Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Sunday sharply criticised CM Pinarayi Vijayan over his recent statements on the West Asia conflict, specifically accusing him of supporting Iran while ignoring the safety of Malayali expatriates in Gulf nations.

Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, Rajeev Chandrasekhar accused Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan of prioritising “vote-bank politics” over the safety of expatriates, alleging his pro-Iran stance ignores risks to Malayalis in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. He criticised the CM for condemning US-Israel actions while staying silent on threats to Indians in Gulf countries.

Chandrasekhar said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has responded to the conflict by emphasising the need to resolve conflicts through diplomacy, dialogue, and peaceful means rather than military action. He said India had provided a safe harbour to the Iranian naval vessel IRIS Lavan at Kochi Port following a request from Tehran. Chandrasekhar further said that the BJP is pursuing a balanced, diplomatic approach regarding Iran.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar questioned the feasibility of the five guarantees announced by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at the Puthuyuga Yatra rally here on Saturday, comparing them to past promises he alleged were unfulfilled and describing them as “rhetorical” and a “virus” of corruption.

“There should be a discussion on the five guarantees announced by Rahul Gandhi if the Congress-led UDF wins the upcoming Assembly polls. The Congress’s politics of empty promises should be exposed,” he said.

“If you look at the situation in the three states where the Congress is in power, you can understand the effects of its guarantees,” he said. “Government officials in Himachal Pradesh are not receiving their salaries on time. Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka D K Shivakumar has said there is no money for development in the state. The situation in Telangana is no different. The Congress will go to any level by making false promises,” he said.

Iran’s Assembly of Experts has reached a majority consensus on a new Supreme Leader even as Israel warned it will target the successor to late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

According to a report from the Tehran-based Mehr News Agency (MNA), Assembly of Experts member Mirbaqeri stated that  a “majority consensus over Khamenei’s successor has been reached.”

However, he added, the process of transition is not yet fully complete as “some obstacles regarding the process need to be resolved.”

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli strikes on February 28 when they began attacking Iran. With Khamenei’s killing and a war raging, Iran was forced to choose a new Supreme Leader at the earliest.

The US-Iran war has already escalated into a larger Middle East conflict after Iran targeted Israel and US bases in several Gulf countries.

Middle East ‘water war’ begins? Bahrain claims Iranian drone strike damaged critical desalination plant

Netanyahu says attack on Iran to continue with ‘full force’

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a live broadcast statement that Israel’s attack on Iran will continue with “full force and uncompromising momentum.”

Israel has a well-prepared plan with many surprises to undermine the “Iranian regime” and “enable change,” Netanyahu said on Saturday.

Addressing the Iranian people, he said, “The moment of truth is approaching. We do not seek to divide Iran, but to liberate it and live with it in peace.”

He condemned the United Nations for “condemning us without reason in our just war against Iran’s murderous proxies in Gaza and doing nothing about the massacre in Iran.”

He also demanded that the Lebanese government enforce the ceasefire agreement and disarm Hezbollah, Xinhua news agency reported.

“If you do not do this, Hezbollah’s aggression will have disastrous consequences for Lebanon,” he warned.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said the United States had severely weakened Iran’s military after a week of fighting, while signalling that Washington holds strong negotiating leverage but is not actively pursuing a settlement with Tehran.

On International Women’s Day, Samajwadi Party ‘s Mainpuri MP Dimple Yadav said that the women who move forward with courage, hard work, and confidence despite limited resources are the true strength of society.

She said women from vulnerable groups have immense potential and, if given the proper opportunities and support, they can make significant contributions to the development of society and the country.

On Sunday, on the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Lagan Udyami Mahila Foundation organized a Women’s Honor and Holi Milan ceremony in Lolai village in the state capital. The purpose of this program was to honor women from vulnerable and underprivileged sections of society who, through small efforts, are becoming self-reliant and are becoming an inspiration to their families and society.

Dimple Yadav, who attended the event as the chief guest, interacted with and encouraged women from the Lolai and Malhaur areas. Dimple Yadav thanked the Lagan Rakhami Women’s Foundation for its commendable work.

Uttarakhand governor Lt General Gurmeet Singh had to make emergency landing at Srinagar Pauri due to a technical snag in his helicopter while he was on his way to the state’s summer capital Gairsain for the budget session of the state assembly on Sunday afternoon. Inclement weather forced the governor to continue his journey on the road as replacement heli could not come at Srinagar.

The helicopter of the Governor, travelling from Dehradun to Bhararisain, had to make an emergency landing at Srinagar (Pauri) GVK helipad due to the snag during the flight. He was flying from Dehradun to Bhararisain when the incident happened. The emergency landing caused a stir in the Pauri district administration following which the governor and his associates were taken out safely.

According to the information shared by Pauri police officials, the Governor’s helicopter experienced a technical hitch during flight forcing the pilot to exercise caution resulting in emergency landing of the heli. After the safe landing of the helicopter, the Governor was taken to the police guest house in Srinagar.

Although police informed that no one was reported injured in the emergency landing of the heli but governor could not provide an alternate helicopter from Srinagar to Bhararisain due to inclement weather.

Srinagsr Sub-Divisional Magistrate Nupur Verma stated that the Governor was on his way to Gairsain to attend the proposed budget session of the Uttarakhand assembly at Bhararisain to begin on March 9. Sharing the district administration’s action plan to take him to Bhararisain, Verma said that after emergency landing of the helicopter arrangements were made for the Governor to travel in another helicopter, but it could not arrive here due to bad weather.

Following this, the Governor’s program to fly down to Bhararisain was cancelled and he was provided with all arrangements to travel by road, said Verma.

The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) on Sunday organised a protest here against the LPG price hike and criticised the proposed Indo-US trade deal, alleging that the decisions would adversely affect the common people as well as the country’s economy.

The protestors demanded the rollback of the LPG cylinder price hike of Rs.60.

The rally was organized on Womens Day.

Under the leadership of JKPCC president Tariq Hamid Karra and working president Raman Bhalla, a large number of party activists, including women participated in the rally. Carrying placards and banners, the Congress workers raised slogans against the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre and criticised what they described as the government’s “surrender” in the Indo–US trade negotiations.

The protesters alleged that the continuous rise in the prices of essential commodities, particularly cooking gas, has added to the financial burden on ordinary households.

Addressing the gathering, JKPCC chief Tariq Hamid Karra termed the Indo–US trade deal a “major blow” to the country’s economic interests. He said that instead of safeguarding the nation’s economic and strategic priorities, the Centre had bowed to pressure from the United States.

Karra said the recent LPG price hike had come soon after promises made to women on the occasion of International Women’s Day, calling the decision “cruel” and insensitive to the struggles of ordinary families.

He also expressed concern over the possible implications of the India-US trade agreement for the agriculture and dairy sectors. According to Karra, provisions relating to agricultural and dairy imports could expose farmers and producers in Jammu and Kashmir to competition from cheaper foreign products.

He warned that orchardists and dairy farmers in the Union Territory could be severely affected if safeguards are not put in place. “Our apple growers, walnut producers and small dairy farmers could face serious challenges if cheap imports enter the market without minimum support guarantees,” he said, demanding that the Centre immediately roll back the LPG price hike and present a White Paper on the trade deal in the Parliament.

Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva on Sunday claimed that the media statements made by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders Manish Sisodia and Saurabh Bhardwaj on the women’s welfare scheme in Punjab “Maanva Dhiyan Di Satkar Yojana” are completely contradictory.

Sachdeva said that the AAP leaders, who themselves presented the budget for the “Maanva–Dhiyan Satkar Yojana” for the people of Punjab after four years, have no right to comment on any of the BJP’s guarantee schemes here in the national capital.

HE said that the AAP leaders themselves have stated in their remarks that before the 2022 elections, Arvind Kejriwal had promised to implement the Mahila Samriddhi Yojana in Punjab immediately after winning the elections. However, even though the government has entered its fifth year, only now has a budget for the scheme been announced, and in reality, women might receive the first instalment of Rs 1,000 perhaps around Diwali.

The Delhi BJP chief further said that any political party which makes commitments to voters before elections gets five years after winning to fulfil those promises.

He hit out at the previous Arvind Kejriwal-led government in Delhi, stating that it had left a huge debt of Rs 1.20 lakh crore on the national capital. The present BJP government is currently working to correct the deteriorated financial condition and will soon ensure that the women of Delhi receive the benefits of the Mahila Samriddhi Yojana.

The Jodhpur Division of the North Western Railway (NWR), the Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) and the state government have honoured and reposed faith in ‘Nari-Shakti’ in their respective ways on International Women’s Day on Sunday.

Showing respect and reposing faith in the capabilities and sense of responsibility of the female workforce, the NWR’s Jodhpur Division entrusted the task of running the 14813-Jodhpur-Jaipur train service exclusively to women staff. The entire operational staff and onboard personnel, including the drivers (loco pilots), the guard, the ticket-checking staff and the RPF personnel, comprised women.

Even at the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) and the official residence (CMR), general security arrangements were handled exclusively by all-women police and security staff.

The RSRTC, as a mark of respect for ‘Nari-Shakti’, has extended free travel facility to women and girls in its buses, including local city services, on Sunday.

Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma felicitated women at the state-level Mahila Divas function at the Krishi Mandi premises in Hanumangarh town.

Sharma launched the Lado Protsahan Yojana portal and transferred grant money to beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). He also distributed grant cheques to beneficiaries of other women empowerment schemes, including aid to SHGs, the PM SVANidhi scheme and the CM Nari Shakti Udhyam Protsahan Yojana.

The CM also inaugurated or laid foundation stones for development projects worth Rs 1,000 crore.

Rajasthan Minister for Industries, Sports and Youth Affairs, Col Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, felicitated women entrepreneurs and achievers from various walks of life.

Several other programmes were also held at the district and departmental levels across the state to celebrate the day.

Samajwadi Party National President Akhilesh Yadav has alleged that for the first time, Indian foreign policy is being decided by foreigners.

“By adopting the foreign policy of ‘bloc relativity’ instead of our traditional foreign policy of ‘non-alignment’, the BJP has handed over the policy of sovereignty and self-reliance to others,” he alleged.

Akhilesh Yadav said, “Under the BJP government, even foreign countries are deciding India’s foreign policy. It seems the government is running a mortgage guarantee scheme. Decisions are being taken under that scheme. The Central government is looking towards others for everything. It is acting as per the others’ dictates. No one can imagine that the BJP has weakened such a big country to such an extent.

Speaking to the media after attending an event in Lucknow, on Sunday, Akhilesh Yadav said that the BJP is afraid of everything true and truthful. Now, the BJP government is even afraid of Sanatani people. The government, which once called itself Sanatani, is now afraid of Sanatan Dharma’s most revered Shankaracharya. The BJP government has insulted Shankaracharya. The BJP is defaming Sanatan Dharma.

The SP president said the BJP has ruined the entire system. Only when the BJP is removed will inflation be eradicated. Today, inflation and corruption are at their peak and every section of society is suffering.

A man allegedly carried the body of his newborn child in a cardboard box from Chakradharpur Sub-Divisional Hospital in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district after the baby died shortly after birth and the family failed to get transport assistance, officials and family members said on Sunday.

According to information received, Ramkrishna Hembrom, a resident of Bangrasai village in neighbouring Saraikela-Kharsawan district, had brought his wife Rita Tiriya to the hospital for delivery a few days ago.

On Saturday, the woman delivered a baby, but the newborn died soon after birth.

Family members alleged that despite the baby’s deteriorating condition, proper medical attention was not provided. They further claimed that after the infant’s death, the hospital administration did not extend any assistance and asked them to take the body away from the hospital.

According to the family, the father requested an ambulance or some other vehicle to carry the body to his village, but no arrangement was made by the hospital authorities.

Left with no option, he reportedly placed the body of the newborn in an empty cardboard box and carried it while leaving for his village.

The incident triggered anger among local residents after the matter came to light. Villagers and members of the affected family have demanded a fair inquiry into the incident and action against those responsible.

They have also urged the district administration to provide financial assistance to the family.

Meanwhile, hospital in-charge Dr Anshuman Sharma said the family had not requested assistance from the hospital to transport the body.

He said that if the hospital had been informed, arrangements could have been made to send the body to the village through the Mamta vehicle service.

The hospital administration always tries to provide necessary facilities to patients, he added, and steps would be taken to ensure such situations do not arise in the future.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with the two Election Commissioners, is set to reach Kolkata tonight to review election preparedness in West Bengal, according to a press note from the Election Commission of India. The visit comes amid intense political activity in the state ahead of the upcoming polls and appears to be taking place against the backdrop of subtle strains between the ruling All India Trinamool Congress and the Commission over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

‎Officials said the CEC and his colleagues would meet senior state election officers, police authorities, and other stakeholders to evaluate readiness at multiple levels, reviewing logistics, security, and voter facilitation measures. “The Chief Election Commissioner and his colleagues will personally assess arrangements in West Bengal to ensure that all electoral processes are functioning smoothly,” an ECI official said, adding that the focus would be on transparency and efficiency.

‎The SIR issue has emerged as a point of friction, with the TMC asserting that the extensive revision exercise could disrupt routine voter registration and create unnecessary administrative pressure. Party sources suggested that the Commission’s push for accelerated SIR implementation has not been fully aligned with the state government’s preferred timeline, creating what some describe as a “tactical divergence” between the two sides.

‎West Bengal has historically witnessed fiercely contested elections, often accompanied by high political engagement and law and order challenges. The ECI’s high-level visit is expected to strengthen coordination with state authorities and ensure that potential bottlenecks in polling, security, or logistics are addressed proactively.

‎Political analysts noted that the arrival of the top election officials signals the Commission’s commitment to ensuring free and fair elections, despite the emerging differences. “The presence of the CEC and other Commissioners underscores the seriousness with which the ECI is approaching the upcoming polls, and it also reflects the Commission’s willingness to engage directly with the state on contentious issues like the SIR,” said one analyst.

‎During the visit, the Chief Election Commissioner’s team is expected to hold detailed briefings, inspections of key offices, and consultations with election staff to verify that polling personnel, security arrangements, and technological infrastructure meet required standards. Officials indicated that the discussions could also help reconcile the state government’s operational concerns with the Commission’s mandate for timely electoral roll revisions.

‎With the countdown to the state elections underway, the visit is being closely watched by political parties, media, and civil society. While it reinforces the ECI’s proactive role in safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process, the subtle tensions over the SIR indicate that negotiations between the Centre-backed Commission and the TMC-led state government could shape the final course of pre-election preparations.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, while congratulating the nation on International Women’s Day, said that there is a need to radically change the attitude towards women.

“The government and society should always work for the upliftment of women. The more progressive women are, the more progressive society will be considered. In India, women and daughters have been respected since ancient times,” he said.

In a statement here on Sunday, Akhilesh Yadav said that under the BJP government, women in Uttar Pradesh are the most unsafe. Crimes against women are rampant. The BJP government has failed to protect women. The government has failed to provide them with respect and employment.

Yadav said that the Lucknow and UP police are very advanced in manipulating data related to women. “They hide the true figures. If NCRB data is considered, women in Uttar Pradesh are the most unsafe in the country. Under the BJP government, backward classes, Dalits, tribals, minorities, and women are facing the most injustice and atrocities. This is a grave sin,” he alleged.

The ongoing conflict in West Asia could trigger a fresh wave of global inflation if it spreads across supply chains, financial markets and jurisdictions, although India may remain relatively insulated compared to many economies, according to a report by SBI Research.

The report noted that the escalating Israel-Iran conflict has heightened geopolitical tensions in the region, with Iran launching strikes on US-linked assets in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE following attacks on its territory. The situation intensified after Iran closed the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20% of the world’s crude oil supply transits.

The disruption has already pushed global oil prices higher, with Brent crude rising from about USD 58.92 per barrel in December 2025 to above USD 89 per barrel in early March 2026, reflecting the market’s sensitivity to supply risks in the region.

According to the report, while the immediate inflationary impact of the conflict may be limited, prolonged tensions could disrupt trade routes, weaken business sentiment and heighten uncertainty across global markets.

SBI Research also suggested that the United States could emerge as one of the economic beneficiaries of an extended conflict due to its large oil and gas production capacity. The report noted that the US has significantly increased LNG exports to Europe after the region reduced dependence on Russian gas, with US supplies accounting for nearly 58% of the EU’s LNG imports in 2025.

For India, the economic impact may be relatively contained but not insignificant. The report highlighted that the country imports nearly 90% of its crude oil requirements, and about 40% of these imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Any prolonged closure of the route could therefore disrupt supplies and increase import costs. India’s inward remittances may also face pressure.

The report noted that personal remittances rose to about USD 138 billion in FY25, with around 38% coming from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. A slowdown in oil-driven economic activity in the Gulf could affect these flows. Trade with the region could also be affected if the conflict drags on.

GCC countries account for about 13% of India’s exports and over 16% of imports, making the region an important trade partner. The report warned that higher oil prices could widen India’s current account deficit, increase inflation and dampen growth. It is estimated that every USD 10 per barrel rise in crude prices could widen the current account deficit by about 36 basis points, increase inflation by 35–40 basis points and reduce GDP growth by 20–25 basis points.

In a worst-case scenario where oil prices rise to around USD 130 per barrel, India’s GDP growth could slow to about 6 per cent in FY27 from an assumed 7% baseline, it said.

Despite the risks, the report noted that proactive measures by the Reserve Bank of India, including market interventions to stabilise bond yields and manage rupee volatility, have so far helped cushion domestic financial markets from external shocks.

Overall, while the West Asia conflict poses significant global economic risks, India’s diversified energy sourcing, policy interventions and financial stability mechanisms could help mitigate the impact in the near term, the report said.

The upcoming Indian Premier League 2026 season will officially kick off on March 28, broadcaster Star Sports confirmed on Sunday.

The official announcement came ahead of the India vs New Zealand ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
It is to be noted that the fixtures of the IPL 2026 edition are yet to be announced by the IPL. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are the defending champions. The Bengaluru-based franchise defeated Punjab Kings in the 2025 edition summit clash by six runs in Ahmedabad.
Earlier this month, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) Secretary, Santosh Menon, confirmed that the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium will host five of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 home games. He also confirmed that the venue will host the IPL 2026 final, along with one of the play-off matches in the tournament.

Notably, RCB’s remaining two home matches of their IPL 2026 campaign will be held at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
RCB, in a statement on Tuesday, said, “RCB extends its sincere gratitude to the Government of Karnataka, the Karnataka State Cricket Association and the Karnataka Police for their unwavering guidance, cooperation and support in facilitating the hosting of matches in Bengaluru. The collective efforts to ramp up infrastructure and safety measures in time for the IPL season have ensured that the defending champions will play the majority of their home games in their home ground,” a statement stated.

Rajesh Menon, CEO, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, said, “The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is more than just our home ground; it is where our identity as a team truly comes alive. The energy our fans bring to Bengaluru has always been a driving force for our players, inspiring them through every phase of the game. Our fans have stood by us unconditionally, and they deserve the opportunity to watch their team compete at home.”
“After detailed discussions and completing the necessary due process around permissions, we are pleased to confirm that RCB will play five matches in Bengaluru. We sincerely thank the Government of Karnataka, the KSCA, and the Karnataka Police for their support in making this possible,” Menon said.

Cricket at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium has been suspended since June last year after 11 people died and several were injured in a stampede during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) IPL 2025 title celebration.

Arshdeep Kaur secured the top spot in a high-level field in the finals of the Women’s 25m Pistol event at the National Selection Trials (Group A), being held at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting range in New Delhi on Sunday.

The Punjab shooter, who qualified eighth and last finalist, edged out the experienced Divya T.S 37-36 to finish on top in the eight-shooter final.

Former Asian Games champion Rahi Sarnobat secured third place with 33 hits, after Divya edged her in the shoot-off. Rhythm Sangwan finished fourth, followed by Niveditha V. Nair, National Champion Manu Bhaker, national bronze medallist Anjali Choudhary, and Chinki Yadav, who completed the top eight.

Manu qualified for finals in the top spot after two days of qualification in the precision and rapid stages with a combined score of 582-17x (Precision 287, Rapid 295). Rahi Sarnobat followed with a score of 580-20x (Precision 292, Rapid 288), and Divya T.S qualified in third place with a score of 580-13x (Precision 290, Rapid 290).

Niveditha V. Nair (577-23x, Precision 288, Rapid 289), Rhythm Sangwan (577-16x, Precision 285, Rapid 292), Anjali Choudhary (576-12x, Precision 287, Rapid 289), Chinki Yadav (575-20x, Precision 280, Rapid 290), and Arshdeep Kaur (575-19x, Precision 285, Rapid 290) completed the top eight.

The qualification and finals of 50m Rifle 3 Positions for both men and women, along with the qualification and finals of 10m Air Pistol for men, will be held on Monday.

Ahead of a packed international and domestic calendar beginning next month, almost all of India’s top guns are competing in 10 events of the National Selection Trials 3 (Group A), which include all eight Olympic events plus the rifle prone competitions for men and women.

Athletes will be aiming to secure scores to make their case for selection in the national squad for international competitions in the second half of the year.

Rifle/Pistol Selection Trials 3 and 4 for Group B athletes also commenced on Friday and will be conducted at the M.P. State Shooting Academy in Bhopal till March 22, 2026. Following the completion of the selection trials, the national squad athletes will commence their coaching camp in New Delhi from March 10 to 21, 2026.

The National Squad camp for shotgun athletes commenced in New Delhi on Thursday, with the skeet shooters reporting first. The Trap shooters will report for the national camp on the 8th of March, 2026. The national squad camp will be followed by the pre-event camp before the ISSF World Cup Shotgun, the first World Cup of the calendar year, which will be held in Tangier, Morocco, from March 21-April 3, 2026.

Indian cricketer Prithvi Shaw announced his engagement to his girlfriend Akriti Agarwal on Sunday, sharing a set of romantic photographs on social media that quickly grabbed attention online.

In the pictures posted by Shaw, the right-handed batter can be seen proposing to Agarwal by going down on one knee and placing a ring on her finger. Another image shows Agarwal helping Shaw wear his engagement ring, while a separate photo captures the couple proudly showing off their rings.

The announcement drew warm wishes from fans as well as members of the cricketing fraternity. Delhi Capitals, the franchise Shaw is set to represent in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, also congratulated the opener on the special milestone.

Sharing the pictures on Instagram, Shaw wrote, “From sixes on the field to a lifetime of hits off it. She’s my perfect innings!”

Agarwal, who hails from Lucknow, is a social media influencer and actress. After relocating to Mumbai, she gained significant popularity online and now has more than three million followers on Instagram. She has also stepped into acting and made her film debut in the Kannada movie Trimukha.

The couple was recently seen together at the wedding of Arjun Tendulkar and Saaniya Chandhok in Mumbai. The event was attended by several well-known figures from the worlds of sports and entertainment.

Shaw made a dream start to international cricket when he scored a century on his Test debut against the West Indies in 2018.

However, the promising start was followed by periods of inconsistency, along with questions surrounding his discipline and fitness, due to which he was eventually left out of the team.

In October 2024, Shaw was also released from the Mumbai Ranji Team. His struggles were also reflected in the IPL auctions. Shaw went unsold during the IPL 2025 Auction.

The situation repeated in the early stages of the IPL 2026 Mini Auction, where he again did not find a buyer at his base price of ₹75 lakh.

Eventually, Delhi Capitals picked him up during the final accelerated round, giving the 26-year-old batter another opportunity to make a strong comeback in the league.

The West Indies and South Africa squads have finally received confirmation regarding their departure from India after their campaigns in the ICC T20 World Cup came to an end.

According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, both teams are currently stationed in Kolkata and are scheduled to leave in the early hours of Tuesday, March 10, on a charter flight bound for Johannesburg. From there, the West Indies squad will continue their journey to Antigua.

The teams had initially expected to depart on Sunday, March 8, but the updated travel schedule was only confirmed to them later on Sunday afternoon.

However, three members of the South African squad, Keshav Maharaj, Jason Smith and George Linde, along with the entire support staff, will leave India earlier on Sunday. They are set to travel to New Zealand, where South Africa are scheduled to play a five-match T20I series beginning on March 15.

The delay in travel arrangements has reportedly led to frustration among members of both teams. The disruption is linked to restricted or closed airspace across parts of West Asia following the ongoing crisis in the region.

The West Indies side has remained in Kolkata since their elimination by India in the Super Eight stage on March 1. Meanwhile, South Africa have also been stranded in the city after their semifinal defeat to New Zealand on March 4.

West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has expressed his dissatisfaction through posts on the social media platform X, while several South African players, including Quinton de Kock and David Miller, have also voiced their concerns via Instagram.

Meanwhile, the England squad departed from Mumbai on Saturday evening, flying directly to London following their exit from the tournament in the semi-finals.

BSE Limited has cautioned investors after a previously circulated fraudulent deepfake video featuring its Managing Director and CEO, Sundararaman Ramamurthy, resurfaced across multiple social media and messaging platforms.

In a statement, BSE said the manipulated video falsely portrays Ramamurthy offering stock market tips and investment advice, while inviting viewers to join WhatsApp groups for trading recommendations.

The exchange clarified that the video is fake, manipulated and maliciously created using deepfake technology to mislead investors.

BSE emphasised that the claims made in the video, including promises of extraordinary investment returns, are completely false and designed to defraud the public.

The exchange reiterated that neither Ramamurthy nor any BSE official provides stock tips or investment recommendations.

It also clarified that BSE officials do not operate or endorse WhatsApp, Telegram or similar messaging groups offering investment advice.

According to the exchange, it is taking necessary steps to remove the misleading content and is working closely with law enforcement agencies and relevant platforms.

However, such fraudulent videos have resurfaced multiple times across social media networks. BSE urged investors and the general public to remain vigilant and avoid acting on such misleading content circulating online.

For authentic information and updates, investors have been advised to rely only on the official BSE website and its verified social media handles.