Hajj pilgrimage returning to pre-COVID levels: Saudi Arabia
Dubai, Jan 10 (AP) Islam’s annual hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia will return to pre-pandemic levels this year after restrictions saw the annual religious commemoration curtailed over concerns about the coronavirus, authorities say. The hajj, required of all able-bodied Muslims once in their life, represents one of the world’s largest gatherings of people. Before the […]
Amid snowfall prediction temp drops across JK
Srinagar, Jan 10: The minimum temperature recorded a slight drop at most places but hovered above normal even as fog engulfed parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, officials said. A meteorological department official here said that fog significantly reduced visibility in Srinagar, Qazigund and Jammu. However he said that the visibility will be improved […]
India adds 121 COVID-19 cases, one death
New Delhi, Jan 10 (PTI) India logged 121 fresh coronavirus infections on Tuesday and the number of active cases came down to 2,319, according to Union health ministry data. The total number of COVID-19 cases now stands at 4.46 crore (4,46,80,215). The death toll increased to 5,30,722 with one death reported from Delhi in the […]
India signs bilateral agreement with Saudi Govt on Haj 2023; over 1,75000 pilgrims to perform pilgrimage this year
Srinagar, Dec 09: In a significant development, the Government of India (GoI) today signed a bilateral agreement with the Saudi Arabia kingdom for Haj 2023 after which it was announced that this year, over 1,75000 Indian pilgrims will perform the annual journey of Hajj. “Yes, the GoI signed a bilateral agreement with the Saudi Arabia […]
Coverage of Rishabh Pant car crash, some crime stories ‘distasteful’; strictly follow programme code: Govt to TV channels
New Delhi, Jan 9 (PTI) The government on Monday termed the television news coverage of cricketer Rishabh Pant’s road accident and some other crime stories “distasteful” and “heart wrenching” and asked them to strictly follow the programme code laid down under the relevant law. In an advisory to all private satellite channels, the Ministry of […]
VDGs asked to remain alert to thwart evil designs of anti-nationals
Jammu, Jan 9 (PTI) Village Defense Guards (VDGs), made up of local volunteers, have been asked to remain vigilant in view of the upcoming Republic Day celebrations amid fears that terrorists may disrupt the peaceful atmosphere in this region, officials said on Monday. VDGs have also been activated along the International Border (IB) in Jammu, […]
Religious conversion a serious issue, should not be given political colour: SC
New Delhi, Jan 9 (PTI) Observing that religious conversion is a serious issue which should not be given a political colour, the Supreme Court on Monday sought the assistance of Attorney General R Venkataramani on a plea seeking direction to the Centre and states to take stringent steps to control fraudulent religious conversions. A bench […]
260 trains cancelled as fog derails services
New Delhi, Jan 9 (PTI) Over 260 trains were cancelled due to bad weather conditions on Monday, the railways said. The services were affected as visibility was reduced considerably on Monday morning due to a dense layer of fog that extended from Punjab and adjoining Rajasthan to Bihar through Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. “A […]
Gas tanker turns turtle on highway in Samba amid fog, traffic affected
Jammu, Jan 9 (PTI) Amid a dense fog cover, a gas tanker skidded off the road on Monday and turned turtle on Jammu-Pathankot Highway in Jammu and Kashmir’s Samba, leading to a suspension of traffic movement. Officials said there was a minor leakage of gas, but no one was injured. Police and fire services personnel […]
Rehman Rahi, Kashmir’s first Jnanpith awardee, dies
Srinagar, Jan 9 (PTI) Renowned poet and Kashmir’s first Jnanpith awardee Professor Rehman Rahi died here on Monday. He was 98. “Rahi breathed his last in the early hours today at his residence in Nowshera area of the city,” an official said. Born on 6 May 1925, Rahi wrote several collections of poems and translated […]