South India State News

Congress Releases First Kerala List Of 55

By BPN News Desk March 18, 2026

The Congress has announced its first list of 55 candidates for the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections, giving the party’s campaign a formal start while leaving some politically sensitive decisions pending. The list includes several senior leaders and sitting legislators, but the party has not yet taken a final call on Members of Parliament who are […]

National

Government Tells Airlines To Keep 60% Seats Free of Selection Charges

By BPN News Desk March 18, 2026

The Centre has directed airlines to keep at least 60 percent of seats on every flight free of seat selection charges, in a move aimed at reducing extra costs for passengers. The new instructions are part of a wider set of pro-passenger measures issued by the Civil Aviation Ministry through the Directorate General of Civil […]

International

Iran Says Larijani Killing Will Not Destabilise System

By BPN News Desk March 18, 2026

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said the killing of senior security official Ali Larijani will not destabilise the country’s political system, insisting that Iran’s institutions are strong enough to withstand the loss of even top-ranking figures. His remarks came after Tehran confirmed Larijani was killed in an Israeli strike, making him one of the […]

International

Iranian Projectile Hits Near UAE Air Base

By BPN News Desk March 18, 2026

An Iranian projectile hit near Australia’s Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, but all Australian personnel at the facility are safe, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said. The incident adds to growing concern over the widening reach of the regional conflict, which is now directly affecting military sites and support infrastructure across the […]

International

Trump Says US Does Not Need Allies On Iran

By BPN News Desk March 18, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States does not need help from allies in its confrontation with Iran, even after several NATO and partner countries declined to support a wider military role around the Strait of Hormuz. His remarks came as Washington continued to press its case that its campaign against Iran can proceed […]

International

Joe Kent Quits Trump Administration Over Iran War

By BPN News Desk March 18, 2026

A senior national security resignation has added a new political dimension to the war with Iran, after Joe Kent stepped down as director of the US National Counterterrorism Center and publicly questioned the justification for the conflict. Kent said he could not support the ongoing war and argued that Iran had posed no imminent threat […]

International

UN Says Lebanon Strikes Could Be War Crimes

By BPN News Desk March 18, 2026

The United Nations has said some Israeli strikes on residential areas and civilian sites in Lebanon could amount to war crimes, as the conflict continues to widen and the civilian toll rises. The warning comes amid growing concern over repeated attacks on densely populated areas, healthcare facilities and makeshift shelters for displaced families. UN Raises […]

Football Sports

Iran Seeks Mexico Shift For Fifa World Cup

By BPN News Desk March 17, 2026

Iran is in talks with FIFA to move its 2026 World Cup group-stage matches from the United States to Mexico, citing security concerns linked to the ongoing conflict involving the US and Iran. The issue has added uncertainty to tournament planning less than three months before kickoff, with FIFA yet to announce any formal change […]

International

Emirates Chennai Flight Returns After Dubai Alert

By BPN News Desk March 17, 2026

An Emirates flight from Chennai to Dubai was forced to return to India after a drone-related security incident disrupted operations at Dubai International Airport. The incident highlighted the growing effect of regional tensions on commercial aviation, with passengers on Gulf routes facing delays, diversions and sudden schedule changes. Emirates Chennai To Dubai Flight

Law & Order National

Supreme Court Urges Law On Paternity Leave

By BPN News Desk March 17, 2026

The Supreme Court has urged the Union government to bring a law recognising paternity leave as a social security benefit, while also ruling on the rights of adoptive mothers under the Social Security Code, 2020. The court said leave policy must respond to the needs of both parents and the child, linking the issue to […]