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Kathua Records Highest Rainfall as Showers Lash Parts of Jammu and Kashmir

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Kathua Records Highest Rainfall as Showers Lash Parts of Jammu and Kashmir

Several parts of Jammu and Kashmir received light to heavy rainfall during the past 24 hours, with Kathua recording the highest precipitation at 85.8 mm, according to the latest rainfall data.

In the Kashmir Division, Konibal recorded the highest rainfall at 24.5 mm, followed by Pahalgam (13.2 mm), Kukernag (11.7 mm), Qazigund (9.0 mm), Gulmarg (4.8 mm) and Srinagar (2.4 mm). Kupwara did not record any rainfall during the period.

In the Jammu Division, Kathua topped the rainfall chart with 85.8 mm, followed by Katra (39.0 mm), Bhadarwah (8.0 mm), Banihal (5.9 mm), Batote (2.4 mm) and Jammu (1.8 mm).

According to data from Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) and other observatories, Ramban received 34.5 mm of rainfall, followed by Kishtwar (25.0 mm), Samba (20.5 mm), Udhampur (16.0 mm), Sonamarg (11.5 mm), Jammu (10.0 mm), Awantipora (6.8 mm) and Rajouri (4.8 mm).

Other stations recorded comparatively lower rainfall, including Srinagar (2.4 mm), Anantnag (2.0 mm), Budgam (1.0 mm), Poonch (1.0 mm), Bandipora (1.0 mm), Doda (1.0 mm) and Baramulla (0.5 mm). No rainfall was recorded at Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam during the reporting period.

The rainfall brought relief from the prevailing heat in several areas, while authorities continue to monitor weather conditions, particularly in districts vulnerable to landslides and flash floods during the monsoon season.

Badlapur’s Dancers Shine on the World Stage: RG’z Dance Studio Wins Big in Malaysia

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Badlapur’s Dancers Shine on the World Stage: RG’z Dance Studio Wins Big in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – The dancers from RG’z Dance Studio, Badlapur, have achieved a major victory at the international level. On June 29, 2026, the team represented India at the International Sport Dance Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 

Bringing home an impressive total of 5 Gold and 1 Silver medal.

The Winning Team:

The young dancers delivered outstanding performances to secure their medals:

* Ridhima Manchekar: 2 Gold Medals

* Janhavi Kadam: 2 Gold Medals

* Pranaya Jadhav: 1 Gold Medal

* Shlok Gokhale: 1 Silver Medal

From Participant to Judge: A Milestone Moment

For lead choreographer Prathamesh Naik, this trip was a deeply personal journey. Eight years ago, he first stepped onto an international stage in Thailand as a young dance participant. This year, his dedication came full circle as he returned to the international arena—not only as a coach but as an official member of the judging panel. Prathamesh Naik was present in Malaysia throughout the competition to mentor his students and play a key role in the event’s adjudication.

Behind the Success

This achievement was made possible through the expert choreography of Prathamesh Naik and Vinay Magade, along with the visionary leadership of Ravi Gawas, the Dance Director of RG’z Dance Studio.

The team also expressed their heartfelt gratitude to parents Vipali Kadam and Dipali Manchekar, whose unwavering support and encouragement were vital in helping the students travel to Malaysia and perform with such confidence.

By successfully representing India and securing multiple medals, these talented dancers from Badlapur have made their city and country incredibly proud.

India Eye Strong Comeback as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Debut Looms in T20I Series Against England

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India Eye Strong Comeback as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Debut Looms in T20I Series Against England

 A fresh start, a chance for redemption, and the possibility of a teenage sensation making his international debut will be the key talking points as India take on England in the opening match of the five-match T20 International series at the Riverside Ground on Wednesday.

The spotlight is firmly on 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, whose much-anticipated debut could provide fresh impetus to an Indian batting line-up that struggled during the recent 0-2 series defeat against Ireland.

India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said the young batter would have to “go through the process and bide his time” like any other player but acknowledged that Sooryavanshi appears ready for international cricket.

With openers Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan failing to impress against Ireland, the team management faces a crucial selection decision. Samson’s twin failures and Kishan’s scores of 1 and 12 have intensified calls for Sooryavanshi’s inclusion alongside Abhishek Sharma, who showed promise with a brisk 49 in the first T20I against Ireland.

Despite Samson’s impressive performances earlier this year, including a strong T20 World Cup campaign and two IPL centuries, the selection panel led by Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir has shown a willingness to make bold decisions when required.

India’s batting unit struggled against Ireland’s pace attack on seam-friendly wickets, exposing weaknesses in adapting to challenging conditions. The batters found scoring difficult once aggressive strokeplay was curtailed, with Tilak Varma’s patient half-century in the second T20I being one of the few bright spots.

The challenge is expected to become even tougher against England, whose bowling attack features the pace of Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, Saqib Mahmood, and Sonny Baker, complemented by the spin duo of Adil Rashid and Rehan Ahmed.

The Riverside Ground has traditionally favoured bowlers, with an average first-innings T20I score of 138, suggesting that India’s batters will need to adapt quickly to avoid another disappointing series.

India will also seek improved performances from its bowling attack after allowing Ireland to recover during the middle overs in both matches. Spinners Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Suryansh Shedge will be expected to play a more decisive role against England’s formidable batting line-up.

England, led by Harry Brook, boast a powerful batting order featuring Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, Will Jacks, Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, and others capable of capitalising on any lapse in discipline from the Indian bowlers.

New T20I captain Shreyas Iyer will be aiming to guide India back to winning ways after the disappointing tour of Ireland and make a positive start to the five-match series.

Match Details

  • Match: 1st T20 International
  • Teams: India vs England
  • Venue: Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street
  • Time: 10:00 PM IST

India Squad: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Tilak Varma (vice-captain), Ravi Bishnoi, Abhishek Sharma, Suryansh Shedge, Prasidh Krishna, Sanju Samson (wk), Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Ishan Kishan (wk), Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Shivam Dube, Prince Yadav and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

England Squad: Harry Brook (captain), Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood and Saqib Mahmood.

CIK Attaches Property of Former KCCI President Mubeen Ahmed Shah in 2020 Case

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CIK Attaches Property of Former KCCI President Mubeen Ahmed Shah in 2020 Case

The Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) wing of the Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday attached the immovable property of former Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) president Mubeen Ahmed Shah in connection with a case registered in 2020.

According to officials, a CIK team conducted attachment proceedings at Shah’s residence in Buchwara, Dalgate, Srinagar, in the presence of a revenue officer, following legal procedures.

The attached property comprises 12 marlas of land located at Estate Buchwara, officials said.

Authorities stated that Shah, a former president of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has been residing in Malaysia with his family since December 2019.

The attachment was carried out as part of the ongoing investigation into FIR No. 07/2020, registered at Police Station Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK).

Officials, however, did not immediately disclose further details regarding the nature of the case or the allegations under investigation.

GST Collections Rise 13.9% to Nearly 1.95 Lakh Crore in June

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GST Collections Rise 13.9% to Nearly 1.95 Lakh Crore in June

New Delhi, July 1: India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections registered a robust 13.9 per cent year-on-year growth in June, reaching nearly ₹1.95 lakh crore, according to official government data released on Wednesday.

The increase in GST revenues reflects continued strength in economic activity and tax compliance across the country.

Gross GST collections from domestic transactions stood at around ₹1.35 lakh crore, marking a 6.5 per cent increase compared to the corresponding month last year. Meanwhile, GST revenues from imports witnessed a sharp 34.6 per cent surge, rising to ₹60,038 crore.

The government also issued GST refunds worth ₹32,436 crore during June, representing a 29.1 per cent increase over the same period last year.

After accounting for refunds, net GST collections for June stood at more than ₹1.62 lakh crore, registering an 11.2 per cent year-on-year growth.

The sustained rise in GST collections underscores improved tax administration, stronger compliance, and resilient economic activity, with higher import revenues contributing significantly to the overall increase.

PM Modi Showcases India’s Cultural Heritage Through Handcrafted Gifts During Seychelles Visit

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PM Modi Showcases India’s Cultural Heritage Through Handcrafted Gifts During Seychelles Visit

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi showcased India’s rich cultural heritage and traditional craftsmanship by presenting a carefully curated collection of handcrafted gifts to the top leadership of Seychelles during his three-day official visit to the island nation.

The diplomatic gifts reflected India’s diverse handloom and handicraft traditions while symbolising the strong cultural ties and shared environmental values between New Delhi and Victoria.

President Patrick Herminie received a Muradabadi Brass Tortoise, handcrafted by artisans from Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, popularly known as India’s “Brass City.” The tortoise, symbolising wisdom, resilience and longevity in Indian philosophy, was chosen in recognition of Seychelles’ close association with the iconic Aldabra Giant Tortoise.

First Lady Veronique Herminie was presented with a Maheshwari Silk Stole from Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh, renowned for its elegant silk-cotton weave and traditional motifs, along with an intricately crafted Bidriware Box from Bidar, Karnataka, featuring delicate silver inlay work on a black metal surface.

Vice President Sebastien Pillay received an Orchid Art Painting from Sikkim, depicting India’s national bird, the peacock, surrounded by orchids—the national flower of Seychelles—symbolising the two countries’ shared commitment to biodiversity and environmental conservation.

Second Lady Lina Pillay, wife of the Vice President, was gifted a Kanchivaram Silk Fabric from Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. The GI-tagged handloom textile, known for its luxurious texture, intricate gold zari work and exceptional craftsmanship, represents one of India’s finest weaving traditions.

Speaker of the Seychelles National Assembly Azarel Ernesta received a Toda Embroidered Shawl, handcrafted by the indigenous Toda community of the Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu. The shawl, featuring distinctive red and black geometric embroidery, reflects India’s indigenous heritage and traditional weaving techniques.

Prime Minister Modi concluded his landmark three-day visit to Seychelles after achieving 19 major bilateral outcomes across sectors including defence, space, healthcare and development cooperation. During the visit, he was also conferred with Seychelles’ prestigious “Guardian of the Blue Horizon” honour by President Patrick Herminie.

23 Opposition Parties, Independent MP Kapil Sibal Write to CJI Over EC’s SIR Process

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23 Opposition Parties, Independent MP Kapil Sibal Write to CJI Over EC’s SIR Process

Twenty-three political parties along with Independent Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal have jointly written to Surya Kant, raising concerns over the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and other election-related issues.

Sharing the development on X, Jairam Ramesh, General Secretary of the Indian National Congress, said the Opposition parties remain united under the slogan “SURE” — Solidarity, Unity and REsistance.

According to Ramesh, leaders of 21 political parties and one Independent MP had attended the INDIA alliance meeting on June 8, 2026, where it was decided to jointly approach the Chief Justice of India regarding the Election Commission’s SIR exercise and broader electoral concerns.

He said the decision has now been implemented, with a joint letter signed by 23 political parties and Independent MP Kapil Sibal being sent to the Chief Justice.

Meanwhile, Derek O’Brien confirmed that the letter has also been signed by the Aam Aadmi Party and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam> (DMK).

Sources said the communication also raises concerns regarding the role of the Election Commission of India. The Congress and several Opposition parties have recently questioned the Commission over the implementation of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.

Kashmir Swelters Under Season’s Hottest Spell; Monsoon Likely to Arrive Within 72 Hours

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Kashmir Swelters Under Season’s Hottest Spell; Monsoon Likely to Arrive Within 72 Hours

Kashmir continues to reel under an intense heat wave, with Srinagar recording a maximum temperature of 35.3°C, making it the hottest day of the summer so far.

The Meteorological Department has forecast that the scorching weather will persist for the next 48 hours, with daytime temperatures expected to remain between 33.5°C and 34°C across the Valley.

Director of the Meteorological Department, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, said the southwest monsoon is likely to enter Jammu and Kashmir within the next 72 hours, with the first spell of rainfall expected to begin on July 1.

He warned that July 2 and July 3 could witness heavy to very heavy rainfall, particularly across the Jammu region, where some districts may experience intense downpours over a short period. Such conditions could trigger flash floods, landslides, mudslides, and waterlogging, especially in vulnerable and low-lying areas.

Dr. Ahmad advised residents to remain alert and follow official weather advisories as the monsoon advances. He noted that the monsoon has already covered parts of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand and is expected to progress further into the northern Himalayan region before entering Jammu and Kashmir.

On the current weather conditions, he said there is no significant weather system active over Kashmir for the next 40 hours, and the Valley will continue to experience dry and unusually hot conditions, with only isolated afternoon activity.

Issuing an advisory for the farming community, the MeT Department said farmers may continue field preparation and paddy transplantation activities but should avoid irrigation from July 1 onwards. Spraying of pesticides and fertilizers should be carried out only during the morning and evening hours.

The department has urged the public to stay updated through official weather bulletins and take necessary precautions during both the ongoing heatwave and the expected heavy rainfall.

J&K Police Seize 20 Crore Worth Heroin, Arrest Inter-District Drug Smuggler in Anantnag

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J&K Police Seize 20 Crore Worth Heroin, Arrest Inter-District Drug Smuggler in Anantnag

Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested an alleged inter-district drug smuggler in Anantnag district and recovered 2.613 kilograms of heroin with an estimated black market value of ₹20 crore, officials said on Tuesday.

According to a police spokesperson, the recovery was made during a routine vehicle checking operation at Halmulla, where police intercepted a suspicious car for inspection.

During the search of the vehicle, police recovered four packets containing heroin (brown sugar). The driver of the vehicle was identified as Ishtiyak Ahmad Moghal, a resident of Tangdhar in Kupwara district.

Following the initial seizure, police conducted a personal search of the accused, leading to the recovery of another packet of heroin. The total quantity seized was found to be 2.613 kilograms.

A case has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and the accused has been arrested. Police have launched a detailed investigation to identify the source of the narcotics and uncover the wider network involved in the smuggling operation.

The seizure is being viewed as another significant success in Jammu and Kashmir Police’s ongoing campaign against drug trafficking and the narcotics trade in the Union Territory.

Emerging Technologies to Shape Next Phase of India-US Partnership: Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra

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Emerging Technologies to Shape Next Phase of India-US Partnership: Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra

India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, has said that emerging technologies will define the next phase of India-US strategic cooperation, identifying biotechnology, artificial intelligence (AI), and semiconductors as key sectors for future collaboration.

Speaking at the USISPF Leadership Summit, Kwatra highlighted India’s growing role as a preferred global manufacturing and investment destination as companies diversify supply chains beyond traditional production hubs.

He noted that India has significantly increased investments in strategic sectors such as semiconductors, electronics, artificial intelligence, clean energy, and defence manufacturing, thereby strengthening its position in global value chains.

Highlighting India’s economic trajectory, Kwatra said the country, currently a USD 4.3 trillion economy, is expected to grow to USD 7 trillion by the end of this decade, around USD 14 trillion by the mid-2030s, and USD 25–30 trillion by 2047.

Describing India as an “indispensable anchor” of global economic growth and stability, he said the country’s transformation has made it a trusted strategic partner amid increasing geopolitical uncertainty and supply chain disruptions.

Kwatra credited the economic reforms introduced since 2014 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for sustaining India’s annual growth rate of over seven per cent, driven largely by strong domestic demand.

Clarifying the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, he said the initiative is not inward-looking but aims to build globally competitive manufacturing capabilities and resilient supply chains with positive global outcomes.

He emphasized that India’s economic rise is closely linked to global prosperity, making international partnerships, particularly with the United States, increasingly significant.

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