Canberra, March 18 (IANS) Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday flagged new measures to protect the country's people from the 'worst' of the global economic uncertainty driven by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

In a speech to an automotive industry event on Wednesday morning, Albanese described the conflict in the Middle East as another "major shock to hit the global economy" in the 2020s following the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

"We want to make sure that we do everything we can to shield the Australian economy, households and businesses from the worst of global uncertainty," he said.

"We will have more to say about the actions we are taking in the days ahead."

Albanese announced that he has called an emergency meeting with state and territory leaders on Thursday to ensure that fuel from national stockpiles is being deployed to where it is needed most, particularly regional communities, and emphasised the need for the country to build its self-reliance.

"We have to build an economy that is more resilient, more self-reliant and geared to our national strengths," he said.

Speaking earlier on Wednesday, Treasurer Jim Chalmers told Australian Broadcasting Corporation television that the federal budget for 2026-27 that he will hand down in May will focus on inflation, productivity and global economic uncertainty, Xinhua news agency reported.

Earlier on March 5, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that Australia had deployed military assets to the Middle East to aid with the repatriation of citizens.

Speaking in parliament, Albanese had said that the government had deployed military assets to the Middle East earlier in the week as part of contingency planning to help Australian citizens who were stranded in the region amid widespread travel disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict.

Local media had reported that the military assets deployed to the Middle East were a transport aircraft and a refueling plane.

The government had announced it was deploying six crisis response teams from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade into the Middle East to provide additional consular assistance to citizens.

--IANS

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Chennai, March 18 (IANS) A proposed highway corridor cutting through the ecologically fragile Sengottai (Aryankavu) Gap in the southern Western Ghats has sparked concern among conservationists, who warn that the project could disrupt a vital wildlife corridor and aggravate landslide risks in the region.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has sought wildlife clearance from the National Board for Wildlife for the project, which is part of the Puliyarai-Aryankavu-Kadampattukonam economic corridor under the Bharatmala programme.

The corridor is intended to improve freight connectivity between Tamil Nadu and the Kerala coast, linking NH-744 (Kollam-Madurai) with NH-66 (Mumbai-Kanniyakumari) to form a key east-west transport route.

The overall project spans 61.7 km, with the most sensitive portion identified as Package-1 -- a 23-km stretch between Puliyarai in Tenkasi district and Edamon in Kerala’s Kollam district. Of this, approximately 19 km lies in Kerala and about 4 km in Tamil Nadu.

At the centre of the controversy is the Sengottai (Aryankavu) Gap, a rare natural break in the Western Ghats that functions as an important ecological passage linking forest habitats across state boundaries.

The region forms part of the Agasthyamalai landscape, connecting major protected areas including the Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, Periyar Tiger Reserve, and the Peppara and Neyyar sanctuaries.

Wildlife experts note that the corridor between Periyar and Shendurney is critical for the movement of tigers and other species, with the wider landscape estimated to support 36 to 40 tigers across more than 2,100 sq km.

They caution that new infrastructure could further fragment habitats already affected by existing roads and railway lines.

Project documents indicate that the alignment will pass through Puliyarai Reserved Forest in Tamil Nadu and Ariankavu and Yerur Reserved Forests in Kerala, close to eco-sensitive zones.

To tackle the difficult terrain, the plan proposes four tunnel stretches for a four-lane highway, with lengths ranging from 420 metres to over 3.7 km. Environmentalists have called for a comprehensive ecological assessment before any clearances are granted, warning that irreversible damage could result if safeguards are not strictly enforced.

--IANS

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New York, March 18 (IANS) Raja Krishnamoorthi, a moderate Democrat member of the House of Representatives but a strong critic of President Donald Trump, narrowly lost the Illinois primaries for the party’s Senate nomination.

While counting was continuing, the media projected his main rival, Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, as the winner Tuesday night.

At 10 p.m. local time in Illinois, three hours after the polls closed, Stratton was ahead of him by about 6 per cent with about 85 per cent of the votes counted.

The winner of the Democratic Party primary is assured of victory in the November general election running against a Republican in the bright blue state where former Kamala Harris outperformed Trump by 11 per cent in the 2024 presidential election.

With the primary loss, Krishnamoorthi failed in his ambition to become the second Indian American to serve in the Senate, after Harris, who went on to become the vice president and the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate.

Krishnamoorthi, a member of the House of Representatives since 2017, ran a heavily financed insurgent campaign against Stratton, the preferred candidate of the state Democratic Party establishment.

She had the backing of the state's powerful billionaire Governor J.B. Pritzker and Senator Tammy Duckworth.

Representative Robin Kelly, another African American woman like Stratton, came third in the race for the nomination to succeed Democrat Dick Durbin, who decided not to run again.

The primary was cast by some commentators as a contest of wills between Krishnamoorthi and Pritzker, who is running for re-election to a third term, and positioned his trusted lieutenant, Stratton, against Krishnamoorthi.

Pritzker, an heir to the Hyatt hotel empire, spent $5 million of his personal fortune to back her in a primary that recorded high spending by both sides.

A company that tracks ad spending reported that about $29 million was spent on ads backing Krishnamoorthi, while it was about $16 million for Stratton.

While Pritzker’s largesse for Stratton became an issue in the election, Krishnamoorthi’s backing by Fairshakes, a political action committee backed by digital and cryptocurrency interests, also sparked controversies.

It was because Fairshake spent money on ads backing Kelly, which was seen as an effort to split African American votes to favour Krishnamoorthi, even though he was not the direct beneficiary of the spending.

Krishnamoorthi also received about $250,000 from the Indian American Impact Fund, a political action committee of the community.

Krishnamoorthi made opposition to Trump’s policies a central plank of his campaign, most recently ramping up opposition to what he called “unauthorised war with no end in sight” in Iran.

He voted against Trump’s Iran War in a resolution in the Senate that had the support of members of both parties, but failed to pass.

He has also backed legislative moves to undo some of Trump’s actions against welfare programmes.

With the already high prices rising further, fueled by the Iran conflict, the economy and affordability were among his targets.

Born in New Delhi, Krishnamoorthi came to the US as a three-month-old infant when his father brought his family over as he pursued higher education -- and the American Dream.

The immigrant background fit in with a central issue in the election -- Trump’s immigration crackdown that brought his Operation Midway Blitz to the streets of Chicago and led to the arrests of about 1,600 people, many under controversial circumstances.

Krishnamoorthi proclaimed in a campaign ad, “I’m an immigrant myself”, adding, "That’s why stopping Trump and ICE’s attacks on our communities is deeply personal to me.”

He called for ending the Trump version of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency’s operations and reforming it.

Stratton has called for abolishing it entirely.

Krishnamoorthi will be giving up his House seat when his term ends, bringing down the membership of the six-member so-called “Samosa Caucus” of Indian Americans in Congress -- unless new members win in November.

--IANS

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Seoul, March 18 (IANS) South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has sent letters to the leaders of Japan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia to express his gratitude for their cooperation in evacuating South Korean nationals from the Middle East, Cheong Wa Dae said on Wednesday, with the US-Israel war with Iran destabilizing the region.

In a letter to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi the previous day, Lee expressed his appreciation for Japan's assistance in evacuating 16 South Koreans and their family members of other nationalities to Tokyo on Japanese chartered flights last Wednesday and Friday.

Lee also praised the close bilateral coordination between the two countries as Japanese nationals were transported from Saudi Arabia to South Korea on a South Korean military aircraft, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said.

"The friendship between the two countries has been further strengthened through this cooperation," Lee was quoted as saying.

"I hope this will serve as an opportunity to further deepen the friendship and trust between our people, and we will continue to work closely together to protect the lives and safety of our citizens."

In a letter to Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Lee expressed his gratitude for Qatar's assistance in arranging a special flight that evacuated 322 South Koreans from the Gulf nation last Monday.

Lee also sent a letter to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, thanking him for helping safely bring home 204 nationals from Riyadh over the weekend. It was South Korea's first airlift evacuation using a military plane since the conflict began in the Middle East late last month, Yonhap news agency reported.

Earlier, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi had also expressed gratitude for the evacuation of Japanese nationals stranded in the Middle East via a South Korean military transport aircraft.

On March 15, Takaichi had posted on social media X: “A South Korean military transport aircraft that departed from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, shortly before arrived in Seoul carrying Japanese nationals. I sincerely thank the South Korean government and military officials.”

--IANS

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Chennai, March 18 (IANS) An instagram post by director Vignesh Shivan has led fans to believe that his long-awaited romantic drama 'Love Insurance Kompany (LIK)' may now release on April 3 this year.

Taking to his Instagram stories section, director Vignesh Shivan, who is also the husband of actress Nayanthara, wrote, " April 3rd! Everyone in cinema says one Friday can change everything! It this going to be that Good a Friday!?"

The post has given rise to speculation if whether the film is gearing up for a release on the festival day of 'Good Friday'.

The film, which features Pradeep Ranganathan and Krithi Shetty in the lead. The film has been produced by actress Nayanthara.

It may be recalled that the makers of the film have had to postpone its release quite a few times.

The film was originally scheduled to hit screens on September 18 last year. However, the makers then chose to push the film's release to October 17 for Deepavali. Just when it looked like the film would hits screens for Deepavali, the makers had to take the tough call of postponing the film again as Pradeep Ranganathan-starrer 'Dude' also picked the same day for release.

Seeking to avoid a release day clash between two films of actor Pradeep Ranganathan, the makers of director Vignesh Shivan's 'Love Insurance Kompany (LIK)' decided to postpone their film's release to December 18 last year.

However, the makers again decided to postpone their film's release to February this year. Sources in the industry had said that the makers were looking to release the film during the Valentine's Day weekend. However, that did not happen.

Now, director Vignesh Shivan's cryptic post has led to speculation if whether the film will release on April 3 this year.

The film has triggered a lot of excitement among fans as it features Pradeep Ranganthan, who until now, has a 100 per cent success record in the Tamil film industry. Every single film of his until now has emerged a success, with his most recent film 'Dude' going on to emerge a major blockbuster.

Apart from Pradeep Ranganathan and Krithi Shetty, Love Insurance Kompany will feature actors S J Suryah and Gouri Kishen in pivotal roles.

The film boasts of an impressive technical team. It has cinematography by ace cinematographer Ravivarman and music by Anirudh. Pradeep Ragav has edited the film, which has stunts choreographed by popular stunt master Peter Hein.

--IANS

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Washington, March 18 (IANS) US lawmakers moved to tax major oil companies as fuel prices surged sharply following the Iran war, with Democrats accusing energy firms of profiting while American consumers face rising costs.

US Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Indian American Congressman Ro Khanna reintroduced the Big Oil Windfall Profits Tax Act, pointing to a steep rise in petrol prices in recent weeks.

“The price of a gallon of gas is up 80 cents just weeks after the onset of war in Iran, and the price of a barrel of oil has increased 50 percent from what it was at the start of the year,” lawmakers said, as global oil markets came under pressure from supply disruptions and tensions in key shipping routes.

Whitehouse said, “American consumers are once again getting squeezed at the gas pump as President Trump’s war of choice in Iran sends gas prices soaring and money flowing to his Big Oil donors.”

He added that any windfall gains should be returned to consumers and called for a shift to cleaner energy to reduce future price shocks.

Khanna said, “Trump’s war of choice in Iran is not just a moral mistake but an economic blunder that is skyrocketing gas prices for working Americans.”

The proposed legislation would impose a tax on large oil companies producing or importing at least 300,000 barrels per day. The levy would equal 50 per cent of the difference between current oil prices and last year’s average, when companies were already reporting strong profits.

Revenue from the tax would be returned to consumers through quarterly rebates. At $100 per barrel, the measure is estimated to raise about $33 billion annually. Single filers would receive about $216 per year, while joint filers would get roughly $324.

Supporters said the measure targets excess profits during geopolitical crises.

Leah Donahey of the League of Conservation Voters said, “We should make sure that when oil executives are raking in big profits, they are returned to the American consumers who are feeling the pain.”

Mahyar Sorour of the Sierra Club said, “It’s a dangerous and costly cycle we must break. We applaud Senator Whitehouse and Representative Khanna for introducing this legislation and urge Congress to swiftly enact a windfall profits tax.”

Cassidy DiPaola of the Make Polluters Pay Campaign said, “Every time oil prices spike because of a geopolitical crisis, American families end up paying the price while the largest oil companies collect billions in unexpected profits.”

Separately, Democratic lawmaker Frank Pallone criticised the administration’s handling of the crisis.

“Oil prices have been extraordinarily volatile, while gasoline prices have increased by nearly 75 cents per gallon since the start of the year,” Pallone said at a congressional hearing.

He added, “no one in the Trump Administration had a plan for what to do about oil prices let alone any plans on how to end a war that should never have happened.”

Pallone also cited the President’s remark: “when oil prices go up, we make a lot of money.”

Market data showed mounting pressure on consumers. US petrol prices rose to nearly $3.72 a gallon, the highest since October 2023. Since the war began, prices have climbed by about 74 cents, marking the largest monthly increase since Hurricane Katrina.

Diesel prices have risen even faster, gaining $1.24 to nearly $5 a gallon. Brent crude hovered above $100 per barrel, while supply disruptions intensified after attacks on oil facilities and shipping routes.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20 per cent of the world’s oil supply flows, has been severely affected by the conflict. Analysts warned that prolonged disruption could push prices significantly higher.

The International Energy Agency said member countries would release 400 million barrels from emergency reserves to stabilise markets, though some supplies will not reach markets until later this month.

--IANS

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Washington, March 18 (IANS) US lawmakers have warned that the ongoing Iran conflict is weakening America's strategic posture, with senior Democrats cautioning that resources are being diverted from countering China and other major threats.

Representative Ro Khanna, Ranking Member of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, said President Donald Trump's actions risk undermining US deterrence in the Indo-Pacific.

"President Trump's reckless war in Iran puts America's security and economy at risk. The United States should be focused on countering the growing challenge of maintaining peace and stability in the Pacific," Khanna said.

He added that the administration was "stretching our armed forces thin by pursuing an ill-advised 'pivot to the Middle East'."

Khanna also flagged the financial and economic strain of the conflict.

"This war is costing taxpayers nearly $1 billion per day and burning through critical munitions. This kind of spending is unsustainable, and Americans are already feeling the consequences as gas prices soar and economic uncertainty mounts," he said.

He criticised the administration's outreach to Beijing, warning that it could weaken alliances.

"Now the president is asking China to send warships to the region to help end a war he cannot finish -- a dangerously misguided move that threatens to erode the partnerships that form the backbone of our deterrence," Khanna said.

At a separate House Armed Services subcommittee hearing, Representative Seth Moulton delivered a sharp assessment of the broader security risks arising from the conflict.

"We simply cannot ignore the fact that, as we sit here today, America is more at risk than we were before the Iran War began, both in the Middle East and at home," Moulton said.

He argued that sustained military operations were depleting resources and emboldening adversaries.

"Since taking office 14 months ago, the 'President of Peace' has attacked seven countries, and through these conflicts of choice, has expended scarce munitions and emboldened both China and Russia," he said.

Moulton also pointed to escalating economic fallout.

"With the Strait of Hormuz closed and oil prices skyrocketing, Trump is actually losing the war," he said, adding that the conflict was imposing costs "paid in the lives of brave young Americans… as well as by children and innocent civilians."

The lawmaker warned that the US strategic focus was shifting away from critical long-term threats.

"With everything going wrong in the Middle East, it's easy to lose focus on America's strategic defence, but it remains the bedrock of our national security and must remain a top priority," he said.

He highlighted growing concerns over China's military capabilities.

"The Chinese Communist Party's ICBM fleet continues to exceed US intelligence estimates, and they have deployed several hypersonic weapons that can carry nuclear weapons," Moulton said.

He also flagged risks from Russia, warning that Moscow "has developed a treaty-violating, space-based nuclear weapon that would destroy nearly all the satellites we rely on for GPS and communications every day."

Both lawmakers emphasised that sustained engagement in the Middle East could undermine the US' readiness to respond to global threats, particularly in Asia, where competition with China is intensifying.

The latest remarks come as the Iran conflict continues to dominate US foreign policy, raising concerns in Washington about overstretch and strategic drift.

--IANS

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Chennai, March 18 (IANS) In a major push to ensure free, fair, and seamless Assembly elections, the Tamil Nadu government has earmarked a substantial Rs 800 crore for election-related activities across the state. The allocation covers a wide range of requirements, with a significant share directed towards personnel management, infrastructure, and voter awareness initiatives.

A key component of the expenditure is the remuneration of polling staff, particularly Booth Level Officers (BLOs), who form the backbone of grassroots election management.

Officials estimate that nearly Rs 100 crore will be spent solely on compensating BLOs deployed for polling day duties, reflecting the scale and logistical complexity of the electoral exercise.

To enhance transparency and security, the Election Department has initiated the process of installing one lakh IP-based CCTV cameras on a rental basis. These cameras will be deployed across 75,032 polling booths statewide, enabling real-time monitoring and strengthening vigilance mechanisms.

Chennai district alone accounts for 4,079 polling booths -- the highest in Tamil Nadu -- underscoring the need for intensified surveillance in urban centres.

In preparation for vote counting, authorities are setting up approximately 45 to 46 counting centres to cover all 234 Assembly constituencies. Each centre will be equipped with robust infrastructure, including secure strong rooms where Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and control units will be stored under strict supervision after polling concludes.

Multi-layered security arrangements are expected to be in place to prevent any tampering or unauthorised access. Alongside logistical preparations, the Election Department is also focusing on boosting voter participation through its Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme.

To encourage wider engagement, financial support of up to Rs 50,000 will be provided to individuals and media organisations producing voter awareness content.

The initiative aims to improve voter turnout and promote informed participation, particularly among first-time voters.

With comprehensive planning, enhanced monitoring systems, and targeted outreach efforts, officials said Tamil Nadu is gearing up for a high-stakes electoral process with a strong emphasis on transparency, efficiency, and inclusivity.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 13 (IANS) India’s share in global electronics demand has expanded at a rapid compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.2 per cent, significantly outpacing global growth of 4.4 per cent between 2015 and 2024, driven primarily by the sharp rise in mobile phone exports, according to NITI Aayog's Trade Watch Quarterly report for July-September 2025-26, launched on Friday.

Between 2016 and 2024, electronics exports increased nearly five-fold, reaching USD 42.1 billion. With global electronics trade valued at USD 4.6 trillion, the sector represents one of the largest and fastest-evolving segments of the world economy. India has demonstrated particular strength in products such as mobile phones, consumer electronics, and communication equipment, with exports increasingly directed towards major final-consumption markets including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the UAE, the report states.

Electronics, the thematic focus of this quarter's edition, has emerged as a cornerstone of India's manufacturing and export transformation. Now the second-largest item in India's export basket, the sector is both technology-led and deeply interconnected with industries such as automotive, renewable energy, telecom, defence, and digital services, making it a powerful multiplier for industrial growth.

The report states that having established a strong foothold in assembly and system integration, India is now entering the next phase of its electronics journey, moving decisively toward component manufacturing and higher value addition. This transition is supported by targeted policy measures, including the Union Budget's Rs 40,000 crore allocation under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme, aimed at strengthening domestic capabilities.

The analysis underscores that sustained competitiveness will be driven by deeper integration into global electronics value chains, encompassing printed circuit board design, semiconductor assembly and testing, power electronics, and embedded systems. Complemented by continued improvements in logistics efficiency, tariff rationalisation, and industry-aligned skill development, these shifts position electronics as a key engine of India's export growth and technological advancement in the coming decade.

NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Suman Bery said, "Electronics, as the organising core of modern manufacturing value chains, with semiconductors and components, plays a key role in determining trade balances and technological sovereignty. While India has achieved scale in final assembly, sustained competitiveness will depend on correcting structural cost disabilities, deepening domestic component ecosystems, and leveraging anchor investments in components to embed Indian firms more firmly within global production networks."

The publication also provides a comprehensive assessment of global and domestic trade trends at a time when global trade growth has moderated but remains positive, with services continuing to outperform goods and developing regions emerging as key drivers.

The analysis highlights that India's trade performance in Q2 FY26 was driven by export-led momentum sustaining the overall trade expansion amid heightened global uncertainty. Services and merchandise exports recorded robust growth of around 8.5 per cent, outpacing import growth in both merchandise and services.

At a structural level, the edition underscores the deepening of trade among developing economies, which has expanded nearly four-fold since 2005 and now accounts for a rising share of global exports, with India’s trade trajectory increasingly aligned with this Global South rebalancing through regional value chains and new trade corridors.

Further, this edition highlights the growing role of e-commerce as a key enabler of future export growth. India is now among the world’s top six e-commerce markets, with electronics accounting for nearly half of online retail.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 13 (IANS) In a farmer-centric step to stabilise domestic markets and ensure remunerative returns to producers, the Centre on Friday approved the export of 25 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of wheat, along with an additional 5 LMT of wheat products.

According to a Consumer Affairs Ministry statement, wheat stock availability with private entities during 2025–26 stands at approximately 75 LMT, which is nearly 32 LMT higher compared to the corresponding period last year.

"This substantial year-on-year increase indicates a comfortable supply position in the country. Furthermore, as on April 1, 2026, total wheat availability in the central pool with FCI is projected at around 182 LMT, thus ensuring that export permissions will not impact domestic food security requirements," it said.

Moreover, wheat acreage in Rabi 2026 has also increased to about 334.17 lakh hectares compared to 328.04 lakh hectares last year.

This reflects strong farmer confidence in wheat cultivation supported by assured MSP and procurement mechanisms, and signals the likelihood of another robust harvest, the official statement further added.

The decision to permit export of 25 LMT of wheat and 5 LMT wheat products will help stabilise domestic prices, improve market liquidity, ensure efficient stock rotation, and further strengthen farmers’ income while ensuring national food security.

Meanwhile, to facilitate sugar exports, the government decided to allow export of an additional 5 LMT of sugar to willing sugar mills during the current Sugar Season 2025–26.

Earlier, the government had permitted the export of 15 LMT of sugar during the current Sugar Season 2025–26. This decision is expected to facilitate higher sugar exports and help in managing surplus sugar availability in the country.

As per data, only about 1.97 LMT of sugar has been exported up to January 31, 2026.

In addition, approximately 2.72 LMT of sugar has been contracted for export by sugar mills to date.

The ministry said that the additional export quantity of 5 LMT shall be made available to willing sugar mills, subject to the condition that at least 70 per cent of their allocated quantity is exported by June 30, 2026.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 13 (IANS) Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Friday met leaders of several farm unions from across the country at the Parliament House.

During the meeting, the farm union representatives expressed strong opposition to the India-US trade deal and conveyed their deep concern over the potential impact on farmers’ livelihoods, particularly those engaged in the cultivation of corn, soybean, cotton, fruits, and nuts.

The leaders told the Congress leader that they fear the agreement could open the door for agricultural imports, which may adversely affect domestic producers. Gandhi also reiterated his position, stating that the trade deal has opened the door for agricultural imports and warned that many other crops could soon be impacted as well.

The discussion also focused on the need for a large-scale national movement to oppose the deal and safeguard the livelihoods of farmers and farm labourers.

The farm leaders who participated in the discussion included Sukhpal S. Khaira (All India Kisan Congress), Ranjit S. Sandhu (GKS Rajasthan), Adv. Ashok Balhara (Bharatiya Kisan Mazdoor Union, Haryana), P.T. John (KMM Kerala), Baldev (BKU Krantikari, Zira), R. NandKumar (Progressive Farmers Front), Amarjit S. Mohri (BKU Shaheed Bhagat Singh), Akhilesh Shukla (All India Kisan Congress), Kedar Sirohi (Aam Kisan Union), Kiranjit S. Sandhu (Kisan Congress Punjab), Gurpreet S. Sangha (Rajya Sabha), Guramneet S. Mangat (Kisan Mazdoor Morcha - India), Hameed Malik (J&K Zamidara Forum), Tejveer Singh (KMM), Dharamvir Goyat (Haryana Kisan Sangarsh Samiti), Ishwar Singh Nain (Krishak Samaj), and Satbir Khatana (South Haryana Kisan Union).

Rahul Gandhi on Thursday asserted he would not be deterred by any FIR, criminal case or privilege motion and asserted that he would continue to fight for farmers' rights.

In a video post on X, Gandhi had reiterated his opposition to the India-US trade deal, claiming it would severely impact Indian farmers. He alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had "opened the doors" of India’s agriculture market to foreign players at the cost of domestic producers.

"I have spoken the truth in Parliament. If you do not like the truth, that is a different matter. The country understands the truth. Do whatever you want to do. Let an FIR be filed, let a case be registered or bring a privilege motion. I and the entire party stand with farmers," Gandhi had said.

He had said any trade agreement that threatens farmers' livelihoods or weakens the country's food security is anti-farmer. Gandhi also claimed that corn, soybean, cotton and fruit growers would be the first to suffer, alleging that the government would eventually open the entire farm sector to foreign interests and corporate allies.

--IANS

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Jaipur, Feb 13 (IANS) In a significant development in the mysterious death of Sadhvi Prem Baisa, the State Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) has submitted its viscera examination report to the police, ruling out poisoning or any unnatural cause of death.

The report, received late Thursday night, has brought a major twist to the case that had sparked widespread speculation and controversy.

According to sources, the FSL analysis found no traces of poison or toxic substances in Sadhvi Prem Baisa's body. This has dismissed earlier suspicions of foul play or forced poisoning.

However, the final cause of death will be determined by the medical board after a detailed review of the forensic findings. Investigators revealed that Sadhvi Prem Baisa had been suffering from asthma and had developed severe breathing difficulties after catching a cold on January 28.

As her condition worsened, she contacted a male nurse, Devi Singh, who administered Dexona and Dynapar injections.

Doctors at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital will now analyse whether these medications or underlying health conditions contributed to her death.

Sadhvi Prem Baisa fell seriously ill at the Aarti Nagar Ashram in Pal village under Boranada police station limits on January 28.

She was taken to a private hospital on Pal Road but was declared dead on arrival.

Following a complaint filed by her father, Biramnath, the police registered a case and conducted a post-mortem examination on January 29 through a medical board. Her viscera samples were sent to the FSL on February 2, and the forensic investigation was completed within 11 days.

During the investigation, compounder Devi Singh stated that the injections were administered based on a prescription allegedly given by a private hospital doctor.

Police are now examining who prescribed the injections and whether proper medical protocols were followed.

While the FSL report has ruled out poisoning, authorities say the case is still under investigation, and all aspects, including medical treatment, circumstances at the ashram, and statements of witnesses, are being scrutinised.

Officials said more clarity will emerge after the medical board submits its final opinion.

--IANS

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Mumbai, March 18 (IANS) Bollywood superstar Alia Bhatt, celebrated her 33rd birthday, on the 15th of March, and received heartfelt wishes from her parents, Soni Razdan and Mahesh Bhatt, through the form of a handwritten note.

The proud parents penned a beautiful note, calling her the “precious jewel” of their lives.

Alia took to her social media account to share a picture of the handwritten note placed amid a bouquet of pastel flowers.

The note read, “Happy Birthday. Dearest Alia, may you always sparkle and shine! You are our precious jewel – love you so much. Love – Mama and Papa.” The note was signed by Soni and Mahesh, making the birthday wish even more special.

The ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ actress also shared a few glimpses from her intimate yet much happening birthday celebrations.

One of the pictures showed her sharing a candid moment with husband Ranbir Kapoor, who is seen planting a sweet kiss on her cheek.

In another photo, Alia posted a mirror selfie, dressed in a chic all-black outfit paired with a cap.

Captioning the post, the actress wrote, “This is 33.. full of glee so grateful”.

Alia, for her birthday week, was in Hong Kong with Ranbir, their daughter Raha Kapoor, and sister Shaheen Bhatt a few days ago.

The family also visited Disneyland and clearly had a ball of a time, as seen in the pictures shared by Alia on her social media account.

Talking about Alia and Ranbir, the couple tied the knot in April 2022 in an intimate ceremony at their Mumbai residence after dating for several years.

The couple announced their pregnancy in June 2022, the same year that they got married and later welcomed their daughter Raha in November.

The two, as per many reports, grew close while working together on the movie Brahmastra: Part One - Shiva directed by Ayan Mukerji.

–IANS

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Mumbai, March 18 (IANS) Actor and fitness enthusiast Milind Soman has revealed a fascinating fact about his senior citizen mother.

The actor, in an exclusive conversation with IANS, revealed that his 86-year-old mother continues to lead an extremely active life, saying she can comfortably walk 20 to 30 kilometres, hike mountains and even skip with a rope, seamlessly.

Speaking about her fitness, Soman said that such activity should actually be normal for people of that age if they take proper care of their health.

“Look at my mother. She’s 86. She still skips. She can skip with a skipping rope. She can hop. She’s hiking. She can walk 20-30 kilometres very, very comfortably,” he told IANS.

The actor further added that people often express surprise at his mother’s fitness, but he believes it should not be considered extraordinary, and in fact be normalised.

“People say that, ‘Oh, your mother is so amazing.’ I say, yes, but that is normal. Everybody at her age should be able to do this if they take care of themselves,” he said.

The former supermodel, who recently turned 60, also addressed the perception around ageing and fitness.

He said that people are often surprised by his age because society has a ‘preconceived notion of how someone in their sixties should look.’

“I think I look like a very normal 60-year-old. Probably it’s just such a notion in everybody’s head that 60 should look a certain way,” he said.

Explaining the reason why many people struggle with fitness today, Milind said that modern lifestyles have disconnected people from their natural physical abilities that should have been a priority and made into a lifestyle.

“People are disconnected from themselves. In the last 50-60 years, with technology and so many advances, we have been encouraged to give up our inherent abilities,” he said.

The actor, talking about himself, shared that instead of relying on gyms, trainers or strict diet plans, he focuses on building fitness as a part of his everyday lifestyle.

“I don’t go to the gym. I don’t have a trainer. I don’t have a nutritionist or dietitian. I decide what I need to do and I incorporate that into my lifestyle,” he said.

He also emphasised that staying active through small daily choices can make a significant difference, citing his own example.

“If there’s a lift and stairs, I will take the stairs. Ninety-nine per cent of the time I’ll climb the stairs, sometimes even three steps at a time. That’s my opportunity to exercise,” he added.

He added, “I exercise about 10 to 12 minutes a day, literally. It’s not about working out; it’s about having a lifestyle. When you live that way, you can do anything, run a marathon, climb a mountain or swim long distances if you want,” he said.

The actor who has been a part of the entertainment industry for over 30 years, is now all geared up for his upcoming project, Kaattaan along with South superstar Vijay Sethupathi.

The show goes on air from the 27th of March, on Jio Hotstar.

–IANS

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Mumbai, March 18 (IANS) Actress Divya Dutta, known for her outspokenness and calling spade a spade, has opened up about the idea of being single and the societal conditioning around marriage and motherhood.

In an exclusive conversation with IANS, Divya expressed her opinion by saying that not just a woman’s but anybody's life choices cannot be generalised.

The actress, who has always lived her life on her own terms, was asked whether staying single in today’s world is difficult and whether society still believes a woman is “complete” only through marriage or motherhood.

Responding candidly yet firmly, Dutta said, “Even if I had a partner, even if I am single, I enjoy my life and that’s what matters. I think har ek ki kahani alag hoti hai. To generalise and say partner ho toh bahut achi baat hai, single ho toh bahut achi baat hai, kisi ke liye koi achi baat nahi. Whatever works for you is great. So this works for me. I am happy about it.”

She further added that people should not judge someone’s life choices. “If somebody’s got a great partner, it works for them. If somebody doesn’t have a good partner, maybe they need to do something that they feel is right about it."

"You cannot generalise somebody’s life. You can’t just say, you know, how you make your choices. My life was such and I enjoy it. So I am proud of what I decided to do.”

Speaking about societal conditioning and patriarchal expectations, the actor said these ideas continue to persist despite progress.

“Even today’s education has nothing to do with progress. That’s conditioning, no? That’s the conditioning that comes and that’s what you kind of somewhere, with life and with the patriarchy, have to break those norms,” she said.

The actress emphasised that every individual’s life journey is different and should be respected, and not compared.

On the professional front, Divya Dutta is all set to star in the series Chiraiyaa that deals with the sensitive issue of marital rape.

The show airs from the 20th of March on Jio Hotstar.

–IANS

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Mumbai, March 17 (IANS) Actress and politician Kangana Ranaut has reacted strongly to the controversy over actress Nora Fatehi’s song ‘Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke’.

The actress spoke with the media outside the Parliament, and called out the Hindi film fraternity for “crossed all limits to achieve cheap PR tactics and attention-seeking”.

She told the media, “Bollywood has crossed all limits to achieve cheap PR tactics and attention-seeking. The whole country is criticizing them. But I don't think they have any shame. Because we have been listening to such songs since childhood”.

She called for enforcing some restrictions on Hindi cinema so that viewers can sit and watch the content with family.

She further mentioned, “This is not a big deal now. But they have been restricted in between. And now I think there should be more strictness for them. And it has become difficult to sit with the family and watch TV. So I think Bollywood should be restricted in some way”.

The latest controversy around Nora Fatehi centers on the song ‘Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke’ from the film ‘KD: The Devil’. Soon after release, the track drew widespread backlash for allegedly vulgar lyrics and suggestive choreography. Critics, including singer Armaan Malik, called the writing a “new low”, while social media users labeled the content inappropriate.

The issue escalated with legal complaints seeking a ban, citing concerns over its impact on minors and public decency. Amid mounting pressure, the makers reportedly pulled the song from YouTube, reflecting the growing tension between creative freedom and societal standards in mainstream Indian music.

Meanwhile, ‘KD: The Devil’ is directed by Prem. The film features Dhruva Sarja in the lead, alongside Sanjay Dutt, Shilpa Shetty, and V. Ravichandran.

It is produced by KVN Productions and is planned as a multilingual release, including Kannada, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam.

--IANS

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