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India Energy Stack pilot to begin in five states next fiscal year: Govt

The India Energy Stack, an integrated digital public infrastructure for the power sector, will be launched in five states on a pilot basis in the next financial year before its nationwide rollout, Parliament was informed on Monday. The total fund allocated for the development of IES (India Energy Stack) is Rs 51.3 crore, of which Rs 3.88 crore has been released, Union Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik said in a written reply to Rajya Sabha. Distribution utilities of Delhi, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Mumbai have been identified for pilot implementation of IES, and the timeline for demonstration of the same is FY 2026-27, Naik said. After the successful demonstration, India Energy Stack is envisaged to be rolled out across the country, the minister informed the Upper House. Rapid growth in renewable energy, electric vehicles, and consumer participation in energy markets is transforming the sector, yet fragmented systems and the lack of seamless digital integrat

What 'Save America Act' proposes for US voter registration rules

The proposed legislation has triggered debate in the US because it introduces documentary citizenship requirements for voter registration and sets out procedures for verifying eligibility

Delhi riot accused Sharjeel Imam gets interim bail for brother's wedding

Imam has been in custody since January 28, 2020, in connection with the alleged larger conspiracy behind the Delhi riots

Lok Sabha fails to take up resolution seeking Speaker Om Birla's removal

The Lok Sabha on Monday could not take up a resolution seeking the removal of Speaker Om Birla amid repeated adjournments, as opposition members demanded a debate on the West Asia situation. The government and the Chair accused the opposition of holding the House proceedings "hostage" to its demands. The House was adjourned for the day shortly after it reassembled at 3 pm, following an earlier adjournment due to relentless protests by opposition members. As proceedings resumed, opposition MPs continued raising slogans. Jagadambika Pal, who was chairing the proceedings, urged them to maintain decorum and allow the House to take up the resolution against Birla. Pal reminded the opposition that the no-confidence resolution against the Speaker was already on the House agenda, and their adjournment notice seeking debate on the West Asia crisis could not be taken up. He accused the opposition of wasting taxpayers' money -- about Rs 9 crore per day -- by holding the House "hostage" to its

Hical Tech wins contract from Dassault to supply components for Rafale jets

Bengaluru-based aerospace manufacturer Hical Technologies on Monday said that Dassault Aviation has awarded it long-term contract to manufacture products for critical Rafale fighter aircraft control systems applications. In a statement, Hical Technologies said it will deliver mission-critical products that meet Dassault Aviation's stringent engineering, qualification, and reliability standards under the agreement. "Hical Technologies has demonstrated a strong commitment to quality and reliability - values that strongly align with Dassault Aviation's heritage of excellence," said Bruno Coiffier, Senior Executive Vice President, Procurement and Purchasing, Dassault Aviation. "This milestone is a testament to the years of engineering investment, precision manufacturing discipline, and quality culture that our teams at Hical have built," said Yashas Jaiveer, Managing Director, Hical Technologies. "Being entrusted with critical products for the Rafale, one of the most sophisticated figh

Nasscom asks IT firms to boost cyber readiness amid West Asia crisis

IT industry body Nasscom on Monday advised technology companies to strengthen operational preparedness and cybersecurity frameworks in the wake of the evolving geopolitical situation in West Asia, cautioning that periods of uncertainty can heighten risks of disruptions and cyber threats. Issuing a fresh advisory to member companies, Nasscom said while business operations currently remain stable, organisations are proactively reviewing contingency plans and strengthening resilience measures to mitigate potential disruptions "should the situation evolve over time". The advisory comes amid conflict in West Asia following US and Israeli strikes on Iran that triggered retaliatory missile and drone attacks, disrupting airspace and raising concerns over regional stability, cyber threats, and potential spillover effects on global technology infrastructure, travel routes, and maritime trade. The widening conflict has also rattled global markets, as investors turned cautious amid fears around

Big Oil's plastic conspiracy is starting to affect global health outcomes

Gardiner's rigorous new book, Plastic Inc., answers by way of a compelling true-crime story: Plastic took over the globe through decades of intensive marketing, political manoeuvring, flat-out deceit

Kuwait cuts oil, refinery output as Strait of Hormuz remains blocked

The country, like its Gulf neighbors, has been heavily targeted by Iranian missiles and drones in an expanding war in the region

Taranjit Singh Sandhu likely to take charge as Delhi LG on Mar 11

Former diplomat Taranjit Singh Sandhu will likely take charge as the lieutenant governor of Delhi on March 11, an official said on Saturday. Earlier, President Droupadi Murmu appointed the former diplomat as the Delhi LG, replacing VK Saxena, who has been in office for nearly four years. "LG VK Saxena will hand over the charge next week. Sandhu is likely to take charge on Wednesday," an official said. Sandhu's appointment was part of a major reshuffle of gubernatorial posts effected in several states and Union territories by the president late Thursday night. Sandhu, a 1988-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, was one of the most experienced Indian diplomats on United States affairs. He served in the Indian Mission in Washington DC multiple times. The swearing-in ceremony is expected to be attended by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and other Delhi ministers.

Maharashtra outstanding debt seen rising to ₹11.02 trillion in FY27: Budget

Maharashtra's outstanding debt is expected to rise by 11.1 per cent in 2025-26, though the overall debt burden will remain within the limits prescribed under fiscal responsibility norms, according to the Economic Survey 2025-26 tabled in the state legislature. The survey, which was tabled on Thursday, said the Debt-to-Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) ratio is estimated at 18.3 per cent in 2025-26, well below the 25 per cent ceiling stipulated under Maharashtra Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Rules 2006. "The state's total outstanding debt is estimated at around Rs 9.3 lakh crore in 2025-26, comprising accumulated public debt and other liabilities. Domestic borrowings account for the major share of the debt stock," it said. According to the survey, domestic debt alone is projected at Rs 7,39,859 crore, accounting for 79.4 per cent of the total outstanding debt of the state. It added that the state government mainly raises resources through market borrowings and

Middle East conflict: 100 flights cancelled at Delhi, Mumbai airports

At least 100 international flights were cancelled at the Delhi and Mumbai airports on Saturday as the Middle East crisis continued to impact flight operations. As many as 35 departures and 36 arrivals were cancelled at the Mumbai airport while 22 departures and 17 arrivals were cancelled at the Delhi airport, according to officials. Delhi airport operator DIAL, in a post on X, said due to the current situation in the Middle East, some west-bound international flights may experience delays or schedule changes. The conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran that started on February 28 has significantly impacted flight operations as some of the airspaces in the Middle East are closed. Many airlines are only operating a limited number of services.

One President's Whim. A World in Crisis.

A week into Trump's war in Iran, his strategy is still a mystery

Judiciary must protect environment but not hinder development: CJI

Judiciary must continue to serve as a constitutional sentinel in matters concerning the environment, and not impede legitimate development aspirations, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said on Saturday. He made the remark while addressing the Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association here. "We are no longer in an era of choosing between environment and development. We are in an era where the only defensible development is the one which is environmentally responsible," the CJI said. The jurist was here for the inauguration of a refurbished library in memory of Justice Kuldip Singh, often hailed as the 'Green Judge' of the Supreme Court. The CJI stated that the courts cannot afford a tunnel vision that treats every project as suspect, nor can they afford a complacent vision that treats environmental safeguards as negotiable. "Our task is to move from a purely reactive model to a more mature environmental governance model that integrates environmental safeguards into the very de

Change inevitable in West Bengal after assembly polls: Ashwini Vaishnaw

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday asserted that change is inevitable in West Bengal after the upcoming assembly elections, maintaining that the BJP will form the government, bringing an end to the 15-year uninterrupted rule of the Trinamool Congress. Lambasting the TMC, he said those who had won the trust of the people of West Bengal some years ago have now launched a vicious attack on the state's pride. "Change is inevitable this election," he said, maintaining that a BJP government will ensure unprecedented development in West Bengal. "We have to save West Bengal's pride, it is in peril," Vaishnaw said while addressing a Poriborton Yatra rally at Shrirampur in Hooghly district. Stating that the people of West Bengal have seen governments run by the communists, the Congress and the TMC, he urged the people of the state "to give a chance to the BJP". Alleging that the ruling Trinamool Congress indulges in vote-bank politics, the minister said, "Question is arising in t

Lakshya beats Canada's Victor Lai to enter All England Open final

Ace Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen stormed into the All England Open Badminton Championships men's singles final with a hard-fought win over Victor Lai of Canada in the semifinals here on Saturday. The 12th ranked Sen beat world number 16 Lai 21-16 18-21 21-15 in the match that lasted one hour and 37 minutes. Lai had won a bronze medal in the world championships in Paris last year. This will be Sen's second final appearance in the prestigious tournament, having finished runner-up in 2022. Sen, who continued his dream run in the BWF Super 1000 tournament, will face Chinese Taipei's Lin Chun-Yi in the final on Sunday. Chun-Yi beat world number two Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand in the other semifinal on Saturday. Sen had beaten China's world No. 6 Li Shi Feng in straight games in the quarterfinals on Friday. He had stunned world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi of China in the first round.

PM Modi accuses Bengal govt of insulting President Murmu during state visit

Accusing the West Bengal government of insulting President Droupadi Murmu during her visit to the state, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said it was "shameful and unprecedented" and the TMC dispensation has "truly crossed all limits". The prime minister was reacting after President Murmu expressed her displeasure over the change of venue of the Santal conference, which she attended in the state, and the absence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her ministers during her visit. PM Modi said that the office of the President is above politics and its sanctity should always be respected. He expressed the hope that better sense will prevail among the West Bengal government and the ruling TMC. "This is shameful and unprecedented. Everyone who believes in democracy and the empowerment of tribal communities is disheartened," Modi said in a post on 'X' The prime minister said that the pain and anguish expressed by the President, who herself hails from a tribal ...

Israeli minister warns Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah or face 'heavy price'

Lebanese militant group Hezbollah on Saturday told residents of a northern Israeli city close to the border with Lebanon to evacuate and head south

Oil and gas prices rapidly rise as Iran war shows no signs of letting up

The price of oil surged higher and showed no signs of halting its rapid climb a week after the US and Israel launched major attacks on Iran that escalated into a war in the Middle East. The conflict, in which nearly every country in the Middle East has sustained damage from missiles or drone strikes, has left ships that carry roughly 20 million barrels of oil a day stranded in the Persian Gulf, unable to safely pass through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Gulf that is bordered on its north side by Iran. The disruption and damage to key oil and gas facilities in the Middle East has led to an interruption in the supply of oil and gas. Oil prices surpassed $90 a barrel Friday, with American crude settling at $90.90, up 36% from a week ago, and Brent, the international standard, climbing 27% over the course of the week to land at $92.69. The fallout is ratcheting up what consumers and business will pay for gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, with some drivers already feeling i

Rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah is Nepal's rising star in politics

Balendra Shah 'Balen', the rapper-turned-politician who won Kathmandu's 2022 mayoral polls as an independent, has become the face of a generational change, symbolising a break from Nepal's traditional parties. Popular as 'Balen,' the prime ministerial candidate of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) defeated four-time prime minister K P Sharma Oli, the chair of Nepal's legacy party, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified MarxistLeninist) -- CPN-UML -- by a huge margin of about 50,000 votes in Jhapa-5 constituency on Saturday. The 35-year-old engineer was a popular choice to lead the interim government after Gen Z youths toppled the K P Sharma Oli-led coalition government in September last year, following two-day nationwide violent protests against corruption and a ban on social media. But Balen declined then to lead the interim government, saying he would rather head the government by contesting the parliamentary election for a full term. In January, he joined the newly formed Rastri

Traffic restrictions likely in north Delhi on Sunday due to DDA's event

Vehicular movement in parts of north Delhi is expected to be affected on Sunday morning due to an official function at the DDA Utsav Sthal in Dheerpur. Several housing projects and sections of the Delhi Metro will be inaugurated during the event, according to the Delhi Traffic Police. An advisory issued on Saturday stated that a gathering of around 25,000 people is expected at the venue. Traffic restrictions will be in place from 7.30 am to 2 pm. During this period, only vehicles with valid labels will be allowed on certain stretches. Shanti Swaroop Tyagi Marg from Camp Chowk to Burari Chowk, and Shah Alam Bandh Marg from the Shanti Swaroop Tyagi Marg T-point to Majlis Park red light will be closed for general traffic. Authorities have advised commuters to avoid Arihant Marg, Shanti Swaroop Tyagi Marg, Shah Alam Bandh Marg and the Outer Ring Road (Dr K B Hedgewar Marg) during the restricted hours. From Kingsway Camp Chowk, traffic will not be allowed towards the venue or Burari Ch