Union Energy Minister Hardeep Puri said there is no shortage of fuel in India despite disruption in the Strait of Hormuz due to the West Asia conflict. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, he said, “There is no shortage of petrol, diesel, kerosene, ATF or fuel oil. The availability is fully assured.” Puri said India must deal with the effects of the conflict even though it has no role in it. He added that the country’s crude oil and LPG supplies remain protected. The minister said India has diversified LPG imports. Cargoes are coming from the United States, Norway, Canada, Algeria and Russia. Domestic LPG production has also increased by 28%. (PC: HT)

India’s retail inflation rose to 3.21% in February from 2.75% in January, according to data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. The increase was mainly driven by food prices. Food inflation stood at 3.75% in February. Prices changed across vegetables, cereals and pulses. Food items have a large weight in the Consumer Price Index. Urban inflation was recorded at 3.32%. Rural inflation stood at 3.07%. Despite the rise, inflation remains within the Reserve Bank of India’s target band of 2–6%. The central bank aims to keep inflation near 4%. Economists say global oil prices and supply disruptions could affect inflation trends in the coming months. (PC: India Today)

US intelligence agencies say Iran’s leadership is not at risk of collapse despite nearly two weeks of US and Israeli strikes. Officials said several intelligence reports show the government still controls the country. “A multitude of intelligence reports provide consistent analysis that the regime is not in danger and retains control of the Iranian public,” one source said. The strikes began on February 28 and targeted air defences, nuclear sites and senior leaders. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed on the first day. Still, officials say security forces and interim leaders remain in control. Sources added the situation on the ground is fluid and could change. (PC: NDTV)

An oil tanker bound for India reached Mumbai after briefly going “dark” while crossing the conflict-hit Strait of Hormuz. The Liberia-flagged Shenlong Suezmax tanker, carrying Saudi crude, docked at Mumbai Port on Wednesday evening. The ship loaded oil at Ras Tanura Port on March 1 and sailed two days later. Tracking data showed its last signal inside the strait on March 8 before it disappeared from monitoring systems. The signal returned the next day after the vessel cleared the waterway. “Going dark” means switching off the Automatic Identification System that shares a ship’s identity and location. Officials said the tanker is carrying 1,35,335 metric tonnes of crude and unloading has started. (PC: NDTV)

An Indian sailor was killed after a US-owned oil tanker was attacked near Iraq’s Basra port on March 11 amid the Iran–Israel war. The vessel, MT Safesea Vishnu, was carrying about 48,000 metric tonnes of naphtha during ship-to-ship cargo loading operations. The Directorate General of Shipping said the tanker was struck by an explosive unmanned speedboat around 9 PM UTC. A total of 16 Indian crew members were on board. The Indian Embassy in Iraq said the remaining 15 sailors were evacuated safely. “One Indian crew member unfortunately lost his life. The remaining 15 Indian crew have since been evacuated to a safe place,” the embassy said. The death takes the number of Indian sailors killed in the conflict to three. (PC: The Indian Express)

Explosions were heard in downtown Dubai on Thursday as Iran continued attacks across the Gulf region. An AFP correspondent reported hearing one very loud blast. Small clouds of smoke were seen rising above a residential area. Earlier, a container ship near Dubai was hit by a projectile in the Persian Gulf. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said the strike caused a small fire but the crew were safe. In Bahrain, an Iranian attack triggered a major fire on Muharraq Island near the international airport. Kuwait said an Iranian drone hit a residential building and wounded two people. Saudi Arabia also said it shot down drones targeting Riyadh and an oil facility in the kingdom’s east. (PC: NDTV)

Iran has intensified attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, raising fears of a wider energy crisis. Despite the tensions, two Shipping Corporation of India tankers — Pushpak and Piramal — crossed the strait safely without naval escort overnight. At least three other vessels were struck by Iranian projectiles, including the Thai bulk carrier Mayuree Naree, which suffered hull damage while heading to Kandla. Shipping experts said confusion remains in the region. “There is utter confusion in the Persian Gulf as Iranians are talking in multiple voices. The escorts are not being allowed and the tankers are taking chances,” one expert said. So far, 19 ships have reportedly been hit in the Hormuz attacks, leaving seven people dead. (PC: X)

LPG shortages in several cities are forcing food stalls and restaurants to shut or raise prices, with many workers losing jobs. People say the crisis feels similar to the Covid lockdown. Queues outside LPG agencies have grown in cities like Noida. Some cylinders are being sold on the black market for up to Rs 3,000. Small vendors say rising costs are hurting their business. “If the cylinder doesn’t come, we won’t open the shop,” a street vendor said. A gig workers’ union said delivery work has fallen by 50–60% in some cities. The government says domestic supply is being prioritised and urged people to avoid panic buying. (PC: India Today)

National Conference chief and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah survived a gun attack during a wedding function in Jammu on Wednesday night. The incident happened at Royal Park in the Greater Kailash area. Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary was also present at the event. Police arrested the accused, identified as Kamal Singh, a 63-year-old resident of Jammu. He allegedly fired using his licensed gun. During questioning, Singh told police he had planned the attack for many years. “I wanted to kill Farooq Abdullah for the last 20 years. It was my personal agenda,” he said. Police are investigating how the accused reached close to Abdullah. (PC: X)

Former India captain Rahul Dravid will receive the Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award at the BCCI’s annual Naman Awards in Delhi on March 15. Shubman Gill is set to be named the BCCI Cricketer of the Year after a strong run with the bat. He led India’s Test side during the 2025 tour of England. Dravid retired from international cricket in 2012. He later coached the India Under-19 team and led them to the 2018 World Cup title. He became India’s senior team coach in 2021. Under him, India finished runners-up at the 2023 ODI World Cup and won the 2024 T20 World Cup. (PC: The Indian Express)