Newlyweds Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna visited a Hyderabad temple. Vijay protected Rashmika from a large crowd. Videos of his caring gesture went viral. The couple is distributing sweets and food across India. A grand reception is planned for them in Hyderabad on March 4th. Celebrations continue nationwide.

A quiet temple visit turned into a heart-melting moment for fans as newlyweds Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna stepped out together in Hyderabad. The couple, who recently got married in Udaipur, looked calm and happy as they sought blessings. However, what attracted all eyes was how Vijay Deverakonda softly held Rashmika‘s hand and led her through the heavy crowd. He remained firmly behind her, amid the pushing and shoving, keeping her well on the path ahead. The videos quickly went viral, and fans praised his protective and caring nature.

Temple visit filled with love and protection

Rashmika looked gorgeous in her silk saree with beautiful gold embroidery while Vijay donned a kurta. A very large crowd was keen to look at the newlywed couple. They shared a lively and peppy atmosphere as they greeted fans and media, struck a pose, and gave out sweets. But Vijay never left Rashmika’s hand. He expertly maneuveed through the sea of people, guiding her through.

Wedding celebrations continue across India

Even as these videos trended, the couple began preparing for the next phase of their celebrations. As a gesture of thanks, they arranged sweet distribution and annadanam in temples across more than 20 cities. From Hyderabad and Chennai to Delhi and Coorg, trucks filled with sweets were sent to share their happiness with fans. The idea, they said, was to celebrate their marriage with the entire country through prayer, food, and love. Their message made fans feel personally included in their big moment.

Grand Hyderabad reception loading

The celebrations are far from over. A chic reception is being organized for the star couple in Hyderabad on the 4th of March, and all the possible arrangements are being made. People from her family, film fraternity friends, and a few special invitees will grace the occasion.

Iran has appointed Ayatollah Alireza Arafi as its interim Supreme Leader, a pivotal step in the country’s leadership transition following the death of longtime leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint US–Israeli airstrikes on Tehran early Saturday.Arafi, a senior cleric and a long-time insider in Iran’s religious and political hierarchy, now faces the challenge of steering the Islamic Republic during a period of heightened regional tensions and internal uncertainty. Click for live updates

Arafi’s rise within the clerical establishment

Arafi, born in 1959 in Meybod, Yazd province, comes from a clerical family and has spent decades within Iran’s theological and bureaucratic institutions. He studied in Qom, Iran’s principal seminary city, under prominent religious scholars and earned the rank of mujtahid, qualifying him to issue independent Islamic legal rulings.His career accelerated under the late Supreme Leader Khamenei, who appointed him to key roles over the years. These included Friday prayer leadership in Meybod and later in Qom itself, positions that signalled trust from the top leadership. Arafi also chaired Al-Mustafa International University, a key institution for training clerics from Iran and abroad, and in 2019 was appointed to the powerful Guardian Council, the constitutional body that vets legislation and candidates. CFR notes that Arafi’s mix of administrative and theological positions places him firmly within the core of Iran’s clerical elite, and that his elevation maintains continuity within the existing structure of religious authority.

Constitutional path to leadership

Under the Iranian Constitution, the supreme leader must be a senior Shia cleric chosen by the Assembly of Experts, an elected body of religious scholars. Following Khamenei’s death, Tehran will first establish an interim leadership council to carry out key functions pending the Assembly’s selection of a new supreme leader, according to the Middle East Institute. Arafi’s appointment comes amid competing names discussed in public and state media as potential successors to Khamenei, including figures from both hard-line and more pragmatic clerical factions. But his positions in the Guardian Council and Assembly of Experts gave him institutional leverage when the succession decision was made.

Arafi’s view and role

Arafi has spoken publicly about the role of seminaries and clerics in promoting a politically engaged version of Shi’a Islam, emphasising solidarity with the oppressed and an international outlook. As he put it in previous remarks: “Seminaries (in Iran) need to be from the people, in solidarity with the downtrodden, be political [Islamist], revolutionary, and international (in approach).”Observers note that while Arafi has extensive experience within Iran’s religious bureaucracy and enjoys strong establishment credentials, he lacks an independent political base outside those institutional structures, a factor that may shape how he leads during a period of both external conflict and internal uncertainty.

A crucial transition in Tehran

Khamenei, who ruled Iran for nearly 37 years, was killed late on February 28, 2026, in a joint US–Israeli strike, triggering a succession process and nationwide mourning. Arafi’s rise marks only the second transition of supreme leadership since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, a moment that will test Iran’s political framework and its ability to maintain cohesion under challenging conditions.As Arafi steps into Iran’s highest office, international attention will focus on how he balances religious authority with geopolitical pressures and domestic stability in the months ahead.

Former RBI governor Shaktikanta Das (File photo)

MUMBAI: Former RBI governor Shaktikanta Das said that in the next decade, the Indian economy will be determining the shape of global growth.“The coming decade will not be one where India simply participates in global growth, but one where India shapes it,” he said, framing macroeconomic stability and inflation control as compatible with sustained high growth.Delivering the keynote address at the Business Today Banking & Economy Summit, Das, who is currently principle secretary 2 to the prime minister, set out a forward-looking roadmap for India, arguing that the country is moving from recovery to global influence.On fiscal policy, Das signalled continued consolidation alongside elevated public investment. India has moved down its fiscal glide path from the pandemic peak, with central government debt targeted to decline towards 50 (±1) per cent of GDP by 2031. At the same time, capital expenditure has risen sharply. The approach, he suggested, reflects a model where consolidation does not come at the expense of growth.Trade policy, he said, has undergone a structural shift. Recent agreements mark a “paradigm shift” in India’s external engagement, positioning the country in the “central circle of global trade.” Negotiating from what he described as a position of strength, India is expanding its footprint through FTAs even as global trade conditions remain uncertain.Technology and digital public infrastructure form another pillar of the forward strategy. Das spoke of “India Stack 2.0” as “a more nuanced, intelligent, AI-driven and globally scalable evolution,” indicating a move towards sovereign AI capacity and AI-enabled public platforms that extend beyond payments into credit, commerce and governance.On energy, he said ambition has moved into execution. With 50% of installed electricity capacity already from non-fossil fuel sources, India is targeting 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030. The transition, he argued, is now about competitiveness and resilience, not just climate commitments.The call to action was directed at policymakers, financial institutions, industry leaders and investors. “A ‘Developed India’ – Viksit Bharat – is not just a destination on a calendar; it is a commitment we make today for our future generation,” he said. He sharpened the message with a balancing metaphor: “We have to run a ‘marathon and a sprint simultaneously’, maintaining macroeconomic and financial sector stability while aggressively expanding the new frontiers of growth,” said Das.Even as he listed domestic strengths, Das flagged external risks. The global economy, he said, is navigating “persistent geopolitical fragmentation, supply-chain realignments and uneven economic momentum,” with risks “firmly tilted to the downside.” Elevated public debt and widening fiscal deficits in major economies could tighten global financial conditions, increasing capital-flow volatility for emerging markets.He also recalled India’s earlier vulnerabilities, noting that the country had grappled with a “twin balance sheet” problem of stressed banks and over-leveraged corporates. The turnaround since then, he said, has transformed the financial system into “a fluid and dynamic engine of growth,” supported by stronger bank balance sheets, deleveraged corporates and households that remain net financial asset holders.According to Das the growth opportunities lie in deeper trade integration, AI-led productivity gains and a manufacturing resurgence spanning electronics, semiconductors, defence and green energy. The expansion of digital public infrastructure and retail participation in capital markets adds to domestic financial depth.

In a fitting finale to Alyssa Healy’s glittering ODI career, Australia registered their second highest-ever total against India in the third and final match of the series against India at Bellerive Oval in Hobart on Sunday, March 1.

Alyssa Healy’s masterclass lights up Hobart

Walking out to a guard of honour from the Indian team, Healy produced an innings for the ages in her final ODI appearance.

After Phoebe Litchfield’s departure for 14, caught by Shree Charani off Kashvee Gautam, Healy found an able partner in Georgia Voll. The pair added 104 runs off 91 deliveries for the second wicket, with Healy accelerating rapidly while Voll contributed a solid 62 off 52 balls before falling to Sneh Rana.

Record partnership between Healy and Beth Mooney

The true carnage began when Beth Mooney joined her long-time opening partner at the crease. With Australia at 136 for 2 in the 22nd over, the two most experienced batters in the lineup unleashed an assault that left the Indian bowling attack in tatters .

Healy and Mooney plundered 145 runs off just 92 deliveries, with Healy doing the bulk of the scoring – contributing 100 runs during the partnership while Mooney rotated strike efficiently with 44 off 49 balls at that stage. The Australian captain brought up her century off 79 balls and continued her onslaught, eventually falling for 158 off 98 deliveries in the 37th over, caught in two minds attempting a reverse sweep off Sneh Rana.

Her innings included 27 fours and two sixes, a masterclass in controlled aggression that demonstrated exactly why she will be remembered as one of the game’s all-time greats.

After Healy’s departure at 281 for 3 in the 37th over, Annabel Sutherland provided quick support to Mooney, adding 47 runs off 33 deliveries before falling to Deepti Sharma for 23. Ashleigh Gardner (4 off 5) and Tahlia McGrath (2 off 4) fell cheaply, but Georgia Wareham’s late cameo of 12 off 5 balls and Nicola Carey’s explosive unbeaten 34 off just 15 deliveries ensured Australia finished with a flourish.

Carey’s innings was particularly devastating, featuring 4 fours and a six as she added 54 unbeaten runs off just 25 balls with Mooney, who had by then settled into her anchor role.

Also WATCH: Mitchell Starc cheers as Alyssa Healy signs off with an ODI century against India

Mooney’s century caps perfect tribute to Healy

Beth Mooney’s unbeaten 106 off 101 balls was the perfect complement to Healy’s fireworks. The left-hander played the anchor role to perfection, rotating strike effectively during the middle overs before opening up in the final phase. She remained unbeaten when the innings closed, having faced 101 deliveries and struck 10 boundaries.

The partnership between Mooney and Healy underscored the remarkable understanding the pair have developed over years of opening together – an understanding that will now end in ODIs but leaves behind a legacy of match-winning stands .

Manwhile, India’s bowlers endured a difficult afternoon on a true Bellerive surface. Teenager Shree Charani was the most expensive, conceding 106 runs off her 10 overs while picking up two wickets – those of McGrath and Wareham. Sneh Rana provided the breakthrough wickets of Voll and Healy, finishing with 2 for 66 off 10 overs .

Renuka Singh (1 for 64) and Kashvee Gautam (1 for 83) also picked up wickets but at considerable cost, while Deepti Sharma’s 10 overs disappeared for 90 runs. The Indian attack simply had no answer to Australia’s depth and quality on a day when Healy was determined to sign off in style.

Australia’s total of 409 for 7 represents the eighth-highest total in women’s ODI history. The innings featured three fifty-plus scores – Healy’s 158, Mooney’s unbeaten 106, and Voll’s 62 – demonstrating the extraordinary depth in Australian women’s cricket as they prepare for the one-off Test against India starting March 6 in Perth.

Also WATCH: Alyssa Healy receives Guard of Honour from India players in her final ODI

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

Iran on Sunday expanded its response to US-Israeli strikes by targeting Gulf Arab states, including Oman and the United Arab Emirates, in what analysts say is an attempt to pressure Washington but one that risks driving the region closer to the United States.According to CNN, Iran launched missiles and drones at Israel and at civilian locations such as hotels and airports in several Middle Eastern countries that host US military bases. Oman said that its Duqm commercial port was targeted, despite Muscat having mediated talks between the US and Iran just last week. The strikes suggest that, for Iran, “everything is on the table,” Hasan Alhasan, senior fellow for Middle East policy at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, told CNN.“There’s a very clear message… that no one is safe, that mediation doesn’t offer protection, and that exchanges of mutual assurances or pledges not to allow airspaces or territories to be used militarily against Iran are ineffective either,” Alhasan said.He added that Iran’s approach appears aimed at increasing pressure on Gulf governments so they, in turn, push the US administration to bring the conflict to an early end.Iran’s calculus, he said, is to “ratchet up the pain on the Gulf states, in order to compel them to apply pressure on the Trump administration to bring a quick end to the war.”However, Alhasan cautioned that the strategy could prove counterproductive. It remains unclear how much leverage Gulf states hold over Washington.“It’s quite clear that the US has a mind of its own, and it’s acting in close concert with the Israelis. And I think what Iran’s strategy may end up doing, in fact, is pushing the Gulf states into closer alignment with the US, rather than the other way around,” he said.

He further noted that while Gulf countries favour de-escalation, large-scale civilian casualties could force them “to start considering options up the escalation ladder.” Meanwhile, Anwar Gargash, an adviser to the UAE president and former state minister for foreign affairs, said Iran had “missed its target” with attacks on Arab Gulf states. “Your war is not with your neighbors, and through this escalation,” Gargash wrote Sunday on X.“Return to your senses, to your surroundings, and deal with your neighbors with reason and responsibility before the circle of isolation and escalation widens, ” he said.The UAE, which in recent years had sought to ease tensions with Iran, was among the countries hit, with Dubai, the country’s commercial hub, particularly affected by missiles and drones, AP reported.The developments mark a widening of the conflict beyond US, Israel and Iran, placing Gulf states, many of which host US military facilities, in a more direct line of fire, even as they publicly call for restraint.

It comes as on early Saturday, US-Israel conducted joint raids in Iran, what was called Operation Epic Fury, which killed Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei and Iran’s top military and security commanders.

Stock market is expected to react negatively when trading resumes, with analysts cautioning that escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East could weigh heavily on investor sentiment and trigger a volatile start to the week, according to market experts quoted by PTI.The US and Israel attacked Iran on Saturday, while Iranian state media confirmed early Sunday that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the attack, sharply intensifying geopolitical risks.Market participants said the extent and duration of the conflict will determine how deep and prolonged the impact on equities could be. Apart from geopolitics, investors will also track macroeconomic data, global market cues and foreign investor activity during the holiday-shortened trading week, with markets closed on Tuesday for Holi.

Sentiment has already turned fragile after the weekend escalation, Santosh Meena, Head of Research at Swastika Investmart Ltd, said.“For an oil-importing economy like India, sustained elevated crude prices pose risks to inflation, fiscal balance, and rate-cut expectations. This external shock has emerged at a technically vulnerable moment for the market,” Meena said.He added that markets are likely to open with a cautious to negative bias amid geopolitical uncertainty and rising crude oil prices.Investors will simultaneously react to domestic triggers including Q3 GDP data and monthly auto sales numbers, while upcoming IIP and PMI readings will further shape expectations around economic momentum.“Globally, key economic releases from the US and China, along with the trajectory of crude prices, will influence risk appetite. The direction of FII flows will remain the primary driver for index movement in the near term,” Meena said.Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, climbed 2.87 per cent to $72.87 per barrel, reflecting rising energy market concerns.Highlighting the broader economic implications, Manoranjan Sharma, Chief Economist at Infomerics Ratings, said the conflict could affect global stability.“The simmering tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran escalated sharply on February 28, 2026, significantly affecting global energy security and economic stability,” Sharma said, adding that higher energy prices are already creating inflationary pressures for India.VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Investments Limited, warned that crude prices remain the key risk factor.“The near-term impact will be negative. Crude has spiked, and if the crude price remains high for an extended period of time, our balance of trade and balance of payments will be impacted since we import around 85 per cent of our oil requirements,” he said.He added that the medium-term market trajectory would depend on how long the conflict persists. “The market will react very negatively,” Vijayakumar said.Analysts also noted that markets ended the previous week under pressure. The BSE Sensex declined 1,527.52 points or 1.84 per cent, while the Nifty fell 392.6 points or 1.53 per cent amid geopolitical concerns and weakness in technology stocks, Ajit Mishra, SVP, Research at Religare Broking Ltd, said.Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, said investors will closely watch domestic indicators such as manufacturing and services PMI data, industrial production figures and monthly auto sales for signs of demand resilience.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)

Shoaib Akhtar and Mohsin Naqvi (Agency Image)

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has indirectly questioned the leadership at the Pakistan Cricket Board after Pakistan crashed out of the T20 World Cup 2026 despite signing off their Super 8 campaign with a win over Sri Lanka.Pakistan’s victory in their final Group 2 fixture was not enough to overhaul New Zealand’s superior net run rate, which meant another semifinal miss at a global event. It marked Pakistan’s fourth straight failure at ICC tournaments, following early exits at the 2023 ODI World Cup, the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Speaking on Tapmad, Akhtar did not mince words while criticising the team’s think tank. He labelled the management “clueless” and suggested that flawed selection calls over the past fortnight had cost Pakistan dearly.“Pakistan’s management looks completely clueless. Today’s team selection only confirmed that the XI picked over the last 15 days was wrong. There was one clear error — Saim Ayub should have played instead of Khawaja Nafay. Saim could have contributed with the ball as well,” Akhtar said.He pointed out that Pakistan’s strong showing against Sri Lanka highlighted what had been missing earlier in the tournament.“This selection showed that when you pick the right players for the right roles, they perform. Fakhar Zaman is a natural opener, yet he wasn’t played earlier. Today, Farhan, Fakhar and Abrar all delivered. That tells you everything.”Akhtar then shifted the spotlight towards PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, suggesting that while the chief may have good intentions, the structure around him is failing the team.“I have nothing against Mohsin Naqvi. From what I hear, he is a good person. He is one of the most powerful chairmen in Pakistan’s cricket history. He has influence, resources and authority. But if he cannot build a strong management structure, and the team has failed to qualify in four consecutive tournaments, then something is seriously wrong within the board.“I understand that he may not be a cricket expert and genuinely wants the team to do well. But is he seeking the right advice? It doesn’t appear so. This is a request to Naqvi: the people advising you are making you look bad. The selection committee is not doing you justice.“He may want success for Pakistan cricket, but the system around him is not helping. The real question is — who are these people? At this stage, Naqvi remains Pakistan cricket’s last hope, but he needs the right support structure to turn things around.”

Astrologer Greenstone Lobo has delivered a bold prediction ahead of the mouth-watering Super 8s clash between India and West Indies at the iconic Eden Gardens on Sunday. The equation is simple: winner advances to the semifinals, loser goes home. With a semi-final spot on the line, Lobo weighed in on planetary patterns, pressure dynamics, and what the stars suggest for India in this virtual knockout.“Panic buttons have been pressed, people have been frantically calling me or messaging me asking, ‘Will India win the World Cup? Forget about winning the World Cup, can we even reach the semi-finals?’ Lobo told TimesofIndia.com.

He acknowledged the strength of the West Indies but stressed that planetary alignments favor India. “West Indies is not a slouch, it’s a very very powerful team, but we are looking at the fact that from the patch of 1992 to 1994, there can be only one team who can do really well. We have three teams: Pakistan, South Africa, and the West Indies captain. South Africa is clearly ahead, so Pakistan and West Indies are not going to pose that much of a problem. The team is going to falter against India.”India heads into this do-or-die clash after a commanding 72-run win over Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. With South Africa already through to the semifinals, all eyes now turn to Kolkata, where the winner will face England in the semis.Lobo also highlighted the hidden opportunities for India.

“Even though we lost [against South Africa] and our openers have not done well, it is good for India. Some players who have not been part of the playing XI, like Sanju Samson, can now step in. Adding Samson can be a very big thing because he adds a lot of muscle and was born in 1994, which astrologically is favorable.”The Eden Gardens pitch promises a high-scoring spectacle. Temperatures in Kolkata are expected to hover between 26°C and 31°C, with clear skies ensuring uninterrupted play. But India’s net run rate (-0.100) is a concern. The West Indies, boosted by a massive 101-run win over Zimbabwe, have a strong +1.791 NRR.In the unlikely event of rain washing out the match, both teams would earn one point each. India’s inferior NRR would see them eliminated, while West Indies would advance to the semifinals. This adds even more weight to the do-or-die nature of Sunday’s clash.

Both India and West Indies have one win from two Super 8 matches, making this effectively a knockout. As Lobo summarised, “The team has to leave everything on the park, perform in all departments, and this will give India the best chance to win the game. Whatever has happened in previous matches is a blessing in disguise — the firepower in the team will come to the fore, and India is set to prevail.”Sunday’s clash at Eden Gardens is not just a game — it is a virtual quarterfinal between India and West Indies.

Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) infused Rs 22,615 crore into Indian equities in February, marking the highest monthly inflow in 17 months, supported by improving market valuations, strong corporate earnings and easing trade uncertainties, according to depository data reported by PTI.The inflows follow three straight months of heavy selling, during which FPIs withdrew Rs 35,962 crore in January, Rs 22,611 crore in December and Rs 3,765 crore in November.Despite the February rebound, overall foreign flows in 2025 remain negative, with FPIs pulling out a net Rs 1.66 lakh crore (USD 18.9 billion) from Indian equities amid currency volatility, global trade tensions, concerns over potential US tariffs and previously stretched valuations.Data showed that February’s investment was the strongest since September 2024, when FPIs had invested Rs 57,724 crore.Market experts attributed the turnaround largely to secondary market buying and renewed investor confidence. Vinit Bolinjkar, Head of Research at Ventura, said the inflow reflected “renewed foreign confidence post-2025 outflows.”Javed Khan, Senior Fundamental Analyst at Angel One Ltd, said three key catalysts supported the revival in flows. These included India-US trade agreements, correction in market valuations and strong corporate earnings performance. He noted that Q3 FY26 earnings grew 14.7 per cent, reinforcing confidence in India’s growth outlook.Varun Gupta, CEO of Groww Mutual Fund, also linked the inflows to improving earnings momentum and moderating valuations. He said early signs of easing global trade uncertainty, alongside India concluding multiple free trade agreements including with the EU and UK, helped improve investor sentiment.Sectoral trends showed FPIs turning aggressive buyers in financial services and capital goods stocks while continuing to reduce exposure to information technology companies. The IT segment witnessed outflows of Rs 10,956 crore amid concerns over artificial intelligence-led disruption.“FPIs had sold heavily in IT stocks due to the Anthropic shock and continued weakness in the segment. However, they turned buyers in financial services and capital goods,” said VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Investments.Looking ahead, analysts expect flows to remain supportive but cautious. Khan said March inflows are likely to stay positive, adding that upcoming Q4 earnings will be crucial in determining whether 15 per cent earnings growth in FY27 is achievable. Stability in the rupee below Rs 91 against the dollar also provides comfort to foreign investors, he said.Vijayakumar added that FPIs may adopt a wait-and-watch approach before significantly increasing allocations to emerging markets, though improving GDP growth prospects and healthy corporate earnings expectations for FY27 support medium-term inflows.He also cautioned that the ongoing Middle East conflict remains a key monitorable, particularly for its potential impact on crude oil prices and currency movements, which could influence investor sentiment going forward.