KABUL, Nov 3: A powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake shook northern Afghanistan before dawn Monday, killing at least 10 people and injuring 260 others, an Afghan health official said. According to the US Geological Survey, the quakes epicentre was located 22 kilometres west-southwest of Khulm, Afghanistan, at a depth of 28 kilometres. It struck at 12:59 am Monday local time, the USGS said. Sharafat Zaman, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Health, said at least 10 people died and 260 were []

KABUL, Nov 2 : Afghan security forces have arrested 144 people over attempting to cross the border and sneak into the neighboring Iran illegally, a statement of the national army in the western region said Sunday. According to the statement, two suspected human traffickers are also among the detainees who were arrested by the army personnel stationed in the western Herat province of Afghanistan. Aimed at strengthening border security and preventing unlawful movement across the frontiers, the sec

London, Nov 2: Ten people, including nine suffering from life-threatening injuries, were rushed to hospital after a stabbing attack on a train in the UKs Cambridgeshire, following which armed police arrested two men in connection with the incident, authorities said. According to British Transport Police, ten people are in hospital, with nine believed to have life-threatening injuries, BBC reported. Police have declared it a major incident and confirmed that counter-terrorism officers would be su

KASIBUGGA (Andhra Pradesh), Nov 1: At least seven people were killed and two others injured at a temple stampede here in Srikakulam district on Saturday, said a police official. The stampede occurred at Venkateswara temple in Kasibugga at around 11.30 am, and Seven persons died and two others were injured, Kasibugga sub-division in-charge DSP Lakshman Rao told PTI. Reacting to the incident, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, in a post on X said, The stampede at Kasibugga Venkates

PATNA: (Nov 1) Asserting that being a Bihari is now a matter of pride, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday urged people to once again vote for the NDA in the upcoming assembly polls for faster development of the state. In a video message uploaded by his party, JD(U), on social media on Saturday, Kumar claimed that he has not done anything for his family and the states growth has always been his priority. Kumar also said that law [] The post Being Bihari now matter of pride; vote for ND

NEW YORK, Oct 31 : An Indian national, his wife, his organisation that smuggled people into the US from across continents along with at least 16 companies have been sanctioned by the US federal authorities. Officials claimed that Vikrant Bhardwaj and his Cancun, Mexico-based transnational criminal organisation Bhardwaj Human Smuggling Organisation (HSO) blended various transportation methods to facilitate the travel by air and sea of undocumented migrants from countries that pose national secu

Srinagar, Oct 30: Jammu and Kashmir Leader of Opposition and BJP MLA Sunil Sharma on Thursday slammed the state government over the alleged irregularities in tender allotments and flood relief efforts. While walking out of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Sharma questioned the delay in submitting the loss assessment report to the Indian government following the floods in August. Jammu and Kashmir suffered huge losses in the month of August. Due to floods, poor peoples houses were dest

SRINAGAR, Oct 29: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Wednesday witnessed a brief uproar after BJP MLA Shagun Parihar alleged that people in her constituency of Kishtwar were being neglected in developmental works. Speaking during the session, Parihar, remarked, In our Kishtwar, we are Rashtrawadi Hindu log and we are being neglected; no work is being done. Her comments triggered reactions from several members, prompting the Speaker of the House to intervene. The Speaker advised the fi

DEIR- AL-BALAH (Gaza Strip), Oct 29: Israeli strikes overnight in Gaza have killed at least 60 people, including many children, local hospital officials said Wednesday. The strikes come after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military to conduct powerful strikes over Gaza after Hamas had violated the fragile ceasefire. The Aqsa Hospital in the central city of Deir al-Balah said at least 10 bodies, among three women and six children, reached the hospital overnight after two I

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 28: President All J&K Panchayat Conference (AJKPC) and Independent candidate from Nagrota constituency, Anil Sharma here today continued his campaign trail and visited several villages and Panchayats like Chilla, Sagon and Surinsar. He interacted with youth, women and senior citizens to understand the local employment issue, health challenges and lack of basic infrastructure. Sharma also listened the day-to-day issues faced by the people and emphasized that dev

Srinagar, Oct 27: Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday said five marlas of land would be given to the landless people in the flood affected areas of the Union territory, and the paperwork for it was under process. Replying to a question in the assembly by BJP MLA from Jammu North, Sham Lal Sharma, on whether a fresh rehabilitation policy has been formulated for the victims of the recent floods in J-K, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the government has [] The post Landless People Hit By Flood

Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 26: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti today accused the ruling National Conference (NC) of betraying the people of Budgam, saying the constituency had received nothing despite electing a Chief Minister. Addressing party workers in Budgam which is set for a by-election, Mufti urged voters to bring change and turn the flow of the river after more than five decades of supporting the NC. She said making the NC win again from Budgam would me

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 26: In a major push to the ongoing Vote Chor Gaddi Chorh campaign launched across Jammu and Kashmir by JKPCC president Tariq Hameed Karra, a signature campaign was organized on Sunday near Jewal Chowk, Jammu. The program was joined by former minister and Ex-MLA Jammu East, Yogesh Sawhney and organised by Block president Ajay Kumar Kaka. The campaign, which aims to raise public awareness against electoral malpractice and corruption, continues to gather tremendou

Maj Gen Sanjeev Dogra (Retd) sanjeev662006@gmail.com Every region has a history, but only a few have a destiny that is continually reshaped by the will of its people. For Jammu & Kashmir, 26 October 1947 was the legal cornerstone, the day of Accession. With the Maharajas signature, the map was redrawn, and the land became one with India. This was the indispensable first step, a formal union of territory and constitution. But a signature on a page can only begin [] The post From Accession to Owne

ATHMANDU, Oct 25: Nepals Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal on Saturday called all the stakeholders concerned to sit for a dialogue with the caretaker government instead of organising street protests ahead of the March 5 general election. The Home Ministry also warned the general public that protest activities announced through social media could be infiltrated by elements seeking to create instability. The government is always ready for dialogue and discussion to sort out problems, Home Minister Ar

KYIV, Oct 25: Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine overnight into Saturday killed at least three people and wounded 17 others, local officials said. In the capital, Kyiv, one person was killed and ten wounded in a ballistic missile attack in the early hours of Saturday, Timur Tkachenko, head of Kyivs city military administration, said. Three of the wounded were hospitalized, according to Ukraines State Emergency Service. A fire broke out in a non-residential building in one location, []

VADODARA, Oct 24: The Opposition INDIA bloc is only interested in gaining power in the poll-bound Bihar, while the BJP-led NDA is eager to serve the people of the Hindi heartland state, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Friday. Expressing confidence that the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will win the next months assembly polls in Bihar, the BJP leader noted the Mahagathbandhan the state-level grand coalition of Opposition parties lacks both gath (alliance) and bandhan (bo

NEW DELHI, Oct 23: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the jungle raj in Bihar will be discussed for another 100 years and no matter how hard the opposition tries to hide its misdeeds, people will not forgive it. Training his guns at the RJD-Congress tie-up on a day Tejashwi Yadav was declared the Grand Alliances chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming Bihar polls, Modi said the opposition alliance is not a gathbandhan but a lathbandhan (a coalition of [] The post People Wont Forg

NEW DELHI, Oct 22 : The holy Jore Sahib, the footwear of Guru Gobind Singh and his wife Mata Sahib Kaur, will be taken in a ceremonial procession on Thursday from here to the Takht Patna Sahib in Patna, where the relics will be placed permanently. Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged people on Wednesday to have a darshan (glimpse) of the Jore Sahib as the Guru Charan Yatra traverses through Haryana and Uttar Pradesh and makes its way to the [] The post Holy relics Jore Sahib set to be taken to Pat

COLOMBO, Oct. 22 : Over 9,500 Sri Lankans have been affected by the current heavy rains, the Disaster Management Center (DMC) said on Wednesday. A total of 9,542 people from 2,395 families have been affected, said the DMC, adding that four people have died, and 422 houses have been partially damaged. The countrys Department of Meteorology said heavy rains would continue on Wednesday in several provinces. People living near rivers have been asked to remain vigilant. Sri Lanka has been [] The post

SRINAGAR, Oct 21: Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Sunil Sharma, on Monday criticised the National Conference (NC), accusing the party of betraying the people of the region and promoting family politics. Speaking with reporters in Budgam, Sharma said that the NC has lost public trust and that voters are now looking for alternatives. NC has deceived people in Jammu and Kashmir for decades. Recently, it took a u-turn on smart meters. People are now seeking alternatives, [] T

Srinagar, Oct 19: Peoples Conference president Sajad Gani Lone on Sunday said the Public Safety Act (PSA) is a draconian law that has been used with impunity by all chief ministers and governors of Jammu and Kashmir. While reacting to a post by AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, the MLA from Handwara said the PSA was not repealed by any government in Jammu and Kashmir when they were in a position to do so. They never repealed this draconian law when [] The post PSA Used With Impunity By All CMs, Gove

Cabinet expansion likely after bypolls Fayaz Bukhari SRINAGAR, Oct 18: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said that linking the Pahalgam attack with the restoration of Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir is injustice with the people of the region. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp Addressing a press conference here, the Chief Minister said that the Centre never promised of its restoration only after the BJP comes to power. Click here to watch video We will have to hope for [] The post Li

JAMMU, Oct 18: Leader of Opposition in Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma on Saturday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for Nagrota, Devyani Rana is the right choice for people here. Speaking to reporter ahead of Devyanis nomination filling, Sharma said under the leadership and guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rana will realise her late father, Devinder Singh Ranas dream. She is the right choice for the constituency and she will emerge victorious fro

New Delhi, Oct 17: President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said the governments Aadi Karmayogi Abhiyan is a step towards empowering tribal communities to speak up for their rights and shape their own future, stressing that every tribal village must become self-reliant and self-respecting. Addressing the National Conclave on Aadi Karmayogi Abhiyan here, Murmu said the initiative seeks to ensure active participation of tribal communities in the countrys development journey and extend the benefits of gr

Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 16: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Chowdhary today said the Government will complete pending projects and answer questions of people at the end of its five-year term. Click here to watch video While speaking to reporters here, he said, You have given us a mandate for five years. After that, you can ask us any question. My leaders, Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, along with the entire cabinet, will sit before you. We will keep a [] The post Govt will c

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 16: Rotary Club (RC) Bombay in collaboration with RC Jammu Tawi and RC Jammu Baahu (District 3070), distributed essential aid to the flash flood hit people of village Channi Rama and also conducted health awareness sessions. The programme was supported by Gracious Givers and MHSF and was presided over by the chief guest, Vikram Randhawa, MLA. The relief including blankets, mattresses, stationery for children, earthen lamps and confectionery items were provided

AHMEDABAD, Oct 15 : More than 1.11 crore postcards were written by people associated with the cooperative sector in Gujarat to express gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, setting a new Guinness World Record in the process, officials said on Wednesday. The initiative was undertaken under the aegis of the Department of Agriculture, Farmers Welfare and Cooperation. In all, 1,11,75,000 postcards were written to the PM, thanking him for GST reforms and several other measures, said a state gov

Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Oct 13 Inclusion is the key for prosperity, the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha said on Monday. He said in the past few years, the Governments efforts were focused on ensuring all members of society participate fully in J&Ks developmental journey and people with special abilities are able to unlock their potential and contribute to greater prosperity and social stability. The Lieutenant Governor was speaking at the 45th Foundation Day of School for the hearing imp

Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, Oct 13: Terming the Congress a puppet of the National Conference (NC), Leader of Opposition and senior BJP leader Sunil Sharma today said that the NC-Congress alliance has never been in favour of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking to reporters here, Sharma said history was witness to the fact that the Abdullah familys kitchen cabinet has always made decisions for the Congress, which now functions at the mercy of Omar Abdullah. Click here to watch [] The p

AJNALA (Punjab), Oct 13: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday handed over cheques amounting to Rs 6.70 crore as compensation to 669 flood-affected individuals and underlined that his government began the process ahead of schedule. Addressing a gathering during an event to disburse ex gratia to the flood victims, the chief minister reminded people that he had announced on September 11 that compensation distribution would begin within 45 days after conducting a special survey. The 45-day

Srinagar, Oct 10: Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti on Friday said her party will provide full support to the National Conference government for safeguarding the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir over land, jobs and resources. She said that while the government waits for statehood restoration, it should do what it can until then. The government should come forward and bring a bill, and we should together try to save our land, jobs and resources. The PDP [] The post Ready To S

Normalcy restored in Ladakh; restrictions lifted Excelsior Correspondent LEH, Oct 9: In a significant development reflecting the return of peace and stability, the Union Territory of Ladakh has witnessed complete restoration of normalcy with uninterrupted internet services, smooth functioning of educational institutions, and resumption of public transport and other civic activities, as restrictions in Ladakh have been lifted in view of the peoples cooperation and responsible behavior. Chairing a

Govt fails to help flood-hit families Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 8: Lauding the Centre for its effective handling of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, Leader of Opposition (LOP) Sunil Sharma today accused Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of resorting to lies and misleading people in the name of Statehood. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp Speaking at a press conference here, Sharma questioned whether the CM wants Statehood to kill innocent civilians in Kashmir. Click here to wa

Irfan Tramboo Srinagar, Oct 8: Minister for Health, Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo, today reiterated that Statehood is the right of the people of J&K and that the NC-led Government is not begging for it. Speaking to reporters after attending the White Coat ceremony of the new MBBS batch at GMC Srinagar, Itoo said that even the people of Jammu had voted for Statehood after the BJP sought votes in its name. Click here to watch video [] The post Statehood right of peo

Dunedin (New Zealand), Oct 7: A long-awaited expert update on the dietary changes needed to support both human and planetary health comes out clearly in favour of a plant-based approach. The EAT-Lancet Commission says a shift towards its planetary health diet, released last week, could prevent 40,000 early deaths a day across the world and cut agricultural methane emissions by 15 per cent by 2050. The diet promotes more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes and nuts, with only modest amounts

United Nations, Oct 7: In a strong retort against Pakistan in the UN Security Council, India on Monday said its neighbour as a country that bombs its own people and conducts systematic genocide. During his remarks to the UNSC open debate on Women, Peace and Security, Indias Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish said Pakistan conducted Operation Searchlight in 1971 and sanctioned a systematic campaign of genocidal mass rape of 400,000 women citizens by its own army. Ev

DARJEELING (WB), Oct 6: The toll in the devastating landslides in West Bengals Darjeeling district rose to 24, as disaster management personnel continued the rescue operation on Monday with several people still missing and thousands of tourists stranded in cut-off hill pockets, officials said. North Bengal Development Minister Udayan Guha said the toll rose with the recovery of one more body late Sunday night. The situation remains extremely challenging. Several people are still missing, and the

BANGKOK, Oct 5: Typhoon Matmo strengthened ahead of making landfall Sunday in China, prompting the government to evacuate some 347,000 people from the southern provinces of Guangdong and Hainan. The typhoon had maximum sustained wind speeds of 151 kph on Sunday morning, according to Chinas National Meteorological Centre. It hit Zhanjiang in Guangdong around mid-afternoon Sunday. The weather authority issued a red-level typhoon warning, the highest in its system. Hainan, which is also in the pat

Jammu, Oct 3: Surrounded by Pakistan and China, Ladakh cannot afford violence but some people are trying to vitiate the atmosphere in the Union territory and they will not be spared, Lt Governor (LG) Kavinder Gupta said. He said a magisterial probe has been launched into the September 24 violence that left four persons dead and scores injured in Leh. He also expressed satisfaction over the fast improving situation in the town, where the authorities eased the curfew for the [] The post Ladakh Can

* Pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, Oct 1: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha has greeted the people on the eve of Vijayadashami. In a message, the Lieutenant Governor has said, On the joyous occasion of Vijayadashami, I extend my warm greetings and good wishes to all for their happiness, well-being and prosperity. Vijayadashami symbolises the victory of good over evil and that of righteousness over unrighteousness. May this sacred festival inspire us to work for unit

Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, Oct 1: Former minister and vice president of J&K unit of BJP, Ch Zulfkar Ali, strongly criticized Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his Government today, accusing them of betraying the peoples mandate with hollow assurances and unfulfilled commitments. While speaking during his visit to different parts of Budhal constituency in Rajouri district at Koteranka and Budhal, Zulfkar stated that the people had reposed faith in Abdullah for jobs to the youth, security for

MUMBAI, Oct 1: Actors Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor believe that romantic comedies, when infused with passion, a compelling story and captivating music, can brighten moods and leave audiences feeling happy. The two actors are reuniting for the romantic comedy Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, following their previous collaboration in the 2022 romantic drama Bawaal. Directed by Shashank Khaitan, the movie features Varun and Janhvi as Sunny and Tulsi, who reunite in Delhi with the intention of re

New Delhi, Oct 1: The RSS has striven for the last 100 years to become the largest voluntary organisation, despite opposition, because of the peoples affection, its general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said on Wednesday. Hosabales remarks came minutes before the release of a commemorative postage stamp and a coin to mark the centenary of the RSS by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He expressed his gratitude to the government for the gesture, which he said was a recognition of the Sanghs [] The pos

MANILA, Oct 1: At least 69 people were killed in a powerful earthquake that hit a central Philippine province where dozens of people were killed by a powerful earthquake Tuesday night. The magnitude-6.9 earthquake that hit at about 10 pm trapped an unspecified number of residents in collapsed houses, nightclubs and other businesses in the hard-hit city of Bogo and outlying rural towns in Cebu province, officials said. Rescuers scrambled to find survivors Wednesday. Army troops, police and civil

NEW DELHI, Sep 30: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said the Modi government is standing shoulder to shoulder with the people of Punjab and is committed to providing all possible help to the people affected by the recent flood in the state. Shah said this when Chief Minister of Punjab Bhagwant Mann called on him here and apprised him on the extent of damages caused by the floods during this years monsoon, a statement issued by the Union [] The post Centre committed to provide all possibl

New Delhi, Sep 30: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had betrayed the people of Ladakh and demanded an impartial judicial probe into the death of four protesters in police firing in the union territory. Among those killed in Ladakh on Wednesday was Kargil war veteran Tsewang Tharchin. The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, who is on a four-nation tour of South America, posted on X a video of Tharchins father and [] The post Rahul Says PM Betray

Srinagar, Sep 29: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said people of Jammu and Kashmir have been patient with their demand for restoration of statehood but the Centre should not take advantage of it. Abdullah warned that it does not take long for the situation to change. It does not take long for the situation to turn worse. And we do not want that there should be bloodshed of innocent people here again. We will continue to put forth out [] The post People Of J&K Have Been Patient, Centre Sho

KYIV, Sept 29: Russia unleashed a barrage of drones and missiles on Ukraine overnight into Sunday, killing at least four people, with Kyiv suffering the heaviest assault. It was the first major bombardment since an air attack on Ukraines capital left at least 21 people dead last month. Separately, US Vice President JD Vance said the US was considering selling Ukraine Tomahawk cruise missiles. Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Administration, confirmed Sundays casualties via Telegram and sa

New Delhi, Sep 28: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday alleged that Ladakhs people, culture, and traditions were under attack by the BJP and RSS, as he batted for inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule. His remarks came in the wake of last weeks violence in Leh in which four people were killed in firing by the security forces and scores of others were injured. Fifty people have since been taken into custody for their alleged involvement in rioting. [] The post Ladakhs People, Culture, T