The Kerala High Court on Tuesday sought the response of Malayalam cine actor Dileep to an appeal filed by the state challenging a sessions court order acquitting him (actor Dileep )of all charges in the 2017 actress assault case and seeking enhancement of the punishment for the convicted persons. The court also condoned the 17-day delay in the appeal filed by the State.

A Division Bench of Justice AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice Jobin Sebastian on Tuesday issued notice to all the accused in the case including Dileep and sought their responses.

The matter involves the kidnapping and rape of a prominent Malayalam actress. The survivor was on her way to a film shoot location in February 2017 when she was abducted and sexually assaulted by a group of men in a moving vehicle.

Ernakulam Principal District and Sessions Court judge Honey M Varghese in December 2025 acquitted Dileep while convicting six others — Pulsar Suni, Martin Antony, Manikandan B, Vijeesh VP, Vadival Salim and Pradeep, for the crime.

All six were also found guilty of conspiring to commit the offences under Section 66E (capturing, publishing or transmitting the image of a private area of any person without his or her consent) and 67A (publishing or transmitting of material containing sexually explicit act in electronic form) of the Information Technology Act for video recording the sexual assault. However, only Suni was found guilty directly under these two provisions.

The sessions court sentenced the six convicts to 20 years rigorous imprisonment which is the minimum prescribed punishment under Section 376D (gang rape) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The State government then filed the present appeal seeking conviction of Dileep as well as three others who were acquitted by the trial court, Charlie Thomas, Sanilkumar aka Mesthiri Sanil and Sarath G Nair. In its appeal before the High Court the State has also sought enhancement of sentence for accused no. 1-6, contending that the punishment awarded is inadequate given the gravity and societal impact of the crime. For context the trial court had convicted accused Nos. 1 to 6– Pulsar Suni (A1), Martin Antony (A2), B Manikandan (A3), V.P. Vijeesh (A4), H. Saleem (A5), C. Pradeep (A 6)–for offences section 120 B(criminal conspiracy), 340(wrongful confinement), 354(Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 366(kidnapping), 354B(Assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe) and 376D(gang rape) IPC.

Dileep’s acquittal and the awarding of the minimum sentence to other accused drew severe criticism.

In an important decision, the Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved changes in FDI policy for investments from land-bordering countries to help manufacturing in electronic components, capital goods, and solar cells.

Chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Cabinet has approved a change in guidelines on investments from countries sharing land border with India.

The changes in FDI policy are expected to provide for a definitive timeline for investments in critical sectors requiring approval under PN3.

The amendments in the FDI Policy aim to unlock greater FDI inflow from global funds for startups and deep techs, and take forward the agenda of ease of doing business.

The existing policy has been reviewed and amended as follows:

Incorporation of the definition and criteria for determination of ‘Beneficial Owner’ (BO) –

The amendment provides for a definition and criteria for determination of Beneficial Ownership that is widely used by the investing community, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Rules, 2005.

The Beneficial Ownership test shall be applied at the level of the investor entity.

Investors with non-controlling LBC Beneficial Ownership of up to 10 percent shall be permitted under the automatic route as per the applicable sectoral caps, entry routes, attendant conditions. Such investments will be subject to the reporting of relevant information/details by the investee entity to DPIIT.

Expedited clearance of investments in specific sectors –

Proposals for LBC investments in specified sectors/activities of manufacturing in capital goods, electronic capital goods, electronic components, polysilicon and ingot-wafer, will be processed and decided within 60 days.

CoS under the Cabinet Secretary may also revise the list of specified sectors.

In these cases, the majority shareholding and control of the Investee entity will be with resident Indian citizen(s) and/or resident Indian entity(ies) owned and controlled by resident Indian citizen(s), at all times.

It is expected that the new guidelines will provide clarity and ease of doing business in India, and facilitate investments which can contribute towards greater FDI inflows, access to new technologies, domestic value addition, expansion of domestic firms and integration with global supply chain.

This would help in leveraging and enhancing India’s competitiveness as a preferred investment and manufacturing destination. Increased FDI inflows would supplement domestic capital, support the objectives of Atmanirbhar Bharat, and accelerate overall economic growth.

Former Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma on Tuesday took the oath of office and secrecy as the 22nd Governor of Maharashtra at the Lok Bhavan in South Mumbai, overlooking the Arabian Sea, at 4.30 pm.

Bombay High Court Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar administered the oath of office to Jishnu Dev Varma at the Darbar Hall of the Lok Bhavan in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, along with several other dignitaries.

After being sworn in as Maharashtra Governor, Varma was given a ceremonial guard of honour by the Indian Navy. CM Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar congratulated the Governor by presenting bouquets.

Jishnu Dev Varma was born in Agartala, Tripura, on August 15, 1957, in the erstwhile royal family of Tripura called the Manikya Dynasty. His father, Ramendra Kishore Debbarma, was the military secretary and home secretary to Maharaja Bir Bikram Manikya of Tripura. Dev Varma is a member of the Manikya dynasty and is the uncle of Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma and Kriti Devi Debbarman.

The erstwhile Manikya dynasty is not only one of India’s earliest royal families, but also among the most progressive. It introduced Tripura’s first written Constitution in 1941, aimed at promoting civic ideals such as self-help, cooperation, and devotion to the state. A key feature of Tripura’s 1942 Constitution was the reservation of seats in the legislature for minorities, backward communities, and labourers, reflecting the Manikya Dynasty’s modern and progressive vision for Tripura’s progress.

Varma studied English Literature at Calcutta University and began his political career in the Communist Party of India (Marxist) student wing called Tripura Students’ Federation (TSF). Varma rose through the ranks of the CPM-run TSF, demonstrating his leadership abilities and commitment to student welfare. He served in various key positions within the Tripura Students’ Federation, advocating for student rights and addressing their concerns.

His first major contribution came as a prominent leader within the TSF. He played a vital role in organising student movements and protests raising awareness about educational issues and demanding policy changes from the government. His involvement in these activities helped to solidify his position as a prominent student leader and a rising figure within the CPI(M) political landscape.

During his initial years, he faced challenges such as navigating the complexities of student politics, dealing with opposition from rival student organisations, and effectively mobilising students to participate in political activities.

Later in life, Varma joined the BJP in 1993. He went on to become Tripura’s Finance Minister. He spearheaded initiatives aimed at fiscal responsibility, infrastructure development, and attracting investments to the state. A landmark project was the implementation of reforms in Tripura’s financial management system, aimed at improving transparency and efficiency. His leadership was defined by his commitment to sustainable development and inclusive growth.

In 2018, Varma contested the Tripura state assembly election from the Charilam ST constituency, where he garnered an unprecedented victory, securing 89.33% of the total votes cast. After the end of 25 years of CPM-led Left Front rule in Tripura, Varma began his journey as Deputy Chief Minister in 2018, handling key portfolios like finance, rural development and power.

During his five-year tenure as Tripura’s Deputy Chief Minister, which ended in 2023, Varma focused on delivering projects, securing finances and meeting deadlines. He played a crucial role in policy formulation and coordination across various government departments.

He was also involved in key decisions related to infrastructure projects, social welfare programmes, and initiatives to promote education and healthcare. A significant challenge was navigating the diverse needs and aspirations of Tripura’s population while ensuring balanced development.

Jishnu Dev Varma was appointed as Governor of Telangana on July 31, 2024, before he was named as Governor of Maharashtra.

Varma is a poet and writer of repute in Bengali and English. His books like ‘Children of The Water Goddess’ and ‘Master of Time’ are known for their evocative and lyrical quality. He has also served as President of the Badminton Association of India between 1990 and 1993.

Varma is known to have a deep and passionate commitment to tribal development, education, health, as well as art and culture. In 1993, he was the Convener of the Tripura Chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and as Coordinator of the trust for the North-East region.

In a fresh escalation of the energy crisis, an Iranian drone strike has forced the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to halt production at its biggest Ruwais oil refinery. The production was halted as a precautionary measure after the drone strike caused a fire in the industrial area in which the Ruwais oil refinery is located, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.

According to the report, the matter has not yet been made public, but the Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. was assessing damage at the plant. The refinery, touted to be the biggest in the UAE, can process up to 922,000 barrels of oil per day. Most of the gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel processed by the refinery is exported, and only some of it is used domestically.

The shutdown adds to a series of similar incidents in the Middle East since the start of the US-Iran conflict on February 28. Earlier last week, Saudi Arabia shut down its largest refinery, and Qatar halted production at the world’s biggest liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility after being struck by Iranian drones.

US-Iran war triggers commercial LPG shortage in India; hotel body warns 50 per cent eateries may shut in 2 days

In response to the US and Israeli strikes, Iran has been attacking US assets in several Gulf countries. Energy sites in these countries are also on Iran’s target, although Tehran has apologized to its West Asian neighbours for attacks on their territory.

The Iranian strikes and the disruption of key shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz have triggered a massive global energy crisis, with several countries, including India, Pakistan, and China, facing crude and gas shortages.

The prices of crude oil have surged to record levels. At one point on Monday, the crude oil touched nearly USD 120 per barrel but dropped below the USD 100-level after Trump announced the war in Iran would be over soon.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the NDA’s election campaign for the upcoming Kerala assembly elections at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi on Wednesday.

The PM will launch the campaign titled “Mattam Thudangam: Vikasita Keralam Modikkoppam” (Let change begin: Developed Kerala with Modi) in the presence of leaders of 12 alliance partners and central party leaders.

BJP sources said around 50,000 party workers from Ernakulam and Thrissur districts will participate in the rally. Modi will also hold a roadshow from the entrance of the stadium to the venue.

The Prime Minister will arrive at Cochin International Airport at 11.30 am on Wednesday. From the airport, he will proceed by helicopter to INS Garuda, the naval air base in Kochi.

From INS Garuda, he will travel to Marine Drive, Kochi, to inaugurate the golden jubilee celebrations of the All Kerala Dheevara Sabha at 12.15 pm. From Marine Drive, the PM will proceed by road to the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium at 1 pm. During his visit, Modi will launch various schemes, including railway projects.

Sharad Chandra Pawar-led NCP MLA Rohit Pawar met Congress leader Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi on Tuesday and discussed with her the tragic January 28 air crash that killed his uncle Ajit Pawar.

Posting pictures, along with a statement, about his meeting on his official X account, Rohit Pawar stated that besides Sonia Gandhi, he met Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. “Kharge told Sonia Gandhi about the detailed discussion held at the meeting and mentioned that it is a very serious matter”.

He also met senior Congress leader and former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram and former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Digvijay Singh who were briefed about the late Ajit Pawar’s tragic air crash.

“All the leaders expressed concern over the tragedy. I am confident that all these leaders will definitely cooperate in getting justice for Ajit Dada,” Rohit Pawar stated.

He also accused the government of not showing interest in probing the Ajit Pawar air crash case. “If the state and central governments were a double-engine government with the same idea, the Central government would have immediately accepted the proposals sent by the state government. But despite the state government’s demand for a CBI inquiry into the accident of a public leader like Ajit Dada, the Centre has not taken any notice. It had started a CBI inquiry within two days of the Bihar government’s request in the Sushant Singh suicide case. Why is there no such clarity in the matter of Ajit Dada,” he asked.

Strongly criticising the investigation agencies, Pawar said that the CID says the investigation into the crash is underway. “I don’t know what to say about the credibility of the recently released report of the AAIB. Sometimes news is spread that the black box got burnt and sometimes it is stated that its data was recovered. If what exactly was recorded in the black box has not come out yet, then how did the director of VSR company VK Singh know that the pilot was at fault within some time after the accident,” Rohit Pawar asked.

“By saying that the crash was the pilot’s fault, perhaps Singh is trying to put someone else in the crosshairs and slip away. Until concrete and reliable information comes out regarding Ajit Pawar’s accident, nobody should believe in baseless talks,” Rohit Pawar said.

Taking strong exception to doubts raised over judicial officers involved in the adjudication of claims and objections relating to nearly 50 lakh names figuring in the “logical discrepancy” and “unmapped” category, the Supreme Court on Tuesday said that it will not tolerate attempts to question the decisions of the judicial officers.

Berating the applications pointing to the pendency of claims before judicial officers, a bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi directed the Election Commission of India and the West Bengal government to provide full logistical support and necessary facilities for the conduct of the SIR.

“Don’t even dare to question the judicial officers. What more sacrifice do you want from them? They are working overtime to hear the cases of deleted voters from West Bengal. I will not tolerate this,” Chief Justice Surya Kant said.

“As the Chief Justice of India, I will not tolerate attempts to cast doubt on judicial officers,” he said, adding that no one should dare question their integrity.

Addressing concerns over the absence of an independent appellate mechanism to appeal against exclusions from the electoral rolls, the Supreme Court on Tuesday requested the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court to constitute an appellate tribunal of former Chief Justices or judges to hear appeals against decisions taken during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.

The court also requested the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court to fix the honorarium to be paid to judges manning the appellate tribunals. The court also requested the Chief Justice to fix the honorarium for former judicial officers involved in the adjudication of claims and objections relating to names figuring in the “logical discrepancy” and “unmapped” categories. The court said the payment of the honorarium would be borne by the Election Commission of India. It noted that 200 judicial officers have come to Bengal from the neighbouring Odisha and Jharkhand.

Earlier, in its February 24 order, while permitting the Election Commission of India (ECI) to publish the final electoral roll on February 28, the Supreme Court had said that supplementary voter lists to be published later, after adjudication of claims and objections relating to persons in the “logical discrepancy” and “unmapped” categories, would be treated as part of the final electoral roll published on February 28, 2026.

The court passed the order in exercise of its plenary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution after receiving a communication dated February 22 from the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court. The communication stated that given the enormity of the exercise of deciding claims and objections relating to nearly 50 lakh names in the “logical discrepancy” and “unmapped” categories, it would take around 80 days to complete the task.

Following this communication, the Supreme Court on February 24 relaxed its earlier order of February 20 and permitted the additional deployment of Civil Judges (Senior Division) and Civil Judges (Junior Division) with at least three years’ experience to assist in adjudicating claims and objections relating to voters placed in the “logical discrepancies” and “unmapped” categories.

The court further directed that if the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court required more judicial officers, he could approach the Chief Justices of the High Courts of Orissa and Jharkhand to request serving or retired judicial officers of similar rank to assist in the SIR exercise. It requested the Chief Justices of the two High Courts to consider such requests sympathetically and expeditiously.

Earlier, on February 20, noting a “trust deficit” and lack of cooperation between the West Bengal government and the Election Commission of India (ECI), and terming the situation surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls as “extraordinary”, the Supreme Court had directed deployment of serving as well as former District or Additional District Judges to oversee adjudication of claims and objections relating to voters placed in the “logical discrepancies” category.

The main opposition Congress on Tuesday created chaos en route to the state assembly at Bhararisain in Gairsain, the venue of the ongoing budget session.

Congress workers, led by state party leaders, tried to march towards the Assembly building but were stopped midway leading to bedlam and blockade of the road between Karnprayag and Gairsain.

The protestors from across the state travelled hundreds of kilometers to respond to party’s call for a march to Gairsain in protest against various issues raised. Senior Congress leader and former minister Harak Singh Rawat, former speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal, State women Congress president Jyoti Rautela, former PCC president Karan Mahra led the protest, blocking roads at Jungle Chatti and Diwalikhal resulting in prolonged traffic jams with serpentine queues of vehicles on both sides of the roads between Karnaprayag and Gairsain. Scores of Congress workers from Dehradun, Chamoli, and adjoining areas of Kumaon region travelled more than 200 kilometers to take part in the protest.

As the protesters started arriving at Diwalikhal entrance for the Bhararisain assmbly building, police raised two to three huge barricades to quell the protest and prevent the Congress march at the distance of nearly 20 kilometers. The police and administration tried to stop the protesters at a minimum of three to four kilometers’ distance ahead of the assembly building.

However, the Congress workers first crossed the the barricade at Jungle Chatti and marched towards a barricades at Diwalikhal braving water cannons. This was followed by the gathering of protesters at Diwalikhal poured from all directions. The police had to resort to use of massive water cannons to disperse them even as the Congress leaders and workers remained undeterred. Finally the protesters were persuaded by senior administrative and police officials to end the protest after submitting their demands.

The Protesters demanded early rectification of fast deteriorating law and order situation in the state, justice to Ankita Bhandari, the 19-year-old girl who was killed and thrown in a canal in 2024 by a resort owner, corruption prevailing in the government offices, and alleged poor governance of Pushkar Singh Dhami government.

Featuring as the partner country for the 40th edition of AAHAR 2026 – The International Food and Hospitality Fair for the first time, Italy is highlighting the growing India-EU collaboration in food processing, gourmet foods, and hospitality technologies and opening new avenues for international partnerships and trade engagement.

Organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in association with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, AAHAR has, over the past four decades, evolved into one of the most influential trade exhibitions for the food processing and hospitality ecosystem in Asia.

The AAHAR 2026 was inaugurated by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Tuesday at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital.

The five-day international exhibition will showcase innovations across key sectors including food products and beverages, food processing and value addition, food processing and packaging technology, hospitality technology and infrastructure, food-grade packaging solutions, cold chain and refrigeration technologies, and export promotion and global trade linkages.

Addressing the gathering at the inauguration of the Fair, Goyal welcomed Italy as the partner country for the 40th edition of AAHAR and said that India should learn from best practices in Italy’s food and hospitality sector while also building collaborations with Italian companies.

The Minister pointed out that Europe represents a major market for agricultural and processed food imports, especially with new trade arrangements that provide near-zero or very low duties on many Indian products.

Addressing the gathering, Goyal further said, “For the first time AAHAR has a partner country, Italy, and also announced that the exhibition will be opened to the general public on the evening of Friday the 13th and throughout Saturday, allowing visitors, especially young people, to experience the strengths of the food, beverage and hospitality sectors from India and across the world.”

The five-day international exhibition, which will conclude on Saturday, has brought together food producers, exporters, hospitality businesses, technology providers, industry associations and global buyers on a single platform to explore new partnerships and business opportunities.

AAHAR 2026 will feature over 1,800 exhibitors, including 155 international participants from 17 countries, and is expected to attract more than one lakh business visitors during the five-day event.

Meanwhile, in a separate event which was on plant based foods, Rajit Punhani, CEO of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), stressed the importance of food safety, regulatory clarity, and innovation in emerging food sectors such as plant-based products. The 4th Plant Based Foods Summit, organised by the Plant Based Foods Industry Association, reaffirmed the need for collaborative action between government, industry, academia, and international partners to accelerate innovation, build supportive policy frameworks, and position India as a leader in the global plant-based foods movement.

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to halt the demolition of houses of the accused in the Uttam Nagar Holi murder case till Wednesday 10.30 am.

Hearing the petition filed by the mothers of the accused, Justice Amit Bansal told the MCD officials that no action should be taken by the authority till the court hears the petitions.

“Nothing should happen between today and tomorrow. Nothing should happen between 4 PM now and tomorrow, 10:30 AM tomorrow,” Justice Bansal said.

Iron hand after Holi murder in Uttam Nagar: Bulldozers signal CM Rekha Gupta’s ‘Zero Tolerance’ on crime

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Sunday carried out bulldozer action against a property linked to the accused in the brutal murder of 26-year-old Tarun Butolia in the national capital’s Uttam Nagar on Holi, March 4.

Butolia was beaten to death by members of a particular community over a minor dispute arising from an 11-year-old child’s playful act of throwing a water balloon.

While playing Holi on her terrace, the girl accidentally splashed a water balloon on a woman from another community. While the family immediately apologised to the woman, she still called her relatives to the spot, who then thrashed the girl’s family members.

The accused also reportedly called Tarun and informed him that his family was under attack. Hearing this, Tarun rushed to the house where the accused were already waiting.

They brutally assaulted him and allegedly threw a large stone on his chest even after he had collapsed. He was immediately rushed to the hospital by his family members, but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries during treatment on March 5.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra on Tuesday sharply criticised Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, accusing him of “perfecting the art” of turning off microphones of Opposition MPs.

Opening the debate for her party on a motion of no confidence against the Speaker, Moitra described it as “divine karma” that she was speaking in the debate after being “illegally witch-hunted by this misogynistic government”.

Referring to her earlier expulsion from the Lok Sabha, Moitra said it was “richly ironical” that she was now initiating the debate for her party against the very Speaker under whose tenure she had been expelled. And she ended her speech, quoting former UK parliamentarian Oliver Cromwell: “You have sat too long for any good you have been doing lately… Depart, I say; and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go!”

“I was a lady MP who was illegally witch-hunted by this misogynistic government, wrongly expelled by an ethics committee that had no power to expel, after a motion in which I was not allowed to speak,” she said. “The Speaker, in violation of every principle of natural justice, did not allow me to defend myself. Today, I am opening the debate for my party in a motion of no confidence against that very Speaker. You can’t run away from karma.”

Supporting the motion, Moitra alleged while ruling party members were “allowed to speak endlessly”, Opposition members were frequently “cut short”. “In the last Lok Sabha, under his guardianship, the art of switching off the mic of Opposition members mid-sentence was perfected. Sansad TV, paid for by taxpayers, blacks us out. When we stand up, we are told it is a technical glitch,” she said. Calling the situation “sad for Indian democracy”, Moitra said, adding, “The government has made a circus of parliamentary democracy and if the Speaker is going to concede to being a complicit ring master, it is very sad for Indian democracy”.

Moitra also criticised Birla for not allowing discussion on the Manipur violence until a no-confidence motion against the government was brought and also referred to BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri’s remarks against BSP MP Danish Ali in the House, alleging that no action was taken against him. “You failed not only Danish bhai but 200 million Muslims of this country,” she said.

She also referred to the Speaker stating in the House that he had “concrete information” that Opposition women members might carry out “some unexpected act” towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as a result of which he had requested him not to come to the House to reply to the discussion on the motion of thanks on the President’s address. “The Prime Minister is too scared to come to this House and the Speaker is covering up for him in this ridiculous manner, denigrating women without any substance,” Moitra said.

Amid the global energy crisis triggered by the US-Iran war in the Middle East, Russian President Vladimir Putin has instructed his government officials to evaluate the possibility of stopping energy supplies to the European market.

According to a statement carried by the Russian Embassy in South Africa, Putin said that the EU countries are planning to impose additional restrictions on Russian LNG and energy, and that the country should not wait for the door to be shut in our face.

“EU countries plan to impose additional restrictions on Russian LNG and energy. I have instructed the government to evaluate the possibility of STOPPING energy supplies to the European market, without waiting for the door to be shut on our face,” he said.

The US and Israeli attacks on Iran and the latter’s retaliation have paralysed the energy supply route from Qatar, as the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping corridor, has been severely impacted. Iran had warned that it would target any ships that pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

This has led to a sharp increase in crude oil prices, and at one point of time on Monday, they reached USD 120 per barrel but came down to below the USD 100 level. The production of LNG and LPG has also been affected due to Iranian strikes on several Gulf nations.

The US and Europe have imposed sanctions on Russia due to its war against Ukraine. However, with energy prices soaring, the US and European nations have hinted at granting some waivers to Russia.

However, Putin said that Moscow is ready to cooperate with the Europeans only if they commit to long-term and sustainable cooperation, which is free from political pressures.

“If European companies and European buyers suddenly decide to reorient themselves and provide us with long-term, sustainable cooperation, free from political pressures, then yes, we’ve never refused it. We’re ready to work with Europeans too,” said Putin.

‎The Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved the declaration of Madurai Airport as an international airport, a step aimed at strengthening global connectivity and boosting tourism and economic activity in southern Tamil Nadu.

‎Announcing the decision after the Cabinet meeting, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw said the government had cleared the proposal to grant international status to the airport. “The Union Cabinet has approved the declaration of Madurai Airport in Tamil Nadu as an international airport,” Vaishnaw told reporters during a briefing on Cabinet decisions.

‎Situated in the historic temple city of Madurai, the airport is among the oldest aviation facilities in the state and serves as an important gateway to several southern districts. The government said upgrading the airport’s status is expected to enhance international connectivity, making travel easier for tourists, pilgrims and business travellers.

‎Madurai is one of India’s prominent religious and cultural centres and is home to the renowned Meenakshi Amman Temple, which attracts millions of devotees and visitors every year from across the country and overseas.

Officials said improved international flight connectivity would facilitate easier access for pilgrims and tourists visiting the temple and other heritage sites in the region.

‎According to the government, granting international status to the airport will help unlock its potential to attract foreign travellers, investors and businesses while also supporting exports and regional trade. The move is expected to strengthen economic development in southern Tamil Nadu by integrating the region more closely with global aviation networks.

‎Officials added that the decision is part of the Centre’s broader strategy to expand aviation infrastructure and improve regional connectivity across India, particularly in cities with strong tourism, cultural and economic potential. The upgrade is expected to position Madurai as a key international gateway for the southern part of the state while reinforcing its long-standing role as a hub for pilgrimage and cultural tourism.

In a milestone for Odisha’s higher education sector, a group of students from the state represented Odisha at a Global Financial Forum in Tokyo, Japan, where they presented an innovative fintech project developed under the Certification Programme in Fintech & Insurtech (CFI).

The Government of Odisha has launched the CFI programme in collaboration with the National University of Singapore–Asian Institute of Digital Finance (NUS–AIDF) and the Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) to help build innovative, resilient, and inclusive financial ecosystems.

The certification programme aims to equip students with advanced knowledge and practical skills in financial technology and insurance technology, aligned with global digital finance trends.

Under the CFI Programme, 195 students participated in the capstone project, where they worked on innovative solutions addressing real-world financial challenges. Based on their performance, seven students were selected to participate in the Global Financial Forum in Tokyo, where they presented their project and engaged with global experts from the fintech and financial services sectors.

The participating students were B. Simran (UG 3rd Year, Geology) from Ravenshaw University, Rajeshwari Behera (PG 1st Year, Commerce) from Ravenshaw University, Puspajanli Behera (PG 1st Year, Commerce) from Ravenshaw University, Manisha Lenka (PG 1st Year, Commerce) from Ravenshaw University, Sibansee Nayak (PG 2nd Year, Economics) from Utkal University, Soumya Ranjan Baithalu (PG 1st Year, Commerce) from Ravenshaw University, and Anirbarna Kar (UG 3rd Year, Physics) from Salepur Autonomous College.

Accompanied by Dr Lipsa Mishra and Sri Sharat Kumar Majhi from the Higher Education Department, Government of Odisha, the team successfully presented their project titled “TranchiFy – A Trust-Based Working Capital Platform for Next-Generation SMEs.”

The project proposes a technology-driven platform aimed at simplifying access to working capital and streamlining the loan-taking process for Small and Medium Enterprises through a trust-based digital financial framework. The solution seeks to address one of the key challenges faced by small and medium enterprises by enabling faster and more transparent access to credit.

The students have now returned to Odisha after successfully presenting their work on the international platform. Their participation in the summit provided valuable exposure to the global fintech ecosystem and emerging trends in digital finance.

Through this initiative, the state government aims to build a strong talent pool in fintech and digital finance by equipping students with job-ready skills for careers in banking, insurance and financial technology sectors.

The achievement highlights Odisha’s growing engagement with global academic and technology networks and reflects the state’s commitment to preparing its youth for opportunities in the rapidly evolving digital finance landscape.

Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Tuesday chaired a meeting to review the status of vacancies and the progress of recruitments being undertaken through the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) and the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) across various departments of the Union Territory.

The meeting was attended by the concerned Administrative Secretaries, Chairperson of JKSSB, Secretary JKPSC, and representatives from different departments.

While reviewing the progress, the Chief Secretary stressed the need for expeditious filling of all critical vacancies to strengthen governance and improve public service delivery. He called upon all Administrative Secretaries to hold regular follow-up meetings with their departments and recruitment agencies to ensure that pending issues are resolved and vacancies are filled at the earliest.

He emphasised that the timelines fixed for ongoing recruitment drives must be strictly adhered to and directed that all posts received by the recruiting agencies should be advertised without delay.

The Chief Secretary also advised the recruiting agencies to prepare and publish examination calendars simultaneously, enabling aspirants to have clarity about the schedule of examinations and adequate time for preparation.

During the review, he also took note of several bottlenecks affecting certain recruitments in JKPSC and JKSSB. Examining each issue in detail, he directed the concerned departments to issue necessary clarifications and resolve procedural hurdles immediately so that the recruitment process is not delayed.

During the meeting, Commissioner Secretary, General Administration Department (GAD), M. Raju presented a comprehensive overview of vacant posts across government departments. The data revealed that a total of 40,661 posts are currently vacant across departments, including 3,808 Gazetted, 24,507 Non-Gazetted, and 12,351 Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) posts.

Among major departments, Health & Medical Education accounts for a significant share of vacancies, with 2,497 Gazetted, 8,088 Non-Gazetted and 2,712 MTS posts. Other departments with substantial vacancies include Agriculture Production, Power Development, Finance, Revenue, Forest, Public Works (R&B) and Youth Services and Sports.

Reviewing the recruitment process being undertaken by JKSSB for Non-Gazetted and MTS posts, JKSSB Chairperson Vikas Kundal informed that since 2019 the Board has received 46,744 posts, of which 9,260 were later withdrawn, leaving 37,484 posts for recruitment. The Board has already completed selections for 32,956 posts including 27,449 selections during this period.

He further added that 10,035 posts are currently under different stages of recruitment with JKSSB. These include 2,532 posts yet to be advertised, 4,768 posts at the examination stage, 1,258 at the selection stage, and 1,477 posts under live advertisements awaiting completion of the recruitment process.

Meanwhile, Secretary JKPSC Bashir Ahmad Dar apprised the meeting of the status of posts referred to the Commission for recruitment. He informed that 1,745 Gazetted posts are presently under process with JKPSC. Of these, the selection schedule has already been drawn up for 1,573 posts, while 172 posts are yet to be scheduled due to certain procedural issues.

A department-wise analysis shows that the highest number of posts with JKPSC pertains to Health & Medical Education (872 posts), followed by School Education (470 posts), General Administration (170 posts) and Higher Education (129 posts) among others.

In a major incident, as many as 43 students of a government school in poll-bound Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore were rushed to a hospital following a suspected case of food poisoning.

The incident occurred on Tuesday at a government school shortly after the students were given their mid-day meal, which was prepared at the school. However, shortly after consuming the food, some students started vomiting and complained of pain in the stomach.

As more and more students complained of similar symptoms, they were rushed to a government hospital for treatment.

#WATCH | Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu: 43 students of a government school in Coimbatore were rushed to the Government Hospital following a suspected case of food poisoning linked to their Noon meal. pic.twitter.com/JIgn0alDzA

— ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2026

This is not the first time students of a Tamil Nadu government school have fallen ill after consuming their mid-day meal. Earlier in January this year, at least 33 students were taken to the hospital over a suspected case of food poisoning.

With Tamil Nadu feeling the pain of the acute shortage of LPG cylinders due to the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran, both Chief Minister MK Stalin and opposition AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) have urged the Modi government to make alternative arrangements expeditiously to ease the situation.

The sudden shortage of commercial LPG cylinders has forced hotels and eateries to scale down their regular operations in Chennai and across the state, raising an alarm. Similar reports from Bengaluru have also indicated the seriousness of the situation. The India Oil Corporation’s (IOC) facility at Manali near Chennai has reportedly stopped supplying 19-kg commercial LPG cylinders and reduced the supply of domestic LPG cylinders by half.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, who held a review meeting to assess the impact of the US-Iran conflict on the state and chart necessary response measures, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to ensure that the LPG shortage does not affect public and commercial consumers.

Stalin has also asked the Prime Minister to ensure the safety of Tamils living across the Gulf countries and to safeguard the welfare of Tamil Nadu fishermen stranded in the region. “I have also emphasised that the Union government must ensure that the LPG cylinder shortage arising from this conflict does not affect public, commercial establishments, or MSME industries in Tamil Nadu. I have further urged that all necessary alternative arrangements be made for restaurants affected by commercial cylinder shortage and that additional power be supplied,” he said in a social media post.

Referring to the IOC temporarily halting LPG supply and requesting the public to use alternative fuel, EPS has urged the Modi government to take necessary steps so that the situation does not become acute. In a social media post, he also asked the DMK government not to create panic among the people.

Meanwhile, the Chennai Hotels Association has written to the Prime Minister requesting uninterrupted supply of commercial LPG for the food industry, which caters to hospitals, IT parks, college hostels, and the travelling public, among others.