Times of India

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of 'moral cowardice and political betrayal' over the Centre's silence on the US-Israel conflict with Iran. Ramesh highlighted the government's lack of condemnation or diplomatic initiative to de-escalate tensions, questioning the PM's inaction despite his recent visit to Israel and claimed friendships.

Chennai is experiencing a significant flyover boom, with new elevated corridors like Anna Salai and Madhya Kailash aiming to reduce commute times and traffic congestion. While offering relief, these projects also raise concerns about construction quality, pedestrian safety, and the long-term effectiveness of flyovers in managing the city's growing traffic demands.

Irfan Pathan expresses concern over Rinku Singh's recent form slump ahead of IPL 2026, highlighting his struggles post-2023 breakthrough and at the T20 World Cup. Pathan also points to Varun Chakravarthy's inconsistent performance as a key challenge for Kolkata Knight Riders, though he believes the spinner can bounce back in familiar conditions.

Operation Epic Fury, a swift US-Israeli strike targeting Iran's leadership, has unexpectedly morphed into a 22-day attritional war. Despite initial successes, Iran's resilience and regional escalation have caught Washington off guard, turning a planned quick victory into a protracted quagmire with no clear endgame and significant global economic implications.

Global markets are experiencing volatility due to the Middle East conflict, leading to significant investor wealth erosion. Experts advise retail investors to remain patient and avoid panic-driven decisions, emphasizing that short-term market swings are normal. India's strong economic fundamentals and robust capital markets support a long-term investment perspective.

Pakistan has denied posing a nuclear threat to the US, asserting its arsenal is solely for deterrence against India. Islamabad also dismissed being labelled a 'rogue state' by an Israeli envoy. US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard had listed Pakistan alongside Iran, China, Russia, and North Korea as threats due to developing missile systems capable of reaching the US homeland.

India sees a cautious easing of maritime movement as three crude oil tankers successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz, with two more LPG tankers preparing to follow. This comes after diplomatic engagements with Iran, ensuring safe passage for Indian vessels amidst regional tensions. The successful transits underscore India's commitment to securing unhindered movement for its fleet.

Earlier, Harshit Rana was also ruled out of the season due to the injury that he had sustained during a warm-up match ahead of the recently concluded T20 World Cup.

Indian refiners are considering resuming Iranian crude oil purchases following a temporary US sanctions waiver. This move aims to ease an energy crunch caused by Middle East supply disruptions, with millions of barrels of Iranian crude already in transit. Clarification on payment terms from Washington is awaited before finalising shipments.

Fortnite's Chapter 7 Season 2, Showdown, brings two Power Hour events on March 21, 2026, offering players a chance to grab exclusive rewards like Dark Voyager's Obliterator weapon. These hour-long sessions, starting at 3:30 PM ET and 9:30 PM ET, ensure global accessibility with staggered timings. Don't miss this unique opportunity for in-game advantages.

Directed by Aditya Dhar, the high-octane sequel 'Dhurandhar: The Revenge' is rewriting box office history, netting a staggering Rs. 246.99 crore in just 60 hours. Following the massive success of the 2025 original, the Ranveer Singh-starrer opened to a record-breaking Rs. 102.55 crore on Day 1, maintaining an iron grip on the domestic market despite its sprawling 3-hour and 49-minute runtime. Upped by the festive Ugadi and Gudi Padwa window, the espionage thriller has seen a massive Saturday surge, with Day 3 morning shows alone raking in Rs. 20.72 crore across 6,622 screenings.

Thalapathy Vijay surprised many with a Mumbai visit for director Atlee's wife Priya's baby shower, showcasing their strong bond beyond cinema. Amidst 'Jana Nayagan' release uncertainties, Vijay's humble airport greeting and attendance at the intimate family function highlight his personal connections. This gesture has resonated deeply with fans, sparking widespread social media celebration.

A fire erupted at a US diplomatic facility near Baghdad airport after a strike, with a pro-Iranian militant group claiming responsibility. This incident follows reports of air defence systems activating over the US embassy. The attack occurs amidst escalating regional tensions and retaliatory strikes between Iran-aligned groups and US interests in Iraq.

European cloud providers' lobby group CISPE is urging EU antitrust regulators to halt Broadcom's termination of its VMware Cloud Service Provider program. CISPE argues this move is a "death sentence" for tech suppliers and restricts customer choice, demanding interim measures to suspend the termination and allow readmission of excluded partners.

Dense fog has enveloped Delhi and surrounding areas following overnight rainfall. Temperatures are expected to rise gradually after a significant drop, with the maximum hovering between 26-28 degrees Celsius. The Air Quality Index is predicted to remain in the 'moderate' category.

Young batter Angkrish Raghuvanshi's blistering 103* in a KKR intra-squad match has created a selection headache for the team. With a revamped squad featuring new overseas stars, head coach Abhishek Nayar faces the challenge of finalising combinations for their IPL 2026 campaign opener against Mumbai Indians on March 29.

The US has granted a 30-day waiver on Iranian oil shipments currently at sea, aiming to stabilize global energy supplies amid escalating Middle East tensions. This move, intended to inject approximately 140 million barrels into the market, follows similar relaxations on Russian oil. While the US asserts control over revenue, Iran claims no surplus oil is available.

Hastsal village in Delhi is under heavy security following a fatal Holi incident. Police and paramilitary forces have restricted movement, creating an uneasy silence where festive preparations usually thrive. Despite the tension, residents emphasize that communal harmony remains strong, with locals working to counter rumors of migration and fearmongering.

At an IPL 2026 press event, Dwayne Bravo made a joking remark caught on live mic, creating an awkward moment. Ajinkya Rahane quickly intervened, warning about the recording. The clip went viral, amusing fans, while Kolkata Knight Riders removed the video to avoid controversy ahead of their match against Mumbai Indians.

Diego Garcia is a strategically located atoll in the central Indian Ocean that hosts a key US-UK military facility. Part of the British Indian Ocean Territory, the base is operated primarily by the United States and serves as a critical hub for air and naval operations across a vast region spanning Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.