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Havana: Blast at Saratoga Hotel in heart of Cuba killed at least 22 people

A catastrophic incident happened in Havana, Cuba on Friday that killed at least 22 people and injured more than 60 people.

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Havana: Blast at Saratoga Hotel

A catastrophic incident happened in Havana, Cuba on Friday that killed at least 22 people and injured more than 60 people. A massive explosion jolted one of the capital’s five-star Saratoga Hotel. The reports state that the gas tanker which was parked outside the hotel caught fire, causing an explosion.

According to the reports, the historic hotel was currently under renovation and was preparing for its re-opening in four days. The hotel which was all set to resume after 2 years of the pandemic, now lies in ruins. The explosion destroyed several floors of the building, with much of its outer wall torn off. People who witnessed this incident described it as horrifying, said after the explosion they saw the plumes of black smoke clouds of dust spiralling into the sky.

The blast knocked off large sections of the hotel’s facade, blew out windows, and wrecked cars parked outside the hotel.

Yazira de la Caridad, who lives a street from the hotel, told a major television network that she initially mistook the explosion for an earthquake. Search and rescue operations are currently underway to locate people trapped under the debris, said  Havana Communist Party official Luis Antonio Torres Iribar.

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A pregnant woman and a kid were among the fatalities, according to the Cuban presidency. No tourists were present in the hotel as the luxurious site was closed for refurbishment. The employees were inside the hotel at the time of the incident as they were preparing for the hotel’s re-opening which was scheduled for next Tuesday.

Local officials confirmed that a school right behind the hotel was unaffected and that all of its students have been safely evacuated. But the dome of a nearby Baptist church collapsed.

President Miguel Diaz-Canel of Cuba paid a visit to the damaged site, which is located directly across from the government’s ancient congressional building. It wasn’t a bomb or an attack, it was a regrettable accident, the president stated.

The 19th century building is known for hosting celebrities such as Madonna, Mick Jagger, Rihanna and Beyonce.

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Cricket news

Heinrich Klaasen defends SRH batting depth after LSG defeat, says Sunrisers not reliant on Travishek

After SRH’s loss to LSG, Heinrich Klaasen refuted claims of overdependence on the opening duo Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, stressing the team’s all-round batting strength.

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Heinrich Klaasen, Travishek, Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Klassen on SRH batting depth

Following Sunrisers Hyderabad’s five-wicket defeat to Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025, SRH’s destructive wicket-keeper batsman Heinrich Klaasen has defended team’s batting depth, saying team doesn’t rely solely on Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma duo.

Travishek, a standout pair from SRH’s IPL 2024 campaign with 736 runs across 16 innings, couldn’t deliver as expected on March 27. Abhishek fell early in the third over, and although Head managed a quick 47 off 28 balls, SRH’s total of 190 fell short on a batting-friendly Hyderabad pitch.

Dismissing the team’s overdependence on Travishek, Klassen acknowledged that Travishek’s aggressive starts put early pressure on opponents, easing the job for the middle order.

 “Not at all,” Klaasen said during the post-match press conference. “If we look at our batting lineup, we are destructive till batter No.8. We don’t need Travis and Abhishek to come off every time. We’re good enough to score without them as well,” he said.

“You will never have a season where both of them will score more than 1000 runs. It’s the way we play—a bit on the riskier side,” Klaasen added.

SRH, who batted first, were restricted to 190 despite good intent shown early on. Klaasen felt the score was underwhelming considering the surface.

“We didn’t score enough runs. 210-220 was par score. One or two unlucky dismissals hurt us. One was caught down the leg side, another was deflected onto the stumps off the bowler’s hand. But that’s part of the game,” he said.

The wicketkeeper-batter remains confident in SRH’s depth and ability to recover from setbacks. The team is set to take on Delhi Capitals in their next match on March 30 in Vizag.

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Indian Ports Bill 2025 to be introduced in Lok Sabha to streamline port governance

The Indian Ports Bill, 2025 will be introduced in the Lok Sabha to consolidate port laws and ensure structured port sector development.

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Parliament

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, is scheduled to introduce The Indian Ports Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha on Friday. As per the official list of business, the proposed legislation seeks to overhaul the existing legal framework for ports in India, aiming to promote integrated development and optimize the use of the country’s extensive coastline.

The bill focuses on enhancing ease of doing business by consolidating port-related laws and establishing empowered State Maritime Boards for the efficient management of non-major ports. In addition, it will facilitate the creation of a Maritime State Development Council to ensure a structured growth trajectory for the port sector.

The legislation also includes provisions for managing pollution, emergencies, navigation safety, and data at ports. It aims to ensure India’s adherence to its international maritime obligations.

Apart from this, the Union Minister is also set to move The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024, which defines the rights, liabilities, responsibilities, and immunities related to the sea transportation of goods.

Other key developments in the House include multiple committee reports being tabled. These include:

  • Standing Committee on Industry: Chandan Chauhan and Smita Uday Wagh will present the 328th report on the Review of Performance of Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP).
  • Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports: Varsha Gaikwad and Sumathy Alias Tamizhachi Thangapandian will submit the 365th report on Demands for Grants 2025-26 for the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
  • Water Resources Committee: Narayandas Ahirwar will lay down the Final Action Taken Statements.
  • Labour, Textiles and Skill Development Committee: Basavaraj Bommai and G M Harish Balayogi will present four action taken statements and other related reports on demands for grants.

Union Minister Manohar Lal is also scheduled to make a statement on a withdrawal from the Contingency Fund of India for the launch of a new scheme – Deendayal Jan Aajeevika Yojana (Shehari), addressing urban livelihood.

Later in the day, private member resolutions will be taken up. These include:

  • MP Shafi Prambil’s resolution on regulating airfare with a proposal to cap maximum fare per route and establish a quasi-judicial body for monitoring.
  • E T Mohammed Basheer’s resolution on tackling drug abuse, calling the issue a threat to public health.
  • Parshottambhai Rupala’s proposal for the establishment of Jan Kitnasak Kendras to provide affordable, high-quality pesticides to farmers.

Kodikunnil Suresh’s motion urging measures to ensure the delimitation process upholds the democratic rights of all states—a concern raised by several southern MPs in recent sessions.

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India News

Kunal Kamra seeks anticipatory bail from Madras High Court over parody row targeting Eknath Shinde

Kunal Kamra has sought bail from the Madras High Court in a case linked to his parody song about Eknath Shinde, following a Shiv Sena complaint and police action.

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Kunal Kamra

Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has moved the Madras High Court seeking transit anticipatory bail amid an FIR registered against him for performing a parody song allegedly aimed at Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during a recent show in Mumbai.

The case stems from Kamra’s appearance at the Habitat Comedy Club in Mumbai, where a performance triggered political backlash. Following a complaint by Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel, a zero FIR was initially lodged and later transferred to Khar police station in Mumbai. The FIR cites sections 353(1)(b), 353(2) (public mischief), and 356(2) (defamation) under the Bharat Nyay Sanhita.

Kamra, who is a resident of Villupuram town in Tamil Nadu, approached the Madras High Court as the complaint originated in Mumbai but he resides outside the jurisdiction.

The comedian’s legal move follows a summons from Mumbai police to appear on March 31 regarding the case. He was initially called in on a prior date but requested a week’s extension.

Tensions escalated after Kamra’s remarks during the performance, prompting a violent response from some Shiv Sena members. The venue, Habitat Club in Khar, witnessed vandalism allegedly carried out by party workers. Police arrested 12 individuals, including Shiv Sena leader Rahool Kanal, for the incident. All were later granted bail.

During the court mention, Kamra’s legal team highlighted that he has been receiving death threats due to the controversy. Currently, according to his Instagram bio, Kamra is in Puducherry.

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