Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:19pm on 20 Mar 2025,Thursday India Global
Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) has filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court, challenging the Indian government’s use of Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act. The provision denies safe harbor protections to intermediaries that fail to remove content flagged by authorities. X argues this creates an “illegal parallel content-blocking process” and violates the Supreme Court’s 2015 Shreya Singhal ruling. It also seeks protection from joining the Sahyog portal, calling it a “censorship portal.” The court allowed X to challenge any government action, while the Centre denies taking punitive measures. The case raises concerns over digital rights in India.
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:54pm on 20 Mar 2025,Thursday India Global
US President Donald Trump reiterated his criticism of India’s trade policies, calling it "one of the highest tariffing nations in the world." In an interview with Breitbart News, he said he has a "very good relationship" with India but warned that the US would impose reciprocal tariffs from April 2. Trump previously labeled India the "tariff king" and accused it of unfair trade practices. Talks between both nations on reducing tariffs remain inconclusive. India has expressed interest in strengthening trade ties, with discussions on a Bilateral Trade Agreement ongoing. Trump also praised the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 03:19pm on 20 Mar 2025,Thursday India Global
More than 10,000 Indians are in foreign prisons, with 49 facing death sentences, the government told the Rajya Sabha. Saudi Arabia has the highest number of Indian prisoners (2,633), followed by the UAE (2,518) and Nepal (1,317). Other countries with Indian inmates include Qatar, Kuwait, Malaysia, and the US. Since 2020, 25 Indians have been executed in Kuwait. The government said Indian missions monitor these cases and provide legal aid. They also help prisoners with appeals and mercy petitions. Officials are working with foreign governments to secure their release and repatriation.
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 02:48pm on 20 Mar 2025,Thursday India Global
Elon Musk’s social media platform X has filed a lawsuit against the Indian government, accusing it of misusing IT laws to censor content. The petition, filed in the Karnataka High Court, challenges the government’s use of Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, arguing that it creates a "parallel content-blocking mechanism" outside the legal framework. “The government is imposing arbitrary censorship without due process,” X stated in its plea. The lawsuit also targets the Sahyog portal, calling it “a tool to pressure platforms into removing content without proper legal review.”
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 02:35pm on 20 Mar 2025,Thursday India Global
India may face big changes as US President Trump’s trade war continues. His government has called India a "tariff king" for its high import taxes. In response, India cut tariffs on some US goods. Experts say India must open its economy to grow. High tariffs make goods costly and reduce global trade. India is also negotiating free trade deals with the UK and the EU. Some fear foreign companies may dump cheap goods in India. Others say reforms could bring more jobs. If global trade shifts, India has a chance to benefit—if it acts fast.
Brief by Shorts91NewsDesk / 02:34pm on 20 Mar 2025,Thursday India Global
A video has gone viral showing an Indian man celebrating his New Zealand citizenship by theatrically removing his 'India' T-shirt to reveal a 'New Zealand' jersey underneath. The act, performed during his citizenship ceremony, elicited cheers from onlookers and amused officials. Shared on Instagram, the video has amassed over two million views, igniting mixed reactions among viewers. Some users empathized with his joy, citing personal frustrations with systemic issues in India, while others criticized the gesture as disrespectful to his homeland. The incident has sparked a broader conversation about national identity and the immigrant experience.
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 02:30pm on 20 Mar 2025,Thursday India Global
Pankaj Lamba, an Indian-origin man in the UK, has been charged with murdering his wife, Harshita Brella. Her body was found in a car boot in London last year. Lamba is also accused of rape, sexual assault, and coercive behaviour. He fled the UK and is now the subject of an international manhunt. His parents were arrested in India on dowry death charges. Police believe he may be hiding in Haryana. Harshita’s family seeks justice, while UK police continue their investigation. The Delhi High Court has requested a status report on the case next week.
Brief by Shorts91NewsDesk / 12:52pm on 20 Mar 2025,Thursday India Global
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Sri Lanka from April 4 to 6 after attending the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok. This marks his fourth and longest visit to the island nation, highlighting growing diplomatic and economic ties. Modi is expected to inaugurate a solar power plant in Trincomalee, emphasizing India's commitment to renewable energy collaboration. His visit follows Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s trip to India in December 2024, reinforcing strong bilateral relations. The visit aims to boost trade, infrastructure, and strategic cooperation between the two nations.
Brief by Shorts91NewsDesk / 12:45pm on 20 Mar 2025,Thursday India Global
India is reportedly in talks to join a new strategic military alliance, SQUAD, alongside the US, Japan, Australia, and the Philippines, to counter China’s growing influence in the South China Sea. The move follows increased regional tensions and aligns with India’s Act East Policy. While QUAD focuses on broader Indo-Pacific security, SQUAD aims at maritime defense and freedom of navigation. If finalized, this partnership could strengthen India’s presence in the region. China has opposed such alliances, calling them destabilizing. Diplomatic negotiations are ongoing, and official announcements are expected soon.
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 12:45pm on 20 Mar 2025,Thursday India Global
Divya Tyagi, an Indian-origin student at Pennsylvania State University, has solved a 100-year-old math problem in aerodynamics. The problem, first studied by British scientist Hermann Glauert, is important in wind turbine design. Tyagi's new method makes the problem simpler and helps improve turbine efficiency. Her research focuses on finding the best wind conditions to increase power output. Her professor, Sven Schmitz, praised her work, saying it could change wind energy studies. Tyagi is now doing her master’s in aeronautical engineering and working on projects for the US Navy to improve helicopter flight safety.