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NEW DELHI: India’s largest private fuel retailer Nayara Energy on Thursday raised its prices by Rs 5 per litre and diesel by Rs 3 a litre amid the ongoing Middle East crisis. Nayara Energy, which operates 6,967 of India’s 102,075 petrol pumps, has decided to pass on part of the increase in input costs to consumers, said PTI sources.The majority-owned by Russia’s Rosneft, has raised the prices but the actual increase varies across states due to differences in local levies such as VAT, with petrol prices in certain regions rising by as much as Rs 5.30 per litre.Fuel marketing companies in India are under increasing financial pressure, as retail petrol and diesel prices have been kept unchanged even though global oil prices have climbed nearly 50 per cent since February 28, when US–Israel strikes on Iran sparked a wider conflict and retaliation from Tehran.Private and state-run fuel retailers in India are taking divergent approaches as pressure mounts from elevated global crude prices and a prolonged freeze in retail rates.Jio-bp, the fuel retail joint venture between Reliance Industries and BP Plc, which operates over 2,100 outlets nationwide, has so far held petrol and diesel prices steady despite absorbing significant losses. In contrast, state-owned oil marketing companies—dominating roughly 90 per cent of the market—have also maintained a price freeze on standard fuels, continuing a strategy in place since April 2022.State-run companies—Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL)—have been absorbing losses during periods of high crude prices and recovering margins when prices soften. While retail prices for regular petrol and diesel remain unchanged, these companies recently increased the price of premium-grade petrol by Rs 2 per litre and sharply raised bulk diesel rates sold to industrial consumers by about Rs 22 per litre.In Delhi, the price of premium 95-octane petrol now stands at Rs 101.89 per litre, up from Rs 99.89, while bulk diesel rates have jumped to Rs 109.59 per litre from Rs 87.67. Meanwhile, standard petrol and diesel prices remain frozen at Rs 94.77 and Rs 87.67 per litre, respectively.The divergence reflects differences in fuel grades: regular petrol, typically rated at 91–92 octane, caters to standard engines, whereas premium petrol with higher octane levels (95–98) is designed for high-performance vehicles.Globally, crude oil prices surged to as high as $119 per barrel earlier this month amid escalating tensions involving Iran, before easing to around $100 per barrel. India, which imports nearly 88 per cent of its crude oil and about half of its natural gas requirements, remains highly exposed to such volatility—particularly as a significant portion of supplies passes through the strategically sensitive Strait of Hormuz. Recent threats from Iran following US and Israeli strikes, coupled with insurance withdrawals, have disrupted tanker movements through the route.The government has reiterated that petrol and diesel pricing is deregulated and determined by oil marketing companies.Historically, oil firms have navigated sharp price cycles. Crude had previously touched $119 per barrel in June 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While that year saw limited profitability, state-run companies posted record profits of Rs 81,000 crore in FY24, offsetting earlier margin pressures. In the current financial year, the three firms together reported profits of Rs 23,743 crore in the December quarter alone.
Sanjiv Goenka, owner of Lucknow Super Giants, has firmly shut down speculation surrounding Rishabh Pant’s captaincy ahead of IPL 2026, calling out what he implied were baseless reports doing the rounds. Pant had come under heavy criticism after a disappointing IPL 2025 campaign. Bought for a massive Rs. 27 crore at the mega auction, expectations were sky-high, but the left-hander struggled to deliver, scoring just 269 runs in 13 matches at an average of 24.45. As a result, rumours began circulating that LSG were considering a leadership change before the new season. Goenka, however, made his stance clear with a public message backing Pant’s leadership and character.
Sanjiv Goenka post
“Heading into the season, I had read the speculations around @RishabhPant17’s captaincy and smiled. We’ve spent enough time together to know his character and commitment. Have a great season, Cap!” Goenka wrote on X. This is not the first time such rumours have surfaced. During IPL 2025, similar claims gained traction on social media, suggesting Pant could even be dropped due to concerns over his hefty price tag. The wicketkeeper-batter responded strongly at the time, calling out the spread of misinformation. “I understand fake News gives more traction to content, but let’s not build everything around it . Little sense and credible news will help more rather making fake news with agenda. Thanks, have a good day . Let’s be responsible and sensible what we put out on social media,” Pant had posted. With the noise around his role addressed, focus now shifts back to cricket. Pant’s form will be under close watch when LSG begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Delhi Capitals at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on April 1.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed concern over the growing “menace” of lawyers and litigants citing non-existent judgments generated by artificial intelligence, warning that the practice is becoming increasingly common across courts.A bench of Justices Rajesh Bindal and Vijay Bishnoi said such instances were not limited to India but were being seen globally, and stressed the need for greater caution while relying on AI-assisted material, news agency PTI reported.The observations came while the apex court expunged certain remarks made by the Bombay HC in a case involving a company director.“As a matter of indulgence, we expunge the remarks … However, the fact remains that this menace is rampant in all courts now, not only in India but throughout the world. Everyone needs to be careful about this,” the bench said, adding that the issue is already under consideration on the judicial side.The high court, in its order, had flagged that written submissions appeared to have been generated using AI tools such as ChatGPT, citing tell-tale formatting markers and repetitive phrasing. It also pointed to a referenced case that could not be traced in legal records.Despite efforts by the court and its law clerks, the cited judgment could not be located, leading to what it termed a waste of “precious judicial time”.The high court had underlined that while AI tools can assist legal research, parties bear the responsibility of verifying the accuracy and authenticity of any material produced using such technologies.
As ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ continues its rampage at the global box office, breakout star Udaybir Sandhu has shared the harrowing details behind his performance as Pinda. Playing the childhood friend-turned-adversary to Ranveer Singh’s Jaskirat Singh Rangi, Sandhu revealed that the film’s high-stakes bathroom sequence was so taxing that he could not sleep for three consecutive nights during the shoot.Dhurandhar 2 Movie Review
The bathroom sequence changed the film’s pace and course, leading toward the climax. Talking about it, News18 Showsha quoted Udaybir Sandhu saying, “The first compliment I got was from Aditya (Dhar) sir, right after that bathroom scene. We had already done the airport and the car scene. Those were normal scenes, but this bathroom scene was the most important scene of the film and for Pinda.”
The actor stated that he asked director Aditya Dhar if the shot was okay. Sandhu recalled, “We were still doing the action bit then. He said, ‘You don’t know what you have done’.”
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What impresses you more in a film performance?
During the same conversation, Udaybir shared that he couldn’t sleep for three nights. He shared that they had a three-day shoot schedule for the scene. He said, “The first night, I was just nervous that we have an important scene the next day, plus it kind of worked for the character as well. He is a drug user, and we had to show him a little zoned out. But after that, I just couldn’t sleep for the next two nights.”Speculation about the real-life inspiration for the character Pinda has been circulating on the internet. Addressing this, Udaybir Sandhu, in conversation with Faridoon Shahryar, said, “No. I am hearing this for the first time. I was just told that this is a friend’s role. Just to make the story very interesting… And to show how he comes back in Jaskirat’s life. I don’t think there are any real-life references for him.“
Directed by Aditya Dhar, the movie has earned over Rs 850 crore globally since its theatrical release. The film stars Ranveer Singh, Rakesh Bedi, Sara Arjun, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, and R Madhavan. It was released in theaters on March 19, 2026.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has rolled out an exciting schedule for India‘s 2026-27 home international season, setting the stage for months of high-quality cricket. With four visiting nations. the calendar is loaded with 22 matches spread across 17 cities, ensuring fans from every corner of the country get a chance to experience live action.
One of the standout aspects of the announcement is the return of international cricket to Bengaluru’s iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium after a long gap, along with Guwahati’s Barsapara Cricket Stadium hosting a Test match in the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the very first time. The schedule reflects a clear intent to take the game beyond traditional hubs and deepen its reach.
India’s home summer begins with the West Indies touring from late September to mid-October 2026. The series includes three One Day Internationals followed by five T20 Internationals, offering a blend of formats early in the season.
The ODI leg will be staged in Thiruvananthapuram, Guwahati and New Chandigarh, while the T20Is will travel through Lucknow, Ranchi, Indore, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. The spread of venues highlights the board’s effort to rotate matches across regions and engage diverse fan bases.
After a brief break, Sri Lanka will arrive in December for a short white-ball series consisting of three ODIs and three T20Is. Matches will be played in major venues including Delhi, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad for ODIs, while Rajkot, Cuttack and Pune will host the T20 fixtures.
The new year will begin with Zimbabwe’s tour, featuring a three-match ODI series in January 2027. Kolkata, Hyderabad and Mumbai have been selected as host cities, giving the tour a compact yet impactful footprint.
The highlight of the home season will undoubtedly be the much-anticipated Test series against Australia. The five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy will run from January 21 to March 3, 2027, promising intense battles between two of the strongest Test sides.
Nagpur will host the opening Test, followed by matches in Chennai, Guwahati, Ranchi and Ahmedabad. The inclusion of Guwahati as a Test venue marks a significant milestone, reflecting the growing infrastructure and popularity of cricket in the northeast.
West Indies Tour of India
| Match | Date | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | September 27, 2026 | Trivandrum | 2:00 PM |
| 2nd ODI | September 30, 2026 | Guwahati | 2:00 PM |
| 3rd ODI | October 3, 2026 | New Chandigarh | 2:00 PM |
| 1st T20I | October 6, 2026 | Lucknow | 7:00 PM |
| 2nd T20I | October 9, 2026 | Ranchi | 7:00 PM |
| 3rd T20I | October 11, 2026 | Indore | 7:00 PM |
| 4th T20I | October 14, 2026 | Hyderabad | 7:00 PM |
| 5th T20I | October 17, 2026 | Bengaluru | 7:00 PM |
Sri Lanka Tour of India
| Match | Date | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | December 13, 2026 | Delhi | 2:00 PM |
| 2nd ODI | December 16, 2026 | Bengaluru | 2:00 PM |
| 3rd ODI | December 19, 2026 | Ahmedabad | 2:00 PM |
| 1st T20I | December 22, 2026 | Rajkot | 7:00 PM |
| 2nd T20I | December 24, 2026 | Cuttack | 7:00 PM |
| 3rd T20I | December 27, 2026 | Pune | 7:00 PM |
Zimbabwe Tour of India
| Match | Date | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | January 3, 2027 | Kolkata | 2:00 PM |
| 2nd ODI | January 6, 2027 | Hyderabad | 2:00 PM |
| 3rd ODI | January 9, 2027 | Mumbai | 2:00 PM |
Australia Tour of India (Border-Gavaskar Trophy)
| Match | Date | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | Jan 21–25, 2027 | Nagpur | 9:30 AM |
| 2nd Test | Jan 29–Feb 2, 2027 | Chennai | 9:30 AM |
| 3rd Test | Feb 11–15, 2027 | Guwahati | 9:00 AM |
| 4th Test | Feb 19–23, 2027 | Ranchi | 9:30 AM |
| 5th Test | Feb 27–Mar 3, 2027 | Ahmedabad | 9:30 AM |
Also READ: BCCI confirms date, match time and venue for Ireland vs India T20I series
As a direct fallout of the US-Iran war and rising crude oil prices, Goldman Sachs has adopted a more cautious view on Indian equities, revising its rating to “marketweight,. The global brokerage has also lowered its target for the Nifty, and cautioned that an earnings downgrade cycle driven by an energy shock is likely to emerge. The bank has reduced its 12-month Nifty target, for end-March 2027, to 25,900 from an earlier 29,300. This suggests expected returns of about 13% in rupee terms and 12% in dollar terms over the next year, which is lower than the 19% upside projected for the MXAPJ index. It expects these returns to be supported partly by earnings growth of 8% and 13% in calendar years 2026 and 2027, respectively, along with a modest re-rating in valuations to a lower fair value multiple of 19.5 times, compared with its earlier estimate of 20.8 times, as earnings downgrades take effect.The firm said persistently high oil prices amid tensions around the Strait of Hormuz have weakened India’s macroeconomic outlook and are expected to lead to downward revisions in profit estimates over the coming quarters, according to an ET report.Earlier this week, Bernstein also trimmed its year-end Nifty target to 26,000 and warned that, in a worst-case scenario, the benchmark index could fall to as low as 19,000.Goldman Sachs further noted that returns are likely to be skewed toward the latter part of the period. “We see risks tilted to the downside in the next 3 to 6 months as we think the market may not be pricing in the full extent of the earnings downgrades, and low earnings visibility in the near-term could demand a higher risk premium,” it said.The firm added that, historically, forward returns tend to remain subdued when valuations are in the 18–20 times range during an earnings downgrade phase. However, it pointed out that equities have typically recovered once earnings stabilise after about two to three quarters, as has been seen during past energy-related shocks.Strategists at Goldman Sachs now project Brent crude to average about $105 in March and rise to $115 in April, before gradually easing to $80 in the fourth quarter and stabilising at that level through 2027. The report highlights that, within Asia, India is particularly exposed to potential energy supply risks due to its relatively lower per capita income and heavy reliance on energy imports.The change in global energy dynamics has led the firm to significantly revise its outlook for India’s macroeconomic indicators. Since the onset of the Iran conflict, Goldman has cut its 2026 GDP growth forecast for India by 1.1 percentage points to 5.9%, increased its inflation projection by 70 basis points, widened the current account deficit estimate to 2% of GDP, lowered its outlook for the rupee, and factored in an additional 50 basis points of rate hikes in 2026.Its latest internal estimates for calendar year 2026 now assume real GDP growth of 5.9%, average CPI inflation of 4.6%, a current account deficit of 2% of GDP, a fiscal deficit of 4.7% of GDP, a year-end repo rate of 5.75%, and an average Brent crude price of $85 per barrel.Goldman also expects the weaker macro environment to eventually reflect in corporate earnings. Its VAR-based analysis indicates that if oil prices remain about $45 per barrel higher on average for three months, India’s full-year earnings growth could decline by roughly 9%, which is a larger impact compared to the estimated 6% hit to earnings for the MXAPJ index.
Fresh claims surrounding the final hours of Charlie Kirk are now pulling his widow into a storm of suspicion. What was once a tragic and widely reported timeline is being questioned again, this time by Candace Owens, who argues that key details about that day do not add up. Her version challenges the accepted narrative and shifts attention toward a location few had even heard of before.Erika Kirk is in the centre of the scandal and people want to know where she was during the assassination. Owens now asserts that the truth could have been far more censored and secret than she had previously told it. The debate on the difference between these two versions hit the air and the questions are becoming increasingly loud, rather than becoming silent.
Owens alleges that Erika was not at a public medical facility, but inside a discreet aviation-linked building in Scottsdale. Describing the site, she questioned its very existence as a normal business, asking, “‘Why are we staging there in this obscure building of Hopkinson Aircraft which is not known to anybody? How’d she get there?'” Her remarks go further, suggesting the environment felt unusual and secretive. She even compared it to something covert, saying it resembled a setup that did not operate like a “real business.”Her suspicions did not stop at the building itself. Owens openly shared her discomfort with the situation, stating, “‘there’s something about this that feels secretive.'” She then added a more pointed observation: “‘It feels like Erica was being protected that day.'”These claims stand in sharp contrast to Erika’s own account. In a past interview, she described a deeply personal and chaotic moment after learning of her husband’s shooting. “‘I sprinted out of her treatment center, just collapsed in the middle of the parking lot, called our security,'” she recalled. “‘Unbelievable nightmare.'”Owens, however, continues to challenge that version, pointing to what she calls a lack of witnesses. “‘Nobody saw Erika on the day of Charlie’s assassination,'” she said, arguing that such a public scene would not have gone unnoticed.As scrutiny expands to organizations like Turning Point USA, the debate is shifting from grief to unanswered logistics. For now, the conflicting narratives have left a lingering question. What really happened in those critical hours remains far from settled.
NEW DELHI: The announcement of Spencer Johnson as a replacement for the injured Nathan Ellis for the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has created quite an uproar. There had been a bit of mystery around Johnson’s signing as a replacement player.The 30-year-old was earlier signed by Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) but pulled out of the tournament citing personal reasons. A few days later, he joined the five-time IPL champions for Rs 1.5 crore (US$160,000). Interestingly, Johnson’s PSL salary was higher than his IPL deal, as he was contracted with the Gladiators for approximately PKR 56 million (around ₹1.87 crore or $200,000).
A day after his official announcement, CSK on Wednesday posted on X that the left-arm quick will join the squad between April 21 and 23. The reason remains unknown. TimesofIndia.com reached out to Kasi Viswanathan, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CSK, but multiple calls went unanswered.Johnson has not played any competitive cricket since the last IPL, where he featured for Kolkata Knight Riders. KKR had acquired his services for Rs 2.80 crore, and the lanky pacer played four matches, picking up just one wicket. He was later released ahead of the 2026 mini auction.An update on Johnson was provided by former Australian fast bowler Ryan Harris, who is currently the coach of South Australia, on the eve of the Sheffield Shield final against Victoria.“Spencer is jumping around a little bit,” Harris said, referring to him pulling out of the PSL and then joining the IPL.“He got some good news, I think four or five days ago, about his back,” Harris said. “Finally, the crack in his back has healed. He’s had quite a frustrating eight to ten months. So the good news is he’s back bowling. He’s building up again.“IPL, I think there might be an opportunity. We’re still waiting to see what happens there. He’s obviously got to do a fair bit of bowling before he goes back into competitive cricket. So we’re working on that as we speak.“But it would be good to see Spence back playing cricket. He’s obviously had some bad luck over the last two years.”
He feels that although he is only going at about 60%, the ball is coming out nicely. He is bowling more and trying to build up. It is now about getting enough bowling load into his body to allow him to play.
Ryan Harris | South Australia coach
Johnson, who has played five ODIs and eight T20Is for Australia, is recovering from a back injury.Harris also revealed that the pacer has resumed bowling but is currently operating at just over half pace, and he is working on modifying his action to stay fit.“We’ve been doing that ever since he’s been able to roll his arm over,” Harris said.“We’ve been just tweaking a couple of things, and he’s doing really well. He had a bowl the day before yesterday. I wasn’t there, but I reviewed some video. We’ve been very conscious of what he’s trying to achieve, trying to straighten him up a little and take some pressure off his back.“But he’s done it really well. He feels that although he’s only going at about 60%, the ball is coming out nicely. As we speak, he’s bowling more and trying to build up. It’s now about getting enough bowling load into his body to allow him to play.”
Poll
Is it a wise decision for CSK to replace Nathan Ellis with another injured player?
Only time will tell whether the Australian quick will reach peak fitness by the time he joins the CSK squad, but this is curious that an IPL team has replaced an injured player with another injured player.TimesofIndia.com has learnt that the supply of available players has taken a hit, as several cricketers who went unsold in the IPL mini auction are currently playing in the PSL.Johnson became the third player after Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani and Sri Lanka’s Dasun Shanaka to snap up IPL deals despite being contracted in the PSL. However, with Bangladesh players not being considered and IPL teams reluctant to pick players from Associate nations, franchises are struggling to find replacements.CSK will open their campaign in IPL 2026 on March 30 against the Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati.
MUMBAI: The state government has reversed its decision to restrict admissions under the Right to Education (RTE) quota in private unaided schools to a 1-km radius, restoring the earlier 3-km eligibility norm. Parents can now apply to any private school within a 3-km radius of their residence.The rollback follows a stay by the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on provisions introduced through a government resolution dated February 12, which had reduced the permissible distance from 3 km to 1 km.Under the Right to Education Act, eligible private unaided schools reserve 25% of entry-level seats for children from economically and socially disadvantaged sections, with the government reimbursing the fees.Children of parents whose annual income is less than ₹1 lakh are eligible under the economically weaker section.Mahendra Ganpule, former vice-president of the Maharashtra School Principals Association, said the earlier 1-km restriction had unnecessarily limited the scope of RTE admissions. “The new rule needlessly brought a limitation to the provisions of the RTE admissions and it is good that the high court ruled against them. Parents want to send their children to reputed and the best schools possible and don’t mind travelling to do so,” he said.Under the revised admission system, priority will be granted based on distance. Students residing within 1 km of a school will be considered first, followed by those within a 1–3 km radius, and thereafter applicants from beyond 3 km, subject to availability of seats.So far, around 2,24,000 applications have been received under the RTE quota across the state.In a related move, the government has extended the application deadline for RTE admissions from March 18 to March 25, due to delays in opening the online application portal.
