Politics News in English

Navbharat Times

Mar 15, 2026, 04:11 AM

Nishant Kumar, Son of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Reveals His Age as 44 Years Old

Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's son Nishant Kumar has entered active politics. Since his entry, people are trying to find out his age. For this, people are taking help of Wikipedia, Google. Nishant's age is being said to be 50 years here. Although this is not the exact age of Nishant Kumar. This has been claimed by Janata Dal United (JDU) veteran and Bihar Government's Rural Affairs Minister Ashok Choudhary. Ashok Choudhary has also revealed his date of birth while revealing Nishant's exact age. Actually, for the last few days, media reports and the Internet were claiming that Nishant Kumar is over 50 years old. Platforms like Google Search and Wikipedia were also showing his birth year as 1975. However, Minister Ashok Choudhary clarified on Saturday that Nishant Kumar is 44 years old. Nishant Kumar is 50, 44 years old.

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Navbharat Times

Mar 15, 2026, 03:38 AM

'Rajya Sabha Match' Final Practice Underway in Bihar Ahead of Monday's Elections

Patna: Today is the final practice of the'Rajya Sabha match'in Bihar. There is a meeting of NDA MLAs at the official residence of Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary on Sunday. Today's captaincy is being done by Vijay Chaudhary on behalf of TM NDA. Tejashwi Yadav is leading from the Mahagathbandhan side. Tejashwi Yadav has kept himself ready on all fronts - batting, bowling, fielding. In any case, he does not want to let the'Rajya Sabha match'slip out of his hands. Monday is the final. Preparations are going on in full swing in Pataliputra. Today's final practice of Team NDA is in full swing in Patna for the Rajya Sabha elections in Bihar. After several meetings and meetings on Saturday, a meeting of NDA MLAs is being held at the official residence of Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary. Voting for 5 Rajya Sabha seats in Bihar is to be held on March 16.

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Navbharat Times

Mar 15, 2026, 03:35 AM

BJP Leader Issues Ultimatum to Shut Down Illegal Meat Shops in Meerut

Rambabu Mittal, Meerut: Senior BJP leader Kamal Dutt Sharma's ultimatum regarding illegal meat shops in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh has come out.

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Navbharat Times

Mar 15, 2026, 03:31 AM

BJP Set to Induct New Faces in Uttar Pradesh State Executive

Lucknow: The BJP is all set to induct several new faces in its state executive this time.

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Navbharat Times

Mar 15, 2026, 03:25 AM

Sambhal Politics in Focus Over Namaz Restrictions Amid Judiciary's Strictures

Sunil Mishra, Sambhal: Sambhal politics is once again in the news over the issue of administrative restrictions on limited namaz in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh. Sambhal MP Ziaur Rahman Barq, reacting to the recent court remarks, said that the judiciary's strictures on religious freedom have created a new hope among the people. He said that no official has the right to unnecessarily interfere in the religious freedom of the citizens. MP Ziaur Rahman Barq, MP, said that the appointment of administrative officers in the country and the state is aimed at ensuring the security of the citizens and protecting their constitutional rights. In fact, the issue of administrative restrictions on limited namaz in Sambhal is now taking a political color. Sambhal MP Ziaur Rahman Barq, reacting to the court's remarks, said that the judiciary's strictness on religious freedom has created hope for justice among the people. He said that no official has the right to unnecessarily interfere in the religious activities of the citizens. MP Barq also said that the work of the administration should be done according to their constitutional rights and the people's decision on the religious rituals.

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Navbharat Times

Mar 15, 2026, 03:21 AM

RSS Set to Establish Parallel Headquarters in North India to Strengthen Influence

Panipat: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is all set to set up a parallel headquarters in North India. The proposal will be placed in the ongoing Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha in Panipat, Haryana. The master plan for electoral victory in West Bengal, Punjab, UP, Tamil Nadu has been prepared. The proposal to set up a parallel headquarters will be decided on Sunday (March 15), the last day of the three-day meet. The address of Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat will also be held on the same day. It is easy to control the activities of all the states of North India from Panipat. The Nagpur (Maharashtra) headquarters of the RSS is currently in operation since 1925. The BJP, which has lost majority in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, has lost seats in the north Indian states. The RSS should not be allowed to lose influence in the Hindi belt. The Madhav Drishti Sadhana Kendra built in Pattikalyana, Panipat, is spread over about 25 acres. It will be developed on the lines of the Nagpur headquarters.

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Navbharat Times

Mar 15, 2026, 03:12 AM

West Asia War: Geopolitical Implications Unfold as Midterm Elections Loom

West Asia War News: The war in West Asia is no longer just a regional conflict, its deep geopolitical implications are unfolding. Europe, Russia echo. Oil markets, diplomacy, and global alliances are forming. Clearly, international politics and relations will not be the same after this conflict. NBT special report: 1. Disturbances from the midterm elections are visible in Trump's statements amid Iran's hardening stance in the West Asia war. He fears that a protracted war, rising oil prices, and potential US losses could become a crisis. The midterm elections of November 2026 are near, and the threat of impeachment could affect the political future in the event of defeat. 2. According to sources close to the BRICS summit, Iran has asked India to condemn the US attacks in the BRICS summit statement. BRICS now includes Brazil, Russia, India, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Iran. How will the balance of power in the Middle East and the United States be affected?

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Navbharat Times

Mar 15, 2026, 03:00 AM

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu Denies Assassination Rumors Amid War with Iran

Tel Aviv: Amid the war with Iran, the rumor market has heated up about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Concerns have been raised about the security of the Israeli Prime Minister. Netanyahu was said to have been assassinated. The discussion intensified after his video surfaced last Friday. Several accounts on social media described the video as made with AI and expressed concern about Netanyahu. Amid these developments, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office issued a statement and called the claims fake. The PMO told Netanyahu that "these are fake news." The Israeli PMO told Turkish news agency Anadolu that "the Prime Minister is perfectly fine." The rumors about Netanyahu began when a video was shared on his X account on March 13. Netanyahu had not been seen for several days before this. Instead of giving information about the war in Iran, Netanyahu appeared in a deepfake AI video.

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Navbharat Times

Mar 15, 2026, 02:56 AM

India Struggles to Forge Common BRICS Position on West Asia Conflict

New Delhi: On the ongoing tension in West Asia, India has said that it is trying to develop a common BRICS position, although consensus has not been reached so far due to differences among member countries. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Saturday, without naming any country, said that some member countries of BRICS are directly involved in this conflict, which makes it difficult for the group to form a common position. As the current chair of BRICS, India faces the challenge of how to forge a common BRICS position on this conflict in West Asia. India is pursuing discussions among the 11 BRICS countries through the Sherpa channel. The last Sherpa meeting was held on March 12 through digital means. Jaiswal said, We are trying our best to forge a common position, but due to divergent views, no consensus has been reached. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson told that, we are in constant touch with the BRICS member countries so that a joint statement can be issued by India on the current crisis situation in BRICS.

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Siasat News✓

Mar 15, 2026, 02:41 AM

Congress Releases Second List of Candidates for Assam Assembly Elections

The Congress on Saturday, March 14, released its second list of 23 candidates for the upcoming Assam assembly elections, with the party so far naming its nominees in 65 seats in the 126-member House. The party also left 15 seats for its alliance partners in the northeastern state, where assembly elections are likely in April. The Congress is leading an alliance of opposition parties, including CPI(M) and Assam Jatiya Parishad, with the CPI (ML) Liberation also lending its support on Saturday. The Raijor Dal had been a part of the opposition alliance in previous elections, but the arrangement has not come through for the forthcoming polls. Its chief Akhil Gogoi had won the last assembly election as an Independent. In the second list of candidates, released by Congress general secretary, Organisation, K C Venugopal, three sitting MLAs have been renominated – Wazed Ali Choudhury (Birsing Jarua), Abul Kalam Rasheed Alam (Goalpara East) and Rakibuddin Ahmed (Chamaria). Former Lok Sabha MP Abdul Khaleque, who had also served two terms as an MLA, has been named from Mandia constituency. Among other candidates on the list are Bipul Gogoi from Tingkhong, Kartik Chandra Kurmi from Rangapara, Santanu Borah from New Guwahati, Kishore Kumar Barua from Dimoria, Nurul Islam from Srijangram seat and Devid Phukan from Tinsukia. The Congress has set aside the assembly constituencies of Bajali, Palasbari, Guwahati Central, Goreswar, Morigaon, Barhampur, Bindakandi, Behali, Dibrugarh and Diphu, among others, for the alliance partners. The assembly elections will be held in Assam for the first time since the completion of delimitation of constituencies in 2023, where boundaries of seats were redrawn without changing the total number of seats. The Congress had on March 3 released its first list of 42 candidates for the upcoming Assam assembly polls, fielding state party chief Gaurav Gogoi from the Jorhat seat. Taking a lead in announcing the names of its candidates even before the declaration of the poll schedule, the party said Leader of Opposition in the state assembly Debabrata Saikia will contest the election from the Nazira constituency. Former Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Ripun Bora has been fielded from the Barchalla constituency. The Congress has been out of power in the northeastern state since 2016, while the BJP-led government will be eyeing a third straight term. Currently, the ruling BJP ‘s strength in the 126-member assembly is 64, while its allies AGP has nine MLAs, UPPL has seven, and BPF has three members. In the opposition camp, the Congress has 26 MLAs, AIUDF has 15 members, and CPI(M) has one MLA. There is an Independent legislator as well.

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Navbharat Times

Mar 15, 2026, 02:33 AM

Haryana's Rajya Sabha Elections: Congress and BJP Shift MLAs Ahead of Polls

CHANDIGARH: Ahead of the elections to the two Rajya Sabha seats in Haryana, the Congress and the BJP have shifted their MLAs on January 16. The Congress has reached Shimla with 31 of its MLAs and the BJP has shifted all its MLAs to Chandigarh.

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Akila News✓

Mar 15, 2026, 02:23 AM

US Rejects Diplomatic Talks, Prioritizes Degrading Iran's Military Capabilities in Middle East Conflict

Iran: Global efforts to defuse the raging war in the Middle East have suffered a major setback. US President Donald Trump has made it clear that no diplomatic talks or ceasefire are currently possible with Iran. According to White House sources, the Trump administration's current only priority is to completely degrade Iran's military capabilities. The US has rejected all mediation efforts by countries such as Oman and Egypt, making it clear that the conflict could drag on for a long time. Iran's stance is equally aggressive. Tehran has also set conditions for a ceasefire, making it clear that no negotiations are possible until the US and Israel stop attacks and compensate for the damage caused by the war. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) believes that their control of the Strait of Hormuz is their greatest strength, and that any settlement to their current diplomatic impasse would undermine their current diplomatic position.

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The Financial Express

Mar 15, 2026, 02:02 AM

US-Israeli War Against Iran Enters Third Week, Threats Intensify

The US-Israeli war against Iran has now entered its third week — with Tehran continuing to launch retaliatory strikes across the Middle East. Energy prices have skyrocketed as the Strait of Hormuz remains under blockade and multiple Gulf facilities shut down. Thousands have been evacuated from the region as both Iran and the United States threaten to intensify their attacks. The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned that attacks against American bank branches operating in the Gulf region could expand if further strikes by the US and Israel target Iranian banking infrastructure. Press TV quoted officials as saying that Iran had struck American bank branches across the Gulf in response to US-Israeli strikes on Iranian bank properties earlier this week. Spokesman Ali Mohammad Naeini reportedly told Sepah News that all US bank branches operating in the region will become legitimate targets for Iran if "the enemy repeats its mistake" and carries out similar attacks on Iranian banks.

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Navbharat Times

Mar 15, 2026, 01:42 AM

Bihar Heads to Polls as Rajya Sabha Elections Loom

Patna: Bihar will vote on Monday for the Rajya Sabha elections. Six candidates are in the fray for five seats. The NDA does not have the required votes to win the fifth seat. The RJD candidate from the opposition Grand Alliance needs the support of MLAs from the party of Owaisi and Mayawati. If the MLAs of Owaisi's AIMIM and Mayawati's BSP go to the Mahagathbandhan camp to support the RJD candidate Amrendra Dhari Singh, they will have a say. Tejashwi Yadav has called a special meeting at his residence on Sunday, March 15. Today's meeting may be a super Sunday of the'strategy'of the Mahagathbandhan. The MLAs of the Mahagathbandhan will gather at Tejashwi's residence. On Sunday, the MLAs of all the opposition parties will have a lesson to vote and ensure the victory of the candidate. Everyone will be given the voting information so that even a bad vote will not be cast.

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Aaj Tak

Mar 15, 2026, 01:27 AM

Akshay Kumar Reveals Shift in Dinner Table Conversations with Wife Twinkle Khanna

At the India Today Conclave 2026, Akshay Kumar opened up about the dinner table conversation at home. The actor said that the dinner table conversation with his wife Twinkle Khanna from some time ago no longer talks about politics. Akshay Kumar said that the conversation now mostly revolves around his own life. He further said that due to avoiding sharp debates, there is peace in his own circle. What did Akshay Kumar say? It came up when the host of the session, Rajdeep Sardesai, said that you are known for right-wing-Modi supporter ideology, while Twinkle's thinking is allegedly leftist-liberal. How do you reconcile the two? Akshay replied that having different thoughts often makes the house and family flourish even more. The actor gave a funny example, "So, for both positive light and negative light, then we had to stop talking about politics for close to six years."

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Akila News✓

Mar 15, 2026, 01:26 AM

Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment Exam Question Sparks Controversy Over 'Pandit' Definition

New Delhi: A common Hindi question in the Uttar Pradesh Police Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment exam has sparked a major controversy across the state. The exam, held on March 14, 2026, asked a question, "Say a word for a person who changes according to the situation." It gave the options "Pandit," "opportunist," "honest" and "virtuous." Linking the word "Pandit" to the definition of "opportunist" in the exam has sparked massive outrage among the Brahmin community and students. The question has drawn sharp criticism from the government and the exam board on social media. The controversy is now taking a political turn. BJP leader Abhijat Mishra has written directly to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, demanding strict action against the committee that prepared the question paper. Mishra has said, "The word'Pandit'is a symbol of knowledge and scholar, putting it in a negative context is unacceptable," the spokesperson of the Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) has also demanded an apology from the examiner.

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Republic World

Mar 15, 2026, 01:26 AM

Iran Vows to Keep Strait of Hormuz Closed, Blocks US Warships Entry

Iran's state media has cited former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Mohsen Rezaee to say that the country will keep the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz closed and will not allow US warships to enter the Persian Gulf. Press TV reported Rezaee as blaming Washington for escalating insecurity in West Asia. According to Press TV, Mohsen Rezaee, a high-ranking member of Iran's Expediency Council, made the remarks while addressing participants at a mass funeral procession in Tehran for Ali Shamkhani, who was assassinated in a US-Israeli strike on Febraury 28. He emphasised that the strategic waterway will remain shut, and no US warship will be allowed to enter Persian Gulf waters. "The presence of US (forces) in the Persian Gulf has been the main factor behind insecurity for the past 50 years. It is impossible to ensure security there unless the United States withdraws from the region, and regional countries, particularly Iran and Oman, take control of the Strait of Hormuz," Rezaee said. According to Press TV, the senior official added that the Islamic Republic would consider ending its retaliatory operations only after receiving full reparations for damages caused by the "terrorist US-Israeli strikes", and once firm guarantees regarding future regional security are provided, including a complete US withdrawal from the Persian Gulf. Rezaei also claimed that Iran has emerged triumphant politically, militarily and economically during the confrontation. "From an economic perspective, Americans took an unprecedented decision in the past 44 years, and released 170 million barrels of crude oil from their strategic reserves in order to lower soaring prices," he said. "This will not last for more than one or two weeks as prices will surge sharply once again," Rezaee added. He further asserted that Iran had shattered what he called the "invincibility myth" of the United States. "No one could ever expect a country like Iran to deal a sharp blow to the United States, which enjoys the most sophisticated technologies, aircraft, missiles and air defence systems. Future is ours, and the Iranian flag will be hoisted high," he said, according to Press TV.

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Aaj Tak

Mar 15, 2026, 01:19 AM

Iran Rules Out Talks With US Amid Escalating Tensions in West Asia

Amid the escalating confrontation in West Asia, Iran has made it clear that it is not ready for any talks with the US at the moment. Abdul Majid Hakim Elahi, the representative of Iran's Supreme Leader in India, said that in the current situation, there is no question of talks and if the situation remains the same, Iran is ready to face a long war. In an interview to ANI, Elahi said that even today there is a sense of anger and resistance among the people on the streets of Iran. People are openly saying that they are ready to make every sacrifice to protect their country, they are saying that they will give blood, but will not give their land. He said that it is difficult to say how long the conflict will last, but Iran is determined to fight till the end, even if the war continues for many years. Iran has the experience of long wars. He reminded that Iran and Iraq have been at war for eight years. According to his former President Donald Trump, "We do not want to talk."

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TV9 Hindi

Mar 15, 2026, 01:15 AM

Congress Releases Second List of Candidates for Assam Assembly Elections

The Congress has intensified its preparations for the Assam Assembly elections. The party has released a second list of 23 candidates. It has also left 15 seats for allies. Earlier, the Congress had announced candidates for 42 seats, taking the total number of candidates fielded by the party so far to 65. While keeping in mind the politics of alliance, the Congress has left 15 seats for its allies, which has intensified the electioneering in the state. The seats left by the Congress for allies include areas like Plasbari, Guwahati Central, Morigaon, Goreswar, and Brahmapur. Assam has a total of 126 assembly seats. The Congress on Saturday released a second list of 23 candidates for the Assam Assembly elections, which includes the names of several senior leaders of the state unit, including former MP Abdul Khaliq. The party decided to leave 15 seats for allies. On March 3, the first list of 42 candidates, which included the name of state president Gaurav Gogoi, was also announced.

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Akila News✓

Mar 15, 2026, 01:14 AM

BJP Rajkot Mahanagar Announces New IT Cell Office Bearers

RAJKOT: Stepping up the organisational process, the Bharatiya Janata Party Rajkot Mahanagar has officially announced the new office bearers of the આઈ.ટી cell. આઈ.ટી. The names of the office bearers of the cell have been finalized at the end of long deliberations with Rajkot Mahanagar President Dr. Madhav Dave, Rajkot Mahanagar In-charge Aniruddhabhai Dave and other office bearers. છે.નિમણૂક The appointments have been effected with immediate effect. છે.નિમણૂક The list of office bearers is as follows: In-Charge: 1. Jasmine Makwana (Ward No. 8) 2. Gaurav Amipra (Ward No. 5) List of office bearers: 3. Dhairya Parsana (Ward No. 8) 4. Vikalp Hathi (Ward No. 1) 5. Mahesh Rathod (Ward No. 8) 6. Bhargav Chauhan (Ward No. 3) 7. Yash Trivedi (Ward No. 9) 8. Arpit Ganatra (Ward No. 8) Parthiv Solanki (Ward No. 17) Ward No. 5. Prateek Ravi Mehta (Ward No. 12) (Ward No. 12

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Lokmat

Mar 15, 2026, 01:13 AM

MP Files Defamation Suit Against MLA for Rs 65 Crore

Alibag: Raigad MP Sunil Tatkare has filed a Rs 65 crore defamation suit against Karjat MLA Mahendra Thorve in Mangaon Sessions Court.

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Akila News✓

Mar 15, 2026, 01:07 AM

Congress Releases Second List of Candidates for Assam Assembly Elections

New Delhi: The Congress on Saturday released its second list of candidates for the upcoming Assam Assembly elections. With a fresh list of 23 names, the party has so far announced candidates for a total of 65 seats. The biggest highlight of the list is the decision to field former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi's son and Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi from the Jorhat seat. The Congress decision has made it clear that the party does not want to leave any stone unturned to return to power in the northeast and is ready to give a direct fight to the BJP. The picture is now almost clear. After 42 candidates in the first list, the Congress has tried to project an inclusive image by fielding three women candidates in the second list. The Congress has not only announced its candidates for its own party, but also for alliance partners like the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), the CPI (M) and the Assam National Council, whose 15 seats are reserved for the opposition party.

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Navbharat Times

Mar 15, 2026, 12:54 AM

BJP to Introduce Law Banning Religious Conversions in Punjab if Elected in 2027

Moga: Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) forms the government in Punjab after the 2027 Assembly elections, a law will be brought to ban religious conversions in the state.

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Economic Times

Mar 15, 2026, 12:50 AM

Trump Threatens Further Strikes on Iran's Kharg Island Oil Hub

Synopsis President Trump indicated that the U.S. might conduct further strikes on Iran's Kharg Island oil export hub. He stated that while Iran seems open to a deal, the current terms are unsatisfactory. Trump also claimed U.S. strikes had significantly damaged the island, suggesting additional strikes could occur.

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Live Hindustan

Mar 15, 2026, 12:41 AM

NDA Steps Up Efforts for Winning Strategy in Rajya Sabha Elections

The NDA intensified its activities on Saturday to chalk out a winning strategy for the Rajya Sabha elections. While all the allies have directed their MLAs not to leave Patna, meetings of NDA MLAs are also going on.

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Times of India

Mar 15, 2026, 12:41 AM

BJP Leader Questions Telangana Government's Approach to Musi River Rejuvenation Project

12Hyderabad:Telangana BJPpresident N Ramchander Rao on Saturday raised a series of questions over the state govt's approach to the Musi river rejuvenation project, seeking clarity on its rising cost and rehabilitation plans for residents living along the river.Rao pointed out that the govt had initially estimated the cost of reviving the Musi at ₹5,000 crore, but chief minister A Revanth Reddy had recently revised the estimate to ₹7,000 crore. He said the cost could escalate further once the project begins. While reiterating that the BJP supports efforts to clean and restore the Musi, Rao stressed that proper rehabilitation must be ensured for families living along the river before any works are taken up.Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: 'All oil and energy infrastructure will turn to ashes,' says Iran after US hits Kharg IslandPakistan Orders Salary Cuts: Sharif okays 5–30% SOE pay hit; savings used only for public reliefUS military supremacy shines as China fails big in Iran, VenezuelaHe also questioned the govt on the measures proposed to prevent drainage water from flowing into the Musi and whether a detailed project report had been prepared for the project. Rao further argued that there was no justification for imposing a 50-metre buffer zone, saying such a move would disproportionately affect poor residents during the clean-up exercise.‘Artificial shortage'Rao made the remarks during a press conference at the party's state office in Nampally.by Taboolaby TaboolaSponsored LinksSponsored LinksPromoted LinksPromoted LinksYou May LikeHoroscope Tomorrow, March 15, 2026: Your zodiac insights awaitHoroscope Today News: AriesIt's become vital to get money together quickly these days. Low physical resistance means you should avoid overdoing it. Help from older people p.UndoDuring the interaction, he also addressed concerns over the availability of cooking gas, claiming that the reported shortage was not natural but an ‘artificial shortage' created by certain parties.Responding to criticism from the opposition, Rao said that although global gas prices had surged due to conflicts in the Middle East, prices had remained stable in India under the leadership of PM Modi.He added that the Centre had reduced gas prices from ₹1,200 to ₹900, providing relief to the public, and accused opposition parties of spreading fear among people for political reasons.

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Times of India

Mar 15, 2026, 12:41 AM

India Inaugurates Two Coal Gasification Projects Worth 22,000 Crore

Nagpur: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday, did the groundbreaking of two coal gasification projects that promises to inject 15,000 crore in the first phase — a big move to achieve energy security amidst the West Asia conflict that's choking fuel supplies.One of the projects is dubbed to be India's first green steel plant, while the other plans to derive dimethyl ether from coal gas and replace LPG as a cooking gas.Scaling up operations in the next phase would lead to investments of over 30,000 crore with a projection of creating 10,000 jobs. The twin projects are touted to be among the first coal gasification facilities in the country.The proposed facilities by New Era Clean Tech Private Limited and Greta Energy entail an investment of 8,000 crore and 7,000 crore respectively.Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: 'All oil and energy infrastructure will turn to ashes,' says Iran after US hits Kharg IslandPakistan Orders Salary Cuts: Sharif okays 5–30% SOE pay hit; savings used only for public reliefUS military supremacy shines as China fails big in Iran, VenezuelaNew Era also plans to manufacture dimethyl ether, which can replace LPG. And Greta Energy is building a green steel facility through coal gasification, claiming to set up India's first green steel unit with 100% FDI. Both facilities are expected to be ready by 2029-30.The event also marks the beginning of Bhadravati's emergence on the country's coal gasification map as four of seven projects approved in the country would come up there.The other two projects are of public sector mining company Western Coalfields Limited WCL, said Union coal minister G Krishna Reddy, who was present at the event.New Era is a venture backed by Inspira Global — promoters of pharmaceutical major Ajanta Pharma. The company also has NASA-returned entrepreneur Balasaheb Darade who hails from Buldhana as its managing director. Greta Energy is a company promoted by Global Ardour, considered the second-largest scrap recycler of UK and is headed by businessman Nitesh Chaudhari.Talking to TOI on the sidelines, New Era's Darade said the plan is to pump in 8,000 crore in the first phase, followed by 20,000 crore in the second. The ultimate plan is to take capacity of extracting 50 lakh tonnes of gas. The company has a coal block in the vicinity. New Era looks forward to extracting hydrogen, urea, ammonium nitrate and eventually DME which can be the alternative to LPG.Even as coal gasification is seen as an alternative to natural gas and petroleum, more capacity needs to be built, said Darade.To replace LPG, 1300MT tons of capacity needs to be built. Urea is another critical commodity for which self-dependence needs to be built. The govt should also approve coal gas-based urea plants instead of petroleum, said Darade.The chairman of Greta Group, Chaudhari said the company's plan is to make syngas for making green steel. The company would not only be capturing carbon generated out of it but also liquefy it and put it for further use.The plant at Chandrapur would open the export market for Greta especially in light of carbon border adjustment mechanism, a tax on carbon-intensive goods. With stress of CBAM in the EU, it paves way for selling green steel which also fetches a premium, said Chaudhari.

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Times of India

Mar 15, 2026, 12:33 AM

Boston Red Sox, Kansas City Royals Discuss Trade Involving Jarren Duran and Cole Ragans

Boston Red Sox (Image via AP Photos)Boston Red Soxreporters and league insiders continue to link a possible trade involvingJarren DuranandCole Ragansahead of the 2026 season. The deal has not happened, but it remains a topic because it fits the roster needs of the Boston Red Sox and the Kansas City Royals.Boston has shown interest in Ragans, while Kansas City would likely ask for Duran as the main return. Both players are under team control for several seasons, which makes the financial side manageable. Ragans is signed through at least 2027, while Duran’s 2026 salary is expected to fall in the mid-single-digit million range through arbitration or extension.Trade framework discussed by league insidersThe rumored structure, according to FanSided's Zachary Roman, centers on a direct swap.Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: 'All oil and energy infrastructure will turn to ashes,' says Iran after US hits Kharg IslandPakistan Orders Salary Cuts: Sharif okays 5–30% SOE pay hit; savings used only for public reliefUS military supremacy shines as China fails big in Iran, VenezuelaBoston Red Sox would strengthen its rotation, while Kansas City would add a starting outfielder.• Red Sox receive: LHP Cole Ragans, age 28, under control through at least 2027• Royals receive: OF Jarren Duran, age 29, under team control with a 2026 salary around $7-8 millionKansas City could ask for a smaller additional piece, but most discussion has focused on the main player exchange.Why Boston Red Sox would target Cole RagansBoston Red Sox’s projected 2026 outfield includes Roman Anthony, Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu and Masataka Yoshida.The team has several options there. The rotation currently features Garrett Crochet, Ranger Suárez, Sonny Gray, Brayan Bello and Johan Oviedo, but adding another high-end starter would raise the ceiling of the staff.Cole Ragans has become one of the American League’s top strikeout pitchers since joining Kansas City. Through the end of 2025, he recorded an 18-14 record with a 3.35 ERA and 388 strikeouts in 306.2 innings.His 2024 season included a 3.14 ERA with 223 strikeouts in 186.1 innings and placed him near the top of the Cy Young voting.Cole Ragans stat snapshot with Royals (through 2025)Kansas City Royals Cole Ragans (Image via Getty)SeasonTeamGGSIPERAFIPKK/9BB/9WHIPNotes2023KCR121271.22.642.488911.183.391.07Post-deadline breakout2024KCR3232186.13.142.9922310.773.241.14AL Cy Young ballot2025KCR101048.25.18~3-3.57614.052.9-3.01.18-1.3High strikeout rateCareerKCR5454306.23.35~2.838811.393.231.15No. 1/2 starter profileAdding Ragans would give Boston a rotation built around Crochet, Ragans and Gray. Trading Duran would also create more playing time for Anthony, Rafaela and Abreu.Why Kansas City Royals would consider Jarren DuranKansas City Royales’ lineup includes Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino, Jonathan India and Maikel Garcia. The team still lacks a true speed threat at the top of the lineup.Duran could fill that role.Across five seasons in Boston, Jarren Duran has a .267 batting average with 516 hits, 50 home runs, 226 RBIs and 283 runs scored. He also provides strong base-running value.Jarren Duran career snapshot with Red Sox (through 2025)StatValueSeasons5Career AVG.267Career HR50Career RBI226Career R283Career Hits516Stolen base profileHigh-volume speedAge in 202629Age and roster impactBoth players are close in age and remain under team control, which is one reason the trade idea continues to circulate.Key player demographics entering 2026PlayerTeam in rumorPositionB/THeight/WeightAge (2026)Contract StatusCole RagansRoyals to Red SoxLHPL/L6’4”, 190 lbs28Multi-year deal covering at least 2026-27Jarren DuranRed Sox to RoyalsOFL/R~6’0”, 200+ lbs292026 salary around $7-8M, multiple control yearsBoston Red Sox key 2026 pieces affectedGroupNamesTrade ImpactOutfieldersDuran, Anthony, Abreu, Rafaela, YoshidaDuran departure opens playing timeRotationCrochet, Suárez, Gray, Bello, OviedoRagans likely joins top of rotationInfield coreMayer, Story, Casas, ContrerasBenefit from stronger pitchingKansas City Royals key 2026 pieces affectedGroupNamesTrade impactOutfieldersCollins, Isbel, Caglianone, ThomasDuran becomes everyday optionRotationRagans, Wacha, Lugo, Bubic, CameronLosing Ragans reshapes staffInfield coreWitt Jr., Pasquantino, India, Garcia, MasseyAdded speed at top of lineupAlso read:MLB trade rumors: Philadelphia Phillies predicted to slash $29.8 million superstar from roster after blockbuster Jesús Luzardo extensionIf the trade happens, Boston would improve its rotation with a frontline starter. Kansas City would add an everyday outfielder who brings speed and offense to the top of the lineup. Over the short term, the move would likely help Boston more because starting pitching has a larger effect on postseason races. Over several seasons, the impact for both teams could balance out depending on performance.Celebrating India's sporting legends at the Times of India Sports Awards - Book Passes Now!.

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Economic Times

Mar 15, 2026, 12:33 AM

Iran Warns US to Relocate Industries Amid Escalating Regional Tensions

Synopsis Iran's Revolutionary Guards issued a stern warning to the United States. They urged the US to relocate industries from the region. Citizens were advised to avoid factories where the US holds shares. This comes after recent strikes claimed the lives of several civilian workers at non-military factories in Iran. The situation highlights escalating regional tensions.

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Navbharat Times

Mar 15, 2026, 12:31 AM

Nitish Kumar's Son Nishant Enters Active Politics in Bihar

Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's son Nishant Kumar has entered active politics.

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Navbharat Times

Mar 15, 2026, 12:30 AM

Nitish Kumar's Departure Creates Opportunity for Tejashwi Yadav in Bihar

PATNA: Nitish Kumar is like a banyan in Bihar politics. Just like other trees could not grow in the shadow of a giant banyan, no other leader could emerge in front of Nitish Kumar in Bihar. Some vines climbed a little but then shrunk and fell down. But due to unusual developments, this banyan (Nitish) is now being transplanted in Delhi. When the place of this banyan in Patna is vacant, other plants here will also get air, water and sunshine for their development. The plant that will take full advantage of these favorable conditions will have maximum development. This is a big opportunity for leader of opposition Tejashwi Yadav. Tejashwi could not compete with him as long as Nitish Kumar was in Bihar. This has been proved in the last two elections. Now when Nitish Kumar goes to Delhi, Tejashwi will get a big opportunity to expand his influence.

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TV9 Hindi

Mar 15, 2026, 12:30 AM

US-Israel-Iran War Spreads to Indian Kitchens: Cooking Gas Shortages and Black Marketing

Two weeks have passed since the US-Israel-Iran war broke out in the Middle East. Even though this war is being fought thousands of kilometers away from India, its fire has now started reaching us and the kitchens of your homes. The most direct and major impact of this geopolitical crisis has been on the supply of cooking gas (LPG). There is a shortage of LPG cylinders in many parts of the country. People are not getting cylinders on time despite booking, due to which the black marketing of gas has also started taking advantage of compulsion. In such a situation, a question arises, will this war also have any effect on the supply of PNG gas through pipelines to every household? According to the data till the end of 2024, there are about 332 million LPG connections in India. Seeing the news of trouble being caused to these crores of consumers, the problem of PNG (Piped Natural Gas) connections in their homes has also increased a lot.

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News 18✓

Mar 15, 2026, 12:25 AM

Iran's Top Diplomat Slams US Security as 'Hole Umbrella'

Coverage of the 15th day of the Iran-US war is complete. Click here to watch the coverage of the 16th day live. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi has launched a major attack on the US security system, calling it a "hole umbrella." Araghchi quipped that the American security on which many countries of the world used to bounce has not only failed completely today, but instead of stopping the threats due to its shortcomings, it is inviting them. He claimed that the US, which used to think of itself as the world's policeman, is now begging for help in front of countries like China to keep the Strait of Hormuz safe and ahead of others. Iran has appealed to its neighboring Muslim countries to throw these "foreign invaders" out of their territory. Araghchi says that the only purpose of these external forces is not to continue the security of the Gulf of Iran, nor to worry about Israel's stability in the Middle East.

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Times of India

Mar 15, 2026, 12:23 AM

Israel-Iran War Enters Decisive Phase: Explosions Rock Middle East

.Israel said the war against Iran was entering its "decisive phase" on Saturday, as explosions rocked cities across the Middle East, with strikes on the American embassy in Baghdad and a major Emirati energy facility.Washington's embassy in Iraq was hit by a drone, security sources said, the second time it has been targeted since Feb 28, when the United States and Israel attacked Iran and plunged the Gulf into a conflict that has sent shockwaves through the global economy.Clouds of black smoke rose Saturday over Fujairah, home to a major Emirati oil storage and export terminal, shortly after Iran's military warned UAE civilians to avoid port areas.Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: 'All oil and energy infrastructure will turn to ashes,' says Iran after US hits Kharg IslandPakistan Orders Salary Cuts: Sharif okays 5–30% SOE pay hit; savings used only for public reliefUS military supremacy shines as China fails big in Iran, VenezuelaThe Israeli military warned on Saturday that it may strike ambulances and medical facilities which it said were being used unlawfully by Hezbollah in Lebanon, though it did not provide evidence for the claim. "As part of its terrorist activities, Hezbollah is using ambulances extensively for military purposes," the Israeli military's Arabic spokesman Avichai Adraee said on X.Israeli strikessince March 2 killed 826 people: LebanonLebanon's health ministry said Saturday that Israeli strikes have killed 826 people, including 65 women and 106 children, since the start of the war with Hezbollah, adding that 2,009 others were wounded. A ministry statement said 31 paramedics were among the dead, raising an earlier toll after the bodies of additional health workers were found following an overnight strike that authorities said hit a healthcare centre in the country's south.

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TV9 Hindi

Mar 15, 2026, 12:11 AM

Pakistan Government Approves Pay Cuts for State-Owned Enterprises and Autonomous Institutions as Part of Austerity Drive

The Shehbaz Sharif-led Pakistan government on Saturday approved pay cuts ranging from five to 30 per cent for employees of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and autonomous institutions. The move comes as part of a wider austerity drive. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, a high-level meeting was held to review fuel price fluctuations and government savings measures, chaired by PM Shehbaz Sharif. The meeting decided that like government employees, the salaries of employees of state-owned enterprises and autonomous institutions run under the patronage of the government will also be cut by 5 to 30 per cent. The statement said that the savings from these measures will only be used to provide relief to the public. The meeting was also informed that a 50 per cent cut in fuel allocation for government vehicles will be monitored through a third-party audit, while 60 per cent of government vehicles will be taken off the roads in the next two months. According to the statement, the government's savings on the purchase of new vehicles and restrictions on the salaries of other cabinet members will also be kept in abeyance for two months.

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Times of India

Mar 15, 2026, 12:02 AM

AMMK Leader Dhinakaran Urges Cadres to Work Hard for NDA's Victory in Tamil Nadu

Chennai: Appealing to cadres and functionaries to work hard to ensure victory of NDA and re-establish "Amma's govt" in the state, AMMK leader T T VDhinakaranon Saturday said a new crop of political parties formed to aid the "greedy"DMK, and lacking any long-term vision would become irrelevant over time.Self-centered individuals would gradually fade from public life, and their life journey would turn into a desert with no lasting imprint, he said in a letter to cadres on AMMK's foundation day.The remarks are seen as a veiled attack on his aunt V KSasikala, who on Friday announced the name of her new party and unveiled its symbol ‘thennanthoppu' (coconut grove), and former chief minister O Panneerselvam, who recently joined DMK.Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: 'All oil and energy infrastructure will turn to ashes,' says Iran after US hits Kharg IslandPakistan Orders Salary Cuts: Sharif okays 5–30% SOE pay hit; savings used only for public reliefUS military supremacy shines as China fails big in Iran, VenezuelaDhinakaran said AMMK's journey was filled with challenges and hardships, similar to the political paths of leaders such as DMK founder C N Annadurai, and AIADMK founders M G Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa. Recalling the party's launch in 2018 at Melur in Madurai, he said AMMK has moved forward steadily since then."Victory cannot be achieved in a single day and forgotten the next. It is a continuous journey. We are nearing the primary objective of our journey," he said, urging cadres to work tirelessly with allies to ensure NDA's victory and unseat DMK govt.by Taboolaby TaboolaSponsored LinksSponsored LinksPromoted LinksPromoted LinksYou May LikeRawalpindi Traffic Police trolls Pakistan batter Salman Ali Agha after controversial run-out vs BangladeshCricket News: NEW DELHI: A dramatic moment in the second ODI between Pakistan national cricket team and Bangladesh national cricket team sparked huge debate online .Dhinakaran criticised DMK govt saying the law and order situation in the state is bad, and accused it of trying to influence voters by crediting 5,000 to women ahead of assembly election. "The women of Tamil Nadu will give a fitting reply to this in the assembly poll," he said.

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Times of India

Mar 14, 2026, 11:45 PM

Tamil Nadu Seeks Centre's Approval to Double Rice Procurement Target

Chennai: Chief minister M K Stalin on Saturday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to double the state's rice procurement target from 16 lakh tonnes to 32 lakh tonnes for the kharif season, citing sharp rise in yield and the need to ensure uninterrupted procurement and timely payment to farmers.Tamil Nadu cultivated paddy on 20.50 lakh hectares this season and yield was good due to timely release of water from Mettur dam, favourable weather, improved irrigation, expanded acreage, and adoption of high-yield varieties, the chief minister said.He recalled that he had written on Nov 17 last year that the procurement target should align with the state's actual production.Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation and the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India Ltd had procured 36.63 lakh tonnes of paddy as of March 12, up from 24.17 lakh tonnes during the same period last year.Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: 'All oil and energy infrastructure will turn to ashes,' says Iran after US hits Kharg IslandPakistan Orders Salary Cuts: Sharif okays 5–30% SOE pay hit; savings used only for public reliefUS military supremacy shines as China fails big in Iran, VenezuelaThis had far exceeded the Centre's 16 lakh tonnes cap, Stalin said.Procurement was continuing at around 50,000 tonnes a day and was projected to total 47.50 lakh tonnes, equivalent to 32 lakh tonnes of rice, Stalin said and urged the Centre to issue "priority instructions" to revise the target to avoid disruptions for farmers.

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Mar 14, 2026, 11:39 PM

Cuba Protests: Communist Party Office Attacked Amid Growing Discontent Over Blackouts

Protesters in central Cuba attacked early Saturday an office of the ruling Communist Party, amid growing discontent over hourslong blackouts fueled by a US oil blockade. Angry protesters vandalized the Communist Party office in the city of Moron, some 460 kilometers (roughly 285 miles) east of the capital, Havana, as a peaceful rally against power cuts and food shortages turned violent. Cuba crisis deepens as US blockade starves island of oil To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 02:33 What do we know about the Moron protest? Protesters took to the streets shouting "liberty" and banging pots, a form of protest Cubans have recently taken up to air their grievances. Videos on social media showed people throwing rocks as well as ransacking the Communist Party office, removing documents, computers and furniture and burning it in the street. "What began peacefully, after an exchange with the authorities in the area, degenerated into vandalism against the headquarters of [the] municipal committee of the Communist Party," the state Invasor newspaper reported. A Moron resident who spoke to the French AFP news agency on condition of anonymity said hotels in the town, a main source of revenue and prime employer owing to tourism, have been shuttered amid the energy crisis, adding that this has exacerbated residents' economic woes. President Miguel Diaz-Canel acknowledged people's discontent over the prolonged blackouts. "What will never be comprehensible, justified or admitted is violence," he said in a post on X. Police detained five people in the protests, state media reported. Why is Cuba suffering from long blackouts? Cuba's economy, already suffering under six decades of a US trade embargo, has been significantly battered since US President Donald Trump's administration captured and unseated Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro , Cuba's most important foreign benefactor, in January. Since then, Venezuelan oil has stopped flowing into Cuba, with Trump openly expressing hopes for regime change and saying Havana was on the verge of collapse. Cuba's economy faces a future without Venezuela's oil To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 02:26 On Friday, Cuba's government confirmed it was conducting talks with Washington to diffuse the situation, but did not provide details on the nature of the talks. Trump's oil blockade has translated into fuel, food and medicine shortages , pushing residents to protest against blackouts that could last for the majority of the day. Protests are rare in the communist country, with some of the protesters who took part in the 2021 rallies over economic hardship and repression sentenced to 20 years or more in prison. Edited by: Sean Sinico

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Times of India

Mar 14, 2026, 11:36 PM

India: Income Tax Department Urges Taxpayers to Ignore Incorrect 'Significant Transactions' Emails

.NEW DELHI/AHMEDABAD: TheIncome Tax Departmenton Saturday urged taxpayers across the country to ignore emails that wrongly flagged "significant transactions" under its Advance Tax e Campaign for Assessment Year (AY) 2026 27.The advisory came after several individuals, including thousands in Gujarat, reported receiving notices that did not match their financial profiles.In a post on X, the department acknowledged the error and said the issue was being addressed with the service provider handling the communication system. Officials said the emails-intended as reminders for taxpayers to review information on the Compliance Portal-contained incorrect or duplicated data for a number of recipients.Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: 'All oil and energy infrastructure will turn to ashes,' says Iran after US hits Kharg IslandPakistan Orders Salary Cuts: Sharif okays 5–30% SOE pay hit; savings used only for public reliefUS military supremacy shines as China fails big in Iran, Venezuela"It has been reported that certain taxpayers have received emails containing inaccurate details regarding 'significant transactions' undertaken by them as part of the ongoing Advance Tax e Campaign for AY 2026-27," the department said, apologising for the inconvenience and advising taxpayers to "kindly ignore" the communication until the issue is resolved.An official said that the messages were meant to be sent after mapping PAN with the tax that was to be paid as advance tax, but an error resulted in "mass messaging".The fourth instalment of advance tax is to be paid by Sunday.In Gujarat, many taxpayers received the faulty notices just a day before the last instalment deadline for advance tax, triggering confusion. The emails included mismatched or improbable financial details-such as GST turnover values for those who do not have GST registrations, and identical transaction values appearing for different people.CA Karim Lakhani said several taxpayers without any advance tax liability were listed under the 'Significant Transactions' category. "Taxpayers who do not have a GST number received notices showing GST turnover. In many cases, the transaction values were the same for different persons. The government has now clarified the error and asked people to ignore such emails," he said.

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Times of India

Mar 14, 2026, 11:25 PM

Delhi Government Introduces Temporary Policy to Regulate Commercial LPG Cylinders

New Delhi: Amid concerns over shortages of commercial cooking gas in parts of the city, govt has introduced a temporary policy for the distribution of commercial LPG cylinders to regulate distribution and ensure that essential services such as hospitals, railways and airports continued to receive 100% of required supplies.Under the arrangement, only 20% of the average daily commercial LPG consumption in Delhi will be made available for regulated distribution. This translates to around 1,800 cylinders per day, out of the nearly 9,000 commercial cylinders typically sold daily, the policy stated.A priority-based distribution system focusing on eight categories was formulated to ensure that critical institutions did not face disruption in operations.Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: 'All oil and energy infrastructure will turn to ashes,' says Iran after US hits Kharg IslandPakistan Orders Salary Cuts: Sharif okays 5–30% SOE pay hit; savings used only for public reliefUS military supremacy shines as China fails big in Iran, VenezuelaEducational institutions, hospitals, railways and airports were placed in the top priority category. Govt departments and public sector institutions with in-house canteens were kept at level 2, while restaurants and eateries, which account for the largest share of commercial LPG use, will receive the biggest portion of the available supply with a cap of 762 cylinders.Educational institutions, hospitals, railways and airports can receive up to 200 cylinders, and govt and PSU canteens 236.Hotels and guesthouses can get 72 cylinders, dairies and bakeries 200, caterers 162, industrial units 18, and sports facilities and others 150 cylinders daily.Other sectors being covered include sweet shops and banquet halls. Smaller industrial users such as dry-cleaning units, packaging and pharmaceutical units are placed in a lower priority category.Govt clarified that no supply would be made in 5kg cylinders as their distribution was not undertaken through LPG distributors.The policy also includes measures to prevent hoarding and ensure fair distribution. Bookings will be processed through the regular online systems and supplies will be made on a first-in-first-out basis if immediate delivery is not possible, an official said.Delhi govt constituted 70 enforcement teams to monitor the supply and distribution of cooking gas amid concerns of panic buying. The teams, comprising personnel from Delhi Police, the weights and measures department, and the food and civil supplies department, are maintaining a strict vigil at gas stations, stock yards, distribution points and other places to prevent hoarding and black-marketing.To strengthen coordination between different agencies, govt also set up a common mobile communication channel linking officials from Delhi govt, police and other departments. Joint inspection teams will conduct regular inspections and enforcement operations to prevent diversion of LPG cylinders, hoarding, illegal storage, under-weighing and black-marketing."The violations of the policy could invite action under laws such as Essential Commodities Act and the LPG supply and distribution regulations," an official said.Commercial institutions have been advised to temporarily explore alternative cooking arrangements, he added.Authorities said the policy, framed in accordance with directions from the Union petroleum and natural gas ministry, would remain in force for now and might be reviewed depending on how the supply-and-demand situation evolved in the coming weeks.An official claimed that supply chains of LPG, petrol and diesel remained stable. "At least five verbal complaints of hoarding were received in the past 24 hours, and action was taken. A sudden surge in demand triggered by panic buying began creating pressure in some areas despite adequate stock levels," he said.

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Times of India

Mar 14, 2026, 11:08 PM

Chinese Influencer Sister Wang Zha Dies Suddenly During Live Broadcast

Wang Yefei cause of death: How did the chinese influencer Sister Wang Zha die at 39 during livestream? (Image via Getty)Wang Yefei, a 39 year old Chinese livestream seller known online as “Sister Wang Zha,” died on March 9 after suddenly collapsing while broadcasting live to her followers. The frightening moment happened during a morning livestream when she suddenly grabbed her head and neck in pain and asked people nearby to call for emergency help.Thousands of viewers were watching at the time as the situation unfolded in real time. What started as a normal livestream selling women’s clothes quickly turned into a medical emergency.According to Chinese outlet Jimu News and regional news site VNExpress International, Wang Yefei shouted for someone to “call 120,” the emergency ambulance number in China, after saying she felt unwell. She was rushed to a hospital soon after the broadcast stopped.Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: 'All oil and energy infrastructure will turn to ashes,' says Iran after US hits Kharg IslandPakistan Orders Salary Cuts: Sharif okays 5–30% SOE pay hit; savings used only for public reliefUS military supremacy shines as China fails big in Iran, VenezuelaDoctors later confirmed that Wang Yefei had suffered a brainstem hemorrhage. Sadly, she could not be saved. Her sudden death shocked fans who had followed her daily livestreams and watched her sell clothing online for years.Wang Yefei had built a loyal following in China’s fast growing livestream shopping industry. Around 130,000 people followed her account, where she regularly spent hours introducing and selling women’s clothing to viewers.For many fans, her livestreams were part of their daily routine.But behind the screen, the work schedule was extremely demanding. According to VNExpress International, Wang Yefei often streamed seven to ten hours every day while running most parts of the business herself.In the weeks before the tragedy, she had also been dealing with frequent headaches. Reports say the pain began around the Lunar New Year period.To keep working through the discomfort, she reportedly used painkillers.During the March 9 broadcast, viewers suddenly saw her expression change. According to Jimu News, she grabbed her head and neck and told people nearby that she did not feel well. The situation became urgent moments later when she shouted for someone to call an ambulance.Despite being taken to the hospital quickly, doctors later confirmed that the cause was a brainstem hemorrhage, a serious type of brain bleeding.The news deeply affected people who knew her. One of her longtime friends said she had actually been watching the livestream shortly before the emergency happened.The friend told Jimu News, “She is a very down to earth person. She never adds much markup when selling clothes. She has four or five hundred sisters in her WeChat fan group who truly support her.”The friend also explained how hard Wang Yefei worked behind the scenes.She often slept only four to five hours a night while managing sales, shipping, and livestream planning mostly by herself.Outside the online world, Wang Yefei was also raising her four year old daughter.Her sudden passing has left fans heartbroken and has also started a wider conversation about the heavy workload many livestream sellers face while trying to stay active online every day.

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Times of India

Mar 14, 2026, 11:02 PM

Global Tensions Disrupt Banana Trade, Leaving Thousands of Tonnes of Fruit Stranded

/NASHIK: As geopolitical tensions tighten their grip on maritime routes, banana trade is battling its fiercest storm in years, with thousands of tonnes of fruit and the livelihoods behind them, hanging in the balance.Banana exports from Maharashtra to West Asia have been thrown into disarray, with nearly 150 refrigerated containers, each loaded with 20 tonnes of the fruit, stranded at Mumbai's JNPA port and nearby private yards, while 35 more are stuck at Gujarat's Mundra port.On the high seas, the situation is no better. Several consignments already en route to West Asian buyers have been forced into holding zones or diverted to Oman's Port of Salalah, where they were hastily unloaded and sold at whatever price the local market offered.Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: 'All oil and energy infrastructure will turn to ashes,' says Iran after US hits Kharg IslandPakistan Orders Salary Cuts: Sharif okays 5–30% SOE pay hit; savings used only for public reliefUS military supremacy shines as China fails big in Iran, VenezuelaBack home, close to 4,000 tonnes of export ready bananas lie in cold storages across Jalgaon, Solapur and Pune, losing value by the day.Exporters said some shipping lines had cautiously resumed dispatches over the last few days, but at a punishing cost. Around 140-150 containers have now left JNPA port, rerouted through ports that are currently functional - Salalah and Sohar in Oman, and Khorfakkan in the UAE - before being forwarded onward to Dubai and other West Asian destinations."Before the conflict, freight was about $800 per container. Now it's hovering around $6,000 just to get shipments to Dubai," Nashik-based exporter Sandeep Agrahari said, flagging the unprecedented spike in costs."Everything is being pushed through Salalah and Sohar first. It's the only way out," he said.But these "only way out" ports are now choking with congestion, slowing cargo clearance and heightening exporters' fears of further delays.Agrahari has 35 containers stuck across the logistical chain - eight at JNPA, five at Mundra and 22 near ports in Oman and other regions. "With options dwindling, I am contemplating moving even the stranded JNPA containers to Oman despite soaring expenses, if only to sell them locally or reroute them to the UAE markets before the fruit loses value," Agrahari said.The blow is severe because the West Asian market accounts for nearly 80% of the state's banana shipments. Maharashtra typically exports seven lakh tonnes annually via about 35,000 containers to key destinations, including Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, the UAE, and Yemen.The conflict's shadow is visible on pricing. Export rates have collapsed from Rs 23-27 per kg to Rs 13-14, and domestic prices have tumbled to Rs 7-8 per kg, deepening the anxiety of both farmers and exporters.

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Times of India

Mar 14, 2026, 10:41 PM

Congress Releases Second List of Candidates for Assam Assembly Polls

.GUWAHATI: Congress released Saturday its second list of candidates for the Assam polls, naming nominees for 23 seats and leaving 15 for allies, reports Kangkan Kalita1.The state has a total of 126 assembly seats. Congress came out with its first list on March 3, naming 42 candidates, among them was state unit chief and MP Gaurav Gogoi from Jorhat.The second list includes candidates for New Guwahati, Rangia, Dimoria (SC), Mangaldai, Hojai, Dhemaji (ST), Tinsukia and Tingkhong.Former MP Abdul Khaleque will contest from the newly created Mandia seat, which had earlier emerged as a point of disagreement between Congress and ally Raijor Dal. Suspended MLA Sherman Ali Ahmed is expected to enter the race as a Raijor nominee.

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Times of India

Mar 14, 2026, 10:27 PM

Amit Shah Arrives in Assam to Discuss Election Strategies and Attend BJYM Convention

GUWAHATI: Union home ministerAmit Shaharrived in Assam on Saturday evening, hours after PM Narendra Modi wrapped up his two-day pre-election trip to the state, where BJP is looking to retain office for a third consecutive term, and flew out to Bengal.Shah, who was received by CM Himanta Biswa Sarma at the Guwahati airport, will discuss strategies for the upcoming elections with senior party functionaries.He is scheduled to inaugurate the Pragjyotishpur Medical College and Hospital in Guwahati on Sunday morning. He will then attend BJYM convention 'Yuva Shakti Samaroh', which is expected to draw more than one lakh participants. TNN

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Times of India

Mar 14, 2026, 10:19 PM

Kolkata's Ramzan Routines Disrupted by LPG Uncertainty

12Kolkata: The uncertainty over LPG cylinder supplies and a Rs 60 increase in prices, triggered by fuel disruptions, are reshaping the Ramzan routine in Kolkata. Many families are cutting back on traditional iftar spreads, simplifying suhur preparations, and planning meals more cautiously.In several households, the traditional dishes are giving way to what many residents describe as an "LPG saving mode". Families are reducing the number of cooked items for iftar, the evening meal to break the fast, and suhur, the pre-dawn meal eaten before the day's fast begins. Many are now prioritising the preparation of dinner and suhur over elaborate iftar platters, while some are relying more on fruits and readymade items that need little cooking.Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: 'All oil and energy infrastructure will turn to ashes,' says Iran after US hits Kharg IslandPakistan Orders Salary Cuts: Sharif okays 5–30% SOE pay hit; savings used only for public reliefUS military supremacy shines as China fails big in Iran, Venezuela"We are mostly relying on fruits for iftar in the evening. We also have to cook dinner, and that becomes a priority during Ramzan. For iftar, we reduced the number of fritters and other items that require cooking. We are focusing on preparing the main course for the entire family," said Bilkes Perveen, an entrepreneur.For many Muslim families, iftar traditionally includes a range of dishes meant to replenish the body after a day of fasting.This year, however, the uncertainty over cylinder availability is forcing prioritisation, with households reserving fuel for staple meals.The Ahmed family in Beckbagan started outsourcing some items usually prepared at home. "We are no longer making dishes like haleem, dahi vadas, samosas and fritters at home. We are buying them instead, so that our resources can be used judiciously to prepare dinner and suhur," said Yusra Ahmed, a homemaker."I was not able to book the next refill, which is why I am using the current cylinder carefully. We also started using electrical appliances and the microwave extensively to conserve LPG," said Saba Khan, a resident of CIT Road.The shift is also being felt in food markets and among small eateries that usually see brisk Ramzan business. Many shop owners reduced the items. Others cut down on quantity due to uncertainty over LPG supply. On Zakaria Street, one of Kolkata's best-known Ramzan food hubs, restaurateurs say the supply uncertainty has cast a shadow over what is typically one of the busiest periods of the year. "We cut down production by almost 20%.We do have some reserve fuel, but it may not last long," said Samiullah Khan, owner of an eatery on Zakaria Street.

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Times of India

Mar 14, 2026, 10:18 PM

Kolkata's Restaurants See High Footfall Despite LPG Crisis

Kolkata: Footfall remained high on Saturday across most of Kolkata's restaurants, which have been grappling to get around the LPG crisis, but waiting crowds thinned, especially at Park Street.While most resorted to multiple ‘desperate steps' to keep their kitchens running, some saw a marginal dip in attendance. Even though some Mughlai and Chinese dishes, along with a few desserts, were taken off the menu at some fine-dining restaurants, foodies kept streaming into their favourite eating joints, much to the relief of the food and beverages sector.The customary weekend waiting crowds outside several Park Street restaurants, including Mocambo, Peter Cat and Bar-B-Q, were relatively small.Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: 'All oil and energy infrastructure will turn to ashes,' says Iran after US hits Kharg IslandPakistan Orders Salary Cuts: Sharif okays 5–30% SOE pay hit; savings used only for public reliefUS military supremacy shines as China fails big in Iran, VenezuelaFootfall, though, was usual and high at Oasis, Kwality, Peter Hu and Trincas. "We had a full house for lunch at both Peter Cat and Mocambo. The waiting crowd may have been small due to traffic disruptions, but it picked up in the evening. Thankfully, the LPG crisis seems to have had no impact on our patrons, though we were forced to alter our cooking system," said Nitin Kothari, owner of Mocambo and Peter Cat.Both restaurants, along with Peter Hu, are now using electric cooking ranges and induction cookers."While 80% of our cooking moved away from LPG, we hope to make a complete shift by Sunday. It took a lot of effort since we upgraded our electric meters to be able to bear the extra load. There was no change in the menu or cooking time," added Kothari.At Trincas, too, Saturday saw a good turnout despite traffic disruptions. "We had a full house on Friday night and a similar big crowd on Saturday. We, too, moved to electric cooking," said Anand Puri of Trincas.Oasis saw a ‘smaller than usual' crowd on Saturday afternoon, which swelled marginally in the evening. "Saturday usually sees a late surge, but we saw a slight dip. It should be better on Sunday. While we still have some LPG, there was a big shift to electric cooking," said owner Pratap Daryanani.Songhai-Manthan and MS Bar & Lounge, which plans to move to electric gadgets next week, saw a moderate attendance. "Footfall didn't dip and we hope it doesn't," said owner Sudesh Poddar.Outlets of Specialty Restaurants, including Mainland China, Oh!Calcutta and Hoppipola, saw a ‘higher than normal weekend footfall', said founder Anjan Chatterjee.Footfalls dropped by 30% at the Oudh 1590 outlets on Saturday. "Even though we are serving all our regular dishes, people seem to be a little worried. Some are perhaps waiting for things to normalise. But if the LPG supply normalises now, the turnaround time will be 10 days at least," said owner and co-founder Shiladitya Chaudhury.Attendance was low at Chaudhury & Co, the Bengali cuisine restaurant owned by Chaudhury.Amber had a ‘normal Saturday footfall' and a ‘good Friday night attendance'. "The popular and signature dishes are there, but since we moved to induction cookers, cooking time has increased. So far, footfall remains unchanged," said owner Sanjay Khullar.

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Times of India

Mar 14, 2026, 10:05 PM

Modi Accuses Congress of Creating Panic Over West Asia Conflict

SILCHAR: Prime MinisterNarendra Modion Saturday said the govt was making every effort to ensure Indian citizens face minimum impact of the West Asia conflict but theCongress partywas creating panic within the country.“The BJP government is trying to ensure that the impact of the war-like situation remains minimal on the people of the country. However, the Congress is taking the help of falsehood and making the lives of common people difficult,” Prime Minister Modi said in poll-bound Assam.Election Commission Explains Why West Bengal And Tamil Nadu Faced SIR, But Not AssamAddressing a public rally in Silchar, he said the Congress, which was “expected to play the role of a responsible political party” has once again failed in this important task for the benefit of the country.Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: 'All oil and energy infrastructure will turn to ashes,' says Iran after US hits Kharg IslandPakistan Orders Salary Cuts: Sharif okays 5–30% SOE pay hit; savings used only for public reliefUS military supremacy shines as China fails big in Iran, Venezuela“Congress is trying its best to create panic in the country, to put the country in trouble. And after that, Congress abuses Modi profusely,” he said.Modi also urged people to remain cautious about Congress, alleging that the party lacked vision and was acting against the country’s interests.The PM further attacked Congress over a shirtless protest by leaders of its youth wing during the recent India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, saying the episode reflected the party’s ideological decline.“We just witnessed the world’s largest AI conference in India. But what did Congress and its ecosystem do? They turned a global event meant to showcase India’s progress into a platform for their dirty and naked politics,” he said.In a pointed swipe at the protest, Modi said, “You are already naked, then why did you feel the need to take off your clothes?”He added, “What the Congress leaders did there shows how ideologically bankrupt and impoverished the oldest party of the country has become. Congress is busy defaming its own country.”Modi alleged that some political parties were unable to accept India’s rising global profile.

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Amar Ujala

Mar 14, 2026, 09:51 PM

US Court Halts Expiration of Temporary Protected Status for Somali Immigrants

ExpandAdd as a preferredsource on google A US court in Massachusetts has temporarily halted the expiration of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for immigrants from Somalia. Last month, the Trump administration moved to end TPS during an immigration crackdown in Minneapolis. US District Judge Allison D. Burroughs said, "There will be serious consequences if Somalia's TPS is allowed to expire." Read Trending Videos Remove this video / ad A pro-immigrant group filed an emergency petition in federal court seeking a stay of the expiration. The ruling states that more than a thousand people will face a number of serious risks, including detention and deportation, physical violence and forced separation from family members if sent back to Somalia. The judge said, halting the decision on the administrative stay allows both sides to file briefs on the petition. Republican Ministry of Homeland Security leaders have condemned the temporary decision.

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Times of India

Mar 14, 2026, 09:49 PM

Violence Erupts in Kolkata as Trinamool-BJP Clash Injures Minister and Multiple Others

.KOLKATA: Bengal minister Shashi Panja was injured Saturday when a clash broke out near her home in Girish Park between workers of Trinamool andBJPsupporters who were on their way to attendPM Modi's rally here.At least eight cops and several Trinamool and BJP supporters were injured in the violence. Bowbazar police station officer in charge Bappaditya Naskar, who suffered injuries, had to take shelter inside Panja's home. EC has sought a report from the police commissioner.

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Times of India

Mar 14, 2026, 09:37 PM

LeBron James Returns to Lineup as Lakers Face Nuggets in Crucial Western Conference Matchup

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James (Image via Getty)TheLos Angeles Lakerswill haveLeBron Jamesin the lineup when they play the Denver Nuggets onMarch 14, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. The forward recently returned after missing three games with a right hip contusion along with ongoing arthritis in his left foot.James, who is 41, played in the Lakers’ win over the Chicago Bulls after recovering from the injury. His return comes at an important time as the Lakers face Denver again in a game that affects the Western Conference standings.LeBron James' injury report vs Denver Nuggets (March 14, 2026)LeBron James injured his hip during a fall in the Lakers’ loss to the Nuggets on March 5. The injury came on top of arthritis in his left foot, which has already caused him to miss 18 games this season.Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: 'All oil and energy infrastructure will turn to ashes,' says Iran after US hits Kharg IslandPakistan Orders Salary Cuts: Sharif okays 5–30% SOE pay hit; savings used only for public reliefUS military supremacy shines as China fails big in Iran, VenezuelaAfter the fall, James missed three straight games. During that time, he continued treatment and went through evaluations. Before returning, he took part in pregame shooting and other team activities.The Lakers have not listed him on their injury report for this game. That means he is fully available. He is expected to start with Luka Doncic in the backcourt.Lakers injury report and roster situation (March 14, 2026)The Los Angeles Lakers enter the game with a 41-25 record and a four-game winning streak.Most of the roster is available, but there are still a few injury concerns.Jaxson Hayes is listed as a game-time decision because of back soreness. Hayes has been an important rim protector for the team this season. Maxi Kleber will miss the game with a lumbar back strain, which reduces depth in the frontcourt behind DeAndre Ayton and Jarred Vanderbilt.Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Bronny James are all available.They have helped the Lakers maintain their form while dealing with injuries during the season.Nuggets vs Lakers Standingsand key players to watch (March 14, 2026)The game has importance for both teams in the Western Conference standings. The Los Angeles Lakers are third in the conference with a 41-25 record. The Nuggets are fifth at 41-26.The teams last met on March 6. During that game, James set the NBA record for all-time field goals before leaving with the hip injury.Denver continues to rely on Nikola Jokic, who is averaging 28.7 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists this season. For the Lakers, Luka Doncic leads the offense with 32.9 points per game. Los Angeles also leads the league in field goal percentage at 50 percent.Also read:Is Luka Doncic playing tonight vs the Denver Nuggets? Latest update on the Los Angeles Lakers star's injury report (March 14, 2026)With both teams close in the standings and several key players available, the result of this game could affect the race in the Western Conference.Celebrating India's sporting legends at the Times of India Sports Awards - Book Passes Now!.

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