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Youm-e-Quds rally in Tehran sees protests against Israel and US

Thousands of people gathered in Tehran on Youm-e-Quds to stage a protest march against Israel and the United States. Demonstrators condemned the ongoing Israel–US strikes on Iran and expressed anger over reports that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was targeted in the attacks.

Sasikala announces name of her political party, says will face coming polls in alliance

Weeks after announcing the launch of her political party, expelled AIADMK leader VK Sasikala on Friday announced the name of the organisation-- All India Puratchi Thalaivar Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam.

On February 24, coinciding with late AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa, her close aide Sasikala unveiled the party flag at Kamuthi in Ramanathapuram district.

The new party's symbol will be 'coconut grove', which symbolises unity that she has always strived for, Sasikala told reporters.

To a question, she said the party would face the upcoming Assembly election in alliance.

Four crew members aboard refueling aircraft were killed: US military

Four of the six crew members aboard a US military KC-135 refueling aircraft that crashed in western Iraq have been found dead, the American military said.

The US military's Central Command made the announcement in a statement. “Four of six crew members on board the aircraft have been confirmed deceased as rescue efforts continue,” it said. “The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire.”

Explosions rock Tehran as Israel strikes military sites across Iran

Several huge explosions were heard across central Tehran on Friday, the state media reported. It also added that the strikes had hit an area not far from where a pro-government demonstration was being held. Crowds gathered in Tehran and other major cities to mark Quds Day, the last Friday of Ramadan, in support of the Palestinian cause. 

Meanwhile, the Israeli military said its air force completed several waves of strikes over the past day targeting infrastructure of the Iranian regime in Tehran, Shiraz and Ahvaz simultaneously. The strikes were carried out with guidance from Military Intelligence as part of efforts to deepen damage to the regime’s systems and capabilities.

In Shiraz, Israeli aircraft struck an underground site used for the production and storage of ballistic missiles intended for launch toward Israel. In Tehran, the military said it targeted sites and a central base of the air defense array, along with facilities used to produce combat equipment, air defence systems and ballistic missile components.

West Asia crisis: EAM Jaishankar speaks to Iranian counterpart

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi -- their fourth such conversation since the West Asia crisis began -- as New Delhi intensifies efforts to secure safe passage to 28 merchant vessels currently stationed on either side of the Strait of Hormuz.

The two foreign ministers held the phone conversation on Thursday night. Jaishankar and Araghchi had spoken on February 28, soon after the US and Israel launched the attack on Iran that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. They also spoke on March 5 and March 10.

"Had another conversation with Iranian FM @araghchi yesterday night. Discussed bilateral matters as also BRICS related issues," the external affairs minister said on social media.

The latest phone conversation came as India ramped up efforts to secure safe passage to the Indian-flagged merchant vessels through the strategic shipping route of Strait of Hormuz that has been partially blocked by Tehran following escalation in its conflict with the US and Israel.

An Iranian readout said Araghchi briefed his Indian counterpart on the latest situation "resulting from the aggressions and crimes" committed by the US and Israel against Iran and its consequences on the stability and security of the region and the world.

It said the Iranian foreign minister emphasised to Jaishankar Tehran's firm will to exercise the "legitimate right to self-defence".

Opposition MPs submit notices in both Houses seeking motion for removal of CEC

Opposition MPs have submitted notices in both Houses of Parliament seeking a motion for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, sources said on Friday.

As many as 130 Lok Sabha MPs and 63 Rajya Sabha MPs have signed the notice, a source said. The signatories include members from all the INDIA bloc parties, the source said, including the Aam Aadmi Party, which has also backed the move despite no longer being formally part of the opposition alliance, the source said.

Some independent MPs have also signed the notice, and several others have expressed interest in joining the initiative, the source added.

This is the first time a notice has been moved seeking the removal of the CEC. According to sources, the notice lists seven charges against Kumar, including alleged "partisan and discriminatory conduct in office", "deliberate obstruction of investigation of electoral fraud" and "mass disenfranchisement." The opposition parties have accused the CEC of aiding the ruling BJP on several occasions, especially with the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which they alleged aims to help the saffron party at the Centre.

Bengal state employees stage cease-work over pending dearness allowance

A section of West Bengal government employees held a day-long 'cease-work' agitation on Friday over pending dearness allowance arrears, with commotion breaking out outside Khadya Bhavan in Kolkata. The protest was called by the 'Sangrami Joutha Mancha' forum, which staged demonstrations outside government offices across several districts. Forum leader Bhaskar Ghosh said protesters appealed to colleagues to stay away in solidarity. "We offered red roses to those who came to work, requesting them not to attend office today. Many listened, while those who did not acted as per their conscience," he said.

The forum accused the state government of failing to implement a Supreme Court directive on phased payment of DA arrears on par with central government employees. The apex court had directed the state to pay 25 per cent of DA arrears accumulated between 2008 and 2019 by March 31, but the forum said little visible progress had been made. Ghosh denied allegations that protesters blocked vehicles from entering Khadya Bhavan, claiming "provocations came from a few pro-TMC government employees."

The West Bengal Finance Department responded by issuing a memorandum making attendance compulsory, warning that unauthorised absence would be treated as "dies-non" — resulting in loss of pay and a break in service record. Official sources said attendance remained high at Nabanna secretariat and across block offices, municipalities and panchayats statewide.

The Trinamool Congress-affiliated employees' union claimed attendance was "100 per cent," with employees supporting the "pro-people and pro-government policies" of the Mamata Banerjee administration. BJP Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari extended support to the striking employees, warning that any "vindictive action" by the state government against protesters would not be tolerated.

LPG issue: Lok Sabha proceedings adjourned again amid opposition protests

Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 2 pm on Friday amid relentless protests by opposition members over the LPG situation and hike in its price due to the ongoing West Asia crisis.

As the House reassembled at 12 noon after an earlier adjournment over the same issue, Opposition members trooped into the Well and raised slogans against the government.

After laying of papers, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for refusing to understand the pulse of the people saying if the principal opposition continues to behave in such a manner, people will punish them severely.

"Their leader is refusing to change. Now the members are also behaving like him. Their leader is indulging in drama in Parliament premises by holding plate and glass. They think that by doing such theatrics they will be able to draw the attention of the people, but people know them very well that is why they have not been able to come to power," Rijiju said.

Expressing disappointment over the Congress behaviour, the minister said no one in the Congress party is making their leader see logic.

"Still there is time to change otherwise people of the country will punish you severely," he said.

As the opposition refused to relent, the Chair adjourned the proceedings till 2 pm.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to respond to a debate on the second batch of supplementary demands for grants this afternoon.

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