Times of India

Premium petrol prices have seen a hike of over Rs 2 per litre across state-run oil companies, while regular fuel and diesel rates remain steady. This adjustment comes amidst global energy market volatility fueled by the Middle East crisis, impacting India's significant oil import dependence and potentially widening the import bill.

Canadian police have found no evidence linking threats or criminal activity in the country to India, despite past diplomatic tensions. RCMP commissioner Mike Duheme stated ongoing investigations do not connect alleged intimidation cases to any foreign entity. This comes as diplomatic ties between Canada and India show signs of improvement.

Sharjeel Imam has been granted interim bail for 10 days to attend his brother's wedding and visit his ailing mother. The court imposed strict conditions, including no media interaction and limited contact with case-related individuals. Imam must surrender on March 30th after nearly six years in jail.

Former CSK batter S Badrinath has expressed significant concerns for KKR ahead of IPL 2026, labeling captain Ajinkya Rahane a "weak link" and questioning the team's leadership and costly squad decisions. Badrinath also criticized the record Rs 25.20 crore signing of Cameron Green, citing his recent poor form and questioning his value.

Despite clear long-term ambitions from coaching and selection staff, uncertainty looms over the ODI futures of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. While both superstars are performing well, the Indian cricket board needs to initiate direct dialogue regarding their inclusion in the 2027 World Cup plans. This lack of clarity, in the current scenario, hurts the dressing room more than it helps promote competitiveness.

The Indian box office is witnessing a historic moment as Aditya Dhar and Ranveer Singh’s 'Dhurandhar: The Revenge' has already surged to a cumulative domestic net of Rs. 165.36 crore by Friday afternoon. Despite an ‘A’ rating and a massive 3-hour 49-minute runtime, the film is on track to cross the Rs. 230 crore global gross mark by the end of Day 2.

Google is shutting down its Firebase Studio AI workspace on March 22, 2027, less than a year after its April 2025 launch. The company is consolidating its AI developer offerings, moving lessons learned into Google AI Studio and Google Antigravity. Core Firebase services remain unaffected, with a year-long transition period for users.

Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 will soon arrive, bringing joy and marking the end of Ramadan. Celebrations depend on the moon sighting, expected around March 19th or 20th. Muslims worldwide will offer prayers, share feasts, and exchange gifts. This festival of breaking the fast emphasizes gratitude, unity, and charity. Homes will glow with lights as communities come together.

A US F-35 stealth fighter jet sustained damage during a mission over Iran. The aircraft made an emergency landing safely. Iran claims its air defence systems hit the advanced jet. This incident is under investigation. The F-35 is a highly advanced stealth aircraft. This event could signal improvements in Iran's defence capabilities.

Pakistan cricket faces renewed criticism after a T20 World Cup exit and ODI series loss. Former opener Ahmed Shehzad alleges the PCB built up a select group of players, now failing to deliver, while neglecting accountability and player development. He claims the board's weakness empowers these stars, hindering genuine progress and leaving fans disillusioned.

Sanju Samson makes a grand entry to Chennai Super Kings, mirroring MS Dhoni's arrival after a T20 World Cup triumph. His primary challenge is to revive CSK's batting consistency and lead them back to IPL supremacy. Samson, now free from international proving pressure, aims to deliver explosive starts and handle wicketkeeping duties, learning from Dhoni himself.

A retired Merchant Navy officer, Ashok Kumar Kharat, has been arrested in Nashik. He allegedly posed as an astrologer and repeatedly raped a woman for over three years. The accused was remanded in police custody. A Special Investigation Team has been formed to probe the case.

Google is reportedly rebuilding its relationship with the Pentagon, with a top executive pitching AI tools for defense. The company announced an AI agent builder for unclassified tasks, aiming to secure national security work. However, some Pentagon officials remain hesitant due to Google's past withdrawal from military contracts and employee protests.

HDFC Bank faces headwinds with its chairman's exit, impacting investor sentiment amid macro uncertainties. Tata Motors CV is poised for growth in an upcycle, while GMR Airport sees stable domestic traffic despite geopolitical issues. L&T Finance is leveraging AI for significant gains, and Power Grid Corp is upgraded due to increased commissioning pace and new opportunities.

Stock market recommendations: Bajaj Broking Research has recommended Belrise Industries, and Jayaswal Neco Industries as the top stock picks for March 20, 2026. The brokerage also shares its views on Nifty and Bank Nifty:

Tom Brady sparked buzz ahead of the Fanatics Flag Football Classic with a playful but pointed joke about Jayden Daniels and his mother, Regina Jackson. The comment drew laughs because it tapped into Daniels’ injury-hit 2025 season and ongoing public interest in his close relationship with Jackson. With multiple NFL stars in attendance, Brady’s quick wit stole the spotlight, while Daniels handled the moment calmly, letting the humor land without escalating it.