A team of the West Bengal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) urged the full Bench of the Election Commission of India (ECI) to take action against Trinamul Congress Lok Sabha member and Calcutta High Court senior advocate Kalyan Banerjee for his recent public remark threatening the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Gyanesh Kumar.

The three-member BJP delegation, led by the party’s state vice-president and journalist-turned politician Jagannath Chattopadhyay, met the commission top brass in Kolkata today.

The BJP demanded legal action against the Serampore MP, terming the remarks undemocratic and an affront to the dignity of a constitutional office.

Mr Kumar is currently on a two-day visit to West Bengal to review cases involving voters’ documents identified as “logical discrepancy” matters and to assess preparedness for the Assembly elections scheduled later this year.

During the meeting, the BJP leaders informed the commission about Banerjee’s remarks made last week during a gathering at the TMC’s ongoing indefinite sit-in protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Esplanade area. The protest is being led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The BJP members of the Bengal unit demanded that an FIR is registered against Kalyan Banerjee over his alleged statement that “had Kumar not been the CEC, he would have chopped off his fingers.”

“In total, we have placed a 16-point demand before the full bench of the Election Commission of India. We did not discuss anything about the ongoing SIR exercise in the state. Our demands were mainly on the initiatives that the commission needs to adopt to ensure free and fair polls in state,” said Jagannath Chattopadhyay.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar faced protests on Monday morning during his visit to the Kalighat Kali Temple shortly after arriving in West Bengal as part of the Election Commission’s three-day tour of the state.

A group of demonstrators gathered outside the temple and showed black flags while raising “Go Back” slogans as Kumar arrived to offer prayers.

The protests took place in the Kalighat area, the neighbourhood associated with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Kumar, who was accompanied by the state’s Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal, entered the temple amid protests.

Demonstrators alleged that several voters’ names had been arbitrarily removed from electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and voiced anger against the Election Commission of India.

Unresponsive, the Chief Election Commissioner proceeded with the temple visit.

After offering prayers, Kumar briefly addressed reporters but avoided commenting on the protest.

“My greetings to all the brothers and sisters of West Bengal. May Maa Kali bless everyone,” he said before leaving the area.

According to Election Commission of India sources, Kumar prayed at the temple for the welfare of the people of West Bengal and reiterated the commission’s commitment to ensuring free and fair elections in the state.

He said that the upcoming polls would be conducted in a fearless environment.

The full Bench of the Election Commission of India arrived in Kolkata on Sunday night for a three-day visit on Monday morning.

Apart from Kumar, the delegation includes Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.

The commission is scheduled to hold meetings with representatives of various political parties. Later in the day, it will also meet senior state officials, including the chief secretary and the director general of police, to review election preparedness.

Kumar may also visit the Belur Math during his stay.

Protests had already begun on Sunday night when Kumar arrived in the city.

Demonstrators displayed black flags and raised “go back” slogans along his route from the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport to his hotel in New Town.

Supporters of the ruling Trinamul Congress as well as Left parties staged separate protests, with Left activists raising slogans such as “no voters, no vote.”

The Centre on Tuesday moved to protect gas supply for homes and vehicles as the West Asia conflict tightened pressure on fuel availability, issuing a control order that gives top priority to domestic piped gas, CNG, and LPG production.

The government’s move signals a clear pecking order as supply stress builds. Households and transport have been placed at the front of the queue, while fertiliser units, industries, refineries, and petrochemical players face cuts. News agency ANI, citing sources, said India was getting 30 per cent of its natural gas through the Hormuz route and is now buying gas through other channels to ease the shortfall.

Under the order, domestic piped natural gas, CNG for vehicles, LPG production and essential pipeline operations will continue to get full supply, based on the average consumption of the previous six months and subject to operational availability.

Supply to fertiliser plants has been set at 70 per cent of the previous six-month average. Tea units, manufacturing and other industrial consumers linked to the national gas grid will get 80 per cent. Industrial and commercial consumers supplied through city gas networks will also receive 80 per cent of their earlier average supply.

Refineries have been told to absorb part of the disruption by taking a reduction in gas allocation. Their supply is to be cut to around 65 per cent of the past six-month level, subject to operational feasibility. Petrochemical units are also facing a reduction.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas separately said oil refineries had been directed to raise LPG output and route the extra production for domestic use. It also announced a 25-day gap between two LPG bookings to check hoarding and black marketing.

Also Read: US-Israel-Iran war LIVE Updates

What the order means for consumers and industry

The government’s line is that domestic consumers will remain protected. ANI sources said supply to piped gas in homes and CNG for vehicles is fully assured.

At the same time, the squeeze is being felt elsewhere. Commercial LPG supply has already been halted in some places. In Bhopal, commercial cylinders were stopped, though hospitals and educational institutions were kept out of the restriction, ANI reported.

RK Gupta, National Vice-President of the LPG Association, said domestic LPG supply was not short, but the booking gap had been increased from 21 days to 25 days. He also said commercial cylinders had not been issued since the previous day, barring exempted categories.

The change has led to anxiety on the ground. ANI reported long queues at gas agencies in Bhopal, with some consumers saying they could not get cylinders despite having slips. One consumer said she had taken leave from work to collect a cylinder but still returned without one.

Traders also flagged trouble. A shopkeeper told the news agency that businesses were under strain as commercial stock was down to one or two days.

Also Read: ‘Govt responsible for LPG shortage’: Gas squeeze hits hotels, crematoriums; Opposition attacks Centre

Political heat rises over fuel restrictions

The curbs quickly turned political. AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal claimed on X that LPG supply to most commercial establishments across the country had been stopped, except for educational institutions and hospitals. He also alleged that the situation around gas and oil could worsen in the coming days.

In Karnataka, Minister Priyank Kharge attacked the Centre over the shortage of natural gas and questioned whether the government had failed to anticipate disruption in supply routes through West Asia. Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar also targeted the Centre over the LPG price rise and said the issue should be discussed in Parliament.

The government, however, has framed the order as a supply management step during a period of global uncertainty. All producers, importers, transporters, marketers and distributors of natural gas, LNG and regasified LNG have been asked to share details on output, imports, stocks, supply and consumption with the Centre.

With the conflict continuing to disrupt energy flows, the latest order shows that New Delhi is trying to ring-fence household use first, even if that means industry and commercial users take the hit.

South Korea’s per capita income edged up 0.3 per cent in 2025 to remain in the $36,000 range, as the depreciation of the Korean won against the US dollar offset actual solid income growth, central bank data showed on Tuesday.

Nominal per capita gross national income (GNI) stood at $36,855 last year, marking a 0.3 percent increase from a year earlier, according to the preliminary data from the Bank of Korea (BOK).

In terms of the won, the GNI climbed 4.6 percent from a year earlier to 52.42 million won in 2025, reports Yonhap news agency.

The figure first surpassed $30,000 in 2014 and continued to rise, nearing $38,000 in 2021. But it fell to the $35,000 range in 2022 before rebounding to $36,195 in 2023.

Growth then slowed to 1.5 percent in 2024 and 0.3 percent last year, keeping the figure in the $36,000 range for the third straight year.

Nominal gross domestic product (GDP) grew 4.2 percent on-year to 2,663.3 trillion won in 2025 but declined 0.1 percent in dollar terms to $1.87 trillion amid the weaker won.

The value of the Korean won per dollar declined 4.3 percent last year amid imbalances in foreign exchange supply and demand, as well as heavy overseas securities investments by local investors, among other factors, according to the central bank.

“Taiwan’s per capita GNI in 2025 stood at $40,585, as it benefited greatly from the semiconductor boom,” said Kim Hwa-yong, head of the BOK’s national income department. “Japan’s per capita GNI also rose to the $38,000 level following its base-year revision in December last year.”

Among the nations with populations of 50 million or more, South Korea ranked sixth in per capita GNI after the United States, Germany, Britain, France and Italy.

“Assuming no further impact from the won-dollar exchange rate, our per capita GNI is expected to surpass $40,000 in 2027,” the official said.

The Indian equity markets made notable gains in the early trade on Tuesday after US President Donald Trump indicated that war with Iran may be approaching an end.

As of 9.29 am, Sensex added 413 points, or 0.53 per cent, to reach 77,979 and Nifty gained 112 points, or 0.47 per cent to reach 24,140.

Main broad-cap indices performed in line with the benchmark indices, as the Nifty Midcap 100 gained 1.05 per cent, and the Nifty Smallcap 100 added 1.32 per cent.

All sectoral indices traded in green except Nifty IT as well as oil and gas, down 0.54 per cent and 0.47 per cent, respectively. Nifty auto, pharma and consumer durables were among the top gainers, up 1.47 per cent, 1.28 per cent and 1.95 per cent, respectively.

Near-term resistance for Nifty is placed between 24,200 and 24,250, while strong support is seen in the 23,900–23,950 range. Resistance for Bank Nifty is seen between 56,300 and 56,400, while support is located in the 55,700–55,800 zone, market participants said.

Trump suggested that the US–Israel conflict with Iran could end soon, triggering a decline in crude oil prices and the US dollar, helping restore risk appetite across global markets.

Oil prices dipped over 10 per cent before partial rebound after Trump said he was considering seizing control of the Strait of Hormuz, also adding that the war is “complete” and will be over “very soon”, according to multiple reports.

In Asian markets, China’s Shanghai advanced 0.39 per cent, and Shenzhen added 1.57 per cent, Japan’s Nikkei moved up 2.35 per cent, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index surged 1.76 per cent. South Korea’s Kospi gained 4.8 per cent.

The US markets ended in green overnight as Nasdaq added 1.38 per cent. The S&P 500 gained 0.83 per cent, and the Dow Jones advanced 0.5 per cent.

In the near term, markets are likely to remain volatile with investors closely tracking geopolitical developments, crude oil trends, and global risk sentiment for clearer directional signals, analysts said.

On March 9, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) in India net sold equities worth Rs 6,345 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) were net buyers of equities worth Rs 9,013 crore.

After winning the T20 World Cup, Indian batter Rinku Singh penned an emotional message remembering his late father following the historic triumph.

The left-handed batter lost his father during India’s T20 World Cup campaign, making the victory even more emotional for him.

Taking to Instagram, Rinku shared a heartfelt note in remembrance of his father, expressing how he wished his father had been there to see him lift the T20 World Cup trophy.

“Aapse baat kiye bina itne din kabhi nahi nikale. Mujhe nahi pata aage ki zindagi aapke bina kaise chalegi… par mujhe har kadam par aapki zaroorat padegi. Aapne sikhaya tha ki farz sabse aage hai… toh field par bas aapka sapna poora karne ki koshish kar raha tha. Ab aapka sapna pura ho gaya hai… toh bas yahi lagta hai ki kash aap mere paas hote. Har chhoti badi khushi mein aapki kami khalegi. Bohot miss karunga aapko Papa… bohot zyada.

(I have never gone so many days without speaking to you. I do not know how life will go on without you, but I will need you at every step. You taught me that duty comes above everything, and on the field I was trying to fulfil your dream. Now that it has come true, I just wish you were here with me. Your absence will be felt in every moment of happiness. I will miss you a lot, Papa.)”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Rinku Singh ✨ (@rinkukumarr_14)

Rinku’s father, Khanchand Singh, passed away at a hospital in Greater Noida on Friday after battling stage-four cancer. He was cremated in Aligarh, where a large number of people gathered to pay their final respects. A grief-stricken Rinku also shouldered his father’s mortal remains during the funeral procession.

Earlier in the tournament, Rinku had briefly returned home to be with his family after his father’s condition worsened following India’s first Super 8 match against South Africa. Despite the personal loss, he later rejoined the Indian squad in Chennai ahead of their clash against Zimbabwe on Thursday, which India won.

Although he did not feature in the playing XI after returning, Rinku remained part of the squad during the final stages of the campaign.

The middle-order batter had limited opportunities with the bat during the tournament, often arriving at the crease with only a few balls remaining. He scored 24 runs in five innings, remaining unbeaten twice, with a best score of 11*.

In T20Is this year, the left-hander has scored 115 runs in eight innings at an average of 28.75 and a strike rate of 132.18, with a highest score of 44*.

US tech giant Apple has increased iPhone production in India by about 53 per cent in 2025, assembling around 55 million units compared with 36 million a year earlier, according to reports.

A report from Bloomberg said the tech giant makes a quarter of its flagship products in India to avoid tariffs on China.

Apple produces about 220–230 million iPhones annually worldwide, with India’s share rising rapidly, primarily due to government supported production‑linked incentives, the report mentioned.

The subsidies have helped offset structural cost disadvantages such as weaker supply chains and logistics challenges compared with China.

The Cupertino-based company now assembles all versions of the iPhone 17 lineup in India, including the Pro and Pro Max models, through suppliers Foxconn Technology Group, Tata Electronics and Pegatron Corp. Older models such as the iPhone 15 and 16 continue to be built locally for domestic sales and export.

Apple is also expanding its retail footprint with store count at six and prepares to launch Apple Pay in India later this year, as sales in the country have surged past $9 billion.

As Apple’s five‑year PLI window is scheduled to end in March 2026, the company along with Samsung and others are discussing with New Delhi a new round of incentives to sustain export growth.

Analysts noted that while India has narrowed the cost gap with China and Vietnam, electronics assembly remains more expensive, making government support indispensable to sustain competitiveness.

Apple’s iPhone became the most valuable export item from India in 2025 with around $23 billion worth of devices shipped out from factories in the country, mostly to the United States, according to industry data.

Smartphones were India’s top export category for the first time, with a total $30.13 billion worth of exports in the January-December period. Apple accounted for 76 per cent of total smartphone exports

Amidst speculation about Yogi Adityanath Yogi ministry expansion in Uttar Pradesh, it may have to wait a little longer.

The current political situation does not appear to favor an immediate expansion.
It is believed that the Yogi government will only decide on the ministry expansion after the upcoming assembly elections in five states, including West Bengal, Assam, and Tamil Nadu.

According to sources here on Tuesday said, the swearing-in of the new Chief Minister in Bihar is also to be completed before this. Only after this, a change or expansion in Team Yogi in Uttar Pradesh is expected.

The BJP”s central leadership and organization are busy with these political activities, so the ministry expansion may be postponed for some time.
It is worth noting that the Yogi government in the past expanded its cabinet on September 26, 2021, about six months before the 2022 assembly elections. A total of seven ministers were sworn in at that time.

Of these, Jitin Prasada was appointed as a Cabinet Minister, while Paltu Ram, Sanjay Kumar Gond, Sangeeta Balwant Bind, Dharamveer Prajapati, Dinesh Khatik, and Chhatrapal Singh Gangwar were appointed as Ministers of State.

Currently, a total of 53 ministers, including the Chief Minister, have been sworn in during the second term of the Yogi government. Of these, Cabinet Minister Jitin Prasada has now become a minister in the central government, while Minister of State Anup Pradhan Valmiki has become a Lok Sabha member. This has left two vacancies in the cabinet.

Based on the number of MLAs, a maximum of 60 ministers can be appointed in Uttar Pradesh. Consequently, nine vacancies remain in the cabinet. Political analysts believe that the BJP leadership will decide on filling these positions, taking into account the upcoming electoral dynamics.

A senior party official stated that the cabinet expansion is likely to take place only after the Bengal elections. Due to the central leadership”s busy schedule, such a situation does not currently appear to be developing.
However, party workers have been keeping an eye on the cabinet expansion for a long time. Workers and office bearers have been waiting for this with great enthusiasm for a long time.

BTS fans, brace yourselves. Yoongi Day just hit different this year! Suga, the beloved rapper and producer of BTS, turned 33 on March 9, and the celebration wasn’t just about cake and confetti. In a very touching moment that melted hearts worldwide, Suga took time to acknowledge his Muslim fans who are observing Ramadan and this left BTS ARMY feeling extra loved and seen.

Also Read: BTS and the unbelievable rise of seven boys who took over global pop music, breaking records, rewriting rules

Suga goes live and gets personal

On his birthday, Suga went live to connect with fans, casually chatting about his day. That’s when he spotted messages from fans who were fasting for Ramadan.

Instead of skimming past, he dove right in with curiosity and genuine warmth. “Some of you are observing Ramadan. They say they’re fasting. But as far as I know, you can eat once the sun goes down. Is that right? It must be. I’m also just having my first meal after sunset,” he said.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by BTStime | azii⁷ (@bts7oclock)

The simple, respectful message sparked flood of love online. Muslim fans were quick to share their gratitude. They went on to express how special it felt to them to have their faith acknowledged by their beloved idol.

Within hours, Suga’s thoughtful words were trending across social media.

Birthday surprises galore

Of course, no Suga birthday would be complete without some BTS-style fun. The band pulled off a sweet surprise in their rehearsal room. RM, Jin, Jimin, J-Hope, V, and Jungkook greeted him with a massive cake while singing a heartfelt ‘Happy Birthday.’

The celebration didn’t stop there. HYBE staff joined in by waving their phones like mini concert lights. They gave room a festive, concert-like vibe.

Countdown to ARIRANG

This interaction comes just days ahead of BTS’ highly anticipated comeback album ‘ARIRANG’ dropping on March 20.

ARMYs are already buzzing with excitement. And Suga’s Ramadan shoutout just added extra layer of warmth to the countdown.

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister, Nitin Gadkari, on Tuesday approved a Rs 650.42 crore project to develop a key highway corridor in Kutch district aimed at improving connectivity across the remote region of Gujarat.

The project involves the construction of the 165.58-kilometre Lakhpat–Gaduli–Jara–Hajipir–Khavda–Kandavan–Dholavira section of National Highway-754K as a two-lane road with paved shoulder configuration.

The corridor runs through several sparsely populated areas of Kutch and is expected to play a significant role in improving mobility and transport infrastructure in the district.

Announcing the decision on X, Gadkari said: “The project has been sanctioned with an estimated cost of Rs 650.42 crore. The development would strengthen connectivity between the Kutch region and the rest of Gujarat while supporting economic and tourism activities in the area.”

According to the minister, Kutch hosts several major festivals and cultural programmes every year that attract visitors from different parts of the country.

Access to many of these locations depends on the corridor covered by the project. The upgraded highway is expected to improve travel conditions for visitors and residents alike.

Gadkari also highlighted the economic importance of the route, stating that the highway would facilitate the movement of goods linked to the region’s mineral and salt industries.

“Kutch is one of the country’s prominent centres for salt production and mineral extraction, and improved road infrastructure is expected to support logistics and trade connected to these sectors,” he said.

Officials said the existing road currently faces significant congestion and a higher incidence of accidents.

The planned upgrade to a two-lane road with paved shoulders is expected to ease traffic pressure and enhance road safety along the stretch.

The project is also expected to reduce vehicle operating costs by improving road conditions and traffic flow.

Lower fuel consumption and smoother movement of vehicles are anticipated as a result of the improved infrastructure.

Once completed, the highway development is expected to provide safer and more efficient transportation across a large part of Kutch, while strengthening links between remote settlements and the wider road network of Gujarat.

Actress Trisha Krishnan has found herself at the center of fresh controversy after actor-director R Parthiban publicly criticised her appearance at wedding reception alongside Thalapathy Vijay.

The remarks sparked social media storm. Now after facing intense backlash, the filmmaker has released clarification video explaining what he meant and insisting that his comments were misunderstood.

A wedding reception that sparked industry gossip

The entire episode began after Vijay and Trisha were seen together at a wedding reception recently. Normally, such sightings might have gone unnoticed. But this time, the moment quickly caught attention because of ongoing rumours surrounding Vijay’s personal life.

Reports have been circulating about a possible divorce between Vijay and his wife Sangeetha Sornalingam. According to several media reports, Sangeetha has reportedly filed a divorce petition. This allegedly includes claims of extra-marital relationship involving an unnamed actress.

Parthiban’s on-stage comment goes viral

The controversy intensified after Parthiban spoke about the situation at a recent awards event. While addressing the audience, he made a remark referring to Trisha’s famous character Kundhavai from the film ‘Ponniyin Selvan’.

During the speech, he suggested that Trisha could have “stayed at home” instead of attending the reception to avoid creating more controversies around Vijay’s personal life.

The comment quickly spread across social media. Many viewers criticised the remark as insensitive and sexist. They accused Parthiban of unfairly blaming a woman for public gossip.

Trisha fires back with a sharp post

Trisha did not remain silent for long. Although she did not directly name Parthiban, her social media post appeared to be a clear response to the controversy.

In a strongly worded message, she wrote: “A microphone doesn’t make a comment intelligent or humorous. It just makes stupidity louder.”

Her statement quickly gained support from fans and fellow celebrities.

Trisha also revealed another surprising detail. She claimed that her name and photograph were reportedly added to the awards event presentation at the last minute through an assistant at someone’s request.

Parthiban issues apology and clarification

Facing heavy criticism, Parthiban initially apologised for his words, describing them as “unintentional.” However, the backlash continued, prompting him to release a detailed clarification video.

In the video, the actor-director tried to explain his perspective. He said there is a difference between making a mistake and doing something wrong deliberately.

According to Parthiban, mistake happens unknowingly while wrongdoing involves intention. He insisted that his comment fell into the first category.

He also stressed that the claims suggesting he deliberately targeted Trisha were completely false.

“The allegations that I intentionally aimed at her are 100 per cent lies,” he said in the video.

Why he mentioned the reception

During his clarification, Parthiban again referred to the wedding reception where Vijay and Trisha were seen together.

He explained that his remark was simply about avoiding unnecessary controversy at a sensitive time.

However, he maintained that he never planned to bring up the topic during his stage speech and that the comment was made casually.

One of the biggest criticisms directed at Parthiban was that his remark sounded sexist. Many viewers felt his “stay at home” comment implied that women should limit their public appearances.

Addressing this accusation, Parthiban rejected the claim.

He clarified that he never intended to suggest that women should stay at home or avoid public events. According to him, the interpretation of his comment had gone completely out of context.

Strategic affairs expert Brahma Chellaney on Tuesday argued that India often overlooks how geographically close Iran actually is, warning that treating it simply as part of the “Middle East” hides an important strategic reality.

In a post on X, Chellaney said Iran should be viewed as a neighbour across the Arabian Sea rather than a distant West Asian country.

He pointed out that the distance between Kandla port in Gujarat and Iran’s Chabahar port is about 550 nautical miles, while Mumbai lies around 786 nautical miles away. For centuries, he noted, this maritime route supported trade between the two regions.

Also Read: US-Israel-Iran war LIVE

According to Chellaney, Iran remains important for India from both an economic and geopolitical perspective. It is among the closest potential sources of oil and liquefied natural gas for India.

India’s Blind Spot: Treating Iran as a Distant Country

Can Indians stop referring to Iran as part of the “Middle East”? The label obscures a basic geographic fact: Iran is India’s neighbor. Its southern coast lies directly across the Arabian Sea from India’s western shore.

The…

— Dr. Brahma Chellaney (@Chellaney) March 10, 2026

He also said Iran sits at a strategic junction connecting Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Pakistan, regions that are important for India’s long-term interests.

Calling Iran simply part of the “Middle East”, Chellaney argued, can create the impression that developments there are distant from India, even though the country lies directly across the Arabian Sea.

US President Donald Trump said he had a “very good call” with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which the two leaders discussed the ongoing Ukraine conflict and tensions in the Middle East.

Speaking on Monday, Trump said the conversation touched on multiple global issues, including the war between Russia and Ukraine.

“I had a very good call with President Putin… We were talking about Ukraine, which is just a never-ending fight,” Trump said. “We obviously talked then about the Middle East and he wants to be helpful. I said, you could be more helpful by getting the Ukraine-Russia war over with. That would be more helpful. But we had a very good talk, and he wants to be very constructive,” he added.

The remarks were carried on the White House’s official YouTube channel.

Earlier in the day, Putin chaired a meeting in Moscow on the global oil and gas market, where he warned that attempts to destabilise West Asia could severely impact the global energy sector.

According to Russia’s Sputnik News agency, Putin said such developments could drive up oil and gas prices and disrupt global supplies.

“Attempts to destabilise the situation in the Middle East would inevitably put the global fuel and energy sector at risk, push up oil and gas prices, restrict supplies of these resources worldwide, and undoubtedly disrupt long-term investment plans,” the Russian leader said.

He noted that around one-third of the world’s seaborne oil exports passed through the Strait of Hormuz in 2025, making the region critical to global energy flows.

Putin also warned that oil production in the Persian Gulf could come to a complete halt within a month if instability worsened, adding that output had already begun to decline.

He said global oil prices had surged by more than 30 per cent over the past week, with prices earlier touching $119 per barrel before easing to around $107, though volatility remained high.

Global gas prices were also rising faster than oil, he added.

Putin also said Russia will keep supplying energy to ‘reliable partners’ in the Asia-Pacific region and the Eastern European states of Slovakia and Hungary.

He added that Russia would cooperate with European countries on oil and gas supplies if they are willing to guarantee stable conditions.

Aneet Padda in Madhubala biopic: For months, Bollywood gossip circles have been buzzing with one burning question: ‘Who will play the legendary Madhubala?’

Several names were tossed around. At one point, reports even suggested that Kiara Advani might headline the film. But like many Bollywood rumours, that story didn’t last long. The speculation has now taken a surprising turn. Now fresh industry chatter suggests that rising actor Aneet Padda has been chosen to play Madhubala in the upcoming biopic produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

Also Read: Reshoots, rising budget, delays: What’s really happening with Ranbir-Alia-Vicky’s ‘Love & War’

Aneet Padda reportedly chosen to play Madhubala? No.

According to a report by Filmfare, Aneet Padda has been finalised to portray Madhubala in the much-awaited biographical film.

However, those reports were quickly put to rest. A YRF Talent spokesperson clarified that the rumours about Aneet Padda being cast as Madhubala are inaccurate.

This official statement puts an end to the swirling speculations, at least for now. While the media and fans had been eager to hear about the casting, it seems the makers are still keeping all details tightly under wraps.

Earlier rumours about Kiara Advani dismissed

Before Aneet Padda’s name started circulating, several media reports had suggested that Kiara Advani might collaborate with Sanjay Leela Bhansali for the biopic. The rumours quickly spread across entertainment portals and fan pages.

However, those reports were later dismissed. It is now believed that Kiara was never locked in for the role.

Aneet Padda also replaced Kiara Advani in ‘Shakti Shalini’

Interestingly Aneet Padda has already replaced Kiara Advani in another upcoming project titled ‘Shakti Shalini’. It is part of Maddock Horror Universe.

Change reportedly happened because of scheduling issues and creative shifts in the script. Kiara Advani’s busy calendar made it difficult for her to commit.

At the same time, script evolved and began focusing on younger protagonist. This new direction did not align with Kiara’s original interpretation of character. As a result, the makers decided to move forward with Aneet Padda in the lead role.

The vision behind the Madhubala biopic

The biopic being produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali is expected to be mounted on a large and visually rich scale. Bhansali is known for his grand cinematic storytelling, and the film is reportedly designed to honour Madhubala’s extraordinary journey in Indian cinema.

Because of this legacy, the production team is taking extra care while building the cast and crew for the project. So far, however, the makers have not revealed the names of other actors who will appear in the film.

Aneet Padda’s rising career after ‘Saiyaara’

The actor was last seen in her debut film ‘Saiyaara’ where she starred opposite Ahaan Panday. The movie performed well at box office and went on to become one of the most successful releases for Yash Raj Films in recent years.

Following that success, Padda has been steadily building her presence in the industry. She is currently busy shooting for ‘Shakti Shalini’.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a cash reward of Rs 131 crore for the Indian men’s team following their victorious campaign in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

The Men in Blue successfully defended their title on home soil, becoming the first team in the tournament’s history to retain the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup while also securing their third title overall.

“The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a cash reward of INR 131 crore for Team India following their triumphant campaign in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The Board congratulates the players, support staff and selectors once again on this historic achievement and wishes them continued success in the future,” the BCCI said in a statement.

News

BCCI announces a cash reward of INR 131 crore for #TeamIndia following their triumphant campaign in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Details | #T20WorldCup | #MenInBlue https://t.co/eagTz1eOUb

— BCCI (@BCCI) March 10, 2026

The reward marks a Rs 6 crore increase from the Rs 125 crore announced in 2024, when India, under Rohit Sharma’s leadership, secured their second T20 World Cup title.

Under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav this time, India scripted a historic campaign by defending the title, winning it at home, and becoming the first team to lift the trophy three times.

India also received prize money from the International Cricket Council (ICC) for their title triumph. After registering a commanding 96-run victory over New Zealand in the final, India claimed the winner’s purse of USD 2.34 million (approximately Rs 21.5 crore). Runners-up New Zealand received USD 1.17 million (around Rs 10.75 crore).

India dominated the final from the outset, posting a record total of 255 for five, the highest score ever in a men’s T20 World Cup final. The innings was powered by a blistering 89 from Sanju Samson, which set the tone for the hosts’ commanding performance.

The bowlers then sealed the victory in emphatic fashion, with Jasprit Bumrah producing a sensational spell of four wickets for 14 runs, his best figures in the format.

The comprehensive win secured India their third ICC Men’s T20 World Cup crown and made them the first team in tournament history to successfully defend the title while also winning it on home soil.

Samson was named Player of the Series after scoring 321 runs in five innings, while Bumrah earned the Player of the Match award for his decisive performance in the final.

Senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday extended greetings to personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on the occasion of the force’s Raising Day, praising their dedication and service in protecting the country’s critical infrastructure.

‎In a message posted on the social media platform X, Rahul Gandhi lauded the courage and commitment of CISF personnel.

“Warm wishes to our brave personnel on the Foundation Day of the CISF. Your dedication, sacrifice, and courage in protecting India are a source of pride and inspiration for all of us. Jai Hind,” Gandhi wrote.

‎Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also paid tribute to the force, highlighting its role in safeguarding vital installations and responding to emergencies across the country.

“Sincere gratitude and salutations to @CISFHQrs on their Raising Day,” Kharge said in a post on X. “For over five decades, the CISF has stood as a steadfast guardian of the nation’s vital installations and strategic assets, displaying exemplary courage, professionalism and dedication.”

‎He added that the force’s prompt actions during crises and disasters have helped save numerous lives. “Their swift response in times of crisis and disasters has saved countless lives. The nation deeply appreciates their unwavering service and commitment,” Kharge said.

‎The Central Industrial Security Force, one of India’s Central Armed Police Forces, was established in 1969 to provide security to critical industrial units and government infrastructure. Over the years, the CISF’s mandate has expanded significantly to include safeguarding airports, metro networks, ports, heritage monuments and other key installations across the country.

‎With a strength of over 1.7 lakh personnel, the force also plays an important role in disaster management and emergency response operations, often assisting civil authorities during natural calamities and other crises.

When a big star film goes silent for too long, rumours start flying. That’s exactly what happened with ‘Karuppu’, the much-awaited film starring Suriya. For days, social media buzzed with claims that the movie would hit theatres on April 10.

But now the film’s director-actor RJ Balaji has stepped in to clear the confusion.

Taking to social media, Balaji directly addressed fans and confirmed that the April 10 release date being discussed online is simply not true. At the same time, he assured audiences that an official announcement about the film’s release is coming very soon.

And yes, he knows fans have been waiting a long time.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by RJ Balaji (@irjbalaji)

‘Your wait will be worth it,’ says Balaji

In a video message shared online, Balaji admitted that the delay has been frustrating not just for fans but for him as well.

He revealed that he has been working on ‘Karuppu’ for almost two years now. According to him, the team has resumed work on the film and is pushing hard to finish the remaining tasks.

Balaji acknowledged the disappointment among fans, especially the loyal supporters of Suriya, who have been hearing about updates on the film for quite some time.

Also Read: Ranveer Singh’s Jaskirat Singh Rangi vs Hamza Ali Mazari looks set internet on fire in ‘Dhurandhar 2’ poster

But he asked everyone to stay patient.

The filmmaker promised that within one week or ten days, the team will officially reveal the film’s release date. However, he made one thing very clear; April 10 is not the day.

He also added that he is not interested in dragging the project any further and wants to bring the film to audiences soon.

Rumours of fights? Balaji shuts them down

Along with release date gossip, another set of rumours has been doing the rounds. Some reports claimed that there was a fallout between the director and the producers, or even disagreements involving the music director and other collaborators.

Balaji briefly addressed those whispers too.

He said he understands why fans might feel frustrated after such a long wait, but insisted that the stories about conflicts within the team are just rumours.

According to him, the team is working together smoothly, and he is confident that audiences will enjoy the film once it releases.

A quiet two years away from the spotlight

Interestingly, Balaji also spoke about his own absence from the public eye.

For nearly two years, he stayed largely away from television and public appearances while focusing on ‘Karuppu’. Recently, however, he made a small comeback by returning to a television channel as a cricket commentator.

Balaji thanked viewers for the warm welcome and said the love he received during his commentary stint meant a lot to him. He admitted that stepping back into the public space after such a long break felt special.

According to him, the encouraging feedback, both online and in person, along with strong ratings made the experience even more rewarding.

He said he accepts all the love shown to him with humility.

Karuppu cast

‘Karuppu’ is shaping up to be a major Tamil film with a strong ensemble cast.

Alongside Suriya, the movie also features Trisha Krishnan, Indrans, Natty Subramaniam, Swasika, Sshivada, Anagha Maya Ravi and Supreeth Reddy in key roles.

The music for the film is composed by Sai Abhyankkar.

Production duties are handled by SR Prakash Babu and SR Prabhu under the banner of Dream Warrior Pictures.