The Times of India

Global economies reel as Middle East conflict escalates, disrupting oil supplies via the Strait of Hormuz. Nations like Vietnam and India are cutting fuel taxes, while Japan and Germany consider increased coal use. Venezuela faces power cuts, and Pakistan grapples with soaring jet fuel prices. Sri Lanka implements strict fuel rationing, highlighting widespread energy challenges.

At the core of the problem is a mismatch. Most of these risk calculators were designed using Western populations, where heart disease tends to occur later. In India, it strikes earlier and behaves differently the study found the average age of patients was just 54, underscoring how premature heart disease has become.

In the case of noise pollution-related violations, the bill proposes a warning for the first offence, while repeat offence will attract a penalty of up to Rs 10,000. Similarly, failure to comply with an order or contravening provisions of the Electricity Act or rules, which can currently land a person in jail for three months along with a fine of Rs 1 lakh, is proposed to be converted into a fine of Rs 10,000 to Rs 10 Lakh.

A fixed date for Parliaments meeting to discuss what are likely to be two bills, one for delimitation based on 2011 census and another for amending constitutional provisions for the rollout of womens quota in one-third of Lok Sabha and assembly seats, will convey the govts determination in no uncertain terms.

Under new rules notified by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), food licences and registrations will now remain valid permanently, unless cancelled for violations. This means lakhs of restaurants, small eateries and vendors will no longer need to renew their licences every few years. The move is part of a wider overhaul aimed at making compliance easier while tightening actual food safety checks.

Quoting two anonymous US officials, the report said it was unclear why Musk was on the call or whether he spoke. His companies have taken on significant investment from sovereign wealth funds in countries in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Musk has also long coveted a greater commercial presence in India, it said.

Vijaypat Singhania's family had acquired the company from ED Sassoon & Co in 1944, when it was primarily a manufacturer of woollen blankets. Under his leadership, Raymond evolved into a diversified conglomerate, expanding into synthetic fabrics, denim, steel, industrial files and cement, while also becoming one of Indias most recognised clothing brands.

Setting a target to add 50 lakh new piped gas connections to the existing base of 1.6 crore, at a round table here, the minister called for accelerating expansion on a mission mode, and underlined the need for single-window approvals, integration with urban planning, last-mile connectivity and convergence with ongoing urban initiatives.

Underscoring Indias energy and diaspora interests in the Gulf, Modi has twice spoken to leaders of all GCC countries since the conflict started and condemned the violation of their sovereignty and territorial integrity. India, however, is yet to condemn the US-Israel strikes on Iran. This was the second telephonic conversation between the PM and the crown prince since the West Asia conflict started on Feb 28.

Vayu Baan is an indigenous air-launched effects (ALE) programme designed to integrate unmanned aerial systems directly with manned rotary-wing platforms. It is a small, autonomous drone designed to be dropped from a moving helicopter mid-flight. Once released, the drone unfolds its wings, activates its propulsion and operates as either a surveillance asset or a precision-guided munition (kamikaze drone).

EC officials said 60 lakh voters were initially marked for scrutiny after a special intensive revision (SIR) of rolls, with over 700 judicial officers assigned to review them. By March 23 evening, around 29 lakh cases had been cleared. Bengal CEO Manoj Agarwal said names carrying e-signatures till 5pm would be published in the first supplementary list. The list released around midnight carried about 10 lakh names.

Farmers efforts in this have given a lot of relief to the country at this time of global crisis, he said. Ethanol production, he added, has not only benefited the nation but also farmers, with approximately Rs 1.5 lakh crore worth of foreign exchange being saved. Jewar is a gateway to the sugarcane belts of western UP. Sugarcane feedstock is a key source of ethanol.

Of the 3,192 such schools,1494 are in Jammu division and 1,698 in Kashmir, National Conferences (NC) Itoo said in a written reply to a question from BJP legislator RS Pathania. In Jammu, Kathua district has the highest number of such schools at 508. In Kashmir, Baramulla district tops the list of such schools with 396.

Addressing a press conference in Drass, LAHDC-Kargil councillors praised the Army, civil administration and Ladakh Police for prompt rescue efforts and retrieval of bodies from the snow following the accident on Friday afternoon. However, they expressed surprise over J&K Police investigating the incident on Saturday morning. While J&K claimed the area to be part of its territory, its administrative machinery was always slow to respond when any mishap occurred there, they alleged.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, discussing the ongoing Middle East conflict. Both leaders emphasized the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation and keeping shipping lines open and secure, while India reiterated its condemnation of attacks on energy infrastructure.

How Hormuz disruptions, benchmark volatility and refinery economics are testing India's energy resilience and why the government moved to shield every pump in the country

Tamil Nadu's political landscape is shifting from a bipolar contest to a multi-cornered fight, with the DMK facing anti-incumbency and a fragmented opposition. New entrant TVK and established players like AIADMK and NTK are vying for influence, making this election a crucial transition phase for the state's political future.

India reaffirmed its support for Bangladesh's pursuit of justice over Pakistan's 1971 atrocities, noting Islamabad's continued denial of its crimes. Marking March 25 as Genocide Day, Bangladesh remembers the systematic murder and mass sexual crimes during Operation Searchlight. India stands with Bangladesh in its desire for accountability for these historical events.

As the political landscape of West Bengal gears up for the 2026 elections, Mamata Banerjee's government is capitalizing on an extensive welfare system. Programs such as Lakshmir Bhandar and Khadya Sathi are at the forefront, addressing critical issues related to women's empowerment, food access, educational advancement, and job creation for the youth.

BJP spokesperson CR Kesavan slammed the Congress in Tamil Nadu, citing MP Jothimani's public criticism of opaque constituency selection for the 2026 Assembly polls. He alleged a deep divide and disarray within the party, linking it to alleged ticket selling and a compromised Congress.

The Congress party has sharply criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi following reports of Elon Musk's alleged presence during a call with US President Donald Trump. The opposition questioned the transparency and protocol of a private businessman participating in a high-level diplomatic discussion on the West Asia crisis.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Phase I of the Noida International Airport, a significant addition to India's aviation infrastructure. Developed under a PPP model, this airport aims to enhance regional and international connectivity for the NCR, easing pressure on existing facilities and supporting India's global aviation ambitions.

Petrol and diesel prices remained largely stable across major Indian cities today, despite global crude oil surges due to the US-Iran conflict. The government's excise duty cuts and strategic measures aim to shield consumers from international price volatility and ensure uninterrupted fuel supply.

Traditionally, India has sourced most of its crude from the Middle East, particularly Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, owing to geographical proximity, established contracts and reliable shipping routes.

Microsoft's Chief People Officer Amy Coleman has announced a significant restructuring of the HR division, prioritizing adaptability and speed to align with the company's AI-first strategy. This overhaul includes leadership changes and the formation of new teams focused on accelerating HR operations, shaping culture, and fostering workforce acceleration.