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Jacinda Ardern, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, has tested positive for COVID-19.

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Jacinda Ardern, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, has tested positive for COVID-19.

Despite testing positive for COVID-19, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she still plans to visit the United States later this month for a trade trip and to deliver the commencement speech at Harvard University.

Ms. Ardern said she was disappointed to miss several important political announcements over the coming week, including the release of the government’s annual budget and a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in an Instagram post on Saturday.

“I’m gutted to miss being there in person,” she wrote, “but will be keeping in touch with the team and sharing some reckons from here.”

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Ms. Ardern, who has been fully vaccinated, has been quarantined at her Wellington home since her fiancé Clarke Gayford tested positive for the virus on Sunday. People in New Zealand must isolate for seven days if someone in their household tests positive for HIV.

Ms. Ardern said she had a weak positive rapid antigen test on Friday night and a strong positive test the next morning.

She also revealed that on Wednesday, the couple’s three-year-old daughter, Neve, tested positive for the virus.

Ms. Ardern wrote, “Despite my best efforts, I’ve unfortunately joined the rest of my family and have tested positive for COVID 19.”

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“To anyone else isolating or dealing with COVID, I hope you take good care of yourselves!” she said.

Ms. Ardern did not mention her symptoms in her post, though her office said in a statement that she began experiencing them on Friday.

Ms. Ardern joins a long list of world leaders who have caught the virus. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was one of the first and most serious cases, being hospitalised for a week in April 2020 before vaccines were available.

When the pandemic first broke out, New Zealand closed its borders and imposed strict lockdowns, allowing it to completely eradicate several outbreaks of the virus while keeping life as normal as possible. However, as outbreaks became more difficult to contain and the majority of the population was vaccinated, the country’s COVID-zero policy was eventually abandoned.

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The Omicron variant has rapidly spread throughout New Zealand, resulting in the country’s first major outbreak this year.

Kesari Chapter 2

Kesari Chapter 2: Accidentally, Akshay Kumar’s drama in a courtroom reveals Bollywood’s manejo de sexual misconduct.

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Kesari Chapter 2: Accidentally, Akshay Kumar’s drama in a courtroom reveals Bollywood’s manejo de sexual misconduct.

Scene Post-Credits: Akshay Kumar’s Kesari Chapter 2 ignora la ironía de afirmar libre discurso y a la vez propagar falsedades.

Hace unos años, Karan Johar debutó bajo el estandarte de Dharmatic Entertainment con una película de Netflix titulada Guilty. It remains inolvidable por dos motivos; en primer lugar, Kiara Advani shines in it, and en segundo lugar, probably is the única ocasión en que Bollywood has confronted directly the #MeToo movement. Guilty, que hizo un eficaz uso de la influencia Rashomon, concluyó con una titulación acerca de Bollywood having ignorado las denuncias efectuadas contra some of sus más destacados personajes. Years después, their presuntos delitos son esencialmente olvidados.

The financial package aims to address key components of Amaravati’s development blueprint, especially the construction of the new Secretariat, which will serve as the administrative heart of Andhra Pradesh. Alongside this, a substantial portion of the funds will go towards housing projects for government employees, ensuring that the civil services infrastructure is strengthened by a sound residential ecosystem. This development also signifies the Centre’s commitment to fulfilling its promises made under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, which had set the foundation for capital development following the bifurcation of the state in 2014.

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Experts suggest that this funding could be a catalyst for broader economic activities in the region. Real estate developers, contractors, architects, and engineering firms are likely to benefit from the sudden inflow of capital into the Amaravati region. At the same time, local communities may experience job creation, increased land value, and improved access to basic infrastructure. The Secretariat complex is expected to be designed using modern, eco-friendly architectural principles that reflect both functionality and sustainability. This aligns with the government’s push towards green infrastructure and smart urban development.

The housing segment of the project is particularly significant, as it seeks to provide quality residential facilities for thousands of government employees, including IAS officers, clerks, and various department workers. The emphasis on affordable, durable, and well-planned housing reflects the state’s aim to create a livable, inclusive urban zone that caters not only to top officials but also to the working-class employees who keep the bureaucracy functioning. Furthermore, public infrastructure such as roads, sewage systems, and green spaces will be integrated into the broader project, ensuring holistic development.

This funding announcement has received praise across political and social spectrums. Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has welcomed the move, stating that it demonstrates the Centre’s seriousness in supporting Andhra Pradesh’s capital vision. Civic groups and residents in the Amaravati region have also expressed optimism, noting that central support could accelerate development timelines and restore investor confidence. Political analysts interpret this development as a sign of improving Centre-State relations, which could further facilitate cooperative federalism in India.

With the Secretariat and housing construction expected to create a domino effect, the state’s capital region may also witness growth in education, healthcare, retail, and tourism sectors. Universities, hospitals, hotels, and commercial complexes could emerge around these government hubs, mirroring the growth patterns seen in other capital cities like Chandigarh and Naya Raipur. Additionally, the connectivity infrastructure linking Amaravati to major cities such as Vijayawada and Guntur is likely to receive upgrades, further integrating the region into national development corridors.

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Investors and business chambers have lauded the move as a welcome step in re-establishing Amaravati’s identity as a growth engine for southern India. Real estate consultants expect a rise in property prices and new project launches, particularly in sectors close to the Secretariat complex. This announcement is also expected to attract global attention from infrastructure investment firms looking for government-backed, long-term development opportunities in India.

While the funding is substantial, urban planners caution that proper implementation, transparency, and timely execution will be key to ensuring the vision materializes on the ground. Lessons from stalled capital projects in other states highlight the importance of rigorous planning, public consultation, and sustainability assessment. As Amaravati embarks on this renewed path, attention must also be paid to environmental impacts, especially given the region’s proximity to the Krishna River and its agricultural importance.

The ₹2,787 crore package is being disbursed under central schemes that support state-level capital development and housing missions. These schemes typically involve conditional monitoring, which will ensure that the state government submits timely progress reports and utilizes the funds strictly for intended purposes. Independent monitoring bodies may also be roped in to oversee compliance and financial accountability.

This landmark approval also revives public interest in Amaravati’s original master plan, which had envisioned a futuristic, riverfront capital city with extensive greenery, high-speed transit systems, and global-standard public institutions. Although the original plan had seen setbacks due to policy shifts, financial hurdles, and legal challenges, the new central funding breathes life into core aspects of the vision. Local architects and urban designers are hopeful that this new momentum will help realize parts of that original dream in a practical, phased manner.

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The Secretariat will likely become the nerve center of state administration, housing critical departments such as Home, Finance, Revenue, and Education. A centralized and well-connected administrative center will improve government efficiency, reduce inter-departmental delays, and enable citizens to access services more seamlessly. Digitization and automation are expected to be key features of the new Secretariat, aligning with India’s broader push for e-governance.

Likewise, the housing projects are being planned to ensure high standards of safety, sustainability, and quality of life. They are expected to include community facilities such as parks, schools, healthcare centers, and shopping areas. By creating a livable zone around the Secretariat, the government aims to prevent the rise of unplanned slums or commuting chaos, often seen in older administrative centers.

This announcement has come at a time when India’s urbanization story is accelerating rapidly. With a growing focus on smart cities, digital infrastructure, and sustainable living, Amaravati could emerge as a case study in capital planning for new-age governance. The region’s location, sandwiched between Vijayawada and Guntur, gives it a strategic advantage in terms of logistics, resources, and human capital.

As the capital development narrative gains momentum, local stakeholders—including farmers who had initially pooled land under the Land Pooling Scheme—are once again in the spotlight. Their expectations are high, having waited nearly a decade for meaningful progress.

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With the central government’s financial commitment now public, many hope that previously promised infrastructure, compensation, and returnable plots will finally see action. This resurgence of funding may also help heal some of the political and social fractures that emerged during the stalled phases of Amaravati’s development.

In parallel, government engineers and planning agencies are expected to revalidate and update architectural blueprints and structural plans, ensuring alignment with today’s construction norms and sustainability standards. The reactivation of tenders, selection of contractors, and onboarding of construction workers is expected to begin swiftly.

This will likely contribute to local employment generation, especially in the sectors of cement, steel, logistics, labor, and equipment rental. Regional construction suppliers are preparing for increased demand, which could revitalize the local industrial economy in the short term.

From a political perspective, the ₹2,787 crore fund allocation reflects a strategic decision by the central government to restore confidence among Andhra Pradesh residents. With upcoming elections on the horizon, the revival of Amaravati is being perceived as a vote-catching move that aligns national interests with regional aspirations.

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Observers believe this step may soften tensions that existed between the ruling party in the state and the central leadership, fostering more productive dialogue and cooperation.

Moreover, the news has caught the attention of think tanks and urban policy institutions. Organizations such as the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) and Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) have expressed interest in studying Amaravati’s development to assess how large-scale capital cities can be planned and executed with citizen-first, eco-conscious design principles. If the Secretariat and housing components are executed as per plan, Amaravati may once again be held up as a model of urban resilience and inclusive governance.

Local media reports indicate that the government is also considering allocating a portion of the funds for building roads, drainage systems, and other physical infrastructure to connect the Secretariat and housing colonies to nearby townships and services.

This integrated approach will help reduce travel times, cut pollution, and ensure that the capital’s core functions remain accessible to people across socio-economic classes. Early plans show promise for the development of high-speed transit links, feeder bus stations, and walkable pathways.

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Notably, Amaravati’s vision aligns well with the objectives of the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) and Gati Shakti Mission—two of the Centre’s flagship programs aimed at boosting multi-modal connectivity and economic productivity.

By channeling ₹2,787 crore into Amaravati, the Centre is also underscoring its focus on south India’s urban growth and capital infrastructure development, which had lagged behind other regions in terms of central funding and attention.

Educational institutions in and around Amaravati are expected to benefit indirectly from this development. A steady influx of government officials, construction professionals, and service providers will necessitate new schools, colleges, and skill development centers. These institutions, in turn, can provide talent for administrative support, clerical work, and civil services, further strengthening the region’s workforce ecosystem.

Simultaneously, environmentalists are urging the state and central governments to ensure that development happens without compromising the ecological balance of the Krishna River basin. Amaravati sits in a region rich in biodiversity and agricultural heritage.

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With land usage expected to rise, maintaining tree cover, controlling water usage, and enforcing green norms will be crucial. Many are recommending the adoption of vertical green walls, solar panels, rainwater harvesting systems, and climate-resilient materials in the Secretariat and housing designs.

Meanwhile, real estate consultants report increased inquiries about land parcels in and around Amaravati, particularly in the Thullur, Tadepalli, and Mangalagiri zones. Developers believe that once the first phase of the Secretariat and housing work is visible, private construction activity will surge. New townships, commercial hubs, and healthcare facilities are already being discussed as long-term investment prospects by private players.

On the public policy front, the approval of ₹2,787 crore may also inspire other Indian states to relook at their own capital city development models. The success—or failure—of Amaravati’s revived push will set a precedent for cities like Raipur, Dehradun, and even newer urban zones being planned in tier-2 cities. The Amaravati model will be closely watched for its handling of land acquisition, rehabilitation, financial transparency, and speed of delivery.

Furthermore, cultural institutions and public landmarks are likely to be planned alongside administrative and residential zones. Government insiders have hinted at museums, parks, and open-air theatres being included in the masterplan. Such efforts aim to give Amaravati a distinct civic identity, beyond just being a seat of power. These elements will also boost domestic tourism and public participation in the capital-building process.

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The approval also represents a moment of political redemption for citizens who had initially bought into Amaravati’s vision, only to see it delayed for years. With funds in hand, both hope and accountability are rising. Citizens are expected to keep a close watch on spending efficiency, and civil society groups are mobilizing to ensure that transparency mechanisms like RTI requests, online dashboards, and independent audits are implemented.

On the digital front, Amaravati’s Secretariat is likely to adopt a paperless office model from inception. E-governance platforms, biometric access, cloud-based record systems, and virtual meeting rooms will form the backbone of the new digital bureaucracy. This is expected to streamline operations, improve service delivery, and reduce corruption.

In the long run, Amaravati’s transformation may also positively influence Andhra Pradesh’s image on the global investment map. Industrial zones, IT parks, and logistics hubs in the capital region may benefit from spillover effects once the core administrative infrastructure is stabilized. This would contribute to employment generation, GDP growth, and socio-economic upliftment in surrounding districts.

For citizens of Andhra Pradesh, particularly those in Guntur, Krishna, and Prakasam districts, the revived Amaravati dream offers more than infrastructure—it promises opportunity, accessibility, and aspirational identity. With timely execution, this ₹2,787 crore investment may turn from a political announcement into a living legacy.

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