Daily News
Punjab Sees Record Spike in Stubble Fires as Harvesting Picks Up
Punjab has been facing a serious problem with stubble burning.
The Punjab sees record spike in stubble fires, raising major concerns about air quality and public health across the state. On a single day, authorities recorded 31 cases of stubble burning, the highest this season so far. Data from the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre (PRSC) shows a sharp rise in farm fires, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
Among the most affected areas, Tarn Taran reported 47 incidents this season, including 20 in a single day. However, Amritsar remains the worst-hit district, with 68 farm fires already reported. Officials warn that as the paddy harvesting season continues, the number of such fires will likely increase further.
The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) monitors stubble burning from September 15 to November 30 every year. Farmers burn leftover straw to quickly clear their fields before the wheat sowing window, which runs from October 15 to November 15. In 2024, Punjab recorded 10,909 farm fire cases, with Sangrur alone reporting 1,725 incidents.
Authorities say that despite awareness campaigns, many farmers continue to burn stubble because they lack affordable alternatives. Although laws prohibit the practice, enforcement remains difficult. Officials have made 43 “red entries” in land records of those caught burning stubble. These records prevent violators from taking loans or selling land. Additionally, the state imposed ₹3.45 lakh in fines in 70 cases, with ₹2.55 lakh already collected.
The rise in farm fires has worsened the state’s Air Quality Index (AQI). It has increased from 50-60 to over 100 in several cities, moving air quality from “satisfactory” to “moderate.” Jalandhar recently recorded an AQI of 113, the worst in Punjab, followed by Ludhiana at 111 and Patiala at 110. Experts warn that such levels are unsafe for people with heart and lung conditions.
AQI measures pollutants like PM2.5, PM10, and ozone in the air. The recent spike is largely due to stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana. During October and November, smoke often travels long distances, even affecting Delhi’s air quality.
The PPCB fears pollution levels may rise further during Diwali, as colder weather traps smoke and pollutants near the ground. Health experts are advising residents to take precautions. Dr. Sumeet Singh recommends that people with asthma carry inhalers and that children and the elderly limit outdoor activity, especially in the morning and evening when pollution is highest.
Authorities are increasing field inspections and using satellite monitoring to detect fires quickly. They are also planning stricter penalties and incentives to encourage farmers to adopt eco-friendly alternatives, such as stubble management equipment and bio-decomposers. However, experts stress that long-term solutions must include better government support, subsidies, and awareness programs.
In conclusion, the Punjab sees record spike in stubble fires, posing a serious environmental and health challenge. As harvest season continues, cooperation between farmers, government agencies, and citizens is essential to reduce air pollution and protect public health.
The Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society (BRLPS) released the provisional Jeevika answer key on December 18, 2025. Candidates who appeared for the Bihar Jeevika recruitment examination can now access their answer keys and response sheets. The exam took place between November 19 and December 15, 2025, covering various positions under the Jeevika programme.
Moreover, BRLPS has opened an objection window for candidates. This allows applicants to challenge answers they believe are incorrect. Subsequently, the society will review all submissions before publishing the final answer key.
Important Timeline
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Examination Period | November 19 – December 15, 2025 |
| Answer Key Release | December 18, 2025 |
| Objection Window Opens | December 18, 2025 |
| Objection Deadline | December 25, 2025 |
| Final Results | To be announced |
How to Download the Answer Key?
Candidates must visit the official BRLPS website to access their answer keys. Furthermore, they need their login credentials ready. Here’s the simple process:
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Visit the BRLPS recruitment website at brlps.in
- Enter your application number or login ID and password
- Navigate to the Answer Key/Response Sheet section
- Select your specific post and exam date
- Download the PDF file containing the answer key
Additionally, candidates should download their response sheets. This helps them compare their answers with the official key. Consequently, they can estimate their likely scores before final results arrive.
Raising Objections
The objection process remains straightforward. Candidates who disagree with any answer can challenge it through their personal login. However, they must act quickly as the deadline approaches December 25, 2025.
Objection Submission Process:
- Access the same login portal used for downloading
- Fill out the required objection form
- Pay the applicable fee online for each challenge
- Provide clear justification with supporting evidence
- Submit before the December 25 deadline
It’s important to note that objections apply to specific positions. These include block project manager, livelihood specialist, accountant, office assistant, and block IT executive. However, positions like area coordinator and community coordinator do not have objection provisions.
What Happens Next
After the objection window closes, BRLPS will carefully review all submissions. The review team examines each challenge along with its supporting documentation. Therefore, candidates should provide strong evidence when raising objections.
Following this review, BRLPS will publish the final answer key. This version will reflect any accepted corrections from the objection process. Meanwhile, candidates can expect their scorecards within a few weeks, though officials have not announced the exact result date yet.
The final answer key and results will likely release together or shortly after each other. This allows candidates to understand their performance fully.
Eligible Posts
The recruitment covers multiple important positions:
- Block Project Manager
- Livelihood Specialist
- Accountant (BPIU/DPCU Level)
- Office Assistant (BPIU/DPCU Level)
- Block IT Executive
- Area Coordinator
- Community Coordinator
In conclusion, candidates should download the Jeevika answer key immediately and verify their responses. Those finding discrepancies must submit objections before December 25 to ensure fair evaluation of their performance.
Daily News
John Campbell Returns to RNZ Morning Report: Why the Veteran Journalist Is Trending Today
New Zealand’s veteran broadcaster John Campbell dominated Google Trends on December 19, 2025. The journalist’s name surged in searches after Radio New Zealand announced his exciting return. Campbell will co-host Morning Report alongside Ingrid Hipkiss, marking a significant moment in his broadcasting career.
Furthermore, this announcement comes as part of a broader editorial reshuffle at RNZ. Campbell brings decades of experience and a reputation for championing ordinary people’s issues. His direct interviewing style and clarity make him well-suited for this influential role.
Why This Return Matters?
Morning Report holds deep personal significance for Campbell. In fact, he has listened to the programme since childhood. His parents woke up to it every morning, making those sounds part of his early life.
“My childhood mornings echoed to the sound of it. That makes this programme really special to me. My first understanding of journalism would have been from Morning Report,” Campbell explained. Moreover, he emphasized that the show “gives voice to the less powerful and holds a mirror up to New Zealand life.”
The Broadcasting Shift
| Role | Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| New Co-Host | John Campbell | Starting 2026 |
| Current Co-Host | Ingrid Hipkiss | Continuing |
| Outgoing Co-Host | Corin Dann | Moving to Business Editor |
| Former Economics Editor | Gyles Beckford | Retiring to part-time |
Campbell will replace Corin Dann, who moves into a new position as RNZ’s Business Editor. Meanwhile, Dann takes over from Gyles Beckford, who enters retirement and transitions to a part-time correspondent role. Therefore, this creates several significant changes across RNZ’s leadership team.
Campbell’s Track Record
RNZ management highlighted Campbell’s impressive achievements. Previously, he hosted Checkpoint and successfully grew audiences during that time. Additionally, his consumer-focused stories consistently resonated with listeners. Consequently, these qualities align perfectly with Morning Report’s format and mission.
The programme remains one of New Zealand’s most trusted news sources. Each weekday morning, it shapes public conversation through in-depth interviews and live coverage. Thus, the co-host position carries considerable influence over how New Zealanders receive and discuss daily news.
What Makes Morning Report Special?
The programme serves several crucial functions:
Key Features:
- Delivers essential daily information and analysis
- Provides voice to less powerful communities
- Holds leaders accountable without bias
- Shapes national conversation each morning
- Offers in-depth interviews with key figures
Additionally, Morning Report has maintained its reputation for journalistic integrity. The show operates “with neither fear nor favour,” as Campbell noted. This independence makes it particularly valuable for New Zealand democracy.
Timeline and Next Steps
Although RNZ announced the appointment, officials have not confirmed Campbell’s exact start date. However, the transition forms part of Morning Report’s 2026 programming schedule. Therefore, listeners can expect to hear Campbell’s voice early next year.
The announcement sparked widespread interest both nationally and internationally. New Zealanders especially showed excitement about Campbell’s return to this iconic programme. In conclusion, John Campbell’s appointment represents a homecoming for the broadcaster and promises fresh energy for Morning Report as it continues serving audiences across New Zealand.
Google has released an unexpected second Google Pixel update this December. This surprise patch comes just two weeks after the company issued its first December security update. The new update addresses several critical issues affecting Pixel 8, 9, and 10 series phones.
Initially spotted on Reddit, users began reporting a small download appearing on their devices. The update file measures approximately 25 MB, suggesting a focused hot fix rather than a major release. Subsequently, Google confirmed the rollout, though the company has not yet posted official factory images.
Key Issues Fixed
The update tackles three main problems:
| Problem | Impact | Affected Devices |
|---|---|---|
| Battery drain | Faster than normal power depletion | Pixel 8, 9, 10 series |
| Touch unresponsive | Intermittent touch failures | Specifically Pixel 10 |
| Cached content | Cannot access offline media/maps | Users upgrading from Android 14 |
Moreover, Verizon has published detailed release notes confirming these fixes. The battery drain issue caused phones to lose power much faster than usual. Meanwhile, Pixel 10 users experienced frustrating touchscreen problems where taps sometimes failed to register.
Limited Rollout
However, this update is not yet widely available. As of Wednesday afternoon Pacific Time, only some users have received it. Verizon customers appear to be getting it first, though reports also come from the UK. Therefore, other carriers may receive the patch later.
This marks Google’s second emergency response this month. Earlier in December, the company rushed out updates after confirming new spyware attacks. Apple similarly acted quickly to protect iPhone users. Now Google demonstrates continued vigilance with this follow-up patch.
Battery Saving Tips
While waiting for the update, users can optimize their battery life through simple settings:
Display Management
- Enable Adaptive Battery under Settings
- Switch to adaptive refresh rates instead of constant 120Hz
- Reduce screen timeout to 30 seconds
- Lower brightness or use adaptive brightness
Background Activity
- Review Battery Usage to find power-hungry apps
- Set non-essential apps to “Restricted” mode
- Limit Always-On Display usage
- Disable apps from waking the lock screen
Location and Connectivity
- Change location access to “Only while using.”
- Turn off precise GPS data for weather apps
- Disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth scanning when not needed
Furthermore, experts recommend checking which apps run constantly in the background. Android’s built-in Adaptive Battery learns your usage patterns and limits unnecessary activity. Additionally, reviewing app permissions helps prevent excessive power consumption.
Security Implications
The rapid deployment shows Google’s commitment to user security. Cyber security agencies now recommend weekly phone reboots as an additional safety measure. Moreover, users should install updates immediately when available, especially given ongoing attack campaigns.
Although Samsung and other Android manufacturers have not yet deployed this specific patch, they likely will soon if the fixes address system-wide vulnerabilities. In conclusion, Pixel users should check for this crucial Google Pixel update today and install it promptly to resolve battery and touchscreen issues.
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