Times of India

Stock market crash today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex plunged in opening trade on Monday with oil prices continuing to remain high amid the ongoing US-Iran war. Investor sentiment continues to weaken amid escalating tensions between Iran and the US, a falling rupee, and other global concerns.

US Central Command released images showing the destruction of an Iranian facility producing drone and aircraft components following American airstrikes. This action occurs amidst the ongoing US-Israel and Iran conflict. French President Macron discussed strengthening Saudi air defenses and urged Iran to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Stock market recommendations: Ipca Laboratories, and Hindalco are the top stocks that Motilal Oswal Wealth Management Research Desk has picked for this week starting March 23, 2026.

Kolkata Knight Riders have reportedly signed Saurabh Dubey as a replacement for the injured Akash Deep for IPL 2026. The Vidarbha left-arm pacer, who previously trained with KKR, is yet to make his IPL debut. Dubey impressed in the 2019 ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup, showcasing his bowling prowess.

Oil prices remained volatile as traders reacted to escalating geopolitical tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran to reopen the key shipping route, threatening to target its power infrastructure. Tehran responded with threats of striking critical infrastructure across the Middle East, further unsettling global markets.

Meta has reversed its decision to shut down Horizon Worlds for VR. The company will now keep the VR version of Horizon Worlds available for existing games. This change comes after community feedback. Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth confirmed the decision. Horizon Worlds will remain accessible on Meta Quest headsets for the foreseeable future.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has offered to personally pay TSA personnel during the ongoing federal funding lapse, which has left thousands of security staff unpaid. Airports are stepping in with emergency support, while airline leaders warn of national security risks. The shutdown is causing significant travel disruptions and staff resignations, highlighting the urgent need for legislative action.

Sunil Gavaskar has criticized overseas players for missing early IPL 2026 matches, citing a pattern of taking franchise hospitality for granted. He urged franchises to adopt stricter policies, warning that late unavailability disrupts team planning and hinders title aspirations. This stance reflects growing concerns within the cricketing fraternity regarding player commitment.

Iran has threatened to completely shut the Strait of Hormuz if the US strikes its energy facilities, warning that regional energy infrastructure hosting US bases would become targets. This escalation follows President Trump's ultimatum. The conflict has already impacted global oil prices and caused significant damage and displacement on both sides.

Mumbai Indians, despite a star-studded lineup, face a captaincy dilemma ahead of IPL 2026. Former selector Kris Srikkanth suggests Suryakumar Yadav, fresh from leading India to T20 World Cup glory, could take over from Hardik Pandya to revitalize the team's fortunes. Srikkanth highlighted the unusual situation of multiple World Cup-winning captains playing under Pandya.

Over 27 lakh people in Bengal will learn their voting eligibility on Monday as the Election Commission releases the first supplementary voters' list. These individuals were placed in an 'under adjudication' category, with their fate hinging on document scrutiny by judicial officers. Those who fail to clear the hurdle can appeal the decision.

Ranveer Singh's 'Dhurandhar: The Revenge' has stormed the box office, raking in Rs 500 crore domestically and Rs 690 crore worldwide. Directed by Aditya Dhar, this spy thriller, a sequel to 'Dhurandhar,' captivated audiences with its gripping narrative and action. The film's impressive opening weekend and subsequent strong performance are setting new benchmarks for Bollywood.

A woman and her lover have been arrested for allegedly murdering her mother-in-law in Nishatganj. Police state an illicit relationship and family opposition were the motives. The duo reportedly tied the victim before strangling her. They attempted to stage the scene as a robbery. However, CCTV footage and a sniffer dog led to their apprehension.

Abhishek Sharma faced early struggles in the T20 World Cup but bounced back to help India win. His friend Nehal Wadhera shared insights into Abhishek's talent and hard work. Wadhera also discussed his own IPL journey, learning from coaches like Ricky Ponting and playing under captains Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer. Punjab Kings aims for the title in IPL 2026.

Punjab Kings reached the IPL 2025 final under Shreyas Iyer, marking a significant turnaround. For IPL 2026, they've bolstered their squad with Australian all-rounders Ben Dwarshuis and Cooper Connolly, aiming to strengthen their bowling and middle-order for another title challenge.

Air India is reinforcing its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet with pilots transitioning from Boeing 777s and narrow-body aircraft due to increasing airspace restrictions. This move aims to manage longer flight durations on Europe and UK routes, as pilots express fatigue from extended duty times and the need for dispensations from flight duty limitations.

Government seeks clarity on recovering hefty penalties from carmakers for missing fuel efficiency targets. With stricter norms ahead, the PMO is pushing ministries to define who evaluates, approves, and recovers the dues. Over Rs 8,800 crore in penalties have been levied for past non-compliance, yet no recovery has occurred.

Indian Railways has boosted Kilometrage Allowance and Allowance in lieu of Kilometrage by 25% for over two lakh running staff, effective January 2024. This decision aligns compensation with the 50% Dearness Allowance hike, addressing long-standing demands for better financial benefits for essential operational personnel.