An artist’s impression of Naimisharanya after its transformation

An artist’s impression of Naimisharanya after its transformation

An artist’s impression of Naimisharanya after its transformation

An artist’s impression of Naimisharanya after its transformation

An artist’s impression of Naimisharanya after its transformation

LUCKNOW: Naimisharanya is set for a major upgrade, Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh said on Wednesday, with the Uttar Pradesh government launching the ‘Vedaranayam’ project to blend ancient spiritual traditions with modern tourist facilities.“This initiative is part of the efforts to establish Naimisharanya as a major spiritual tourism center while preserving its cultural essence. The state sanctioned Rs 14.09 crore for the project, releasing Rs 7.04 crore as the first installment to start the work,” he said.Additional Chief Secretary Amrit Abhijat said the project is designed to promote longer stays and holistic experiences, connect key spiritual sites and enhance the overall pilgrimage ecosystem.“The project aims to create an immersive experience combining spirituality, nature and learning. A central ‘Brahma Sthan’ will anchor the complex, while a sacred area associated with the Chakratirtha will be developed to strengthen the religious significance of the site. The entry areas will have murals and installations reflecting local heritage,” he said.Officials also said that a major attraction will be ‘Veda Forest’, which will have dedicated areas inspired by the Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvaveda. The plan also includes Panchavriksha, Ayurveda and Nakshatra-themed areas, as well as an audio-guided tree path to highlight the ecological and spiritual significance of the plants.Visitor facilities such as cottages, gazebos, pathways, parking, signage and seating will be developed to improve access and comfort. Modern facilities including toilets, cafeteria, ticket areas and security infrastructure are also planned. Sustainable features like solar lighting system, water ATM and waste management system will be integrated.

A New York City mental health nurse has been fired from her job after a video of her harassing a group of Israeli tourists in bustling Times Square went viral online. In the video, the nurse can be seen confronting the people – who were simply sitting with their belongings – and shouting inflammatory comments including “baby killers” and “terrorists”, blaming them for the violence in Gaza.At one point, a street performer dressed as Spider-Man stepped in, and urged the woman to stop her aggressive behavior: “You don’t need to harass people – you don’t know anything about them,” he told her. Yet he continued his scathing attack, even directing his anger towards the costumed spectator.The anger on Instagram that ended his careerThe nurse, Jennifer Koonings, shared the clip to her Instagram account – where she has quite a following. In the post, she hurls abuse at the group, repeatedly accusing them of killing children and saying, “We don’t want you here.” Within hours of the video going viral on platforms like Instagram and X, widespread public outrage and reaction grew online, with many demanding consequences for her conduct.Employer takes prompt actionResponding to the outcry, Inspire Mental Health Services, the Manhattan-based clinic where Koonings worked, terminated her employment. Her profile was immediately removed from the company’s website, and she later confirmed her dismissal in a follow-up social post.Public records and previous media reports indicate that Koonings has a history of anti-Israel political activism, including controversial statements in the past that drew criticism.

JAMMU: Traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) remained suspended for the third consecutive day on Wednesday even as fresh landslides continued to occur in Ramban district amid heavy rains, officials said.Due to recent rains, NH-44, the only all-weather road connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country, was blocked due to several landslides early on Monday. Although it was partially reopened briefly on Tuesday morning, it had to be closed again due to two major landslides.According to a traffic advisory posted at 3 pm on Wednesday, the highway was still blocked, and evacuation operations were underway in Shalgarhi and Banihal. “People are advised not to travel on NH-44 until the road is completely restored,” it said.Officials said more than 400 vehicles were stranded, while intermittent rains were hampering recovery efforts. Traffic officials urged citizens not to pay attention to rumors and check road conditions only on official social media handles and contact numbers.

israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahuIn his first briefing since the two-week US-Iran ceasefire, he indicated that the ceasefire remains fragile, stressing that it is “not the end” and that Israel retains the option to resume military action if its objectives are not met. Emphasizing a cautious approach, Netanyahu said Israel has its finger on the trigger and is ready to return to war at any time if needed.However, he stressed that the ceasefire agreement was reached “in full cooperation” with Israel, but rejected the suggestion that the country was informed at the last minute. At the same time, Netanyahu made it clear that the agreement with Iran will not go further. HezbollahWarned that Israeli forces “will continue to attack them” despite the pause in hostilities with Tehran.Meanwhile, humanitarian losses continue to mount. The death toll from Israeli strikes across Lebanon rose to 254 on Wednesday, according to the Lebanese Civil Defense, highlighting the intensity of ongoing operations despite a widespread ceasefire regime.The United States and Iran have reached a two-week ceasefire, halting hostilities to open the door to negotiations rather than ending the conflict. Under the temporary ceasefire, both sides will withdraw from military action and talks are about to begin in Islamabad.A key condition is the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, with Washington linking the continuation of the ceasefire to safe sea passage. In parallel, Iran has proposed comprehensive terms, including sanctions relief and the release of frozen assets.The pause remains fragile and conditional, with both sides keeping military options open if commitments are not met.