused the Centre of reneging on its promise, while Farooq Abdullah urged the Union Government to honour its commitment.
Six more people died in rain-related incidents across Jammu division on Monday, taking the death toll to 16 in two days. Rescue operations in flood-hit Poonch and Rajouri were hampered by fresh rainfall, while Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced Rs 6 lakh ex gratia for the families of those killed.
Heavy rainfall and cloudbursts forced authorities to temporarily suspend the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, Mata Vaishno Devi and Shri Shiv Khori pilgrimages in Jammu and Kashmir as a precautionary measure. Fourteen people stranded in swollen rivers across Jammu and Rajouri districts were rescued, while officials urged devotees to follow weather advisories until conditions improve.
At least 10 people have died, and several others are missing after flash floods and cloudbursts triggered by heavy overnight rains in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district. Surankote tehsil has suffered extensive damage, with houses collapsing and rescue teams from the administration, the Army, police, and SDRF carrying out large-scale relief operations.
Partial shutdowns were observed in Doda and Kishtwar following the death of a youth in an alleged police firing in Bhadarwah. Protesters demanded a CBI investigation, while authorities extended internet restrictions, detained two associates of the deceased for questioning, and intensified security to maintain law and order.
Political parties in Jammu and Kashmir remain divided over the National Conference's July 20 Jantar Mantar protest for statehood restoration. While Congress has extended support, the PDP has demanded inclusion of Article 370 restoration and the release of political prisoners, and the JKPC and Apni Party have declined to participate.
The National Conference has expelled LAHDC-Kargil Chief Executive Councillor Mohammad Jaffer Akhoon from the party for six years over alleged anti-party activities. The action comes days after Akhoon retained his majority with BJP-backed support, deepening the political crisis over the NC-Congress power-sharing agreement in Kargil.
The Principal Sessions Court in Jammu has rejected the bail application of Kamal Singh, the accused in the attempted assassination of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah. The court cited the gravity of the offence, public safety concerns, and the possibility of the accused repeating the crime if released.
The Jammu and Kashmir Congress has announced its participation in the National Conference's July 20 Jantar Mantar protest demanding restoration of statehood, while organising its own march in Jammu on July 19. JKPCC chief Tariq Hameed Karra said Congress has been leading the statehood movement since October 2024 and will intensify its agitation if the Centre delays restoring full statehood.
Former J&K Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah received major relief after a Srinagar court issued a NoC or the renewal of his passport in the alleged JKCA funds misappropriation case. While allowing the passport to be renewed for one year, the court directed that Abdullah cannot travel outside Jammu and Kashmir or abroad without prior permission from the trial court, citing the pending criminal proceedings against him.
A major tragedy was averted during the Shri Amarnath Yatra after a bus carrying 47 pilgrims caught fire near Ramban following a tyre burst. The driver's quick thinking and prompt rescue by police, Army, CRPF and SDRF ensured all occupants escaped safely, though the bus and passengers' belongings were completely destroyed.
In a bizarre case of mistaken identity, a 22-year-old youth from Jammu's Sohanjana village stunned his family by calling home just as they were preparing his last rites after wrongly identifying another man's body as his. The extraordinary incident has raised serious questions over the identification process, while the identity of the actual deceased remains unknown.
In a significant cultural milestone for Jammu and Kashmir, Rajouri's historic Bhairav Yatra has been included in the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of India. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha hailed the recognition as a proud moment for the Union Territory, saying it would help preserve and promote the region's rich spiritual and cultural legacy. The centuries-old tradition, known for its deep religious significance and message of communal harmony, is only the second cult

33 C