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Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal. File | Photo Credit: PTI India remains engaged with the U.S. on a trade deal, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said on Monday (March 16, 2026). Sources in the government, however, said that India will now sign a trade deal with the U.S. only once that country has settled its “tariff architecture” and has clarified the country-wise tariff rates. This comes against the backdrop of two trade-related investigations the U.S. is carrying out that could potentially see additional tariffs being levied on a number of countries, including India. “Pursuant to the U.S. Supreme Court judgement dated 20th February 2026…

From left, Indian women’s cricket team players Jemimah Rodrigues, Arundhati Reddy and Smriti Mandhana during the BCCI Naman Awards 2026, in New Delhi on March 15, 2026. | Photo Credit: PTI Prolific batters Smriti Mandhana and Shubman Gill were named the Best International Cricketers (Men’s and Women’s) at the BCCI Naman Awards 2026 on Sunday (March 15, 2026), recognising their outstanding performances in the 2024–2025 season.Gill won the prestigious Polly Umrigar Award, while Mandhana received the award for the fifth time.For Gill, it was his second Cricketer of the Year award after first winning it in 2023.Former stars Roger Binny,…

What allegations has the U.S. made on excess capacity and forced labour? How do the two Section 301 investigations relate to the current U.S. tariff regime? What issues are the U.S. investigations examining and why do industry experts see them as a pathway to new tariffs? Source link

Pakistan cricketer Sarfaraz Ahmed. File picture | Photo Credit: AP Wicketkeeper-batter Sarfaraz Ahmed, the only Pakistani captain to win two major ICC tournament finals against traditional rivals India, on Sunday (March 15, 2026) announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.Sarfaraz, who last played for the national team in a Test match against Australia at Perth in December 2023, revealed his decision through a statement issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).A source said that the formal announcement will now allow the PCB to appoint him as head coach of the national Test team on a long-term basis.The post of…

A second trade investigation launched by the U.S. into alleged forced labour practices across 60 economies, including India and China, is expected to place particular scrutiny on Beijing amid allegations of forced labour in the Xinjiang region, think tank GTRI said on Sunday (March 15, 2026).India’s exports of solar panels, electronics, and garments to the U.S. may also face closer scrutiny under this new U.S. investigation into forced labour in global supply chains, the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said.On March 12, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) launched a Section 301 probe, covering 60 economies. This is the second…

When India’s first LPG cylinders rolled into Pune households seventy years ago, many saw them as exotic objects. Burmah Shell, which was to become BPCL later, was the supplier. The large metal canisters that created a cool, blue flame seemed like a luxury in a country dependent largely on firewood and crop residues for its cooking needs. Kerosene stoves were modern innovations then. Some feared what came to be known as just the cylinder many decades later. The infrastructure for delivery was weak, and growth in LPG usage remained tepid. Well into the 2000s, LPG was not the dominant cooking…

The story so far:As the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz exposed the vulnerability of India’s supply chain for cooking gas, the majority of which is imported, the Union government invoked the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. While long-term steps are needed to diversify and reduce reliance on global suppliers and expand strategic reserves, the Act is a crucial emergency tool for now. It allows the Centre to direct refiners to boost domestic LPG production, prioritise household consumption, and regulate the allocation of natural gas.What is the Essential Commodities Act?The Act empowers the Union government to control the production, supply, and…

The tournament promises six days of spirited competition, community pride, and inspiring sporting moments. | Photo Credit: Getty Images Dakshina Kannada Cricket Association (DKCA), along with NorthernSky Properties, will organise a Women’s Leather Ball Cricket Tournament from March 16 to March 21 at Nehru Maidan.A release here said that five teams representing emerging talent across Karnataka will compete in a 25-over league format until March 20, with two matches played each day. The top two teams will advance to the grand finale on March 21. The tournament promises six days of spirited competition, community pride, and inspiring sporting moments. Published…

In today’s fast-paced world, we often forget to pause and take care of ourselves. Our eating habits slip, physical activity takes a back seat, stress builds up and sleep suffers. Add to this a dependence on processed food, medication and rising pollution, and longevity begins to feel increasingly fragile.Amid this global rush, the so-called Blue Zones stand out. In these regions, people are known to live longer, healthier and happier lives. So what do they do differently — and what can the rest of the world learn from them? Let’s dig in.Enter the Blue ZonesBlue Zones are specific regions of…

Global liquefied natural gas price volatility caused by the Middle East crisis is “very short-term”, ‌Mike Sabel, chief executive officer with Venture Global, told the Indo-Pacific Energy ⁠Security Ministerial and Business Forum in Tokyo.Some 20% of global LNG supply is now offline with QatarEnergy ‌LNG facilities shut amid the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, which has ‌disrupted energy supplies from the Middle ‌East. It ⁠could take months to return to ⁠normal deliveries, Qatari Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi said last week.“There’s tremendous volatility in the markets,” Sabel said. “However, we view that ‌it’s very short-term, and we’re tremendously optimistic about the middle-…