Kashmir Observer - MAY 17, 2025 ISSUE

In this issue

SATURDAY'S EDITION OF KASHMIR OBSERVER

Kashmir’s Big Travel Year Came With A Catch

The Valley's tourist rush collapsed overnight. For 3 million people, the wait to recover has just begun

1 min

MHA Orders AGMUT Cadre Reshuffle

J&K CEO, Director Info Transferred

1 min

Omar, Mehbooba Trade Barbs Over Tulbul Project

A decades-old abandoned water project has sparked a fresh political slug-fest between Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and former CM Mehbooba Mufti.

1 min

6 Terrorists Killed In South Kashmir In 3 Days

Security forces turned the focus of their anti-terror operations to specific south Kashmir areas in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam attack and eliminated six terrorists in the last three days, officials said on Friday.

1 min

Flight Disruptions Leave 1,895 J&K Haj Pilgrims Stranded

CM Urges Centre To Arrange Additional Flights, Clear Backlog

1 min

Nilofer Khan Gets 2 Yrs Extension

Srinagar: Prof. Nilofer Khan has been reappointed as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Kashmir for a period of two years, starting May 19, 2025.

1 min

IWT Suspended Til Pak Ends Terror Support: Centre

The Indus Waters Treaty will remain suspended “until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism”, the Union Jal Shakti ministry has conveyed to the cabinet secretary.

1 min

UNICEF India Launches 'Meri Thali Sehatwali' Campaign To Promote Healthy Diets

UNICEF India on Friday launched 'Meri Thali Sehatwali' (my plate is a healthy plate), a digital campaign to promote healthy eating and healthy food choices for the whole family.

1 min

IIT-KGP Introduces Robotic System To Detect Plant Diseases, Apply Pesticides

In a boost to smart farming, the Mechanical Engineering Department of IIT Kharagpur has developed a robotic system to detect plant diseases and help farmers spray pesticides automatically, an institute spokesperson said on Friday.

1 min

Move To Shift Capital Sparks Debate

Even as the proposal to shift the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir is yet to take off, controversy dogs the idea with debate raging for and against the government move.

2 mins

Passengers Get Warm Welcome

SRINAGAR: As a gesture of goodwill and respect, the defence personnel and civilian passengers arriving at the Srinagar International Airport were welcomed with flowers on Friday.

1 min

Gassoo Farmers Begin Strawberry Harvest

RED DELIGHT

1 min

DLSA To Hold 2nd National Lok Adalat On May 31st

District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Srinagar is going to hold 2nd National Lok Adalat of the year on 31st May 2025 at District Court Complex Srinagar.

1 min

CM Omar Meets Several Delegations At His Raabita Office

'Public Concerns Need Redressal With Sincerity & Urgency'

2 mins

Srinagar Airport Records Uptick In Flights

Srinagar International Airport, Kashmir's only operational airport, is witnessing a gradual but steady revival, with increased flight operations and passenger traffic indicating growing confidence in the valley's connectivity.

1 min

Yemen Target Ben Gurion Airport with Hypersonic Missile

Brigadier General Yahya Saree, spokesperson for Yemen's military, stated on Thursday night that Yemeni missile units targeted Ben Gurion airport, located 20 kilometers (12 miles) to the southeast of Tel Aviv, with a homegrown hypersonic ballistic missile.

1 min

From Ex-CM's Wife to Vidya Balan: MP Minister Often in Controversy

For Madhya Pradesh Tribal Affairs Minister Vijay Shah, currently under fire for his comments aimed at Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, this is not the first time he has been embroiled in a controversy.

1 min

'War For Taking Back PoK Should Be War Of Choice'

Military conflict with Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack has brought into focus the importance of drones in modern warfare, which along with space and cyberspace will write the new paradigm of future wars, a former Director General of Military Operations, who oversaw the Doklam crisis, has said.

1 min

Russia, Ukraine Agree To Swap 1,000 Prisoners Of War

Russia and Ukraine agreed on Friday to exchange 1,000 Prisoners of War (POW) each, the head

1 min

Global Hunger Hits New High Amid Conflict, Extreme Weather: UN

Global hunger hit a new high last year with the outlook for 2025 “bleak,” according to a United Nations-backed report.

2 mins

UK To Allow Foreign States To Own A 15 Percent Stake In Newspapers

Britain plans to allow foreign state-owned investors to own up to 15 percent of British newspaper publishers, the government said on Thursday, as part of media reforms that could end long-running uncertainty over ownership of the Telegraph newspaper.

1 min

Israeli Strikes Kill 100 in Gaza as Trump Wraps Up Gulf Tour

At least 98 people were killed by Israeli strikes in Gaza on Friday as US President Donald Trump wrapped up his regional trip.

1 min

Budgam Police Arrest 3 Terrorist Aides

In the ongoing efforts to dismantle terror networks, Budgam Police on Friday said to have arrested three terrorist associates linked with the proscribed terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

1 min

Arrangements For Mela Kheer Bhawani Reviewed

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kulgam, Athar Aamir Khan on Friday chaired a comprehensive meeting with officers to review and finalize the arrangements for the smooth conduct of Mela Kheer Bhawani at Manzgam and Mata Tripur Sundari, Khanbarni, Devsar.

1 min

Satish Sharma Conducts Tour Of Chamb Constituency

Minister for FCS&CA, Transport, Science and Technology, Satish Sharma on Friday conducted an extensive tour of Chamb constituency, during which he laid the foundation stone of key infrastructure projects as well as inaugurated several public utility projects, reaffirming Government's commitment to the welfare of public.

1 min

Guidelines Issued To Ensure Discipline In Health Sector

In a bid to streamline the functioning of health institutions and improve patient care, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Bandipora has issued a circular directing all Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) in the district's health sector to strictly adhere to a set of operational guidelines.

1 min

MS GDC Sgr Denies Service Rule Violations

Medical Superintendent (MS) of Government Dental College (GDC), Srinagar, Professor Shabir Ahmad Shah has dismissed allegations of holding dual posts and service rule violations, calling them “baseless and driven by professional jealousy”

2 mins

ACB Registers Case Against Teacher, Others

Misappropriation Of Funds

1 min

Javid Dar Reaffirms Commitment To Rural Empowerment

Minister of Rural Development Department (RDD) & Panchayati Raj, Javid Ahmad Dar reaffirmed the government's commitment to rural empowerment, stating that ensuring eligible individuals benefit from RDD schemes without obstacles is a government obligation.

2 mins

DIPR Artists Promote Awareness On Dengue Prevention

JAMMU: To mark National Dengue Day, a street play was organized at Yatri Niwas, Bhagwati Nagar, Jammu, by the artists of the Cultural Unit Jammu, Department of Information and Public Relations, in collaboration with the Directorate of Health Services, Jammu.

1 min

Pahalgam Terror Attack Leaves Pampore Traders Counting Losses

The recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam has dampened the tourism sector in the Kashmir Valley, leaving local traders and vendors in Lethpora and Pampore in south Kashmir's Pulwama district struggling to survive.

1 min

Test of Frendship

On the eve of a crucial exam, two friends face the harsh reality of unpreparedness, testing the limits of trust, desperation, and loyalty in a high-pressure world.

4 mins

Ghost Bunkers

Built without design thinking or community input, Kashmir's border shelters are failing the very people they're meant to protect.

3 mins

Doctors Against All Odds

From remote villages to makeshift clinics, these healthcare workers show what it means to serve when no one is watching.

4 mins

Helicopter Parenting

Caught between love and fear, many parents in Kashmir are over-controlling their children’s lives. Aamir’s story shows what happens when they finally let go.

2 mins

The Byline Is Back

She stepped away for family. She stayed away for grief. Now, she’s back with a voice stronger than ever.

2 mins

The Day Science Came Alive

A student from the valley shares how a lab experiment transformed her idea of what science really is, and what it could be for others.

3 mins

The Teacher With the Bag

From feeding lunch to healing wounds, this government school educator in Budgam redefines what it means to show up for children.

3 mins

IPL Biologicals Launches Six New Biological Products To Boost Crop Yield

IPL Biologicals announced on Friday the launch of six new products under the 'NXG Range' to boost farm productivity and drive sustainability.

1 min

Study Shows Why Women Tend To Have Faster Heartbeats, Men More Irregular Rhythms

For decades, doctors and researchers have puzzled over a fundamental heart rhythm mystery: why do women have faster heartbeats while men are more susceptible to developing irregular rhythms like atrial fibrillation (AFib).

1 min

Climate Change Increasing Risk Of Complications During Pregnancy: Study

Scorching heatwaves fuelled by global warming are increasing the risk of dangerous complications during pregnancies across the world, a report warned on Wednesday.

1 min

Turkiye’s Celebi Hava Servisi Explores Legal Remedies To Challenge Termination Of Pacts In India

Turkiye's Celebi Hava Servisi AS on Friday said all available administrative and legal remedies will be pursued to challenge the unilateral termination of various licence and concession agreements in India after the security clearance for its India company was revoked.

1 min

Gold Climbs ₹1,400 To ₹96,450/ 10 G; Silver Jumps ₹1,000

Gold prices jumped Rs 1,400 to Rs 96,450 per 10 grams in the national capital on Friday due to fresh buying from jewellers and stockists, according to the All India Sarafa Association.

1 min

Rupee Ends 3 Paise Weaker At 85.57 Against US Dollar

Rupee pared its gains and settled 3 paise lower at 85.57 against the greenback on Friday as robust inflow of foreign capital failed to boost the local currency amid negative equity market sentiment and higher crude oil prices.

1 min

SEBI Extends ODI Framework Deadline To Nov 17

Markets regulator Sebi on Friday extended the timeline for implementing the framework regarding tightening of rules on issuance of offshore derivative instruments (ODIs) by FPIs to November 17. Sebi, in December, came out with the framework, which was to become effective from May 17.

1 min

Singtel Offloads 1.2% Stake In Bharti Airtel For USD 1.5 Bn

Singtel on Friday said it has sold about 1.2 per cent of its direct stake in Bharti Airtel for SGD 2 billion (roughly USD 1.5 billion) in sync with its active capital management approach to optimise its asset portfolio and drive shareholder returns.

1 min

BTA Talks: India, US Trade Ministers To Assess Progress From May 17

India and the US will commence ministerial-level meetings in Washington from May 17 to assess the progress of negotiations for the proposed bilateral trade agreement, provide political guidance to chief negotiators and push forward efforts to deepen economic ties, an official said.

2 mins

US Tax On Outward Remittances To Pinch Indians Sending Money Home

The cost for Indians in the US sending money back home will rise, with their total annual outgo is likely to cross USD 1.6 billion as the Trump administration plans to impose a 5 per cent tax on outward remittances.

2 mins

Stock Markets End Lower On Profit Taking In IT Shares; Bharti Airtel Declines Nearly 3%

Benchmark stock indices Sensex and Nifty ended lower on Friday due to profit-taking in IT shares and Bharti Airtel after a sharp rally in the previous session.

1 min

Inter-School Sports Competitions Continue Across Budgam

The Department of Youth Services and Sports Budgam, led by DYSSO Gh. Hassan Lone, is continuing to hold its vibrant zonal-level inter-school competitions across the district.

1 min

Lamine Yamal's Rise Helps Barcelona Move Beyond The Post-Messi Era

When Lionel Messi left Barcelona it looked like a generation would have to go by before another player of his incredible talent would don the burgundy and blue.

3 mins

Inter-School Zonal Level Events Showcase Talent In Ganderbal

The Department of Youth Services and Sports Ganderbal conducted a series of Inter-School Zonal Level sports events throughout the district on Friday.

1 min

Sports For All - YSS Anantnag Hosts Specially Abled & Others

ANANTNAG: The Department of Youth Services and Sports Anantnag held several sports events across various zones of the district on Friday.

1 min

YSS Baramulla Engages Students Across Sopore, Wagoora & Pattan

BARAMULLA: Youth Services and Sports Baramulla conducted Inter-School Zonal Level competitions across various education zones of the district including Sopore, Wagoora, Rohama and Pattan.

1 min

IPL Resumes With RCB v KKR Face-Off; Kohli's Outing In Focus

Brought to a halt by the recent India-Pakistan border tensions, the IPL will resume on Saturday with Royal Challengers Bengaluru taking on Kolkata Knight Riders in a high-stakes contest where the spotlight will firmly be on Virat Kohli following his recent Test retirement.

1 min

Reel to Real: Indian Films Caught in Turkey-Azerbaijan Boycott Storm

Following Turkey and Azerbaijan's public support for Pakistan after India launched Operation Sindoor, there has been a rising wave of opposition in India against these countries being used as film-shooting destinations.

1 min

India's Real-life Royals Slam Netflix Show The Royals

Netflix's The Royals, starring Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar, may be packed with drama, but it’s the real-life royals of India who are now serving the tea—and they're not amused.

1 min

Fight Over Lemons Sparks Communal Tension In Udaipur, 6 Detained: Police

A minor dispute spiralled into a communal clash in Rajasthan's Udaipur, leaving a vegetable vendor seriously injured, police said on Friday.

1 min

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