Amid mounting speculation over Nitish Kumar resigning from the post of Chief Minister of Bihar, sources from the Janata Dal (United) on Wednesday stated that the veteran leader might transition to the Rajya Sabha of the Parliament days after the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the polls for the upper house.

This comes amid a meeting which is currently underway at the Bihar Chief Minister’s residence in Patna between Nitish Kumar, JD-U National Working President Sanjay Jha, and Bihar minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary.

However, Union Minister Giriraj Singh refuted the speculations, suggesting that the Bihar CM might resign and file a nomination for the Rajya Sabha.

“Such jokes are common on Holi. Nitish Kumar ji is our Chief Minister,” Singh said.

Meanwhile, JD-U MLC Sanjay Gandhi said that it will be Nitish Kumar’s decision whether he wants to enter the Rajya Sabha or not.
“The Chief Minister will himself decide (whether he wants to go to the Rajya Sabha or not)… We had a meeting to strengthen the organisation in view of the polls,” he said.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the schedule for the upcoming biennial elections to the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) to fill the 37 seats across 10 states, as the members are set to complete their term in April 2026, a press note stated.

According to the press note, the term of 37 members who were elected from Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Telangana will conclude in the month of April, vacating the seats for new members to be elected.

The notification will be issued on February 26, commencing the election process. The last date of nominations is March 5, followed by scrutiny on March 6. The candidates can withdraw their nominations till March 9.

The polling is scheduled to take place on March 16, with the counting of votes on the same day at 5 pm.

Air India announced on Wednesday that it is introducing more flights to Toronto, Frankfurt, and Paris “in response to the high demand” amid the ongoing Middle East crisis.

“From 5 to 11 March, we’re operating 3 additional flights between Delhi and Toronto. From 7 to 10 March, we’ve added three flights between Delhi and Frankfurt, and one flight between Delhi and Paris (Charles de Gaulle),” Air India said in a statement.

“These additional services will provide more flight options to travellers on these select routes with convenient connections beyond Delhi to destinations across Air India’s vast domestic India and Southeast Asia networks. We continue to closely assess the situation and will add flights on these select routes beyond 11 March,” the statement said.

Air India Express will also continue operating flights to and from Muscat on March 5, along with additional flights between Muscat and Delhi and Mumbai.

“We are also operating special flights from Ras Al Khaimah connecting Delhi, Kochi, and Mumbai until 7 March 2026,” Air India Express said in a statement.

Guests are advised to check their flight status and ensure their contact details are updated in their PNR. For changes or cancellations, visit http://airindiaexpress.com/manage-booking or #ChatWithTia on our website, app, or WhatsApp at +91 63600 12345, the statement added.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said on Wednesday that Indian airlines are set to operate 58 flights between India and the Gulf region to facilitate the movement of stranded passengers in West Asia due to the ongoing conflict. These include 30 flights by IndiGo and 23 by Air India and Air India Express.

The ministry said that it is continuously monitoring the evolving airspace situation in parts of West Asia and its impact on international flight operations. To date, 1,221 flights by Indian carriers and 388 flights by foreign carriers have been cancelled due to the ongoing situation. The Ministry further stated that Indian carriers have undertaken calibrated adjustments to their schedules, with long-haul and ultra-long-haul operations being progressively resumed through alternative routings that avoid restricted airspace.

The Ministry also said that it is in continuous touch with airlines and is closely monitoring airfares to ensure that there is no undue surge in ticket prices during this period. It added that all airlines have been advised to maintain transparent communication with passengers and ensure adherence to regulatory requirements concerning refunds, rescheduling, and passenger assistance. Passengers are advised to check the latest flight status directly with their respective airlines before proceeding to the airport and to rely only on official sources for updates.

The Jammu & Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Wednesday raised serious concerns with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar regarding the safety of Indian students stranded in different parts of Iran amid the ongoing airstrikes and escalating hostilities.

In a statement, JKSA National Convenor Nasir Khuehami conveyed to the External Affairs Minister that the Association has been receiving countless phone calls and messages from distressed parents of Kashmiri students whose wards are currently stranded in cities including Qom, Urmia, Arak and other regions.

The students are extremely panicked, frightened, and anxious due to the continuous airstrikes and missile attacks being reported from several parts of the country.

“Many students are residing in proximity to sensitive locations and have expressed deep fear for their safety. The intensity of the explosions reportedly shook the buildings, leaving many students frightened, anxious, and deeply distressed. The constant sound of explosions and fighter jets has created an atmosphere of uncertainty and psychological distress among them,” Khuehami said.

Their families back home are equally worried and are desperately seeking reassurance regarding the well-being of their children.

The Association has requested the External Affairs Minister to kindly intervene and facilitate the immediate evacuation of Indian students from Iran or relocate them to safer places until the situation stabilises. Such a step, the Association said, would greatly ease the anxiety of hundreds of families who are waiting for their children to be brought to safety.

The Association also acknowledged and expressed gratitude to the Ministry of External Affairs and the Embassy of India in Tehran for their prompt efforts in relocating several students from the worst-affected areas of Tehran to the comparatively safer city of Qom through special buses arranged for their transportation. “The timely intervention brought immense relief to many worried families.”

However, the Association noted with concern that soon after reaching Qom, some students reported hearing fresh explosions and airstrikes in nearby areas, which again triggered panic among them and further heightened their sense of insecurity.

Given the rapidly evolving security situation, the Association has urged the Government of India to closely monitor the ground situation and prepare contingency plans for the safe evacuation of Indian students at the earliest possible time, as the situation across several parts of Iran continues to deteriorate amid escalating hostilities.

Khuehami emphasised that swift and proactive action would not only ensure the safety of the students but also provide much-needed reassurance to their anxious families who are closely following developments from afar.

“The Association remains hopeful that the Ministry of External Affairs will continue to extend all possible support and take necessary steps to safeguard the lives and well-being of our students during this extremely difficult and uncertain situation,” he added.

A bust of Mahatma Gandhi was installed at the prestigious Mike Mansfield Center of the University of Montana in Missoula, according to a statement by the Indian Consulate in Seattle.

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte, along with the Consul General of India in Seattle, jointly unveiled the bust of the Mahatma in a gathering that was attended by leading officials from the state, including faculty and students of the University of Montana, as well as members of the Montana World Affairs Council.

Addressing the gathering, Governor Gianforte thanked the Consulate for presenting the bust of Mahatma as a gift from the Indian government to the US state.

Acknowledging the strengthening ties between India and Montana, he praised the ideals of nonviolence that Mahatma Gandhi espoused as much-needed values in the world order today.

Founded by an Act of the US Congress in 1983, the Mansfield Centre at the University, where the bust of Mahatma is placed, aims to foster globally minded leaders of integrity and supports youth and communities through civic and international education guided by ethical leadership, civic responsibility and an unconditional commitment to public good.

Later in the evening, students at the University of Montana also participated in another unique event celebrating the Indian festival of colours – Holi.

The University’s Executive Director, Deena Mansour, welcomed the first Holi celebrations in Montana as marking “the arrival of spring and embracing unity”.

A large number of Montanans played Holi using organic Indian colours before attending the Indian Film Festival, where Bollywood movie “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara” was screened for young Montanan students. Participants also savoured the special Holi sweet ‘gujiya’ during the celebrations.

Earlier in the day, nearly 400 Montanan students also attended a briefing session on Brand India, where they were introduced to the flavours of Indian coffee, including ARAKU, and briefed about India’s ODOP during the Academic World Quest Conference hosted by the Montana World Affairs Council.

Since the establishment of the new Indian Consulate in Seattle, bilateral ties between India and Montana have deepened significantly. In June 2025, a ten-member delegation of young high-school students visited India on a two-week cultural immersion programme. Subsequently, a fifty-member delegation from Montana, including business executives, educationists and technology experts, participated in the Second Edition of the Invest India Business Forum organised in Seattle on January 25.

The installation of the Gandhi bust and the celebration of the Holi Festival in Montana added further momentum to strengthening India-Montana cultural and people-to-people ties.

The Gandhi bust unveiled at the Mansfield Center is the 4th such to be installed in the US Pacific North West and follows three other statues installed by the Consulate earlier, including at the Base of Space Needle in Seattle (October 2024), at State Capitol in Lincoln, Nebraska (December 2024), and another earlier one at Bellevue Public Library (October 2009).

Telangana’s Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy on Wednesday directed officials to complete Singur Dam safety works on a war footing.

Along with Health Minister Damodar Raja Narsimha and Mining and Employment Generation Minister Vivek Venkataswamy, he reviewed the safety of the Singur Dam, a drinking water lifeline for Hyderabad.

Stating that the dam is very prestigious for the state, the ministers said that its safety is a top priority for the government.

The ministers instructed the Irrigation Department officials to protect the Singur Dam as per the rules formulated by the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA).

They advised the irrigation officials to appoint a technical committee on the dam safety works.

The State Dam Safety Review Panel (DSRP), in its report last year, had warned that the Singur Dam may collapse anytime, with a very real and serious threat of its embankments getting breached, resulting in huge loss of life.

Designed to hold 29.91 tmc ft of water, and located upstream of the Manjira reservoir, the dam supplies around 6.96 tmc ft to meet the drinking water needs of Hyderabad.

The panel said Singur faced a serious threat of breaching unless urgent repairs were taken up. The DSPR, during its inspection, found that the entire earthen bund had developed several vertical cracks, which should be repaired immediately.

The state ministers directed the engineering officers of the Irrigation Department to complete the lining works of the Singur project canals by June 26.

Principal Secretary, Irrigation, E. Sridhar, key officers of the Irrigation Department, the Engineer-in-Chief and other officials attended the meeting.

The ministers directed the Irrigation Department officials to prepare the DPRs for the Peddareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme, which will provide irrigation water to 40,000 acres in Andol constituency, at the earliest and submit them to the government.

The foundation stone for the Peddareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme should be laid by Ugadi, the ministers added.

Alert Army troops foiled an infiltration bid on Wednesday along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Bhimber Gali sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district.

The Nagrota-headquartered White Knight Corps of the Army said in a statement: “Acting on credible intelligence inputs and persistent surveillance, movement of terrorists was detected in the general area of Bhimber Gali along the Line of Control during the early hours of March 4, 2026. Responding with decisive force and showcasing superior tactical execution, alert troops of White Knight Corps engaged swiftly, foiling the infiltration attempt and denying any breach of the LoC.”

The enemy’s designs were effectively thwarted through coordinated ground action, the statement said.

“Own troops have been reoriented to ensure relentless domination of the area, supported by integrated ground and aerial surveillance. A robust operational posture and heightened alert remain in force across the sector. The wall stands vigilant — every infiltration bid will fail,” it read.

Jammu and Kashmir has a 740-km-long Line of Control (LoC) and a 240-km-long International Border.

The LoC runs through Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora districts in the Kashmir Valley and through Poonch, Rajouri and parts of Jammu district in the Jammu division.

The International Border lies in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts of the Jammu division.

The Army guards the LoC, while the Border Security Force (BSF) guards the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir against infiltration, exfiltration, cross-border smuggling and drone activities originating from the Pakistan side.

In the past, drones have been used to drop consignments of arms, ammunition, drugs and cash for terrorists.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police and security forces regularly conduct operations against terrorists, their overground workers (OGWs) and sympathisers.

Drug smugglers, peddlers and those involved in hawala money rackets are also on the radar of security agencies. It is believed that funds generated through such illegal activities are used to sustain terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday slammed the Congress over its first list of candidates for the upcoming Assam Assembly Elections, calling it a “dynastic list,” while highlighting the BJP’s emphasis on grassroots workers.

He spoke at Barpeta Doul Mahotsav amid Holi festivities.

Speaking to reporters, CM Sarma said, “One may call it a list, but I would call it a dynastic list. In contrast, the BJP’s list would include grassroots workers. The party is fully prepared for the upcoming elections.”

This comes after the All India Congress Committee (AICC) on Tuesday announced its list of candidates for the upcoming Assam Legislative Assembly elections. A total of 42 candidates have been selected by the party’s Central Election Committee to contest various constituencies across the state.

According to an official release, the list includes Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi (Jorhat), Bitupan Saikia (Golaghat), Abdus Sobahan Ali Sarkar from Gauripur, Markline Marak from Goalpara West (ST), Girish Baruah from Bongaigaon, Mahananda Sarkar from Barpeta (SC), and Ramen Singh Rabha from Boko-Chaygaon (ST).

Other prominent names are Satyabrat Kalita (Kamalpur), Ripun Bora (Barchalla), Mira Borthakur Goswami (Dispur), Diganta Barman (Barkhetri), Uptal Gogoi (Sonari), Ajoy Kumar Gogoi (Demow), Debabrata Saikia (Nazira), and Ashok Kumar Sarma (Nalbari).

Several female leaders have also been fielded, including Nandita Das (Hajo-Sualkuchi SC), Pallabi Saikia Gogoi (Teok), and Suruchi Roy (Ram Krishana Nagar SC). The list features several candidates representing Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes constituencies.

The announcement was signed by KC Venugopal, General Secretary of AICC, and officially released for publication, confirming the candidates’ nomination ahead of the crucial state polls.

Earlier, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday laid the foundation stone of the Birangana Sati Sadhani Samannay Kshetra at Komargaon in Golaghat district.

The initiative has been taken to pay tribute to Birangana Sati Sadhani and preserve the rich legacy of the historic Chutia kingdom for posterity.

New Zealand produced one of the most dominant performances in T20 World Cup knockout history to crush South Africa by nine wickets in the first semi-final of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at Eden Gardens on Wednesday.

Chasing 170, the Black Caps stormed to 173/1 in just 12.5 overs, sealing victory with 43 balls to spare.

T20 World Cup: #FinnAllen hits an unbeaten 33-ball century as New Zealand beat #SouthAfrica by nine wickets in the semi-final at #EdenGardens in #Kolkata and enter the final to be played in Ahmedabad on Sunday. It’s also the fastest century in the history of Men’s T20 World… pic.twitter.com/1D62ONv3zi

— The Statesman (@TheStatesmanLtd) March 4, 2026

Earlier, after being put in to bat by Mitchell Santner, South Africa endured a nightmare start. Cole McConchie struck twice in the second over, removing Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton in consecutive deliveries to leave the Proteas at 12/2. The collapse deepened as Rachin Ravindra dismissed Aiden Markram and David Miller, reducing South Africa to 77/5 and firmly putting New Zealand in control.

Just when the innings appeared to be unravelling, Marco Jansen and Tristan Stubbs mounted a counterattack. The pair added a crucial 73 runs for the sixth wicket to steady the ship. Stubbs made a composed 29 off 24 balls before falling to Lockie Ferguson, while Jansen carried the momentum through to the end.

Jansen smashed an unbeaten 55 off 30 balls, his highest T20I score, striking two fours and five sixes, including back-to-back maximums in the 19th over. However, Matt Henry ensured the late surge was contained, dismissing Corbin Bosch and Kagiso Rabada in successive deliveries in the final over as South Africa finished on 169/8.

If the first innings promised a contest, New Zealand’s reply erased any doubt within the powerplay. Finn Allen and Tim Seifert launched a breathtaking assault, racing to 84/0 in the first six overs – the highest powerplay total in a T20 World Cup knockout match. The opening pair put on a match-defining 117 runs in just 9.1 overs, effectively ending the semi-final before the halfway stage of the chase.

Allen delivered a knock for the ages, hammering an unbeaten 100 off just 33 balls at a staggering strike rate above 300. His innings included 10 fours and eight sixes, and he fittingly brought up his century on the final ball of the match to seal victory. The explosive opener was named Player of the Match for his extraordinary effort.

A record-breaking knock from Finn Allen took New Zealand into the #T20WorldCup final

He wins the @aramco POTM

: https://t.co/nv2bu4uGh7 pic.twitter.com/SnTAU9mWX4

— ICC (@ICC) March 4, 2026

Seifert provided the perfect foil with a fluent 58 off 33 deliveries, reaching his half-century in 28 balls before being bowled by Kagiso Rabada. Rachin Ravindra then joined Allen to guide the team home comfortably, as South Africa’s bowlers had no answers to the relentless attack.

What began as a competitive semi-final turned into a statement performance from New Zealand, who now march into the final brimming with confidence after dismantling one of the tournament’s most consistent sides.

South Africa vs New Zealand T20 World Cup 2026 Semi-final: Playing XIs

New Zealand:
Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner (c), Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson.

Change: One alteration for the Black Caps as Neesham replaces leg-spinner Ish Sodhi, adding extra batting depth and seam options.

South Africa:
Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi.

Changes: Three key returns for the Proteas as Rabada, Jansen and Maharaj slot back into the XI, strengthening both pace and spin departments.

Iranian diplomats on Wednesday sought clues over cause of sinking off Sri Lankan coast, Al Jazeera reported.

At the moment, the Sri Lankan government has not issued any statement about the potential causes.

There was a distress signal from this vessel, approximately 40km (25 miles) off the coast here in Galle, which is just south of the capital, Colombo. They then sent out boats to try to assist the survivors. At this point in time, sources say there is no evidence that there was another boat in the water, as per Al Jazeera.

The Iranian ambassador Alireza Delkhosh, said they have dispensed the military attache and consular official to the hospital to try to see if they can talk to survivors to get some sense of what exactly happened.

Earlier in the day, a Sri Lankan navy spokesperson told Al Jazeera that bodies, suspected to be those of crew members, have been recovered in an ongoing rescue operation for the crew of an Iranian military ship that made a distress call just outside the island’s territorial waters earlier.

The spokesperson said they could not give details on the number of dead.

Thirty-two people were rescued from the vessel and are receiving treatment in hospital, the spokesperson said, adding that they did not observe any other ships in the area, as per Al Jazeera.

The Sri Lankan Navy on Wednesday rescued 30 sailors from the Iranian naval ship “IRIS Dena”, which was in distress with around 180 sailors onboard, according to Sri Lankan media reports.

Sri Lankan Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath confirmed that the rescued sailors are being brought to Karapitiya Hospital for medical attention.

The rescue comes amidst the ongoing West Asia Conflict.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has claimed that they control the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for oil and gas, and any vessels seeking to pass through the waterway risk damage from missiles or stray drones.

Veteran Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has made it clear that he is not ready to draw the curtain on his T20I career, keeping the 2028 T20 World Cup and the Los Angeles Olympics in his plans.

Maxwell, 37, would be 40 when Australia hosts the 2028 T20 World Cup, scheduled just months after cricket’s return at the Los Angeles Olympics. While questions have surfaced about his longevity, particularly after Australia’s group-stage exit at the recent T20 World Cup and a dip in personal form, the dynamic all-rounder says he is in no rush to make a call on his future.

“I think not making a decision around my future was probably based more on what’s to come over the next 12 months. There’s not a whole lot of T20 cricket planned, so there’s probably no need to make any sort of formal announcements and just see how my body’s going and see how I’m travelling, and if there’s an opportunity to play in the future, hopefully I’m fit and firing,” Maxwell told reporters in Melbourne on Wednesday.

Australia have a limited T20I schedule before August 2027, with just eight bilateral matches currently lined up, and Maxwell has already stepped away from ODI cricket. Despite that, he remains hopeful of extending his international T20 career.

When asked directly whether he believed he could feature at the 2028 Olympics and T20 World Cup, Maxwell was optimistic but cautious.

“Fit and firing? Hopefully. But yeah, not setting any dates. I felt like I got better and better throughout the World Cup. I probably more judge it on how I’m running around the field and how I’m feeling, probably more so than any statistics regarding wickets and runs. And I just felt like I was able to get through games a lot easier. Felt like I was playing my role as well as I could, and felt like I still had plenty to offer,” he said.

Maxwell’s recent numbers have been modest, with low returns in both T20Is and the Big Bash League, though he believes his overall contribution goes beyond raw statistics.

Australia’s next T20I engagement is a three-match series against Bangladesh in June, part of a broader tour that also includes ODIs in Bangladesh and Pakistan. Maxwell confirmed he has been in dialogue with selectors regarding those plans.

“We’ve had some discussions about what the next little bit looks like, and we’ll continue to have really open and fluid discussions going forward. As I said, if I’m fit and firing and available, I’ll be ready,” he said.

In the meantime, Maxwell will remain active on the franchise circuit. He has signed a two-year extension with the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League and is set to feature in the Pakistan Super League, Major League Cricket and a new Europe-based T20 competition later this year. Maxwell will represent the Hyderabad Kingsmen in the PSL, marking his first appearance in the tournament.

“Looked at the window that I had in between the World Cup and MLC, and with us not going as far into the tournament as I probably previously planned, found myself with a bit more time in between tournaments, and just felt like I would have been going in cold into the next one,” Maxwell said.

“So probably bridges a timing gap beautifully. And getting the opportunity to get to a new team and start at the start with someone – I really like those opportunities. I think to start with a team from the very start is nice to be able to be a part and build a brand,” he mentioned.

As the defending champions India gear up for their T20 World Cup semi-final clash against England, Indian bowling coach Morne Morkel highlighted dew as a concern.

India will face two-time winners England in the second semi-final of the T20 World Cup at the iconic Wankhede Stadium on Thursday. Morkel noted that Wankhede is a small ground and believes that the margin of error is very small here.

“I think dew is always a big concern. But that’s again something you can’t control: the toss. I think at Wankhede there’s always that extra bit of bounce. Guys can trust the bounce and lead through the line that can also, as a bowler, bring you into the game. I just felt or feel that the margins here are a lot smaller. The ball travels; it’s quite a small ground,” Morne Morkel told the reporters.

“So you just need to be really fighting that over, staying in the moment and competing for every ball. Because, as I said, a batter’s strength can also be his weakness on the surface. So it’s sometimes not to go too defensive and keep on attacking because opportunities can come,” he added.

Following India’s win over West Indies in the final Super Eight clash of the T20 World Cup for the last semifinal slot, head coach Gautam Gambhir also said that lack of dew during their World Cup campaign so far as compared to bilateral series has led to their players not scoring at sky-high strike rates, which had become a key part of the Men in Blue’s batting approach leading up to the tournament.

“During the bilateral series as well, there was a lot of dew in the second innings as well, but we did not see a lot of dew during this World Cup campaign. So I felt that it was not only about the strike rate, but it was about reading the game properly and obviously reading the situation as well. And that is something that is going to be important, and the guys did that really well. Even today, you saw they were chasing 195. We never felt that we were out of the game. Never ever did we feel in 20 overs that the chase was away from us. So the guys kept in control. Yes, there were times in bilateral matches where we could chase the target in 16 or 17 overs, but this is the World Cup. And the pressure is different, and the quality is different as well,” Gambhir said.

Team India continued its fine run in the T20 World Cup, making it to the semifinals with wins over Zimbabwe and West Indies after a brief, but humiliating, stutter against South Africa in Super Eights.

The Telangana Iranian community held a massive rally on Tuesday in which the consul general of the Islamic Republic of Iran participated in Hyderabad to honour Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, after his death.

The protest was held to condemn the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reportedly carried out by Israeli and US forces. Demonstrators raised slogans against Israel and the United States during the rally.

One of the protestors described Khamenei as a worker for humanity and peace. “We loved him and wanted to see him as a leader. He is a good leader. We lost that leader. That is why we came here to condemn him. War is not right in any sense,” she said.

“We have seen in history, as far as I know, Iran has never waged war in such situations.”

“Stopping the war is the best thing. But what is the solution? The solution is that whoever has made a mistake, they will accept it. If there is an apology, that would be good,” she added.

Speaking to ANI, another demonstrator, Moulana Hannan Razvi, said, “People joined the protest irrespective of religion, expressing solidarity with Iran.”

Around thousands of people participated, including women who carried candles and pictures of the late leader for their cause.

Earlier on Sunday, Shia organisations Majma-e-Ulama wa Khutaba and Matami Anjuman-o-Grohan organised a protest rally in Telangana’s Hyderabad, condemning the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Demonstrators raised slogans against Israel and the United States during the rally.

A large number of people participated in protests against the Israeli and US forces.

Speaking to ANI, Moulana Ali Hyder Farishta said, “The news from Iran is that the Supreme Leader was killed in a strike from Israel. The whole world is mourning, and in Hyderabad, thousands of youth gathered and mourned his death. There were slogans against the cruel forces of the US.”

Following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had led Iran since 1989, on Saturday, after the US and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran, the Assembly of Experts convened a rare emergency session to select a successor.

During this high-stakes meeting in Qom, an Israeli strike targeted the building where senior clerics were gathered, according to an Israeli security official.

The West Asia conflict has now entered its fourth day of escalation following the joint US and Israeli strikes that killed the Supreme Leader and other top Iranian officials. In response, Tehran has launched retaliatory strikes against American military bases and Israeli assets throughout the Middle East.

Indian stock indices closed sharply lower on Wednesday, as US-Iran tensions intensified.

The NIFTY ended at 24,480.50, down 385.20 points or 1.55 per cent. The index opened at 24,388.80 and touched an intraday high of 24,602.45 before sliding to a low of 24,305.40 during the session.

Meanwhile, the BSE SENSEX closed at 79,116.19, declining 1,122.66 points or 1.40 per cent. The share index had settled at 80,238.85 in the previous session. On Wednesday, it opened significantly lower at 78,528.82, hit a high of 79,527.41, and slipped to a low of 78,443.20.

According to Sudeep Shah, Head of Technical and Derivatives Research at SBI Securities, “Nifty opened with a sharp gap down of nearly 500 points amid escalating US-Israel-Iran tensions. However, the index traded within a tight range for most of the session and eventually settled at 24481, down 1.55%. With today’s close, Nifty has decisively broken below the crucial 24,570-24,600 support zone on the daily chart, a region that had witnessed strong buying interest on the previous two occasions. The RSI has settled around the 30 mark, signalling bearish momentum, while the widening DI lines indicate a strong dominance of sellers over buyers.”

On the sectoral front, Shah said, “Nifty IT ended the day as the lone sectoral gainer, ending with a modest gain of 0.11%. Rupee hitting a record low of 92, could have possibly weighed on IT sector’s sentiment. On the other hand, Nifty Metal, ended the day as the top sectoral loser, followed by Nifty PSU Bank, which has now given consecutive lower close on the daily chart. With regards to stocks, Coal India & Bharti Airtel emerged as the top stock gainers amongst the Nifty pack while Tata Steel & TMPV emerged as the top two losers.”

“The Midcap and Small cap indices too opened weak and extended their decline in the first half before recovering some ground later in the session. Despite the pullback, both indices ended with losses of over 2%, underperforming the frontline indices,” Shah added.

Commenting on the market, Shah stated that, “The market breadth deteriorated further as the advance-decline ratio was heavily tilted in favour of bears at day’s close. A total of 440 stocks out of the Nifty 500 universe ended in the red. Going ahead, the immediate support for Nifty is placed in the 24350-24300 zone. This zone acted as a strong support in the month of August 2025. Any sustainable move below this zone could result in Nifty extending its weakness towards 24100, followed by 23800 in the short term. On the upside, the zone of 24650-24700 zone is likely to act as an immediate resistance.”

Bank Nifty also opened gap down and largely remained range-bound through the day, closing at 58755, down 1.81%. The index has now slipped below its 100-day EMA on the daily chart. Notably, with today’s move, Bank Nifty has fully filled the 1106-point gap that was created on 3rd February on the back of India-US Trade deal,” he added.

He stated that, “For Bank Nifty, the immediate support is placed in the 58200-58100 zone. Any sustainable move below this zone could result in Bank Nifty extending its weakness towards 57700, followed by 57300 in the short term. On the upside, the zone of 59200-59300 zone is likely to act as an immediate resistance.”

The registration of new companies jumped by 37 per cent to 24,136 in February this year compared to the same month of the previous year, reflecting the strong business sentiment and increasing formalisation of the Indian economy driven by the government’s digital push.

The registrations also shot up on a sequential basis from 23,280 in January before accelerating further in February.

The new registrations of companies were dominated by the services sector, particularly IT services, consultancies and professional services. Nearly 300 AI-related businesses are set up on average every month. In February, 248 AI-focused companies were formed, which reflects the growth of the startup ecosystem in the country.

The majority of new businesses are closely held, private limited companies. The average paid-up capital of companies formed in January, for example, stood at Rs 600,000, suggesting that entrepreneurship is being driven by small businesses. The authorised capital or the maximum capital new businesses are allowed to raise remains two to three times the paid-up capital, which is indicative of the future investment potential.

New government companies accounted for only a handful of incorporations each month and were limited to entities managing social sector initiatives, power transmission, or other utility businesses.

Wholesale and retail trading is another significant area of new business registrations, signalling formalisation of trading activities, driven by the government’s digital push.

Tax and consulting firm AKM Global managing partner Amit Maheshwari said the 37 per cent year-on-year jump in company registrations is a strong indicator of improving business sentiment and continued formalisation of the economy.

“The sustained momentum, with February marking the second-highest incorporations this financial year, suggests entrepreneurs are positioning early for the next growth cycle. While registrations alone do not guarantee economic expansion, the trend clearly signals confidence in India’s regulatory and growth framework,” he said.

The government’s Startup India framework has significantly altered the entrepreneurial risk-reward matrix by steps such as providing a tax holiday eligibility to DPIIT-recognised startups and reducing compliance thresholds for small companies and one-person companies, AMRG Global partner Rajat Mohan said.

Hyderabad city police, in a joint operation with Hyderabad Narcotic Enforcement Wing (H-NEW), arrested a foreign drug peddler and his associate and seized MMDA from them.

Acting on credible information, the police and H-NEW conducted the joint operation and arrested Al-Aqar Abdurabu Mohammed Abdurabu, a Yemeni national and his assistant, Hasan W. A. Hashem, a Palestinian, within the limits of Rajendra Nagar Police Station.

Police seized 150 grams of MDMA, a knife and four mobile phones, all worth Rs 25 lakh, from their possession.

A case under the NDPS Act, 1985 and section 14 of the Foreigners Act was registered against them.

The 37-year-old Abdurabu was residing in the Tolichowki area in Hyderabad and was previously involved in six cases registered under the NDPS Act at various police stations in the city.

He was arrested in six cases registered between 2019 and 2022, and was absconding in two cases registered in 2023 and 2026.

His associate, Hasan Hashem, 28, is a ludo game content creator and was residing in Bengaluru.

He was previously involved in a case registered under the NDPS Act and the Foreigners Act in 2022 at Yelahanka New Town, Bengaluru.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Rajendra Nagar Zone, S. Srinivas, told media persons that Abdurabu, a drug consumer, turned into a peddler. He procured narcotic drugs such as MDMA and cocaine from an absconding Nigerian supplier at cheaper rates by placing orders through WhatsApp and transferring the payment online to the supplier.

Hasan assisted Abdurabu in collecting drugs from the supplier and selling them to consumers at higher prices in Bengaluru and Hyderabad. At times, they adopted the dead-drop method for distribution, while at other times, they carried out direct deliveries to known consumers to earn easy money and maintain a lavish lifestyle. On some occasions, he has also sent drugs to Hyderabad-based peddlers through private travel buses.

The police investigation revealed that the Yemeni national came to India in 2008 on a tourist visa and stayed in Pune for two months. He again entered India in 2009 on a student visa, enrolled for BCA at Bharath College, Pune, but discontinued his studies. In 2011, he shifted to Hyderabad and took admission at Sikkim Manipal University, which he also discontinued.

Abdurabu returned to Yemen in 2012 and re-entered India in August 2015 on a student visa, landing at RGI Airport, Hyderabad. His student visa expired on September 4, 2015 and was later extended up to December 31, 2016, from Yemen. His passport expired on April 16, 2020. He later enrolled for B.Tech (Computer Science) at JNTU, Hyderabad, but discontinued in the second year and subsequently underwent training in various technology applications at an institute in the city.

He came in contact with a Delhi-based drug supplier, Chidi, through Palestinian national Saeed Ali Mohammad Al Kafri, who was arrested by H-NEW in 2024. He sheltered Chidi in his room in Hyderabad for about eight months until Chidi was arrested by Hyderabad police.

Due to regular drug consumption and to earn easy money with the intention of enjoying a lavish life, he turned into a peddler. He was arrested multiple times in NDPS cases by Ameerpet Excise Station, and M.G. Road Police, Bengaluru, and was sent to judicial custody on different occasions. During one such period, he came in contact with Hasan, and both were involved in drug trafficking activities to earn easy money and lead a lavish lifestyle.

Delhi legislative assembly speaker Vijender Gupta on Wednesday celebrated Holi Milan at his official residence, where he met and greeted party workers and citizens on the occasion of Holi.

Gupta conveyed his best wishes for peace, prosperity and happiness to all residents of the national capital.

He said Holi is not merely a festival of colours but a celebration of social harmony, mutual respect and collective goodwill.

Highlighting the importance of unity, he noted that such occasions strengthen bonds among people and reinforce a shared commitment towards building a progressive and inclusive Delhi.

He emphasised that festivals like Holi provide an opportunity to rise above differences and work together for the larger good of society.
Officials said the Holi Milan witnessed enthusiastic participation and was marked by warmth, camaraderie and vibrant festive spirit. The gathering reflected the true essence of the festival, unity in diversity, reconciliation and renewed hope for the future.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday interacted with members of civil society at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar and offered ‘Fatiha’ (prayers for the dead) for the Iranian Supreme Leader and others killed in the recent developments in Iran.

The Office of the Chief Minister said in a statement: “The Chief Minister today interacted with religious leaders and members of civil society in Srinagar in light of recent developments in West Asia. The participants expressed concern over the situation and conveyed their condolences over the loss of lives in Iran.

“The Chief Minister emphasised the importance of maintaining peace and harmony in Jammu and Kashmir while respecting people’s sentiments and ensuring that expressions of grief and mourning remain peaceful and responsible.”

This is the first interaction of CM Omar Abdullah with civil society members in Kashmir since the US-Israel attacks on Iran began.

Prominent members of civil society, including religious leaders, social activists, and representatives connected with business and trade, participated in the Chief Minister’s interaction.

CM Omar Abdullah has already condemned the attack on Iran and emphasised that the right to determine a change of regime rests solely with the Iranian people and not with outside powers.

He has been in constant touch with the Ministry of External Affairs regarding the safe return of Kashmiri students studying in Iran.

It must be mentioned that before the conflict began, Omar Abdullah had appealed to parents to take the Ministry of External Affairs advisory seriously and call back their children before Iranian airspace was shut down.

Meanwhile, strict restrictions continued for the third day across the Valley to maintain law and order. All schools, colleges, and universities have been closed up to March 7.

Internet speed has been lowered to prevent miscreants from uploading provocative content on social media.

Police have also registered FIRs against some persons, including MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi and former Srinagar Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu, for allegedly uploading objectionable content.