Dubai, May 04: Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have issued a emergency missile alert urging residents to immediately seek shelter.
The alert was issued shortly after the United States military announced that two merchant ships had transited the Strait of Hormuz.
There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage, and an all-clear signal was later sent.
Srinagar, May 04: In continuation of the ongoing anti-drug enforcement drive under the 100-Day Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyaan, Police have achieved further success by arresting 04 drug peddlers in Sopore and Baramulla in separate actions and recovering contraband and psychotropic substances from their possession.
As per the statement, a police party from Police Station Bomai during naka checking at Chetkak Road Tujjar Shareef intercepted a motorcycle bearing registration number JK05M-4132. During the search of the rider, a bag containing psychotropic substances (Spasmo-Proxyvon Plus capsules) was recovered from his possession. The accused has been identified as Danish Akbar Bhat son of Mohammad Akbar resident of Harwan. Similarly, during naka checking at Hadipora, a vehicle bearing registration number JK05C-7422 with two persons on board was intercepted by the police party. During search, charas-like substance was recovered from them. They have been identified as Iqbal Majeed son of Abdul Majeed Mir and Abdul Qayoom Dar son of Abdul Jabar Dar, both residents of Hadipora.
In Baramulla, a police party during naka checking at GEP (Gulmarg Entry Point) intercepted a Scorpio vehicle bearing registration number JK05M-6306. During search, 3 grams of a psychotropic substance (Methaqualone), commonly known as Qualudes or Mandrax was recovered from his possession. Further search of the vehicle led to the recovery of narcotic paraphernalia. The accused identified as Muneer Ahmad Sheikh son of Ab Rasheed Sheikh resident of Lawaypora Srinagar has been arrested, besides vehicle used in the commission of crime has also been seized.
Accordingly, cases under relevant sections of law have been registered at respective police stations and further investigations have been taken up.
Police reiterated that strict enforcement against drug peddlers continues across the valley and all those involved in drug trafficking will be dealt with firmly under law. Police reaffirmed their commitment under the Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyaan to eliminate the drug menace and ensure a safer, healthier and drug-free society, statement added.
Srinagar, May 04: In a significant stride linking Kashmir to global scientific research, Dr. Umer Majeed Khaja, a research scientist at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, has contributed to an international study addressing cancer disparities in resource-limited regions.
The study, titled “Advancing cancer research in resource-limited settings: perspectives from emerging voices across continents,” has been published in the journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, bringing together 25 early-career scientists from 11 low- and middle-income countries. Dr. Khaja is notably the first and only Global Scholars-in-Training Award (GSITA) recipient from Jammu and Kashmir to be part of this collaboration.
The research highlights a stark reality, nearly 70 percent of the global cancer burden lies in low- and middle-income countries, where healthcare systems often struggle with limited infrastructure, funding gaps, and delayed diagnosis. Jammu and Kashmir mirrors these challenges, with rising cancer cases compounded by logistical and systemic constraints.
Despite these hurdles, the study underscores practical and scalable solutions such as telemedicine, mobile screening units, and digital health platforms. It also stresses the importance of locally tailored innovations over imported healthcare models—an approach seen as particularly relevant for geographically complex regions like Kashmir.
Dr. Khaja’s research focuses on cancer biology, especially gastrointestinal cancers, with work spanning biomarker discovery, translational oncology, and natural product-based therapeutics. His contributions aim at developing cost-effective, region-specific interventions that can improve early detection and treatment outcomes.
Earlier this year, he was selected for the prestigious AACR Global Scholars-in-Training Award and presented his research at the AACR Annual Meeting 2026 held in San Diego, reflecting his growing engagement with the international scientific community, reported news agency Kashmir Dot Com.
Beyond his research, Dr. Khaja is associated with leading global organizations including the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the European Society of Medical Oncology, and serves as a peer reviewer for reputed international journals.
The study emphasizes that reducing cancer disparities requires not only scientific progress but also inclusive research frameworks, sustained investment, and stronger global collaboration. For Jammu and Kashmir, it highlights the urgent need to build local research capacity and strengthen healthcare systems.
New Delhi, May 04: Baramulla MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid alias Engineer Rashid on Monday urged the Delhi High Court to modify its earlier order granting him one-week interim bail in a terror funding case and allow him to be with his ailing father, who has been shifted to AIIMS Delhi from Srinagar.
A bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Madhu Jain, which had confined the Baramulla MP to Srinagar for the duration of his interim bail, listed the matter for hearing on Tuesday and asked him to furnish a local address.
The senior counsel for Rashid submitted that he has a flat in Delhi, which has been allotted to him as a member of Parliament.
The court, however, observed that it would not permit Rashid to stay in a place that also houses other MPs.
“That is not good enough. You can’t be in the MP house where other MPs are living. I can’t permit that. It will be a security issue,” the bench said.
The senior counsel said he would furnish the address of a private residence to the court.
The National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) counsel submitted that since the court has effectively granted custody parole in the matter and Rashid was no longer required to be outside Delhi, he should be permitted to visit his father from the jail itself, especially when the interim bail was expiring on May 6.
Custody parole entails a prisoner being escorted by armed police personnel to his place of visit.
The NIA lawyer further stated that the condition of the petitioner’s father was stable and he was shifted to AIIMS Delhi on the family’s request.
Rashid’s counsel said that pursuant to the interim bail, he was released on April 30 and reached Srinagar the same day.
He said Rashid’s father was airlifted to AIIMS Delhi after his health took a serious turn, but he was unable to relocate himself on account of the court order confining him to Srinagar.
“I am stuck in Srinagar. I am not allowed to come. He is here. I am there,” the senior lawyer said.
The court granted the interim bail to Rashid on April 28 on the condition that he could either visit the hospital where his father was being treated or remain at home.
It also ordered that at least two police officials would accompany him in plainclothes at all times.
The court passed the order while dealing with Rashid’s appeal against an April 24 trial court verdict refusing to grant him interim bail.
Rashid was arrested for allegedly funding separatists and terror groups in Jammu and Kashmir. He has been lodged in Delhi’s Tihar Jail since 2019 after the NIA arrested him in the 2017 terror-funding case.
After being named in a chargesheet in October 2019, a special NIA court framed charges against Rashid and others in March 2022 under sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 121 (waging war against the government) and 124A (sedition) of the Indian Penal Code and for offences relating to terrorist acts and terror funding under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
New Delhi, May 04: Actor-turned-politician Thalapathy Vijay has emerged as a major political force in Indian politics, with his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), delivering a strong electoral performance and positioning itself as a key contender in Tamil Nadu.
In a dramatic turn of events, TVK dealt a significant blow to the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), long considered a dominant force in the state’s political landscape. Vijay’s rapid rise marks a shift from traditional political trajectories seen in leaders like M.G. Ramachandran, J. Jayalalithaa, and N.T. Rama Rao, with his appeal driven largely by mass popularity and a strong youth base.
A significant factor behind TVK’s surge is the support of Gen Z voters—young, digital, and politically assertive—who have helped transform fandom into political capital.
Initially met with skepticism, Vijay’s entry into politics has defied expectations, reshaping Tamil Nadu’s electoral dynamics. The results signal not only anti-incumbency against the DMK government but also a broader demand for political change.
Vijay’s popularity among youth, a campaign focused on governance and corruption-free administration, and his strong connect with first-time voters have contributed to his rise. His film career, backed by a loyal fan base, appears to have translated effectively into political support.
This electoral shift marks a significant moment in Tamil Nadu politics, traditionally dominated by the DMK and AIADMK.
Shopian, May 04: A two-year-old girl drowned after falling into a nallah in the Zainapora area of South Kashmir’s Shopian district on Monday afternoon.
An official said that the child slipped into Nallah Ladii near her rented accommodation in Chidipora. Her body was later recovered downstream in Reshipora.
The deceased has been identified as Saziya Mumtaz (2), daughter of Mumtaz Ahmad Nerasi, a resident of Reasi currently living in Chidipora, Zainapora.
The body has been shifted for legal and medico-formalities and will be handed over to the family thereafter. Police have taken cognizance of the incident.—(KNO)
Kolkata, May 04: Signalling a potential political churn in West Bengal, a state long dominated by TMC’s Mamata Banerjee, the BJP surged past the halfway mark on Monday, leading in 185 assembly seats against the TMC’s 91 as counting progressed steadily, according to the Election Commission data.
With the majority mark of 148 in the 294-member House breached in early trends, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s momentum pointed to a possible breakthrough, while the ruling Trinamool Congress scrambled to close the widening gap in what has emerged as a potentially game-changing electoral battle.
The early numbers, indicating a possible outcome that could reshape the state’s political landscape following a fiercely fought elections, also suggested a geographically split mandate, with the BJP pushing ahead in border, tribal and industrial regions, while the TMC held ground in parts of Kolkata and select rural strongholds.
Counting for 293 Assembly seats began at 8 am with postal ballots, followed by EVM votes.
The Election Commission has countermanded polls in the entire Falta constituency in South 24 Parganas district, citing “severe electoral offences and subversion of the democratic process during polling in a large number of polling stations”.
The election is widely seen as a referendum on Banerjee’s bid for a fourth consecutive term against an aggressive BJP that has sought to convert its 2021 gains into a decisive breakthrough.
Even as the broader trend favoured the BJP, Banerjee was ahead in her Bhabanipur stronghold by 16,706 votes over BJP challenger Suvendu Adhikari after five rounds of counting, offering early comfort to the TMC in a prestige seat.
The Bhabanipur contest witnessed sharp swings through the morning, with Banerjee leading in the first round, trailing in the second, and regaining the advantage in the third — underlining the volatility of early trends.
However, in Nandigram, the other marquee battleground, Adhikari was ahead by over 3,135 votes against TMC’s Pabitra Kar after two rounds of counting.
Beyond the headline numbers, the trends indicated a deeper churn in the state’s political landscape.
For a party that has known uninterrupted power since 2011, the current numbers — with the BJP surging ahead in over 174 seats and the TMC trailing well behind — suggest the possible unravelling of a carefully constructed political machine that thrived on centralised authority, welfare outreach and relentless booth-level mobilisation.
The scale of the shift is reflected in emerging vote share patterns, with the BJP’s share rising to around 44.8 per cent — a sharp jump from 2021 — while the TMC’s dipped to nearly 41.7 per cent, indicating erosion across segments that once formed its dependable base.
Perhaps more telling is the churn in the 177 constituencies where voter deletions had exceeded previous victory margins — a silent faultline that appears to have turned electoral.
The BJP was holding ground in all the seats it had won in this category in 2021 and making inroads into several of the 120 segments that the TMC had previously dominated, pointing to a deeper, more systemic shift rather than a transient swing.
Initial trends from across the state showed several TMC heavyweights trailing, triggering concern within the ruling camp.
In Cooch Behar district’s Dinhata, minister Udayan Guha was trailing by 6,259 votes against BJP’s Ajay Ray after four of the 24 rounds of counting.
TMC’s Manas Ranjan Bhunia was trailing in Paschim Medinipur district’s Sabang constituency, where he has won seven elections earlier, with BJP’s Amal Kumar Panda ahead by 693 votes after the third round.
In Kolkata, BJP’s Purnima Chakraborty was leading by 1,430 votes over TMC minister Shashi Panja, signalling early cracks in some urban pockets for the ruling party.
In Monteswar, BJP’s Saikat Panja was ahead by 13,308 votes over TMC’s Siddiqullah Chowdhury, while in Asansol Dakshin, BJP leader Agnimitra Paul was leading by 18,812 votes.
West Bengal Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee was trailing by 1,448 votes in Baruipur Paschim constituency.
The BJP was also leading in a swath of constituencies, including Dinhata, Gosaba, Baghmundi, Bankura, Durgapur Purba, Binpur, Nayagram, Rajganj and Bhagwangola, indicating traction across Junglemahal, north Bengal and industrial belts.
In contrast, the TMC retained leads in pockets such as Deganga, besides urban seats like Kasba, Ballygunge, Bhabanipur and Entally, and rural belts including Singur, Raina, Jamalpur, Khandaghosh, Sitai, Malatipur and Mothabari.
The CPI(M) was leading in Domkal in Murshidabad district, while the ISF was ahead in Minakhan in South 24 Parganas. Aam Janata Unnayan Party chief Humayun Kabir was leading in Nowda in Murshidabad over his nearest TMC rival after the first round, with a margin of 2,890 votes and several rounds remaining.
Officials cautioned that trends could shift significantly as more rounds are counted, with clearer patterns expected only later in the day.
Srinagar, May 04: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday called upon young athletes to act as brand ambassadors of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, urging them to use sports and social media to spread awareness against drug abuse.
The LG was speaking at the inauguration of the All India Inter-University Wushu Championship for Men and Women at the University of Kashmir Sports Ground, where over 1,000 athletes from more than 150 universities across the country are participating.
Referring to the ongoing 23-day anti-drug campaign in Jammu and Kashmir, Sinha said youth participation is key to strengthening the movement. He urged athletes to create short awareness videos and share them on digital platforms to inspire others.
“I request every student-athlete to make a short video of 20 to 60 seconds and share it on social media. Your message can guide many young people towards the right path,” he said.
Describing athletes as role models for society, the LG said their responsibility goes beyond sporting achievements. “You are role models for the new generation of India. Your voice can help keep youth away from drugs and towards sports and discipline,” he said.
Sinha stressed that sporting events should also serve as platforms for social responsibility and nation-building. “This championship is not just about winning medals, but about discipline, character and building a healthy society,” he added.
Reiterating his appeal, the LG said the fight against drugs requires collective effort and active youth engagement to ensure a drug-free future. —(KNO)
Jammu, May 04: The Jammu Development Authority (JDA) on Monday carried out a major anti-encroachment drive on the outskirts of Jammu city, demolishing over 15 structures built without requisite permissions, officials said.
They said notices had been served to the violators according to legal procedures, giving them adequate time to comply.
“In a significant enforcement action undertaken today, the JDA carried out a major demolition drive along the Ring Road corridor to check illegal constructions,” an official spokesperson said.
He said more than 15 structures, built without obtaining necessary building permissions from the competent authority, were razed during the operation.
“These structures were in clear violation of approved land use norms and building regulations,” he added.
According to the officials, preliminary assessments indicated that several of the unauthorised constructions posed a serious threat to public safety.
“Many of these structures were either structurally unsound or had encroached upon critical areas, increasing the risk to life and property, particularly for nearby residential and commercial establishments,” they said.
The Enforcement Wing of the JDA carried out the demolition drive with assistance from the local administration and law enforcement agencies, ensuring a smooth operation without any untoward incident.
Reiterating its commitment to planned development, the JDA urged the public to adhere to building norms and obtain necessary permissions before undertaking construction.
“Unauthorised constructions not only violate the law but also endanger public safety and disrupt orderly urban growth,” a JDA spokesperson said, adding that similar drives will continue in future.
Some residents alleged that JDA officials allowed illegal constructions to come up over the past two years in exchange for monetary benefits. They claimed no action has been taken against such officials.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had earlier informed the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly that over 16,000 kanals (1 sq km is equal to 1,976.84 kanals) of JDA land was under encroachment.
Kolkata, May 4: The BJP gained early lead in West Bengal on Monday, surging ahead in 111 Assembly seats against the TMC’s 69 as counting gathered pace, signalling a possible outcome that could reshape the state’s political landscape following a high-stakes and tightly fought electoral battle.
The early numbers suggest a geographically split mandate in the making with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) pushing ahead in border, tribal and industrial regions, while the Trinamool Congress (TMC) holds ground in parts of Kolkata and select rural strongholds.
Counting for all 293 Assembly seats began at 8 am with postal ballots, followed by EVM votes.
The election is widely seen as a referendum on Banerjee’s bid for a fourth consecutive term against an aggressive BJP that has sought to convert its 2021 gains into a decisive breakthrough.
According to Election Commission data. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was leading in her Bhabanipur stronghold by 898 votes over BJP challenger Suvendu Adhikari after the first round, offering early comfort to the ruling party in a prestige seat even as the broader trend favoured the saffron party.
However, in Nandigram — the other marquee battleground — television channels showed Adhikari ahead by over 3,100 votes against TMC’s Pabitra Kar after the first round, though the Election Commission was yet to upload official figures.
“Out of the 14 booths counted in the first round, five were Muslim-dominated. Even there, the TMC is struggling,” Adhikari claimed, asserting that the BJP was headed for a victory and was leading in over 135 of the 293 seats.
Aam Janata Unnayan Party chief Humayun Kabir was leading in the Nowda seat in Murshidabad district over his nearest TMC rival after the first round of counting, Election Commission figures confirmed. Kabir held a lead margin of 2890 votes over TMC’s Sahina Momtaz Khan, with 19 counting rounds remaining.
The Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), an ally of the TMC in the Darjeeling hills, was leading in Kalimpong, underlining the regional dynamics in the hills where alliances often play a decisive role.
Among other key constituencies, BJP candidate Lakshmi Kanta Sau was leading in Jhargram by 976 votes over TMC’s Mongal Saren.
In Kolkata, BJP’s Purnima Chakraborty was ahead by 283 votes over TMC minister Shashi Panja, signalling early cracks in some urban pockets for the ruling party.
In Monteswar, BJP’s Saikat Panja was leading by a substantial margin of 3,486 votes over TMC’s Siddiqullah Chowdhury, while in Asansol Dakshin, BJP leader Agnimitra Paul was ahead by 6,271 votes.
The BJP was also leading in a swath of constituencies, including Dinhata, Gosaba, Baghmundi, Bankura, Durgapur Purba, Binpur, Nayagram, Rajganj and Bhagwangola, indicating early traction across Junglemahal, north Bengal and industrial belts.
In contrast, the TMC retained leads in pockets such as Deganga, where Anisur Rahaman Bidesh was ahead by 2,184 votes, besides urban seats like Kasba, Ballygunge, Bhabanipur and Entally, and rural belts including Singur, Raina, Jamalpur, Khandaghosh, Sitai, Malatipur and Mothabari. Officials cautioned that trends could shift significantly as more rounds are counted, with clearer patterns expected only later in the day.
