NEW DELHI DAILY - 17 MARCH 2026
LPG tanker Nanda Devi arrives at Gujarat port; Congress suspends three Odisha MLAs for Rajya Sabha cross-voting; UPPL quits NDA ahead of Assam polls; SC strikes down maternity leave age cap
India condemns Pakistan airstrike on Kabul hospital killing hundreds, calls for accountability
India strongly condemned Pakistan's overnight airstrike on a Kabul hospital, with MEA urging the international community to hold perpetrators accountable and ensure the wanton targeting of civilians by Pakistan ceases without delay. Reports indicate at least 400 civilian deaths.
UPPL withdraws from NDA alliance in Assam citing ideological differences with BJP ahead of polls
United People's Party Liberal formally announced exit from NDA, citing fundamental ideological differences with BJP. UPPL vice president R.N. Sinha confirmed the party's decision ahead of April 9 Assam assembly elections.
News18 exclusive reveals IRGC derailing India-Iran safe passage talks amid internal Tehran power struggle
News18 exclusive reports India caught in crosshairs of Iran's internal power struggle as IRGC derails Hormuz safe passage negotiations. At the centre of IRGC's continued offensive is its Mosaic Doctrine enabling semi-autonomous operations.
Second LPG carrier Nanda Devi arrives Gujarat with 45,000 metric tonnes, easing supply crisis
LPG carrier Nanda Devi docked at Vadinar port in Devbhumi Dwarka district carrying 45,000 metric tonnes of gas. Deendayal Port Authority Chairman Sushil Kumar Singh confirmed preparations underway to transfer cargo to daughter ship.
DRIVING THE DAY
SUMMARY: India's second LPG carrier, Nanda Devi, docked at Vadinar port in Gujarat on 17 March carrying 45,000 metric tonnes of cargo after crossing the Strait of Hormuz, Business Standard and India Today reported, as the country seeks to alleviate shortages triggered by the West Asia conflict. Congress suspended three Odisha MLAs on 17 March for cross-voting in favor of BJP-backed Rajya Sabha candidate Dilip Ray, according to India Today, following the NDA's sweep of eight seats across Bihar and Odisha on 16 March. In Assam, United People's Party Liberal (UPPL) formally withdrew from the National Democratic Alliance on 17 March citing ideological differences with BJP, Northeast Now stated, ahead of the state's 9 April single-phase election. The Supreme Court on 17 March struck down provisions limiting maternity benefits to women adopting children under three months of age, calling the restriction unconstitutional, per The Hindu and News18.
