Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday took a strong position against offering prayers on public roads, saying that religious activities will not be allowed to block or disrupt traffic in Devbhoomi under any circumstances. He emphasized that while all faiths are respected, no one is above the law and maintaining order remains essential.

With the Char Dham Yatra currently underway and large numbers of devotees arriving in the state, he said ensuring a smooth, disciplined, and peaceful environment is the government’s top priority. He reiterated that public roads are meant for movement and cannot be used for gatherings, protests, or any form of obstruction.

Dhami further stated that namaz should be performed only in mosques, Eidgahs, or other designated places, and that causing inconvenience to the public by blocking roads will not be tolerated. He also accused the Congress of engaging in appeasement politics, alleging that some support such practices for vote-bank interests, while asserting that the state’s stance remains clear and firm.

He warned that strict action would be taken against anyone disturbing public order by occupying roads, adding that the rule of law will prevail and peace, culture, and discipline in Uttarakhand will be protected. The Chief Minister also noted that the Char Dham Yatra began on April 19 with traditional rituals across shrines, including the ceremonial departure of the Panchmukhi palanquin of Lord Kedarnath from Omkareshwar Temple.

He directed officials in a high-level meeting to strengthen forest fire management by recruiting 1,000 forest guards and reviewing preparedness measures for monsoon, drinking water supply, and healthcare services. He also emphasized adopting the “Shitlakhet Model” statewide for forest fire control, including building water ponds near fire lines, improving firefighting resources, and increasing public awareness campaigns.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Thursday that all parts of the government are working in coordination to tackle the recent sharp decline of the Indian rupee against the US dollar, and that multiple policy options are being considered to stabilise the currency. Speaking to reporters during the Annual Leadership Summit of The American Chamber of Commerce, he said the government is closely tracking the situation and responding collectively. “We are monitoring the situation. All the arms of government are working as a team. Several steps are under consideration,” he said.

Goyal noted that the global economic environment remains difficult, but expressed confidence that India will overcome the challenges and come out stronger. He said the rupee has come under pressure in recent weeks due to factors such as high crude oil prices, elevated global bond yields, foreign portfolio outflows, and geopolitical uncertainties affecting global markets. The currency recently touched a record low of 96.88 per US dollar.

On reports regarding a US trade delegation visit and possible talks involving a chief US negotiator, Goyal said discussions are likely next month, adding that there is no confirmed visit yet. Responding to questions on whether the government is planning to curb non-essential imports to manage the current account deficit, he said no such measures are being planned at present. However, he urged citizens to be mindful of their spending on imported goods.

He added that people have responded positively to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for responsible consumption and support for domestic products, saying citizens are contributing in various ways to strengthen the economy. Concluding on a positive note, he expressed confidence that India’s economy remains strong and resilient despite ongoing global challenges.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Jammu and Kashmir Police and security agencies on Wednesday launched an extensive search operation in a forward area on the outskirts of Jammu after recovering suspicious material believed to have been dropped by a drone from across the border. The package was found in agricultural fields in Bahadurpur village, which falls under the jurisdiction of Bishnah Police Station.

According to officials, the alert was raised at around 10:45 AM when a local resident noticed an unidentified object lying in the fields and immediately informed the authorities. Acting swiftly, a police team from Bishnah Police Station, along with security personnel, rushed to the spot and secured the entire area by establishing a strict security cordon to prevent any potential threat.

A senior police official stated that search operations and preliminary investigations were immediately initiated to trace the source of the suspected package and determine the route and origin of the drone movement. During the intensive search of the area, security forces recovered one tightly wrapped packet from the fields. Officials are also questioning local residents and conducting a thorough scan of nearby agricultural land to ensure no additional suspicious items were dropped in the area.

Police have registered a case at Bishnah Police Station and launched a detailed investigation into the incident. Authorities are examining the technical aspects related to the drone activity and trying to identify any possible intended recipients or cross-border connections linked to the recovered material. Officials added that further details regarding the exact contents of the package are still awaited, while security agencies continue their operations and surveillance in the region.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Lionel Messi’s tour organiser, Satadru Dutta, has filed a police complaint against TMC leader and former West Bengal sports minister Aroop Biswas, along with three others, including former DGP and TMC MP Rajeev Kumar, alleging they were responsible for the chaos at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium during the Messi event last December. He claimed he was unfairly made a “scapegoat” for the incident.

The complaint, filed at Bidhannagar South police station, also names Kolkata Municipal Corporation councillor Juin Biswas and I&CA secretary Shantanu Basu. Dutta, who was arrested after the incident and spent 38 days in jail, alleged security lapses, unauthorized access to restricted areas, and disruption of the event at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on December 13, 2025.

He further alleged that he and his family were threatened into silence and that he was pressured into accepting responsibility. Dutta said he would not have filed the complaint without the change in government. His complaint came shortly after newly appointed sports minister Nisith Pramanik announced a fresh probe into the “Messi fiasco.”

The event, part of the “GOAT India Tour – Kolkata Edition,” descended into chaos after Messi’s brief appearance of around 20 minutes, with overcrowding and security issues forcing an early end to planned activities. Fans reportedly damaged stadium property after being disappointed with restricted visibility and the shortened program.

Dutta alleged that Aroop Biswas misused his authority by interfering in ticket distribution, forcing him to hand over thousands of complimentary passes that were allegedly resold, and demanding additional access passes for associates to enter restricted zones near Messi. He also claimed that protocol violations and unauthorized close contact with Messi created security concerns for the footballer and his team, leading to an uncomfortable situation during the event.

Dutta further stated that his earlier public assurance about ticket refunds was made under pressure and coercion, not voluntarily, and that he was wrongly blamed for the incident caused by influential individuals. He added that he plans to file civil suits worth ₹50 crore each against the former minister and others—one for damages and another for defamation.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.

Following the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Donald Trump and the White House administration responded strongly, accusing the media and the Democratic Party of contributing to rising political violence. Reged Ahmad and Jonathan Yerushalmy explore the origins of the deep political divide between Democrats and Republicans in the United States. At the same time, Usha Vance has started a new podcast, raising questions about her motives, while King Charles’s upcoming visit to the White House is expected to shed light on Donald Trump’s relationship with the British monarchy.

Disclaimer: This video is taken from The Guardian.

In “Made in SG,” Melanie Oliveiro interviews author K. C. Vijayan about his biography The Benjamin Sheares Story: From Pioneering Gynaecologist to Singapore President. The book offers a vivid and humanising account of Benjamin Sheares, Singapore’s second President and a prominent figure in the Eurasian community, tracing his journey from working in busy maternity wards during the baby boom era to serving as President of Singapore from 1971 to 1981 at the Istana.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

A new AI system developed by NTU can forecast the rate at which food spoils, enabling supermarkets to reduce waste, enhance safety, and manage inventory more efficiently. The technology works by predicting bacterial growth in food. Could this signal the future of food retail? Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman discuss with Natalie Ong, CNA journalist, and Professor William Chen, Executive Director of FRESH@NTU, to explore the possibilities.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

This week, as the repercussions of the US-Israel conflict with Iran continue, Australians are feeling the pinch from a worsening fuel crisis. At the same time, the Liberal Party faces a critical moment as voters increasingly shift toward One Nation. In this edition of the Guardian’s Australian Politics podcast, political editor Tom McIlroy talks with Andrew Hastie, shadow minister for industry and sovereign capability, about Australia’s approach to the global fuel shock, the need for reindustrialisation, and his perspective on how the Liberal Party should respond to the rise of One Nation.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.