TODAY NEWS ON March 29, 2025

News headlines for CAT, CLAT and IPM aspirants

Source: The Hindu

Solar Eclipse 2025 Today  

The partial solar eclipse will occur on March 29, 2025. While exact visibility will vary depending on location, the eclipse is expected to begin at approximately 2:20:43 PM IST and last until 6:13:45 PM IST. Skywatchers and astronomy enthusiasts are in for a celestial treat as a partial solar eclipse is set to take place today, marking this year’s first solar eclipse. This astronomical event will be visible from several parts of the world; however, it will not be visible from any part of India.

Unlike a total solar eclipse, where the Sun is completely covered, a partial eclipse leaves a portion of the Sun visible, forming a crescent-like shape in the sky as the Moon partially covers the Sun. This partial solar eclipse will also lead to a double sunrise, a rare sight where the Sun appears to rise twice. This happens when the Moon partially blocks the Sun during an eclipse, making it look like the Sun rises, dims, and then rises again as the Moon moves away. This effect is most noticeable when the eclipse happens at sunrise. Weather conditions, like clouds or light refraction, can make the illusion even more dramatic.

7.7 magnitude earthquake strikes Myanmar, Thailand; 90 missing, 3 dead at under-construction Bangkok high-rise

A 7.7 magnitude earthquake rocked Thailand and neighbouring Myanmar midday on Friday (March 28, 2025), causing the collapse of a high-rise building under construction in Bangkok and forcing hundreds of thousands to evacuate from their homes and workplaces.

India sends 15 tonnes of relief materials to earthquake-hit Myanmar

Approximately 15 tonnes of relief materials were sent to earthquake-hit Myanmar on late Friday (March 28, 2025) in an IAF C 130-J aircraft from Air Force Station Hindon, India. The relief materials being sent include tents, sleeping bags, blankets, ready-to-eat meals, water purifiers, solar lamps, generator sets and essential medicines, the sources said. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised “all possible assistance” to Myanmar and Thailand after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit the two southeast Asian countries on Friday (March 28, 2025).

Union Cabinet approves 2% hike in Dearness Allowance for employees and pensioners

Union Cabinet on Friday (March 28, 2025) announces a 2% hike in the Dearness Allowance for employees and pensioners. This was announced by the Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. With this rise the DA and DR will be increased from 53% to 55% with effect from January 1, 2025.

Muslims back AIMPLB call; wear armbands to protest Waqf Bill

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board’s appeal to Muslim community members to wear a black armband when they offer Jumatul Vida (last Friday of Ramzan) prayers was greeted with a huge response. The Board had asked the community members to protest in this peaceful manner against the proposed Waqf (Amendment) Bill. Across Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaipur, and other cities, Muslim men offered the Friday prayers with a black armband on their kurta. In many mosques, the Friday sermon was used to alert the community to the repercussions if the Bill is passed by the Parliament.

India, U.S. to hold wrap-up session on Saturday on proposed trade pact; talks in early stages: Sources

India and the visiting U.S. officials have decided to hold a wrap-up session on Saturday (March 29, 2025) morning to conclude the three-day talks on the proposed bilateral trade agreement, government sources said. They said the discussions are at a “very” early stage. A team of U.S. officials, headed by Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch, is in New Delhi for negotiations on the proposed agreement. "Early stage of discussions are going on," one of the sources said, adding that nothing has been finalised so far.

Even Indira couldn’t change Pakistan’s ‘bigoted mindset’: Jaishankar

Even former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi couldn’t change Pakistan’s “bigoted mindset” in 1971, said External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday (March 28, 2025), responding to questions in Parliament about the condition of minorities in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Mr. Jaishankar said that it was not possible to “change the mindset” of a neighbouring country, but that India has raised the issue at international forums, and in Bangladesh’s case, directly with the government in Dhaka.

Mamata Banerjee’s speech at Oxford disrupted, as protestors raise RG Kar issue

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee address at an Oxford Institution was disrupted on Thursday (March 27, 2025) as protesters raised questions on the rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s R G Kar Hospital and other issues relating to the State during her speech.

Justice Varma transferred to Allahabad High Court

Amid a row over the alleged discovery of cash from his official residence, Justice Yashwant Varma of the Delhi High Court was transferred to his parent Allahabad High Court on Friday (March 28, 2025), according to a government notification. The Law Ministry issued a notification announcing his transfer. The Centre has also notified the transfers of Orissa HC judge, Justice Arindam Sinha, and Delhi HC judge, C.D. Singh, to Allahabad High Court.

Government to launch Ola, Uber-like ‘Sahkar’ taxi service: Amit Shah announces in Parliament

In a significant move to boost the cooperative sector, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday announced the government’s plans to launch a new app-based taxi service, ‘Sahkar’, on the lines of Ola and Uber. The announcement was made in Parliament while the House was discussing the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which includes provisions for setting up a national cooperative university.

Government to launch Ola, Uber-like ‘Sahkar’ taxi service: Amit Shah announces in Parliament

In a significant move to boost the cooperative sector, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday announced the government’s plans to launch a new app-based taxi service, ‘Sahkar’, on the lines of Ola and Uber. The announcement was made in Parliament while the House was discussing the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which includes provisions for setting up a national cooperative university.

Bangladesh welcomes China to participate in Teesta project

Bangladesh on Friday (March 28, 2025) welcomed Chinese participation in the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project. Bangladesh’s assurance was communicated during the ongoing visit of Chief Advisor Prof Mohammed Yunus to China.

Vladimir Putin suggests putting Ukraine under U.N.-sponsored external governance, boasts battlefield gains

Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed on Friday (March 28, 2025) to put Ukraine under external governance under the U.N. aegis as part of efforts to reach a peaceful settlement, a blustery statement that reflected the Kremlin leader’s determination to achieve his war goals.

Israel strikes Beirut first time since ceasefire end of Israel-Hezbollah war

Israel on Friday (March 28, 2025) launched an attack on the Lebanese capital, Beirut, for the first time since a ceasefire ended the latest Israel-Hezbollah war in November. The attack was the first strike on Beirut since a ceasefire took hold on Nov. 27, 2024, between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group, although Israel has struck targets in southern Lebanon almost daily since then. After the strike, Israel’s Army said it attacked a Hezbollah drone storage facility in the area of Dahiyeh, which it called a key Hezbollah stronghold. Israel said Hezbollah uses civilians as human shields and said it issued advanced warning for people to leave.

Vance accuses Denmark of ‘underinvesting’ in Greenland, amid Trump’s Danish territory takeover

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance said Friday (March 28, 2025) that Denmark has “underinvested” in Greenland’s security and demanded that Denmark change its approach as U.S. President Donald Trump continues to talk of taking over the Danish territory. The pointed remarks came as Mr. Vance visited U.S. troops on Pituffik Space Base on the mineral-rich, strategically critical island. “You have underinvested in the people of Greenland, and you have underinvested in the security architecture of this incredible, beautiful landmass filled with incredible people. That has to change,” he said.

Trump, newly minted Canada PM Mark Carney share phone call

U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday (March 28, 2025) that his first call with new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was “extremely productive” and Mr. Carney said talks on a new relationship will begin after the Canadian election next month. The call came as Mr. Trump has declared a trade war on Canada and has threatened to use economic coercion to make Canada the 51st U.S. state, a position that has infuriated Canadians. Mr. Trump avoided any mention of that in his social media post. The U.S. President, in his post, said the two sides “agree on many things and will be meeting immediately after Canada’s upcoming Election to work on elements of Politics, Business, and all other factors, that will end up being great for both the United States of America and Canada.”

Appeals court clears way for DOGE to keep operating at USAID

A federal appeals court on Friday (March 28, 2025) lifted an order blocking Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from further cuts at the U.S. Agency for International Development. A lower court judge agreed, but the three-judge appeals court panel sided with the Trump administration on Friday (March 28, 2025), at least for now. It found that while DOGE played a part in the dismantling of USAID, the cuts were approved by government officials. The lawsuit was among of the first filed against Mr. Musk himself. It argued that DOGE’s actions were unconstitutional because he was wielding significant power without being elected or Senate approved.

IPL 2025, CSK vs RCB: Patidar leads from the front as RCB ends a 17-year wait

It is not often the boisterous crowd at the M.A. Chidamabaram Stadium gets drowned out when Chennai Super Kings play. However, on Friday (March 28, 2025), chants of ‘RCB, RCB’ were heard loud through the evening as Royal Challengers Bengaluru ended its 17-year wait for success against CSK at Chepauk with a clinical 50-run win over the five-time champion. Asked to bat first, the visitor posted a strong 196 for seven, riding on skipper Rajat Patidar’s half-century (51, 32b, 4x4, 3x6) while Phil Salt and Devdutt Padikkal scored useful cameos.