After we reported that Hiba Nawab is in advanced talks to headline a supernatural thriller, we have now learnt of another major development. The makers have finalised Shashank Vyas to star in the show. Last seen in Roop – Mard Ka Naya Swaroop, which ended in May 2019, Shashank has been away from the small screen for nearly seven years. A source associated with the show informs, “The thriller will feature two male leads alongside Hiba, and we are happy to have Shashank Vyas on board as one of them. He fits the role perfectly and will be seen in a character unlike any he has played before.” Shashank became a household name as Jagya in Balika Vadhu. He was recently seen in the web series Citadel: Honey Bunny.In a chat with us a few years ago, while speaking about his break from television, he had shared, “Whatever identity I have today is because of TV, and that will always remain. Balika Vadhu is a cult show, and Jagya is a character people will always remember. But I am a creative person, and that means I like to experiment. I had become very comfortable on television. I feel that if I stay in my comfort zone, I am making a mistake. It means I am not allowing myself to grow. During Balika Vadhu, even the technicians would tell me that I would move on to films. Yet I continued to do shows after that. Then you start thinking about money, which is important, but one can also get stuck in that cycle.” The actor had also mentioned that he received several offers during his break, but his focus was on films and OTT projects. He said, “I won’t say I got too many offers, but I definitely didn’t get too few either. Almost every channel or production house approached me for shows. I even discussed one such offer with my father. The makers understood why I didn’t want to return to TV at that time. There are many ways to earn money, so why did I choose acting? I chose it because it is my passion. I don’t know anything apart from this, so I want to grow, make mistakes, and learn. If I am not growing somewhere, then what is the point of staying there?”

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Group C action remains at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata for a fascinating encounter between England and tournament debutants Italy. England, the two-time champions, enter this match following a vital five-wicket victory over Scotland that kept their Super 8 hopes alive. Italy, meanwhile, is riding the highest wave in their cricketing history after securing a stunning 10-wicket victory over Nepal, their first-ever win in a World Cup. While on paper this looks like a mismatch, the ‘Azzurri’ have shown they have the spirit to challenge the established order.

ENG vs ITA, T20 World Cup 2026: Match Details

• Date and Time: February 16 (Monday); 3:00 pm IST / 9:30 am GMT
• Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata

ENG vs ITA, Head-to-Head Record

Matches played: 0 (This is their first international meeting).

Eden Gardens Pitch Report

Eden Gardens has lived up to its reputation as a high-scoring venue this tournament, but it has offered a balanced battle. The surface generally provides good pace and carry for the fast bowlers early on, but the abrasive nature of the pitch means spinners like Adil Rashid and Italy’s Crishan Kalugamage will find purchase in the middle overs. The average score at this venue in the 2026 World Cup has been around 170. Since this is an afternoon game, the dew factor will be negligible, making the pitch likely to slow down slightly in the second innings. The captain winning the toss will probably elect to bat first to set a tall target on a fresh surface.

Team dynamics and key players

England: Harry Brook’s side has been somewhat inconsistent but showed grit in their chase against Scotland. Tom Banton (63* vs Scotland) has been the anchor, while Phil Salt and Jos Buttler remain the most explosive opening pair in the group. Their bowling is their biggest asset; Jofra Archer has regained his express pace, and Adil Rashid remains a master of subcontinental conditions. England needs a dominant win here to boost their Net Run Rate and secure a top-two spot in Group C.

Italy: The Italian squad is a mix of professional experience and inspired local talent—famously highlighted by Crishan Kalugamage, a pizza chef by trade who took 3/18 to dismantle Nepal. Captain Harry Manenti leads a resilient side bolstered by the experience of JJ Smuts and Grant Stewart. After their clinical 10-wicket chase, Italy will look to their openers Justin Mosca and Anthony Mosca to brave the initial burst from the English pacers. Their goal will be to take the game deep and capitalize on any nerves in the England camp.

Squads

England: Harry Brook (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue, Luke Wood

Italy: Wayne Madsen (captain), Marcus Campopiano, Gian Piero Meade, Zain Ali, Ali Hasan, Crishan Jorge Kalugamage, Harry Manenti, Anthony Mosca, Justin Mosca, Syed Naqvi, Benjamin Manenti, Jaspreet Singh, JJ Smuts, Grant Stewart, Thomas Draca

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026: Ishan Kishan joins Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir’s elite list after explosive 77 vs Pakistan

ENG vs ITA, T20 World Cup 2026: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• England wins the toss and bats first
• England powerplay score: 55-65 (6 overs)
• England total score: 195-205

Case 2:

• Italy wins the toss and bats first
• Italy powerplay score: 35-45 (6 overs)
• Italy total score: 130-140

Match result: England to win the contest.

Also READ: ‘Sanju Samson should have played’: Fans troll Abhishek Sharma after he falls for a 4-ball duck during IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2026 clash

Silver prices dropped by 2 per cent to Rs 2.5 lakh per kilogram in the national capital on Monday, while gold recorded a gain of Rs 700 per 10 grams.

Data from the All India Sarafa Association showed that silver fell by Rs 5,000, or 1.96 per cent, to Rs 2,50,000 per kilogram, inclusive of all taxes, compared with Rs 2,55,000 per kg in the previous session on Friday.

In contrast, gold of 99.9 per cent purity climbed Rs 700 to Rs 1,59,200 per 10 grams, inclusive of all taxes, up from Rs 1,58,500 per 10 grams at the last close.
“Silver began the week on a softer note, as investors booked profits after the weekend’s rally. However, ongoing central bank purchases, heightened safe-haven demand amid the correction in tech and AI stocks, and a weaker dollar index have helped cushion the downside,” Gaurvav Garg, Research Analyst, Lemonn Markets Desk, said.

NEW DELHI: India’s emphatic triumph over arch-rivals Pakistan in the ICC T20 World Cup wasn’t just another win — it was, in Sachin Tendulkar’s words, a takeover scripted in the powerplay itself.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The batting icon summed up the night’s defining phase in a post on X. “The powerplay was where India took the game away from them. Ishan Kishan in the first innings, and the clinical bowling we saw in the second innings, made all the difference. We were always in the driver’s seat. India rocked it tonight,” he wrote.

That early surge came despite a shaky start. After Abhishek Sharma fell for a duck, Kishan unleashed a counterattack, smashing a brutal 77, off just 40 balls, that shifted momentum instantly. Tilak Varma added a steady 25, before skipper Suryakumar Yadav (32), along with Shivam Dube (27) and Rinku Singh (11 not out), delivered a composed finish to lift India to 175/7. Saim Ayub (3/25) was Pakistan’s standout bowler with three wickets.If Kishan seized the initiative, India’s bowlers sealed the verdict. Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel tore through the top order, reducing Pakistan to 34/4 inside powerplay. Usman Khan fought alone with 44, but Varun Chakaravarthy and the rest ensured Pakistan were bundled out for 114 in 18 overs.Former opener Virender Sehwag didn’t hold back either. “Ishan Kishan played like a real Dhurandhar. Among all minnows Pakistan looked like the easiest to beat for Bharat because of their 17th century approach to T-20 cricket, and they have taken a proper beating as usual. Full kambal kuttai,” he posted.The crushing win pushed India to a dominant 8-1 head-to-head record in tournament history and secured their Super 8 spot with three straight victories.

US President Donald Trump, during his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in December, assured that the US would support Israeli strikes on Iran, should the US not reach a deal with Iran on the regime’s nuclear programme, US news outlet CBS News reported.Citing two sources familiar with the matter, the report said that two months after the meeting, the discussions between the US military’s senior figures and the intelligence community had begun to assess the possibilities of an Israeli strike on Iran.The two nations share their stance against Iran’s nuclear ballistic missile programme.According to the report, the United States shall not be interfering much with how Israel acts. Rather, Washington will assist Israel with mid-air refuelling and obtain overflight permissions from countries along Israel’s potential routes.This becomes important as Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan, have publicly denied providing an airspace used for any strikes on Iran. Thus, it remains unclear which country will provide airspace for strike and refuelling purposes.This comes as Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, departed for Switzerland on Sunday for a second round of renewed talks with the United States later this week.Washington has kept up the pressure, with a new executive order imposing tariffs on countries trading with Iran taking effect, with additional sanctions targeting shipping firms and vessels tied to Iranian oil exports.Alongside, the US is also increasing its military presence in the Gulf, as most recently, Trump ordered the world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R Ford, along with its USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, to join the “armada” in the Middle East.Iran has made its stance clear that it shall not give up its uranium enrichment. Addressing a forum in Tehran on February 8, Araghchi said Iran had “paid a very heavy price” for what it maintains is a peaceful nuclear programme.“Why do we insist so much on enrichment and refuse to give it up even if a war is imposed on us? Because no one has the right to dictate our behaviour,” he said.Tehran and Washington resumed negotiations in Muscat on February 6, months after earlier talks collapsed following Israel’s unprecedented bombing campaign against Iran last June, which triggered a 12-day war.

In a major step for the UAE’s digital infrastructure ambitions, telecom provider du has announced a strategic partnership to land and invest in the Singapore-India-Gulf (SING) submarine cable system, a next-generation undersea fibre-optic network that will link the Middle East with South Asia and Southeast Asia. The deal reinforces the UAE’s role as a regional data hub and is poised to support future digital growth, artificial intelligence workloads, cloud services and global connectivity.

What is the SING subsea cable system?

The SING (Singapore-India-Gulf) cable is a planned high-capacity submarine fibre-optic network designed to create a direct east–west digital corridor connecting six strategic landing points:

This system is designed to provide high-capacity, low-latency connectivity and strengthen network resilience by diversifying data routes beyond traditional paths such as the Red Sea corridor. It will play a key role in supporting increasing global bandwidth demands driven by cloud computing, streaming, e-commerce and real-time digital services.

UAE’s du’s role and strategic importance

Under the new partnership, du, one of the UAE’s leading telecom and digital services providers, will host the SING cable at its Kalba cable landing station and also participate financially in its rollout. This means that when completed, the system will have a physical connection to the UAE’s digital ecosystem, allowing faster, more resilient connectivity between the Gulf region and Asia.

Karim Benkirane, Chief Commercial Officer at du, said the project will “reinforce the UAE’s role as a global hub for data, cloud and artificial intelligence” by providing the connectivity scale, performance and reliability needed for hyperscalers, tech innovators and enterprise customers.

Why UAE’s du’s investment in Singapore-India-Gulf cable matters for global connectivity

The SING subsea cable is part of a broader renaissance in global submarine infrastructure. Projects like SEA-ME-WE 6, another major submarine cable ongoing between Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe, have highlighted the growing need for redundancy, capacity and network reliability. In recent years, disruptions to undersea cables in the Red Sea, a critical data conduit, have shown how vulnerable global internet routes can be to outages, emphasising the need for alternative pathways like SING that can mitigate service impacts if certain routes are compromised.

By diversifying connectivity pathways, the UAE and its partners aim to ensure stable data routes that underpin everything from corporate cloud services to consumer streaming and real-time financial systems. The UAE’s investment in SING coincides with global trends in subsea cable deployment. For example, projects like the SEA-ME-WE 6 system, which connects Southeast Asia to Europe with high capacity, are enhancing global data traffic infrastructure and helping meet surging demand.

What’s next for SING and UAE connectivity

Although the exact ready-for-service date for the SING cable is not yet announced, project progress has accelerated after a major investment by Cerberus Capital Management, which resolved longstanding funding challenges and propelled the system toward execution with planned deployment by 2030. Once operational, the SING network is expected to deliver tens of terabits per second of capacity, providing scalable flexibility for future data needs from businesses, cloud operators, AI research initiatives and cross-continent platforms.

Additionally, major alternative cable initiatives such as USTDA-supported efforts for trusted India-to-Southeast Asia routes underline increasing international collaboration on building secure, high-performance subsea networks that serve billions of users worldwide.This positions the UAE and the wider Gulf region at the forefront of next-generation connectivity infrastructure for global scale digital services. As digital economies expand and data traffic grows exponentially, projects like the Singapore-India-Gulf subsea cable system represent critical investments in the future of global connectivity.By partnering with Datawave and investing in the SING cable, du and the UAE are strengthening their role as a strategic gateway between continents, enhancing digital resilience, supporting AI-ready infrastructure and unlocking new opportunities for economic and technological growth.

NEW DELHI: The sacred Kedarnath Temple in Uttarakhand will reopen its doors to devotees on April 22, marking the end of its nearly six-month winter closure, a temple committee official said on Sunday.The auspicious date and timing were finalised on the occasion of Mahashivratri at the shrine’s winter seat.

Muhurat decided on Mahashivratri

Harish Gaur, public relations officer of the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, said the reopening date was determined at the Omkareshwar Temple, where Lord Kedarnath is worshipped during the winter months.

Following special rituals and prayers, religious scholars and priests calculated the muhurat using panchang (Hindu calendar) readings. The temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, will open at 8 am on April 22.The ceremony at Omkareshwar Temple was marked by elaborate decorations, including around nine and a half quintals of flowers.Among those present were Kedarnath Temple’s chief priest Rawal Bhimashankar Ling, Kedarnath MLA Asha Nautiyal, Temple Committee chairman Hemant Dwivedi, other officials, religious leaders and hundreds of devotees, according to news agency ANI.Devotees offered prayers, chanted “Jai Baba Kedar” and participated in community feasts organised by donors.

Char Dham Yatra schedule announced

With the reopening date confirmed, the schedule for the annual Char Dham Yatra in the Garhwal Himalayas has also been finalised.The doors of Badrinath Temple will reopen on April 23. Meanwhile, Gangotri Temple and Yamunotri Temple will open earlier on April 19, coinciding with the festival of Akshaya Tritiya.The reopening of these shrines marks the beginning of the annual pilgrimage season, drawing lakhs of devotees to the Himalayan temples each year.

The lights of the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi are set to host a high-stakes encounter in Group D of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. On one side, we have an Afghanistan team, wounded, desperate, and searching for their first points of the tournament. On the other, a resilient UAE squad looking to build on the momentum of their historic win over Canada and mount a serious challenge for the Super Eight.

Two years ago, Afghanistan were the darlings of the T20 world after their semi-final run. In 2026, the script has been far harsher. After a clinical defeat to New Zealand, they played what many are calling the “Match of the Century” against South Africa, a double super over thriller that ultimately saw them fall short. Rashid Khan’s men are currently winless and must win every remaining game to keep their slim qualification hopes alive.

UAE are riding high. After a reality-check loss to the Black Caps in their opener, they pulled off a stunning chase against Canada. Aryansh Sharma (74) and Sohaib Khan (51) proved that the UAE batting lineup has the depth to handle pressure. A win here would propel them into a genuine conversation for the next round.

AFG vs UAE, T20 World Cup 2026: Match Details

• Date and Time: February 16 (Monday); 11:00 am IST / 5:30 am GMT
• Venue: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi

AFG vs UAE, Head-to-Head Record (T20Is)

Matches played: 15 | Afghanistan won: 12 | UAE won: 3

Arun Jaitley Stadium Pitch Report

The Arun Jaitley Stadium pitch for this encounter is expected to be a traditional Delhi slow-burner, offering significant grip and turn as the match progresses. While the surface is relatively flat and allows for shot-making during the Powerplay, it tends to stay low, making life difficult for batters once the ball loses its shine. Spinners from both sides will likely dominate the middle overs, as evidenced by recent tournament trends where spin has accounted for a record percentage of wickets. With this being a morning game, the dew factor—which often aids chasers under lights—will be non-existent, making a score around 155–165 highly competitive.

Squads

Afghanistan: Rashid Khan (c), Noor Ahmad, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Sediqullah Atal, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Naveen Ul Haq, Mohammad Ishaq, Shahidullah Kamal, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Darwish Rasooli, Ibrahim Zadran

UAE: Muhammad Waseem (captain), Alishan Sharafu, Aryansh Sharma, Dhruv Parashar, Haider Ali, Harshit Kaushik, Junaid Siddique, Mayank Kumar, Muhammad Arfan, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Zohaib, Rohid Khan, Sohaib Khan, Simranjeet Singh.

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026 – Fans celebrate Ishan Kishan’s heroics as India hammer Pakistan to secure Super 8 spot

AFG vs UAE, T20 World Cup 2026: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• Afghanistan wins the toss and bats first
• Afghanistan powerplay score: 45-55 (6 overs)
• Afghanistan total score: 175-185

Case 2:

• UAE wins the toss and bats first
• UAE powerplay score: 38-48 (6 overs)
• UAE total score: 135-145

Match result: Afghanistan to win the contest.

Also READ: Matt Renshaw pulls no punches after Australia’s shocking loss to Zimbabwe in T20 World Cup 2026

NEW DELHI: Gujarat, Maharashtra and UP have emerged as frontrunners in rooftop solar installations, even as over 23 lakh rooftop solar systems (RTS) were installed across the country in the last two years under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.Launched on Feb 13, 2024, with a financial outlay of Rs 75,021 crore, the scheme aims to install RTS in one crore households by March 2027. The Centre provides a one-time financial assistance of up to Rs 78,000 per household, while several states offer additional subsidies.According to the national portal, 23,68,383 systems with an aggregate capacity of about 8,691 MW have been installed till Feb 13 this year. Govt has released Rs 16,932.4 crore in subsidies.Under the scheme, a 3-kW solar plant can generate about 300 units of electricity per month — enough to reduce the bill to zero if consumption stays within that limit. More than 12.5 lakh consumers have received zero electricity bills in at least one month since the launch.The number of installations is estimated to be close to three million when statelevel subsidy programmes are included.Gujarat leads with nearly 5.6 lakh installations, followed by Maharashtra (4.5 lakh), UP (3.7 lakh) and Kerala (1.9 lakh). Adoption remains low in the Northeast: Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Tripura together account for only 4,174 installations. Delhi, Goa, West Bengal and Chandigarh also have recorded modest numbers, with 6,209, 1,721, 1,265 and 1,050 installations, respectively.Govt acknowledged that nearly three-fourths of installations are concentrated in 1011 states. Many states are yet to notify virtual net-metering guidelines that allow consumers to feed surplus power into the grid and receive payment. “This is a model with a customer-first approach. It has become immensely popular,” said JVN Subramanyam, joint secretary, ministry of new and renewable energy.