General News

NEW DELHI: In a major departure from the existing law, The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill 2026 introduced in Lok Sabha on Friday proposed to omit the clause that allowed “self-perceived gender identity” to be the basis for self-determination and identification for approval for transgender certificate by the district magistrate.“The existing vague definition … Read more

Thiruvananthapuram: The LDF govt in Kerala decided Friday to back a Supreme Court affidavit seeking steps to preserve the customs and traditions of Sabarimala, aligning with the Travancore Devaswom Board’s position and reconsidering its earlier stance of supporting the entry of women of all ages to the shrine. The shift in the state govt’s stand … Read more

KOCHI: Nearly 100 members of the crew of Iranian naval ship IRIS Lavan, docked at Kochi port, have left India via Kochi airport, persons in the know here said. There was, however, no formal confirmation from Southern Naval Command. According to the sources, the Iranian crew members left Kochi airport on an aircraft that came … Read more

JAMMU: A head constable of Jammu and Kashmir Police and his wife died, while their sons were injured when the vehicle they were travelling in skidded off the road and plunged into a stream in Doda district on Friday.The family, from Bani in Kathua district, was heading to Bhaderwah in their SUV when the accident … Read more

NEW DELHI: The cost of FASTag Annual Pass for private vehicles will increase by 2.5% to Rs 3,075 from April 1. At present, the annual pass costs Rs 3,000, which allows cars to cross 200 toll plazas without stopping. The pass can be recharged multiple times in a year.Officials said the provision for annual revision … Read more

Several countries in the subcontinent have reached out to India seeking additional fuel as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East curtails energy supplies from the Persian Gulf.This comes after the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has left several countries in South Asia with limited stockpiles and few alternative supply routes. Major … Read more

NEW DELHI: Highlighting the growing challenge of online crimes against women and children, home secretary Govind Mohan on Friday exhorted the law enforcement agencies to ensure prompt and coordinated response to such cases while also urging the information technology (IT) intermediaries to adhere to all legal provisions meant to secure the digital space for women … Read more

NEW DELHI: Iran’s Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, on Friday indicated that Indian vessels could soon receive safe passage amid tensions affecting maritime routes in the region, stressing the strong ties between the two countries.Responding to a question on whether Iran would allow safe passage to India, Fathali said the development could become visible shortly … Read more

Is New Delhi recalibrating its approach to West Asia? The question has resurfaced after India’s notably cautious response to the latest escalation involving Iran. When the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, triggering retaliatory missile attacks across the region, several global powers reacted swiftly. India, however, avoided taking a clear … Read more

People wait in a queue outside a gas agency to refill the LPG cylinders amid reports of a nationwide shortage of LPG, in Kolkata on Friday. (ANI photo) NEW DELHI: The government on Friday held a joint inter-ministerial briefing for the third consecutive day to address panic over LPG supplies amid the raging war in … Read more