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The Economic Times

Company / The Economic Times

Indias February retail inflation quickens to 3.21% before Iran war impact likely hits

India's retail inflation rose to 3.21% in February, driven by geopolitical tensions impacting global oil supplies. This marks the second reading under a revised CPI framework with a 2024 base year, reflecting updated consumption patterns. While food and fuel inflation figures are pending, economists monitor potential imported inflation risks.

12 Mar 2026 4:05 pm
Exporters seek priority allocation of LPG and natural gas for manufacturing units

Indian exporters face production challenges due to fuel disruptions. FIEO has requested the government for priority allocation of LPG and natural gas to export-oriented manufacturing units. This is crucial for maintaining production schedules and timely deliveries to international buyers. Ensuring fuel availability will protect existing orders and boost India's reliability as a sourcing destination.

12 Mar 2026 3:54 pm
Word of the Day: Taciturn

Word of the Day: Taciturn highlights the richness of English vocabulary and its ability to capture the subtle complexities of human character.

12 Mar 2026 3:54 pm
BMW braces for another year of tariff and China struggles

BMW anticipates a challenging 2026. The German automaker expects a drop in pre-tax earnings and flat car deliveries. Trade barriers and fierce competition in China are major concerns. Global instability and rising fuel prices add to the uncertainty. BMW is focusing on new models and cost cuts to navigate these headwinds.

12 Mar 2026 3:54 pm
India says prioritising domestic needs, examining Bangladesh request for diesel supply

India is reviewing Bangladesh's request for diesel supplies, prioritizing its own domestic consumption needs. The decision will consider India's diesel availability and refining capacity. New Delhi has also received similar requests from Sri Lanka and Maldives, which are being examined.

12 Mar 2026 3:49 pm
Switzerland reviewing impact of US trade probe, govt says

Switzerland is currently assessing the ramifications of a new trade investigation launched by the United States. The US Trade Representative has notified Swiss authorities regarding a probe into potential unfair trade practices.

12 Mar 2026 3:47 pm
Secret Talks: Who might the US be talking to in Cuba?

Whispers of secret U.S.-Cuba talks involving Raul Castro's grandson, Raul Guillermo Rodriguez Castro, have emerged despite Havana's denials. These discussions, reportedly involving high-level U.S. officials, occur amid tightened sanctions and regional political shifts. Rodriguez Castro, known as 'The Crab,' is seen as a key confidant, potentially bridging political and economic spheres.

12 Mar 2026 3:45 pm
Monalisa's Kerala marriage: Viral Mahakumbh girl breaks silence on 'love jihad' after marrying actor Farman Khan, says parents wanted me to marry my aunt's son

Monalisa Bhosle's marriage: Viral Mahakumbh girl Monalisa Bhosle, who married actor Farman Khan in Kerala, denied the allegations of love jihad, saying that the marriage was her personal decision. She also denied reports that she is underage and revealed that her parents wanted her to marry her own aunt's son. The couple, who met six months ago during the muhurat ceremony of a movie, expressed their desire to stay in Kerala.

12 Mar 2026 3:26 pm
India discussed safety of shipping and energy security with Iran, MEA says

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar recently spoke with his Iranian counterpart, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, discussing critical issues concerning the safety of shipping routes and India's energy security. This conversation was part of multiple recent discussions between the two foreign ministers, highlighting the importance of these bilateral concerns.

12 Mar 2026 3:21 pm
Quote of the Day by Jim Rohn: It's easy to do things which make you successful. Why not everyone is successful? Because...'

Todays Quote of the day reflects that enduring philosophy. It reminds readers that the actions required to achieve success are often straightforward, but they demand consistency and commitment.

12 Mar 2026 3:05 pm
Adelaide mother jailed for nearly two decades for callous disregard as she admits to criminal neglect of her daughter

A mother in Adelaide has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for the criminal neglect of her six-year-old daughter, Charlie, who died from severe malnutrition. The child, weighing just 18 kilograms and infested with lice, lived in squalor. The mother showed callous disregard for her daughter's deteriorating health. Separately, search efforts for missing four-year-old Gus Lamont have been suspended.

12 Mar 2026 2:58 pm
No fuel inside, no food outside: Zomato, Swiggy deliveries take major hit as LPG crisis deepens amid Iran-Israel war

LPG crisis in India: Amid the LPG crisis in the country, the food deliveries from Zomato and Swiggy have been severely impacted as the Iran-Israel war continues. Many gig workers have expressed concern over the grave situation as they have been receiving just five to ten orders in a day.

12 Mar 2026 2:56 pm
SC refuses plea to bring Netaji Subhas Chandra Boses ashes from Japan

In a significant decision, the Supreme Court has opted not to entertain a request for the return of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's ashes from Japan. The court raised doubts regarding the authenticity of the ashes and questioned whether the family had reached a unanimous decision on the matter.

12 Mar 2026 2:38 pm
Italy says military base in Iraqi Kurdistan attacked

An attack on an Italian base in Iraqi Kurdistan caused damage but no injuries, Italian authorities said Thursday. It hit the Italian base and caused some damage to the base's infrastructure and equipment, he said.

12 Mar 2026 2:26 pm
Hondas electric vehicle rethink to cost nearly $16 billion

Honda's recent pivot towards electric vehicles comes at a staggering cost of $15.7 billion, driven by shifting US policies, increased tariffs, and the cessation of tax incentives. As a result, the company is scrapping several EV models intended for the North American market.

12 Mar 2026 2:23 pm
Kerala High Court pulls up Railway Board over Aadhaar authentication for tatkal booking

In a pointed rebuke, the Kerala High Court has criticized the Railway Board for its continued inaction on a vital issue regarding Aadhaar authentication for tatkal bookings. The court has urged the board to take immediate action, imposing a final time limit of three weeks for a satisfactory response.

12 Mar 2026 2:17 pm
RN Ravi sworn in as West Bengal governor, succeeds CV Ananda Bose

In an official ceremony, RN Ravi has officially taken the oath as the newly appointed Governor of West Bengal, succeeding CV Ananda Bose. Bose, reflecting on his term, likened his resignation to concluding a cricket match, emphasizing his strategic choice. He is heading back to Kerala to lend his efforts towards the ambitious 'Viksit Bharat' initiative.

12 Mar 2026 1:56 pm
Two men who went ice fishing never returned; one found dead, another still missing in Nova Scotia

A tragic incident unfolded in Annapolis County where an ice fisherman was found deceased. A search continues for a second missing individual. In a separate event, a collision between a car and a school bus in North Sydney claimed the life of a 53-year-old man. Students on the bus sustained minor injuries. Authorities are investigating both incidents.

12 Mar 2026 1:55 pm
IPL 2026 ticket booking begins: BookMyShow starts pre-sale for Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans games. Check details

IPL 2026 tickets: IPL 2026 kicks off March 28 with RCB vs. SRH in Bengaluru, concluding May 31. Pre-sale registrations for MI vs. GT are open on BookMyShow, offering early access but no guaranteed tickets. The initial 20 matches span 10 cities until April 12, with the full schedule pending Assembly election dates.

12 Mar 2026 1:51 pm
West Asia conflict: Final batch of SA, WI T20 World Cup players leave India after travel chaos

Players from South Africa and the West Indies have finally left India after being stranded post the T20 World Cup. Their departure was delayed due to the closure of airspaces amid the West Asia conflict. The International Cricket Council confirmed the safe travel of all remaining players. This concludes a complex logistical operation under challenging global travel conditions.

12 Mar 2026 1:47 pm
Kerala lottery results today live for Karunya Plus KN 614 (12/03/2026); Check 1 cr first prize winner and complete list here

Karunya Plus KN 614 Lottery Result (12/03/2026): The Kerala State Lotteries Department conducts the high-stakes draw for the Karunya Plus KN 614 weekly lottery today, March 12, 2026. The event will be held at Gorky Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram, featuring a grand first prize of 1 crore.

12 Mar 2026 1:38 pm
Sidhu Moose Wala murder case: SC grants bail to two accused Pawan Bishnoi and Jagtar Singh

The Supreme Court of India has granted bail to Pawan Bishnoi and Jagtar Singh, two individuals accused in the 2022 murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala. This decision allows their release from custody as the trial for the high-profile case progresses. Moose Wala was fatally shot in May 2022, shortly after his security cover was reduced.

12 Mar 2026 1:36 pm
Office health check-up detected cancer; high-performing manager forced to quit now pushing for anti-discrimination law

A senior manager discovered he had thyroid cancer during a company health check, only to be terminated weeks later. After battling illness and job loss, including a hunger strike, he now advocates for a new law to protect employees facing serious medical conditions from workplace discrimination.

12 Mar 2026 1:35 pm
Rahul Gandhi's soul will be at peace if China, US and Russia attack India: Nishikant Dubey

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey accused Rahul Gandhi of being involved in a conspiracy to reak India, suggesting Gandhi would only find peace if China, Russia, and the US attacked the nation. Dubey also criticized the opposition's stance, highlighting India's better position regarding LPG availability compared to neighboring countries facing severe shortages.

12 Mar 2026 1:25 pm
S&P/ASX 200 closes lower as Australian shares slip, oil price surge triggers inflation fears; check top gainers and losers

Australian shares fell on Thursday, March 12, 2026, as oil prices climbed due to Middle East conflict. This surge fueled inflation worries and increased expectations for an interest rate hike by the Reserve Bank of Australia next week. The S&P/ASX 200 index saw significant drops, with energy stocks being the only sector to gain.

12 Mar 2026 12:49 pm
Delhi Lok Adalat Token update: Check new date, time, steps to register, court complexes where it will be held, traffic challans that can be settled and more

Delhi Lok Adalat Token Date: The National Lok Adalat in Delhi will now take place on Sunday, March 22, 2026. Earlier, it was supposed to take place on March 14. The Delhi Traffic Lok Adalat token will be available from Monday, March 16, by scanning a QR code. The Lok Adalat will be held from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

12 Mar 2026 12:43 pm
Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla defends House rulings after removal motion debate

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla defended his actions in the House. He stated parliamentary rules apply to all members. Maintaining the institution's dignity sometimes requires firm decisions. Birla addressed concerns about impartiality and microphone control. He explained that presiding officers do not control microphones directly. Decisions were made to protect Parliament's dignity. The Speaker thanked members for their views.

12 Mar 2026 12:39 pm
Panic LPG buying leads to long queues at gas agencies, Auto fuel stations in West Bengal

Panic LPG buying: Long queues are seen at LPG dispensing stations and gas agency offices across West Bengal. Auto drivers and domestic consumers are facing hours of waiting to refill cooking gas. Online booking systems are crashing due to heavy traffic. Restaurants are also affected, with some trimming operations. The state government is taking steps to restore booking servers and ensure supply.

12 Mar 2026 12:36 pm
Word of the day: Yeetlord

Today's word of the day: Yeetlord is a humorous internet slang term describing someone who throws things or makes bold decisions with carefree enthusiasm.

12 Mar 2026 12:33 pm
'Ab Shadi Niptengi Salad me?' Akhilesh Yadav shares video of people cooking on a wooden chulha amid LPG gas cylinder shortage

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav highlighted the widespread frustration over LPG cylinder shortages in North India with a satirical couplet. He alleged that the ruling BJP government's 'achhe din' have run empty, leading to long queues and black marketing of cooking gas, impacting even wedding preparations.

12 Mar 2026 12:25 pm
SC grants bail to Kashmiri separatist leader Shabir Ahmed Shah in terror funding case

The Supreme Court has granted bail to Kashmiri separatist leader Shabir Ahmed Shah. He was arrested in 2019 in a terror funding case. The National Investigation Agency had booked him for allegedly facilitating a separatist movement. The court noted anomalies in the trial and Shah's long incarceration. A detailed order with stringent bail conditions will follow.

12 Mar 2026 12:02 pm
LPG cylinder crisis hits Delhi, Noida and Ghaziabad: Samosa, poha, tea sellers hike prices amid gas shortage as Strait of Hormuz choke continues

LPG crisis in India: The LPG crisis has hit the small street food vendors in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad and other parts of the country as they are being forced to pay higher prices for cylinders. Left with no option, many poha, samosa and tea sellers have increased the prices of food items as the Strait of Hormuz choke continues. Many dhaba owners are also planning to return back homes if the LPG crisis continues.

12 Mar 2026 11:57 am
Band baaja, but no khana: LPG cylinder shortage hits marriages during peak wedding season

The IranIsrael conflict has reached Madhya Pradeshs hotel and catering industry, with several business owners claiming they are running low on LPG stocks at a time when the sector is expected to witness its busiest period of the year, with approximately 2,500 weddings scheduled to take place till March 15.

12 Mar 2026 11:52 am
Venezuela interim president names new oil minister

Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodriguez on Wednesday appointed a new minister of hydrocarbons, a key position in the oil-rich nation that she previously held under ousted leader Nicolas Maduro. Rodriguez said in a post on Telegram that she was naming petroleum engineer Paula Henao as the new Minister of Hydrocarbons.

12 Mar 2026 11:40 am
PM Modi asking people not to panic but is himself panicked for different reasons: Rahul Gandhi

In a fiery address, Rahul Gandhi has taken aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over a troubling LPG shortage. He accuses the PM of being rattled by the Epstein documents and the ongoing Adani controversy. The opposition's frustration was palpable as MPs rallied around the issue, with restaurants and catering businesses feeling the heat from disrupted supplies.

12 Mar 2026 11:40 am
26 injured as fire breaks out at electric meter factory in Noida Sector 4

A sudden blaze at the Capital Power System Limited factory in Noida's Sector 4 sent shockwaves through Thursday morning's routine. Approximately 240 workers were present when the fire ignited. First responders acted quickly, breaking windows to facilitate an urgent evacuation. In the aftermath, 26 workers were injured and required hospital treatment, with a few in the ICU.

12 Mar 2026 11:39 am
Quote of the day by Australian-American actress Nicole Kidman: 'You're not anyone in America unless you're...'

Australian-American actress Nicole Kidman's famous quote You're not anyone in America unless you're on TV reveals television's power in shaping fame in the US. For decades, TV has been a key media. Being on television means reaching millions, making someone a household name. Kidman's words show how screen presence can define success.

12 Mar 2026 11:35 am
'God saved me': Farooq Abdullah's first reaction after assassination bid in Jammu

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah narrowly escaped an assassination attempt. A man allegedly tried to shoot him at a marriage function in Jammu. Security personnel intervened and overpowered the assailant. Abdullah stated he is fine and God saved him. The incident has raised concerns about security for protectees in the Union Territory.

12 Mar 2026 11:31 am
Opposition demanding debate on West Asia war but Modi government is afraid: Congress

Opposition parties are demanding a parliamentary discussion on the West Asia crisis and its impact on India, but the government is reportedly refusing, sparking accusations of fear and exposing foreign policy failures. Concerns are mounting over deepening energy shortages and the government's handling of the situation, with the opposition criticizing its response and assurances.

12 Mar 2026 11:29 am
Irans heritage sites: War damage raises alarm over protected landmarks

Strikes in Iran have damaged ancient sites including palaces and a mosque. Iran and Lebanon have asked UNESCO for more protection. UNESCO confirmed damage to Golestan Palace and Chehel Sotoun Palace. This destruction impacts cultural identity and world history. Human rights advocates highlight the civilian cost of such damage.

12 Mar 2026 11:28 am
China orders immediate halt to refined fuel exports amid Middle East conflict, sources say

Effective March, China will cease exports of refined fuels, including gasoline, diesel, and aviation fuel, as a measure to secure its domestic supply amidst the ongoing tensions in the Middle East. This swift action is expected to reverberate across global fuel markets, compelling refiners to adhere strictly to the directives issued by the National Development and Reform Commission.

12 Mar 2026 11:27 am
iQOO Z11x launch today: Check price, battery, gaming performance, software and key specs here

iQOO Z11x, a smartphone featuring a massive 7200mAh battery and a segment-first 6-year battery health guarantee, the device is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7400 Turbo chipset, which crosses the 1 million mark on AnTuTu. Available in Black and Green, this device will be launched today, March 12 by 12 noon.

12 Mar 2026 11:24 am
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Episode 10 releases today: Release time in India, where to watch and what to expect

JJK S3 Ep 10 release: The official synopsis for Jujutsu Kaisen Episode 57 (Season 3, Episode 10), titled Tokyo No. 1 Colony, Part 4, confirms a high-stakes confrontation for Megumi Fushiguro. After being led into a trap by Remi, Fushiguro finds himself cornered by Reggie Star and a group of reincarnated sorcerers from the past.

12 Mar 2026 10:42 am
20 Passengers freed following intervention by Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand

Twenty passengers detained on the Imphal-Ukhrul route have been released following an appeal by Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand. The Chief Minister expressed concern over the incident near Litan Police Station. He urged for the safe release of all civilians and assured strict action against those responsible. The government is committed to citizen safety.

12 Mar 2026 10:27 am
CUET PG 2026 exam dates: Schedule ends on March 27 Complete timetable with subject codes, shift timings & important details inside

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially released the subject-wise schedule for the Common University Entrance Test [CUET (PG)] 2026, slated to begin on March 6, 2026. The examination, which covers 157 subjects, will be held in a Computer Based Test (CBT) format across 44 shifts, concluding on March 27, 2026.

12 Mar 2026 10:27 am
IMF says it has made progress in Pakistan funding talks

The International Monetary Fund has reported significant progress in its discussions with Pakistan regarding funding facilities. Talks are set to continue in the coming days. This ongoing dialogue will further assess the effects of recent global events on Pakistan's economy and the Extended Fund Facility program. Both sides are working towards a resolution.

12 Mar 2026 10:04 am