NAGPUR: Eight people were injured in stone pelting during BJP and Patit Pawan Sanghatana’s protest in front of the Congress Bhavan in the city as state Congress chief Harshawardhan Sapkal’s remarks “equating” Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with Tipu Sultan escalated on Sunday, drawing in leaders from Maharashtra and Telangana and setting off protests across the state.BJP and right-organisation supporters protested in Nagpur, Nashik, Ahilyanagar, Sangli, Solapur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nanded, Latur and elsewhere. There was no untoward fallout at these places.

On his part, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi defended Tipu Sultan, the 18th-century Mysore (now Mysuru) ruler. “In 1799, Tipu Sultan died fighting the British,” Owaisi said. “He did not sit in jail and write love letters to the British.” Owaisi also questioned Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis for slamming Sapkal over the remarks.Telangana BJP president N Ramchander Rao said by glorifying Tipu Sultan, the AIMIM “is distorting history”.Congress has not yet issued a detailed clarification on the matter. Party sources indicated that internal discussions were on amid mounting political pressure. With demonstrations spreading and leaders trading charges over historical interpretation, the controversy shows no sign of abating.

Sapkal and Fadnavis engaged in a war of words on Saturday after the state Congress chief compared Tipu Sultan to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, claiming Tipu Sultan belonged “to the same league of valour”. The CM said the comparison was “unacceptable”.In Pune, Patit Pawan Sanghatana members were the first to assemble in front of the Congress Bhawan on Sunday morning, condemning Sapkal’s remarks.Around 12.30pm, BJP workers, including mayor Manjusha Nagpure, reached the site and started sloganeering and showing posters.By then, about 100 Congress workers reached the site and started raising counterslogans.“As the sloganeering was on from both side, someone hurled a stone. This set off the stone pelting by members from either side,” additional commissioner of police Manoj Patil said. “Two women constables, two reporters and two workers each from BJP and Congress were injured. “The nature of injuries was not serious,” he said.DCP (Zone I) Krushikesh Rawale said, “Our team intervened to disperse the stone pelters and restored normalcy within 10 minutes. We maintained strong bandobust at Congress Bhawan and the BJP office near Sambhaji Garden on JM Road.”BJP Pune city president Dheeraj Ghate said, “Sapkal’s remarks deeply hurt the sentiments of all those who idolise Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as a deity. It is a deliberate attempt to create a rift in society.”BJP claimed it had the police permission to hold the protest, but the Congress had no permission to stage a counter-protest and indulge in sloganeering supporting Sapkal.“The Congress workers started the stone pelting just when our protest was over and our people were leaving the place,” Ghate said.Congress’s former MLC Mohan Joshi countered the allegation and went on to blame the police for “helping” BJP workers by not taking any steps to stop the BJP workers. “The police official on duty at the site must be suspended,” Joshi said.Former mayor Prashant Jagtap said, “The BJP leaders and workers are showing the arrogance of power. Their behaviour is unlawful and they should be punished for it. Criminal offences should be filed against them.”In Nashik, BJP MLA Devyani Pharande led the party workers to a vociferous protest in front of the Congress Committee office on the MG Road. The Sarkarwada police had deployed a strong bandobust to ensure that there was no untoward incident as the protestors demonstrated from 11am to 11.30am before leaving the spot.Pharande later told reporters, “It is unfortunate that even 24 hours after Sapkal’s comments, Uddhav Thackeray, Raj Thackeray, Balasaheb Thorat, Nana Patole and Sanjay Raut have not uttered a word. The Uddhav Sena and the Raj Sena should clear their position if they agree or disagree with Sapkal’s comments. We won’t let Sapkal move around freely unless he steps down from his party post.BJP minister Atul Save led the party workers’ protest at Kranti Chowk in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. “Sapkal should read history books first before opening his mouth. We won’t let him enter Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar unless he apologizes,” he said.In Sangli, city unit president Prakash Dhang led the protest in front of the district Congress committee office. “Congress should immediately sack Sapkal. Neither Tipu Sultan nor anyone can be equal to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who is a deity for all of us,” he said. There was a heavy police bandobast outside the Congress office.

Vande Bharat chair car is an all air-conditioned service that was first introduced in 2019.

How do the fares of Vande Bharat chair car trains compare to similar trains around the world? According to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the ticket prices for the Vande Bharat chair car are much lower than such trains operating in countries such France, China, and Japan.Vande Bharat chair car is an all air-conditioned service that was first introduced in 2019 and has since then expanded across the Indian Railways network. The self-propelled train set is said to be a world-class offering by the national transporter, allowing for better passenger amenities and faster train travel.

Vande Bharat Chair Car Fares

Recently, Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Lok Sabha that the fare for the Vande Bharat AC chair car for journeys covering around 300 to 400 kilometres is approximately Rs 2.19 per kilometre. This, he said, is significantly lower than comparable services in countries such as China, Japan and France. “The fare of Vande Bharat AC chair car over a journey between 300 and 400 kilometres is around Rs 2.19 per kilometre, which is much lower than the fares of similar segments of services in countries like China, Japan and France, where it ranges from Rs 7 to Rs 20 per kilometre,” Vaishnaw said.Also Read | How seven new high-speed rail corridors can transform train travel in IndiaIn his written reply, Vaishnaw said the Ministry of Railways determines passenger fares after considering multiple factors, including operational costs, the value and quality of services provided, the nature of facilities offered, affordability for passengers, competition from alternative modes of transport, and broader socio-economic considerations.Vande Bharat train services currently operate across 82 routes, running a total of 164 services. According to the minister, these trains function as a separate category within passenger services, featuring a different fare structure along with amenities such as improved suspension systems, quicker acceleration through semi-high-speed operations, automatic plug doors, ergonomic seating, mini pantry facilities, CCTV surveillance and the KAVACH safety system.Vaishnaw added that passenger affordability has remained a key consideration, and as a result, ticket prices for these trains have been maintained below the actual cost of providing the service.He further said, “The rationalised fare structure has facilitated the wider expansion of these services across the country, reflecting strong passenger demand for these services. Vande Bharat services have high occupancy level on all major routes with occupancy of Vande Bharat near 100 per cent, demonstrating a change in passenger preferences.”Commenting on fares in the ordinary class of other trains, Vaishnaw said these remain among the lowest when compared internationally. Drawing a comparison with neighbouring countries, he noted that the per-kilometre fare in India stands at about 20 paise, while the corresponding fares are 54 paise in Pakistan, 37 paise in Bangladesh and 51 paise in Sri Lanka.Recently a sleeper version of the Vande Bharat Express train has also been launched, and hundreds of such trains are planned for overnight train travel in the coming years.

Australia’s campaign in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has hit turbulent waters. A crushing eight-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka in Pallekele on Monday has left the former champions staring at an early exit. What once looked like a comfortable path to the Super Eight stage has now turned into a complicated equation involving other teams and Net Run Rate.

This was Australia’s second setback in the tournament, following their earlier defeat to Zimbabwe. With just one win in three matches, they currently sit third in Group B with two points and a Net Run Rate of +0.414. In contrast, Sri Lanka have surged ahead, sealing their Super Eight berth with three wins in three games.

Qualification scenario for Australia

The equation is now straightforward but far from simple. Australia must win their final group match against Oman to stay alive. However, even victory alone may not be enough.

If Zimbabwe manage to win even one of their remaining games against Sri Lanka or Ireland, they will climb to six points — a tally Australia cannot match — which would officially end the Aussies’ campaign.

On the other hand, if Zimbabwe lose both fixtures and Australia defeat Oman, the race tightens dramatically. In that scenario, both Australia and Ireland would finish with four points each from four matches. Qualification would then come down to Net Run Rate, turning every run and every over into a decisive factor.

For a team that prides itself on dominating world tournaments, relying on mathematical possibilities rather than on-field authority is unfamiliar and uncomfortable territory.

Also READ: Pakistan’s qualification scenario for Super 8 round after a crushing defeat in T20 World Cup 2026 against India

Pathum Nissanka’s masterclass seals Sri Lanka’s spot

While Australia are left calculating scenarios, Sri Lanka are celebrating a clinical performance. The night belonged to Pathum Nissanka, who produced one of the finest knocks of the tournament. Chasing 182, Nissanka remained unbeaten on a breathtaking 100 off just 52 deliveries, peppering the boundary with 10 fours and five towering sixes. Calm yet commanding, he dismantled the Australian attack with remarkable ease.

He found strong support from Kusal Mendis, who contributed a fluent 51 off 38 balls. Together, the duo stitched a 97-run stand for the second wicket, effectively taking the game away from Australia. Sri Lanka reached the target with two overs to spare, underlining the dominance of their chase.

Earlier in the evening, Australia appeared firmly in control. Skipper Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head laid a solid platform, racing to 104 without loss. Marsh struck 54, while Head matched him stroke for stroke with a 56-run effort. But the innings unraveled dramatically once the breakthrough came. Sri Lanka’s spinners tightened the screws in the middle overs, shifting momentum decisively. Leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha claimed three wickets for 37 runs, while pacer Dushmantha Chameera chipped in with two crucial scalps.

The collapse was swift and damaging. Australia lost their final four wickets for just six runs, stumbling from a position of strength to being bowled out for 181 — a total that ultimately proved insufficient.

Also READ: Fans go wild as Pathum Nissanka smashes century to take Sri Lanka into the Super 8 with a win over Australia

You don’t have permission to access “http://www.ndtv.com/health/ai-solutions-in-healthcare-improving-early-disease-detection-and-enable-timely-intervention-qure-ai-11013855” on this server.

Reference #18.c4f5d217.1771316266.c2d92acb

https://errors.edgesuite.net/18.c4f5d217.1771316266.c2d92acb

New Zealand’s captain Mitchel Santner (AP Photo)

NEW DELHI: New Zealand were dealt an unexpected blow ahead of their crucial T20 World Cup clash against Canada after skipper Mitchell Santner was ruled out due to illness caused by what stand-in captain Daryl Mitchell described as a “dodgy burger.” With a Super 8 berth within touching distance, New Zealand were forced into a late reshuffle at the toss as Canada elected to bat first on Tuesday.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“Mitch had a bit of a dodgy burger last night and he’s not feeling too great today, so hopefully he’s good to go in 24 hours,” Mitchell said, underlining the suddenness of the setback. All-rounder Cole McConchie was drafted in as a like-for-like replacement, with Mitchell adding, “Cole comes in for Santner as well, so again it’s a very similar role. He’ll be excited to get the opportunity.”

Live Score: New Zealand vs CanadaThe Black Caps were already managing another enforced absence, with pace spearhead Lockie Ferguson returning home for the birth of his first child. His replacement, Kyle Jamieson, was welcomed back into the XI. “Firstly excited for Lockie to have his first baby and he’ll be back soon, but Kyle Jamieson comes in for him, so it’s a like for like replacement, which is good,” Mitchell said.Despite the disruptions, the stakes remain clear. A third win in Group D would seal New Zealand’s place in the Super 8s, keeping their campaign firmly on track after earlier victories over Afghanistan and the UAE and a setback against South Africa. Mitchell expressed confidence in the team’s ability to adapt.“It brings different challenges. A number of us have played quite a few games here… so we understand the conditions. We’ll assess the surface quickly and adapt as the game unfolds,” he said.

Representative image (AI)

Financial experts are urging investors to cash out their profits from gold and silver investments following unprecedented gains over the past 18 months. Both precious metals have more than doubled in value, with gold rising over 100 per cent and silver surging nearly 200 per cent in rupee terms. However, wealth managers warn that the current market conditions may not support further significant growth.The remarkable rally in precious metals was driven by multiple factors. These include growing geopolitical tensions, aggressive US trade policies, inflation concerns, and continued buying by central banks. Silver’s exceptional performance was further boosted by its increasing industrial applications in solar panels, electric vehicles, and AI-related technologies.Indian investors, seeking alternatives to the underperforming equity market, have poured record amounts into gold and silver schemes. January marked a historic shift as monthly inflows into precious metal ETFs reached ₹33,503 crore, surpassing equity fund investments of Rs 24,029 crore for the first time.“If you bought gold and silver over the past year and a half, this is the time to take profits and be a fence sitter,” advised Sahil Kapoor, head of Products and market strategist at DSP Mutual Fund, as quoted by ET. This comes as international silver has fallen 36.63% and gold has dropped 7.8% from their peak levels in January 2026.However, experts like Akshay Chinchalkar, managing partner at The Wealth Company, suggested a cautious approach. “Precious metals are priced to perfection after the sharp run-up in prices we saw over the last couple of years,” he said. Instead of large lump-sum investments, he recommended using Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) to gradually build gold exposure.For new investors feeling the FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), Kapoor recommends starting with small, systematic investments rather than making substantial allocations at current price levels. This measured approach could help minimise risks while maintaining some market participation.

Gold, silver pushes trade deficit

In a separate development around the precious metals, trade deficit widened to a three-month high of $34.6 billion in Jan as gold and silver shipments pushed up the import bill, while exports remained flat on a sharp fall in goods consignments to the US.India’s imports rose 19.1 per cent, the highest since last April, to $71.2 billion, the second highest for any month. Gold imports surged 4.5 times to $12 billion, while silver jumped 2.3 times to $2 billion. During January, exports were up 0.8 per cent to $36.6 billion amid a fall in gems and jewellery and textiles, while electronics and pharma saw a muted increase.Govt is, however, confident of closing the year with record exports. “India’s exports remain northward, both for goods and services. We hope that in the last two months too it will be on the same trajectory. We are well poised to be nearing $860 billion this year, and services are expected to cross $410 billion for the first time,” said commerce secretary Rajesh Agrawal.A part of the confidence stems from a revival in US demand in sectors such as gems and jewellery and textiles after the punitive 25 per cent secondary tariffs were withdrawn at the start of February.Read more: Gold, silver imports push trade deficit to 3-month high(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market and other asset classes given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)

Hrithik Roshan recently reacted to the incident where a slab of the Mumbai Metro overhead bridge collapsed in Mumbai, killing a person. The actor took to his social media to express his opinion on the tragic accident. He also urged strict action to make sure guidelines are followed. Let’s take a look at it.

Hrithik Roshan reacts to Mumbai Metro bridge slab collapse

Hrithik Roshan mourned the death of the person in the accident and also prayed for the recovery of those who were injured. He took to his Instagram Stories on Sunday and reposted a video shared by a publication about the incident. He wrote, “Heartbreaking and traumatic. My condolences to the family of the deceased and prayers for the speedy recovery of those injured.”

The actor added, “I commend the swift action taken by the authorities to ensure accountability, but the need for safety checks and prevention of such accidents is a priority, especially with all the development work going on across Mumbai, on the busiest streets.”He concluded his note, saying, “Safety of the construction workers and common people is of paramount importance, and I hope strict measures are taken to ensure guidelines and protocol are in place to avoid such incidents in the future (folded hands emoji).”

More about the incident

On Saturday, a person died and three were injured after a slab of the parapet of the under-construction Metro Rail Line 4 bridge collapsed on passing vehicles below in Mulund, Mumbai. As per the reports, five employees of two contractor companies have been arrested in the case. An FIR was lodged at the police station under section 105 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita.Soon, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced Rs 5 lakh as financial assistance for the family of the deceased.

More about Hrithik Roshan

The actor is currently working on his next project, ‘Krrish 4’. Reportedly, the film is in the pre-production stage at the moment. He was last seen in Ayan Mukerji’s ‘War 2’, which tanked at the box office after its release in theaters.See More: Rajpal Yadav Bail Hearing LIVE Updates: Delhi HC to take up the actor’s Rs 9 crore cheque bounce case today

As the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 enter its business end, Group C brings a dead rubber between Scotland and Nepal. The clash is set to take place at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. While the dream of the Super 8s has flickered out for both nations, pride and a final chance to shine on the world stage remain very much on the line.

For Scotland, this tournament has been a “what if” story. They showed glimpses of their quality with a dominant 73-run win over Italy, but narrow losses to heavyweights England and the West Indies left them just outside the qualification bracket. Nepal, backed by their incredible and loud fanbase, have had a tournament of extreme highs and lows. They pushed England to the absolute limit in a 4-run thriller that captured hearts globally, only to suffer a shocking 10-wicket collapse against Italy.

SCO vs NEP, T20 World Cup 2026: Match Details

• Date and Time: February 17; 07:00 pm IST / 1:30 pm GMT
• Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

SCO vs NEP, Head-to-Head Record

Matches played: 3 | Scotland won: 2 | Nepal won: 1

Wankhede Stadium Pitch Report

The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai is renowned for its vibrant wicket, one that consistently produces a compelling battle between bat and ball. At the start of an innings, a hint of grass and the surface’s natural carry allow pacers to extract movement with the new ball, placing a premium on the powerplay for both teams. As the match progresses, the track generally evens out and becomes increasingly conducive to batting. True bounce and comparatively short boundaries invite aggressive stroke-making, often paving the way for high totals where clean timing is rewarded. Historically, chasing sides have enjoyed success at this venue, elevating the importance of the toss, with captains frequently opting to bowl first. That said, recent fixtures suggest a more even contest, as the pitch has also begun to offer some grip and turn for spinners in the latter stages.

Squads

Nepal: Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Rohit Paudel (c), Dipendra Singh Airee, Aarif Sheikh, Lokesh Bam, Gulsan Jha, Karan KC, Nandan Yadav, Sandeep Lamichhane, Sher Malla, Basir Ahamad, Sundeep Jora, Lalit Rajbanshi, Sompal Kami

Scotland: Mark Watt, Michael Jones, Brandon McMullen, Richie Berrington (c), Tom Bruce, Matthew Cross (wk), Oliver Davidson, Michael Leask, Chris Greaves, Zainullah Ihsan, Safyaan Sharif, George Munsey, Brad Wheal, Finlay McCreath, Brad Currie

Also WATCH: Frustrated Pakistan fans vandalise TV screen after humiliating loss against India in T20 World Cup 2026

SCO vs NEP, T20 World Cup 2026: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• Scotland wins the toss and bowls first
• Nepal’s powerplay score: 30-40
• Nepal’s total score: 150-160

Case 2:

• Nepal wins the toss and bowls first
• Scotland’s powerplay score: 40-50
• Scotland’s total score: 170-180

Match result: Team bowling first to win the contest.

Also READ: Azmatullah Omarzai’s all round heroics inspires Afghanistan to a thrilling victory against UAE in T20 World Cup 2026