National News

Lawyers at Allahabad high court shut down judicial work Tuesday, launching an indefinite protest against the transfer of Delhi HC's Justice Yashwant Varma to their court. Repatriation is a reward, the bar association said.

The BJP government in Delhi has presented a Rs 1 lakh crore budget for 2025-26, significantly increasing the allocation for education, transport, and health. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta outlined financial support for women's grants, Ayushman Bharat, and water and sanitation projects, highlighting a focused drive towards infrastructure and social welfare enhancements.

The law ministry revealed that around 78% of judges appointed to high courts since 2018 were from upper castes, with 5% each from minorities and SC/ST, and 12% from OBC. The government emphasizes the need for social diversity and has requested the judiciary to consider this in judicial appointments.

The top court case comes a week after Justice Mishra downgraded charges against the accused; hearing scheduled for March 26

ICC chairman Jay Shah meets FIFA president Gianni Infantino to discuss cricket’s global growth and Olympic inclusion

Astronauts depend on oxygen tanks while in space, with backup systems in place to prevent emergencies. In the event of an oxygen supply failure, emergency tanks and portable cylinders provide a temporary solution. Spacecraft and spacesuits are equipped with systems to maintain a safe breathing environment, but prompt action is crucial to ensure astronauts' survival.

S Jaishankar, India's External Affairs Minister, met with UN Special Envoy Julie Bishop in Delhi to discuss border stability, the refugee situation, transnational crime, and economic support for Myanmar. Their discussions also covered the political situation in Myanmar, underscoring the importance of cooperation in various sectors to enhance bilateral trade and stability in the region.

President Trump confirmed a staff error added The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg to a confidential Signal chat about a Yemen strike. Despite calls for resignations, Trump defended national security advisor Mike Waltz, asserting no significant information was compromised, and the Houthi targets were successfully struck.

The Odisha assembly witnessed high drama as 12 suspended Congress MLAs refused to vacate the Well of the House, demanding an inquiry into crimes against women during BJP's rule. Speaker Surama Padhy suspended them for indiscipline. Despite their protests, including playing gongs and chanting, attempts to resolve the issue through an all-party meeting failed.

The fate of the Munambam judicial commission is hanging fire

The Supreme Court has ruled that cutting a large number of trees is worse than killing a human being, imposing a fine of Rs 1 lakh per tree for illegal felling. The court set a benchmark for penalties in such cases, refusing to reduce the fine for a man who illegally cut down 454 protected trees.

Russia and Ukraine have agreed to halt military actions in the Black Sea and on energy infrastructure after US-mediated talks in Riyadh. The agreement includes safe navigation and a ban on using commercial vessels for military purposes. However, Russia stipulates that the deal will be effective only if Western restrictions on its agricultural sector are lifted, with the US offering concessions on Russian agriculture trade.