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US-based IT firm Oracle is believed to have laid off approximately 12,000 staff in India, with another round of layoffs expected within a month, impacted employees said on Tuesday. Globally, the company has fired around 30,000 employees. "In India, around 12,000 employees have been laid off. The company is planning another mass layoff within a month," said two people impacted by the retrenchment, including one from the company's human resource department. The company has approximately 30,000 employees in India, including those affected by the layoffs. Oracle declined to comment on the development. Oracle, in an email sent to staff, said the employees were informed about certain organisational changes and "because of these changes, a decision has been taken to streamline the operations, and as a result, unfortunately, the position you currently hold will become redundant". The company has offered 15 days' salary to each employee who has completed a year...

Lahore Qalandars batter Fakhar Zaman has been suspended from the Pakistan Super League for two matches after being found guilty of altering the condition of the ball. The charge, classified as a Level III offence, carries a minimum one-match ban. The incident happened on Sunday during the final over of Qalandars' narrow defeat to Karachi Kings at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The decision was taken during a full disciplinary hearing conducted by Match Referee Roshan Mahanama in line with the PCB Code of Conduct. The incident happened on Sunday during the final over of Qalandars' narrow defeat to Karachi Kings at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The on-field umpires penalized Lahore Qalandars with five runs, and the ball was replaced before the last over of Karachi Kings' chase. While Fakhar denied the charges, the controversy-which has come under heavy scrutiny-shifted the focus back to a similar incident during the 2024 T20 World Cup. During the match between Pakistan ...

Built on incisive new-ball spells from Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger, a double-strike from Ravindra Jadeja, and a blistering 52 from teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Rajasthan Royals launched their IPL 2026 campaign with a commanding eight-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings at the ACA Stadium on Monday. Sooryavanshi slammed his half-century in just 15 balls, going past the fastest fifties of IPL stalwarts like Suresh Raina, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Travis Head, whose best is off 16 deliveries. His knock ensured RR chased down the target of 128 in just 12.1 overs. CSK, missing MS Dhoni and Dewald Brevis, were bundled out for just 127 after being rocked early on a red-soil pitch offering swing and seam to Archer and Burger. Jadeja struck twice in his first over and marked a successful return to RR after 17 years, while debutant Brijesh Sharma chipped in with a breakthrough. Only Jamie Overton showed resistance, counterattacking at number eight to hit 43 off 36 balls ...

A scrubby island in the Gulf that is roughly one third the size of Manhattan, Kharg Island is the nerve centre of the Iranian oil industry -- and at the heart of US President Donald Trump's latest efforts to pressure Tehran. On Monday Trump vowed that a failure by Iran to agree a deal to end the war could see the United States "completely obliterating" the export hub.  A day earlier, he had said the United States could take the island, eyed by the Pentagon for ground operations, "very easily". So what are Trump's options, and how might Iran react if he presses on this pressure point? What Is Kharg Island?  It may be a mere scrap of land, but Kharg  handles around 90 per cent of Iran's crude exports, according to a report by US bank JP Morgan. Located in the north of the Gulf, around 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the Iranian coast and more than 500 kilometres from the Strait of Hormuz, it has no oil wells. But it has Iran's largest oil terminal...

Rice is more than just a staple in India. It's comfort food, tradition and identity rolled into one. From steaming bowls of plain chawal paired with dal to elaborate dishes like pulao, khichdi and regional curries, rice forms the backbone of everyday meals across the country. But have you ever wondered where most of this rice actually comes from? Behind India's vast consumption lies a region that has built its agricultural identity around paddy cultivation. With sprawling fields, diverse varieties and generations of farming expertise, one state has consistently stood out for its contribution to India's rice production. Also Read:  Which City Is Known As The 'Biryani Capital of India'? The Rice Capital Of India Is West Bengal West Bengal holds this title because it is one of the largest producers of rice in the country. Thanks to its fertile alluvial soil, abundant rainfall, and favourable climate, rice is cultivated here extensively across multiple seasons. W...

Virat Kohli , apart from being a great batter, is also a terrific fielder. However, in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL 2026 opener, Kohli dropped an easy catch. The incident occurred in the 18th over bowled by Bhuvneshwar Kumar . SRH's Aniket Verma miscued a shot on the third ball as Kohli came running in from long-on. The ball brushed his palms before landing on his thigh. Kohli looked surprised by the miss. In the stands, actor Anushka Sharma , Kohli's wife, could not help but laugh. Virat Kohli drops a catch and Anushka was literally laughing pic.twitter.com/OzfMPFydTQ — TAUKIR (@iitaukir) March 28, 2026 Kohli dropping catch and his wife is laughing Peak cinema #rcbvssrh #rcbvsrh #klassen royal challengers bengaluru virat kohli anushka sharma ishan kishan fixers abhishek sharma jacob duffey travis head pic.twitter.com/JSrHb5kRzr — Vikas Agarwal (@VikasAg55263788) March 28, 2026 Anushka Sharma's Reaction when Virat dropped it. pic...

Two liquefied petroleum gas tankers, BW Elm and BW Tyr, are crossing the Strait of Hormuz bound for India, according to ship tracking data from LSEG and Kpler. The US-Israeli war against Iran has all but halted shipping through the strait, but Iran said this week that "non-hostile vessels" may transit the waterway if they coordinate with Iranian authorities. The two India-flagged vessels have crossed the Gulf area and are in the eastern Strait of Hormuz, the data showed. India is gradually moving its stranded LPG cargoes out from the strait, with four LPG tankers moved so far - Shivalik, Nanda Devi, Pine Gas, and Jag Vasant. As of Friday, 20 Indian-flagged ships including five LPG carriers were stranded in the Gulf, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, special secretary in the federal shipping ministry, said. LPG carriers Jag Vikram, Green Asha and Green Sanvi are still in the western Strait of Hormuz, LSEG data show. India, the world's second-largest LPG importer, is battling its w...

By moving from a rented house into a hotel, a US couple claims they are now saving $12,000 (approximately Rs 10 lakh) every year. Maranda Bowers, 47, and her husband John, 40, were previously paying $2,300 a month for a three-bedroom home in Pensacola, Florida, but after a serious workplace incident in 2023 left John unable to work, the couple was forced to rethink their financial decisions. With Bowers struggling to pay the rent as the sole provider, the couple decided to move out of their home and stay with family for two weeks before moving into a hotel. “It was too hard with what I was making to pay the rent on my own," Bowers was quoted as saying by the New York Post . “By the time John's compensation kicked in, we could not afford the inconsistency to see whether or not we have money to pay the rent." The couple finally moved into a hotel in November 2023, where they pay $307 a week for a one-bedroom accommodation. Bowers said she books a hotel room for up to six...

Golf superstar Tiger Woods was involved in a car crash in Florida on Friday, US media reports citing local law enforcement said. There was no immediate word on Woods' condition following the incident in Jupiter Island, ABC television reported. The Martin County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A press conference has been scheduled at 5pm local time (2100 GMT). NBC local news affiliate WPTV showed a picture of the crash scene showing a sports utility vehicle flipped onto its side. News of the incident comes five years after Woods was involved in a serious rollover car crash in California that left him with severe right leg injuries.  The 15-time major winner needed pins inserted in his foot and ankle and a rod in his tibia as well as a follow-up surgery in 2023. Woods returned from the 2021 crash at the 2022 Masters, where he finished 47th despite struggling to walk Augusta National for all four rounds. Woods, who turned 50 last Dece...

US Vice President JD Vance had a tense phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this week, during which he told the premier off for what he viewed as overly rosy assumptions about the war in Iran, Axios reported. According to the outlet, Vance pressed Netanyahu on his confidence regarding the likelihood of regime change. One US official told Axios that "Before the war, Bibi really sold it to the president as being easy, as regime change being a lot likelier than it was. And the VP was clear-eyed about some of those statements", referring to Netanyahu by his nickname. After the call, a US official claimed Israel was actively undermining Vance, who has emerged as a central figure in ceasefire talks with the Islamic Republic. A long-time critic of open-ended foreign interventions, Vance is participating in negotiations alongside US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The same official alleged that Israel was responsible for reports sugges...

A case of murder and deception has shaken up the Defence Colony area of Gujarat's Jamnagar after a missing widow was found dead in the home of a neighbour she considered her brother. The suspect, who allegedly strangled the woman, had joined her grieving sons in the search before his crime was uncovered. Rinkidevi Bantu Singh Katheriya, a native of Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, had been building a life for her three children in Jamnagar following her husband's death from a heart attack in 2021. Employed at a pharmaceutical factory in Naghedi village, Rinkidevi was the sole breadwinner for her children - Rohit (19), Nitin (17) and Anjali (6). The alarm was raised two days ago when she failed to return home. Her eldest son, Rohit, filed a missing person's report with the local police, sparking a search that involved both the authorities and close family friends. During the investigation, police traced Rinkidevi's last-known movements to the residence of Vijay Odich, who li...

US President Donald Trump characterised Iranian leaders as "great negotiators" but said their country had "lousy fighters" during a Cabinet meeting on Thursday.  "They're lousy fighters, but they're great negotiators, and they are begging to work out a deal," Trump said at the White House alongside top officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth. Trump suggested that a deal might not ultimately come together. "I don't know if we'll be able to do that," he said of the prospects for a deal. I don't know if we're willing to do that." Earlier in the day, in a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that Iran had been "begging" for a deal but has publicly maintained that they are just "looking at our proposal". Meanwhile, a senior Iranian official told Reuters that the US proposal to end the war was "one-sided and unfair".  "In brief, the proposal...

In a significant move reflecting public sentiment, the Uttar Pradesh government led by Yogi Adityanath has announced an additional public holiday on March 27, extending the Ram Navami break to two consecutive days. March 26 had already been declared a holiday for Ram Navami. The decision to add March 27 comes in response to the increasing number of devotees visiting temples across the state during the festival period. Officials said the move aims to ease crowd management and ensure convenience for worshippers. The Chief Minister approved the extension, reiterating the government's commitment to respecting religious sentiments and facilitating smooth celebrations. Separately, the High Court has revised its holiday schedule. While courts were initially set to remain closed on March 26, proceedings will now continue as usual on that day. Instead, all courts will observe a holiday on March 27 in view of the festival. Meanwhile, security arrangements have been significantly strength...

Congress's Rahul Gandhi does not know about the LPG situation and is just "trying to create panic," Union minister Pralhad Joshi said at NDTV's India Sustainability Mission 2.0 today. "India does not have LPG problem, India has LoP problem," said Joshi, in a jibe at Gandhi, who is the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. Questioning why Gandhi did not attend the all-party meeting held today, he said, "Earlier, they were saying call an all- party meeting. When the meeting is called, he doesn't attend it". "If you look at our neighbours, they are having major issues. In India not even a single petrol pump is dry. There is no shortage of petrol diesel and PNG. There are some issues related to LPG that's why some steps are taken," said Joshi, who handles the New and Renewable Energy portfolio. "I am not only comparing it (India) to the Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan. In many other countries, there is a problem. But whe...

Former Indian cricket team captain Sourav Ganguly did not mince words when asked for his reaction on the uncertainty surrounding Mitchell Starc 's availability for the start of IPL 2026. Delhi Capitals said at the press conference that they are waiting for a green signal from Cricket Australia. And this is what Dada said while in Delhi for a brand endorsement for Jakson, "It hurts... because when quality players don't come in at the last minute, it shakes the balance of the team." Starc is set to miss the opening phase of the season as Cricket Australia carefully manages his workload ahead of a packed 2026-27 calendar. The timing could not be worse as franchises build their squads and strategies around marquee overseas players. Ganguly, speaking on the broader issue of player availability in franchise cricket, said the impact of such late withdrawals is far greater in the IPL than in international cricket. "It hurts because I've always said making an India...

US President Donald Trump has triggered intense diplomatic speculation regarding a potential mediating role for Islamabad in the ongoing Washington-Tehran standoff, after he shared an official statement from Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The move follows a post on X by Prime Minister Sharif, in which he expressed Islamabad's eagerness to facilitate a diplomatic resolution to the regional crisis. Sharif stated that Pakistan was "ready and honoured" to moderate "meaningful and conclusive talks" between the United States and Iran, provided there is a mutual agreement from both parties. Expanding on Islamabad's position, the Prime Minister noted, "Pakistan welcomes and fully supports ongoing efforts to pursue dialogue to end the war in the Middle East, in the interest of peace and stability in the region and beyond." He further clarified that, "Subject to concurrence by the US and Iran, Pakistan stands ready and honoured to be the host...

In an unusual turn of events, a pilgrim visiting Vaishno Devi found a creative way to manage an unexpected delay during his journey. Instead of booking a hotel room, he chose to spend the night watching a film, turning the situation into a cost-saving experience. Madhav, who went on a pilgrimage to Vaishno Devi, shared his experience on Twitter (formerly Twitter). He explained that as soon as he arrived at the pilgrimage site, he learned that the pilgrimage had been suspended. Since night darshan was not possible, he had to make arrangements for accommodation. At the same time, the rent for a night in nearby hotels was around Rs 1,500, so he began considering other options. To save money, Madhav decided to watch a night show of Dhurandhar 2 for Rs 300. The 3-hour, 49-minute film provided a comfortable way to spend the night. Check Out The Post Here: Vaishno Devi aaya tha, lekin yahan aake pata chala ki yatra band ho gayi hai. Raat ko rukne ke liye hotel lena padta jo ₹1500 ka t...

Colombia's military said today some 80 troops were believed to be dead after a transport plane crash in the south of the country. There were at least two platoons on the plane, news agency AFP reported quoting a military source. The plane was a C-130 Hercules tactical transport aircraft. It crashed on takeoff from Puerto Leguizamo, near the southern border with Ecuador. Colombia's defence minister said many are feared dead. State broadcaster RCN ran images of a badly damaged fuselage aflame in a forest clearing. This aircraft can typically carry about 100 troops. "Military units are already at the scene. However, the number of victims and the causes of the crash have not yet been confirmed," the defence minister posted on social media. "It is a deeply painful event for the country. May our prayers bring some measure of comfort." With inputs from agencies   from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/aueF71r

Actor Ranveer Singh's film Dhurandhar: The Revenge has landed in controversy after members of the Sikh community raised strong objections over a viral poster linked to the film. The outrage began after a written complaint was filed at Mumbai's Mulund Police Station, alleging that the film has hurt Sikh religious sentiments.  The complaint was submitted by Sardar Gurjyot Singh, president of the organisation 'Sikhs in Maharashtra', who flagged concerns about a poster circulating online. According to the complaint, the poster shows a character dressed in traditional Sikh attire, including a turban, while smoking a cigarette. The organisation argued that such a depiction goes against Sikh religious principles and disrespects the community, as well as Guru Gobind Singh. The group has put forward several demands to the Mumbai Police. They have urged authorities to treat the matter with seriousness and take immediate action. They have also called for the controversial pos...

Alia Bhatt has joined the growing list of celebrities praising Dhurandhar: The Revenge, and her latest Instagram Story perfectly captures the emotional impact the film has had on audiences. (Spoilers Ahead) After watching the film, Alia shared a still from one of its most talked-about moments - the poignant ending scene featuring Jaskirat Singh Rangi.  In the sequence, Jaskirat stands at a distance from his home, tears in his eyes, as he looks at his family after a long separation. Despite the overwhelming emotion and joy, he pauses instead of rushing forward, choosing to take in the moment.  Reacting to the scene, Alia wrote, "Jaskirat Singh Rangi and this moment..is everything (red heart emoji) the magic of the director and the actor in complete sync! Congratulations Team Dhurandhar for this historic run at the movies."  Led by Ranveer Singh and directed by Aditya Dhar, the action thriller has not only performed strongly at the box office but has also sparked ...

Robert S Mueller III, the FBI director who transformed the nation's premier law enforcement agency into a terrorism-fighting force after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and who later became special counsel in charge of investigating ties between Russia and Donald Trump's presidential campaign, has died. He was 81. Trump posted on social media about Mueller's death: “Robert Mueller just died. Good, I'm glad he's dead.” The Republican president added, “He can no longer hurt innocent people!” “With deep sadness, we are sharing the news that Bob passed away” on Friday night, his family said in a statement Saturday. “His family asks that their privacy be respected.”At the FBI, Mueller set about almost immediately overhauling the bureau's mission to meet the law enforcement needs of the 21st century, beginning his 12-year tenure just one week before the Sept. 11 attacks and serving across presidents of both political parties. He was nominated by Republican President Geo...

In a heartwarming moment that has gained attention online, an Indian pilot has shared a personal milestone from his flying career that moved many viewers. The incident was shared through a video posted on social media by Captain Azam Ally, who expressed his emotions during a special in-flight announcement. Captain Azam Ally shared a video on Instagram in which he made an emotional announcement during a flight, revealing that his wife and children were also on board the very same aircraft. In the video, he is seen addressing the passengers in a calm yet deeply emotional manner. He begins by introducing himself to all the passengers. In his announcement, he says, "Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. This is your captain from the flight deck. My name is Captain Azam Ally." He then goes on to explain that there are three extremely significant moments in a pilot's life. He further states that there are "three flights a pilot never forgets." He explains that the fi...

Star batter Sarthak Ranjan dazzled at Eden Gardens on Friday during Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) intra-squad match ahead of the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Sarthak, who is the son of politician Pappu Yadav, slammed a quickfire 37 off 16 balls for the Rinku Singh -led Golden Knights against the Purple Knights, led by KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane . He hit five fours and two sixes, striking at nearly 240 before being caught at third man off Blessing Muzarabani . Sarthak Ranjan is off and running Head to the X LIVE to watch our Intra-Squad game — KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) March 20, 2026 The 29-year-old slammed 20 runs off the third over, which was bowled by pacer Vaibhav Arora . All S̷t̷a̷r̷s̷ Knights game pic.twitter.com/wtbFVWolKw — KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) March 20, 2026 The 29-year-old was roped in by the franchise at his base price of Rs 30 lakh during the IPL 2026 mini auction in November last year. However, Sarthak's journey ...

The Trump administration's war messaging has taken an unconventional turn with TikTok-style videos that fuse real missile strikes on Iran with scenes from Hollywood blockbusters and video games. The result has left former defence officials and lawmakers scandalised, with critics accusing the White House of turning warfare into spectacle. Across its social media platforms, the administration has pushed out high-energy clips that cut between actual explosions in Iran and footage of action heroes, gaming sequences, and even hard-hitting football moments.  The tone has drawn sharp backlash, including from a senior cleric in the US Catholic Church, who argued that such content reduces the gravity of real conflict to entertainment. The videos borrow heavily from pop culture, with snippets from "Braveheart", "Superman", "Top Gun", "Breaking Bad", and "Iron Man" woven into visuals believed to depict the Iran campaign.  In one edit, a ca...

If you have been waiting for a smartphone that delivers strong everyday performance, Samsung may have something interesting for you. The new Galaxy M17e 5G is built for users who want smooth scrolling, long battery life and reliable durability in one package. Samsung Galaxy M17e 5G is an all-in-one monster and focuses on features that actually affect your daily experience. Here is what you should know. Smooth Scrolling Takes Centre Stage The first thing Samsung wants you to notice is the display experience. The Galaxy M17e 5G comes with a 6.7-inch HD+ display that supports a 120Hz refresh rate. That means when you scroll through Instagram, switch between apps or play games, everything feels noticeably more fluid. It truly is segment's smoothest smartphone, and the 120Hz refresh rate plays a big role. If you spend hours watching reels, browsing or gaming, you will notice the difference. The phone feels smooth and quick in everyday use. If your current phone still runs at 60Hz,...

Pakistan has cancelled its military parade and ceremonial events that were scheduled for March 23, the country's Republic Day. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's office announced on Tuesday. The decision has been taken in the backdrop of a crisis that has been triggered due to disruptions in oil supply because of the ongoing war between the US-Israel and Iran. "In light of the ongoing Gulf oil crisis and the austerity measures announced by the government, it has been decided that the Pakistan Day parade scheduled for March 23 and all associated ceremonies will not be held," the statement read. The statement mentioned that instead of an elaborate celebration, there will be a simple flag-hoisting ceremony. "All ministries, divisions and departments are directed to observe the occasion with simplicity and dignity, so that despite limited ceremonies, the importance of the day and its true message remain preserved," the statement added. In March, Shar...