Breaking News
Mojtaba Khamenei lauds Iraq’s support in new message, remains out of public eye


Mojtaba Khamenei lauds Iraq's support in new message, remains out of public eye

Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has issued a written message thanking the people of Iraq for their support during the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel, according to Iranian media reports on Sunday.Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an airstrike at the start of the war on February 28, has yet to make a public appearance since assuming the role. So far, he has communicated only through a limited number of written statements.His absence from public view has fuelled speculation about his health and whereabouts. However, state television and some Iranian officials have suggested that he is recovering from injuries sustained in an airstrike.In the message, Khamenei “expressed his appreciation to the supreme religious authority (in Iraq) and the people of Iraq for their clear stance against aggression against Iran and their support for our country”, the ISNA news agency reported. The reference was to Iraq-based Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, one of the most influential figures in Shia Islam.The message followed a meeting between the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, a Shia political party, and Iran’s ambassador to Baghdad, the report said. No further details were provided on how the message was conveyed.Since taking over as Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei has released an initial statement and a separate message marking the Persian New Year, Nowruz. Both were read out on television by another speaker and projected confidence about Iran’s position in the war.State media have continued to circulate images of Khamenei without confirming whether they are recent. He also maintains official accounts on Telegram and X.Last week, US President Donald Trump said Washington was in contact with a “top person” in Iran but clarified that it was not the Supreme Leader.“We have not heard from the son… We don’t know if he is living,” Trump said.Mojtaba Khamenei becomes the third Supreme Leader since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, following his father and the revolution’s founding figure, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.



Source link

Govt eyes flexible-fuel vehicles’ faster rollout


Govt eyes flexible-fuel vehicles’ faster rollout

NEW DELHI: The ongoing West Asia conflict and concerns over energy supplies have prompted govt to explore faster rollout of flexible-fuel vehicles (FFVs), which can run on blended petrol as well as 100% ethanol. At a meeting called by the petroleum ministry on Saturday, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) flagged the need to address consumer concerns, particularly regarding the need to lower fuel costs as vehicle mileage decreases when using ethanol, for faster adoption.People aware of the developments said since major car and two-wheeler manufacturers have their prototype FFV models ready, now govt needs to create the ecosystem for adoption of these vehicles. Govt has maintained that 20% ethanol blending in petrol has helped India save imports of around 4.5 crore barrels (700 crore litres) of crude annually.

Govt eyes flexible-fuel vehicles’ faster rollout

Crude crisis: A ‘visible option’

Officials and industry sources said that FFVs are more viable option than increasing ethanol blending in petrol, as higher blending levels would impact performance of existing vehicles. A person aware of the discussions said, the meeting focused on enabling conditions for FFVs. TOI has learnt that the industry sought clear road map about the fuel stations that would dispense ethanol, compensation for mileage loss, which is around 27%-30% less than petrol. “Industry made a clear point that consumers should not feel ‘cheated’ for buying such vehicles on account of less mileage ,” said a person who attended the meeting. Last year, petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri had written to FM Nirmala Sitharaman seeking GST parity of FFVs with EV. Currently, the GST for FFVs is 28% compared to 5% for EVs.



Source link

Shah Rukh Khan House: Inside Shah Rukh Khan’s Rs 200 crore ‘Mannat’: A six-storey bungalow with Gauri Khan’s designs that makes it iconic | Hindi Movie News


Shah Rukh Khan’s iconic Mumbai residence, ‘Mannat’, stands as a testament to his remarkable journey from a middle-class boy to a Bollywood superstar. Once a heritage bungalow, it was acquired and transformed into a symbol of his fulfilled aspirations.

For millions of admirers, ‘Mannat’ is not just a residence. It represents aspiration, devotion, and cinematic magic. Situated in Mumbai’s Bandstand area, the sea-facing bungalow reflects Shah Rukh Khan’s extraordinary journey. From a middle-class boy to the “King of Romance,” his story continues to inspire fans, many of whom gather outside ‘Mannat’, hoping to catch a glimpse of the star.

From ‘Fauji’ to ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’

Long before ‘Mannat’ became a landmark, Shah Rukh Khan was building his career step by step. Moving from Delhi to Mumbai in the 1980s, he began with television shows like ‘Fauji’ before making a mark in cinema with films such as ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ and ‘Chak De! His rise in the industry transformed not just his career, but also his dreams. In 2001, he acquired a heritage bungalow then called Villa Vienna for around Rs 13 crore, renaming it ‘Mannat’, symbolizing a wish fulfilled. Shah Rukh Khan’s journey from ‘Yes Boss’ to ‘Mannat’

Watch

Shah Rukh Khan’s Inspiring Journey: How An Ordinary Delhi Boy Conquered Bollywood

Shah Rukh Khan’s journey from ‘Yes Boss’ to ‘Mannat’

Overlooking the Arabian Sea, the bungalow left a lasting impression on the actor, who promised himself he would own it someday. Years later, that vision materialized. According to The Financial Express, today, ‘Mannat’ is estimated to be worth over Rs 200 crore and is regarded as one of the most iconic celebrity homes in India. According to The Financial Express, today, ‘Mannat’ is estimated to be worth over Rs 200 crore and is regarded as one of the most iconic celebrity homes in India.

Personal touches that define ‘Mannat’

Gauri Khan has infused the space with her signature style, while personal details like Suhana Khan’s interest in ballet reflected in her room add warmth and individuality. Gauri Khan has infused the space with her signature style, while personal details like Suhana Khan’s interest in ballet reflected in her room add warmth and individuality. The house also features distinctive décor elements such as a jade Ganpati statue and a marble Radha-Krishna sculpture, blending tradition with luxury.

The Terrace: A space between privacy and public love

It serves as a private retreat while also acting as a bridge between Shah Rukh Khan and his fans. On special occasions like Eid and his birthday, the actor greets well-wishers from here. Gauri Khan has often described it as her “happiest place,” especially during festive gatherings under the open sky. Gauri Khan has often described it as her “happiest place,” especially during festive gatherings under the open sky.

‘Mannat’: A living symbol of dreams and determination

From humble beginnings in Delhi to owning a sea-facing mansion in Mumbai, Shah Rukh Khan’s journey reflects the power of dreams. Today, the six-storey home designed by Gauri Khan in collaboration with Kaif Faquih took nearly a decade to perfect. Blending heritage architecture with modern luxury, the house features iconic white pillars, black gates, and interiors dominated by warm tones of beige, brown, and white.Elaborating on her design approach, Gauri once said, “Mannat unfolds at every level, with a unique and distinctive concept on each floor. My home has been built gradually over years of collecting pieces I feel passionate about.” Elaborating on her design approach, Gauri once said, “Mannat unfolds at every level, with a unique and distinctive concept on each floor. My home has been built gradually over years of collecting pieces I feel passionate about.

Poll

Do you believe that Mannat can truly represent the essence of Bollywood?

Shah Rukh Khan on the work front

On the professional front, Shah Rukh Khan is gearing up for his next big release, ‘King’, directed by Siddharth Anand. The film stars his daughter Suhana Khan, alongside Deepika Padukone and Abhishek Bachchan. Backed by Red Chillies Entertainment and Marflix Pictures, ‘King’ is slated for a theatrical release on 24 December 2026, and is already among the most anticipated films of the year.DISCLAIMER: Figures presented in this article are derived from various public sources and are considered approximate unless explicitly noted. We may include direct input from celebrities or their teams when available. We are open to feedback on toientertainment@timesinternet.in.



Source link

CII tells cos to work with govt, build reserves


CII tells cos to work with govt, build reserves

NEW DELHI: Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on Sunday called upon companies to work with govt to build reserves of raw material, fuel and strengthen supply chains amid disruptions from the West Asia crisis.“The present situation represents a supply side disruption, with pressures transmitted through energy costs, logistics and working capital cycles,” it said in a statement, while advising firms to ensure benefits of stable fuel and logistics costs are passed on to consumers to help manage inflation.The industry body suggested accelerating investments in renewable energy, green hydrogen and energy efficiency to reduce dependence on conventional fuels and to explore switching from LPG to natural gas where feasible.



Source link

Rohit Sharma drops sitter provides lifeline to Angkrish Raghuvanshi in MI vs KKR IPL 2026 clash


Rohit Sharma made a blinder. The former India and Mumbai Indians captain missed a sitter during the Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders (MI vs KKR) match on March 29 at the Wankhede Stadium. It could have been an easy catch for Rohit Sharma, but he missed it and allowed the ball to touch the boundary rope as well. This can be a turning moment of the match, as KKR keeper-batter Angkrish Raghuvanshi then pushed the paddle to increase the strike rate.

KKR got a flying start against the Mumbai Indians through their opening pair of captains, Ajinkya Rahane and Finn Allen. Riding high on these two batters’ swashbuckling batting, KKR ruled the power play. Later, it was Shardul Thakur who lowered the batting side’s run rate by taking crucial wickets.

Rohit Sharma missed an easy catch during the MI vs KKR IPL 2026 clash in Mumbai.

Angkrish Raghuvanshi also posed a real threat to the home team, as he was well settled on the track. If Rohit Sharma managed to take a catch, then KKR could be in trouble, and MI could progress towards the driving seat.

Your daily dose of cricket!

next

Watch the drop catch here

On the fifth ball of the 15th over of the first innings, Angkrish Raghuvanshi looked to hit the Afghanistan spinner AM Ghazanfar’s delivery down the ground, but could not connect the ball at the right moment. After making the connection with the bat, the ball went flying towards the long on, where Rohit settled himself to dismiss the Knight Riders batter.

Sharma was in the right position, but misjudged the trajectory of the ball. He stretched both of his arms to catch it, but the ball spilled out of his palms and bounced onto the boundary rope. He could have done better if he had taken a further step.

KKR set up a massive total against the Mumbai Indians

With the extra lifeline, Raghuvanshi went to register a blistering half-century. The middle-order batter scored 51 runs against 29 deliveries, powered by six 4s and a couple of 6s. Rinku Singh also performed well in the middle by scoring 33 runs in 21 balls.

Batting first, in their 20-over limit, Kolkata Knight Riders secured 220 runs in exchange for 4 wickets. For the Mumbai Indians, he proved to be the most effective bowler for them as he took 3 wickets in 4 overs for an economy rate of 9.75.

Will Rohit Sharma be able to impress with his bat?

In the second innings, the Mumbai Indians, the home team, will have to score 221 runs to get a much-needed win in their first match of the season. It is worth noting that in this game, Rohit Sharma performed as a full-time player, unlike an impact batter.

In the previous season (IPL 2025), the former skipper appeared for the team mainly as an impact player. Fans are expecting to see another mind-blowing innings from ‘Hitman’ against the massive total set by KKR.

Read More: Sunil Narine scripts history during IPL 2026 match vs MI





Source link

Fuel efficiency: At Rs 2,728 crore, fine on car companies cut to 1/3rd


Fuel efficiency: At Rs 2,728 crore, fine on car companies cut to 1/3rd

NEW DELHI: The penalty on nine carmakers that failed to meet the Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE-2) targets for three years — FY23 to FY25 — has been revised to Rs 2,728 crore, as per power ministry’s presentation made to the PMO last week. Earlier, the penalty was estimated around Rs 7,800 crore.Earlier, penalty was fixed at Rs 10 lakh per OEM plus Rs 25,000 per car manufactured for non-compliance of norms below 0.2 litres per 100km and Rs 50,000 per unit for violation beyond 0.2 litres per 100km. Under the new calculation, for April-Dec of FY23, penalty has been fixed at Rs 37.5 lakh as standard for all OEMs. This has resulted in reduction of penalty.TOI has learnt that the ministry also said in its presentation that the credit-debit registry of each original equipment manufacturer (OEM) will be established and maintained by the designated authority. Officials said this will ensure better enforcement of penalties and provisions along with providing greater clarity as govt is working to finalise the norms for CAFE-3.

Fuel efficiency: At ₹2,728cr, fine on car cos cut to 1/3rd

Cafe blues

The ministry, in its presentation, said that surplus credits generated by a manufacturer may be pooled within the same block period — first three years and then two years during the 5-year implementation period — for compliance. OEMs with deficit credits can procure credits from other manufacturers holding surplus credits. Manufacturers that still remain with deficit credits will face penalties.Earlier, PMO had asked power and road ministries to come up with a clear mechanism for recovery of penalties imposed on carmakers. CAFE-2 is in force from FY23 to FY27 and the next phase is scheduled to be from FY28 to FY32.



Source link

RBI’s forced dollar unwind to keep rupee from sliding, bruise banks | India News


RBI’s forced dollar unwind to keep rupee from sliding, bruise banks

MUMBAI: The RBI’s unorthodox move to steady the rupee by forcing banks to unwind foreign exchange positions beyond $100 million will prevent its slide towards 95, even as markets fret over a possible escalation in the Iran conflict and the prospect of a US ground invasion.The move will also cause banks with large open positions to lose money. Over the weekend, banks pressed RBI to either relax or grant more time. With RBI standing firm, banks will have to start unwinding on Monday to meet the April 10 deadline.Until Friday, banks could run net open positions of up to 25% of their net worth. In practice, large lenders often accumulated sizeable long dollar bets, sometimes in excess of of $1 billion, on expectations of rupee depreciation. The new cap forces a rapid reversal. By April 10, 2026, banks must cut these exposures to $100 million. This compels them to sell dollars and buy rupees to close the gap.

RBI’s forced dollar unwind to keep rupee from sliding, bruise banks

Free fall since the West Aisa war started

Uday Kotak, called the move “an unconventional policy action” triggered by a West Asia crisis that has entered “uncharted territory”. “Reminds me of Bimal Jalan play book as RBI Governor in 1998 when the rupee was depreciating sharply post Asian crisis. If things get worse geo politically, is there an opportunity for a new version of FCNR (B) scheme?” he said.Some bankers are sceptical of special schemes to raise dollars. Earlier dollar mopping exercises relied on offering guaranteed returns to non-resident Indians, who borrowed cheaply abroad and parked funds in India. Such tactics may be less effective now. Investors have access to a wider array of structured products, and it is cheaper for the RBI to raise dollars through rupee dollar swaps, bankers said.Despite the RBI move pressure persists as dollar is expected to gain globally due to geopolitical tensions rise and fuel inflation fears and FPIs selling across markets. “FPIs were net sellers on all trading days in March, so far, taking total selling through March 27 to a record Rs 1,18,093 crore,” said VK Vijayakumar. The key drivers are the West Asia conflict, Gulf remittance-risk, hit to growth and earnings from high crude prices.



Source link

No jail term for farm goods, textiles export rule slip-ups


No jail term for farm goods, textiles export rule slip-ups

NEW DELHI: The latest Jan Vishwas Bill, moved in Parliament on Friday, has proposed removing imprisonment for several offences related to export of textiles, handloom, and farm products.For instance, under the Textiles Committee Act, exporting and selling textiles or textile machinery in contravention of prescribed order, which can result in a jail term of up to one year is being done away with and the fine is proposed to be converted to warning for the first contravention, with a penalty of up to Rs 25 lakh proposed for every subsequent contravention.Similarly, failure to furnish information or sample, or furnishing false information or sample and damaging books of account or refusal to furnish it will not result in a jail term of up to three months, instead a fine of Rs 10,000-25,000 can be levied under the Handlooms (Reservation of Articles for Production) Act. Similar changes are also proposed under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act with general contraventions seeing imprisonment and fine converted into warning and penalty when it comes to contraventions of any provisions of the law or the rules.Importing or exporting scheduled agricultural products in violation of the prescribed order, currently punishable with up to a year in jail and fine is proposed to be converted to penalty (Rs 10,000 or twice the value of goods, whichever is higher).Imprisonment and fine have also been removed for failure to produce books and records and for obstructing a member or an officer.Under the Handlooms (Reservation of Articles for Production) Act, producing articles reserved for exclusive production by handlooms is proposed to be dealt with through a reduced imprisonment term of three months, compared with six now, and enhancing the fine from Rs 5,000 per loom to Rs 10,000-25,000 per loom. Exporting of coir products without licence or in contravention of Sea Customs Act, 1878 which is currently punishable with fine of up to Rs 500 is proposed to be omitted.



Source link

Foreign brokerages cut India Inc’s earnings, index targets


Foreign brokerages cut India Inc’s earnings, index targets

MUMBAI: Thanks to the war in West Asia and the ensuing oil price-led shock that the Indian economy is currently facing, top foreign brokerages and analysts have cut earnings estimates for India Inc as well as targets for Nifty by nearly 12%. They also warned that if the war continues for long and the oil price surges to a new all-time peak, the impact on the economy and the market could be severe.Foreign broking major Goldman Sachs has cut the Nifty target to 25,900 points from 29,300 points earlier while Citigroup has revised down their target for the index to 27,000 points from 28,500 points earlier. On its part, HSBC said that historical trend shows that a 20% rise in oil price could drag down earnings of India Inc by 1.3 percentage points. Since the war started crude oil prices are up about 50-55%.

Foreign brokerages cut India Inc’s earnings, index targets.

Rs weakness compounds

Goldman Sachs downgraded India to ‘market weight’ from ‘overweight’ on a less attractive risk-reward matrix compared to some of the other Asian markets, amid worsening macro and slowing earnings growth, a note from the financial services major said. Analysts expect India Inc would show earnings growth of 8% in 2026 and 13% in 2027. “We see risks tilted to the downside in the next three to six months, as we think the market may not be pricing in the full extent of earnings cuts. (The potential) upside catalysts include earlier-than-assumed resumption of oil flows, and a clear recovery in India’s earnings cycle.”In its report, HSBC said that data shows a 10% supply-driven rise in oil price has led to about a 1.3% decline in the broader Indian equity index, with consumer discretionary, tech services, and financials typically more exposed. “The risk gets compounded by currency weakness: A 1% (rupee) depreciation tends to translate into a further 1% market drag. These relationships are broadly consistent with recent performance: oil has risen about 55% since the outbreak of the conflict, while the (rupee) has depreciated about 3.5%, this implies an overall market impact of around 11%.The BNP Paribas report said that “A 10% increase in oil price leads to about 35 basis points (bps) rise in current account deficit (CAD).” It also noted that with the war continuing, remittances from West Asia could slow down, further impacting CAD.



Source link

No Suryakumar Yadav in MI XI as Hardik Pandya opts to bowl vs KKR | Cricket News


No Suryakumar Yadav in MI XI as Hardik Pandya opts to bowl vs KKR
Mumbai Indians’ Suryakumar Yadav (PTI Photo/Ravi Choudhary)

Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya won the toss and elected to bowl first against Kolkata Knight Riders in their Indian Premier League 2026 clash at the Wankhede Stadium.Mumbai Indians have opted to field on what appears to be a slightly greener surface than usual at the Wankhede. Notably, Suryakumar Yadav is not part of the starting XI and is expected to feature later as an Impact Player.

Watch

Greenstone Lobo predicts IPL 2026 winner

Kolkata Knight Riders (Playing XI): Finn Allen, Ajinkya Rahane(c), Cameron Green, Angkrish Raghuvanshi(w), Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Anukul Roy, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakaravarthy, Vaibhav Arora, Blessing MuzarabaniMumbai Indians (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton(w), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya(c), Sherfane Rutherford, Naman Dhir, Shardul Thakur, Mayank Markande, AM Ghazanfar, Trent Boult, Jasprit BumrahSpeaking at the toss, Pandya explained the decision to bowl first and expressed confidence in his squad.“We are going to bowl. Looks like a good track, it appears greener than it used to. Let’s see how it plays. This is our fortress, the crowd is behind us and we’re looking to play a good game. We started a couple of weeks earlier, have plenty of experience and a mix of youth. Rohit, Surya, Mitchell Santner – so there’s no shortage of captains; I’m just excited to go out there and perform. We’re going with 6 batters and 5 bowlers.”On the other side, KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane admitted he would have preferred to bowl first as well, given the unusual grass cover on the pitch.

Poll

Which team do you think has the better bowling attack?

“We were looking to bowl, never seen this amount of grass at Wankhede. Preparations have been good, couple of camps in Kolkata and in Mumbai as well. Know that MI is a champion team and we’re looking forward to be playing against them. Just stay at the moment and don’t look at the past. A couple of injuries – we’re going with 6 batters and 5 bowlers. Four overseas players – Cameron Green, Finn Allen, Sunil Narine and Blessing Muzarabani.Mumbai Indians also handed out debut caps to AM Ghazanfar and Sherfane Rutherford, while Shardul Thakur marked his return to the franchise.Interestingly, MI will be looking to break a long-standing trend, as they have not won their opening match of an IPL season since 2012.



Source link