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OPEC+ on Sunday agreed to increase oil production quotas for the second consecutive month, while cautioning that damage to energy infrastructure amid ongoing conflicts could disrupt global supplies for an extended period, AFP reported.The oil cartel decided to raise output quotas by 206,000 barrels per day (bpd) from May, with key producers including Russia, Saudi Arabia and several Gulf nations backing the move.However, OPEC+ warned that repairing energy facilities damaged in conflict zones is “costly and takes a long time”, adding that such disruptions could heighten volatility in global oil markets.The group also stressed “the critical importance of safeguarding international maritime routes to ensure the uninterrupted flow of energy”.While the statement did not directly mention the Iran war, the ongoing conflict has significantly impacted global energy markets and contributed to a sharp rise in oil prices.Since February 28, when the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, Tehran has retaliated by targeting locations across the region, including key energy infrastructure.Iran has also effectively halted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz by threatening to attack tankers passing without permission, severely restricting exports from the Gulf region.Before the conflict, nearly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments passed through the Strait, making it a critical artery for global energy trade.The disruption has raised concerns over whether increased production by OPEC+ members can translate into actual supply reaching global markets.Meanwhile, Ukraine has also been targeting Russian oil facilities as part of its ongoing conflict with Moscow, further complicating global supply dynamics.Last month, the eight-member Voluntary Eight (V8) group within OPEC+ had also raised production quotas by 206,000 bpd.In its statement, the V8 warned that “any actions undermining energy supply security, whether through attacks on infrastructure or disruption of international maritime routes, increase market volatility” and complicate efforts to manage global oil prices.The group — comprising Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria and Oman–also acknowledged members that managed to find alternative export routes, noting that such efforts have helped reduce market volatility.
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NEW DELHI: A fresh political row erupted in Assam after Congress leader Pawan Khera alleged that chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife holds multiple foreign passports, prompting a sharp rebuttal and legal threat from the BJP leader.The controversy began with Khera’s press conference in Delhi, where he claimed to possess documents suggesting that Sarma’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, held three passports. “We have documents showing that Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, holds three passports. The first is a UAE Golden Card, the second an Antigua and Barbuda passport, and the third an Egyptian passport. Two of these belong to Islamic countries, yet they continue to claim religious adherence publicly,” he said.
Khera escalated the attack by linking the issue to broader allegations. “You are seeing photos of Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his wife. Their names have been linked to several allegations such as land grabbing, misuse of temple funds, government subsidies, and chit fund scams. But today, the documents we are presenting are directly related to matters outside India,” he said. Calling it a “shocking detail”, he added that she had “not one, not two, but three passports, which have not expired”.
Sarma dismissed the claims as politically motivated and said that both he and his wife will file a defamation case against Khera within 48 hours. “Today’s press conference by Pawan Khera reflects the deep frustration and panic within the Congress party. As Assam moves decisively towards a historic mandate, such desperate and baseless attacks only expose their sinking ground,” he wrote on X.“I categorically reject every allegation made by him. These are malicious, fabricated, and politically motivated lies aimed at misleading the people of Assam,” he added, announcing legal action. “My wife and I will be filing both criminal and civil defamation cases within the next 48 hours against Shri Pawan Khera. He will be held fully accountable for his reckless and defamatory statements.”“I have complete faith in the judiciary. Once the truth is established in a court of law, Shri Pawan Khera will face the consequences of his actions, and the law will take its due course,” he further wrote.
Assam Congress leader Gaurav also hit out at Himanta and called for further investigation. “Shocking allegations have come out related to Himanta Biswa Sarma. Holding multiple passports and failure to disclose properties is a grave and criminal offence. How much money have they sent from Assam to their bank accounts abroad? More investigation is required,” he wrote, calling the chief minister an “embarrassment” who “will have to answer the questions and pay for his crime.”Sarma responded again, flagging technical inconsistencies across the alleged documents. In a detailed post, he listed what he called “serious discrepancies” that pointed to fabrication. These included a “surname mismatch — ‘SARMA’ used instead of the official ‘SHARMA’”, and a photograph that “appears to be a publicly available image, not a standard biometric capture”.Referring to an Antigua and Barbuda passport, he pointed to an “expiry date mismatch between printed field and MRZ”, while an Egyptian passport allegedly showed “passport number mismatch… spelling errors (‘Egyptiann’) and incorrect Arabic reference”.“These inconsistencies strongly indicate possible fabrication or digital manipulation. Truth will prevail. Those spreading misinformation will be held accountable,” Sarma wrote, adding, “I am confident that Pawan Khera’s campaign of falsehood is nearing its end. Eventually Mr Khera will go to Jail.”
Poll
In your opinion, is the reaction of Himanta Biswa Sarma to the allegations justified?
The escalating exchange comes just days before polling in Assam scheduled for April 9.
Thane: A Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) has awarded a compensation of Rs 20.5 lakh to the family of a 74-year-old businessman, who died in a car collision in Palghar district in 2022. The accident occurred on Nov 22, 2022, when the victim, Ganesh Gopal Chaudhari, was travelling in a car from Vikramgad in Palghar district toward Nashik, and a speeding four-wheeler collided with his vehicle in the ghat section. Chaudhari sustained serious injuries and died while undergoing treatment at a hospital the same day. The tribunal noted that the driver of the offending car failed to judge the bend, came in at high and excessive speed and crashed into the victim’s vehicle. It also dismissed the insurer’s contention that the driver lacked a valid licence.MACT member R V Mohite directed the owner of the offending vehicle and the insurer to jointly and severally pay the compensation with 9% interest per annum from the date of the petition. A copy of the order dated March 25 was made available on Saturday. The tribunal assessed the deceased’s annual income at Rs 5.9 lakh based on his income tax returns and ordered that Rs 13.5 lakh be paid to his wife and Rs 7 lakh to his son.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru scored 97 runs in the last five overs to finish at 250 for 3, the highest total of this season, against Chennai Super Kings in their IPL match on Sunday, turning the game with a strong finish in the first innings.The late surge came from Tim David, captain Rajat Patidar and Devdutt Padikkal, who built on the base set earlier in the innings. Padikkal scored 50 off 29 balls, David made 70 off 25 balls, while Patidar remained unbeaten on 48 off 19 balls.
Padikkal was involved in two key partnerships — a 56-run stand in 37 balls with Phil Salt (46) for the second wicket, and a 58-run stand in 21 balls with Patidar for the third wicket.These partnerships helped RCB recover after the early dismissal of Virat Kohli (28), who was dropped on seven by Shivam Dube off Khaleel Ahmed.Salt led the scoring early, hitting a six each off Noor Ahmad and Anshul Kamboj, as RCB reached 51 for 1 at the end of the Powerplay.After Salt was caught off Dube, Padikkal increased the scoring rate. He hit Dube for two sixes and a four, taking the run rate past 10 per over. He reached his fifty with a single off Matt Henry but was later dismissed trying a reverse scoop against Jamie Overton.RCB scored 62 runs between overs 11 and 15, reaching 153 for 3. From there, Patidar and David added 99 runs in 36 balls for the fourth wicket, staying unbeaten.Patidar attacked Khaleel, hitting two sixes and a four in his final over. David took on Noor Ahmad in the 17th over, hitting three sixes.In the 19th over, David hit Overton for four sixes, including three in a row, as RCB added 97 runs in the last five overs.This total equals the joint second-highest runs scored by a team in overs 16-20 in an IPL innings, matching Delhi Capitals’ 97 against Gujarat Titans in 2024. RCB hold the record with 112 runs in this phase against Gujarat Lions in 2016.RCB innings progression:Overs 1-6: 51/1Overs 7-15: 102/2Overs 16-20: 97/0Highest aggregates in Overs 11-20 in an IPL innings172/2 – RCB vs GL, Bengaluru, 2016162/2 – PBKS vs CSK, Cuttack, 2014159/2 – SRH vs RCB, Bengaluru, 2024159/2 – RCB vs CSK, Bengaluru, 2026
Navi Mumbai: A 24-year-old youth from Mumbai was booked by the NRI coastal police for performing a dangerous bike wheelie stunt on the stretch of Palm Beach Road on Saturday past midnight.Devendra Pol, senior of NRI coastal police station, said, “After the video clip of the bike stunt went viral on social media, taking cognisance of the offence, an FIR was registered against the biker. He was booked under relevant sections of BNS for rash or negligent driving, along with Motor Vehicle Act sections for dangerous driving.” Constable Amit Surve said, “The bike stunt viral video’s complaint was received by the police team monitoring the social media to keep a check on illegal activities. Accordingly, an FIR was registered on April 3. The incident was recorded on April 1 around 10.45 pm.” Pol said, “From the bike’s registration number, the accused was traced to his Goregaon residence. He has been identified as Arpan Arup Niyogi, who is a contract worker. He was detained and after registering an FIR, his sports bike was seized. He was served with a notice directing him to co-operate in police investigation and to remain present in court. We have written to the RTO seeking suspension of his bike riding licence.”
Mumbai: Western Railway (WR) and Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) have achieved a major milestone under the Virar–Dahanu Road quadrupling project with the completion of key capacity augmentation works at Virar station. In a significant upgrade, platforms 3A and 4A have been widened from 6.5 metre to 10.5 metre and extended to handle 15-coach local trains, replacing the earlier 12-coach capacity.A new home platform — platform 5A, has also been constructed on the western side, further strengthening infrastructure at one of the busiest suburban stations on the western corridor. The entire work has been completed in a record four months. An EMU trial run was successfully conducted by WR in coordination with MRVC. The upgraded platforms are expected to be handed over to the zonal railway shortly for the introduction of 15-coach suburban services. The development is set to boost carrying capacity.
Thane: Thane district’s first planetarium was inaugurated on Sunday in a village near Shahapur town. The private Space Astrotainment Planetarium & Observatory (SAPO) is located on a 3.5 acre land in Sakadbav village, featuring a state-of-the-art 56-seat digital dome planetarium with 360% projection technology, offering shows in Marathi, Hindi, and English. The facility houses an open-sky observatory equipped with powerful telescopes for real-time stargazing of celestial bodies like Saturn’s rings and the moon. The centre also offers stay options for visitors. Shahapur MLA Daulat Daroda said the facility would inspire children to learn astronomy. Astronomer D.K. Soman, the chief guest, called for the facility to be developed into a dedicated education and research hub for astronomy.
NEW DLEHI: Amid the ongoing conflict, Iran’s ambassador to India, Dr Mohammad Fathali, spoke to TOI on war narratives, the situation at the Strait of Hormuz, and clarified Iran’s maritime approach during wartime. He emphasised that the conflict is an “illegal war” imposed on Iran. Reflecting on his diplomatic tenure, he highlighted public solidarity and deepening bilateral relations, calling India a “true friend in hard times.” Excerpts:
Q: Many Indians sent aid to Iran. Tehran thanked India but then deleted some of the tweets. What happened?A: We have received a lot of contributions from all over India—from north to south and east to west. Donations are still coming in. We are truly grateful for the kindness of the Indian people. I want to sincerely thank the Indian govt and people for their valuable support and solidarity. Contrary to what was said in the media, there was no special reason for deleting the tweets. Since these contributions came from people of all religions, ethnicities, and every part of the country, we felt it was necessary to show our appreciation to all the people of India together.Q: The war has also been a battle of narratives. Has the global perception shifted in anyone’s favour?A: Beyond all the rhetoric and contradictory statements, what happened on Feb 28th was an act of aggression and an illegal war imposed on the Iranian nation.We were in the middle of negotiations with the US. This wasn’t the first time the United States walked away from the table while we were negotiating and attacked. For what reason? They claimed there was an ‘immediate threat’ from Iran, but then the Pentagon quickly denied it, saying there was no such threat. They talked about Iran’s nuclear program and nuclear weapons—something that has never existed. Now, everyone knows this is a war based on illusions. It is an illegal war imposed not only on Iran but also on the entire region, with consequences for the whole international community.Our enemies have not achieved any of their goals so far. They were looking for ‘regime change’ in Iran. However, we are a govt that emerged from a popular revolution, and our people have shown their support by taking to the streets since the very first day of the war. We are defending ourselves, and we will spare no effort in this path.Q: The administration in Iran recently praised India for its ‘balanced’ and ‘neutral’ stance. Is there anything Iran expects from New Delhi? A: We appreciate the measures taken by the Indian govt. This approach reflects India’s profound understanding of regional complexities and the significance of maintaining bilateral relations. At the same time, we expect all independent and freedom-loving nations to stand against the violation of international law and aggression. All govts must condemn attacks on civilian infrastructures—such as hospitals, schools, universities, and economic centers—and, most importantly, the killing of innocent civilians, including children.Q: There were inputs of Iran helping Indian vessels through the Strait of Hormuz during heightened tensions. Could you clarify if any specific mechanisms or coordination channels are currently in place to ensure their safe passage? A: Iran has always emphasized the importance of safety and security for shipping in international routes. However, it is important to note that the Strait of Hormuz is not part of international waters; it is within the territorial and internal waters of Iran and Oman. Therefore, protecting the interests of these two countries is the priority in managing the strait, and decisions regarding transit conditions belong to Tehran and Muscat. The strait is only closed to countries at war with Iran. It is natural that during wartime, we will not allow our enemies to pass through our internal waters. The fact that other ships are not traveling is due to the insecurity in the region and extremely high insurance costs. Nevertheless, we have implemented special measures to ensure the safe passage of ships from friendly nations, including India.Q: Is this assistance to Indian vessels being handled on a case-by-case operational basis? What’s the approach?A: Our approach is to guarantee the safe passage of vessels from friendly nations, including India. This policy is based on recognized international maritime laws and regulations, as well as the principles of navigation safety. In practice, this can be managed on a case-by-case and operational basis to ensure necessary coordination according to each vessel’s specific conditions and the real-time situation in the region. We have emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz is closed only to those countries that have been directly or indirectly involved in the aggression against our country.Q: What message would Iran like to convey to the international shipping community on transit through the Strait of Hormuz going forward?A: The Islamic Republic of Iran has always respected the principles of freedom of navigation and maritime safety; however, the effective realization of these principles in the Strait of Hormuz is not possible without due respect for the sovereignty and sovereign rights of Iran as the coastal state. We emphasize that responsibility for any disruption, insecurity, or heightened risk in this vital waterway and its surrounding areas lies directly with the regimes of the United States and Israel. By initiating an unlawful and criminal war against our country, they have placed regional stability and the safety of international shipping under an unprecedented threat, in clear contradiction to the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter.In light of the above, the lawful and legitimate measures undertaken by Iran have been adopted within the framework of established principles of international law, based on the principles of necessity and proportionality. These measures have been implemented to repel aggression and neutralize the sources of threats, and will continue, in accordance with legal standards, until these objectives are fully achieved and the sources of threat and aggression are eliminated.Any passage through the Strait of Hormuz must be conducted in compliance with the measures adopted by Iran and in coordination with the relevant Iranian authorities.Q: How has your stint as ambassador in India been? What are your biggest takeaways?A: During my time in India, I have seen positive developments in the relations between our two countries. The deep historical and cultural ties have always been a strength in our interactions, and these bonds have grown even stronger over time. The sympathy and solidarity of the Indian people with the people of Iran during these difficult times are truly appreciated and will never be forgotten. We believe that true friends are known in hard times, and our Indian friends have shown their true friendship. We are in close contact with the Indian govt, and during my stay, I have witnessed positive efforts from both sides in various fields.
