Month: March 2026

The Israel Defense Forces on Tuesday said that they have completed another wave of strikes against Iran.

The IDF said it continues to strike the infrastructure of Iran.

In a post on X, the IDF said, “IDF continues to deepen the damage to the infrastructures of the Iranian terror regime: Another wave of strikes completed in Tehran. The IDF has just completed another wave of strikes targeting infrastructures of the Iranian terror regime in the heart of Tehran, further details to follow.”

Earlier, the IDF said it had struck 170 Iranian regime targets in the past day using approximately 400 munitions.

The IDF said, “The Air Force, guided by Military Intelligence, completed this morning another sortie of strikes targeting infrastructure of the Iranian terror regime across Tehran. In the strike sorties, the IDF continued to deepen the damage to the regime’s weapons production industries, including: A central site used to produce significant components for a variety of weapons in Iran, Sites for producing engines for unmanned aerial vehicles, An industrial complex where components for weapons were developed and a research and development site.”

In western Iran, the IDF said it had struck several central command headquarters of the armed forces subordinate to the Iranian terror regime, including the central Basij compound in the city of Dehgelan and a police station of the internal security forces in the city of Sanandaj.

Meanwhile, the US Central Command said that the U.S. forces continue to eliminate the Iranian regime’s ability to project power in meaningful ways outside of Iran’s borders. CENTCOM also shared a video of the strikes carried out by US forces.

In another incident, four IDF soldiers died while fighting in Southern Lebanon, the Israel Defense Forces confirmed on Tuesday, Jerusalem Post reported.

The military shared the names of three of the soldiers, Captain Noam Madmoni, Staff Sergeant Ben Cohen, and Staff Sergeant Maxsim Entis, while the fourth soldier’s name is still under the wraps, as per Jerusalem Post.

During the incident, two additional soldiers were wounded, one in serious condition and the other with moderate wounds. The families of all affected soldiers have been notified, the military said.

Nine IDF soldiers have been killed fighting in Lebanon since the beginning of Operation Roaring Lion on February 28, as per Jerusalem Post.

Since the begining of the war, 22 civilians have died by rocket and missile fire from Lebanon and Iran. On Thursday, 43-year-old Uri Peretz was killed in Nahariya by a direct hit after Hezbollah launched a wave of rockets at northern Israel, injuring twenty-five additional people, as per Jerusalem Post.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday (local time) said that the ongoing US-Israel military operation against Iran amid the West Asia conflict is “beyond the halfway point”, with the current focus of the coalition being to secure or remove Tehran’s enriched uranium stockpile.

In an interview with Newsmax, Netanyahu expressed confidence in the progress of the joint military campaign, emphasising that significant steps have been taken to dismantle Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities.

“We’re beyond the halfway point in terms of mission success,” the Israeli PM said, citing major gains in degrading Iran’s military, nuclear, and industrial infrastructure. (ANI)

The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday released the fourth list of 13 candidates for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026. The list also replaced the candidate in Maynaguri constituency.

According to the list, Ashutosh Barma will contest from Sitai (SC), Girija Shankar Roy from Natabari, Soma Thakur from Bagda (SC), Uttam Kumar Banik from Magrahat Purba, Debangshu Panda from Falta, Debashish Dhar from Sonarpur Uttar, Santosh Pathak from Chowrangee, Shyamal Hati from Howrah Dakshin, Ranjan Kumar Pual from Panchla, Piyush Kantil Das from Chandipur, Pradeep Lodha from Garbeta, Manav Guha from Memari, and Arijit Roy from Barabani.

Dalim Roy replaced Kaushik Roy from Mayanguri (SC) Assembly constituency ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections 2026.

Earlier on March 25, the BJP released the third list of 19 candidates for a high-stakes contest against the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) across all 294 constituencies in the state. Ratna Debnath, mother of the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder victim, was fielded from the Panihati constituency.

BJP has released a total of 287 candidates for the Assembly elections in West Bengal till now, with 144 candidates in the first list, 111 candidates in the second list, 19 candidates in the third list, and now 13 candidates in the fourth list.

The state will conduct elections in two phases, on April 23 and April 29, with counting of votes for both phases scheduled for May 4.

As per the Election Commission of India (ECI), the last date for filing nominations for this phase is April 6, while scrutiny of nominations will take place on April 7. Candidates will be allowed to withdraw their nominations until April 9.

For the second phase, which covers 142 Assembly constituencies, the gazette notification will be issued on April 2. The last date for filing nominations is April 9, and the scrutiny of nominations will take place on April 10. Candidates can withdraw their nominations until April 13. (ANI)

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday released its manifesto for the 2026 Assam Assembly elections, promising a Uniform Civil Code and increasing the monthly direct bank transfer under the Orunodoi scheme to Rs 3,000 for women.

Listing 31 promises, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the BJP aims to make Assam the “brightest state”.

Following the footsteps of Uttarakhand and Gujarat, and tapping into the BJP’s core agenda, the Chief Minister promised a Uniform Civil Code and action against the alleged “love jihad”. The UCC, he said, will exclude the areas under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and will not be implemented on tribal communities.

CM Sarma said, “We want to make Assam the brightest state. We don’t want to be a dependent state; we want to take part in nation building of the country. In the Sankalp Patra, we have made 31 promises. We will implement UCC in Assam, excluding Sixth Schedule, ST areas. We will take strong steps against Love Jihad. We will try to make flood-free Assam, and in the first two years, we will spend Rs 18,000 crore.”

He also assured Rs 25,000, with an aim to make 40 lakh women under the Lakhpati Didi scheme.

“We will provide 2 lakh jobs in the next five years. We want to make One District, One Medical College, One University, One Engineering College. We want to provide Rs 25,000 to each woman by aiming to make 40 lakh women of Assam as Lakhpati Didi. We will try to increase Rs 1250 to Rs 3000 under the Orunodoi scheme,” he said.

Along with the CM, Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Sarbananda Sonowal, and State BJP president Dilip Saikia were present at the ceremony.

Dilip Saikia said that the BJP aims to make a “secure Assam, a developed Assam.”

“The 2026 election is a very important election for the people of Assam. BJP is contesting this election with an aim to make a secure Assam. We are ready for this election. Our ‘sankalp’ (resolve) is to make a secure Assam, a developed Assam. We received 2.45 lakh suggestions from different parts of the state to prepare the Sankalp Patra,” Saikia said.

On Sunday, Congress released a set of five key guarantees for Assam, including cash transfers for women and justice for Zubeen Garg within 100 days.

“Unconditional monthly cash transfer for every woman, Rs 1,250/month pension for senior citizens, Rs 25 lakh cashless health cover for every family, justice for Zubeen Garg within 100 days and land rights for 10 lakh indigenous people,” an X post by Assam Congress read.

The polling for all 126 Assembly constituencies will be held in a single phase on April 9, while the counting of votes is scheduled for May 4. Assam will witness a fight between the incumbent BJP-led NDA government and Congress for the 126-seat assembly.

The BJP is contesting the elections with Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodoland People’s Front (BPF).

The NDA will look to secure a third consecutive term, while the Congress aims to defeat the ruling party to return to power. (ANI)

Congress leader Sachin Pilot expressed confidence in United Democratic Front’s return to power in Keralam in the upcoming assembly elections.

Highlighting the decade-old bipolar political contest in the state between UDF and Left Democratic Front (LDF), Pilot said, “The BJP is nowhere in Keralam…There has been a contest between UDF and LDF for decades, so we need to defeat LDF and the Left parties here…People will vote decisively in favour of UDF,” he told ANI on Monday.

The development follows the single-phase election in Keralam on April 9, for which all political fronts including LDF, UDF and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) have intensified campaigning in the state.

Earlier on Monday, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi cornered Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the India-US interim trade agreement, alleging that the latter has “given away” the future of farmers and the country’s energy security.

Addressing a rally in Kottaya, the Congress leader accused PM Modi of opening India’s agriculture sector to the international market and allowing the US to dictate its fuel procurement strategy to fulfil the country’s energy needs.

“Narendra Modi signed the US deal, where he gave away the future of India’s farmers. He’s the first PM in modern India history who has opened agriculture to the international market. He’s the first PM of modern India who has given away our energy security. Today India cannot buy oil, diesel, petrol from whom it wants,” he said.

On the other hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a sharp attack on LDF and UDF, accusing both alliances of indulging in “vote-bank politics” and neglecting the state’s development.

Addressing a public rally in Palakkad, the Prime Minister said Keralam has long been caught between “two models of selfish politics,” alleging that while one side is “corrupt,” the other is “mega-corrupt,” and if one is “communal,” the other is “mega-communal.” He asserted that both the LDF and UDF have prioritised electoral gains over governance.

PM Modi said the BJP-led NDA aims to bring rapid development to the state, expressing confidence that a future NDA government in Keralam would work towards building a “developed Keralam,” which he described as “Modi’s guarantee.”

The tenure of the current assembly is set to conclude on May 23. The polling would be done under strict guidelines issued by the ECI under the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), which came into effect in all poll-bound regions after the election schedule was announced.

The Congress-led UDF seek to unseat the incumbent Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led LDF and gain control of the 140-member assembly. The LDF-led government has governed the state for around a decade. Around 2.7 crore electors are expected to participate in the election.

Following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the state electoral roll, the final voter list for Keralam was released on February 21. The revised roll includes 2,69,53,644 voters–1,31,26,048 male voters, 1,38,27,319 female voters, and 227 third-gender voters. Among them, 4,24,518 voters belong to the 18-19 age group. (ANI)

Tuesday morning became extra special for actor Huma Qureshi as she woke up to a surprise shout-out from acclaimed global filmmaker Zack Snyder.

In an Instagram post, Zack recalled working with Huma in 2021 Netflix zombie heist film ‘Army of the Dead’.

Calling Huma an “amazing” actor, Zack wrote, “@iamhumaq — one of the most amazing actors I’ve had the pleasure of working with on Army of the Dead. Talent, presence, and pure brilliance on screen.”

Have a look at his post here.

In response, Huma dropped a comment filled with gratitude.

“You the best .. boss man,” she wrote.

She also penned a thank you message for Zack on her Instagam story.

“Such a sweet surprise getting this shout out from Zack Snyder. Miss you and my AOTD family (Red heart emoji),” Huma posted.

With Dave Bautista leading the cast, the film follows a group of men and women who come together to stage a heist at a casino in Vegas.

Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick, Ana de la Reguera, Theo Rossi, Matthias Schweighofer, Nora Arnezeder, Hiroyuki Sanada, Tig Notaro, Raul Castillo, Samantha Win, Michael Cassidy, Richard Cetrone, and Garret Dillahunt. also featured in the film, which marked Huma’s Hollywood debut.

Meanwhile, currently, Huma is gearing up for the release of ‘Toxic’ with Yash.

Written by Yash and Geetu Mohandas and directed by Geetu Mohandas, ‘Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups’ will also feature Tara Sutaria, Kiara Advani, and Nayanthara in key roles. (ANI)

An aircraft belonging to Mahan Air was reportedly struck during a United States airstrike at Mashhad Airport in Iran, disrupting a planned humanitarian mission to India, according to Iranian sources.

The aircraft, stationed at Mashhad International Airport, was scheduled to fly to New Delhi as part of a humanitarian aid operation. “Mahan Air aircraft was hit by the US in an airstrike at Mashhad Airport. The plane was reportedly scheduled to fly to Delhi for humanitarian aid,” Iran sources said.

According to reports, the aircraft was expected to arrive in New Delhi in the coming days to facilitate the transport of humanitarian supplies, including medicines. The disruption has raised fresh concerns over the safety of civilian and aid-linked aviation operations in the region amid escalating geopolitical tensions.

The incident comes at a time when Iran has been coordinating humanitarian shipments with India. Earlier this month, India dispatched aid consignments to Iran, underlining what New Delhi described as long-standing civilisational and humanitarian ties between the two countries.

While there has been no immediate official confirmation from the United States regarding the reported strike, the development is likely to further strain already tense relations between Washington and Tehran. The two nations have had a long history of friction, particularly over Iran’s regional activities and military capabilities.

Mahan Air, one of Iran’s largest private carriers, has frequently been at the centre of international scrutiny. The airline has been under US sanctions for years, with Washington alleging links to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and accusing it of transporting personnel and equipment linked to regional conflicts.

Past incidents involving the airline have also drawn global attention. In previous years, tensions between US forces and Iranian aviation have led to aerial encounters, further highlighting the risks faced by civilian aircraft operating in conflict-prone airspaces.

The reported strike at Mashhad adds to a series of incidents targeting aviation infrastructure in Iran during ongoing regional hostilities. Earlier conflicts have also seen damage to aircraft at Iranian airports, raising alarm over the vulnerability of civilian aviation assets in such environments.

As details continue to emerge, the situation remains fluid, with the potential for diplomatic fallout and broader implications for humanitarian logistics and regional stability. (ANI)

Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar Raza broke his silence on him and Lahore Qalandars teammate Shaheen Shah Afridi being accused of a security breach by allowing four “unauthorised” people in the team’s hotel room, saying that they were his long-time friends, family members and the Pakistan left-arm pacer was only helping him out.

Last night, fresh controversy struck the Pakistan Super League (PSL) as Raza and Shaheen were accused of a serious security breach after four “unauthorised” individuals managed to enter the team’s hotel room, as per ESPNCricinfo. A letter was handed from the Punjab police to PSL’s chief executive, Salman Naseer, where they were accused of “forcefully escorting” visitors to the all-rounder’s room.

However, as per ESPNCricinfo, Raza has clarified that the four people in question are his close family members and friends. Since he did not want to meet them at the business centre of the hotel, Shaheen helped him out by getting them to his room. The Zimbabwe all-rounder also said that it was Shaheen who went down on his request to receive them.

“Shaheen did not force anyone,” Raza said as quoted by ESPNCricinfo. “My friends and family had come, and at my request, Shaheen helped them [come up to my room]. If these were the SOPs [that visitors were not allowed into our rooms], I wasn’t aware, and to some extent, Shaheen was not aware either. The culprit here is me, not Shaheen. He went down on my request, because it was my close family and friends; I did not want to meet them in the business centre. We sat upstairs for 40 minutes,” he added.

Raza’s version of things contradicted the police’s account of Shaheen’s conduct. The letter by the Punjab police claims that Qalandars’ Liaison Officer contacted the PCB’s security and anti-corruption manager to request approval for four individuals known to Raza to be allowed into his hotel room.

LQ’s Liaison Officer’s request was turned down, according to ESPNcricinfo, and the letter further claims that Qalandars owner Sameen Rana then approached Salman Naseer for approval. This request was also rejected due to security concerns. However, the letter alleged that the refusals were ignored, and that Afridi and Raza “forcibly escorted” the four visitors despite resistance from on-duty security staff.

On Sunday, the letter was leaked on social media and accused the team of violating security protocols, alleging that despite Raza saying that the guests stayed in his room for 40 minutes, the letter claims they spent three hours there.

Sources within the LQ set-up have largely confirmed the broader details of the events concerning the visit, though they dispute that there was any forced-entry element to the visit.

Raza said that he and the visitors had been friends for 19 years, and his wife and kids had also come to see him. The Pakistan-born cricketer also said that his family and relatives stay here, and he does not get to see them all year.

“We [the visitors and he] have been friends for 19 years. My wife and kids will also come to see me. Please do not forget that my family and relatives live here, and I do not get to see them all year. Shaheen merely went down on my request. We requested a few members of the PCB, and what happened after that we will look into it. But it was my call, not Shaheen’s, and I know he did not forcefully escort anyone because I was in the lift with him, too,” added Raza.

PCB’s media head, Umar Farooq, said to ESPNCricinfo in a statement on Sunday, “We are aware of an incident involving two Lahore Qalandars players, and are in communication with the PSL over the matter.”

The police letter urged the PSL to take action and make sure such incidents are not repeated in future. (ANI)

Ambassador Paramita Tripathi visited the central mortuary of Kuwait on Monday, where the mortal remains of the Indian national who lost his life in the attack on a desalination facility were kept.

Sharing the details in a post on X, the Indian Embassy in Kuwait said in a post on X, “Ambassador met Brig. Abdulrahim Al-Awadhi, General Manager of the General Department of Criminal Evidence, to convey appreciation for prompt and sensitive support on the matter. The Embassy is in touch with the family of the deceased Indian national and is coordinating with Kuwaiti authorities for expeditious transportation of mortal remains.”

A total of 8 Indian nationals have lost their lives in West Asia as the conflict in the Gulf region enters its second month. One person also remains missing, a senior official from the Ministry of External Affairs informed on Monday. The official added that the Indian mission in Kuwait is working closely with local authorities to ensure the early repatriation of the mortal remains of an Indian national who lost his life in an attack in Kuwait.

Earlier on Monday, the Indian Embassy in Kuwait on Monday expressed condolences upon the death of an Indian national due to an attack on a desalination facility in Kuwait.

The embassy said that they were in touch with the authorities to render all possible assistance.

In a post on X, the embassy said, “Embassy of India in Kuwait expresses its deepest condolences at the tragic demise of an Indian national due to an attack on a desalination facility in Kuwait yesterday. The Embassy is closely coordinating with the Kuwaiti authorities to render all possible support and assistance.”

Kuwait’s Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy on Monday stated that an Indian worker was killed and a service building at a major power and water desalination plant sustained significant damage following what authorities described as Iranian strikes on Sunday evening.

According to a statement issued by the ministry’s official spokesperson, the strike targeted a service building at one of Kuwait’s power and water desalination plants, resulting in the death of the Indian national and “significant material damage” to the facility.

“A service building at one of the power and water desalination plants was attacked as part of the Iranian aggression against the State of Kuwait. This resulted in the death of one worker (of Indian nationality) and significant material damage to the building,” the statement read. (ANI)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday launched a sharp attack on Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, accusing the Congress leader of supporting Naxalism “throughout his political career.”

Shah also slammed Rahul Gandhi for reposting a video of a protest at India Gate during which slogans were raised in support of dreaded Naxal leader Madvi Hidma, who was killed in an encounter with security forces in Andhra Pradesh in November last year.

“When Hidma was killed, slogans were raised on India Gate that ‘Kitne Hidma maroge, har ghar se Hidma niklega’. Rahul Gandhi tweeted that video. How can they escape? They have supported Naxalism since 70s till now. Congress party left wing ideology is responsible for the death of 20,000 people,” he said while replying to the debate in Lok Sabha on efforts to free the country from Left Wing Extremism.

Hidma was involved in several Maoist attacks in India over the past two decades, including the 2010 Dantewada massacre in which 76 CRPF personnel were killed, and the 2013 Jhiram Ghati attack in the Sukma district in which 27 Congress leaders, including former Chhattisgarh Minister Mahendra Karma, then Chhattisgarh Congress chief Nand Kumar Patel and former External Affairs Minister Vidya Charan Shukla. The dreaded Naxalite was also linked to the 2017 Sukma ambush, in which 37 paramilitary personnel were killed. Due to his alleged role in these attacks, authorities had announced a reward of ₹1 crore for information leading to his capture.

Shah further accused Gandhi of ‘meeting’ with Naxals and their sympathisers on numerous occasions, alleging that several Naxal frontal organisations participated in the Congress leader’s Bharat Jodo Yatra.

“Throughout his long political career, Rahul Gandhi was seen on numerous occasions with Naxals and their sympathisers. There is a record showing that several Naxal frontal organisations participated in the Bharat Jodo Yatra. In 2010, in Odisha, he shared a stage with Lado Sikoka (Naxal leader). From that very platform, Sikoka delivered an inflammatory speech and even garlanded Rahul Gandhi,” the Union Home Minister said.

Shah further held the Congress “responsible for the death of 20,000” people by supporting Naxalism since the 1970s.

“They have supported Naxalism since 70s till now. Congress party’s left wing ideology is responsible for the death of 20,000 people,” he said.

Amit Shah further targeted the senior Congres leader and former Union Home Minister P Chidambaram over his remarks after the deaths of 76 soldiers in a Maoist attack in Dantewada in 2010.

“After 76 six jawans were killed, Chidambaram said, ‘We can’t ask you (naxals) to lay down arms because we know you won’t do it because you believe in armed liberation struggle’. How has this country been run?” Shah said.

The senior BJP leader said that the government had set the target of eliminating Naxalism by March 31 this year, and he can say with confidence that “we have become Naxal-free”.

“We had set a target to make the region Naxal-free by March 31st. After the entire process, I’ll inform the nation. However, I can state with absolute confidence that we’ve indeed become Naxal-free,” he said. (ANI)

The Union government on Monday announced that 100 per cent supply of natural gas is being maintained for domestic consumers and CNG transport, noting that approximately 95 per cent of LPG bookings were done online yesterday.

Speaking at a joint inter-ministerial briefing, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary (Marketing and Oil Refinery) at the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, stated that the country possesses sufficient fuel reserves to meet current demand.

“Our refineries are in normal operation, and crude inventories are adequate. Some retail outlets are in normal operation, but panic buying is also observed in some retail outlets. In this regard, I would like to tell the people of the country that petrol and diesel are available in sufficient quantities with us,” Sharma said.

She explained that the government took several steps to ensure domestic stability, including the reduction of excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 10 and the imposition of export taxes to maintain the availability of diesel and Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) in the local market.

The Joint Secretary detailed the expansion of the Piped Natural Gas (PNG) network, noting that several central ministries, including the Ministry of Defence, issued orders to support expansion in residential areas and unit lines.

She added that the government issued a Gazette notification on March 24 to expedite last-mile connectivity. Regarding the status of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Sharma confirmed there is no “dry out” at any distributor.

“In the past two days, about 1.4 crore bookings have been made, of which 92 lakh cylinders have also been delivered. As you know, the commercial LPG has been distributed by the Indian government. The Indian government has increased the availability of commercial LPG by about 70% and has talked about prioritising Dhaba, Restaurants, Industrial Canteens and Migrant Labour. I would like to tell you that after the issue of this order in the last week, about 2,60,000 FTL (Free Trade LPG) cylinders of 5 kg have been sold,” she said.

Furthermore, the government allocated 48,000 additional kerosene units for quarterly distribution, supported by a budget notification on March 29 specifically addressing the needs of states that previously declared themselves kerosene-free.

To combat black marketing and hoarding, the Ministry requested states to establish control rooms and conduct daily briefings. Sharma noted that 16 states, including Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, are already releasing regular press updates.

Enforcement actions led to almost 2,500 raids under the Enforcement Act, resulting in the seizure of 2,000 cylinders. Additionally, oil marketing companies issued nearly 500 show-cause notices following surprise inspections.

Sharma concluded by requesting citizens to purchase fuel only as required and to remain calm. “We have sufficient fuel available. And to ensure its supply, the Indian government is working at all levels,” she said. (ANI)