National Desk

In a major claim on the state’s internal security situation, Vijay Sharma has said that armed Maoist activity in Chhattisgarh has been “completely eliminated,” with only a handful of remaining cadres expected to surrender in the near future. Speaking on the issue, Sharma asserted that sustained security operations and coordinated efforts by forces have significantly weakened Maoist presence across the state, particularly in the sensitive Bastar region. He added that the focus

At least eight people lost their lives in a tragic stampede at the Sheetla Mata Temple in Nalanda, sending shockwaves across the state. The incident reportedly occurred when a large number of devotees had gathered at the temple, leading to overcrowding and panic. According to officials, the situation spiralled out of control, resulting in a stampede that left several people dead and many others injured. Local authorities, along with police and emergency teams, rushed to the s

In a controversial and widely debated move, Israel has passed a new law that makes the death penalty the default sentence for Palestinians convicted of carrying out lethal attacks against Israelis. The legislation, approved by the Israeli parliament (Knesset), is being described by its supporters as a strong deterrent against terrorism. Lawmakers backing the bill argue that stricter punishments are necessary to address rising security concerns and ensure justice for victims o

A political row has erupted after Nishikant Dubey made controversial remarks allegedly linking former Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik to the CIA, drawing sharp criticism from the Biju Janata Dal. Reacting strongly, Naveen Patnaik termed the comments “outrageous” and “deeply disrespectful” to the legacy of Biju Patnaik, a towering figure in Odisha’s political and historical landscape. He said such statements not only insult a revered leader but also hurt the sentiments of p

A group of former civil servants has raised strong objections to the alleged deployment of forest personnel for election-related duties in Assam, calling the move “illegal” and a violation of established norms set by the Election Commission of India. In a joint representation, the signatories argued that the Commission’s guidelines do not permit the use of forest department staff for poll duties. They emphasised that such personnel are specifically tasked with critical respon

The Bharatiya Janata Party has approached the Election Commission of India, seeking action against Mamata Banerjee for alleged violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during ongoing political activities in West Bengal. A BJP delegation, which included Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Kiren Rijiju, and party leader Sukanta Majumdar, submitted a formal complaint to the poll body. The delegation alleged that the West Bengal Chief Minister made “grave and disturbing public sta

In a move aimed at supporting grassroots childcare workers, the government of Rajasthan has transferred ₹1,000 each to around 1.22 lakh Anganwadi workers through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. Announcing the initiative, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said the financial assistance is part of the state’s efforts to strengthen the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) network and boost the morale of frontline workers who play a crucial role in child nutrition

A tragic road accident in Kaushambi claimed the lives of eight people after a pickup truck carrying devotees collided with a trailer, leaving several others injured. According to police officials, the pickup vehicle was transporting around two dozen devotees, including women and children, who were travelling from Prayagraj to Fatehpur. The accident occurred when the speeding pickup truck rammed into a stationary or slow-moving trailer on the highway. The impact of the collisi

Political activity is gaining momentum in Uttar Pradesh as opposition parties ramp up their campaigns, focusing on themes of social justice, secularism, and constitutional values through a series of rallies and public engagements. The Samajwadi Party recently organised a major event titled ‘Samajwadi Samanta Bhaichara Rally’ in Dadri on March 29. The rally drew significant participation and highlighted issues such as social equality, caste justice, and communal harmony. Party

The Bengali film industry has been left in shock and grief following the untimely death of actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee, who reportedly died due to drowning. The tragic incident has sent waves of sorrow across the entertainment fraternity and among his fans. According to initial reports, the actor was involved in a drowning incident under circumstances that are still being investigated. Authorities are working to determine the exact sequence of events leading to his death. T

In a notable diplomatic and cultural interaction, Nawab Mohammed Abdul Ali hosted a representative of Iran’s Supreme Leader at his residence in Chennai, marking a moment of engagement between Indian and Iranian religious and community leadership. The visiting dignitary, Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, who represents Ali Khamenei in India, met the Prince of Arcot for discussions that are understood to have focused on issues of mutual interest, including interfaith harmony, cultural

In a significant political development, Pushkar Singh Dhami has expanded his Cabinet by inducting five new ministers, taking the total strength of the Council of Ministers to its full capacity of 12 in Uttarakhand. The newly inducted ministers were sworn in at a formal ceremony attended by senior government officials and party leaders. The expansion comes after months of speculation and is being seen as a strategic move to strengthen governance as well as political positionin

A shocking incident of road rage in Uttarakhand claimed the life of a retired Army Brigadier who was out on a routine walk, after a bullet fired during an altercation between two groups struck him fatally. According to preliminary investigations, the incident occurred when occupants of two Delhi-registered vehicles got into a heated argument on the road. The verbal dispute soon escalated into violence, during which one of the individuals allegedly fired a gun. Tragically, the

In a major step toward improving healthcare infrastructure, the Karnataka government has announced plans to set up a dedicated diabetology institute in Kalaburagi. The initiative aims to enhance specialised diagnosis, treatment, and management of diabetes, a rapidly growing health concern in the region. According to the State Health Minister, the proposed institute will be part of a broader strategy to establish advanced centres focused on diabetes care across Karnataka. The

In a move aimed at enhancing healthcare support within judicial premises, Sangam Kumar Sahoo, Chief Justice of the Patna High Court, inaugurated newly extended facilities at the State dispensary located within the High Court campus. The upgraded dispensary is set to provide a wide range of medical services for judges, court staff, lawyers, and other personnel working at the court. Among the key additions are free diagnostic services such as X-ray and ECG, along with comprehen

The recently discussed “VB-G RAM G Act” is drawing criticism from policy experts and labour rights advocates, who argue that it has failed to address long-standing issues in wage determination under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. MGNREGA, one of India’s largest social welfare programmes, guarantees 100 days of wage employment annually to rural households. However, concerns over low and uneven wage rates across states have persisted for years. Crit

In a major development in Nepal, authorities have arrested a former Chief District Officer (CDO) of Kathmandu for his alleged role in the controversial crackdown on the recent “Gen Z protests” that had gripped the capital. The arrest follows swift action by the newly-formed government led by Balendra Shah, which, in its very first Cabinet meeting, approved the implementation of findings submitted by a high-level probe commission. The commission had been tasked with investigat

A court in Nashik has extended the police custody of self-styled godman Ashok Kharat till April 1, as investigations intensify into multiple serious allegations against him. Kharat, who had reportedly built a following in parts of the city, is facing a series of criminal cases, including charges of sexual assault, exploitation, and cheating. According to police officials, a total of ten First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered against him at the Sarkarwada Police

In view of upcoming elections and the growing concerns around misinformation and biased coverage, the Press Club of India has issued a comprehensive advisory to media organisations, calling for strict adherence to ethical standards while reporting on electoral processes. The advisory specifically urges print media to follow the “Guidelines on Election Reporting and Norms of Journalistic Conduct-2022,” framed by the Press Council of India. These guidelines are aimed at ensurin

In a significant ruling reinforcing principles of natural justice, the Bombay High Court has ruled against the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation for dismissing a driver solely on the basis of media reports, terming the action arbitrary and in violation of established service rules. The case revolved around an MSRTC driver who was terminated after certain allegations surfaced in media coverage. The corporation acted on these reports without conducting a proper depar