Times of India

A case has been filed against three men for assaulting a Dalit groom and threatening to kill him if he did not dismount his horse during his wedding procession in Agra. The accused also hurled casteist slurs, broke portraits of Dr BR Ambedkar and Gautam Buddha, and attacked the groom's grandfather.

Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane supports Malhar certification as an alternative to halal mutton for Hindus, claiming it aligns with Hindu practices. His comments received criticism from Congress MLA Nana Patole, who called for the Chief Minister to take action. BJP MLA Sanjay Upadhyay backed Rane, citing health concerns about halal practices. The initiative aims to promote Hindu-owned mutton shops.

US President Trump dismissed recession fears, asserting confidence in economic growth despite recent market turbulence. He emphasized his approach will yield significant results. His comments followed Tesla's share price decline, amidst Wall Street's volatile performance due to uncertainties in tariff policies. Analysts caution that trade uncertainties may continue to impact markets.

Stock market today: Indian equity benchmark indices, BSE Sensex and Nifty50, opened in green on Wednesday. While BSE Sensex was above 74,300, Nifty50 was above 22,550.

Yuzvendra Chahal, known for his humour and wicket-taking skills, joins Punjab Kings for IPL 2025. Despite a strong IPL 2024 season with 18 wickets, he was not retained by Rajasthan Royals. Now with PBKS, Chahal aims for a national team comeback, starting with impressive domestic performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Ranjeet Prasad, an Indian origin former PA youth worker in Singapore, has been convicted of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old boy in 2007, receiving a 10-year and six-month prison sentence. He exploited the teenager's aspirations and abused his authority, with the court noting his lack of remorse.

India was the fifth most polluted country globally in 2024, with Byrnihat in Meghalaya being the most polluted metropolitan area. Despite a 7% decline in PM2.5 concentrations compared to 2023, major urban centers like New Delhi continued to face severe air pollution problems.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian refuses to negotiate a nuclear deal with the US amidst threats from President Donald Trump. Trump's maximum pressure campaign and letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei expressing his willingness to negotiate a deal have been met with rejection from Iranian leaders.

In Pakistan's Balochistan province, armed militants hijacked a passenger train, killing three people and taking over 450 hostages. Security forces responded swiftly, rescuing more than 150 passengers and killing 27 militants. The Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the attack, which unfolded as militants targeted the train by blowing up the railway track.

The White House criticized tariffs imposed on US products by India and Canada, highlighting significant tariffs on American alcohol and agricultural goods by India. President Trump advocates for fair trade, hinting at potential tariff increases to counteract what he views as unfair international trade practices.

A 19-year-old college student, Amogh Seth, was fatally shot in Lakhimpur Kheri after being chased and attacked by six men, including the main suspect, Anmol Puri. The incident occurred near a police outpost. Amogh had earlier insulted Anmol, leading to the latter seeking revenge. Two suspects have been detained while Anmol remains at large.

A woman and her friends in Moradabad's Bhojpur area are accused of killing a cat deemed to bring bad fortune. The group recorded and shared the incident on social media. They face charges under the Wildlife Protection Act, facing up to three years in prison and a Rs 1 lakh fine. Authorities are seeking her and accomplices.

President Donald Trump has expressed his intent to classify violent protesters at Tesla dealerships as domestic terrorists. Accompanied by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Trump emphasized his commitment to protecting American companies from such acts, while also purchasing a Tesla Model S to show support for Musk amid massive protests and boycott calls.

In recent years, the Jaffar Express has faced multiple attacks by Baloch rebels and TTP, causing numerous casualties. These attacks highlight the ongoing insurgency in Balochistan and the rising use of suicide bombings by BLA, particularly targeting Chinese nationals and Pakistani forces. The increased frequency and intensity of these attacks pose significant challenges for the Pakistani government.

A viral video shows MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, and Rishabh Pant dancing to 'Dama Dam Mast Qalandar' during Pant's sister Sakshi's sangeet ceremony in Mussoorie. The cricketers enjoyed the celebrations, with Dhoni making a rare public appearance. Fans are thrilled by this cheerful off-field moment ahead of the upcoming IPL season.

In J&K, liquor sales are increasing despite political pressure for prohibition due to concerns over alcohol abuse. The government projects a 4% rise in excise revenue, while various political parties, including PDP and BJP, push for a ban. The new excise policy seeks a balanced approach addressing both the harmful effects of alcohol and the development of the liquor industry.

The Indian government has banned two Kashmir-based groups, AAC and JKIM, for five years under UAPA, citing threats to national security. The groups are accused of advocating Kashmir's secession from India. Leaders of both organizations and other political figures in Kashmir have condemned the ban.

Two cousins, aged 15 and 12, are missing from Kathua after going to graze cattle on February 27. This follows the deaths of three family members allegedly killed by terrorists. Authorities have expanded the search and urged collaboration with other districts. Residents demand better security after several young people in the region have gone missing and been found dead.