Top news of the day: Supreme Court allows passive euthanasia for man in vegetative state; Political leaders slam Centre for commercial gas shortage and more

The major news headlines of the day and more

Published - March 11, 2026 06:19 pm IST

Image used for representational purpose only.

Image used for representational purpose only. | Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Withdrawal of life support must not be an ‘act of abandonment’: Supreme Court judgment

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (March 11, 2026) practically applied the principles of passive euthanasia for the first time by permitting the withdrawal of clinically-assisted nutrition and hydration (CANH) to 32-year-old Harish Rana. A Bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan said withdrawal of life support must neither be a “single act” nor an “act of abandonment” of patients in persistent vegetative state (PVS). 

Political leaders slam Centre for commercial gas shortage

Many political leaders, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal slammed the Central government on Wednesday (March 11, 2026) for the shortage of commercial LPG in the country. The AAP government in Punjab moved a resolution in the State assembly against the Centre over the issue, even as the Congress demanded a full-fledged discussion in Parliament on the West Asia crisis that has led to energy shortage, saying the people of the country deserve to know the truth.

Iran-Israel war: Trade ships hit as Iran threatens Gulf oil chokepoint

New attacks hit three commercial ships in the Gulf on Wednesday (March 11, 2026), with one of the vessels in flames as Iran pressed its campaign against its oil-exporting neighbours, threatening shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and plunging the global energy economy into crisis. As the conflict entered its 12th day, the Iranian military vowed to target “economic centres and banks” linked to US and Israeli interests, and all eyes were on the vital sea lane.

Constitution placed Speaker above the party, says Amit Shah in Lok Sabha

Amit Shah speaks on the motion to impeach the Speaker, saying that it is unfortunate for parliamentary politics that the resolution for the removal of the Speaker has come. He says that the Speaker is above the party. The constitution has made the role of the Speaker as a mediator. “But you have questioned the mediator’s role,” he says. He also says that when the BJP was in the opposition, it never brought a no-confidence motion against the Speaker. He says that “we may not agree with the Speaker’s ruling, but it is binding and cannot be doubted.

Kejriwal writes to Delhi HC Chief Justice seeking transfer of excise case to an ‘impartial’ bench: AAP

AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal and other accused in the excise policy case have written to the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, urging him to transfer the case from Justice Swarn Kanta Sharma .The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders, including Mr. Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, have sought the transfer of the case to an “impartial” bench of the High Court, the party said in a statement on Wednesday (March 11, 2026).

Kerala CM, Ministers and some Congress leaders to boycott PM Modi’s Kochi event

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Kochi visit on Wednesday (March 11, 2026) to launch a host of projects in Kerala has attained political overtones with the State Ministers and a section of Congress leaders choosing to boycott it for various reasons. The event comes at a time when all political parties are busy finalising the list of candidates and strategies for the upcoming Assembly elections.

Sensex, Nifty tumble nearly 2% as crude oil surges amid growing tensions in West Asia

Stock market benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty ended nearly 2% lower on Wednesday (March 11, 2026) after a day’s breather following a spike in crude oil prices amid growing tensions in West Asia. Besides, sustained foreign fund outflows and selling in blue-chip bank stocks also drove the markets lower.

Census 2027 to also include transgender-headed households, Rajya Sabha told

The upcoming Census will collect data on sex of head of household— Male, Female and Transgender, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday (March 11, 2026). Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, in a written response, said Census 2027 will be conducted in two phases. The questions for the first phase, which covers Houselisting and Housing Census, have been notified.

Iran says it will target U.S.-Israeli economic, banking interests in region

Iran ​will target economic and banking ‌interests linked to the U.S. ​and Israel ⁠in the region, after an attack on an Iranian bank, ‌a spokesperson for Tehran’s Khatam al-Anbiya military ‌command headquarters said ‌on Wednesday (March 11, 2026). An ⁠administrative building linked to ⁠Bank Sepah, one of the country’s largest public banks and ​with historical ‌links to the military, was hit overnight in Tehran, according to the semi-official Mehr ‌news agency.

Garuda Aerospace inks deal with Airbus Helicopters for Flexrotor drones

Chennai-headquartered Garuda Aerospace, a drone technology and services company, has signed a contract with Airbus Helicopters for the acquisition of up to 18 Flexrotor Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS). The agreement marks a significant step in Garuda’s strategy to expand its global unmanned aerial systems leasing and services portfolio.

North Korea respects Iran’s choice of new supreme leader: media report

North Korea respects Iran‘s choice of a new supreme leader, state media said on Wednesday (March 11, 2026), accusing the U.S. and Israel of undermining regional peace. Pyongyang, a longstanding U.S. adversary, has previously condemned the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran as an “illegal act of aggression”.

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