QUICKREADS

H3N2 outbreak: Puducherry schools to remain shut from March 16-26
Amid the spike in cases of H3N2 virus, Puducherry Education minister A Namassivayam announced that all schools in the union territory will remain closed from 26 March (Thursday) to 26 March (Sunday), reported news agency ANI. As of 11 March, Puducherry reported 79 cases of influenza, belonging to the viral H3N2 subtype while, But no death related to H3N2 has been reported in the union territory till now, reported Mint.

SIT gives clean chit to Gujarat’s Vantara rescue centre
SIT clears Gujarat's Vantara wildlife rescue centre after thorough investigation, finding no evidence of illegal animal acquisition. Supreme Court-appointed team satisfied with centre's compliance and regulatory measures after comprehensive three-day on-site review.

Tried Gemini AI Nano Banana trend? Here are 10 creative prompts for unique portraits
Google DeepMind's Gemini Nano Banana trend transforms photos into creative 3D figurines. Users can turn selfies into cinematic portraits, reimagine pets, and explore playful AI-generated transformations with unprecedented artistic freedom.

Five Bangladeshi students in NIT Silchar suspended for campus violence, to be deported
Five Bangladeshi students at the National Institute of Technology Silchar have been suspended and will be deported for their involvement in violent campus clashes and possession of narcotics. The incident, which occurred on September 8, involved an armed attack on fellow students, resulting in serious injuries. The students face a two-semester suspension and expulsion from campus housing.
200 booked for protest over social media posts targeting Quran in UP city
In Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, police registered a case against 200 unidentified individuals following violent protests over derogatory social media posts about Prophet Muhammad and the Quran. The unrest began after the arrest of a 45-year-old man for such posts, leading to protesters setting vehicles on fire. Authorities have since increased police presence and are monitoring social media for inflammatory content.

Former TMC MP Mimi Chakraborty appears before ED in betting app-linked money laundering case
Former Trinamool Congress MP Mimi Chakraborty was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate regarding a money-laundering case tied to the illegal betting app 1xBet. The investigation aims to uncover her endorsements and financial links to the app, amidst a broader probe into numerous illegal betting operations in India. Other celebrities, including cricketers and actor Urvashi Rautela, are also being investigated.

2 swept away after heavy rain in Hyderabad; SDRF teams deployed for rescue
Two individuals were swept away by floodwaters in Hyderabad's Habeeb Nagar area after heavy rainfall on Sunday night. A search operation is ongoing with three Disaster Response Force teams deployed. Meanwhile, Hyderabad Traffic Police are managing congestion and aiding commuters. Telangana's Chief Minister has urged swift flood relief measures and better coordination among departments for crisis management.

Notices issued to two leaders for making communal remarks in Tripura
In Tripura, two political leaders received police notices for allegedly making communal remarks. Gautam Buddha Debbarma of the Tipra Motha Party suggested violence against Bengalis, while Amra Bangali leader Gauranga Rudrapaul claimed Bengalis are the true natives. Both face legal action under various sections of the law, and they must appear before police by Tuesday.

UP police arrest cow slaughter accused after exchange of fire with cops in Meerut
Police in Meerut arrested Ahsan, a suspect in a cow slaughter case, after an exchange of gunfire during a patrol. Ahsan was shot in the leg and apprehended, with a country-made pistol recovered. He has 19 prior cases against him related to cow slaughter and firearms across multiple districts.

Political parties aren’t workplaces, POSH Act can’t apply: Supreme Court
Supreme Court refuses to treat political parties as workplaces under POSH Act, ruling that party members aren't employees and lack an employment relationship, thus cannot seek sexual harassment protections through workplace laws.

Acharya Devvrat takes oath as Maharashtra governor
Acharya Devvrat was sworn in as the governor of Maharashtra on Monday, following his appointment by President Droupadi Murmu. The ceremony, attended by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and other officials, was conducted by Bombay High Court Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar. Devvrat, who has served as Gujarat's governor since 2019, holds advanced degrees in Hindi, History, and Naturopathy.

‘Time is critical’: Man killed in Delhi BMW crash; son questions why father was taken to hospital 17 km away
A BMW hit a finance ministry official's motorcycle in Delhi, killing him. His son questioned why his parents were taken 17 km away to a hospital, suspecting foul play. Police registered a case against the BMW driver under multiple sections.

Sex racket busted in Surat hotel, 13 Thai women rescued, 9 arrested
Surat police busted a sex racket in a hotel, rescuing 13 Thai women and arresting 9 people, including hotel staff and clients. The operation targeted a trafficking network masterminded by a previously arrested suspect, with investigations ongoing.

Mumbai monorail halts mid-ride in Wadala due to technical snag; passengers rescued
A monorail in Mumbai's Wadala area halted due to technical glitches, prompting the evacuation of passengers. No injuries were reported, but concerns were raised over recurring issues. This follows a previous incident where 582 passengers were rescued due to a power failure. Authorities urge the government to address these ongoing problems affecting the monorail service.

Train stuck on elevated track; monorail services disrupted in Mumbai again
Mumbai monorail services disrupted again due to technical glitch during heavy rain. 17 passengers rescued between Antop Hill and GTB Nagar. Authorities transferred passengers to another train and are working to restore normal services.

Indian Navy gets indigenous anti-submarine warfare ship to boost maritime prowess
The Indian Navy has received 'Androth', an indigenously-built anti-submarine warfare ship, enhancing its maritime capabilities amid increasing Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean. Delivered by Garden Reach Shipbuilders, 'Androth' is part of a series aimed at boosting anti-submarine and coastal surveillance. With over 80% indigenous content, it reflects India's commitment to self-reliance in defense manufacturing.