News Broadcasting
HBO receives 20 nominations for Golden Globe Awards
MUMBAI: For the 62nd annual Golden Globe Awards, which will be presented on 16 January, 2005, in Los Angeles, HBO, has received a record number of 20 Golden Globe nominations, following Touchstone Television and ABC Television Networks receiving nine nominations each.
The Life And Death Of Peter Sellers led all HBO Original Movies and all original movies of any network – with four nominations, while The Sopranos led all HBO series with four nominations.
Other HBO’s Golden Globe nominations include:
Four nominations for The Life And Death Of Peter Sellers, including best mini-series or motion picture made for television, best performance by an actor in a mini-series or a motion picture made for television (Geoffrey Rush), and two for best performance by an actress in a supporting role in a series, mini-series or motion picture made for television (Charlize Theron, Emily Watson).
Four nominations for The Sopranos including best television series -drama, best performance by an actress in a television series – drama (Edie Falco), best performance by an actress in a supporting role in a series, mini-series or motion picture made for television (Drea de Matteo), and best performance by an actor in a supporting role in a series, mini-series or motion picture made for television (Michael Imperioli).
Three nominations for Iron Jawed Angels, including best mini-series or motion picture made for television, best performance by an actress in a mini-series or a motion picture made for television (Hilary Swank), and best performance by an actress in a supporting role in a series, mini-series or motion picture made for television (Anjelica Huston).
Two nominations for Deadwood, including best television series – drama, and best performance by an actor in a television series – Drama (Ian McShane).
Two nominations for Entourage, including best television series – Musical or Comedy, and Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television (Jeremy Piven).
Two nominations for Sex And The City, including Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy, and Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy (Sarah Jessica Parker).
Two nominations for Something The Lord Made, including Best Mini-series or Motion Picture Made for Television, and Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-series or a Motion Picture Made for Television (Mos Def).
One nomination for Curb Your Enthusiasm, for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy (Larry David).
Touchstone Television and ABC Television Networks receives nine Golden Globe Award nominations each.
Desperate Housewives earns five nominations, including best television series musical or comedy; Marcia Cross, Teri Hatcher and Felicity Huffman nominated for best actress in a television series musical or comedy and Nicollette Sheridan has been nominated for best performance by an actress in a supporting role in a series, miniseries or motion picture made for television.
Lost receives nomination for best television series drama.
Jennifer Garner receives her fourth nomination for best actress in a television series – drama
Zach Braff nominated for best performance by an actor in a television series musical or comedy, whereas Tony Shalhoub has been nominated for best performance by an actor in a television series musical or comedy for Monk, which is a co-production of Studios USA and Touchstone Television.
News Broadcasting
Induction cooktop demand spikes 30× amid LPG supply concerns
Supply worries linked to West Asia tensions push households and restaurants to turn to electric cooking alternatives
MUMBAI: As geopolitical tensions in West Asia ripple through global energy supply chains, the familiar blue flame in Indian kitchens is facing an unexpected challenger: electricity.
What began as concerns over the availability of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has quickly evolved into a technology-driven shift in cooking habits. Households across India are increasingly turning to induction cooktops and other electric appliances, initially as a backup but now, for many, a necessity.
A sudden surge in demand
Recent data from quick-commerce and grocery platform BigBasket highlights the scale of the shift. According to Seshu Kumar Tirumala, the company’s chief buying and merchandising officer, demand for induction cooktops has risen dramatically.
“Induction cooktops have seen a significant surge in demand, recording a fivefold jump on 10 March and a thirtyfold spike on 11 March,” Tirumala said.
The increase stands out sharply when compared with broader kitchen appliance trends. Most appliance categories are growing within 10 per cent of their typical demand levels, while induction cooktops have witnessed explosive growth as households rush to secure an alternative cooking option.
Major e-commerce platforms including Amazon and Flipkart have reported rising searches and orders for induction stoves. Quick-commerce apps such as Blinkit and Zepto have also witnessed stock shortages in major metropolitan areas including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
What was once considered a convenient appliance for hostels, small kitchens or occasional use has suddenly become an essential addition in many homes.
A crisis thousands of miles away
The trigger for this shift lies far beyond India’s kitchens.
Escalating conflict in the Middle East has disrupted shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. Nearly 85 to 90 per cent of India’s LPG imports pass through this narrow waterway, making the country particularly vulnerable to supply disruptions.
The ripple effects have been swift.
India currently meets roughly 60 per cent of its LPG demand through imports, and tightening global supply has already begun to affect domestic availability and prices.
Earlier this month, the price of domestic LPG cylinders increased by Rs 60, while commercial cylinders rose by more than Rs 114.
To discourage panic buying and hoarding, the government has also extended the mandatory waiting period between domestic refill bookings from 21 days to 25 days.
Restaurants feel the pressure
The strain is not limited to households. Restaurants, hotels and roadside eateries are also grappling with supply constraints as commercial LPG availability tightens under restrictions imposed through the Essential Commodities Act.
In cities such as Bengaluru and Chennai, restaurant associations report that commercial LPG availability has dropped by as much as 75 per cent, forcing many establishments to rethink their kitchen operations.
Some restaurants have reduced menu offerings, while others are rapidly installing high-efficiency induction systems, creating hybrid kitchens where electricity now shares the workload with gas.
For smaller eateries and roadside dhabas, the shift is less about sustainability and more about survival.
A potential structural shift
The government has maintained that there is no nationwide LPG crisis and has directed refineries to increase production to stabilise supply.
Nevertheless, the developments of March 2026 may already be triggering a longer-term behavioural shift.
For decades, LPG has been the backbone of cooking in Indian households. However, recent disruptions have highlighted the risks of relying on a single fuel source.
Increasingly, households appear to be hedging against uncertainty by adopting electric cooking options to guard against price volatility and delivery delays.
If the current trend continues, the induction cooktop, once viewed as a niche appliance, could emerge as a quiet symbol of India’s evolving kitchen economy.
