Navi Mumbai: Protection of DPS Flamingo Lake, in Nerul, a key pink-bird destination in Navi Mumbai, remained caught in administrative red-tapism even as the annual arrival of the winter migratory flamingos was inordinately delayed this year. In a fresh representation to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, greens urged immediate issuance of the long-pending Govt Resolution (GR) granting Conservation Reserve status to the lake and transferring its maintenance to the forest department.Though the State Wildlife Board, chaired by the CM, cleared the proposal in April 2025, the formal GR confirming the status is yet to be issued. Meanwhile, the lake is in dire straits, with a thick carpet of green algae spreading across large sections of the waterbody, raising fears of oxygen depletion and habitat degradation. Environmentalists attributed the bloom to stagnant water caused by impaired intertidal flow. Outlet pipelines were positioned too high, preventing proper drainage during low tide.Officials who inspected the site reportedly confirmed that the channels needed to be lowered. The main southern water flow channel also remained buried under an access road constructed by the City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco), which continued to control the lake despite the state’s conservation decision. The Mangrove Cell initiated a clean-up drive but could not complete it due to jurisdictional constraints, as the wetland continued to remain under Cidco.Cidco officials reiterated that the area is a developable land parcel. Cidco also installed a warning sign at the site stating that the ‘plot’ belonged to CIDCO and that trespassers would be prosecuted. “It is crucial for the govt to issue the GR confirming the Conservation Reserve status and hand the lake over to the Forest Department for its maintenance,” said NatConnect Foundation director B N Kumar, who sought the CM’s intervention to save the lake.DPS Flamingo Lake, along with wetlands such as TS Chanakya and NRI Lake, served as a crucial secondary habitat during high tide for birds from the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary. Navi Mumbai Environment Preservation Society (NMEPS) President V K Gandhi said the continued delay in issuing the GR weakened conservation enforcement. He added that the lake cannot remain under fragmented control. It must be formally handed over to the Forest Department before further ecological damage occurs.NatConnect suggested to the Mangrove Cell deploying a boat to remove the algae, lowering the outlet pipes to restore proper low-tide flushing, and reopening the southern water channel that was blocked by the CIDCO jetty road. Senior scientist Mrugank Prabhu of Srushti Conservation Foundation, who tracked migratory patterns along the Central Asian Flyway, said large numbers of flamingos were currently concentrated in Gujarat’s wetlands, including the Rann of Kutch.“There is still substantial water availability there. The birds are likely to start moving towards the Mumbai region by the second week of March,” he said, indicating that climate and hydrological conditions influenced flight timing. Echoing concerns about local preparedness, Sandeep Sareen of NMEPS said, “The health of the wetland is critical. Last year, once intertidal flow was restored, thousands of flamingos swarmed the lake. If the habitat is compromised, the birds will simply look elsewhere.”

KOLKATA: The Election Commission (EC) has begun publishing the updated electoral rolls in West Bengal following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), with early figures from Bankura district showing that around 1.18 lakh names have been deleted since the exercise began.Hard copies of the revised rolls were displayed on Saturday in districts including Bankura and Cooch Behar. However, as of the last reports received, the lists were yet to be made available online on the designated EC portals and mobile application.The Election Commission (EC) is expected to remove an additional eight lakh names from West Bengal’s voter list, on top of the 58 lakh already deleted from the state’s draft rolls. This would bring the total number of SIR-related deletions in the state to about 66 lakh, sources in the poll body said. An official noted that “the exact figures for deletion can be ascertained only after the rolls are published in full online.” He added that the final published rolls may not reflect precise numbers, as Form 6 applications could add names back, while fresh deletions may occur through Form 7 submissions. The published draft rolls also showed 60.06 lakh names under the ‘under adjudication’ category. These are being reviewed by judicial officers, and their inclusion or deletion will be reflected in later supplementary lists, he said. EC officials noted that this adjudication process suggests that the final number of deletions in the state’s electoral rolls could rise substantially. Currently, the commission has approved around 6.4 crore voters across West Bengal. “That figure, too, is likely to go up significantly after the adjudication process for around 60 lakh voters is complete and the last supplementary list is published,” they said.Live Updates:

Bankura sees net drop in voters

In Bankura, where the electorate stood at 30,33,830 when the SIR exercise commenced on November 4 last year, the number fell to 29,01,009 in the draft rolls published on December 16.Following hearings and scrutiny in the next phase, around 4,000 additional names were deleted. A few thousand fresh applications under Form 6 — meant for the inclusion of new voters — were approved.As a result, the final electoral roll in Bankura, a district where both the BJP and the Trinamool Congress are seen as politically competitive, now stands at approximately 29,15,000. This reflects a net deletion of around 1.18 lakh names since the start of the SIR, a senior district official said.Election Commission officials said the deletions were primarily due to death, migration, duplication and untraceability, while additions were processed after due verification.Reports from other districts are still awaited.

Statewide revision underway

The publication of the rolls is being carried out in phases across districts. Supplementary lists are expected as adjudication of pending cases continues.According to officials, the publication classifies 7.08 crore electors — whose names appeared in the draft rolls issued on December 16 — into three categories: “approved”, “deleted” and “under adjudication/under consideration”.Commission sources indicated that in parts of north Kolkata, nearly 17,000 names were found missing from the approved rolls, prompting political reactions from rival parties.The draft rolls published on December 16 had already shown the state’s electorate shrinking from 7.66 crore — based on names appearing in the rolls till August 2025 — to 7.08 crore. More than 58 lakh names were deleted during the first phase of scrutiny.The SIR process, the first such statewide revision since 2002, began on November 4 last year with the distribution of enumeration forms. The commission took 116 days to provisionally complete the exercise and publish what officials described as a “final but dynamic” list, as adjudication in several cases remains underway.The second phase involved hearings for 1.67 crore electors — 1.36 crore flagged for “logical discrepancies” and 31 lakh lacking proper mapping.Around 60 lakh voters remain under adjudication, meaning their inclusion or exclusion will be decided through supplementary rolls to be issued in phases.

Public response

Long queues were seen outside district election offices and cyber cafes across the state, as voters sought to check whether their names appeared in the updated rolls.In districts such as Bankura, North 24 Parganas and parts of Kolkata, hard copies were displayed on notice boards, drawing steady streams of residents. Many were seen scanning printed sheets, taking photographs on their mobile phones or seeking assistance from officials to locate their entries.At several district magistrate and sub-divisional offices, voters waited in long queues to verify whether their names were listed as “approved”, “deleted” or “under adjudication”.With the updated rolls not yet fully accessible online, cyber cafes reported a surge in footfall. In many neighbourhoods, small computer centres saw people lining up with voter ID cards and enumeration slips in hand — reflecting both public anxiety and the political stakes ahead of the assembly elections scheduled for April.

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha finds himself at the center of intense scrutiny as the Men in Green battle to keep their ICC T20 World Cup 2026 dreams alive. With inconsistent performances and mounting criticism over leadership decisions, Agha’s tenure has entered a decisive phase.

Pakistan are set to face Sri Lanka in their final Super Eight clash, and the equation is simple — win and march into the semi-finals. The opportunity, however, arrived in dramatic fashion. New Zealand’s recent defeat to England reopened the door for Pakistan. Had the Black Caps managed to overcome England, Pakistan’s journey would have ended prematurely.

England have already sealed their semi-final berth from the group, leaving one slot up for grabs. Pakistan now have a golden, albeit unexpected, chance to script a turnaround. Yet, the pressure is immense. Despite winning 30 out of 49 T20Is under Agha’s leadership since his appointment in March 2025, Pakistan have struggled in high-stakes encounters — including multiple defeats to India in the Asia Cup 2025 and another setback in this World Cup edition. The clash against Sri Lanka is not just about qualification; it could also define the immediate future of Pakistan’s leadership.

Shahid Afridi backs star all-rounder as future leader of Pakistan

Amid the uncertainty, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has publicly endorsed Shadab Khan as the ideal candidate to lead the T20I side moving forward. Speaking on a private television channel, Afridi hinted that a leadership change could be on the cards after the conclusion of the tournament.

Afridi suggested that much would depend on whether head coach Mike Hesson continues in his role. If the coaching setup remains intact, Afridi believes Shadab is the frontrunner for captaincy.

According to the former all-rounder, Pakistan currently lack multiple strong options for the leadership role, which strengthens Shadab’s case. However, Afridi was quick to add that captaincy cannot be separated from performance. He stressed that Shadab must rediscover consistency with the ball and contribute regularly if he is to command authority within the squad.

“If the same coach [Mike Hesson] remains, then in my opinion, Shadab Khan will be appointed as captain. Shadab is not a bad choice for the captaincy because we do not have many other options at the moment. If Shadab had maintained consistency in his bowling, the way he was performing earlier, it would have strengthened his case,” said Afridi as quoted by Geonews.

Afridi’s comments reflect a broader sentiment within Pakistan cricket circles — leadership must inspire not just tactically but through personal performance. While Shadab has previously led the side in patches and brings experience, his recent form has drawn mixed reviews. The coming weeks could therefore mark a transitional phase for Pakistan cricket, depending on how events unfold.

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026: What if the India vs West Indies Super 8 clash at Eden Gardens gets washed out due to rain in Kolkata?

All eyes on Pallekele as Pakistan brace for Sri Lanka challenge

The high-stakes encounter will unfold at the iconic Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, where emotions are expected to run high. Interestingly, Sri Lanka have already been eliminated from the semi-final race. But that hardly reduces the threat they pose. As co-hosts, the Islanders will be eager to finish their campaign on a strong note and play spoilers. A fearless performance from the Islanders could make Pakistan’s task significantly tougher.

For Pakistan, this is more than just a must-win game — it is a test of character. Having received a lifeline courtesy of New Zealand’s loss, the Men in Green now have destiny in their own hands. The equation is straightforward, but execution under pressure has often been their Achilles’ heel in recent tournaments.

Also WATCH: T20 World Cup 2026 – Harry Brook’s six leaves dent on big screen during ENG vs NZ Super 8 clash

In the final episode of Yes Minister – before the show graduated to Yes, Prime Minister with Jim Hacker’s elevation as the premier of Great Britain as a ‘compromise candidate’ – the minister has a fantastic idea where he decides that he is going to take money from selling a popular art gallery and pour it into his local football club, which would make him very popular with his constituency. Obviously, this leaves Sir Humphrey Appleby aghast, because the idea of taking money from the arts and giving it to football is his idea of a civilisation being destroyed by barbarians.So, he comes up with an ingenious plan to stop Hacker from doing that by making him the minister responsible for art. When a colleague wonders if that’s a good idea, given that Hacker is a ‘philistine’, Sir Humphrey points out: “The industry minister is the idlest man in town, the education minister is illiterate, and the employment minister is unemployable.”

And now to continue in that vein of the Dilbert Principle – the most incompetent team member is often made the manager-in-charge – countries part of Trump’s Board of Peace, handpicked to bring peace to a new Trumpian world, appear to be at war. The Board of Peace was launched with much fanfare at the World Economic Forum at Davos as an alternative to the United Nations, with a slapstick golden photoshopped version of the UN logo and a billion-dollar entry fee.The countries which signed up could largely be divided into two groups: arm-twisted by Uncle Sam into joining in a bid to bring ‘peace’ to Gaza and smaller nations hoping to curry favour with Trump. The former consists of the US (with Trump as permanent chairman), Israel (Uncle Sam’s trust fund baby), the Gulf and Middle Eastern countries that couldn’t say no (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Egypt, Kuwait and Morocco) and smaller nations hoping to curry favour with Trump (Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, Vietnam, Hungary, Kosovo and Argentina).And at the time of writing, nearly half of the members are actively involved in a war-like situation. For those keeping count, the US and Israel are part of an ongoing skirmish with Iran. That particular battle also involves five other members: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Jordan.

For those lucky enough to have lives which don’t involve monitoring the situation, here’s what has happened in the Middle East and South Asia.A day after JD Vance told the Washington Post that there was ‘no chance’ of a protracted war in the Middle East, which means squat because Trump ran on a ticket promising to ensure America isn’t the globe’s policeman, the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran to ‘eliminate’ Tehran’s missiles and nuclear program, and to fuel a change in government.Incidentally, said nuclear program was also ostensibly eliminated in June last year during Operation Midnight Hammer.Iran responded by launching waves of ballistic missiles and drones at Israel, and at US military targets in the Middle East including Bahrain (home to the US Fifth Fleet) and Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Additional strikes were directed at UAE and Kuwait. Iranian missiles also crossed into Jordanian airspace en route to Israel and US-linked targets, prompting Jordan’s military to activate its air defence systems.Meanwhile, Pakistan, the only South Asian member of the Board of Peace, finds itself at loggerheads with Afghanistan. Days after the Taliban had swept to power in 2021, Pakistan’s then ISI chief Lt Gen Faiz Hameed, while sipping tea, told reporters: “Don’t worry, everything will be okay.”Much like other tea-related Pakistani endeavours, it definitely wasn’t okay. Pakistan had hoped there would be a differentiation between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ Taliban, but much like Hillary Clinton pointed out all those years ago, it’s asinine to believe one can keep snakes in the backyard that will only bite one’s enemy. The current situation sees Pakistan at loggerheads with the Taliban-led Afghanistan government, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and even the Baloch Liberation Front (which is also getting support from the Taliban). The fissure comes from the TTP carrying out attacks on Pakistan, and Pakistan’s anger at the Taliban government for not reining them in and acting with impunity from Taliban soil.In a post, Khawaja Asif, Pakistan’s defence minister, claimed Islamabad’s ‘cup of patience’ had overflowed and now it will be ‘Dama Dam Mast Qalandar’ as a warning to Afghanistan, which might just be the first time a Sufi song, also repurposed as a Bollywood number (Tu Cheez Badi Hai Mast Mast), was used in a declaration of war.Pakistan launched airstrikes and drone attacks inside eastern Afghanistan in what it claimed were TTP militant camps. The Afghan Taliban responded by firing artillery and attacking Pakistani military positions along the Durand Line border, which has escalated further. Of course, the problem is also exacerbated by a weakened Iran, unable to help Pakistan ‘manage’ the Taliban.

To sum up the irony – given the Pakistani military’s hold over Pakistani politics – its military spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry told NYT: “This is not a government. They are warlords.” Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. Of course, one would be amiss not to point out that there’s nothing particularly ironic – or even novel – about international organisations standing for values opposite to what they claim to uphold. Pakistan, the fount of a majority of terror attacks in the world, is one of the vice-chairs of the UN Counter-Terrorism Committee. Iran, where women are tortured for not wearing a hijab, chaired the UN’s Human Rights Council’s Social Forum on advancing human rights. Saudi Arabia, where women couldn’t go out without a guardian or even drive, served on the UN Commission on the Status of Women. China, accused of detaining a million Uighurs in Xinjiang, has sat on the UN Human Rights Council.The surreality was finely summed up many years ago by a Vietnamese politician (incidentally, Vietnam is also part of the Board of Peace and isn’t currently at loggerheads with anyone). When asked why Hanoi didn’t trust the United Nations, the nation’s erstwhile foreign minister Nguyen Co Thach had quipped in the ‘80s: “…during the last 40 years, we have been invaded by four of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.” And beat them all. During the height of the anti-Vietnam protests in the US during the 60s and 70s, the slogan went: “Make war, not peace.” Trump’s Board of Peace appears to be already bored of peace.

Greg Abel, Warren Buffett’s chosen successor at Berkshire Hathaway, has issued his first annual letter to shareholders after taking over as chief executive in January, outlining his leadership approach while reaffirming continuity at the conglomerate, AP reported.The letter comes as Berkshire recorded a $4.5 billion write-down related to the value of its investments in Kraft Heinz and Occidental Petroleum, marking an early financial backdrop to Abel’s tenure.Opening the message with a tribute to Buffett, Abel emphasised that Berkshire’s long-standing culture and operating philosophy would remain unchanged. “I am honored by our board’s decision to appoint me CEO of Berkshire and humbled to succeed Warren as I write my first annual letter to you. Warren is obviously a very hard act to follow,” Abel said.Investors have been closely watching the new CEO’s first communication for signals of strategic shifts, but both Abel and Buffett have repeatedly indicated that Berkshire’s decentralised management model will continue largely as before.Buffett remains chairman and Berkshire’s largest shareholder, ensuring ongoing influence over the Omaha-based conglomerate he built over six decades. However, the annual shareholder letter– traditionally one of the most widely read documents in corporate America due to Buffett’s reputation and investment insights– will now be authored by Abel.

Meeting format changes

Abel also announced adjustments to Berkshire’s annual shareholder meeting scheduled for May. The opening question-and-answer session will feature Abel alongside Vice Chairman for insurance Ajit Jain, followed by a second panel including BNSF Railway CEO Katie Farmer and NetJets CEO Adam Johnson, who oversees Berkshire’s consumer, service and retail businesses.So far, leadership changes under Abel have largely been administrative. A regulatory filing in January indicated Berkshire is evaluating whether to sell some or all of its 325 million shares in Kraft Heinz– a move consistent with Buffett’s earlier criticism that the company overpaid during the Heinz-Kraft merger.

A vast operating empire

Berkshire Hathaway’s performance continues to be driven primarily by its operating businesses rather than its equity portfolio. The group owns major insurers such as Geico, the BNSF railroad network, utilities operations, and a wide range of manufacturing, service and retail companies.Its holdings include consumer brands such as Dairy Queen and See’s Candy, alongside industrial suppliers including Precision Castparts, Lubrizol and Iscar Metalworking.Abel is already deeply familiar with these operations, having overseen Berkshire’s non-insurance businesses since 2018. Executives across subsidiaries have previously credited him with strong operational understanding and strategic insight.

Babar Azam (PTI Photo/R SenthilKumar)

NEW DELHI: Pakistan have made a big call for their must-win Super 8 clash against Sri Lanka in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 as Babar Azam has been left out of the playing XI.At the toss, skipper Salman Agha confirmed three changes to the side.

“Massive opportunity. We need to bat well, bowl well and field well and everything will be fine. We need to put up a good total and try and restrict them. Sometimes it can be tough and sometimes it can be easy, it’s a mixed feeling knowing what we need to do. We got three changes. Babar, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza are not playing,” said Salman at the toss.Babar’s exclusion appears to be form-related. In six matches so far, he has scored just 91 runs at an average of 22.75 and a strike rate of 112.34, numbers well below expectations for a player of his stature.Pakistan’s qualification scenario is now simple but challenging. After England defeated New Zealand in Colombo, the Group 2 table shifted dramatically. England finished unbeaten with six points from three games and have sealed the top spot. New Zealand are second with three points and a strong net run rate of +1.390.Pakistan sit third with one point from two matches and a net run rate of -0.461. To qualify, they must beat Sri Lanka by 64 runs to boost their net run rate enough to overtake New Zealand.With their World Cup hopes on the line, Pakistan have taken a bold step by dropping their star batter in a do-or-die encounter.Pakistan (Playing XI): Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha(c), Khawaja Nafay, Usman Khan(w), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Usman TariqSri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara(w), Charith Asalanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka(c), Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka

Two decades after debuting with a box office failure that drew harsh reviews, Skydance Productions is now poised to become one of the most powerful forces in global entertainment, with a proposed takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery marking the latest chapter in its dramatic rise, according to news agency AP report.Founded in 2006 by David Ellison, son of Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, the studio began as a relatively obscure entrant in Hollywood. Its first film, Flyboys, a World War I drama starring Ellison himself, failed commercially and critically, prompting early doubts about the company’s future.Yet the studio steadily built momentum through partnerships, strategic financing and franchise-driven successes. Today, following its merger with Paramount and a fresh bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, Skydance stands on the verge of transforming into a media powerhouse spanning film, television, streaming and news assets.“It’s only a surprise to those who haven’t been paying attention to the long game,” said Walter Nicoletti, founder of film production company Voce Spettacolo. “This is a sort of a silent takeover. Skydance didn’t start as a predator. It started as an essential partner.”

From outsider to industry player

When Ellison launched Skydance at age 23, the company barely registered in Hollywood’s competitive landscape. Early criticism of Flyboys was scathing, with reviewers calling it “cloyingly formulaic” and an “inflated wannabe epic.”Despite setbacks, Ellison continued investing in large-scale productions and partnerships with major studios and platforms including Paramount, Netflix and Apple. Over time, Skydance produced a string of commercially successful films and series, culminating in the billion-dollar hit Top Gun: Maverick in 2022 starring Tom Cruise.Jason Squire, a former studio executive and emeritus professor at the University of Southern California, said Ellison’s rise reflected both persistence and financial backing.“One of the traditions of entering the movie business is serious wealth, or access to serious wealth,” Squire said, AP quoted. “But once you get a foothold, you have to demonstrate that wealth — by buying things, acquiring projects… They became a player.”He added, “He became a member at the table when these partnerships and the infusion of dollars really set him up on a really strong trajectory. It’s quite amazing.”

Expansion through mergers and deals

Rather than being acquired by a larger studio, Skydance ultimately became the acquirer. After years of collaboration, it merged with Paramount last year, gaining control of networks including MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and CBS.Since then, Ellison has expanded aggressively, securing agreements ranging from streaming rights for Ultimate Fighting Championship to partnerships with creators of the hit series Stranger Things.Netflix had also been viewed as a potential buyer of Warner Bros. Discovery, but Skydance ultimately emerged as the winning bidder after the streaming giant withdrew its offer. Regulatory approval remains the final hurdle.Tre Lovell, a Los Angeles media lawyer, described the company’s ascent as unprecedented. “This was absolutely a meteoric rise. Two decades from its formation to its current position to become one of the most powerful media companies in the world is nothing less than incredible,” he said.

A reshaped media landscape

If the Warner deal is finalised, Ellison would oversee an expansive portfolio including HBO, HGTV, Food Network and CNN, significantly expanding Skydance’s footprint across entertainment and news.The move also highlights shifting industry dynamics, with consolidation raising concerns among some executives about reduced competition. Squire said he was “no fan” of the takeover despite acknowledging Skydance’s remarkable trajectory.Warner Bros. enters the deal from a position of creative strength, having secured 30 Oscar nominations and a 21% domestic box-office share in 2025, compared with Paramount’s 6%.For Ellison, the transformation marks a striking reversal from the early days when the failure of Flyboys reportedly left him hospitalised with atrial fibrillation. Two decades later, the studio once dismissed as a vanity project now stands at the centre of Hollywood’s biggest power shift.“Hollywood has seen David-versus-Goliath moments before,” said Vikrant Mathur, co-founder of streaming company Future Today.

PM Modi celebrates J&K’s maiden Ranji Trophy triumph

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in congratulating Jammu & Kashmir after they clinched their maiden Ranji Trophy title, calling it a proud moment for the region.“Congratulations to the Jammu and Kashmir team for their first ever Ranji Trophy win! This historic triumph reflects remarkable grit, discipline and passion of the team. It is a proud moment for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and it highlights the growing sporting passion and talent there. May this feat inspire many young athletes to dream big and play more,” PM Modi wrote on X.The cricket fraternity also came together to celebrate Jammu & Kashmir’s historic triumph, with tributes pouring in from legends and administrators alike.

Sachin Tendulkar hailed the transformation, writing, “The Kashmir willows have been a part of many champions’ kits. To see Jammu & Kashmir’s journey from being an enabler of champions, to becoming champions themselves, is beautiful.”Reflecting on the campaign, he added, “The season was built on consistency, resilience, and season-long excellence.Auqib Nabi’s impact with the ball stood out in a demanding campaign.“A historic moment for the team, coaches, and support staff. Journeys like these define the beauty of domestic cricket.”ICC chairman Jay Shah also praised the side, stating, “Congratulations to the Jammu & Kashmir team in India for scripting a remarkable story of grit and perseverance. While the players are fully deserving of the adulation they receive, one must also remember the contribution of the coaching staff, management and administrators from J&K who have toiled behind the scenes to fashion this landmark achievement. I am sure that this win will ignite belief in the hearts of the current generation from the region and drive the next one to pick up a bat or ball. Our sport is rich with such stories of inspiration from around the world, and I hope this one also receives its fair share of admiration.”Mohammad Kaif posted, “Historic day for Jammu & Kashmir cricket. Having led UP to its first Ranji Trophy title, I know what this moment means to the players and the state. More players from J&K will now believe that they too can do it.”Irfan Pathan wrote, “Many congratulations to J&K cricket for creating history by winning the first-ever Ranji Trophy. I never had even a shadow of a doubt that you guys will achieve this and many more trophies.”Aakash Chopra said, “Jammu & Kashmir, you beauty. The story for the ages. So so happy for what our boys have achieved. Indian cricket is in a safe and happy place.”Shikhar Dhawan added, “Historic moment for Jammu & Kashmir cricket. Maiden Ranji Trophy title built on belief, strong leadership from Paras Dogra, and a remarkable season with the ball from Auqib Nabi. Big contributions from Shubham Pundir, Yawer Hassan, Qamran Iqbal, Sahil Lotra, Abdul Samad, and the entire unit. Proud moment.”Harbhajan Singh said, “Will to win, that’s what matters. What a day for Jammu & Kashmir. Well done, simply outstanding, winning the Ranji Trophy isn’t easy at all. They have played terrific cricket throughout the season and played like a unit: many congratulations and many more trophies to come. Great to see Cricket growing in the Jammu and Kashmir region.”Yuvraj Singh posted, “Unbelievable! History has been written today! Huge congratulations to the Jammu & Kashmir team for clinching their maiden #RanjiTrophy title after 67 long years! Dominating Karnataka with pure grit, heart, and unbreakable spirit. Proud beyond words of #AuqibNabi’s fire, #QamranIqbal’s masterclass, and the entire squad and training staff’s belief! J&K cricket has arrived! Keep shining, boys!”Suresh Raina wrote, “Congratulations on the maiden Ranji Trophy, Jammu & Kashmir. Jammu & Kashmir crowned the Ranji Trophy champions for the first time ever. A monumental moment for the state and domestic cricket!! Well done, team, truly well deserved.”

NEW DELHI: India on Saturday expressed deep concern over the conflict in West Asia, which was triggered after the US and Israel bombed Iran in the early morning.In the statement, the ministry of external affairs urged for “dialogue and diplomacy should be pursued to de-escalate tensions and address underlying issues”. “India is deeply concerned at the recent developments in Iran and the Gulf region. We urge all sides to exercise restraint, avoid escalation, and prioritise the safety of civilians. Dialogue and diplomacy should be pursued to de-escalate tensions and address underlying issues,” the statement read. The statement further read: “Sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states must be respected. Our Missions in the region are in touch with Indian nationals and have issued appropriate advisories asking them to remain vigilant, stay in contact with the Missions, and follow local security guidance.”This comes hours after Indian embassies issued an advisory urging its citizens in both Iran and Israel to exercise “utmost caution and remain vigilant.” “The State of Israel has launched a preemptive strike against Iran. Defence minister Israel Katz has declared a special and immediate state of emergency throughout the country,” a ministry statement said.As the situation escalated, sirens sounded across Israel and citizens received phone alerts warning of an “extremely serious” threat.The Embassy of India in Tehran advised Indian nationals to remain cautious and limit movement.The Embassy of India in Tel Aviv also issued a separate advisory stating, “In view of the prevailing security situation in the region, all Indian nationals in Israel are advised to exercise utmost caution and remain vigilant at all times.”The embassy urged Indian nationals to strictly follow safety guidelines issued by Israeli authorities and the Home Front Command, the statement said.Israel and US on Saturday launched a daylight attack on Iran, closing the window for a diplomatic solution to Tehran’s long-running nuclear dispute with the West.The strikes reportedly took place near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. However, the 86-year-old leader was not in Tehran and had been transferred to a secure location during the attacks.