At least seven people, including four children and two women, lost their lives in a gas cylinder explosion in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district. The incident occurred in a house in Dholaghat village around 9 pm. Another woman sustained injuries and was taken to the hospital. Authorities believe firecrackers stored in the house ignited, causing the explosion.
A fresh encounter between terrorists and security forces erupted in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua, with three terrorists trapped. Following previous clashes that resulted in casualties, security forces have intensified search operations with aerial surveillance and sniffer dogs. Deputy Inspector General Shiv Kumar Sharma emphasized the commitment to the mission until the last terrorist is neutralized.
The team has commenced site reconnaissance for establishing the Field Hospital and is currently undergoing orientation of the Area of Operations, the Indian Army said.
Thousands of people in Kashmir marched in solidarity with Palestine on Al-Quds Day, raising pro-Hezbollah slogans and flags. J&K police filed FIRs under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act against the organizers for creating a law and order situation and promoting terrorism.
The critically-acclaimed film 'Santosh,' which addresses serious social issues in rural north India, will not be released in India due to censorship demands by the Central Board of Film Certification. The filmmakers decided against making significant edits that would compromise the film's essence.
Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee refutes Vice President Jagdish Dhankhar's criticism of the Supreme Court's decision to strike down the NJAC Act, citing constitutional protocol. Banerjee insists policy decisions should be discussed in Parliament and not in private chambers, emphasizing parliamentary standards.
The parliamentary panel on transport has urged for CAG audits of highway project consultants' work, especially under the Bharatmala Pariyojna, to enhance accountability. It highlighted irregularities in the project reports and contractors' poor performances. The panel recommended stricter financial screening of contractors due to issues of financial capacity leading to stalled infrastructure projects.
Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee announced that the party will focus on the central government's alleged deprivation of West Bengal's funds as the main campaign theme for the upcoming assembly elections. He emphasized the establishment of micro-level committees to address electoral fraud concerns.
India's DGCA plans to rank flying training organisations (FTOs) based on factors like CPL completion time to promote transparency and competition. High costs, delays, and quality issues have led many students to seek training abroad. This initiative aims to help prospective students make informed choices.
Haryana's Khap Panchayats have praised the government's decision to ban songs that glorify guns and obscenity. They urge stronger action against artists who produce inappropriate content and advocate for promoting positive societal values. Leaders demand pre-release approval for songs and stricter regulations on DJ events.
Nearly 77% of beneficiaries of the first batch of PM Awas Yojna (Urban) 2.0 are women, including single women and widows. About 3.1 lakh out of 3.5 lakh approved houses will be allotted to SC, ST, and OBCs. The scheme, promoting inclusiveness and equality, also benefits transgenders, senior citizens, unmarried women, widows, and separated female beneficiaries.
Satish Salian, father of Disha Salian, has petitioned the Bombay high court for a fresh investigation into her June 2020 death, alleging she was raped and murdered. He seeks an FIR against Aaditya Thackeray and a CBI probe, citing a politically-motivated cover-up.
India is experiencing a significant disparity in tariffs on its top five import and export items with the US. Data from the commerce ministry shows India pays higher duties on imports from the US compared to the duty it earns on exports.
Opposition parties in Maharashtra have criticized the state government for failing to maintain law and order after violence erupted in Nagpur. They accuse the administration and ministers of inciting tensions with provocative speeches to divert attention from key issues like inflation and farmers' distress.
The parliamentary panel on railways recommends reviewing AC fares and implementing dynamic pricing for AC classes and premium trains while keeping rail travel affordable for low-income passengers. They also suggest enhancing non-fare revenue through e-auctions and advertisements and maintaining targeted subsidies for suburban and non-AC travel.
Bathinda Police arrested six individuals, including two Indian Army personnel, following a brief encounter. They were involved in a gunpoint robbery using an AK-47 stolen from an army unit. The incident occurred at Green Hotel near Bathinda, where Rs 7000 was snatched from the owner. Police are verifying the claims of stolen weapon and contact with army authorities is ongoing.
The ministry of home affairs has returned a proposal to prosecute three IAS officers in the Jammu and Kashmir arms licences scam due to missing documents. They must resubmit the full documentation within a week. CBI is investigating irregularities in granting over 278,000 arms licences between 2012 and 2016, implicating several IAS officers for issuing licences in exchange for money.
US President Donald Trump has downplayed the priority of a human mission to Mars, despite earlier support for Elon Musk's colonization vision. This shift in stance coincides with Trump asserting final authority over staffing and policy decisions, ahead of a Space X Starship explosion.
NHAI will implement a variable UPI payment system at toll plazas to eliminate cash transactions and ensure accurate fee collection. The trial has begun at Kherki Dhaula toll plaza in Haryana and will expand nationwide. This system aims to enhance convenience, reduce transaction time, and prevent fraud, addressing issues of unauthorized fund transfer via parallel software.
Union minister Jitendra Singh condemned the killing of three family members in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district as a terrorist attack. Their bodies were discovered after an extensive search. Lt governor Manoj Sinha ordered an investigation, sparking protests in Billawer town. If confirmed, it would be the deadliest civilian strike in Jammu since 2024.
The Indian Ports Bill, 2025, proposes significant changes to the 118-year-old Indian Ports Act. It mandates all ports to report incidents threatening pollution and defines 23 violations as criminal offences, including non-payment of port fees, and safety violations. It also introduces significant penalties and requires data integration with central systems.
Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri criticizes Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin for urging couples to have more children, disputing the claim that states with higher birth rates will benefit in the delimitation exercise. Amid concern over fair representation, Stalin warns that Tamil Nadu's political influence could diminish.
Road transport minister Nitin Gadkari criticized engineers, consultants, and contractors for neglecting road safety, citing faulty planning and poor signage as primary causes of accidents. He urged collaboration between the industry and government to improve infrastructure, enforcement, and education. Experts highlighted the aim of achieving zero fatalities through improved road design and management.
The cabinet has approved two ropeway projects in Uttarakhand, reducing travel time significantly. These projects, Sonprayag to Kedarnath and Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib, will be implemented on a public-private partnership basis, costing around Rs 6,811 crore. The ropeways will provide fast, eco-friendly connectivity and are expected to boost pilgrimage and tourism.
The Centre launches a capacity building programme to curb the 'Sarpanch Pati' phenomenon, focusing on leadership and decision-making skills of women in Panchayati Raj Institutions. The initiative includes a primer on laws against gender-based violence to empower women leaders and enhance their legal knowledge.
Jordanian border guards fatally shot Thomas Gabriel Pereira from Kerala while he attempted to cross into Israel illegally. Pereira, misled by an agency promising Israeli work visas, travelled with three others on tourist visas. His death was discovered by his family after a relative, Edison, was deported by Jordan. Kerala authorities are assisting the family in repatriating his body.
TMC leader Derek O'Brien highlighted the role of Christian-run educational institutions in India's development and urged them to reconnect with alumni to promote their contributions positively. He criticized government policies affecting the Christian community and called for uniting against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and uniform civil code.
CUET-UG for undergraduate admissions is scheduled from May 8 to June 1, with applications open until March 22. The exam in 13 languages aims to standardize admissions across universities per the NEP 2020. Registration saw a slight decline from 2023, reflecting diverse participation with a hybrid exam format conducted last year.
The Enforcement Directorate has issued a FEMA violation notice to One97 Communications, owner of Paytm, for alleged irregularities related to its acquisition of Little Internet Private Limited and Nearbuy India Private Limited. The notice addresses potential contraventions between 2015 and 2019 involving investment transactions and includes certain current and past directors and officers.
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