Times of India

Pawan Kalyan's opulent Jubilee Hills residence in Hyderabad boasts luxurious amenities like a private theatre and pool, blending traditional and modern design. The actor, with an estimated net worth of Rs 450 crore from acting, endorsements, and politics, has also completed his upcoming film 'Ustaad Bhagat Singh', reportedly taking a reduced fee.

Uttar Pradesh's voter count is approaching 13 crore. A voter roll revision exercise is nearing completion. Notices were issued and hearings held for millions of voters. Many names were removed due to migration or other reasons. Thousands of applications for corrections and updates were also processed. The final electoral roll will be published soon.

Nepal's elections saw a landslide victory for Balendra Shah's Rastriya Swatantra Party. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Nepal on its peaceful polls, highlighting the vibrant exercise of democratic rights. Shah, a rapper-turned-politician, projects a 'Nepal First' hyper-nationalism, emphasizing neutrality in foreign policy.

The PMO is pushing for independent third-party audits in road and rail projects to boost quality and speed up execution. Ministries are tasked with studying past successful construction practices, like those from the Golden Quadrilateral era, and international models from Indonesia and Malaysia.

The US may ease pressure on global oil markets, potentially allowing India to continue buying Russian crude to stabilize supply amid Middle East tensions. Washington granted India a temporary waiver to accept Russian oil shipments, ensuring energy security as crucial shipping routes face disruptions. India assures consumers of comfortable energy supplies, with diversified imports and adequate reserves.

Former Pakistan bowler Shoaib Akhtar commends India coach Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir strongly advocated for Sanju Samson's inclusion in the T20 World Cup squad. Samson has since delivered exceptional performances. His batting has been a major highlight of the tournament. He has scored significantly and broken records. This has helped India reach the final.

A 20-year-old woman was abducted and gang-raped by three men on a college campus in Gwalior's Dabra area. The incident, which occurred on February 19, came to light after the survivor's health worsened. Police have arrested the three accused, identified as a watchman and two e-rickshaw drivers.

Dubai authorities confirmed that debris from a successful aerial interception, not a direct attack, caused a minor incident in Dubai Marina. The event was linked to regional tensions and ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel and resulted in falling debris that struck a tower, with no injuries reported.

International Women's Day prompts reflection on the vital roles women play, often quietly. The article highlights the significance of acknowledging their strength, effort, and presence. It offers a collection of messages, wishes, and quotes to help express appreciation for the women who enrich our lives, encouraging a pause to recognize their impact.

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner is determined to "break a few hearts" by defeating defending champions India in the T20 World Cup final.

Legal experts question the effectiveness of state-level bans on social media for children, citing central government jurisdiction over IT and telecommunications. While appreciating the intent to protect young minds, they advocate for education on constructive usage and pan-India legislation rather than fragmented state laws.

India's decision to withdraw its updated seismic zonation map and earthquake design code has alarmed experts, who fear it weakens national preparedness for major seismic events. The revised framework, which placed the entire Himalayan arc in the highest risk zone, was seen as a crucial step in enhancing disaster resilience and ensuring safer construction practices against devastating earthquakes.

Punjab and Haryana High Court acquitted Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in the 2002 murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati, overturning a life sentence. Ram Rahim remains jailed for rape convictions, and his family plans to challenge the acquittal in the Supreme Court.

Congress criticizes the Modi government, calling Prime Minister Modi's actions "cowardly" after the US Treasury Secretary praised India for agreeing to halt Russian oil imports. The party also attacked the government over rising LPG prices, highlighting a contradiction with the Petroleum Minister's earlier statement on affordable fuel.

India's Chips to Startups programme is training engineers in semiconductor design. Students from 315 institutions are gaining hands-on experience. The government plans to expand this initiative to 500 institutions. This aims to build a strong talent pipeline for the growing global semiconductor industry. The programme is part of India's larger semiconductor mission.

Opposition-ruled states are fiercely criticizing the central government over surging LPG prices. West Bengal's Chief Minister urged women to protest on Women's Day against the hike and voter list deletions. Karnataka's CM blamed PM Modi's foreign policy for the price rise, demanding his resignation. Jharkhand's JMM spokesperson pointed to strained ties with Russia as a contributing factor.

Women relying on morning-after pills face health risks, doctors warn. Frequent use disrupts hormonal balance and menstrual cycles, with potential long-term reproductive health impacts. These pills are for emergencies, not routine contraception, and do not protect against STIs. Experts urge considering more reliable birth control methods if frequent use is needed.

Domestic LPG cylinders will now cost Rs 60 more, reaching Rs 913 in Delhi, while commercial prices saw a Rs 114.5 increase. This hike, attributed to global energy market pressures and the West Asia conflict, comes despite government efforts to shield households. Ujjwala beneficiaries will pay Rs 613, with a Rs 300 subsidy.

India's ascent is unstoppable, driven by its own strength, not others' missteps, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar asserted. He confirmed India granted humanitarian docking to Iranian ship IRIS LAVAN in Kochi following technical issues, days before another Iranian warship was sunk. Jaishankar emphasized India's role as a security provider in the Indian Ocean, guided by humanitarian principles.

Congress believes the removal notice against Speaker Om Birla sends a strong message about the undermining of the opposition under BJP rule. The opposition is buoyed by TMC's support for the no-confidence motion, aiming to show a vertically divided Lok Sabha and highlight an unequal parliamentary battle.