ADVERTISEMENTThe long-festering, deep-seated malaise erupted into street demonstrations last September, triggered by a social media ban, that brought thousands on the streets, leading to clashes and fatalities that forced the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. They include the country's oldest party, the Nepali Congress led by 49-year-old Gagan Thapa, and the Nepali Communist Party (NCP) comprising former Maoist insurgents who joined mainstream politics. "The election is critical to address the aspirations of the youths expressed during the Gen Z protests," said political analyst Puranjan Acharya. "If the newly elected leaders are seen as unfit to do so, there is a risk of further trouble." "Voting is not just about sending someone to victory," Interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki, who took over after Oli, said in a public broadcast this week.

GIVEN Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s failing health, this was on the cards even when he was sworn in as CM last November after a landslide win for the NDA but decks were being cleared for his exit Wednesday. As the Rajya Sabha term for outgoing MPs ends in April, Nitish may well take time to resign as CM. JD (U) minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary said, “There has been talks about Nitish Kumar going to Rajya Sabha. While there is no official confirmation either from BJP or from JD(U), sources said Nitish had “signed the papers” for his Rajya Sabha nomination. While these discussions were on, the BJP central leadership reportedly advised Nitish Kumar to go to Rajya Sabha and nominate a successor of his choice.

President Donald Trump’s plan to guarantee the free flow of energy shipments through the Persian Gulf met with tepid enthusiasm, as the shipping industry warned the proposal may struggle to restore confidence after attacks effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said on Tuesday the US would offer insurance backstops and naval escorts for commercial vessels transiting the region, seeking to reassure markets rattled by a spiralling conflict involving Iran. Multiple attacks on vessels in recent days have choked off traffic through the narrow waterway, hurting energy consumers such as India. Insurers have largely withdrawn cover for transiting Hormuz, though policies are available for ships stuck in the Gulf, as long as vessels don’t transit. “The core thing shipowners are thinking about is the real risk of loss,” Karnan Thirupathy, partner at Kennedys Law LLP, told Bloomberg.

The general view around Team India in this T20 World Cup is they are yet to be on their A-game. Though beating England at the Wankhede won’t be too easy, India still have a greater chance of reaching the final, believes Temba Bavuma. Also Read India brace for England test as Surya and co chase T20 World Cup final at Wankhede“We chose a crappy game to have a poor night. “It was an important series that we played here in India earlier this year leading into this World Cup. That really helped, especially the black-soil wickets where we played as they helped us to get accustomed to the conditions,” Allen said.

There is an uncanny similarity between India and England in this T20 World Cup. Also Read Abhishek Sharma fights for place as India weigh Rinku call before T20 WC semi-finalHarry Brook is looking at the positives. “We’ve obviously had a lot of tight fixtures and we’ve managed to scrape along,” the England captain said. Like I said, we don’t feel like we’re ever out of a game,” Brook said. I think leaving him alone is probably the best thing to do,” said Brook.” He’s been a powerhouse for many years.

If Mr. Kumar relinquishes his post, the next Chief Minister would be from the BJP. We’ll support him even if he goes to the Rajya Sabha.”Party sources said Mr. Kumar could file his nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha on Thursday morning. “If Mr. Kumar relinquishes his post, it will be a regime change in the State after 20 years. In the 243-member State Assembly, a candidate needs the support of 41 MLAs to secure a Rajya Sabha seat. Of the total 16 Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar, five seats are falling vacant on April 9.

A day after Abhishek Sharma’s first half-ce­ntury in a World Cup, mentor Yuvraj Singh’s words of encouragement went viral on social media. Good Innings sir Abhishek, keep pushing.” Yuvraj wrote on his Instagram Story. But the 25-year-old was drowned by another setback (10 off 11 balls) versus the West Indies at Eden Gardens. Abhishek came into this T20 World Cup as the most destructive and fearless opener, but now is on the verge of losing his top spot in the rankings. Also Read India brace for England test as Surya and co chase T20 World Cup final at WankhedeSanju Samson’s innings against the West Indies could also save Abhishek’s place in the team.

लेखक के बारे में दिल प्रकाश दिल प्रकाश, नवभारत टाइम्स डिजिटल में असिस्टेंट एडिटर है। वह 20 साल से भी अधिक समय से पत्रकारिता से जुड़े हैं। इस दौरान उन्होंने खेल, राजनीति, संसद, रक्षा और बिजनस जैसे कई विषयों पर रिपोर्टिंग की है। दिल प्रकाश पांच साल से भी अधिक समय से एनबीटी डिजिटल के साथ जुड़े हैं। इससे पहले वह यूनीवार्ता और बिजनस स्टैंडर्ड में काम कर चुके हैं। साथ ही उन्होंने बीबीसी में भी आउटसाइड कंट्रीब्यूटर के रूप में काम किया है। दिल प्रकाश ने नई दिल्ली के भारतीय विद्या भवन संस्थान से पत्रकारिता में पीजी डिप्लोमा किया है।... और पढ़ें

The Election Commission on Tuesday decided to put a monitoring system in place to ensure the proper utilisation of central forces deployed during the Bengal Assembly polls. So far, the EC depended entirely on the state administration for the proper utilisation of central forces. This is the first time the EC is initiating measures to monitor the movement and actions of the forces, sources said. The EC requested the Centre to deploy 480 companies of central forces in Bengal by March 10 even before the election dates were declared. The way the EC is taking up strict measures to monitor central forces in Bengal from the start, a heavy deployment of central forces is expected during the polls," said an EC source.

The rupee fell 67 paise to close at an all-time low of 92.16 against the US dollar. ADVERTISEMENTIn the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 92.05 and slid to an intraday record low of 92.35 before settling at 92.16. Elevated crude prices will continue to weigh on the rupee, with the Strait of Hormuz situation remaining the key variable. Any prolonged disruption could push oil prices higher and drive USD-INR upward. Foreign portfolio inflows, which showed signs of recovery in February, could reverse amid currency volatility.

The touch of individual brilliance has always been starkly prominent in the Surya-led team’s path to the semi-finals despite Gautam Gambhir’s talk of team game. And if at any time we feel we’re under pressure, make sure we take the positive move. England are still in search of their perfect game despite having won all their Super Eight matches. “I don’t believe that we need a perfect game to win the competition, to be honest. “That is something we haven’t really spoken about, the perfect game.

The ministries of external affairs (MEA), home affairs (MHA), finance (MoF) and rural development (MoRD) have been shifted to Kartavya Bhavan 3. Currently, the education and culture ministries are being shifted from the Shastri Bhavan to Kartavya Bhavans 1 and 2. The Central Secretariat Library (CSL) in Shastri Bhavan, the biggest among all libraries of Union ministries and departments, has been provided a meagre 300 square metre space in Kartavya Bhavan 2. The CSL and Shastri Bhavan buildings are set to be demolished soon. The Telegraph had sent an email to MoHUA secretary Katikithala Srinivas on March 3 seeking his comment on the dearth of facilities in the Kartavya Bhavan buildings.

In the early hours of February 21, wedding celebrations were in full swing at the Kanwar house at Manai village near Jodhpur city. Sisters Shobha (25) and Vimla (23) Kanwar were to be married to two cousin brothers. “They never told us anything, not even their sisters… We are not monsters to have forcibly married them off,” says Soori. The village the cousins who were to be grooms belong to is Jaimala near Pokharan, about 3 hours from Manai. Hence, Vijay says, while one of the cousins married a woman from Khetolai in Bikaner, the other wed a woman belonging to Deria Maria in Jodhpur district.

अगर बिना किसी कंपनी की मदद के अमेरिका में बसना है, तो फिर EB-2 NIW वीजा भारतीयों के लिए बेस्ट है। EB-2 के तहत अमेरिका में ग्रीन कार्ड (PR) मिलता है, लेकिन ये किसी वर्कर को तभी मिल पाता है, जब कंपनी ये साबित करे कि वर्कर की जगह काम करने वाला कोई दूसरा अमेरिकी कर्मचारी नहीं है। लेकिन जैसे ही इसमें 'नेशनल इंटरेस्ट वेवर' (NIW) जुड़ जाता है, तो फिर EB-2 NIW कैटेगरी बन जाती है। इसका मतलब हो जाता है कि अमेरिकी सरकार विदेशी वर्कर को ग्रीन कार्ड देने के लिए छूट दे रही है, क्योंकि वह अमेरिका आकर जो काम करने वाला है, वह देश हित में है।इस वीजा को लेने के लिए पहले वर्कर को साबित करना होता है, उसके पास मास्टर डिग्री या पीएचडी है। अगर बैचलर्स डिग्री है, तो फिर उसके साथ 5 साल का वर्क एक्सपीरियंस भी जरूरी है। इसके अलावा अगर किसी के पास डिग्री नहीं है, तो वह इस तरह से भी अपनी योग्यता साबित कर सकता है कि उसके पास अपनी फील्ड की सबसे ज्यादा नॉलेज है। इसे वह 10 साल से ज्यादा वर्क एक्सपीरियंस, कोई खास लाइसेंस या कोई बड़े पुरस्कार के माध्यम से साबित कर सकता है। साथ ही उसे ये भी साबित करना होगा कि वह जिस काम को कर रहा है, वह अमेरिका के हित में है। (फोटो- Freepik)

A transgender person participates along with others during Holi festival celebrations at the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple complex in Mathura, India, on Feb. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)A member of transgender community dances during Holi festival celebrations at the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple complex in Mathura, India, on Feb. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)Devotees smeared with colors watch artists perform during Holi festival celebrations at the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple complex in Mathura, India, on Feb. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)Members of transgender community dance during Holi festival celebrations at the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple complex in Mathura, India, on Feb. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)Revelers dance in a street during a procession celebrating the Holi festival in Mathura, India, on Feb. 27, 2026.