A brother-sister duo was murdered allegedly by their paternal uncle and his son over a land dispute in the Sehore district of Madhya Pradesh Friday morning. Both the accused have been arrested.

According to the police, the incident took place in Dharmapuri village under the Siddiqueganj police station limits, about 70 km from the district headquarters, at around 8 am.

Sehore SP Deepak Shukla said the victims were identified as Sheetal Malviya (20) and her brother, Kuldeep Malviya (19), children of Jagdish Malviya.

The siblings were on their way to their examination centre when the accused, Harisingh Malviya and his son, allegedly intercepted and attacked them with sticks. Both the victims succumbed to the severe injuries they sustained in the assault.

On getting information about the incident, a police team reached the spot and sent the bodies of the deceased for post-mortem examination. They said Harisingh and Jagdish are brothers and have been involved in a long-standing land dispute. Harisingh and his son have been rounded up and investigation is underway, officials added.

Amid the escalating conflict in Iran and the Gulf region, the United States has allowed a 30-day waiver for India to purchase Russian Oil to meet its energy requirements.

The waiver comes at a time when India continues to face potential risks linked to energy supply disruptions in the Middle East amid escalating tensions in West Asia after a joint US-Israel military strike on February 28 on Iranian territory resulted in the death of its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior figures.

With the crisis in the Gulf severely hampering shipping routes that pass through the Strait of Hormuz, the US on Thursday (local time) authorised the 30-day window for India to import Russian crude oil.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Thursday said, “President Trump’s energy agenda has resulted in oil and gas production reaching the highest levels ever recorded. To enable oil to keep flowing into the global market, the Treasury Department is issuing a temporary 30-day waiver to allow Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil. This deliberately short-term measure will not provide significant financial benefit to the Russian government as it only authorizes transactions involving oil already stranded at sea.

“India is an essential partner of the United States, and we fully anticipate that New Delhi will ramp up purchases of US oil. This stop-gap measure will alleviate pressure caused by Iran’s attempt to take global energy hostage,” Bessent stated.

“The move allows transactions tied to Russian crude oil or petroleum products that were already loaded onto vessels before early March. The shipments must be delivered to Indian ports and purchased by companies incorporated under Indian law,” the US Treasury Secretary said.

Under the licence issued by the Department of Treasury, transactions necessary for the sale, delivery, or offloading of Russian crude loaded on vessels before March 5 are authorised until April 4.

The authorisation applies only to deliveries to ports in India. The buyers must be Indian entities, the Treasury license said.

The licence allows a range of activities required to complete those shipments. These include services linked to the docking and anchoring of vessels, crew safety and emergency repairs. It also permits routine maritime services such as vessel management, crewing, bunkering, piloting, insurance and other operational support.

The move comes as the administration seeks to stabilise global energy markets amid rising tensions in the Middle East.

Officials said the measure is meant to allow shipments already in transit to reach their destination without violating US sanctions rules.

The Treasury Department stressed that the licence is narrow and temporary. It does not represent a broader easing of sanctions on Russia.

The authorisation does not permit other transactions restricted under US sanctions laws. It also does not allow dealings involving Iran or Iranian-origin goods or services that remain prohibited under existing regulations.

The licence was issued by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control and signed on March 5.

The United States and its Western allies imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The restrictions targeted major sectors of the Russian economy, including finance, defence, and energy.

The inaugural edition of the Khelo India Tribal Games is scheduled to take place from March 25 to April 6, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya announced on Friday. The Games will be held across three cities in the state of Chhattisgarh – Raipur, Jagdalpur, and Surguja.

The Games will feature seven medal sports — athletics, football, field hockey, weightlifting, archery, swimming, and wrestling. Two demonstration sports, Mallakhamb and Kabaddi, will also be included. Most states and union territories across India are expected to be represented at the event.

“The Khelo India Tribal Games are part of our expanding footprint that offers an opportunity to every young person who wants to play a sport. It is part of Narendra Modi’s vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2024, and sports has a massive role to play in that journey,” Mandaviya said.

The logo, theme song, and mascot of the first-ever Khelo India Tribal Games were unveiled at the Late B. R. Yadav Sports Stadium in Bilaspur on December 23. The ceremony was attended by Vishnu Deo Sai and Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao.

Mandaviya also stressed that the Games will help strengthen the talent pool emerging from tribal regions.

“Tapping talent from tribal regions is key, and continuously expanding our athlete base is the need of the hour. We are ensuring that talented youngsters from tribal communities are identified early, supported systematically, and integrated into the national sports framework,” he added.

The Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 will be jointly managed by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sports Authority of India, Indian Olympic Association, National Sports Federations, and the Chhattisgarh state organising committee. The technical standards for the Games will be benchmarked against international competitions.

The official mascot, Morveer, draws inspiration from Chhattisgarh’s cultural ethos. The name combines two words – ‘Mor’, meaning ‘mine’ or ‘our own’ in Chhattisgarhi, and ‘Veer’, symbolising courage and valour.

Chhattisgarh will become the first state to host this landmark national event dedicated exclusively to tribal athletes, marking a significant step in India’s sporting journey towards tribal empowerment and grassroots inclusion.

The Khelo India Tribal Games are part of the Khelo India Scheme, a flagship Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports aimed at promoting mass participation and sporting excellence. The Khelo India Games were declared an “Event of National Importance” in 2020 under the Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory Sharing with Prasar Bharati) Act, 2007.

India’s thrilling seven-run win over England in the T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday saw Jasprit Bumrah once again prove why he is regarded as one of the best bowlers in world cricket. The Indian pacer’s crucial spell in the death overs helped India defend a massive total and seal their place in the final.

Bumrah finished with figures of 1/33 in his four overs in a match where nearly 500 runs were scored across both innings. With the wicket of England captain Harry Brook, he also became the eighth Indian bowler to reach the milestone of 500 international wickets.

Chasing 254, England looked well on course thanks to a brilliant century from Jacob Bethell. However, the match turned in India’s favour when Bumrah delivered a superb 18th over, conceding just six runs when England needed 45 from the final three overs. Hardik Pandya followed it up with a tight penultimate over, giving away just nine runs and dismissing Sam Curran, as India eventually secured a narrow victory.

Following the match, several former and current cricketers showered praise on Bumrah for his ability to perform under pressure.

Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis compared having Bumrah in a team to possessing a superpower.

“Team India don’t understand how lucky they are to have him in their ranks. Regardless of the format, you just give him the ball and he wins you games. It’s a superpower any captain will dream of; it’s like having a genie—you rub the lamp and out comes Bumrah,” du Plessis said on ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut show.

Du Plessis also highlighted Bumrah’s unique bowling action and variations, noting that even when the pacer slightly misses his length, batters still struggle to capitalise.

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan also praised Bumrah, calling him a once-in-a-generation bowler with the ability to deliver in high-pressure moments.

“We are lucky that a bowler like Jasprit Bumrah plays for India. India has never had a bowler like him before. Perhaps the world has rarely seen a bowler like him. He has everything – yorkers, slower balls, outswing, inswing and bouncers – and he knows exactly how to bowl under pressure,” Pathan said on his YouTube channel.

India all-rounder Axar Patel echoed similar sentiments, describing Bumrah’s performance as the reason he is often referred to as the “Yorker King.”

“We knew the last two overs from Jasprit Bumrah would be crucial. On this wicket, the margin for error was very small. The way he delivered those yorkers under pressure shows why he is called the ‘Yorker King’. He knows exactly how to take the team out of difficult situations,” Axar said on JioHotstar.

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh also lauded Bumrah for his composure in the high-scoring encounter, crediting him and Hardik Pandya for guiding India through the tense finish.

“India played fantastic cricket at Wankhede. The match got very close even after India scoring over 250 runs. But the way Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya bowled, they showed a lot of maturity and got the team through to the finals,” Harbhajan said.

Sanju Samson powers India to massive total

Earlier, Sanju Samson led India’s batting effort with a blistering 89 off 42 balls. Valuable contributions from Shivam Dube (43), Ishan Kishan (39), Hardik Pandya (27) and Tilak Varma (21) helped India post a formidable 253/7 in 20 overs.

Despite being reduced to 95/4, England mounted a strong comeback through Bethell’s 105 off 48 balls and a quickfire cameo from Jofra Archer. However, India’s bowlers held their nerve in the closing overs to restrict England to 246/7.

India will now face New Zealand in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on March 8.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said the time when a handful of powerful nations could decide global affairs through sweeping agreements has passed, arguing that the world is moving steadily toward a multipolar order.

Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue 2026 in New Delhi, the minister said international power is now more widely distributed than before, making it unlikely that major countries will be able to impose broad geopolitical settlements on the rest of the world.

Jaishankar said that while large nations may still cooperate on specific issues, the idea of a few dominant powers determining global outcomes through comprehensive agreements no longer reflects reality.

“Multipolarity is here to stay. What we will have, which we are already seeing, is to some extent that some of the bigger countries will make temporary compacts on limited issues. I’m not saying they are insincere about it, maybe they are, but structurally, there’s not going to be some big deal between powers, and the rest of the world has to put up with it. That era is over,” he said.

The minister also emphasised that the growing influence of the Global South is rooted in shared historical experiences rather than political rhetoric.

“When Covid happened, the fact that a country like India, which was still undergoing its vaccination, was willing to send out vaccines to countries of the global south. Means global south is for real because it meant something for us. So there is an emotion, and I would argue to some degree a culture, where the global West is concerned. So the global south emanates from shared historical experiences,” Jaishankar said.

Global power structures are shifting

Jaishankar also pointed to visible changes within Western alliances, saying the once unified idea of a “Global West” is now showing internal differences.

“I think Global West was probably a more unified term, very cultural, very political, very strategic, till recently. Now there is a differentiation in the global west,” he observed.

“When we look back at these 70 years, I think the expectation that we can freeze a 1945 or a 1989 forever was a very unrealistic one. In fact, look back at the 70 years. These 70 years, we debate, how did we do, why didn’t it last, 70 years is 1 per cent of Indian history. Why would 1 per cent of Indian history last? Life moves on,” he said.

Technology and demographics shaping the next phase

Jaishankar said the coming decade will be defined by two powerful forces – technological transformation and demographic shifts – both of which are likely to reshape global influence.

He noted that much of the current geopolitical debate continues to focus heavily on developments in the United States, but the broader trend suggests a diffusion of power across multiple regions and sectors.

“No country today has hegemony over so many domains that it is an overall hegemon,” he said.

The minister explained that influence in the modern world is no longer measured only through traditional indicators like economic output or military strength.

“It’s not just a distribution of GDP and capabilities. I think in different domains, different parts of the world will contribute more or will have more capabilities. So the power in its different dimensions has spread out much more,” he added.

Gold and silver prices went up on Friday after a mild dip in the previous session, driven by conflict in the Middle East and a softer dollar.

MCX gold April futures gained 0.64 per cent to Rs 1,60,700 per 10 grams on an intra-day basis. Meanwhile MCX silver May futures gained 1.87 per cent to Rs 2,67,100 per kg.

Earlier in the day, silver prices on MCX had jumped 2.6 per cent while gold advanced over 1 per cent followed by profit booking.

As investors wait for cues from the US February jobs report, due later Friday, traders widely expect the US Federal Reserve to keep interest rates unchanged at its policy meeting set to conclude on March 18, according to multiple reports.

Spot silver edged marginally in international markets to $82.26 per ounce, while spot gold was flat on an intraday basis.

Analysts said the US-Iran war has lifted inflation concerns and trimmed bets on near‑term Fed rate cuts.

As the war against Iran entered its seventh day, investors are concerned about disruption of energy supplies.

The dollar index eased 0.29 per cent to 99.03, making greenback-backed bullion cheaper for buyers in overseas currencies

US President Donald Trump continued to maintain his aggressive stance on Iran and signalled he had some plans for Cuba too.

Further, the US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the United States has enough munitions to sustain the campaign for an extended period.

Meanwhile, after a surge of over 15 per cent since last week when the US-Israel and Iran war began, oil prices dropped early on Friday after the US said it would allow a 30-day waiver for Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil stranded at sea.

The April contract of the benchmark Brent crude on the Intercontinental Exchange was trading at $84.21 per barrel, down by 1.52 per cent from its previous close.

“Gold has support at Rs 1,58,000 and Rs 1,56,600 per 10 gram while resistance at Rs 1,61,100 and Rs 1,62,800. MCX silver has support at Rs 2,57,700 and Rs 2,52,000 per kg and resistance is at Rs 2,66,000 and Rs 2,71,000,” an analyst said.

The new film Gandhi Talks has arrived on ZEE5 on March 6, and it is already creating curiosity among movie lovers. The reason is simple. It is a silent drama in an age where films rely heavily on dialogues.

The film stars Vijay Sethupathi, who carries the story almost entirely through expressions, gestures and body language. The story revolves around unemployed graduate whose life unexpectedly collides with wealthy businessman who is dealing with his own personal struggles. The film also features Aditi Rao Hydari and Arvind Swamy.

Also Read: What Japanese anime should you watch on Netflix right now in March before they leave?

If ‘Gandhi Talks’ sparks your interest in this rare storytelling style, here are five silent films worth exploring.

Andhare Alo

One of the earliest examples of silent storytelling from Bengal is ‘Andhare Alo’ released in 1922. The film was produced by Taj Mahal Films in Calcutta and marked their debut production.

The film’s title translates to “Beam of Light”, and it was also known as “The Influence of Love.” It was directed by Sisir Bhaduri and Naresh Mitra, while Noni Gopal Sanyal handled cinematography.

The cast included Sisir Kumar Bhaduri, Naresh Mitra, Jogesh Choudhury and Durga Rani.

The film was based on a short story of the same name written by Saratchandra Chatterjee, a celebrated Bengali author known for his emotionally layered stories.

The plot revolves around a complicated love triangle. A man named Satyendra marries because of family pressure. However, after the wedding he leaves behind his young bride Radharani, who is only eleven years old, and becomes involved with a modern and mature courtesan.

Raja Harishchandra

If there is one film that sits at the very beginning of Indian cinema history, it is ‘Raja Harishchandra’.

Released in 1913, this silent film was directed and produced by Dadasaheb Phalke. It is regarded as first full-length Indian feature film.

The film starred Dattatraya Damodar Dabke, Anna Salunke, Bhalchandra Phalke and Gajanan Vasudev Sane.

The story was inspired by the legendary king Harishchandra known in mythology for his honesty. Dabke played the title role in the film.

Because the movie had no spoken dialogue, it used intertitles in English, Marathi and Hindi to explain key moments in the story.

Netaji Palkar

Another important silent film in Indian cinema history is Netaji Palkar, released in 1927.

The historical biopic was directed by V Shantaram. It was his first film as director. The movie was produced under banner of Maharashtra Film Company in Kolhapur.

Kaishavrao Dhaiber, who had worked as an apprentice with filmmaker Damle, co-directed the film. Later, he went on to become the chief cinematographer for Shantaram’s films.

The film’s director of photography was S Fattelal.

The cast included Ansuya, Balasaheb Yadav, Ganpat Bakre and Zunzarrao Pawar.

The story focuses on Netaji Palkar, who served as the Senapati (Commander-in-Chief) of Maratha king Shivaji. The narrative follows his efforts and struggles while trying to protect his kingdom.

The film made a significant impact on Marathi cinema.

Daughters of Today

Moving from western India to the north, another fascinating silent film emerged from Lahore in 1928.

The film was titled ‘Daughters of Today’ and was produced by GK Mehta and directed by Shankradev Arya.

It holds special place in cinema history because it was the first feature film made in Lahore.

At that time, Lahore was part of British India and would later become a major filmmaking hub in Pakistan. The film helped establish the city as a centre for filmmaking. It eventually evolved into what is popularly known as Lollywood.

The production journey was long and difficult. Work on the film began in 1924, but it took three years to finish.

The biggest reason for the delay was financial problems, which slowed down the production process.

Despite these challenges, the film introduced people who would later become major figures in South Asian cinema.

One of them was AR Kardar, who later became one of the most famous directors in Bombay during the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s.

Holy Wound

Silent cinema did not disappear after the early twentieth century. Occasionally, filmmakers return to the style to experiment with storytelling.

One modern example is the Malayalam silent film ‘Holy Wound’, released in 2022.

The film was directed by Asok R Nath and written by Paul Wiclif. It was produced by Sandeep R for Sahasrara Cinemas.

The music for the film was composed by Ronnie Raphael, who had previously worked on the film Marakkar.

The movie starred Janaki Sudheer, Amrita Vinod and Sabu Praudeen.

The film’s plot revolves around two young women who share a homosexual relationship. One of the women is married to a man, but she has no interest in a sexual relationship with him. The husband, however, forces himself on her and treats her brutally for his own gratification.

As she struggles with the trauma and abuse, she begins to remember her old friend, a woman she once loved who has now become a nun.

Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE) — the IIT Bombay-backed broad-spectrum technology business incubator — is selling about 4 lakh shares in the SEDEMAC Mechatronics initial public offering (IPO), according to the filings.

The company’s red herring prospectus (RHP) has highlighted that SINE will offload 4,08,000 equity shares.

On a pre-offer paid-up equity share capital basis, this represents 0.92 per cent, indicating that the incubator is expected to earn roughly Rs 55 crore from the sale.

The public issue of the Pune-based technology company, which opened on March 4, is scheduled to close on Friday, March 6.

According to BSE data, the IPO was fully booked on its last share sale offer, receiving bids for 94,49,242 shares against 56,32,899 shares on offer, suggesting a 1.68‑times subscription by 2:18 pm.

The tech firm has fixed the IPO price band between Rs 1,287 and Rs 1,352 per share, valuing the company at nearly Rs 6,000 crore at the upper end. It is entirely an offer for sale (OFS) of up to 80,43,300 equity shares by promoters Manish Sharma and Ashwini Amit Dixit, along with other investors selling shareholders.

Pune-based SEDEMAC Mechatronics develops, designs and manufactures control-intensive, application-critical electronic control units (ECUs) for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in mobility and industrial sectors across India, the US, and Europe.

The company specialises in sensor-less commutation-based integrated starter generator ECUs for two- and three-wheeler internal combustion engine vehicles.

Its key customers include TVS Motor Company, Bajaj Auto, Kirloskar Oil Engines, Briggs & Stratton LLC, and DEIF India.

On the financial front, SEDEMAC reported revenue of Rs 217.35 crore and a net profit of Rs 17.07 crore for the quarter ended June 30, 2025. In FY25, it posted revenue of Rs 658.36 crore and PAT of Rs 47.04 crore.

Shares of SEDEMAC Mechatronics Ltd are expected to make their Dalal Street debut on March 11.

The IPO allocation comprises 50 per cent for qualified institutional buyers (QIBs), 35 per cent for retail investors, and 15 per cent for non-institutional investors (NIIs). ICICI Securities, Avendus Capital, and Axis Capital are the book-running lead managers.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday announced that children below 16 years of age will not be allowed to use social media platforms in the state. The proposal was unveiled while presenting the Karnataka Budget for 2026–27 in the Assembly at Vidhana Soudha.

The proposed restriction forms part of a wider set of measures in the state budget aimed at addressing the growing impact of excessive mobile phone use among young students and improving their overall well-being and academic environment.

Speaking during his Budget presentation, Siddaramaiah said the decision was intended to shield children from the harmful effects linked to rising smartphone and social media use.

“To prevent the adverse effects of increasing mobile phone usage on children, the use of social media will be banned for children below 16 years of age,” said CM Siddaramaiah.

Education, mental health support and school upgrades announced

Alongside the proposed social media restriction, the government outlined several education-sector initiatives. The Chief Minister said one trained mental health counsellor will be posted at each of the 204 Block Resource Centres to support students.

Authorities will also step up efforts to curb drug use in schools, colleges, and universities through awareness drives, stricter enforcement, and student support centres.

As part of efforts to improve access to education, the government plans to upgrade 184 government higher primary schools into high schools and convert 50 high schools into Pre-University colleges.

The government also wants to give a big boost to the state’s public school system. Over the next three years, about 800 institutions will be upgraded and turned into Karnataka Public Schools, with the project expected to cost around Rs 3,900 crore.

Of these, 500 schools will be supported by the Asian Development Bank, 200 by the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board, and the remaining 100 through the Karnataka Mining Environment Restoration Corporation.

Separate funds have been set aside to improve basic facilities in schools. About Rs 565 crore will go towards building new classrooms and repairing existing ones. Another Rs 75 crore has been allocated for toilets, while Rs 25 crore will be used to provide classroom furniture. In addition, Rs 125 crore will be transferred directly to School and College Development Committees to take care of maintenance work.

The state also plans to introduce bilingual teaching in government primary schools by providing English training for teachers at a cost of Rs 24 crore.

Indian airlines on Friday intensified their assistance for travellers impacted by the situation amid rising tensions in West Asia. While IndiGo has provided a month-long window for free cancellations and rescheduling until March 31, and SpiceJet has deployed 14 special flights from Fujairah and Dubai facilitate the return of stranded Indian nationals.

Indigo in a post on X mentioned a Travel Advisory which said, “Full waiver on cancellations are being extended for travel to and from the Middle East, and Istanbul, until 31 March 2026. If you are scheduled to travel, please stay updated on your flight status here http://bit.ly/31paVKQ.

If you require additional support or clarification, please contact our Customer Contact Centre at +91 124 6173838.
Please be assured that our teams remain actively engaged, working with care and diligence to support your travel plans while maintaining an unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of our customers and crew.”

On the other hand, according to a SpiceJet press release, SpiceJet will operate 14 special flights from the United Arab Emirates on March 6 to facilitate the return of stranded Indian nationals.

Of the 14 flights, 13 will operate from Fujairah, and one will operate from Dubai. The airline will operate nine special flights from Fujairah to Mumbai, four special flights from Fujairah to Delhi and one special flight from Dubai to Pune, providing additional capacity to help stranded passengers return home at the earliest.
In the last 3 days, SpiceJet has operated 25 special flights from the UAE, connecting stranded passengers to Delhi, Mumbai and Kochi.

Meanwhile, Indian passengers arriving at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport on Friday from Dubai, UAE, described the West Asian country as “safe” amid the ongoing conflict in the region.

Passengers told ANI that the UAE government provided help and support amid a tense situation caused by flight cancellations.
A passenger, Rahul Ghosh, said, “I am coming from Kuwait. In Dubai, we were told that our flight had been cancelled due to the war. There is no struggle. I did not feel like Dubai was unsafe.”

On Thursday, the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi clarified that the airspace and the regular flight operations are still suspended in view of the situation; however, the Indian and the UAE airlines have commenced limited non-scheduled flight operations to multiple destinations in India, in coordination with the UAE authorities, subject to operational and safety approvals of relevant authorities. The stranded Indian nationals may avail themselves of these flights by contacting their respective airlines.

This comes after the US and Israel conducted coordinated airstrikes across multiple Iranian cities, targeting military command centres, air-defence systems, missile sites, and key regime infrastructure.

The countdown has officially begun for one of TV’s wildest superhero shows. After years of chaos, blood, and jaw-dropping twists, ‘The Boys’ is finally heading toward its explosive goodbye. And if the new trailer is anything to go by, the last season is not planning to leave quietly.

Catch ‘The Boys’ trailer here

‘The Boys’ release date

Fans of the hit series on Amazon Prime Video finally have a date to circle on their calendars. The fifth and final season of The Boys will start streaming on April 8, dropping its first two episodes together.

After that, the story will unfold week by week until the series finale on May 20, when the show officially wraps up its run.

Homelander now runs the world

The final season opens in a terrifying new reality. According to the official storyline, the world now belongs to Homelander.

He is no longer just a powerful Supe. The situation has escalated so far that the country is essentially under his influence. His unpredictable personality and massive ego mean that the future of everyone, human or Supe, hangs by a thread.

The boys are captured

Things are not looking good for the rebel group at the heart of the story.

Three members of the team Hughie Campbell, Mother’s Milk and Frenchie have been locked away in what is described as a “Freedom Camp.”

Meanwhile, Annie January (also known as Starlight) is trying to build a resistance movement against the overwhelming power of the Supes. She has regained her powers and even pulled in some students from the events of Season 2 of the spinoff series Gen V to help her cause.

And then there is one more mystery: Kimiko Miyashiro has disappeared entirely.

Butcher returns with a dangerous plan

Just when the situation seems hopeless, Billy Butcher shows up again.

Butcher escaped capture at the end of Season 4. Now he returns with two terrifying advantages. First, he has developed strange tendril-like superpowers. Second, and far more dangerous, he holds a virus capable of wiping out every Supe on Earth.

His decision to use that virus triggers a chain of events that could change the world forever.

‘The Boys’ cast

Season 5 brings back many familiar faces.

The cast includes Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, Antony Starr, Erin Moriarty, Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles, Jessie T. Usher, Laz Alonso, Chace Crawford, Tomer Capone, Karen Fukuhara, Colby Minifie, Cameron Crovetti, Susan Heyward, Valorie Curry and Daveed Diggs.

The series is based on the comic books created by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson.

The TV adaptation was developed by showrunner Eric Kripke and backed by a long list of executive producers, including Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, James Weaver, Neal H. Moritz, Pavun Shetty, Phil Sgriccia, Michaela Starr, Paul Grellong, David Reed, Judalina Neira, Jessica Chou, Gabriel Garcia, Ori Marmur, Ken F. Levin and Jason Netter.

Also Read: Bridgerton Season 5 already locked and loaded, scripts done; here is what we know about cast & release date

Ravindra Duragkar, the father of Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar, who died in the Su-30MKI crash in Assam’s Karbi Anglong remembered his son on Friday as a dedicated officer who was deeply committed to his country.

Speaking to the media, he shared that he received the news of his son’s demise from the unit’s Group Captain.

“Due to runway-related work in Tezpur, he was posted in Jorhat. He used to share about his work. He always tried not to make mistakes. His Group Captain has officially communicated to us that he (his son) is no more,” he said.

The plane also carried Squadron Leader Anuj, who was also killed in the Su-30MKI crash.
Expressing condolences to the bereaved families, they acknowledged the deaths on X, stating, “IAF acknowledges the loss of Sqn Ldr Anuj and Flt Lt Purvesh Duragkar, who sustained fatal injuries in the Su-30 crash. All personnel of the IAF express sincere condolences and stand firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief.”
The IAF had stated that the Su-30MKI was on a training sortie when it crashed in the area of Karbi Anglong, Assam, which is approx 60 km from Jorhat.
The aircraft had lost radar contact at around 7.42 pm after taking off from Jorhat in Assam.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also shared his condolences with the families of two pilots killed in the IAF Su-30MKI crash in Karbi Anglong district of Assam.
He wrote on X, “Deeply saddened by the loss of Sqn Ldr Anuj and Flt Lt Purvesh Duragkar in the tragic Su-30 crash. Their courage and service to the nation will always be remembered with pride and gratitude. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. The nation stands firmly with them in this hour of grief.

Iran has rejected speculation that it has blocked the crucial Strait of Hormuz, with Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh saying Tehran would openly declare any such move if it were taken.

The clarification comes at a time of rising military tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue 2026 in New Delhi, Khatibzadeh described Iran as a “responsible power” in the Persian Gulf and insisted the country continues to act as a stabilising presence in the region.

“Iran is an anchor of stability in the Strait of Hormuz. We will announce if we close the Strait of Hormuz. We have not closed it. We are a responsible power,” he said.

Addressing diplomats and policy experts at the conference, the Iranian official said Tehran has no immediate plans to restrict navigation through the strategic waterway. “We have not yet closed the Strait of Hormuz. We have no intention to do that until further notice,” he said, arguing that Iran’s presence helps maintain maritime stability in the area.

Also Read: Khamenei killing was no spur-of-the-moment strike; Israel minister says decision was taken last year

Iran blames US, Israel for escalating tensions

Khatibzadeh said Iran remains committed to international maritime rules and freedom of navigation. However, he accused the United States of undermining security in the region.

The Iranian diplomat also took aim at US President Donald Trump, criticising Washington’s rhetoric about Iran’s political leadership.

“President Trump is asking for a leadership change in Iran, while he can’t even appoint the mayor of New York. Can you imagine this colonial approach? While he would like to see democracy at home, he would like to topple the democratically elected president of Iran,” he said.

Describing the ongoing confrontation as an “existential war,” Khatibzadeh alleged that the US and Israel had launched attacks against Iran without provocation.

“What is being done by Americans and Israelis today is against international law and norms. There was no provocation from Iran. My country is under attack based on flat lies that Iran was imposing a threat,” he said.

He warned that Tehran would retaliate against any military strikes, stating, “We have no option but to hit wherever the Americans are originating their attack from.”

The Iranian official also claimed that Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad was conducting “false-flag operations” aimed at widening the conflict to other parts of the region, including Saudi Arabia, Cyprus, and Qatar.

Khatibzadeh further criticised attacks on senior government officials, calling such actions a “dangerous” and “unprecedented” development in global politics.

Diplomacy remains the only path, says Iranian minister

Despite the sharp rhetoric, the Iranian diplomat stressed that dialogue must ultimately resolve the crisis.

Khatibzadeh, who also heads the Institute for Political and International Studies, said Iran values diplomatic engagement and sees India as a country with a similar strategic outlook.

“India and Iran share a chess mentality not like the American football mentality. Diplomacy down the road is the only option,” he said.

In line with the target set by the Centre, the Naxal activities will be completely wiped out across the county by the brave dedicated security forces by March 31 next, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated on Friday.

Shah, who addressed the 57th Raising Day ceremony of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) as the Chief Guest in Mundali in Odisha’s Cuttack district, said, “Left wing extremists who dreamt of a Red Corridor from Tirupati to Pashupatinath Temple will be completely defeated by our security forces by 31 March with our security forces establishing their dominance”.

Stating that it is the resolve of the Modi government that by March 31, 2026, the country will be made free from Naxalism, he said CISF has a very significant contribution in this regard.

He said that CISF has played its role in anti-Naxal operations in Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Telangana. The Home Minister expressed confidence that by March 31, the country will be completely free from Naxalism.

This (freeing the country from Naxalisn) is a very major achievement of our security forces, he said observing that “today we are on the verge of making the country free from Naxalism”.

He said that Prime Minister Modi’s goal is to develop the entire country and build a developed India by 2047, and for this, ensuring the country’s internal and external security is essential.

To ensure the country’s internal and external security, the Ministry of Home Affairs is fully prepared to play its role both at the borders and within the borders, the Union Home Minister Shah further stated.

On the occasion, the Union Home Minister laid the foundation stone for three residential complexes (Kamrup, Nashik and Sehore) of the CISF to be built at a cost of Rs 890 crore, and inaugurated two residential complexes (Rajarhat and Delhi).

Lauding the acts of bravery, dedication and dutifulness of CISF personnel, Shah said that after completing 56 years today, the CISF has risen from zero to the pinnacle in the field of industrial security, which is a saga of the force’s dedication and valor.

The vision of building a strong national economy and making India the world’s largest economy cannot be realized without industrial development, and providing a secure environment for industrial growth requires a national-level industrial security force, Shah said.

Shah further stated that over the past 56 years, CISF has not only fulfilled the objectives for which it was established but has also continuously evolved with time by learning from every type of challenge.

He added that CISF has embraced modernity while keeping its traditions alive.

The Home Minister further said that by combining courage, sacrifice, and dedication with the rich traditions of India’s history, and equipping itself with modern weapons, CISF has demonstrated the resolve to face every kind of challenge.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Home Secretary, the Director General of CISF, and several other distinguished dignitaries attended the 57th Raising Day ceremony of CISF.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday that the risks of instability caused by geopolitical rivalry across land, sea, and air, such as the current tensions in the Gulf region involving the US, Israel, and Iran, are increasingly becoming the new normal.

Speaking at the Sagar Sankalp Seminar in Kolkata on Friday, the Defence Minister spoke at length about the impact of the crisis, considering the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf for global energy security.

“Any disruption in the region directly affects oil and gas supplies worldwide, and hence, uncertainties in the region will significantly impact global trade and economies. Rising geopolitical competition across land, sea, air, and even space is surely a matter of concern. What is even more worrying is that such instability risks are becoming the new normal,” Singh said.

According to him, the current development in West Asia being highly unusual, it is difficult now to make any specific and firm comment on what the crisis will ultimately lead to.

However, he added, that despite the uncertainties over the geopolitical competition, he is confident that India will provide leadership in the maritime sector. “Self-reliance is the only way out to achieve that, overcoming the supply chain disruptions,” the Defence Minister said.

Claiming that in the current era of global geopolitics, oceans have once again come to the centre of the world’s power balance, the Defence Minister observed that as a major maritime nation, India will have to provide leadership with confidence, capability, and a clear vision.

“In the defence sector of the country, high-end and precision technologies are being utilised. Hence, our government has, from the very beginning, believed that in this era of uncertainty, the only way to avoid supply chain disruptions is self-reliance. One of the major pillars of our vision for self-reliance is defence public sector undertakings,” Singh added.

He also said that the goal of the Indian government is to make India emerge as one of the top ten global players in the sector of shipbuilding.

Bangladesh have announced their squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Pakistan, set to begin on March 11 in Dhaka, according to the ICC website. The remaining matches of the series will be played on March 13 and March 15 at the Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium

Bangladesh last featured in an ODI series against the West Indies, where they secured a 2–1 series win in Mirpur.

Among the notable inclusions is Afif Hossain, who returns to the ODI squad for the first time since December 2024. Mahidul Islam has retained his place from the squad that last played an ODI series against the West Indies in October 2025, while Litton Das has also been included despite a recent lean patch in the format.

Meanwhile, Nurul Hasan, Jaker Ali Anik and Shamim Hossain have been omitted from the squad. Fast bowlers Hasan Mahmud and Tanzim Hasan Sakib are unavailable due to injuries, with the former recovering from tennis elbow and the latter from a back injury. The injured duo is expected to return to full fitness by the end of the month.

Bangladesh selection panel chairman Gazi Ashraf Hossain explained some of the selection decisions, including the call to retain Litton Das.

“There may be questions about Litton Das’s recent ODI form, but he has been working closely with the coaches on his game. We believe he can soon produce his best in this format and are considering him as an option to strengthen the middle order,” he said, as quoted by the ICC website.

He also backed the inclusion of Afif Hossain and the continued selection of Mahidul Islam.

“Afif brings valuable experience and currently appears to be in fine touch. Mahidul Islam has been retained, and this is a good opportunity for him to fulfil the potential he has shown,” he added.

Bangladesh squad for ODI series vs Pakistan:

Mehidy Hasan Miraz (captain), Soumya Sarkar, Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tawhid Hridoy, Litton Das, Afif Hossain, Mahidul Islam Bhuiyan, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana.

Bangladesh vs Pakistan ODI series schedule:

March 11 – 1st ODI, Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka
March 13 – 2nd ODI, Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka
March 15 – 3rd ODI, Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka

A supporter of the Bihar Chief Minister on Friday launched an indefinite hunger strike outside Nitish Kumar’s residence, urging him to continue leading the state instead of moving to the Rajya Sabha and relinquishing his post to join the Centre.

Speaking to IANS, Amarendra Das Triloki said, “Hearing that Nitish Kumar might go to the Centre saddened us greatly. Bihar before 2005 was marked by lawlessness and unrest. Since assuming office in 2005, Nitish Kumar has focussed on development in every sector. Good governance was established, justice delivered, and progress achieved in education, health, employment, clean drinking water, and women’s empowerment. Many schemes are actively running, making Bihar more prosperous and its people happier.”

Triloki added, “Today, poverty in Bihar is not as severe as in many other states. That is why I will not allow him to leave. As long as Nitish ji is healthy, he should continue to serve and adorn Bihar. The state now receives electricity for about 23 hours a day — such achievements do not happen by chance. We will ensure he stays.”

He further said, “Just as he considers all of Bihar his family, we consider him part of ours. We will not let him go to Delhi; he should remain in Bihar.”

The protest underscores the strong emotional connect many citizens have with Nitish Kumar, whose tenure since 2005 has been credited with stabilising Bihar, improving governance, and implementing wide-ranging development initiatives.

Nitish Kumar, a veteran leader of the Janata Dal (United), has been at the forefront of Bihar politics for over two decades. His leadership has transformed the state’s social and economic landscape, with notable progress in infrastructure, public services, and women’s empowerment.

Recently, he filed his nomination for the Rajya Sabha, a move that could require him to vacate the Chief Minister’s post, prompting calls from supporters to continue his leadership in Bihar.