Manoj Sinha inaugurated the “Shaurya Gatha” Complex at SM Hill in Tangdhar, Karnah (Kupwara district), marking an important step toward promoting battlefield tourism, preserving heritage, and supporting border-area development. During the event, he praised the Indian Army formations including Northern Command and Chinar Corps, along with engineers, officials, and local residents for completing the project in a short time. He emphasized that India’s soldiers, through their courage and sacrifice, must remain a lasting source of pride and inspiration for citizens.

He said the complex is a tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of soldiers and will help generate new opportunities in tourism, homestays, local handicrafts, and youth entrepreneurship in the border region. He also pointed out the contrast between development in Jammu and Kashmir and conditions in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, asserting that Jammu and Kashmir continues to progress with peace and prosperity and reaffirming its integral status within India.

Sinha highlighted that the region is advancing on multiple fronts, with growing confidence and improved living conditions. He noted that initiatives under the Bharat Rannbhoomi Darshan programme, along with inclusion of seven villages under the Vibrant Village Programme, will improve infrastructure, livelihoods, and overall quality of life in Tangdhar-Karnah.

He further stressed the importance of the Sadhna Tunnel in boosting connectivity, trade, healthcare, education, and disaster response through all-weather access. Senior military and civil officials, including representatives from Northern Command, Chinar Corps, the state administration, police, and security forces, attended the inauguration ceremony.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

The Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) Employees Union staged gate meetings and protests in Shimla, demanding the immediate payment of delayed salaries and wages, and warning of a possible work boycott if monthly payments are not made on time. Union State President Mansingh Thakur claimed that despite repeated assurances from the management, salary disbursement had not been completed in most HRTC units. He said employees in around 28 depots across Himachal Pradesh were still awaiting their wages, with only a few depots having received payments.

Thakur highlighted that drivers, conductors, and mechanics posted in remote regions were under severe financial stress due to the delay. He added that employees had earlier requested salary release by Tuesday evening, as many were struggling to manage basic daily needs while on duty. Issuing a fresh warning, he said the union has demanded that salaries be credited by the 1st or 2nd of every month. He cautioned that if payments are not made on time, employees—including drivers, conductors, and mechanics—would stop work after the 2nd of each month until dues are cleared.

He also urged workers to stay united and not be misled by what he called divisive leadership. According to him, nearly 12,000 employees and 7,000 to 8,000 pensioners depend on HRTC, impacting about 20,000 families across the state. Thakur noted that while the state faces financial constraints, other government departments are receiving timely salaries, whereas HRTC staff continue to face delays. He added that since its formation in 1974, the corporation has depended heavily on government support and struggles with revenue shortfalls due to subsidised and free travel schemes.

He further said employees are unfairly held responsible for the corporation’s financial difficulties despite working under tough conditions, stressing that timely payment of salaries is their rightful entitlement. The union warned that if the situation is not resolved soon, protests and work stoppages may intensify further in the coming months.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday led a padyatra in Baramulla district of North Kashmir as part of the ongoing ‘Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyan’, a major initiative aimed at combating drug abuse across the Union Territory. The march witnessed wide participation from students, youth, members of civil society, and district administration officials, reflecting a collective resolve to address the growing challenge of narcotics. The presence of multiple sections of society highlighted the administration’s emphasis on community involvement in the anti-drug campaign.

During the event, the Lieutenant Governor addressed the gathering and underlined the importance of a united, community-driven approach to eliminate drug abuse from society. He appealed particularly to young people to stay away from substance use and remain focused on education, health, and nation-building activities.

He reiterated that the administration is fully committed to taking strict and sustained action against drug traffickers operating in the region. At the same time, he stressed that enforcement alone is not enough and must be complemented with continuous awareness campaigns, prevention strategies, and rehabilitation efforts for affected individuals.

Officials informed that participants in the padyatra took a collective pledge to contribute towards building a drug-free Jammu and Kashmir. The march began from Government Degree College Baramulla and concluded at Dak Bungalow Baramulla, symbolising the public outreach aspect of the campaign. The padyatra forms part of a larger 100-day intensive awareness drive launched by the administration to strengthen outreach against drug abuse. As part of this initiative, more than two lakh awareness and outreach programmes have already been conducted across Jammu and Kashmir.

The Lieutenant Governor also acknowledged the efforts of the police and administration in intensifying both enforcement actions and awareness drives. He praised their work in identifying and acting against drug peddlers while also engaging with communities to spread awareness about the harmful effects of narcotics. He further stated that the anti-narcotics campaign will be strengthened in the coming days, and assured that strict action will continue against anyone involved in the illegal drug trade, with no leniency shown.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu has instructed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to create a detailed, time-bound strategy to develop Dwarka, Rohini, and Narela as decentralized economic and business hubs to attract both domestic and international investment. According to the proposal, Dwarka—developed by the DDA—is expected to emerge as a major investment destination, supported by coordinated efforts led by LG Sandhu, who also chairs the authority. Similar development initiatives are planned for Rohini and Narela.

During a recent meeting with senior DDA officials, Sandhu reviewed plans for transformative growth in these sub-cities. He highlighted several key drivers such as the operational Urban Extension Road, expanding metro connectivity, Transit-Oriented Development policy, upcoming education and diplomatic hubs, and large DDA land parcels ready for investment.

He emphasized the potential of positioning these areas as centers for non-polluting industries like IT, IT-enabled services, healthcare, global capability centers, and digital infrastructure. Improved connectivity with central Delhi and the airport also makes them suitable for data centers, semiconductor units, and warehousing, in line with the Master Plan.

The LG noted that such development would help attract investment that has been moving to other cities, generate employment, and strengthen the city’s economy in a sustainable manner. He directed the DDA to finalize a concrete action plan in consultation with all stakeholders at the earliest.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

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.