THE HEADLINES: –
- Government advises Indian nationals in Iran to stay where they are, in view of the rapidly evolving situation in the region.
- Tensions escalate in West Asia as US President Donald Trump threatens to destroy all power plants and bridges in Iran if Strait of Hormuz not opened.
- Government issues order to double sales of 5 kg LPG cylinders; Assures supply of oil and gas.
- Campaigning for Assembly Elections in Assam, Keralam and Puducherry ends; Polling on 9th of this month.
- Met Department forecasts heavy rain in Assam, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh till Thursday; Thunder squalls likely over Bihar, Jharkhand and Sikkim tomorrow.
- Indian boxers extend winning streak at Asian Championships; Six women and two men reach finals assuring eight silvers for country.
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In view of the rapidly evolving situation in Iran, the Ministry of External Affairs has advised Indian nationals to stay put, shelter in place, and avoid movement. It said, any travel within Iran or to border crossings should be done only in close coordination with the Indian Embassy in Tehran and with explicit guidance.
The Indian Embassy in Tehran has urged citizens to remain where they are for the next 48 hours, avoid electric and military installations, stay off upper floors of multi-storey buildings, and coordinate any highway movement strictly with the Embassy. Those in Embassy-hired hotels should stay indoors and maintain regular contact with on-site embassy teams.
They are also advised to monitor official updates closely. The Embassy can be contacted at +989128109115, +989128109109, +989128109102, +989932179359, or via email at cons.tehran@mea.gov.in.
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Tensions across West Asia have risen sharply as Israel has intensified strikes on Iran. US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran’s power plants and bridges could be destroyed if Tehran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz and agree to a new deal. The warning comes after US-Israeli airstrikes hit two bridges, a train station, and Khorramabad International Airport in western Iran. Iranian officials have urged civilians, especially young people, to form human chains to protect power plants. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said 14 million people, including himself, have volunteered to defend the country.
Iran has fired on Israel and Saudi Arabia, prompting the temporary closure of a major bridge raising fears of wider economic fallout. Officials involved in diplomatic efforts say talks are ongoing, but Iran has rejected the latest US proposal. Our West Asia correspondent reports, spillover effects are being reported across the Gulf.
“The United States has now entered the latest phase of the conflict, carrying out strikes on military targets at Iran’s Kharg Island, a vital oil export hub that handles a significant portion of Iran’s crude shipments. The attack has sent shockwaves through global energy markets, with oil prices surging past $115 a barrel amid fears of supply disruptions.President Donald Trump has issued fresh warnings of devastating strikes on Iranian infrastructure if Tehran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz by his deadline later tonight. The United States has also urged American citizens in Iraq to leave immediately, citing threats from Iran-backed militias and concerns that the conflict could expand into multiple fronts across West Asia. The developments mark one of the most dangerous moments in the ongoing West Asia crisis, with multiple countries now directly or indirectly involved and the risk of further escalation continuing to grow. Vinod Kumar for Akashvani News, Dubai.”
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The government has decided to double the daily allocation of five kilogram free trade LPG cylinders available for distribution to migrant labourers across states. Addressing the Inter-Ministerial Briefing on recent developments in West Asia in New Delhi today, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Sujata Sharma said, the average daily sale of five kg cylinders has increased to around one lakh cylinders in a day from around 77 thousand cylinders in February.
The Joint Secretary added that the supply of petrol, diesel, LPG and PNG remains normal across the country and no dry-outs have been reported at any LPG distributorships. She highlighted that all petrol pumps are operating normally with adequate availability of petrol and diesel, and no shortages have been reported.
Additional Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Mukesh Mangal said that all Indian seafarers in the West Asia region are safe.
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In Manipur, the Tronglaobi blast in Bishnupur district, which killed two children including an infant, has triggered widespread protests across the state. Demonstrations and road blockades have been reported from several valley districts. In view of this, the curfew imposed earlier on 3rd March, will continue without any relaxation until further orders in five valley districts – Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Kakching, and Bishnupur.
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The campaigning for Assembly elections in Assam, Keralam and Puducherry has ended this evening after days of hectic political activity. Polling for all 126 Assembly constituencies of Assam, 140 in Keralam and 30 seats in Puducherry will be held in a single phase on 9th of April.
Authorities have tightened security and administrative measures to ensure free, fair, and peaceful polling.
In the final hours today, top leaders from various political parties made concerted efforts to connect with voters and strengthen their support base across these regions. Our Assam Correspondent reports, senior BJP leader Amit Shah led the campaign for party in the three districts of Barak valley.
“The campaigning for the Election of the Legislative Assembly of Assam concluded today. The last day of campaign in the Barak Valley of South Assam was marked by high pitch rallies of the Union Home Minister Amit Shah who had arrived in Silchar last night to conduct election campaigns in the three districts of the Barak Valley. This morning his first rally was held in the Bazarichara GP of Patharkandi Assembly Constituency in Sribhumi district. Next he went to Hailakandi and held another public rally at the Hailakandi DSA ground. He finally came back to Silchar and attended a rally INC on the other hand brought Yusuf Pathan a day before for an intense campaign in the Valley. Saswati Bhattacharjee, RNU, Akashvani Silchar.”
Our Puducherry Correspondent reports, on the last day of campaigning today, several national and state-level leaders participated in campaign events.
“After days of hectic political activity campaigning concluded with leaders from various parties making their final appeals to voters. On the last day of open campaigning, several national and state-level leaders participated in campaign events across different parts of Puducherry.
District Election Officers of Puducherry and Karaikal have issued prohibitory orders from 6 PM this evening till 6 AM on Friday. Polling will be held on Thursday across all 30 constituencies at 1,099 polling stations. A total of 294 candidates are contesting this time from these constituencies. The Election Commission has put in place extensive security arrangements including webcasting facilities at the polling booths. Bibin S Nath, Akashvani News, Puducherry”
Our Thiruvananthapuram correspondent has filed this report on preparations for polling in Keralam:
” Ahead of polling, security arrangements have been tightened across Keralam. A total of seventy six thousand personnel have been deployed as part of this.
In addition, one hundred and sixty teams of central forces have been stationed in various parts of the state to strengthen security measures.
Meanwhile, a total of two thousand and forty polling booths have been identified as sensitive. Enhanced security arrangements will be put in place in these locations.
A forty eight hour liquor ban has also come into force across the state as part of the pre poll measures. Smithy M Palluruthy, Akashvani News, Thiruvananthapuram”
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The Indian National Congress today formally released its manifesto for West Bengal Assembly elections. At a press conference in Kolkata Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge unveiled the document, saying it reflects the vision and pace of development for the state.
Among the key promises made by the party includes two thousand rupees monthly assistance for women, 15 thousand rupees financial support for farmers.
Mr. Kharge categorically stated that their most important objective is the economic restructuring of the state.
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A nine-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court today commenced hearing petitions concerning alleged discrimination against women at religious places including the Sabarimala temple, and the scope of religious freedom across faiths. Ahead of the hearing, the Centre submitted written arguments urging the apex court to uphold restrictions on the entry of women of menstruating age into the Sabarimala temple.
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Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal today announced the regularisation of Unauthorised Colonies of Delhi on ‘as is, where is’ basis. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi today along with Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, he said that existing structures will be recognised, while future constructions must adhere strictly to Municipal Corporation norms. Mr Lal stated that with the decision to regularise colonies, residents will be encouraged to come forward for registration of their properties.
Welcoming the move, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that with support from the central government, efforts are underway to transform these colonies into organized urban spaces.
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Odisha has emerged as a frontrunner in the implementation of the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation, AMRUT 2.0, achieving significant progress in urban infrastructure and water supply. The mission, launched in October 2021 and extended till March 2027, is being implemented across 89 Urban Local Bodies in the state. Of the total of 345 projects approved 99 projects have already been completed.
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Thirty Indian fishermen who were released from Sri Lankan prisons reached Chennai by flight today. The fishermen from Rameswaram and Karaikal had gone fishing and were fishing near Pamban. The Sri Lankan Navy arrested them for trespassing into international waters.
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Vietnam’s Communist Party’s Secretary General To Lam was unanimously elected by parliament as the country’s president for a five-year term. The election of To Lam as the president marks a shift in Vietnam’s power structure, wherein the positions of party secretary and state president have traditionally been held by different people.
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The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rainfall over Assam, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh till Thursday. It has also predicted thundersquall accompanied by strong winds over Bihar, Jharkhand and Sikkim for tomorrow. A report:
“The Met Department has issued an orange colour warning for thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds over Delhi, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Manipur for the next three days. Similar weather conditions are likely to prevail over Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Assam, Meghalaya Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal and Telangana tomorrow. According to the IMD, Gujarat, Coastal Karnataka and Kerala are likely to experience hot and humid weather conditions during the next three days. It also said that thunderstorms accompanied by lightning over Arunachal Pradesh and South Interior Karnataka are expected tomorrow. Nitika Gupta, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
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India continued their impressive campaign at the Asian Boxing Championships at Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia. A total of eight boxers, six women and two men have storming into the finals with Minakshi and Jaismine in women’s and Vishvanath Suresh and Sachin in men’s category today. They join Preeti, Priya, Arundhati and Alifiya Pathan in the finals.
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In IPL Cricket, toss has been delayed due to wet outfield in today’s match between Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.
Last night, the match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings was abandoned due to rain at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN: –
- Government advises Indian nationals in Iran to stay where they are, in view of the rapidly evolving situation in the region.
- Tensions escalate in West Asia as US President Donald Trump threatens to destroy all power plants and bridges in Iran if Strait of Hormuz not opened.
- Government issues order to double sales of 5 kg LPG cylinders; Assures supply of oil and gas.
- Campaigning for Assembly Elections in Assam, Keralam and Puducherry ends; Polling on 9th of this month.
- Met Department forecasts heavy rain in Assam, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh till Thursday; Thunder squalls likely over Bihar, Jharkhand and Sikkim tomorrow.
- Indian boxers extend winning streak at Asian Championships; Six women and two men reach finals assuring eight silvers for country.
