Times of India

Oil prices tumbled over 5% as a US proposal for a 15-point plan to Iran, aiming for a ceasefire and ending conflict, sparked hopes of easing supply disruptions. While Washington suggests negotiations are underway, Tehran denies direct talks. Despite diplomatic signals, regional military actions persist, keeping supply concerns over the Strait of Hormuz alive.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Director of Cricket, Mo Bobat, confirmed that pacer Yash Dayal will not participate in the upcoming IPL season due to personal circumstances and ongoing legal issues. Dayal, who missed the domestic season, remains under contract, but his absence is deemed best for both him and the franchise. Bowling depth is further tested by Josh Hazlewood's recovery.

For the eighth consecutive year, New Delhi has been named the most polluted capital in the world, with hazardous PM2.5 levels exceeding the WHO's safe threshold by an alarming 16.4 times. Although there has been a slight uplift since 2024, factors such as seasonal smog, dust storms, and agricultural burning continue to shroud the Indo-Gangetic plain in poor air quality.

A Los Angeles jury is finding it difficult to agree on a verdict for one of the tech giants, Meta or YouTube, in a significant social media addiction lawsuit. The case centers on claims that these platforms harmed a young woman's mental health. A hung jury could force a costly retrial.

The US has presented a 15-point proposal to Iran via Pakistan, seeking an end to the Middle East conflict. This diplomatic initiative addresses Iran's nuclear and missile programs and maritime security, even as military actions persist. Pakistan is actively mediating, offering to host talks, while Iran's response remains uncertain amidst internal challenges.

Analysts are bullish on Fractal Analytics and Tata Power, citing strong growth prospects and positive developments. UBS maintains a buy on ITC, expecting it to beat expectations despite pricing strategy impacts. However, Nuvama and Kotak Institutional Equities express caution on Coal India and Power Grid Corp, respectively, due to potential headwinds and saturated valuations.

The Trump administration is paying $1 billion to TotalEnergies to abandon U.S. offshore wind leases, redirecting funds to domestic oil and gas projects. This move, criticized by North Carolina's governor, aligns with the administration's pro-fossil fuel agenda, despite the company's continued offshore wind work elsewhere. The deal aims to protect taxpayers from what the Interior Department calls 'ideological subsidies'.

Sunrisers Hyderabad kicks off IPL 2026 against RCB on March 28. Following a strong 2024 and a disappointing 2025, SRH aims for redemption with a revamped squad. Ishan Kishan will captain initially in Pat Cummins' absence. Key players like Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen are set to feature prominently.

Ranveer Singh's 'Dhurandhar: The Revenge' is making waves at the box office, nearing Rs 600 crore net domestically within its first week. The film experienced a strong opening and weekend, with day 6 collections showing a slight dip but still contributing to impressive overall figures. Worldwide collections are projected to reach Rs 1,000 crore.

A consortium including Aditya Birla Group, The Times of India Group, Bolt Ventures, and Blackstone has agreed to acquire Royal Challengers Bengaluru for $1.78 billion. The deal, subject to regulatory approvals, will see Aryaman Vikram Birla as chairman and Satyan Gajwani as vice-chairman post-IPL 2026. This acquisition makes RCB the most valuable IPL franchise to date.

Pawan Kalyan's 'Ustaad Bhagat Singh' has garnered Rs 86.47 crore worldwide in its first week, despite mixed reviews and a challenging release window. While the weekend saw moderate collections, weekday figures experienced a sharp decline. Director Harish Shankar acknowledged the film's performance, attributing it to release strategy and competition, emphasizing effort over outcome.

The remarks came during a phone call with his son Kasim Khan over the Eid weekend. Kasim later shared details of the conversation publicly after speaking to his father over the weekend.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the formation of seven empowered groups to assess the impact of the West Asian conflict on India's energy supplies, essential commodities, and supply chains. These quick-response teams will develop strategies to mitigate economic repercussions, drawing lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic playbook.

Harish Rana, India's first patient granted passive euthanasia by the Supreme Court, has passed away at AIIMS after 13 years in a vegetative state. His death followed the withdrawal of life support, a decision made to uphold his right to die with dignity. Rana's family, who donated his corneas and heart valves, found comfort in his peaceful end.

India's government confirmed five LPG tankers, carrying approximately 2.3 lakh tonnes of cooking gas, are positioned west of the Strait of Hormuz. Two ships are expected at Indian ports this week. Officials clarified that no special permission is required for vessels to transit the international strait, though safety assessments are crucial given the current geopolitical climate.

Election Commission convened with top officials from poll-bound states and their neighbors to bolster election preparedness. The focus was on ensuring peaceful polls by strengthening border security and curbing illegal activities like cash, liquor, and drug smuggling. All agencies were directed to maintain heightened vigilance to prevent violence and inducements.

Ben Duckett’s late withdrawal from the Indian Premier League 2026 could come at a significant cost, with the England batter facing a potential two-season ban under league rules.