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West Asia crisis: Safety of Indians, gas supply and self-reliance among top priorities for govt

LPG cylinders

New Delhi, March 25, 2026

Amid the West Asia crisis, the Indian government is leaving no stone unturned when it comes to the safety of Indians in conflict zone, gas and fuel availability, long-term energy security measures and push for self-reliance across sectors.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi informed the Rajya Sabha that the government’s first concern is safeguarding citizens and more than 3.75 lakh Indians have been repatriated from the conflict zone (including over 700 medical students from Iran) and all necessary assistance and medical care is being provided to affected families.

Moreover, Prime Minister has personally held two rounds of calls with leaders of most West Asian nations and India remains in continuous contact with Gulf countries as well as Iran, Israel and the United States to restore peace. These discussions include de-escalation and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

India has also categorically opposed attacks on civilians, civil infrastructure and energy/transport systems, declaring them unacceptable, and has urged all parties to seek a peaceful resolution.

Notably, all Indian refineries are operating at high capacity with adequate crude inventories, domestic LPG production has increased, and petrol/diesel stocks are sufficient; panic buying in some areas is being driven by rumours that the government has debunked.

The government has ensured that ships carrying crude oil and LPG have arrived from many countries, and it continues to work on contingency plans to keep supplies uninterrupted.

In the meantime, India has diversified its crude/LNG/LPG imports from 27 to 41 countries, built strategic petroleum reserves exceeding 53 lakh tonnes (with work underway to reach 65 lakh tonnes) and enhanced refining capacity. The government is also promoting piped natural gas (PNG) alongside LPG and boosting domestic LPG production.

Further, to reduce dependence on foreign shipping and imports, the government has launched a Rs 70,000-crore ‘Made-in-India’ shipbuilding mission and is expanding shipbuilding, ship-breaking and maintenance capacity; it has similarly strengthened the defence sector to manufacture most weaponry domestically.

PM Modi also assured that adequate fertiliser supplies are prepared, and the government will ensure that farmers do not bear the burden of the crisis. States have been urged to keep benefits like the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana flowing to the poor, labourers and migrant workers, and to act against hoarders.

Prioritising gas supply to restaurants, dhabas, canteens and migrant labourers, the Centre restored 20 per cent commercial LPG supply and subsequently increased allocations so that overall commercial LPG supply to States/UTs is up to 50 per cent.

Priority sectors continue to receive 100 per cent domestic PNG and CNG supplies, while industrial/commercial consumers are receiving about 80 per cent of normal gas use. Over 7,500 PNG connections were issued/activated in one day.

In strict action against hoarding and black marketing, states are empowered under the Essential Commodities Act and LPG Control Order to crack down on malpractices; 32 States/UTs have set up control rooms and 33 have district monitoring committees.

Enforcement agencies have conducted about 3,400 raids and seized around 1,000 cylinders, registered 642 FIRs and arrested 155 people, while PSU Oil Marketing Companies have carried out over 1,500 surprise inspections.

When it comes to maritime and shipping safety, all Indian seafarers in the Persian Gulf are safe, with no incidents involving Indian-flagged vessels. Two Indian LPG ships — Pine Gas and Jag Vasant — have crossed the Strait of Hormuz and are en route to Indian ports.

The Directorate General of Shipping is monitoring 20 Indian-flagged vessels carrying about 540 seafarers, operates a 24×7 control room and has already repatriated more than 585 seafarers. Ports across India have added storage space and continue cargo operations smoothly.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs and Indian missions are operating 24×7 helplines, engaging with community organisations and facilitating visas. Since February 28, about 4.02 lakh passengers have returned to India.

Flights continue from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar, while alternative routes via Saudi Arabia and Armenia/Azerbaijan/Jordan are assisting Indians in Kuwait, Bahrain, Iran and Israel.(Agency)

Bomb threat triggers panic at Sri Ganganagar court campus

Bomb-threats-alert

Jaipur, March 25, 2026

Panic gripped the Sri Ganganagar Court campus following a threat to blow up the premises. An anonymous letter, sent via mail from a fictitious address in Kolkata, contained a warning that the court would be bombed, officials said.

On Wednesday morning, a bomb disposal squad from Bikaner arrived at the court, and security across the entire complex was significantly tightened.

A police contingent, including the Superintendent of Police (SP), also rushed to the scene. The dog squad and the bomb disposal team conducted a thorough search of every nook and cranny of the court premises.

The entire complex — including the chambers in Blocks C and D, as well as the offices of judicial officers — was meticulously inspected. Court proceedings were able to resume only after the bomb disposal squad gave the all-clear. The bomb disposal team conducted checks inside courtrooms as well.

Meanwhile, security agencies have launched an investigation to identify the sender of the letter. The Cyber ​​Cell and the Postal Department are assisting in the efforts to trace the threatening letter, which was sent using a Kolkata address.

Following this incident, security agencies have gone on high alert. Entry and exit points, as well as security checkpoints within the court complex, were placed under strict scrutiny. Officials are maintaining constant surveillance, and immediate action will be taken against any suspicious activity.

As per officials, a few days back, specifically on March 10 at approximately 11.30 a.m., the Passport Office in Sri Ganganagar (located within the Post Office complex) had also received an email threat warning that it would be blown up. On that occasion as well, a bomb disposal squad was summoned from Bikaner to conduct a thorough search of the entire premises; however, no suspicious objects were found. Consequently, the office resumed normal operations the very next day.(Agency)

KKR retire jersey No.12 as a tribute to retired star Andre Russell

Kolkata, March 24, 2026

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have decided to retire jersey number 12 as a tribute to the legendary all-rounder Andre Russell, the West Indian star they have lovingly designated as the Eternal Knight, for his yeoman service to the Indian Premier League (IPL) side.

The three-time champions made the special announcement at their preseason event – Knights Unplugged 3.0 – on Tuesday evening.

Andre Russell, who has returned to the KKR setup as a ‘power coach’ ahead of the new season, had a distinguished 12-year tenure with the Kolkata Knight Riders, representing the franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL) from 2014 to 2025.

With his iconic hairstyle and incredible prowess on the cricket field, the West Indian went on to become one of KKR’s most prominent players, playing a significant role in helping them secure two IPL titles (2014, 2024).

Russell featured in 140 IPL matches for KKR, scoring 2,651 runs at a strike rate of 174.17 and picking 123 wickets. He is only the second all-rounder in the IPL to register more than 2000 runs and 100 wickets. His power-packed performances also earned him the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament in 2019, where he amassed 510 runs at a staggering strike rate of 204.81 and an average of 56.66.

The two-time ICC Men’s T20 World Cup winner (2012 and 2016) also holds the best bowling figures for a KKR bowler in IPL history, registering 5 for 15 against the Mumbai Indians in the 2021 edition. His 122 wickets for the franchise make him the second-most successful bowler in their history, only second to Sunil Narine (192 wickets).

Speaking on the occasion, Venky Mysore, Chief Executive Officer, Kolkata Knight Riders, said, “We’ve had a long association with Andre Russell, not just with KKR but also on a personal level. On the field, he has given us so many reasons to celebrate his performances over the years. He always wore the number 12 proudly, and the number is so unique to Dre Russ that we wanted to share a fitting tribute. So, in the Knight Riders tradition of starting a new legacy, we’d like to retire this number for KKR in his honour.”

Sharing his thoughts, an emotional Kolkata Knight Riders Power Coach Andre Russell, said, “It has been over a decade of amazing achievements with this franchise, and I got a bit emotional watching the video. To be a part of two championship-winning teams with KKR, and to see what it means to everyone, that’s an amazing feeling. When you win a World Cup, that feels special, but when you win the IPL, it’s something different. I just want to say thanks to this franchise for making this journey so special for me.”(Agency)

Ektaa Kapoor locks in the sequel to ‘The Sabarmati Report’

Ektaa Kapoor Film Producer

Mumbai, March 24, 2026

Producer Ektaa Kapoor has set the sequel to her production ‘The Sabarmati Report’. Tilted ‘The Terror Report’, the sequel draws from the devastating terror attacks against India and the nation’s hard and crushing retaliation.

The feature expands the canvas to bare the continuing, unfinished story of India’s war against cross-border terror. It blends investigative intrigue, intelligence operations, and deep human stories. The film delves into the most recent, tragic and defining moments shaping the country’s modern security landscape.

Vishnu Varadhan, whose blockbuster Shershaah emerged as one of the most widely celebrated patriotic films of recent years, will direct the fact-based thriller.

The collaboration between Balaji Telefilms and Ellipsis Entertainment brings together two creative powerhouses. The film is produced by Ekta Kapoor, Shobha Kapoor, Tanuj Garg, Atul Kasbekar and Sudhir Chaudhary.

‘The Sabarmati Report’ was based on the burning of the Sabarmati Express train. The tragic incident occurred on February 27, 2002, when a mob set fire to the S6 coach of the Sabarmati Express near the Godhra railway station in Gujarat. ‘The Sabarmati Report’ also starred Vikrant Massey, Raashii Khanna, and Ridhi Dogra. It was directed by Dheeraj Sarna.

In the film, Vikrant Massey portrayed a Hindi journalist, who stands up to the system because he wants the truth to be covered in the reportage.

The film had also gained support from political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah. It was declared tax-free in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Haryana. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also announced the film as tax-free in Gujarat, and Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma declared the film tax-free in Rajasthan enabling it to reach a wider audience.(Agency)

Ektaa Kapoor producer

Coach praises UP Govt for appointing Rinku Singh as regional sports officer

Rinku Singh Cricketer 1

Aligarh, March 24, 2026

Welcoming the Uttar Pradesh Government’s decision to appoint India star Rinku Singh as the Regional Sports Officer, his coach Masooduzzafar Amin expressed gratitude and optimism, saying the move will inspire young cricketers to take up the sport while strengthening the overall sporting ecosystem in the state.

“The UP government has given him the job, and I thank the government for this. The decision will help young cricketers come into the sport and will motivate them to play. We have a lot of expectations from Rinku working as an officer, and he will strengthen the sport,” Rinku Singh’s coach told IANS.

Apart from Rinku Singh, the Uttar Pradesh government is set to give employment to six international medallists, including hockey player Rajkumar Pal, who was a member of India’s bronze-winning team at the 2924 Olympics in Paris. Javelin thrower Ajit Singh and sprinter Simran will become District Panchayat Raj Officers. Paralympic gold medallist Praveen Kumar will also become a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP).

Earlier, three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) named Rinku as their vice-captain for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. Rinku Singh has been a key performer for KKR with his explosive batting and sharp fielding.

The 28-year-old brings leadership experience from domestic circuits and previous IPL stints.

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), led by veteran India opener Ajinkya Rahane, will open their IPL 2026 campaign against five-time champions Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on March 29.

Their first home match will be against 2016 winners Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on April 2, before hosting Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants for clashes on April 6 and 9, respectively.

Recently, Rinku Singh was part of the Indian men’s T20 team that won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, beating New Zealand in the final in Ahmedabad. Rinku had a difficult time during the T20 World Cup as he lost his father during the competition.(Agency)

Mallika Sherawat reunites with Mahesh Bhatt: Some mentors transform you

Mumbai, March 24, 2026

Actress Mallika Sherawat could not contain her excitement as she got a chance to reunite with her beloved filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt.

Taking to her official Instagram handle, Mallika shared a photo with Mahesh Bhatt, in which she was seen placing her head on his shoulder, while the filmmaker looked straight into the camera with a smile on his face.

“Some mentors don’t just guide, they transform you. Grateful for @maheshfilm (sic),” she wrote on the photo-sharing app.

It must be noted that Mahesh Bhatt’s “Murder” turned out to be a significant milestone in Mallika’s cinematic journey.

Made under the direction of Anurag Basu, the project also featured Emraan Hashmi as the lead.

The second instalment in the series, “Murder 2” reached the audience in 2011, followed by “Murder 3″ in 2013.

Back in September last year, commemorating Mahesh Bhatt’s 77th birthday, Mallika claimed that the filmmaker saw the fire in her even before she did.

Sharing a still with Mahesh Bhatt on her official Instagram handle, Mallika penned a heartfelt note saying, “Forever grateful to my mentor Mahesh Bhatt, the one who saw my fire even before I did, who taught me that truth and courage are worth more than perfection”.

Mallika stepped into acting in 2002 with the film “Jeena Sirf Merre Liye”.

However, she rose to fame after her bold performance in “Murder” in 2004.

After this, she turned towards the West and appeared in the movies “Hisss” and “Politics of Love”.

Some of her other movies include “Khwahish”, “Bachke Rehna Re Baba”, “Pyaar Ke Side Effects”, “Aap Ka Suroor – The Real Love Story”, “Welcome”, and “Kis Kis Ki Kismat”, to name just a few.

Mallika last graced the screen in “Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video” with Rajkummar Rao and Triptii Dimri in the lead.(Agency)

Mallika Sherawat Actress

US sharpens tech war with China across AI, chips, biotech

Artificial-intelligence-AI-logo

Washington, March 25, 2026

As the Trump Administration expands its strategic competition with China across artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and biotechnology, top American lawmakers warned that the contest is not just technological but a “moral fight” that will shape global power and economic security.

At the Hill & Valley Forum in Washington, senior lawmakers outlined a multi-front strategy to counter China’s rise in critical technologies, combining export controls, domestic investment, and closer coordination with allies.

Senator Jim Banks framed the artificial intelligence race in stark geopolitical terms and said that the second Cold War is related to the AI race, adding, “We can’t let China win it. That’s the bottom line.”

He pointed to the Trump administration’s AI action plan, which calls for stricter export controls on advanced semiconductor chips to China and other adversaries. Banks said his proposed GAIN AI Act — already passed in the Senate as part of the National Defense Authorization Act — is central to tightening those restrictions.

“… we need to make sure that we’re not helping our biggest enemy… that’s the big picture on Capitol Hill,” he said.

Banks argued the stakes go beyond innovation or market leadership.

“This isn’t just a technological race… This is a moral fight. And we know that the PRC is going to lie, steal, and cheat,” he said.

He stressed that export controls must prevent adversaries from accessing cutting-edge American chips, while domestic demand should take priority.

“… when there is a domestic customer base in the United States of America, they should get priority for American-made chips over our biggest enemy,” Banks said.

Representative John Moolenaar, Chairman of the House Select Committee on China, echoed the need for a tougher posture, even as he acknowledged the tension with traditional US economic principles.

“I still think the best case is when you have the freedom to innovate… more free trade with free countries,” Moolenaar said.

But competition with China, he added, requires a shift.

“It requires almost like a defence mentality, where you’re saying, ‘Okay, let’s use every tool possible to make sure we win this competition,’” he said.

Moolenaar highlighted a critical vulnerability — US dependence on China in key supply chains adding, “ we’re actually dependent on our chief rival, and we have to stop enabling them to continue to defeat us on this,” he said.

He warned that adversaries could leverage American technology to accelerate their own capabilities, underscoring the need for stronger controls, supply chain resilience and workforce development.

The competition is also expanding into biotechnology, another sector increasingly viewed through a national security lens.

Senator Todd Young, Chairman of the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology, highlighted the importance of US leadership in the field and pointed to a comprehensive action plan submitted to Congress.

Young, speaking alongside ARPA-H Director Alicia Jackson and Curie.Bio Co-Founder Zach Weinberg, underscored the role of public-private collaboration in maintaining an edge in emerging technologies.

The discussions at the forum reflected a broader shift in Washington, where artificial intelligence, semiconductors and biotechnology are now seen as interconnected battlegrounds in strategic competition with China.(Agency)

Iran war strains US arms, raises concerns over Ukraine support

Washington, March 25, 2026

US lawmakers warned of mounting pressure on American weapons stockpiles and a rapidly deteriorating global nuclear landscape, as a Senate hearing exposed sharp concerns over the Trump administration’s war with Iran and the future of arms control.

At a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Ranking Member Senator Jeanne Shaheen said the pace of weapons consumption has exposed serious gaps in planning and strategy.

“Last Thursday, almost three weeks into this war against Iran, the Administration pushed through more than 16 billion dollars in arms sales to the Middle East… using emergency authority to bypass normal Congressional review,” she said.

Shaheen described the situation as a “munitions and weapons” emergency, warning that US reserves are being depleted rapidly. “In some cases, we have only about a quarter of the interceptors we need,” she said, adding that it remains “not clear what the end goal of the war in Iran is.”

The strain is already affecting other conflicts. “US support has become less predictable, and allies are increasingly stepping in to purchase or backfill American-made arms,” she said, referring to Ukraine.

Shaheen said that “over 80 per cent of their strikes are now carried out by drones,” highlighting a shift toward “autonomous systems and drone swarms.” However, she cautioned, “the support that we have in the US is not keeping pace.”

Recent reports have also flagged concerns that US stockpiles of advanced missile defence systems are being rapidly depleted, raising questions about America’s ability to sustain multiple conflicts simultaneously.

Committee Chairman Senator Jim Risch defended the administration’s approach, framing the Iran conflict within a broader strategic challenge.

“The military action in the Middle East has highlighted what the United States must do to protect the American people from the imminent threat of an adversary,” he said.

Risch warned that the world has entered a “multipolar nuclear landscape,” where the US faces “two nuclear near peer competitors in Russia and China” alongside “rogue states with nuclear ambitions.”

He argued that older arms control frameworks are no longer sufficient. “Nuclear agreements of days gone by no longer meet the needs of our nation,” he said, adding that “if our adversaries are building nuclear stockpiles, we unfortunately must do so as well.”

Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Thomas DiNanno told lawmakers the administration is pursuing “verifiable and enforceable arms control agreements that enhance American national security.”

He defended the shift away from legacy agreements, calling the New START treaty “a vestige of a security environment totally disconnected from the realities of today,” particularly for failing to address China’s nuclear expansion.

Lawmakers from both parties expressed concern over the collapse of arms control mechanisms. Shaheen warned that “talks on future arms control arrangements have stalled,” adding that China’s refusal to participate effectively blocks progress.

She also pointed to rising risks from Russia, including deployment of tactical nuclear weapons closer to NATO and testing of new systems that are harder to track.

At the same time, China is “constructing more than 300 new missile silos” and expanding its arsenal “with little transparency,” she said.

The hearing comes amid intensifying global tensions following US military operations against Iran, which have significantly increased demand for high-end munitions and missile defence systems.(Agency)

US Republicans invoke ‘modern watergate’ in Senate clash over Trump probe

Washington, March 25, 2026

A bitter partisan clash erupted in the US Senate as Republicans accused federal investigators of orchestrating a sweeping abuse of power in their inquiries into Donald Trump, likening the effort to a “modern Watergate,” while Democrats dismissed the claims as unfounded and defended the investigations as routine law enforcement.

At a combative Judiciary subcommittee hearing titled “Arctic Frost,” Senator Ted Cruz, Republican of Texas, said the Justice Department under former President Joe Biden had authorised a far-reaching probe that intruded into “approximately 100,000 private communications” and targeted “more than a dozen Senators and thousands of individuals lives.”

“It is a modern Watergate,” Cruz said, arguing that the investigation went beyond past scandals because it was “fully authorized, formalized, and executed through the official powers of the United States government.”

He alleged that nearly 200 subpoenas were issued, covering more than 400 Republican-aligned individuals and organisations, including political groups, donors, and lawyers. Among the targets, he said, were entities linked to Trump’s political network, including his campaign and affiliated organisations.

Republicans focused heavily on the use of subpoenas to obtain phone “toll records,” including those of lawmakers. Cruz said the FBI had collected data from “nearly 20 per cent of the Republicans in the Senate,” describing it as an unprecedented intrusion. Senator Mike Lee of Utah called the investigation “a development of staggering proportions,” while Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana questioned why telecommunications companies complied with the orders.

Witnesses invited by Republicans echoed those concerns. Will Chamberlain, a legal analyst, pointed to reports that the FBI recorded a phone call between Trump campaign adviser Susie Wiles and her lawyer. If done without consent, he said, “we are likely looking at an illegal wiretap.” He also criticised the use of internal FBI systems to restrict access to certain files, saying such practices could prevent oversight.

Democrats countered that the hearing itself was politically motivated and ignored the underlying reasons for the investigation into Trump and his allies. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island said subpoenas for phone records were a standard part of criminal inquiries.

“Of course they did,” he said of investigators seeking such records. “Virtually every investigation involves subpoenas for toll records for any number of reasons.”

Whitehouse argued that individuals such as Kash Patel and Wiles were relevant to the investigation. Patel, he said, had made himself “a fact witness,” while Wiles was referenced in the classified documents case involving Trump.

Democrats repeatedly pressed Republicans to call Special Counsel Jack Smith — who led the investigations — to testify under oath. “Why not call him? Hear it from the man himself?” Whitehouse said.

Another Democratic senator described the hearing as “a baseless partisan witch hunt,” while Senator Mazie Hirono of Hawaii said Republicans were “milking a dead cow” by revisiting issues already examined.

Christopher O’Leary, a former senior FBI official who testified as a witness, defended the bureau’s institutional processes and rejected claims of a politically driven conspiracy. He said investigations are based on “facts, intelligence and evidence, not ideology or affiliation.”

O’Leary warned, however, that recent dismissals of FBI personnel had caused “generational damage” to national security capabilities, particularly in counterintelligence operations.(Agency)

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