Language Settings
Select Website Language
newshunt
newshunt

Filters

Channels
Topics
Other Filters

Dhurandhar 2: Deepak questions ‘half-muting’ of abuses

The buzz around Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge refuses to die down, but amid its roaring box office run, a curious debate has now taken centre stage. Actor-director Deepak Tijori has called out what he sees as a puzzling inconsistency in the way films are censored for theatrical release versus how they are later consumed on OTT platforms.

Is Russia Helping Iran With Drones Against US-Israel? Moscow Responds To Report

The Kremlin has dismissed as false a report claiming that Russia is supplying drones to Iran amid the ongoing regional conflict. The Financial Times reported on March 25, Wednesday that Moscow was preparing to send drone shipments to Tehran, but Russian officials rejected the claim, saying such reports should not be taken seriously. Russia has long been one of Iran’s key allies, and since the start of the current war, Moscow has repeatedly denied providing direct military assistance to Tehran. The latest denial comes as speculation grows over the level of cooperation between the two countries during the conflict that began in late February. Report Claims Military Support According to the Financial Times report, Russia has already provided intelligence support and satellite imagery to Iran during the conflict. The report further claimed that Moscow was planning to send a shipment of drones to Iran by March 2026 to strengthen Tehran’s military capabilities and help stabilise its government during the war. It also said that Russia has been manufacturing drones designed by Iran for use in the war in Ukraine since 2023, suggesting a long-standing defence partnership between the two countries. The report described the proposed drone transfer as part of broader cooperation aimed at reinforcing Iran’s position in the conflict. The Kremlin, however, rejected the claims, calling the report inaccurate and urging people not to pay attention to what it described as false information. Russian officials said dialogue with the Iranian leadership continues but did not confirm any form of military assistance. Drones Seen As Key Weapon The report stated that drones based on Iran’s Shahed model have proved to be among Tehran’s most effective weapons in the current war. Because of their relatively low cost and simple production process, these drones are considered an important part of Iran’s defence strategy. Such drones can be used for surveillance, precision strikes and large-scale attacks, making them a flexible tool in modern warfare. In addition to drone supplies, some reports have also suggested that Russia may be providing non-military support to Iran, including food supplies, medical aid and satellite imagery. Moscow has not confirmed these claims and continues to deny that it is sending weapons to Iran.

US, UK, EU push back on UN slavery reparations, despite acknowledging historical injustice

The UN General Assembly recognized the transatlantic slave trade as “the gravest crime against humanity,” aiming to confront historical injustice and advance reparatory justice. The resolution passed with 123 votes in favor. The US, Israel, and Argentina voted against it, while the UK and EU member states abstained over legal and reparations concerns, despite acknowledging slavery’s history. Ghana emphasized accountability, reparations, and long-term consequences for victims and their descendants.

Big Tax Reset From April 1: Meal Benefits, HRA, Form 16 And All You Need To Know

From April 1, India’s six-decade-old Income-tax Act, 1961 will be replaced by the Income-tax Act, 2025, marking a comprehensive rewrite of the country’s tax framework. The government has emphasised that this is not a change in tax rates or slabs, but a shift in how income, deductions, salary, capital gains and disclosures are reported, verified and filed. Not A Tax Hike, But A Reporting Overhaul Tax rates and slabs remain unchanged under the new law. The focus, according to the government, is on more precise reporting and tighter compliance. The new structure simplifies the law, reducing sections from 819 to 536, while also introducing clearer language and fewer cross-references. Meal Benefits Get A Major Boost Under the Income Tax Rules, 2026, the exemption limit for employer-provided meals has been increased from Rs 50 per meal to Rs 200 per meal. This applies to benefits such as meal coupons, vouchers or cards like Sodexo, Pluxee and Zaggle, as well as subsidised office canteens. With the revised limit: Rs 200 × 2 meals = Rs 400 per day Rs 400 × 22 working days = Rs 8,800 per month Rs 8,800 × 12 months = Rs 1,05,600 per year Employees can now claim over Rs 1 lakh annually as tax-exempt through meal benefits, subject to employer structuring. HRA Rules Expanded, Disclosures Tightened The higher 50% HRA exemption category has been extended beyond Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi and Chennai to include Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune and Ahmedabad. Other cities remain under the 40% bracket. However, stricter disclosure norms apply. Salaried individuals must provide landlord details through Form 124 at the time of income computation and TDS deduction, making it mandatory to disclose landlord identity. Form 16 Replaced By Form 130 From April 1, employers will stop issuing Form 16. It will be replaced by Form 130. Unlike the earlier employer-generated format, Form 130 will be downloaded from the TRACES portal and will include detailed salary, deductions and tax computation. It will also be system-validated, reducing scope for mismatches. The new form will apply not just to salaried individuals but also to pensioners and senior citizens. ITR Filing Becomes System-Driven The filing process will be heavily pre-filled and auto-validated, with errors and mismatches flagged more quickly. Key changes include: Redesigned ITR forms with detailed disclosures Separate reporting of short-term and long-term capital gains Defined methods for asset valuation and holding periods Expanded eligibility for ITR-1 and ITR-4 (up to two houses) The terms “Financial Year” and “Assessment Year” will be replaced by “Tax Year”. Stricter PAN And Reporting Norms PAN will now be required for more transactions, including high-value purchases such as car buying and selling. The new framework also integrates the choice of tax regime within the ITR itself, removing the need for separate forms. Refunds are expected to be faster for accurate filings, but delays may occur in cases of mismatches. Impact Across Taxpayer Categories Salaried employees: New Form 130, HRA rules, perquisite changes Investors and traders: Detailed capital gains reporting High-income individuals: Additional disclosures NRIs: Cross-border asset reporting Senior citizens: Integrated pension and interest reporting Employers: Changes in payroll and salary structuring Perquisites And Salary Structuring Changes Revisions in perquisite limits could alter tax outgo depending on salary structure. Notable changes include: Expanded HRA exemption cities Mandatory landlord disclosure Revised perquisite limits Increased car perquisite value Adjustments in transport allowances Experts suggest that some salaried individuals may find the old regime more beneficial after recalculation. What Remains Unchanged Tax slabs Tax rates No new taxes Existing rights and liabilities Timeline And Broader Framework The new law comes into effect from April 1, 2026 (FY27), with the first ITR under the new system to be filed in 2027. However, compliance requirements related to salary, TDS, forms and PAN usage begin immediately. The Act also focuses on faceless assessments, digital compliance, reduced human interface and lower litigation, while formally recognising digital spaces such as email, cloud and smartphones for search provisions. Parallel Impact Of Labour Codes Separately, Labour Codes effective November 21, 2025 mandate that wages form at least 50% of total pay, which may impact salary structures, take-home pay and tax planning. What Taxpayers Should Do Recalculate benefits under old vs new tax regime Review salary structure with HR Ensure accurate landlord details for HRA claims Maintain proper capital gains documentation Track PAN usage in investments and purchases Verify TDS filings regularly

IOC bans transgender women from LA 2028 Olympics

The IOC will bar transgender women from women’s Olympic events starting 2028, allowing only biological females with a one-time gene test. The move aims to ensure fairness, citing physical advantages linked to male biology. Backed by president Kirsty Coventry, the policy also impacts some DSD athletes and is expected to draw criticism despite calls for uniform global rules.

‘$100,000 diamond ring’: House Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick accused of misusing COVID funds for personal expenses

US Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick faces intense scrutiny over allegations of misusing COVID-19 relief funds. Prosecutors claim millions intended for pandemic aid were diverted for her campaign and personal use, including a $100,000 diamond ring. The Democrat denies wrongdoing, but the case has sparked calls for disciplinary action, potentially including expulsion from Congress.

Iran Sets Condition, Wants Lebanon Included In Any Ceasefire Deal: Report

Iran has told mediators that Lebanon must be part of any ceasefire agreement involving the United States and Israel, according to several regional sources familiar with Tehran’s position. The demand links a possible end to the ongoing regional conflict with a halt to Israeli military operations in Lebanon. The development comes as indirect talks continue over a proposal aimed at stopping the fighting, which has spread across multiple fronts in the region over the past month. Iranian officials have not rejected the proposal outright but say any agreement must also address the situation in Lebanon. Iran Links Ceasefire To Lebanon According to sources cited by Reuters, Tehran informed intermediaries that it wanted any deal to include an end to Israeli attacks in Lebanon. Iranian state media also quoted an official saying Tehran expects any agreement with Washington to cover not only Iran but also allied groups across the region. A senior Iranian official said the government is still reviewing a proposal from the United States to end the conflict, indicating that discussions remain ongoing. There has been no immediate response from Iran’s foreign ministry or Israel’s foreign ministry. Lebanon Factor In Regional Talks As per reports, armed groups in Lebanon had received assurances from Tehran that their position would be considered in any wider agreement. The source added that Iran was determined to prevent a repeat of past ceasefires that failed to stop continued strikes in Lebanon after fighting officially ended. The issue has become more sensitive due to political tensions inside Lebanon, where the conflict has deepened divisions among different factions. The influence of Iran-backed groups in the country has weakened in recent years following heavy fighting in 2024 and growing pressure from the Lebanese government to limit armed activity. Lebanon’s foreign ministry recently declared Iran’s ambassador persona non grata, a move criticised by several political and religious leaders. Analysts say the outcome of the current negotiations could affect both the balance of power in Lebanon and the wider stability of the region.

Netanyahu Says Israel Eliminated IRGC Navy Chief In Overnight Strike As Strait Of Hormuz Tensions Spike

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed that Israel eliminated the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy in a recent strike, marking a significant escalation in tensions between the two sides. In a statement issued by his office, Netanyahu said Israeli forces were continuing to target key figures and infrastructure linked to what he described as the “Iranian terrorist regime.” “We continue to forcefully strike the targets of the Iranian terrorist regime,” Netanyahu said. Prime Minister Netanyahu:"We continue to forcefully strike the targets of the Iranian terrorist regime.Last night, we eliminated the Commander of the IRGC Navy. This man had a great deal of blood on his hands; he was also the one who led the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. pic.twitter.com/XZPXK4ivXt — Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) March 26, 2026 He added that the IRGC Navy commander was killed in an overnight operation. “Last night, we eliminated the Commander of the IRGC Navy. This man had a great deal of blood on his hands; he was also the one who led the closure of the Strait of Hormuz,” he said. Strategic Importance Of Strait Of Hormuz The official was believed to be a key figure linked to efforts to control and potentially block the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil chokepoint. The waterway remains central to the ongoing standoff, with Iran having previously threatened to block it in response to military action. No Independent Confirmation Yet The claim has not been independently verified, and there has been no immediate confirmation or response from Iranian authorities regarding the alleged killing. Tensions Continue to Escalate If confirmed, the development would mark a major escalation involving the reported targeting of a senior Iranian military figure associated with maritime operations in the Gulf. Netanyahu’s remarks indicate an intensifying focus on Iran’s military leadership, even as both sides continue to exchange strikes and warnings, raising concerns over a wider regional conflict and its potential impact on energy security.

Akshay-Shilpa's chemistry in viral video has the internet gushing

Nostalgia filled the air as former flames Akshay Kumar and Shilpa Shetty were spotted together at the Pinkvilla Screen And Style Awards. The iconic on-screen pair, known for hits like 'Dhadkan' and the unforgettable 'Churake Dil Mera' song, sparked fan excitement. Netizens flooded social media with requests for a reunion movie, celebrating their enduring chemistry and cordial relationship.

Carolina Marin, one of badminton’s greatest, retires at 32

Carolina Marin has retired from professional badminton due to recurring injuries, opting out of the European Championships despite a wild card. The Olympic champion said she didn’t want to risk her body for a final match. Marin bows out with an illustrious career, including Olympic gold and three world titles, and now looks ahead to a new chapter.

//