Newly appointed West Bengal Governor RN Ravi met President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday. The official Rashtrapati Bhavan account on X shared a photograph of their meeting. The interaction took place ahead of West Bengal's two phase Assembly elections scheduled for April.

Ravi assumed office as the Governor of West Bengal on March 12. A former IPS officer and previously the Governor of Tamil Nadu, he was administered the oath by Calcutta High Court Chief Justice Sujoy Paul. The ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee, senior minister and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim, and Left Front chairman Biman Bose.

His appointment came as part of a wider reshuffle of Governors and Lieutenant Governors announced by Rashtrapati Bhavan before the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. The Election Commission of India announced that voting for the West Bengal Assembly elections will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, while the counting of votes is scheduled for May 4. On March 13, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu also met President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Sandhu later shared on X that he felt honoured to meet the President and receive her guidance for his new role.

Sandhu had earlier taken the oath of office as the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi in the presence of Delhi High Court Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya. His appointment was also part of the recent administrative reshuffle, replacing VK Saxena, who has been appointed as the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh. Sandhu had also contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as a BJP candidate. President Droupadi Murmu hosted Members of Parliament from several states including Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Chandigarh, Ladakh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Delhi for breakfast at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre on Friday.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from X/@rashtrapatibhvn.

Amid the LPG shortage, the Uttar Pradesh Food and Civil Supplies Department carried out raids at 1,483 locations across the state on Friday to curb the black marketing of cooking gas cylinders, according to an official statement. The operation was conducted in coordination with district administrations and led to the arrest of six people and the registration of 24 FIRs.

The statement issued late Friday said the action followed directions from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to closely monitor LPG supply and prevent any shortage or irregularities. Chief Secretary S P Goyal has also instructed all district magistrates to take necessary measures to ensure the steady availability of petrol, diesel, and LPG cylinders. Enforcement teams inspected numerous sites during the drive, registering four FIRs against LPG distributors and 20 against other individuals involved in black marketing. Six people were arrested on the spot, while legal action was initiated against 19 others.

The government said LPG distribution is being maintained through 4,108 distributors across the state, ensuring deliveries to consumers as per their bookings. It also stated that adequate stocks are available and domestic refills are being supplied as needed. To monitor the supply system and address complaints quickly, a 24 hour control room has been set up at the Food Commissioner office, with officials deployed there. Similar control rooms have also been established in all districts across the state.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held his fourth phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi since the West Asia crisis escalated, as India intensified efforts to secure safe passage for 28 Indian-flagged merchant vessels near the Strait of Hormuz. The ministers spoke on Thursday night, following their earlier discussions on February 28, March 5, and March 10, which came soon after the US and Israel’s attack on Iran that resulted in the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Jaishankar confirmed the conversation on social media, noting that they discussed bilateral matters and BRICS-related issues. The call took place amid India’s efforts to ensure the safe navigation of its vessels through the strategic shipping route, partially blocked by Tehran in response to heightened tensions with the US and Israel.

An Iranian statement said Araghchi briefed Jaishankar on the consequences of what Iran described as “aggressions and crimes” by the US and Israel, highlighting their impact on regional and global stability. Araghchi emphasized Iran’s firm commitment to exercising its legitimate right to self-defense and stressed the need for international and regional forums to condemn military actions against the country.

He also underlined BRICS’ role in fostering multilateral cooperation and called for the forum to play a constructive role in supporting regional stability and security. Araghchi described the strengthening of a stable and sustainable security environment in the region as a collective necessity, urging collaboration to ensure peace and security in the face of escalating tensions.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.

The Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned until 12 noon on Thursday due to protests and sloganeering by Opposition MPs. Speaker Om Birla faced heavy protests upon returning to the House and urged the INDIA bloc MPs to allow the Question Hour to proceed. He emphasized the importance of Question Hour in Parliamentary proceedings, stating that MPs could raise their concerns and hold the government accountable during this time. Birla added that he would also share his views on the discussions of the past two days at 12 noon, asking, “Do you not want the Question Hour to function?”

The Opposition has been pressing for a discussion on the reported commercial LPG shortage in the country, exacerbated by the conflict in West Asia. Earlier in the day, Congress leaders, led by Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, continued their protests in Parliament over nationwide LPG shortages. The crisis has affected several regions, with restaurants in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, switching to induction cooking due to disruptions in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz caused by the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

Om Birla returned to the Lok Sabha as Speaker after the no-confidence motion against him was defeated through a voice vote. On Wednesday, the House saw noisy scenes as Congress members protested against Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks about Rahul Gandhi. The Home Minister had responded to a two-day debate on a resolution moved by Congress MP Mohammad Jawed, which was marked by sharp exchanges between the Opposition and ruling benches. BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, presiding over the House, instructed Jawed to speak only after Congress members returned to their seats. Amid continued sloganeering, Pal called for a voice vote, and the resolution was defeated.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Sansad TV.

In spring 2003, the initial euphoria over Saddam Hussein’s fall quickly turned into deadly chaos across Iraq. Guardian reporters, whether working independently or embedded with military units, witnessed the violence and disorder firsthand, documenting the rapid shift from jubilation to conflict, looting, and unrest that marked the early days following the invasion and the collapse of Saddam’s regime.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

Our system of mental health diagnosis and labeling has provided clear benefits, helping people access treatment and understand their conditions. However, as a practicing doctor, I am concerned that overdiagnosis and excessive labeling may be causing more harm than good, potentially stigmatizing patients and oversimplifying complex mental health experiences.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

Under President Lee Jae Myung’s guidance, investor confidence in South Korea has surged, fueled by ambitious reforms—from proposed corporate governance improvements and regulatory adjustments to efforts aimed at revitalizing the stock market. His pro-market policies have shifted sentiment positively, attracting both domestic and international investors and pushing the Kospi to new highs. But is this surge sustainable, or merely a short-term spike? Hairianto Diman and Elakeyaa Selvaraji explore the outlook with Betty Wang, Head of Northeast Asia Research at Oxford Economics.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

The Barries have returned, and Angus Taylor has emerged victorious in the Liberal leadership contest, defeating Sussan Ley. Speaking on Friday afternoon, the newly elected leader stressed that he had no intention of becoming “One Nation lite,” but vowed to “close the door” to those who do not share “Australian values.” However, the leadership spill was not the only major development in Australian politics this week. Barrie Cassidy and Tony Barry also examine the challenges facing Taylor, the growing momentum of One Nation, and the recent visit by Israeli president Isaac Herzog.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.