NEW DELHI: 92,700 tonnes of LPG — equivalent to 1.25 days of India’s cooking gas demand — have crossed the Strait of Hormuz, blocked by Iran for a fortnight, and are scheduled to reach Indian ports on Monday and Tuesday. Another 10 ships carrying crude and gas remain on standby in the Persian Gulf. Although it is still early days, the movement of the ships — Shivalik and Nandadevi — towards Mundra and Kandla signals easing of curbs in the war-torn corridor amid India’s efforts to intensify engagement with Iran that included PM Modi’s conversation with President Masoud Pezeshkian Thursday. Indian authorities are in contact with govts in West Asia and are coordinating with them to ensure safe passage of the ships, a top official said on Saturday. The LPG in transit on the two ships can fill around 68 lakh cylinders, against average daily demand of 55 lakh. “As a result of multiple contacts with all concerned, some ships destined for India have been able to cross the Strait of Hormuz… Several remain on standby in Gulf region,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

22 Indian-flagged ships near Hormuz waters We propose to continue to remain in touch and coordinate with all countries concerned to ensure safe and unimpeded transit for them in our effort to ensure our energy security, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. He added that India has emphasised unimpeded transit of goods and energy and urged Iran to avoid targeting civilian infrastructure, including energy infrastructure across the region. With supply remaining short of overall demand, govt acknowledged the “concern” but urged people to avoid panic booking of LPG cylinders. The number of bookings spiked to 88.8 lakh on Friday. India imports 60% of its LPG needs, with 85-90% of this being sourced from the Gulf countries,which use the Strait to ship oil and gas to users. Ports are according priority berthing to LPG vessels to ensure continuity of energy supply, said Rajesh Kumar Sinha, special secretary in the shipping ministry. During the last three days, six LPG carriers from other parts of the world were given priority berthing at major ports, which are also providing safe anchorage areas for loaded vessels that are bound for the Gulf but are currently unable to transit. “There were 24 Indian-flagged vessels to the west of Hormuz on Friday; out of these, two vessels crossed the Strait safely early and are heading towards India. Now there are 22 Indian-flagged vessels in the Persian Gulf,” Sinha said, adding that Indian seafarers in the region are safe. “Of the 22 remaining Indian-flagged ships to the west of Hormuz, six are LPG vessels; one is a liquefied natural gas carrier; four are crude oil tankers; one is carrying chemical products; three are container ships; and two are bulk carriers. Among the remaining, one is a dredger, another is empty (holding no cargo) and three others are on dry docks, which means routine maintenance,” Sinha said. He said all major and minor ports have been directed to offer relief in anchorage, berth hire and storage charges to West Asia-bound cargo of shipping lines, agents and exporters. Lease extensions have also been granted in certain cases to accommodate cancelled or returned export cargo

KILLI CHAHAL (MOGA): Union home minister Amit Shah sounded the bugle for the 2027 Punjab assembly election with a ‘badlav rally’ in Moga, urging people to give BJP “ik mauka” (one chance), and promising that the party’s first legislation would be an anti-conversion bill. Shah also promised to rid the state of debts, drugs and corruption, while indicating that BJP was no longer looking at piggybacking on Akali Dal in the state. “Under AAP, religious conversions have reached alarming levels. A BJP govt in Punjab will bring its first bill to ban religious conversions,” Shah told a large gathering in Killi Chahal village on Saturday. Shah indicated that BJP would go it alone in 2027, and expressed confidence that the party would form govt in Punjab. “It is the beginning of BJP’s campaign. Whenever we came to Punjab, we came as the younger brother, but today I say, BJP is fighting 2027 election to make its govt,” he said. Training guns on Aam Aadmi Party and Congress, Shah said the two parties had pushed Punjab into a financial mess, drugs and corruption. “Only PM Modi and BJP can build a drug-free and development-oriented Punjab. BJP will make Punjab drug-free within two years of forming govt in the state,” he said. Shah said Punjab was the granary of the country and its jawans protected the nation, but today the state had “only became an ATM for (AAP national convener Arvind) Kejriwal”. “This govt represents breaking of promises. This is a govt that’s neck-deep in corruption. The CM should be ashamed that four ‘subedars’ from Delhi are sitting here and looting the state, and he can’t utter a word,” he further said. There was complete lawlessness in Punjab under AAP, Shah said, citing the murders of three sarpanches earlier this year. CM Bhagwant Mann’s “only job is to take Arvind Kejriwal along on Punjab govt plane wherever he would go in the country. The CM is reduced to just a pilot”, he said. Shah also accused AAP and Congress, particularly Rahul Gandhi, of “telling lies” and misleading farmers on the India-US trade deal. He said industry was leaving Punjab and farmers were left in the lurch. “You gave opportunities to Congress, Akalis and AAP in the past. Now, give an opportunity to BJP. We shall bring a change in Punjab,” the home minister added. “Congress sent tanks to Akal Takht, damaging Sikh-Hindu unity. Punjab’s development is possible only through unity of both communities. Had Congress truly respected the gurus, Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur would not have been in Pakistan. Modi govt opened the Kartarpur Corridor, enabling devotees to visit the shrine,” Shah said. After opening his speech with “Jo Bole So Nihal”, he paid respect to the Sikh Gurus and said: “This turban (pointing to his saffron coloured turban) symbolises the debt the entire country owes the Gurus.” There would have been no Hindus in India if Guru Teg Bahadur had not been there. “His sacrifice sustained the country,” Shah said. He also paid respects to Maharishi Valmiki, Guru Ravidas, and Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Few controversies capture the complex overlap of faith, law and politics in India as vividly as the storm now surrounding Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati from Jyotish Peeth in Uttarakhand’s Joshimath.In recent weeks, the seer has found himself at the centre of a political and legal storm that stretches from allegations under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act to a decades old dispute over who has the right to call himself the Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath.

For many followers of Sanatan Dharm, the position of Shankaracharya is among the most revered spiritual roles in Hindu tradition. Yet today, the “legitimacy” of Avimukteshwaranand’s claim to that title is being questioned in courtrooms, debated in political circles and argued over within the saint community itself.The controversy has also deepened fault lines in Uttar Pradesh politics, with the ruling establishment appearing divided and opposition parties framing the dispute as an attack on a Hindu religious figure.

Who was Adi Shankaracharya?

To understand the significance of the title Shankaracharya, one must return to the figure who created the institution.Adi Shankaracharya was a philosopher and spiritual reformer who lived in the eighth century.At a time when Hindu traditions were fragmented into numerous sects and ritual practices, Shankaracharya sought to revive a unified philosophical vision.His central teaching was Advaita Vedanta, which holds that the individual soul and the universal reality are ultimately the same.

According to Advaita, the world of differences is a result of ignorance, and true knowledge reveals the unity of existence.To preserve this philosophical tradition, Shankaracharya established four monastic centres across India.Each was meant to guide spiritual learning in a different region.

The four peethas of Shankaracharya

The four traditional Shankaracharya seats are spread across the country:

Each peeth is associated with a particular Veda and has its own line of succession.

The head of each institution is called a Shankaracharya.Unlike many religious positions, the title is not granted by the state. It is traditionally decided within the monastic order based on scholarship, spiritual discipline and acceptance among senior monks.Because there is no single central authority governing all four seats, disagreements over succession sometimes occur.But why is Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati suddenly making headlines?The answer appears to lie in three parallel developments – a POCSO case was registered against him; the unresolved dispute over the Jyotirmath Shankaracharya seat; the institution’s long-running succession battles.

The first layer: Sexual exploitation charge

The latest controversy erupted after a special POCSO court in Prayagraj directed the police to register a case against Avimukteshwaranand and his disciple Swami Mukundanand Giri.The complaint alleged that two minor boys were sexually exploited at the seer’s camp during the 2025 Magh Mela and Maha Kumbh.Acting on the court’s directions, the Jhunsi police registered an FIR invoking multiple sections of the POCSO Act along with provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).The complainant in the case is Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj, who is also associated with litigation in the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Eidgah dispute.Avimukteseshwaranand, however, has categorically denied the accusations, calling them fabricated.

Magh mela row

Another episode that intensified the controversy took place earlier this year during the Magh Mela in Prayagraj.Magh Mela is an annual Hindu religious gathering held in Prayagraj during the Hindu month of Magh (January–February).Devotees take ritual baths at the sacred confluence called the Triveni Sangam, where the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers meet.The fair attracts millions of pilgrims, saints and ascetics, and is considered a smaller annual counterpart of the larger Kumbh Mela.Avimukteshwaranand claimed he was prevented from taking a holy dip at the Sangam during Mauni Amavasya, which is a sacred Hindu new moon day in the month of Magh when devotees observe maun (silence) and take ritual baths at holy riversHe alleged that the administration stopped his palanquin procession and insulted his followers.The authorities denied the allegation.Officials said the issue was not about preventing the ritual bath but about crowd management. During peak bathing days, they said, large processions or vehicles are restricted to prevent stampede-like situations.The dispute escalated into a protest by the seer, who staged a sit-in at the mela site and later left without taking the ritual dip.The episode quickly became political, with opposition leaders accusing the government of disrespecting a Hindu spiritual leader.According to the seer, the two minor boys mentioned in the sexual exploitation complaint never entered his gurukul and were actually students of a school in Hardoi. Their school records, he claimed, were already submitted in court.He has also said that he will cooperate fully with the investigation and does not fear arrest.In a public statement, he questioned why alleged evidence such as a purported CD has not been made public. He insisted that CCTV cameras around his camp would reveal the truth.The seer has gone further, accusing certain individuals of trying to malign Hindu institutions from within.Meanwhile, the police have begun a preliminary probe and said that electronic and digital evidence will be examined.

A dramatic twist with attack on complainant

The controversy took another dramatic turn when the complainant claimed he was attacked on a train while travelling to Prayagraj to submit evidence in court.Ashutosh Brahmachari alleged that an unidentified man tried to assault him with a sharp object and cut his nose, supposedly for a reward allegedly announced by one of the seer’s followers.

Police have registered a separate FIR in connection with the incident and said the matter is under investigation.Avimukteshwaranand has again dismissed the claim as suspicious and questioned how such an attack could occur in a train compartment without witnesses.

The second layer: Dispute over the title

While the POCSO case has brought immediate attention, Avimukteshwaranand’s claim to the title of Shankaracharya has been under dispute for years.At the centre of the issue is the Jyotirmath or Jyotish Peeth, one of the four monastic seats established centuries ago by the philosopher saint Adi Shankaracharya.These institutions are among the most important spiritual centres in Hinduism.Avimukteshwaranand declared himself Shankaracharya in 2022 after the death of his guru, Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati. However, his coronation was challenged and the matter reached the Supreme Court.

The top court stayed the formal coronation ceremony, citing an earlier order that prohibited appointments to the seat while the dispute was pending.This legal situation created an unusual scenario. While the coronation was halted, the court did not explicitly prohibit the use of the title in every context.Avimukteshwaranand’s supporters argue that the stay applies only to the formal installation ceremony and not to the use of the title itself.However, authorities at the Magh Mela in Prayagraj issued him a notice asking why he continues to describe himself as Shankaracharya despite the court’s order.The dispute is still unresolved.

Monk vs monk

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has stated that no individual is above the law and that constitutional propriety must be respected.He also appeared to question the legitimacy of anyone claiming the Shankaracharya title without proper recognition.The issue escalated further after the UP chief minister issued a stern warning against “Kaal Nemi-like forces”. Kalnemi is a demon (asura) mentioned in the Ramayana, known mainly for his role in trying to deceive Hanuman during the war between Rama and Ravana. Without taking anyone’s name, the chief minister said that under the pretext of dharma, these forces are “conspiring to weaken” it. He then cautioned the followers of Sanatan Dharma to be vigilant against them.“Ek yogi ke liye, sanyasi ke liye, sant ke liye, dharm aur rashtra se badhkar kuchh nahin ho sakta. Uski vyaktigat property kuchh nahi hoti hai, dharm aur rashtra hi uska swabhiman hai. Aise kayi Kalnemi honge jo dharma ki aad mein Sanatan Dharm ko kamzor karne ki saazish rach rahe honge. Humein unse sawadhan hona hoga, satarka rehna hoga,” Adityanath said during a pran pratishtha ceremony in Haryana.(For a yogi, a renunciate, a saint, nothing can be greater than dharma and the nation. He has no personal property; dharma and the nation alone are his self-respect. There may be many such Kālnemis who, under the guise of dharma, are plotting to weaken the Sanatan Dharma. We must remain cautious and vigilant against them).Responding to Yogi Adityanath’s “Kal nemi” remark, Swami Avimukteshwaranand said the chief minister should refrain from making rhetorical statements and instead address what he described as the injustice done to him.“Chief minister Yogi should not become a “bayaan veer”. His position has been compromised by his own officials, who have left him in a difficult situation. A crime has been committed against me and he should take cognisance of it. The notice issued against me appears to be driven by malice,” the seer said.He added that the government should focus on addressing the alleged wrongdoing rather than making public statements. “For twelve years he has been in power, yet cow slaughter has not been stopped. He too must answer for that. The people of the country now know who the real ‘Kalnemi’ is,” he said.Expressing anger over the conduct of the Magh Mela administration, Avimukteshwaranand said he had been attending the fair for nearly four decades and had never faced such treatment.“I have been coming to the Magh Mela for 40 years. Earlier we were allotted camps. If the administration wishes, they can even uproot the camp now. We are already sitting on the roadside,” he said.Criticising the government’s stance, he added that while the chief minister speaks about “real and fake Sanatan”, it is the government that enjoys power and authority.“We are not enjoying comfort. They are the ones occupying the seat of power. Instead of making statements, the government should examine what actually happened and decide who committed the wrongdoing,” he said, adding that merely suspending a few police personnel would not resolve the issue.

Controversy turns political

As the war of words erupted, some leaders within the ruling BJP struck a more conciliatory tone.Deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya publicly expressed respect for the seer and said any alleged insult to a saint should be investigated.This difference in tone also led to speculation that the ruling party itself is divided over how to handle the matter.Meanwhile, the opposition leaders have seized the moment.Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav accused the BJP government of insulting the seer after he left the Magh Mela without taking a ritual dip in the Sangam.According to Yadav, the incident hurt the sentiments of the Sanatan community and reflected the arrogance of power.The Congress has also alleged that the monk is being targeted because he has criticised the BJP government on several occasions.

Long shadow of succession dispute

The dispute over the Jyotirmath seat did not begin with Avimukteshwaranand.In fact, it stretches back decades. The seat itself remained vacant for nearly 168 years after the death of Swami Ramakrishna Tirtha in the 18th century.In 1941, the Shankaracharyas of other peeths persuaded Swami Brahmananda Saraswati to take the position, restoring the lineage.But after his death in 1953, disagreements over succession began.Different disciples and factions supported different claimants, leading to competing declarations of Shankaracharya.In the late twentieth century, the conflict deepened when Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati and Swami Vasudevanand Saraswati both claimed the title.The Allahabad High Court later declined to legally recognise either claimant as the undisputed head of the Jyotirmath peeth.However, Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati continued to be widely regarded as Shankaracharya by his followers and many religious institutions, reflecting the gap that often exists between legal rulings and spiritual acceptance in monastic traditions.

The legacy of Swaroopanand Saraswati

Avimukteshwaranand’s guru, Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati, was himself a controversial figure.A freedom fighter who participated in the Quit India movement, he later became one of the most influential Hindu monks of his time.But he was also known for provocative statements.

He criticised the worship of Sai Baba and accused organisations like Iskcon of “misleading” Hindus. His comments often triggered debate within religious and political circles.Interestingly, Avimukteshwaranand inherited both his guru’s position and the controversies surrounding it.

Why the title matters so much

For many Hindus, the Shankaracharyas represent custodians of scriptural tradition and philosophical thought.Their authority comes not from political power but from their role in preserving centuries old teachings.They often guide religious debates, interpret scriptures and influence major ritual practices.As a result, disputes over the title carry deep symbolic weight.When a succession is contested, it is not just an administrative disagreement. It becomes a question of legitimacy within a sacred lineage.

The raging controversy

The present situation surrounding Avimukteshwaranand reflects how complex these issues can become.A criminal investigation, an unresolved succession dispute and purported political rivalry have converged around one figure.Supporters say he is being targeted for speaking out against the government.Critics argue that the law must take its course and that religious titles cannot place anyone above scrutiny. The final word on both the criminal allegations and the Shankaracharya title will likely come from the courts.

Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav has tied the knot with longtime partner Vanshika Chadha in a grand ceremony held in the scenic hill town of Mussoorie, Uttarakhand. The wedding comes shortly after Kuldeep was part of India’s victorious campaign in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, making it a particularly special time in his life.The ceremony took place at The Savoy Hotel Mussoorie, where family members, close friends and several personalities from the cricketing world gathered to celebrate the occasion.

In the days leading up to the wedding, traditional pre-wedding ceremonies such as haldi, mehendi and sangeet were held, with pictures and videos from the celebrations quickly circulating on social media.After the wedding ceremony in Mussoorie, the couple is expected to host a grand reception in Lucknow on March 17. The reception is likely to be attended by several prominent names from cricket, politics and business.Here are a few viral clips and photos from the event:Many current and former members of the India national cricket team were invited to the celebrations. According to reports, the guest list included stars like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Sunil Gavaskar, Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Suresh Raina, Mohammad Kaif and Piyush Chawla.Close friend and fellow spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who arrived in Dehradun for the wedding, shared his excitement about the celebrations.“I am very excited for my brother’s marriage. I will dance a lot and enjoy,” Chahal had earlier said.Meanwhile, Tilak Varma had mentioned that he had the plans to enjoy the wedding before turning his attention to cricket again.“We’re going to Kuldeep’s wedding to have fun. After that, we’ll prepare for IPL,” Tilak had shared.

NEW DELHI: Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has praised India’s decision to back Sanju Samson as an opener during their victorious campaign in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. According to Ponting, the trust shown in Samson by captain Suryakumar Yadav and the coaching staff played a major role in India’s success.Samson’s tournament did not start smoothly. Before the World Cup, he had scored only 46 runs in five T20Is against New Zealand national cricket team. He initially got a chance in the league match against Namibia national cricket team in New Delhi after Abhishek Sharma fell ill. Later, he was brought back for a key Super Eight game against Zimbabwe national cricket team and turned his tournament around with a series of brilliant performances.

Samson played some crucial knocks as India advanced in the competition. He scored an unbeaten 97 against West Indies national cricket team in Kolkata, followed by 89 in the semifinal against England national cricket team in Mumbai and another 89 in the final against New Zealand national cricket team in Ahmedabad. His total of 321 runs in five innings became the most by an Indian batter in a single T20 World Cup edition and earned him the Player of the Tournament award.“For India to stick with him at the top there, that was a big call to make. A big decision, but one that worked out really well in the end. If you get the backing of the coaching staff and the captain, then that’s all you need,” Ponting said on The ICC Review show.“Just a pat on the back or an arm around the shoulder to say, ‘we’re sticking with you, we believe in you.’ When you’ve got the quality that Sanju’s got, and the confidence of the captain and coach behind you, that’s when great things can happen.”Ponting also praised Suryakumar’s leadership and how he managed his players during the tournament. “It would have been really interesting to see how Surya has interacted with Abhishek (Sharam) and Sanju (Samson) over the last few weeks. That’s where the real stories will come out on true leadership.”Despite not scoring heavily himself apart from an unbeaten 84 against the United States national cricket team, Suryakumar guided India to the title. Ponting concluded, “It’s about a lot more than what they do off the field, the things that people don’t see and how they interact with their players. He didn’t have a great time himself as a player, but still, he’s standing at the end holding up a World Cup trophy.”

NEW DELHI: The National Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship concluded at Sarala Birla University in Ranchi, where more than 400 players from across the country competed in intense matches that tested both speed and strategy. The tournament featured two formats in Blitz and Rapid and saw impressive performances from several top Indian players.In the Blitz section, Grandmaster (GM) Abhimanyu Puranik emerged as the champion after a thrilling finish.

The Maharashtra player scored 9 points in 11 rounds to secure the title. The competition was extremely tight at the top, with GM Sayantan Das from the Railway Sports Promotion Board also finishing with 9 points. However, Puranik, hailing from Mumbai, clinched the championship thanks to a better tie-break score. International Master (IM) Madhavan N B from Tamil Nadu finished third with 8.5 points, edging out several players who also ended with the same score.The Blitz format required quick thinking and lightning-fast moves, making it a challenging contest even for experienced grandmasters. Puranik showed remarkable composure under time pressure to come out on top in a field packed with strong contenders.In the Rapid section, IM Aronyak Ghosh delivered a standout performance to claim the title. Representing the Railway Sports Promotion Board, the West Bengal player scored an impressive 9.5 points out of 11 rounds and remained undefeated throughout the tournament.The victory marks an important milestone for Ghosh, who is currently working towards achieving his final Grandmaster norm. Meanwhile, Puranik’s triumph in the Blitz category further strengthens his reputation as one of India’s top players in fast-paced chess formats.

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the ruling All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) while addressing a mega rally at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground, accusing the state government of “protecting rapists”, undermining constitutional institutions and insulting President Droupadi Murmu.Bringing up Sandeshkhali and the brutality faced by a woman at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, PM said, “Here, the insensitive government openly protects rapists and makes every effort to shield criminals. The images from Sandeshkhali and the attitude of the TMC, as well as the brutality faced by that daughter at RG Kar Hospital, have not been forgotten by the people of Bengal. The way the TMC was seen openly standing with the accused has not been forgotten. It is the result of this mindset that crimes such as acid attacks against women are happening in large numbers in West Bengal today…I assure the mothers and sisters of Bengal that if you bless the BJP, women will be safe under a BJP government and criminals will be in jail. This is Modi’s guarantee.”The Prime Minister also accused the TMC government of disrespecting the President during her recent visit to north Bengal.

“The TMC has not just insulted the President, but it has insulted the country’s tribals, the people of this country and the Constitution. The TMC has crossed all limits by insulting President Droupadi Murmu,” Modi said.

He said Murmu had travelled to the state to participate in a Santhal tribal festival, but alleged that the programme was mishandled by the state administration. “Just a few days ago, the President of our country, the esteemed daughter of the Adivasi community, Honourable Droupadi Murmu Ji, came to Bengal. She was to participate in the sacred festival of the Santhal Adivasi tradition, but this ruthless government, steeped in arrogance, not only boycotted that programme but handed it over entirely to utter chaos,” he said.“Because a daughter of the Adivasi community holds such a high position, the TMC folks could not accept her honour,” PM Modi further alleged.Stepping up his attack ahead of the assembly elections, PM Modi also accused the TMC of opposing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls to protect “infiltrators”.“The TMC is opposing SIR so that infiltrators can be protected,” he said.Claiming that infiltration had altered the demographic profile of several areas in the state, he said, “Due to unchecked infiltration, the demography of several areas of West Bengal has changed. The TMC is deliberately making Hindus a minority in many areas.”PM further alleged that the ruling party opposed citizenship for Hindu refugees for political reasons. “The TMC opposes granting citizenship to Hindu refugees because they do not consider them their vote bank,” he claimed.He also accused the TMC of attacking constitutional institutions, saying it was shameful that the party was targeting bodies such as the Election Commission of India.

Akasa Air on Saturday announced that it will introduce a fuel surcharge ranging from Rs 199 to Rs 1,300 on domestic and international flight tickets booked from March 15, citing a sharp rise in aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.In a post on X, the airline said the surcharge will apply to all bookings made from 00:01 hrs on March 15, 2026, and will not be applicable to tickets booked before that time. The airline said the additional charge will be levied per sector and will vary depending on the duration of the flight.

Akasa cites sharp rise in ATF prices

“There has been a significant increase in the price of aviation turbine fuel, driven by evolving geopolitical developments in the Middle East,” Akasa Air said in its statement.“As fuel represents a significant portion of airline operating costs, this impacts the cost of operations across the aviation industry,” it added.The airline said it remains focused on offering “warm and efficient customer service, reliable operations, and affordable fares while maintaining the highest standards of operational efficiency”, and added that it will continue to monitor the operating environment and review the fuel surcharge periodically.

Move follows Air India, IndiGo fare actions

Akasa’s decision comes after larger Indian carriers Air India Group and IndiGo also moved to pass on part of the fuel cost burden to passengers.Earlier, IndiGo said it will levy an additional fuel charge of Rs 425 to Rs 2,300 on all new domestic and international bookings made from 00:01 hrs on March 14, citing “the significant surge in fuel prices following the ongoing geopolitical issues”.IndiGo said IATA’s jet fuel monitor showed an over 85% rise in fuel prices for the region, adding that ATF represents a major share of airline operating costs.Air India Group had earlier introduced a fuel surcharge ranging from Rs 399 to $200 on flights beginning Thursday, saying that without the move, some services may not cover operating costs and could face cancellation.

Middle East conflict driving fuel cost pressure

The latest surcharge announcements come as the widening conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt global oil supplies and push up jet fuel prices worldwide.Attacks on commercial shipping and oil infrastructure in the Gulf region, along with disruption through the Strait of Hormuz, have tightened supplies and driven a steep increase in fuel prices. Airlines are also facing added operational costs due to airspace restrictions and longer rerouted flights, which burn more fuel.Industry experts said long-haul international routes are likely to feel the greatest impact, though domestic fares may also remain under pressure if fuel prices stay elevated.With Akasa now joining Air India Group and IndiGo, Indian flyers are set to face higher ticket costs across more carriers as airlines respond to the sustained spike in fuel expenses.

NEW DELHI: In a rare instance of a Pakistani cricketer being picked by an Indian Premier League (IPL)-backed franchise, Abrar Ahmed‘s signing at The Hundred auction could leave the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in a tricky spot, with the spinner’s availability potentially clashing with Pakistan’s bilateral tour commitments.Abrar was bought by Sunrisers Leeds, a franchise controlled by the owners of Sunrisers Hyderabad, for £190,000 (around PKR 7 crore) after a bidding war with Trent Rockets, making it the first Indian-owned franchise to sign a Pakistani player since 2009. No active Pakistani player had previously played for a Sunrisers-backed franchise in the IPL or the SA20.

However, the mystery spinner may not receive a No Objection Certificate (NOC) as the Pakistan national cricket team is scheduled to tour West Indies for a two-match Test series during the window of The Hundred.

Pakistan are due to play a two-match Test series against the West Indies. The tour is scheduled from July 15 to August 7 and features two Tests and a four-day warm-up match. Meanwhile, The Hundred will run for four weeks, starting on July 21 and ending on August 16.Before the auction, there was considerable scrutiny over whether the IPL linked franchises would bid for Pakistani players, despite all eight teams having earlier committed to making their selections solely on “performance, availability, and the needs of each team” ahead of the auction. The ECB and the franchises later issued a joint statement stressing that players cannot be excluded on the basis of nationality in The Hundred. However, TimesofIndia.com has learnt that the 27-year-old might not receive an NOC from the PCB.“He might not play The Hundred, given the fact that Pakistan is playing a two match Test series against West Indies,” a source tracking the development told this website.

Abrar is not Pakistan’s leading spinner in Tests, with Noman Ali and Sajid Khan in the team. However, he will still need the green signal from PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi.The amount Abrar would earn from The Hundred would easily place him among the top-eight highest earners in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).“It is a lot of money. His agent has put his name in the auction, which means he is confident of getting the NOC. He is also among the few current Pakistani cricketers who have a good relationship with the PCB chief. The chances of him playing in The Hundred are 50-50,” said a PCB source.Sunrisers Hyderabad head coach Daniel Vettori explained the reason behind the franchise’s bid for the 27-year-old.“Once we missed out on Adil Rashid, who was a priority early on, we obviously jumped into the overseas spinner category,” Vettori said after the auction. “There were four or five players we were looking at and Abrar was one of them. We are very pleased to get him.”

Vettori also stressed that apart from Abrar, another Pakistani mystery spinner, Usman Tariq, was also on their radar.“We had planned for everyone who was in the auction. After we missed out on Adil Rashid, the priority was to get a spin bowler and we did not think that quality was available in the local market, so we had to go overseas. Rishad Hossain, Usman Tariq and Abrar Ahmed were all players on our radar.“It’s a bit of mystery. I do not think many English players have faced him and he recently played in that Australian series. The feedback from the Australian players was that he would be tricky to face, with a lot of variations and the ability to strike in the powerplay and also through the middle overs, which is a key requirement at Headingley. Spinners have been the ones who have really succeeded there. Having him there will make a big difference for us.“Apart from Abrar, Usman Tariq was the other Pakistani cricketer who was acquired during The Hundred auction, bought by Birmingham Phoenix for £140,000 (about PKR 5.21 crore). Phoenix have no IPL connection. Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf, opener Saim Ayub and all rounder Shadab Khan went unsold. Seasoned left-arm seamer Shaheen Shah Afridi had earlier withdrawn from the auction. The only two Pakistan players in Wednesday’s women’s Hundred auction, Fatima Sana and Sadia Iqbal, also went unsold.