The NIA has sought assistance from Chinese authorities to trace a GoPro camera linked to the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. A special court allowed a formal request to identify the device’s buyer and supply details.

India has enough crude oil and fuel reserves to meet demand for about 50 days, government sources said, seeking to calm concerns over supply disruptions amid rising tensions in West Asia.

Officials said the country currently holds around 25 days’ worth of crude oil stocks. In addition, oil marketing companies have about 25 days’ supply each of petrol and diesel. Combined, the reserves provide a significant short-term cushion against any immediate global supply shock.

The reassurance comes as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have raised fears of disruptions in crude shipments, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil trade. A large share of India’s crude imports passes through this corridor.

Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said the government is closely monitoring the situation and is prepared to take necessary steps to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply. He added that India has diversified its crude sourcing in recent years to reduce dependence on any single region.

Sources also said there is no immediate plan to increase petrol and diesel prices despite volatility in global crude markets. Oil companies continue to review prices based on international trends, but for now, retail fuel rates remain unchanged.

Authorities have set up round-the-clock monitoring mechanisms to track stock levels and logistics across the country. Officials stressed that there is no cause for panic, and fuel availability remains stable.

Also Read: Rupee breaches ₹92, marks record low

Bollywood celebrities welcomed Holi 2026 with bright colours, laughter and heartfelt family moments. From playful gulal smears to warm hugs and festive sweets, stars gave fans a glimpse into how they celebrated the festival of colours at home.

Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif shared cheerful photos from their celebration, smiling with loved ones and covered in vibrant hues. Their simple, joyful moments struck a chord with fans online.

Ranveer Singh brought his trademark energy to the festival, while Sara Ali Khan posted fun-filled snapshots with family. Janhvi Kapoor and Kiara Advani also shared glimpses of their celebrations, posing in traditional outfits before being drenched in colours.

Across social media, the mood was festive and full of warmth. Fans flooded comment sections with wishes and greetings, making the celebrations feel shared beyond celebrity circles.

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Thiruvananthapuram came alive as lakhs of women participated in the annual Attukal Pongala festival, one of the world’s largest women-led religious gatherings. From early morning, women dressed in traditional attire set up small clay stoves along streets, alleys and open spaces around the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple to prepare ‘pongala’, a sweet dish of rice, jaggery and coconut offered to the goddess.

As the sun rose, the city was transformed into a sea of flames, prayers and the cheerful sounds of women chanting and sharing blessings. The ritual is deeply rooted in devotion, carrying wishes for peace, prosperity and family wellbeing. Many participants travel from distant towns and villages, making Pongala a collective celebration of faith, solidarity and feminine spiritual expression.

Volunteers and local authorities worked to ensure the event was safe and organised, arranging water points, first-aid stations and traffic support for the massive crowd. Children and elders took part alongside the devotees, turning the occasion into a multi-generational celebration.

Once the offerings were complete and prayers said, the focus shifted to cleaning up the vast area used for cooking. About 3,000 sanitation workers were deployed to clear leftover waste and debris. Separate teams collected the used clay bricks and stones from cooking stoves, which the local corporation plans to reuse in upcoming housing projects. Their efforts helped restore normalcy on city roads quickly after the festival.

Residents and volunteers praised the coordinated cleanup, noting it demonstrated community spirit beyond the religious ceremony itself.

Also Read: Bollywood soaks in colourful Holi spirit

X, formerly known as Twitter, has launched a new feature that allows creators to add a “Paid Partnership” label to sponsored posts. The update removes the need for manually typing hashtags such as #ad to indicate promotional content.

The label appears clearly on the post, making it easy for users to identify paid collaborations. Creators can enable the tag through X’s content settings, ensuring greater clarity and compliance with advertising regulations.

The company said the step is meant to build trust between users, creators and brands. By offering a formal disclosure tool, X aims to create a more transparent environment while encouraging more influencers and advertisers to use the platform.

The feature brings X in line with other major social media platforms that already offer similar branded content labels.

Also Read: India holds almost 50 days of oil, fuel reserves

Apple has launched the iPhone 17e, its latest budget-friendly model in the iPhone 17 series, combining popular premium features with an accessible price. The announcement came on 2 March 2026, with pre-orders starting on 4 March and retail availability on 11 March.

The phone is powered by Apple’s A19 chip, built on a 3-nanometer process, delivering faster performance for apps, gaming, and everyday tasks. It also features the new C1X modem, which doubles cellular data speeds compared to previous models while being more energy-efficient.

A key upgrade is base storage doubling to 256 GB, allowing users to store more photos, videos, and apps without paying extra. The iPhone 17e comes in 256 GB and 512 GB variants, starting at ₹64,900 in India.

Apple has added MagSafe support, enabling magnetic accessories, wallets, and faster wireless charging,  a first for its entry-level iPhone.

The camera system has also been upgraded, with a 48 MP Fusion camera, 2× optical-quality telephoto zoom, and Dolby Vision 4K video recording. The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display offers improved brightness and scratch resistance.

Other highlights include satellite-based Emergency SOS, allowing users to contact help without cellular coverage, and iOS 26, bringing smarter AI-powered features for translation, visual search, and messaging.

Apple says the iPhone 17e offers “powerful performance and popular features at an affordable price,” aiming to provide a premium experience for budget-conscious users.

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A 4.3-magnitude earthquake shook parts of southern Iran on Tuesday, with its epicentre near Gerash city in Fars province. The tremor was felt by residents in the area, but there were no immediate reports of serious injuries or major damage to buildings and infrastructure.

The Iranian seismological centre recorded the relatively moderate quake, which rattled homes and prompted some people to briefly leave buildings when the shaking began. Local officials and emergency teams responded quickly to assess conditions on the ground.

The earthquake comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tension in the Middle East, with ongoing conflict involving United States, Israel and Iran, though seismologists emphasise that there is no link between the quake and the conflict.

In Gerash and nearby towns, residents reported feeling the shaking but said it was brief and caused minimal disruption. Local authorities checked schools and public buildings to ensure structural safety, and so far no significant damage has been found.

Iran lies in a seismically active zone where earthquakes are relatively common due to movements along fault lines in the region. Experts stress that moderate quakes like this one can occur at any time and are part of normal geological activity.

Social media users in Fars province shared accounts of items shaking on shelves and light tremors felt in homes. Despite the nervous backdrop of regional instability, people in the affected area largely said they were more concerned about the ground shaking than about broader political developments.

Emergency services continue to monitor the situation, and residents have been advised to stay alert for aftershocks. At this stage, officials reported no casualties, and normal daily activities have resumed in Gerash and neighbouring communities after the brief quake.

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The Indian rupee came under heavy pressure on Monday, weakening beyond the 91 mark against the US dollar as global tensions rattled financial markets. The currency slipped to around ₹91.32–₹91.50 per dollar during the day, marking one of its sharpest recent declines.

The fall follows escalating tensions involving Iran, Israel and the United States, which have unsettled investors worldwide. Whenever geopolitical risks rise, global investors typically move money into safe-haven assets like the US dollar. This increases demand for the dollar and weakens emerging market currencies such as the rupee.

A key concern is the impact of the conflict on crude oil supplies. Oil prices jumped amid fears of potential disruption in the Middle East, a region critical to global energy exports. For India, which imports the majority of its crude oil needs, higher oil prices mean a larger import bill. Since oil purchases are made in dollars, this further increases demand for the US currency and adds pressure on the rupee.

The nervousness also spread to Indian equity markets. Benchmark indices opened lower, reflecting cautious investor sentiment. Foreign institutional investors were seen trimming positions, contributing to market volatility.

A weaker rupee can have a direct impact on the economy. Imports such as crude oil, electronics, machinery and fertilisers become more expensive. This can eventually push up prices for businesses and consumers, adding to inflation concerns.

Market participants will now closely track geopolitical developments and crude oil movements.

Also Read: UK approves US use of British bases against Iran

Mohammad Raad, a senior figure in Hezbollah, has reportedly been killed in Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon. Israeli sources said he was targeted during heavy bombardment, though official confirmation from Hezbollah is still awaited.