The stage is set for the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 as finalists India and New Zealand prepare to take the field before a packed crowd at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

However, fans are in for more than just cricket. Many supporters have started arriving at the stadium hours before the first ball, eager to watch their childhood pop icon Ricky Martin perform live during the closing ceremony.

Large groups of fans could be heard singing Livin’ la Vida Loca while waiting in queues to enter the stadium, with some admitting that the performance by the global pop star was reason enough to secure tickets for the marquee event.

Cricket craze in Ahmedabad for BIG FINAL

• 1.35 lakhs+ ticket sold for NM stadium.
• 6000 rooms book in luxury hotels.
• 80 Private Jets to visit.
• 23 Flight book already.
• Special trains arrangements.
• Ambani, Mittals to attend….See more pic.twitter.com/fJhzu5s8js

— Indian Cricket (@IPL2025Auction) March 7, 2026

Alongside Ricky Martin, popular Indian performers Falguni Pathak and Sukhbir Singh will also headline the closing ceremony of the tournament.

The event promises to blend international star power with the vibrant energy of Indian music, with large-scale performances set to add extra sparkle to the blockbuster India–New Zealand final.

A two-time Grammy Award winner and five-time Latin Grammy Award winner, Ricky Martin is widely known for global hits such as Livin’ la Vida Loca, She Bangs, and the iconic football anthem The Cup of Life, the official song of the 1998 FIFA World Cup. Known for his electrifying stadium performances, Martin now adds the world’s largest cricket stadium to his list of iconic venues.

Earlier, the pop icon expressed his excitement about performing at the tournament’s grand closing ceremony.

“Sport and music have a unique way of bringing people together, and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is a celebration of that shared passion,” Martin said. “It’s an honour to be part of such a special occasion where millions of fans come together with incredible energy and love for the game. I’m excited to perform at the Closing Ceremony and celebrate the thrill of the tournament with fans in the stadium and around the world.”

The gates at the Narendra Modi Stadium opened at 3:30 PM (IST), with the closing ceremony performances scheduled to begin at 5:30 PM IST, ahead of the much-anticipated final at 7:00 PM IST.

With a packed stadium expected and millions watching across the globe, the closing ceremony is set to deliver a dazzling cultural celebration before cricket’s biggest T20 event reaches its dramatic climax.

If you thought the box office would stay quiet until the next big festival release, think again. Bollywood’s latest spy spectacle has already started making money — and the film hasn’t even hit theatres yet.

Yes, we are talking about Aditya Dhar’s much-awaited sequel, ‘Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge’. The film stars Ranveer Singh in the lead and is scheduled to release on March 19. But long before that date arrives, the movie is already making serious noise in ticket counters across the country.

Also Read: ‘Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge’ teaser X (Twitter) reactions – fans say ‘chuna laga diya’ as video reuses part 1 montage

Advance booking for paid previews on March 18 opened recently, and within hours, fans rushed to grab tickets. The result? The film crossed the double-digit mark at the domestic box office in less than a day, even though its official release is still 12 days away.

Already among the top 5 Hindi grossers of 2026

The early numbers are enough to make trade analysts sit up straight.

According to trade reports from Sacnilk, the original Hindi version alone collected ₹7.95 crore from advance bookings for paid previews. When earnings from the South Indian dubbed versions are added, the total domestic advance booking collection rises to ₹8.06 crore.

And that’s not the whole story.

When block bookings are included in the calculation, the total domestic advance revenue from paid previews alone climbs to ₹13.26 crore.

That amount is already enough to place ‘Dhurandhar 2’ among five highest-grossing Hindi films of 2026 so far even before the film’s official release.

In fact it has already surpassed the lifetime earnings of several notable films released this year.

These include:

– ‘Vadh 2’ starring Sanjay Mishra and Neena Gupta: ₹3.89 crore

– ‘Tu Yaa Main’ featuring Adarsh Gourav and Shanaya Kapoor: ₹6.98 crore

– Anubhav Sinha’s courtroom drama ‘Assi’ starring Taapsee Pannu: ₹10.10 crore

Films ahead of it (for now)

Despite the strong early numbers, ‘Dhurandhar 2’ still has a few heavyweights ahead of it in the 2026 race.

Here are the films currently sitting above it in the Hindi box office list:

1. Sunny Deol’s war drama ‘Border 2’: ₹328.57 crore

2. Vishal Bhardwaj’s romantic tragedy ‘O’ Romeo’ starring Shahid Kapoor: ₹69.40 crore

3. Rani Mukerji’s cop drama ‘Mardaani 3’: ₹50.38 crore

4. ‘The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond’, produced by Vipul Shah: ₹29.40 crore

Ticket counters go crazy; over 1.2 lakh tickets sold

The excitement around the film is clearly visible in ticket sales.

Within just two hours of advance booking opening for paid previews, tickets worth ₹4 crore were already sold.

As the day progressed, the numbers kept climbing. In less than 24 hours, ‘Dhurandhar 2’ managed to sell over 1.2 lakh tickets.

Breaking it down:

– Hindi version: 1,20,618 tickets

– Total including South languages: around 1,26,623 tickets

Can it join the all-time advance booking legends?

The current speed suggests that ‘Dhurandhar 2’ could soon challenge some of the biggest advance booking records in Indian cinema.

The list of top ticket-selling films in advance booking in India includes some absolute giants.

At the very top sits the Hollywood blockbuster “Avengers: Endgame”, directed by the Russo Brothers, which sold 15 lakh tickets and collected more than ₹35 crore in advance bookings.

Among Indian films, the crown belongs to SS Rajamouli’s epic “Baahubali 2: The Conclusion” starring Prabhas, which sold 6.5 lakh tickets.

The highest-selling Hindi film in advance booking remains Atlee’s action thriller “Jawan”, starring Shah Rukh Khan, with 5,57,000 tickets.

Close behind it is another Shah Rukh Khan film “Pathaan”, directed by Siddharth Anand, which sold 5,56,000 tickets.

The fifth spot currently belongs to the Marvel blockbuster “Spider-Man: No Way Home” starring Tom Holland, which sold 5,50,000 tickets, including 2.4 lakh within the first 24 hours.

‘Dhurandhar 2’ has not yet entered this elite list, but trade watchers believe it has a strong chance.

Why? Because the film still has 11 more days before paid previews begin on March 18, and advance booking for the regular release starting March 19 hasn’t even opened yet.

Bollywood’s music world is buzzing again, and this time the spotlight is on legendary composer AR Rahman and singer-composer Salim Merchant.

The conversation started after Rahman spoke about possibly getting fewer work opportunities in Bollywood. His comment sparked heated discussions online.

Now, Salim Merchant has stepped into the debate and his response has added a fresh twist to the story.

Salim Merchant says he doesn’t believe there is bias

In an exclusive chat with IANS, Salim Merchant shared his honest reaction to Rahman’s claim. While he respected Rahman’s experience, he said he personally does not believe communal bias is the reason behind the situation.

Salim explained that Rahman might have his own experiences that led him to say what he did. But from his perspective, things look different.

Also Read: AR Rahman row: Son AR Ameen shares videos of PM Modi praising him, president Murmu honouring him

According to Salim, if Rahman is composing music for Ramayana, which is being described as one of the biggest films ever made on Indian mythology, it becomes difficult to believe that the industry is biased against him.

Salim said that a composer working on such a massive project based on a Hindu epic clearly shows there is no communal barrier in the industry, at least in his opinion.

What exactly did Rahman say?

The controversy began when Rahman spoke to BBC Asian Network about why he sometimes receives fewer projects in Bollywood.

The Oscar-winning composer said that today many decision-makers in the industry are people who are not necessarily creative. These individuals often decide which composers get hired for films.

Rahman added that sometimes he hears through “Chinese whispers”, indirect conversations in the industry, that he was initially chosen for a project but later replaced by several other composers hired by the music company.

He even suggested that the situation ‘might’ have a communal angle, although he admitted that no one ever said it directly to his face.

Rahman also reacted to such situations with a calm attitude. He joked that if someone else gets the work, it simply means he gets more time to relax and spend with his family.

Backlash forced Rahman to clarify

Soon after the interview went viral, the remarks sparked backlash on social media. Some people misunderstood his comments and felt he was accusing the industry of discrimination.

To address the criticism, Rahman released a video explaining his intentions.

He said music has always been his way of celebrating culture and connecting people. India, he added, has always been his inspiration, his teacher and his home.

Rahman also said that sometimes words can be misunderstood, but his goal has always been to uplift and honour cultures through his music. He stressed that he never wanted to hurt anyone’s feelings.

As the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran entered its eighth day, the conflict has expanded across the Middle East with sustained airstrikes on Iranian military infrastructure and retaliatory missile and drone attacks targeting US and allied assets across the Gulf. Explosions have been reported in multiple Iranian cities, including Tehran, while Iranian strikes have hit or threatened installations in several Gulf countries, raising fears that the war could spiral into a wider regional confrontation.

Strategic affairs expert Brahma Chellaney has highlighted how Iran’s growing use of drones and ballistic missiles is increasingly challenging US and allied defenses in the Gulf region, even as Iran faces overwhelming air superiority from the United States and Israel.

Iran has no modern air force and its air defenses are now non-existent, allowing the U.S. and Israel to own the skies over it. Yet its counter-attacks with ballistic missiles and drones are proving deadly.

Russia wreaked havoc in Ukraine by importing more than 50,000 Iranian…

— Dr. Brahma Chellaney (@Chellaney) March 8, 2026

In a commentary on the evolving conflict dynamics, Chellaney said Iran currently lacks a modern air force, and its air defense network has largely been neutralised, enabling US and Israeli forces to dominate Iranian airspace. However, he noted that Tehran’s retaliatory strikes using ballistic missiles and drones are still proving effective and deadly.

According to Chellaney, Iran’s use of Shahed drones has already demonstrated their impact in modern warfare. Russia had earlier deployed tens of thousands of these Iranian-made drones during the war in Ukraine, causing significant destruction before beginning domestic production of similar variants.

He said Iran is now employing the same drone systems to target US military facilities across the Gulf as well as Israeli installations.

Citing recent developments, Chellaney pointed out that Iranian drone attacks in Qatar reportedly destroyed a $1-billion Raytheon AN/FPS-132 radar, a key component supporting Patriot missile system and THAAD air-defense networks.

Reports have also indicated that Iranian strikes in recent days have hit radar, communications, and air-defense systems across multiple Gulf states, including the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.

According to reporting cited from The Wall Street Journal, these attacks have degraded the ability of the US and its regional partners to track incoming missiles by targeting radar installations, communications nodes, and command-and-control systems.

Chellaney noted that such strikes, if sustained, could weaken early-warning networks in the Gulf and increase the chances of Iranian missiles penetrating defensive shields in the region.

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya on Sunday emphasised that empowering women strengthens families and society, adding that greater participation of women in sports and fitness activities is vital for the nation’s progress.

Mandaviya took part in the Fit India Pink Cyclothon in Kolkata to celebrate the occasion, promoting women’s fitness and cycling. The initiative was organised under the Sunday on Cycle programme, which continues to draw enthusiastic participation from citizens and spread the message of fitness, sustainability, and community engagement.

~ On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports #MansukhMandaviya on Sunday emphasised that empowering women strengthens families and society, adding that greater participation of women in sports and fitness activities is vital for… pic.twitter.com/kloSkkwngZ

— The Statesman (@TheStatesmanLtd) March 8, 2026

Interacting with participants, the minister encouraged people to adopt cycling as a regular activity to stay fit while also contributing to a sustainable environment. He noted that such initiatives help cultivate a culture of fitness and a sense of collective responsibility among citizens.

Highlighting the importance of women’s participation in sports and public life, Mandaviya stressed that empowering women is key to building a stronger society. “When women are empowered, families and society prosper, contributing directly to nation-building,” he said. He also called for greater encouragement and opportunities for women and girls in sports and fitness, noting that inclusive participation strengthens communities and advances the country’s overall progress.

Among the prominent personalities who participated in the cyclothon were Olympian and Arjuna Award recipient Bombayla Devi Laishram, Avinash Kumar Gupta, Chief Commissioner of the Bharat Scouts and Guides in Kolkata, Piyali Basak, who has summited Mount Everest, Indian women’s football team goalkeeper Adrija Sarkhel, and Olympian Sushmita Singha Roy.

Launched in December 2024 by Mandaviya, Fit India Sundays on Cycle has grown into a major mass movement, with more than 25 million citizens participating across over 250,000 locations nationwide.

The initiative is part of the larger Fit India Movement launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 29, 2019, with the aim of making fitness a daily habit and encouraging behavioural change towards active lifestyles.

The weekly Fit India Sundays on Cycle programme is organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India and partners, including the Cycling Federation of India, Mallakhamb Association of India, Kudo International Federation India, NaMo Cycling Club, Indian Rope Skipping Federation, MY Bharat, and Yogasana Bharat.

This week’s edition of the initiative was dedicated to women’s empowerment, aligning with the spirit of International Women’s Day.

Nishant Kumar, son of Nitish Kumar, formally joined the Janata Dal (United) today, marking a significant development in the political landscape of Bihar.

After taking party membership at the JD(U) office in Patna, Nishant Kumar addressed party workers and expressed gratitude for the support extended to him. He also praised his father for his two-decade-long leadership in the state.

“I thank everyone. I will try to live up to the trust you all have placed in me. The entire Bihar and the whole country are proud of what my father has done in the last 20 years,” Nishant Kumar said while interacting with party workers.

Nishant Kumar greeted supporters upon arriving at the party headquarters. Sanjay Kumar Jha, National Working President of JD(U), was also present during the occasion.

#WATCH | Patna, Bihar: Nishant Kumar, son of CM Nitish Kumar, joins the Janata Dal (United) party

He says, “I thank everyone. I will try to live up to the trust you all have placed in me. I, the entire Bihar and the entire country are proud of what my father has done in the last… https://t.co/GEUqtEtnG4 pic.twitter.com/rOAySde6JH

— ANI (@ANI) March 8, 2026

A day earlier, Nishant Kumar had held a meeting with senior party leaders and young MLAs at the residence of Sanjay Kumar Jha, where discussions were held on the party’s future strategy.

His entry into active politics comes amid a major transition in Bihar’s leadership. On March 5, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar filed his nomination for the Rajya Sabha, signalling the end of his long tenure as the state’s Chief Minister. Nitish Kumar said that he would continue to remain connected with the state despite shifting to the Upper House of Parliament.

“I am going to the Rajya Sabha. There won’t be a problem for you all. I will remain in Bihar as well; all work will continue. Work hard for the development of Bihar. I will keep an eye on everything; do not worry,” he had said.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Sunday carried out a bulldozer action against a property linked to an accused in the Uttam Nagar murder case in New Delhi.

According to officials, the demolition drive targeted a property associated with one of the accused, identified as Nizamuddin. Civic authorities said the action was taken as part of enforcement measures against illegal constructions connected to individuals involved in the case.

#WATCH | Uttam Nagar murder case: Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) carries out bulldozer action against the property of an accused. According to officials, action is being taken against the property linked to the accused Nizamuddin

The Delhi government has taken strict… pic.twitter.com/3l0D6TUtDq

— ANI (@ANI) March 8, 2026

Officials from the MCD carried out the demolition in the presence of local authorities and security personnel to maintain law and order during the operation.

#WATCH | Uttam Nagar murder case: Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) carries out bulldozer action against the property of an accused. According to officials, action is being taken against the property linked to the accused Nizamuddin.

Police have so far apprehended seven… pic.twitter.com/bCl211h6Nf

— ANI (@ANI) March 8, 2026

The bulldozer action comes after Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta took a tough stance of zero tolerance towards violent crimes and ordered immediate directions for swift action. Delhi CM, on a post on X yesterday, had warned of strict action in the matter.

होली के पावन पर्व पर दिल्ली के उत्तम नगर में एक मासूम युवा की जघन्य हत्या की यह घटना अत्यंत दर्दनाक, निंदनीय और पूरे समाज को झकझोर देने वाली है।

दिल्ली में इस प्रकार की जघन्य आपराधिक और हिंसक घटनाओं के लिए शून्य सहनशीलता की नीति है। इस तरह की दरिंदगी किसी भी कीमत पर बर्दाश्त…

— Rekha Gupta (@gupta_rekha) March 7, 2026

Police probe underway

Meanwhile, police said that seven people have so far been apprehended in connection with the murder case, including a minor. The arrests were made as part of an ongoing investigation into the incident that had triggered concern in the area. SC/ST Act has been added to the FIR in the case.

Police officials added that further investigation is underway to ascertain the sequence of events and the role of the accused in the case.

“Nero fiddled while Rome burned”. This ancient Roman saying perfectly fits the Congress high command when it comes to dealing with the deepening political crisis in Karnataka, a key remaining state where the party still governs. The high command remains in its bubble while Karnataka drifts. It is quite possible the leadership may well be engaged behind the scenes, but it has done little to resolve a deadlock that has dragged on for months. If the party high command cannot resolve the leadership crisis soon, it risks losing its flagship state in the next Assembly election. And who will be blamed then? There are no prizes for guessing.

The Locomotive Metaphor and the Missing Signal

It was against this backdrop that senior leader B.K. Hariprasad returned from Delhi after consultations with the high command and offered a vivid description of Deputy Chief Minister and state president D.K. Shivakumar or DKS. He said DKS was no longer just the “Rock” of party lore but a powerful railway engine pulling the organisation forward. The remark worked as both compliment and caution. A locomotive generates energy, speed and attention. It also produces noise, heat and pressure as it approaches a crowded platform. To paraphrase Hariprasad’s words, the current commotion inside the Karnataka Congress was not necessarily a sign of collapse but of momentum. Yet the same metaphor contained a warning. A train cannot run on two tracks at once. However strong the engine, the direction of travel depends on the signal it receives.

It is clear that the signal has been conspicuously delayed. The much-touted original understanding after the 2023 victory that the chief minister would hand over the chair midway through the five-year term to his deputy was meant to ensure a smooth journey, a handover of the baton without disruption to governance. Instead, the state has been watching an extended standoff in which both leaders assert legitimacy, now punctuated by public stray-dog jabs at those seeking clarity while the central leadership refrains from an open, time-bound decision. It only reinforces the high command’s image of a leadership that hesitates, a leadership that likes to live in its bubble, a perception of inaction. And don’t we all know that in electoral politics, perception often travels faster than performance.

This is particularly striking because the state government has achievements in welfare guarantees, rural consumption, investment appeal and Bengaluru’s tech draw. In purely administrative terms, the train is moving. But politics is not measured only by delivery. It is measured by clarity of command. When the question of succession becomes a permanent noise, it begins to overshadow the record of governance.

A National Test Disguised as a State Story

The party high command cannot afford that in its present dire national condition. Its geography of governance has shrunk so much that an ordinary citizen will have to think hard to name the states where the Congress still governs. Karnataka is the only large southern state where the party commands a full majority on its own strength. Telangana is recent and still consolidating. Himachal Pradesh is small. In this landscape, instability in Karnataka is not a regional story anymore. It is a test of the high command’s leadership itself. It is a test to determine if the Congress can manage authority where its party actually governs.
Mr Hariprasad’s formulation that only Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and the high command can determine the final direction was therefore more than a routine expression of loyalty. It was a reminder that in a national party the tracks are laid at the centre, at the party high command. State leaders provide the drive, but the route comes from the command structure. By insisting that the high command is neither helpless nor indifferent, Mr Hariprasad was attempting to reassure a cadre that had begun to read delay as distance and indifference or even lack of courage to take a firm decision.

Yet every month that the issue remains unresolved is likely to strengthen the opposition’s narrative that the Congress is internally preoccupied and that its leadership in Delhi is weak. The BJP does not need to win the argument immediately. It only needs to keep the focus on Congress disunity, to keep the narrative of indecision and infighting on the boil. The Janata Dal (Secular), though reduced, is watching for openings in the Vokkaliga belt. The longer the Congress appears to be negotiating with itself, the more it risks turning a comfortable mandate into a competitive election. It will be a self-inflicted tragedy.

This is why the powerful locomotive imagery resonates beyond its rhetorical flourish. An engine is valuable not because it is powerful but because it pulls the entire formation in a single direction, doesn’t it? Luckily enough, in Karnataka today, the party still has the advantage of incumbency, a functioning government and a fragmented opposition.
For the Congress high command, a decisive, transparent handling of the Karnataka transition would send a signal that the party can manage power as effectively as it mobilises opposition. Continued ambiguity sends the opposite message. The risk, the DKS camp might argue, is not of an immediate derailment but of a gradual backsliding. If the Congress allows a perception to take root that it cannot resolve its own internal squabbles, it hands its rivals a narrative that will run all the way to the next assembly election.

And that would be rather unfortunate. Karnataka was projected as the state from which the Congress would demonstrate a model of governance, social welfare and organisational unity. The CM camp might say that today the train coaches are still full, the engine running and the track still clear. It is not the strength of the engine that determines the journey. It is the driver that commands it. DKS, hoping for the change of guard, wants to be that driver.

During a protest over the SIR issue at Dharmatala in Kolkata, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra asserted that those who are not with TMC are not Bengalis.

Addressing supporters during the protest, Moitra said that people who are not aligned with the All India Trinamool Congress do not have the right to stay in Bengal. She argued that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is fighting the political battle on behalf of the people of the state.

“I am saying this to everyone that those who are not with TMC now are not Bengalis. They don’t have the right to stay in Bengal because Mamata Didi is fighting this battle for the people of Bengal,” Moitra said while speaking at the protest site in Dharmatala.

Kolkata, West Bengal: On SIR Protest at Dharmatala, TMC MP Mahua Moitra says, “I am saying this to everyone that, those who are not with TMC now, they are not Bengali’s, they don’t have the right to stay in Bengal because Mamata Didi is fighting this battle for the people of… pic.twitter.com/sSwwCvmQyw

— IANS (@ians_india) March 7, 2026

BJP hits out at Mahua Moitra

Reacting to TMC MP’s strong remark, BJP Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala slammed Mahua Moitra and her party for the ‘deep intolerance and Hitler-like mindset’. He calls the statement a reflection of an absolute dictatorial mentality.

| WATCH | BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla slammed Mahua Moitra’s remarks, saying TMC stands for ‘Tanashahi, Mansikta and Culture.’ Moitra had stated during the SIR protest that those not supporting TMC are not Bengalis and have no right to stay in the state.… pic.twitter.com/kp5ENnQDGS

— The Statesman (@TheStatesmanLtd) March 8, 2026

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the reported protocol lapse during the visit of President Droupadi Murmu to the state, calling the incident shameful and demanding accountability.

The remarks come amid a growing political row over alleged protocol lapses during President Murmu’s visit to West Bengal. Yesterday, President Murmu voiced disappointment over the arrangements made for the 9th International Santal Conference, questioning the choice of venue and expressing sadness that many members of the Santal community were unable to attend the event. She also remarked on the absence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Reacting to the controversy surrounding the President’s visit to West Bengal, Delhi CM alleged that the state government had failed to show due respect to the country’s constitutional head.

#WATCH | Delhi CM Rekha Gupta says, “…I believe that the Chief Minister of Bengal works with a narrow mindset. She does not know how to respect constitutional positions. The President of the country, who is the first citizen of India, a constitutional position, is a woman from… pic.twitter.com/7VEcjTmO1O

— ANI (@ANI) March 8, 2026

“I believe that the Chief Minister of Bengal works with a narrow mindset. She does not know how to respect constitutional positions. The President of the country, who is the first citizen of India and holds a constitutional position, is a woman from a tribal community, and the entire country is proud of her,” Gupta said.

She further criticised the alleged handling of the President’s visit, stating that insulting the Head of State during an official trip to the state was unacceptable. “She comes to your state, and you insult her. This is truly a matter of shame for all of us, and she should really think about it,” the Delhi Chief Minister said. She further said that people across the country were seeking an explanation. “The people of Bengal and the people of the country are demanding answers from her,” Gupta added.

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra believes New Zealand pacer Matt Henry could pose a serious challenge for India’s batters in the final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 to be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

Chopra described Henry as a dangerous bowler who has the ability to trouble batters regardless of the pitch conditions.

“Matt Henry is a very dangerous bowler and he is going to cause problems for India in the final. Sometimes he can be expensive, but he is one of those bowlers who takes the pitch out of the equation,” Chopra said.

The former opener explained that Henry’s pace, variations and ability to execute yorkers make him difficult to line up.

“He is quick through the air and has the speed and the ability to bowl yorkers. He is also not predictable. He has a lethal bouncer in his arsenal, so you cannot line him up easily. He does not use the leg cutter as quickly as Jofra Archer; he sticks to his plans. That will be a challenge for the Indian batters,” he said.

Turning his attention to India batter Sanju Samson, Chopra said the wicketkeeper-batter will have to be cautious while facing the New Zealand pacer, as Henry had previously dismissed him in the Guwahati T20I.

“Sanju Samson will have to play carefully against him. Sanju has a habit of standing deep in the crease with both feet. That led to his dismissal against Henry in the Guwahati T20I. Henry bowled a quick delivery and Sanju could not read it and got out for a golden duck. Matt Henry can produce results with the new ball. Samson will have to watch out for him,” Chopra noted.

Henry was instrumental in New Zealand’s run to the T20 World Cup 2026 final, highlighted by a crucial 2/34 in the semifinal against South Africa in Kolkata shortly after returning from paternity leave. He provided key breakthroughs throughout the tournament, including 1-19 against England and 2-3 against Sri Lanka in the Super 8s stage.

Chopra further said that if Samson makes the most of his opportunities and continues his recent form, it will become difficult for the team management to leave him out of the playing XI.

“Getting an opportunity is important. Without that you can’t score runs. People who said his 24-run knock against Zimbabwe was enough are now saying, ‘This is what we want from Sanju,’ after his terrific batting displays against West Indies and England. If this is what he can do, then that 24-run knock was never the job done knock. He is this good. When Sanju gets going, he gets on a roll,” he said.

“A century against Bangladesh, two against South Africa, three centuries. But when he’s on a bad run, a lot of games pass and he doesn’t score runs, due to which a pattern of doubting his ability develops. We talk about ‘justice for Sanju’, but you also need luck. Sometimes you make your own luck. He has shown what he can do. Make the most of your chances. If you do, nobody can drop you,” he added.

He further praised Samson’s recent batting performances, saying the batter has shown what he is capable of when he finds rhythm at the crease.

“Against the West Indies, he stayed unbeaten till the end with 97. Then against England, after the dropped catch, he destroyed the opposition. That was brilliant. This is the kind of batting he is famous for,” he concluded.

Samson scored 232 runs in four innings with an average of 77.33 and a strike rate over 200. He recently smashed 97 not out (50) against the West Indies and 89 (42) against England in the semifinals.

A political row erupted after President Droupadi Murmu expressed disappointment with the arrangements during her visit to West Bengal. Leaders across the political spectrum have expressed concern about the reported protocol lapses, absence of state representatives, and the overall handling of the event.

#WATCH | Darjeeling, West Bengal | President Droupadi Murmu says, “Today was the International Santal Conference. When I came here after attending it, I realised it would have been better if it had been held here, because the area is so vast… I don’t know what went through the… pic.twitter.com/zMYyvDo0Y2

— ANI (@ANI) March 7, 2026

Union Minister Annapurna Devi sharply criticised the state government, saying the incident was unfortunate and reflected poorly on the administration. “The President is the constitutional head of the country. When she visited West Bengal, the absence of any minister or the Chief Minister reflects poor thinking and mentality. Such actions are certainly shameful for the country,” she said, targeting Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

#WATCH | Delhi: On President Droupadi Murmu’s conference in West Bengal, Union Minister Annapurna Devi says, “No amount of condemnation will be enough for yesterday’s unfortunate incident. The President is the constitutional head, and when she visited West Bengal, the absence of… pic.twitter.com/sdsj0VA1z8

— ANI (@ANI) March 8, 2026

However, TMC MP Sagarika Ghose defended the state government and released correspondence between the West Bengal administration and the President’s office. She claimed the state government had warned the President’s Secretariat that the private organisers of the North Bengal event might not be able to make arrangements befitting the Head of State.

Releasing the correspondence between the Bengal government and @rashtrapatibhvn on the President’s event in North Bengal. The Bengal government had warned the President’s office that the particular private organisers of the event would not be able to make arrangements befitting… pic.twitter.com/yILwoLHIeb

— Sagarika Ghose (@sagarikaghose) March 7, 2026

Meanwhile, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi also condemned the alleged lapses, stating that the incident had deeply saddened people in Odisha and members of the tribal community across the country.

Senior CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat also expressed concern, saying that when the President visits a state, it is a “minimum requirement” that representatives of the state government welcome her. She added that constitutional offices such as the President and Governor should remain above politics and be treated with appropriate dignity.

Also, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati urged political parties to respect constitutional institutions and not politicise the office of the President. In a post on social media, she said it was essential to uphold the dignity of the post, especially as the current President is both a woman and from a tribal community.

‘Proof the state government collapsed into petty vendetta politics’: Jethmalani

Senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Mahesh Jethmalani strongly criticised the West Bengal government, calling the incident “beyond shameful” and accusing the administration of failing to uphold constitutional decorum during the President’s visit.

The controversy has intensified the political debate over protocol and respect for constitutional offices, with opposition leaders demanding accountability while the state government maintains that it had flagged concerns about the event’s arrangements in advance.

West Bengal politics has hit another tense note just days before the 2026 Assembly elections. Suvendu Adhikari, BJP MLA from Nandigram, has publicly accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of trying to manipulate votes through a state-run police welfare body.

In a strongly worded post on X (formerly Twitter), Adhikari expressed his shock, calling the alleged actions “a brazen attempt to undermine democracy before elections are even announced.”

I am deeply shocked and outraged by the brazen attempts of the TMC controlled so-called West Bengal Police Welfare Organisation to undermine the very foundations of our Democracy, even before the elections are announced !!!

This recent order from the Superintendent of Police;… pic.twitter.com/nEIcoUctNX

— Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) March 8, 2026

Alleged misuse of Police Welfare Organisation

According to Adhikari, a recent order issued by the Superintendent of Police, Jhargram District, dated March 7, 2026, assigns the handling of postal ballots and employee development (ED) votes for police personnel to the so-called “Joint Convener, Welfare” of the Jhargram District Police Welfare.

Also Read: Mamata congratulates Bengal candidates for success in UPSC 2025, highlights performance by women candidates

Adhikari claims that this body has no legal authority in electoral matters and describes it as a “frontal outfit for the TMC party.” He says it was created solely to serve the interests of the ruling party, run by officers loyal to TMC leaders rather than their official duty to the public.

“This is not an isolated incident,” he said. “It is a statewide conspiracy where police reserve officers are being instructed to collect postal ballots from every police personnel and funnel them through this sham welfare organisation.”

Allegations of coercion and electoral manipulation

The BJP leader went on to accuse these officers of issuing illegal orders and coercing junior police personnel to hand over their votes. He warned that such practices threaten the integrity of the electoral process, even before the Model Code of Conduct comes into force.

“This is a direct assault on free and fair elections,” Adhikari said. “Crucial votes from those who protect society are being hijacked to rig the system in favor of the corrupt TMC regime.”

Urgent appeal to Election Commission

Suvendu Adhikari has urged the Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP) to take immediate action. He called for the disbandment of the so-called police welfare body and strict action against all officials involved, starting with the Superintendent of Police in Jhargram.

He also emphasised that postal ballots for police personnel should be handled only through official channels, ensuring that every vote is protected and counted properly.

Details of the controversial order

This March 7, 2026 order titled “Corrigendum of Work Distribution of Election Cell of Jhargram District in c/w General Assembly Election-2026” makes several staffing changes. It assigns the following officers to handle postal ballots and ED votes:

– ASI(AB)-89 Debasish Das, Joint Convener Welfare

– C/1252 Malay Bera (Jhargram District Police 2601)

– 601 Edur Buley (Jhargram District Police ECCS Ltd.)

– C/1574 Debasish Kr. Jana (Jhargram District Police ECCS Ltd.)

– C/665 Kumar Samrat Pal (Reserve Officer)

The order states these personnel will work on postal ballot and ED vote management in addition to existing members, with the aim of “smooth, seamless, and unambiguous functioning” of the election cell.

As the two cricketing giants, India and New Zealand, are set to lock horns in the T20 World Cup final at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the ICC chairman Jay Shah extended his best wishes to both nations ahead of the summit clash.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has created history, becoming the most-watched edition of the tournament in its storied history, with the viewership in India alone crossing 500 million, the highest ever for a T20 World Cup.

“It’s been a record-breaking #t20worldcup with many highlights, including some great performances from our associate members. It’s now time to wish India and New Zealand good luck in the final, which will be played in front of a huge crowd and watched by hundreds of millions,” Shah shared on X.

The ICC’s streaming service, which serves fans in growth territories, set a new concurrent streaming record during the Super 8 fixture between India and the West Indies, surpassing the previous peak achieved during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 final.

Across social media platforms, the ICC has surpassed 10 billion video views and remains on track to exceed the 16 billion video views achieved in 2024.

Moreover, the second semfinal between India and England registered a peak digital concurrency of 65.2 million viewers on JioHotstar which is the highest for any live event across the world.

On the field, the 2026 edition has delivered high-intensity contests and dramatic turnarounds. The group stage featured 20 teams divided into four groups of five, with the top two from each group progressing to the Super Eights.

Traditional heavyweights like Australia and Pakistan were tested early, while emerging sides like Zimbabwe and Nepal produced spirited performances that underlined the growing depth in global T20 cricket.

The Super Eights stage further intensified the competition. The eight qualified teams, namely India, Sri Lanka, West Indies, South Africa, England, New Zealand, Zimbabwe and Pakistan, were split into two groups of four, with only the top two from each group advancing to the semi-finals. Several matches went down to the wire, and net run rate proved decisive in shaping the final standings.

Even before the peak summer season has fully set in, Tamil Nadu has witnessed a sharp rise in electricity consumption, with the state’s peak power demand crossing the 20,000-megawatt (MW) mark for the first time this year.

The surge has been attributed to rising temperatures and increasing humidity across the state.

According to official data, Tamil Nadu recorded a peak power demand of 20,211 MW on Friday, marking the highest level so far in 2026. The figure is only about 600 MW short of the state’s all-time peak demand of 20,830 MW, which was recorded in 2024.

Officials pointed out that the peak demand recorded this year has already surpassed the 2025 peak of 20,148 MW, which was registered in April last year. The fact that current demand has been reached in the first week of March indicates the likelihood of further increases as summer intensifies.

Daily electricity consumption has also shown a notable rise. The state recorded 416.284 million units (Mu) of power consumption in a single day, the highest daily usage so far this year. By comparison, the daily consumption crossed 436 Mu during the summer months last year, while the highest ever daily consumption of 454.32 Mu was recorded in April 2024.

Officials from the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) said power demand is likely to increase further in the coming weeks.

Weather forecasts indicate largely dry conditions across Tamil Nadu, with minimal chances of rainfall, which could lead to higher use of cooling appliances and air-conditioning.

Apart from seasonal factors, authorities also expect power consumption to rise due to increased political campaign activities ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections and the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket season, both of which typically lead to higher electricity usage.

To ensure uninterrupted supply, TNPDCL officials said the state has already entered into agreements with private power generators for long-term, medium-term and short-term power procurement to meet the anticipated demand during the summer months.

Meanwhile, solar power generation in Tamil Nadu has also seen a significant increase.

On Friday, the state absorbed 53.7 million units of solar power, the highest single-day solar generation recorded so far. The previous record stood at 50.8 Mu. Solar generation peaked at 7,107 MW during the day, reflecting the growing contribution of renewable energy.

Tamil Nadu currently has an installed solar power capacity of 9,555 MW, making it one of the leading states in solar energy production.

Bigg Boss 17 contestant and popular YouTuber Anurag Dobhal attempted to end his life live on Instagram. This was his second suicide attempt in just a few days. The influencer called it his “final drive” and said goodbye to thousands of followers before crashing his Toyota Fortuner into a barrier.

The terrifying incident unfolded on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway near Ghaziabad’s Masuri area, where Anurag, visibly emotional, livestreamed himself speeding at over 140 kmph. Choking back tears, he pleaded, “And I hope…when I return in my next birth, please give me love, mummy. I desperately need love.”

He also said he needed courage and encouragement, claiming he had no one to turn to.

Over 80,000 viewers watched in real-time, reacting with hearts, crying emojis, and panicked messages. “Let’s go for a final drive,” Anurag said before turning the camera to show his speeding car.

Moments later, he screamed, “And it’s a goodbye,” as the vehicle smashed into a roadside barrier. The harrowing footage quickly circulated on social media platforms left fans horrified.

Manager confirms ICU admission, appeals for calm

Following the incident, Anurag’s manager addressed the public with an official update. In a statement shared on social media, he wrote, “On behalf of Team UK Rider, I as Anurag Dobhal’s manager confirm that he is currently under medical observation in hospital. We request everyone to please treat this as the official statement and avoid continuous calls regarding the situation. If there are any further updates, we will share them at the appropriate time.”

Hours later, another update confirmed that Anurag had been moved to a different hospital and admitted to the ICU. “Please pray for him. We are in touch with doctors & everyone else. Thanks to people who have been supporting us, specially thanks to the fans who helped me figure out his location and got help for him, aap log bhagwan ho sach ma,” his manager added.

A troubling pattern: Second suicide attempt

This alarming live-streamed crash came just days after Anurag shared a disturbing note on Instagram, claiming mental harassment and family issues.

In his post, he accused his parents and siblings of torment, alleging they opposed his inter-caste marriage and did not allow his wife, Ritika, to enter the family home. At that time, he also admitted to having attempted suicide earlier.

His brother Kalam Ink responded to the claims calling them “one-sided” and suggesting that Anurag’s actions were aimed at gaining social media attention.

Celebrities speak out

The incident sparked reactions from the entertainment industry and social media personalities who used their platforms to raise awareness about mental health.

Aly Goni shared emotional message on Instagram condemning trolling Anurag faced: “Uss ladke ne aapni video daali aur zaahir kiya aapne aap ko logon ke saamne ki uski life mein jo bhi chal raha hai. Aur logon ne usko kya diya return mein? Hasi, mazak, troll. Abhi sunane main aaya hai ki usne chalti hui gaadi main suicide karne ki koshish ki hai highway pe. I hope woh theek ho but sad reality. Shame on you guys for making fun of him. Aap sabko upar waala dekh raha hai. I hope he’s fine.”

Translation: “That boy shared his video and openly expressed what was happening in his life. And what did people give him in return? Laughter, mockery, and trolling. Now I’ve heard he tried to commit suicide in a moving car on the highway. I hope he’s okay, but this is the sad reality. Shame on you all. God is watching everyone.”

Also Read: Badshah apologises and pulls ‘Tateeree’ amid furious backlash: ‘I hope you forgive me, considering me a son of Haryana’

Comedian Munawar Faruqui also voiced concern over public reaction to mental health issues: “I will talk about mental health. We always say someone’s mental health is very real and serious. We always tell others to talk about their problems, but koi insaan agar baat karne aata hai toh hum mazak udaate hain uska. Yeh internet ko kya bana diya tumne? Koi share karne aayega toh tum usko bologe views ke liye kar raha hai.”

Translation: “We always stress that mental health is serious. But when someone comes forward to talk, we make fun of them. What have we made the internet into? People will now hesitate to share because they fear being accused of doing it for views.”

As of now, Anurag is under close medical supervision in the ICU, with doctors monitoring his physical and psychological state.

(If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues or thoughts of self-harm, please do not stay silent. Reach out to friends, family, or trained professionals immediately.)

Sometimes the simplest remedies come from the kitchen shelf. And this week, Ayurveda expert Acharya Balkrishna reminded his followers of exactly that.

In a recent Facebook video, Balkrishna shared a very simple home drink that, according to him, can help people dealing with a fast heartbeat, chest discomfort, cough, cold, or flu. The remedy? Just cinnamon and cloves boiled like tea.

The short video quickly caught attention online because the ingredients are so common that almost every Indian kitchen already has them.

The recipe Balkrishna suggested

In the video, Balkrishna explained the preparation in the easiest way possible.

According to him, people should take 1 gram of dalchini (cinnamon), 2-3 cloves.

These ingredients should be boiled in water just like making chai. Once ready, the drink can be consumed like regular tea.

Also Read: Patanjali positions Dant Kanti Gandush Oil Pulling as a traditional Gandush practice backed by modern testing

Balkrishna said that drinking this preparation can help when someone feels their heartbeat increasing or experiences discomfort in the chest area. He added that it may also provide relief from flu, cough, cold and seasonal respiratory issues.

His suggestion follows the Ayurvedic tradition where simple herbs and spices are used to support the body’s natural balance.

Why cinnamon is considered powerful

Cinnamon, known scientifically as Cinnamomum, has been in use in food and medicine for centuries.

Historically the spice was extremely valuable. Records show that it was even used in Ancient Egypt. There it was treated as rare and royal ingredient.

There are two main types of cinnamon commonly used today: Ceylon cinnamon often called “true cinnamon” and Cassia cinnamon, the more commonly available variety in markets.

The spice is made from inner bark of cinnamon trees which dries into the familiar rolled sticks.

Its strong smell and taste come from natural compound called cinnamaldehyde. Scientists believe this is responsible for many of its health benefits.

Packed with antioxidants

Researchers say cinnamon contains powerful polyphenol antioxidants.

These compounds help body fight oxidative stress, which is damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals.

Studies suggest that cinnamon supplements can increase antioxidant levels in body and may also help reduce inflammation markers.

Because of its strong antioxidant properties, cinnamon is even sometimes used as natural food preservative.

Possible heart and blood sugar benefits

Cinnamon has also been linked to improvements in several factors connected to heart health.

Some research reviews suggest that consuming around 1 to 6 grams of cinnamon per day may help lower Triglycerides. They also help fight total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, blood sugar levels.

There is also evidence that cinnamon may help improve insulin sensitivity. That helps the body control blood sugar more effectively.

However scientists note that more human studies are needed to fully confirm these benefits.

Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties

Another reason cinnamon is widely studied is its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects.

Compounds in cinnamon may help fight certain bacteria and fungi. Some studies also suggest it could help reduce infections that affect respiratory tract.

These properties are one reason spices like cinnamon and cloves have long been used in traditional remedies for cough, cold, flu symptoms.