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1 killed, 3 others injured after collision between two vehicles in Poonch

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Corn seller dies after being hit by unknown vehicle in Anantnag

Jammu, Aug 08: One person was killed while as three others were injured after there was a collision between two vehicles near Bhata Dhurian Nar forest area of Poonch district on Friday afternoon.

Officials told GNS that around 3:10pm this afternoon there was collision between Ertiga and Balena near Bhata Dhurian Nar forest.

In this incident four people were injured and shifted to Army hospital BG. One of the injured namely Amrit Kumar, son of Jaghat Ram, succumbed to his injuries during treatment.

The other three injured have been referred to GMC Rajouri for further treatment. The injured have been identified as Nilam Kumar, wife of Amrit Raina; Ansh Sharma, son of Jeet Kumar; and Ajay Kumar; all residents of Sunderbani.

Meanwhile, police have taken cognizance of the incident.

Greater Kashmir

IGP Kashmir calls for strict vigilance against inimical elements

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IGP Kashmir calls for strict vigilance against inimical elements

Srinagar, Aug 08: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Zone V.K. Birdi on Friday chaired a security review meeting at Police Control Room Kashmir to review the overall security scenario and arrangements regarding the celebration of Independence Day and related events.

The meeting was attended by IGP Security J&K, IGP Railways, IG BSF Ftr Hqrs, IG CRPF Srinagar, JD SIB Srinagar, all range DIsG of Kashmir Zone, DIsG of, IR Kashmir, Armed Kashmir, CID Kashmir, Traffic Jammu, SSB Srinagar, RPF Srinagar, CRPF KOS, CRPF South/North Srinagar, ITBP Srinagar, all district SSsP of Kashmir Zone, SSP PCR Kashmir, SSsP of Traffic City Srinagar, Railways Kashmir, Traffic Rural Kashmir, CID SBK, APCR Srinagar, CID CIK, Security Kashmir, DC SB Srinagar, GSO (1) 15 Corps, CO’s of SDRF 1st Bn Srinagar, JKAP 5th Bn, SP PC Srinagar and other officers.

At the outset of the meeting, IGP Kashmir was briefed by officers on the security arrangements and deployment plans established to ensure the smooth and peaceful conduct of upcoming events. The IGP Kashmir directed all participating officers to make sure that the necessary preparations are completed well in advance.

During the meeting, the IGP assigned specific responsibilities to various officers, issuing clear instructions to execute their tasks with precision and thorough planning. Additional directives were provided regarding key logistical arrangements to facilitate the seamless execution of the events.

IGP Kashmir instructed the officers to strengthen security checkpoints, particularly during night hours, at vulnerable locations and along the city’s entry and exit routes. He emphasized the need for strict vigilance against elements that pose a threat to peace and security. He also underscored the importance of maintaining a high level of alertness and increasing area domination within their respective jurisdictions.

Furthermore, IGP Kashmir reviewed the security measures implemented for the protection of highways, railway tracks, and railway stations across the Valley.

The meeting concluded with a collective commitment to heightened vigilance, improved coordination, and the effective execution of security protocols to ensure the peaceful and orderly conduct of all scheduled events.

Greater Kashmir

Gold climbs Rs 800 to scale new record of Rs 1,03,420/10 g

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Gold declines Rs 600 to Rs 99,020 per 10 g; silver plunges Rs 1,000

New Delhi, Aug 08: Gold prices climbed by Rs 800 to hit a fresh all-time high of Rs 1,03,420 per 10 grams in the national capital on Friday due to persistent buying by stockists, according to the All India Sarafa Association.

The precious metal of 99.9 per cent purity added Rs 3,600 in the preceding session to hit a new closing peak of Rs 1,02,620 per 10 grams.

In the national capital, gold of 99.5 per cent purity also jumped by Rs 800 to hit a fresh peak of Rs 1,03,000 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes) on Friday, surpassing its earlier lifetime high of Rs 1,02,200 per 10 grams recorded after Thursday’s session.

In the last five sessions, the yellow metal prices have risen by Rs 5,800 per 10 grams.

“Gold prices rise after US imposed a 39 per cent tariff on 1 kg and 100-ounce of gold bars imported from Switzerland, disrupting a key supply route and injecting fresh volatility into the bullion market.

“The reclassification of these bars under a taxable category ended their long-standing exemption, as Switzerland is a major refining hub and the move has created supply-side uncertainty and revived safe-haven interest in gold amid broader geopolitical tensions,” Abans Financial Services’ CEO Chintan Mehta said.

Silver prices also rallied Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,15,000 per kilogram (inclusive of all taxes) on Friday. It had settled at Rs 1,14,000 per kg on Thursday, as per the association.

The white metal has added Rs 5,500 per kilogram in the last five sessions.

According to Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst, Commodities, HDFC Securities, gold’s rally is fuelled by worries about the global economic outlook, particularly following the implementation of President Donald Trump’s new tariffs on Thursday.

Additionally, weak US macroeconomic data has increased expectations that the Federal Reserve will lower interest rates as early as September, Gandhi said.

On the MCX, the most traded gold futures for October contracts appreciated Rs 782 or 0.77 per cent to hit a fresh peak of Rs 1,02,250 per 10 grams.

Subsequently, the December contracts rallied Rs 849 or 0.83 per cent to hit a lifetime high of Rs 1,03,195 per 10 grams on the bourse.

“Going ahead, gold prices are expected to remain choppy as Trump’s tariff stance continues to create uncertainty, especially with the India deal appearing off the table for now. Any positive movement in the rupee could limit gold’s upside,” Jateen Trivedi, VP Research Analyst – Commodity and Currency at LKP Securities, said.

Silver futures for September contracts rose Rs 554 or 0.48 per cent to Rs 1,14,840 per kilogram on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX).

Spot gold is trading flat at USD 3,388.56 per ounce. During the day, the precious metal increased by USD 104.02 or 3.06 per cent to hit a record high of USD 3,500.33 per ounce in New York.

“Gold reached a fresh high above USD 3,500, with the Bank of England lowering interest rates for the sixth time this year and jobless claims increasing more than anticipated this week,” Renisha Chainani, Head Research at Augmont, said.

Meanwhile, spot silver went up marginally to USD 38.28 per ounce in the international markets.

Greater Kashmir

White Knight Corps GOC reviews operational readiness in Sunderbani sector

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White Knight Corps GOC reviews operational readiness in Sunderbani sector

Rajouri, Aug 08: Lieutenant General P K Mishra, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the White Knight Corps, visited the forward areas of Sunderbani sector on Wednesday to assess the current security situation and review the operational preparedness along the Line of Control.

Lieutenant General Mishra was briefed by local commanders on ground deployments, terrain challenges, and readiness of frontline troops. He expressed satisfaction over the high level of alertness being maintained in the sensitive region.

During the visit, the GOC emphasized on maintaining robust defensive and surveillance measures along the Line of Control (LoC) to ensure mission effectiveness in safeguarding territorial integrity.

Greater Kashmir

ACB arrests Jr. Assistant in ACR Rajouri’s office for accepting bribe of Rs 4000

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3 drug peddlers held with 22 gm heroin worth lakhs in J-K's Udhampur

Rajouri, Aug 08: Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Friday said to have trapped and arrested a Jr. Assistant in the office of ACR Rajouri for demanding and accepting bribe of Rs 4000.

Jammu and Kashmir Anti Corruption Bureau received a complaint alleging therein that complainant has to register 03 marlas of land in his name in the office of ACR Rajouri for which he had submitted the file with the concerned clerk having additional charge of Jr. Asstt. Sub Registar Rajouri namely Umar Nawaz but he demanded bribe of Rs 15,000 for the same. Subsequently, the said demand was negotiated to Rs 4,000, a spokesman said in a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

“Since the complainant is a poor person and did not want to give illegal gratification to the above named Junior Assistant/Clerk, he approached ACB for taking legal action against the accused public servant. Accordingly, case FIR no. 04/2025 u/s 7 of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018) was registered in ACB Police Station Rajouri and investigation taken up,” the statement reads.

During the course of investigation, a trap team was constituted, he said, adding that the team laid a successful trap and caught the accused public servant Umar Nawaz S/o Naseer Hussain R/o Saaz, Tehsil Thanamandi presently posted as Jr. Assistant in the office of Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Rajouri (Nazir Section) with additional charge of Jr. Asstt. Sub-Registrar, Rajouri red handed while demanding and accepting bribe of Rs 4000.

“The accused was arrested on the spot by the ACB team after following due process of law. The bribe money was also recovered from his possession in presence of independent witnesses associated with the trap team.”

Subsequently,  the ACB stated that searches were also conducted in the residential house of the accused at Thanamandi, Rajouri, adding that further investigation of the instant case is going on.

Greater Kashmir

OpenAI says new GPT-5 model takes ChatGPT to ‘PhD-level’ expertise                    

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OpenAI says new GPT-5 model takes ChatGPT to ‘PhD-level’ expertise                    

Srinagar, Aug 08: OpenAI has launched GPT-5, the latest version of its AI chatbot, claiming it delivers “PhD-level” expertise in areas like coding and writing.

Described as “smarter, faster, and more useful,” the model was hailed by co-founder and CEO Sam Altman as marking “a new era of ChatGPT.”

On Monday, OpenAI announced changes aimed at fostering a healthier relationship between users and ChatGPT.

In a blog post, the company noted that AI can feel “more responsive and personal than previous technologies,” particularly for vulnerable individuals facing mental or emotional distress.

Rather than giving definitive answers to personal questions like, “Should I break up with my boyfriend?”, ChatGPT will now guide users through the decision-making process by “asking questions, weighing pros and cons.”

The move follows OpenAI’s decision in May to roll back a widely criticised update that made ChatGPT “overly flattering,” according to CEO Sam Altman.

Speaking on a recent episode of OpenAI’s podcast, Altman said he has been reflecting on how people engage with the company’s products.

“I think having something like GPT-5 would be pretty much unimaginable at any previous time in human history,” Altman said ahead of Thursday’s release.

OpenAI has highlighted GPT-5’s ability to create software in its entirety and demonstrate better reasoning capabilities – with answers that show workings, logic and inference.

The company claims it has been trained to be more honest, provide users with more accurate responses and says that, overall, it feels more human.

According to Altman, the model is “significantly better” than its predecessors. Anthropic recently revoked OpenAI’s access to its application programming interface (API), claiming the company was violating its terms of service by using its coding tools ahead of GPT-5’s launch.

An OpenAI spokesperson said it was “industry standard” to evaluate other AI systems to assess their own progress and safety.

 

Greater Kashmir

J-K govt warns against banned synthetic food colours in Wazwan, ready-to-eat foods; violators face Rs 3 lakh fine

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J-K govt warns against banned synthetic food colours in Wazwan, ready-to-eat foods; violators face Rs 3 lakh fine

Srinagar, August 08: The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has issued a public notice warning against the use of prohibited synthetic food colours in prepared (ready-to-eat) foods, including Wazwan dishes, biryani, pickles, and other meat-based preparations. The presence of such colours poses a serious risk to public health, officials said on Friday.

According to the public notice, recent analytical reports of National Food Laboratory, Ghaziabad, reveal that certain food samples of prepared food viz. Kabab, Biryani, Pickles, and Chicken Tikka, have been found Unsafe due to the presence of synthetic food colours, like Carmoisine, Tartrazine, and Erythrosine.

It stated that “In terms of Regulation  3.1.2 and Appendix A of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, use of Synthetic food colours is prohibited in prepared food items such as Wazwan, Biryani, Pickles, and other meat-based preparations(ready-to-eat).The presence of such prohibited synthetic colours poses a serious risk to public health. In terms of Section 59 of the Food Safety and Standards Act,2006, such violations are punishable and may attract Imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, and also with Fine which may extend up to ₹3,00,000(three lakhs).”

the notice advised that all Food Business Operators (FBOs) engaged in the manufacture, preparation, processing, sale or service of ready-to-eat food items, especially meat-based products such as Kebabs, Wazwan, Biryani, Chicken Tikka, Pickles, etc, are advised to strictly avoid the use of synthetic food  colours in any prepared food items.

This notice is being issued in the interest of public health and food safety. The cooperation of all stakeholders is solicited to ensure that only safe, wholesome food reaches the consumer, it added

Greater Kashmir

Rajya Sabha adjourned till Monday amid Oppn uproar

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Rajya Sabha adjourned till Monday amid Oppn uproar

New Delhi, Aug 08: The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till Monday following persistent disruptions by Opposition members demanding a debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.

The issue, which has sparked widespread concern over alleged potential disenfranchisement, has become a flashpoint in the ongoing Monsoon Session.

The morning session began with Deputy Chairman Harivansh rejecting 28 notices under Rule 267, which allows suspension of listed business to discuss matters of urgent public importance.

Citing precedents set by former Chairpersons, including M. Venkaiah Naidu, Deputy Chairman Harivansh declined requests for discussion on SIR, discrimination against Bengali migrant workers, and other issues.

His decision triggered immediate protests from Opposition leaders, including Derek O’Brien, Tiruchi Siva, and John Brittas, the latter even urging the Chair to scrap Rule 267 altogether.

When the House reconvened post-noon, BJP MP Ghanshyam Tiwari presided over proceedings and reminded members of the 1985 directive prohibiting the display of badges or symbols inside the chamber.

He refused to entertain any point of order during Question Hour and urged members to maintain decorum.

Despite repeated appeals, the Opposition MPs continued raising slogans, with chants like “Vote ki chori band karo” echoing through the chamber.

Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Ravneet Singh expressed readiness to respond to questions but remarked, “First, all these ‘chor machaye shor’ must be asked to sit and maintain order.”

Unable to restore calm, Tiwari adjourned the House for the day.

The Upper House will now reconvene at 11 a.m. on Monday.

The SIR exercise in Bihar, initiated by the Election Commission of India, has drawn criticism from several parties who allege it disproportionately affects marginalised communities.

The deadlock in Parliament reflects growing tensions over electoral transparency and procedural fairness.

With both Houses repeatedly adjourned this week, legislative business remains stalled, raising concerns over the functioning of democratic institutions amid deepening political divides.

Greater Kashmir

Life-like robots are for sale at a new store in China

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Life-like robots are for sale at a new store in China

Srinagar, Aug 08: A new store in Beijing is drawing attention with its futuristic inventory — from mechanical butlers to lifelike replicas of Albert Einstein. Launched on Friday, Robot Mall offers more than 100 types of robots, making it one of China’s first retail outlets dedicated to humanoid and consumer-focused machines.

“If robots are to enter thousands of households, relying solely on robotics companies is not enough,” Wang Yifan, a store director, told Reuters. According to reports the robots on sale range in price from 2,000 yuan ($278, £207) to several million yuan.

The launch of Robot Mall comes alongside the opening of the five-day World Robot Conference, which kicked off in Beijing on Friday. Much like a car dealership, the store provides not only sales but also spare parts and maintenance services.

According to Chinese state media, this year’s conference will showcase over 1,500 exhibits from more than 200 domestic and international robotics companies. Beijing is also gearing up for the first-ever World Humanoid Robot Games, scheduled for August 14–17. Teams from over 20 countries will take part in competitions ranging from track and field to dance and football.

The opening comes as China pours significant investment into robotics and artificial intelligence (AI), aiming to tackle challenges such as slowing economic growth and a rapidly ageing population.

Greater Kashmir

Motorcycle-load carrier collision leaves two youth dead on Bani-Basohli road

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3 injured as Eco collides with army truck in J&K's Poonch

Jammu, Aug 08: Two young men lost their lives on the spot after a motorcycle collided with a load carrier (camper) on the Bani–Basohli road near Sandhar village, close to Mohan Tea Stall, on Friday morning.

Official sources said that the bike carrying two persons rammed into the load carrier under mysterious circumstances, resulting in their immediate death.

The deceased have been identified as Shahbaz, son of Abass, and Rohit, son of Rashpal, both residents of village Bhoond in the Bani area, they said.

Cognizance of the incident has been taken and Further investigation started. (KNC)

Greater Kashmir

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