Ships are seen anchored near Fujairah port as smoke from burning oil facility fills the sky in Fujairah (AP photo)

An Indian-flagged crude tanker had a close call when the the UAE’s Fujairah port came under attack on Saturday while it was loading crude at the oil terminal. The vessel sailed out safely the next day with everyone onboard unhurt.The vessel, Jag Laadki, departed Fujairah at 10.30 am IST carrying around 80,800 tonnes of Murban crude oil and is now bound for India, according to the govt statement. Officials confirmed that the ship and all Indian seafarers on board are safe.

“On March 14, 2026, while the Indian-flag vessel Jag Laadki was loading crude oil at the Fujairah Single Point Mooring, the Fujairah oil terminal was attacked. The vessel sailed safely from Fujairah at 1030 hrs IST today (Sunday) carrying about 80,800 tonnes of Murban crude oil and is bound for India,” the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas said in a press release.“The vessel and all Indian seafarers onboard are safe,” it added.Jag Laadki is the fourth Indian-flagged vessel to emerge unharmed from the conflict-hit region. Its safe departure is considered significant as disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz have affected shipping movements and energy supplies in the region.Earlier on Saturday, two Indian-flag LPG carriers — Shivalik and Nanda Devi — successfully crossed the war-hit Strait of Hormuz while carrying a combined cargo of about 92,712 tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Shivalik is expected to reach Mundra port in Gujarat on March 16, while Nanda Devi is scheduled to dock at Kandla port a day later.Both ships were among 24 vessels that had remained stranded on the western side of the strait since hostilities began in the region. Another four ships had been stuck on the eastern side.One of those vessels, the Indian-flagged tanker Jag Prakash, crossed the strait on Friday after loading gasoline from Sohar port in Oman. It is currently heading to Tanga in Tanzania and is expected to arrive there on March 21.Authorities said Indian vessels and seafarers operating in the region remain safe, though the situation continues to be monitored closely. At present, 22 Indian-flagged vessels carrying 611 seafarers remain on the western side of the Persian Gulf region.India remains heavily dependent on energy imports, sourcing about 88 per cent of its crude oil, 50 per cent of its natural gas and 60 per cent of its LPG from overseas markets. Prior to the escalation of the conflict following the US-Israel strikes on Iran on February 28, more than half of India’s crude imports, along with around 30 per cent of gas and up to 90 per cent of LPG, came from Middle East countries such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE.The conflict has disrupted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy supplies. While India has partly offset crude supply disruptions by increasing purchases from countries including Russia, gas supplies to industrial users have been curtailed and LPG availability for commercial establishments such as hotels and restaurants has been reduced.The government said maritime authorities remain in constant coordination with stakeholders to ensure the safety of Indian seafarers.“The Directorate General of Shipping continues to monitor the situation in coordination with ship owners, RPSL agencies and Indian Missions,” the update said.It added that since the activation of the DG Shipping control room, authorities have handled 2,995 phone calls and more than 5,357 emails from seafarers, their families and other maritime stakeholders seeking information and assistance.So far, 276 Indian seafarers have been safely repatriated from the Gulf region, including 23 in the past 24 hours.Officials said ports across India are also keeping a close watch on vessel movements and cargo operations as the maritime situation evolves, while the Ministry of Shipping continues to coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian missions and shipping companies to ensure the safety of Indian crews and the continuity of maritime trade.

NEW DELHI: Political parties on Sunday welcomed the Election Commission’s poll dates announcement for 4 states and one Union Territory. West Bengal will vote in two phases starting April 23, while Kerala, Assam and Puducherry will go to the polls on April 9, and Tamil Nadu on April 23; results for all will be declared on May 4.In 2021, West Bengal voted across eight phases and Assam in three. Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry may see single-phase polling, while West Bengal and Assam are likely to have multiple phases due to larger electorates.

Welcoming the EC’s move to conduct Bengal elections in two phases, the West Bengal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party called it a “civilisational battle”. Congress too welcomed EC’s move to conduct polls in 2 phases in the state, however TMC said that the number of phases was just a “reflection of what the BJP wants”.

The poll panel earlier announced that Assembly elections to the 294 seats in West Bengal will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with the counting of votes scheduled for May 4.Political parties in Tamil Nadu, including the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), the main opposition All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), and others welcomed the announcement by EC to conduct a single-phase voting in the state.

How BJP reacted

Welcoming the move, BJP voiced confidence in winning polls in West Bengal saying the “countdown to the end of Mahajungle Raj has begun”, referring to TMC government in the state.“This is not merely an election, it is a civilisational battle. On 23rd and 29th April, the people of West Bengal will cast their vote in two phases to reclaim their future. The countdown to the end of Mahajungle Raj has begun. 50 days to go — 4th May will mark a new dawn for Bengal,” the Bengal BJP unit of Bengal said in a post on X.

How TMC reacted

The All India Trinamool Congress played down the EC’s decision to conduct the Bengal elections in two phases, alleging that the poll schedule was determined based on the “requirements of its political masters.”The party also questioned what it termed the commission’s “duality”, pointing out that the 2021 assembly elections in the state were held in eight phases despite high Covid-19 infections, whereas the upcoming polls have been limited to just two phases.“The number of phases is solely a reflection of what the BJP wants and the Election Commission has only adhered to the requirement of its political masters,” TMC spokesperson, Arup Chakraborty said.“Else, how can one justify conducting eight-phase polls in the state in 2021 when people were dying of Covid infections and deciding to hold the polls in two phases now when there is no such bug. The number of polls doesn’t matter, people will demolish the BJP irrespective of that,” Chakraborty added.

How Congress reacted

Congress hailed EC’s announcement that elections will be held in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu in one phase and that elections will be held in West Bengal in two phases.“I welcome the announcement that elections will be held in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu in one phase and that elections will be held in West Bengal in two phases. I am glad that the number of phases has been compressed to one phase/two phases,” P Chidambaram said in a social media post. Senior Congress leader Pradip Bhattacharya welcomed the decision to conduct assembly elections in West Bengal in two phases, but expressed concern over whether voters would be able to exercise their franchise freely and without intimidation.The former chief of the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee said he had raised the issue of alleged voter intimidation during his interaction with the full bench of the Election Commission of India during its recent visit to the state.“I welcome the Election Commission’s move to hold the polls in West Bengal in two phases. But my only concern is that the electors can cast their votes freely and without any fear,” Bhattacharya told PTI. “I have seen many elections when voters could not cast their votes even when there were six or seven phases of elections,” he added.

How DMK, AIADMK reacted

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the main opposition All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), along with other political parties in Tamil Nadu, on Sunday welcomed the announcement of the Assembly election schedule by the Election Commission of India and expressed confidence of winning the April 23 polls.A DMK office-bearer, Salem Dharanidharan, said that since party president and chief minister MK Stalin assumed office, his focus has remained on governance and public welfare, adding that the state government’s schemes are now being replicated across the country.He also said the party’s preparations for the polls effectively began the day Stalin took charge as chief minister. “The DMK would secure a huge victory in the polls…it will be a sweep; winning more than 200 seats out of the 234,” he said.Meanwhile, AIADMK spokesperson Kovai Sathyan said, “Our party chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami has already covered campaign in nearly 200 constituencies. We are ready to face polls even tomorrow and whenever it is held we are going to win.” He added that people are backing the AIADMK and expressed confidence that the party and its allies in the National Democratic Alliance—including the Bharatiya Janata Party, Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam and Pattali Makkal Katchi—would secure a major victory and form the next government in the state.

The International Energy Agency’s decision to release 400 million barrels of emergency oil stocks, the largest reserves drawdown in its history, is likely to provide only limited relief if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, according to an analysis by S&P Global Energy, as global markets continue to reel from the supply shock triggered by the ongoing West Asia conflict.The IEA this week announced the largest-ever emergency oil stock release in its history, making 400 million barrels available to global markets in a bid to ease disruptions caused by the war-driven energy crisis.

Relief for markets, but not a full fix

S&P Global Energy said the release would help the oil market adjust to the current imbalance, but warned that it would not be enough to solve the deeper disruption caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, especially for Asian markets, where inventories are already tightening.As per news agency ANI, S&P said it remains unclear how effectively the released oil will reach the regions that need it most, particularly in Asia.The scale of the shortfall is already severe. It would take months for the 400 million barrels to offset the roughly 430 million-barrel reduction in global supply recorded in March alone.

Hormuz closure remains the core problem

According to Jim Burkhard, vice president and global head of crude oil research at S&P Global Energy, the real issue is not simply a shortage of oil in the world, but the inability to move enough of it through the region’s most critical shipping route.“There is too much oil that cannot be exported via the Strait of Hormuz and not enough in Asia, where stocks are running down. The market is seriously unbalanced and that will continue until the Strait is reopened and upstream and downstream operations return to normal. It will not happen quickly,” Burkhard said, as quoted by ANI.S&P Global Energy described the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz as the largest oil supply disruption in history.The agency estimates that only 3 to 4 million barrels per day of oil were exported during the first 11 days of March through routes bypassing the Strait of Hormuz. Before the war, around 21 million barrels per day of oil exports transited through the waterway.

Brent outlook revised, but volatility risk remains

Against this backdrop, S&P Global Energy has revised its base-case outlook for Dated Brent crude to a monthly average range of $70-100 for the remainder of 2026.However, that projection assumes that secure tanker flows through Hormuz resume in the coming weeks. S&P warned that if the closure stretches into months rather than weeks, crude oil prices could surge to new record highs.That warning underlines how heavily global oil markets remain tied to the reopening of the strategic chokepoint.

IEA’s biggest-ever stock release

The Paris-based IEA agreed on Wednesday to make 400 million barrels available from members’ strategic reserves, far above the 182.7 million barrels released in 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.IEA member nations currently hold over 1.2 billion barrels of public emergency oil stocks, in addition to around 600 million barrels of industry stocks maintained under government obligation.The decision came after Iran’s retaliatory actions in the Gulf effectively halted cargo movement through the Strait of Hormuz, which normally handles about one-fifth of global oil shipments.

Countries begin releasing strategic reserves

Germany and Austria have confirmed they will release parts of their strategic reserves in line with the IEA’s call, while Japan said it would begin drawing down some stocks from Monday.Germany’s economy minister Katherina Reiche said the first deliveries could begin within days, while Austria’s economy minister Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer said Vienna would also extend its national strategic gas stockpile.The G7 energy ministers had also backed the use of strategic reserves in principle.While the IEA’s record reserves release may help cushion the immediate blow, S&P’s assessment suggests the global oil market will remain under extreme strain unless the Strait of Hormuz reopens and normal energy flows resume.

The eighth edition of the Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) will be held on March 21, 2026, in Lucknow, celebrating the inspiring journeys and achievements of India’s finest athletes across multiple disciplines. TOISA 2025 will recognise performances delivered between January 1 and December 31, 2025, highlighting standout displays at global championships and major international competitions. Featuring more than 45 award categories, the event honours both established stars and emerging talents who made the nation proud through exceptional performances.The winners will be selected by a distinguished jury comprising some of India’s most respected sporting icons, including Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra, hockey legend PR Sreejesh, batting great Mithali Raj, Paralympic champion Devendra Jhajharia, table tennis stalwart Sharath Kamal and tennis legend Leander Paes. Their collective expertise ensures a credible and balanced evaluation of excellence across Indian sport.The shooting nominees for TOISA 2025 reflect India’s remarkable depth in the sport, with several athletes delivering medal-winning performances on the global stage. Among the men, Samrat Rana created history with gold at the ISSF World Championships, while Ravinder Singh also emerged world champion in the 50m pistol. Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar and Anish Bhanwala impressed with podium finishes at the World Championships and World Cup Final, while Varun Tomar and Rudrankksh Patil added key World Cup and championship medals.In the women’s category, teenage sensation Suruchi Inder Singh enjoyed a breakthrough year with multiple World Cup gold medals. Simranpreet Kaur struck gold at the ISSF World Cup Final, while Esha Singh showcased her versatility with medals across two pistol events. Elavenil Valarivan and Sift Kaur Samra also enjoyed outstanding seasons, while Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker maintained her consistency with multiple podium finishes across major competitions.SHOOTING – MALESamrat RanaDate of Birth: January 8, 2005Place of Birth: Karnal, HaryanaSport: Shooting (10m Air Pistol)Major Achievements in 2025:ISSF World Championships: Gold (Individual), Gold (Team) & Silver (Mixed Team)ISSF World Cup Final: Bronze (Individual)Young Samrat Rana created history last year by becoming the first world champion from India in his event, the 10m Air Pistol, marking a defining breakthrough in his career. The former junior world champion delivered a sensational performance at the ISSF World Championships 2025, where he emerged as one of the biggest stars of the tournament with a haul of three medals. Rana clinched the gold medal in the individual event and followed it up with another gold in the team competition. He also secured a silver medal in the mixed team event alongside Esha Singh.With this outstanding performance, Rana became only the third Indian shooting world champion, joining the elite list that includes Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra and world champion Rudrankksh Patil. The 21-year-old continued to shine later in the season, adding a bronze medal at the Doha World Cup Final, ensuring that the year would go down as one of the most memorable and significant phases of his rapidly progressing shooting journey.Ravinder SinghDate of Birth: October 17, 1996Place of Birth: Bishnah, Jammu and KashmirSport: Shooting (50m Pistol)Major Achievements in 2025:ISSF World Championships: Gold (Individual), Silver (Team)Asian Championships: Silver (Team)Ravinder Singh, a 29-year-old Naik Subedar in the Indian Army, achieved the biggest success of his shooting career by winning gold in the 50m pistol, a non-Olympic discipline, at the ISSF World Championships in Cairo. Hailing from Bishnah in Jammu and Kashmir, he delivered a composed, high-quality performance to finish atop the podium against a strong international field. He also secured a team silver, capping a remarkable and highly successful year.Aishwary Pratap Singh TomarDate of Birth: February 3, 2001Place of Birth: Khargone, Madhya PradeshSport: Shooting (50m rifle 3 positions)Major Achievements in 2025:ISSF World Championships: Silver (Individual)ISSF World Cup Final: Silver (Individual)Asian Championships: Gold (Individual), Silver (Team)Two-time Olympian Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar rounded off last year with podium finishes at the ISSF World Championships and the ISSF World Cup Final. The 50m rifle 3 positions specialist claimed individual silver in Cairo and followed it up with another silver in Doha. He also enjoyed success at the Asian Shooting Championships in Kazakhstan, where he secured individual gold and a team silver to complete an impressive season.Anish BhanwalaDate of Birth: September 26, 2002Place of Birth: Sonipat, HaryanaSport: Shooting (25m rapid fire pistol)Major Achievements in 2025:ISSF World Championships: Silver (Individual)ISSF World Cup Final: Silver (Individual)Asian Championships: Silver (Individual), Silver (Team)Young pistol shooter Anish Bhanwala won his career’s second medal at the ISSF World Championships last year, securing an individual silver in Cairo. He followed it up with another individual silver at the ISSF World Cup Final in Doha. It turned out to be a rewarding year for the 23-year-old, who also claimed two silvers at the Asian Shooting Championships, one each in the individual and team events.Varun TomarDate of Birth: September 8, 2003Place of Birth: Baghpat, Uttar PradeshSport: Shooting (10m air pistol)Major Achievements in 2025:ISSF World Championships: Gold (Team), Bronze (Individual)Young pistol shooter Varun Tomar, who took up the sport inspired by his Olympian cousin Saurabh Chaudhary, won two medals at the ISSF World Championships. He secured bronze in the individual event, which was won by teammate Samrat Rana, and combined with Samrat and Sharvan Kumar to clinch team gold. He had also claimed team gold and individual bronze at the Junior World Championships three years earlier in 2022.Rudrankksh PatilDate of Birth: December 16, 2003Place of Birth: Thane, MaharashtraSport: Shooting (10m air rifle)Major Achievements in 2025:ISSF World Cup Buenos Aires: Gold (Individual), Silver (Mixed Team)ISSF World Cup Lima: Silver (Mixed Team)Asian Championships: Gold (Team)Young 22-year-old rifle shooter Rudrankksh Patil enjoyed a highly successful 2025 season, winning multiple World Cup medals. He began the year with individual gold at the ISSF World Cup in Argentina and also secured a mixed team silver with Arya Borse at the same tournament. The pair went on to win another mixed team silver at the ISSF World Cup in Peru, taking his tally to three World Cup medals for the year. Patil also clinched a team gold at the Asian Shooting Championships in Kazakhstan, capping a fruitful and impressive season.SHOOTING – FEMALESuruchi Inder SinghDate of Birth: April 28, 2006Place of Birth: Jhajjar, HaryanaSport: Shooting (10m air pistol)Major Achievements in 2025:ISSF World Championships: Silver (Team)ISSF World Cup Final: Gold (Individual)ISSF World Cup Buenos Aires: Gold (Individual), Bronze (Mixed Team)ISSF World Cup Lima: Gold (Individual), Gold (Mixed Team)ISSF World Cup Munich: Gold (Individual)Asian Championships: Bronze (Team), Bronze (Mixed Team)2025 was a breakthrough year for teenage shooter Suruchi Singh. The 19-year-old rose to prominence after winning five gold medals across ISSF World Cup stages. She began with individual gold at the ISSF World Cup in Argentina, where she also claimed mixed team bronze. She followed it up with a double gold at the ISSF World Cup in Peru, winning the individual title and the mixed team gold with Saurabh Chaudhary. Suruchi then secured another individual gold at the ISSF World Cup in Germany before clinching her fifth gold at the ISSF World Cup Final in Doha. She also added a team silver at the ISSF World Championships and won two bronze medals at the Asian Championships, completing a remarkable season. Simranpreet KaurDate of Birth: October 2, 2004Place of Birth: Faridkot, PunjabSport: Shooting (25m pistol)Major Achievements in 2025:ISSF World Cup Final: Gold (Individual)ISSF World Cup Lima: Silver (Individual)Asian Championships: Bronze (Team)Young pistol shooter Simranpreet Kaur made 2025 a memorable year by winning gold at the prestigious ISSF World Cup Final in Doha. She clinched the title with a new junior world record score of 41 out of 50. Earlier in the season, she secured her first senior international medal — an individual silver at the ISSF World Cup in Peru. She also added a team bronze at the Asian Shooting Championships, capping off an impressive year.Esha SinghDate of Birth: January 1, 2005Place of Birth: Hyderabad, TelanganaSport: Shooting (10m air pistol, 25m pistol)Major Achievements in 2025:ISSF World Championships: Bronze (25m pistol – Individual), Silver (10m air pistol – Team), Silver (10m air pistol – Mixed Team)ISSF World Cup Buenos Aires: Silver (25m pistol – Individual)ISSF World Cup Ningbo: Gold (10m air pistol – Individual)Asian Championships: Bronze (25m pistol – Team)Young pistol shooter Esha Singh had a stunning 2025, winning multiple medals at major competitions in both her events — 10m air pistol and 25m pistol. The 21-year-old claimed three medals at the ISSF World Championships, securing individual bronze in 25m pistol and two silvers in 10m air pistol (team and mixed team), an outstanding feat for the youngster. She also won individual gold in 10m air pistol at the ISSF World Cup in China and an individual silver in 25m pistol at the ISSF World Cup in Argentina earlier in the season. She further added a team bronze in 25m pistol at the Asian Shooting Championships, making it a true breakthrough year marked by success across both disciplines.Elavenil ValarivanDate of Birth: August 2, 1999Place of Birth: Cuddalore, Tamil NaduSport: Shooting (10m air rifle)Major Achievements in 2025:ISSF World Championships: Bronze (Individual), Bronze (Team)ISSF World Cup Munich: Bronze (Individual)Asian Championships: Gold (Individual), Gold (Mixed Team), Bronze (Team)Two-time Olympian Elavenil Valarivan won two bronze medals at the ISSF World Championships in Cairo, taking her overall tally at the event to three bronzes after her team podium finish in 2022. The rifle shooter also secured an individual bronze at the ISSF World Cup during the season. She enjoyed an outstanding continental campaign as well, winning two gold medals (individual and mixed team) and a team bronze at the Asian Shooting Championships in Kazakhstan, capping off a highly successful year.Sift Kaur SamraDate of Birth: September 9, 2001Place of Birth: Faridkot, PunjabSport: Shooting (50m rifle 3 positions)Major Achievements in 2025:ISSF World Cup Buenos Aires: Gold (Individual)ISSF World Cup Munich: Bronze (Individual)Asian Championships: Gold (Individual), Gold (Team)Sift Kaur Samra has carved a name for herself in one of the toughest events in shooting sports — the 50m rifle 3 positions. She won her first individual gold at the ISSF World Cup last year, marking a major milestone in her career. She then added another individual World Cup medal, securing bronze at the ISSF World Cup in Germany. Sift also enjoyed a dominant run at the Asian Shooting Championships, clinching two gold medals with top-of-the-podium finishes in both the individual and team events in Kazakhstan.Manu BhakerDate of Birth: February 18, 2002Place of Birth: Goria, HaryanaSport: Shooting (10m air pistol, 25m pistol)Major Achievements in 2025:ISSF World Championships: Silver (10m air pistol – Team)ISSF World Cup Lima: Silver (10m air pistol – Individual)Asian Championships: Bronze (10m air pistol – Individual), Bronze (10m air pistol – Team), Bronze (25m pistol – Team)Manu Bhaker, a double medallist at the Paris Olympics, had a steady 2025 season even though gold at major events eluded her. She secured a team silver at the ISSF World Championships and followed it up with an individual silver at the ISSF World Cup. Manu also enjoyed success at the Asian Shooting Championships, winning three medals — an individual bronze and two team bronzes — to cap off a consistent year.

Meta is reportedly preparing for its biggest round of layoffs since the ‘year of efficiency’ restructuring in 2022–23, and this time the scale could be staggering. According to a Reuters report, cuts could affect 20% or more of the company’s nearly 79,000-strong workforce—potentially over 15,800 jobs—driven by mounting AI infrastructure costs and a broader push toward leaner, AI-assisted operations.No date has been reportedly being finalised and the exact magnitude remains undecided. But top executives are said to have have already begun signalling the plans to senior leadership, asking them to map out how to pare back, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. One person familiar with the company’s thinking told Business Insider the cuts could come as soon as a month.

Meta’s AI ambitions are costing the company a fortune

The layoffs are driven by two forces: offsetting the enormous cost of Meta’s AI infrastructure bets, and preparing for a smaller, more efficient workforce that AI tools are expected to enable.

The company has committed $600 billion to build data centres by 2028. Its 2026 capital expenditure is projected to hit as high as $135 billion—nearly double the $72 billion it spent last year.

Beyond infrastructure, Meta has been handing out eye-watering pay packages to court top AI researchers for its superintelligence team. Some of those packages are reportedly worth hundreds of millions of dollars over four years.It has also been on a buying spree. Meta recently acquired Moltbook, a social networking platform built for AI agents, and is spending at least $2 billion to acquire Chinese AI startup Manus. It also invested $14.3 billion in Scale AI in June last year, bringing on its founder Alexandr Wang as chief AI officer.Zuckerberg has been open about where this is heading. In January, he said he was already seeing “projects that used to require big teams now be accomplished by a single very talented person.”Last week, Meta created a new AI engineering organisation where teams will have manager-to-employee ratios of up to 1:50.

The 20% figure would make this Meta’s worst round of job cuts ever

If the 20% figure holds, it would surpass the twin rounds of cuts in late 2022 and early 2023. Back then, Meta laid off roughly 11,000 employees in November 2022—around 13% of its workforce. About four months later, it announced another 10,000 cuts. In January this year, it had already cut 1,500 people in its Reality Labs division. A 20% reduction today would translate to roughly 15,800 jobs gone.Meta wouldn’t be alone in this. The cuts reflect a pattern of historic job reductions sweeping across big tech. Amazon confirmed one of its largest-ever rounds of layoffs in January, cutting around 16,000 jobs—nearly 10% of its workforce. Fintech firm Block went even further, chopping nearly half its staff, with CEO Jack Dorsey explicitly pointing to AI tools as the driving reason.”The company spokesperson Andy Stone stopped short of a denial, calling it “speculative reporting about theoretical approaches,” in response to Reuters’ questions—suggesting the cuts may have been discussed internally but are far from finalised.

Meta’s AI model troubles are piling up at the worst possible time

The layoff news lands at an already turbulent moment for Meta’s AI ambitions. Its new foundational model, codenamed Avocado, has reportedly fallen short in internal tests for reasoning, coding, and writing—underperforming rivals like Google’s Gemini 3.0—and has been pushed back to at least May from its original March target.Before Avocado, Meta scrapped the largest version of its Llama 4 model, called Behemoth, which had been due out last summer after facing criticism for delivering misleading benchmark results.The company assembled an elite internal unit called TBD Lab, led by Wang, specifically to build Avocado—but so far, the lab’s only public release has been Vibes, an AI video app. With Avocado delayed, billions committed, and now potentially thousands of jobs on the line, the stakes for that team have never been higher.

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Sunday announced that the assembly polls in West Bengal will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29 — unlike the eight-phase polling conducted in 2021.While announcing the poll schedule of 4 states and one Union territory, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said that the reduction of phases were found necessary to make elections convenient to everybody.“With regards to the West Bengal elections to be held in two phases instead of eight phases earlier, the Commission has held detailed deliberations and in its considered opinion, it was found necessary to reduce the number of phases and bring it down to an extent where it is convenient for everybody,” Kumar said.The Chief Election Commissioner also addressed the concerns over poll violence and said that necessary action shall be taken on police offers who were found to be involved in earlier polls.“With regards to the police officers who were involved in the violence in earlier elections, the list has been sought, as is known to the media during our visit to West Bengal, and necessary action as per law shall be taken. With regards to the supplementary list, as per the orders of the Supreme Court, the learned judges working under the directions of the High Court of Calcutta would be bringing out this supplementary list and as and when the supplementary list of names is coming out, they shall be included in addition to the existing electors,” he added.The EC announced election dates for the four poll-bound states — Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal — and Puducherry, a Union territory, on Sunday. Track all updates from the Election Commission press conference here.The counting of votes for the West Bengal assembly elections 2026 will take place on May 4, along with that of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu.Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party and TMC hailed the poll body’s decision to hold a two-phase poll in West Bengal.In a post on X, BJP West Bengal said voters will cast their ballots in two phases on April 23 and April 29.“This is not merely an election, it is a civilisational battle. The countdown to the end of Maha Jungle Raj has begun,” it added.Referring to the counting date of May 4, the BJP said, “Fifty days to go — May 4 will mark a new dawn for Bengal.”Responding to the poll announcement, TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh said the people of the state are firmly behind the ruling party.“People of Bengal are with TMC. This was again shown in the massive turnout of youth in Yuva Sathi camps held by the Mamata Banerjee government,” he added.In the 2021 Bengal elections, the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress secured 215 seats, while Bharatiya Janata Party became the official opposition with 77 seats.

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As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 approaches, Mumbai Indians (MI) have found themselves addressing rumours off the field. The five-time champions recently dismissed speculation suggesting tension between captain Hardik Pandya and veteran opener Rohit Sharma.

The franchise was forced to respond after a viral social media post claimed Pandya had issued a strict performance warning to Rohit ahead of the upcoming season. The rumour quickly spread online, sparking debates among fans about whether there was a rift between the two senior players.

Viral rumour sparks debate of rift between Hardik Pandya and Rohit Sharma

The controversy began when a post on X (formerly Twitter) suggested that Pandya has delivered a strong message to Rohit regarding his performances. According to the viral claim, the MI captain has informed the team management that there would be no tolerance for poor performances.

The post stated: “Hardik Pandya has informed the management that there will be no tolerance this time if Rohit fails to deliver.”

It further alleged that the franchise management had grown frustrated with Rohit’s batting output over the years, claiming he had frequently produced seasons of 200-300 runs with a strike rate of around 120.

🚨🚨HARDIK PANDYA REPORTEDLY WARNS ROHIT SHARMA AHEAD OF IPL 2026

Hardik Pandya has informed the management that there will be no tolerance this time if Rohit fails to deliver.

The MI management is very frustrated with Rohit’s performances over the last 10–12 years, as he has…

— Oxygen (@Oxygen18_) March 13, 2026

Given the history between the two players, the rumour quickly gained traction. The leadership change ahead of IPL 2024 – when Pandya replaced Rohit as captain – had already sparked intense discussions among fans. Rohit led the franchise for over a decade and guided them to five IPL titles, making the transition a sensitive topic.

As a result, many supporters began speculating that tensions might still exist between the former captain and the current skipper.

Mumbai Indians’ response to the viral going tweet

Mumbai Indians, however, moved quickly to shut down the speculation. The franchise’s official social media account responded directly to the viral claim with a brief but clear message.

“Kuch bhi. “

Accompanied by a laughing emoji and a GIF of Hardik Pandya, the two-word reply was widely interpreted as the team’s way of dismissing the rumor as completely fabricated.

Kuch bhi! 😂 https://t.co/lEiFBgaEoh pic.twitter.com/SYw1im5Mfi

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 13, 2026

Shortly afterward, a franchise official also clarified the situation to the media, emphasizing that there was no conflict between the players.

“There is no truth to the reports of a fallout. Rohit Sharma is a pillar of this franchise, and Hardik has the full support of the senior group.”

The rumour gained momentum partly because fans noticed that Rohit and Pandya were training separately during pre-season practice sessions. However, team management explained that such arrangements are common and usually linked to workload management and recovery schedules.

With many players coming off a busy international calendar – including India’s successful campaign at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 – training programs are often customized for individual fitness requirements.

The leadership change in 2024 had initially caused mixed reactions among fans. Yet both Rohit and Pandya remain key figures in Indian cricket, and earlier statements from officials indicated that efforts were made to ensure harmony within the squad.

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026 glory – Indian players who are also IPL champions

Despite the rumours, Rohit’s legacy with MI remains unquestioned. The 38-year-old opener is one of the most successful players in IPL history. Across his career, he has scored 7,046 runs in 272 matches at an average of 29.73, including two centuries and 47 half-centuries.

For the Mumbai Paltan, Rohit remains the franchise’s leading run-scorer with 5,876 runs, underlining his long-standing importance to the team.

Even in IPL 2025, after a slow start to the season, Rohit finished strongly with 418 runs in 15 matches, maintaining a strike rate close to 150 and registering four half-centuries.

With the rumours now firmly dismissed, MI are turning their attention fully toward the upcoming season. The Hardik Pandya-led side will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on March 29.

Having last lifted the IPL trophy in 2020, the franchise will be aiming to end its five-year title drought and capture a record-extending sixth championship.

Also WATCH: MS Dhoni repairs his bat using an electric sander during IPL 2026 practice session

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Sunday announced the assembly poll dates for 4 states and one union territory, while detailing several special provisions aimed at improving voter access, monitoring the poll process and strengthening transparency.The EC announced the schedule for assembly elections in — West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Kerala — along with the Union Territory of Puducherry.Polling will take place between April 9 and April 29, while results for all five assemblies are set to be declared on May 4. Polling across the five regions will be staggered between April 9 and April 29. Assam, Kerala and Puducherry will vote on April 9; Tamil Nadu will go to the polls on April 23; while West Bengal will vote in two phases on April 23 and April 29.

The Election Commission of India also highlighted the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls undertaken ahead of the polls, particularly in West Bengal. According to the Commission, the exercise was carried out to improve the accuracy of voter lists by removing duplicate, shifted and ineligible entries and ensuring that only eligible electors remain on the rolls. The Commission said the revision involved door-to-door verification and scrutiny of electoral records by booth-level officers. Officials maintained that the process was aimed at strengthening the integrity of the electoral roll and enhancing transparency in the polling process, according to the EC. Further explaining the process and planning for the polls, the Commission said steps have been taken to expand polling infrastructure and ensure better facilities for voters. “It has been decided that there shall be a maximum of 1200 electors in a polling station,” the Commission noted, adding that additional polling stations or auxiliary booths may be created where voter strength exceeds this limit. To improve voter convenience, the Commission has also directed authorities to provide basic facilities at every booth. “Every Polling Station shall have accessible road in good condition leading to polling station building and is equipped with Assured Minimum Facilities (AMF) like drinking water, waiting shed, toilet with water facility, adequate arrangements for lighting, ramp of proper gradient for the PwD electors and a standard voting compartment.” Special focus has been placed on accessibility for elderly voters and persons with disabilities. The Commission has instructed that polling stations be located on the ground floor or at road level wherever possible, with ramps and wheelchairs provided to facilitate easier voting for senior citizens and differently abled electors. The EC also emphasised strict monitoring of the election process, stating that key events such as nominations, polling and counting will be recorded. “All critical events will be video-graphed,” the Commission said, adding that CCTV cameras and webcasting will be used at polling stations and monitoring points. Additionally, the Model Code of Conduct has come into effect immediately after the announcement of the schedule, applying to political parties, candidates and governments in the poll-bound states. The Commission clarified that “the Model Code of Conduct shall also be applicable to the Central Government so far as announcements/policy decisions pertaining to/for Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry are concerned.” It added that extensive arrangements have been made to ensure strict enforcement of the code, warning that “any violation of these Guidelines would be dealt with strictly.” Authorities in the concerned states and Union Territory have also been directed to ensure there is no misuse of official machinery during the MCC period, while election officials have been instructed to maintain heightened vigilance, particularly in the first and last 72 hours surrounding the polling process.

PM Modi with Om Birla (PTI image)

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday wrote a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla praising him for his composure, impartiality and leadership after a no-confidence motion against him was defeated in the House. PM Modi also lauded him for upholding parliamentary decorum and ensuring the dignity of democratic institutions.In the letter, PM Modi wrote, “The no-confidence motion brought against you in the Lok Sabha has been rejected by the House. Just as the House clearly rejected this political act, I also congratulate the members of the House for this. After the motion was defeated, I carefully listened to the statement you made in the House. The balance, patience, and clarity with which you referred to parliamentary history, the responsibilities of the Speaker, and the supremacy of rules is highly impressive. I commend you for this.”

PM Modi further praised the Speaker for safeguarding democratic norms, emphasizing that “no one in this House is above the rules”. “The responsibility of the Lok Sabha Speaker is not just to conduct proceedings but also to safeguard democratic traditions, rules, and the institutional dignity. Your clear statement that no one in this House is above the rules is a message that reaffirms the core spirit of our democracy,” PM Modi wrote.PM Modi also acknowledged that democratic institutions often face challenges when new voices emerge and said Birla had consistently broadened the spirit of democracy by ensuring equal opportunities for all members, especially young and new MPs. Modi wrote, “The manner in which you have discharged your duties even amid difficult circumstances is truly inspiring.”

‘Heartfelt thanks for your inspiring words’: Om Birla responds to PM Modi’s letter

Om Birla responding to PM Modi’s letter thanked him for his words of courage and said that the message reflected his deep faith in parliamentary rules, traditions and democratic values.Sharing the letter in a post on X, he wrote: “I have received your letter. You have always held an unwavering faith in the rules, procedures, and traditions of India’s parliamentary democracy. Your letter expresses those highest ethical values of public service that you have lived by throughout your long public life; both in your current role as Prime Minister of India and previously as Chief Minister of Gujarat.” Birla further expressed his thanks to PM Modi for his inspiring words. “This message of yours, transcending the boundaries of party lines, will inspire all elected representatives in Parliament, state legislatures, and local bodies, and will further strengthen the robust ethical foundation of the democracy established by our freedom fighters and the members of the Constituent Assembly. Heartfelt thanks for your inspiring words,” he wrote.The no-confidence motion, backed by 118 opposition MPs, was moved against Birla over allegations of partiality. The proceedings against him witnessed nearly 12 hours of intense debate over two days. With Speaker Birla absent during the discussion, BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, who presided over the House, announced that the motion had been rejected through a voice vote amid protests and sloganeering from opposition members demanding an apology from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.Returning to the Chair on Thursday after the motion was defeated, Birla addressed the House.“This House represents the sovereign will of 1.4 billion citizens of India. Every member comes with the mandate of lakhs of citizens and carries the hope of addressing their problems, deprivations, and aspirations,” he said. Birla emphasized that he had always sought to conduct proceedings with impartiality, discipline and balance, providing opportunities to all members while preserving the dignity of the House.