Midday News

THE HEADLINES:

Government convenes all-party meeting this evening to discuss West Asia conflict.
Centre says, no change in existing LPG refill booking timelines.
US proposes 15-point plan to end war with Iran as Tehran continues to attack several Gulf countries.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman asserts, government empowering MSMEs, farmers and cooperatives to boost jobs and overall development.
Over one thousand trains introduced post-COVID, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informs Lok Sabha.
Bangladesh observing Genocide Day to remember victims of Pakistan’s brutal military crackdown on unarmed people.
And, first Khelo India Tribal Games to get underway in Raipur this evening.

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The government has called an all-party meeting this evening to discuss the ongoing West Asia conflict. The meeting will take place in the Parliament complex. Talking to reporters at the Parliament premises, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said, it is also the opposition’s duty to play a constructive role during a crisis, but unfortunately, the opposition is playing petty politics over it.

Republican Party of India (A) Chief and Union Minister Ramdas Athawale said, during the meeting, everyone should share their perspectives.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made a statement in both Houses of Parliament on the ongoing conflict. He said, the government has made the necessary preparations to ensure an adequate supply of oil, gas and fertilisers.

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The Government has debunked news reports and social media posts claiming that LPG refill booking timelines have been revised for Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana connections to 45 Days. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas clarified that no such changes have been made. It added that the existing refill booking timelines remain unchanged and continue to be 25 days in urban areas, and 45 days in rural areas, irrespective of connection type. The Government has further reiterated that adequate LPG stocks are available in the country, emphasizing that there is no cause for concern.

Meanwhile, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum have said that there is no shortage of fuel across the nation. In a social media post, they said that adequate stocks of LPG, crude oil, petrol, diesel, and Aviation Turbine Fuel are available and supply chains are operating smoothly without any disruption.

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The United States has sent a 15-point proposal to Iran aimed at ending the war and dismantling its nuclear programme. According to several media reports, the proposal was delivered through intermediaries. The plan calls for Iran to dismantle its three main nuclear facilities, end uranium enrichment on its soil, and suspend its ballistic missile programme. It also seeks to limit Tehran’s support for proxy groups and ensure full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The plan includes a one-month ceasefire and demands that Iran commit to never pursuing a nuclear weapon.

In return, all nuclear-related sanctions would be lifted. The United States would support a monitored civilian nuclear programme in Bushehr for electricity generation.

Talking to reporters at the White House, President Trump said, the US is negotiating to end the war, which has already killed thousands and created the worst energy shock in history, leading to global fuel shortages and roiling markets.

The diplomatic push comes as the West Asia conflict entered its 26th day today with Iran exchanging fresh strikes with Israel and launching new waves of attacks on Gulf countries. The Israeli Defense ‌Forces said, Israel targetted infrastructure across Iranian capital Tehran in overnight strikes.

Across Gulf countries, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia said they repelled fresh drone attacks by Iran. Kuwait’s Civil Aviation Authority said, drones targeted a fuel tank at its International Airport, causing a fire but no casualties. Bahrain reported damage to a facility following a strike

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said, it launched a new wave of attacks against locations in Israel including Tel Aviv and Kiryat Shmona, as well as US bases in Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain. A new theatre of conflict is also emerging in Iraq. More from our West Asia Correspondent:

“Iraq is increasingly emerging as a new front in the West Asia conflict, with attacks and counter-attacks intensifying across the country. In northern Iraq, explosions and fires were reported in Erbil, including near areas hosting foreign diplomatic facilities and military positions. Local reports said at least six Kurdish Peshmerga fighters were killed in recent strikes targeting security positions and infrastructure around the city and near the airport, where US forces maintain a presence. Meanwhile, in western Iraq’s Anbar province, Iran-aligned Popular Mobilization Forces reported that a US strike hit their operations headquarters during a commanders’ meeting, killing at least fifteen , including a senior commander, and wounding several others. These developments highlight Iraq’s growing role as a pressure point between Washington and Tehran. With US forces, Iranian-aligned militias, and local security forces all operating in close proximity, the continued strikes risk drawing Iraq deeper into the conflict and opening another active theatre in the widening West Asia crisis.Vinod Kumar, Akashvani News, Dubai.”

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Lok Sabha has passed the Finance Bill, 2026, by voice vote. The bill seeks to give effect to the financial proposals of the Central Government for the financial year 2026-2027. The House gave its nod to the amendments moved by the government. Replying to the discussion on the bill in the House, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, the government is empowering the MSMEs, farmers, and cooperatives as they are at the centre of employment generation, production and overall development of the country.

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Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai today introduced the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha. The bill aims to further amend the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010. Moving the Bill, Mr Rai said, the objective of the Bill is to make the use of foreign contributions more transparent and accountable.

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Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said that around one thousand 24 new trains have been introduced across the country in the post-COVID period. The Minister was replying to supplementaries during Question Hour in the Lok Sabha today.Mr Vaishnaw said, along with this, four thousand 651 new coaches have also been added to existing trains

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In Tamil Nadu, seat-sharing arrangements among alliance partners are expected to be finalised soon ahead of the elections. The AIADMK has released its first list of candidates. State BJP Chief Nainar Nagendran is in Delhi to finalise candidates, while the DMK-led Secular Democratic Alliance is also expected to complete seat allocation today.

In Puducherry, with the scrutiny of nomination papers completed, political parties have switched to campaign mode. The DMK and All India NR Congress (AINRC) have officially announced their candidates under alliance seat-sharing arrangements, while the BJP and AIADMK had released their lists earlier.

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Bangladesh is observing Genocide Day today in solemn remembrance of the victims of the brutal military crackdown carried out by Pakistani forces on the night of 25th of March in 1971, under the codename Operation Searchlight. The day marks one of the darkest chapters in the country’s history, when unarmed people were killed across the then East Pakistan, triggering widespread atrocities during the Liberation War.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman paid tributes to the victims and reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to preserving the spirit of the independence struggle.

Prime Minister Rahman in a post on social media said, in the history of freedom-loving Bangladesh, 25th March remains one of the most disgraceful and brutal days. More from our correspondent:

“The night of March 25 remains etched in national memory as a calculated assault on the cultural, intellectual and political fabric of the Bengali people, with institutions like Dhaka University among the main targets. As part of nationwide observances, a symbolic one-minute blackout will be held from 10:30pm to 10:31pm, with key installations and emergency services exempted. Special prayers are being offered at mosques and other places of worship in memory of those killed, while illumination has been restricted as a mark of respect. Navalsang Parmar,Akashwani News,Dhaka.”

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Benchmark domestic equity indices were trading over two per cent up in the afternoon session today, driven by hopes of de-escalation in West Asia. The Sensex zoomed 1 thousand 635 points to 75 thousand and 703, while the Nifty jumped 511 points to 23 thousand and 425, when reports last came in.

And in the commodities market, global crude oil prices fell sharply today. Brent crude was trading over 5.1 per cent down at 99 US dollars and 11 cents per barrel, when reports last came in.

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today chaired the Parliamentary Consultative Committee meeting on the subject of Border Roads Organisation. In a social media post, Mr Singh said, comprehensive and insightful deliberations were held during the meeting on important issues aimed at strengthening national security and operational preparedness.

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Punjab Police have arrested MLA Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra, who had been evading arrest for over six months. The MLA had been declared a proclaimed offender by a court on serious charges, including rape, cheating and criminal intimidation. He had been on the run since September last year, following the registration of a case against him in Patiala. He is the second Punjab MLA to be arrested in the past two days, after the arrest of MLA and former Transport Minister Laljit Bhullar in an abetment to suicide case.

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In Punjab, a BJP delegation led by State President, Sunil Jakhar has submitted a memorandum to Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, demanding a CBI probe into the alleged suicide of District Manager of the State Warehousing Corporation, Dr. Gagandeep Singh Randhawa. Dr. Randhawa had allegedly named former Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar in a video for taking the extreme step.

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The International Film Festival Delhi, begins today at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital. The week-long festival will showcase over 130 films from across the world, marking a major addition to India’s global cinema calendar. More from our correspondent:

“Running from today until the 31st of this month, the International Film Festival Delhi will present over 130 screenings from 47 countries. Curated from more than two thousand submissions across 101 nations, the line-up reflects the festival’s scale and global resonance. The festival opens with Sirât, an Oscar-nominated road film by acclaimed filmmaker Oliver Laxe, setting a strong international tone. It will conclude with Amoeba, a striking debut by Singaporean director Tan Siyou, underscoring a commitment to fresh and diverse cinematic voices. This is Vishnu P S, for Akashvani News, Delhi.”

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The first edition of the Khelo India Tribal Games will get underway at Raipur in Chhattisgarh this evening. The games will continue till the 3rd of April, featuring events in seven sports disciplines. We have a report:

“The inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games will be formally launched in Raipur today. Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, will inaugurate the event. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai will also be present on the occasion. The objective of this event is to provide a national-level platform to youth from tribal regions across the country, enabling them to gain recognition and opportunities for their sporting talent. The Khelo India Tribal Games will be held across three cities in Chhattisgarh-Raipur, Jagdalpur, and Ambikapur. Vikalp Shukla, Akashvani News, Raipur.”

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:

Government convenes all-party meeting this evening to discuss West Asia conflict.
Centre says, no change in existing LPG refill booking timelines.
US proposes 15-point plan to end war with Iran as Tehran continues to attack several Gulf countries.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman asserts, government empowering MSMEs, farmers and cooperatives to boost jobs and overall development.
Over one thousand trains introduced post-COVID, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informs Lok Sabha.
Bangladesh observing Genocide Day to remember victims of Pakistan’s brutal military crackdown on unarmed people.
And, first Khelo India Tribal Games to get underway in Raipur this evening.