Srinagar records a freezing -6.7 degrees

As a cold wave intensified across Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, Jammu city recorded the season’s coldest night at 3.5 degrees Celsius, the Met said.

In the Ladakh region and valley, the mercury dropped several degrees below the freezing point, with Leh recording minus 17.1 and Kargil minus 14.4.; while Srinagar posting a minus 6.7, Pahalgam minus 7.9 and Gulmarg minus 9.4.

Generally cloudy weather was expected in the Kashmir Valley during the next 24 hours till Thursday.

Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine base camp Katra recorded 4.2, Batote minus 1.3, Bannihal minus 3 and Bhaderwah minus 2.1 as the minimum temperatures, the Met said.

- IANS

Lakmal takes five at Christchurch

Sri Lanka's Suranga Lakmal, second right, is congratulated by teammates after taking the wicket of New Zealand's Tom Latham during day one of the second cricket test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2018.   | Photo Credit: AP

Sri Lanka had new New Zealand in deep trouble on the opening day of the second Test at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, as Suranga Lakmal took 5 for 54 to bowl out New Zealand for 178. Lakmal had the hosts reeling at 57 for 5 before Tim Southee hit a quick half-century to lift them to a better total.

Chinese rights lawyer Wang Quanzhang on trial

A supporter of prominent rights lawyer Wang Quanzhang is detained outside the courthouse where Wang's trial is held, in Tianjin, China December 26, 2018.   | Photo Credit: Reuters

Chinese police locked down a courthouse on Wednesday at the start of the trial of a prominent rights lawyer who is accused of inciting subversion of state power and whose case has attracted widespread concern in Western capitals.

Wang Quanzhang, who took on sensitive cases of complaints of police torture and defended practitioners of the banned Falun Gong spiritual movement, went missing in August 2015 during a sweeping crackdown on rights activists.

Most cases from that summer, known as the 709 cases for the first day of detentions on July 9, 2015, have concluded. Wang, however, was incommunicado for more than 1,000 days.

Koreas hold groundbreaking ceremony for railway project

South Korean Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon, bottom left, and officials arrive to board a train to leave for the North Korea at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2018.   | Photo Credit: AP

South Korean officials have traveled to North Korea by train to attend a groundbreaking ceremony for an aspirational project to modernize North Korean railways and roads and connect them with the South.

Wednesday’s ceremony at the North Korean border town of Kaesong comes weeks after the Koreas conducted a joint survey on the northern railway sections they hope to someday link with the South.

Melbourne Test: Mayank Agarwal debuts for India

Cheteshwar Pujara of India walks out to bat during day one of the Third Test match in the series between Australia and India at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 26, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia   | Photo Credit: Getty Images

India won the toss and opted to bat in the ongoing Test series' Boxing Day match against Australia on Wednesday. Karnataka opener Mayank Agarwal made his debut as India went in with a new opening pair, with Hanuma Vihari joining him at the top.