The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday criticised leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over his remarks backing a protest by Youth Congress workers during the AI Impact Summit held at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi last month.A political row had erupted after Youth Congress workers held a “shirtless” protest against PM Modi during the AI Impact Summit.

The row intensified after Rahul Gandhi on Monday backed the Youth Congress protest at the OBC Congress Women’s National Wing Convention, according to ANI.In a post on X, Amit Malviya shared a video of Rahul Gandhi in which he is saying, “Yaha pe abji jo summit hua tha. Kar diya kaam Youth Congress walo ne.”“Rahul Gandhi proudly declared, ‘Kar diya kaam Youth Congress walo ne’, after Youth Congress workers staged a naked protest to disrupt the prestigious AI Summit in Delhi, embarrassing India on a global platform,” Malviya said.“When the world’s leading technology experts, policymakers, and innovators were discussing the future of Artificial Intelligence, the Congress party thought the best way to represent India was through disruption and indecency. The irony is that even Jawaharlal Nehru, whom the Congress treats as its ideological fountainhead, once took a very different view about national character and loyalty,” he added.BJP MP Sambit Patra also criticised Rahul, calling him the architect of the Youth Congress’ “shirtless” protest.Addressing a press conference in the national capital, Patra said, “When the AI Summit was held at the Bharat Mandapam, where representatives from several nations came, Indian innovators held seminars. There was a wave saying, India is a shining star in the world of AI. However, Youth Congress leaders held a demonstration, and the BJP called it a topless, brainless and shameless protest. This was not a coincidence, but an experiment. Even then, we said that Rahul Gandhi was the architect behind it.”“Yesterday, Rahul Gandhi himself accepted it and laughed like a traitor. The country could read the Mir Jafar smile on Rahul Gandhi’s face when he proclaimed that we finished the AI summit. It was proved yesterday that Rahul Gandhi was the architect, the designer and the one in the driving seat of demeaning and defaming India. This came out of Soros’ garage and reached Rahul Gandhi’s residence,” he added.Meanwhile, the Patiala House Court reserved its order on the bail pleas of three Indian Youth Congress workers — Divyansh Girdhar, Bhudev Sharma and Kuber Meena — who are currently in judicial custody in connection with the AI Summit protest case.

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As tensions in West Asia escalate, some cities are beginning to see disruptions in the supply of commercial LPG cylinders used by restaurants, hotels and food businesses. Industry bodies say the impact is already being felt in cities such as Bengaluru, Mumbai and Chennai, where eateries rely heavily on commercial cooking gas for daily operations. Authorities have prioritised domestic LPG supplies for households to ensure that cooking gas remains available for residential consumers. However, this has tightened availability for commercial establishments in some areas. Amid disruptions to imported gas supplies due to the widening West Asia conflict, the government has revised the priority order for allocating domestically produced natural gas. Under the new arrangement, LPG production, along with CNG and piped cooking gas, has been placed at the top of the priority list and their requirements will be fully met first, according to a gazette notification cited by PTI.The government has formed a panel of three Executive Directors (EDs) of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to examine requests for LPG supply from restaurants, hotels and other industries.

Karnataka

Karnataka deputy CM and State Congress President, DK Shivakumar, on Tuesday said that the state’s “entire hotel and commercial industry has been affected.” Hotel and restaurant operations in Bengaluru are likely to face disruption from March 10 after the supply of commercial gas cylinders came to a sudden halt, the Bangalore Hotels Association said on Monday. The association noted that the stoppage, linked to rising energy costs and supply constraints caused by the West Asia conflict, could force hotels to shut operations. “Since the gas supply has stopped, the hotels will be closed from tomorrow,” it said in a release, cited by PTI.It added that the hotel industry, considered an essential service, caters to common people, students and medical professionals who depend on hotels for daily meals, and the disruption could affect them until gas supplies return to normal. PC Rao, honorary president of the association, had earlier said, “Only about 10% of hotels and restaurants in Bengaluru received their LPG supply today. We have gas to keep our kitchens running only until Tuesday afternoon or evening.”

Maharashtra

Mumbai is already seeing the impact. LPG dealers said that the disruption has already begun affecting the availability of cooking gas. Consumers who booked refills are now facing delays ranging between two and eight days. Furthermore, they added that the supply of commercial cylinders used by hotels and restaurants has been completely halted and eateries could enter crisis mode. LPG dealers further added that hotels and other commercial establishments may be forced to buy domestic cylinders from the black market. “This is illegal as well as dangerous,” they cautioned.Pune municipal commissioner Naval Kishor Ram had also told ANI earlier that while all 27 crematoriums in the city were operational, the 18 facilities that depend on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) will be temporarily shut due to a “break” in supply, in order to prevent a shortage. Ram said, “Crematorium systems have not been disturbed, or there are no breaks in this… We have around 27 crematoriums in the city, with all the facilities. LPG is used in 18 of them… Due to the break in the supply, we are discouraging the use of commercial LPG in these 18 places to prevent the shortage. But we do have other facilities.”

West Bengal

The ongoing conflict is also raising concerns over potential disruptions for restaurants and bakeries in Kolkata. Establishments that depend on LPG scrambled to explore alternative options on Monday after the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas suspended the distribution of non-domestic LPG cylinders. Sources within the hospitality and food sectors cautioned that operations could soon be affected if the supply of commercial LPG continues to remain suspended.In response, the government has stepped in with a series of measures to manage the crisis, prioritising domestic cooking gas supplies for households over other sectors to ensure that daily life for citizens remains largely unaffected.

What government said?

What triggered the sudden LPG shortage?

India’s annual LPG consumption stands at about 31.3 million tonnes, with the bulk, nearly 87%, used in household kitchens, while the remaining share goes to commercial users such as hotels and restaurants. A large portion of the country’s requirement, around 62%, is fulfilled through imports. However, the recent US and Israel attack on Iran and the disruption to the oil supplies flowing through Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for India’s LPG supplies, has raised concerns. Nearly 85–90% of the country’s LPG imports from nations such as Saudi Arabia pass through this corridor. Now, as the conflict intensifies, India is considering alternative sources for fuel imports, turning to regions like Russia and West Africa.

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Once again, a leaked image from the sets of ‘Ramayana’ is rotating on the internet. This time, images that have gone viral are purported to show Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi dressed as Lord Rama and Sita in the upcoming mythological epic. The photos appeared unusually clear and showed the two actors in elaborate royal costumes, seemingly portraying the divine couple in regal attire. But the authenticity of these pictures quickly came under scrutiny. Fans wondered if these pictures are real or AI images? Television actor Ashish Sharma, who once played Lord Rama in the show ‘Siya Ke Ram’, has now confirmed that the images are fake.On Saturday, several social media accounts began sharing the pictures, which show Ranbir wearing a crown and ornate jewellery while gazing forward, as Sai Pallavi, also dressed in a crown and heavy ornaments, looks towards him. One widely shared post claimed, “Leak Pictures of Ranbir and Sai Pallavi from Ramayana.” Others suggested the visuals were from the Ram–Sita wedding sequence in the film.

However, many users online expressed doubts about the legitimacy of the images. The main reason was their unusually high clarity for something described as a “leak.” One user wrote, “Leaked pictures can’t be this clear.” Another questioned the timing: “Ram-Sita wedding must be in Part One, which wrapped filming last year. How are these appearing now?” Some users even asked the AI chatbot Grok to analyse the image, and it appeared to support the suspicion that the photos were fabricated. According to Grok, “It’s a face-swapped edit from the old TV serial Siya Ke Ram, not real leaked set photos from the upcoming film. Actual leaks show Ranbir in simpler dhoti/wig attire.”Amid the speculation, Ashish Sharma stepped in to address the claims. Sharing one of the viral images on his social media, he revealed that it had been digitally altered from a still of his own appearance in Siya Ke Ram. Posting the original frame alongside the edited version, the actor joked, “Here you go. One more “Original” leaked image. AI couldn’t replace my Hair.”The television series Siya Ke Ram, which aired in 2015–16 on Star Plus, retold the epic Ramayana from Sita’s perspective. Alongside Ashish Sharma as Lord Rama, the show featured Madirakshi Mundle as Sita, Karan Suchak as Lakshman, Karthik Jayaram as Ravana, and Danish Akhtar Saifi as Lord Hanuman.The upcoming film adaptation, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, is being developed as a two-part cinematic retelling of the epic. The first installment is scheduled to release in theatres this Diwali. Apart from Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi, the film also features Yash as Ravana, Ravie Dubey as Lakshman, and Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman. Touted as one of the most ambitious and expensive Indian productions ever, Ramayana will feature visual effects created by the Oscar-winning studio Prime Focus.

The dust has finally settled in Ahmedabad, and the cricketing world has a familiar king. India etched their names into the history books on Sunday, becoming the first nation to secure back-to-back titles after a commanding 96-run victory over New Zealand. While the Men in Blue hoisted the trophy, the ICC has now recognized the individual brilliance that defined the month-long spectacle by announcing the official T20 World Cup 2026 Team of the Tournament.

In a surprising yet respected move, the selection panel, featuring legends like Ian Bishop and Eoin Morgan named South Africa’s Aiden Markram as the captain of the star-studded XI. Markram’s tactical brilliance led the Proteas to seven consecutive wins, proving his mettle as a world-class leader even as his side fell in the semi-finals.

ICC names T20 World Cup 2026 team of the tournament

The top order of this dream team is dominated by record-breakers. Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan earns his spot after a historic campaign, amassing 383 runs—the highest ever in a single T20 World Cup edition. Farhan’s ability to notch two centuries in one tournament set a new benchmark for openers globally.

Joining him is India’s Sanju Samson, the Player of the Tournament, occupies the wicketkeeping slot. Samson’s redemption was the heartbeat of India’s knockout surge; he averaged a staggering 80.25 and struck at nearly 200. His trio of successive 80-plus scores in the virtual knockout, semi-final, and final proved he is currently the world’s most dangerous middle-order anchor. He is joined by teammate Ishan Kishan, whose 317 runs and aggressive strike rate of 193.29 provided India with the fearless starts that defined their campaign.

The all-rounder slots are occupied by the dynamic Hardik Pandya and England’s Will Jacks. Pandya’s dual-threat capability was on full display as he gathered 217 runs and 9 wickets, while Jacks equaled Shane Watson’s record for the most Player of the Match awards (4) in a single tournament, proving to be England’s most reliable finisher and a handy off-spinner.

Also READ: Complete list of T20 World Cup Player of the Tournament winners ft. Sanju Samson

A bowling attack of precision and power

The bowling unit of the 2026 Team of the Tournament offers a terrifying blend of pace, bounce, and guile. Leading the line is Jasprit Bumrah, the joint-leading wicket-taker with 14 scalps. His Player of the Match performance in the final (4/15) reminded the world why he is considered the gold standard of death bowling, maintaining a tournament economy of just 6.21.

Complementing Bumrah is the towering Jason Holder, who utilized his 6’7″ frame to extract lethal bounce, most notably in a 4/27 demolition of Nepal. South Africa’s Lungi Ngidi and Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani round out the pace attack. Muzarabani was the catalyst for Zimbabwe’s historic run to the Super Eights, highlighted by a 4/17 spell that stunned Australia.

The sole specialist spinner is England’s Adil Rashid, whose 13 wickets were pivotal on the turning tracks of the subcontinent. Interestingly, the 12th man honors went to USA’s Shadley Van Schalkwyk, who dominated the group stages with 13 wickets at an incredible average of 7.76, nearly toppling giants like India and Pakistan single-handedly.

ICC’s Team of the Tournament

Sahibzada Farhan, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson (wk), Aiden Markram (c), Hardik Pandya, Will Jacks, Jason Holder, Jasprit Bumrah, Lungi Ngidi, Adil Rashid, Blessing Muzarabani, Shadley Van Schalkwyk

Also READ: Grand welcome awaits Sanju Samson in Kerala after T20 World Cup heroics

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday (local time) warned that the US-Israeli war on Iran has pushed global energy markets into crisis, saying oil flows linked to the Strait of Hormuz could face a complete halt in the coming weeks. He also said Russia remains open to restoring long-term energy cooperation with European nations if they signal interest in rebuilding ties.Speaking during a televised meeting with senior government officials and executives from Russia’s major oil and gas companies, Putin said that the situation in the Middle East had begun disrupting global supplies, sending oil prices sharply higher and threatening wider economic consequences.

Oil prices climbed past $100 per barrel a day earlier, reaching their highest levels since 2022. The surge follows the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to the war involving Iran. The narrow waterway is responsible for transporting roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.Putin said Moscow had long cautioned that instability in the Middle East could trigger serious disruption in global energy markets, warning that such a scenario now appeared to be unfolding.“Oil production ‌dependent on ⁠the Strait of Hormuz risks halting completely within the next month. It has already begun to decline, and storage facilities in the region are filling with oil that cannot be transported…is extremely difficult to transport, or is extremely expensive to transport,” Putin said, as cited by Reuters.He further added that Russia, which is the world’s second-largest oil exporter and holds the biggest natural gas reserves, could benefit from the current market conditions. The Russian President further urged Moscow’s energy companies to be prepared to take advantage of the developments. Commenting on oil prices, Putin said that the spike may prove temporary. Oil and gas revenues account for about a quarter of Russia’s federal budget income.Putin also said Russia would be willing to rebuild energy ties with European countries if they signalled interest in restoring long-term cooperation.“We’re ready to work with Europeans too. But we ⁠need some signals from them that they’re ready and willing to work with us and will ensure this sustainability and stability,” Putin said.European nations have significantly reduced their dependence on Russian oil and gas since Moscow launched its war in Ukraine. Over the past four years, Western governments, including the European Union and the G7, imposed sanctions and moved to cut reliance on Russian energy supplies.The shift has been costly for Moscow. Europe had previously been one of Russia’s most profitable markets, and the loss of that demand has forced Russian producers to sell oil and gas to Asian buyers at heavy discounts.Last week, Putin instructed the Russian government to examine the possibility of diverting the remaining energy flows away from Europe ahead of the European Union’s plan to completely ban Russian fossil fuel imports.Before the Ukraine war, more than 40% of Europe’s gas imports came from Russia. By 2025, however, Russian pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas together accounted for only 13% of the European Union’s total imports.Meanwhile, the Group of Seven (G7) countries said on Monday that they were prepared to take “necessary measures” to deal with rising global oil prices, although they stopped short of announcing the release of emergency reserves.