Dubai, Mar 8: Israel renewed its assault on southern Lebanon early Sunday as the war entered its ninth day and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised “many surprises” in the next phase of the conflict rippling across the region.
The latest strikes in Lebanon killed 12 more people, pushing the death toll there above 300 after Israel ordered large swaths of the country to evacuate during an offensive that its military said would be aimed at stamping out Iran-supported forces there.
Israel and the United States launched the war on Feb. 28, saying they were targeting Iran's nuclear and missile programs and suggesting they sought to topple the government.
The conflict has since spread across the region, rattling global markets, disrupting air travel and leaving Iran's leadership weakened by hundreds of Israeli and American airstrikes.
Iran has fired missiles and drones at neighbouring countries in the Gulf, Israel has intensified attacks in Lebanon, and strikes have been reported from Cyprus to waters off of Sri Lanka.
As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu laid out the next phase of the war late Saturday, saying Israel aims to destabilise Iran's regime and allow change in government, Israel launched another wave of strikes late Saturday, hitting an oil storage facility in Tehran — the first apparent strike on a civilian industrial site — sending pillars of fire into the night sky.
The Iranian president apologises for the attacks but has limited power over them
Iran has apologised for attacks on “neighbouring countries,” even as its missiles and drones continued striking sites in Gulf states — including attacks that have killed civilians — and hard-liners signalled Tehran would not change course.
President Masoud Pezeshkian again struck a conciliatory tone on Sunday, calling Iran's neighbours friends and brothers while accusing the United States and Israel of using “manipulation” to sow discord between them in remarks aired on state television.
“We will not bow our heads to bullying, injustice or intrusion,” he said.
Pezeshkian and other Iranian leaders have underlined the limited powers exercised by theocracy's leaders over the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, which controls ballistic missiles used to target Israel and other countries. It answered only to Khamenei and appears to be picking its own targets.
The president is one of three members of a leadership council that has overseen Iran since Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the war's opening airstrikes.
A rift between politicians looking to de-escalate the war and others committed to battling the United States and Israel could complicate any diplomatic efforts.
Pezeshkian's remarks came a day after he said the leadership council had been in touch with the armed forces and “from now on, they should not attack neighbouring countries or fire missiles at them, unless we are attacked by those countries. I think we should solve this through diplomacy.”
The US strikes have not come from the Gulf Arab governments under attack, but from US bases and vessels in the region.
But hard-line judiciary chief Gholam Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, another member of the three-man council, suggested that the war strategy will not change.
“The geography of some countries in the region — both overtly and covertly — is in the hands of the enemy, and those points are used against our country in acts of aggression. Intense attacks on these targets will continue,” he posted on X.
No sign of de-escalation
Pezeshkian also dismissed US President Donald Trump's call for Tehran to surrender unconditionally, saying: “That's a dream that they should take to their grave.”
Trump threatened that Iran would be “hit very hard” and more “areas and groups of people” would become targets, without elaborating. Already, the conflict has rattled global markets and left Iran's leadership weakened by hundreds of Israeli and American airstrikes.
“We're not looking to settle,” Trump told reporters Saturday aboard Air Force One. “They'd like to settle. We're not looking to settle.”
He described the ongoing US operations in Iran as an “excursion” and said issues such as rising gas prices and the safety of Americans would improve once the conflict ends.
The US and Israel have targeted Iran's military capabilities, leadership and nuclear program. The war's stated goals and timelines have repeatedly shifted as the US has at times suggested it seeks to topple Iran's government or elevate new leadership.
The fighting has killed at least 1,230 people in Iran, more than 290 in Lebanon and 11 in Israel, according to officials in those countries. Six US troops have been killed.
Strikes target other Gulf countries
After Pezeshkian's apology, Iranian strikes kept coming.
Bahrain says an Iranian drone attack caused “material damage” to a desalination plant — the first time a Gulf country said Iran has struck a desalination plant during the nine-day war.
Hundreds of desalination plants sit along the Persian Gulf coast, and the region relies heavily on them for their water.
Earlier Sunday, the United Arab Emirates said debris from an aerial interception fell onto a vehicle and killed a driver. Four people have now been killed in the UAE since the war began. Authorities have said all were foreign nationals.
The UAE urged residents to stay indoors on Sunday morning as its military responded to a drone attack. In Kuwait, authorities said a wave of drones targeted critical infrastructure, including fuel tanks at Kuwait International Airport and a government building in Kuwait City. At least two people were killed by strikes in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region.
Saudi Arabia said it destroyed a drone headed toward its vast Shaybah oil field on Sunday and shot down four drones over the capital, Riyadh, including one aimed at the diplomatic quarter. Bahrain's Interior Ministry said that missile fragments fell onto a road in Manama, injuring one person and causing damage to several shops. (PTI)
Suhail Khan Baramulla, Jan 6: A young aerospace engineer from Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district is proving that dedication and ambition can propel one to global heights. Munaf-ul-Raquib who holds a B.Tech in Aerospace Engineering, has gained international recognition for his research on black holes and cosmology. Munaf-ul-Raquib revealed that his paper on the thermodynamics of black holes was recently published in the International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR). “About a year ago, I conducted research on the gravity of black holes and cosmology, which has now been published in IJSR,” he said. He said that since his research was published in the international journal, he has been receiving opportunities from various countries to participate in research dialogues. Raquib added that in the coming months he is scheduled to participate in international conferences in Paris on April 16 and later in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The Sopore aerospace engineer noted that he is also participating in various conferences across different countries. Speaking about his research, Munaf-ul-Raquib addressed a fundamental paradox in astrophysics: how black holes can appear to violate thermodynamic laws, particularly concerning entropy.“If we observe a black hole, it seems to contradict thermodynamic principles,” he said. Using the frameworks of Anti-de Sitter space (AdS) and Conformal Field Theory (CFT), Raqeeb’s research proposes a theoretical model that reconciles black hole mechanics with thermodynamics. “In this paper, I have explained how a black hole can function without violating thermodynamic laws,” he said. He described the achievement as both personal and symbolic. “It is a proud moment for me to represent my state, especially Sopore, on an international platform,” he said. Raqeeb shared that Astrophysics was his childhood dream, and his grandfather encouraged me immensely. "After my grandfather passed away during the Covid-19 pandemic, my parents continued to champion my aspirations. My parents left no stone unturned in helping me pursue my dreams,” he said. He said that his academic path included taking the JEE and later the AME CET entrance exams, through which he secured a seat in aerospace engineering at the Nasik Research Centre. “My parents not only supported me morally but also created an environment where I could pursue my dreams freely,” he said. He emphasized the role of family in nurturing talent. “Just as my parents supported me, it is the responsibility of all parents to help their children follow their dreams.” “Young people should avoid wrong practices. They must dream of a beautiful tomorrow but work hard today to make their parents proud,” he further added.
Srinagar, Jan 12: The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) will declare the result of class 10th and 12th examination on January 14 of, 2026 (Wednesday), minister for education Sakina Itoo said on Monday. Minister for education Sakina Itoo said the government has decided to declare the result of both the classes-10th and 12th on the same day. "We understand that students have been waiting for the results. So we decided that result of both the classes will be declared on Wednesday (January 16 of 2926)," Sakina Itoo said. She said the meeting of the Result Declaration Committee (RDC) will be convened by the Secretary JKBOE along with the members-Director School Education (DSE) Kashmir and Jammu division besides the joint secretaries as well. "We will give the administrative approval to the result instead of getting approved by the chairman," she said. The announcement comes amid the delay in appointment of chairman JKBOSE as the position is lying vacant for the last one year. "After declaration of the results, we will also appoint the permanent chairman for JKBOSE as well," education minister said. An official from JKBOSE said the class 1oth result will be declared on Wednesday morning followed by the declaration of result of class 12th students in late afternoon on the same day. As per the official figures, 94783 students- 68804 from Kashmir and 25,224 students from winter zone areas of Jammu division besides 660 students from Kargil and 95 from Leh district registered for the class 10th JKBOSE examination this year. Also, the examination for class 11th and 12th students was scheduled from November 19 and November 8 of 2025 respectively. Approximately, 81622 students – 64001 from Jammu and 17621 from winter zone areas of Jammu have registered for class 11th examination while 70117 students—56423 from Kashmir and 13694 from winter zone areas of Jammu have registered for class 12th examination.
'Results likely to get delayed in absence of Chairman' Jammu, Jan 7: The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) on Wednesday said the result of the class 10th examinations will be declared soon after the appointment of the Chairman of the Board. The statement comes amid the uncertainty about the declaration of the results by JKBOSE. In an official handout issued here, JKBOSE has advised students not to pay heed to fake links and websites announcing declaration of class 10 results. "Result of class 10th will be declared within few days soon after the appointment of new Chairman," the statement reads. The JKBOSE has stated that the results of annual examination of class 10 of Kashmir valley and winter zone areas of Jammu Division are almost ready. "But its approval by Result Declaration Committee headed by BOSE Chairman is a pre- requisite before its declaration. In absence of the Chairman the results are likely to get a little delayed," it reads. The JKBOSE officials have advised the students to wait for the formal declaration on the official website of the Board- www.jkbose.nic.in. "Students should not get misled by scamesters and fake narratives circulated by some mischievous elements, whose sole aim is to create confusion in the innocent student community," the statement reads.
Srinagar, Jan 8: Contractual faculty members working in government degree colleges of Jammu and Kashmir Higher Education Department (HED) have expressed strong resentment over what they term as a glaring disparity in salaries, demanding revision of their pay in line with University Grants Commission (UGC) norms and regularisation of their services. The faculty, many of whom hold PhDs and are qualified through NET, SET and JRF, said they have been denied UGC-recommended pay scales despite discharging academic responsibilities equivalent to their regular counterparts. “Hundreds of highly qualified scholars have been pushed into silent suffering. For years, we have been assured that our pay revision is under consideration, but nothing has materialised so far,” said Dr Ishfaq Gowhar, a contractual faculty member. Earlier, Director Colleges J&K had acknowledged the legitimacy of the faculty’s demand, stating that while the issue was genuine, its implementation involved significant financial implications due to the large number of contractual appointments. “We are aware that they deserve salary enhancement, but the number of contractual faculty is huge and it has financial implications,” he earlier said. Dr Gowhar pointed out that contractual lecturers, who form the backbone of the higher education system, continue to work on a fixed monthly honorarium of Rs 28,000, which has remained unchanged for nearly a decade. “The irony is that a Class IV employee with a Class 10 qualification draws a salary exceeding Rs 50,000, while doctorate-holding teachers engaged in teaching, mentoring and academic research are paid a fraction of that,” he said. He added that institutions such as SKUAST-K, University of Kashmir and Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) have implemented revised UGC pay scales, but the Higher Education Department has failed to extend similar treatment to its contractual faculty. Dr Gowhar said the demand for “equal work, equal pay” gets prominently featured in election campaigns, raising hopes among contractual teachers. “Promises were made and slogans echoed during elections, but once the process ended, our voices were reduced to silence. Even meeting officials now feels impossible,” he said. He said contractual faculty were not seeking privileges but dignity, fairness and recognition for their service. The faculty appealed to the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Education Minister to intervene and take concrete steps towards addressing their long-pending demands. “This issue is not merely about salaries. It is about survival, justice and dignity in the classrooms of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Calls for strong academic ecosystem Srinagar, March 6: President of the Private Schools Association Jammu & Kashmir (PSAJK), Dr. Baba Nazrul Islam Friday extended his heartfelt congratulations to the 17 candidates from J&K and Ladakh who successfully cleared the prestigious Indian Administrative Service (IAS) examination. He termed the achievement as a moment of immense pride for the region and a powerful inspiration for the youth. He said that success of these candidates reflect the immense talent, determination, and intellectual potential present among the students of the region. Nazrul Islam Baba emphasised that educational institutions must work collectively to create a robust academic ecosystem that encourages students to aspire for and excel in national-level competitive examinations like the IAS. He stressed that schools should nurture curiosity, discipline, analytical thinking, and leadership qualities from the early stages of education. “Such remarkable achievements demonstrate that our youth possess the capability to compete at the highest national platforms," he said. He said a supportive academic environment, mentorship, and access to quality resources need to be kept available so that more students from J&K and Ladakh can prepare for and succeed in prestigious examinations. PSAJK President further highlighted the need to develop benchmark institutions and academic support systems in the region that can guide and mentor students aspiring for civil services and other competitive examinations. "Creating a culture of excellence and competition within educational institutions will help channelize the talent of the youth towards nation-building roles," he said. He urged educators, parents, and policymakers to work in synergy to foster an environment where students feel motivated to pursue ambitious goals and contribute meaningfully to society. “Every success story from our region becomes a beacon of hope for thousands of young minds. These achievers have shown that with perseverance, dedication, and proper guidance, no dream is beyond reach. Their journey should inspire our students to believe in their abilities and strive for excellence,” he added. PSAJK expressed hope that this achievement will ignite a new wave of aspiration among students across schools in J&K and Ladakh, motivating them to prepare for the country’s most competitive examinations and play a vital role in shaping the future of the nation.
Dubai, Mar 8: Israel renewed its assault on southern Lebanon early Sunday as the war entered its ninth day and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised “many surprises” in the next phase of the conflict rippling across the region. The latest strikes in Lebanon killed 12 more people, pushing the death toll there above 300 after Israel ordered large swaths of the country to evacuate during an offensive that its military said would be aimed at stamping out Iran-supported forces there. Israel and the United States launched the war on Feb. 28, saying they were targeting Iran's nuclear and missile programs and suggesting they sought to topple the government. The conflict has since spread across the region, rattling global markets, disrupting air travel and leaving Iran's leadership weakened by hundreds of Israeli and American airstrikes. Iran has fired missiles and drones at neighbouring countries in the Gulf, Israel has intensified attacks in Lebanon, and strikes have been reported from Cyprus to waters off of Sri Lanka. As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu laid out the next phase of the war late Saturday, saying Israel aims to destabilise Iran's regime and allow change in government, Israel launched another wave of strikes late Saturday, hitting an oil storage facility in Tehran — the first apparent strike on a civilian industrial site — sending pillars of fire into the night sky. The Iranian president apologises for the attacks but has limited power over them Iran has apologised for attacks on “neighbouring countries,” even as its missiles and drones continued striking sites in Gulf states — including attacks that have killed civilians — and hard-liners signalled Tehran would not change course. President Masoud Pezeshkian again struck a conciliatory tone on Sunday, calling Iran's neighbours friends and brothers while accusing the United States and Israel of using “manipulation” to sow discord between them in remarks aired on state television. “We will not bow our heads to bullying, injustice or intrusion,” he said. Pezeshkian and other Iranian leaders have underlined the limited powers exercised by theocracy's leaders over the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, which controls ballistic missiles used to target Israel and other countries. It answered only to Khamenei and appears to be picking its own targets. The president is one of three members of a leadership council that has overseen Iran since Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the war's opening airstrikes. A rift between politicians looking to de-escalate the war and others committed to battling the United States and Israel could complicate any diplomatic efforts. Pezeshkian's remarks came a day after he said the leadership council had been in touch with the armed forces and “from now on, they should not attack neighbouring countries or fire missiles at them, unless we are attacked by those countries. I think we should solve this through diplomacy.” The US strikes have not come from the Gulf Arab governments under attack, but from US bases and vessels in the region. But hard-line judiciary chief Gholam Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, another member of the three-man council, suggested that the war strategy will not change. “The geography of some countries in the region — both overtly and covertly — is in the hands of the enemy, and those points are used against our country in acts of aggression. Intense attacks on these targets will continue,” he posted on X. No sign of de-escalation Pezeshkian also dismissed US President Donald Trump's call for Tehran to surrender unconditionally, saying: “That's a dream that they should take to their grave.” Trump threatened that Iran would be “hit very hard” and more “areas and groups of people” would become targets, without elaborating. Already, the conflict has rattled global markets and left Iran's leadership weakened by hundreds of Israeli and American airstrikes. “We're not looking to settle,” Trump told reporters Saturday aboard Air Force One. “They'd like to settle. We're not looking to settle.” He described the ongoing US operations in Iran as an “excursion” and said issues such as rising gas prices and the safety of Americans would improve once the conflict ends. The US and Israel have targeted Iran's military capabilities, leadership and nuclear program. The war's stated goals and timelines have repeatedly shifted as the US has at times suggested it seeks to topple Iran's government or elevate new leadership. The fighting has killed at least 1,230 people in Iran, more than 290 in Lebanon and 11 in Israel, according to officials in those countries. Six US troops have been killed. Strikes target other Gulf countries After Pezeshkian's apology, Iranian strikes kept coming. Bahrain says an Iranian drone attack caused “material damage” to a desalination plant — the first time a Gulf country said Iran has struck a desalination plant during the nine-day war. Hundreds of desalination plants sit along the Persian Gulf coast, and the region relies heavily on them for their water. Earlier Sunday, the United Arab Emirates said debris from an aerial interception fell onto a vehicle and killed a driver. Four people have now been killed in the UAE since the war began. Authorities have said all were foreign nationals. The UAE urged residents to stay indoors on Sunday morning as its military responded to a drone attack. In Kuwait, authorities said a wave of drones targeted critical infrastructure, including fuel tanks at Kuwait International Airport and a government building in Kuwait City. At least two people were killed by strikes in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region. Saudi Arabia said it destroyed a drone headed toward its vast Shaybah oil field on Sunday and shot down four drones over the capital, Riyadh, including one aimed at the diplomatic quarter. Bahrain's Interior Ministry said that missile fragments fell onto a road in Manama, injuring one person and causing damage to several shops. (PTI)
Dubai, March 1: UAE authorities on Sunday said that two people were injured after debris from drones intercepted by air defences fell in the courtyards of two homes in Dubai, and they have received medical treatment. In a statement shared on X, the Government of Dubai Media Office said: "Authorities confirmed that debris from drones intercepted by air defences fell in the courtyards of two homes in Dubai, resulting in two injuries. The injured have received the necessary medical care. Authorities also clarified that the sounds heard across the emirate were the result of successful interception operations." Earlier in the day, the UAE's Ministry of Defence announced that the Air Force and Air Defence Forces have successfully intercepted and destroyed 137 ballistic missiles and 209 drones launched towards the country's territories since the start of the Iranian attack. "The Ministry clarified that since the start of the attack, 137 Iranian ballistic missiles were detected and launched toward the country, with 132 of them destroyed, while 5 fell into the sea. Additionally, 209 Iranian drones were detected, 195 of which were intercepted, while 14 fell within the country's territories and waters, causing some collateral damage," it said. "The Ministry indicated that as a result of the effective interception of the missiles and drones, some debris fell in scattered areas of the country, leading to minor material damage to a number of civilian properties. The Ministry confirmed that the relevant authorities moved immediately with full readiness and capabilities to handle the situation in accordance with the approved procedures in such cases, and the necessary measures were taken to ensure the safety of residents and secure the affected sites," it added. The UAE's Ministry of Defence condemned the attack and expressed the country's rejection of such acts that showcase a dangerous escalation and a cowardly act that threatens the security and safety of people and undermines stability. It stated that this targeting represents a flagrant violation of national sovereignty and international law. It urged the people to obtain information from official sources in the UAE and avoid circulating rumours or unverified information. "The Ministry emphasized that this targeting constitutes a flagrant violation of national sovereignty and international law, and that the country reserves its full right to respond to this escalation and take all necessary measures to protect its territories and people and the residents therein, in a manner that ensures the preservation of its sovereignty, security, and stability, and protects its interests and national capabilities." The ministry stated that it is on high alert and ready to deal with any threats, and that it is taking all necessary measures to firmly confront everything that targets the disruption of the UAE's security and stability, and affirmed that the safety of citizens, residents, and visitors is an utmost priority that cannot be compromised. (IANS)
Washington, Jan 20: White House science adviser Michael Kratsios has warned that China is rapidly narrowing America’s lead in artificial intelligence, urging Congress to move swiftly on legislation, funding and infrastructure to preserve US dominance in a technology increasingly seen as central to economic power and national security. Testifying last week before a House Science, Space and Technology subcommittee on the administration’s AI Action Plan, Kratsios said the United States has moved from a position of clear advantage to one of intensifying competition. “In 2020, the American innovation enterprise held a comfortable lead in AI,” Kratsios told lawmakers. “By 2024, that gap had begun to close significantly.” Kratsios said the Trump administration had shifted from strategy to execution since unveiling Winning the AI Race: America’s AI Action Plan last summer, focusing on three pillars — innovation, infrastructure and international partnerships — to maintain US leadership. Subcommittee chair Jay Obernolte said artificial intelligence was becoming a foundational driver of global innovation, warning that competitors such as the Chinese Communist Party were seeking to undermine US advantages through research espionage, AI-enabled cyberattacks and control of critical infrastructure. “AI-enabled cyberattacks are a growing threat that demands constant vigilance,” Obernolte said, adding that Congress must act to provide a unified federal framework for the technology. Kratsios told lawmakers that access to advanced computing power and reliable energy supplies would determine which countries lead in AI development. He highlighted the role of US national laboratories, which host some of the world’s fastest supercomputers, and the administration’s push to expand nuclear power and advanced reactor technologies to meet rising electricity demand from data centers. Lawmakers from both parties also stressed the importance of US-led standards for artificial intelligence, arguing that technical norms would shape global adoption as much as breakthroughs in chips or software. Kratsios said the administration plans to launch an AI export programme aimed at ensuring US companies supply trusted AI systems to partners and allies, preventing Chinese technology from becoming the default option in global markets. “We are at a critical moment,” he said. “If we act decisively, the American AI stack can become the dominant stack worldwide.” Committee chairman Brian Babin said US leadership in artificial intelligence was essential to economic competitiveness and national security, comparing the moment to earlier technological races in space and nuclear energy. He said Congress must support research and development, workforce training and access to federal computing resources, while avoiding regulatory fragmentation that could slow innovation. Several lawmakers raised concerns that a patchwork of state-level AI laws could disadvantage US startups, giving larger technology companies an edge due to their ability to absorb compliance costs. Kratsios echoed those concerns, warning that fragmented regulation would be “anti-innovation” and could accelerate consolidation in the technology sector. Despite broad bipartisan agreement on the stakes, lawmakers acknowledged that difficult debates lie ahead over export controls, standards-setting and how to balance innovation with security and oversight. (IANS)
