Times of India

India has accused Pakistan of fabricating Islamophobia narratives at the UN, questioning Islamabad's treatment of minorities and its actions against Afghanistan. Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish urged the UN to address all religious discrimination, not just one faith, highlighting India's large Muslim population and pluralistic ethos. He warned against weaponizing religion for political gain.

Meta's potential workforce reduction of up to 20% is viewed by analysts not as a setback, but as a strategic move to become an AI-first organization. This restructuring aims to leverage AI for significant cost and performance advantages, potentially creating an insurmountable competitive edge. The company's substantial AI investments and previous successes in efficiency suggest this could redefine industry standards.

Zerodha CEO Nithin Kamath revealed he avoids banking apps due to their invasive permissions, questioning why they need access to SMS, contacts, and calls. He contrasted this with Zerodha's Kite app, which requests zero permissions, highlighting the Principle of Least Privilege and SEBI's strong two-factor authentication as enabling security without intrusive data collection.

Dhoni, 44, will play for CSK when the season begins on March 28. De Villiers said Dhoni’s recent trend of batting at No. 8 or 9 limits his impact.

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, released after NSA detention, stated Ladakh's goal is dialogue with the Centre. He called his release a "win-win," enabling trust-building for meaningful talks. Wangchuk, detained for six months, expressed relief at avoiding sharing his "horror stories" from jail, hoping for constructive engagement.

India's Sumit Nagal is fighting back after a turbulent career plagued by injuries, including hip surgery and a hip flexor tear, that saw him drop from World No. 68 to No. 278. Now refocused on fitness, diet, and the controllables of his game, Nagal heads into his favourite time of the season - on clay - with hard-won maturity and renewed determination.

A controversial song from 'KD: The Devil', featuring Nora Fatehi and Sanjay Dutt, has drawn government intervention. Amidst allegations of vulgar lyrics and visuals, the Hindi version was removed from YouTube.

KL Rahul is set to open for the Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026. The move follows a mid-season shift that boosted his form. The 33-year-old will also keep wickets for the Delhi Capitals in this season. With a strong squad featuring experienced Indian players and impactful overseas signings, Capitals aim to bounce back and push for their maiden IPL title.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid vowed retaliation after an alleged Pakistani airstrike on Omar Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul, which he described as a deliberate attack on civilians. Mujahid stated the attack "will not go unanswered" and accused Pakistan of attempting to shape the narrative, vowing to expose their "brutality" to global human rights bodies.

Global tensions in the Middle East are directly impacting Indian households, causing a severe LPG shortage. Rising fuel costs and disrupted shipments have led to panic bookings, long queues, and black marketing, forcing businesses to adapt and highlighting India's heavy reliance on imports. The situation is escalating, affecting daily life and livelihoods across the nation.

The proposal from President Trump to assemble an international naval coalition for the defense of the Strait of Hormuz encounters formidable obstacles. Iran's advanced A2/AD capabilities—featuring an array of missiles, drones, and submarines—combined with the strait's challenging topography, complicates even the strongest navy's efforts to maintain a permanent presence.

Retail diesel prices in the U.S. have surpassed $5 a gallon for the second time, impacting global economic activity and consumer goods. This surge, driven by the US-Israeli conflict with Iran and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, presents a challenge for the upcoming midterm elections. Gasoline prices also reached their highest since October 2023, with little sign of easing.

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has confirmed a controversial run-out in the Bangladesh vs. Pakistan ODI was correctly given out under the Laws of Cricket. The non-striker was out of his ground when the wicket was broken, and the ball remained in play, making the dismissal lawful.

The Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti has released the JNVST Class 6 Result 2026 for summer-bound Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas. Students who appeared in the Phase 1 entrance exam held in December 2025 can now check their qualifying status online. The selection list marks the next stage of the admission process, with shortlisted candidates required to complete document verification.

India's energy crisis persists due to Middle East conflict, but the government assures consumers about LPG supplies. While urging judicious consumption and alternate fuel use, authorities are conducting raids to curb hoarding and black marketing of LPG cylinders across several states.

Gold prices surged on Tuesday, with April 2026 futures on MCX rising 1% to Rs 1,56,996 per 10 grams. Investors sought safe-haven assets amid escalating Middle East tensions involving the US, Israel, and Iran, which also kept oil prices above $100 per barrel. Globally, spot gold edged up slightly.

Eid-ul-Fitr in India is anticipated on March 20 or 21, 2026, contingent on the moon sighting. This joyous festival marks the end of Ramadan's fasting and spiritual reflection. It's a time for gratitude, community, and renewed faith, celebrating the successful completion of a month of discipline and devotion.

A controversy ignited after Sunil Gavaskar suggested Indian-owned franchises shouldn't sign Pakistani players, citing potential indirect financial contributions to India's adversaries. Pakistan-born England cricketer Azeem Rafiq fiercely condemned Gavaskar's remarks as "vile stuff." Franchise coaches defended player selections based on cricketing merit, while the BCCI stated no jurisdiction over foreign league decisions.

TVK functionary Aadhav Arjuna had alleged that the DMK family threatened actor Rajinikanth when he tried to enter politics. ​​Arjuna said he was not criticising Rajinikanth but added that Vijay had the courage to withstand such pressure. TVK organised protests at district headquarters across Tamil Nadu on Thursday, accusing the state government of failing to maintain law and order.