India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir and skipper Suryakumar Yadav. (ANI Photo)

NEW DELHI: India head coach Gautam Gambhir has warned that nothing short of a “special effort” will be enough when the defending champions face England in a blockbuster T20 World Cup semi-final in Mumbai, even as he lavished praise on Sanju Samson for keeping their title defence alive.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Samson produced a sublime unbeaten 97 off just 50 balls to power India to a five-wicket win over the West Indies at a packed Eden Gardens, chasing down 196 in a winner-takes-all Super Eights clash. His knock, studded with 12 fours and four sixes, lifted India to 199/5 and into the last four.

“We all know how good a player Sanju is,” Gambhir said after the match. “It was all about backing him and when the team needed him the most. Obviously today was the day when he probably showed his full potential.”Samson had played just one group-stage match, scoring 22 against Namibia, as India preferred a left-hand opening pair. Recalled for the Super Eights to add a right-handed option at the top, he made 24 against Zimbabwe — enough for Gambhir to persist with him.“I have always said that he is a world-class player. He is a great talent and hopefully he can kick on from now and we can see a lot more innings like this,” Gambhir added.

But the focus now shifts to Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, where a formidable England side awaits on Thursday. Harry Brook’s men arrive unbeaten in the Super Eights and peaking at the right time.“Look, they’re a world-class team, they’re a quality team, they’ve got a lot of quality players as well,” Gambhir said in a post-match news conference.He acknowledged the new challenge posed by Wankhede’s conditions after Kolkata. “We all know that playing at the Wankhede is a tough game, but it’s another opportunity to do something special for the team and for the country.”India, he stressed, must be flawless.“Hopefully we play our best game, that is going to be very important and we can keep ticking all the boxes. Because we will need a special effort to beat a quality side like England,” Gambhir further added.

Security heightened in Jammu and Kashmir.

NEW DELHI: The ministry of home affairs has cautioned states about the possibility of communal tensions in the wake of the ongoing conflict involving Iran, asking authorities to stay alert and take preventive steps.In a letter circulated on February 28, the ministry warned that recent military developments in West Asia could have “ripple effects” within India, particularly if overseas events are invoked during religious gatherings or public meetings, news agency PTI reported.States have been asked to keep a close watch on individuals and groups that could provoke unrest. The advisory specifically called for monitoring “pro-Iran radical preachers giving inflammatory sermons” that may inflame communal sentiments. The ministry also emphasised the need for closer intelligence coordination and timely intervention to prevent any deterioration in the law-and-order situation.The alert comes against the backdrop of a sharp escalation in the Middle East following reported joint US-Israel military strikes on Iran. New Delhi has publicly called for restraint while keeping a close watch on developments, mindful of the large Indian presence across the Gulf region.Officials said the government is assessing the situation not only from a geopolitical perspective but also for its potential domestic impact, amid concerns that international developments could be used by extremist elements to trigger tensions at home.Precautionary measures have already been taken in parts of Jammu and Kashmir. Mobile internet speeds were reduced across the Valley on Monday following spontaneous protests over the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, officials said, adding that the step was taken to maintain law and order.Security has been tightened in Srinagar, with the Ghanta Ghar at Lal Chowk sealed off using barricades. Additional police and CRPF personnel were deployed across the city to prevent large gatherings.Khamenei was killed in an airstrike in Tehran during a joint US-Israel operation. The development triggered protests and mourning in several places, including parts of India.Officials said demonstrations were reported from Lal Chowk, Saida Kadal, Budgam, Bandipora, Anantnag and Pulwama. Kashmir, which has an estimated Shia population of around 15 lakh, saw some of the largest gatherings.Meanwhile, the conflict in West Asia continues to intensify. The United States and Israel have carried out sustained strikes on Iranian targets, focusing on ballistic missile infrastructure and naval assets in the days following Khamenei’s killing. Iranian officials say more than 200 people have been killed since the campaign began.Iran has retaliated with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and US military facilities in the Gulf. Strikes have also reached major cities in the region, including Riyadh and Dubai.The conflict has also begun to disrupt civil aviation across the Gulf. Several airlines have suspended or curtailed services as the exchange of strikes continues. Airports in Dubai, Bahrain and Kuwait have also reported strikes or operational disruptions as tensions continue to rise.

AP file photo

A joint US-Israeli attack on Iran has killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and triggered retaliatory strikes across the region, escalating tensions and raising fears of a wider conflict.Israeli strikes targeted Tehran, while Iran responded with drones and missiles aimed at Israel and sites around the Gulf. Gulf states have pledged to defend themselves against Iranian attacks, while a missile barrage in Jerusalem left seven people injured.

US President Donald Trump said in a video posted Sunday that the military operation in Iran, which he called “one of the most complex, most overwhelming military offensives the world has ever seen”, will continue until “all of our objectives” are achieved.Residents fled southern Lebanon on Monday after Israel carried out multiple strikes and issued evacuation warnings to villagers. At least 31 people were killed in the Israeli attacks, as cited by AP.The violence, which began on Saturday, has spread to more locations and increased the death toll. Governments around the world reacted with both support and condemnation, amid concerns about the impact on the global economy.

Air raid sirens sounded in northern Israel shortly after midnight on Monday. Hours later, explosions struck the outskirts of Beirut, marking a breach of a ceasefire that had largely held since November 2024.The Israeli military said it began targeting Hezbollah positions in Lebanon after projectiles were launched into Israel. No injuries or damage were immediately reported. Israel issued evacuation orders for around 53 towns and villages in Lebanon, prompting hundreds of thousands of residents to flee their homes overnight.It was the first such exchange since the truce between Israel and Lebanon formally ended hostilities with Hezbollah, according to Israel’s public broadcaster.Hezbollah claimed responsibility, stating it was responding to repeated Israeli strikes and to avenge the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He was killed on Saturday in a strike on his compound in Tehran during the US-Israeli war against Iran.Israel accused Hezbollah of operating on behalf of the Iranian regime. While Israeli forces have continued strikes in southern and eastern Lebanon since the ceasefire, areas near Beirut had rarely been targeted until now.

Stock market crashes amid Middle East tensions

Indian equity benchmarks fell sharply at the opening bell on Monday amid rising tensions in the Middle East and global market volatility, with crude oil prices and trade concerns weighing on sentiment.The Nifty50 slipped below 24,900, while the BSE Sensex dropped more than 1,000 points in early trade. At 9:16 AM, the Nifty50 was at 24,866.00, down 313 points or 1.24%. The BSE Sensex stood at 80,226.63, down 1,061 points or 1.30%.Analysts said sectors sensitive to crude prices, including oil marketing companies, paints, tyres, aviation and chemicals, could face margin pressure due to higher input costs.Upstream oil producers such as ONGC and Oil India may benefit from improved realisations, while defence stocks including HAL and BEL could see positive sentiment.

Iran will not negotiate with US, says top security official

Iran’s top national security official, Ali Larijani, said Tehran “will not negotiate with the United States,” dismissing reports that it had sought to resume talks through intermediaries.In a post on X, Larijani — secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and one of the country’s most senior figures, rejected media claims of outreach to Washington.He also said Trump has “plunged the region into chaos with his ‘false hopes’ and is now worried about further casualties of American troops.”

Kuwait air defences intercept hostile aerial targets

Kuwait’s armed forces said early Monday that its air defence units intercepted several hostile aerial targets over the country.In a statement, the military spokesperson said the Kuwaiti Air Defence Force “successfully intercepted a number of hostile aerial targets with efficiency and capability at dawn today.” The targets were detected and engaged within the central region as part of operations to protect national airspace. No casualties were reported.The spokesperson added that the armed forces remain on full alert and will continue to address any developments to ensure the country’s security and stability.

Got him before he got me, says Donald Trump

Confirming the death of Khamenei Trump said, “I got him before he got me. They tried twice, I got him first.”He said that over the past 36 hours, the United States and its partners had launched Operation Epic Fury, which he described as one of the largest and most complex military offensives ever carried out.According to Trump, US forces struck hundreds of targets across Iran, including Revolutionary Guard facilities and air defence systems. He added that nine ships and a naval building were destroyed “in a matter of literally minutes.”

Abu Dhabi, Dubai stock markets to remain shut

The Abu Dhabi and Dubai stock markets will remain closed on Monday, March 2, and Tuesday, March 3, amid rising tensions in the Middle East, according to Gulf News.The Capital Market Authority (CMA) announced that both the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and the Dubai Financial Market will suspend trading on these dates. The decision was made in line with the authority’s regulatory and supervisory mandate and applicable laws.The CMA said it will continue to monitor regional developments, assess the situation, and take further measures as needed. It also urged stakeholders to follow official communication channels of the CMA, Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, and Dubai Financial Market for updates.

Travel disruptions hit the region

Escalating hostilities in the Middle East have disrupted air travel across the region, leaving governments scrambling to evacuate stranded citizens.Dubai International Airport, one of the world’s busiest, suffered damage from missile strikes, and blasts have also been reported in Abu Dhabi and Doha. Large sections of Middle Eastern airspace were closed over the weekend, with neighboring countries restricting flights.The impact has extended beyond the region, as foreign governments coordinate the repatriation of their nationals. Air travel remains heavily disrupted across West Asia, from the UAE to Israel. By Sunday evening, around 1,600 flights were cancelled by regional carriers including Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways. Airlines such as IndiGo, Air India, and Akasa reported 350 flight cancellations during the day.Most airlines have already announced cancellations extending into Monday, with resumption dependent on assessments of safety in the conflict zone.

Britain’s Royal Air Force in Cyprus hit by suspected drone strike

Britain’s Royal Air Force base at Akrotiri in Cyprus was hit by a suspected drone strike overnight, causing limited damage but no casualties, Cypriot authorities and the UK ministry of defence said.A Cyprus government spokesperson confirmed that “information received through various channels indicates that it involved an unmanned drone, which caused limited damage,” as cited by Reuters. Residents near the base were advised to shelter in place following the suspected impact, according to a security alert from the British bases administration.The UK retains sovereignty over two military bases on Cyprus, an EU member state. RAF Akrotiri, located on a large peninsula at the island’s southern tip, was last directly attacked by Libyan militants in the mid-1980s.

The US central command dismissed the claims by Iranian Guards that they had hit USS Abraham Lincoln in the Gulf on Sunday. It said that the missiles launched by Iran “didn’t even come close”.“Iran’s IRGC claims to have struck USS Abraham Lincoln with ballistic missiles. LIE. The Lincoln was not hit. The missiles launched didn’t even come close. The Lincoln continues to launch aircraft in support of CENTCOM’s relentless campaign to defend the American people by eliminating threats from the Iranian regime,” it said in a post on X.Iran’s Revolutionary Guards had claimed that they targeted the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Gulf in retaliation to the US and Israeli strikes that killed the country’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei.“The US aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln was struck by four ballistic missiles,” AFP quoted the Guards saying in a statement. It further warned that “the land and sea will increasingly become the graveyard of the terrorist aggressors”.

In January, the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and three guided-missile destroyers arrived to reinforce the naval contingent. They were later joined by the USS Gerald R Ford — the world’s largest aircraft carrier — along with four additional destroyers that were sent from the Caribbean toward the Middle East and are currently positioned in the Mediterranean.Altogether, the expanded deployment has brought more than 10,000 additional US troops into the region.A sweeping joint offensive by the United States and Israel killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, setting off retaliatory attacks across the region and sending shockwaves globally. The escalation widened on Sunday as Israel launched a major strike on Tehran, while Iran responded with drones and missiles targeting Israel, US military bases around the Gulf, and even the commercial hub of Dubai. In Pakistan, at least nine people were reported killed in unrest after protesters stormed the US consulate.The coordinated strikes, which began Saturday, raised fears of a broader regional war with potential consequences for global markets and energy supplies. In announcing the operation, US President Donald Trump called on Iranians to seize the moment and “take over,” framing the attack as an opportunity for political change.The assault came just days after fresh US-Iran nuclear talks, as Washington pressed Tehran to curb its atomic program, and amid mounting domestic discontent in Iran following protests that began over economic grievances and evolved into broader anti-government demonstrations.

Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir made explosive claims about the umpiring decision involving Shimron Hetmyer in the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 match between India and Pakistan at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday (March 1).

Amir openly questioned the dismissal of Shimron Hetmyer and suggested that the decision went in India’s favor at a crucial moment. He believes that the dismissal was highly controversial and feels if Hetmyer had continued for a few more overs, the West Indies could have easily pushed their total to 220 or even 230 runs and knocked India out of the T20 World Cup 2026.

Mohammad Amir slams controversial Shimron Hetmyer dismissal

Mohammad Amir said on Geo News’ ‘Haarna Mana Hain’ show: “I feel that Shimron Hetmyer’s wicket was very controversial. I do not think he was actually out at that moment. If he had stayed at the crease and played a little longer, West Indies could have easily scored around 220 to 230 runs.

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Read Also: ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Semi-Finals Full Schedule: Dates, Venues & Match Timings

In that case, India would have been under huge pressure while chasing 195. To chase such a big total, India needed one strong and long innings. Sanju Samson played exactly that kind of knock. He played an outstanding innings and took the team to victory.”

🚨🚨M Amir Said 🗣️ :- about the Controversial Dismissal of Shimron Hitmyer
🚨

-Hitmyer Was Clearly Not Out, Mostly Umpires are So Much Biased Towards india in most of the ICC matches , and these Smalls thing really matterpic.twitter.com/RfVQ8KVwB0

— SheR•ALI (@Sher__Ali) March 1, 2026

Controversy erupts at Eden Gardens as Shimron Hetmyer given out

Full drama happened at Eden Gardens when Shimron Hetmyer was given out in a very tense moment, and he clearly did not agree with the decision. It was a must-win match for the West Indies, and they were batting strongly against the Men in Blue.

They had already racked up 102 runs for 1 and were looking to post a big total on the board in their final Super 8 stage match. But drama exploded in the 11.3 over. Jasprit Bumrah delivered a short-of-length ball. The ball angled across the left-handed Hetmyer.

The hard-hitting batter Shimron Hetmyer tried to play a big slog shot across the line to continue his attack. But the ball came very close to his inside edge and went straight to Indian wicketkeeper Sanju Samson behind the stumps. The on-field umpire, Chris Gaffaney, instantly raised his finger to give him out caught behind.

Read Also: Mohammad Amir burns in jealousy, issues statement after India reach T20 WC semi-finals

Shimron Hetmyer stunned, takes a review against Jasprit Bumrah

But Hetmyer looked shocked. He did not look convinced at all and went for the review. The West Indies batter was very sure that the ball had not touched his bat. He even signaled with his hands that there was a clear gap between bat and ball. He kept shaking his head.

The crowd noise made the situation even more confusing. When the ball passed the bat, there was a big sound in the stadium. Sometimes in such loud conditions, it becomes very difficult for umpires to judge clearly.

Even in the dugout, West Indies head coach Darren Sammy looked disappointed. On the replay shown near the team area, Sammy could be seen shaking his head in disbelief. The former captain did not look satisfied with the decision.

The Final Verdict

Well, the third umpire checked UltraEdge. The screen showed a clear spike when the ball passed the bat. That spike meant there was contact between bat and ball. Because of that, the original decision stayed. The West Indies lost their review, and Hetmyer had to walk back after scoring 27 runs from just 12 balls. He walked off slowly, still shaking his head.

He looked clearly upset and disappointed. He was attacking strongly and helping the West Indies move towards a very big total. His wicket at that moment was a big turning point, and it played a big role in their five-wicket loss to India. With this heartbreaking defeat, the West Indies’ T20 World Cup 2026 journey ended with India qualifying for the semifinal.

Chandra Grahan is going to take place on March 3, 2026 and this will be a rare celestial event, which is going to happen on the day of Holi festival. This will be the first Lunar Eclipse of the year and as it will fall on the day of Holi so it will be considered as unique and rare. This will be a great opportunity for the sky watchers and astronomers to witness this unique event and capture this in their DSLR’s.

Chandra Grahan on March 3, 2026: What is Blood Moon?

On this day, the earth will be between the Sun and the Moon and the Moon will be in the Earth’s shadow and the alignment causes a total lunar eclipse. In this phase, the Moon looks red because the sunlight bends through Earth’s atmosphere and it is called as Blood Moon.

Will this Lunar Eclipse be visible in India?

Yes, this Lunar Eclipse will be seen from different parts of India.

Lunar Eclipse 2026: Start and Ends Time

This Chandra Grahan will start in the afternoon from 03:20 PM (March 3, 2026) and it will end at 06:47 PM in the evening. It will last for few hours. The most interesting thing is that people from India would be able to witness this Lunar Eclipse just for 15 minutes starting from 06:30 to 06:47 PM after the moonrise. Because the Moon rises earlier in the northeastern states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, and Bengal, people there will have a better chance of seeing the eclipse.

When to perform Holika Dahan on March 2 or 3? Check correct date here

According to the astrological facts, Holika Dahan should be performed on March 3, 2026 after the eclipse ends. On 2nd March, there will be Bhadra so during that time Holika Dahan can not be performed so its better to perform it after the eclipse ends on March 3, 2026.

Chandra Grahan 2026: Sutak Time?

On March 3, Sutak kaal will start from 06:23 AM in the morning and it will end with the Eclipse.

What makes this Lunar Eclipse unique?

Holi is celebrated on Phalguna Purnima, the full moon day of the Hindu month of Phalguna. But this time it will happen on the day of festival of colors, Holi which makes it more special and unique. Hindus believe that eclipses are related to the myth of Rahu and Ketu, two shadow planets that are supposed to dusturb the moon’ energy during a grahan. People typically take specific actions and precautions to keep safe during this time.

Are you ready for this Chandra Grahan?

Ask this question to yourself because this Lunar Eclipse will not be normal or a casual one because this is going to take place in Leo zodiac sign under the Purva Phalguni Nakshatra and above that on the day of Holi. You can not take this Chandra Grahan as normal because there will be so many changes are coming in your life. Your life will not be as usual after this Lunar Eclipse. This will bring changes in your thoughts, mind, emotions and give you clarity in life. People who were on the path of injustice, this Lunar Eclipse will remove the evil from the earth just like Holika was burned to death. You need to purify yourr thoughts, intentions and this should be visible in your actions too otherwise this Lunar Eclipse will give a big setback in your professional and personal life. This will be one of the biggest astrological event so people should be aware of this.

Rupee slipped past the 91 mark against the US dollar on Monday, tumbling to 91.32, as escalating tensions in the Middle East and heightened volatility in global markets unsettled investors. Forex traders said that the currency came under added pressure from negative equity market sentiment and significant foreign fund outflows. Rupee opened at 91.23 and slipped to 91.29 in early interbank trade, down 21 paise from Friday’s close of 91.08, when it had lost 17 paise. At the same time, the dollar index, which measures the greenback against six major currencies, rose 0.22% to 97.78. Rising global crude prices added to market concerns, with Brent crude futures up 3.91% at $76.78 per barrel. Analysts linked the jump to recent US and Israeli military strikes in Iran. On Sunday, both countries carried out attacks across Iran, targeting ballistic missile sites and destroying warships, following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Experts said that the surge in oil prices could push India’s import bill higher, as the nation imports roughly 85% of its fuel requirements. As tensions continue to escalate, Dalal Street also opened in red with Sensex falling almost 1,000 points, while the Nifty fell 240.95 points, or 0.96 per cent, to 24,937.70 in early trade. On Friday, foreign institutional investors sold equities worth Rs 7,536.36 crore, according to exchange data. Government data released on Friday, reflecting a revamp of the GDP calculation framework, projected India’s economic growth at 7.6% for the current fiscal year. Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of India reported that forex reserves fell by $2.119 billion to $723.608 billion in the week ending February 20, after climbing by $8.663 billion to an all-time high of $725.727 billion the previous week.

Pakistan’s captain Salman Agha (L), Usman Khan and coach Mike Hesson in Colombo. (PTI Photo)

When Pakistan look back at the 2026 T20 World Cup, they will remember it as one that got away. They had a lot running in their favour — staying put in Sri Lanka, playing matches on surfaces of their choice, winning important tosses — but they couldn’t deliver what was expected of them: consistency. As a result, Salman Ali Agha’s team is out of the competition before the semifinals, ensuring that the Sri Lanka leg of this World Cup ended on Saturday.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!It’s true that, the India defeat apart, they weren’t exactly shambolic. The New Zealand wash-out and a Harry Brook classic played significant roles in them not making the semifinals, but then World Cups are decided by fine margins.

There were already talks about Agha’s resignation from captaincy, and the right-hander said at the post-match press conference on Saturday that “such decisions shouldn’t be emotional”. “We will go back and take some time and then make the required decision,” Agha said.But he can’t deny that there were some serious decision-making errors that hurt Pakistan in this World Cup. While, in the India game, their decision to win the toss and field at the Premadasa was suicidal, not bowling a second finger-spinner right after dismissing Abhishek Sharma in the first over was equally poor. But those decisions only cost Pakistan pride, because they managed to get into the Super 8s.But there were enough hints in the first four games that Babar Azam was looking a misfit at No 4. Still, the Pakistan team management decided to persist with him, and it was his slow batting in the England game that was one of the reasons behind the defeat. In that match, Babar managed a 24-ball 25 and couldn’t accelerate. Pakistan’s 164-9 was taken down by Brook’s century.Agha, though, tried to defend the senior batter, who was finally dropped in the Sri Lanka game. “Babar had a different role in this World Cup. He was a No. 4 and we needed a batter who could come in the middle-order and give us stability and save us from collapse,” the captain argued.It took the decision-makers — coach Mike Hesson and captain Agha — the entire tournament to figure out that Fakhar Zaman is best suited as an opener. The attacking left-hander was finally given a go against Sri Lanka at the top of the order, where he smashed a 42-ball 84 that gave the team some hope.“We make the playing XI based on conditions and situations. The captain and the coach make the 11 together. We had to win this game in 13 overs or win by 65 runs and play according to that. As for Fakhar, he didn’t come to the tournament with good form, but yes, right now, you can say that he should have played the first four matches,” Agha said.According to the captain, it’s the team’s inability to take correct decisions in crunch moments that have hurt them in ICC tournaments. “Whenever there is pressure, our decision-making is not as good as it should be. When you come to the World Cup or ICC events, there is always pressure,” Agha said, bluntly.It may well have been a dig at the way Shaheen Afridi, the premier pace bowler, often let his team down at crucial junctures, bowling the wrong length. It almost cost them Saturday’s game as well, when he conceded 22 trying to defend 28 off the last over.Amidst the doom and gloom, the performances of Farhan with the bat and mystery spinner Usman Tariq should come as a breath of fresh air.

REASONS FOR PAKISTAN’S EARLY OUSTER

NEW DELHI: After a year marked by an early and sharp rise in flu cases in several countries, India is set to update its seasonal influenza vaccine to better match a fast-spreading new strain.The World Health Organization has issued its annual recommendations for the 2026–27 northern hemisphere flu season, based on global surveillance data that showed a new A(H3N2) variant — known as subclade K — becoming dominant. India, as part of the northern hemisphere, follows this guidance each year to decide which strains are included in the flu shot.The new H3N2 strain appears to spread more easily than earlier versions. While it is not necessarily more severe for each infected person, its higher transmissibility has led to increased case numbers and earlier-than-usual flu activity in many regions.“The updated recommendations are timely, given the rapid global spread of the new A(H3N2) variant,” said Dr Rommel Tickoo, Director of Internal Medicine at Max Hospital, Saket. “H3N2 strains are often linked to more severe illness, especially in the elderly and those with other medical conditions. Since influenza viruses keep changing, updating the vaccine each year is critical. Early vaccination of high-risk groups can reduce complications and hospital admissions.”WHO has recommended updated components for H1N1, H3N2 and B/Victoria strains for the upcoming season. Indian vaccine manufacturers will now align production to match these strains so doses are available before peak transmission.Doctors advise getting the flu shot before winter. Those who should prioritise vaccination include elderly adults, pregnant women, healthcare workers, young children, people with chronic diseases, immunocompromised individuals and adults over 50 with underlying health conditions.Seasonal influenza causes an estimated 290,000 to 650,000 respiratory deaths globally each year. While India does not have a universal flu vaccination programme, experts say annual vaccination remains important for vulnerable groups.With the updated strains announced, Indian regulators are expected to review and clear the revised formulation soon, allowing manufacturers to begin production ahead of the 2026–27 flu season.

Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda tied the knot in Udaipur, Rajasthan, on February 26, 2026. The couple shared the pictures from their wedding on their respective social media accounts. And now, a new set of photos has surfaced on the internet. Let’s take a look at them.

Rashmika Mandanna arrives in Palki for the wedding

RVR Eventz and Design dropped the pictures of Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda from their wedding. In one of the glimpses, the actress can be seen arriving in a palki. For those unaware, a palki is a customary bridal palanquin, commonly seen in South Asian weddings, used to escort the bride from her parents’ residence to her husband’s home in a symbolic farewell ritual. The images also showed the floral arrangements and the decorated mandap for the wedding. The initials VR were added on an old welcome standee-type board. The caption of the post read, “The decor was curated based on the vibe they wanted to get married in, more than just putting on a grand wedding show. Every element had a meaning, representing the Periodic Era and highlighting rich Indian heritage.”

The caption further read, “To complement the beautiful property, we kept nature at the heart of the design, letting the venue’s natural beauty shine. Earthy tones set the palette, naturally leading us to incorporate terracotta elements. We ditched the ordinary huge artifacts and kept the design rooted in the theme of this wedding—the Periodic Era.”Take a look.

More about Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda’s wedding

The couple had two wedding ceremonies to honor each other’s traditions. As per the reports, in the morning, they got married as per the Telugu Hindu rituals of Vijay’s side. And in the evening, they followed the Kodava (Coorg) traditions, as per Rashmika’s side.Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda wedding reception; Guest list tightened further – ReportsIt was attended by actor-filmmaker Tharun Bhascker, director Rahul Ravindran, actors Eesha Rebba and Ashika Ranganath, stylist Shravya Varma, filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga, and actress Kalyani Priyadarshan.Reportedly, the couple is set to host a wedding reception on March 4 in Hyderabad. Rashmika was last seen in the film ‘The Girlfriend’.