The Punjab government will provide residents holding Punjab Aadhaar and voter ID cards with health insurance coverage of up to Rs 10 lakh. The scheme, named the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, is set to be officially launched on January 15 by former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Most beneficiaries are expected to receive their health cards within three to four months.

Under this initiative, individuals can access cashless treatment at over 800 government and private hospitals across the state. In response to the recent deaths in Indore due to contaminated water, Punjab’s Health Minister expressed condolences to the affected families and emphasized that their treatment should be provided free of cost. The minister also criticized the handling of the situation in Indore, noting that the city had previously received the Clean City tag, making the current scenario alarming.

Regarding water safety in Punjab, the Health Minister stated that treated canal water is being supplied in areas where uranium contamination has been detected in groundwater, and drinking water is being sourced from neighbouring villages in regions facing scarcity. Chief Minister Mann approved the scheme, which aims to provide free, cashless medical treatment of up to Rs 10 lakh to every family in Punjab. The registration process for the scheme is set to begin shortly, and the health department has been directed to finalize all arrangements.

Mann had first announced the state health insurance initiative in September, highlighting that every family would be eligible for cashless treatment up to Rs 10 lakh. Beneficiaries will receive a ‘CM Health Card,’ allowing them to access these benefits. Registration will start in Taran Taran and Barnala districts, where special health camps will be held for two to three days. The process will be straightforward, requiring Aadhaar, voter ID, or passport for registration. This scheme aims to ensure that all citizens of Punjab can access free and improved healthcare services.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Continuing a practice that has lasted over three decades, India and Pakistan on Thursday exchanged lists of their nuclear facilities under a bilateral agreement that bars attacks on each other’s atomic installations. The exchange occurred despite strained relations between the two nations following four days of military clashes last May.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the list swap was conducted simultaneously through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad, in line with the agreement prohibiting attacks on nuclear installations. “India and Pakistan today exchanged, via diplomatic channels, the list of nuclear installations and facilities covered under the agreement on the prohibition of attack against nuclear installations and facilities,” the MEA stated.

The agreement, signed on December 31, 1988, and enforced from January 27, 1991, requires both countries to notify each other of their nuclear facilities on January 1 each year. “This marks the 35th consecutive annual exchange, with the first having taken place on January 1, 1992,” the MEA added.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Shutterstock.

Tamil Nadu Industries Minister TRB Rajaa announced that the state will continue to provide motor vehicle tax exemptions for battery-operated vehicles until December 2027, under the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1974. Sharing the government notification, Rajaa said the decision, made by Chief Minister M K Stalin, highlights the government’s commitment to promoting EV adoption, affordability, and large-scale manufacturing.

“This demonstrates how pro-industry our government is. Tamil Nadu has extended a 100% motor vehicle tax exemption for all electric vehicles until December 31, 2027, reflecting our strong focus on sustainability,” in a social media post on Tuesday. Rajaa noted that EV adoption in the state reached 7.8% in 2025, but emphasized that challenges remain, particularly in expanding charging infrastructure and making the supply chain greener.

He explained, “This policy lowers costs for consumers while providing manufacturers with long-term certainty. Even as global markets face volatility and pressures on clean mobility investments, Tamil Nadu maintains a clear and stable policy direction.” The notification stated that, under the powers granted by sub-clause (b) of clause (1) of section 20 of the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1974, the Governor exempts all battery-operated vehicles—both transport and non-transport—from motor vehicle tax from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Business Standard.

Reaffirming India’s long-standing commitment to United Nations peacekeeping and its reputation as a reliable security partner, the India Level II Plus Hospital (formerly India Level III Hospital), deployed with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), has been awarded the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of MONUSCO Unit Appreciation. The recognition honors the unit’s exceptional professionalism, operational resilience, and significant contributions to the Mission’s mandate.

Col Rajesh W Adhau, Contingent Commander, received the citation from Brig Salil MP, Commander Central Sector and Acting Deputy Force Commander, during the Medal Day Parade in Goma on 29 December 2025. The message of the Force Commander, MONUSCO, Lt Gen Ulisses De Mesquita Gomes, was subsequently delivered, commending the unit’s leadership and the collective dedication of all personnel. He highlighted that medical units operating in high-risk environments must exhibit extraordinary competence, resilience, and the ability to inspire confidence—standards the Indian hospital met with distinction.

The appreciation recognizes the hospital’s performance during the intense armed conflict in and around Goma in January–February 2025. Despite facing crossfire, direct threats, and severe operational challenges, the unit provided uninterrupted medical support, treating numerous conflict-related casualties, saving UN peacekeepers’ lives, and extending care to civilians and local security personnel. Concurrently, the hospital effectively addressed public health emergencies, including Monkeypox, cholera, and tuberculosis, ensuring continuous care under extreme pressure. The unit was particularly noted for its calm leadership, sound medical judgment, and effective coordination with Force Headquarters and other contingents, ensuring operational continuity and enhancing mission credibility.

Beyond its clinical excellence, the India Level II Plus Hospital was praised for promoting cohesion and cooperation across MONUSCO through outreach initiatives, training support, and medical assistance to other contingents, reflecting the humanitarian principles central to UN peacekeeping. The conferment of the SRSG and Head of MONUSCO Unit Appreciation serves as a landmark recognition of the unit’s discipline, leadership, and teamwork, reaffirming India’s role as a dependable contributor to international peace and security through professional, people-centered peacekeeping.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Karate standout Marissa Hafezan clinched Singapore's first gold in the sport at the SEA Games in 32 years. She defeated Vietnam's Nguyen Thi Dieu Ly 5-3 in the women's kumite under-55kg final to secure the historic victory. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman sit down with Marissa to learn more about her remarkable achievement. They also get an update on Team Singapore’s overall performance at the midpoint of the Games, featuring insights from Marissa Hafezan, SEA Games gold medallist and Singapore karate exponent, and Phil Goh, independent sports journalist.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

Australia is introducing a first-of-its-kind law that blocks minors from using social media without a parent’s approval. Andrea Heng and Susan Ng discuss the debate with Professor Tama Leaver from Curtin University’s Internet Studies program: is this a vital measure to safeguard young people’s mental health, or an impractical policy that limits digital freedom?

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

In December 2019, a fishing boat set out from an Alaskan port with an experienced crew, unaware that an icy storm was gathering. The events that followed underscore why deep-sea fishing is considered one of the most dangerous professions in the world. This account is by Rose George, read by Rosalie Craig, and is adapted from Every Last Fish: What Fish Do for Us, and What We Do to Them, published by Granta.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

Just over 50% of voters acknowledge that climate change is real and driven by human activity, according to the latest Guardian Essential poll. Interestingly, a similar proportion held the same view more than 15 years ago. Essential Media’s executive director, Peter Lewis, and political reporter Josh Butler examine the disconnect between climate science and the politics of climate action in Australia. They also discuss why self-aware AI, rather than climate change, is seen as the biggest existential threat, and how strong public backing for gambling reform highlights the gap between Prime Minister Albanese’s current policies and the public’s appetite for change.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from The Guardian.