Prologue: A Tale Too Remarkable to Ignore Late spring in Kashmir usually brings stories of blooming almond orchards and the first trickle of tourists. But in June 2025, the valley buzzed with a different narrative: the staggering rise of Zubair Bhat, a shy yet determined youth from Khumrail village, who went from almost being booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA) to securing a qualifying score in the National Eligibility‑cum‑Entrance Test (NEET). His journey is not merely academic triumph; it’s a testament to how compassionate intervention can change the arc of a…
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Kashmir Heatwave 2025: Why Temperatures Are Soaring & How to Stay Safe
Heat in the “Paradise on Earth” By: Javid Amin | Srinagar | 19 June 2025 Kashmir—often painted in poetry as the “Paradise on Earth”—is grappling with a harsh reality in June 2025: a heatwave that has pushed temperatures beyond comfort and records alike. From Srinagar’s 32.5 °C to Gulmarg’s rare 22.8 °C, the valley’s cool mystique feels under siege. Climate experts warn this is not a blip but a trendline—fueled by urbanisation, deforestation, and global warming—that demands urgent attention. This article unpacks the crisis in plain language, weaving numbers, lived experiences, and actionable…
Read MoreIsraeli Strikes Rock Tehran After Trump’s ‘Unconditional Surrender’ Ultimatum | Complete 2025 Iran‑Israel War Analysis & Live Updates
Dateline: What Happened in the Early Hours of June 18? At 04:58 local time (UTC+3:30), residents across central Tehran were jolted awake by a deafening blast. Within minutes, social media filled with shaky videos of orange fireballs climbing into the predawn sky. Israeli strikes on Tehran—the phrase that had loomed over the Middle East for years—was now a reality. Multiple secondary explosions followed, suggesting hits on ammunition depots. Air‑defence tracers lit the horizon, but no official siren system was activated in the capital, fueling confusion and fear. Satellite imagery reviewed…
Read MoreWhy Kashmiri Students Choose Iran: Lower Costs, Cultural Kinship & Medical Dreams Amid Conflict
A Tale of Two Valleys By: Javid Amin | Srinagar | 17 June 2025 In the cool Himalayan foothills of Kashmir and the sun‑drenched plains surrounding Iran’s Zagros Mountains, two valleys share more than geography—they share educational aspirations. Today, an estimated 2,000 Kashmiri students in Iran are pursuing medical and other professional degrees. Half of them are young women, breaking barriers back home while embracing new experiences abroad. Their journey underscores a blend of economic calculation and cultural connection—an irresistible mix that has, over decades, earned Kashmir the affectionate nickname “Iran‑e‑Sagheer”…
Read MoreDemocracy in Crisis: Power Struggle Between J&K Government and LG Sparks Fresh Statehood Demands
Power Tug in Jammu & Kashmir: LG Says ‘I Only Have Police’—Elected Govt Demands Full Statehood for Real Control By: Javid Amin | Srinagar | 16 June 2025 A Mandate Caught in a Crossfire Jammu & Kashmir finds itself once again in the throes of a political and constitutional controversy. This time, the tension stems from a series of statements and actions that have reignited the debate over who truly governs the region—the elected government or the Lieutenant Governor (L-G). The controversy reached a fever pitch when Lieutenant Governor Manoj…
Read MoreNEET UG 2025 Result Declared: 24,015 Candidates Qualify from J&K, Aftab Iqbal Tops with 99.98 Percentile
NEET UG 2025 Result: 24,015 Qualify from Jammu & Kashmir, Aftab Iqbal Emerges State Topper Srinagar | 15 June 2025 The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially declared the results of the NEET UG 2025 entrance examination, bringing both jubilation and relief to thousands of aspiring medical students across India. In Jammu and Kashmir, a total of 24,015 candidates have successfully qualified, marking a significant milestone in the Union Territory’s academic landscape. The spotlight is firmly on Aftab Iqbal, a student from Srinagar, who has emerged as the J&K topper…
Read MoreOperation True Promise 3: World on Edge as Iran-Israel Conflict Nears Point of No Return
Iran-Israel Conflict 2025: Global Reactions, Nuclear Fears, and What’s at Stake By: Javid Amin | 15 June 2025 A World on the Brink The world is holding its breath. The Middle East has once again become the flashpoint of a potentially catastrophic global crisis, as tensions between Iran and Israel have escalated into a full-scale military confrontation. With Israel’s targeted strikes on Iran’s nuclear and military sites triggering Iran’s massive retaliatory campaign, dubbed “Operation True Promise 3”, the region now teeters on the edge of an unprecedented geopolitical breakdown. This is…
Read MoreKashmir Reopens 16 Tourist Hotspots Post-Pahalgam Attack: A New Dawn for J&K Tourism Revival
Hope Returns to the Valley: 16 Tourist Destinations Reopened After Tragedy In a significant boost to confidence and tourism recovery, the Jammu & Kashmir administration has reopened 16 prime tourist destinations—eight in the Kashmir division and eight in Jammu—effective June 17, 2025. These spots had been closed following the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which left 26 people dead, including pilgrims and locals. This decision, following extensive ground-level security assessments, marks a critical turning point in the region’s ongoing efforts to revive its tourism economy and restore…
Read MoreSecuring Faith: Inside the Back-to-Back Security Reviews for Amarnath Yatra 2025 in Kashmir
Amarnath Yatra 2025 Security: Back-to-Back High-Level Reviews in Kashmir to Ensure Safe Pilgrimage By: Javid Amin | Srinagar | 14 June 2025 The Sacred and the Secure Every year, thousands of devout pilgrims trek through the rugged and majestic terrain of the Himalayas to seek blessings at the holy Amarnath Cave in Jammu & Kashmir. But this year, the journey to spiritual serenity is shadowed by heightened security concerns. With memories still fresh from the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, the administration is racing against time to ensure a safe,…
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