PV Sindhu and Carolina Marin (Image credit: BAI)

NEW DELHI: Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu on Friday wrote a touching tribute for Spanish badminton legend Carolina Marin. Marin announced her retirement from professional badminton on Thursday, saying she is still dealing with the aftereffects of the serious injury she sustained at Paris 2024. Marin won a gold medal at the Rio Olympics 2016 and is a three-time world champion.Sharing an emotional message for her long-time rival, Sindhu took to Instagram and wrote: “Some rivals become part of your journey forever. Carolina was one of them. We first played each other when we were 15 or 16-year-old girls in the Maldives, and from then on we went on to share so many battles.“To be honest, you were also a complete pain on court. The constant shouting, the intensity, the little tricks, they would get to anyone. But your skill, speed and fighting spirit were second to none,’ Sindhu wrote.Sindhu also recalled a verbal duel between the two shuttlers during the 2023 Denmark Open semifinal, where the chair umpire showed both players a yellow card.“People remember the big matches and even the ugly spat we had in that third set over picking the shuttle. I’ll admit I was completely infuriated that day.“But a few months later we sat across from each other over coffee in Madrid, talking and laughing, and in that moment there was nothing but respect. That’s the Carolina I’ll always remember,” she wrote.“I’ll also always be grateful for the incredible camaraderie our generation built. Our batch of girls made women’s singles such a special place to compete in, and I honestly don’t know if badminton has seen something like it before or will again.“Thank you for every battle, every lesson and most of all the friendship. I wish you the happiest retirement, Carolina. Badminton will miss you. And so will I,” Sindhu concluded.Marin’s career was marked by serious knee injuries, forcing her to withdraw from the defence of her Olympic gold and her home World Championships in 2021.However, she made a remarkable comeback, reaching a fourth World Championships final and coming close to an Olympic final in 2024. Leading He Bing Jiao comfortably in their semifinal at Paris 2024, Marin collapsed in pain — a moment that proved to be her final appearance on the biggest stage.

Here are the top 5 news of the day:

Govt cuts excise duty to Rs 3 a litre on petrol, to nil on diesel amid Middle East tensions

Government has revised its fuel duty structure, lowering the special additional excise duty on petrol to Rs 3 per litre while removing it entirely on diesel. The decision comes against the backdrop of ongoing disruptions in global oil supply chains due to the conflict in the Middle East, where Iran continues to tighten control over the Strait of Hormuz. According to a government order dated Thursday, “the additional excise duty on petrol was cut to Rs 3 per litre from Rs 13 per litre earlier. Meanwhile, the excise duty on diesel was cut to Rs 0 from Rs 10 per litre earlier.” Read full story

Rajnath Singh to head inter-ministerial group to monitor issues arising from Middle East conflict

Union minister Rajnath Singh is set to head an inter ministerial group to oversee issues arising from the ongoing Middle East conflict. According to ANI sources, while Rajnath will lead, the group will have union home minister Amit Shah, union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and union petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri are among the members, along with other ministers. Read full story

India-US defence partnership: US envoy wraps up New Delhi visit, calls for closer military cooperation

US Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby concluded his official visit to India on Thursday. The visit focused on advancing the India-US defence partnership and key elements of the 2026 National Defence Strategy. The official trip, which began on Tuesday, involved high-level consultations with senior Indian officials and strategic discussions on defence cooperation. Read full story

‘Hats off to him’: Yograj Singh’s rare praise for MS Dhoni, slams retirement calls

In a surprising shift in stance, former India cricketer Yograj Singh has come out in strong support of MS Dhoni, urging the veteran to continue playing in the IPL while taking aim at those calling for his retirement. Yograj, who has been a vocal critic of Dhoni in the past, struck a markedly different tone ahead of IPL 2026. In an interview with InsideSport, he praised Dhoni’s longevity, discipline and commitment to the game, insisting that age should not be a factor in judging a player’s future. Read full story

From Fattah-2 to Qassem Basir: Where are Iran’s top missiles and why Tehran could be holding them back

As the Middle East continues to be shaken by near-daily missile attacks from Tehran, one key question stands out: what happened to Iran’s most advanced missiles? The likes of Qassem Basir, the Etemad and Fattah 2. According to a Financial Times report, Iran’s defence ministry unveiled its newest missile, the Qassem Basir, in May last year, claiming it could strike enemies “wherever they are and whenever necessary.” With a manoeuvrable 500kg warhead and an optically guided “terminal seeker” that cannot be electronically jammed, it is considered one of the most sophisticated weapons in Iran’s arsenal. Read full story

In a big boost for the capabilities of the armed forces, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has accorded the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the procurement of equipment worth Rs 2.38 lakh crore. DAC has cleared the procurement of major defence equipment such as Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and five additional squadrons of the battle tested S-400 Surface to Air Missile (SAM) systems, the Dhanush artillery gun and an Air Defence Tracked System. The MTA will replace the aging workhorse of the IAF’s transport fleet the An-32. The new aircraft is expected to carry a payload between 18-30 tonnes. The aircraft is expected to bridge the capability gap between the Il-76 and the An-32s. The frontrunners to replace this aircraft are the Brazilian Embraer C-390, which comes with a 26 tonnes payload capacity and the European Airbus A400M, with a 37 ton payload capacity. Lockheed Martin’s C-130J, an aircraft the IAF already operates is also in the fray.Embraer has already partnered with Mahindra Aerospace. Airbus is yet to announce a domestic partner. These aircraft will replace the aging workhorse of the IAF’s transport fleet the An-32. The new aircraft is expected to carry a payload between 18-30 tonnes. The aircraft is expected to bridge the capability gap between the Il-76 and the An-32s.Of these aircraft, 12 would be acquired in fly-away condition while the remaining aircraft will be manufactured in India. The frontrunners to replace this aircraft are the Brazilian Embraer C-390, which comes with a 26 tonnes payload capacity and the European Airbus A400M, with a 37 ton payload capacity. Lockheed Martin’s C-130J, an aircraft the IAF already operates is also in the fray. Embraer has already partnered with Mahindra Aerospace. Airbus is yet to announce a domestic partner.The IAF has also cleared five additional squadrons of the S-400 SAM system. The S-400 can take out targets as far as 400 kilometers away. The missile was used during the active phase of Operation Sindoor and has shot down a Pakistani aircraft at a distance of 300 kilometers, a world record. IAF currently has three squadrons of the S-400 system, while two other squadrons are expected to be delivered this year.The top defence ministry procurement body has also cleared the procurement of 300 additional units of the indigenously manufactured Dhanush artillery gun system. This is a follow-on order of the guns, previously the army had 114 of these guns. Procurement of armoured piercing ammunition for tanks has already been cleared.The defence minister has also cleared the deck for the procurement of various types of drones, over haul of Al-31 jet engines for the Su-30 MKI fleet and heavy duty hovercrafts for the coast guard.Most of the new equipment such as the will go through a set procedure set under the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020. These steps are Request for Proposal (RFP), this will be followed by a series of technical, field and stall trials and evaluations. Post the trials there will be price negotiations and clearance from the Prime Minister chaired Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) before the signing on the dotted line, a process that may stretch for years.In the current financial year, that will end on March 31st, AoN for 55 proposals amounting to Rs 6.73 lakh cr has been accorded. In the same time frame, capital procurement contracts have been signed for over 500 proposals amounting to Rs 2.28 lakh crore.

NEW DELHI: With the IPL 2026 opener around the corner, Congress MLA Kashappanavar Vijayananda Shivashankarappa on Thursday kicked up a row, saying legislators were being forced to stand in queues or buy tickets at inflated rates despite being “entitled” to passes. He also alleged large-scale black marketing by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), even as the assembly speaker stepped in, directing the government to ensure VIP tickets for MLAs.“There is an IPL match on the 28th, but KSCA has not provided tickets to MLAs, ministers or their families. We can’t go and stand in queues like the general public. Last time, we were made to stand in line and then sent to a common gallery,” he told ANI, flagging both access and “protocol” concerns.Accusing the association of profiting from demand, the MLA claimed tickets worth Rs 5,000 were being sold for as much as Rs 35,000 in the black market. “They are taking all facilities from the government, including security, but not respecting elected representatives. Tickets are being sold through online channels and middlemen,” he alleged.The controversy gained traction in the assembly, where members across party lines complained of “disrespect” by KSCA. Acting on the concerns, speaker UT Khader directed the state government to ensure that each MLA is provided at least four VIP tickets for matches at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.The speaker noted that MLAs often face difficulties at entry points, including having to stand in queues and not being recognised by staff, which adds to the sense of indignity. He also asked the government to ensure proper seating arrangements for legislators and their families.Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar said he would immediately speak to KSCA officials and update the House, asserting that MLAs have the right to seek such facilities.The row comes just days before IPL 2026 begins on March 28 in Bengaluru, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru set to host Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Rajasthan Royals (RR) kickstart their IPL 2026 campaign with a fresh leadership group and a schedule packed with intriguing storylines. For the first time, Riyan Parag will lead the side after the franchise made a bold call to trade longtime captain Sanju Samson to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in exchange for Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. The season opener for RR on March 30 instantly grabs attention, as Parag begins his captaincy journey against his predecessor, adding an emotional and competitive edge to the contest.

One of the unique aspects of RR’s campaign this season is their split home schedule. The team will start by playing three home games at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, facing CSK, Mumbai Indians (MI) on April 7 and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on April 10. These early matches give RR a chance to build momentum in front of a passionate northeastern crowd. After this phase, they shift back to their traditional base at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, where they will host key fixtures against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Delhi Capitals (DC), Gujarat Titans (GT) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).

However, the journey won’t be smooth throughout. After their opening home stretch, RR face a challenging run of away matches in mid-April. They travel to Hyderabad on April 13, followed by tough encounters in Kolkata against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on April 19 and Lucknow on April 22. This phase will test the team’s resilience, especially as they adjust to different conditions and venues before finally returning to Jaipur. Adding to the challenge, RR will play two afternoon matches – against KKR on April 19 and against MI on May 24 – both starting at 3:30 PM IST. Handling the heat and pitch variations in these games will be crucial.

Heading into the season, RR boast a balanced squad featuring emerging talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal alongside experienced match-winners such as Jadeja, Curran, Jofra Archer and Shimron Hetmyer. With a new captain at the helm and a favourable finish to their schedule, the Royals will be aiming to turn potential into performance in IPL 2026.

Also READ: SWOT analysis of Rajasthan Royals – RR’s report card ahead of IPL 2026

RR Full IPL 2026 Schedule

• March 30 – Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings – Guwahati – 7:30PM IST
• April 4 – Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals – Ahmedabad – 7:30PM IST
• April 7 – Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians – Guwahati – 7:30PM IST
• April 10 – Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru – Guwahati – 7:30PM IST
• April 13 – Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals – Hyderabad – 7:30PM IST
• April 19 – Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals – Kolkata – 3:30PM IST
• April 22 – Lucknow Super Giants vs Rajasthan Royals – Lucknow – 7:30PM IST
• April 25 – Rajasthan Royals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad – Jaipur – 7:30PM IST
• April 28 – Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals – New Chandigarh – 7:30PM IST
• May 1 – Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Capitals – Jaipur – 7:30PM IST
• May 9 – Rajasthan Royals vs Gujarat Titans – Jaipur – 7:30PM IST
• May 17 – Delhi Capitals vs Rajasthan Royals – Delhi – 7:30PM IST
• May 19 – Rajasthan Royals vs Lucknow Super Giants – Jaipur – 7:30PM IST
• May 24 – Mumbai Indians vs Rajasthan Royals – Mumbai – 3:30PM IST

Note: IST= GMT+ 5:30 hrs

Also READ: IPL – Complete list of all Rajasthan Royals (RR) captains so far ft. Riyan Parag and Sanju Samson

Nokia is reportedly planning to cut thousands of jobs over time. According to a report by Money Control, the company may reduce its global workforce of around 74,000 employees by 20%. Translating to more than 14,000 roles, the job cuts may impact Nokia India operations as well which employees over 17,000 employees. The layoffs, the report says, come as part of a major global restructuring plan. The development comes at a time when several global technology companies have announced job cuts amid slowing demand and cost pressures. Nokia’s India business has also reported a decline in performance, adding to the need for restructuring.

Nokia’s restructuring plan and India impact

As per Moneycontrol, Nokia has already started preparing for layoffs in India as part of its broader restructuring efforts. The company is also making leadership changes in the country. The Finnish tech firm has already appointed Samar Mittal for the role of India Country Business Leader. Vibha Mehra is set to become India Country Manager, starting April 1, 2026. These shifts come on the heels of Tarun Chhabra’s departure from his position as the former head of India.The restructuring is expected to affect multiple teams, including global and common functions. The report noted that Nokia’s earlier merger of Cloud and Network Services with Mobile Networks in 2023 may have created overlapping roles, which could now be reduced.Nokia’s India performance has weakened in recent months. The company reported a 15 per cent year-on-year drop in net sales to 393 million euros in the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to 463 million euros in the same period last year.Globally, Nokia’s workforce has declined over the years, from around 103,000 employees in 2018 to about 74,100 currently. Reports also suggest that the company may cut jobs in parts of Europe. The move follows a broader trend in the tech industry, where companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Google have announced layoffs in recent months.

Yograj Singh and MS Dhoni

NEW DELHI: In a surprising shift in stance, former India cricketer Yograj Singh has come out in strong support of MS Dhoni, urging the veteran to continue playing in the IPL while taking aim at those calling for his retirement.Yograj, who has been a vocal critic of Dhoni in the past, struck a markedly different tone ahead of IPL 2026. In an interview with InsideSport, he praised Dhoni’s longevity, discipline and commitment to the game, insisting that age should not be a factor in judging a player’s future.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“Absolutely. I admire him. He’s still playing. He should keep on playing for another 10 years. Because he has proved his fitness. Guy’s discipline, guy’s dedication. Devoted,” Yograj said, in rare praise for the former Chennai Super Kings captain.He didn’t hold back while addressing critics either. “Who the hell are people going to tell him to retire? No,” he added, questioning the growing calls around Dhoni’s future.‘Age factor is very funny’Yograj also dismissed the debate around age, calling it misplaced in Indian cricket discourse. “When you’re performing, no one will drop you. So this age factor which you asked is very funny in this country, right?” he said.Interestingly, he even referenced modern greats like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli while making his point. “Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli… young cricketers and they want to quit. They should indeed make the world realise that ‘you are the best’,” he remarked.From critic to admirerThe remarks mark a notable turnaround from Yograj, who had previously blamed Dhoni for the premature end of his son Yuvraj Singh’s career. This time, however, he separated personal opinions from cricketing merit.“A great player, a great captain is different from being a great man… but as far as cricket is concerned… hats off to him,” he said.At 44, Dhoni remains one of the oldest players in the IPL setup and continues to draw immense fan interest despite a dip in recent performances. While speculation over his retirement resurfaces every season, Yograj’s emphatic backing has added a fresh twist to the ongoing debate.

Gold futures traded higher on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) on Friday with key contracts registering gains of up to 1.6 per cent amid firm buying interest and supportive global cues.The April 2026 gold contract rose by Rs 2,290, or 1.64 per cent, to trade at Rs 1,41,783 per 10 grams. The contract moved between an intraday low of Rs 1,40,287 and a high of Rs 1,42,800. The June 2026 contract, which saw higher trading activity, gained Rs 1,921, or 1.35 per cent, to Rs 1,44,435 per 10 grams. During the session, it touched a low of Rs 1,43,652 and a high of Rs 1,45,773. Meanwhile, the August 2026 contract advanced by Rs 1,480, or 1.02 per cent, to Rs 1,47,100 per 10 grams, with an intraday range of Rs 1,47,040 to Rs 1,48,600.Here is how gold prices stand across major cities today:

Gold price in Delhi today

Gold prices in the national capital declined, with 24K gold quoted at Rs 14,486 per gram, down Rs 218, while 22K gold slipped Rs 200 to Rs 13,280 per gram.

Gold price in Mumbai today

Mumbai bullion markets also saw a drop, with 24K gold priced at Rs 14,471 per gram, down Rs 218, and 22K gold at Rs 13,265 per gram, lower by Rs 200.

Gold price in Chennai today

Chennai recorded a sharper decline, with 24K gold selling at Rs 14,651 per gram, down Rs 262, while 22K gold dropped Rs 240 to Rs 13,430 per gram.

Gold price in Kolkata today

In Kolkata, 24K gold was quoted at Rs 14,471 per gram, down Rs 218, while 22K gold stood at Rs 13,265 per gram, lower by Rs 200.

Gold price in Hyderabad today

Hyderabad markets reflected a similar trend, with 24K gold priced at Rs 14,471 per gram, down Rs 218, and 22K gold at Rs 13,265 per gram, slipping Rs 200.

Gold price in Bangalore today

In Bangalore, 24K gold was quoted at Rs 14,471 per gram, down Rs 218, while 22K gold was selling at Rs 13,265 per gram, lower by Rs 200.

Gold price in Ahmedabad today

Ahmedabad bullion markets showed declines, with 24K gold at Rs 14,476 per gram, down Rs 218, while 22K gold fell Rs 200 to Rs 13,270 per gram.

Gold price in Lucknow today

In Lucknow, 24K gold was priced at Rs 14,486 per gram, down Rs 218, while 22K gold moved lower by Rs 200 to Rs 13,280 per gram.

Gold price in Patna today

Patna markets also recorded weaker rates, with 24K gold quoted at Rs 14,476 per gram, down Rs 218, and 22K gold at Rs 13,270 per gram, lower by Rs 200.

Gold price in Jaipur today

In Jaipur, 24K gold was quoted at Rs 14,486 per gram, down Rs 218, while 22K gold stood at Rs 13,280 per gram, down Rs 200.