Times of India

The Strait of Hormuz closure is forcing Gulf nations to slash oil production as storage tanks fill. Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, and Iraq have significantly reduced output, with Iraq facing an imminent shutdown. Alternative routes are insufficient, raising fears of a total production halt and impacting global oil prices.

K-pop sensation ENHYPEN's Heeseung is embarking on a solo career, departing from group activities in March 2026. The agency confirmed the decision stems from Heeseung's distinct musical aspirations, with the remaining six members continuing as ENHYPEN. Heeseung expressed gratitude to his bandmates and fans, promising a new album soon.

Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh has been fined 15% of his match fee and received one demerit point for a Level 1 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct. The incident occurred during the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand when he aggressively threw the ball, hitting batter Daryl Mitchell. Arshdeep accepted the sanction, avoiding a formal hearing.

Asian airlines are hiking fares and planning for potential flight groundings as the Middle East conflict fuels a major oil shock. Indian carriers have already raised long-haul ticket prices by 15%, with Vietnam warning of up to 70% increases. Many Asian airlines, lacking robust fuel hedging, face significant vulnerability as jet fuel prices double, threatening operations and travel demand.

The mother of an accused in the Uttam Nagar murder case has approached the Delhi High Court, fearing her house might be demolished like that of a co-accused. This action follows a demolition drive by civic authorities in connection with a Holi clash that resulted in a death.

A Pimpri-Chinchwad model has reconverted to Hinduism after alleging mental and physical harassment during her marriage to a Muslim businessman. She claims she was pressured to abandon Hindu practices and felt influenced into the marriage, which she now calls 'love jihad'. Enduring years of abuse for her children, she has filed a police complaint and seeks security.

India's T20 World Cup 2026 victory sees Rinku Singh return home, sharing a lighthearted airport moment with fiancée Priya Saroj. Despite a personal struggle following his father's passing and a challenging tournament performance, Rinku's dedication to fulfilling his father's dream resonated deeply. Sanju Samson's impactful contributions proved crucial for India's triumph.

The Supreme Court granted bail to the father of the minor accused in the 2024 Pune Porsche crash, who allegedly manipulated blood samples. He had been in custody for 22 months. The accident, which killed two software engineers, occurred when the inebriated juvenile allegedly crashed into their motorcycle.

India’s 2026 T20 World Cup win sparked controversy after Kirti Azad criticised the team for taking the trophy to a Hindu temple. Ishan Kishan brushed off questions about the remark, urging reporters to focus on the victory. Kishan also reflected on his comeback journey, while India sealed the title with a dominant win over New Zealand.

India, which is the world’s third-largest importer and consumer of oil, maintains underground strategic petroleum reserves with a capacity of 5.33 million tonnes. However, these reserves are currently filled to about 80 per cent.

India began supplying 5,000 tons of diesel to Bangladesh via pipeline on Tuesday, part of an annual agreement for 180,000 tons. This delivery aims to alleviate fuel shortages and combat illegal hoarding, as the Bangladesh government intensifies efforts to monitor stock levels and enforce supply limits.

The BCCI will host its annual awards ceremony, NAMAN, in New Delhi on March 15 to felicitate multiple Indian teams for their ICC trophy wins over the past year. Players, coaches, and support staff from the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, ICC Champions Trophy 2025, senior women's team, U19 boys, and U19 girls' victorious squads will be honoured.

The US has spent a staggering $3.4 trillion on a "militarised rivalry" with China since 2012, a figure dwarfing its Afghanistan war costs. This massive peacetime spending, driven by a strategic pivot to Asia, highlights Washington's determination to avoid repeating past "mistakes" with Beijing, particularly concerning technological transfers and economic engagement, as it now recalibrates its approach with India.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has introduced austerity measures to combat fuel shortages caused by the Middle East crisis. These include cutting government spending, reducing fuel allowances for official vehicles, and implementing a work-from-home policy for public sector employees. The government aims to save fuel and mitigate the impact of rising oil import bills.

Amidst surging oil prices and upcoming mid-term elections, President Trump has reportedly been advised to seek an exit plan from the Middle East. Advisors are urging him to articulate that military objectives have largely been achieved, as polls indicate public opposition to the ongoing conflict.

Ravichandran Ashwin shared his thoughts on Sanju Samson's T20 World Cup 2026 performances. Ashwin stated Samson narrowly missed three centuries, scoring 97 not out against West Indies, 89 against England, and 89 against New Zealand. He highlighted Samson's intent to play aggressively, even at the cost of personal records. Samson's batting was crucial for India's title win.

Lok Sabha witnessed a heated debate as the opposition moved a resolution to remove Speaker Om Birla. Congress MPs questioned the authority of Jagdambika Pal, who was presiding, citing a constitutional vacuum due to the absence of a Deputy Speaker. The government defended Pal's position, leading to sharp exchanges.

The BJP has criticized Rahul Gandhi for backing the Youth Congress' "shirtless" protest at the AI Impact Summit in Delhi. Party leaders accused Gandhi of orchestrating the disruption, which they claim embarrassed India globally. Meanwhile, a court reserved its order on the bail pleas of three Youth Congress workers involved in the protest.

The Bombay High Court ruled that maternity leave is not a service break and cannot be penalized under compulsory service bonds for medical professionals. Upholding a dental surgeon's plea, the court declared that contractual obligations cannot override a woman's fundamental right to motherhood and statutory maternity benefits, ensuring career and family balance.