Daily Excelsior

JAMMU, May 25: Security forces busted a terrorist hideout after a brief firing as the search operation to track down suspected militants believed to be hiding in the dense woods of Jammu and Kashmirs Rajouri district entered the third consecutive day on Monday, officials said. An encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in the Dorimal-Gambhir Moghla belt on Saturday following the launch of Operation Sheruwali by a joint team of the Army, police and paramilitary forces. The oper

SRINAGAR, May 25: Over 300 tourists were left stranded mid-air for hours inside 65 cabins of the famous Gulmarg Gondola cable car after a major technical snag halted Asias highest ropeway, causing panic among the holidayers before they were rescued. A massive, multi-agency rescue operation that lasted seven hours ensured the safe evacuation of all passengers, some of whom were trapped in cabins dangling nearly 500 ft above the ground, officials said. Operations for both phases of the cable car [

JAMMU, May 25: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Monday attached immovable properties worth around Rs 45 lakh belonging to a drug peddler at Katra in Reasi district, officials said. The action was taken against Jamad Ali, a resident of Kheri Paroh in Katra tehsil, under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, police said. The attached properties included two residential houses allegedly acquired using proceeds generated from the illegal narcotics trade, they added. According to the

NEW DELHI, May 25: President of India Droupadi Murmu today conferred Padma Awards on 66 distinguished personalities during the first Civil Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The awards, among the countrys highest civilian honours, were presented in recognition of exceptional contribution in different fields, including literature, education, social work, science, public affairs and arts. Among the awardees from Jammu and Kashmir, Prof. Shafi Shauq was conferred the Padma Shri for hi

New Delhi, May 25: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a Junior Assistant, working in the office of the Superintending Engineer, PHE Mechanical Urban Circle, Narwal, Jammu, in a bribery case, the release said. The CBI registered the instant case on Sunday against the said accused based on a complaint alleging that the accused demanded a bribe of Rs. 4,500 from the complainant for processing and clearing the pension case of the complainant. The accused had shared the [] The pos

JAMMU, May 25: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has approved the selection list of 39 candidates for appointment as Civil Judges (Junior Division). The approval was accorded by the Lieutenant Governor on the recommendation of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission in terms of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Judicial) Recruitment Rules, 1967, according to an official order issued by the Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. See detail click here. The post LG Approve

Jammu, May 25: There is no respite from the prevailing heat wave conditions as the Jammu city today experienced the maximum temperature around 40.3 degrees Celsius. Jammu district today recorded a maximum of 40.3 degrees Celsius, and the minimum was 24.6 degrees Celsius, while Katra town in Reasi district was the second hottest place at 37.8 degrees Celsius and the minimum temperature was 22.6 degrees Celsius. However, Banihal recorded 25.6 degrees Celsius, Batote 28.1 degrees Celsius, and Bhade

SRINAGAR, May 25: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo today chaired the meeting of the State Executive Committee (SEC) of the Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation & Reconstruction (DMRR&R) to review and approve a series of significant initiatives aimed at strengthening disaster mitigation, preparedness and response mechanisms across Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, Finance; Principal Secretary, DMRR&R; Commandant General, SDRF; Commissioner

SRINAGAR, MAY 25: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today met legislators, Vice Chancellors and various delegations at the Civil Secretariat here and discussed a wide range of issues concerning regional development, public welfare, higher education, healthcare and infrastructure. A delegation of Members of the Legislative Assembly comprising Javid Iqbal (Budhal), Muzaffar Iqbal Khan (Thanamandi), Choudhary Mohammed Akram (Surankote) and Iftikhar Ahmed (Rajouri) called on the Chief Minister and discus

New Delhi, May 25: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has approved the appointment of IPS officer Rakesh Balwal as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on deputation basis. According to an official order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on May 25, 2026, Balwal, a 2012-batch IPS officer of the Manipur cadre, has been appointed as DIG in CRPF under the usual terms and conditions of central deputation. The MHA has requested the [] The post MHA Appoints Rak

JAMMU, May 25: The Apni Party on Monday expressed concern over the delay in the panchayat and urban local body (ULB) elections in Jammu and Kashmir and urged the authorities to hold them without further delay to strengthen grassroots governance, a party spokesperson said. The demand was raised during a provincial-level meeting of the Apni Party held under the chairmanship of party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari here. The meeting reviewed the prevailing political situation in Jammu and Kas

SRINAGAR, May 25: In a major push against narco-terror in Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday led a massive padyatra in Bandipora to galvanise support for the cause. Forty-five days ago, I pledged not only to dismantle the smugglers and narco-terrorists ecosystem, but also to spark a movement that uplifts youth and restores dignity to families scarred by addiction, the lieutenant governor said. Sinha said Jammu and Kashmir is united, strong in resolve, clear in purpose a

KYIV, May 25: Belarus exiled opposition leader visited Kyiv on Monday as the Ukrainian capital cleaned up after Russias biggest missile attack of the year, and world leaders kept a close eye on how much support the Belarusian government is ready to provide for Moscows all-out invasion of Ukraine. Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya arrived by train in Kyiv for her first visit to the city, a day after French President Emmanuel Macron spoke by phone with President Alexander Lukas

BEIJING/ISLAMABAD, May 25: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday met Chinese President Xi Jinping, who hailed Beijings unbreakable friendship with Islamabad and commended Pakistan for taking the initiative to play a mediating role in restoring peace in West Asia. During the meeting at the Great Hall of the People, Xi called Shehbaz an old friend and said the two countries understood, trusted and supported each other over decades, forging an unbreakable traditional friendship, according to Dawn

SRINAGAR, May 25: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today chaired a high-level review meeting with Administrative Secretaries of all departments to assess the Action Taken Reports (ATRs) on implementation of actionable points emerging from the Prime Ministers interaction with Secretaries to the Government of India, with special emphasis on strengthening the Whole of Government approach, enhancing Ease of Living through end-to-end digitization of public services and undertaking comprehensive process

NEW DELHI, May 25: The Delhi High Court on Monday listed for hearing on July 16 the CBI plea against the trial court order discharging AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Durgesh Pathak and other accused in the liquor policy case. Justice Manoj Jain noted that three vakalatnama appeared to have been filed on behalf of the three unrepresented AAP leaders, who had earlier boycotted the hearing before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, and deferred further hearing to await the [] The post Ex

NEW DELHI, May 25: The NIAs probe into the Red Fort car blast case has revealed a chilling conspiracy by the accused to carry out a series of terror attacks in Lucknow with targets including legislative assembly and other prominent locations with high footfalls, official sources said on Monday. They said that two of the key accused Dr Muzammil Shakeel and Dr Shaheen Saeed travelled from Haryanas Faridabad to Lucknow between August 25 and 30, 2025 as part [] The post Red Fort Blast Accused Visi

SRINAGAR, May 25: A joint rescue operation is currently underway in Gulmarg to ensure the safe evacuation of tourists stranded in cable car cabins following a technical malfunction earlier today. The Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha is personally monitoring the situation. He spoke to the Chief Secretary, Shri Atal Dulloo and has directed the Director General of Police Shri Nalin Prabhat to proceed to the site to oversee the rescue mission. In a post on X, the Lieutenant Governor has said: [] The

Srinagar, May 25: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today visited the sacred Hazratbal Shrine to review the preparations for the upcoming auspicious festival of Eid ul-Adha. He was accompanied by Dr Syed Darakhshan Andrabi, Chairperson, J&K Waqf Board; Mufti Reyaz ul Haq, Chief Imam Hazratbal Shrine; Anshul Garg, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Rajiv Omprakashn, DIG CKR; Dr. GV Sundeep Chakravarthy, SSP Srinagar; Akshay Labroo, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar; Faz Lul Haseeb, Municipal Commissioner

NEW DELHI, May 25: A review of nearly 90 studies across 19 countries, including the US, Canada and several European countries, where cycling was tested as an intervention has found that the physical activity can be an accessible tool for improving brain health and overall well-being, such as through better moods and increased social connections. Researchers from Outride, a US-based non-profit, The University of Oklahoma and Loma Linda University, said that with increasing mental health challenge

NEW DELHI, May 25: Cyient Semiconductors on Monday said it has secured financing of USD 30 million (about Rs 286 crore) from funds managed by Edelweiss and affiliated co-investors to scale up its global semiconductor business. The transaction includes an equity investment of about USD 10 million (Rs 100 crore) at a post-money equity valuation of USD 500 million (Rs 4,600 crore), alongside USD 20 million in structured debt designed to support long-duration growth, the company said in a regulatory

NEW DELHI, May 25: Realty firm Puravankara Ltd has acquired a 14.57-acre land parcel in Bengaluru to develop a housing project with a revenue potential of around Rs 2,300 crore. In a regulatory filing on Monday, the company said it has secured a 14.57-acre land parcel located in Mandur, Budigere, in Bengaluru. Out of the total area, 7.92 acre is part of a joint development agreement (JDA), while 6.65 acre has been purchased by Puravankara, as per the filing. The [] The post Puravankara acquires

NEW DELHI, May 25: Indias five listed real estate investment trusts (REITs) have distributed more than Rs 8,900 crore to unitholders during the last fiscal year amid strong demand for rent-yielding commercial assets. REITs are investment vehicles that own or operate income-generating real estate, enabling investors to earn a share of the income produced without directly purchasing the properties. As per the rules, REITs distribute income to unitholders in various forms, including dividend. In 20

MUMBAI, May 25: The rupee appreciated 35 paise to close at 95.25 (provisional) against the US dollar on Monday, registering the third straight session of gain, on optimism that the US and Iran were moving close to a peace deal even though they remained at odds over key issues, including blockades on the Strait of Hormuz. Forex traders said the rupee registered its third straight session of gain after RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, in a media interaction, said that the [] The post Rupee rises 35 p

Leh, May 25: In a transformative step towards strengthening digital governance and promoting a business-friendly ecosystem in Ladakh, Lt. Governor, Vinai Kumar Saxena, today launched an integrated Ease of Doing Business Portal in Ladakh. The portal, https://eodb.ladakh.gov.in, launched for the first time in Ladakh, is aimed at ushering in a major reform, by simplifying citizen services, reducing manual procedures, paperwork and inordinate delays in available multiple government services. The uni

NEW DELHI, May 25: The Centre on Monday asserted that there is adequate availability of fertilisers in the country to meet the demand of soil nutrients during the upcoming Kharif (summer-sown) season. At an inter-ministerial briefing on West Asia developments, Aparna S Sharma, Additional Secretary, Department of Fertilizers, said the domestic output post crisis has been good and the country is also importing fertilisers to ensure sufficient supply. The overall stock position of fertilizer in the

MUMBAI, May 25: Benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty surged over 1 per cent on Monday, driven by a sharp correction in crude oil prices and a rally in global markets amid improving sentiment surrounding the US-Iran negotiations. The 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 1,073.61 points, or 1.42 per cent, to settle at 76,488.96. During the day, it soared 1,143.72 points, or 1.51 per cent, to 76,559.07. The 50-share NSE Nifty surged 312.40 points, or 1.32 per cent, to end at [] The post Stock markets ju

JAMUNDI,(Colombia), May 25: Gladys Marin only has to cross the street to reach a school where polling stations will open Sunday in her small town in Colombia. But shes still not sure shell make the short walk, because fears for her safety could outweigh the chance to vote for the countrys next president. Her home in the southwestern village of Potrerito sits less than 100 metres (320 feet) from the police station, which has become a frequent target for drone-dropped [] The post Drone attacks rai

PESHAWAR, May 25: A speeding bus collided with a motorbus parked along a roadside in Pakistans northwest on Monday, killing at least 17 people and injuring five others, police said. The accident took place on the Swat Expressway in Mardan district. According to police, the passenger bus collided with another bus that was parked on the roadside due to a mechanical fault. At least 17 people were killed and five sustained injuries in the accident. Police said the victims belonged [] The post 17 kil

JAMMU, May 25: A major forest fire broke out in the Nowshera belt of Jammu and Kashmirs Rajouri district on Monday, causing extensive damage to large tracts of forest land, officials said. The blaze erupted under mysterious circumstances and quickly spread to several areas in the Nowshera region, fanned by dry vegetation and prevailing weather conditions, they added. Soon after receiving information about the incident, teams of the Forest Department, Jammu and Kashmir Fire and Emergency Services

SINGAPORE, May 25: A 26-year-old Indian national has been charged in Singapore for employing and harbouring 13 immigration offenders from India after their visit passes had expired, authorities said. Kanojiya Riken, along with two Singaporeans were charged on May 21 for immigration offences, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said in a statement on Thursday. Riken was charged for harbouring 13 other Indian immigration offenders, aged between 19 and 44 years old, without conducting due

KAMPALA,(Uganda), May 25: Ugandan health authorities on Monday reported two new Ebola cases, bringing the number of infections to seven. All the cases are linked to the outbreak in neighbouring Congo, which appears to have started several days or weeks before Congolese authorities declared it on May 15. A 59-year-old Congolese man was admitted to a hospital in Kampala, the Ugandan capital, on May 11, and died three days later, before it was known he was suffering from the Ebola [] The post Ugand

MUMBAI, May 25: Hours after the fourth hike in pump prices for petrol and diesel in 11 days, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said that the crisis in West Asia is not just a geopolitical issue, but it will lead to higher fuel costs for the common people. Speaking at the 27th foundation day event of Sidbi here, she said the government is sacrificing Rs 1 lakh crore of revenue by cutting the excise duties on diesel and [] The post West Asia Crisis Not A Diplomatic Issue, Will Le

SRINAGAR, May 25: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today handed over regularisation orders to Contingent Paid Workers (CPWs) of the School Education Department at Civil Secretariat function here. Minister for School Education Sakina Itoo was present on the occasion. Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Special Secretary School Education Ghulam Rasool Mir, Director School Education Kashmir Naseer Ahmed Wani and other senior officers of the concerned department were also pre

Srinagar, May 25: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Monday said that the situation at the Gulmarg Gondola remains fully under control after the cable car service was temporarily suspended following a technical fault. In a statement shared by the Office of the Chief Minister on X, the government said that all gondola cabins are safe and intact, while rescue teams have been pressed into service to evacuate stranded tourists safely. The administration said it is closely monitoring the situation [

NEW DELHI, May 25: The Supreme Court on Monday sought responses from the Centre, child rights body NCPCR, and the NHRC on a PIL seeking an absolute ban on the employment of children and adolescents in orchestras, dance troupes, massage parlours, and spas. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi took note of the submissions of senior advocate H S Phoolka, appearing for child rights collective Just Rights for Children Alliance (JRCA), [] The po

LUCKNOW, May 25: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said the State Government is committed to ensuring the safety of citizens and the timely resolution of public grievances. According to an official statement, the Chief Minister met complainants from various districts during the Janata Darshan programme and listened to their concerns. He said the government places top priority on the safety and dignity of people and is committed to ensuring proper redressal of grievances. He

NEW DELHI, May 25: Actor Kangana Ranaut slammed criticism around Aishwarya Rai Bachchans Cannes outfit and said fashion is a self-expression and ones own interpretation of life and their attitude. Bachchan, who has represented LOreal Paris at Cannes since 2003 as a global brand ambassador, attended the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, which concluded on Saturday, along with her daughter Aaradhya Bachchan. Ranaut shared a picture of Bachchan on her Insatgram story on Monday, which featured her i

NEW DELHI, May 25: With the CBSE set to engage IIT-Madras and IIT-Kanpur experts to address technical challenges in its post-result services portal, the Congress on Monday attacked the government, saying the Mantri Pradhan should step down and the Pradhan Mantri owed people an explanation for why the minister was being allowed to continue. Congress general secretary in-charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, said the CBSE introduced an On-Screen Marking (OSM) system for Class 12 board examinati

Bandipora, May 25: Saying that narco-terrorism and drug trafficking pose one of the biggest threats to Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday said the administration will not rest until drugs are completely eradicated from the Union Territory. Addressing a large gathering at SK Stadium Bandipora during the Mega Padyatra organised under the J&K Nasha Mukt Abhiyan, the Lieutenant Governor said money generated through drugs is reaching terrorists and destroying families across

JAMMU, May 25: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Monday ordered the regularisation and promotion of 17 In-charge Information Officers and Assistant Information Officers as Information Officers and equivalent in the Information Department. According to Government Order No. 17-JK(ID) of 2026 dated May 25, 2026, issued by the Information Department, the promoted officers have been placed in Pay Level-8 (47,6001,51,100). The officers include Showket Ahmad Khan, Riyaz Ahmad Fazili, Parshotam Dass,

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MUMBAI, May 25: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday called for increased focus on 3Fs fuel, fertiliser and forex amid the West Asia crisis, underlining that the domestic economy continues to be resilient. Speaking at an event to celebrate the 37th anniversary of SIDBI here, the FM hit out at naysayers for creating a cynical and pessimistic narrative after PM Narendra Modis appeals on altruism, pointing out that India cannot afford fearmongering and that giving the confidence []

NEW DELHI, May 25: Petrol prices were raised by Rs 2.61 a litre and diesel by Rs 2.71 on Monday, the fourth increase in less than two weeks that extended a delayed pass-through of soaring global crude oil costs triggered by the Iran conflict. The latest increase took cumulative hikes since May 15 to nearly Rs 7.5 per litre. In Delhi, petrol prices rose to Rs 102.12 per litre from Rs 99.51, while diesel climbed to Rs 95.20 from Rs [] The post Petrol Tops Rs 100 Across Most Cities, Diesel Nears Rs

Bandipora, May 25: A massive public turnout was witnessed in Bandipora on Monday during the Mega Padyatra organised under the ongoing 100 Days Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyaan, aimed at spreading awareness against drug abuse and promoting a healthier society. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha arrived at SK Stadium Bandipora to lead the anti-drug padyatra, receiving a warm welcome from locals, youth and members of civil society. Participants appreciated the Lieutenant Governors initiative and hi

JAMMU, May 25: A search operation to track down suspected terrorists believed to be hiding in the dense woods of Jammu and Kashmirs Rajouri district entered the third consecutive day on Monday, officials said. A joint team of the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) had launched the operation in the area on Saturday following specific inputs about the movement of suspected terrorists. An encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in the [] Th

AGRA, May 25: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited the Taj Mahal with his wife Jeanette Rubio on a searingly hot Monday morning, describing the famed Mughal era monument as one of the love treasures of the world. Rubio, who is on a four-day visit to India, arrived at the Kheria airport in Agra in a special aircraft around 10 am and travelled by car to a hotel near the eastern gate of the Taj Mahal before proceeding to [] The post US Secretary Of State Marco Rubio Visits Taj Mahal With Wife

LOS ANGELES, May 25: Hollywood actor Idris Elba has cleared the rumours claiming he was considered for the role of the next James Bond and said he was never in the race. Honestly not in the race everMy names not getting thrown out, no way, he told entertainment news magazine People in the interview. Theyre going younger. And I wish them all the luck of the world. I cant wait its going to be amazing, he added. Earlier this [] The post Was never in the race: Idris Elba dismisses James Bond castin

MELBOURNE, May 25: An Australian spy agency boss told an inquiry on Monday he had pivoted resources away from counterterrorism to espionage and foreign interference investigations a few years before two gunmen massacred 15 people at a Sydney Hanukkah celebration. Mike Burgess, director-general of the Australian Security Intelligence Organization, the nations main domestic spy agency known as ASIO, was testifying at a wide-ranging government inquiry into the spread of antisemitism in Australia ah

DHAKA, May 25: A truck carrying iron rods and extra passengers overturned on a major highway early Monday in central Bangladesh, leaving at least 15 people dead and 10 others injured, police said. The crash happened after the driver lost control around 5 am at Soratoil area in Tangail district, 83 kilometres (52 miles) northwest of the nations capital, Dhaka, said local police chief Fuad Hossain. Hossain said the truck was carrying hitchhiking passengers and travelling from Dhaka to the [] The p