Congress MPs staged a protest on Wednesday in the Parliament premises over the alleged shortage of commercial LPG cylinders across the country. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also joined the demonstration. Opposition MPs carried banners and raised slogans while demanding that the government address the issue and hold a discussion in Parliament. Leaders from the INDIA bloc called for an immediate debate on the reported LPG shortage, which they said has been aggravated by the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat demanded a detailed discussion on the situation in West Asia and criticized the central government for failing to handle the situation properly. He said that the government had earlier promised to reduce dependence on imports but the country still relies heavily on foreign supplies. According to him, the impact of the conflict has already started affecting energy supplies and the government must explain its plan to deal with the situation.
The shortage of LPG has emerged amid global energy supply disruptions triggered by the conflict in West Asia. In response, the Union government has invoked the Essential Commodities Act to prioritize domestic LPG distribution. Higher allocations have been reserved for households, hospitals, and other essential services, while commercial distribution has been restricted in several regions. The government has also introduced a 25 day mandatory gap between bookings for domestic LPG refills.
Congress MP Pramod Tiwari also criticized the Centre, stating that the government failed to anticipate the risks arising from the West Asia conflict. CPI M MP V Sivadasan said the issue would be raised both inside and outside Parliament, claiming that many hotels and families are suffering due to the shortage. CPI MP P Sandosh Kumar also submitted a notice in the Rajya Sabha seeking a discussion on the issue.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
The Indian Army and the French Army held a Subject Matter Expert Exchange on March 9 and 10 to strengthen military cooperation and improve understanding of modern warfare developments. The discussions focused on key operational areas relevant to current battlefields, particularly the use of Long Range Vectors and Precision Guided Munitions. These engagements allow defence professionals from partner nations to share operational knowledge, doctrinal perspectives and technological advancements influencing modern conflicts.
The Additional Directorate General of Public Information of the Indian Army said the exchange centred on the operational use of long range strike systems and precision weapons in contemporary warfare. Delegations from both armies shared insights on operational applications, doctrinal evolution and global trends related to precision strike and deep strike capabilities, helping to strengthen professional learning and defence cooperation.
The interaction also highlighted the growing significance of precision strike systems in modern military operations. Long Range Vectors and Precision Guided Munitions enable forces to carry out accurate attacks on strategic targets while reducing collateral damage. Experts from both countries discussed operational experiences, emerging technologies and doctrinal changes shaping the use of such systems in present day conflicts.
Subject Matter Expert Exchanges are aimed at enhancing professional understanding between partner armies and improving interoperability. These interactions also help militaries remain informed about evolving global defence trends, technological innovations and strategic thinking that influence military planning.
India’s High Commissioner to the Maldives, G Balasubramanian, met Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi to discuss strengthening the India Maldives strategic partnership. According to the Indian Army, the meeting reviewed the evolving regional security environment and explored ways to deepen defence and diplomatic cooperation, while highlighting the importance of continued engagement to maintain stability and security in the Indian Ocean region.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from @adgpi.
Piyush Goyal, the Union Minister, said that India is not facing any fuel shortage despite rising uncertainty in global energy markets caused by the ongoing tensions in West Asia. Speaking to reporters in Tiruchirappalli, he stated that the government is carefully monitoring the situation and taking necessary measures to ensure uninterrupted fuel availability across the country. He added that authorities remain alert and relevant departments are continuously reviewing developments to protect domestic supply chains.
Goyal noted that while a serious conflict is underway, officials are closely observing the situation and will keep the public informed whenever required. He emphasised that there is currently no shortage of fuel in the country. His remarks come after the government invoked the Essential Commodities Act to stabilise the domestic energy market amid global supply concerns. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas also issued a directive asking refineries and petrochemical units to increase the production of liquefied petroleum gas and redirect key hydrocarbon streams to maintain adequate cooking gas supply nationwide.
Under the revised allocation framework, households have been given top priority for natural gas distribution. The government has guaranteed full supply of piped natural gas for homes and compressed natural gas for vehicles. Other sectors will receive regulated supplies based on their consumption patterns from the past six months.
Industries such as tea processing units and other manufacturing facilities connected to the gas grid will receive about eighty percent of their usual supply. Industrial and commercial consumers are also limited to the same level, while fertiliser plants have been allocated around seventy percent of their average consumption.
Officials said the redistribution plan also includes a reduction in natural gas supply from refineries and petrochemical plants by about thirty five percent in order to prioritise essential domestic needs. The decision comes as India deals with logistical challenges linked to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route through which a large share of the country’s natural gas imports normally pass. To manage possible short term shortages, the government is exploring alternative trade routes for natural gas procurement while ensuring that LPG availability for households remains a priority during the ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.
Tensions in the Persian Gulf boiled over this week as U.S. forces launched precision strikes, destroying 16 Iranian vessels caught red-handed preparing to lay naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz. The Pentagon confirmed the operation Tuesday, calling it a critical move to safeguard one of the world's busiest oil shipping lanes.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that the targeted boats—linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)—were positioned near the strait, ready to deploy explosives that could cripple global energy flows. Strike footage circulating online shows fiery explosions lighting up the night as American warships and aircraft neutralized the threat in a swift, coordinated assault. Officials emphasized the action was purely defensive, based on solid intelligence of an imminent mining operation. "We won't let anyone turn the Hormuz Strait into a war zone," a CENTCOM spokesperson stated, underscoring America's long-standing commitment to freedom of navigation.
The strikes came days after President Donald Trump issued a stark public ultimatum on Truth Social, vowing overwhelming retaliation if Iran dared to mine the strait. His post highlighted the destruction of several "inactive" mine-layers too, signaling U.S. readiness to dismantle Iran's full arsenal. This isn't the first time Hormuz has been a flashpoint. Iran has long touted the strait as its ace in the hole, threatening to choke off oil exports during U.S. sanctions or regional clashes—much like veiled warnings in past flare-ups with tankers in 2019.
Narrower than the English Channel and handling 20% of the world's oil, the Strait of Hormuz is a chokepoint no one wants disrupted. A single mine could spike insurance premiums, reroute supertankers, and send crude prices soaring overnight—hitting economies from India to Europe hard. Iran's losses here strip away key assets, but experts note mines are cheap and sneaky; smaller boats could still pose risks. Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports of a container ship strike off the UAE add fuel to fears of tit-for-tat escalation.
Oil futures ticked up 2% post-strikes, with traders eyeing any Iranian counter-moves. Gulf allies like Saudi Arabia and the UAE are bolstering defenses, while shipping firms plot contingency routes around Africa if needed. The U.S. vows ongoing patrols to keep the strait open. As one analyst put it, "This was a shot across the bow—Tehran now knows the cost of playing minesweeper in Hormuz." For now, the Gulf simmers, but the message is clear: traffic flows, or consequences follow.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.
Two drones struck areas near Dubai International Airport, injuring four people but causing no fatalities, authorities said. Air traffic remains normal. The attack comes amid Iran’s ongoing retaliatory campaign, Operation True Promise 4, following US-Israel strikes. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reported its 37th wave targeted sites in Iraq, Bahrain, and Israel with heavy missiles. Nearly half of the 300 missiles fired at Israel carried cluster warheads; most were intercepted, with one exploding in an open area near Jerusalem. Iran’s strikes across the region have killed 12 in Israel and wounded over 2,000, according to Israeli health authorities.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
On Tuesday morning, the prime minister revealed that Australia will be deploying aircraft, missiles, and personnel to the Gulf amid ongoing conflict in the region. However, Anthony Albanese insists this does not imply that Australia is participating in the war or officially at war. Reged Ahmad discusses with Josh Butler whether Australia is being drawn into what he calls Trump’s “war of choice.”
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian
After days of uncertainty, five members of the Iranian women’s football team were officially granted protection in Australia by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke early Tuesday morning. The remaining players are still being monitored by officials as they make their way to the airport, with the possibility of returning to Iran. Women’s football journalist Samantha Lewis talks with Nour Haydar about the behind-the-scenes efforts that ensured the women could stay in Australia, the prospects for other players, and what the next steps might be.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
Oil prices have jumped significantly as tensions in the Middle East intensify, with concerns over potential supply disruptions pushing crude prices up by double digits. If this upward trend persists, rising energy costs could reignite inflation and affect transportation, manufacturing, and household expenses globally. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman examine how various countries are stockpiling oil, diversifying their supplies, and managing the impact of higher prices, including insights from Vandana Hari, Founder of Vanda Insights.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
Our system of mental health diagnosis and labeling has provided clear benefits, helping people access treatment and understand their conditions. However, as a practicing doctor, I am concerned that overdiagnosis and excessive labeling may be causing more harm than good, potentially stigmatizing patients and oversimplifying complex mental health experiences.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
