New Delhi is taking a significant step toward cleaner, greener transportation with the launch of a new electric vehicle (EV) charging hub at Anand Vihar Namo Bharat Station. Designed to accommodate up to 10 vehicles charging simultaneously, the hub addresses one of the growing concerns of EV owners – accessibility and convenience.

The initiative is part of the city’s broader push toward sustainable mobility. Officials highlighted that the hub not only supports the rising number of electric vehicles but also contributes to reducing urban pollution, offering commuters a practical, eco-friendly alternative for daily travel.

With India’s EV market expanding rapidly, infrastructure like the Anand Vihar charging hub is expected to play a crucial role in encouraging more people to switch to electric vehicles. For residents and commuters, this hub provides a glimpse into a future where electric mobility is both efficient and widely accessible.

Washington, D.C. – Rini Sampath, originally from Theni, Tamil Nadu, has become the first South Asian candidate to appear on the Democratic primary ballot for Mayor of Washington, D.C.

The 31-year-old government contractor moved to the United States at the age of seven and has been a resident of Washington, D.C. for over a decade. Sampath’s campaign focuses on improving city services under the theme “Fix the Basics”.

“I’m not a politician. I don’t owe any special interest groups,” Sampath said. “It’s time for an outsider focused on making our city work better for everyone.”

Washington, D.C. is largely dominated by the Democratic Party and has never elected a Republican mayor since the position became an elected office in 1975. The city is currently administered by an elected mayor and a 13-member District Council.

Sampath’s historic candidacy marks a milestone for South Asian representation in local politics and highlights the growing participation of diverse communities in Washington, D.C.’s governance.

Late Friday night, a moderate earthquake shook Delhi-NCR and several parts of North India, sending residents rushing out of their homes and offices in alarm. Thankfully, no casualties have been reported so far.

The Meteorological Centre in Srinagar confirmed that the quake measured 5.9 on the Richter scale. It struck at 9:42 pm IST, with its epicenter in Afghanistan at a depth of 150 km.

Tremors were felt across Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, and surrounding regions of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. Many residents reported sudden jolts while sitting, along with swaying furniture and hanging objects. Although the shaking lasted only a few seconds, it was strong enough to be clearly felt indoors.

In residential neighborhoods, people stepped out as a safety precaution, while office workers temporarily evacuated buildings. Crowds gathered in open spaces, awaiting updates from authorities.

Delhi-NCR falls under Seismic Zone IV, a high-risk area for earthquakes. Even moderate tremors from distant epicenters can be strongly felt, often triggering swift public response.

Social media quickly filled with accounts of the tremors, with residents describing the experience as sudden and unsettling. Many noted shaking of ceiling fans, furniture, and other household items, while some felt vibrations even while lying down.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and have advised residents to stay calm, follow safety guidelines, and remain alert for potential aftershocks.

September through May is the period usually defined as flu season, when it’s crucial to be vigilant about your family’s health. 

The challenge during this time, however, is telling differences between the common cold, the flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) since all have similar symptoms. So when your child has a collection of symptoms like fever, sore throat, cough, or chills, what’s next?

Infection prevention experts at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, including Michael Smit, MD, MSPH, Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control, and Marisa Glucoft, MPH, Vice President of Quality Improvement and Patient Safety, explain when to seek medical care, whether it’s possible to have multiple infections at the same time, and the importance of staying up to date with immunizations.

What’s the difference between the common cold, the flu, RSV and COVID-19?

Each of these illnesses are caused by different viruses.

Rhinovirus (The common cold):

• Can spread year-round
• Symptoms: sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, slight cough
• Severity: typically mild-moderate 
• No vaccine available

Influenza (the flu)

• Seasonal cycle, typically September-May
• Symptoms: Fever, cough, fatigue, body aches, other respiratory symptoms
• Severity: Typically moderate-severe and can include death
• Yearly vaccine available for ages 6 months and older

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

• Can spread year-round, with peaks mimicking flu season
• Symptoms: Fever, cough, congestion, fatigue, body aches, loss of taste or smell
• Severity: Mild-moderate; Can be severe in immunocompromised individuals or adults and can include death
• Yearly vaccine available for ages 6 months and older

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

• Seasonal cycle, October-March
• Symptoms: Can mimic a cold, with potential for fever and more severe respiratory symptoms 
• Severity: Typically mild-moderate; Can be severe in infants, older adults, or immunocompromised individuals, causing pneumonia or bronchiolitis
• One-time vaccine available during infancy

Frequently asked questions

With such similar symptoms, is there a more definitive way to tell if someone has the cold, the flu, RSV or COVID-19?

Unfortunately, not without testing—and that is the challenge. Your doctor might order a test if your child has overlapping symptoms. For the majority of cases where symptoms are mild or moderate, it may not be necessary to distinguish the specific illness, but more severe symptoms may require a test to help the doctor determine the most effective treatment.

Is it possible to have the cold, the flu, RSV or COVID-19 at the same time?

Co-infections can happen and tend to make symptoms more severe. All of these viruses have the potential to be contagious for a long time, meaning it’s also possible to get them one after another.

Why is getting the flu shot especially important for children?

Public health recommendations from the California Department of Public Health and the American Academy of Pediatrics advise that everyone over 6 months of age get the flu and COVID-19 vaccine every year. Infants should also receive the RSV vaccine shortly before or during their first RSV season.

Getting these vaccines doesn’t mean you’ll never get sick, but they do an amazing job at helping to prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and death. This is especially true for younger kids who are at high risk for having more severe complications with some of these illnesses. 

Additionally, all the things we focused on during the COVID-19 pandemic—washing our hands, physically distancing, wearing masks—are great for preventing the spread of these illnesses.

Is there an optimal time to get yearly flu and COVID shot?

The earlier you get your yearly immunizations, the longer you’re protected. If you wait too long, you run the risk of forgetting or, even worse, getting the flu before you’re immunized.

Should kids stay home after getting the flu shot or COVID vaccine?

This isn’t necessary unless your child has a fever or is feeling unwell. These side effects associated with the vaccines do not typically last beyond 24 to 48 hours. If they do, call your child’s pediatrician, as a persistent fever is unlikely to be vaccine related.

Can I get my COVID and flu shot in the same day?

There have been many studies that have shown the flu shot can be given at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine without problems. If both are available, just get them done the same day.

An agribusiness expert from West Virginia University Extension says whether you’re planning a holiday meal or searching for a meaningful gift, you don’t have to look beyond your own community.

In fact, shopping at local farms and agribusinesses can connect you with distinctive, handcrafted products while keeping more dollars close to home, said Dee Singh-Knights, an agribusiness economics and management specialist with WVU Extension.

Singh-Knights is available to offer tips for finding local food and gifts across the state.

Quotes:

“Buying local food and farm products helps to create jobs and strengthen your community’s economy. Local farms and agribusinesses offer the opportunity to give a unique gift that shows pride in and support for your local community.

“While some local products may cost a bit more, it’s important to remember they are uniquely handcrafted. Local business owners do what they do because they are passionate about their products. This often contributes to better and more personal customer service that you likely won’t find at larger, big box stores.

“However, you can sometimes find that prices at local businesses are better because they don’t have the overhead that larger stores have. Help encourage these businesses to stay afloat by supporting them and encouraging your friends and family to do the same.

“Some farms may still have a good inventory of fresh products that you can use for your holiday meal because of high-tunnel production or favorable weather conditions. Others offer meat or value-added products that you can serve at your holiday dinners, such as maple syrup and other maple products, honey, jams and jellies or craft drinks.
“These value-added products also make wonderful gifts, while giving the gift of support to your community. Some farms also offer community-supported agriculture subscriptions, gift certificates or vouchers that can be used during next year’s growing season. Some farms even offer locally grown Christmas trees or holiday-themed experiences for the whole family.

“There are a few tools that can help you locate West Virginia farms and find out what products they offer. The West Virginia Department of Agriculture created the West Virginia Grown directory, and FarmFreshWV, an initiative of the West Virginia Food and Farm Coalition, that can help consumers discover farms, markets and other agriculture-related businesses.” — Dee Singh-Knights, associate professor and agribusiness economics and management specialist, WVU Extension

April 4: Renovation work at Puri Railway Station is expected to be completed ahead of the upcoming Rath Yatraath festiva, ensuring improved facilities for thousands of pilgrims visiting the temple town.

East Coast Railway (ECoR) General Manager Parameswar Funkwal confirmed that the main station building is complete, with platform upgrades and boundary works underway. These improvements aim to offer a comfortable and efficient experience for visitors during the busy festival season.

Pic Credit: Pexel

Infrastructure development across Odisha is progressing rapidly. The Khurda Road–Bolangir railway line is expected to be operational by December 2026, with all seven tunnels completed and major bridge work in its final stage. Other key projects, including the redevelopment of Bhubaneswar Railway Station, are also advancing steadily.

ECoR continues to excel in freight operations. In the 2025–26 financial year, it handled 544.82 million tonnes of cargo, generating over ₹32,700 crore in revenue, with ₹29,456 crore from freight alone. For the seventh consecutive year, the zone crossed 200 million tonnes of freight loading, achieving a record 286.26 million tonnes this year, while freight unloading also increased to 258.56 million tonnes.

With these upgrades and strong operational performance, East Coast Railway is well-prepared to manage the rising demand for both passenger and freight services efficiently.

New Delhi: The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has launched a special “Bharat–Nepal Faith Tour” aimed at strengthening cultural and religious connections between India and Nepal.

The tour will run for 10 days and 9 nights, starting from April 21, 2026. It will be operated through the Bharat Gaurav Deluxe AC Tourist Train, offering यात्रियों a comfortable and organised pilgrimage experience.

Pic Credit: Pexel

The journey begins in Delhi and will cover major destinations including Ayodhya, Varanasi, Janakpur, Kathmandu, and Pokhara before returning to Delhi. Passengers can also board or deboard at several stations along the route such as Ghaziabad, Kanpur, and Lucknow.

The itinerary includes visits to prominent religious sites such as Ram Janmabhoomi, Hanuman Garhi, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, the Ganga Aarti in Varanasi, the Ram–Janaki Temple in Janakpur, and Pashupatinath Temple, along with Boudhanath Stupa. Key attractions in Pokhara are also part of the tour.

The package includes AC train travel, hotel accommodation (3-star or similar), meals, local transport, guides, and travel insurance. Around 150 seats are available across different AC classes.

Ticket prices range from ₹73,000 to ₹1,03,000 depending on the class. The cost already includes a subsidy under the Bharat Gaurav scheme.

This initiative is expected to make pilgrimage travel easier and more accessible while promoting shared cultural heritage between the two neighbouring countries.

New Delhi: The Jan Vishwas Bill is expected to bring significant relief to India’s healthcare ecosystem by reducing regulatory pressure and encouraging smoother operations across the sector, according to the Ministry.

The Bill focuses on decriminalising minor offences and replacing them with civil penalties, a move that could greatly benefit hospitals, diagnostic centres, pharmaceutical firms, and medical device companies. Instead of facing criminal action for procedural lapses, healthcare providers will now be subject to warnings, improvement notices, or monetary penalties—making compliance less intimidating and more practical.

Pic Credit: Pexel

For the health sector, this shift is particularly important. Medical institutions often deal with complex regulations, and even small documentation errors could earlier lead to severe legal consequences. By removing the fear of criminal prosecution for such minor issues, the Bill allows healthcare professionals to focus more on patient care rather than legal risks.

The reform is also expected to boost investment and innovation. A more predictable and business-friendly regulatory environment can attract new players in areas like pharmaceuticals, medical technology, and health services. This could improve infrastructure, expand access to care, and support the growth of India’s healthcare industry.

Additionally, faster and more transparent compliance processes may improve service delivery. With fewer legal hurdles, approvals and operations can become more efficient, ultimately benefiting patients through better access and reduced delays.

Officials believe that the Bill will not only enhance ease of doing business but also strengthen the overall healthcare system by making it more responsive, efficient, and growth-oriented.