The Times of India

Congress leader Shama Mohamed on Friday raised concerns over the low representation of women in the party's candidate list, urging Rahul Gandhi to intervene. In a post on X, Mohamed said that out of 92 tickets, only nine had been allotted to women. She also pointed to the Lok Sabha elections, where just one woman was fielded among 16 candidates in Kerala.Denied but not defeated, she wrote, appealing to Rahul Gandhi to support women leaders in the state unit.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticised the BJP during Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations in Kolkata, accusing the Centre of trying to remove voters through SIR and impose Presidents Rule. She said her government would resist such moves and protect peoples rights. Her remarks come amid a political row over electoral roll scrutiny ahead of the assembly elections, with the TMC alleging attempts to target genuine voters and divide society.

India's crude oil imports have significantly dropped in March due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, forcing refiners to pivot towards Russia and African producers. Russia has emerged as the largest supplier, nearly doubling its shipments, while African nations like Angola have also increased their exports to compensate for reduced Middle Eastern supplies.

Amidst the ongoing war with Iran, the Trump administration is releasing 45.2 million barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to curb soaring oil prices. This move, part of a global effort, involves lending crude to energy firms with repayment including a premium, aiming to stabilize markets without taxpayer cost. The reserve, holding significant oil, is expected to grow upon repayment.

Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas revealed his company's Comet browser on iOS defaults to Google Search for navigational queries, acknowledging Google's superior performance in these areas. This pragmatic approach positions Comet as a complementary tool, blending Google's speed with Perplexity's advanced AI capabilities for more complex needs.

Price Of War: Job-Loss Fears Grow In Labour-Intensive Sectors

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.

'Not same as charge', P 24

Tells BMC To Abide By Audit Of Afforestation

'Husband Must Equally Share The Burden'

A federal jury found Elon Musk liable for defrauding Twitter investors in 2022 by disparaging the company to secure a lower purchase price. Jurors concluded Musk intentionally misled shareholders through two tweets, including one stating the deal was emporarily on hold, but absolved him of a broader scheme to defraud.

Industrial diesel prices surged by Rs 22 per litre due to global oil spikes amid Middle East conflict, while regular petrol and diesel rates remain unchanged. Oil companies are absorbing current cost pressures, with the government prioritizing energy availability for consumers. Retail fuel prices have been frozen since April 2022.

India has sent a 2.5-ton consignment of medical supplies and equipment to Kabul following a deadly airstrike on a drug rehabilitation center. The shipment aims to support the treatment and recovery of those injured in the March 16 attack, which reportedly killed over 400 people. India reiterated its solidarity with the Afghan people and commitment to humanitarian support.

The government is taking strong action against illegal online gambling and betting. Around 300 websites and apps have been blocked recently. This crackdown follows the Online Gaming Act. Enforcement agencies are working to identify and disable these platforms. The move aims to curb financial fraud and protect users. Over 8,400 illegal sites have been blocked so far.

Himachal Pradesh is set to introduce a new 'orphan and widow cess' on petrol and diesel, with rates capped at Rs 5 per litre. This proposed levy, aimed at creating a dedicated funding stream for welfare measures, will be applied on the initial sale of fuel within the state.

Tragedy struck Riyadh as an Indian national lost their life on March 18th amidst escalating regional tensions. The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia has confirmed the demise and is actively supporting the deceased's family while coordinating with local authorities.