National News

The Supreme Court declined to mandate menstrual leave for women students and employees nationwide, citing concerns about potential negative impacts on women's employment and the risk of reinforcing gender stereotypes. The court emphasized that policy decisions of this nature should be made by government policymakers after consulting stakeholders, rather than through judicial intervention.

Afghanistan retaliated against Pakistani strikes that killed four in Kabul and Kandahar. Afghan forces claimed to have targeted Pakistani military centers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including a fortress and command center, following alleged "night-time violations" along the disputed Durand Line. This escalation intensifies existing tensions between the two nations.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor praised Prime Minister Modi and EAM Jaishankar for engaging with Iran amidst escalating West Asian tensions. He urged a collective push for peace, highlighting the risks to Indian citizens in the Gulf and the nation's role as a constructive voice.

Eid ul-Fitr, the festival of breaking the fast, will be celebrated in India on March 20 or 21, 2026. The exact date depends on the crescent moon sighting. This joyous occasion marks the end of Ramadan. Families will reunite for prayers, feasts, and to exchange greetings. Children will receive Eidi gifts.

Palantir CEO Alex Karp confirmed continued use of Anthropic's Claude AI models despite the Pentagon labeling the company a supply chain risk. The Department of Defense is planning a phase-out, but acknowledges a transition will take time, with potential exemptions for mission-critical operations. This highlights the challenges in disentangling deeply embedded AI systems from defense operations.

Miraj, a historic city in Maharashtra, is renowned for its musical instrument making. Craftsmen create exquisite sitars and tanpuras using a special type of pumpkin. This tradition, passed down through generations, faces threats from climate change impacting pumpkin size. The craft requires government support for survival. The disappearance of this art would mean losing music, history, and ancestral voices.

The scarcity of commercial LPG has emerged after shipments from the Gulf region were disrupted amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia. India relies heavily on imports from this region for its LPG requirements.

Cognizant is encouraging employees to bring their own food as part of contingency planning amid the West Asia crisis. The IT major is preparing for potential disruptions in food services and transport due to energy market volatility. The company is exploring alternative vendors and energy sources to mitigate risks.

Stock market crash today: Continuing the down trend, Nifty50 and BSE Sensex tanked in trade on Friday as oil prices climbed and the Strait of Hormuz closure halted important global trade. While Nifty50 went below 23,200, BSE Sensex was down over 1,400 points.

Middle East tensions are sending global oil prices soaring past $100 a barrel, with Brent crude trading at $100.66. Attacks on Iran have triggered significant supply concerns, potentially leading to the "largest supply disruption" ever. Despite economic uncertainty, the US prioritizes confronting Iran over oil prices, while global efforts to mitigate the impact are underway.

Tragedy struck HPCL's Budaun plant as a disgruntled former vendor, Ajay Singh, fatally shot two senior officials, plant manager Sudhir Gupta and deputy manager Harshit Mishra. Singh, allegedly sacked two months prior and facing a prior case, opened fire at close range before fleeing. A manhunt is underway, with security heightened.

The Chief Minister said the State government had introduced as many as 34 new policies to create a conducive environment for industries

Michael Vaughan has criticized South Africa's tactical decision to defeat the West Indies in the T20 World Cup, suggesting it inadvertently aided India's progression. Vaughan argued that eliminating strong teams early is crucial for World Cup success. South Africa's win allowed India to advance, ultimately leading to South Africa's semi-final exit against New Zealand.

Cautioning against attempts to exploit the situation, the Chief Minister said the government will act firmly against anyone trying to create panic or manipulate the supply of essential goods

The courtroom drama surrounding Sunjay Kapur's estate escalates, with his sister Mandhira Kapur Smith insisting that widow Priya Sachdev Kapur produce critical documents in a defamation case. Scheduled for a hearing on March 30, 2026, the court's intervention has sparked debates over the documents' relevance, as Priya's legal counsel contends they are public and should remain unissued. Read on to know more in detail.

A bizarre theft unfolded in Ujjain as a 25-year-old man was apprehended for stealing a woman's innerwear from her clothesline. CCTV footage captured the peculiar act, leading to his identification and arrest. The accused confessed to a one-sided love for the victim, even sporting her name tattooed on his chest.