Category: India

An economist has sparked a discussion online after sharing that much of his current job involves editing AI-generated text rather than conducting research.

The rapid rise of artificial intelligence is reshaping how people work across industries, from coding and design to research and writing. As AI tools become more integrated into everyday workflows, many professionals are finding that their roles are evolving, not necessarily disappearing, but shifting in unexpected ways.

A US-based economist has now sparked discussion on this very shift, after revealing that much of his current job involves editing AI-generated text rather than conducting research.

Taking to X, Marshall Steinbaum, who holds a PhD in economics from the University of Chicago, shared that he now spends significant time refining outputs generated by AI tools. “I have a PhD in economics from the University of Chicago and my main work task these days is removing em-dashes from Claude output so it’s not overly obvious,” he wrote.

See more

I have a PhD in economics from the University of Chicago and my main work task these days is removing em-dashes from Claude output so it’s not overly obvious.

— Marshall Steinbaum 🔥 (@Econ_Marshall) April 6, 2026

How did social media react?

Steinbaum’s post quickly caught the attention of social media users, with many reflecting on the changing nature of work in the age of AI.

“Years of grad school. Dissertation. Defence committee. Tenure track. And now: Ctrl+H, em-dash, nothing, replace all. The invisible labour of the AI economy,” one user wrote.

Another commented on how perceptions of writing style are shifting. “The fact that we’ve all agreed that all em-dashed sentences are AI-generated is funny because now it’s in our subconscious to treat them as such,” the user wrote.

“When we thought AI would take our jobs, they failed to account for our invaluable role in em dash removal,” one user said, while another joked, “The irony of a phd economist becoming a human em-dash detector lmao.”

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/us/phd-economist-says-his-work-now-involves-removing-em-dashes-from-ai-writing-invisible-labour-of-ai-economy-101775494660833.html

 

After 14 years in tech, this Oracle employee didn’t panic when the pink slip arrived. He had ₹60 lakh in FDs and zero EMIs. Here’s how

Old is sometimes gold, and this viral post proves why. Right now, when social media is replete with tales of laid of techies, many of whom are at the receiving end of Oracle layoffs, one former Oracle employee is breaking the internet for all the right reasons: a steady hand on the steering wheel.

After 14 years in the high-pressure tech industry, the professional found himself part of the recent wave of layoffs. But instead of fumbling, he packed his bags, left the “metro city flat” hustle behind, and moved back to his hometown of Bhubaneswar. His secret weapon is old-school financial discipline.

According to a post on X by his close friend, Nayak Satya, the techie bypassed modern investment hype and relied on the “boring” reliability of Post Office and Bank Fixed Deposits (FDs). “He had postal fixed deposits in two joint accounts ₹15 lakh each. One with his parents, and the other in his and his wife’s name. He also had one in his kids’ account. Together, these give him almost ₹28,000 in interest every month. He also had fixed deposits in some Indian banks worth around ₹30 lakh, which give him another ₹15,000 per month,” Nayak Satya wrote in the post on X.

With no EMIs to drain his savings and the comfort of his parents’ home, the techie didn’t wait for a recruiter to call. He turned his driving skill into a side hustle, signing up as an Uber driver in Bhubaneswar.

“He knows how to drive, so he immediately started working as an Uber driver at his own convenience, earning good,” Satya wrote. This move hasn’t just provided a steady income; it has given him the mental space to calmly plan his next chapter – a small business in his hometown.

The story has sparked a massive debate on X about the risks of high-growth investing versus the peace of “safe” money. “I was wondering, whether adding to FD will secure my future with small interest rates where as my friends do enjoy but this is an eye opener that, uncertainty does not knock at the door. So be it… Always save,” wrote one user.

Others noted the psychological shift required for a veteran IT professional to pick up a gig job. “Even though he started working as a Uber driver, his mind thoughts would always be revolving around IT firms, how soon to land in another opportunity even though it might not pay very high,” another X user opined.

However, the consensus remains that family support and “old school” moves are the ultimate stress-busters. “That’s a solid approach. Old school planning really pays off, no stress, just smart moves and family support. Respect to your friend for handling it so calmly,” commented another user.

Source : https://www.news18.com/viral/fired-oracle-employee-turns-uber-driver-planning-new-business-no-panic-no-stress-oracle-layoff10018062-10018062.html

The custodial torture dates back to June 19, 2020, when Jayaraj and Benicks, who ran a mobile shop, were arrested for allegedly keeping their shop open beyond permitted hours during the lockdown, a claim later found to be false.

A court in Tamil Nadu’s Madurai district on Monday awarded death sentence to nine policemen in the custodial deaths of trader P Jayaraj and his son J Benicks in Thoothukudi district that triggered nationwide outrage six years ago.

The nine policemen are Inspector Sridhar, Sub-Inspectors Balakrishnan and Raghu Ganesh, and police personnel Murugan, Samadurai, Muthuraja, Chelladurai, Thomas Francis, and Veilumuthu.

Underlining that this was a “case of abuse of authority”, the court maintained that there are many honest police officers in Tamil Nadu and that the ruling will not “instill fear among police”.

“Father and son stripped, ruthlessly assaulted… Heart shudders reading about it,” the court said.

Delivering the verdict, the court made scathing observations on the conduct of the accused policemen. It said the father and son were “stripped and ruthlessly assaulted in front of each other as an act of vendetta,” adding that “the heart shudders on reading about it.”

The court emphasised that the case was a clear instance of abuse of authority, noting that “those who receive public money as salary cannot cite stress as a reason” for such acts. It also remarked that but for the continuous monitoring by the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, “the truth would have been buried.”

Terming the brutal custodial torture and subsequent death of traders as the “rarest of rare” cases, the CBI had pressed for the maximum penalty of a death sentence or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

The prosecution argued that the ghastly nature of the crime, supported by the testimonies of three direct witnesses, shocked the collective conscience of society. Highlighting the grave human rights violation, the CBI noted that the victims were subjected to merciless beatings with weapons, warranting the highest degree of punishment.

The custodial torture dates back to June 19, 2020, when Jayaraj and Benicks, who ran a mobile shop, were arrested for allegedly keeping their shop open beyond permitted hours during the lockdown, a claim later found to be false. The two were taken to the Sathankulam police station and later remanded to judicial custody. Within days, both died.

Relatives alleged that the men were assaulted through the night at the police station, pointing to injuries including rectal bleeding and other signs of severe physical abuse.

The Central Bureau of Investigation, or CBI, which later took over the probe from the state’s CB-CID following directions from the Madras High Court, arrested 10 policemen in connection with the case. Those arrested included an inspector, two sub-inspectors and several constables. The agency subsequently invoked murder charges against the accused officers.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/tamil-nadu-sathankulam-9-tamil-nadu-cops-get-death-sentence-over-father-son-custodial-torture-case-11318637?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

During the investigation, police uncovered a well-organised network operating across multiple states with links to international cyber fraud syndicates, particularly in Cambodia.

The Delhi Police has busted a major international cyber fraud syndicate — linked with over 2,000 complaints and scams worth over Rs 300 crore — with the arrest of its alleged mastermind and 10 others, an official said on Sunday.

During the investigation, police uncovered a well-organised network operating across multiple states with links to international cyber fraud syndicates, particularly in Cambodia.

“We have so far identified over 260 bank accounts linked to more than 100 fictitious companies used to channel the proceeds of crime. The total number of complaints linked to the syndicate stands at 2,567,” police said.

The key accused, Karan Kajaria, was apprehended at Kolkata airport on April 3 after a Look Out Circular was issued against him. He was brought to Delhi a day later for further investigation, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Aditya Gautam said.

The case came to light following a complaint by a city resident, Sultan, who alleged that he was duped of Rs 31.45 lakh after being lured into an investment scheme.

Police said the victim was persuaded to download a fake trading application and invest money with promises of high returns. However, when he attempted to withdraw the profits, the application stopped functioning, and the group became inaccessible.

“An FIR was registered at the cyber police station in northeast and later transferred to the crime branch for a detailed probe,” the officer said.

The syndicate created fake investment platforms and messaging groups to lure victims. They used mule bank accounts arranged through intermediaries and deployed malicious applications to capture sensitive banking details, including OTPs. Funds collected from victims were routed through a complex web of bank accounts and shell companies to conceal the trail, police said.

“Kajaria, who is believed to be the main coordinator, maintained direct links with foreign-based operators and facilitated the movement of funds through cryptocurrency channels,’ the DCP said.

He acted as a bridge between Indian operatives and international cyber criminals. He was also involved in procuring mule bank accounts and sharing sensitive banking details via encrypted social media platforms, the DCP added.

Police said Kajaria frequently travelled abroad to establish and strengthen links with overseas fraud networks and had attempted to evade arrest by staying outside India.

Technical surveillance helped investigators trace the network to Kolkata, where several bank accounts and shell entities were found to be operating. Upon his arrival in India, Kajaria was intercepted at the airport and taken into custody.

During interrogation, he allegedly confessed to his involvement in the syndicate, police said, adding that accounts linked to his network were associated with more than 2,500 complaints registered on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal and fraud of Rs 300 crore, the DCP said.

The investigation revealed that the syndicate had been active for the past four to five years and operated on a large scale across multiple states.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rs-300-crore-international-cyber-fraud-syndicate-busted-in-delhi-11315596

After Green Asha’s exit, only one LPG vessel, Jag Vikram, remains in the region and is awaiting further instructions from the Indian Navy.

After the LPG carrier Green Sanvi successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz on April 3, another vessel, Green Asha, crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, according to a report issued by the directorate general of shipping

After Green Asha’s exit, only one LPG vessel, Jag Vikram, remains in the region and is awaiting further instructions from the Indian Navy for its transit through the strait. Earlier, two LPG tankers had crossed the strait and reached India.

Green Sanvi, carrying 46,655 metric tonnes of LPG, is expected to arrive at Dahej, in Gujarat’s Bharuch district, on April 7. Meanwhile, LPG carrier BW TYR is currently in Mumbai, discharging cargo through ship-to-ship transfer operations at the city’s outer port limits. Another vessel, BW ELM, was diverted to Ennore in Chennai on April 4.

In the earlier week, Jag Vasant reached Kandla in Gujarat’s Kutch, carrying 47,612 metric tonnes of LPG, while Pine Gas delivered 45,000 metric tonnes at New Mangalore.

The shipping ministry’s report said that 16 Indian vessels are currently in the Persian Gulf (west of the Strait of Hormuz), four in the Gulf of Oman (east of the strait), one in the Gulf of Aden, and two in the Red Sea. Of these, five vessels in the Persian Gulf belong to the Shipping Corporation of India. Four vessels bound for West Asia are stationed at major Indian ports.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/another-lpg-carrier-green-asha-crosses-strait-of-hormuz-only-one-vessel-jag-vikram-remains-101775440626855.html

 

MK Stalin slammed the three-language formula under National Education Policy, saying it aims to impose Hindi on the people of Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin and Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan are engaged in a war of words over the three-language formula under the National Education Policy (NEP), ahead of the elections in the state this month.

Stalin slammed the formula, saying it aims to impose Hindi on the people of Tamil Nadu, adding that as long as the DMK is in power, he will not implement it in the state.

“As long as the DMK is in power, we will not allow the three-language policy in Tamil Nadu. The chances of victory look excellent. We will win all 234 constituencies,” Stalin told ANI on April 5.

See more

#WATCH | Madurai: On CBSE introducing three-language formula, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin says, “As long as the DMK is in power, we will not allow three-language policy in Tamil Nadu. The chances of victory look excellent. We will win all 234 constituencies.” (05.04) pic.twitter.com/Da7dEnuqey

— ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2026

The remarks came a day after Stalin responded to Pradhan’s post on X, in which the Union minister defended the three-language formula. The Tamil Nadu chief minister said the policy attempts to dilute India’s linguistic diversity into a monochromatic, homogenised ‘One India’ framework.

Pradhan, Stalin’s war of words over NEP on X

Pradhan had said the new policy is a manifesto for linguistic liberation and that it does not mandate Hindi as one of the languages. “Portraying multilingualism as a threat is misplaced. Tamil is not weakened by the learning of additional languages; it is enriched when its speakers are multilingual, confident and linguistically empowered,” he wrote on X.

However, Stalin dismissed Pradhan’s claim that there is no Hindi imposition as ‘plainly dishonest’, arguing that linking crucial education funding to policy compliance removes any real element of choice.

See more

Hon’ble Thiru @dpradhanbjp,
Your remarks are deeply irresponsible and reckless, and reflect an entrenched disregard for India’s plurality, federal values, and respect for states. Tamil Nadu firmly rejects #ThreeLanguagePolicy. This is not about opposing languages, but about… https://t.co/yKvzEhnHBh

— M.K.Stalin – தமிழ்நாட்டை தலைகுனிய விடமாட்டேன் (@mkstalin) April 4, 2026

“The claim that there is ‘no Hindi imposition’ is plainly dishonest. When a policy structurally corners non-Hindi-speaking states like Tamil Nadu into adopting a third language with little real choice, and when crucial education funding is tied to compliance, it ceases to be a matter of choice,” he said.

Stalin slams Centre for withholding funds under Samagra Shiksha scheme

Stalin accused the Centre of punishing the state by withholding funds meant under ‘Samagra Shiksha scheme’ over its refusal to accept what he called Hindi imposition.

“It is nothing short of audacity to illegally withhold a humongous sum of ₹2,200 crore under the Samagra Shiksha scheme, effectively penalising Tamil Nadu for refusing to accept Hindi imposition. These are not discretionary grants but funds that rightfully belong to the people of Tamil Nadu, collected through taxes; they cannot be weaponised as a tool of coercion,” the CM added.

In an interview with ANI, Pradhan hit back at Stalin, saying he was trying to create fear among the people of Tamil Nadu, as the policy does not mandate Hindi.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/no-three-language-formula-in-tamil-nadu-till-dmk-in-power-says-mk-stalin-accuses-centre-of-hindi-imposition-101775440465472.html

 

Addressing his first election rally in Cooch Behar district after the announcement of polls last month, PM Modi said the entire country had seen how judicial officers were held hostage in Malda.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a blistering attack on the TMC over the Malda incident in which judicial officers were gheraoed for hours by a mob, terming it an example of the ruling party’s “maha jungleraj” and alleged that the state’s ruling party was hell-bent on carrying out the “funeral procession” of law and order in Bengal.

Addressing his first election rally in Cooch Behar district after the announcement of polls last month, Modi said the entire country had seen how judicial officers were held hostage in Malda, and asked what kind of government could not ensure the safety of judges and constitutional procedures.

“We cannot expect such a government to keep the people of Bengal safe,” he said.

“When even judicial officers are not safe, how can you expect that common people will be safe under TMC rule? What happened in Malda is an example of TMC’s maha jungleraj,” Modi said.

In a broadside against the Mamata Banerjee government, Modi alleged the TMC government does not consider any constitutional institution to be significant.

“Democracy is bleeding every day on the sacred soil of Bengal under the ruthless TMC administration,” the Prime Minister asserted.

The situation here is so bad that the Supreme Court had to intervene, Modi said, alleging that the TMC is hell-bent on “murdering law and order”.

The remarks came days after seven judicial officers, including three women, were gheraoed for several hours inside the Kaliachak-II Block Development Office in Malda district by protesters over the alleged deletion of names from electoral rolls during the SIR exercise.

Using the Malda incident to sharpen the BJP’s attack on the ruling party, Modi alleged that the TMC government had endangered the future and identity of Bengal through appeasement politics and infiltration.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/what-happened-in-malda-is-example-of-trinamools-maha-jungleraj-pm-modi-11314554

Jag Vikram, carrying 20,000 tonnes of LPG, and three more foreign-flagged vessels cumulatively carrying 87,000 tonnes of LPG are awaiting a safe passage from the strait

Liquefied petroleum gas tanker Green Asha crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday (April 5, 2026). The India-flagged vessel is carrying 15,400 tonnes of LPG.

Green Asha is the eighth LPG carrier under the India flag that has exited the strait, which has been virtually shut by Iran ever since the U.S. and Israel attacked the country on February 28, triggering a global oil crisis. Before the war, India imported almost 90% of its LPG through the strait.

According to marinetraffic.com, the tanker left the Al Rams port in the United Arab Emirates on March 30 and was sailing at a speed of 12.8 knots (23.7 km per hour). It sailed close to the Iran coast, transiting between Larak, Hormuz, and Qeshm islands.

Green Asha is owned by MOL India Private Limited. According to sources, the ship was chartered by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and was originally intended for Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust in Mumbai.

On Saturday, the government had said that Green Sanvi, carrying 46,650 tonnes of LPG with 25 seafarers aboard, had transited the strait.

Another LPG tanker, Jag Vikram carrying around 20,000 tonnes of LPG, is stranded in the Gulf.

On March 19, The Hindu had reported that the government had identified 22 India-bound vessels in the Persian Gulf for evacuation through the Strait of Hormuz. Of these, 20 vessels were critical to India’s energy needs.

On March 19, The Hindu had reported that the government had identified 22 India-bound vessels in the Persian Gulf for evacuation through the Strait of Hormuz. Of these, 20 vessels were critical to India’s energy needs.

On Sunday, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said 17 India-flagged vessels, with 460 Indian seafarers aboard, remain in the western Persian Gulf region. The government said that “DG Shipping, in coordination with ship owners, RPSL agencies and Indian Missions, (is) actively monitoring the situation”.

The Shipping Ministry has taken steps to “safeguard Indian vessels and seafarers operating in the region” and all Indian sailors stuck in the conflict zone are safe with “no incident involving Indian-flagged vessels” reported in the past 24 hours, the government said.

Source : https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/india-flagged-lpg-tanker-green-asha-crosses-strait-of-hormuz/article70827444.ece

Kejriwal will appear before Delhi High Court to seek recusal of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma in a case related to the excise policy case, after ED challenged his earlier acquittal.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, is expected to personally appear before the Delhi High Court on Monday, seeking the recusal of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma in proceedings linked to the alleged excise policy case.

The High Court is hearing appeals filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against a trial court decision that discharged Kejriwal and 22 others, effectively ruling that there was insufficient ground to proceed with a trial. On February 27, the trial court had cleared all 23 accused in the corruption case tied to the now-scrapped liquor policy.

Multiple applications, including one submitted by Kejriwal, have requested that Justice Sharma step aside from the matter. These pleas are expected to be considered during Monday’s hearing. The case is currently assigned to Justice Sharma’s bench, which handles criminal matters involving legislators.

Earlier, on March 9, the High Court put on hold certain observations made by the trial court that recommended departmental action against the investigating officer. This interim order was passed without hearing the accused.

Justice Sharma cited “factual discrepancies” in the lower court’s ruling and noted that some findings—particularly those related to witness and approver statements at the charge stage—appeared prima facie flawed. Justice Sharma also requested that the trial court’s proceedings in the case of the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) should be deferred.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/arvind-kejriwal-seeks-judges-recusal-in-excise-policy-linked-case-set-to-argue-before-hc-today-ws-l-10016064.html

Arguing that Ujjain was the original hub of time calculation in the ancient world, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan floated establishing a new global time standard called Mahakal Standard Time to replace Greenwich Mean Time.

An ambitious proposal to reset the world’s clocks to an ancient Indian reference point was put forward by Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who called for replacing Greenwich Mean Time with a new ‘Mahakal Standard Time’ (MST).

On a visit to Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain, Pradhan said the ancient city, long associated with astronomy and timekeeping, should be recognised as the global standard for calculating time instead of an imaginary line passing through a town in England that was determined by “colonisers”.

“Ujjain is the place where the Equator and the Tropic of Cancer meet and ancient world time calculations were made,” Pradhan said, as quoted by PTI. “Therefore, the time has come to logically establish ‘Mahakal Standard Time’ (MST) in place of ‘Greenwich Mean Time’ (GMT).”

The move would help “re-establish the country’s scientific pride globally”, he stated.

The BJP leader made the remarks after inaugurating the three-day Mahakal: The Master of Time International Conference at the city’s planetarium complex on Friday. He also unveiled the Ujjain Science Centre and launched a science exhibition.

Pradhan also called for undoing the legacy of colonial-era education policies, saying India must shed the “Macaulay mindset” within the next decade.

“Strengthening the Science Centre and Planetarium in Ujjain is a major step in this direction, enabling future generations to move forward with a scientific outlook. Ujjain is a place where the distance between spirituality and science disappears and a new vision is born,” he added.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who accompanied Pradhan, supported the idea, saying Ujjain had historically been a global centre for astronomy.

“In Ujjain, timekeeping is not merely religious but also thoroughly scientific, as our ancestors established ages ago through texts like the Surya Siddhanta. Time and space are inextricably linked,” Yadav said.

The chief Minister noted that traditional Indian systems of time measurement were based on sunrise, sunset and planetary motion. This made them “more accurate than Greenwich Mean Time (GMT),” he claimed.

Yadav added his government aims to develop Ujjain as both a religious and scientific hub.

Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi scoffed at Pradhan’s MST proposal. He said it reflected how bankrupt BJP’s development agenda is.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/mahakal-standard-time-proposed-to-replace-greenwich-mean-time-ujjain-2891790-2026-04-05

A video, sharp rebuttals, and a public clash. Raghav Chadha’s response to AAP’s accusations opens up a deeper rift within the party, raising questions about what led to this internal showdown.

The ongoing rift within the Aam Aadmi Party sharpened on Sunday as Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha pushed back against criticism from his own party, sharing a video to counter claims that he had failed to raise Punjab’s concerns in Parliament.

Posting a three-minute compilation of his speeches in the Rajya Sabha, Chadha sought to counter what he described as a coordinated narrative against him.

“To my colleagues in AAP who were forced to issue videos saying that ‘Raghav Chadha failed to raise Punjab’s issues in Parliament’, here is a small trailer Picture Abhi Baaki Hai,” he wrote.

“Punjab isn’t a talking point for me. It is my home, my duty, my soil, my soul.”

AAP LEADERSHIP’S SHARP CRITICISM

The Aam Aadmi Party leadership in Punjab had earlier taken aim at Chadha, accusing him of failing to raise key state issues in Parliament despite being elected by Punjab MLAs.

In a joint statement, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, state unit chief Aman Arora, and senior leader Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal expressed dissatisfaction over what they described as his silence.

Cheema said Chadha had not raised “even a single sensitive issue” concerning Punjab in Parliament, adding that his “inaction” ran contrary to the party’s principles.

CHADHA’S COUNTER-OFFENSIVE

In response, Chadha used the video compilation to showcase his interventions on a wide range of issues, including air pollution, rising airfares, gig workers’ rights and the 28-day validity of mobile prepaid plans.

He maintained that his parliamentary record reflects consistent engagement with public concerns, including those affecting Punjab.

The MP also reiterated that his focus remains on the state and its people, signalling that he intends to continue raising such issues in Parliament.

See more

To my colleagues in AAP who were forced to issue videos saying that “Raghav Chadha failed to raise Punjab’s issues in Parliament”, here is a small trailer…Picture Abhi Baaki Hai.

Punjab isn’t a talking point for me. It is my home, my duty, my soil, my soul❤️ pic.twitter.com/qdTMHK4sqU

— Raghav Chadha (@raghav_chadha) April 5, 2026

KEY ISSUES FLAGGED BY AAP

The party pointed to several pending matters, including Rural Development Fund dues of around Rs 8,500 crore and GST-related losses estimated at nearly Rs 60,000 crore.

Leaders also referred to reduced GST compensation, funding gaps under the National Health Mission, and the Centre’s delay in releasing Rs 1,600 crore in flood relief announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi after last year’s floods.

Dhaliwal said flood-affected residents felt ignored, arguing that their concerns had not been raised at the national level.

The confrontation comes days after the Aam Aadmi Party removed Chadha from the post of Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha, signalling growing unease within the party.

The leadership also wrote to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, requesting that Chadha not be allocated time to speak in Parliament.

The move marked a significant shift in the party’s stance towards one of its prominent faces in Parliament.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/aam-aadmi-party-rift-sharpens-as-rajya-sabha-mp-raghav-chadha-counters-punjab-criticism-with-speech-compilation-2891802-2026-04-05

 

According to sources, the idea is being considered for vulnerable stretches of the India-Bangladesh border where conventional fencing is not feasible. The 4,096-km-long border includes nearly 175 km of riverine and swampy terrain, making it difficult to curb infiltration, smuggling, and other illegal activities through physical barriers alone.

BSF sources have indicated that an internal discussion has taken place on the possibility of using snakes and crocodiles as a natural deterrent to prevent infiltration in riverine and marshy border areas along the India-Bangladesh border, though no official order has been issued so far.

According to the sources, the idea is being considered for vulnerable stretches of the India-Bangladesh border where conventional fencing is not feasible. The 4,096-km-long border includes nearly 175 km of riverine and swampy terrain, making it difficult to curb infiltration, smuggling, and other illegal activities through physical barriers alone.

As part of a deterrence-first approach to border security, officials have reportedly been asked to identify river stretches that may be suitable for such a plan. However, the proposal remains at the discussion stage, and it is still uncertain whether it will be implemented in the future.

At the same time, the BSF is strengthening border surveillance with advanced technology, including drones, sensors, cameras, and other modern security measures.

The move comes amid continued concerns over smuggling and infiltration along the eastern border. In January this year, in a major crackdown, BSF troops of the 32nd Battalion under the South Bengal Frontier intercepted a gold smuggler along the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal’s Nadia district and seized gold biscuits worth around Rs 1 crore. Acting on specific intelligence, troops had cordoned off a sensitive stretch before spotting a suspicious individual near the international boundary fence. The suspect attempted to flee but was chased down and detained.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/bsf-considers-snakes-crocodiles-to-curb-infiltration-along-bangladesh-border-2892015-2026-04-06

According to eyewitness accounts, the cow’s hind legs were tied with a rope and fastened to the rear of the truck. The animal was then dragged along the asphalt, resulting in catastrophic injuries.

An alleged instance of animal cruelty has sparked intense public outrage in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district after a truck driver was caught on camera dragging a cow behind his vehicle for several meters. The incident occurred on National Highway-49, resulting in the driver’s immediate detention and the seizure of the heavy vehicle.

According to eyewitness accounts, the cow’s hind legs were tied with a rope and fastened to the rear of the truck. The animal was then dragged along the asphalt, resulting in catastrophic injuries.

A video of the ordeal, which quickly went viral across social media platforms, showed the cow in a critical state with one of its legs missing and the body severely mutilated from the friction of the road.

Preliminary statements from the police suggest a complex sequence of events leading up to the cruelty. Authorities noted that the cow had initially been involved in a collision with the truck after wandering onto the highway, an accident that reportedly resulted in the animal’s death.

Following the collision, locals allegedly instructed the driver to clear the carcass from the flow of traffic. However, instead of moving the body through proper disposal services, the driver chose to hitch the animal to his truck and drag it away from the scene.

The local community has expressed concerns over the lack of humanity displayed in the act, with many residents gathering to demand the strictest possible legal action against the accused.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/odisha-man-ties-cow-leg-to-truck-arrested-animal-cruelty-2892040-2026-04-06

Delhi Police’s Special Cell, in coordination with the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), arrested three youths in a multi-state operation for allegedly plotting blasts in the national capital and other parts of the country, with suspected links to ISIS.

The Delhi Police’s Special Cell, with assistance from the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), on Saturday conducted searches at two locations in Mumbai and a nearby district in connection with a case involving suspected links to online propaganda associated with the banned terror organisation Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), officials said.

In the multi-state operation, three youths were arrested for their alleged engagement with extremist content on social media platforms and for being part of a conspiracy to carry out blasts in Delhi and other states, which was foiled, officials added.

Two of the accused have been identified as Mohammad Hamad Siddiqui (19) from Kurla and Mosaib Ahmad (30), alias Sonu alias Kalam, from Khadavli in Thane district near Mumbai. The third accused, identified as Bada Imran, who is suspected to be one of the handlers linked to ISIS’s online propaganda network, was arrested from Odisha.

The operation was carried out across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and other states as part of a coordinated probe into suspected online radicalisation and terror links, sources said.

According to officials familiar with the investigation, teams recovered materials including a toy train, electronic components such as wires and circuits, and other equipment suspected to have been used for assembling an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).Investigation reveal that the two Mumbai-based accused were attempting to fabricate an explosive device using a toy train as a vehicle, allegedly acting on instructions from Bada Imran.

The agency also recovered digital content related to the fabrication of low-intensity explosive devices, including instructions on procuring materials and assembling components. Sources said the material was sourced from online propaganda magazines linked to ISIS, which allegedly provided step-by-step guidance for manufacturing explosives using chemical components.

All three accused are currently in the custody of the Delhi Police Special Cell. Investigators said the youths may have been self-radicalised through online content and were allegedly part of encrypted messaging groups, including channels on Telegram. Sources added that the accused were also using Signal to communicate with each other and were allegedly involved in discussions related to a possible terror conspiracy targeting multiple locations in India. These groups are believed to include foreign nationals and individuals suspected to be handlers or facilitators associated with ISIS.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/isis-terror-plot-foiled-delhi-special-cell-arrests-2-in-mumbai-handler-held-in-odisha

Soon-to-be brides and grooms seeking shortcuts to shed pounds before the big day have become the latest consumer target for weight-loss drugs in India.

New Delhi wellness clinic Klarity Skin Clinic touts a “Mounjaro ​bride” package, while other clinics have woven weight-loss injections into “pre-wedding” transformation packages typically focused on skin treatments and hairstyle makeovers.

In a social media video, Klarity offers “guided nutrition, Mounjaro and ‌smart workouts” to prepare brides to walk down the aisle. The clinic did not respond to a request for comment.

Eight doctors interviewed by Reuters said they have been fielding inquiries from brides, and some grooms, about taking weight-loss drugs before taking their vows. Many asked for Eli Lilly’s (LLY.N), Mounjaro, the first GLP-1 medication to enter India’s market for both diabetes and weight loss. It has become more sought after than Novo Nordisk’s (NOVOb.CO), rival Wegovy, the doctors said.
“Over the last few months, over 20% of ​the queries we’ve received for obesity injections are from to-be brides, who also openly give us a timeline on how soon they are getting married,” said Rajat Goel, a bariatric surgeon ​at Hindivine Healthcare in New Delhi.

He said he prescribed the drugs only if patients were medically eligible, not for cosmetic use.

TRADITION AND SOCIETAL PRESSURE

Weddings in India ⁠are grand affairs for families that can afford them, with culture and tradition exerting a strong influence. Many marriages continue to be arranged by families, often bringing expectations around physical appearance and financial status.
Aditi, a ​26-year-old finance worker from Mumbai, consulted a doctor in November for a weight-loss prescription after exercise and diet failed to get the desired results.
“When I see the result, I feel happy,” Aditi said about losing ​10 kilograms (22 pounds) on Mounjaro before her February wedding. “If I am not happy, I don’t feel confident. I did not want to feel that way at the time of the wedding.”
She is one of the half a dozen brides, and one groom, who spoke to Reuters about pre-wedding use of weight-loss drugs, but asked not to use their family names due to social stigmas. They cited societal pressure to look a “certain way” at their wedding and most had discontinued the injections ​soon after.

Novo and Lilly launched their obesity drugs in India last year. The market is forecast to reach 80 billion rupees ($851.79 million) by 2030. Mounjaro sales doubled in the months after launch, making it the ​highest-selling drug in the world’s most populous nation.
Indian drugmakers began selling cheaper versions of Novo’s medicine last month after the patent on semaglutide, its active ingredient, expired, widening access.
The drugs are intended for adults classified as obese, or for ‌those considered overweight ⁠with a weight-related medical condition such as diabetes, hypertension or sleep apnea.
“Mounjaro has been approved by regulators for specific medical indications and is intended to be used only under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional,” Lilly said in a statement.
The lowest Mounjaro injection pen dose sells for 13,125 rupees ($139.50) per month in India, while the highest dose costs 25,781 rupees.

Novo, which this week cut prices of Ozempic and Wegovy for the second time, is selling the lowest Wegovy dose for 5,660 rupees ($60.90) and the highest for 16,400 rupees a month.
Novo said it discourages any form of self-medication of semaglutide or deviation from the indicated use on label.

CHEAPER ​DRUGS, MISUSE CONCERNS

India could have more than 440 million ​overweight or obese people by 2050, one ⁠of the world’s highest totals, according to The Lancet.
Akshitha, who got married in Hyderabad last year, said the drugs helped her shed 15 kg (33 pounds), taking her weight to 76 kg before the wedding. A family doctor had suggested she try the injections when she worried about her weight, she said.
“There’s so much ​chaos before the wedding, with all the planning and preparation. I knew I would not get time to go to the gym and be on ​a diet. That’s when these ⁠drugs looked like a better option,” she said, adding she might consider using them again after a future pregnancy.
With local drugmakers flooding the market with cheaper weight-loss medicines, India’s drugs regulator has raised concerns about misuse and intensified scrutiny of unauthorized sales and promotion.

Source : https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/indias-mounjaro-brides-weight-loss-injections-become-part-pre-wedding-2026-04-03/

A 25-year-old British flight attendant working as cabin crew for a local airline in the UAE has been arrested and now faces serious charges for posting a photo of a drone strike

What would typically be considered real-time documentation of events is now under scrutiny in Dubai, after a 25-year-old British flight attendant working as cabin crew for a local airline in the UAE has been arrested and now faces serious cybercrime charges for posting a photo of a drone strike at Dubai Airport.

The incident is part of a wider crackdown, up to 70 British citizens (including tourists, expats, and cabin crew) are reportedly detained in the UAE for taking, filming, or sharing images related to recent Iranian drone and missile strikes. According to Gulf News as of March 18, at least 35 people were detained in one sweep alone, with additional arrests in separate cases, including foreign nationals and tourists.

What Exactly Happened?

According to the Daily Mail, the young man was concerned about safety following explosions near Dubai Airport. After the airline assured staff that the situation was not too dangerous, he took a photo of the heavily damaged area at the airport. He shared the image in a private WhatsApp group with colleagues, asking, “Is it safe to walk through the airport?”

Police later examined his phone, discovered the photo, and arrested him under the UAE’s strict cybercrime laws. He is now facing up to two years in prison and a fine of up to £40,000 (approximately 200,000 UAE dirhams which equates to approximately INR 50 Lakh).

Are Expats Being Targeted in This Crackdown?

The flight attendant’s case is not isolated. A separate 60-year-old British tourist (a London holidaymaker) was also arrested after taking a photo or video of an airstrike/missile strike. He reportedly deleted the image immediately when asked by police but was still detained.

With more than 88% of the UAE’s 11.5 million residents classified as expatriates — Indians alone accounting for roughly 4.1 million — the message is unmistakable, the authorities are policing the very workforce and consumer base that the country’s tourism and “influencer-friendly” brand so aggressively courts.

According to Detained in Dubai (a UK-based organisation providing legal assistance), around 21 people have been charged together under the UAE’s cybercrime laws for publishing or sharing material that could “disturb public security” or incite panic. The group claims the total number of affected Brits could be as high as 70.

The UAE’s Attorney-General has warned of “immediate criminal accountability”, stating that authorities will not tolerate any attempt to “exploit cyberspace” during a crisis. Among those charged is a 60-year-old British man in Dubai, a case that has already drawn international attention.

“There are countless images, videos and news reports circulating online about the conflict. People understandably assume that if something is already widely shared or published by media outlets, it must be acceptable to comment on or repost it. In the UAE, that assumption can be extremely dangerous,” Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai told in a news release statement.

Campaign for Justice

A big campaign has now been launched demanding the release of the detained Britons. Activists and families argue the laws are overly draconian and are being used to suppress information about security incidents. Critics call it “pure censorship,” while human rights groups highlight harsh prison conditions, including limited consular access, sleep deprivation, and denial of medication for some detainees.

The UK Foreign Office is understood to be supporting the families, but many feel the response has been insufficient.

What Type Of Content Is Considered As An Offence?

Authorities have framed the violations under broader cybercrime and national security laws, but the offences fall into three clear categories. According to the state news agency WAM, the individuals charged fall into three distinct categories, each different in method, but treated with equal seriousness under the law.

1. Real Footage, Altered Narrative

2. Fabricated and AI-Driven Content

3. Content Framed as Propaganda

Many of those detained were not the original creators of the content they shared. Instead, they- reposted videos already circulating online, forwarded clips through messaging apps, shared updates without verifying context, the issue here is amplification.

Two machines, designed to remove floating garbage and dense aquatic weeds, were flagged off by Minister Parvesh Verma.

Delhi has deployed high-tech machines in the Najafgarh Drain, one of the city’s biggest pollution channels, in an effort to clean the Yamuna River at its source before the monsoon.

Two machines, designed to remove floating garbage and dense aquatic weeds simultaneously, were flagged off by Public Works, Irrigation and Flood Control Minister Parvesh Verma.

“Cleaning the Najafgarh Drain is directly linked to cleaning the Yamuna. We are now using modern, Made-in-India machines aligned with the vision of Swachh Bharat to deliver real, visible change. These dual-purpose harvesters are not just machines; they represent technology-led governance in action,” Verma said.

He added that the machines are designed to remove weeds and floating waste in one go, improving water flow and reducing waterlogging.

Najafgarh Drain: The Source Of Yamuna Pollution

The drain carries untreated waste, plastic and invasive vegetation into the Yamuna, making it a major contributor to the river’s pollution. Officials say cleaning it upstream could help reduce the waste flowing into the river while improving drainage across the city.

Rs 2.9 Crore Investment

Officials said the machines, powered by a 112 HP engine, can cut and remove dense vegetation such as water hyacinth along with floating trash. They have a storage capacity of about 14 cubic metres. Built for shallow waters, they use a conveyor system for continuous collection, enabling uninterrupted operations.

The machines have been procured for Rs 2.9 crore and are ready for use.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/yamuna-clean-up-goes-high-tech-delhi-to-deploy-multitasking-harvesters-11312142

India, the world’s third-biggest oil importer and consumer, has not received a cargo from Tehran since May 2019.

Indian refiners have purchased Iranian oil amid the Middle East conflict that has disrupted supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, the oil ministry said on Saturday.

The world’s third-biggest oil importer and consumer, India has not received a cargo from Tehran since May 2019, following US pressure not to buy Iranian crude, but supply disruptions from the war have hit the country.

“Amid Middle East supply disruptions, Indian refiners have secured their crude oil requirements, including from Iran; and there is no payment hurdle for Iranian crude imports,” the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said on X.

See more

The news reports and social media posts of an Iranian crude cargo being diverted from Vadinar, India to China due to “payment issues” are factually incorrect. 🇮🇳India imports crude oil from 40+ countries, with companies having full flexibility to source oil from different sources…

— Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas #MoPNG (@PetroleumMin) April 4, 2026

Last month, the United States temporarily removed sanctions on Iranian oil and refined products to ease supply shortages.

India has secured its full requirements of crude oil for the coming months, the ministry added.

“India imports crude oil from 40-plus countries, with companies having full flexibility to source oil from different sources and geographies based on commercial considerations.”

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/iran-israel-war-oil-sanctions-us-india-makes-first-iranian-oil-purchase-in-7-years-with-no-payment-hurdle-11312289

 

 

Families of Air India AI-171 crash victims have written to PM Narendra Modi seeking release of cockpit voice and flight data recorder details. Citing delays and poor communication, they said access is crucial to uncover the cause of the 2025 crash that killed 260 people and to get closure.

Families of those killed in the Air India Flight AI‑171 crash have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, pressing for the immediate release of the aircraft’s Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) data as they seek clarity on the cause of the accident.

The appeal is associated with the ongoing frustration with the pace of the investigation and the level of communication from authorities and the airline.

In their letter, families described access to the black box recordings as “extremely important” to understanding the truth about what happened when the Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA) in Ahmedabad on June 12 last year.

The catastrophe claimed the lives of 241 people on board and 19 on the ground, with only one passenger surviving.

“We want to know the truth about what caused this crash and whether there was any technical problem,” the letter states, urging that if the data cannot be released publicly, it should at least be shared directly with affected families.

The letter is in the process of being sent to the Prime Minister.

Copies of the letter will also be sent to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu, Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) Director General G.V.G. Yugandhar, and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Director General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai.

The letter follows a meeting on Saturday attended in person by about 25 family members, with more than 30 participating online, at which relatives discussed unresolved concerns about the investigation and support from Air India and the Tata Group.

Participants said telephone calls often went unanswered and communication was largely restricted to email, a medium they said was not accessible for all.

“Many people in villages don’t even know how to use email,” one relative said, calling for a dedicated contact number or better support system.

Family members also raised questions about when they would receive the digital belongings of their loved ones and emphasised the need for respectful and direct engagement from authorities.

After the gathering, one family member told reporters that releasing the black box data was vital for understanding “the truth and circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.”

The formal investigation into the crash is being led by the AAIB under internationally accepted protocols.

Both the CVR and FDR were recovered from the wreckage days after the incident and transported to a laboratory in New Delhi for detailed examination.

An initial phase of data extraction was completed by late June, with technical experts analysing cockpit information and flight parameters to reconstruct the final moments before the accident.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/air-india-flight-ai-171-crash-victims-families-write-to-pm-modi-seeking-release-of-black-box-data

Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has confirmed that there is no shortage of LPG cylinders in India, delivering approximately 28 lakh daily despite global tensions.

Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has reassured the public that there is no shortage of LPG cylinders in the country, even as global tensions continue. The company said it is delivering around 28 lakh LPG cylinders every day, and domestic supply remains stable and fully adequate across India.

“IndianOil continues to ensure uninterrupted LPG supply to households across the nation. Delivering around 28 lakh LPG cylinders daily, operations remain steady and consistent with normal levels, even amid evolving geopolitical challenges,” the company stated on X.IOC urged people not to panic or start stockpiling cylinders. It confirmed that normal operations are running smoothly and there is no disruption in supply.

See more

IndianOil continues to ensure uninterrupted LPG supply to households across the nation.
Delivering around 28 lakh LPG cylinders daily, operations remain steady and consistent with normal levels, even amid evolving geopolitical challenges.#FuelingNationResponsibly #EnergySecurity… pic.twitter.com/BEs3gSKjtq

— Indian Oil Corp Ltd (@IndianOilcl) April 3, 2026

 

As cooking gas becomes scarce and expensive, and jobs linked to it begin to shrink, many migrants are once again packing their bags and heading home.

Five years after COVID-19 forced millions of migrant workers to leave cities and return to their villages, a fresh crisis is bringing back similar scenes. This time, it is the LPG shortage linked to the ongoing conflict in West Asia that is pushing workers out of metro cities. As cooking gas becomes scarce and expensive, and jobs linked to it begin to shrink, many migrants are once again packing their bags and heading home, echoing the disruption seen during the pandemic.

A crisis of LPG has pushed several migrant workers from Bihar to return to their hometowns. As restaurants reduce operations due to irregular gas supply, thousands employed in hotels and eateries are facing uncertainty and heading back to their villages.

At Danapur Railway Station in Patna, workers said they had no option but to leave as LPG had become difficult to access. Many complained of delayed deliveries or cylinders with less gas. Rising food prices at hotels have made eating outside unaffordable.

One worker said there was a cooking gas crisis which also led to food shortages. He added that people were forced to use wood for cooking. Another said without LPG, there was no work, leaving them with no choice but to return home.

“There is no gas, no work, and no way to cook. That is why we are going back to our village. Food outside is too expensive, and without LPG we cannot cook. We have no option but to leave,” said one migrant worker at Bihar’s Danapur Railway Station.

Another migrant worker said, “Even if work is there, how do we survive without cooking gas? Everything has become unaffordable.”

Impact seen across cities

The crisis has been reported in several parts of the country. Migrant workers are facing both livelihood and survival challenges. Many depend on LPG for cooking in shared housing, while their jobs in restaurants, street food stalls and small units rely heavily on gas supply.

In Mumbai, migrants have started leaving as they struggle with rising cooking costs and food prices. Passengers on trains such as the Kamayani Express to Uttar Pradesh, the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus-Rajgir Express to Bihar and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus-Howrah Mail to West Bengal were tracked. Of 130 migrants interviewed at two major stations, 62 said they were returning due to the LPG shortage.

Vishesh Tyagi, a 24-year-old worker employed at a plumbing material factory. Tyagi had returned to Mumbai on March 19 after a short visit to Varanasi but decided to leave again within five days.He said he could not find a gas cylinder and could not afford to eat outside every day, leaving him with little reason to stay in the city.

The Tribune quoted Ram Bhawan Goswami, president of the Uttar Pradesh Kalyan Parishad (Amritsar), as saying that around 40,000 to 50,000 labourers out of nearly 35 lakh in Punjab return to their native places during this period every year. “The shortage of cooking gas is certainly forcing many more to join them this time,” he said.

At Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, Dhaba owner Suresh said, “We are facing a lot of problems because gas cylinders are getting expensive. If someone is selling on the black market, they are charging Rs 2,500. The situation is bad at the agency as well. They say that the gas will be available only if we had made a prior booking… We are facing a lot of loss…”

Sharp rise in LPG prices

Many workers said prices of small 5 kg cylinders had risen from around Rs 500 to Rs 550 to between Rs 1,100 and Rs 2,000. A standard 14.2-kg cylinder, which earlier cost Rs 900 to Rs 1,200, is now reportedly selling for Rs 3,200 to Rs 4,000 in some places.

Some workers claimed that LPG was being sold in the black market at around Rs 500 per kg, making it unaffordable for daily wage earners.

Surat sees large outflow of labour

In Surat, Gujarat, the shortage has led to a visible exodus of workers. Over 150,000 labourers have left the city in the past 30 days.

Workers said that even when jobs were available, they could not continue living in the city due to the high cost or lack of cooking gas.

“I have returned from Udhna, Surat. There was problem of gas (LPG) and there was not much work also. We were cooking food on wood fire,” says a daily wager as quoted by PTI.

“I have returned from Delhi, had gone there to work. But there was problem of gas, it was being sold (refilled) at Rs 450 (per kg), so I had to return. Gas was available but it was very costly which forced us to return,” says Kamlesh Kumar, another daily wager.

“We are going to the village because we have not been getting gas for the last few days. Our companies are also shutting down… We don’t have money, that’s why we are going back. Nobody is helping us here… We will return once the gas supply resumes. Many people are going back,” a migrant worker, Sachin, said.

Another migrant worker, Seema Devi, claimed that she has been trying to get gas for the past fifteen days without any results.

West Asia war behind supply disruptions

The ongoing shortage of LPG in India has been linked to the conflict in West Asia, now in its fifth week. The situation has disrupted global energy supply chains. India imports about 60 per cent of its LPG, much of it from West Asia.

A survey found that more than 40 per cent of households faced delays in receiving cylinders last week.

The shortage is not only affecting households but also businesses. The restaurant industry could face losses of up to Rs 79,000 crore as many outlets cut menus or temporarily shut due to irregular gas supply.

A migrant worker, Prashanth Sahu, as quoted by TOI, said, “After the second lockdown during Covid-19, my brother and I moved to Hyderabad from Odisha. We have settled here, and my children are studying in local schools. However, the owner of the restaurant where I work has downsized operations, and many of us have been informed that we may lose our jobs if the situation worsens. We did not receive our full salary in March, and now I am forced to consider returning to farming in Odisha. I am particularly worried about my children’s education.”

The crisis has gone beyond supply issues and is now affecting daily life. Delays in refills, rising black market prices and reduced job opportunities are forcing many migrant workers to reconsider staying in major cities.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/no-gas-no-work-how-lpg-crisis-is-forcing-migrant-workers-to-leave-cities-head-back-home-10013757.html

MP Shashi Tharoor narrowly escapes an attempted attack in Vandur; his gunman is injured, and five accused are arrested.

In a shocking late-night incident, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor narrowly escaped an attack in Kerala’s Malappuram while campaigning for the assembly election. According to local media reports, a group of men on motorcycles chased Tharoor’s car near Thiruvalli Chellithodu bridge while he was travelling to an election campaign event in Wandoor. His convoy was blocked, and the accused hurled abuses at his security. His gunman stepped in to protect but was injured during the scuffle.

Based on the gunman’s complaint, Wandoor Police registered a case. Police have registered a non-bailable case against the main accused, Ummar, who has been arrested. Two additional suspects were also detained, bringing the total number of accused to three. Authorities are investigating the motive and whether more people were involved in planning the attack.

Rajnath Singh laid the foundation stone for a Large Cavitation Tunnel at the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory in Visakhapatnam to boost indigenous naval research.

Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh on April 3, 2026 laid the foundation stone of a state-of-the-art Large Cavitation Tunnel (LCT) facility at the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) in Visakhapatnam, marking a major step towards strengthening India’s naval research and testing capabilities.

The facility, being developed under the aegis of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is aimed at enhancing indigenous capabilities in hydrodynamic research and reducing dependence on foreign testing infrastructure. Singh said the project would enable India to design, develop and test equipment, systems and sub-systems domestically using its own resources.

Addressing scientists and personnel, the Defence Minister said that the initiative would position India as a strong naval power and a leader in defence technology. “Until now, even after successfully developing systems, we often had to look abroad for critical testing. This situation will now change,” he said, adding that the facility would act as a backbone for submarine and ship design, propulsion systems, noise reduction and stealth capabilities.

Singh described the project as a symbol of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, linking self-reliance directly with national security. He credited domestic industry, academia, MSMEs, youth and researchers for driving India’s progress towards technological independence.

During the visit, Singh was briefed on ongoing projects by DRDO Chairman and Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, Samir V Kamat. He also visited the Seakeeping and Manoeuvring Basin, where advanced underwater systems such as torpedoes, naval mines, decoys and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) were showcased.

A live demonstration of a swarm of man-portable AUVs highlighted India’s growing capabilities in autonomous maritime operations and next-generation underwater warfare technologies. Singh also reviewed spin-off technologies developed by naval systems materials cluster labs following Operation Sindoor.

Commending NSTL’s work in areas including torpedo systems, underwater mines, decoys and AUVs, the Defence Minister noted that advancements in swarm technology and lithium-ion battery development would be crucial for future warfare preparedness. He emphasised that reliable and robust technological systems enhance the confidence and operational effectiveness of sailors deployed at sea.

Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Naval Staff Dinesh K Tripathi, Flag Officer Commander-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command Sanjay Bhalla and other senior officials were present at the event.

Conceived as a strategic national asset, the Large Cavitation Tunnel project is being executed in turnkey mode with international technical collaboration, combining global expertise with indigenous innovation. The facility will support both closed-loop simulations for submarine studies and free surface simulations for surface ship research within a single integrated setup.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/rajnath-singh-lays-foundation-large-cavitation-tunnel-nstl-visakhapatnam-2891417-2026-04-03

Farhat (26) and her daughters, Umera (8) and Ayesha (6), died after reportedly falling into their family-run swimming pool near the Warangal–Khammam highway during a routine visit on Wednesday night. The woman’s family alleges foul play.

Residents in Telangana’s Hanumakonda district were in for a shock after a woman and her two young daughters were found dead in a swimming pool operated by the family. The bodies were discovered on Thursday morning in Punnela village in Hanumakonda, triggering grief and suspicion among relatives and locals.

The deceased were identified as Farhat (26), who was pregnant with a third child, and her daughters, Umera (8) and Ayesha (6). The family ran a swimming pool facility near the Warangal–Khammam national highway, which served as their primary source of income.

According to the preliminary probe, the family had gone to the pool on Wednesday night as part of their routine. It was during this time that the woman and her children reportedly fell into the water.

Family members and nearby residents attempted to rescue them, but all three were declared dead. The bodies were later shifted to a nearby hospital for post-mortem examination. Police personnel reached the scene soon after receiving information and began preliminary inquiries.

While Farhat’s husband, Mohammad Azharuddin, initially claimed that the deaths were the result of an accidental drowning, the narrative soon came under scrutiny.

Relatives of the deceased raised serious allegations, pointing to ongoing domestic disputes between the couple. According to Farhat’s father, Ali, tensions had been escalating in recent days over issues related to their children.

Ali has alleged foul play, accusing Azharuddin of murdering his daughter and grandchildren and attempting to pass it off as an accident.

Officials confirmed that a case has been filed, and all angles are being examined.

The incident has created a tense atmosphere in the village, with grieving relatives gathering at the victims’ residence. Police presence has been increased in the area to maintain order and prevent any escalation.

ALLEGED MURDERS OVER GIRL CHILD?

In a disturbing turn, investigators are now probing a possible motive linked to the accused’s alleged obsession with having a male child.

Initial findings suggest that the deaths may not have been accidental but part of a calculated act driven by the man’s yearning for a boy child.

According to police sources, Azharuddin is suspected to have been under pressure due to his wife’s pregnancy, fearing that the unborn child might also be a girl.

Investigators are examining claims that he had previously coerced Farhat into terminating pregnancies on suspicion that the foetuses were female.

When Farhat reportedly refused to undergo another abortion, tensions between the couple are believed to have escalated.

Police suspect that this conflict may have played a crucial role in the alleged crime. It is being probed whether the family outing to the swimming pool was planned as a pretext to carry out the act.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/telangana/story/telangana-triple-murder-man-suspects-wife-pregnant-third-girl-child-murders-woman-their-daughters-2891163-2026-04-03

Russia says ‘particular attention’ paid to cooperation in oil and gas sector; supply of mineral fertilizers to India increased by 40%

Amid the oil shock and supply chain disruptions triggered by the U.S.-Israel war on Iran, Russia has assured that its energy companies have the capacity to “steadily increase” the supply of oil and liquified natural gas (LNG) to India, and also “continue” to address India’s fertilizer needs.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, on a two-day visit, called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (April 2, 2026) and discussed the supply of fertilizers. He met with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and the leaders discussed continued energy supply to India.

The high-level Russian visit is being seen as part of the preparations by the two sides ahead of the upcoming BRICS summit to be hosted by India and the India-Russia annual summit scheduled in Russia this year.

“We discussed our mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, fertilizers, connectivity and people-to-people ties,” said Mr. Modi, who “welcomed sustained efforts from both sides” to realise the agreements of the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit hosted here in December 2025.

In a press note, the External Affairs Ministry said Mr. Jaishankar and Mr. Manturov “exchanged views on regional and global developments including the conflict in West Asia.”

According to the Russian embassy, Mr. Manturov said that Russia has increased supplies of “in-demand mineral fertilizers to India by 40 percent and is ready to continue meeting India’s needs for this product.” He also mentioned that a joint project for the production of carbamide (urea) is “under development”.

“Particular attention was paid to cooperation in the oil and gas sector. Denis Manturov confirmed that Russian companies have the capacity to steadily increase supplies of oil and liquified natural gas to the Indian market,” said the embassy readout.

Mr. Manturov said Russia will deepen nuclear cooperation with India. Other topics such as industrial cooperation, space and educational projects were discussed in the meetings.

Mr. Manturov’s Delhi visit, which ended on Friday (April 3, 2026), took place days after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Mr. Jaishankar addressed a conference on bilateral relations through a video link on March 23, 2026, during which Mr. Lavrov indicated at Russia’s preparations for the annual summit.

Mr. Lavrov had expressed Russia’s support for the BRICS where India is the current Chair. The group has attracted attention in recent weeks as it has not made a statement on the evolving situation in West Asia, though Russia, India and China, who form a trilateral sub-group called RIC, have indicated that they will work closely within BRICS, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the UN on issues that affect common interests of the Global South.

This was followed by the March 30 Foreign Office Consultations between India and Russia led by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko. This week, the Indian side hosted Vladimir Yakushev, First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council (upper house) of the Federal Assembly of Russia. On Thursday, Mr. Yakushev met Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Harivansh Narayan Singh and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. He also met Bharatiya Janata Party president Nitin Nabin.

Source : https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/russia-offers-to-increase-supply-of-crude-oil-lng-to-india-amid-war-in-west-asia/article70819611.ece

Earlier, Congress’s Shashi Tharoor and Manish Tewari had deviated from the party stand regarding the war in the Middle-East.

Two more Congress leaders have come out in support of the NDA government’s handling of the war in the Middle-East, deviating sharply from the party stand. While former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Kamal Nath, flatly said there is no LPG crisis, Anand Sharma, the foreign minister in the erstwhile UPA government, applauded India’s “diplomatic handling of the crisis” in a series of posts on X, formerly Twitter. In what could amplify any trouble within the party, he added, “National unity and a mature response guided by national interest is the need of the hour”.

Earlier, Congress’s Shashi Tharoor and Manish Tewari had deviated from the party stand regarding the war in the Middle-East. The party, though, had not commented on the matter. The two leaders’ comments had left the party red-faced earlier also, especially on the matter of Operation Sindoor. The party had benched them during the Op Sindoor debate in parliament.

This time, two more leaders had deviated from the party line.

“Indian diplomatic handling of the crisis has been mature and skillful avoiding potential minefields,” Sharma said in one of his 11 posts on the subject.

India’s response, he wrote, “must be backed by a national consensus and resolve”.

The government, he added, has held an all-party meeting to apprise political leaders about the policy decisions in “an unpredictable and volatile situation”.

“This national dialogue should be sustained. National unity and a mature response guided by national interest is the need of the hour,” he had added, clarifying that apart from the “historical and civilisational relations with Persia”, there is also the question of the energy crisis.

“The war has aggravated the energy, economic and global security challenges. Global Supply chains disruption, tremors in world markets and sharp depreciation of Rupee and national currencies presents an immediate and long term challenge that needs to be urgently tackled,” he wrote.

Also, “Critical energy supplies of Petroleum, LPG – PNG, 200 billion of Trade, the interest and security of 10 million strong Indian diaspora also almost 60 percent FOREX remittances have to be borne in mind,” he added, pointing to what is at stake, especially for the younger generation.

The stance was a notable departure from the line of the party, which has been vocal in its condemnation of the government, insisting that it has been following the lead of the US and Israel and turning against a longtime partner.

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has claimed that the government has “surrendered”.

Kamal Nath, in face of multiple reports of LPG shortage, said, “There is no such shortage. It is just an atmosphere being created that there is a shortage.”

There is “no dearth of cooking gas” in the state, he said, accusing certain quarters of deliberately manufacturing panic for political gains.
Nath’s party has been consistently targeting the Central and the Madhya Pradesh government on the war, alleging delays in LPG supply and hardship faced by the public.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/on-middle-east-crisis-and-lpg-2-top-congress-leaders-ditch-party-line-11304241?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

 

Rajnath Singh warns Pakistan of unprecedented action if terror attacks repeat after Pahalgam incident

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said any “misadventure” from India’s neighbour, Pakistan, in the prevailing situation would invite an “unprecedented and decisive” action.

Singh, speaking at a Sainik Samman Sammelan in poll-bound Kerala, said that following the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, India had destroyed the terrorist hideouts and infrastructure in Pakistan.

He contended that after the Pahalgam attack, Indian forces, during operation Sindoor, brought Pakistan to its knees within 22 minutes and it was the biggest operation against terrorism yet.

“I would like to tell you the operation is not over yet. If such dirty actions are repeated by Pakistan, our armed forces will give a befitting reply which they would not forget ever. What will happen this time will be an unprecedented action,” he said.

Singh further said in the prevailing situation, “our neighbour (Pakistan) can do any misadventure”.

“If it does so, then like I told you, India’s action would be unprecedented and decisive,” he asserted.

The union minister said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, national security has been strengthened and the government’s attitude and mode of action has changed.

This, he said, was evident from ‘Operation Sindoor– India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack of April 2025 that claimed 26 lives.

He said that during the Congress-led UPA governments at the Centre, terror attacks were rampant in the country, with no action being taken against them.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/any-misadventure-from-pakistan-will-invite-unprecedented-action-rajnath-singh-11302766?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

In a Reddit post, the techie said the employer called a meeting and marked March 31 as the last working day.

Ongoing layoffs continue to unsettle tech workers, with a young employee in Mohali facing a sudden job loss followed by an uncertain work arrangement.

In a Reddit post, the techie claimed that on 31 March, their employer called a meeting with the entire team and said the company could no longer support its staff due to almost no projects.

“Lost job today, now asked to handle everything alone for 25K WFH,” the caption of the post reads.

According to the post, the team, which had around 20 members, was told to consider the day as their last working day.

During the meeting, the employer also opened up about the lack of projects and financial strain on the company.

“He told us to consider this our last working day and mentioned he won’t be able to pay full salary because there hasn’t been much work this month.” the techie wrote.

The announcement came without warning, leaving employees shocked and unprepared.

The founder humorously said that she was considering homeschooling and investing the same amount into a SIP instead.

A LinkedIn post by a Gurugram-based founder has triggered a discussion around the rising cost of education in urban India, after she revealed the fee structure for her child’s nursery admission.

Pooja Setia, founder of The People Studio, shared that she is expected to pay ₹1,24,780 per quarter for the 2026–27 academic session. The fees, spread across three quarters from July to March, amount to nearly ₹3.7 lakh annually – a figure that quickly caught attention online.

“This screenshot is NOT a joke! It is the quarterly fee structure of my kiddo, who is starting nursery this year,” Setia wrote. She added, humorously, that she was considering homeschooling and investing the same amount into a SIP instead. “At least that way, I’ll be sure he graduates with a solid corpus, even if his handwriting is questionable,” she said.

How did social media react?

Setia’s post struck a chord with many, prompting users to weigh in with comparisons and criticism.

Reacting to the post, one user wrote, “In this one quarter’s fee, I completed my entire graduation and post-graduation and was still left with money to pursue an HTML course.”

“Not surprised at all Pooja. This is quite the norm in Gurgaon, where fee structures are unregulated (unlike in Delhi). Wait till you see the International Board fee,” commented another.

“This is so true. Especially with AI being the future, not sure how much value will degrees have. Though the peer learning might be missing, which will also be a key learning style,” wrote a third user.

“I think schooling makes no sense these days. 90% of the stuff we studied is useless. Same will go for the kids of today’s generation. Home schooling is the best. Put them into any sport activities. Normal science concepts can be learnt in a day or two,” said another.

However, several users pointed out that expensive schooling is often a choice rather than a necessity.

One user wrote, “You have options. There are cheaper schools too. We have a habit of pleasing society and false veil of success. You have options. No one is keeping a gun on you to pay this. Only if you can’t afford it but still want to do it – then you will feel this. Think about yourself.”

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/rs-1-24-lakh-quarterly-nursery-fee-gurgaon-founders-post-on-rising-school-costs-sparks-discussion-101775137308501.html#google_vignette

Liriina, assisted by a junior doctor of foreign nationality, attended to a 21-year-old passenger who was experiencing severe chest pain and breathlessness.

A potentially serious medical emergency aboard an Air India flight from Tokyo to Delhi was handled mid-air after a doctor from Manipur stepped in to assist a passenger who suddenly fell ill.

Dr. Loni Liriina, a critical care specialist currently serving at the Americal Oncology Institute, Babina Specialty Hospital in Imphal, was among the passengers on Flight AI-357 on February 28, 2026, when the incident occurred nearly eight hours into the flight.

Liriina, assisted by a junior doctor of foreign nationality, attended to a 21-year-old passenger who was experiencing severe chest pain and breathlessness.

“About two hours before landing, an announcement was made seeking immediate medical assistance. When I went to check, the crew appeared to be in panic,” Dr Liriina said.

See more

Doctor from Manipur Saves Passenger Mid-Air on Tokyo–Delhi Flight

April 2, 2026 : A potentially life-threatening medical emergency aboard an Air India flight from Tokyo to New Delhi was averted due to the timely intervention of a Manipur-based doctor, ensuring the aircraft… pic.twitter.com/QwF2wvppQM

— Neha Gurung (@nehaGurung1692) April 2, 2026

Nearly eight hours into the flight, a young woman passenger developed severe chest pain and breathlessness. She was found to have a rapid heart rate of around 160 beats per minute, along with low blood pressure and oxygen saturation levels of about 80%.

Dr Liriina provided immediate medical care, administering oxygen support, nebulisation and necessary medication.

Within about 30 minutes, the passenger’s condition stabilised, eliminating the need for an emergency landing. The aircraft later landed safely in New Delhi, and the passenger was reported to be in stable condition.

“By the grace of God, this is a situation we deal with on a daily basis in my workplace. We used the medicines available on board, and everything went smoothly. The flight was able to continue to its destination,” the doctor added.

The incident was also shared on social media, where users praised the doctor for her prompt response and intervention that helped avert a potentially disastrous situation.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/crew-appeared-in-panic-manipur-doctor-averts-mid-air-medical-emergency-on-tokyo-delhi-flight-ws-l-10012208.html

 

The Rajya Sabha MP did not caption the video, but just used a nazar amulet emoji.

In a significant move, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday removed Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha from the post of Deputy Leader in the Upper House, indicating signs of an internal rift within the party. AAP MP Ashok Mittal has been appointed to serve as the party’s new Deputy Leader in Parliament.

Hours after the move, the Rajya Sabha MP issued a veiled response by sharing a compilation of his arguments and interventions in Rajya Sabha.

The three-minute video featured the 37-year-old leader raising concerns of wide range of issues, from air pollution and rising airfares to gig workers’ rights and the 28-day validity of mobile prepaid plans, among others.

See more

🧿 pic.twitter.com/J1XgmpgOnv

— Raghav Chadha (@raghav_chadha) April 2, 2026

The video consists of a series of short clips drawn from Chadha’s recent speeches in the Rajya Sabha. They show him raising issues that affect ordinary citizens and the wider economy. One segment covers the rules governing the expiry of mobile data packages. Another focuses on the working conditions of gig workers employed by quick-commerce platforms.

The Rajya Sabha MP did not caption the video, but just used a nazar amulet emoji. The nazar amulet is a Mediterranean talisman and some believe that it protects against the “evil eye” and absorbs negative energy.

Chadha had often made headlines for raising issues concerning common masses and his Parliament address videos have often gone viral. In recent times, Chadha has largely distanced himself from AAP’s agenda or leaders since the party’s defeat in the Delhi elections 2025, focusing on public interest issues like his paid paternity leave and high food costs at airports.

AAP Removes Chadha From Deputy Leader’s Post

The Arvind Kejriwal-led party submitted an official letter to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat informing about the decision to remove Chadha as the party’s deputy leader. The party has also requested that Raghav Chadha should not be allocated time to speak in Parliament. The party has 10 members in the Rajya Sabha, including seven from Punjab and three from Delhi.

His silence on core AAP issues had sparked exit rumours, particularly after he was left out from the list of the party’s star campaigners for Assam.

Source : https://www.news18.com/politics/raghav-chadhas-first-response-after-aaps-snub-shares-video-of-issues-raised-in-rajya-sabha-10011992.html

 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday attended Suvendu Adhikari’s nomination filing in Kolkata’s Bhabanipur, urging voters to bring ‘change’ in West Bengal. Shah said defeating Mamata Banerjee would ensure change, alleging rising violence and unemployment. He added BJP aims to build ‘Shonar Bangla’. Clashes between BJP and TMC supporters were reported at Hazra and Alipore.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday had visited Kolkata and was present during Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari’s filing of nomination from Bhabanipur constituency.

Addressing the gathering, Shah urged people to bring in a ‘change’ in West Bengal.

“I have a shortcut of how to bring the change in the state. Just make Suvendu Adhikari win from Bhabanipur and the change is bound to happen. Suvendu wanted to contest from only Nandigram but I told him to contest from Bhabanipur as well and to defeat Mamata Banerjee. People of the state are distressed by frequent bomb blasts, gunfire and unemployment in the state. From 2014 whichever states had BJP in power is getting developed,” said Shah.

See more

TMC की हिंसा, लूट और तानाशाही से प्रदेश की जनता त्रस्त है। भवानीपुर वासियों का जोश और उत्साह बता रहा है कि बंगाल परिवर्तन के लिए तैयार है।#BhabanipurChayBJP pic.twitter.com/dd3Nv5M2uW

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 2, 2026

See more

Accompanied Shri @SuvenduWB Ji during the filing of his nomination in Bhabanipur Assembly Constituency, West Bengal. pic.twitter.com/h1HoO8IUkq

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 2, 2026

The Union Home Minister also mentioned that after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) comes to power in Bengal they will build ‘Shonar Bangla’ as envisioned by Vivekananda, Rabindranath Tagore, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and Shyamaprasad Mukherjee.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/union-home-minister-amit-shah-visited-kolkata-held-roadshow-lop-files-nomination-from-bhabanipur

 

The Indian Navy’s INS Sunayna was redesignated as IOS Sagar and flagged off from Mumbai on Thursday for a 50-day multinational mission involving 16 countries, officials said. The deployment aims to enhance maritime security and interoperability through joint training and VBSS operations across the South-Eastern Indian Ocean, with port calls planned in Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Singapore.

The Indian Navy’s offshore patrol vessel INS Sunayna transitioned into its new role as Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar as it set sail from Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on Thursday. It marked the commencement of a high-profile mission to foster maritime security in the Indian Ocean region through multinational collaboration of 16 friendly countries.

Commissioned originally in 2013 as a Saryu-class patrol vessel, INS Sunayna spent over a decade conducting anti-piracy patrols and maritime surveillance. Now, designated as IOS Sagar, it will embody India’s vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR). The ship is currently at the heart of the second edition of the IOS Sagar initiative, which coincides with India’s chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS). The mission is designed to move beyond traditional bilateral exercises, creating a permanent platform for integrated regional security.

In its harbour phase from March 16 to 29, the mission enabled professional exchanges, training and coordination among participating personnel. In its sea phase, the crew will now sail aboard IOS Sagar till May 20 with operational deployment across the South-Eastern Indian Ocean Region. The mission will specifically focus on ‘Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure’ (VBSS) operations, which are critical for tackling piracy and illegal trafficking in the Indian Ocean region. It will take port calls at Sri Lanka’s Colombo, Thailand’s Phuket, Indonesia’s Jakarta, Singapore, Bangladesh’s Chittagon, Myanmar’s Yangon and Male in Maldives.

See more

Mumbai, Maharashtra: The Indian Navy’s Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR initiative, promoting maritime cooperation and shared security in the Indian Ocean Region, began its 2nd edition in March 2026. Personnel from 16 Friendly Foreign Countries are training and sailing on Indian… pic.twitter.com/t1WvxoAKEI

— IANS (@ians_india) April 2, 2026

On Thursday, IOS Sagar was flagged-off by the Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth from the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. Naval crew from 16 countries will be onboard the vessel as it will traverse the South Eastern Indian Ocean for the next 50 days to strengthen bonds, carry out operations and deepen mutual understanding among participating nations. In its new avatar, the ship will visit seven maritime partner countries and serve as a floating training academy and operational hub for the naval personnel.

The minister said, “This initiative is not merely a demonstration of India’s maritime capability but a reflection of our collective vision. It represents how India sees its role in the maritime domain and how we engage constructively with the wider world.” Highlighting Mission Mahasagar’s objectives, he added that IOS Sagar is the practical model of India’s maritime ideology to not be restricted to dialogues but also work and learn together.

He highlighted that India has become the leader of the Global South and a trusted partner in the Indian Ocean region as the neighbourhood is undergoing significant transformation through economic shifts, political developments, and increasing engagement by external actors. “India’s security approach remains guided by zero tolerance towards terrorism, respecting nations’ sovereignty and the ability of responding in a credible and swift and capitated manner. Operation Sindoor reflects India’s resolve, firmness, vigilance and capability in safeguarding its national interests. Increasing jointness among the three services continues to strengthen our overall defense preparedness at the same time,” he said.

He also highlighted India’s growing defence export, which has reached an all-time high at Rs38,424 crore in FY 2025-26, recording a growth of over 62% compared to the previous year. “Today we are transforming from buyer navy to manufacturing navy and from coastal strength to blue water navy. India is not only securing its border with strength and determination but also emerging as a trusted partner in global defense. This achievement stands as a testament of our commitment to aatmanirbhar defence production,” he added.

By training together on a single Indian platform, IOS Sagar aims to enhance interoperability by harmonising communication and tactical procedures between diverse navies, combat shared threats by addressing the rise in maritime grey-zone activities, including illegal fishing and smuggling, and carry out disaster response by strengthening the ability of regional navies to provide coordinated humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Naval chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi highlighted that while piracy, armed robbery and narcotics trafficking are backed by unimpeded access to advanced technology to non-state actors, the Indian Ocean Region witnessed 3,700 maritime incidents in 2025 and narcotic substances were seized worth over $1 Bn.

He stated that competition at sea is no longer confined to oil and energy but is expanding to resources like rare earth elements, critical minerals, new fishing grounds and data, due to which marine survey, deep sea research activity and illegal unregulated fishing has significantly increased.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/indian-navy-launches-ios-sagar-mission-with-16-nations-for-maritime-security

 

The war in the Middle East has hit the supply of LPG in India. There are reports of a crunch in cooking gas for a month now. Are people getting LPG cylinders easily? To find out, we spoke to people from across 12 states. Here’s what they told us.

New Delhi’s Karol Bagh-based Akshay Dubey (name changed on request) had got his LPG cylinder refilled just before the Middle East war began on February 28. But as LPG supplies tightened and queues outside gas agencies grew longer, Dubey was reassured that he had 14 kg of cooking gas in reserve. But the reassurance vanished a few weeks later when he received news that his grandfather had died. Along with the grief came another worry. Thirteen days later, on April 10, his family is expected to host nearly 400 people for the for tehravi bhoj.

Finding enough LPG cylinders for such a big gathering is now a challenge for him. Dubey eventually convinced his halwai to cook on coal after some resistance from the professional cooks as they are used to LPG stoves, not traditional fuels. The halwai agreeing to use coal, said he would still need at least two LPG cylinders. Dubey says those will now have to come from the reserve cylinders lying at home. While his family is struggling to feed 400 people at the funeral bhoj, many other Indians are struggling to feed just their families, and sometimes even themselves.

The US-Israel-Iran war has disrupted LPG supplies across several countries. In India, the impact is visible in the long queues outside gas agencies and in households waiting for over a week for cylinders that earlier arrived in a day or two. Some reports suggest that because of the LPG shortage, some migrant workers were returning to their villages where firewood and traditional chulhas are easier to access.

A month after the Middle East war began, and weeks after the government extended refill booking limits and prioritised household supply, has the situation improved? India Today Digital spoke to dozens of people across 12 states — the NCT of Delhi, Bihar, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal — to understand the grounded reality. Are LPG cylinders now arriving on time? How long are the delays? Has the initial panic eased? And are cylinders still being sold on the black market?

We in no way claim this to be an exhaustive study. This is at best a dipstick analysis of the time taken for delivery of LPG cylinders since they are booked.

This story is about domestic consumers. Commercial users are facing a separate crisis altogether. The government had initially halted fresh commercial cylinder supplies. Scores of small eateries and dhabas, especially in cities, that could not shift to coal, wood or other fuels have shut temporarily.

So, how are people coping with the cooking gas situation amid the war in the Middle East?

DESPITE WIDER PNG ACCESS, LPG DELIVERIES IN DELHI-NCR TAKING OVER A WEEK

In the national capital Delhi, the households in lower and middle-income localities, and those of migrants, are the hardest hit. While domestic LPG cylinders are available, people said delivery timelines have stretched sharply since the war commenced because of the choke at the Strait of Hormuz. This is the narrow passage in the Persian Gulf through which 90% of India’s LPG imports have to pass through.

While around 23% to 31% of Delhi’s nearly 62 lakh households now have Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections, a large section of the city-dwellers still depend on LPG cylinders.

This is especially true in Delhi’s villages, low-and-middle income colonies and unauthorised bastis, where many residents, including migrants, continue to rely on gas cylinders. A chunk of them rely on the black market because they lack the residential papers needed for an LPG connection.

Karol Bagh-based, Bihar-native, Rahul Ranjan, who works as an office assistant in a bank, told India Today Digital that he had to wait for nine days after ordering a refill for his LPG cylinder. In the nine days after placing the order, Ranjan said, he had to visit the local Indane agency — Deepti Enterprises — over five times to enquire about the delay in delivery. “‘Aa jayega sir’, was the only reply I got,” said Ranjan, adding he was forced to visit the agency after his phone calls went unanswered.

An owner of a popular dhaba in Noida Sector 22 said that he had booked an LPG cylinder for domestic use on March 9 which was delivered to him on March 17. “My gas agency is just four buildings away from where I live. But it took more than a week for the refill to arrive,” the dhaba owner told India Today Digital on condition of anonymity.

Things got even stranger for the Bhattacharya family living in the NCR’s Faridabad. After booking an LPG cylinder refill in mid-March, seven days later they suddenly received a message saying that their refill had been delivered. But in reality, no cylinder had arrived. “We had to call the agency up. It was only on the eighth day that the cylinder was finally delivered,” a member of the Bhattacharya family told India Today Digital, hinting that there might have been some wrongdoing or even an attempt at black marketing the booked cylinder.

A Gurugram-based writer, who doesn’t have an LPG connection and relies on the black market, said that he was quoted Rs 6,000 for a gas cylinder.

Usually, the 14.2 kg LPG refill is sold on the black market for an additional Rs 200 in Delhi NCR. A cylinder, which costs Rs 914, would be procured at Rs 1,100, but now the sky seems to be the limit.

Domestic consumers who earlier got cylinders in one or two days now report waiting close to a week or more. Several Delhi residents in low-income colonies say that though agencies are accepting bookings, they are asking people to wait longer than usual.

The government has repeatedly clarified that refill rules remain unchanged and that people in urban areas can still book a new refill after 25 days. That’s 45 days for customers in rural areas. These clarifications came even as people rushed to book refills amid the anxiety over supply disruptions due to the war in Iran.

VARANASI’S ARMY VETERAN GETS LPG ON BLACK MARKET; 5-DAY DELIVERY IN UPSCALE BAREILLY LOCALITY

In adjoining Uttar Pradesh, the shortage is also visible in delayed deliveries. Customers of Varanasi’s Shri Hanuman Gas Agency in Teiyabag and Vikas Gas Agency in Sigra, said that they were not facing problems with telebooking, but deliveries were delayed.

A Varanasi-based retired Indian Army Colonel, whose family includes 15 members, told India Today that he has tried booking refills with both Indane and Bharat Gas, but the delay in delivery forced him to buy two cylinders on the black market.

“Since ours is a joint family of 15 people, we need at least three cylinders a month. This is the first time I have seen such a crisis,” the retired Colonel, seeking anonymity, told India Today Digital.

In western Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly, Aditya Mehrotra, the owner of a cloud kitchen, told India Today Digital that in his area, “LPG cylinders are being delivered within four to five days of booking.” He said he sees “delivery workers bringing cylinders almost daily in his DD Puram locality”. Mehrotra, however, acknowledged that “black market prices for domestic cylinders have risen, and that some were trying to profiteer by exploiting people’s panic.”

An Agra-based journalist, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that in the city a gas cylinder that earlier took two to three days to arrive was now taking 18 to 20 days. He added that cylinders are also being sold on the black market for more than Rs 2,000 above the regular price.

MIXED IMPACT IN KARNATAKA. MANGALURU WOMAN REPORTS 40-DAY DELAY IN GAS DELIVERY

In Karnataka, while the LPG supply crunch has had a limited effect in large areas, it is severe in some others, people said.

In Bengaluru, a domestic help, Pooja Kumari, said the problem of gas cylinders was mounting. Kumari, who lives next to the Om Sairam Gas Agency in the SG Palya Market in Bengaluru’s CV Raman Nagar, said, “When the news came that there could be a gas shortage, I booked a cylinder immediately, but it has been over 25 days, and it hasn’t been delivered yet”.

“Earlier, it would be delivered within 2–3 days after booking. My husband checked if we could get a cylinder on the black market, but the prices were too high. In some places, it is Rs 2,500; Rs 3,500 in others. We can’t afford it,” Kumari told India Today Digital.

Priya, a rural resident of Vijayapura district in northern Karnataka, said, “We haven’t faced any major LPG crisis, but when the Iran war began, the buzz of potential LPG shortage triggered panic in our village. I witnessed the chaos outside the Ravi Indane Gas Agency created by villagers”.

“However, there is no major problem with LPG supply. We are able to book cylinders, and the agency has assured us of delivering them in 25 days. I’ve also heard that some restaurants are procuring LPG cylinders for Rs 3,000–Rs 4,000 on the black market. Interestingly, in our village, even if there is no crisis, people are using firewood stoves to save LPG,” Priya told India Today Digital.

Mangaluru-based Harsha said, “There is an LPG crisis. We are receiving LPG cylinders after 30–45 days of booking from our gas agency. We consume boiled rice daily, and boiling the rice takes a lot of energy. My family and our neighbours have started using firewood stoves to cook some food items.”

Hasha said that several Mangalorians who were in the food business in different parts of the country were returning after shuttering their restaurants temporarily.

PANIC EASES IN TAMIL NADU, LPG SUPPLY RETURNS TO NORMAL

Tamil Nadu appears to be relatively stable compared to many northern states, but delays are still visible in some places.

Cuddalore-based Kalidass recalled that “the first two weeks of the war were total chaos.”

“Panic spread in the people of our town due to lack of information. Now the situation is normal here. We are receiving LPG cylinders in time,” Kalidass told India Today Digital.

The bigger problem in Tamil Nadu has been commercial supply, according to reports. Many small eateries and roadside food stalls have shifted to wood and coal because commercial LPG cylinders are not easily available.

LPG BOOKINGS EASY, DELIVERIES SLOW IN KOLKATA; BLACK MARKET SALES CONTINUE

People in and around West Bengal’s Kolkata, India Today Digital spoke to, described the situation as mixed. Most said they were able to book cylinders online without much trouble, but they reported a delay in delivery after bookings were made.

Howrah-based MBA student Rumela Karar told India Today Digital that she was able to book a cylinder refill online last week. However, the delivery took much longer than usual. “It used to take 2–3 days before the war. It’s now taking 10–12 days extra,” Karar said.

From New Barrackpore, government teacher Nandini Sanyal said she booked gas cylinder refills on two separate occasions in March. “The delivery for the refill order I made in early March took two days. But it took 10 days for the cylinder to be delivered in the second instance,” said Sanyal, who has her connection with Renuka Indane gas agency.

An entrepreneur from Sonarpur, Preetish Banerjee, said the delivery of an LPG cylinder refill last week took seven days, compared to the earlier two to three days. “A big number of LPG cylinders are being sold on the black market,” he said.

IN BIHAR LPG CRUNCH PUSHES PEOPLE BACK TO CHULHAS; WEEK-LONG WAIT IN JHARKHAND

Patna-based Ragini Tiwari said that while the upscale areas of the city are better off amid the LPG crunch, she saw massive queues of people from poorer households in mohallas inhabited by low-income groups. Tiwari, who booked a refill on March 6, said it was delivered on March 12.

Tiwari said that her househelp, who had shifted to LPG, thanks to the Centre’s Ujjwala Yojna, is now using cow-dung cakes and firewood to cook at her home. “She is unable to book and can’t afford a Rs 4,000-cylinder,” Tiwari said.

A gas-delivery agent from Bihar’s eastern district of Purnea, told India Today Digital, “the wait-time between LPG cylinder booking and delivery has increased from three days to eight days.”

When asked if he could somehow arrange a cylinder unofficially, the Indane delivery agent said the war had made things far stricter. “There is documentation at every step now. Every cylinder is being accounted for. If even one cylinder is diverted, we could get caught. There is no chance of doing anything at our level,” he said. “If you want one, it can be done by someone higher up,” he said, hinting that black marketing was still taking place.

A resident of Jharkhand’s Dhanbad, Ritu Gupta, said that the delivery time of LPG gas cylinders in her city had increased from four days to a week. The Dhanbad resident also added that some families were now relying on wood and cow dung cakes for daily cooking.

PIPED GAS HELPS GUJARAT. MUMBAI SEES LONG QUEUES BUT CYLINDERS ARE AVAILABLE

Ahmedabad-based architect Shivani Singh told India Today Digital that there was no shortage of gas in the city, as most places have PNG. “The main vendors are either Adani Gas or Gujarat Gas Limited,” Singh said.

“Very few people have LPG connections, so even if people need a cylinder, it is relatively more easily available,” she said.

Things are sailing relatively smoothly in Mumbai too, at least according to two people from two different suburbs who spoke to India Today Digital.

From Mumbai’s Goregaon East suburb, statistician and marketing executive Nikunj Sabharwal said his family has been able to procure three cylinders in three separate visits to the agency. He said he got them “almost as soon as the bookings were made.”

In Powai’s Hiranandani area, security guard Ashok Ayyappan said that “while there are long queues outside his local gas agency, Ashok Gas Agency, in Chandivali, cylinders are available.”

LESS PANIC IN RAJASTHAN, PUNJAB, BUT BLACK MARKET AND LITTLE DELAYS REMAIN

Rajasthan and Punjab have not seen the kind of severe panic as reported from Delhi and parts of Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka. However, delays and black market sales remain a concern.

A homemaker from Punjab’s Hoshiarpur district told India Today Digital that “delivery time in her area has now crossed 10 days”.

She said people who are panicking during the waiting period are paying Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 for cylinders on the black market.

From Kota in Rajasthan, a resident told India Today Digital that after she was unable to book a cylinder online in mid-March, she was forced to go to the agency. Even then, the cylinder was delivered after seven days, the person said.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-lpg-crisis-middle-east-war-booking-problems-delivery-delays-black-market-delhi-bihar-up-2890810-2026-04-03

The Himachal Pradesh Assembly has passed an amendment to deny pension benefits to MLAs disqualified under the anti-defection law, with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu saying the move is aimed at protecting the public mandate and curbing political defections.

The Himachal Pradesh Assembly on the final day of its Budget Session passed the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly (Allowances and Pension of Members) Amendment Bill, 2026, introducing a provision to deny pension benefits to legislators disqualified under the anti-defection law.

The Bill, moved by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, amends the 1971 Act governing salaries, allowances and pensions of MLAs. Under the new provision, any MLA disqualified under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution for defection will no longer be entitled to pension benefits.

MOVE AIMED AT CURBING DEFECTIONS

Explaining the rationale, Sukhu said the existing law lacked provisions to discourage defections. He said the amendment aims to safeguard the public mandate, uphold democratic values and curb defection.

The Chief Minister also accused the BJP of not supporting the measure and alleged that such opposition encourages “Operation Lotus”. He said the amendment was intended to ensure that “democracy is not sold.”

OPPOSITION ALLEGES POLITICAL TARGETING

The Opposition opposed the Bill, calling it politically motivated. Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur said a similar amendment had been brought earlier but did not receive approval, and questioned the intent behind reintroducing it.

He alleged the government was targeting specific individuals, stating that an earlier proposal to remove pensions for all MLAs was not cleared, and that the current Bill appears aimed at two former legislators. He also said the matter could be challenged in court.

SPEAKER BACKS MOVE

Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania supported the legislation, saying it would set an example for other states and strengthen democratic systems by discouraging defections.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/himachal-assembly-passes-bill-deny-pension-mlas-disqualified-under-anti-defection-law-2890921-2026-04-02

From record highs to wider global reach, India’s defence exports are gaining momentum, signalling a steady climb towards a larger role in the global arms market.

India’s defence exports reached an all-time high of Rs 38,424 crore in the financial year 2025-26, marking a sharp 62.66 per cent increase from Rs 23,622 crore in the previous fiscal, according to official government data.

The increase of Rs 14,802 crore reflects a sustained rise in outbound defence shipments to over 80 countries, including Israel and the United States, which are currently engaged in a military campaign against Iran in the Middle East. Exports have nearly tripled over the past five years, indicating a steady expansion of India’s presence in the global defence market.

Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) drove much of the growth, with exports rising 151 per cent year-on-year to Rs 21,071 crore from Rs 8,389 crore in FY25. The private sector also recorded steady gains, with exports increasing 14 per cent to Rs 17,353 crore from Rs 15,233 crore a year earlier. DPSUs accounted for 54.84 per cent of total exports, while private firms contributed 45.16 per cent.

The number of registered defence exporters also rose to 145 in FY26, up from 128 in the previous fiscal, marking a 13.3 per cent increase, the government data further noted.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the performance, describing it as an “impressive success story” under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.

In a social media post, Singh said India is steadily advancing towards becoming a global manufacturing hub for defence equipment, crediting the achievement to the combined efforts of the Department of Defence Production, exporters, and industry stakeholders.

“This big jump of Rs 14,802 crore in defence exports reflects the growing global trust in India’s indigenous capabilities and advanced manufacturing strength. With DPSUs contributing 54.84 per cent and private industry 45.16 per cent, this milestone showcases the power of a collaborative and self-reliant defence ecosystem,” the Defence Minister said.

The sharp rise in exports underscores the increasing global acceptance of Indian defence products and the country’s growing integration into international supply chains. India is now exporting defence equipment to over 80 countries, further strengthening its position in the global market.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-defence-exports-surge-new-record-global-arms-market-wars-conflict-rajnath-singh-2890656-2026-04-02

The case dates back to 2022. In Agra’s Etmadpur area, the husband, along with his family members, murdered his wife and her cousin over suspicions of an illicit relationship. After the incident, the wife’s body was found at the doorstep of the house, while cousin’s body lay in the street.

A four-year-old double murder case in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, concluded with a court sentencing a man, his father, and brother to death for killing his wife and her cousin with a sharp-edged weapon.

The court also imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh each on the three convicts — the husband, his father, and his brother.

The case dates back to 2022. In Agra’s Etmadpur area, the husband, along with his family members, murdered his wife and her cousin over suspicions of an illicit relationship.

According to reports, the cousin, 31-year-old Shivam Sisodia, lived behind the house of the accused’s relatives.

The accused, Gaurav, was married to Pooja, a resident of Khidiya village in the Saiyan area. Due to family ties, Shivam frequently visited their home.

The family suspected that Pooja and Shivam were close. On the afternoon of May 27, 2022, Shivam had gone to meet Pooja at her house, where the family allegedly caught them together. They were then dragged out of the house into the street.

It is alleged that Gaurav, along with his father Madan and brother Abhishek, chased and beat Pooja and Shivam with sticks. When the two fell to the ground, their throats were slit with a farsa.

Reports say that Gaurav’s brother attacked Shivam 22 times within a minute.

After the incident, Pooja’s body was found at the doorstep of the house, while Shivam’s body lay in the street.

Following the murders, Gaurav reportedly sat near his wife’s body and cried, while his father and brother went to the Etmad-ud-Daula police station and surrendered.

Police recovered the farsa used in the crime and a blood-stained stick from a drain at the scene.

A total of 14 witnesses were presented in court. Key evidence included the testimony of Shivam’s brother Abhishek and CCTV footage of the incident.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Mohit Pal said over the phone that the court found Madan, Gaurav, and Abhishek guilty of the killings and sentenced them to death.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/agra-double-murder-case-death-sentence-husband-father-brother-2022-killing-2890410-2026-04-02

According to initial reports, the victims were labourers engaged in work related to the expressway and were travelling in a mini-truck pickup vehicle at the time of the accident.

A devastating road accident in Maharashtra left seven women dead and four others seriously injured after a speeding truck rammed into a mini-truck carrying labourers on the Samruddhi Expressway in Jalna district. The incident, which occurred near Kadwanchi village, triggered grief and outrage across the region, once again highlighting concerns over reckless driving and road safety on high-speed corridors.

According to initial reports, the victims were labourers engaged in work related to the expressway and were travelling in a mini-truck pickup vehicle at the time of the accident.

A truck, allegedly moving at high speed, approached from behind and crashed into the vehicle with tremendous force.

The impact was so severe that seven women died on the spot, while four others sustained critical injuries, including head trauma and fractures.

“A total of 11 persons, including the driver, were sitting in the tempo. As the vehicle was about to start, a speeding truck headed towards Mumbai rammed into it from behind at Kadvanchi village,” a police official said.

Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic and deeply distressing, with victims flung off the vehicle due to the collision.

Local residents were among the first to respond, quickly alerting authorities and assisting in rescue efforts.

Police teams and ambulances soon arrived at the spot, and an immediate rescue operation was launched.

The injured were initially taken to the district general hospital in Jalna before being shifted to a private facility for advanced treatment, where they remain under medical care.

Preliminary findings suggest that negligence and overspeeding by the truck driver may have led to the accident.

The police have taken the driver into custody and registered a case of culpable homicide.

Officials confirmed that further investigation is underway to determine the exact sequence of events and any additional lapses that may have contributed to the tragedy.

The deceased have been identified as Alkabai Dadarao Admane (45), Laxmibai Santosh Madan (35), Meenabai Parmeshwar Admane (45), Kanchanbai Prakash Admane (50), Tarabai Gahenaji Chaudhary (60), Kadubai Ramdas Madan (55), and Sumanbai Kachru Admane (70).

All were residents of nearby villages and were working as labourers.

Among the injured are Prayagbai Babasaheb Wagh (30), Kavita Vitthal Chaudhary (35), Dinesh Ranganath Gaikwad (42), and an unidentified woman aged around 50.

Doctors have indicated that several of the injured suffered serious head injuries and remain under close observation.

Public representatives and senior officials visited both the accident site and the hospital.

Local MLA Arjun Khotkar met with the injured and assured the victims’ families of government support and compensation.

District Collector Ashima Mittal and Superintendent of Police Ajaykumar Bansal also reviewed the situation and directed authorities to expedite relief measures and the investigation.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of seven lives, calling the incident extremely unfortunate. He announced an ex gratia compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the families of each of the deceased.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/maharashtra-accident-speeding-truck-crash-mini-truck-killing-women-injuring-others-jalna-maharashtra-2890344-2026-04-01

The meeting reviewed measures to ensure stability in essential supplies, including fuel, power and logistics, with adequate coal stocks in place. It also discussed steps across key sectors and efforts to secure fertiliser supply, while directing states to curb hoarding and diversion.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) to review measures being taken amid the ongoing West Asia conflict, with focus on ensuring sufficient LPG supply and diversifying procurement from multiple countries.

Officials briefed that sources of LPG and LNG are being expanded with new inflows from different countries, while domestic LPG prices have remained unchanged. Anti-diversion drives are also being carried out to curb hoarding and black marketing.

The meeting reviewed steps to ensure stability in essential supplies, including fuel duty measures, power sector preparedness and logistics. Adequate coal stocks are in place to meet power demand in the coming months, while steps such as easing norms for gas-based plants and increasing coal supply to thermal stations have been undertaken.

Interventions across agriculture, fertilisers, shipping, aviation, logistics and MSMEs were discussed to mitigate emerging challenges. Efforts to maintain urea production and coordinate with global suppliers for DAP and NPK fertilisers are underway, with states asked to act against hoarding and diversion.

Initiatives have also been taken to expand Piped Natural Gas connections. Measures such as exempting gas-based power plants with a capacity of 7-8 GW from the gas pooling mechanism and increasing the number of rakes to position more coal at thermal power stations have also been undertaken to ensure power availability during the peak summer months.

The government said retail prices of essential food items have remained stable over the past month, with control rooms set up for real-time monitoring and coordination with states under the Essential Commodities Act.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/lpg-crunch-ccs-meet-procurement-diversified-iran-war-us-israeli-strikes-2890372-2026-04-01

A 55-year-old builder-influencer, known online as ‘Pookie Don’, after a huge cache of weapons was found hidden inside a newly-installed fake shoe rack panel at his house in Maharashtra’s Thane district. The seized weapons are worth Rs 10 lakh.

A 55-year-old builder and social media influencer, known online as ‘Pookie Don’, has been arrested on charges of possessing a cache of weapons at his house in Maharashtra’s Thane district. Several weapons, including some engraved “Made in USA” pistols and revolvers, 371 cartridges, 167 air gun pellets, a sword and a button knife, hidden behind a newly-installed fake shoe rack panel valued at Rs 10 lakh.

The accused, Surendra Panduranga Patil, who has over three lakh followers on Instagram, was arrested on March 28 in Dombivli, barely a week after securing bail in another case. Acting on a tip-off, Crime Branch officials searched his residence and recovered a hidden cache of weapons tucked behind a fake panel that raised suspicion due to its mismatch with the home’s interiors.

Police recovered five country-made pistols and revolvers – some marked “Made in USA” – along with two air guns, 371 cartridges, 167 air gun pellets, a sword, a button knife, another sharp-edged weapon and two steel rods. The total value of the seized weapons is estimated at around Rs 10 lakh.

Officials said the volume of ammunition indicated the stockpile was functional.

“Acting on a tip-off, our team searched Patil’s bungalow in the Dawdi area of Dombivli late on Saturday night. We recovered a cache of weapons hidden behind a fake panel of a newly installed shoe rack that did not match the house’s interior,” an official from the Crime Branch said.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/builder-influencer-pookie-don-arrested-weapons-found-home-pistols-cartridges-2890250-2026-04-01

The sting operation by the India Today Special Investigation Team shows how the illegal sale of gas cylinders continues unabated in the national capital.

As concerns over fuel supplies rise due to the ongoing crisis in the Gulf, the gap between official claims and ground reality is becoming increasingly visible in India’s capital. While authorities maintain that there is no shortage of LPG, an India Today undercover investigation has revealed a thriving black market where gas cylinders are being sold at exorbitant rates — and often in plain sight.

The sting operation exposes how LPG cylinders are being hoarded, illegally traded, and diverted from legitimate consumers across multiple locations in Delhi.

BLACK MARKET FLOURISHES NEAR ALIPUR POLICE STATION

Acting on a tip-off, the India Today Special Investigation Team reached a shop located just a few metres from the Alipur Police Station in Outer Delhi.

The allegation: LPG cylinders were being hoarded and sold illegally.

At the shop, the team met a man named Ankit and asked if he could provide a gas cylinder. His response was direct. He enquired whether the reporters had an empty cylinder and then quoted a price of Rs 4,300.

This is nearly five times the official price of a domestic LPG cylinder, which stands at Rs 913 in Delhi. When asked if the price could be negotiated, Ankit refused, saying this was the rate at which he himself was procuring the cylinders. He confirmed that Rs 4,300 was the “going rate” in the black market.

INFLATED PRICES, OPEN TRANSACTIONS

To verify the operation, the reporters carried an empty cylinder and attempted to make a purchase. At the same location, they witnessed a labourer paying Rs 4,300 in cash for a cylinder, highlighting how even the economically vulnerable are being forced to pay inflated prices.

Since the reporters had an Indane cylinder, while Ankit was dealing in cylinders from another supplier, he demanded an additional Rs 200 for the exchange. This pushed the total cost of the cylinder to Rs 4,500.

Despite the illegal nature of the transaction, Ankit went to the extent of weighing the cylinder before handing it over, giving the deal an appearance of legitimacy. The payment was completed via UPI, further indicating how openly such transactions are being conducted.

When asked if more cylinders could be arranged the next day, Ankit readily agreed, suggesting a steady and organised supply chain behind the operation.

A NETWORK EXTENDING BEYOND ONE LOCATION

The investigation then moved to the Cake Chowk area, where another operator named Sitaram was found facilitating similar transactions.When approached for two cylinders, Sitaram quoted Rs 4,000 per cylinder. He immediately contacted a man named Sanjay to arrange the supply, demonstrating the existence of a coordinated network of suppliers.

During the call, Sitaram confirmed that Indane cylinders would be available and assured delivery within 15 to 30 minutes. He directed the reporters to meet him near the local drain in Swaroop Nagar to collect the cylinders.

MAUJPUR: ILLEGAL TRADE HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT

From Outer Delhi, the investigation moved to Maujpur in East Delhi, where LPG black marketing was found to be operating openly under the cover of everyday businesses.

Like this stationery shop doubling as an LPG supplier. At this stationery shop run by Sanjay Jain, the initial response was a refusal. However, after making a phone call, he agreed to arrange a cylinder within 2–3 hours for Rs 3,400.

He confirmed that the cylinder would be from the Indane supply chain.

FLOUR MILL SHOP ACTING AS MIDDLEMAN

At another location, a flour mill selling wheat flour and spices, illegal LPG trading was also taking place.The shopkeeper, Girish Jain, contacted his network and assured delivery of a cylinder for around Rs 3,500. He asked the reporters to share their mobile number and promised to call once the cylinder arrived.

STOVE REPAIR SHOP FACILITATING ILLEGAL SUPPLY

A third shop in the same area, dealing in cooking stove repairs, was also part of the network.The shopkeeper, Shubash, asked whether the reporters had an empty Indane cylinder. Upon confirmation, he agreed to arrange a refill for Rs 3,500. All these small-shop operations demonstrate how widespread and normalised the black market has become.

A WELL-ORGANISED SUPPLY CHAIN

Across all locations, from Outer Delhi to East Delhi, the investigation revealed a deeply entrenched and organised network of LPG black marketers.The pattern was consistent:Cylinders were sold without booking slips. Prices ranged between Rs 3,400 and Rs 4,500, far above official rates. Suppliers operated through informal networks and phone calls. Deliveries were arranged within hours.Transactions were conducted both in cash and digital payments. In many cases, small shopkeepers acted merely as intermediaries, connecting buyers to larger suppliers.

EXPLOITING PANIC AND DEMAND

The investigation suggests that panic triggered by global supply concerns is being actively exploited by black marketers.With delivery delays and restrictions on LPG cylinders, many households and small businesses, especially those dependent on cooking gas for daily operations, are left with little choice but to turn to the black market. This has created a parallel economy where illegal operators are making significant profits by diverting cylinders meant for genuine consumers.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/lpg-black-market-delhi-inflated-prices-gulf-crisis-iran-israel-us-war-2890202-2026-04-01

The Bombay High Court dismissed Anita Advani’s appeal seeking legal recognition of her relationship with Rajesh Khanna as a marriage, upholding the earlier rejection of her suit.

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday dismissed a plea filed by actor Anita Advani challenging a lower court’s rejection of her suit seeking legal recognition of her relationship with late Bollywood superstar Rajesh Khanna as a marriage.

A bench of Justice Sharmila Deshmukh, after hearing arguments from both sides, including counsel representing Advani and Rajesh Khanna’s estranged wife Dimple Kapadia, daughter Twinkle Khanna and son-in-law Akshay Kumar, ruled that the appeal has been dismissed. A detailed judgment is awaited.

Advani, who was closely associated with Khanna during the final years of his life, had approached the High Court after a civil court, in 2017, dismissed her suit on technical grounds. In her plea, she had sought a declaration that her relationship with Khanna amounted to a valid marriage.

Kapadia, however, remained Khanna’s legally wedded wife. Though the couple had separated, they had never formally divorced.

Following Khanna’s death in 2012, Advani publicly claimed that she had been in a long-standing relationship with the actor and alleged that she had secretly married him, asserting that he had applied sindoor on her. She also accused Khanna’s family of neglecting him during his final days and excluding her from his last rites.

The dispute had earlier led to legal proceedings, with Advani filing a domestic violence complaint before a Bandra magistrate court against Kapadia, Twinkle Khanna and Akshay Kumar, alleging that she had been forcibly removed from Khanna’s residence. In 2015, the Bombay High Court quashed the domestic violence case against them.

With Wednesday’s order, Advani’s attempt to secure legal recognition of her claimed marital status with the late actor has been rejected, pending the detailed reasoning from the court.

Anita Advani is a former actor and is remembered for her roles in films such as ‘Daasi’, ‘Aao Pyaar Karen’ and ‘Saazish’.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/law-news/story/bombay-high-court-dismisses-anita-advani-plea-rajesh-khanna-marriage-claim-2890189-2026-04-01

Five complaints triggered coordinated raids in Gurugram after landlords flagged suspicious tenant activity, where rented homes were covertly converted into equipment-filled technical hubs.

Gurugram Police have busted a major international cyber fraud network with links to the Philippines and Cambodia, arresting five key operatives accused of running a sophisticated SIM box-based racket used for “digital arrest” scams. The crackdown exposes a transnational syndicate that bypassed India’s telecom systems to route fraudulent calls and extort victims.

The operation came to light following five separate complaints, which led to coordinated raids in Gurugram’s U-Block and Chakarpur areas.

Suspicion was first raised by local landlords who noticed unusual activity in the rented accommodations. Instead of residential use, the premises had been converted into makeshift technical hubs fitted with electronic equipment and wiring.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by senior cops, conducted the raids and uncovered what officials described as a “mini telecom setup”.

In the major bust, the police seized 13 SIM boxes used for illegal call routing, 504 active SIM cards, seven Wi-Fi cameras with human detection features, seven routers, inverters, batteries, and multiple networking devices.

DCP (Cyber Crime) Gaurav Rajpurohit confirmed the arrest of five accused identified as Rahul Kumar from Uttar Pradesh, Yash Amrit Singh Dugar and Bhavika Ramesh Bhagchandani from Gujarat, and Litesh and Sagar from Maharashtra.

According to investigators, the group played distinct roles in setting up infrastructure, managing communications, and handling financial transactions.

HOW THEY OPERATED

Preliminary interrogation revealed that Rahul Kumar was in contact with handlers based in the Philippines, who guided him via video calls on setting up SIM boxes and routing calls.

These devices were installed at multiple locations in Gurugram, including DLF Phase-3, enabling the gang to mask international calls as local ones.

Bhavika Bhagchandani, meanwhile, was linked to operatives in Cambodia.

Investigators said she coordinated with associates to convert fraud proceeds into cryptocurrency, primarily USDT, which was then transferred overseas.

Yash Dugar allegedly assisted in facilitating these financial transactions, acting as an intermediary in the conversion of funds.

Police said the syndicate used a well-established smuggling route to bring in illegal equipment: from the Philippines to Nepal, then to Bihar, and finally distributed across various Indian cities.

The accused also admitted to recharging over 2,200 SIM cards used in cyber fraud operations, including “digital arrest” scams where victims are coerced into believing they are under legal scrutiny and forced to transfer money.

LINKS TO ‘CYBER SLAVERY’?

Officials further revealed disturbing links to “cyber slavery,” with some victims reportedly trafficked to Cambodia and forced to participate in online fraud activities under duress.

The recovered surveillance cameras were allegedly used to monitor surroundings and avoid detection during operations.

The case highlights the growing complexity and international reach of cybercrime networks targeting Indian citizens.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/gurugram-cyber-fraud-hub-busted-links-philippines-cambodia-five-arrested-digital-arrest-2890134-2026-04-01

Widely used for diabetes and weight loss, GLP-1 drugs are now under stricter scrutiny. The government has warned against over-the-counter access and unsupervised use.

The Government of India has released a detailed note on GLP-1 drugs, highlighting their growing use in treating type 2 diabetes and obesity, while also warning about potential risks and misuse. As these medicines gain popularity, especially for weight loss, the authorities have stepped up monitoring and regulation to ensure patient safety.

The advisory comes amid rising demand for these drugs in India, with reports of easy availability through online platforms and wellness clinics.

Officials have now made it clear that GLP-1 drugs are not general wellness products but powerful prescription medicines that must only be used under expert supervision.

WHAT ARE GLP-1 DRUGS AND WHY ARE THEY USED?

GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1) drugs are a class of medicines used to manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. They also help in weight loss by slowing digestion and reducing appetite.

These drugs work by mimicking a natural hormone in the body that increases insulin release and lowers excess glucose. Because of their dual benefit of controlling diabetes and aiding weight loss, they have become increasingly popular in recent years.

GOVERNMENT WARNS OF SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS

The government has cautioned that GLP-1 drugs can cause serious side effects if taken without proper medical advice. These may include digestive issues, hormonal imbalance, and other complications if misused.

Health experts stress that these medicines are not suitable for everyone and should not be used casually for weight loss without proper diagnosis and supervision.

PRESCRIPTION ONLY: WHO CAN RECOMMEND THESE DRUGS?

According to the advisory, GLP-1 drugs can only be prescribed by qualified medical specialists such as endocrinologists, internal medicine experts, and cardiologists.

They are strictly not available over the counter. The government has warned people against purchasing these drugs online or from unauthorised sellers without a valid prescription.

See more

Government of India releases details on the GLP -1 Drugs’ use, risks, and regulation.

Key Takeaways:
GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 agonist) drugs are prescription medications used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity but carry serious side effects and must only be taken under… pic.twitter.com/hSLWFLIp8h

— ANI (@ANI) April 1, 2026

STRICT ACTION AGAINST VIOLATIONS

The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), along with State Drug Controllers, has intensified surveillance across the country. Inspections are being carried out at pharmacies, clinics, and online platforms.

Authorities have clearly stated that any violation, such as illegal sale or misuse, will lead to strict action, including licence cancellation, fines, and legal proceedings.

RISING DEMAND TRIGGERS TIGHTER CONTROL

The increased popularity of GLP-1 drugs, especially for weight loss, has raised concerns about their misuse. While they offer medical benefits, experts warn against viewing them as quick-fix solutions.

The government’s latest move aims to strike a balance, ensuring access for genuine patients while preventing unsafe and unregulated use.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/health/story/glp-1-drugs-under-tight-watch-government-flags-risks-strengthens-regulations-2889950-2026-04-01

 

The government said efforts to globally diversify sources of energy, fertilizers and other supply chains were being taken.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday chaired a key meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) to review measures taken by various ministries/ departments amid the West Asia crisis. This was the second CCS meeting chaired by the Prime Minister on the matter.

During the meeting, PM Modi reviewed supply diversification for LPG and LNG, as well as fuel duty reduction and power sector measures to ensure that essentials remain stable. In a release by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) after the meeting, the government said efforts to globally diversify sources of energy, fertilizers and other supply chains were being taken. For diversification, new inflows of LPG and LNG are being facilitated from different countries.

See more

Chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). Reviewed the steps being taken by various Ministries and Departments in the wake of the ongoing West Asia conflict and also discussed the next set of initiatives to be taken. Aspects relating to sectors like energy,… pic.twitter.com/vb0UluPbtu

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 1, 2026

The cabinet secretary briefed the members about the action taken to ensure supply of petroleum products, particularly LNG/LPG, and sufficient power availability. Interventions across agriculture, fertilizers, shipping, aviation, logistics and MSME’s were discussed to face the challenges emerging out of the crisis, the PMO statement said.

Measures to curb hoarding , black marketing in place

The cabinet secretary briefed the Prime Minister on the anti-diversion enforcement to curb hoarding and black marketing of LPG. State governments were also requested to curb black marketing, hoarding, and diversion of fertilizers through daily monitoring, raids, and strict action.

The PMO said that initiatives have been taken to expand Piped Natural Gas connections.

“Measures like exempting the gas-based power plants with a capacity of 7-8 GW from gas pooling mechanism and increasing of rake for positioning more coal at thermal power stations etc. have also been taken to ensure availability of power during the peak summer months,” the office stated.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pm-modi-chairs-key-security-ccs-meet-amid-west-asia-crisis-reviews-fuel-energy-supply-101775062343806.html

 

India is actively seeking a common position on the West Asia crisis, and has said BRICS members are directly involved in the situation making it difficult to forge consensus

Walking the tightrope to forge consensus over issuing a statement on the ongoing West Asia conflict, India will host Iran and the UAE, alongside other member countries, at the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meet next month.

The BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting will take place on May 14 and 15 in New Delhi, ahead of 17th BRICS Summit under India’s leadership.

New Delhi has extended invitations to all the member countries, with Russia already having confirmed foreign minister Sergey Lavrov’s attendance. Apart from Russia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, other members include Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa.

The meeting comes at a time when at least three member countries are directly involved in the West Asia conflict, as a result of US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February. The war has triggered a massive energy crisis with global repercussions due to a military blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on major oil sites in the Persian Gulf.

As the chair, India hosted the first BRICS Sherpa and Sous Sherpa meeting in New Delhi on February 9 and 10, setting the agenda for the year under the theme ‘Building for resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability’.

As of now, India will be hosting the foreign ministers’ meeting at a sensitive but significant moment with Tehran urging New Delhi, as the current BRICS chair, to issue a formal statement condemning US-Israeli military strikes against it. This has placed New Delhi in a delicate diplomatic spot as the member countries are directly involved in the conflict.

India is actively engaging with member countries of BRICS to arrive at a common position on the West Asia crisis. According to India’s official statement, BRICS members are directly involved in the current situation, and the differences among member countries have made it difficult for the grouping to forge consensus.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/india-to-host-iran-uae-in-may-as-part-of-brics-foreign-ministers-meet-amid-west-asia-crisis-ws-l-10010194.html

Admiral Tripathi said the development was “no longer a hidden fact” and highlighted the Navy’s readiness during the operation.

The Indian Navy was just minutes away from launching a strike on Pakistan from the sea during Operation Sindoor before Islamabad requested a halt to kinetic action, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a naval investiture ceremony, Admiral Tripathi said the development was “no longer a hidden fact” and highlighted the Navy’s readiness during the operation carried out last year following the Pahalgam terror attack.

“It is now no longer a hidden fact that we were just minutes away from striking Pakistan from the sea when they requested a stoppage of kinetic action,” he said. “Through swift and resolute actions during Operation Sindoor, the Indian Navy reinforced the nation’s confidence and trust in its capabilities.”

Operation Sindoor demonstrated exemplary readiness and resolve of the Indian Navy, as its units undertook swift deployment and maintained a highly aggressive posture throughout the period, he said.

“Besides Operation Sindoor and the relentless operational tempo through the year, we were also very proud to showcase the breadth and depth of our operational capabilities to the Prime Minister during a historic 17-hour overnight embarkation with the Indian Navy on the western seaboard,” said Admiral Tripathi.

Talking about the West Asia conflict, he said that ever since the war involving the US, Israel, and Iran broke out, more than 20 merchant vessels have been attacked in the region.

Nearly 1,900 vessels remain stranded amid the hostilities, he said, adding that the daily traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen sharply to six-seven transits, compared with a pre-conflict average of about 130.

“At a time when the global order is marked by increasing fragmentation and friction, the seas are no longer secondary theatres where continental conflicts spill over. Instead, they are becoming the first arena where strategic intent is signalled and contested, often with disproportionate consequences,” the Navy chief added.

He said that at the same time, evolving technology and tactics have not only reshaped how conflicts are planned, initiated, and sustained, but also made non-traditional challenges more complex and less predictable to counter.

“As a result, the prevailing maritime environment demands a careful alignment of functional agility and farsightedness at the organisational level, combat readiness and operational effectiveness at the unit level, and professional excellence anchored in boldness and judgement at the individual level,” said Admiral Tripathi.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/indian-navy-was-minutes-away-from-striking-pakistan-admiral-tripathi-details-op-sindoor-ws-l-10010092.html

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav alleged that honest officers are sidelined under the BJP government while corrupt officials are favoured. Speaking in Lucknow, he said a future PDA government would ensure dignity and proper roles for officers, adding that dissatisfaction is driving support for his political vision.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav launched a sharp attack on the BJP government, alleging that capable and honest officers have no value in the current system. Speaking in Lucknow, he claimed that those involved in corruption and irregularities are being favored, while efficient officers are sidelined.

Yadav urged officials not to take decisions in emotional distress, asserting that “better days are coming.” He said a future PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) government would ensure dignity, proper roles, and respect for deserving officers. According to him, quality governance depends on skilled administrators who can deliver work within timelines.

He emphasized that the Samajwadi Party has always valued competent officers and will continue to do so. Yadav also claimed that both officers and employees who feel neglected are now aligning with the PDA vision to bring political change in the state.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/sp-chief-akhilesh-yadav-slams-bjp-says-capable-officers-sidelined-while-corrupt-officials-favoured

The company clarified its position in an affidavit in response to a petition filed by Prateek Sharma, who challenged the validity of the decision of his X account operated as Dr Nimo Yadav.

X Corp has told the Delhi High Court that it has asked the Centre to review its order to block 12 accounts, terming the action as disproportionate and not in compliance with the law.

It submitted before a bench of Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav that the company has written a letter on March 19 to the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), saying the blocking order issued on March 18 does not meet the requirements laid down under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

The company clarified its position in an affidavit in response to a petition filed by Prateek Sharma, who challenged the validity of the decision of his X account operated as Dr Nimo Yadav.

It said the account was blocked on MeitY’s directions over allegedly controversial and defamatory posts targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including content portraying him as incompetent, which was also in poor taste.

X, however, maintained that the most of the content across the identified accounts did not fall within the grounds specified under Section 69A. It also claimed blocking entire accounts, rather than specific posts, was excessive and failed to meet the legal standard of adopting the “least intrusive measure”.

It also contended that the affected account holders were not given an opportunity to be heard. It further claimed that the blocking order did not demonstrate that reasonable efforts were made to identify the individuals responsible for the content in question.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/x-wrote-to-centre-against-order-for-blocking-12-accounts-delhi-high-court-3951316

A viral video of a heated confrontation between a Texas whistleblower and an Indian H-1B visa holder has gone viral on social media. In the footage, Sara Gonzales claimed she had uncovered an “H-1B scam,” alleging the techie is illegally operating and owning a food truck while on a specialised work visa.

“I confronted an H-1B tech worker ILLEGALLY running a food truck business,” Gonzales wrote while sharing a video. The clip captures her walking up to the Golconda Xpress Indian Food Truck and confronting Naveen Tummala. According to her, his H-1B is sponsored by Flexera Global Inc., but she claimed that he calls himself the owner of the food truck.

During the confrontation, Tummala agreed that he was on an H-1B but denied working on the truck or owning it. He said it belongs to his wife, and at times he helps her with technical issues. Gonzales argued that Tummala was lying and that she had proof he works full-time on the truck.

Tummala shared that he is a chef and knows the recipes, but he doesn’t work on his food truck, which he said his wife owns and operates.

“I am off my duty. I cannot help my wife, or what? Do you think I am getting paid for it? I know my rules. I know my rights,” Tummala said. When Gonzales asked why his wife was not at the truck, he added, “Do you think the business owners are always at the businesses they own?”

The techie continued, “You can do whatever you want. You think that’s American. You guys do the same thing for everybody. Go ahead and check your backyard.’

At this point, Gonzales mockingly said that she was unable to understand Tummala’s English.

Following this, Tummala asked Gonzales to apologise and asked her to get off his property. He said, “You can do whatever you want. You think that’s American. You guys do the same thing for everybody. Go ahead and check your backyard.”

Gonzales threatens to report him to the authorities as she leaves the premises.

See more

I confronted an H-1B tech worker ILLEGALLY running a food truck business: pic.twitter.com/DENNcmUS3P

— Sara Gonzales (@SaraGonzalesTX) March 31, 2026

Social media reacts:

While a few congratulated Sara Gonzales, most argued that what she did was unnecessary.

An individual wrote, “So, let me get this STRAIT sorry straight: creating a business is a ‘threat’ to American jobs? So in this dimension of logic, investing capital, paying taxes, and creating jobs for Americans is a devious plot to take work away from the Americans? And why is this dude even entertaining a stranger who seems to have spent their free time stalking him and harvesting his data? Before anyone jumps on me, I’m not interested in America or defending anyone. But the irony is that a country that prides itself on ‘liberating’ other nations’ by illegally taking away their oil and resources bombing them is worried about the sanctity of a visa. Logic has officially left the room.”

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/us/indian-techie-on-h-1b-accused-of-scam-by-texas-whistleblower-sara-gonzales-over-food-truck-101775009670467.html

 

Oil PSUs announced that the aviation turbine fuel (ATF) for April has increased by about 115% for domestic flights due to the US-Israeli war with Iran.

Air travellers are set for a major hike in airfares, as jet fuel prices increased for April as the global economy reels from the fallout of the Iran conflict, though not as steeply as earlier reported. Oil PSUs on Wednesday announced that the aviation turbine fuel (ATF) for April has increased by about 8.5% for domestic flights, as compared to about 115% as earlier reported.

IndianOil issued a clarification, revising earlier estimation of ATF prices at over Rs 2 lakh per kilolitre in Delhi to significantly lower rates. The current price of jet fuel stands at around Rs 1.04 lakh per KL. The confusion came amid heightened volatility in global energy markets due to the ongoing Iran-US-Israel conflict.

The move comes as the rupee has been under heavy pressure, which has put further pressure on Indian airlines. Due to the ongoing tensions in West Asia and fears of disruption in global oil supplies, investors have been pulling money out of Indian markets.

Domestic ATF pricing

A kilo litre (1,000 litres) of fuel in India’s busiest Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) will now cost Rs Rs 1,04,927, as compared to Rs 96,638.14 last month, for domestic flights. India’s second busiest hub, Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), will see the price from Rs 90,451.87 last month to Rs Rs 98,247 in April. In Kolkata, the fuel would cost Rs 1,09,450 per KL, and in Chennai it is Rs 1,09,873 per KL.

Meanwhile, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said the PSU oil marketing companies will implement a partial and staggered increase of 25% (Rs 15/litre) for domestic airlines, while ensuring that foreign routes bear the full market-aligned price. He said this approach will help shield passengers from sharp fare increases, ease the burden on domestic airlines, and support the continued stability of the aviation sector at this crucial juncture.

Naidu also urged states to consider reducing Value Added Tax (VAT) on jet fuel to ease the burden on airlines and passengers. Discussions are underway with state governments to explore possible relief measures.

Source : https://www.news18.com/auto/air-travel-to-get-costlier-jet-fuel-prices-hike-domestic-international-flights-iran-war-updates-ws-l-10008376.html

As rumors of “hidden agencies” and “manufactured virality” swirl, we look at why the internet is so desperate to tear down a woman in a saree

In the meticulously filtered ecosystem of Instagram, we’ve been trained to recognise certain “types” and “cliches.” There’s the South Bombay aesthetic, the gritty urban hustle, the “authentic” rural creator who usually stays in a lane of farming or cooking, or maybe both. Then I stumbled upon Pujarini Pradhan, known to her 675K followers as @lifeofpujaa.

Clad in modest cotton sarees against the backdrop of a West Bengal village, she shows us her life and just as easily deconstructs ours. From blistering takes on capitalism to nuanced film critiques and feminist theory, her reels are delivered in fluent, articulate English that has left a specific corner of the internet, and several “prestige” creators, in a state of absolute meltdown.

To me, the question currently burning through Reddit threads and influencer “exposure” videos isn’t actually about her content. It’s about her audacity.

Is Pujaa An “Industry Plant”?

Honestly, who cares? The backlash reached a fever pitch in late March 2026, spearheaded by critics like therapist-influencer Niharika Jain. Her argument was that Pujarini’s rise is “too sharp,” her edits “too polished,” and her intellectual depth “too curated” for someone with supposedly limited resources.

The term “Industry Plant” was tossed around with reckless abandon. Critics pointed to her collaborations with Netflix and Audible as proof of a hidden machine behind the saree. I find the subtext of these accusations as loud as it is ugly: How can a girl from a village in Bengal know this much about cinema? How can she edit this well without a Mumbai production crew?

The Gatekeeping Of “Exposure”

The most telling part of this controversy is the claim that Pujarini lacks the “exposure” necessary to have such “immaculate taste.” It’s a classic elitist trope that suggests critical thinking and sophisticated aesthetics are geographical privileges. As one Reddit user aptly put it: “Is she forgetting that the internet exists? It doesn’t take a real-life ‘social circle’… to have tastes.”

I couldn’t agree more. In 2026, the idea that a rural creator needs a “system” to understand global discourse isn’t just outdated but insulting. We seem perfectly happy to celebrate “raw” rural content, but the moment that content becomes intellectual and (heaven forbid) profitable, the witch hunt begins.

Pujarini didn’t take the bait quietly. In a recent Reel, she dismantled the “team” allegations, clarifying that her agency handles brands, not her brain. “They were fine until I started giving my opinions,” she noted. “The moment I started earning money, they felt like I am a danger.”

See more

This, in my opinion, is the real crux of the “Life of Puja” storm. As a culture, we are comfortable with the “struggling” rural woman; we are deeply threatened by the financially savvy, articulate, and self-made rural woman. Why is it so hard for us to digest that someone can be well-read and tech-savvy without living in a metro city?

Despite the skepticism, heavyweights like Archana Puran Singh and Kusha Kapila have jumped to her defense, calling out the blatant double standards. While privileged creators are allowed to “pivot” and “rebrand” endlessly, Pujarini is being asked to provide a receipt for every book she’s read and every edit she’s made.

Source : https://www.news18.com/viral/the-village-girl-who-knew-too-much-who-is-lifeofpujaa-and-why-the-internet-is-terrified-of-her-10007963.html

 

Police said data from the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal indicates links between the accused and at least 1,379 cyber fraud complaints across the country. Earlier, Rahul Verma was arrested in the case at Delhi airport in November 2025 while allegedly attempting to flee the country. He is currently in judicial custody.

The Cyber Crime Wing of the West Bengal Police on Tuesday arrested industrialist Pawan Ruia in connection with his alleged involvement in a multi-crore fraud case involving shell companies and cryptocurrency-based money laundering.

Ruia was apprehended near a hotel in New Town on the outskirts of Kolkata following a case registered at Bidhannagar Cyber Crime Police Station.

Police have registered a suo motu case based on findings from their probe into cybercrime cases, with proceeds amounting to Rs 315 crore allegedly traced to bank accounts of shell companies and individuals linked to the Ruia family, sources said.

The arrest came after the Calcutta High Court earlier in the day vacated interim protection granted to the accused and his family members in the matter, clearing the way for police action.

The Calcutta High Court had in December last year granted anticipatory bail to the industrialist, his son Raghav and daughter Pallavi in connection with the case for allegedly parking proceeds of various online scams across the country in their bank accounts.

According to investigators, the case pertains to the defrauding of a senior citizen of nearly Rs 93 lakh through a fake investment scheme operated via a mobile application. The proceeds were allegedly routed through multiple shell company accounts.

“Investigations revealed that this is part of a large interstate cyber fraud racket with nationwide ramifications. The accused and his associates used layered banking channels and cryptocurrencies to siphon off and launder funds abroad,” a senior officer of the Cyber Crime Wing told news agency PTI.

Police said data from the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal indicates links between the accused and at least 1,379 cyber fraud complaints across the country.

Earlier, Rahul Verma was arrested in the case at Delhi airport in November 2025 while allegedly attempting to flee the country. He is currently in judicial custody.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/west-bengal/story/pawan-ruia-arrested-rs-315-crore-cyber-fraud-shell-companies-cryptocurrency-2889845-2026-04-01

The gunbattle ensued after a joint team of the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police, acting on specific intelligence about the terrorists’ presence, initiated the search operation in the general area.

A terrorist was killed after an encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists after the ultras opened fire on the security personnel during a cordon and search operation in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal district on Tuesday night, officials said. The operation was launched in the Arhama area following specific intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists.

The gunbattle is underway as the armed forces are retaliating to the gunshots fired at them, with two to three terrorists trapped.

According to officials, a joint team of the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police, acting on specific intelligence about the terrorists’ presence, initiated the search operation in the general area.

During the operation, security personnel noticed suspicious movement. When the suspects were challenged, they opened fire, prompting retaliation from the forces.

“Based on specific intelligence input, joint search operation was launched by #IndianArmy and @JmuKmrPolice in Gen area Arahama of Ganderbal. During the search, vigilant troops observed suspicious activity. On being challenged, terrorists opened fire and own troops retaliated. Operation is in progress,” the Army said.

Gunshots were heard in the area as the brief exchange of fire took place. Sources indicated that contact had been established with two to three terrorists during the initial phase of the operation.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/encounter-ganderbal-kashmir-search-operation-firefight-militants-2889819-2026-03-31

Former Army officer Sandeep Tomar was convicted in 2014 for strangling his wife Shweta and attempting to pass it off as a suicide. He was sentenced to life imprisonment, dismissed from the Army, and jailed in Ferozepur.

Punjab Police arrested former Indian Army captain Sandeep Tomar in Madhya Pradesh, ending a four-year hunt. He had been absconding in connection with his wife’s murder. An LPG cylinder booking ultimately led to his arrest.

Tomar had been on the run since the Punjab and Haryana High Court upheld his life sentence for the crime. The police traced him to Pandhurna district after tracking payments linked to an LPG cylinder booked in his name.

The probe began after Tomar’s father-in-law filed a court application seeking his arrest. A special investigation team (SIT), led by Superintendent of Police Aaswant Singh, was formed to track down the absconding officer.

The SIT collaborated with the National Intelligence Grid (NAT-GRID) and discovered Tomar’s original PAN card. This was used to identify bank accounts associated with him. One private bank reported an account linked to Tomar’s PAN.

Analysis of the bank statements revealed a monthly salary credited by a private company and a mobile number connected to the account, placing Tomar in Pandhurna. However, the exact location remained unclear.

Further scrutiny of the bank statements showed a transaction for an LPG cylinder from Bharat Gas. Contacting the gas agency helped police pinpoint the rented house where the cylinder was delivered, leading to Tomar’s arrest.

He was brought back to Punjab with assistance from Madhya Pradesh police. He had reportedly stayed in various parts of the country while evading capture.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ex-army-captain-sandeep-tomar-arrested-lpg-booking-madhya-pradesh-2889605-2026-03-31

Premium Petrol, Diesel Prices Hiked In Delhi: The price of XP100 has been raised from Rs 149 per litre to Rs 160 per litre.

The prices of Indian Oil’s XP100 petrol (a premium variant) and Xtra Green (premium diesel) have been increased for Delhi.

The price of XP100 has been raised from Rs 149 per litre to Rs 160 per litre. IndianOil’s XP100 is India’s first 100-octane premium petrol, designed for high-end luxury cars and superbikes for better engine performance. Similarly, Xtra Green (Premium Diesel) will now be sold at Rs 92.99, against its earlier price of Rs 91.49.

While Indian Oil hasn’t yet specified the reason behind the increase in prices of premium petrol and diesel, it is believed that fluctuations in global crude oil prices and changes in logistics costs amid the ongoing US-Iran war may have prompted the decision.

Meanwhile, Indian Oil has also hiked the price of commercial LPG cylinders. The price of a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder has been raised by over Rs 300 since the war started in the Middle East — from Rs 1,768.50 on March 1 to Rs 2,078.50 on April 1. The latest increase in the commercial LPG cylinder price is the third since March 1, and the fifth since January 1, 2026.

Alongside, the price of jet fuel has also been increased. Jet fuel prices have risen by over two times to Rs 2.07 lakh per kilolitre amid surge in global oil prices. ATF prices in Delhi were hiked to Rs 2,07,341.22 per kl, from Rs 96,638.14 per kl. The prices of jet fuel were hiked by 5.7 per cent (Rs 5,244.75 per kl) on March 1 as well. Separately, ATF price for domestic airlines was hiked by 8.6 per cent to Rs 1.04 lakh per kilolitre.

Indian Oil revised the hike in the ATF Prices in Metros (Rs/Kl) for Domestic Airlines in Delhi from Rs 96,638.14/Kl on March 1, 2026 to Rs 1,04,927/Kl on April 1, 2026.

Significantly, this is the first time ever that aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices have crossed Rs 2 lakh per kl-mark. The earlier peak was in 2022 when rates were hiked Rs 1.1 lakh per kl after oil prices surged following Russia’s military operation in Ukraine.

Rise In Fuel Prices Amid Iran War

The rise in XP100 price comes nearly two weeks after Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) increased the price of its premium petrol price by Rs 2 per litre. In the national capital, HPCL premium petrol prices were revised from Rs 99.87 to Rs 101.89 per litre.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/us-israel-iran-war-premium-petrol-xp100-price-hiked-by-rs-11-per-litre-jet-fuel-crosses-rs-2-lakh-per-kilolitre-11294307?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

The company has offered 15 days’ salary to each employee who has completed a year of service in India, in addition to one month of unpaid wages till termination date.

US-based IT firm Oracle is believed to have laid off approximately 12,000 staff in India, with another round of layoffs expected within a month, impacted employees said on Tuesday.

Globally, the company has fired around 30,000 employees.

“In India, around 12,000 employees have been laid off. The company is planning another mass layoff within a month,” said two people impacted by the retrenchment, including one from the company’s human resource department.

The company has approximately 30,000 employees in India, including those affected by the layoffs.

Oracle declined to comment on the development.

Oracle, in an email sent to staff, said the employees were informed about certain organisational changes and “because of these changes, a decision has been taken to streamline the operations, and as a result, unfortunately, the position you currently hold will become redundant”.

The company has offered 15 days’ salary to each employee who has completed a year of service in India, in addition to one month of unpaid wages till termination date, leave encashment, gratuity based on eligibility and pay for a one-month notice period.

Oracle has also offered a two-month salary as a top-up.

However, the severance package is available for those who voluntarily and amicably resign from the company.

An ex-employee of Oracle, Merugu Sridhar, said that he was laid off in September for protesting against the 16-hour work shift that the company has in India.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/oracle-lays-off-12-000-employees-in-india-another-round-likely-report-11293454?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

Amit Shah said “Naxalism in the country is now on the verge of extinction”

Union home minister Amit Shah said today that the spectre of Maoist menace has been lifted from the country and its last bastion, Chhattisgarh’s Bastar, is treading the “Path of development”. The government deadline for eradication of Maoist violence is March 31, ahead of which a discussion was held on the topic in the Lok Sabha. While responding to the discussion, Shah said, “Naxalism in the country is now on the verge of extinction… The country will be informed once the entire process is formally completed, but I can say that we have become Naxal-free”.

“Today, Naxalism has been almost eradicated from Bastar. A campaign was launched to establish a school in every single village across Bastar. A drive was undertaken to open a ration shop in every village within the region. Primary Health Centres and Community Health Centres have been established in every Tehsil and Panchayat. Aadhaar cards and ration cards have been issued to the people, and they are now receiving five kilograms of food grains,” he said.

“The people of Bastar were left behind precisely because the shadow of ‘Red Terror’ loomed over the region; that is why development failed to reach them. Today, that shadow has been lifted, and Bastar is now on the path of development,” he said.

“To those advocating for dialogue, I want to reiterate what I have expressed many times from public platforms in Bastar: Lay down your arms, and the government will ensure your rehabilitation. However, they refuse to disarm, our government’s policy is clear — we are open to dialogue with those who surrender their weapons. Those who choose violence will be met with a firm response,” he added.

The discussion, though, opened another front between the BJP and the Congress, with members of the ruling party blaming the 60-year rule of the Congress for proliferation of Maoism in the country.

Pointing out that Maoist violence has cost the lives of 20,000 young people and affected 120 million people, Shah said it was a failure of the Congress government that tribals and several other communities were deprived of development.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/eradication-of-maoist-naxals-parliament-shadow-of-red-terror-lifted-bastar-on-path-of-development-amit-shah-11286777?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

 

Rahman, who served as national security adviser in the previous interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, will travel to New Delhi on his way to Mauritius.

The renewal of the Ganga Waters Treaty, which expires this year, and Dhaka’s request for additional fuel supplies following disruptions caused by the West Asian war are expected to top the agenda for Bangladesh foreign minister Khalilur Rahman’s maiden visit to India next week, people familiar with the matter said.

Rahman, who served as national security adviser in the previous interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, will travel to New Delhi on his way to Mauritius for the Indian Ocean Conference. He is expected to meet external affairs minister S Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and commerce minister Piyush Goyal on April 8, the people said on condition of anonymity.

This will be the first visit to India by a senior member of the new Bangladesh Nationalist Party government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, and comes at a time when both sides are rebuilding their ties after the strains witnessed under the caretaker administration.

Rahman, Bangladesh’s nominee for presidency of the UN General Assembly for 2026-2027, is expected to seek India’s support for the election. Rahman joined the UN secretariat as a special adviser at the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in 1999 and has held several senior positions within the UN system at Geneva and New York.

The renewal of the three-decade-old treaty for the sharing of Ganga waters, signed in December 1996, has been in focus in recent weeks, with teams from India and Bangladesh carrying out hydrological and technical assessments in both countries. This is part of the work to renew the crucial pact that governs discharges by India, the upper riparian state, into Bangladesh.

Officials have said the impact of the climate crisis on water flows and the role of the West Bengal government are crucial factors for the deal. The state government has to sign off on the renewal of the water-sharing treaty.

The people said Rahman is expected to bring up Dhaka’s recent request for additional fuel supplies, especially diesel, in view of an energy crisis in Bangladesh precipitated by the war against Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. In this context, a meeting between Rahman and petroleum minister Hardeep Puri isn’t being ruled out, the people said.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/fashion/manisha-koirala-reacts-to-social-media-buzz-about-her-salt-and-pepper-hair-grey-at-55-age-feels-like-freedom-beauty-101774862617772.html

Parents are infuriated over the hiked prices of textbooks, leaving low- and middle-income families in a dilemma, as shifting to public institutes is not a substitute given the quality of education. Read the full story here.

Social media is once again packed with tweets from parents who have been protesting against the steep book fees being charged by private institutions for days now. The issue gained momentum when a screenshot showing schools charging Rs 1,035 for a Class 5 English textbook went viral on the microblogging site X. Soon after, both students and parents started sharing their personal experiences while agitating against private schools and vendors who tie up with them to sell books at inflated costs. They argue that the tuition fee is already high, and the rising textbook cost is adding an extra burden on their pockets.

A recent viral video showed a parent expressing resentment over increased rates of textbooks in Delhi’s premier institutes. “My children used to study in private schools earlier too, but the total cost used to be around Rs 5k-6k,” adding that a sudden hike in rates led her to pay Rs 900 for a single book and Rs 12,000 for a whole set this year. What’s upsetting is that this is not restricted to a single institution, as the majority of them operating under a private model are practising it.

See more

₹900 for one book. ₹12K for a set.

Education or extortion? Parents aren’t ATM machines.
This racket runs on fear, not learning.#EducationScam Bharat #DelhiPolice Bengali #MeraBoothSabseMazboot West Bengal #CAPFBill_रद्द_करो Bihar #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/InjK8oo1MW

— Opinionatedowl.india (@owl_opinio21917) March 30, 2026

Since even the elementary classes are not exempt from paying hiked prices, netizens have started tagging the authorities, urging strict action against the capriciousness of private institutions. “How is this even justified? ₹900 for one junior class book, ₹12,000 for the full set, this isn’t education, it’s a money-making racket. Parents are being squeezed from every side just to give their kids a basic education. How long will this loot continue?” one user wrote.

Some are also slamming the system alleging that, “Parents are so helpless that they cannot take their child out of the school and find another one. Every private school is looting them, while government schools are considered worthless, as seen in cases where even the principal does not know the spelling of “principal” herself.”

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/education/loot-in-the-name-of-education-parents-demand-action-against-private-schools-charging-exorbitant-prices-for-book-debate-sparks-x-article-153960186

 

It was also submitted in the court that the driver More had been in custody for over a year and that the long list of witnesses presented by the prosecution meant the trial was unlikely to conclude anytime soon.

The Bombay High Court on Monday granted bail to the Mumbai civic bus driver who was driving the vehicle that killed 9 people, damaged 22 vehicles and injured 37 people in Kurla on December 9, 2024.

The bench of Justice RM Joshi passed the order while hearing a bail plea filed by driver Sanjay More. More was represented by advocates Advait Shukla and Amandeep Singh Sra, who argued that he was an experienced driver and that the section of culpable homicide not amounting to murder should not have been invoked. They contended that even for argument’s sake, the lack of experience with just three days’ training on an electric bus, could at best amount to rash and negligent driving and would not attract the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. It was also submitted that More had been in custody for over a year and that the long list of witnesses presented by the prosecution meant the trial was unlikely to conclude anytime soon.

The Sessions court had earlier rejected More’s bail plea on the ground that the charges were serious.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/law-news/story/mumbai-civic-bus-driver-granted-bail-in-kurla-accident-case-2889366-2026-03-31

During the operation, officials seized a total of 414 gas cylinders of various capacities, along with vehicles used for transportation. The seized property is estimated to be worth around Rs 21.88 lakh.

In a major crackdown, the Commissioner’s Task Force (Jubilee Hills Zone), along with Banjara Hills police, arrested 10 persons for illegally stocking and selling LPG cylinders at inflated prices.

Acting on credible information, the police raided a location near a graveyard at Nagarjuna X Road in Banjara Hills on Sunday. The accused were caught red-handed allegedly dumping cylinders and selling them at higher rates.

During the operation, officials seized a total of 414 gas cylinders of various capacities, along with vehicles used for transportation. The seized property is estimated to be worth around Rs 21.88 lakh.

According to police, the prime accused, Mohd. Aamir, was operating a gas agency named “Metro Gas Agency.” Investigations revealed that he was not following prescribed norms and was instead storing cylinders at an open location and selling them for wrongful gain.

Police said the accused were exploiting the high demand for LPG. Supplies were diverted and sold on the black market at inflated prices, with the help of delivery personnel, drivers and labourers.

The seized items include commercial and domestic LPG cylinders (both full and empty). Vehicles such as DCM vans, Bolero, Tata Ace, Tata Intra, and multiple auto-rickshaws used for transportation were also confiscated.

The operation was carried out under the supervision of Jubilee Hills Zone Inspector Ch. Yadendar and SI D. Ravi Raj, in coordination with Banjara Hills police.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/telangana/story/illegal-lpg-racket-busted-in-hyderabad-10-arrested-414-cylinders-seized-2889358-2026-03-31

Amid the escalating Middle East war, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that eight Indian nationals have been killed and one remains missing in various incidents across the region.

Amid the escalating West Asia conflict, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday said eight Indian nationals have lost their lives while one remains missing in “various incidents” in the region.

At an inter-ministerial briefing here on the West Asia situation, Additional Secretary (Gulf), MEA, Aseem R Mahajan, also said, “Yesterday, an Indian national unfortunately lost his life in an attack in Kuwait.”

However, he did not elaborate upon the circumstances of this death.

“We express our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. Our Mission in Kuwait is in touch with the family of the deceased and is coordinating closely with the local authorities to render all support and for the early return of his mortal remains to India,” he said.

On March 20, at an inter-ministerial briefing on the West Asia situation, Mahajan had told reporters that six Indian nationals had lost their lives while one remained missing in “various incidents.”

On Monday, he shared an update, saying, “Eight Indian nationals have unfortunately lost their lives and one Indian national remains missing in various incidents.”

The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia recently said that an Indian national was killed in Riyadh due to the “recent events of March 18.”

The ministry also shared that since February 28, around 5.5 lakh passengers have returned from the region to India.

The MEA on Monday reiterated that it continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in the Gulf and West Asia region.

“We continue to call for restraint and de-escalation, and at the same time emphasise on dialogue and diplomacy, as a means to an early end to the conflict,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

He also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on March 28, spoke to the Crown Prince and PM of Saudi Arabia, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and discussed with him the ongoing conflict in West Asia and agreed on the need to ensure freedom of navigation.

In his telephonic conversation, the Prime Minister also reiterated India’s condemnation of attacks on regional energy infrastructure.

Mahajan said safety, security and welfare of the large Indian community in the region remains “our utmost priority.”

“Our dedicated special Control Room remains operational… Our Missions and Posts across the region are functioning round the clock, operating 24×7 helplines, issuing regular updated advisories and remaining actively engaged with the Indian community associations, organisations and Indian companies spread across the region,” he said.

Further, the CBSE has already notified the assessment scheme for the declaration of results of Class X and Class XII in the region, following the cancellation of exams due to the ongoing conflict.

Academic concerns, particularly those related to CBSE, ICSE, Kerala boards and JEE and NEET exams, are being addressed through regular outreach to parents and students, the MEA said.

Also, particular attention is being given to the welfare of Indian seafarers. The Indian missions are in continuous contact with Indian crew members on vessels across the region to provide support, it said.

Mahajan said airlines continue to operate limited non-scheduled flights between India and the UAE.

Around 85 flights are expected to operate from the UAE to India later on Monday.

Flights are operating from various airports in Saudi Arabia and Oman to different destinations in India. With the Qatar airspace partially open, Qatar Airways is expected to operate around 10 flights to India on March 30, it said.

Kuwait and Bahrain airspace remain closed. Jazeera Airways of Kuwait and Gulf Air of Bahrain have been operating non-scheduled commercial flights from the airport of Saudi Arabia to various destinations in India, the MEA official said.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/eight-indians-dead-one-missing-middle-east-war-mea-update-iran-us-2889349-2026-03-31

 

A 19-year-old woman Naxalite from Jharkhand, involved in recruitment activities in the Saranda region, surrendered before police in Odisha’s Rourkela.

A 19-year-old woman Maoist, Mogdi Honhaga, surrendered before the police in Odisha’s Rourkela, Odisha, on Monday.

A resident of West Singhbhum district in Jharkhand, she had been actively associated with the Communist Party of India (Maoist) and had played an active role in its operations. Her decision to surrender in a neighbouring state, despite being from Jharkhand, is being seen as an important signal by security agencies.

Honhaga comes from Marang Panga village in West Singhbhum. She came into contact with notorious Maoist leader Anmol alias Sushant, following which she joined naxalism and became active in the Saranda region. She was involved in assisting recruitment drives in Holunghuli village and also trained new recruits.

She was reportedly part of the encounter that took place in the Kumdih forest on January 21 this year. However, she managed to escape from the spot along with other Maoists and has since been hiding in areas. Her involvement has also surfaced in the explosive loot incident at a stone quarry in Banko, Sundargarh district, where she was active alongside Anmol.

After surrendering, Honhaga revealed the internal realities of the Maoist organisation. She said that she faced physical and mental exploitation within the group, which led to deep disillusionment. Around the same time, she learned about the surrender policy of the Odisha government. Influenced by this, she decided to leave the organisation and contacted Rourkela police through confidential channels.

DIG Brijesh Kumar Rai said that all benefits and compassionate assistance under the state government’s surrender policy would be extended to her. He added that the government remains fully committed to helping Maoists who wish to return to the mainstream.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/maoist-woman-surrenders-odisha-youth-discontent-security-operations-2889342-2026-03-31

ED alleged that Kejriwal deliberately avoided appearing before the agency despite repeated summonses and raised ‘frivolous objections’ to evade probe.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday approached the Delhi High Court, challenging a trial court order that acquitted former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in two cases related to his alleged non-compliance with summonses issued in the excise policy case probe.

The agency has contested the trial court’s January 22 orders, which cleared Kejriwal of charges of deliberately disobeying ED summons. The appeal is scheduled to be heard on Wednesday by Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma.

The ED’s move comes a little over a month after a Delhi court discharged Kejriwal, former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, and 21 others in the high-profile liquor policy case by the CBI. The court held that the CBI had failed to establish a prima facie case against the AAP leaders, dismissing the prosecution’s “criminal conspiracy” theory as conjectural and based on unreliable witness statements.

In its latest plea, the ED alleged that Kejriwal, while serving as Chief Minister of Delhi, deliberately avoided appearing before the agency despite repeated summonses. It claimed he raised “frivolous objections” to evade participation in the investigation.

However, the trial court ruled that the ED failed to prove intentional disobedience of summons, leading to his acquittal in both cases.

The ED has further alleged that other accused in the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy case were in contact with Kejriwal during its formulation, resulting in undue benefits to certain entities and alleged kickbacks to the Aam Aadmi Party.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/law-news/story/enforcement-directorate-challenges-kejriwal-acquittal-delhi-high-court-summons-case-liquor-policy-case-2889301-2026-03-30

 

A shipment of 12 tonnes of KitKat bars from Nestlé was stolen while in transit from Italy to Poland, sparking widespread curiosity and humour online.

In what sounds like a plot straight out of a heist comedy, Swiss food giant Nestlé has reported the robbery of a massive shipment of its iconic KitKat bars and the internet can’t stop talking about it.

A truck carrying 12 tonnes (413,793 bars) of the popular chocolate went missing while travelling from Italy to Poland, according to the Associated Press. The consignment, which consisted of the signature wafer-filled chocolates coated in milk chocolate, was meant for distribution across European markets but vanished mid-transit last week.

KitKat also released a public statement on the same, writing, ”Official Statement – We can confirm that 12T of KitKat products were stolen while in transit between our factory in Central Italy and their destination in Poland. We are working closely with local authorities and supply chain partners to investigate. The good news: There are no concerns for consumer safety, and supply is not affected. Thank you.”

See more

Regarding recent press coverage pic.twitter.com/Huh4EnFV2J

— KITKAT (@KITKAT) March 29, 2026

While the incident itself is unusual, it has quickly snowballed into a viral talking point online, with users reacting in disbelief and humour. One user wrote, ”What the f**k is going on in Europe? Who steals 12 TONS of KitKats? What do you even do with that many KitKats?” Another user wrote, ”Can a supply chain expert explain how losing 12 tons worth of KitKat bars doesn’t affect supply? Are the KitKat factories so efficient that they can just whip up a new 12 tons overnight?” One more user remarked, ”I’m seeing headlines every day that I thought I’d never see in my lifetime.” And others have continued responding to the news with memes and more questionable and hilarious reactions.

See more

Whoever stole all those KitKat’s https://t.co/fell5TnJkU pic.twitter.com/TVSgGjjQz7

— vids that go hard (@vidsthatgohard) March 29, 2026

See more

Regarding recent press coverage pic.twitter.com/Huh4EnFV2J

— KITKAT (@KITKAT) March 29, 2026

See more

What the fuck is going on in Europe?

Who steals 12 TONS of KitKats? What do you even do with that many KitKats? https://t.co/HgkfxVZDsO

— vx-underground (@vxunderground) March 29, 2026

See more

I’m seeing headlines everyday that I thought I’d never see in my lifetime https://t.co/DYuRqy5zPK

— Shafeeq (@Y2SHAF) March 28, 2026

On Friday, the company confirmed that both the truck and its cargo remain unaccounted for.

It added that the stolen chocolate bars could potentially surface in unauthorized markets across Europe, but assured that each product can be tracked through its unique batch code.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/viral/12-tonnes-of-kitkat-bars-stolen-in-europe-while-travelling-from-italy-to-poland-and-internet-is-having-field-day-over-it-article-153952746

 

The move follows the Army’s rejection of two milk powder consignments, weighing 58.338 and 66.654 metric tonnes, supplied by the Ludhiana District Cooperative Milk Producers Union Ltd.

The Punjab State Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation (Milkfed) on Friday suspended three senior officials of its Ludhiana unit after the Indian Army rejected large consignments of whole milk powder, citing the “presence of extraneous material” in samples, triggering administrative action and a political row in the state.

The action comes after the Army turned down two consignments—58.338 metric tonnes and 66.654 metric tonnes—supplied by the Ludhiana District Cooperative Milk Producers Union Ltd.

The rejection was communicated through official letters dated February 12 and March 16, flagging quality concerns in the supplied batches.

Milkfed, which markets products under the Verka brand, regularly supplies milk powder, cheese, flavoured milk and other dairy products to the armed forces.

Following the development, Milkfed issued suspension orders against General Manager Daljit Singh, Production Head Paritosh Mishra and Quality Manager Guriqbal Singh. The orders were issued by Milkfed Managing Director Rahul Gupta, citing serious lapses in quality control.

A government order said, “It has come to the notice of the management that the Indian Army has rejected two consignments of milk powder (58.338 metric tonnes and 66.654 metric tonnes) supplied by the Ludhiana District Cooperative Milk Producers Union Ltd (referred to as Milk Union, Ludhiana) due to the presence of extraneous material in the samples. The same was intimated to the Milk Union vide letters dated February 12, 2026 and March 16, 2025, by the Army authorities”.

Describing the matter as serious misconduct, the order said: “This apparent grave lapse in quality control compromises the credibility of the organisation and constitutes Major Misconduct”.

It added that disciplinary proceedings are being initiated and that the General Manager has been placed under suspension with immediate effect.

Similar suspension orders were issued for the other two officials.

The Army Service Corps unit in Jammu reportedly rejected around 125 metric tonnes of the consignment, and a copy of the communication was also sent to the Ministry of Defence.

The incident has quickly escalated into a political flashpoint, with opposition leaders targeting the Bhagwant Mann-led government over alleged lapses in quality control at a state-run institution.

Critics argue that the rejection not only raises concerns about institutional accountability but also about the safety of products reaching consumers.

BJP leader Jaiveer Shergill strongly criticised the Mann government, posting on X, “Milk powder supplied to the Indian Army by Punjab Co-Op Verka rejected as substandard & the same supply chain reaches households across Punjab. Who heads Cooperation Dept – CM Bhagwant Mann ! No monitoring, no accountability—only headlines!”

“This is not an error—it is criminal negligence. The health of soldiers, children, and consumers of Verka across Punjab families cannot be compromised. Shameful & Worrying !” he added.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/punjab-government-suspend-milkfed-officials-indian-army-reject-verka-milk-powder-consignment-quality-concerns-2888356-2026-03-28

PM Modi stresses safety of Indians amid Middle East conflict and accuses Congress of politicising the issue

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the central government has prioritised the safety of Indians in conflict zones amidst the ongoing crisis in Middle East, which has a sizeable number of people from Kerala.

Addressing a campaign rally in Palakkad this afternoon, the Prime Minister emphasised that safeguarding the interests of Indian citizens remains the top priority of the BJP-led NDA government. He also took aim at Congress over the issue and accused it of politicising the sensitive issue by making “dangerous” statements.

He further alleged that the Congress was seeking political gains at the cost of the safety of nearly one crore Indians living in Gulf countries.

“Right now, everyone’s eyes are on the war unfolding in Middle East. Our government is continuously working to ensure that the impact of this war on India is minimised as much as possible. Protecting the interests of Indians is of paramount importance for the BJP-NDA government. You must also remember how Congress is playing politics in this sensitive matter; the kind of statements Congress is issuing are dangerous. The Congress wants the lives of nearly 1 crore Indians living in Gulf countries to be put in danger so that it can then reap political benefits from it,” said PM Modi.

Highlighting the government’s response to the Middle East conflict, the Prime Minister noted that India is closely monitoring the situation and actively working to minimise its impact on the country. He added that he has been in constant touch with leaders of nations affected by the conflict to ensure the safety of Indians, particularly those from Kerala working in the region. Indian embassies, he said, are operating round the clock to assist citizens in affected areas.

“Many people from Keralam are working in the war-affected areas. Ever since the war began, I have been in constant touch with the heads of state of all these countries, maintaining contact. All those countries are prioritising the safety of Indians stuck in the war zones. To ensure that our brothers and sisters there face no hardship, the Indian embassies are working day and night,” said the Prime Minister.

Intensifying his criticism, PM Modi accused both the Congress and Left parties of poor governance, claiming their track record shows a pattern of mismanagement wherever they have been in power. He cited examples from states like West Bengal and Tripura under Left rule, and alleged failures by Congress governments across the country.

“The Congress and Left have a track record that wherever they come to power, they leave everything in ruins. The whole country knows what the Left did in Bengal and Tripura; everyone has also seen what Congress did across the country. Keralam too has been crushed in the same nefarious schemes of theirs. Reports of delays in salary payments to government employees come from here,” said the Prime Minister.

Referring to Kerala, he pointed to recent controversies over delayed payments of dearness allowance (DA) and leave encashment for government employees. He argued that while Congress criticises the Left in Kerala, similar governance issues persist in Congress-ruled states such as Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh, which he claimed are facing stalled development and economic challenges.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pm-modi-says-gulf-nations-prioritising-safety-of-indians-slams-congress-11282059

Even as the countdown to the April 9 polls in Assam has begun, the main Opposition Congress on Wednesday released its Assembly election manifesto, announcing five key guarantees.

Even as the countdown to the April 9 polls in Assam has begun, the main Opposition Congress on Wednesday released its Assembly election manifesto, announcing five key guarantees.

The manifesto was unveiled by All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Mallikarjun Kharge, with a major promise that the party would ensure justice in the Zubeen Garg case within 100 days.

Addressing a public rally in Nowboicha in the Lakhimpur district, Kharge said the manifesto was “crafted in consultation with the people” and outlined what he described as a forward-looking roadmap focused on welfare, social security, and indigenous rights.

The Congress also promised unconditional monthly financial assistance of Rs 50,000 to women for entrepreneurship, positioning it as a departure from what Kharge termed “conditional transfers.”

“The BJP gives conditional transfers. They ask if you are from the BJP. Congress will not ask such questions. We will provide financial support unconditionally, and if possible, go beyond that,” he said.

The party also announced cashless health insurance coverage of Rs 25 lakh for every family, citing similar schemes in Congress-ruled states such as Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Rajasthan.

The manifesto further pledged to provide permanent land pattas to 10 lakh indigenous people, replacing the current system of annual allotments.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/justice-to-zubeen-garg-in-100-days-promised-in-congress-manifesto-for-assam-11283492

The accused initially told the police during questioning that he was under the “influence of a ghost,” police said.

A passenger on board an IndiGo flight was booked for attempting to open the aircraft’s emergency exit door just before landing at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi, prompting the pilot to abort the landing and take the aircraft back into the air, officials said. The flight landed safely a few minutes later.

The passenger was taken into custody, and interrogated by multiple security agencies before being released, officials said. The accused initially told the police during questioning that he was under the “influence of a ghost,” police said. However, he later said he was unaware that pressing the emergency exit button could open the aircraft door.

According to officials, IndiGo flight 6E-185 (aircraft VT-IRW) from Bengaluru was approaching Varanasi airport around 10:20 pm on Saturday when the passenger allegedly tried to open the emergency exit door moments before touchdown.

Acting swiftly, the pilot executed a go-around, averting any potential danger. The aircraft eventually landed safely at approximately 10:35 pm. The incident triggered panic among over 100 passengers who were on board.

Officials said the passenger, identified as Mohammad Adnan, 26, had earlier attempted to tamper with the emergency exit shortly after the flight departed from Bengaluru, but was restrained and pacified by the cabin crew.

Following the safe landing, the accused was handed over to the airline’s security and the CISF, who subsequently transferred him to the local police, in accordance with security protocols.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/man-influenced-by-ghost-tries-to-open-emergency-door-on-bengaluru-varanasi-indigo-flight-101774833883619.html

 

The DoT will extend the compliance deadline for messaging apps to link services to SIM cards due to technical challenges faced by companies.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is set to extend the timeline for messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, ShareChat and Arattai to comply with its SIM binding directive, following requests from companies citing technical challenges, a DoT official said on Sunday, adding that the government is now expecting compliance by December-end.

The department had, in November 2025, directed app-based communication platforms that use mobile numbers for user identification to ensure that their services remain linked to the SIM card installed in the user’s device, making it impossible to use such apps without an active SIM. The order was issued to curb misuse of telecom identifiers, including instances of cyber fraud originating from outside India.

The directive also said that web-based versions of these apps must be periodically logged out, at least once every six hours, with users required to re-authenticate, typically through a QR code, to continue access.

“We will extend the compliance deadlines as companies have run into technical challenges, including testing and operating system updates. Firms have sought additional time to address these issues. The compliance will happen in a phased manner. Android is likely to comply first, while iOS faces certain technical constraints for which Apple is working on a solution. These are expected to be resolved by December,” a DoT official said on the condition of anonymity. An order formalising the extension is expected shortly.

HT reached out to Apple for comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication.

Under the November 2025 directive, companies were required to comply with the directive within 90 days, which was by the end of February 2026, and submit a compliance report within 120 days. However, these timelines were not met. Earlier, the DoT had indicated it was open to compliance by March-end, but is now considering a longer timeline following requests from platforms.

People aware of the matter at Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, said the company is working with the DoT to find a technically feasible solution. For WhatsApp on Android, SIM binding is currently in beta testing, the people said. As of Thursday, the company had not received a formal extension from the government, they added.

Meanwhile, Arattai, developed by Zoho, said it is working with the DoT to address implementation challenges. “We are working closely with the DoT to comply with the SIM-binding directive. During implementation, we encountered certain technical challenges that we are currently addressing. We have also received additional clarifications from the DoT and are incorporating those directions into our update. They have granted us a grace period, and we will roll out the necessary updates in the coming weeks to ensure full compliance with the directive,” Jeri John, global product head at Arattai, said.

“As we implement these changes, our priority is to ensure that the user experience remains largely unchanged, apart from periodic SIM-binding checks and the implementation of risk-based verification measures in line with DoT guidelines,” he added.

Snapchat, Signal, Telegram did not respond to HT’s request for comment.

The directive faced pushback from the industry, with several messaging platforms raising concerns around how practical it is to implement it and what it would mean for user experience. Companies said that enforcing continuous SIM binding, especially across multiple devices and web logins, would need significant changes to how their apps are built, along with coordination with operating system providers.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/centre-likely-to-extend-sim-binding-timeline-101774811681283.html

 

A woman in Singapore received 90% of the flat in divorce after the court found that she was the primary breadwinner as well as the homemaker in the marriage.

A woman in Singapore received 90% of her matrimonial flat in a divorce settlement after the court found that she was the primary breadwinner as well as the homemaker in the marriage. Her husband, who had filed for divorce and sought half the flat, had his petition rejected.

According to a report in Channel News Asia, the man and his mother had bought the flat seven years before his marriage. After his mother’s death in 2022, he became the sole owner of the three-bedroom apartment.

The Singapore man had sought at least half of the flat claiming he had made non-financial contributions to the marriage as a self-described house husband. However, his petition was rejected.

The divorce

According to a judgment made available on Friday March 29, the couple — both in their 70s — had been married for almost 48 years. In 2022, the man filed for divorce.

Interim judgment for divorce was granted in July 2025 based on the wife’s counterclaim.

The wife worked as a senior customer service officer and retired in 2008 after 39 years of service. Her final salary was S$5,042 (US$3,940). The husband said he last worked in 1995. At the time, he earned a gross income of over S$1,000.

Both husband and wife agreed that the man had moved out of their matrimonial flat and lived away from his family for an extended period. However, they disagree on the timeline of the separation. The woman claimed her husband left in October 2002. The husband, on the other hand, claimed that he had been denied access to the flat since the 1990s.

The terms of the divorce

The man lost his appeal over how the flat should be divided. He argued that only 50 per cent of the three-room flat — which he owned with his mother before her death — should be included in the pool of assets. He and his wife agreed to split 50% of the flat’s value.

However, Singapore High Court Senior Judge Andrew Ang ruled that the entire flat should be included in the pool of assets to be divided in the divorce.

Ang said that the couple’s agreement was only a small part of the overall assessment and that “it remains critical for the court to consider all the circumstances of the case when determining the proper weight to be given to such an agreement”.

Husband’s non-financial contributions

The man, who represented himself, said his role in the marriage was largely non-financial. He claimed he gave up career opportunities to care for the children and described himself as a house husband.

He alleged that he suffered under his wife’s “controlling behaviour” and said she once threatened him at knife point. This, he said, led him to file for personal protection orders and eventually move out.

He argued that his contributions justified at least an equal share of the flat. He said he handled the family’s domestic needs, cared for the children daily, and managed the household. He also claimed he acted as a mediator between his wife and the maid, and provided “emotional stability” so his wife could focus on work.

The man further said he helped secure the flat at a reduced price due to his national service status, and that he contributed S$8,000 towards the marble flooring.

Wife rejects man’s claims

The wife rejected the man’s version of events. She said she was the sole breadwinner because her husband refused to work or contribute financially. Despite him being at home, she said she remained the primary caregiver and managed the household as well as the children’s education.

She alleged that the man used money meant for household expenses for his own needs. She also claimed she paid off his debts and funded his holidays, but said he occasionally stole money from her.

The wife “vehemently” disputed his claims of contribution. She said she bore full financial responsibility as he repeatedly refused to find or keep a job. She added that she also had to cover losses from his failed business ventures, including attempts to work as a vacuum cleaner salesman and a real estate agent.

She said she had settled his personal debts several times.

The woman maintained that even though her husband stayed at home, she handled the household and took care of all the children’s needs. When she asked for help, he would ignore her or tell her to ask God for help, the court heard.

Wife details husband’s harassment

She also accused him of interfering with her work. She said he hid her handbag, which contained her office keys and security pass. She added that he went to her workplace and made baseless allegations in front of her colleagues.

Due to his unreliability, she said she had to hire a maid. This led to further issues when she allegedly caught him kissing the helper. The man denied this, but admitted there was a conflict over the matter.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/man-fails-to-get-half-of-his-own-flat-in-divorce-as-court-finds-his-wife-was-breadwinner-and-homemaker-101774833745728.html

PM Modi said Gulf countries have provided all necessary help and facilities to Indian citizens during the crisis.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the ongoing conflict in West Asia has created a serious situation over the past month, affecting several countries.

Speaking during 132nd episode of Mann Ki Baat, he expressed gratitude to Gulf nations for supporting nearly 10 million Indians living in the region. He said these countries have provided all necessary help and facilities to Indian citizens during the crisis.

“At present, a severe conflict has been ongoing for the past month. I am deeply grateful to the Gulf countries for providing all necessary support and facilities to nearly 10 million Indians living there,” said PM Modi.

India has consistently raised concerns about the safety of its large diaspora in the Gulf amid the ongoing war.

The Prime Minister urged people to stay united and avoid misinformation during the crisis. He warned against rumours and political statements that could harm the country.

“Those who are engaging in politics should refrain from doing so, and those spreading rumours are causing great harm to the country. People should trust only the information being provided by the government,” he said.

He also appealed to citizens to remain calm and united to overcome the challenge together.

Meanwhile, Iran war, launched February 28 by US-Israel strikes under Operation Epic Fury, has raged for one month. Following this, Tehran closed the Strait of Hormuz, triggering global oil supply crisis.

See more

During the 132nd episode of Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi says, “I have always urged that you all must focus on fitness. Less than 100 days are now left for the International Day of Yoga… Many of you have commented on my reply to the post of Instagram content creator Yuvraj Dua. He had… pic.twitter.com/XXB5BZVDyv

— ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2026

PM Modi further advised people to focus on health, urging them to reduce sugar intake and cut cooking oil consumption by 10 per cent.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/deeply-grateful-pm-modi-thanks-gulf-countries-for-helping-indians-amid-west-asia-crisis-10003377.html

 

Government is pushing households and commercial users to switch to piped natural gas (PNG) and give up their LPG connections.

As India continues to witness LPG shortage due to the war in West Asia, government is pushing for the PNG connections, and the existing PNG users are urged to give up their LPG connections. Owing to this, over 6,000 PNG users have surrendered their LPG connections, contributing to better availability in the regions where PNG is unavailable.

Reacting to the development, Petroleum and Natural Gas Secretary Neeraj Mittal expressed gratitude to the users and shared a post on X. “6,000 PNG consumers surrendered their LPG till yesterday! A big thanks to them!!”

He urged more users to give their connection and wrote: “Join this strong bold group of DoGood citizens who have come forward to give up LPG to help those to get LPG who don’t have PNG. Give up yours today at MyPNGD.in.”

See more

6000 PNG consumers surrendered their LPG till yesterday! A big thanks to them!!
Join this strong bold group of DoGood citizens who have come forward to give up LPG to help those to get LPG who don’t have PNG.
Give up yours today at https://t.co/lLa2MJUFoa#GiveItUp@PMOIndia…

— Neeraj Mittal IAS (@neerajmittalias) March 29, 2026

Country is facing LPG crisis as the war is causing disruption in supplies from the key sources. Government is advocating for more Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections as it is a more convenient alternative that is both domestically produced and sourced through diversified supply.

A government order issued on March 24 warns that the LPG supply “shall cease after three months” if a household does not opt for PNG despite availability.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/governments-big-thanks-after-6000-png-users-surrender-their-lpg-connection-ws-bl-10003974.html

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in discussions with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman regarding the West Asia conflict, focusing on the importance of protecting regional energy infrastructure.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called upon Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman and discussed the ongoing conflict in West Asia. The Prime Minister condemned attacks on regional energy infrastructure and mutually agreed on need to ensure freedom of navigation, keeping shipping lanes open and secure.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, PM Modi said, “Spoke with Crown Prince and PM of Saudi Arabia, HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman and discussed the ongoing conflict in West Asia. I reiterated India’s condemnation of attacks on regional energy infrastructure.”

“We agreed on the need to ensure freedom of navigation and keeping shipping lines open and secure. Thanked him for his continued support for the welfare of the Indian community in Saudi Arabia,” PM Modi wrote on X.

Ever since the Iran war has started, which on March 28 completed one month, Asian and European countries have struggled to meet their energy demands including oil and gas. Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz to build pressure on the United States, halting a strategic sea passage that is crucial for global shipping of energy resources and other essential commodities. Due to this, hundreds of oil and gas tankers are stranded in Hormuz because Tehran has warned against any unauthorised movement saying it will blow them up and it has indeed did it.

So apart from the main concern of stopping the fighting, countries are exploring diplomatic channels with Iran to negotiate their tanker movement and also exploring other sources of securing the energy apart from the Gulf region.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah accused the TMC government of enabling infiltration and political violence, while Mamata Banerjee blamed BJP for Ram Navami clashes in Bengal. Both leaders traded sharp allegations during campaign events, escalating political tensions ahead of elections.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday had visited Kolkata with a strong ‘chargesheet’ against the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).

Addressing a press conference, Shah said that due to the transfer of officers there were few incidents of violence during Ram Navami rally.

Transfers Curbed Violence

“Most of the IPS and IAS officers work at the behest of the present state government. That is the reason why more officers from Bengal have been transferred. The Election Commission transfers officers ahead of elections across the country. Due to this transfer a smaller number of violence were seen on Ram Navami,” said Shah.

Notably, incidents of sporadic violence during Ram Navami rally was seen in Murshidabad on March 27.

The Union Home Minister also claimed that Bengal is the state where SIR exercise got into controversy.

‘Principal Corridor of Infiltration’

“Due to Mamata Banerjee’s rule Bengal has become the ‘principal corridor’ of infiltration. If BJP is voted to power, we will strengthen the border. Mamata didi can levy any charges at us but our country’s security is the priority. We will remove infiltrators. Why did the Supreme Court appoint judicial officers for SIR only in Bengal? In other states SIR was done smoothly,” further mentioned Shah.

Shah stated that Bihar, Odisha, Bengal is going to have the government of the same party which is Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

“After a long time Anga, Banga and Kalinga (Bihar, Bengal, Odisha) will have the government of the same party. After BJP comes to power we will stop corruption, political violence, appeasement politics. The majority in this state is living in fear that in our own country we will become a minority. BJP will punish all those who do atrocities against women,” added Shah.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in her election campaign slammed BJP for sporadic incidents of violence during Ram Navami rally at Murshidabad.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/union-hm-amit-shah-in-kolkata-delivers-chargesheet-against-tmc-vows-to-remove-infiltrators-and-end-political-violence-in-west-bengal

A farmer’s wife in Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh, found nearly Rs 10 crore credited to her Bank of India account due to an apparent technical error.

A farmer’s wife from Mainpuri district in Uttar Pradesh has won widespread praise after she discovered nearly Rs 10 crore had mysteriously appeared in her bank account and refused to withdraw even a single rupee until the matter was resolved.

Rita, wife of Parasbhan Baheliya, a resident of Devganj village in the Bichwan area, lives with her family and earns her livelihood through farming. On the occasion of Ashtami during Navratri, she visited her local bank to withdraw money but was unable to do so due to the branch being closed. She then went to a nearby ATM and checked her balance, only to be left stunned by what she saw.

Her account with Bank of India showed a balance of Rs 9,99,49,588, nearly ten crore rupees. Unable to believe her eyes, she checked the balance a second time at another ATM and recorded a video of the screen, which has since gone viral on social media.

Despite the enormous sum showing in her account, Rita did not attempt to withdraw any money. She also firmly told her family members not to touch the funds until the situation had been properly explained. Neighbours and locals have since praised her for her exceptional honesty.

When Rita and her family went to the bank to report the matter, they found the branch shut for a public holiday. The manager of the Bank of India’s Karimganj branch, Rishikant Pandey, later said the incident was most likely caused by a technical error or a transaction fault and assured that the matter would be investigated and resolved once the branch reopened.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/lucknow-news/take-it-back-it-is-not-mine-up-womans-honesty-wins-praise-after-bank-error-credits-rs-10-crore-11279528?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

The victim has been identified as Bablu, who had gone to Parsawal village, as he did on most days, to sell ice cream.

A 25-year-old ice-cream seller was beheaded in Uttar Pradesh’s Barabanki on Saturday. The killer, a 50-year-old man, slit the man’s throat, severed his head, then carried it to his own house and began cooking as if nothing had happened.

The incident took place in Parsawal village of Barabanki district. The victim has been identified as Bablu, who had gone to Parsawal village, as he did on most days, to sell ice cream. While he was carrying out his work, he became involved in a verbal altercation with a local resident named Shankar Yadav.

After an exchange of words, Shankar Yadav attacked Bablu with a sickle, slitting his throat and severing his head in public view. Instead of leaving the scene, Shankar Yadav picked up the severed head and took it with him to his house in the same village. Once inside, he started cooking, according to the police account of what they found when they entered the premises.

Information about the killing reached the police, who deployed a large force to the village under the direction of Superintendent of Police Arpit Vijayvargiya. Officers cordoned off the area and went to Shankar Yadav’s house. When the team entered, they found the accused inside, continuing to cook, with Bablu’s severed head lying nearby.

The police immediately arrested him, seized the murder weapon and recovered the severed head from the house.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/up-man-beheads-ice-cream-seller-carries-his-head-home-then-cooks-meal-11279647?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

The Jag Vasant, a 230-metre-long ship, dropped anchor around 8 pm on Friday at Vadinar, a terminal of the state-run Deendayal Port Authority (DPA).

Two India-flagged tankers hauling liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) arrived in the country after being cleared by Iran to transit the strategic Strait of Hormuz, even as two additional carriers, the BW Tyr and BW Elm, began their journey through the waterway on Saturday, officials aware of the matter said.

According to the officials, the Jag Vasant, a 230-metre-long ship, dropped anchor around 8 pm on Friday at Vadinar, a terminal of the state-run Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), popularly called Kandla. Meanwhile, the second vessel — the Indian Oil Corp-chartered Pine Gas — entered Indian territorial waters on Friday night and is scheduled to reach its east-coast destination at the Adani Group-led Dhamra port in Odisha on April 2, they added. Both ships transited the strait safely by tracking the Iranian coastline closely on a route determined by Tehran authorities for vessels authorised for passage.

At the Vadinar facility, spokesperson Omprakash Dadlani confirmed that the Jag Vasant’s 14-member crew are in good spirits and sound health. The Bharat Petroleum Corp-chartered tanker was carrying 47,000 tonnes of LPG. The shipment has since been transferred to another ship for onward transportation. The Pine Gas reached Indian territorial waters on Friday night and was headed to the Odisha facility, a second official aware of the matter said, requesting anonymity.

BW Tyr and BW Elm started transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, a person aware of the development said.

A second official familiar with the matter said that BW Tyr is set to reach Mumbai on March 31.

According to a shipping ministry official, who requested anonymity, BW ELM is headed to New Mangalore and has 28 seafarers (all Indians) and has 23,860 tonnes of propane and 23,139 tonnes of butane. The cargo is meant for Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited. “BW TYR is headed for Mumbai and has 27 seafarers (all Indians). It has 23,653 tonnes of propane and 22,926 tonnes of butane for Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited,” the official added.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/2-indian-lpg-tankers-reach-ports-two-more-en-route-from-strait-of-hormuz-101774745320246.html

Commercial flight operations from Noida International Airport are expected to begin within 45 to 60 days, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said.

Commercial flight operations from the Noida International Airport (NIA) are expected to begin within the next 45 to 60 days, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters after the inauguration ceremony of the airport in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, Naidu said preparations are underway to operationalise the facility and that necessary arrangements, including security planning, are currently being finalised.

“Flight operations from the airport would start in 45 to 60 days,” Naidu said, adding that the process of putting the required security systems in place is progressing.

The Noida International Airport, located in Gautam Buddh Nagar district, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday.

The airport is among the largest greenfield airport projects in India and is expected to significantly boost aviation infrastructure in the National Capital Region.

Naidu said that airline operators have already shown interest in commencing services from the airport, with IndiGo keen to begin flights once operations are cleared to start.

SECURITY PLANS BEING FINALISED

The civil aviation minister said that security-related preparations are currently being worked out, which are among the final steps before commercial operations begin.

The airport has already received an aerodrome licence from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), enabling it to move closer to operational readiness.

With regulatory approvals in place, the focus is now on ensuring that infrastructure, operational systems and safety measures are aligned for passenger services.

The airport is equipped with modern navigation systems, including Instrument Landing System (ILS) technology and advanced airfield lighting, which are expected to help facilitate safe flight operations in varying visibility conditions.

The 3,900-metre runway at the airport is capable of handling wide-body aircraft, enabling both domestic and international flight operations in the future.

MAJOR GREENFIELD AVIATION PROJECT

The Noida International Airport is being developed in four phases and is expected to emerge as a key aviation hub in northern India.

In its initial phase, the airport will have the capacity to handle 12 million passengers annually.

Once fully completed, the airport’s total passenger handling capacity is projected to reach 70 million passengers per year, placing it among the major aviation hubs in the country.

The first phase of the project has been developed at an estimated cost of around Rs 11,200 crore under a public-private partnership model.

The airport will be operated by Yamuna International Airport Pvt Ltd (YIAPL), a subsidiary of Zurich Airport International AG.

The first phase includes a terminal building spread over 1,37,985 square metres with 48 check-in counters.

The airport is designed to handle up to 30 flight movements per hour during peak operations.

In addition to passenger services, the airport will also support cargo operations, with an estimated cargo handling capacity of around 2.5 lakh tonnes in the initial phase.

A total of 28 aircraft stands have been planned in the first phase, allowing multiple aircraft to be handled simultaneously.

FOCUS ON LONG-TERM AVIATION INFRASTRUCTURE

The airport project also includes plans for Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities, with more than 40 acres of land earmarked for this purpose.

NIA and Akasa Air have already announced a strategic partnership to establish an MRO facility at the airport.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/noida-jewar-airport-commercial-flights-to-begin-within-60-days-rammohan-naidu-ws-l-10003207.html

Speaking at the inauguration of the Noida International Airport in Jewar, PM Modi thanked sugarcane farmers of Western UP for helping India save money on crude oil. PM Modi’s statement comes amid high crude oil prices due to the conflict in West Asia, a region which supplies over 40 per cent of India’s oil.

Amid the energy crisis triggered by the Middle East war, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday lauded the Centre’s ethanol blending policy for helping India reduce its dependence on imported crude oil.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Noida International Airport in Jewar, PM Modi thanked sugarcane farmers of Western UP for helping India save money on crude oil.

“Had it not been for ethanol blending, we would have had to import 4.5 crore barrels from abroad,” PM Modi said, adding that the farmers have played a huge role in helping India save crucial foreign exchange.

PM Modi’s statement comes amid high crude oil prices due to the conflict in West Asia, a region which supplies over 40 per cent of India’s oil.

INDIA’S ETHANOL BLENDING PROGRAMME

India’s ethanol blending programme, which aims to reduce costly crude oil imports, save foreign exchange and lower carbon emissions, has received a big boost under the Modi government.

India met its target of blending 20 per cent ethanol in petrol last year, five years ahead of schedule. Notably, starting April 1, oil marketing companies have been mandated to supply ethanol-blended petrol, also called E20, across all states and Union Territories.

The government has also set the target of increasing ethanol in petrol to 30 per cent by 2030.

India has saved approximately Rs 1.36 lakh crore in foreign exchange in the last 10 years by reducing its dependency on imported crude oil, said the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas in July 2025.

PM MODI URGES UNITY AMID MIDDLE EAST CRISIS

Meanwhile, PM Modi has urged citizens to unite in order to tackle global challenges and achieve ‘Viksit Bharat’.

“I once again appeal to the people of the country that we must face this crisis calmly, with patience and unity. This is a global crisis, but we must prioritise India’s interests. That is our greatest strength,” he said after inaugurating the new airport in Uttar Pradesh’s Jewar.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ethanol-blending-fuel-imports-pm-modi-e20-push-hormuz-iran-west-asia-middle-east-crisis-2888577-2026-03-29

According to the analysis, Pakistan remains both a hub and a target for a wide range of armed non-state actors, many of which have been active since the 1980s.

A report by the US Congressional Research Service has reinforced India’s longstanding concerns over militant groups operating from Pakistan, particularly those focused on Jammu and Kashmir.

The report identifies several India- and Kashmir-oriented groups—including Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Harakat-ul Jihad Islami, Harakat ul-Mujahidin and Hizbul Mujahideen—as continuing to operate from Pakistani territory, posing enduring security challenges.

According to the analysis, Pakistan remains both a hub and a target for a wide range of armed non-state actors, many of which have been active since the 1980s. Despite repeated military operations and policy measures, networks designated as terrorist organisations by the United States and the United Nations have not been fully dismantled.

The report, intended to brief US lawmakers and prepared by South Asia specialist K Alan Kronstadt, categorises these groups into five types: globally oriented, Afghanistan-focused, India- and Kashmir-oriented, domestically focused, and sectarian, particularly anti-Shia outfits. It notes that 12 of the 15 groups listed are designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations under US law, with most driven by Islamist extremist ideologies.

Among globally oriented groups, the report names Al Qaeda, Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent and Islamic State Khorasan Province, while Afghanistan-focused groups include the Taliban and the Haqqani Network. Domestically focused outfits include Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, Balochistan Liberation Army and Jaysh al-Adl, while sectarian groups include Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi.

The report notes that a 2014 National Action Plan aimed to ensure that no armed militias operate in the country, but adds that multiple large-scale military offensives, including airstrikes and intelligence-based operations, have failed to eliminate these groups.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/us-report-flags-pakistan-based-terror-outfits-targeting-india-2888572-2026-03-29

The Indian government has ordered the cut amid the volatility in global crude prices. Other headlines in our daily news roundup include the oil minister denying rumors of a lockdown.

A new claim from a man in Pakistan has caught attention after he said that parts of Dhurandhar were actually shot in Lyari, Pakistan.

Dhurandhar has been getting attention since its release in December and now its second part is also receiving a lot of love from viewers. Along with the story and acting, many have been talking about the film’s shooting locations. Scenes from places like Bangkok, where the Pakistan town was made and other set locations have added to its visual appeal. Amid this, a new claim from a man in Pakistan has caught everyone’s attention online. He says that parts of the film were actually shot in Lyari.

According to him, the team used to come early in the morning, around 4 or 5 am, when most people were asleep. He also mentioned that shooting during the day would not have been possible, as locals won’t spare Ranveer Singh.

Pakistan Man Says Film Was Shot In Real Lyari

In a video shared on X (Twitter), the young man says, “Lyari ke mazak uda rahe bahar se arahe yahan par bana rahe. Lyari ke andar shoot hua hai. Ye log ratko 4-5 baje atey hain awam so jaati thi. Ranveer Singh Cheel Chowk pe bhi aya tha. Iss time par ayega toh Lyari wale isko thodi chodenge. (They are making fun of Lyari, coming from outside and shooting here. The shoot has taken place inside Lyari. These people used to come at around 4–5 in the morning, when the public was asleep. Ranveer Singh had also come to Cheel Chowk. If he comes at this time, the people of Lyari won’t spare him).”

“Video se pata lag jata hai. Awaam ne kuch buzurgon ne dekha hai. Young ladkon ne nahi dekha hai. Sanjay Dutt ka pata nahi par dusron ka pata hai. (You can tell from the video. Some elders from the area have seen them, but the younger boys haven’t. Not sure about Sanjay Dutt, but we know about the others)” he adds.

See more

Pakistan’s Lyari resident says Aditya Dhar, Ranveer Singh and Sanjay Dutt used to come at 4am to shoot in Lyari for Dhurandhar! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Imagine how good the set design, story and direction of the film has been! @AdityaDharFilms @RanveerOfficial

pic.twitter.com/eQ1zDj0uo2

— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) March 26, 2026

Internet Users React With Jokes

Reacting to the post, a user wrote, “At 4 in the morning, Aditya Dhar, Ranveer Singh and Sanjay Dutt quietly reached Lyari without anyone noticing, almost like a secret mission from a spy film. And then the shooting also got done, everyone stayed silent, no videos, no selfies, was the whole area in meditation mode or what?”

Another shared, “We need a separate social media platform for Pakistani news channel videos. We can call it PakTok.”

“A standout brain from Karachi University,” a comment read.

An individual stated, “Whatever it is, the child is very innocent. There’s a term often used for Pakistani people, that they are emotional. Brother, they are pure-hearted people; clever individuals and supporters of terrorism take advantage of these innocent people.”

Source : https://www.news18.com/viral/pakistan-man-claims-lyari-elders-saw-ranveer-singh-at-4-am-shooting-dhurandhar-aa-10000050.html

 

PM Modi expressed confidence that the country would successfully get past the challenges by working together as “Team India”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today chaired a virtual meeting with Chief Ministers and Lieutenant Governors of States and Union Territories to review India’s preparedness in view of the war in the Middle East and its potential implications for the country.

The meeting, held via video conferencing, focused on assessing the impact of recent developments in the region on supply chains, energy security, and essential commodities.

PM Modi expressed confidence that the country would successfully get past the challenges by working together as “Team India”.

He recalled the collective response during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the Centre and state governments had coordinated efforts to manage disruptions to supply chains, trade, and daily life.

The Prime Minister stated that the situation in Middle East was dynamic and required continuous monitoring along with adaptive strategies. He noted that an Inter-Ministerial Group had been functioning since March 3, conducting daily reviews and taking timely decisions.

PM Modi said that the government’s main priorities are maintaining economic and trade stability, ensuring energy security, safeguarding the interests of citizens, and strengthening industry and supply chains.

He said that effective implementation of measures occurred at the state level. He called for constant communication and coordination between the Centre and States, including timely sharing of information and joint decision-making, to enable swift and aligned responses.

The Prime Minister urged States to ensure the smooth functioning of supply chains and to take strict measures against hoarding and profiteering.

He directed them to activate control rooms at state and district levels and to maintain administrative alertness to prevent any disruptions.

He stressed the need for advance planning in the agriculture sector, with particular attention to monitoring fertiliser storage and distribution, to avoid difficulties for farmers ahead of the upcoming Kharif season.

PM Modi cautioned against the spread of misinformation and rumours. He said timely dissemination of accurate and credible information was essential to prevent panic among the public. He also advised vigilance against online frauds and fake agents.

Special attention was called for border and coastal states to address challenges related to shipping, essential supplies and maritime operations.

The PM suggested that states with citizens in the Middle East should activate helplines, appoint nodal officers, and set up district-level support systems to assist affected families and ensure the flow of timely information.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/iran-war-live-news-ensure-supplies-work-as-team-india-pm-modi-to-chief-ministers-on-gulf-crisis-11276004?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

Home Minister Amit Shah at Times Now Summit 2026 reassured that there will be no LPG or fuel shortage, dismissed lockdown rumours, and urged people to trust in Modi government. He also highlighted India’s resilience in managing the global oil crisis.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday assured the country that there will be no shortage of LPG cylinders or fuel supply, and urged people to have faith in the Modi government during this global crisis. In an exclusive interview with Times Network Group Editor-in-Chief Navika Kumar at the Times Now Summit 2026, the Home Minister also made it clear that there will be no lockdown in the country, putting to rest all rumours.

He reiterated that there is no plan to impose restrictions similar to those seen during the pandemic. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured that there will be no lockdown,” he said.

The “Cicada” COVID-19 variant (BA.3.2), part of Omicron, is spreading across 20+ countries with rising cases. With 70+ mutations, it may spread faster and partially evade immunity, but isn’t more severe. Symptoms mirror Omicron. Experts urge vaccination, testing, masking, and caution, as rapid transmission could still increase hospitalizations despite generally mild illness outcomes.

A new COVID-19 variant dubbed “Cicada” is drawing global attention as cases begin to rise across multiple countries. Officially known as BA.3.2, this strain is part of the Omicron family, but what makes it concerning is its high number of mutations and potential to spread quickly.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said that cases are slowly increasing. The World Health Organisation has also added Cicada to its “variants of monitoring” list as it pops up in more countries, USA Today reported. So far, BA.3.2 has been found in more than 20 countries. In some places, it makes up as much as 30 per cent of cases. “Monitoring the spread of BA.3.2 provides valuable information about the potential for this new SARS-CoV-2 lineage to evade immunity from a previous infection or vaccination,” the CDC wrote in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Violence marred Ram Navami processions in Murshidabad and Purulia as authorities deployed forces to restore law and order.

Tensions gripped Murshidabad district on Friday after an altercation between two communities during a Ram Navami procession escalated into violence. Both sides were involved in throwing of stones and vandalism.

Members of one community alleged that stones were thrown at their procession in Raghunathganj, while members of the other community claimed that provocative remarks were made during the rally.

Police sources said the situation was brought under control after local police and central forces were deployed in the area. Authorities have since been conducting route marches to maintain law and order in the district.

A police officer said strict action will be taken against those involved in the violence. Residents have also been urged to remain calm, with security tightened across the region.

A similar incident was reported on the same day in Purulia’s Para. According to local authorities, the situation there was also brought under control.

Purulia Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Tiwari said a group of people were travelling in a vehicle to participate in a Ram Navami rally, when it was vandalised by members of another community. The driver sustained injuries in the incident.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/stones-thrown-arson-attack-west-bengal-clashes-during-ram-navami-in-murshidabad-purulia-2888218-2026-03-28

A suspected case of brutal child abuse in Maharashtra’s Sangli has left a 10-year-old girl dead and her elder sister critically injured.

A father allegedly subjected his two minor daughters to brutal torture on suspicion of theft, leading to the death of one and leaving the other critically injured.

The accused, identified as Dadu Haibat Yamgar, tied the hands and legs of his daughters,10-year-old Sanika and 11-year-old Anuja, and hung them upside down from an iron angle in their house around 5 pm on Wednesday. The girls were allegedly left hanging through the night, crying in pain and repeatedly asking for water, which they were denied.

The horrific ordeal ended only the next morning when their grandfather untied them around 6 am. By then, Sanika had died, while Anuja was found unconscious and seriously injured. She was rushed to hospital, where she later regained consciousness and narrated the incident to doctors, following which a police complaint was registered.

Sanika was declared dead on arrival at a private hospital.

Preliminary information suggests that neighbours had raised suspicions of theft against the girls, prompting the father to carry out the brutal punishment.

In a disturbing development, family members allegedly attempted to conduct Sanika’s last rites quietly to prevent the incident from coming to light. However, the truth emerged after Anuja’s statement.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/maharashtra-sangli-child-abuse-father-hangs-daughters-one-dead-2888159-2026-03-28

Officials said the avalanches hit the stretch between Zero Point and Minimarg in the afternoon. Reacting to the incident, Ladakh’s Lieutenant Governor, VK Saxena, said he was personally monitoring the situation.

At least seven people were killed, and five others were injured after close to a dozen cars were buried under the snow following multiple avalanches that hit the Srinagar-Leh national highway on Friday, according to authorities.

Officials, cited by news agency PTI, said the avalanches hit the stretch between Zero Point, situated at Zojila Pass in Ladakh, and Minimarg in the afternoon. Reacting to the incident, Ladakh’s Lieutenant Governor, VK Saxena, said he was personally monitoring the situation.

The officials said a rescue operation was immediately launched after the incident and efforts were on to clear the snow and rescue the trapped people.

“Heard the unfortunate news of an avalanche at Zoji La. I have directed the DC & SSP of Kargil to visit the spot immediately and mobilise relief and rescue operations. All government agencies including disaster relief forces and BRO (Border Roads Organisation) have been put on high alert. I am personally monitoring the situation,” he said in a post on X.

Meanwhile, Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh said seven people had lost their lives in the avalanches.

“Saddened to learn about the tragic death of 7 persons and injuries to 5 after avalanche hit the vehicle at Zojila pass. My sincere condolences to the bereaved families. All required assistance being provided to the injured,” he tweeted.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/6-killed-5-injured-as-avalanche-hits-jks-sonmarg-highway-dozens-of-vehicles-buried-under-snow-2888093-2026-03-27

More than 50 calls have been received by the SIT in five days against Nashik-based godman Ashok Kharat, days after his arrest in a rape case.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) conducting a probe against rape accused and self-styled godman Ashok Kharat has received more than 50 calls in the last five days providing information or reporting crimes allegedly committed by him, officials said on Friday.

The Maharashtra government-appointed SIT earlier published two mobile phone numbers for citizens to share information regarding Kharat or report any offence committed by him, they said.

The police have so far registered eight FIRs against Nashik-based Kharat after receiving multiple complaints involving allegations of sexual assault, extortion, and circulation of objectionable material.

Kharat, who heads a temple trust at Sinnar in Nashik district and had several political leaders visit him over the years, was arrested on March 18 after a 35-year-old woman accused him of repeated rape over a period of three years. Following his arrest, multiple rape complaints were filed against him.

A senior official said that since the launch of the two dedicated mobile numbers, the probe team received an average of 15 to 20 phone calls daily.

Of the calls received in the last five days, more than 50 were about complaints against Kharat, he said, adding that the team is verifying the complaints.

The SIT has assured that to keep the identities of those providing information or reporting a crime strictly confidential, he said.

The SIT visited Kharat’s office in Nashik on Friday, accompanied by the forensic science team.

A team of police officials recovered several documents and files, a diary and papers from the office, the official said.

The Nashik district administration has, meanwhile, suspended the former Merchant Navy officer’s arms licence, citing that with multiple cases against him, he might use weapons to threaten and intimidate victims.

Nashik collector Ayush Prasad on Tuesday issued an order suspending Kharat’s arms licence, another official said.

Kharat, a resident of Mirgaon in Sinnar, obtained a revolver licence on October 15, 2012, renewed it on January 1, 2024, with validity till December 2028, he said.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/godman-ashok-kharat-sit-probe-calls-firs-arms-licence-suspended-2887907-2026-03-27

Amul denied allegations of worms in its curd served on a Vande Bharat train after a viral video sparked outrage. The company said contamination was ‘scientifically impossible’ due to sealed packaging and traced the issue to infested serving trays. Railways fined IRCTC and the vendor Rs 60 lakh and terminated the contractor over hygiene lapses.

In a strongly worded clarification issued in the wake of a viral food safety controversy, dairy giant Amul dismissed allegations regarding the presence of live worms in its Dahi (curd) cups. The incident, which reportedly occurred on March 15, 2026, aboard the Patna-Tatanagar Vande Bharat Express, sparked widespread outrage after a passenger posted video evidence of insects crawling near the food.

See more

Issued in Public interest by Amul pic.twitter.com/v8LJquqpck

— Amul.coop (@Amul_Coop) March 27, 2026

While the Ministry of Railways responded with a staggering Rs 60 lakh in combined fines against IRCTC and the onboard vendor, Amul maintains that its product was not the source of the contamination.

Following a comprehensive internal audit and a high-level meeting with IRCTC officials, Amul stated that an infestation within its production cycle is ‘scientifically and operationally impossible.’ The company highlighted that its Dahi is manufactured in ISO-certified plants governed by rigorous Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

See more

Live worms and insects were found in the Amul Dahi that was served to passanger on board 21896 Patna-Tatanagar Vande Bharat on March 15. In a landmark decision, Railways has penalized IRCTC with ₹10 lakh and the service provider with ₹50 lakh. pic.twitter.com/zrAae3Wgay

— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) March 25, 2026

According to the dairy major, the acidic nature of the curd and the vacuum-sealed, oxygen-free environment of the packaging are biologically incompatible with the survival or reproduction of weevils. Furthermore, the company noted that the cold chain requirements for dairy products differ fundamentally from the dry, warm conditions pests require to thrive.

The investigation took a major turn when Amul’s audit of the value chain revealed that the specific batch in question was not even supplied through the company’s authorised distribution network. Amul’s analysis of the consumer-posted video suggests a different origin for the pests: the serving trays.

Insects Originated From Infested Tray, Says Amul

The company stated that the insects likely originated from an infested tray provided by the onboard catering staff rather than the sealed curd container itself. This aligns with the Ministry of Railways’ decision to terminate the contract of the private service provider, Krishna Enterprises, citing gross negligence in maintaining hygiene standards.

Despite Amul’s defence, the Ministry of Railways has maintained a zero-tolerance stance, slapping a Rs 50 lakh fine on the vendor and a Rs 10 lakh fine on IRCTC for a serious deficiency in service. The incident led to a nationwide discussion on the quality of catering in India’s flagship premium trains.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/amul-denies-infestation-claims-in-vande-bharat-curd-row-points-to-third-party-serving-trays