New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday said that New Delhi is trying to buy LPG from everywhere to widen its options for energy supply amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.At the weekly press briefing, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the government is also keen to buy LGP from Russia to meet consumer needs.“We are trying to buy LPG from everywhere, wherever it is available. So if Russia is available, we will go there also. Because the current situation is such that we have to ensure that the fuel needs of our people are met,” Jaiswal said.“I would say we want broader options,” he said.The ministry also reiterated that India has received energy requests from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives and other neighboring countries.He noted that India has been supplying diesel to Bangladesh through various modes of transportation since 2007 and continues to assist the South Asian nation along with other neighboring countries.He said, “Regarding energy, we have received requests from many of our neighboring countries, and I had talked about this earlier also. We have received requests from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives and some other neighboring countries. As I indicated earlier, India has been supplying diesel to Bangladesh through various modes of transportation since 2007.”Jaiswal said, “We are continuing to assist Bangladesh and our other neighbours. This is being done keeping in mind our own requirements, refining capacity and availability of diesel.”Meanwhile, the government also urged consumers to use LPG judiciously and explore alternative cooking options where possible.The move comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East involving Iran, the United States and Israel, which have disrupted the global energy supply chain. The movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route that carries about a fifth of global oil and a significant portion of LPG shipments, has been affected.To curb shortages and prevent malpractices, state governments have intensified enforcement measures, including raids, to prevent hoarding and black marketing of LPG cylinders. Also, alternative fuels like kerosene and coal are being used in sectors like hospitality and restaurants to ease the pressure on LPG supply.

Here The major news stories of the day are:

Iran attacks Saudi Aramco and Kuwait refinery after Israel’s attack on South Pars

Iran escalated tensions across the Gulf by launching coordinated attacks on key energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, including the SAMREF refinery, a joint venture between Saudi Aramco and ExxonMobil.The strikes came in retaliation for Israel’s earlier attack on Iran’s vital South Pars gas field, a move that Tehran strongly condemned.Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian warned of “uncontrollable consequences” and warned that the conflict could escalate globally. Iran also targeted LNG facilities in Qatar and set fire to two Kuwaiti refineries, raising fears of a wider regional crisis. Read the full story

Only 350 meters away: Projectile strikes near Bushehr nuclear reactor, IAEA says

The International Atomic Energy Agency reported a serious safety threat near Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant after a projectile landed just 350 meters from the reactor. While the main facility remained safe and no injuries were reported, the proximity of the attack raised concerns over nuclear security risks.IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi stressed that any attacks near nuclear installations violate key security norms during a conflict. Iran and Russia claimed projectiles hit within the wider complex, raising concerns about a possible radiological incident as tensions continue to rise between Tehran, Israel and the United States. Read the full story

Fall in stock market: Sensex fell by almost 2,500 points – main reasons for the fall

Indian stock markets witnessed sharp selling, with the BSE Sensex falling over 2,500 points, while the Nifty 50 slipped below 23,200 points intraday after posting gains for three consecutive sessions. Investors’ wealth worth over Rs 11 lakh crore was wiped out due to the slowdown caused by the rise in global crude oil prices and the cautious policy stance of the US Federal Reserve. Nifty50 ended the session down 776 points or 3.26% at 23,002.15. BSE Sensex closed at 74,207.24, down 2,497 points or 3.26%. Nifty Realty was the worst performer, falling over 3%, followed by Nifty Auto and Nifty Private Bank, which both slipped close to 3%. Read the full story

Assam Assembly Elections 2026: BJP releases list of 88 candidates

The Bharatiya Janata Party has released its first list of 88 candidates for the upcoming Assam Assembly elections, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma set to contest from Jalukbari again.Under the alliance formula, the BJP will contest 89 seats in the 126-member assembly along with its allies AGP and BPF. The list reflects a mix of continuity and change, with several high-profile people defecting from the Congress, while 11 sitting MLAs have been dropped. Notably, only five female candidates have been fielded, highlighting ongoing concerns about gender representation. Read the full story

IPL name controversy: Kerala High Court dismisses PIL against BCCI

The Kerala High Court has dismissed a PIL challenging the use of the name “Indian Premier League” by the Board of Control for Cricket in India. The petitioner argued that the league was not an official national tournament and should not be named so.A bench led by Chief Justice Soumen Sen found no merit in the petition, noting that the league has been in existence for years and the objection came very late. With the legal hurdle cleared, the 19th season of the IPL is set to begin on March 28 with defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore facing Sunrisers Hyderabad in the opening match. Read the full story