No ‘Padmar ilish’ in Kolkata this Puja as Bangladesh stops Hasina’s ‘hilsa diplomacy’

Minister for Tourism and Culture Kandula Durgesh announced plans to explore the tourism potential of Buddhist sites in Andhra Pradesh at the International Tourismus-Borse in Berlin. The State aims to showcase its cultural heritage and attract global investors through partnerships. Additionally, efforts are underway to obtain the Blue Flag tag for Kakinada and Bapatla beaches, while tourism summits will be held in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai. Full Article

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) detected 17 Chinese military aircraft, eight naval vessels, and three official ships near the country, with 15 sorties crossing the Taiwan Strait's median line into its Air Defence Identification Zone. In response, Taiwan's armed forces deployed aircraft, naval ships, and coastal missile systems to monitor the situation. This escalation follows a pattern of increased Chinese activity around Taiwan, sparking concerns over regional stability amid Beijing's persistent claims over the...

Rescuers in Dehradun resumed the search for 22 trapped labourers in Mana village after 33 were rescued from an avalanche. Choppers may be used for the operation if weather conditions allow, with private and IAF helicopters on standby. Army and ITBP personnel are leading the rescue efforts, hoping for improved weather to speed up the search for the missing workers. Full Article

A tense situation unfolded along the Indo-Bangladesh border in Sepahijala district on February 28, as a group of 20-25 Bangladeshi miscreants intruded into Indian territory near Border Pillar (BP) reference 2050/7-S in the BOP Putia area. The miscreants engaged in smuggling activities and violently attacked Border Security Force (BSF) personnel, resulting in injuries to one BSF Jawan, who fired a non-lethal PAG round in self-defense, causing injuries to one Bangladeshi national. Both injured parties were...

Hamas called on the international community to pressure Israel to promptly enter the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire as the first phase was set to expire. The group emphasized the need for Israel to fully commit to the agreement without delay or hesitation. Hamas stated that Israel must adhere to its role in the ceasefire agreement to ensure peace and stability in the region. Full Article

India's Air Chief Marshal AP Singh stated that the country lacks fighter jets and needs about 40 combat aircraft annually. The private sector could aid in boosting fighter production capacity. There have been delays in the indigenous light combat aircraft (LCA) program, with plans to increase production to 24 LCAs per year. HAL aims to produce 30 aircraft yearly, and a private sector partner may help bridge the gap in production. Full Article