VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Gemini Horoscope Today, April 6, 2026: Don’t tease your partner about sensitive topics in front of relatives Cancer Horoscope Today, April 6, 2026: Avoid lending money just because you feel emotional BJP office grenade blast: ISI plot hatched by handlers in Portugal & Germany, says Punjab DGP Women’s rights & religion: CJI-led 9-J bench includes all faiths, and a woman | India News Paresh Rawal calls social media a ‘puking pot’: ‘Negativity shouldn’t be spread, I am trying to improve’ Taurus Horoscope Today, April 6, 2026: Ask for help without pride PTI file photo NEW DELHI: In less than a week since the controversial amendments involving definition of transgender persons, omission of “self-perceived identity” as the basis for approval for getting a TG certificate from a district magistrate and introduction of a medical board among other things were notified as law, a writ petition has been filed before the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act, 2026.The Bill to amend the 2019 law was passed by Lok Sabha on March 24 and Rajya Sabha on March 25 with a voice vote amid strong objections from the opposition that demanded that the bill be referred to a standing committee for wider consultations. It became law after President of India Droupadi Murmu gave her assent on March 30.The petition challenging the law has been filed by well known transgender rights activists Laxmi Narayan Tripathi and Zainab Patel. At its core, the petition raises a key concern asking whether the state can redefine identity in a way that takes away a person’s right to define themselves.Incidentally, Tripathi and Patel were lead petitioners in the landmark NALSA v. Union of India (2014) case, which recognised the rights of transgender persons under the Constitution.In their current petition the activists have argued that the 2026 amendment changes the foundation of how transgender identity is understood in law. “It moves away from self-identification and replaces it with a narrow, state-driven definition based on fixed categories and medical conditions. In doing so, it departs from what the Supreme Court had already affirmed in NALSA that gender identity is a matter of personal dignity and choice,” the activists highlight.One of the central concerns raised is the replacement of the earlier definition of a transgender person with a closed framework. The petition points out that many transgender persons who do not fall within these categories could be left without legal recognition.The petition challenges the removal of the explicit right to self-perceived gender identity, and flags provisions that blur the line between transgender identity and situations of coercion or trafficking. It raises concerns that existing rights, including identity documents issued under the earlier framework, may be put at risk.The challenge is based on violations of fundamental rights under Articles 14, 15, 19, and 21 of the Constitution, along with established principles in international human rights law.“This law takes us backwards. In NALSA, the Supreme Court affirmed that our identity comes from within, not from a checklist created by the State. Today, that core principle is being undone. As petitioners in that very case, we have returned to the Court because this amendment does not just change definitions, it changes lives. It risks pushing many transgender persons outside the protection of the law itself,” Tripathi and Patel said in a joint statement.“This is not a technical correction. It is a constitutional question about dignity, autonomy, and whether the State can decide who we are,” they said.Both Tripathi and Patel have also previously served as members when the National Council for Transgender Persons – a statutory body under the law. Tripathi is the founder of Astitva Trust and National Network for Transgender Persons and Patel, a ‘Diversity Equity and Inclusion’ strategist who is also the founder of Pride Business Network Foundation.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDRDO Begins Work On Next-Generation Missile To Replace Prithvi Series : Reports“Adani Is BJP’s Financial Structure”: Rahul Gandhi Tears Into PM ModiPakistan To Return $3.5 Billion UAE Debt In April Despite Reserve StrainOil India Posts Record Crude Output From Rajasthan’s Thar Desert Amid West Asia Crisis‘True Friendship’: Iran Envoy Lauds India Ties, Clarifies Deleted Thank You PostsPM Modi Assures No Seat Cut For Southern States, Pushes Women’s Quota Bill‘Will Take It To Kolkata’: Pak Minister Khawaja Asif’s Fresh Threat After Rajnath’s Stern WarningBig Reveal: ISI Behind Chandigarh Attack, Global Terror Links Surface”Living In Fear”: Indian Family In Bahrain Amid Escalating Iran War‘Genius Move’: Ex-US Pilot Hails India’s Ploy To Use Rafale Decoys In Op Sindoor To Fool Pakistan123PhotostoriesSummer Meal: How to make light and comforting Boondi Kadhi for dinnerHow to be successful in life, as per psychologyFSSAI shares how much oil you should consume in a day and effective steps to track oil intake; easy zero-oil dishes insideHow to deal with negative people: 5 effective psychology-based tipsMeet 5 Indian singers who are setting the nation’s hottest fashion trendsTop K-pop songs from the most romantic K-dramas: ‘Goblin’, ‘Descendants of the Sun’ and more10 simple habits and tips to master emotional intelligenceYou don’t have diabetes, but your blood sugar may still be unstable: What to watch and how to fix itTop 5 premium localities in Greater Noida attracting affluent buyers and long-term investorsIs clay pot (matka) water safe? 5-step cleaning tips & summer benefits of matka water123Hot PicksIPL ScoreUpdated IPL Points TableApp Leader Raghav ChadhaLPG ShortageStephen CurryPublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingYesterday IPL match resultVaibhav SooryavanshiStrait of HormuzIPL 2026Saudi Arabia travel ban rulesToll PaymentIran Drone StrikeHailee SteinfeldSchool Holidays in AprilIran war news What’s at stake for higher education and research in Trump’s new budget proposal Aries Horoscope Today, April 6, 2026: This is not a favourable day for investment “Please congratulate me”: Candace Owens claims victory as Blake Lively claims against Justin Baldoni dismissed before May 2026 trial Bill Ackman’s nephew vs ‘Ronda’: US billionaire’s viral rant against employee who is suing him for harassment Punjab ‘my soul’, says Chadha in response to AAP Punjab unit charges | India News Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth to engineers and college graduates looking to join technology industry: You just have to … Ladakh talks with open mind and heart: Sonam Wangchuk | India News Paresh Rawal reviews ‘Dhurandhar 2’, praises R Madhavan’s performance, joked to Aditya Dhar about playing Ajay Sanyal’s brother US: Gunfire reported near White House, Secret Service launches probe Who is Sarinasadat Hosseiny? Grandniece of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani arrested by ICE in Los Angeles raid Image: PTI SRINAGAR: A prickly pest stalks Kashmir’s “red gold”. Farmers in Pampore now live on pins and needles.Across Pampore’s saffron highlands — about 15km southeast of Srinagar in Pulwama district — an unusual predator is eating into one of the region’s most prized crops. The burrowing Indian crested porcupine, a nocturnal rodent, has begun feeding on saffron corms beneath the soil, hollowing out harvests before they can bloom.A corm is the underground, bulb-like stem of the Crocus sativus plant that produces autumn-flowering purple flowers and the precious red stigma used for the spice saffron — kong in Kashmiri, kesar in Hindi, zafaran in Persian.Pampore MLA Hasnian Masoodi of National Conference said the pace of destruction could erase Kashmir’s saffron in coming years. “Porcupines are devouring saffron roots. Production has fallen sharply from about 22,000kg a decade-and-a-half ago to nearly 1,000kg now,” he said.The crisis surfaced in J&K assembly Saturday, where forest minister Javed Ahmed Rana outlined measures after Masoodi raised the alarm. Teams from wildlife and forest departments are assessing damage and mapping vulnerable zones across Pampore’s saffron plateau, he said.Masoodi pushed back, saying ground reality is grimmer. “There is no wildlife survey. I don’t know how these porcupines came to Kashmir, but now they are here and destroying crops,” he said.For many farmers, losses are far steeper. Some report up to 80% damage to fields.In Khrew — a saffron-growing pocket roughly 20km southeast of Srinagar within Pampore — output has nearly vanished. “Khrew once contributed around 4,000kg to the total yield of 22,000kg, but fields there now lie largely unproductive,” said Masoodi, who hails from the area.Wildlife experts and officials trace the surge to a mix of ecological shifts. Deforestation has shrunk natural habitats, pushing porcupines towards cultivated land. Declining predator numbers — especially leopards — have removed a key check on their population. Warmer winters have extended foraging windows, allowing rodents to remain active longer through the year.Yet control options remain limited. As a protected species under wildlife law, porcupines cannot be killed, turning crop damage into a simmering human-animal conflict.Rana’s advisory to farmers reads like a defensive manual: clear caves and undergrowth that shelter rodents, erect mesh barriers buried 1.5m deep to block burrowing, paint tree trunks white or wrap them in gunny sacks to deter nocturnal movement, spray pepper-based organic repellents, place naphthalene near dens.Priority should go to worst-hit plots, he said.Farmers cannot shoulder that burden alone, Masoodi countered. “A roadmap has been outlined, but who will implement it?” he asked. “People lack resources. Without state action in fields, cultivation will be abandoned.”That prospect hangs heavy over Pampore’s karewa uplands by the Jhelum, long been known as the valley’s “saffron heart”, where the spice has shaped livelihoods and identity for centuries. If quills keep winning underground, blossoms may stop rising above it.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDRDO Begins Work On Next-Generation Missile To Replace Prithvi Series : Reports“Adani Is BJP’s Financial Structure”: Rahul Gandhi Tears Into PM ModiPakistan To Return $3.5 Billion UAE Debt In April Despite Reserve StrainOil India Posts Record Crude Output From Rajasthan’s Thar Desert Amid West Asia Crisis‘True Friendship’: Iran Envoy Lauds India Ties, Clarifies Deleted Thank You PostsPM Modi Assures No Seat Cut For Southern States, Pushes Women’s Quota Bill‘Will Take It To Kolkata’: Pak Minister Khawaja Asif’s Fresh Threat After Rajnath’s Stern WarningBig Reveal: ISI Behind Chandigarh Attack, Global Terror Links Surface”Living In Fear”: Indian Family In Bahrain Amid Escalating Iran War‘Genius Move’: Ex-US Pilot Hails India’s Ploy To Use Rafale Decoys In Op Sindoor To Fool Pakistan123PhotostoriesSummer Meal: How to make light and comforting Boondi Kadhi for dinnerHow to be successful in life, as per psychologyFSSAI shares how much oil you should consume in a day and effective steps to track oil intake; easy zero-oil dishes insideHow to deal with negative people: 5 effective psychology-based tipsMeet 5 Indian singers who are setting the nation’s hottest fashion trendsTop K-pop songs from the most romantic K-dramas: ‘Goblin’, ‘Descendants of the Sun’ and more10 simple habits and tips to master emotional intelligenceYou don’t have diabetes, but your blood sugar may still be unstable: What to watch and how to fix itTop 5 premium localities in Greater Noida attracting affluent buyers and long-term investorsIs clay pot (matka) water safe? 5-step cleaning tips & summer benefits of matka water123Hot PicksIPL ScoreUpdated IPL Points TableApp Leader Raghav ChadhaLPG ShortageStephen CurryPublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingYesterday IPL match resultVaibhav SooryavanshiStrait of HormuzIPL 2026Saudi Arabia travel ban rulesToll PaymentIran Drone StrikeHailee SteinfeldSchool Holidays in AprilIran war news RCB vs CSK: Tim David goes ballistic, equals AB de Villiers record to … University of Pennsylvania updates study abroad application process: Here’s what’s new for students Zakir Khan roasts Bollywood, says everyone got jealous of ‘Dhurandhar’: ‘Bomb phoote Lyari mein, dhuaan Bandra se Juhu mein’ Horoscope Today: Daily astrological predictions for April 6, 2026 ISRO launches Mission MITRA in Ladakh for astronaut study: Inside the 3,500m experiment testing human survival in space-like conditions IPL 2026: Hat-trick of losses for CSK as RCB run riot in Bengaluru | Cricket News Cursing at Iran won’t reopen Strait of Hormuz: Ro Khanna says Obama-like statesmanship needed now From suicidal thoughts to IPL 2026 comeback: LSG’s Mohammad Shami’s powerful story of survival 12-year-old boy exposes mother, sister’s plot to kill father in Uttarakhand; both held Jaishankar with Iran Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi (File photo) NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar received a call on Sunday from Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi as the tensions in the Middle East continue. “Received a call from Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi of Iran. Discussed the present situation,” said Jaishankar. While the specific details of the call have not been released, the Iran Embassy in India also confirmed the call saying that the two leaders discussed bilateral relations and the regional, international situation. “Seyed Abbas, Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, held a phone conversation with Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India’s Minister of External Affairs, discussing bilateral relations as well as regional and international developments,” said the Embassy on X.Before revealing the call with Araghchi, Jaishankar revealed conversations with various leaders from the Middle Eastern countries, namely- UAE deputy PM, FM Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Qatar PM Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. Details of these calls haven; been released either.This comes as Iran faces a 48-hour deadline to open the Strait of Hormuz from Trump after which the US president has threatened to target the country’s power plants and bridges. Trump on Sunday also issued an ‘expletive’ warning to Iran. He threatened severe military action, saying that Tuesday would be “Power Plant Day and Bridge Day”. “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F*****’ Strait, you crazy b******s, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah.” said the US President on Truth Social.Later, in an interview with Fox News, Trump said that he sees a “good chance” that a deal can be made with Iran by Monday. However, he added a threat saying, if they don’t reach an agreement, he’ll blow “everything up” and “take over the oil”.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDRDO Begins Work On Next-Generation Missile To Replace Prithvi Series : Reports“Adani Is BJP’s Financial Structure”: Rahul Gandhi Tears Into PM ModiPakistan To Return $3.5 Billion UAE Debt In April Despite Reserve StrainOil India Posts Record Crude Output From Rajasthan’s Thar Desert Amid West Asia Crisis‘True Friendship’: Iran Envoy Lauds India Ties, Clarifies Deleted Thank You PostsPM Modi Assures No Seat Cut For Southern States, Pushes Women’s Quota Bill‘Will Take It To Kolkata’: Pak Minister Khawaja Asif’s Fresh Threat After Rajnath’s Stern WarningBig Reveal: ISI Behind Chandigarh Attack, Global Terror Links Surface”Living In Fear”: Indian Family In Bahrain Amid Escalating Iran War‘Genius Move’: Ex-US Pilot Hails India’s Ploy To Use Rafale Decoys In Op Sindoor To Fool Pakistan123PhotostoriesFSSAI shares how much oil you should consume in a day and effective steps to track oil intake; easy zero-oil dishes insideMeet 5 Indian singers who are setting the nation’s hottest fashion trendsTop K-pop songs from the most romantic K-dramas: ‘Goblin’, ‘Descendants of the Sun’ and moreYou don’t have diabetes, but your blood sugar may still be unstable: What to watch and how to fix itTop 5 premium localities in Greater Noida attracting affluent buyers and long-term investorsIs clay pot (matka) water safe? 5-step cleaning tips & summer benefits of matka waterFrom Carmen Electra to Eddie Murphy: Looking back at the most shocking short-lived celebrity weddingsBest Angelina Jolie movies of all time: ‘Girl, Interrupted’, ‘Maleficent’ and moreShiney Ahuja, Rimi Sen to Uday Chopra : The 2000s Bollywood faces who faded away from the big screenBefore age 10, these 12 simple things parents say can shape a child’s confidence and emotional strength for life123Hot PicksIPL ScoreUpdated IPL Points TableApp Leader Raghav ChadhaLPG ShortageStephen CurryPublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingYesterday IPL match resultVaibhav SooryavanshiStrait of HormuzIPL 2026Saudi Arabia travel ban rulesToll PaymentIran Drone StrikeHailee SteinfeldSchool Holidays in AprilIran war news ‘Step forward’: Sanjiv Goenka reacts after LSG survive last-over scare with Rishabh Pant at crease OPEC+ raises output quotas by 206,000 bpd from May; warns on supply risks due to Middle East war How to be successful in life, as per psychology NFL Trade Rumors: Green Bay Packers linked to $6M ex Washington Commanders veteran following standout performance last season How a ‘goodwill’ lift turned fatal: Engineering students kill drunk driver, flee with car ‘Indians are the new oil, coal, or gas’: Immigration agency founder says new H-1B fee is America’s loss, Fox’s Laura Ingraham reacts Updated: Apr 05, 2026, 22:31 IST At 83, Amitabh Bachchan says it’s disturbing for him to not work each day: ‘Living in anxiety is harmful for the mind’ “She’s having sleepless nights”: Taylor Swift considers changing wedding plans as pressure builds ahead of big day with Travis Kelce ‘This is evil’: Marjorie Taylor Greene’s 276-word reaction to Trump’s profane Truth Social post Tim David, Patidar fire 97-run barrage vs CSK in last five overs as RCB reach highest IPL 2026 total Why US blew up its own aircraft during ‘most daring’ Iran rescue ‘Looks good to me’: Florida man cooks invasive green iguanas with waffles in bizarre viral video File photo- Chabahar port New Delhi: As bombs fall and sanctions bite across West Asia, Iran has said its economic engagement with India will remain steady during the war and grow faster once conditions stabilise. Iran’s ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, indicated to TOI that wartime disruptions are “mere speed bumps” and that Tehran’s “outlook on the future of Iran-India economic relations—even during wartime and especially in the post-war period—remains positive and expansive”. Fathali said, “Economic cooperation between our two nations is built on mutual interests and trust, and there is significant potential for further development.” Placing spotlight on the Chabahar Port project, he added it is a key project in this relationship. “In this regard, the Chabahar Port, as a strategic project, plays a key role in strengthening trade and transit links between Iran, India, and the region,” he said. Watch ‘Chabahar Port Symbol Of…’: Iranian Envoy Fathali’s Strong Message On India-Iran Partnership Positioned on Iran’s southeastern coast, Chabahar has long been New Delhi’s strategic bypass to landlocked Afghanistan and Central Asia, sidestepping Pakistan’s choke points, which does not allow overland transit for Indian goods. Al-Biruni, the 10th-century Persian scholar and writer, described the coastal area near the town of Chabahar, then known as Tiz or Tis, as the “entry point or beginning of coastal India” in his Kitab Tarikh Al-Hind (A History of India).For Tehran, the port is a lifeline to global reintegration, countering decades of Western isolation. Fathali, emphasizing its regional pivot, said: “We believe Chabahar can become a vital hub connecting Central Asia to open waters.”The Chabahar Port project dates back to the 1970s, when Iran’s last Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, proposed it as a deep-sea hub in the Gulf of Oman. During the Islamic revolution of 1979 in Iran and subsequent leadership transitions, work on the project slowed down. In the 1980s, when the Iran-Iraq War left Iran’s Persian Gulf routes vulnerable, Iran doubled up its focus to shift its trade and expand Chabahar.When India entered a conversation to develop the port around 2003, it mainly meant access to Afghanistan and Central Asia bypassing Pakistan. But it was also in response to the initial construction in Pakistan’s Gwadar, under Beijing’s flagship $62-billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).The partnership was formalised in 2015 with an MoU, with India committing up to $500 million during PM Narendra Modi’s 2016 visit to Tehran. The pact, renewed for 10 years in 2024 (earlier renewed annually), promises India a direct maritime-land corridor to Central Asia and beyond—vital for trade in minerals, grains, and energy.Through Chabahar, goods can be shipped from Indian ports to Iran and then transported by road and rail further inland, and into Russia, Central Asia, Europe.India has invested in port equipment and operations, while Iran has worked on expanding connectivity from the port to its internal transport network. Progress has been uneven due to sanctions on Iran and delays in infrastructure development.In the port’s current phase, India committed over $350+ million in core investment as well as credit lines including for equipment, berths, and the proposed next phase involves additional berths and rail connectivity, and is estimated to require additional funds. The Iranian envoy’s statement lands at a knife-edge moment when India is weighing its options under US sanctions on Iran. A waiver deadline on April 26, 2026, is approaching.Amid continued uncertainty in the regional security environment, Fathali’s remarks indicate optimism and assurance that the project will remain on track despite ongoing geopolitical tensions and gather pace after it ends.About the AuthorIsmat AraAt The Times of India, Ismat Ara covers politics, people, and societies, with a focus on accountability, justice, and lived experience. Shaped by years of rigorous reporting across cities, small towns, and remote villages, she is drawn to the human stories tucked beneath policy and paperwork.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDRDO Begins Work On Next-Generation Missile To Replace Prithvi Series : Reports“Adani Is BJP’s Financial Structure”: Rahul Gandhi Tears Into PM ModiPakistan To Return $3.5 Billion UAE Debt In April Despite Reserve StrainOil India Posts Record Crude Output From Rajasthan’s Thar Desert Amid West Asia Crisis‘True Friendship’: Iran Envoy Lauds India Ties, Clarifies Deleted Thank You PostsPM Modi Assures No Seat Cut For Southern States, Pushes Women’s Quota Bill‘Will Take It To Kolkata’: Pak Minister Khawaja Asif’s Fresh Threat After Rajnath’s Stern WarningBig Reveal: ISI Behind Chandigarh Attack, Global Terror Links Surface”Living In Fear”: Indian Family In Bahrain Amid Escalating Iran War‘Genius Move’: Ex-US Pilot Hails India’s Ploy To Use Rafale Decoys In Op Sindoor To Fool Pakistan123PhotostoriesFSSAI shares how much oil you should consume in a day and effective steps to track oil intake; easy zero-oil dishes insideMeet 5 Indian singers who are setting the nation’s hottest fashion trendsTop K-pop songs from the most romantic K-dramas: ‘Goblin’, ‘Descendants of the Sun’ and moreYou don’t have diabetes, but your blood sugar may still be unstable: What to watch and how to fix itTop 5 premium localities in Greater Noida attracting affluent buyers and long-term investorsIs clay pot (matka) water safe? 5-step cleaning tips & summer benefits of matka waterFrom Carmen Electra to Eddie Murphy: Looking back at the most shocking short-lived celebrity weddingsBest Angelina Jolie movies of all time: ‘Girl, Interrupted’, ‘Maleficent’ and moreShiney Ahuja, Rimi Sen to Uday Chopra : The 2000s Bollywood faces who faded away from the big screenBefore age 10, these 12 simple things parents say can shape a child’s confidence and emotional strength for life123Hot PicksIPL ScoreUpdated IPL Points TableApp Leader Raghav ChadhaLPG ShortageStephen CurryPublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingYesterday IPL match resultVaibhav SooryavanshiStrait of HormuzIPL 2026Saudi Arabia travel ban rulesToll PaymentIran Drone StrikeHailee SteinfeldSchool Holidays in AprilIran war news How to deal with negative people: 5 effective psychology-based tips LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka’s reaction goes viral as team registers first win of IPL 2026 Donald Trump promises hell on Iran in Easter Sunday post, calling its leaders ‘crazy b*******’ India sending aid to Afghanistan (Image credit: Randhir Jaiswal on X) NEW DELHI: The ministry of external affairs on Sunday said that the sent humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) materials to Afghanistan amid recent floods and earthquake. “At this time of hardship being faced by Afghan people due to recent floods and earthquake, India delivers HADR materials, including kitchen sets, hygiene kits, plastic sheets, tarpaulins, sleeping bags, and more,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on X. Watch India Condemns Pakistan Strikes In Afghanistan, Calls It Act Of Aggression And Warns Escalation “India stands in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan and remains committed to extending humanitarian assistance and support during this challenging time,” he added.Afghanistan is grappling with a series of overlapping natural disasters, as earthquakes and flooding continue to take a heavy toll on vulnerable communities. A 5.8-magnitude earthquake on Saturday in the north killed at least a dozen people and destroyed homes across multiple provinces, while days of heavy rainfall have triggered floods in several regions, worsening already fragile living conditions. Many of those affected are recently returned refugees from Iran and Pakistan, often living in temporary shelters that are highly exposed to such disasters. With the country sitting in a seismically active zone and lacking resilient infrastructure, recurring quakes and extreme weather events continue to deepen the humanitarian crisis.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDRDO Begins Work On Next-Generation Missile To Replace Prithvi Series : Reports“Adani Is BJP’s Financial Structure”: Rahul Gandhi Tears Into PM ModiPakistan To Return $3.5 Billion UAE Debt In April Despite Reserve StrainOil India Posts Record Crude Output From Rajasthan’s Thar Desert Amid West Asia Crisis‘True Friendship’: Iran Envoy Lauds India Ties, Clarifies Deleted Thank You PostsPM Modi Assures No Seat Cut For Southern States, Pushes Women’s Quota Bill‘Will Take It To Kolkata’: Pak Minister Khawaja Asif’s Fresh Threat After Rajnath’s Stern WarningBig Reveal: ISI Behind Chandigarh Attack, Global Terror Links Surface”Living In Fear”: Indian Family In Bahrain Amid Escalating Iran War‘Genius Move’: Ex-US Pilot Hails India’s Ploy To Use Rafale Decoys In Op Sindoor To Fool Pakistan123PhotostoriesHow to deal with negative people: 5 effective psychology-based tipsMeet 5 Indian singers who are setting the nation’s hottest fashion trendsTop K-pop songs from the most romantic K-dramas: ‘Goblin’, ‘Descendants of the Sun’ and more10 simple habits and tips to master emotional intelligenceYou don’t have diabetes, but your blood sugar may still be unstable: What to watch and how to fix itTop 5 premium localities in Greater Noida attracting affluent buyers and long-term investorsIs clay pot (matka) water safe? 5-step cleaning tips & summer benefits of matka waterFrom Carmen Electra to Eddie Murphy: Looking back at the most shocking short-lived celebrity weddingsBest Angelina Jolie movies of all time: ‘Girl, Interrupted’, ‘Maleficent’ and moreShiney Ahuja, Rimi Sen to Uday Chopra : The 2000s Bollywood faces who faded away from the big screen123Hot PicksIPL ScoreUpdated IPL Points TableApp Leader Raghav ChadhaLPG ShortageStephen CurryPublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingYesterday IPL match resultVaibhav SooryavanshiStrait of HormuzIPL 2026Saudi Arabia travel ban rulesToll PaymentIran Drone StrikeHailee SteinfeldSchool Holidays in AprilIran war news A threat to commit war crimes? Why Trump’s new warning to Iran has shocked world Thousands of vials labelled HIV, Covid‑19, Ebola: China-linked biolabs found in unauthorised facilities in US ‘Dhurandhar 2’ creates history by crossing Rs 1000 crore net in India, the Ranveer Singh film joins ‘Pushpa 2’, ‘Baahubali 2’ IPL: Virat Kohli scripts history, breaks Rohit Sharma’s record to …