Evening news wrap
- Sitharaman warned the US-Iran conflict is pressuring India’s fuel prices, fertiliser subsidies and forex reserves.
- West Bengal opened its first holding centre for suspected illegal Bangladeshi nationals under the BJP’s deportation policy.
- Congress may decide on Karnataka’s leadership issue within days amid fresh buzz around Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar.
- Iran demanded the release of $12 billion in frozen assets before proceeding with negotiations with the US.
- Three rebel AIADMK MLAs resigned after backing the TVK government in the Tamil Nadu confidence vote.
Here are the top stories of the day:
Sitharaman flags concerns over ‘3Fs’ as US-Iran conflict begins hurting India economy
Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman warned that the prolonged US-Iran conflict is beginning to impact India’s economy, with pressure mounting on fuel prices, fertiliser subsidies and foreign exchange reserves. Speaking at SIDBI’s foundation day event, Sitharaman said the government was closely monitoring the “3Fs” — fuel, fertiliser and forex — as global crude and fertiliser prices surge. Read full story
Bengal govt opens first ‘holding centre’ under ‘detect, delete and deport’ policy
The BJP government in West Bengal has operationalised its “detect, delete and deport” policy, with Malda becoming the first district to set up a holding centre for suspected illegal foreign nationals. Officials said nine suspected Bangladeshi nationals, including women and minors, are currently housed at the facility in English Bazar under tight security. Read full story
Karnataka leadership decision likely in 2-3 days amid Congress talks
The Congress high command is expected to take a call on the ongoing leadership speculation in Karnataka within the next two to three days, according to party sources cited by news agency ANI. The development comes ahead of chief minister Siddaramaiah’s meeting with party leaders in Delhi amid renewed buzz over a possible leadership change. Read full story
Iran seeks release of $12 billion frozen funds before moving ahead with US talks
Iran is demanding the immediate release of $12 billion in frozen assets held in Qatar before moving forward with negotiations with the US. As per reports, Tehran wants part of its blocked funds released at the initial stage of any memorandum of understanding, while insisting all frozen assets worldwide should eventually be unfrozen under a broader deal. Read full story
Three rebel AIADMK MLAs resign after backing TVK govt in confidence vote
Three rebel AIADMK MLAs in Tamil Nadu submitted their resignations to speaker JCD Prabhakar after supporting the Tamiliga Vettri Kahagam government during the recent confidence vote. The legislators — S Jayakumar, Maragatham Kumaravel and P Sathyabama — are reportedly set to be accommodated by TVK in the upcoming bypolls. Read full story
