Iranian state media outlet Press TV reported on Friday that Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Naeini, spokesperson for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was killed in US-Israeli strikes. This follows a series of targeted attacks on Iran’s top officials since the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28.
On Thursday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the killing of Esmaeil Khatib, Iran’s Minister of Intelligence. The IDF claimed Khatib had targeted Iranian citizens during the Mahsa Amini protests (2022–2023) and had led operations against Israelis and Americans worldwide. In a post on X, the IDF stated that Khatib “played a significant role during recent protests, including the arrest and killing of protesters, and led terrorist activities globally.”
Iranian security chief Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani, head of the Basij paramilitary force, were also killed in Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday. Iranian lawmaker Pezeshkian condemned the killings, calling them “cowardly assassinations” and expressed that the loss leaves the nation “heartbroken,” but vowed that their “path will continue stronger than before,” according to Al Jazeera.
Larijani, 67, a close associate of the late Khamenei and his successor Mojtaba Khamenei, was the highest-ranking Tehran official killed since the conflict began 19 days ago. Soleimani, who led internal security forces for six years, was seen as a key figure in Iran’s military response. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said this week that Iran’s political structure remains strong and resilient, despite the deaths of key figures. He emphasized that the absence of any individual does not weaken the country’s political system, noting that Iran has solid political, economic, and social institutions. Araghchi also referenced the earlier death of Ayatollah Khamenei, stating that the system continued to function despite the loss.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
India’s naval ambitions have reached a critical milestone with the allocation of ₹1,07,549 crore for the Indian Navy in the 2026-27 fiscal year. This substantial investment signals New Delhi’s determination to develop a robust blue-water navy capable of projecting power across the Indian Ocean Region and beyond. Central to this expansion is an ambitious shipbuilding program, with 50 warships currently under construction in domestic shipyards. These include destroyers, frigates, corvettes, and submarines, all developed indigenously to strengthen self-reliance in defense manufacturing. In the near term, the Navy aims for 142 ships, with a long-term goal of 230 vessels and submarines by 2037, marking a strategic shift from coastal defense to sustained operations in distant waters to secure vital sea lanes.
Naval aviation is also set for a major boost, with plans to expand airborne assets from 264 to 314 by 2030. This will enhance anti-submarine warfare, maritime surveillance, and air defense capabilities through multi-role helicopters, unmanned aerial systems, and fixed-wing aircraft. A key milestone is the contract for 26 Rafale-M carrier-based fighters, which will equip India’s aircraft carriers with advanced strike, interception, and electronic warfare capabilities.
The blue-water navy concept enables India to project power far beyond its shores, conduct humanitarian missions, and maintain deterrence in contested regions like the Indo-Pacific. This transformation emphasizes technological advancement, incorporating stealth features, integrated sensors, and network-centric systems into new platforms, exemplified by indigenous designs such as the Project 18 next-generation destroyers. Indian shipyards including Mazagon Dock, Garden Reach, and Cochin Shipyard are driving production, supporting local employment and technology transfer. Submarine programs, particularly the Project 75I conventional submarines and nuclear-powered SSNs, are strengthening underwater capabilities to counter regional submarine threats.
While delays in steel, engines, and skilled labor have posed challenges, initiatives like the Strategic Partnership model and ‘Make in India’ are involving private companies such as Larsen & Toubro and Tata Advanced Systems to mitigate these issues. The budget prioritizes capital acquisitions (around 60%), operational maintenance, and research & development, including mid-life upgrades for Kolkata-class destroyers.
This naval modernization is also a response to China’s expanding presence in the Indian Ocean, with its bases in Gwadar and Djibouti. Strategic partnerships with the Quad, as well as bilateral ties with the US, France, and Japan, support interoperability and access to advanced technologies. The Rafale-M integration provides a qualitative edge with AESA radars, Meteor missiles, and advanced torpedoes. Deployment on INS Vikrant and future carriers will allow blue-water task forces to operate cohesively with surface vessels. Training, joint exercises like Malabar, and specialized officer programs are further enhancing India’s blue-water capabilities.
By 2037, this naval buildup will position India as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean, capable of projecting influence from the Malacca Strait to the African coast, prepared for multi-domain and hybrid warfare. Sustainability features such as green propulsion and low emissions are also integrated into new platforms, supporting global environmental standards while extending operational range. The 2026-27 budget is driving a naval renaissance, forging a capable blue-water force to safeguard India’s maritime interests amid rising competition.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Indian Defence News.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, through the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), organized the Suraksha Sankalp Karyashala in Delhi to strengthen district-level efforts in combating HIV/AIDS. The workshop focused specifically on the states of Haryana and Delhi as part of a broader strategy to enhance targeted interventions.
The session was chaired by Dr. Rakesh Gupta, Additional Secretary and Director General of NACO. S. P. Bhavsar delivered the background address, highlighting the changing patterns of HIV in India and stressing the importance of district-specific strategies supported by data analysis, focused outreach, and improved healthcare delivery systems.
Dr. Gupta emphasized that HIV/AIDS remains a serious public health concern, requiring continued vigilance, innovation, and coordinated action at all levels. Referring to the global 95:95:95 targets, he explained that the goal is for 95 percent of people living with HIV to know their status, 95 percent of those diagnosed to receive sustained Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART), and 95 percent of those on treatment to achieve viral suppression.
He noted that Delhi still faces significant gaps, with only about 70 percent of identified individuals currently receiving treatment, indicating a need to improve treatment access and retention. Haryana, on the other hand, has achieved progress with a cascade of approximately 81:83:95, though further improvements in diagnosis and treatment linkage are still required. Dr. Gupta also stressed the importance of preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV, which can occur during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding but is entirely preventable through timely testing, counselling, and treatment. He called for stronger antenatal screening and universal access to preventive services.
At the national level, 219 districts have been identified as priority areas for intensified HIV interventions, including 11 in Haryana and 7 in Delhi. Delhi has an adult HIV prevalence of 0.33 percent with around 59,079 people living with HIV, while Haryana has a prevalence of 0.24 percent with approximately 59,642 cases. Specific districts have been prioritized for focused action. In Delhi, these include North, New Delhi, Shahdara, Central, South East, South, and North West. In Haryana, the priority districts are Panipat, Rohtak, Sirsa, Jhajjar, Gurugram, Faridabad, Bhiwani, Hisar, Sonipat, Kaithal, and Fatehabad.
District programme teams are actively participating in the workshop, sharing progress, identifying challenges, and working together to create targeted, results-driven action plans to strengthen HIV response at the grassroots level. Dr. Gupta highlighted the need for coordinated efforts across national, state, and district levels, especially at the field level, to address gaps in awareness, testing, treatment, and adherence. He also outlined a clear roadmap aimed at bringing HIV/AIDS under control in India by World AIDS Day 2027, with an enhanced target of 95:95:99.
The Suraksha Sankalp Karyashala serves as a platform for collaboration among stakeholders, promoting a data-driven approach to HIV prevention and care. It aims to improve treatment linkage and retention, increase viral suppression rates, and expand outreach to vulnerable populations. Discussions during the workshop focused on strengthening programme implementation through better coordination, capacity building, and monitoring, with special emphasis on early diagnosis, timely treatment, sustained adherence, and reducing stigma and discrimination. This initiative aligns with India’s commitment to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, reflecting a comprehensive and inclusive approach to HIV prevention and ensuring equal access to quality healthcare services for all.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PIB.
Following Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to India, which marked a significant improvement in previously strained India-Canada relations, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police has stated that there is currently no threat to Canadians from individuals linked to the Indian government. Relations had deteriorated earlier after former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau associated India with the killing of NIA-designated terrorist Hardeep Nijjar.
In an interview with CTV, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme explained that earlier statements made in 2024 were based on the information available during an ongoing criminal investigation at that time. He clarified that while there were previous suggestions of involvement by government-linked agents or proxies, current findings do not clearly connect such activities to any foreign state. According to him, instances of transnational repression do not always point to a foreign entity.
Duheme emphasized that the RCMP treats such matters seriously and works closely with law enforcement agencies nationwide to ensure a coordinated response. He encouraged the public to report any suspicious activities, acknowledging that fear may sometimes prevent people from coming forward.
Addressing safety concerns within South Asian communities after the return of Indian diplomats, he reiterated that ongoing investigations have not established any link between harassment or intimidation cases and a foreign government. While incidents of intimidation and harassment do exist, no evidence currently ties them directly to India.
Speaking about the Bishnoi gang, which has been associated with extortion cases in cities like Surrey, Brampton, and Calgary, Duheme noted that not all such cases are connected to the group. He added that some individuals may misuse the gang’s name. The RCMP has set up a national coordination centre to better track and connect such cases. Importantly, no confirmed links have been found between the gang’s activities and the Indian government. These statements reflect improving diplomatic ties between India and Canada after tensions that arose in 2023, with both countries now making efforts to restore normal relations.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from X/@CommrRCMPGRC.
As India accelerates development of kamikaze drones, a major testing gap has emerged. Unlike conventional UAVs, these one-way attack drones travel long distances and detonate on impact, requiring vast, dedicated impact zones for safe trials. Indigenous systems like IG Defence’s Project KAL, NewSpace’s Sheshnaag-150, and the CSIR-NAL drone target ranges up to 1,000 km, testing endurance, navigation via India’s NAViC, and strike accuracy. Existing facilities, including the Integrated Test Range at Balasore and inland ranges in Rajasthan, are overcrowded or too small for long-range trials. Defense planners are exploring the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to provide extensive unpopulated airspace over water for full-mission testing. This move aligns with global trends where low-cost, expendable drones have proven highly effective in modern conflicts. To achieve self-reliance in advanced unmanned warfare, India must expand its testing infrastructure alongside technological development, ensuring its kamikaze drones are ready for strategic deployment.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from defence.in.
In Destination Anywhere, Melanie Oliveiro explores Jewel Changi Airport, where visitors can admire a wall mural by local multimedia artist Priscilla Tey alongside the historic Porsche 956 in its iconic blue-and-white Rothmans livery. Tey and Yannick Ott, Marketing Director at Porsche Asia Pacific, share the story behind their collaboration and explain how the mural blends Year of the Horse motifs with Porsche’s motorsport heritage and design. They also point out hidden “Easter eggs” in the artwork and showcase the exclusive limited-edition merchandise available to fans.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
Southeast Asia’s largest conglomerates have traditionally been viewed as the backbone of the region’s economy. However, a recent report by global consulting firm Bain & Company indicates that this model is facing significant challenges. Specialized competitors are encroaching on their markets, and many of these corporate giants are finding it hard to stay competitive. The question now is whether Asia’s major conglomerates need to reinvent themselves — and if they can. Andrea Heng and Susan Ng discuss this with Amanda Chin, Partner at Bain & Company.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has been earning substantial income by sending paid personalized videos on Cameo. Over five years, he has made at least £374,893 from these recordings, often producing several videos per day. While many use Cameo for lighthearted messages, an investigation of over 4,000 of Farage’s videos revealed concerning content. Some videos included endorsements of neo-Nazi events, repetition of extremist slogans, and references to antisemitic conspiracies. He even made a £155 video for a man reportedly sentenced to 16 months for participating in a far-right riot. Farage also made misogynistic remarks about left-wing politicians, including a comment about US congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. A spokesperson for Reform UK emphasized that these videos were informal, not political statements, and that Farage opposes extremism and political violence. They also noted that occasional mistakes are inevitable given the volume of videos he records. Investigations correspondent Henry Dyer told Helen Pidd that the videos reveal what Farage is willing to say or do for money — raising questions about the judgment of someone who aspires to be prime minister.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
The Prime Minister assures that the UK will not be pulled into a broader Middle East conflict and promises help for households struggling with heating oil costs. Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the government’s measures to support people amid the cost-of-living crisis and the impact of the war. Additionally, there’s a focus on Brussels, where the government is working on another EU reset to strengthen ties.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
