Read today's Mint e-paper here: https://epaper.livemint.com

➡️ Noel backs 2-year term for Chandra
➡️ Jaiprakash deal to lift Adani’s realty play in North India
➡️ Stress in US private credit market may cloud stocks
➡️ Govt mulls a QR check for retail stores’ quality, prices
➡️ India to up seismometer count fivefold for early quake alerts

Ali Larijani, Iran's national security chief and a key figure in the Islamic Republic's leadership, was killed in an Israeli airstrike. His death raises critical questions about Iran's future leadership and strategic direction amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East.



Read more: https://www.livemint.com/news/us-news/who-was-ali-larijani-iran-s-philosopher-power-broker-killed-and-what-his-death-means-for-war-in-middle-east-israel-us-11773789711643.html

60% seats on flights made free, same PNR passengers seated together — Centre issues new norms for air travel

https://www.livemint.com/news/india/60-seats-on-flights-made-free-same-pnr-passengers-seated-together-centre-issues-new-norms-for-air-travel-11773807579732.html

Gholamreza Rezaian, commander of Iran's Police Intelligence Organization, was killed in US and Israeli airstrikes. Aziz Nasirzadeh, Iran's Defense Minister, and General Mohammad Pakpour, Commander of the IRGC, also died in the attacks, along with other senior military officials.

List of top Iranian officials killed in the US–Iran airstrikes: https://www.livemint.com/news/world/ali-larijani-ali-khameini-top-of-iran-s-power-structure-eliminated-in-us-israel-strikes-strait-of-hormuz-irgc-israel-11773796381218.html

Who is Fatemeh Ardeshir Larijani? Ali Larijani’s daughter and a former US-based cancer specialist

https://www.livemint.com/news/world/who-is-fatemeh-ardeshir-larijani-ali-larijanis-daughter-who-once-worked-in-us-as-cancer-specialist-iran-us-war-11773808442449.html

US Fed meet outcome today: Will Jerome Powell deliver a rate cut? Check date, time, expectations and where to watch

https://www.livemint.com/market/stock-market-news/us-fed-meet-today-will-jerome-powell-deliver-a-rate-cut-check-date-time-expectations-and-where-to-where-to-watch-11773815965678.html

Will Rohit Sharma & Suryakumar Yadav feature as full-time starters in IPL 2026? MI coach presses on ‘impact’ button

https://www.livemint.com/sports/cricket-news/will-rohit-sharma-suryakumar-yadav-feature-as-full-time-starters-in-ipl-2026-mi-coach-presses-on-impact-button-11773821738389.html

Sunrisers Hyderabad have announced a new captain in Ishan Kishan until Pat Cummins recovers from injury. Kishan will lead an IPL team for the firts time in his career. Abhishek Sharma has been named as Kishan's deputy.

https://www.livemint.com/sports/cricket-news/sunrisers-hyderabad-announce-ishan-kishan-as-new-captain-for-ipl-2026-until-pat-cummins-recovers-from-injury-11773833423537.html

Starting 1 April, taxpayers must disclose their relationship with landlords when claiming House Rent Allowance (HRA), especially if rent exceeds ₹1 lakh annually.

Here's what happens if you ignore or misreport the details 👇
https://www.livemint.com/money/personal-finance/claiming-hra-new-rental-rules-kick-in-from-1-april-what-are-the-changes-and-what-happens-if-they-are-ignored-11773820799330.html

Shivam Dube reveals reason for taking early train home after India's T20 World Cup 2026 win: ‘Anxiety ho rahi thi…’

https://www.livemint.com/sports/shivam-dube-reveals-reason-for-taking-early-train-home-after-indias-t20-world-cup-2026-win-anxiety-ho-rahi-thi-video-11773837779056.html

Crude prices, which are near $108 per barrel due to the ongoing Middle East conflict, are bound to adversely affect global markets and personal finances.

How could oil volatility affect your investment portfolio? 👇
https://livemint.com/money/personal-finance/crude-hovers-near-108-amid-us-iran-conflict-how-could-oil-volatility-affect-your-investment-portfolio-11773839933557.html

The US Federal Reserve has maintained its benchmark interest rate at 3.5% to 3.75% for the second consecutive time following a two-day FOMC meeting on March 18, 2026.

https://www.livemint.com/market/stock-market-news/us-fed-keeps-rates-unchanged-for-second-straight-meeting-at-3-5-3-75-signals-one-rate-cut-this-year-5-key-takeaways-11773855402186.html

Read today's Mint e-paper here: https://epaper.livemint.com

➡️ Banks squeeze credit to solar module firms
➡️ Centre sets stage for 100 industrial parks
➡️ Trai to start work on connected car spectrum
➡️ IIMs scamper for LPG, trim food menu as shortage bites
➡️ Nazara to acquire two Spanish gaming firms

Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to a short-term cessation of hostilities over Eid al-Fitr, offering a fragile pause in a rapidly escalating conflict that has drawn international concern following a deadly airstrike in Kabul.

The truce, set to run from Thursday to Monday, comes amid mounting civilian casualties, diplomatic pressure, and sharply heightened rhetoric from both sides.

Read more: https://www.livemint.com/news/world/143-dead-thousands-displaced-pakistan-and-afghanistan-agree-eid-truce-amid-devastating-conflict-11773890914494.html

BJP releases second list of 39 candidates for Kerala assembly elections. Check names

https://www.livemint.com/elections/assembly-elections/bjp-releases-second-list-of-39-candidates-for-kerala-elections-cpm-congress-assembly-polls-check-names-11773897915162.html

What to know about Ras Laffan Industrial City— How Iran's missile attack on key LNG hub may cripple India
https://www.livemint.com/news/world/what-to-know-about-ras-laffan-industrial-city-how-irans-missile-attack-on-key-lng-hub-may-cripple-india-11773901984857.html

BHAVYA Scheme drives manufacturing growth through plug-and-play industrial parks, faster approvals, modern infrastructure, job creation, and investment opportunities, supporting sustainable industrial expansion and efficient business operations.

Read more: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/union-cabinet-approves-33-660-bhavya-scheme-7-key-questions-answered-on-industrial-parks-manufacturing-push-11773895081488.html

Big blow for HDFC Bank? Macquarie removes lender from ‘Maquee’ list, cites governance concerns: Reports

https://www.livemint.com/market/stock-market-news/big-blow-for-hdfc-bank-share-macquarie-removes-from-maquee-list-cites-governance-concerns-after-sudden-resignation-11773906254404.html

India works closely with the US on counter-narcotics through a dedicated working group, says MEA. On Pakistan, spokesperson flags concerns over activities posing global challenges.

Watch!

World merchandise trade volume growth is projected to fall to 1.9% this year from 4.6% in 2025, before recovering to 2.6% in 2027, says WTO outlook.

https://www.livemint.com/news/india/west-asia-conflict-energy-shock-drag-global-trade-growth-1-9-2026-downside-risk-1-4-wto-trade-outlook-11773930299366.html

Trump said Iran’s navy, air force and leadership have been “gone,” adding that US forces face virtually no opposition.

https://www.livemint.com/news/us-news/donald-trump-hails-operation-epic-fury-did-what-no-president-had-the-courage-to-do-11773936313730.html