December 2023 | Page 2 of 18

Visibility Zero: Blind Fog Engulfs Kashmir Amidst Bone-Chilling Cold Snap

December 30, 2023 Editor

Dense fog shrouded many parts of Kashmir where the minimum temperature dropped several degrees below the freezing point, officials said on Friday. Kashmir is currently in the grip of “Chilla-i-Kalan”, a 40-day harsh winter period, when temperatures drop considerably leading to the freezing of water bodies, including the Dal Lake, as well as water in supply lines. The chances of snowfall are the highest during this period and most areas, especially the higher reaches, receive heavy snowfall. “Chilla-i-Kalan” will end on January 31 and will be followed by the 20-day…

Shield Your Phone: Dangerous New Android Malware Lurks in Disguise!

December 29, 2023 Editor

Rebuilding Trust: Charting a Safer Course after the Xamalicious Android Malware Outbreak By: Javid Amin The Xamalicious Android malware’s insidious presence on the Google Play Store, infecting 338,000 devices through seemingly innocuous apps, shattered the illusion of complete security within the app ecosystem. Beyond compromised devices and potential data breaches, the incident deeply eroded user trust, leaving a lingering sense of vulnerability and skepticism. However, from the ashes of this breach arises an opportunity to forge a more secure future, one built on shared responsibility and proactive adaptation. Beyond the…

J&K Grapples with a Hidden Epidemic: 14 Lakh Individuals Impacted by Substance Abuse

December 29, 2023 Editor

In a deeply troubling revelation, Jammu and Kashmir is grappling with a severe drug addiction crisis and as per the recent government data approximately 14 lakh individuals are ensnared by substance abuse, posing a significant threat to public health and societal well-being. National Conference (NC) Member of Parliament Hasnain Masoodi raised the concern during the Parliament session, inquiring whether there were nearly 10 lakh drug addicts in J&K. In response, the Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha, cited the…

Kashmir in Grip of Severe Cold Wave, Minimum Temperatures Plummet

December 29, 2023 Editor

Minimum temperatures in several parts of Kashmir have dropped below the minus three degrees Celsius-mark as a cold wave sweeps the region. Kashmir is currently in the grip of “Chilla-i-Kalan”, a 40-day harsh winter period, when temperatures drop considerably leading to freezing of water bodies, including the Dal Lake, as well as water in supply lines. The chances of snowfall are the highest during this period and most areas, especially the higher reaches, receive heavy snowfall. “Chilla-i-Kalan” will end on January 31 and will be followed by the 20-day “Chilla-i-Khurd”…

Seeking Skilled Workers? UP Government Opens Door to New Employment Opportunities in Israel

December 29, 2023 Editor

Imagine being offered a monthly wage of 1.25 lakh, an attractive sum that could potentially transform one’s financial landscape. The Uttar Pradesh government has unveiled an opportunity that promises precisely this, but with a catch: the work location is Israel. According to a report by news agency IANS, the UP government has initiated an urgent call for construction workers to fill positions in building construction projects located in Israel. A statement from the UP labour department said, “Construction workers, including raj mistri, tiles workers, shuttering workers, and those skilled in…

CPI(M) Leader Tarigami Hints at Kashmir’s Next Move on Article 370: Supreme Court Appeal Likely

December 29, 2023 Editor

Senior CPI (M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami on Thursday said that the former state of Jammu and Kashmir did not receive justice after the court upheld the Article 370 abrogation ruling. “I am an independent thinker and I strongly believe that justice was not served. As a result, we are still debating possibilities with the petitioners and stakeholders to obtain justice. We may even file an appeal with the Supreme Court of India, arguing that we should currently revisit the ruling that they just made a few weeks ago. We…

Seeking Truth and Justice: ‘Custodial Torture’ Survivor Recounts Tales of Horror & Abuse

December 28, 2023 Editor

Following Thursday’s ambush at Dhatyar Morh that left four soldiers dead and three injured, the army on Friday had detained nine men for questioning. “I am a pile of broken bones and limbs. My body is pockmarked with injuries. Who will feed my family now and who will provide for the education of my only daughter,” says Mohammad Farooq, 36, one of the five men who were allegedly picked up and tortured by the army. Following Thursday’s ambush at Dhatyar Morh that left four soldiers dead and three injured, the…

JKBOSE Takes Center Stage: Standardized Textbooks Across All J&K Schools from Class 1 to 12

December 28, 2023 Editor

The implementation of common curriculum in government and private schools for all classes is set to become a reality as the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (BOSE) has directed all the private schools to prescribe textbooks published by the Board, for all classes (1st primary to class 12th) from the upcoming 2024-25 academic session. The Director Academics JKBOSE in a public notification has directed all the private schools not to force any parent or students to purchase books and material other than those published and prescribed by JKBOSE.…

Frozen in Time: Kashmir Shimmers Under a Frosted Fog Blanket

December 28, 2023 Editor

Kashmir continued to shiver under the grip of a severe cold wave, accompanied by dense fog, causing disruptions in normal life. Foggy conditions persisted across most parts of Kashmir, including Srinagar, leading to reduced visibility and posing challenges for commuters. The Meteorological Department officials said that Srinagar witnessed a low of minus 2.6 degrees Celsius, slightly milder than the previous night’s minus 3 degrees Celsius, yet still 0.5 degrees Celsius below average for this time of the year. Gulmarg ski resort in north Kashmir saw the mercury dip to minus…

Abdullah downplays expectations ahead of Rajnath Singh’s J&K visit

December 28, 2023 Editor

National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah voiced scepticism on Wednesday regarding the visit of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to J&K, stating that he harboured no expectations from the visit but hoped it would prevent incidents similar to the recent civilian deaths in Poonch. “I have no expectation from his visit. Can he bring back the dead? But he can do this much that such injustice is not repeated,” Farooq told reporters in Kulgam, 80 km south of Srinagar. Expressing his concerns over the civilian deaths in Poonch, the NC leader…