On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), gold futures (April 2) were trading around 1 per cent, or Rs 1,313, lower at Rs 1,51,712, hitting an intraday low at around 10:22 am. Similarly, silver futures (May 5) declined to Rs 2,43,083, down 2 per cent or Rs 5,111.On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX)
Oil and gas prices have risen sharply after fresh strikes hit energy infrastructure in the Middle East, including Qatar's main gas facility. Gas prices jumped by about 25% on wholesale markets in the UK and Europe in early trading, before easing slightly
So far in 2026, more than 35,000 job cuts have been reported across over 50 companies, according to layoffs tracker Layoffs.fyi. HSBC Holdings Plc is evaluating a fresh round of deep job cuts that could impact as many as 20,000 roles over the coming years
GATE Result 2026 declared at gate2026.iitg.ac.in, direct link to check here Published on: Mar 19, 2026 3:06 PM IST By HT Education Desk | Edited by Papri Chanda Prefer HTon Google Quick Read Share via Copy link Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati has declared GATE Result 2026
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has said only those who haven’t completed the eKYC process need to act; existing compliant users, especially under the PM Ujjwala Yojana, are not required to update their KYC frequently. LPG consumers may need to complete the Aadhaar-based authentication
For Gudi Padwa 2026, actress Isha Koppikar has shared that she is focusing on teaching her daughter, Rianna, the core values behind the festival rather than just the rituals. New Delhi: As the country celebrates Gudi Padwa today, actress Isha Koppikar reflected on how she marks the festival
IMD issued a widespread alert for rain and thunderstorms across Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, and Central India starting today, March 18, 2026. Heavy snowfall is predicted for Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. A much-needed respite from the rising March temperatures is on the horizon
Ishan Kishan has been appointed stand-in captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad ahead of IPL 2026, with opener Abhishek Sharma named his deputy. The India wicketkeeper-batter will lead the side in the absence of regular skipper Pat Cummins, who is currently recovering from a back injury that also ruled him
Kyrgios defeats Sabalenka - but what did 'Battle of the Sexes' achieve?
When murmurs began about Aryna Sabalenka facing Nick Kyrgios in an exhibition match billed as the new 'Battle of the Sexes', many wondered what it was setting out to achieve.
After Kyrgios' 6-3 6-3 win in Dubai on Sunday, that question is still being pondered.
A particular point of discussion was what women's world number one Sabalenka, 27, stood to gain by facing a man whose fortunes have plunged following a career-threatening wrist injury.
For 30-year-old Kyrgios, 671st in the men's rankings, it represented an opportunity to stay relevant and use the court time to prepare for a potential comeback to the ATP Tour in 2026.
Ultimately the much-hyped match lacked the intensity and entertainment promised by the build-up.
The contest turned out as many expected - an off-season exhibition played at a pedestrian pace.
"I think it didn't quite live up to what I thought it might be," said former British number one Annabel Croft.
Following a year where she won four titles including the US Open, Sabalenka finished as the best women's player in the world for the second season running.
Yet the four-time Grand Slam champion and her team felt a novelty match against a notable men's player could help her profile soar higher.
Boosting her bank balance at the same time – even though she earned £11m last season - was another key attraction, cynics would say.
Critics also argued the match would encourage unnecessary and unfair comparisons between the women and men's games.
Afterwards, Sabalenka once again rejected that view.
"I feel like we just brought more attention to our sport and I don't see how it can be bad," she said.
But Croft said the match - played on a modified court designed to help Sabalenka - didn't show her best level.
"I didn't feel like it showcased her enough, of what we know she is capable of," Croft said.
But she certainly didn't embarrass herself in any way.
The court was altered so Sabalenka's receiving side was reduced by 9% in the dimensions, giving Kyrgios a smaller target to hit in an attempt to ensure a more level playing field.
Both players were only allowed one serve each and, with differing opinions about who that benefitted, it hampered Sabalenka more as she missed more first serves in the decisive moments.
Sabalenka showed some flashes of the emotion she displays in competitive matches, demonstratively throwing her arms around in frustration when missing shots.
But the mischievous grin when she won points reminded everyone this was not a serious contest.
To further underline the point, Sabalenka called a timeout midway through the fifth game of the second set – in order to do the Macarena as the cheesy dance classic blasted out of the PA system.
"I felt great. I think I put up a great fight. He was struggling, he got really tired," Sabalenka said afterwards.
I think it was a great level, I made a lot of great shots, moved a lot to the net, drop shots. I really enjoyed the show.
Critics questioned Kyrgios' suitability as the male protagonist, given he admitted assaulting an ex-girlfriend in 2021 and has made a series of comments which have been considered misogynistic.
Throughout the build-up, it felt like the Australian had sensed the opportunity to use the event as a PR exercise to help rebuild his reputation.
Speaking to the BBC last month, he insisted he had "matured" as a person.
Kyrgios regularly sought to use his friendship with Sabalenka - which appears to have genuine warmth - as an indicator of his changed character.
Whether he maintains that persona will be watched with interest, as will his planned comeback next season, with an Australian Open wildcard still in the offing.
Kyrgios, who was ranked 13th in the world at his peak, played with an air of insouciance throughout. His movement was limited as he worked to shorten points where possible.
In the second set particularly, he was blowing heavily as patches of sweat covered his olive shirt.
"Honestly, it was a really tough match, she is a hell of a player and such a great champion," said Kyrgios.
It is a great stepping stone forward for the sport of tennis.
Later, he added: "She just proved she can go out and compete with someone who has beaten the greatest of all time. There's nothing but positives that can be taken away from this."
Sabalenka and Kyrgios' attempts to justify the event came in the face of severe criticism, particularly from the tennis fraternity.
Despite the 'Battle of the Sexes' moniker, it had little in common with Billie Jean King's seminal match against self-confessed chauvinist Bobby Riggs in 1973 - a time when women were denied equality in tennis and wider society.
Times have changed. Tennis has greater gender equality than any other major sport.
So this felt more akin to YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul's heavyweight bout against former world champion Anthony Joshua - an event designed to attract casual fans and blur the lines between serious sporting endeavor and frivolous entertainment.
Both players had hyped up the Dubai contest like a pair of boxers flogging a fight.
Sabalenka promised to "kick Nick's ass" as she promoted the event on US chat shows, while Kyrgios insisted the razzmatazz of the occasion would bring new eyes to the sport.
Both players will, undoubtedly, profit handsomely - even though they have refused to say how much they will earn.
"It will be really interesting now if we see more matches like this," said BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller.
There are lots of different types of tennis events around the world, and exhibitions are in demand, particularly in cities that don't host the major tournaments.
However, it felt like the fun factor fell short of what might have been expected.
There was often a flat atmosphere in the Coca-Cola Arena, which has a 17,000 capacity but was reduced to a smaller sell-out crowd with the upper tier closed off.
Once the match started, any volume from the fans was weighted in favour of Sabalenka. As the scoreline moved into Kyrgios's direction, the dial was turned down.
Kyrgios promised a string of celebrity names would add glamour, although the only superstars of note seemed to be Brazil footballing legends Ronaldo and Kaka, who entered midway through the first set to great fanfare.
As Kyrgios closed in on victory, the cameras picked out a young child snoozing in their mother's arms.
That could prove to be the defining image of an event which continues to polarise opinion.
Source: BBC
Related Posts: Can Sabalenka beat Kyrgios and what if she loses the Sabalenka, Kyrgios break silence on ‘Battle of Sexes’ being widely criticised Iga Swiatek Shuts Down Sabalenka's 'Battle Of The Sexes' vs Kyrgios Sabalenka vs Kyrgios Aryna Sabalenka into second round Aryna Sabalenka net worth Aryna Sabalenka mistakenly calls Carlos Alcaraz ‘Jannik Sinner Aryna Sabalenka beats Amanda Anisimova in WTA Finals 2025 semifinal thriller Aryna Sabalenka Celebrates Indian Wells Victory With No-Regrets Party World number 1 Aryna Sabalenka defeats Anisimova to retain crown
rajresults-nic-in, Rajasthan Board RBSE Class 10th Results 2026 Date And Time Live: The Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education (RBSE) is expected to declare the results for the class 10th board examination soon. According to media reports, the results could be released on March 20, 2026
3 hours ago
Chhattisgarh tables anti-conversion bill, life term for mass conversionsChhattisgarh govt tables anti-conversion Bill with life term for mass conversion, defines allurement, coercion, and mandates prior declaration Published on: Mar 19, 2026 5:51 PM IST By Ritesh Mishra
3 hours ago
Dhurandhar The Revenge actor Danish Iqbal says he didn’t know he was Bade Sahab: ‘Aditya Dhar was so secretive’Danish Iqbal, who plays Bade Sahab in Dhurandhar: The Revenge, revealed that he was initially unaware of his character's identity. Mar 19, 2026
3 hours ago
The funding aims to provide direct price support to cotton farmers across the country. New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved minimum support price (MSP) funding of Rs 1,718
3 hours ago
Rajasthan Royals skipper Riyan Parag stated Sanju Samson's departure cannot be filled. Parag, now captain, emphasized better planning and finishing close games for the upcoming season. He thanked the franchise for their support. Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara backed Parag
3 hours ago
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has declared assets exceeding one crore rupees. His nomination papers reveal movable and immovable properties. His wife also declared significant assets. Vijayan faces six cases, including one under the Prevention of Corruption Act and an Enforcement
3 hours ago
Ukraine’s embassy in Delhi on Thursday expressed concern about the arrest of six Ukrainians in the country under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, claiming that the circumstances in the case suggest that it may be “orchestrated and politically motivated”
3 hours ago
Manchester United's fans won't have a chance to see JJ Gabriel in Premier League action at Old Trafford this season, so a good proportion of the 2,516 who saw him feature in the 3-2 FA Youth Cup win over Sunderland made sure they got their selfies
3 hours ago
For the first time since the league's inception in 2008, Kohli enters the IPL as a one format international player. Batting maestro Virat Kohli has arrived in Bengaluru to join the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) camp, marking the beginning of a unique chapter in his storied career
3 hours ago
The Bharatiya Janata Party in Assam released its list of candidates on Thursday for the upcoming Assembly elections in the state. The party has fielded Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma from the Jalukbari seat, which he has represented since 2001. Nagaon MP Pradyut Bordoloi
3 hours ago
With seven medals, including five golds, at the recent Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi, it is hard to believe Kurian Jacob took up swimming seriously at 70. “I might have started swimming before I started walking,” says Kurian who competed in the 75-79 years old category.With seven medals
3 hours ago
The liver is a remarkably resilient organ. It absorbs stress quietly, adapts silently, and continues to function, even when damage has already begun. This is precisely why liver diseases are often detected late. Sometimes, liver care doctors come across patients whose blood tests look normal
3 hours ago
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday released its second list of 39 candidates for the upcoming Kerala Assembly Elections. With this, the party has so far announced the names of a total of 86 candidates. The party has fielded former state BJP president and former Mizoram governor Kummanam
3 hours ago
Chaitra Navratri 2026 day 2 wishes: Share these heartfelt wishes, messages, images, and quotes with your loved ones on the second day of Chaitra Navratri. Om Brahmacharinyai Namah! Chaitra Navratri 2026 day 2 wishes: The second day of Chaitra Navratri is dedicated to Maa Brahmacharini
3 hours ago
If there’s one thing Indian television never shies away from, it’s going all in—on drama, imagination, and moments that blur the line between the unexpected and the unforgettable. And now, a scene from Naagin 7 has taken that reputation to a whole new level
3 hours ago
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed alarm over the "arbitrary removal of more than 50 senior officials" in the poll-bound state, calling it "political interference of the highest order." She alleged the Election Commission's actions amounted to "systematic politicisation of
3 hours ago
The decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title is "abject" and "we have to denounce it", a senior figure at African football's governing body has said. Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 in January's final but the Confederation of African Football (Caf) overturned the result on Tuesday
3 hours ago
Most factories in Morbi, India's ceramics hub in the western state of Gujarat, have shut down for nearly a month due to gas shortages triggered by the Iran war, according to the local manufacturers' association. Morbi produces about 80% of India's ceramics - mainly tiles and sanitaryware - and
3 hours ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.Best oven toaster grills for Indian homes: Top 7 OTG picks for baking, grilling, toasting and moreOven toaster grills are a versatile kitchen appliance that can be used for baking
3 hours ago
Delhi Capitals revealed their new jersey for the upcoming IPL 2026 season. The design reflects the team's tiger spirit. For the first time, both men's and women's team captains are featured together. The franchise also appointed John Mooney as its new fielding coach
3 hours ago
AFCON final controversy: CAF chief defends Morocco title decision amid Senegal corruption probe call Published on: Mar 19, 2026 6:10 PM IST Written by Neelav Chakravarti Share via Copy link CAF President Patrice Motsepe stands next to Senegal's Sadio Mane with the Man of the Competition award after
3 hours ago
Why Did Share Market Fall Today? Benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty fell sharply by over 3 percent on Thursday, snapping a three-day rally, as rising crude oil prices and weak global cues weighed on sentiment. The Sensex dropped 2,496.89 points, or 3.26 percent, to close at 74,207.24
3 hours ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.Ceiling fans for home: Top 7 options that fit different room needsPlanning to upgrade cooling this summer 2026? These ceiling fans for the home offer steady airflow, lower power use
3 hours ago
US President Donald Trump has threatened to blow up a major gas field in Iran if it attacks the US's Gulf Arab ally Qatar again. Trump's threat came after a day in which Israel hit Iran's South Pars - part of the world's largest natural gas field
3 hours ago
U.S. Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday (March 18, 2026) stormed out of a closed-door briefing on the Jeffrey Epstein files by the U.S. Justice Department leaders, and said they would push to force Attorney General Pam Bondi to answer questions under oath about the case that has plagued the Trump
3 hours ago
The Centre has requested all state governments to take all necessary steps to prevent black marketing and hoarding, and to take action under the law wherever violations are found. New Delhi: Amid concerns over LPG shortage, the government on Thursday said that India is diversifying LPG procurement
3 hours ago
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached out to key partners to ramp up efforts to establish peace in West Asia and ensure unhindered energy supplies to India. With the Iran war escalating, the global energy crisis, India is on a diplomatic blitz to ensure a regular supply to ensure its energy
3 hours ago
