Supreme Court of India turned down plea on mandatory period leave. (AI image for representation)

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India on Friday declined to entertain a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a nationwide policy granting menstrual leave to women students and employees, observing that mandating such a provision could unintentionally reinforce gender stereotypes and potentially affect women’s employment prospects.A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, however, said the competent authority may examine the petitioner’s representation and consider the possibility of framing a policy on menstrual leave after consulting relevant stakeholders.The court disposed of the PIL with directions to the authorities to take an appropriate decision on the representation.

“These pleas are made to create fear, to call women inferior — that menstruation is something bad happening to them. This is projected as an affirmative right. But one must also think about the employer who has to grant paid leave,” the bench observed.The petition had been filed by Shailendra Mani Tripathi.During the hearing, the Chief Justice raised concerns about the potential social consequences of mandating menstrual leave through legislation, noting that such measures could unintentionally reinforce stereotypes about women.

Voluntary policies welcome: CJI on Kerala example

Senior advocate M R Shamshad, appearing for the petitioner, pointed out that certain states and institutions had already taken steps to accommodate menstrual leave.He cited the example of Kerala, where relaxations have been introduced in schools, and added that several private companies have voluntarily provided menstrual leave to employees.Responding to this, the Chief Justice said voluntary policies were welcome but cautioned against making such provisions mandatory through law.“Voluntarily given is excellent. The moment you make it compulsory in law, nobody will give them jobs. Nobody will take them in the judiciary or government jobs — their career will be over. They will say you should sit at home after informing everyone,” he said.The bench also noted the possible impact such measures could have on workplace perceptions and the professional advancement of women.Taking note of the submissions, the court observed that the petitioner had already submitted a representation to the concerned authorities and said there was no need to repeatedly approach the court seeking a mandamus.

Donald Trump has cautioned trading partners against attempting to reopen or renegotiate these agreements. (AI image)

The Donald Trump administration’s move to launch investigations into the trade practices of sixteen economies, including India, sends the signal that the US trade policy is entering a new phase. On March 11, 2026, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) initiated a new series of investigations under Section 301, focusing on the trade policies and industrial practices of sixteen economies.The economies included in the investigation are China, the European Union, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, South Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Mexico, Japan and India.

The inquiry will examine a broad range of industries such as steel, aluminium, automobiles, batteries, electronics, chemicals, machinery, semiconductors and solar modules.

Trump’s Tariff Policy Dismantled

According to an analysis by Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), the move is important since it comes after the US Supreme Court rules that Trump’s reciprocal tariffs are illegal. The think tank has called the investigation a result of the ‘collapse’ of the US tariff strategy.“The revival of Section 301 investigations signals that US trade policy is entering a new phase following the court ruling that curtailed Washington’s tariff powers. With its earlier tariff strategy effectively dismantled, the United States appears to be turning to trade investigations and targeted measures to maintain leverage in negotiations with trading partners,” says GTRI founder Ajay Srivastava.Following the ruling, Washington moved quickly to introduce a new measure. Within hours, it imposed a 10% tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, shifting from targeted tariffs to a standard duty applied across all countries.This change, however, created complications for the United States. A number of countries had previously concluded trade arrangements with Washington under the earlier system of reciprocal tariffs. Those agreements involved negotiated tariff levels that were higher than the newly imposed rate. For instance, the European Union, Japan and South Korea had accepted tariffs of about 15%, while Vietnam and Taiwan had agreed to around 20%. Indonesia and Thailand had negotiated duties of roughly 19%.“After the court ruling introduced a universal 10% tariff, those negotiated advantages effectively disappeared, prompting some governments to reconsider the value of trade deals with the US,” notes GTRI.

What it means for India

Many of the economies now subject to the Section 301 investigations had already finalized some form of trade arrangement or framework with Washington after April 2025. For example, China currently operates under a temporary tariff arrangement. Meanwhile, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Thailand, Mexico and India are still engaged in negotiations.India, for instance, issued a joint statement with the United States on February 6, 2026. Under this understanding, New Delhi agreed to lower tariffs on a range of products, showed intent to purchase more than $500 billion worth of US goods over five years, ease certain digital regulations affecting American technology companies and reduce specific regulatory barriers facing US exports.The US probe highlights multiple sectors in India where it believes there could be structural overcapacity or export surpluses. These sectors include solar modules, petrochemicals, steel, textiles, health-related products, construction materials and automotive goods.According to the US notification, India’s manufacturing capacity for solar modules is already close to three times the level of domestic demand, which indicates the potential for production surpluses aimed at export markets. The notice also points to similar concerns regarding the rapid expansion of capacity in sectors such as petrochemicals and steel.President Donald Trump has cautioned trading partners against attempting to reopen or renegotiate these agreements.According to GTRI, Section 301 continues to be a significant instrument in US trade policy, though it operates more slowly and under tighter legal constraints compared with the reciprocal tariff system that was struck down by the Supreme Court. Investigations under Section 301 require clear evidence that specific trade practices have caused harm.Washington may also consider imposing tariffs under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which permits trade restrictions on the grounds of national security. This provision has previously been used to apply substantial duties on steel and aluminium and could potentially be extended to other sectors.

What is the investigation process?

Under Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974, the United States government has the authority to examine whether trade practices adopted by other countries are unfair or discriminatory and whether they adversely affect US trade.These investigations will assess whether measures such as industrial subsidies, government-backed manufacturing push, the role of state-owned enterprises, restrictions on market access, currency-related policies or weak domestic demand have contributed to excess global manufacturing capacity that places pressure on US industries.If the inquiry determines that such practices exist, the United States may respond with countermeasures. These could include the imposition of additional tariffs, limits on import volumes or other forms of trade restrictions.The investigation will proceed through a structured process. Public dockets for written comments will open on March 17, 2026, enabling businesses, industry associations and governments to submit their views. Written submissions and requests to appear at the hearings must be filed by April 15. Public hearings are scheduled to be held from May 5 to May 8 at the US International Trade Commission in Washington. Parties wishing to submit rebuttal comments will have seven days after the conclusion of the hearings to do so. Following consultations with the governments involved, the USTR will decide whether the practices being examined justify retaliatory trade measures.

Deepika Padukone, who welcomed baby girl Dua in September 2024, has been keeping away from the spotlight for a while. Recently, the actress took to social media to raise her voice about Mumbai’s deteriorating air quality. Tagging the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), she urged action as the city continues to reel under an intense heatwave. The actress also shared her worries that children and residents find it difficult to breathe clean air amid rising pollution levels.

Deepika Padukone urges BMC to take action on air pollution

Recently, Deepika took to Instagram to raise awareness about the rising air pollution in Mumbai. In her story, she tagged the BMC and the BMC Public Health Department, urging them to take immediate action to improve the city’s air quality. Responding to such growing concerns, the BMC had earlier issued notices to several construction sites and temporarily halted their work, which led to a noticeable improvement in the AQI. Sharing a photo of Mumbai’s smog-filled skyline, the actress wrote, “This city (& it’s children) are choking! How is this okay? @bmc @mybmchealth help!” followed by a folded hands emoji.

Deepika Padukone skips Paris trip amid Middle East tensions

Meanwhile, Deepika recently grabbed headlines after deciding to skip her Paris visit due to restricted flight operations caused by the ongoing tensions in the Middle East. According to Mid-Day, Deepika was initially confirmed to attend. The ‘Padmaavat’ actress had zeroed in on her outfits and begun fittings for the appearance as well. But her flight was among the many that were cancelled in the last few days. Also, given that the war has been escalating and affecting several countries across West Asia, she reconsidered whether it was the right time to travel.

Deepika Padukone to reunite with Shah Rukh Khan in ‘King’

Deepika, who recently opted out of the ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ sequel and ‘Spirit’, will next be seen in ‘King’ alongside Shah Rukh Khan. The project reunites her once again with SRK and filmmaker Siddharth Anand. Featuring an ensemble cast that includes Suhana Khan, Rani Mukerji, Raghav Juyal, Abhay Verma, Abhishek Bachchan, and Saurabh Shukla, the film is slated to hit theatres on December 24, 2026.

Deepika Padukone to star with Allu Arjun in Atlee’s next

Besides this, Padukone will also star opposite Allu Arjun in Atlee’s upcoming directorial titled ‘AA22XA6’. The recently released announcement video has already created a buzz among her fans. As per reports, the makers are expected to unveil the film’s official title on Allu Arjun’s birthday, April 8, 2026.

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As the excitement for the 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) reaches a fever pitch, Punjab Kings (PBKS) have officially raised the curtain on their highly anticipated match jersey for the 2026 season. In a video shared over social media starring captain Shreyas Iyer and company, the franchise showcased a design that artfully blends their storied heritage with a modern, performance-driven aesthetic. The new kit, produced in collaboration with sportswear giant SIX5SIX, serves as a visual manifesto for a team that topped the league standings in 2025 and is now hungry to go one step further.

The symbolism of the ‘Sher Squad’: From raw talent to polished diamonds

The most talked-about feature of the 2026 threads is the intricate gradient pattern that dominates the front panel. Moving away from the solid blocks of colour seen in previous years, the new design features a central lion motif, the heart of the PBKS identity which subtly deconstructs into sharp, geometric diamond shapes toward the edges of the fabric.

According to the franchise, this ‘Lion to Diamond’ narrative is deeply rooted in the team’s core philosophy. The lion represents the instinct and aggression of the raw talent the team scouts from across the country. In contrast, the diamonds symbolize what that talent becomes once it is ‘polished’ through the high-performance training systems led by head coach Ricky Ponting and the high-pressure environment of the IPL. This symbolic evolution mirrors the journey of players like Prabhsimran Singh and Arshdeep Singh, who have transitioned from promising youngsters into world-class match-winners under the Punjab banner.

Our threads for #IPL2026! 🔥#SherSquad, saddi navi jersey ghaint aa? 😎#PunjabKings pic.twitter.com/JESDKdsntG

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) March 12, 2026

Also READ: Lakshmipathy Balaji names his strongest Lucknow Super Giants XI ahead of IPL 2026

Modern innovation meets the fortress of Mullanpur

While the design is rich in metaphor, it is equally grounded in technical excellence. The 2026 kit is engineered with advanced, moisture-wicking fabric specifically designed to combat the intense Indian summer. The jersey also proudly displays the logo of the team’s new title sponsor, CP Plus, marking a significant commercial milestone for the franchise following their record-breaking 2025 campaign where they finished as runners-up.

The color palette remains a vibrant mix of red and blue, representing the fearless attitude that defined their previous season. This visual refresh comes at a pivotal moment as the team prepares to turn their home ground, the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh PCA Stadium in Mullanpur, into an impenetrable fortress.

Fans won’t have to wait long to see the ‘Sher Squad’ in their new colors. Shreyas Iyer and his men are scheduled to debut the kit on March 31, 2026, in a high-stakes season opener against Shubman Gill’s Gujarat Titans. Having narrowly missed out on the trophy last year in a final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the new jersey represents a fresh start and a clear signal of intent: the Punjab Kings are no longer just competitors; they are a polished force ready to claim their first-ever IPL title.

Also READ: IPL 2026: Irfan Pathan explains why Sanju Samson will be a huge advantage for CSK in the clash against RR

Senior officials in Pakistan on Wednesday said that Islamabad will come to the aid of Saudi Arabia even “before it is needed” amid the Middle East crisis due to the conflict between the joint forces of US-Israel and Iran.“The question is not whether Pakistan might come to Saudi Arabia’s aid. Both countries, even before the strategic mutual defence agreement, have operated on a principle of being there for the other before they need the other. So, there is no question that we might; we will. No matter what, no matter when,” Mosharraf Zaidi Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s aid told Bloomberg“The real question is what is Pakistan doing to make sure things don’t come to a point where any of its closest partners are further embroiled in a conflict that could potentially undermine stability and prosperity in the region,” he added.Asked how close Pakistan was to “providing military aid to Saudi Arabia”, Zaidi said that it would be “speculative and irresponsible” to comment on that.“There is no question of if and when. Whatever is needed from Pakistan vis-a-vis Saudi Arabia, Pakistan will be there before it is needed [and] similarly for Saudi Arabia,” he said.He said that Saudi Arabia “has already made arrangements to support Pakistan’s supply chain stability and in terms of oil, diesel and crude.”“I think both countries are tied to each other, formally and informally, and there’s no question of whether there would be any kind of if,” he said.This comes after Pakistan, which shares a border with Iran, signed a defence pact with Turkey and Saudi Arabia to form an “Islamic Nato.”As tensions continue to rise, with Iran maintaining its missile and drone attacks, questions are being raised about whether Islamabad’s response will go beyond verbal condemnation, given its 2025 Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement with Riyadh.The pact’s collective defence clause treats aggression against one as an attack on both, building on decades of military ties. However, its core provisions focus on conventional cooperation such as joint exercises, intelligence sharing and drones, without nuclear commitments.

Gold is trading near the lower Bollinger band after an extended decline, indicating strong downside momentum. (AI image)

Gold price prediction today: Gold prices are seeing intraday weakness and a sell on rise strategy makes sense, says Jateen Trivedi, VP Research Analyst – Commodity and Currency, LKP Securities.Gold April futures on MCX are trading near ₹1,59,860 after witnessing persistent selling pressure through the session. The price structure reflects a clear downward bias with successive lower highs and lower lows forming on the intraday chart. Momentum indicators remain weak, suggesting that any short-term recovery toward resistance levels could attract fresh selling interest.Technical SetupPrice is trading below the short-term EMA cluster, with the 8 EMA trending beneath the 21 EMA. Both averages are sloping downward, confirming the continuation of the bearish intraday trend. The ₹1,60,300 level aligns with the immediate moving average resistance zone.Gold is trading near the lower Bollinger band after an extended decline, indicating strong downside momentum. A pullback toward the mid-band could provide a selling opportunity before the trend resumes.The chart shows a consistent lower-high pattern, confirming supply dominance. Until prices reclaim ₹1,61,000, the broader intraday sentiment remains negative.RSI Indicator:RSI is hovering near 23, entering oversold territory. While this may trigger a minor bounce, it does not invalidate the prevailing bearish trend.MACD remains in negative territory with expanding red histogram bars, reflecting continued bearish momentum.Gold Intraday Trading View

Bias: Bearish below ₹1,60,300; trend reversal only above ₹1,61,000.Gold’s intraday structure remains weak with strong downward momentum reflected through falling moving averages and a sub-30 RSI reading. Any pullback toward ₹1,60,300 is likely to face selling pressure. Traders may consider selling on rise near ₹1,60,300 with a stop-loss above ₹1,61,000, targeting ₹1,59,000 during the session.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)

The landscape of English cricket shifted dramatically yesterday (March 12) as The Hundred concluded its first-ever IPL-style player auction at Piccadilly Lights in London. This ‘New Era’ of the competition saw a massive influx of private capital, a 45% surge in the men’s salary cap to £2.05 million per team, and several high-profile franchise rebrands. From record-breaking domestic bids to historic international signings, the auction proved that The Hundred has firmly transitioned from its original draft system into a global financial powerhouse.

James Coles shatters records

The headline of the night was 21-year-old Sussex all-rounder James Coles, who became the most expensive player in the tournament’s history. London Spirit secured the young star for a staggering £390,000, outbidding heavy hitters like Sunrisers Leeds and Trent Rockets. Coles’ massive payday underscored the premium franchises are now placing on versatile domestic talent under the new private ownership model.

Abrar Ahmed roped in by Sunrisers

In one of the most discussed moves of the day, Sunrisers Leeds—owned by the Sun Group (owners of Sunrisers Hyderabad)—signed Pakistan leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed for £190,000. This move made significant waves as it marked a rare instance of an Indian-owned franchise recruiting a Pakistani cricketer, breaking a long-standing unofficial trend seen in other global leagues. Birmingham Phoenix also tapped into Pakistan’s talent pool, securing mystery spinner Usman Tariq for £140,000.

Aiden Markram becomes costliest overseas player

Thursday’s auction also delivered lucrative deals for several prominent names. Tom Curran secured a £260,000 contract with MI London, while veteran spinner Adil Rashid was picked up by Southern Brave for £250,000.

Joe Root became the first player to be sold in the bidding, joining Welsh Fire for £240,000. Meanwhile, Sunrisers Leeds turned to Dan Lawrence, signing him for £210,000 after missing out on Coles earlier in the process.

Among overseas players, Aiden Markram commanded the biggest offer, landing a £200,000 deal with Manchester Super Giants. The South African captain already represents two other franchises under the Super Giants banner — Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL and Durban’s Super Giants in SA20 — further strengthening his association with the group.

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

Complete list of sold players at The Hundred Men’s 2026 auction

Also READ: The Hundred Women 2026 Auction: Complete list of sold players with their price