The Congress-led Telangana government has allowed Muslim state employees to leave work an hour early during Ramzan, from March 2 to March 31. The BJP has criticised this move, calling it an appeasement tactic for the Muslim community. BJP leaders argue the government does not offer similar concessions for Hindu or Jain festivals.
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Over 500 Indians have been pardoned in the UAE ahead of Ramzan. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum have ordered the release of numerous inmates, aiming to alleviate their burdens and foster family stability.
With the RBI reducing repo rates, fixed deposit interest rates are expected to fall. Experts advise investors to act quickly and lock in higher rates, especially in longer-term FDs, to maximize returns before further reductions occur.
Srinagar, Kashmir, experienced its coldest December night in nearly 50 years as temperatures plummeted to -8.5°C during the start of Chillai Kalan, the harshest 40-day winter period. Widespread power outages have forced residents to rely on traditional heating methods like wood-fired 'hamams' and 'kangris'.
President Trump, in his Davos speech, urges global companies to manufacture in the US with promises of significant tax cuts and reduced regulations, while warning of tariffs otherwise. He also addresses the Ukraine conflict, advocating for lower oil prices as a solution, and emphasizes preserving free speech and a merit-based system domestically.
Delhi has experienced 446 earthquakes between 1993 and 2025 within 50km of Monday's epicentre. The National Centre for Seismology reported that the recent 4.0 magnitude quake felt more intense due to its shallow depth. Past significant earthquakes include those in 2007 and 2020, with no casualties reported in the latest event.
In Amravati, a 22-day-old infant was branded 65 times with a hot sickle due to superstitious beliefs for breathing issues. The baby is in critical condition and undergoing treatment at the ICU. Authorities need to curb such dangerous practices and promote scientific medical care in the tribal Melghat region.
The Gujarat high court cited Pink Floyd lyrics to highlight the customs department's decade-long inaction on show-cause notices issued to Rohan Dyes and Intermediates Ltd in 2009. The court quashed the notices due to the prolonged delay and criticized the authorities for failing to resolve the case since personal hearings in 2012.
Two young sisters, Pihu Kashyap (4) and Jhanvi Kashyap (2), died after being hit by a speeding Amritsar Jan Shatabdi Express train in Rampur, UP while playing near a railway track. Their father is a daily wage laborer. Authorities are advising residents to prevent children from playing near the tracks.
A 25-day blackout in Soraha village, Budaun district, ended as a new transformer was installed after the old one was stolen. The villagers, particularly students and farmers, endured freezing nights without electricity. The replacement transformer was fast-tracked following a news report highlighting their plight. Villagers expressed relief as power was restored.
The US Federal Reserve has decided to keep the benchmark interest rate in the 4.25-4.5% range, while monitoring economic data and risks. Economic uncertainty has risen amid policy changes under President Trump.