From powerhouse to periphery: The collapse of heavy-industry hub in Bengal

Jayanta Bhattacharya | March 13, 2026 1:01 PM

Asansol, March 13 (IANS) Asansol-Durgapur, in West Bengal’s Paschim Bardhaman district, once one of eastern India’s most important heavy industrial belts with steel and engineering works and built on the Raniganj coalfield, has seen large‑scale industrial decline, mine closures, and restructuring since the late 20th century. Today, the region still hosts active coal and steel operations but faces deindustrialisation, job losses, and a gradual shift towards services and smaller industries

Kirti Azad backs Oppn's impeachment bid against CEC Gyanesh Kumar

IANS | March 13, 2026 1:01 PM

New Delhi, March 13 (IANS) Trinamool Congress MP, Kirti Azad, on Friday backed the move to bring an impeachment motion against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that the poll body chief had acted in a partisan manner in several elections.

ISI eyes high-ranking officials in planned honeytrap spy network

Vicky Nanjappa | March 13, 2026 12:21 PM

New Delhi, March 13 (IANS) The ISI is engaging India in an unconventional battle whereby it is using social media to pull out sensitive information.

PM Modi congratulates Jose Antonio Kast on assuming Chile’s presidency, says he looks forward to working closely

IANS | March 13, 2026 12:07 PM

New Delhi, March 13 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated Jose Antonio Kast Rist on taking oath as the President of Chile and expressed hope of further strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries.

Dubey challenges Cong, LoP Gandhi on implementation of national projects between 1974-2014

IANS | March 13, 2026 11:59 AM

New Delhi, March 13 (IANS) BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Friday challenged the Congress party and Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi to present evidence of any significant implementation of key national development projects between 1974 and 2014, when the party was in power.

SC refuses to entertain plea seeking mandatory menstrual leave policy

IANS | March 13, 2026 11:56 AM

New Delhi, March 13 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Friday declined to entertain a plea seeking mandatory menstrual leave for working women and female students across the country, observing that such a matter falls within the domain of government policy.

Former Babri Masjid litigant Iqbal Ansari welcomes President Murmu's upcoming Ayodhya visit

IANS | March 13, 2026 11:38 AM

Ayodhya, March 13 (IANS) President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to visit Ayodhya on March 19 to participate in a series of religious ceremonies at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya as part of special celebrations marking the Hindu New Year. Ahead of the occasion, former Babri Masjid litigant Iqbal Ansari said, "Ayodhya is a sacred city. It is the city of Lord Ram. People with good fortune get to visit here. We are happy that the President is visiting here. She is also fortunate to come here."

Congress questions govt’s 'silence' on Ayatollah Khamenei's assassination

IANS | March 13, 2026 11:00 AM

New Delhi, March 13 (IANS) The Congress party on Friday expressed its disapproval of the government's reaction to the recent assassination of Ayatollah Khamenei, claiming that there has been a lack of response regarding the matter, and even Parliament has failed to make an obituary reference.

Rajya Sabha cross-voting worries: Odisha Congress MLAs shifted to Bengaluru resort

IANS | March 13, 2026 9:32 AM

Bengaluru, March 13 (IANS) Amid fears of cross-voting in the upcoming Rajya Sabha election in Odisha, the Congress party has shifted its MLAs to Bengaluru in a move widely seen as part of “resort politics” to keep its legislators together.

PM Modi to release 22nd installment of PM-Kisan today

IANS | March 13, 2026 8:12 AM

New Delhi, March 13 (IANS) The 22nd installment of the government’s flagship farmer support scheme, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan), will be released on Friday, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced.

Politics

From powerhouse to periphery: The collapse of heavy-industry hub in Bengal

Kirti Azad backs Oppn's impeachment bid against CEC Gyanesh Kumar

ISI eyes high-ranking officials in planned honeytrap spy network

PM Modi congratulates Jose Antonio Kast on assuming Chile’s presidency, says he looks forward to working closely

Dubey challenges Cong, LoP Gandhi on implementation of national projects between 1974-2014

SC refuses to entertain plea seeking mandatory menstrual leave policy

Former Babri Masjid litigant Iqbal Ansari welcomes President Murmu's upcoming Ayodhya visit

Congress questions govt’s 'silence' on Ayatollah Khamenei's assassination

Rajya Sabha cross-voting worries: Odisha Congress MLAs shifted to Bengaluru resort

PM Modi to release 22nd installment of PM-Kisan today

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