Morning News -

THE HEADLINES :

Supreme Court makes public entire 25-page inquiry report by Delhi High Court Chief Justice in cash recovery case; Chief Justice of India forms three-member committee to probe allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma.
Centre withdraws 20 percent duty on onion exports from April 1.
India sends humanitarian assistance to Botswana in the wake of floods in the country.
Hamas political leader Salah al-Bardaweel killed in Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza.
Indian gymnast Pranati Nayak bags Bronze medal in Vault Final at FIG Artistic Gymnastics Apparatus World Cup in Antalya, Turkey.
And in cricket, Royal Challengers Bengaluru beat defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders at their home turf to kickstart IPL 2025 in style.

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The Supreme Court last night uploaded on its website an in-house inquiry report into the alleged discovery of huge cash at the residence of Delhi High Court judge Yashwant Varma. The inquiry report, submitted by Delhi High Court Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya, contained information about official communications stating that four to five semi-burnt stacks of Indian currency were found. More from our correspondent:

“The 25-page inquiry report also included videos and photographs of the firefighting operation at Justice Varma’s residence on the night of Holi, March 14 during which the cash was recovered. As recommended in the report, Chief Justice of India justice Sanjiv Khanna has constituted a three-member in-house inquiry committee to probe the allegations against Justice Varma. CJI Khanna has also directed the Chief Justice of Delhi High Court not to assign any judicial work to Justice Varma. In his response, Justice Varma has stated that no cash was ever placed in the storeroom either by him or any of his family members. He said the allegations of cash discovery at his residence clearly appeared to be a conspiracy to frame and malign him. This is Deepmala Kaushik, Akashvani News, Delhi.”

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The Centre has withdrawn 20 percent duty on onion export, effective from 1st of April. According to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, this will ensure remunerative prices to farmers while maintaining affordability of onion to the consumers at a crucial juncture. It added that both mandi and retail prices have softened following expected arrival of rabi crops in good quantities. As per the estimates, higher production of crops during the rabi season including onion is expected to further ease the market price in the coming months.

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The National Testing Agency (NTA) has extended the submission deadline for the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) UG 2025 online application form till tomorrow that is March 24. In a press release, the NTA announced that the deadline for submitting examination fees has been revised to March 25, while the correction window will be open from March 26 to 28, 2025, allowing modifications to specific fields.

The CUET-UG 2025 is tentatively scheduled to be held from May 8 to June 1, 2025, in Computer-Based Test mode at various centres across the country and in 15 cities abroad.

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Union Coal and Mines Minister and Telangana State BJP president G Kishan Reddy has dismissed the opposition parties’ meeting in Chennai on delimitation as baseless political gimmick aimed at creating unnecessary panic among the public. Mr. Reddy said the Centre has already clarified that the procedures and regulations for delimitation have not yet been finalised. The minister further alleged the opposition parties of spreading misinformation about the BJP to divert attention from their own corruption. He also alleged that these parties are attempting to fuel a North-South divide for political gain. The first Joint Action Committee meeting on fair delimitation was held in Chennai yesterday.

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The Nation is paying homage to the three of its heroic revolutionaries of the Indian freedom struggle – Shaheed-E-Azam Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar – who were executed at the Central Jail in Lahore on this day in 1931. These brave freedom fighters were tried for assassinating British police officer J.P. Saunders on 17th December 1928 in Lahore, and were sentenced to death. A report:

“In remembrance of the supreme sacrifices made by the brave young revolutionaries, India observes Martyrs Day every year on 23rd March. This day also serves as a reminder of the valour and resolve of the freedom fighters who made the ultimate sacrifice for the country’s independence. The sacrifice of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev remains etched in the collective memory of the Indian people, forever inspiring the nation to uphold the ideals of freedom and unity. On this day people across the country visit various memorials and institutions dedicated to the martyrs to pay homage and remember their legacy. Pallavi Parmar, Akashvani News, Delhi”.

Our Jalandhar Correspondent reports that a large number of people are visiting the National Martyrs Memorial at Hussainiwala in Punjab to pay homage to Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev.

“The Britishers, after hanging Shaheed-E-Azam Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev, a day before the scheduled date, secretly brought their bodies to the bank of the river Sutlej at Hussainiwala in Ferozepur for their unceremonial cremation. People are visiting the place to pay their tributes to the trio. Ferozepur Railway Division has started 6 pairs of special Shahidi Mela trains today to ferry the visitors from Feerozepur Cantt to Hussainiwala and back. Bhagat Singh Ji once said- दिल से निकलेगी न मर कर भी वतन की उल्फ़त, मेरी मिट्टी से भी, ख़ुशबू–ए–वफ़ा आएगी…. And that’s exactly what he and his comrades did for the Nation as they will be remembered forever. Rajesh Bali/Akashvani News/Jalandhar.”

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The Directorate General of Goods and Services Tax Intelligence (DGGI) has blocked 357 websites of illegal or non-compliant offshore online money gaming entities. The DGGI has intensified its enforcement actions against offshore online gaming entities. The online money gaming industry comprises both domestic and foreign operators. Around 700 offshore entities involved in the supply of online money gaming, betting or gambling are under DGGI’s scanner. Finance Ministry said in a statement that it has noticed that these entities are evading GST by failing to register, concealing taxable pay-ins, and bypassing tax obligations.

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India has sent humanitarian assistance to Botswana in the wake of floods in the country. External Affairs Ministry said in a social media post that the first tranche of around 10 tons of assistance comprising essential medicines, surgical supplies, mosquito nets, and water purifiers was dispatched for Botswana.

Meanwhile, humanitarian assistance has also been sent to Kiribati to help strengthen the healthcare system of the country. A consignment of 6-bedded container-based Dialysis Unit departed from Mundra Port for Tarawa in Kiribati yesterday.

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Hamas political leader Salah al-Bardaweel was killed in an Israeli airstrike at Khan Younis in Gaza. According to reports from Hamas and Palestinian media, the strike targeted Bardaweel in the southern Gaza Strip, where he was killed along with his wife. 32 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli airstrikes across various areas since early yesterday.

Israel resumed large-scale attacks on Gaza, accusing Hamas of abandoning a ceasefire agreement in place since January 19.

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In the US, a mass shooting between two rival groups at an unsanctioned car show in a park in Las Cruces, New Mexico, left three dead and 15 injured last night. The victims included two 19-year-old men and a 16-year-old boy. The shooting occurred at the city park, with multiple gunshots fired. The Las Cruces police chief informed that there had been ill will between the two groups prior to the car show.

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In the inaugural match of Indian Premier League, IPL T20 Cricket, Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by 7 wickets at Eden Gardens in Kolkata last night. We have a report:

“The 18th season of IPL kicked off last evening with a grand opening ceremony, consisting of Shreya Ghoshal’s mesmerizing voice, Disha Patani’s stellar performance and Karan Auijla’s signature swag, along with Shah Rukh Khan’s unstoppable charisma. The opening match was played between KKR & RCB, where RCB’s skipper Rajat Patidar won the toss and invited Ajinkya Rahane’s KKR to bat first. As a result, the home side made 174 for 8 in stipulated 20 overs. In reply, RCB overhauled the target in the 17th over, riding on a 95 run opening partnership between Virat Kohli and Philip Salt. Chase master Kohli, who was playing his 400th T20 match, remained not out on 59. RCB star Krunal Pandya got Player of the Match for his impressive spell, taking 3 wickets. Today, Sunrisers Hyderabad will take on Rajasthan Royals at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad from 3:30 PM, while in another clash of the day, arch rivals Chennai Super Kings will face Mumbai Indians at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai from 07:30 PM. Chirag Jha, Akashvani News, Delhi.”

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The third day of the Khelo India Para Games 2025 witnessed intense competition and inspiring performances in New Delhi yesterday. Top para-badminton players delivered outstanding performances, with Nitesh Kumar, Krishna Nagar, Manisha Ramdass, and Sanjeev Kumar winning gold in their respective categories. Kerala’s 21-year-old wheelchair-bound Alphia James and Uttarakhand’s Mandeep Kaur also secured gold, defeating experienced competitors.

In athletics, Deepthi Jeevanji claimed the top spot in the women’s 400m T20 category, while Monu Ghangas won gold in the men’s shot put F11 category.

In women’s para archery, Paralympic medalist Sheetal Devi advanced to the finals with an outstanding performance, alongside rising para archer Payal Nag, who also impressed.

Speaking to Akashvani News, Sheetal Devi expressed excitement about competing in the Khelo India Para Games, calling it a valuable opportunity to face top athletes and gain experience.

Paralympic medalist Rakesh Kumar also reached the para archery finals. He praised the Khelo India Para Games as a significant platform for young para-athletes to showcase their talent.

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In Gymnastics, India’s Pranati Nayak has bagged the bronze medal in the Women’s Vault final at the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) World Cup at Antalya in Turkey. The two-time Asian Championship medallist Pranati scored an average of 13.417 to secure her maiden World Cup podium finish, last evening.

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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINE:

A top front page headline in The Asian Age says “3-judge panel to probe ‘cash at judge’s home’ and no judicial work to be assigned to him.”
“First GE engines for Tejas MK-1 may be delivered by the end of March” informs Hindustan Times.
“A sweet and tangy summer in store for beer lovers with brands offering unique flavours like mango and tea” writes Financial Express.
“Jnanpith award for renowned Hindi poet-novelist Vinod Kumar shukla, the first writer from Chhatisgarh” cites The Times of India.
And Finally, The Indian Express notes the popular park called The Beatle’s ashram in Uttarakhand’s Rishikesh is all set for a revamp with a cafeteria, a ‘satvik’ kitchen, a tea pavilion, a venue for unplugged music, an exhibition on The Beatles in India and a souvenir shop.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:

Supreme Court makes public entire 25-page inquiry report by Delhi High Court Chief Justice in cash recovery case; Chief Justice of India forms three-member committee to probe allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma.
Centre withdraws 20 percent duty on onion exports from April 1.
India sends humanitarian assistance to Botswana in the wake of floods in the country
Hamas political leader Salah al-Bardaweel killed in Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza.
Indian gymnast Pranati Nayak bags Bronze medal in Vault Final at FIG Artistic Gymnastics Apparatus World Cup in Antalya, Turkey.
And in cricket, Royal Challengers Bengaluru beat defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders at their home turf to kickstart IPL 2025 in style.