The Times of India

India's oil imports are flowing smoothly through alternative routes, assuring citizens of uninterrupted energy supplies amid Middle East conflict. Minister Hardeep Singh Puri confirmed full flow from all non-Hormuz routes, alleviating concerns about availability, affordability, and sustainability. Qatar has also assured immediate resumption of LNG supplies once the shipping route reopens.

A political storm erupted after West Bengal's last-minute venue change for the International Santhal Conclave, drawing public displeasure from President Murmu. She questioned the reasoning and highlighted the community's struggle for recognition, sparking a fierce exchange between the TMC and BJP over alleged politicization of tribal issues and disrespect to the President's office.

The Middle East conflict is escalating, triggering global economic concerns. Disruptions to trade, energy supplies, and food production are already evident, with potential for significant inflation and reduced growth. Asian economies and global shipping networks face particular vulnerability as tensions persist.

Two women, Lt Col Randhawa (retd) and Major Jhingan (retd), shattered military barriers. Randhawa became India's first war widow officer after her husband's sacrifice, while Jhingan was Lady Cadet 001, paving the way for women in the armed forces. Their journeys inspire countless others to serve the nation.

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 government is set to recruit 1,000 young professionals to boost India's export potential. These individuals will work with businesses nationwide, encouraging greater use of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) benefits and aiding in product and market diversification. This initiative aims to invigorate manufacturing by promoting goods moving overseas through preferential duties, especially for FTAs with lower utilization rates.

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.

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.

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.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the West Bengal government for disrespecting constitutional office and tribal communities after President Droupadi Murmu expressed disappointment over her reception and event organization. Modi called the incident shameful and unprecedented, highlighting the insult to the President and the casual treatment of Santal culture. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of political maneuvering.

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.

An Assistant Sub-Inspector, Jagjit Singh, was tragically beaten to death in his native village near Amritsar following a personal dispute. The altercation reportedly began when relatives of his son's girlfriend raised objections, escalating into a violent scuffle where the ASI was struck with iron rods. Five suspects have been apprehended, with police continuing efforts to locate others involved.

Inter-state vehicle transfers are set to become significantly easier as the government plans to eliminate the need for No Objection Certificates (NOCs). A NITI Aayog committee recommended an auto-generated clearance system, leveraging the centralized VAHAN database. This reform will greatly benefit vehicle owners relocating between states, streamlining the registration process.

India is poised to finalize trade deals with the US within months, pending clarity on American tariff strategies. New Delhi remains committed, aiming for favorable terms for its farmers, including market access for mangoes without reciprocal farm product commitments. The nation has secured a competitive advantage, with assurances for domestic apple and walnut producers.

Despite regional geopolitical tensions and an anticipated surge in new housing supply, Dubai's real estate sector remains resilient, according to Emaar Properties founder Mohamed Alabbar. He asserts that the market has strong fundamentals and long-term planning to weather shocks, with record sales and luxury segment growth fueling optimism for continued stability and expansion.

Indians in Qatar and Bahrain are seeking Saudi transit visas as a backup plan due to flight cancellations. With airports in Doha and Bahrain largely shut, many are preparing for overland journeys to Saudi Arabia or Oman. This comes amid ongoing regional tensions, prompting a need for alternative travel routes home.

India continues to source crude oil from Russia, asserting its right to procure from any supplier based on national interest, affordability, and availability. Government sources clarified that recent US waivers were for domestic audiences, as New Delhi's energy security is not solely dependent on single maritime routes like the Strait of Hormuz, with a significant portion of imports unaffected.

India is championing women's financial empowerment, with initiatives like Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana and the NaMo Drone Didi program enabling women to build independent livelihoods. Self-help groups are thriving, offering credit and skills, while entrepreneurship schemes and financial inclusion policies are bringing more women into the economic mainstream, fostering inclusive national development.

Rahul said the entry of large and mechanised American agricultural corporations into the Indian market would put small farmers under severe pressure and could lead to devastation in the agricultural sector. He further alleged that the countrys energy sector had been compromised and claimed that US President Donald Trump had obtained Indian data through the agreement.

The President said she was very sad about the last minute change in the venue and also pointed out how chief minister Mamata Banerjee chose not to meet her, which is against the set norm. Murmu on Saturday said the contributions of the Santals to the country's freedom struggle have not received due recognition, and asserted that the names of several legends belonging to the community were ot deliberately included in history.

Microsoft will continue using Anthropic's AI models, including Claude, for its customers despite the US Department of War labeling the startup a supply-chain risk. The tech giant's legal team reviewed the designation, concluding most clients can still access the technology. This decision comes after the Pentagon's move to phase out Anthropic's systems, sparking debate over AI in defense.

Amidst Middle East geopolitical tensions, India is bolstering energy security by exploring alternative sources, with Australia and Canada offering additional gas supplies. The nation's diversified import routes, with only 40% of crude passing through the Strait of Hormuz, ensure stable energy availability despite disruptions.

The upcoming patent expiry for Ozempic in India is set to dramatically lower the cost of semaglutide, making this once-premium diabetes and weight-loss drug accessible to more patients. This shift could reshape the market, prompting earlier prescriptions and potentially altering societal views on weight management and body acceptance.

Trinamool Congress MPs will now back the no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, a shift from their earlier stance, following party chief Mamata Banerjee's directive. This move intensifies the political battle as the Lok Sabha prepares to vote on March 9. Opposition parties accuse Birla of partisan conduct, jeopardizing the House's proper functioning and the rights of members.

Global oil prices have surged dramatically this week. The ongoing conflict involving Iran has intensified, raising fears of prolonged energy supply disruptions from the Middle East. Key energy routes and facilities are disrupted. This has pushed oil and gas prices higher across global markets. Consumers and businesses are facing rising fuel costs.

The National Medical Commission is mandating medical colleges to link their hospital systems with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission within 15 days. This move aims to digitize patient records, enabling verification of Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries and weeding out fake entries. It will also allow doctors to access patient medical histories for seamless treatment and improve regulatory oversight of teaching hospitals.

Highway users failing to pay toll charges due to FASTag issues or insufficient balance will receive an e-notice. They will have three days to pay the exact toll, after which double the amount will be charged and vehicle-related services suspended. This measure is crucial for the upcoming multi-lane free flow tolling system.

Congress party has strongly criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The party stated the US gave India 'permission' to buy Russian oil. This move is seen as a humiliation for India. Congress demands an explanation from the Prime Minister. The US Treasury Secretary confirmed the permission to ease global oil supplies.

The US has granted India a temporary waiver to purchase Russian oil stranded at sea, aiming to stabilise global supplies amid West Asian conflict disruptions. This move, praised by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, allows India to ease short-term supply pressures while maintaining its commitment to reducing sanctioned Russian oil imports.