Times of India

A Hindi teacher at Bhavans Rajaji Vidyashram School in Chennai was suspended for hitting and threatening a student who failed to recite a Hindi poem. The incident prompted the school administration to take action following a complaint from the student's parents. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) enforces a strict policy against teacher violence. Authorities are currently investigating the situation.

Atishi, former CM and MLA of Kalkaji, was elected as the leader of opposition in Delhi assembly by consensus. This marks the first time in any Indian state that both the CM and LoP are women. Atishi emphasized AAP's commitment to ensuring BJP fulfills its promises, including financial support for women.

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta assured that despite the empty state coffers left by the previous AAP government, the BJP is committed to implementing the Rs 2,500-per month honorarium scheme for eligible women. Approximately 38 lakh women could benefit from this scheme, which is projected to cost over Rs 11,000 crore annually. The assembly session will prioritize development projects and address misuse of funds in previous reports.

The Trump administration has cut 2,000 positions at USAID and placed remaining staff on administrative leave after a federal court allowed the move. This decision is part of a larger effort to scale back USAID operations, which has already led to the closure of its headquarters and numerous global aid programs.

The law ministry has withdrawn the draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2025 from public consultation after facing threats of protests from lawyers' bodies. The bill proposed disciplinary actions, including revoking licenses for disrupting court proceedings, and allowed foreign law firms to practice in India.

Shashi Tharoor, a prominent Congress MP, has shown signs of growing dissatisfaction with the party, citing a leadership gap in Kerala Congress and seeking clarity on his role. Despite this, Kerala Congress leaders believe Tharoor will stay with the party. Tharoor has expressed interest in the chief minister role if Congress wins the Kerala assembly elections.

Apple and auto component makers face potentially significant losses if the Trump administration imposes reciprocal tariffs on electronics and smartphones imported from India. This move could disrupt Apple's manufacturing investments, which currently benefit from zero import duties in the US, and impact the competitive edge of India's electronics and auto components exports.

Rescue efforts are underway to save eight workers, including two engineers, trapped in a collapsed section of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal tunnel in Telangana. Silt and water are hindering progress, and additional equipment and expertise have been brought in to accelerate the operation, amidst fears of debris complicating the rescue.

PM Narendra Modi will hand over his social media accounts to women achievers on International Women's Day, March 8, to share their stories of overcoming challenges. Modi invited participation through NamoApp, highlighting notable contributions of women in India's history during his 'Mann Ki Baat' address.

Negotiations for the UK-India free trade agreement restart under the new UK government, focusing on duty cuts for Scotch and cars, and easier visas for Indian professionals. Concessions are being discussed, with India seeking better business visa terms and a fair treatment of its spirits in the UK market.

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) sold Rs 1.1 lakh crore in Indian equities in 2025, causing a 4% decline in Nifty year-to-date. High valuations and weak corporate earnings led to profit booking, with China's market gains drawing FIIs away from Indian stocks.

External affairs minister S Jaishankar urged Bangladesh to decide on the nature of their relationship with India, highlighting issues of blame and minority attacks. He emphasized the importance of clear intentions for the future while acknowledging the historical ties between the two nations.

US President Donald Trump hailed the conservative alliance's victory in Germany's election, criticizing the Scholz regime's policy on energy and immigration. Friedrich Merz, set to become the next chancellor, plans a strict stance on undocumented migration, social welfare tourism, and crime, signaling a rightward shift.

Congress has accused BJP of spreading fake news by claiming that USAID funds intended for India were used for voter turnout. They also criticized BJP for remaining silent on US President Trump and Elon Musk's insults towards India to secure a pardon for Adani, who faces cases in America.

Around 70 Indians, including five women, were rescued from a cybercrime hub in Myanmar and moved to Thailand by Myanmar’s armed forces. The victims, hailing from various Indian states, had been coerced into cybercriminal activities, and authorities are now coordinating their return to India.

A group of 12 undocumented Indian immigrants deported from the US to Panama reached Delhi, facilitated by the International Organisation for Migration. This comes after the deportation of 332 others to Amritsar earlier this month. Cases have been registered against travel agents responsible for illegal facilitation.

India has been implementing seven projects worth $750 million in collaboration with USAID. The focus is on agriculture, climate adaptation, water and sanitation, renewable energy, health, and disaster management. Ongoing since 1951, USAID has provided $17 billion over 73 years for 555 projects across multiple sectors.

Indian nationals were deceived with false job offers in Myanmar and forced into scamming US-based NRIs using various fraud tactics. They faced severe punishments, including electric shocks, if they didn't comply. The operations involved impersonation and complex coordination between different scam centers.

Inter-state government bus services between Karnataka and Maharashtra remain suspended indefinitely due to linguistic tensions. The suspension follows assaults on transport personnel from both states, involving language disputes. Thousands of commuters are affected, with alternative travel arrangements being sought amid heightened security concerns.