With his goal in Inter Miami’s Concacaf Champions Cup game against Nashville SC, Argentine football icon Lionel Messi became just the second player in history to reach 900 goals in elite competition.

In the seventh minute of the Concacaf Champions Cup last-16 second-leg encounter against Nashville at Geodis Park, Messi scored his 900th goal in his professional career.

Additionally, the Argentine has eight goals in the Concacaf Champions Cup and ten direct goal contributions for Inter Miami CF (eight goals and two assists). Only Angel Sepúlveda (11) has more goal involvement than him since he started competing.

Cristiano Ronaldo, a longtime opponent, was included in a prestigious group with the Miami captain. At the age of 41, Ronaldo surpassed 900 goals after scoring for Portugal against Croatia in September 2024.

Only Messi and Ronaldo, who have won the Ballon d’Or between them 13 times, have ever scored 900 goals in the history of the men’s game.

The 38-year-old Argentine striker has also had a fantastic career, scoring many goals for FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Argentina and earning eight Ballon d’Or awards. With 79 goals for Barcelona and 12 for Argentina, he broke the record for the most goals scored in a calendar year in 2012 (91). In only 123 games, he became the quickest player to score 100 Champions League goals.

Although Messi scored a historic goal, Inter Miami was eliminated from the Concacaf Champions Cup after the aggregate score remained tied at 1-1, but Nashville moved on due to the away goals rule. Nashville SC had a little advantage going into the second leg if they could score an away goal after the scoreless draw in the first leg.

In the seventh minute, Messi scored the game’s opening goal by beating Brian Schwake with a left-footed shot, giving Inter Miami a 1-0 lead overall.

With 74 minutes remaining in the game, Cristian Espinoza gave the visitors the equalizer by converting a half-volley inside the penalty area to win the series. Espinoza was selected as the game’s Best Player due to his play.

Nashville SC reached the quarterfinals, which is the team’s all-time high in the Concacaf Champions Cup.

The victor of the Club America versus Philadelphia Union series is awaited by the MLS team.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated on Wednesday that India is driving a strong energy economy and also creating a sustainable environment for future demands.

The Prime Minister urged readers to read Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar‘s featured piece on the development of India’s energy industry in order to gain a thorough understanding of the nation’s energy policies, which aim towards a Viksit Bharat.

Shri @mlkhattar, the Union Minister, ponders how India is supporting a strong energy ecosystem and fostering a sustainable environment for the future’s needs. To learn more about India’s energy policies that promise a Viksit Bharat, read this essay, stated Prime Minister Modi.

Khattar emphasizes the remarkable change the power industry has experienced over the past ten years, going from providing electricity to every home to almost eliminating power shortages for all practical purposes.

Come and join the @BharatESummit at Yashobhoomi from March 19 to March 22 to see this amazing trip, learn about the future of technology and innovation, and see the road ahead, he tweeted.

The minister claims that India has made great strides in increasing its generation and transmission capacity, reducing the nation’s energy deficit from 4. 2% in fiscal year 2013–14 to 0. 03% by fiscal year 2025–26.

The article states that in FY 2025-26 alone (up to January 2026), a record 52. 53 GW capacity from all sources has been added, which is the most in any single year and exceeds the previous record of 34. 05 GW in 2024-25.

Additionally, overall electricity production has grown from 1,020. 2 billion units (BU) in FY 2014 to 1,830 BU in FY 2025. Due to increased economic prosperity and improved accessibility, per capita usage has increased from 957 kWh in 2014 to 1,460 kWh in 2025.

According to the minister, “This has guaranteed that every home, farm, and business has the dependable electricity it needs, and India is now the third biggest producer and consumer of electricity in the world. “

Lifting the ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup trophy for the second time—this time as the team’s captain—was an incomparable experience, according to Niki Prasad, and it has only increased her desire to continue winning championships for India in the future.

The BCCI congratulated the five champion teams at the recent annual awards event in New Delhi on Sunday, including the 2025 U19 Women’s T20 World Cup-winning squad. Former players Sudha Shah and Shubhangi Kulkarni presented unique medals to all members and coaches.

“I believe that day was quite memorable for each of us. For me, it was playing for and captaining India U19; every child aspires to represent their country. Therefore, it was really memorable to raise the trophy for the second time.

“Naturally, it’s a very memorable day when I think back on it now. I was still thrilled to be in the company of all the celebrities, even when I came here. Niki said in a video that the BCCI published on their ‘X’ account on Wednesday, “So it was a pretty exciting day.

Niki said she felt great pride in seeing the trophies that India had won at the Women’s ODI World Cup, Men’s Champions Trophy, Men’s U19 World Cup, and Men’s T20 World Cup. “Firstly, I believe I am proud of being Indian, and I am very happy to be Indian.

“I also believe it’s a truly unforgettable and joyous moment to be, not just sharing the U19 World Cup trophy with my own teammates, but also being part of the same calendar year, being part of seeing the women’s team lifting the World Cup and then the men’s one. In light of this, I believe that as an Indian and a cricketer, I have a lot to be proud of, especially during this calendar year.

Niki was eager to concede that the BCCI’s ongoing commitment to youth cricket is a major factor in that success. “I believe the BCCI has a significant role in the development of the Indian team and its future. They have made a significant investment in the youth and have shown a lot of foresight.

“Therefore, I believe that this is definitely going to pay off, and we have already done so in both men’s and women’s. ” Having that sort of assistance from the BCCI is crucial. From now on, I believe we’ll only keep expanding.

When she joins the senior squad, Niki, who plays for Delhi Capitals in the WPL and Karnataka in domestic cricket, stated that her goal is to win more championships.

“For me, it’s not just about playing for India, but it’s about lifting the trophy again and again for India. My ultimate objective for India is this. I believe that my initial impression will be that we share one thing in common: that each of us has at least one ICC trophy.

She also mentioned how she would speak with Harmanpreet Kaur, the senior team captain. “I also thought the interaction would be really fascinating for me. To merely inquire about their experiences following their victories in the T20s and ODIs. As a result, I believe I would have questioned them about how they must have been feeling.

The infrastructure of the CoE gives them the edge to be world-class competitors, as Niki concluded. “In my opinion, Bangalore’s infrastructure, the COE, the gym, and the grounds are among the finest in the globe.

“Therefore, I believe that would be of great assistance to all the young people and current cricket players in traveling there, continuing their training, and developing. Thus, I believe it has a significant impact on the development of the Indian cricket team.

With India set to play a significant role in this transition, Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia stated on Wednesday that 6G technology will be about more than just quicker internet speeds; it will be about providing equitable chances for everyone in the world.

In a speech at an international telecom standardisation workshop, the minister predicted that 6G will be the next major advancement in human civilization.

He stated that the technology will advance beyond speed and low latency to create what he termed an “intelligent internet of everything,” which will be driven by real-time connection, immersive technologies, and artificial intelligence.

Scindia stated, “By bringing sophisticated technology to everyone, 6G has the potential to bridge the digital divide.”

“In particular, it can create new possibilities in fields like healthcare, education, and agriculture, especially in isolated and rural areas,” he said.

He emphasized India’s preparations by stating that the nation is actively trying to establish itself as a major player in the development of 6G, notably in the areas of intellectual property rights and the establishment of global standards.

Scindia observed, “Several committed working groups are already in place to improve India’s position in influencing worldwide 6G standards.”

As global standards change, the Bharat 6G Alliance is helping India establish a position in international conversations, according to the minister.

Nonetheless, he stated that the International Telecommunication Union and 3rd Generation Partnership Project, among other international organizations, will make choices on spectrum allocation for 6G at a later time, following the completion of standardization.

Scindia also emphasized India’s robust digital infrastructure, noting that systems like Aadhaar and Unified Payments Interface have previously demonstrated the potential of technology to be expanded to cater to a large audience.

“India processes about 20 billion UPI transactions each month and accounts for over half of the world’s digital transactions,” he said.

He stated that India has a strong foundation for the next stage of digital development thanks to inexpensive data and increased broadband availability.

“In this context, 6G might facilitate sophisticated use cases like remote robotic surgeries, AI-driven farming, and holographic learning, thereby helping to bridge gaps in access across industries,” Scindia said.

With updated regulations going into effect on April 1, 2026, the government has revealed modifications to the application procedure for the Permanent Account Number (PAN).

Aadhaar-only applications for PAN cards will no longer be permitted under the new framework. Before March 31, 2026, citizens have been urged to submit applications using just their Aadhaar number.

The government-sponsored Common Services Centers (CSC) stated in a message on X that applicants may now get a PAN card just using Aadhaar.

In addition to Aadhaar, however, further documents, such as evidence of the date of birth (DOB), will be needed starting April 1.

MAJOR UPDATE!! In a social media message, it stated that the PAN application regulations will change on April 1, 2026. In addition, it stated that applications may only be submitted using Aadhaar until March 31, 2026.

When the updated regulations go into effect, candidates will also be required to use new PAN application forms because old ones will no longer be valid.

The CSC portal, though, will soon distribute new application forms for PAN cards. It also said that the name on the card would be removed from the upcoming fiscal year.

In addition to a birth certificate, matriculation certificate, voter ID card, driver’s license, passport, affidavit, and other government-issued documents, the update states that several documents will be accepted as evidence of birth.

In addition, the CSC said that in the future, the names on PAN cards will be exactly matched with Aadhaar records. It stated, “New PAN forms will be shared soon. ”

In order to prevent the need for further paperwork, people have been advised to finish all PAN-related procedures before the deadline.

The Unique Identification Authority of India provides Aadhaar, a 12-digit unique identification number, whereas a PAN card is a crucial piece of paperwork necessary for banking and financial activities.

Through the Income Tax Department’s e-filing site or the websites of Protean (previously NSDL eGov) or UTI Infrastructure Technology and Services Limited (UTIITSL), candidates may apply for a new PAN.

In the past, the government had emphasized that scammers were conducting fraud by sending consumers emails with ‘download e-PAN card online’ in the subject line.

“Did you also get an email requesting you to download an e-PAN card? ” asked PIB Fact Check in an X post.

“This email is fraudulent… Citizens were advised not to answer any emails, links, texts, or phone calls requesting that they disclose financial or personal information.

The government said Wednesday that it has granted States and UTs an extra 10% allocation of commercial LPG connected to reforms that help the shift from LPG to PNG.

India’s oil refineries are running at full capacity with sufficient crude inventories, and local LPG output has increased by around 40%, according to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

According to an official announcement from the ministry, India manufactures enough gasoline and diesel to satisfy its needs and does not need to import these fuels.

Because of the current geopolitical landscape, the LPG supply is still being monitored. It said that deliveries of household LPG cylinders are still running smoothly, and there have been no dry-outs reported at dealerships.

To curb diversion, the coverage of Delivery Authentication Codes has grown from 53% in February to almost 81% today, while online LPG bookings have increased from 83% to 93%.

As an alternative cooking fuel, States and UTs have also received an additional supply of 48,000 KL of kerosene. The ministry has asked these states to locate distribution hubs.

Oil marketing businesses have not notified retail locations of any fuel dry-outs, and the supply of gasoline and diesel is still kept up regularly.

According to the release, there are sufficient supplies, so the public should not engage in panic shopping.

Priority industries continue to get protected gas supplies, such as 100% of the gas used for residential PNG and CNG transportation, while industrial and commercial clients are subject to an 80% regulatory framework for their gas consumption.

Businesses that use LPG for commercial purposes are urged to convert to PNG, and establishments like hotels, restaurants, hospitals, and hostels can get PNG connections from licensed City Gas Distribution (CGD) organizations.

To encourage home and business PNG connections, CGD businesses like IGL, MGL, GAIL Gas, and BPCL are providing incentives.

In order to encourage the use of clean and efficient PNG, the government is extending the CGD network, and companies are urged to seek connections from approved CGD organizations.

According to the announcement, CGD organizations have been instructed to prioritize the supply of gas to essential industries like seed drying facilities and cold storage facilities.

India has started sourcing LPG from multiple global channels, including the United States, to diversify supplies amid the ongoing Middle East conflict, the government said on Tuesday, adding that there is no ‘dry out’ at any LPG distributor and supplies remain smooth across the country.

Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry’s Joint Secretary, Marketing and Oil Refinery, Sujata Sharma, said during an inter-ministerial briefing that most of the LPG is coming from the Gulf.

“Our OMCs have started taking LPG from the US. Government is putting all efforts to diversify sources of LPG too,” said Sharma, adding that: “We are getting more crude today due to increased diversification.”

Commercial LPG supplies have also been partially restored, with states resuming distribution.

To ease pressure on domestic LPG demand, alternative fuels such as kerosene and coal have also been activated.

Sharma noted that panic-driven demand is easing. “There is a downward trend in panic booking. On March 13, there were 89 lakh panic bookings. It has come down to 70 lakh today.”

LPG refill distribution rate remains the same as before the conflict, she said, urging consumers to avoid hoarding and avoid black-market purchases.

According to the ministry, fuel availability remains stable, with refineries running at full capacity and sufficient stocks of petrol and diesel.

“There is no dry out at any LPG distributor, and supplies to consumers remain smooth,” Sharma said. Also, a strong push toward digital platforms has improved booking patterns.

Meanwhile, the Indian‑flagged liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker ‘Nanda Devi’ arrived at Vadinar Port in Gujarat on Tuesday, becoming the second LPG carrier to reach the west coast this week after ‘Shivalik’ docked at Mundra Port a day earlier.

Both vessels were transporting critical LPG supplies to India following an unusually hazardous passage through the Strait of Hormuz, where maritime traffic has been disrupted by the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the US and Israel.

The Nanda Devi’s arrival at Kandla comes amid broader diplomatic and logistical efforts, including negotiations with regional authorities and coordination with naval assets, to safeguard merchant shipping.

India’s market watchdog, the Securities and Exchange Board of India, on Tuesday issued a consultation paper proposing changes to nomination norms for demat accounts and mutual fund folios, seeking public comments.

The regulator said the proposals aim to modify its January 10, 2025, circular on nomination facilities in the securities market to improve the ease of investor onboarding and align processes with banking norms.

Under the existing framework introduced last year, single-holding investors were allowed to authorise one nominee (excluding minors) to operate their accounts in case of physical incapacitation, provided they remain mentally capable of contracting.

However, nominees are not permitted to update key account details such as bank information or contact details.

The current rules also mandate investors to provide at least one personal identifier of the nominee, such as PAN, driving licence number or the last four digits of Aadhaar, along with full contact details, relationship status, and date of birth in case of minors.

Investors can nominate up to 10 persons in a mutual fund folio, while Power of Attorney (PoA) holders are not allowed to nominate.

Moreover, the market regulator has flagged implementation challenges and risks associated with allowing nominees to operate accounts. The SEBI noted that the industry has cited high compliance costs, difficulty in maintaining audit trails, and potential risks of fraud, misuse and legal disputes.

To address this, it has proposed allowing the existing Power of Attorney mechanism to be used in cases where an investor is incapacitated but still capable of entering into a contract.

The regulator has also proposed simplifying the nomination process by reducing mandatory details. It suggested that only the name of the nominee and the nature of the relationship with the investor should be compulsory, while other details can be provided optionally.

In addition, the SEBI has proposed making nomination the default option at the time of opening new accounts.

For existing accounts without a nomination or opt-out, intermediaries will be required to periodically nudge investors through email and SMS to complete the process.

Further, while the 2025 circular increased the maximum number of nominees from three to 10, the SEBI said this could create operational challenges.

It has now proposed capping the number of nominees at four for both demat accounts and mutual fund folios, while retaining the limit of three joint holders.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman clarified on Tuesday that the entire 25 per cent increase in domestic LPG production is being supplied to households as cooking gas.

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, the Finance Minister also highlighted that 65 per cent of the total LPG consumed in India is imported, and as much as 90 per cent of this quantity is shipped through the Strait of Hormuz.

The government is ensuring a steady flow of LPG even in these turbulent times, she said, and further clarified that there is no energy shortage in India today.

In order to address the shortage from imports, refineries have maximised their output, she noted.

Talking about the economy, she said that despite the war raging in the Middle East, India has been able to maintain its economy. “We’re able to stand up and face such situations,” she remarked.

She went on to say that it is the position of the Indian economy today that gives it the strength to meet unforeseen problems.

In addition, the capital outlay for infrastructure projects such as highways, ports and railways that spur growth and create jobs in the economy has been increased to Rs 12.2 lakh crore, she pointed out.

India’s domestic refineries have stepped up LPG production to fill the gap in imports caused by the disruption due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz because of the Iran war, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

“LPG supply continues to be monitored in view of the prevailing geopolitical situation. No dry-outs have been reported at LPG distributorships. Delivery Authentication Code (DAC) coverage has been expanded from 53 per cent before the crisis to about 72 per cent to prevent diversion of cylinders at the distributor level,” the statement said.

Two Indian-flagged LPG carriers safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz before arriving in India on March 16 and 17, as the government continues to closely monitor maritime operations in the Persian Gulf region amid the evolving geopolitical situation in West Asia.

MT Shivalik and MT Nanda Devi — carrying approximately 92,712 metric tonnes of LPG – crossed the Strait of Hormuz early Friday.

Major ports are prioritising berthing for LPG vessels to ensure the timely discharge of cargo and continuity in energy supply.

Over the past few days, six LPG vessels have been received at major Indian ports. Additionally, ports are providing safe anchorage areas for vessels loaded with cargo bound for the Gulf region that are currently unable to transit due to prevailing conditions.

The online bookings of LPG cylinders have increased from about 84 per cent to around 90 per cent, which will enable a more orderly distribution of the cooking gas to households.

At a spectacular ceremony in New Delhi, Devajit Saikia, secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), extended his congratulations to all the winners of the BCCI Naman Awards and wished them continued success.

We would like to extend our congratulations to all of the recipients of the BCCI Naman Awards. Your commitment, passion, and performances continue to set the standard for Indian cricket and serve as an example for millions.

Devajit LON Saikia expressed his best wishes for the award winners in a tweet on Monday, wishing them continued success in elevating Indian cricket to new heights.

The BCCI secretary’s post, which included images from the event, celebrated the triumph and majesty of Indian cricket the night before.

The BCCI Naman Awards 2026 honored exceptional accomplishments in Indian cricket, acknowledging quality in international, domestic, and age-group cricket, as well as recognizing individuals who have had a long-lasting impact on the game in India.

In appreciation of their long-lasting contributions to Indian cricket, former India legends Roger Binny and Rahul Dravid were given the renowned Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award, while former India women’s captain Mithali Raj was given the BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award for Women in recognition of her significant role in advancing women’s cricket in the nation.

Other award recipients included India’s Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill, who won the Polly Umrigar Award for the 2024–25 season, and Smriti Mandhana, who was awarded the Best International Cricketer (Women) title for the fifth time.

Ayush Mhatre, the current captain of the Indian women’s team that won the recent U-19 World Cup, and Shafali Verma, the team’s opener, were both recognized for their outstanding performances throughout the 2024–25 domestic season. The Mumbai Cricket Association received the award for the finest performance in BCCI domestic competitions.

The ceremony’s highlight was the acknowledgment of five Indian teams that had recently won ICC championships, including the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, and the men’s and women’s ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup events, highlighting a historic era of success for Indian cricket.