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.

Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday inaugurated the new Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited Hospital at Kedarnath Temple, marking a major step toward improving healthcare facilities in the high-altitude pilgrimage region. The hospital will be managed by the Swami Vivekananda Health Mission Society.

The Chief Minister said the Uttarakhand government is consistently working to ensure better and faster medical services for pilgrims visiting Kedarnath Dham. He highlighted that establishing a modern healthcare facility equipped with advanced medical infrastructure in the difficult Himalayan terrain would greatly strengthen emergency and routine healthcare services in the region.

According to Dhami, the hospital will not only support lakhs of devotees arriving during the annual Char Dham Yatra but will also benefit local residents living in nearby mountainous areas where access to quality healthcare often remains limited. The Chief Minister further stated that the state administration is giving special attention to healthcare arrangements to make the Kedarnath Yatra safe, organised, and convenient for devotees. He noted that doctors, paramedical teams, medical check-up centres, oxygen support systems, and emergency healthcare services have been deployed across the yatra route to handle any medical emergencies effectively.

Emphasising the government’s broader healthcare vision, Dhami said Uttarakhand is actively working toward building a “Healthy Uttarakhand, Prosperous Uttarakhand.” He added that nearly 6.1 million Ayushman cards have already been distributed under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, helping thousands of people receive free medical treatment across the state. The Chief Minister also shared that the government is moving ahead with plans to establish at least one medical college in every district to strengthen medical education and healthcare accessibility.

During his visit to Kedarnath, Dhami also offered prayers at Baba Kedar and wished for peace, prosperity, and the well-being of the people of Uttarakhand. He described Kedarnath Dham as not just a major spiritual destination, but also a symbol of public service and humanity. He said the government remains committed to improving healthcare and essential public infrastructure throughout Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. On the occasion, Asha Nautiyal praised the initiative and said the hospital reflects a strong commitment to public welfare and service. She added that the facility would play an important role in delivering improved healthcare services to both pilgrims and local communities in the years ahead.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Chandranath Rath, a former Indian Air Force veteran who later worked as a close aide to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was killed after being attacked by unidentified assailants in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district, police confirmed on Wednesday. According to preliminary information, Rath was travelling when he was allegedly targeted. The attackers struck suddenly, leaving him critically injured. He was immediately rushed for medical treatment, but doctors declared him dead on arrival or shortly after, officials said. The exact sequence of events is still being verified as part of the ongoing investigation.

Police have launched a detailed probe into the incident and are examining multiple angles, including personal enmity and possible political links. No arrests have been made so far, and investigators are working to identify the assailants using local intelligence inputs and CCTV footage from nearby areas.

Chandranath Rath had a background in the Indian Air Force, where he served for several years before retiring. Known among acquaintances for his disciplined and structured approach, he later transitioned into political work in West Bengal. Over time, he became associated with Suvendu Adhikari’s political team and was considered part of his inner circle of aides.

While Rath was not a frontline political leader or public spokesperson, he was reportedly engaged in behind-the-scenes coordination work, including organisational support and logistical assistance. His military background was often cited as a reason for his disciplined handling of responsibilities within the team. The killing has triggered concern in political circles across the state, with leaders expressing worry over the deteriorating law and order situation. Opposition and ruling party voices are expected to intensify debate over the incident in the coming days.

Security has been increased in the area as police continue their investigation. Officials have assured that all possible leads are being followed and that those responsible will be brought to justice. As the probe continues, Rath’s death has left a void within his political circle and raised fresh questions about safety and targeted violence in the region.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.

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.