MUMBAI: All staffers at Vidhan Bhavan were evacuated from the premises on Thursday morning and a search operation was carried out after the state legislature got a “bomb and missile” threat on email. The mail came at 6.57 am, when most legislators had not arrived at the premises, officials said, adding that the budget session of the legislature later functioned as scheduled through the day.Apart from Vidhan Bhavan, the mail also mentioned the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), Metro, the high court and some banks, state legislative council chairman Ram Shinde said.The Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) and the dog squad were called in to inspect the Vidhan Bhavan premises and investigate the matter, he said.Minister of state for home Pankaj Bhoyar said prima facie the mail seemed to be a hoax, but necessary security arrangements have been made. “Since there is a war going on in the Gulf, words like missiles were used. But it was a hoax, so there is no need to panic,” he said. Bhoyar said that the police were investigating the email id where the mail had come from and also the IP address. According to the police, the threat email made mention of ‘Khalistan National Army.’ An offence has been registered against an unknown email sender at Marine Drive police station on the complaint of the security officer of Vidhan Bhavan and the matter is being probed further, police said.“On Thursday at 6:57 am, there was an email on the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) branch email id with the threat of a bomb and missile. The threat was for four other locations, so those areas too are being inspected by the police… The email also mentions timing,” Shinde said. Minister of state for home Yogesh Kadam said that the bomb squad had inspected the premises and the legislature was “completely safe.” “There is no threat of any kind here,” he said.A senior police officer said, “Threat mails have been received at the Bombay Stock Exchange, Vidhan Bhavan and the high court on Thursday morning. Adequate security measures have been taken and are in place in all the places.” He added that the necessary legal action was being taken at the respective police stations.

Amid rising tensions in the middle east following the conflict between Iran, Israel and the US, concerns around LPG supply disruptions have increased, especially in India. While the government has prioritized domestic natural gas allocation for LPG production, compressed natural gas (CNG), and piped cooking gas, some restrictions have been placed on commercial LPG supply. As the Israel-US-Iran war 13th day, uncertainty over future availability has resulted in increased sale of electric inductions across the country. According to an Economic Times report, Swiggy Instamart is seeing a 10x spike in inductions sales. Tata-owned BigBasket also said it saw a 5x increase in induction cooktop sales since the start of this week. If you are also looking to buy the electric inductions, then read on. In this article, we have curated a list of some simple tips that can help you choose the right one.

Induction buying guide: Key things to know

Check the power rating

The power rating of an induction cooktop determines how quickly it can heat cookware. Most models available in the market range between 1200W and 2000W. Cooktops with higher wattage usually cook food faster and are suitable for regular use.

Look for preset cooking modes

Many induction cooktops offer preset cooking options such as boiling, frying, curry, rice or milk. These presets automatically adjust the temperature and power level during cooking.

Check safety features

Before buying an induction cooktop, one should look for safety features such as auto shut-off, overheat protection, child lock and pan detection. These are important to help prevent overheating and ensure the cooktop switches off automatically if no cookware is detected.

Check utensil compatibility

Induction cooktops are designed to work exclusively with cookware that contains magnetic materials. This includes stainless steel and cast iron.Utensils made of aluminium, copper or glass may not work unless they are designed for induction cooking.

Check build quality

Checking durability of an induction is equally important as most of them come with a glass top surface. Another thing to consider before buying is that the induction is easy to clean and resistant to scratches.Choose the right control type

Check control type

Induction cooktops usually come with touch controls or push-button controls.Touch controls are common in newer models, while push buttons are often found in budget and old models.Check warranty and service support

Check warranty

Consumers should also check the warranty period and service support offered by the brand before purchasing an induction. Most induction cooktops in India usually have at least a one-year warranty.

Rupee hit an intra-day low of 92.37 against the US dollar, tumbling 12 paise in early trading on Friday. The currency was dragged down by rising global crude prices and weak domestic market sentiment amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the currency opened at 92.33 per dollar before weakening further to 92.37, marking its lowest intra-day level. Rupee had already faced strong downward pressure in the previous trading session, when it slipped to an intra-day low of 92.36 before settling at 92.25 per US dollar, marking a decline of 24 paise and its weakest closing level on record. The currency had also recorded its lowest level earlier this week, when it slipped to 92.528. Forex traders attributed the continued slide to a combination of factors including firm global crude prices, sustained selling by foreign institutional investors (FIIs), a stronger US dollar, and subdued sentiment in domestic equities. Commenting on the market situation, Anil Kumar Bhansali, head of treasury and executive director at Finrex Treasury Advisors LLP, pointed to developments in the energy market and global currency trends. “Oil prices remained elevated after Iran said the Strait of Hormuz is closed permanently till the resolution of the crisis. The dollar index also rose, European and Asian currencies all fell against the dollar,” he said. Bhansali also noted that the rupee remains under pressure and suggested that the fall could have been steeper without intervention. “The rupee has remained vulnerable and in the absence of the RBI could have reached 93.00 levels,” he told PTI. The dollar index, which tracks the strength of the US dollar against a basket of six major currencies, was trading 0.04 per cent higher at 99.77. In the commodities market, Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, rose 4.99%to $96.57 per barrel in futures trade. Domestic equity markets also traded lower during the session. Nifty50 went below 23,400 while BSE Sensex tumbled 900 points. At 10:20 am, Nifty50 was trading at 23,325.45, down 313.70 points or 1.33%. BSE Sensex was at 75,117.81, down 916 points or 1.21%. Meanwhile, exchange data showed that foreign institutional investors offloaded equities worth Rs 7,049.87 crore on a net basis on Thursday. Separately, official data released on Thursday showed that retail inflation in India increased to 3.21%in February from 2.74%in January, with higher food prices cited as the primary reason for the rise.

Saaniya Chandhok and Arjun Tendulkar (Pic credit: Sara’s Instagram post)

NEW DELHI: Sachin Tendulkar’s daughter Sara Tendulkar on Thursday shared a heartfelt message for her brother Arjun Tendulkar and his wife Saaniya Chandhok, days after their glamorous wedding in Mumbai.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Sara posted unseen photographs from the wedding celebrations on Instagram, giving fans a rare peek into the intimate moments of the ceremony. One of the images shows Arjun smiling as he performs the traditional ritual of applying sindoor to Saaniya, marking a key moment from the wedding.“My baby brother now belongs to @saaniyachandhok. May the universe shower you both with infinite blessings, abundance, everything your heart desires and of course protect you from nazar for the rest of your lives,” Sara wrote in an emotional caption.In another affectionate note, she added, “Thank you @arjuntendulkar24 for giving me a sistaaaa,” delighting fans who flooded the comments with congratulatory messages. The wedding took place at the luxurious The St. Regis Mumbai and turned into a star-studded affair attended by prominent personalities from cricket, cinema and business.Among the notable guests were India head coach Gautam Gambhir, former captains MS Dhoni and Rahul Dravid, IC Chair Jay Shah, Harbhajan Singh and commentator Harsha Bhogle. Bollywood icons including Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan were also present, along with business tycoon Mukesh Ambani and his family.Saaniya is the granddaughter of industrialist Ravi Ghai of the Graviss Group. Arjun currently plays domestic cricket for Goa.

Explosions shook buildings in Dubai on Friday, sending a large plume of smoke over the central area of the Middle East’s financial hub, marking day 14 of the conflict between the United States-Israel, and Iran.Click here for live updates on day 14 of Middle East warAn AFP correspondent on the scene described the building as having “shaken” and reported a “huge explosion.”Sirens were audible from the direction of Sheikh Zayed Road, the main arterial road of the UAE’s largest city.“An explosion at the Dubai International Financial Centre, right next to my building,” Mario Nawfal, a Dubai-based Australian entrepreneur and prominent X user, wrote in a post.He also shared a video of the blast alongside the message.However, Dubai authorities described the event as a “minor incident” caused by a “successful interception.”“Authorities confirm that debris from a successful interception caused a minor incident on the façade of a building in central Dubai. No injuries have been reported,” the Dubai Media Office wrote on X.The development comes a day after a drone fell near the city’s financial district following Iran’s threat to hit economic institutions, prompting some companies to evacuate staff.The UAE has come under repeated Iranian fire during the Middle East war, with Dubai’s airport, one of the world’s biggest, repeatedly targeted as well as its port and luxury real estate including the Palm Jumeirah.Iran, which was struck by joint US‑Israeli attacks on February 28 that triggered the current conflict, has since launched retaliatory strikes on Gulf states hosting US military bases, and by targeting Israel.The US‑Israel operation killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and his son Mojtaba has since been named the country’s new supreme leader. However, Mojtaba is also said to have sustained injuries during the conflict.

As the anticipation for IPL 2026 reaches a fever pitch, former Indian pacer and seasoned commentator Lakshmipathy Balaji has weighed in on the ideal strategy for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Following a disappointing seventh-place finish in the 2025 season, the Lucknow franchise underwent a strategic overhaul during the auction and trade window, signalling a win-now mentality.

Balaji’s blueprint for the Super Giants focuses on a high-octane overseas top order and a refurbished bowling attack led by veteran Mohammad Shami. Interestingly, Balaji’s preferred XI sees no room for Avesh Khan, opting instead for a pace-heavy battery designed to exploit the bounce and zip often found in modern T20 tracks.

Lakshmipathy Balaji picks ideal playing XI for Lucknow Super Giants

A key takeaway from Balaji’s analysis is the reliance on a formidable overseas trio to set the tone. He envisions a top three comprising Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, and Nicholas Pooran. This aggressive setup is designed to maximize the powerplay overs, providing a platform for the middle order.

The centerpiece of this lineup, however, remains Rishabh Pant. Despite tactical shifts elsewhere, Balaji remains firm that Pant should occupy the No. 4 spot.

“Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, and Rishabh Pant, of course,” Balaji noted during a discussion on Star Sports.

He emphasized that the domestic core featuring Ayush Badoni, Shahbaz Ahmed, and Abdul Samad, must provide the necessary glue and finishing power to round out the top seven. The inclusion of Shahbaz and Samad offers LSG much-needed depth, allowing the team to pivot between steady accumulation and explosive hitting depending on the match situation.

Also READ: Irfan Pathan explains why MI vs RCB would be the biggest clash of IPL 2026

Balaji addresses LSG’s bowling fragility

The most significant upgrade for LSG heading into 2026 is the acquisition of Shami. Balaji highlighted Shami’s arrival as a game-changer, particularly for a squad that has been plagued by injury woes in its pace department. With Mayank Yadav and Mohsin Khan frequently sidelined in previous seasons, Shami provides both elite skill and a mentorship role for the younger quicks.

“Mohammad Shami adds a lot of value when it comes to leadership of the bowling unit, Injuries have been the concern with LSG… Shami has to do a lot of work when it comes to grooming the youngsters,” Balaji explained.

Balaji’s bowling structure leans toward a four-seamer attack, utilizing Anrich Nortje and a fit-again Mayank Yadav alongside Shami. Under this plan, Mohsin Khan would likely serve as the impact player, providing left-arm variety when needed. In the spin department, Balaji suggests sticking with Digvesh Rathi and Shahbaz, especially given the uncertainty surrounding Wanindu Hasaranga’s availability following his hamstring injury during the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Balaji’s Predicted LSG XI: Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant, Ayush Badoni, Shahbaz Ahmed, Abdul Samad, Digvesh Rathi, Mohammad Shami, Mayank Yadav, Anrich Nortje.

Also READ: Faf du Plessis picks a player who will be ‘under most pressure’ in IPL 2026

File Pic: VVS Laxman (TOI Photo)

I was making a comeback after nearly two years and everything around the team had changed: the fitness levels, the attitude and the mindset.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!I still remember the evening after Australia enforced the follow-on. National selector Madan Lal asked us to keep fighting. Laxman then said something that surprised me. He said, “We might win this.” At that stage it felt hard to imagine, but he had the belief.Rahul Dravid came in at No. 6, while Laxman moved up the order. The decision came after discussions between coach John Wright and captain Sourav Ganguly. It turned out to be a smart move.

Laxman and Dravid had known each other for years, from their South Zone and U-19 days. Once they settled in, the way they batted for an entire day and completely changed the game.Inside the dressing room there was tension. One wicket and the tail would be exposed. But the way they batted kept us alive. Australia, meanwhile, were so used to winning that they weren’t really playing for a draw. That made things difficult for them.That series belonged largely to Harbhajan Singh. But Sachin Tendulkar’s spell on Day 5 was crucial. He had the experience of bowling under pressure — like the famous last over in the Hero Cup in 1993 — and he delivered again when the team needed it.ALSO READ: ‘Playing for India, mind becomes stronger than the body’: VVS Laxman recounts his epic Eden knockLaxman’s innings was extraordinary. He was coming down the track to Shane Warne and hitting him even against the spin. That confidence came from years of playing domestic cricket on turning tracks in Hyderabad.For me, the Kolkata Test was special because it turned out to be my last game. Getting the wicket of Mark Waugh made it even more memorable. It was the perfect farewell.More importantly, that Test transformed Indian cricket. It gave the team belief that we could fight back from any situation and win. There’s another small personal memory: the bat Laxman used to score that famous 281 was actually mine. So, in a small way, that was my contribution to that historic knock.(The former India left-arm spinner spoke to Vishal Menon)

Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations said Tehran does not plan to close the Strait of Hormuz, appearing to strike a more measured tone after remarks by the country’s newly appointed supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei suggesting the strategic waterway could be used as leverage.Speaking to reporters at the UN on Thursday, Amir Saeid Iravani said Iran would not block the vital shipping route but stressed that the country had the right to ensure its security, according to Reuters.

“We are not going to close the Strait of Hormuz,” Iravani said. “But it is our inherent right to preserve the peace and security in this waterway.”His comments came after Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, said earlier on Thursday that the “lever of blocking the Strait of Hormuz must continue to be used.”In a prepared statement read to reporters before taking questions, Iravani said Iran remained committed to international maritime law.“Iran fully respects and remains committed to the principle of freedom of navigation under the law of the sea,” he said.However, he blamed rising tensions in the region on US actions.“However, the current situation in the region, including in the Strait of Hormuz, is not the result of Iran’s lawful exercise of its right of self-defense. Rather, it is the direct consequence of the destabilizing actions of the United States in launching aggression against Iran and undermining regional security,” Iravani said.The comments come amid heightened tensions in the region following ongoing hostilities involving Iran, Israel and the United States.Asked about remarks by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who told Sky News that the US Navy, possibly alongside an international coalition, could escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz when militarily feasible, Iravani said he had no response, Reuters reported.Strait of Hormuz is a critical waterway cone