Category: SPECIAL

Night temperature drops below zero in Kashmir; tourists arrive for Christmas, New Year celebrations

Srinagar, Dec 25 (IANS) Night temperature across Kashmir Valley dropped below the freezing point on Thursday due to a clear night sky as the Meteorological (MeT) Department forecast generally dry weather till the year-end in J&K.

Srinagar city had minus 2.2 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature, while Gulmarg ski resort and Pahalgam hill station had minus 5.8 and minus 4.4 as the minimum temperature, respectively.

Jammu city had 8.1 degrees Celsius, Katra town 8.4, Batote 4.7, Banihal 4.8 and Bhaderwah 0.3 degrees as the night’s lowest temperature.

For the first time after many days, people were seen lighting small fires around water taps in Srinagar city and other places to de-freeze them.

Bright sun on a clear sky greeted people in the morning, providing some relief from the bone-chilling cold in the Valley.

In Jammu city, people are also complaining of cold during the night, though there is little comparison between the colder nights of the Valley and those in Jammu city.

A good number of tourists have already arrived in Kashmir after the snowfall in the higher reaches. These people are here to celebrate Christmas and would move over to Gulmarg and other hill stations to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

Hotels in Srinagar, Gulmarg and other places are gradually returning to life as people connected with the tourism industry hope and pray that the coming year witnesses a record number of visitors.

The 40-day-long period of harsh winter cold, known locally as the ‘Chillai Kalan’, started on December 21 and ends on January 30.

During this period, the gap between day and night temperatures narrows down causing different water bodies to freeze partially or completely.

The minimum temperature often drops to minus 6 to 7 degrees, while the maximum temperature hardly touches two digits during Chillai Kalan.

But for the people, the ‘Kangri’ is the best bet to beat the chill. Kangri is an earthenware pot filled with charcoal embers, encased in a hand-woven wicker basket with two handles for carrying.

–IANS

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ISI fans anti-India narrative in Bangladesh to rig Feb polls: Intelligence inputs

New Delhi, Dec 25 (IANS) The ISI’s role in attempting to fan an anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh is most certainly confirmed, given the rhetoric by some Pakistan news outlets and a few leaders. Some media outlets have recklessly blamed India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) for the murder of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi. The claim has been made at a time when the Bangladesh authorities themselves are unclear about the killers and their motive.

Adding to the fire is a fiery video message by Kamran Sayeed Usmani, a leader of Pakistan’s ruling party, PML-N, who went on an anti-India rhetoric.

While blaming New Delhi for the mess in Bangladesh, he threatens that missiles would be directed at India. Officials say that these are reckless messages only aimed at ensuring that the violence continues in Bangladesh.

The official further pointed out that there is a pattern to such messaging. The intention is to internationalise the domestic problems in Bangladesh, and by dragging India into it, these elements are trying to achieve just that. Not a single country except Pakistan has blamed India for the mess that is on in Bangladesh. In fact, it was the Pakistan deep-state that orchestrated this mess by first ensuring that Sheikh Hasina was ousted and the Jamaat-e-Islami was in the driver’s seat. The international community is aware that the Jamaat is a puppet of the ISI.

Following the Liberation War, it was the ISI and Jamaat which planned large-scale illegal immigration into India so that demographic changes could be executed. Intelligence Bureau officials who are keeping a close watch on the developments in Bangladesh say that the ISI is playing two games here.

Pakistan has been desperately seeking revenge against India since it lost the 1971 war, which led to the creation of Bangladesh. Hence, there has been the manufacturing of a false narrative so that the people of Bangladesh are pitted against India.

The ISI realises that it would need a Jamaat government or one backed by it to be in power. Parties like the Bangladesh National Party (BNP) have been showing signs of moving away from the Jamaat and ISI, as the party wants a developed and not a radical nation.

The signs became clear when the BNP distanced itself from the Jamaat and decided to contest the elections on its own.

This shift has hurt the ISI and made it insecure, as the BNP does have every chance of winning the elections. Pollsters have predicted a win for the BNP in the absence of the Awami League, which has been banned from contesting the elections.

Former Prime Minister and BNP chief Khaleda Zia is unwell, and this could well be a sympathy factor for the party in the February 2026 polls. The BNP cadre will also be bolstered by the return of Zia’s son, Tarique Rehman, who is set to visit Bangladesh after 17 years in exile.

All these factors have made the ISI and Jamaat uneasy, and they feel that the elections can slip out of their hand.

Bangladesh watchers say that the elections are unlikely to be put off as pressure from the international community is building up. Experts say that the elections in Bangladesh are most likely to go as per schedule, but the fairness of it remains a question mark.

Intelligence agencies say that the violence is being fanned by the Jamaat-controlled groups so that the people do not come out and vote in large numbers. They want to create fear in the minds of the people so that they stay indoors when the elections are on.

Many Awami League supporters are unlikely to vote as the party is banned. Some are likely to shift their loyalties to the BNP, and if this does happen, then the party’s chances of winning the elections will only increase.

Analysts say that there is either a chance of a short postponement of the elections or a completely unfair one being conducted.

The ISI is doing everything possible to rig the polls by inciting violence. While trying to rig the polls, the ISI is also dishing out a false narrative to create an anti-India sentiment among the people.

–IANS

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Base revision of macro-economic indicators at advanced stage, new GDP series on Feb 27

New Delhi, Dec 25 (IANS) The process for base revision of macro-economic indicators — CPI, IIP and GDP — has reached at an advanced stage, and the new series of GDP with base year 2022-23 will be released on February 27, 2026, according to the government.

The new series of CPI with base year 2024 is slated to be released on February 12 while the new IIP series with base year 2022-23 will be released on May 28.

Discussion papers have been placed in public domain and workshops held for taking feedback from users and various stakeholders, said the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

For the base year revision for GDP, an Advisory Committee on National Accounts Statistics (ACNAS) and five domain-specific sub-committees have been constituted by MoSPI and more than 30 sub-committee meetings and 4 ACNAS meetings have been held.

MoSPI has engaged with various ministries and departments, wherever input-data dependencies exist.

Key improvement areas include: Integration of administrative data (GST, PFMS, e-Vahan); other datasets and latest survey data; improved methods for corporate activity classification; shift from single deflation to double deflation and volume/single extrapolation; and development of robust sub-national estimates.

For the base year revision for CPI, MoSPI constituted an Expert Group (EG) with domain experts, of which 11 meetings have been held.

Stakeholder consultations with experts/professional forecasters/banking and financial institutions including RBI and IMF have been undertaken.

For the base year revision for IIP, Technical Advisory Committee for base year revision of IIP (TAC-IIP) have been constituted and eight meetings held. Continuous engagement and consultations have been held with industry associations and data-source Ministries/Departments, said the ministry.

Moreover, annual survey results are now released within 90-120 days, quarterly results within 45-60 days and monthly results within 15-30 days of completion of surveys. Sample design for Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) and Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) modified/enhanced for generation of monthly and quarterly estimates and generating district level estimates, the ministry informed.

—IANS

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Common air pollutants may impair mood, memory in adolescents: Study

New Delhi, Dec 20 (IANS) Exposure to air pollution may have serious implications for a child’s developing brain and cause damage to language development, memory, and mood regulation, according to a study.

Air pollution causes harmful contaminants, such as particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone, to circulate in the environment.

The study led by physician-scientists at Oregon Health & Science University in the US warned that exposure to air pollution is associated with structural changes in the adolescent brain, specifically in the frontal and temporal regions — the areas responsible for executive function, language, mood regulation, and socioemotional processing.

“What we discovered was a slow and subtle effect happening on the brain, and while it might not be causing symptoms immediately, it could be shifting developmental trajectories and outcomes over time,” said lead author Calvin Jara, resident in otolaryngology/head and neck surgeries in the OHSU School of Medicine.

For the study, the team analysed data from nearly 11,000 children.

The results, published in the journal Environmental Research, showed that baseline exposure to specific air pollutants in the early phase of adolescence, or the onset of puberty, generally ages 9 to 10, was associated with both persistent and developmental changes in cortical thickness — a measurement of the structural maturation of the outer layer of the brain.

Atypical cortical thinning, especially thinning that is accelerated, can be an indication of an underlying neurological disruption and result in associated cognitive impairment.

Researchers warn that these structural changes in the brain could have impacts on a child’s overall health, well-being, and life trajectory.

Alterations in the development of these critical brain regions could impair attention, memory, and emotional regulation, potentially leading to academic difficulties and behavioural concerns. Future research should continue to examine these broader long-term consequences, researchers said.

–IANS

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Seven arrested over Hindu youth’s lynching, says Bangladesh interim govt

Dhaka, Dec 20 (IANS) Bangladesh interim government’s Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus on Saturday announced that at least seven people were arrested in connection with the lynching and brutal killing of Hindu youth Dipu Chandra Das over blasphemy charges.

“In the incident of beating to death Sanatan Dharma adherent youth Dipu Chandra Das (27) in Bhaluka, Mymensingh, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested seven individuals as suspects,” Yunus said in a post on X.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Limon Sarkar, Tarek Hossain, Manik Mia, Ershad Ali, Nijum Uddin, Alomgir Hossain and Miraj Hossain Akon.

According to the statement, RAB-14 conducted operations at various locations and arrested the aforementioned suspects.

The horrific incident occurred on Thursday night at the Pioneer Knit Composite Factory in the Square Masterbari area of the Bhaluka upazila.

The deceased, 30-year-old Dipu, was a worker at the factory and a resident of Tarakanda Upazila of Mymensingh.

Citing local and eyewitness sources, Bangladeshi Bengali media outlet Barta Bazar reported that Dipu was accused of making derogatory comments about Islam and Prophet Muhammad during an event at the factory marking World Arabic Language Day.

The allegations rapidly spread within the factory and surrounding areas, sparking tension. He was later beaten by an angry mob and reportedly died on the spot.

Reports suggest that the situation took a gruesome turn after his death, with the crowd taking the body to the Square Masterbari bus stand area, tying it to a tree with a rope, beating it while shouting various slogans and later setting it ablaze.

Confirming the incident, Bhaluka Upazila Executive Officer, Md. Firoz Hossain said a person was killed over allegations of insulting the Prophet, adding that the body of the deceased is in police custody.

Former Bangladesh Minister and Awami League leader Mohammad Ali Arafat strongly condemned the incident, asserting that Bangladesh is steadily heading toward full-scale radicalism under the leadership of the interim government’s Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus.

Bangladesh has witnessed escalating violence against minorities, including Hindus under the Yunus-led interim government, sparking outrage among people and several human rights organisations across the globe.

–IANS

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Pakistan court sentences Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi to 17-year imprisonment in corruption case

Islamabad, Dec 20 (IANS) A Pakistani court on Saturday sentenced Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief and former PM Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 17 years in prison in connection with the Toshakhana-2 corruption case, local media reported.

The case involves the purchase of an expensive jewellery set, gifted to Imran by the Saudi crown prince during an official visit in May 2021, at a nominal price.

The verdict was pronounced by Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)’s special court during proceedings conducted at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail, where Imran is being imprisoned.

Under the ruling, Imran was sentenced to a total of 17 years in prison, receiving 10 years of rigorous imprisonment under several sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, and seven years under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Bushra Bibi also received a 17-year imprisonment sentence under the same legal provisions.

Additionally, both were fined Rs 16.4 million, with failure to pay the fines resulting in further imprisonment.

“This court, while passing sentences, has considered the old age of Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi, as well as the fact that Bushra Imran Khan is a female. It is in consideration of both said factors that a lenient view has been taken in awarding lesser punishment,” Pakistani leading daily Dawn reported, quoting the court order.

Following the verdict, legal teams of Imran and Bushra said they would challenge the verdict before the high court.

The two were reportedly indicted in December last year, and in October this year, both denied the charges, calling them “fabricated and politically motivated” attempts to strip him from politics.

Reports suggest that while recording his statement before the special court, Imran dismissed the prosecution’s version, alleging that the entire case was “malicious, fabricated, and politically engineered”.

He argued that he did not fall within the definition of “public servant” under the Pakistan Penal Code, maintaining that during his tenure as the Prime Minister, he was not aware of the specific details of the gift presented to his wife.

The PTI founder asserted that all procedures under the country’s Toshakhana Policy 2018 were followed. He added that the gift was reported to the PM Office protocol section, assessed, and legally retained following payment to the national exchequer.

“We complied with the Toshakhana Policy in letter and spirit,” he said.

–IANS

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Rajinikanth condoles demise of filmmaker Sreenivasan; calls him an “excellent actor and a very good human being!”

Chennai, Dec 20 (IANS) Expressing shock and grief on learning of the demise of his good friend Sreenivasan, Superstar Rajinikanth on Saturday paid a glowing tribute to the great Malayalam actor, director and screenwriter saying he was “an excellent actor and a very good human being”.

Rajinikanth said, “It is shocking to know that my good friend Sreenivasan is no more. He was my classmate in Film Institute. (An) Excellent actor and (a) very good human being. Let his soul rest in peace.”

Tributes and condolence messages have been flowing in from all sections of people, cutting across regions and languages.

Actress Aparna Das, in her condolence message which she shared on Instagram, wrote, “Praying to God to give his family all the strength. I was fortunate to enter the world of cinema through his script. He was truly a legend, yet remained a simple and grounded human being. The way he raised his children reflects the values he lived by. I have always felt a special affection for his family, though I cannot quite explain why. May his soul rest in eternal peace. My prayers are with them.”

Actor Prithviraj, in his brief but powerful condolence message on Instagram, said, “Adieu to one of the greatest ever writer/ director/ actor! Thank you for the laughs and the thoughts! Rest in peace legend!”

Oscar winning sound designer Resul Pookutty wrote, “A face we will never forget, a voice we will never be tired of hearing, the void that you left will never be filled. It’s our collective loss of a voice that constantly tried to converse with us and shown us a world that was “different”-in his own inimitable way.#RIPSreenivasan”

Actor, writer and director Sreenivasan is considered an icon of Malayalam cinema. The well known director, who was known for his acting as much as for his powerful writing, breathed his last at the Trippunithura Taluk Hospital, where he had been undergoing treatment for age-related illness. He was 69.

Sreenivasan is survived by his wife, Vimala, and his sons, Vineeth Sreenivasan, an acclaimed director, actor and singer, and Dhyan Sreenivasan, a popular actor.

Over a remarkable 48-year career, Sreenivasan left an indelible imprint on Malayalam cinema, shaping its storytelling sensibilities with his incisive humour, social satire and deeply human characters.

An actor of rare versatility, he featured in nearly 225 films, excelling both as a comedian and as a leading man, often portraying the flawed everyman with unmatched authenticity.

–IANS

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Top players gear up for Thailand Tennis Masters in February

New Delhi, Dec 20 (IANS) The Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand (LTAT) has announced that the Thailand Tennis Masters 2026 will be held in February 2026 at the National Tennis Development Center in Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi. The international tournament is expected to bring together top tennis players from around the world alongside leading Thai athletes, marking a significant boost for the country’s tennis landscape.

The announcement was made at a press conference attended by Kritachai Neiyocha, Executive Director of the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand under Royal Patronage. He was joined by Nannaphat Nantasuk, International Relations Officer of the LTAT, as well as Thai national team players Thanapet “Owen” Chanta and Pawit “Mangpor” Sornlaksup. Representatives from the organising partners, including Sachin Kumar, Chairman of Red Talent Group, and President Pankaj Tomer, were also present.

The LTAT has partnered with Red Talent Group to organise the Thailand Tennis Masters 2026, which is officially certified by the association. The collaboration aims to strengthen Thailand’s presence on the Asian and global tennis stage while providing valuable competitive exposure for local players against high-level international opponents.

The tournament will span eight days and feature a total of 31 matches, following a Round Robin format. Sixteen top-tier players from across the globe will compete alongside Thailand’s leading tennis talents. The event carries a total prize purse of more than USD 67,000, or approximately 2.18 million Thai Baht.

Officials said the Thailand Tennis Masters 2026 reflects the LTAT’s ongoing commitment to developing tennis in the country by hosting high-quality international events.

The tournament is also expected to attract strong interest from fans and contribute to the growth of tennis as a competitive sport in Thailand, while showcasing the nation’s capability to host major international sporting events.

–IANS

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‘No one respects women more’: JD-U defends CM Nitish Kumar amid hijab row

New Delhi, Dec 20 (IANS) Amid the controversy triggered by a viral video allegedly showing Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar removing a woman’s hijab during a public event, Janata Dal-U MP Rampreet Mandal on Saturday came out in his defence, asserting that no leader in the country respects women more than him.

The controversy erupted after a video surfaced on social media from a government function in Patna. In the clip, the 74-year-old Chief Minister is seen handing a certificate to an AYUSH doctor and gesturing for her to remove her hijab. Before the woman could react, he allegedly reached out and pulled it down himself, briefly exposing her mouth and chin. While some people present were seen laughing, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary appeared to intervene to stop Nitish Kumar.

Talking to IANS, JD-U MP Mandal said: “I have heard about this from you all. I do not see my phone, so I was not aware of the video earlier. But the way allegations are being made, I cannot believe them at first because our Chief Minister cannot do such a thing.”

Emphasising Nitish Kumar’s contribution towards women’s empowerment, he said: “Let me say this clearly: the work he has done for women, no one else in the country has done to that extent. Whether it is through the Jeevika Didi initiative or in the fields of education and police recruitment, no one has worked as much for women in Bihar as he has.”

Mandal alleged that the controversy was being deliberately created to target the Chief Minister.

“Such allegations are being levelled because the Opposition and certain people have no other work. Our Chief Minister is known as ‘Chanakya’. There is no one in the country who respects women like him. Those making these claims only want to create outrage,” he added.

Mandal dismissed the accusations, stating that no wrongdoing had occurred.

“I do not think he has done anything wrong. Suppose someone else had come in her place to give an exam, then it would have been wrong, and we would have questioned it. I do not want to get involved in unnecessary controversies. I request people who are spreading all this to stop doing so,” he said.

On the Parliament passing the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025 (VB-G RAM-G Bill), Rampreet Mandal said that the name of Mahatma Gandhi was being misused earlier.

“People were using JCB machines and collecting money in the name of the poor, which was tarnishing Mahatma Gandhi’s name. The step taken by the Indian government is good, and a good bill has been passed,” he said.

On December 18, the Lok Sabha passed the VB-G RAM-G Bill through a voice vote. The legislation replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and provides an enhanced guarantee of 125 days of wage employment annually for rural households, despite Opposition demands for further scrutiny.

–IANS

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