Qatar’s state-owned energy giant, QatarEnergy, announced on Monday that it had suspended liquefied natural gas (LNG) production following Iranian drone attacks on two of its key processing facilities. The halt affects operations at Ras Laffan Industrial City, the world’s largest LNG complex, and Mesaieed Industrial City, both critical hubs for the Gulf state’s gas output.Qatar’s Defence Ministry reported that one drone struck an energy facility in Ras Laffan, located about 80 kilometres north of Doha, while another targeted a water tank at a power plant in Mesaieed, roughly 40 kilometres south of the capital. No casualties were reported in either incident.

The suspension triggered a sharp surge in European gas markets, with the Dutch TTF natural gas benchmark jumping nearly 45 per cent to more than 46 euros ($54) per megawatt-hour. Analysts said the move could significantly impact global LNG prices given Qatar’s position as one of the world’s top producers, alongside the United States, Australia, and Russia.Experts emphasised that the decision appeared largely precautionary rather than a direct response to the scale of the attacks. The shutdown comes amid broader geopolitical risks in the Gulf, particularly the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the world’s seaborne oil passes. This has compounded fears of supply disruptions.QatarEnergy and international analysts also noted that the halt could delay the resumption of normal LNG shipments even after the Strait of Hormuz reopens. The country shares the massive North Field gas reservoir with Iran, which accounts for around 10 per cent of global known natural gas reserves.Qatar has longstanding long-term LNG agreements with major global energy companies, including France’s Total, Britain’s Shell, India’s Petronet, China’s Sinopec, and Italy’s Eni, making the temporary suspension a potential concern for international buyers as well.

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has set up around 50 centres across the city to facilitate the issuance of the “Pink Saheli” cards and the distribution process will commence from Tuesday.The Pink National Common Mobility card, launched by President Droupadi Murmu on Monday, will provide women and transgender individuals free bus travel and seamless access to multiple public transport systems through a single smart card, in line with the “one nation, one card” initiative.Around 50 centres, including offices of district magistrates and sub-divisional magistrates, along with select Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) locations, have been established for card issuance, according to a statement.“The distribution at the 50 centres will take place from March 3 between 9 am and 5 pm on all days,” the DTC said in the statement.Each pink card will be linked to the beneficiary’s mobile number and Aadhaar to verify age, gender and Delhi residency, the statement said.The pink card will allow eligible women residents of Delhi to travel free of cost on DTC buses and cluster buses and it can also be used for paid travel on other public transport services, including the Delhi Metro and the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), enabling commuters to use one card across systems.The pink card will replace the existing paper-based pink ticket, offering touch-free travel, digital journey records and improved transparency in revenue, accounting to make public transport more accessible, technology-driven and safer, while reducing the daily commuting expenses of women, the statement added.Three types of mobility cards will be issued under the programme — pink for eligible women residents, blue for general commuters and orange for monthly-pass users. In the first phase, the pink and blue cards will be rolled out, while the orange card will be introduced later, according to the statement.The DTC has authorised Hindon Mercantile Limited (MufinPay) and Airtel Payments Bank Limited to issue the cards, the statement said, adding that the cards will be integrated with the existing automatic fare collection system across the national capital’s public-transport network.The pink card will be provided free of cost at government expense.There is also a dedicated Pink Saheli Card online portal that contains a guide manual in Hindi for women.

India faces a higher import burden when global prices rise, along with possible inflationary effects. (AI image)

Internationally, oil prices have risen by around 9-10% following Israel-US strikes on Iran, and amid the rising tensions in the Middle East are likely to remain elevated. Does that mean that petrol and diesel prices in India will go up?Brent crude, the international benchmark, moved close to $80 per barrel, while US crude futures advanced 8.6 per cent to $72.79, compared with roughly $67 on Friday.India, which meets about 88% of its crude oil demand through imports before refining it into fuels such as petrol and diesel, faces a higher import burden when global prices rise, along with possible inflationary effects.

Middle East tensions: Will petrol, diesel prices go up?

Despite the sharp increase in global oil prices, retail petrol and diesel prices in India are not expected to be revised upward in the immediate future, according to a PTI report.According to sources quoted in the report, the government is maintaining a calibrated approach that allows oil marketing companies to improve margins during periods of lower international prices while protecting consumers when global rates increase.Also Read | Middle East oil shock risks: How much do China, India, Japan depend on Middle Eastern crude, gas?Pump prices for petrol and diesel have remained unchanged since April 2022. During this period, state-run retailers including Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd have absorbed losses when crude prices were elevated and benefited when prices declined.As a result, domestic fuel prices have stayed steady even when global fuel rates climbed due to higher crude costs. Likewise, when international fuel prices softened in line with lower crude, retail rates in India did not see a reduction.Sources added that the government intends to continue shielding consumers under this policy framework, unless crude prices witness an exceptionally sharp surge.With assembly elections approaching in key states such as West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Assam, the government is keen to avoid developments that could provide political ammunition to the opposition, the report said.

India assesses oil security

Amid intensifying hostilities in the Middle East, Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Monday assessed the crude oil, LPG and petroleum products situation in a meeting with senior officials from his ministry and executives of public sector oil companies.

Importance of Hormuz for global oil flows

Much of India’s crude oil and gas supplies transit through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iranian authorities have threatened to close following US and Israeli strikes.“They have sufficient buffers to manage this kind of price spike,” a source with direct knowledge of the matter said, referring to oil companies. “We witnessed crude touching $119 per barrel in June 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. That year their profits were modest, but in FY24 they recorded a record profit of Rs 81,000 crore.”Should interruptions continue, cargoes may need to be diverted around the Cape of Good Hope, resulting in longer transit durations and higher transportation expenses, along with increased freight and insurance costs.According to media accounts, the ongoing hostilities have in effect shut down the Strait of Hormuz, the vital artery for worldwide energy transportation. Nearly one-third of global seaborne crude oil exports and around 20 per cent of liquefied natural gas cargoes pass through this narrow channel.Also Read | 1970s-style oil shock loading? Crude may hit $100 if Strait of Hormuz shuts amid Middle East tensions – what it means

PV Sindhu pulled out of the All England Championships on Monday, as the shuttler and her Indonesian coach Irwansyah Adi Pratama are stuck in Dubai due to the situation in West Asia.Confirming the development, Badminton Association of India (BAI) secretary Sanjay Mishra told TOI that Sindhu will compete in next week’s Swiss Open Super-300 tournament. “Sindhu is not playing All England due to the situation in Dubai. She will compete in Swiss Open next week,” Mishra told TOI.

As of Monday afternoon, a limited number of flights resumed operations from Abu Dhabi, but the Dubai airport is still shut.The rest of the Indian squad is in Birmingham for the Super-1000 tournament beginning Tuesday.Meanwhile, Indian shuttlers will attempt to break the 25-year-old jinx at this prestigious championship. Prakash Padukone (1980) and Pullela Gopichand (2001) were the only Indians to win the All England Championships.Saina Nehwal (2015), Lakshya Sen (2022) reached the finals, while the women’s doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand reached the last four stage in 2022 and 2023.Lakshya may find it difficult this year as he has drawn top seed Shi Yuqi of China in the first round. Fast-rising men’s singles shuttler Ayush Shetty will begin against Alwi Farhan of Indonesia and may face Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei next.The top Indian doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty face the Malaysian duo of Aaron Tai and Kang Khai Kang Xing in the first round. A victory here may pitch them against Chen Bo Yang and Liu Yi of China in the second round.Treesa and Gayatri have done well in this tournament, but they have a tough first round against Sayaka Hirota and Ayako Sakuramoto. If they beat the Japanese, they may be up against seventh-seeded Chinese duo of Li Yi Jing and Luo Xu Min.

NEW DELHI: Over 2,000 people, including 1,600 students, were evacuated on Monday after a major oleum gas leak from a chemical unit in Maharashtra’s Palghar district left dense white fumes hanging over a five-kilometre radius, officials confirmed.The leak, which occurred around 2pm at Bhageria Industries Ltd in the Boisar MIDC industrial area.Palghar district collector Dr Indu Rani Jakhar, who was monitoring operations on the ground, said the district disaster management plan was activated immediately.“The situation is being constantly monitored in coordination with all departments concerned. Citizens should not believe in rumours,” Jakhar said, urging residents to stay indoors and follow official instructions, PTI reported.District Superintendent of Police Yatish Deshmukh reassured residents, saying authorities were “taking all possible measures to deal with the situation” and advised villagers not to panic.He said that the smoke clouds have formed over the Boisar town and the locals in the direction of wind have been evacuated. The area has also been sealed out for people.“In the Bhageria Chemicals Company, located in Boisar, an incident of Oleum gas leakage was reported around 2 pm today. District Administration and Fire Brigade are carrying out the operation to control thisgas leakage. The leakage continues. A white cloudish smoke has formed over Boisar due to an Oleum gas leak. Residential and industrial areas located in the direction of the wind are being vacated. Nakabandi is also being done. Citizens are requested to move in the opposite direction of the wind and smoke, head to a safe location and do not panic,” SP Yatish Deshmukh said.Authorities also reported that three people suffered minor eye irritation, but no serious injuries were recorded.According to a press release from the district administration, the leak occurred from a 2,500-litre oleum day tank, releasing hazardous fumes that spread quickly due to strong winds. The resulting cloud affected nearby schools, factories, and residential areas, prompting authorities to evacuate over a thousand factory workers and more than 1,600 students from a local school as a safety measure.Emergency teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), and the Fire Brigade rushed to the site but initially faced difficulty reaching the exact source because of the high smoke concentration.“Due to the high smoke concentration in affected areas, response teams were facing difficulties in reaching the exact location of the leak,” the official release stated.Once inside, chemical experts and NDRF personnel, equipped with self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), managed to locate the leak and deploy sandbags around the tank to suppress the fumes, officials added.Authorities said the cause of the leak remains under investigation.The Palghar administration continues to monitor air quality and has assured that there is no immediate threat to residents. Dr Jakhar added that coordinated efforts are underway with various departments to ensure full containment and prevent recurrence.

A viral claim circulating on social media suggests that Bollywood actress Urvashi Rautela was spotted cheering for Team India during the high-voltage T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash against the West Indies at Eden Gardens – wearing a Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) jersey, reportedly in support of rumoured boyfriend and LSG captain Rishabh Pant.

Urvashi Rautela in new LSG jersey: What started the speculations?

Social media posts began circulating during India’s record-breaking chase against the West Indies on March 1, claiming that Urvashi was spotted in the stands at Eden Gardens wearing the new LSG jersey. The speculation was fuelled by the actress’s long-standing association with Rishabh Pant in gossip columns, with users suggesting she was there to promote the new LSG kit, which has recently been launched by the franchise for IPL 2026.

Did Urvashi Rautela watch the India vs West Indies T20 World Cup clash at the Eden Gardens? 

Despite the buzz on social media, the claims about Urvashi being present in Kolkata on Sunday (March 1) are completely untrue. She was not at Eden Gardens for the India vs West Indies clash. In fact, the viral image being shared online is an old photo from the India vs Pakistan match in Dubai during the Champions Trophy 2025. The picture has been digitally altered using an AI tool, with her outfit edited to make it appear as though she was wearing an LSG jersey. Therefore, reports suggesting she attended the IND vs WI match in Kolkata are entirely false and misleading.

Also READ: Top 3 highest run-chases by India in T20 World Cup history

Urvashi Rautela’s repeated denials of dating Rishabh Pant

In multiple interviews, Urvashi has addressed and dismissed the circulating rumours of being in a relationship with Pant. Speaking to NDTV, she clarified that the speculation surrounding her and Pant is “baseless” and emphasized her focus on her career.

“It’s not just about one interview; it’s about consistently having to address baseless rumours and memes. I prefer to keep my personal life personal,” Rautela stated in a recent interview. “My focus remains on my career and the work I’m passionate about.”

She expressed frustration over the relentless scrutiny of her personal life, describing the rumours and memes as “meaningless.”  “I don’t understand why meme material pages get so excited about these unfounded things,” she added.

India’s victory overshadows off-field distractions

While social media buzzed with off-field speculation, the real story at Eden Gardens was Sanju Samson’s breathtaking unbeaten 97 off 50 balls, powering India to their highest-ever successful T20 World Cup chase of 196 and securing a semifinal berth. The defending champions will now face England at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on March 5, with cricket fans eagerly awaiting the blockbuster clash.

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026 – Mammootty, Mohanlal and other film stars hail Sanju Samson after his match-winning knock against West Indies

Asia relies heavily on energy supplies from the Middle East, leaving the region particularly exposed. (AI image)

Middle East tensions due to the ongoing conflict of Israel and the US with Iran have raised fears of the Strait of Hormuz – a key maritime route being closed – threatening crude oil and LNG supplies for Asian countries including India and China. Asia relies heavily on energy supplies from the Middle East, leaving the region particularly exposed if the expanding conflict triggered by Israeli and US strikes on Iran results in sustained disruptions to oil and gas flows.

How much are China, Japan, India, and South Korea exposed to Middle East oil supply disruption risks? Where do their strategic oil reserves stand? Let’s take a look:

India’s Middle East Oil Dependency

In January, the proportion of Middle Eastern crude in India’s total oil imports climbed to 55%! This is the highest level since late 2022 – roughly translating into around 2.74 million barrels per day supply. The increase came as Indian refiners scaled back their purchases of Russian crude oil.Also Read | Middle East on the boil after Khamenei’s death: What does it mean for India’s trade, exports, crude oil & LPG supply?Last month, Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that India has sufficient storage capacity for crude and refined petroleum products, including stocks maintained by companies and those held in strategic reserves, to meet domestic demand for around 74 days.India ranks as the world’s fourth-largest importer of liquefied natural gas and sources nearly two-thirds of its LNG requirements from Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman, according to data from Kpler.

China’s Middle East Oil Dependency

China is the largest importer of crude oil globally and the leading buyer of Iranian crude. However, substantial volumes of oil held in floating storage, along with sizable strategic reserves, help cushion the immediate risk of supply shortfalls.Approximately half of China’s total crude imports come from the Middle East. According to data from Kpler, the country imported an average of 1.38 million barrels per day of Iranian oil last year. This accounts for about 13% of its seaborne crude purchases. In addition, around 42 million barrels of Iranian crude were being stored aboard tankers in Asian waters toward the end of January.Over the years, China has steadily expanded its strategic petroleum reserves by constructing additional storage facilities and purchasing crude during periods of global oversupply. Although Beijing does not disclose official reserve figures, analysts estimate the stockpile at roughly 900 million barrels, which is equivalent to just under three months of import coverage.China also ranks as the world’s top importer of liquefied natural gas, with about one-third of those LNG shipments sourced from the Middle East.

Japan’s Middle East Oil Dependency

Japan gets nearly 95% of its crude oil imports from the Middle East, with roughly 70% of those shipments transiting the Strait of Hormuz. In January, Japan imported 2.8 million barrels per day of crude, including 1.6 million barrels per day from Saudi Arabia, along with additional supplies from the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar.The country maintains emergency crude reserves sufficient to cover 254 days of consumption. As the world’s second-largest importer of liquefied natural gas, Japan sources about 40% of its LNG from Australia, amounting to 25.8 million metric tonnes last year. LNG shipments from Middle Eastern producers such as Qatar, Oman and the UAE accounted for 11% of total imports.Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said that Japanese firms currently hold LNG inventories equivalent to around three weeks of domestic demand. Japan also trades approximately 40 million tonnes of LNG annually and has the capacity to divert part of those volumes for domestic use during emergencies.Also Read | 1970s-style oil shock loading? Crude may hit $100 if Strait of Hormuz shuts amid Middle East tensions – what it means

South Korea’s Middle East Oil Dependency

South Korea depends almost entirely on imported energy and procures about 70% of its crude oil and 20% of its LNG from the Middle East, according to data from the Korea International Trade Association.In December, the country’s industry ministry announced that government strategic petroleum reserves had reached 100 million barrels, while the private sector holds an additional 95 million barrels. A government official said on Monday that combined reserves are adequate to meet around 208 days of consumption.On Sunday, the ministry indicated that if disruptions to Middle Eastern supplies continue, South Korea will look to secure additional energy volumes from alternative regions.