Top news of the day: Retail inflation eases to a seven-month low of 3.61%; at least 27 militants killed, 155 passengers rescued from hijacked train in Pakistan, and more

Retail inflation eases to a seven-month low of 3.61%; at least 27 militants killed, 155 passengers rescued from hijacked train in Pakistan, and more in top news of the day March 12, 2025

India’s CPI inflation slipped to a seven-month low of 3.61% in February 2025, beating the Reuters estimate of 3.98%, mainly due to the decline in the rate of price rise in vegetables and protein-rich items, creating space for the Reserve Bank of India for a second reduction in interest rate next month.

Pakistani security forces killed at least 27 militants and rescued 155 passengers from a train hijacked by Baloch insurgents in the troubled Balochistan province as they continued to battle insurgents for a second day. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday received Mauritius’ highest honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean, calling it a tribute to the centuries-old cultural and historical bonds of kinship between the two nations. Mr. Modi, who is on a two-day state visit, was conferred with the award by President of Mauritius Dharam Gokhool at the island nation’s 57th National Day celebrations.

Former New Zealand pacer and ex-Mumbai Indians (MI) bowling coach Shane Bond said that another injury at the same spot where Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah had his surgery could be a career-ender and added that in future, he would not like to see him play more than two Test matches in one go, ESPNCricinfo reported.

Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Jagdish Devda on Wednesday presented the State’s annual Budget for the fiscal year of 2025-26 in the Assembly, with a total outlay of ₹4,21,032 crore, and a focus on industry and agriculture. This is the first Budget of a Madhya Pradesh government that has crossed the ₹4 lakh crore mark, with about 15% higher allocation than the previous Budget of ₹3.65 lakh crore.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has started reassessing its priorities and introduced a one-year cap on staff contracts, as revealed in an internal memo. This move aims to secure the organisation’s survival following the United States’ withdrawal in January.

The government is committed to ensure fair conduct of examinations and trying to strengthen the system to prevent any malpractice, Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar said on Wednesday (March 12, 2025) in the Rajya Sabha.