July 17, 2026

December 2025

A massive forest fire erupted along the Line of Control in Rajouri and Poonch districts on Sunday, with dense smoke billowing up. The blaze, likely originating from across the border, is spreading rapidly due to dry conditions and has triggered multiple landmine blasts in forward areas without any reported injuries. JAMMU: Dense smoke continues to billow up along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Bhimber Gali-Balakote areas of Rajouri and Poonch districts in Jammu & Kashmir after a massive forest fire broke out on Sunday, which is spreading across large swathes in the border districts.Officials said the fire started on the zero line ahead of the fencing in the Area of Responsibility (AOR) of the Indian Army. The blaze is likely to have originated from across the border and spread to this side, officials said, adding that the fire spread along forward areas due to dry forest conditions and lack of rainfall in J&K.The blaze triggered multiple landmine blasts in the forward areas. No injuries were reported in the incident, sources said.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’It Was Treated Like An Extra’: Rajnath Singh Slams Congress For ‘Injustice’ To Vande Mataram’Biggest Mistake’: TMC’s Mahua Moitra Blasts PM Modi, Dares BJP To Win Bengal With Divisive PoliticsIndia Issues Warning To China Over Targeting Indians, Blasts Pakistan’s Remarks On Arunachal PradeshThe Truth Behind Curtailed Vande Mataram : Politics, Unity And A Century Of Cultural TensionAAP MP Raghav Chadha Calls Out ‘Legalised Loot’ Of Toll Plazas In Rajya Sabha’Only 2 Reasons’: Priyanka Gandhi Slams PM Modi, Links Vande Mataram Debate To Bengal Polls’Jinnah Ka Munna…’: Anurag Thakur’s Brutal Attack on Congress, Rips Apart Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi’Will Set An Example’: IndiGo Faces Heat As Aviation Minister Promises Tough Action In Rajya SabhaGoa Club Fire Exposed Deadly Design Errors, Trapping Dozens As Only One Exit Functioned’Where Were Your Ancestors?’ Gogoi Mocks BJP, Blasts Modi’s Nehru Remark During Vande Mataram Debate123PhotostoriesBoard-certified doctor shares 8 foods that people with arthritis should add to their daily diet5 teen Indian cricketers who are already making waves8 Indian dishes one can make with oats5 deep and emotional RupiKaur quotes on love and heartbreak5 animals with lifespans shorter than a weekFrom gold-medalist engineer to nightclub boss — The rise of Saurabh LuthraHeartbreak and closure: After Dileep’s acquittal, all eyes turn to Manju Warrier’s next moveSHE travels: 10 reasons why women should travel more often, guilt-free12 years later, Kareena Kapoor Khan’s wedding looks are still the ultimate bridal inspirationDeepika Padukone radiates effortless power with her sculptural, desert-luxe look- See pics123Hot PicksIndigo Flight DelayPutin India VisitWorld NewsGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingAaron RodgersSilent Hill 1 Remake Release DateJayson Tatum InjuryMariasharapova and Alexander Net worthAryna Sabalenka Net WorthTim PoolRafael Nadal and Mery Net WorthCeeDee Lamb InjuryMLB Trade RumorsCardi B

A massive forest fire erupted along the Line of Control in Rajouri and Poonch districts on Sunday, with dense smoke billowing up. The blaze, likely originating from across the border, is spreading rapidly due to dry conditions and has triggered multiple landmine blasts in forward areas without any reported injuries. JAMMU: Dense smoke continues to billow up along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Bhimber Gali-Balakote areas of Rajouri and Poonch districts in Jammu & Kashmir after a massive forest fire broke out on Sunday, which is spreading across large swathes in the border districts.Officials said the fire started on the zero line ahead of the fencing in the Area of Responsibility (AOR) of the Indian Army. The blaze is likely to have originated from across the border and spread to this side, officials said, adding that the fire spread along forward areas due to dry forest conditions and lack of rainfall in J&K.The blaze triggered multiple landmine blasts in the forward areas. No injuries were reported in the incident, sources said.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’It Was Treated Like An Extra’: Rajnath Singh Slams Congress For ‘Injustice’ To Vande Mataram’Biggest Mistake’: TMC’s Mahua Moitra Blasts PM Modi, Dares BJP To Win Bengal With Divisive PoliticsIndia Issues Warning To China Over Targeting Indians, Blasts Pakistan’s Remarks On Arunachal PradeshThe Truth Behind Curtailed Vande Mataram : Politics, Unity And A Century Of Cultural TensionAAP MP Raghav Chadha Calls Out ‘Legalised Loot’ Of Toll Plazas In Rajya Sabha’Only 2 Reasons’: Priyanka Gandhi Slams PM Modi, Links Vande Mataram Debate To Bengal Polls’Jinnah Ka Munna…’: Anurag Thakur’s Brutal Attack on Congress, Rips Apart Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi’Will Set An Example’: IndiGo Faces Heat As Aviation Minister Promises Tough Action In Rajya SabhaGoa Club Fire Exposed Deadly Design Errors, Trapping Dozens As Only One Exit Functioned’Where Were Your Ancestors?’ Gogoi Mocks BJP, Blasts Modi’s Nehru Remark During Vande Mataram Debate123PhotostoriesBoard-certified doctor shares 8 foods that people with arthritis should add to their daily diet5 teen Indian cricketers who are already making waves8 Indian dishes one can make with oats5 deep and emotional RupiKaur quotes on love and heartbreak5 animals with lifespans shorter than a weekFrom gold-medalist engineer to nightclub boss — The rise of Saurabh LuthraHeartbreak and closure: After Dileep’s acquittal, all eyes turn to Manju Warrier’s next moveSHE travels: 10 reasons why women should travel more often, guilt-free12 years later, Kareena Kapoor Khan’s wedding looks are still the ultimate bridal inspirationDeepika Padukone radiates effortless power with her sculptural, desert-luxe look- See pics123Hot PicksIndigo Flight DelayPutin India VisitWorld NewsGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingAaron RodgersSilent Hill 1 Remake Release DateJayson Tatum InjuryMariasharapova and Alexander Net worthAryna Sabalenka Net WorthTim PoolRafael Nadal and Mery Net WorthCeeDee Lamb InjuryMLB Trade RumorsCardi B

Vamsikrishna01 mins mins

JAMMU: Dense smoke continues to billow up along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Bhimber Gali-Balakote areas of Rajouri and Poonch districts in Jammu & Kashmir after a massive forest fire broke out on Sunday, which is spreading across large swathes in the border districts.Officials said the fire started on the zero line ahead…

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Sharmila Tagore was the breadwinner of the family, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi played cricket for the sport, there was no money after he retired: ‘No IPL, no endorsements’

Sharmila Tagore was the breadwinner of the family, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi played cricket for the sport, there was no money after he retired: ‘No IPL, no endorsements’

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Sharmila Tagore was at the peak of her career when she married cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi in 1968. But she continued to work even after she was a mother. She broke many stereotypes and continued acting at a time when women were not allowed to work after marriage. As Tagore turned 81 recently on…

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Hiccups could be a sign of a serious health issue: Causes, risks, and how to treat them effectively |

Hiccups could be a sign of a serious health issue: Causes, risks, and how to treat them effectively |

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

Hiccups are sudden, involuntary contractions of the diaphragm, the muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen and plays a key role in breathing. These contractions cause the vocal cords to close abruptly, producing the characteristic “hic” sound. Most hiccups are harmless and temporary, often triggered by overeating, consuming carbonated drinks, sudden temperature changes, or…

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A crucial parliamentary panel has raised alarming issues regarding the handling of the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) exams in 2024, highlighting repeated delays, incidents of paper leaks, and various mistakes. The committee has advocated for a shift back to traditional pen-and-paper assessments, similar to those used by CBSE and UPSC. NEW DELHI: The parliamentary standing committee on education has said National Testing Agency’s (NTA) handling of entrance examinations in 2024 “has not inspired much confidence” and recommended a shift towards pen-and-paper based tests along with a nationwide blacklist of firms involved in exam irregularities.On pen-and-paper based tests, the panel said there are several models that have been leak-proof for years, such as CBSE board exams & UPSC. The committee, headed by Congress MP Digvijaya Singh, noted in its report that “in 2024 alone, of the 14 competitive examinations conducted by NTA, at least five faced major issues”. It recorded that “three examinations – UGC-NET, CSIR-NET and NEET-PG – had to be postponed, one examination viz. NEET-UG saw instances of paper leaks, and one examination CUET (UG/PG) saw its results postponed”.The committee also flagged that in JEE (Main) 2025 held in Jan, at least 12 questions had to be withdrawn due to errors in the final answer key. It observed that “such instances do not inspire confidence of the examinees in the system”. “The committee, therefore, recommends that NTA needs to quickly get their act together so that such instances, which otherwise are fully avoidable, do not occur in future,” the report said.On exam security, the panel weighed risks in both online and offline modes. It noted that pen-and-paper exams “offer more opportunities for paper leaks”, while computer-based tests (CBT) “can be hacked in a manner that is difficult to detect”. Between the two, it supported a stronger shift to traditional formats, stating that NTA should closely study and replicate the CBSE and UPSC models. For CBT, the panel recommended that such exams be hosted only in government-controlled centres and “never in private centres”.The report also flagged concerns over the continuing engagement of tainted vendors. It said several firms involved in paper setting, administration and correction have been blacklisted by organisations and state governments, yet continue to secure contracts elsewhere. “Such blacklisted firms must not be engaged for any entrance test by the NTA or state govts,” it said, recommending a nationwide list of blacklisted firms and associated individuals to prevent future contracts.Highlighting NTA’s finances, the panel noted that the agency “collected an estimated Rs 3,512.9 crore while it has spent Rs 3,064.7 crore on the conduct of exams, thereby creating a surplus of Rs 448 crores in the last six years”. It recommended that this corpus be used to build NTA’s internal capability or to strengthen regulatory and monitoring systems for vendors.The panel also flagged growing dependence on private coaching, urging tighter alignment of entrance examinations with school curricula and recommending a task force to explore regulatory oversight of coaching sector.About the AuthorManash Pratim GohainManash Pratim Gohain is a seasoned journalist with over two decades at The Times of India, where he has built a rich body of work spanning education policy, politics, and governance. Renowned for his incisive coverage of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, accreditation reforms, and skilling initiatives, he has also reported on student politics, urban policy, and social movements. His political reportage—both reflective and news-driven—adds depth to his writing, bridging policy with public impact. Through his 2,500 articles and related outlets, he has emerged as a trusted voice in national discourse, particularly in linking education reform to broader societal change.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Nonchalant, Lackadaisical Attitude’: Ex-AirAsia CFO Breaks Down Indigo Fiasco’It Was Treated Like An Extra’: Rajnath Singh Slams Congress For ‘Injustice’ To Vande Mataram’Biggest Mistake’: TMC’s Mahua Moitra Blasts PM Modi, Dares BJP To Win Bengal With Divisive PoliticsIndia Issues Warning To China Over Targeting Indians, Blasts Pakistan’s Remarks On Arunachal PradeshThe Truth Behind Curtailed Vande Mataram : Politics, Unity And A Century Of Cultural TensionAAP MP Raghav Chadha Calls Out ‘Legalised Loot’ Of Toll Plazas In Rajya Sabha’Only 2 Reasons’: Priyanka Gandhi Slams PM Modi, Links Vande Mataram Debate To Bengal Polls’Jinnah Ka Munna…’: Anurag Thakur’s Brutal Attack on Congress, Rips Apart Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi’Will Set An Example’: IndiGo Faces Heat As Aviation Minister Promises Tough Action In Rajya SabhaGoa Club Fire Exposed Deadly Design Errors, Trapping Dozens As Only One Exit Functioned123Photostories5 ways to enjoy egg and spinach for breakfastFood combinations with yogurt that are healthy or can be toxicBoard-certified doctor shares 8 foods that people with arthritis should add to their daily diet5 teen Indian cricketers who are already making waves8 Indian dishes one can make with oats5 deep and emotional RupiKaur quotes on love and heartbreak5 animals with lifespans shorter than a weekFrom gold-medalist engineer to nightclub boss — The rise of Saurabh LuthraHeartbreak and closure: After Dileep’s acquittal, all eyes turn to Manju Warrier’s next moveSHE travels: 10 reasons why women should travel more often, guilt-free123Hot PicksIndigo Flight DelayPutin India VisitWorld NewsGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingOmarion HamptonJaxson DartPatrick MahomesMariasharapova and Alexander Net worthAryna Sabalenka Net WorthJohn TavaresRafael Nadal and Mery Net WorthCandace OwensMLB Trade RumorsCardi B

A crucial parliamentary panel has raised alarming issues regarding the handling of the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) exams in 2024, highlighting repeated delays, incidents of paper leaks, and various mistakes. The committee has advocated for a shift back to traditional pen-and-paper assessments, similar to those used by CBSE and UPSC. NEW DELHI: The parliamentary standing committee on education has said National Testing Agency’s (NTA) handling of entrance examinations in 2024 “has not inspired much confidence” and recommended a shift towards pen-and-paper based tests along with a nationwide blacklist of firms involved in exam irregularities.On pen-and-paper based tests, the panel said there are several models that have been leak-proof for years, such as CBSE board exams & UPSC. The committee, headed by Congress MP Digvijaya Singh, noted in its report that “in 2024 alone, of the 14 competitive examinations conducted by NTA, at least five faced major issues”. It recorded that “three examinations – UGC-NET, CSIR-NET and NEET-PG – had to be postponed, one examination viz. NEET-UG saw instances of paper leaks, and one examination CUET (UG/PG) saw its results postponed”.The committee also flagged that in JEE (Main) 2025 held in Jan, at least 12 questions had to be withdrawn due to errors in the final answer key. It observed that “such instances do not inspire confidence of the examinees in the system”. “The committee, therefore, recommends that NTA needs to quickly get their act together so that such instances, which otherwise are fully avoidable, do not occur in future,” the report said.On exam security, the panel weighed risks in both online and offline modes. It noted that pen-and-paper exams “offer more opportunities for paper leaks”, while computer-based tests (CBT) “can be hacked in a manner that is difficult to detect”. Between the two, it supported a stronger shift to traditional formats, stating that NTA should closely study and replicate the CBSE and UPSC models. For CBT, the panel recommended that such exams be hosted only in government-controlled centres and “never in private centres”.The report also flagged concerns over the continuing engagement of tainted vendors. It said several firms involved in paper setting, administration and correction have been blacklisted by organisations and state governments, yet continue to secure contracts elsewhere. “Such blacklisted firms must not be engaged for any entrance test by the NTA or state govts,” it said, recommending a nationwide list of blacklisted firms and associated individuals to prevent future contracts.Highlighting NTA’s finances, the panel noted that the agency “collected an estimated Rs 3,512.9 crore while it has spent Rs 3,064.7 crore on the conduct of exams, thereby creating a surplus of Rs 448 crores in the last six years”. It recommended that this corpus be used to build NTA’s internal capability or to strengthen regulatory and monitoring systems for vendors.The panel also flagged growing dependence on private coaching, urging tighter alignment of entrance examinations with school curricula and recommending a task force to explore regulatory oversight of coaching sector.About the AuthorManash Pratim GohainManash Pratim Gohain is a seasoned journalist with over two decades at The Times of India, where he has built a rich body of work spanning education policy, politics, and governance. Renowned for his incisive coverage of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, accreditation reforms, and skilling initiatives, he has also reported on student politics, urban policy, and social movements. His political reportage—both reflective and news-driven—adds depth to his writing, bridging policy with public impact. Through his 2,500 articles and related outlets, he has emerged as a trusted voice in national discourse, particularly in linking education reform to broader societal change.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Nonchalant, Lackadaisical Attitude’: Ex-AirAsia CFO Breaks Down Indigo Fiasco’It Was Treated Like An Extra’: Rajnath Singh Slams Congress For ‘Injustice’ To Vande Mataram’Biggest Mistake’: TMC’s Mahua Moitra Blasts PM Modi, Dares BJP To Win Bengal With Divisive PoliticsIndia Issues Warning To China Over Targeting Indians, Blasts Pakistan’s Remarks On Arunachal PradeshThe Truth Behind Curtailed Vande Mataram : Politics, Unity And A Century Of Cultural TensionAAP MP Raghav Chadha Calls Out ‘Legalised Loot’ Of Toll Plazas In Rajya Sabha’Only 2 Reasons’: Priyanka Gandhi Slams PM Modi, Links Vande Mataram Debate To Bengal Polls’Jinnah Ka Munna…’: Anurag Thakur’s Brutal Attack on Congress, Rips Apart Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi’Will Set An Example’: IndiGo Faces Heat As Aviation Minister Promises Tough Action In Rajya SabhaGoa Club Fire Exposed Deadly Design Errors, Trapping Dozens As Only One Exit Functioned123Photostories5 ways to enjoy egg and spinach for breakfastFood combinations with yogurt that are healthy or can be toxicBoard-certified doctor shares 8 foods that people with arthritis should add to their daily diet5 teen Indian cricketers who are already making waves8 Indian dishes one can make with oats5 deep and emotional RupiKaur quotes on love and heartbreak5 animals with lifespans shorter than a weekFrom gold-medalist engineer to nightclub boss — The rise of Saurabh LuthraHeartbreak and closure: After Dileep’s acquittal, all eyes turn to Manju Warrier’s next moveSHE travels: 10 reasons why women should travel more often, guilt-free123Hot PicksIndigo Flight DelayPutin India VisitWorld NewsGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingOmarion HamptonJaxson DartPatrick MahomesMariasharapova and Alexander Net worthAryna Sabalenka Net WorthJohn TavaresRafael Nadal and Mery Net WorthCandace OwensMLB Trade RumorsCardi B

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

NEW DELHI: The parliamentary standing committee on education has said National Testing Agency’s (NTA) handling of entrance examinations in 2024 “has not inspired much confidence” and recommended a shift towards pen-and-paper based tests along with a nationwide blacklist of firms involved in exam irregularities.On pen-and-paper based tests, the panel said there are several models that…

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Bad loan clean-up: PSU banks write off Rs 6.15 lakh crore in 5.5 years; Govt informs Lok Sabha

Bad loan clean-up: PSU banks write off Rs 6.15 lakh crore in 5.5 years; Govt informs Lok Sabha

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Public sector banks (PSBs) have written off loans worth Rs 6.15 lakh crore over the last five-and-a-half years, with the exercise aimed at cleaning up balance-sheets rather than waiving borrower liabilities, Parliament was informed on Monday, PTI reported.“As per Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data, PSBs have written-off an aggregate loan amount of Rs 6,15,647…

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Cracking American dream: Could ending OPT trigger the next big tech talent crisis in the US?

Cracking American dream: Could ending OPT trigger the next big tech talent crisis in the US?

Vamsikrishna05 mins mins

Cracking American dream: Could ending OPT trigger the next big tech talent crisis in the US?Image generated through AI The United States has long cherished and held the badge of technological dominance. From presidential podiums to Silicon Valley boardrooms, the rhetoric has been pristine: America builds, America leads, America wins. But beneath the polished myth…

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Rahul Bose in legal trouble for faking Himachal domicile to lead rugby association: Report

Rahul Bose in legal trouble for faking Himachal domicile to lead rugby association: Report

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Actor and former rugby player Rahul Bose has found himself embroiled in a controversy in Himachal Pradesh, following accusations that he acquired a state domicile certificate under questionable circumstances to qualify as the national president of the Rugby Federation.The dispute goes back to 2023, when Bose reportedly assured the erstwhile royal family of Shimla that…

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Chinese Zodiac Horoscope Today, December 9, 2025: A wave of boldness rises, these zodiac signs will speak their truth

Chinese Zodiac Horoscope Today, December 9, 2025: A wave of boldness rises, these zodiac signs will speak their truth

Vamsikrishna06 mins mins

Welcome to your daily Chinese horoscope, where we explore the mystical insights of the Chinese zodiac. Each day brings new opportunities and challenges, shaped by the powerful dynamics of the Chinese zodiac signs and the ongoing Chinese zodiac year. Discover what the stars have in store for you based on your specific zodiac sign in…

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‘Raising a foreign flag should result in deportation’: Elon Musk calls the practice ‘treason,’ slams EU

‘Raising a foreign flag should result in deportation’: Elon Musk calls the practice ‘treason,’ slams EU

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Ex-DOGE lead Elon Musk stirred a row after posting on X that “raising a foreign flag is treason and should result in immediate deportation.” His remark came in response to a video showing Syrian immigrants in Germany celebrating a milestone they referred to as “Liberation Day,” marking the first anniversary of the fall of the…

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8th pay commission: Govt shares major update in Lok Sabha after ToR notification; what’s next for employees and pensioners

8th pay commission: Govt shares major update in Lok Sabha after ToR notification; what’s next for employees and pensioners

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

More than 50.14 lakh Central government employees and around 69 lakh pensioners are set to be covered under the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC), with the government saying the timing of implementation and funding will be decided later.The update was shared in the Lok Sabha on Monday in a written reply by Minister of State…

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