LPG gas shortage: Long lines continue outside LPG refilling stations and booking centres as fears of a shortage grow amid the ongoing Middle East conflict between the United States-Israel and Iran.As a retaliatory measure for the February 28 US‑Israel strikes that sparked the conflict, Iran has blocked the strategic Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns over fuel supply disruptions. The water body a crucial chokepoint, accounting for around one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes.Although the government has assured that there is no shortage, these reassurances have done little to calm public concern.The issue has also echoed in Parliament, where opposition parties have accused the government of downplaying the seriousness of the situation.Here’s a look at how different states are responding to the LPG supply concerns:DelhiThe Delhi government has assured people that the supply of LPG, petrol, diesel, and PNG is normal, and urged them to refrain from panic buying or hoarding.According to a statement from Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta’s office, authorities are carrying out rigorous inspections to curb black-marketing and hoarding of LPG cylinders.“The Department of Food, Supplies and Consumer Affairs has deployed field officers to facilitate hassle-free bookings and ensure compliance. Enforcement teams are conducting rigorous inspections to curb black-marketing and hoarding. A strict vigil is being maintained to prevent the diversion of domestic LPG cylinders for commercial use in restaurants and eateries,” the statement read.The government also informed people that the minimum interval for LPG refill bookings has been revised from 21 days to 25 days.“Despite this revision, consumers are receiving refills within an average of two to three days from the date of booking. To streamline the process, the government encourages the use of digital platforms for bookings,” the statement added.MaharashtraThe Maharashtra government has directed oil companies to immediately repair technical glitches in both their LPG booking apps and missed call services to ensure residents can book their cylinders without any hassle.The state government further announced that control rooms would be promptly set up at various levels, and a WhatsApp facility would also be provided for complaint redressal.However, in view of the upcoming festive season, public institutions would be prioritised to receive uninterrupted supply of LPG cylinders.The government has also instructed authorities to seek the assistance of local representatives and gram panchayat members to prevent panic among citizens.It further stated that the responsibility of providing necessary protection to vehicles transporting LPG, as well as to gas agencies, has been entrusted to the police administration.Uttar PradeshChief minister Yogi Adityanath held a review meeting and assured public that there is no shortage of diesel, petrol, and cooking gas in the state.The chief minister was informed that the supply system is operating smoothly.“There is no shortage of diesel-petrol in Uttar Pradesh. Avoid rumours related to shortage of cooking gas. If any distributor agency or private individual is found involved in black marketing or hoarding, an FIR will be immediately registered against them, and the strictest action will be ensured,” Adityanath posted on X after the meeting.He also recommended the use of alternative fuels by communicating with hostels, hospitals, dharamshalas, hotels, and various commercial establishments.According to the Chief Minister’s Office, police personnel would be deployed at LPG distribution centres to assist in maintaining order.KarnatakaIn Karnataka, deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar said that the state government would take up the issue of LPG shortage in a Cabinet meeting.“There is some issue with gas supply; gas is not available. This is causing problems for everyone. People must have all the facilities needed for food. In the coming days, we do not know what situation may arise,” he told reporters.Shivakumar urged the Centre to act immediately to resolve or else, Karnataka’s farmers would have to use firewood as an alternative.Meanwhile, the Karnataka State Hotel Association called for a portion of commercial LPG cylinders to be reallocated for commercial use to ensure kitchens across Bengaluru continue functioning smoothly.BiharIn state capital Patna, district magistrate Thiyagarajan SM said the administrative machinery is working proactively to ensure that domestic LPG consumers do not face any inconvenience.“Any kind of laxity, negligence or irregularity will not be tolerated. Directions have also been issued to immediately register FIRs and arrest the concerned agencies or individuals if complaints of black marketing, hoarding or sale at higher prices are received,” he stated.According to the district administration, booking and delivery are being carried out through missed calls, SMS/IVRS, WhatsApp, and OTP-based systems.The administration also issued a helpline number (0612-2219810) for seamless distribution and monitoring of LPG cylinder supply. The helpline will be open to public grievances from 9 am to 6 pm daily.Holidays of block supply officers and assistant district supply officers have been cancelled till the next order.The district administration also formed 28 Quick Response Teams (QRTs) for the timely resolution of complaints related to the supply of LPG cylinders.Tamil NaduChief minister MK Stalin urged the public not to panic, assuring that the country has adequate fuel reserves.“The Tamil Nadu government would extend full support to the Centre in managing any challenges arising from the international situation,” an official statement quoted Stalin as saying.He emphasised that he had chaired a high-level review meeting and written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the relevant Union Ministers regarding the shortage of cooking gas cylinders.The Tamil Nadu Petroleum Merchants Association also clarified that there is no shortage of petrol or diesel anywhere in the state. As per the body, all the petrol pumps across the state, around 7,000 in number, are receiving regular fuel supplies.TelanganaThe state government will meet representatives of oil marketing companies on Friday, civil supplies minister N Uttam Reddy announced.He added that has been no problem in the supply of domestic LPG cylinders so far.“In Telangana, domestic supply is 86 per cent and commercial supply is 14 per cent. There is no problem in 86 per cent domestic supply so far. Some problems have come to our notice over commercial supply,” Reddy told reporters.Chief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao would also be present in the meeting.As per Hyderabad Hotels Association president Ashok Reddy, the hotels are trying to manage the situation by making use of existing stocks, while some others are using wood as fuel.(With agency inputs)

MUMBAI: The National Stock Exchange (NSC) office in Kurla has received threatening email warning of missile and bomb attack on key locations in the city.The email, allegedly sent from wassanalovemax2560@gmail.com, contained a message claiming that “Mumbai will echo Khalistan”. It said the blast will take place at multiple locations including the Stock Exchange at banks, courts, Vidhan Bhavan and metros. VB Nagar police have registered an offence and crime branch is conducting a parallel probe.According to the complaint filed by Arun Barku Thakur (55), a senior security supervisor at the NSE regional office located at Kohinoor City, Kurla (West), the threatening message was received on March 12, 2026 at around 7.23 am on an official email ID.The NSE regional office operates from the fifth and sixth floors of the building, housing a data centre and brokerage office where online trading activities in Mumbai are handled.The email, allegedly sent from wassanalovemax2560@gmail.com, contained a message claiming that “Mumbai will echo Khalistan” and warned of missile and bomb attacks at multiple locations including the Stock Exchange at 12:11 pm, banks at 1:11 pm, courts at 2:11 pm, Vidhan Bhavan at 3:11 pm and metros at 9:11 pm.The message also threatened senior political leaders and demanded that the Chief Minister support a “Khalistan referendum” or face attacks.After receiving the email, NSE Deputy Manager Shashant Mishra alerted the security department, following which the message was forwarded to the internal security email ID. Senior security officials and the NSE control room at BKC were informed.Considering the seriousness of the threat, NSE officials approached Vinoba Bhave Nagar Police Station, where a complaint was lodged. Police have initiated an investigation to trace the sender of the threatening email and assess the security risk.

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Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in Udaipur on February 16 in the presence of their family and friends. Just days after her wedding, an audio of her mother talking about the actress’ broken engagement with Rakshit Shetty went viral on the internet. Rashmika has finally broken silence on the matter and threatened a legal action stating that a private conversation of her family member was made public. While she maintained a dignified stance and did not mention any names, in her cryptic post, Rashmika shared that whatever has happened in the last 24 hours is something which crosses a line and cannot be ignored. The actress started off by saying, “To my dearest people who have been with me through this incredible journey so far, and to those concerned in this matter, it has been 8 years since a sustained campaign of misinformation, harassment and targeted attacks from a section of the media and individuals started online against me. I watched as my words have been taken out of context as words I never uttered were spun into false narratives and hate as been amplified for the sake of views, reach and engagement. All this while it pained and hurt me, I chose patience and silence. I accepted that being in the public eye sometimes comes with unfair criticism but as long as I remain true to myself and happy, spreading joy around me things will fall into place.” She further added, “However, what has happened in the last 24 hours crosses a line that can’t be ignored. An old private conversation, believed to be from nearly eight years ago appears to have been recorded and circulated without the knowledge or consent of those involved. A small portion of that conversation has now been deliberately taken out of context and circulated widely to create yet another discomforting controversy, strategically co-inciding with recent developments in my personal life.” The actor expressed concern over the violation of her privacy. She stated that the circulation of the private conversation amounts to a serious breach of personal boundaries and has unnecessarily pulled in individuals who were not connected to the matter. She slammed this further and said, “How far can people go? In doing so, they have dragged my family along with people I share cordial relationships with, who have absolutely nothing to do in this matter, into discomfort. This constitutes a serious invasion of my privacy.” She further concluded by threatening legal action and said, “For eight years, while the attacks were restricted to me, I chose silence. Today, while others are being drawn into this, I cannot stay silent any longer, I choose to draw a boundary. I request all media platforms, influencers and individuals who are circulating this content or related narratives to remove them immediately. You have 24 hours from the time of this statement to do so. Failing this, starting tomorrow, appropriate legal action will be initiated.”She ended the note with a heartfelt thank you to her fans and supporters and said, “To everyone who has supported me with kindness, understanding, and love through the years, I remain deeply grateful. I love you and want you to know that random people will not and cannot dictate how we live. We choose. We have to.”

Indian cricket team spinner Kuldeep Yadav is all set to begin a new chapter in his personal life as he prepares to marry his childhood friend Vanshika Singh. The wedding ceremony is scheduled for March 14 at the luxurious Welcomhotel The Savoy, one of the most iconic heritage hotels in the hill town. Just a few days later, the couple will host a grand reception in Lucknow on March 17 at Hotel Centrum.

Ahead of the big day, Kuldeep’s beautifully designed wedding invitation has gone viral on social media, attracting admiration for its regal theme and intricate craftsmanship.

Kuldeep Yadav’s royal wedding card captures attention online

Kuldeep and Vanshika’s wedding card has become a talking point among fans due to its elegant and artistic design. Inspired by the timeless love story of Radha and Krishna, the invitation reflects a royal and traditional aesthetic.

The base colour of the card is a soft peach-pink shade, decorated with detailed floral patterns that add a graceful touch. Gold foil work has been used throughout the design, creating intricate carvings that enhance the royal feel of the invitation. The edges are highlighted with golden accents, depicting palace domes and decorative figures that give the card a subtle 3D vintage look.

One of the most striking features is a golden buckle-like lock placed at the top of the card, adorned with delicate pink floral detailing. This element adds to the luxurious presentation and makes the invitation stand out visually.

At the centre of the card, a beautifully engraved artwork shows a couple standing near a jharokha-style palace window. The figures, dressed in traditional red and green royal attire, resemble Radha and Krishna, symbolising eternal love and devotion. The background illustration showcases palace domes and latticed windows, reinforcing the regal theme. At the bottom of the card, the design shifts to a serene natural setting with blooming lotus flowers, a fountain, and a peacock, further enhancing its artistic appeal.

Even the typography has been carefully chosen to match the theme. The names “Kuldeep and Vanshika” appear at the top in a vintage gold nameplate-style design. Additionally, a small invitation tag features a creative logo combining the letters ‘K’ and ‘V’, ending in a heart shape. According to reports, the elaborate invitation card is estimated to cost around ₹2200 per piece.

Also READ: Date and venue details of Kuldeep Yadav’s marriage with childhood friend Vanshika Chadha

Cricket stars expected at the Mussoorie ceremony

The wedding celebrations are expected to feature several high-profile guests from the cricketing world. Reports suggest that many of Kuldeep’s teammates could attend the ceremony in Mussoorie, including Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah.

To accommodate guests, approximately 80 rooms have reportedly been reserved at Welcomhotel The Savoy, while additional luxury properties nearby have also been booked for family members, VIP guests, and security personnel.

Also READ: ‘Shame on Kavya Maran’: Sunrisers owner faces backlash for signing Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed in The Hundred Auction

As tensions in the Middle East continue to boil, the ripple effects are being felt across global oil markets. Disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most vital oil transit routes, have thrown supply chains into uncertainty, prompting governments and refiners worldwide to rush in search of alternatives. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has warned that the situation could amount to the “largest supply disruption in history”, with millions of barrels of oil unable to move each day due to disruptions in the narrow shipping corridor. According to the agency, the scale of the shock could exceed the disruptions seen after the 1973 Yom Kippur war and the start of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. The situation further worsened after Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, called for the key shipping route to “remain closed”, casting shadow over hopes of a quick resolution to the crisis.

Against this backdrop, global oil prices, once again, climbed above $100 a barrel. Countries dependent on imported crude have since begun taking urgent steps to secure fuel supplies and shield their economies from the escalating crisis.

India

India has turned to Russian crude to offset potential supply disruptions from the Middle East. New Delhi has purchased around 30 million barrels of unsold Russian oil after the United States issued a 30-day waiver allowing buyers to acquire cargoes that were already stranded at sea, according to a Bloomberg report citing sources.Although the Strait of Hormuz is a critical energy route, only about 40% of India’s crude imports travel through it. Even so, refiners have moved swiftly to ensure stable supply. Following the waiver, refiners including Indian Oil Corporation and Reliance Industries bought nearly all available Russian cargoes on the spot market, the report said. Meanwhile, government has also prioritised domestic LPG supplies to ensure uninterrupted access to cooking gas for households. Authorities have ensured that the retail fuel network remains fully operational, with nearly 100,000 outlets running without any dry-outs. Around 25,000 LPG distributors are supplying nearly 50 lakh cylinders each day, while commercial LPG is being prioritised for hospitals and educational institutions.

United States

The United States has opted to tap its emergency reserves as part of a coordinated effort to ease pressure on global oil markets. US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said that members of the International Energy Agency had agreed to release oil from their reserves. “Earlier today, 32 member nations of the International Energy Agency unanimously agreed to President Trump’s request to lower energy prices with a coordinated release of 400 million barrels of oil and refined products from their respective reserves.”As part of that plan, US President Donald Trump authorised the Department of Energy to release 172 million barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve starting next week.The supply will take around 120 days to reach the market based on expected discharge rates, making it one of the largest emergency releases from the US reserve.

China

China faces significant exposure to the disruption given its dependence on oil flows from the Gulf. The country accounts for roughly one quarter of the world’s oil imports, most of which originate from Gulf producers.China also consumes around 90% of Iran’s crude exports, with much of that supply routed through Malaysia to bypass sanctions. Now, the conflict risks to transit routes such as the Strait of Hormuz have raised concerns about supply security.In the short term, Beijing can rely on its strategic petroleum reserves, which are estimated at between 1.1 billion and 1.4 billion barrels. If the disruption continues, China could deepen its reliance on other suppliers, particularly Russia.At the same time, the government has moved to protect domestic fuel availability. Four sources familiar with the decision said Beijing ordered refiners to halt exports of refined fuel in March with immediate effect.

South Korea

South Korea has imposed a cap on domestic fuel prices to limit the impact of rising energy costs as authorities attempt to cushion the blow of the Middle East crisis on the country’s economy, which depends heavily on imported energy.Officials have fixed the maximum wholesale price of gasoline at 1,724 won ($1.17) per litre, compared with 1,833 won. Prices will be reviewed every two weeks to reflect changes in global oil markets.Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said, “The government will implement a maximum price system for petroleum products to ease the burden on consumers and firmly respond to attempts to take advantage of the crisis to increase prices excessively,” as cited by Reuters.South Korea imports almost all of its energy requirements, with about 70% of its oil and 20% of its liquefied natural gas coming from the Middle East.Authorities also plan to restrict stockpiling by refiners, requiring them to release at least 90% of the monthly volumes they supplied in March and April last year.

Australia

Australia has opted to use part of its emergency fuel reserves to manage potential shortages. The country, which depends on imported oil for much of its fuel needs, has witnessed a sharp rise in petrol prices as panic buying intensified following the outbreak of the war.The government will release the equivalent of six days’ worth of petrol and five days of diesel from its stockpiles, the first time the reserves have been tapped since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, ABC news reported.Current data shows the country holds about 36 days of petrol supply, 29 days of jet fuel and 32 days of diesel. Energy minister Chris Bowen said the fuel would not enter the market immediately because of supply chain constraints but would give retailers greater flexibility to manage supply. He also said discussions were under way with fuel companies to ensure regional communities receive priority access. He furthercautioned fuel retailers against “dangerous” petrol price gouging, even as the government temporarily eased fuel stockholding requirements in an effort to improve supply.

France

French authorities have begun checking petrol stations across the country over concerns that companies could exploit the crisis to raise prices excessively.Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, as cited by The Guardian, said that inspectors would visit 500 fuel stations between Monday and Wednesday.“The war in the Middle East must not become a pretext for abusive prices at the pump,” he said.

Italy

Italy has warned that it could introduce additional taxes on companies suspected ofprofiteering from rising wholesale oil prices. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the government was determined to prevent speculation during the crisis.“I am very determined to do what I can to prevent speculators from exploiting the crisis at the expense of families and businesses,” she told Italian television.Taxes already make up around 25% of the final energy costs paid by households and small businesses.

Germany and Austria

Germany has rejected suggestions that sanctions on Russia should be eased to offset the supply shock.Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the country would continue to prioritise solidarity with Ukraine despite pressure from energy markets.If the conflict involving Iran ends quickly, he said, “we will also see a relatively rapid return to normalisation on the oil and energy markets”.“Faced with the choice between sanctions and solidarity, our position is clear: we stand with Ukraine and are prepared to endure such a phase if necessary,” Merz added.Austria’s Chancellor Christian Stocker has meanwhile called for a temporary cut in petrol taxes to counter rising prices.

Hungary and Croatia

Hungary and Croatia have taken direct action to limit fuel costs by introducing price caps. Croatia has set the price at forecourts at €1.55 per litre for petrol and €1.50 for unleaded.Hungary has introduced a similar cap and announced it will release oil from state reserves.Prime Minister Viktor Orban also called on the European Union to suspend sanctions on Russian energy. Hungary and Slovakia already have exemptions from EU restrictions on Russian gas imports and recently secured a one-year exemption from US sanctions after agreeing to purchase liquefied natural gas from the United States.

Other European countries

Elsewhere in Europe, the surge in oil prices is already affecting transport and households. The Sweden-based airline SAS has said it will introduce a temporary fare increase due to higher fuel costs.In Ireland, concerns are rising over the cost of heating oil, particularly in rural areas where many homes rely on paraffin for hot water because natural gas is available in only about a third of households.Despite the pressure, the coalition government has so far resisted calls for immediate intervention, although it has previously acted against price gouging at petrol stations.

Daniel Vettori (TOI Photo)

NEW DELHI: The signing of Pakistan mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed by Sunrisers Leeds at the 2026 player auction created a storm on social media in India, but head coach Daniel Vettori has explained that the move was purely a cricketing decision after the franchise missed out on England star Adil Rashid.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Sunrisers Leeds, owned by the Sun TV Network, secured Abrar for USD 255,000 at the inaugural men’s auction for The Hundred, making him the first Pakistani player to be picked by an Indian-owned franchise in the tournament. The decision drew criticism from some fans in India, who questioned the move and targeted franchise owner Kavya Maran on social media.Speaking after the auction, Vettori said the team’s strategy changed after Rashid was snapped up by Southern Brave.ALSO READ: Sunrisers Leeds’ official X account suspended shortly after signing Abrar Ahmed“Once we missed out on Adil Rashid, who was a priority early on, then we obviously jumped into the overseas spinner market. There were four or five guys we were looking at, and Abrar was one of them. Very pleased to get him,” Vettori said.

He stressed that there had been no internal discussions about avoiding Pakistani players despite earlier reports suggesting a possible shadow ban for Indian-owned teams.“We just planned for everyone who was at the auction. There wasn’t a discussion about not picking Pakistan players. It was simply about who was the best option available,” he explained.Vettori added that the franchise had identified several overseas spinners, including Usman Tariq and Rishad Hossain, before ultimately deciding on Abrar.“It’s a bit of a mystery. Many English players haven’t seen him much. He recently played against Australia and the feedback from their players was that he’s tricky to face, with a lot of variations and the ability to strike in the powerplay and through the middle overs,” Vettori said.According to the former New Zealand captain, Abrar’s skillset could be particularly valuable at Headingley Cricket Ground, where spinners have historically played a decisive role.“Spinners have been the ones who succeed there. Having someone like Abrar could make a big difference for us,” he added.