Kangana Ranaut, Manoj Bajpayee, Dhanush bag best actor awards at 67th National Film Awards

Bengaluru: Karnataka has declared a holiday for state government offices, schools and colleges on Wednesday, December 11, in the wake of a state funeral for former chief minister S M Krishna, who passed away in Bengaluru on Tuesday.

The last rites of Krishna, 92, will be held at his native village of Somanahalli in Mandya's Maddur taluk.

A government order stated that the holiday would apply to private aided educational institutions too.

Besides, the government has declared three days of mourning (December 10-12), during which no public entertainment programmes would take place, while the national flag would fly at half-mast.

S M Krishna passed away at his residence on December 10, 2024. The 92-year-old veteran politician was ailing for quite some time, a family source said.

A charismatic leader with a modern outlook, he not only laid a strong foundation for the growth of IT and BT industries in Karnataka but also managed to get them onboard with the government to build “Brand Bengaluru” at the international level.

He held several prominent positions throughout his career as External Affairs Minister, Maharashtra Governor, Chief Minister of Karnataka, Speaker of Karnataka Legislative Assembly and Minister in the Karnataka government.

Although known for his tech savviness, flamboyancy, style and the Western outlook, the Congressman-turned-BJP senior leader was a hardcore Bengalorean who loved the city’s trees and flowers. SMK also had a love for tennis. Even when he was Chief Minister, he would visit the tennis court to play the game two to three times a week. 

The Israeli military has occupied several villages south of Damascus, with its tanks now being stationed around 20 kilometers from the outskirts of the Syrian capital, a new report says.

Lebanon's al-Mayadeen television network reported on Tuesday that the Israeli tanks have moved past the southwestern Syrian city of Quneitra and reached 3 kilometers away from the town of Qatana, near Damascus. 

Israel started the push to expand its occupation of Syria on Sunday, after foreign-backed militants, led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), announced the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government following a rapid two-week offensive that led to the capture of Damascus.

Israeli forces seized the buffer zone that separates the occupied Golan Heights from the rest of Syria in violation of a 1974 disengagement agreement between the Tel Aviv regime and Syria.

They also captured the strategic Mount Hermon in Golan, which provides high ground for the entire area.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the Syrian Golan Heights will remain part of the occupied territories “for eternity.”

Israel's exploitation of the current chaotic situation to deploy its occupation forces to Syria has drawn condemnations from regional countries.

“We condemn the fact that Israel has entered Syrian territory and taken control of the buffer zone,” Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said.

Similarly, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry said, "The seizure of the buffer zone in the Golan Heights … confirms Israel’s continued violation of the rules of international law, and its determination to sabotage Syria’s chances of restoring its security, stability and territorial integrity.”

Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that the regime has carried out nearly 300 air raids on Syria over the past two days.

They added that if the aerial assaults continue at their current pace, the Syrian Air Force will be all but destroyed in a matter of days.

New Israeli strikes hit the Syrian city Salamiyah, in the eastern countryside of Hama Province, as well as military installations north of Raqqah, and the Shayrat air base in Homs' countryside.

Zakir Hussain, the legendary tabla virtuoso, passed away on Monday in a San Francisco hospital at the age of 73. Hussain’s family confirmed his death was due to complications arising from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a rare and progressive lung disease. He had been hospitalized for two weeks and moved to the intensive care unit (ICU) after his health deteriorated.

Hussain, widely celebrated for his unparalleled contribution to Indian classical music, is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola, a noted Kathak dancer, and their daughters, Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi.

What is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis? 
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic lung disease affecting the tissue around the lungs' air sacs (alveoli), causing it to thicken and stiffen. This permanent scarring, known as fibrosis, progressively makes breathing difficult. The term "idiopathic" indicates that the condition has no known cause, according to the American Lung Association.

Symptoms and Risk Factors 
IPF symptoms often start subtly but worsen over time. Common signs include persistent coughing and shortness of breath. Risk factors include:
•    Smoking
•    A family history of IPF
•    Advanced age

While some individuals experience slow disease progression, others may face rapid worsening or sudden flare-ups called acute exacerbations. Complications such as pulmonary hypertension and respiratory failure are common in advanced cases.

Treatment and Management 
Although there is no cure for IPF, treatments aim to slow disease progression, improve lung function, and enhance quality of life. The NHS recommends the following lifestyle adjustments for managing IPF:
•    Quit smoking: Improves lung health significantly.
•    Stay active: Regular exercise enhances overall fitness.
•    Eat a balanced diet: Supports the body’s health.
•    Get vaccinated: Annual flu and pneumococcal vaccines help prevent severe lung infections.
•    Avoid infections: Minimize exposure to people with respiratory illnesses.