The Dispatch.

GANDERBAL: Jammu and Kashmir Health Minister, Sakina Itoo Monday said that adequate health related arrangements will be put in place for the well-being of devotees during the upcoming Amarnath Yatra. The annual yatra will commence from July 03. The Health Minister visited Sonamarg to assess the preparedness of medical facilities for the pilgrims. She was accompanied by MLA Kangan, Main Mehar Ali and several top officials.

SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday announced reopening of eight tourist destinations in Kashmir. Talking to reporters here in South Kashmir, LG Sinha said, “Tourist destinations were closed after April 22 terror attack as a precautionary measure.

Ensure security of Kashmiri students in Iran: CM Omar urges MEA SRINAGAR: Amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah urged the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to ensure safety of Kashmiri students studying in Iran. CM Omar wrote on X: “Requesting @MEAIndia to urgently ensure the safety and well-being of Kashmiri students currently stuck in Iran. Their families are deeply worried, and we stand with them in this difficult time.

Panchayats, BDCs non-existent since January 2024 SRINAGAR: The five- year tenure of the district development councils in J&K will come to an end on February 24, 2026, while the two other tiers of Panchayati Raj system- Halqa Panchayats and Block Development Councils- have been non- existent for one –and-a-half years now. Officials told that existing DDCs would complete their five- year term in February next year.

On June 6, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Chenab Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir, the world’s highest railway arch bridge. Rising 359 meters above the Chenab River35 meters taller than the Eiffel Towerthe bridge stretches 1,315 meters and is engineered to withstand earthquakes up to magnitude 8 and winds reaching 266 km/h.

India’s Electric Vehicle (EV) industry stands at a precarious crossroads, as China’s abrupt export curbs on rare earth magnets threaten to bring domestic production lines to a halt. This move, widely viewed as economic coercion, highlights Beijing’s hypocrisy while China decries foreign restrictions, it leverages its near monopoly on these critical minerals to pressure nations like India, especially after India’s assertive stance in the defence sector dented China’s image.

NEW DELHI: Gold prices surged for the third consecutive session on Friday, bouncing Rs 2,011 to hit an all-time high of Rs 1,00,403 per 10 grams, as a weakening rupee and escalating tensions in the Middle East drove investors to the safe haven asset. On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), the most-traded August delivery contracts of the precious metal zoomed Rs 2,011, or 2.04 per cent, to hit a record high of Rs 1,00,403 per 10 grams in the morning trade.

Faz Lul Haseeb, Commissioner SMC, Owais Ahmed, Director FCSCA Kashmir SRINAGAR: The government on Wednesday order another reshuffle in administration within a day’s span, ordering transferring and posting of 24 officers with 20 among them IAS. Among others, four deputy commissioners are among those shifted and include that of Srinagar, Budgam, Ramban and Kishtwar. The order comes a day after 134 officers were shifted in Jammu and Kashmir.

SRINAGAR: The Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee (FFRC) Wednesday said that some private schools were violating Jammu & Kashmir School education Act, 2002 by charging admission fee from the students.

ALIGARH: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that the report compiled by the cabinet subcommittee on reservation will be tabled in the cabinet within days. Speaking to reporters in Aligarh, CM Omar said the cabinet meeting is held twice a month. “So far, the meeting has not taken place. The meeting will take place in the next few days and the recommendations by the CSC will be tabled and will be looked into,” he said. He also said Jammu and Kashmir need maximum development.