Daily Excelsior News

PHNOM PENH, Dec 21: The civilian death toll in Cambodia has increased to 19, as the renewed border conflict with Thailand has entered its 15th day, according to Cambodias defense ministry. The 19 deaths include an infant, and 79 civilians were injured as of 6 p.m. local time on Dec. 20, Cambodian Defense Ministrys Undersecretary of State and Spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata told a press briefing. The Cambodia-Thailand border conflict has reignited since Dec. 7, causing casualties to both [] T

LOS ANGELES, Dec 21: German actor Lars Eidinger became the latest addition to the star cast of the upcoming film Superman: The Man of Tomorrow. Directed by James Gunn, the film is set to release in theatres on October 9, 2027. The filmmaker shared the news with an Instagram post on Saturday and said the actor will essay the role of Brainiac. Sharing the picture of the actor, Gunn wrote, In our worldwide search for Brainiac in Man of [] The post Lars Eidinger to feature in Superman: The Man of T

MIAMI, Dec 21: A Kremlin envoy says peace talks on a US-proposed plan to end the nearly four-year war in Ukraine were pressing on constructively in Florida. The talks are part of the Trump administrations monthslong push for peace that also included meetings with Ukrainian and European officials in Berlin earlier this week. The discussions are proceeding constructively. They began earlier and will continue today, and will also continue tomorrow, Kirill Dmitriev told reporters Saturday, accordin

NEW DELHI, Dec 21: Inox Clean Energy Ltd has executed definitive agreements with Australia-based Macquarie Corporate Holdings Pty Ltd and other shareholders to acquire Vibrant Energy, which has a portfolio of 1337 MW. Noida-based INOXGFL Group company did not disclose the deal value, but as per industry sources, it was about Rs 5,000 crore. Vibrant Energy is a diversified renewable energy independent power producer (RE IPP) in India. In a statement on Sunday, Inox Clean announced the execution

NEW DELHI, Dec 21: Stock markets are likely to trade in a range-bound manner in a holiday-shortened week where trading activity of foreign investors, currency movement and global macroeconomic data announcements are expected to drive sentiments, analysts said. Several global markets may see subdued activity on account of Christmas and New Year holidays, an expert said. The domestic stock market would be closed on Thursday for Christmas. This week marks the onset of the year-end festive period a

NEW DELHI, Dec 21:The combined market valuation of six of the top-10 most-valued firms climbed Rs 75,256.97 crore last week, with Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys emerging as the biggest winners. Last week, the BSE benchmark declined 338.3 points, or 0.39 per cent. While Reliance Industries, Bharti Airtel, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), State Bank of India, Infosys, and Larsen & Toubro were the gainers, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Bajaj Finance, and Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) f

JAMMU, Dec 21: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo kick-started the Pulse Polio Campaign across Jammu and Kashmir from Jammu by inaugurating National Immunization Day (Polio Day) at Government Hospital Gandhinagar here today. The campaign was inaugurated by Health Minister while personally administering Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) drops to toddlers and children, symbolically marking the beginning of campaign across Jammu and Kashmir and symbolizing

NEW DELHI, Dec 21: The Congress on Saturday took a swipe at the Modi government over the passage of the SHANTI Bill, saying it was bulldozed in Parliament not only for TRUMP but also for ADANI. Congress general secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, shared a screenshot of a media report on X, which claimed that the Adani group plans a nuclear energy foray after private firms get a go-ahead to enter the sector. Parliament on Thursday passed the [] The post SHANTI Bill bulldozed in

Hyderabad, Dec 21: Meditation is a universal practice that transcends cultural, geographical and religious boundaries, and a path that leads to inner peace, mental clarity and emotional stability, Vice President C P Radhakrishnan said on Sunday. Speaking at the World Meditation Day celebrations at Kanha Shanti Vanam in Telangana, Radhakrishnan said in India, meditation is not just a practice, but an ancient science, a discipline of the mind and spirit that has been passed down through ages. He a

Jammu, Dec 21: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Sunday conducted a pulse polio drive across the Union territory, with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah urging parents to ensure that every child aged 0-5 years receives polio drops. Abdullah also reaffirmed the governments commitment to making the UT a polio-free region. In an X post, the chief ministers office said, On the Pulse Polio campaign launched today (Sunday), the chief minister urged parents to take their children to receive the oral [] Th

Namrup, Dec 21: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Congress, accusing the party of engaging in anti-national activities and helping illegal Bagladeshi immigrants to settle in the state. Addressing a public rally after unveiling a Rs 10,601-crore fertiliser plant at Namrup in Assams Dibrugarh, Modi also alleged that the Congress did not make any effort to modernise the old plant here, and find solutions to problems faced by farmers. The Congress is indulging

Srinagar, Dec 21: Flight operations at Srinagar International Airport were badly hit on Sunday due to adverse weather conditions, leading to the cancellation of 15 flights till 1:00 pm, officials said. An official at Srinagar Airport said that around 15 flights arrival and departures were cancelled due to bad weather at Srinagar airport. Poor visibility and unfavorable weather conditions severely affected flight movements till afternoon, official said. According to airport authorities, as of 130

New Delhi, Dec 21: The Railway Ministry has on Sunday announced a hike in train tickets by 1 paise per km for ordinary class beyond a journey of 215 km, and 2 paise per km for non-AC classes of mail/express trains and AC classes of all trains. The new rates will be effective from December 26, 2025. There is no increase in the monthly season tickets of suburban trains and up to 215 km travel in ordinary class of other [] The post Hike In Train Fares: 1 Paisa/Km Beyond 215 Km For Ordinary Class, 2

SRINAGAR, Dec 21: The first-ever food grain freight train of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) Sunday reached the Anantnag Goods Terminal, marking a major boost to food security and logistics in Kashmir. Depot Manager FCI Kashmir, K L Mina said that the train from Punjab carried around 1,384 tonnes of food grains in 21 wagons. He said that 21 wagons reached today and 42 will arrive soon. 1,300 matric tonnes of rice arrived today. Remaining 42 wagons will carry [] The post In A First, Food-Grai

SRINAGAR, Dec 21: Snowfall in the upper reaches and rains in the plains pushed up the minimum temperature in Kashmir on Sunday, with Srinagar recording its warmest night this winter, officials said here. At 4 degrees Celsius, the minimum temperature in Srinagar on Sunday was six notches above normal, even as the higher reaches of Kashmir witnessed snowfall and the plains rain as Chillai-Kalan, the 40-day harshest winter period, brought much-needed respite for the people of the Valley after a []

Kolkata, Dec 21: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday said there are some misconceptions about the organisation among a section of people, owing to misleading campaigns. Speaking at a programme at the Science City auditorium here to mark the centenary celebrations of the RSS, Bhagwat said the Sangh has no enemy, but there are some whose shops of narrow interest will shut down if the organisation grows. He said a person has the right to make an opinion [] The post Misconcepti

NEW DELHI, Dec 21: Germany is targeting 10 lakh overnight stays by Indian tourists in the country in 2026, after narrowly missing the goal this year, according to a German National Tourist Office India official. German National Tourist Office (GNTO) India, the official representative office of the German National Tourist Board, expects to close 2025 with 9.6 lakh overnights into Germany by Indian tourists, GNTO Director of Marketing & Sales Office India, Romit Theophilus, told PTI. We want []

NEW DELHI, Dec 21: Amid the rising global demand for rare earth elements, a parliamentary panel has urged the government to bolster IREL (India) with focused budgetary support to prioritise exploration and mining of the critical mineral. IREL (India), a central public sector enterprise under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), is the only company in India that is engaged in the mining of rare earth ores and refining them into rare earth oxides. The Standing Committee on Coal, [] The post Par

NEW DELHI, Dec 21: State Bank of India (SBI), the countrys largest lender, is poised to achieve another milestone with its home loan portfolio expected to cross the Rs 10 lakh crore mark next fiscal year, driven by robust demand and a favourable low-interest-rate regime. Today my home loan portfolio is more than Rs 9 lakh crorethis is the single largest business unit in the bank, over 20 per cent of our total assets, SBI Chairman C S Setty told [] The post Home loan book set to cross Rs 10 lakh

NEW DELHI, Dec 21: The Securities Markets Code (SMC) Bill draws a clear line on capital markets regulator Sebis enforcement reach by imposing an eight-year statutory limit on inspections and investigations, a move aimed at preventing prolonged regulatory overhang on market participants. However, this eight-year limitation will not apply to cases that have a systemic impact on the securities market. Apart from setting a time bar, the Bill also introduced a time-bound enforcement framework. It ma

NEW DELHI, Dec 21: After a record-breaking year, Indias automobile industry is entering 2026 on a relatively strong footing, with sales growth expected in the 6-8 per cent range. The outlook is underpinned by policy support, including GST rationalisation, easing monetary conditions, and income tax relief, which together are likely to improve affordability and sustain consumer demand across vehicle segments. The momentum reflects more than cyclical recovery. Passenger vehicle volumes in 2025 rebo

NEW DELHI, Dec 21: While major powers slowed their push on renewable energy, India often portrayed as a champion of fossil fuels did the unthinkable. In 2025, it achieved a major climate milestone, with 50 per cent of its installed power generation capacity now coming from non-fossil fuel sources, five years ahead of its 2030 target under the Paris Agreement signed in December 2015. The worlds fastest-growing economy now has a total installed generation capacity of about 510 [] The post India

BAGHDAD, Dec 21: Political factions in Iraq have been maneuvering since the parliamentary election more than a month ago to form alliances that will shape the next government. The November election didnt produce a bloc with a decisive majority, opening the door to a prolonged period of negotiations. The government that eventually emerges will be inheriting a security situation that has stabilized in recent years, but it will also face a fragmented parliament, growing political influence by arme

COLOMBO, Dec 21: India has extended its humanitarian and infrastructure assistance from the islands north to the northern Jaffna peninsula following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah. Under Operation Sagar Bandhu, India has deployed engineering and medical teams to restore damaged connectivity and support affected communities. As part of Indias continued assistance to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu, the Indian High Commission in Colombo, Assistant High Commission in Kandy and Con

ISLAMABAD, Dec 21: Pakistans former Prime Minister Imran Khan urged his supporters to gear up for countrywide protests following a 17-year jail term handed to him and wife Bushra Bibi in a corruption case. Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were sentenced to 17 years in jail each by a court on Saturday in the Toshakhana 2 corruption case. Khan, 73, who has been in jail since August 2023, faces multiple cases launched against him since his ouster from power [] The post Imran Khan calls for nationwide

Srinagar, Dec 21: The Economic Offences Wing of the Jammu and Kashmir Crime Branch has filed a chargesheet against five persons, including two senior revenue officials, in a land fraud case, an official said on Sunday. The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) filed the chargesheet under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 120-B RPC read with Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act before the court of special judge (anti-corruption), Srinagar, against five accused persons, including four revenue offici

JAMMU, Dec 21: Security forces launched a search operation at a village in Jammu and Kashmirs Udhampur district after terrorists reportedly took food from a house before escaping into the nearby forest area, officials said on Sunday. The joint search operation by police and paramilitary forces was underway at Chore Motu and its adjoining forest villages in the Majalta area, some 5 km west of the site of an earlier encounter that left a policeman dead, the officials said. They [] The post Searche

NEW DELHI, Dec 21: The air quality in the national capital was recorded in the very poor category on Sunday morning, with an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 386, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Data from the CPCBs Sameer app revealed that 16 monitoring stations in the city reported air quality in the severe category, while the remaining stations recorded very poor levels. As per CPCB standards, an AQI between 0 and 50 is [] The post Delhis Air Quality In Very

SRIHARIKOTA, Dec 21: ISROs upcoming LVM3 M6 mission will carry the BlueBird Block-2 satellite into orbit on December 24, as part of a commercial deal with US-based AST SpaceMobile. The historic mission will deploy the next-generation communication satellite designed to provide high-speed cellular broadband directly to smartphones worldwide. AST SpaceMobile (AST & Science, LLC) is building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network, which is accessible directly by smartphones and d

NEW DELHI, Dec 21: The vision of fully electrified dedicated freight corridors with exclusive high-capacity tracks, aimed at significantly boosting freight movement efficiency, could face setbacks if operational bottlenecks, such as crew availability, are not addressed promptly, a parliamentary committee has warned. The committees comments came after the Ministry of Railways acknowledged that the biggest challenge faced by the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India (DFCCIL) in running

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Dr Mandeep Singh Azad and Dr Kawardeep The week from 20th December to 27th December is a week of sadness, grief, courage, valor, ultimate sacrifice and proud also for whole Sikh community. This week witnesss martyrdom of Guru Gobind Singh ji family and of four sons. Shaheedi Week is not a ritual on the calendar. It is a wound in human history that never fully healed. It is that brief, frozen stretch of time when innocence confronted cruelty, when a [] The post When history wept, and conscience w

DHAKA, Dec 21: Security has been strengthened at the Indian Assistant High Commission office and the visa application centre in Bangladeshs Sylhet city in the wake of heightened tensions following the death of prominent youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi, officials said. The enhanced security measures were put in place to ensure that no third party can exploit the situation, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media) of the Sylhet Metropolitan Police Saiful Islam was quoted as saying by The Dhaka Tribun

Srinagar, Dec 21: In a major breakthrough in a high-profile land scam, the Economic Offences Wing of the Crime Branch Kashmir has filed a chargesheet before the Court of Special Judge Anti-Corruption, Srinagar, against five accused persons, including four senior revenue officials, for their alleged role in fraudulently manipulating land records and illegally cancelling valid mutations to facilitate resale of land. In a statement, The Economic Offences Wing of Crime Branch Kashmir has filed a cha

Srinagar, Dec 21: The higher reaches of Kashmir witnessed snowfall and the plains rain on Sunday as Chillai-Kalan, the 40-day harshest winter period, brought much-needed respite for the people of the Valley after a prolonged dry spell. Snowfall was reported from the Gulmarg tourist resort in north Kashmirs Baramulla district, where nearly two inches of snow has accumulated, officials said here. In the tourist resort of Sonamarg on the Srinagar-Kargil highway, snowfall began early Sunday morning

Inderjeet S Bhatia Prince bhatiainderjeet3@gmail.com The history of humanity is marked by countless stories of courage, but few episodes shine as luminously as the sacrifices of the four sons of the tenth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Reverently remembered as the Chaar Sahibzaade, Baba Ajit Singh Ji, Baba Jujhar Singh Ji, and the younger Sahibzaade, Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and Baba Fateh Singh Ji, occupy a unique place in the annals of moral courage, youthful heroism, and unwavering [] The

Rajan Sachdev sachdevrajan@gmail.com Meditation is not about escaping life; it is about connecting with life at its source. While many approach meditation as a tool to reduce stress or calm the mind, its purpose goes much deeper. At its heart, meditation is an inner journey. One that brings clarity, balance, and a sense of peace that no external success can provide. It is this deeper purpose that Heartfulness highlights on World Meditation Day, calling for a pause the world urgently [] The post

Lt Gen Narendra Kotwal (R ), Dr Sumedha Kotwal narendrakotwal@gmail.com Humanity has always looked upward and inward, seeking meaning, purpose, and protection from a higher power. Some call it God, others call it Nature, Universe, Consciousness, or Spirit. Regardless of the language, faith, or framework, humans across the world instinctively acknowledge an invisible yet undeniable force that sustains life. And when we turn to the language of science for answers, it quietly points toward a profou

Prof D Mukherjee mukhopadhyay.dinabandhu@gmail.com The India-Oman relationship reached a historic milestone on 18 December 2025 with the conferment of the Order of Oman, the Sultanates highest civilian honour, on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, coinciding with the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). This event marked the beginning of a new phase in economic cooperation between the two nations. India and Oman have shared centuries of trade, maritime exchange, and cul

Dr Harmeet Singh Soodan harmeetjnu@gmail.com A small village in Baramulla has suddenly stepped into the archaeological spotlight. Zehanpora-long known only for its orchards, river breeze, and undulating farmland-has revealed a buried heritage that could redefine Kashmirs ancient history. Drone surveys conducted by archaeologists have confirmed what villagers had suspected but could never prove: the large mounds scattered across the landscape are not natural formations but ancient man-made struct

Dr Vikas Abrol abrolvics@gmail.com Meditation is the science of reuniting the soul with the Infinite Spirit or God. By meditating regularly and deeply, you will awaken your soul. Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda In todays relentlessly fast-moving world, stress, conflict, and uncertainty have become part of daily life. Mental fatigue and emotional strain are no longer isolated concerns; they are global realities. It is in this context that meditation has emerged not as a luxury or a spiritual indul

Dr Rashpal Singh rashpalsingh786bari@gmail.com Name of the Book:- PEGHAM (Afsanay) Name of the Author:- Nawab Din Kasana (JKAS) Publisher:- Educational Publsihing House New Delhi India Pages:- 232 After getting through this book for review more than two months I came to the conclusion that author has justified the title of book .Pegham is a collection of Urdu short stories having deep meaning if I put one Poetry in the review like Khanjer Chale kisi pe tuoTadpte hain Hum aae [] The post A messa

Mahi Charak mahicharak06@gmail.com Language is one of humanitys greatest creations. It is the invisible thread that binds hearts, the bridge between minds and the mirror of civilization itself. Through language, we share ideas, express emotions, preserve culture and build nations. Yet, behind every word we speak lies a mystery how did language begin? Was it a divine gift or did it slowly evolve from gestures and sounds? These questions have always fascinated me, not as a researcher but as [] Th

Its Origins and Food History Dr Rakesh Verma rakeshforests@gmail.com Kalari cheese is a unique artisanal cheese that holds a special place in the culinary landscape of India, particularly in the Jammu region. Known for its rich, creamy texture and mild flavor, Kalari is crafted from full-fat cow, buffalo, or goats milk by nomadic tribes and agro-pastoralist communities. This traditional cheese is referred to in various local dialects: doodh chapati in Hindi, maish krej in Kashmiri, and kalari in

Lalit Gupta lalitguptajammu@gmail.com Subhash Razdans exhibition titled Akshra created a kind of silent uproar within Jammus cultural circles. As the first of its kind exhibition that crafts an innovative visual dialect for interpreting the Sharda script, it has positioned itself at the intriguing cusp of art, linguistic heritage, and spirituality. Razdans latest works are not merely revivalist in intent; they seek to illuminate the spiritual content within the script, which the seers hailed as

Fog affects air, train services; 5 flights cancelled *Srinagar-Leh NH closed after snowfall at Zojila Gopal Sharma JAMMU, Dec 20: The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is likely to face a spell of wet weather, including moderate to heavy snowfall in the higher reaches as the Western Disturbances (WDs) may hit the region tomorrow, whereas, at least five flights were cancelled and several trains and flights were delayed in Jammu due to dense fog today. Follow the Daily Excelsior [] The post Sno

Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, Dec 20: Chief Justice High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Justice Arun Palli, today inaugurated newly constructed Court Complex at Hiranagar in a solemn ceremony. The ceremony was attended by Justice Sanjeev Kumar and Justice Rajnesh Oswal, Administrative Judge for District Kathua. MK Sharma, Registrar General High Court; Rajeev Gupta Registrar Vigilance; Jatinder Singh Jamwal, Principal District and Sessions Judge Kathua; Viijay Kumar Sharma, MLA Hiranagar;

Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Dec 20: A person was arrested in Pulwama district today and the posters of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) were recovered from his possession, police said. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp During routine checking at Gudoora area near New Circular Road in the south Kashmir district, the accused identified as Hilal Ahmad Bhat, resident of Khadermooh Kakapora was arrested, an official said. During a search of his personal belongings, some posters o

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 20: Security forces have intensified anti-terror operations across the Jammu region following intelligence inputs about a possible infiltration attempt by terrorists from across the border amid dense fog. Search operations by police, Army, BSF and CRPF are underway at various locations near the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC) in Kathua, Samba, Jammu and Rajouri districts, besides the Chatroo forest belt in Kishtwar. According to intelligence

Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, Dec 20: The Special Judge Budgam designated under NIA Act has issued non-bailable warrants against banned Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militant outfit commander Mohammad Yusuf Shah alias Salah-ud-Din for evading arrest in FIR registered against him way back in 2012. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp The public prosecutor has sought issuance of non bailable warrant against the accused-Mohammad Yusuf Shah alias Salah ud Din of Bonpora Soibugh, supremo of Hi