British Bomb Disposal Expert Injured in Gaza UN Facility Attack

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 11:04am on 20 Mar 2025,Thursday International

A 51-year-old British bomb disposal expert was injured in an explosion at a UN facility in Gaza’s Deir al-Balah, which also killed a UN worker. The Mines Advisory Group said he was assessing explosive hazards when the incident occurred. Israel denied targeting the site, while Gaza’s health ministry blamed an Israeli strike. UN officials condemned attacks on humanitarian workers, calling it a breach of international law. The injured expert was initially treated in Gaza and later moved to Israel. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged Israeli "restraint" in a call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Read More at BBC

X Sues Indian Government Over IT Act Misuse, Calls Sahyog a ‘Censorship Portal’ and Alleges Arbitrary Content Blocking

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 10:59am on 20 Mar 2025,Thursday International

Elon Musk’s X has sued the Indian government in the Karnataka High Court, alleging misuse of Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act to block content arbitrarily. X argues the provision does not grant blocking powers, bypassing safeguards under Section 69A. The company claims the government's actions threaten free speech and harm its business. X also opposes joining the Sahyog portal, calling it a “Censorship Portal.” The court advised X to return if punitive action is taken. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) denies wrongdoing, but X provided evidence of content-blocking orders from various ministries.

Read More at India Today

Chhattisgarh: 22 Maoists, 1 Security Personnel Killed in Bijapur, Kanker Encounters

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 10:49am on 20 Mar 2025,Thursday India

At least 22 Maoists were killed in two encounters with security forces in Chhattisgarh, officials said. In Bijapur, 18 Maoists and one security personnel were killed, while four Maoists died in Kanker. The joint operation by BSF and DRG personnel recovered a large cache of weapons. Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed the action as part of a "Naxal Mukt Bharat Abhiyan," reiterating the government's zero-tolerance policy. The latest deaths bring the 2025 toll to 81 Maoists. Clashes and search operations continue in the region.

Read More at Hindustan Times

At Least 55 Killed as Israel Resumes Strikes on Gaza

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 10:47am on 20 Mar 2025,Thursday International

At least 55 Palestinians were killed in overnight Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, according to the Hamas-run civil defense agency. The attacks come as Israel resumes its military campaign, which has killed over 48,500 Palestinians, per Hamas health officials. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced "targeted ground activities" in Gaza to create a buffer zone. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared combat had resumed “in full force,” warning of intensified strikes until Hamas releases 59 remaining hostages. Ceasefire talks collapsed as Hamas rejected Israel’s terms. Israel has also blocked essential supplies to Gaza since early March.

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Neil deGrasse Tyson Praises India’s Space Ambitions, Cites PM Modi’s Vision

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 10:44am on 20 Mar 2025,Thursday Science

Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson lauded India's space program, emphasizing its efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Speaking to NDTV, he praised ISRO’s 2023 Moon landing and noted that India's funding for space exploration, as a percentage of government spending, is similar to NASA’s. Tyson also revealed his conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi about integrating private enterprises into India’s space sector. He cited China’s independent space advancements as an example of ambition-driven progress. “What matters are your ambitions; resources determine speed,” he said, encouraging India's continued strides in space exploration.

Read More at NDTV

Kalki Koechlin Calls Israel-Gaza Conflict 'Genocide', Criticizes Israeli Government

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 10:42am on 20 Mar 2025,Thursday Entertainment

Actor Kalki Koechlin expressed heartbreak over Israel’s latest airstrikes on Gaza, calling it a "genocide of a people." In an Instagram post, she stated that the Israeli government chose war over a ceasefire and political solutions. She also remarked, "Hamas will cynically celebrate each death of an Israeli." Kalki shared a photo with a broken heart emoji, emphasizing the suffering of Palestinians and hostages' families. Her post has sparked debates online, with some supporting her stance and others criticizing it. The ongoing conflict has led to renewed calls for ceasefire and humanitarian aid.

Read More at India Today

Allahabad HC Rules Grabbing Breasts, Breaking Pyjama String Not Attempt To Rape

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 07:23am on 20 Mar 2025,Thursday India

The Allahabad High Court ruled that grabbing a woman’s breasts and breaking her pyjama string does not constitute an attempt to rape. Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra differentiated between "preparation" and an "actual attempt" while modifying charges against two accused in the alleged assault of an 11-year-old girl. The lower court had framed charges under IPC Section 376 and POCSO Act, but the HC downgraded them to Section 354-B and Sections 9/10 of the POCSO Act. The court found no evidence of intent to commit rape, stating the act did not go beyond preparation.The Allahabad High Court ruled that grabbing a woman’s breasts and breaking her pyjama string does not constitute an attempt to rape. Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra differentiated between "preparation" and an "actual attempt" while modifying charges against two accused in the alleged assault of an 11-year-old girl. The lower court had framed charges under IPC Section 376 and POCSO Act, but the HC downgraded them to Section 354-B and Sections 9/10 of the POCSO Act. The court found no evidence of intent to commit rape, stating the act did not go beyond preparation.

Read More at News18

BCCI Announces ₹58 Crore Reward for Team India After Champions Trophy Victory

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 07:11am on 20 Mar 2025,Thursday Sports

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a ₹58 crore cash reward for Team India after winning the Champions Trophy 2025. Rohit Sharma’s men defeated New Zealand in the final, securing India’s third title in tournament history. BCCI President Roger Binny praised the team’s dedication, while Vice-President Rajeev Shukla lauded their composure under pressure. India’s campaign included victories over Bangladesh, Pakistan, Australia, and New Zealand. Shreyas Iyer was India's top scorer with 243 runs, while Mohammed Shami and Varun Chakravarthy were the highest wicket-takers with 9 each.

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New Zealand PM Plays Street Cricket With Kapil Dev in Delhi, Impresses With Stunning Catches

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:59am on 20 Mar 2025,Thursday India Global

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon played street cricket with Kapil Dev in New Delhi, teaming up against Ross Taylor and Ajaz Patel. Luxon stole the show with two stunning slip catches, leaving Taylor and Patel amused. Sharing the video, he captioned, "Working hard in India to hit it out of the park for Kiwis." Luxon also met Indian PM Narendra Modi, exchanging lighthearted banter about India's Champions Trophy 2025 victory over New Zealand. He praised India’s cricket dominance but humorously avoided a "diplomatic incident" by not discussing their 3-0 Test series win over India last year.

Read More at NDTV

Trump Suggests US Could Run Ukraine’s Power Plants After Call With Zelensky

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:27am on 20 Mar 2025,Thursday International

US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held an hour-long call discussing ceasefire efforts and Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Trump proposed possible US ownership of Ukraine’s power plants, which Zelensky later clarified was only regarding the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia facility. The discussion followed Trump’s call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who rejected a 30-day ceasefire proposal. Meanwhile, Ukraine and Russia exchanged 175 POWs each, with Kyiv receiving 22 severely wounded soldiers. Despite ongoing talks, both nations accused each other of continued attacks on energy infrastructure. Technical teams from Ukraine and the US will meet in Saudi Arabia soon.

Read More at BBC

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