Another tiger found dead in Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve
Deputy Chief Minister and Forest Minister Pawan Kalyan orders to conduct a comprehensive and transparent investigation to uncover the reasons behind the death
Firecrackers trigger a bee attack, 60 injured near Chittoor
CWG 2026: Preeti, Jaismine win gold in womens 54kg and 57kg boxing
Preeti made a commanding start to the gold-medal bout, winning the opening round unanimously with all five judges adjudicating 10-8 in the Indian's favour
IndiGo collaborates with Incredible India to reimagine Indias tourism story
As Incredible India returns, creative director V Sunil reflects on reimagining one of the countrys most iconic tourism brands for a new generation of travellers
Thiruvananthapuram city to host Freedom at Midnight women-only street event
The Women and Child Development department-led community-driven initiative is a free entry event the night before Independence Day where women of all ages can come together informally and participate in a host of activities.
Party posts for leaders who joined TVK from other parties soon: Minister N. Anand
He said the party and the government would never compromise on corruption
Third warning at Bhadrachalam as Godavari crosses 56 feet; villagers evacuated in Eluru district
More than 15 lakh cusecs was discharged downstream and the level at the Polavaram dam stood at 11.96 metres; SP K. Pratap Shiva Kishore said pregnant women, senior citizens and patients were being moved first
CPI urges Tamil Nadu CM Vijay to convene all-party meeting on Cauvery issue
The Chief Minister should meet the Prime Minister in New Delhi on behalf of all political parties in Tamil Nadu, CPI leader R. Mutharasan said
Audit and Accounts pensioners seek repeal of Finance Act pension provisions
Watch: Police attitudes on force and arrests: Do they align with the law?
The police response to the recent CJP Chalo Sansad march protesting the NEET paper leak has once again raised questions about the limits of police power. But what do police personnel themselves believe about the use of force, arrests and civil liberties?
Migration from Uttarandhra will be a thing of past, says Naidu, during ASR Airport inauguration
Tears rolled down my eyes: Pawan Kalyan on abuse against Modi
Speaking at the inauguration of the Bhogapuram airport, the Deputy Chief Minister referred to the recent protests at Jantar Mantar without naming any party, and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not taken leave for a single day in his three terms
The Centre says studies have been conducted and E20 does not harm vehicles; I want them to share that report, said Arvind Kejriwal
They claim that there is no possibility of an anomalous situation of the constituencies being represented by two MLAs if the bypolls are held before the disposal of election petitions
CBI registers alleged 1,816.22-crore EPFO investment fraud case against Reliance Capital
The FIR is based on a complaint received by the CBI against the company, its former chairman, Anil D. Ambani, unknown public servants and others
Bharat Petroleum launches Bharatgas Lite ZIP, a 10kg fibre composite LPG cylinder
Bharatgas Lite ZIP is BPCLs next generation of customer-centric LPG solutions, combining advantages of Bharatgas Lite cylinder with a digitally enabled premium service model focused on speed, convenience and superior customer experience
Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan reviews rain-related situation
The Chief Minister directed the Ministers in charge of the districts to camp in their respective districts and coordinate the relief operations.
Our priority is to meet local needs, then distribute excess Cauvery water: Priyank Kharge
Subba Rao takes charge as General Manager, Southern Railway
U. Subba Rao succeeds R.N. Singh, who superannuated on July 31
Lokayukta reviews garbage black spot clean-up in Bengaluru; civic bodies given August 15 deadline
Reviewing work progress on July 29, the Lokayukta expressed dissatisfaction over the continued existence of garbage black spots despite repeated directions and several review meetings
Cloudburst in J&Ks Kishtwar shuts national highway
PM Modi inaugurates Rs 5,000 cr Bhogapuram Airport at Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh
Passenger car wholesales grew 42% YoY to 103,456 units while Utility Vehicles (UV) sales surged 49% to 78,851 units
Watch: Trump says hes losing faith in Iran talks as U.S. searches for Iranian assets
Watch: Kulgam terror attack: Death toll rises to two after injured worker dies
Two migrant workers from Chhattisgarh were killed in a targeted terror attack in south Kashmirs Kulgam after the second victim succumbed to bullet injuries
Rahul Gandhi lands in Chennai for Congress grassroots revamp drive
Techie in coma after hit-and-run accident during bike taxi ride at Whitefield in Bengaluru
Amarthya Kumar was injured after the bike taxi he was travelling on was allegedly hit by a car at around 11.45 p.m. near Formula One Junction
Watch: The Ceuta crisis explained: Why thousands risked their lives
Why did nearly 60,000 migrants cross into the tiny Spanish city of Ceuta in just a few days?
Trump calls Spain migrant surge an invasion, warns U.S. faces worse
Google takes down AI image generator tied to Google Earth after satellite photo deepfakes
Google said it was rolling back the AI image generation feature in Google Earth while working on implementing stronger guardrails
Assam flood death toll rises to 82 despite improving situation
Assams flood situation has improved in recent days, but the death toll has risen to 82. Nearly 1.93 lakh people remain affected across multiple districts, with Charaideo, Sivasagar and Jorhat among the worst-hit areas. Relief and rehabilitation efforts continue as the State government rolls out assistance measures for flood-affected families.
Families of Indians killed in Russia war get SC relief
The Supreme Court has directed the Ministry of External Affairs to appoint a nodal officer to assist families in identifying and bringing home the remains of Indians killed while fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war. The court also ordered support for DNA testing, compensation claims, legal aid and documentation, while stressing that funeral rites should not be delayed.
Online applications for 7,437 Telangana police jobs to open on August 19
The applications to be accepted only through Telangana State Level Police Recruitment Boards official website
Three killed in two road accidents in Thrissur
The first accident occurred around 4 a.m. near Ollur
Red alert, rising rivers and gridlocked roads, as heavy monsoon rain batters Thrissur
Blue alert issued at Peringalkuthu Dam, city reels under flooding and traffic chaos as authorities urge residents to stay indoors
His appeal came after the Executive Engineer of the Kabini dam issued a flood alert stating that inflow into the reservoir had reached 15,500 cusecs on August 1
Why is Kerala facing high leptospirosis mortality? | Explained
With leptospirosis deaths mounting in Kerala, heres what is driving the States high mortality burden
In Kodagu, Shanthalli recorded 180 mm of rain, while Bhagamandala received 125.6 mm since July 31, indicating revival of the monsoon in the district
Tiger Shroff to star in Remo DSouzas action franchise backed by Viccky Jains VJ Frames
The film also stars Abhishek Banerjee and Elvish Yadav in pivotal roles
Trader stabbed to death during clash near bar in Kozhikode, suspect arrested
Najeeb Mohammed, the accused, was arrested from Nadakkavu within a few hours after the incident
Delhi court expresses disappointment over NCB's conduct in contesting bail pleas
With great reluctance, this court is expressing its disappointment as to the conduct of the affairs of the agency in contesting the bail applications, said the Delhi court
DMK chief Stalin asks T.N. CM Vijay to convene all-party meeting on Cauvery dispute
A legal battle is the only way to deal with a State that has consistently denied Tamil Nadu its rightful share of Cauvery water, the DMK president said in a post on X
The amount is in addition to the immediate assistance of 6 lakh each announced by the district administration
Self-enumeration exercise for India's 16th Census kicks-off in West Bengal
The window for the first phase of the once-in-a-decade population survey will remain open from August 1 to August 15
What Pacing the Frontier reveals about the U.S. AI industry | Explained
The U.S. AI industry boasts of a short yet rich tradition of open letters signed by tech companies, but do these efforts lead to any meaningful results?
Flash floods hit Chatroo; schools shut in Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban districts in Jammu and Kashmir
Persistent rain has disrupted normal life across the Chenab Valley, prompting authorities to close schools in Kishtwar, Doda, and Ramban districts
Minister Lokesh receives Australian Minister Julian Hill ahead of key education partnership
Julian Hill arrived at Gannavaram Airport as part of his visit to Andhra Pradesh. The Ministers extended a warm welcome by presenting him with a bouquet of flowers and later felicitated him with a traditional shawl.
India braces for below-normal rainfall in August; Telangana to see normal to above-normal rains
PM Narendra Modi inaugurates ASR International Airport at Bhogapuram
The inauguration of the Alluri Sitharama Raju International Airport is expected to enhance air connectivity for North Coastal Andhra Pradesh
Hyundai India Couture Week 2026: Corsets, capelets, and lehenga skirts rule the ramp
From statement capes replacing dupattas to sculpted corsets and bold bralettes, we bring you our pick of trends from the Hyundai India Couture Week 2026 and how designers reimagined bridal couture with fresh silhouettes, inventive textiles and jewellery-inspired detailing
Delhi police action: A grave concern for Indias democracy
Discovery announces documentary on Operation Sindoor, to premiere on Aug 15
The documentary follows the events from the strategic deliberations after the Pahalgam terror attack in April last year to the launch and execution of Operation Sindoor on May 7, offering a behind-the-scenes account of the conflict.
Union Cabinet approves 84,084 crore for offshore exploration scheme Samudra Manthan
The Cabinet has allocated 43,200 crore for drilling 60 deepwater exploration wells
Minor landslip disrupts access to tourist destination Ponmudi amid heavy rains
The collapse of the road edges has brought traffic heading to Ponmudi to a complete halt for the time being.
Modi says he forgives young protesters over abusive remarks.
The quiet appeal of snail mail
As AI slop fills timelines, young Indians are rediscovering analogue experiences the realness of a handwritten letter, of a hand-drawn postcard. The irony: they find it first on social media
Why Mumbai is leading Indias super-tall housing boom
As Mumbais super-tall residential towers rise beyond 300 metres, innovation, redevelopment and sustainability redefine vertical living
How Keralas ageing population is reshaping housing demand
Keralas demographic transition is redefining residential planning through inclusive design, wellness and community-focused developments
Kerala government to come up with draft framework for granting industry status to Malayalam cinema
Granting industry status and completing the initial formalities is part of the 100-day action plan of the UDF government, Minister for Cinema P.C. Vishnunadh told The Hindu
Civic official suspended for absence from SIR duty in Palghar
The Palghar administration, in a release, said that Gopal Chaudhari, group education officer of the Vasai Panchayat Samiti, repeatedly failed to perform his designated tasks for the 132-Nalasopara constituency.
IMD upgrades rain alert to red for 8 districts in Kerala after intense overnight rains
Extremely heavy rainfall is likely over the next 24 hours in Idukki, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod
Death toll reaches 82 as 1.92 lakh people remain affected by floods in Assam
The flood situation has improved since Thursday (July 30, 2026), when more than two lakh people in eight districts were affected
Amarnath Yatra suspended from Jammu as rain hampers highway restoration
Offset Education brings symposium for musicians, educators this weekend
Offset Education brings OOTB Soundboard, a symposium with panel discussions, workshops and other events this weekend
OpenAI finds evidence other AI agents escaped containment as it widens hacking probe
The discovery of additional rogue behaviour at OpenAI, even if limited in nature, could feed growing appetite for regulation coming out of the White House and elsewhere
ESA notification raises concern among people in hilly regions of Kerala
Farmer leaders say that with 131 villages from the State are now included in the draft notification, and nearly 1,500 sq km of farmlands and human habitations fall in the ecologically sensitive area (ESA) category
How the Ankit Sharma murder case ended in Tahir Hussains conviction | Explained
While describing the killing as exceptionally brutal, the court held that the case did not satisfy the legal threshold for the death penalty under the rarest of rare doctrine.
He expressed deep concern over the suicide of a farmer couple in Hatna Bevukallu village of Mandya taluk, reportedly driven by mounting debt
Breast milk, a living, adaptive biological fluid, not only supports an infants nutrition, metabolism, and immunity, it also contributes to long-term health programming by shaping the infant gut microbial composition
HDFC Capital, Primus Senior Living to create homes for elderly worth 2,000 crore
Indias senior population is projected to reach 346 million (over 34 crore) by 2050
US Marine F-35B crashes near San Diego base, pilot ejects safely
San Diego , August 1 : A US Marine Corps F-35 fighter jet crashed near Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar in San Diego on Friday, triggering a brush fire in the vicinity, according to US military officials, while the pilot safely ejected and was recovered. The aircraft, assigned to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and Marine Aircraft Group 11, went down at about 10 am local time in what the Marine Corps described as an aircraft mishap on the flight line, Fox News reported, citing officials. First Lieutenant Blake Starbuck told Fox News that the incident was a Class A mishap involving a Marine Corps F-35B in the vicinity of MCAS Miramar. Lieutenant Starbuck confirmed that the aviator had ejected from the aircraft and was safely recovered following the crash. Officials said the cause of the crash remains under investigation by military authorities. Starbuck said he did not immediately have details on the purpose of the flight, including whether the aircraft was arriving at or departing from the airbase, or whether it had been conducting a training mission. He also said there was no immediate information on injuries or fatalities related to the incident. Video footage captured by SkyRanger 7 showed the aircraft split into two sections in the middle of a scorched area roughly the size of a football field. Flames and thick smoke were seen rising from a field north of State Route 52, with the fire visible from the nearby freeway. The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department told Fox News it was assisting efforts to contain the brush fire. However, it said the military retained jurisdiction over the crash site and the investigation. (ANI)
Heavy rain floods Shopian, cloudburst batters Kishtwar
Srinagar, Aug 01 : Heavy rainfall triggered flooding in parts of south Kashmirs Shopian district on Saturday, inundating several houses and a school, while a cloudburst in Kishtwar district damaged property and forced the closure of the ChatrooKishtwar stretch of National Highway-244, officials said. An official told the news agencyKashmir News Observer (KNO) that in Shopian, rainwater entered several houses in Pahlipora village, disrupting normal life and prompting an emergency response from the Police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the district administration. He said rescue teams rushed to the affected area soon after receiving information and launched evacuation and relief operations. Efforts are underway to drain the accumulated water, shift vulnerable families to safer locations wherever required and assess the extent of the damage, he said. The official said several houses and a school were affected by the flooding. Meanwhile, a cloudburst struck the Chatroo area of Kishtwar district at around 2:30 am following intense rainfall, damaging several structures and washing away a number of vehicles. No casualties or injuries were reported in the incident, officials said, adding that, as a precautionary measure, the ChatrooKishtwar stretch of National Highway-244 has been closed to vehicular traffic. Police, civil administration and other emergency agencies have reached the affected areas and launched assessment and restoration work. In view of the prevailing heavy rainfall and adverse weather conditions, the authorities also ordered the closure of all government and private schools in Ramban and Kishtwar districts for the day. The Chief Education Officer (CEO), Ramban, said all schools in the district would remain closed on Saturday on the directions of the district administration. Heads of institutions have been directed to conduct online classes through appropriate digital platforms to ensure that academic activities remain uninterrupted. A similar order was issued by the CEO, Kishtwar, citing heavy rainfall, slippery road conditions and the possibility of shooting stones, which could pose a risk to the safety of students and staff. Schools across the district have also been directed to conduct online classes during the closure.(KNO)
Godavari, Sabari villages face submergence threat; 32 Konaseema islands affected
At least 189 villages have been affected by the Sabari and Godavari floods in the submergence area of the Polavaram irrigation project in Polavaram district
At least one dead after landslip hits Idukki
Due to continued heavy rainfall, the Idukki District Collector has declared a holiday for all educational institutions in the district.
VC JKLCMA reviews progress of Lake Conservation initiatives in J&K
Srinagar, Jul 31: The Vice Chairman (VC), Jammu & Kashmir Lake Conservation and Management Authority (JKLCMA), Khurshid Ahmad Shah on Friday convened a review meeting to take stock of various ongoing activities and works being undertaken by authority for the conservation, protection and management of water bodies in Jammu & Kashmir. All the officers of JK LCMA participated in the meeting. During the meeting, a detailed review of the progress of various ongoing works and field activities was undertaken. The Vice Chairman emphasized the need for time-bound execution, effective monitoring and regular field inspections to ensure that the objectives of lake and waterbody conservation are achieved in a coordinated and sustainable manner. The meeting also reviewed measures being undertaken for the protection of water bodies from encroachments, illegal constructions, dumping of solid waste, and discharge of untreated sewage. The concerned officers were directed to maintain close coordination with the field agencies and take prompt action wherever violations affecting the water bodies are noticed. The progress of demarcation and clearance of encroachments, cleaning and maintenance of water channels, outlets and other associated works was also reviewed. The officers were directed to intensify field-level monitoring and ensure that cleared areas are protected from re-encroachment. Issues relating to the 19 inlet channels coming from hinterlands came up for discussion. The Vice Chairman stressed the importance of ensuring proper functioning and maintenance of the regulatory gates installed on these inlet channels. It was desired that J&K PCC, in light of the directions of the Honble High Court, shall be approached for banning the use of pesticides/chemicals by farmers along the hinterlands and ultimately flowing into these inlet channels thereby deteriorating the water quality of the lake. The functioning and maintenance of aerators, fountains and other lake conservation infrastructure were also reviewed. Directions were issued for early rectification of deficiencies and ensuring that such infrastructure remains operational and is properly maintained. The Vice Chairman further stressed upon the officers to ensure regular submission of progress reports, proper documentation of works and close supervision of projects at the field level. The concerned officers were directed to adhere strictly to the timelines and submit updated status reports on the progress of works. The Vice Chairman reiterated that conservation of the water bodies is a collective responsibility and called for sustained efforts, inter-departmental coordination and strict enforcement of applicable provisions to safeguard the fragile aquatic ecosystems of Jammu & Kashmir for future generations.
SKUAST-K hosts Bandipora DLC, JKCIP clears proposals to boost FPO-Led agri enterprises
Bandipora, Jul 31: The District Level Committee (DLC) under Jammu & Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement in Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project (JKCIP), hosted by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Bandipora, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), approved eligible proposals under multiple project components aimed at strengthening Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), promoting agri-entrepreneurship and improving farmers' livelihoods in the district. The meeting was chaired by the District Development Commissioner, Bandipora, and attended by the General Manager, District Industries Centre (DIC); Assistant Commissioner Revenue; Assistant Commissioner Panchayat; District Manager, NABARD; Divisional Forest Officer; Chief Agriculture Officer; Chief Horticulture Officer; Chief Animal Husbandry Officer; District Sheep Husbandry Officer; District Sericulture Officer; Assistant Director Fisheries; Deputy Registrar, Cooperative Department; District Lead Bank Manager; Area Marketing Officer; progressive farmers; and Dr. Tariq Sultan, Senior Scientist & Head, KVK Bandipora, who serves as the District Implementing Officer under JKCIP. Welcoming the participants, Dr. Tariq Sultan outlined the objectives of JKCIP and highlighted its role in promoting sustainable agricultural development through stronger Farmer Producer Organisations, improved market access, value addition and enterprise development. He informed the Committee that all applications had been thoroughly scrutinized and verified by the designated Scrutiny Officers and Field Level Officers in accordance with the prescribed project guidelines before being placed before the District Level Committee for approval. During the meeting, the Committee deliberated on proposals submitted under key JKCIP components, including Farm Mechanization and Drudgery Reduction Support, FPO-managed Agri-Service Centre Business Vertical Support, FPO-managed Orchard Management Business Vertical Support, Water Management Business Vertical Support and Aggregation Business Vertical Support. Following detailed discussions and examination, the Committee approved all eligible cases in accordance with the scheme's provisions and guidelines. The approved interventions are expected to strengthen FPO-led service delivery, expand access to modern farm machinery, improve water management, enhance orchard management practices and promote aggregation-based business models, contributing to higher farm productivity, better market linkages and increased rural incomes. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks. The members reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the transparent and effective implementation of JKCIP through close coordination among stakeholder departments. They also emphasized the importance of strengthening FPOs, encouraging rural entrepreneurship and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for farming communities across Bandipora.
Cooperatives Dept Ladakh organizes buyerseller meet to promote Ladakh Pashmina in Srinagar
Srinagar, Jul 31: The Cooperatives Department, Union Territory of Ladakh, in collaboration with the All Changthang Pashmina Growers Cooperative Society Ltd. and J&K Bank, organized a BuyerSeller Meet on Friday at DIPR Auditorium, Srinagar. The programme aimed to establish direct interaction between Ladakh Pashmina herders and leading buyers, exporters, traders and business organizations, ensuring better price realization for the actual Pashmina herders, eliminating unnecessary intermediaries, and strengthening sustainable market linkages through the cooperative movement. The programme was graced by Nitish Rajora, Deputy Commissioner, Changthang, as the Chief Guest. He highlighted the unique geographical landscape of Changthang, which is home to nearly 1.84 lakh Changra goats. Among those present were Thinles, Secretary, All Changthang Pashmina Growers Cooperative Society Ltd.; representatives of J&K Bank, the Cooperatives Department, the District Administration, Changthang; besides members of cooperative societies, artisans, weavers, and media representatives. The event witnessed the participation of more than 100 buyers, exporters, traders, entrepreneurs, and representatives of leading business organizations from Jammu & Kashmir and other parts of the country. The meet provided a valuable platform for direct business interaction between Pashmina growers and prospective buyers, enabling discussions on quality, pricing, long-term procurement, and market requirements. Prominent participants included A.P. Vicky Shaw, Chairman, PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PHDCCI), Kashmir; Iqram Ali Shafiee, Chairman, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), J&K; Javed Ahmad Tenga, President, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI); Mubashir Ahmad, President, Kashmir Pashmina Welfare Trust; Mohd. Rafiq Sofi, President, Tahafuz Society; and Muzaffar, Zonal Head, Srinagar, J&K Bank, who interacted with the cooperative members and explored avenues for long-term collaboration. Addressing the gathering, Nitish Rajora highlighted the global recognition of Ladakh Pashmina for its exceptional quality and emphasized that cooperative societies play a vital role in empowering nomadic herders by improving market access, ensuring fair remuneration, and preserving the authenticity of Ladakh Pashmina. During the programme, members of the All Changthang Pashmina Growers Cooperative Society Ltd. showcased authentic Ladakh Pashmina and value-added products before buyers, exporters, and traders. The interaction enabled buyers to directly understand the production process, quality standards, and the unique characteristics of Ladakh Pashmina, while allowing herders to understand market expectations. It was informed during the meet that a dedicated digital platform/mobile application for Pashmina growers, artisans, and cooperative members will be developed in the coming days. The proposed platform is expected to strengthen the cooperative ecosystem by facilitating digital payments, improving access to government schemes, providing market information, and creating direct linkages between producers and buyers. An interactive open session followed, during which buyers, exporters, industry representatives, and cooperative members exchanged views on quality assurance, branding, GI certification, value addition, digital marketing, and expanding domestic as well as international market opportunities for Ladakh Pashmina. The programme concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Deputy Registrar Cooperatives, Sachin Bali, who thanked all the participants and stakeholders for making the event a grand success.
CUK congratulates Prof. Anurag Misra on his appointment as Dir NIT Sgr
Ganderbal, Jul 31: Central University of Kashmir (CUKashmir) has extended heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Anurag Misra (Chairman of the Ad-hoc Board of Studies) of the newly established Deptt of Civil Engineering, CUKashmir, on his appointment as the Director of the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Srinagar. On behalf of the University fraternity, Vice Chancellor, Prof. A. Ravinder Nath, conveyed his congratulations to Prof. Misra and wished him success in his new leadership role. He expressed confidence that Prof. Misra's vast academic experience, visionary leadership, and commitment to excellence would further strengthen NIT Srinagar as a premier institution of higher learning. Dean Academic Affairs, Prof. Shahid Rasool, Registrar, Dr. Nisar Ahmad Mir, and Head, Deptt of Civil Engineering, Dr. Asif H. Shah, also congratulated Prof. Misra on this achievement and wished him a distinguished tenure marked by academic innovation, institutional growth, and impactful leadership. Prof. Anurag Misra has been associated with the varsitys Deptt of Civil Engineering. Through his guidance, mentorship, and valuable academic inputs, he has played a significant role in strengthening the academic framework and curriculum of the Department. His continuous support has been instrumental in nurturing the growth of one of the University's youngest academic departments.
Peru ex-President Ollanta Humala walks free after conviction quashed
Humala, 64, was the first Peruvian ex-leader to face trial in the Odebrecht corruption scandal, which has also tainted three other former presidents Alejandro Toledo, Martin Vizcarra and Pedro Castillo
First Kashmir Theatre Conference postponed, rescheduled for Sep 11-13
Srinagar, Jul 31: The first-of-its-kind Kashmir Theatre Conference, which was scheduled to be held at Tagore Hall in Srinagar from August 1 to 3, has been postponed and will now be held on September 11 to 13, 2026, organisers announced on Friday. The two-day conference will be organised by non-governmental organisation ACT FOR A BETTER TOMORROW with support from the Sangeet Natak Akademi and the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL). Speaking to Rising Kashmir, ACT Chairman Mushtaaque Ali Ahmad Khan said the event had been deferred due to unavoidable circumstances. The conference has been postponed due to some technical and unavoidable circumstances. We have now finalised September 11 to 13, 2026, as the new dates for the event, Khan said. He said the conference would be the first event of its scale dedicated exclusively to theatre in Kashmir. This conference is unique in many ways. It will provide a platform for young minds to learn, perform and celebrate the art of theatre while also facilitating meaningful dialogue among theatre practitioners, scholars and enthusiasts, he said. Khan said the conference will feature panel discussions, debates and lectures tracing the evolution of Kashmiri theatre from 1947 to the present, examining its artistic journey, achievements and contemporary challenges. The conference will bring together theatre practitioners, lovers and scholars from Kashmir and other parts of the country who have contributed significantly to the growth of theatre. Together, they will deliberate on ways to strengthen the theatre movement in Kashmir, improve the quality of productions and encourage greater youth participation so that the legacy of theatre continues, he said. Among the prominent speakers expected to address the conference are M K Raina, Ayash Arif, Mohammad Amin Bhat, K K Raina, Nisar Naseem, Ravi Khemu, Bashir Bhawani, Kamal Razdan, Manzoor Mir, Reshi Rasheed and Muzamil Bhawani, besides several other noted theatre personalities. Participants and guests are expected to travel from Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Chandigarh and Aligarh, making the conference a national gathering of theatre professionals. The organisers have invited schools, colleges, universities, theatre groups and aspiring young artists from across Kashmir to participate in the event. Educational institutions and theatre groups with stage productions will also be given an opportunity to perform during the conference.
CS launches 162 new online citizen services on eUNNAT
Srinagar, Jul 31: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, on Friday held a meeting of all the concerned Administrative Secretaries to assess Jammu and Kashmir's performance on National e-Governance Service Delivery Assessment (NeSDA) and reviewed the progress made by the Information Technology Department towards expanding the digital governance ecosystem across the Union Territory. During the meeting, the CS launched 162 district-level online citizen services, developed by the Information Technology Department, which have now been integrated with the eUNNAT Portal, taking the total number of online Government-to-Citizen (G2C) services available on the platform from 1,548 to 1,710. The newly added services, developed for 18 districts of the UT, encompass a wide range of regulatory permissions and public services, including permissions for fairs and exhibitions, cultural programmes, political and religious gatherings, processions, drone operations and several other district-level services. These services are now available through a completely digital, paperless and workflow-based platform, enabling citizens to apply online, monitor the status of their applications and receive digitally signed approvals without visiting Government offices. Emphasising continuous improvement, the Chief Secretary directed all Administrative Departments to ensure timely compliance with all mandatory NeSDA parameters and work in close coordination with the Information Technology Department for digitisation of additional public services. Dulloo directed the Information Technology Department to work in close coordination with the Law Department to undertake a comprehensive review of all online citizen services with a view to identifying those that have become redundant or obsolete in view of subsequent policy and legislative reforms. He observed that, under the Government's Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) and Reducing Compliance Burden (RCB) initiatives, several certificates, permissions and No Objection Certificates (NOCs) had already been abolished. Such services, he said, should no longer remain active on digital platforms, as their continued availability may lead to avoidable inconvenience for citizens. Dulloo further maintained that the objective of digital governance is not merely to place services online but also to simplify governance by eliminating outdated and unnecessary compliances. He remarked that citizens, in no way, should be compelled to apply for certificates or permissions that are no longer required under the prevailing policy framework. He advised that such services be appropriately categorised as 'No Longer Required' on the eUNNAT Portal after due legal validation. He expressed that our objective is not merely to improve rankings but to build an ecosystem where digital governance must translate into better governance at the grassroots level. Emphasising greater accessibility and inclusive service delivery, the Chief Secretary further instructed the IT Department to identify at least 100 high-volume citizen services for integration with WhatsApp and the Single Sign-On (SSO) platform. He said that priority should be accorded to services frequently availed by farmers, tribal communities, women, children and other vulnerable sections to make Government services more accessible through widely used digital channels. He further called for the integration of emerging digital public assets, including AgriStack-enabled digital land records and SVAMITVA Property Cards, as and when these are operationalised by the concerned departments, observing that the eUNNAT platform should continuously evolve into a comprehensive, future-ready digital service delivery ecosystem. Speaking during the meeting, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance, Shailendra Kumar, stressed that the success of digital governance should be measured by the tangible value it creates for citizens rather than by the number of services hosted on a portal. The emphasis should be on meaningful, high-impact and frequently used services. Addition of services, by itself, does not constitute progress unless those services genuinely address citizens' needs and improve their experience of public service delivery, he observed. On this occasion the Commissioner Secretary, IT, Saurabh Bhagat revealed that under the National e-Governance Service Delivery Assessment (NeSDA) the latest expansion of digital services has enabled Jammu and Kashmir to attain the 3rd position nationally, reflecting the sustained progress made in digital governance. The Commissioner Secretary also apprised that 159 services developed by BISAG across various departments, including JK e-SEHAT, JK Samadhan, JKCIP, HADP and the Public Works Department. These services have already been integrated with the eUNNAT platform, further expanding the scope of online public service delivery, he added. Moreover, it was highlighted that nine additional services have successfully been developed and are presently undergoing User Acceptance Testing, while five additional services relating to the Revenue Department, Housing & Urban Development Department and Gulmarg Development Authority are under development and are expected to be operational shortly. Their integration will increase the total number of online services on the eUNNAT Portal to 1,724. The roadmap to leverage emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, multilingual interfaces, WhatsApp-based service delivery, Single Sign-On, Face Authentication, Aadhaar-enabled authentication and e-Sign solutions, to further simplify access to Government services and improve the overall citizen experience also cameup for deliberations. The meeting concluded with a review of the NeSDA-2026, with directions to all concerned departments to expedite digitisation of high-volume citizen services, strengthen compliance with national assessment parameters and sustain Jammu and Kashmir's leadership in digital governance.
Commercial LPG prices cut by 209 per cylinder
With this revision, a 19 kg commercial cylinder will cost 2,872.50 in Kolkata starting from Saturday (August 1, 2026); there is no change in the prices of domestic LPG cylinders
Here is a select list of stories to start the day
Someone should change their name to Taylor; we could be champions again: Claire Taylor
The 50-year-old was one of the protagonists of an era of English womens cricket when they talked world domination and realised the ambition. She talks with modesty and humour about her history-making career, explaining why she left a lucrative job for a sport that had little money in it, how she developed into a big-match player and whom she looked to for batting inspiration
Abhinandh flicks mental switch, lights up Ultimate Table Tennis
The 18-year-olds fearless aggression and tactical awareness brought him success in Season 7 of the league. The performance, coming as it did as he begins the transition to the senior ranks, showed he has the technical ability and temperament to succeed at the highest level
PM Modi Forgives Children Who Abused Him and His Late Mother
New Delhi, August 1: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked for compassion and understanding toward the children who allegedly used abusive language against him and [] The post PM Modi Forgives Children Who Abused Him and His Late Mother appeared first on The Voice Of Sikkim .
Russian attacks on Kyiv kill 4, wound more than a dozen
More than 10 explosions were heard in a row, the journalists reported, adding that the intensity of the blasts triggered car alarms on the streets.
25-35 age group records highest highway accident deaths in Karnataka over five years
The data showed that 10,489 people in the 25-35 age group lost their lives in National Highway accidents in Karnataka during the five-year period.
