The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has temporarily shut down its gas-based crematorium furnaces following directives from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. The ministry has prioritized propane and butane supplies for domestic LPG consumption amid the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, which has disrupted global fuel supply chains.
In a press release, the PMC stated that on March 5, 2026, the ministry instructed that the country’s available propane and butane be primarily allocated for household use. As a result, gas-fueled cremation furnaces in Pune will remain suspended from March 5 until further notice. The civic body assured that alternative cremation facilities will continue operating to prevent public inconvenience. At the Vaikunth Crematorium, while the three gas-based furnaces are temporarily inactive, five electric cremation furnaces will remain functional for public use. Additionally, electric crematoriums and units with Air Pollution Control (APC) technology across Pune will continue operations.
PMC officials emphasized that the temporary suspension is necessary to ensure adequate LPG supply for households, highlighting the broader impact of the Middle East crisis on energy availability. Residents have been urged to cooperate with municipal authorities during this period and plan accordingly for cremation services.
The PMC’s move underscores the balancing act between essential household energy needs and civic services reliant on LPG. While gas-based crematoriums remain offline, the city’s electric and APC-equipped cremation facilities are expected to meet the needs of the public, ensuring uninterrupted access to necessary services during the supply prioritization. The PMC has called on residents to take note of these temporary changes and thanked the public for their understanding and cooperation as the city navigates the fuel supply challenges brought about by the ongoing international crisis.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
The seventh edition of the India-Japan Joint Military Exercise, Dharma Guardian 2026, was held at the Foreign Training Node in Chaubattia, Uttarakhand, from February 24 to March 8. Since 2018, the annual exercise has alternated between India and Japan, serving as a key pillar of defence cooperation between the two nations. Its significance has grown in light of shared security concerns and the changing dynamics of global terrorism. The closing ceremony, held yesterday, marked the successful completion of intensive joint training between the Indian Army and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), underscoring the deepening strategic partnership and reaffirming both nations’ commitment to regional peace, stability, and strengthened defence collaboration.
During the exercise, troops from both countries focused on improving interoperability and joint operational capabilities, with an emphasis on counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism, urban warfare, and complex-terrain combat drills. The training provided opportunities to exchange best practices, operational procedures, and professional expertise, while enhancing physical fitness, marksmanship, and fieldcraft. It also fostered camaraderie through meaningful cultural interactions and exposure to each other’s traditions.
A highlight of Dharma Guardian 2026 was Exercise ASAHI SHAKTI, conducted as a Validation Exercise to assess the standards achieved during training. This 48-hour field exercise simulated operational scenarios in the Chaubattia region, where joint forces executed operations against terrorists. Activities included terrain analysis, establishing a Company Operating Base, intelligence gathering via patrols and ambushes, cordon and search operations, special heliborne missions, room intervention, and hostage rescue drills. Advanced surveillance technologies, including drones, enhanced situational awareness, coordination, and operational efficiency.
The closing ceremony was attended by Major General Tsunehiro Yanagida, Vice Commanding General, 1st Division, JGSDF, and Major General Sudhanshu Sharma, SM, VSM, Chief of Staff, Headquarters 14 Corps, representing the Indian Army. The successful conclusion of Dharma Guardian 2026 highlights the growing India-Japan defence partnership and their shared determination to address contemporary security challenges collaboratively.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Monday demanded a discussion in the Lok Sabha on the ongoing West Asia conflict, pressing the government to clarify its foreign policy and alleging that India is acting under pressure from the United States. Addressing reporters outside Parliament, Yadav stressed that the government should explain its approach, particularly given the large number of Indians living and working in Gulf countries. He raised concerns about the safety of these citizens amid the escalating tensions.
He also highlighted that several journalists who accompanied Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent Israel visit are now stranded in the region, forced into covering the conflict as war correspondents. “A large number of Indians are stuck in Gulf countries. Journalists who went with the prime minister to Israel as political reporters are now functioning as war journalists. How will they return?” he asked.
Criticising the Centre’s foreign policy, Yadav alleged that India is following US directives rather than acting independently. “While we speak of becoming Atmanirbhar, we are simultaneously taking instructions from the US. It is dictating how much oil we can buy and for how long,” he said.
Urging a parliamentary debate, Yadav called on the government to clearly explain its stance on the West Asia conflict and India’s broader foreign policy. “There must be a discussion on these issues and the manner in which the government has managed its foreign policy,” he added. Yadav’s statements reflect growing political scrutiny over India’s approach to the conflict, with opposition parties pressing for transparency on the safety of Indians abroad and the country’s strategic decisions in the region.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.
India has sent a humanitarian shipment of 1,000 metric tons of rice to Malawi to help the country address food shortages caused by drought linked to the El Niño climate phenomenon. This aid underscores India’s ongoing commitment to supporting developing nations and fostering cooperation within the Global South. The rice was dispatched from Nhava Sheva Port in Maharashtra and aims to provide immediate relief to Malawian communities affected by severe drought and crop failures.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted the initiative on X, stating, “India-Malawi partnership for food security. To support Malawi’s efforts following the drought caused by the El Niño effect, India has sent a humanitarian consignment of 1,000 metric tons of rice from Nhava Sheva Port to the people of Malawi. This reiterates India’s commitment to assisting partners in the Global South and promoting South-South cooperation.”
The El Niño weather pattern has disrupted rainfall across parts of southern Africa, including Malawi, reducing agricultural output and increasing food insecurity. El Niño occurs when sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean become warmer than usual, weakening trade winds and altering global weather patterns. While it can bring heavy rains and flooding to South America and the southern United States, regions like Australia, Indonesia, and India often face droughts. The phenomenon occurs every two to seven years, lasting several months, and has wide-ranging impacts on agriculture, fisheries, and ecosystems worldwide. Malawi, a landlocked country in southeastern Africa, depends heavily on agriculture for food security and economic stability. Prolonged dry spells associated with El Niño have severely affected maize production, the nation’s staple crop, leaving millions at risk of food shortages.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from @MEAIndia.
Israeli troops are stationed atop a tank on Israel’s border with Lebanon amid escalating tensions with Hezbollah. This deployment comes as the United States and Israel continue their close cooperation, signaling readiness for potential conflict while maintaining strategic coordination. The situation underscores growing regional instability and the ongoing security challenges Israel faces along its northern frontier.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
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.
Amid rising tensions in the U.S.–Israel–Iran conflict, airlines are diverting flights away from major Middle East routes that connect Asia and Europe. This shift raises the question: could new aviation hubs emerge beyond established centers like Dubai and Doha? How might this affect ticket costs, cargo transport, and the broader landscape of global air travel? Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman explore these issues with Shantanu Gangakhedkar, Principal Consultant and Commercial Aviation Lead at Frost & Sullivan.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
The Middle East conflict is intensifying rapidly, with reports of casualties and damage in at least nine countries within just 10 hours. Israeli and US aircraft have carried out new strikes across Iran, while Iranian missiles and drones target US-allied Gulf states. Nosheen Iqbal talks with Jamie Wilson, the Guardian’s head of international news – watch the discussion on YouTube.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
