NEW DELHI: Invoking its emergency powers, the government directed oil refiners late on Thursday to increase production of cooking gas and ensure there is no shortage of LPG for domestic customers due to supply constraints arising from the ongoing military conflict in West Asia.India imports over 60% of its domestic LPG requirement, and nearly 85-90% of these imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, which is currently disrupted, making supplies vulnerable. In 2024-25, India consumed 31.3 million tonnes of LPG, of which only 12.8 million tonnes were produced domestically.Since India has surplus oil refining capacity, officials said all public and private oil refineries have been directed to maximise production of LPG from propane and butane streams produced, recovered, fractionated or otherwise available with them. LPG is a mixture of propane and butane.The order issued by ministry of petroleum and natural gas on March 5, under powers derived from Essential Commodities Act, 1955, stated that these streams must be utilised for LPG production and supplied only to the three public sector oil marketing companies – Bharat Petroleum, Indian Oil and Hindustan Petroleum.The order also barred refiners from using the two chemicals for producing petrochemicals. “All oil refining companies shall not divert, utilise, process, crack, convert or otherwise employ propane or butane stream for the manufacture of petrochemical products or other downstream derivatives,” it stated. The additional LPG procured by OMCs is to be sold only to domestic households for cooking purposes, and any contravention will attract penal action, as per the order.Officials said the step has been taken to ensure uninterrupted cooking gas supply to nearly 33.1 crore active LPG consumers.Apart from ramping up domestic production, the government is scouting for LPG supplies from geographies outside the conflict zone. Officials said India recently signed an LPG import contract with the US and cargoes have started arriving. Public sector oil companies will import 2.2 million tonnes of LPG from the US Gulf Coast in 2026 – roughly 10% of the country’s annual LPG imports – in a move to diversify energy sources and bolster energy security.Officials also noted that gas companies are re-prioritising natural gas supplies to ensure that critical sectors such as automobile fuel, household kitchens, and fertiliser industries continue to receive uninterrupted supply. India currently consumes about 195 million metric standard cubic metres per day of natural gas, used as auto and kitchen fuel as well as feedstock for fertiliser, power and other industries. More than 50% of this requirement is met through imports.Since Qatar, the main supplier, has shut its LNG production facility and shipment movement through the Strait of Hormuz is blocked, about 60 million metric standard cubic metres per day of supplies are currently unavailable, forcing companies to source gas from elsewhere. “A company bought a cargo (shipload of LNG) just yesterday,” an official said.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s rumored wedding plans may face unexpected attention as another high-profile celebrity wedding is scheduled around the same time. Sources claim the overlap could reignite discussions about Swift’s past relationship, potentially drawing comparisons online. The pop star reportedly hopes her big day remains focused on her relationship with Kelce rather than past headlines resurfacing.

Wedding chatter around Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce has been building for months, but a fresh twist has suddenly complicated the narrative. As speculation about their rumored summer ceremony intensifies, another headline is quietly surfacing at the same time. Swift’s former partner, Matty Healy, is reportedly preparing for a wedding of his own.The timing has caught the attention of fans and entertainment watchers alike. While Swift and Kelce have not officially confirmed their wedding date, several reports suggest a June ceremony could be on the horizon. That places the pop superstar’s big day just weeks before Healy’s expected wedding to model Gabbriette Bechtel in California. With both figures deeply embedded in pop culture headlines, even the smallest overlap between their personal milestones could spark widespread discussion.

Taylor Swift could see wedding headlines clash with ex boyfriend’s big day

Sources familiar with the situation say the overlapping timelines could reopen conversations Swift would rather leave in the past. According to reports, the singer hopes her wedding moment remains focused on the present rather than revisiting past relationships.One insider explained the concern, saying the close timing between the ceremonies could quickly become a major talking point. The source noted that “both of them occupy such a huge place in pop culture, even a small overlap in their personal timelines becomes a talking point.”Swift and Healy were briefly linked in the past, a relationship that attracted intense media attention despite its short duration. That history, however fleeting, is now resurfacing as fans notice the proximity between the rumored wedding dates.The same source suggested that such comparisons might frustrate Swift if they overshadow her celebration with Kelce. According to the report, “fans and commentators are naturally going to draw comparisons and revisit the history between them.”If the rumored June ceremony moves forward, the source added, the singer may prefer that the spotlight stay firmly on her current relationship. The insider concluded that the situation could “leave Taylor a bit furious, as she wants her wedding free of talk of her exes’ activities.”For now, both weddings remain surrounded by speculation. Neither Swift nor Kelce has publicly confirmed their date. Still, with two high profile ceremonies potentially happening weeks apart, fans are already watching closely to see how the headlines unfold.

BENGALURU: Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said the state government is planning a social media ban for children below 16 years while presenting the state budget for 2026–27.“Social media will be banned for children under the age of 16 to prevent the adverse effects of increasing mobile usage. The ban is aimed at preventing the negative impact on children caused by increasing mobile phone usage, ” Siddaramaiah said.“AI and Tech park under IISC will set up a robotics and AI campus called Bangalore Robotics and AI innovation zone in collaboration with ISRO and Keonics,” he added further.Also read: No social media for under-16s? Karnataka govt proposes ban; Andhra Pradesh, Goa weigh similar steps — what you need to know

Presenting his 17th budget, Siddaramaiah also criticised the Centre, saying it was doing injustice to the state by not adhering to the federal system of governance as laid out in the constitution.He said the state government was pursuing a development strategy that balances welfare programmes with investments in infrastructure and long-term economic transformation, while urging the Union government to be more sensitive to the state’s demands.Siddaramaiah said Karnataka remains at the forefront of the nation’s development and is among the largest contributors of tax revenues to the country.“Our state is at the forefront in all sectors of the nation’s development; it is one of the key states that contributes the highest tax revenues,” he said.Total expenditure for 2026–27 is estimated at Rs 4,48,004 crore, Siddaramaiah said. State budget of Rs 4,48,004 croreA state budget of Rs 4,48,004 crore for the financial year 2026–27, outlining plans centred on technology-driven growth, infrastructure development and environmental sustainability.CM said Karnataka continues to play a distinctive role in national and global trade and that rapid advances in artificial intelligence are transforming production systems worldwide. He added that scientific and technological innovation is increasingly shaping the state’s development trajectory.In that context, the chief minister said the budget had been framed with “responsibility and foresight” and with a resolve to “turn fire into light”.However, he also flagged concerns over falling revenue growth following the rationalisation of rates under the Goods and Services Tax in September 2025.According to the government, Karnataka’s average monthly GST revenue growth in 2025–26 was about 10% before the changes, after accounting for refunds. After the revised rates came into effect, the average monthly growth slowed sharply to around 4%.The restructuring is expected to reduce the state’s GST collections by roughly Rs 10,000 crore in the current financial year and by about Rs 15,000 crore in the next year.Among the key announcements was a plan to establish an artificial intelligence centre in Bengaluru. Two centres of excellence will be set up in collaboration with the Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms and NASSCOM at a cost of Rs 16 crore.The government also announced the establishment of a leopard rehabilitation facility at Bannerghatta Biological Park. The Rs 5-crore centre will house and rehabilitate leopards captured from residential areas on the outskirts of the city.To tackle urban flooding, the state will implement disaster management projects in Bengaluru under the Karnataka Water Security and Resilience Programme, a World Bank-funded initiative. The programme will run for five years with an estimated outlay of Rs 5,000 crore.The chief minister also said the excise department had introduced digital counselling for the transfer of Group-C cadre officers, including excise inspectors and constables, in an effort to improve transparency. The system will now be extended to transfers of deputy superintendents and superintendents in the department.

England head coach Brendon McCullum has highlighted a couple of crucial moments as the defining factor behind his side’s narrow defeat to India in the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final. In a thrilling contest at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, England came agonisingly close to chasing down a massive 254-run target but eventually fell short by just seven runs. While England’s batters fought hard till the end, McCullum reckoned India’s brilliance in the field swung the momentum firmly in the hosts’ favour.

Brendon McCullum on the turning point behind England’s loss against India

Reflecting on the match after England’s exit from the tournament, McCullum admitted that two outstanding catches by Axar Patel played a major role in shaping the outcome of the high-scoring encounter. According to the England coach, fielding under pressure at Wankhede is extremely challenging due to the pace of the outfield and the way the ball travels off the bat. However, India managed to hold their nerve at critical moments, something McCullum felt ultimately separated the two sides.

Notably, Axar’s first moment of brilliance came early in England’s chase when he completed a spectacular backward-running catch to dismiss Harry Brook in the fifth over. The England batter, known for his aggressive stroke play, had looked threatening before departing for just seven runs.

The Indian all-rounder later played another pivotal role near the boundary rope when he combined with Shivam Dube to remove Will Jacks. The pair executed a perfectly timed relay-style effort that resulted in Will Jacks being dismissed for 35 off just 20 deliveries. Both wickets came at crucial phases of the chase and forced England to constantly rebuild their innings rather than sustain momentum.

“I’ll probably look more at their two catches, to be honest. I think it is not an easy ground to field with the ball sailing everywhere. To be able to stay in the contest, the Indian players were able to execute those catches. Axar executing those catches, it was the difference in the game. In the big moments, they stood up. Their fielding hasn’t been great, so to execute it tonight was disappointing from our point of view, but fair play to them,” McCullum told Sky Sports Cricket.

Also WATCH: T20 World Cup 2026 – MS Dhoni’s priceless reaction to wife Sakshi’s early celebration during IND vs ENG semi-final goes viral

McCullum on another missed opportunity by English side

McCullum also pointed to a missed opportunity that proved extremely expensive for England. During India’s innings, Brook dropped a straightforward catch when Sanju Samson was batting on just 15. That mistake allowed the Indian wicketkeeper-batter to continue his assault. Samson made England pay heavily by smashing 89 runs off just 42 balls, an innings that laid the foundation for India’s imposing total.

McCullum admitted that once Samson found his rhythm, it became extremely difficult for England to regain control of the match. He noted that the bowlers struggled to adjust their lengths on the batting-friendly Wankhede pitch, where even slightly short deliveries can be punished.

“We put the chance down, and he was able to capitalise on it from there. We wanted to try and bowl a touch fuller. Sometimes here at the Wankhede, what feels like a good length is too short because of the extra bounce. We weren’t able to execute, and when you’ve got a player as powerful as Sanju, he’s able to capitalise on it, and he put us under pressure. It is hard to regain that composure when you’ve got a player who’s going like that,” added McCullum.

Also READ: Harry Brook reveals key reason behind England’s defeat in the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final against India

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GUWAHATI/NAGPUR/GURGAON: Squadron Leader Anuj Vashishth and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar, who was part of Operation Sindoor last year, were killed on Thursday evening when their Su-30MKI crashed in Assam’s hilly Karbi Anglong district shortly after going off the radar during a training sortie, IAF confirmed on Friday after locating the wreckage. The Sukhoi jet had taken off from the WWII-era Jorhat airbase, 200km from Karbi Anglong, around 6.45pm and lost contact with ground control at 7.42 pm. Vashishth, 29, whose family lives in Gurugram’s Sector 22B, was to get married soon. Duragkar, 25, had just returned to his squadron after visiting his parents in Nagpur around 10 days ago. His father Ravindra received news of the crashed jet being traced from a relative before the IAF unit’s commanding officer called to confirm his pilot son’s death.

‘Sqn Ldr Vashishth was introvert but passionate about flying’Karbi Anglong DC Aranyak Saikia told TOI the jet crashed “into a remote, uninhabited hill” near Rongkhelan village under Nilip block, north of district headquarters town Diphu. The crash site is a three-hour trek from the nearest road head at Chowkihola, which takes two and a half hours by road to reach from Diphu. Residents of nearby villages reported hearing a loud explosion as the jet, engulfed in flames, hurtled down the hillside. The debris was scattered across a large area. “IAF acknowledges the loss of Sqn Ldr Anuj and Flt Lt Purvesh Duragkar, who sustained fatal injuries in the Su-30 crash. All personnel of the IAF express sincere condolences and stand firmly with the bereaved families in this time of grief,” IAF posted on X. Defence minister Rajnath Singh and Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma condoled the deaths. “Their courage and service to the nation will always be remembered with pride and gratitude,” Singh said.It was the second fatal Su-30MKI crash in the Northeast in eight years. On May 23, 2017, Sqn Ldr D Pankaj and Flt Lt S Achudev took off from Tezpur’s Salonibari air base on a routine training mission and lost radar and radio contact near Arunachal Pradesh’s Doulasang, close to the China border. Their bodies were found eight days after the crash.Of the 13 Su-30MKI crashes in India since the jet’s induction into IAF’s fleet in 2002, four have been in the northeast. IAF maintains three Su-30MKI bases in the region – Salonibari (Tezpur), Chabua (Dibrugarh) and Jorhat – housing four squadrons between them, all within 150 to 250 km of the China frontier.Flt Lt Duragkar’s father said his son joined IAF four years ago, hardly expecting to be part of a historic moment like Op Sindoor so early in his career. “He would say, ‘Hamari air force chahti toh Pakistan ka naam-o-nishan mita deti (Our air force could have wiped out the enemy if it wanted to)’. My son died for the country. I wish he lived longer to serve IAF and the nation.”The last time they met, the entire family was together. Flt Lt Duragkar’s sister Sayali, who lives in the US, had come down to Nagpur for the reunion.IAF hasn’t officially cited Flt Lt Duragkar’s participation in Op Sindoor in accordance with norms for operations involving national security, defence officials said.Sqn Ldr Vashishth’s father Anand Kumar Vashishth left for Assam Friday to bring home his son one last time. The pilot’s younger brother Manuj, based in the UK, is expected in time for Saturday’s funeral at the family’s native village of Kakrana in Haryana’s Rohtak.A relative of the Sqn Ldr Vashishth said he joined IAF about a decade ago, inspired by his father, who had served as a subedar in the Army. “He was passionate about flying, somewhat introverted, and a wonderful officer,” a colleague told TOI.