A major fire erupted at the HPCL Pachpadra Refinery in Balotra on Monday, just a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled inauguration. The blaze, reportedly originating from an exchanger explosion at the main refinery unit, triggered panic. Firefighters and district administration teams swiftly responded, evacuating employees safely. Damage assessment awaits fire control.
Former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood defended Babar Azam, deeming it unfair to single him out for strike-rate issues in T20 cricket, arguing Pakistan lacks ultra-aggressive batters in the format. Mahmood emphasised that Babar sets the platform for others, and realistic expectations are needed, as the country doesn’t possess consistently high-strike-rate players.
‘Bhooth Bangla,’ featuring Akshay Kumar, has burst onto the cinematic scene, creeping close to Rs 100 crore in worldwide earnings over its opening weekend. This horror-comedy, helmed by Priyadarshan, saw an impressive Rs 58.75 crore net in India by the fourth day. Viewers are embracing the film with enthusiasm, making the weekday box office performance
Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma visited Vrindavan for a spiritual retreat, attending an “Ekantik Vartalaap” with Premanand Ji Maharaj. This marks their third visit in five months, highlighting their growing inclination towards faith. The couple was seen quietly listening to the guru’s discourse among devotees.
Ukraine has intensified its attacks on Russian, targeting its military and energy targets. Overnight drone strikes targeted two Russian landing ships in Sevastopol Bay of Crimea. The Tuapse oil refinery was also hit for the second time in a week. Russian officials confirmed damage to transport infrastructure at Tuapse port. One person was killed and
The Strait of Hormuz faces severe disruption after a weekend of escalations, including ships coming under gunfire and a US seizure of an Iranian vessel. Commercial movement is chaotic, with vessels reversing course or drifting amid conflicting instructions. This directly confronts the fragile ceasefire, pushing the vital energy corridor to the brink.
Punjab Kings maintain their unbeaten IPL 2026 streak, driven by a strong dressing-room culture and a focus on collective improvement. All-rounder Cooper Connolly highlighted the team’s collaborative approach and captain Shreyas Iyer’s leadership in fostering a positive environment. Their dominant performances, including a significant partnership, underscore their status as a formidable contender.
A viral video of a Sunrisers Hyderabad fan performing a lemon ritual during an IPL match coincided with Shivam Dube’s dismissal, sparking ‘black magic’ accusations. An unverified letter claiming CSK complained to the IPL has also circulated. Former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi alleged similar past incidents involving team owners.
The Council of Higher Secondary Education, Manipur (COHSEM) has announced the Manipur Board Higher Secondary Examination (HSE) Class 12 result 2026 on April 20, 2026. Students can now check their provisional marksheets online using their roll number and date of birth. The exams for Arts, Science, and Commerce streams were conducted from February 17 to
