NEW DELHI: Fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya on Wednesday informed the Bombay high court that he cannot specify when he will return to India as he is legally barred from leaving the United Kingdom.In a statement submitted through his counsel Amit Desai, Mallya said that he does not have an active Indian passport and is also restrained by court orders in England and Wales from travelling outside the UK. The submission came after a bench of Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad last week made it clear that it would not hear his plea challenging the order declaring him a fugitive economic offender unless he returns to India.The court had asked Mallya to clarify whether he intended to come back to the country.Mallya, who has been based in the UK since leaving India in March 2016, has filed two petitions before the high court, one challenging the order declaring him a fugitive economic offender and another questioning the constitutional validity of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act.In his statement read out in court, Mallya said that he cannot give a definite date for his return as his passport was revoked by the Indian government in 2016 and because courts in England and Wales have prohibited him from leaving the country.“Mallya is not permitted to leave or attempt to leave England and Wales or apply for or be in possession of any international travel document. In any event, the petitioner is unable to precisely state when he will return to India,” Desai read out from the statement.The senior counsel further argued that Mallya’s physical presence in India was not necessary for the court to hear his pleas against the fugitive tag and the provisions of the Act.“If he (Mallya) were to appear in India, then all these proceedings would be rendered irrelevant as the statute says that once the offender appears in the concerned court of law, then all these orders would be set aside,” Desai told the court.Mallya, 70, faces multiple cases of alleged fraud and money laundering linked to the default of loans amounting to several thousand crores. He was declared a Fugitive Economic Offender in January 2019 by a special court hearing cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.The high court has directed the Union government to file its reply to Mallya’s statement and posted the matter for further hearing next month.

Priyanka Chopra made her debut in Hindi cinema in the early 2000s and slowly carved a path for herself on her own. But in her initial years, the actress faced several struggles and had bad experiences on movies. At that time, she lost out on projects despite being signed, as filmmakers or leading actors chose to back other actresses instead. Reflecting on one such episode, Priyanka shared that she was removed from a Hindi film even after formalising her contract. According to her, a male co-star later informed her that the director had made a “mistake” by casting her because the role had always been intended for another actress. Though legally bound to the project, she felt powerless to challenge the decision.Speaking recently at the Harvard Business School, Priyanka recounted how the male actor from the shelved project visited her while she was shooting for the 2007 film ‘Salaam-E-Ishq’. She initially believed he had come to show support ahead of their upcoming shoot, but the conversation took an unexpected turn. “He goes, ‘The director gave you this movie by mistake. It was his mistake. This was always supposed to go to this other girl but we will do another one together, don’t worry about it. I just wanted to tell you myself.’ And he ate some food and left,” she recalled.

At just 22, Priyanka described the film as a “really important movie” that vanished overnight. “My heart just crushed and I was like, ‘I signed a contract. Like, what do you mean?’ But that’s how it was,” she said, adding that similar incidents occurred multiple times. Despite already featuring in successful films and steadily building her reputation, she admitted she briefly considered stepping away from acting altogether, even contemplating a return to college. Ultimately, she chose to “focus on my craft,” a decision she credits for sustaining her career. “That took me through my carer and got me more work,” she shared.Priyanka made her Bollywood debut in 2003 with Andaaz alongside Akshay Kumar and Lara Dutta. Around the same period, several industry newcomers with film family backgrounds were entering the scene. Addressing the subject of nepotism, she said, “I didn’t know what nepotism meant at the time. I just knew that every parent wants to make sure that they give their children the best future that they can, which is normal. My parents did the best that they could to make sure that I have a choice in my future so I didn’t understand what that meant or the limitations that came with it.”Looking back, Priyanka noted that several films were “taken away” from her during those formative years. “I was cast as a lead and suddenly, I was cast as a second lead because somebody else… You know, the politics of it just struck me and I realised that no one is making a movie for me. This person is not my uncle or I haven’t been to their home since I was 4 years old and that started becoming really apparent when you met friends and colleagues,” she explained. Even so, positive critical feedback motivated her to persevere. “I started looking for a variety of roles,” she shared.On work front, she will be seen next in ‘The Bluff’.

In a high-pressure Group A fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Pakistan made two notable changes to their playing XI against Namibia at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo. With their Super 8 hopes hanging in the balance, the Men in Green opted to leave out pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi and mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed for this crucial encounter.

Pakistan skipper Salman Agha won the toss and chose to bat first, underlining his side’s intent to put scoreboard pressure on Namibia in what is virtually a knockout contest for the 2009 champions.

Why Shaheen Afridi and Abrar Ahmed are not playing the clash against Namibia

While announcing the changes at the toss, Agha confirmed that Salman Mirza and Khawaja Nafay were drafted into the XI, replacing Afridi and Abrar. However, the captain did not specify any injury concerns or tactical reasons behind the absence of the two frontline bowlers.

“We’ve got two changes. Salman and Nafay are playing. Shaheen and Abrar are missing out. The batting has just been a concern for us. We need to bat well. We have batted well against USA. We need to do the similar kind of performance today as well,” Agha said during the toss.

Though no concrete explanation was provided, the decision appears to be performance-driven. Both Afridi and Abrar have struggled to make a consistent impact in the ongoing tournament. Afridi, usually Pakistan’s go-to man with the new ball, has not been able to deliver early breakthroughs regularly, while Abrar’s variations have not yielded the expected results on subcontinental surfaces. Given the magnitude of this clash, the team management seemingly opted for a fresh combination in a bid to reset the momentum.

Also READ: Corbin Bosch sizzles as South Africa thrash UAE in T20 World Cup 2026

Batting concerns force rethink

Agha’s remarks clearly indicated that Pakistan’s primary worry has been their batting inconsistency. Despite flashes of brilliance, the top and middle order have failed to stitch together commanding totals. The captain emphasized the need to replicate their improved showing against the USA, suggesting that the team’s focus has shifted toward strengthening the batting unit.

The inclusion of Nafay is likely aimed at adding depth and stability to the middle order, while Mirza’s selection could provide a different bowling dynamic. By making these changes, Pakistan appear to be seeking better balance rather than relying solely on big names.

Notably, this fixture against Namibia is nothing short of a must-win for Pakistan. A defeat could effectively knock them out of contention for a Super 8 berth, making team selection even more critical.

Playing XI of both teams

Namibia: Louren Steenkamp, Jan Frylinck, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Gerhard Erasmus (c), Alexander Volschenk, JJ Smit, Zane Green (wk), Ruben Trumpelmann, Willem Myburgh, Bernard Scholtz, Jack Brassell

Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (c), Babar Azam, Usman Khan (wk), Khawaja Nafay, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Salman Mirza, Usman Tariq

Also READ: From Mahela Jayawardene to Kusal Mendis: List of players to record three consecutive 50-plus scores in T20 World Cup history

ULHASNAGAR: Questions have been raised over the quality of the ongoing Rs 63-crore cement road construction on the crucial KB (Kalyan–Badlapur) Road in Ulhasnagar. Several social organisations, along with local political leaders, have demanded that portions of the allegedly substandard work be demolished and rebuilt, and that the remaining construction be executed strictly as per prescribed standards.The controversy gained momentum after multiple complaints from residents and daily commuters about potholes, surface damage, and uneven stretches on newly completed sections. Citizens have alleged that defects have begun appearing even before the project’s completion, intensifying concerns about workmanship and material quality.Adding to the criticism, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has sought a third-party audit of the project by the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay). MNS district president Bandu Deshmukh alleged large-scale irregularities, claiming that the work was being carried out using inferior materials. He further accused officials of the Public Works Department (PWD) of turning a blind eye to visible shortcomings.Deshmukh stated that cracks have already developed in several cement blocks and that sand and gravel are visible at multiple spots, indicating compromised construction quality. He also alleged that the contractor failed to adhere to mandatory specifications, including the use of M-40 grade ready-mix concrete and DLP-15 for the PCC base layer.Another major grievance raised by residents involves the construction method. Social activist Satyajit Burman claimed that new cement layers were laid directly over the old road without dismantling it first. According to him, this could result in shops along the stretch being positioned below road level, creating a risk of rainwater entering commercial establishments during the monsoon.Burman also alleged that poor-quality work has led to early signs of cement peeling and pothole formation. He emphasized that the road’s long-term durability could be compromised if corrective measures are not taken immediately.MNS leaders further highlighted the issue of excessive dust pollution at the construction site, stating that the contractor had failed to implement adequate mitigation measures such as regular water sprinkling. They warned that the situation was adversely affecting the health of residents, shopkeepers, and motorists.In response to the growing concerns, Mayor Ashwini Nikam of UMC and MLA Kumar Ailani conducted an on-site inspection of the road work. During the visit they reviewed the quality, progress, and timelines of the project and instructed the contractor to ensure that the work meets all technical and safety standards. They cautioned that negligence would invite strict action.The Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation has also reportedly identified certain deficiencies and written to the PWD, seeking rectification.Talking to TOI, PWD Ulhasnagar division engineer Prashant Mankar acknowledged that shortcomings had been observed at a few locations. He stated that notices had been issued to the contractor, directing immediate corrective action.Authorities have assured that the complaints are being examined and that necessary measures will be taken to address quality issues.

TimesofIndia.com in New Delhi: South Africa will go into the T20 World Cup Super Eight stage with a massive morale boost after beating the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 6-wickets on Wednesday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.Already qualified for the next round, South Africa got the icing on the cake with an unbeaten run through, despite rain disrupting proceedings before the second innings.

Despite the weather gods playing a role, there was no loss of overs as South Africa began their chase of 123 in their trademark aggressive style.Aiden Markram (28) and Quinton de Kock (14) provided the early impetus.Dhruv Parashar dismissed dangerous Ryan Rickelton (30). Dewald Brevis (36) soon followed. But it was already too late. Tristan Stubbs (7) and Jason Smith (2) finished the job, taking the Proteas over the line as floodlights stayed on during the morning fixture.On the eve of the match, the sun was shining brightly, and the weather was as pleasant as a typical February afternoon in Delhi.But almost 24 hours later, conditions had changed drastically, with rain, steady gusts sweeping across the stadium and enough moisture in the air to make the pacers lick their lips.At the toss, skipper Aiden Markram opted to bowl first after assessing the conditions.“Obviously, a bit of rain around. There’s been moisture in here this morning, and we’ll be able to maybe find something in the wicket up front,” he said.However, the start betrayed that feeling of early help for the pacers as UAE openers Muhammad Waseem (22) and Aryansh Sharma (13) took on the Proteas pace trio of Kagiso Rabada (0/30), Kwena Maphaka (0/30) and Anrich Nortje (2/28) with some serious resolution.In the first four overs, they amassed 36 runs without losing a wicket. But George Linde (1/17) and Corbin Bosch (3/12) halted their progress, sending both openers back in successive overs.Alishan Sharafu, one of the most dependable batters in the UAE line-up, once again rose to the occasion to keep the scoreboard ticking, while Sohaib Khan (6) and Syed Haider (6) had a subpar day in the office.A few more could have followed if South Africa had been sharper in the field.Sharafu missed out on his second half-century of the tournament as he fell for 45 to Nortje.Despite being wicketless in the first four overs, the Protea pacers had the final laugh, with all six wickets falling to them.However, heading into the Super Eight, Rabada’s wicket drought and the fielding standards could be a couple of concerns for the 2024 T20 World Cup’s runners-up.

MUMBAI: Two months after passenger Terminal 1 was commissioned at the Navi Mumbai International Airport, a ground breaking ceremony for an exclusive, fully automated air cargo hub marked the next phase of development at the greenfield airport. The cargo hub is expected to be completed in two years time. The proposed facility, to be developed as a dedicated cargo hub for FedEx, will come up within the airport premises under a long-term investment plan exceeding Rs 2,500 crore. Spread across 300,000 square feet, the hub is designed as a regional consolidation and redistribution centre that will connect India with Southeast Asia, West Asia, Europe and the United States.The ceremony was attended by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Jeet Adani, Director, Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL), Raj Subramanian, President and CEO, FedEx Corporation, Richard Smith, CEO, Airline and COO, International, FedEx, and Kami Viswanathan, President, FedEx Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa (MEISA).In his address, Fadnavis said the cargo hub would complement the passenger operations at the airport and reinforce Maharashtra’s position as a logistics and trade gateway. He referred to the airport’s proximity to Jawaharlal Nehru Port, industrial corridors and multimodal transport links, and said the development would generate employment while strengthening export competitiveness.Jeet Adani said the project reflected NMIA’s long-term vision of building integrated infrastructure that strengthens India’s trade competitiveness. “With its proximity to Jawaharlal Nehru Port, industrial corridors and multimodal transport networks, NMIA is uniquely positioned to support high-growth export sectors and enhance Maharashtra’s role as a global logistics gateway,” he said.The cargo hub will leverage the airport’s multimodal connectivity to strengthen Western India’s international trade corridor. Once operational, it is expected to create more than 6,000 direct and indirect jobs across logistics, warehousing, transportation and allied services.Raj Subramanian said the facility would integrate the company’s global network with India’s fastest-growing trade corridor. “Establishing this hub at NMIA allows us to integrate global network strength with India’s fastest-growing trade corridor, providing greater certainty, speed and efficiency to our customers,” he said.According to the company, the hub will be equipped with advanced automated sorting systems, dimensional scanning, high-speed screening technology and dedicated aircraft parking bays. It will enable simultaneous processing of inbound and outbound shipments and is expected to enhance routing flexibility and transit time predictability, particularly for high-value and time-sensitive sectors such as electronics, engineering goods, pharmaceuticals and perishables.Kami Viswanathan said India’s competitiveness in global trade would increasingly depend on the reliability and speed of its logistics infrastructure. She said the development would support trade flows across Southeast Asia, West Asia, Europe and the United States, embedding global network connectivity within India’s primary trade corridor.NMIA’s cargo infrastructure is planned to begin with an initial handling capacity of approximately 0.5 million metric tonnes (MMT) annually, scaling up in phases to around 3.2 MMT in its final development stage. The calibrated expansion aligns with the airport’s strategy of positioning the Mumbai Metropolitan Region as a major air freight and logistics gateway.Building on nearly three decades of operations in India, the new hub expands FedEx’s dedicated presence in the country while reinforcing NMIA’s role as an integrated aviation and multimodal trade platform in global supply chains.

THANE: BJP MLA Sanjay Kelkar has sought a ‘white paper’ from the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) on the functioning of its property department, alleging irregularities in the use and leasing of civic properties in the city. Kelkar raised the issue during a meeting with Thane Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao on Tuesday, where several civic concerns were discussed, according to a release issued by his office. The Thane MLA alleged that the TMC’s property department oversees hundreds of civic properties, many of which, he claimed, are either being misused or rented out without adequate transparency. He demanded that such properties be reclaimed, notices be served to the concerned parties, and a detailed ‘white paper’ be published outlining the department’s assets and transactions. The municipal commissioner directed the concerned officials to take appropriate action on the matter. Kelkar also highlighted the condition of contract workers employed by the civic body, alleging that contractors were exploiting them by not paying minimum wages and failing to provide mandatory facilities. He further pointed to the large number of pending inheritance rights (heirship transfer) cases and urged the civic administration to ensure their early disposal. The BJP leader also pressed for expediting the proposed ‘Colour Museum’ project in Thane, stating that a world-class facility could be developed in the city. He said he had been consistently pursuing the project for the past year and called for immediate steps to advance it. Additionally, Kelkar raised the 2017 incident in which a local resident died after a tree fell on him. He said that despite prior assurances, the deceased’s wife had not yet been provided the promised job in the municipal corporation. The commissioner took note of the issue and directed officials to act. Kelkar also sought strict implementation of the hawker policy, claiming that in the absence of proper enforcement, unauthorised hawkers had proliferated, leaving little space on roads and footpaths for pedestrians.

Namibia: Gerhard Erasmus (c), Jan Balt, Jack Brassell, Alexander Busing-Volschenk, Jan Frylinck, Zane Green (wk), Max Heingo, Malan Kruger, Dylan Leicher, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Willem Myburgh, Bernard Scholtz, JJ Smit, Louren Steenkamp, Ruben Trumpelmann.

Pakistan: Salman Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq.