“The West Asia war set unprecedented challenges for India too,” he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday described the situation in the Middle East as “worrisome,” noting that it is significantly affecting the global economy as well as people’s livelihoods. “The West Asia war set unprecedented challenges for India too. The West Asia conflict zone is an important route for India’s trade with other nations,” he said.Speaking in the Lok Sabha on the ongoing developments in the region, he emphasised that protecting Indian citizens remains the government’s foremost concern during such conflicts. He added that the Centre is alert, responsive and prepared to provide all necessary assistance.PM Modi also spoke of India’s crude oil, LPG, and LNG situation, stressing on steps taken to manage the ongoing crisis and benefits of diversification.

LPG, Crude Oil Supply: PM Modi lists steps taken

“The current situation in West Asia is worrisome. This crisis has been going on for more than three weeks, having a very adverse impact on the global economy and on people’s lives. The entire world is urging all parties to resolve this crisis as quickly as possible,” Modi said. PM Modi pointed out that cargo movement through the Strait of Hormuz has been challenging since the conflict began, but the government is taking steps to ensure that supplies of gas and fuel face minimal disruption. “We all know that India imports 60 per cent of its LPG needs. Due to uncertain supply, the government is prioritising domestic supply. LPG production in the country is also being increased,” he said.

“Due to ethanol blending, we are saving the import of about 4.5 crore barrels of oil every year. Similarly, railway electrification is also bringing great benefits. If such large-scale railway electrification had not happened, an additional 180 crore litres of diesel would have been required every year.We have also expanded the metro network. In 2014, the metro network was less than 250 km, which has now increased to more than 1100 km,” he said.Also Read | LPG crisis: Argentina emerges as key alternative supplier; shipments more than double in just first three months of 2026“We are in constant dialogue with all our global partners to ensure the safety of our maritime corridors. As a result of such efforts, many of our ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz have recently returned to India… In the last 11 years, our refining capacity has increased significantly. The government is in constant contact with suppliers from different countries. The effort is to ensure that oil and gas supplies continue from wherever possible...further secure India’s future… The Indian government has also established an inter-ministerial group. This group meets daily, and our input is fully integrated. And this group also continuously works on necessary solutions. I am confident that with the combined efforts of the government and industry, we will be able to better cope with the current situation,” he added.Through its diplomatic engagements with Iran India has managed to secure the safe transit of some LPG and crude tankers, and more are expected in the coming days. India has also stepped up LPG procurement from the US and Argentina, as per reports. Russian crude has come to the rescue with several million barrels of oil procured since the start of the US-Iran war to fill the supply gap from the Middle East.PM Modi said India must be ready for prolonged repercussions arising from the US-Israel-Iran conflict. “Because of this war, the difficult global situation may continue for a long time. Therefore, we must remain prepared and stay united. We have faced such challenges before as well by staying united during the coronavirus pandemic. We must remain very careful and alert. Some people will try to spread rumours to take advantage of the situation. We must not allow such people to succeed,” he said.Also Read | More relief coming soon? Two India-flagged LPG ships transit Strait of Hormuz: ReportThe prime minister further noted that the conflict has given rise to a range of unforeseen challenges, spanning economic pressures, humanitarian concerns and issues linked to national security.He pointed out that the countries involved maintain strong trade ties with India and are crucial for meeting a large share of the country’s crude oil and gas needs. He also highlighted the region’s importance due to the presence of nearly one crore Indians living and working there.He stressed that it is important for Parliament to present a unified and collective stance on the crisis to the global community. Modi said that since the onset of the conflict, all Indians in the affected areas have been extended necessary support. “I have spoken with most of the heads of state in West Asia over the phone in two rounds. And they have all assured the safety of Indians,” he said. Highlighting evacuation efforts, PM Modi said nearly 1,000 Indians have already returned home safely, including over 700 medical students, while a total of 3.75 lakh citizens have been brought back since the conflict began. He pointed out that the West Asia region is critical for India, given that around one crore Indians live and work in Gulf countries, and a significant number of Indian seafarers are employed on commercial vessels operating there.

Bihar Board Inter Science Toppers 2026

The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) has declared the Class 12 Inter results 2026. This year, Aditya Prakash Aman from Samastipur topped the Science stream with 481 marks (96.20%), while Sakshi Kumari of Sitamarhi and Sapna Kumari of Nawadah shared the second rank with 479 marks (95.80%) each. The BSEB Inter exams, conducted from February 2 to 13, 2026, were evaluated in just 25 days, covering over 6 lakh answer sheets. Girls continued to outperform boys, reflecting the impact of government initiatives promoting female education. Students can now check and download their Science marksheets from bsebexam.com or other authorised portals using their roll code and roll number.

BSEB Class 12 Science Toppers 2026

Check list of Bihar Board Intermediate toppers for Science stream below:

BSEB science stream performance highlights

A total of 6,14,710 candidates appeared in the Science stream, including 3,67,798 boys and 2,46,912 girls. Out of them, 3,04,307 students passed in first division, 2,27,694 in second division, and 5,608 in third division, making the overall pass percentage 87.46%.Girls outperformed boys in the Science stream, with 88.79% of girls passing, compared to 86.56% of boys. The strong results reflect the effectiveness of state initiatives promoting girl education and the high academic standards maintained in Bihar’s Science stream.

Girls vs boys performance in Science stream

Girls once again outperformed boys in the Science stream. 88.79% of girls cleared the examination, compared to 86.56% of boys. The strong performance of female students highlights the success of government initiatives promoting girl education, including the Chief Minister Girl Child Bicycle Scheme, CM Girl Child Dress Scheme, and CM Girl Child (Intermediate) Incentive Scheme. The results demonstrate consistent academic excellence among girls and reflect Bihar’s focus on equitable education across genders.

Air Canada crash (Images/X)

An audio clip from the cockpit has revealed the final moments before an Air Canada Express plane collided with a fire truck at New York’s LaGuardia Airport. The accident killed both the pilot and co-pilot and forced the airport to shut down.The air traffic control recording captures a series of urgent and confused instructions as ground vehicles and aircraft moved on the runway shortly before the crash late Sunday night. In the audio, controllers can be heard repeatedly warning a vehicle to halt. “Stop. Stop. Stop,” the controller says multiple times, moments before informing another aircraft that a collision had occurred on the runway.According to officials, the Air Canada Express CRJ-900, operated by Jazz Aviation, struck a Port Authority aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle around 11.40 pm (local time) while landing on Runway 4. The truck had been responding to a separate incident involving another aircraft that had reported an issue.Seconds after the impact, the controller is heard telling the aircraft, “I see you collided with the vehicle… hold position”.Emergency responders were immediately dispatched and the runway along with the entire airport, was shut down to manage the situation. “I repeat, Runway 422 is closed at this Time. Tower car 90, LaGuardia Airport is closed at this time,” the audio ended with this message.Authorities confirmed that the pilot and co-pilot of the aircraft were killed in the collision. Several others were injured, including personnel inside the fire truck, though passengers on board the flight largely avoided major injuries. The aircraft was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members.The audio also reveals the rapid escalation of the situation, with repeated announcements that the runway and eventually LaGuardia Airport had been closed, as emergency vehicles rushed to the scene.Initial reports suggest the fire truck had been cleared to cross the runway, but the exact sequence of events leading to the collision remains under investigation. The US Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground stop shortly after the crash, while the National Transportation Safety Board has launched a probe into the incident.Visuals from the scene showed significant damage to the aircraft’s nose, while passengers were evacuated and transported by bus. Flights were diverted or delayed as authorities worked through the night to respond to the emergency.

The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial passage linking oil and gas producers in the Persian Gulf to global markets. (AI image)

India’s immediate LPG crisis seems to be easing with tankers coming in and domestic production stepped up to meet needs. Two more Indian-flagged ships carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) are currently transiting the Strait of Hormuz, according to ship-tracking data, following a route earlier used by vessels cleared by Iran that stays close to its coastline.The vessels, Jag Vasant and Pine Gas, both classified as very large gas carriers, moved northward from the UAE coast toward Iran’s Qeshm and Larak islands early on Monday, as per the data quoted in a Bloomberg report.The Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passage linking oil and gas producers in the Persian Gulf to global markets, has been largely inaccessible since US and Israeli strikes began in late February. Since then, Iran has significantly restricted maritime traffic through a combination of attacks and warnings. Only a limited number of vessels, mainly those associated with Iran, China, and a few other countries including India that have negotiated safe passage, have been able to pass through.

Two More LPG Ships Headed to India

Instead of indicating a destination, both ships broadcast their Indian identity through transponders, a precaution also adopted by other vessels navigating the route. They are likely headed for India, which is grappling with an LPG supply disruption and has been engaging with Tehran to secure fuel supplies primarily used for cooking.Also Read | LPG crisis: Argentina emerges as key alternative supplier; shipments more than double in just first three months of 2026Earlier this month, two other Indian-flagged LPG carriers successfully completed the same passage.Crossing the Strait of Hormuz typically takes up to 14 hours. If Jag Vasant and Pine Gas maintain their current course without disruption, they are expected to enter the Gulf of Oman by Monday evening.Several vessels that have successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz have followed a route hugging the Iranian coastline, indicating the presence of a traffic management system enforced by Tehran. Under normal conditions, ships exiting the Gulf would typically navigate closer to Oman. However, a vessel that attempted this conventional path earlier in the month was attacked.India’s two most recent LPG carriers were allowed safe passage after reaching an arrangement with Iran, and one of the tankers was escorted by the Iranian Navy, a senior officer on board told Bloomberg News.Ship-tracking data shows that Jag Vasant entered the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz on February 26 and loaded LPG from Kuwait just hours before hostilities began on February 28, after which it remained stranded. Pine Gas also entered the Gulf on the same day and took on its full cargo from Ruwais in the UAE.The movement of these two vessels, along with the earlier pair, is expected to provide some relief amid shortages. However, according to Shiv Samrat Kapur, managing director at the India arm of Sentosa Shipbrokers, the combined cargo of all four ships would meet only two to three days of India’s consumption.Also Read | Securing LPG, LNG, crude oil: India plans evacuation for ships near Strait of Hormuz – here’s what’s being considered“Iran is using the Strait as a tool of maritime diplomacy, forcing nations to choose between Western alignment and energy stability,” he said. “The transits have proven India’s capability to maintain neutral relationships during these times of geopolitical uncertainty.”In parallel, India has instructed ports to give priority to LPG carriers. Last week, the Deendayal Port Authority, commonly known as Kandla port, issued a notice directing agents to prioritise berthing for LPG vessels, according to a document reviewed by Bloomberg News. This followed a March 10 directive from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways aimed at ensuring uninterrupted LPG supply to households across the country.

The ongoing crisis in the Middle East continues to rattle financial markets worldwide, sending shockwaves to oil baskets, stock markets and currencies. Rupee is no stranger to the impact! Over the past one year, the currency has continuously slipped to its record lows, first hitting 90 and then eventually beyond the 93 per US dollar mark, inching close to the psychological 94 levels. As rupee continues to drift, questions are mounting over its next move: will it stabilise or extend its slide further? Traders are closely tracking the rising volatility, with the 94-per-dollar level now in sharp focus as the US and Iran tensions continue to boil, fueling fears over potential disruptions to energy supplies.The week earlier, on Friday, the currency had settled at a record closing low of 93.71 per US dollar, and market participants expect its next move to be largely influenced by crude oil prices, developments around the Strait of Hormuz, and overall risk sentiment in global markets. Attention is also on the Reserve Bank of India for any steps it may take to smooth volatility when trading resumes.The latest uncertainty stems from heightened tensions between the US and Iran, with warnings and counter-warnings raising fears of disruption to global oil flows through the critical West Asia shipping route. Any escalation could further tighten supply conditions and weigh on the rupee.According to analysts cited by ET, the currency’s breakdown below the 93.50 level signals continued weakness, with near-term direction hinging on external triggers like oil prices. For instance, if crude oil sustains above the $100 per barrel mark, rupee could drift toward the 94–95 range in the coming sessions.A treasury official at a private sector bank said the central bank is likely to remain active at these levels to curb excessive volatility, although the outlook remains highly fluid. He noted that in the absence of escalation, rupee could see temporary support, but renewed tensions may push it beyond the 94 mark.Geopolitical developments have been dominating sentiment, particularly statements from US President Donald Trump, who has warned Iran over reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a key passage for global energy shipments. Such developments have added to uncertainty in currency and commodity markets alike.According to market experts, rupee’s trajectory is now closely tied to movements in global crude benchmarks. With Brent crude trading near elevated levels, import costs for India could rise, adding further pressure on the current account and the currency.Treasury heads said intermittent intervention from the central bank could help anchor the rupee in the short term, but sustained pressure is likely if oil prices remain elevated and geopolitical tensions continue to escalate.Overall, traders say the coming sessions will be crucial in determining whether the rupee stabilises near current levels or weakens further toward the 94–95 range, depending on global developments and energy market dynamics.

NEW DELHI: The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), a body under the Union commerce ministry, has recommended the imposition of anti-dumping duties on Chinese viscose rayon filament yarn (above 75 deniers)—a widely used man-made textile fibre, according to a government notification issued on Monday.The proposed duties include $386 per metric tonne for Xinxiang Chemical Fibre Co Ltd, $667 for Jilin Chemical Fiber Co., and $518 for Yibin Hiest Fibre Limited Corporation and related exporters. Other producers would face a duty of $1,071 per metric tonne, the notification stated.The move comes days after the DGTR initiated an anti-dumping investigation into imports of ethyl chloroformate from China. The probe followed a complaint by domestic manufacturer Paushak, which alleged that the chemical was being sold in India at “unfairly low prices,” impacting local industry.Also Read: India opens anti-dumping probe into ethyl chloroformate imports from ChinaThe DGTR’s findings indicated that dumped imports from China had risen significantly, undercutting domestic prices and causing material injury to Indian producers.The duties, if approved by the Ministry of Finance, will be imposed on yarn imports for a period of five years.Paushak’s complaintIn its complaint, Paushak—a Gujarat-based company that describes itself as India’s largest specialty phosgene-based chemical manufacturer—alleged that imports from China had caused “material injury” to domestic producers.The firm also claimed to be the country’s sole producer of ethyl chloroformate, accounting for India’s entire output of the chemical.The DGTR said it would examine whether the product was being dumped in the Indian market and whether anti-dumping duties were necessary to offset the alleged injury to the domestic industry.Ethyl chloroformateEthyl chloroformate is an organic chemical intermediate widely used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Given its importance to these sectors, any anti-dumping duty could have wider downstream implications.If the DGTR’s recommendations are approved, they could raise input costs for drugmakers and agrochemical firms, even as they provide protection to domestic producers.The body’s preliminary assessment indicated that the dumping margin was above the de minimis threshold, suggesting significant price undercutting by Chinese exporters—one of the key factors examined in anti-dumping cases.The investigation covered the period from October 2024 to September 2025.(With Reuters inputs)

During the first three months of 2026, Argentina exported 50,000 tonnes of LPG to India. (AI image)

LPG crisis: India’s imports of LPG from Argentina have more than doubled in the first few months of 2026 as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt supplies of liquified petroleum gas for India. India is dependent on global supply for a big portion of its LPG needs and estimates suggest that 60% of imports come through the Strait of Hormuz which has in effect been shut for safe passage since the start of the US-Iran war. India’s diplomatic engagement with Iran has resulted in some LPG tankers transiting successfully through the Strait of Hormuz, but regular supply remains impacted, which in turn has caused a rationalisation of LPG supply domestically, especially for commercial users.