Month: March 2026

India’s crude oil availability continues to be adequate while the LPG situation remains a concern amid the West Asia conflict, the government said on Wednesday.

“Our crude availability is normal, and our refineries are operating at the optimal levels,” said Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary (Marketing & Oil Refinery), Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas at the inter-ministerial media briefing.

“LPG issue is still worrisome. There is an improvement in online booking. But it is also true that there are long lines at distributors’,” Sujata Sharma said.

Domestic LPG production has increased by 40 per cent over these days.

No dry outs have been reported at retail outlets, the government reassured, asking people not to rush purchase.

India has sufficient stocks of aviation turbine fuel and there has been no price increase by oil companies, she said.

Amid ongoing tensions in West Asia and rising concerns over energy supply, India’s Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has outlined a series of measures to accelerate the adoption of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) and expand city gas infrastructure across the country.

As part of the push, the government has encouraged consumers, particularly commercial LPG users in major cities and urban areas, to switch to PNG.

Several city gas distribution (CGD) entities are offering incentives to boost PNG adoption, as authorities seek to reduce dependence on conventional LPG supplies during a period of global uncertainty.

In a communication on Monday, the Centre has requested state governments and Union Territories to expedite approvals and remove procedural bottlenecks for laying CGD pipelines.

Alternate fuels such as kerosene and coal have been activated for certain sectors, including hospitality and restaurants, to ease pressure on LPG supplies. (ANI)

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday announced an initiative under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) to provide pure drinking water to every resident in the state.

While addressing a press conference here with Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil, the Uttar Pradesh CM highlighted that over 10,000 of the state’s 1,05,000 revenue villages already have access to drinking water through pipelines.

The new agreement ensures that contractors will remain responsible for infrastructure maintenance for a full decade after project completion to guarantee long-term service, he added. In this regard, a Memorendum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the centre and the Uttar Pradesh government.

“Under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), an initiative has been taken to provide pure drinking water to even the last person in the village. In today’s MoU program being done between the Central and State Government for the successful implementation of the Jal Jeevan Scheme, I thank Union Minister CR Patil and his entire team,” Adityanath said.

“The state of Uttar Pradesh has over 1,05,000 revenue villages, of which over 10,000 already have access to drinking water through pipelines. With the implementation of the scheme in Uttar Pradesh, we ensured that all the implementing agencies and contractors would be responsible for its maintenance for 10 years after the completion of the work,” the CM said.

He pointed out that the untimely deaths reported earlier in eastern Uttar Pradesh were due to encephalitis, which occured due to open defecation and impure drinking water.

“There were sufficient water resources, and people generally did not face a problem with water quantity. There was a significant increase in complaints (earlier) of untimely deaths due to contaminated water. I will give just one example: there are sufficient water resources in eastern Uttar Pradesh, yet every year, thousands of deaths occur there due to encephalitis. When we analysed all these death figures, it was discovered that these deaths were occurring due to open defecation and impure drinking water,” CM Adityanath said.

“Today, under the Jal Jeevan Mission, pure drinking water has become available in those villages and toilets have been built in every house. In areas where more than 50,000 deaths had occurred over 40 years, today I am happy to share that in the last five years, we have succeeded in bringing the death toll down to zero,” he added.

The Uttar Pradesh CM attributed this success to the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“I attribute this success to the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, who launched and implemented the ‘toilets in every house’ scheme under the Swachh Bharat Mission and the ‘tap in every home’ scheme under the Jal Jeevan Mission,” he said. (ANI)

The Australian Government’s Department of Defence has confirmed that an Iranian strike impacted an area at the Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday morning.

The facility, which has hosted a continuous “Australian Defence Force (ADF)” presence for many years, was hit during the early hours of the day.

In a formal statement, the department provided reassurances regarding the welfare of its troops, noting that “no ADF personnel were injured in the incident, and all ADF personnel deployed to the Middle East are safe and accounted for.”

While casualties were avoided, the attack caused physical destruction within the facility. The strike reportedly “resulted in minor damage to an accommodation block and medical facility in the Australian section of the base.”

Following the impact, military officials have shifted their attention to preventing further risks to personnel stationed in the region. “Defence’s focus is on ensuring the safety and security of our people, and we will continue to revise force protection measures as the situation in the Middle East evolves,” the statement added.

Providing further details on the strike, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed that an “Iranian projectile” struck a road just outside the base at approximately 9:15 am AEDT on Wednesday.

According to ABC News, the strike ignited a fire which resulted in “minor damage” to Australian medical and accommodation facilities. While it remains “not clear if it was a missile or drone strike,” the Prime Minister confirmed that the subsequent blaze affected a clinical area and housing units.

“I can confirm that no Australian personnel were injured, and everyone is absolutely safe at this point in time,” Albanese stated, adding that the damage was caused by a “small fire that was created as a result of that projectile hitting a road leading up to that base.”

The facility serves as a vital “military, logistics, surveillance and training hub” for the ADF. More than 100 Australian personnel are currently stationed at the base, which also provides a home for British forces and a small contingent of United States military members.

This marks the second occasion the air base has been caught in the crosshairs of the ongoing conflict. An “Iranian drone strike” previously hit the facility during the initial days of the war, though that specific “strike caused no damage to Australian facilities.”

When questioned on whether the base was being intentionally singled out, Albanese remarked that the “Iranian regime is engaging in random attacks right across the region.” The UAE has faced “heavy bombardment” throughout the current hostilities.

ABC News highlighted that the UAE defence ministry estimates nearly “1,700 drones and missiles” were directed at the nation in the first week of the war alone, with approximately “90 per cent” successfully intercepted.

Addressing the security of Australian troops, Shadow Defence Minister James Paterson expressed relief that no personnel were harmed but warned that the “attack on Australian facilities at Al Minhad is another reminder that the Islamic Republic regime in Iran is no friend of Australia.”

He reiterated the Coalition’s support for the deployment of “E-7A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft” to assist partners like the UAE. As the regional situation remains volatile, the government is being urged to provide all “resources and support necessary” to ensure the safety of service members.

In a post on X, Defence Minister Richard Marles addressed the incident at the facility where the Australian Defence Force (ADF) has been stationed for years. He emphasised that the welfare of military personnel remains the government’s paramount concern following the strike.

“The safety and security of the men and women who bravely wear our nation’s uniform is always our first priority, and I want to reassure people that no Australians were injured in this incident,” the Defence Minister stated.

Marles further noted that the public “may have see the news that a base where the ADF has a long-standing presence has been hit in the UAE by Iran.”

The statement comes amidst a period of heightened regional volatility, with Australian authorities continuing to monitor the safety of their forces deployed across the Middle East. (ANI)

In North Korea’s 2026 parliamentary elections, Kim Jong Un achieved a landslide win as the Workers’ Party of Korea and its coalition partners reportedly captured 99.93 per cent of the ballot and every available seat, according to Yonhap News Agency, which cited state media reports.

With a reported turnout of 99.99 per cent, the polls were conducted on March 15 to select deputies for the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly.

Following the results, Pyongyang is scheduled to hold the inaugural session of the new assembly to decide on the election of state leadership and deliberate on a major revision to the constitution.

This upcoming legislative gathering follows the Ninth Congress of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea conducted last month.

As reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the assembly will formally address the election of the president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the revision and supplement of the Socialist Constitution.

According to Yonhap News Agency, a primary focus for the session is whether the North will officially codify its hostile stance toward the South, defining the two Koreas as two countries hostile to each other in its founding document.

Observers are also waiting to see if Kim Jong Un will deliver new policy directions regarding the nation’s external relations.

The session is widely expected to re-elect Kim as the supreme leader, confirming his role as the head of the State Affairs Commission.

While the assembly is frequently characterised as a rubber-stamp parliament, it remains the essential body for legalising decisions made by the ruling party leadership.

The latest election list, as noted by Yonhap News Agency, suggests a significant shift in the internal power structure, with over 70 per cent of the deputies being replaced since the previous term.

This far-reaching personnel reshuffle is interpreted by experts as an effort to further consolidate Kim’s absolute authority.

Among the 687 deputies confirmed is Jo Yong-won, a prominent aide to Kim, who is tipped to become the chairman of the assembly’s standing committee.

Conversely, the former chairman, Choe Ryong-hae, was relieved of the post during the recent party congress and was notably absent from the new parliamentary list.

The newly elected deputies also include Kim’s influential sister, Kim Yo-jong, and Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui.

State media described these representatives as state political activists chosen from the ranks of workers, farmers, and officials to carry out the party’s strategic mission.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the KCNA reported that 0.07 per cent of the electorate voted against the candidates.

This inclusion of opposing votes is seen as a propaganda tactic to suggest a genuine right to object, despite the fact that North Korean elections are largely regarded as a non-secret formality. (ANI)

A controversy has erupted around the recently released song ‘Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke’ featuring Nora Fatehi, after a complaint was filed at the Abids Police Station alleging that the track contains vulgar and obscene content.

The complaint was lodged by Nitin Nandkar, who is also the President of the Veer Shivaji Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) City President in Hyderabad. Nandkar has requested authorities to investigate the matter, initiate legal action against those responsible, and ensure that the video is removed from public platforms.

Speaking to ANI, Nandkar said that his organisation has demanded action from authorities, including the film certification body.

“We have demanded that the censor board take action against all of them. Today, we demanded this at Abids Police Station. We have also filed a complaint against them. We have also tried to book an FIR against them,” he said.

According to Nandkar, the Hyderabad Police Department assured the complainants that the matter would be examined and that strict action could be taken if the content is found to negatively influence children and young audiences.

“The Hyderabad police department has also given a good message at the police station. They have assured us that if such incidents and vulgar language affect the lives of children and youth, we will immediately take action against them and book an FIR,” he added.

The controversy surrounding the song has also drawn criticism from Ravi Kishan, actor and Lok Sabha Member of Parliament, who earlier condemned the alleged obscenity in the lyrics.

Speaking to ANI, Kishan said that content which hurts cultural values should not be promoted in society. He cited films such as Dhurandhar as examples of commercially successful projects that do not rely on explicit content.

“Any obscenity that hurts culture and values should not be promoted. Now, filmmakers should also consider films like ‘Dhurandhar,’ which can generate revenue worth thousands of crores without adding anything. Such things should not be introduced into this country for business, to promote a song, or to hype a film. This is not a good idea. I oppose it,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka State Commission for Women has also taken note of complaints regarding the lyrics of ‘Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke,’ which appears in the upcoming film ‘KD: The Devil.’

In a letter addressed to the regional director of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the commission raised concerns over what it described as derogatory and obscene lyrics that allegedly portray women in a disrespectful manner.

“Based on complaints received from the public by the Women’s Commission, it has come to the notice of the Commission that lyrics that are derogatory to the dignity of women are being used in the songs of some films that are under production and are currently being promoted (e.g. “KD-The Devil”),” the letter read.

According to the commission, the concerns emerged following public complaints about lyrics used in films that are currently under production or being promoted. The commission stated that such content could violate film certification guidelines, particularly if it denigrates the dignity of women.

The letter further noted that the public dissemination of provocative lyrics could negatively impact the safety and social well-being of women. It also emphasised that scenes or lyrics that depict women in an obscene or degrading manner fall under scrutiny according to certification norms.

The commission urged the CBFC to conduct a thorough review of the song and ensure that objectionable lyrics or scenes are removed or modified before certification is granted.

In addition, the commission wrote to the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, requesting greater oversight over the use of what it described as obscene literature or dialogues in films.

The letter stated that there have been increasing objections in the public sphere regarding lyrics in certain Kannada films, including the song linked to ‘KD: The Devil’. It urged the film industry to exercise greater social responsibility and avoid content that could degrade the dignity of women. (ANI)

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has reportedly struck over 100 targets in Tel Aviv in retaliation for the killing of Ali Larijani, a former top security official, according to state broadcaster Press TV.

The strikes were launched in response to what Tehran described as unprovoked American-Israeli aggression. In a statement on Wednesday, the IRGC announced that the targets were hit during the “61st wave” of its ongoing retaliatory “Operation True Promise 4.”

According to Press TV, the operation utilised multi-warhead Khorramshahr-4 and Qadr missiles, alongside Emad and Kheibar Shekan projectiles. These were deployed to avenge the death of Larijani, who previously served as the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC).

The IRGC claimed that during these “intense lightning strikes,” the missiles hit more than 100 military and security targets in the heart of the “occupied territories” without facing “any obstruction.”

The success of this stage of the reprisal was attributed by the IRGC to “the disintegration of the Zionist regime’s multilayered and highly advanced air defence systems.”

Press TV cited field information indicating that a “partial blackout” occurred in Tel Aviv as a result of the strikes. The report suggested that the situation made it increasingly difficult for forces on the ground to maintain control or conduct rescue operations.

The IRGC further claimed that “Operation True Promise 4” has resulted in more than 230 casualties, including those killed or injured. The retaliatory campaign began following the latest military actions initiated by Washington and Tel Aviv against the Islamic Republic.

Beyond Tel Aviv, the strikes have reportedly targeted strategic sites in al-Quds, the port of Haifa, and Be’er Sheva, regarded as a technological hub, as well as the Negev Desert.

According to Press TV, American outposts across the region have also faced intense reprisals. Impacts were reported at facilities located in Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. (ANI)

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday slammed its allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) after several NATO countries conveyed their unwillingness to participate in the US military campaign against Iran amid the West Asia conflict.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that the US does not require their assistance in its ongoing military operations in Iran, despite broadly agreeing that Tehran should not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.

His tirade stemmed from suspected denial from his allies over his call for the safeguard of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important global energy choke points, which has been rendered partially inoperable amid the conflict.

“The United States has been informed by most of our NATO “Allies” that they don’t want to get involved with our Military Operation against the Terrorist Regime of Iran, in the Middle East, this, despite the fact that almost every Country strongly agreed with what we are doing, and that Iran cannot, in any way, shape, or form, be allowed to have a Nuclear Weapon,” his post read.

Trump stated that he was not surprised by their stance, further criticising the alliance as a “one-way street”, claiming that Washington spends heavily on defending allied nations without receiving reciprocal support in times of need.

“I am not surprised by their action, however, because I always considered NATO, where we spend Hundreds of Billions of Dollars per year protecting these same Countries, to be a one way street — We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need,” his post added.

Emphasising US military capability, Trump asserted that American forces had “decimated Iran’s military,” claiming that its navy, air force, and defence systems had been neutralised and added that the US no longer needs or desires assistance from NATO countries or partners such as Japan, Australia, and South Korea.

“In fact, speaking as President of the United States of America, by far the Most Powerful Country Anywhere in the World, WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!” Trump stated.

His outburst comes after the denial from his allies after he called for the deployment of naval assets to safeguard the Strait of Hormuz in a separate post on Truth Social on Saturday.

Trump hoped that countries including China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom would contribute to ensuring maritime security in the region.

“Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others, that are affected by this artificial constraint, will send Ships to the area so that the Hormuz Strait will no longer be a threat by a Nation that has been totally decapitated,” his post read.

This development comes amid the escalating conflict that began on February 28 with the killing of 86-year-old Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in joint military strikes by the US and Israel, after which Iran, in its retaliation, targeted Israeli and US assets in several Gulf countries and Israel, causing disruption in the waterway and affecting international energy markets and global economic stability.

Due to the conflict in the region, Iran has virtually closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical transit route for global energy supply.

Following the death of Ali Khamenei, Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the former leader, was appointed as the new Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic. (ANI)

Salman Khan’s upcoming movie ‘Maatrubhumi’ has released the teaser of its romantic single ‘Chand Dekh Lena’, a romantic song featuring Chitrangda Singh and ‘Bhaijaan’.

Following the release of songs ‘Maatrubhumi’ and ‘Main Hoon’, the makers have unveiled the teaser of the film’s third song ‘Chand Dekh Lena,’ offering a tender glimpse into the emotional world of the film.

Featuring Salman Khan and Chitrangada Singh, the song promises to be a heartfelt ode to love that endures distance, sacrifice, and the quiet ache of separation.

The teaser captures the poignant reality of an army officer’s life, one defined not only by courage on the battlefield but also by the emotional toll it takes on the relationships left waiting back home.

In the teaser, Chitrangada Singh’s character was seen waiting for her husband, played by Salman Khan, who returns home after serving at the border. The actor was seen dancing on the bridge, signifying his love for Chitrangada.

Salman Khan shared the teaser on his Instagram handle on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Salman Khan Films recently retitled the film from ‘Battle of Galwan’ to ‘Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace’ as the new title perfectly captures that emotion and sacrifice far more truthfully. It reflects the story’s soul, preserving humanity even in the face of conflict.

‘Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace’ is produced by Salma Khan under the banner of Salman Khan Films, with Apoorva Lakhia at the helm as director.

The film promises an unflinching portrayal of bravery, sacrifice, and resilience. The film also stars Chitrangada Singh in a pivotal role. (ANI)

The Director of the United States’ National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), Joseph Kent, on Tuesday, resigned from his post in protest against the ongoing war with Iran, asserting that Tehran did not present an imminent threat to the United States and strongly criticising the rationale for military action.

In his resignation letter to US President Donald Trump, Kent called the conflict with Iran unjustified, contending that Washington entered the war due primarily to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby rather than clear, direct threats to national security.

Kent, in his letter, further stated that he “cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran” and lamented a departure from what he described as the America First foreign policy pursued by Trump in earlier terms and drew parallels with past conflicts in the Middle East.

“After much reflection, I have decided to resign from my position as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, effective today. I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby,” his letter read.

“I support the values and the foreign policies that you campaigned on in 2016, 2020, and 2024, which you enacted in your first term. Until June of 2025, you understood that the wars in the Middle East were a trap that robbed America of the precious lives of our patriots and depleted the wealth and prosperity of our nation,” it added.

Kent’s decision marks a rare and high-profile departure from within the US counterterrorism establishment at a time of intense debate over the objectives and justification for the conflict in Iran.

“Early in this administration, high-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media deployed a misinformation campaign that wholly undermined your America First platform and sowed pro-war sentiments to encourage a war with Iran. This echo chamber was used to deceive you into believing that Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States and that should you strike now, there was a clear path to a swift victory. This was a lie and is the same tactic the Israelis used to draw us into the disastrous Iraq war that cost our nation the lives of thousands of our best men and women. We cannot make this mistake again,” his letter read.

This development comes amid the escalating conflict that began on February 28 with the killing of 86-year-old Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in joint military strikes by the US and Israel, after which Iran, in its retaliation, targeted Israeli and US assets in several Gulf countries and Israel, causing disruption in the waterway and affecting international energy markets and global economic stability.

Due to the conflict in the region, Iran has virtually closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical transit route for global energy supply.

Following the death of Ali Khamenei, Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the former leader, was appointed as the new Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic.

A decorated military veteran with multiple combat deployments and deep experience in national security roles, Kent’s resignation underscores internal opposition to the Trump administration’s strategic direction as the conflict continues.

“As a veteran who deployed to combat 11 times and as a Gold Star husband who lost my beloved wife Shannon in a war manufactured by Israel, I cannot support sending the next generation off to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people nor justifies the cost of American lives,” his letter added. (ANI)

The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday returned the Appropriation Bill, 2026, to the Lok Sabha after a reply to the debate by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who said the government is making all necessary efforts to ramp up LPG supplies in the wake of the West Asia crisis.

She said despite global “turbulent times….domestic LPG production has gone up by 25%, and the entire output of this ramped-up production is going to domestic consumers.”

“In the LPG sector, we have been building capacity, and even in these times, the way in which we have ramped up domestic capacity in LPG is also proving helpful,” she said.

The Minister noted that while nearly 65 per cent of India’s LPG is imported, and “overwhelmingly majority of it, 90% of the 65% comes from the Strait of Hormuz” and the government is taking proactive steps to avoid shortages.

“But we are not just depending on getting the steady flow even in troubled waters,” Sitharaman stated, highlighting the shift toward self-reliance.

She informed the House that the government has directed refineries and petrochemical complexes to “maximize LPG production by diverting propane, butane and propylene and butane streams to the LPG pool.”

The Finance Minister linked these developments to the broader ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, noting that the ability to “ramp up domestic LPG production by 25% literally overnight” is the “outcome of a deliberate, decade-long energy transition strategy launched” by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

She stressed that “nothing is a standalone” and that “everything in this policy seems to come together in the name of Atmanirbhar” to meet emergency situations.

Sitharaman also drew parallels with the power sector, which she said, “today stands as a very big support for us.” She reported that by January 2026, the total installed capacity more than doubled to 520.5 gigawatts.

“Non fossil sources now stand at 271.97 gigawatts, accounting for more than 52% of total capacity and surpassing fossil fuel capacity,” she said, adding that “for the first time in India’s history, non-fossil sources exceed fossil fuel capacity.”

The Minister also highlighted that India reached this “remarkable position” five years ahead of the scheduled deadline. She reiterated that the steady policy-backed approach ensures that “any situation which requires that additional support can happen,” ensuring that “domestic supplies will be adequately streamlined and the supplies will remain steady.”

“We are not just depending on a steady flow even in troubled waters. The way in which we have built our power sector, in today’s times, stands as a very big support for us, because Atmanirbhar Bharat and sufficiency in energy through our power sector are actually playing out in many different ways in supporting this,” Sitharaman stated. (ANI)