Current Affairs

NCB busts pan-India darknet drug network called ‘Team Kalki’

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has dismantled a pan-India drug distribution network operating under the name ‘Team Kalki’ through the darknet since January 2025. Two accused, identified by the agency as Anurag Thakur and his associate Vikas Rathi, have been arrested so far.

During the operation, the NCB seized 2,338 LSD blotters; 160 MDMA (Ecstasy) pills weighing over 77 gm; 73.61 gm of charas (hashish); 3.64 gm of amphetamine; and 3.6 kg of liquid MDMA from 13 domestically intercepted parcels, and two parcels originating from the Netherlands and linked to the network.

‘Team Kalki’ was being operated by the two accused, who are “habitual offenders and were previously arrested in cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act”, the agency said.



Indian Armed Forces Contingent Arrives in Seychelles for Joint Exercise LAMITIYE-2026

An Indian Armed Forces contingent has arrived at Seychelles to participate in the Eleventh edition of Joint Military Exercise LAMITIYE-2026 with the Seychelles Defence Forces. The Joint Exercise will commence at the Seychelles Defence Academy from today and will continue till the 20th of this month. The exercise will enhance synergy in the domains of sub-conventional operations in a semi-urban environment and cooperation and interoperability between both sides during peacekeeping operations. It will also build and promote bilateral military relations, along with exchanging skills, experiences and good practices between both the armies. The 12-day-long Joint Exercise will include field training exercises, combat discussions, case studies, lectures and demonstrations, culminating with two days of Validation Exercise.



Mansukh Mandaviya Meets New Zealand Sports Delegation in Delhi

Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya today chaired a high-level meeting with a sports delegation from New Zealand in New Delhi to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in sports. The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration between the sporting ecosystems of India and New Zealand.

This year will mark 100 years of sporting ties between the two countries, tracing back to the historic 1926 Indian Army hockey tour to New Zealand. The Indian delegation included Sports Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao and senior officials from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Sports Authority of India and the Indian Olympic Association.

The New Zealand delegation was led by Associate Minister for Sport and Recreation Chris Bishop and included New Zealand High Commissioner to India Patrick John Rata and former international cricketer Ross Taylor. During the meeting, both sides discussed launching the India-New Zealand Centenary Sports Cooperation Programme 2026. They also explored joint training camps, coaching exchanges and knowledge sharing in sports science and athlete performance systems.



PM Modi to visit Kerala and Tamil Nadu on March 11, launch projects worth around Rs 16,450 crore

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Kerala and Tamil Nadu on March 11, where he will inaugurate, dedicate to the nation and lay the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth around ₹16,450 crore across key sectors including petroleum and natural gas infrastructure, highways, rural connectivity and railways.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Modi will first attend a programme in Ernakulam at around 1:30 pm, where he will launch projects worth about ₹10,800 crore. Later in the evening, he will travel to Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for projects valued at about ₹5,650 crore.



Maharashtra Government inks MoU with Finnish firms to develop Sassoon Dock

The Maharashtra Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Saturday (March 7, 2026) with three Finnish companies to modernise Sassoon Dock. The agreement was signed by the Maharashtra Fisheries Development Corporation with the Finland-based Helvar, Mirasis, and River Recycle at an event held in Mumbai.

Sassoon Dock currently has around 1,560 registered mechanised fishing boats, and records an average annual fish production of 50,000 to 60,000 metric tonnes, making it an important economic centre for the fishing community, and a priority for the Maharashtra Government, State Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane said, speaking on the occasion.

Construction of net-mending sheds, workshops, underground water tanks, water pipelines, pump houses, and protective walls, along with renovation of public facilities, has been undertaken in recent days. Work related to ice plants, strengthening of the jetty wall, fish workers’ restrooms, and a modern auction hall are being undertaken, he said.



Amit Shah unveils sulphuric acid plant-III of IFFCO

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday inaugurated the sulphuric acid plant-III at IFFCO’s Paradip unit, built at a cost of Rs 750 crore.

Addressing the gathering, Shah said the expansion would support India’s push towards self-reliance in fertiliser production. He noted that IFFCO, owned by around 36,000 cooperatives, benefits nearly five crore farmers across the country.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of self-reliance not only means manufacturing fertilisers, but also producing all the raw materials required for fertiliser production within the country,” he said.



Lakshya Sen Reaches Men’s Singles Final at All England Open Badminton Championships

In All England Open Badminton Championships, Lakshya Sen has entered Men’s Singles Final. World number 12 Lakshya defeated Canada’s Victor Lai in the semifinal match 21-16, 18-21, 21-15 in Birmingham this evening. Lakshya had defeated China’s Li Shifeng 21-13, 21-16 in the quarterfinal match last night.



Woman in Assam becomes first to get Indian citizenship after two years in detention camp

A woman in southern Assam’s Barak Valley has become the first to get Indian citizenship after spending two years in a detention camp for people declared non-citizens by Foreigners’ Tribunals, a quasi-judicial body that settles nationality disputes.

The Bangladesh-born Dipali Das, 60, was granted a certificate of naturalisation on Friday (March 6, 2026) for fulfilling the conditions of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act of 2019. The certificate has been signed by Biswajit Pegu, the Director of Census Operations.

Dharmananda Deb, a Silchar-based lawyer, told The Hindu that Ms. Das was born in Dippur village in Bangladesh’s Sylhet district on December 3, 1966. She married Abhimanya Das in January 1987, a little more than a year after she and her husband fled religious persecution to enter India.



Corey Parker, ‘Will & Grace’ actor and acting coach, dies at 60

Actor and acting coach Corey Parker, known for his appearances in television series including Will & Grace, has died at the age of 60 following a battle with cancer. Parker died Thursday in Memphis, Tennessee, according to family members. In a statement shared through BGB Studio, his sister Noelle Parker paid tribute to the actor’s career and influence.

“I believe he left this world weightless, at peace & surrounded with love,” she said. “You were a massive part of my creative work, my creative family, for decades.” She added that the family would remember his “incredible talent, your unparalleled passion and joy in the work and in your family.”



Chiranjeevi Wins Prestigious NTR National Film Award, Calls It A ‘Great Honour’

Megastar Chiranjeevi has now thanked the Telangana government for honouring him with the prestigious NTR National Film Award, saying that receiving an award named after NTR garu is truly a great honour.

Taking to his X timeline to pen a note of gratitude, Megastar Chiranjeevi wrote, “Many congratulations to all the winners of the Gaddar Telangana Film Awards 2025. It is always a joy to celebrate the hard work and passion of our film fraternity. My sincere thanks to the Government of Telangana, CM @revanth_anumula garu, @Bhatti_Mallu garu and the entire jury for honouring me with the NTR National Film Award. Receiving an award named after NTR garu is truly a great honour. Deeply grateful for the love and support that have been my greatest strength throughout my journey. "