Daily Excelsior

Excelsior Correspondent NEW DELHI, May 18: A high-level U.S. industry delegation comprising representatives from the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) and the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) today held detailed discussions with Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, on emerging opportunities

Dr B N Tripathi vcskuastjammu@gmail.com The Middle East conflict is no longer just a geopolitical issue confined to oil-producing nations. Its effects are now flowing directly into farms, food systems, trade routes, fertilizer markets and household kitchens across the world. Recent assessments by the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme suggest that severe escalation scenarios in the Middle East could impose economic losses ranging from nearly USD

Calls for completion of works before yatra Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, May 18: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today conducted an on-site inspection and reviewed the ongoing construction works and pilgrim facilities at Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) Yatri Niwas at Pantha Chowk, Srinagar. Sinha interacted with the officials and directed them for expediting the progress and ensure completion of pending works well before commencement of Shri Amarnathji yatra. He also reviewed the arrange

Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, May 18: On the second day of its activities in Srinagar, FICCI FLO Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh hosted its marquee exhibition, `Vibrant Verve, a pop-up edit at the Radisson Collection Hotel & Spa, Riverfront Srinagar. The exhibition was inaugurated by Dr Hina Shafi Bhat, senior BJP leader who appreciated the initiative and praised FICCI FLO JKL for creating meaningful platforms for women entrepreneurs. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Hina Bhat said FICCI FLO Jammu, Kash

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 18: Leader of Opposition, Sunil Kumar Sharma on Monday said the Speaker Abdul Rahim Rathers claims on the issue of appointing Chairpersons of House committees smack of an attempt to cover up wrongdoing rather than to respond to the reservations of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over it. He said the Speakers discretion to appoint heads of six non-financial House committees cannot be driven by party interests, but must be guided by fairness and well-established

Excelsior Correspondent KOTA, May 18: ALLEN Career Institute has welcomed the announcements made by Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan regarding changes in the conduct of the NEET-UG examination. In this regard, the CEO of the ALLEN Career Institute, Nitin Kukreja, stated that the decisions taken by the Ministry of Education are highly welcomed. First and foremost, the decision to reconduct the examination within a reasonable timeframe was appropriate. Along with this, the announcement of the

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 18: Himachal Pradesh Governor Kavinder Gupta today visited Prem Nath Dogra Bhawan at Kachi Chawni area here and paid tribute to veteran Dogra leader Pt Prem Nath Dogra. During his interaction with the family members of the late leader, Kavinder Gupta recalled Dogras contribution towards strengthening nationalist forces in Jammu and Kashmir and described him as a symbol of patriotism and public awakening. Referring to his role in the Praja Parishad Movement, the

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 18: Member of Parliament Jugal Kishore Sharma today chaired the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meeting at the District Headquarters, here, to review the implementation and progress of the Centrally Sponsored Schemes and flagship programmes being executed in the district. Member of Rajya Sabha Sat Paul Sharma, who is Co-Chairperson of the DISHA Committee, also presided over the deliberations and offered valuable inputs on the

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 18: Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani, today chaired a high-level meeting with senior officers to review summer preparedness, arrangements for upcoming pilgrimages, availability of food and essential supplies, and preparedness for Eid-ul-Adha celebrations across Jammu division. The meeting was attended by Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar, IGP Jammu Bhimsen Tuti, DIG Traffic J&K Dr Haseeb Mughal, Commissioner Jammu Municipal Corporation D

Dr Rizwan Rumi rizwanroomi2012@gmail.com Drug addiction has emerged as one of the gravest social and public health crises confronting Jammu and Kashmir in recent years. The alarming spread of narcotics among the youth has deeply disturbed families, educational institutions and communities across the Union Territory. What was once perceived as an isolated urban problem has now penetrated villages, towns, colleges and even school environments, threatening the social fabric and future stability of

LAKHIMPUR KHERI (UP), May 18: Ten people were killed when a van collided head-on with a truck on the Sisaiya-Lakhimpur National Highway on Monday, police said. The van was going to Sisaiya from Lakhimpur when the accident took place between Unchgaon and Bharehta villages. President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the accident. The prime minister also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the next of kin []

NEW DELHI, May 18: The U.S. Department of Justice has permanently dropped all criminal charges against Indian tycoon Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar, bringing high-profile securities and wire fraud case in New York to a complete close after prosecutors concluded they could not sustain the allegations. With this, multiple US regulatory and legal investigations involving the group have all closed in the last couple of days. Last week, the US Securities and Exchange Commission settled civil alleg

NEW DELHI, May 18: A US industry delegation on Monday held discussions with Union minister Jitendra Singh on emerging opportunities for private investment and industry collaboration in Indias nuclear sector. The interaction focused on Indias Nuclear Energy Mission, recent policy reforms enabling greater private sector participation, and expanding the scope of India-US cooperation in clean energy and critical technologies. In a statement, Singh said, India aims to increase its nuclear power capac

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, May 18: Mission Olympics Shooting Academy Jammu celebrated an impressive performance by its young shooters at the India Open National Level Competition organised by the National Rifle Association of India at Trishul Shooting Academy from May 15 to 23. Young shooter Dharya Kotwal emerged as the star performer by clinching double gold medals in the 10m Air Rifle Sub Youth and Youth categories. She registered an outstanding score of 415.3, displaying remarkable

*Sanctions Rs 2 lakh cash award Excelsior Sports Correspondent SRINAGAR, May 18: Commissioner Secretary, Youth Services and Sports, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, today felicitated young boxing sensation, 14-year-old Mohammad Yaseer of Rajouri, for his historic gold medal at the Under-15 Asian Boxing Championship held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The Jammu and Kashmir Government has also sanctioned a cash award of Rs 2 lakh in favour of boxer Yaseer from Rajouri for his outstanding achievement at the As

NEW DELHI, May 18 : A 24-year-old woman, Deepika Nagar, allegedly died after being harassed for more dowry at her matrimonial home in Jalpura, Greater Noida, just 14 months after her marriage. Deepika, who was considered among the most beautiful and educated girls in her village, was a postgraduate and had completed her BA and B.Ed. Her father had raised her with great care and affection, but her life at her in-laws house lasted only 14 months. Deepika was married [] The post 14 months after mar

WASHINGTON, May 18: A 25-year-old Indian student died in a road accident near Chicago in the US that left six others injured. The accident took place late Saturday night on Interstate 65 highway near the city of Crown Point in Lake County of Indiana state. Local media reports identified the student at Navya Gadusu, who was pronounced dead at 12:16 am on Sunday, by the Lake County Coroners office. Gadusus death was caused by blunt force traumatic injuries sustained in [] The post Indian student d

Narco-terror accused from Kashmir granted bail NEW DELHI, May 18:The Supreme Court today flagged low conviction rates under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and said that more than 90 per cent of such trials culminate in acquittals. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan made the observations while granting bail to a Jammu and Kashmir resident, Syed Iftikhar Andrabi, accused in a narco-terrorism case. The top court referred to d

250 Graduates say careers at risk Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, May 18: A group of students from Sher-e -Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura, today alleged that their B.Sc Medical Technology degrees are not recognised outside the institute, leaving nearly 250 graduates struggling to secure jobs and professional registration. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp The protesting students said the course was introduced by SKIMS and admissions were conducted through the Board o

Coaching Centre founder sent to CBI custody NEW DELHI, May 18:A parliamentary panel has decided to review the implementation of reforms in the National Testing Agency (NTA) as well as the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case and has summoned NTA Chairperson Pradeep Kumar Joshi and other bureaucrats for deliberations. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports will seek the views of top education ministry bureaucrats

JAGDALPUR (CHHATTISGARH), May 18: Union Home Minister Amit Shah today asserted that India is now by and large free from three main internal security problems of Naxalism, terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and insurgency in the Northeast. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp Speaking in the former Maoist stronghold of Jagdalpur, Bastar, Shah said the Centre and the State Government are working with full commitment to ensure lasting peace and progress in the region and it will emerge as []

Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, May 18: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch J&K today filed a charge sheet against a former In-charge Superintendent Engineer of the erstwhile J&K State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) for allegedly manipulating his date of birth in official service records to obtain undue service benefits. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp According to a statement issued by the Crime Branch, the charge sheet was submitted before the court of the

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 18: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has enhanced the Dearness Allowance (DA) for Government employees and pensioners from 58 percent to 60 percent with retrospective effect from January 1, 2026. The Finance Department issued two separate orders in this regard for employees and pensioners/family pensioners drawing pay and pension under the 7th Pay Commission recommendations. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp As per the orders, the revised DA for em

New Delhi/New York, May 18: The US Department of Justice has permanently dropped all criminal charges against Indian tycoon Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar, bringing high-profile securities and wire fraud case in New York to a complete close after prosecutors concluded they could not sustain the allegations. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp With this, multiple US regulatory and legal investigations involving the group have all closed in the last couple of days. Last week, the US

WASHINGTON, May 18:US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Monday that the US administration would extend for 30 days a sanctions waiver allowing trade in Russian seaborne oil after several countries requested more time to continue purchases. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp The move will allow temporary access to Russian oil and petroleum products stranded on tankers without breaching strict US sanctions imposed on major Russian oil companies. Washington had introduced the exe

Excelsior Correspondent SAMBA, May 18: A 32-year-old woman was allegedly murdered in broad daylight in Bari Brahmana area of Samba district today, officials said. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp Identified as Anuradha, wife of Ajay Singh and a resident of Krishna Nagar, Channi Kartholi, the woman was found dead with her throat slit inside her house in Ward No. 7, they said. Soon after getting the information, officials said a team of police arrived at the crime scene [] The post W

Dr. Banarsi Lal and Dr.Suja Nabi Qureshi kvkreasi@gmail.com Union Territory of J&K is endowed with ample natural resources including soil, water, climatic condition, diversity, topography, rich natural flora etc. which are conducive for the cultivation of a wide range of crops.It is a mountainous Union Territory in which Jammu region is predominantly sub-tropical while Kashmir is temperate. Agriculture plays the pivotal role in the economy of J&K. Agricultural sector is very vast and it provides

Jammu, May 18: Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena approved the reconstitution of the Ladakh police subordinate service recruitment board on Monday, saying the step reflects the UTs commitment towards ensuring fair, transparent and merit-based recruitment opportunities for the youth. Addressing the significance of the move, Saxena said, The administration is committed to providing every youth of Ladakh with equal and transparent opportunities in public service. The decision was taken f

NEW DELHI, May 18: The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) under the Union health ministry, in coordination with the Ayush ministry, has issued an advisory suggesting cooling refreshments, breathing techniques and yoga practices to reduce heat stress amid rising temperatures. In view of heatwave conditions prevailing in several parts of India, the AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and homoeopathy) vertical under the DGHS, along with the Ministry of Ayush, has issued

Oslo [Norway], May 18: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday revealed that his scheduled travel to Norway had been deferred in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, whilst expressing deep gratitude to the Norwegian administration for maintaining solidarity with New Delhi in combating global terrorism and demonstrating true friendship. Addressing a joint press conference alongside his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Store shortly after his arrival, Prime Minister Modi conveyed his appreciatio

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India] : Orthodontic care is no longer limited to teenagers wearing metal braces. Today, a growing number of adults are seeking advanced, discreet solutions to achieve a confident smile without compromising their professional or social image. Smile aligners, powered by digital technology and customized treatment planning, are transforming expectations by offering a seamless, comfortable, and nearly invisible alternative to traditional orthodontics. According toOrthodontist

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India] : Medical conditions involving the airway and digestive tract are often complex, but tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) remains one of the most challenging to diagnose and treat. This rare disorder occurs when an abnormal connection forms between the trachea and the esophagus, disrupting both breathing and swallowing. Specialists note that awareness around this condition is still limited, even though timely diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve patient outco

LAHORE, May 18: Pakistans Punjab Government has approved a plan to restore the names of several streets and roads in Lahore, aiming to revive the citys pre-Partition heritage, an official said on Monday. Several historic streets, alleys and roads in Lahore were renamed over the past decades, replacing British-era and Hindu-associated names with those of Islamic, Pakistani or local figures. The Punjab Cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, a few days ago had approved a plan to r

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Often, a lack of disciplined investing over the long term is what keeps investors from building wealth. Most know that investing on a regular basis is important, but the discipline to do so over the long term can be a challenge. This is where a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) in a mutual fund, along with tools like the SIP calculator, can be of great use. Clear guidance and structure are two elements that an SIP calculator brings to an investor [] The post How investors use SIP calculators for

Theres more than enough anecdotal evidence to suggest that there is a clear correlation between your personality and creative abilities and which zodiac sign you were born under. If you are a Pisces person, for instance, the twelfth sign of the zodiac is deemed to be the most creative of all the star signs. That means there is a greater chance that if you set to work using a laser engraving machine, as one example, you are more inclined to [] The post These 5 Zodiac Signs Rank Among the Most Cre

Victura Airmotion really changed the game for people. They wanted a BLDC Ceiling Fan that saves electricity, runs quietly, performs consistently, and lasts for years without creating unnecessary maintenance problems, all while being affordable. The process of purchasing a ceiling fan used to be pretty straightforward. But Indian households developed new power consumption patterns because of their increasing electricity costs, extended summer seasons and their experience with voltage level change

NEW DELHI, May 18: A parliamentary panel has decided to review the implementation of reforms in the National Testing Agency (NTA) as well as the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case and has summoned NTA Chairperson Pradeep Kumar Joshi and other bureaucrats for deliberations. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports will seek the views of top education ministry bureaucrats on the alleged paper leak and reforms of NTA, which holds centralised admission tests to

NEW DELHI, May 18: Former CRPF director general K Vijay Kumar, who led several high-profile anti-insurgency and anti-terror operations during his distinguished career in the Indian Police Service, will be conferred the Padma Shri by President Droupadi Murmu on May 25. A 1975-batch IPS officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre, Kumar is known for heading the Special Task Force that eliminated forest brigand Veerappan in 2004 after a two-decade-long manhunt. Born on September 15, 1952, he studied at St Jose

LONDON, May 18: A 23-year-old politician representing a local council in eastern England has created history by becoming the youngest Indian-origin Mayor in the United Kingdom. Tushar Kumar, a former student of Political Science from Kings College London, took charge as the Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood at a ceremony last week. The Labour councillor joined the Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council in 2023 and previously served in the role of Deputy Mayor. An incredible honour to officially bec

BEIJING/MOSCOW, May 18: After US President Donald Trump, China will host Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the talks will focus on strategic partnership and global issues. Putin is scheduled to visit China on May 19-20 at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. During the two-day visit, Putin and Xi are expected to hold talks focusing on bilateral relations as well as other key international issues. Putin is also scheduled to meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang. Both the leaders had [] The

JAMMU, May 18: Reflecting a broader shift in the development narrative, the Kathua-Udhampur Parliamentary Constituency in Jammu and Kashmir in over one decade has undergone a visible and measurable transformation. Represented for a third consecutive term by union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh in the Lok Sabha, the constituency today presents a model of integrated growth from high-impact infrastructure to education, industry, connectivity, pilgrimage facilities, and rural upliftment. The last ten ye

ANKARA, May 18: The Israeli military began intercepting several boats on Monday morning that are part of a flotilla attempting to break the Gaza blockade. More than 50 vessels departed from the port in Marmaris last week in what the organisers of the Global Sumud Flotilla described as the final leg of their journey to Gazas shores. The organisations livestream showed several activists filming with cameras as Israeli military boarded their boats off the coast of Cyprus. An hour prior [] The post

Anantnag, May 18: Continuing its intensified campaign against narcotics trafficking, Anantnag Police on Monday attached immovable property worth nearly 1.10 crore under Section 68(F) of the NDPS Act in a major action against the drug network operating in the district. Officials said the attached property includes a double-storeyed residential house belonging to alleged drug peddler Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, son of Gh. Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat, a resident of Nowshara Srigufwara. The action was carried out by Poli

DUBAI, May 18: Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi has been released from a hospital in Tehran after more than two weeks, her supporters said Monday. They called for Mohammadi, 54, to remain at home to receive follow-up care and daily physiotherapy. Mohammadi was urgently transferred from prison to a hospital in northwestern Iran on May 1 after she fell unconscious. She was released on bail nearly 10 days later and transferred to the hospital in Tehran, where specialists [] The p

WASHINGTON, May 18: US President Donald Trump, who is known to have made provocative statements since February 28 when he launched an attack on Iran, escalated rhetorical tensions with Iran on Monday by sharing a map of West Asia on Truth Social featuring an American flag overlay and red arrows directed toward Iran from multiple directions,a post that drew widespread attention hours after he issued a stark warning to Tehran. Though no context was provided, the visual was widely read [] The post

BOISE (US), May 18: All four crew members ejected safely after two Navy jets collided and crashed Sunday during an air show at the Mountain Home Air Force Base in western Idaho, officials said. The collision involved two US Navy EA18-G Growlers from the Electronic Attack Squadron 129 in Whidbey Island, Washington, said Cmdr. Amelia Umayam, spokesperson for Naval Air Forces, US Pacific Fleet. The aircraft were performing an aerial demonstration when the crash occurred, Umayam said in a statement.

JAMMU, May 18: The Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Police has received 350 modern vehicles equipped with road safety gadgets, including 685 body-worn cameras, interceptor vehicles and patrol units, to strengthen traffic monitoring, management and regulation, officials said. The Union Territory has registered a steady decline in accidents over the last three years owing to intensified induction of modern equipment, enforcement measures, awareness campaigns and strengthening of road safety infrastructur

MUMBAI, May 18: The Export-Import Bank of India is aiming for a 10 per cent jump in its loan book in the financial year 2026-27, despite the West Asia conflict, a top official has said. The city-headquartered lender, which supports Indian exporters, is aiming for 10 per cent credit growth in the new fiscal, its managing director and chief executive Harsha Bangari said. The FY27 loan growth number is lower than the 12 per cent growth it achieved in FY26, [] The post EXIM Bank eyes 10 pc jump in l

NEW DELHI, May 18: Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday asked the industry to identify goods that can be manufactured in India to help reduce import dependence of those products. He also suggested increasing exports and buy goods manufactured in India, rather than importing them. Addressing domestic traders, he said, You should keep an eye on what goods are being imported, you will see opportunities in that too, what things can be manufactured in India. Goyal urged stakeholders