Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated on Wednesday that under the leadership of the double-engine government, efforts are underway to link small settlements in Uttarakhand with roads through the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), as per a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).
According to the CMO, the department made significant progress in the last financial year, and now, in the fourth phase, the remaining settlements will be connected via Barahmasi roads. During the recently concluded financial year, 814 km of roads were built under PMGSY. Recognizing the state's development, the Government of India has allocated funds for constructing nine bridges approved in the third phase of the scheme.
The statement also highlighted that PMGSY in Uttarakhand spent approximately ₹933 crore in the financial year 2024-25, surpassing the financial target of ₹900 crore by ₹133 crore compared to the previous year, 2023-24. In terms of physical progress, 814 km of roads were constructed, exceeding the previous year’s achievement by 206 km.
On the last day of the financial year, the central government sanctioned ₹40.77 crore for the construction of nine bridges under PMGSY-3. CM Dhami further mentioned that 1,490 roadless settlements have been identified under PMGSY-4, and surveys for around 8,500 km of road construction have been completed in the first phase. The department has also initiated work on the Detailed Project Report (DPR).
To maintain quality, a special inspection app has been developed, allowing field officers to record inspections regularly. This helps senior officials monitor road quality efficiently. The initiative has been recognized by the Government of India, and other states have been advised to implement a similar approach. Launched in 2000 by the central government, PMGSY aims to provide road connectivity to remote villages. In the first three phases, most villages with a minimum population of 500 have already been connected to roads.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.
Adobe is enhancing Premiere Pro with new AI-powered features, including Generative Extend and Media Intelligence, both previously available in beta testing. These advanced tools are designed to streamline video editing by enabling users to seamlessly extend 4K and vertical videos, along with accompanying audio, making it easier to fill gaps in footage.
Alongside these additions, Adobe After Effects has also received significant upgrades, introducing High-Performance Preview Playback, which accelerates composition playback across various systems, ensuring smoother workflow and efficiency. The update further enhances 3D tools by incorporating Animated Environment Lights, which improve realism in compositing. Additionally, HDR Monitoring now enables precise playback and editing of high dynamic range content, ensuring richer and more vibrant visual output.
Adobe’s cloud-based collaboration tool, Frame.io, has also been updated with improved storage capabilities and a faster subtitle translation system, which can translate captions into 27 languages almost instantly. The platform now supports a broader range of document formats, making it more versatile for creative professionals.
To make Generative Extend accessible, Adobe is offering it free of charge for a limited period. However, after this introductory phase, users will need Firefly generative credits to utilize the feature. Depending on their Creative Cloud subscription tier, users receive between 25 and 1,000 credits per month. Those who require additional credits can purchase them through a separate Firefly credit plan, starting at $10 per month for 2,000 credits. While Adobe has not yet disclosed the exact number of credits required per use, the pricing will depend on variables such as video format, resolution, and frame rate. With these updates, Adobe aims to make video editing faster, more efficient, and more accessible, ensuring that creative professionals can produce high-quality content with greater ease and flexibility.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Business Standard.
US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that the United States would impose new tariffs on select Antarctic territories, despite their complete lack of human habitation. Among the regions affected are the Heard and McDonald Islands, remote territories known for their rich biodiversity and harsh environment. This move is in line with Trump’s broader trade policy, which seeks to introduce reciprocal tariffs on various countries and territories.
During a press conference, Trump presented a poster highlighting the nations and regions subject to these new tariffs. Additional details were distributed in handouts, one of which stated that the Heard and McDonald Islands currently impose a 10% tariff on US goods. The document cited “currency manipulation and trade barriers” as justification for this measure. In response, the US has decided to introduce a reciprocal tariff at the same 10% rate.
Although largely uninhabited, the Heard and McDonald Islands are under Australian administration, primarily for conservation and scientific research. Designated as a World Heritage Site, the islands feature rugged landscapes, glaciers, and an active volcano on Heard Island. They serve as an essential habitat for penguins, seabirds, and elephant seals. Beyond these islands, the tariff policy has also impacted other Australian territories, with Christmas Island and the Cocos Keeling Islands facing a 10% tariff, while Norfolk Island has been subjected to a significantly higher 29% rate.
The move has raised legal and geopolitical questions, particularly concerning the Antarctic Treaty, which designates the continent for peaceful and scientific purposes and prevents nations from claiming sovereignty over its land. However, Australia has maintained jurisdiction over the surrounding waters, establishing a marine reserve in 2002 and further expanding its boundaries in 2023.
To safeguard its territorial claims and prevent security threats such as piracy and environmental damage, Australia’s Defense Force patrols the waters surrounding these remote islands as part of Operation Resolute. Despite being uninhabited, these regions occasionally see visits from research vessels, commercial fishing ships, and even tourists, according to reports from the Australian Antarctic Division.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Freepik.
On Wednesday night, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi tore a copy of the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha as a mark of protest. During his demonstration, he invoked Mahatma Gandhi’s resistance against discriminatory laws in South Africa, a reference that did not sit well with several members of the ruling party.
BJP MP and Joint Parliamentary Committee Chairman Jagadambika Pal condemned Owaisi’s act, calling it unconstitutional. Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju also criticized him, questioning why he objected to provisions for Muslim children under the Waqf while raising concerns about the absence of similar measures for Hindus.
The protest was also met with disapproval from Uttarakhand Waqf Board chairman Shadab Shams, who described it as an insult to the Constitution. While acknowledging the right to protest, he emphasized the need to maintain certain boundaries. He further urged the Muslim community not to be misled by Owaisi, arguing that those opposing the Bill were part of a "Waqf mafia" afraid of losing control over properties that would benefit underprivileged Muslims.
Defending his stance, Owaisi insisted that history shows how Mahatma Gandhi opposed the unjust laws of white South Africa, and he was following the same path. Declaring the Bill unconstitutional, he accused the BJP of attempting to create divisions in the country based on religion. He further called for the acceptance of ten amendments, arguing that the legislation curbs the autonomy of waqf institutions and restricts the rights of Muslims. After a lengthy 12-hour debate, the Lok Sabha passed the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025, with a 288-member majority. Aimed at improving the management of waqf properties, the Bill is now set to be introduced in the Rajya Sabha for further discussion.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is lobbying Trump to settle and avoid an upcoming FTC antitrust trial that could force Meta to divest WhatsApp and Instagram, amid broader regulatory scrutiny on Big Tech, including cases against Amazon, Apple, and Google for alleged anti-competitive practices.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
In ‘Culture Club,’ Melanie Oliveiro interviews actors from WICKED the musical, currently playing at MBS’ Sands Theatre. Simon Burke discusses his role as The Wizard, revealing the character’s hidden complexities. Paul Hanlon shares insights on playing Dr. Dillamond, a talking goat and professor at Shiz University. Hanlon also serves as The Wizard’s understudy, while Burke reflects on key moments from his 51-year career in entertainment.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA News.
A new playbook has been introduced to support caregivers of individuals with autism, offering a structured guide on preparing their loved ones for a future without them. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman speak with Dr. Sim Zi Lin, Psychologist and Programme Director at the Autism Resource Centre (Singapore), who developed the playbook, to understand the process behind its creation. They also hear from Farah Juwita, a mother of a 12-year-old son with autism, about how this resource helps alleviate her concerns and provides clarity for long-term planning.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
At the remote orphanage where I volunteered, the environment felt like something out of a Dickens novel. The staff relied heavily on antipsychotic medication and physical punishment to maintain order.
Disclaimer:This Podcast is taken from The Guardian.
As Donald Trump and his key aides scramble to address the Signal leak controversy, Jonathan Freedland and Susan Glasser of the New Yorker examine the consequences of the security breach and explore why the U.S. president is focusing his attacks on the media rather than those responsible for allowing a journalist access to potentially classified information.
Disclaimer:This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
