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JODHPUR: Calling the state’s existing reservation policy for transgenders “mere facade and an eyewash”, Rajasthan HC on Monday directed the govt to grant an additional 3% weightage in marks to transgender candidates applying for jobs and admissions to educational institutes. HC also made scathing remarks on the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill 2026, recently passed by Parliament, stating it seeks to take away the “right to self-determination or self-proclamation of being a third gender”. This was a deviation from the “constitutional baseline”, as articulated by Supreme Court in its landmark ‘NALSA vs Union of India’ judgment, HC said, stating that “selfhood is not a matter of concession, it is a matter of right”.NALSA judgement recognises transgenders as the third gender, guarantees their right to self-identification, and affirms their fundamental rights, directs govt to treat them as socially and educationally backward and provide affirmative action benefits .A division bench comprising Justices Arun Monga and Yogendra Kumar Purohit was hearing a writ petition filed by Ganga Kumari, who had sought quashing of a Jan 2023 govt notification, which classified transgenders under the OBC category, and demanded horizontal reservation in public services in line with the NALSA judgment.The bench sharply rebuked the state govt, underscoring the disadvantage forced upon transgender individuals from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes due to the blanket OBC classification. “The State of Rajasthan was under a clear constitutional obligation to translate the mandate of the Supreme Court into tangible policy by carving out a distinct and effective reservation framework for transgender persons. That obligation has been conspicuously abdicated. The impugned circular, far from advancing rights, reduces a binding constitutional directive to an empty ritual,” the bench said.Adding an epilogue to the judgment, Justice Monga stated that the bench, while writing its judgment, proceeded on the foundational premise established by SC in the NALSA ruling “that the right to self-identify one’s gender is an intrinsic facet of dignity, autonomy, and personal liberty. These rights are protected under Articles 14, 15, 16, and 21 of the Constitution”.“It is now proposed that legal recognition of gender identity shall be conditioned upon certification, scrutiny, or other forms of administrative endorsement. What was recognised by the Supreme Court as an inviolable aspect of personhood now risks being reduced to a contingent, State-mediated entitlement,” remarked Justice Monga.“The state must be mindful that statutory developments cannot be implemented in a manner that dilutes constitutional guarantees,” Justice Monda added.

The South Africa Women’s tour of New Zealand 2026 heads to the iconic Basin Reserve in Wellington for a crucial 2nd ODI. After a thrilling series opener that saw the Proteas pull off a dramatic heist, the White Ferns find themselves in a must-win territory to keep the three-match series alive.

The first ODI was a classic battle of attrition. New Zealand posted a competitive 268, thanks to a patient 85 from Maddy Green and a brisk 36 from captain Amelia Kerr. However, South Africa’s Ayabonga Khaka stole the show with a magnificent 6-wicket haul, dismantling the Kiwi middle order.

The chase was equally intense. Annerie Dercksen played the innings of her life, scoring 72 to guide South Africa home with just two wickets to spare. New Zealand’s bowlers, led by the Kerr sisters, fought until the final over but couldn’t quite break the Proteas’ resilience

NZ-W vs SA-W, 2nd ODI: Match details

• Date and Time: April 1; 3:30 am IST / 10:00 pm GMT (March 31) / 11:00 am Local
• Venue: Basin Reserve, Wellington

NZ-W vs SA-W, Head-to-Head Record in ODIs

Matches played: 22 | South Africa won: 10 | New Zealand won: 12| No result: 0

Basin Reserve Pitch Report

The Basin Reserve in Wellington is renowned for its distinctive green tinge, which typically offers significant assistance to seamers during the first hour of play. Expect the surface to provide generous bounce and carry, making life difficult for the openers against the new ball. However, as the match progresses and the sun bakes the turf, the track tends to flatten out, becoming a batter’s paradise with true pace and reliable bounce. While spinners may find some grip later in the day, the breeze blowing across the ground often becomes a tactical factor for bowlers defending the shorter boundaries.

Squads

New Zealand Women: Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr (c), Izzy Sharp, Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze (wk), Nensi Patel, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Bree Illing, Kayley Knight, Flora Devonshire

South Africa Women: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Kayla Reyneke, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayanda Hlubi, Masabata Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka, Anneke Bosch, Karabo Meso

Also READ: NZ-W vs SA-W, 1st ODI: Kayla Reyneke clinches last-ball thriller for South Africa

NZ-W vs SA-W, 2nd ODI: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• New Zealand wins the toss and bat first
• New Zealand’s powerplay score: 50-60
• New Zealand’s total score: 260-280

Case 2:

• South Africa wins the toss and bat first
• South Africa’s powerplay score: 60-70
• South Africa’s total score: 280-300

Match Result: Team batting first to win the contest

Also READ: Jess Kerr, Sophie Devine power New Zealand to series-clinching win over South Africa in 4th T20I

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

As the Middle East crisis escalates, crude oil prices could surge to $150 or $200 a barrel if the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues over the next six to eight weeks. The disruption is a result of the ongoing war involving the US, Israel, and Iran, which has already prompted Persian Gulf producers to cut millions of barrels of daily supply.According to energy-market consultancy FGE NexantECA, the impact on the global oil market could be enormous. “Every week, 100 million barrels of oil is not going through, and every month, 400 million barrels are not going through,” Chairman Emeritus Fereidun Fesharaki told Bloomberg on Tuesday. “So, within a period of time, these losses to the market will be astronomical,” he said. Fesharaki highlighted that the physical reality of supply disruptions would determine oil prices, rather than political statements.“The market will choke, and the prices will go up. It doesn’t matter what the president says on the political front,” he added. His statement comes as US President Donald Trump has earlier suggested possibility to end the conflict. Oil prices have already surged sharply this month amid the conflict, with Brent crude climbing above $110 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude trading above $100. Brent crude rose $2.26, or about 2 per cent, to $115.04 a barrel in early trade, after hitting its highest level since March 19 in the previous session. US WTI crude gained $3.10, or around 3 per cent to $105.96 a barrel, marking its highest level since March 9.Analysts warn that if the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, the global oil market could face further shocks, potentially pushing prices even higher.

AI-generated image used for representation

The United States’ newly developed missiles marked the opening salvo of the long-anticipated war campaign against Iran, launched under Donald Trump’s Operation Epic Fury on February 28. On the very first day, US-made ballistic missiles struck a sports hall and an adjacent elementary school near a military facility in Lamerd, southern Iran, killing at least 21 people, according to a New York Times report.With the launch of the operation, Washington placed the length and breadth of the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei-led Islamic Republic within its crosshairs, carrying out a sweeping offensive in coordination with close ally Israel.In a separate strike in Minrab, Tomahawk cruise missiles hit a school, leaving 175 people dead. But the Lamerd attack stood out for another reason: it involved a weapon that was neither part of the US military’s traditional arsenal nor previously tested in combat, underscoring a new and uncertain phase in the conflict.

The New York Times verified multiple videos capturing two strikes in Lamerd, along with footage of their aftermath. Analysis by its reporters and munitions experts found that the weapon’s features, explosion patterns and resulting damage were consistent with a short-range ballistic missile known as the Precision Strike Missile, or PrSM—pronounced “prism.”The PrSM is estimated to cost between $1.6 million and over $3.5 million per unit, depending on production scale. In its fiscal 2026 budget request, the US army sought funding to procure just 45 of these missiles.

PrSM’s design and impact under scrutiny

The missile is designed to detonate just above its target, dispersing small tungsten pellets over a wide area.One video, filmed in a residential neighbourhood roughly 900 feet from the sports hall and adjacent school, shows the missile in flight. Its distinctive silhouette closely matches that of the PrSM before it erupts into a large midair fireball. Another clip, captured by a security camera positioned directly across from the sports hall, shows the moment of impact—an explosion occurring just above the structure, even though the incoming missile itself is not visible.Images from the aftermath reveal both sites riddled with small holes, likely caused by the tungsten pellets released upon detonation. Notably, an Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) compound is located directly next to the sports hall, though it remains unclear whether it was struck.The PrSM is a relatively new addition to the US arsenal, having completed prototype testing only last year, according to an army release. On March 1, US Central Command shared footage of a PrSM launch from the opening 24 hours of the conflict, and days later, its commander, Adm. Brad Cooper, confirmed the missile had been used in combat for the first time—marking its operational debut.

Given the weapon’s novelty, it remains difficult to determine whether the Lamerd strikes were intentional, the result of a technical flaw, or due to errors in target selection.There is also no clear evidence linking the school or sports hall to the nearby IRGC compound. Archival satellite imagery suggests the facilities have been separated by walls for at least 15 years.At the time of the strike, the sports hall was reportedly being used by a women’s volleyball team, according to Iran’s UN envoy Amir Saeid Iravani. Social media posts associated with the school indicate it was regularly used by children. The sports hall has also long been identified as a civilian facility on publicly available mapping platforms.Post-strike visuals show the sports hall bearing scorch marks and a partially collapsed roof, while footage from inside the school reveals shattered windows, fire damage and visible bloodstains.The PrSM is designed to target enemy troops and unarmoured vehicles, with a range more than double that of other missiles currently in the US Army’s arsenal—highlighting both its reach and destructive capability.

Khaleel Ahmed and Ravindra Jadeja (Pic credit: IPL)

NEW DELHI: It was a night of emotions, memories and closure as Ravindra Jadeja found himself at the heart of a touching moment following Rajasthan Royals’ emphatic eight-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings in their IPL 2026 clash at Guwahati.While Rajasthan dominated the contest on the field, it was what happened after the final ball that truly captured the mood of the evening. Jadeja, who spent over a decade with CSK and played a pivotal role in their title wins, was seen sharing a warm exchange with Khaleel Ahmed before leaning in to kiss the Chennai franchise logo on Khaleel’s jersey — a spontaneous and emotional gesture that quickly went viral.A bond beyond coloursJadeja’s act summed up his deep connection with CSK, a team where he evolved into one of the most complete all-rounders in world cricket. Having been part of multiple title-winning campaigns, including the 2018, 2021 and 2023 triumphs, the bond clearly remains intact despite his move.Reflecting on his departure, Jadeja admitted it wasn’t easy. “Obviously, leaving a franchise like CSK, where I had played for 12–13 years, was a little difficult initially. It was very emotional,” he said.Yet, the veteran has embraced the transition with maturity. “I told myself that changes like these are also part of the journey,” he added, highlighting his positive outlook in a new setup.Back where it all beganNow back with Rajasthan — the franchise where he began his IPL journey and won the inaugural title in 2008 — Jadeja appears to have rediscovered a sense of belonging. “I’m liking the pink colour. The yellow had started to feel a bit old… but I’m just joking,” he quipped.“The good thing is I’m with the team where I first won an IPL title. Those memories have stayed with me. I’ve come here with a positive mindset — to learn and also share my experience with the group,” he said.Jadeja ensured his return was impactful, picking up two key wickets, including Shivam Dube and Sarfaraz Khan, as RR bowled CSK out for 127. Supported by strong spells from Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger, the hosts wrapped up the chase comfortably, powered by a stunning knock from Vaibhav Suryavanshi.

Rahul Gandhi (File photo)

NEW DELHI: Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing him of selectively raising religious issues and questioning his silence on the alleged Sabarimala gold theft case.Addressing an election rally in Kannur, Kerala, ahead of the upcoming Assembly polls, Gandhi said, “When the so-called defender (the PM) of Hinduism comes to Keralam, he says nothing about Sabarimala,” he said.He further alleged inaction over the issue and accused leaders of the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) of wrongdoing.“How is the BJP supporting the CM (Pinarayi Vijayan)? First, wherever the PM goes, he talks about temples, religion and gods. But when the PM comes to Keralam, he doesn’t raise the issue of the Sabarimala temple. CPM leaders stole gold from the Sabarimala temple, but no action has been taken against them,” Gandhi said.Gandhi claimed that there was an underlying understanding between the BJP and the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led LDF in Kerala. He alleged that the chief minister was being shielded by the Centre.“Narendra Modi controls the Chief Minister of Kerala. The CM of Kerala knows that Narendra Modi is not acting on his cases; the CM knows that Narendra Modi has the key to putting the CM in jail right now. You will hear Congress attacking Narendra Modi, but you will never hear Kerala CM attacking Modi or Modi attacking Kerala CM,” he said.In another remark, Gandhi jibed at PM Modi. “The way Donald Trump controls Narendra Modi, the same way Narendra Modi controls the Chief Minister of Kerala,” he said while addressing the rally.The Congress leader also claimed that the BJP preferred the LDF to remain in power in the state. “Modi wants LDF to win the Assembly elections in Kerala,” he said.Sharpening his attack on the Left, Gandhi said the CPI(M) had deviated from its ideological roots. “CPI(M) no longer Left party but extreme Right wing party,” he said.He framed the upcoming election as a contest between contrasting ideologies while alleging an unusual alignment between political rivals. “This election is a fight between two ideologies. The ideology of the Left Front CPM, the ideology of the UDF and the Congress party. And for the first time, we are seeing that there is a partnership between the BJP and the Left Front. Normally, this would be quite surprising that a Left party is allying with an extreme right party,” he said.The remarks come amid an intensifying political battle in Kerala, where both the ruling LDF and the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) have accused each other of acting as the BJP’s “B-team.” Earlier, Gandhi had alleged that the LDF was “completely supported by BJP” and described the Left government as a “corporate-funded government,” claiming it no longer functioned as a true Left formation. He also suggested that the BJP preferred the LDF in power as it would be easier to influence compared to the Congress-led UDF.On the other hand, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has countered by accusing Rahul Gandhi and the Congress of acting as the BJP’s “B-team,” intensifying the war of words ahead of the high-stakes Assembly elections in the state.

THANE: Nearly a fortnight after walking out of jail on bail in a case, a 55-year-old Dombivli builder and history-sheeter whose gangster-style aesthetics on Instagram have earned him the sobriquet of ‘reel star’, has found himself back behind bars.

In a midnight raid, the Thane crime branch uncovered a staggering arsenal of illegal weaponry—seven firearms, 371 live cartridges and 167 air gun pellets—worth nearly 10 lakh from a hidden compartment of a newly installed shoe rack at his bungalow.Acting on a tipoff, a crime branch team searched the residence of Surendra Pandurang Patil in Dawdi late last Saturday. A shoe rack that appeared out of place in a wealthy developer’s home grabbed officers’ attention. Upon dismantling a false panel, they discovered what officers described as a “war chest designed for a small militia”, police said. Officers also recovered two steel rods, one button knife, a sharp sura (knife), two koytas (sickles), and a sword, along with two high-end smartphones valued at Rs 2 lakh.Patil said the weapons were intended for “creative purposes”. Police are investigating this claim considering his criminal history.The inventory of the seizure is among the largest in recent local history. Among the seven firearms are five country-made pistols and revolvers and the remaining are air guns. Some of the firearms featured professional engravings like ‘Made in USA’ and ‘Special Auto’. The 371 live cartridges and 167 air gun pellets suggested that the cache was fully operational and ready for use, said DCP (crime) Amar Singh Jadhav. Police said Patil, who has over 3 lakh followers on Instagram, used firearms as props for videos to push his narrative of a gangster. Patil now faces fresh charges under Arms Act and Maharashtra Police Act, while authorities probe whether the weapons were being supplied to local criminal elements. “We are probing the source of the weapons and the people who supplied them. Further investigation is on and recovery of more such firearms is likely. The picture will be clearer in a day or two,” said Jadhav. A senior official said the case reflects a dangerous trend of social media clout being fuelled by illegal arms.