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Meta brings back Facebook’s nostalgic ‘Poke’ feature with a modern twist

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Meta brings back Facebook’s nostalgic ‘Poke’ feature with a modern twist

Srinagar, Sept 05: Meta is reviving one of Facebook’s most nostalgic features — the Poke. First introduced in 2004, the Poke was a playful way for users to greet friends, grab their attention, or simply interact without sending a message.

“Sending pokes just got easier,” Facebook announced in a carousel post, adding the caption: “It’s time to start poking again.” In an Instagram update, Meta confirmed that Pokes are being restored more prominently within user profiles on the Facebook app.

“Pokes never really left, but they’re making a comeback in a major way!” the company said. This time, Facebook is making sure they won’t go unnoticed. Users will now have a dedicated page within the app to view all their pokes and track interactions.

Facebook users will now have a special page in the app that shows everyone who has poked them, Meta said. Earlier, Pokes were easy to miss. On facebook.com/pokes, users can see all their pokes and track interactions with friends. This time, Meta is also adding a twist to the feature.

Different emojis now appear depending on how many pokes have been exchanged between friends to give a Snapchat-like feel.

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Bodies of two Kashmiris recovered, rescue ops on

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7 Kashmiris feared dead after landslide hits Himachal’s Kullu

Srinagar, Sept 05: Rescue teams in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district recovered the bodies of two Kashmiri residents following a massive landslide in the Inner Akhara Bazaar, officials said on Friday.

The landslide, triggered by heavy monsoon rains on Thursday morning, flattened residential houses and buried several people under debris.

An official told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the bodies of the deceased have been identified as 30-year-old Mehraj Laul and 28-year-old Sajid Ahmad Wani, both residents of Kashmir.

Rescue operations have been ongoing since the incident with many people still remain missing—(KNO)

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Efforts being made to reopen J-K highway for traffic by Sat morning: Jammu DC

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Efforts being made to reopen J-K highway for traffic by Sat morning: Jammu DC

Jammu, Sep 5: Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar on Friday visited the most affected areas to review the restoration work on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Udhampur district and said that efforts are being made to reopen the highway by the next morning so that essential supplies can be facilitated to the valley.

The 270-kilometre-long Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained closed for vehicular traffic for the fourth consecutive day due to multiple landslides and the washing away of road patches triggered by heavy rain in the Jammu region.

Kumar, who was flanked by senior officers, inspected restoration work at Thard area in Udhampur and was briefed by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials on the ground, officials said.

A massive hill movement damaged a 200-metre stretch of the highway, the vital link between Jammu and Srinagar, the officials said, adding that teams are working tirelessly to restore connectivity and ensure safe passage for commuters.

Speaking to reporters, the DC said, “We are trying to reopen the highway by tomorrow morning so that essential supplies are facilitated to the valley. Efforts are on.”

He said that debris clearance operations are underway on a war footing. “As the weather has improved, restoration work has been sped up.”

The men and machinery of the NHAI have intensified their efforts to remove multiple landslides for early restoration of the affected places in the Udhampur-Ramban-Banihal section, they said.

The most affected areas include Shalgadi, Nachilana, Panthyal, Maroog and Peerah in Ramban–Banihal, where retaining walls and stretches of road have been washed away, and a heavy landslide has even entered one tube of the Peerah tunnel.

In the Udhampur sector, around 10 km of road between Jakhani, Thard, Bali Nallah and Dewal has been affected, they said.

Over 3,700 vehicles are stranded at various places in Kathua, Samba, Jammu, Udhampur, Ramban and the Kashmir valley due to the closure of the highway, they said.

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KCCI expresses concern over week-long closure of Srinagar-Jammu highway

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KCCI expresses concern over week-long closure of Srinagar-Jammu highway

Srinagar, Sep 05: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has voiced serious concern over the continued closure of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, which has remained blocked for more than a week, paralysing trade and essential supplies to the Valley.

The Chamber said that the highway blockade, caused by landslides and adverse weather conditions, has left trucks carrying fruits, livestock, vegetables, groceries, and other supplies stranded. The disruption, it added, has triggered shortages and a steep rise in the prices of food items and daily-use goods across Kashmir.

KCCI noted that the lack of a contingency plan to keep supplies moving during such closures has worsened the crisis and once again underscored the Valley’s dependence on a single road link for survival. “Multiple sectors are facing crippling losses. The horticulture sector is the hardest hit, with fruit-laden trucks stuck for days. Supplies of perishable items such as vegetables, dairy, poultry, and livestock have been severely affected,” the Chamber said.

Highlighting the deepening crisis, the Chamber urged the administration, including the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister, to allow heavy vehicle movement on the Mughal Road until the Srinagar-Jammu Highway is restored. It said that putting the Mughal Road into service as an alternative route was vital to prevent further economic and social distress.

The Chamber also appealed to traders, wholesalers, and retailers to show restraint by keeping prices of essentials stable. It warned against profiteering in this difficult period and stressed the need for collective responsibility to safeguard consumers from added hardship.

Calling for a long-term strategy, KCCI reiterated that repeated closures of the highway due to weather and landslides demand a well-structured contingency plan to secure uninterrupted supplies and protect the Valley’s economy. It said the government must take urgent and decisive steps to restore normalcy, ensure smooth movement of goods, and establish lasting alternatives to prevent such recurrent crises.

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What the new tax structure means for education and school supplies

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What could get cheaper under new GST regime: cars, mobile phones, computers

Srinagar, Sept 05: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while chairing the 56th meeting of the GST Council on September 3, approved a set of next-generation GST reforms aimed at easing the lives of ordinary citizens and simplifying business for traders and small enterprises.

The reforms come in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day pledge to reduce the tax burden on households. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) remains India’s biggest indirect tax reform, subsuming multiple central and state levies under one framework.

One of the key highlights is relief for students and families. Essential study materials such as exercise books, pencils, erasers, crayons, and sharpeners will now carry 0% GST.

Meanwhile, items like geometry boxes, school cartons, and trays have been shifted from the 12% tax slab to 5%.

The move is expected to make educational supplies more affordable, ease financial pressure on families, and enhance access to learning resources

The new GST structure, effective from September 22, will have two tax slabs: 5 per cent and 18 per cent. Sweeping rate cuts will apply across agriculture, MSMEs, healthcare, labour-intensive industries, and households

Greater Kashmir

Kashmir University postpones all exams scheduled for tomorrow

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Kashmir University postpones exams scheduled today

Srinagar, Sep 05: Authorities at University of Kashmir said on Friday that all examinations scheduled for tomorrow (06.09.2025) have been postponed due to ongoing inclement weather conditions.

They said that fresh dates for the conduct of postponed papers shall be notified separately.

“In view of the situation arising from the recent inclement weather, it is hereby notified that all University examinations scheduled for 06.09.2025 stand postponed,” a notification issued by Assistant Controller of Examinations (Conduct) reads.

“Fresh date/s for the conduct of postponed papers shall be notified separately,” it also reads.

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Tanvir Sadiq opposes Ashoka Emblem at Hazratbal, calls it against Islamic belief

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Tanvir Sadiq opposes Ashoka Emblem at Hazratbal, calls it against Islamic belief

Srinagar, Sep 05: A fresh controversy has erupted over the installation of the Ashoka emblem at the Hazratbal Dargah shrine; with National Conference leader Tanvir Sadiq stating that the move contradicts the fundamental Islamic belief of Tawheed.

In a post on X, Sadiq said that while he was not a religious scholar, Islam strictly forbids idol worship, calling it the gravest of sins. “The foundation of our faith is Tawheed,” he wrote.

He argued that placing the Ashoka emblem, described as a sculpted figure, inside the Dargah goes against this very principle. “Sacred spaces must reflect only the purity of Tawheed, nothing else,” Sadiq added.

The interior of the shrine was renovated and inaugurated on Wednesday.

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Massive Chinese cyberattack hit more than 80 countries last year, exposed global leaders’ data

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Massive Chinese cyberattack hit more than 80 countries last year, exposed global leaders’ data

Srinagar, Sept 05: A massive cyberattack carried out by Chinese state-backed hackers struck more than 80 countries last year, potentially compromising data on nearly every American — including President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance — U.S. officials revealed after a year-long probe.

According to reports, the hacking group, known as Salt Typhoon, infiltrated major telecommunications companies to secure long-term access to vast networks, investigators said in a joint statement last week.

Officials warned the breach was far more extensive than initially believed, with stolen data giving Chinese intelligence the ability to exploit global communications and track politicians, spies, and activists. The group targeted phones of then Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and running mate JD Vance in October last year, according to a report by The Independent.

According to a report by The New York Times, experts believe the recent Salt Typhoon cyberattack may signal a new phase in China’s cyber capabilities—one that could challenge its strategic adversaries and reinforce Beijing’s pursuit of greater global influence.

Meanwhile, British cybersecurity officials stated that the hackers were involved in a sophisticated and coordinated effort, further raising alarms among global security communities.

Greater Kashmir

2nd Edition of CRPF Football Cup 2025 concludes in Srinagar

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2nd Edition of CRPF Football Cup 2025 concludes in Srinagar

Srinagar, Sep 05: The 2nd Edition of the CRPF Football Cup 2025 concluded with great enthusiasm at the Synthetic Football Turf, TRC Srinagar. The tournament was organized by Srinagar Sector CRPF as part of Civic Action Program (CAP) in association with J&K Sports Council (J&KSC) under the umbrella of My Youth My Pride, which witnessed spirited participation from 16 under-23 teams across Srinagar, Budgam, and Ganderbal districts.

In a thrilling final match, Hamdaniya FC defeated Ganderbal United FC with a 3-1 margin. Goals for Hamdaniya FC were scored by Kifayat (2) and Tabin Shafi, while Mubashir scored the lone goal for Ganderbal United FC.

Rajesh Kumar, ADG J&K Zone CRPF graced the event as Chief Guest. PR Jambholkar, DIG Administration, Srinagar Sector, Anupam Srivastava, DIG Kashmir Ops Sector, DK Singh, DIG Operations, HS Kales, DIG P&A, Vivek Bhandral, DIG GC Srinagar, Amit Butola, DIG (Medical), Commandants and senior officers of Srinagar Sector and Kashmir Ops Sector CRPF, A N Shah, Head of Administration, Paras Hospitals, Faisal from Real Kashmir FC, officials from JK Sports Council, District Football Association, senior officers from J&K Police and CAPFs were among the distinguished guests.

Pawan Kumar Sharma, IG Srinagar Sector CRPF delivered the welcome address and thanked the chief guest and other dignitaries for their august presence.

Rajesh Kumar, ADG J&K Zone CRPF said that football tournaments are being organized with an aim to use the energy of youth in positive direction. He congratulated the winning and runners-up teams and commended their dedication and sportsmanship. He lauded Srinagar Sector CRPF for organising one edition of CRPF Cricket Cup and CRPF Football Cup every year which provides opportunity for emerging young talent of the valley to showcase their skills.

He further added that this year, in the 2nd Edition CRPF Football Cup 2025, a platform was provided to under – 23 age group players. 8 teams from Srinagar, 4 teams Budgam and 4 teams from Ganderbal districts participated in knock-out format from 29 Aug to 4 Sep at Synthetic Football Turf, TRC Srinagar. He thanked J&K Sports Council for their for facilitating Synthetic Football Turf and immense support during the tournament.

He added that 3rd Edition CRPF Cricket Cup 2025 shall be organised from Oct 30 onwards at 4 venues across Srinagar and continued that teams from Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal will be provided an opportunity to participate in the tournament.

Pawan Kumar Sharma, IG Srinagar Sector CRPF accompanied Rajesh Kumar, IPS, ADG J&K Zone CRPF presented the trophies and medals to the players.

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Mumbai on high alert after terror threat ahead of Ganesh Visarjan festival

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Mumbai on high alert after terror threat ahead of Ganesh Visarjan festival

Srinagar, Sept 05: Mumbai has been placed on high alert after police received a WhatsApp message warning of multiple blasts in the city, coinciding with the culmination of the Ganesh festival tomorrow.

The message, sent to the traffic police control room’s helpline on Thursday, claimed that “human bombs” had been planted in 34 vehicles and threatened to “shake the entire city.”

Mumbai Police has become alert following the threat, and security deployment has been increased across the city. An official said the threat is being investigated from all angles and that the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has been informed.

According to reports, the sender identified himself as “Lashkar-e-Jihadi” and said that 14 Pakistani terrorists have entered India. About 400 kg of RDX will be used for the blast, which can “kill 1 crore people”, the threat said.

As per officials security has been intensified across Mumbai as authorities prepare for Anant Chaturthi, which marks the conclusion of the 10-day Ganesh festival with mass idol immersions.

Greater Kashmir

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